British Columbia Hansard — 30 March 2026, p.m., Issue 143 (43rd Parliament, 2nd Session)

20260330pm-Hansard-n143

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 43rd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, March 30, 2026 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 143 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, CM, OBC Second Session, 43rd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ................................................................................................... Hon. David Eby, KC Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities .......................................................... Hon.

Brittny Anderson Minister of Agriculture and Food ..............................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Deputy Premier ............................................................................................................... Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Minister of Children and Family Development ......................................................................................................Hon.

Jodie Wickens Minister of Citizens’ Services ......................................................................................................................................Hon. Diana Gibson Minister of Education and Child Care ............................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ................................................................................ Hon.

Kelly Greene Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions .................................................................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Environment and Parks .................................................................................................... Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson Minister of Finance ......................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Brenda Bailey Minister of Forests .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Parmar Minister of Health ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Josie Osborne Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs ...........................................................................................................Hon.

Christine Boyle Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ........................................................................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Minister of Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Bowinn Ma Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth ...................................................................................................................... Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies .................................................................. Hon. Rick Glumac Minister of Labour .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals .....................................................................................................................Hon.

Jagrup Brar Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills ........................................................................................Hon. Jessie Sunner Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................ Hon. Nina Krieger Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services ........................................................................ Hon.

Terry Yung Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ...............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ............................................................................................................. Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Transportation and Transit ................................................................................................................ Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship ............................................................................................... Hon. Randene Neill Minister Without Portfolio ..............................................................................................................................................Hon.

Grace Lore LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition ......................................................................................................................................Trevor Halford Leader of the Third Party .................................................................................................................................................Jeremy Valeriote Deputy Speaker ......................................................................................................................................................................

Mable Elmore Assistant Deputy Speaker .................................................................................................................................................Lorne Doerkson Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................................................George Anderson Clerk of the Legislative Assembly....................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel ......................................................................................................................Seunghee Suzie Seo Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...............................................................................................................

Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees .............................................................................................................................................................. Jennifer Arril Committee Clerk ......................................................................................................................................................................

Karan Riarh Committee Clerk .........................................................................................................................................................................Darryl Hol Senior Legal Counsel .................................................................................................................................................................Hayley Hill Sergeant-at-Arms ..................................................................................................................................................................

Ray Robitaille Director of Hansard Services .......................................................................................................................................D’ Arcy McPherson Legislative Librarian ...............................................................................................................................................................Peter Gourlay

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS BY PARTY BC NDP Anderson, Hon. Brittny ........................................... Kootenay Central Anderson, George ................................................ Nanaimo-Lantzville Arora, Rohini ....................................................................Burnaby East Bailey, Hon. Brenda ................................Vancouver–South Granville Beare, Hon.

Lisa .......................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry .................................................................Surrey-Guildford Blatherwick, Jennifer ....................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Boyle, Hon. Christine .............................Vancouver–Little Mountain Brar, Hon. Jagrup ......................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Chandra Herbert, Hon. Spencer ..................... Vancouver–West End Chant, Susie .............................................

North Vancouver–Seymour Choi, Paul ..................................................Burnaby South–Metrotown Chouhan, Hon. Raj ................................. Burnaby–New Westminster Chow, George ....................................................Vancouver-Fraserview Davidson, Hon. Tamara / Laanas ...........North Coast–Haida Gwaii Dhir, Sunita .............................................................Vancouver-Langara Dix, Hon. Adrian .................................................. Vancouver-Renfrew Eby, Hon. David, KC .......................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable ................................................. Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike .................................................Port Coquitlam Gibson, Hon. Diana ........................................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Glumac, Hon. Rick ...................................... Port Moody–Burquitlam Greene, Hon. Kelly ..............................................Richmond-Steveston Higginson, Stephanie ........................................Ladysmith-Oceanside Kahlon, Hon. Ravi .............................................................. Delta North Kang, Hon.

Anne ......................................................... Burnaby Centre Krieger, Hon. Nina ...............................................Victoria–Swan Lake Lajeunesse, Dana ..............................................Juan de Fuca–Malahat Lore, Hon. Grace .................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Ma, Hon. Bowinn ................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila .........................Nanaimo–Gabriola Island Morissette, Steve ...................................................Kootenay Monashee Neill, Hon. Randene ............................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Osborne, Hon. Josie ....................................... Mid Island–Pacific Rim Parmar, Hon. Ravi ...............................................Langford-Highlands Phillip, Joan / Amshen .....................................Vancouver-Strathcona Popham, Hon. Lana ........................................................ Saanich South Rotchford, Darlene ...............................................Esquimalt-Colwood Routledge, Janet .............................................................Burnaby North Sandhu, Harwinder ......................................................

Vernon-Lumby Shah, Amna ............................................................. Surrey City Centre Sharma, Hon. Niki, KC ....................................... Vancouver-Hastings Sunner, Hon. Jessie ....................................................... Surrey-Newton Toporowski, Debra / Qwulti’stunaat .......................Cowichan Valley Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer ...................New Westminster–Coquitlam Wickens, Hon. Jodie ............................. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Yung, Hon.

Terry .................................................Vancouver-Yaletown CONSERV ATIVE PARTY OF BC Banman, Bruce .......................................................... Abbotsford South Bhangu, Harman .................................................. Langley-Abbotsford Bird, Rosalyn ............................................. Prince George–Valemount Block, Lynne ..............................................West Vancouver–Capilano Chapman, Brent .................................................................Surrey South Clare, Sheldon ....................................

Prince George–North Cariboo Davis, Pete ..................................................................Kootenay Rockies Day, Brennan ........................................................... Courtenay-Comox Dew, Gavin ..................................................................Kelowna-Mission Dhaliwal, Mandeep .......................................................... Surrey North Doerkson, Lorne .....................................................

Cariboo-Chilcotin Gasper, Reann .......................................................Abbotsford-Mission Giddens, Kiel ..............................................Prince George–Mackenzie Halford, Trevor ......................................................Surrey–White Rock Hartwell, Sharon ..............................................Bulkley Valley–Stikine Hepner, Linda ................................................Surrey–Serpentine River Kindy, Anna ........................................................................North Island Kooner, Steve ............................................Richmond-Queensborough Loewen, Kristina ..........................................................

Kelowna Centre Luck, Tony ..........................................................................Fraser-Nicola Maahs, Heather ......................................................... Chilliwack North McCall, Macklin .........................................West Kelowna–Peachland McInnis, Scott ......................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke Milobar, Peter ............................................................

Kamloops Centre Mok, Lawrence ...........................................................Maple Ridge East Neufeld, Korky ............................................................Abbotsford West Neufeld, Larry ...........................................................Peace River South Paton, Ian ..............................................................................Delta South Rattée, Claire .................................................................................Skeena Rustad, John ...................................................................Nechako Lakes Stamer, Ward .........................................Kamloops–North Thompson Tepper, Br yan ............................................................

Surrey-Panorama Toor, Jody ............................................................Langley-Willowbrook Van Popta, Misty..............................................Langley–Walnut Grove Warbus, Á’a:líya ..............................................Chilliwack–Cultus Lake Wat, Teresa .........................................................Richmond-Bridgeport Williams, David ...............................................Salmon Arm–Shuswap Wilson, Donegal ............................................Boundary-Similkameen BC GREEN PARTY Botterell, Rob .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Valeriote, Jeremy .....................................

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky INDEPENDENT Armstrong, Tara .....................Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream Boultbee, Amelia .............................................Penticton-Summerland Brodie, Dallas .................................................... Vancouver-Quilchena Chan, Hon ..................................................................Richmond Centre Kealy, Jordan ............................................................. Peace River North Sturko, Elenore .........................................................

Surrey-Cloverdale PARTY STANDINGS Total seats – 93 BC NDP – 47 | Conservative Party of BC – 38 | BC Green Party – 2 | Independent – 6

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF RIDINGS A Abbotsford-Mission ........................................................Reann Gasper Abbotsford South ........................................................... Bruce Banman Abbotsford West .............................................................Korky Neufeld B Boundary-Similkameen .............................................Donegal Wilson Bulkley Valley–Stikine ............................................... Sharon Hartwell Burnaby Centre ...........................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Burnaby East ......................................................................Rohini Arora Burnaby–New Westminster .................................. Hon. Raj Chouhan Burnaby North ..............................................................Janet Routledge Burnaby South–Metrotown .................................................. Paul Choi C Cariboo-Chilcotin .......................................................Lorne Doerkson Chilliwack–Cultus Lake .............................................. Á’a:líya Warbus Chilliwack North ..........................................................

Heather Maahs Columbia River–Revelstoke ...........................................Scott McInnis Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .............................. Hon. Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville .................................... Jennifer Blatherwick Courtenay-Comox ............................................................ Brennan Day Cowichan Valley ....................... Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat D Delta North ................................................................Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Delta South ...............................................................................Ian Paton E Esquimalt-Colwood ................................................Darlene Rotchford F Fraser-Nicola .......................................................................... Tony Luck J Juan de Fuca–Malahat ...............................................Dana Lajeunesse K Kamloops Centre ............................................................. Peter Milobar Kamloops–North Thompson .........................................

Ward Stamer Kelowna Centre ........................................................... Kristina Loewen Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream ......................Tara Armstrong Kelowna-Mission ..................................................................Gavin Dew Kootenay Central ............................................ Hon. Brittny Anderson Kootenay Monashee ....................................................Steve Morissette Kootenay Rockies................................................................... Pete Davis L Ladysmith-Oceanside ........................................

Stephanie Higginson Langford-Highlands ................................................ Hon. Ravi Parmar Langley-Abbotsford ....................................................Harman Bhangu Langley–Walnut Grove ..............................................Misty Van Popta Langley-Willowbrook ............................................................ Jody Toor M Maple Ridge East ............................................................Lawrence Mok Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim ........................................ Hon.

Josie Osborne N Nanaimo–Gabriola Island ..........................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo-Lantzville ................................................. George Anderson Nechako Lakes ....................................................................John Rustad New Westminster–Coquitlam .................... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside North Coast–Haida Gwaii ............Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson North Island ........................................................................Anna Kindy North Vancouver–Lonsdale .....................................Hon.

Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour ...............................................Susie Chant O Oak Bay–Gordon Head ......................................... Hon. Diana Gibson P Peace River North ..............................................................Jordan Kealy Peace River South ............................................................Larry Neufeld Penticton-Summerland .............................................. Amelia Boultbee Port Coquitlam ................................................. Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Burquitlam ........................................Hon.

Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast ............................. Hon. Randene Neill Prince George–Mackenzie ...............................................Kiel Giddens Prince George–North Cariboo ......................................Sheldon Clare Prince George–Valemount ...............................................Rosalyn Bird R Richmond-Bridgeport .......................................................... Teresa Wat Richmond Centre .................................................................. Hon Chan Richmond-Queensborough ............................................

Steve Kooner Richmond-Steveston ...............................................Hon. Kelly Greene S Saanich North and the Islands ....................................... Rob Botterell Saanich South ......................................................... Hon.

Lana Popham Salmon Arm–Shuswap ................................................David Williams Skeena ..................................................................................Claire Rattée Surrey City Centre ...............................................................Amna Shah Surrey-Cloverdale .......................................................... Elenore Sturko Surrey-Fleetwood ....................................................... Hon. Jagrup Brar Surrey-Guildford .................................................................

Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ........................................................ Hon. Jessie Sunner Surrey North ............................................................Mandeep Dhaliwal Surrey-Panorama ..............................................................Br yan Tepper Surrey–Serpentine River ................................................

Linda Hepner Surrey South ..................................................................Brent Chapman Surrey–White Rock .......................................................Trevor Halford V Vancouver-Fraserview .....................................................George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ........................................ Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Vancouver-Kensington ...................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Langara .............................................................Sunita Dhir Vancouver–Little Mountain ............................. Hon.

Christine Boyle Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................Hon. David Eby, KC Vancouver-Quilchena ......................................................Dallas Brodie Vancouver-Renfrew ................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver–South Granville ................................ Hon. Brenda Bailey Vancouver-Strathcona ..................................... Amshen / Joan Phillip Vancouver–West End .......................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Vancouver-Yaletown ..................................................Hon.

Terry Yung Vernon-Lumby ....................................................... Harwinder Sandhu Victoria–Beacon Hill ................................................. Hon. Grace Lore Victoria–Swan Lake ................................................Hon. Nina Krieger W West Kelowna–Peachland ..........................................Macklin McCall West Vancouver–Capilano ................................................Lynne Block West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ...................................... Jeremy Valeriote

CONTENTS Monday, March 30, 2026 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Tributes ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5941 Howard E. Grant Hon.

David Eby Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 5941 Statements ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5941 Ina Forrest Achievements in 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Harwinder Sandhu Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 5941 Tributes ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5943 Christine Buemann Kiel Giddens Introduction and First Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................ 5943 Bill 14 — Forests Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 Hon.

Ravi Parmar Bill M239 — Aboriginal Title Transparency Act Scott McInnis Members’ Statements ...................................................................................................................................................... 5944 Wildfire Impacts and Preparedness Harwinder Sandhu Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services Lawrence Mok Budget Consultation Process Steve Morissette Forest Industry and Support for Value-Added Manufacturing Sheldon Clare Diversification of Trade and Investment Susie Chant Equine Culture in Langley and Development of Rural Land Misty Van Popta Oral Questions ................................................................................................................................................................. 5946 Proposed Changes to DRIPA and Government Priorities Trevor Halford Hon.

David Eby Proposed Changes to DRIPA and Role of Non-Disclosure Agreements Scott McInnis Hon. David Eby Regulation of Artificial Intelligence and Conflict-of-Interest Concerns Jeremy Valeriote Hon. Rick Glumac Hon. Niki Sharma Budget Priorities and Credit Rating Harman Bhangu Hon. Brenda Bailey Kiel Giddens

Oral Questions (continued) Credit Rating and Economic Impacts of Budget Kiel Giddens Hon. Ravi Kahlon Jobs and Unemployment Teresa Wat Hon. Ravi Kahlon Drug Decriminalization Program Claire Rattée Hon. Josie Osborne Provincial Sales Tax and Support for Small Business Gavin Dew Hon.

David Eby Tabling Documents ......................................................................................................................................................... 5953 Office of the Auditor General, independent report, Provincial Support for the Village of Lytton’s Wildfire Recovery, March 2026 Petitions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5953 Gavin Dew Reports from Committees .............................................................................................................................................. 5954 Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills Committee, Bill M214, Firefighters’ Health Act Amna Shah Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice ................................................................................................................................................. 5954 Deferral of Divisions Hon.

Mike Farnworth Question of Privilege (Reservation of Right) ............................................................................................................... 5954 Trevor Halford Second Reading of Bills .................................................................................................................................................. 5954 Bill 12 — Safe Access to Schools Amendment Act, 2026 Hon. Niki Sharma Steve Kooner Hon. Brenda Bailey Jeremy Valeriote Bryan Tepper Garry Begg Korky Neufeld George Anderson Lynne Block Darlene Rotchford Macklin McCall Hon.

Laanas / Tamara Davidson Larry Neufeld Reporting of Bills ............................................................................................................................................................. 5980 Bill 6 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2026 Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ...................................................................................................................................................... 5981 Estimates: Ministry of Forests (continued) Ward Stamer Hon. Ravi Parmar Rob Botterell

Committee of Supply (continued) Estimates: Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Kristina Loewen Proceedings in the Birch Room Committee of the Whole ................................................................................................................................................ 6000 Bill 6 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2026 Macklin McCall Hon. Niki Sharma Steve Kooner

5941 MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026 The House met at 1:33 p.m. [The Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Tributes HOW ARD E. GRANT Hon. David Eby: I rise with a heavy heart to share with the House that Howard E. Grant, Knowledge Keeper and Elder of xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm First Nation, has passed away. He spent 37 years on xʷməθkʷəy ̓ əm council and 26 years as executive director of the First Nations Summit society.

He worked for the federal government in senior bureaucracy for ten years, which assisted him — knowing both the federal, provincial and Indigenous governments — in setting up some crucial institutions that we rely on to - day: the First Nations Health Authority and the First Na - tions Finance Authority. He was an instrumental figure in establishing both of those, as well as the creation of the MST Development Corp., a business partnership among the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm, Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Peoples, which allowed him to make significant contributions to the Guerin and Spar - row cases as well.

You can’t talk about fostering connections between cultural groups in this province without mentioning Mr. Grant. His father was a Chinese immigrant. His mother was a xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm Matriarch. His mother was one of the last fluent speakers of hən̓ q̓ əmin̓ əm̓ , connecting her com - munity to its past and its future. It’s important to note that her marriage to his father actually lost them status and resulted in Howard growing up in Chinatown as well as in xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm and avoiding residential schools. In 2013, he travelled back to China to visit his father’s homeland.

It’s captured in a documentary film called All Our Father’s Relations, a remarkable story about his family but really about British Columbia. I encourage all mem - bers to see it. We pass on our condolences on behalf of the govern - ment caucus and, I’m sure, the whole House to his family, including Member of Parliament Wade Grant, for their loss and for, in fact, our entire province and country’s loss with the passing of Mr. Grant. The Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Premier.

That was a fitting tribute to a very extraordinary person and a dear friend. [1:35 p.m.] Many of you may know that when I started my recon - ciliation project in the Parliament a few years ago, he was the first one of the four advisers who accepted my request to be on my council. He was an extraordinary person, go - ing out of his way, always willing to help others. So I, on behalf of all of us, am joining the Premier to send our condolences to the family. He will be missed. Introductions by Members Br yan Tepper: I would like to welcome Raman Bains, if he could stand up for us.

Raman is a Punjabi-language Canadian singer, born and raised in Surrey, B.C., a city known for its grit and also the beauty that comes from it. Having been born into a community where vulnerability isn’t always easy to ex - press, Raman leans into it. Raman graduated with a de - gree in political science from Simon Fraser University and was accepted into law school before he decided to pursue his career in music. Raman has collaborated with both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Vancouver Canucks, performing at the iconic B.C. Place and Rogers Arena. His latest project and debut album, A Desi Love Story , is out.

Raman recently completed his U.K. tour and performed the album for the first time locally at the SoMa festival in Vancouver. Please welcome Raman Bains. Statements INA FORREST ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2026 WINTER PARALYMPIC GAMES Harwinder S andhu: Today I am pleased to rise to recognize an extraordinary athlete from our commun - ity, Ina Forrest, fresh off the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. Spallumcheen’s Ina Forrest and her team made history as the first wheelchair curling team to go undefeated on their way to a gold medal. This marks her fifth Paralympic medal, having competed in every games since 2010.

What an incredible record of three gold and two bronze medals. Ina is now the most decorated wheelchair curler in his - tory, and we are incredibly proud to call her a member of the Vernon Curling Club and our community. She will be celebrating at the home club this evening. While I can’t join you in person, Ina and team, I am here with you in spirit. Please join me in congratulating Ina Forrest and her entire team for their remarkable achievement.

Introductions by Members Linda He pner: I would like the House to please wel - come the Canadian Mortgage Brokers of British Colum - bia, who are here today representing mortgage brokers

5942 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 from across this province, professionals working every single day to help people find their homes. They’re here to talk to us and to share with us their per- spective and their experiences on the ground relative to housing, accessibility and affordable markets that they’re trying to navigate and, we know, everyone trying to find a home in our beautiful province. Thank you for being here today. May the House welcome them.

George Anderson: I’d like to recognize the outstand - ing achievement of the Dover Bay Dolphins basketball team from Nanaimo, who brought home silver at the 2026 B.C. 4A provincial championships. As the tournament’s top seed, they showed tremendous heart, discipline and skill. Joe Linder and Dane Schmidt were named first team all-stars, and players like Landen Ross helped lead this re - markable run. I also want to recognize Head Coach Dar - ren Seaman for his leadership. To the players, coaches, families and the entire Dover Bay School community: Nanaimo is proud of you. Hon.

Jagrup Brar: I would like to welcome and intro - duce my constituents from the organization of Hindu Mahila Society. This organization focuses on community services, charity projects and organizing cultural events. I want to say that our province is a better place because of the on - going and exceptional work they do for the community. [1:40 p.m.] With us today in the House are Remya R. Nair, presi - dent; Rejimon Palayathu, vice-president; Raju Menon; Dr. Aladi Sukumar; Suraj Rajan. I will ask the House to please make them feel welcome.

Kristina Loewen: Today I want to introduce somebody that I don’t need any notes for. I know this person quite well. In fact, I met him about 30 years ago when he was just a young 20-something and he was sporting a full beard. I can assure you that he looked older then than he does now — my husband, Andrew Loewen. Together we’ve been married almost 30 years, and we raised four kids together. I am excited to say that he ac - companied me to Victoria without any of those children this weekend, and we had a good time together. Hon.

