First Session, 41st Parliament

(2017) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 9

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Nakusp Elementary School activities

K. Conroy

Constituency offices for Chilliwack-Kent area

L. Throness

Filipino community and Philippine Independence Day

M. Elmore

Cherry picking by Quebec youth in Okanagan area

L. Larson

Ed Shum and Riley Park community garden

G. Heyman

Fort St. John International Air Show

D. Davies

Oral Questions

Child care services

C. James

Hon. C. Clark

Support services for students with special needs

A. Kang

Hon. M. Bernier

Cooperation in Legislative Assembly

A. Weaver

Hon. C. Clark

Mental health services for youth

M. Dean

Hon. M. Polak

Surrey Food Bank operations

G. Begg

Hon. C. Clark

Supports for post-secondary students

K. Chen

Hon. C. Clark

Care aide workers and seniors care

R. Glumac

Hon. M. Polak

R. Singh

Hon. C. Clark

Orders of the Day

Throne Speech Debate (continued)

On the amendment (continued)

Hon. M. Polak

Hon. T. Wat

L. Throness

S. Gibson

Hon. R. Coleman

Hon. M. Bernier

Hon. C. Clark

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2017

The House met at 1:34 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Mr. Speaker: Members, there are many, many guests here this afternoon, so I’m going

to, on behalf of all members of the House and all members of the assembly,

welcome everybody here this afternoon.

I’m going to allow introductions by members for former members of this

House to be recognized but would offer the welcome to everybody else on

behalf of the total assembly and all members gathered here today.

[1:35 p.m.]

J. Darcy: It gives me great pleasure to introduce the former MLA for New

Westminster, now a city councillor with the city of New Westminster — Chuck

Puchmayr.

S. Robinson: It is my pleasure to welcome our favourite Newfoundlander, who

represented Coquitlam-Maillardville for two terms. Diane Thorne is here

joining us, along with her husband, Neil Edmondson.

M. Elmore: I am very pleased to welcome and introduce the former MLA for

Vancouver-Kensington. The much-beloved David Chudnovsky is here, also joined

by, you can argue, his better half, Ruth Herman, who is joining us here. I

ask everybody to please make them very welcome.

Hon. A. Wilkinson: In the gallery today, we’re joined by two important individuals from

my riding, a longtime resident and historian, Dr. Robert Gallagher, and his

sister Patti Gallagher. For personal reasons, which will remain known to

them, this is a very special day for them. I ask the gallery to give them an

especially warm welcome.

M. Dean: I am honoured to introduce two leaders from my community, both former

members of this chamber. Joining us today is Moe Sihota, the member for

Esquimalt–Port Renfrew and Esquimalt-Metchosin from 1986 to 2001; and

Maurine Karagianis, the member from 2005 until her retirement earlier this

year. They have both been amazing champions for our community. I hope

members will join with me in thanking them for their years of service and

for being with us here today.

H. Bains: It is my pleasure to introduce to you the former member and mentor to

many of us in this House, Sue Hammell, who was an MLA and a minister in the

1990s and was re-elected again in 2005 until the last election. Please help

me welcome Sue Hammell.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

NAKUSP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

K. Conroy: Last week I had the honour of being part of the opening ceremonies

of Aboriginal Days at the Nakusp Elementary School. The gym was filled

to capacity with students and teachers from throughout school district

10. Ganishka Silverfox-Dann, a Cree and Ojibway elder, gave a greeting

and talked about the day. It was obvious by the respect shown to her by

the students that she is well known and loved throughout the

schools.

Outside the school there were numerous activities and displays for

the children to participate in. These included face painting of native

symbols by Nakusp Secondary arts students, drumming and dancing, how to

play lacrosse and a huge teepee where traditional stories were being

shared by the community elders. There were also displays of local

history and by First Nations artisans.

The Burton learning centre outdoor school teacher, Dorian Boswell,

also gave a presentation. This program is about safely enjoying outdoor

recreational activities. Some of the units the students are engaged in

are aboriginal skills, fly fishing, core B.C. hunter training, the

Canadian firearm safety course, survival skills, archery and ATV

safety.

The senior class can earn additional credits in

entrepreneurialism. They experience research and development, marketing,

management and fabrication skills. They have two successful projects

currently being marketed. Mr. Boswell was demonstrating one — the EZ

Lite Fire Starter, a magic fire starter that is completely waterproof

and works under the most extreme conditions. It comes in a little

waterproof package and is only $20.

[1:40 p.m.]

Their other project is the Rollyblade, a unique fishing flasher

that will change fishing. The flasher’s rotation remains constant, even

when the speed of the boat changes. The rollyblade is now manufactured

and marketed by the learning centre students. All proceeds go to benefit

the outdoor education program. The students have travelled to a number

of outdoor shows, including the Vancouver International Boat Show,

marketing their product.

The day was an amazing showcase of what’s happening in school

district 10, one of the smallest school districts in B.C., but one that

is outstanding in its unique education of students.

CONSTITUENCY OFFICES FOR

CHILLIWACK-KENT

AREA

L. Throness: I always want to offer the very best possible

service to my constituents. When I was first elected in 2013, my riding

of Chilliwack-Hope was a very large riding with limited transit options

between the districts of Hope and Chilliwack. Some of my more needy

constituents in the community of Hope and its surrounding area found it

difficult to visit my main office, so I decided to open a part-time

satellite office in Hope. After four years of operation, I can say that

the experiment turned out to be very helpful for hundreds of

people.

In this election, my riding boundaries changed. Hope is no longer

part of my responsibility, and the people I newly serve in Chilliwack

live in an area very near to my constituency office. However, the

growing communities in the north of my riding in Agassiz, Harrison Hot

Springs and Harrison Mills, which together have the same population as

Hope, must drive up to 40 minutes to visit my main office. Some of them

have needs too. Therefore, I’ve decided to open a new satellite office

in Agassiz.

Beginning next week, my office will be open every Thursday and

Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ready to help constituents with their

needs. Just as they did in Hope, my staff will work hard to advocate to

the government on their behalf.

What better day could there be than Canada Day to open a new

constituency office? I’m inviting the community to add the grand opening

of my new constituency office to their Canada Day celebrations this

Saturday. Between 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock this Saturday afternoon, we’ll

be serving cake at our new office located at 7402 Pioneer Avenue right

on Agassiz’s main street beside the Work B.C. office. I hope that people

north of the river will spread the word that we’re open for business in

a location that’s most convenient for them as we continue to offer the

very best service we can.

FILIPINO COMMUNITY AND

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

DAY

M. Elmore: I rise today to celebrate the gains of the Filipino-Canadian

community on the occasion of the 119th anniversary of Philippine

Independence Day, which was commemorated on June 12.

In the 1950s, when the first Philippine consulate was established

in Vancouver, a Victoria Times-Colonist story interviewing the

new consul said that there were zero Filipinos across Canada. Today

there are over 800,000 across the country, and for the past few years,

the Philippines is the number one source country for

immigrants.

This is one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in our

province in the country today. Filipinos are in communities from

Kamloops to Cranbrook, from Prince Rupert…. Of course, many have settled

in the Lower Mainland, especially in my diverse riding of

Vancouver-Kensington.

Over the past years, many able Filipino community leaders,

businesses and organizations have established and contributed much to

the various communities they reside and work in.

This past month I’ve been privileged to attend many Filipino

community events organized to mark Philippine Independence Day and have

seen many of my colleagues here at these events, including the United

Filipino-Canadian Association in B.C., with a flag-raising gala dinner,

Pista ng Bayan on July 9 in Vancouver-Kensington; the Royal City Sister

City Society flag-raising and festival in New Westminster; Metro

Vancouver Filipino arts and culture society — a two-day festival in

North Vancouver, earlier this month; MHHs, a flag-raising and all-day

event festival in Richmond; the Filipino Association of Chilliwack with

a festival there; the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society; the

Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association dinner and dance; and, of course,

the Philippine consulate consular reception.

There are many more events in the Okanagan and around the Lower

Mainland organized by many community events. The Filipino community is

well known for its bayanihan spirit — a spirit of hospitality

and cooperation. As such, I’d like to invite everybody to join me in the

next event — the Pista ng Bayan on July 9 in my riding.

In closing, I would like to pay tribute to this very vibrant

community. I’m certain that we’ll see much more from this emerging

community and hear more stories of its success across the province in

the House.

CHERRY PICKING BY QUEBEC YOUTH

IN OKANAGAN

AREA

L. Larson: Every year in the late spring, young people from Quebec start to

arrive in the Okanagan. There is a certain element that has come to

holiday, but the majority have come to pick cherries — a tradition that

crossed generations. Many come because their parents came in their

youth, and after more than 60 years, perhaps even some grandparents were

part of that spring migration.

[1:45 p.m.]

While many farms have grown and need a semi-permanent or permanent

workforce over a longer period of time, there are still farm operations

that need cherry pickers on a daily basis. Many years ago, the Oliver

Rotary Club realized there was a need for a place for this influx of

workers to camp, and in partnership with the town of Oliver and the

province, acquired a piece of Crown land and created a camping area —

the first and still the only one in the Okanagan.

To recognize and thank this migrant workforce from Quebec, the

town of Oliver, in partnership with the Oliver and district community

recreation centre, hold a St-Jean-Baptiste barbecue for the pickers.

Held in Lions Park in Oliver, there is lots of food and

entertainment and even a few speeches to mark the

occasion on June 23, every year.

While many locals feel the French-Canadian youth are just there

for a holiday, the community does recognize the importance of the

migrant workforce to agriculture and the economic impact of not getting

the fruit off the trees. Many farmers are dependent on this workforce to

get their cherries to market.

This migrant workforce moves from the South Okanagan–Similkameen

to the North and Central Okanagan and over to the East Kootenay as the

cherries ripen. Eventually, this tradition of students coming from

Quebec will probably become a thing of the past, but thanks to the

community of Oliver for recognizing the value of this workforce with a

community party every year.

ED SHUM AND

RILEY PARK COMMUNITY

GARDEN

G. Heyman: Ed Shum is well known in the Riley Park neighbourhood of

Vancouver-Fairview. He’s a longtime resident who has been a small

business owner, an active member of the local bridge club and served on

the board of the community association. But Ed is best known for being a

key figure in the local food and gardening community.

Twenty years ago Ed helped create the Riley Park garden for

seniors across the street from his home. To this day, the garden serves

as a place for seniors to build social connections, to remain active in

their later years and to grow healthy food. At nearly 88 years old, Ed

continues to be a leader in Riley Park, helping to maintain the seniors

garden and inspiring many others to be connected with both their

community and their food security.

Last Saturday Riley Park community members gathered beside the

garden to celebrate Ed’s many years of service. Longtime friends and

neighbours shared stories of his work ethic, his leadership and his

kindness. Although a soft-spoken and modest man, it’s clear that Ed has

made a strong impression on the community and is highly respected and

treasured by everyone who knows him. These stories and Ed’s continued

involvement in the community have helped preserve local history that too

often vanishes over time.

That same day we celebrated the opening of a new community garden

across the park from Ed’s seniors garden. The garden meets the need for

a community gathering place, promoting the values of inclusiveness,

engagement and food security that Ed helped to develop. As this new

garden grows, so too will a new generation of gardeners and community

builders.

Thank you, Ed, for your ongoing service.

Congratulations to our Riley Park neighbours on your new community

garden.

FORT ST. JOHN

INTERNATIONAL AIR

SHOW

D. Davies: It’s a pleasure to rise here today and bring awareness to this

House and the constituents of my riding of Peace River North.

