British Columbia Hansard — Wednesday, February 13, 2002

H0213pm-02

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

3rd Session, 37th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 13, 2002 Afternoon Sitting Volume 3, Number 2 THE HONOURABLE CLAUDE RICHMOND, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Honourable Iona Campagnolo 3RD SESSION, 37TH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Claude Richmond EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council................................................................................. .........................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations.............................................................................. ..................... Hon.

Greg Halsey-Brandt Deputy Premier and Minister of Education ....................................................................................... ..................................Hon. Christy Clark Minister of Advanced Education................................................................................................. ...........................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.................................................................................... ..............................Hon.

John van Dongen Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations.............................................................. .................... Hon. Geoff Plant Minister of Children and Family Development.................................................................................... ..............................Hon. Gordon Hogg Minister of State for Early Childhood Development.............................................................................. .................................Hon.

Linda Reid Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services......................................................................... .................. Hon. George Abbott Minister of State for Community Charter........................................................................................ .................................. Hon. Ted Nebbeling Minister of State for Women's Equality ......................................................................................... .................................... Hon.

Lynn Stephens Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise ................................................................................ ..................................Hon. Rick Thorpe Minister of State for Deregulation ............................................................................................. ............................................ Hon. Kevin Falcon Minister of Energy and Mines................................................................................................... ....................................... Hon.

Richard Neufeld Minister of Finance ............................................................................................................ ....................................................... Hon. Gary Collins Minister of Forests ............................................................................................................ .................................................. Hon. Michael de Jong Minister of Health Planning .................................................................................................... ............................................ Hon.

Sindi Hawkins Minister of Health Services.................................................................................................... ................................................ Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of State for Mental Health ............................................................................................ ...................................Hon. Gulzar S. Cheema Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care ............................................................................. Hon.

Katherine Whittred Minister of Human Resources.................................................................................................... ............................................Hon. Murray Coell Minister of Management Services................................................................................................ .........................................Hon. Sandy Santori Minister of Provincial Revenue................................................................................................. ................................................Hon.

Bill Barisoff Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ................................................................................ ..................................Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Skills Development and Labour...................................................................................... .............................Hon. Graham P. Bruce Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.................................................................................... ..................................Hon.

Stan Hagen Minister of Transportation..................................................................................................... .................................................... Hon. Judith Reid Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection..................................................................................... ....................................Hon. Joyce Murray LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................. ..............................................................

John Weisbeck Leader of the Opposition ....................................................................................................... ...........................................................Joy MacPhail Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ........................................................................................... .............................................. Harold Long Clerk of the Legislative Assembly .............................................................................................. .........................................E.

George MacMinn Clerk Assistant ................................................................................................................ ................................................................... Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk .................................................................................................. ........................................................ Ian D. Izard Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees........................................................................................ ............................................Craig H.

James Committee Clerk................................................................................................................ ......................................................... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms ............................................................................................................... .........................................................A.A. Humphreys Director, Hansard Services ..................................................................................................... ........................................

Anthony Dambrauskas Legislative Librarian.......................................................................................................... ............................................................. Joan A. Barton Legislative Comptroller ........................................................................................................ .................................................................Peter Bray Published by British Columbia Hansard Services, and printed under the authority of the Speaker by the Queen's Printer, Victoria.

Rates: single issue, $2.85; per calendar year, mailed daily, $298. GST extra. Agent: Crown Publications Inc., 521 Fort St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E7. Telephone: (250) 386-4636. Fax: 386-0221. Internet: www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard

Party Standings: Liberal 77; New Democratic 2. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Abbott, Hon. George (L) ....................................................................... Shuswap Anderson, Val J. (L) .............................................................Vancouver-Langara Barisoff, Hon. Bill (L)............................................. Penticton–Okanagan Valley Bell, Pat (L).........................................................................Prince George North Belsey, Bill (L).................................................................................

North Coast Bennett, Bill (L) ........................................................................... East Kootenay Bhullar, Tony (L) ........................................................................ Surrey-Newton Bloy, Harry (L).................................................................................. Burquitlam Bond, Hon. Shirley (L).........................................Prince George–Mount Robson Bray, Jeff (L)......................................................................Victoria–Beacon H ill Brenzinger, Elayne (L) ...............................................................

Surrey-Whalley Brice, Susan (L) ............................................................................Saanich South Bruce, Hon. Graham P. (L)................................................ Cowichan-Ladysmith Campbell, Hon. Gordon (L)............................................. Vancouver–Point Grey Cheema, Hon. Gulzar S. (L) ..........................................Surrey–Panorama Ridge Chong, Ida (L)................................................................ Oak Bay–Gordon Head Christensen, Tom (L) .............................................................

Okanagan-Vernon Chutter, Dave (L) ........................................................................... Yale-L illooet Clark, Hon. Christy (L) ..................................................Port Moody–Westwood Cobb, Walt (L) ............................................................................. Cariboo South Coell, Hon. Murray (L) ........................................ Saanich North and the Islands Coleman, Hon. Rich (L) .............................................. Fort Langley–Aldergrove Collins, Hon.

Gary (L).........................................................Vancouver-Fairview de Jong, Hon. Michael (L)....................................... Abbotsford–Mount Lehman Falcon, Hon. Kevin (L) .......................................................... Surrey-Cloverdale Hagen, Hon. Stan (L) ................................................................... Comox Valley Halsey-Brandt, Hon. Greg (L) ..................................................Richmond Centre Hamilton, Arnie (L)............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin Hansen, Hon.

Colin (L) .....................................................Vancouver-Quilchena Harris, Roger (L)......................................................................................Skeena Hawes, Randy (L) ............................................................ Maple Ridge–Mission Hawkins, Hon. Sindi (L).......................................................... Kelowna-Mission Hayer, Dave S. (L) ................................................................... Surrey-Tynehead Hogg, Hon. Gordon (L) ........................................................

Surrey–White Rock Hunter, Mike (L) ...................................................................................Nanaimo Jarvis, Daniel (L)...................................................... North Vancouver–Seymour Johnston, Ken (L)............................................................ Vancouver-Fraserview Kerr, Brian J. (L).............................................................. Malahat–Juan de Fuca Krueger, Kevin (L).................................................

Kamloops–North Thompson Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ...............................Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Lee, Richard T. (L).......................................................................Burnaby North Lekstrom, Blair (L)................................................................. Peace River South Les, John (L) .......................................................................... Ch illiwack-Sumas Locke, Brenda (L) ...........................................................

Surrey–Green Timbers Long, Harold (L) ...................................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast MacKay, Dennis (L)....................................................... Bulkley Valley–Stikine McMahon, Wendy (L).............................................Columbia River–Revelstoke MacPhail, Joy (NDP) ..........................................................

Vancouver-Hastings Manhas, Karn (L) .............................................Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Masi, Reni (L) ...................................................................................Delta North Mayencourt, Lorne (L) ..........................................................Vancouver-Burrard Murray, Hon. Joyce (L) ........................................................... New Westminster Nebbeling, Hon. Ted (L) ..........................................

West Vancouver–Garibaldi Nettleton, Paul (L).........................................................Prince George–Omineca Neufeld, Hon. Richard (L)...................................................... Peace River North Nijjar, Rob (L)...................................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Nuraney, John (L) ...............................................................Burnaby-W illingdon Orr, Sheila (L) ...........................................................................Victoria-Hillside Penner, Barry (L).......................................................................

Ch illiwack-Kent Plant, Hon. Geoff (L) ......................................................... Richmond-Steveston Reid, Hon. Judith (L)............................................................Nanaimo-Parksv ille Reid, Hon. Linda (L) ................................................................... Richmond East Richmond, Hon. Claude (L) ................................................................

Kamloops Roddick, Valerie (L)..........................................................................Delta South Sahota, Patty (L).....................................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Santori, Hon. Sandy (L)..............................................West Kootenay–Boundary Stephens, Hon. Lynn (L) ........................................................................ Langley Stewart, Ken (L)...................................................... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Stewart, Richard (L) ......................................................

Coquitlam-Maillardville Suffredine, Blair F. (L) ................................................................Nelson-Creston Sultan, Ralph (L)....................................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Thorpe, Hon. Rick (L) ..........................................................Okanagan-Westside Trumper, Gillian (L)................................................................Alberni-Qualicum van Dongen, Hon.

John (L) ................................................Abbotsford-Clayburn Visser, Rod (L).................................................................................North Island Weisbeck, John (L).........................................................Kelowna–Lake Country Whittred, Hon. Katherine (L) ...................................North Vancouver–Lonsdale Wilson, John (L)...........................................................................

Cariboo North Wong, Patrick (L)............................................................Vancouver-Kensington LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Clayburn....................................................... Hon. John van Dongen Abbotsford–Mount Lehman ..............................................Hon.

Michael de Jong Alberni-Qualicum.......................................................................G illian Trumper Bulkley Valley–Stikine ..............................................................Dennis MacKay Burnaby North..............................................................................Richard T. Lee Burnaby-Edmonds............................................................................Patty Sahota Burnaby-Willingdon......................................................................

John Nuraney Burquitlam ........................................................................................ Harry Bloy Cariboo North ..................................................................................John Wilson Cariboo South .................................................................................... Walt Cobb Chilliwack-Kent ............................................................................. Barry Penner Chilliwack-Sumas .................................................................................

John Les Columbia River–Revelstoke....................................................Wendy McMahon Comox Valley .......................................................................... Hon. Stan Hagen Coquitlam-Maillardville .............................................................Richard Stewart Cowichan-Ladysmith .......................................................Hon. Graham P. Bruce Delta North.......................................................................................... Reni Masi Delta South................................................................................

Valerie Roddick East Kootenay .................................................................................. Bill Bennett Esquimalt-Metchosin...................................................................Arnie Hamilton Fort Langley–Aldergrove ..................................................... Hon. Rich Coleman Kamloops ....................................................................... Hon. Claude Richmond Kamloops–North Thompson ........................................................Kevin Krueger Kelowna–Lake Country...............................................................

John Weisbeck Kelowna-Mission ................................................................ Hon. Sindi Hawkins Langley ............................................................................... Hon. Lynn Stephens Malahat–Juan de Fuca .....................................................................Brian J. Kerr Maple Ridge–Mission ................................................................... Randy Hawes Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows .............................................................Ken Stewart Nanaimo..........................................................................................

