British Columbia Hansard — Wednesday, April 6, 2016

20160406pm-Hansard-v36n5

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 (P rint) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Afternoon Sitting Volume 36, Number 5

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Fifth 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. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development .......................................................................................................Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink ................ Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Mike Bernier 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 Thomson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism ...........................................................................................Hon.

T eresa W at Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon. Suzanne Anton Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ................................................................................................................. Hon.

Mike Morris Minister of Small Business and Red T ape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch ........................................................................................................Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon.

Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon. Todd Stone Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness ....................................................................................................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................. Richard T. Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

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

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk ............................................................................................................................................ Loredana Catalli-Sonier, 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, Hon. 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–Pacific Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ............................................. Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Wm. 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 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 Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

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

Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Dr. 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, Hon. Michelle (BC Liberal)............................... Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Thompson 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 Thomson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, 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 Wickens, Jodie (NDP) ..........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain 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 ..................................................................... Dr. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacific 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 Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke ..................................................

Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .......................................................Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm.

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 Thompson ............................................ Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Kamloops–South Thompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Thomson 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 Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .......................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................ Pat Pimm Peace River South ..................................................................Hon. Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................

Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ....................................................Hon. 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 .........................................................

Melanie Mark 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 48; New Democratic 35; Independent 2

CONTENTS Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 11845 Tributes ................................................................................................................................................................................... 11847 Sarah Beckett M.

Karagianis Introduction and First Reading of Bills .............................................................................................................................. 11848 Bill M212 — Animal Liability Act, 2016 A. Weaver Bill M213 — Campaign Finance Reform Act, 2016 J. Horgan Hon. M. de Jong Bill M214 — Local Government Amendment Act, 2016 A. Weaver Statements (Standing Order 25B) ....................................................................................................................................... 11850 History of Vancouver S. Sullivan Arts and culture in Burnaby K.

Corrigan Caber the trauma dog S. Hamilton Terrorist attacks in Pakistan S. Hammell Speech-language pathologists and audiologists D. Bing Walk Away From Racism event in Campbell River C. Trevena Oral Questions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11852 Staffing levels in seniors care facilities J. Horgan Hon. C. Clark J. Darcy Seniors advocate access to information on serious incidents in seniors care facilities S. Robinson Hon. T.

Lake Human rights hearing and government action on missing and murdered aboriginal women M. Mark Hon. S. Anton Gun violence in Surrey S. Hammell Hon. C. Clark Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) ........................................................................................................................... 11858 B. Ralston

Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................................................ 11858 Bill 19 — Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Amendment Act, 2016 (continued) L. Reimer D. Eby L. Throness S. Hammell J. Thornthwaite M. Mark Hon. M. Morris G. Holman Hon. T. Lake A. Weaver Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) ........................................................................................................................... 11879 Hon. T.

Lake Second Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................................................ 11879 Bill 19 — Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Amendment Act, 2016 (continued) L. Krog R. Fleming L. Popham K. Corrigan Hon. M. Polak Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ............................................................................................................................................................ 11890 Estimates: Ministry of Energy and Mines Hon. B. Bennett N.

Macdonald C. Trevena D. Donaldson B. Routley

WEDNESDAY , APRIL 6, 2016 The House met at 1:35 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Introductions by Members Hon. Michelle Stilwell: I’ d like to welcome my friends here today from Barrier-Free B.C.. Barrier-Free B.C. is a newly formed advocacy organization working to cre - ate a barrier-free province for all people with disabilities. One of their main goals is to establish a British Columbians with disability act, and earlier today they launched their awareness campaign on the front steps of the Legislature.

I had the pleasure to meet with some of the members of Barrier-Free B.C. shortly afterwards to talk about our shared goals. As members very well know, our government has set the vision to become the most accessible jurisdic - tion in all of Canada. One of our commitments in our Accessibility 2024 action plan is to consult on those op - tions for a made-in-B.C. approach to accessibility-relat - ed legislation. Last month the federal government announced that they would be launching a cross-Canada consultation on a national disability act.

We remain committed on this side of the House with our goal, and we will build on those federal conversations as we look for options on consulting on provincial disability legislation. I look forward to working with my friends at Barrier- Free B.C. as we move forward to ensure we create the most accessible jurisdiction in all of Canada. M. Mungall: I would like to join the minister in wel - coming members from Barrier-Free B.C.

They are taking on excellent work to move this province towards having legislation for a persons with disability act, following Ontario and Manitoba’s lead and now the federal gov - ernment’s lead. Eventually I’ d like to see this dream right across the country, because as we know, accessibility is a non-partisan issue and is a human rights issue and is the right thing to do in this country. With special guests…. I’ d like to introduce the House to the members of Barrier-Free B.C. who are up in the gallery right now.

They asked me to share with the House the barriers that they experience because of their differ - ent and diverse abilities. We have Mr. Rob Sleath from Richmond, B.C. He’s the spokesperson for Barrier-Free B.C. He is living with the barriers associated with total sight loss. We have Ms. Lynn Hunter from Victoria, B.C. She’s the chair of the government relations committee with the MS Society of Canada. Ms. Lynn Malayly is from Victoria. She’s living with the barriers associated with paraplegia. Ms.

Jasmine Parr is also from Victoria, representing Power To Be Adventure Therapy and living with the barriers associated with quadriplegia. Mr. Brent Page is the national manager for commun- ity engagement and integrations services for March of Dimes Canada. He is a member of the Barrier-Free B.C. steering committee. And Mr. Reed Poynter — pardon me for probably not pronouncing that correctly — is from Langley, B.C. He’s a director with Access for Sight- Impaired Consumers, a member of the Barrier-Free B.C. steering committee, and he’s living with the barriers as- sociated with total sight loss.

May the House please make them welcome and wish them all the best in their journey to achieve legislation here in British Columbia. Hon. S. Cadieux: In the House today, now I believe and probably following quite shortly, are two groups of 40 grade 11 students from Southridge School in Surrey- Cloverdale. The teachers accompanying the students to- day are Darren Jones, Ira Alexander and James Knihniski. I would hope that the House would make these great stu- dents very welcome. [1340] K. Corrigan: In the precinct today, we have mem - bers of the UVic Native Students Union council.

The UVic Native Students Union is a student-run collective dedicated to supporting the indigenous student com - munity at the University of Victoria. We have with us Blake Desjarlais, Taylor Carpenter, Grace-Anne Thunder, Jessica Curry, Jackson McDermott, Natashe McKinstry and Richel Donaldson. I hope the House will please make them all very welcome. Hon. A. Virk: I have the pleasure to introduce a family which is indicative, sort of, of the migration of what makes Canada. I have a family here, and half of them are from Bangkok, Thailand.

We have Pritam and Daljit Singh, who were born in West Punjab, which is now Pakistan, in the ’30s. Then they migrated to Hong Kong. Pritam lived there dur - ing the Japanese occupation, 1941 to 1945, went back to India, married Daljit. They then moved back and made a life in Hong Kong, where he eventually became the chief executive officer in the Hong Kong government. He re - tired after 35 years of service and retired to Canada and became a Canadian. The next generation is my connection. The next gen - eration is my friend, Bijay, who then migrated from Hong Kong to Canada as a young SFU student at age 18.

I was 18 at one point as well. Bijay came to UBC as 11845

British Columbia Debates11846 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 an 18-year-old, went on to Stanford to do his MBA. I re- call during university he would jump from English to Punjabi to Cantonese to Mandarin, and people — their jaws would drop. Bijay. went on to work in the pharmaceutical indus - try, worked on a number of continents — in Africa. He’s worked in Asia, he was a general manager for China and a regional head for Africa for Novartis. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand, and works as a vice president of business development for DKSH, the largest market ex - pansion service for health care companies in Asia.

The story of migration continues. Bijay is married to Angelique, who was born in Basra, Iraq, educated in Kuwait and India and then, finally, the U.K. They met in New Y ork and married and have three children who are Canadian citizens. Currently two of them are at U of T, and the other one lives with them in Bangkok, Thailand. Quite a complicated story, isn’t it? Of course, Amrita, Daljit and Pritam’s daughter, was born in Hong Kong, migrated to Canada, married a Canadian, moved all over the world and eventually settled back in Canada.

Would the House please make this worldly family, where multiple languages are spoken…. Would the House please make them feel welcome. B. Ralston: I’ d ask the House to recognize and wel - come in the gallery Director General Tom Lee of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office, who has joined us here today. Hon. T. Lake: I have a couple of introductions today. As I was going through the hallways, I met a couple that were here with Barrier-Free B.C., Brent and Sonya. Brent tells me he’s been living with a vision disability from birth and had a question about a policy issue.

I asked him to meet with the member from Nanaimo so that we could raise that up. So just to give the member from Nanaimo a heads-up — Brent and Sonya, a wonderful couple. Would the House please make them very welcome. Also, it’s my pleasure to introduce and welcome to the House the Tribal Chief of the Stó:lō Nation and current chair of the First Nations Health Council, Grand Chief Doug Kelly.

Doug, everyone in this House is aware, has done amazing work in the design and transition to First Nations health governance as well as overseeing the de - livery of the health action items identified in the tripart- ite First Nations health plan. Doug is a tremendous advocate for his people, a tre - mendous advocate for healthy living. We ran into each other on the street last night. We were comparing athletic injuries until we realized that they weren’t really athletic injuries; they were injuries related to getting old. Please, everybody, help me welcome Doug Kelly here today. [1345] M.

