1987 Legislative Session: 1st Session, 34th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational

purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1987

Afternoon Sitting

[ Page

1 ]

CONTENTS

Election of Speaker –– 1

Routine Proceedings

Speech from the Throne –– 3

An Act To Perpetuate A Parliamentary Right

Introduction and first reading –– 6

Presenting reports –– 9

The House met at 2 p.m.

This being the first day of the first session of the 34th

Legislative Assembly of the province of British Columbia for the

dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Robert G.

Rogers, Lieutenant- Governor of the province, hon. members took their

seats, after having taken the prescribed oath and having signed the

parliamentary roll.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House, took his seat on the throne.

HON. MR. VEITCH: Hon. members of the Legislative Assembly, I

am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor to announce that he

does not see fit to declare the cause of his summoning you at this time

and will not do so until you have chosen a Speaker to preside over your

honourable body. His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor hopes to be able to

declare, during the afternoon, his reason for calling you together.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

HON. MR. STRACHAN: Mr. Clerk, I move, seconded by my

colleague the hon. member for Coquitlam-Moody, the opposition House

Leader, that John Reynolds, Esquire, member for the West Vancouver-Howe

Sound electoral district, do take the Speaker's chair and preside over

the meetings of the assembly.

MR. ROSE: Mr. Clerk, I rise to second the nomination of the member for West Vancouver-Howe Sound, Mr. John Reynolds, as Speaker.

Mr. Reynolds is an old colleague, a former Member of Parliament and

a very experienced member; in fact, almost an expert in baffling and

confounding previous Speakers in this and other legislatures. But

despite this, Mr. Clerk, the New Democrats offer their best wishes for

a successful Speakership.

CLERK OF THE HOUSE: It has been moved by the Hon. W. Bruce

Strachan, seconded by Mr. Mark W. Rose, that John Reynolds, Esquire,

member for the West Vancouver-Howe Sound electoral district, do take

the Speaker's chair and preside over the meetings of this assembly. Are

there any further nominations?

I declare John Reynolds, Esquire, member for West Vancouver-Howe

Sound electoral district, elected Speaker of this assembly and that he

do preside over its meetings.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, permit me to return my humble

acknowledgments to the House for this great honour that you have

bestowed on me this day by selecting me to be your Speaker.

I would like to declare a short recess. I would hope all members would stay in their chairs until I return.

The House recessed at 2:11 p.m.

The House resumed at 2:14 p.m.

Prayers.

[2:15]

HON. MR. STRACHAN: Mr. Speaker, I would move that the second

member for Vancouver-Little Mountain (Mr. Mowat) be permitted to vote

on divisions in this House and in any committee thereof during the

thirty-fourth parliament by raising his right hand.

Motion approved.

DEPUTY CLERK:

Mr. Ian M. Horne,

QC Clerk of the House,

Legislative Buildings,

Victoria, B.C.

Dear Sir:

Re: General Election, October 22, 1986

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, by his proclamation

issued on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1986, was pleased to dissolve

the Legislative Assembly of the province, and it was necessary to hold elections

to fill vacancies caused by such dissolution.

The elections were duly held pursuant to the provisions

of the Election Act.

I transmit herewith a certificate of the chief electoral

officer, setting forth the names of members who have been elected in the electoral

district indicated on the enclosed certificate.

Yours truly,

R.S. Plecas,

Deputy Provincial Secretary

Mr. R.S. Plecas

Deputy Provincial Secretary

Dear Mr. Plecas:

Re: Provincial general election, 1986

The thirty-third Legislative Assembly of the Province of

British Columbia was dissolved on September 24, 1986, and writs were issued

on that date calling for a provincial general election. The writs were returnable

on or before November 17, 1986.

October 9, 1986 was designated as the day for nomination

of candidates and October 22, 1986 was designated as polling day.

Requests were made under

section 122(l)(

c) of the provincial

Election Act for partial or complete rechecks in ten electoral districts, namely:

Burnaby-Edmonds

Burnaby-Willingdon

Dewdney

Kamloops

Mackenzie

Nelson-Creston

Okanagan North

[ Page 2 ]

Surrey-Guildford-

Whalley

Surrey-Newton

Vancouver-Point Grey

The rechecks were performed prior to the final count with the

exception of the electoral districts of Burnaby-Edmonds and Kamloops,

which were performed in conjunction with the final count.

Because of a request made under

section 130(

l) of the provincial

Election Act for judicial recounts for the electoral districts of

Dewdney, Nelson-Creston and Vancouver-Point Grey, writ return dates for

these electoral districts cannot be established at this time.