Mike Hunter Nanaimo-Parksville ...................................................................Hon. Judith Reid Nelson-Creston.......................................................................Blair F. Suffredine New Westminster ..................................................................Hon. Joyce Murray North Coast ........................................................................................Bill Belsey North Island........................................................................................Rod Visser North Vancouver–Lonsdale.......................................... Hon.

Katherine Wh ittred North Vancouver–Seymour .............................................................Daniel Jarvis Oak Bay–Gordon Head .......................................................................Ida Chong Okanagan-Vernon .................................................................... Tom Christensen Okanagan-Westside.................................................................Hon. Rick Thorpe Peace River North .............................................................Hon. Richard Neufeld Peace River South .......................................................................

Blair Lekstrom Penticton–Okanagan Valley ....................................................Hon. Bill Barisoff Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain.................................................... Karn Manhas Port Moody–Westwood......................................................... Hon. Christy Clark Powell River–Sunshine Coast.......................................................... Harold Long Prince George North................................................................................Pat Bell Prince George–Mount Robson................................................Hon.

Shirley Bond Prince George–Omineca................................................................Paul Nettleton Richmond Centre......................................................... Hon. Greg Halsey-Brandt Richmond East .......................................................................... Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ................................................................ Hon. Geoff Plant Saanich North and the Islands ............................................... Hon. Murray Coell Saanich South...................................................................................

Susan Brice Shuswap .............................................................................. Hon. George Abbott Skeena.............................................................................................Roger Harris Surrey-Cloverdale ................................................................. Hon. Kevin Falcon Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Brenda Locke Surrey-Newton ............................................................................... Tony Bhullar Surrey–Panorama Ridge................................................. Hon.

Gulzar S. Cheema Surrey-Tynehead .......................................................................... Dave S. Hayer Surrey-Whalley ...................................................................... Elayne Brenzinger Surrey–White Rock ...............................................................Hon. Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Burrard................................................................. Lorne Mayencourt Vancouver-Fairview............................................................... Hon.

Gary Co llins Vancouver-Fraserview ...................................................................Ken Johnston Vancouver-Hastings .......................................................................Joy MacPhail Vancouver-Kensington...................................................................Patrick Wong Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Rob Nijjar Vancouver-Langara....................................................................Val J.

Anderson Vancouver–Mount Pleasant............................................Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey ................................................... Hon. Gordon Campbell Vancouver-Quilchena............................................................ Hon. Colin Hansen Victoria–Beacon Hill.............................................................................Jeff Bray Victoria-Hillside.................................................................................. Sheila Orr West Kootenay–Boundary.................................................... Hon.

Sandy Santori West Vancouver–Capilano ..............................................................Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Garibaldi ................................................. Hon. Ted Nebbeling Yale-Lillooet .................................................................................. Dave Chutter

CONTENTS Wednesday, February 13, 2002 Afternoon Sitting Routine Proceedings Page Tributes....................................................................................................................... ............................................................... 1051 Hon.

T Nebbeling Introductions by Members....................................................................................................... .............................................. 1051 Tributes....................................................................................................................... ............................................................... 1051 V. Roddick Hon. J.

Murray Introductions by Members....................................................................................................... ............................................... 1051 Statements (Standing Order 25 B).............................................................................................................................. ............. 1051 Legislature reforms............................................................................................................ ..................................................................... 1051 K.

Krueger Forest industry in B.C......................................................................................................... .................................................................... 1052 P. Bell 2002 B.C. Winter Games......................................................................................................... ................................................................ 1052 W.

Cobb Oral Questions................................................................................................................. ......................................................... 1052 Health Planning minister's public relations costs ............................................................................................................................... 1052 J. MacPhail Hon. S. Hawkins J. Kwan Cost of ministers' preparations for open cabinet meetings...................................................................... .......................................... 1053 J. Kwan Hon. G.

Campbell Sale of Skeena Cellulose ....................................................................................................... .................................................................. 1054 B. Belsey Hon. R. Thorpe Burton water supply............................................................................................................ ................................................................... 1054 B. Suffredine Hon. C.

Hansen Safety of water supply in B.C. ................................................................................................. .............................................................. 1054 B. Suffredine Hon. J. Murray Impact of public service reductions............................................................................................ .......................................................... 1054 J. Kwan Hon. G.

Campbell Government action on U.S. duty on softwood lumber exports...................................................................... ................................... 1055 R. Visser Hon. M. de Jong Tabling Documents .............................................................................................................. .................................................... 1055 Report of the Crown Proceeding Act Motions without Notice Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process. Hon. G.

Collins................................................................................ 1055 Select Standing Committee on Education. Hon. G. Collins ............................................................................................................... 1056 Amendment to sessional order. Hon. G. Collins.................................................................................. ............................................... 1056 Adoption of sessional order. Hon. G.

Collins................................................................................... ................................................... 1056

Throne Speech Debate B. Lekstrom.................................................................................................................... .......................................................................... 1057 J. Nuraney ..................................................................................................................... ........................................................................... 1059 R.

Hawes ....................................................................................................................... ........................................................................... 1060 J. MacPhail .................................................................................................................... ........................................................................... 1063 D.

MacKay ...................................................................................................................... ......................................................................... 1074 D. Jarvis...................................................................................................................... .............................................................................. 1075 S.

Orr......................................................................................................................... ................................................................................ 1078 V. Anderson.................................................................................................................... ......................................................................... 1079

1051 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 The House met at 2:05 p.m. Prayers. Tributes CINDY KLASSEN, JAMIE SALÉ, DAVID PELLETIER Hon. T. Nebbeling: I would like to recognize some real good news coming from Salt Lake City. We have three ath- letes that have brought some medals to the Canadian team. The first one is Cindy Klassen, who brought home a bronze medal for speed skating. The other two young athletes are David Pelletier and Jamie Salé. They won the Olympic Silver last Monday night.

I think these two athletes in particular showed the quality of character, on the ice and off the ice, that young Canadian athletes represent in Salt Lake City. I hope the House can share our pride in these young athletes and, with that, pride in all the young Canadian athletes in Salt Lake City. Introductions by Members J. Weisbeck: I would like to recognize four con- stituents from the beautiful Okanagan Valley: Tom and Kay Bleakley, and Chester and Sylvia Zarco. Would the House please make them welcome. Tributes JAY G. GOULD V.

Roddick: It is with honour and sadness that I rise to- day on behalf of the life of British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Jay G. Gould — a longtime member of the Liberal Party. He was born in North Vancouver on April 20, 1912, and elected in the twenty-second provincial general election on June 15, 1949, as MLA for Vancouver-Burrard. He con- tributed significantly to the success of two major issues in the 1952 election: a new voting system and liquor reform. He was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1965 and retired in 1987 at the age of 75.

Our friendship goes back many, many years. My father and His Lordship, who were naval officers in the Second World War, taught me to drink scotch. When I made my first speech in this chamber, he critiqued the video, and — my apologies, Mr. Speaker — he told me I was far too polite. In his day one addressed the Speaker only once and then, with whimsical cynicism, went straight for the jugular. I ask the members of this House to join me in one last greeting for His Lordship. [Applause.] IRWIN FRASER STEWART Hon. J.

Murray: I'd like the House to join me in recognizing an exceptional Canadian and a truly out- standing resident of my riding, New Westminster. Ear- lier this year Dr. Irwin Fraser Stewart was appointed to the Order of Canada for his significant contribution to the well-being of others, both within the province of British Columbia and throughout the world. [1410] For over 30 years Dr. Stewart has dedicated himself to helping deaf children by setting up travelling clinics and surgical training in many developing countries. He's been an inspiration to a number of people in Brit- ish Columbia.

He's been honoured for his clinical re- search on childhood deafness and was named profes- sor emeritus at UBC. A longtime volunteer with the Rotary organization, Dr. Stewart continues to guide numerous health care projects worldwide. I'd like the House to join me in acknowledging his achievements. Introductions by Members S. Orr: This is the first time I've ever had anyone to introduce in the House, so what can I say? This is very exciting, and I'm going to make it worth my while in quantity. I am very, very pleased to introduce today the UVic B.C. Young Liberals executive.

I want to first intro- duce Lisa Karoway. She's the president, and she is the driving force of the UVic B.C. Young Liberals. Then Kara Hamilton, who is the vice-president, who I have worked very closely with over the last few years. Dallas Henault, who actually is a constituent of the member for Okanagan-Westside. Trisha Girard. Spencer Sproule, who I actually have known since before he was born. Bill Hepburn, who is actually presently my assistant LA. These students were remarkable on the day that there was a student protest down on the lawns.

They stayed up at UVic, they set up a table, they sat down, and they explained myth from fact. They told me and have told many people that they had a lot of silent support. Would you please give this group of very bright students a very warm welcome. B. Penner: I have the honour of introducing Constable Tracey Atwell to the Legislature. I first got to know her during last spring's provincial election campaign. She's based in the lower mainland, and she's working to in- crease all of our personal security here in the Legislature. Would you please make her welcome. P.

Bell: I, too, would like to recognize the performance of an athlete at this year's Winter Games. Prince George's very own Scott Bellavance finished in sixth place in the freestyle competition a few days ago and was the top Ca- nadian. Will the House please congratulate him. D. MacKay: For the second time I stand up in the House to welcome somebody from the beautiful Bulk- ley Valley. I would ask the House, for the second time, to make my beautiful wife welcome to the House. Statements (Standing Order 25

B) LEGISLATURE REFORMS K. Krueger: It is my pleasure to introduce to the House the new venue of private members' two-minute

1052 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 statements. In the past private members were pre- vented from genuine participation in the decisions and processes of government. Constituents often felt that unless their MLA was appointed to cabinet, their voices would be muted and their issues overlooked. My colleagues and I are proud to serve with a Premier who committed in opposition what he is delivering every day in government — that every MLA will be a working MLA. These speaking opportunities will give private members the chance to highlight concerns, issues and events in their constituencies.

They represent one more solid, tangible demonstration of good faith to the people of B.C. from a Premier and a government who have deliv- ered on many promises in eight short months in office. In the areas of parliamentary and electoral reform we have seen the dates of future elections fixed to pre- vent the political gamesmanship and self-serving deci- sion-making which were the norm in the past. Legisla- tive sessions have been calendared in advance to enable orderly planning of the work and allow members to more effectively service their constituencies.

