2005 Legislative Session: First Session, 38th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes

only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 1, Number 4

CONTENTS

Routine Proceedings

Page

Introductions by Members

Motions without Notice

Amendment to Standing Orders

Hon. M.

de Jong

Statements (Standing Order

B) Social service providers in B.C.

G. Hogg

Fire at Burns Bog

Gentner

Abbotsford Airport expansion

R. Hawes

Sports in Trail

Conroy

Economy in northwestern B.C.

MacKay

Reopening of Mount Polley mine

Simpson

Oral Questions

B.C. Rail–CN Rail agreement and

cost of rail crossing upgrades

C. James

Hon. K.

Falcon

Chudnovsky

Macdonald

J. Kwan

Mountain pine beetle strategy

Simpson

Hon. R.

Coleman

Federal funding for mountain pine

beetle strategy

H. Lali

Hon. R.

Coleman

Availability of mental health

services for youth

C. Wyse

Hon. G.

Abbott

Support for parents of infants

relocated for health care services

Cubberley

Hon. G.

Abbott

J. Brar

Investigation of CN train

derailment and damages to environment

Simpson

Hon. B.

Penner

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

C. James

L. Mayencourt

J. Rustad

D. Routley

Hon. I. Chong

B. Simpson

Hon. R. Coleman

C. Evans

J. Nuraney

[ Page 29 ]

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

The House met at 2:05 p.m.

Introductions by Members

S. Hawkins: Today in the House I am pleased to introduce

members and staff from the Select Committee on Electoral Reform from the

Legislative Assembly of Ontario. They are Norm Miller, MPP and vice-Chair;

Michael Prue, MPP; Monique Smith, MPP; Richard Patten, MPP; Larry Johnston,

research officer; and Anne Stokes, Clerk of the committee.

The committee is meeting in the precinct today on matters relating

to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform and the work of the Special

Committee on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform. Tomorrow meetings have

been arranged for them in Vancouver. I would ask the House to please make them

all welcome.

Hon. G. Campbell: Today I'm sure members in the House will

recognize that Scott Sutherland, the longstanding legislative correspondent for

Broadcast News, is not with us. He and his wife Marcie are on Saltspring Island

right now, where they are celebrating the birth of their first grandson, Michael

Ellery Stocks. I'd like to congratulate Scott, Marcie and the mother, Bronwyn

and the father, Jamid.

R. Lee: It's my pleasure this afternoon to welcome several

guests from Shanghai, China. They are Mr. Frank Fu, deputy general manager,

China International Intellectech Corporation; Mr. Jeffery Zhang, assistant

general manager; and Mr. Yongxiang Qiu, manager, department of overseas

development. Accompanying them are Anguo Huang and Mr. Eugene Liu from Burnaby.

CIIC is seeking opportunities in building up trade between China and British

Columbia. Would the House please make them welcome.

Motions without Notice

AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDERS

Hon. M. de Jong: With leave, I make the following motion:

[That the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly of British

Columbia be amended as follows for the duration of the First Session of the

Thirty-eighth Parliament, commencing September 12, 2005.

1. That Standing Order 14 be amended by

adding a further sentence at the end of the standing order as

follows:

"In addition, the House may appoint one of

the members of the official opposition to be Assistant Deputy

Speaker."

2. That Standing Order 25B be amended

by deleting the words "Three Private Members" in the first

sentence and substituting the words "Six Private Members," and further by

amending Standing Order 25B(2) by deleting the words "three Members" and

substituting the words "six Members".

3. That Standing Order 47A be amended

by deleting the words "15 minute" in the first sentence and

substituting the words "30 minute."]

Motion approved.

Statements

(Standing Order 25

b) SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS IN B.C.

G. Hogg: In British Columbia we have some of the world's

most creative, accountable and effective social service providers, and many of

them are on the forefront of excellence-seeking for the non-profit sector. They

recognize that what business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social

entrepreneurs are to social change.

[1410]

William Drayton has observed that over the past two decades the

world has seen a dramatic expansion of the citizen non-profit sector and has

seen the explosive emergence of social entrepreneurship. This change has come

about as a result of a profound change in our society's underlying culture. The

social sector is becoming structurally as entrepreneurial and competitive as the

business sector. Increasingly, the world is being defined by the irrepressible

dynamic of citizen groups competing to solve social problems at whatever level

is required.

We have long understood that top business entrepreneurs create or

redefine industries. Now top social entrepreneurs are redefining health,

poverty, homelessness and other areas of human need. Both sectors, the business

and the social, market their products and their services. Both are operational

sectors, and both become wonderfully innovative when the political and cultural

environments are supportive. The distinction that business does its work through

a for-profit format and that citizen groups usually do theirs through a

non-profit format sometimes obscures the fact that both exist and that both are

sanctioned and regulated by the state for the purpose of creating value for

society.

Government's primary strength is not its operational ability but

its ability to represent the whole population and to foster conditions to

promote fairness and productive activity in all sectors. Government's

announcement of a Pacific centre for social innovation will help to provide a

supportive environment within which our social innovators can create value while

addressing social needs for British Columbians. It's a good, good thing for

British Columbia.

FIRE AT BURNS BOG

G. Gentner: Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your

election and thank you for the opportunity to speak.

At noon today I spoke to my constituency assistant, who told me of

the possible need to close our office today because of the almost unbearable

smoke from

[ Page 30 ]

the fire raging in Burns Bog. I rise to give heartfelt thanks to the 60 or

more firefighters from Delta and the 30 support crew members of gallant and

brave men and women who are risking their lives on the fire line, the hand crews

fighting the extremely dangerous terrain of 200 hectares — almost half the size

of Stanley Park — within a bog area of over 7,000 acres that encompasses over a

quarter of the land mass of Delta, overlapping both the constituencies of Delta

North and, of course, Delta South.

Burns Bog is a carbon sink, scrubbing the atmosphere of carbon and

storing it. Unfortunately, there are arteries of methane underground, making bog

fires stubborn to put out. Hopefully, our fire crews will be able to put out

this fire very soon.

I would particularly like to take the opportunity of thanking Fire

Chief Gord Freeborn and his Delta fire crew; the GVRD; the B.C. Forest Service,

for its quick response in this cooperative effort; Delta Mayor Lois Jackson and

her council; Delta Chief Administrator Mr. George Harvie and his staff; Delta

operations; and the Delta Parks and Recreation Commission for assisting with the

command post. I ask this House to recognize at this time all workers and

volunteers involved in putting out this potentially devastating fire.

ABBOTSFORD AIRPORT EXPANSION

R. Hawes: The Fraser Valley is the fastest-growing area in

Canada, and that growth is putting great pressure on the Abbotsford

International Airport. The airport now services 400,000 passengers annually, and

with growth rates averaging 25 percent per annum, the annual passenger load is

anticipated to surpass one million within five years. To accommodate this growth

and build on a burgeoning international market, a $20 million expansion has

commenced. Our government has funded $4.25 million of this, and the airport

itself will raise $5.5 million. The airport authority is calling on the federal

government to fund the $10.25 million balance, but to date there has been no

commitment from Ottawa.

Additionally, the Abbotsford

International Airport must pay the

federal government $1,500 for customs service for every international flight.

Other much smaller airports such as Bathurst, St. Stephen Airport, Grand Manam

and Edmundston, all of which have no scheduled airline service, receive customs

services at no charge from the federal government.

Recently an aircraft bound for Vancouver from Mexico was diverted

to Abbotsford. Passengers were forced to wait on the plane for three hours until

customs could send a number of guards to ensure all of the passengers got onto a

bus for Vancouver, where they could go through regular customs. There were 11

Fraser Valley residents on that plane who had to bus into Vancouver and back

rather than deplane in their own community.

[1415]

This is a huge economic development issue for the Fraser Valley

and for the province as a whole. There are also issues of regional equity and

fairness at play here.

I know that the Minister of Transportation will continue to

pressure the federal government on this issue. I call on all members of this

House to request that their MPs lobby on behalf of all British Columbians for

capital funding support and federally supplied customs services so badly needed

at the Abbotsford International Airport.

SPORTS IN TRAIL

K. Conroy: Today I'm pleased to inform the House that in my

constituency of West Kootenay–Boundary, the city of Trail has recently been

named the best sports town in B.C. Nominations were based on history, passion of

the citizens, achievement and the athletes produced.

Trail has a long history of team and individual accomplishments in

the athletic world. These include the hockey legacy of the Trail Smoke Eaters, a

senior A team that won the 1939 and 1961 world championships; NHL players like

Barrett Jackman, Adam Deadmarsh, Ray Ferrero and Steve Tambellini, to name just

a few; also, Olympic heroes like rower Kathleen Heddle, decathlete Gerry Moro,

and Gordie Robertson — who was on the gold-medal Olympic hockey team in Oslo in

There have also been some amazing coaches, like track coach Willi

Krause, and Little League baseball coach Andy Bilesky, who's taken a number of

Trail's Little League teams to the Canadian nationals and on to Williamsport,

Pennsylvania. Of course, everyone is watching with pride the career of Jason

Bay, the 2004 National League Rookie of the Year, and his sister Lauren Bay and

her amazing pitching arm on Canada's national women's fast-pitch team.

This tribute also goes to the many volunteers in the community who

make all these sports possible. As the community promotion chair Betty Anne

Marino said, our distinctness is that sport is so much a part of the fabric of

our community. And it's not just the sports. It's the volunteers that go into

making the sports success happen — that culture of volunteerism and sense of

commitment. I don't think many communities have all of that.

It is indeed unfortunate that I don't have time to list all of the

many athletes who have excelled in their sports who hail from Trail, but the

city has taken care of that. In 1996 a statue and monument was erected in

downtown Trail that lists all of those who've excelled in sports, industry or

lifestyle, and it is added to every year. Most names so far are athletes, and I

think all of those recognized to date, of all ages, feel as Jason Bay has said:

it is quite an honour.

Trail is indeed, as its community slogan says, "The home of the

champions." I ask that the House join me in acknowledging this recognition.

ECONOMY IN NORTHWESTERN B.C.

D. MacKay: I would like to spend the next two minutes and

speak about the economy of the northwest part of our province. The naysayers of

four years ago said that tax reforms would not pay for themselves and

[ Page 31 ]

that the reduction of red tape and regulation would not work to revitalize

our economy. We saw the very positive results of those initiatives almost

immediately in the lower mainland. Today I would like to speak about some of the

positive economic indicators that are taking place in Bulkley Valley–Stikine.

The Tulsequah Chief mine near Atlin finally got the final

environmental approval from the federal government. The Red Chris mine near

Iskut received final approval from the provincial environmental review

committee. The Galore Creek property was expected to spend $20 million on

exploration. By the end of this year they will have spent almost $40 million

just doing exploration on that one property. Blue Pearl Mining is looking at

developing a molybdenum mine in the Hudson Bay Mountain near Smithers.

The town of Smithers is expanding its airport terminal building,

and plans are underway to extend the runway. And 20/20 Resorts Inc. acquired the

Ski and Ride Smithers resort. This ski hill was named B.C.'s top ski resort by

the B.C. Ski Association in 2003. Big development plans are awaiting that

development. We are also seeing some bidding wars on real estate in Smithers.

