British Columbia Hansard — Monday, April 7, 2014

20140407pm-Hansard-v10n4

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, April 7, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 10, Number 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Monday, April 7, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2849 Ian Reid J.

Horgan Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 2849 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2850 George Little D.

Ashton Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 2851 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 2851 Bill M208 — First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2014 M.

Karagianis Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 2851 Child Abuse Prevention Day G. Hogg Organ donation and transplantation K. Conroy G. Kyllo Volunteerism C. Trevena Mission Adopt-A-Block Society M. Dalton Nanaimo Recycling Exchange D.

Routley Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2853 Government handling of mill explosion investigations and communications A. Dix Hon. S. Bond Severance payments to former Lottery Corporation CEO S. Simpson Hon. M. de Jong K. Corrigan Grace Islet development and First Nations concerns G. Holman Hon. S. Th omson Role of B.C. Liberal Party offi cial in Ontario government breach of trust investigation B. Ralston Hon. S.

Anton Protection of farmland and agricultural land reserve N. Simons Hon. S. Th omson B.C. Ambulance Service changes to call classifi cations J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2858 N. Simons

Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 2858 Bill 20 — Local Elections Campaign Financing Act Hon. C. Oakes S. Robinson D. Barnett L. Krog Hon. P . Fassbender S. Chandra Herbert L. Reimer A. Weaver M. Hunt D. Donaldson D. Eby J. Darcy D. Routley S. Simpson G. Holman V . Huntington M. Farnworth G. Heyman Hon. C. Oakes Bill 21 — Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. C. Oakes S. Robinson L. Krog Hon. C.

Oakes Bill 27 — Th e Cultus Lake Park Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. C. Oakes S. Robinson L. Th roness Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 2891 Estimates: Ministry of Natural Gas Development (continued) R. Austin Hon. R. Coleman V . Huntington D. Donaldson S. Chandra Herbert S. Fraser J. Horgan Estimates: Ministry of Environment Hon. M. Polak S. Chandra Herbert S. Fraser B. Routley

MONDAY , APRIL 7, 2014 Th e House met at 1:33 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Tributes IAN REID J. Horgan: I rise with sadness in my heart to announce to the Legislature the passing of my friend and a very well-known colleague of those on this side of the House, Mr. Ian Reid. Ian passed away this past weekend aft er liv- ing for 12 years with cancer. He did so with dignity and with a sense of grace that one only discovers when you're in your fi nal moments.

Ian leaves behind his son, Shamus; his daughter Jordan and other daughter Alexis; his dear spouse, Paul; and the mother of his children, Jane. He leaves a vacuum for me as a friend but also for those of us on this side of the House. He started in politics working for Darlene Marzari. Th ose who are from the downtown Vancouver area know Darlene. Th e only person that could keep pace with her style and panache was Ian. His taste for ties and socks was legendary.

He started as a constituency assistant and rose to the position of chief of staff for my colleague the mem- ber for Victoria–Beacon Hill — and every job in between. He did it, again, with passion and verve. [1335] He understood polling better than anyone. He was a business partner of mine when we were not involved in politics. He was much sought-aft er by industry, by muni- cipal politicians and by politicians at every level.

But despite his professional acumen in the areas of understanding the art of politics, it was his passion for people and his understanding that what we do here, all of us, regardless of where we come from, is grounded in trying to make the world a better place and to ensure that we have the respect of our peers and our communities. I think for all of us, regardless of our political stripe, that today we've lost an outstanding individual who al- ways, at the forefront for him, were the people that we serve. I'm going to miss him tremendously.

I would ask the Speaker to send the House's condolences to his family at this diffi cult time. Introductions by Members R. Sultan: Fire, fl oods, earthquakes and car crashes — we've been informed today that billions of dollars have been visited upon governments adjacent and, inevitably, our turn will come someday. Th e bearers of these glad tidings are 12 representatives of the insurance industry.