Govern- ment caucus committees and select standing commit- tees have demonstrably shaped government decisions by funnelling in public input. This Premier has made good on his promise of free votes on legislation, first as Leader of the Official Opposition and now as Premier. [1415] I n a l l o f t h e s e w a y s t h i s g o v e r n m e n t h a s m o v e d B.C. away from the political shenanigans and wasteful practices of the past and has established effective, effi- cient, practical, inclusive, businesslike practices.

The old ways of doing things in government were tough on families, and far too many members' marriages foundered as a result. They were, in effect, hostile to women, who have often found themselves precluded from serving as MLAs due to family commitments that could not be met with erratic scheduling and helter- skelter approaches to government. Those days are gone.

Today we herald another solid demonstration of the integrity of this Premier and this government, proof of the courage to change things for the better, evidence of respect for the elected members of this assembly and trust in the wisdom of the constituents who chose us to represent them here. Private members appreciate and applaud this innovation and look forward to the posi- tive contributions these changes will allow. FOREST INDUSTRY IN B.C. P. Bell: I'd like to talk for a few minutes today about the importance of building a wood culture in British Columbia. I'm sure that's no surprise to most folks.

B.C. was built on the strength of our forest industry, but we have not kept pace. It's time for us to move into the twenty-first century. We face huge challenges in our forest industry today. We're in what seems like never-ending talks with our neighbours to the south while the mountain pine beetle chews away at our northern interior forests. Product substitution from concrete and steel is shrinking the North American residential house market. Product sub- stitution in the last three years has eaten up 2½ percent of that market, and that will continue to grow. Mr. Speaker, there is good news.

There is a huge un- tapped market in our own back yard. I'm speaking of com- mercial and institutional construction. Wood currently con- trols just 19 percent of that market, and the potential is for us to grow that market to 50 percent or better. We really need to pay attention to this. We don't think of wood as our material of choice in commercial and institutional buildings, and we spend little time training our architects and engineers on the processes of building with wood. A few years ago the Heather Park Middle School was built in my riding of Prince George North.

Although the school was originally designed in concrete and steel, school district 57 had enough foresight to rethink the project. Coming from a riding that has six sawmills and five pulp mills, the logical product to substitute was wood. The results were remarkable. Heather Park was built with an additional $700,000 worth of wood prod- ucts, and that actually saved $200,000 in the process. The results can be even more impressive when wood is part of the original design. Qualicum Secondary is being designed and renovated currently with wood at a saving of $507,000 on a $3.9 million project.

That represents a savings of 13 percent. Talk about a win-win situation! I encourage us to do everything we can to build with wood in B.C. 2002 B.C. WINTER GAMES W. Cobb: Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure today to invite you and all members of the Legislature to the most northerly community of my riding, Cariboo South, and my hometown, Williams Lake. With the support of two neighbouring com- munities, Quesnel to the north and 100 Mile to the south, we are hosting the 2002 B.C. Winter Games. The competition features over 25 different sporting events and approximately 2,500 athletes competing for the gold.

Williams Lake is ready and able to welcome the athletes and their fans. Local community groups have been working tirelessly to make this the best B.C. Winter Games ever. From what I've seen so far, I have no doubt that they will succeed. It never ceases to amaze me — the amount of en- thusiasm and spirit these events produce. In times of change, the strength of the province is in our communities when they pull together to make these things happen. [1420] I personally thank all of those involved. You are the people who make me proud. I only hope I can repre- sent you as well as you represent your community.

The games will begin on Thursday, February 21, and con- tinue until Sunday the 24th. If you're in for a good time and you couldn't make it to t he Salt L ake City g ames, come on up to Williams Lake. Let the games begin! Oral Questions HEALTH PLANNING MINISTER'S PUBLIC RELATIONS COSTS J. MacPhail: The Minister of Health Planning made a presentation to an open cabinet meeting a couple of

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1053 months ago where she talked about the strategic shifts in health planning. To the Minister of Health Planning: isn't the strategy she presented really just a PR exercise d e s i g n e d t o c o v e r t h e f a c t t h a t h e r m i n i s t r y i s j u s t a waste of money that could be better spent on patient care? Hon. S. Hawkins: That member, when she was Minister of Health, didn't plan a darn thing for any patients in this province for ten years. For ten years patients withered. They languished on waiting lists.

There was absolutely not a stitch of planning done for patients. This government has made a commitment. They've put in a planning ministry. They're working off more than a corner of a desk. They're making long-term plans and commitments to patients that will benefit patients in this province. J. MacPhail: I guess people in British Columbia should be relieved to know that the money they spend to keep the Minister of Health Planning at the cabinet table is not wasted. However, the New Democrat op- position has learned that in the case of at least this min- ister, it's costing taxpayers more than it should.

In fact, the minister is charging taxpayers thousands of dollars to enhance her performance in cabinet. The opposition has obtained an invoice from a private communications firm in Kelowna charging the Ministry of Health Plan- ning $6,000 for a PowerPoint presentation that she gave to open cabinet on December 12, 2001. Nice maps. To the Minister of Health Planning: given the pain that your government is forcing on patients, can the minister tell this House if she believes that spending $6,000 is a reasonable expenditure of tax dollars just so that the minister can look better at an open cabinet meeting?

Can she also tell the House how much more she spent getting other outside PR help? Hon. S. Hawkins: I will take that on notice. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition with another supplementary. J. MacPhail: The invoice is here. It's on record. There are other factors that the Minister of Health Planning has actually spent PR dollars on. There's more to come. The Minister of Health Planning spent another $4,500 — h e a l t h c a r e d o l l a r s — for a speech that she gave three weeks ago in Victoria. In that speech, we understand, she talked about putting patients first.

Again, to the Minister of Health Planning: that min- ister has said in the past that her constituents are con- cerned about public relations spending. How does the minister think her constituents would feel about her taking thousands of dollars away from patient care and using those dollars just to bolster her performance? Why does this minister think that PR counts for more than patient care? Hon. S. Hawkins: I think it takes a lot of gall, hon. Speaker, when they spent millions and millions…. The auditor general estimated that they spent over $25 mil- lion a year on PR campaigns. Interjection. Hon. S.

Hawkins: I s a i d t h a t I w o u l d t a k e i t o n notice. I'll get the information for you. J. Kwan: We know that the minister has spent al- most $11,000 on just two speeches. We also know that the communications firm the minister hired is Greenaway and Associates Communications Ltd., which has been a generous contributor to the Liberal Party over the years. This is a minister who shares a communications branch with her counterpart, the Minister of Health Services, that employs over 20 people.

I am sure that all of the staff between the two ministries would be eager and competent to provide assistance to the minister for her preparation of speeches for open cabinet meetings. [1425] Again, to the Minister of Health Planning: can she please tell the House how much more money she needs diverted from patient care for her PR campaign? We have a copy of the bill, the invoice, right here, and we'd certainly be happy to share it with the minis- ter so she can find out how much she did indeed pay for her personal PR improvement. COST OF MINISTERS' PREPARATIONS FOR OPEN CABINET MEETINGS J.

Kwan: Some have described the open cabinet meetings as staged events with rehearsed questions and rehearsed answers. To the Premier: is it the case that his ministers and their staff are incapable of pre- paring for their own open cabinet presentations? And will he commit to do an audit today to find out the extra costs that taxpayers are paying to his ministers in racking up just to preen for the cameras at open cabinet meetings? Hon. G.

Campbell: One of the things this govern- ment decided to do for British Columbians was lay out for them the strategy of government, where we were going and what we were doing and — believe it or not — open cabinet meetings. We intend to continue to do that. The strategic plan that has been put together for our health authorities means millions and millions of dollars are going to focus on patient care instead of unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication. Mr. Speaker: The member for North Coast. Interjections.

1054 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Order, hon. members. The member for North Coast has the floor. SALE OF SKEENA CELLULOSE B. Belsey: My question today is to the Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise. The continued uncertainty around the future of Skeena Cellulose has been very hard for the many families and people living in my community who rely on the pulp mill for their livelihood.

In spite of the government's recent an- nouncement that it is looking at two new proposals, many of my constituents are beginning to wonder if there is any hope, since the previous discussions with both Mercer and NWBC have failed. Will the Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise tell my constituents the current status of the talks to save Skeena Cellulose? Hon. R. Thorpe: Since June 7 we've been working very hard on behalf of the families and the communi- ties of the northwest. On January 23 of this year our discussions ended with Mercer Financial.

On January 24 of this year we signed an agreement with NWBC. Unfortunately, on February 6 NWBC did not comply with a key financing arrangement with respect to that agreement. We are continuing today to have discus- sions with Northwest B.C. and FORCAP. I have told all of the parties that we are prepared, on behalf of the families and the communities of the northwest, to work around the clock in an effort to get a deal. Mr. Speaker: Member for North Coast with a sup- plementary. B. Belsey: Supplementary to the Minister of Competi- tion, Science and Enterprise.

The courts have ordered the government to have an agreement signed with a potential buyer for Skeena Cellulose by Friday. However, should there be no agreement in place by Friday, will the Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise tell my constituents whether he will ask the courts for an extension? [1430] Hon. R. Thorpe: Since September 5 Skeena Cellulose has been under the protection of the courts. This has led to uncertainty for the families and the communities of the northwest. Since September 5 we have appeared in the courts twice and have been granted extensions on those deadlines. Mr.

Speaker, the members for North Coast, Skeena and Bulkley Valley–Stikine have been working hard on behalf of their constituents, and they've been working hard with my office to facilitate a sale. But let me be very, very clear. Time is running out. Time is critical, and without a signed agreement by Friday of this week, I believe we are all aware of the alternative. BURTON WATER SUPPLY B. Suffredine: Having pure, clean water is critical to all of us, especially those of us who live in rural ar- eas where community water systems are our sources.

There are reports this morning that the drinking water in the town of Burton was contaminated last August. What is of particular concern to my constituents is that the public was not told about this for four weeks after the contamination occurred. Can the Minister of Health Services tell us how this incident occurred and provide my constituents with an update on the current status of their drinking water? Hon. C. Hansen: Actually, if you go back to where some of the problems around water originate, they were flagged by the auditor general about three or four years ago.