We must continue with our economic plan. Obviously, it's the right

thing to do.

REOPENING OF MOUNT POLLEY MINE

B. Simpson: This Friday I will have the pleasure of

attending the official reopening of Mount Polley mine near Likely. The reopening

of this mine is an economic boost to this region and will make a positive

contribution to the diversification of the economies of Likely, Horsefly,

Williams Lake and Quesnel.

[1420]

However, before the government members of the House take credit

for this mine reopening, I'd like to read an excerpt from Imperial Metals

Corp.'s website. Imperial owns Mount Polley.

Mount Polley, an open-pit copper-gold mine, was commissioned in

1997 and built by Imperial at a capital cost of $115 million. With a

capacity of 20,000 tons of ore per day, it produced 133 million pounds of

copper and 370,000 ounces of gold before being idled September 2001 due to

low metal prices.

Since the discovery of the northeast

zone in August 2003, the Mount Polley property has been the

focus of continuous exploration. Imperial's northeast zone is one of B.C.'s

most exciting discoveries, containing copper grades three times higher than

the previously mined Mount Polley, Cariboo and Bell deposits. The discovery,

at a time which saw steadily rising metal prices, allowed Imperial to move

forward and recommence Mount Polley operations sooner than expected.

That's from their website.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I'm thrilled to announce the official

reopening of this mine while at the same time setting the record straight as to

why it is indeed reopening. I look forward to joining the hard-working folks at

Mount Polley on Friday and celebrating their achievements.

Oral Questions

B.C. RAIL–CN RAIL AGREEMENT AND

COST OF RAIL CROSSING UPGRADES

C. James: Mr. Speaker, it's an honour to rise and ask my

first question in our new 30-minute question period. My question is on an issue

of importance to all British Columbians, and my question is to the Premier. Can

the Premier explain why he signed a contract to sell B.C. Rail that allowed CN

to charge property owners for upgrades to rail crossings along the B.C. Rail

corridor?

Hon. K. Falcon: Actually, the CN–B.C. Rail investment

partnership was undertaken to provide some extraordinary benefits for British

Columbians — benefits that I am pleased to say include a $135 million northern

development initiative, benefits that include over a thousand new railcars and

benefits that will open up the province and feed the economy of British

Columbia.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a

supplemental.

C. James: I would just like to provide a little more

information for the Premier to be able to answer the question and to speak to

the benefits, like new charges, perhaps, that property owners are now having to

carry. According to CN, in a letter sent on August 16 to property owners, CN is

now transferring its responsibility to individual British Columbians to pay the

cost of upgrades to rail crossings. Needless to say, this has come as a complete

surprise to the property owners. As we all know, B.C. Rail was responsible for

rail crossings in our province.

Again, I'd like to ask the Premier to tell us: where in the sale

contract does it speak to the fact that CN is now allowed to charge British

Columbians for upgrades to the railway that that government gave away?

Hon. K. Falcon: I'd be happy to try and get more details

for the member. One thing I do know is that B.C. Rail…. Under B.C. Rail

operation they had the same obligation to charge those fees. What often happened

was — not surprisingly, when it's a government-run railway — there was political

interference that took place. One of the things we wanted to do was actually

eliminate political interference in the operation of the railway. That's one of

the great advantages of having CN as the new independently operated railway.

They are investing enormous amounts — hundreds of millions of dollars — to

improve that rail infrastructure right across British Columbia, to the benefit

of British Columbia's booming economy.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a further

supplemental.

[ Page 32 ]

[1425]

C. James: It's very clear that the minister doesn't know

his file well on this issue. I'd be happy to provide some more information to

him.

Let me quote from the letter. This is a quote from CN. "Improving

approach grades and installing a gate with a lock is your responsibility. You

must do it at your own expense." CN then goes on to say that a charge of $535,

an annual administrative fee for this privilege, will be charged.

I would like to ask again if the Premier can tell us how many

British Columbians are being forced to pay CN's bills.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. K. Falcon: As I said to the member, I'd be happy to

look into further detail, but what I want to remind the member of is that,

actually, nothing has changed since B.C. Rail was also operating on those

tracks. The only difference is that what used to happen, inevitably, as in so

many cases as a result of political interference, is that politicians interfered

with B.C. Rail making the kind of economic decisions they were supposed to have

made.

As a result of that, B.C. Rail ended up under a staggering debt

load of half a billion dollars. As a result of that, the previous government, as

that member should well know, had to write off over a billion dollars of

taxpayer money as a result of political mismanagement and interference. I think

it's great today that we now have a situation where we have a railway that is

making the hundreds of millions of dollars of investment to ensure that our

economy in British Columbia continues to grow…

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. K. Falcon: …and continues to thrive under private

sector investment.

D. Chudnovsky: This extended question period isn't going to

work very well if all the ministers do is dodge the questions.

Let me provide some additional information. Not only is CN forcing

British Columbians to pay thousands of dollars to maintain their rail line; they

also want their strong-arm tactics kept secret.

Section 24 of the contract that

CN is forcing people to sign says very clearly that the new agreement is

confidential and that no one is allowed to talk about it.

Can the Minister of Transportation tell us if he thinks it's

appropriate for CN to muzzle British Columbians in this way, and can he tell us

what he's going to do about it?

Hon. K. Falcon: Well, I'm a little surprised to hear the

member of the opposition say that, because actually, if the member would take

the time to go onto the website, he would find the entire agreement, over 600

pages, is available for his purview. I would encourage the member to go and take

the time….

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. K. Falcon: I would encourage the member to actually

take the time and go through and read that agreement. I think he'll find it most

interesting.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Vancouver-Kensington has a

supplemental.

D. Chudnovsky: CN is not giving people a choice. The

message is simple: pay up or else. I'll quote from the agreement: "If the

agreement and rental fees are not paid, the agreement may be cancelled and the

crossing removed." Can the Minister of Transportation tell us if he signed off

on this new arrangement when he sold B.C. Rail, or is CN violating that

agreement?

Hon. K. Falcon: To the member of the opposition, one thing

that I would remind the member is that both local governments and private

landowners paid for the maintenance and the construction of road crossings over

the railway right-of-way when the railway was operated by B.C. Rail. These

often, in many cases…. Granted, they never paid them or wouldn't pay them, and

there was often political interference, but that was the standard of the day. CN

is operating in the same manner that used to be operated under B.C. Rail. I

imagine the only difference is that they probably want to make sure they get

paid for that. In this case, we won't be interfering as the government used to

do under B.C. Rail's operation.

N. Macdonald: Mr. Speaker, it looks as if the government

knew all along about this arrangement. In 2004 the government rescinded

legislation that gave the minister the authority to force CN to pay for its own

upgrades. Will the Minister of Community Services assure this House that CN

isn't going to use its bully tactics on municipalities?

[1430]

Hon. K. Falcon: You know, Mr. Speaker, I'm almost enjoying

this, because it seems that the member opposite — in fact, all the members

opposite — haven't recognized one other thing they're very silent about, which I

find interesting. What about the tens of millions of dollars in property taxes

now being paid by CN Rail to all of those municipalities this member professes

to be concerned about? That was one of the many benefits. I'd be happy to list a

lot more of them for the members, if they'd like; for example, the 7 percent

average reduction in shipping costs, the fact that

[ Page 33 ]

shipping times are 30 percent faster, the fact that we get goods to market

faster, the fact that they've invested in over a thousand new railcars. Mr.

Speaker, that's the kind of value that British Columbians were looking for in

that agreement…

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. K. Falcon: …and that's the kind of value that's been

delivered.

J. Kwan: I'd like this minister to tell British Columbians

how being charged a fee for rail crossings is actually a benefit.

From the very beginning the B.C. Rail deal has been marred in

secrecy, scandal and serious corruption allegations. This summer we have seen

unprecedented derailments affecting our environment, and now we have this: CN

picking the pockets of British Columbians.

I notice that the Minister of Revenue is displaying a huge,

life-sized sign — "A Taxpayer Fairness Code," it says — in his office. The code

says he will treat B.C. taxpayers with respect. Can he tell us if CN's tactics

meet with this government's definition of respect for B.C. taxpayers?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. K. Falcon: I'll say it again, because perhaps the

three other times I've said it, it hasn't quite registered. Under B.C. Rail

operation, the local governments and private land owners paid for the

maintenance and construction of road crossings over railway right-of-ways when

the railway was operated by B.C. Rail. Nothing has changed there. This member

then goes off on a rant about the B.C. Rail–CN investment partnership, which has

provided tremendous benefits to British Columbia. I just note that they

overlooked those benefits.

In fact, one of the ones that I've heard about just recently that

folks were glowing about in Asia was the fact that we were investing, in

partnership with CN and the federal government, almost $100 million into the

port of Prince Rupert. That is going to turn that port into a superport, which

is going to be a tremendous benefit to the northwestern part of this province.

That is something that they are excited about in China and we are excited about

in British Columbia. That was yet another benefit of this tremendous CN

investment partnership.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

J. Kwan: Is the minister saying, then, that public safety

is now a responsibility of individual property taxpayers? Is that what he's

saying? Was that explicit in the contract which he signed with CN?

Hon. K. Falcon: Well, I have now answered this four times,

and I'll say it again: private land owners, local governments — anyone with a

private crossing over a railway — have always been responsible for any costs of

upgrades to those crossings. Nothing has changed, except the only thing that

changed is that the government no longer has the ability to interfere with the

decisions about making those payments. Apparently that troubles the member

opposite, but I can tell you, as Minister of Transportation, I'm comfortable

with that.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE STRATEGY

B. Simpson: Just last month the Agriculture Minister told a

reporter in Prince George that the mountain pine beetle epidemic was good for

agriculture in this province, because as the beetle kills off forests, that land

will become farmland.

Does the Minister of Forests and Range agree with his cabinet

colleague's suggestion that forestry is a sunset industry?

[1435]

Hon. R. Coleman: I think what's important here is that

people realize that we have a pine beetle epidemic in the interior of British

Columbia and that all strategies relative to enhancement of agriculture, as well

as the protection of our forests and the economic values of the fibre, along

with a way to implement to protect the future of our communities and including

the fact that forestry will not be a sunset industry in British Columbia — the

priorities of this government…. It will include all aspects and all discussions

relative to agriculture, forestry, reforestation and the plan to protect our

communities in the future.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

B. Simpson: I find it intriguing that the minister talks

about all aspects being included in finding a solution to the mountain pine

beetle. I find it intriguing that he talks about a broader strategy beyond the

mountain pine beetle that includes all of the issues that are out there on our

land base. I also find it intriguing that this minister refuses to engage this

opposition in a bipartisan approach to resolving this problem and finding

long-term sustainable solutions.

Hon. R. Coleman: The fact of the matter is that over the

last four years this government has engaged all aspects with regards to this.

There was an MLA committee that went out and dealt with the mountain pine

beetle. It led into a Premier's summit in the Cariboo with regards to the

mountain pine beetle strategy. A strategy was put together. It is now at the

implementation stage. It is funded.

[ Page 34 ]

We also went to communities and said: "Would you come back with

your business case, your beetle action plan, so we can work with communities

across the province to build long-term sustainability." We've already funded the

Cariboo-Chilcotin beetle action committee. We are now sitting down with the

Omineca Beetle Action Coalition and working with one in the Okanagan.

