20200720am Hansard n342

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, July 20, 2020 Morning Sitting Issue No. 342 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 Fifth 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.

Anne Kang Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources..................................................................................................... Hon. Bruce Ralston 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, Economic Development and Competitiveness.............................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall 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 .................................................................................................................................................................Adam Olsen Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker............................................................................................................................................................. Simon Gibson Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................ Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...........................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.............................................................................................................................. Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services...........................................................................................................................

Artour Sogomonian Clerk Assistant, Commi ttees and Interparliamentary Relations ..............................................................................................Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst................................................................................................................................................................. Jennifer Arril Senior Research Analyst...................................................................................................................................................................

Karan Riarh Acting Sergeant-at-Arms..................................................................................................................................................................Greg Nelson

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, Hon.

Anne (NDP).........................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake 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 Malcolmson, Sheila (NDP) ........................................................................Nanaimo 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, 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 (Ind.)................................................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....................................................................... Hon. 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......................................................................................

Sheila Malcolmson 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......................................................................................

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; Independent 2; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS Monday, July 20, 2020 Morning Sitting Page Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements............................................................................................................................................... 12065 The new normal B. Ma P. Milobar Economic recovery plan J. Sturdy S. Malcolmson Youth, skills development and jobs D. Routley E. Ross Mental health and addictions J. Thornthwaite R.

Singh Private Members’ Motions ................................................................................................................................................... 12074 Motion 9 — Health and economic recovery J. Routledge N. Letnick J. Brar J. Yap R. Leonard T. Redies N. Simons T. Shypitka B. D’Eith S. Cadieux M. Elmore

MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 The House met at 10:03 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: T. Wat. [10:05 a.m.] [S. Gibson in the chair.] Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements THE NEW NORMAL B. Ma:It’s been justfourmonths sincethe state of emer- gency was declared in British Columbia due to COV- ID-19. For many of us, it already feels like a lifetime ago. The pandemic has been incredibly difficultfor allof us in B.C. and North Vancouver. It has changed all of our lives.

It has amplified a lot of problems we were already facing, like poverty, precarious work, addictions and the overdose crisis, as well as systemic racism and inequality. For people who were already struggling with these things,navigating the pandemichas been even more diffi- cult,butthe pandemichas also magnified the importance of comm unity values like equity, sustainability, reconcili- ation and caring forourneighbours and everyone around us. Itis these values thathave helped us flatten the curve, and these are the same valuesthatwe need to carry with us into our economic recovery and into the future.

In the early weeks of the pandemic, peoplewondered when thingswouldbe returning to normal, butovertime, peoplestarted to realizenormalwasn’tactually whatthey really wanted. They wanted betterthan normal. The phrase “the new normal” is becoming, well, normalin ourday-to- day discussions.

We usually interpretitto mean thatthe changes to the way we live our lives on a daily basis are likely here to stay for a long time — you know, washing your hands a lot,nottouching yourface, staying two metres away from each other, keeping our social groups small, having few- erfacesand largerspacesand wearing a mask when we’re on transitor are walking around in a store.

We wonderif we’llevergo back to using those handshakes we allgrew up practising to perfector if huggers can go back to hug- ging everyone in sight,if speed dating willeverbe a thing again and if the plastic barriers that have been installed everywhere are here to stay. When I compare where we are today to where we were before the pandemic,I also see how much oursociety has grown as a result of the experience. Now, don’t misun- derstand me. COVID-19 has absolutely been devastating, and the loss of life around the worldis staggering.

While we in British Columbia have been fortunate to avoid the worstkinds of impactsthatwe see elsewhere as a resultof this virus, we, too, have familiesmourning losses related to COVID-19, both of loved ones who have succumbed to the virus orthose who have lostlives struggling with mat- ters thathave been exacerbated by the pandemic, such as those who have died of overdose. The impactto households as a resultof the economic downturn is very real, and families are wondering if they’lleverbe ableto holdtheirloved ones in long-term care again.

There are many aspectsof this pandemicthatI hope will soon be overforgood, yetwe have grown as a society and in ways that I don’t think we want to lose. For example, we’ve learned who the truly essentialworkers of oursoci- ety are. They weren’tthe wealthy stock traders, high-priced corporate lawyers or Lamborghini-driving executives in expensive suits. They were regular peopledoing regular, underappreci- ated front-line jobs, many of whom are paid some of the lowestwages in ourprovince.

They were the medicalpro- fessionals for sure, but they were also the grocery store clerks, the delivery drivers, the janitorial staff and care aides. They were the early childhood educators and the teachers, the folks who maintain our utilities so that we can getelectricity. They were emergency responders, the plumbers and tradesfolk who keep ourbuildingsrunning. They were the cooks in yourgrandmother’s long-term care home. They were the factory workers at meat-processing plants and migrant workers at our farms.

We’ve learned as a society how important it is that we value them and care for them with things like higher wages, protective equipment, safe working spaces, paid leave for those impacted by domestic violence and paid sick leave, because we’ve seen what happens when we don’t.Togetherwe’ve learned to appreciate the value of a strong socialsafety netand publicservices.There is more appetite than ever for us to invest collectively into what itwilltake to make sure thatourmostvulnerablepeople are cared for — our seniors; our peoplewith disabilities; peopleexperiencing homelessness or who are struggling with substance use; Black, Indigenous, people of colour. [10:10 a.m.] We’ve also learned about our capacity to change our lives and oureconomy to save the world, something we’ll need to continue because of the urgentneed to also tackle climate change.

People have demonstrated how quickly they can adaptwhen it’s needed. Comm uters and families are discoveringthe joysof embracingactive transportation like walking and cycling. Local governments are trans- forming their cities to prioritize people in their streets. Peopleare learning to say hello, thank you and goodbye in new ways. With how much we’ve grown and learned, how much 12065

we’ve com e together as a comm unity and adapted and how much we’ve opened oureyes to anew norm al, itwill be an opportunity for us notonly to simply recoverand go back to the way things were before butto buildBrit- ish Columbia — and, indeed, allof Canada — back even better than before. P. Milobar: Itgives me pleasure to rise to speak to the new normal. Certainly, as the memberbefore me putout there, itis definitely differentnow than itwas fourmonths ago.

Thatis to the good on some aspects,butcertainly the circumstancesthathave broughtus here is not.We don’t wantto everlose sightof the factof how diligenteveryone has been for these firstfourmonths to getus to the place where we are somewhat the envy of the world. Thatnew normalin British Columbia, unfortunately, is notthe new normalin otherjurisdictions, and we’ve seen that very clearly. Dr. Bonnie Henry shouldbe comm en- ded, notfor saying whatshe has said, because the advice she has givenus in BritishColumbiais very similarto what publichealth officials across the worldhave actually said.

However, hertone, herdelivery and herlogicbehind ithas created the buy-in by the publicto actually accept those recomm endations wholeheartedly in British Columbia. I think thatone of the true strengths thatBonnieHenry has shown is herability to getbuy-inby the public,because anything we do thatrequires such fastchange within our generalcivilization always creates pushback. We’re seeing that around the world;we’re not seeing that to the same levels in British Columbia. The innovation, the entrepreneurialspiritwe have seen from our business comm unity is second to none.

They have truly tried to do whatthey can do to make sure that they can survive — they can survive to keep theirbusi- nesses operational;they can survive to keep employment there for their employees. In small businesses, employers have a very close rela- tionship with many of their employees, and they really do become one big family. Although they can sometimes be painted as these rich and elite, and because the phrase “business owner” somehow is seen as if you mustbe amil- lionaire, the reality is mostof these smallbusiness owners have theirhouses leveraged to try to keep theirbusiness and their dream going.

They view their employees very much as that family, and they want to ensure that those extended family members are looked afterand welltaken care of as well. As we move forward under— as the memberbefore me said — the new normal, it’s important that we recognize that things will not go back 100 percent to the way they were. Some of that will be because of innovation. Some of thatwillbe because efficiencieswillbe found.

We will have to find ways, as a government and as a society, to make sure thatwe are moving forward in a way thatactu- ally encouragesgrowth and innovation to happen, because if we see a contraction in the job marketbecause of other factors, that will still have a very real impact. That is why I think the new normal…. We need to understand whatdirection we willbe headed as a society moving forward over the next three, four, five months, recognizing thatafterthose three, four, five months are up, we’llprobably have to recalibrate yetagain.

It’s going to be an evolving target,a moving target,butthere needs to be those roadmaps so peopleunderstand whatthe new nor- maland the here and the now actually is, moving forward. [10:15 a.m.] Programs and assistanceto peopleas wellas businesses are criticalso thatpeopleunderstand in advance so they can plan. They can make sure thatthey are ready to adapt and adoptwhatthe ruleswillbe, whatthe game plan mov- ingforward is, and to continueto have thatbuy-inwithDr. Henry’s advice. Because as I say, governmentsand agen- ciescan come up withallsortsof rulesforpeople.

If people don’tbuy into those rules,they donotchange theirhabits. They do not change their behaviours. Thatis whatwe need to continue making ournew nor- mal in British Columbia — that buy-in by the broader public,the buy-in by the business comm unity, a business comm unity that is struggling and on itsknees right now and desperately needs thatdirection and thatunderstand- ing of whattheiroperationalnew normalwillbe overthe nextsix months so thatthey can have some certainty and they can provide those critical jobs. We cannothave a society where itis strictly the gov- ernmentproviding forpeople.

We need to have a strong, healthy economy that is also providing for people as well, those thatwantto go outand work and those that are ableto without putting theirfamilies’ health at risk to be able to go out. I thank you forthis time to talk aboutthe new normal, and I look forward to hearing whatthe closing comm ents are. B.

Ma:I really wantto express my gratitudeto the mem- beropposite forremindingus of where we are, whatittook to gethere and whatitwilltake forus to continue to move forward in agood way, because of how easily itcouldhave been for British Columbia to be in a very different place today, where we aren’t in the privileged position to actu- ally look forward to recovery. It’s because of the effortsof British Columbians thatwe have opportunitiesaheadof us that we need to seize.

