British Columbia Hansard — 7 May 2018, p.m., Issue 129 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180507pm-Hansard-n129

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, May 7, 2018 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 129 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Third Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.............................................................................................Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health.....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party ....................................................................................................................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Commi ttees.................................................................................................................................

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

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal).......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal)................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal)...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

Judy (NDP) ............................................................New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal)..........................................................Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal)............................................ Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ...............................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)......................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon.

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP).............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal).......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal).........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ..................................................................Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal).............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal)......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (B C Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP)................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)...................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)....................................

Kam loops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal)...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (B C Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal)..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal)................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal)..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (B C Liberal).............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal)................................................................Kelowna West Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

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

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal)................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal).............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Yap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West.................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................................. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack.............................................................................................. John Martin Chilliwack-Kent..............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville..................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox ................................................................. Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North ...........................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South.................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin.............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kam loops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kam loops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm L etnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West.........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East.....................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West...................................................................... Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East.......................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission ............................................................................ Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..........................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim .............................................................. Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo...............................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan.............................................................. Doug Routley Nechako Lakes...................................................................................... John Rustad Nelson-Creston.................................................................. Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster......................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast..........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head..........................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North..................................................................................

Dan Davies Peace River South............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston.................................................................................. John Yap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena.........................................................................................................

Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale...............................................................................

Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Surrey South...............................................................................Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon. George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek.......................................................................

Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings.............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant................................................... Hon.

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey...........................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena......................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee...................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill................................................................ Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake .................................................................. Hon.

Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano................................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1

CONTENTS Monday, May 7, 2018 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4359 Statements................................................................................................................................................................................ 4360 Apology for comm ents made in the House Hon. R.

Fleming Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4360 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4361 Les Wingrove Hon. S.

Robinson Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4361 Statements................................................................................................................................................................................ 4362 Child Care Month Hon. K.

Conroy Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4362 Statements................................................................................................................................................................................ 4362 Emergency Preparedness Week J. Rice Bike to Work Week D.

Routley Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4362 Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 4362 Bill 33 — South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. S. Robinson Bill 19 — Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2018 Bill 34 — Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. G.

Heyman Statements (Standing Order 25B)......................................................................................................................................... 4364 Diamond jubilee of Aga Khan J. Routledge B.C. Ambulance Service N. Letnick Mental health of children and youth R. Leonard Foundry youth mental health services J. Thornthwaite Multiple sclerosis A. Kang Chinese University of Hong Kong T.

Wat Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 4366 Impact of employer health tax on municipal budgets A. Wilkinson Hon. C. James T. Stone Fishing industry quota system and support for young fishers A. Olsen Hon. D. Donaldson Fish health and wild salmon protection A. Olsen Hon. D. Donaldson

Oral Questions (continued) Impact of employer health tax on municipal budgets S. Bond Hon. C. James M. Stilwell T. Redies Emergency services at hospitals J. Isaacs Hon. A.

Dix Orders of the Day Tabling Documents................................................................................................................................................................. 4371 Elections B.C., report of the Chief Electoral Officer on recomm endations for legislative change, May 2018 Commi ttee of the Whole House............................................................................................................................................ 4371 Bill 22 — Civil Resolution Tribunal Amendment Act, 2018(continued) M. Lee Hon. D.

Eby Report and Third Reading of Bills......................................................................................................................................... 4382 Bill 22 — Civil Resolution Tribunal Amendment Act, 2018 Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 4382 Bill 20 — Insurance (Vehicle) Amendment Act, 2018(continued) J. Martin S. Cadieux A. Kang Hon. D. Eby Bill 18 — Local Government Statutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. S.

Robinson S. Sullivan P. Milobar A. Olsen M. Hunt Hon. S. Robinson Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4393 Estimates: Ministry of Citizens’ Services(continued) Hon. J. Sims M. de Jong B. Stewart S. Thomson Estimates: Ministry of Children and Family Development(continued) D. Barnett Hon. K. Conroy J. Thornthwaite L. Throness

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 The House met at 1:34 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members L. Reid: It is with tremendous admiration that I rec- ognize the individuals standing guard today, the honour guard and the seniorexecutive of the B.C. Am bulanceSer- vice. We’re joined by Mike Wright, Marilyn Oberg, Janis Travaleen, PaulValley, GlenGreenhilland, always, by the effervescent Lynn Klein. [1:35 p.m.] Extraordinary. We’re in the presence of greatness, I believe. When we call 911, these are the individuals that respond. I’d ask the House to please give them the warmest welcome possible.

Hon. A. Dix: I’d like to join my colleaguefrom Richmond South Centre. Members of the House who were here during the lastparliamentwillknow itwas underthe formerSpeak- er’s direction that the FallenParamedics Memorial monu- ment was established here in the Legislature. It was an important day for ambulance paramedics everywhere.

I encourage all m embers, if they haven’t been there — I know we often are stuck in the House these days, but they’re there untilseven o’clock today, and they started at six o’clock yesterday — to join, behind the Legislature at the m onument, am bulance param edics in paying tribute to their fallen comrades but also to them and the work they do for us every day. I wantto acknowledge some people, including Joe Smirh, Marilyn Oberg, Janis Travaleen and Paul Valley, who are involved in that in various capacities, but all of the ambu- lance paramedicswho are taking

part in those eventsover the next couple of days, ending at seven o’clock tonight. I also have the opportunity…. I think many members of the House were in the Rattenbury Room today to getapres- entation from occupational therapistsfrom across B.C. My colleague the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions madesure thatI understood and madethe pointthatoccu- pational therapists also play a critical role in the mental health system in British Columbia. I wanted to introduce the following OTs. I may go into OT here on this introduction, because there are quite a few: Giovanna Boniface;Sarah Charles;Dr.

Skye Barbic; Tracy Adams; Jeff Boniface;LauraBulk; Andrea McNeill; Amit Kumar; Allison Patterson; StephanieGlegg; Meredith Blink- horn; MichellePidduck; Jeannette Boily; and NicoleCramp- ton, who’s the chiefoccupationaltherapistof the University of Northern British Columbia, interestingly. Finally, I wish the House would wish all of the OTs welcome. Also, many members on both sidesof the House, joined by the Premier and many members on the opposition side and from the Greencaucus, were atthe luncheventprovided by the MS Society today.

Itwas a very moving eventwhere we heard stories aboutrealpeopleand theirstruggleswith MS and some of the things thatwe can do togetherto make people’s lives easier and, of course, to find a cure. I wanted to introduce Tania Vrionis, the president of the MS Society of B.C. and the Yukon; Tracey Fresneda, the board chair; CharlesAruliah, the m anagerof govern- m entrelations; Marilyn Lenzen, MichelleHewitt,Ed Jack- son; David Allin;Pippa Blake; RahulRay; Pauline Adam s; Richard Swinden; Alan Miller; and the Premier’s form er boss Lynn Hunter, an advocate extraordinaire, and her daughter Megan.

I wish the House wouldwish everyone who is joining us today welcome. R. Chouhan: Today on behalfof you, Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to introducealongtime friend of the Legislative Assembly. Dr. Patrick Smith has been the academicdirector of the B.C. legislative internship program since January of 2005 and has aptly provided support and guidance to this great program for many years. He firstbecame involved with the internship program atthe very beginning, in 1975, as partof the selection commi ttee. His involvementwith the program has been steady and true for over 40 years. Dr.

Smith holds both an undergraduate and graduate degree in politicalsciencefrom McMasterUniversity and his PhD from the London Schoolof Economics. As a professor of politicalscienceatSimon FraserUniversity as wellas the current director of the Institute of Governance Studies,his research interestsincludepublicpolicy, localand metropol- itan governance, politicalparties and elections and, as well, all things politic. He has authored and co-authored over a dozen books on these topics. [1:40 p.m.] He will be retiring as the academic director of the B.C. legislative internship program this year.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially the parliamentary educa- tion officestaff, who have hadthe honourto work with and learn from him. He is passionate aboutthe internship pro- gram and the many learning opportunities thatitbrings to B.C.’s best and brightest graduates and wishes the program continued success, justas allof us here wish him the bestin his well-deserved retirement. S. Bond: I know that all of my colleaguesin the House wouldbe wellaware of the good work that’s done by the Brit- ish Columbia Schizophrenia Society. It’s a non-profitorgan- ization. Ithas a wide family-supporting network.

I’m really pleased to introducethree members of the organization that are here today. Andrew Stewart is the operations manager. Tom C onway is the new executive director. I’m probably a little biased, but David Halikowski is 4359

here. He is from PrinceGeorge. He served as the president of the organization. He is certainly one of those hard- working volunteers thatwork rightacross the province to improve the lives of peoplewho are suffering with m ental illness. I know thatmy colleagueswillwantto m ake them m ost welcom e today. Hon. J. Darcy: Today is the startof MentalHealth Week and ChildMentalHealthDay, and 2018 also marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Canada. To celebrate these occasions, we are joined by 47 representatives of the CMHA from across British Columbia.

They work hard every day, whetherthey’re involved directly in delivering services,whether it’s involved in advocacy or whether it’s by volunteering their time. They make an enormous difference in people’s lives every single day. There are 47 gueststoday, so I’m notgoingto introduceall of them, butI dowantto especially acknowledge BevGutray, who is the CEO of CMHA B.C. I also wantto acknowledge one particularguest,Dr. Jean Moore, who has beenalifelong advocate forthe mentalhealth of children and youth, along- time supporterof CMHA and also of FirstCall:B.C. Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.

I wouldask allof the m embers of the House — I know that m any of you have m etwith them or will be m eeting with them later today — to please m ake them very, very welcom e and join theircallwhen they say: “Getloud about m ental health.” S. Sullivan: I have fourvery specialguests.Tom Gautreau is an entrepreneurand job creator in Vancouver who con- tributes in many ways, including as amemberof the Audain ArtMuseum board. We also have Nick and Ben Gudewell, who are alongtime business family in Victoriawho are com- mitted to the well-beingof allBritishColumbians.

