British Columbia Hansard — Monday, April 25, 2016

20160425pm-Hansard-v37n7

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fift h Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, April 25, 2016 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 37, Number 7

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Fifth Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink ................ Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Mike Bernier Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review .....................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacifi c Strategy and Multiculturalism ........................................................................................... Hon.

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon. Suzanne Anton Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ................................................................................................................. Hon.

Mike Morris Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch ........................................................................................................ Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon.

Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon. Todd Stone Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness .................................................................................................................... Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................. Richard T. Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ............................................................................................................................................ Pat Pimm Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

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

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Fraserview Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal).....................................................................Penticton Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bennett, Hon.

Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Bernier, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal) ......................................... Peace River South Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ................................Surrey-Cloverdale Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................

Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ........................................ Westside-Kelowna Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) ...........................Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission Darcy, Judy (NDP) ..................................................................New Westminster de Jong, Hon.

Michael, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP)............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Eby, David (NDP) ..........................................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fassbender, Hon.

Peter (BC Liberal) ................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ............................................. Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Wm.

Scott (BC Liberal) .................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Heyman, George (NDP) .................................................... Vancouver-Fairview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Holman, Gary (NDP) .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Horgan, John (NDP) .......................................................................

Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ............................................................. Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Hon. Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Don (BC Liberal) ............................................................ Comox Valley Mark, Melanie (NDP) ...........................................

Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Dr. Darryl (BC Liberal) .............................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon.

Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (BC Liberal) ..................................................Richmond East Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal) ........................................

Port Moody–Coquitlam Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ........................................................................North Coast Robinson, Selina (NDP) .............................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ................................................

Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, Hon. Michelle (BC Liberal)............................... Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Th ompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal) ..................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal) ...........................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal) ..................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ............................................................Fraser-Nicola Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Th roness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wickens, Jodie (NDP) ..........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Wilkinson, Hon.

Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Dr. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim .......................................................................... Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...................................................................

Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T. Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon.

Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .......................................................Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville...........................................................

Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm. Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon.

Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon.

Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ...........................................................................

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

Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .......................................................Hon.

Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................ Pat Pimm Peace River South ..................................................................Hon. Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast .................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ....................................................Hon. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon. Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands ....................................................

Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................ Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon.

Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon. Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon.

Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley.............................................................................. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview ..................................................................George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek ................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview ......................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................................

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..........................................................Jordan Sturdy Westside-Kelowna ................................................................

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 48; New Democratic 35; Independent 2

CONTENTS Monday, April 25, 2016 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Statements .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12303 101st anniversary of Armenian genocide Hon. S. Anton A.

Dix Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 12303 Tributes ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12304 Achievements of Nanaimo students at Monterey Jazz Festival L.

Krog Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 12304 Statements .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12304 Participation in run events by MLAs and Legislature staff Hon. T.

Lake Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 12304 Tributes ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12305 100 Mile House Wranglers D.

Barnett Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 12305 Introduction and First Reading of Bills .............................................................................................................................. 12305 Bill M220 — Employment Standards (Dom estic Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2016 M. Karagianis Bill M221— Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016 A.

Weaver Statements (Standing Order 25B) ....................................................................................................................................... 12306 Friendship trail project between Mount Currie and Pemberton J. Sturdy Armenian genocide A. Dix Dirty Laundry anti-racism campaign in Williams Lake D. Barnett Canadian Motion Picture Park in Burnaby R. Chouhan Meningitis awareness and immunization program L. Reimer 50th anniversary of Carihi Secondary School C.

Trevena Oral Questions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12308 Wait times for surgeries J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake Emergency services in Oliver J. Rice Hon. T. Lake

Oral Questions (continued) Access to health data for study on acne medication use by women A. Dix Hon. T. Lake C. James Workers day of mourning legislation S. Simpson Hon. S. Bond Western Forest Products logging contract dispute in Port Alberni area H. Bains Hon. S. Th omson B.

Routley Tabling Documents ............................................................................................................................................................... 12313 Labour Relations Board, annual report, 2015 Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12313 N.

Macdonald Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................................................ 12313 Bill 13 — Safety Standards Amendment Act, 2016 Hon. R. Coleman B. Ralston Hon. R. Coleman Committee of the Whole House .......................................................................................................................................... 12315 Bill 6 — Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016 Hon. T. Lake J. Darcy B.

Ralston Reporting of Bills ................................................................................................................................................................... 12319 Bill 6 — Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016 Th ird Reading of Bills ......................................................................................................... .................................................. 12319 Bill 6 — Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016 Committee of the Whole House .......................................................................................................................................... 12319 Bill 16 — Community Care and Assisted Living Amendment Act, 2016 Hon.

T. Lake S. Robinson V . Huntington K. Corrigan Report and Th ird Reading of Bills ....................................................................................................................................... 12332 Bill 16 — Community Care and Assisted Living Amendment Act, 2016 Committee of the Whole House .......................................................................................................................................... 12332 Bill 15 — Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2016 G. Heyman Hon. M.

Polak Report and Th ird Reading of Bills ....................................................................................................................................... 12335 Bill 15 — Protected Areas ofBritish Columbia Amendment Act, 2016 Committee of the Whole House .......................................................................................................................................... 12335 Bill 19 — Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Amendment Act, 2016 G. Heyman Hon. M. Polak

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ............................................................................................................................................................ 12337 Estimates: Ministry of Children and Family Development (continued) D. Donaldson Hon. S. Cadieux M. Mark M. Karagianis J. Wickens J. Rice

MONDAY , APRIL 25, 2016 Th e House met at 1:33 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Statements 101st ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE Hon. S. Anton: We are honoured to be joined here to- day by many leaders of the Armenian community and the Armenian National Committee of Canada to commem- orate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

Those joining us today are Jack Deragopian, Steve Agopian, Varoujan Basmadjian, from the Armenian National Committee of Canada; and Armenian com- munity members Narine Grigoryan, Aram Khajeek, Ara Balabanian, Hratch Baghdassarian, Krikor Kusbekian; and, also, the author Aram Adjemian, who has written a really fascinating book describing the Canadian response to the Armenian genocide from historical records, which is quite an impressive response that happened at the time. [1335] Th is anniversary is an opportunity for all of us to re- fl ect on the tragic history of the Armenian genocide and also to recognize and give thanks for the immense value that Armenian people continue to bring to British Columbia and to the world.

Th ousands of Armenians across Canada took the time yesterday to gather and pay respects to the victims of the genocide, including at the Armenian genocide memorial at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. I think, Madame Speaker, that you were there, as was the MLA from Kingsway. Remembering the genocide helps us to learn, from the mistakes of the past, to shape a better future for all of mankind and to ensure that the memory of those who died lives on forever.

I want to acknowledge and thank those who have come to Victoria today for their leader- ship, for their work and for helping all of us to remem- ber that tragic time. A. Dix: Hon. Speaker, you, as member for Richmond East and as Speaker, and I joined with the Armenian community yesterday to recognize this 101st anniversary of the beginning of what’s known as the Armenian geno- cide. It’s wonderful to refl ect on the fact that ten years ago today in this House, in 2006, we passed a motion unani- mously recognizing the Armenian genocide as a crime against humanity — members of all sides of the House.

Th ere were outstanding speeches and presentations that day from members of the Liberal Party and the NDP . I join the Minister of Justice in welcoming members of the Armenian community and note, as well, that there are many members of the Ethiopian community joining us today. It speaks to Canada. I want to recognize Gabe Koregian, who was with us yesterday at the Armenian-Canadian commemora- tion but is, in fact, Armenian-Ethiopian-Canadian. In fact, I think he’s the leader of the Armenian-Ethiopian- Canadian community. He’s joining us here in the House.

I’ll ask all members of the House to make all our guests welcome. Introductions by Members Hon. T. Lake: It’s my pleasure to welcome to the House today Sheryl Lindquist, who is the principal of trades and transition for the Kamloops board of education. Sheryl was here today to celebrate the second anniversary of the B.C. skills-for-jobs blueprint and the increased in- vestment for pre-apprenticeship programs. Sheryl really is a great proponent of giving kids the skills they need to succeed. She’s a former grad of NorKam high school in Kam- loops in my constituency.

Th en she went on to become the principal of that school and was there when we, with further investment, made it a centre for trades and tech- nology excellence. Would the House please welcome Sheryl Lindquist to the House today. S. Simpson: I’m really pleased to welcome here 19 representatives from the B.C. Federation of Labour, the health and safety representatives who are with us here today. I know they’re meeting with members on both sides to talk about critical issues around health and safe- ty in the workplace and how we advance on some of the issues before us.

I know that they’re here, and they’re talking to us about asbestos removal and how to do that in a more respon- sible and eff ective and safe way, about workplace violence and about recognition of the Day of Mourning, which is coming up this Th ursday, on April 28. Th ese workers, these activists and representatives, play a critical role in helping to make our workplaces safer across British Columbia, whether they’re union or non- union workplaces. I hope that all members of the House will join in welcoming the B.C. Federation of Labour delegation here talking to us about those issues. Hon. S.

Bond: I want to introduce a number of stu- dents that are in the gallery today. Th ey are very capable and skilled. Th ey competed recently in the Skills B.C. Competitions, the provincial competition. Th ey were here today to help us celebrate our second anniversary of the skills-for-jobs blueprint. I’m very pleased to introduce Mark Francis, who won a gold medal — all of these are in post-secondary auto- 12303

British Columbia Debates12304 Monday, April 25, 2016 mation and control electronics — Mitchell De Sousa, who won silver; Krystian Maron, who won bronze. Post- secondary electrical wiring, silver, is Roland Olsen. Th eir instructor is Don Zaklan, and they’re all from BCIT. Joining them is Patti Falconbridge from Knappett Projects, who was recognized as being an exceptional employer sponsor of apprentices today. I hope we would make all of these very special guests welcome here in the precinct today. [1340] I would also like to join with the member opposite in welcoming members of the B.C.

