British Columbia Hansard — 17 May 2018, a.m., Issue 140 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180517am-Hansard-n140

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday, May 17, 2018 Morning Sitting Issue No. 140 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Thursday, May 17, 2018 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4925 Statements (Standing Order 25B)......................................................................................................................................... 4927 International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia J. Thornthwaite J. Routledge Kwantlen Polytechnic University L. Reid Tae kwon do tournament and festival A.

Kang Shared business services initiative on Saltspring Island A. Olsen Child care providers S. Chandra Herbert Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 4929 Action on gas prices J. Thornthwaite Hon. J. Horgan Dispute with Alberta on Trans Mountain pipeline and impact on fuel supply and prices D. Clovechok Hon. J. Horgan Closing of Wavefront and support for technology businesses S. Furstenau Hon. B.

Ralston Use of email by Advanced Education Minister and response to freedom-of-information request S. Bond Hon. M. Mark M. Hunt G. Kyllo Hon. J. Horgan Government recordkeeping policies and use of email by ministers and staff M. Polak Hon. J. Horgan Use of email by Premier’s office staff L. Throness Hon. J. Horgan Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 4934 Bill M216 — Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018 A. Weaver Hon. S. Simpson Hon. M. Farnworth A.

Olsen A. Weaver Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4940 Estimates: Ministry of Finance(continued) S. Bond Hon. C. James T. Redies

Proceedings in the Birch Room Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4943 Estimates: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (continued) D. Clovechok Hon. L. Popham M. Stilwell

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 The House met at 10:05 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Introductions by Members Hon. A. Dix: This morning members on both sidesof the House had the opportunity to meet with members of the Health SciencesAssociation of British Columbia and celeb- rate the extraordinary work thatthey do. My colleaguethe Ministerof MentalHealth and Addictions gave a very elo- quent statement, and I spoke as well. It’s my pleasure today to welcome the president of the HSA, ValAvery, and anumberof members of the association who I’m going to listnow.

I’m notgoing to listthem by pro- fession, but I am going to have a long list, which is, if you know me very well, my favourite form of poetry, as well. Of course, the president,ValAvery, is here.

I’m going to introduce Nasim Ali Akbarli; Mandi Ayers; Marg Beddis; John Christopherson; Tamm y Cranston; Anne Davis, also a member of the Island Heath board, and I thank her for herservice;Jas Giddha; CherylGreenhalgh; TonyaHarford; Nancy Hay; Derrick Hoyt,who has a very, very good busi- ness card; Edith MacHattie; Alysone Martel;JaniceMorris- on; Jing Ng; Joe Sebastian; Brendan Shields; Easter Tocol, who is from my constituency of Vancouver-Kingsway; and Trevor Whyte, who gracesthe frontpage, if you received it today, of the HSA pamphlet. I personally have an autographed copy.

If members would like to getacopy, they can eithergetiton eBay latertoday, or if they meet with Trevor, I invite them to get a copy then. I hope allmembers willwish allof ourfriends from the Health Sciences Association welcome. N. Letnick: I’d also like to echo the Minister of Health’s welcome to all the members of HSA, in particular Tamm y Cranston, who is aconstituentfrom Kelowna–Lake Country and a diagnostic neurophysiology technologist at Kelowna General Hospital, where she’s been working since 1988. Would the House please make all of them welcome, in particular Tamm y. Hon. J.

Darcy: Itgives me greatpleasure to join the Min- sterof Health in welcoming HSA today, in particularCheryl Greenhalgh, who works as a medicalradiation technologist atRoyalColumbian Hospitaland who is secretary-treasurer of the HSA. I justwantto be clearthatthe Ministerof Health spoke in poetry, and I spoke in prose. Hon. S. Robinson: I have three co-op studentswho are here watching question period today. Two of them are working in the residentialtenancy branch. William Elther- ington is an undergraduate student in economics at the University of Victoria.

Kate Fairley is an undergraduate studentin politicalscience atthe University of Victoria as well. They are co-op studentsworking with the residential tenancy branch, and they are working on projectsrelated to the rental task force. [10:10 a.m.] I also have Breeanna Jantzenjoining us here today. She’s a master’s student in the School of PublicPolicy at Simon FraserUniversity, my alma mater. She is working on youth homelessness for the housing policy branch. Would everyone please make them all welcome. J. Thornthwaite: I have two guestsfrom North Vancouver today.

One is Alysone Martel, who is a fellow dietitian and was here at the HSA breakfast today. John Christopherson also works with the HSA, but his claim to fame, for me, is that he’s married to a very good friend of mine, Tricia Andrew. Could we please make them all welcome. Hon. B. Ralston: Prominentamong the HSA delegation is my wife, Miriam Sobrino. Very niceto see herhere in Vic- toria, and I hope that the House will welcome her. B.

Stewart:It’s my pleasure today to introducetwo people from Kelowna West that have been very active, since relo- cating to British Columbia from Alberta some 40-plus years ago, in investing and living and contributing to the com- munity. Jim and Anne Edgson have driven here because they got the bug of watching QP on TV at home and they thought:“Whatbetterplaceto come and experiencethe real thing?” I wantto welcome Jim and Anne here fortheirtour of the parliament today. Hon. G. Heyman: I want to join in welcoming a con- stituent of mine, Joe Sebastian, who’s here with the Health Sciences Association delegation.

He’s worked at Vancouver General since 2000 and is a board member representing 2,600 HSA members in Vancouver and Richmond. Italso gives me greatpleasure to welcome 12 hard-work- ing employees of the Ministry of Environmentand Climate Change Strategy here in Victoria — from the correspond- ence unit,SaraNicoll, Siobhan Baird, Alicia Moreau, Lind- say Kliska; and from the information and record manage- ment team, Patricia Fortin, Jonathan Lokhorst, Vicki Desaulnier.

The environmental protection division is rep- resented by Vickie Jackson, Ashley Buttman and Jennifer Jonker; and from the deputy minister’s office, KarlaKennedy and Deborah Carroll. I hope thatthe House willmake them very, very welcome. Hon. M. Farnworth:It’s my pleasure today to welcome to the precinctsomeone who is a very good friend and a won- 4925

derful person. Her name is Tonya Harford. She’s a nuclear medicine technologist at Burnaby Hospital. I would ask the House to make her most very welcome. T. Redies: I’d like to welcome the daughter of a former constituent of mine, MichelleDi Tomaso, and her partner, Dr. Paula Gordon, who are with Dense Breasts Canada. They’re here today to speak to women aboutthe particular challenges around dense breasts and breast cancer. Would the House please make Michelle and Paula welcome. J. Isaacs:I wouldalso like to introduceaguestthis morn- ing from HSA.

Nasim AliAkbarliis aconstituentof Coquit- lam–Burke Mountain and is amemberof the multidisciplin- ary healthcare team atRoyalColumbian Hospital, where she has worked as a cytogenetic technologistsince 2012. Please welcome Nasim and all of her guests. B. Ma: I, too, have the pleasure of introducing Alysone Martel and John Christopherson from North Vancouver with the HSA. In particular, I’d like to say afew words about John, because he is a constituent in North Vancou- ver–Lonsdaleand works as asocialworkeratthe Vancouver cancer centre.

John is the HSA regionaldirector for severalspecialized health care providers located in Metro Vancouver, including B.C. CancerAgency facilities, Canadian Blood Servicesand B.C. Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Wouldthe House please join me in makingthem both feel very welcome. Hon. K. Chen: Today is a very specialday. First of all, I wouldlike to wish a very young, talented and hard-working professional, my ministerial assistant Jasleen Arora,a very happy birthday. [10:15 a.m.] Today is also ChildCare ProviderAppreciation Day.

I wouldlike to also take this opportunity to thank allof the childcare professionals and providers in the sector, allof the dedicated staff from my officeand all of the ministry staff who have worked so hard to rolloutourgovernment’s childcare initiatives as we are commi tted to work togeth- erto builda better, m ore affordableand quality universal childcare system in B.C. I wouldreally like to thank allof them for theirhard work and passion to supportfamilies and children in B.C. D. Routley: Yesterday there were some guests in the House. They were meantto be introduced, butthe introduc- tion wasn’tmade.

I’d like to correctthattoday and welcome to the House, belatedly — of some of the mostspectacular recreation boating — the protecting agency and servantsof the province. The presidentof the Boating B.C. Association, Don Prit- tie, is alifetime recreationalboating advocate and represents the recreational boating sector, which employs over17,000 peopleacross B.C. and contributes$2.2 billion to the provin- cial economy each year. The governmenthas proclaimed this week as B.C.

Boating Week, and Don had joined us to celebrate the occasion as we headinto the Victoria Day long weekend, the traditional kickoff of the B.C. boating season. This week the association is highlighting the significance of the recreational boating sector, showcasing the many opportunitiesforanyone to get on the waterand reinforcing whatitmeans to be a respons- ible boater. Belatedly I’d like the House to help us welcome and thank Mr. Prittie and the organization he represents. I’d also like to welcome to the House two very good friends from Nanaimo, SandraZuccolini-Larocque and her husband, Mike Larocque.

I first met Sandra and Mike through an organization called SECA, the South End Com- munity Association in Nanaimo, which does fantastic work in restoring and making once again a thriving neighbour- hood where there were many challenges. Sandra’s family goes back to the coal mining days in Nanaimo, and she’s been a loyalsouth Nanaimo publicser- vant,really, forallof herlife. She’s really beenavolunteerand adedicated person to allof the peoplearound her.

Currently they’re defending and fighting for the Morden mine, a pro- vincialhistoricalpark, which is one of the finestexamplesof preserved history on Vancouver Island. Can the House help me welcome and thank Sandraand Mike. Hon. M. Mungall: Joining the delegation of the Health Sciences Association is Janice Morrison, who’s their vice- presidentand a constituentof mine, representing the mem- bers in the Kootenays. She’s also a city councillor. I ask that the House please make her very welcome. L. Reid: Hon. colleagues, I’d like you to join with m e in welcoming Antoinette De Witto the gallery today.

