First Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 18

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Members’ Statements

Peter Wall

Harman Bhangu

Soccer Achievements of Jeevan Badwal

Jessie Sunner

Mount Boucherie Bears Senior Boys Basketball Team

Macklin McCall

Korean Independence Movement Day

Paul Choi

International Women’s Day and Elimination of Gender-Based Violence

Rob Botterell

Cedar Secondary School Senior Boys Basketball Team

Stephanie Higginson

Oral Questions

Budget Priorities and Funding for Surrey School District

Trevor Halford

Hon. David Eby

Budget Provisions for Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Claire Rattée

Hon. Josie Osborne

RCMP Critical Response Unit Actions and Funding

Rob Botterell

Hon. Garry Begg

LNG Development Policies and Status of Industry

Rob Botterell

Hon. Adrian Dix

Budget Priorities and Emergency Health Care Services in Rural B.C.

Brennan Day

Hon. Josie Osborne

Credentialing of Foreign-Trained Physicians and Exam Fee Exemption

Bruce Banman

Hon. David Eby

Budget Priorities and Cancer Care Services in U.S. Facilities

Reann Gasper

Hon. Josie Osborne

Debt-Servicing Costs and Education Funding

Lynne Block

Hon. Lisa Beare

Budget Priorities and Funding for Ferry Services

Harman Bhangu

Hon. Mike Farnworth

Budget Priorities and Funding for Police Services

Macklin McCall

Hon. Garry Begg

Funding for Long-Term-Care Beds

Misty Van Popta

Hon. Josie Osborne

Budget Priorities and Debt-Servicing Costs

Peter Milobar

Hon. David Eby

Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued)

Hon. Randene Neill

Larry Neufeld

Thursday, March 6, 2025

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: George Anderson.

Introductions by Members

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : You know what I say: it’s always a good day in the House when we have constituents

from New Westminster. In New West, what we say is that New Westies are the besties.

[10:05 a.m.]

Would folks please join me in welcoming Mayor Patrick Johnstone and Denise Tambellini,

who are here. They’ve been here for a couple of days, taking some meetings and working

on issues of real, critical importance to folks in our communities — housing, health

care and such.

Would the House please join me in making them feel very welcome.

Hon. Josie Osborne : I, also, am delighted to have two visitors from my riding, Mid Island–Pacific Rim,

here in the gallery today.

Cherilyn Bray and Chris Washington are two incredible women leaders. They were both

born and raised in Port Alberni, which is the heart of Vancouver Island, and they

serve as trustees on the board of education for Pacific Rim schools, also known as

school district 70. They are both deeply committed to ensuring that our schools are

places where children feel safe and honoured.

It’s absolutely incredible that you’re here today.

I’m so glad that they are.

Would the House please join me in helping them feel very welcome.

Jody Toor : I’m honoured to rise today to extend a warm welcome to Brett Barden, who joins us

in the gallery as a proud member of the United Steelworkers union.

Brett is an amazing individual whose dedication to politics spans over two decades.

His commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and strengthening his community is

truly amazing. I had the privilege of working alongside Brett during my first run

for office and witnessed firsthand his deep passion, dedication and his drive to create

meaningful change.

Please join me in giving Brett a well-deserved welcome.

Jessie Sunner : I am so pleased and honoured to rise today to welcome someone who I know our entire

caucus wanted to welcome, but I said dibs. I would like to welcome a trail-blazer,

a champion for human rights, someone that has dedicated his life to public service

for over 30 years, the Hon. Sen. Baltej Dhillon.

We were so fortunate that he was one of our candidates in this previous election.

The work that he’s done to advocate for human rights and champion justice and equality

is bar none. He was the first turbaned Sikh officer in the RCMP, and I know, personally,

he is a role model for me.

I would also like to welcome Mrs. Suroj Dhillon, who is the lifeline, the blood, in

all of the work that I know Baltej does and also is an extraordinary door-knocker

and campaign organizer. I saw it firsthand.

Please, if the House would join me in making them both feel very welcome.

Steve Kooner : I would also like to welcome Mayor Patrick Johnstone from the city of New Westminster.

Mayor Johnstone was first elected as a New Westminster city councillor in 2014. He

served two terms. He went on to become the mayor of the city of New Westminster in

2022. Before entering politics, he was a professional geoscientist.

Mayor Johnstone is here today with his intergovernmental affairs manager, Denise Tambellini.

May the House please make them feel welcome again.

Hon. Kelly Greene : I would like to welcome today the MP Wilson Miao from Richmond Centre. He serves

many members of my community with all matters federal. He’s joined by MP Ron McKinnon

from Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam.

They are here today for an amazing announcement for pharmacare. The provincial government

is so proud to be able to help countless British Columbians with our pharmacare partners

in the federal government.

Can folks please make them welcome.

For my second introduction, I would also like to welcome Scott Lunny to the chamber

today. He’s the director of United Steelworkers, district 3. I am so privileged to

know such a strong champion of workers’ rights who is tireless in the pursuit of helping

workers in B.C.

David Williams : Our legislative assistants provide invaluable service, as we are all well aware.

At this time, I am pleased to welcome David and Shannon Gorski to the chamber, who

travelled all the way from Richmond to visit their son, my legislative assistant,

Devin Gorski.

Please welcome them.

[10:10 a.m.]

Hon. Mike Farnworth : I’d also like to join in a welcome to the MP from my community, MP Ron McKinnon.

He has been serving our community. We’ve got a very good, collaborative relationship.

I wish the House would make him most welcome.

Sharon Hartwell : It’s my pleasure to introduce the Penner family today, visiting all the way from

Smithers. It’s approximately 14 hours here into Victoria, and it’s their first time

in the precinct.

They own a business called New Creations. It seemed kind of prophetic that this company’s

name, New Creations, was part of building a new Conservative Party. What a fantastic

team we have.

Nathan is our riding association president and was also my campaign manager. To put

things into perspective, Bulkley Valley–Stikine riding is 196,484 square kilometres.

This was a bit of a challenge, so he had his job cut out for him.

Joining him today is his lovely wife, Michelle, who spent many hours at home with

the children while Nathan was travelling across the vast riding and all the way up

the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, which is Highway 37, and meeting every person we met.

If we stopped for fuel or a snack, Nathan was right there to engage them in conversation

if they were there for more than five minutes. Nathan was ensuring that they were

going to vote in preparation for the election. “No” was not an option.

Also here with us today are his children, Ashley, Josiah and Aaron. All helped with

the campaign, but it was Aaron — little Aaron up there with his suit on, the youngest

campaigner at the age of eight — who was always there to help. It did not matter what

the weather was like, Aaron was there with his dad. Their oldest son, Matthew, remained

home because he had to work.

Will the House please make the Penner family very welcome.

Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson : It is my honour to introduce two special guests in the gallery with us today.

I’d like to welcome conservation officer Dan Bartol and his canine partner, Kilo.

Kilo recently retired from his search and detection duties, which included detecting

invasive mussels. Dan is being recognized as the 2024 Conservation Officer of the

Year and is in Victoria today to receive his well-deserved award.

This award is presented to a conservation officer for going above and beyond the call

of duty and exemplifying the values of the conservation officer service: integrity,

public service and protection of the environment.

Colleagues admire Dan for his selfless dedication to always going the extra mile.

He’s willing to assist other officers or zones as needed or lend an ear to an aspiring

conservation officer. Dan exemplifies everything a conservation officer aspires to

be and is deeply deserving of this recognition.

It is my honour to recognize Dan with this award, and I’d like to also take this opportunity

to thank all the conservation officers across the province for their hard work and

dedication to ensure that our environment, fish and wildlife are protected for future

generations.

Would the House please welcome them.

Gavin Dew : It is an unofficial tradition that we often compete with one another across the aisle

to pick up on others’ introductions, but I will do a variation on that and pick up

on the introduction made by the member for Salmon Arm–Shuswap, because his legislative

assistant is also my legislative assistant, and I want the best service. So I would

like to welcome Shannon Gorski and her travel agent, David Gorski, to the House and

ask for your indulgence in making a second planned introduction.

Tariffs are forcing Canada to diversify, and we must be finding new buyers for Canadian-made

products and commodities. Mike Butler at Optimus Group, Robert Bone at Deep Water

Recovery and Ravi Sanghera at ST Wood Products are working to build out capacity in

a transshipment hub strategy across British Columbia, and I look forward to meeting

with them later today to discuss that further.

Please make them welcome in the House.

Steve Morissette : It’s my pleasure to introduce today three union leaders from United Steelworkers

from my riding. I consider them friends. Chris Walker, Dean Lott and Ron McKenzie

are great workers’ rights leaders. They are okay curlers.