And espe- cially my wife, my amazingLynn, withoutwhom I wouldnot be here today. Please make them all welcome. Hon. J. Horgan: Joining us this in the members’ gallery this afternoon is Her Excellency Natasha Smith, the new High Commi ssionerof Australia to Canada. Along with her is hersecond secretary, Ms. Brittany Noakes, and the honor- ary consul to Vancouver, Mr. Kevin Lamb. The delegation is here to talk aboutrelationships between Canadaand Australia,mostimportantly meetingwithmem- bers of executive counciltoday and tomorrow. I’llhave the opportunity to meetwith the delegation tomorrow.

I look forward to talking aboutthe Australian testteam absolutely crushingthe Britsin Sydney in the finaltestof The Ashesthis pastsumm erin Australia. I know itwas a greatday for me, and a greatday for allBritish Columbians, to see Australia prevailonceagain with The Ashes. I know allmembers will wantto putcricketasidefornow and welcome ourAustrali- an friends here to the Legislature. J.

Thornthwaite: I wouldalso like to putalittleplugin for the occupationaltherapists.I’m notgoing to go through the wholelist— the Ministerof Health has already done that— but a special mention to a coupleof my constituents,Gio- vanna and Jeff Boniface. Willthe House please make them welcome. Statements APOLOGY FOR COMMENTS MADE IN THE HOUSE Hon. R. Fleming: A coupleof items.

Firstly, on the lastsit- ting day of the House, I understand thatI may have caused offence to the memberfor Prince George–Valemount.This was certainly not my intention, and I want to take this opportunity this afternoon to apologize to that member. [1:45 p.m.] Introductions by Members Hon. R. Fleming: On anotherentirely unrelated item of business, I wantto make an introduction, following on the Ministerof Health’s introduction, to a constituent of mine, Ms. Ginny Kenyon, who is an occupationaltherapistatthe Vancouver Island Health Authority.

She is here, of course, with the delegation from the Canadian Association of Occu- pationalTherapists,B.C. chapter. She’s astrong and persuas- ive advocate for her profession in my comm unity. I would ask the House to make her most welcome. A. Weaver: Hon. Speaker, please letme join the Deputy Speaker in wishing a very happy retirement to Dr. Paddy Smith as the academicdirectorof the B.C. legislative intern- ship program. For m ore than a decade, Paddy has balanced his duties as an academicand directorof the Institute of Governance StudiesatSFU with his legislative work.

In my experience, frankly, those two worlds can indeed be quite the balan- cing act.Paddy has hadahand in selecting the interns who have assisted m any of us in the House, and after years of asking for interns in the Green caucus, we finally gottwo of ourown — the am azing AlexMcGowan and the incred- ible Kayla Phillips. Forallof you who have contributed to the study of politics in B.C. and the work thathas been done in this House, thank you, Paddy, and enjoy the well-earned retirement. Hon. G.

Heyman: Joining us today in the gallery are two oldfriends, longtime activistsand leaders of the Construc- tion and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611. I’ll start with Merrick Walsh, who is also aleaderin the retiree coun- cil, atireless advocate forhis members and forabettercom- munity as well as very, very active in the comm unity. The other m ember, currently president of the retiree council, BruceFerguson, is a very, very oldfriend of mine 4360 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

from our time in Terrace, British Columbia, where we shared a m entor. Finn Ferguson taught m e how to work hard as well as to stand up for myself and was also, of course, Bruce’s dad. Bruce has been a great leaderin his union and in the comm unity. Would the House please join me in making them both very, very welcome. E. Foster: I have four guests here in the House today from Vernon, and I speak also on behalf of the member for Shuswap, because they represent an area in his riding as well.

From the Queen SilverStarExcellenceambassadors program we have Queen Angitha, Princess MacKenzieand, accompanying them, two long-suffering volunteers with the program. They’ve done a greatjob forthe comm unity. They travelaround the province with the ladiesas they represent the North Okanagan — Coleen Noeland Karen Humphreys. Would the House please make them welcome. Tributes LES WINGROVE Hon. S. Robinson: I have some unfortunate news from my comm unity to share with the House. A longtime lacrosse coach, manager and club executive, Les Wingrove, passed away about ten days ago. He was just 74.

He formed the Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association in the early 1970s. He was a manager of teams that won both the Minto and Mann Cups. He worked as the director of operations and alternate governorforthe Coquitlam JuniorAdanacsand as the assistantgeneralmanagerand alternate governorforthe Western Lacrosse Association’s Langley Thunder. He was an inductee, as a builder, into the Canadian Lacrosse Hallof Fame. He was instrumentalin the formation of the Coquitlam SportsHallof Fame. The family is encour- aging donations to the Trevor Wingrove Bursary Fund in lieuof flowers.

I was friends with his son Trevor, who died at the age of 42, in 2010, of cancer. It’s really heartbreaking for this family to have yet another death. There is a memorialto honourLes and his work, both for the lacrosse comm unity and for the Coquitlam comm unity. It’s this Saturday atone o’clock atthe Poiriercentre. I’m very proud of my comm unity and the volunteers who are putting this memorialtogetherforeveryone to come together. I hope thatthe members of the House and the Speakershare their condolences with the comm unity. Introductions by Members N.

Letnick: Itgivesme greatpleasure to welcome Michelle Hewitt here from the Kelowna–Lake Country riding. Also, hermom is accompanying Michelle— Pauline Adams, from Great Britain, somewhere in that wonderful country. Michelleis a testament to what it really means to be an advocate for peoplewith diverse abilities. As you can see, Michelle drives an electric go-cart. Sometimes she talks abouthow fastshe can go in thatwheelchair of hers. I can tellyou, Mr. Speaker, thatI’ve seen heradvocate notonly for peoplewith MS in herriding, in herconstituency and in her comm unity butforpeoplewith MS allacross this country.

It gives me greatpleasure and privilege to say thatI’m herrep- resentative in this place. [1:50 p.m.] I’ve seen many changes thathave happened overthe last few years because of Michelle’s advocacy for people with MS. Wouldthe House please help me welcome and congrat- ulate her and all of the MS people. Mr. Speaker: Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. Hon. B. Ralston: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d almostgiven up. Joining us in the members’ gallery this afternoon is Dr. Tuti Irman, the new consul general of the Republic of Indonesia in Vancouver.

She’s here on herfirst official visit and met with the Lieutenant-Governor at Government House this morning. Wouldthe House please make this new consul general welcome here in British Columbia. Hon. M. Mark:I’d like to welcome two gueststhatare in the House today from the KwantlenStudentAssociation — Nicki Simpson, who’s the policy and politicalaffairs coordin- ator; and CaitlinMcCutchen, the presidentof the Kwantlen StudentAssociation and the chairof the Allianceof B.C. Stu- dents.They’re in the chambers today to advocate on behalf of their19,000 members.

Willthe House please join me in welcoming our guests today. T. Stone: It’s not often that I getto stand and introduce folks who are here from Kam loops–South Thompson, but today is one of those days — three individuals. First off, I would like to welcome the mayor of the village of Chase, Rick Berrigan, who is here today along with the CIO forthe village of Chase, Joni Heinrich. Chase is a beautiful comm unity, the western gateway to the Shuswaps. It’s on the Little Shuswap Lake, which is the source of the South Thompson River. It’s a vibrant, progressive comm unity filled with peoplewith big hearts.

Certainly, MayorBerrigan and CIO Heinrich embody that to the nth degree. I wouldalso like to welcome Aleece Laird, who is here withus today. She’s an entrepreneurand smallbusiness own- er, a larger-than-life personality, someone who has done a tremendous amount to build the comm unity in Kam loops. I wouldask the House: please make Aleeceand the mayor of Chase, Rick Berrigan, and CIO Joni Heinrich welcome here today. S. Furstenau: I’m delighted to introducesome folks up in the gallery today from Citizens Climate Lobby.

LauraSacks, Judy O’Leary and Anni Holtby have come from the Koo- Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4361

tenays. As well, CaelenCook and Kayla Brentare here. Cit- izens Climate Lobby is a group of citizen advocates who are working to create the politicalwillfor a livableclimate, something very importantwhen we talk aboutintergenera- tional equity. Statements CHILD CARE MONTH Hon. K.

Conroy: Seeing as we weren’t here last week, this is my firstopportunity to recognize thatMay is Child Care Month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of improving access to affordable, quality child care throughout B.C., as well as to acknowledge the am azing peoplerightacross the province who are involved in child care, including child care providers, licensing officers, instructors of early childhood educators and early child- hood educators themselves. In fact,I hadthe honour, along with ourMinisterof State forChildCare and the Ministerof Education, to address the Early Childhood Educators of B.C.

Conference on Friday. I have to tellyou itwas aroom fullof energized peopleexcited aboutthe changes coming in B.C. — notonly whatitmeans to them butwhatitmeans to familiesand children thatthey provide services to. I also want to point out that the CEO, Don Giesbrecht, of the Canadian ChildCare Foundation was there. He said it was the first time ever that he’d been at a provincial or national conference where three ministers were actually there talking aboutchildcare and acknowledging the com- mitment of child care in this province. Please join me, all, in recognizing thatMay is ChildCare Month.

Introductions by Members L. Reid: I wish to acknowledge the presence of Ron Woodward, longtime civilservant,a professional, dedicated individual, outstanding human being. I’d ask the House to please make him welcome. Statements EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK J.

Rice: Today I’d like to recognize two partners in pre- paredness, butletme tellyou why first.According to a Pre- paredBC survey, many British Columbians aren’t prepared for disaster and don’t have the suppliesnecessary to take care of theirfamilies.So for this week, which is Emergency Preparedness Week, ourgovernmentsand ourpartners are commi tted to changing this. We’re launching the Partners in Preparedness program to help more British Columbians getprepared.

Underthe pro- gram, B.C. retailers will champion emergency readiness by promoting and selling disaster supplies in their stores. [1:55 p.m.] I’m thrilled to announce the first two B.C. retailers to come on board, London Drugsand Save-On Foods. British Columbians will be ableto visit these retailers and grab a premadeemergency supply listand buildtheirkitsin one big shopping trip — one easy shopping trip. I’d like to call on all British Columbians to gettheirkits stocked and ready to go. And I encourage allB.C. retailers to get on board with the Partners in Preparedness program. BIKE TO WORK WEEK D.

