British Columbia Hansard — Monday, March 3, 2014

20140303pm-Hansard-v7n2

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, March 3, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 7, Number 2

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Second Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Pat Pimm Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review .....................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacifi c Strategy and Multiculturalism ..................Hon.

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..................................................................................................... Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ......................................................................................................................................................Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ....................................................................................................................................... Marc Dalton Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Fraserview Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal).....................................................................Penticton Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bennett, Hon.

Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) ................................................... Peace River South Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ................................Surrey-Cloverdale Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................

Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ........................................ Westside-Kelowna Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) .......................... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission Darcy, Judy (NDP) ..................................................................New Westminster de Jong, Hon.

Michael, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP) ............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Eby, David (NDP) ..........................................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fassbender, Hon.

Peter (BC Liberal) ................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) .............................................

Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Scott (BC Liberal) ...........................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Heyman, George (NDP) .................................................... Vancouver-Fairview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Holman, Gary (NDP) .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Horgan, John (NDP) .......................................................................

Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) .............................................................

Nanaimo Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal) ........................................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) ..................................................

Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Hon. Pat (BC Liberal) ...............................................Peace River North Plecas, Darryl (BC Liberal) ....................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon.

Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (BC Liberal) ..................................................Richmond East Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal) ........................................

Port Moody–Coquitlam Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ........................................................................North Coast Robinson, Selina (NDP) .............................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ................................................

Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal) ........................................ Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Th ompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal) ..................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal) ...........................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal) ..................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ............................................................Fraser-Nicola Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Th roness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Hon. Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon.

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ............................................................................Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ......................................................................... Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ..................................................................................Scott Hamilton Delta South ...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola....................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ............................................................... Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon.

Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan .........................................................

Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ............................................................................... Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ................................................. Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ...................................................................... Hon. Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................

Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ............................................................. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon.

Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands .................................................... Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................

Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon. Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley..............................................................................

Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview ..................................................................George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek ................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview ......................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..........................................................Jordan Sturdy Westside-Kelowna ................................................................

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Monday, March 3, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 1739 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 1740 Bill 14 — Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. S.

Anton Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 1740 Ted Lorenz J. Yap Literacy Alberni Society and Decoda Literacy Solutions S. Fraser Commonwealth Day Moira Stilwell Doug Evans R. Chouhan Medical incident at B.C. Winter Games in Mission M. Dalton Achievements of Kitsilano Blue Demons basketball team D.

Eby Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1742 Impact of ferry services reductions on economy and tourism industry A. Dix Hon. T. Stone C. Trevena Clinic for late eff ects of childhood cancer treatment J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake Review of DriveABLE program K. Corrigan Hon. S. Anton N. Simons N.

Macdonald Orders of the Day Budget Debate (continued) ..................................................................................................................................................... 1747 J. Yap K. Corrigan Hon. P . Fassbender J. Shin R. Lee J. Rice Moira Stilwell R. Fleming Hon. S. Anton Hon. M. de Jong Motions Without Notice ......................................................................................................................................................... 1778 Committee of Supply to sit in two sections Hon. M. de Jong

MONDAY , MARCH 3, 2014 Th e House met at 1:36 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members Hon. A. Virk: Today we have in the House the Alliance of British Columbia Students. Th ey are the largest post- secondary advocacy group in British Columbia. Th ey represent 140,000 undergraduate, graduate and trade students at seven institutions across British Columbia. I've met many of these outstanding groups of students all across British Columbia.

Later today I will be meeting with several members from this group, including Colúm Connolly, Tim Krupa, Kristianne Hendricks, Chardaye Beuckert, Miriam Moore and Mike Hansen. Th ey are joined by 20 of their peers from across the province. May the House please welcome these future leaders of British Columbia. M. Karagianis: Today in the precinct and perhaps ar- riving in the House during question period, I've got the great pleasure of having a group of students from Royal Roads University. Th ese are not young kids. Th ese are adults who are doing leadership education and other advanced education.

I hope the House will make them welcome. It's the second group of them today from the gorgeous campus at Royal Roads University. Some of you may know it better as the beautiful castle in X-men. I hope the House will make them very welcome when they ap- pear today. J. Y ap: I'm delighted today to introduce two guests who are in the gallery for question period. Th ey are here today for a visit to the Legislature and meetings with some members. In the gallery today are Michael Weedon and Marnie Plant from the British Columbia Bioenergy Network. Will the House please give them a warm welcome. H.

Bains: In the gallery today we have representa- tives of Black Top taxi. Th ey are directors Amrik Mahil, Avninder Dhillon, Inderjit Dhillon, Ramendra Sahay, Gurjit Garg and Kamaldeep Bal, along with a gentle- man, Saif Ullah. I just want to say that when a visitor comes to British Columbia and Vancouver, these are the fi rst people they come in contact with. Aft er their visit they go back and they spread the word that B.C. is the best place in the world. I think they have a lot to do with that. So please help me welcome them to this House. Th ank you for the job well done. N.

Letnick: It's indeed my privilege today to introduce His Excellency Th ordur Oskarsson, who is the ambassa- dor from Iceland to Canada; also Mrs. Heather Ireland, honorary consul general of Iceland in Vancouver. Th ey're not currently in the public gallery as they're meeting with the Lieutenant-Governor in Government House. Th ey've also met not only with myself but with several members of this House today and in Vancouver last Friday.

His Excellency is on an offi cial visit to Victoria to discuss tourism and trade relationships. [1340] It is extremely important, I think — I remind the House and all those who are watching — that now you can fl y directly to Iceland from Vancouver. Also, if you want, you can fl y directly to Europe through Iceland, take a week off in Iceland and visit Iceland along the way. Interjection. N. Letnick: Y es, it is nice in Iceland. Th at's right. I'm sure everyone around the House, when they're travelling to Europe, will think of that as an opportunity. Would the House please make them feel welcome. J.

Darcy: It gives me great pleasure today to wel- come to the House members of the Pediatric Cancers Survivorship Society who have come to make their case for a specialized clinic. I would like to welcome all of them, and my colleague from Vancouver-Kensington will welcome some of her constituents. Th ey are Vikram Bubber, Jennifer Boyle, Dax Brown, Lena Cadogan, Matthew Sunderland, Sharon Ward, Derek Millington, Frankie Balletta, Desiree Beck, Marilyn and Heather Meritt, Wendy and John and Sean Nurcombe, Terry and Brandon Randnai.

These are people who have come from all parts of British Columbia to be here with us today. Welcome to the House. D. Horne: Madame Speaker, it's a pleasure this aft ernoon on your behalf that I introduce a group of Washington State legislative interns who are visiting from Olympia. Th ey are a part of the annual intern ex- change program between Washington State and British Columbia. The exchange is an opportunity to share, learn, observe and compare our two systems of govern- ment. We share a border, natural resources and many other things, and it's great for our province and the state to work together.

Th is exchange is part of a valued program with the B.C. legislative internship program. Th ey visited Olympia re- cently as well. Th e interns represent ten universities in Washington and a wide variety of academic pursuits, including urban planning, liberal arts, political science and literature. 1739

British Columbia Debates1740 Monday, March 3, 2014 Th ey are accompanied by two staff , Paula Rehwaldt, the House civic education and intern coordinator, and Judi Best, the Senate civic education and intern coordin- ator. Judy actually assisted in launching this exchange, and aft er 21 years of service to her legislature she's now retiring. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. M.

Elmore: I'm very pleased to welcome, and I ask everyone to welcome, constituents from Vancouver- Kensington, members of the Pediatric Cancers Survivorship Society: their president, Carolyn Vacheresse, and also Wilf, a husband-and-wife team who've advocat- ed for their daughter Danielle, who has suff ered from cancer as a young girl. They're also accompanied by Kathy Zang.

I just want to appreciate their eff orts, everyone who has come from across the province, their hard work advocating on behalf of childhood survivors of can- cer — children who have really benefi tted all of British Columbia, have really led to outcomes today that chil- dren and cancer survivors benefi t from and are really looking for justice and service for these now adult sur- vivors of childhood cancer. Please, I ask everyone to make them welcome. L. Th roness: Visiting in the House today is a longtime friend named Dawn Hutchison. She comes from Ottawa. She works for Revenue Canada.

She's here working to- day, and she is still welcome in this House. Would you welcome her. J. Horgan: Joining us in the gallery today is my sister- in-law Shirley Ackland. She is a councillor and dep- uty mayor in Port McNeill and, sadly, is married to my much, much, much, much, much older brother. Would the House please make her very, very welcome. Hon. S. Anton: I'd like to join with the member op- posite in welcoming the representatives from Black Top Cabs who I had the pleasure of meeting with this mor- ning and, indeed, have met with many times over the years.

In particular, I'd like to welcome my constituent from Vancouver-Fraserview, Mr. Ravi Dhillon. J. Rice: I have the rare occasion of actually introducing someone from my constituency, North Coast. I'd like to welcome Cheryl Paavola, who's stuck in Victoria, snowed in on her way home to Prince Rupert. Cheryl is a great community contributor in Prince Rupert. She's part of a dragon boat team that is dedicated to supporting those that have faced and are facing breast cancer. [1345] She's also a science instructor at Northwest Community College. She's here at a masters swim meet.

I just would like the House to welcome Cheryl Paavola from Prince Rupert. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 14 — JUSTICE STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Hon. S. Anton presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014. Hon. S. Anton: Madame Speaker, I move the bill be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. S. Anton: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 14, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014.

This bill amends the following statutes: the Adult Guardianship Act, the Family Law Act, the Family Main- tenance Enforcement Act, the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, the Patients Property Act, the Police Act, the Provincial Court Act and the Wills, Estates and Succes- sion Act. Th e bill also makes consequential amendments to the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009; the Power of Attorney Act; and the Public Guardian and Trustee Act. Madame Speaker, I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Bill 14, Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, intro- duced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on or- ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) TED LORENZ J. Y ap: I rise today to honour Ted Lorenz, an iconic fi gure in my community of Steveston. Ted passed away recently, and I was honoured to attend his celebration of life this past Saturday with about 800 members of the Steveston community. Ted had three pillars in his life: his family, his com- munity and the fi re department.