I hereby certify that the following members have been elected to

represent their respective electoral districts as set out hereunder:

Alberni

Robert Evans Skelly

Atlin

Larry Guno

Boundary-Similkameen

Jim Hewitt

Ivan Messmer

Burnaby-Edmonds

David Mercier

Burnaby North

Barry Jones

Burnaby-Willingdon

Elwood Veitch

Cariboo

Alex V. Fraser

Neil Vant

Central Fraser Valley

Harry H. De Jong

Peter A. Dueck

Chilliwack

John Jansen

Columbia River

Duane Crandall

Comox

Stan Hagen

Coquitlam-Moody

Mark W. Rose

Cowichan-Malahat

Graham P. Bruce

Delta

Walter Davidson

John Savage

Esquimalt-Port Renfrew

Moe Sihota

Kamloops

Claude H. Richmond

Bud Smith

Kootenay

Anne Edwards

Langley

Carol Gran

Daniel George Peterson

Mackenzie

Harold J. Long

Maillardville-Coquitlam

John M. Cashore

Nanaimo

Dale L. Lovick

David D. Stupich

New Westminster

Anita M.J. Hagen

North Island

Colin S. Gabelmann

North Peace River

Anthony J. Brummet

North Vancouver-Capilano

Angus Ree

North Vancouver-Seymour

John (Jack) Davis

Oak Bay-Gordon Head

Brian Smith

Okanagan North

Lyall Hanson

Okanagan South

Larry Chalmers

Cliff Serwa

Omineca

Jack J. Kempf

Prince George North

Lois R. Boone

Prince George South

Bruce Strachan

Prince Rupert

Dan Miller

Richmond

Nick Loenen

Bill Vander Zalm

Rossland-Trail

Christopher A. D'Arcy

Saanich and The Islands

Mel Couvelier

Terry Huberts

Shuswap-Revelstoke

Cliff Michael

Skeena

Dave Parker

South Peace River

Jack Weisgerber

Surrey-Guildford-Whalley

Joan Smallwood

Surrey-Newton

Rita Johnston

Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale

Bill Reid

Vancouver Centre

Emery O. Barnes

Michael Harcourt

Vancouver East

Glen D. Clark

Robert A. Williams

Vancouver-Little Mountain

Grace Mary McCarthy

Doug Mowat

Vancouver South

Russell Fraser

Stephen Rogers

Victoria

Robin Blencoe

Gordon Hanson

West Vancouver-Howe Sound

John Reynolds

Yale-Lillooet

James T. Rabbitt

Yours very truly,

Harry Goldberg,

Chief electoral officer.

Robert Plecas,

Deputy Provincial Secretary.

Dear Sir:

Further to my certificate of November 17, 1986, I now have

the return for the electoral district of Nelson-Creston. The date for the return

of the writ of election for Nelson-Creston had been amended to an indefinite

date because of a judicial recount before the county court of Nelson. The said

writ was returned to me on November 18, 1986.

I now certify that Howard L. Dirks has been elected to represent

the electoral district of Nelson-Creston.

Robert Plecas,

Deputy Provincial Secretary.

Dear Sir:

Further to my certificate of November 17, 1986, I now have

the return for the electoral district of Vancouver-Point Grey. The date for

the return of the writ of election for Vancouver-Point Grey had been amended

to an indefinite date because of the judicial recount before the county court

of Vancouver. The said writ was returned to me on November 28, 1986.

I now certify that Kim Campbell and Darlene Marzari have

been elected to represent the electoral district of Vancouver-Point Grey.

Yours very truly,

Harry Goldberg.

[ Page 3 ]

Robert Plecas,

Deputy Provincial Secretary.

Dear Sir:

Further to my certificate of November 17, 1986, I now have

the return for the electoral district of Dewdney. The date for the return of

the writ of election for Dewdney had been amended to an indefinite date because

of a judicial recount and a subsequent appeal from the decision of the county

court of New Westminster. The said writ was returned to me on December 5, 1986.

I now certify that Norman Jacobsen and Austin Pelton have

been elected to represent the electoral district of Dewdney.

HON. MR. VEITCH: Mr. Speaker, I move that the letters of the

Deputy Provincial Secretary and the certificates of the chief electoral

officer of the result of the election of members be entered in the Journals of the House.

Motion approved.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor re-entered the chamber and took his seat on the throne.

MR. SPEAKER: May it please Your Honour, the House of Assembly

has elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil

the important duties thus assigned to me. If in the performance of

those duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the

fault be imputed to me and not to the assembly, whose servant I am, and

who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to

the Queen and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and

privileges, especially that they may have the freedom of speech in

their debates and access to your Honour's person at all seasonable

times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most

favourable

interpretation.

HON. MR. VEITCH: Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by His Honour

the Lieutenant-Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in

the duty and attachment of the House of Assembly to Her Majesty's

person and government, and not doubting that their respective

proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, he

grants, and upon all occasions will recognize and allow, their

constitutional privileges.

I am commanded also to assure you that the assembly shall have ready

access to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor upon all seasonable

occasions and that their proceedings, as well as your words and

actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable

construction.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

HON. R.G. ROGERS (Lieutenant-Governor): Mr. Speaker and

Members of the Legislative Assembly, as we open this first session of

the thirty-fourth Parliament of our province of British Columbia, I

extend greetings on behalf of our sovereign, the Queen.

Today, as a new parliament, we begin a new

chapter in the history of

this assembly, with 39 members taking

part in their first session. My

government bids them a special welcome.