In addition to that, we have an implementation plan coming shortly

with regards to the $100 million from the federal government. We will do a plan

and work through this with the communities and the people affected, so we can

build long-term sustainability and protect the people in the Cariboo and other

areas affected by the mountain pine beetle.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR

MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE STRATEGY

H. Lali: My question is to the Minister of Forests. Will

the Minister of Forests and Range please reveal to this House whether or not his

government has received the $100 million of pine beetle aid from the federal

government?

Hon. R. Coleman: We have the commitment from the federal

government. We will be dealing with it in the budget debates that are coming

forward. I cannot disclose what may or may not be in the budget, as you know,

but tomorrow you will see the provincial budget.

I can tell the member this. We have the commitment for the $100

million. We have an implementation plan for the $100 million. It will include

first nations; it will include communities; it will include resource management.

It will include the things we have discussed with the federal government of the

importance to protect our communities in British Columbia.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

H. Lali: Yes. The minister says he's got a plan. Then

what's the plan? Is the government's plan, then, to turn forestry into farmland?

The member from Prince George has made the statement publicly that he sees this

as good future farmland.

Meanwhile, you've got all of these communities throughout rural

British Columbia — ranging all the way from the north and Prince George through

to Williams Lake, Quesnel, Merritt, Princeton and all of those areas — that are

being devastated by the pine beetle, and the government has done absolutely

nothing but sit on their hands. The Premier and the minister have played

willy-nilly for the last four years.

What's the government's plan? Is the government's plan to turn

forestry into farmland? Is that the plan, and will the minister or the Premier,

either one of them, please get up and answer this question?

Hon. R. Coleman: In 1905 there were three million cubic

metres of mature pine in B.C.'s forests. Today there are 1.2 billion cubic

metres of mature pine in B.C.'s forests. What changed? The temperature went up

2.6 degrees, and we put out forest fires — the only other thing that deals with

beetle. This is not something that some member can stand up in this House….

If I wanted to go back and give you the history of when this

started in Tweedsmuir Park, we could get into that debate, and you would find

out it was 1993 and the history behind it. I don't believe that does a darn

thing for communities in British Columbia. What I do believe is that we will

build a plan, just like we raised the annual allowable cut in that member's

riding area with regards to mountain pine beetle, so they can get the fibre off

the ground. Actually, then we'll reforest, and in some cases there may be

opportunities for other use of the land. We'd better be open to that, so we can

build sustainability for our communities in British Columbia.

[1440]

AVAILABILITY OF

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH

C. Wyse: A father from Surrey recently pressed criminal

charges against his own daughter in hopes of getting her the care she needs. In

fact, a team of health care professionals told the father that this would be the

only way for his daughter to get the help she required.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health. Is this the

minister's strategy to help citizens that suffer from mental illness — to leave

parents with no option but laying charges so that their children get the help

that they need?

Hon. G. Abbott: I thank the member for his question. I'm

not familiar with the case that the member cites. I would certainly welcome him

providing me with the details of that file, and we'll look into it for him. What

I would not want to note, though, is that this government makes annually a

billion dollar investment in mental health care in this province.

We have done tremendous things in the area of mental health.

Obviously, there are more things to be done, and we look forward to working with

the members opposite to try to achieve that. But we've made great strides moving

forward. We've come a long ways, I should tell the member, from the days when

the NDP would announce a $125 million mental health plan and then not fund it.

We've come a long ways from there, and I look forward to working with the member

to do even better.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

C. Wyse: Indeed, I will provide that information to your

office, but let me try this another way.

To the Attorney General: should B.C.'s courts be performing triage

for people with mental illness?

Hon. G. Abbott: Again, to the member, I think I would

welcome him providing us with that case file,

[ Page 35 ]

and I would certainly, if it's a constituent of his or someone of particular

interest to him, welcome the opportunity to work with him or with the

appropriate MLA to try to find a resolution to this important issue. Again, I'm

not going to speculate on what can or should be done. These cases are very

frequently difficult, as the member knows, and I believe that they should be

resolved without politics. So, I look forward to working with the member to see

that occur.

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

OF INFANTS RELOCATED

FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES

D. Cubberley: Recently the experiences of Melissa White, a

resident of Vancouver Island, came to light. When Melissa's baby was born

prematurely, there were no neonatal care beds available on the Island, so she

was relocated to Surrey Memorial Hospital. That would be distressing to any new

parent. What's even more distressing is that the Ministry of Health refused this

new mother any support so that she could stay in Surrey with her premature baby,

forcing her to leave the baby in Surrey while she travelled to and fro.

To the Minister of Health: what is the ministry's strategy for

ensuring parents are assisted in staying with their children when they're

relocated for care?

Hon. G. Abbott: I thank the member for raising this

important issue, because it is an important issue. I have followed and the

ministry has followed, with interest and concern, the particular case that the

member cites. We continue to look into it. I will say this, though. Every health

authority attempts to make provision for all of the mothers and babies that are

born within their jurisdictions. There are occasions…. I understand that for a

long time it has been the case that occasionally circumstances arise where there

are situations in terms of the level of care required or the number of cases

that are in a particular jurisdiction at a particular time, and people,

unfortunately, are forced to relocate to another hospital or jurisdiction to get

the care they need. So, we are looking into this. I think it is very important

that wherever possible we are able to ensure that the mothers and babies remain

together.

I am also, as the member noted, concerned particularly about what

was offered to the mother in terms of accommodation and management during a very

difficult period in her life. So, I do appreciate the member raising it. If the

member has information which I'm perhaps not privy to, I would certainly welcome

that as well.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

[1445]

D. Cubberley: I thank the minister for the comments, but

Ms. White is not alone in her experiences. Recently Joanne Harding, a mother

from 100 Mile House, was relocated to a hospital in the lower mainland for the

birth of her premature twins. However, after just a week these new babies were

relocated to Kamloops, this time without the mother's knowledge or permission.

Imagine arriving at the hospital and your babies are gone. That's what happened

to Ms. Harding.

My question again to the Minister of Health: are parents being

shut out when it comes to decisions affecting the welfare of their own children?

Hon. G. Abbott: The answer is no — absolutely not. It is

entirely wrong that parents don't have management over their children at that

particular point in their lives. Again, I'm not familiar with the specific case

that the member cites. I will note, though, in fairness to the health

authorities, that there will be, into the future, cases where mothers and/or

their babies require a higher level of care than is available at the hospital in

which they are giving birth. That will continue to happen. That having been

said, it would be inconsistent with protocols, as I understand them, for a

mother to see her children transferred without her knowledge.

Again, if the member wants to add some additional detail here or

forward that detail to me, I certainly would look at it with interest and

concern.

J. Brar: The stories of Surrey Memorial Hospital are not

new to this House, but we are starting to hear stories about other areas which

are happening as well. I'm troubled by listening to the comment and question of

my colleague and the answers from the minister.

I want to know: how could this happen in this province —

separating the babies from the mother? Can we get assurance from the minister

that this will not happen in this province again?

Hon. G. Abbott: I think it's always a little dangerous for

politicians to start making decisions which appropriately reside with the

medical community. To say that that will never happen again, I think, exposes

mothers and their children to some jeopardy. It is not going to be the case in

every hospital or every health facility in the province that they are capable of

dealing with the kind of emergent situations which can occur during childbirth.

It would be inappropriate to make the kind of commitment that the member asked

me to do.

What we are doing, much more appropriately, is looking at this

issue within the health authorities and across the province to ensure that, in

as many cases as is possible, we can avoid the separation of mother and

children, and in fact have the mother and children in the hospital in which they

are resident. But there will always be cases where, in the best interests of the

mother, in the best interests of the child or children, they get a higher level

of care.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

J. Brar: What the minister is telling us is that he cannot

stop this happening in this province — in very simple language. I don't

understand that. I understand that these decisions are made somewhere else, but

this

[ Page 36 ]

government has a responsibility to provide directions to those people and to

make sure the people in this province feel safe, feel secure and have the

quality health care as everybody expects.

I want to understand from the minister: will he leave all those

important decisions in the hands of those bureaucrats and sit here doing

nothing, or will he direct them to do something so that this does not happen

again in this province?

Hon. G. Abbott: Again, we are not going to be making

decisions about people's health, in particular the health of a mother and her

newborn baby, within this Legislature. I think we need to give some credit to

the exceptional people — the doctors, the nurses, the administrators, the

front-line workers across this province — who every day make life-and-death

decisions.

We have a great health care system in this province — a great

health care system. Is it perfect? No, it's not perfect, but it's a great health

care system that we have in British Columbia.

[1450]

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. G. Abbott: And we want to make that great health care

system even better. We've added dollars for maternity care in this province.

We've added significant dollars for maternity care. We are working with the

health authorities to try to ensure that where we have cases like the members

have mentioned, which I think are unfortunate and exceptional, we need to work

very hard. We need to seek continuous improvement so we see that occur less

often.

INVESTIGATION OF

CN TRAIN DERAILMENT AND

DAMAGES TO ENVIRONMENT

S. Simpson: Earlier this year the people living along the

Cheakamus River faced an environmental and economic catastrophe caused by a

sodium hydroxide spill from a CN derailment. This, as we know, was only one of a

number of derailments and accidents caused by CN in this country.

Can the Minister of Environment tell this House whether his

assessment of that accident has been completed and whether we can expect any

fines or charges to be laid against CN in this matter?

Hon. B. Penner: Work is ongoing in terms of the assessment,

in terms of the damage that took place and, more importantly at this stage, what

recovery work can take place. There's an ongoing investigation being headed up

by the federal government in terms of the cause of the actual derailment.

I can tell you that I was very displeased to learn about the fish

kill that took place as a result of the derailment and the spill of the chemical

into the river, but at this point I do think it's important to stress the good

news: no human lives were lost and, to my knowledge, nobody became ill or sick

as a result of the spill.

We all regret the loss of fish in the river. The Ministry of

Environment is leading the recovery task force effort, which will put together

some plans to recover the fish stocks for the future. But at this point, we're

awaiting the results of the Transport Canada investigation. I can tell you that

if we find that CN violated British Columbia laws, I expect prosecutions to take

place, and I fully intend to hold CN entirely responsible for the cost of any

and all cleanup, including the recovery effort itself.

[End of question period.]

Introductions by Members

Mr. Speaker: I'd just like to take this opportunity to

introduce a former MLA. Mike Hunter from Nanaimo is sitting here in the court.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: I call continued debate on the throne

speech.

[1455]

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

C. James: Today I rise in response to the Speech from the

Throne, my first speech in this House as a member of this Legislature and as

Leader of the official Official Opposition. I'd like to start by acknowledging

a unique privilege: I have the honour of speaking within my own constituency,

Victoria–Beacon Hill.

This community is a special place for me. I was raised here, and I

raised my family here. It's a place I've called home almost my entire life, and

it's a place where I formed my values — the values that I bring to bear both on

my personal and my political life. The people of Victoria–Beacon Hill put their

trust in me to represent them in this House. It's a humbling responsibility, and

I will work every day as hard as I can to return that trust and to fulfil that

responsibility.

On this occasion I also want to acknowledge the Premier, his

ministers and the members of his caucus. On behalf of my caucus, I congratulate

them.

