Second Session, 41st Parliament

(2017) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 15

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Ministerial Statements

UN declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples

Hon. S. Fraser

D. Ashton

A. Olsen

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill M201 — Election Amendment Act, 2017

A. Wilkinson

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Sikh Motorcycle Club activities

R. Singh

Response to wildfires in Prince George and Robson Valley

areas

S. Bond

Coastal Douglas fir lands

D. Routley

Response to wildfires by volunteer fire departments in Cariboo

North

C. Oakes

Squamish peoples language preservation program

B. Ma

L. Reid

Oral Questions

Massey Tunnel replacement project

T. Stone

Hon. C. Trevena

J. Sturdy

Cohen Commission recommendations on aquaculture

A. Weaver

Hon. L. Popham

Massey Tunnel replacement project

I. Paton

Hon. C. Trevena

M. de Jong

Hon. M. Farnworth

Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right)

Hon. C. Trevena

Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued)

R. Glumac

D. Ashton

Hon. L. Popham

J. Thornthwaite

R. Singh

A. Weaver

Hon. A. Dix

M. Bernier

J. Brar

P. Milobar

Hon. H. Bains

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

The House met at 1:35 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

Hon. C. Trevena: I am very pleased to introduce today 12 members of the highway

maintenance executive of the BCGEU who are in the gallery. We have with us

Scott Bumphrey, Danny Campbell, Stephan Rayson, Rory Smith, Fred Street,

Darren Feltren, Kelly McDonald, Mike Turley, Dave Maki, Walter Chernoff,

John Cantlon, Earl Haward, Curtis Biech and Frank Anderson.

They represent diverse parts of this province. They and the workers

that they represent maintain our highways, roads and bridges across the

province. The safety of all of us, because we all use the roads, depends on

their local and regional expertise. I’d like to thank them for the work that

they do, and I hope that the House will make them very welcome.

Hon. R. Fleming: With us in the gallery, I believe — in the precinct, anyway, today —

is a constituent of mine, Sheenagh Morrison. She’s no stranger to this

House. She’s become a little bit addicted to B.C. politics, apparently, in

recent days, and she’s here to join us again.

This gives me an opportunity to actually congratulate her, because

Sheenagh was a participant at the Special Olympics in Kamloops this past

summer and won two medals there. So congratulations to Sheenagh. Welcome

back to the House. I know she tells me she’s having a great week. As a

longtime tireless advocate for reinstatement of the PWD bus pass program,

she says she’s having a great week this week.

Welcome, Sheenagh. Great to have you here.

Ministerial Statements

UN DECLARATION ON THE

RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS

PEOPLES

Hon. S. Fraser: Today marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United

Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Ten years ago

the UN General Assembly adopted the declaration as a standard of

achievement to be pursued in the spirit of partnership and respect.

These two words, “partnership” and “respect” — you will hear these words

often from this government, because reconciliation can only be achieved

if we have both.

We recognize it’s time for a change in how we work with Indigenous

peoples, First Nations, Métis and Inuit British Columbians. We also

recognize that this is not a partisan issue. We must work together to

make change happen.

The declaration is wide-ranging. It talks about the right to

self-determination; the right to be free of discrimination, and to

practise and preserve culture, language and traditions; the rights to

education, health care, security, and better social and economic

conditions. These are only a few of the elements of the UN

declaration.

The declaration emphasizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to

participate in matters impacting their lives, including their

relationships to the land, territories and resources. We will aim to

realize these rights. We have a great responsibility, but we also have a

great opportunity to address wrongdoings from the past and present to

Indigenous peoples.

[1:40 p.m.]

It is a responsibility that we take seriously and an opportunity

that we will not fail to grasp. The declaration and the Truth and

Reconciliation calls to action teach us that we must stop looking at

issues in silos. That’s why all of my cabinet colleagues have been

tasked with finding ways to bring the declaration into action, to

breathe life into the declaration in British Columbia by reviewing

government’s policies, programs and legislation.

Years ago I learned a Nuu-chah-nulth term, a piece of wisdom, if

you will: hishuk-ish ts’awalk . “Everything is one. All things

are connected.” We’re doing this because everything is connected.

Economic outcomes are inextricably linked to social outcomes, and social

outcomes are linked to culture, language and identity.

To quote Grand Chief Ed John of the B.C. summit: “The adoption of

the UN declaration is an acknowledgment of the profound importance of

the teachings of Indigenous peoples and the relationships we

collectively have with the world that we live in.”

In this tenth anniversary year, it is time for action. By

embracing the UN declaration with humility, we will finally build a

strong government-to-government relationship. We will move forward

together in the spirit of recognition, respect, collaboration and

cooperation. On this tenth anniversary, I want to affirm to this House

and the people of British Columbia that the principles of the United

Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples will be our road

map to reconciliation, and we will travel this road — Indigenous and

non-Indigenous British Columbians — together.

D. Ashton: I’m pleased to join with the minister today to recognize the tenth

anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations declaration of the

rights of Indigenous people.

Here in British Columbia, we have some of the most diverse First

Nations communities in the world, and we support the principles of the

UN declaration as we continue building successful partnerships with each

other. We support the approach the declaration takes on the rights,

freedoms, dignity, quality of life that every Indigenous British

Columbian deserves.

For too long, Indigenous Canadians have been wrongfully treated as

second-class citizens and have dealt with the burden and stigma of being

wards of the state. We look forward to continuing building partnerships

to move beyond the stigma and to truly embrace reconciliation with the

First Nations of this country and this province.

My dad always said: “Never walk in front of someone, nor behind,

but beside for mutual success in the future.”

We support the important elements of UNDRIP that seek to improve

the quality of life through new economic partnerships, revenue-sharing

and closing gaps in education, employment and health. As the minister

has stated, economic success can only be achieved if access to services

and opportunities are equal.

To quote Chief Wilf Adam of the Lake Babine Nation: “I am tired of

managing poverty. I want to manage success and optimism.”

So today I’m proud to celebrate the principles of UNDRIP and what

it does and will do to strengthen the First Nations of British

Columbia.

A. Olsen: I rise to seek leave of the House to respond the minister’s

statement.

Leave granted.

A. Olsen: HÍSW̱ḴE . Thank you to the minister for his statement.

Thank you to the member opposite for his as well. Actually, not the

member opposite.

I’m honoured to stand in this House today and say a few words to

mark the tenth anniversary of the United Nations declaration of the

rights of Indigenous people. It’s a historic moment for Indigenous and

non-Indigenous people in British Columbia. Today is a day to celebrate

the fact that we have finally reached the point where we are beyond

debating whether the minimum standards of UNDRIP should be endorsed.

Instead, we are seeking to work together in partnership to identify how

to implement and operationalize those standards.

This is a fundamental and necessary shift. By saying that we

endorse UNDRIP and that we’re going to work together to implement it, we

are turning the page on denial of Indigenous peoples and their rights.

We are affirming that recognition of Indigenous rights is our starting

point for building our future together and that our work is to implement

those rights together.

[1:45 p.m.]

For the first time, there is a real possibility for true

government-to-government relationships based on recognition and

respect.

Today is also the day to mark the tremendous journey that it has

been to get here to where we are today. We have a deep and recent

history of colonialization, with all of the injustices and the wrongs

that that term entails. If we are going to find a path forward, we must

be honest about this reality, and we must be honest about our

history.

Today is a day to recognize that this journey is not over. As we

mark ten years since the adoption of UNDRIP, the hard work of

reconciliation has just begun. We must counter the misconceptions that

exist in some of the aspects of UNDRIP. With UNDRIP, no new rights are

created. It is consistent with

section 35, and consent does not mean

veto. Consent is about distinct governments, jurisdictions and

authorities finding mechanisms to work together, not one trumping the

other. It recognizes that no one’s power is absolute, that we must work

together to craft our collective future.

The work of shifting from denial to recognition of Indigenous

rights will be one of the greatest legacies our generation has for our

province, British Columbia. We can show our children and our

grandchildren how we can at once create a more just society, address the

historic wrongs and build prosperity for the future of all British

Columbians. HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM .

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL M201 — ELECTION

AMENDMENT ACT,

A. Wilkinson presented a bill intituled Election Amendment Act,

A. Wilkinson: I move that a bill entitled the Election Amendment Act, 2017, of

which notice has been given in my name, be introduced and read for a

first time now.

This bill will amend the Election Act to introduce new rules and

restrictions on contributions to political parties, constituency

associations and candidates, as well as sponsorship of election

communications.

Interjections.

A. Wilkinson: I’m glad to see that we have a supportive crowd here.

The bill reintroduces amendments previously contained in Bill 4,

which was introduced in spring of this year. Since the members opposite

didn’t read the bill last time, this will give them an opportunity to do

so shortly after today.

This bill has already been through the legislative review

committee and has been fully vetted by the experts at the Ministry of

the Attorney General, so the members opposite can rest assured that it

is a viable piece of legislation, unlike some that has been seen here

earlier on this topic.

The proposed legislation will contain a ban on corporate and union

donations, introduce limits to contributions and restrict those

donations to individuals residing in British Columbia who are Canadian

citizens or permanent residents. The annual allowable contribution

limits would be $2,500 to any particular political party; $2,500 to

constituency associations and candidates, together, of any political

party; $2,500 to an independent candidate; and $2,005 to each leadership

contestant and nomination contestant.

Under these rules, under this statute, an eligible individual can

contribute up to $5,000 per year to any one political party and its

related constituency associations and candidates. The act would also

make changes to loans made to parties and candidates and require them to

come from a savings institution with a rate of interest not lower than

the prime rate.

Third-party advertising would be actively addressed in this piece

of legislation. It would make changes to third-party election

communications of all sorts. Contributions for the purpose of sponsoring

communications during elections will be limited to eligible individuals

and limited to $2,500 per calendar year. The amendments would also

expand the range of activities to be regulated beyond paid advertising

to include canvassing of voters, direct mail and broadcasting election

opinion surveys on a paid commercial basis.

Third-party sponsors raising more than $10,000 would be required

to open a dedicated account at a financial institution and deposit

contributions to that account, as well as pay expenses from it.

Importantly, this bill will provide for real-time disclosure of donors

in the political frame.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member.

A. Wilkinson: The proposed amendments would introduce that disclosure

requirement through Elections B.C., as well as new rules respecting

fundraising functions attended by major political party leaders — like

the one scheduled for September 22 at the Hotel Vancouver with a $3,000

price tag — and members of the executive council.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member.

[1:50 p.m.]

A. Wilkinson: The threshold for reporting will be any contributions greater than

$100.

Mr. Speaker: The question….

Interjections.

A. Weaver: Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

I do appreciate the words that were issued here, in the House, on

the bill. Unfortunately, we have yet to have a vote on whether or not

the bill should move to first reading. I would argue that the bill

cannot be moved further until such time as we actually move that the

bill be put to first reading.

Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Member. Your point is not taken. I’m going to be asking

for first reading.

Members, the question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

A. Wilkinson: 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.

Bill M201, Election Amendment Act, 2017, introduced, read a first

time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

SIKH MOTORCYCLE CLUB ACTIVITIES

R. Singh: I want to take a moment to draw the attention of the House to the

recent advocacy work of the Sikh Motorcycle Club. Founded in 2002, the

Sikh Motorcycle Club is a not-for-profit organization and advocacy group

with over 150 members spread throughout British Columbia. Last year they

raised over $100,000 for pediatric cancer research and have been

tireless advocates for riders injured in motor vehicle

accidents.

