British Columbia Hansard — Monday, April 28, 2014

20140428pm-Hansard-v11n2

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, April 28, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 11, Number 2

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

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

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

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

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation......................................................................................................Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ......................................................................................................................................................Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

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

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) .............................................................

Nanaimo Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Hon.

Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) .................................................. Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon.

Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Darryl (BC Liberal) ....................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon.

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

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

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

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

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ............................................................................Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ..................................................................................Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola....................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon.

Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan .........................................................

Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ............................................................................... Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................

Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie .............................................................

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

Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon. Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley..............................................................................

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

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

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

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

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Monday, April 28, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Ministerial Statements ............................................................................................................................................................ 3157 National Day of Mourning for workers Hon. S. Bond H. Bains Holocaust remembrance Hon. T. Wat B.

Ralston Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 3158 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3158 Participation in 10K events Michelle Stilwell Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 3158 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 3160 Bill M210 — Workplace Accountability Act, 2014 H.

Bains Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 3161 St. Th omas More Knights boys basketball team R. Lee Hospice services in Campbell River C. Trevena Worker safety and Day of Mourning for workers G. Kyllo Vancouver Island Brewery and craft brewing industry R. Fleming Holocaust remembrance Moira Stilwell Green Team and Earthfest at Campus View Elementary School A.

Weaver Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3163 Consultation on changes to agricultural land reserve A. Dix Hon. N. Letnick Disclosure of information on agricultural land reserve changes N. Simons Hon. N. Letnick Consultation on changes to agricultural land reserve and support in Kootenay area M. Mungall Hon. N. Letnick Status of agricultural land reserve legislation M. Farnworth Hon. N. Letnick B. Ralston Call for public inquiry into mill explosions H. Bains Hon. S.

Bond B. Routley

Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 3168 Forest Appeals Commission, Annual Report 2013 Environmental Appeal Board, 2012-2013 Annual Report Orders of the Day Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 3168 Bill 17 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 D. Eby Hon. A. Virk K. Corrigan R. Fleming Hon. P . Fassbender V . Huntington C. James Hon.

S. Cadieux S. Robinson Hon. C. Oakes S. Fraser Hon. B. Bennett M. Farnworth Hon. M. de Jong J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake L. Th roness Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 3192 Estimates: Ministry of Agriculture (continued) S. Fraser Hon. N. Letnick R. Austin G. Holman L. Popham N. Simons V . Huntington Estimates: Ministry of Education Hon. P . Fassbender R. Fleming

MONDAY , APRIL 28, 2014 Th e House met at 1:38 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [Th e House observed a moment of silence.] [1340] Madame Speaker: Th ank you, Members. Ministerial Statements NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS Hon. S. Bond: I rise in this House today to recognize the National Day of Mourning. It is a day when we take time to honour workers whose lives have been tragically cut short or changed forever by injury in the workplace.

It is a day when we express our heartfelt condolences for the pain felt by families who have lost a loved one and for families dealing with the aft ermath of a workplace injury. No words can adequately capture and neither can we understand the impact of the pain and heartbreak that families, co-workers and communities have experienced. But it can motivate us to do more and to do better. Today both sides of this House wear an orange pin to demonstrate our respect and in a show of remembrance. Th e Canadian fl ag is fl ying at half-mast in front of this building and at legislatures in many parts of the country.

Together we are honouring those lost or injured while on the job. I want to thank the member for Surrey-Newton, the opposition Labour critic, for raising the idea of formal recognition of this important day in the House and the idea of calling on the House to stand in a moment of si- lence. As we stood in this House together, it will remind us. It will be a symbol of our commitment to work together to support those who are dealing with loss — with the tra- gic loss of a son, a daughter, a husband, a wife, a grand- child, a neighbour, a co-worker. Any loss or injury is one too many. We can and we must do more.

Together we are committed to doing just that. H. Bains: I also join with the minister and rise on be- half of all of the members in the opposition to give our support, to remember and to honour all men and women who died or have been seriously injured on the job in British Columbia and everywhere. I'd like to begin by thanking you, Madame Speaker, and both sides of the House for agreeing with me and, for the fi rst time, formally and offi cially observing this very important and signifi cant day in the lives of work- ers, especially those who lost their loved ones.

Today we observe a moment of silence, and the fl ags are fl ying half-mast outside. It is an important day. But it is also a very sad day for those families who lost their loved ones — those mem- bers of their family who went to work and never came back, and those who came back but, due to their injuries, are no longer able to live their normal lives. Th e Day of Mourning is a solemn occasion, but the les- sons it imparts are important ones. Workers go to work to turn the wheels of our economy by producing a product or providing service to our society.

It is a normal every- day occurrence until they are tragically reminded that one of their co-workers is killed in a preventable incident. The National Day of Mourning was started by Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1984. In 1985 the Canadian Labour Congress declared it as an annual day of remembrance and picked April 28, as that is the day the Workers Compensation Act, in 1914, received its third reading and was declared law. [1345] In 1991 Canada was the fi rst country to recognize April 28 as the National Day of Mourning, and since its inception the observance has spread to over 80 countries in the world.

Th e purpose of the day of mourning is twofold. We remember and honour those who were killed or injured, and secondly, we redouble our eff orts and commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace to prevent further deaths, injuries and exposure to harmful sub- stances at work. Th e annual day of mourning serves as a reminder that safety in the workplace is paramount but that we have a long way to go to achieve our goal of preventing injur- ies and deaths. Today we rise above our diff erences in this House and have a frank and open discussion about ways and means to protect workers' health and safety.

Today there should be no two sides in this House on this issue. We work as one House, united, to ensure we enact laws that are ad- equate to provide worker safety and to enforce them vig- orously. We also need to change and work towards changing attitudes of people in authority and to educate workers that no work is so important that it cannot be done safely. HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE Hon. T.

Wat: I would like to recognize in the gal- lery Rabbi Harry Brechner of Congregation Emanu-El, Victoria; Rabbi Jonathan Infeld of Beth Israel syna- gogue, Vancouver; Peter Suedfeld; David Zimmerman of Victoria Holocaust Remembrance and Education Centre; 3157

British Columbia Debates3158 Monday, April 28, 2014 and Jason Murray, Stephanie Goldberg and their teams at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Aff airs for the important work they do educating both students and other groups throughout the entire province on the important lessons learned from the Holocaust. Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, a time for society to solemnly refl ect on history. Both organizations con- tinue to play a signifi cant role in fostering a more tolerant multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious society here in British Columbia.

We also have many members of B.C.'s Jewish com- munity in the gallery here today to commemorate the occasion. Would the House please greet them with me. B. Ralston: I want to join with the minister in the ex- pression she's made on this day of Y om HaShoah. We stand with Jews in Canada and around the world to re- member the murder of innocent men, women and chil- dren in the Holocaust. Several years ago, with my family, I visited the former Sachsenhausen concentration campoutside of Berlin, and many years ago, as a young man, I visited the Auschwitz- Birkenau concentration camp.

Th e authenticity of those surroundings makes very vivid and emotionally pene- trating to what is sometimes something that people have only read of or only heard of indirectly. Today it's important that we refl ect on the Holocaust, the lessons learned, recognize survivors and commemor- ate the victims of this momentously tragic event. Introductions by Members A. Dix: In 2012, the last year for which we have sta- tistics, 181 workers died in workplace-related incidents. One of those workers was Alan Little, who died in the Lakeland explosion in Prince George along with Glen Roche.

Alan's dad, John, gave a speech, which is avail- able to people on the Internet, in Prince George last week about his son and about the circumstances and about the need for justice. John and his wife, Mary Ann, obviously have a spe- cial reason to mourn on this National Day of Mourning. Th ey've joined us here in the galleries, and I wish all members to make them welcome. [1350] Michelle Stilwell: Today I recognize a guest in the Legislature — one of my constituents, Jim Stewart, who is an active community member, well known on many fronts. Would the House please make him feel welcome. S.

Chandra Herbert: It gives me great pleasure to welcome friends from the real estate industry. Of course, visiting us today we have friends from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board, the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors, believe it or not — they're moving out here; they want to buy real estate in B.C.; welcome; keep coming — and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. Th ere are 24 names in total. Th ey are all very important people. I'm sure you've seen their names on billboards in your communities.

I won't read them all, but please make them feel very welcome in the House today. Tributes PARTICIPATION IN 10K EVENTS Michelle Stilwell: Over the weekend British Columbians from across the province gathered to put months of hard work and training to the test, to show off their running skills here in Victoria in the Times Colonist 10K, in Vancouver in the Sun Run and in Kamloops in the Boogie the Bridge.

I would like to congratulate all those who took part and give special thanks to our Deputy Clerk of the House, Kate Ryan-Lloyd, who helped coordinate our Parliamentary Pacers, over 70 members strong, who were out in front of the Legislature for the Times Colonist. Th ey were people from all political stripes, staff , family members and friends. I hear she even outran the Minister of Health, who actually left his entire staff in his tracks. I congratulate everyone. Well done, and thank you for being such a shining example of healthy living. Introductions by Members N.

Simons: It's my pleasure to welcome Don McLeod from Powell River–Sunshine Coast, and you've seen his sign on the real estate sign. Th ank you to the member for Vancouver–West End for saying that. I also want to recognize Maggie Hathaway, my con- stituency assistant, in the House today. She's looking right down on me, so it's a little intimidating. We all have constituency assistants. We know what that's like. I'd also like — my third introduction — to recognize Darrell Powell, who's worked tirelessly on behalf of in- jured workers. He himself has gone through the process and has accomplished quite a bit.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank him for the work he does on behalf of all those in this province who have suff ered or who are suff ering from workplace accidents. Moira Stilwell: I would like to recognize, in the gallery, members of British Columbia's Jewish community and the staff of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Aff airs, Pacifi c region, for the important role they play in advocating on behalf of British Columbia's Jewish community.