Federation of Labour occupational health and safety group today. We had a very constructive and, I think, positive meeting today, where some important recommendations were brought forward. Th ey were done in a thoughtful and careful way. I look forward to continuing dialogue about those recommendations. V . Huntington: I am pleased to introduce two distin- guished members of the Delta Amateur Radio Society who are in the House with us today. Mr. Doug Barry is president of the society, and Mr.

Chris Scholefi eld is a communication technology consultant and former in- structor of law and ethics in information technology at BCIT. Both gentlemen have been involved in amateur radio for decades. B.C. ’s amateur radio operators, all of whom are federally licensed, are highly skilled volunteers who provide invaluable services to our province and com- munities, especially in times of emergency. I’ d also like to thank the Minister for Emergency Preparedness and the Solicitor General for meeting with us today to dis- cuss signifi cant issues facing the amateur radio com- munity.

It was much appreciated by Radio Amateurs of Canada. Would the members please make Doug and Chris very welcome. L. Reimer: I t’ s my great pleasure to welcome to the House today two members of MeningitisBC: Ms. Patricia Wall, who has been coordinating vaccines, and Janet Munro. Janet lost her son Bradley many years ago to meningitis, and she has turned her tragedy and become a very passionate advocate for children and students with respect to the issue of meningitis. She’s here today to lis- ten to my two-minute speech. Would the House please make Patricia and Janet very welcome.

Tributes ACHIEVEMENTS OF NANAIMO STUDENTS AT MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIV AL L. Krog: As many of the members know, Nanaimo has produced some outstanding musicians in its time — Diana Krall and Ingrid Jensen, just to name a couple. Well, hon. Speaker, you can add two more names: Kenton Dick and Ethan Olynyk. At the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California, which showcases mostly American students — 1,300 students — these two young men won the fi rst place in the high school combo competi- tion. Each also won the outstanding soloist award.

Once again, Nanaimo is sending forth into the world two in- credibly talented musicians, all under the able direction of Carmella Luvisotto, an outstanding music teacher, a second-generation Nanaimo music teacher. I’ d ask the House to give a round of applause to two outstanding young Canadians who demonstrate that Nanaimo, unlike what Frank Ney once said — that Nanaimo preferred corn over culture any time — prefers culture over corn every time. Introductions by Members Hon. C. Oakes: Today I had the opportunity to meet with Ted Armstrong.

Ted Armstrong is a member of the Cariboo regional district and has served continuously for the past 38 years. I want to thank Ted for his leader- ship and his friendship, and I would kindly ask: would the House please make him welcome. J. Wickens: I’ d like to take a quick moment today to say a very happy 47th birthday to my husband, Brian, who is at home watching us on TV . Y ou know your life has changed considerably when you spend your day off watching your wife on the television. To my hard- working milkman of a husband, happy 47th birthday.

Statements PARTICIPATION IN RUN EVENTS BY MLAS AND LEGISLATURE STAFF Hon. T. Lake: Spring is when many British Columbians take

part in various runs across the province — in fact, across North America. We had a number of MLAs com- peting in the Vancouver Sun Run, including the Minister of Justice. We had a number of people competing in the TC 10K — including the Minister of Social Development, who kicked everyone’s butt — and at Boogie the Bridge in Kamloops yesterday, the Minister of Transportation barely eked out the Minister of Health over 10K. Our own House Clerk, Kate Ryan-Lloyd, about ten days ago, ran the Boston Marathon, which, of course, is the ultimate. We want to say congratulations to Kate for doing such a great job.

Introductions by Members D. McRae: I have four guests joining us in the pre- cincts today. Joining us is Leslie Chapman, her son Cedar

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12305 and her daughter April from the Comox Valley. Th ey are also joined by Leslie’s mom, Dorothy, who is a resident of Victoria. Would the House please make them welcome. [1345] J. Shin: If you ever need your dose of open arms and embrace, look no further because they are here. Every time I visit my friends of Ethiopian heritage, it’s a table- thumping, standing ovation that they greet me and my colleagues with every time. I’m thrilled for the opportun- ity to reciprocate today. Ethiopian Canadians in B.C. have a rich history.

Th ey started to arrive as early as the 1940s, and today they are over 10,000 strong and proud. Many of them are second and third generation, contributing to our society not just in a wide range of professions and businesses but also with their generosity and commitment to social justice and well-being. Our local Ethiopian Canadian commun- ity is united and strong, having celebrated the 30th anni- versary of the association just last year. Th is is their second visit to the Legislative Assembly to earn the support of the House for their Ethiopian House project.

ECA recently passed a special resolution at their AGM to form the Ethiopian House society with a mandate to realize the initiative under the leadership of President Bereket Kebede. Our 49 guests, who are fi lling the gallery on either side today, are joining us from 21 diff erent constituen- cies in the greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions. Th ey are very excited to see their MLAs in action today, but they’re also very hopeful for our support to make their Ethiopian House a reality. Would all the members please join me in giving our special guests our very best Ethiopian welcome.

Tributes 100 MILE HOUSE WRANGLERS D. Barnett: Well, they won the KIJHL, they won the Cyclone Taylor Cup, and they went to Regina and won the Western Canadian Junior B hockey cup, the Keystone Cup. Th e 100 Mile House Wranglers did it all. I’ d like the House to congratulate them. Introductions by Members B. Ralston: I want to join my colleague from Burnaby- Lougheed and other members of the House in welcoming the large group of Canadians who trace their origins to Ethiopia.

While we welcome them here, many are think- ing back to their homeland, which is facing catastrophic drought and putting the lives of 15 million at risk. Th e Ethiopian-Canadian association is raising aware- ness of this tremendous blight and drought in Ethiopia. Th is Saturday and May 14, in Burnaby, there will be the beginning of a community outreach to raise funds to support drought relief in Ethiopia. I’ d urge members to support that as well. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M220 — EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE) AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 M.

Karagianis presented a bill intituled Employment Standards (Domestic Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2016. M. Karagianis: I am pleased to move that a bill inti- tuled Employment Standards (Domestic Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2016, of which notice has been given in my name, be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. M. Karagianis: Victims of domestic violence, more than 70 percent of whom are women, who flee their homes can face further victimization by losing their jobs when they are unable to make it to work because of their abuse.

Th e lack of job security also causes some women to stay in dangerous situations because they can’t leave their abuser without jeopardizing their livelihood. Th is bill gives victims of domestic violence job secur- ity. It removes a barrier to them seeking safety by guaran- teeing that they will have a job to return to, if they need to, and if they need to take leave. Leave can be crucial to allow victims to access support services or fi nd a safe place to live.

Other provinces already have or are in the middle of considering similar legislation that supports the safety and security of victims of domestic violence. I ask all members to please support this bill and support victims of domestic violence fl eeing abuse. No woman should have to be in a position where she faces further abuse or threats to her life simply because she cannot get the day off from work in order to move herself and her family to safety. I move that this bill be placed on the order papers of the day for second reading at the next sitting aft er today.

Bill M220, Employment Standards (Domestic Violence Leave) Amendment Act, 2016, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. BILL M221— RIDESHARE ENABLING ACT, 2016 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016.

British Columbia Debates12306 Monday, April 25, 2016 A. Weaver: I move that a bill intituled Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016, of which notice has been given in my name, be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. [1350] A. Weaver: I’m pleased to be introducing a bill intitu- led the Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016. Ride-sharing is a key component of the new and emerging creative econ- omy in British Columbia. While numerous jurisdictions around the world have passed legislation to allow for the introduction of ride-share technology in their mar- kets, British Columbia is quickly falling behind.

In fact, Vancouver is now the largest city in North America with- out an operating ride-share company such as Lyft or Uber. Legislation is needed to provide provincial standards that must be followed for any ride-sharing program to exist in our province. Th e Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016, details the process by which a transport network com- pany can operate in British Columbia. It builds upon best practices in North America to out- line the required driver and vehicle records to be provid- ed by ride-share drivers.

It further details the required ride-share driver background check and ride-share vehicle inspection and insurance requirements. In January of this year, 22 CEOs and founders of key B.C.-based tech companies signed and released an open letter. Th e letter stated: “We are compelled to express our concern regarding the provincial government’s long- standing inaction on ride-sharing regulation in B.C. and how we now fi nd ourselves falling behind the rest of the world. ” Th is bill is aimed at ensuring that British Columbians remain at the forefront of innovation in the technology sector.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill M221, Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) FRIENDSHIP TRAIL PROJECT BETWEEN MOUNT CURRIE AND PEMBERTON J. Sturdy: Trails are a vital part of connecting people and communities across British Columbia, and West Vancouver–Sea to Sky is no exception.

Over the com- ing years, we look forward to seeing the completion of the friendship trail, which links the village of Pemberton with the community of Mount Currie along a seven- kilometre, non-motorized, multi-use trail. Th e project is a joint eff ort by the village of Pemberton, Squamish- Lillooet regional district and the Lil’wat Nation. It was originally conceived by the Winds of Change group, a collaborative public policy initiative that identi- fi ed the signifi cant public safety issue of both adults and children travelling Highway 99, along its narrow shoul- ders with its big ditches.

Th e need for a safe alternative was clear — an alternative that would encourage com- muting by bike and foot and that would be a safe and friendly means to physically, socially and economically connect the nearly 6,000 residents in the SLRD, the vil- lage and the nation. We knew this trail would connect the industrial park and the outstanding Pemberton mountain-biking terrain. But little did we know at the time that this valley trail will also connect the rest of the community, a new recreation facility site and the Pemberton festival grounds, with this year’s projected 140,000 visitors.