For any tourist visiting Peace River North, this month and 2017

mark the 25th anniversary of the Fort St. John International Air Show —

another great activity for our region and for our province as all of us

here celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

Our community will be celebrating this air show on July 22 and 23.

I’m excited to say that the organizers have put on an exciting event for

us.

They’re going to be bringing back the one and only Canadian Forces

Snowbirds, the incredible CF-18 fighter demonstration and Canada’s own

military parachute team, the SkyHawks.

In addition, Third Strike wing-walker Carol Pilon will be joining

us this year. Carol is the only Canadian wing-walker and will defy

gravity as she amazes the crowds with her wing-walking

skills.

For those World War II buffs, Yellow Thunder joins us this year,

as well, with their Harvard formation team.

Events like this in our community would not take place without the

help of several hundred volunteers. I would encourage anybody interested

in lending a hand to help the Fort St. John International Air Show to

contact the organization. They can be emailed at

info@fsjairshow.com.

It is a great way to get involved in the show and meet new people

and help out at the same time.

I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Darlene Hamre,

the show producer of the Fort St. John International Air Show, for her

tireless commitment to the show over these years and all that she does

for the community year after year.

[1:50 p.m.]

Finally, I would also like to briefly include further thanks to

Bob and Lori Slater, Marion Ewasiuk, Ed Wesenberg, Denise Spence and

Mike Morris, who worked hard to help me get to this place.

Oral Questions

CHILD CARE SERVICES

C. James: Yesterday we saw one more example in a long list of shameful

tactics by the B.C. Liberals to try and hang on to power. We heard the

Premier claim that she won’t ask for a new election, but she’d be happy

to recommend one if anybody asked her opinion.

While the Premier plays games, real people need help. Shelley

Sheppard and some of her family members are here with us today. They

lost their son Mac in an unlicensed child care home. I can’t imagine the

horror and the grief that they’ve endured. They know firsthand how tragic it is when families can’t find safe, quality,

affordable child care, and they want government to fix the mess that has

been created by 16 years of the B.C. Liberals.

My question is to the Premier. Why is the Premier more interested

in launching a new election campaign than in letting a new government

get down to work and create safe, affordable child care in this

province?

Hon. C. Clark: First, to the individuals that the member has introduced today, I

would add my most profound condolences. I have only one child. For every

parent, losing a child is the most frightening thing that you can ever

imagine. I can imagine actually losing a child…. I can’t imagine

actually going through that. So our condolences to them.

For all of those people who are waiting for child care in British

Columbia, I would add this. Our government has a plan that’s been

presented in the throne speech — not to deliver child care in ten years,

not to deliver it according to a plan that’s failed in Quebec and

produced four-year waiting lists for people, which will not make life

any easier for people who are looking for child care now, but a plan

that would start a billion-dollar investment now and, over the next four

years, create 73,000 new child care spaces and increase subsidies for

parents earning up to $100,000.

We are going to ensure that more children are eligible for

subsidies, that there are more spaces available for parents and that

more child care educators get the quality training that they need to do

the best job possible. If that member wants to provide stability and

wants to provide a plan for the people that she’s speaking on behalf of

today, she should make sure that the throne speech passes, and we can

move on with making that billion-dollar investment over the next four

years.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

C. James: Shelley and her husband, Chris, and their family have turned their

grief into action. They’ve become fierce advocates for safe, quality,

affordable child care. They want a new government to get to work, a

government that they can trust, a government and a Premier that actually

work for them. They know that B.C. Liberal inaction is responsible for

the massive shortage of child care spaces that families desperately need

in this province. They know that until just eight days ago, the Premier

said that child care was a luxury the government just couldn’t

afford.

Actions speak louder than words. My question is for the Premier.

Why can’t the Premier understand that families like Shelley and Chris’s

would rather get to work on a child care plan than watch the Premier try

and force another election in this province?

[1:55 p.m.]

Hon. C. Clark: Of course, what the member fails to mention — quite purposefully,

I’m sure — is the fact that her party’s plan for child care will not

deliver affordable, urgently needed child care to anyone in British

Columbia that they need now. Their plan includes a ten-year rollout that

would mean kids today would have their driver’s licence by the time that

child care was available for many of them.

The plan that we’ve presented to this House, which I would hope

she would support, reflects the desire of everybody in this House, in a

genuine effort to reach across party lines, to speak to the issues that

are of concern to all of us here — and also to the ones that British

Columbians expressed in the election — but to do it in a way that makes

sense, to do it not only in a way that we can afford, but in a way that

is going to deliver these services to people now.

One of the things that we’ve done very well over the last six

years that I’ve been Premier is make sure that our economy is working.

So we see huge growth in our economy. We will grow by 3.7 percent; we

are now. Let’s make sure that we can apply those principles, good sound

management principles — not with some plan from the back of a napkin

that’ll take ten years to implement, but a real plan that will deliver

$1 billion into child care over the next four years, make it more

affordable for families, create more spaces and make sure that we have

the educated staff that we need to make sure it’s of the highest

possible quality.

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL

NEEDS

A. Kang: In Burnaby–Deer Lake, the B.C. Liberals are failing our students

with special needs who need help the most. Christie Lee was diagnosed

with autism at age five. She entered school with full recommendations to

receive speech therapy. But the B.C. Liberals have underfunded supports

for students like Christie and left our school district with one

full-time speech pathologist shared among three schools, with 500

children to support. This means students like Christie are getting as

little as five months of help in a school year.

Why is the Premier more interested in forcing a summer election,

rather than letting a new government help students like

Christie?

Hon. M. Bernier: Thank you to the member opposite for her question in the chamber

here today.

You know, it’s something that we take very seriously within the

Ministry of Education. In fact, we have almost $1 billion a year that we

invest right now to help students with special needs, right around the

province in all the school districts, including the member opposite’s

school district.

Over the last few years, we also had what was called the learning improvement fund. We’ve worked with the

school districts, where it was distributed around the province, where

they were able to hire special assistant teachers, with the supports in

the classroom to help those specific students. It’s something that we’re

really proud of. We’ve been putting the resources in the classrooms.

We’ve been spending, year after year, record amounts of funding in

education to make sure we have those resources and those supports in the

classrooms for the students, just as the member opposite has put

forward.

Also, in our budget, we continue to put more money forward. Our

Speech from the Throne also had more money, going forward, to be able to

help the students specifically addressed by the member opposite, which I

assume the members are going to be supporting today.

COOPERATION IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

A. Weaver: Yesterday the Premier held a press conference in the rose garden,

where she stated: “This isn’t a working Legislature, and I haven’t seen

any evidence that it could work.” She further stated: “There’s no effort

on the part of either opposition party to work together.”

She implied that because her government, the government under her

leadership, has been unable to advance its agenda — frankly, our agenda

— the only option is to subject British Columbia to another election.

For weeks, the Premier has delayed a confidence vote that she knows she

will lose. Instead, her government has chosen to play political games

that are designed to undermine cooperation and stability.

Let me be clear. Stability does not depend on this Premier holding

on to power. The Greens stand ready to work with all parties…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

A. Weaver: …once the government has demonstrated that it has the confidence

of the House.

Mr. Speaker: Member, one minute.

Members, the Chair will hear the question.

[2:00 p.m.]

A. Weaver: My question to the Premier is this. Can the Premier clarify why

she made this statement when the majority of members in this House stand

ready and willing to work together?

Mr. Speaker: Premier, through the Chair.

Hon. C. Clark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

You know, that member campaigned hard in the election on saying

that he was going to be different. Instead, what he has done is decided

to just be more of the same. That member campaigned in the election

saying that he was going to be an independent voice in this Legislature,

and instead what he’s done is decided to sit there and take orders from

one of the major parties rather than making up his own mind.

That member said that he supported campaign finance reform and

then refused to even look at it when it was proposed in this

Legislature. And now that member stands up and says that he’s willing to

work with anybody.

Nobody believes you anymore.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

A. Weaver: It’s good to see the Premier acting like the Leader of the

Official Opposition in a response to my question here.

We’ve been very clear. This government needs to test the

confidence of this House before this government can actually claim that

it is not working. You know, again, yesterday the Premier told the

press, in the rose garden, this: “I don’t see a path forward. I don’t

see any evidence that it can work.” I think, more aptly, the Premier has

found that there is no evidence that the B.C. Liberal government can

work, as it lacks the confidence of this House.

The Greens again have made it clear. We are ready to work with all

parties once government has demonstrated….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, the Chair will hear the question.

A. Weaver: It’s remarkable. They’re getting ready to be in opposition yet

again.

Once again….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, the Chair will hear the question.

A. Weaver: We’ve got a feisty bunch on the other side.

Mr. Speaker: The question, Member.

A. Weaver: Again: once the government has demonstrated that it has the

confidence of the House.

It’s very clear to us. It’s very clear to the legislative press

gallery. It’s very clear to the people in British Columbia that this

Premier is trying to actually have an election because she knows that

she doesn’t have the confidence of the House.

Again, my question….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, the Chair will hear the question.

And the question, Member?

A. Weaver: Again, I encourage the members opposite to read the columns in the

paper today by the….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Member, take….

The Chair will hear the question, Members.

A. Weaver: As I’ve said earlier…

Mr. Speaker: And could you move to the question?

A. Weaver: …it’s time for this lot to be put in a time-out. They’re acting

like belligerent children who are kicking and screaming as they’re going

into that time-out.

Mr. Speaker: Member, the Chair will hear a question.

A. Weaver: Thank you. My question to the Premier.... Can the Premier please

clarify why she made this statement again when the majority of members

are here in the House ready and willing to work together?

Hon. C. Clark: That member, for the last seven days, or the days that we’ve sat,

has rejected two pieces of legislation that during the election, he

campaigned very hard and said that he supported, including campaign

finance reform. He has stood in this House. We’ve seen the spectacle of

the Opposition House Leader whispering orders to him and coming down and

telling him how to vote.

[2:05 p.m.]

We have watched as this member has steadfastly refused to work

with members in this House on issues with which he said he profoundly

agrees. And now he is saying: “Trust me. I do want to work with

everybody — just not now.” And now he is saying….

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member. Member.

Hon. C. Clark: After saying to his constituents: “I do want to work with

everybody. I do want the Legislature to be different. I don’t want to be

part of this arena where good ideas are rejected just for political

reasons….” He wasn’t telling the truth about that then, and he isn’t

telling the truth about what he is saying today.

Mr. Speaker: Premier….

A. Weaver: Can I ask that you…?

Some Voices: Withdraw.

Mr. Speaker: Premier, can you withdraw?

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Thank you. The Chair heard the withdrawal.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH

M. Dean: Parents like Ali Berman struggle because life here isn’t

affordable, and the help that they need is just not there for her

family. She is a single mom of three, and her teenaged son desperately

needs mental health supports. But after 16 years of the choices of this

Liberal government, help isn’t available for her family.

My question is for the Premier. Can she tell Ali why she is more

interested in forcing an election than letting a new government get to

work for her and her family?

Hon. M. Polak: I know all of us who are parents in this House are very sensitive

to the issues that can develop from time to time for young people who

have mental health issues that need to be taken care of right away. A

delay can be extremely traumatic not only for the child but for the

family trying to support them.

That’s why the Ministry of Health spends about $1½ billion each

and every year on mental health and substance use services. The Ministry

of Children and Family Development then spends an additional $110

million.

But for that member who is here in the House today on this

historic occasion, she has a chance to support a throne speech that will

add additional contributions: a minister of state for mental health,

addiction and recovery; an expert panel on mental health; the expansion

of the Foundry program, which is a groundbreaking program that helps

young people; and a centre for mental health and addictions in

Surrey.