Christine Boyle: I would like to join my col - league across the aisle in welcoming the Canadian Mort - gage Brokers Association of B.C. I am looking forward to a conversation with them later this afternoon and grateful for the work that they do. I also ask the House to join me in welcoming Jasmine Toor from the Mortgage Professionals of Canada. Again, I’m grateful for good colleagues and good opportunities to learn and work together. Thank you, Jasmine. Welcome. Bryan Tepper: Just three quick introductions. We have Govind Malhi here.

He’s a wonderful photog - rapher, and he’s documenting Raman’s visit with us today. I’d also like to welcome for the first time Carlie Froats, my CA from back in Surrey-Panorama, just getting started with me. Then welcome back Gurjot Cheema, my riding presi - dent. Thank you, all. Hon. Grace Lore: I have several introductions to make today, so I thank you in advance for patience. First, I am really thrilled to welcome Vancouver Island Senior Ladies, who are a group of women up and down the Island, aimed at making connections, new friends, and being engaged in community. I love the idea.

I loved even more the chance to talk to some of them today in the Hall of Honour. I learnt a few things. I’ve got a few ideas and really appreciate the chance to connect. I’d like to give a warm welcome to Ruth, Sandy, Cindy, Caroline, Rhondda, Linda, Diane and Wendy. Second, I’d like to welcome Dr. Katharine Low. Dr. Low is a recent immigrant to Victoria and comes to us from London via South Africa and Switzerland. She’s a re- spected academic engaged in feminist-led research using arts and theatre to support doctors in their training. She’s at the faculty of medicine at King’s College.

Her work is creative and transformative. There are many things that could have brought us together. Reading her bio to you, there’s many opportun - ities for overlap. But what brought us together was being the mom of boys who love tackle football, and here we are. Last but certainly not least, my mom is here today. My love of politics and community comes in part from fol - lowing my mom around when she worked as a producer at Global Calgary. I have early memories of election night and party convention coverage. My mom is joined by her lifelong friend and auntie to me, Janie Dale.

I’m grateful to have her here filling my bucket as well. Will the House please help me make all of these incred - ible women welcome today? Amna Shah: I am so pleased to see that in the gallery we are joined here today by Amar Randhawa, Gurmukh Aujla, Roman Singh and Keerit Jutla. They are here from the Vaapsi Seva Society, specifically the Vaapsi sober living program, which is a community-led, culturally- grounded initiative that tackles addiction and the complex factors that sustain addiction. [1:45 p.m.]

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5943 Now, vaapsi means “return,” and this program is spe - cifically designed to support South Asian men in their journey of return to health, to stability and to purpose. It combines an evidence-based model with wise principles from Sikhi, namely seva, simran and sangat. This reflects a model that is not only effective but also deeply human. Will the House join me in welcoming these amazing men who do this noble work in our communities.

Gavin Dew: I join the member opposite for Surrey City Centre in welcoming my friends from the Vaapsi Recov - ery Home, especially my old friend Amar Randhawa, my friend Keerit Jutla, as well as Gurmukh Aujla and Roman Singh. Thank you very much for being here today. Thank you very much for the work that you are doing to advance B.C.’s first culturally responsive sober living home for Punjabi men. This is obviously very important work. I think that, across this House, we share a belief that recovery is possible and that your work is very important. Thank you. Hon.

Ravi Parmar: This week is a very important week for an outstanding organization that my ministry gets a chance to be able to work with. That is the Forest Enhance- ment Society of British Columbia. We’re joined by the executive director, Jason Fisher, for- mer ADM in government, who I first got the chance to get to know when I first started in government, who now sits as the treasurer; Trish Dohan; as well as their past chair and board director, Dave Peterson.

If you haven’t heard of the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C., this is an organization that has been performing and delivering for British Columbians in forest health, in helping our pulp sector and in wildfire risk mitigation over the course of the last ten years. Over that ten-year span, 426 projects have been invested in around British Columbia.

Over 62 million trees have been planted through FESBC funding, and more than the equivalent of 225,000 seven- axle logging truckloads worth of fibre have been moved away from our bush, that otherwise would have been in slash pile burns, to local mills to be able to create jobs and opportunity. On behalf of all of us, I want to thank Jason and his team for their outstanding work. Please join me in making them feel very welcome here today.

Tributes CHRISTINE BUEMANN Kiel Giddens: With the mortgage brokers in attend - ance, I wanted to pass on sincere condolences to a member who was with the delegation last year, who was not with us this year. Christine Buemann from Prince George recently passed away, on February 1, of breast cancer. She was a friend to many mortgage brokers across the province and many, many people in Prince George. Hun - dreds of people attended her celebration of life recently, and we honour her today. Thank you, and our condolences from the House to all those who knew her.

Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 14 — FORESTS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2026 Hon. Ravi Parmar presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor: a bill intituled Forest Statutes Amendment Act. Hon. Ravi Parmar: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now. I’m honoured to bring forward amendments to the Forest Act and Forest and Range Practices Act. When we talk about the path forward for forestry, we must focus on what forestry means for the people of British Columbia. The changes we’re introducing today matter.

They mat- ter to the workers in the bush, to those on the mill line, to forest-dependent communities and to the families who rely on forestry paycheques to put food on the table. Today in British Columbia, we live with a growing wildfire threat, a changing global market, American dut - ies and tariffs, low lumber prices and the end of the pine beetle harvest. These are significant obstacles for a his - toric sector. To meet this moment, we need to transform B.C. Tim - ber Sales into a partner of choice — modern, adaptable and able to respond to the various needs on the land base.

The amendments we’re bringing forward to the Forest Act are related to the B.C. Timber Sales account, which governs how funds may be used by B.C. Timber Sales. In addition to the amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act, there are three things that will drive these changes. First, we are going to create more opportunities to ac - cess fibre by allowing contract logging, commercial thin - ning and wildfire risk reduction within B.C. Timber Sales tenures.

Second, our amendments will fast-track the salvage of damaged trees, making it easier for the forest sector to quickly access timber damaged by wildfire and other nat - ural disturbances, getting more logs into local pulp mills. [1:50 p.m.] Finally, we’re empowering B.C. Timber Sales for long- term, full-rotation forest stewardship, managing timber

5944 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 sale licences through their rotation from initial harvest, to replanting, to future harvest. Together these amendments will contribute to a more dependable and predictable working forest that supports getting the right log to the right mill and that supports good jobs, investment decisions and economic stability throughout the forest sector in British Columbia. The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon.

Ravi Parmar: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Motion approved. BILL M239 — ABORIGINAL TITLE TRANSPARENCY ACT Scott M cInnis: I move that a bill entitled the Aborig - inal Title Transparency Act, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read for a first time now. At a time when transparency in British Columbia is not just lacking but increasingly absent, this legislation is not optional. It is essential.

British Columbians are asking a very simple question: “What is happening on the ground?” Right now they are not getting answers. This government wants to go to the wall for private property owners. Well, here’s a first step in the right direc- tion on behalf of the official opposition. Across this prov - ince, negotiations and legal proceedings related to Aborig - inal title are unfolding quietly, often behind closed doors, while the people most directly affected are left in the dark — landowners, families, communities, businesses. They are not asking to be obstructive. They are asking to be informed.

This bill certainly changes that. It ensures that when government enters into negotiations or is involved in pro - ceedings that could affect privately held land, those im - pacted will receive clear, timely notice — not after the fact, not through rumour, but directly, transparently and in plain terms. It requires that notices be filed to the land title office so there is a public record. It requires annual reporting so British Columbians can see the full scope of what is happening across this province. This is not about choosing sides; it is about restoring trust. Reconciliation cannot happen in the shadows.

It cannot succeed if people feel excluded, uncertain or blind - sided by decisions that affect their homes, their land and their future. British Columbians want to understand. They deserve to understand, and they have every right to know. This legislation brings sunlight into a process that for too long has operated without it. In doing so, it strengthens, not weakens, the path forward. The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Scott McInnis: I move that the bill be placed on the or - ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved. Members’ Statements WILDFIRE IMPACTS AND PREPAREDNESS Harwinder Sandhu: As we approach another wild - fire season in British Columbia, I rise today to encourage everyone to take steps now to be prepared. For those of us in the Interior, wildfire is not an ab - stract risk. It is something we have lived through. Com - munities across Vernon-Lumby and the Okanagan still carry the impact of past fires, including the White Rock Lake wildfire. These experiences have shaped us in how we understand risk, resilience and preparation.

In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, I see the impacts wildfires have on farmers, ranchers, our food systems, as well as on our tourism sector — many businesses and workers who depend on safe and beautiful landscapes. Preparation is not only about protecting homes. It is about protecting livelihoods and local economies. That is why I encourage everyone to take simple steps now. Have an emergency plan, prepare a grab-and-go kit and understand evacuation alerts as well as reduce fire risk around your home. Important proactive work is also happening on the ground.

I am immensely grateful to the Ministry of For - ests for investing $15 million in proactive wildfire mitiga - tion work, reducing fuel loads while protecting our vital watersheds on Aberdeen Plateau. [1:55 p.m.] I look forward to welcoming the Minister of Forests and the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Steward - ship to the site to show them this work firsthand.

I also extend sincere thanks to those who stand ready to respond — to our local firefighters, B.C. wildfire ser - vice and volunteer groups such as Vernon Search and Res - cue, Air Rescue One and Rider Ventures — and to our communities for coming together to cheer these heroes on. Their courage protects lives, our homes and communities. Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility. As we head into the season, I encourage everyone to take the

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5945 time now to prepare, because when it comes to wildfires, being ready makes all the difference. MAPLE RIDGE-PITT MEADOWS COMMUNITY SERVICES Lawrence Mok: I rise today to recognize the import - ant work of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Community Ser - vices, a non-profit organization that has been supporting our community for over 52 years. Last year alone, more than one in five residents in Maple Ridge and Pitt Mead - ows accessed support through community services pro - grams.

In total, the organization served more than 28,000 individuals, delivered almost 24,000 meals to seniors, and provided 3,500 visits and wellness checks to vulnerable people, a clear indication of the growing need in our com - munity and the trust people place in this organization. As a non-profit society, Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Community Services relies on government funding, com - munity donations and strong partnerships with individ - uals, families, community groups and organizations to deliver essential programs that thousands of residents de - pend on every year.

Through more than 30 vital programs such as the Neurodiversity Week in March and the happy B.C. Family Day in February, Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Commun - ity Services provides mental health counselling, youth and family supports, seniors services, legal and victim services and community rehab programs. Behind every one of these numbers is a person — a youth struggling with mental health, a senior living alone, a family facing crisis, or someone experiencing homeless - ness.