Routley: I’d like to remind the members aboutBike to Work Week, otherwise known as “bad hairweek.” This is a week where it’s casualFriday for yourheadevery morning, allweek. If you’re really serious, you come to work with four orfive faux hawks from yourhelmet,and then you can really high-five your workmates. Personally, I’ve been riding for40 years, avidly. I calculate that I’m on my seventh trip around the equator — not lit- erally butfiguratively. I celebrated this momentous occasion on the weekend by crashing into ahouse. Itwas adoghouse. Itwas my dog’s doghouse.

Itwas notaclean dismount,butit proves that it’s always fun to ride a bike. People out there have made a choice. They’ve made a choice for climate, but it’s fun. They’ve made a choice for theirhealth, butit’s fun. They’ve a madea choicefor public health, butit’s fun. Forme, ridingabike is justplain fun, and that’s enough. Introductions by Members G. Kyllo: We’re joined in the House today by some very dear friends of mine, Marie Kolenosky and Linda Hawes from Salmon Arm.

They ventured all the way down to the Legislature to participate in the pro-resource rally on the frontsteps of the Legislature justoverthe noon hour. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. A. Wilkinson: Just a quick word to thank Prof. Paddy Smith. I met him 25 years ago in the B.C. Civil Liberties Association — which, for better or worse, has generated a few members of this House. He has commi tted his careerto the integrity of the democratic process, spentuntoldhours training and preparing ourinterns, and we owe him a great debt of thanks.

Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 33 — SOUTH COAST BRITISH COLUMBIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. S. Robinson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled South Coast 4362 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. S. Robinson: I move that Bill 33, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, be introduced and read a first time now. I’m pleased to introduce this act into the House. The LowerMainland continuesto experiencesignificantand sus- tained growth. This is a good sign of the region’s livability and its attractiveness to residents, to visitors and to busi- nesses. With growth, however, can come significant pres- sures. In the Metro Vancouver area in particular, people are facing growing congestion.

They are spending too much time stuck in traffic instead of being at home with their friends or their family. We are commi tted to making life more affordable, deliv- ering the servicesthat peoplecan count on and building a strong, sustainableand innovative economy that works for everyone. Partof this commi tmentincludespartnering with TransLink and the Mayors Councilto develop lasting, effect- ive and fair solutions to the region’s transportation needs.

The Mayors Councilhas developed aboldten-yearvision for transportation in Metro Vancouver — transportation that proposes significantnew serviceexpansions and the transit infrastructure that people need. The legislation thatI’m introducing today wouldprovide TransLink with new developmentcostcharge authority that they have requested. This authority willhelp ensure thatthe necessary funds to deliverthese serviceexpansions are avail- able and that proposed amendments are based on simil- ar authorities that are already available to both local gov- ernments in the greater Vancouver sewerage and drainage district.

It would give TransLink the authority to impose development cost charges across the transportation service region and to use the funds forthe capitalcostof expanding TransLink’s regional transportation system. With Metro Vancouver’s expectation to grow by a million peopleby 2040, these projectsare criticalto supportthe sub- stantial regional growth. The proposed authority has been designed to ensure transparency and accountability and will also ensure thathousingaffordability in the region, whichwe all know is a significant need, will not be compromised.

A new developmentcostcharge authority willhelp TransLink fund the region’s share of needed new transitexpansion and help to ensure that new growth which benefits from a healthy transportation system is paying its fair share. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. [2:00 p.m.] Hon. S. Robinson: I move thatthe billbe placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today.

Bill 33, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2018, 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 19 — PROTECTED AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. G. Heyman presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. G. Heyman: I move thatthe billbe introduced and read a first time now.

This billcontains amendmentsto two acts:the Protected Areas of British Columbia Actand the Parks and Protected Areas Statutes Amendment Act, 2003. This bill contains amendments that allow our government to move forward with ongoing reconciliation effortswith Indigenous peoples. Three class A parks will be renamed with an Indigenous name to reflect the historical and cultural significance of these areas to individual First Nations.

The billalso continuesthe annualpracticeof adding lands to protected areas, improving protected area boundary descriptions, correcting administrative errors and occasion- ally removing portions for public safety or access reasons. Amendmentsto the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act will add lands to an existing conservancy on Haida Gwaii, addlands to ten existing class A parks, modify the boundaries of five parks, improve boundary descriptions, replace metes and bounds with official plans and correct administrative errors. The billalso amends the Parks and Protected Areas Stat- utes AmendmentAct,2003.

Itrepeals an amendmentin the aforementioned actrelated to Graham-L aurierPark thatwas never brought into force and is no longer needed. On an administrative note, I wantto pointoutto allmem- bers thatthe Officeof the Clerk willbe provided with copies of the official plans, mapped boundaries for their review thatdepictthe boundaries of mostof the protected areas in this bill. In addition, the officialplans willbe posted on the B.C. Parks website. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. G.

Heyman: I move thatthis billbe placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today. Bill 19, Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2018, 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. Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4363

BILL 34 — GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGETS AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. G. Heyman presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. G. Heyman: I move thatthe billbe introduced and read a first time now. This bill contains amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction TargetsAct.The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Tar- getsActis renamed the Climate Change Accountability Act and will be the foundation of a renewed climate action strategy to be released in the fall of 2018.

These amendments will establish new greenhouse gas reduction targetsto seta clearpath to the 2050 target.They willalso expand the scope of the actto includepublicreport- ing on government climate adaptation measures. Specific- ally, the amendmentssetnew legislated targetsof a 40 per- centreduction in carbon emissions from 2007 levels by 2030 and a 60 percent reduction from 2007 levels by 2040.

It also repeals the 2020 targetof 33 percent reduction, which the previous governmentstated couldnotbe m et.A lack of effective climate policiesthat buildon the success of early climate action in B.C. put the 2020 target out of reach today. This bill also enables sectoral greenhouse gas emission reduction targetsto be setby ministerial order. The legis- lation will also address the 2018 Auditor General’s report recomm endation to require detailed public reporting on how the province is preparing for climate change.

Beginning in 2020 and continuing every other year, the risks of climate change to the province and the steps taken to mitigate thatrisk willbe reported. With the inputof the Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Counciland engagement with industry and other stakeholders, B.C. is charting a new path to meet our climate goals and targets. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. [2:05 p.m.] Hon. G. Heyman: I move thatthis billbe placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today.

Bill 34, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act, 2018, 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) DIAMOND JUBILEE OF AGA KHAN J. Routledge: Prince Shah Karim AlHussaini, His High- ness the AgaKhan, is visiting Vancouvertoday as partof a worldtourto mark his diamond jubilee, or the 60th year of his reign.

The AgaKhan is adirectdescendantof the Proph- etMuhamm adand the 49th imam, orspiritualleader, of 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world, including 120,000 in Canada and 20,000 in B.C. His Highness’s visit provides an occasion for Ismailis to express their gratitude to him for his leadership and for dedicating his life to the improvementof the quality of life around the world. Overthe pastfew months, the AgaKhan has paid officialvisitsto partsof the worldwith significant Ismaili populations. To date, these include East Africa, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, India and the United States of America.

His Highness’s diamond jubilee has inspired a number of internationalprojectsand initiatives to eliminate poverty and ensure access to education, early childhood develop- ment,quality health care, safe and secure housing, economic opportunities, as well as cultural initiatives. Canadian projects under development include a public park in Burnaby. In fact, the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby is a legacy of His Highness’s silver jubilee.

Over the last 50 years of Ismaili settlement in Canada, the comm unity has sought to contribute to the fabric of Canadian society by being involved in many spheres of publiclife and through regionalprograms thatdemonstrate the ethicof volunteer- ism and compassion. To comm emorate both Canada’s 150th anniversary and His Highness the Aga Khan’s diamond jubilee, the Ismaili comm unity has pledged, and surpassed, one million hours of service to improve the quality of life in Canada. Please join me in welcoming His Highness the AgaKhan to British Columbia. B.C. AMBULANCE SERVICE N.

Letnick: I rise today to echo the earliercomm entsof the hon. Ministerof Health and offeran expanded view of ourworld-renowned B.C. AmbulanceService. The rationale forthe creation of the servicewas to end the patchwork and duplication of hundreds of different agencies or organiza- tions that provided some kind of ambulance service to the people of British Columbia. Comm unitiesin B.C. hadsome levelof ambulanceservice operated by various organizations or private providers. However, volunteers served most comm unities with little access to financial resources, equipment and training.

In many areas, there was no ambulance service at all. In 1972, a full review of health care in the province was conducted, and in ’74, an independent governance board was created, known as the Emergency and Health Services 4364 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

Commi ssion. Overthe past44 years, major advancesin the servicehave been madewith respectto skills, education for paramedics and the latest in equipment. Today the British Columbia emergency health servicesis the agency responsible for the oversight and operation of the B.C. Ambulance Service. Currently the BCAS moves an average of 1,500 patientsevery day via air, land and sea. The B.C. Ambulance Service is the only publicambulance pro- viderin the provinceand is, in fact,stillthe only provincial ambulance service in Canada.

It’s one of the largest ambu- lance servicesin the worldin terms of complexity, scope of practice and area of response. The officialmotto of the serviceis: “One team, one goal, working together for life.” Our B.C. Ambulance Service is staffed by highly skilled individuals atalllevels of the organ- ization, where care, compassion and respectare theirguid- ing principles. I ask the House to join me in honouring allmembers of our B.C. Ambulance Service and, especially on this day, to remembertheirfallen,who have paid the ultimate pricein service to our province. MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH R.

Leonard: This week is MentalHealth Week, and start- ing the week today is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day. I’d like to acknowledge the Canadian Mental Health Association, which serves over 100,000 people in B.C. each year. [2:10 p.m.] Sadly, only a third of B.C.’s 84,000 children and youth experiencing mental health problems are connected to the help they need. One in five adultsin B.C. experiencesmental health and/or substance use problems, and we are certainly all aware of the devastating opioid crisis.