Elmore: I am very pleased to welcome…. We have with us today members from Advocis, which is the lead- ing association of insurance and financial advisors. We all know very capable, competent financial advisers in all our communities across British Columbia that provide needed and important financial support and advice to families, small businesses and British Columbians right across our province.

They are here to talk to us about the value of profes - sionalizing the industry, bringing the central principle that guides the success of their businesses’ trust they have with consumers and clients and really raising that to a higher level. Certainly, to benefit all British Columbians, they are passionately undertaking that project as well.

They are talking to us about the value of a commission- based business and the example of the United Kingdom, which has eliminated embedded commissions — not the route to go in terms of ensuring that all British Columbians have access to affordable and accessible financial advice. I also want to recognize the value, the benefit that they bring to our communities, not only as passionate pro - fessionals but also in bringing important financial lit - eracy and providing that important resource to us here in British Columbia.

Please welcome all of the members and thank them for their great service to British Columbia. Hon. M. Bernier: It gives me great pleasure today to introduce in the House, up on the top to my right here, players from the Spectrum Community School’s foot - ball team. As well, they are accompanied by their head coach, Darren Vaux, their principal, Rob House, and former graduate here on the Island, retired NFL kicker Eddie Murray. They’ve come to the Legislature today to celebrate the NFL ’s recognition of Eddie’s contribution to football in his 1994 Super Bowl victory with the Dallas Cowboys.

As somebody who actually watches all of the Super Bowls, if memory serves me correctly, in ’94, I think they won by a kick from Eddie right close to the end of the game. Congratulations to him for that. Eddie began his football career, actually, right here on the Island. He was with the Saanich Hornets in the Lower Island Junior Varsity football league. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1980 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and went on to serve 20 years in the NFL. Eddie had the honour of being the 1980 Pro Bowl MVP , and retired as the 16th-highest scorer in NFL ’s history.

As part of a new football program created in 2013, these students here are excited to be creating history, just like Eddie. I’m very honoured to introduce them in the House. I know that when I was out on the front steps with them earlier today, the excitement they had to learn from the experiences from Eddie but, more importantly, to look at his drive and the excitement of the opportun - ities we have right here in British Columbia to go on and

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11847 do great things in sports. I’m hoping the House will make them all very welcome. J. Horgan: I was at the ophthalmologist today, so I had eye drops. But if I’m not mistaken, up around and beside that pillar is former city councillor and former Member of Parliament, Lynn Hunter, I believe. Y eah, it is. Good. Also, she’s a friend and a resident of James Bay, so there’s truth and proof that people do just meander into the building every now and again to see what’s going on. Would the House please make Lynn very, very welcome.

Following on the minister’s introduction of Eddie Murray, Eddie played soccer before he played football, and he was pretty good at it. But with the great rival - ries between my high school of Reynolds and Spectrum, which were fierce during the 1970s, Eddie decided on football because he couldn’t hit the net. He kept kicking the ball over the crossbars. He ended up going to a great career at Tulane University — yeah, Green Wave, that’s right, Tulane University — be- fore he was drafted by the Detroit Lions.

But Eddie did a great service at one time in his life, bringing Reynolds and Spectrum together when he married across city lines to one of the Rogers girls, who was famous at Reynolds as well. Eddie, I can’t see you. I know you’re here. Would the House please say to Ed Murray: “Way to bring Reynolds and Spectrum together!” V . Huntington: I’ d like to take this opportunity to welcome two grade 5 classes and their teachers from Southpointe Academy in Tsawwassen.

I’ d like to take this opportunity to thank the Sergeant-at-Arms, who not only graciously escorted them onto the floor of the House but spent a few minutes of his valuable time in talking to them about the traditions of this place. Thank you so much, Sergeant-at-Arms. Please would the House make them feel welcome. [1350] Hon. S. Anton: Here with the Advocis group is a con- stituent of mine, Mr. Rick Lam from Genssante health and life insurance. Rick is a marathoner — in fact, he went out running with some of our colleagues this mor- ning — and he is a longtime member of the Chinatown Revitalization Committee.

Those of us from Vancouver and area will know how important an entity that is. May the House please make welcome my constituent from Vancouver-Fraserview, Mr. Rick Lam. A. Weaver: It gives me great pleasure to introduce to the House today Denis Canuel. Denis runs a profes - sional gardening business here on southern Vancouver Island, and he’s with us to see the introduction of a bill later this afternoon. Would the House please make him feel very welcome. E. Foster: I have a rather lengthy introduction, but fortunately, the member for Vancouver-Kensington has probably used most of it.

Just to say a very big welcome to the members of Advocis from this side of the House. We met with them this morning. Welcome to the House, and continue your good work. The other introduction…. Well, it’s not an introduc - tion; it’s an announcement. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone in the chamber and people that work in the building for supporting Lumby in their bid to be Hockeyville 2016 Canada. We were successful. G. Holman: I wanted to introduce to the House to - day a constituent of mine, Gerald Kazanowski, a finan - cial adviser working out of Sidney who’s also a member of Advocis.

I think I can say, without hesitation, that Gerald is the tallest member at 6 foot 9. Of course, many of you will remember that he was a star player with the University of Victoria and went on to play with Canada’s national basketball team. Would the House please make Gerald feel welcome. D. McRae: Today in the chamber, in the gallery be - hind me, I have two friends from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office joining us here. Director General Tom Lee has been in the province for about two months.

He’s joined by the division director for British Columbia, his colleague Jack Pan, who has also been here for about the same amount of time. He and his predecessors have done a great job visiting communities across British Columbia, and I look forward to his two-year station in British Columbia. I ask this House to please make him and his colleague very welcome. J. Thornthwaite: I’ d like to also welcome one of my con- stituents — actually, two of my constituents — Mr. and Mrs. Michael Thorne. Thank you very much for coming. L. Krog: If the House will forgive me, I want to also recognize that Mr.

Kazanowski is not just a star athlete; he’s from Nanaimo originally. I’ d also like to welcome Paul Tidey and Scott Bickerton, who are here from Nanaimo with Advocis. Would the House please make them welcome. Hon. A. Wilkinson: In keeping with our welcome to the members of Advocis, I have to point out that a con - stituent of mine is here, Mr. Bob Cowan. Let this sink into your heads: he began his professional career in 1961. Tributes SARAH BECKETT M. Karagianis: As the House will know, my com - munity and the community of the member for Juan de

British Columbia Debates11848 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Fuca are in mourning today. We are mourning the loss of a mother, a partner, a community leader and a proud member of the RCMP . Const. Sarah Beckett leaves behind two small boys, a husband and a family who loved her dearly. Her West Shore RCMP family adored her as well. Sarah joined the RCMP in 2005. She served in Port McNeill and at the West Shore detachment and was a detective with the Vancouver Island Integrated Crime Unit. Sarah had just recently returned to duty after mater - nity leave. She was working the overnight shift yesterday when tragedy struck.

This is the first time since 1991 that Vancouver Island has lost a police member on the job. It is very heartbreaking for our communities and for every- one who has been touched by this tragedy. To help the family in this difficult time, citizens have already started fundraising. A barbecue fundraiser will be held at the Fountain Tire in Langford on April 17. All donations should go through the West Shore RCMP to help the family.

The RCMP is also setting up a webpage for Canadians across the country to offer their thoughts, and a book of condolences has been set up in the lobby of the West Shore RCMP detachment. [1355] A GoFundMe page called “The Loss of Const. Sarah Beckett” has raised in excess of, I believe, $44,000 at last count in just the last day. I’ve received notice that a candlelight walk will be held this Sunday, April 10, at 8:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

When word of Sarah’s death began to spread yesterday morning, citizens started to show up at the West Shore detachment and place flowers around a statue that stands in front of the detachment. It shows a police officer help- ing a child. In one of the sadly ironic twists of life, Sarah was the model for that statue. I know that all members will join with me in sending our deepest condolences to those who loved Const. Sarah Beckett: her family, her friends, her extended family at the RCMP .

Please know that we are thinking of you and offering our heartfelt appreciation for the great service she has done to our province. Introduction and First Reading of Bills Madame Speaker: Leader of the Official Opposition. J. Horgan: Thank you, hon. Speaker…. BILL M212 — ANIMAL LIABILITY ACT, 2016 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Animal Liability Act, 2016. A. Weaver: I move introduction of the Animal Liability Act, 2016. Motion approved. A. Weaver: I’m pleased to be introducing a bill intitu- led the Animal Liability Act. Earlier this year a number of vicious dog attacks occurred in the Lower Mainland.

Over the years, British Columbians have been calling on B.C. legislators to act. According to the Canada Safety Council, more than 460,000 dog bites occur in Canada each year. Just last week, there was a case of unprovoked dog attack reported in Saanich, an attack that nearly left an individual with - out his employment for years to come. In this case, the dog was a repeat offender. Here in B.C., we do not have adequate laws that en - sure owners are liable for the actions of their animals.

Indeed, we only have liability being imposed on the basis of scienter doctrine, negligence or, in some cases, the Occupiers Liability Act. This bill would ensure that owners are liable for any damages resulting from harm that the animals cause to a person or property. This bill, based on similar legisla - tion that exists in Manitoba, is designed to ensure that owners of animals take their ownership seriously and are held responsible for the actions of their pets. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M212, Animal Liability Act, 2016, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. BILL M213 — CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ACT, 2016 J. Horgan presented a bill intituled Campaign Finance Reform Act, 2016. J. Horgan: I thank the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head. I move that a bill intituled Campaign Finance Reform Act, 2016, of which notice has been given on the order paper in my name, be read a first time now. Motion approved. J.