The previous government was all too slow in trying to react to some of the water concerns that are through- out the province. In this particular case there were water samples that were taken. The tests were done, and when they were sent back to the environmental health officer, that particular officer had left his position to go to an- other posting. The facts sat in an in-basket for 11 days. That is obviously unacceptable. The provincial health officer has reviewed that case. They have looked at the communication breakdown that took place. They are making sure that that kind of situation cannot hap- pen again.

We are taking action in terms of strengthen- ing water quality monitoring in British Columbia. We're taking action in terms of infrastructure needs around the province, with the announcements that were made by the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services. This government is taking its responsibility for wa- ter quality very seriously, and we will ensure that there are clear accountabilities and that the public can ensure that they have safe water in this province. Mr. Speaker: The member for Nelson-Creston with a supplementary question. SAFETY OF WATER SUPPLY IN B.C. B.

Suffredine: Access to safe, clean water is a top con- cern for most British Columbians, particularly in light of the recently released report into the Walkerton water tragedy. Can the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protec- tion tell my constituents what her ministry is doing to ensure the protection of their drinking water sources? Hon. J. Murray: We heard people's concern about safe drinking water. It's a very high priority for our government. In the restructuring, we protected all the field staff positions that deal with drinking water qual- ity.

We are adding a million and a half dollars to drink- ing water monitoring equipment. IMPACT OF PUBLIC SERVICE REDUCTIONS J. Kwan: Yesterday the Premier said that we would h a v e t o a s k p e o p l e i n d i v i d u a l l y i f t h e y w e r e w o r s e o f f because of his cuts to vital public services. Fortunately for the Premier he won't have to do that, because there is one

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1055 person who has done that math for him. His caucus chair, the member for Cariboo North, told the Cariboo Observer: "The rich will feel it less than those at the bottom end." To the Premier: does he agree with his caucus chair? Hon. G. Campbell: I think one of the things that every- one in the province knows is that over the last decade every British Columbian, particularly the most vulnerable British Columbians, suffered at the hands of the New Democratic government of the 1990s. Hon.

Speaker, this government gave every B.C. worker across the board a 25 percent tax cut so they could take home more money to take care of their families. This government restored workers' rights so they could take better care of their families. This government is restoring the forest industry so those workers can take care of their families and the mining industry so those workers can take care of their families. [1435] Every worker in this province should know this: this government is committed to those workers, those fami- lies and those communities across British Columbia. GOVERNMENT ACTION ON U.S.

DUTY ON SOFTWOOD LUMBER EXPORTS R. Visser: Mr. Speaker, it's been a long, tough winter for many of my constituents. To date, hundreds of for- estry workers in my riding and thousands across the province have been laid off as a result of the softwood lumber dispute, and many are wondering if they're go- ing to be called back to work soon, if at all. Can the Min- ister of Forests provide any hope to the many families in forest-dependent communities like mine as to when they can expect to see an end to this crippling dispute? Hon.

M. de Jong: It's certainly true, and I think all of us know it, that there are literally thousands of families who have been devastated — workers and their families who have been devastated — by the punitive imposition of this indefensible trade sanction. Can I give those families a firm, fixed date by which we will have an agreement? No, I can't do that. In fact, can I give them a guarantee that we will get an agreement? I can't give them that, either, because we will not cave in to unreasonable American demands.

What I can guarantee them is that this Premier, myself and every member of this government — and I suspect every member of this House — are going to pursue every option, are going to explore every avenue and are going to take every possible effort to secure a settlement. But it will take something that we have not seen thus far, and that is a degree of reasonableness and good faith on the American side of the negotiating table. Let's hope we begin to see some of that when these talks resume next week. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Hon. G.

Collins: I have the honour to present the report of the Crown Proceeding Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, in accordance with

section 15(2) of that act. Motions without Notice Hon. G. Collins: Mr. Speaker, I have four motions which I would like to move now. We have agreement, with leave, to do that. Interjection. Hon. G. Collins: I suppose you can ask, but I've asked the member from the opposition. I'll ask leave to table a motion. Leave granted. Hon. G. Collins: I was trying to speed things up. But if the member wants us to follow the rules, I'll read all the motions into the order paper, and this will take perhaps a little longer.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE POLICE COMPLAINT PROCESS [By leave I move that the Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process be reappointed and empowered to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the police complaints process in accordance with

section 51.2 of the Police Act and in particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing to: 1. Review comprehensively

part 9 (Complaint Procedure) of the Police Act and the work of the police complaint commissioner; 2. Solicit and consider written and oral submissions from any interested person or organization by any means the committee considers appropriate; 3. Submit a report including any amendments to

part 9 that the committee recommends to the Legislative Assembly arising out of the results of the committee's inquiry within one year of this resolution being adopted by the House. The special committee so appointed shall have the powers of a select standing committee and is also empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following session and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; (

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. The said special committee is to be composed of the following members: Mr. Nuraney (Convener), Mmes

1056 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 Locke and Sahota, Messrs Johnston, Lee, MacKay, Wong and Ms. Kwan.] Motion approved. [1440] Hon. G. Collins: Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to move the following motion. Leave granted. Hon. G. Collins: Perhaps, if it's fine with the mem- bers opposite, I can dispense with reading the motion. It's a motion to recharge the Education Committee so they can complete the work that they're currently em- barked upon.

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION [That the Select Standing Committee on Education be reappointed and empowered to examine, inquire into and make recommendations by consulting with educators, students, parents, administrators and other British Columbians on the following matters: 1.(

a) measures to improve access, choice, flexibility and quality in public education; and (

b) measures to strengthen our network of colleges, institutes and on-line learning throughout the province. 2. Consider any matters referred to the committee by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Advanced Education. 3. Prepare a report no later than February 28, 2002 on the results of those consultations. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Education, the committee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; (

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment or at the following session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. The said select standing committee is to be composed of the following members: Ms. McMahon (Convener), Mmes Brenzinger, Locke and Orr, Messrs Christensen, Lee, Manhas, Masi, Nijjar and R.

Stewart.] Motion approved. Hon. G. Collins: I would like to move a motion which is an amendment to the sessional orders which we introduced in the last day of the last sitting of the p r e v i o u s s e s s i o n , w h i c h h a d t o d o w i t h o u r p a r l i a - mentary calendar. With the leave of the House, I'll dispense with reading the motion and just put it for- ward.

AMENDMENT TO SESSIONAL ORDER [That the sessional order passed by the House on August 27, 2001, amending the standing orders for the duration of the third session of the thirty-seventh parliament, commencing February 12, 2002, be amended as follows: Daily sittings. 1. Paragraph 2(1) is amended by deleting "Wednesday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m." and substituting "Wednesday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m." 2. Paragraph 2(2)(

b) is amended by deleting March 25 and substituting "March 18". 3. Paragraph 3 is amended by deleting "7 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on Wednesday" and substituting "6 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on Wednesday;" Orders of the Day. 4. Under the heading "Private Members' Time" before "Public Bills in the hands of Private Members" add "Private Members' Statements (10 a.m.)". 5.

Delete the paragraph immediately after "Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice" and substitute the following: "No division, on orders of the day, will be taken in the House or in Committee of the Whole during Private Members' Time, but where a division is requested, it will be deferred until thirty minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment of the House on the Monday, unless otherwise ordered." 6. Under the heading "Government Days" delete "Private Members' Statements (6 p.m. Wednesday)". Private Members' Statements 7.

Paragraph 25A.(1) is amended by deleting "Wednesday at 6 p.m." and substituting "Monday at 10 a.m." and by deleting "no later than 6 p.m. the preceding Monday" and substituting "no later than 6 p.m. the preceding Wednesday." 9. Paragraph 25A.(3) is amended by deleting "Wednesday" and substituting "Monday".] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon. G. Collins: I ask leave to move a motion. Leave granted. ADOPTION OF SESSIONAL ORDER Hon. G. Collins: I move:

be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly adopt the following sessional order: Practice recommendation No. 11 (Standing order 47, 47A) Public Written Questions. 1. Written questions may be submitted by persons elected to head provincial or local public bodies desig- nated under this order and in accordance with the guidelines established by Mr. Speaker. Questions sub- mitted in writing to the office of the Speaker by 4 p.m. Wednesday are eligible to be drawn on Thursday. Five

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1057 questions drawn by the Speaker which conform to the guidelines shall be placed on the orders of the day on Monday of each week. A question shall be printed on two consecutive weeks unless answered. 2. A private member may ask a qualified question of a minister during question period. The member from whose constituency the question comes will have first refusal to put such a question to the appropriate minis- ter. The minister may answer the question orally or in writing by filing with the Clerk of the House.

Written answers shall be published in the Votes and Proceedings. 3. Questions should relate to current provincial issues and public affairs, be timely, brief and stated without argument or opinion. The submission must not include unparliamentary language and shall be directed to the minister who has responsibility for the area of interest. Motion approved. Orders of the Day Hon. G. Collins: I c a l l A d d r e s s i n R e p l y t o t h e throne speech. Throne Speech Debate B.

Lekstrom: I move, seconded by the member for Burnaby-Willingdon, that: "We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present session." With that, hon. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to respond to the Speech from the Throne. The Speech from the Throne was very straightforward and direct.

It outlined the challenges and the direction that we have set for our government and for the people of Brit- ish Columbia in the coming year. I want to speak on the financial reality of what has taken place in British Columbia and the position we find ourselves in today. The fact remains that we have spent far too much for far too many years. You don't have to go to university and become an economics ma- jor to realize one basic premise when it comes to finan- cial decisions. That premise is that you cannot spend more money than you make, and that's what we've done for many, many years in British Columbia.

Being in government is something each and every one of us takes very seriously. All 79 members that are elected to this House bring new ideas and bring their ability to make decisions and evaluate the information that's put before them and cast their votes based on that information. All of us, each and every one of us, would much p r e f e r t o b e a b l e t o s t a n d h e r e a n d s p e a k t o o u r c o n - stituents and tell them we're here to deliver more pro- grams and offer more money for the programs that are in place. That would be irresponsible — very irrespon- sible.