Today I’d like to ask the House to please recognize and support the vital role of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Com - munity Services, who are committed to showing up for people. BUDGET CONSULTATION PROCESS Steve Morissette: I rise today as a member of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Ser - vices to highlight the committee’s annual budget consulta- tion. I want to let British Columbians know that they can register right now to present at public hearings the com - mittee will be holding through June.

Each year during the budget consultation, the com - mittee hears from individuals, community organizations, businesses and local governments across the province. The consultation works best when people know it exists and understand how to take part, which is where you, my colleagues, come in. I encourage all members to share information about the consultation through constituency offices, social media, newsletters and community networks, so British Columbians know how and when to have their say.

This year the committee will be holding public hear - ings in Burnaby, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Dawson Creek, Kamloops, Kelowna, Mission, Nanaimo, Prince George, Smithers, Vancouver and Victoria. There is also an option to participate virtually. As an MLA from a rural riding and a former mayor of a rural village, I can speak from experience on the unique opportunity this consultation presents for rural areas. It’s a great opportunity for those who live outside of major cities to participate in the proceedings of the Legislature. The deadline to register for public hearings is April 10.

I encourage all of you to share the details of this con - sultation with your constituents. For those who are un - able to participate in a public hearing, the opportunity to participate by submitting written recommendations will also be available in June.

I appreciate your support in help- ing ensure this consultation reflects the voices from every part of the province. [2:00 p.m.] FOREST INDUSTRY AND SUPPORT FOR V ALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING Sheldon Clare: I rise today to speak to the critical im - portance of value-added manufacturing within British Columbia’s forestry sector, an opportunity that allows us to maximize the full economic benefits of this founda - tional industry.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege of touring, along with the member for Cariboo- Chilcotin, two exceptional operations in the riding of Prince George–North Cariboo. These are Dürfeld Log and Timber, led by Ric Dürfeld; and OT Timber Frames, founded by Oliver Tritten, with operations manager Juer - gen Poepsel. What I saw was nothing short of inspiring. These are world-class manufacturers transforming B.C. timber into high-value, precision-crafted products that are recog - nized across our province, throughout North America and around the world.

Dürfeld Log and Timber, based out of Wildwood, north of Williams Lake, for example, has contributed to remarkable projects such as the beautiful upgrades to the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds and the spectacular Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre. Their craftsman - ship showcases what is possible when innovation meets tradition in the use of wood. Similarly, OT Timber Frames is demonstrating the future of our forest economy.

Based in Miocene, east of Williams Lake, they are preparing for a significant ex - pansion this year, one that will increase manufacturing capacity and create good-paying, skilled local jobs for the region. This is exactly the kind of growth we should be championing. Value-added manufacturing keeps more of the eco -

5946 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 nomic benefit here at home. It supports rural commun - ities and ensures that British Columbia remains a global leader not just in resource extraction but in advanced wood products and design. As we consider the future of forestry in this province, let us recognize and support companies like Dürfeld Log and Timber and OT Timber Frames. They are proving that with the right vision, support and sufficient fibre supply, our B.C. wood can continue to build communities, drive innovation and create lasting prosperity.

DIVERSIFICATION OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT Susie Chant: Thank you for the opportunity to address this House regarding one of British Columbia’s key strat - egies in response to the ongoing economic turmoil. I’m going to begin, of course, by acknowledging that I am speaking on the traditional territories of the Coast Sal - ish Peoples — in Victoria, the Songhees and xʷsepsəm, in North Vancouver–Seymour, the səlilwətaɬ and Sḵwx̱ wú7- mesh Nations. I remain grateful for the teachings shared over the years and committed to continuing my journey of truth and reconciliation.

Over the past year, we have advanced the StrongerBC action plan with determination, reaching out across Can - ada and around the world to strengthen trade and invest - ment ties as we defend workers and businesses against un - justified tariffs. Interprovincial negotiations continue to open new markets within our great country, while inter - national missions to Europe and Asia are deepening eco - nomic relationships.

Here at home, in my role as parliamentary secretary re - sponsible for the Consular Corps, I’ve had the privilege of chairing three significant meetings with representatives from the European Union and the United Kingdom, the ASEAN member states and, most recently, Mexico and Mercosur nations from South America. Our Premier, along with the Minister of Finance, Min - ister of Jobs and Economic Growth and the Parliament - ary Secretary for Trade, have played central roles in these comprehensive discussions. Across all of these engage - ments, a consistent theme of collaboration and mutual support has emerged.

While sharing our ideas and ideals, we identified new opportunities for trade and investment. British Columbia has long benefited from solid ties across Canada and around the world. Today, as we strengthen and diversify those partnerships, our prov - ince is better positioned to thrive in a changing global landscape. EQUINE CULTURE IN LANGLEY AND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL LAND Misty Van Popta: Langley is the horse capital of B.C. but could soon be facing an identity crisis if support to the equine industry further erodes.

Like many young girls, I dreamt of owning my own pony, and for a brief time, when I was ten, I had one gifted to me. Her name, like mine, was Misty, and the two Mistys spent the summers of the 1980s riding local rural roads and the great trails of Campbell Valley Park. Fast-forward 40 years, and Langley is one of the prov - ince’s fastest-growing municipalities. Where I once rode bareback down 16th Avenue is now an unofficial high - way, and where there were once small farmsteads, now subdivisions. [2:05 p.m.] Don’t get me wrong, I’m a pragmatist that knows that change is a part of life.

But how we manage the pressures of densification and the protection of farmland is at the centre of saving the culture of Langley. Recent changes have created a scenario where it’s more equitable to con - vert small farmsteads into multi-million-dollar parcels instead of providing support to local governments and de - velopers to focus on urbanized locations. When times are tough for families to find fun and af - fordable things to do, low-barrier tickets to a day of rodeo fun are a breath of fresh air, and the Valley West Stam - pede has proven to be the organization to fill that gap in my community.

With Thunderbird Show Park’s place on the world stage as a first-rate facility, it has been a collect - ive sigh of relief in its recent acquisition by the Matheson family, which has ensured that it remains in local hands. Thank you for solidifying the future of equine culture of Langley. I know you have big plans for the facility. We must support and balance today’s pressures with our culture.

We can build homes and still protect the agricultural roots that define our communities, but that requires an understanding of rural life, the value of lo - cal decision-making and a government that sees agricul - ture not as an inconvenience but as a cornerstone of B.C.’s identity. If we don’t stand up now, we may see our cow - boys and cowgirls riding off into the sunset. Oral Questions PROPOSED CHANGES TO DRIPA AND GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES Trevor Halford: Another day, another example of how this government is allergic to transparency.

We have been promised by this Premier, by this government, for months that they would deal in this House regarding DRIPA, that this Premier would make it a priority and that he would table amendments that would give British Columbians the certainty they deserve when it comes to some of the chal - lenges we are seeing in our province today. What do we get from the Premier today? Absolutely nothing. In fact, we are actually seeing some of the lan - guage regarding these changes, these amendments, in

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5947 the media that are now leaking out. Imagine that. Legis - lators in this room right here are actually seeing legisla - tion before, not under NDAs, which a bunch of people are already under doing…. But we’re actually learning about them from the media. This has completely been bundled from the Premier from day one. My question to him today. Where are the amendments? What’s his plan? How is he going to deal with it? How is he going to fix this mess that he created? Hon. David Eby: Thank you to the member for the ques- tion.

The member will recall that the need to amend DRIPA comes from a Court of Appeal decision that was relatively recent. We’re working under compressed timelines. Any time we have legislation that directly impacts and involves Indigenous People, we have an obligation, a com - mitment we’ve made to Indigenous People, to sit down with them and engage with them on that legislation. It’s exactly what we’re doing on the Declaration Act. These are cabinet-level documents that were disclosed only to people who had signed non-disclosure agreements.

This is something the previous government did when they were on this side of the House with First Nations. It’s something that we’re doing as well. These amendments will be introduced in this House. There will be time for debate. British Columbians will see them. The opposition will raise the questions that they wish to raise about them. The first step in drafting them…. Our efforts have been to engage with Chiefs across the province who are willing and interested in engaging with us in this conversation. It has been a challenging conversation.

It is not where any of us hoped to be when that legislation was passed unani - mously in this House, and we have to address this issue. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Trevor Halford: Here’s part of the problem. We have a Premier that will walk into one room and say one thing, and he’ll walk into another and say the other. He’ll say today: “There’s no issue with property rights. They’re never at stake. There’s nothing to worry about there.” Then he’ll go at the beginning of this calendar year, and he’ll say: “I am going to go to the wall to defend your property rights.” That’s the language of the Premier.

He’ll also say: “I’m going to go as far as I will actually backstop mortgages. That’s what the Premier of this prov- ince is prepared to do for you.” Then he’ll say: “There’s no issue. Property rights are never…. There’s no issue with property rights. I don’t know what the opposition is talk - ing about, Mr. Speaker.” We’ve got a leader of this province, an architect of this legislation, and he has clearly got no plan, and he is clearly not liking the reaction that stakeholders are giving him. [2:10 p.m.] Now, part of the problem is that once again this Pre - mier is not learning from his past failures.

He’s doing these negotiations, he’s doing this work under NDAs, behind closed doors, and he’s not liking the reaction he’s getting. Will the Premier step up, show some leadership today, table those amendments, debate them in this House and clean up the mess that he made? Hon. David Eby: I’ll remind the member that when the legislation was introduced, it was passed unanimously in the House, which included members who sit on that side right now.

There was a Court of Appeal decision that did not go the direction that we hoped it would go, that requires us to make amendments to the act to respond to it, to pre - vent significant litigation risk for the province of British Columbia. We are engaging with First Nations on that to the best of our ability in constrained timelines with respect and a spirit of true partnership, which is how this original legis - lation was drafted. We’re doing our best to do that. It is not an ideal situation, and I acknowledge that.

I acknowledge, rightly, the concerns that have been raised following this Court of Appeal decision. That’s why we’re taking this action. That’s why we’re taking the ac - tion following the Quw’utsun decision, which deals with private property in Richmond, like sitting down with the Quw’utsun, issuing a joint statement that people’s private property is not at risk.