Horgan: The Campaign Finance Reform Act is a bill to take big money out of the politics in British Columbia. While other provinces have instituted strict rules on cam- paign financing, B.C. has moved in the opposite direc - tion. British Columbians are telling us clearly that this is the wrong direction. They’re tired of the real or perceived influence of organizations with big pockets over the pol- itical process in this province. This bill bans corporate and union donations to pol - itical parties and restricts campaign donations to indi -

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11849 viduals. It calls on the Chief Electoral Officer to review campaign financing and specifically set limits on indi - vidual donations. This will be the fifth time members on this side of the House have introduced this bill. Just days ago I was pleased to see my colleague from Delta South introduce a similar bill in this place. This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of public trust, and it goes to the root of the health of our demo - cracy.

It’s past time that we in British Columbia, rather than depending on having big money at the heart of our politics, put people back at the centre of our politics. At this time, I move, pursuant to Standing Order 78A, that this bill be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for immediate review. Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, you have heard the question. Hon. M. de Jong: Sorry. Excuse me, Madame Speaker. I want to make sure that I understand the question that’s been put. J.

Horgan: The member will have his MacMinn at hand. [1400] Pursuant to Standing Order 78A, it is at an opportun- ity after first reading of a private member’s bill, or any other bill, that it be immediately referred to a commit - tee of the Legislature.

As the Select Standing Committee on Finance has been used in this session for the work of the Ombudsperson to create a shield for the activities of the government with respect to health researchers over the past number of years, it seems only appropriate that an important act like this, being brought forward for the fifth time — not just by the official opposition but also by a member of our group of independents — be sent to an appropriate body for immediate review. Hon. M. de Jong: I do now better understand the mo- tion. I wonder if this might be an appropriate suggestion, though.

The member has tabled the bill, and I’ve not had an opportunity, nor have members of the House had an opportunity…. The bill might be tabled. I believe the standing orders provide for the member to make his mo- tion at a subsequent sitting day of the chamber. Candidly, we’ d be in a better position — I’ d be in a better position — to render an opinion on his motion if we were to have an opportunity to review the bill. J. Horgan: The member is a senior member of this House. He’s been here since the 1990s, and he will know this bill

chapter and verse, I would expect, because this is the fifth time he’s had an opportunity to look at it. It strikes me that this is a matter of urgency. I have re- viewed the standing orders. I have discussed this with the Clerks’ table, and I believe this is the appropriate time for immediate action on this file. Other provinces are taking action right now. This is an opportunity for this Legislature to stand with one voice and say: “It’s time to take the big money out of politics. ” I would suggest that the member support that. Madame Speaker: I appreciate the submissions. There will be no further debate.

We’re putting the question under 78A. Shall this be referred to a committee? Division has been called. [1405] Hon. Members, the question is committee referral of the bill introduced by the Leader of the Official Oppo - sition. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, there will be si - lence for the reciting of the division. Motion negatived on the following division: YEAS — 31 Hammell Simpson Robinson Horgan Ralston Corrigan Fleming Popham Conroy Chandra Herbert Fraser Huntington Karagianis Eby Mungall Mark Elmore Wickens Shin Heyman Darcy Donaldson Krog Trevena Simons Macdonald Weaver Chouhan Rice Holman B.

Routley NAYS — 41 Lee Sturdy Bing Y amamoto Michelle Stilwell Oakes Wat Thomson Virk Rustad Wilkinson Morris Pimm Sultan Hamilton Reimer Ashton Hunt Sullivan Cadieux Lake Polak de Jong Clark Anton Bond Bennett Letnick Bernier Y ap Thornthwaite McRae Plecas Kyllo Tegart Throness Martin Foster Dalton Gibson Moira Stilwell

British Columbia Debates11850 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 J. Horgan: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading in the House at the next sit- ting of the House after today, which could be tomorrow. Bill M213, Campaign Finance Reform Act, 2016, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. BILL M214 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Local Government Amendment Act, 2016. A. Weaver: I move introduction of the Local Government Amendment Act, 2016.

Motion approved. A. Weaver: I am pleased to be introducing a bill inti - tuled the Local Government Amendment Act. In British Columbia, we have a municipality that has no houses, no infrastructure and no people. The Jumbo Glacier Resort is designated as a mountain resort muni- cipality, and despite having neither any people nor any buildings, it is governed by a mayor and two councillors and funded by the province. For the existence of a municipality to make any sense, it needs people. The Local Government Amendment Act would ensure that this be the case across British Columbia.

This bill would close a glaring loophole cre - ated in 2012 by this government solely to support a pro- ject that has not substantially started. It’s opposed by the Ktunaxa Nation, whose environmental assessment cer - tificate has expired. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill M214, Local Government Amendment Act, 2016, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. [1410] Statements (Standing Order 25B) HISTORY OF V ANCOUVER S.

Sullivan: One hundred and thirty years ago to - day, this parliament passed

an act to create the city of Vancouver. It was the most contentious act of 1886. Twice it was sent back to committee, and when it finally reached the Legislature for a final vote, there was one more at - tempt to stop it. Supportive politicians got streets named after them. Drake, Davie, Robson, Smythe, Dunsmuir — all are artifacts of that battle. Many were opposed to the name. There was already a place named Vancouver — Vancouver, Washington. It had been abandoned 24 years earlier.

It had been the cap- ital of proto–British Columbia before the border treaty, the largest city on the west coast when the area was gov- erned by the honourable Hudson’s Bay Company, which was the legal government in most of western Canada. The governor, James Douglas, led a caravan from Vancouver up to Victoria, his new capital. The old Vancouver had been a very multicultural place: 35 ethnic groups lived there; 30 percent were Hawaiian. The aboriginal trade language, Chinook Wawa, fully de- veloped there.

Part aboriginal, part non-aboriginal, it was spoken by all the Vancouver children in their mixed-race families. The new Vancouver started as multicultural as the old. The largest employer, the Hastings Mill, operated in Chinook Wawa. For thousands of years, the Coast Salish people called this area their home, and their traditions and respect for people and nature are deeply engrained in Vancouver’s cultural fabric.

Vancouver has been transformed by im - migrants, traders, entrepreneurs, from humble begin - nings as a village around a sawmill to its current status as a cosmopolitan destination with international appeal. It is an economic hub renowned for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. Today Vancouver is the home of more than 600,000 residents. Vancouver is a bridge between the economies of the world and the rugged natural beauty of B.C., and together its citizens have shaped it into a thriving, dy - namic city that is among the best places in the world to live, work and play.

Please join me in wishing the city of Vancouver a happy 130th birthday. ARTS AND CULTURE IN BURNABY K. Corrigan: For the creatively inclined, the city of Burnaby offers a full menu of artistic pursuits through its cultural services department. At the beautiful Shadbolt Centre, over 30 shows a year are produced in the James Cowan Theatre. Over 10,000 students attended the cen - tre last year, including thousands enrolled in after-school arts classes. Shadbolt also provides valuable community space for meetings, conferences and special events.

Over 225,000 visitors per year get a taste of frontier life in the early 1900s at the Burnaby Village Museum, which features a vintage 1912 Parker Carousel and a fully re - stored Interurban tram. Hundreds of volunteers help to ensure the village museum continues to be among the top five tourist attractions in the Lower Mainland. The Burnaby Art Gallery continues to thrive, host - ing eight major exhibitions in 2015, and has strongly

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11851 attended art programs. The public art program featur - ing the Playground of the Gods at Burnaby Mountain’s Kushiro Park is also cherished by Burnaby residents and visitors alike. Burnaby is home to the spectacular summer concert venue at Deer Lake Park, which has hosted memor - able shows by the Lumineers, Jack Johnson, Black Eyed Peas and k.d. lang, among others. Canada Day shows at Swangard Stadium are free to the public. In addition, Burnaby’s again free Symphony in the Park at Deer Lake hosts 11,000 classical music lovers in August.

Burnaby also hosts, at the same park, the daylong Blues and Roots Festival. The legendary Hats Off Day community celebration and the Giro di Burnaby annual bike race are just two examples of Burnaby’s special events that each draw over 10,000 attendees every year. Congratulations to the city of Burnaby and all of the staff and volunteers who ensure wonderful and access - ible cultural services in our community. CABER THE TRAUMA DOG S. Hamilton: I’m going to guess that the House prob- ably by now knows I’m a bit of a dog person — more spe- cifically, a dogs-with-jobs type of person.

We know my wife, Kristen, has been here with Gambit the guide dog on a number of occasions. We’ve hosted the B.C. Guide and Autism Support Dogs, PADS, etc., and the list goes on. [1415] In keeping that with tradition, today I rise in the House to recognize an individual that has impacted my community for the past six years, Caber the trauma dog. Caber was introduced to the Delta police victim services department in 2010 after being trained and then kindly donated by the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, or PADS for short.

Caber was just eight weeks old when he started his training with PADS in their puppy education program. He then went on to advanced training in Calgary before returning to PADS and joining the Delta police victim services at the age of two. Caber was the first trauma canine in a victim services setting, and it’s his calming, affectionate and docile tem- perament and nature that makes him an exceptional fit for the work that he does, calming and comforting people experiencing traumatic situations.