From issues of anti-Semitism and support for the B.C.-Israel relationship, CIJA continues to play an important role in British Columbia's civil society, yet another example

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3159 of the historic contributions made by B.C.'s Jewish com- munity to our province. At lunch today we commemorated today as Y om HaShoah, or Holocaust Memorial Day, and reminded ourselves of tragedy so that we may learn its lessons and never repeat it. Th ank you to the survivors and descend- ants and to CIJA for being with us to mark this solemn day. In the gallery with us are Amalia Boe-Fishman, Jack Fraeme, Ella Levit, Peter Gary, Rabbi Harry Brechner, Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, David Zimmerman and Jason Murray. Will the House please join me in welcoming them. A.

Weaver: I have a number of introductions today. I'll be brief, as brief as I can. First I'd like the House to wel- come my sister, Alexandra Weaver, visiting from Calgary with her husband, Dan Biggs, and their three children, Nicholas, Charlotte and Georgia. I've recommended they leave shortly before question period. I also have the pleasure to introduce three grade 6 students from Arbutus middle school — Reina Girvan- Randall, Liv Dunsdon and Saff ron Sobkin. Th ey're ac- companied by Anita Girvan and Robert Randall.

As well, there are two grade 4 students from Campus View Elementary school — Ella Dunsdon and Amira Ahmad — and one grade 5 student from the same school, Calder Wheatley. Th ey're accompanied by their principal, David Hovis. Th ey, too, will be leaving shortly before question period today. Finally, I'd like to introduce Maia Green, who's here today. She's a founder and board chair of Friends Uniting for Nature, otherwise known as the FUN Society here in Victoria. Will the House please welcome all these young children and their accompaniers here today. [1355] D.

Horne: I have the pleasure of introducing new staff for the parliamentary education offi ce today. Th is summer 15 post-secondary students have been hired to work in the parliamentary tour offi ce. Over the next four months the nine summer student guides and six Parliamentary Players will provide free guided tours to about 100,000 schoolchildren and tourists from around the world.

Y ou certainly will notice the Parliamentary Players, as they are dressed in period costumes and portray six prominent personalities from British Columbia's history, including Queen Victoria, Nellie Cashman, MLA Ellen Smith, Francis Rattenbury, Sir James Douglas and Amor De Cosmos. I would like to welcome today Nabil Ayoub, Rachel Baker, Tabitha Black-Lock, Jacquie Brower, Claire Harwood, Kevin Eade, Danielle Florence, Annika McDowell, Bridget McGowan, Monica Ogden, Alex Schoeddert, Ian Simms, Lauriane Soutif, Megan Sylka, Melissa Taylor. Would the House make them truly wel- come. S.

Simpson: I'm pleased to introduce a couple of guests who are here from the Lower Mainland. First is Christine Bridge, who is currently completing her doc- torate at UBC. She's here today with her husband, Steven Encarnacao. Steven is the president and chief executive offi cer of Dayton Boots. Dayton Boots was started 68 years ago, producing boots on Hastings Street. It was a pub owner who de- cided that people working in the forest industry needed to have good-quality boots. Over those 68 years Dayton produces, I would say without a doubt, some of the very best boots made anywhere in the world.

Th ey're of a high quality and craft smanship, without doubt. I'm proud that Steven has kept the company on Hastings Street, in my constituency. It's fabulous. I would ask people to make Christine and Steven welcome and also to wish Steven a happy birthday. I understand it's his birthday. Hon. A. Virk: I also want to join the member from the opposite side to recognize the members of the real estate board from all across the Lower Mainland and, in particular, right in my own riding, members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and my dear friend Brenda Lee that's accompanied them.

Would the House please make them welcome. R. Fleming: It's my great pleasure to introduce some guests from a great company in our region. With us today is Barry Fisher, who is president of the Vancouver Island Brewery, and his wife, Annie Fisher, who's a member of the company's board of directors. Th ey're proud residents of Vancouver Island and staunch believers in supporting other local businesses and suppliers. With them today there are two long-term employees: Brent Pottage, who's the manager of brewery operations, and Ruth Hall, who's responsible for the orders desk.

I would ask the House to please make these four guests most welcome here this aft ernoon. J. Y ap: Madame Speaker, I have one introduction: a constituent of mine in the gallery, who I know you know. Mark Sakai is here. Please, all members, give him a warm welcome. M. Elmore: I'd like to introduce my constituent who's here with us today: Da-Hye Seol. She's a student of pol- itical science and enjoying her visit here and tour of the Legislature. I'd ask everybody to please make her wel- come. R. Sultan: In the galleries today is Mike Currie, president of the consulting fi rm Kerr Wood Leidal. Mike

British Columbia Debates3160 Monday, April 28, 2014 is in town with ACE-BC, the Association of Consulting Engineers of B.C., a group which collectively bills $3.8 billion of services around the world, is growing at 10 or 11 percent per month and accounts for about 20 percent of our tech sector. Would you please make the engin- eers welcome. S. Robinson: I join the member for Vancouver-Langara in welcoming the CIJA staff , rabbis and Holocaust sur- vivors who helped us earlier today commemorate Y om HaShoah.

As a member of Jewish community, it was a real treat to see so many come out in support of that very important day. I'd also like to welcome Jan Fishman, who, to my de- light, joined us as well. He and I were summer camp counsellors just a few years ago, and it's always a treat to see someone from just a few years ago. I'd like the House to please make them all feel very welcome. [1400] Hon. P . Fassbender: I'd like the House to join me in welcoming Barbara McNichol, here from the B.C. Business Council today. She has served the province of British Columbia in her role for over 33 years.

She has outlived fi ve BCBC presidents and 19 board chairs, and I know that she has worked on many initiatives, like NAFTA and many other things that have been absolute- ly critical to the province of British Columbia. I'd ask all members to welcome her to the House today. J. Shin: I have some of my favourite people in the House today. I have my former students from VCC, Nahida Hussein and her sister Aveen Hussein. I also have my colleague Dr. Shrikant Sridhar. I think he's in the back. I was hoping that everybody could make them feel very welcome.

I also have a Korean friend who is joining us before she goes back to Korea, and her name is Hye Y oung. If the House would please make them feel welcome. Hon. A. Wilkinson: I hate to introduce anyone as an aft erthought, but aft er the glowing introduction of Barbara McNicholls, I'm sure that the man she current- ly serves, the president and CEO of the B.C. Business Council, would feel neglected if he weren't also intro- duced. Please welcome Greg D'Avignon. B.

Ralston: I'd like to ask the House to welcome today a constituent from Surrey-Whalley, Karlo Avenido, who's here with the delegation with the member for Burnaby- Lougheed. He's also a student at SFU. M. Bernier: It's a pleasure for me to welcome here today Derek Badger, who is joined by his colleagues at Janssen Inc. Janssen's a pharmaceutical company of Johnson and Johnson and has been an innovator for the Canadian health care industry now for over 50 years.

In the gallery today we have members of Janssen's government and community relations team from across the country who are holding their annual meeting over the course of the next few days right here in our beauti- ful provincial capital. Will the House please make them welcome. Hon. D. McRae: Last December I had the honour of lighting the menorah at the Legislature, and at that event I had the opportunity to reconnect with a longtime friend, Dr. Peter Gary. Dr. Peter Gary has done amazing job talk- ing to young men and women about his Holocaust ex- periences so long ago to make sure it's very much alive today.

Dr. Gary also had the distinction of having his 90th birthday celebrated while we were on break week, so I would like the House to please give him a belated happy birthday. He's in the audience today. I also have two guests from the Comox Valley today. Jenn and Stu Tunheim are here today from the Comox Valley. Th ey used to live in Alberta, but, like many, they saw the beauty and opportunity in British Columbia and moved out here. Would the House please welcome Jen and Stu. M.

Hunt: It's with great pride that on April 14, just two weeks ago, we had the wonderful opportunity of intro- ducing Katrina Faith Hunt into this world to draw her fi rst breath. She is our 12th grandchild, and so I would ask this House to please join me in welcoming her to this beautiful province of British Columbia. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M210 — WORKPLACE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, 2014 H. Bains presented a bill intituled Workplace Accountability Act, 2014. H.

Bains: I move that the bill intituled the Workplace Accountability Act, of which notice has been given under my name on the order paper, be introduced and now read a fi rst time. Motion approved. H. Bains: In 2004 Bill C-45, the Westray bill, was enacted with the unanimous support of all parties in Parliament. Since that time more than 1,350 unnecessary deaths have happened in British Columbia, and no one has been held accountable for those. Th e Babine sawmill and the Lakeland sawmill explo- sions killed four and injured 42 others very seriously, and yet no one has been held accountable. Th is bill ensures

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3161 that corporate executives and directors are held account- able for cases of negligence causing workplace death or injury. A Crown prosecutor will be dedicated and trained to deal with workplace fatality and serious injury cases so that the likelihood of conviction may be determined more accurately. Th is bill also requires both police and WorkSafe B.C. inspectors to be trained on

section 217.1 of the Criminal Code. Th is would ensure that these parties understand this law and its application and would in turn lead to better collection of evidence to support Crown counsel's decision-making. [1405] In addition, this bill requires mandatory police investi- gation of all workplace fatalities and serious injury cases, which is essential, because these investigations are ne- cessary to determine whether criminal negligence exists.