The founders of the British parliamentary system, the system on

which this House is built, centred it around two poles: government and its

opposition. Our political system is adversarial by design. However, none of us

should forget why we're here. We are here to do the best possible job for the

people of British Columbia — all of us in this House. Everyone on this side of

the House is here with that principle first and foremost in our minds as we

begin this parliament.

For the sake of our province we look forward to developing a

constructive relationship — one that will, no doubt, be marked by heated debate

but one that

[ Page 37 ]

will, hopefully, be devoid of invective. The people who put us here and to

whom this Legislature belongs expect no less of us than they do of themselves.

Four months ago British Columbians sent this government a very

clear message. They gave the government a second mandate, but they also demanded

fundamental change and a different approach. For four years this government

pursued an agenda that disappointed the people of this province, catching some

by surprise and hurting many others. It was an extreme and often uncaring agenda

that provided little or no rationale for mean-spirited policies and shortsighted

cuts to services, that punished the poor and the most vulnerable and that too

often ignored the priorities of low- and middle-income families. It was an

agenda that unnecessarily put confrontation and conflict ahead of

problem-solving and that shut many British Columbians out.

To many people it seemed this government put politics ahead of

common sense and ideology ahead of public good. The people of this province,

British Columbians from every region and from all walks of life, spoke with one

voice on May 17. They said they want balance. They elected the largest New

Democrat opposition in history in order to strike that balance — an opposition

to hold this government accountable. And it will be held to account — for the

mismanagement of tax dollars and broken promises, like the sale of B.C. Rail;

for skyrocketing health care wait-lists and failing privatization schemes that

are costing British Columbians more and more for less and less service; for the

ongoing chaos in child and family services; for the anguish and anxiety felt by

thousands of B.C. seniors who have been treated terribly by this government. Our

seniors deserve much better.

[1500]

Every minister in this government should understand that they now

have a counterpart on this side of the House watching their every move,

examining their every decision very carefully.

We are a new team. Many of us have no experience in this House,

but we have tremendous experience in our own communities, and we are guided by

common values — values that are shared by the majority of British Columbians:

fairness, balance, compassion, responsibility and democratic accountability.

British Columbians elected New Democrats to bring these values to

this House — and we will — to stand up for British Columbians who have not seen

these values reflected in the policies of their government, and to ensure that

the government is working in the broad public interest, building for the future

a better future for everyone, not just a few.

The challenges ahead will test all of us. Prices today for our

commodities may be very high, but we must prepare for the day when the

inevitable downturn comes. Windfalls are fleeting, and they shouldn't be

squandered. Some economic indicators may be up, but far too many people are

still struggling. In the interior our mills may be operating, but our forests

are dying.

Beneath the surface rhetoric of the government's golden decade,

there's growing anxiety and concern about the future — a deep sense expressed by

hundreds of thousands on election day that this government's us-and-them

attitude, its winner-take-all confrontational approach is out of step with the

needs of our province and the reality of our lives. The question now is quite

simple: did the government get the message? Did they hear what British

Columbians told them?

The throne speech doesn't yet answer that question. British

Columbians have learned that throne speeches delivered by this government are

unreliable indicators of the government's real agenda. Promises of cooperation,

inclusion and shared purpose have all been made before in previous throne

speeches, only to be forgotten and abandoned the day after.

One throne speech, one budget isn't going to change that. Only a

real and sustained attitude change from this government is going to make the

difference. Over the coming weeks and months we will see if government action

follows its words.

Is the government serious about quality public health care, or are

we going to continue to see creeping privatization? Does the government

understand how much it hurt seniors, or will it continue to play definition and

numbers games while reducing real levels of care? Does the government realize

that British Columbians aren't really interested in its grand privatization

theories, that fining contractors doesn't make up for a loss of basic public

service? Or will we continue to see ideology trump common sense?

Does the government grasp that access to education and training is

the foundation of growth, innovation and shared prosperity, or will the cost of

an education continue to far exceed inflation while student assistance is

slashed and training programs are abandoned?

Does this government finally understand its obligation to

aboriginal people in British Columbia? I don't want to see this government break

its word to first nations and aboriginal communities in the same way we saw the

government abandon its throne speech promises to the heartlands.

[1505]

Does this government understand that we must measure our economic

success along with our broader environmental and social progress, that we can't

succeed as a province if we continue to abandon the sustainability of future

generations and keep leaving people behind? Or will words paired with inaction

continue to stand in for environmental protection? Will platitudes continue in

the absence of real commitments to make life better for the most vulnerable in

our province?

Does the government appreciate that its zero-sum political

calculations, where many pay the cost and few enjoy the benefits, are

jeopardizing our long-term competitive advantage? Or will we continue to see

that gap, between those who have and those who don't, continue to grow larger?

Does the government understand, as we said time and time again in this campaign,

that every British Columbian matters — everyone?

These are the key questions that we're going to be asking in this

session and over the course of this par-

[ Page 38 ]

liament. And yes, although we are new and may be inexperienced in the art of

legislative debate, we also bring a fresh perspective and new priorities to this

chamber. We form the official opposition.

But British Columbians also elected us to get things done, to

oppose but also to propose. When the government fails, we will be tough and

unrelenting. But when the government shows a readiness to work in partnership

for the common good, we will join in that pursuit.

This House may be divided, but I know there is much that we share

in common. Over the next four years we must not forget that, because to meet the

incredible challenges of our time, British Columbians cannot afford to always

let what divides us conquer what unites us. We cannot afford to allow the

shutting of ears and minds to new ideas simply because they were put forward by

old adversaries. Now is not the time for complacency or for traditional habits.

Over the two years that I have led my party, I have travelled

throughout British Columbia reaching out and listening to the people of this

province. I've made it my priority to reach out across the political divides in

search of common ground, and I've seen very clearly that what unites us is much

stronger than what divides us.

In Prince George the pine beetle epidemic that is ravaging our

forests does not distinguish between New Democrats and Liberals. In Revelstoke

the closure of long-term care beds and the separation of seniors offend

everyone's sense of fairness. In Nelson relentless cuts and closures have torn

the fabric of the entire community. In Surrey everyone is forced to wait in an

overcrowded emergency room. In communities around this province, growing

homelessness, addictions and despair on our streets underscore our collective

sense of responsibility to each other.

As I have said before, there are no enemies in British Columbia.

We will all sink or swim together, and despite our differences, we must take up

our challenges with shared purpose and resolve.

That's why, for example, we're proposing a united approach to

addressing the pine beetle epidemic. Of course there are compromises to be made

on our proposals, but the point is that we must take this issue on more

aggressively than has been done.

[1510]

I'm glad to see the Premier acknowledge the extent of the

challenge posed to our province by the pine beetle, but I'm disappointed to hear

the government still offering nothing more than talk. Communities being

devastated deserved action months and months ago. Indeed, they were actually

promised action months ago, but to date we've seen nothing from this government

but road signs that point out what we already know. We have a disaster on our

hands. We must engage everyone in finding a solution and putting forward a plan

to manage this ongoing natural disaster. Again today I would reach out to the

Premier and ask him to take us up on our offer of help and support in addressing

this crisis.

The government has put forward proposals for reform inside this

House. They're welcome steps, but equally important is the need for democratic

reform outside this House.

The Premier has acknowledged public concerns flowing from the STV

referendum result, and he has identified voter participation in the political

process as a priority. We should also be putting forward a bolder package of

democratic reform. We agree that voter participation should be a priority.

The Premier and his party have expressed concern regarding the

role of third parties and special interests in politics, and we on this side of

the House also share those concerns. That's why we've proposed far-reaching

campaign finance reform to take big money out of politics and to give democracy

back to the people. Again I ask the Premier to bring forward legislation this

session that would limit the funding of political parties to individual citizens

and that would cap third-party spending at reasonable limits.

I would also ask the Premier to take up our suggestion to ban

wasteful taxpayer-funded partisan political advertising. Rather than blowing

millions more than were ever budgeted on ads aimed at nothing more than getting

the government re-elected, it's time to stop and bring in rules, and we will

call for that again.

We've said time and time again that we need to reinstate an

independent child protection commissioner. Governments, no matter the political

stripe, simply cannot be afraid of the consequences of independent reviews when

the lives of our children are at stake. As the Premier said when he sat in this

chair on this side of the House: "I want decisions to be made openly, so you can

see why those decisions were made and hold us to account, so you can measure the

progress we make as we try and create a better environment for children and

families to live in, in the province of British Columbia." A quote from the

Premier. It was true then, and it remains true today, despite the fact that the

Premier now sits opposite.

We also proposed a non-partisan economic advisory council that

includes a diversity of voices from business, big and small; from trade unions;

from communities and first nations; and from the growing number of British

Columbians who work outside traditional industries, often for themselves, on

contract or at home. I am pleased to see that the Premier has taken up several

parts of our proposal, but there's a long way to go yet.

Every British Columbian has a stake in the economy. The

tax-cutting, service-slashing, trickle-down approach has never worked for very

long. That's why it lies failing or abandoned in other jurisdictions — because

the consequences are always the same. Some benefit; more don't. Societies become

strained, and divisions, exacerbated.

[1515]

We must ensure that more voices are at the table when decisions

are made that affect all of our lives, and that the challenges of middle- and

low-income British Columbians are not left out of the equation but in fact

[ Page 39 ]

are central to every calculation and every decision the government makes.

Mr. Speaker, it is often said that we're blessed to live in this

province — one of the most diverse, interesting and bountiful places on Earth.

Like everyone in this room, we watch the incredible disaster that has struck

humanity on the Gulf Coast. The sad and startling pictures raise the same

question in all of our minds: what combination of factors resulted in a

situation where the pain is suffered so disproportionately by those without

means?

The answers are not simple, but the question serves as a reminder

of our responsibilities to each other, of the reason we all work so hard to get

into this chamber. I am so proud to be a British Columbian, and like everyone in

this House, I want the very best for our province. I believe passionately that

by caring for each other, by looking out for common ground through compromise

and through consensus, we will build a better, prosperous, fairer and more just

British Columbia for all of its people.

Mr. Speaker : The member for Vancouver-Burrard will

continue where he left off.

L. Mayencourt: Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity

to continue on with my comments.

I too, as the Leader of the Opposition was speaking, look forward

to this new atmosphere of cooperation. I think she used the words, "There's

going to be good debate in this House," and I'm sure there will be. But she did

hope that it would be devoid of invective.

I just want to point out that when I look at the motions that were

put forward in today's orders of the day, nine of those were from the NDP and

called on this House to condemn the government of British Columbia. I think

that's something that needs to be looked at. I don't think that is devoid of

invective; I think it is rife with invective.

I do think we have to make a very strong effort to ensure that we

work together because, like she said, we are all here at the behest of British

Columbians to do the best that we can. I'll just carry on with my comments from

there.

When we finished off this morning, I was talking about the safe

schools initiative — something that I'm really committed to seeing happen in

British Columbia and something that I'll continue to work for and try to advance

over the next few months. Additionally, there are a number of things brought

forward in the Speech from the Throne that I'd like to highlight and that I'd

like to talk about.