Caber’s work includes helping to reduce people’s blood pressure, providing a healing and calming touch and promoting communica- tion. He responds to an array of traumatic events includ- ing homicides, arson, sudden death and domestic violence. Other examples of Caber’s work include his support of a family and a group of children and teachers in response to the tragic homicide of 15-year-old Laura Szendrei. Caber attended the victim’s classes for the first full day back at school and elicited a significant emotional re - sponse from those in his contact.

Caber was there to help soothe a rocked community in a time of need. In 2013, Caber became Canada’s first courthouse dog and participated in a pilot project that saw him attend pretrial interviews and promote comfort to victims when discussing their testimony. In the same year, Caber even featured in the September edition of Modern Dog. The magazine highlighted how Caber’s use in the police force is as a different type of dog. Over the years, Caber has provided support for over 500 victims of crime, and he looks set to continue helping many more.

When we speak of crime, Caber is a wonder- ful person to have at your side. And welcome to Lucca at the Vancouver police depart- ment, as of yesterday — same type of dog, same type of support. TERRORIST ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN S. Hammell: On Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, at one of the largest parks in Lahore, Pakistan, an explosion at the entry gates took the lives of 75 people and injured over 340. Families of all religions were spending an even- ing in the park eating and playing together.

An offshoot of the Pakistan Taliban took responsibility for the suicide attack and declared their intention to con- tinue terrorizing the citizens of Pakistan. Since the begin- ning of this year alone, there have been seven terrorist attacks in Pakistan, leading to 146 deaths and countless people injured. Innocent mothers and fathers and chil - dren have become targets in a war that residents in all corners of Pakistan cannot escape. Pakistan is and has been at the front of the global war on terror.

With a large Pakistani community in my con- stituency and in this province, I saw the frustration and fear firsthand as many waited after news of the bombing to hear if their friends and families were safe. Powerful words were spoken by leaders in the com - munity at a candlelight vigil held at Holland Park. I heard messages from a community that rejected the fear and hatred of a twisted religious ideology and heard that what we truly have is a fight for the love and acceptance of all humanity.

With similar attacks happening with increasing fre - quency in all corners of the globe, a solution to this com- plex problem must somehow be devised. I’ d like all of us to reflect on the lives lost on March 27 in Lahore and sup- port our Pakistani community in their grief and distress. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS D. Bing: Next month is Speech and Hearing Month. Before my son Graham married Tamara, a speech- language pathologist, or SLP , I knew very little about the work they do.

British Columbia Debates11852 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 When most people think about SLPs, they probably think of someone who helps people who stammer or stut- ter. They may remember the movie The King’s Speech, star- ring Colin Firth as stammering Prince Albert, who would later become King George VI, and Geoffrey Rush as Australian Lionel Logue, his unorthodox speech therapist. [1420] While it is true that they do help with these issues, their scope of practice is a whole lot broader. SLPs are highly educated professionals who have a master’s de - gree in audiology and speech sciences.

SLPs work with people of all ages whose disorders may include delayed speech and language development; neurologically based speech and language impairment; stuttering, voice or swallowing disorders. My daughter-in-law Tamara specializes in swallowing disorders, and she works in a hospital. In Tamara’s own words: “SLPs and audiologists are communication ex - perts. Our job is to help people to speak, to understand, to hear, to eat and to enjoy life with the people they love.

We do the work we do because we want to help people participate in the meaningful activities of their lives to the fullest potential. ” By nature, humans are social creatures, and so much of our identities are built on how we engage with the people around us. SLPs and audiologists want to maxi - mize that with whatever challenges a patient or client faces. Especially during Speech and Hearing Awareness Month in May, let us recognize and thank all speech- language pathologists and audiologists for what they do as health professionals. W ALK AW AY FROM RACISM EVENT IN CAMPBELL RIVER C.

Trevena: I rise today to talk about an event in Campbell River that proudly marked its 20th anniver - sary this last month, the annual Walk Away From Racism. Every year, people gather to show their commitment to living and working as a true community, a commun - ity in which people’s race is not an issue and diversity is enjoyed and celebrated. Last month hundreds gathered at the community centre for singing and for speeches ahead of the walk through the Campbell River downtown core. Sliammon elder Elsie Paul spoke movingly about racism and about the need to work and live together.

The local band Inclusion played music, and as we walked along the city streets, drummers were walking along with us. The message that the organizers at the Immigrant Welcome Centre wanted to share was one of living and working together, and to illustrate that, an art installa - tion, part sculpture and part tapestry, was created out of fabric and donated shoes. It symbolizes people walk - ing away from racism and walking together to form that strong future for the community.

Real shoes, cardboard cutout shoes, baby booties, you name it, were included in the montage, which became an immediate temporary art installation. That colourful and very creative piece is going to be displayed in different venues around the city to share the message of hope that is carried in it. Campbell River is a diverse community, with people from many backgrounds calling it home — Vietnamese, Syrians, First Nations, Europeans, to name just a few. It’s a joy to see the annual Walk Away From Racism and a pleasure to work and represent a community so commit- ted to inclusion.

Recognizing the strength that diversity brings is some- thing we celebrate every March at the walk and acknow- ledge every day in our city. Oral Questions STAFFING LEVELS IN SENIORS CARE FACILITIES J. Horgan: Over the past two days, the Minister of Health has struggled to come to terms with his attitude towards seniors in this province. When the revolving- door approach to care home operators struck again at Wexford Creek, the second revolving door in two years, the minister said: “Don’t worry.

It’ll be fine. ” Unfortunately, at that time, the minister neglected to tell us in this House that Wexford Creek is one of 232 publicly funded care homes that the seniors advocate says do not meet the government’s own staffing guidelines. Eighty percent of the government-funded care homes are understaffed, and seniors are paying the price. Governing is about choices. My question to the Premier of British Columbia is: can she tell this House why she be- lieves it’s okay that 80 percent of the seniors in care are not getting the care that even the government’s levels prescribe? Hon. C.

Clark: As of September 2015 in B.C., we have almost 32,000 publicly subsidized residential care, family care home beds, assisted living and group home care beds. That’s a 26 percent increase of over 6,500 beds. That’s been the result of historic investments, record investments that our government has made over the years in one of the most durable, best health care systems you’ll find any - where in the world. [1425] In British Columbia, we have the best health care out- comes in Canada. That is because we work hard to spend money wisely. It’s because we work hard to set priorities and stick to our plans.

It’s because our staff in health care centres across the province work so incredibly hard with such ethical dedication. It’s because of other innovations like, for example, bringing in the country’s first and only seniors advocate. This is a challenge all over the world — making sure that as that population of senior citizens grows and as the

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11853 acuity of that population’s needs grow, we keep up with it. The Minister of Health is making sure we do everything we can, with a plan for seniors, listening and responding to the seniors advocate, which he had the pleasure of bringing to life. We are making sure that we continue to make those investments because we hope senior citizens in British Columbia will be able to live the longest, healthiest, most fulfilling lives of any senior citizens in Canada. Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Oppo - sition on a supplemental. J.

Horgan: The government’s choice to make an invest- ment in this budget and the last budget was $236 million in tax breaks for the top 2 percent of wage earners. That was the choice she made last year. What do care facilities do when they lack staff? They prescribe more drugs. At Wexford Creek, 28 percent of the residents there are taking antipsychotics even though they’ve not been diagnosed. Worse still, nearly two-thirds of the residents are taking antidepressants when only one-third of the residents there have been diagnosed. This goes on in care home after care home after care home.

Can the Premier tell this House if she is truly hon - ouring seniors and actually advocating and living up to the commitments that the seniors advocate is making when she’s cutting resources for care homes and forcing them to overprescribe to our seniors? Hon. C. Clark: Only a New Democrat would call a $3.2 billion increase in health care over the next three years a cut. That is classic NDP math. The member is right that government is about choices. The choices on this side of the House that we’ve made are very clear and starkly different from the choices that that member would make.

We understand that in order to be able to make those historic increases of almost 50 cents on every dollar that citizens send us, to make sure we have the best health care system in the country we need to have revenue to government growing. Now, there are two ways you can grow revenue to government. One of them is to raise taxes, which is exactly what the Leader of the Opposition advocates every day. The other is to grow the economy.

That’s why when he says no to the Port Mann Bridge, when he says no to building the Coquihalla Highway, when he says no to all of the changes that we’ve made, when he says no to the South Fraser Perimeter Road, when he says no to Site C, when he says no to LNG, when he says no to the McKenzie Interchange, what he’s say - ing no to is jobs. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. C. Clark: He’s saying no to growing the economy. We understand that we need to grow the economy if we want to look after people.

We are looking after people and making those investments so that the senior citizens of British Columbia can have the best lives of any senior citizens in the country. Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: Well, I think that evidence…. For those who’ve just arrived here today for the first time, the only party that said no today was that party over there when we said: “Let’s get big money out of politics. ” When it comes to growing the coffers at B.C. Liberal HQ, steady as she goes…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members, this House will come to order.

Please continue. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Minister. Please continue. J. Horgan: All politics is local. I know that the Premier sometimes visits Kelowna. So I’ll let her know that in her own constituency, the David Lloyd Jones facility, Lakeview Lodge and Three Links Manor are all under - funded according to the standards set by this government. [1430] The seniors advocate has raised some very serious con- cerns about the way that the B.C. Liberals are managing seniors care in this province, and the Premier’s response is to talk about the Coquihalla Highway — absolutely extraordinary.