Please join me in welcoming them.

[10:15 a.m.]

Rohini Arora : I rise today to recognize some amazing individuals that I’ve had the opportunity

to work with, as a member of United Steelworkers Local 2009.

I’d like to introduce Al Bieksa, who’s the president. There are some other folks here

that I don’t have eyesight on.

I would like to recognize Tamara Marshall, who’s the financial secretary at my home

local; as well as Aman Chumber, who is the VP.

Brett Barden I think was mentioned, but he’s the homey, so I want to say hi to him.

Mike Duhrais my union pops and assistant to Scott Lunny, who is the director of district

These are amazing individuals. I cannot stress enough the opportunities that I was

given. I got to serve on the national anti-racism committee because of a lot of the

work that district 3 and my president did at Local 2009.

I just want to thank you all, and solidarity forever.

Á’a :líya Warbus : I’d like to give a very special shout-out to my youngest daughter, Starling Astraea

Warbus.

This Saturday is International Women’s Day. I know, to all the women in the House,

that one of the things we sacrifice to come here is our time with our kids. I get

to be with her on her birthday this weekend and spend that quality time. She’s going

to be five years old.

She was born just before COVID hit all of us — a very, very difficult time. I want

to be able to show her this clip and let her know that even though I’m here apart

from her and the family, I’m thinking of her every single step of the way.

Amna Shah : It gives me great pleasure to introduce Mike Duhra, someone who has seen me grow

in my journeys as a staffer and now as an elected member.

I also want to welcome Brett Barden, who I have known for almost a decade. Brett Barden

is a friend. He is a champion of progressive values. He has a brilliant mind, and

he has a dedicated heart.

I’m so pleased to actually be sitting here to get to be able to introduce someone

who I look up to.

Linda Hepner : I see in the gallery today one of my riding constituents, one of the strongest community

supporters in Surrey–Serpentine River and one of Canada’s newest senators, Mr. Baltej

Dhillon.

I’d like to welcome him to the House, and I hope that everyone will....

Hello, Baltej.

Paul Choi : I just want to say that my friend and good mentor MP Peter Julian was here today

to join us making the announcement for the pharmacare. He’s been an amazing mentor

and supporter when I was running, and he’s always been a leader in all of our progressive

movements as, currently, federal NDP House leader.

I just want to have everyone…. On behalf of myself and, I’m sure, all the caucus,

but especially our Burnaby, New West and Coquitlam team, if you can please welcome

him to this House.

The Speaker : Thank you, Members. Just a minor reminder to all of you: when we are making introductions,

keep them short. We can make two-minute statements later on.

Members’ Statements

Peter Wall

Harman Bhangu : I rise today to honour a man whose impact will be felt for generations, Peter Wall.

Vancouver and beyond will forever be shaped by Peter’s vision, generosity and belief

in people.

[10:20 a.m.]

Born in Ukraine, Peter immigrated to Canada in 1948 with his family, starting with

little but building an incredible legacy. As co-founder of Wall and Redekop Corp.

and, later, Wall Financial, he transformed Vancouver’s skyline with projects like

the Wall Centre, the city’s tallest building when it was built.

His influence stretched beyond real estate. Peter studied chemistry at UBC but never

graduated, instead pursuing home-building. Decades later, UBC awarded him with an

honorary doctorate, recognizing his immense contributions. His $15 million donation

to UBC in 1991 was the university’s largest at the time. It was one of many acts of

generosity, supporting causes like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and

the Vancouver Police Foundation, also mental health and addiction.

Peter believed in lifting people up, those with drive and ambition, no matter their

background. I was one of those people, as was my friend Armin. He saw potential and

gave opportunities that changed lives. He was deeply supported by his wonderful wife,

Aliaksandra, a good friend of mine, who shared his journey and impact.

In today’s world, we often hear about what’s wrong with Canada. But Peter Wall represents

what’s right — where hard work is rewarded, generosity lifts others up and opportunity

exists for those who pursue it.

People like Peter don’t simply leave us. Peter’s presence is etched into Vancouver

streets, buildings and in the lives he changed.

In the spirits of those he inspired, Peter Wall’s legacy will live on forever.

Soccer Achievements

of Jeevan Badwal

Jessie Sunner : On February 23, Jeevan Badwal, a talented young athlete from Surrey-Newton, played

his first game for the Vancouver Whitecaps at only 18 years old. This is a moment

of pride not just for him or his family but for our community and for every young

person who follows in his footsteps.

For so many first-generation kids, moments like this are built on the sacrifices of

their parents — parents who came to this country with hope, immersed themselves in

a new culture, worked long hours and ultimately did whatever it took to create opportunities

for their children. Whether it was driving to practice after a long shift, finding

a way to afford gear and tournament fees or simply offering unwavering support, their

efforts made this moment possible.

With this, I want to give a special thank you to Jeevan’s parents, Gurinder and Kamaljit

Badwal.

Sports have always been a powerful force in shaping young lives. They provide discipline,

purpose and a sense of belonging. They also offer an alternative to wrong paths in

life by surrounding children with mentors, teammates and a bigger goal to work towards.

Jeevan’s success is a testament to what happens when talent is nurtured, when opportunities

are made accessible and when a community comes together to support its youth. As he

stepped onto the field last week, Jeevan represented something bigger than himself.

He is proof of what is possible when you work hard and dream big.

So to every young person watching, may this be a reminder that with hard work, support

and belief, any dream and any career is possible.

And to Jeevan: thank you for your hard work. We are all so very proud of you and can’t

wait to see what you do next.

Go, Jeevan; and go, Whitecaps!

Mount Boucherie Bears

Senior Boys Basketball Team

Macklin McCall : Today I rise with immense pride, wearing the jersey of the Mount Boucherie Bears

senior boys basketball team as they continue their historic run at the B.C. quadruple-A

provincial championships in Langley.

Just days ago these young athletes captured the hearts of our entire community with

their remarkable victory at the Okanagan Valley championship, defeating the Kelowna

Owls in a thrilling 75-72 win.

Last night they played with determination and heart, defeating Port Moody’s Heritage

Woods School in a thrilling 95-85, come-from-behind victory. After trailing early,

they took control in the third quarter and held on to secure the win.

Tonight at 8:45 p.m., they will face last year’s provincial champions, Victoria’s

own Spectrum School, in the quarter-finals. The road ahead is tough, but I have every

confidence in this team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

[10:25 a.m.]

I stand before you today not just as their representative but as someone who has seen

firsthand the incredible dedication, hard work and heart these players have poured

into their game. Their journey has been one of resilience, teamwork and unwavering

commitment to excellence. They are not just athletes; they are leaders, role models

and the embodiment of what can be achieved through perseverance.

The playoffs go through the weekend, but while they step onto the court in Langley

tonight, I ask every one of us here today and back in our riding of West Kelowna–Peachland

to send them our support, our energy and our belief.

The Mount Boucherie Bears have already made us incredibly proud, but I know they have

even more to give. They represent the very best of our youth, and I have no doubt

they will continue to push forward with the same fire, drive and passion that has

brought them this far.

To coach Kelly Broderick, the players and their families: thank you for your dedication,

your hard work and your belief in one another. We are all behind you.

Good luck, Bears. Go out there and show British Columbia what you are made of. We

are with you every step of the way.

Let’s go, Bears!

Korean Independence Movement Day

Paul Choi : I rise today in this chamber to recognize the profound significance of the Korean

March 1 Independence Movement Day, an event that resonates deeply within the Korean

community in B.C. and all those who value freedom and self-determination.

Last Saturday, on March 1, I had the privilege of attending the commemorative service

marking this day hosted by the B.C. Korean Society and their president, Daniel Kang.

As currently the only member of the Legislature of Korean descent, it is both my duty

and my honour to share these reflections.

On March 1, 1919, brave patriots proclaimed Korea’s right to independence in the face

of colonial rule. They shouted [Korean was spoken], meaning “long live Korea.” Prior

to this day, Koreans were systemically stripped of the most fundamental aspects of

their identity. They were forbidden from using their own language, prevented from

practising their own cultural traditions and even forced to change their names. The

March 1 movement was a powerful collective response to these injustices, an unequivocal

assertion that sovereignty, culture and languages are worth defending at all costs.

While the circumstances in Canada currently differ from those in early 20th-century

Korea, the principles of self-determination remain as pertinent as ever. Today, as

we reflect on the sacrifices made by those who came before us, let us renew our commitment

to preserving these fundamental rights for future generations. This is the essence

of sovereignty — that no external force should dictate how we live, speak or govern

ourselves.