You may have heard the term “a green and justrecov- ery.” It’s a recovery that does not settlefor merely going back to the way things were but that strives to build a more sustainable, justand equitablecomm unity forevery- one. Thatincludesmakingsure thatpeoplehave good jobs, a living wage, affordablehousing, quality and affordable childcare, accessiblepost-secondary education and skills training, and, of course, high-quality health care and care for our seniors. 12066 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

A future of greatereconomic equality. Thatis withinour grasp, where peopleare paid fairly fortheirlabour, where quality of life is aboutmore than personalprofitand where the economy works foreveryone, notjustthe very wealthy few; where workers can be protected and guaranteed safe working environmentsand small businesses aren’t leftto the whims of theirpowerfulcomm erciallandlords. We can have a future where housing security is more of a right than itis aprivilege, where rentingdoesn’tmean perpetual instability and precariousness and where homelessness is a thing of the past. Peopleare ready.

They are ready to invest in and have strong publicinstitutions thatare responsive to the needs of the people. They’re ready to work together, to contribute what they can and compassionately care for one another according to each individual’s needs. We mustcreate a diverse and sustainableeconomy that isn’t overly reliant on the extraction of non-renewable resources.

I envision a province that sees its sustainably renewable forests bring high-quality jobs and economic value farexceeding asimplemeasure of board feet.People wantto investin industriesthatdon’tcontribute to climate change, that prioritize by diversity and produce an earth thatwe are proud to leave forourchildren and grandchil- dren.We need to think longterm and to make sure thatwe are prepared for the challenges of the future. We can do this. We can alldo this together. We can do this alland more.

There is no bettertime forus to do this than now and no better circumstances within which we can accomplish this as we move forward togetherto anew normalthatbuilds British Columbiaback betterthan ever before. ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN J. Sturdy: I am pleased, if somewhat concerned, to speak today aboutourprovince’s economic challenges and potential for recovery. The coronavirus has clearly taken an enormous human and economic toll globally, here in Canada and, of course, in British Columbia.

B.C. is very fortunate, directed by coordinated efforts of our health officials and the cooperation of British Columbians, to have been, to date, successfulin slowing the spreadof the virus. However, whilethe human tollhas been moderate in comparison with otherjurisdictions, the economic con- sequences for the British Columbia economy have been devastating. [10:20 a.m.] Lastweek’s budgetupdate began to unveilthe severity of the breakdown.

British Columbiais facing the biggesteco- nomic collapse in decades,perhaps ever, with a projected $12.5 billion deficit for this fiscal and hundreds of thou- sands of jobless people. British Columbia’s unemployment rate skyrocketed from 5 percentin February to 13.4 per- centin June. That’s almostaquarterof amillion fewerjobs. We wentfrom having Canada’s lowestunemploymentrate to now being in the top four unemployment rates of the provinces in Canada.

While B.C. has done better than other provinces in combating COVID-19, oureconomic situation and recov- ery are more dire, and recovery is slowerthan otherjur- isdictions. As we diginto these numbers, we see thatB.C. has fared far worse than the rest of Canada over the last four months, with unemployment in British Columbia increasing 50 percent more than the rest of Canada. What’s very troubling is that women and youth have been particularly hard hit.Youth unemploymentin British Columbia is twice as bad as the rest of Canada.

While youth unemploymentwas up 114 percentacross the coun- try, in B.C. the rate is up a staggering 266 percent since January — 266 percent,and no reliefin sight.The recovery is also slower for women. Female unemployment is up 115 percentacross Canada, whilein B.C., unemployment for women is up 152 percent. During this difficult time, it’s imperative the provincial government recognize the importanceof investing in women and youth to give them the supports that they need.

Many in these two demographicswork in the hospitality and servicesector, whichis heavily affected dueto the pan- demic.In orderto getpeopleback to work, we firsthave to make sure there are jobs for them to go back to. Itmeans thatwe have to help businesses break down the barriers to opening, to give employers the incentives to safely bring back their employees. Hospitality is on itsheels. Nearly one in ten restaurants have closed their doors permanently, and it’s expected another18 percentwilllikely close for good.

Polling sug- geststhat75 percentof restaurantoperators are extremely worried abouttheircurrentlevelof debt,with halfof inde- pendent restaurants not expecting to survive. Beyond a significantcontribution to the restaurantand hospitality sector, women also make up alarge proportion of the tourism sector, a traditionally major job creator in British Columbia but a sector that’s expected to lose as many as 130,000 jobs as businesses are starved into clos- ure. The federalgovernmenthas announced a $45 million investment for tourism, but only in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

WhataboutBritish Columbia,where tourism has been a major economic driver? Where is the provincial government’s voicein advocatingforand investingin Brit- ish Columbia? The opposition has heldtown halls across the province with the tourism sector. We’ve written to the Premier, call- ing for supportfor a reopening of the industry. That’s on top of ourcallfor economic actions, including tax breaks such as temporary PST relief, MRDT backstopping and funding for businesses to secure personal protective equipment. These peopleneed ourhelp, and they need itnow.

This coming September thousands of businesses are facing huge COVID-19-related, tax-deferred bills. Peopleneed to Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12067

prepare for the fall. We can’twait,as many businesses are already on the verge of closing. Afterfourmonths of ditheringon the economy, allwe’ve gotso faris a survey and the appearanceof analysis para- lysis. The opposition has sent the NDP government 12 policy letters with more than 60 suggestions to getB.C.’s economy back on track, but because they are opposition ideas, they’ve been fundamentally ignored. This is a gov- ernment that appears driven by ideology, a government that rejects ideas on principle. It’s no wonderour economy is in limbo.

Even before the pandemic, in February’s budget, this government slashed $4 million from the budget of the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Developm ent and Competitiveness. Is this a direction…? Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, excuse me. This sec- tion…. Your remarks should be non-partisan, please. J. Sturdy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve written, overthe lastfouryears…. We need to see an articulated jobs plan. [10:25 a.m.] We’ve been supported by solidfoundations of previ- ous governments,and we’ve been relying on sectors that are existing, but we need to have a plan going forward.

Government should be taking the lead to align efforts to give businesses the confidence they need. Sadly, however, the latest survey of businesses in British Col- umbia shows thatfew have the confidence thatthey will succeed, let alone thrive. More than 1,400 members, businesses from groups including the British Columbia Chamber of Comm erce, the GreaterVancouverBoard of Tradeand Business Coun- cil of British Columbia are calling for a bold and long- term recovery plan, yetalmosthalfof these businesses are notconfidentin any restartplan.

Among them, one in ten expecttemporary or permanentclosure, 27 percentanti- cipate layoffs, and 32 percentexpectto cutworkers’ hours. ValLitwin of the B.C. Chamberof Comm erceis urging policy-makers to stay sensitive to the vulnerability of the business sector. She said: “A boldeconomic recovery plan thathelps businessescompete is non-negotiableforapros- perous British Columbia, and when small businesses thrive, so do comm unities and people.” S. Malcolmson: I agree with some of whatmy colleague across the way has said. Absolutely, BritishColumbians are worried abouttheirhealthand abouttheirlivelihoods.

The pandemichas hitthem very hard. The impactof the COV- ID-19 pandemic on the economy…. In my own region, Nanaimo, with a particular focus on serviceand tourism, we are hurting. There is no question. We have a huge number of health care workers. We have a huge numberof elders and residentsin long-term care, a significant retirement comm unity. We’ve been, everybody, feeling anxious about the threat of COVID — itseffectand itsthreatto health, protecting ourfront- line and essential workers — but then also seeing the economic falloutof adopting the m easures thatDr. Bon- nie Henry has urged us to take.

Whilewe are breathing a sigh of reliefthatso far, touch wood, the pandemic has nothitus from a health pointof view the way that we had feared, the economic fallout is deep and extreme. Buton the partof ourgovernment,the combined action is vital. We will not have a strong eco- nomy if we do not take strong action on health. This was apremise of ourPremierand ourgovernment’s work before the pandemic. If you invest in people, you have astrong economy. It’s the foundation. This is revealed even more to be so now. For the m ember, who has just expressed a great deal of alarm about B.C.’s economic position….

I m ean, we all agree, all parties…. Thanks to the two opposition parties for the very strong partnership. Partly why we are so far ahead of the restof the country is because all three parties have worked togetheron the health side of things. But absolutely, we’re leaning fully into econom- ic recovery, investing in people and in business in an unprecedented way. The membermay have missed some of the creditthat’s being given to British Columbia on the economic side from some heavy hitters.

The chiefeconomistforDeloitte Canadasaid: “The B.C. economy willbe the outperformer, posting the mildestdownturn and returning to pre-COV- ID levels the quickest.” That’s Craig Alexander. TD Canada, one of the largest banks in Canada, said: “B.C.’s progress in tackling the pandemic positions itwell to perform betterthan the others this year. Itsfiscalposi- tion remains the envy of the other provinces.” Then the regional president of RBC, Royal Bank of Canada,said: “The B.C. economy is opening step by step. I think it’s prudent,it’s responsible, and it’s working.

The fourphases of the province’s plan are quite clear.

They’re working.” Ourcommi tmentas a government,ourPremier’s com- mitment, continues to be on a dual approach: investing in people, investing in workers so thatthey can look after elders and keep us safe; but absolutely, investing over $6 billion to date in COVID-19 supports,$5 billion in sup- plementary spending forouraction plan forCOVID sup- ports, $1.25 billion in tax and relief measures. [10:30 a.m.] Almostevery day a new announcementaboutsupport that’s come directly from the chambers of comm erce, their ideas, whether it’s relaxing the ability for restaurants to be ableto serve on patios, liquor sales,waiving taxes, full reductions in taxes as well as tax deferrals.

I’m feeling empathetic, also, to the member. We both representcoastalcomm unities. We both came from local government.Itmusthave been very hard for him to have 7,000 sailingscutby B.C. Ferriesunderhis leadership. He’d 12068 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

been specifically assigned by the previous governmentto look into, withlocalgovernments,reforms and actions and the impact of fare hikes on ferry fares for coastal com- munities. We all mettogether. I was in regional govern- mentatthe time. He broughtto this House petitions from his own peopleasking notto cutservicelevels and notto hike fares so high on Bowen Island.