I would like, if at all possible, to see if the Premier could alight down here on planet Earth and talk to the people of British Columbia directly, right now, about seniors care. What are you going to do to make it better? Hon. C. Clark: I always get the feeling that the Leader of the Opposition gets a little bit antsy when we start to talk about the economy in this chamber. Here we were today talking about Site C, for example, which the mem- ber has opposed. We’ve been talking about LNG, which would create 100,000 jobs. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Nelson-Creston. Vancouver–Point Grey.

Please continue.

British Columbia Debates11854 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Hon. C. Clark: No to Site C. No to LNG. And he talks about saying no. Here we are in this Legislature voting openly, making our views known on the issues. Meanwhile, this Leader of the Opposition sends a secret letter to the federal gov- ernment to outline his…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members, this House will come to order. Hon. C.

Clark: He sends a letter — he won’t put it out publicly; he won’t talk about it publicly — to the federal government telling them that he wants to put a stop to LNG, to put a stop to the 100,000 jobs that that would of- fer to the people of this province. Rather than deciding to build this province, that member doesn’t have the cour- age to stand up and say yes. He doesn’t have the courage to stand up for the things he used to say he believed in. Instead, what does he do? He runs and hides. He opposes economic development all across British Columbia.

He says: “It is clear to us that for the purposes of the CEAA review, the Pacific NorthWest LNG propos- al before you does not meet the condition of concern…. Until and unless these deficiencies are addressed, we urge you to withhold final recommendation for approval. ” If this House needed any proof that that member does not stand up for yes, does not stand up for jobs and does not stand up for working people, all they need to do is go dig their way through the CEAA website and find out what this member really stands for. J. Darcy: Let’s talk for a minute about building this province.

It is those seniors in care who built this prov - ince and who sacrificed. They deserve dignity and re - spect from this government and not a Premier who says no to improving seniors care for the most vulnerable in this province. Y esterday the Minister of Health tried to justify, as the Premier is, why 80 percent of care homes in B.C. don’t have enough staff to provide the most basic level of care — including, often, one bath a week. The Minister of Health said: “Seniors are not widgets.

They need individualized care plans. ” Lofty words yesterday but very far from the reality that faces most seniors in many care homes in B.C. [1435] Why isn’t the Premier asking the question: why are so many seniors in care on antipsychotics? The answer is that when many seniors with dementia are disruptive or aggressive and there aren’t enough staff to care for them, too often they are sedated instead. It’s called chemical restraint, and it’s an inhumane way to treat our seniors. My question again is to the Premier. Seniors deserve to be dealt with and treated with dignity and with respect.

Will she commit today to say yes to increasing staffing levels in care homes so that vulnerable seniors are not drugged in order to restrain them? Hon. C. Clark: We absolutely need to make sure that the care homes and the places where seniors are looked after are up to the highest possible standard. That is one of the reasons that we’ve added $3.2 billion to the health care budget over the next three years. That’s one of the reasons that the Minister of Health has been working so hard to make sure that a health care plan for seniors is implemented and executed according to plan in our province.

That’s one of the reasons that we’ve appointed a seniors advocate — the first one, the only one in Canada — who can make sure that we’re on top of these issues. The member is right. Seniors did build this province, and we owe seniors a lot. Seniors built the hydro infra - structure that we depend on today. They built the mines and the forestry infrastructure. They built the commun- ities that we all live in and that we all depend on. We owe senior citizens a lot. One of the things we owe them is the best health care in the world.

And another thing we owe them is to make sure that we don’t fritter away their economic legacy, that we build on what they left us rather than tearing it down, that we make sure that they know the future for their kids and their grandkids and the kids who come after them is one that they can be just as proud of as the one that they left for us. Madame Speaker: The member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J. Darcy: Let’s really talk about our parents and our grandparents and our loved ones in care. When they move into residential care, it becomes their home. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members.

Please continue. J. Darcy: When our vulnerable seniors move into resi- dential care, it becomes their home — their last home — and the staff who care for them provide for their most intimate care needs day in and day out. They also share their laughter and their pain. They share their joy, and they share their tears. And it is often the care staff who are with them at the end of their lives, and they want nothing more than to be able to sit with them and hold their hands and comfort them in their moment of lone - liness and fear.

Y et even when residents are dying, they still only have the 20 minutes of care… Madame Speaker: Please pose your question.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11855 J. Darcy: …to help put people to bed. That is wrong. It is terribly wrong. When will this Premier finally take action and give our seniors in care the dignified care that they deserve? Hon. C. Clark: I think that senior citizens — wheth - er or not they are in care in this province — and their families deserve better than what we’ve heard from that member of the opposition today. Because what she’s say- ing is just not accurate.

For those of us who have lived with a family member living with dementia, for example, who have worked hard to find them care, who have given a good portion of our lives to make sure that they are looked after and loved…. We understand how vulnerable people are when they’re in that position — the senior citizens themselves and all of the people around them who are trying to provide them with that support.

So it’s really important that all of those people, all of whom are in a time of crisis and who are vulnerable, have the right information — not information the member makes up on the spot because the theatre of question per- iod is convenient for her. They deserve better than that. [1440] Our Minister of Health and our government is dedi - cating $3.2 billion over the next three years for our health care system. A large portion of that goes to make sure that seniors get the care that they need. We do need to do more. That’s why we have a plan for hospice and palliative care.

That’s why we have a plan for seniors care and are working on a plan for dementia care. That’s why we have a seniors advocate — so that people can get the right information and have the right supports. For those of us like me who have lived through this, the worst thing in the world is to be the recipient of the kind of inaccurate information that the member is talk - ing about today. People need facts. They need to know where the opportunities are for them to find care for the people that they love. They deserve better than what that member has offered today.

The Minister of Health, I have absolute confidence, is going to make sure we do absolutely the best that we can to make sure that this is the best place in Canada for sen- iors to live out their lives. SENIORS ADVOCATE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON SERIOUS INCIDENTS IN SENIORS CARE FACILITIES S. Robinson: Perhaps we need to remind the Premier that everything that is being said on this side of the House comes from her own seniors advocate report. Everything. On Monday, the Minister of Health said…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members, the Chair will hear the question. Please continue. S.

Robinson: On Monday, the Minister of Health said in this House that the seniors advocate was doing great work. Today, just two days later, we learn that the advocate can’t even get the information she needs to do her work. Vancouver Coastal Health has decided not to provide the seniors advocate with information about serious infrac - tions in government care facilities. The seniors advocate believes it’s important that families know about serious incidents involving residents living in government care facilities when they consider where to put their loved one.

Can the minister explain why his staff is withholding important information on serious incidents from the ad- vocate and, ultimately, the families who have to make this most difficult decision? Hon. T. Lake: Seniors in our province did build this province, which is why it’s so ironic to hear from mem- bers opposite who are absolutely opposed to building this province. Every time there’s an opportunity to build this province, to grow the economy and to support social programs, they say no. The seniors advocate provides great information.

This website that the office of the seniors advocate has created was a result of the Ombudsperson’s report, a recommenda- tion that came to life in this website. We act on recommen- dations of the seniors advocate, as the members are aware, with legislation before us this session on assisted living. We take the recommendations of the seniors advocate seriously. We will continue to do that and, as the Premier said, continue to build this province and continue to re- ward the people that went before us and ensure they have the very best seniors care in all of Canada.

Madame Speaker: Coquitlam-Maillardville on a sup- plemental. S. Robinson: Well, not only have staff at Vancouver Coastal Health decided not to provide the seniors advo- cate with information about serious infractions in their care facilities, but they are also telling families not to pay too much attention to the advocate’s report when decid- ing how to choose a place for their loved one to live and to be cared for. Can the minister tell this House why his staff is keep - ing this information about serious incidents in care homes from the advocate and from British Columbians? What’s this minister hiding? Hon. T.

Lake: The members opposite represent a party that between 1994 and 1999 saw the number of public long-term beds fall by 18 percent, and the number of pa-

British Columbia Debates11856 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 tients receiving home support fell by 19 percent. That’s the shameful record of the members opposite. Since 2001, 32,000 beds in the province of British Columbia…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members on both sides. Please continue. [1445] Hon. T. Lake: Today, with the number of additions — 7,400 new publicly subsidized residential care assisted- living group home beds — we don’t have lineups at MLA constituency offices any more of people begging MLAs to find a placement for their parents.

We have created a sys- tem of care that makes sure that seniors are well looked after, and we will continue to work with the seniors ad - vocate and with our Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to ensure that we lead the country in looking after seniors. HUMAN RIGHTS HEARING AND GOVERNMENT ACTION ON MISSING AND MURDERED ABORIGINAL WOMEN M. Mark: To the Minister of Justice, tomorrow in Washington, D.C., there will be a hearing of the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights.

The subject of these proceedings will be a follow-up on the commis- sion’s 2015 report into B.C. ’s treatment of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, a report that clearly states how this government has been failing to meet its international obligations to protect and remedy violence against First Nations women. This is two years after the completion of the Oppal Inquiry. Will the Justice Minister inform this House whether she or any other minister is attending the hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights? Hon. S.

Anton: We will not be attending the hearing, but I will assure this House that the issue of the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls is one that has been supported by our Premier, that has been sup - ported by this government and now, indeed, is supported by the federal government. An inquiry is happening.

We have been participating actively in consultation with our partners in First Nations and with our partners in the community to give our advice to the inquiry as to how it might be formulated — the federal government, indeed, has been seeking that advice across the coun - try — and, at the same time, speaking of our experience. British Columbia did do a Missing Women’s Inquiry with the dreadful time that came out of the missing and mur- dered women in the Downtown Eastside. We are very active participants in this debate, in this discussion.