The member has an opportunity here today to vote in favour of the

kinds of additional supports that we are now able to provide because of

our strong economy and our attention to managing the people’s

money.

SURREY FOOD BANK OPERATIONS

G. Begg: I rise today to bring the attention of the House to a situation in

Surrey in which business has increased so greatly and there is so much

demand for the services that the organization has opened up an evening

depot to serve those who can’t make it during the daytime hours. For the

first time ever, they have had to add an evening shift to accommodate

the increased demand. They also have a special afternoon shift now

only for seniors.

Unfortunately, the business is the Surrey Food Bank, and their

increase is in the working poor who have to access the facility after

working hours simply to put food on the table.

The Premier is fond of painting a rosy picture and of ignoring the

plight of the poor among us. But since she’s been Premier, the number of

people who have to rely on food banks has grown three times faster than

the population.

[2:10 p.m.]

My question is simple. Why is the Premier more interested in

calling an election than allowing a new government to get on with the

business of dealing with the needs of all of the people of British

Columbia?

Hon. C. Clark: Thank you to the member for the question. Welcome to our

Legislature, and congratulations on your election.

We all know that the best way out of poverty…. By the way, since

the last NDP government in British Columbia, child poverty has been

reduced by 50 percent. But the member makes a valid point. There is

still a very, very long way to go in reducing poverty in our

province.

So we propose to raise the social assistance rate by $100 a month

— as was also proposed, I think, by the NDP in the last election. We’ve

also increased disability rates twice, and we will be indexing them to

inflation. In addition to that, more importantly, we are working on

supporting a strong economy that’s going to create jobs and supporting

people to find their way into those jobs.

Government can do one thing, and that’s support a strong economy —

180,000 new jobs over the last two years, the strongest record anywhere

in the country. But we need programs like the single-parent employment

program and the LIFT program to support parents with their child care,

with their training, while they can still stay in jobs if they have

them, or still stay on social assistance if that’s what they need, so

that they can get the training they need to find a new job in this

fast-growing economy that we have.

We need to work on both sides of this equation. And frankly, on

this side of the House, we really are the only people in this

Legislature who have a plan to both grow the economy and make sure we

take that wealth and use it to support people in finding their way out

of poverty.

SUPPORTS FOR

POST-SECONDARY

STUDENTS

K. Chen: Genevieve was a hard-working young graduate from Simon Fraser

University who worked multiple jobs to cover her rent, tuition and other

expenses. She could not make ends meet, so she had to rely on the

university’s food bank to get by. Students like Genevieve need a

government that supports them as they try to make their lives better.

Instead, the B.C. Liberals have neglected them for 16 years, and things

have become so unaffordable that students are having to use food

banks.

My question is for the Premier. Why is the Premier more interested

in forcing an election than letting a new government get to work for

students like Genevieve?

Hon. C. Clark: Well, I can tell that member — and by the way, welcome to the

Legislature as well — what doesn’t work. What doesn’t work is a

government that goes broke because it spends more money than the economy

will earn. We’ve seen that example in British Columbia, and we’ve seen

it many, many times across the country and around the world. We need to

keep this economy strong if we’re going to be able to support

individuals like the one that the member has named.

We need to be able to create wealth in British Columbia from a

growing economy so that we have more to share. But in addition to that,

we need to make sure that as this growth happens in our province, we

manage the growth and we build the transit and the housing for

middle-class people that’s necessary to make sure the growth happens in

the way that we want — and invest $1 billion in child care so that

that’s available for working parents no matter where they live in

British Columbia.

Those investments are possible — and they certainly are possible,

the ones that are proposed in this throne speech — because our economy

is growing the fastest, by far, of any in Canada.

So I hope that if that member finds herself on this side of the

House someday soon, she will remind her leader how important economic

growth really is. Because British Columbia can’t stop

growing.

[2:15 p.m.]

The country needs us. Working people need us. And people who are

struggling to find a way to get ahead need all of us to work together to

make sure that this economy can provide for them the things they need to

keep life affordable.

CARE AIDE WORKERS AND SENIORS CARE

R. Glumac: Deborah is a care aide in my constituency. She has worked at Eagle

Ridge Hospital for 22 years, and she does her best to help the patients

in her care. But the Premier has made it harder for Deborah to do her

job. There are fewer care aides in the hospital, working longer hours

and spending less time with their patients. Last year a frustrated

patient attacked her, and she spent the last several months with broken

teeth, facial scars and ongoing pain.

Why does the Premier seem more interested in spending millions of

dollars on a new election rather than in letting a new government get to

work improving the conditions for health care workers and patients in

Eagle Ridge Hospital?

Hon. M. Polak: Those seniors, those who are in long-term residential care, are

people that we must, as a wealthy society, take care of and be generous

to. Those who work to support them, the care aides, are people who not

only have a high degree of skill; they have big hearts. They do

tremendous work each and every day. It’s one of the reasons why we have,

as Ministry of Health, developed the home and community care action

plan. That means that $500 million is being invested in that. Of that,

$275 million is going directly into home and community care.

Even more importantly, we’re paying attention to the direct care

needs. That means ensuring that the average reaches where it should, at

3.36 hours per day. That’s something we’ve committed to. In addition,

and more importantly to the member’s question, we are also adding 1,500

additional staff.

When we look at the throne speech and the commitment we have

there, not only can we see that the progress I’ve just outlined will be

valuable, but in addition, the member has the opportunity today, I

believe, to support a throne speech that will then add an additional 500

residential care beds. Those will be with enforceable standards for

direct care.

R. Singh: For 16 years, the B.C. Liberals have allowed staffing levels at

B.C. seniors homes to fall to levels below the government’s own

standards. Josephine Drummel Narkwis is a care aide in Vancouver. After

her job was contracted out 13 years ago, her patient load increased. She

has far less time to help the seniors that she deeply cares for. She and

her colleagues are overwhelmed and have to choose which patients they

actually have time to help.

My question is to the Premier. Why would she force an election

instead of getting out of the way and letting a new government get to

work in helping British Columbians?

Hon. C. Clark: A warm welcome, as well, to the member for Surrey–Green Timbers.

To her question. I think the Minister of Health has spoken to much of

that question, including the fact that we are, in the throne speech,

proposing to train 112 more family doctors, faster access to MRI and hip

and knee procedures, and introducing wait-time guarantees, in addition

to expanding and making sure that all facilities are meeting the

standards when it comes to long-term care, wherever they happen to be in

British Columbia.

The reason we can do all these things is because British Columbia

has the means to do so. British Columbians are the healthiest people in

Canada, and we have amongst the best health outcomes anywhere in the

country.

[2:20 p.m.]

We need to keep making those investments as our population ages

and, of course, as technology gets more expensive. And we need to make

sure we keep making those investments because people want and expect

them. The way we can make those investments is not by promising

hospitals for ten years and never building them, which is certainly what

we saw from a previous government. It’s by making sure that we have the

means and the plan to make sure that we can get these things

done.

British Columbia’s economy is on track to grow by 3.7 percent.

It’s three times the national average. Our employment growth is 3.6

percent. Not only does that give us the means to look after one another.

It means — and the member should not forget this for a minute — that

when the economy is growing, it is not just a number. Those are jobs for

real people, and they are jobs for families.

Should the member find herself on this side of the House, I hope

she will remember to speak up on behalf of keeping projects going, of

supporting the resource sector — not cancelling Site C, as her party has

promised to do. Those jobs matter for British Columbia families, and so

do the resources that they provide so that we can look after one another

in the way British Columbians deserve.

[End of question period.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: Continued debate on the throne speech.

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

On the amendment (continued).

Hon. M. Polak: I rise to continue my comments in opposition to the proposed

amendment. I had spoken about some of the people that I have found most

inspiring to me in my life. I want to now offer some words of thanks, as

many of us have in this House. I will join them.

I want to thank my constituency assistants, Cathy Gibbs and Gabrielle

DeGroot. The amount of support that these ladies give me in my constituency

office is truly amazing.

I want to speak in particular about Cathy Gibbs. Cathy Gibbs has not

only been my constituency assistant, but she’s a longtime constituency

assistant, having served for Lynn Stephens back in the day when she was in

this House. Cathy brings a wealth of experience, but she also brings an

absolutely huge heart, a heart that longs to give to people and help them,

sometimes to her own detriment.

In fact, from time to time, we remind Cathy that occasionally her

heart swells up so largely that it cuts off…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. M. Polak: …the circulation to her brain. She acts on behalf of others and

doesn’t think about herself.

I want to honour Cathy Gibbs in particular, but also Gabrielle DeGroot

in my office — a young lady who’s more recent to my office and has taken to

personally assisting some of the individual folks living on our streets in

downtown Langley, to the point where she buys them things. She tries to take

them and get them help, talk them into getting help. She’s relentless. She’s

tireless. I know the people that she helps genuinely appreciate

it.

My campaign certainly drew in an awful lot of supporters. It’s so

humbling when people will come and give their time to you just because they

believe in you.

[2:25 p.m.]

I want to thank my campaign manager, Derek Robertson. I want to thank

my election day chair, Martina Kapac de Frias, and of course Shirley

Stewart, John Hof and his sign crew and all of our volunteers.

Our riding association. All of us, regardless of party, have a local

association of volunteers who do the thankless task of keeping all of the

operations of our electoral districts running. I want to acknowledge our

president, Linda Letkemann, Sam Wind, Colin Kellner, Wayne Jefferson, Jim

McGregor, Noah Daniel and Doug Kellner — tremendous volunteers. Always there

to lift me up when I’m feeling down and give a word of encouragement, and if

you need some help, they’re there.

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

During the campaign, we also were the beneficiaries of the generosity

of two other people I want to acknowledge. Dennis Martini came forward early

on and offered us the use of some tremendous space that he had that we could

use for our campaign office, and we greatly, greatly appreciate that

generosity.

Then Peter Heppner from Preston Chevrolet in Langley offered and

delivered on, providing a fully electric Chevy Volt that was wrapped in my

campaign colours, which I used to drive around during the campaign. I must

say — not that we’re supposed to give endorsements — that was the first time

I had driven, regularly, a fully electric vehicle. For anybody who’s

thinking of it, it was really quite a joy to drive. Of course, these days,

the technology has improved such that you can pull the car into your garage

at night, plug it in, and it’s ready to go the next morning. Thank you very

much to Peter, as well, for that.

I come from the riding of Langley, and Langley is a mix of rural and

urban. In fact, we often say that Langley is on the threshold of the Fraser

Valley. It has areas of very rapid growth where there are many young

families moving in and, at the same time, has quite a thriving agricultural

and equestrian community as well.

We have a significant seniors population and a reputation for

volunteerism. We have very, very many active service clubs, churches and

not-for-profits who give our community its fantastic heart.

You might also be surprised to know that Langley has welcomed a

significant number of Syrian refugees. I had the privilege of being welcomed

by them to a thank-you barbecue in our community. Multiple levels of

government, federal, municipal, our constituency office, not-for-profits,

agencies and the RCMP had worked together to try and ensure that these

families arriving would receive all the services that were necessary to

support them.

What did they do? A short time after being in this country they

decided to host a barbecue to thank all the people who had helped them to

settle.

On that day, I was watching as some of the speeches were given, and

there was a small child, probably about five years old, sitting with some

friends. They were drawing with chalk on the pavement. It was quite a hot

day. The RCMP helicopter flew over, because they were keeping an eye on the

situation. We had a large gathering, and there were some tensions at the

time in the news.