One is our relationship with first nations. I think that, for the

first time, we have an opportunity in British Columbia to go well beyond any

other place that any other government has been able to do in the past, not

because other governments have not tried hard to do it, but because there is a

new sense in this province around…. Just the name of the ministry —

reconciliation. That's really one of the key issues that I hear from first

nations. Many feel wronged by previous governments, by people in this province.

It's time for us to come to a sense of how we can bring everyone

back to the table, apologize for the wrongs of the past and move forward. The

way we're doing that is by providing those first nations with resources that

allow them to participate fully in treaty negotiations and that allow them to

deal with some of the social problems they're having in their communities. It's

really a tragedy when you look at some of the ways that first nations are

somehow removed from the rest of society in that they have low graduation rates.

Maybe there's something we're doing wrong there. Maybe it's time for us to take

a look at that and try to find better ways of doing that.

[1520]

Why are their health levels so much lower than those for

non-aboriginals? Why do they live in poverty? Why is their housing bad? Why

don't they have some of the things that we enjoy all across North America? The

answer is that we have to take another look at it. We have to sit down with

them. We have to talk about what solutions they see and how we can achieve those

goals. It's in the achievement of those goals of raising education rates,

raising literacy levels, improving the health care system for our first nations,

providing better housing…. Those are the things that are most important to first

nations. They're quality-of-life issues and things that we have to work together

on as a Legislature.

[S. Hawkins in the chair.]

So I'm encouraged just by the name of the new ministry, the fact

that we are acknowledging that there is a need for reconciliation. There is a

need for apology. There is a need to bring people together and say: "Look, this

has been bad. Let's move forward." I'm encouraged by that.

I am also very proud of some of the work we've been doing for

communities that are less advantaged, particularly areas like the downtown east

side, areas where…. Well, the member from Nanaimo mentioned today about some of

the homeless situation there. As someone who has travelled around the province,

I know there are serious problems with homelessness, with mental health services

and delivery mechanisms, and with addictions services. I am very proud of the

fact that over the last year and a half, the Premier has convened a council of

seven mayors from across British Columbia that is looking at the issues of

homelessness, mental health services and addiction services.

I think it's really time for us to stop talking about: "Let's do

something better." I think it's time for us to get going on it. I know many of

the mayors that are part of that — the mayor of Nanaimo, for example; the mayor

of Vancouver; the mayor of Surrey; and others — who have in their hearts the

very best of intentions. They have a desire to actually make their communities

more welcoming and better prepared to deal with people who are less advantaged.

I think that's a new spirit that we see here in British Columbia —

that government is really looking at this not just as numbers of housing units

but actually about

[ Page 40 ]

what it's like to live in those housing units. Are they satisfactory? Are

they good? Do they provide for small children? Do they provide for people that

have physical disabilities and such? I think it's really important that we

actually focus on those sorts of things over the next several years as we start

looking at the Premier's task force on homelessness, mental health and

addictions.

I know there are some projects that are underway. In my riding I

have one in a sort of pricey little neighbourhood. Coal Harbour is one of the

priciest neighbourhoods in…. I'm proud of it, but it's a pricey neighbourhood.

We're actually putting some social housing into that neighbourhood because we've

found that when we mix housing uses between low-income, high-income and

mid-income, we actually create healthier communities. I'm really proud of the

fact that we have one in Coal Harbour. We have another one that's just to the

east of that, which is called Seaside.

We've done some really great work in Mole Hill in my riding. It's

a wonderful old neighbourhood — one of the more historic neighbourhoods in

Vancouver — that we've completely restored. We've created suites for low-income

families and individuals — urban singles and what have you. Across the street

from that we've got another building that helps a lot of people in my community

as well.

Right adjacent to the Mole Hill development is, of course, the Dr.

Peter Centre. That's a 22-bed facility that reaches out to individuals living

with HIV and AIDS and helps them provide for their end-of-life care, if you

will. But in addition to the 22 people who live there, there are hundreds —

literally hundreds — of people every day that go into the Dr. Peter Centre and

partake of their programs. Those are good things. Those are things that are

worth fighting for and defending and all those sorts of things. I think it's

really magnificent what we did in Mole Hill and with the Dr. Peter Centre.

[1525]

Speaking of HIV and AIDS, my local hospital, St. Paul's Hospital,

is home to the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. I'm very proud of the

fact that right downtown in Vancouver we have one of the pre-eminent centres to

develop new treatment protocols for people living with AIDS.

British Columbia has a lot to be proud of when it comes to

strategies on HIV/AIDS. That is really reflected well in my neighbourhood. You

see, I have seven or eight or perhaps even 15 different community groups that

deal with people with HIV/AIDS. There's the Dr. Peter Centre, of course. There's

AIDS Vancouver. There's the B.C. Persons with AIDS Society, Friends for Life and

many, many others that do very valuable and important work. Forgive me if I

forgot the name of your society today.

The important thing is that in British Columbia we spend $100

million every year on HIV/AIDS. We do that in a number of ways. We do it through

the centre for excellence in terms of research, best practices, how to treat

people. We do it in ways like hospices, such as the Dr. Peter Centre. But

importantly, we also do it through our drug treatment program there. That

program is unbelievable.

If you were living in Ontario, you'd be paying $40,000 to $50,000

a year for your drugs for HIV/AIDS. In British Columbia you pay nothing because

we as a society, as a government — and this is true of the previous government

as well as ours — have decided that the health care of these people is very

important to us. So we've made available to those individuals the treatments

they need in order to survive, in order to live healthy lives. I know, from

being in that business for a long time, the result of that.

I have friends that if they had lasted another six months would

still be alive today, but instead they died in 1994. Today we have people that

are living upwards of 30 years with HIV infection. That is a remarkable

accomplishment here in British Columbia and only possible through the concerted

efforts of our health authorities, through the centre for excellence and through

the commitment from government to make sure that people get the health care they

need.

I'm also very proud, Mr. Speaker — or rather, Madam Speaker now….

By the way, I'd like to congratulate Madam Deputy Speaker, as well, for her

appointment as Deputy Speaker. Speaking of health, it's great to see you in such

great health.

The other areas we work on that have been very, very important to

me have been street youth, street-involved youth. I know that all members in

this House — I think this is true, but anybody can contradict me if they…. I

think that almost every member in this House has a crystal meth problem, a

youth-at-risk problem, a street youth problem in their community. This is huge.

This is a big, big problem. How do we deal with it? Well, we have to be

creative.

One of the things I noted when we first got elected was that there

were a lot of fractured services. In my community today, despite some community

apprehensions, we have created an integrated youth services building. It's right

on Burrard Street across from St. Paul's Hospital. I am so proud of that place

because it brings together members of the ministry of children and family

services, the ministry of human resources, the Ministry of Health. Virtually

every player in delivering services to youth at risk has been brought into one

building.

This is a new model, and it also combines with that some very

important services that are directed at people, like street youth job action, a

job program that gets these kids stabilized and into work — little, little steps

that along the way have made our community safer and more welcoming to youth on

the streets.

[1530]

We've also provided for Dusk to Dawn to continue its services so

that all the time it is dark, there's a place for those youth to come and be

warm and safe. We've done this in a way that really is, I think, remarkable

because, as I said at the beginning of talking about the integrated youth

services building, there was community resistance. We actually had one space

that was all ready to go on this on Seymour Street, and the community said: "No,

no, no. We don't want this here." We

[ Page 41 ]

got together a group of business, residents, social workers — people that

were actual stakeholders in this — and, of course, youth. We said: "How can we

make this centre happen in this neighbourhood? We need it to happen, but how can

we make it happen in a way that is acceptable to all of these different

constituent groups, if you will?

So we created this community task force. We sat down and worked

out the problems. We worried about security, so we've dealt with that. We

worried about people hanging out on the streets, so we dealt with it. People

were worried about a whole range of things, and we actually got the community to

come together and define what the integrated youth services building should be

and how it should be run, and then moved forward with it.

You know, I'm really proud of the fact that MCFD came to the

table. When I needed 24-hour security, they gave us the money for it. I'm really

proud that when there was a little bit of cost overrun, we were able to find

some money in our budget, because this is an important place. But I want you to

know it's the first of four such centres in Vancouver. I know that efforts are

underway to do likewise in other communities around us.

Crystal meth has become a real problem on virtually every street

corner in urban areas and in many rural communities as well. We need to do

something about that. I'm not exactly sure how we're going to get there, but I

was very pleased when our government came forward with a strategy for dealing

with crystal meth. Now we have to put that strategy to work.

One of the ways that we can do that is look at the different ways

that people detoxify from crystal meth, because it is different than detoxifying

from alcohol. It's different from detoxifying from any other number of drugs. It

requires a much longer detoxification period.

Dr. Bill MacEwan, who is a researcher at St. Paul's Hospital, has

told me that it can take between three and six months of stable living to bring

people to this point where they are ready for treatment for crystal meth

addiction. That's a long time. How are we going to be able to take those kids

off our street? Some of them are not just kids; some of them are adults, of

course. How are we going to get those people into something stable for three to

six months, give them a treatment program and then, after the treatment program,

deal with some of the life skill needs they have — whether that's a bit of an

education? Maybe we have to improve their literacy — all those sorts of things.

But there are good people in this province at work trying to deal with that.

I want to commend.… There are many communities that have done a

lot on this. Mission comes to mind. Mission and Maple Ridge have really done an

awful lot of work on the Meth Watch program. I know under the former Solicitor

General's watch we actually brought the Meth Watch program to British Columbia.

It's actually making a difference, because in order to make

crystal meth, you've got to buy products. You've got to buy a variety of what

they call precursors that make this happen. When we went out and joined the

crystal meth program, we were able to tell people: "Listen. If a lot of people

come in here and buy ephedrine, they might be making crystal meth. If a lot of

people are coming in here and buying Drano, or other products that are involved

in the creation of crystal meth, maybe you should be aware of that. Maybe you

should be able to tell local police authorities about it."

That is a program that has resulted in us having a better handle

on how big the crystal meth problem is. I do say to this House, to all members

and to you, Madam Chair: it's a big problem and something that we as a province

have to dedicate ourselves to in the same way that we dedicated ourselves to

treating people with HIV/AIDS. We must do this.

The problem with crystal meth is that it can give you a wonderful

high, but it's a high that can lead to psychosis — sometimes for an hour, and

sometimes for the rest of your life. So it's serious, and we must do something

about it.

I want to put that forward as something that we as a government

will go forward and work towards. It's important, and it's accomplishable. I

know because I can look at the strategies we used with HIV/AIDS which worked.

Now we must do the same for our youth on our streets.

I look forward to working with all members of this House, on both

sides, to address the issues that are so important to all British Columbians,

particularly to our seniors, to people who have built British Columbia. That's

why I'm so committed to seeing assisted living buildings being built in our

communities. That's why I'm so committed to working with seniors groups, to

ensure that they get the very best level of services of any jurisdiction in

North America.

[1535]

One way we can accomplish that is through creating a centre for

aging — a space where we can actually study what best practices are to keep

people healthy longer, to keep them in their homes as long as they want to be

and to allow them to live full, active lives.

I propose that this is something we should do in the next four

years, something that is very important: take advantage of the fact that we have

hundreds of thousands of seniors in this province, find out the best way to

deliver services to them, find out the best way to keep them in their homes,

find out the best way to ensure they have active, healthy lifestyles, and then

spread the word, not just through British Columbia but across this nation. I

think British Columbia can lead the way on this initiative if we have the same

resolve, the same determination that we have put towards so many other things.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to see you in the chair.