Our legacy of the Korean March 1 independence movement continues to guide us, reminding

us that the freedom we enjoy, our ability to thrive and maintain economic security,

to stay true north, should never be taken for granted.

International Women’s Day and

Elimination of Gender-Based Violence

Rob Botterell : March 8 is International Women’s Day. As we celebrate the women in our lives, we

cannot forget the stark reality that most women face every day.

Nearly one in two women in B.C. have experienced some form of intimate partner violence.

For Indigenous women, queer and trans women and racialized immigrant women, that number

goes up to 70 percent.

Advocates and organizations around B.C. work tirelessly to support survivors. They

see thousands of women and children needing access to shelter and health services,

and we know that there are many more who do not or cannot seek the help that they

need.

While the province has taken steps to address this crisis, there is still much more

to do. We need to increase funding for shelters and crisis services, improve social

and economic conditions with a guaranteed livable income, support educational institutions

in developing effective sexual violence response protocols, and we must declare gender-based

violence an epidemic.

[10:30 a.m.]

Economic uncertainty has made it harder for survivors to rebuild their lives, making

access to housing, mental health and financial supports more urgent than ever.

On International Women’s Day, let us recognize the progress that has been made and

commit to addressing the challenges that remain. We must support and uplift survivors

of gender-based violence.

I call on all members to join me in working to make B.C. a safe place where no one

has to live in fear or without support.

Cedar Secondary School

Senior Boys Basketball Team

Stephanie Higginson : Today I rise to continue the theme of sports youth, to say farewell to the Cedar

secondary senior boys basketball team.

I may be playing the mom card a little bit today. Cedar secondary is a single-A school

that actually sits in the neighbouring riding of Nanaimo–Gabriola Island, but it’s

so close to the border of our riding that many of the players also live in my riding.

My oldest son, Oliver, is in the 12th grade. Any parent who has a student who’s graduating

knows that it’s a year filled with finales. Recently I watched as Oliver and his teammates

played their last high school basketball game with Cedar Community Secondary School.

What makes this team so deserving of a shout-out today, beyond their winning record,

is the environment that they created for each other over the years of playing together.

This team of incredibly dedicated athletes and staff built an environment of support,

growth and opportunity that helped these kids grow into the phenomenal young men that

they have become right before our eyes.

As they look forward to the next

chapter of their exciting lives, I tip my hat to

all of them.

To coaches Peter Watkins, Tim Bunnett and Jett Ferraro.

To players Max Currie; Felix Leduc; Oliver Higginson Trotter; Gavin Ward; Matteo Watkins;

Mason Serpa; Logan Brownsword; Ryder Oakes, also an assistant coach; Korbin Trudeau;

Gabe George; Geordie Birch; and Bailey Smith, the most well-dressed player on the

team.

To the senior boys basketball team at Cedar secondary, I say thank you for the memories

that you created. Thank you for doing your community proud and for being such incredible

role models of positivity and support. These character traits will carry you far in

life, and I can’t wait to see where that is.

Thank you to Cedar Community Secondary School for supporting these players through

their high school journey.

This exemplifies why Cedar secondary is known as the little school with the big heart.

Oral Questions

Budget Priorities and

Funding for Surrey School District

Trevor Halford : Deficit and debt levels have reached an all-time high. In fact, every single minute

that passes by is $13,000 to pay on interest. During this question period alone, half

an hour, that’s $400,000.

Now, the Premier gets up and talks about families in British Columbia and how they

are going to experience the economic hardships with these tariffs. But what he doesn’t

talk about is the fact that he has an absolute double standard. At a time when he’s

saying British Columbian families are going to have to go without, whether it’s the

election promises he’s made, what does he do? He increases his office.

On one hand, we’re telling Surrey school district they are going to have to cut buses

for children with disabilities. They are going to have to cut and close learning centres.

At a time like this, they’re going to have to cut band programs. But for him, it’s

the most opportune time to increase the size of his office.

How does this Premier get up and defend himself to the children of Surrey that are

having to go without, at a time when he increases his office?

Hon. David Eby : Surrey has been a fast-growing community for many years. That was the case when the

Leader of the Opposition sat on this side of the House. They had choices to make then,

and we had choices to make.

[10:35 a.m.]

When they were on this side of the House, they had the opportunity to do a new medical

school in Surrey to head off the crisis around the shortage of medical workers in

our province. They chose — it was a choice — not to do it. They had a chance to build

the new hospital in Surrey. They had a choice. They chose to sell the land, to a donor,

at below the market value.

We’re making different choices for Surrey: a new hospital, a new cancer centre for

Surrey, a new medical school for Surrey and SkyTrain expansion in Surrey.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

Hon. David Eby : Thousands of new student spaces in Surrey, and new schools. The Snokomish Elementary

construction is underway, with 655 seats in that one alone, and 500 new seats for

an expansion at Kwantlen Park Secondary.

These are necessary investments for a growing community, and we are proud of them.

The Speaker : Surrey–White Rock, supplemental.

Trevor Halford : The irony of that answer is that there seems to be a shortage of NDP MLAs from Surrey

to applaud that. I think we saw that tenfold in October.

Listen. The Premier gets up, and he talks about choices. He’s right. The choices that

he’s making…. Let’s talk about the choices this Premier has made. This Premier has

made the choice…. At a time when people are having to go without, at a time when he

is absolutely going back on his word on the campaign promises that he has made, he

is making a choice to increase his office.

He is making a choice to close learning centres. He is making a choice to tell the

children of Surrey with disabilities that we cannot afford buses for them. He is making

a choice to tell kids that are wanting to get into the band programs: “We don’t have

the money.” He is making the choice, at that time, to hire communications officials

for these ministers. Those are his choices, and I think they’re the wrong choices.

Again, the Premier has maxed out the government credit card here, but he finds it

the opportune time to cut from the Ministry of Environment and to increase the Premier’s

office.

How does the Premier justify these decisions to increase his office when he is telling

British Columbians that they need to tighten up their own budgets?

Hon. David Eby : The member knows what he’s saying about the budget is simply not true. Over $1 billion….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Members, are you interested in listening to the answer? Please.

Hon. David Eby : Over $1 billion in the capital budget for the city of Surrey for new schools.

Now, I want the member to know that the Leader of the Opposition that he sits with….

When they were on this side of the House, they closed 256 schools. That’s the record.

Interjection.

Hon. David Eby : That’s years ago, says the Leader of the Opposition.

Interjection.

Hon. David Eby : Yeah, it has been a while, Member. That’s right.

The thing about the truth is it’s important to stand up for it. I want to take a moment

to recognize the people who stand for truth. The people who stand with integrity,

for what is true and honest, deserve to be recognized on the other side of the House.

I want to recognize the House Leader of the official opposition for standing with

integrity, for truth, for residential school survivors.

I know it’s not easy, and she’s doing….

Interjection.

Hon. David Eby : Am I going to politicize this?

Hon. Speaker, there is a member of this House who has gone on a podcast to call out

the House Leader of the opposition for standing up for residential school survivors.

I’m not politicizing what should never be politicized.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Shhh, Member.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

Please conclude.

Hon. David Eby : There have been some despicable things that have happened. They deserve to be called

out, and the House Leader is right to do so.

[10:40 a.m.]

Budget Provisions for

Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Claire Rattée : This government has mismanaged B.C.’s economy so badly that it is spending more on

debt interest than critical mental health services. The amount of debt-servicing in

one year is $7 billion. That could fund 20,000 treatment and recovery beds.

When will this government understand that detox, treatment, recovery and wraparound

supports are essential in the fight against the overdose crisis?

Hon. Josie Osborne : I really appreciate the question from the member and the fact that she’s the critic

for mental health and addictions, because it’s so important that we as members in

this House continue to work together to increase the amount of supports available

for people, especially at this time when toxic drugs are killing people.

It’s incumbent on us to do everything we can, and that’s why this government has prioritized

and will continue to prioritize expanding the continuum of mental health and substance

use supports.

Since 2017, we have invested millions and millions of dollars into mental health and

substance use supports — $184 million alone to increase the injectable opioid agonist

treatment services and tablet iOAT, $176 million to increase youth substance beds,

$138 million for opioid use disorder treatment, $88 million to fund recovery beds

through year-end grants.

Millions of dollars are going into this, but it’s not enough. We have got to do more,

and that’s why we’re going to stay focused on this, and we’re going to continue to

take every step that we can to bring down the number of lives that have been lost

and the impact that all British Columbians and communities are feeling.