Finally, this bill also calls for Crown and police to de- velop a specialized prosecution policy for workplace fatality or serious injury cases, similar to what is done in domestic violence. Th is bill is introduced in the hope that justice is served to the victims and their families and that those in author- ity are held accountable for negligence causing workplace deaths or serious injuries. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting aft er today.

Bill M210, Workplace Accountability Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) ST. THOMAS MORE KNIGHTS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM R. Lee: It gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to recognize the boys basketball team at St. Th omas More. I would like to congratulate the St. Th omas More Knights for claiming their fi rst high school provincial boys basketball title in almost 40 years at the Langley Events Centre.

Together, they have practised hard and developed their skills on the court, at school, in their parents' driveways and at community recreation centres. Together, they have played as a team to communicate and share a common goal. Basketball is a team sport where fi ve players on the court play as one. Th e boys basketball team at St. Th omas More has built lasting friendships and strong memories, and they have demonstrated leadership and sportsman- ship. Th ey have striven for excellence, and they have ac- complished a milestone. Th ey have made their team, their school and their community very proud.

In basketball an individual is only as great as their team and the people that support them. Th anks to the St. Th omas More Knights head coach, Aaron Mitchell, and to all the coaches, staff , supervisors, chaperones, parents and volunteers for truly making this milestone possible. Th ank you for helping these athletes develop their full potential this season and for preparing them for success so that they could claim their fi rst provincial hoop ban- ner in almost nearly 40 years. Congratulations for winning the provincial triple-A title. I wish the entire St.

Th omas More basketball team best wishes on the court, in the classroom and in the community. HOSPICE SERVICES IN CAMPBELL RIVER C. Trevena: Hospice is a wonderful concept, helping people with terminal illness as they progress towards death. Hospice is fundamentally diff erent from hospi- tals. In hospital you're seeking a cure; in hospice you're not. Y ou're seeking peace, comfort, support and dignity as you approach death. It's those diametrically opposed approaches — fi nd- ing a cure or accepting death — which really under- line why hospice needs its own place, not just a bed in a hospital ward.

While palliative care doctors try to make those last days as peaceful as possible, a hospital is never a peaceful place. Campbell River is extraordinarily lucky to have the hospice society, a dedicated team of volunteers, with just a few staff , who work to bring the philosophy and prac- tice of hospice into people's homes and, where necessary, into hospital. It has a modest dream: just one dedicated hospice bed. It's not much, really, for the support it would give countless families in the north Island. Most people know someone touched by the work of hospice, but so much more could be done.

Hospice makes sense on more than an emotional and psychological level. It's cheaper also. It costs around $1,100 a day to keep someone in the hospital, while it's $270 a day in a hospice. Sadly, the Campbell River Hospice Society has to spend an extraordinary amount of time fundraising just to provide the services it does. Th is weekend sees the annual Angel Rock dinner, but there are concerts, draws and auctions through the year.

Th is is partly due to the disproportionate money spent on hospice in Victoria compared to the rest of Vancouver Island: $10.40 per cap- ita here in Victoria and 22 cents per capita in Campbell River. It'd take $100,000 a year to run a hospice house in Campbell River. Th at'll be a long time coming at 22 cents a head, so while people in Campbell River continue to support, however they can, the dream to have a hospice house, it still feels very distant. [1410]

British Columbia Debates3162 Monday, April 28, 2014 Th e sad truth is we know about death. We know about terminal illness. We do not translate that knowledge into fi nancial, legislative or mandated support of hos- pice houses. WORKER SAFETY AND DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS G. Kyllo: I rise in the House today to recognize the National Day of Mourning, today recognized across our great country. Today we take the time to honour workers whose lives were tragically cut short or changed forever by workplace injuries. Canada was the fi rst nation to recognize the Day of Mourning 30 years ago, in 1984.

Since then, acknow- ledgment of the Day of Mourning has spread around the globe. Since 1997 the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Business Council of B.C. and WorkSafe B.C. have co-hosted a pub- lic commemorative ceremony for the Day of Mourning in Vancouver. In 2001 these same groups dedicated a permanent workers memorial in the sanctuary in Hastings Park in Vancouver. It is the fi rst of 45 permanent worker memorial sites that now exist across our province. Today tens of thousands of workers and employees will attend Day of Mourning ceremonies across the province.

We stand together with them today by wearing Day of Mourning ribbon pins on both sides of the House. Th at's because it's important for each and every one of us to take

part in addressing worker safety. It is why we must all build a safety culture that makes the kinds of traged- ies marked today a thing of the past. Together we have made progress. Th e traumatic fatality rate is almost 40 percent lower than it was 20 years ago. Th e Day of Mourning reminds us that every life is pre- cious and that all workplace parties need to be diligent in health and safety. Each of us, on both sides of the House, wants every worker to return home at the end of their working day to family and friends.

Together, workers, employers and government need to build a culture of safety every day and for every work- place. If we all work together, we can prevent these tra- gedies from occurring in the future, and perhaps we can forever put an end to the need for a day of mourning. V ANCOUVER ISLAND BREWERY AND CRAFT BREWING INDUSTRY R. Fleming: Victoria can trace its brewing history back to 1858 when, during the time of Gov. James Douglas, thousands of thirsty miners rushed to the wilds of New Caledonia. Victoria's clean spring water produced beers of great reputation and wide export.

Th en in 1917 this entire industry was doomed with the passage of the tem- perance act in this very chamber. Th ankfully, in recent years craft brewing has had a re- markable renaissance, and thanks must go to Vancouver Island Brewery, celebrating a milestone anniversary this week — 30 years in business. So, too, are many long-term employees, as well as members of the company's board of directors.

Th e pioneering spirit of Vancouver Island Brewery is kept strong by the guiding hand of long-term owners Barry and Anne Fisher, whose time, eff ort and resources have kept alive their commitment to producing award- winning natural craft beers. Victoria is now regarded as the hub of this industry, outpacing other self-styled craft brewery centres like Portland, Oregon, to win Victoria respect as home to some of the best craft brewers in the Pacifi c Northwest and, indeed, the world.

Vancouver Island Brewery was the island's fi rst craft brewery, and from its humble beginnings in Central Saanich grew the company's belief that British Columbia could compete in a global industry. Th is Island-owned, Island-grown institution has maintained an unwaver- ing commitment to supporting B.C. communities, local partners and suppliers, helping to keep dollars within our community. Breweries historically have played an important role in their communities, and this brewery holds true to this tradition by supporting so many local non-profi ts, arts, sport and music organizations, festivals and events.

Th ough times have changed and many new players have emerged on the scene, Vancouver Island Brewery celebrates not only its accomplishments but those of their friends in the craft beer industry. Together, craft brewers are providing a unique and sought-aft er pro- duct British Columbia has become known for in quality and excellence. An anniversary such as this wouldn't be possible with- out the exceptional eff orts being put in by its people, and a number of employees who've worked at the brewery are now celebrating 20 and 30 years with that company.

I would ask the House to join me in congratulating Vancouver Island Brewery for its 30 years in business. HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE Moira Stilwell: It is with sympathy, compassion and humility that I rise today in commemoration of Y om HaShoah.

Y om HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah literally translates to the "day of remembrance of the Holocaust and heroism." Each year, based on the Jewish lunar cal- endar, the global community recognizes, pays tribute to and honours the six million voices that were silenced during the Holocaust. [1415] In fact, many of us here today attended the memorial service here at the Legislature, where we stood together to unite with Jewish people throughout the world in re- membrance of those who faced these events fi rsthand, to mourn them and to remember them. By remembering

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3163 them, we pledge to learn from this dark

chapter in our history and to prevent it from ever being repeated. We all have a part to play in making our world a bet- ter place to live, to assist those who are indefensibly op- pressed and being discriminated against. In saying this, I would like to quote from the words of Simon Wiesenthal, an Austrian-born Holocaust survivor, who said: "For evil to fl ourish, it only requires good men to do nothing." Keeping in mind the wise words of Mr. Wiesenthal, let us strive to be stewards of justice and righteousness in our communities and within our global community.

Let us always keep in our hearts and prayers those whom we have lost in the Holocaust and other mass genocides. GREEN TEAM AND EARTHFEST AT CAMPUS VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A. Weaver: Today I would like to share an inspiring story about children at Campus View Elementary School in my riding. Th ey are making a diff erence in our com- munity. In 2011 two grade 3 students, Reina Girvan- Randall and her friend Holly Edquist, pitched an idea of creating an environmental club to their school principal, Mr. David Hovis. He thought it was a great idea, and so it all began.

Th e Green Team started small but quickly grew when Liv Dunsdon, Saff ron Sobkin and four others signed on. By the time the Green Team was in grade 4, they had a vision, a vision of hosting an Earthfest at their school to coincide with Earth Day. Th anks to the generous sup- port of Maia Green and the Friends Uniting for Nature Society, otherwise known as the FUN Society, Reina Girvan-Randall and her team were able to launch their fi rst Earthfest in 2012.

In 2013 Campus View's Earthfest won a national prize, one of only ten schools from 600 submissions to receive $25,000 in computer equipment from Staples Canada. Th is past week I had the honour and pleasure to attend the third year that Campus View hosted its community- wide Earthfest, the goal always being to have fun and create broader community environmental awareness and change. There are now 42 students on the Green Team in grades 4 and 5, including Amira Ahmad, Ella Dunsdon and Calder Wheatley.