She penned m any a missive on behalfof the governmentover the years as form er director of the Premier’s correspond- ence branch. I’d ask the House to please m ake her very, very welcom e. S. Furstenau: In the gallery today is a dear friend, Laura West.When I firstmoved to Victoria nearly 30 years ago, I worked forLauraatBaggaPastain Fairfield. Laurawas more than aboss; she was afriend and amentor. I gotto know her family very well— including Katie, who was atthe time ten years oldand now works in MinisterMungall’s office— and Laura’s husband, Ross.

I’m delighted to see Laurahere today, and I want her to know that she was an important part of my journey to this House. She was always supportive, encouraging and someone I could rely on for guidance. Would the House please make her feel most welcome. Hon. D. Donaldson: I have a friend from Smithers visit- 4926 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

ing today. She’s up in the gallery behind me — Mandi Ayers. She’s a lab technician atthe Bulkley Valley DistrictHospital and a directoron the Health SciencesAssociation board for region 10 and a good friend. Mandi, I look forward to having a glass of wine with you next week when we’re both back in the constituency. Would the members please make her welcome. G. Kyllo:I’m proudtoday to have joiningus agood friend from Sicamous, Joe McCulloch. Joe is the operations man- agerfor the district of Sicamous. He moved from Glasgow abouttwo years ago.

He and his lovely wife Leanne and their three children — Millie, Holly and Angus — have really madeSicamous theirhome. We couldn’tbe happierto have them with us. [10:20 a.m.] Joining Joe today is his dad, Bobby. Bobby and Marie are also visiting, from Glasgow. Bobby, actually, is currently working atthe Glasgow city council, teaching roadsafety to youngschoolchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys ridinghis Springer Harley-Davidson. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. A.

Weaver: Itgives m e greatpleasure to introduceDer- rick Hoyt,a pathologist’s assistantatRoyalJubilee Hospit- aland a constituentin Oak Bay–Gordon Head. Derrick is a board m ember of the HSA, who are visiting us here in the gallery today. Whatpeoplemay notknow is he’s also formerly known as the “Prideof Cranbrook.” Whilestillactive today as a coach and a judge, Derrick was a bronze medallist in the welter- weightdivision in the 1978 Comm onwealth Games and was aCanadian champion fortwo years in the lightwelterweight category. Wouldthe House please make him feelvery welcome here today. Hon. M.

Mark: I, too, wouldlike to welcome one of my constituents,a memberof the Health SciencesAssociation, who’s visiting us in the gallery today. She is a socialworker atLions Gate Hospitaland St.Paul’s Hospital. She is on the board of directors and represents 3,000 members for the Lower Mainland. Wouldthe House please welcome Nancy Hay to the chambers. A. Kang: I also hadthe pleasure of meeting many mem- bers of the HSA over breakfast this morning and, also, of witnessing the Minister of Health’s spectacular poetic per- formance.

In particular, in the gallery today, I wouldlike to recognize and welcome my good friend Jing Ng, amemberof the HSA and a constituent of mine. Jing is a pharmacist at Burnaby General Hospital and is part of HSA’s steward team here today. I wouldlike the House to make herfeelvery welcome. J. Brar: I also wouldlike to participate in abrief session of introductions. I wouldlike to welcome Marg Beddis, who is aconstituentof mine. She’s adietitian. She has been working since 1991. She’s a good friend and exceptionalsupporter. I would ask the House to please make her feel welcome.

Statements (Standing Order 25B) INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA J. Thornthwaite: Today is the InternationalDay Against Hom ophobia, Transphobiaand Biphobia. Created in 2004, it has becom e a rallying and m obilization point for the LGBTQ comm unity across the globe. Itis now celebrated in m ore than 130 countries, including 37 where sam e-sex acts are still illegal. As activists around the worldhave said, this is not one central trademark brand, and everyone is free to comm u- nicate as they wish. It is a global celebration of sexual and gender diversities.

Out in Schools is a program that brings films into classrooms with the goalto engage youth, through film, in the promotion of safer and more inclusive learning envir- onments,free from homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and bullying. Their programs have not only been proven to reducebullying for LGBTQ youth butalso for non-LGBTQ youth in the entire school. Outin Schools has reached more than 100,000 youth across B.C. since itsinception and con- tinues to fight homophobia and transphobia across the province. Help them celebrate their 30th birthday on June 2.

I wouldalso like to congratulate AndreaYeo, atrail-blazer teacher at Seycove Secondary School in North Vancouver, for her ongoing work on SOGI policies as far back as 2006. On this day, May 17, 2018, we congratulate ourselves on how farwe’ve come butrecognizethatthere is much more to doto increase toleranceand acceptanceof allyouth, no mat- ter their sexual orientation, race, sex or religion. J.

Routledge: I, too, draw attention to the factthattoday is the InternationalDay AgainstHomophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.Itwas created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTI people around the world. On May 17, we reflect on the alarming situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, and allthose who donotconform to major- ity sexual and gender norms. [10:25 a.m.] On this day, let’s think aboutthe factthatthere are 13 UN memberstates where peoplecan stillbe putto death forpar- ticipating in consensualsame-sex activity.

Let’s think about the factthat19 percentof B.C. high schoolstudentsdo not identify as exclusively heterosexual, and they are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth. Why today? May 17 was the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. May 17 is a day of mobilization on a globalscale, Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4927

but it is also a day to celebrate. I celebrate the factthatSvend Robinson, a graduate from Burnaby North Secondary and a Burnaby MP was the first Memberof Parliamentin Canadian history to come outas gay while in office. I celebrate the fact that in spite of hateful emails and at least one death threat, the Burnaby school board unanim- ously approved an anti-homophobia policy in 2011. I celebrate that sexual orientation and gender identity classroom policiesand procedures have been proven to reduce discrimination, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts amongst all students.

In conclusion, May 17 is an acknowledgmentthatthere is much more to do. I want to thank the brave activistswho keep fighting for a better, more inclusive world. KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY L. Reid: I am delighted to rise today and talk aboutKPU, KwantlenPolytechnicUniversity — aspecialpurpose teach- ing university located in Richmond. Teaching comes first; research, as resources allow, of especially applied research. This is experiential, real-world learning in every program. They have an applied program mix, as pertheirpolytech- nicuniversity mandate, which is unique in Canada.

There is a strong access mandate with much student mobility. Their mission reads as follows. KPU offers “all learners opportunities to achieve success in a diverse range of pro- grams that blend the theory and practice, critical under- standingand socialand ethicalawareness necessary forgood citizenship and rewarding careers.” I am proud of this university and its programs, which span seven faculties: arts,business, health, scienceand hor- ticulture, tradesand technology, and academicand career advancement. The faculty of design has a new home in the Chip and Shannon Wilson Schoolof Design.

Ithas been a joy to see thatbuilding grow from the design phase through opening day in January of this year. Heartfelt congratulations to all involved in bringing the very best programmin g to our students. I believe the best socialprogram in the worldis a job, and you can’thelp but get the best start at a B.C. post-secondary institution. TAE KWON DO TOURNAMENT AND FESTIVAL A. Kang: Annyeonghaseyo. Did you know that it wasn’t untilthe 1940s thattae kwon do emerged as a martialart? On Saturday, May 19, the B.C.

Taekwondo Federation and the consulgeneralof the Republicof Korea willco-hostthe second Consul General Cup and Taekwondo Festival. Tae kwon do is a sport that was once Seoul-ypractised in Korea buthas since grown to be become a world-recog- nized Olympic sport. Tae kwon do requires discipline and self-control, and itteaches the importanceof living ahealthy and balanced lifestyle. It is so popular that it even has worldwide appeal, fea- tured in bigscreen TV orm ovies, starring actors like Jean- Claude Van Damm e, Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan.

Just within British Columbia, there are approxim ately 100 tae kwon do schools and 20,000 athletes currently practising tae kwon do. The B.C. Taekwondo Federation is the only tae kwon do association in B.C. hosting a m embership of over 15,000 people. The second ConsulGeneralCup willbe takingplaceatthe Richmond Curling Club, with an expectation of approxim- ately 1,000 in attendance. There willalso be five age categor- ies and three divisions, including poomsae, board-breaking and sparring. This is an eventthatwillbe sure to provide family enter- tainment for everyone.

Not only will the festival feature Korean culture, art, food, tourism and exhibition booths, one of the objectives of this festival is to support cultural exchange, promote interaction between local residentsand the Korean-Canadian comm unities in B.C. as well as enhancethe understanding of two countries and strengthen our relationships. A specialthanks goesoutto my very good friend, the con- sulgeneralof the Republicof Korea, Gunn Kim, for allhis hard work and co-hosting this event.Good luck to allof the competitors this weekend. SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES INITIATIVE ON SALTSPRING ISLAND A.

Olsen: Anyone who has enjoyed the world-famous SaltspringIsland Cheese, SaltspringWildCiderorSaltspring Soapworks, all produced on Saltspring Island, can attest to the quality and ingenuity of the island’s business owners and artisans. Without these businesses, their competition and the risk-taking entrepreneurs behind them, the island as we know it could not exist. [10:30 a.m.] Two locals are using their knowledge and time to give back.

Holly MacDonald and Francine Carlin of the Salt Spring Island Comm unity Economic Development Com- mission are volunteercommi ssioners who have a vision for how smallbusinessesand non-profitscouldband togetherto increase efficiency. Recently they won a ruraldividend grantto explore what a shared business service would look like on Saltspring Island. This service couldtake on the administrative work of many organizations, leaving time forthe farmers, potters, weavers and knitters of Saltspring to focus on whatthey do best— contributing to the vibrantand diverse marketplace of the island.