The Speaker : Member for Skeena, supplemental.

Claire Rattée : Respectfully, we still don’t have any new beds getting built this year, though, and

that’s what we need. For $7 billion in debt-servicing, this government could instead

fund enough treatment and recovery beds to begin healing British Columbians suffering

from mental health disorders and addictions.

This government clearly doesn’t believe in treatment because they couldn’t even follow

through on their campaign promise to fund a second Red Fish Healing Centre.

How can this Premier look British Columbians in the eye and say he cares about the

lives of people who are dying every day and not commit to a real recovery plan for

B.C.? We need beds built.

Hon. Josie Osborne : We have added hundreds of new beds to the thousands that already exist.

I appreciate that the member opposite is mentioning the cost of debt-servicing. I

want to point out that when the opposition leader was in cabinet a decade ago, the

percentage of budget that was going to debt-servicing costs was higher than it is

today.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member. Member.

Hon. Josie Osborne : We are taking steps to continue to invest in mental health and substance use, to

continue to add treatment beds for youth, for Indigenous peoples, for groups of people

that need this treatment and recovery.

We are going to continue these investments, and we are not going to stop.

RCMP Critical Response Unit

Actions and Funding

Rob Botterell : The critical response unit, or CRU, formerly called the community industry response

group, is a lesser-known unit of the RCMP that operates largely in secret, brutally

silencing land defenders on behalf of resource extraction companies.

It’s estimated that the government has spent at least $86 million on CRU since its

formation in 2017. That’s $86 million to harass, survey, intimidate and criminalize

protesters, land defenders and Indigenous community members.

This government’s use of a police force to protect pipelines and logging projects

and suppress free speech represents a profound failure to deal effectively with the

climate emergency and to protect Indigenous rights.

My question is to the Premier. Why is he continuing to fund the pipeline and logging

police during a climate emergency?

Hon. Garry Begg : Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

The characterization of the CRU unit by the member opposite misleads the true intent

of the group.

[10:45 a.m.]

It is designed by police, for police, to deal with the issues that surround the pipeline

in northern British Columbia. Any characterization that they’re anything different

is wrong. They do things as they’ve always done things, with fairness to all involved.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

LNG Development Policies

and Status of Industry

Rob Botterell : This year’s budget forecasts natural gas royalties nearly doubling over the next

two years, yet numerous reports have warned that B.C.’s LNG industry carries significant

economic risks for private and public sector proponents.

B.C.’s LNG industry will ramp up just as global LNG production is expected to plateau,

making it a late entrant to a market dominated by established incumbents with better

opportunities for economies of scale. It’s a risky time to double down on further

natural gas and LNG expansion, as long-term fiscal revenue streams are far from guaranteed.

My question is to the Premier. Why does his government continue to invest in fracking

in LNG when the economic forecasts paint a very uncertain future?

Hon. Adrian Dix : Thanks to the member for his question.

British Columbia, since 2017, has taken a consistent approach to addressing LNG in

B.C. We focused on a guarantee of fair return for B.C.’s natural resources, guarantees

of jobs and training opportunities for British Columbians; respect and make partners

of First Nations — I think everyone acknowledged that that is happening; and protect

B.C.’s air, land and water while living up to our climate change goals; in addition

to supporting B.C. communities.

Now that policy has been put in place over that period and has had, I think, some

significant successes, including the lowest-emission LNG in the world. That’s something

that British Columbians can be proud of.

We’re going to continue to take the same thoughtful approach over the coming years

that we’ve taken in the past years, and I believe that we’ll continue to be successful

for all of our goals as a society, economic and otherwise.

Budget Priorities and Emergency

Health Care Services in Rural B.C.

Brennan Day : In the next 21 minutes, slightly more time than is left on the clock in today’s ritual

bloodletting, this government will spend over $275,000, nearly the equivalent of an

ER physician’s annual salary, just on debt interest. Meanwhile, rural ERs are shutting

down due to a lack of doctors and nurses.

If they can waste billions on interest, why can’t they manage to keep ERs open for

rural British Columbians who desperately need them?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Every time an emergency room needs to be closed temporarily because of staff shortages,

it is really challenging for communities. I appreciate that. I think every member

in this House appreciates that, which is why we have to continue to do everything

we can to attract new health care workers, to retain health care workers, to help

fill those gaps, to help provide housing, child care, all of the things that health

care workers need when they’re living in remote communities.

Any interruption in services is stressful for people, but this is not a phenomenon

that B.C. is experiencing alone. This is an experience that we are seeing across Canada.

We are taking steps to attract new family physicians, to help build up the primary

care system and reduce the burden on emergency rooms, to provide bonuses for people

who are working up north, filling in critical health care worker gaps in remote communities.

There’s more work to do, but we are making progress. Emergency room closures have

come down 40 percent in the last six months compared to the six months before.

That’s the right direction, but there’s more to do, and we’re going to continue it.

Credentialing of

Foreign-Trained Physicians

and Exam Fee Exemption

Bruce Banman : This government talks about helping Ukrainian refugees.

Alex is a constituent of mine who was a medical doctor for 17 years in Ukraine before

the medical exam so he can practise here in B.C., but the costs are prohibitive. He

wants to give back.

[10:50 a.m.]

Will the Premier commit to waiving the exam costs for Alex to become a much-needed

medical doctor, or does he think that increasing the funding for his spin doctors

is more important?

Hon. David Eby : I would love for Alex to be a doctor in B.C., and I’m happy to work with the member

to see whatever we can do to get them off the sidelines and into our hospitals.

I think the member’s context of this being an individual from Ukraine…. I want to

thank the member for standing up for one Ukrainian. But I hope that the members on

the other side of the House stand up for all Ukrainians.

Yesterday we had an abhorrent moment in this House where the member for Surrey-Panorama

mistook a traitor and a man who attacked President….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

Hon. David Eby : I’m happy to work with the member.

Interjection.

The Speaker : The question has been already asked. Member, the question was asked very clearly.

The Premier is giving the answer.

Hon. David Eby : A man who called President Zelenskyy “the freaking Ukrainian grifter” and then tweeted,

cheering on President Trump’s attack on President Zelenskyy, saying: “America’s back,

baby. Zelenskyy gets put in his effing place.” That man who said those things was

welcomed by that member as a patriot.

This is a chance for the opposition to stand up, for the Leader of the Opposition

to stand up and say that he doesn’t think this man is a patriot, he doesn’t think

this man is an example and he doesn’t think this man should be applauded in this Legislative

Assembly.

Budget Priorities and

Cancer Care Services

in U.S. Facilities

Reann Gasper : This government has mismanaged B.C.’s business, resources and tax dollars of hard-working

British Columbians.

This Health Ministry has been sending cancer patients to the United States for treatment.

That’s $35 million spent on U.S. health care. That’s 42 hours of this government’s

debt-servicing payments that does not go towards essential services for B.C. cancer

patients.

Why does this government continue to fund U.S.-style health for British Columbians?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question.

We’re taking incredible action to improve cancer care here in British Columbia, but

people shouldn’t have to wait. That’s why we made this option available for people,

taking action now so that people can get the cancer care that they need, while we

build out our cancer care system here in British Columbia. It was always known… We’ve

known, everybody has known this was meant to be a temporary and exceptional measure

to be able to allow people to access that care in the U.S., but our focus has remained

on building out here, and it is working.

We have steadily improved access to radiation therapy here in British Columbia. We

have recruited more oncologists, more radiation therapists. We’re investing in projects

to deliver radiation therapy. Almost 90 percent of the patients who are starting radiation

treatment are doing so within four weeks, and that’s an 11 percent improvement over

the past year.

We’re going to continue this work. We don’t want patients to have to go to Bellingham,

but we’re not going to deny them the care that they need. We’re not going to bring

in a U.S.-style, two-tier system, like we know the Leader of the Opposition has spoken

about. We’ve heard.

We’re not going there.

Debt-Servicing Costs

and Education Funding

Lynne Block : This incompetent government has mismanaged this economy so badly.

Instead of spending $18 billion on debt-servicing, we could have doubled the budget

for the Ministry of Education and Child Care to hire more teachers, EAs, counsellors

and psychologists. School boards are struggling with finite resources, deferred maintenance

costs and mushrooming portables. They grow overnight.

Why are our children paying the price for this government’s fiscal mismanagement disaster?

[10:55 a.m.]

Hon. Lisa Beare : I want to thank the member for the question, because all of us here in this House

want to make sure that our kids have all the tools and support they need to thrive

in schools.