We have Gary Horga of Economical; Daryl Kochan of Peace Hills; Rick Howe of Intact; Graham Haigh of Wawanesa; Mark Rouleau of Aviva; three from the BCAA — Heidi Worthington, Patricia Stirling and Clayton Buckingham; and four from the Insurance Bureau of Canada — William Adams, Serge Corbeil, Michael Lee and Miranda Lee. Would you please make them all welcome. M. Karagianis: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to- day to introduce a very special group of people who have joined us in the gallery today. Some of the members are here, and some are making their way here.

I would like the House to please give a special wel- come to Chief Vern Jacks and his son Vern Jacks Jr. from the Tseycum First Nations; Chief Andy Th omas from the Esquimalt Nation; Chief Ron Sam from the Songhees Nation; Councillor Charles Seymour of the Cowichan Tribes First Nation; Chief Russ Chipps from Beecher Bay; Yvonne Guessinghouse from Beecher Bay; and Chief Bruce Underwood from the Pauquachin; also Linda Bristol from the First Peoples Cultural Council; and Charla Hewber from the CRD aboriginal initiatives department.

Th ese guests have joined us today in honour of the bill that I will be tabling shortly and as witnesses to that. Please give them a very special welcome for being here. Hon. T. Lake: I rise today to introduce a group of 25 individuals who are visiting the legislative precinct from B.C. Transplant. Th e group consists of organ donors, or- gan donor recipients and B.C. Transplant staff . Of course, B.C. Transplant does some very important work, and hopefully, members will have a chance to visit them in the Rattenbury Room today.

Since 1986 they've helped direct, deliver and contract all organ transplant services across British Columbia. Th ere are three trans- plant hospitals in B.C. — Vancouver General, St. Paul's and B.C. Children's — along with seven regional clinics across the province. I'd like to thank them for all of the hard work they do and for reminding us of the import- ance of organ donations. Will the House please make them very welcome. J. Shin: For every one of us taking a seat in this House are hundreds of faces of people who we don't see — faces of the people in our lives who are the wind beneath our wings.

Today I have the honour of having eight such people in my life who thought supporting me from back home wasn't enough, so they decided to make a trip over together to cheer me on in person. Wonderful Catherine Porter is here with her partner, Glen Porter, who is also the president also of my asso- ciation; go-getter Christina Batstone from Simon Fraser University Graduate Student Society; and the spirited 2849

British Columbia Debates2850 Monday, April 7, 2014 Marshilla Zainal from Douglas College Students Union. My very good friend Allan Warner is here, who is also celebrating his well-deserved retirement with the trip. My two great constituents Henry Mwandemere and Graham Hallson are also joining us and, of course, the talented Ms. Hae Eun Jang from the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. Would the House please join me in welcoming my dear friends here today. Hon. R. Coleman: In August of 1974, I did probably the only smart thing I've done in my entire life.

I got mar- ried to my wife, Michele, who is in the precinct today. Would everybody make her welcome. [1340] K. Conroy: On behalf of the offi cial opposition I, too, would like to welcome the folks from B.C. Transplant. Th ey're wandering around with T-shirts that have sym- bols of organs on them. I'm asking people to please go and talk to those people about the organs. Th ey've either received one or donated one, and they want to talk about their experience. On behalf of all of us I want to thank you all for what you do and welcome you to the precinct. Hon. A.

Virk: Today I'm being visited by a past col- league from the RCMP in Calgary. With us is Staff Sgt. David Brown, in year 28 of service to Canadians. With him is his wife, Charlene, and their fi ve home-schooled children — they're learning about government today — Mackenzie, Samuel, Brianna, Nathanael and, littlest, Olivia, who turned four yesterday. Would you please join me in welcoming the Brown clan to the House. B. Routley: I defi nitely want to join in introducing to this House a fellow that I've known as Chuck Seymour. He's grown into the position of councillor.