My government's mandate stems from its commitment to make a fresh

start in order to create a stronger economy and jobs for our people. We

promised an open and accessible style of government that responds to

the needs of people. We said we would free up the private sector and

work with it as a partner to get our province moving. We vowed to

restore confidence in the vitality of our province's economy.

We said we would sharply cut government interference in the lives

and activities of British Columbians and business. We will deliver. We

will listen, consult and lead by example, saying what we mean and doing

what we say. We will seek cooperation to develop policies and programs

to strengthen our province and provide security for our people.

Difficult decisions must be made. Revenues are down, spending demands

are up and the deficit must be reduced. My government will show strong

leadership.

[2:30]

We will follow the right course, not the most expedient, refusing to

sacrifice a better future for all by bowing to the demands of a few. We

will instead pursue the long-term interests of all British Columbians,

whose rights and welfare must always be paramount.

With that aim in mind, my government takes up its task with

confidence. Our new style and approach has created a growing sense of

optimism about our province and its prospects. Thousands and thousands

of British Columbians have told us they want to be part of our fresh

start. My government will build on this momentum and work with the

private sector to break down barriers to opportunity.

We have a plan for a new economy; we will make it work. We will act

to bring long-term stability in labour-management relations. We will

strengthen small- and medium-sized business to diversify our economic

base. We will decentralize government and cut red tape to free up

business activity. We will be aggressive in seeking investment and

markets. Most important, we will invest in our most valuable resource —

our people. That means quality education, job training and creating

fresh entrepreneurial opportunities through our private sector.

Good government does not work behind closed doors. Our words and

intent will be matched by action. My cabinet and committees of this

House will travel across our province to bring government to the

people. We will seek answers and find solutions from all, because there

is no monopoly on good ideas or constructive proposals.

My government will increase involvement in decisionmaking in and

outside the Legislature. As a priority, my government will expand the

number and roles of the all-party committees of this assembly. I will

ask all members to become more involved in the business of our

parliament.

My government will act to have a board of internal economy appointed

early in this session. Under the chairmanship of the Speaker, it will

develop fair procedures and rules for the financial management and

administration of this assembly. These procedures, including formulas

to fund the operations of the caucuses of government and the official

opposition, will be in place for the 1988-89 fiscal year. My government

will in the interim substantially increase funding so that the official

opposition has the resources to meet its obligations in this session.

And since government's business is everybody's business, my government

will act to provide coverage of the Legislature on television and radio

by late fall.

[ Page 4 ]

In keeping with its open approach, my government will spell out its intentions.

In this session members will be asked to strengthen the democratic

process and individual rights by considering measures to provide more

just and equitable expropriation procedures for all British Columbians,

to formalize self-government for the Sechelt Indian band and for other

bands, and to end dual constituencies and provide mail-in votes for the

handicapped. In regard to this latter initiative, my government is

pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Justice Thomas K. Fisher as

a commissioner to inquire into and make recommendations on

single-constituency boundaries.

My government will also act in this session to improve and enhance

programs and services for British Columbians. My government will

introduce more support programs to meet the needs of victims and

witnesses of crime. We will also continue to provide specialized

support to victims of sexual assault, child abuse and wife assault.

A new Police Act will strengthen the investigative and inquiry

powers of the B.C. Police Commission, ensuring more fairness to police

and citizens. The Adoption Act will be changed to give adults access on

request to an adoption disclosure registry. Measures to ensure lawyers

are competent, financially responsible and subject to appropriate

disciplinary procedures will be introduced. We will act to make sure

spouses make timely support payments to families and dependent children.

My government is pleased to announce that Barry Sullivan will head

the royal commission which will investigate education in our province

and report by April 1988. Training manuals to assist educators to deal

with sex abuse and sex offenders in schools will be presented. A basic

provincial guideline program on family life and sex education,

supported by instructional material and appropriate staffing and

funding, will be issued to school districts by September. The program

will deal with the topic and related health issues in an open but

sensitive and careful way that is both appropriate and acceptable.

My government will provide funding in this session to reduce the

high rate of abortions in our province. Support programs for single

mothers, more day-care facilities and increased adoption opportunities

will be made available to address the ever-increasing number of

abortions. We will also move quickly to increase welfare rates for

those most in need, particularly families and single parents. My

government will soon name a task force to work with the private sector

to open up job opportunities for the disabled.

Education is the bedrock on which we must build our new economy. My

government will introduce a range of new and imaginative initiatives

throughout our education system. We will pursue how to offer a

tax-deductible registered educational savings plan. We will implement a

scholarship credit plan that will allow Grade 8 to 12 students with

high academic standing to earn credits towards the cost of their

post-secondary education, and we will establish a government program to

match corporate and private donations towards scholarships.

All British Columbians are proud of their public education system,

which has fared well in evaluation and testing across the land. But

special mention must also be made of the independent school system,

which has shown unprecedented growth and acceptance. Therefore, in

fairness, my government will be providing special financial assistance

to help further relieve those who have, in a democratic system, chosen

the independent education process for their children.

Our advanced education system will play a hands-on role in economic

development. Post-secondary funding will be increased to ensure that

colleges and universities are a full partner in the process. The new

economy will demand new skills and new education programs for our

people. Our educational institutions will be given the tools to do the

job.