We want to see that inquiry succeed, and we are working actively and vigorously to make sure that that happens. Madame Speaker: The member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant on a supplemental. M. Mark: The Inter-American Commission reports over a dozen recommendations on how B.C. can meet its obligations to indigenous women, including a real pro - vision of legal assistance, which would mean fixing this government’s broken legal aid system, and full and sub- stantive compliance with the recommendations made in the Oppal Inquiry.

A national inquiry won’t help this government from being held accountable for B.C. ’s insufficient response to missing and murdered indigenous women, a response that has included deleting emails that documented its indifference towards the Highway of Tears. In the absence of attending, has the minister prepared at least a written submission for tomorrow’s hearing, and will she table it today in this Legislature? Hon. S. Anton: To the suggestion that we have not taken this matter extremely seriously, I reject that sugges- tion.

We received 63 recommendations from the Missing Women Inquiry, and we have pursued all of the themes in the report that was given to us. We have given compensation to all the…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. S. Anton: Through partnership with the federal government and the city of Vancouver, we have provided compensation to all of the children of the missing women who are identified in that report. We have made fundamental changes to policing to re- quire bias-free policing, to improve police information and cooperation.

We have created supports for vulner - able women throughout British Columbia through a var- iety of ways and very substantial investment every year. We have made changes to the missing-persons legis - lation. There’s a missing persons unit at the RCMP and E division. We have, yes, indeed, increased safety along northern highways. We have taken that report seriously. We take the safety of aboriginal women and girls in British Columbia ex - tremely seriously, and we work closely with our partners to make sure that they are safe and well in their communities. [1450] GUN VIOLENCE IN SURREY S.

Hammell: It’s becoming a sad and frightening norm in Surrey. Another day, another shooting.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11857 Last night gunshots rang out again, the fourth time in four days, despite assurances from the Solicitor General that everything that can be done is being done.

Y esterday the minister said in this House that covert operations were ongoing, that surveillance teams were following gang members around day and night and that “if they look over one shoulder, they’re going to see a po- lice officer. ” I ask the minister: where were those surveil- lance teams that were looking over the shoulders of the gangsters last night when Surrey marked its 32nd shoot- ing so far this year? Hon. C.

Clark: Although that question was not ad - dressed to me and although it may be the last, the very last moment that the NDP get a chance to ask the ques - tion in the Legislature today, I want to make sure I get a chance to address it, because for the people of Surrey, this is a vitally important…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. The Chair will hear the answer. Hon. C. Clark: This is an issue of vital importance for people in Surrey.

For mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers to be worried that some of their family members could be at risk, that they may not feel safe going outside, is just wrong, and it’s something our government takes extremely seriously. We need to address these problems of crime in Surrey. It means that we need to take the time to add to the strat- egy on guns and gangs which we have deployed over the last several years, which has had a very real impact.

But we need to do more, because the people of Surrey need to know that when their daughter or son walks home by themselves from a soccer game, they are going to get home safe. Surrey is a beautiful, thriving community. But no com- munity is a great place to live when people don’t feel safe in it. Our responsibility as a government is to build on the strategy that we’ve deployed very effectively against guns and gangs. We are doing that. We will do that. So today I want to say to the people of Surrey…. Interjection. Madame Speaker: Burnaby–Deer Lake, please come to order. Hon. C.

Clark: I think this issue deserves more than the heckles from the opposition. I think this issue is one where, as a Legislature, we can surely come together and talk about what we can do better and how we can do more to protect people in a community that dearly needs our help. The opposition may decide they want to heckle, but I will say this to the people of Surrey. We are going to do more. We will have their backs, and we will make sure that the families of Surrey know that when they send their children home at night, they will get home safely. S.

Hammell: My community, my neighbours, friends and constituents want real answers. We understand the police are working hard, but we are on an escalating path of violence that is not acceptable, and this rash of gun violence has to stop. My question is for the Premier. If what you are doing clearly isn’t working… Madame Speaker: Through the Chair. S. Hammell: …what effective action are you going to take to keep the public in my community safe? Hon. C. Clark: I am glad that there is a member on the opposition side who takes this issue seriously, because it deserves to be taken seriously.

The people of Surrey need to know that their community is a safe place to live. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Order. Surrey–Green Timbers. Hon. C. Clark: Because the member is right. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. C. Clark: The member is right. The people of Surrey do deserve to know that their kids are going to be able to get home safe. They deserve to know that their community is just as safe as anywhere else in the prov - ince.

And the member is also right that we do need to build on the strategies that we already have in place, and that means doing more. [1455] Now, for people in Surrey, they should know that as of February 1, 25 people have been arrested, 176 char - ges have been advanced, and $4.5 million in drugs have been seized. At the end of 2015, 6,200 people had been checked, 800 arrests had been made, more than 170 weapons and firearms had been seized. But more needs to be done. This is not a partisan, not a political issue. It is an issue of people’s sense of safety in one of the best communities in the country.

We are going to build on our guns and gangs strategy. We are going to evolve to make sure that we’re keeping up with changes in the gang community as we see them unfolding, and we are going to work with the men and women of law enforce-

British Columbia Debates11858 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 ment, in Surrey in particular, who put their lives on the line every single day to make sure that the people of Surrey can have the same feeling of security that people have liv- ing in any other part of the province of British Columbia. [End of question period.] Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) B. Ralston: I rise to reserve my right to raise a question of privilege based on the remarks made by the Premier. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: In

Section A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the ongoing estimates of the Ministry of Energy and Mines. In this chamber, second reading debate on Bill 19. [R. Lee in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 19 — GREENHOUSE GAS INDUSTRIAL REPORTING AND CONTROL AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 (continued) L. Reimer: On behalf of my constituents of Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody and Coquitlam, I’m pleased to join the debate on Bill 19, the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Amendment Act.

The purpose of this legislation will give regulated and non-regulated operations more choices and flexibility for a cleaner tomorrow. Bill 19 encourages new and innova- tive approaches to managing emissions. It also builds on previous legislation that will make B.C. ’s LNG industry the cleanest in the world. In late 2014, the government introduced two critical pieces of legislation to establish the highest standards in the world: the Liquefied Natural Gas Income Tax Act and the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act. This legislation will have far-reaching benefits that will extend for generations.

To the Premier, I must congratulate her for her stead- fast determination and unprecedented tenacity to launch an entirely new export industry. This is no easy task. Although the natural gas industry has been present in British Columbia for almost 50 years, this is the first time that we have made a concerted effort to seek out and cap- ture the interest of energy companies to design and build LNG facilities for export. [1500] There are many critics and naysayers who tell us that we are facing an uphill battle.

In the first instance, our critics claim the government is hindering our own ef - forts to attract investment by insisting on developing the cleanest LNG industry on the planet. Y es, it is true. It would be an easier path if we were to lower our en - vironmental standards, but that is not going to happen. We are choosing the more difficult path because it is the right thing to do, not only for us in the present but for succeeding generations of British Columbians. B.C. ’s world-leading benchmark will limit GHG emis- sions to 160,000 tonnes of CO 2 per million tonnes of LNG produced.

These are the lowest emissions of any similar facility in the world. The province arrived at this target by surveying leading LNG facilities worldwide and determined that a 0.16 benchmark would surpass the standards of any other jurisdiction. One day future generations will look back and thank us for choosing to develop the industry properly. If we start out on the correct path, then the technology to ex - tract the gas will only begin to improve each time, over time. That is the nature of innovation. The legislation we have before us is designed to encour- age technological advancement and innovation.

The scale of taxation is escalated over time to provide companies the opportunity to invest in better technology — specific- ally, technological advancement and innovation in waste recovery, carbon capture, cogeneration and the use of natural gas in heavy vehicles out in the field. These types of technology will drive further innovation. Our critics have also attacked the government’s ef - forts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become a carbon-neutral government. In fact, the official oppos - ition vehemently opposed the carbon tax, saying it would be a disaster for the economy.

They said it was impossible to reduce emissions without costing jobs. That was in 2007. By 2012, the government achieved its interim tar - get for GHG emissions, that being 6 percent below 2007 levels. This was an aggressive target, and we achieved it without hurting the economy. British Columbia is leading by example in terms of setting and meeting our own climate change targets. The fact is that British Columbia is a world leader in the re - duction of greenhouse gases. In fact, we are attracting international attention and literally convincing other jurisdictions to follow our lead.

France and Mexico are implementing carbon taxes, the European Union is following a regional program, and Chile announced plans to implement a carbon tax. And through the Pacific Coast Collaborative, which British Columbia belongs to, we know that Oregon and Washington states are also following suit. It’s also a fact that British Columbia has an abundant supply of natural gas. We have emerging technologies that will continue to drive innovation and more environ- mental extraction techniques. We have the geographical advantage as Canada’s Pacific Gateway.

More specifically, our large reserves of natural gas are close in proximity to

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11859 proposed facilities. We have a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure and the shortest transport times from North America to key markets in Asia. It all adds up to the fact that while the price of ener - gy will fluctuate over time, the demand for energy will always increase as countries like India and China grow their middle class. These economies will come to expect the same comforts and enjoyments that we in developed economies have known for many years.