A major aspect of the island’s charm is the selection of unique businesses, which, in many cases, are run by families who simply love whatthey do. Gettingthe supportthey need to prosper and prospering on an island isn’t always easy, butwith the help of provincialfunding, Holly and Francine 4928 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

wouldhelp provide access to IT, marketing and hiring ser- vicesthatare oftenoutof reachforasmallbusiness. A shared business servicesplan also allows for the developmentof a cohesive ecosystem, providing the longevity and sustainabil- ity of Saltspring business. I’m so inspired by the work of Holly and Francine to create models which allow forlocalbusinesses to flourish, and I’m very pleased thatthe governmenthas agreed to fund this ini- tiative and look forward to seeing the benefits that every- one experienceswhen innovative ideas are supported by the province. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS S.

ChandraHerbert:Well, today I wantto invite allmem- bers of this House and everyone across B.C. to celebrate ChildCare ProviderAppreciation Day. Join me in giving a big, big thank-you to all those who are ensuring that our province’s babies, toddlers, kids, little ones, rug rats — whatever you want to call them — are well taken care of. It’s hard work raising kids, whether you’d be staying at home to take on this work — and itis work — orworking as a professionalchildcare provider. It’s criticalwork, and itis in much demand.

I wantto give them allahuge thanks, with a specialthanks to my husband, Romi, for looking aftermy little one, Dev, at home. Child care providers help shape young lives in truly remarkableways. Every day they make a true difference to the future growth of ourchildren and ourprovince, and we know parentsacross B.C. value and depend on this critical work. The passion and dedication shown by these workers is truly an inspiration, and I know any memberthatvisitsa childcare centre willfind this to be true each and every day of the week. Words are one thing, and thanks are hugely important.

Action is another, to truly embody the thanks thatwe give them. I know many members willhave metwith childcare providers, willhave metwith parentslooking for childcare and know the challenge and stress that this can cause. To truly appreciate ourchildcare providers, I believe we need to acton whatthey and the parentswho rely on them are telling us. They tell me that the recent investments in childcare are helping. As one childcare providertoldme: “Itfeels like we’ve finally seen the lightatthe end of the tun- nel. We’re finally being heard.” As one parenttoldme: “Keep going.

We need more affordablechildcare and greatpeople, very importantly, to run it.” One childcare providerputitto me really succinctly. In orderto have good childcare, you need good peoplewith good training and good wages to support them to do that work. I agree with hercompletely, and clearly there is work to be done. We need more childcare providers. We’re working on it, buttoday I justwantto give huge thanks to them for their truly inspirational work. Thank you on behalf of all legis- latures and all British Columbians. Oral Questions ACTION ON GAS PRICES J.

Thornthwaite: As familieshead into the long week- end, gas prices are up m ore than 32 cents per litre from this time last year. On March 21, the Premier said: “We are monitoring gas prices,and we will take steps if necessary. We have talked abouta range of options, and we willlook atthose options should prices remain high.” This government has options to provide temporary tax relief. Willthe Ministerof Energy give British Columbians a break at the pump? [10:35 a.m.] Hon. J. Horgan: I appreciate the sincerity of the member’s question.

Allof us in this House are hearing from ourcon- stituents— very, very concerned as we go into the travelling months, the summ ermonths here in British Columbia. Gas pricesare unacceptably high. Unfortunately, this is happen- ing rightacross North America.It’s critically importanthere in British Columbia and higher than any other part of the continent.We also have to keep in mind thatthe challenge is one of supply and demand. The Leaderof the Opposition has said as much. I agree with him.

If there is evidence of collusion, if there is evidence of pricegouging, we certainly wantto hearaboutthatfrom the members of the opposition or the travelling public.We’re doing our due diligence to make sure that the industry is providing the lowestcostspossiblefor consumers as we go into the summ er months. Mr. Speaker: The member for North Vancouver–Sey- mour on a supplemental. J. Thornthwaite: British Columbians are paying the highestgas pricesof anywhere across North America.Hard- working peoplein this province pay enough and deserve a break atthe pumps.

The Premiersaid, “We willtake steps if necessary,” buthe hasn’tdone a thing exceptpick fightsover pipelines and increase taxes. This minister has options, as the Premier admitted two months ago. Why isn’t she acting? Hon. J. Horgan: I guess the passion and enthusiasm of the question was more partisan than worrying about the con- cerns of BritishColumbians, butI’lltake itas itwas delivered in the firstquestion and respond again and say thatI agree with the member. I think allmembers understand thatthe costsare unacceptably high for the travelling publicat this time.

As afree marketparty, oran alleged free marketparty, on the other side, they would understand that prices rise when supply is diminished, and supply has been diminished because of cutbacks atthe Parkland refinery, the lastrefinery in the Lower Mainland, and our inability to bring on new Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4929

sources of supply to meet increasing demand. The government on this side of the House has been doing our level best to address affordability issues. The travelling public, for example, no longer has to pay the only tolls thatwere putin placeby thatside of the House. Whether they’re crossing the Port Mann Bridge, whether they’re crossing the GoldenEars Bridge, they no longer have to pay B.C. Liberal tolls. Mr. Speaker: The member for North Vancouver–Sey- mour on a second supplemental. J. Thornthwaite: On May 7, 2007, this now Premiersaid: “…consumers have had enough. They’re fed up. They’re being gouged.

They’re being hosed at the pumps, and they wanttheirlegislators to do something aboutit.” That’s from this Premier. Well, the Premierand the ministercan now do something about it, like temporarily reduce the provincial motor fuel tax or even the carbon tax. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. J. Thornthwaite: The Premier could actually do something aboutit.He couldtemporarily reducethe motor vehicletax or the carbon tax. Why doesn’tthis Premier do something to help British Columbians in affordability instead of hosing people at the pumps? Hon. J.

Horgan: I guess the memberfrom North Vancou- ver hasn’t heard the memo from the Leaderof the Official Opposition, who said justa coupleof weeks ago: “I do not see a need to change the carbon tax policy atthis point.” In the very same interview, the Leaderof the Opposition said: “I think it’s fairto say thatthe provincialgovernmenthas a limited rolein this, because gasoline taxes have been setfor a long time.” Although we do not believe that at this time there are many options availableto us, we have asked ourdeputy min- isters to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to protect the travelling public.We have, for example, cut in halfmedicalservicespremiums, putting another$900 in the pocketsof individuals and $1,800 in the pocketsof families.

Affordability is our focus. Again, I appreciate that when you leave the government sideand you travelacross the floor the distance of 12 or so feet,the passion aboutfree marketeconomics seems to dis- appear. Instead, those who said, “We can’tgetinvolved in the economy,” are now saying: “Why aren’tyou getting involved in the economy?” [10:40 a.m.] DISPUTE WITH ALBERTA ON TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE AND IMPACT ON FUEL SUPPLY AND PRICES D. Clovechok: Well, from the Premier, that’s interesting rhetoric. The Premier knows that he could give British Columbians a break. He has the ability to do that, but he doesn’t care.

He has known from day one that he cannot block the Trans Mountain expansion. He knows that. But again, he doesn’t care and continues to pick fightswith other Cana- dians. The hike in gas pricesthatwe are seeing now is only the beginning. How high do these priceshave to go before this Energy Minister does something to help British Columbians? Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I’m surprised thatthe free market party on the other side doesn’t understand the difference between….

A pipeline proposal that is designed to move diluted bitumen and exportitto otherjurisdictions has zero — zero — to do with the cost of gas in British Columbia. Ratherthan pick fightswith otherCanadians, I have been doing quite the opposite. Since we formed government…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, may we hear the response. Hon. J. Horgan: Thank you, hon. Speaker. Since we formed government, we have been working in the courtsfollowing the ruleof law.

We enjoined two court casesthatwere already underway, and we entered athird one atthe requestof the governmentof Alberta, who said they felt that ourattempt to put in placea regulation to protect the interestsof British Columbia, to defend our coast, was going to be counter to constitutionality. We said: “Let’s go and ask someone aboutthat.Let’s go to the top. Let’s go to the Supreme Court.” The federalgovern- mentsaid:“No, no, no, we don’twantto testourjurisdiction, because we might not have it.” Now we find ourselves in the B.C.

Court of Appeal, fol- lowingthe ruleof law, doingwhatcivilized peopledo, asking a third party to determine whetherwe have the jurisdiction to protect and defend the interests of British Columbians. Mr. Speaker: The member for Columbia River–Revels- toke on a supplemental. D. Clovechok: Wow, whatawhopperthatwas. How dis- empowering it must be, Mr. Speaker, for a question to be asked to a ministerand notto be ableto answerthatques- tion. Today 100 B.C. businesses and Indigenous, labour and comm unity leaders are flying to Alberta to express their supportfor the Trans Mountain expansion.

They’re fighting for working British Columbians. High gas pricesare a seri- 4930 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

ous concern for thousands of British Columbians who can’t afford to keep paying more to gas up theircars, to buy gro- ceries and to pay for other basic necessities. The question to the Energy Minister: when willthis gov- ernment stop blocking an already approved pipeline and instead do something about the pricesof British Columbi- ans’ gas — I know you’re excited to getup, sir— beinghosed at the pumps? Hon. J. Horgan: I didn’tmean to interruptthe member’s rant.I apologizeforstandingand throwinghim off his game. If you don’t want to take my word for it, hon.

Speaker, then why don’twe talk aboutan economistatthe University of Calgary, which, last time I checked, was not in British Columbia butwas in Alberta. This economist,Blake Shaffer, said thatthe reality is nothing to dowith the pipeline. This is a normaloperations…. It’s a supply issue, nota transporta- tion issue. The question around gas prices. If there is collusion, if there is gouging, we wantto getto the bottom of it.Butthe Leaderof the Opposition, the leaderof the group of free market advocates on that side of the House, said that he didn’t believe that the carbon tax was having an impact at this time.