Th e friendship trail is also an important extension to the Sea to Sky Trail, which, when complete, will be a 180-kilometre, multi-use trail linking Howe Sound with D’ Arcy and Anderson Lake. Partial funding for the friendship trail project is being provided through the use of gas tax funds, while Innergex Renewable Energy will also donate half a million dollars to the project and has provided signifi cant technical support, engineering ad- vice and assistance with sourcing potential contractors.

An issue and a critical piece of the friendship trail will be the construction of a multi-use bridge over the Lillooet River. Th e goal of the community is to have this bridge

section completed later this year. It’s a wonderful community-building project. I am very, very pleased to see it underway. ARMENIAN GENOCIDE A. Dix: On April 24, 1915, some 250 Armenian com- munity leaders and intellectuals in Istanbul were round- ed up, arrested and subsequently murdered. In the eight years that followed, some 1.5 million Armenians were killed because of who they were, the result of Ottoman state policies of deportation, torture, massacre and mur- der. Th is was the Armenian genocide. Ten years ago, in April 2006, members on all sides in the B.C.

Legislature came together to support a mo- tion that recognized the Armenian genocide as a crime against humanity. Because of worldwide education ef- forts, the recognition of the genocide has expanded ex- ponentially aft er generations of organized denial. Th ree events in the past year allow us, I think, to re- fl ect on the importance of the Armenian genocide to the present. [1355] In the past year, one of the great multicultural centres of culture in the world, and of Armenian culture, in Aleppo

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12307 in Syria, has been destroyed by war. The majority of Armenians in Syria — and, of course, many, many others — have been forced to leave Syria by repressive and racist policies. We as people have an obligation to learn the les- sons of history and support human rights in the present. Second, aft er the genocide, the surviving Armenian people were promised a state by the world at the Treaty of Sèvres, and they were betrayed.

People have a right to self-determination, and the current violence against people in Nagorno-Karabakh in this context is an un- acceptable confl ict in the present day. Finally, as noted in Mr. Adjemian’s book, Canada’s fi rst major international humanitarian eff ort involved the ar- rival of Armenian refugees aft er the genocide. Th ey were known as the Georgetown Boys, and it occurred in 1923. In your constituency, hon. Speaker, at St. Gregory’s Church in Richmond, they have welcomed this year 70 refugees already, with two dozen more to follow — 94 refugees, one church.

Th is demonstrates, beyond any- thing else, the ongoing commitment of the Armenian community in Canada to a better and just world. DIRTY LAUNDRY ANTI-RACISM CAMPAIGN IN WILLIAMS LAKE D. Barnett: B.C. ’s multiculturalism policy states that violence, hatred and discrimination on the basis of ra- cial identity have no place in our society. Th e province’s anti-racism program empowers communities and organ- izations to maintain partnerships and develop projects to promote multiculturalism, address racism and build inclusive communities.

I am very proud to tell the House about people and organizations in Williams Lake that are taking aim at ra- cism. Recently the Canadian Mental Health Association, Cariboo-Chilcotin branch, began brainstorming on ideas for an anti-racism campaign. Th ey settled on the name Dirty Laundry because they agreed everyone has dirty laundry that needs washing every now and then. Th e Dirty Laundry campaign came about aft er the branch received a grant for $10,000 from our govern- ment to go toward anti-racism initiatives.

Th e campaign is educating and engaging the people of Williams Lake in learning about the causes of racism and what every- one can do to make their community a more accepting, tolerant and happy place. The Dirty Laundry campaign already has the sup- port of school district 27, Th ompson Rivers University, Cariboo regional district, the city of Williams Lake, the Cariboo Friendship Society and many other community organizations and individuals.

Anti-racism posters and displays will be set up at pub- lic and private buildings around Williams Lake, and T-shirts — laundry — will carry words and slogans to highlight various aspects of racism and encourage con- versation. In the words of coordinator Margaret-Anne Enders, this is an opportunity to learn and become more aware and sensitive to other people and their cultures. I’m also very proud that the Williams Lake Tribune newspaper has taken up the anti-racism cause and will publish a feature story about combatting racism every two weeks.

It’s up to all of us to take a unifi ed, commun- ity approach to tackle racism and hate crime, just as Williams Lake is doing right now. CANADIAN MOTION PICTURE PARK IN BURNABY R. Chouhan: It gives me great pleasure to speak about a very successful business in Burnaby, the Canadian Motion Picture Park. It is the largest fi lm and TV produc- tion complex in Canada, a 400,000-square-foot, purpose- built complex that has 15 stages, ranging from 5,500 to 40,000 square foot of area. It has all the state-of-the-art facilities for mega-fi lm productions and to accommodate TV show productions on site.

Only a few weeks ago, the CMPP added one more 48,000-square-foot, brand-new studio to its credits. It was not even offi cially opened before it was leased by Sony Pictures for one of its major productions employing over 300 people. Th e CMPP has a very impressive list of fi lms produced in Burnaby, such as Godzilla, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, Tron, Eragon and Watchmen, just to name a few. In the last few years, over 18 feature fi lms and fi ve tele- vision series have been produced, and many TV com- mercials.

Currently all CMPP studios are booked by Hollywood, employing hundreds of skilled employees. [1400] My favourite part of the facility is the 18-acre backlot, known as the Streets of America. Just recently, CMPP invested another $1.5 million to upgrade it. It’s worth watching how quickly the look of the street can be changed to create a diff erent scene. Since 2001, the CMPP has brought over many big- budget fi lms and TV productions to Burnaby, provid- ing well-paying union jobs to hundreds and hundreds of people.

Congratulations to president Alec Fatalevich and his entire administrative team for the new studio, and thank you to CMPP for being a good and respon- sible corporate citizen of Burnaby. MENINGITIS AW ARENESS AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM L. Reimer: Meningitis is an acute infl ammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria that spreads from one person to another by coughing, sneez- ing or close face-to-face contact. Infections are serious and can be life-threatening. Perma- nent complications of infection include brain damage and

British Columbia Debates12308 Monday, April 25, 2016 deafness. For every 100 children who get sick, up to 15 will die. Symptoms include headache, fever and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright light, confusion and a purplish skin rash. Th ere are families in B.C. communities such as that of Janet Munro, who is with us today and who lost her son Bradley to this terrible disease. Th ere are also the Chan and the Campbell families in my community, who both tragically lost young men with tremendous potential in the prime of their lives.

Leo Chan and Brodie Campbell were both only children to their parents. Y esterday marked nine years since Brodie passed. Both had bright futures ahead of them. I would therefore like to thank the Minister of Health for his announcement this morning that will boost pro- tection for all youth in British Columbia. Since 2003 the meningococcal C vaccine has been part of B.C. ’s routine immunization program. It protects against meningococ- cal bacteria, type C, and will continue to be given to in- fants. Previously, a booster dose of the men-C vaccine was provided to all children in grade 6.

Following the minister’s announcement this morning, starting in September 2016, that booster will be replaced with a quadrivalent vaccine which protects against A, Y and W alongside the C and is administered in grade 9. Expanding the program to include this vaccine means that children will now have protection against three addi- tional types of meningococcal disease. With both National Immunization Awareness Week and World Meningitis Day upon us, this is a good time for parents to make sure that their children are up to date on the meningitis vaccine and all their shots.

Let’s get educated on this subject. 50th ANNIVERSARY OF CARIHI SECONDARY SCHOOL C. Trevena: In 1966, Campbell River got a brand-new high school. Th en-principal John Y oung led students to the new buildings on Dogwood, and a new era began — an era of innovation in education, of giving students the responsibility of embracing ideas and engaging people. Carihi attracted many excited teachers eager to try new approaches to learning. Th at philosophy of respect and acceptance has underpinned the work of the whole school district right through till today.

Carihi has been groundbreaking in its indigenous teaching culture-language approach with its First Nations studies program. It’s fair to say that Carihi has led the province in this. Th at was acknowledged at the 50th an- niversary celebration, when Curtis Wilson and fellow Carihi grads William and Junior Henderson, along with Jesse Shay and George Lewis from the Wei Wai Kai First Nation, welcomed people with two celebratory songs. As Curtis said, 50 years ago, First Nations would not have been part of the evening at all.

About 400 students, teachers, principal and staff alumni toured the buildings, checked out the historical displays, enjoyed comparing class pictures and shared stories. Th en, with the with the set of the Carihi produc- tion of Cinderella as a backdrop, they participated in a more formal event in the school gym, which wasn’t part of the original construction. Present students played a

part in the program with the Carihi choir, under the baton of Beth Kingston. Gio Bello- sillo performed a violin solo, and alumnus Rory Shade sang. Of course, sporting glories past and present were highlighted by coach John Jepson, and, a little belatedly, the 1966 male athlete of the year, a rugby player, was recognized. It’s a school where the arts are also taught and celebrat- ed. A grad of about a decade ago, actor Malcolm Masters, was the keynote speecher, and more recent grad Michael Stevantoni sent a video message from L.A., where he’s working on his fi rst feature movie.

It’s a school which made its mark in the community and across the province in the last 50 years. Its students and approach to education will continue to make a mark for our country for many years to come. [1405] Oral Questions W AIT TIMES FOR SURGERIES J. Darcy: Aft er waiting for a knee replacement for close to three years, Denise Tessier from Quesnel is in extreme pain. Th is extreme pain led her today to take the extreme step of staging a protest over unacceptably long surgical wait times at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George. We all know that the B.C.