What struck me was that this five-year-old child had never known life

without war, and when that helicopter went over, you could see him

flinching. What did that mean, right? There’s a helicopter. It probably

means something bad is going to fall from the sky.

I say that because I think we all must remember that the democracy

that we are working through here creates the communities that we all enjoy,

and it is something we must never take for granted, because in other parts

of the world, you have children who have never known anything but war. Here

we are with the privilege in Canada to be able to welcome these families

into a community that will support them and where their children can grow up

in peace and — who knows? — maybe someday be an MLA in this Legislature. It

reminds us all that the heart and soul of our communities is truly displayed

when we welcome others.

[2:30 p.m.]

I grew up in Cloverdale, which is about five minutes away or so from

Langley, so I’ve witnessed the changes that have taken place in Langley. The

townhouse I now live in is on land that, when I was growing up, I think was

a chicken farm. Certainly, there was nothing but bush and big acreages

around there. Now there are thousands of families living in high-density

development in the Willoughby area in Langley.

It’s an exciting place to be, but that growth, that change, also

brings its challenges. Growth, while it’s been an opportunity for Langley,

has also, of course, been a challenge. It’s one that calls all levels of

government to respond to. Our government has responded to many of these

challenges in Langley.

Traffic congestion. Imagine, in Langley, before the two overpasses

were built — all of that during the time that I have had the privilege to be

in this chamber. Before those two overpasses were built

above the railway, Langley had five level crossings in four square miles,

with a curving track that meant that when the coal trains went through — and

they do, 24 per day — they blocked traffic in all directions. The traffic

estimates at the time said that it took 20 minutes to clear after you had

that big blockage.

We were able, as a government, to provide the funding to build those

overpasses. So now not only can commuters travel through the city, but our

emergency services can also make sure that they can get to where they need

to on time.

Of course, our community was thrilled to see the construction of the

Port Mann Bridge, the widening of Highway 1, and, for the first time, we

have ExpressBus service that can get you from north Langley to a SkyTrain in

about 15 minutes.

But these kinds of things continue. Growth continues. Challenges

continue. One of the reasons that I’m opposed to the amendment is because,

in my community, the throne commitment to respond positively and fund the

ten-year plan for the mayors to provide rapid transit all the way from

Squamish out to Chilliwack…. Those kind of things are what my community

wants. Those kind of things are things I want to vote in favour of, and I

would hope that other members of this House would as well.

Growth also brings with it health care pressures, and we’ve certainly

seen that in Langley. We have a very dedicated group of volunteers who work

with the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation — tremendous fundraisers,

tremendous community commitment. Throughout the years, they have worked

together with us to ensure that there has been hospice expansion, an

expansion and improvement of the maternity facilities and also the addition

of tertiary mental health supports. We have a new emergency department on

the way.

Again, one of the reasons I am speaking in opposition to this

amendment is because the throne speech commitments around health are

extremely important in my community: making sure that we increase and

improve the availability of ambulance services, making sure that we increase

the number of surgeries, making sure that we increase the availability and

access to MRIs. All of those things are very important in my community, so I

want to see the commitments in the throne speech supported. I want to see

them go ahead.

Education is another area where growth has really challenged the

community of Langley. We have had schools that have been bursting at the

seams, but we’ve been able to respond. Myself and the member for Langley

East regularly meet with our school trustees and work together to plan how

we can respond to their capital needs. I am very proud of the progress we’ve

made building new elementary schools, expanding one of the elementary

schools in my area, R.C. Garnett, to make sure that it’s got more spaces.

Two hundred more spaces are being added. Then, of course, we have a new high

school on the way in the Willoughby area.

That commitment has meant that we’ve been able to respond to the

growth. We’ve also been able to fund equipment, textbooks, buses. But as I

look at our growing community, and having been a school trustee for ten

years, I know that it’s time to take another look at how we manage education

in this province. It’s been 30 years since the last Royal Commission on

Education, one that provided very valuable insight into education in British

Columbia going forward.

[2:35 p.m.]

Again, one of the reasons I am speaking in opposition to the amendment

is because of the throne speech commitment to review the funding formula,

paying attention to fast-growing areas like mine and ensuring that we have a

royal commission to review just how education ought to be conducted in

British Columbia. Those things are very important to my community. They’re

very important to the families who live there.

Child care. At one time, I was the minister responsible for child

care, and I’m well familiar with the pressures there are and with the

challenges that parents face. I used to hear about them every day. I hear

about it in my community too. In Langley, there are very, very many young

families, and they are challenged to find those spaces, especially if

different parents work in different locations, children go to different

schools because of their age difference. It can be very

challenging.

Already our government had committed to 13,000 new spaces, and of

course, we have had generous subsidies for low-income families. But it was

time to do more, and we certainly heard that during this last

election.

That’s why I want to see the throne speech commitment go forward:

60,000 new spaces in four years, full subsidy for families who are earning

up to $60,000, partial subsidy for families who are earning up to $100,000.

That covers an additional 150,000 children in four years. And $10 million in

grants and bursaries — that’s going to add 4,000 early childhood educators

to the ranks. Those are things that I support and are another reason why I

don’t support the amendment to the throne speech.

I’ve talked about growth and how that has impacted the Langley area.

Another thing that has impacted us significantly is our aging population.

Langley does have a very high proportion of seniors. We are fortunate in

that we have very excellent services provided by government, by private

operators, by not-for-profits. Already we’ve invested $500 million to

improve seniors care, and $275 million of that is directed to home and

community care services. Those are hugely important.

My dad, who, fortunately, still lives on his own and independently, I

don’t think would be able to without the supports that he receives from

agencies such as Langley Home Health. The services that are there are

fantastic, but we’re going to need to do more.

That’s why I want to see this throne speech succeed —

so that we can get on with adding 500 more residential care beds, so we can

double the home renovation tax credit, which also assists seniors in

adjusting their house situation so that they can stay, and creating a new

respite tax credit.

I know from those who are my friends and who are in similar situations

with aging parents — and sometimes those who are spouses of people who need

additional care — that if you are the caregiver, that can take a real toll

on you, not just emotionally and spiritually, but it can take a toll on your

very health as well. So that respite care is hugely important.

Even though Langley retains much of its small-town feel, the

challenges that we face are becoming more and more similar to large urban

centres. We’re now starting to see some of those in the Langley

area.

First, I would talk about housing affordability. Now, thanks to mayors

and councils from both of the Langleys, there are many new homes, including

purpose-built rental, that are being constructed in Langley. They are

selling out like hotcakes. The rental vacancy rate in Langley is extremely

low, and in spite of the addition of new units in Langley, we’re still

seeing the prices continue to rise.

We have responded as a government with initiatives such as the rental

assistance program, Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters and then, more recently,

the HOME program, which has seen hundreds of middle-class families be able

to get that chance to have the down payment to purchase their first

home.

But we can do more. One of the reasons I oppose the amendment that has

been proposed is because I want to see the initiatives in the throne speech

go forward. I think we can do even more, working with local government, to

see more units built, to see more supply there for the people who want to

have a home in the community that they love.

[2:40 p.m.]

I believe that we can work well with the private sector to achieve, I

think, a really groundbreaking idea. That is the rent-to-own program —

working with the private sector to build 50,000 units of new housing that

would go into that program for middle-class families. It’ll help those

middle-class families who are currently renters to grow equity. They’d be

able to see their monthly rent build up until they were in a position to see

that buildup turn into a down payment and, ultimately, be able to purchase

and own the home.

Specifically for renters: stopping landlords from getting around the

kind of rent control protections that are there when the leases expire,

protecting the legal rights of tenants and landlords, ensuring that these

kinds of transactions take place in a fair way — one that considers the

interests of all who are concerned.

Another challenge that is facing our community is a growing street

population. Of course, for many of these individuals, mental health and

substance use issues play a really big role in their

circumstances.

Not that long ago, a couple of months ago — maybe three months ago, by

now — my constituency assistant and I did something that we do from time to

time. We went out with the RCMP, only this time we didn’t do the traditional

ride-along. We were following up on a homelessness forum that we had hosted

in the community, and we wanted to get a chance to talk directly to some of

those folks who are living on our streets.

So rather than the usual ride-along, we went with the officer. We

picked up some cups of Tims, and although I’m the Minister of Health, so I

frown on this, he also brought along some cigarettes to share with people

who may want one, but as a means of being able to have a friendly and

informative conversation with some of these folks.

We met all types. We met young people. One of the young fellows I

talked to was from Alberta. He had only a year ago been in the oil patch

making a whole lot of money, but he got addicted to drugs. He lost

everything. He’s on the street. He’s a young man, but he’s going to need

some significant help to get back on his feet. A young lady did have a place

to live, but then, as a result of a relationship breakup, found herself on

the streets.

Then we met a number of gentlemen who were, I’d say, in the

neighbourhood of 55 plus. Their story was somewhat different. For them, many

of them — if not all — had been living on the street on and off for

decades.

What this showed us, and what I certainly know from talking with our

previous Minister of Health, is that the challenges facing the street

population, whether it’s in Langley or Vancouver or anywhere else, are

extremely complex. It’s not as simple as affordable housing. It’s not as

simple as just making sure they have cash supports such as social

assistance. All those things are an element. They’re all important. They all

play a role. But no single one of them is going to do what is needed to try

and get these people into a stable situation where they can truly enjoy a

good life.

All levels of government in Langley have stepped up to the plate.

We’ve seen the work that went into developing the Gateway of Hope,

not-for-profits like food banks, churches, B.C. Housing, and this year, this

summer, we have an intensive case management team being located in

Langley.

I support the throne speech and don’t support the amendment because I

want to see the $100 increase to social assistance rates. I want to make

sure that harm reduction services and systems of care and recovery are

readily available to people. I want to see an expansion of things like the

Foundry program for youth mental health and substance use. I want to see the

centre for mental health and addictions in Surrey fast-tracked.

We can do it because we have a healthy economy. A $2.8 billion

surplus, 3.7 percent growth, lowest unemployment — all of these things allow

us to look beyond that person who is living a terrible life

on our streets and, instead, envision for them a future that we have the

ability to afford to give them.

[2:45 p.m.]

Hon. T. Wat: It is certainly an honour and privilege for me to rise in the House

today to speak to the Lieutenant-Governor’s Speech from the Throne and

against any amendment.

First of all, I would like to take this special moment to recognize

some of the people whose help and support are very important to me. To those

who have elected me for the second term to represent them in the

Legislature, I’m truly honoured and humbled by the vote of support and

belief in me to return to this House to represent the riding of Richmond

North Centre.

To those who have volunteered their time and efforts to support my

campaign and my political journey. They are my riding secretaries of the

Richmond North Centre Riding Association: Chad Pederson, Wayne Duzita, David

Choi, Rob Howard, Andrew Wong, Richard Thomas, Abby Wang, Victor Qin, Leana

Li and Julia Yan.

Also, to my campaign team, led by my campaign manager, Marissa

Chan-Kent, and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly and passionately to

get me re-elected. Just to name a few: Tim Oziowy, Tony Lu, Carl Hibbert,

Michael Sachs, Tony W., Kitty Wong, Brenda Harnett, Nathan Kurt, Clara Chow,

Hina Wang, Michael Chen, Valent Chen, Ryan and Julie Pineo, Lucy Wong, Al

Lau, Han Yan, David and Betty Ma, Annie Sun, and many, many more.