My government will coordinate, on behalf of our post-secondary

institutions, the marketing of educational services on an international

basis. Emphasis will be placed on programs that strengthen our growing

relationship with Pacific Rim nations.

All British Columbians should be extremely proud of the individuals

who head our universities and colleges. With the help and cooperation

of these educational leaders, my government will establish a Premier's

science and research council with representatives from our advanced

educational institutions, business and government.

Further, my government will, during this fiscal year, coordinate a

phased and full transfer of responsibility for its science and

technology component to the post-secondary education community through

the Ministry of Advanced Education and Job Training. My government will

present a science and technology strategy to bring together the

universities, the private sector and governments as partners.

Aerospace, biotechnology, ocean industries, microelectronics and

nuclear research will be target areas of growth.

British Columbians are well served by those who work for government.

My government will, through the Provincial Secretary, consult with

public servants on ways to improve both morale and productivity and to

ensure that they have the fullest opportunity to use and enhance their

skills within the public service.

The key player in our plan for a new, more diversified economy will

be a vibrant and growing private sector. Government has no money of its

own; its ability to deliver and improve essential social programs is

only as good as its tax revenues.

My government will act to let business get down to business — and

rekindle the spirit of enterprise across our province. Job one is to

get government off the back and out of the way of the private sector.

My government, through the minister responsible for privatization, will

immediately appoint a private sector task force to work on

privatization of Crown corporations. The task force, working

cooperatively with the Ministry of Economic Development, will report

within three months on activities which should be turned over to the

private sector and how Crown corporation cash requirements can be cut.

As part of its mandate, the task force will recommend a means by which

the debts of Crown corporations can be retired. Private sector

expansion will be financed by privately run venture capital funds.

Government pension fund programs will be revised to channel capital

to B.C. companies. A one-stop centre will let the private sector

interact with government economic ministries. A network of privately

run trading corporations will be set up to market and sell B.C.

products and services around the world.

An economic development council composed of business and labour

representatives with special contacts in our province, Canada and

abroad will be appointed by April 30 to advise my government on

implementation of our plan for a new economy.

[ Page 5 ]

My government will open the door to more opportunities in employee

participation and investment to further enhance the small- and

medium-sized business sector's proven record in job creation.

My government will amend its role in terms of aid and assistance to

entrepreneurs. We believe new business should have an appropriate level

of assured private financing prior to government involvement through

loans or guarantees. My government will help British Columbians turn

their energy, talent and ideas into profitable one-, two- or

three-person businesses.

We will by October develop a program to provide marketing and

management skill support for these individuals to help them operate

cottage industries at the local level. Such assistance will also be

directed to single parents and welfare recipients, to help them develop

their skills and talents in order to become self-supporting. My

government will in addition introduce a major employment and job

training program for employable welfare recipients.

My government will act to reduce our deficit. This problem is a

priority task. No single act will do more to stimulate public and

business confidence — and confidence is the key to investment — than a

reduction of this burden. We will be careful — but caring — in our

spending policies, making sure help is available when needed, and at

the same time that tax dollars are spent wisely.

My government will act early in this session to bring about

long-term stability in labour relations. In the international markets

where we compete for sales and investment, no issue affects us more. It

is imperative — and this was reinforced by the long and costly forest

industry dispute last year — that we break fresh ground. British

Columbia industry must produce and deliver on time and at a fair price,

or lose credibility — and, even worse, investment, customers and jobs.

[2:45]

As a result of extensive consultations, my government will make

significant changes to the laws and institutions that govern the

industrial relations community. These changes will restore the

democratic rights of individuals in the workplace. Equally important,

they will protect the forgotten third parties — the British Columbians

and their families who suffer most during prolonged work stoppages.

My government will undertake a provincial initiative to attract

entrepreneurs and investment to British Columbia. At the same time, we

will monitor and evaluate our tax system to ensure it stays responsive

to British Columbia's changing requirements. My government intends to

move towards a system of taxation for job creation industries that is

based on profit rather than on fixed charges.

But to build a healthy economy that creates jobs and provides

security, we must do more. My government will undertake a broad range

of complementary initiatives in its dealings with the private sector

and other governments. We will actively pursue the early export of

surplus hydroelectricity to the United States. We will work with the

private sector and other governments to seek out new markets in Canada

and around the world for our coal. At the same time, we will evaluate

the use of coal to generate hydroelectric power and other more

diversified and marketable products.

My government will in this session take steps to deal with the

recommendations of the Mining Industry Task Force. We will develop

stronger business, trade and tourism links, with the U.S. Pacific

Northwest and California as a priority. My government will safeguard

British Columbia's interests while strongly supporting a comprehensive

trade agreement with our largest customer, the United States.

My government cannot stress enough the importance to British

Columbia, and indeed to all of Canada, of an early and successful

conclusion to the current free-trade negotiations. We pledge our

continued and intensive support to the Prime Minister of Canada and his

government for this initiative.

The powers of provincially regulated trust companies, credit unions

and insurance companies will be extended. Action will also be taken to

improve provisions related to insurance liability for municipalities.