His wife of 59 years, Frances, survives Ted; with siblings Ed, Ruth, Jerry and Ken; four children; eight grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Ted became a Richmond city fi refi ghter at 18. He rose up the ranks, made Richmond fi re chief in 1979 and served in this position until his retirement in 1993. However, his legacy in the community extends beyond the bravery and dedication he exhibited during his 42 years as a fi refi ghter. Ted was a devoted and enthusiastic

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1741 volunteer. He played a critical role in most of Steveston's community assets, including the Steveston Martial Arts Centre, several seniors homes, ANAF Veterans Steveston Unit 284, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, Fisherman's Memorial Needle and the Steveston Community Centre. He was one of the founding leaders of the Steveston sal- mon parade. Ted was actively involved in the Steveston Community Centre for 67 years. He was so passionate about the Steveston Community Centre that in his early years he mortgaged his own home to ensure that the centre was established.

Ted's legacy includes many institutions that are used and enjoyed every day by my constituents. Ted inspired a new generation of Stevestonites by personally demon- strating the timeless values of volunteerism, compassion and tenacity. Madame Speaker and all Members of this House, please join me in extending our condolences to the family of Ted Lorenz and expressing our gratitude for his life- time of contributions to making Steveston, Richmond and, indeed, British Columbia a better place. LITERACY ALBERNI SOCIETY AND DECODA LITERACY SOLUTIONS S.

Fraser: Literacy Alberni is a non-profi t society fo- cused on the programming and support of those with lit- eracy needs in the Alberni Valley and beyond. Literacy Alberni encompasses a broad spectrum of literacy needs, including English as a second language, settlement as- sistance, computer skills, adult grade 12 graduation dip- loma, nutrition, cooking, reading, writing, numeracy and much, much more. I recently toured Literacy Alberni, and it felt like a true community hub, both welcoming and comfortable.

I have a strong suspicion that that has a lot to do with the strong spirit, personality and passionate enthusiasm of executive director Charmead Schella. Charmead introduced me to an English-as-a-second- language class in progress. To a person, the students were engaged, improving in their abilities, thankful for what they were receiving through Literacy Alberni and thank- ful for how it was delivered. [1350] There are many challenges facing not just Literacy Alberni but all literacy societies in the province.

One or- ganization that helps hold all of them together is a prov- incial non-profi t known as Decoda Literacy Solutions. Decoda has been described as the glue for literacy pro- grams and experiences across B.C. — a guiding light, if you will. Decoda acts as a provincial overseer for literacy organizations and programs, and they help to fi nd and distribute necessary funding that makes much of what they do possible. We, as provincial legislators, need to recognize the ob- vious. Our continued support for these programs is es- sential.

Th e value of enabling people to kick-start a fresh literacy path and better themselves also benefi ts all of us in this province, and it's one of the best investments that we can make. I want to thank Charmead and all of the friendly and knowledgable staff and volunteers that make life better for so many people in the Alberni Valley. I have become one of their biggest fans. COMMONWEALTH DAY Moira Stilwell: Today I would like to speak to the House about the royal Commonwealth Day. The Commonwealth of Nations celebrates Commonwealth Day every year on the second Monday in March.

Th e countries in the Commonwealth are connected through shared culture, expressed through literary heritage and political and legal structures. On this day we take the op- portunity to celebrate the strong bonds of cooperation, friendship and loyalty that exist among the 54 countries that form the Commonwealth. On Commonwealth Day our federal government will fl y the Royal Union fl ag alongside Canadian fl ags at the Canadian federal institutions around the world. Th ere will be a multifaith service at Westminster Abbey, where the Queen will deliver an address.

Here in Canada the Prime Minister and other federal ministers will make statements as well. Th ey will recognize how our historical Commonwealth relationships have provided Canada with many of the fundamental values that are at the foundation of our so- ciety, such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. In my constituency of Vancouver-Langara we will cele- brate Commonwealth Day this Sunday at the Marpole- Oakridge Community Centre. Th is year's theme is Team Commonwealth, and what better way to celebrate this team than by joining us as we celebrate the teamwork and unity of the Commonwealth?

I invite all of you to join us in a celebration of music, culture and refl ection. Overall, the day is observed to mark the contribution of the Commonwealth of Nations to the creation of a harmonious global environment. DOUG EV ANS R. Chouhan: Today I rise to pay tribute to my friend Doug Evans. Doug was a great mentor and a leader. Doug was born in 1929 and raised in North Vancouver. Aft er leaving school, he started working in the forest industry at Western Plywood in 1951. He also worked as a logger in Kamloops and as a brakeman for the Canadian rail- ways. In 1954 he moved to Burnaby and got married.

He started working at Evans Products — no relation — and became involved in the union as shop steward and short- ly thereaft er became the plant chairman.

British Columbia Debates1742 Monday, March 3, 2014 In 1961, with members of the International Woodworkers of America, he attended the founding convention of the New Democratic Party and became a lifelong member of the NDP . In 1980 Doug was elected president of IW A Local 1-217, a position he held uncon- tested for ten years. He also served as president of the Vancouver and District Labour Council. Upon his re- tirement from the IW A in 1990, he was elected as a city councillor in Burnaby. I fi rst met Doug in 1979 when I was organizing farm- workers to have their employment rights in British Columbia.

He was a strong supporter of farmworkers in their struggle to get justice. All his life, Doug worked tirelessly to improve the wages and working conditions of the workers. As a city councillor, he worked passion- ately to build a safe and family-oriented community. He passed away on January 9 of this year. He will be greatly missed by friends and family. MEDICAL INCIDENT AT B.C. WINTER GAMES IN MISSION M. Dalton: A little over a week ago Mission hosted a very successful B.C. Winter Games. Th ese games could have ended on a tragic note.

As directors and volun- teers were preparing for the closing ceremonies, Mark Sutherland dropped to the fl oor, in mid-sentence, from a heart attack. [1355] Games director Grant Mottershead, a paramedic by profession, immediately sprang into action. Determining that there was no pulse or breathing, he ripped open Mark's shirt and commenced CPR, all the while calling out for a defi brillator and clearing the area of inquisi- tive teenagers. Medical services director Dr. Peter Robson and Grant's wife, Bronwen, joined him in compression rotations — a rotation generally being a two-minute cycle.

Eventually, a defi brillator arrived, several shocks were applied, and Mark began to show signs of life again. Soon he had a solid pulse and was breathing on his own. An ambulance arrived and transferred him to the Royal Columbian Hospital. Aft er receiving two stents in his heart, he is now recovering well. In short, Grant, Peter and Bronwyn saved Mark's life last week. Th eir quick thinking and action demonstrate once again the value of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. CPR is a life-saving technique. It is done by applying external chest compressions and rescue breathing.

CPR keeps blood and oxygen fl owing through the body of the victim when the heartbeat and breathing have stopped. CPR done within the fi rst six minutes of the heart stop- ping can keep someone alive until medical attention ar- rives. I encourage all British Columbians to take the time to receive this invaluable training. For many, it truly can make the diff erence between life and death, whether it be a loved one, a co-worker or a stranger. Would the House please join me in recognizing the actions of Grant and Bronwyn Mottershead and Peter Robson. ACHIEVEMENTS OF KITSILANO BLUE DEMONS BASKETBALL TEAM D.

Eby: At my height, I'm oft en asked if I'm good at basketball. I, unfortunately, have to tell people who ask me that: "No, that's why I went to law school." It's why I appreciate so much the people who are talented at the sport and why we're so fortunate in Kitsilano to have the Kitsilano Blue Demons. In 2013 the Kits Blue Demons won their second con- secutive Vancouver senior boys basketball championship, and we were all incredibly proud. Th is season the team is poised to do just as well, and they have their eyes on the top prize within the province.

In fact, not only do the Kits Blue Demons represent us well at home; they travel internationally. Most recently they were in China — in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing — where they played basketball against the locals there and, by all accounts, did us proud. Th e Vancouver Courier reported that they were very warmly welcomed, that they were, in fact, treated like rock stars and that they felt like NBA players. Certainly, as far as Kitsilano is concerned, they are rock stars, and we're incredibly proud of them.

I'd like to say, "Good luck, Kitsilano Blue Devils, and if pro basketball doesn't work out for you, there's always law school." Oral Questions IMPACT OF FERRY SERVICES REDUCTIONS ON ECONOMY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY A. Dix: My question is to the minister responsible for B.C. Ferries.

Leonard Ellis, president of Bella Coola Valley Tourism, has this to say about the Transportation Minister's deci- sion to cut the Discovery ferry route and his proposal to use the Nimpkish vessel as a substitute for the Queen of Chilliwack: "His blatant disconcern for the tourism busi- nesses and people in this region and the logistics he is proposing with this tiny Nimpkish prove his incompe- tence, based on his lack of knowledge and geographical logistics of the area and weather." Clearly the minister didn't talk to tourism operators before he made this decision.

Whose advice did he take in the region before deciding to stop this route? Hon. T. Stone: As I have said consistently, here in the House and outside the House, we are a government that

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1743 is prepared to make the tough decisions when it comes to B.C. Ferries. Indeed, this is why we have recently brought in our second consecutive balanced budget. [1400] Th ere have been extensive rounds of consultations with coastal communities and, indeed, with industry. Th e Ferry Commissioner was out in 2011, B.C. Ferries was out in 2012, and indeed, we were out again in 2013. Throughout the last eight months I've had many meetings with members of local governments in coast- al communities. I have met with chamber of commerce representatives.