I knew him back in 2009 when I fi rst started in this election business, and I actually travelled around a bit with Chuck and his wife, Hannah. He's now one of the outstanding council- lors of Cowichan Tribes. I'm happy to see him here today. Can the House please join me in welcoming Councillor Charles Seymour. Hon. T. Wat: Joining us in the gallery today is the vice- governor of the people's government of Sichuan province, China, Mr. Liu Jie. Mr. Liu is visiting Victoria with a dele- gation of seven people from his government.

I met with them earlier today to discuss the investment relationship between British Columbia and Sichuan province and to further strengthen our relationship. Would the House please join me in extending a warm welcome to Vice- Governor Liu Jie and his delegation. D. Routley: I would like to welcome a farmer to the House, a farmer from Duncan, Dan Ferguson. Dan has been a long-time essential part of the lobbying eff orts of local farmers to aff ect policy and to aff ect the choices that people make in their own diets. Dan does a lot of sales to local restaurants.

He's constantly at work on his farm, except when he's doing advocacy for farmers in gener- al. Th is is a tough time of year for farmers to leave their farms — every time of the year is, but particularly now. Th anks, Dan, for coming to help advocate for farmers. Hon. N. Y amamoto: I have the pleasure of introducing two guests from North Vancouver today, two guests and friends. Clive Camm is with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and communications is part of his job. He's a regular viewer of question period. He's also a fantastic photographer. His son Connor joins him.

He is in grade 12 at Carson Graham in North Vancouver. Y esterday they toured the University of Victoria, and today they're learning fi rsthand what goes on in the House. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. J. Horgan: I just want to rise to make a correction in geography. I know my colleague from Nanaimo–North Cowichan said Duncan for the understanding of those in the House, but I know Dan would want me to say that he's from Cowichan Station in the Cowichan Valley. J. Thornthwaite: In the gallery today is Naima Salemohamed. I first met Naima at the B.C.

Privacy Awareness Day, where she was a youth representative speaking on youth and privacy. She's a UVic student and will be graduating with a bachelor of science in health information science. Would the House please make her welcome. N. Simons: It gives me pleasure to join in welcoming Dan but also a couple other farmers: Erin Harris, a dairy farmer from the Kootenay area, as well as Oliver Egan, a vegetable and fruit producer. Th ey're here, too, with Linda Geggie from the B.C. Food Systems Network. I just want to make sure that everyone in this House welcomes them on our behalf. [1345] Tributes GEORGE LITTLE D.

Ashton: I would ask this House and all members in the House to recognize the loss of an incredible com- munity spirit. George Little of Penticton passed away this weekend aft er a very brief illness. He is survived by his lovely wife, Mavis; two beautiful daughters, Tamara and Debbie; son-in-law Tom; and the light of his life, his grandson, Josh. George had a very deep attachment to his community and to the province of British Columbia. His dedication,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2851 volunteerism and engagement for good governance will be truly and sorely missed. Introductions by Members M. Mungall: More and more lately it seems I'm get- ting up to introduce people all the way from my constitu- ency in this House. I look up this aft ernoon and I see Erin Harris, who was just introduced as a farmer from the Kootenays. But she's not from just anywhere in the Kootenays. She's from Lister, which is a beautiful com- munity in the Creston Valley. Her family is producing some of the most amazing dairy products.

Th ey have a milk bottling plant as well as a cheese factory. Madame Speaker, just so you know what I'm talking about when I say it truly is the best, I will be happy to bring you some next week. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M208 — FIRST NATIONS HERITAGE PROTECTION AND CONSERV ATION ACT, 2014 M. Karagianis presented a bill intituled First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2014. M. Karagianis: I move that a bill intituled First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2014, be introduced for a fi rst time now. Motion approved. M.

Karagianis: I'm honoured to introduce the First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act. As you may know, this is the fourth time I've introduced this private member's bill, and once again, I hope and urge the government to listen and act. It was fi rst introduced in October 2007, aft er excav- ation by a contractor unearthed a First Nations herit- age site along the shoreline of my constituency of View Royal. I was deeply troubled to discover a lack of prov- incial legislation to safeguard First Nations heritage ob- jects and sacred sites.