He also said thatothertaxes have been in placefor a long, long time. I appreciate thatsome members wantto be in one place and othermembers wantto be in anotherplace. I guess that’s the luxury of opposition. On this side, we stand up to defend the coast and the interests of British Columbians. [10:45 a.m.] CLOSING OF WAVEFRONT AND SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES S. Furstenau: A few days ago news broke thatWavefront, a Vancouver-based incubator, ceased operations. Wavefront plays a crucial rolein supporting the growth of B.C.’s tech sector, one of the fastest-growing sectors in oureconomy.

Ithelps geteconomies from the lab bench to the assembly line, and it supports companies across their life cycle. This is particularly impactful on businesses like VIATeC orAccelerate Okanagan, who themselves saw fund- ing from Wavefrontand used itto help localbusinesses. As a result,scores of B.C.-based companiesin the start-up and growth phases are facing a more uncertain future. My question is to the Ministerof Jobs, Tradeand Techno- logy. Is the provinceaware of whathas occurred with Wave- front? What steps has it taken to mitigate the impacts on B.C.’s tech sector? Hon. B.

Ralston: I thank the House Leaderof the Third Party for her question. We are naturally disappointed that Wavefront shut itsdoors just last Friday. Fulldetails of the reasons forthatare stillemerging, and itis disappointing for the tech sector in British Columbia. This Vancouver-based agency, largely funded by the fed- eralgovernment,helped mobileand Internetof thingscom- panies go through the stage from start-up to scale-up and then, through the network of mobileproviders thatthey had access to, encouraged them to grow.

They helped over 100 companies testtheirapplications and productsso thatthey could expand and create good jobs in British Columbia. The ministry is working with Innovate B.C. and the B.C. Tech Association to ensure thatthe cohort,those who entered in a group this spring, willbe placed elsewhere and notlose the time and the commi tmentthey’ve madeto the projects that they have underway. The worldis moving to mobile. The projected demand for mobile…. Revenue is huge, and we wantto make sure that British Columbia is a big part of that going forward. Mr. Speaker: The House Leader, Third Party, on asupple- mental. S.

Furstenau: I appreciate the answer from the minister about whom he’s working with. Wavefronthas been receiving federalfunding, as he poin- ted out,and there’s potentially halfamillion dollars of feder- almoney thatis atrisk unless action is taken. This is fund- ingthathas beenusefulto benefittechcompaniesin B.C. We can’t letthis funding stream disappear. What this makes more clear than everis thatwe need to ensure thatfunding thatflows into B.C. is supportingsustainableand robustpro- grammin g. This willminimize the impacton companiesand the people they employ.

My question is, again, to the Ministerof Jobs, Tradeand Technology. Whatare we doing to make sure thatthe federal funding for this project is secure and that the impacts on start-ups are limited? Hon. B. Ralston: Naturally, I want to express my disap- pointment,again, thatWavefronthas shutitsdoors. We are working with those companies to find them new homes — the cohort of spring 2018. It is an accelerator. There is an accelerator network that was a federally funded accelerator, through a federal pro- gram.

There is a network of accelerators across the province thatdo greatwork in helping companies startup and scale up to create good jobs for peopleacross the province. This is a responsibility of my ministry, and we are working with the Ministry of Innovation, Scienceand Economic Develop- ment— that’s the federalministry — to make sure thatthe concerns that the member raises are addressed. This is a great week, though — I think it’s important to mention — fortechnology in British Columbia.We justhos- ted the tech conferenceoverin Vancouver.

The Premiergave a rousing speech, expressing the strong supportof this gov- ernmentforthe tech sectorand allthe prosperity and jobs it can bring to notonly the region of the LowerMainland but throughoutthe province. The tech sectorhas abrightfuture, and we’re right behind it. Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4931

USE OF EMAIL BY ADVANCED EDUCATION MINISTER AND RESPONSE TO FREEDOM-OF-INFORMATION REQUEST S. Bond: Yesterday the Minister of Advanced Education toldthe mediathatallheremails are keptby the officeof her deputy minister. Butshe also said: “Any time asearch comes through, I hand over my devices to staff.” Let’s think about this for a minute.

This is a minister of the Crown who said she has been briefed and understands herFOI responsibility, yetthis explanation from the minister makes absolutely no sense. [10:50 a.m.] To the Minister of Advanced Education, why on earth would she hand over her devices if that wasn’t where her records were being kept? Hon. M. Mark:I’d like to thank the memberopposite for the question. This is an importantissue. Peoplewantus, as elected officials, to live up to a high standard, and I hold myself to a high standard.

Yesterday we triple-checked my devices.On the February request for sent records, we found three sent emails from February thatshouldhave been provided. I have copies,and I’m happy to share them today. I’ve asked my team to take a proactive look atallotherFOI requestsfrom my officeto ensure thatwe are always being comprehensive. I’d be happy to provide an update as soon as that is complete. Mr. Speaker: The memberforPrinceGeorge–Valemount on a supplemental. S.

Bond: We appreciate the minister standing in the House today and reminding us that, frankly, she had to be dragged screaming and kicking to the placewhere she was able to present some emails. Let’s review what happened. First it was the minister responsibleforFOI who madean apology, because she actu- ally didn’tfollow the rules,and today it’s this minister. So let’s remember exactly what happened. This minister was asked for all of her emails, all of her textmessages, and as we discovered, not one singlerecord was returned.

Today we actually hear: “Well, now there are three.” As we recallfrom the Ministerof Citizens’ Services, she toldus thatthere was one or two, and they were social media–related. We found out that was not accurate. To the minister, itis time thatshe providescomplete clar- ity. We wantto know where allof the minister’s emails were, whetherthey were on herdevices.If they were, she should release allof them and make sure thatthere are justthree, as she’s madean apology fortoday. This ministerhas absolutely stood in this House and said: “No, I did everything prop- erly.

And by the way, now — oops — there were three.” Well, it’s time forthe ministerto stand up and to apologize to this House and to British Columbians fornotfollowing the rules that are expected of her as a minister of the Crown. Hon. M. Mark:I’d like to thank the memberopposite for the opportunity to stand in these chambers as the Minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Training. The point of question period for the m embers and the people, the residentswho are athom e watching, is to hold government to a high standard. I’m happy to provide the details of the three emails.

Allthree emails are m edia clips or inform ation bulletins. I recognize that we can’t show exhibit A, B or C, but they’re right here. All three emails are right here. I’m happy to explain the three emails. One emailforwar- ded a media clip of the Leaderof the Opposition, who was my predecessor. One emailsentinformation on the January labourforcesurvey to remind myself, as areminder. And an emailforwarded a clip of the Premierto staff, saying I liked a line that he used in a speech. As I said, I have copies,and I’m happy to share them today in the chambers. I’ve also asked my team… Interjections. Mr.

Speaker: Members, we shall hear the response. Hon. M. Mark: …to take a proactive look at all other responses to FOI requestsfrom my officeto ensure thatwe were comprehensive. It’s important to follow the rules and best practices to ensure that they’re followed, and I continue to do so. M. Hunt:Yesterday the Ministerof Citizen’s Servicessaid: “Each ministry works differently, and practicesand proced- ures could vary.” [10:55 a.m.] All the more reason why we need to hear the proper explanation from the Minister of Advanced Education on whatthe procedures are in heroffice.

If the procedures have changed, we wouldlike to ask the ministerto please tellthis House how the procedures are different in her office. Hon. M. Mark:I thank the memberopposite forthe ques- tion. Government information management policy is very clear. Some records need to be retained, and some are trans- itory and shouldbe disposed of. The emails we delete are transitory. Forexample, I don’tthink the publicis interested in my travelarrangementsto ensure thatI have childcare for my two daughters. That’s whatI use my emailfor. It’s transit- ory. Or when we

schedule meetings. I think peopleat home and across British Columbia are more interested in knowing how we make decisions that impactthem. Those are the records thatare retained atthe deputy minister’s office. I’m happy to talk aboutadultbasiceducation, a decision that we made when we formed government. I’m happy to talk aboutthe 2,900 tech seatsorwhatwe didto open doors for former youth in care. But that’s not the question. 4932 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

G. Kyllo: The excuses m ade by this government just don’t pass the smell test. Deputy ministers’ officesdo not keep everyday emails of their ministers. But even if they did, this is irrelevant. The emails of the Minister of Advanced Education shouldhave been released regardless of where they’re kept. The ministerstands in this House and indicates thatdur- ing the entire month of February, there were three emails. For a ministerof the Crown, the levelof work thatis being undertaken by the ministry….

I think British Columbians wouldlike to know justwhatlevelof work is actually being undertaken by the Minister of Advanced Education. Hon. J. Horgan: I think the partisanship is in the body of the question. Everyday emails are transitory. Decisions by government must be documented, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. When we formed government,I seta very high standard.

I am disappointed thatwe are notalwaysmeetingthatstand- ard, butI remain commi tted to ensuringthatwe’re doingour levelbestas a governmentto be open, to be transparent,to dodue diligenceand to have bestpracticeswhen itcomes to freedom of information. This notion that because there were only three emails people aren’t working…. The Minister of Finance in the formergovernmentstood proudly in this placeand said: “I don’t even know how to send an email.” At the time, there was an uproar aboutit,butthe memberis very capable. He is one of the longest-serving members in this House. I have a high regard for him.

The factthathe doesn’tcare to send emails does notdiminish the work thathe does orhis com- mitment to British Columbia. This notion that the Minister of Advanced Education is documenting decisions in an appropriate manner with her deputy minister, so the publiccan have thatinformation, is wholly appropriate, and I applaud it. GOVERNMENT RECORDKEEPING POLICIES AND USE OF EMAIL BY MINISTERS AND STAFF M. Polak: I have with me, from the governmentrecords servicetransitory records guide, examplesof non-transitory records. In fact,itdoes includethe kinds of thingsthatmin- isters would send in everyday emails.

For example, one thatthe ministerjustgave us. She said nobody wouldreally be interested in herscheduling ameet- ing. Whatdo I find here? Work schedulesare partof what you are supposed to retain and provide for FOI. Assign- ments are what you’re supposed to provide. Directions to change a proposal. Directions to recomm end a different course of action. Directives, instructions, advice. In a $5 billion ministry, the idea thatthere are only three records….