The Hedican family from my comm unity, after losing theirson to an overdose, is speaking out with passion and conviction aboutthe need to overcome stigma. How do we seek help if we are marked by shame and disapproval? A number of years ago there was a rash of five teen suicides in Courtenay-Comox. Itwas devastating to the familiesand frightening for all of us. It was a very painful lesson about the effectsof stigma and the need for supportsand services when and where they are needed. We now have the first Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in Canada. The focus: ask for help once, and gethelp fast.

Every door is the right door. The Ministry of Education is providing more supports in schools for early intervention and prevention so that our kids can have the beststartpossible. There’s an expanding network of Foundry centres, one-stop shops for youth services, in many com- munities. It’s notjustaboutgovernmentservices.We can and must all play a

part in eliminating stigma. Everyone, let’s join the conversation with #GetLoud on socialmedia.Check out #FamilySmart,and let’s have those personal, caring conver- sations in supportof mentalwellness. Be kind; be open. You might just change someone’s life, maybe even your own. FOUNDRY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES J. Thornthwaite: In honour of Mental Health Week, I’d like to talk about a man on a mission. In 2014, I met Dr. Steve Mathias, founder and medical manager of the inner-city youth mental health program at St.Paul’s Hospital.

Steve started the GranvilleYouth Health Centre and wanted to implementthe successfulintegrated, one-stop-shop modelprovincewide. He modelled his vision afterAustralia’s nationalnetwork of mentalhealth facilities, Headspace. A fellow North Vancouver resident, Steve and I began on a year-long journey to lobby the Ministers of Health and of Children and Family Development on this prominent vision to transform youth mental health in B.C. From that,Foundry was born, with Dr. Steve Mathias as itsexecutive director.

The idea behind Foundry was to cre- ate a hub of one-stop shops where youth can access mental health care, substanceuse services,primary care, socialser- vices,and youth and family peersupportservices.Foundry brings a wide range of partners, stakeholders and service providers together, partnering under one roof. Our government first introduced and broke ground on five sites, including Abbotsford, Campbell River, Kelowna, North Vancouverand Prince George, with five more prom- ised in Budget2017. This includesVictoria, which officially opened itslocation lastweek. I had the privilege of visiting last March.

When I visited Foundry Victoria, the waiting room was already full. I’m very pleased to see thatthis new governmenthas rec- ognized the transformative nature of these Foundry centres and has agreed to keep this valuableservicegoing. However, it does not mean we should stop there. Foundry needs to be expanded to every comm unity across the province, and they need to be connected to the schools. In my opinion, there needs to be alocation atevery post-sec- ondary institution in British Columbia.

This will go a long way to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and ensure that all children, youth and familieswill have timely access to qualified mental health care. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS A. Kang: May is MultipleSclerosis Awareness Month in B.C. Multiplesclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the centralnervous system, comprising the brain, spinal cord and opticnerve. Itis one of the mostcomm on neurolo- gical diseases affecting young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40. Additionally, wom en are three times m ore likely to develop MS than m en.

Every day people living with MS do whateverittakes to m ove theirlives forward, despite the challenges. By sharing their stories, we help people better understand life with MS and becom e Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4365

inspired to do whatever it takes to change the world for people living with MS. [2:15 p.m.] Jamie-Lynn Sigler, The Sopranos actress, was initially dia- gnosed atthe age of 20 and was symptom less foralongtime. Itwas during the lastdecadethatshe began to strugglewith the often unpredictable effects of the disease. She says: “I can’t walk for a long time without resting. I cannot run…. When I walk, I have to think aboutevery singlestep, which is annoying and frustrating.” MS impactsallCanadians, notonly the individuals living with the disease butalso theirfriends, families,workplaces and health care teams.

The unpredictableand often episodic nature of the disease makesitparticularly difficultforpeople affected with MS to maintain an adequate quality of life. Through theirwork, the MS Society provides servicesto peoplewithMS and theirfamilies,and funds researchto find the cause and cure for this disease. May 30 is WorldMS Day. Multiplesclerosis — that’s why I keep saying MS — may be a part of who you are, but it doesn’t define who you are. MS can’t take that away from you. You are a very special person. Thank you so much to the MS Society for your efforts in supporting Canadians living with MS.

Together we can do whatever it takes to change the world for people with MS. Thank you so much for all your good work. CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG T. Wat:I rise today to speak aboutthe Chinese University of Hong Kong, CUHK, the university where I completed my first academic degree, a bachelor of social science. Stepping into its55th year, CUHK is one of the top and is the second-oldestcomprehensive research universities in Hong Kong, with an undergraduate student population of 16,700 and a postgraduate population of 12,600.

There are 7,000 non-local students coming from 50 countries and regions all over the world. CUHK has the largest campus in Hong Kong and has been named the mostinnovative university in Hong Kong. I’m proud to be one of the 200,000 alumni, many of whom have beenmakingmany achievementsin various profession- al areas and contributions to the world. I’m honoured to have been appointed as one of the 12 foundingmembers of CUHK’s globalalumni advisory board and one of only two Canadian alumni advisers.

Together with 11 otherfellow alumni from alloverthe world— places such the United States, England, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore — I recently attended the firstboard meeting in Hong Kong. We have a realistic and objective evaluation of CUHK and are open in terms of dialogueon the oppor- tunities and challenges facing the university. There are over 120 alumni associations at home and abroad. One of them is the Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong–British Columbia.

The association of over 400 members organizes activities throughoutBritish Columbia throughoutthe year, connect- ing fellow alumni. My sincere thanks to the alumni members in B.C. fortheir contribution to ourprovince’s culture and economy, making B.C. a most diverse and vibrant place to live. Oral Questions IMPACT OF EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX ON MUNICIPAL BUDGETS A. Wilkinson: Abouta year ago, we were in an election. The now PremiertoldBritish Columbians thatthe only taxes his government,if itcame to be, wouldintroducewere those laid out in the NDP platform.

This promise has been repeatedly broken in the last ten months. A new report by the Union of B.C. Municipalities — we allknow aboutthe UBCM; itrepresentshundreds of muni- cipalities around this province and is close to the voters — has confirmed what we have been telling the government for some time: thatthe employerhealth tax willdoublethe costto these comm unitiesin the coming yearand quadruple their costs in 2019. Will the Premier finally accept that British Columbians willhave to pay, through theirproperty taxes, for his newly inspired employer health tax? [2:20 p.m.] Hon. C.

James: Itis no surprise to me thatthe otherside wouldstand up and say thatthey were againstgiving abreak to familiesand individuals by cutting MSP premiums $1,800 a year for familiesand $900 a year for individuals. Instead, what the otherside decided to do was doubleMSP premi- ums and add costs to families. We are addressing affordability. Municipalities willmake the decisions that they need to make. Let’s remember that they are saving 50 percentthis yearon MSP premiums. They willsave 100 percenton MSP premiums when they’re elim- inated, and families will save in their comm unity. Mr.

Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a supplemental. A. Wilkinson: The Finance Minister’s increasing discon- nection with reality is starting to become clear. The Premier never toldBritish Columbians there would be an employers health tax. It never was suggested in the election campaign that municipalities would be forced to raise property taxes. Here we are, with the UBCM, the Brit- ish Columbia municipalities concluding… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the question. A. Wilkinson: …that “implementation of the employers 4366 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

health taxwillleadto property taxincreases forthe majority of British Columbia.” There we have it. Residentsin our city of Vancouverare going from paying $2.5 million in MSP premiums this year to an eventual bill of $17.5 million in 2019, which will of course be passed through to the taxpayers. Yetwe have the member for Vancouver–Point Grey refusing to meet with taxpayers. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. A. Wilkinson: Mr. Speaker, that is typically known as nervous laughter.

When willthis Premieracknowledge thatthe tax grab he has engaged in is goingto flow through to every property tax payer in this province? Hon. C. James: Whatis going to flow through to families is $1,800 a year in savings. Whatwillflow through to indi- viduals will be $900 in savings. Municipalities have the option to make the decisions they do, but even if a muni- cipality decidesthatthey’re going to look ata smallincrease to address this, familieswillstillbe furtheraheadbecause of the savings they are going to get here. I wouldlike to ask the member across the way….

I am guessing thatwhatyou are saying to British Columbians is: “Throw away affordability. Let’s keep the unfair, regressive MSP premiums in this province.” Mr. Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a second supplemental. A. Wilkinson: This is aclassicexampleof aFinanceMin- isterwho needs to dosome homework. So 600,000 peoplein the city of Vancouver— theirtaxes go up by $17.5 million. That means a netloss to me and to the members opposite who representVancouver. Somehow the Ministerof Finance tells us this a good deal. Well, thank goodness she’s not in retail, because we’d all go broke in her store.

These taxesin Vancouverare goingup sevenfold. A seven- foldincrease in taxes in the city of Vancouver, and somehow this is being portrayed to us as a good deal. The members from Vancouver, represented in this room, refused to listen to their constituents on this issue. When willthe Premieracceptthatthis is anetincrease in taxation, and this presentation from his FinanceMinisteris a facade? Taxes are going up, not down. Hon. C. James: Itdoesn’tsurprise me thatthe otherside would find it very difficult to understand affordability because they did nothing for families for 16 years.

Itis no surprise to me thatthe othersidewouldnotunder- stand thatwe said we were going to getrid of MSP premi- ums, and by 2020, we are going to do thatin this province. Being responsible, as other provinces have done, we are bringing in an employers health tax. Businesses who have a payrollunder$500,000 willnotpay the employers health tax. There willbe a savings for families.It’s a good dealfor British Columbians, and we are moving aheadon ourcom- mitment. [2:25 p.m.] T.

Stone: Higherpersonalincom e taxes, highercarbon taxes, the speculation tax, the employerhealth tax, higher pricesatthe pumps — affordability broughtto you by the NDP governmentof British Columbia. The factsare clear. The NDP are replacing the MSP with a much higher tax grab. Here’s what the Union of B.C. Municipalities had to say recently. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. T. Stone:“Increased employee MSP-related costsforcom- munitieslike Vancouver, Saanich, Victoriaand Burnaby will run into the millions.” Now, Burnaby will pay $4.4 million next year.