This bill will better protect First Nations heritage objects and sacred sites. Th e bill amends the Heritage Conservation Act to include a process by which First Nations can trigger protection acts when heritage and sacred sites and objects or remains are discovered.

I be- lieve that this bill amends the heritage act to better pro- vide a set of guidelines and tools that First Nations, local government and the province need in order to imple- ment protection, stewardship and conservation of First Nations heritage and culturally signifi cant areas, their artifacts, their sacred history — as well, to provide for the creation of a program to accomplish that goal. I would therefore ask that all members please read the bill and support it. I would move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Bill M208, First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2014, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second read- ing at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION DAY G. Hogg: Today is Child Abuse Prevention Day in B.C. Each one of us, indeed everyone in B.C., has both a legal and moral responsibility and role to play in protecting our children and supporting vulnerable families in our communities. We must be alert.

We must avoid wilful blindness, and we must be aware of the signs of abuse and know what to do and who to call in order to help a child at risk of harm. Everyone can help to prevent child abuse and neglect. In B.C. we have a toll-free 24-hour helpline for chil- dren: 310-1234. Th at is 310-1234. It can be accessed from anywhere in B.C., and no area code is needed — just 310- 1234. Anyone can call: children or youth who need help, parents in crisis who are afraid they may hurt their chil- dren, or anyone who knows or even suspects a child is being neglected or abused.

By working together and by sharing information on how to recognize, prevent and report signs of child abuse, we can help protect our children. We can all help to give them an opportunity to achieve healthy, productive lives. While today we formally recognize Child Abuse Prevention Day, we must be aware of the issues 365 days of the year. Each of us has an important role to play in making our communities and our province a safe and better place for all. [1350] ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION K. Conroy: B.C. Transplant has been dealing with all issues related to organ transplantation in B.C. since 1986.

It has been proven that not only are transplants pro- viding a better quality of life for recipients, they are also extremely cost-eff ective. Th e cost for a person who is on kidney dialysis for ten years is about $600,000. Th e cost over the same ten years for a person who has received a kidney transplant is about $83,000, with a savings of $517,000, so a kidney transplant over a ten-year period saves the health care system over half a million dollars

British Columbia Debates2852 Monday, April 7, 2014 per patient. To date there are close to 500 people in B.C. waiting for transplants. Why is there such a shortage of eligible donors? Eighty-fi ve percent of British Columbians sur- veyed said they were in favour of organ donation, but to date only 19 percent have registered to be organ donors. Some factors contributing to this include: donors don't discuss their wishes with their families, many people don't understand that their organ donation will save or improve the lives of eight others, or people still think the driver's licence sticker is applicable.

It's not. I'm asking everyone to please become an organ donor, if you aren't already. Make sure you discuss organ dona- tion with your family. Let your family know your wishes. And the registration is so simple. In fact, all you have to do is to go on line to transplant.bc.ca and click "register now." Type in your personal health number — some- thing we all have on our CareCards — and it will tell you if you're already a donor or not. I typed in my CareCard, and it told me I am a donor, and I registered on the 13th of January, 1998, at 9:43 a.m.

My husband, who is well acquainted with being a recipi- ent, has never considered he could be a donor, but he can. In just a few minutes he registered himself on line, which is amazing, as he's actually quite a Luddite. Today, for everyone who works here in the buildings, you can stop into the Rattenbury Room. Not only will you get information on organ donation; you can get regis- tered too. As well, you can sign up for quarterly updates to know how many people in your constituency are regis- tered and how many are waiting for a transplant. Please register.

It's an incredibly simple process that takes very little time but can have such a powerful im- pact on people's lives. G. Kyllo: Today we're reminded about the importance of organ donation in our province. Hundreds of British Columbians are current on the wait-list for organ trans- plant. Sadly, many patients die on the wait-list having never received a life-saving organ match. B.C. Transplant is here today at the Legislature to raise awareness of the importance of registered organ donors.