Of course, now we hear that the ministerdidn’t understand thatthingslike work schedulesand assignments are part of what is supposed to be retained. [11:00 a.m.] I willgive the ministersome free advice— thatshe ought to do more than a triple-check of heremails. I willsay that the ministerin charge of Citizens’ Servicesbettertake alook athow allministers are handling theiremails, because they are not, clearly, aware of what is non-transitory. Will the Minister of Citizens’ Services investigate and report back to this House on the practices that are taking place in all ministries? Hon. J.

Horgan: I wouldputtriplechecking againsttriple deleting any day of the week. I take this very seriously. All members of this House shouldtake this very seriously. I have asked my deputy min- isterto ensure thatbestpracticesare being used across gov- ernment.I have asked him to ensure thatif traininghas been inappropriate, bettertraining be putin place. If peoplearen’t getting the gistof the program, we’re going to have to find a better way to get through to them. This is serious. I’m not diminishing the member’s ques- tion.

But the notion that peopleon that side of the House, who deliberately wentinto servers once, twice, three timesto eliminate records…. To compare thatto anew ministerwho says, “You need to know where I’m getting my childcare,” is preposterous. Mr. Speaker: The House Leaderfor the OfficialOpposi- tion on a supplemental. M. Polak: The fact of the matteris that the story in this House has continued to change. Itwas justyesterday thatthe Minister of Citizens’ Servicesrepeatedly toldus that these messages from the minister’s emailwere keptin the deputy minister’s office. That’s ridiculous.

The only messages they keep are the formal exchanges that take placeon decision notes.They don’tkeep allthe sentitems of the minister. If the othersidedoesn’tunderstand that,which they don’tseem to, we are in real trouble. This went further, to the minister first saying that there were no records in an FOI response, then saying that she had them in drop-down folders.

I can appreciate that the Deputy Ministerto the Premieris conducting an investiga- tion, searching outwhat’s on servers forthe systematicdele- tion thattook placein his office, butI’m notseeing similar action being taken by this Ministerof Citizens’ Serviceswith respect to ministers. Why doesn’tthe ministerreinstate the policy thatrequires all ministers and ministerial staff to keep their sent items? Hon. J.

Horgan: It’s delightfulthatthe memberreminds us of the HailMary pass thatthe previous governmentthrew out after an investigation by the Information and Privacy Commi ssioner, which found that there was a systematic attempt to delete and eradicate records, not an inability to find records but a deliberate attempt to eradicate records. The governmentof the day said:“I’ve gotagood idea.Let’s Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4933

telleveryone to holdon to theirsentemails.” That’s notbest practices. That’s desperation. I’ve asked my deputy ministerto make sure thatwe have bestpracticesacross government,thattransitory documents are well understood and that they’re not retained because there’s a consequence to retaining too much information. It costs money. That’s the whole point of managing records. If the people on that side of the House had not been spending 16 years trying to hidefrom theirrecord insteadof trying to demonstrate theirrecord to the public,they might still be on this side of the House.

USE OF EMAIL BY PREMIER’S OFFICE STAFF L. Throness: The Deputy Minister to the Premier has admitted thatemployees in the Premier’s officemishandled electronicrecords. It’s unusualforadeputy ministerto admit this and even more unusual that senior staff woulddelete every sentemailforseveralmonths withoutbeing toldto do so. So someone is responsible for this. Who in the Premier’s officeordered senior staff to delete all sent emails? Hon. J. Horgan: I’m responsible.

I’m responsibleforwhat goes on in this government,and I take fullresponsibility for notmeeting the testthatI setfor us as a governmentwhen we were sworn in, in July. It’s important,notjustto me and the peopleon this sideof the House butto British Columbi- ans, thatwhenwe say we’re goingto dosomething, we follow through on it. [11:05 a.m.] The deputy minister in my office is ensuring that best practicesare being observed with my staff. I expectthat,and in fact, it’s going to happen.

I look forward to the questions comingback from the oth- erside of the House a week’s time from today, where I can have more information to provide to them at that time. [End of question period.] Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:In this chamber, I callBillM216. In the Douglas FirRoom, Commi ttee A, I callthe estimates of the Ministry of Finance. In Commi ttee C, the Birch Room, we callthe continued debate on the estimatesof the Ministry of Tourism. [L.

Reid in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL M216 — BUSINESS CORPORATIONS AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Deputy Speaker: I recognize the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head. A. Weaver: Thank you, hon. Speaker, for recognizing me here. It gives me enormous pleasure to rise and speak to Bill M216, Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018. I’m particularly excited aboutthis billand the factthatwe’re debating itatsecond reading, as itis abillthatmy officeand I worked on quite extensively to bring to fruition over the past several…. Deputy Speaker: Pardon me, Member. Kindly move second reading. A. Weaver: I do apologize, hon.

Speaker. I move second reading of Bill M216, Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018. Deputy Speaker: Thank you very much. Please continue. A. Weaver: Letm e startagain. Itgives m e greatpleasure to rise to speak to Bill M216, Business Corporations Am endment Act, 2018. As I said, I’m particularly excited to be debating this bill, as it’s a bill that my office and I have worked on to bring to fruition forthe pastnumberof m onths. We took the Attorney Generalup on his offerof legislative drafting services that all opposition members have been granted. We didthis a few months ago.

We are very grateful to the Attorney General for bringing in this new approach to politicshere in the provinceof British Columbia. It’s very refreshing, and itallows us to ensure, when we bring legis- lation oramendmentsforward, thatit’s done so in amanner that ensures that it’s legally enforceable and works within existing B.C. laws. As you willsee in going through this legislation, it’s avery, very complexpiece that has many, many required changes in othersections in orderforitto be enacted here in British Columbia.We couldnothave done thatwithoutthe services of the legislative drafter.

Again, we are very gratefulto gov- ernment for doing that. I think it bodes very well for this government as we move forward in the years ahead. I’m glad to see it receiving second reading, and I’m hopefulthatallm embers of this House can debate this bill in an earnest way as they considerthe m eritsof support- ing ornotsupporting it.Whatthis billdoes…. This is what I’d like to address to begin with. I want to spend a few minutes canvassing this.

This bill adds a new part to the Business Corporations Actenabling companies to register as benefit companies. [11:10 a.m.] 4934 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

This legislation is intended to encourage the adoption of business forms that have an expanded social and environ- mentalmission, to provide a legalframework thatsupports and protects businesses that choose to take on this broadened mandate and to ensure that there is adequate transparency and accountability that benefit companies must adhere to. This framework wouldprovidegreatercertainty forcom- panies and their investors as to the mandate of their dir- ectors and nature of the company.

This bill is intended to be complementary to the existing comm unity contribution company legislation passed by the previous government.The C3, as it’s called, framework is a modelfor socialenterprise and is particularly usefulfor non-profitsand charities who need a way to raise revenue. However, we’ve heard loud and clearthatitis too limiting formostfor-profitcompaniesto consider, so it’s beenlimited in itsadoption here in the provinceof British Columbia. I’ll speak to the differencesbetween these piecesof the legisla- tion in greater detail in a few minutes.

In the presentlegislation, there are two key componentsto it.No. 1: there are requirementsthatcompaniesmustadhere to if they wantto become benefitcompanies.No. 2: protec- tions are in placethat we include for these companies. I’ll canvass both of those briefly here. First,benefitcompaniesmustcommi tto conducting their business in an environmentally, socially responsibleand sus- tainable manner, which takes into account the well-being of persons affected by theirconductand endeavours to use a fair and proportionate share of available environmental, social and economic resources and capacities.

They must also pursue one or more specificpublicbenefits.They must setouttheirpurposes in theirarticles,including specifying the public benefits the company is promoting. Second, benefitcompaniesmustreporttheirperformance againstathird-party standard, whichmustbe developed by a person orentity thatis unrelated to the benefitcompany. The reporting mustbe done annually and mustbe madepublicly accessible. This is importantto ensure transparency forsup- pliers, purchasers and customers thatthe company is indeed living up to its stated goals.

Companies incorporating for the first time as benefit companies must have the words “benefit company” or “B.Co.” as partof theirname. Companiesthataltertheirart- iclesto become benefit companies do not need to change their name. This billalso providescontinuity and greatercertainty for companies established with a broadermission. A company can only become or cease to be a benefitcompany if share- holders authorize it by a special resolution that requires at least a two-thirds shareholder majority.

The choiceto become a benefitcorporation is completely voluntary and has no impacton otherexisting corporations, corporate forms, taxes or governmentregulation. There are no financialbenefits,and benefitcompaniesare taxed atthe regular corporate tax rate. This legislation also includesimportantrequirementsand legal protections for directors and officers of benefit com- panies.

It requires that directors and officers of a benefit company acthonestly and in good faith with a view to the bestinterestsof the persons materially affected by the com- pany’s conduct.This billrequires thatdirectors balance this broader requirement with the existing duty, already enshrined in corporate law, which specifiesthey actin good faith with a view to the best interests of the company. Italso includeskey legalprotections fordirectors. Itcla- rifies thatonly shareholders can bring a challenge against a director.

Their broaderduties to publicbenefits do not open them up to broaderliabilities, which is very import- ant. It also specifies that shareholders m ay only seek injunctive relief against a director under this part, not m onetary dam ages. Why do we need this legislation in B.C.? First of all, I think it’s important,atthis stage, to recognize the initiative of the previous government,and particularly the memberfor Surrey–White Rock atthe time, Gordie Hogg, who brought forward and championed the comm unity contribution com- pany legislation in 2012.

However, I view benefit company legislation and the C3 legislation as being complementary ways for government to support socialenterprise and mis- sion-driven companies. The C3 structure providesausefultoolfornon-profitsand charities that need a way to raise revenue, but we’ve heard that it is far too limiting for most for-profit companies to consider.