Th ey are coached by parent vol- unteers Anita Girvan and Narda Nelson, Campus View teacher Ladena Racine-Tran and principal David Hovis. Many organizations from our community partici- pate in Earthfest, including the CRD sustainable educa- tion, Victoria Natural History Society, Capital Region Beekeepers Association, Orca Books and many more. And what happened to those grade 3 girls who start- ed this all off ? Well, they're now in grade 6 at Arbutus Middle School. Th ey've gone on to form an organiza- tional team called VERT — Victoria Eco Rally Team.

We have so much to learn from the creativity and innovation displayed by the children and youth in our society. Th ey are our future, and their passion fi lls me with hope and optimism for a prosperous and sustainable tomorrow. Oral Questions CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE A. Dix: Over the break there was a change on the gov- ernment side. First of all, I know on behalf of all members of the House, we want to say that our thoughts and pray- ers are with the member for Peace River North as he con- tinues his health struggles. Th ose circumstances led….

We want to congratulate the new Minister of Agriculture, as well, on his appointment and the spirit with which he took that appointment. When the minister took on his new assignment, he committed to a wide-ranging provincewide consulta- tion on the future of the agricultural land reserve and the Agricultural Land Commission. People in British Columbia took him very seriously when he said that and saw that as a positive sign for the future of the reserve and the future of the commission. Th e next day the Minister Responsible for Core Review said something very diff erent. He said: "Am I open to changes?

I can tell you the government is not interested in fundamentally changing." In other words, the Minister Responsible for Core Review said that the Minister of Agriculture's consultations were a sham. [1420] My question to the Minister of Agriculture is simple. Who speaks for the government in agriculture matters — the Minister of Agriculture or the Minister Responsible for Core Review? And is this process what he said it would be? Hon. N. Letnick: Well, fi rst of all, I'd like to thank the leader of the hon. opposition for his comments. I appreci- ate the congratulations.

Also, I'd like to join him in wish- ing our colleague the member for Peace River North the best of health. Hopefully, he'll be back in this place repre- senting the people of Peace River North and working on behalf of all British Columbians as soon as possible. It is a privilege to be back in the chair as Minister of Agriculture in British Columbia.

It's been two weeks since I adopted this role once again, and I can defi nite- ly say that I've been listening to and reading a lot about the Agricultural Land Commission and Bill 24 in par- ticular — which, I understand, according to the rules of the House, we're not debating here at this time. But def- initely over the last two weeks a lot of my attention has been on that. I've had an opportunity to meet with the leaders in agriculture as represented by the B.C. Ag Council. We had a good meeting for an hour and a half. At that point,

British Columbia Debates3164 Monday, April 28, 2014 I invited them to meet with me again, whereby we spent all day Wednesday, seven hours, in Abbotsford, going over, I'd say, Bill 24, but going over issues of the Land Commission and the land reserve. From that prospect and the consultations that I have been getting, with the communications I've been getting from people all around B.C. stacked high on my desk, I believe that we have a good process that is proceeding right now. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A.

Dix: What the Minister of Agriculture said subse- quent to that meeting was that there would be a province- wide consultation. What he said was that all options are on the table, something his colleague excluded the next day, something his colleague said no to the next day. "We are not fundamentally changing." Th at's what the min- ister said. Y ou know, it's not the usual invective, but still. The question is pretty simple to the Minister of Agriculture.

If you want a full-scale consultation, you want to listen to British Columbians, because British Columbians have something to say about the agricul- tural land reserve. Th ey support it, and they oppose this government's direction. Th is is about those consultations. What is the minister going to do to engage in a full-scale consultation, and what does he say to his colleague who says nobody over there is going to listen? Hon. N. Letnick: Again, it gives me great pleasure to stand and respond to a question from the Leader of the Opposition.

Th e key thing to remember here is that the legislation was introduced to help sustain farming families on good agricultural land. It's exactly what the legislation purports to do. It's to help farmers grow their businesses so they can continue to be successful on that land. It's to help farming families so that they can…. I'm getting the look as if I'm moving over into the bill. All right, so I will continue. It was really to ensure that the ALC can continue doing its great work. Also, in addition to that, in addition to all of the letters that I've been reading….

I would encourage all British Columbians that have some more comments to make on ALC and ALR matters to continue writing to me. I'm reading every letter that I get, and I'm using those letters and the consultation that I've had with the leadership on the BCAC and the leadership on the ALC to form a consultation process that will move out over the next few weeks. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a further supplemental. [1425] A. Dix: Th e minister was clear. He was clear, and I'm referring to the consultation process here. What is the consultation about?

It's about everything from amending the bill to leaving it alone to removing the bill. "I haven't landed on any particular recommendation yet." Well, his colleague has landed on a recommendation. Th e question is: who is it? Is this a sham process? Is the Minister of Agriculture coming in and presenting us with a sham process? Or should we take him at his word, which we all hope to do, which is that it's a serious pro- cess? Really, there's a choice here. Th ere is nothing, no reason — the government has broken its election prom- ises on this question — to proceed with changes now. Th ere was a process in 2002.

Th at's out the window. Th ere was a process in 2012. Th at's out the window. If you want to be serious about this, if you want people to take you at your word on this, then there's only one thing you can do, which is withdraw the legislation based on consultation. If the minister is sincere in his consultation, they can come back any time. But it is not right for a new minis- ter to come in and claim consultation, claim he's listen- ing and then have that process turned into a sham. Is it a serious process, or is his colleague the Minister for Core Review correct? Hon. N.

Letnick: Well, many people in this House can get very passionate about many issues. I am one of those as well. I show my passion maybe in a diff erent way. I show it by rolling up my sleeves and taking the time to read every letter that I've received from British Columbians all across this great province. Everyone in this House believes in the ALR. Everyone in this House believes in agriculture. Everyone in this House wants to see farm families succeed all throughout British Columbia, from coast to coast. Th e hon. member, the hon. Leader of the Opposition, poses a very straightforward question.

I am showing through my actions that I intend to follow with what I said. I am moving forward with working on reading the letters. I am moving forward with consulting with the members of the BCAC. I am working with the leadership in the Agricultural Land Commission. I have asked staff , as I said before, to come back to me with some propos- als on how we can do the consultative process on Bill 24, and I plan to update my caucus on that in the near future. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE CHANGES N. Simons: I'm afraid that the minister's response has probably satisfi ed no one.

A reading process is not exactly a consultation process, especially when another member of the same cabinet is contradicting the minister. British Columbians should know what led their gov- ernment to consider threatening the agricultural land that we have reserved for future generations. But a freedom-of-information request to try to fi nd out came

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3165 back with 93 blank pages. Th e people of B.C. deserve to be consulted before ma- jor changes are contemplated, not aft er. Th ey also deserve to know how these changes came about. We get 93 blank pages. Will the Agriculture Minister, whoever is respon- sible, show us what's on those blank pages? Will he tell British Columbians exactly what they considered before threatening the agricultural land reserve? Hon. N. Letnick: Th ank you to the critic for a good question once again.

Th e FOI requests were processed by our trusted, professional staff in the Legislature, in the government — those public servants who are tasked with the responsibility of making sure our FOIPPA legislation, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, is followed. And they did so, as they should. Let me add one more thing while I'm up in this par- ticular case. As soon as I got the job, I said: "Well, I won- der how things have changed in the last year or so since I was here before. I opened up Country Life magazine and started reading things like: "Th e greenhouse industry is booming.

Th ings are better." The greenhouse industry is one of the things we brought in — the tax exemption for carbon tax — pri- or to the election. I see: "Farm sector back in the black," "Farmers markets increase membership," "Bull market in B.C. beef business," "Cherries going to China" — and, hopefully, soon blueberries. [1430] A 20 percent increase, of course, in last year's budget. All of these things help to continue to sustain agriculture right here in British Columbia. I'm proud of it.

I'm going to help them achieve that $14 billion that we set as a goal for 2017, and I hope one day we can all stand here with that goal behind us. Madame Speaker: Powell River–Sunshine Coast on a supplemental. N. Simons: Four questions in, and he's already duck- ing the questions. Before the election the Premier prom- ised openness and transparency, and before the election there was no word about making any changes to the agricultural land reserve. Now we have a minister mak- ing vague plans to consult or read letters that he receives, which would be a fi rst.

Th e other thing is that we have the other minister who just folds his arms and says no to everything. British Columbians deserve to know who and what are behind the changes being proposed. Why is there such secrecy, and what is the rush? Will the Agriculture Minister commit today to release all studies, reports and assessments, including briefi ng notes, so that we as British Columbians will have the openness and transpar- ency that the Premier and this minister promised? Hon. N. Letnick: Not to be too repetitive, but I'll try my best again.

Th e FOI requests are processed by trusted professional public servants whose decisions and actions are guided by the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act. If anyone disagrees with a decision about the release of information, a request can be fi led with the Information and Privacy Commissioner to conduct a re- view of the decision. As far as the question as to where this came from, I think it's clear in the mandate letter to the former Agriculture Minister, which I assume that I've adopted as well.

It says in here: "Ensure the Agricultural Land Commission is delivering on the improvements prom- ised arising from the budget increase it received in bal- anced budget 2013," also, "Ensure the agricultural land reserve is working for British Columbia and propose any changes necessary. Th ese changes must successfully balance our desire to protect valuable farmland while allowing for reasonable economic development oppor- tunities." It's right in black and white. Th e previous minister was trying to achieve the man- date letter in a public process.