Liberals love to do photo ops at ribbon cuttings, but they don’t seem to care nearly so much about providing the proper operating funds in our hospitals to provide the care that people like Denise need. Under this government’s mismanagement of the health care system, close to 40 percent of knee replacements are not being performed within the 26 weeks of Northern Health’s own benchmarks. Why is Denise, and so many other people like her, forced to wait almost three years in excruciating pain to get the surgery that she needs? Hon. T.

Lake: Everyone in this House would have sympathy for anyone waiting for any kind of treatment when they’re in pain. Let me just talk about what we have done in terms of surgery over the last 14 years. While the population has increased about 14 percent, the number of knee replacements we have done has in- creased 153 percent; the number of hip replacements, 104 percent; the number of cataract surgeries, 57 percent. Th ere were over 550,000 surgeries performed in the prov- ince of British Columbia last year.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12309 Does that mean that we’ve got all of those wait-list issues solved? No, we haven’t. We put $10 million into an initiative last fall. In that initiative, we’ve seen 6,000 extra surgeries performed around the province of British Columbia, particularly addressing those who’ve been on the wait-list the longest. Is there more to do? Of course, and we’re working hard to make sure that we can ensure that people get the surgery they need within a reason- able time period. Madame Speaker: Th e member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J.

Darcy: Th e minister’s words of sympathy and his reciting of statistics over and over again are not what Denise Tessier needs. She n eeds action, and she needs it now. So does Leo. Leo is a fi ve-year-old boy from New West- minster who’s been having diffi culty hearing since last June. He has a really hard time pronouncing pretty sim- ple words. Aft er Leo had his hearing tested, his parents were told that he had fl uid in his ear and that when they speak to him in a normal voice, he hears it in a whisper. Th ey are very worried about his ability to learn when he starts kindergarten next fall.

Leo needs a very sim- ple procedure to place small tubes in his ear canals, but he’s already been waiting eight months for day surgery at Surrey Memorial Hospital, with no end in sight. My question is to the Minister of Health. Why does Leo have to wait eight months for a simple procedure just so that he can begin to hear? Hon. T. Lake: Physicians certainly have the oppor- tunity to place someone further up a list if they feel that it is in the interest of the patients. We always encourage patients to go back to their physicians and discuss those kinds of issues.

Th e reality is that we’re doing more surgeries than ever before. We have an aging population, which puts pressure on the system. Th ere’s no question about that. Provinces — like Quebec, like the Maritimes — with similar demographics have the same challenges. Th at doesn’t mean that we don’t continue to look for ways of improving the system. Some of the challenges we that we face that we are ad- dressing. Th e challenge with OR operating nurses and making sure we have more nurses trained — we have an agreement with the B.C. Nurses Union to train more operating nurses.

One of the challenges has been the supply of anaesthetists in some parts of the province. We are working, in each health authority, to ensure that that’s the case. And we are working on a provincial sur- gical strategy to make sure that people are getting more timely surgeries. [1410] Madame Speaker: Th e member for New Westminster on a fi nal supplemental. J. Darcy: Th e Health Minister is always quick to say: “Go back to the doctor. Th ey should push harder. Th at’s the problem. ” Th e reality is that in both of these cases, the doctors can’t get enough OR time in the hospitals.

Th at’s the minister’s responsibility, not individual doctors. Hon. Speaker, 69-year-old Denise from Quesnel can’t get knee surgery. She’s needed it for almost three years. Little Leo from New Westminster can’t get a very simple tube put in his ear, and he’s been waiting eight months. Th e common denominator is a Liberal govern- ment that doesn’t care enough to make sure that British Columbians aren’t forced to wait months and sometimes years to get medically necessary surgery.

Denise, who’s been waiting almost three years for her knee surgery, said: “My life right now is hell. ” Why are Denise and Leo and thousands of other British Columbians forced to wait so long to get the health care that they need and that they deserve? Hon. T. Lake: I am really growing weary of people on the other side of the House here pretending that they’re the only ones who care about the people of this province. If they cared about the people of this province….

If the answer to every problem is more money, as they seem to think, then maybe they’ d get out of the way and allow people to develop the economy of this province so that we could put more money into more services. Th e only answer from the NDP is to pour more money into every problem. Y et they stand in the way of the gov- ernment’s ability to raise revenues as we see the economy of British Columbia grow. We are looking aft er people in British Columbia. We have a great health care system, the best outcomes in all of Canada, and we will continue to provide that to the people of B.C. Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Members, please know the Chair will hear the answer and the question. EMERGENCY SERVICES IN OLIVER J. Rice: Th ere is a health care crisis in rural B.C., and it involves not just unacceptable wait times for surgical treatments. Th e depth of the crisis is so severe that they’re actually closing down emergency rooms in hospitals. Just this weekend, in Oliver, the ER at South Okanagan Hospital was closed both Saturday night and Sunday night due to the doctor shortage. What is the Minister of Health going to do to fi x the ER closure for the people of Oliver?

British Columbia Debates12310 Monday, April 25, 2016 Hon. T. Lake: Th is is always rich, coming from the NDP that, in the ’90s, decided the way to manage health care was to restrict the number of doctors practising. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Excuse me, Members. Surrey-Whalley, we’re proceeding when everyone is quiet. Please continue. Hon. T. Lake: We have over double the number of physician-training opportunities in the province of British Columbia. We have a multiple of ten times the number of IMG, international medical graduate, resi- dent spaces in the province of British Columbia.

We have practice-ready assessments for physicians that have been practising in other countries to welcome them into British Columbia. If the NDP government in the ’90s had done that, we’ d have 1,000 more doctors in the province of British Columbia today. Madame Speaker: Th e member for North Coast on a supplemental. J. Rice: In January, the people of Oliver were warned that there’ d be no doctor available to assess them at their local emergency room aft er midnight. Th en, this week- end, their ER was actually closed for two nights run- ning.

In Boundary-Similkameen, it’s getting harder to go to school, and it’s dangerous to get sick. We’ve seen this government’s lack of response to the education crisis in Osoyoos. What is the Health Minister going to do to fi x the ER problem in Oliver? [1415] Hon. T. Lake: I know the hospital in Oliver is an amaz- ing hospital. I’ve been there and visited with them, and they do amazing work. But the challenge for many rural areas — not just in British Columbia, all over North America — is the attraction of physicians and other health professionals.

We have a suite of programs available in the province of British Columbia, and we have seen communities like Clearwater, like Princeton and like Quesnel, where we have eight more physicians this year than we did last year. We have more physicians per 100,000 people in the province of British Columbia than we ever have. However, the population is changing. Th e profession is changing. It is a challenge to meet all of the demands of that population. We’re working very hard, and when we have issues like we do in Oliver, we work hard to solve them, and we’ll continue to solve those problems.

ACCESS TO HEALTH DATA FOR STUDY ON ACNE MEDICATION USE BY WOMEN A. Dix: A question to the Minister of Health about the ongoing impact of the Health fi ring scandal on health research in British Columbia and people’s lives. As the minister knows, women taking Accutane, widely used to treat cystic acne, must avoid pregnancy while taking it and for a signifi cant period aft erwards, since it can lead to birth defects and increases the rate of spontaneous and elective abortion.

Today the Canadian Medical Association Journal pub- lished a new study about this, which has found that women are not properly warned in B.C. and elsewhere about these risks. Th e study is signifi cant and should have been published years ago. Why was it not published years ago? Because the gov- ernment delayed this story for more than two years, de- layed this study by more than two years, blocking access to the researchers involved to needed B.C. data. Th e re- sult is that critical information found in the study was delayed, and health was put at risk.

Will the minister recognize the consequence of the government’s action, today, and explain what he intends to do to make up for the damage done to people in British Columbia? Hon. T. Lake: We know that in the Ministry of Health, there was inappropriate use of data. We also know that the reaction that was taken — the results — in some cases was inappropriate. Th at is all before the Ombudsperson. We will wait for the Ombudsperson’s study and look for- ward to the results of his work. Madame Speaker: Vancouver-Kingsway on a supple- mental. A.

Dix: What we know is that the government knew the importance of the study and intentionally denied ac- cess to the data. We know that the consequences of this for women in British Columbia and in Canada were serious. What I’m asking the minister…. Th e study concluded…. Interjection. A. Dix: Th e minister from UBC is actually heckling on this issue of women’s health. He’s actually heckling on this question. It was the government that denied access to this in August and September of 2012. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. A. Dix: It’s the government that did it. Th ey sent a letter denying that access.

Th ey made the decision to delay this

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12311 study, and the consequences are what we know: a study that showed that adherence to proper use of Accutane is poor in British Columbia and requires action. So I’m asking the Minister of Health today to acknowledge the failure of the Ministry of Health in this matter and to say what he plans to do to address this problem. Hon. T. Lake: We know that we take the people’s med- ical health information, the confi dentiality of that infor- mation, very seriously.

When there was a concern about a breach in terms of the use of that data, we worked with the Offi ce of the Privacy Commissioner to review the situation. Th at resulted in some access delays; there’s no question. [1420] We took the recommendations of the Privacy Commissioner, implemented all of those to be able to restore access to information. We did what we needed to do to ensure the privacy and confi dentiality of medical health information in the province of British Columbia. C. James: Th e conclusion of this research is critical.

It says that the province is not doing a good job explaining to women, particularly young women, that becoming pregnant while taking Accutane poses a signifi cant risk of birth defects. Th is is the very reason why we do health research: so we can warn people about risks. By denying health researchers access to this critical data, the govern- ment stalled off this research, to make it available to doc- tors, for two years. Will the minister please explain why he let that happen? Hon. T.

Lake: Well, I know that the members opposite have a script, and they can’t get off of it, even when they hear the answer to the question previously. But the real- ity is I just explained…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. T. Lake: As I explained to the previous member, there was a concern about breach of confi dential med- ical information. Now, the members opposite, I suppose, would think that we should not be concerned about that. We were concerned about that.