To become a C3, companieswouldhave to funda- mentally change theircorporate structure and reducetheir ability to attractinvestment.Forexample, the so-called asset lock for C3s limitsthe dividends a C3 can pay to itsshare- holders, and this cap is 40 percent of annual profits.

Moreover, in cases of C3 dissolution, the majority of assets remaining after debts are settled must flow to a qualified entity, such as a charity or a cooperative. [11:15 a.m.] I wouldfully supporteffortsof this governmentto build upon the work started by the previous administration to supportC3s, including promoting the C3 brand, enhancing publicknowledge of these types of companiesand providing tax incentives and benefitsfor investmentsin C3s.

But the restrictions on C3s mean that the majority of mainstream businesses, even those thathave a socialand environmental mission at their core, wouldn’t consider this structure. We should provide another option for sustainable and responsiblebusinesses in B.C. We’ve heard from many in the social impact space, including a numberof businesses that chose to prioritizesocialand environmentalbenefitsin addi- tion to profit,aboutthe importantrolethata benefitcom- pany legislation wouldplay in growing this movementand supporting the work already underway across B.C.

It’s true that directors of companies in Canada already have more discretion to pursue a broadermandate beyond maximizing shareholderprofitsthan they do in the United States. However, anumberof issuesarise forcompaniesthat Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4935

try to embed this broadermandate in practice, since we lack alegalframework thatexplicitly supportsthese types of businesses. Forexample, this legislation wouldprovideclarity fordir- ectors and for shareholders aboutthe mandate of the com- pany. Itwouldhelp directors avoid the risk of a shareholder challenge regarding the director’s duties to the company. And it would take the uncertainty out of the process of embedding a broader mandate within your articles. It would provide certainty for impact investors looking to invest in mission-aligned companies of the nature and the mandate of the company.

Itwouldenablecompanies to attractcapitalwhileenabling them to stay true to theirmis- sion and protect the vision of the company’s founders as their company grows. One concern we’ve heard over and over again is that as companies grow and new investors come on board or as founders consider secession planning, they are worried aboutlosing theircompany’s initialmission. This legislation wouldprovidegreaterprotections forthe originalmission of abusiness. Moreover, this legislation wouldprovideasimple framework for companies to adhere to that is legally and comm ercially recognized.

If B.C. hadthis legislation on the books, if companieswere able to incorporate as benefit companies with an explicit social or environmental benefit baked right into theirart- icles,itwouldsend astrong signalthatgovernmentsupports this approach to business. We wouldencourage more com- panies to pursue a socially responsible and environment- ally sustainableapproach, creating beneficial outcomes for society as a whole. We can betterleverage the powerof the private sector to help us tackle the significant social and environmental challenges we face.

To conclude, this legislation is an opportunity for British Columbia to lead the nation in supporting businesses that wantto be a biggerpartof developing innovative solutions to the challenges facing the 21st century. This legislation is comm on elsewhere in the world. In the United States, for example, over 30 states have passed this type of legislation. Countries in Europe and South America already have it on the books or are actively considering it. Successfulcompanies of allsizes have signed on, both here voluntarily and elsewhere through the legalapproach that’s been provided to them.

I believe thatbecoming the firstjurisdiction in Canada to champion benefitcompaniesis an enormous opportunity to position the provinceas aleaderin the new economy. B.C. is home to many socially responsiblecompanies.It’s partof our stellarbrand as one of the greenestand greatestplacesin the world to live. Butwe are struggling to adjustand respond to m assive technological, social and environmental shifts that the world is facing, from climate change to autom ation. We need to think differently in orderto turn these challenges into opportunities thatwe leadin the developm entof solu- tions for.

Governmentand the non-profitsectorcannotrespond to these changesalone, norshouldthey have to. For-profitbusi- nesses have a huge roleto play in oursociety. They are part of the solution and will continue to be so moving forward. The companiesthatpursue a triple-bottom-line approach are on the cuttingedge of rethinkingthe roleof businessesin the 21stcentury. They know thatacting in the bestinterests of peopleand the planetis the bestway to builda thriving economy for notonly this generation butalso the nextand the subsequent generations thereafter.

Ourhope is thatif othermembers in this House support this bill, we can play our

part in supporting this growing movement internationally. We can encourage more B.C. companiesto incorporate socialand environmentalval- ues into their own business articles,empowering them to promote change in ourprovinceand helping us, collectively, solve the challenge that we all face. [11:20 a.m.] Hon. S. Simpson: I want to thank the Third Party, the Green caucus, for bringing forward BillM216, the Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018. This is aparticularareaof interestto me.

My background, before coming to this place, included a significant amount of work in the area of comm unity-based economic devel- opment and looking at how business and economic devel- opment opportunities build comm unities in ways that are greaterthan simply the bottom line of the particularcorpor- ate interest.

I also am very interested in these initiatives in the work thatI donow: the work around socialinnovation, looking at socialenterprise, socialinnovation and tools and ways that we bring all sectors and componentsof society forward to be ableto startto dealwith the complexissues thatwe face in society today, with the clear understanding thatwe have an obligation to allbe working togetherto meetthose social, environmental, cultural objectives. If we’re fine looking for tools to be ableto do that,I am interested, certainly, in this piece of legislation adding another tool to that process.

I’ve hadthe opportunity overthe lastnumberof months, as I’ve been doing work on the Poverty Reduction fileand building that plan, to have discussions with the business comm unity and with others about the role that business plays in addressing those issues.It’s one componentthatthe previous speaker, the Leaderof the Third Party, spoke about in introducing this legislation. Those consultations have included abusiness round table.

We broughtleaders from many business sectors togetherto talk aboutthese objectives, abouthow we improve employ- mentopportunities for persons with disabilities, abouthow business makes a meaningful contribution to support the reduction in inequality that we see in British Columbia — all, I wouldnote, with asignificantamountof enthusiasm on the part of those business sectors. They’ve looked for ways to accomplish that,and they’ve supported and talked about innovative ways that they can support those efforts. 4936 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

I’ve also had the opportunity very recently to do a tour of socialinnovation and socialenterprise in the Downtown Eastside. Itwas very instructive. I hadthe opportunity to vis- itwithanumberof businessesthatare supportingnon-profit partners. They are owned or wholly owned subsidiaries of non-profits that are, in fact, being able to create employ- mentopportunities,create trainingopportunitiesand gener- ate some levels of revenue to supportimportantnon-profit initiatives in that comm unity.

Allof those are businesses thatare needing to compete in the business comm unity, to go outand find ways to be suc- cessful as an enterprise, and look at the way they take, in those cases, the significantamountof theirprofitand return itback to the comm unity. That’s an importantand essential tool, I believe. This particular piece of legislation is complementary to thatwork.

It’s notthe same, butitis complementary in the way thatittalks aboutthe creation of these companies that wouldallow these benefitcompanies, certainly, as a private marketcompany, to make those commi tmentsaround con- tributions into the comm unity, whether those are social, environmental or cultural contributions. That is part of the mandate of the company, because they’ve made the conscious decision to do that and to be identified as abenefitcompany thathas thatcommi tmentin theirmandate. I think thatthat’s a worthwhileand valuable enterprise. The otherthing, in the conversations I’ve had….

And I’ve hadthe opportunitiesto have pretty extensive conversations with the Business Councilof B.C. Members here who have looked attheirwork overthe lastnumberof years willknow the work and the initiatives that they’ve advanced around shared prosperity. We’ve seen the Business Council move forward. They’ve put out documents about their view and their vision of shared prosperity, what that might look like. [11:25 a.m.] I’ve metwith the B.C. chamberand hadvery similarcon- versations with leaders of the B.C. chamber.

They have echoed the Business Councilin terms of theircommi tment and their interest in this view of shared prosperity and reduction of inequality. It’s an acknowledgmentand recog- nition thatthe business comm unity is increasingly viewing itselfas having a broaderresponsibility than simply the bot- tom line orthe shareholders’ return — theirresponsibility as partof the solution to the complexissuesthatwe facein our comm unities every day. I’m very appreciative of that.

I’ve received very good advicefrom both of those business organizations and from otherbusiness leaders abouthow to approach those, as we look at, in the case of the work that I’m doing, poverty reduction, not just as a social good but as a toolforeconomic renewalas well. This particularpiece of legislation, I think, begins to addto the opportunities to address that. As the previous speakersaid, there is a law on the books rightnow — the comm unity contribution company, the 3Cs — thatwas broughtforward a numberof years ago.

Itdoes provide very much a tooland an avenue for the structuring of businesses thathave a very focused commi tmentto that social innovation, to social enterprise. It affords them the opportunity to go in that direction. As the previous speaker said, this particular initiative brought forward by the Green caucus, M216, is a different vehicle. It’s a differenttool. I think thatthe previous speaker is quite correctwhen he says it’s acomplementary toolto the 3C model.

Itdoes afford those companies thatstillcontinue to view themselves as market-based, profit-based companies in a more traditionalor conventionalway to, in fact, be ableto say: “That’s whatwe are, butwe recognizeourbroaderoblig- ations and responsibilities, and we embracethose. We do that in the mandate of ourbusiness by making these com- mitmentsto go furtherorto be more diverse in whatwe see as our responsibilities over and above directly a return on investment to our investors or our shareholders.” I think it provides a very interesting tool to be able to do that.

I’m certainly, in principle, supportive of this legislation. I believe thatthis legislation does, as I’ve said, addanother toolto the toolbox forthe business comm unity to be ableto make decisions for individualbusinesses, for business own- ers, for boards, for companies to make conscious decisions that they want to head in that direction — and the ability for us to recognize that,through the work thatthey do and through how they move forward and proceed.

As we do that work here — and you’ll see significant work around socialinnovation, socialenterprise movingfor- ward in the government— I think we do enhancethatabil- ity, potentially, with this legislation to move forward. So I’m looking forward to being able to explore this further. I think, as the authorof the legislation said, itis acomplex pieceof legislation. Itis a pieceof legislation thatI do think raises a number of questions.