I indeed have met with tourism industry offi cials, like Ian Robertson, only a couple of months ago. I will continue to meet with offi cials within the tourism industry so that we can do everything in our power to ensure the tourism experiences that people in Canada, North America and the world have come to expect. Th ey will continue to be able to enjoy those on B.C. Ferries. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A. Dix: Well, it seems impossible to believe that the Transportation Minister was doing any listening at all. Mr.

Ellis has said about this decision, "A long, exposed, eight- hour nautical journey from Bella Bella to Bella Coola alone, with lack of creature comforts and facilities, will lead to poor tourism reviews that will destroy potential business," to which the minister seems to have replied: "Well, we'll have potable water." Th e fact of the matter is that the damage being done to the tourism industry and the damage being done to the north coast region by this decision is incalculable. Will he review his decision to downgrade this route? Hon. T.

Stone: Indeed, we are absolutely willing to continue to meet with representatives of the tourism in- dustry and other organizations. In fact, just this aft er- noon there are representatives of tourism throughout a number of coastal communities, but in particular from Bella Coola through the Cariboo-Chilcotin, that will be sitting down with the Minister of Tourism and Small Business, with the Minister of Jobs and with myself, and we will be looking to the tourism industry to provide us with their thoughts on the plan that we've put in front of them.

But I think it's again worth mentioning the diff erence between this side of the House and the opposition mem- bers. Th e Discovery coast circle tour remains intact. It is a diff erent service — we have made no bones about that — but it is a service nonetheless. We are making these changes because this government is not prepared to see a loss on this route go from $7.35 million per year to at least $14 million per year for a 13-week service which moves about 500 vehicles each way. Th at's a taxpayer sub- sidy of over $2,500 per vehicle, and that, in our opinion, is not acceptable. Interjections.

Madame Speaker: I will remind all members that the Chair needs to hear the answer and the question. Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A. Dix: Y es, on the Liberal side "it's a service none- theless" will replace "let them eat cake" in future. What we have is a decision made without a business plan and without serious consultation by a minister who seems un- aware of the conditions in the region. And what does the industry get back? What does the region get back? Th ey get a meeting with the Minister of Tourism. Let's face it: this was a bad decision.

It was made with- out consultation, without a business plan. Why won't the minister freeze this decision for this year and review it and get a business plan so that we can understand the impact on businesses around British Columbia? [1405] Hon. T. Stone: For the past three years this govern- ment has been honest with the people in coastal com- munities. We have been honest with the people of British Columbia in saying there are some very signifi cant chal- lenges at B.C. Ferries.

We have said consistently for the last three years, including in the run-up and through the last election, that there were going to need to be some re- ductions in service. In fact, we put a specifi c number out there — $18.9 million in service reductions. Now, those service reductions are part of an overall package that we believe is necessary for B.C. Ferries to get to a place of sustainability and aff ordability for the long term. I think it's important to remind the members opposite that this government has increased the overall taxpayer contribution to B.C.

Ferries through this performance term by almost $90 million. Th is brings the total contri- bution this fi scal to just under $200 million. We've also heard that fares cannot continue to increase as they have. Th ere is no more room for additional tax- payer contribution. We believe on this side of the fl oor that we are obliged and intend to continue to be honest with the public about the challenges facing B.C. Ferries, and that is indeed what we will continue to do as we make these tough decisions. C. Trevena: I'd like to remind the minister when he's looking at things honestly that the users of B.C.

Ferries, the users alone, have contributed $5 billion to keep the ferries running. Going back to route 40, given this government's pen- chant for pricey ad campaigns, I can just see the govern- ment's new ads for the Discovery coast route. Bold type — picture this: "Coming soon, drinkable water."

British Columbia Debates1744 Monday, March 3, 2014 Th e fi x the minister is considering for the problems he's created and his government has created isn't a fi x. It's an embarrassment. Th ey're taking a vessel that's not appropriate for the route and giving it the appearance of doing something. People on the central coast who depend on the route for their business are legitimately irate. One has said it will "eviscerate the tourist trade." Anahim Lake, Nimpo Lake and Tatla Lake guest ranch- es, bed-and-breakfasts and trading posts are all fearful they're going to go out of business.

Th at's to say nothing of the impact on Port Hardy and Bella Coola. To the minister, will he admit that his decision was a case of colossal mismanagement by his government and restore the original service, or is he prepared to watch as the devastation of the tourist industry occurs on the central coast? Hon. T. Stone: I think if we recall back to another time in this province, the ads that we would have seen at B.C.

Ferries under the NDP would have gone something like this: "Coming soon to you, a ferry that may or may not work." I'm going to resist the temptation today to regale the House with the facts of the fast ferry program. But back to the route…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Minister, please take your seat. Please continue. Hon. T. Stone: Let's get the facts clear again. Obviously, the member for North Island is confused on these facts.

Th e current utilization of the Queen of Chilliwack, which is the ferry that serves route 40 from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, is only running at a capacity, a utilization, of about 25 to 30 percent. Th at works out to about 500 vehicles in each direction. The replacement service, which, again, I've said is not exactly the same as what has been there with the Chilliwack but which we are actually going to run…. Th e Nimpkish is going to run from Bella Bella to Bella Coola four days a week instead of one. Th e actual capacity that that will provide on this route is 640 vehicles over that 13-week period.

What we're doing here is making the tough decisions to better match the capacity with the utilization, all the while continuing to provide a service for the tourists who come here to enjoy British Columbia. [1410] Madame Speaker: Th e member for North Island on a supplemental. C. Trevena: I don't think even the minister believes himself. Not exactly the same — a 16-vehicle vessel that has no amenities on it at the moment, can take 16 vehicles and goes four times a week, and a vessel that carries 115 vehicles and has just had a $17 million refi t that's being sidelined.

I've got to say it's hard to think there is anything more embarrassing than the government saying they are going to try to make sure there is potable water for the tour- ists who are coming on this 16-vehicle vessel on a nine- hour run on the smallest vessel in the fl eet. But there is something a bit more embarrassing than that and more embarrassing than the minister's own performance, and that's his lack of response to the justifi ably worried inter- national tourism operators. They've been booking under the assumption that they're going to have a product to sell.

They've been booking thinking that their clientele are going to be able to get from Port Hardy to Bella Coola in one sail- ing. German tour operators have written to the minister. Th ey say: "We sent more letters to him and gave him the numbers but so far haven't heard a single word." Will the Minister of Transportation admit that the plan he clearly doesn't believe in was a mistake and reverse it before it causes British Columbia even more embarrass- ment with international businesses and international travellers? Hon. T.

Stone: What's actually embarrassing, and what certainly doesn't help in the face of promoting British Columbia to the world market, to tourists from around the world, is the member for North Island — day in, day out — trashing B.C. Ferries and trashing the va- cation packages that are available. Th e rhetoric from the opposition is absolutely unhelpful. But I come back to the MV Nimpkish…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Please continue, Minister. Hon. T. Stone: Again, I come back to the MV Nimpkish, which is the vessel that would be serving this route from Bella Coola to Bella Bella.

Th is is a vessel that we believe is a much better match. Th e capacity is a much better match for the utilization. I met with the president and CEO of B.C. Ferries just last week. He reiterated fi rm commitments to us again that they are going to refi t the Nimpkish so that it is as comfortable as it possibly can be. Th ere will be food. Th ere will be refreshments. Th ere will be all of the amen- ities that tourists come to expect. Let British Columbians hear loud and clear that while the government does not support a $2,500-per-vehicle subsidy, the members opposite do.

Th at will come dir- ectly out of health care and education.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1745 CLINIC FOR LATE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER TREATMENT J. Darcy: A few moments ago we welcomed to this House 20 childhood cancer survivors and their families from across B.C. Th ese young adults are experiencing devastating late eff ects as a direct result of the treatment they received that saved their lives — secondary cancers, heart disease, physical and cognitive disabilities, infertil- ity, early menopause and many other complications. We must do more to help survivors of childhood cancer get the coordinated care they need.

Will the Minister of Health commit today to take steps to set up a specialized multidisciplinary clinic to help sur- vivors of childhood cancer deal with the late eff ects of the treatment that they received as children? [1415] Hon. T. Lake: I think everyone in the House has great empathy for those who have survived cancer, particularly those who have had to deal with cancer as a young per- son and deal with the eff ects throughout their life. We are fortunate in British Columbia to have the health care sys- tem with Children's Hospital and the B.C.

Cancer Agency, two leading institutions that provide excellent care. We also have a system in place to transition young people from their experience as a young person into adulthood and make sure their treatment continues. We have ensured, through the GP for Me program, that phys- icians have incentives in place to take on patients with complex problems — spend more time with them to en- sure they are having their issues dealt with in a responsive way from a health care system that we believe is providing excellent care to the people of British Columbia.

Madame Speaker: Th e member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J. Darcy: Th ese childhood cancer survivors and their families would not be here today, pressing for a special- ized clinic, if their needs today were being met by any of the programs that the Minister of Health referred to. Th ese childhood cancer survivors and their families…. I'm sure they appreciate the empathy from both sides of this House, but they need more than empathy. Th ey need action now.

Th ese childhood cancer survivors are suff ering severe late eff ects because they were exposed to aggressive radia- tion and chemotherapy at a time when their bodies and their organs were still at the formative stages. Madame Speaker: Posing your question? J. Darcy: An estimated 3,500 childhood cancer surviv- ors are living in British Columbia today and not getting the help that they need. Th ey fought childhood cancer. Th ey have to fi ght again for support. Th ey should not have to fi ght alone.