Our government has been investing in education since the beginning. The very first

thing we did when we formed government was put an extra billion dollars into the education

system. We’ve had record increases year after year since. We are continuing to invest

in education and will continue to do so.

But I have to wonder where we would be today if we hadn’t closed 256 schools under

the Leader of the Opposition’s time in government. I have to ask myself where we would

be if we hadn’t sold off 21 properties in Surrey that could have been used for schools.

This budget puts an additional $371 million in education to continue our investments

into teachers, into education assistance, into the supports that kids need, because

we value education.

Budget Priorities and

Funding for Ferry Services

Harman Bhangu : This government has driven British Columbians deeper into debt and robbed us of our

ability to pay for things British Columbians urgently need. Insiders have said that

B.C. Ferries is facing a $500 million deficit.

My question: why is this government prioritizing interest payments to bankers instead

of ensuring quality B.C. Ferries services, which is an extension of our highways?

Hon. Mike Farnworth : I thank the member for the question.

This government is spending more than $15 billion on capital infrastructure to improve

our transportation systems in our province over the next three years. This government

has worked to ensure that B.C. Ferries has the most affordable rates by providing

$500 million to assist them in terms of keeping ferry rates low for individuals. We

are going to continue working with Ferries to ensure that they maintain the best ferry

system in all of North America and, indeed, the world.

Those are the choices we make, looking out for British Columbians every single day,

whether it’s transportation, education, health care.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

Hon. Mike Farnworth : But what are the opposition’s choices? Well, the Leader of the Opposition chooses

to have a campaign director who wears a MAGA hat. He chooses to have a party president

who goes to Trump’s inauguration. He allows members on his side of the House…. When

the opportunity is to condemn Trump and his tariffs, they refuse to do so.

Worst of all, they welcome into this House and call a patriot someone who praises

Trump’s tariffs, his efforts to undermine our economy, his efforts to undermine union

workers right throughout this province. The person they introduced and welcomed so

proudly is not a patriot. He’s a traitor and a quisling.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Member.

Minister.

Both sides. Both sides, come to order.

Budget Priorities and

Funding for Police Services

Macklin McCall : This government has mismanaged the economy so badly.

Debt interest payments are so high it could have paid the salaries of 60,000 RCMP

officers. That’s three times the size of the entire RCMP force currently posted across

Canada.

Why did this Premier prioritize growing the debt instead of funding the police?

Hon. Garry Begg : Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

This is a government that has increased policing in British Columbia. Over the next

three years, 250 new police officers will be welcomed around the province.

[11:00 a.m.]

What we’ve been doing is concentrating on increasing the policing in British Columbia,

and we will proudly continue to do so.

Funding for Long-Term-Care Beds

Misty Van Popta : Long-term-care users are feeling left out by this government. They couldn’t even

maintain their commitment to provide 300 long-term-care beds for Langley. Thirty-seven

percent of Langley’s population is over 65, which is higher than the provincial average,

yet 3 percent of the interest on the debt could have had this facility built.

Why are B.C. seniors so frequently left behind by this government?

Hon. Josie Osborne : It’s so important to make sure that seniors have the quality of life that they deserve.

Indeed, they are the very people who built this province.

That’s why this government continues to invest in seniors care and in long-term care,

adding more than 5,400 new and replacement beds at 33 long-term-care facilities, hiring

more home care workers, expanding programs so that seniors can stay in their homes,

because we know that leads to healthier outcomes and better lives for everybody.

But we don’t have to imagine what life might be like under the opposition and what

they would do for seniors, because when the Leader of the Opposition was on this side

of the House, he passed laws that devastated long-term care and led to the layoff

of 10,000 workers. He left nine out of ten care homes not meeting government standards.

We’re taking a different approach. We’re investing in seniors. We’re going to continue

to do that work…

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

Hon. Josie Osborne : …and we’re not going to stop.

Budget Priorities and

Debt-Servicing Costs

Peter Milobar : This has been quite the question period of bluster from certain members on the other

side, but total evasion of questions. It’s interesting. You always know the government

is in a bit of trouble when they start falling back to the year 2001 and things that

happened in 2002, because that’s relevant to the fact that they’ve been government

for eight years.

We had a Health Minister answer a question about patients going to the United States

by saying this government will not be adopting two-tier U.S. health care on a question

of sending people to a private U.S. hospital.

You have the Transportation Minister touting their $15 billion in capital spending

in this budget. I’d point out that the projects in the capital budget for this government

are currently $15 billion over budget. Of course, they needed that $15 billion in

the budget.

They seem to not understand that there’s a finite number of dollars to work with in

British Columbia.

Surrey SkyTrain, $1.9 billion over budget and a year behind.

Richmond Hospital, $1 billion over budget, two years behind.

Surrey hospital, $1.2 billion over budget and a year behind.

Patullo Bridge replacement, $260 million over budget and two years behind.

Broadway subway, $127 million, two years behind.

That’s $4.5 billion in overruns right there and multiple years of delay. This government

clearly cannot manage the finances of British Columbia.

Again, why is this Premier, in the light of all this fiscal mismanagement, prioritizing

and actually protecting the hiring of political spin doctors and staff over the better

finances for the rest of everyone else in British Columbia?

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, these desks cost lots of money. Be nice to the desks.

Hon. David Eby : Let me begin first by thanking the member that asked the question for standing up

for residential school survivors. I know it’s not easy, but he stands with integrity,

and I respect that. We don’t always…. Well, we don’t agree generally, but on that

point we do.

Costs are up. Absolutely. Families doing renovations, contractors wanting to build

housing, businesses wanting to expand, they’re seeing the impacts of global inflation,

higher interest rates. Government’s not immune from that.

[11:05 a.m.]

When we see these costs go up, we do have a choice. We are going to build all the

things the member listed: hospitals, rapid transit, schools, critical infrastructure

to grow our economy.

Or do we abandon those projects?

The choice is obvious. We have to build these things. We have to build our province.

In this moment, more than ever, we have to make sure we can stand on our own two feet,

train our people, treat our people, support our people, grow our economy. And that’s

what we’re doing.

I am proud that last year we had the fastest-growing economy in the entire country.

I am proud of the 10,300 jobs that the private sector added just in January. But we

are on the abyss of the gravest economic threat this country has faced in generations.

We are going to support British Columbians. We have the second-lowest debt-to-GDP

ratio in the entire country. We have the space to do it. We have the people. We have

the geographic positioning. We have the resources. And we have the government that

is unquestioningly supporting British Columbians and Canadians every step of the way.

We don’t mistake racism for the truth, and we don’t mistake traitors for patriots.

[End of question period.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : In this House I call continued debate on the budget.

Budget Debate

(continued)

Hon. Randene Neill : I’m so honoured today to talk about the 2025 budget.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

We’ll wait, hon. Speaker, until everyone files out.

Deputy Speaker : Great suggestion. We’ll certainly get everybody to take their conversation into the

hall, and we will look to our minister shortly.

Thank you, everybody. Good afternoon. We will call this place back to order, and we

will turn to the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship for comments on

the budget.

Hon. Randene Neill : First, I’d like to acknowledge I’m speaking on the territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

As you can imagine, the preparation of this year’s provincial budget was particularly

complex, given the ongoing threats of tariffs and other economic pressures from south

of the border. The way forward will be challenging at times, but there is no doubt

in my mind we will come out stronger on the other side because that is what British

Columbians do.

We will continue to stand alongside our friends and our neighbours, work together

to solve problems and take advantage of new opportunities to make our lives better

and our communities more resilient. As everyone in this chamber knows, British Columbians

are amazingly resourceful.

In times of adversity, we will pull together to face any challenge that comes our

way. We are going to grow the economy by helping put people first and supporting businesses

as we build a strong future. We will manage our finances carefully to safeguard front-line

services people depend on, without hiking costs to homeowners.

We will improve health care and education by connecting more people to family doctors

and building good neighbourhood schools for our kids. We will deliver homes people

can afford while keeping everyday costs low, from child care fees to car insurance

bills, improving public safety with new community safety initiatives and by training

more municipal police, building up B.C.’s critical infrastructure with investments

in roads, bridges, transit that keep people moving and goods moving.

[11:10 a.m.]

In Budget 2025, my ministry, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship,

has been allocated over $220 million. That is an increase of just under $2 million

from the year before, roughly 0.85 percent over what was provided in the previous

budget. Our government is doing everything we can to support the hard-working people

of British Columbia, enhance our communities and make this province an even better

place to live.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, of which I am so proud to be

a part, is an integral part of the effort, and this commitment to support its many

programs reflects that role. I’d like to provide an overview of just some of the crucial

work that my ministry is contributing and what it’s doing to support our government’s

overall goals.