It's very nice to look good on behalf of your con- stituents and deliver programs, but it isn't very good if you can't afford those. We put our children at risk in having to pay for those programs. The issue of our financial ability to pay is very seri- ous right now in British Columbia, whether it's labour negotiations, whether it's the social programs we de- liver — all of which are very important to each and every one of us. The fact remains: we can't afford to deliver the government the people have had over the last number of years. [1445] We are going to get our financial house in order.

We're going to do it responsibly, and we're going to do it quickly. We cannot go another decade spending more money than we take in. The issue we face as far as health care reform is very serious. Each and every one of us, members of our communities, work hard to make our communities and our province a better place. Not only that, but by mak- ing our province a better place to live and raise your family and work, we make our country a better coun- try in which to live.

Many, many people around the world look to Canada — and look to British Columbia in particular — as the place where they would like to live, the place they would like to work, raise their fam- ily and provide and help the economy grow. As tough a situation as we find ourselves in here today, I can tell you that we still live in by far the best province in this country and by far the best country in the world, and I'm proud of it. The challenges we face with health care are serious as well.

Virtually everything reflects back to my first statements as far as the financial responsibility that we as a government are here to install into the province of British Columbia. We will do our best to make sure we provide a sustainable health care system, one that will provide for all of the needs of British Columbians, one that is realistic and, above all and most important, one that is sustainable, so that we can enjoy the services that are delivered in a way that can be provided for the years to come and in a way that doesn't, again, put our children at risk.

I'm a father of two wonderful daugh- ters, and I can tell you I'm prepared to make the tough challenges in this House here today and throughout my term as the elected representative for Peace River South, of which I'm very proud, so that the children of tomorrow don't have to face the challenges we face today and they can face a brighter future. We are going to get there, hon. Speaker. Our social programs, which we've all come to enjoy ― each and every one of us, whether we've had to util- ize those social programs or not ― are ones that make our province a great place to live.

Sometimes I have to look back, and I have to believe that possibly things went astray over the last decade. I'm going to be gra- cious. I'm going to state that I believe the people before us had a lot bigger hearts than they had bank accounts, and that's the problem we face. I would love to be able to give things away. I would love to be able to do that. We will get to the point where we can deliver new

1058 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 programs and put in new infrastructure, but until we get our financial house in order, we aren't going to be doing that. That's as straightforward as we can be with British Columbians. Our first priority is to make sure our financial situation is put back on track and is in a sound financial manner. The energy sector, which was referred to in the throne speech, is one that's very close to my constitu- ency, Peace River South, as well as that of my colleague the Hon. Richard Neufeld from Peace River North.

The energy sector is driving the economy of this province right now, and we're very fortunate to have a diversi- fied economy in British Columbia. We've done very well over the years with our en- ergy sector, and we can do very much better. With the issues — whether they be oil and gas, mining or new ideas in power generation — we're well positioned in British Columbia to gain from each and every one of those sectors.

By new regulation and by eliminating the hurdles that many of these had to go through, we're going to make it more efficient, we're going to make it more effective, and first and foremost we're going to make it the best place in Canada and the best place in North America to do business for this sector. Our forest policy was touched on earlier. It has to be reviewed, it has to be looked at, and it has to be re- vamped. I believe this is something that everybody in British Columbia realized at one point was going to have to take place.

I won't go into depth on our forest policy other than to say we're going to make some de- cisions, ones that are going to be challenging and workable, ones that are going to help put our industry back on top and put our people back to work. [1450] As has been referred to and reflected by many peo- ple in this province, we have a neighbour to the south that we have some concern with. In particular, I can tell you that I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with them to fight for our security and make sure we have a safe environment in which to raise our children all across North America.

But as far as a trading partner, I have grave concerns right now with what's taking place. That's not the type of family that I think people should be proud of. I think they're going to have to reflect on what they're doing. I think they're going to have to step back and realize that what we do in British Columbia, as our forest policy, is very sound and very effective. We're very proud as British Columbians to be able to say: "We are the best wood producers in this country." Agriculture is another aspect that's very close to me in Peace River South.

We're very proud of the diversifi- cation that's taken place in Peace River South. Agricul- ture has been there for as long as time itself. I said in my opening speech to this House — and I was very proud to say it — that we can do many things because we're a very self-sufficient province and a very self- sufficient country. We could live if the power were taken away tomorrow. We could live and survive if our natural gas were removed. We would find a way to survive. But the reality is: if you remove the food from our tables, life will cease to exist.

I think that for far too long our agricultural sector has been overlooked and has not been given the re- spect that it deserves. I'm proud to be part of a gov- ernment that recognizes what agriculture means not just to British Columbia but to all of Canada and to all of humankind. I'm very proud to say that I'll stand and fight in this House to make sure that that recognition is there. I know that my colleagues, each and every one of them, understand the importance of agriculture. Mr.

Speaker, we're going through some very diffi- cult times in British Columbia right now, when we look at what's taking place right across the sector. One thing that is very clear to me — and I have a background; I ' v e w o r k e d w i t h l a b o u r b e f o r e , I ' v e w o r k e d i n l o c a l government, I've worked in regional government, and now I'm honoured to hold a post in the provincial gov- ernment — is that there has to be a realization from all involved that we have to find a way. Labour has to find a way to work with government, and government has to find a way to work with labour.

All British Colum- bians have to find a way to work together. Far too often we seem to be at loggerheads over issues. Government is a very good thing. The diversifi- cation that comes within that government and the peo- ple that bring their ideas into government are why de- mocracy is so great. But we do have to realize that not everybody will agree on every issue. What we do have to do, though, when a vote is taken and the majority carries that vote, is to leave that room and support the majority's wishes.

We leave, and we make that work for the betterment of all British Columbians instead of carrying on the fight for months and years on end, which is to no British Columbian's benefit, I can assure you. We will find an ability within our government, and I would hope and encourage labour to find that ability within themselves, to work together and realize the financial situation that we face as British Columbians — not as government, not as labour, but as British Co- lumbians. We are going to have to get through that.

I want to touch briefly on government in general and what it means, as one of 79 elected officials who have been placed here by the people who voted for each and every one of us. They've charged us with a great duty, one that I'm honoured to hold, and I know each and every member in this House feels the same in their heart. It's a privilege.

It's an honour to be able to come and represent the views of your constituency, to represent the views of all British Columbians and try and move British Columbia into a better field, one that's positioned so that when the economy in North America turns around, we'll be the leading edge where people will want to bring their private sector dollars. Government cannot create wealth. The private sec- tor investment that is brought to our province creates the jobs that allow families to make the money to fur- ther their children's education or to help them through

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1059 their lives. That's what we have to do. That's vitally important. It's interesting, when you look at the issue — and I want to just briefly touch on the issue of forest policy again — of the softwood lumber agreement. We talk about free trade in our country. One thing that's very evident is that we have some neighbours to the south that want to be part-time free traders. You can't be a part-time free trader. If you want our natural gas, if you want our hydro, then you know what?

You should be big enough to take our lumber, because we produce it very well, and we're very proud of that. [1455] In closing, I want to touch briefly on the job of an MLA and what it means to me to be able to represent the people that I represent in Peace River South. It's an honour; it's a privilege. Most of all it's a challenge. I went into this because I believed I could make a differ- ence, just as each and every other member in this House did. Each of us is going to make a difference. We're going to bring our ideas to the table and debate them, speak on them and work hard to study.

I can tell you that in the 12 years that I attended grades 1 to 12, I never did anywhere near the reading I've done in the last eight months. It's quite incredible. There's not a day, not a minute, that goes by that you can't learn something new when it comes to governing British Columbia. It's a privilege, and it will take years to un- derstand every aspect and every corner of government. The one thing I've learned…. I can tell you this: whether people agree or disagree with their MLA, with our Premier or with our hon. cabinet ministers, each and every one of them works harder than I could ever have imagined.

They put more hours in, they put more heart and soul into their job than I've seen before, and I've worked with many, many people. What's going on — the people out there protesting and expressing their views — is a healthy thing, but I would hope that they understand the amount of work and effort that's going in by not just 77 but all 79 MLAs elected to this House. It takes hours, days, months and years to get to the point that many of my colleagues who sit in the cabinet are at.

Our Premier, whom I have a great deal of respect for, has worked many, many years to get to the point of being in government, being the Premier of this province, so that he can bring for- ward his ideas, with his colleagues and his cabinet, to make British Columbia a better place. It's been a privilege to move the throne speech today. It's a privilege to stand here and be the first response to the throne speech. I commit to you, hon.

Speaker, and to all British Columbians and all my colleagues that I will do my best to bring a balanced approach to this House, to all discussions, just as I know each and every one of them will. We will get to a brighter future. In closing, I want to say that things are going to get a little tough. They aren't going to get better before we suffer a little pain together. It isn't going to be pain suf- fered by labour by itself or by the health sector or by the public education sector. We're working to shift the way we govern in this province to one that's sustainable.

Each and every one of us, if we work together, will get through this. The key is having British Columbians pull together — something we're all very proud of — to get us through the tough times so that we can get back to the times that we know we can and will enjoy. Mr. Speaker: Thank you. Address in Reply contin- ues with the member for Burnaby-Willingdon. J. Nuraney: It is my privilege and honour today to second the motion made by the member for Peace River South. I rise today to respond to the throne speech.

Yesterday we heard the Lieutenant-Governor very eloquently talk about the task of rebuilding that lies ahead of us. She talked about the need for change. She s a i d t h a t c h a n g e i s n e v e r e a s y . Y e t , m o r e t h a n e v e r , fundamental change is required to the size and scope of government and to the role it serves in the lives of its people and in our economy. In my opinion, this defines the course this government has taken in the few months it has been in office and shapes its plan for the months to come.

We found structural deficiencies not only in our fiscal situation but also in the systems like health care, education and social services. It would have been easy to draw a sponge across the slate and erase the ills of the past, but this is not to be. We have no choice but to embark on a course of reconstruction. We can no longer afford the status quo. Changes are inevitable. [1500] This government has to ride out the storm, outlive the cynicism and stay steadfast on the course it has chosen. That is the resolve of this government, and that is the will of its members.