That’s up from over $100 million in MSP costs today. The NDP MLAs across Burnaby are not listening to their comm unity. To the Ministerof MunicipalAffairs, whathas she toldthe UBCM? Should comm unities cut services, or should they raise property taxes? Hon. C. James: I’m sorry. Comingfrom the memberfrom the old side, the old government that leftus with over a $1 billion hole in ICBC that the taxpayers of British Columbiaare having to pay for…. If there’s something to get angry about,I’d getangry atwhatyou’ve done to the public of British Columbia about ICBC. Mr.

Speaker: Kam loops–South Thompson on a supple- mental. T. Stone: Well, it’s not just all of the NDP MLAs from Burnaby who are missing in action on this file. The member for Port Moody–Coquitlam has also failed to listen to his comm unity. Let’s look at the cost of this NDP tax for Port Moody. This year they paid $130,000 in MSP. Nextyear the costwillincrease to $715,000. The UBCM says comm unities facea choiceof reducing services,increasing property taxa- tion, or both. My question, again, to the Ministerof MunicipalAffairs, who is responsible for comm unities in this province.

I’m wondering if the ministercouldletus know whethershe has advised the city of Port Moody to raise property taxes for their taxpayers or to cut services in that comm unity. Hon. C. James: I wouldsay to the m ember across the Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4367

way: 50 percent savings in those MSP premiums as of January 1 this year, 50 percentsavings nextyear for those municipalities. Most importantly, 100 percent savings for familiesin 2020, which m eans $1,800 in a family’s pocket every single year. FISHING INDUSTRY QUOTA SYSTEM AND SUPPORT FOR YOUNG FISHERS A. Olsen: Young fishermen and fisherwomen in once- thriving resource economies on the coasthave been priced outof the industry. The comm ercialfishery is organized into a system of quotas, effectively privatizing a naturalresource owned by all British Columbians.

Fisherwomen and fish- ermen have to pay 70 percent of the landed value of their catch to the corporation thatowns the licence. Ithas become increasingly difficult for fishermen to support themselves and their families,so much so that the number of people fishing comm ercially in B.C. has dropped from about20,000 in 1985 to 5,000 in 2015. The federalgovernmentis doing a review of the Atlantic quota system but refusing to do the same for our coast. Young fisherwomen and fishermen are lobbying Ottawa,the federalgovernment,on theirown behalfto change the quota system.

They’re the future of comm ercialfishing in B.C. and proving to be leaders of coastalcomm unities.The provincial governmenthas a realopportunity to be more vocaladvoc- ates for our youth leaders. [2:30 p.m.] My question to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development: what sub- stantive action is the provincetaking to supportthese young British Columbians? Hon. D. Donaldson: Thank you for the opportunity to speak on such an important topic, young people and the future of ourfisheries resource in the province.

Abso- lutely, B.C.’ers shouldbe benefiting from the resources in the oceans that they have, the comm unities have, at their front doorsteps. I can rememberpeoplein the area thatI representbeing upstream benefactors of the fisheriesresource. There used to be processing facilitieswhere there’d be an annualmigration of peoplefrom upstream comm unities. This just wasn’t in my constituency butaround the province, down to the coast — the benefitfrom the kinds of jobs thatthe membertalks about.

Today these fisheries are still an economic driverin coastalcomm unitiesand need to be protected fortomorrow and into future generations. I know the memberknows thatthe Departmentof Fish- eries and Oceans is responsibleforthe licensing he refers to around owner-operator and around fleet separation policy.

Whilewe’re pleased to hear aboutthe federalchanges to the Fisheries Act, we will be working closely, and we wel- come the opportunity to work closely, with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure that B.C.’s interests are maintained in terms of conservation, which is primarily our responsibility; advancing reconciliation objectives, which again is part of this government’s important mandate; and maximizing the economic benefits, in return, to British Columbians. Mr. Speaker: Saanich North and the Islands on a supple- mental. FISH HEALTH AND WILD SALMON PROTECTION A.

Olsen: Yes, absolutely, I know thatthe Departmentof Fisheries and Oceans has lotsof jurisdiction when itcomes to our fisheries in the province of British Columbia, and the provincialgovernmenthas a lotof responsibility and is banging the drum very loudly foroureconomy and the eco- nomy of our coastal comm unities. That’s what I’m encour- aging the government to do. Canada’s Commi ssioner of the Environment and Sus- tainableDevelopm ent released a report last m onth that I talked about in question period.

It concluded that DFO has notadequately m anaged the risks associated with the salmon farming industry and is failing itsm andate to pro- tect wild fish. Compoundingthatdismalreport,scientistshave now dis- covered and confirmed that the highly contagious virus impacting Atlantic salmon now also harms Pacificsalmon and can pose aserious threatto B.C.’s declining wildsalmon populations if it spreads.

Researchers found samples in farmed chinook and Atlantic salmon and confirmed the presence of the highly contagious piscine reovirus in both species.Fish farmers said it’s nota problem; it’s nota prob- lemin theirfarms. The leadauthorof the study, Kristi Miller from the DFO, said thatsomething else is atstake here, and we have risk to the wild salmon. My question, again, is to the Minister of Forests, Lands and NaturalResources.As I said in my morning statement,I have acommi tmentto ensuringourchildrenand future gen- erations inheritaworldwith salmon.

How many more stud- ies is it going to take before this government steps in? Hon. D.

Donaldson: I welcom e the effortsof the m em- ber around ensuring that we have sustainablefisheries in B.C. and, again, pointoutthatthe federalresponsibility in this area is param ount.However, we are focusing on what is within ourjurisdiction constitutionally — thatis, habit- atprotection to ensure thatsustainablefisheries are ableto proceed into the future; spawning channel concerns that we have jurisdiction over; sportfishing regulations as they apply to populations of endangered speciesand speciesat risk; and, of course and especially, upholding the Depart- m entof Fisheries and Oceans’ responsibilities with respect to fish health.

We’llbe continuing to do this. I look forward to further discussions with the member on ensuring that this oppor- 4368 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

tunity is available, not just today but enhanced into the future for young people, as he points out, and fishing- dependent comm unities all up and down the coast. [2:35 p.m.] IMPACT OF EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX ON MUNICIPAL BUDGETS S. Bond: Perhaps one of the other things we want to remind the Finance Minister of today…. One of the other things she inherited was the best-performing economy in the country, the number one job creator, five balanced budgets and a triple-A credit rating. To the Ministerof Finance, it’s notjustmembers on this sideof the House thatare makingstatementstoday aboutthe taxthat’s beingimposed.

In fact,this ministeris lookingelec- ted officials in the eye and simply saying they’re wrong. Well, let’s look atwho else is concerned abouthertaxregime: Vic- toria, Oak Bay, Saanich, Esquimalt,View Royal. I don’tsee theirmembers sitting on this sideof the House. They are all saying property taxes willgo up as a directresultof the sur- prise NDP tax. If the ministerwon’tlisten to this sideof the House, per- haps the governmentwilllisten to a formerNDP leadership candidate and now mayor of Oak Bay, Nils Jensen.

He says this willmeans higherproperty taxes or“less on roads, sew- ers or water.” To the Finance Minister, are Mayor Nils Jensen and the Union of B.C. Municipalities wrong, or willBritish Colum- bians pay higher taxes and receive fewer services? Hon. C. James: I have, in fact, had conversations with a numberof those mayors and a numberof mayors in muni- cipalities around the province. Itis up to the municipalities how they determine theirbudgets.I wouldnotdream to tell them how they shouldmanage theirbudgets.That is their choice to determine how they manage their budgets.

I can tell you that when we are talking with British Columbians, whatBritish Columbians are saying is thatit’s abouttime thatwe ended being the lastprovincewith med- ical service premiums and got rid of that regressive tax in British Columbia. John is a retired senior. He’s going to save $900 a year thanks to MSP. John says: “I completely strongly support the elimination of the MSP. I’m retired.

I’m going to use it for generalliving expenses, since I’ve been having difficulty making ends meet here in the most expensive region in Canada.” We are going to continueto stand up forBritish Columbi- ans and, like every otherprovincehas done, eliminate med- ical service premiums, a regressive tax brought in and doubled by the other side. Mr. Speaker: The memberforPrinceGeorge–Valemount on a supplemental. S. Bond: The Minister of Finance just doesn’t get it.

The Minister of Finance has introduced a surprise tax on municipalities across British Columbia, and the only choice thatshe is giving them is whetherto raise taxes or to reduce services. Let’s look atwhatthe FinanceMinister’s very own mayor has to say aboutthe higherNDP tax.MayorLisaHelps said: “Itis notawash. Businesses willbe impacted. Municipalities willbe impacted. Universities willbe impacted. Everybody willbe impacted. Even the United Way willbe impacted. So what— are they going to raise more money to pay for the employer health tax?” Will this Finance Minister today listen to the Union of B.C.

Municipalities, respected leaders across British Columbia, rethink herhalf-baked tax, as herown mayor is demanding? Hon. C. James: I have to say to the people of British Columbia,when they hearfrom the otherside, who doubled MSP premiums, who made it more difficult for people…. We are making a choice on behalf of British Columbians to address theiraffordability issues and saving them money each year with the elimination of their medical service premiums. I have had conversations, as I said, with municipalities.

If municipalities make that choice, even with the small increase, the savings for familieswillbe much greater. They willbe betteroff in British Columbia.Thatis the direction of ourgovernmentthatwe are going to continue — a focus on people in British Columbia, unlike the other side. [2:40 p.m.] M. Stilwell:This ministerseems to think thatthey’re mak- ing a choice, but they’re not giving municipalities a choice at all. What they’re doing is downloading. That’s what it’s called. It’s downloading, not giving them a choice. Saanich is one of the comm unities that is hardest hit by this new NDP employerhealth tax.