This demand will propel B.C. ’s LNG for years to come and generate a source of revenue for generations. For example, if just one medium-size plant starts to export LNG, it will gen- erate $800 million per year for taxpayers. Let’s return to the present. In the energy sector, natural gas is by no means a new industry in British Columbia. Already we are the second-largest producer of natural gas in the country, responsible for 26 percent of Canada’s nat- ural gas. There are already thousands of people who are employed by the production of natural gas.

So in addi - tion to being a major source of jobs in the province, LNG is also a major source of public revenue. Over the past decade, British Columbia collected $8.6 billion in LNG royalties. This is money the private sector pays to the government for harvesting natural gas. This revenue helps pay for services that people cherish, like health care and education. With money derived from natural gas royalties, we’re able to build hospitals and schools.

We’re able to invest in the province’s future and make it a more desirable place to do business. [1505] That is the commitment of this government — to build on our current success and expand opportunities for the province to grow. The world needs energy, and British Columbia is well positioned to provide it. Alone, our province sits on trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. That is a sufficient supply to satisfy our own domestic use for generations to come and to take advantage of ex- panding markets. We have all heard the skeptics.

They say that B.C. is be- hind the competition and that we have somehow missed the boat on LNG expansion. But it is worth reminding ourselves that between the years 2000 and 2010, demand for LNG doubled worldwide. I would also point out that global demand for LNG is expected to increase by an - other 50 percent by 2020. That’s less than four years away. It’s also worth noting that in 2014, B.C. produced 1.6 trillion cubic feet in natural gas, or the equivalent of 273 million barrels of oil.

In other words, we have the capacity to replace a diminishing world oil supply with natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel of all. It’s also reassuring that British Columbia is making a commitment to ensure that B.C. ’s LNG production fa - cilities are the cleanest in the world. It’s our intention to promote a clean industry to help preserve the pristine environment that British Columbia is known for around the world. We also want a fair industry. It is the intention of this government to proceed with a further development of the LNG industry in partnership with First Nations.

First Nations want a better future, and they want to be a part of resource development in the regions in which they live. We are therefore committed to work with the private sec- tor and First Nations to ensure LNG-related benefits for aboriginal communities. Overall, we want to make sure that British Columbians are first in line for all of the jobs created by LNG develop- ment. That’s the reason why the hon. Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training has been working diligently on the blueprint for skills training.

It’s a ten-year strat - egy to realign our secondary and post-secondary systems to make sure that we’re preparing the people for tomor- row’s job market by giving them the opportunity to train for a career that’s close to home and is equally rewarding. While the focus of our LNG industry is concentrated on developing export markets, it’s also about securing our own energy self-sufficiency. In a world of uncertainty, it is nice to know that British Columbia has its own secure source of energy.

Of all the proposed export facilities in British Columbia, several intend to focus on the domes- tic market that provides fuel for the transportation and heavy equipment industry. That makes for a cleaner fuel for the environment and a more secure source of energy. As you may be aware, B.C. Ferries is proceeding with plans to convert the largest vessels in the B.C. Ferries fleet, the Spirit class, to run on liquefied natural gas by 2019. This announcement comes in addition to plans to build three smaller vessels that will all run on LNG. Fuel is B.C.

Ferries’ largest expense, and natural gas is 50 percent cheaper than marine diesel. By gradually con- verting the fleet to run on natural gas, fare prices can be kept under control, rather than be ruled by volatile spikes in the cost of petroleum on world markets. Think of it. By reducing our reliance on petroleum and converting to a cleaner-burning fuel, LNG will be the source of energy for everything from public transit buses to ships at sea. As we lead the way in LNG transportation technology, we will encourage our customers overseas to make similar conversions.

Once our customers see they can realize a 50 percent saving in the cost of fuel by con- verting to LNG, we will generate an even greater demand for our product. Our customers overseas will also realize that British Columbia will become a reliable source of energy. As a free and open society, we are not subject to political strife or global sanctions that other jurisdictions sometimes have, which can seriously interrupt the flow of a steady and reliable source of energy to a customer. Thanks to trade missions that the Premier has led across Asia, people overseas know about British Columbia.

They know British Columbia stands for clean technology. They know B.C. is reliable. Sure, there’s always some uncer - tainty moving forward with the development of any in -

British Columbia Debates11860 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 dustry. But it is the willingness to take a risk that will pay off in the future. The momentum toward LNG development in British Columbia is unstoppable. Approximately $7 billion has already been invested by industry to acquire natural gas assets that support LNG development. In addition, an - other $2 billion has been spent in the preparation of LNG infrastructure. We are preparing the province for the LNG industry. [1510] One single plant will generate more provincial rev - enue than the entire forest industry. This is a means to secure our future.

LNG will be a source of well-paying and good-quality jobs for generations. My constituents, many of whom rely on the natural resource industry for their occupations…. That’s why, on behalf of all of my constituents, of Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody and Coquitlam, I am pleased to vote in favour of Bill 19. D. Eby: If it wasn’t for that last line, I would have for- gotten we were debating a bill here in the House that was making proposals around specific amendments to the rules around LNG. I would have thought that we were hearing a two-minute statement about the government’s aspirations.

In any event, let’s talk about the bill. There’s a rea - son why the member doesn’t want to talk about the bill. There’s a very good reason. It’s because it’s terrible legis- lation. It’s embarrassing legislation for this government. This new bill, Bill 19, the bill that’s on the table that the member didn’t want to talk about, amends the old bill that was passed in 2014, which is now law. That law, the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act gave a licence to industrial polluters to buy the right to dump as much carbon pollution into our atmosphere as they can afford. It’s now law in B.C.

That’s the law. It was a very permissive law. This law amends it to make those rules even more per- missive. Now, in addition to creating, as they did with the old law, a system where the province sells a licence to pollute, it exempted all of the emissions, from the wellhead all the way to the plant — emissions associated with the extraction of the gas, the flaring of the gas at the well, fugitive emissions, venting of the gas, leaks from the pipelines. None of those were counted under the old bill. It’s as if the emissions didn’t exist — except, of course, that they actually do exist.

Y ou know, if you want to pollute in British Columbia, it only costs $25 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted under the old law that this government brought forward, that the new law amends and makes even more permis - sive. Y ou can emit as much as you want. In fact, the cost might even be lower, because under the law, you can buy B.C. offsets at “market prices. ” Well, there’s no market, so who knows what that means. Keep in mind that this new law makes it even more permissive.

It was February when the Minister of Environment for this province said of the old law — it was only a few months old, really — that it would have the very significant effect of blowing us right past our 2020 targets for greenhouse gas emissions, even if the companies don’t take advantage of this licence to pollute, which the province will sell them cheap. Now, on February 29 — I’m going to quote the Minister of Environment — she said: “ As I’ve said, and as the” — climate leadership — “report outlines, we are not in line to make our 2020 targets.

The team, of course, recom - mends establishing a new 2030 target. ” The team the minister is talking about is B.C. ’s climate leadership team. That team recommended a new 2030 target for polluting greenhouse gases. The old bill, which became law, was so weak and the emissions from these proposed plants so huge that we had to rewrite the tar - get for our emissions. This is the context for this bill that’s in front of us today, which weakens the old bill, which was so weak itself to start with. It wasn’t enough that the law was weak. It wasn’t enough that we had to rewrite the pollution target.

More had to be done to let these companies pollute even more. Two weeks ago the Premier chose a person who, in the time of Galileo, would have been leafletting to say that he should be put in prison for saying that the earth wasn’t the centre of the universe. In the time of Columbus, he would have been worried about Columbus sailing over the edge of the world. The Premier chose a former direc- tor of the climate-denying Fraser Institute to implement the new 2030 target. This is a person who, when he was the editor of the Vancouver Sun, said that coal would be a great way for B.C. to generate electricity.

He described global warming in 2008 as follows: “Global warming is the latest weapon in the West’s arsenal to subjugate and impoverish mil - lions of people in the Third World. ” Is it? [1515] Not satisfied by saying that global leaders who were stepping up to fight climate change were trying to im - poverish the Third World, he went on to say: “Western politicians have now grabbed the global warming club to beat up the developing world. By using this moral high ground, saving the planet, they can claim they are just trying to do the right thing and that it has nothing to do with erecting barriers to trade.

Then again, the old colonialists justified their racist behavior by arguing that they were just trying to civilize the savages. ” So after comparing leaders taking action on climate change to racists, after recommending dirty coal power for electricity in British Columbia, of all places, Mr. Mihlar was appointed the head of B.C. ’s oil and strategic initiatives division, responsible for seeing oil develop - ment in B.C. Now where is he? He’s the leader of B.C. ’s climate action team.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11861 Well, congratulations to him, but what about the rest of us? The Premier put a man who thinks we should burn coal for energy in charge of her climate action team, on top of a bill that sells the right to pollute as much as these companies want — astounding. We can see how this will turn out, how it’s been de - signed to turn out. Now we get this bill. That is the con- text for this bill in front of us in the Legislature.

At least under the old law, the government could argue that polluters had to buy a licence to dump as many greenhouse gases as they wanted into the atmosphere in B.C.: $25 a tonne, or cheaper if it’s market prices. Now, under this new bill, you don’t even have to buy the right to pollute anymore. Polluters get the first 18 months free. Unlimited pollution for 18 months. It’s like a desperate cell phone company, but it’s not. It’s our government. But they certainly are desperate. They’ve already offered super-deep discounts on the royalties. They’re doing a royalty giveaway. “Hey, ” says this government, “hold on.