What we’ve been able to invest in just the last three years to buildback up coastalcomm unities, to buildback up investment in people, to buildback up investment in health care and economy has putus exactly in the position where British Columbiahas the bestchanceto weatherthe health storm with the strongest economy and our com- munitiesfully intactand workingbettertogetherthan ever before. J. Sturdy: Thank you to the member opposite for her comm ents.

However, relying on previous investments, relying on liquified natural gas and large publicsector spending projects, including Site C — all of which had the foundations built underthe previous government — is something of a plan, I suppose. Butthe future of B.C.’s economy cannotbe leftexclusively with the publicpurse, serendipity and the work of those that have come before. British Columbians deserve to be informed. They deserve to have aplan forourfuture, forthe shortand the long term, laid outfor the citizens to see, notleftto spec- ulation and conjecture.

It’s time to look atthe big picture of employment.This is a time forinnovation, forrebuild- ingto anew economy that,whileembracingourtradition- alresources,also looks beyond to expand ourstrengths of clean energy combined withknowledge and ourincredible human capital. The pandemic has forced everyone in every industry, from independent restaurants to multinational corpora- tions, to evolve. Peopleare teleconferencing from home, businesses have gone online and a delivery economy is transforming the retailstatus quoin areality thatis speed- ing up the adoption of technologies.

B.C. has a highly skilled workforce, an abundance of natural resources and an economy that is, fortunately, diverse. Over time, we have developed a vibrant techno- logy comm unity. Why don’twe take this time to fully cul- tivate this opportunity, to work with tech companies and post-secondary leaders and supporting organizations to further our advantage. We’ve heard stories of companies repurposing their factories to make hand sanitizers and face shields, and ambitious projectsof designers and engineers looking to make ventilators work for more than one patient. The biotech sector is growing.

Companies like AbCelleraare innovating and even thriving here in B.C., with apotential for global impact. Innovation is key to job creation, especially now. Itplays an importantrolein providing opportunity forfuture gen- erations.

Yetthese companies are growing in spite of the challengesplaced on them by an increasingregulatory and taxation burden.Employerhealth tax,increased WorkSafe premiums and obligations, income tax increases, corpor- ate tax increases, school tax, property tax, transfer tax, etc.,don’tencourage investmentand adesire to buildbusi- nessesand employment,whichseesus throughadeclining levelof confidencein oureconomy and areduced willing- ness to invest in this province. [10:35 a.m.] We need to pulltogetherundera vision for the future, and we need to think abouthow ourcompaniescan nav- igate the currentecosystem in a differentway.

We need to engage and assess how we can support the new needs of British Columbians in a very different world. YOUTH, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS D. Routley: It’s a real pleasure to participate in this unique session of parliamentand to have an opportunity to talk aboutwhat’s nextfor British Columbia. I’m speak- ing to what’s nextfor British Columbia in the contextof youth, skills developmentand jobs. Mostof whathas been said here today, as far as I can tell, calls on us to imagine nextsteps and look forward.

Definitely, ourcurrentsitu- ation is something thatpreoccupies us, butI’m impressed by all of the members’ commi tment to looking forward. I think, as we examine what we’re facing, we can see thatCOVID, this pandemic, has shown us allthe costsof inequality — the costsnotonly to those who are vulner- ablebut the coststo all of us if our society doesn’t func- tion wellor we aren’tableto be resilientenough to adapt to the challenges we face. I wouldsuggest that equity is the key to resiliency foracomm unity and foran economy. In orderto buildresiliency, peopleneed to thrive.

Com- munitiesmustthrive, and peopleneed to succeed. A key to comm unitiesthriving and peoplesucceeding is the educa- tion, the skills development,of youth and the jobs they are going to acquire in the future. Much of the question might be: are you thriving, and are you succeeding? People’s minds are in the imm ediate when you ask thatquestion. Butthe realquestion is: will we thrive? Willourcomm unitiesthrive, willthe peopleof B.C. be successful, and what do we mean by that? Young people often express the frustration that they don’theartheirconcerns addressed.

Orwhen they dohear them addressed atelection time, they’re notmaterialized by policy that actually improves and impacts theirlives. The history can bear them correct. They saw theirwages cutin the pastby 25 percent.They hadatrainingwage that was discriminatory. There were education cutsthatdeeply affected theireducation careers and are still obstaclesto theirsuccess. We saw chaosin the apprenticeship system for a number of years. We even saw 12-year-olds legally put to work. Those are criticisms I would have of the past.

One compliment I would give to the previous gov- ernment when it com es to youth training and employ- Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12069

m ent is that they established a credit system for high school–aged children to acquire apprenticeships. I think that was a m ove that really greatly increased the link between high schools and the skills training sector. So I will give credit there. Predominantly, young peoplehave seen theirconcerns spoken to at election time, but the policieswork against them. Tax cutsthat have been beneficialto peopleat the top have been given with the remote hope thatthey would somehow affectthe employmentof youngpeople.

Butthey have not seen the kind of investments they need to feel thatthey are a key and numberone consideration forour approach to a resilient future. Skip ahead, and we see a minim um wage increased from $8 to $14.60 an hourovera three-year period and a corresponding 20 percentreduction in smallbusiness tax to support businesses in that change. There are no 12-year-olds working legally in British Columbia, except with extreme exceptions. There have been m assive investm ents in education. There is no training wage.

There is no discriminatory server wage that exposed, predominantly, wom en to discriminatory and poten- tially abusive workplace circumstances. We want to see comm unities thrive. We want to see peoplesucceed. We wantto see B.C. become resilient.We are answering thatwith realpolicy and realinvestmentsin people, particularly young people. I have a listhere, with two minutes and 40 seconds left, thatis 62 items long. Itis the significantinvestmentsmade by this governmentin young people. I’lljustreada few of the highlights. [10:40 a.m.] Tuition-free basicadulteducation.

We launched a pro- vincialtuition waiverprogram forchildren who have been in care of the province. This has invested over$2 million a year, with 806 former youth in care now benefiting. We created 2,900 additionaltech spaces.We announced $450 million in new, affordableon-campus studenthous- ing, answering one of the basicneeds and basicobstacles to access to post-secondary education forpeoplewith any kind of income challenge.

We’ve invested in more open textbooks with a total of $3.5 million going towards textbooks thatlevelthe playing fieldfor studentswho don’thave resources.We have cre- ated early childhood education training spaces, 182 of them, in a number of different institutions around the province: Vanderhoof, Vancouver, Castlegar, Victoria, Burns Lake and Prince George. We’ve also addressed Indigenous youth with putting Indigenous governance on every publicpost-secondary institution board, answering one of the Truth and Recon- ciliation Commi ssion recomm endations.

We created Canada’s first Indigenous law program, also answering Truth and Reconciliation Commi ssion recomm endations. We eliminated interest on B.C. government student loans. We funded over27,000 apprenticeship and found- ation skills spaces.We’ve opened seven new tradestrain- ing facilities. These investments continue on, and we are all proud of these investments. We know that the dividends won’t be paid imm ediately, but they are on a short horizon, as we facean economy and comm unities that are adapting, changing and showing the resiliency that is necessary to provide equity.

Because the key to a successfulfuture will be equity, equity for peoplein economic justice. Building equity in the peopleof British Columbia is the key to a resilient future. E. Ross:My band is a successfulband, mainly because we gotaway from the politicsof class division. We stopped talking aboutbig, bad governmentand big, bad Caucasi- ans and the big, bad elitistsand the big, bad rich people, and we got down to facts. Building afuture forthe nextgeneration was partof my previous life, notjustforyouth, butallresidentsin Skeena as a whole.

In fact,my band purchased a private post-sec- ondary facility to prepare Aboriginals and non-Aborigin- als alike for the proposed projects in Kitimat. Youth trainingis agreatcause. Butwe hadlearned some expensive and tough lessons, like how difficultitis to get youth into trainingprograms if they can’tsee the goal. This was toldto me personally by some of our members that completed our training programs, at our insistence, but became angry when they discovered thatthere was nota potential job waiting for them.

This was after my band, even though we had no m oney, supplied transportation, m eals and clothes for ourm embers to getinto training. We even tried to bring training to ourreserves. Thatwas how hard itwas forus to fillthose seats,because they couldnotsee a job. They couldn’tsee anything waiting atthe end of the training, and it was discouraging. This is whathelped shiftmy thinking towards develop- ing an economy. Because we have no economies on our northern reserves. We have no shopping malls, no car dealerships or grocery stores.

So our alternative was to look atproposed projects,like the RT modernization pro- ject or the LNG opportunity, which at one time was 19 projects in B.C. It’s the reason why my band and other First Nations reached out to LNG and asked that our young people, localpeople, Aboriginals, non-Aboriginals and women be included in the LNG initiative. As a result,more than $2 billion in contractswere awarded to Indigenous and local contractors by LNG Canada since 2014. Twenty-five per- cent of the workforce consists of local workers, with 10 percentbeingIndigenous.

A $6 million comm unity invest- ment in a workforce development program was estab- lished to make sure job opportunities were availableonce people were out of the classroom. The LNG Canada Connectprogram and GearUp fund ensured that64 percentof graduates were Indigenous, and 12070 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

20 percent were women from Terraceand Kitimat. The outland youth employment program, sponsored by LNG Canada, gave localyouth hands-on experienceto develop lifelong work skills. [10:45 a.m.] Today is a completely different story because of the opportunities projectsprovide. For a band like mine with no resources, these are opportunities that would never have come without active engagement by elected band councils like my own.

Youth in Skeena can now see that training not only provides an opportunity for a great future but also one thatgives them the choiceto work and raise theirfamilies where they themselves were raised. This is why I still can’t understand when I heard and saw allof the negative statementsaboutLNG from polit- icalparties and advocacy groups thatworked hard to stall or to killprojectsin B.C. Notonce did these groups con- siderwhatFirstNations leaders were trying to achieve for theirmembers — youth and non-youth alike, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike — nor did they care.