It's a pleasure to be back in this House after a little bit of a lag, and it's a

great privilege to be here with all of these members of the Legislature who I

know are all dedicated to making our province a better place to live.

J. Rustad: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Let me add my voice in

congratulating you in your recent appointment to the chair.

[ Page 42 ]

I would also like to extend congratulations to all members of the

Legislative Assembly in their recent election victories. Whether elected for the

first time with me or re-elected, it's an honour to partake in the history of

serving the people of this great province. It takes a lot of hard work and the

support of many people to receive this honour, and I'd like to take the

opportunity to thank a few of them.

First, I would like to thank my wonderful and loving wife. Without

her support, without her caring and without her love, I would not have the

opportunity to be here today. My campaign manager Peter Vogt and the entire Vogt

family, financial agent Alan Weeks, computer chair Ray Tracy, riding president

Betty Bryce, June Clark and Gary Blatner who organized my campaign out west,

Tejinder Grewal and so many from the Sikh community and, really, too many more

to name.

To all who helped, to all who voted to move Prince George–Omineca

forward and to keep our economy growing strong, thank you.

The election of 2005 was truly historic. For the first time in a

quarter century, the people of B.C. have returned a sitting Premier. It is my

great pleasure to congratulate the hon. member for Vancouver–Point Grey, Premier

of B.C., and to say that his leadership, his vision, has taken B.C. from worst

to first, leading Canada by almost any measure.

The people of B.C. have recognized this leadership and given our

government a continued mandate for building a golden decade. Yesterday's throne

speech outlined our plans to achieve this promise with our five great goals,

bringing hope and promise of a bright future to the people of British Columbia.

But in order to build that future, we must be mindful of our past and learn from

those who have gone before us.

Our province's history is truly rich, but few ridings can lay

claim to having communities with histories as longstanding as the riding I am

honoured to represent. As the geographic centre of the province, the riding of

Prince George–Omineca has its roots in communities that were established

alongside many first nations communities more than 200 years ago.

In fact, in 2006 the community of Fort St. James will be

celebrating its bicentennial anniversary. The pioneering spirit that came to

this remote corner of the world in search of building a better future for

themselves and their families is alive and thriving today.

More than 200 years ago, people came and settled in my riding,

building partnerships with the first nations peoples, whose history dates back

thousands of years. It was these trading opportunities that offered a promise of

a bright future for all and attracted investment to the riding. Over the years

many things have changed, but the pioneering spirit has lived on.

In the 1990s, Fort St. James went through some tough times.

Investor confidence was lost, opportunities dried up, and more and more people

put their houses up for sale, with plans of leaving to find a better place to

build a future. The same story has been carried out in many communities across

the province. B.C. has long been known as a place of opportunity. Unfortunately,

the hope — the dream that B.C. is so famous for — was fading.

[1540]

It was during this time of despair that in 2001 things changed in

B.C. and cautious optimism started budding. Difficult decisions were made and,

after a short time, the flickering light of a promising future was rekindled.

The great province of B.C. is back. Growth started to rebound, and

job creation was once again leading the country. The "dream that was" had

returned. The historical vision of B.C. as a place to lay down roots, a place to

build a future and a place to dream had once again returned.

Today in the community of Fort St. James investors are returning.

In the forest sector companies have invested more money in the last two to three

years than during the entire '90s, helping to stabilize the community by

creating new jobs. To this end, Fort St. James recently welcomed and celebrated

the forest company Pope and Talbot to the community. Pope and Talbot can see a

future in B.C. They can see a future in Fort St. James. They can see the

stability and sound policy this government has brought to B.C. and are willing

to make a long-term commitment.

As another example of the benefits that Fort St. James has been

experiencing over the past four years, one of my fellow constituents, Grant

West, was considering closing his small helicopter business and leaving town.

Yet he saw the change in the province and made the decision to place his trust

and hope in this government's new direction. Four years later Mr. West has not

regretted making this decision. He is as busy now as he has ever been, as the

mining sector has been revitalized.

But the best is yet to come for Fort St. James. The community is

nestled in the heart of a rich area, and its people are resourceful.

Opportunities in tourism, in resources and with first nations mean that the

dream that was kindled more than 200 years ago is once again alive and well.

I'm proud of our government's achievements and of the direction

laid out in the throne speech. The foundations have been repaired, and the

direction outlined is one of a promising future for Prince George–Omineca and

indeed for the entire province.

The dream that has been rekindled in Fort St. James is not the

only one in the great riding of Prince George–Omineca. I would like to relate a

story that punctuates the promise of a golden decade. This past spring Endako

Mines and the community of Fraser Lake celebrated the 40th anniversary of Endako

Mines. Endako Mines was on the verge of closing just four year ago. The

investment environment in B.C. was such that it could not attract the kind of

capital it needed to keep going. But with the revitalization of the mining

industry by this government, a new future has been found. Today Endako Mines is

growing strong and is now estimating that the mine will continue for eight years

or more. Mining exploration is booming, and the area and the future for Fraser

Lake is looking bright indeed.

[ Page 43 ]

This is exactly what our government set out to do. We repaired the

foundations through policy so that investors and people could build a bright

future, but the story does not end there. A year ago a young woman on the other

side of the country was pondering her future. She had some education but was

unemployed. Prospects of finding meaningful employment were dim, and the

opportunity to dream of a bright future must have seemed hopeless.

Yet it was at this time that a ray of light came into her life.

She sat down with her family and had a heart-to-heart about her situation. Her

family had heard about a place that was brimming with good news. The place was

leading the country in job growth, leading the country in business optimism and

leading the country in construction. They suggested to her that perhaps it might

be worth considering.

For the first time, the dream of a promising future had dared to

creep into her thoughts. With renewed optimism, she made what must have been one

of the toughest decisions of her young life. She packed her bags, said goodbye

to her family and friends and bravely moved thousands of kilometres from one

coast of Canada to the other. She moved to a land that had long been known as a

place of promise, a place to dream of building a future, a place called British

Columbia.

She came to a community called Fraser Lake and there ventured out

to look for work. Within a week she started in a high-paying mining job at

Endako Mines. She was welcomed into the community by the warm and friendly

people and became excited about her future prospects. This young woman has since

met someone special and is now expecting her first child.

It is this example that truly captures our government's great

goals. This is why we made the tough decisions to get our province back on

track, and this is why we are striving to build a golden decade of hope and

prosperity.

[1545]

The future for Fraser Lake is not just in Endako Mines. Fraser

Lake Sawmills has also been expanding, investing millions to increase its

production and creating new jobs. After a decade of virtually no investment, the

company is now optimistic about the golden decade to come and willing to invest

in our future.

This optimism is contagious in Prince George–Omineca. In the

community of Vanderhoof forest companies are confident about their future.

Despite the difficulties facing the community with the mountain pine beetle

epidemic, people are making significant investments. Plateau Mills has more than

doubled its capacity, creating a host of new jobs. L&M Lumber, in conjunction

with Premium Pellet, have expanded their plant to become one of the world's

largest pellet producers. The people of Omineca, as well as across the province,

have much to celebrate.

The mountain pine beetle epidemic, which is exacerbated by the

decisions made in the 1990s, is threatening the livelihood of many in Prince

George–Omineca. Yet the people are resourceful, and the pioneering spirit that

settled the area is still strong today. With our government's investment in the

northern development initiative and the upcoming initiative of the Omineca

Beetle Action Coalition, the people of Prince George–Omineca have many reasons

to be optimistic. The resources of the NDI and the potential of OBAC, run by the

people of the north for the north, have truly brought hope for the future of

Prince George–Omineca.

Our efforts with the federal and provincial governments, as well

as the other initiatives outlined in the throne speech, show real leadership in

dealing with the mountain pine beetle epidemic. With this optimism and the

promise of a bright future, a strong housing market is being created. Real

estate companies have had the best year in many. Housing prices have increased,

and construction companies are busier now than in more than a decade. In

Vanderhoof, in Prince George and indeed across the riding and across the

province, the housing market highlights the success of our government's

policies. It's a major vote of confidence in the plan our government outlined in

the throne speech.

Ranching also plays a big role in Prince George–Omineca. Even in

the face of BSE, the people of Prince George–Omineca have continued with their

passion for ranching. People like Charlie Belsham and Richard Martens, whose

families have lived in the riding for many years, are leading the way in

optimism for a bright future in ranching. Our government is doing all it can to

help this sector, and despite the challenges, ranchers' dedication towards their

livelihoods and communities continues.

With partnerships like Project Agriculture, people like Richard

Martin are truly making a difference for Vanderhoof and indeed for all of the

riding. Project Agriculture, which has run for many years, will be offered again

to the students of school district 91 next week. This week-long experience

explores all aspects of the agricultural industry, including how to operate

modern farming equipment. Richard has opened up his feedlot and dairy farm in a

partnership with the school district that emphasizes the true nature of this

great riding and the commitment of its people.

So far, I have outlined the hope and promise of a better tomorrow

in Prince George–Omineca, but the better tomorrow is not just about economic

development. It's also about education, health, the environment and support for

those at risk.

I have to tell you, our education system is better today than it

has been in many years. Staff and parents alike are enthusiastic. The difference

our government's commitment to education is making is phenomenal. Teachers,

administrators, support staff and parents all across Prince George–Omineca are

commenting on what a difference the recent $150 million increase in provincial

funding has made. We are now funding students at the highest level ever, and the

difference this is making can plainly be seen.

For example, in Prince George school district 57, the funding

increase provided last year is the first time in more than 12 years that this

district will actually be able to increase services for its students. Everyone

involved has noticed the difference. Class sizes have

[ Page 44 ]

dropped, library time has increased, special needs support has improved

dramatically, and students are receiving the benefits.

In fact, the school district trustees made the decision to focus a

portion of its extra resources our government provided to directly reducing

class sizes. This has had the impact of reducing intermediate class sizes by two

students per class. It is this type of leadership that our government has

provided by empowering school districts across the province with the ability to

manage their own resources. When decision-making and autonomy are given to local

school boards, good things happen.

[1550]

Another example of this is school district 57's capital plan

initiatives. The school district has gone through some difficult times with

declining enrolment, but out of this they've been very innovative. The school

district has utilized the resources that were no longer required because of

declining enrolment and have reinvested in their students. They've helped to

create the South Fort George Family Resource Centre, a first in this province.

This model combines the services of the Northern Health Authority, Ministry of

Children and Family Development, the city of Prince George, the school district,

Make Children First and the South Fort George Community Association. Their

combined resources under one roof are now taking services to the people rather

than having people seek out services. Not only will this help those in need, but

it will also help children at risk with early literacy opportunities.

After 18 years school district 57 has finally found a way, with

the approval of our government, to make the expansion of College Heights

Secondary a reality. These are the results that flow from good government and

from providing districts with the ability to manage their own resources.

The throne speech outlines our government's great goal of becoming

one of the best-educated and most literate jurisdictions on the continent. In

order to achieve this, we have great plans around early literacy for improving

our education system. But it's important that all of our education partner

groups work together to help all of us realize this great vision.