This year the MSP cost to the municipality was $208,000. Nextyear, though,Saanich willsee and pay almost$2 million in the MSP and the new NDP tax.Accordingto the municipality’s directorof finance, this willnotonly mean increasesto property taxes,butitwill also mean increases to water and to sewage rates. Willthe Ministerof MunicipalAffairs explain to Saanich residents why they should pay this new NDP tax grab through higherproperty taxes,higherwaterratesand higher sewage rates? Hon. C. James: I wantto quote from Ray. Ray is a senior in his 70s.

He’s going to save $900 a yearthanks to the elim- ination of the medicalservicepremiums. Ray says he’s going to use the money that he saves to contribute to his grand- children’s education. His granddaughteris in college, and his grandson is in grade12. They deserve agood education, and he loves to help them. I’d like to ask the member on the other side: what’s the Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4369

choiceof the otherside— continue medicalservicepremi- ums for familiesin British Columbia, continue to see the doubleincrease thatthe othersidedidorcuthealthcare pro- grams and health care services? We are doing the responsiblething. We are saving family resources. We are protecting health care spending so we can ensure the good servicesthat peoplerely on in British Columbia. It’s the responsiblething and the affordablething for families. Mr. Speaker: The memberfor Parksville-Qualicum on a supplemental. M. Stilwell:Whatthe m embers on the opposite sideare doing is playing a shellgam e, m oving things around.

Does Ray own his house? His property taxes are going to go up. He’s going to pay m ore forwaterand m ore forsewage rates too. The NDP’s new tax will cost Saanich residents an extra $1.78 million, butthat’s notall. UBCM also found that“the impacton Saanich property owners couldbe compounded withincreased leviesforthe capitalregionaldistrictand hos- pitaldistrict,B.C. Assessmentand B.C. Transit,which would also be subject to the employer health tax and facing the same challenges to fund it.” When willthe ministerrethink this half-baked NDP tax grab and start listening to the comm unities? Hon. C.

James: I will remind the member again: we’re the lastprovince leftwith medicalservicepremiums. What did other provinces do? They decided to put in place an employers health taxand apayrolltaxto be ableto bring the resources in for health care. It’s the responsibleapproach.Otherprovinceshave moved in that direction. We are saving familiesdollars, and we are protecting health care spending. That’s whatthe people expect their government to do for them. T. Redies: The Comox Valley regional district paid $202,000 in MSP last year.

Nextyear they’re going to pay $337,000, withthe NDP’s new payrolltax.In Courtenay, they paid $92,000 this year. Nextyearthe NDP taxwillcostthem $317,000. Butthe memberforCourtenay-Comox isn’tlisten- ing to her comm unity. Can the Ministerof MunicipalAffairs explain why resid- entsin Courtenay and Comox willhave to pay higherprop- erty taxes to replace the MSP? Hon. C. James: I appreciate the memberraising the issue, and as I said, I’ve continued to talk to municipalities.

But in the end, their families,which the municipalities also serve, willsave $1,800 a year, and individuals in those municipalitieswillsave $900 ayearfrom aregressive taxthat we are eliminating. I’m not sure why the members on the other side would be against affordability for families. Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey–White Rock on a supplemental. T.

Redies: What the members on the other side of the House are asking is for the Ministerof Finance to acknow- ledge that municipalities are going to have to pay higher taxes due to the EHT, and that’s going to be borne by prop- erty owners. [2:45 p.m.] Now, in MapleRidge, MSP coststhis year are $175,000. Nextyear, with the NDP’s new tax, they willpay $875,000. That’s higher. Costs in Mission… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shallhearthe question. Thank you. T. Redies: …go from $134,000 to halfa million with the NDP tax grab. That’s higher.

But has the NDP MLA for MapleRidge–Mission stood up forhis constituents?No. He’s said absolutely nothing. Again to the minister, why are familiesin MapleRidge and Mission being forced to replacethe MSP premium with higher property taxes? Hon. C. James: I willremind the memberagain thatthe numbers she quotes are a 50 percent savings this year because we cut MSP premiums by 50 percent this year. I wouldremind the memberthatthere’s a 50 percentsavings again nextyear with the MSP premiums. And I remind the member that there’s 100 percent savings as of 2020 from the elimination of the MSP premiums.

I wouldalso say that $1,800 is a savings for families each and every year. EMERGENCY SERVICES AT HOSPITALS J. Isaacs:Waiting in the emergency room can be excru- ciating, and British Columbians, underthe Fraser Health Authority, spend 11.4 hours longerin the ER than the tar- get time. To the Ministerof Health, what imm ediate actions is he takingto alleviate ER waittimesin FraserHealthand around the province? Hon. A. Dix: I want to thank the hon. member for her question.

Indeed, peoplein FraserHealth have struggled for a very long time with long wait times in the emergency room, both in the imm ediate receiptof serviceand in being transferred to the wards. The statistics generally utilized right now indicate what the situation was up to 2017, and indeed, the nationalperformanceof FraserHealth relative to otherplacesin Canada was notvery good. I don’tthink it’s appropriate atthis point,because I’m so appreciative of the question, to remind peopleof who was in governmentover the past 16 years. 4370 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

I wouldsay this. We have to take steps to improve this, and often the problem in the emergency room is not found in the emergency room, where outstanding doctors and nurses and health professionals work. It’s outsidein the comm unity. It’s improving primary care. In the city of Surrey alone, for example, 90,000 people were without a family doctor or nurse practitionerfouryears afterthe startof the GP forMe program in Surrey. We need to improve primary care, and indeed, we are pro- posing, atthe direction of the Premier, the establishmentof urgentprimary care centres.

We also have to improve long- term care, it seems to me. It’s very difficult,standing besidethe ministerresponsible for ICBC, to talk about problems, but I’ll tell you that 90 percentof care homes didn’tmeetcare standards in British Columbia at the end of the 16 years of Liberal government. We have provided the budget, the responsibility, the policy changes, and we’re hiring the people necessary to improve long-term care, to improve home care and home support.And oh, I wish there was asupplementary question. [End of question period.] Orders of the Day Hon. M.

Farnworth:In this chamber, I call commi ttee stage on Bill22, CivilResolution TribunalAmendmentAct, and in Commi ttee A, I callcontinued debate on the Ministry of Citizens’ Services.Atthe same time, afterthat,I willalso call the estimates for the Ministry of Children and Family. [2:50 p.m.] Tabling Documents Mr. Speaker: Hon.

Members, I have the honourto present a report intituled Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on Recommendations for Legislative Change, May 2018, from the Chief Electoral Officer. [2:55 p.m.] Commi ttee of the Whole House BILL 22 — CIVIL RESOLUTION TRIBUNAL AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 (continued) The House in Commi ttee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 22; R. Chouhan in the chair. The commi ttee met at 2:57 p.m. On

section 19 (continued). M. Lee: I justwanted to pick up from where we lastleftoff on

section 19. The Attorney Generalindicated thatin respect of time periods prescribed by the rules,there currently aren’t any, and that the purpose of this amendment wouldbe to reflect that. Looking back at his response, the response ended with reflecting the law wouldbe betterto do so than to the prac- ticeitself. I justwanted to ask: whatis the currentpractice?I think he indicated 60 to 90 days, butif we couldjustrevisit that in terms of the current practice on time periods. Hon. D. Eby: There’s a certain amountof discretion that is given to the CRT in resolving disputes on timelines.

These are obviously amendmentsto permitthem to make determ- inations in relation to car accidentsand the nature of injur- iesand the nature of awards under$50,000, ormatters under $50,000 related to car accidents. With respect to the text that’s here and the intention around that,the CRT has a practiceof notforcing someone who is notready to go to adjudication to go to adjudication. For example, where a person’s injuries aren’t adequately resolved or stabilized in orderfor there to be a determin- ation, or where a person needs more time to gather evid- ence, they wouldn’t be forced to adjudication.

At the same time, though, the CRT wouldn’t allow someone to delay a proceeding where there’s no reasonable basis for doing so. [3:00 p.m.] I’m reluctantto provide the memberwith absolute time. Certainly, 60 to 90 days are reasonableexpectations under currentdisputes, and itwillbe much, much fasterthan the current B.C. Supreme Court process. There is a possibility thatatsome point,the tribunalmightestablish, by rules…. Oncethey have some matters undertheirbeltand they have a sense about the process for these kinds of things, they might establish a rulerequiring final decisions in a certain time period.

That’s the intent behind the amendment. I do note thatthe member, in a previous exchange, made requestsfordataaround how the tribunalresponds to some- body saying that they would like to have a representative with them in attending the hearing. There are two types of representatives that individuals might request to have with them at a hearing. One is a lawyer, and the other is a lay advocate or a non-lawyer. So they can make an application to the tribunal, in smallclaims orin strata,to have someone represent them or to appear with them at the hearing.

For smallclaims, to give the memberan idea, there were 28 requestsfor a lawyer. These are matters under$5,000. It was approved 11 times, which is a 39 percentapprovalrat- ing. For strata, there were 120 requestsfor lawyers, and 45 were allowed. That’s a 38 percentapprovalrating. For non- lawyer advocates, there were 140 requestsfor advocates in small claims matters, permitted 106 times. That’s a 76 per- centapprovalrating. For strata matters, 125 requestsfor lay advocates, approved 69 times. That’s a 55 percent approval.