It’s important work to do, and we will ensure that that legislation is introduced here in this House, that members have time to debate it, raise the questions that they want to raise and understand it completely before there’s a vote in this chamber on any proposed amendments. PROPOSED CHANGES TO DRIPA AND ROLE OF NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS Scott McInnis: This government is making changes to this legislation that affects property rights, resource de - velopment, mining and land use across British Columbia. But before anybody is allowed to see those changes, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Referring to these very NDAs, Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Terry Teegee said: “These were imposed on us by the provincial government. I think more involvement should have occurred to allow for more discussions.” Can this government explain to British Columbians why gag orders are an essential tool for making decisions about their land, their property and their future? Hon. D avid E by: What the member says is simply incorrect.

5948 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 We are working with First Nations on amendments to respond to a significant litigation risk to the province. Interjection. Hon. David Eby: Wow. This is the level of respect for First Nations leadership, what we hear from the opposition. We are engaging with First Nations leadership. Part of that involves engaging on cabinet-level confidence docu - ments, which requires an NDA, just like it did when the other members sat on this side of the House. We have to do this work in partnership with First Nations leadership.

We are attempting, as best as possible in a severely con - strained environment, to do that. I look forward to introducing the amendments here in this House so that members can debate them and we can move forward. But what the member suggests, that this is in relation to people’s private property or other key eco - nomic issues in the province, is simply incorrect. We’ll introduce those amendments, and we’ll have those debates. I look forward to that. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Scott McInnis: This isn’t the first time the government has operated in secret regarding land use and property rights.

The Premier attended the xʷməθkʷəy ̓ əm signing cere - mony in the front row and then told British Columbians he hadn’t been briefed. We later found out that the federal minister, in fact, did brief the Premier several weeks be - fore that. Now he’s proposing DRIPA amendments behind NDAs and cabinet confidentiality. Either this government be - lieves in transparency or governing in the dark. Can anyone on that side of the House stand up and clarify this today, please? Hon. David Eby: What the member said is simply false.

It’s very unfortunate that we stand up, despite knowing the opposite, and misrepresent, very clearly, the facts here. The appraisers of British Columbia held an event a couple of weeks ago, and one of their guest speakers ex - pressly looked at the issue of the Quw’utsun decision and the effect on property values in the Richmond East area.

Dan Jones, a Metro Vancouver–based appraiser, said: “As an appraiser, I tried to analyze if there was any difference in market values now, as there would have been before the decision came out and after. [2:15 p.m.] “Honestly, I couldn’t see any determination that there was an adjustment justified or that I could sup - port it if I was asked to do so. I really just didn’t see any engagement between market discount that would be related to the Quw’utsun decision whatsoever at this point in time.” I know these are serious issues. These are important issues.

But overstating the issues, misrepresenting the issues, is not helpful, to say the least. These are issues that any government would have to deal with, and we are. We’re doing it in a way to grow our economy, to build partnerships with First Nations and to bring certainty for business to be able to move forward. That’s why we’re able to welcome Anglo Teck, the prov- ince’s largest corporate office to ever locate in British Col - umbia’s history. That’s why we look forward to welcoming the largest private sector investment in British Columbia’s history again with LNG Canada phase 2.

It is because we are creating the environment where $4 billion in new mining investment decisions have been made in just the last four months. I look forward to the Mining Minister making even more of those announcements. REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST CONCERNS Jeremy Valeriote: We raised an issue outside this House over the break that drew a strong reaction from the gov - ernment caucus. It turns out that the Minister for AI and New Technologies has personal investments in a targeted AI and technology ETF, or exchange-traded fund.

I checked, and the Minister of Health doesn’t have a personal stake in health care companies, nor does the Min- ister of Mining have investments in mining operations. It’s a clever diversion for the NDP to focus on the $11 worth of Oracle shares buried deep in a sub-fund in my retirement savings, but I’m still not the AI Minister, and the original question remains unanswered. Interjection. Jeremy Valeriote: A conflict of interest can be reason - ably…. I feel privileged and honoured to be heckled for the first time in this House. A conflict of interest can be reasonably perceived.

AI is an unregulated sector that has the potential to have a huge impact on our society, so our government lead on AI should be able to describe a provincial workplan that has a clear-eyed view of the risks and benefits of AI, unclouded by a personal financial stake. This isn’t political point-scoring or a personal attack. It’s responsible risk management. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh.

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5949 Jeremy Valeriote: To the Minister for AI and New Technologies, will he commit… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Jeremy Valeriote: …to the divesting of his AI and tech - nology investments? Hon. Rick Glumac: This question has already been an - swered. The member knows that several months ago I went and met with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner about this ETF. I have a letter from the Conflict of Interest Com - missioner that clearly states there’s no conflict of interest. I don’t know if the member ever did that.

He was in a position of influence in an agreement with the NDP and the Greens. Did you ever go…? The Speaker: Member, through the Chair. Hon. Rick Glumac: Did the member ever go and talk to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner about their own investments, which they seem to be worried about here? It is absolutely critical that there is integrity in the deci - sions that we make and that we utilize the resources at our disposal. The Conflict of Interest Commissioner is there to give guidance, and it was received. The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Jeremy Valeriote: The commissioner also pointed out to the minister that the public may not see it the same way that the commissioner does, and he left it to the minister’s best political judgment to make that determination. This issue has also exposed a real weakness in our conflict-of-interest protections. Whether a member has $4 or $400,000 in a particular stock or fund is not currently disclosed. Just as importantly, the amount invested can change from day to day without requiring the filing of a material change. This is an accountability gap.

To fill it, we need to come to a shared understanding of how much money might rea - sonably constitute a conflict or perceived conflict, espe - cially for a minister of the government. I will note, with my $11, I am still not the minister of AI. This is only being discussed because we waded through the text disclosures.

Will the Attorney General commit to make changes so that the public can see at a glance, in an accessible for - mat, maybe like a pie chart, whether a member has $4 or $400,000 invested in a particular company or sector so they can form their own opinion of what is or may be a conflict of interest? Hon. Niki Sharma: It’s really important that every member of this House understand the important role of the conflicts commissioner. I just would like to urge everybody to do as the minister of AI did.

If you need ad - vice on whether something is a conflict or not, they are the resource for you to go to, and they will issue you letters that clarify what side of the rules you’re on, as the member did in this circumstance. It’s invaluable for this, and it helps to keep the integrity of our democracy. [2:20 p.m.] BUDGET PRIORITIES AND CREDIT RATING Harman Bhangu: Five credit downgrades under this NDP government — five. That is not a technical issue; that is a warning sign.

Every downgrade means higher borrowing costs, bil - lions more in interest — money that should be going to health care, to families and to the most vulnerable. In - stead, British Columbians are left paying more and get - ting less. My question to the Finance Minister: how can the min - ister defend a budget that is weakening our financial pos - ition and forcing future generations to carry the cost? Hon. Brenda Bailey: Thank you to the member oppos - ite for the question.

Moody’s has highlighted what we already know, that the economic circumstances because of this trade war have diminished economic growth in Canada and else - where, and it’s having an impact. Provinces across this country are posting record deficits. Alberta just doubled their deficit in their budget. We’re seeing this across this country. What we’re doing here in B.C. is two things at once. We’re protecting services that are most important to Brit - ish Columbians, and we’re working to continue to bring down our deficit. We still have the most favourable ratings of any province across Canada.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Harman Bhangu: I am not going to take financial les - sons from a minister that uses taxpayer dollars for limo rides. Budgets are supposed to be about priorities, and this NDP government has made theirs clear: rising debt, re - peated downgrades and a growing interest bill that is crowding out services British Columbians rely on. That is not unexpected. It is a direct result of their decisions and their policies. The consequences are simple — higher costs for British Columbians and fewer supports when they need them the most.

Again, why has the minister chosen a path that weakens

5950 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 British Columbians’ financial standing and leaves British Columbians paying the price for their incompetence? Hon. Brenda Bailey: Thank you to the member oppo - site for the question, but may I point out that I won’t take advice from somebody who was going to cancel the Pat - tullo Bridge replacement when it was almost finished. There’s a good decision. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Brenda Bailey: On this side of the House, we are taking measured steps. We’re doing two things at once.

We’re protecting services that are key to British Columbians… Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Brenda Bailey: …and we’re taking very import - ant steps to work on making sure we’re bringing down our deficit over time, we’re tightening the public belt, and we’re taking important measures to make sure our debt metrics remain competitive. Kiel Giddens: British Columbia has seen five credit rating downgrades in four years with no improvement in sight. This NDP government’s choices mean that billions of taxpayer dollars are going to banks instead of growing the economy and opportunities for British Columbians.

Moody’s said: “The increase in deficits and rising debt largely stems from provincial policy choices, which we view as evidence of a continued weakening in governance in fiscal and debt management from high standards.” Credit downgrades are a sign that government has lost control of spending. Based on this government’s habit of spending, can the Finance Minister commit today that British Columbia will not see any more credit downgrades, yes or no? Hon. Brenda Bailey: Our three-year plan finds $3.5 bil - lion in expenditure managements over the fiscal plan.

We reduced the size of the public sector by 15,000 jobs, and we make wise decisions in regards to spacing out capital. We know that that’s the decisions we make on this side of the House — and protecting public services. We also know the decisions you’d make on that side of the House because you told us. To quote the minister from Fraser-Nicola…. Pardon me. To quote the member for Fraser-Nicola…. Interjections. Hon. Brenda Bailey: We have to let you dream. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon.

B renda B ailey: “If education and health care are the two biggest line items on the budget, they’re the ones… Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Members. Hon. Brenda Bailey:…that are going to have to take the brunt of this somehow.” That is not the decision we’re making on this side of the House. We will continue…. Interjections. [2:25 p.m.] The Speaker: Members. Members will come to order. Hon. Brenda Bailey: On this side of the House, we’ll continue to protect health care for British Columbians. We will continue to make investments in good schools for British Columbians. Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. Brenda Bailey: People know what that side of the House would do, and that’s why we’re over here. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. CREDIT RATING AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF BUDGET Kiel Giddens: I don’t have confidence from that answer that this government is reining in spending, and neither do the credit rating agencies. All four of them actually maintained a negative outlook on this NDP government, despite what the minister just said. Credit downgrades send a glaring signal to everyone that this province is becoming the most expensive place to invest and create jobs.

We’re seeing it now. The business community has already told this government that their latest tax increases weaken business competitiveness and threaten private sector jobs. How many more small businesses will shutter and how many more jobs will be lost under this government’s watch?