I'm trying to continue that work, and I have every intention to continue fi lling out all of this list before I'm done. CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE AND SUPPORT IN KOOTENAY AREA M. Mungall: Recently, in speaking with the media, the Minister for Core Review claimed that the Kootenays support his proposed changes to the ALR. Two weeks before he made that claim the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments rejected his direction for the agricultural land reserve at their AGM. Th e meet- ing was in Creston. Both the minister and I were there.

How can he continue to claim the Kootenays support his changes to the ALR when we don't? Hon. N. Letnick: Th ank you again to the member from Creston for that question. It's interesting as I read through the letters that I've received, and I've received thousands of letters. Some of those letters go into detail, several pages. Some are a little shorter than others and make it easier to read.

I would encourage British Columbians — from Nelson to Terrace to Prince George to Kelowna and everywhere between and everywhere afar, just in case somebody ac- cuses me of missing their community — if they have other points of view, to send them to me. I'd be happy to read them and put them in the perspective of the whole province and how this piece of legislation is there to ac- tually enable the continuation of our strong farming fam- ilies on good agricultural land. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Nelson-Creston

British Columbia Debates3166 Monday, April 28, 2014 on a supplemental. M. Mungall: There's no doubt that it is simply ir- responsible to make provincewide, long-term-impacting policy without any provincewide consultation. [1435] It seemed that the Minister of Agriculture knew that. He said: "Th e opportunity is everything from amending the bill to leaving it alone to removing the bill. I haven't landed on any particular recommendation yet because I'm not fi nished my consultation process." Since the Minister of Agriculture wants to answer questions, can he answer this: is that process a sham — yes or no? Hon. N.

Letnick: It's been interesting for the last fi ve years to watch my colleagues take questions, sometimes with personal accusations, and sit on the other side of the line and watch how they react — fi rst time I've actually seen someone try to do that to me. Anybody in this House recognizes that the integ- rity of all of the members of this House, I think, goes without question. Every member on both sides of this House comes here willing to serve the people of British Columbia. Th at's exactly…. Interjections. Hon. N.

Letnick: As I said last week, I haven't landed on any recommendation yet because I'm not fi nished reading through all their letters. I'm not fi nished consult- ing with the BCAC. I'm not fi nished consulting with the members, the executive of the Land Commission, and I haven't made any update to my own caucus yet. Once that is done, then at that time I'll be happy to announce if there are any changes that'll be proposed to Bill 24. STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE LEGISLATION M. Farnworth: My question is to the Minister of Agriculture.

The minister stated that he was open to amending the bill, leaving the bill as it is or withdrawing the bill. Are those options still on the table — yes or no? Hon. N. Letnick: I think it's good to come back to the original purposes of the bill. We have to remember that the legislation was introduced to help sustain the sector and those who work in it, to help sustain farming families, to make sure that the independence of the ALC continues as it has been and to make sure we have a strong, robust agricultural community in British Columbia.

Having said that, the question is whether or not pro- posed changes to the bill could occur. Th e answer is: of course. Of course proposed changes to the bill could occur, but I'm not there yet. I still have to go through all of the letters. I'm probably going to get some more aft er today, and I would welcome them. Also, there's the little communication piece that I said I wanted to do, which I still have to do, and then, of course, update my caucus before any decision is made. B.

Ralston: Th e minister said there were three options: leaving the bill alone; amending it, which he agreed is still a possibility; and the fi nal one was removing the bill. Is removing the bill still an option? Hon. N. Letnick: Once again, I'll be repetitive. I haven't fi nished doing my consultation piece yet. I'm still reading through the letters. I expect a few more; I'll be reading through those. I still have to…. I'm sure there's going to be some more communication with the BCAC. Also, I'm going to be working with the members of the leadership of the Land Commission.

Once all that is done, I will provide an update to my caucus. At that point, aft er- wards, I'll have some form of announcement to make on where we go from here. CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO MILL EXPLOSIONS H. Bains: In 2012 in Burns Lake, Carl Charlie and Robert Luggi lost their lives in what WorkSafe B.C. called a preventable incident. In Prince George three months later Alan Little and Glen Roche died in a nearly identical, entirely prevent- able incident. Today, workers around the province are making the Day of Mourning a day to remember workers killed and seriously injured at work.

With no one being held ac- countable for death aft er death, workers are losing trust in the system to keep them safe. [1440] Will the Deputy Premier take steps to restore that trust in WorkSafe and call for a full, public and independent inquiry into Babine and Lakeland sawmill explosions? Hon. S. Bond: As we've said earlier today and on the fl oor of this House, any loss of a worker in British Columbia, or any injury, is one too many.

What hap- pened in Babine and in the case of Lakeland were abso- lutely horrifi c tragedies, and all of us — it doesn't matter where you sit in British Columbia or whether you're in this Legislature or not — want to get to the bottom of what happened there. Th at's why, since the day of the ex- plosions, steps have been taken. In fact, there have been aggressive investigations and inspections at mills across British Columbia. Th ose have shown that there is more work to do there. In addition to that, we want nothing more than for families to have and to get the answers that they deserve.

Th at's why the chief coroner of British Columbia will

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3167 conduct what will be an open, transparent fact-fi nding process — an inquest — which will allow families and all British Columbians to get the answers they deserve. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Surrey-Newton on a supplemental. H. Bains: Sympathetic words are appreciated, but they do not do the job that these families deserve — to get the answers. Th e minister has talked about steps taken, an investi- gation by the Premier's right-hand person. Now she talks about the inquest. We all know how narrow the scope of the inquest is.

Th ey will never be able to get to the an- swers that the families are looking for. Last week I was at a rally in the Labour Minister's riding, near her constituency offi ce in Prince George. I understand the minister was unavailable, but if she was there, she would have heard John Little, Alan's father, say this about WorkSafe B.C.'s report into the Lakeland fi re.

He said: "In these 99 pages I can fi nd the source, cause, warnings, spot fi res and that it was preventable, but I can- not fi nd any record of due diligence." Th ese families are crying out for justice — something that has been denied to them so far. Will the Premier, the Deputy Premier, take the fi rst step towards providing that justice by calling for a full, public and independent in- quiry into these two tragedies? Hon. S. Bond: I appreciate the member's comments about the rally that took place in my riding. In fact, I issued an apology to the families for not being able to be in attendance.

I was made aware of the rally late Monday night, and in fact, my constituency offi ce didn't receive the invitation until Tuesday morning. I simply was not in a position to be there, and I apologized to families. To imply that a coroner's inquest, fi rst of all, is not in- dependent is incorrect. Secondly, to imply that it has a narrow scope is also incorrect. Th e coroner has broad powers to subpoena and to require witnesses to actually testify, to bring that evidence. In fact, one of the other things that's critical is that it is a process of inclusivity. It means that you can participate.

If someone wants to be- come a participant in the inquest, they need to ask. Th ey don't require a lawyer to do that. We have confi dence that the chief coroner of British Columbia will conduct an inquest that will allow families to participate. Agencies will be required to participate. Th ere will be a broad and inclusive scope. [1445] As I said earlier, there isn't a person in this House or in British Columbia that doesn't want to fi nd answers. Th e chief coroner will ensure that families have the ability to ask the questions that they want and need answered. B.

Routley: Th ese workers' deaths were entirely pre- ventable, as were the injuries sustained by other workers at these mills. Nothing can bring these men back home to their families or take back the pain and suff ering caused by these preventable tragedies. But we can learn from their deaths, and that's what these families want. Th e Premier has the power to make all that happen with simply a stroke of a pen. Why is this government and this Premier refusing a proper public inquiry? Hon. S. Bond: It is essential that we learn from what happened in these circumstances.

It's the only way that we have a hope that ensures they won't happen again in British Columbia. Th at's why we're doing a number of things. Th at's why we are looking at what happened at WorkSafe. We have asked a very competent person, Gord Macatee, to go into WorkSafe to look at what happened, to look at the 90-day agenda that needs to be concluded, to make sure that the recommendations provided by John Dyble are completed. All of those eff orts are to ensure that we learn lessons from what was a tragic and horrifi c set of circumstances for these families.

But we also need to ensure that the chief coroner in British Columbia has the opportunity to conduct an in- dependent fact-fi nding process that allows for partici- pation by family members, by agencies that have been involved, allowing the questions that families are longing to have answered, allowing them to ask those questions, to make sure that the jury recommendations…. Th e jury will be made up of members of that community. It will be open, transparent, independent, and it will get to the bottom and fi nd the answers that families are looking for.

Madame Speaker: Recognizing the member for Cowichan Valley on a supplemental. B. Routley: Today thousands of people across the province will attend Day of Mourning activities. Th ey have one expectation of government: that the govern- ment will enact and enforce laws that will keep workers safe. Th is government has utterly failed. Since the Westray law became law in 2004, there have been 1,350 workplace deaths, and not a single criminal charge has been laid. Workers die on the job, and no one is held accountable. WorkSafe fails to do its job, and gov- ernment asks its friends to investigate.

It's clear that fi nes alone are not working to keep work- ers safe, so why is this government refusing to do what it takes to learn from these tragic and preventable deaths? Hon. S. Bond: I have said and will continue to repeat that we need to be absolutely focused on ensuring that workers go to work and feel they can be safe. Th e hardest questions to answer in this House are the ones when members on the opposite side of the House stand and imply that people on this side of the House,

British Columbia Debates3168 Monday, April 28, 2014 members of the government, don't care about workplace deaths or injuries or families. Nothing could be further from the truth. [1450] We are committed to ensuring that WorkSafe is re- viewed and that we look at possibilities in terms of making sure that this does not happen again, from an investigative or an inspection process. We all want fam- ilies to get the answers they need, to get the answers they deserve.