Th ere were 20 information-sharing agreements with the researchers at a number of organ- izations that had to be suspended while an investigation was conducted, while we followed the recommendations of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to make sure we had better security of our data. Th at is why there was a delay in access to research, not a nefarious attempt to somehow hurt women of the prov- ince of British Columbia. Th at is disingenuous, and the members opposite know it. Th ey are the champions of fearmongering. Th e reality is we did what we needed to do to protect confi dential medical information.

Madame Speaker: Victoria–Beacon Hill on a supple- mental. C. James: I would think the Health Minister knows that with this government’s record on the health care fi rings, there’s good reason to be fearful for what this government is doing — good reason to be fearful. We know the impact that the health fi rings had on the lives of the government’s own health researchers: reputations trashed, careers ended and a life lost. But the government made it worse. We only need to look at media coverage recently on the Zika virus to understand the need for public educa- tion and how critical it is.

What possible reason could the minister have had for allowing this important public health research to be shelved for over two years? Hon. T. Lake: Once again, to the members oppos- ite, security of confi dential patient information is ex- tremely important to the Ministry of Health. Th ere was an unfortunate breach of that confi dentiality. We had to suspend access for a period of time. Th at work was done to follow the recommendations of the Offi ce of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Changes were made, and that access was reopened.

I’m not sure what else the members would have us do in the face of a data breach. I think we took the appro- priate steps to secure that information to make sure that we protected people’s confi dential health information. WORKERS DAY OF MOURNING LEGISLATION S. Simpson: April 28 is the Day of Mourning in British Columbia and across Canada. It’s the day that we recog- nize that too many workers have lost their lives on the job. So 187 B.C. workers never got to go home at the end of their shift s last year. Across our province, we recognize and honour those workers.

I know that the minister has participated in those ceremonies, but it is time to do more. Will the min- ister commit to recognizing the Day of Mourning formal- ly in legislation, including ordering that fl ags be fl own at half-mast on public buildings in B.C. on that day? [1425] Hon. S. Bond: Certainly, every person in this Legis- lature realizes that one life lost in the workplace is one life too many. We have spent a great deal of time and eff ort working with WorkSafe on a number of areas to ensure that workplaces in this province are safer. I met earlier, as I said in the introduction session, with the B.C.

Federation of Labour. It is a recommendation that they have made. I committed to going and looking

British Columbia Debates12312 Monday, April 25, 2016 at how that is possible to do. I can tell the member op- posite that since we met earlier this morning with the B.C. Federation of Labour, I have asked that…. I am in the process of sending a memo out to public institutions, as is the normal practice, concerning the lowering of the fl ag to see what we can do in the interim to ensure that we encourage buildings to display that respect. Of course, I’m willing to look at the recommendation. We only met earlier this morning.

In the meantime, I want to send an important reminder for organizations to consider lowering their fl ag this Th ursday. S. Simpson: We know that many individual jurisdic- tions choose to acknowledge workers who have died on the job. Th ey lower their fl ags. We did that here at the Legislature. What’s disappointing is that the gov- ernment not commit to formalize this recognition for workers who will never go home again. Unlike Red Tape Reduction Day, which this minister and the B.C. Liberals were very enthusiastic to legislate….

Why is it that there is not equal recognition and enthusiasm to recognize the Day of Mourning? Th is is an inexplicable position and refl ects badly misplaced priorities. On April 28, I will introduce the workers day of mourning recognition act that would acknowledge this and bring this into force. I’m asking the minister to re- consider her reluctance to act now and wish that she would join in supporting passage…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Th is House will come to order. Please continue. S.

Simpson: I’m asking the minister to join in sup- porting passage of what is a very non-partisan piece of legislation during this session. Will the minister do that? Hon. S. Bond: Y ou know, it’s moments like this where one feels the most disappointment about issues like this — to suggest it’s non-partisan and then to stand in the House and be critical of an answer that I just provided to the member opposite. At nine o’ clock this morning, I met with the B.C. Federation of Labour and accepted the recommenda- tions and agreed with them that I would go and look at the process in order to make a legislative change.

To the member opposite: you can shake your head all you like. We’re talking about worker safety. In the meantime, regularly, memos are sent out a week in advance of very important days in British Columbia, where a reminder about lowering the fl ag takes place. In addition to the one that went out a week ago, I asked today that a message go from me to remind people about the importance of doing just that. Th ere is no hesitation, there is no reluctance, and I can assure you I don’t intend for the issue of worker safety to be a partisan one in this House or outside.

WESTERN FOREST PRODUCTS LOGGING CONTRACT DISPUTE IN PORT ALBERNI AREA H. Bains: At Franklin River, near Port Alberni, there’s a David-versus-Goliath story playing out. Forestry giant Western Forest Products is demanding concessions of an independent logging contractor that the contractor can’t possibly aff ord. As a result, 160 loggers have been put out of work.

Instead of standing up for the workers and the con- tractor, this government, true to form, actually rewrote the rules in favour of Western Forest Products, allowing Western Forest Products to circumvent the “use it or lose it” policy, while resetting the cut control period. [1430] My question to the minister is this: why did you change the rules for Western Forest Products and let 160 people be thrown out of work? Hon. S. Th omson: Th is is an issue of a dispute be- tween a primary contractor and the company. They are working to resolve the dispute.

Th at’s the appropri- ate place for that to take place, under the regulations. We have also talked to the Truck Loggers Association, Interior loggers and northern loggers association about a review of the contractor rate situation — a broad re- view of that. Th ey understand that, they know that, and they support that process. Th at work will get underway. Th e appropriate place for this to be resolved is between the primary contractor and the licensee, in this case. I know that work is under- way to do that. We’re encouraged that that work is tak- ing place.

In the meantime, the Port Alberni mill is up and running fully, back with production in place from the previous slowdown. So I’m confi dent that this issue will get resolved where it should get resolved — between the primary contractor and the licensee. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Surrey-Newton on a supplemental. H. Bains: It would be a dispute between those two parties until this government decided to stick their nose in it. Th ey are the ones who went and interfered in their dispute resolution by changing the rules. Th at’s what is at the heart of this dispute.

Th ey stood with Western Forest Products, allowed them to rewrite those rules and extend the cut control period. Now they are not to sit down and come to the table and end that dispute.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12313 It’s thanks to this government not only that there are 160 loggers out of work and contractors have been side- lined, but there are also 70,000 cubic metres of logs lying on the hillside rotting for up to two years now. Th at’s 70,000 cubic metres of logs that are supposed to create jobs in logging and wood manufacturing, sitting there rotting, thanks to this government. My question, again, to the minister is this: why did you rewrite the rules in favour of Western Forest Products, which put 160 loggers out of work? Hon. S.

Th omson: As I said, this is a rate dispute be- tween a primary contractor and a licensee over rates and lots of issues within that. Th at’s the appropriate place for that to be resolved. And, as I said, work is underway to resolve those. Th e member opposite is also wrong. Th is lumber is not rotting. I’m advised that it is available. It still can be used and still will be used when the dispute is resolved. I’m confi dent that it will be resolved, and that’s the appropriate place for that to take place. B.

Routley: Th ere are 70,000 cubic metres of logs on a Western Forest Products site near Port Alberni that are lying on the ground rotting, despite what the minister says. Th e fact is the fate of this wood is tied up in a dis- pute between Western and the TLA logging. To put the 70,000 cubic metres in perspective, there are between 35 and 40 cubic metres on a highway logging truck. So 70,000 cubic metres is a lot of jobs. Western Forest Products recently laid off 100 workers at their Port Alberni mill, which was operating at just half capacity. Western blamed this on log shortages.

To the Minister of Forests: why are you failing the communities of British Columbia? Why are you allowing 70,000 cubic metres of the public’s logs to rot when 160 loggers from Franklin River are out of work and 100 mill- workers are laid off in Port Alberni? [1435] Hon. S. Th omson: Again, as I pointed out, wrong on two counts. Firstly, all workers are working at the mill. Th e Port Alberni mill is operating fully, as to plan. So all of those workers are working, and the production is there. Secondly, I’m advised the logs are not rotting. Th ey will be available.

Th e issue is a rate dispute between a primary contract- or and the licensee. Th at’s the appropriate place to have that worked out. In the meantime, we’ve also committed to work with the Truck Loggers Association, the Interior loggers association, the northern loggers association and the forest associations on reviewing the contractor rate issues generally to ensure that we have a competitive in- dustry here in British Columbia. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Hon. S. Bond: I have the honour to present the fol- lowing report: the Labour Relations Board annual re- port for 2015. Petitions N.

Macdonald: I rise to present a petition strongly urging the B.C. government to cover the cost of hear- ing aids for seniors. Th e petition is signed by 502 of my constituents. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: In Committee A, Committee of Supply — for the information of members, the estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development — and, in this chamber, second reading of Bill 13. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 13 — SAFETY STANDARDS AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 Hon. R. Coleman: I move that Bill 13 be read a second time. I am pleased to present amendments to the Safety Standards Act.

Th ese amendments strengthen safety over- sight of liquefi ed natural gas and other oil and gas facilities. Th ey are the result of work by the B.C. Safety Authority and the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission to prepare for LNG. Th e Oil and Gas Commission is responsible for this industry under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. Under the Safety Standards Act, the B.C. Safety Authority is re- sponsible for technical equipment throughout the prov- ince, including in the oil and gas sector. Th ere are responsibilities that overlap as a result. Th ese amendments improve the areas where this can cre- ate problems.