I have to say that a letter to the editor in my riding just this

past week by one of the teacher union's representatives gave me cause for

concern. The letter suggested that parents are not educators. This couldn't be

further from the truth. Parents are a critical partner in the children's

education. Throughout the preschool years they are the primary educators for a

child. This important relationship continues throughout a child's education.

I'm excited about the future of education in our province. Our

initiatives — like the plan for every kindergarten student to receive the book

Down at the Seaweed Café and to develop a comprehensive literacy

framework offering services in every community — will lay the foundations for

our great goal. But if we are truly going to lead the continent in literacy and

education, we must all recognize the critical role that all of our partner

groups play. We must bring everyone together to bring the kind of essential

education that the people want for the children of this great province.

In post-secondary education I am proud of our government's

progress. In Prince George–Omineca, the University of Northern British Columbia

has truly become one of the best places in Canada to acquire an education. With

lower-than-average tuition rates and affordable living costs, UNBC is the

university of choice for many. With the expansion of seats at both UNBC and the

College of New Caledonia and the northern medical program expansion and the

professional environment that has been created, many are receiving a top-notch

education in the north by the north for the north.

It is also my pleasure to give a tremendous amount of credit to

the university's leader, Dr. Charles Jago. Not only has he had a distinguished

career, but he has provided the kind of leadership that is second to none. Dr.

Jago's work has recently been recognized nationally with his appointment to the

Order of Canada. This is a tremendous honour, and I'd like to take this

opportunity to congratulate Dr. Jago on his accomplishments and recognition.

It's people like Dr. Jago that help to build the dreams of students, that help

to bring hope for a better future and that help us to lead towards becoming the

best-educated and most literate jurisdiction on the continent.

Education leads into the next great goal outlined in the throne

speech: to lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.

Through projects like Act Now and with the commitment to remove low nutritional

food from our schools, we are actively promoting a healthier, happier society.

But the benefits do not stop there. Healthier students have greater attention

spans and will perform better in our classrooms.

[1555]

I'm also very pleased that our government has made a commitment to

build the Northern Sport Centre in Prince George–Omineca. Changing the lifestyle

patterns go hand in hand with the needs for providing facilities. These are

courageous steps towards improving our way of life, and I am proud of the

direction our government is taking. To lead the world in sustainable

environmental management is truly a worthy goal. As more people come to B.C. to

build their future, we must make sure that the future, passed on from generation

to generation, continues as one of opportunity. We must ensure that what we

undertake is well managed and sustainable.

One of the projects I will be working towards that helps to

further our government's great goals in environmental management is the Nechako

cold water release. This is a great project that will help regulate water flows

to reflect a more historical pattern. It will help to maintain water

temperatures so that we better protect our wild salmon and fish species. It also

has the potential to generate electric power that can help provide a host of

economic opportunities. This project also has a tremendous potential to work

with the Cheslatta first nation and to help to further our government's

direction in aboriginal relations and reconciliation.

[ Page 45 ]

While mentioning first nations, the Prince George–Omineca riding

received a first this summer. The Yekooche first nation signed a historic

agreement-in-principle. This is great news for Prince George–Omineca and great

news for the Yekooche first nation. As it stabilizes resources, this leads

towards a great benefit to the Yekooche riding.

Our government's fifth great goal is to build the best system of

support for those in need. We have already made great progress towards improving

the lives of those in need. Our strong economy has allowed us to invest

significant resources towards achieving this worthy goal, but we will continue

to do more.

I would like to point out one specific example in Prince

George–Omineca, and that is the upcoming grand opening of the Vanderhoof Omineca

lodge. This facility was in the works for many years but never seemed to get the

support needed throughout the 1990s. Our government made this facility a

priority, and now, four years later, we will be celebrating the opening of a

quality facility designed specifically to meet the needs of the people in Prince

George–Omineca.

Finally, I would like to thank the Premier for his leadership in

setting up the Citizens' Assembly and for bringing forward a plan for all of the

people of British Columbia to consider. Electoral reform has been on the

forefront of this provincial agenda for many years, and the steps outlined in

the throne speech speak loudly about the quality of leadership the Premier is

providing.

Some may agree with the potential change of our voting system to

the Citizens' Assembly's recommended BC-STV, and some may disagree. It's

important and appropriate that both sides of the debate get the opportunity to

further discuss the issue and bring it forward to the people of our great

province. I look forward to the discussions and debates over the coming years.

With this, I am also pleased that our government will be looking

into ways to improve voter participation. Democracy is a cornerstone of our

society. It is appropriate in this Year of the Veteran that the throne speech

raises this issue. Many people gave much and some gave all they had so that we

can have the freedoms we enjoy today, so that we can have the right to vote.

This is the greatest right that anyone can ask for, and I applaud any steps that

help to promote participation in this important process.

The throne speech presented to this House is our government's

blueprint for building upon our success over the past four years. It's designed

to continue to nurture our economy while providing the benefits of good

government to all British Columbians. I'm excited to be a part of this, and I'm

looking forward to the months and years ahead, because I know our plan will

benefit not only the people of Prince George–Omineca but also the entire

province.

I thank you for the time, Madam Speaker.

D. Routley: Thank you for the acknowledgment, Madam

Speaker, and I would like to acknowledge and congratulate you on your election

to that chair, although I note that you weren't dragged to the chair.

I would also like to acknowledge the benefits that the government

has provided in the throne speech in expanding question period and numerous

other benefits, but then I would like to take credit for those on behalf of the

people of British Columbia who have elected a sizable opposition that will

ensure that the government is and continues to be responsive to their needs.

[1600]

I'd like to begin by thanking the first nations upon whose

traditional lands we now stand and to thank the Hul'qumi'num group of nations

from my own riding — the Cowichan, Lyackson, Chemainus, Penelakut, Halalt and

Lake Cowichan peoples — who stand proudly on the shores of my riding awaiting

patiently the partner they have been promised for so many years. To them I say

hi sat ka .

I would like, obviously, to thank my family, but most of all the

people of Cowichan-Ladysmith for the trust that they have instilled in me and

invested in me. I promise to work on their behalf to the best of my abilities.

My riding, Cowichan-Ladysmith, is a beautiful mix of rural and

urban communities, a beautiful river, several beautiful lakes and emerald green

forests that all stand waiting to be adequately managed.

In 1961 the party for which I stand was formed, along with public

health care, by the greatest Canadian — Tommy Douglas. We in Cowichan-Ladysmith

are proud to say that Tommy represented our riding from 1968 until 1976. This is

a proud piece of our history, and we still bear the legacy of compassion and

empathy instilled by Mr. Douglas and affronted by the recent past, by the recent

government.

When I was on the campaign trail in my riding going door to door,

I was stunned by the capacity for caring I saw. I visited seniors homes where

the questions they asked were about single moms living in poverty. They asked

about families living in poverty, and then they asked about themselves. That is

the true spirit of British Columbia.

I have watched as the impacts of the government's policies have

affected the disabled in my community. In Cowichan-Ladysmith we have the highest

proportion of people living with disabilities in this province. They bear a

special burden, and they are the last people who should be paying the price for

misguided and ideologically driven policies. I've watched our core industries of

pulp and paper be affected by giveaway stumpage rates in the north and

unreasonable stumpage rates on the coast.

I've stood as a school trustee and managed the affairs of

students, of teachers, of public education in my riding. We have watched

policies gone wrong, costs downloaded and the most vulnerable pay the price for

that.

I have watched as the workers of Saltair mill prepare themselves

for October 26, when they face what has been called an indefinite mothballing of

their mill — another casualty of coastal forest policies gone wrong, of

principles not honoured.

[ Page 46 ]

The principle of collective bargaining. I have seen it dishonoured

in my community, in the tearing up of teachers' contracts, in the tearing up of

nurses' contracts.

During the campaign I visited an older gentleman in a trailer

park. I knocked on his door. He opened the door with tears in his eyes. He told

me the story of delivering his wife to the hospital and not being able to get

any help taking her from his van to the emergency ward — no staff available. He

struggled, and he got her in there. He cried. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and

he fell into my arms on his doorstep. I comforted him, not knowing quite what I

could do for him, but as I walked away from his door, I turned and saw the most

terrible contract that was torn up by this government — and that was that his

licence plate was blue. He was a veteran. He had invested everything in our

community, and he had been disgraced by the policies of this government.

I am here for the ordinary people who struggle with the outcomes

of those ideological and mean-spirited policies. Those of us who decide the

circumstances in our communities ought to at least understand the repercussions

of our decisions, ought to at least understand the lives being led by those we

affect. That's why I'm here.

I'm here for my family, my stepfamily, my stepmother, my mother

who made difficult choices leaving a relationship and who knows all too well

that the gains women have made over the last 20 and 30 years should never be put

to threat.

[1605]

I come here for my father, who passed from ALS, for his courage,

for his fairness. My father was a conservative man but a fair-minded man. We

always saw eye to eye. The trouble was that our noses were always an inch apart

at the time. But my father was fair, and he would never have stood by to see the

most vulnerable in our communities pay the price for a gift to the most wealthy.

That would never have been accepted.

I've heard a lot in the chamber today about tough decisions.

British Columbians face tough decisions every day. I've faced many tough

decisions at the ends of months when the income is smaller than the outflow. But

we don't turn to our smallest and say: "You don't eat this month." That is not a

progressive way to solve problems. The people of British Columbia expect better.

My ten-year-old daughter Madeline is somewhat of a naturalist. She

wants to start a website called "Save B.C.'s Birds." She wants my help, and I

can't offer much help these days, so I gave her a little assignment: make some

reports on the birds you'd like to feature. She came back to me with a little

stack of handwritten business cards that identified her as "Madeline Routley,

bird whacker." I think she meant "watcher." We'll be passing those to our

neighbour who has a particularly noisy rooster. But she cares, and she

understands that what she cares about is inextricably linked to the broader

world.

This summer my wife and I had the occasion to have five days free,

so we took a quick trip up to Barkerville and drove for hour upon hour through

orange-carpeted hillsides, dead trees. I tried to explain to my daughter what

this meant. I tried to explain to her what it would mean to those communities

affected in five to eight years and, most particularly to her, what it meant to

the habitat of the birds that she cares about so much. She became so alarmed by

that that we drove for a couple of hours to find a newly planted site and had

lunch at that site. I was able to point to her and tell her that if people like

her who care about our communities and our environment and our world do the

right thing, that that will be the outcome, that we can manage our way out of

these difficulties, but not by ignoring them and not by applying pure raw

ideology — only by working together in the spirit of the benefit of British

Columbians.

During the campaign I visited non-profit groups who struggle

because their main partner is absent. The partner is the provincial government,

who has stripped their funding and left them to compete with one another for

project dollars, forever painting themselves in new colour year to year — yellow

this year, red this year; we'll find funding if only we're blue next year.

Through all of this there is a drastic mandate slippage and an affront to the

fine efforts of those people trying to administer services, who have now become

proposal writers more than service providers.

This is a tragedy. This cannot continue. This is why British

Columbians elected the strong opposition that they have. I'm here as a school

trustee, here for public education. As a trustee, I have watched the policies of

this government, of downloading costs, play themselves out in the stripping of

the services from our most vulnerable children. Class sizes have soared. Class

composition destroys the learning conditions that our children have to endure.