Everything we had said we would do in the first 90 days after assuming office, we have done. We have since continued to effect changes to ensure good management to our education and health care. I have seen long waits in emergency in the Burnaby Hospital. I've also seen looks of disappointment on the faces of students who could not get into the classes of their choice, both at BCIT and at SFU. This state of affairs has put lives on hold, and many dreams have been shattered because of this. This can- not be allowed to continue. We must give these institu- tions the tools to better manage their affairs.

There is also an immediate need to get our financial house in order. M y grandf ather use d to say to me that one can only cut the suit according to the cloth one has. Fiscal responsibility is the very essence of any ad- ministration. While we control our spending, we have to find ways of revitalizing the economy. The devastat- ing effects of the events on September 11 and the ongo- ing dispute in the softwood lumber industry have taken their toll. The United States must come to terms with the concept of free trade. You are either for free trade, or you are not.

I must compliment our Minister of Forests for his hard work in this matter.

1060 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 The government has also opened the doors for in- vestment in sectors like aquaculture, mining, oil and gas. Small business will benefit from deregulation and improvement in the Employment Standards Act, the Workers Compensation Act and the Labour Code. The investment climate is one of enabling environment. We are putting in place the right recipe for the investment that will bring prosperity to our province. As mentioned in the throne speech, the course is clear, and its direction is firmly set.

We find ourselves just starting out on the long journey that will require a concerted effort of all British Columbians. We must stay on course for the future generation and for their well-being. Some have faulted us for our focus upon finances. They say that we care only about a balanced budget and not about the people. I would like to quote the relevant passage from the throne speech yesterday to explain this focus. In the throne speech it was said that when the economy suf- fers, the people pay the price. This is why our govern- ment is so concerned about the state of the province's economy.

We realize that a strong economy is the foundation upon which a sustainable social framework can be built. [1505] We need to be prudent with our finances at this t i m e . W e n e e d t o r e d u c e s p e n d i n g i n s o m e a r e a s a n d l o o k f o r w a y s t o s a v e m o n e y i n o t h e r s . W e h a v e s a i d that we will renew economic growth. It will not be an easy task, but it is the one that we have promised to follow through on. It is a responsible course of action, one that will serve us well in the future. We have a vision of where British Columbians want to go.

We have an excellent leadership and a team of people who a r e w o r k i n g o n a p l a n t o g e t u s m o v i n g i n t h e r i g h t direction. Over the past ten months we have been working steadily to implement the framework for a course that will lead us to a brighter future. We must be patient and wait to reap the rewards of this new direction. Our government believes in investing for the long-term good of our province, as evidenced by the cuts we gave in the personal income taxes of people and the reduc- tion in needless regulations.

We have taken steps to encourage new investment, but the results of these measures are not immediate. They are long-term measures that will take many y e a r s . I n t h e l a s t d e c a d e o r s o w e h a v e g o t o u r s e l v e s entrenched in a culture of immediate gratification, and this has not served us well. I b e l i e v e o u r p l an i s wo rk i n g . I hav e b e e n he ari ng from my constituents who are supportive of our meas- ures. They are happy and relieved to find that change is finally coming to British Columbia.

They are glad to see our government moving past the economic stagna- tion that has plagued our province for many years. Their messages have an air of excitement and hope about the course we have set for health care, education and the economy. I am encouraged by these messages of support, and I know that my colleagues are encour- aged as well. It is a long and arduous road that we have ahead, but the journey will be that much easier if we keep our eyes focused on the goal we have set for ourselves to meet the needs of the people of our prov- ince.

I have had the opportunity to serve on the govern- ment caucus committee on health and the opportunity to chair the police complaints review process. In the course of my committee work I have heard many inno- vative ideas for change and new models of delivering service. This government is one that is ready to listen to the needs of British Columbians. We have also shown ourselves to have the capacity to change. With this combination of listening and flexibility for change, we will set in motion ideas that will shape the course of our government.

We have to find ways of shifting from a culture of entitlement to one of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. I have in my riding a community school, Maywood School, which epitomizes for me the notion of self-help and altruism. The dedication of the parents and teach- ers is exemplary. It is a group of people who have helped many others by showing the way. I feel very proud when I speak of their accomplishments. [1510] Mr. Speaker, we have chosen a path which is diffi- cult and painful but courageous.

We must, however, be cautious that we do not lose sight of the fact that the conceptions of what is right and decent must not be lost. We must have a marked regard for fair play — especially to the weak and the needy — a stern senti- ment of impartial justice and, above all, the love for personal freedom. Finally, in the words of Sir Winston Churchill: "Let us rise to the full level of our duty and of our opportu- nity." I thank you, Mr. Speaker. R.

Hawes: I wish I could say that it was a real pleasure to stand here and address yesterday's throne speech, but I have to tell you that I am disappointed that the throne speech had to contain tough measures for tough times. I'm sure all of us wish it wasn't so, but it is so. The times are difficult, and we have taken over a province that has a great deal of difficulty and has some difficult times ahead. Before I really address the throne speech, I'd like to speak to some of the e-mails that I've been getting. I'm sure that all of my colleagues are getting similar e- mails from people in our ridings.

Many of them ex- press fear. Many of them wonder what's happening. I would like to address those people by saying first and foremost that there is a campaign, I believe, of misin- formation and fearmongering being waged in the prov- ince. I would like those people to know that we are working hard on their behalf. We are going to build a better place for them. I want to speak a little bit more about the information campaign that's being waged in the province a little bit later.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1061 What I would like to tell them as they ask is what happened to the euphoria of the election time and the p l a t f o r m t h a t w e s t o o d o n , e t c . T h e y w a n t t o k n o w what brings us now to this time of great difficulty. We were all told by the auditor general that there was a balanced budget last year. We were suspicious but a little bit more optimistic, maybe, than we should have been as to what had really happened.

If I could give you an analogy, we live in a province that had been living way beyond its means — like a household, perhaps, that lived way beyond its means for a long period of time. Just when the banker was appearing at the door, we won the lotto. We had a big wad of money come in, and we were able to cover our current bills. Everything looked really good, but we didn't change our lifestyle. The lotto win was a one-time pension fund transfer. We had a big win in the stock exchange. We had a huge influx of capital — one shot. That money was spent. Now we're still left over budget.

We never trimmed back our spending. At this point, we are left with a huge deficit. There really was a balanced budget for one year — bal- anced on the backs of things like high energy prices. Now, what's happened since the summer, when we sat here in this chamber and were fairly optimistic about where things were going? If you think back to t h e s u m m e r , t h i n g s w e r e b e g i n n i n g t o g o v e r y w e l l . The province felt good.

There had been a tax decrease across the board for all British Columbians, the real estate market was beginning to move, people were investing in construction, people were looking at build- ing new businesses — and then September 11, followed shortly thereafter by the softwood lumber tariff. That has been devastating for us. [1515] Yet we still must, like any household would, balance our budget. That's an absolute necessity. As we move through this process, we have to ask ourselves how we will then address the changes that we have to make.

One of my colleagues, in a speech that he made to a chamber of commerce in his riding, called it the iron triangle. That's our problem. We had overtaxation. We had overregula- tion. We have a strangling labour policy in this province, and that's killed investment. If you take a look at the Sta- tistics Canada financial results for all of the provinces over the last decade, we are tenth out of ten in most of the lead- ing economic categories, including investment and job creation — and the two are linked.

When you take a look at what's happened to in- vestment in this province, why we have finished tenth and why investors aren't putting money here, you have to take a look then at that iron triangle. Who would invest in a province where you can't keep the money that you earn, or much of it, because it's being taxed away by a government that is overspending, is out of control and has no regard for the risk that you as an investor have taken? That was the situation in this province for the last decade.

We have over 400,000 regulations governing the businesses in this province and in many cases stran- gling them to death. We've taken a look at that too. We understand where job creation comes from. We under- stand what it means to take your life savings and invest it in the hope that you're going to earn a profit and along the way, in doing that, you will employ people. We understand that the government does not create wealth; the government uses wealth. We know where wealth comes from and where it's created. It's created from the private sector through investment.

That's been happening in our neighbours' jurisdictions, in Alberta and in Washington State, and much of it is being done with British Columbians' money. W e a r e m o v i n g t o c h a n g e l a b o u r p o l i c y . I n t h e throne speech we have talked about what is coming. We are going to deal with several issues that are going to make this a fairer place and are going to allow job creation and investment to restart here and put us back on the road to recovery. I'd like to talk for a moment about health care.

I was privileged to travel on the legislative committee on health through the province and speak to communities throughout British Columbia about what's happening in their own areas and where they live. Just resoundingly we heard: "The health system is broken; it's badly broken." And so rather than apply a bandage, what we need is a complete rethink. When we did that rethink, Mr. Speaker, we asked British Co- lumbians to think outside of the box and give us crea- tive solutions. How will we address change in health care? Dozens and dozens of people came forward and gave us wonderful solutions.

As they came forward, we brought their recom- mendations back to this House. I can tell you that one of the most wonderful things that's happening with t h i s g o v e r n m e n t i s t h a t w e d o h a v e a M i n i s t r y o f Health Planning that is taking those kinds of recom- mendations that came from British Columbians — a made-in-British-Columbia solution to our problems — and we are going to implement them into a revised health care system in this province that will work for all of us.

We will deliver on the new-era commitments t h a t w e r e m a d e i n h e a l t h c a r e i n s p i t e o f t h e t e r r i b l e financial situation that we have inherited. When I speak to what we've inherited financially, all of the fearmongering out there, all of the talk about our tax cuts being the ones that have created the budget deficit, Mr. Speaker…. That's hogwash. The facts are that you cannot rebuild an economy until you make yourself competitive. We were bloated in our spending habits, and we must change them. We, as a government, recognize it and are changing them.

There are those out there, the naysayers, that would say: "Let's carry on. Let's just keep spending the money that the wealthy will give us." But the wealthy have left. They're going in droves to places where they are welcome. [1520] We have created in this province a class warfare. We want to point fingers at those who have money. Those who would make investments and provide jobs

1062 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 and create wealth are the enemy now — not for our government but the previous government. It's time for that to stop. I say to those who send e-mails saying, "Tax the wealthy," that they need to stop and think about where that money's going to come from when the wealthy leave. As we go about redefining who's wealthy, because those who truly are wealthy are leav- ing, we will soon be talking about them as being the wealthy ones, and we are going to have to try to tax those who can't afford to be taxed at the very high lev- els.