Oversight by the B.C. Safety Authority is amended in two key areas. Pressure piping and refriger- ation systems within the oil and gas sector will be over- seen exclusively by the Oil and Gas Commission. Th is will eliminate overlap between the regulators and ensure that complex refrigeration associated with LNG will be governed by the best-suited regulations and agency. Th e amendments also address safety oversight for ele- vators and ropeways, which may be present in large LNG facilities. Th e B.C. Safety Authority will oversee these, along with boilers, pressure vessels and electrical equip- ment.

Th ere’s no change to gas systems. Th ey remain ex- clusively with the Oil and Gas Commission. In addition to providing certainty for industry, these amendments maintain the Oil and Gas Commission as

British Columbia Debates12314 Monday, April 25, 2016 the primary regulator for oil and gas but also ensure that B.C. Safety Authority technical expertise is present with regards to this industry. It ensures all equipment is cov- ered by the best legislation and standards by both agencies. I’m pleased now to move second reading. B.

Ralston: As the minister has said, this is a shift of regulatory oversight of proposed LNG facilities — the liquefaction aspect of the LNG plants — from the juris- diction of the Safety Standards Act to the Oil and Gas Commission. [1440] Th e minister has set out the two principal areas, pres- sure piping and refrigeration, and where the facility would have elevators and ropeways, those would be trans- ferred as well. It would also leave the jurisdiction to regu- late other refrigeration schemes, such as rinks, ice arenas and cold storage facilities, with the B.C. Safety Authority.

Now, what is clear about prospective LNG facilities is that much of the initial fabrication will be done off shore, barged to British Columbia and then, if there’s a go-ahead on any of these particular projects, would be assembled in British Columbia. So the fi rst question that arises in a safety…. Th ese are huge facilities and very complicated refrigeration systems, much more complicated than any- thing else that’s ever taken place in the province.

Th e fi rst test for safety would be the commissioning phase — in other words, the phase that decides that the facility is suitable for operation, for safe operation. Th at will be complicated by the fact that the standards for fab- rication will have to be carefully scrutinized, because a lot of the work will have been done not in British Columbia, under British Columbia’s standards, but under, presum- ably, the jurisdiction of the companies and their contract- ors in China, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, wherever the fabrication takes place.

So the issue of safety is really paramount at the commissioning stage. In other words, will the facility be safe to operate? While the Oil and Gas Commission is taking on these responsibilities, the question naturally arises: does the Oil and Gas Commission have the personnel, the capacity, the expertise and the experience to undertake these kinds of inspections and, particularly, the commissioning? Th at’s a question that I’ll explore with the minister in the committee stage of what is an admittedly very brief bill.

Th e other issue that arises is, clearly, the ongoing stan- dard of safety maintenance — the regularity, the detail of the inspection — and how that will be carried out. One would expect, given that this would be new for British Columbia, that the Oil and Gas Commission would draw on its expertise — and its sister agencies, perhaps, in the United States or overseas — to train personnel, to gain the experience that’s necessary to operate these kinds of facilities and inspect them safely.

Th e literature, the safety literature, suggests that LNG facilities are generally safe, although in some cases and some of the operators…. Some of the standards that one would expect in a jurisdiction like British Columbia have not always been adhered to in jurisdictions elsewhere in the world. One, of course, would expect high and consist- ent safety standards here in British Columbia, and that’s something that those people who are to work in those plants, should they ever be built, would expect and want and that their families would want as well.

Th e issue be- comes, I think, rather than a simple jurisdictional trans- fer to the Oil and Gas Commission, more an issue about the capacity of the Oil and Gas Commission to under- take that. [1445] Now, we will see. I expect I’ll be provided with the usual assurances. But these are important issues that really merit serious consideration and some assurance in the sense of detail of inspection plans, training plans and a commitment for a budget within the Oil and Gas Commission, out of its headquarters in Fort St. John, as to how that will be done.

Th ose are the questions that I think are important to pose when considering this particular bill. Th ere will be a brief debate at the committee stage, although there are not many clauses in the bill, so it will be brief. Th ose are the details of questions that I will be posing on behalf of the offi cial opposition when we consider this bill. Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, the min- ister to close the debate. Hon. R. Coleman: To the member opposite for Surrey- Whalley, I’m looking forward to those discussions.

I will advise him that for the last couple of years, the Oil and Gas Commission has been spending the time to under- stand the pressure vessels and those sorts of things in and around oil and gas, particularly LNG, because they do it with gas plants now. Th ey’ve done some international re- search with regards to that. I think we’ll cover that well in committee. Having said that, I would move second reading. Motion approved. Hon. R. Coleman: I move the bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House to be considered at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Bill 13, Safety Standards Amendment Act, 2016, read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole House for consideration at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Hon. T. Stone: I now call committee stage for Bill 6, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016. [1450]

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12315 Committee of the Whole House BILL 6 — PHARMACY OPERATIONS AND DRUG SCHEDULING AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 Th e House in Committee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 6; R. Chouhan in the chair. Th e committee met at 2:52 p.m. On

section 1. Hon. T. Lake: I’m pleased to welcome a couple of my ministry staff to the committee stage of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016. On my left is Mitch Moneo, and on my right is Brian Westgate. Th ey are here to support me as we go through the diff erent sections of this bill.

Section 1 approved. On

section 2. J. Darcy: Th ank you to the minister and his staff . In general, I think the minister knows, from our discussions in second reading, that we’re very supportive of this bill and the amendments that are made to the act as a result. Just a few specifi c questions.

Section 2 gives the College of Pharmacists more dis- cretion, as we have heard, over who is issued a licence. Th e former language used the words “registrar must issue” a licence. Th e new licence says “a direct owner may apply. ” Th e former language, I understand, had codicils to pre- vent just anyone from getting a licence, but the “must issue” language appears to be more directive. One of my questions on this: what avenues do direct owners have if they believe their application has been wrongly rejected? Hon. T. Lake: Th ank you to the member opposite for the question. Th is is around the process.

Essentially, the process will be that the registrar would, in many cases, approve the application, but if there are any questions that the registrar feels should be addressed, it can go to the application committee, which is created in these amendments, and the application committee would then make a decision. Should the applicant not be satis- fi ed with that decision, there is an opportunity for a ju- dicial review. [1455] J. Darcy: Also in this section, the new language only allows for “direct owners” to apply for licences. Why are there still references elsewhere in the legislation to in- direct owners? Hon.

T. Lake: It is the direct owner that would be the essential holder of the licence for the site. Th e reference to indirect owners. Th ese are people that may be part of the corporate ownership of the company and are named so that they can be subject to aspects such as criminal re- cord checks — in other words, a fi t and proper test to en- sure that we know who is involved in owning a pharmacy. Th at’s been one of the issues that we’ve had in the past with numbered companies not really understanding who was involved in the ownership of the pharmacy. B.

Ralston: Can the minister say whether benefi cial ownership would be barred by these provisions? The Chair: Member, could you please repeat your question? B. Ralston: Can the minister say whether benefi cial ownership — that is, ownership by means of a trust — would be barred? Typically, in a benefi cial ownership — and I’m sure that the minister has legal advice available to him — there would be one person nominally on title as the legal owner, but the real control and ownership would be owned, through a trust mechanism, by someone else. Does this legislative provision bar that kind of owner- ship?

Since the purpose of the legislation is to bar owner- ship by people that the college does not wish to have ownership, surely that’s an important consideration. Hon. T. Lake: Th e direct owner…. Let’s say we had a trust that wanted to purchase or to establish a pharmacy and apply for a licence. Th ey would name an individual as the direct owner, the representative who would then hold the licence, but all the members of the trust would be considered indirect owners and, therefore, would be subject to the reach of the College of Pharmacists. B.

Ralston: Is that something that was specifi cally con- templated in the draft ing or, if I might put it this way, an answer, in response to my question, somewhat impro- vised here? I think it is an important question. Th at very, very small minority who have operated these kinds of phar- macies in the past that the minister, quite properly, seeks to regulate have shown a certain legal ingenuity in the way in which they operate. I’m concerned that we’re creating a legislative scheme with the very best of intentions. It’s good red tape. It’s im- portant red tape.

Y et I wouldn’t want to see our legislative eff orts here come to nothing and be frustrated by some arcane legal manoeuvre that takes place in a way that hasn’t been contemplated here by the legislative process. Hon. T. Lake: I understand the member’s question and concern about leaving a gap, if you like, in the objectives of this legislation.

British Columbia Debates12316 Monday, April 25, 2016 If we look at the defi nitions, a direct owner means “the owner of a pharmacy, other than an indirect owner. ” [1500] Th en, let’s see. Okay, what is an indirect owner? An in- direct owner means “in respect of a corporation that is traded publicly…. ” A publicly traded corporation would be the offi cers and directors, and “in respect of a corpora- tion that is not traded publicly, (

i) the offi cers, directors and shareholders of the corporation, and (ii) if a subsidi- ary corporation, the offi cers, directors and shareholders of the parent corporation. ” Th e term “corporation” is de- fi ned in the

Interpretation Act very broadly, and I think that does capture the member’s concern. Th e reference in the defi nition of “indirect owner” to a corporation takes on that meaning in the

Interpretation Act, and that refers to “an incorporated association, com- pany, society, municipality or other incorporated body, where and however incorporated, and includes a cor- poration sole. ” J. Darcy: Also, still on this section, the former lan- guage made references to the physical location of the pharmacy, in

section 2. Is there no more requirement for physical location of the pharmacy, or is that dealt with by other means? Could the minister explain the thinking be- hind, the reason behind, the issue of location within the pharmacy? Also, does this bill in any way contemplate on-line pharmacies? Hon. T. Lake: First of all, the location within the build- ing of the pharmacy is contemplated, but it has been moved. It appears in

section 8 of the amendments and under sec- tion 21 of the act, so we’ll come to it in

section 8. It actually is subject to one of the amendments that were put forward. In terms of on-line pharmacies, this bill does not deal with on-line pharmacies. On-line pharmacies in British Columbia essentially aren’t allowed to access PharmaNet, and all pharmacies in British Columbia have to access PharmaNet, so it virtually eliminates the use of on-line pharmacies. J. Darcy: Can you have a licence without a physical location for a pharmacy? Hon. T. Lake: Th e answer is no. [1505] J. Darcy: Could you set up a pharmacy in B.C. and operate it from elsewhere? Hon. T.