Also, most importantly, to my parents, who are in their 90s. Mom and

Dad, thank you for always supporting me throughout the years. To my

daughter, Tin, who has encouraged and supported me in walking this very

rewarding political journey. And finally, to my late husband, Stephen, who

I’m sure is very proud of my political path.

I should also mention my colleagues: my chief of staff, Jay Denney;

executive assistant Jessica Faddegon; administrative coordinator Angela

Jones; administrative assistant Christina Starko; and my two constituency

assistants, Trix Chan and David Shum.

In my last four years serving British Columbia as the Minister of

International Trade and the Minister of Multiculturalism and also serving as

the MLA for Richmond Centre, I have been so fortunate to have had a

professional and dedicated team of four in my minister’s office. They worked

tirelessly and passionately to support me. And also, my two CAs, who are

also working so hard to handle my constituency issues.

These two teams sacrifice their time because they believe in me and

this government. They work so hard to ensure that I listen and deliver the

best services to Richmond, to our province and British Columbians. Jay,

Jessica, Angela, Christina, Trix and David, thanks from the bottom of my

heart for all your hard work and wholehearted support. Thank you.

I’d also like to welcome all the new members to this Legislature. I

still remember how excited, how honoured and privileged I was in 2013 when I

first walked into this people’s House to start representing my constituents.

We must always reflect the hopes and desires of British

Columbians.

Our B.C. Liberal government, led by the first-ever elected female

Premier in the history of British Columbia, has put forward an inclusive

vision for B.C., and our plan builds a stronger future for our

province.

Each year I look forward to the opportunity to talk about my portfolio

and the excellent work that the Ministry of International Trade is doing to

grow and diversify B.C.’s economy, to create well-paying jobs for British

Columbians and to help B.C. businesses reach new priority markets

overseas.

The government of British Columbia is proud to be once again

delivering a balanced budget and providing essential services at the same

time — the fifth balanced budget in a row that this government has

delivered. In fact, our government remains on track to balance a sixth

consecutive budget in 2017-18, an achievement that is out of reach for many

jurisdictions. It hasn’t been an easy task. We have to make hard choices and

find new ways to diversify the economy and bring investment to our

province.

As Minister of International Trade, I’m so proud to say that my

ministry has played an important role in B.C.’s success as a stable economy.

My ministry has two primary focuses: to promote trade and attract investment

to the province, and to champion the benefits of B.C.’s diversity and foster

participation of all British Columbians in our multicultural

society.

[2:50 p.m.]

I am inspired by the work my ministry does on a daily basis, and I’m

delighted to see our efforts resulting in more investment for our

province.

Early this week Union Mobile Financial Technology — UMF of Beijing,

China — launched the Canadian headquarters of its subsidiary, Union Mobile

Financial Technology (Canada), in Vancouver. UMF is one of China’s largest

fintech companies, serving 450 million users and handling transactions worth

$130 million U.S. last year. UMF’s decision to locate Canada’s headquarters

in Vancouver speaks to the advantages of the Vancouver region as a high-tech

and fintech centre of innovation and as a growing Asian–North American

trading and transaction centre.

As we know, exports provide a vital source of economic growth and job

creation. Today, total exports from B.C. are worth over $35 billion per

year, an increase of 41 percent since 2009. Part of this success has been

increasing the number of trade and investment representatives abroad. B.C.’s

international network has more than doubled since 2011. We now have over 60

representatives based in priority markets across Asia,

Europe and the United States.

Despite a soft global economy, B.C. exports are increasing.

Diversifying our export markets has played a major role in this. Ten years

ago, 65 percent of our exports went to the United States,

whereas last year,

exports to the States made up less than 52 percent of total exports, while

nearly 38 percent of exports went to Pacific Rim markets, with the top

exports from B.C. being pulp, lumber and copper, with encouraging increases

in seafood, agrifoods, machinery and equipment exports.

Of the eight key sectors of the B.C. jobs plan, the fastest-growing is

technology. It already employs more than 86,000 British Columbians at wages

60 percent higher than the industrial average. Government wants potential

high-tech companies, especially those in the early stages, to have access to

the capital they need to grow. That’s why we’ve created the $100 million

venture capital fund-of-funds to give promising companies the opportunity to

thrive and generate jobs in B.C.

Forestry is also a key industry for B.C. and for the thousands of men

and women whose families depend on it. That is why the government is working

with its federal counterparts to renew the softwood agreement. The B.C.

government takes its international trade obligations seriously.

As Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, one of my roles is to

create an environment in B.C. where an inclusive and diverse population

supports our shared communities. Cultural diversity and increased

participation by all cultures is vitally important to the creation of a

strong social and economic future for B.C.

Over the past three years, an average of $1.7 million has been spent

annually on programs that promote multiculturalism, address racism and build

inclusive communities in B.C. The B.C. Multicultural Awards annually

celebrate those working throughout B.C. to promote multiculturalism, and the

Chinese legacy projects are delivering on government’s promise to the

Chinese-Canadian community and all British Columbians to leave a lasting

legacy of the historic contribution of early Chinese settlers.

Talking about multiculturalism, I’m privileged to represent the

constituents of Richmond North Centre, one of the most diverse and vibrant

ridings in North America. Richmond is a vibrant and diverse community

projecting a population growth to over 260,000 by 2036, with more than half

of the growth accounted for in Richmond North Centre. It is a great city to

live and work in.

Last fall the Pacific Autism Family Network facility opened in my

riding. This state-of-the-art facility for people with autism is a first for

North America. The $28 million centre will support 69,000 people of all ages

in B.C. that have autism spectrum disorder. The facility includes clinics,

labs, classrooms, observation rooms and research spaces. This unique

facility will change the lives of families in Richmond and across the

province, and I’m proud that our government contributed $20 million towards

this new centre. This facility will help empower families with loved ones

who have autism to find the care they need most.

[2:55 p.m.]

On the retail front, the SmartCentres along Garden City Road and

Alderbridge are already in operation in my riding. Many megastores, such as

Walmart and Marshalls, continue to strengthen their expansion in B.C. B.C.’s

first luxury outlet mall, the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, was opened at a

30-acre site on Sea Island, near the Vancouver International Airport, last

year. It currently has 46 retailers, with over 240,000 square feet. Phase 2

will expand the mall to 400,000 square feet and up to 150 retailers. It has

created 600 jobs in phase 1 and will create another 400 jobs in phase

Near the outlet, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, BCIT,

Aerospace Technology campus offers programs to more than 1,000 students each

year. Students can choose training programs from all areas of aircraft

maintenance, engineering and flight training.

Many industry-leading companies are based in Richmond. This provides

highly skilled workers as well as input suppliers and business support

services. Richmond’s aerospace and aviation sectors are made up of small

family-run businesses to global publicly traded companies. It’s a niche

industry for Richmondites, a unique economic booster.

In November last year, I was so proud to lead Canada’s B.C.

delegation, with 17 strong aerospace and aviation companies and

organizations, at Airshow China 2016. This largest air show in Asia has

allowed our B.C. aerospace and aviation companies a very unique opportunity

to showcase the energy and interest that is required to leverage

partnerships, attract international investment and expand export through the

trade deals.

I would also like to mention the Richmond City Centre Community

Centre. It is Richmond’s first urban community centre, and it’s located in

the heart of the ever-growing city. It provides a range of recreation

programs and services tailored to residents of all ages. City Centre is new

and will continue to be the area with the densest population in Richmond.

The area is being developed to maximize use of the Canada Line and to be

bike- and pedestrian-friendly. In addition to serving the needs of the

rapidly expanding urban population, City Centre will help to animate the

city area.

In City Centre, one should visit the new campus of Trinity Western

University. This modern space is the new home for students to engage in

bachelor’s degrees and master’s degree programs.

Also new in my beautiful riding of Richmond North Centre is the

Kiwanis Towers, a two-tower affordable housing development for seniors

funded by our government. The 294-unit development replaced an old 120-unit complex.

A major new capital building program in the Minoru civic precinct was

also launched to address current and future recreation, sport, cultural,

social and community wellness needs. The program includes a new aquatic

centre, a new mature adult centre and space for other recreation and

community needs. I’m proud of this government, which has focused on building

a diverse economy and eliminating the operating debt, which paves the path

towards a debt-free B.C.

It is essential to create financial stability, jobs and opportunity so

that we are able to fund vital public services that British Columbians need.

We should be proud of Richmond Hospital, a vital part of our community. It

is a large community hospital serving the needs of residents in Richmond and

Delta as well as travellers using the Vancouver International Airport and

B.C. Ferries.

I’m proud that our government supports planning for a new patient care

tower at Richmond Hospital. The ministry expects work on the business plan

could begin in fall 2017. Up to $3 million will be allocated to support the

development of a business plan once the concept plan is approved.

British Columbia continues to be a destination for tourists and an

economic driver for our province. In 2016, Vancouver International Airport

carried a record 22.3 million passengers.

[3:00 p.m.]

YVR is also welcoming new direct flights to Europe, China, Japan and

Mexico. Each new daily international flight to B.C. creates between 150 and

200 new jobs at YVR. An additional 300 to 400 jobs are created indirectly in

the province at businesses such as hotels, restaurants, travel agents and

tour operators.

Our advertising efforts have increased exponentially since the

establishment of Destination B.C., our province’s lead marketing

organization. Our tourism sectors are leading the way in our province’s

diverse economy.

Recently I was invited by Tourism Richmond, together with my colleague

for Richmond-Steveston, to join the newly launched Richmond Hop-on Hop-off

Attraction Tour. The tour offers tourists an easy way to visit the key sites

in Richmond, including the historic fishing village of Steveston, the

Olympic Experience at the Richmond Olympic Oval, the River Rock Casino

Resort, the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet mall and the hub of Asian shopping

malls. Many of these sites are located in my riding of Richmond North

Centre. Richmond is the third city in British Columbia to have such a

hop-on, hop-off service. I’m confident that the sector will continue to

bring jobs to my community in Richmond.

Our province is beautiful and unique, but there are a few ways we need

to emulate other jurisdictions across our country. More should have been

done sooner, and more needs to be done now. That’s why we introduced

comprehensive reforms that would get big money and external influence out of

B.C. politics. This includes a ban on corporate, union and third-party

donations, including donations in-kind, a ban on donations from outside

B.C., including federal parties, and a maximum donation limit. Again, it is

very unfortunate that the opposition in this House voted down this

legislation without even holding a proper debate.

It’s a privilege to rise today to speak in favour of the Speech from

the Throne and against any amendment. I am proud of the ambitious plan that

was laid out last week, a plan that has placed the best interests of British

Columbians front and centre.

It’s so unfortunate that the parties opposite have already voted

against an important piece of our throne speech without providing British

Columbians with the courtesy of having a debate. Our government introduced a

bill to reform political financing, a bill that has been asked for

unanimously by all parties of this House. The opposition in this House has

insisted on creating instability for our province, and they voted against

political finance reform. To demand this legislation and then vote it down

sends a clear signal and a sign to British Columbia that the opposition

cannot be taken seriously. In fact, it’s so disappointing. But the

opposition in this House still has the opportunity to do well for the people

of this province and to vote in favour of our Speech from the

Throne.

British Columbians spoke clearly, and we listened. They want a stable

government that balances economic growth, investment in social programs and

environmental protections. Our B.C. Liberal government presented a renewed

plan for British Columbia that makes record investments for families, while

maintaining a strong economy through job creation and balanced

budgets.

We have built the strongest economic foundation in Canada, created

thanks to hard-working British Columbians and 16 years of sound fiscal

management, which has produced a much better than expected surplus. The

vision our government shared in our Speech from the Throne outlines exactly

how we intend to return that surplus to British Columbians.