As Premier Eby stated, choosing between strengthening the economy and protecting the

environment is a false choice. We can, we must, and we will do both. After all, a

healthy and more resilient environment contributes to a more robust economy in the

long term. We must be ready to respond appropriately to any new challenges that arise

and do what’s right for our province and for British Columbians.

We want our natural resources sector to support reconciliation with Indigenous people,

environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. We’ve been working tirelessly

to advance these key goals, address the needs of communities and support the aspirations

of British Columbians. This approach, rather, requires us to remain flexible. It requires

us to remain nimble and adaptable and willing to look at new ways of doing things.

Many changes have occurred in this province since the natural resource ministries

were originally established over a decade ago, and one of those main things is the

implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. To keep

making progress, we needed to change how those ministries worked and how they were

organized.

In 2022, the Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship was established to build

on the progress we had made up until that point. First Nations are key partners in

the work that we need to do to deliver prosperity for all British Columbians, whether

it involves working together to address cumulative impacts, which includes the impacts

of many decades of industrial development in this province, or developing new models

of shared decision-making and co-management. This long-term approach is increasing

the clarity and predictability that’s needed to drive economic growth now and into

the future.

My ministry is also responsible for the development of effective policy and planning

related to land and water use and to biodiversity and ecosystem health, including

policies and programs for the effective management of species at risk. This portfolio

also covers fisheries within British Columbia and managing our government’s relationship

with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

In partnership with First Nations, we are implementing an approach for land and resource

management that is helping us make better decisions about land and water use to benefit

every single person in this province.

As we streamline our permitting and tenuring processes, we will also advance regulatory

reform. By supporting the responsible stewardship of B.C.’s natural resources, while

also encouraging sustainable economic growth, we are helping to create more opportunities

for everyone in B.C. We need to take environmental goals into account, as well as

the needs of industry in this province.

By working with First Nations as respected partners in the economy, our government

is providing greater clarity for companies making investment decisions or contemplating

new development projects in B.C. Much of the credit for how far this ministry has

come in recent years is absolutely due to my cabinet colleague the current Minister

of Health and to the former minister, Nathan Cullen. They helped build the foundation

for the work that we’re doing today and the work that we will continue to do in years

to come.

You also heard in this year’s throne speech how our government is tackling some of

the most pressing issues of concern for British Columbians. We are growing the economy

by creating good jobs throughout B.C. and by collaborating with businesses, workers

and communities to attract investments in new and traditional sectors, as well as

emerging sectors of the economy.

[11:15 a.m.]

We’re reducing costs for families and individuals, including helping people access

homes they can afford through support for first-time home buyers, increasing the supply

of rental stock and stronger measures to crack down on housing speculation.

We’re strengthening health care by expanding access to family doctors and recruiting

and training more health professionals, ensuring that every British Columbian can

access the care they need, no matter where they live, when and where they need it.

We’re making communities safer by working with law enforcement and social agencies

to address street disorder, crack down on organized crime and do all that we can to

ensure that repeat offenders stay behind bars.

Premier Eby has specifically directed my ministry, the Ministry of Water, Land and

Resource Stewardship, to prioritize….

Deputy Speaker : Minister, we just need to refrain from using names in the House, please.

Hon. Randene Neill : Oh, I’m sorry. You’re right. Thank you, hon. Speaker.

The Premier has specifically directed the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

to prioritize a range of initiatives to protect key services that British Columbians

rely on.

I’m working with the Minister of Finance to review all of my ministry’s programs and

initiatives to ensure that they are efficient and that they remain relevant and responsive

to the needs of British Columbians to grow the economy and to help protect the province’s

land and waters. This review is especially important in the context of current provincial

budget restraints and the priorities of communities throughout this province.

I continue to support cross-government efforts in partnership with First Nations to

improve the timing and the transparency of our permitting process to better support

sustainable economic growth in housing and in infrastructure as well, while still

maintaining B.C.’s world-leading environmental standards.

Where opportunities become available, we will work with First Nations to reach large-scale

agreements on land use and critical mineral and metal development. This will be done

in a way that expedites the permitting process, protects the environment, and offers

greater investor security and increases prosperity for all British Columbians.

The Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will work with communities that

are affected by drought or expected to face water shortages to establish community-based

priorities for industrial, agricultural, residential and environmental uses of water.

We know that water powers our province. We will also ensure better coordination between

water regulators and local communities in advance of drought conditions to support

an effective response during emergency situations.

I will continue to work with my colleagues across government to achieve land use objectives

that support conservation and contribute to a diversified economic strategy that supports

a wide range of industries, including energy, technology, tourism and resource development.

As part of this work, my ministry continues to advance land use planning with First

Nations, industry and local communities.

I’m working closely with the Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals to enable increased

mining exploration and development to northwest B.C. in partnership with First Nations.

This is being done in a manner that helps achieve the province’s commitment to protect

30 percent of B.C.’s land and waters by 2030, while also fostering economic growth

and opportunities in the region.

I continue to support our government’s efforts to protect critical ecosystems alongside

First Nations, communities, workers, industry, organizations and the public in a way

that upholds rights and title claims and contributes to long-term and inclusive economic

growth that, once again, benefits all British Columbians. My ministry is also working

to restore estuaries, intertidal zones and critical salmon spawning habitats.

Underlying all these efforts, as I have been mentioning along the way, are the crucially

important partnerships we are developing with First Nations in B.C. First Nations

peoples have been deeply connected to the lands, waters and resources within their

territories since time immemorial. Studies done in countries around the world, in

New Zealand and Australia and Brazil, show that when First Nations steward their own

land, the biodiversity outcomes are generally much higher.

Advancing reconciliation and implementing the Declaration Act and working in partnership

with First Nations right holders to advance shared interests and responsibilities

that every member of this government takes seriously, we are committed to lasting

reconciliation with First Nations, which includes ensuring they have a say on decisions

about their lands.

[11:20 a.m.]

Shared decision-making means shared prosperity for everybody in this province. It’s

critical that we all work together to build a consensus about how British Columbia’s

resources are managed as we honour the commitments made under the Declaration Act.

We must ensure that natural resource development is done in a manner that both supports

reconciliation and is environmentally sustainable. We recognize there’s a vital role

for others to play in pursuing reconciliation. Many partnerships already exist between

industry leaders and First Nations to move us closer to that goal. Increased prosperity

relies in part on these types of partnerships, which are crucial for a thriving resource

sector here in B.C.

I acknowledge this work can be and will be challenging at times, but we are determined

to collaborate with multiple partners to find creative and viable solutions and to

ensure that people’s voices are heard. When we work together, the outcomes are always

better, and we are always stronger.

We are determined to collaborate, as well, with multiple parties to find creative

and viable solutions to ensure that people’s voices are heard in all matters that

are important to them and that affect them. It’s a process that requires patience,

perseverance and a sincere willingness to listen. It’s also about being open to new

ideas and fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

With about 15 minutes left, I’d like to take a few minutes to highlight just some

of the many programs and initiatives for which my ministry has taken a leadership

role.

As I’ve said, the government priorities include both environmental stewardship and

economic growth. Sometimes it may seem like those two goals are at odds with each

other, but they do, they can, and they will work in tandem to complement each other

in the long run. For example, steady progress is being made to streamline our permitting

and tenuring processes, but we also recognize that more needs to be done.

We are not only addressing existing permitting backlogs, but more importantly, we’re

working across the natural resource sector to fix the province’s permitting system

as a whole. My ministry is working closely with other natural resource ministries

to improve permitting and tenuring processes, to find innovative solutions to alleviate

today’s challenges and to create a more sustainable permitting system, all while maintaining

high environmental standards.

In the fall of 2023, a realignment of B.C.’s natural resource ministries established

the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship as the lead ministry for stewardship

of all water resources and policy. This change provided greater oversight for water

management as we worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Ministry

of Forests, the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, the B.C. Energy Regulator,

as well as other agencies.

New cross-ministry oversight boards are now in place. The regulatory efficiency Board

is focused on addressing systemic barriers. The major projects implementation board

will ensure that mining and clean energy projects are fast-tracked. Reporting directly

to the cabinet committee on tariff response, these boards will help ensure that British

Columbia’s economy remains strong and resilient.

Teams of subject matter experts from multiple ministries conduct coordinated reviews

of project applications, and they can advise project proponents on their plans, leading

to better outcomes for land, water and wildlife, while also supporting a stronger,

more sustainable economy.