Last month they held an anti-violence event in Surrey that began

with a group ride throughout the city, culminating with a well-attended

rally at a local park. They rode through the streets with a simple

message — save our children — to raise awareness about the growing gun

violence in the community.

The Sikh Motorcycle Club has done an incredible job of raising

their voices and speaking out against the gang violence that is active

in our city. They are showing the rest of the province that the

residents of Surrey will continue to work together to effect positive

changes in the lives of young people. I want to thank the organizers,

especially Azad Sidhu, for taking such an important initiative and

bringing continued awareness to a problem that affects all of us in

Surrey.

We all need to take a collective stand and work together to rid

our province of crime through effective laws and social spending that

address the root causes of the issue — poverty, addiction and mental

illness. With continued investments in the Wrap program and other

community-based crime reduction programs, we can eliminate the waiting

list for youth at risk in different communities. We will only be

successful if we all work together.

I want to, again, thank the Sikh Motorcycle Club.

RESPONSE TO WILDFIRES IN PRINCE

GEORGE AND ROBSON

VALLEY AREAS

S. Bond: It has been said that the worst in Mother Nature brings out the

best in human nature. As British Columbia has faced the worst wildfire

season on record, there are countless stories that validate that

statement.

How do a community and region react when more than 10,000 people

are evacuated from their homes and they need a temporary place to call

home? Well, they step up, and they open their hearts and their homes,

without hesitation. That was certainly the case in Prince George and the

Robson Valley during the height of the wildfire situation.

[1:55 p.m.]

Today I want to recognize and thank the countless volunteers who

were difference-makers. Residents of McBride and Valemount opened

comfort centres. In Prince George, the Salvation Army served meals and

provided clothing. People gave rides. They shared their homes and their

backyards. The SPCA and the Humane Society cared for hundreds of pets

and livestock. All of this and so much more.

It simply would not have been possible without hundreds of

dedicated volunteers who worked long hours and came back day after day

after day. To Mayor Lyn Hall and his team; the regional district; Todd

Doherty, our MP; and other leaders: thank you for your tireless

efforts.

As my husband and I did our volunteer shifts, we heard stories

from evacuees that brought us to tears, but what we heard most was the

gratitude evacuees had for the care and comfort they received in their

home away from their home. I am so proud of my community and region.

Thank you for proving, with every single act of kindness, that the worst

in Mother Nature really does bring out the best in human

nature.

COASTAL DOUGLAS FIR LANDS

D. Routley: I rise today to speak to the members about the coastal Douglas

fir. It’s my favourite tree, partially because I share the name, but

it’s also home. Coastal Douglas fir also refers to one of the 16

ecological regions of B.C. — the smallest, in fact. It occupies only 0.3

percent of B.C.’s total area and, at that, is occupied by 75 percent of

B.C.’s human population in places like Vancouver, Victoria and

Nanaimo.

Forty-eight percent of the coastal Douglas fir area is covered by

human population. Ninety-four percent of the lands in B.C. are Crown

lands, where 80 percent of coastal Douglas fir lands are private, mostly

on Vancouver Island. They have the highest diversity of plant species in

Canada, the highest diversity of overwintering bird species in

Canada.

It spreads south into the U.S., but the vast majority is here in

B.C. It is the least-protected ecological zone. And 42 out of 43 of the

forests, 98 percent, are considered at risk. More than 150 introduced

invasive species have been brought to these lands, and the highest road

density is found in these lands of any of the 16 ecological

zones.

I bring this up because this is home to me. In Yellow Point, part

of the area I represent, there is an assemblage of private lands, some

of the last and most significant coastal Douglas fir lands still

existing on Vancouver Island — some of it old growth, over 250 years.

Less than 1 percent of the old growth of this species

remains.

It’s become a conflict. Because of public policy that has made it

difficult for private forest companies to access fibre, they are piecing

together fibre supply with pieces of this land. Donators have bought

these lands and are willing to buy them. It’s a desperate problem for

our ecology, and I hope all of us are aware and help to solve

it.

RESPONSE TO WILDFIRES BY VOLUNTEER

FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN

CARIBOO NORTH

C. Oakes: Volunteer fire departments in Cariboo North demonstrated how

critical they are to the wildfire fighting arsenal in British Columbia.

Many of these departments are in small unincorporated areas. They raise

revenues through bottle drives and garage sales.

During the height of the wildfires, volunteer fire departments

like McLeese Lake and Soda Creek Indian Band came to the aid of a local

rancher. Their quick action protected the ranch, Highway 97, a railway

bridge and telecommunication infrastructure. Miocene proved to be an

incredible anchor for the region. Working 24-7 as the Spokin Lake fire

raged, they were aided by their neighbours, Horsefly and 150

Mile.

The Big Lake fire department demonstrated how local knowledge,

access to equipment and volunteers are…. Like other fire halls in the

region, volunteers came together to feed up to 100 people a day. Locals

emptied their fridges, not knowing when the roads would reopen, often

without power, not knowing when they could restock their fridges for

their own families.

Working in this region, our patrols were Tyee volunteers. On that

frightening day when the helicopter landed to evacuate the community,

the fire department coordinated a caravan so that everyone could leave

safely. The Likely volunteers, equally cut off, went to work quickly to

put out fires created by lightning strikes.

[2:00 p.m.]

In Wildwood, the fire department worked tirelessly to protect

homes as fires merged. When the Green Mountain fire exploded near

Kersley and closed Highway 97 for many weeks, the Kersley fire

department went door to door to ensure everyone was safe. The West

Fraser fire department was an important source of information as 19

fires merged into the Plateau fire. Communication was

critical.

To other fire departments like Barlow Creek, Bouchie Lake, Ten

Mile Lake, Wells, Quesnel, who came to the aid of their fellow

communities, thank you. These volunteers are Canadian heroes.

SQUAMISH PEOPLES

LANGUAGE PRESERVATION

PROGRAM

B. Ma: Chen kw’enmantúmi . That is my beginner’s attempt at

saying, “I am grateful to you,” in the traditional language of the

Squamish peoples, whose ancestral territories, shared with the

Tsleil-Waututh First Nation peoples, upon which the riding known as

North Vancouver–Lonsdale exists.

Seven years ago the traditional language of the Squamish peoples

was on the brink of extinction, with fewer than ten fluent speakers

remaining. Now it is making a comeback, and 28-year-old Squamish Nation

member Khelsilem is leading the charge. It all started six years ago,

when Khelsilem started running volunteer language classes in his

father’s home with just a handful of people. Today Khelsilem is the

program director and founder of the two-year, full-time, adult

Squamish-language immersion program at Simon Fraser

University.

The revitalization of an indigenous language is much more than an

academic endeavour. It is, in essence, the revitalization of an entire

culture. It is about being proud of one’s heritage. It is about throwing

off the shackles of colonization. It is about taking back control. And

when it comes to our support for these programs, it is about taking

responsibility for the current state of these cultures and committing to

reconciliation.

As we sit here today, in these chambers on the traditional

territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, firm and vocal

in our commitment to true reconciliation, I am hopeful for what lies

ahead for the continued development of our relationship with the many

First Nations who have called this land their home for thousands of

years. I am so grateful and so honoured to be able to serve so many

members of the Squamish Nation as their MLA. Huy chexw

a .

PARLIAMENTARIANS WITH

DISABILITIES

L. Reid: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association recently hosted a

meeting regarding the establishment of a CPA subcommittee for

parliamentarians with disabilities. The leader of this meeting was the

Hon. Kevin Murphy, Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of

Assembly.

Hon. Members, the questions we might ask ourselves: are persons

with disabilities fairly represented in the Commonwealth parliamentary

system, and how can we, as parliamentarians, better support the

demographics of persons with disabilities to participate as elected

officials, as civil servants and as political staff? We should ask

ourselves: are all our legislatures wheelchair-accessible? And frankly,

are our polling stations wheelchair-accessible?

With respect to the United Nations

article 29 on participation in

political and public life, it states: “Parties shall guarantee to

persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy

them on an equal basis with others and shall undertake to ensure that

persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in

political and public life on an equal basis with others, directly or

through freely chosen representatives, including the right and

opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and to be

elected.”

Imagine arriving at a hotel with another colleague who relies on a

chair for mobility only to learn that the hotel only has one

wheelchair-accessible room. It’s a common occurrence not just in our

country but across the globe.

The estimate of disability in the Canadian population is suggested

to be 15 percent — a significant demographic and significantly

underserved. In 2015, a Canadian survey was sent out to legislatures:

“Does your province have individuals with disability?” Frankly, the

result is that every legislature in the country and across the globe has

someone who requires some supports on a go-forward basis. “Does the MLA

with physical disabilities have full access to the legislative building,

including all relevant offices and rooms, the chamber, etc.?”

[2:05 p.m.]

Oral Questions

MASSEY TUNNEL REPLACEMENT PROJECT

T. Stone: This week we have raised concerns about the no-investment, no-jobs

message that government is sending through cancelled projects and

numerous chaotic reviews.

Highway 99 is a key corridor for provincial and national economic

development. It’s a route that moves about $25 billion a year. By

cancelling the George Massey Tunnel replacement project, the NDP

government is turning its back on 80,000 commuters who are stuck in

British Columbia’s worst traffic bottleneck. They’re putting B.C.’s

economy at risk, and they are threatening 9,000 jobs.

My question to the Minister of Transportation relates to the cost

of this project. Now that she has cancelled the George Massey

procurement process, will the minister today inform British Columbians

as to the dollar value of the lowest-price proposal that the government

received?

Hon. C. Trevena: I’d like to thank the member for his first question to me in

opposition. And I have to say that I’m pretty incredulous that this

member, of all people, would be asking questions about this project. It

was under his government that it went ahead as basically a pet political

project of the former Premier, Christy Clark. And I would also expect

that the member, as a former minister, would know that I cannot divulge

information on the bid process.

T. Stone: Being a former minister, I certainly know that you can disclose

information. In this particular case, the Minister of Transportation

should disclose this information.

I am very proud, as is every member on this side of the House,

that we supported a project that was going to create 9,000 direct jobs

in British Columbia. This was a project that was going to give some

relief to 80,000 commuters stuck in British Columbia’s worst traffic

bottleneck, the largest parking lot in the province.

It’s very disappointing that the minister hasn’t been more

forthcoming about the excellent news that she’s well aware of, that the

taxpayers of this province and the commuters of British Columbia have a

right to know. In fact, the lowest proponent price received was

significantly lower than the original project estimate. She knows this.

I’ll be more specific.

Mr. Speaker: Member, you have a question?

T. Stone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Based on the lowest-price proposal received, the project could

have been completed for $900 million less than anticipated.

Again, to the Minister of Transportation: will the minister

confirm that based on the proposals received, the bridge to replace the

George Massey Tunnel could have been built for $2.6 billion, a full $900

million less than originally estimated, if only the government had gone

ahead with the procurement process?

[2:10 p.m.]

Hon. C. Trevena: We are not going to be taking any lessons on math, on bridges,

from that member.… These were the people that doubled the cost of Port

Mann Bridge to $3.6 billion. The project that the member is talking

about was a pet project of the former Premier.

Interjections.

Hon. C. Trevena: While they may heckle all they want, it’s our duty to act

responsibly on behalf of the people of British Columbia, make sure that

we get the right project and that we get the buy-in from everyone who is

concerned and living in that region.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Kamloops–South Thompson on a second

supplemental.