My question to the Minister of Health, again, is: will he commit today to move forward with a specialized clinic, which is what these pediatric cancer survivors and their families are calling for and desperately need? Hon. T. Lake: I think all of us have expressed our em- pathy. Th ere will be a day, through personalized medicine and through some of the great work that's happening here in British Columbia, where we can actually defi ne the geno- type of the type of cancer that someone is suff ering; be able to develop tailored, personalized treatment to pre- vent side eff ects and to have greater effi cacy.

Th at will be the future. In the meantime, we understand that there are people facing challenges. Unfortunately, I find it somewhat, well, I guess, distasteful that we didn't hear about this in the NDP's election platform. Y et they use the opportun- ity when the survivorship group is here to bring this up. I am happy to report that the Minister of Children and Family Development has met with this group. We have had them talk with staff . Th e B.C. Cancer Agency and Children's Hospital are talking with this group. We have indicated a willingness to look, as we did with PKU and as we did with diabetes….

We are always willing to look at opportunities — opportunities that only come when you have a balanced budget, and then you can take next steps forward. We look forward to working with this group and ensuring that their health care needs are met. REVIEW OF DRIVEABLE PROGRAM K. Corrigan: Well, with that classy response, I think I'll turn to something else. Seniors driving testing must be fair and must be eff ect- ive in keeping our roads safe.

In March of 2012 we asked this government for "scientifi cally, independently valid- ated evidence" that suggests the DriveABLE test system they brought in to test seniors' ability to drive is fair and eff ective. Th e former Justice Minister did not answer the question. However, one week later she put out a press re- lease claiming that "DriveABLE is in the process of be- ing peer-reviewed." A simple question to the current Minister of Justice: has that scientifi c, independently validated peer review been completed, and if so, will she release it to the pub- lic today? [1420] Hon. S.

Anton: Road safety is indeed a priority of this government and of RoadSafe B.C., the superintendent of motor vehicles. It is important that we achieve that balance between ensuring that people who can drive are able to drive but

British Columbia Debates1746 Monday, March 3, 2014 that people who are no longer capable of driving are measured in some way so that there's a proper process for taking the licences away in that unfortunate time that comes when sometimes that needs to happen. Th at's the DriveABLE program. It's a robust program. It's done through family doctors, who evaluate the driv- ers. It's done through testing, through the superintendent of motor vehicles. We have worked hard to expand the number of DriveABLE sites around British Columbia so that people, for the most part, can have a test fairly close to their home.

As I said, this program is an important one in being able to evaluate drivers — mainly seniors — who, un- fortunately, for one reason or another cannot drive any- more or need to be evaluated in a scientifi c way. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Burnaby–Deer Lake on a supplemental. K. Corrigan: I was asking about the peer review that was supposed to have been done and which we have not received an answer to.

We fi led a freedom-of-information request regarding the previous Justice Minister's claim that DriveABLE "is in the process of being peer-reviewed," and all we got back from the Liberal government was a link to the so-called peer review. Th at review was conducted by Allen R. Dobbs. Y et according to his bio in that so-called peer review, Mr. Dobbs "formed the DriveABLE assessment centres as a University of Alberta spinoff company and now serves as chief scientifi c offi cer" — and, I would suggest, has made a pretty penny from the contract with this government.

Th is is obviously not a peer review, as the previous min- ister claimed. To the current minister: one review, conducted by the same person who created a for-profi t program whose validity has been repeatedly questioned. Will the minis- ter acknowledge that there is no scientifi c, independently validated evidence that the B.C. Liberals' DriveABLE test is either fair or eff ective and either get rid of it or fi x it? Hon. S. Anton: If the member opposite is suggesting we get rid of it, I would suggest that that would be very unwise.

Th ere does come a time in some drivers' driving lives that they are not able to drive any longer. Th at's why we have in place the DriveABLE program whereby, gen- erally through a family doctor, a driver is referred to the program. Th e driver is tested, and it is determined wheth- er or not the driver should be able to continue driving. It is a terrible time in a driver's life. I'm sure many people in the room, this chamber, will have known a member of their family who can't drive anymore. It's a very tough decision that needs to be properly made. We do evaluate the DriveABLE program.

It's a relative- ly new program, but it is fundamentally a good program. And there does need to be a way of evaluating drivers, mainly seniors, who either should not be driving or do need to be tested as to whether or not they should be able to continue driving. N. Simons: A group of eight medical and scientifi c experts, with support from many universities as well as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, published an

article in a reputable journal which contradicts the com- pany's fi ndings. Using the company's own data, they said that the DriveABLE testing regime is approximately 50 percent accurate — 50.4 percent accurate, to be precise. It's like fl ipping a coin. Half of the good drivers are taken off the road, and half of the bad drivers are left on the road. Why is this government using a system of testing for seniors that's both unfair and unscientifi c- ally tested? [1425] Hon. S.

Anton: Road safety in British Columbia, which is a goal of this government — to keep our roads safe — does require that drivers, when necessary, are as- sessed for their continued ability to drive. Th at is the goal of the DriveABLE program. Th at's why it was put in place. As I said, it's a system that depends on family doc- tors, with their reference to the superintendent of mo- tor vehicles, and on subsequent testing of the driver. Th ere needs to be a way of assessing drivers. Th at's what DriveABLE does.

I don't know if the members opposite are suggesting that we should abandon a program that evaluates wheth- er or not drivers should be able to continue driving, because that is not the intention of this government. DriveABLE takes drivers off the road, unfortunately, when there comes a time in their driving lives when they should no longer have their licence. Madame Speaker: The member for Powell River– Sunshine Coast on a supplemental. N. Simons: Indeed, I do have a number of supplement- al questions. I get one. Tests should not leave bad drivers on the road, nor should they take good drivers off the road.

What the studies are showing us is that the tests implemented by this government, written into policy, with a medical test and a computer test and an on-road test designed by a husband-and-wife team and given a sole-source con- tract…. Tests should be fair. We're not questioning whether there should be tests. Th e tests in question are not. Th e previous claim that peer reviews were taking place is sim- ply not true. Th e system is unfair, it's unscientifi c, and it's ineff ective. So will the Attorney General do what is right — either fi x it or scrap it? Hon. S. Anton: As a government committed to road

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1747 safety and ensuring that our roads are as safe as they can be — which, by the way, was confi rmed by the Court of Appeal today as being a fundamental responsibility and ability of government to manage our roads and look aft er public safety on our roads…. I fi nd it fascinating that the members opposite think we should get rid of a program that assesses, through both cognitive testing and driving testing, whether or not a person may continue to drive. Th at is an import- ant part of maintaining drivers' licences and maintaining road safety in British Columbia.

Th at's a commitment of government. Th at will be a commitment of government. N. Macdonald: I'll just quote from an article, "Failure to Predict On-Road Results." It's in Canadian Family Physician , July 2013.

It says: "We do not agree with Dobbs's" — that's the owner, the creator, of DriveABLE — "conclusion that these fi ndings provide the evidence physicians need to be competent in using the recommen- dation from the DriveABLE in-offi ce cognitive evalua- tion to assist them in making accurate, evidence-based decisions about their patients' fi tness to drive." Y ou see, I can quote from the study that is a real peer review. Th e question I have for this minister: what evi- dence can the minister point to that actually proves that DriveABLE works? Hon. S. Anton: Government is committed to road safety.

Government is committed to fair process. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Hon. Members. Please continue. Hon. S. Anton: Government is committed to this pro- gram but to continuing review of this program. [1430] As I said, the family doctors, which I think the member opposite was referring to, can rely on a number of cog- nitive tests. Sometimes they rely on whether or not their patient can fi nd their way back to their own vehicle. Th ey can rely on any number of things that have them refer the person to the superintendent of motor vehicles for both a cognitive test and a road test. Th at's the DriveABLE pro- gram.

It helps keep our roads safe in British Columbia. [End of question period.] Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: Continued debate on the budget. Budget Debate (continued) J. Y ap: I'm delighted to take my place again in the de- bate, following up from where I left off at the last sitting of the House. I want to fi rst of all start by saying it is an honour and a privilege to be here on behalf of the good people of Richmond-Steveston, to speak on their behalf and to speak in favour of their interests.

I would state from the outset that balanced budget 2014 is very much in the interests of the people of Richmond-Steveston. I'm en- thusiastically in support of balanced budget 2014, and I'll spend the next few minutes explaining why in this debate. First of all, balanced budget 2014 is really promise made, promise kept. About this time a year ago, members will recall that we were talking to British Columbians to start preparing for the coming selection that British Columbians would make in May of last year.

We made a very fi rm commitment that if the voters would give our government a fresh mandate, which they did in May 2013, we would deliver a second consecutive balanced budget. I want to thank the Minister of Finance for his deep commitment to delivering this prudent budget, this fi s- cally responsible budget, which cannot be easy because, as we all know, it is so easy to say yes to so many worth- while projects and programs. It is easy to say yes, very diffi cult to exercise discipline and to make the tough choices which this government has, which this Minister of Finance has.

I am grateful to the minister and our gov- ernment for exercising this fi scal prudence. Budget 2014 projects surpluses of $184 million in 2014-15, $206 million in '15-16 and $451 million in 2016-17 — in other words, surpluses over the next three years totalling $841 million.

Now, on the scale of the total budget of the province, these are admittedly modest sur- pluses, but they are surpluses. [1435] Th e fi scal plan includes contingencies of $300 million in 2014-15, $400 million in '15-16 and $575 million in '16-17 to help manage unexpected costs and priority in- itiatives, including the 2014 public sector compensation mandate and LNG development. I'll have a bit more to say about the promise of LNG later on in my remarks. Establishing and executing a budget plan is the essence of fi scal responsibility.