We can't sustain what we were doing. It was wrong. We're moving now to a correct, proper and fair way of taxing those who would take risks, those who would create jobs, and understanding that the higher- income people in this province pay proportionately more for income tax and are as entitled as anyone is to a tax break. I am very proud that we were able to do that. I am very proud that we are no longer going to tax busi- nesses because they have capital assets, regardless of whether they make a profit. I think that's the right thing to do, and it's the right signal to send.

As we move ahead in my own riding, we're looking at a new hospital in Abbotsford. The fearmongering that's going on around that hospital — a new MSA hospital — as we consider whether or not we will build on a PPP…. Are we going to allow private money? Mr. Speaker, there is a private consulting firm that's taking a look at whether or not it makes sense financially for British Columbians, especially for the MSA hospital, at this time to proceed with private financing. There is a big campaign waging now to say: "That's wrong.

It's going to destroy health care." The campaign is being waged mostly by the health employees union, who fear that there will be jobs lost. These people want us all to see a bogeyman under every bed. "Private in- v e s t m e n t i n h e a l t h c a r e i s b a d , " t h e y t e l l u s . R e a l l y , what they're saying is: "Protect my job." We are saying: "We are going to provide a hospital at the best possible cost with the most efficiency to provide health care to those people in the Abbotsford region and the Fraser Valley region who need health care and a new hospital.

They, frankly, do not care who finances it, who owns it. What they care about is that health care is there when they need it. It will be, and it will be done in the most efficient way. The other thing I would tell you is that the union at this time is telling people that it will be the death of health care if the laundry, somehow, is done by some- one other than an HEU employee or if the food is pre- pared by someone else.

I have to tell you that I was asked by one of the HEU executive that visited my constituency office if I would consider standing up for them in my riding, in our hospital, as I will fight to protect health care ser- vices in the Mission area. I had to reply that I'm going to stand up and fight for every health care service, every health delivery system that we have in Mission, but I will not fight for the HEU jobs in the laundry or the food service. As I said to them, frankly, there's isn't one parent bringing their child into our hospital to look for a meal or to have their laundry done.

They come for medical services, and that's where we need to concen- trate our dollars and where we need to concentrate our attention. That's what health care planning is doing, and I'm very proud that we do have a minister that is looking at health care planning. It's finally about time someone thinks about the direction in which health care is going. I was one of those that were fired as a volunteer in the 1997 purge of hospital boards when the regions were set up.

At that time what happened was that the regions throughout this province — 52 different health authorities — floundered around trying to set plans, because there was absolutely no provincial plan. There was absolutely no thought about where health care should go. These regions were asked to prepare their own plans, and they were all over the map. As we travelled the province with the legislative standing committee, we visited some of the smaller regions, some of the areas…. I'll give you an example.

As we visited the Terrace area, a man came up to me after one of the meetings there and told me about a broken leg he had suffered a year or so earlier. The orthopod to fix his leg was in Kitimat, a few miles away. There's an anaesthetist there, but the anaesthetist was away on vacation. No one from any other hospital in that area can go into that hospital. They didn't have cross-regional or cross–health authority practice agreements, so the orthopod couldn't fix his leg in Kitimat. [1525] A similar situation existed for him in Prince Rupert. So he had to fly from Terrace to Vancouver to get his leg set. Mr.

Speaker, it makes no sense at all, when those hospitals are just a few miles away. But because of absolutely no planning, no integration, no thought to health care delivery, this man flew out…. And his situation is not unique. Throughout this province, peo- p l e w e r e g e t t i n g l o u s y h e a l t h c a r e b e c a u s e o f a b s o - lutely inconsistent delivery. We've promised that people are going to have con- sistent delivery. They are going to get that. They're going to get that because we're planning it.

That's a word that I think the last government didn't under- stand — planning — and we're moving there. I'm very proud to be part of a government that considers plan- ning to be an integral part of running the government. It's the right way to go. I just want to close by asking…. I'm hearing repeat- edly that we're a bunch of heartless cretins, that we're out there with a business agenda and not caring for the poor or anyone else.

But as I look across our caucus, I'm proud of the cross-section of people that have been involved in their communities for years and years, are integral parts of their communities and ran for office for one reason: they want to make things better where they live. There's absolute commitment not just to the com- munities where each and every one of us live and serve

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1063 but to all people in this province, whether they be wealthy or whether they be poor. Every single one of us feels for those that will be affected by the choices that we now are forced to make because of the incom- petence that preceded us. But as we make those c h o i c e s , w e k n o w w e h a v e t o m a k e t h e m . W e d o n ' t have a choice. We have to make very difficult deci- sions, decisions that are keeping many of us up at night, making many of us feel terrible.

But at the same time we know that to build a better British Columbia, those decisions have to be made today. We are pre- pared to make them. We are not going to back down from doing what's right. I would like to say, and I have no problem saying, as I know most of my colleagues feel that we would prefer to lose…. In the next election I would prefer to lose my seat and do what I believe is the right thing to do rather than to give in to some of the pressure groups and the naysayers, to try to hold onto a seat by doing what I k n o w i s w r o n g . I k n o w a l l o f u s f e e l t h a t w a y .

W e a r e doing the right thing. We are on the right course. In closing, too, I want to say we got rid of the glossy advertising campaign. I was absolutely appalled today to hear what the opposition had to say about some preparation that was done, when in the last govern- m e nt … . I 'm t h i n k i n g b ac k o n p e o p l e l i k e K a r l S t r u b l e , the media guru from the United States, and Now Com- munications and the things that used to appear on my doorstep — the glossy brochures. I know, Mr.

Speaker, you also were receiving them and were probably as appalled as the rest of us as you opened your newspaper and saw those self-aggrandizing advertise- ments or the television advertising that was purchased. I'm proud of the fact that we've done away with that. You won't find those things on your doorstep. You won't see the glossy advertising and the newspaper ad- vertising saying what great fellows we are. What you will see are solid policies that are being delivered thoughtfully and in a way that is going to make this a better province.

I believe that the vast majority of people in this province know we are on the right course. I re- ceive the calls — many, many calls — saying: "Don't listen; don't give in; don't listen to the naysayers." The naysayers are self-interest groups who want to continue with the status quo. The status quo is not an option. I'm not happy to have to speak to a throne speech that contains some hard news, but I know that it's nec- essary. I also know, though, that the next throne speech that I may have the privilege of addressing will contain better news, because better days are ahead.

I would expect that by the end of our term, this province will be moving smoothly, properly — much, much better em- ployment, a balanced budget — and the opposition members will again be relegated to talking about such trivial items as they raised today in question period that really are shameful at a time when we're facing such important decisions. [1530] With that, Mr. Speaker, thank you. I'll let someone else speak. J.

MacPhail: Well, it is interesting to follow such a seasoned politician as the member for Maple Ridge– Mission, who clearly puts his words on record know- ing that the public will examine them closely and that he will be held accountable for those words, and he makes such missteps in his comments. However, that member will have to live with his analysis of how he views British Columbians and how he labels British Columbians, what he considers important and what he considers trivial. It does cause me serious reflection, as I stand up here to address the throne speech of yester- day.

I expect I could have followed any number of Lib- eral MLAs and had such qualms as well. But unfortu- nately, the member for Maple Ridge–Mission has given me great cause for consternation, and my speech will reflect that. Yesterday the government delivered a nice, neat package, several pages long, of the highlights of the throne speech. It was an interesting digest virgin — digest version…. Interjections. J. MacPhail: No, it's true. The government has had l o t s o f e x p e r i e n c e i n m e s s i n g a r o u n d w i t h p e o p l e a l - ready, so we can't accuse them of being virgins. That's true. Mr.

Speaker: Order, please. J. MacPhail: It was a digest version of the throne speech, and they called it the highlights. Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to give my version of the throne speech, and it's entitled "the lowlights of the throne speech." It almost seems as if the first few speakers didn't actually read the throne speech. I'm actually going to take the members through the throne speech and read between the lines. Interjection. J.

MacPhail: Yes, it will be a time where British Columbians can actually have the time to consider what is meant, what the real version of it is, and I'm very proud to be able to stand up and allow British Columbians to see the other side of this government's agenda. Here's the opening statement: "My government's priorities will not waver, and its mission will not be altered." "My government's course is clear, and its direction is firmly set." [Applause.] I actually know that the Lib- erals will be clapping and clapping and clapping.

However, they'll probably have to choose their claps very carefully as we proceed through this analysis. That's their prerogative. [J. Weisbeck in the chair.]

1064 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 I must say that British Columbians have already learned that the Premier is a stubborn, inflexible leader who will not change course. He will not adjust to changed circumstances, even in the face of a broad cho- rus of advice that urges him to do just that. [1535] Let me read to the members a letter from 40 British Columbia economists — 40. I'll just start, because I'm sure the members have taken the time to read this.

In case they haven't, let me tell you the institutions of education that are represented in this advice: the Uni- versity of British Columbia, the University College of the Cariboo, Kwantlen University College, the Contract Training and Marketing Society, Simon Fraser Univer- sity — m a n y o f t h e s e h a v e f o u r a n d f i v e s i g n a t o r i e s from that institution — the Trade Union Research Bu- reau, the Canadian Council on Social Development, the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C., the Ca- nadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the B.C.

Federa- tion of Labour, the University of Northern British Co- lumbia, Malaspina University College, Malaspina Uni- versity College again — I w a n t t o m a k e s u r e I d o n ' t leave anyone out — the University of Victoria, the school of social work and family studies at UBC, the former president of the Canadian Economics Associa- tion, a retired economist and professor from Simon Fraser University and the University of Lethbridge, professor emeritus from the University of Alberta, the Telecommunications Workers Union, the school of social work and professional associates at the Institute for Resources and Environment of UBC, and the Uni- versity of Victoria again — 40 economists.

Let's just hear what they have to say about Mr. Campbell's stub- bornness and inflexibility: "Dear Premier Campbell and Minister Collins: "We are writing to express our concern about your intended spending cuts. For reasons largely beyond the government's control, the B.C. economy is in serious economic downturn. The average forecast from the most recent B.C. Economic Forecast Council was for an economic growth of 0.9 percent in 2002, predicated on a U.S. recovery in the second half of the year, while the Minister of Finance is projecting 0.6 percent growth.