T. Stone: Let’s go over some NDP math here. The last time I checked, being

able to build a bridge that was going to be good for 80,000 commuters a

day, save them 30 minutes a day, create 9,000 direct jobs, help them

move $25 billion worth of goods every year and doing it for $2.6 billion

versus the project estimate of $3.5 billion is a pretty good deal for

the taxpayers of British Columbia.

Now, the publicized costs associated with the government’s

decision to cancel the project include $66 million for advanced

construction work, $25 million for B.C. Hydro work and millions of

dollars in cancellation costs to the proponents who were in good faith

in the procurement process.

In addition, I understand that the minister has been advised that

her decision would result in significant increased costs related to

potentially doing the project at a later date, yet she hasn’t disclosed

these additional costs to British Columbians. These additional costs of

hundreds of millions of dollars relate to missing the current window of

existing construction capacity, missing seasonal environmental windows,

inflation and increasing interest rates.

To the minister, will she today disclose the total cost to

taxpayers for her decision to cancel the George Massey project, and why

hasn’t she been forthright with British Columbians about these

costs?

Hon. C. Trevena: The member didn’t actually read any of the information that came

out after the press conference which announced that this is being

deferred in which all the costs were broken down — the investment in the

future project. We’re talking about a project that had absolutely no

buy-in from anyone in the region. There was one. If….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, we will hear the minister’s response.

Hon. C. Trevena: If the members opposite respect fellow elected officials…. There

was one mayor who accepted this. We’re going out to talk to the mayors,

who we need to ensure that it matches their vision, whatever we

do.

But I’ve got to say that we have the former minister, now the

member for Kamloops–South Thompson, railing on about how terrible it is,

our decision. We’ve got to remember that in their last throne speech in

June, the then Premier actually said that she was pulling back from the

project. I’d like to quote what the Province newspaper said.

The Province newspaper said at the time: “The Liberals are even

entertaining second thoughts on Clark’s precious Massey Tunnel

replacement bridge.”

The scale of the investment demands that we get it right, that we

get the public buy-in and that we actually are doing a good investment

for the people of British Columbia.

J. Sturdy: Just for clarity, we want to remind the minister that in their own

three-year service plan that there was, it says cancellation of the

procurement of the Massey Tunnel replacement project. It’s clearly been

cancelled, as per your own documentation. The reality is that the Massey

Tunnel replacement project is, in fact, an urgently needed piece of

infrastructure that is shovel-ready and that is a good deal for

taxpayers.

[2:15 p.m.]

Before she made her decision to cancel the project, both industry

and ministry staff told the minister very clearly that the time to

complete this project is now. In fact, she was told that not only the

cost for the Massey replacement will go up, but in fact, changes to the

ministry’s timing of major projects would increase costs for the

Pattullo, Surrey LRT and Broadway extension.

The question to the minister is: will the minister admit she was

warned that the delay and project stacking will result in higher costs

for all of these projects?

Hon. C. Trevena: Well, again, I thank the member for his first question as a member

of the opposition and as my critic. I appreciate this — the member who

lives on the toll-free Sea to Sky Highway that was built in a 3P

operation in a way that we wouldn’t have done it ourselves.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, continue.

Hon. C. Trevena: On this side of the House, we care about public spending. We care

about how we are going to make sure….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister.

Members. We will hear the minister’s response, please.

Hon. C. Trevena: We are concerned that we haven’t got complete buy-in on this

project. Nor are we concerned that when we’re investing multi-million

dollars, billions of dollars in something as vital….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, please proceed.

Hon. C. Trevena: We accept there’s a problem on Highway 99, but we want to make

sure that we are working within the mayors’ vision. There is only mayor

at the moment who believes that having a ten-lane bridge into further

gridlock is the right approach.

We want to make sure that we get the complete involvement from the

mayors, that we consult them fully and that we get the right project —

that we are dealing with this problem and doing a serious investment

into the infrastructure in B.C., unlike that previous

government.

J. Sturdy: I’m not sure about that tolling comment. Does that mean I should

be passing on to my constituents we should be looking at a Sea to Sky

toll or looking forward to a Sea to Sky toll? Or maybe an Island Highway

toll?

The province undertook a thorough and robust competitive selection

process as part of the Massey Tunnel replacement project. Industry

invested considerable time, money and resources in that process. The

minister was warned by industry and her officials that cancelling the

project would compromise the province’s reputation for delivering major

projects. Industry also told the minister that cancellation is the wrong

thing to do at this time.

At what point did the minister decide she didn’t care about the

economic consequences of this project cancellation?

Hon. C. Trevena: We have consulted fully. We have talked to many people, and we’re

going to continue to talk to people. Our government is one that looks at

inclusion, as well as affordability, as well as a wise use of our

resources. Unlike that government, we want to make sure that we get the

right project that is really going to solve the problems that people

across the Lower Mainland are facing.

[2:20 p.m.]

COHEN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS

AQUACULTURE

A. Weaver: The 2017 B.C. election platform states this: “We will ensure that

the salmon farming industry does not endanger wild salmon by

implementing the recommendations of the Cohen Commission, keeping

farmsites out of the important salmon migration routes and supporting

research and transparent monitoring to minimize the risk of disease

transfer from captive to wild fish.”

In addition, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

promised First Nation leaders, in Alert Bay on April 23 of 2017: “We

will remove fish farms, we are committed to that, and we can actually

form government to make this happen and make sure that these territories

and the north Island are clear of fish farms.” She did so, with respect,

as a means or way of convincing First Nation leaders not to vote for the

B.C. Green Party.

My question to the Minister of Agriculture is this. What is the

government’s plan now to implement the recommendations of the Cohen

Commission and assist in the transition from ocean-based fish farms to

land-based closed-containment systems?

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you to the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head for the question.

I appreciate it, and I want to assure the member and the people of

British Columbia that our government is deeply committed to protecting

B.C.’s wild salmon. It’s essential to our economy, it’s essential to our

province, and it’s essential to our B.C. First Nations.

The Cohen Commission recommendations are something that we did

commit to in our platform, and we are absolutely committed to fulfilling

those recommendations. There are federal recommendations, and there is

B.C.’s portion of those recommendations, and we are committing to do

that.

I’m sure the member probably knows that, but I did want to point

out that in 2010 there was the Hinkson decision which moved the

responsibility for fish health and licensing of fish farms to the

federal government. The provincial government has the responsibility for

tenures. It’s important to know that at this time, as we’re figuring out

where we go next, there are no tenures being approved and no renewal of

tenures being approved.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head on a supplemental.

A. Weaver: First off, I do wish to thank the official opposition for their

support in the question. I’m sure they thought I was going to offer a

softball, but this is a very serious question that we would like to

actually get details on.

I’d like to acknowledge that this is a very complex

multi-jurisdictional issue, but let me be very clear. The Minister of

Transportation and Infrastructure was forthright and clear that her

government was going to remove fish farms from the migratory tracks of

sockeye salmon — period. She said that to First Nation leaders in the

North Island and convinced them not to vote for the B.C. Green Party

because of that.

Now, my question, again to the Minister of Agriculture, is this.

Does she intend, in her mandate, to end the use of open-net fish farms

along the migratory passage of sockeye salmon, as promised to British

Columbians by the now Minister of Transportation and

Infrastructure?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, the friendliness is wonderful, but we shall hear the

minister’s response.

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, again, for your question. I’m not sure if the member

knows, but I am waiting for the recommendations coming from a report

from the Minister of Agriculture’s Advisory Council on Finfish

Aquaculture, which has been looking at this issue. I expect that report

to be coming forward with recommendations at the end of this year. While

I wait for those recommendations, I have already been on the ground,

meeting with stakeholders. I’ve met with First Nations, the

industry.

I’ve also sat down with the Minister of Fisheries, Minister

LeBlanc from the federal government, and invited him to come sit at the

table with us. I think it’s going to take the provincial government, the

federal government, First Nations and industry to sit together as we

move forward and figure out the recommendations and how to implement

them.

[2:25 p.m.]

MASSEY TUNNEL REPLACEMENT PROJECT

I. Paton: The George Massey Tunnel. I know a little bit about this Deas

Island Tunnel from when I was a kid. It’s quite an antiquated tunnel. I

used to go through it with my parents, back around circa 1962. My dad

and mom would pull up to a tollbooth and pay a toll before they went

through the George Massey Tunnel.

Many stories have come to me, from time to time, with citizens

from both sides of this tunnel who’ve been stuck in the gridlock,

missing medical appointments, family functions, kids’ sporting events

and ferry reservations or being late for work or, worst of all, clinging

to life in an ambulance attempting to get to a hospital in Richmond or

Vancouver.

My constituents are profoundly disappointed that this government

has cut funding to relieve congestion on Highway 99. Not only my south

Delta residents but thousands from the U.S. border, south Langley, South

Surrey, White Rock and Richmond and, of course, North Delta tunnel users

have been completely forgotten by this NDP government. For the 80,000

people each and every day stuck in rush hour gridlock, there was hope on

the way in the Massey Tunnel project that was going to go

forward.

My question to the minister: can she tell those who travel through

the tunnel why she has cancelled the project and the funding to address

the congestion they have to deal with every day?

Hon. C. Trevena: I’d like to acknowledge the member’s first question in the House.

It’s always an exciting time to stand up and ask a minister a question.

I thank you for that and for representing your community.

This side of the House is committed to addressing congestion in

the Lower Mainland. That’s one of the reasons we removed tolls, because

we thought that this was going to be a way. We’ve seen the result, a 38

percent increase….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, proceed.

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

A 38 percent increase in traffic there.

I’d just like to remind the member. He is new to this House. He

wasn’t here when…. I think it was about four Transportation Ministers

ago. It was before the member over there was Transportation Minister.

Kevin Falcon, when he was the Transportation Minister, was deeply

committed to the tunnel, to twinning the tunnel, fixing up what we had,

making sure it was seismically safe and seeing that as a way to deal

with the gridlock.

We’re trying to find the right solution for the community. We

acknowledge that there is a problem there, but we want to make sure that

we get the buy-in and that we get the right solution.

I. Paton: I chuckle at the review process of the George Massey Tunnel

replacement. This project underwent a multi-stage planning and

consultation process, incorporating technical analysis and broad-based

First Nations, community, business, farming and public input. Over the

past five years, there were over 250 meetings within the municipalities

of Richmond and Delta and over 50 meetings with Metro Vancouver to

discuss topics such as traffic, land use, transit and air quality. There

are over 14,000 pages of information on the minister’s own website, all

of which help shape a project that was well underway.

My question to the minister: given this, how can the minister

possibly claim more consultation or analysis is required? Has she

actually read the information on her own website?

[2:30 p.m.]

Hon. C. Trevena: I find it very interesting how the opposition can so disregard the

views of other elected officials. The mayors for Metro Vancouver have a

vision for their communities. Only one mayor believed that the bridge

was the right fit.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the minister’s response.

Hon. C. Trevena: Only one mayor thought that the ten-lane bridge, which would lead

into gridlock, was the right fit for their vision. They know what they

want to see for the Lower Mainland. We want to work with them and make

sure that we can get to a place where we can deal with gridlock, where

we can deal with congestion in a reasonable way at an affordable price

that includes everybody.

M. de Jong: To the minister, it probably won’t surprise her to know that I

don’t find her answers very compelling. I don’t find her argument around

the need for additional consultation very compelling, but perhaps part

of my skepticism relates to the belief that I don’t think she’s being

completely forthright.