We have, as a government, stayed true to the principle that government should not spend more than it takes in, than the taxpayers provide. Aft er all, there's only one source of funding for the province, and that is the taxpayer. We said last year when we went to the people for their permission to continue that we would exercise fi scal discipline. Th is budget affi rms that we have lived up to that commitment. Budget 2014 will foster growth in jobs and investment, will help families plan and build for the

British Columbia Debates1748 Monday, March 3, 2014 future and will strengthen support for individuals and families most in need. I want to spend a little time talking about debt and debt management, because in the back-and-forth debate in this House between members from one side and the other we've focused on debt. It is a very important issue. It's an issue that I know is of concern to my constituents.

As I talked to constituents, it was made very clear to me that the majority of them are very concerned that we prudently manage our fi nances, that we control spend- ing, that we ensure that the debt is manageable and that eventually it will be retired. All of us want to leave a bet- ter world for our children and their children. One way to do it is to leave them a fi scally sound and fi scally well- managed provincial budget. [D.

Horne in the chair.] Th e total provincial debt is forecast to be $64.7 billion in 2014-15, $66.9 billion in '15-16 and $68.9 billion in '16-17, refl ecting important, major capital investments in the infrastructure which British Columbians require. Now, taxpayer-supported debt is forecast to be $43.1 billion in 2014-15, $44.5 billion in '15-16 and $45.5 bil- lion in 2016-17. By eliminating the defi cit and reducing the government's need to borrow, Budget 2014 forecasts that we will peak out at a taxpayer-supported debt-to- GDP ratio of 18.5 percent in 2013-14. Th is will decline to 17.8 percent in 2016-17.

Taxpayer-supported interest costs continue to be at manageable levels: just over four cents per dollar of rev- enue over the three-year fi scal plan. Th is ensures that B.C. maintains its leading position in fi scally prudent debt management. At a peak of 18.5 percent, taxpayer-supported debt to GDP is among the lowest of the provinces. As we have heard, British Columbia, at 18.5 percent, compares so positively to some other jurisdictions. For example, in Quebec debt-to-GDP is 55.7 percent. In Ontario it's 37.4 percent; Canada, 33 percent.

Again, here in British Columbia it's 18.5 percent and forecasted to begin de- clining from this peak. To put it another way, if British Columbia were to have Ontario's debt-servicing burden, which is about nine cents per dollar of revenue, we would, as a province, have to pay about $2.2 billion more in debt-servicing. [1440] Th at's $2.2 billion more that would have to come from some worthwhile programs, from some important ex- penditures. Th is alone dramatically illustrates the rel- evance, the importance, of sound fi scal management, maintaining the debt load at reasonable levels.

As a consequence of this government's fi scal prudence, controls over spending and the elimination of the defi - cit, we have been, as a province, affi rmed at the triple-A credit rating. Th is is something that is special because it signifi es to potential investors — to the fi nancial world, to those who make important economic decisions — that B.C. is a safe place to invest. Now, we have heard — and it's worth mentioning again — that it is a rarity to have a triple-A credit rating as a jurisdiction, in part because of the tough economic times which we've come through as a province, as a nation, as a continent.

We've heard the comparisons, but it's worth noting again that with our triple-A credit rating, we are in a very, very small group. In fact, only two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, have a triple-A credit rating, and the fed- eral government has. When you look at the comparison to other provinces in Canada, they do not have at this time, as we have in British Columbia, the triple-A credit rating designation. Our government's commitment to balancing the budget, to keeping taxes low and competi- tive, to promoting B.C. to investors will mean continued steady growth in our economy.

Part of this economic future will involve the prom- ise of a brand-new LNG industry. Th is is a great oppor- tunity, a generational opportunity for British Columbia, one which our government is pursuing with great vigour. We've heard members talk about the opportunities that LNG will provide in terms of investment, in terms of job creation and in terms of revenues to government that will help us eventually retire the provincial debt and to have the funds that would allow us to really provide the kinds of programs and supports to British Columbians that we can today only envision.

This is a budget, Budget 2014, which will position B.C. for continued economic growth and prosperity for British Columbians, and this budget has been well re- ceived by those whose job it is to look at economic indi- cators and the performance of complex organizations like provincial jurisdictions. Let's not just take my word for it. Let's see what others who are experts have said. For example, in a news release the Investment Industry Association of Canada….

Th is is a group that represents fi nancial advisers and invest- ment advisers, people who know a thing or two about the value of good fi nancial management. In their release of February 18, 2014, they say: "IIAC recognizes the diffi cult domestic and international eco- nomic conditions the province has been forced to navigate over the past fi ve years.

Th e IIAC commends the government for manag- ing its public fi nances prudently in the period following the 2008 fi nancial crash and extended weak recovery." Th ey go on to say in their release: "Success in achieving budget balance and a falling debt burden — together with steady reductions in spending from 6 percent to 2.5 percent in the recent economic downturn and holding the line on taxes — signals to domestic and foreign investors that the com- petitive business climate will remain in place in British Columbia. Th is will instil investor confi dence and draw job-creating invest- ment to the province.

"British Columbia — with its abundant resources, skilled work- force and evolving opportunities in LNG production — has a bright economic future." Th at's what the experts say.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1749 [1445] I found another really strong affi rmation of the work that is refl ected in our budget. Th is is a quote from the Business Council of British Columbia — again, a group that refl ects people who are very knowledgable about what it takes to be a place to attract investment and cre- ate jobs. Here's a quote from the Business Council of B.C.: "A sound fi scal framework is an important foundation to support long-term economic growth.

It must be noted that British Columbia has been more successful than other provinces in eff ectively managing its costs." Th is is a quote from Mr. Jock Finlayson, executive vice- president with the Business Council of British Columbia, on February 18, 2014. Because we fulfi lled our promise to be fi scally prudent and we have delivered our second consecutive balanced budget, British Columbia can start to make targeted sus- tainable investments in our social infrastructure. I'd like to highlight some examples.

Community Living B.C. will receive incremental fund- ing of over $240 million over three years, maintaining services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Th at's very important. I know of the very good work that members of the Community Living B.C. community do in my riding, in Richmond-Steveston. I want to commend the Richmond Society for Community Living for the great work they do, day in and day out. Th is budget will provide additional incremental funding to help provide those needed services.

More examples: an additional $15 million over three years for children and youth with special needs, an addi- tional $15 million over three years for increased policing costs and $6 million for legal aid–related services. Health care — important to all British Columbians and which we debated in this House just today, and fre- quently — remains our single most important commit- ment. Budget 2014 will see the health budget increase by $2½ billion over three years. Total health spending will reach $19.6 billion, over 42 percent of all government ex- penditures by 2016-17.

Again, this is possible because of prudent fi scal management, strong economy and a clear focus on making tough decisions. Aft er health care, the next most important commit- ment is education. Budget 2014 maintains funding for K-to-12 and post-secondary systems at already record Budget 2013 levels. Some examples are $2.3 billion for capital spending by post-secondary institutions across B.C. and $1.5 billion to maintain, replace, renovate or expand K-to-12 facilities.

Government will continue to work with employers, educators and communities so that British Columbians can get the training that they need for the jobs of the future. Th e budget includes investments in skills train- ing, such as the NorKam trades centre of excellence in Kamloops; the new trades-training facilities in Camosun College and Okanagan College; a new state- of-the-art campus for Emily Carr University, for visual media design arts in Vancouver; and, in my commun- ity in Richmond, a new school of design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be built.

Balanced budget 2014 will also support our future learners with the B.C. training and education savings grant, which will benefi t 40,000 children who are eligible each year — those born aft er January 1, 2007. Families can use this grant along with a modest savings plan to help to create an education fund for their children, to help pay for their post-secondary education when they graduate from high school. [1450] Budget 2014 also sets the stage for implementation of the B.C. early childhood tax benefi t.

Starting April 2015 the benefi t will provide up to $146 million to 180,000 families with children under six at the rate of $55 per month per eligible child. About 90 percent of B.C.'s families with young children will be eligible for this tax benefi t. Home ownership is a goal which most British Columbians share. Budget 2014 supports new home- buyers with the increase in the fi rst-time homebuyers property transfer tax exemption threshold to $475,000 from $425,000. Th is will save fi rst-time-homebuyers up to $7,500 on the purchase of their homes.

Now, I'd like to highlight the good work that's been done and that's refl ected in this budget in the area of taxes. Budget 2014 ensures that B.C. families will con- tinue to have among the lowest overall tax burdens in Canada, including income taxes, consumption taxes, property taxes, health care premiums and payroll taxes. B.C. currently has the lowest provincial personal in- come taxes in Canada for individuals earning up to $121,000 per year, and that's a lot of people. Provincial personal income taxes for most taxpayers have been re- duced by 37 percent or more since 2001.

Today an addi- tional 400,000 people no longer pay any B.C. income tax. Let me quickly share some examples. An individual earning $20,000 a year pays $650 less in provincial in- come taxes than he did in 2001. A senior couple earning $40,000 a year pay $791 less in provincial income taxes than they did in 2001. An individual earning $50,000 a year pays $1,340 less in provincial income taxes than they did in 2001. We want British Columbia to continue to be a place where people know we have a competitive tax re- gime, where people can come to work, contribute, raise a family and recreate.

B.C.'s LNG future is something we can all look for- ward to. Budget 2014 provides funding of $29 million over three years to support the development of our new LNG industry in British Columbia, including attracting investments to B.C., supporting a stable environment for investment decisions, facilitating timely processing for regulatory and permitting requirements and ensur-

British Columbia Debates1750 Monday, March 3, 2014 ing ongoing environmental protection management and stewardship. A proposed new income tax on liquefaction at LNG facilities will help ensure that B.C. is competitive in at- tracting investment and earns a fair share of revenue for British Columbians. Th is is very important. We need to be competitive, because this is a competition. As has been referred to, there are other jurisdictions in the world that are competing for LNG investment. British Columbia is well positioned to be successful in this, but we have to be competitive.