In that same vein, for all theirrhetoric and anti-LNG statements,I also haven’theard an apology, eitheron the lack of conversation of whatindustrialdevelopmentcould doforallyouthin ourregion orB.C. We stillhearthe rhet- oric today. We stillhear the politicsof class division, try- ing to pitone society againstanotherone allin the name of political ideology. I agree with the member on what he said. This only comes outatelection times. I agree. Buteven in non-elec- tion times, I even hear itin this House, talking aboutthe rhetoric of class division. There’s got to be an enemy, so therefore, let’s tax the rich.

They’re the enemy. If we’re going to build B.C. into a stronger province and a strongersociety, we’ve gotto understand the differ- ence between building a strong province versus politics, because we’re not doing anybody favours, especially our youth, if we stick to ourpoliticalrhetoric. There is a way to make amends, especially when we’re talking aboutthe youth. Basically what we’re trying to do here is build a future. The groups thatopposed LNG and allthese otherpro- jectswithout even considering the youth or Aboriginals: you can make amends. You can supportthe proposed pro- jectsthatare on the tabletoday.

Like Woodfibre LNG — supportitpublicly. Olefins outatMcLeod Lake, BitCrude out of Prince Rupert, Cedar LNG and KM LNG under Chevron — these are allproposed projects.They’re doing a greatjob. They, more than anyone, can provide a future for all the citizens of B.C. — youth and non-youth alike. D. Routley: Thank you to the member for his response. I’d like to help the m ember. When he says thatpeople identify the rich as bad, I think he’s misinterpreting what people are in fact saying. What they are in fact saying is that there’s always attention as to who pays for what services in our society.

What we are hoping is that an equitableapproach to this willyieldthe fruitof arevital- ized and resilient economy and society. We recognize, now m ore than ever, as we experience this pandemic, that investing in youth and supporting their successful adaptation to a changing future is really job numberone for a government. In orderfor comm unities to thrive and peopleto suc- ceed, we need each other, and government is the biggest expression of each other.

We are making the investments thatare benefitingthe peoplewho need them most.I think that is a distinguishing characteristic between this gov- ernmentand the previous — thatwe are, in fact,putting as job numberone, investing in the human equity of this provinceby creating equitablecircumstancesforpeopleto give them the best chance. Exactly whatthe memberseems to be calling for, we are doing. We know thatourapproach of investing in people works.

Our supports and investments position B.C. well to dealwith the currentcrisis and recoverfrom it.That’s proof in the imm ediate term of the resiliency acquired through social investments in housing, in education, in health. These are the key investmentsin an economy that a government can make, a government being one of the largest players in any economy. These are not separate things. We have to recognize ourrolein the economy, leverage itforthe peopleof B.C. and make the investmentsthat…. In the long term, one can only imagine the dividends that will be paid.

We know that these investmentshave posi- tioned us well. [10:50 a.m.] We know that the diversity of our economy and the diversity of ourpeopleand the resiliency of those people is the key to the thriving of ourcomm unities. Ourcom- munitiesdeserve to thrive, and ourpeopledeserve to suc- ceed. That builds resiliency in British Columbia. That is supported by the investments we’ve been making. The proof is in the pudding rightnow, and we willsee amulti- plication of the benefitsof those investmentsforyears and years to come. MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS J.

Thornthwaite: For most of us, the past few months have been the most challenging and unsettling in living memory. Our worldhas changed in so many ways since the beginning of the COVID global pandemic. Physical distancing can have a significant impact on our mental health. Notonly are we facing isolation from friends and families;we are anxious aboutourkids’ schooling, impacts on elderly relatives,losingourjobs and, forthose who own businesses, the possibility of closures and losing ourliveli- hoods in the months ahead.

I have heard from so many smallbusiness owners who are worried about rent relieffor theirbusinesses because Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12071

their landlord refuses to even apply for the federal pro- grams that are available. They have been required to pay rent even when they were forced to close. They could potentially lose their homes because of it. However, those who already live with mentalhealth or addiction issues have struggled more than most as sup- portsystems orservicesdisappeared in the month of isol- ation. Calls to B.C.’s 1-800 suicideline were up 76 percent this past April compared to last year. April also saw a record numberof calls to 310-MentalHealth for support, up nearly 40 percent compared to 2019.

A new survey by the Canadian Mental Health Asso- ciation and UBC found that COVID-19 has significantly increased the suicide risk among Canadians with pre- existing mental health challenges. Of those surveyed, 6 percentsaid they experienced suicidalthoughtsand feel- ingsduring the outbreak, butthatnumberrises to 18 per- centforpeoplewith pre-existing mentalhealth challenges, alongwith 16 percentof Indigenous peopleand 15 percent of those with a disability. Tragically, sinceMarch,we have seenasteady rise in illi- cit drug overdose deaths.

The latest illicit drug overdose reports from the coroner demonstrate that no region in B.C. is unaffected, as deaths in each of the six B.C. health authorities are eitherator near the highestmonthly total everrecorded. In March, there were 113 deaths; April, 118; 170 in May; 175 in June. There was a97 percentincrease in deaths from May 2019 to May 2020, the highestrecorded in this province ever. However, it is notable that the total number of non- fataloverdoses has continued to rise foryears. Paramedics reported on June 26 that 131 people were revived from overdoses provincewide that day alone.

These overdoses, of course, do notshow up in the coroner’s report,because they survived. Butwe stillmustcountthem. We stillmust care about them. Clearly, this addiction crisis is not getting better, and it’s not all because of COVID. Harm reduction measures like increased availability of naloxone kits and overdose prevention sites do save lives, butthose peoplewho were saved are notincluded in any stats,and we shouldnever forget those near misses.

This allmeans, of course, thatwe have done very little on curbing the overdose crisis, and I believe it is disin- genuous to brag abouta decrease in deaths when, in fact, more people are overdosing more than ever. The fact is that we are experiencing an unprecedented rise in non- fataloverdoses consistently overthe years.

This is because we have failed as a provinceto implementa comprehens- ive addiction strategy to curbaddictions, to getto the root of the addiction — pain, both physical and mental, and mentalillness and trauma.Untilasystem is in placeso that peoplecan easily access services,the overdoses will con- tinue, and the deaths will continue to rise. Shockingly, the Premier remarked last week, in answer to a reporter’s question as to why the province wasn’t devoting the sam e enthusiasm to curb the over- dose publichealth emergency thatwas declared in 2016 as they are with the COVID publichealth emergency….

The overdose deaths in June, that m onth alone, are approxim ately the sam e as the totalCOVID deaths over fourm onths, exceptthe overdose deaths in June am oun- ted to almost six deaths per day. [10:55 a.m.] The Premieranswered: “These are two separate things. We have an insidious virus thataffectsanyone atany time, and we have an opioid crisis that involves people using drugs.

Those are choicesinitially, and then they become dependencies.” Although the Premierhas sinceadmitted he mischarac- terized addiction and regretted he said it,itis one of the more upsetting comm entsI’ve heard since beginning my roleas critic for Mental Health and Addictions. When I asked the Ministerof MentalHealth and Addictions, she did not acknowledge his remarks. At least the Premier reflected and was circumspectin his remarks. Why didn’t the minister do the same?

Did the construction worker who was injured on the job, who was prescribed opioids forpain, then hadhis pre- scription cut off, had to access the illicit marketto ease his pain and then overdosed, have a choice? No. People do notwake up day afterday and say: “Hey, I wantto be addicted. I want to be a slave to my addiction. I want to think and breathe and seek outmy addiction every minute of my day.” Is that a choice? I don’t think so. Since the crisis was firstdeclared, there have been over 5,000 deaths.

Notenough is beingdone, and we need to do more to treat those with mental illness and provide help to those suffering from addictions, justlike we wouldfor any otherchronic illness. As the critic for MentalHealth and Addictions, I’ve long advocated forthe need fora full spectrum of care, amentalhealth system thatwouldserve youth and adultsequally, thatwouldfocus on early inter- vention and wouldhelp those dealing with addiction into treatment and then into recovery.

Every person who wantsto access treatmentand recov- ery shouldhave the opportunity, butso many are limited because of the cost.Currently you have to be eithervery rich or very poor before you can access a publicly funded bed. The sadpartis thatthere are recovery beds available right now. Last week my officedid random calls to nine residentialaddiction facilities,and there were 125 beds sit- ting empty that day. This is unacceptable. The announcementon July 10 of funding foran addi- tional50 to 70 beds is therefore inadequate. How m any people died of an overdose in June? One hundred and seventy-five.

Not only are families struggling with the lack of resources,butso too are municipalities.I sympathizewith the mayors, the residents and the businesses who have raised concerns over compassion fatigue in their com- munities throughout British Columbia. 12072 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

The overdose crisis has not just impacted people in major cities but all around the province, saddling muni- cipalities with rising coststo clean up discarded needles in schoolparks, human waste, break-ins, home invasion, business vandalism, thefts, assault and sexual violence. We’ve heard from peoplein MapleRidge, Nanaimo and, most recently, Yaletown, downtown Victoria and Parks- villethatwhatis currently happening in theircomm unit- ies is not working.

Warehousing people with addictions without the proper clinical wraparound supports isn’t a solution, and it’s not safe or fair to anyone impacted by these decisions. R. Singh:It’s my pleasure to speak on this issue, whichis very, very close to my heart.Having worked in the addic- tions fieldfora numberof years, I’ve hadfirsthand exper- ience of how this system works, especially in British Col- umbia.I can say thatone thingI agree on withthe member for North Vancouver–Seymour is that COVID-19 has affected our lives, impacted our lives, in different ways.

Mental health is one area where we see the impact — a really huge impact. What I can say from my experience is that in the last few years since we formed the government,we are seeing a continuum of care for addictions. It’s prevention, harm reduction, treatmentand recovery. WhileI was workingas an alcoholand drugcounsellor, anumberof timesI would hear from the clientsand from the family members that there were not enough resources.