They’re ones for purposes of betterunderstanding this, notso much the words on paper buttrying to betterunderstand how this is atoolthatcan be used effectively in the business comm unity. How mightitappealto certain businesses and certain sec- tors to, in fact,embracethe benefit-company modeland say: “That’s the direction we want to go”? And to betterunder- stand, as that occurs, how this becomes an incentive for those companies that are seriously considering how they broadentheirmandates and the work thatthey’re doing to be able to move forward and use this particular piece of legislation as a tool to do that.

There are questions around that, and I’m interested in better understanding that as we move forward. [11:30 a.m.] The bottom line is this. We know thatwe have an obliga- tion, as government,to doabetterjob as we look to advance what is often called the triple bottom line. We know that civilsociety has moved very much to say thattriplebottom line is the direction we need to go. Ourgovernmentis very supportive of looking atthe triplebottom line as the way to move forward as we measure progress. Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4937

We know that business increasingly, as has been noted before, is looking athow they broadenand getcloserto that triplebottom line — more traditionalorconventionalbusi- ness. We’re seeing that.That’s alive conversation with senior business leaders in this province, from organizations like the chamber of comm erce, like the Business Council, that are happy and, in fact,are being proactive in wanting to engage in that discussion.

I think we need to enthusiastically embracethose oppor- tunities to buildon the solutions thatwe need to evolve and develop — to dealwith supporting ourmore vulnerablecit- izens, to deal with the complex issues of environment, to deal with building and enhancing our culture and to deal with the other social challenges that we face. We are notgoing to be successfulin accomplishing those objectives if itis simply governmentthat’s doing itor if it’s simply one sector of society that’s stepping out to do that.

This willrequire allof us to be pullingon the same end of the rope — or as my colleaguethe Ministerof Advanced Edu- cation, Skills and Training often says: “We’ve gotto allbe in that canoe paddling together.” I think that’s very true. This particularpieceof legislation, I think, is athoughtful and sincere effortto say: “Here’s anotheropportunity, anoth- eravenue to begin to pursue those same principles,visions and objectives.” I feel very positive about that moving for- ward. I’m going to be happy to vote for this legislation and look forward to further conversations on this.

I do hope thatwe getthe opportunity to talk aboutwhat these tools look like moving forward, and I’m sure thatthose opportunitieswillcome in the future. Again, I wantto thank the Leaderof the Third Party forintroducing the legislation and for putting this on the table for debate. It certainly embracesthe principlesthatI think we on the government sideare very much looking to move forward on, and itdoes give us anotheropportunity to look athow we encourage our friends in the business comm unity to in factmove forward and look at ways that they can fulfil those challenges as well. Hon. M.

Farnworth:I know thatwe have a few minutes or some time availablein this debate, and I just thought it wouldbe an interesting pointto make an interesting obser- vation about this particular piece of legislation. As mostmembers wouldknow — and I know thatwe’ve had some school groups in here — legislation is usually introduced by the executive council, the cabinet,and a bill tabled before this House wouldhave a number in it. That wouldbe Bill 30, 31, 32, 33. Normally, that’s done because a bill is developed through policy work within a ministry office.

Itwouldgo to the minister, who wouldgo to acabinet commi ttee and cabinetand getin a request for legislation approved. Itwouldthen go through and be reviewed by the legislative review commi ttee. Then it would be approved, then itwouldgetafinalsign-off, and then itwouldbe intro- duced here in the House. Thatis the traditionalway thata piece of legislation comes forward. Private m embers also have the opportunity to introduce legislation into this cham ber. We see it often from the opposition, and I myselfhave introduced private m ember’s bills from time to time. Those bills com e through a differ- entprocess.

When they are introduced and go on the order paper, they have the letterM to indicate thatitis a private m ember’s bill. Thatis the way thatthis piece of legislation has com e forward. [11:35 a.m.] Often they don’tgetcalled fordebate; sometimes they do. I know the previous governmenthadcalled a billfordebate orbroughtin theirown version of the bill. So this is arather uniqueopportunity to show thatprivate members can intro- duceapieceof legislation, thatitcan make itto the floor, that our system…. Interjection. Hon. M.

Farnworth:My colleague the Health Minister says the after-school special, how does a bill becom e law. Yeah. The leader of the Green Party and his caucus have developed this pieceof legislation. He introduced the bill. It’s wellthoughtout.It’s a piece of legislation thatis in a good format, and we’re debating it here today for second reading. I think it’s worth acknowledging thatthis is one of those occasions thatpeoplecan look to, because they often justsee the back-and-forthbetweengovernmentand opposition and seldom realizethatthere is oftencooperation.

Question peri- od aside, there’s a lot of work that gets done in commi ttees. This billhas come forward throughthe route of the private member’s bill, and it’s a bill that we have said that we are going to be supporting. It’s up for debate, and I know the sponsorof the bill, the memberforOak Bay–Gordon Head, willbe closing debate. ButI justthoughtI’d take this oppor- tunity to pointoutwhatis aunique and notaltogethercom- mon eventin this chamber. I think itwas something worth acknowledging. I know the Green Party may have anotherspeaker, and I know that we still have some time for that.

With that, I’m happy to take my seat. A. Olsen: I don’twantto take too muchtime in the House, but I would like to acknowledge the process that this has gone through. I know thatmy colleaguethe memberforOak Bay–Gordon Head has spentquite a bitof time developing the information thatis contained in this bill, butit’s also the process that the government members have undertaken to provide private members the expertise of the drafters. I think that it’s important.

It’s an important point to be madehere in the House thatwe have access to peoplewho can help us to draftlegislation in a professionalway so that when we sitdown and debate it,we know thatthe correctset of eyes,the legalexpertise…. How the billis framed has been done in a way which is acceptable to this place. That’s something that the government has extended, not just to the B.C. Greens but as well to all members of this 4938 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

House who wantto take a serious crack atdeveloping some private member’s legislation. I think thatthis is an example, the first example, in which that’s happened. I think it’s importantto note thatwhen you’ve gotideas on how we can improve this province, how we can make this provinceabet- terplace, the governmentis open to providing the tools in orderto be ableto putthatin frontof the members of this place for debate. I’d just like to raise my hand to the process here — as the GovernmentHouse Leaderhas celebrated, the factthat this bill is coming forward.

It’s going to be adding to this province, making itabetterplace, I think. Itbringsus atime to celebrate the fact that there is a process, for those of us who don’tsitin the government,to bring forward ourideas to have them debated and — in the end, if it’s agood pieceof legislation or if it’s a good bill— hopefully, have them sup- ported by all members of this place. With that, I take my seat. Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, the mover closes debate. A. Weaver: I rise to close debate on BillM216, Business Corporations Amendment Act, which is being debated at second reading.

Firstoff, I’d like to thank, fortheircomm ents,the previous speakers — in particular, the ministerwho spoke extensively about the values encapsulated within B corporations and how those values actually resonate with the values of the presentgovernmentand, clearly, the values thatwe have in the Third Party as well. For those who may notknow whatB corps are…. Some mightthink thatthey’re notbigcompanies,thatthey’re only small companies.

There are small companies that are B corps, butthere are also multinationals like Unilever, which is a transnational consumer goods company dealing with foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care. [11:40 a.m.] Unileveris a B corp., and they’re proud of theirbranding. A European bank called TriodosBank brands themselves as the world’s mostsustainablebank. They are aB corporation, and they’re avery successfulone. Many peoplein this Legis- lature willknow aboutthe Naturaproducts— the Brazilian company thatbuilds beauty products,householdcare, per- sonalcare, skin creams.

They are anotherexample, aBrazili- an B corporation. In B.C., one of ourmore celebrated onesis Hootsuite. It’s a localstart-up, B.C. grown, thatgrew dramatically to become a big playerin the tech sector. Many have probably actually participated in Kickstarter campaigns. Well, indeed, Kick- starter is a B corporation. They’re proud of their branding, and they’re protected because of the factthey are certified and incorporated as B corporations. They’re protected to allow thattheirmandate extend beyond the traditionalonly for-profitand to actually have broader societal goals as well. Ben and Jerry’s.

We all love Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Ben and Jerry’s is a B corporation — again, a company that’s proud. Why this is particularly important— you heard this from the discussion from the minister — is that we know that there’s a new generation of young people, the so-called mil- lennials, who are emerging into oursociety and have a dif- ferentsetof valuesthan we may have hadwhenwe came out. We came out at a different time, my grey-haired generation. The millennials of today — I’m pointing to my colleague here too — are lookingformore than justajob. They’re look- ingforthe quality of life associated with thatjob.

They’re one of the reasons why in British Columbia, for example, we’re struggling to meetwith health care practitioners — doctors, for example. We’re graduating a lot, but for doctors, when they come out,this millennialgeneration, it’s notonly about the profession. It’s about the quality of life associated with that profession. B corporations are critical because they recognize that in today’s new economy, with triple-bottom-line reporting, providing aworkplacewhere you actually create an environ- mentthatis conducive to attracting and retaining employees in a very progressive manner….

These are the types of com- panies that are attracting the millennial generation. I’m absolutely delighted that here in British Columbia, we’re movingthis forward. I’m actually very pleased thatthis legislation willshortly be voted on atsecond reading.

Over the course of the summ er, I’m hoping thatwe willhearmore from companies — we’ve been approached by a number— and thatmore and more companieswillactually approachus and ask forfurtherinformation so thatas we move into the fall session, we can actually have a good publicdiscussion aboutthe benefitsorany potentialunforeseen consequences associated with B corporations. I willsay thatsincebringingin this legislation, avery, very big, multinational B.C.-based company has approached us and asked fordetails abouthow they mightmove down this process. I know thatthere are companies outthere thatare looking for this.