Again, people whose business it is to review invest- ment factors have looked at our approach, and some have taken the step of making known their views — for example: "We are pleased that the government is mov- ing forward with announcing a liquefi ed natural gas tax strategy, which was also included in our recommenda- tions in October 2013.

Th is is a fi rst step in providing the certainty investors need, and major investments in the sector will hopefully proceed as planned." Th is is a quote from Richard Rees, the CEO of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, CPABC, on February 18, 2014. [1455] We also received kudos from the Business Council of British Columbia, whose CEO, Greg D'Avignon, said: "We support the province's considerable eff orts to real- ize a globally competitive LNG industry. Th is is an un- precedented potential investment opportunity for the province." Th is was in a news release on February 18, 2014.

LNG will provide incredible opportunities, not just for big businesses directly involved in liquefi ed natural gas but also small and medium-sized businesses. I'm very pleased that our government will be focusing to sup- port small businesses to continue to fl ourish in British Columbia. As we know, small business is the backbone of our provincial economy, and our government will con- tinue to facilitate opportunities for small business. How do we do this?

Continue to reduce red tape and unnecessary regulations that hinder economic growth; partner with local federal and other provincial govern- ments to reduce the overall regulatory burden for British Columbia businesses; support eff orts to bundle govern- ment services across sectors to make it easier for busi- nesses and citizens to interact with government and create new jobs; and continue to take a citizen-centred and plain-language approach to government forms, which I know for many small business people is the bane of their existence sometimes. Small business plays such an important role in British Columbia.

In terms of exports, they account for 42 per- cent of merchandise shipped abroad. I'm pleased that a continued focus of our government with this budget will be to continue to reduce red tape and support small busi- ness, medium-sized business, so that we can truly be the most business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada. In fact, we have made great progress, as you know, and the business community has expressed their appre- ciation for the work and the results achieved in mak- ing B.C. business-friendly.

For the third year in a row, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has awarded British Columbia an A rating for its continu- ing program to slash red tape. We are, in fact, the only province in Canada to achieve that designation. Th is is a remarkable achievement. We cannot rest on our laurels. We have to keep working hard to continue to make B.C. that business-friendly environment. Th e Canadian Federation of Independent Business on February 18, 2014, said this: "Small businesses are pleased the government has balanced the budget for the second year in a row.

Th e government deserves praise for restraining spending growth and for holding the line on the small business corporate tax rate at 2½ percent. Eff orts at reducing red tape by the B.C. government were recently rewarded by CFIB with an A letter grade, the highest in Canada." As I look forward with the great promise provided by this second consecutive balanced budget for British Columbia, I'm truly optimistic, and I believe that British Columbians can be optimistic.

I know that many members, certainly on this side of the House, are very optimistic about the great opportun- ities that present themselves to British Columbia, oppor- tunities for continued economic growth that are provided by our very important sectors, whether it's the natural resource sector, whether it's the tourism sector, whether it's the fi lm sector or whether it's looking at our service sector and LNG that is just developing — and which we look forward to providing the tremendous generational opportunity for continued economic development in our province. [1500] Let me conclude my remarks with one more quote from another leading business representative, who said Budget 2014 is what investors want.

"People are calling this a triple-B." Th at's for balanced, boring budget. "But to me, boring means stability and predictability, which is exactly what investors want. British Columbians want no surprises in budgeting anymore, so I think it strikes the right balance." Th is is a quote from Phil Hochstein, the president of the Independent Contractors Association of B.C., in the Times Colonist on February 19, 2014.

On behalf of the citizens of Richmond-Steveston, I'm delighted and I'm enthusiastically in support of this bal- anced budget 2014, which is another important step that our government has made in order to ensure a strong economy and a secure tomorrow for British Columbia. K. Corrigan: Well, I'm not quite as enthusiastic as the member opposite about this budget, but I am pleased to rise and make some comments on it. I have to say from

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1751 the outset that this is not a budget presented by the B.C. Liberal government that I can support. Th e B.C. Liberals claim to have provided a balanced budget, but I would say that it's anything but balanced. I'm not talking about the fact that in order to have the bottom line that they present…. I'm not talking about the fact that there has been a fi re sale of assets, although there has been. I'm not talking about the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars, bil- lions of dollars, have been siphoned off from B.C.

Hydro, which is adding a massive future debt load to the people of this province, my kids and my kids' kids' kids. I'm not talking about the fact that the only way this budget could be claimed to be balanced is by driving up things like B.C. Hydro rates. I'm not talking about that when I say that this is not a balanced budget. What I'm talking about is the fact that there is no balance to this budget. Balance, if you look in the dictionary, is described as….

One description is "an even distribution of weight enabling someone or some- thing to remain upright and steady." Or a condition "in which diff erent elements are equal or in the correct pro- portions." Balance is also described as fairness, justice, impartiality, even-handedness, egalitarianism and even equal opportunity. Th e very last quality in the world that I would attribute to this budget presented by the B.C. Liberals is balance. Th ere is no balance. Th ere is no fairness. Th ere's no even- handedness, no even distribution of weight enabling this province to remain upright and steady. Th e B.C.

Liberal approach to this province is not balanced. What has been happening under the B.C. Liberal mis- management of this province is that there has been some- thing that I think is very fundamentally unfair. Th ere has been a steady and intentional move away from the types of taxes where the very wealthy pay more, and those that are less wealthy pay less. Taxes like income taxes — those are fair taxes. If you make $300,000 or $400,000 a year, you pay substantially more than somebody who makes less. I think that's a fair way to go — the more you earn, the more you pay. Th at's a balanced approach.

Th is government, the B.C. Liberal government, has moved away from those types of taxes. When you look at the change in the tax regime over the last 12, almost 13 years now, increasingly what has happened is the taxes where you pay more when you are wealthier are being replaced by taxes and fees and costs that are killing the middle class far more than they are killing the wealthy. It's a deliberate and calculated decision to make it easier on the richest individuals, the richest corporations and to hit the middle class.

Th e taxes that have gone up under this government, the fees that have gone up under this government, the ones you are getting whacked with, as the Premier de- scribed it when she was a radio show host — those are the ones where the middle class pay just as much as the rich, despite having far lower incomes. [1505] We're talking about things like MSP , about things like hydro rates. We're not talking about things like income tax. With MSP , the family of four living on $40,000 a year or even $30,001 pays the same as a family of three mak- ing $300,000 or $400,000 a year.

I just don't think that's a fair way to look at taxation. It's a fl at tax. Th ey are re- gressive taxes as opposed to progressive taxes, which are much more fair. HST is a good example of where this government tried, several years ago, to impose a tax that would have cost consumers $1.9 billion more in order to give a ma- jor tax break to, largely, the largest corporations in this province.

Th at was the tax imposed by this government, by the Liberal government, where the rich and the mid- dle class would have to pay exactly the same amount of tax on purchases as somebody who has a lower income, again reducing taxes for the rich and powerful and in- creasing taxes to the middle class. The average person in B.C. is certainly aware that they're getting hit, that they're getting whacked. Th ey know that their fees for MSP and B.C. Hydro are going up. Th ey know. Th ey know because they have to balance their books. Th e members opposite have talked oft en about balancing the books.

Well, I'll tell you, the people who have to balance the books in this province that it's getting harder and harder for are the average person and the average worker in this province. It's getting harder and harder to maintain and achieve what they thought they were going to have, which is a rea- sonable job, a nice home or a reasonable home, money enough to raise their families and even a little bit left over to spend on entertainment and maybe the odd vacation.

It's getting harder and harder for people to be able to live like that, despite working, in some families, two or three or four jobs, when you add up all the jobs of the people in some of those homes. B.C. Hydro is another great example of where tax cuts for the rich are being transferred over to fees that are be- ing paid by the middle class. In fact, between 2007 and 2016 the projections are that the fastest-growing area of government revenue will be from B.C. Hydro, with rev- enue rising by an average of 7.4 percent per year. Th ese costs are being passed on to hydro customers.

Th e costs of this incompetently managed system are being passed on to hydro customers, and that's 7.4 percent revenue. Th at is coming out of the pockets of the average British Columbian and businesses as well. Our competitiveness as a province…. Unfortunately, one of our great competitive assets has been B.C. Hydro, which has served companies and served our public so well over the years. Now that is being squandered away, we're going to be losing — we are losing — one of our main competitive advantages.

British Columbia Debates1752 Monday, March 3, 2014 It's entirely, entirely a result of Liberal incompetence and mismanagement. Th e removal of independent over- sight by the B.C. Utilities Commission…. Th is govern- ment gave special deals to their private power friends that forced the province to buy power that we don't need at exorbitantly high rates and to sell it at peak periods for far less. Th is is not good management. Not only are we paying far more for power than we should have to, at the same time, B.C. Hydro is raking hundreds of millions of dollars out of B.C.

Hydro, call- ing it a dividend, supposedly balancing the books with that and leaving it in a deep and growing debt. We once again…. Interjection. K. Corrigan: Th e members opposite fi nd it so hard to get into the 21st century. It's really quite amazing. What is happening is that hundreds of millions of dol- lars, as I said, is being pulled out of B.C. Hydro, putting it further and further into debt, once again mortgaging my kids' future and my kids' kids' future and, as I said, tak- ing away the business competitiveness of this province.