B.C.’s natural resource ministries have reviewed current legislation and policies

and have identified over 60 potential changes to decrease the number of permits entering

the system. Legislative changes will be proposed to help reduce duplication and more

efficiently deal with low-risk permitting decisions.

In our efforts to improve the permitting system, we are working more closely with

First Nations on strategies to improve environmental management and boost economic

opportunity. We’re also enabling the delegation of authorities to streamline permitting

processes between government departments, and that is reducing delays on critical

infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges.

It’s also supporting restoration activities in northeast B.C., and we are expanding

decision-making delegation models to include other agencies. This means that more

decision-makers are helping to manage B.C.’s resources and doing it more efficiently.

[11:25 a.m.]

The expansion of the B.C. Energy Regulator’s one-window approach to include restoration

projects in northeast B.C. will help support the sustainable development of oil, gas

and other resources. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has created a specialized

team to approve water licences related to transportation projects specifically, and

that has reduced approval times from 12 to 24 months to less than one month.

The delegation of some decision-making authority from my ministry to the Ministry

of Transportation and Transit frees up ministry resources that are able to be dedicated

to other water-related decisions. Giving the Ministry of Transport and Transit the

authority to handle permits for such projects has reduced permitting delays and saved

the province millions of dollars.

Our government’s initial investments to improve permitting processes and reduce delays

is already showing positive results as well. Over the past two years, we have successfully

applied that one-window approach to housing and to connectivity. We have eliminated

backlogged applications for housing and reduced the turnaround time for connectivity

applications by 51 percent.

Streamlining those processes gives decision-makers more capacity to focus on other

natural resource decisions, and this approach is being applied more broadly across

other sectors. For example, the navigator service provides project proponents with

early application reviews and end-to-end supports across natural resource ministries

and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit until a decision is made. That service

is now being expanded to support connectivity and electrification projects.

Another recent success is related to industrial development in areas that contain

environmentally important wetlands, such as the Fraser Valley. Some project applications

in that particular region were not making significant progress, so our ministry determined

a new approach was needed.

By working collaboratively and in line with the environmental mitigation policy, two

of six recent projects were issued permits. Those permits represent $800 million in

investments while also providing a net benefit to wetland health and future flood

and drought resistance in the area.

Further efforts are also being made to reduce the number of applications needed to

streamline processes between government departments and to accelerate key projects

that support provincial priorities such as clean, renewable energy. This streamlining

effort enables ministry staff to focus on projects or applications that pose a higher

risk to the environment.

I want to talk about 30 by 30 with the few minutes we have left, in terms of the budget

and our environment. We all know this: nature is one of our greatest allies in adapting

to a changing climate, mitigating related risks, supporting healthy communities and

fostering a more prosperous economy. That is what 30 by 30 is going to do for this

entire province.

Nature, for example, provides clean air and water, increased resilience to catastrophic

weather and wildfires, access to sustenance for First Nations and British Columbians

and physical and mental health benefits for many people.

In 2023, our government made a commitment to protect 30 percent of land and water

in B.C. by 2030, and about 18½ million hectares are already protected. That is about

19.7 percent of B.C.’s total land area. Of that 19.7 percent, about 15.6 percent is

conserved in parks and protected areas, and about 4.1 percent is conserved using what

we call other effective conservation measures or, because we definitely love abbreviations

in cabinet, OECMs.

To reach the 30 percent target, an estimated 9.9 million hectares, about 10.3 percent

of B.C.’s land base, still needs to be protected and preserved. We do this through

land use plans, and they not only help identify areas for conservation and protection

but, equally importantly, they also unlock access to natural resources, bringing better

certainty and greater certainty on land base for industry and for business.

Inclusive planning means that industry, local governments, communities, environmental

organizations and other stakeholders are engaged in the province’s land use planning.

People living in B.C. also share a deep connection to nature, from our ancient forests

and diverse wildlife to our coastal waters and mountain ranges.

[11:30 a.m.]

This is another process that I’m incredibly excited about. The draft biodiversity

and ecosystem health framework reflects a collaborative vision for healthy environments,

communities and economies. It identifies mechanisms to improve the work we need to

do to achieve the framework’s vision across multiple levels of government with industry,

non-governmental organizations and communities.

Completing the draft biodiversity and ecosystem health framework is a commitment that

was made in our government’s old-grown action plan. The framework is intended to align

with the province’s existing responsibilities to advance reconciliation and to safeguard

the long-term health and well-being of communities. It recognizes the deep interconnection

between the environment and the economy, proving once again it’s a false choice.

The biodiversity and ecosystem health framework will also support an approach that

focuses more on entire ecosystems instead of just a single species at a time, resulting

in greater benefits for multiple species on a landscape scale. This approach will

also help reduce overall costs compared to a single-species management model.

The draft biodiversity and ecosystem health framework also upholds and enables the

United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples by supporting three

pillars: adopting a whole-of-government approach that demonstrates vision, leadership

and integration; fostering and supporting a whole-of-society approach that includes

broad input from the public; and adopting an open and transparent process for supporting

biodiversity and ecosystem health through ongoing evaluation, reporting and collective

learning.

If we think of land use planning as a way to determine which activities could take

place where on a land base, the biodiversity and ecosystem health framework will identify

how we manage the land and resources to improve ecosystem community and economic resiliency.

Finally, in just the couple minutes I have left, I want to talk about something called

the Together for Wildlife strategy, because if there’s something that also brings

us all together, it’s our support of wildlife in this province.

The Together for Wildlife strategy was released back in 2020. It was built on a shared

vision of thriving wildlife and resilient habitats that support and enrich the lives

of all British Columbians. Salmon, grizzly bears — all keystone species that define

who we are as a people. As I said the other day in the house, salmon runs through

all our veins, and it’s something that we want to see sustained and increase the abundance

of.

Long-term ecosystem health and biodiversity is crucial for the health and well-being

of communities, economic sustainability, maintenance of clean air and water and the

responsible stewardship of wildlife and natural resources for future generations.

The Together for Wildlife strategy was developed with Indigenous peoples, rural communities,

academic institutions and a wide range of stakeholder organizations who all have a

vested influence in the future of our wildlife in this province.

It incorporates the goals and actions to improve the sharing of data and knowledge

to inform wildlife and habitat stewardship decisions. When we have science, we can

better protect the species that we love.

The strategy also implements on-the-ground actions that directly support the stewardship

and management objectives, the development of wildlife policies, the advancement of

reconciliation and the strong partnerships aimed at improving wildlife management.

The strategy will deliver on priorities that were identified collaboratively with

advisory bodies. Implementation of the strategy has also increased research and wildlife

monitoring.

With just a couple of minutes to go, I would like to say that these are just some

of the programs and initiatives that my ministry is leading to make life better for

communities and individual British Columbians. Together we will continue to build

on our strengths and pursue new opportunities.

We are also actively planning for challenges that we face today and may face tomorrow.

So we will continue to work closely with First Nations, communities and other partners

on integrated approaches to the stewardship of water, land and other resources that

are critical and so important to each and every one of us.

[11:35 a.m.]

My ministry is fully aware of the need to coordinate government efforts to ensure

that industry and businesses can operate together in an atmosphere of increased clarity

that provides predictability and certainty. The enhanced ability of industry leaders

to make investment plans and decisions will further strengthen our economy and support

and create more local jobs.

We are pursuing a balanced approach that respects B.C.’s natural values, while also

providing improved transparency about the processes used to make land use decisions.

By listening to each other, working together and respecting differing points of view,

we are making this province healthier and more prosperous.

In Budget 2025, our government is taking positive steps to respond to today’s priorities.

Our budget prepares us to carefully navigate these uncharted waters so we can put

people first and protect the businesses as we look ahead to ensure that we, our children

and our grandchildren will have a brighter and more secure future.

Larry Neufeld : I am here today to speak against the 2025 budget, a document that increases my already

significant concern for the future of this province.

First, I would like to take this opportunity to speak of my wonderful family and my

wonderful region of Peace River South.

I would be remiss not to take this opportunity to thank my beautiful wife of 33 years,

Tammy Neufeld. Her devotion to family and to our long-term marriage is without equal.

I could not ask for a better partner in business, campaigning, parenthood, grandparenthood

or any other aspect of life. I hope she was watching.

I would also like to thank my three adult children: Danielle, Ayden and Kyra. While

building my first business, I was not always as present as I would have liked to have

been during some of their more formative years. For that, I do apologize, and I thank

them. I’m very proud of how all three of my children have navigated life and become

productive young adults.

Danielle has overcome a life-altering tragedy to finish her engineering degree, beginning

practice toward becoming a professional engineer in Dawson Creek. She and her husband,

Burl, have also gifted my wife and me with our first grandchild, Elijah Piper.