Lake: Can someone from outside of British Columbia set up a pharmacy in B.C. and operate it? Y es. Th ey would be subject to the college of pharmacy bylaws and to the legislation.

Section 2 approved. On

section 3. J. Darcy: I want to deal with the issue of Criminal Code convictions.

Section 3(

f) essentially bans anyone with a Criminal Code conviction from holding a pharmacy licence for six years aft er conviction. Does this apply to all Criminal Code convictions? For instance, if someone took

part in a protest and was convicted, would that mean that they were not eligible to have a pharmacy licence? And given the changing nature of our legal climate, federally, and perhaps provincially, in the not too distant future, some- one who had been convicted, for instance, of a personal- use amount of marijuana…? Does this apply to all criminal convictions or only the types of criminal convictions directly related to misuse, abuse of one’s role as a pharmacist? And is there any av- enue for appeal under these provisions?

Are we talking about indictable off ences, or is a conviction on a sum- mary off ence enough to have someone banned from hav- ing a pharmacy licence? Th e Chair: Member, is your question directed to sec- tion 3 or 4? Y our question, I think, was related to

section 4, wasn’t it? J. Darcy: Y ou’re absolutely right, hon. Chair. Th ank you.

Section 3 approved. On

section 4. J. Darcy: Okay, I asked the question, and the minister could now answer, if he would. Hon. T. Lake: Th e intent is obviously to prevent some- one that has a conviction of an off ence that is relevant to the practice of pharmacy. If the direct owner was found to be not eligible due to a criminal record check, the ap- plication committee looks at it and essentially would de- termine whether or not the off ence was relevant to the practice of pharmacy.

Th e member is quite correct in that we know that there may be some things that happen in people’s lives, and they may fi nd themselves at odds with the law. But if it is not relevant to the practice of pharmacy, then the com- mittee would take that into account. Th e member, as I’ve mentioned earlier, asked about whether there is an appeal. Th at would be through the judicial review process. B. Ralston: Th e language used here is “criminal record history” and, in proposed

section 5.1, the direct owner’s and indirect owner’s and manager’s history of “charges and convictions. ” Th at’s a bit more sweeping than con- victions, obviously.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12317 Does this contemplate convictions and charges under the Criminal Code? Does it contemplate convictions and charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act? Does it contemplate charges or convictions under the Income Tax Act?

Does it contemplate charges or con- victions of regulatory off ences such as those under the Workers Compensation Act? [1510] Typically speaking, there is a syndrome of action around people who might merit more scrutiny and per- haps be denied a licence in the sense that they tend not to adhere to safety standards, income tax requirements and other off ences that, certainly under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, would be at the very heart of what a pharmacist would do. Th e language here seems to me to be vague and sub- ject to possible

interpretation. So I’m interested that the minister…. As the minister will know, one of the aids to

interpretation, should the matter be litigated, would be the minister’s very words in dealing with the legislation here in the Legislature. A judge can take notice of that in a case, potentially. I think it’s important that the minis- ter clarify, as best he can, what is meant by this particu- lar proposed section. Hon. T. Lake: Th e member is asking: how sweeping is this?

Section 5.1 says: “ A direct owner, an indirect owner and a manager must provide to the registrar the informa- tion specifi ed in the bylaws respecting the direct owner’s, indirect owner’s and manager’s history of charges and convictions as follows: (

a) on the making of an applica- tion for a new pharmacy licence…(

b) if requested by the application committee…(

c) if the direct owner ceases to be eligible, under

section 3 (

e) or (f), to hold a phar- macy licence…. ” Going back to

section 3(

e) or (f), you can see that in that

section it says: “(

e) no direct owner, indirect owner or manager has, within the previous 6 years, been con- victed of an off ence prescribed under the Pharmaceutical Services Act for the purposes of

section 45 (1) (a) (ii) of that Act. ” So if someone is guilty of essentially breaking the Pharmaceutical Services Act, that would constitute ineligibility — or, under (f): “no direct owner, indirect owner or manager has, within the previous 6 years, been convicted of an off ence under the Criminal Code (Canada), other than an off ence to which paragraph (

e) applies. ” Essentially, it’s saying that Criminal Code, Pharma- ceutical Services Act and then, under (g), has “had a judgment entered against him or her in a court proceed- ing related to commercial or business activities that oc- curred in relation to the provision of (

i) drugs or devices, or (ii) substances or related services within the meaning of the Pharmaceutical Services Act. ” If you go back to

section 3, hon. Member, it will essen- tially delineate the reach of those charges and convictions. B. Ralston: I appreciate the minister’s clarifi cation, and indeed, that is more specifi c. I must say I’m surprised by the omission of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which would seem to me to be directly relevant to this particular pro- fession and business.

Secondly, I don’t understand why one would omit, given that there’s a reference to busi- ness practices in 3(d) — that no direct owner or indirect owner is “subject of an order or a conviction for an infor- mation or billing contravention. ” It’s not clear what that is, but certainly what seems to be contemplated there is fi nancial irregularity or misfeasance in reporting or dis- closing billing matters. It would seems to me that a viola- tion under the conviction or a charge on the Income Tax Act would be directly relevant to the proposed conduct that’s to be scrutinized here.

If I might, I’m going to suggest to the minister that he consider an amendment to include reference to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Income Tax Act and also the Workers Compensation Act, since those are off ences or charges that merit the same kind of con- sideration in deciding the suitability of someone to be granted one of these licences. Hon. T. Lake: Th e Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is captured under the Pharmaceutical Services Act, hon. Member, so I think that is covered off . As I said, 3(

e) says the off ence, if it’s an off ence prescribed under the Pharmaceutical Services Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act, falls within that act or is referred to in that act. [1515] In terms of the Income Tax Act, paragraph (

g) of

section 3 says that “no direct owner, indirect owner or manager has, within the previous 6 years, had a judg- ment…against him or her in a court proceeding relat- ed to commercial or business activities that occurred in relation to the provision of (

i) drugs or devices, or (ii) substances or related services within the meaning of the Pharmaceutical Services Act. ” So I would counter that any financial irregularities would be captured under paragraph (

g) of

section 3. B. Ralston: Well, I appreciate the minister seeking to reassure me. I think the legislation would be better con- structed and we would be better served if it was made explicit rather than inferential in the way that the minis- ter has suggested, particularly the latter reference to the Income Tax Act, because on a plain reading of (g), I don’t see that, necessarily, the Income Tax Act would be part of that defi nition. I’ll leave it there, but I must say that if we’re trying to close regulatory loopholes using good red tape, I think that’s something that we should do now rather than wait for an

interpretation that requires an amendment some- where down the road.

British Columbia Debates12318 Monday, April 25, 2016 Hon. T. Lake: On the order paper is an amendment. [SECTION 4, in the proposed

section 5.1 (a), by deleting the text shown as struck out: (

a) on the making of an application for a new pharmacy licence or for the renewal or reinstatement of a pharmacy licence; .] On the amendment. Hon. T. Lake: Essentially, this changes (

a) to “on the making of an application for a new pharmacy licence. ” Th at is simply shortening the sentence to say that when you are applying for a new pharmacy licence, you would be subject to the criminal record checks, noting that they would still be required every fi ve years and still could be required by the application or the college should there be any need to go back, if there was any question about ownership activities. Amendment approved.

Section 4 as amended approved.

Section 5 approved. On

section 6. J. Darcy: Th is section, as I understand it, essentially broadens the prohibitions against illegal pharmacies. I’m curious if there are specifi c examples of events re- quiring these changes both in

section 6 and in

section 7, meaning: what are the problems that this

section is meant to address? Hon. T. Lake: Well, essentially what this says is that unless you’ve met the requirements of the College of Pharmacists to be awarded a licence upon application, you’re not allowed to act as a pharmacy. In the past, we’ve had pharmacies, for instance, that were numbered com- panies. Th ey were shut down and then essentially re- invented under another numbered company and applied for a licence.

Th is would allow the College of Pharmacists to say that you’re not allowed to operate a pharmacy un- less you have met the requirements of applying for a li- cence, which include the criminal record checks and kind of having that fi t and proper test of the direct and indirect owners. I have an amendment to that

section on the order paper. [SECTION 6, in the proposed

section 7 (3), by deleting the text shown as struck out and adding the underlined text as shown:

(3) Unless authorized under a bylaw or by a pharmacy licence, aA direct owner, an indirect owner and a manager must not operate or permit the operation of a pharmacy if the direct owner ceases to be eligible, under

section 3, to hold a pharmacy licence.] [1520] Amendment approved.

Section 6 as amended approved.

Section 7 approved. On

section 8. J. Darcy: A new paragraph, (c.1), in this

section gives the board the authority to levy fees for an application for a licence, which is specifi cally referenced in the for- mer language. Th ere are references to fees for issuing a licence in the former language. Is this allowing for fees that weren’t allowed before? Hon. T. Lake: Th ere were fees contemplated in the existing legislation. It’s simply been moved into this sec- tion for clarity. J. Darcy: Okay, so it doesn’t contemplate fees that were not allowed for before. Hon. T. Lake: Well, the college has the ability to cre- ate bylaws which may involve fees.