Th at's bad management. [1510] Th ey're mortgaging our future, and at the same time, they're picking our pockets. Government is going to take an additional $2 billion right out of our pockets over the next three years in increased Hydro hikes. Again, that's going directly to the middle class and those of us who are trying to heat our homes and do our laundry and all the other things that we have to do in order to survive. I wanted to talk about another area which is unfairly hitting the middle class, and that's MSP , medical services premiums.

Th at's another tax that has gone up, whack- ing the middle class to pay for the reduction in income taxes to the wealthiest. In fact, again, I talked about the B.C. Hydro rates be- ing one of the largest increases over the next several years in terms of revenue that's going to go to the prov- ince. Another fastest-growing source of revenue for the provincial government is MSP premiums, with an aver- age annual increase since 2007 of 5.5 percent. Th at is far more than the cost of living has increased, but it's hitting average families in British Columbia.

I was surprised that the Premier in question period, when asked about the increasing MSP premium, boast- ed about the fact that one million people in B.C. pay reduced MSP premiums and 800,000 pay no MSP pre- miums whatsoever. I've got to say I listened to that, and I thought that, well, that's a pretty good thing. I went and took a look at what the premium rates are and how much you have to be making in order to get those breaks. If you are a family of three and you make $30,001, you have to pay the full freight. Y ou have to pay $138.50 per month.

I don't think the Premier should be proud of the fact that if you are somebody who is making $30,000 or more, you have to pay the full freight on MSP premiums. What it really means when she says that is that the ones that are paying no premiums, the 800,000 people in this province, are making less than $22,000 a year for a family, and then another million people in this province are making less than $30,000 a year for a family. I think that's actually a pretty pathetic record that the Premier shouldn't really be bragging about.

Overall, if you put together just the MSP premiums and the Hydro premiums, we know that the average family is going to be paying $900 more over the next three years. Y ou know, to some people in this House, that may not sound like a lot of money. But for a lot of people living in homes all over this province, that's really hard to take, and that's going to be very diffi cult. For B.C. Hydro customers, the average customer is go- ing to pay $96 more this fi scal year, $166 in 2015-2016 and $215 more in 2016-2017. So over those three years they're going to pay almost $500 more because of the rate hikes.

For MSP premiums it's $66 more in 2014-15, then $132 and then $202. Th at's a total of about $400 more that families are going to have to pay in the future, each and every year — not to mention whatever future premium hikes this government imposes. Th at's the predilection: to increase the cost for things that are fl at taxes and to reduce the cost for those that are the very wealthy. I want to talk about post-secondary tuition fees, an- other area that has become punishing for families and for students.

In my community and throughout this province I hear students saying — more and more stu- dent representatives, student federations and individual students — that it is getting more and more diffi cult for students to attend university. We know what that means. What it means is that we lose equity. What we have is we have families that can help to support…. [1515] It's great when families can help support students at- tend post-secondary institutions. I think it's great when they do that. I've helped my four children, all of them, at some time or another with their tuition, with the costs of education.

But there are lots of families who can't do that, and there is not a system in place in British Columbia that helps students, makes it easier for students to attend uni- versity. So what we end up fi nding is that the children of the wealthier have more of a tendency to attend univer- sity, and the children in families that are not wealthy, are middle-class or are struggling tend less to attend univer- sity. It's just too expensive. Students in B.C. have the highest level of debt of any province in Canada.

Being number one in that category is not something that we should be proud of, and being number one in that category does not, I don't believe, indicate that this is a balanced government.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1753 I love the institutions in our community as well. I'm really proud that in Burnaby we have Simon Fraser University and the B.C. Institute of Technology. It's these organizations that we should be supporting fully. We should be making sure that we have opportunity and that we have access and that we support the programs that these institutions provide. Y et what we have been doing…. Funding transfers to post-secondary institu- tions were cut by $70 million — if you go back, starting with the 2012 budget.

Th is is a government that talks about the importance of skills training. It talks about the importance of post- secondary education. Boy, I bet if you went back and you did a little comparison of the throne speeches and the pre-election speeches and the pre-election comments and compared it to what's actually in the budgets, you wouldn't even think you were in the same province. Skills training, another area that we should be signifi - cantly investing in.

It's something that was talked about in the throne speech, something that we, certainly, on this side of the House were pleading with the government about over the last several years — to do something about skills training. We have a defi cit of skilled workers, and it is an obvious way for us to increase the talent, to increase the opportunity, to improve business so that businesses have that skilled talent pool that they need. Instead, what are we doing? We're importing temporary foreign work- ers, and I think it's a shame.

We had a skills training system, an apprenticeship sys- tem, that was dismantled by this government almost im- mediately or very shortly aft er it came into power in 2001. We had completion rates that were strong completion rates. Now students that are entering the apprenticeship program…. Only about a third of the students are com- pleting, and I think that's shameful. We're not putting money into skills training. We're reducing money to the post-secondary institutions, and students have the highest level of debt in the country. I think that's shameful.

It's not good for our populace, and it's not good for our economy. Again, poor decision- making and mismanagement. I want to say that this shift of taxes, this shift of burden, this…. Well, I was going to say slow, but it's not very slow. It's continual. It's increasing. Th is shift of burden for re- sponsibility for paying for public services to the middle class and even those that are lower middle class has a dis- proportional impact on women, and that really concerns me. At the same time, we have a government that basic- ally ignores investment in child care. It's not concerned about child care.

We also have all of these other impacts that are dis- proportionately hurting women. Th e numbers in terms of the number of women who are single parents and the number of people in poverty is increasing at a shock- ing rate from year to year. Th ose are kids. I care more about…. Anything else, I guess, is…. It's our future gen- erations. [1520] When we're talking about skills training and we're talk- ing about post-secondary education and we're talking about income levels, we have to remember the children — and nobody would disagree.

I know we all agree in this House that what happens with our children is the most important thing, but this government is not acting. It's not putting its money…. It's not putting the resources to the places that will help those kids and give them a healthy start in life. We know that — I can't remember the number exact- ly — a large proportion, about 20 to 25 percent, of chil- dren who go into kindergarten have a defi cit in terms of their preparedness. It's linked, defi nitely linked, with the income levels of those families. Families in poverty are not good for those kids, obviously.

It doesn't give them a fair start. It predicts future problems in education. It pre- dicts future problems in terms of involvement in high- risk behaviour. Y et we seem to be languishing and not concerned. I hear members from the other side repeating the man- tra that we're just going to someday — 12, 15 years in the future — solve all of this because we're going to have some magical billions of dollars, trillions of dollars, that are going to come to us.

Well, even if those claims were based in reality, that doesn't help the kids that are going through the system now, the kids that are languishing, the kids that are being put in a position where they don't have as good a chance at life simply because their parents can't get jobs or they can't get jobs when they hit their teen and 20 years. We know that the unemployment rate of young people is ri- diculously high, disproportionately high. I'm concerned about asset sales.

The budget docu- ments report sales of another $423 million worth of government property in 2013-14, with plans for sale of another $200 million in 2014-15, including some prop- erties I know on the list. I don't know if it's going to be in the ones in 2014-15 — I believe it is — but that's includ- ing some gems of property in my community, including a property that the city had rezoned for social housing. Th e plans were there, and the government simply sold off the property.

What's happening, I think, in the short term is that the books are being balanced by — to use a term that is used — selling the family silverware. I think that's an irrespon- sible way to supposedly balance the budget. I don't have a problem with government strategically buying and selling property in order to better serve the aims of the province. But I do have a real concern in this case, because that's not what has happened. Land is being sold out without regard to future need or future potential. Again, assets paid for by the taxpayers of this province are sold off in a fi re sale.

I wonder how many times the province is selling off property that they

British Columbia Debates1754 Monday, March 3, 2014 will now have to lease back, saddling future budgets and future generations with increased debt. Speaking of debt, I fi nd the B.C. Liberal slogans pretty rich. "Debt-free B.C." is one of the best, a real interesting slogan, an election slogan. Th e fact is, the reality is, that the debt has gone up more under this Premier than at any time in B.C.'s history. In 2011 B.C.'s debt was $45 billion. In 2012 that rose to $50 billion — over a 10 percent increase in just one year.

Another 10 percent increase in 2013 to about $56 billion, $62 billion in 2014, then $65 billion and then $67 billion. So the debt is going up, up and up under the B.C. Liberals. Th at's apart from the astounding $100 billion in con- tractual obligations. Th e B.C. Liberals have locked up taxpayers into long-term contracts — sometimes 40- or 50-year contracts — that off er absolutely no fl exibility.

Th ose are P3s and other contracts that lock this province into contracts that will last for generations into the future, whether or not we need those services. [1525] Y ou know, I'm doing all right, but I really worry about the impact that this increased debt and this $100 billion in contractual obligationsare going to do to my kids and my kids' kids. We have debt increasing faster than at any time in our province's history.

We have $100 billion worth of con- tracts for things like the Golden Ears Bridge, which tax- payers are subsidizing for millions of dollars a year; for privatized power projects where we signed up to buy power, whether we need it or not, at crippling prices; and for things like some of the…. I think it's $3.5 billion of overruns that we have for things like the northwest transmission line, 85 percent higher than the 2011 cost estimate; the Vancouver Convention Centre, $341 mil- lion over budget; B.C. Place roof, gone up by $414 million. Th e Port Mann Bridge went from $1.5 billion to $3.3 billion.

Th e South Fraser Perimeter Road. Th e Basi-Virk settlement — that was only $6 million. Th e Boss Power settlement, where the government settled at $30 mil- lion, was $21.3 million higher than recommended by the report because the government didn't follow the law while banning uranium mining in B.C. and because they wanted to keep it quiet. BCeSIS, integrated case manage- ment system, Maximus — the list goes on and on, $3.5 billion of waste. I want to spend a couple of minutes talking about a few areas that are of particular concern to my constituents in Burnaby–Deer Lake.