I have a document, and the member will be familiar with the

document. It’s a document titled “Platform Prep 2017,” with the

headline: “This is what bold looks like.”

Now, I take no issue with the then opposition preparing a menu or

an inventory of priorities. These priorities relate to transportation

and transit and the things that they would like to do, and they list

them here. Then they address the issue of how they’re going to pay for

it. The line in the answer to that question flies in the face of

everything the minister has said to this House today. It’s a simple

line: “How will we pay for it? We’ll pay for this instead of replacing

the Massey Tunnel.”

All of this talk about consultation, all of this talk about

getting the right project. Well, we now know what the right project is.

It’s no project.

Will the minister confirm for the 80,000 commuters who sit in that

parking lot twice a day, hours at a time, spewing pollution into the

atmosphere, that she and her government have turned their backs on them

and have no intention of doing anything to improve and eliminate B.C.’s

biggest parking lot on Highway 99?

Hon. C. Trevena: We want to work with people. We want to work with….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, proceed please.

Hon. C. Trevena: We will be working with the mayors, who have a vision for the

region. We want to make sure that their vision for the region is not

overrun by a ten-lane bridge but that we get the right project that

deals with what we all accept is bad congestion in that area.

We don’t know what the answer will be, but we need to find it

together. We need to make sure that any investment of public funds is

done properly, and we think that the only way of doing that is working

together with the mayors.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Abbotsford West on a supplemental.

M. de Jong: The minister is not being honest.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Member. The question, please.

M. de Jong: The minister is pretending in the face of direct evidence. The NDP

— the government — made up their mind on this months ago. They made up

their mind before the election. They didn’t tell anyone. They didn’t

tell anyone that they have other priorities. You know, you’re allowed to

have other priorities.

[2:35 p.m.]

What you’re not allowed to do, in my view, is to pretend that

you’re considering something when you’ve already made up your mind and

said: “We’re going to take the money from there, and we’re going to

devote it…. We’ll pay for this instead of replacing the Massey Tunnel.”

Not by delaying it, not by thinking of another project, not by getting

the right project. The right project is no project, in the minds of the

NDP.

You know, this is what “bold” looks like. When I listen to the

minister today, this is what a failure to be forthright with British

Columbians sounds like.

Will the minister confirm that for the 80,000 commuters on Highway

99, the future is bleak and they have been condemned to spending hours

and hours on B.C.’s biggest parking lot? Will she at least have the

courage to stand up and be honest with British Columbians that the NDP

have made up their mind and did so months ago on this issue?

Hon. M. Farnworth: Let me start off by saying that the only bleak future is for that

opposition for at least the next four years.

We have heard today question after question about delays, about

costs, about this and that. When it comes right down to it, there is

only one party that has caused delay in the development of a

transportation plan in the Lower Mainland. It is that side of the House.

There is only one party that has fought the mayors every step of the way

in the development of a ten-year regional plan. It is that side of the

House. There is only one party that brought in a referendum that was

opposed by the mayors, that was opposed by the people, that was opposed

by anybody with an interest in transportation. It was that side of the

House.

Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Minister.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Hon. Speaker, all I am going to say is this. This party campaigned

on working with local government and the mayors for a proper ten-year

regional plan. This party campaigned on working with the federal

government to ensure that we get our share of infrastructure money to

build LRT to Surrey, to build the Pattullo Bridge, to build a long-term

transit network and transportation network that will move goods and

people.

[End of question period.]

Point of Privilege

(Reservation of Right)

Hon. C. Trevena: I’d like to reserve the right to raise a point of personal

privilege.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: I call, for orders of the day, continued debate on the budget.

[2:40 p.m.]

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Budget Debate

(continued)

R. Glumac: That is a hard act to follow.

I am thankful to rise in the House today to present my thoughts on the

budget, a budget that presents a strong, responsible fiscal plan that puts

people first while helping to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of

our province.

I’d like to begin by thanking the people that made it possible for me

to be here today, the people of my constituency and the volunteers that

dedicated countless hours of their time because they believed in me and

believed in the vision that this party was sharing — making life more

affordable, improving the services that people count on, creating good jobs

for people throughout B.C. Thank you to those volunteers. All your hard work

is what got us here.

We will pass a budget that takes the first critical steps to fulfil

our vision to build a better B.C., and I’d like to acknowledge some of the

projects that are already underway in my own riding of Port

Moody–Coquitlam.

I’m pleased that we’re continuing to move forward with the commitment

to expand the emergency room at Eagle Ridge Hospital, adding 20 ER treatment

spaces. I’m also very pleased that we are going forward with a $5 million

capital funding investment for the development of 55 new affordable housing

units for people with low and moderate income, in partnership with St.

Andrews United Church in Port Moody.

Seismic replacement funding as well — for Banting Middle School, in

Coquitlam, and Moody Middle School, in Port Moody, continuing to ensure our

children’s safety and investment in the future, which I’m sure will continue

with future budgets.

As the Parliamentary Secretary for Technology, I’ve been working with

my colleague the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and ministry staff,

and meeting many key leaders in the tech sector. One consistent message has

come out of these meetings: B.C. has an incredible potential to grow many

jobs in the tech sector.

There are many great things I can talk about in this budget, but I’m

going to start and focus my comments a little bit more on the opportunities

that we have to grow this economy and how the tech sector can play an

important role in that. It’s going to take focused effort to capitalize on

this opportunity. We need to be well informed, well connected with industry

and willing to act quickly to leverage emerging opportunities in an industry

that changes quickly.

In this budget, in cooperation with the Greens, we’ll be creating the

role of an innovation commissioner. The innovation commissioner will be the

tech sector’s advocate in Ottawa and internationally. They will coordinate

alignment with federal funding programs and level the playing field with

other provinces. They will establish strong relationships with senior

leaders in B.C.’s tech sector, not only in industry but also in universities

and accelerators.

We know that technology is a major driver for B.C.’s economy, and

there are many opportunities for innovation, even in existing industries.

The innovation commissioner will play a key role in helping B.C. to become a

preferred destination for new technologies.

In this budget, we will also be creating the emerging economy task

force to enable B.C. to stay on the leading edge of global economic

development. This task force will bring together key individuals who

understand the global environment and the rapidly evolving technological

landscape. They’ll provide a B.C.-centric perspective on these global

changes and provide advice that is focused on the future.

Advancements in technology are changing the way we do things at an

accelerating rate, spawning new companies and creating innovation in ways we

never imagined in existing industries, including forestry, mining and other

resource-based industries.

[2:45 p.m.]

To illustrate a point, I’ll give an example of a conversation I had

with an entrepreneur recently, talking about a company in Germany that began

using blockchain technology to collect payments. Prior to that, it could

take several weeks to process payments, and they had a very large

reconciliation department. But by using blockchain, the payments were

collected almost instantaneously.

This could have had the effect of putting that entire department out

of work. Instead, what it did was it allowed the company to retrain those

people, in the skills that they had, in other areas of the company and

create efficiencies in the company that saved even more money.

That’s the kind of thing that we need to do and promote here in B.C.

The use of blockchain is rapidly evolving. What does it mean for B.C.’s tech

sector and existing industries? The emerging economy task force can help

answer that question.

One of the other concerns I’ve heard raised in the conversations I’ve

had with the tech sector is the availability of talent. This budget

recognizes that growing the tech sector also requires investment in

post-secondary education. This budget includes $2.6 billion in capital

spending in the next three years in post-secondary institutions across the

province. This will develop highly skilled workers that will spur innovation

and help B.C. companies to compete and grow internationally.

This budget continues to invest in ongoing innovative projects around

the province, such as construction of a new sustainable energy and

environmental engineering building at the Surrey campus of SFU, for 515

students. This will create jobs, expand research and foster

innovation.

Construction of a new industrial training and technology centre at

Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, for 550 additional students, will

accommodate a range of new and existing trades, technology and industrial

programs that will prepare students for in-demand careers in the

region.

There’s also a redevelopment of the life sciences teaching

laboratories at UBC to provide an upgraded learning environment for almost

2,200 existing students and 450 new students. An expansion of the ICICS

facilities in biomedical technologies, emergency design support and global

communications systems at UBC. These are just a few examples. There are more

to come in the future, I’m sure.

In addition, this budget continues to support investments with $7½

million toward the Prometheus project, a provincewide research and

commercialization hub for materials science and engineering innovation;

almost $12 million for cyberinfrastructure Compute Canada; and $5.7 million

for genome approaches to personalizing cancer diagnoses treatment. There is

lot in here to help grow the tech sector, and more to come.

There are many budget items that I could talk about that will assist

not only those working in the tech sector but people in every area of the

province. This budget includes investments in child care, investments in

education, investments in health care, investments in affordable housing.

But these investments are just the first step.

I’m so excited to be part of a team that is working for the people of

this province and building opportunities for the tech sector. And believe

me, there are many opportunities. I’ve heard a lot of negativity about the

economy from this side of the House, but I’m looking at this from an

extremely positive viewpoint. We have an amazing future ahead of us. We’re

already seeing B.C.’s tech sector account for $24 billion in revenue, $14

billion in GDP — nearly 10,000 companies, over 150,000 employees.

Vancouver is ranked No. 1 in Canada and No. 15 globally for start-ups.

We have a highly skilled workforce, and more than 60 percent of our

workforce has a post-secondary education.

We have 36,000 new immigrants every year, and unlike our friendly

neighbours to the south, we open our arms to skilled people from all over

the world. B.C. has the distinct advantage of being in the same time zone as

important markets in Washington, Oregon and California. Our business day

also overlaps with Asia and Europe.

We are the gateway to Asia, with more trade than any other province in

Canada. Thirty-three percent of our exports are to Asia, compared to just 8

percent in Canada. We have world-class universities and some of North

America’s leading research programs, including UBC’s Data Sciences

Institute, UVic’s institute for data science, SFU’s cybersecurity centre,

UBC’s Quantum Matter Institute.

[2:50 p.m.]

We also have the Centre for Drug Research and Development, Genome

B.C., TRIUMF and BCIT Centre for Energy Systems Applications. B.C. is

credited with nine Nobel Prize winners, and B.C. universities account for

more than 25 percent of U.S. patents derived from post-secondary research in

Canada.

Over 200 companies have been formed from the research that has been

conducted and commercialization of that research at UBC, and over 75

companies from SFU. Notable U.S. companies have already established

themselves in B.C., including Microsoft, Amazon, Intel, Boeing, Sony

Imageworks, Disney, and there is potential for so much more.

The minister and I met with senior leadership at Microsoft in Seattle

recently and discussed the potential of the Cascadia innovation corridor, a

partnership with Seattle that could create the fifth-biggest tech hub in the

world through cross-border access to talent, access to capital and access to

markets. Seattle and Vancouver combined represent a $22 billion start-up

ecosystem, and that’s three times bigger than the Toronto-Waterloo

corridor.

Seattle is ranked No. 1 for its tech talent base, an area where we

need to grow — our talent base. This is higher than any other tech centre in

North America. Seattle is also ranked the sixth-largest venture capital

ecosystem in the world, attracting over $9 billion in venture capital

funding over the last ten years. Participating in this corridor will give

Vancouver access to talent and capital like we’ve never seen before. But

make no mistake. The potential we have here is not something that only

Vancouver can capitalize on.