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5951 Hon. Ravi Kahlon: I appreciate the question from my friend across the way. My friend will know that since 2017, B.C. has seen one of the strongest GDP growths in the entire country. We’ve seen 351,800 jobs created in British Columbia since 2017… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. Ravi Kahlon: …including 181,000 of them in the private sector. We’re going to continue to do the work we need to do to attract investment. The Premier has highlighted the in - vestment that was made by Teck just recently.

I can also share with the members that Amgen recently completed their expansion of a brand-new research lab, a $27 mil - lion investment. A Variational AI partnership with Merck, doing a generative AI drug discovery, has now increased their investment, seeing up to $485 million. Businesses continue to make investments in British Columbia. Why? Because we’re a steady jurisdiction and because we are making key investments in key sectors, training our future generation. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members. Hon.

Ravi Kahlon: I’ve never been heckled by three people who were running for a leadership race and all dropped out at the same time. That is an amazing, well- coordinated effort. We’re going to continue to do the work we need to do, investing in our people, investing in the important ser - vices that people depend on and growing our economy. JOBS AND UNEMPLOYMENT Teresa Wat: Despite the fact that the Jobs Minister is trying to paint a rosy picture of what this government has done, the fact is B.C. lost 33,000 full-time jobs in February alone. That’s over 40 percent of all monthly job losses in the whole country.

B.C. is supposed to be a leader, not in unemployment growth. The only thing this Minister of Jobs has overseen since he took over this portfolio is job losses. It seems the only job he focuses on is the one he hopes to get next. When is this government going to abandon its job- killing agenda and keep British Columbians gainfully em - ployed in B.C.? Hon. Ravi Kahlon: It took a long time to get to that. I can share with the member that B.C. continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire coun - try. I’m sure the member saw that in the numbers.

I’m sure the member also saw that we continue, still, to see some of the largest investments across the board in British Col - umbia, more per capita than every other province in this country. Not only that, but it’s well acknowledged that B.C. will be leading the country in economic growth. Interjections. [2:30 p.m.] The S peaker: Members, it’s your time. You want to waste it? Be my guest. Otherwise, the minister has the floor. Hon. Ravi Kahlon: They don’t have any questions left. I think that’s why they’re heckling so much. As I’ve highlighted, we continue to make investments in our people.

Our people are our superpower. Those in - vestments are turning around into investments in our infrastructure, whether that’s mining, whether it’s natural gas, whether that’s tech or whether that’s in life sciences. We continue to be leaders in the country. We continue to grow employment, and we’re going to continue to make those investments. Every single investment that we’ve brought forward in the budget — whether it’s a $400 mil - lion strategic investment fund or whether that’s invest - ments into skills training, doubling the trades training in this province — they have opposed.

That is the key to con - tinue to grow this economy, and we’re going to continue to do that work. The Speaker: The member has a supplemental. Teresa Wat: I’m sure the Jobs Minister is fully aware of the statistics. The facts are the facts. The government has caused a 50 percent increase in the unemployment rate in just four years. Even with the skyrocketing growth of the public sector, this government cannot manage to lower the unemploy - ment rate. Under this NDP government, the public sector has grown by 45 percent. When is this NDP government going to actually grow the economy and cut B.C.’s unemployment rate?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon: I think I misunderstood or mis - heard the member, but we have one of the lowest un - employment rates in the country. We have one of the low - est unemployment rates from major provinces. We’ve seen some of the fastest GDP growth in the entire country. We continue to see some of the highest levels of investments coming to British Columbia. I appreciate the members’ need to get up and have something to say. I appreciate that it’s question period, and they want to try…. In fact, when they see job losses — most British Columbians say we need to do better; we need to get

5952 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 more jobs — they wake up happy. You know why? It’s be - cause they get something to talk about in question period. We continue to do what we need to do. We hear from employers that they need more skills-training opportun - ities. They would hire more people if they could get them skilled up and trained. That’s why this budget doubles the skills training with large investments.

It’s one of the largest investments in human capital in the last 30 years, doubling skills training, so that when an employer says, “We want to make an investment,” we have people skilled up and ready to take those jobs. DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM Claire Rattée: Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on ideologically-driven experiments by this govern - ment when it comes to the toxic drug crisis. There was $19 million budgeted for the decriminalization pilot, to study it, and now we’re being told that there were no re - sults that were found.

I don’t understand if British Columbians should either not trust that that’s accurate or shouldn’t trust this gov - ernment to be able to manage their money. I’m hoping that one of the ministers will stand up today and tell us: is there any usable data that came out of the decriminalization pilot, yes or no? Hon.

Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question and for the continued conversation that I’ve been able to have with her in her role as a critic around what is truly one of the hardest crises this province has ever faced, around the toxic drugs and the increasing contamination of that drug supply, and our government’s efforts.

I would like to thank every member in this House, the efforts of every member in this House, to do everything that we can to separate people from that drug supply, to be able to enforce and come down on the people who peddle these drugs and to build out a continuum of care so that people get access to the help and the supports that they need. That is what this government has been focused on. That’s why we undertook the pilot project around decrim- inalization. As members in this House know, and as we’ve talked about, it didn’t result in what we had hoped for. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon.

Josie Osborne: What we know that needs to be done is to continue to increase those supports for people, ensure that they get access through Access Central, through the growing Road to Recovery that is coming out across the province. The member was just in her riding, in fact, announcing a new detox withdrawal management facility in Terrace, something desperately needed in the North.

This govern - ment is going to stay focused on those supports, on access to treatment and recovery, the work that needs to be done to save lives. [2:35 p.m.] PROVINCIAL SALES TAX AND SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS Gavin De w: It is not just credit rating agencies that have lost confidence in this government. Business confidence in B.C. is consistently among the lowest in Canada, and this government keeps making it worse. On their watch, gov - ernment jobs have seen ten times the rate of growth as the private sector jobs that pay for them.

Today I’ll be presenting a petition from more than 7,000 employers calling on this government to provide cost relief for small business. Behind every signature is a small business owner trying to keep their doors open, their staff employed, their taxes paid and food on the table for their own families. This government’s expansion of the PST has gone over like a lead balloon with the business community, espe - cially after the Premier fobbed off their concerns as anec - dotal.

A new member survey from the Canadian Federa - tion of Independent Business finds that taxes and regula - tory red tape are the single biggest input cost constraint in B.C., scoring a whopping 13 percent higher than Canada as a whole. The Speaker: Question, Member. Gavin Dew: More businesses have closed shop or left B.C. than have opened in the last five reporting quarters. How many more businesses will need to shut down be - fore the government cancels their job-killing PST expan - sion and takes their foot off the throat of small business in this province? Hon.

David Eby: There’s no question that small busi - ness is crucial to the success of our province. The interest - ing thing about small businesses is that they’re dependent on a lot of the major projects that we are bringing into this province. It matters that we’re second in Canada for economic growth. It matters that we’re working with First Nations to advance major projects involving almost $50 billion, with $40 billion worth of final investment decisions com - ing to term in the next year alone.

Small businesses provide the supplies to the mines, to the LNG projects, to other multi-billion-dollar invest - ments. That is how we have the fourth-lowest unemploy - ment rate in Canada. That’s how we have the second-high- est rate of growth, first among major provinces. That’s how we’ve created 181,200 private sector jobs since form - ing government.

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5953 That’s how we’ve expanded per-capita capital invest - ment in B.C. by 92.6 percent. It’s by supporting British Columbians, giving them training opportunities, exped - iting permitting, doing the hard work. That’s why four major private sector investments in the major projects of - fice of the government of Canada are British Columbian — four times more than any other province in Canada. Now, what does corrode confidence is instability, chaos, fights, poor relationships. Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Hon.

D avid Eby: Honestly, is the Leader of the Oppos - ition, who just had an MLA arrested — is he telling me that he would bring stability to the government? Interjection. Hon. David Eby: I’m serious. That happened. That happened. Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Members, let’s stick to the point, please. Members. Hon. David Eby: Fights with First Nations…. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Leader of the Official Opposition. Interjection. The Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition will come to order now. The Premier will conclude. Hon.

David Eby: Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Stability, avoiding extremism… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. David Eby: …asking people who don’t meet min - imum standards of ethics to resign — basic requirements of leadership and government absent from the Conserva - tive side. We bring stability. We bring investment. We bring growth, the second-highest in Canada. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members will come to order. Premier, please conclude. Hon.

David Eby: One of the leadership candidates of the Conservative Party just proposed partnering with OneBC in residential schools denial and fights with In - digenous people. If they think that’s going to grow the economy, that’s going to support small business, that’s go- ing to bring stability to the province, it’s not. Our govern - ment is proud to do this work. [End of question period.] [2:40 p.m.] Tabling Documents The Speaker: I have the honour to table the Auditor General’s report, Provincial Support for the Village of Lyt - ton’s Wildfire Recovery. Member for Kelowna-Mission. Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh. Come to order, please. Member for Kelowna-Mission. Petitions Gavin Dew: I rise to present a petition signed by 7,092 employers. This petition calls on government to provide tax and cost relief to our long-suffering small businesses. Specifically, these small businesses outline very specific items of policy they would like to see this government enact. At a time like this, I think it’s very important we hear voices from small business…. The Speaker: Thank you, Member. You don’t have to explain the petition. The Speaker: Member for…. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Member for Surrey City Centre.

5954 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 Reports from Committees PRIV ATE BILLS AND PRIV ATE MEMBERS’ BILLS COMMITTEE Amna Shah: I have the honour to present the report of the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Pri - vate Members’ Bills on Bill M214, intituled Firefighters’ Health Act. The committee reports the bill complete with amendments. Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. The committee report on Bill M214, Firefighters’ Health Act, will be considered at report stage during private mem- bers’ time. Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice DEFERRAL OF DIVISIONS Hon.

Mike Farnworth: I move: [That pursuant to Standing Order 16 (4), that this morning’s Private Members’ Time deferred division be further deferred until the start of Orders of the Day to the next sitting day and that any division in

Section B in today’s sitting be also deferred.] The Speaker: Members, there is a motion. Division has been called. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Leader of the Official Opposition. [2:45 p.m.-2:50 p.m.] Members, please take your seats so the head table can take a proper count. Members, the motion was made by the Government House Leader, and it reads “that pursuant to Standing Order 16 (4), that this morning’s Private Members’ Time deferred division be further deferred until the start of Or - ders of the Day to the next sitting day and that any div - ision in

Section B in today’s sitting be also deferred.” [2:55 p.m.] Motion approved on the following division: YEAS — 46 Lore Blatherwick Dhir Routledge Chant Toporowski B. Anderson Neill Osborne Brar Krieger Davidson Parmar Sunner Beare Greene Wickens Kang Begg Arora Higginson Sandhu Lajeunesse Choi Rotchford Elmore Popham Dix Sharma Farnworth Eby Bailey Kahlon Chandra Herbert Whiteside Boyle Ma Yung Malcolmson Gibson Glumac Shah G. Anderson Chow Morissette Valeriote NAYS — 43 Loewen Kindy Milobar Warbus Halford Rattée Wat Kooner Banman Hartwell L. Neufeld Van Popta Dew Clare K.