It’s worth it if there’s at least one LNG plant to talk about during the election in May 2017. Give away anything. Dump as much pollution as you want into our atmosphere. Just build one plant, someone, anyone, please. Please. ” Now, some members of this place may remember something called the Pacific Carbon Trust. Remember that? Under that debacle, money was transferred from hospitals and schools to oil and gas companies, suppos - edly in a bid to make government carbon-neutral.

The schools and hospitals could have spent the money put - ting in insulation, replacing their windows, doing des - perately needed retrofits on their own facilities to reduce their emissions. Instead, the government said, “Take the money that’s supposed to be spent on students, on the sick, and send it to Encana, ” a highly profitable gas company. The scam was called a scam by the Auditor General, as it should have been, and the whole thing collapsed on it- self in a scandalous outrage, as it should have. Well, here we are in this bill, as if that wasn’t enough, with the re - turn of the Pacific Carbon Trust,

part

Section 6 of the new bill opens this proposed B.C. Carbon Registry to companies and municipalities. In other words, the same discredited model of the Pacific Carbon Trust is haunting us again: new fictional carbon credits, the same government that gave out dubious car- bon credits to Encana and this Darkwoods project, things that were already going to be done. Carbon credits were created and then sold to hospitals and schools. This gov- ernment’s going to allow these fake carbon credits to be sold to LNG companies as a licence to pollute. I said a couple times that these are fake credits.

I don’t say that lightly, because cap-and-trade is a serious thing. There is a cap-and-trade market. California is participat- ing in it. Quebec is participating in it. It’s being explored by Washington and Oregon. We were actually, under legislation, part of that — audited carbon credits that were looked at by a third party to make sure they were real, that they weren’t fake. Bill 2, the old bill, that this government passed into law, specifically repealed our participation in that real system. Now we have our own system.

After failing once, we’re going to do it again: fake credits in, real polluting emis - sions out. What a debacle. [1520] I’ll be voting against this desperate, Hail Mary pass of a government weakening already nonexistent standards around pollution — 18 months of unlimited pollution into our atmosphere; giving away our public resource at record-low rates; putting a man who advocates burning coal for electricity and calls leaders taking action on cli - mate change akin to racists as the head of their climate action team; reconstituting a discredited carbon credits scheme that ended in scandal.

They even want to build an LNG plant right on top of the Eelgrass beds essential for juvenile salmon — wild salmon that are the heritage of First Nations and the right of our children, our children’s children and their children — on the mighty Skeena River. This govern - ment will do anything to get at least one plant. Mark my words. They will do anything to get that plant, and this bill is evidence of that. Why are they so desperate? Because the real economy, not the plants that don’t exist but the real economy — the mills, the mines of these same areas where the plants are proposed — is tanking.

This government needs to do something — anything — even if it’s a giveaway, even if it’s a polluting disaster, even if it destroys a precious nat- ural resource. Let me make a list of just some of the mines and mills closed over the last 18 months. These are closures deci - mating the economic base of rural B.C. where these plants are proposed: the salmon cannery in Rupert, Wolverine mine, Willow Creek mine. Trend and Roman mines, 380 jobs there. Quintette, 80 jobs. Mount Polley — oh, re - opened. Myra Falls, 300 jobs. MAX Moly, 65. Gibraltar, 114. Highland Valley, 80 jobs. Treasure Mountain, 20 jobs.

Avino Silver and Gold Mines, 60 jobs. Coal Mountain Phase 2, 100 jobs. Quinsam, 66. Y ellow Giant — I don’t know how many people were working there — a lot. Huckleberry, 100 jobs. HD Mining — now, those are 51 temporary foreign workers, but still…. Canal Flats sawmill, Houston Forest Products sawmill, Elk Falls paper mill, Howe Sound newsprint mill, Chetwynd Mechanical Pulp mill and the partial closure of the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Corp. Now, commodity prices are low, but hydro rates, B.C. ’s advantage for decades, are up 74 percent from 2001 to 2015. That hurts all of these companies badly, clearly.

And while the government, in this bill and in others, has been falling all over itself to get the government of Malaysia over here — and their Crown corporation Petronas — to

British Columbia Debates11862 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 take our gas for record-low prices, to dump whatever pol- lution they want into our atmosphere for 18 months for free…. They have been engaging in this conduct while the real occupations, the real jobs, the real mills, the real mines of people of British Columbia are closing. They are desperate, and they are looking for help. Now, that’s a tough political message in 2017. A pol - itically desperate government is dangerous to the public interest.

That’s what we are facing here in this bill — a disaster for the public interest put forward by a desper - ate government. I’ll be voting against this bill. L. Throness: It’s a pleasure to stand in my place to - day and speak to Bill 19, which is the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Amendment Act. That’s quite a mouthful. It amends the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act. It’s a new act,

an act that only came into force on January 1 of this year,

an act that has never before been used — but will be, we trust, soon. That act, as well as the one before us today, the amendment act, is all about clean LNG. The act enables performance standards to be set for in- dustrial facilities or sectors for the purpose of upholding our province’s commitment to having the cleanest lique- fied natural gas operations in the world. I want to talk a bit about how we achieve that. First, I have been skeptical, and I remain skeptical, about human-caused global warming. I prefer, instead, to think in terms of reducing pollution.

I understand and appreciate the value of LNG in reducing pollution around the world. But insofar as it is necessary to deal with greenhouse gas emissions in order for this project and this industry to go forward, I’m happy to take some water with my wine and speak in support of this bill, be- cause I’m looking to the end. I’m looking to the goal. I’m looking to help build, with our caucus, an industry in B.C. [1525] I want to point out that China is the largest producer of coal in the world. They have 11,000 coal mines in China, and they’ve announced that they’re shutting some thou- sands of those coal mines.

What are they going to replace that coal with? They’re going to have to replace it with something. We want to replace that fuel, of course, with clean-burning LNG. It only makes sense, for China and for other countries in Asia and for us, to do that. To do that, we have set a greenhouse gas emissions benchmark for LNG facilities in B.C. That benchmark is a low one. It’s 0.16 tonnes of CO 2 per tonne of LNG produced. How do we get there? We get to that low level through efficient plant design and through investing in emissions reductions or clean technologies.

A producer that meets this goal will have a clear claim as the world’s cleanest LNG facilities. Now, how do we know that? We in the B.C. govern - ment have studied the greenhouse gas emissions of lead- ing LNG facilities around the world. We’ve looked at independent research done around the world, and we’ve established that benchmark, resulting from that informa- tion. We know that there is no other LNG facility in the world that will have GHG emissions — the requirements to reduce them — as stringent as we will. Allow me to talk for a moment just about the bench - mark. A benchmark is a regulatory tool.

It sets an abso - lute limit on greenhouse gas emissions for every unit of LNG produced. But at the same time, it allows for the growth and the development of an LNG industry in B.C. We’re not throwing out the industry because it’s not per- fect. We’re going to control it instead. How do we administer that benchmark? Well, LNG companies are required, by regulation attached to the act, to report all of their greenhouse gas emissions for every facility that they operate. That includes emissions from natural gas turbines, of course, used in the liquefaction process, which is an energy-intensive process.

It includes emissions from electricity generation, from CO2 venting, from fugitive GHG emissions and other areas. We’re making the benchmark as flexible as possible. We’ve already made it as flexible as possible in three ways. First, it allows facility operators to choose between in - vesting in GHG emissions reductions at their facility or elsewhere in B.C. Second, facility operators can lower their GHG emissions by adopting more efficient technol- ogies or using clean energy like electricity. To give an ex- ample, the facility proposed in Squamish plans to use B.C. Hydro’s clean electricity to power its plant.

That, of course, would lower its GHG emissions by a huge amount. The third way…. If it’s not economically favourable to immediately reduce facility GHG emissions enough to meet the benchmark, a producer will be able to invest in GHG emission reduction projects, which we call off - sets, across the province or purchase funded units that contribute to clean technologies. So we have flexible options — including purchasing compliance units, off - set units, earned credits and funded units — under the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act.

In these flexible ways, the benchmark provides an eco- nomically efficient path — and that’s an important con - sideration — to meeting the province’s goal of having the cleanest LNG facilities in the world. That’s the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, but we are amending it. We’ve been consult- ing with the industry, and we think that there are chan - ges that we can make out of the gate before the industry even begins, to give regulated, as well as non-regulated, operations even more choices and more flexibility in or- der to meet our targets.

To be clear, this is not about going easy on compan - ies. It’s not about going hard on the environment. This is about innovation. This is about flexibility. This is about meeting a goal. It’s about creating a new industry, so we are encouraging new approaches, innovative approach - es, to managing emissions even while we maintain our

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, April 6, 2016 11863 greenhouse gas emission benchmark that will make B.C. ’s LNG the cleanest in the world. The proposed amendments before us today are the fruit of ongoing negotiations with the LNG sector. They sup- port the commitments the government has made to in - dustry, to First Nations and to the public. Although LNG is not yet a reality in B.C., we need to get it right from the start because of the incredible benefits that can accrue to all British Columbians.

I want to point out here, as I’ve done before, that B.C. taxpayers have not risked anything in getting to this point. There’s no reason for us not to pursue this industry with great energy and drive because it can only benefit our province. There’s no downside risk to it; there’s only a benefit to the citizens of B.C. [1530] Let’s talk directly about the act for a moment. In par- ticular, the government is proposing three broad amend- ments. They’re

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20160406pm-Hansard-v36n5
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20160406pm Hansard v36n5
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	d743a8e242e0e5dc8fc20540246be9e806a3454f

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