So it is really good to see, in the lastfew years, those importantinvestmentsthat have been madefortreatment,forprevention and also for recovery. [11:00 a.m.] As the memberhas already mentioned, there has been an increase in beds. There’s funding for50 to 70 new treat- mentand recovery beds. There’s also going to be a launch of seven new and expanded substanceuse teams thatwill help peoplestay connected to treatment. There are more beds coming this summ er, a new youth treatment centre in Chilliwack and a new mentalhealth and substanceuse centre atRoyalColumbian.

Investmentis also happening in two new urban and six new ruralhealing and wellness centres. There’s an expansion in access to low- orno-costmental health and addictions counselling at29 organizations. Itis very important that it is in all the different partsof B.C. Also, keeping COVID in mind, where a lot of things are happening virtually, there are virtualsupports.A totalof 20 organizations are providing those supports. Recently the ministry announced eightnew locations for Foundry centres, which brings the total up to 90.

Also, the intro- duction of safe prescription medication alternatives to the poisoned drug supply. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Here I wouldreally like to talk aboutthe overdose crisis thatourprovinceis dealingwith. We know thatforanum- berof years, we have dealtwith it.I can say thatit’s very unfortunate what’s happened with the overdose crisis. One thing I really wantto bring up is thatdeaths were down 36 percentbefore COVID-19 caused a massive spike in drug toxicity across Canada. Thatwas the firsttime thatdeaths were down since 2012 and since the opioid crisis started.

All these effortsthat the government is putting in…. I can say that the oldgovernment failed to protect the m ost vulnerable people in recovery room s and to get them good care. More tough new regulations to improve care and pro- tect peopleon their recovery journey. For the first time ever, aper-diem boostin ten years. This was whatwe were hearing in my comm unity from the recovery homes — that there was no increase in per diems. Also, I’m really glad, talking aboutSurrey….

I’m very proud thatwe opened B.C.’s firstm entalhealth and sub- stance use urgent response centre in Surrey, and also, we expanded the hours and services at Surrey’s Roshni Clinicto cut wait times and getup to 100 m ore people culturally safe. We are providing housing and mentalhealth and addic- tions care forover2,000 more peoplewho hadbeenexper- iencing homelessness, and we are working to address poverty and supporting youth in care. Now we have rapid access to addictions care clinicsin all health regions. We are integrating mental health sup- ports in schools.

We are piloting integrated child and youth mentalhealth clinicsin five schooldistrictsacross B.C., the launch of a new mentalhealth help line forpost- secondary students throughout…. Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Member. R. Singh:Thank you, Mr. Speaker. J. Thornthwaite: The Alberta government was elected justovera yearago, in Aprilof 2019.

They have madethe followingfundingcommi tments:$100 million increase for mental health and addictions, $40 million to combat the opioid crisis, $25 million to funding mental health and addictions infrastructure, an additional $53 million for COVID-related mental health and addictions recovery. They commi tted to fully fund orcreate 4,000 addiction recovery treatment spacesand expect to reach that goal very soon. They are also piloting recovery coaches in emergency rooms and justlastweek announced $25 mil- lion for the infrastructure to buildfive therapeutic com- munities, along with operating funding.

This is all in a province with half the deaths of British Columbia. In contrast, this government announced, on July 10, $13.5 million overthree years for between 50 to 70 pub- licly funded treatment beds. I note that is about a third of the peoplewho died from an overdose lastmonth. We Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12073

know that the current 30 PHSA specialized addiction treatment beds, which cost about $350 a day, would be close to about$128,000 ayear. At70 beds ayearoverthree years, thatwouldequal$27 million, which is doublewhat the minister has announced. So the money the ministry and the governmenthas commi tted is actually halfof what is needed today. [11:05 a.m.] We need a fullspectrum of care. UntilBritish Colum- bians getto the point of having programs availablethat are easily accessibleand affordableprovincewide and that offer a complete continuum of care from detox to treat- mentto recovery….

Untilwe actually address the rootof the addiction, we are nevergoingto be ableto turn the tide on this public health emergency. I wantto leave this House, Mr. Speaker, with an image in your mind. Last September I attended the Recovery Day festival in the minister’s own riding of New West- minster. Scattered around the crowd were volunteers and organizers, allwearing T-shirtswith the word “evidence” on them. Whatwas the evidence? Them. They are living, breathing proof that recovery is possible. We justneed the politicalwillin this provinceto make it happen. Hon. H.

Bains:I ask thatthe House now considerpro- ceeding with Motion 9, standing in the name of the mem- ber for Burnaby North. Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, unanimous consent of the House is required to proceed with Motion 9 without disturbing the prioritiesof the motions preceding iton the order paper. Leave granted. Private Members’ Motions MOTION 9 — HEALTH AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY J.

Routledge: I rise to speak to my motion. [Be itresolved thatthis House agree thatthe health of British Col- umbians is paramountduring this pandemic and partof oureco- nomic recovery and resiliency.] One wouldbe forgiven forthinking thatsuch a motion states the obvious, but it was in this very chamber that the Leaderof the Opposition rose to state: “We hear the Premiertalkingconsistently aboutpublichealth measures, which actually don’t have anything to do with economic recovery.” Hard to believe, but that’s what he said.

This morning we on this sideof the House willendeav- ourto explain to him and his colleagueshow publichealth and economic recovery are inextricably linked. Letme start by recalling the exchange that took place Monday, June 22, during question period. The Premier stated: “In orderto build confidence for consumers to go back into retail, into hospitality and other sectors that require that type of activity, we’re going to have to doacoupleof things.We’re going to have to make sure thatthe workplaceis safe.

WorkSafeBC has been working with the publichealth officers to make sure thatwe putin placeguidelines so thatcustomers can be comfortablewhen they go into an establishmentthatthey’re going to be safe and so that the workers in there are safe as well.” The Leaderof the Opposition dismissed that as having nothing to do with economic recovery. Now, that’s a curious thing to hear from the leaderof the self-styled free enterprise party. Isn’this the party that believes supply and demand shoulddrive the economy?

Yet he doesn’t seem to be making the connection that without consumer confidence, there is no demand, and right now consumer confidence is all about feeling safe. Every day British Columbians see the evidenceon their screens of whatcan happen when consuming is ranked to be more important than health. In May, American states were already getting ready to reopen their economies. Theirpresidentwas pressuring them to move quickly. He toldthe American people:“You have to getback to work.” By early June, he was praising Floridaspecifically.

He said: “They are doing tremendous business, and this is whatthe numbers are all about.” By July, the numbers were about something else. Last Thursday the U.S. reported a record numberof new cases in one day, and so didFlorida.The numberof hospitaliza- tions are up steeply, and the COVID-19 death rate is start- ing to climb again. British Columbians can’t help but be worried by the news south of the border. Many of us continue to think twiceaboutgoing outforameal, booking aholiday, meet- ing friends in abar, getting apedicure orallthe otherpur- chases we wouldbe making this summ er.

Nota day goes by when thatagony of indecision doesn’tcome up in idle conversation. [11:10 a.m.] Here’s another topic that comes up every day: how thankful we are to be living in British Columbia. Here we flattened the curve. How? Because we are fortunate enough to have an independentpublichealth officerwho has extensive experience and expertise in pandemics — Dr.

Henry has taken a thoughtful, evidence-based approach, and British Columbians trustherand are will- ing to follow herguidelines and orders — and because our governmenthas chosen notto compete with herforatten- tion, has chosen not to politicize a global health crisis. We know thatit’s notourjob to make medicaldecisions but to make decisions about the services and supports people need in order to keep each other safe. We have reason to expectthatthe members on the other sideare going to try to make this debate abouttaxes. Cut- ting taxes seems to be their knee-jerk answer to every- thing.

Let’s not forget it was their tax cuts that concen- 12074 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

trated our shared wealth in the hands of the few, that drained the publiccoffers, which led to regulatory bodies like employment standards branch being defunded and publicserviceslike long-term-care facilities being privat- ized. There is a direct line between the decisions made by the previous governmentand some of the COVID-19 out- breaks that ended up shutting down our economy. Right now, more than ever, BritishColumbians need to trustthat both theirhealth and theirlivelihoods are in good hands, and thatstartsby understanding the connection between the two.

With that,I willtake my seatand turn the flooroverto others to elaborate further. N. Letnick: I rise in the House today to speak on the motion: “Be it resolved that this House agree that the health of British Columbians is paramount during this pandemic and part of our economic recovery and resili- ency.” Firstand foremost,I think itis importantto extend our deepestthanks to ourregionalhealth authoritiesas wellas allmedicalstaff and front-line workers whose tireless work and sacrificekeep ourcomm unities as safe as possiblein the faceof the greatest challenge ever to our health care system.

Of course, we cannotgo withoutrecognizing the ongoing effortsof ourprovincialhealth officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and herteam, forbeing atthe helm to providethe mostcurrentadviceand information to allBritish Colum- bians. At the end of the day, the success of ourprovince will always be attributed to the actions of each and every one of us. Forthe mostpart,British Columbians have excelled in theirduty to adhere to provincialguidelines, which has not come without great sacrificeby many. We have been separated from friends, familiesand loved ones.

Formany, this pandemic has cost us our jobs, closed the doors of businesses, and sadly, it has taken many lives. Unfortunately, my home of Kelowna has made recent headlines and highlighted the tragic outcome when a few selected individuals ignore these guidelines and sacrifices of others. The spike in cases due to the lapse in judgment overahandfulof socialgatheringshas also shown thatour fight against COVID-19 is far from over. As we speak, severalcountries are setto tighten meas- ures aimed atcontrolling the virus, including Hong Kong, the U.K. and South Africa.

Worldwidea weekend ago saw the mostcases in a singleday, atalmosta quartermillion. Indeed, given what we’re seeing, especially south of the border, and in lightof ourexperienceduring the lastpan- demic, the greatpandemic, now is notthe time to letour guard down. In 1918, the Spanish flu spreadacross the globe in three waves: firstin the spring, nextin the falland third in the winter. The firstphase was responsibleforafew deaths, but the virus mutated during the summ erand killed 100 mil- lion peoplein the fallduringphase 2, whenittended to kill young, otherwise healthy adults.