I've talked to a lot of constituents, and one of the things they're telling me is that they're very concerned about the public education system. Th is is an- other area where we have to invest, and we have to invest properly in order to make sure that every student, every child, has a good chance to succeed in the world. Public education is defi nitely the great equalizer. Last week we were outside, participating in Bullying Awareness Day. Wearing pink, many of us were out there, and we were joined by hundreds of students.

Th ose stu- dents participated in good faith, and their teachers par- ticipated in good faith, showing that they believe in fair and respectful behaviour. Unfortunately, those students are going back into class- rooms, back to a school system where balance, where re- spect and where good faith have been destroyed by the B.C. Liberal government. Th ey're going back to a system where "balance" has a very narrow defi nition, according to this government. It's not balanced.

What has happened with the teachers of this prov- ince and with the school system is that — as everybody now knows, because the facts got out there — the B.C. Liberal government had a deliberate strategy to provoke the teachers of this province into a full-scale strike so that they could turn the public against the teachers and gain support to impose legislation that turned out to be illegal — just as the essentially identical legislation that had been struck down had done before that. I fi nd it astounding. I go into the schools quite oft en because I used to be a school trustee.

I know I talk about that, but I love the school system. I love the public school system. With this deliberate attempt to alienate teach- ers, to provoke them into a strike, I actually fi nd it quite amazing that the teachers are still so dedicated. What I fear is that, essentially, the system is running on the good- will of teachers, the goodwill of parents and of support staff and administrators. On one side you have dedicated teachers who are con- tinuing on a day-to-day basis to say, "We're going to make this work as long as we can" and, on the other side, versus the bad faith of government.

I see that I only have a couple of minutes left . I would love to have talked more about the education system. I'm sorry that I'm not going to get a chance to talk more about an issue of real concern in my constituency — Burnaby Hospital, which was unfortunately used by the B.C. Liberal government in order to try to have pol- itical gain when there was absolutely no intention to do what they promised to do in the platform. In the Liberal platform they said that it was a project underway or in planning, but there's nothing in this budget. [1530] Th ere is no commitment whatsoever, despite the fact that the B.C.

Liberals knew that 84 people had died as a result, as the doctors say, of a hospital that has old infra- structure. We've known since 2001, from a government report, that Burnaby Hospital needs to be rebuilt. Y et here we have promises before the election, a bogus committee set up to listen to the people, and in fact, aft er the election we get the typical thing, which is that there's not a penny for Burnaby Hospital. It's time that Burnaby Hospital gets some attention. It's time for the government to work cooperatively with the city of Burnaby to make sure that this happens, that

British Columbia DebatesMonday, March 3, 2014 1755 we get our hospital. It's time that the B.C. Liberals stop thinking of this and other issues merely as political pluses or minuses but actually take action. I'm not going to get a chance to speak much about my critic area, which is Justice — my concerns about lack of investment in domestic violence, despite the fact that there's a lot of talk about a violence-free B.C., and other issues. With that, I will take my seat. Hon. P .

Fassbender: I'm very delighted and grateful to be able to rise today and respond to the second balanced budget in the history of this province. I know that mem- bers on this side recognize the eff ort and the amount of work that went into developing that budget, not just as a document but as a new philosophy on how governments need to govern and not only in British Columbia but in Canada and around the world.

Before I get into my specifi c comments, I do want to say that I am absolutely humbled and honoured to be representing the people of Surrey-Fleetwood, a com- munity that I know has a very strong sense of community. Really, because of our passion on this side of the House for a secure tomorrow, they know that they, their chil- dren, their grandchildren and future generations are go- ing to continue to be able to see their community thrive and grow.

I also want to thank the team that supports me in my offi ce — I introduced my two constituency assistants, Brittany Comrie and Preet Parhar, the other day — and my staff here in Victoria. As we move forward trying to balance the competing challenges that we face, without that support, I wouldn't be able to do what I need to do as a member of this government and an MLA for Surrey- Fleetwood. I also want to thank my wife, Charlene, who was in the House two weeks ago. She has always been a great sup- porter of mine.

As we serve either in our corporate lives or our public lives, our partners and our families are ab- solutely critical to that. I also want to recognize a lady that I know is watch- ing today. Th at is my mother-in-law, Dorothy Chevalier, who is 97 years old and who reads every single news- paper that comes across her apartment in a care facility that she's in. She also watches question period and the debates on budget.

She is someone who has shown what has built our province to what it is, and that is the seniors of our com- munities who contributed in very tough times, who saw depressions because of bad choices made by govern- ments. I know that my mother-in-law — and this will get me points, I know — is very passionate about us having a balanced budget, about building a legacy for her great- grandchildren, not only her grandchildren. I also know that in Surrey we've got a great team of MLAs.

I look at the members for Surrey–White Rock, Surrey-Cloverdale, Surrey-Tynehead and Surrey- Panorama, who I was fortunate to join by winning a seat that was not deemed to be winnable. I joined a team in Surrey that has a clear vision for that community and for the future of that community in so many diff erent areas. [1535] Surrey is one of the fastest-growing communities throughout British Columbia and even in Canada. It is doing that because of sound fi scal planning that that community has done, in partnership with this govern- ment, and by making some of the tough decisions.

I know that the city of Surrey and their team on coun- cil and their management team, working with the Surrey school district, have done some really innovative things as we face the pressures of growth but do not want to hamstring future generations by making unwise deci- sions or decisions that don't look to the future. Th ere've been lots of facts and fi gures that have been used on both sides of the House as we've debated the budget. I think some really key things are…. When people talk about defi cits and debt, I'm amazed how the members opposite don't know the diff erence be- tween the two.

Debt, properly brought in and properly managed, helps to lay a sound economic plan for the fu- ture. Th at is based on our debt-to-GDP ratio. We've heard that number, at 18.4, and we're looking at reducing that. We are one of the few provinces in this country that is managing that eff ectively as part of our overall fi scal plan. Th at is why we have a balanced budget. Th at is why we have a triple-A credit rating. I'm fi nding it interesting.

As things change on the other side of the House, we now have a member from Coquitlam who is talking about a new approach by the members opposite to the economic future of this prov- ince. I fi nd that very interesting. Th ings like: "We're going to move from no to yes." It's amazing how that's been picked up from our platform as the B.C. government in managing our budget and laying that out for the people of British Columbia and the fact that this government was re-elected on a platform of fi s- cal prudence, of clear vision for the future.

When I see that now there is someone talking about trying to develop a vision, I think that's a good thing. Even then, when you compare that vision to the one that this government has consistently laid in front of the people of British Columbia in two balanced budgets…. Our Minister of Finance has stood up on two separ- ate occasions and the fi rst time was accused of not hav- ing a balanced budget, of fudging the fi gures.

Th e proof of the pudding now is that the economic experts around the world are looking at British Columbia for having a strong fi scal plan, for living up to that fi scal plan, for cast- ing a vision for the future. I'm amazed that people who talk about fi scal prudence have continued to add to their previous spend-o-meter and continued to talk about spending more here, more

British Columbia Debates1756 Monday, March 3, 2014 there, but with no clear vision as to how to pay for that and how to ensure that the people of British Columbia's long-term interests are also protected at the same time. I listened to both my colleague on this side of the House from Richmond-Steveston and then the speak- er from Burnaby–Deer Lake on the opposite side of the House talking about diff erent approaches.

We do have the lowest taxes in this country as a government, and that is because we have a strong fi scal plan and a budget that takes into account every single opportunity we have to manage the fi scal environment. I hear comments like: "We are a fi re sale on assets." It is absolutely true that anyone who manages a budget has to look at their assets and their expenditures. Y ou have to sometimes make prudent decisions in order to bal- ance those two.

Our Minister of Finance and his team and the mem- bers on this side of the House have worked very hard to look at those balances and make sure that we lay those out in a way that is both fi scally prudent and also man- ageable — not just in the short term, to win favour, but in the long term, to ensure fi scal responsibility and sus- tainability. [1540] When I look at all of the things that this govern- ment has done over the years, I also know that we have worked very hard to build the fastest-growing economy in country.

When I look at that performance and look at the con- fi dence not just in things like LNG, which we know is a huge opportunity for this province…. I fi nd it interesting, again, that I heard members opposite not that long ago, prior to the election, talking about — I use their term — "pipedreams" on LNG. Now they're saying, "Y es, LNG is an opportunity. We need to do it right," and so on. It's amazing to see the fl ip-fl op that happens every time it fi ts their particular purpose in criticizing our fi scal policy and our direction. Th at's the nature of the political environment.

But for the people of British Columbia, I urge them to look at the budget documents, to look at the fi scal plan, to look at the content of where we're going as a province. I ask them to look at our jobs plan and the signifi cant steps that we are making in government to develop programs that provide the skills opportunity and training with a long-term view not just for LNG but for every economic sector of this province's economy. We know LNG is a great opportunity, but so is min- ing, so is forestry, so is tourism.

All of these things con- tribute to a healthy economy, and our jobs plan and our training plan look to each of those sectors. Over the com- ing months and the coming years this province and the people of this province are going to see a clear plan that is going to deliver capable young people into a job market. Th e minister responsible for jobs has said clearly — and I will repeat it clearly, and this is the fact: jobs for British Columbians fi rst. Th en we will look to other places where we need additional support.

It's clear on this side of the House that the oppor- tunities we have will not be filled by solely British Columbians. Our policy clearly is British Columbians fi rst, and then we will work with the federal government and with the corporations and industry to make sure that we bring in the r

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140303pm-Hansard-v7n2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140303pm Hansard v7n2
Language	en
Format	pdf
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