We are going to continue to work relentlessly to ensure that workplaces in this province continue to see an improved culture of safety. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Hon. S. Anton: I have the honour to present the Forest Appeals Commission Annual Report 2013. I have the honour to present the Environmental Appeal Board 2012-2013 Annual Report. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: In Committee A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the ongoing es- timates of the Ministry of Agriculture, to be followed at some point by the Ministry of Education.

In this cham- ber, committee stage debate on Bill 17, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. [1455] Committee of the Whole House BILL 17 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Th e House in Committee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 17; D. Horne in the chair. Th e committee met at 2:56 p.m. On

section 1. D. Eby: Th is is in relation to

part 1 of the proposed Bill 17, in relation to requests made by accountants in British Columbia to be able to use a new designation, a unifying designation, in order to allow them to compete, for our province to be up to date with other jurisdictions and to allow our accountants to have the advantages of being able to use this designation across Canada and internationally. My question in relation to this

section is…. It doesn't refl ect what the accountants were asking for. It's an ad hoc designation that does not respond to what they were asking for, which was a unifi ed piece of legislation that brings the diff erent designations together. Th e question for the minister is: why does this not refl ect a more comprehensive response to what the ac- countants were asking for? Why is it an ad hoc approach? And is this failure to provide anything other than an ad hoc approach symptomatic of a larger issue within the ministry? We didn't sit for 200 days.

Th ey had to wait this long for it, and now they don't even get what they're asking for. Th ere is certainly support on this side of the House for it. Why is this such an ad hoc approach? Hon. A. Virk: Th e CGAs, CAs and CMA associations of B.C. have agreed to unify to create a single professional body called the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, and this legislation allows them to do so. Th e work is underway also for proposed changes that are going to require a major legislative change, and in fu- ture legislative sessions it will be brought to this House to do the fulsome legislation. D.

Eby: Well, that's exactly the question. Why are we doing this in such half-measures? Why was this change not in place in this piece of legislation? Why are we not providing them with what they asked? [1500] Th e ministry had at least 200 days, when we weren't even sitting, to prepare this legislation. What is the rea- son for this half-measure? Hon. A. Virk: Th is is the fi rst step that allows the three professional associations to use the "chartered profes- sional accountant" designation — a fi rst step, with ful- some legislation to follow as soon as practical. K.

Corrigan: I wanted to ask a question about trade agreements. Is the change in designation and then, hope- fully at some point, the wider change…? Th is is what the accountants asked for, which was harmonizing the pro- fession. Has this got anything to do with requirements of interprovincial trade agreements that require harmoniza- tion of the qualifi cations and the standards for the pro- fessions across the country? Hon. A. Virk: Th e chartered accountants, the man- agement accountants and the CGAs across Canada have indeed agreed to merge as one association, in the inter- ests of consistency across Canada.

Th is fi rst step is to fa- cilitate that movement. Th ey can all call themselves with the CPA designation, as a movement towards the fulsome legislation that'll follow as soon as practical. K. Corrigan: I'm wondering if the minister could just give us a quick outline of how the other provinces are doing that are seeking to harmonize the requirements in the designation — whether other provinces have in fact passed the actual legislation which will complete the har-

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3169 monization of the professions. Hon. A. Virk: Th e question asked was: which juris- dictions have enacted or are working on legislation? As of last week New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Quebec have enacted legislation, and others are in various stages of doing so. Sections 1 to 7 inclusive approved. The Chair: I understand the committee wishes to stand down on sections 8 through 48. Sections 8 to 48 inclusive stood down. On

section 49. Th e Chair: So on

section 49…. Perhaps we should take a recess so the Minister of Education can get his staff . Minister of Advanced Education. Hon. A. Virk:

Section 8 speaks of commencement and/or applicable dates where there is a provision for the bylaws to be applicable and be postdated. Can I just add that examination of

section 8, the commencement portion? Th e Chair: I believe that

section 8 has to deal with the Adoption Act under the Ministry of Children and Family Development. [1505] Hon. A. Virk: Thank you for the clarification, Mr. Speaker. Th e Chair: No problem. R. Fleming: The sections of this bill that relate to Education are just a few, 49 to 51, so perhaps the minister will indulge me if I ask questions as they relate to those three sections and jump around a little bit. Th is part of Bill 17 converts the children's education fund to the B.C. training and education savings program. Th is is a program that's been well announced for many years in diff erent forms by the government.

Th is allows them to change a couple things, including its name, and open fl exibility to federal administration and, it's my understanding from the Minister of Justice's second read- ing speech, open it up for regulations that would allow children in care to be included in this program. Th ose are the three areas that I want to ask questions about. First, I would just ask the minister to maybe up- date the Legislature on the status of the fund. It has now been managed I think for the last seven years without disbursements.

I just wonder if you could give some in- formation about how the fund has been managed, what its returns have been, whether it's grown and those kinds of parameters around the original amount of the $300 million fund. Hon. P . Fassbender: Th e balance is currently $393 million as of January 31, 2014. It's being held in a special account under the Ministry of Education in a govern- ment bond at an interest rate of 1 percent. R. Fleming: Am I correct, then, that the original amount of $300 million has earned $9 million in interest in the past seven years? Is that about right? Hon. P .

Fassbender: Th e fund, as I said, is $393 mil- lion currently, and that includes the annual contribution and the interest amount, which I don't have at my fi nger- tips. But I can provide it to the member, if he would like to have that. [1510] R. Fleming: I wanted to ask the minister about the fed- eral administration of the program that is contemplated. RESP is obviously a federal program, and these amend- ments in this

section of this miscellaneous bill would open the door to federal administration. We asked on this side of the House about how that might work on previous occasions. If my notes are cor- rect, we were told sometime around the February 2013 budget that it would take up to 18 months of negotia- tions with Ottawa to realize whether those negotiations would be successful and the program would be federally administered. I wonder if the minister can give an update on the status of those discussions with Ottawa and where they sit today. Hon. P .

Fassbender: To the member opposite, we are still in negotiations with the federal government, but I can inform him that the negotiations are going well. We're anxious to get these completed as soon as pos- sible. Th e announcement of the implementation with the federal government is important to everyone, so we are continuing to work hard with the federal government to resolve any of the outstanding issues. R. Fleming: Th ere are a couple of other western prov- inces that have similar programs to this: Alberta and Saskatchewan.

I'm just wondering whether the nego- tiations with Ottawa have been in conjunction with counterparts in those two provinces and whether they're on the same timeline to get some kind of agreement with Ottawa or whether these are, in fact, separate ne- gotiations. Hon. P . Fassbender: Th ese negotiations are separate, between each jurisdiction. However, we have reviewed

British Columbia Debates3170 Monday, April 28, 2014 the agreements because the other provinces already have programs in place. So we're, of course, looking at those in our negotiations with the federal government. But they are being dealt with separately. R. Fleming: Could I ask about some of the sticking points, I suppose, with Ottawa during these negotia- tions? Th ey have been fairly long, and we don't, I think…. I haven't heard that we have an end date as to when they will be concluded, although the minister is hopeful it will be soon.

What is the reluctance, if you can describe it, on the part of Ottawa to administer a provincial initiative like this, given that they do have, through their administra- tion of the tax system and RESP programs in general, oversight over that already? Hon. P . Fassbender: Th ere are no sticking points. It is a government-to-government process, which sometimes, we all know, does not move as quickly as we might like it. But I can assure the member that our staff is working diligently to conclude those with the federal government and that at this stage there are no sticking points.

It's just a matter of the process that it has to go through. R. Fleming: I'd like to ask about the inclusion in this bill of children originally not contemplated to be part of what was called the children's education fund and is now renamed. I'm speaking about children in care who, to quote the Attorney General, have had "signifi cant in- volvement" with the Ministry of Children and Families. Th ose are now contemplated as having access to this fund. I think that's a very good move by government. It's cer- tainly one that was urged by members on this side.

But there are, perhaps, some complexities there. [1515] One is that for the 2007 cohort, the fi rst cohort of chil- dren in this program, the date for enrolment, the dead- line, was their seventh birthday. From the date of the announcement…. I think the last time I had estimates with the minister — and I look forward to those again this aft ernoon — the deadline date which was fi xed was from about three months ago, so February 2014. Does that mean that children in care who were born in 2007 will not be included in this program? Hon. P .

Fassbender: Th e nature of this program for children in care has its unique set of complexities. But we've been working very closely with the Minister of Children and Families, and there will be a three-year ap- plication process. A trust fund will be set up so that we can ensure that children in care are treated in the same manner as children who may be in different circum- stances. The details of that are being worked out with the Ministry of Children and Families.

But we can assure all British Columbians that children in care within that deadline at the age of 6, under control of MCFD, will be eligible for support. R. Fleming: I want to ask a further question or two about children in care being included here. As the min- ister just said, some of the details have yet to be worked out. I understand that, but this is just an opportunity to ask some questions about what those details might have to touch upon. First of all, we're talking about 8,000 children in care, I believe. Th at's not originally contemplated in the pro- gram.

As the minister just said, there's been a fund cre- ated. Is that a separate fund from the original amount, which is now $393 million? Or is it included in that amount? Hon. P . Fassbender: The amount will be paid out of the original fund and set into a separate trust fund while the details of disposition are worked out with the Ministry of Children and Families. It is part of the ori- ginal pool of funds but would be set aside in a separate trust fund. R.