As a virus sweeps around the world, itoften attacks in waves, sometimes circling the globe severaltimes foryears before it outcompetes other strains to become the dom- inant virus. Pandemics end when the human population gains imm unity to the new strain. This is why, over the past weekend, I posted to social media the following message: “Are you thinking aboutpartying this summ er?I’m asking you to actresponsibly.

Youractions may notdirectly impactyou, butit may stop the dadwho wantsto visithis baby in hospital, born pre- maturely; family who wantsto visittheirmotheraftermajor sur- gery; a smallbusiness thatis struggling to stay afloat,hoping the authorities won’tshutthem down again, because if they do, they’ll lose theirhome; and the employees who willlose theirwork if the businesses shut down. “So let’s enjoy our summ er, but let’s do it responsibly by fol- lowing the propersafety protocols and notspreadCOVID-19. You already know what they are. There’s no ticket,no cop, no parent looking overyourshoulder.

Yourcharacterwillbe determined by your actions when no one is watching. So be of good character and dowhat’s rightto protectyourselfand especially those you will never know. “Think clearly and act accordingly.” [11:15 a.m.] We are now facing both ahealth crisis and an economic crisis in this province which we have never seen before. British Columbians are turning to this governmentforthe appropriate guidelines and supportsto assistthem in both their health and economic recovery. Government has a duty to provideboth of these, justas much as British Col- umbians have a duty to abide by our COVID measures.

Other provinces have announced economic recovery plans, started enacting those plans and have begunseeing results.In B.C., mostly whatwe’ve seen are publicopinion surveys and vague announcements that “help is on the way.” Teachers and parentsare looking to this government for a safe and flexibleback-to-schoolplan like we’ve seen in other provinces months ago. Our tourism industry, a stapleof oureconomy and one of the hardesthitsectors, has seen hundreds of thousands of jobs lost and is still waiting on a viable recovery plan from this government.

British Columbians are still anxious to see how this governmentintends to spend the $1.5 billion economic recovery fund announced m onths ago. The longer this governmentrefuses to act,the m ore uncertainty and risk British Columbians are leftwith. Just as the actions of every British Columbian are responsible for the health of ourprovince, they willbe responsibleforitseconomic recovery.

It is now a duty of this Legislature to provide them with these guidelines and supportsso thatwe can give our province every opportunity to keep businesses open and return peopleto the workforce withoutinfringing on the health and safety of British Columbians. J. Brar: I’m really pleased to supportthe motion intro- Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12075

duced by the hon. memberforBurnaby North, asking the members of this House to agree thatthe health of British Columbians is paramountduring this pandemic and part of our economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. We know many British Columbians are worried about their health and about their livelihoods. People continue to struggle and are uncertain about their future. The good news in B.C. is thatwe have madegood progress flattening the curve because of ourcommi tmentto supporting each other and coming together as a comm unity to respond.

We understand thatthere wouldbe no discussion today in this House abouteconomic recovery withoutflatteningthe curve, and that’s very important to understand. Therefore, flattening the curve and publichealth are the main pillars of our economic recovery plan, and the B.C. Liberals have to understand that.Butit’s really, really shocking to hear the B.C.

Liberals incorrectly claiming that public health measures taken by this government don’t have anything to do with economic recovery. “We hear the Premiertalking consistently aboutpublichealth measures, which actually don’t have anything to do with economic recovery,” said by the Leaderof the Official Opposition on June 22 during question period. This is shocking, unbelievableand fullof dirty politics. This is notthe time to play politicswith the peopleof Brit- ish Columbia. Peoplerememberwhen the B.C. Liberals were there in power.

They created an economy on the backs of regular people, and thateconomy only worked for theirdonors and wealthy families.Clearly the economy, during those 16 years, was not working for everyone, and that was a big problem. Now is the time to investin people, notcut serviceslike the B.C. Liberals did for16 years, and build an economy that works for everyone — all British Col- umbians. We have the besteconomic recovery plan moving for- ward. Oursafe restartplan is working to keep British Col- umbians healthy and, atthe same time, buildan economic recovery that puts people first.

I wouldlike to underline thatflattening the curve and publichealth remain the main pillars of our economic recovery plan because we understand thatthere wouldbe no discussion today in this House abouteconomic recov- ery without flattening the curve.

Our government acted very quickly to protectseniors and peopleatrisk to ensure our health care system would respond to COVID-19. [11:20 a.m.] Secondly, we successfully managed to keep many sec- tors of oureconomy open during COVID-19, saving hun- dreds of thousands of jobs forthe peopleof BritishColum- bia.Forexample, unlike in some otherprovinces,B.C. was able to keep the construction industry open.

Thirdly, B.C. has m ade extraordinary investm ents in peopleand business during this difficult time, and that approach, the $5 billion in supplemental spending, will provide imm ediate reliefto peopleand businesses such as the workers benefit, rental supplement, incom e and disability assistance program s, and the economic recov- ery funding. Oursafe restartplan is working to keep British Colum- bians healthy and buildan economy thatputspeoplefirst. We are supporting Innovate B.C. and developing industry and jobs in allpartsof the provincethatanticipate growing global demand for new clean products and services.

I wouldlike to conclude by saying thatitis completely unwise and wrong forB.C. Liberals to claim thatflattening the curve has nothing to do with oureconomic recovery. The peopleof British Columbia believe thatflattening the curve and publichealth are the main pillars of our eco- nomic recovery, and that’s the foundation. That’s the springboard from where we can launch the economic recovery as fast as we can. Therefore, I supportthis motion and thank the member for Burnaby North for introducing this motion in this House. J.

Yap: Let me be clear from the outset that I would like to recognize the collaborative work underthe leader- ship of provincialhealth officerDr. Henry and herteam, which to date, has kept our COVID infection curve flat and undercontrolhere in B.C. compared to otherjurisdic- tions. Herleadership has been exceptional, balancing the challenges of conveying necessary and, at times, difficult information to the general public. From the start, our caucus has also rallied behind her direction 100 percent, with members like my colleague from Kelowna–Lake Country actively taking

part in dis- cussions about the province’s publichealth response. We have seen numbers remain relatively low even as we have begunto reopen partsof the province, which is great,but itis also imperative thatthose numbers stay low if we are goingto effectively restartthe economy. Thatdoesnottake away from the reality, however, thatthe pandemichas had unprecedented impactsbeyond the publichealth response and the lives we have unfortunately lost as a result. Given that,and to answerthe pointputforward by the m otion, yes, the health of British Columbians is critical to oursuccess.

Nobody is arguing thatfact.Butthatdoes not diminish the rampant job losses, businesses thrust into bankruptcy and the spectre of an unknown future hanging overevery sector. Now, as thingsare opening up in phase 3, there need to be supportsin placefor busi- ness to recover, regain theirfooting and be ableto thrive, and it starts with a plan. What was clearly displayed last week during the prov- ince’s budgetupdate is thatthe NDP has no apparentplan to support businesses. Our caucus has put forward bold ideas forthe economic recovery thathave been supported by private sector industries.

Ideas such as tax holidays on EHT and PST, ashort-term rentalreliefprogram forsmall business and a concerted effortto provide ourstruggling 12076 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

tourism industry with the means to stay afloatare needed, as suggested by the 13 policy letters with over60 sugges- tions and ideas thatwere sentto the Premierand cabinet by our members and our leader. We have also continuously asked for action on these issuesin this House overthe pastfew weeks and have been metwith a concerted levelof resistance from the govern- ment, which seems to be so set in their ways that they simply brush aside ideas that will truly help the people of this province, simply out of ideology and spite. I find thatshameful.

My worry now is thatthis governmentwill continueforward with itspre-pandemicmandate, nottak- ing into account,given the reality of the currentprovincial economy, that that is simply unsustainable. [11:25 a.m.] A plan is needed to support all industries and m ake sure that our province doesn’t fall into a domino effect of further job losses and business closures. We need to ensure that the support is there for British Columbians as they need it.

This should have already been sorted out and ready to implement, yet here we are, halfway through the summ er, with a government that does not care to provide the province with an idea of where we will all be in the fall. I hope everyone understands what I mean when I say thatthe health of a recovery plan is justas paramountto this province as the health of its residents. R. Leonard: I speak in supportof the motion thatthis House recognizesthatthe health of British Columbians is paramount during this pandemic and that our health is part of our economic recovery and resiliency. Our government invests in people.

Without people, there is no economy. This COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated this clearly. Investing in people’s health and safety is investing in economic recovery. The novelcoronavirus landed in ourmidstearlierthis year, and the peopleof B.C. were, naturally, frightened of this infectious, deadly and unknown enemy. They were also worried about the economic impact — what would happen to their jobs, their businesses.

Peoplein some other jurisdictions are living with dis- tinctly partisan leadership and an equally distinctlack of clear, evidence-based leadership, and they are experien- cing daily record-breaking surges of COVID-19. Instead of reopening, they are retreating to shutdown, and they’re terrified. In comparison, we in B.C. have been more than fortu- nate to have the soothingexpertise of ourprovincialhealth officer, Dr. BonnieHenry. She has inspired trustand con- fidencein herhealth and safety measures as she continues to guideus through a pandemicthe likes of which no one alive has ever experienced.

Our Premier and all his cabinet have been quick to respond to the guidance of Dr. Henry and herincredible team to keep peoplesafe, to safeguard ourhealth care sys- tem and to support people, organizations and businesses through the challenges and uncertainties of the COV- ID-19 pandemic. They have parked partisanship, and they opened the doorto work across party lines to instilthe words forus to live by — thatwe are allin this together.

Theirleadership modelled the behaviour we all needed to embraceright from the start,and itis the behaviourwe need to continue to embraceas this pandemicperseveres with no treatment or resting. I’ve witnessed how the people of Courtenay-Comox cooperated, and it’s been true across the province. Life as we knew it came to a grinding halt. Heroically, people closed the doors to theirshops, and familiesstayed close to the hearth, often juggling child care, their kids’ edu- cation and working from home, if they kepttheirjobs at all. Peoplestarted to practise the safety measures of safe distancing, washing their hands.