British Columbians expect and deserve a government that collaborates,

while respecting the dignity, rules and traditions that govern our

constitutional monarchy, our democracy and the Legislature. A stable

government does not rely on floor-crossers, rule-changers and other parties

for stability. Any change in government should happen properly in the

Legislature, according to the rules and conventions of parliamentary

democracy.

[3:05 p.m.]

In that regard, the members opposite have not shown good faith to the

people of this province so far. It’s troubling that the NDP still won’t tell

British Columbians how they can provide a stable government for British

Columbians.

It’s difficult to ascertain what the opposition is trying to do in

this House, but what’s clear is that they do not have the

best interest of the province in mind, and they do not listen to British

Columbians.

Meanwhile, our government’s goals and vision for the future of the

province could not be clearer. Our No. 1 goal is to ensure housing is

affordable for British Columbians. As B.C.’s economy continues to grow, the

benefits of the economy also come with real challenges, especially for

affordability.

Despite actions taken that have had a real impact, housing

affordability remains a particular challenge for far too many people. That

is why, with the confidence of the House, our B.C. Liberal government will

work with local governments and the private sector to increase the supply of

family and starter housing for middle-income earners, especially along new

transit lines and corridors.

In addition, we will work with the private sector to build 50,000

units of new housing across the province over ten years that will go into a

new rent-to-own program available to middle-class families. The program will

help middle-class renters to grow equity through their monthly rent payments

until they are in a position to own their home.

The B.C. Liberal government will also work with and support

municipalities to remove obstacles and eliminate backlogs to speed up the

construction of new housing supply, especially for families. To better

protect renters, our government will prohibit landlords from skirting

rent-control protection when term leases expire and make sure that tenants

rights are respected while respecting a landlord’s ability to make

improvements to their buildings.

Finally, we will bring together and welcome the ideas from all parties

and participants at a housing summit to be convened in fall 2017. Real

estate speculation will be one of the challenges put before

participants.

As it was pointed out by the Lieutenant-Governor during the Speech

from the Throne, our province has created more jobs than anywhere in Canada

since the start of the B.C. jobs plan, has grown an economy that is the envy

of Canada and maintained five consecutive balanced budgets, thanks to

careful management. All of this is because of the hard work of British

Columbians.

Now the time has come for us to return the economic benefits to the

great people of our province. Our Speech from the Throne outlined exactly

how we intend to do that. With the confidence of this House, we will

implement our plans immediately. British Columbians seek a better balance

between economic, social and environmental priorities.

I would like to conclude by saying that as we continue to grow and

diversify our economy, we should remember that it took many hands from

various cultures to build this province. It’s the most ethnically diverse

province in Canada. It’s B.C.’s multicultural society that gives us a

competitive advantage and an important bridge across the Pacific.

Today British Columbia and Canada are proof that people from different

cultures and traditions can build vibrant and thriving communities and

sustain our economy in times of economic uncertainty.

Our government’s Speech from the Throne is a vision for our beautiful

province that can be achieved by working together and across party lines.

What British Columbians want is stability. Our government has a plan to work

with all parties to improve the lives of people across B.C.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of the Speech from

the Throne without any amendment.

J. Darcy: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

J. Darcy: It gives me great pleasure to introduce my Member of Parliament, Peter

Julian, for New Westminster–Burnaby, who has served our community at the

federal level for — how many years now? — 13 years and is a strong supporter

for MLAs in this House from Burnaby and New Westminster.

[3:10 p.m.]

I would ask all members of this House to give him a really warm

welcome.

L. Throness: I, too, seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

L. Throness: I would like to welcome to the House today four people: Corisa Bell,

who is a councillor in the city of Maple Ridge; Rob Vagramov, who is also a

councillor but in the city of Port Moody; and also some people closer to

home. Sam Waddington is a councillor in the city of Chilliwack, and he

operates Mount Waddington’s Outdoors, which is a store that caters to people

who are getting far more exercise than me. I’d like to welcome Jason Lum.

He’s the chair of the Fraser Valley regional district, and he’s also the

president of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association. He’s a

councillor in the city of Chilliwack, and he also sits on the UBCM

executive.

Would the House please welcome my friends.

Debate Continued

L. Throness: Now it’s a pleasure to speak to the amendment on the Speech from the

Throne.

First of all, I would like to thank a number of people who have helped

me in various ways. First, I want to pay tribute, given that this is my

first speech in the House after the election, to my constituents for

electing me. It is a position of great honour and great

responsibility, and it’s a privilege to be here.

I want them to know that I want to serve them in the best way I can. I

used to have an office in Hope, when Hope was in my riding, but I have

decided now to open a satellite office in Agassiz. It’s on Pioneer Avenue,

and we’re going to have a grand opening in that office on July 1 — that’s on

Canada Day — at two o’clock, for an hour. We’re going to have some cake

together and celebrate the opening of our office, which will serve

constituents in Agassiz and Harrison Mills and the village of Harrison Hot

Springs. So thanks to my constituents.

I want to thank those who work for me. I think of Dagmar Lucak. I

think of Sheila Denis and Kathy Miki, who take care of me in the office and

who take very good care of my constituents. They pour heart and soul into

helping constituents in my riding, especially those who are most needy. I

could not operate my office without them, and I want to thank them for their

faithfulness and their hard work.

It’s after an election, so I have to thank my volunteers. There were,

I counted, about 250 people who were involved in small ways or in large ways

in my campaign. I can’t, of course, thank them all. I want to especially

thank Susan Mathies, my campaign manager. I had a campaign leadership team,

a large team, who did an incredible job. In the end, we had so many people

who were involved. Who knows? We may need to call on them again soon, so I

want to make sure to thank them.

I want to thank family as well. I have three brothers and one sister,

and their spouses. I have 13 nieces and nephews. Of course, I can’t name

them all today. But at the beginning of the campaign, we had a little family

gathering. They brought me a number of frozen meals that they had prepared,

home cooked, so that I could concentrate on the election rather than on

cooking. I so much appreciate that very practical expression of love and the

many others that they give to me as well.

It’s a special privilege to respond to the amendment from the Speech

from the Throne just before a historic vote is taken in this House. I want

to speak today from the perspective of a lifelong, small-c conservative. I

spent 12 years in Ottawa working for the Reform Party federally, and also

the Conservatives. I’ve always opposed the NDP both federally and

provincially. I’ve always supported smaller government in the coalition that

we call the B.C. Liberal Party.

I want to say from the outset that I’ll be supporting this government

and the Speech from the Throne and, therefore, speaking in opposition, of

course, to the amendment before us today. But this is an unusual Speech from

the Throne. I want to explain to my constituents why I’m going to be voting

for it. But first, I want to pay tribute to two very important people, and

that is the Premier and the Minister of Finance.

As the fiscal update showed yesterday, they have done a stellar job of

managing B.C.’s public finances over the past five years. No one — no one,

Mr. Speaker — can gainsay what they have achieved, not even in the

opposition. I would say that the opposition ought to be thanking the Premier

and the Minister of Finance on bended knee for leaving them with a fantastic

set of books that has no parallel in this nation. No other government in

Canada has done so good a job.

We are alone at the head of the pack of economies across Canada. It’s

because of the discipline and the sound judgment that the Minister of

Finance and the Premier have shown that we are able to deliver a throne

speech as we have. All of us in this House owe a debt of gratitude to them.

They are national leaders on the economy.

[3:15 p.m.]

We find ourselves in an extraordinary situation today. My constituents

often approach me about it. They’re not angry about it. They’re intrigued.

They’re curious. They’re wondering. They’re remarking about how interesting

the situation is. I think they instinctively realized that it wasn’t brought

about by the intention of either party. In fact, it was far from the

intention of either major party in this House that the situation be where it

is today. It was a major disappointment to both parties. No, this situation

was created by the people of B.C., none of whom intended that it would end

up in this way either.

Our situation today is the unconscious result of nearly two million

people casting a ballot. Let me describe to you just how close this election

was, Mr. Speaker. There were 1.985 million votes cast in the election, and

the two main parties were separated by just 1,666 votes. That is

astonishingly close. Let me illustrate just how close that is. If there were

only 1,200 votes cast in the province, the difference between the two major

parties would have just been one vote. That is as close as you can get. This

close race was inevitably mirrored in several constituencies by the slimmest

of margins — in the one, as few as 87. I think we fell short of a majority

by just 189 heartbreaking votes in the riding of Courtenay-Comox.

This extraordinary election result requires an extraordinary response.

So we have an extraordinary throne speech before us which differed from our

platform in a variety of ways, which is very unusual. It borrowed about 30

elements from the platforms of the other two parties. They were chosen for

our throne speech as we have done our level best to forge a consensus in

this House, leading to stable government. But it appears that the opposition

prefers an unstable arrangement.

In fact, I will never understand why the Green Party would side with

the opposition instead of the government — after all their talk about a

desire for stable government, that they would choose an option that does not

provide stable government — that provides an effective tie in this House.

Supporting us on this side of the House — we could have found many ways to

work together — would have led to a stable majority for

four good years of stable government where we could accomplish a lot

together.

The most substantial reason I can think of is that we are seeing the

true colour of the Green Party, and that colour is orange. I will be

reminding my constituents in the next election, whenever that is, that they

have clearly sided with the NDP. They have clearly sided with those who are

contrary to free enterprise in this province.

We on this side have proposed some broad policy changes because we

want to remain in government, and why would we not attempt to do so? I have

been astounded at the press and the opposition and others who charge that

we’re trying to hold onto government as if that’s something unethical. Well,

I would say: “Guilty as charged.” That is, after all, the object of every

political party in this House, including those opposite.

Although I think it looks kind of grasping and unseemly for the

opposition to be demanding every day a confidence vote ahead of the orderly

transitional process, which had been announced long ago for today following

customary debate in this House — in which the opposition is not taking part,

and I think it’s very sad they’re not doing so — I fully respect their right

to grasp for the brass ring.

Our democratic system is an adversarial system. We’ve been mandated,

here on the B.C. Liberal side, by 43 ridings in the province and 797,000

voters to continue our great economic program and oppose the NDP. Of course,

we’re going to continue to do both of those things as long as we

can.

To the press, it’s as if we’re doing something wrong by not rolling

over and giving up and helping the NDP become government, although they’re

not, of course, suggesting the opposite — that the NDP would do the same

thing for the B.C. Liberals — even though there would be better grounds for

doing so, since the B.C. Liberals actually won the most seats in the House

and the most votes in the election. But we aren’t asking for fairness from

the media. We don’t expect that.

In fact, we don’t want the reins of government for their own sake; we

want them because there’s so much at stake in this province. Let me list

just a few of the things that are at stake. We could talk about Site C and

the thousands of jobs and the massive benefits it will provide for the next

century, as well as the massive cost, about $630 million, to stop it. We

want it to go ahead. Just as the W.A.C. Bennett dam was an amazingly good

deal for this province, so will Site C deliver good for the taxpayers of

this province and their children and their grandchildren and their

great-grandchildren. For 100 years, it will provide benefits for the

taxpayers of this province.

[3:20 p.m.]

I have never, by the way, heard the Green Party criticize the W.A.C.