Overthe wholeof the groups, advocates or lawyers were permitted 70 percent of the time in small claims matters when they were requested and 47 percent of the time in strata matters when they were requested. When you com- bine everything together, 56 percentof the time — whether Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4371

itwas strata orsmallclaims, lawyerornot— an application for an advocate was approved by the tribunal. I hope thatassiststhe member. I’m gladto tablethis doc- umentthatI’m reading from so the memberhas a tableto refer to if that’s helpful to him. M. Lee: Thank you forthatinformation. I appreciate that. If we couldjustgo back to thatparticular

section of the bill —

section 16, proposed new

section 20.1. I take it,justto clarify with this information being tabled, that underthe provisions of the current act, undersection 20, the differenceis foraccidentclaims — thataparty may as arightbe represented by alawyerin atribunalproceeding. It means thatthere wouldn’tbe asituation where, as the Attor- ney Generaljustcategorized, the numberof requestsversus the number allowed…. To clarify, in each case where a claimant is appearing before a CRT, thatindividualhas the rightto have legalrep- resentation. Hon. D. Eby: That is correct. M. Lee: So back to

section 19, then. In terms of the time periods, then…. I think, given the Attorney General’s response, I’d justlike to clarify thatthe question wouldbe: is itforeseen atthis time, with the differentnatures of claims that might be considered by the CRT — strata disputes versus cooperative association versus accidentclaims — that the time periods that might be considered by the tribunal might be different depending on the nature of the claim? Hon. D. Eby: Yes. That’s correct. M. Lee: In the areaof accidentclaims, then.

Appreciating, again, that this is a new area for the CRT if they establish themselves with this new jurisdiction, how willthatwork in terms of the determination where a claimantis notyetpre- pared to go forward with the tribunal? [3:05 p.m.] At some point in time, what will happen with that claimantin terms of how the tribunalexercises itsauthority overthatclaimantin terms of compelling thatclaimant,ulti- mately, to initiate or start that process? Hon. D. Eby: We don’tbelieve there’s any authority forthe tribunalto compelsomeone into this process.

This is around if the person has a dispute with an award that is madeby an adjudicator or a determination that’s madeby the adju- dicator. So the person drives that process. They appear at the tribunal. They make the application. The tribunaldoesn’t compel people to participate in this process. M. Lee: For, in practice, whatmightbe a 60- or a 90-day period, how does this play with the 12-month…?

When we look atthe definition of “minor injury” underBill20, how willthis play orinterplay with the 12-month testin terms of determining whetherthere’s been a serious impairment,for example, thatoccurs and thatcondition continues to occur beyond 12 months? Hon. D. Eby: We mightbe ableto clear up some confu- sion thatsome of the members mentioned in second reading speeches, which was around thatmaybe you’d have to go to the tribunal in 90 days. That is simply not the case.

If you believed you had a serious impairm ent and disputed, or that you were seri- ously impaired in your daily activities, and you believed that that was going to last for longer than a year, you just wouldn’t go to the tribunal until after the year had passed. There’s a two-year limitation period for going to the tribunal, so you would have between m onth 12 and m onth 24 to bring your application. M. Lee: I guess that suggests that the claimant would have the understanding as to whetherthey have a serious impairm ent. I appreciate that that will be fully canvassed under Bill 20.

Again, I’m justinterested to know if there’s any situation where it turns out that the condition continues beyond 12 months — when an individual is in the course of being unrepresented in frontof the CRT and doesn’tfully appreci- ate the severity of his or hercondition, in situations where he or she may nothave legalrepresentation because they’re trying to resolve something thatis imm ediate and wanting to get a quick decision.

Knowing that the CRT is the inertia or the momentum behind decision-making may well be the case, is there any potentialprejudicefora claimantin this kind of situation in the interaction with that 12-month period? [3:10 p.m.] Hon. D. Eby: In the scenario that the member outlines, the person…. There are two scenarios,I guess. One is where the person shows up with apparently minor injuries and then thingsgetworse unexpectedly. Maybe they have some- how taken some steps that limit their rights. Thatsam e scenario existsunderthe currentsystem. You might sign a settlement agreement.

You might enter into an arrangement with respect to compensation for an injury, and itm ay notbe a fullunderstanding of where the injury is going. The risk is justas presentunderthis system as underthat system, but there are some arguable improvements in the system in thatif you go to B.C. Supreme Court,it’s notthe judge’s job to try to figure outwhetheryou’ve shown up at the righttime orwhetheryou have a serious impairmentor not, except on the evidence that you bring forward.

In the CRT, the tribunalmembers willbe actively involved in ensuring thatthe individuals who appearin frontof them are aware of whattheirrightsare, of whatthe system is and whatthe application is about.Thatwillbe partof the train- ing, and that is part of the job of the tribunal, because it’s 4372 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

assumed thatmostpeopleare attending the tribunalwithout representation, although they have every right to bring a lawyer with them if they wish. The other scenario — the other possibility of a person who appears to have a more minor injury and itgetsworse overtime — wouldassume thattheirdoctorhas also missed it, because peoplewillbe attending theirown family phys- icians, who willbe providing them with information about theirinjuries.Thatinformation is the evidencein frontof the tribunal. There is arisk of adoctormissingan injury, butthat risk also exists under the current system.

The other scenario is where someone is seriously impaired, where they’re notableto work, where they’re not ableto go to school. They’re assuming, I guess, in the scen- ario, that it’s going to getbetter before the 12 months are up, and they’re rushing into the tribunalto reach a finalres- olution around theirinjury. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where that would happen, but if it did, there’s an on-line solution explorer that’s part of completing the document- ation for the claim so that it would be quickly apparent to them that there may be an issue here that they need to address.

The tribunalmemberwouldbe assisting them in under- standing thatas well. Itwouldbe partof the considerations. It’s difficultto imagine thatscenario manifesting any differ- ently here — that someone wouldbe rushing off to finally resolve a complaintwhen it’s notapparentwhen it’s going to actually resolve and whatthey’re going to need in terms of support and compensation, and so on.

The other big difference — and we are bleeding a little bit into the other bill — is that during this entire process, this person would be having their out-of-pocket expenses covered by ICBC for various therapeutic responses, and so on, as they’re incurred, so the person wouldhave the benefit of fullcoverage fortheirinjury rehabilitation. Certainly, our hope is that peoplewill be getting better over time, but it wouldn’tnecessarily be assumed so, even if they didrush off and file a CRT application. Sections 19 to 21 inclusive approved. On

section 22. M. Lee: On

section 22, I justwouldask the Attorney Gen- eralto clarify the situations underwhich…. In the amend- mentto 56.1, to includesection (2.1), the wording where “if the party has defaulted in the tribunal….” I’m curious about the framing of those words. I know default,which we’llget into in a moment. But the actual drafting of that — I just wanted to clarify the meaning as to why it’s drafted that way. [3:15 p.m.] Hon. D. Eby: Default is defined in

section 2(

b) of the act.Itis defined as where “a party fails to comply with sec- tion 7….” Thatsection relates to giving and responding to initiating notice. So they getthe notice, and they justdon’t respond, or subsection (

b) of 2(b), if

section 36 or

section 52 applies.

Section 36 is “referralto the tribunalfornon-compliance” and

section 52 is “if party does notparticipate.” If someone’s refusing to participate in the process, orthey’re notcomply- ing with tribunal orders, then that wouldbe considered a default as well. In the eventof adefault,this amendmentrestrictsthe abil- ity of a party in terms of the actions they may take at the tribunaluntilthe defaultis setasideby the tribunal. In par- ticular, they may not make a notice of objection as a tool to encourage compliancewith eithera previous orderof the tribunal or to encourage participation or to respond to an initiating notice, so that default needs to be dealt with first. M.

Lee: Depending on the nature of the default….If the Attorney Generalcan justoutline whatareas thattypically a claimant might be in default in, in front of the tribunal. Hon. D. Eby: The definition of “default” capturesthe areas thatthe tribunalhas identified. That’s in

section 2(b). In par- ticular, it’s in giving or responding to initiating notice, the scenario where there are defaults by definition.

Section 36 is where there’s a non-compliance with the tribunalorder, and

section 52 is where a party does not,or refuses to, participate in the process. These are notjustexamplesof defaults;these are literally the definition of defaultin

section 2(b). Otherm atters are notconsidered defaultsif they’re notincluded in the defin- ition.

Section 22 approved. On

section 23. M. Lee: In terms of the repealing of this particularprovi- sion, wouldthe Attorney General please explain the intent for such a repeal? Hon. D. Eby: This is closely linked to the

section that we just canvassed with the member. Because the previous

section no longerallows a notice of objection to be filed if someone has defaulted, you don’tany longerneed amandat- ory security deposit. Previously you were allowed to filea notice of objection even if you were in default,butyou were only allowed to do it if you paid a deposit. Because the previous amendment that just passed no longer permitsthat filing of the notice of objection if you’re in default,you don’tneed the security deposit as a knock-on provision.

Section 23 approved. On

section 24. M. Lee: In terms of repealing division 6 of

part 5, this Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4373

would…. Justagain, with the Attorney General, if he could clarify the rationale for this proposed amendment, which would delete the right of appeal for strata property final decisions. Hon. D. Eby: This relates to appeal provisions for strata property claims — the

section that’s being struck here. What itdidwas setoutatwo-step process forappealing adecision of the tribunal — how you get to Supreme Court. Generally, the feedback we received from the civilresol- ution tribunalaboutfeedback they received from the public aboutthis was thatthis process was inefficient,itwasn’tvery wellunderstood, itwas confusing to people, buteverybody understood how judicial review worked. [3:20 p.m.] To avoid the inefficiency thatthis

section unintentionally created and be consistentwith review procedures setoutfor every othertype of case underthe civilreview tribunalact, this was repealed, and it’ll just go ahead as judicial review, justlike allthe otherreview procedures setoutin allother cases under the act. That’s why this section’s being repealed. M. Lee: Just to clarify though, the standard of appeal underthis

section is different from the standard of appeal underthe coming

section thatwe’llreview in a moment.Is that not correct? Hon. D. Eby: The memberis correctthatin the bill, as a whole, there is a higher standard on judicial review estab- lished by the bill. But that is not done by this section. It’s done by anothersection thattalks aboutthis tribunalbeing an expert tribunal. We’ll get to that. What this

section does is it says you don’t need to go through this process to apply for judicial review. You can justgo aheadand apply forjudicialreview. So it’s simplifying matters to getto the Supreme Courtforajudicialreview. The reason forthatwas justsimply to simplify matters and avoid confusion that was created unintentionally by this section. M. Lee: Thank you for that.I justwonderin saying that, though, whetherthe outline of how to go aboutappealing a CRT decision to the Supreme Court….Is thatnotneeded to be spelled out?Or is thatspelled outsomewhere else in the act or proposed regulations? Hon. D.