This must stop.

I've heard claims about education, but it's going take more than

slogans to solve the problems in our schools. It will take funding, and it will

take a partner — a provincial government who can sit down in goodwill and deal

with the complicated issues that confront the system, not by vilifying and

standing off against the teachers that we so respect.

In the end, I'm here for those who bear the weight of failed,

mean-spirited, ideologically driven policies. It will never be good enough to

say to those people: "We didn't mean it that way." That will always be thin

gruel to them, because they expect much more from us.

We should all be aware that what is most precious and beautiful

and strong in people is exactly that which makes them vulnerable, just as is the

case with butterfly wings. It will take more than slogans — even five slogans —

to solve these problems.

[1610]

This beautiful place, this building so exquisite in its detail,

was crafted by caring hands — artisans memorialized in the faces that are

ensconced on the walls above us. This place was not built for an elevated elite.

This place was not built just for a powerful economy.

[ Page 47 ]

This place was built to elevate ordinary people — their interests, their

needs — to the highest place possible.

I'm here because British Columbians have witnessed a bailiff-like

sell-off of their assets, and they demand that it stops. We have heard about

have-not provinces. Well, what we're seeing is the creation of a

have-and-have-not province, and British Columbians reject that.

We have heard here today that the economy pays the rent. I will

say that the economy is not paying the rent for tens of thousands of British

Columbians, soon to be hundreds of thousands, who have slipped under the waves

under the watch of this government.

I'm here to bring hope to my community, to work together with the

government for the best interests of everyone in British Columbia, not leaving

out those who are weak, those who are frail, those who are challenged, but

including everyone. That is the British Columbia I stand for, and that is the

British Columbia that brought us here.

Hon. I. Chong: First of all, let me, as tradition goes,

offer my congratulations to the Speaker, the member for Penticton–Okanagan

Valley; to yourself, the member for Kelowna-Mission, as our new Deputy Speaker;

to the Assistant Deputy Speaker, the member for Surrey–Green Timbers; and, as

well, to the Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole, the member for

Burquitlam — a new list of people who, I know, will ensure that the debates that

take place in this chamber will be conducted with civility and decorum.

But let me also say how exciting it is for me to be back, as has

been mentioned many times, in this very exceptional chamber — this chamber where

profound and vigorous debates occur and should occur, where reasoned discussions

take place from members representing diverse backgrounds and representing varied

constituencies.

One common thread unites all of us here as members of this

Legislature. That is, we were all duly elected in a democratic process by a

majority of our constituents on May 17. So I offer my congratulations, then, to

all members of this House, newly elected and returning members.

Every year — as I have said, but it bears saying once again — it

truly is an honour and a privilege to represent the people of Oak Bay–Gordon

Head and to be given this responsibility to engage in public dialogue in this

chamber. So I also begin by thanking the voters of Oak Bay–Gordon Head who have

placed their trust in me, who have returned me to this very important role for a

third term.

I am equally grateful to all those who volunteered their time on

my election campaign — my campaign manager, my campaign office manager, the

volunteers, the door and phone canvassers, lawn sign volunteers and all our

supporters. I truly had a fantastic and energetic team. I know that the students

who volunteered from my local high school also indicated to me that they had a

wonderful experience, and I truly hope that all other members found the same

wonderful experience.

As I listened to Her Honour deliver the throne speech yesterday, I

was reminded that as MLAs we certainly do have a unique and special opportunity.

We are but one of 79 people, in this province of over four million people, who

are awarded this job. This Legislature is not for any one member. Rather, it

exists for all members, once elected, without regard to affiliation — political

or otherwise.

[1615]

So indeed, I look forward, in the weeks and years ahead, to

constructive and productive work on behalf of the people of this province.

On May 17 our government was indeed returned for a second

consecutive term, and with a renewed mandate. I believe the people of this

province endorsed the leadership and the real progress we made during our first

four years and that they were also desirous of moving forward, not backward. The

voters also expressed their desire for a larger opposition. That, too, was

achieved. Now here we are, ready to do the people's work.

I am very proud to stand here today and respond to the Speech from

the Throne for the 38th parliament — I believe my tenth reply to the throne

speech in my time here in this chamber. As with tradition, the government's

throne speech is indeed a plan for the road ahead. It is our plan for the

long-term prosperity for British Columbia, the very best place on earth.

Our platform document was very clear in its mandate. It endorsed

the five great goals for the golden decade, five goals where B.C. is the most

educated and most literate jurisdiction on the continent; where B.C. leads the

way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness; where we build the

best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs,

children at risk and seniors; where B.C. leads the world in sustainable

environmental management; and where B.C. creates more jobs per capita than

anywhere else in Canada.

I believe these goals are ones that every British Columbian

supports. Why should they not? But we have to acknowledge as well that these

goals will not be achieved overnight, nor can they be achieved unilaterally. It

will require time, and it will take commitments from all of us in this House to

work together to achieve these for our communities.

In four short years this province has achieved many significant

and noticeable accomplishments. In 2001 we were the worst-performing economy in

the country. Today by all measures we are indeed viewed as the best-performing

economy in the country. Our credit rating has improved, saving taxpayers

millions of dollars in interest and debt-servicing costs, and what that means is

that more dollars can be invested in sustainable services and programs.

B.C. is a leader in many ways. What we have seen in education,

with new schools of excellence, with new student spaces at our post-secondary

institutions…. What we have seen in some health care reforms, which have allowed

us to have accountability contracts in place and fewer health councils that

hinder progress…. But we have also seen our transportation investment,

[ Page 48 ]

with new roads, new bridges, ports and airports being expanded to allow for

more tourism opportunities and more movement of goods and services.

But what is sometimes forgotten — which is why perhaps it is more

lacklustre, I suppose — is the leadership that we have actually shown in

legislative reforms. In our first term we introduced fixed legislative sitting

dates. We introduced set election dates. We brought in the Citizens' Assembly on

Electoral Reform. We recharged several select standing committees that were

dormant during the '90s.

You would think that after those innovative changes there

wouldn't be much more to do, but we didn't stop there. With cooperation from

members of the opposition, we have brought in some more changes by adding a new

assistant to the Deputy Speaker who is a member of the official opposition and

by extending question period — doubling it, in fact, from 15 minutes to 30

minutes.

I'm confident that we can indeed continue to bring in legislative

reforms that assist us in doing our jobs and in serving our constituents by

working together with the members of the opposition.

[1620]

The goals laid out in the throne speech are important to the

people of Oak Bay–Gordon Head, the people that I serve. We are already seeing

the benefits of some of those goals. In the areas of education, literacy and

advanced education, Oak Bay–Gordon Head is seeing new investments in our public

libraries and new student spaces at Camosun College and at the University of

Victoria, both post-secondary institutions in my riding and schools of

excellence that have been nationally and internationally recognized, as

evidenced by a recent

article in Maclean's magazine.

The Island medical program at the University of Victoria is not

solely about education, but rather, it is about health care. By training and

educating doctors here in my constituency and in my community, the likelihood of

those doctors staying here means that my constituents will be better served.

The improvement in the economy has had another profound impact on

my community as well. Construction is underway in two specific private projects

in Gordon Head that I want to mention. A new Home Depot will soon be opening.

The groundbreaking for Tuscany Village occurred this summer. Both these projects

will provide yet more jobs for people in Oak Bay–Gordon Head and particularly

for the many students who attend the university, as well, who can now work

closer to home.

The Oak Bay portion of my riding is also busy with activity. Among

the many homes being redeveloped or constructed, there are also two other

projects that I want to briefly highlight. A new ice surface at the Oak Bay

Recreation Centre is almost ready for the citizens of Oak Bay and for the

surrounding communities. Our government was able to assist in this project by

providing an infrastructure grant. Similarly, the construction of Windsor Park

pavilion and field house will be starting soon, which was also made possible

from a provincial infrastructure grant. While both these projects will indeed

create jobs, more importantly, eventually they will also contribute towards

fitness and healthy living.

I now would like to speak briefly of the area of responsibility

that I am now involved in, and that is in the Ministry of Community Services.

Our plan is to continue building on the foundation that we laid in our first

term. Our goal is to continue strengthening communities across the province for

all British Columbians. Strong communities are the backbone of this great

province, and we will work closely with local governments to ensure that they

are the front-line providers of those key community services that British

Columbians depend upon.

I'd like to share a few examples of the groundbreaking work that

we've been doing with local governments since we were elected in 2001. To make

it easier for local governments to provide services that cater to the needs of

their communities, this government introduced the Community Charter. This was an

important step toward increasing local autonomy and accountability and

harmonizing provincial and local government relations. Now local governments can

make the best decisions for their communities. They can streamline and

standardize regulations across municipal boundaries, making it easier for

businesses to operate in multiple jurisdictions. The Community Charter outlaws

downloading of costs by the province. It enhances local accountability by

ensuring that councils prepare annual reports.

In April we reached an agreement with the federal government and

UBCM on a made-in-B.C. new deal for cities to share $635.6 million in gas tax

revenues with local governments across the province. Over the next five years

local governments will be able to fund infrastructure projects, providing

environmental benefits including better transit, clean drinking water, improved

wastewater infrastructure and improved air quality.

We also returned 100 percent of all net traffic fines to

municipalities, which exceeded our new-era commitment of 75 percent. This

funding is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance community policing, crime

prevention and public safety. This represents a funding increase of over 300

percent in traffic fine revenues going to local governments. We are already

seeing the results in many communities around the province.

Madam Speaker, we will continue to find new opportunities to work

with communities to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As was mentioned in the

throne speech, we are establishing a southern interior development initiative,

the north island–coast development initiative and further investment in the

northern development initiative.

We will also be working closely with affected communities to fight

the mountain pine beetle with an on-the-ground decision-making body equivalent

to the emergency response team and addressing its economic impact with increased

resources for economic revitalization.

[1625]

As the Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues, I

know how important it is that our communities reflect the needs of all British

Columbians, young and old alike. We are committed to building the best system of

support in Canada for B.C. seniors.

[ Page 49 ]

We sometimes forget some of the facts that are out there, because

it is all around us, but British Columbia has one of the most rapidly aging

populations in Canada. The number of people over the age of 65 has been growing

at an average rate of 2 percent over the past ten years — twice the rate of

B.C.'s general population. Seniors currently make up about 14 percent of the

population in British Columbia. British Columbia is currently home to about

586,900 seniors, and by the year 2031 the seniors population will more than

double to 1,279,600. That's 23 percent of the population.

About one-third of people 65 years of age and over participate in

daily physical activity. Seniors are living longer and are more active. About 60

percent of seniors maintain a household. Seniors want to be independent and live

in their own homes. While most seniors do live in private households and in

single detached houses, we must also look at other options for when it is time

for them to leave.

Seniors make up 9 percent of the total volunteer workforce, but

contribute 18 percent of all the volunteer hours in British Columbia. There are

also more seniors staying in the workplace. About 7 percent of people aged 65

and older were employed in 2004, compared to 5 percent ten years ago. One in

four seniors aged 65 to 74 and one in ten over the age of 75 received employment

income in 2002. In ten years visible minority seniors will increase from 13

percent to 20 percent of the total seniors population. One in five Internet

users in British Colum