There are several applications for federal funding for the

supercluster initiative, $950 million that the federal government is giving

out over five years, starting this year, in support of a small number of

business-led innovation superclusters that have the greatest potential to

accelerate economic growth. This is something that the innovation

commissioner will be helping with.

These superclusters can spur incredible innovation in existing

industries across the province and job growth throughout the province. To

give you an example, Vancouver has a number of data visualization companies.

There are some on the Island and in the Interior as well: video game

companies, visual effects, mapping, augmented reality. These companies can

help spur innovation in other industries, such as health, tech, natural

resources, smart cities, transportation, construction.

Microsoft has created a HoloLens, and there’s a company in Port

Coquitlam that has taken this platform and helped innovate a company that

builds trucks for shipping. What they’ve done, instead of building clay

models, which has been the norm, and running these models through wind

tunnels and all that…. You can put on a HoloLens and go to the frame of a

truck and view what the body of the truck will look like right in front of

you. You can walk around it, and you can do the wind simulation as well.

This innovation has saved millions of dollars for this company, and that’s

just the tip of the iceberg of what’s possible in existing

industries.

Mining companies are using augmented reality to view 3-D renderings of

mine plans and resource models. Agrifood industries are using artificial

intelligence to provide early-stage detection and prevention of crop stress.

There are many other examples in forestry, oil and gas, clean tech and more.

We’re in a good place, and there are incredible opportunities ahead of

us.

The previous government may want to jump up and take credit for

everything tech-related, but I can’t count the number of times that I’ve

been told, in all the conversations I’ve had with tech professionals: “Thank

you. Thank you. We finally have a government that’s willing to listen to us,

a government that recognizes the amazing potential of the tech

sector.”

The previous government decided to focus its efforts in other areas,

such as LNG. They tried really hard, but they didn’t do a very good job.

When they realized that LNG was going nowhere, someone came and tapped them

on the shoulder and said: “Hey, look. There’s a tech sector, and it’s

growing. Let’s take credit for that.” Well, this government is taking a

different approach.

[2:55 p.m.]

We have restructured our ministry to put jobs, trade and technology

together, recognizing that technology can be a major driver in job growth.

With every tech job created, there are up to five other jobs created that

support that job. This is how we create a diversified economy. This budget

update takes critical first steps to build a better B.C. We’re going to be

investing in people in this province and the services that have been

neglected for 16 years.

At the same time, we’re going to be growing a strong and diversified

economy. We have a lot of work to do, but we’re going do it. And we’re going

to do it by listening to the people of this province. We’re going to walk

forward with you, every step of the way. This budget is a budget that puts

people first and makes life better for families across this beautiful

province.

To wrap up, I want to talk about one consistent message that I’ve

heard many, many times over the last few months. It’s that the government —

the previous government — just wasn’t listening.

I’ll give you some examples. I talked to a gentleman who ran a local

grocery store for decades. More and more today he’s seeing people come into

the store with just a small amount of money. They’re walking up and down the

aisles and being very careful of what they’re buying with that money because

they know they only have that money to feed their family. The previous

government was not listening to them.

I talked to a teacher who had an on-line learning tool that was on a

trial basis that her students started using. Some of them really took to it

and enjoyed it. When the trial ran out she couldn’t afford the $200 to

actually buy the subscription to that for a year. The government wasn’t

listening to her.

I talked to several nurses that have been challenged with the lack of

resources in hospitals. There have been increasing incidents of violence,

and the government was not listening to them.

There are many issues that we have to tackle — affordable housing,

poverty reduction, child care availability, quality education, health care,

tackling the opioid crisis and addictions, home and community care for

seniors, addressing climate change. These are all issues that we are

tackling in this budget.

We’re not going to solve every problem overnight, but we’re taking

these issues seriously. We’re listening, and we’re going to build a better

B.C.

D. Ashton: Just before I get into my comments on the budget, I’d like to start

off and thank the incredible constituency staff that I’m so blessed to have

in Penticton — Dick, Sue, Ali, Rudy — and the incredible citizens of

Penticton, Naramata, Peachland and Summerland that have given me the

opportunity to be here in the people’s House in British Columbia. It’s a

terrific honour, and I would like to thank each and every one of you

again.

Also, many of us have heard, on numerous occasions, about the

incredible fires this summer at home, not only in the Okanagan Valley but

throughout the entire province and, actually, in Washington State, which are

now coming into our province. And I would really, really like to thank the

forestry staff, the contractors and the volunteers. My heart goes out to

each and every one of the individuals that have been challenged with these

fires and that have had structural losses in these fires — thank goodness,

no life losses in them. In the Okanagan, if it wasn’t for fires, we were

having flooding this year. So it was one of those real bad years.

I rise today to speak on a budget that appears to me to be short on

ideas and long on spending. It’s a real concern. Many of you know and hear

that I’m a staunch fiscal conservative. I have a very, very tough

financial…. My direction on finances is very sharp and very profound. I was

brought up in a family where you couldn’t spend a $1.10 if you were only

taking a dollar in. My dad said: “Look after the pennies; the dollars will

follow.” I’ve done my best to pass that along to my kids.

[3:00 p.m.]

More importantly, what I’ve passed along to my kids is that we have to

have a social conscience. It can go hand in hand, because unfortunately,

someone has to pay for everything that is given or is utilized. There is,

unfortunately, a value attached to that.

Unfortunately, the government, more and more, is having to step up.

You know, our neighbours used to help neighbours, and that doesn’t seem to

happen anymore. It’s a real shame. Unfortunately, all governments — whether

it’s municipal, regional, provincial or federal — are really having to step

forward these days. So what we have to do is have a whole change of heart in

the direction, I think, that we should be going into the future.

As we all know, as I came back, the forestry…. People’s homes have

been lost. I just read: 200-plus structures in the Thompson-Nicola regional

district. It’s incredible, when you lose a home to these fires or lose a

home to flooding, what goes with it — the history of your family, your

friends, your spouse, parents and grandparents, etc. There’s an incredible,

total and disruptive part to your lives. Your memories are literally

gone.

I speak from a bit of experience. My mom was 15 years old, living in

the Turner Valley in Alberta, had to ride a horse every day to school, and

when she came home one day — her father was a school teacher at another

school — the house was burned down. All they had was the barn. She said

that’s the biggest thing. She was, like, 15, if I remember correctly, and

every little piece of memory that she had — those real important years of

where you meet friends and become friends with people and start gathering

that memorabilia — was all gone.

So I would like to say that my heart, and I’m sure each and

everybody’s heart in this institution, goes out to all these folks that have

been suffering.

Coming back to the budget, I want to start in…. I come from a family

business. I know what it’s like to own a business. I know what it’s like to

deal with expenses, payroll, rent, utilities, inventory costs, plus much,

much more that is always left to be considered. And there’s a risk. There’s

the fear as you take the plunge of getting in business. I know what it’s

like to feel that fear when you make very significant and intense

investments of capital. You take the risk to hire people and to build a

business in a community. On our behalf, there were businesses in many

communities where we would try to do our best to be part of that community

and continue to support whatever it took to be, again, part of those

communities.

Unfortunately, right now, with the situation…. There should be no

business in this province that’s pushed almost into receivership or having

to close their doors because governments can’t step forward to pay bills on

time. I heard yesterday, and I say this sincerely, that every effort is

being made to ensure that this is going to be changed. I certainly hope, for

the people that are challenged with cash flow situations these days, that

this takes place.

On the First Nations side, we heard the minister speak earlier today —

and myself, also — about what is transpiring in this province. But for the

Nazko people to have to wait for the substantial amount of money that is

still owed…. I really, really think it’s important that government steps up

and ensures that their salaries are going to be able to be compensated for

and that the rent on the equipment to the various suppliers is looked after.

To me, it’s an absolute travesty, at this point in time, that this hasn’t

been done. I really hope the situation improves immediately.

You’ve heard the Leader of the Opposition say that we’re going to hold

this new government accountable for the way it intends to prepare for the

next generation — the balance sheet that they plan to leave for them — and

how they are treating the people of this generation who have actually stood

up for British Columbia in their times of need.

Before the recent election campaign…. It was outlined in the throne

speech, and then recaptured in the budget. We’ve seen that the government

has a very, very aggressive spending plan. The list of expenditures is long

and, undoubtedly, will continue as government endeavours to try and fulfil a

long list of massive spending promises and, to be frank, IOUs that are going

to be called upon in the future. I really don’t think the people of British

Columbia endorsed an endless spending or a blank-cheque approach to

government today.

[3:05 p.m.]

As a matter of fact, we know the seat distribution in here, but those

things change. There is a government in place at this point in time with

help from another party, and I hope that other party also realizes that the

people of British Columbia….

The previous gentleman, from Port Moody–Coquitlam if I remember

correctly, spoke about some of the challenges that he’s heard about in his

constituency. I need to be frank. Those challenges are not just localized in

his constituency. They go out through the province — and, I would hesitate

to say, more so in rural British Columbia because of the challenges and the

uncertainty that they’re facing at this point in time in their

lives.

The budget contains billions in additional spending from what was laid

out from the previous government. We had also committed to record spending

on health care and education, but we were focused on our key fundamentals —

ensuring that our province had a sustainable spending plan, a balanced

budget. Keep taxes as low as they can, and keep a clear vision for the

future generations.

This budget, to me and to many, is really relying on tax increases.

We’ve heard about some of the manoeuvres that have been taking place. I

really have to question if it’s the right direction that any government

should be taking — to try and meet, and probably not succeed in meeting,

these tremendous increases in spending.

When you look at business…. We all know that businesses in our

community, small business, they are the economic generators. They are the

employers and community, and now we see that they’re having to shoulder some

additional tax over a period of time. A comment was made that it’ll only be

to the levels of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. To be frank, who in

this province wants B.C. to look like what Alberta has become? Alberta is

incredibly challenged, not only with the fault of the downturn in the

petroleum industry but also a government that didn’t listen to the

people.

I’ve heard loud and clear from the good folks on the other side of

this House who have said they’re going to listen to the people, but let me

refer you back to what the member for Port Moody–Coquitlam said. The people

he represents have some concerns right now. And I have some real concerns if

this is a direction that the government is going to take that is similar to

the similar government in Alberta. I think people need to take a second look

at this.

We have a competitive advantage here in British Columbia that makes

our province more attractive to investors. It was a key facet in our

economic success and the creation of jobs. We’ve heard about the tech

industry. Look at Microsoft coming to Vancouver. Or Amazon — we’re courting

Amazon now. Those are the elephants in the room, but there are hundreds and

hundreds of smaller firms around this province that are really worried about

direction. I really do hope that the members of the government, in their

pledge to listen to the people, do listen to what the people are saying

right now.

We had some massive investments in this province — and proposed

massive investments — because of, I personally think, our low taxes, our

fiscal responsibility and our financial accountability. I really think the

questionable spending that has been proposed and promised by government is

really going to be a concern for the future.

The cancellation of the Pacific Northwest LNG project, to me, was a

reminder of what damage can be done by the stroke of a pen. A letter being

sent out by the now Minister of Environment and the now Premier, a letter

demanding Ottawa not accept, or re-examine, what was proposed in all the

environmental issues that had been put forward and apparently cleared by the

federal government….

You know, when I take a look at some of my peers around this table and

the hope…. You folks heard me say a little bit earlier that my dad always

said: “Never walk behind somebody, never walk in front of them, but walk

beside them for mutual future success.” There is a huge

opportunity.

[3:10 p.m.]