Eby: Applications for judicialreview from these matters and from other administrative tribunals generally proceed underthe Judicial Review Procedure Act and the B.C. Supreme Courtrulesthatapply to judicialreviews. So it’s not set out in this act.

Section 24 approved. On

section 25. M. Lee: In terms of the proposed addition of 5.1, judicial review, the criteriathatare setoutwouldbasically incorpor- ate…. Perhaps I couldjustclarify, firstof all, thatthe criteria forjudicialreview willbe spelled outunderthe Administrat- ive Tribunals Act, under sections 58 and 59. I’d like the Attorney Generalto walk us throughthe stand- ard thatis setoutin, if I’m correcton that,the two sections thatwouldapply here, depending on the nature of the claim that’s being reviewed. I appreciate that under 56.7(3), in effect, the accident claim under56.7(2) wouldbe looking at the standards set outin

section 59 of the Administrative Tribunals Act.If he couldjustwalk us through that,then we can justprobe that a little more here. [3:25 p.m.] Hon. D. Eby:

Section 56.7, which is part of

section 25, setsoutthe standard of review on appeals from the tribunal. Subsection (1) says the tribunalmustbe considered to be an expert tribunal, and

section 58(2) and (3) of the Adminis- trative Tribunals Actapplies,in relation to judicialreview of the finaldecision of the tribunalfora claim in the exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunaloraclaim in respectof which the tribunal is considered to have specialized expertise. Subsection 58(2) of the Administrative Tribunals Act deals with judicialreviews relating to experttribunals. That setsout matters — sub (

a) through (c) — that talk about a finding of fact or law as an exercise of discretion by the tribunal. Sub (

b) talks aboutthe application of comm on law rulesof natural justice and procedural fairness. Subsection (

c) talks aboutany othermatters. It’s kind of a catch-all. So it incorporates subsections 58(2) and (3). As the member mightexpect,this deals with, for example, findings of facts and law and that kind of thing. That’s the higher standard of review. There’s a carve-out here, undersub 56.7(2) thattalks aboutattributing liability in an accident claim, and this appliesa lower standard of review. That is that the courts are given more discretion, because courts are recognized as having expertise in this areaaround attributing liability in an accidentclaim.

So it’s a carve-outto recognizethatin thatarea,the courtshave more discretion in their review of the tribunal’s decision. [3:30 p.m.] Thenthe third, whichis subsection (3), talks aboutsection 59 of the same Administrative Tribunals Act— the standard of review withoutprivative clause. Itappliesto an application for judicial review of a final decision of the tribunal other than a claim to which subsection (1) of the

section applies. This, simplified, is acatch-allof matters thatare notcaptured in subsection (1) to ensure thatnothing remains uncovered by the standard of review section. I’m justgoing to check in with my staff and make sure I didn’tmisspeak on any pointsbefore the memberhops up. They’re nodding. It’s acomplicated area,so I wanted to make sure I was right. M. Lee: Thank you for walking me through that. Just to 4374 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 7, 2018

come back to sub 56.7(2), thatwouldclarify thatsub (1) does not apply where it relates to liability. In which case, what standard does apply? Hon. D. Eby: Whathappens is thatbecause it’s carved out, itgoes into the catch-all, the Administrative Tribunals Act,

section 59, which is whatthe standard of review shouldbe where there’s no prohibitive clause. The standard of review, according to sub 59(1), “to be applied to a decision of tribunal is correctness,” in that scenario, “for all questions except those respecting the exercise of discretion, findings of factand the application of comm on law rulesof natural justicesand proceduralfairness.” There are anumberof oth- er subsections where it talks about findings of fact, discre- tionary decisions, a decision exercised arbitrarily or in bad faith, for an improper purpose, irrelevant factors, and so on. [L.

Reid in the chair.] I think the answer the member is seeking here is con- tained in subsection (1) — correctness — but you need to readthe wholeof

section 59 to really have asense aboutwhat the full standard of review is for those matters. M. Lee: If I couldjust first walk back up to sub 56.7(1). For the purpose of involving the standards review, I first wanted to confirm thatthe way thatthis provision is drafted, to engage on thatstandard the testmustbe thatthe tribunal must be considered to be an expert tribunal. I just wanted the Attorney General to confirm that.

We discussed previously, in earliersections of this bill, the ways in which this tribunal would be viewed to both be an expert tribunal and, secondly, undersub 56.7(1)(b), considered to have specialized expertise. Again, we’ve talked about what kinds of individuals would be serving on the tribunal which would fit that. I just wanted the Attorney Generalto confirm, forthe purpose of this section, thatthe tribunal will reach that standard. Hon. D. Eby: Certainly tribunal m embers will receive extensive training.

They’llbe selected on the basis of hav- ing a background that’s consistent with the ability to be trained up on these particularquestions thatwillbe going in front of them. There are two parts,I think, to the m ember’s question. One is the legal question of: what is the standard of review? When the proposed law, the billhere, says thatthe tribunal must be considered to be an expert tribunal, it’s directing a court, on review, about what the standard of review shouldbe.

Thatincorporates with ita wholebunch behind that legal terminology about how the court looks atthe decision thatwas m adeby the tribunal, whatstand- ard it’s held to, and so on. The member is also asking a practical question about: well, can we be certain thatthe tribunalwillbe expertsand thatthis standard is appropriate?

I can tellthe memberthat the members will be hired and trained in accordance with ensuring thatthey are expertin resolving these matters, but notonly that.They’re going to be hearing these matters day in and day out,overand over, and they willbe quite expert in resolving these matters. [3:35 p.m.] Certainly, in a very short period of time, they will hear many more of these types of disputes than other decision- makers might getto hear at other levels, underother sys- tems.

This willbe aspecialized tribunalthathears matters of: is ita minor injury or not?And in accidentdisputes under $50,000, the tribunalmembers willbe quite expertin thatin a very short period of time, given the volume of cases. M. Lee: Justone more question before we getto sub (2). In terms of exclusive jurisdiction, that wording in sub 56.7(1)(a) — I wanted just again go through the meaning of those words in the contextof this provision. Particularly, we’re talking about exclusive jurisdiction in terms of the types of claims that’llbe putforward in frontof the tribunal, I presume?

Secondly, in term s of the limits on dollar am ounts on minor injury and the overall limit of $50,000, what does this exclusive jurisdiction…? How far does it reach in term s of how it considers all of the limits around the tribunal’s jurisdiction? Hon. D. Eby: Exclusive jurisdiction issues. There are two exclusive areas of jurisdiction. One is entitlementto accident benefits,and the otheris determination of whetheran injury is a minor injury according to the legislation that’s also in frontof the House. Those are the exclusive areas of jurisdic- tion for the tribunal. Those are the two areas. And that’s it.

Damages foraccidentclaims under$50,000 is notexclus- ive, because you can make an application to the court. We wentthrough this with the memberearlier. You can make an application thatin the interestof justiceand fairness and all the circumstances and so on, according to the criteria that are setout,the mattercouldgo ahead in the B.C. Supreme Court anyway. We’ve tried to send signals that the preference, certainly from a policy perspective, is that matters go ahead in this more efficienttribunal, forabunchof reasons thatI’ve talked about many, many times.

But it’s not exclusive jurisdiction around disputes under $50,000. Liability and accident claims, similarly, is not exclusive jurisdiction. It’s shared jurisdiction with the Supreme Court, if you can cross those hurdlesthatwere setoutensuring that only those disputes where justiceand fairness require thatit goes to the B.C. Supreme Court. M. Lee: I suppose in terms of walking through the justice and fairness at the outsetof this process, then, a claimant wouldneed to have legalcounselto help navigate thatdeter- mination. That’s something thatI think willneed to be con- sidered here, in terms of….

Monday, May 7, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4375

The concern, I think, willbe the standard of review for these claims and the need to ensure that claimants have the rightlevelof legalinputand legalcounselon that. I’d justinvite the Attorney Generalforsom e comm enton that concern. [3:40 p.m.] Hon. D. Eby: Just for clarity, there is no restriction on attending eitherthe CRT or B.C. Supreme Courtanywhere in the legislation on these disputes related to motor vehicle matters underorover$50,000, catastrophicorminorinjury. There’s no restriction on counsel. Odds are good thatif you are in B.C.

Supreme Court,you are there with a lawyerbecause itis a complicated process. It’s difficult to represent yourself, but you might be there appearing on yourown. It’s a bitspeculative, thatpiece. I’m trying to getatwhatthe memberis asking about.There are a couple of scenarios. One is where you believe your claim is valued at less than $50,000. The evidenceappears to suggestthatthe claim is valued at less than $50,000, and you’re in B.C. Supreme Court.

If you still want the court to determine that, even though everything suggeststhatitshouldbe in frontof the CRT, you can try to convincethe courtthatjusticeand fair- ness ensure that you getto continue, even though you are below the $50,000 threshold. If you are over the $50,000 threshold— the medicalevidenceand the materialdamage evidenceand whateveritis say you are over$50,000 — then there is nothing to move you outof the B.C. Supreme Court process. There is no legal test there, other than what the value of the anticipated damage is here.

I’m hopeful that that addresses the member’s question, although I’m not sure it does. M. Lee: If I couldjust go to 56.7(2), with respect to a comm entearlierthatcourtsm ay be in a betterposition to assess liability, wouldthatsuggest,though, thatunderthe $50,000 limit,the CRT willbe in a lesserposition to do so than a court? Hon. D.

Eby: The intent in the carve-out was to avoid a circumstance where the courtshead down a certain path with respectto liability on othertortclaims and the civilres- olution tribunalissuesanumberof decisions thatheaddown another direction around liability and then there’s a diver- gence in the understanding of the two bodiesof when liab- ility is incurred. By lowering the judicialreview standard on reviews relating to liability, we’re aiming to

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180507pm-Hansard-n129
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180507pm Hansard n129
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	a90239ba9c6bf71eba7a445aaac594dcec5811c6

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