Bennett dam. Then why would they criticize the Site C dam, which is all

clean electricity? I want to quote what the hon. leader of the Green Party

said when he supported Site C just a few years ago. Here’s what he said: “I

cannot see what is stopping Site C. There are environmental consequences,

yes, but there are environmental consequences for everything we do.” He said

that in a Globe and Mail interview on January 31 of

That, of course, was before he entered politics in 2015 and saw a good

opportunity to make political hay at the expense of Site C, at the expense

of thousands of jobs and a secure supply of clean and green electricity for

our province for 100 years. All that can go in the trash can so that he can

score cheap political points. I find that absolutely stunning, and I will be

sure to remind my constituents of that during the next election. To me, it’s

a question of trust.

I want to continue to digress for a moment to talk about what the

Green Party voted for in the House — or voted against in the House — earlier

this week. Their leader opposed party status for his own party in the House

this week because the leader of the NDP put his thumb on the idea. Even

though, a few days ago, the Green Party leader publicly said that he would

vote right away for good policies like campaign financing legislation, he

couldn’t bring himself to vote for his own party. He couldn’t even bring

himself to look at his own legislation.

In fact, I was in my seat here on that day, and I witnessed a

conversation between him and our House Leader. When our House Leader told

him the contents of the bill that was being introduced by the government

that would give the Green Party official party status, what was the leader

of the Green Party’s response? I heard it myself. “I’ll go talk to John,” he

said. He hadn’t decided independently what to do. He had to run across the

way and ask permission of his political boss. When told that his party could

not be recognized as a party, he obediently trotted back to stand and vote

against his own party, against his own MLAs, against his own party members

around the province and against his own interest.

Given the capitulation of the Greens in this House on this basic issue

that defines their own existence as a party in this place, I wonder if they

will have the stomach ever to stand up to the Leader of the Opposition when

he, for example, decides to remove the secret ballot for union membership,

to take away the fundamental rights of workers to decide union membership

for themselves in secret. I wonder if the Green Party won’t cave on that one

too. That, too, is a question of trust.

Allow me to continue. What else is at stake in this transfer of

government that may happen at 5:30? The entire LNG industry, which has

already begun in Squamish, is an industry that was scratched out of the bare

ground in just four years by the Premier and the former Minister Responsible

for Natural Gas Development. It’s an industry with the potential for dozens

of billions of dollars in new investment, thousands of jobs for a generation

and billions in income to support the social programs we all value. LNG would even replace coal in China. It would do the whole world

a green favour by reducing pollution.

Will any proponent make a final investment decision with the NDP and

Greens in power? I highly doubt it. This growing industry is going to wither

and die on the vine, thanks to the NDP-Green coalition against LNG. We can

only hope that they don’t get to take government.

What about the Trans Mountain pipeline and all the monetary and other

benefits that go along with it for the next 20 years? Will it ever happen

under the NDP and Greens together? What about the replacement of the Massey

Tunnel under this regime? And on and on it goes. We could

continue.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a change in government will

imperil our sterling record of low taxes and balanced budgets and triple-A

credit ratings and declining burden of debt and job creation and record

growth in exports.

We’ve tried to preserve a consensus for the benefit of jobs and

economic development and major projects, prosperity for families in B.C.

That is the reason that we want to keep on governing. British Columbians

have a lot to lose.

Now, I want to talk for a moment about the message of this election. I

spent 12 years in Ottawa working for politicians there, and I always admired

the House of Commons, because I saw mirrored in the House of Commons what

was really going on in the country.

[3:25 p.m.]

Now in B.C., I see here too that the composition of the Legislature

really does mirror the thoughts of the electorate with great accuracy. It’s

up to politicians to assess the results and say: “What are the voters saying

to us?” Because they’re always sending a message to us through their vote,

and we always have to be conscious that they’re the boss. We, the

politicians, are the servants. It’s not about the will of politicians. It’s

not about the will of political parties. It’s about the will of the people,

what the people of B.C. want. And it’s the job of politicians to discern the

message the people are sending, because if we get the message wrong, the

electorate will find someone else to do their will.

What message were the people of B.C. sending in this election? Well,

the biggest surprise to me was that the NDP received almost as many votes on

a provincewide basis as did the B.C. Liberals, and these were concentrated

in urban areas. It used to be the other way around, where B.C. Liberals

appealed more to urbanites.

Elsewhere in Canada, I would point out that there has been a similar

shift. I think of the situation in Alberta, where the NDP won a provincial

election, having never before been a contender on that political stage. I

think of the federal Liberals, who’ve moved to the left and crowded out the

federal NDP, who, in turn, put pressure on the federal Green Party. I think

the same of the Ontario Liberals. I think of our American neighbours under

President Obama, who moved left for eight long and, in my opinion, sad

years.

Along with the growth of cities, there’s been a cultural shift in

favour of more social programs. I think perhaps there are more interactions

between people, so people are more concerned about transit. They’re more

concerned about crime. They’re more concerned about housing, the price of

housing and things like that, because of the growth of cities. And we in the

B.C. Liberal Party need to recognize that.

Obviously, we did a lot of things right, because we received the most

votes and the most seats in the chamber, including hundreds of thousands of

votes in urban areas. Voters were telling us that they generally liked our

program. We’ve done a fantastic job on the economy, and they were

acknowledging that. We were to be rewarded and encouraged, particularly in

rural B.C. We were told that voters were pleased with the government over

the past four years.

But the fact that a number of NDP members instead of B.C. Liberal

members returned in some new urban areas was, I think, a warning to our

party. Voters were telling us, even by the slimmest of margins, that we

didn’t get it quite right in the election, and we have to face this reality.

And I, as a small-c conservative, and others like me need to face it as

well. We have to see this trend, not only in urban B.C. but elsewhere in

Canada.

So it seems to me that our party platform could have spoken more

strongly to the concerns of urban voters. Our Premier has wisely

acknowledged this and confronted this reality and shifted course slightly in

order to meet that challenge. But I would point out on the other side that

in the election this spring, the NDP were dealt a massive rebuke by voters,

particularly in rural B.C., about their concern for balanced budgets and

jobs and economic development, and that’s why they lost the

election.

While we on this side have been working ever since the election to

satisfy urban voters that we heard their message loud and clear, there’s

been no change, no course correction whatsoever, for the NDP, even in the

face of a razor-thin election that resulted in a defeat for them.

[G. Kyllo in the chair.]

You would think that after losing every election since 2001, five

elections in a row, the NDP would have gotten the idea that they need to be

more business-friendly, more concerned about the economy. They’re jubilant

and triumphant today. They think they’ve won something. But this is, in

part, an illusion. I mean, I will congratulate them. They might win tonight

by a vote or two, but this victory for them is an illusion. They actually

lost the election seven weeks ago, and they don’t quite realize

it.

They have to depend on a third party to prop them up. But in this

ideological, hard-left party — just look at their constitution — where a

member still quotes Karl Marx in this House…. After losing

five elections, there is no thought that they need to change course on the

economy. Maybe it’s because they are really, at the core, against free

enterprise, and this refusal to acknowledge reality is why I believe they

will keep losing elections again in the future.

I only mention this not because I want them to win but because I want

British Columbians to win. So I want whatever government is here to

acknowledge the economy and the importance of the economy and do what it

takes to make our economy grow and prosper so the people of B.C. can grow

and prosper along with them.

[3:30 p.m.]

Here I want to talk for a moment about political principle. Because of

the content of the throne speech, we’ve heard some commentary in the news

about principle, about us on the B.C. Liberal side upholding principles or

not upholding them. But they should not forget, nor can we ever afford to

forget, the greatest principle of democracy. The greatest principle is that

we do what the people of B.C. want us to do. Anything less would be utterly

cynical. Political parties need to change, along with the people who elect

them.

Thus we have the throne speech before us, which borrowed items from

the platforms of the other parties. It would cause me discomfort to borrow

any of them. But I wanted to put the matter in context, so I went over the

NDP platform in detail. I made a spreadsheet, and I enumerated all of the

promises that were made in the NDP platform. I counted about 280 promises —

large ones, small ones. About 170 of those promises, or 60 percent of them,

required significant new spending.

In the throne speech, our government adopted just a few dozen ideas

from both platforms, the platforms of both the Green and the NDP parties.

Aside from election financing, which was a more dramatic change, we expanded

social policy initiatives that we are already undertaking. In other words,

our throne speech is not a different kind of policy; it is only different in

degree.

Let me enumerate, for example, a few promises made by the NDP that we

did not adopt. We did not promise to freeze ICBC and hydro rates. We did not

promise to give every renter in B.C. a $400 grant every year or build

114,000 new affordable housing units at a cost of over $20 billion. We did

not promise to hurt small businesses and inexperienced workers by raising

the minimum wage to $15. We did not promise to raise corporate and income

tax rates. All of these items of the NDP platform, and many more — 250 of

them — we laid aside.

So what did we promise? Allow me to go through a number of them.

Changes to our political donations is a big change. There has been no

change, by the way, since B.C. joined Confederation in 1871. Well, we think

this was part of the voters’ message to us, so we’ve agreed to it, but this

is not an ideological issue. We’ve been true to our ideals. In the

legislation we proposed, which the NDP refused to look at, we proposed that

the government would not be footing the bill for political parties. This is

fundamentally different than the NDP vision, which would have the government

paying for all political parties. We don’t think we should do that. We think

that parties should have to appeal to the electorate, so that we raise our

money from those who support us.

We promised a referendum on electoral reform. We did not promise

proportional representation, as they want across the way. We said that the

people of B.C. will decide that question, and we will provide a path to that

decision point. I have no problem with that. We promised not to change the

labour code — particularly not, in my view, the part about taking away the

secret ballot for union membership. No conservative could oppose that in the

throne speech.

We promised new child care spaces, which is more of what we are

already doing. In the campaign, we promised 13,000 spaces, and I heard no

opposition to it from my own riding, from my own voters. We’re now expanding

that by 60,000 more. This is not a question of ideology, but it’s a question

of affordability. We promised more in social assistance, which added to what

we did for the disabled over the past two years. I have no issue with that.

In fact, I’ve publicly said before that I support more money for welfare, as

soon as we could afford it. No one in the riding criticized me for that.

That’s because it’s not about ideology; it’s about affordability.

I especially appreciate the new language in the throne speech about

recovery from addiction. I’ve been publicly beating this drum for the past

four years, and that change is very welcome. We need to go beyond saving

people’s lives. We need to save people’s lives, yes, but we need to go

farther than that. We need to help them break free from

addiction.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

L. Throness: I fully support a ministry of state being created to push this along,

because I support recovery from addiction and freedom from addiction. I

think our society may finally be waking up to the fact that freedom from

addiction is more than harm reduction. Freedom from addiction is harm

elimination, and we should go for it in a big way. Every conservative could

agree with this.

We’re continuing in the throne speech with promises we already made in

the platform a few weeks ago, such as more residential care beds for seniors

and cutting the MSP in half. That was acceptable to our supporters. We’ve

added, in this throne speech, a royal commission on education. I would say

it’s about time. It’s been 30 years since the last royal commission. There

are many questions we could answer through a royal commission.

[3:35 p.m.]

Let’s talk about rapid transit for a moment. We’ve always funded rapid transit. We’ve been at the forefront of that, and we’re

simply going to do more of that. I especially appreciate the promise to

study the feasibility of rapid transit to Chilliwack. Many of my

constituents who are sick and tired of sitting on the No. 1 freeway will

vote for that. Here the media exaggerates, as if we’d promised to build a

new SkyTrain out to Chilliwack and up to Squamish tomorrow. We have simply

promised to study the feasibility of a number of rapid transit alternatives,

and I will advocate for that to start right away.

We’re going to introduce ride-sharing. We already promised

that.

We’ll accelerate the timetable of the Pattullo Bridge replacement.

That’s something that thousands of commuters will support. This is not

ideological; this is affordable.