All these initiatives are part of the framework within which we will

focus our number one priority — economic renewal.

My government will work cooperatively with the federal government to

ensure our province gets equal treatment as a full partner in

Confederation. The recent agreement between my Premier and the Prime

Minister of Canada to establish a working federal-provincial council of

ministers to deal with matters of concern to both governments is clear

evidence of the cooperative spirit, and bodes well for British

Columbia's active participation in a growing Canadian economy. My

government is confident the council will ensure that our request for a

fair share of federal procurements and contracts, as well as increased

representation on federal boards and agencies, will be met.

A sound reforestation policy continues to be a priority for my

government. Working with the private sector, we will plant trees at a

rate better than harvesting and losses due to natural causes like fire

and infestation. My government believes our forest industry offers

untapped potential for fresh economic growth. A fund will be set up to

make our province a world leader in forestry research and to encourage

the development of new technologies to make our industry even more

productive.

My government will, this year, establish a Pacific Rim institute of

tourism to ensure a world-class standard of professionalism in our

industry. Cooperative tourism promotion programs with the private

sector and other governments in the Pacific Northwest and California

will build on the success of our world exposition. My government will

encourage goals in agriculture, aquaculture and our food and beverage

industries by helping them capitalize on domestic and foreign market

opportunities.

We will, in addition, work with the private sector to turn more of

our raw agricultural resources into marketable, finished and packaged

products. An aquaculture advisory council will be appointed by May 15

to ensure the orderly and responsible growth of this increasingly

valuable industry.

My government places a high priority on health care services to

British Columbians. We will maintain world-class levels of service and,

at the same time, ensure British Columbians get the best value for

their dollars. My government will continue to provide new medical

techniques and facilities to benefit our people, including the

establishment on Vancouver Island of a B.C. rehabilitation centre for

victims of brain injuries. The development of this centre, in

cooperation with the Insurance Corporation of B.C., the Workers'

Compensation Board and the University of B.C. Health Sciences Centre,

will eliminate the need to send such patients to the United States for

specialized treatment.

My government will preserve and protect our environment, as illustrated by the establishment of an advisory panel

[ Page 6 ]

to deal with the issue of special wastes. We will

attempt to expedite the federal-provincial negotiations for

establishment of a national park on South Moresby in the Queen

Charlottes. My government will seek a bilateral agreement with the

federal government to develop the enormous tourism potential this area

offers. Working together, our two governments can create a national

park and tourism environment that will not only generate major economic

benefits for all British Columbia but, in particular, new employment

and income for the friendly people of the Queen Charlottes region.

British Columbians deserve government that fits local needs. My

government will restore more decision-making and functions of

government to the community level, because increased attention to local

autonomy is long overdue. The recent Premier's Conference on

Decentralization was the first step. Our government looks forward to

receiving recommendations in the very near future from a

provincial-municipal committee on ways to speed up this process. Action

will also be taken to provide greater local autonomy and efficiency at

the regional district level.

My government seeks a new, mutually productive relationship with the

native Indian people of our province. The recently formed committee of

cabinet responsible for native Indian affairs will work closely with

our native people on self-government and matters of mutual interest. My

government will seek private-sector support to establish a native

Indian heritage centre to reflect and preserve the language and culture

of our first citizens.

Provincial regulations will be amended to reduce red tape and

complement federal changes to rules governing interprovincial and

trans-border trucking.

Legislation will be introduced to improve the administration of the

horse-racing commission and further the development of the horse-racing

and -breeding industries. My government will appoint Richard M.

Macintosh, a deputy chairman of the B.C. Police Commission, to head a

gaming commission to oversee and police all aspects of gambling in our

province.

Mr. Speaker, my government has laid out the broad elements of a

realistic and workable plan for a new economy and social progress in

our province. The full details will become apparent when my government

presents its budget and spending plans for the coming fiscal year.

British Columbia today stands at a crossroads. As a people, we must

now make a choice. We can walk the traditional path of doubt and

distrust, wasting our energies and our time in partisan political

strife, or we can step out together on a new road that leads to a more

secure future for all British Columbians. My government believes

British Columbians would have us take the latter route. Working

together as a people, regardless of our political affiliations, status

or association, we can make this province one of the most favoured

places on earth. Working with purpose, we can provide our people —

individuals and families — with greater security and fresh

opportunities for success and personal fulfilment. If we are willing to

harness and use our resources and goodwill, there is no limit to what

we can accomplish together. The give-and-take we engage in today will

pay enormous dividends in the future.

My government believes there is no more fitting way to conclude this

Speech from the Throne than with the words used by Her Majesty in her

message today to the Commonwealth: "I would ask all of you, wherever

you may be, to do all you can to help the cause of human goodness, to

share with others your enthusiasms and visions, your thoughts and

hopes, and above all, your understanding."

My government agrees and further adds that, on behalf of all British

Columbians, we support and endorse those words as a statement of

principle upon which we can move forward towards a more peaceful and

harmonious world.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask all members of this assembly to begin their

work on behalf of the people of our province. May God's blessing be

with them all as they carry out their duties.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's speech.