I take a look at British Columbia and the time frame that it’s taken

to get to where we are right now and the gas plants that have been created

in the United States. If I remember correctly, they have three of them going

down there. If we had been on the ball, just think what those plants would

have done for many of the people that are challenged in the north and would

have done for those taxation rolls that come down — to build those

additional schools in Surrey that people have talked about in here and to

build additional transportation infrastructure in the Lower

Mainland.

I really think — and I say this with honesty, and I say this with

respect — that the NDP-Green alliance is standing out right now against

industry that thousands of people in British Columbia rely on to feed their

families. And the snap of a finger and concentration on tech and new

environmental opportunities are not going to happen overnight. People have

to eat, and they have to eat every day, and they have to have a roof over

their heads. I sure hope that the government takes heed of not only people

in the Lower Mainland but people throughout this entire province.

We’ve heard that major money has been put on hold. We’ve heard it from

the bankers. We’ve heard it from the investment people. Right now they’re

sitting on the sidelines. They’re sitting on those sidelines purposely

waiting to see the direction that the new government is going to

take.

Small business confidence has really dropped in Canada. It’s gone from

the top to almost near the bottom. As I said earlier, the backbone of an

economy in a country like Canada, but specifically in a province like

British Columbia, is small businesses and the people that they

employ.

We have also seen that the government has a tendency to be reactionary

and has a tendency and has shown that they’re going to reject those that

have really worked hard on the engine that has really built B.C. Again, I

really question the direction at this point in time that the government has

shown.

The increased carbon tax — it was revenue-neutral. We got accolades

from around the world but specifically from the United Nations, who we

quoted earlier in a speech from one of the ministers in a follow-up to

myself. This is something that really made B.C. stand out. And it just

appears to be: “Okay, here’s some money that we can move over to here.” It

appears to be a cash grab to pay for an agenda. I really think when they

take a look at the repercussions that are going to happen with companies

across British Columbia that are going to be hit with higher carbon-taxation

bills, mark my words, investors are going to take a look at these increases

and consider all of their options. I think that’s a real shame.

Kinder Morgan. The cancellation of the Pacific LNG plant. It’s really

becoming clear that British Columbia appears to have a closing window. I

think there’s going to be an awful lot of people caught in this.

The throne speech and the budget speech did their very best, in my

opinion, to disregard what thousands of British Columbians in the

best-performing economy in the country have known and seen and what was

confirmed in the public accounts on August 22. Canada’s best performance in

provinces did not come by a quirk of fate or by accident. It was arrived at

by being very fiscally responsible.

Our previous Finance Minister — very financially accountable — was

ensuring that we had the money in place to try and meet all of the demands.

Not 100 percent. But we did our best to ensure that the demands were being

met to the best of our ability while continuing to pay down debt. I speak

not only of capital debt.

When you build a hospital, to me, it’s like a mortgage. I’m very

fortunate there’s a brand-new hospital going up in Penticton to serve a

region of about 80,000 people. I’m very glad to see that the government has

carried on with that.

What I’m talking about is operational debt. We were so fortunate that

we were taking a look into the future. If I remember correctly, in 2021, we

would have been out of having an operational debt over our head at any one

time — for the longest time, actually. I think, if I remember correctly, it

goes back to the late ’70s, early ’80s.

I take a look at our exports in British Columbia, with forestry and

the oil and gas sector. There was not a hint in the budget speech about

these industries. Some of the comments have really posed some concern in the

oil and gas sector.

[3:15 p.m.]

The Premier went to Washington to meet and have a discussion with a

gentleman who was a large financer in the election. But many of these people

that are here in B.C., that actually work for what that gentleman

represented, are all scratching their heads and going: “What about our

opportunities here?”

I really wonder about the continual direction that is taking place in

turning down some of these large projects. We heard in question period today

about some of the concerns around the Massey and the replacement and some of

the concerns from the mayors.

I’m a former mayor. I was a mayor for 1½ terms. I was a chair of a

regional district for 11 years. Yes, I’m glad when the province and the

federal government listen to elected officials. But I’m way happier when the

province and the federal government and municipalities and regional

districts listen to the people that they represent. To me, the voice of

80,000-plus people drowned out more than a few handfuls of

mayors.

B.C. has also been an incredible envy of not only Canada but also

around the world, and specifically in the Pacific Northwest, for having five

consecutive balanced budgets. There are not many countries or provinces that

can state that that has been taking place. These balanced budgets — and

balanced budgets over this term and continued to be projecting going forward

— have really, really made a difference. I take a look at the flexibility

that would be offered if we continue in that direction.

You heard me a little bit earlier say how I was raised as a kid with a

family that, to be frank, didn’t have two cents to rub together when we came

to Penticton. My dad and my mom and my sisters and myself worked incredibly

hard to build up what we had. But we had to look after those pennies and

make sure that they were always put to good use. You always ensured that the

bank was paid. Quite often, after the staff and the bills were paid, you

didn’t have a chance to take a lot of money home at the end of the

month.

Fiscal discipline is something that the bond-rating agencies really

look at. We’ve seen the warning shots that are being fired across the bow of

British Columbia right now. This all comes back to the direction that the

government seems to be taking in a budget that is, again, long on

expenditures and very short on the ability to pay for some of those

expenditures. A downgrading…. I was very fortunate to spend the last two

years as the secretary to the Minister of Finance. One downgrading from our

triple-A will cost us — to raise debt in British Columbia about $500 million

more a year in interest. That’s an awful lot of money to go to social

programs, where it probably should be going.

Unfortunately, if we had the debt ratios that many of the people in

other provinces, specifically Ontario, have on a per-capita basis, that’s

$2½ billion more in interest a year. That’s something that really has to be

taken a look at, if we continue to spend where we don’t have the capacity to

pay for it.

Again, when I come back to some of the expenditures and some of the

cancellations down here, whether it’s right or wrong…. I think it’s wrong —

eliminating the tolls on the Port Mann Bridge and the Golden Ears. I’m

fortunate enough…. I look across the chamber fondly at the minister and the

former MLA that sat on an organization that I got to sit on, PNWER. I got

the opportunity to spend more time in Seattle on a personal basis and on a

business basis. I take a look at the tolls that are taking place down there,

because they’re user tolls. They’re tolls that are put into place to ensure

that payment gets made in an accelerated form.

Growing up in the Okanagan when the Coquihalla opened up, it was great

for us. It was a $10 cost. It cut the travel time down to Vancouver, to our

operation here in Vancouver, substantially. It added a terrific amount of

safety to those travels. We didn’t mind whatsoever. A government decided at

that time that it was better to take those tolls off and to take a look at

possibly putting them elsewhere.

[3:20 p.m.]

But by taking those off, now the whole province is paying for that

debt. People have said: “Well, why isn’t the Okanagan Lake Bridge tolled?”

With all due respect, if I remember correctly, you have four ways to get

across the Fraser, where we have one way to get across Okanagan

Lake.

Another thing that has come up…. I mentioned the hospital a little bit

earlier. The people of the rural area above Hope have to pay 40 percent for

the construction of their hospital facilities and a lot of the capital costs

that go along with operating hospitals. There’s a real question that is

being floated around in our area right now: why are we paying this when the

Lower Mainland was supposed to be paying for transportation costs as part of

an agreement that the province would pay for medical costs?

So it’s a bit of a shot across the bow to those on the other side of

the House to ensure that they start listening to those people, because just

in my area, it’s $140 million from less than 80,000 people for the

construction of a new hospital.

What we’re seeing, too, is the debt-rating agencies are saying, “Hang

on a minute,” because this has gone now from off-book supported debt right

back into the debt of the province of British Columbia. That is something

that people should be concerned about, the entire population should be

concerned about.

We were a global leader in attracting jobs and growth, and companies

around the world were flocking to B.C., and hopefully will continue to flock

to B.C. to hire the local talent and to build the key industries. I really

think that that’s missing in this budget.

One thing I didn’t hear in this budget, either, is the $10 daycare. I

know it was a promise in the election. I sat with members from the opposite

side, now four different years on the Finance Committee, and for four

different years, we’ve had a nice young lady come forward. Her last name is

Gregson, if I remember correctly, and she was a strong proponent of

this.

One thing that was worrisome is that it was approximately $1.5 billion

to set up. I’ve been told that the operating costs, from their estimates,

were $350 million to $500 million a year. Others have said: “No, the costs

are actually going to be substantially higher than that.” Approaching the

initial setup cost, which is $1.5 billion…. That’s an awful lot of

money.

Having kids and having the challenge of finding daycare when they were

a lot younger, we were fortunate. I would really like to see some

opportunities put forward, but it has to be brought forward in a very

responsible way.

One thing else that’s not in the budget that I know a lot of people

were interested in was an election promise — the $400-a-year rebate. We

heard the Premier speak as recently as a week or so ago that it would be in

the budget. Guess what. It’s not in there. It was nowhere to be

found.

I often wonder if people are starting to worry about a promise for

daycare, a promise for rental offsets. I would really think that…. The hon.

member from the Green Party has said that he is part and parcel of these

negotiations, but I sure hope that these negotiations carry on, and they

carry on in a very fiscally responsible way so that others will be able to

continue to afford not only to help out, but be able to afford their own

costs and concerns that they have in their family.

Governing is an awful lot harder than what some people think. I think

the opposition on this side, who had the opportunity of governing for a

while, realizes that more than the current government in power has. It’s

dangerous. It’s very dangerous to make promises to people, especially

expensive promises, and having an issue of paying for them.

That issue, unfortunately, of payment, comes back to what appears to

be tax, tax, tax and tax. I really think that that is something that has to

be looked at. There is a limit. As Canadians, we’re fortunate, and as

British Columbians, we’re fortunate to live not only in the best country but

the best province, I would say, anywhere. People have to realize that

taxation is unfortunately a straw that can break the back of good

hard-working people. So I would just put that flag up. If you’re going to

promise something, you better be able to pay for it.

[3:25 p.m.]

I don’t want my kids growing up…. One is 21, attending third-year

university here at UVic, and another is 19. She is finding her way and would

like to do something that drives from her heart, so she’s still stumbling

around a little tiny bit.

You know what? I do not want to see my kids have to pay for illusions

of political grandeur. I say that sincerely. We have to pay our way as we go

through. One doesn’t need to look any further than across the border, which

is 40 miles south of me, and see what is happening on that side of the

border, where they are trillions and trillions of dollars in debt, and that

day of reckoning is coming from somewhere.

Education. We know that education is important. There has been talk in

previous years about not enough being spent, and we know how much was put

into it. The government is saying that we’re going to be putting more in it,

but it was noticeably lacking in the budget speech. I’m kind of curious

about why that was not being put forward.

We did hear that there’s some additional housing coming forward.

During the election, I heard from a candidate who was running against me

that the government in place right now is going to build 114,000 homes for

people over a ten-year period. Math’s not a bad subject for me. I was

quickly trying to figure out the cost of acquiring land, of acquiring the

people to build these places and of absorbing the cost of the building, and

I was going: “It’s not possible.” Well, we’ve seen that quickly change. I

really think there needs to be some sober second thought in here, when some

of these things come forward, to make sure that, number one, for the

people’s sake: if you do promise something, you deliver it.