Neufeld Rustad Wilson McInnis Paton Day Bhangu Toor Hepner Giddens Dhaliwal McCall Maahs Block Stamer Gasper Mok Davis Chan Boultbee Sturko Armstrong Kealy Williams Chapman Bird Doerkson Luck Tepper Hon. Mike Farnworth: In this chamber, I call second reading on Bill 12, Safe Access to Schools Act. In the Douglas Fir Room,

Section A, I call Commit - tee of Supply, Ministry of Forests and then, after that, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. In

Section C, the Birch Room, I call Committee of the Whole on Bill 6, Motor Vehicle Act. Question of Privilege (Reservation of Right) Trevor Halford: I rise to reserve my right to raise a question of privilege regarding remarks that were made by the Premier earlier today. [Lorne Doerkson in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 12 — SAFE ACCESS TO SCHOOLS AMENDMENT ACT, 2026 Deputy Speaker: We will call the chamber back to order, where we are going to begin our debate on Bill 12, Safe Access to Schools Amendment Act, 2026.

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5955 I would call on the Attorney General to introduce the bill. Hon. Niki Sharma: I move that the bill now be read a second time. Over the past few years, we witnessed an escalation of disruptive protests occurring in and around our K-to-12 schools. In 2023, these demonstrations began to interfere with learning, and they created harmful and distress - ing situations for students, families and staff who simply needed to be at school. Government responded to this harm with the Safe Ac - cess to Schools Act in 2023.

Access zones were established by regulation for all K-to-12 schools at the end of the 2023- 24 school year and then re-established for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. While the number of incidents has decreased since this act was enacted, they have not yet disappeared. These be - haviours continue to surface, and they continue to pose risks. What we have seen, however, is that this legislation has a meaningful deterrent effect. At its core, this bill is about ensuring that children can learn in a safe, welcoming and accessible environment.

It is about ensuring that families and caregivers can enter school grounds without fear or intimidation. It’s about en- suring that staff who dedicate themselves every day to cre - ating inclusive, supporting classrooms can do their work without being confronted or harassed by protesters. Quite simply, no one should ever be scared to go to school. This bill continues the protections that ensure stu - dents and staff have unimpeded access to their learning environments and that their health, safety and well-being remain safeguarded.

As with any legislation that touches on rights and free - doms protected by the Charter, we have taken care to minimize the impacts, while still achieving the essential goal of protecting children and educators from harm and disruption. [3:00 p.m.] Restrictions apply only within designated access zones around K-to-12 schools, and these access zones are not es - tablished automatically. They come into effect only when established by regulation for each school year. They are limited in size, targeted in scope and in effect only when students and staff are likely to be present.

Another important safeguard is the repeal provision. Instead of making these measures permanent, we are ex - tending them for two years. This ensures that two years from now, like we are doing today, the Legislature can re - visit this issue, assess the evidence and consider whether the protections continue to be necessary. This legislation is not aimed at most people. Most Brit - ish Columbians understand the importance of education to our children, and they know that schools are not ap - propriate places for disruptive protests.

But a small group continues to engage in behaviour that interferes with the functioning of our education system and compromises the safety and well-being of young people. We cannot al - low this behaviour to continue. For these reasons, we are introducing this bill today. Steve Kooner: I rise as the Attorney General critic for the official opposition to speak to Bill 12, the Safe Access to Schools Amendment Act, 2026. We just heard the remarks of the Attorney General, and we heard that there was an original enactment, the Safe Access to Schools Act, which, I believe, was brought forward and enacted in 2024.

We’ve heard remarks from the Attorney General that there shouldn’t be impeded ac - cess to schools, and there shouldn’t be fear or safety con - cerns about having access to schools. We’ve heard that, originally, this was enacted a couple of years ago — two or three years ago. Now we’re back here in the Legislature. Fast-forward two or three years later. The government is trying to extend the time limit of this piece of legislation.

We’ve also heard from the Attorney General that de - spite the government bringing forward this legislation, the fears and the safety concerns in regard to access to schools have not ended. In essence, we’ve heard that the legisla - tion that this government introduced has not solved the issue of fear and public safety issues in regard to access to schools. That has not been addressed, and that’s why we’re here, hearing from the government that they want to ex - tend this piece of legislation. Those are my preliminary remarks. I’m going to get into my speech here.

I rise today to speak to Bill 12, the Safe Access to Schools Amendment Act, 2026. At its core, this bill is straightforward. If you look at this amendment act, it doesn’t really have too much word- ing. It just has a couple of clauses in there, and it specific - ally deals with dating issues and extending issues in re - gard to the original enactment. This piece of legislation extends the repeal date of the Safe Access to Schools Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. It gives an extension of two years, specifically. That is the entirety of the amend - ment before us today.

Let me begin by stating clearly that I support safe ac - cess to schools. We support safe access to schools. Every student in this province deserves to attend school, free from public safety issues and free from fear at being able to access their schools. Every parent deserves confidence that their child can enter school safely. Every teacher and staff member deserves a workplace free from fearful inter - ference. There should be no ambiguity on that point. [3:05 p.m.] However, there are some concerns with this legisla - tion.

Specifically, we have heard from the Attorney Gen - eral that the original public safety concerns have not been

5956 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 dealt with. With the original enactment, we are still seeing public safety incidents. On a more common basis, we see real incidents. We see issues where students have felt threatened. We’ve seen issues of lockdowns in regard to our schools. Having pub - lic safety issues around our schools is entirely unaccept - able. Schools are places of learning, not places where children have to fear in terms of attending educational institutes. The key question here, when we’re now revisiting this legislation, is: why is this happening?

We are seeing legis - lation being introduced, but we are not seeing the under - lying issue of what has been going on with our schools be - ing addressed by this government. The underlying issue is enforcement. We do see other pieces of legislation, such as the Criminal Code of Can - ada. It talks about if there’s intimidation. It talks about if there’s fearful impeding. It talks about harassment, if there’s criminal harassment. Those mechanisms, those tools, are there in that other piece of legislation, the Crim - inal Code. We’ve always had these tools of stopping fear - ful interference with access.

The problem seems to be that there’s not efficient en - forcement. That has allowed for these fearful interrup - tions, these fearful impediments to our school system, to continue. The underlying cause needs to be dealt with. We’ve heard from the Attorney General, just right now, that despite introducing this legislation two or three years ago, these incidents where children fear to access their schools are still happening. They’re still happening despite this legislation being en- acted two or three years ago.

That is really concerning, be - cause this is happening with the backdrop of public safety issues happening right across the province. Whether we’re seeing it with our school system, with religious places of worship, with retail shops or with just everyday folk try - ing to walk in their neighbourhoods, we are seeing fearful impediments for accessing different institutes or different services that British Columbians require. This is happening on an ongoing basis.

So there seems to be an underlying cause, the real root of these circum - stances that are now resulting in this government try - ing to extend this piece of legislation. Those underlying causes need to be dealt with, because public safety is para - mount, and not enough is being done. There is significant legislation out there, such as the Criminal Code, and we also saw the original enactment of this piece of legislation. The problem seems to be that there isn’t enough enforcement. If you do not enforce laws that currently exist, the public is going to continue to see problems involving public safety issues.

This is very concerning, because public safety should be a fundamental issue that gets dealt with immediately. We need to have proper resources with the enforcement. We need to make sure our law enforcement is properly re - sourced. We need to make sure our justice system is prop - erly resourced. [3:10 p.m.] If we have the proper resourcing, we will see that people that want to take the law in their hands and cause fear - ful interruptions…. We will see those actually decrease, if we have effective enforcement and if we have effective en - forcement tools. What we are seeing….

As the Attorney General just al - luded to earlier, the incidents that the original legislation was designed to stop are not stopping. If they’re not stop - ping, that means that the government is really missing the mark. The mark seems to be that this seems to be more of a public safety issue that we’re dealing with in this prov - ince. That public safety incidence isn’t just related to our schools. It’s related to every aspect of life in this province right now.

When you are going out and talking amongst your col - leagues, amongst neighbours, amongst family, it’s a com - mon theme that the public is talking about public safety, and they’re saying that more needs to be done. They’re saying that there is not an effective enforcement of the laws that we currently have. We can keep creating more and more laws, but if you don’t resource the public safety enforcement mechanisms, the public safety enforcement tools, the problem will not be solved. We really do need to look at the underlying issues be- hind the legislation. Why is the problem not stopping?

We need to stop the problem. Our children, British Colum - bians’ children, are the future of this province. When we look at vulnerable people, we think of children, we think about seniors, and we think about other groups. If we do think about the vulnerable, we need to make sure that we are addressing the underlying causes in terms of the issues that we are seeing on a daily basis. We need to be asking ourselves: why are the situations escalating to the point that we now have to look at creating new laws, when there are existing laws that deal with ha - rassment, interference, fear?

Those have been long-stand - ing laws. They have been there for years and years. We need to be asking: how come we didn’t have these prob - lems before, and they’ve become a new problem, when we’ve had these laws for a very long time? What seems to be missing in the discussion? There seems to be a failure to recognize that there’s a widespread public safety crisis that we are dealing with throughout this province.

Whether that involves repeat property of - fenders or repeat violent offenders, or we have people that want to create fear, create harassment or create criminal impediments for students, it all seems to come down to the same rubric. It comes down to an issue of public safety. If you are dealing with an issue of public safety, you have to deal with enforcement mechanisms. You have to make sure the enforcement tools are properly resourced. At the end of the day, you can try creating more and more

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5957 laws, but if you have a lack of enforcement, you’re not go - ing to get anywhere. In terms of creating that safety for children, you must properly resource. I currently serve as critic for Attorney General, and we recently had debates on the budget in regard to Attorney General budgets. One of the concerns I had was that the justice realm isn’t properly funded in this province. We need to make sure our law enforcement, our justice sys - tem, is properly resourced. [3:15 p.m.] We need to make sure we are being proactive.