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO PERPETUATE A

PARLIAMENTARY RIGHT

HON. B.R. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to introduce

a bill:

An Act to Perpetuate A Parliamentary Right. The purpose for

introducing this bill is to demonstrate and reinforce that long

tradition of four centuries that the business of the people, through

its elected representatives, takes precedence over the business of the

sovereign.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, you have heard the motion. All in favour?

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: Opposed? I declare the motion carried.

HON. MR. STRACHAN: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the

opposition House Leader, that F.C. Austin Pelton, Esq., first member

for Dewdney electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this

session of the Legislative Assembly.

[3:00]

Motion approved.

HON. MR. STRACHAN: Mr. Speaker, I move, as well seconded by

the opposition House Leader, that Carol Gran, first member for Langley

electoral district, be appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee of

the Whole for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. VEITCH: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings

of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker, and that

he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he

shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. VANDER ZALM: Mr. Speaker, I move that the select

standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed

for the following purposes:

(1) Economic Development, Transportation and Municipal Affairs;

(2) Labour, Justice and Intergovernmental Relations;

[ Page 7 ]

(3) Tourism and Environment;

(4) Forests and Lands;

(5) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;

(6) Agriculture and Fisheries;

(7) Health, Education and Social Services;

(8) Finance, Crown Corporations and Government Services;

(9) Public Accounts;

(10) Standing Orders, Private Bills and Members' Services; and that

standing order 68(

l) is hereby amended to so reflect, which said

committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all

such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and

to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon,

with power to send for persons, papers, and records; and that a special

committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient

speed, lists of members to compose the above select standing committees

of this House under standing order 68(l), the committee to be composed

of Mr. R.G. Fraser (convener), Hon. E.N. Veitch, Hon. W.B. Strachan,

and Messrs. Hewitt, Ree, Pelton, Rose, Williams and Hanson. I so move,

Mr. Speaker.

MR. SKELLY: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the member for

Coquitlam-Moody (Mr. Rose), that the motion be amended by adding

committee number 11 on job creation, job training opportunities, and

the reduction of poverty, with particular reference to the problems

facing youth, women and visible minorities.

MR. SPEAKER: I would advise the House that the motion as

presented by the Leader of the Opposition is out of order. If the

Leader of the Opposition would agree to eliminate all words after the

word "poverty, " the motion would then be in order.

MR. SKELLY: Agreed, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: The motion is in order.

MR. SKELLY: Mr. Speaker, this motion, as you will notice, is

very similar to a motion which we presented last year to amend the list

of committees presented by the Premier of the day. Last year we

proposed an amendment which would have added a committee on regional

economic development. The reason we presented this motion was to allow

the Legislature to deal with a problem that we feet is a particularly

serious problem in the province of British Columbia today: the problem

of economic development, the problem of lack of job opportunities in

this province, the problem of lack of adequate opportunities for

training for job opportunities, and also the serious problem that has

been drawn to the attention of the government and acknowledged by the

government as well, the problem of growing poverty and unemployment in

the province of B.C.

We're very pleased to see in the throne speech that the government

has recognized that there are serious problems in our province, Mr.

Speaker, and that the committees are needed to deal with these problems.

This amendment is intended to deal with a serious and an emergent

problem in the province, a problem which the House must deal with as

quickly as possible. People are suffering throughout the province of

British Columbia. They're suffering from unemployment and poverty,

especially the groups that we mentioned in the original form of our

amendment: women, young people and visible minorities. Native Indian

communities are also suffering from those same problems of unemployment

and poverty, and we would like to see a select standing committee of

the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia get to work on this

specific problem as quickly as possible.

We are pleased, Mr. Speaker, to see that the Premier and the

government have indicated in their throne speech that they want to see

the members of this Legislature working again in the select standing

committees of the House, that the members of the Legislature should be

getting out and communicating to and talking to the people of the

province of British Columbia, getting input from the people within the

regions of British Columbia as to what their particular problems are,

and the solutions that they have developed to deal with those problems:

problems of unemployment, problems of lack of educational

opportunities, problems of poverty that especially impact those groups

that I described.

We are very pleased that the government has taken this new approach,

and that they are going to be putting these select standing committees

to work.

Now I heard in the throne speech that the government has an economic

plan for the province. I think that's a good idea, Mr. Speaker. A

government should have an economic plan. But an economic plan cannot be

developed in the back rooms of the cabinet offices here in Victoria. An

economic plan cannot be developed by a small group of people working

here in the capital city and then having that plan imposed on the

people of the province. If a plan is really to work and garner support

from all of the people of the province of British Columbia, to make it

work and to make it work effectively for the groups that I described,

that plan has to arise from the grass roots, and it has to originate in

the regions of the province, from various social and economic groupings

within the province. I think that that is the advantage of the

committee that we have proposed here today.

In proposing this committee, we are taking the government at its

word. They have indicated that they want to reduce the level of

confrontation in the Legislature. They have indicated that they want to

increase the level of cooperation that goes on in the Legislature. They

have indicated that they want to bring the government and the

opposition and the people of this province together in order to work on

our problems and resolve our problems so that this province can be the

best that we can possibly make it. I am pleased that the government has

taken that position.