I really, really hope that there will be some emphasis put on what

appears to be this rural and urban divide. Deep down inside each and every

one of us are all B.C.’ers. When we start eliminating carbon tax neutrality,

life becomes very, very expensive for all British Columbians. Many British

Columbians don’t have the opportunity to get on a bus or a train — which

we’re fortunate here in the Lower Mainland and some places to have — to

commute in to work. We don’t have those opportunities of mass transit, and

it’s very expensive for people to drive, for lots of people.

I remember, on the Finance Committee, we talked to a lady who took 20

minutes to drive her child to a bus stop so that the child could go to

school. Then the child was on a bus for 45 minutes further, just to get to

the school. These are some of the things that we have to think about when we

start pushing around some of these non-costed items.

Thank you for listening today.

Hon. L. Popham: I wanted to say how honoured I am to be speaking to you today on the

traditional territory of the Lekwungen people, including the Songhees and

Esquimalt First Nations.

I can’t tell you how honoured I am to be speaking here, on this side

of the House, responding to the budget speech as the Minister of Agriculture

for British Columbia. I entered into politics because of my love for

agriculture, and for the past eight years I’ve been the shadow critic for

many Ministers of Agriculture. Many people have asked me what my goals are

in politics, and I have always said that my dream would be to become the

Minister of Agriculture for B.C. Just a couple of months ago, I was able to

step out of the shadows.

My mom passed away a couple of weeks after I was sworn in as the

Minister of Agriculture. I visited her. She was one of my biggest political

cheerleaders, and I was able to tell her what had happened. Although I don’t

think she could quite understand, she still gave me a smile, and that meant

a lot to me. I will never forget that.

The Premier has given me an exciting mandate letter, and I’ll be

working hard to accomplish several priorities.

[3:30 p.m.]

Our government came into power during an unprecedented wildfire

season. This fire, which has consumed more than one million hectares of

forest, has also forced people away from their homes and their

livelihoods.

Since the beginning of the fire season, I’ve been in touch with

ranchers and farmers throughout the Interior, the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the

Okanagan and Kootenay regions. I’ve heard from them firsthand about the

devastation they’ve witnessed to their lands and the painful decisions that

they’ve had to make in order to give their livestock a chance at surviving.

The number of livestock within the boundaries of the wildfire-affected areas

is estimated to be about 30,000. I want to be clear that that’s a lot of

animals, and this is a large-scale emergency response.

I want to thank the emergency responders and all British Columbians

who have stepped up to support their neighbours throughout this horrendous

ordeal. Whether you were directly fighting the fires, setting up cots for

evacuees or organizing food bank hampers for people who had to flee their

homes with barely a moment’s notice, thank you for all of your hard

work.

As mentioned in last week’s throne speech, our government has been

working diligently to provide an unprecedented response to the fire. This

includes supports from our province’s agriculture community. The Ministry of

Agriculture has been working closely with the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association

and local governments to help ranchers relocate, locate, transport and feed

their livestock.

[L. Reid in the chair.]

We have also provided $6 million in funding to repair fencing damaged

by the wildfires. We have worked hard ensuring the safety of people driving

B.C. roads and highways, while also preserving the safety of livestock that

are running through those highways.

I have been working very hard to ensure that feed is available for

ranchers and that there are supports in place to help ranchers gather, sort

and identify their cattle. I have an amazing team of people at the Ministry

of Agriculture that are working flat out, and I just want them to know how

much I appreciate their work and that the people of B.C. appreciate it too.

Some days have been extremely long for them. Even though we may be coming to

the end of the fire season in the next month or so, the work for the people

within the Ministry of Agriculture will continue on as we move into the

recovery stages.

Last Tuesday I was able to announce, along with my federal colleague

Minister MacAulay, $20 million in AgriRecovery funding, which will assist

agricultural producers with the extraordinary costs incurred by this year’s

historic wildfire. The program will support ranchers and farmers in

categories such as costs relating to ensuring animal health and safety;

feed, shelter and transportation costs; and costs to re-establish perennial

crops and forage damaged by fire.

Recovery from an emergency of this magnitude is not going to be

instant, and it is not going to be easy, but the governments of B.C. and

Canada are working with producers, local officials and stakeholders to

respond to this emergency as efficiently and collaboratively as possible and

will keep working until the job is done. It will take energy, resources and

partnership from all involved, and my commitment to the farmers and ranchers

of British Columbia is that the Ministry of Agriculture will contribute all

three.

We’ve learned a lot from this year’s historic wildfires. One thing

we’ve learned, as seen firsthand, has been the value of our premises

identification program. Premises identification, or premises ID as it’s

called, is a way of linking livestock and poultry to geographic locations.

In the past, it has been very useful to help respond to livestock diseases.

This summer, though, we saw benefits that this program has for the ranchers

and farmers affected by the evacuation orders throughout our

province.

There are more than 3,200 producers registered with premises ID here

in B.C. Typically, the ministry has seen, on average, about 30 new

registrations per month. At the height of the wildfire evacuations, ministry

staff completed 120 emergency registrations over the phone from people who

called in from evacuation zones during July and August.

Premises ID was required to gain re-entry into the evacuation zones

and was recognized by emergency responders when livestock operators were

trying to access their land to check on their livestock and crops. Those who

were registered with premises ID really could see firsthand the benefits

that the registration provided, as it sped up the process of re-entry

significantly.

[3:35 p.m.]

Premises ID is very easy to register for, it’s free, and it works. You

can register on line, and you can register through a paper form. The

details, if you’re interested, are available on the Ministry of

Agriculture’s website. I strongly encourage all livestock operators to sign

up for premises ID. I truly believe the benefits you can reap, especially in

times of emergency like we saw this summer, will be far greater than the

minimal time spent and required for you to sign up.

While the wildfires have been a major priority for our government this

summer and for the people who are affected — it’s all been top of mind — the

business of government has continued on. I’ve been working with ministry

staff to fulfil the priorities of the mandate letter provided to me by

Premier John Horgan. My goal is to create opportunities for B.C. farmers and

food producers. That includes the export market, but it really focuses on a

thoughtful, planned approach to growing the market here in British

Columbia.

B.C. farmers, seafood and food processors deserve our support, not

only for the fresh and healthy food that they provide us but because of the

jobs, incomes and revenues that they create and the role they play

economically and socially in so many of our communities across the

province.

Our government will be taking a three-pronged approach to building

opportunities and sales for B.C. farmers and food processors and those

wishing to join the sector. We’re going to be supporting the full spectrum

of B.C. food, seafood and value-added processing sectors by encouraging new

entrants, increasing production and higher consumption of B.C. products.

I’ve heard from B.C. farmers and food producers all around the province that

are excited by the thoughtful, planned approach we are bringing, and I’m

looking forward to seeing them get started.

The first pillar of our approach is Grow B.C. Grow B.C. will be

centred on policies that support farmers and help B.C. producers expand

local food production and include policies that support new entrants and

young people getting into farming. British Columbians are so keen to grow

local products, and we need to create opportunities to help people do just

that. We need to support young people who are identifying farming as their

chosen livelihood. We need to encourage them, and we to support

them.

Two weeks ago I was able to meet some of our province’s future farmers

at the Saanich fall fair, kids from around Vancouver Island and the Gulf

Islands who are learning the skills, responsibility and ethics necessary to

become farmers. They are learning by doing through the 4-H program. Our

government supports 4-H B.C., and we will continue to keep these future

farmers in mind as we develop and implement Grow B.C. policies.

The part of our plan that will be the biggest game changer is Feed

B.C. Feed B.C will increase the use of B.C. foods in hospitals and

government facilities. The benefits are obvious. Not only will we be working

to increase the sale of B.C. food products; we are working to increase the

processing of B.C. foods as well. Creating a market demand for year-round

B.C. food products in government facilities and communities around the

province brings stability to our domestic market, and it supports

opportunities to start to expand a farm or food business in communities

right across the province.

Feed B.C. is a straightforward idea and plan, but it involves planning

for and growing crops. Its implementation will take time, but it’s going to

be worth it. Feed B.C. is going to be developed in terms and periods of time

that make sense to farmers and food producers starting to expand operations.

When the results of the program are seen, we know that it’s going to pay

off.

Our government will take an innovative approach and will focus on

working with B.C. food processors within our province. Previous governments

have not done much to support the food processors within this province, even

though food processors make up a large segment of the province’s

manufacturing industry, creating good-paying, long-term jobs around the

province.

Food processors will have a big role to play in our government’s Feed

B.C. policy. We will work to ensure barriers for entry for small and

medium-sized processors are minimized so we can eventually see B.C. foods in

our hospitals, in our care homes and other public institutions.

[3:40 p.m.]

One way to support food processors is through the development of a

food innovation centre, another mandate priority for the Ministry of

Agriculture. The food innovation centre will be a model of collaboration

with industry, colleges, universities and government colleagues, with the

clear goal of creating opportunities for B.C.’s food sector. The centre will

support agriculture technology in B.C. and the creation and adoption of

products and practices that lead to innovation in the production,

processing, packaging and marketing of B.C. food. It will also serve as a

centre to build on B.C. agriculture, seafood and food exports and link local

food producers with the marketing and access advice and support they need to

reach and grow in world markets.

While it will take some time to develop the food innovation centre, we

are taking small steps right now to support small and medium-sized food

processors as they try and scale up their businesses. Helping them as they

work towards increased revenues often correlates with increased employment,

and we know that food processors can create their products and jobs

throughout our entire province.

The third pillar includes an enhanced buy-B.C. marketing program to

help local producers market their products and increase their sales in

British Columbia. B.C. products are some of the best in the world, and we

need to do more to help British Columbians understand the impact their

choices to support local agriculture and seafood companies have in our

province.

Buy B.C. offers the value of mass marketing and a brand that everyone

can recognize and everyone can support. The Buy B.C. program was an

incredible success in the 1990s, and even though it hasn’t been supported in

16 years, British Columbians still recognize it, and they still want it.

That’s the power of a successful brand, and that’s the power of a good

program. We are going to be bringing it back with some enhancements that fit

in with modern life and technology.

Consumers buying B.C. products results in high-quality, great-tasting

meals on our tables and healthy, diverse communities in our province, and

that deserves our attention and our support. We believe that agriculture has

the potential to unlock prosperity in every corner of the

province.

Agriculture and food production contributes to so much in our society

in terms of food supply, economic activity and community strength, and to

encourage it, we need two things: secure farmland and secure farmers. Secure

farmland is achievable by revitalizing our agricultural land reserve. In

B.C., we only have 5 percent of our land base designated as an agricultural

land reserve. That’s only about 47,000 square kilometres. It was put in

place in 1973 to protect our food-growing lands for the future, and that

future is right now.

I understand that B.C. farmers are excited about the changes to the

ALR and the ALC that will make their lives and businesses better, and I’m

excited by them, too. But policy and legislative changes will take some

time, and we’re going to take that time to make sure we get it right. My

expectation of the ALC is that they will uphold their mandate of protecting

farmland and encouraging farming, and we will be looking at changes to make

both parts of their mandate much easier.

This is not about the decision-making process of the commission. Their

decision-making is independent of government, and I respect and support that

completely. The revitalization will look more at ways we can make it easier

and more efficient for the commission to fulfil their mandate of protecting

farmland and encouraging farming.

Small businesses are the heart and soul of our rural communities. They

create jobs, they support families, and they grow local economies. We

believe that agriculture should have a starring role in renewing our rural

communities, and our policies reflect that vision.

My commitment to B.C. farmers, seafood producers and food processors

is clear. I am here to work for your success. And my commitment to British

Columbians is clear. I am here as the Minister of Agriculture to work to

build a better B.C. through growing economic, social and community benefits

that agriculture and food production bring.