We know that. We met with stakeholders in Vancouver, with business leaders there, a coupleof weeks ago. There’s actually a very integrated group of seniorprofessionals in Vancouver. Many of these are engineering firms orconsultantfirms, butthere are biggerfirms — construction firms, a numberof firms — thatare moving towards a B corporation because they want to be good corporate citizens. We recognize — and it’s good to see that government does; it’s a sham e we have no speakers from the official opposition — that it’s actually critical.

As we m ove for- ward in the 21st-century economy, it’s critical that we actually ensure that we work with business to provide solutions and m ove us forward to dealing with som e of the grand challenges of our times. With that, hon. Speaker, I move second reading. Motion approved. Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4939

A. Weaver: I move the billbe referred to a Commi ttee of the Whole at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill M 216, Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2018, read a second time and referred to a Commi ttee of the Whole House for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today. Hon. M. Farnworth:Hon. Speaker, it is a quarterto 12. I note that momentarily the two other commi ttees will be wanting to report out. I know thatif someone is watching in those commi ttees, they willnote thatthe main chamberis ready to receive them so that they can report out. Then we can adjourn the House.

Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:I hear my colleagueacross the way saying thatwe probably need a recess. Some of us have been sitting in here for a few hours this morning, and a recess is probably in order. Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Minister. This House will recess. The House recessed from 11:45 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Commi ttee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Commi ttee of Supply (Section C), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Hon. M.

Farnworth:I see thatwe are joined in the gallery by a schoolgroup to watch the proceedings. Unfortunately for them, it is eight minutes to 12, and I’m about to move thatthe House donow adjourn so thatmembers can go and get some lunch. Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until1:30 this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:51 a.m. Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF FINANCE (continued) The House in Commi ttee of Supply (Section A); R. Kahlon in the chair. The commi ttee met at 11:12 a.m.

On Vote 24: ministry operations, $172,581,000 (continued). S. Bond: Hon. Chair, good morning. And good morning to the minister and her staff. I have afew more questions aboutthe speculation tax,and then my colleague is going to move on to another area of questions. Yesterday, as we spenttime on the speculation tax…. We now understand it, at least from our perspective, to be an assettax.

The ministerassured us thatthere hadbeen mod- elling and that there had been careful consideration of the creation of this tax, although yesterday we discovered that instead of 15,000 homes being impacted, there’s actually a significantly highernumber, and the vastmajority of those are British Columbians. I wantto pursue the issue of the changes thatwere ulti- m ately m adeby the minister. There was a significantreac- tion to the speculation tax, which, to this day, there con- tinues to be. Then aftera relatively shortperiod of time…. Who was included? There were exemptions.

There were changes to the original decision that the minister m ade about the speculation tax. Can the minister outline what prompted those changes — and why the particular areas thatwere then removed or changed oraltered in some way? On whatbasis didshe make that decision? [11:15 a.m.] Hon. C. James: I want to take us back to budget day, because I think that’s the importantpiece when you take a look at the speculation tax. I think the firstpiecethatis importantto recognizeis that the speculation tax is being implemented as one part of a 30-pointplan to be ableto address the housing crisis.

I think that’s the first step. The second piece that’s important to note on the specu- lation tax, as I’ve noted a numberof times since the budget was introduced, is thatthis is anew tax.As such, as I said on budgetday, we were puttingthe principlesof the taxout,and the details were to come. [11:20 a.m.] 4940 British Columbia Debates Thursday, May 17, 2018

That’s exactly the opportunity we took — to hear from people, to listen to British Columbians, to be ableto gather the information — whilewe were working on the piecesthat needed to be addressed. So the normal implementation of process for putting a tax out — to determine, for example, the geographicareas of the tax, the exemptions for the tax, the rate design forthe tax. Those were the areas thatwe had begun working on once we’d announced the tax. As the memberwouldknow well, you don’thave discus- sions around a tax.

You don’tannouncethata tax is to come because of the issues of peopleutilizing tax information to change behaviour, to gain benefits.We announced the prin- ciplesof the tax and thata tax was coming. Specificdetails, again, are being worked on because the legislation is coming forward in the fall. I gave an exampleyesterday, and I’lluse the exampleagain because I think it’s a good exampleto show the kinds of dis- cussion and work thathadto go on. That’s the issue of sum- merhomes and summ ercabins. Itwas clear. We said from the startthatwe were notincludingsumm erhomesand cab- ins forpeople.

There were anumberof options we looked at. We looked atthe issue of value. Do you look atthe value of a placeand exclude through thatroute? Do you look atthe geographicareas and exclude through thatroute? Do more peoplehave vacation homes in particularareas thatwe pro- posed as part of the tax? That would be one of the examples. Anotherone was the rate design. We hadabitof adiscus- sion with the members yesterday around income tax.One of the options for rate design wouldhave been to use income tax.

As the member pointed out, the issues of regressivity versus progressivity come into the issue if you use income tax.So itwas feltthatlookingatasimplerprocess…. A more straightforward process of a credit, using the $400,000 to apply as a credit, was a much simplerprocess. That, again, was feedback that we received. “If you’re going to move aheadon this, make sure thatit’s simpleforpeopleto under- stand.

Make sure there’s a link between paying the tax and the information.” Those are just som e examples for the m ember of the kind of work, the norm al implementation, that happens when you’re drafting the legislation and looking atthe spe- cifics,as I announced in February, that were coming on this particular tax. S. Bond:Well, thank you to the ministerforthatreaction. WhileI appreciate it,you know, British Columbians would disagree with that characterization. I’m fully aware of the responsibility of the Finance Minister in terms of having discussions about taxes, but let’s be clear.

This minister announced a speculation tax, which caused chaos.For her to suggesttoday thatpeopleknew theircabins weren’tgoing to be taxed is simply inaccurate. My officewas flooded with people who were worried about their family cabins. We can talk aboutimplementation. Ourconcern is thata major taxation initiative was announced and itsounds like it was written on the back of a napkin, because now we’ve gotchanges.This is the budgetof British Columbiaon which there are revenueprojections. We hearon adaily basis about how conservative the estimates were in the budget.

We’re going to explore just how conservative they were, because apparently, the ministerhas allkinds of room in thatbudget to fix things. We shouldbe clear. Itwas notclearto British Columbians that cabins and vacation properties were not captured. In fact,vacation properties are stillcaptured in certain regions of the province. The ministeralso talks aboutprinciples.The principlethat she and the Premierannounced to British Columbians was thatif you paid tax in British Columbia, you wouldnotbe captured. That’s a pretty major digression from where we ended up.

My question was specifically related to the changes the minister m ade after all of the reaction to the tax. There were areas thatwere included. There were areas thatwere then excluded. We saw areas in Parksville because, you know, we certainly are aware…. The m emberof the Green Party brought that up as a big concern. Yet other areas who expressed deep concerns, like West Kelowna, were not adjusted. My question to the ministerwas: whatprocess was used?

After announcing a tax that caused confusion and chaos across British Columbia, whatprocess did she and herstaff use to decide, suddenly, thatcertain peoplewere in and cer- tain people were out? [11:25 a.m.] Hon. C. James: I think I wantto startoff again, because the member’s description, I completely disagree with…. I think it’s importantto say again thatthe members may feel that not doing publicconsultation and not talking to the publicand notlistening to the issues thatthey may have is good practice. We don’t. We believe, in fact, in taking the opportunity to hear from British Columbians.

This is auniquetax,and itis anew tax.Thatwas very clear when we announced it.We are taking, in fact,a boldmeas- ure here with abrand-new taxthathasn’tbeenimplemented. As expected, there are issuesthat,as happens with taxpolicy and otherpolicy in government,continue to be worked on as you move towards drafting the legislation. That’s exactly the normal kind of process that occurred with this tax. British Columbians certainly raised their views. The membermentioned hearingfrom peoplein herconstituency office. I certainly heard from people in my constituency officeas well.

I took the time to be ableto take a look atthat and took the time to look at many very positive responses that came in around ways to ensure that as we looked at the implementation…. As we drafted the legislation, we took into account the many ways that we couldhave got to the principles of this tax. I talked about one of them earlier, the issue of summ erhomes. Do you look atthe geography? Do you look at the value? There are a number of different methods you can utilizeto be ableto make sure thatyou’re Thursday, May 17, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4941

addressing that piece. We gathered the information. We continue working with staff. They continue to look atthe analysis. I know thatthe members certainly have acopy of the press release thatcame out when we talked about the specificsthat we had pro- gressed on. We addressed the geographic areas. We addressed the rate design. We addressed exemptions and the tax creditdesign. Those were the piecesthatwere details to come, as I said on budget day. S.

Bond: Well, I think the principlethat British Colum- bians have been surprised to find out,which is pretty much the fundamentalbasis of this tax,is thatthey are speculators, thatBritish Columbians are carryingthe freightforthe spec- ulation tax. You know, I certainly appreciate the minister’s description of how this taxcame to be, butlet’s be clear. Brit- ish Columbians hadno idea thatthey were going to be cap- tured, basically because the Premier and the minister told them they would not be captured.

We have serious concerns about the design, the imple- mentation and the fact that we now discover that British Columbians actually are the majority of speculators when it comes to this tax. With that,I’m going to ask my co-critic and colleagueto move on to our next section. [11:30 a.m.] T. Redies:Minister, as we’ve been discussing overthe last coupleof days,it’s notjustthe impactof one taxthatthis side of the House is concerned about. It’s the quantum of taxes hitting British Columbia property owners.

From the pass-down impactof the EHT to come, the spec- ulation tax, the school tax and even new municipal taxes, property owners in British Columbia are going to see signi- ficantincreases in theirproperty taxes — some upwards of 50 percent or more from w hat they are currently paying. We now know thatwhilethe governmenttried to position the speculation tax as only hitting foreigners and out-of- provinceCanadians, the reality is thatthe majority of people who are going to be affected by this tax are hard-working British Columbians.

They are British Columbians who have strived to make betterlives for theirfamilies.They’ve saved and invested their money, or they were even just lucky to own a

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Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180517am-Hansard-n140
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180517am Hansard n140
Language	en
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