When I presented this motion last year in the Legislature — an

amendment to the motion setting up these select standing committees —

the government responded by saying: "We've had enough talk. Now we need

action." But it is obvious that this Premier has taken a different

approach. He wants to see those committees working. He wants to see

those committees consulting as between government and opposition and

consulting with people throughout the regions of the province, and we

are very pleased to take the Premier at his word on this proposal.

I am hopeful that the Premier will take this amendment, incorporate

it into his resolution and get this committee to work as quickly as

possible to develop solutions to the kinds of problems that we see

people experiencing out there in the regions of British Columbia.

The throne speech says that job one in the province of British

Columbia is to get government off the back of the private sector and

out of the way of the private sector. When you look at the unemployment

statistics in British Columbia today, it is pretty clear to all of us

in the Legislature, and to the vast majority of the people out there in

the province, that job one of this Legislature, job one of this

government, is to

[ Page 8 ]

create more employment through economic expansion in this province.

This amendment allows us to set up a committee that should get on

with the real job one of the province of British Columbia: that is,

creating employment for all of the people of this province. We are very

pleased at the sentiments expressed by the Premier of this province and

by the government through its throne speech — the desire to work

together with the opposition and with the people of British Columbia to

create employment, economic expansion and diversification, and to deal

with the problems that are experienced in particular by women, young

people, visible minorities and native people in British Columbia. We

would urge the first minister of this province to accept our amendment

and to get down to the business of accomplishing job one in the minds

of the people of B.C.

HON. MR. VANDER ZALM: Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to

hear the Leader of the Opposition say that this is an excellent throne

speech and that it addresses many of the things that have been

certainly referred to in his remarks, and that, in fact, many of the

solutions will undoubtedly come from the opportunities provided by

suggestions, recommendations and proposals put forth in the throne

speech. We intend to pursue those very actively. I agree that we in

British Columbia suffer from unemployment. Unfortunately, unemployment

is a problem throughout the country. But the degree to which we suffer

from it, especially in some regions of British Columbia, is something

we want to address very seriously and for which, as the Leader of the

Opposition said, there are obviously approaches outlined in the throne

speech.

[3:15]

I would like to take this opportunity to perhaps seek out assurance

— although I think it was already given in part — from members of the

opposition that we will work at this together, that we will seek these

solutions together, and that in fact we will work for that common goal

of providing opportunities for people in British Columbia.

I was aware that some amendment would perhaps be forthcoming. I was

hoping that there could possibly be some suggestion to say that we

should refer a matter to one of the committees that we have already

established, or that we are proposing to establish, in this motion, and

that this committee would then give it the necessary priority. We have

gone from nine committees to ten committees. The last thing I want us

to do is go back to the old thing that governments too often do; that

is, to committee the process to death, to simply, every time we have

some disagreement between us — and this will undoubtedly come about,

but hopefully we can keep it to a minimum — begin to then establish

another committee, that simply the establishment of a further committee

is the answer to the problem. I realize these things should be given

priority consideration, and I know that all members of the House agree

that we want to address them in the committee system as we're proposing

it.

We have, for example, in this amendment a reference to poverty. The

thing that all of us — and I'm sure people much before us and people

after us — want to eliminate, more than anything else, is poverty and

the suffering therefrom. Some of it we as people in government and in

opposition — people in the Legislature — can address and do things

about; others, unfortunately, we can't ever address, except perhaps

only on a temporary basis, providing good social programs. But we

continue to strive and work in whatever ways in order to accomplish

that elimination of poverty, however it has come about. Some of the

poverty that I'm sure we're referring to is not necessarily because of

people being unemployed, which again is a terrible problem; it's

possibly because of a social problem in the unit, be it family,

community or whatever, and is best addressed through the committee

dealing with social programs.

So maybe we could break down the amendment and say that that could

best be referred to the committee dealing with social programs, and the

other, the matter of job creation and job training, could be referred

to the educational committee or the economic development committee.

There's room in all of those committees to take on those particular

problems that are of concern to all of us, government or opposition. If

we now start breaking it down because we say, well, it's our thing and

therefore we want to establish a special committee, as opposed to

addressing it in one of the committees already set up, what will happen

is lots of meetings, lots of committee meetings, lots of travels

perhaps, lots of expense — but it won't get to the people who are

suffering from the poverty or the lack of jobs, or who need the

training; it will go to a committee traveling.

The one thing I really had hoped for is that I could this time

accept the recommendation to amend. I was really looking forward to

accepting the amendment to the motion. What I hadn't anticipated, Mr.

Speaker, was another committee. I hope we can instead address it; come

back to it another way and make it a part of the function of one of the

already established committees. I cannot accept another committee being

established, and therefore must reject the amendment.

MS. SMALLWOOD: Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the

amendment to the resolution. The opposition sees this as a message to

this province, and we would hope that the government would support the

amendment, sending a clear message to the people of this province that

we recognize we are in a crisis situation; that unemployment, youth

unemployment and poverty have become institutionalized in our province.