[3:45 p.m.]

Our government’s throne speech and subsequent budget update set out

our vision and our plan for a better B.C. We’re getting to work on things

that matter most to British Columbians: making life more affordable, fixing

the services that people can count on, developing a strong, sustainable

economy that works for everyone. It will take time to fix the problems that

have been left behind, but our government is committed to getting it

done.

Deputy Speaker: Minister, please be reminded that given names are not in use in the

chamber.

J. Thornthwaite: On behalf of my constituents in North Vancouver–Seymour, it is with

great pleasure that I rise in the House today to respond to the budget

update this second session of the 41st parliament. I’d like to congratulate

and welcome all the new MLAs on both sides of the House, as well as welcome

back those MLAs for whom session is more familiar.

To begin, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my constituency

assistants back in North Vancouver. Nick Hosseinzadeh and Stephanie

Marshall-White. Nick and Stephanie both work tirelessly to help my

constituents, day in and day out. I’m grateful to have such great staff back

in my riding to represent me.

I’d also like to thank my new staff here at the Legislature: Steven

Lee, my legislative assistant; Dion Weisner, my research officer; and Sean

Roberts, my communications officer. All of these staffers are invaluable to

the work we all do here as MLAs, and I’m very grateful for the work that

they do on my behalf.

Of course, I’m always grateful for the patience and support that is

shown to me by my family. My children are very understanding of my

commitments that come with this position, and I’m grateful for their

support, understanding and encouragement.

Last and perhaps most importantly, I’d like to acknowledge and thank

the residents of North Vancouver–Seymour who, year after year, I am so

privileged to represent. Our riding is one of the most beautiful places in

the province, and it is an honour to have the opportunity to serve here as

MLA for my third term.

There is no question that it’s been an unusually busy summer

politically — a new coalition Green-NDP government, new leadership for our

party and a leadership race announced for the new year. I, however, have

been no less busy serving as MLA, engaging with my constituents throughout

the riding. This is what being an MLA is all about. This has and always will

remain constant.

Over the course of the summer, I’ve been grateful to have the

opportunity to meet with hundreds of North Shore community leaders, capacity

builders, regional and federal government officials, as well as everyday,

hard-working constituents at various meetings and at the great many events

that I attend throughout the North Shore.

Looking back, it was a pleasure to join colleagues, local

organizations and the community at large at the opening ceremony for phase 2

of the Seymour River Rockslide Mitigation Project on July 6. Thank you to

the Seymour Salmonid Society for all their work in helping get this project

up and running. I was very happy to be able to provide assistance from our

government on this vital project for salmon conservation.

We had a very informative Summer Social on the Sea, which was hosted

by North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the port of

Vancouver. It’s important to mention that the port of Metro Vancouver is

Canada’s largest and most diversified port in North America, and North

Vancouver is the second largest within Metro Vancouver. The port facilitates

trade with more than 160 global trading economies and handles approximately

135 million tonnes of cargo worth $184 billion each year.

Those of you who know me know that I’ve long been a local supporter of

our LGBTQ community. And certainly, I was involved with many leaders in my

role as parliamentary secretary for child and youth mental health and

anti-bullying. I marched with the Foundation of Hope in the Vancouver Pride

Parade this summer, an organization that helps LGBTQ refugees fleeing from

countries where people are persecuted for their sexual orientation. I also

attended Prance on the Pier, which was the first annual pride event on the

North Shore.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Capilano

University students union for hosting their annual government relations

luncheon on Aug. 25. We had a wonderful meeting with the new executive

members, talking about student housing and transportation.

September 1 was student move-in day at the Capilano University

students’ brand new residence on Dollarton Highway. It was great to be able

to greet people as they were moving into their dorms. I attended Cap U’s

September 5 street party, where there were welcome booths, entertainment,

activities and food trucks on campus, celebrating all that is great about

Cap U. I would like to thank our new president, Paul Dangerfield, for making

us all feel really, really good about Cap U.

[3:50 p.m.]

Finally, I’d also like to thank Patrick and Noah from the Capilano

Students Union Association for coming in to watch the budget a couple of

days ago. But they were disappointed, they mentioned, not to see any mention

of student housing in the budget, nor the elimination of interest rates for

student loans, something that was promised by the NDP in the

election.

I’ve been a huge champion for B.C.’s film industry, and it’s been a

busy summer for film on the North Shore. No project bigger than War for

the Planet of the Apes , which spent over $81 million in the

province, $45 million of which went to local cast, crew and extras. This is

just another great B.C. film success story. But what else is going on in

B.C. film? This morning on the news I heard a story about the production Elsewhere being filmed in Sooke, and, of course, my personal

favourite, Riverdale , with Betty and Jughead, also in the

news.

But there are others. There was the Rock, a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson,

filming Skyscraper ; Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn on Dragged

Across Concrete , and our favourites Once Upon a Time and,

again, Legends of Tomorrow and Arrow . Those are only a few

that are currently getting filmed right now.

While I have become accustomed to providing a budget speech response,

today’s response as a member of the official opposition is an obvious

difference for me than my other responses. But what has not changed, despite

responding to the budget update from the other side of the chamber, is the

specialness of our province.

Here in British Columbia, we’re blessed with abundant natural

resources that remain one of the key pillars of our provincial economy. We

have evolved as a province into a highly advanced centre for technology,

high tech, film and many other industries that drive the global

economy.

A budget update speech provides an opportunity for government to lay

out a framework and a vision. It also provides an opportunity to talk about

how that vision will become a reality. After 16 years of strong fiscal

management, we left this new government with B.C. leading the country in

economic performance. We left this government with the lowest unemployment

in the country and a diversified economy that offers opportunities for

all.

After five years of balanced budgets, this newly aligned coalition

government has inherited an economy that is the envy of the rest of the

country. Just weeks ago, the Auditor General confirmed exactly that. But

there is a caution. We just found recently, in the last day or so, from

Moody’s, commenting on the eliminating of the tolls on the Port Mann and the

Golden Ears: “The government’s plan, as an isolated action, is

credit-negative, as it will increase taxpayer-supported debt and remove a

dedicated line of revenue for debt repayment.”

Today we just heard DBRS: “At this time, British Columbia continues to

have one of the strongest credit profiles of Canadian provinces, and it is

not at immediate risk of a negative rating action. However, this fiscal

policy direction reduces flexibility within the credit profile and suggests

that social and programmatic considerations are likely to trump deficit

reduction if the province’s fiscal plan is challenged by an economic

correction.”

What we don’t want is this new NDP government to kill B.C.’s record on

job creation and turn back time on years of historic economic growth. When

it comes to creating wealth so it can be shared with British Columbians, the

government is silent. They talk about an economy that works for everyone,

but so far, all we have heard is to create an economy where no one is

working or will be working.

Where is the plan to grow the economy and continue our strong record

we created on jobs? Where is the plan to generate revenue, attract

investment and expand our provincial export markets? Instead, we have a

government that threatens Site C and cancels the Massey Tunnel bridge

replacement, a government that is depending on taxes that will amount to

nearly $1 billion over three years.

Let’s talk about affordability. Who’s going to pay for all of those

promises? Obviously, it’ll be all of us, in the form of taxes. There is also

a real fear, as I mentioned before, about our credit rating being reduced.

The quotes that I mentioned before confirm that.

As many in this House know, I am passionate about mental health and

wellness. It’s long been a priority for me, and it was a strong priority for

our former government. We made record investments in mental health and

substance use, increasing funding by 67 percent over 2000-2001

levels.

[3:55 p.m.]

We want that trend to continue. In 1998, the last NDP government

announced a $125 million, seven-year health plan, but they failed to fund

it. They also announced a new Thompson-Okanagan-Kootenay mental health

facility four times — four times — but never followed through. So there are

risks of economic slowdown and these have tangible effects on British

Columbians.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

J. Thornthwaite: That’s why it’s so important to ensure that we have a plan to grow the

economy, and that’s something missing from this budget speech — the other

half of the equation.

While I join my colleagues throughout the House in hoping that we can

continue to see expanded mental health services, I implore my colleagues on

the other side to make sure B.C. has the finances in place to be able to

support those promises. The work is too important not to.

This summer I was honoured to be appointed the official opposition

critic for the new Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions by our new

interim leader. I congratulate this new government on the appointment of

this new ministry.

In both my roles, as Parliamentary Secretary for Child Mental Health

and Anti-Bullying and Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Children and

Youth, I saw this issue firsthand, and it is very near and dear to my

heart.

As Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, I led

a two-year special project on mental health, culminating in an interim

report in November 2014 and a final report in January of 2016, titled Concrete Actions for Systemic Change . It was one of the most

comprehensive reports on child and youth mental health in B.C., and I’m

proud that many of the recommendations were subsequently adopted by our

government. In fact, one of the key recommendations in this report, no

doubt, led to the new Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in this new

government.

In my new critic role, I have been meeting with experts in the fields

of health, addiction, recovery and mental health to better understand the

opioid crisis and to find out what the best practices are in prevention,

treatment and recovery of mental health and addictions.

I was fortunate, just at the beginning of this week, to have an update

by Val Tregillus, who’s the project director of Child and Youth Mental

Health and Substance Use Collaborative. I’m so pleased with how their work

has helped to show how adverse childhood experiences, ACEs, can influence

physical and mental health across generations and that treatments are

beginning to be implemented provincewide.

I also had a very informative meeting and facility tour with Marshall

Smith from the Cedars Society and executive director for the British

Columbia Centre on Substance Use, talking about the state of addiction

recovery services in British Columbia. It was great hearing from the experts

and those with lived experience in the field about what more needs to be

done to help those in recovery and how to better focus on recovery for all

those who seek help now.

I attended Recovery Day last weekend with many others, including the

minister, wishing to highlight the need to destigmatize addiction. No doubt

our new Minister of Finance is very proud of her son for speaking out

publicly about his struggles with addiction, with the goal of helping

others. I also met with the new Canadian Mental Health Association North and

West Vancouver branch executive director, Julia Kaisla. We talked about

intervention and reaching youth with mental health challenges early and

getting them the help when they needed it.

I’ll be looking forward to the improvement of not just access services

or treatment but also preventable measures for young children in the

schools. Our North Shore medical health officer Dr. Mark Lysyshyn and I also

discussed the opioid crisis and mental health. Dr. Lysyshyn made an

interesting connection about how many kids arrive at school ready to read

and write, but they aren’t prepared for the social challenges that come with

attending school for the first time. And, yes, even on the North

Shore.

Remember the FRIENDS program I talked about when I was parliamentary

secretary? This school-based resiliency and anti-anxiety program conducted

by teachers in the classroom is delivered to all children in the classroom

and is available provincewide in both public and independent schools, and

it’s funded by MCFD. I hope this new government will continue to promote

this valuable program to B.C. teachers.

I also had a very informative meeting with Abbotsford’s chief

constable, Bob Rich. We spoke about his recent report, The Opioid

Crisis: The Case for Prevention , and the importance of bringing

preventative strategies into the school curriculum at an earlier age for

children. We spoke about increasing services for treatment on demand and

follow-up for those who have overdosed or who are addicted and want

assistance.

[4:00 p.m.]

I had the chance to sit down with Janice Lilley and Nancy Ford from

the North Shore Schizophrenia Society to talk about the wide variety of

services they offer and how they are expanding around the Lower Mainland.