Fleming: In terms of separate rules, I understand that these two streams of the same fund — and the same program, as the minister just described it — will diff er, if only because of the parent-versus-guardianship issues involved. But the program is a voluntary enrolment for children situated in their birth families. We canvassed this last summer, and the ministry's es- timates were that something like 57 percent of B.C. kids would be likely to enrol. Th at was an actuarial number that presumably they came up with.

We had a bit of a discussion that 100 percent would be desirable, but it remains a voluntary program. Parents do have to regis- ter for it. I'm just wondering, then, if there's going to be a dis- tinction that the mainstream of the program, if you will, for children living within their birth families will con- tinue to be a voluntary enrolment,

whereas for children in care, it will be a mandatory or a 100 percent automatic enrolment. [1520] Hon. P . Fassbender: Because of the unique nature of children in care, they don't have to apply the same as children that are in their birth family would have to do. However, the funds will be set aside based on the num- bers within the Ministry of Children and Families. Th ey will apply whenever they enter into post-secondary edu- cation, and there will be an application process. Again, those details are being worked out with the ministry, but we will make sure that it is seamless for them. R. Fleming: One of the other details that will be

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3171 figured out later by government is which, I suppose, children in care, or which children with signifi cant in- volvement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, will be eligible for the $1,200 that will be invested on their behalf. So the question is: how expan- sive is that defi nition? Has government arrived at what "signifi cant involvement" is described as? I have a number, just from a media article, that it would be inclusive of about 8,000 children today.

But I'm wondering if there are any details the minister can provide based on feedback he has received from the Representative for Children and Y outh on this matter. Hon. P . Fassbender: Th e intent, both working with the Ministry of Children and Families and through this legislation, is to put the details of that into the regulations. But the heart of it is to make it as broad and as inclusive as we possibly can. Again, those details will be set out in regulation and will be available once we have worked all of those details out. R.

Fleming: I'm just wondering if the province's Public Guardian and Trustee has arrived at a determination about some of the hows about how the program will apply and, also, whether her offi ce has been in consulta- tion with the independent offi cer, the Representative for Children and Y outh, on who this should apply to and those kinds of things that are for government to consider. Hon. P . Fassbender: Indeed, we will be and have been consulting with the other agencies involved to make sure that, as I've said, it is as broad and inclusive as it can be.

It is complicated, but we're ensuring that we cover all of the aspects in that consultation. R. Fleming: One of the details I'm interested in is that for British Columbians, for children living within their families, it's a matching program, so there's an opportun- ity to match the government contribution. For those, for example, in foster care, will there be any assistance likely to the guardians or the foster parents to make contributions, or is it likely that the amount will remain at the introductory level? Hon. P .

Fassbender: I do want to point out that the separate fund can receive private donations, so it can be expanded from there. Th e other thing I wanted to say is that there is no matching component to this. Whatever is put into that fund, families don't need to top it up or match it. Th ey can exceed it if they choose to do that as well. R. Fleming: I accept that clarifi cation from the minis- ter. I'm just recalling some of the contours.

I'm wanting to get an indication, then, one more time from the minister just when he believes that he and his colleagues will have worked this out so that children in care will become eligible. Obviously, you need this bill to pass. But following that, the regulatory process, the mak- ing of the regulations…. [1525] Again, if you could just put on the record that those who were born in the 2007 cohort will be able to partici- pate even though that deadline has passed for the others. Hon. P .

Fassbender: Our intent is to make sure that we cover all of the details and that we bring all of the com- ponents in regulation, we hope, in the coming months, and not many months. I can't give a specifi c date because there are some complexities, as I said. But we are intend- ing, hopefully, by the end of the year to have all of those details worked out in regulation. V . Huntington: I wonder if the minister could tell me whether the department is giving any consideration to how to maximize uptake on the fund and what programs you might be initiating with other ministries on educat- ing the public. Hon. P .

Fassbender: We are working very closely with the private sector, who have a huge role to play in terms of the communication and promotion of this. Th ey have indicated…. Th e credit union movement in the prov- ince and the chartered banks and so on have said that they see this as an opportunity for them to benefi t fam- ilies and children. It also gives them the opportunity to encourage par- ents and grandparents to add additional funds to the fu- ture of their children's education. So it is a signifi cant work that we're going to do with them, and they are very enthusiastic about it. V .

Huntington: I'll double up on this question, then. Does the minister anticipate this program applying to im- migrant families resident in British Columbia? If so, how are you working within that community to bring it to their attention, particularly for those who have language issues? And is there a special program being developed that would consider support in application processes for low-income families or First Nations families? Hon. P . Fassbender: Suffi ce to say, as I just said, the private sector is working with us. We've had discussions with them about the various language groups throughout the province.

Th rough their marketing eff orts, they will be ensuring that the message gets out. Th e eligibility is based on residency. Again, those de- tails and the application process for new immigrants and, of course, First Nations, who are an integral part of our province…. We've been working with those communities to make sure that that message gets to the various First Nations communities throughout the province.

British Columbia Debates3172 Monday, April 28, 2014 Sections 49 to 51 inclusive approved. Th e Chair: Turning to

section 8. We'll take a brief recess as the minister's staff enters. Th e committee recessed from 3:28 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. [D. Horne in the chair.] On

section 8. C. James:

Section 8 deals with defi nitions. Just start- ing off with the fi rst defi nition, "caregiver." Could the minister tell me why this defi nition has been added into the Adoption Act? Hon. S. Cadieux: Th e role of caregiver was used in the Adoption Act but not defi ned previously, so a defi nition is now providing clarity and aligning the defi nition with the defi nition of caregiver in the CFCSA. C. James: I'll come back to the defi nition, because the defi nition has changed for the CFCS Act, as well, later in the section. I'll perhaps save that for

section 17 when it speaks to responsibilities and talk about whether that's made any changes in this defi nition. Th e other defi nition here under this

section is the issue of the "director of child protection." Now, the director has had a number of diff erent names over the years in the ministry. It has changed — director of child welfare, dir- ector of child protection. I wonder if there is any signifi - cance to having director of child protection back again from director of child welfare. Hon. S. Cadieux: Th e Child, Family and Community Service Act director is referenced in the Adoption Act. This definition is now added to contrast the director of adoptions from the director of child welfare in the CFCSA. Th ere is no policy intent to the change.

Th is is just to distinguish the diff erence between the two in the Adoption Act for that purpose. It doesn't change any of the defi nitions in the CFCSA. Sections 8 to 16 inclusive approved. On

section 17. C. James: Th is speaks, as I was mentioning, to the def- inition but speaks to the responsibilities under the defi n- ition in the Adoption Act, where it talks about allowing a director, by agreement, to authorize a caregiver to carry out any of the rates and responsibilities of the director or administrator with respect to the child. Just a question to the minister on this. Are there any limitations to any rights and responsibilities being desig- nated? [1535] Hon. S.

Cadieux: To clarify, this amendment gives clear legal authority for the director or the administrator to enter into an agreement with a caregiver, a foster par- ent, to carry out necessary responsibilities of the director on a day-to-day basis for a child who's available for adop- tion when placement with the prospective adoptive par- ents is not yet possible. Th e ministry is doing this. It puts legal authority into the statute and makes the Adoption Act consistent with the CFCSA. C. James: Just to explore that a little more, if I may, with the minister.

Under the Adoption Act if a child is waiting for adoption and therefore being placed, the director still remains the legal guardian for that child. Th erefore, does not the director have the responsibility for long-term planning or for placements?

Whereas it ap- pears from this that the director would then have the abil- ity to be able to delegate all responsibilities to a caregiver. Th at's my concern. Th ere appears to be a contradiction to the legal responsibilities of the director under the act. Th e Chair: Th e Attorney General seeks leave to make an introduction. Leave granted. Th e Chair: Proceed. Introductions by Members Hon. S. Anton: We have visitors now — Mr. Narinder Nijjar and his wife, Mrs. Inderjit Nijjar. Mr. Nijjar has many businesses in the neighbourhood of Vancouver- Fraserview, which I am honoured to represent.

He is joined today by his friends from England, Mr. Kulwant Hundal and Mrs. Kulwinder Kaur Hundal, who are here visiting from the U.K., coming to see democracy in action here in Victoria. I hope the House will make the Nijjars and the Hundals feel very welcome. [1540] Debate Continued Hon. S. Cadieux: I will endeavour to make this clear.

Th e intent is to allow the director, who has legal respon- sibility or guardianship for a child who is available for adoption, to relinquish some authority to a foster parent to make decisions on behalf of that child on a day-to-day basis — for example, whether or not they can go on a fi eld trip, or that sort of thing. It doesn't in any way allow the director to give away or authorize away their responsibil- ity for the long-term planning or consent to adopt. C. James: I appreciate that, but the language leads you

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3173 to believe, when it says: "authorize a caregiver to carry out any of the rights and responsibilities of the director or the administrator…." Does the minister not see that as an issue — a possi- bility that it could be interpreted as any and all respon- sibilities could then be delegated? Hon. S. Cadieux: I take the member's point, but what this does is parallel the

section in the CFCSA which au- thorizes the director to, by agreement, authorize the care- giver to carry out any and all of the director's duties with respect to the care of a child. We are amending that to say "a child placed with the caregiver," just to be clear. It is to parallel that, and that has been used. It does not in any way limit or extend to a shift in guardianship. C. James: Again, I take the minister's point, and I know that

section will come up around changes to the Child, Family and Community Service Act, as well, but I think the same issue arises. Whether you're talking about the Adoption Act or whether you're talking about the Child, Family and Community Service Act, it still appears to be broad enough that this minister or future ministers could look at it as an opportunity to be able to pass along other responsibilities. I just want to register the concern on this issue, be- cause I think the language is too broad and does not include the director's legal responsibilities.