We need to make sure we are providing more resources. If we have more visibility of our public safety enforcement, you will have more of a deterrent effect. That’s why the deterrent effect is a major, major element of looking at criminal law, at the Criminal Code or at public safety statutes. Deter - rence serves a major purpose. One thing that seems to be missing right across this province is that public safety is not properly resourced. Until we deal with that, there might be ongoing concerns.

You can create as many words as you like, but if you don’t have the tools, if you don’t have the tools in motion, the problem is not going to disappear. So the answer to the underlying problem really matters. Do we have the en - forcement tools? I would suggest that we do have the enforcement tools, but they’re not properly resourced. The question be - comes…. If you don’t properly resource the enforcement mechanisms, are you going to solve the problem in regard to the fear that’s preventing access to institutions such as schools?

You will not be able to do that if you don’t prop - erly resource the actual enforcement mechanisms. That’s where this government seems to be not sup - porting students, children and the vulnerable population throughout this province. Until we address that issue.… The ongoing issues that were mentioned earlier about fearful disruptions, about harassment or about impedi - ments won’t be dealt with until you’ve got the enforce - ment mechanisms that are mobilized, properly resourced, highly visible and actually stopping the underlying public safety issues.

This government has failed, time and time again, on public safety enforcement. That is the reality. We see that constantly being discussed in the public domain. Public safety is an ongoing issue on a daily basis in this whole province. With this piece of legislation, we saw another piece of legislation addressing a different topic but also having to deal with access — safe access. That’s another aspect that we are dealing with — the public safety crisis in this prov - ince.

To deal with all situations, all different aspects that involve public safety, if you do not properly fund public safety enforcement tools, that public safety problem will not be resolved. It doesn’t matter which area we are dealing with. Whether it’s schools, religious places where we worship, business venues or neighbourhoods, this government needs to do better. Like I mentioned earlier, we already have laws. We’ve seen this law, the original enactment.

We also have the Criminal Code of Canada, which has been there forever and which addresses the very behaviours such as intimi - dation, obstruction, causing disturbances, interference with lawful activities. These are not new concepts. They are not gaps in the law. There are established offences to deal with this type of conduct. When we are seeing repeated public safety in - cidents, the issue is not that the law is unclear. The issue is that the law is not being consistently enforced. [3:20 p.m.] Instead of fixing that problem of enforcement, what are we seeing?

We are seeing legislation being used to com - pensate for weak enforcement. We are seeing words be - ing introduced into statutes in lieu of enforcement. We are seeing the government extend measures instead of strengthening the system. The system needs to be strengthened, and the supports around the system need to be strengthened in order to get results to make sure children are not fearing to have ac - cess to their safe places such as schools. We are seeing a reliance on new rules instead of ensur - ing existing rules are applied.

We have existing rules to address the exact conduct that the Attorney General re - ferred to earlier. We have had these rules for a very long time. How come we’re not seeing any meaningful action on that legislation that has existed for a very long time? That’s the question that needs to be asked. Bill 12 is attempting to solve a problem. It’s a problem that needs to be solved, because children need to feel safe, students need to feel safe, and they need to have safe ac - cess.

But the underlying issue is that we currently have laws to deal with behaviour that is actually creating fear for students and children, but it’s only if those laws were enforced that we could actually get rid of that fear that our students and children are seeing when they’re trying to access their schools. Another point I’d like to make about the original enact- ment and this particular statute is that this statute is now attempting to extend the previous statute by another two years. There was originally a time limit put on the original statute. It was brought into force in 2024. The time limit was until 2026.

A couple of years were given. Why did the government only give it a couple of years? Why did the government only give it two years? They gave it two years because they were trying to bring a temporary solution until they found a permanent solution, a permanent solution to a big problem. I would respectfully submit that that big problem is our general public safety crisis in this province. This government has not been effective in addressing that crisis in this province.

5958 B ritish Columbia Debates M onday, March 30, 2026 It’s already been two years. Now, since this government has not been able to deal with the exact behaviours that need to be dealt with in terms of making sure our kids feel safe and students feel safe accessing schools, we are now back here so that government can come up with an - other temporary solution and just give another two-year time limit on this legislation while they look for perma - nent solutions. Now, that’s a little bit problematic, because that kind of shows that this government is being reactive, not pro - active.

By now, there should have been some sort of frame- work for a permanent solution. That should have been brought forward. So put it out there. It’s very important to protect children. It’s very import- ant to protect students in regards to their safe access to their learning places. Children are students, and children are the future of this province. But we must do more than just give them a tempor - ary solution. We must give them a permanent solution, and that permanent solution comes in the form of public safety enforcement in this province and making sure pub - lic safety is properly resourced and funded.

To the degree that our public safety enforcement establishment needs further resources, those needs must be dealt with as well. [3:25 p.m.] This government must give time to address the real issue. It’s had enough time to review and do an assessment, but we must see a permanent resolution to the underlying cause that our children and our students are seeing on an ongoing basis. It shouldn’t be acceptable that we are seeing more and more incidents of lockdowns at our schools where chil - dren fear — they’ve had one lockdown, or another school’s had a lockdown — to now attend school.

That doesn’t cre - ate a safe environment for learning. I remember attending school when I was a child in this province. I don’t think I ever heard of any lockdown hap - pening. When I went to, say, elementary school in the ’80s or went to high school in the’90s, I don’t recall hearing these types of incidents that we are hearing about today in this province. Seriously, there has been something that has changed. And we are seeing that, despite new legis - lation being introduced, the problem isn’t going away in terms of public safety issues in this province related to schools.

The government is now extending the original time as - pect of the original legislation, which is July 2026, to July 2028. So we will now be in a state of a temporary fix to the underlying problem for another couple of years. But we must get to the bottom of this. We must have a permanent solution. It doesn’t send a good message to children or stu- dents in saying: “Hey, we’re going to give you a temporary fix here. We’ll relook at the problem in a couple years.” What about these students? They’re probably in the school system right now.

They’re thinking: “Okay, what do I do two years from now?” If this government is serious about solving safety issues for students in regards to accessing schools and education institutes, then this government must introduce a real plan in funding and resourcing the public safety enforce - ment mechanisms that exist in this province. Where is the plan? Increase in police presence may be needed. Where’s the plan to fund that even more? We need to make sure there’s consistent enforcement across communities. Is that hap - pening? We need to make sure there’s support for officers on the front lines.

Whether that be law enforcement or by - law enforcement, we’ve got to make sure that the people on the front line doing the enforcement have the support to actually enforce laws to, in fact, make sure there’s safe access to schools. We also need to make sure…. We need to work with Crown prosecutors to ensure there’s proper follow- through if somebody is creating an infraction of the law, with the current law that it sits with, involving access to schools without any fear. Without all these elements in terms of the justice sys - tem, law enforcement and consistency in enforcement….

If all these mechanisms are not dealt with, nothing will change because the enforcement will not change. The same public safety incidents will continue. The same pub - lic safety issues will occur, and we’ll be back here again, extending this legislation once more. And children will be wondering: where’s the permanent fix? [3:30 p.m.] Children require stability. One of the things that, in family law, courts look at is they want to make sure chil - dren are in stable situations. When you’re just giving tem - porary fixes every couple of years, that’s not creating a stable environment.

All in all, we’ve had laws that deal with these types of concerns for a long time — such as harassment, intimida - tion, impediment — that prevent all this stuff. We’ve had laws for a very long time. Now we are back here again, asking for a temporary fix, but we are not funding the proper public safety en - forcement. If this government only did, we would not be asking for permanent fixes. We would be getting perma - nent solutions. And students deserve permanent solutions. Children deserve permanent solutions, because stability matters for this age group. Hon.

Brenda Bailey: It’s an honour to get up in the House today and have the opportunity to support an amendment brought forward by my colleague the Attor - ney General. In 2024, the Safe Access to Schools Act was passed to ensure that students and staff can safely access their schools and be protected from harmful and disruptive

Monday, March 30, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 5959 behaviours. This is such an important piece of legislation that we brought in, in 2024, and this amendment will help ensure the safety of children at schools. And really, what could be more important? Kids deserve to have a place of learning that feels safe to them, where all children feel safe and welcome. It’s true that we also have to make sure that folks are able to express their opportunity to be opposed to things, to have the right to protest, the rights that are protected in our constitution. But we must balance these two things.

It’s very, very important that children feel safe at their schools and that people working in those schools feel safe — the work of teachers. These folks do such important work. They play such a key role in our children’s lives. To think of them feeling unsafe in their school environment is just really heartbreaking. I know that, for myself…. I’ve raised three children in the school system in British Columbia. We’ve had the op - portunity to have extraordinary teachers in our lives. I really just want to share my respect for the teachers that do incredible work with our kids.

It’s important that they, too, feel very safe at school. School can be a place of joy - ous learning, a place of community and a place where kids get to be themselves. It’s so important that that’s protected. Since this was originally brought in, in 2024, access zones have been placed around K-to-12 public and in - dependent schools during the school year to protect both students and staff members. I’m pleased to say that we have seen a reduction in the number of protests and disruptions around schools over the last two years.

However, these disruptions do continue to occur, and sometimes they’re quite harsh and very up - setting. This behaviour is persisting. Because of that, we do need to take additional action to keep kids safe in Brit - ish Columbia so they’re supported in schools and are able to do their best. We’ve heard from our partners in the education sector that these safe access zones have been helpful in keeping protests and disruptions away from schools, in ensuring that students and staff can safely access schools and focus on learning, which is the top priority for us in government.

Extending the sunset clause by two years, until June 30, 2028, will ensure that access zones can be established be - yond the end of the current school year. Let me be clear. Schools should be welcoming. They should be safe. They should be inclusive places. And harmful disruptions have no place in and around British Columbia schools. [3:35 p.m.] We all understand that people have a right to express and voice their views and advocate for change, but not at the expense of safety for students and staff. Children have a right to education, and disrupting their learning is sim - ply not appropriate.

These kids are our future. This is how we build B.C. These are the folks that someday are going to be popu - lating this chamber. These are the folks that are going to be our future teachers and doctors and folks that are de - livering our mail and folks that work in all aspects of life in British Columbia. They deserve to have an experience where they can learn in a way that feels safe and inclusive, and that’s what we’re providing in B.C. schools.

We must continue to provide support and take action as needed to keep kids safe at school so that they can focus on what the most important thing is — which, of course, is learning. And we will continue

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20260330pm-Hansard-n143
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20260330pm Hansard n143
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	cea5cb97792d23d51f961d8041897a9240567d99

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