They accepted that we couldn’tgathertogether. Today we allstillneed to practise being heroes. As of Friday, sadly, 189 souls exposed to COVID-19 are no longerwith us. Butpeople’s sacrificeshaven’tallbeen in vain. We’ve been successfulin flattening the curve, keep- ing the numberof confirmed cases permillion below the restof Canadaand mostothercountries,and we have been slowly and cautiously opening the provinceto more activ- ity.

Ourpublichealth measures have keptpeoplesafe and inspired confidenceto innovate, to open the doors of busi- ness, to work beyond the confinesof ourhomes,to explore ourprovinceand supportourB.C. businessesand services.

The Leaderof the Opposition made the statement a month ago, in this House, thatthe publichealth measures “actually don’thave anything to do with economic recov- ery.” Well, those words reveal a lack of regard for the peoplewho fuelthis economy, and itconfirms thatitcon- tinueswith the previous government’s priority to buildan economy thatbenefitsthe few atthe top, leaving the restof the people in the dust. [11:30 a.m.] I am impressed by the vast array of groundbreaking responses our government has been taking to support peoplethrough this difficulthealth emergency.

The monu- mental transformation of our long-term-care system to protect the health of workers and seniors is a first in Canada, and it’s only one of many firsts.British Columbi- ans have been reassured thattheirgovernmentis there for them, and they have feltsupported to do theirbestin fol- lowing the health and safety directions of our provincial health officer. Itmay be the emergency workerbenefitorrentrelief, or itmay be the cutto comm ercialproperty taxes or initiat- ives to providedesperately-needed cash flow to the [audio interrupted].

We are working with the peopleof B.C. to weatherthe storm and restartthe economy in this time of COVID. Success startswith confidence, and we’ve builta solid foundation. Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12077

We can work to buildB.C. back strongerbecause we’ve put the health and safety of British Columbians first. T. Redies: The health of British Columbians shouldbe paramount,a sentimentthatis shared by allmembers of the House without question. I’m thankful to Dr. Bonnie Henry and all the front-line essential workers who kept British Columbians safe over the last five months. The health of British Columbians is also inextricably linked to economic recovery, because we know in poor economic times, people suffer from stress and other ill- nesses.

Justrelying on making sure peopleare safe is not going to be enough to generate economic recovery, although I agree itis a vitalfirststep. Billions of dollars of private sectorcapitalhas been wiped outby this virus. It’s notgoing to be there to rehire peopleorrebuildinventor- ies or rebuildbusinesses. I worry thatthe ongoing, severe challenges being faced in mostindustries willcontinue to negatively affectboth the economic and medicalhealth of our people.

That’s why government needs the dynamic, bold, and aggressive plan to getthe economy back on its feet,but more importantly, to instillconfidencein the business sec- tor so they can invest and create jobs. But there is no plan in sightwith this government.B.C.’s competitiveness was already tanking before COVID-19 by the decisions and lack of economic vision of this government. Busi- nesses have hadto bearthe bruntof the NDP’s 23 new and increased taxes, made worse now because of the serious reduction in available private capital for reinvestment.

This is not just an issue of attracting investment from other jurisdictions, but simply keeping businesses afloat. What’s going to happen when the federalCERB and other supports run out? How and where is this government going to step up to avertfurthereconomic hardship? Cur- rently, there is no answer. Economic stimulus spending shouldhelp individuals and businesses getback on their feet,butwe know thatit’s notsustainableoverthe longer term, given the already staggering deficitswe are seeing at the federal and provincial levels.

A vibrant private sector is ultimately the sustainable engine thatcreates good-paying, sustainablejobs forBrit- ish Columbians. Getting to work on job creation needs to be an imm ediate priority. We currently have the fourth- highest unemployment rate in the country, and women and youth have been particularly hard hit. Youth unem- ploymentin B.C. is up 266 percentsinceJanuary, butonly up 114 percent in the rest of Canada. That means B.C. has done more than twiceas badly as the restof Canada in retaining jobs foryoung people.

We know adultfemale unemploymenthas worsened by 37 percentmore in B.C. since January than the rest of Canada. If combatting COVID-19 for the NDP is only about growingthe publicsectorpermanently, thenwe have aser- ious problemon ourhands. If that’s the NDP government’s plans, in the absenceof any plan to address business com- petitiveness and taxation in this province, well then, I’m deeply worried for both the economy and the health of British Columbians going forward in the coming months. N.

Simons: Itgives me pleasure to addmy voiceto the motion putforward this morning: “Be itresolved thatthis House agree thatthe health of British Columbians is para- mount during this pandemic and part of our economic recovery and resiliency.” I find it interesting, and perhaps predictable, that the opposition will find itsusual tropes and bring them out and repeat them. Kind of shocking in a way, at times, when a government that’s being praised for its handling of a crisis is suddenly spiteful and suddenly basing their decisions purely on ideology.

The memberforRichmond- Steveston was over the top. [11:35 a.m.] We have a governmentand a publichealth system that are working together. Publicservants,the ministry work- ers, are allactively working on making sure thatoureco- nomy recovers as we as a society protect ourselves. I don’tthink there’s any doubtthatwe’ve done wellin term s of flattening the curve. I’m sure that we’re going to have to continue and redoubleour efforts. We don’t know what next m onth will bring in term s of public health.

I think that government has shown itself to be adaptableon itsfeetto the dynamically changing needs of our comm unities. To suggest that, as the opposition does…. Suddenly, they’re all interested in what they’re calling a plan. Well, we were asking for a plan to reducepoverty for — I don’t know — 12 years thatI satin opposition. “We don’tneed a plan. We don’t need a plan.” Well, we’re dealing with a dynamic situation now that is changing every day. We need to be able to adapt.

We’re already doing things to ensure thatpeople, who are atthe core of every smallbusi- ness, who are at the core of every industry, who are at the core of ourtourism sectorand ourtransportation sec- tor…. If itwere notfor governmentensuring thatpeople are looked after, we wouldn’tbe talkingaboutrecovery yet. We’ve done amazing things, I think, in the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that our fruit-growing industry is sustained with careful publichealth measures to ensure that the workers required are adequately cared for and their health is being monitored.

That’s part of our gov- ernment’s perspective on ensuring thatpeopleare looked after, and consequently that the businesses that they’re associated with are being looked after as well. I think maybe the Leaderof the Opposition misspoke orsaid something he didn’tquite mean. Everybody so far, that I’ve heard, agrees that publichealth, ensuring that the publicis protected, is the best way to ensure that we recoverstrongly, thatwe recoverwith the ability to main- tain thatrecovery.

Withoutthe decisions and the choices thatwe’ve madeas a government— and I think, in most cases, with agreementfrom members of the opposition — 12078 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

to supportsmallbusinessesand to supportindividuals and families as we all deal with this situation…. Just to talk about, for example…. The member for Kelowna–Lake Country, I think it was, said people are anxious to have a plan. Well, we’re all anxious, and part of addressing thatanxiety is being aparticipantin making that plan.

The government was clear that $1.5 billion would be allocated to address certain specific needs of comm unities,and that’s why ourgovernmentcontinuesto acceptinputfrom allthe publicin orderto make sure that we have agood plan as we continue to dealwith the chan- ging realities of the pandemic. T. Shypitka: On behalfof my constituentsof the Koo- tenay East,I wouldlike to addthe perspective of my region to the following motion, thatbe itresolved thatthis House agree thatthe health of British Columbians is paramount during this pandemic and partof oureconomic recovery and resiliency.

To date, the pandemic has unfortunately claimed the lives of 189 British Columbians and thousands more have been affected. To the friends and family of those we have lost, I offer my sincerest condolences. Contrary to what the memberforPowellRiver–Sunshine Coastjustsaid on governmentbeing praised forthe recovery effort,I would like to respond by saying: if notfor the work of Dr. Bon- nie Henry and her team at the B.C.

Centre for Disease Control, many more wouldhave lost theirlives or been exposed to the virus. [11:40 a.m.] There’s also one otherunsung hero in this success of our personalhealthduringthis pandemic,and thatis ourbusi- ness comm unity, and in particular, our small businesses that have had to shut down from the start of the out- break. In short,the economicalsacrificesthatsmallbusi- ness owners have hadto endure from the onsetof this pan- demicensured thatallof us in B.C. couldenjoy the flatten- ing of the curve to the pointwhere B.C. is one of the most successful jurisdictions on the planet.

The tourism sector is the hardesthit,and even though British Columbians are doing theirpart, with many now exploring this beautiful province exclusively, we can’t replacethe number of visitors we are normally used to. That’s whatI wouldlike to focus on — economic recovery for small business. Mostof ourprovincialeconomy is comprised of small and medium-sized businesses. Last week the Minister of Financemadealittlehistory in ourprovinceand probably not for something she wouldlike to be remembered for.

The currentgovernmentdelivered the largestbudgetdefi- cit in provincial history, estimated to be $12.5 billion at present. It is likely to balloon even more. This is notunlike whatmany governmentsare experi- encing around the world, butitshouldbe recognized that we are nottalking about$12.5 billion in additionalspend- ing. We are talking about a $6.3 billion drop in govern- ment revenues. That is a substantial amount of money. The Finance Ministeralso projectsthatBritish Colum- bians will lose a quarter-million jobs. That’s about 13.4 percent of the B.C. workforce.

The provincial economy willshrink by 7 percent.Retailsaleswilldrop 16 percent. Housing startswilldrop as much as 40 percent,and salary and wages will be reduced by a collective $1 billion. Whateverwas contained in Budget2020 lastFebruary is now officially nulland void. That’s why MLAs on this side of the House are asking questions and providing the gov- ernmentwith constructive policy initiatives thatwillcon- tribute to economic recovery. Yet,after four months, we still don’t have an economic recovery plan. In my region, the great Elk Valley, we are known as a holiday destination.