Th ose bylaws would have to be approved by the ministry. Hon. Chair, there is an amendment on the order paper. [SECTION 8 (b), by deleting the text shown as struck out and adding the underlined text as shown: (

b) in subsection (1) (d) (ii) by adding “including with re- spect to the location within a premises to be occupied by a pharmacy, and a pharmacy’slocation, layout and fl oor plans, ” aft er “requirements for premises, ”, .] On the amendment. Hon. T. Lake: Essentially, this clarifi es that what this

section is getting at is approval for the location within a building. It’s not where the building sits on the street; it’s the location of the pharmacy within the building. If you look at a number of stores that have a pharmacy within their store, this is about the physical location of the phar- macy within the store. J. Darcy: Can the minister please elaborate on the im- portance or signifi cance of where the pharmacy is located within the physical premises and on what this amend- ment does that wasn’t there before? Hon. T. Lake: Th e location within the premises is important.

Th e college has had this ability before, par- ticularly for confi dentiality purposes, for instance. Th ey would like to see the location, the design of the phar- macy within a larger premises to ensure patient con- fidentiality and the professional deportment of the pharmacists involved. Th e initial language we had in this

section that we have amended was a little ambiguous, in that some people were concerned that we were referring to the location of the pharmacy on the street. Essentially,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12319 they were concerned that the college would have the ability to say: “Well, you can’t have a pharmacy in that neighbourhood” or “Y ou can’t have a pharmacy on that street. ” We’ve just really tightened the wording to mean the location of the pharmacy within the building, not on the street. Amendment approved.

Section 8 as amended approved. Sections 9 to 12 inclusive approved. Title approved. Hon. T. Lake: I move the committee rise and report the bill complete with amendments. Motion approved. Th e committee rose at 3:25 p.m. Th e House resumed; Madame Speaker in the chair. Reporting of Bills BILL 6 — PHARMACY OPERATIONS AND DRUG SCHEDULING AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 Bill 6, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016, reported complete with amend- ments. Madame Speaker: When shall the bill be considered as reported? Hon. T. Lake: Now, hon. Speaker. Madame Speaker: By leave, now. Shall leave be grant- ed?

Leave granted. Th ird Reading of Bills BILL 6 — PHARMACY OPERATIONS AND DRUG SCHEDULING AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 Bill 6, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Amendment Act, 2016, read a third time and passed. Hon. T. Stone: I now call committee stage of Bill 16, the Community Care and Assisted Living Amendment Act, 2016. Committee of the Whole House BILL 16 — COMMUNITY CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 Th e House in Committee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 16; R. Chouhan in the chair. Th e committee met at 3:28 p.m. Hon. T. Lake: I am pleased to start committee stage of the Community Care and Assisted Living Amendment Act, 2016. To support me, I have, on my right, Doug Hughes; on my left , Sharon Stewart; and behind and to my left , Katherine Th iessen-Wale. I want to thank them for the support they are providing on this bill. On

section 1. S. Robinson: I have a number of questions on this sec- tion, so I guess I’ll just dig right in. In reading this bill, it’s not clear to me how assisted living is diff erent from in- dependent living. Perhaps the minister can explain how he understands the distinction. Hon. T. Lake: When we think of living arrange- ments…. It’s primarily for seniors.

It’s not always for sen- iors because other British Columbians would fall into some areas of assisted living or even residential care, but it’s primarily seniors that we’re talking about. [1530] Independent living would be, essentially, people living by themselves. Th ey may have services provided to them in their home at their own discretion, but essentially, they are independent of government services.

Assisted living is a type of living where there is a group of people who are living together in a — I hate the use of the word “facility” because it sounds so institutional but for lack of a better word — facility where a variety of sup- portive services are provided. It may be assistance with daily living. It may be medication management. It may be fi nancial management. It may be intensive physical therapy or psychosocial therapy. Currently, under the current act, those are called “prescribed services” .

Some of the things we’re changing are the ways that we describe the type of assistance that people can have in assisted living. Essentially, it is to al- low people a range of options to keep them in an en- vironment that is home-like and that provides them with supports that they may not be able to access if they were living by themselves in independent living. S. Robinson: I appreciate the minister’s description. I’m thinking more specifi cally about independent living resi- dents. Th ere are some companies, for example, that off er seniors residential living that may also off er not necessar-

British Columbia Debates12320 Monday, April 25, 2016 ily a prescribed service but some of these sorts of services — where they might help with some fi nancial manage- ment, where they might be doing communal meals, for example, and they might have a special therapeutic meal. But they’re not really an assistant-living residence. I’m just trying to fi gure out what the distinction is between those who are living in independent living residences…. Oftentimes they’re quite lovely. There’s communal eating.

Th ere might be a hairdressing shop inside the residence, and there might be a podiatrist who comes by periodically. But technically, it’s not an assisted- living facility. I’m just trying to wrap my head around how the distinctions are made. Hon. T. Lake: Th e type of environment the member describes is independent living. It’s essentially the private provision of whatever the residents want, so it’s like stay- ing in a hotel. Y ou have the things you need for sleeping and eating, and you can order some things that would be included in your monthly fee and other things that would be à la carte.

Th ey essentially are independent of govern- ment. It is whatever you want on the menu, in terms of services that you can purchase. When we talk about assisted living, people go through an assessment to be eligible for assisted living. Th is is when their care needs, in their view and in the assessor’s view, would be higher than they could support in in- dependent living, so they would be assessed and placed, if requested, in assisted living, where a higher level of ser- vices is provided. In many cases, that would be subsid- ized by the government. S.

Robinson: Again, I just want to make sure that I have it clear in my own mind. Th e minister described what I would call, let’s say, hospitality services — what you would get in a hotel. My understanding is that there are, certainly, private assisted-living facilities that don’t have any government subsidy and that would fall under this legislation as well, in addition to subsidized units.

Just in the private realm, is there a distinction between those that off er hospitality services — the independent living; you can buy whatever you want — and assisted living that is also private but has this set of regulations? [1535] I’m just trying to, again, make the distinction around where that line is. Hon. T. Lake: We’ll go back to independent living, which focuses on hospitality services. Th ese are primar- ily non-medical and don’t support complex ongoing sup- ports. For instance, in independent living you could have low-sodium diets, for instance, but not medical diets pro- vided.

Y ou could purée food but not provide physical as- sistance with eating on an ongoing basis. When the level of care is higher and someone is as- sessed for assisted living, they would go into…. It could be private assisted living or public assisted living, both of which would be registered and fall under the auspices of this act. S. Robinson: Th at’s a helpful distinction. I appreci- ate that. If I understand correctly, then, just because you have an independent living residence….

If I was the owner of an independent living residence and off ered hospitality services, sometimes that might mean helping residents move things because they’re heavy. Or it might mean — I don’t know — connecting them with other services that they might need, whether it’s helping them fi nd an ac- countant because they have some complex accounting to do or whatever. Th is bill doesn’t apply to those residences. Hon. T. Lake: I appreciate the member striving for clarity. I think it’s important for people that are follow- ing this bill. Th e second page of the bill, under

section 1, describes assisted living, a defi nition. Essentially: “‘assisted living services’ means one or more of the following: (

a) assistance with the activities of daily living, including eating, moving about, dressing and grooming, bathing and other forms of personal hygiene; (

b) assistance with managing medication; (

c) assistance with the safekeeping of money and other personal property; (

d) assistance with managing therapeutic diets; (

e) as- sistance with behaviour management; (

f) psychosocial supports; (

g) other types of prescribed assistance or support. ” In other words, services could be added by regulation, that are prescribed. But the independent living is essen- tially off ering up those hospitality or non-medical, non- essential services, and those are off ered on an à la carte basis. Th e independent living, private, would not be cap- tured by this legislation. S. Robinson: I appreciate that. Th ere is certainly some conversation and some angst around whether or not this would be captured, so I think it’s important that we have some clarity about what those are.

As I’m sure the minister can appreciate, “assistance with” is sort of vague, right? What is assistance? Is refer- ring someone to an accountant…? Th at’s assistance with the safekeeping of money and other personal property. It’s a little bit vague in terms of these defi nitions, and I hope that the minister can appreciate that that’s part of what’s creating, I think, some of the angst. Perhaps he can provide some examples of where that line is around what is providing assistance and what’s providing just a service — if there is some sort of under- standing of what that is.

When I say providing a service from a hospitality end…. If somebody needs a cleaning lady — I don’t like to clean — is that now assistance with daily living? If I’m living in independent living and I don’t want to clean my apartment — I’ d rather get somebody — have we slipped over to assisted living? [1540]

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 25, 2016 12321 Hon. T. Lake: Th e new defi nition of “assisted living” clarifi es that it is a premises “in which housing, hospital- ity services” — which, I believe, is what the member is re- ferring to — “and assisted living services…. ” So if there’s housing and hospitality, that’s fi ne. But if you start adding assisted-living services, as defi ned in

section (b), then it falls under the defi nition of “assisted living. ” Independent living, where housekeeping and all those types of hospi- tality services are off ered, would not be captured. We will be consulting with the providers in this sector, as regulations are developed, to ensure that they are con- fi dent and that there’s clarity and to listen to any concerns they might have over the development of the regulations. S. Robinson: I appreciate that there will be some ful- some consultation. I hope that the independent living group will also be included in that consultation, because I know that there’s substantial angst

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20160425pm-Hansard-v37n7
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20160425pm Hansard v37n7
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	b15424fe481c4575a86ccf7ec1bde0d8606276fa

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