We are looking to send a message to the people of this province that we

see the people of this province as a significant resource; that these

people have a strength; that they have answers to the problem. We feel

this committee can go to the people of our province, work with them

directly, ask them — because we believe they know what the solutions

are.

What we are saying, by moving this amendment, is that we are naming

the groups of people who have the least power in our society. We are

naming the youth, with 27 percent unemployment; we are naming women; we

are naming the visible minorities. We are acknowledging that this group

of people in our society makes up the majority of people living in

poverty. What we are saying and what we are looking for from the

government is an opportunity to work together, to put this crisis

clearly on the front burner. We want to send a message to the

unemployed. We want to send a message to those people who are living

with the cruel realities of poverty. We want to send a message that we

are prepared to work together, to work with them to look for solutions.

HON. MR. RICHMOND: Mr. Speaker, I rise in my place today to

speak against the amendment and in support of the motion made by the

Premier. I think this Premier has demonstrated to this province a

desire for wide-open, accessible government such as probably no

province in this country has seen before. The ministers and MLAs of

this government have traveled the province in the few months that we

have been the government such as has never been seen before. The

[ Page 9 ]

response from the people of this province has been overwhelming.

I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that the committee that I chair for

this government, the Cabinet Committee on Social Services, has received

a response in the two ridings that we've been in — in Prince George and

in Comox — such as has never been experienced by this member or by most

of us before. The fact is that we are literally taking this government

to the people of the province.

In striking the ten committees that the Premier has suggested, I

think that if the members opposite will look at those committees

carefully they will see, as the Premier has said, that there is room to

discuss every aspect of the problems and challenges facing the people

of this province without segregating them any further.

So I am very pleased to support the motion of the ten standing

committees of this Legislature comprised of members from both sides of

the House. We look forward on this side of the House with all sincerity

to working together with the members opposite and the members on this

side, working in a harmony and openness that probably hasn't been seen

in this province for many years. I think we can do it with the

structure recommended by the Premier.

Amendment negatived on the following division:

YEAS — 22

Hanson

Barnes

Marzari

Rose

Skelly

Stupich

Boone

D'Arcy

Gabelmann

Blencoe

Edwards

Cashore

Guno

Smallwood

Harcourt

Lovick

Williams

Sihota

Miller

Hagen

Jones

Clark

NAYS — 43

Brummet

Savage

Rogers

L. Hanson

Reid

Dueck

Richmond

Michael

Pelton

Loenen

Crandall

De Jong

Rabbitt

Dirks

Mercier

Peterson

Veitch

McCarthy

Hagen

Strachan

Vander Zalm

B.R. Smith

Couvelier

Davis

Johnston

R. Fraser

Weisgerber

Jansen

Hewitt

Gran

Chalmers

Mowat

Ree

Bruce

Serwa

Vant

Campbell

B. Smith

Jacobsen

Parker

Messmer

Huberts

Long

Motion approved.

HON. MR. STRACHAN: I would move, seconded by the opposition

House Leader, that Craig Harley James of Victoria is hereby appointed

Second Clerk-Assistant and Clerk of Committees of the Legislative

Assembly of British Columbia. This motion follows from practice

recommendation No. 4.

Motion approved.

MR. SKELLY: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, I think there

was a

section missed out of the proceedings today, and that is that

after the Hon. B.R.D. Smith introduced Bill 1, he neglected to move

that it be placed on orders of the day.

Interjections.

MR. SKELLY: We would like to perpetuate that parliamentary....

HON. B. R. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, lest that parliamentary right

disappear in a breach of procedure, I move that the bill be placed on

orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Motion approved.

Presenting reports

Hon. Mr. Brummet presented the annual report of the Ministry of Education for the period July 1, 1985, to June 30, 1986.

Hon. Mr. Michael presented the annual report of the British Columbia

Ferry Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1986, in

compliance with the provisions of the Ferry Corporation Act.

Hon. Mr. Savage presented the annual report of the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission for the year ending March 31, 1986.

Hon. L. Hanson presented the fourteenth annual report of the

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia for the period ending

December 31, 1986.

HON. MR. STRACHAN: At the outset I wish to advise the House

that pursuant to standing orders the House will meet tomorrow at 10

a.m. to consider the Address in Reply. Further, by agreement with Her

Majesty's Loyal Opposition, the House will meet this Thursday at 10

a.m. and have a question period. It will adjourn at 1 p.m. on Thursday

and following that, the House will reconvene Monday next at 2 p.m.

On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, may I welcome

our assembled guests in the Legislative Assembly and those who have

viewed our deliberations in the Ned DeBeck Lounge. We thank you for

attending and hope you will visit us again in the not too distant

future.

[ Page 10 ]

[3:30]

MR. ROSE: I would just like to confirm, Mr. Speaker, that what the hon.

government House Leader has told the House is substantially correct. We certainly

appreciate this new era of consultation and cooperation. I would like to add

my welcome to those assembled and also welcome, with some relief, his motion

for adjournment.

Hon. Mr. Strachan moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 3:31 p.m.

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