I think the heart, in particular, of the Child, Family and Community Services Act, is the director's responsibility as the legal guardian and holding that very close to the protection of children. To be able to authorize a caregiver to carry out any of the rights and responsibilities of the director, I pass along to the minister, I believe is much too broad and could be open to all kinds of opportunities. I'm not a conspir- acy theorist, but I know that there have been concerns around privatization of adoption services, for example, south of the border, and what that has done to some of the services and concerns.

So I just raise it. I leave it with the minister. I think the language is too broad and doesn't deal with the responsibilities that the director has. Sections 17 and 18 approved. On

section 19. C. James:

Section 19, for those watching, deals with the issue of civil proceedings against the government and individuals. [1545] I understand this is a routine kind of language that gets put into acts, but I wonder if the minister could explain a little more who might bring civil proceedings forward and why the language been put into the Adoption Act. Hon. S. Cadieux: In essence, what this

section does is to not prevent anyone from taking legal action against the director or government if they feel they were mistreated or harmed during the process of an adoption. However, at the same time, it does prevent anyone from taking ac- tion on the technical defi ciencies that were identifi ed and that this

section now seeks to fi x. We can go into any specifi c

section details that you wish. C. James: Basically, it prevents people from coming forward based on process rather than any kind of mis- treatment or issues that ended up occurring one way or the other? Th ank you. Sections 19 and 20 approved. On

section 21. C. James: Just a question around this section. It pro- vides that "a director may request a director of adoption to place a child for adoption" in the circumstances set out. As we know, this is kind of the purpose of bringing forward some changes in this act. I wonder if the minister could just explain the diff er- ence between what previously used to happen and what will now happen with this change in the Adoption Act. Hon. S. Cadieux: While this is a new provision, there is no change in practice or policy.

In fact, this provi- sion just sets forth what has been the practice and policy since the CFCSA and the Adoption Act came into eff ect in 1996 and 1997. It provides the legal authority to request the placement of a child for adoption by the director of adoption. It was just something that wasn't there before. C. James: Just so I'm clear, this basically puts down on paper what the practice has already been and clari- fi es that. Th e practice will not change for people who are looking at adoptions. Okay, thank you very much. Th e Chair: Further questions on sections 21 through 26?

Sections 21 to 26 inclusive approved. Th e Chair: Take a short recess, and prepare for sec- tion 27. Th e committee recessed from 3:50 p.m. to 3:52 p.m. [D. Horne in the chair.] On

section 27.

British Columbia Debates3174 Monday, April 28, 2014 S. Robinson:

Section 27 removes the requirement for the minister to approve local bylaws levying fees for soil deposit or removal. I'm just curious about why this was initiated. Hon. C. Oakes: Th is just streamlines the bylaw ap- proval process to create effi ciencies for the province, lo- cal governments and developers. S. Robinson: I'm wondering if the minister can just refl ect on, then, who will be responsible for any of these requirements, these approval processes. Hon. C.

Oakes: Th e ministry's approval of fees for soil bylaws have largely become administrative, but we want to make sure that we clearly outline that the Ministers of Energy and Mines and of Environment will continue their approval function with respect to the regulation of soil removal and deposit. Sections 27 to 29 inclusive approved. On

section 30. S. Robinson:

Section 30 speaks to removing the ability for the minister to establish policy around offi cial com- munity plans. Once again, I'd like to hear from the min- ister about what initiated this policy. Hon. C. Oakes: Th is is just a consequential amend- ment, as the new policy guidelines are now in under a new section, 873.2, of this proposed bill.

Section 30 approved. On

section 31. S. Robinson: Th en I'll ask the question here, because I was guessing that it was consequential but thought I would ask at the fi rst opportunity. I'm curious again, or still, about the minister removing the authority around policy guidelines. Was there a specifi c issue that arose that resulted in this change? [1555] Hon. C. Oakes: It actually doesn't eliminate the re- quirement for legislation. It's just that it's been moved into a diff erent

section number. S. Robinson: I just want to make sure that I under- stand. Th ere's the addition of two sections here in

section 31. It provides the minister with "authority to establish policy guidelines regarding process in respect of speci- fi ed amendments, plans, permits and bylaws." I'm assum- ing that there was some consultation, but I'd like to know from the minister if there were particular issues that were arising that resulted in this change. Hon. C. Oakes: Consultation has happened with UBCM and local governments around this, again, as it pertains to the removal of the bylaw requirement previ- ous, but it continues to establish the policy guidelines in this. It's moved, but the requirement is still there.

It's just moved to a diff erent section. V . Huntington: What initiated these changes? Could you describe what the earlier situation was — as op- posed to setting up policy guidelines regarding process; I thought the process was pretty well established — and what the changes are requiring policy guidelines for con- tent and why that appears to be necessary? If I could add: who initiated these changes — local gov- ernment, UBCM or the ministry? Hon. C. Oakes: Again, this has been with consultation — a request from the UBCM and the local governments to look at that to increase effi ciencies.

One thing has been ongoing. Th ere has been, over the past ten years, a pilot project with regional districts. Th at has really looked at how we can support local govern- ment, specifi cally regional districts, to reduce the number of bylaws aff ected for ministerial approval. As a result of the pilot project, approximately half of the regional districts in the province have been exempted already from the approval requirement to date under the pilot project.

It's eff ectively reduced the requirement of approvals by 80 percent, from many hundreds of bylaws annually to less than 100 for several years, with no dem- onstrated impact on provincial interest and with a gain in the development of effi ciencies for local government. A pilot project has been in place for ten years.

Th is is just looking at the rest of the folks that weren't covered under that pilot project, to implement that. [1600] Really, why we are getting out of this approval role is that the ministerial approval process occurs aft er the substantive work has already been developed by the by- law — which has been done by the regional district aft er a public hearing has been held and near the end of the bylaw adoption process.

By setting up these policy guidelines, what in fact we are doing is starting those conversations much earlier with local governments, looking at where provincial in- terests come into play and ensuring that that process hap- pens more at the front end than aft er the substantive work has been done through the bylaws. V . Huntington: Could I ask the minister whether the bylaws in the regional district…? Will they or can they then apply to agricultural lands? Will you be developing policy guidelines for regional district bylaws as they apply to agricultural lands?

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 28, 2014 3175 Hon. C. Oakes: Th is will only be applying to offi cial community plans, zoning bylaws, subdivision servicing bylaws, temporary use permit bylaws and land use con- tracts. Th e question that you have…. When it looks like ALR land, it would have to go through the Ministry of Agriculture. It wouldn't come through this process. Sections 31 and 32 approved. On

section 33. S. Robinson: I know that this, in all likelihood, is a re- sult of

section 40, but I'm going to ask here anyway, be- cause it's the fi rst time it comes up. [R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Section 33 removes the requirement for the minister to approve regional district bylaws, which is consequential, of course, to

section 40. I just want to confi rm that this is what the minister had answered to the other member who's been very curious about these changes. Hon. C. Oakes: Y es. Again, it's just that the amend- ments will help streamline the approval process. Sections 33 to 40 inclusive approved. On

section 41. V . Huntington: With regard to

section 40, do I under- stand here that boards no longer have to bring the zoning bylaws or subdivision servicing bylaws to the minister for approval? Is the intent, then, to take the power to approve zoning bylaws out of the hands of the minister entirely but allow non-binding guidelines to be put in place in- stead? Is that the intent of this section? Hon. C. Oakes: Th is

section removes the requirement for minister's approval of regional district zoning and subdivision servicing bylaws. However, it enacts policy guidelines that ensure that the provincial interests are still in place, so you still have to go through the Ministry of Environment or the various ministries as we outlined earlier in the process. [1605] V . Huntington: Is there any individual within the ministry that will be monitoring the development and approval of these bylaws at the regional district level in order to ensure that they are going through the proper processes? Is anybody left to monitor them?

Th e inspector of mu- nicipalities? Any function at all? Hon. C. Oakes: What we found in the pilot process — and it's been very successful — is that staff that have been involved with monitoring that and involved with the pro- cess of implementing the bylaws will continue through our ministry to be engaged in that process. What it means, what we're suggesting, is that that work…. What has happened in the pilots is that those conversations happened before they got into the fi nal approval stages, so it's earlier on in the process. Th at is what has been happening in the pilot project over the last ten years.

Th ey found that having conversa- tions with the ministry early on in the development of those bylaws has been far more successful than leaving it and having those guidelines in place to ensure that prov- incial interests are included in that, as opposed to waiting longer down the road when bylaws are actually getting implemented in those readings. Th is has been far more successful, as the pilot has demonstrated. V .

Huntington: Has the inspector of municipalities had any role to play at all in the development of regional district OCPs, bylaws, etc., and is there any continued role for the inspector if he has had a role previously? Hon. C. Oakes: Th e staff in the planning branch will continue to engage on this, but the director of municipal- ities did not have a role around regional districts in this process and will not in the future. But on the planning, the ministry has planning staff that will continue to en- gage and s

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140428pm-Hansard-v11n2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140428pm Hansard v11n2
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	b923f32108dba3a3d75d5df6b6d288b5da6f86da

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