Despite last summer's tax cuts the unemployment rate has risen sharply from 6.8 percent in May to 9.7 percent in December." This letter was written on February 7, 2002. "In such a climate we look to the government to extend help to those in need and not to aggravate the recession through fiscal drag. Now is not the time to cut spending, government programs and capital projects, and it's certainly not the time to cut access to welfare and welfare benefit rates. Such income support is needed by those without jobs and represents an important automatic stabilizer.

"If the government proceeds with its announced spending cuts, economic growth will decline, economic recovery will be delayed and unemployment will increase. Moreover, many of the proposed cuts represent a false economy. They will cost the government in the future. Federal and provincial tax-cuts and lower interest rates are clearly proving insufficient to fend off serious economic hardship. The spending cuts you have proposed would only make matters worse. "B.C.'s fiscal situation is healthy.

The province's low debt-to-GDP ratio of 21.7 percent and low debt-servicing costs, 7.4 percent of revenues, mean that the province can afford to run deficits during economic downturns. The goal of balancing the budget by 2004-05 should not be set i n s t o n e . O t h e r , m o r e p r e s s i n g e c o n o m i c c o n c e r n s m u s t take precedence. "The government claims that a $3.8 billion 'structural deficit' leaves it no choice but to cut spending. We reject this claim and believe such deficit forecasts are based on overly conservative assumptions by the fiscal review panel.

It is our view" — the view of these 40 economists; sorry — "that the 2001 tax cuts of over $2 billion create an underlying deficit with little economic benefit. Therefore, we recommend that the tax cuts be selectively scaled back and that the recouped revenues be made available to maintain and strengthen current programs. The emphasis at this time must be to restore confidence, protect jobs and defend the economic and social security of British Columbians. "Given the current economic climate, no one should fault the government for thoughtfully reconsidering its fiscal strategy.

We urge you, therefore, to rethink the spending cuts before bringing down the February 19 budget." "Sincerely…." And then it was signed by the 40 economists of the institutions that I read out at the beginning. There's a thoughtful analysis that says to the gov- ernment: "Things have changed. Just rethink your posi- tion." Instead, what do we get? We get a Premier who says that he will not waver, that he will not alter his mission, that his government's course is clear and the direction is firmly set, even though these professional economists are urging him to do exactly the opposite.

And we're letting the Premier have a second think without any blame being assigned to him. He rejected that. [1540] The throne speech goes on: "When our economy suffers, people pay the price." You bet they pay the p r i c e , a n d s o m e p e o p l e s u f f e r f a r m o r e t h a n o t h e r s . Those are the very people that this Premier and this government have targeted in a mean-spirited agenda of cuts and reduced public service. We heard from the member for Maple Ridge– Mission that he ain't gonna listen to the people, be- cause "they're just trying to protect their job," says he.

My gosh, I predict those words will come back to haunt him. Is it the seniors who are trying to protect their posi- tion? Is it students who are trying to get an education? Is it single moms who are having their welfare cut while they're getting retraining? Is it the young people whose employment programs have been cut? Is it the forestry workers who were trying to eradicate pine beetle? It was very interesting that my colleague from Prince George arose this afternoon in this new innova- tion to talk about members' concerns in the ridings, and he talked about the pine beetle infestation in his

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 1065 own riding. Well, his government is the one that cut the workers trying to control the pine beetle. His gov- ernment cut those workers, and he's concerned. Why didn't he stand up and ask the Minister of Forests why the minister cut the forestry workers trying to eradicate pine beetle? Why didn't he do that? Why did the caucus chair of the governing party stand up and say that the rich will feel it less and those at the low end will feel it more? The government cau- cus chair was in Cariboo North, a region that's really being affected by these actions.

What about the role of government to make sure that people don't suffer during times of economic downturn? Why has this government completely abdi- cated its role of looking after people who are harmed through no fault of their own? The throne speech goes on to say: "No economy is immune from the volatility of global markets, and Brit- ish Columbia has been particularly exposed from its heavy dependence on natural resources." Well, I say: "Hallelujah!" Finally the government acknowledges that we are an economy of price-takers, not price-makers, in the world market.

For a full dec- ade, this now government — then opposition — said over and over again: "It's not the world economy or the commodity market affecting this economy. The solu- tions are found right here in British Columbia." That's what they said in all the years of the 1990s. Every single day when forest towns were being hurt, when the min- ing industry was affected by low copper prices and low lumber prices, they stood up and said: "Oh, that isn't a problem. Fix the economy here in British Columbia." Today I say: "Hallelujah!" I will take small victories where I can find them — sorry, not a victory.

It's not a victory. I will take comfort where I can find it. Finally this government, after a decade of blinders on, has said that we are heavily dependent on natural resources and, ergo, heavily dependent on commodity prices. Good. Good — but why didn't it then go on to seize the opportunity to say: "The economy and the world mar- kets have changed, and it's now time for a rethink"? No. Instead, the Premier stands up and says: "I'm proceeding, come hell or high water." That's what he said yesterday. Another quote from the throne speech: "My gov- ernment has a solid plan to turn our provincial econ- omy around.

The steps it has taken, and will be taking this legislative session and beyond, will make our economy more competitive, diversified and attractive to investors." [1545] To investors — sure. Yeah, you bet it's going to be attractive to investors, but what about the people who live here? What about the people who wake up every morning and send their kids off to school and want a job to go to, who have aging parents who need health care, who want a park on the weekend they can take their kids to? What about those people? What about our seniors?

Damn to those people as they slash public services, as they put in the most re- gressive form of taxation through skyrocketing MSP premiums, through user fees that we've only had an inkling of to date. The sky's the limit in tuition. We saw that yester- day. We saw the Minister of Advanced Education stand up and say: "Yippee! You parents can pay as much as you can possibly afford in tuition. By the way, you're going to pay all the costs in advanced education, because we're not going to give the institutions any money. We're going to give them zero. We've frozen their budgets.

So, you parents, the good news is that you're going to pay as much tuition as we can possibly squeeze out of you." That's what this government has done. The inves- tors may be happy, but what about the parents sending their kids to university and college? A lowlight for me has to lead to this question: at what point does this government stop in its efforts to make B.C. attractive to investors and think more about the citizens, the people of this province who are living here? An economy, a government, that focuses solely on being attractive to investors resides in South America.

That's what Argentina and Chile did. You know what? That was to the detriment of the quality of life of every single person who lived and lives in those countries, and it has led to the collapse of their economies as well. Another quote from the throne speech: "Specific subsidies that have been identified for elimination were outlined at last month's open cabinet meeting in Fort St. John" — I wonder if there was any preparation for that announcement — "and will be repealed by leg- islation as necessary this session." Oh, goody.

Reading between the lines — this is our symbol for reading be- tween the lines — that's "stay tuned for more regula- tions to be ripped up and thrown out so that investors feel better in this province, and everybody else who lives here is worse off." Oh, goody. All that is going to be repealed just in time for this summer. The Premier is going to eliminate the Summer Works program. He's going to eliminate Job Start for welfare recipients. He's going to eliminate training programs. He's going to eliminate the Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission, but he's not just getting rid of subsidies.

He's redefining what sub- sidy means so that subsidy means any assistance given to working people to help them in taking advantage of the economy. That's what he's doing. To quote: "Within the next few weeks, the inde- pendent B.C. Progress Board my government ap- pointed will issue its first report. It has established a series of benchmarks and performance measures to hold my government accountable on a quarterly basis for progress in our economy." Good, good. There are hundreds of thousands of British Columbians trying to hold this government accountable, and we'll have the Progress Board.

But who is the Progress Board? Well, it happens to be a group of business people. That's right — a group of business people. A diverse group of business people? No. A group of business people. Are there any people

1066 BRITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 from any other walks of the community? No. It's a business group. Anyway, we'll see. It's very interesting that the throne speech talked ad nauseam about putting patients and students first. Oops, watch out! When you're first in line with this government, watch out. [1550] This government didn't actually think it was neces- sary to say: "We'd like to hear your opinions, ordinary citizens." They didn't actually say that they want to have anybody on the Progress Board determining how well the economy is doing — just business people.

I hope everybody goes out and asks the seniors, the students, patients, welfare recipients, if they feel like they've been put first. The government eliminated the Seniors Advisory Council. Oh, really. Was it too expen- sive? Was it too expensive to have that Seniors Advi- sory Council giving the government their advice? The regional health authorities. The member for Maple Ridge–Mission said that, oh, he's so happy with what this government did around health authorities. Oh, really.

Instead of having hundreds of local com- munity people from all walks of life — and all political parties, I might add — sitting on the regional health boards and the community health councils, this gov- ernment did away, in one fell swoop, with all of them and replaced the community-based health authorities with five business people. Five business people are now who's in charge of the community needs. Every MLA gets to now go home, and when they have to answer, "Who in our community actually is on the health authority?" these Liberal MLAs get to stand up and say: "Actually, no one.

But we do have a busi- ness person in charge of our health system." Clearly, we now see why. It's the bottom line. When this gov- ernment says, "Patients first," they really mean: "The bottom line is first." They've ignored the concerns of students. They've refused meetings with health groups. This government has refused meetings with health groups. They re- moved a smoking ban, instituted a regulation overrid- ing the WCB — the first time ever that any government has overruled the WCB — to put in the right of people to smoke in bars, to exacerbate health costs and to say that they….

They refuse to meet with any health people to talk about that — overrode the WCB, etc. They also targeted their most mean-spirited cuts at the most vul- nerable in British Columbia. The next part of the speech: "With major sectors of our economy in distress, B.C. still has a long way to go to once again lead the nation in overall economic growth. But a winning framework is rapidly being put in place for economic renewal." How does the govern- ment define their winning framework? What's the next paragraph? Is it about job creation? Is it about commu- nities in distress?

It's about a plan to gut the Employ- ment Standards Act. That's the winning strategy. Here it is — next sentence: "Gut the Employment Standards Act, the Workers Compensation Act and the Labour Code." That's the w

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0213pm-02
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0213pm 02
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	c596060587aee15069377dcaff2c892be0faf3fc

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).