The removal of tolls on the Port Mann Bridge is a big promise, but

this is clearly what the voters of Surrey were concerned about, and we heard

that message. Removal of tolls is essentially the paydown of debt on a

provincial asset. Again, it’s not a question of ideology but of

affordability.

I want to point to the wording of the throne speech which promises to

eliminate those tolls as quickly as possible. As a small-c conservative, I

think the balancing of the budget and the promise to balance the budget

needs to take priority over other promises should they conflict.

Another promise. We’re going to fully fund adult basic education and

ESL programs. That promise was lifted directly out of the NDP platform, but

I don’t have a problem with that, because you can make a good argument that

you can integrate new Canadians more quickly into our economy by helping

them more rapidly acquire language and other skills.

It’s just a shame that through this attempt to gain consensus in the

House, we did not gain the support of the other parties.

Regarding housing affordability, we would proceed in a vastly

different way than the NDP. Instead of building 114,000 rental units that

the government will own and ultimately pay for at a handsome price, we’re

going to work with the private sector to build 50,000 more units of new

housing across the province over ten years that will go into a new

rent-to-own home program. I think that’s a great idea. It’ll get 50,000 more

families into homeownership without costing government an arm and a

leg.

More money for parks and conservation officers is a welcome promise in

the throne speech. I’ve privately lobbied the government for more

conservation officers, because my constituents have lobbied me for them. We

have all sorts of problems in the Chilliwack River Valley with garbage and

noise and shooting and other things like that. We need more conservation

officers, and the government has seen that. So I’m happy to see the

government respond in this way.

When it comes to carbon taxes, I’m not a big fan, because I think

rapid technological change will cause the market to reduce carbon anyway,

without government interference. But even the annual increase in the throne

speech will be mitigated by two policies. The provincial sales tax will be

reduced dollar for dollar by the amount raised from carbon tax increases,

and it will continue to be a revenue-neutral tax.

Some energy-intensive industries will be exempted. I would point out

greenhouses, many of which are in my riding and are already getting a carbon

tax rebate. I would expect this to continue, and I would argue that other

parts of agriculture as well, more broadly, be considered an

energy-intensive industry.

After going over all the items, as a good coalition partner, I have to

take some water with my wine, and I’m okay with that. If we need to fund

more social programs more comprehensively, to a greater degree, in order to

satisfy urban voters that we have heard them, I can support that.

Interjection.

Deputy Speaker: Oak Bay–Gordon Head.

L. Throness: It all comes down, then, not to ideology, but to affordability: can we

afford these measures? Yesterday the government released a fiscal update

which shows that our economy grew at a terrific rate, of 3.7 percent in

2016, and may grow even faster this year. That’s amazing.

I would expect at a change of government that there would be a chill,

a pall cast over our economy, just like it almost did in 2013. But we had a

surplus of $2.8 billion at the end of the fiscal year alone. Our

taxpayer-supported debt fell by $1 billion. Our operating debt is set to be

gone altogether by 2020. And our debt-to-GDP ratio, our debt burden, was

15.9 percent, which is one of the lowest in Canada. By comparison, the

debt-to-GDP ratio in America is 105 percent. It’s staggering.

The throne speech commitments amount to $2.6 billion over three years,

so yes, we can absolutely afford the throne speech, with money to spare.

We’ve not changed our bottom-line principles one iota in the throne

speech.

B.C. Liberals will continue to stand on bedrock of balanced budgets,

low taxes, less red tape for business, a reducing burden of public debt, and

job creation and economic development. The Speech from the Throne threatens

none of these things. We are the only party in this House that businesses,

small and large, can trust to pull for them, that workers can trust to

support them with job creation, that needy people can trust to develop our

economy in support of the social programs they need.

[3:40 p.m.]

So I will enter the next election with my head held high. I will take

on all comers. I’ll call to account those who would stifle economic

development in this province. I will reject the negativity of the press and

other parties. I will defend the work of our Premier and Minister of Finance and their stellar economic record. I will protect

the principles of free enterprise, job creation and economic growth, and I

will support the Speech from the Throne.

S. Gibson: What a pleasure it is to rise in my place today and represent my

constituents of the beautiful Abbotsford-Mission riding. I’m going to be

speaking against the amendment. And like my colleagues here, we’re going to

be speaking in favour of the Speech from the Throne.

One of the beautiful things about my area is all of the agriculture

and the beauty of the area. Many of you have driven through, and you’ve seen

Sumas Mountain, a beautiful area, one of the last really rural areas south

of the freeway east of Vancouver. Hatzic. Deroche. Dewdney. All these

beautiful little communities. It’s a pleasure, an honour, for me to

represent them here today.

I want to thank my wife, Joy, for her support, having just completed a

four-year term here, and my two daughters, Shari-Anne and Alisa, my

son-in-law Jeremy and my three little grandsons, six, four and two years

old. They’re going to be moving very soon, finally, into their own home.

Some of you know how tough that is. They’ve been in an apartment for quite a

while. They have to go in the hallway to change their mind. So now, they’re

moving into a home. It’s a good thing to report on that.

I also want to acknowledge all the folks that allowed me to come here

and represent them. I had a wonderful team. Brian Gaudet was my campaign

manager. Colin Reimer. Don Stahl. Abe Neufeld. Rick Zacharias. Dave Naples.

So many people knocking on doors for me, building signs. What a privilege

and honour it was to have these folks behind me. I just count it a privilege

to be able to represent them as well here.

In my office, I have CAs Jean Hooge and Joyce Hill. They do amazing

work representing me when all the constituents come by with their issues.

All of you, on both sides of the House, know how important your CAs are.

They do a great job. I often hear them working with constituents on files,

and it’s outstanding.

I’ve had the privilege of teaching at two universities over many

years. And as some of you know, I served on Abbotsford council and a

precursor council, Matsqui council — some of you might remember Matsqui —

for over three decades. One of the things you notice…. Many of us come out

of a local government background. We notice a difference, really, between

local government and provincial. They both have their strengths and

weaknesses. I’ve found it to be a real pleasure to take that local

government paradigm and apply it here whenever possible.

I want to note, too, that I used to be the owner of a small business,

a plastic fabricating company. We had 13 employees. I often think that it’s

a real asset for an MLA to have to meet a payroll. You really get to

understand some of the challenges that face small business today.

We know, those of us that now get paid regularly as MLAs and those

people that work in government or for a business, that that paycheque is

pretty regular. But when you have a small business, you make your own

paycheque. There have been times…. I look back on the small business that I

had the privilege of owning with a partner and some of the challenges we had

meeting all our responsibilities — payroll and taxes and that — but it was a

good experience. I’m thankful for that.

I want to acknowledge somebody that was special to me. He passed away

just recently. Everybody here will probably know the name George Ferguson.

George Ferguson was a long-standing mayor, probably one of the

longest-serving mayors in our province and our country’s history. It was a

privilege for me to serve with George on Abbotsford council. As you will

know, he just passed away here quite recently. He left behind a lot of kids

and his loving wife Ria. The reason I mention George today is because he

kind of represents what I believe we stand for on this side of the

House.

[3:45 p.m.]

George was a fierce free-enterpriser. He was loyal to the community.

He had the privilege of serving as president of the FCM and UBCM. But his

grassroots values, his agrarian values as a hard worker, are really what we

typify on this side of the House — a strong work ethic and committed to

rural values. For those of us that had the privilege of attending his

funeral, acknowledging his spiritual values at the end as well — I think we

were pretty moved by that. Some of you know that his daughter went on to

politics and served briefly as the mayor of White Rock.

Some of the programs that I appreciate…. I want to emphasize my riding

a little more. I want to acknowledge the excellent presentation by the

previous speaker here, my colleague, speaking about some of the more

panoramic issues facing our province. I’m going to stress a little more my

own riding of Abbotsford-Mission.

Some of you will know that the berry industry is very strong. Part of

the program that we’ve been announcing is a permanent Grow Local program.

All of the dairy farmers, the blueberry farmers, raspberries and

strawberries — the Grow Local program is a key component of that. I’ve

appreciated the Minister of Agriculture working on that.

Additional land set aside for agriculture — 91,000 hectares of land by

2020. We’re committed to the protection of farmland. If you go through the

Fraser Valley, you’ll see the majesty of farming — the Okanagan, Vancouver

Island, all over. Agriculture is growing, and it’s an important part of our

province. I’m very proud of that.

We have a lot of agribusinesses in my riding. Some of you city people

— when you get kind of restless with the grey pavement around and you think,

“What can I do today?” come out to my riding, and we’ll show you around.

Warkentin Organic Farm, Howie Wong, Rockweld, Lepp — these

folks are doing really well, contributing to the economy of our province in

agriculture. This Speech from the Throne enhances that and encourages

that.

We’re promoting great fresh produce and healthier children. It was

mentioned earlier that we have the healthiest people in Canada, the lowest

smoking rate. Some of the key indicators — we’re right at the top in terms

of health indicators. Be thankful. This government is committed to

continuing that. I know that both sides of the House, I’m sure, are in

favour of that.

We’re supporting our farmers. Part of the success of safeguarding B.C.

farmland is mitigating damage to the farmland. It was my privilege as the

MLA for the Abbotsford-Mission riding to announce a $10.5 million investment

in diking and drainage and pump upgrades for the Fraser Valley regional

district’s Nicomen Island dike system. This is on the north side of the

river, a few kilometres east of Mission.

It’s a big investment by our government and a real commitment to them

— $6 million of which will be used to widen dikes, increase their stability,

working very closely with the local First Nations and protecting farmland.

The balance of the funds will be put towards pump infrastructure upgrades.

In the event of a flood, we’ll have a reliable system to be able to respond

effectively.

I was also successful and very pleased to be able to announce $10

million for diking and draining on the Matsqui side. If you’ve ever seen

those pictures of the flooded river in 1948 — I think we’ve probably all

seen those pictures — those were taken in my riding. That’s the most

troubling area in many ways along the Fraser River. I was able to announce

$10 million to work with our First Nations and the city to develop more

infrastructure to protect those dikes. If we ever lost the dikes along

there, it would be a catastrophe indeed. There’s a large sewer plant, a

major road and a water distribution system.

It’s only because we have a strong economy, which is being encouraged

and nurtured on this side of the House, that we can do these incredibly

exciting initiatives. We continue to realize that there sometimes can be a

gap between the aspirations of our rural constituents and those in our urban

areas. That’s why we have a renewed plan to acknowledge that and work more

closely with urban folks to ensure that the infrastructure and the kinds of

services that they are seeking balance out with those of our rural

areas.

[3:50 p.m.]

Record investments in health care, education, infrastructure —

enhancing programs that British Columbians wish to see. Building a key

infrastructure will allow us to build out the economy yet do it in a way

that is environmentally sensitive and also does not effect the aesthetics of

our province.

There are some issues that have come forward that are, you might say,

controversial to the extent that people have been promoting them. One of the

things about our government is that we’re listeners. We’re

listeners.

I’ve heard, sometimes, the criticism…. People say: “Well, you’ve

adopted some of the ideas or themes of other parties.” Well, we’re

listening. When we were out on the hustings, we heard some concerns

expressed to us and so adjusted those. As has been noted, those have been

incorporated into the Speech from the Throne.

I would encourage colleagues across the aisle that this is your

opportunity to speak to that, and maybe even…. For those in the Green Party,

you still have the chance to turn this around. It’s not over. You can do

it.

We’ll welcome you to…. The leader of the Green Party said earlier he’d

like to see more working together. I think this is his chance. So we’re