My son, Ayden, took advantage of the fantastic dual-credit program offered by Northern

Lights College and South Peace Secondary in Dawson Creek to become a fully licensed

red seal heavy-duty mechanic at the very young age of only 21 — indeed, quite a feat.

My youngest, Kyra, is in her last term of a degree toward forensic science from Trent

University. She already owns and operates a business.

I am very proud of all of my children.

Thank you to the campaign volunteers and supporters. As everyone in this chamber is

aware, a campaign can be arduous, discouraging, exhausting, uplifting, joyous, euphoric

and every emotion in between, a real roller-coaster. To go through this on your own

would be a significant challenge. I was indeed fortunate to have a great and hard-working

team around me.

I would like to recognize and thank the folks that were instrumental in the significant

work involved, allowing me to stand in this place — my campaign manager, Doug Scott,

and his wife, Suzanne Scott. The drive and perseverance exhibited by Doug is second

to none.

Helen Scott did a phenomenal job of executing the campaign with respect to her home

city of Tumbler Ridge.

Kurt Peats provided much needed support in many areas, primarily as a keeper of the

peace as needed and for keeping everyone on task of executing the campaign in Chetwynd.

As I sat at my desk creating the list of people to recognize for their efforts, I

soon realized that I am restricted to 30 minutes, and the list would absorb a significant

portion of that 30 minutes.

To those whose names I have not spoken, please accept these general thanks, and please

be aware that I very much appreciate your support.

The outpour of support was phenomenal and significantly appreciated. On any single

day we had up to and over a hundred volunteers; it was phenomenal.

[11:40 a.m.]

I’d also like to take this venue to thank my constituency assistant Heather Lowery.

Her dedication, enthusiasm and work ethic have certainly been noticed. I can’t imagine

handling the workload of a constituency office without her immense help.

My legislative assistant, John Koury, has also provided invaluable assistance during

both my time in Victoria but also getting me here and getting me home again. His enthusiasm

and drive to be involved in the process is commendable.

Thanks for the Mickey D’s, John.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful people of the South Peace

region. My chest is filled with pride as I think of the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth

folks that live in the beautiful riding of South Peace. From the ranchers spending

time checking fences, to the farmer overlooking their land to inform their decision

related to spring planting, to the oil and gas worker waking up to yet another minus-35

day, to the coal mine employees starting their vehicles to head out to work, I have

the greatest in camaraderie and respect.

Those of us that chose to live in the North face challenges. However, I’m sure we

all agree that the benefits far outweigh any and all challenges.

The residents of my wonderful region are, as I’ve said, salt-of-the-earth people.

Many are entrepreneurs from across the country, attracted by past booms and the opportunities

to start and build businesses. I was one of them, some 30 years ago.

I lived my formative years on a first-generation farm in northern Saskatchewan, where

I was raised below the poverty line. This is where I learned to squeeze two nickels

to make a quarter, a choice that we simply did not have, in order to survive.

The South Peace region contains a significant and very broad range of resources, and

I am very proud to share those with you. They include farming, ranching, forestry,

oil and gas production, a significant amount of metallurgical coal production.

We do have tourism. I’m sure everyone has heard of Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway.

Well, that’s the town in which I live.

Interjection.

Larry Neufeld : You’ve never heard of the…? Yep. It is. Absolutely.

We have multiple wind farms, and we do have the — some might say famous; some might

say infamous — Site C dam within the riding as well.

We also have very significant outdoor tourism opportunities. I think that’s what most

of us in the region would agree keeps a lot of us there. The hiking, hunting, fishing,

river boats, side-by-side snowmobiling — the list goes on and on. It’s exceptionally

diverse. Again, I’m very proud.

Major issues in our beautiful part of the province. The medical system is a story

that’s often repeated; in fact, I would say daily repeated in this chamber. Nearly

half of my constituents do not currently have a family doctor, myself and numerous

of my family members included.

For many months in the South Peace, we’ve seen repeated closures of the emergency

rooms. This outrageous situation is…. Well, I’m going to soften that language. No,

I’m not. This outrageous situation is totally the fault of this incompetent, inept

NDP government.

For 278 days, the Premier did not call back this House into session. For 39 weeks,

the time that it takes a woman to have a baby, the Premier has done nothing but campaign

for re-election, hire a legion of communications staff, take a long vacation, and

hand out raises ranging from tens of thousands to $40,000 to $60,000 to every member

of the opposite side of the House.

One of my constituents, an X-ray technician at a local hospital, was fired from the

hospital for refusing the COVID vaccination. While the government’s policy reversal

on vaccinations may sound nice on the surface, the local ER was recently closed due

to the lack of an X-ray technician, while my constituent continues to remain sitting

at home.

The Conservative platform, which I proudly ran on, promotes a patient-first model

of universal health care. This is completely not the two-tier, U.S.-style system,

as has been suggested by others. This is a western European–derived model, providing

additional services to patients by utilizing government and non-government services.

[11:45 a.m.]

When I speak to this, I do like to use the example of an MRI, because unfortunately

I do need to get those completed on myself every now and again. Under the western

European model, what it would allow is that a patient requiring an MRI would still

go to the doctor and would still have a requisition for an MRI, but they would have

access to both the private MRI clinic, which is in my city, or wait for the public

MRI clinic, which is available in the neighbouring city.

The system would not include any cost to the patient. It would simply have the clinic

bill the government, and there would be double the amount of MRIs and less waiting

time, resulting in better results for better patient outcomes.

Such a commonsense solution, completely ignored by this government. This government

must do better for the rural residents of British Columbia. This government must do

better for the people who live in the North of this province.

Another significant issue in the South Peace is road maintenance. I’ve lived in the

North for the vast majority of my life, and I’m here to tell you that highway maintenance

needs on Vancouver Island or in Metro Vancouver are nowhere near close to the needs

in my part of this great province, with our tremendous annual snowfall and our high-elevation

mountain passes included.

The members sitting opposite may or may not be aware, but this NDP government takes

a one-size-fits-all approach to highway maintenance, and that includes wintertime

time as well.

A little over seven years ago this blatant fact was brought home, loud and clear,

to me and my family. My wife and I were driving in the Pine Pass for a ski weekend

when we came across the scene of a head-on collision between a tractor trailer and

a pickup truck.

My wife was driving at the time, and she was startled when I abruptly opened the passenger

door and jumped out of the vehicle while it was moving. I realized that the pickup

truck involved in the accident belonged to our oldest daughter. Adrenaline allowed

me to stay on my feet, to the sound of skidding tires, as I ran in front of the vehicle

to approach my daughter’s truck.

After approaching and positively identifying the truck at close range, the next two

steps were the most difficult in my life. I walked forward to look inside the destroyed

vehicle. Thankfully, I was met with a scene of utter destruction but no bodily fluids

or worse.

Turning to scan the scene further, I began walking toward the centre of the area of

carnage and was challenged by a wonderful emergency responder, to whom I replied,

in an incredibly certain tone and volume, that I am her father. I was directed to

an ambulance where I found my daughter in the rear of the vehicle and her husband,

who had been in the passenger front seat, strapped into the ambulance.

Unbeknownst to me at that moment, while conscious and verbalizing, my daughter was

clinging to life. As my daughter would not have survived the ambulance ride to Prince

George due to the severity of her injuries, she was taken to the Mackenzie clinic

for stabilization and warming prior to transport. Warming was required due to the

two-hour extraction process and the time that she had laid on the snow, supported

in her husband’s arms.

Arriving in Prince George at 1:30 a.m., the surgical teams were woken to perform emergency

surgery, following life-saving actions taken in the trauma unit.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Having lost over 50 percent of her blood volume internally, my daughter was left with

rods in both femurs, plates in both arms, a pelvis in 12 pieces, fractured ribs, followed

by a two-month hospital stay, culminating in learning how to walk again. To this day,

my daughter requires a dual knee replacement from that accident, a life-altering experience

for all involved.

I am thrilled to announce that, seven-plus years following this horrific accident,

the same daughter has finished her degree in engineering and, as previously mentioned,

gave my wife and me….

I have awoken many times over the past seven years with the realization that given

the notable deterioration in health services in the North, I seriously question that

should that same accident have occurred today, would my daughter and granddaughter

be with me?

The citizens of northern British Columbia deserve better.

The other item that I’d like to move on to would be the fire protection in our area.

I reserve my right to continue at the next sitting.

Larry Neufeld moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. Lana Popham moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker : This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 11:50 a.m.