Fourseasons of skiing, golfing, camp- ing, hiking, fishing and boating, and the list is endless. However, there is no more importantseason than whatis happening right now — the high summ er season. Busi- ness owners rightnow willknow in the nextmonth ortwo whether they have a business or they don’t. Instead of taking direct and boldaction on a business plan, the governmenthas launched aquestionnaire forthe publicto fillout.That’s notgood enough. This is happen- ing rightnow. This is nota dress rehearsal. Itis do or die for many small business owners.

As the Leaderof the Opposition has repeatedly sug- gested, small business cannot afford to take a m ajor hit in COVID tax arrears com e this September. Mostsmall businesses are running on fumes and have few resources to m eet obligations to pay back taxes such as the employerhealth tax, provincialsalestax, carbon tax and a host of other taxes yetsom ehow hire back employees at the sam e time. Oursmallbusiness and medium-sized business sectors need help, and they need help now. We are calling fortem- porary tax relief— nottax deferral— to give smallbusi- ness the time it needs to get back on its feet.

Winston Churchillonce said: “Healthy citizens are the greatest asseta country can have.” However, Henry Ford oncestated: “Economy has frequently nothing whateverto do with the amount of money being spent, but with the wisdom used in spending it.” BritishColumbians need aboldeconomic recovery plan now or those employees living of government. B. D’Eith:Today, I rise in supportof the m emberfor Burnaby North’s resolution. It’s critically importantthat we understand how ourhealth underpins oureconomy.

Of course, we are living in uncertain times, and there are two things at the top of the mind of the publicand for this government: the health and livelihoods of Brit- ish Columbians. Now, the Leaderof the Opposition claimed in question period that publichealth measures “actually don’t have anything to do with economic recovery.” That’s patently Monday, July 20, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12079

absurd. COVID has actually taught us that the health of the economy depends on the health of our people. The leaderopposite that day also described the reopening as a “public health declaration unrelated to economic response.” [11:45 a.m.] What the opposition’s leader’s logic fails to consideris thatpublicanxiety overthe pandemic would’ve leftbusi- nesses without customers even longerif we hadn’t acted. We only have to look south of the borderto see whathap- pens to businesses when public health is ignored. We can’t thank Dr. Henry, the Minister of Health and ourpublichealth teams enough.

They managed this pan- demicincredibly well. Togetherwith the British Columbia public,we flattened the curve, and British Columbians are now — because of that— confidentthata safe reopening is possible. Where it mattered, this government, like the public, took drastic action at great personal and financial cost, forthe publicgood. Entire sectors closed overnight.Itwas devastating, but people knew it was the right thing to do. Likewise, our government did not flinch to provide drastic economic supports to British Columbians, throughout the pandemic, through the B.C. COVID-19 action plan.

Through this plan, we’ve provided over$5 bil- lion in supports,and we’ve earmarked another$1.5 billion for announcements this fall. That’s 600,000 British Columbians who’ve received a one-time, tax-free, $1,000 B.C. emergency benefit for workers. That’s over200,000 peoplewho have benefited from the incom e and disability and assistancecrisis sup- plements,and m ore than 81,000 applications have been approved for the temporary rental reliefsupplement to date.

We moved to enhancethe federalcomm ercialrentrelief program, which provides75 percentreduction in rentfor hard hitbusinesses by preventing evictions of comm ercial tenantsthat wouldqualify — an important thing for the province to do. More than 80 percent of B.C. families received an enhanced climate action tax credit in July, helping families with an additional $450, doubling the annual amount. I couldgo on and on. Well, I willgo on.

We broughta job-protected leave for peopleunableto work, for COV- ID-19, and we gotthe federalgovernmentto commi tto a two-week paid sick leave, because we do notneed to have peoplecomingto work sick. We need them to stay athome if they’re sick. Whatexactly wouldthe opposition have us do?Perhaps they are suggesting thatit’s atime forausterity, which they were so famous for while they were in government.

Well, I think not.In fact,today the CBC reported apoll thatfound thata majority of British Columbians approve of the province’s COVID-19 response but also support a transition towards a more equitableand sustainablepost- pandemic economy. That’s why taking a momentto con- sult with British Columbians is so important in how to spend this recovery money. Now, what about leadership?

At the beginning of the pandemic in April, the leaderwent on a podcast, This Is Vancolour, and repeatedly criticized the Premier for not putting his facein frontof the media— presumably some- thing that the Leader of the Opposition would have done. Well, in fact,the Premierputscienceup front.Dr. Bon- nie Henry and the Minister of Health led the media announcements.

In B.C., we put politics and egos aside, and we turned the flooroverto ourmedicalexperts.That freed up time for the Premier to focus on important nationaland internationalissues with the federalgovern- ment, such as closing the borders to non-essential traffic and ensuring thatthe federalprograms worked forevery- one in British Columbia. Senior economic analystsfrom Deloitte and TD con- clude that B.C. continues to be the economic envy of the country, m ainly due to ourrelatively strong position in term s of the pandemic, our publichealth. Again, the hon.

Leaderof the Opposition m aintained thatreopen- ing m easures were exclusively the dom ain of public health and “hadabsolutely nothing to do with economic perform ance.” Now, top economistsgetwhatthe Leaderof the Opposi- tion clearly doesn’t.The health of oureconomy completely depends on the confidenceof ourconsumers and ourpub- licand on the health and safety of ourworkers. That’s why I wholeheartedly supportthis motion, and I encourage the opposition to do the same. S.

Cadieux: I was happy to have the opportunity to speak to this m otion today, because I believe it’s one that no m ember of the House wouldhave reservations aboutsupporting. The health of British Columbians is of course a m ajor concern to all of us, and one which we take very seriously. WhileI respect the member for Burnaby North, I am troubled thatshe chose to insinuate thatthe previous gov- ernmentwas somehow to blame for some of the COVID challenges thatwe’ve hadin British Columbia.It’s distaste- ful, and it’s desperate.

I’llinform the memberthatI losta family member, an extended family member, to COVID-19 in anothercoun- try, in long-term care. [11:50 a.m.] The deaths here have been tragic. Familiesare hurting. Familiesare still hurting because they cannot visit their family in long-term care and providethem with the com- fort and support that they normally do. Member, we are allin this together.

Forthe government members to be placing blame on a previous government that hasn’t been in power for more than three years and putting so much emphasis on a leaderof an opposition party, during a crisis thatthey and theirgovernmentneed to manage, is pathetic and offensive. Let’s remember, 12080 British Columbia Debates Monday, July 20, 2020

Members, that all of us fully supported the effortsof Dr. Henry and the health team throughoutthis pandemicand continue to. It wasn’t the time for disagreement. It was a time forelected officials to come togetherand demonstrate the importance of following Dr. Henry’s advice. In-person meetings were replaced by Zoom calls, din- ners with friends replaced by FaceTime and comm utes to work by strolls around neighbourhoods. By following guidelines, staying home and socially distancing, the peopleof B.C. helped flatten the curve and bring us to the placewhere we’re ableto cautiously reopen the economy together.

However, as the very wording of this motion suggests, health is a part of our economic recovery. It is not and willnotbe the entirety of it.Health is the foundation of a recovery, butwe can’tsitback overthe comingmonths and say, “Well, health protection measures are the only con- cern, and we can justkeep operatingthe same way, and the economy will recover on itsown,” because frankly, that’s false. It’s not a reasonable course of action. Health measures must— and I stress must— underpin everything we do going forward, butwe need a realplan for economic recovery. [Mr.

Speaker in the chair.] The Finance Minister announced last week that we’re looking at a $12½ billion deficit, the largest in the province’s history. The unemployment rate sits above 13 percent, and it’s higher amongst women and youth. The business council estimates our economy will shrink by 7.8 percent.CERB is ending soon, and deferred taxes will come due at the end of September. The province is looking at a fall that will be full of unknowns. The Premier has promised to match federal recovery dollars for the province and to go deeper into deficitto doso.

That’s misleading, then, forgovernmentto imply that these things won’t have an impact on people. These things will have a devastating impact on many peopleif the governmentdoesn’thave a realplan foreco- nomic recovery, one thatlooks atevery facetof oureco- nomy, one to promptgrowth and create jobs — aplan that will truly lead to recovery. Sending outasurvey fourmonths into apandemicdoes notsuggestthatgovernmenthas any semblance of a plan to address the economic needs of British Columbians. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our priorities, I think, formany peoplepersonally, forhouseholds, and itmustas a province.

We’ve had to focus ourentirety on the health response — and of course we wantto do that— butnow, we can’tpretend thatfrom a full-scalehealth response, we can simply turn the dialdown and getback to normal. We have to turn the dial up on economic recovery. We have to be purposefulaboutit.Itdoesn’tmean, nor have any of us eversuggested, thathealth measures don’t remain essential. They just aren’t an economic plan.

We need a government with a plan, a government commi t- ted to seeing the people of B.C. through the entirety of this crisis, notjustthe very-needed healthresponse butthe critical economic response that needs to follow. We can’tlook atitas a choicebetween one orthe other. Rebuilding the economy does not need to happen at the expense of ourprovince’s health, butitinstead shouldbe informed by it,taking needed steps forward as a partof a real and comprehensive plan for recovery. M.

Elmore: I’m very pleased to speak in favourof the motion moved by the memberfor Burnaby North: “Be it resolved that this House agree that the health of British Columbians is paramountduring this pandemic and part of our economic recovery and resiliency.” British Columbians are worried about their health, understandably, and theirlivelihoods, and this pandemic has impacted allof us. We have madeprogress flattening the curve because of ourcommi tmentto supporting each otherand comingtogetheras acomm unity to respond. We have listened to and followed the expertise of ourprovin- cialhealth officer, Dr.

Bonnie Henry, and the B.C. Centre forDisease Control, and we know whathappens whenjur- isdictions don’t do that. We don’t have to look far. [11:55 a.m.] South of the borderhighlightshow U.S. leaders have taken adifferentapproach, and theirfederalgovernment and som e states have not followed publichealth advice of D

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20200720am Hansard n342
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20200720am Hansard n342
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	b73877c8ebe2a6ca4ec647229971fc4d4f3bbdba

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