Despite the majority of British Columbians supporting organ donation, less than 20 percent have registered on B.C.'s organ donor registry, resulting in a chronic short- age of organs for transplant in B.C. Organ transplantation is vital, representing a total transformation of a recipient's quality of life and oft entimes saving lives. Twenty-fi ve years ago my former high school phys ed teacher and basketball and rugby coach, Tony Beeft ink, was informed by his doctor that his heart was weakened by a virus and that he had only had six months to live.

Tony was just 37 years old at the time, with a loving wife, Alana, and three beautiful young children. Fortunately, on Christmas Day Tony received a call from his hospital, and on Boxing Day in 1988 Tony was B.C.'s second successful recipient of a donated heart, sav- ing the life of a husband, a father and a brilliant and dedi- cated teacher and coach. Aft er recovery, Tony was able to resume his teaching career in Sicamous and resume his passion for running marathons. Tony has always said that if you could be a recipient, you can be a donor. B.C.

Transplant supports the needs for patients and families of donors and transplant recipients and reminds us of the need for organ donation in this province. Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week occurs the last week of April. By registering to give the gift of life, we can contribute to healthier, longer lives for many remarkable individuals like Tony. It only takes a minute to register as an organ donor on the B.C. Transplant website. Th is one minute can save a life. B.C. Transplant is set up in the Rattenbury Room today until 4 p.m., where you can sign up on the spot to become a donor.

All you need is your CareCard. I'd like to ask members on sides of the House to spread the word about the importance of registering for organ donation. Organ donors do save lives. VOLUNTEERISM C. Trevena: Our communities would be smaller places without volunteers, people who willingly give their free time to help out.

Campbell River is blessed many volun- teers, so many that the coordinating volunteer centre is moving from its basement offi ce in the city hall to a more spacious location across the way in the Enterprise Centre. [1355] Th e range of volunteer activities are extraordinary — the people who take tickets at the Tidemark Th eatre, the soccer and hockey coaches, those who help in soup kitch- ens and food banks to ensure that those who can't aff ord to eat in B.C. in 2014 actually have something to eat. Th ere is Monique Games, in her 80s, who is involved with ElderCollege.

She's also been coming to my con- stituency offi ce week aft er week for nearly nine years to go through the newspapers. Th ere's Mary Lazarski, who, with the fabulous team at the hospital auxiliary, runs the gift shop and raises money for the hospital equipment that public funds won't cover. Th ere's Alyson Hagan-Johnson, who has been involved with North Island Community Services for many years. She participates in the provincial organization Board Voice and works on the Mount Waddington Health Network, which are trying, with volunteers, to improve some of the worst health outcomes in the province.

Naming people is a dangerous thing, as each one of these people would acknowledge how many others go to make their communities work — the volunteer fi refi ght- ers who are there to help their neighbours at critical times in Oyster River, Quadra and Cortes islands, Gold River, Tahsis, Zeballos, Woss, Sayward, the Tri-Ports, Sointula and Alert Bay; the volunteers who ensure that May Day,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2853 Filomi Days, Orca Fest and Labour Day and Canada Day are times to celebrate; the unwitting volunteers, the parents who fi nd they need to become fundraisers when their children go to school so that they can have books because there's no public money; the volunteers who step in at hospice — again, an unfunded service in our communities — because they know that people need to die with dignity. Let us celebrate all the people who keep our com- munities going — unpaid, working hard, fi lling gaps and meeting needs. Let's all recognize the spirit of vol- unteerism.

MISSION ADOPT-A-BLOCK SOCIETY M. Dalton: I rise in the House today to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of Mission Adopt-A-Block Society, a non-profi t organization that supports litter abatement programs in the district of Mission. Th e society organ- izes and supports volunteer cleanups of adopted areas along streets, parks, trails and creeks. It gives families, schools and community groups the opportunity to cul- tivate social responsibility and to participate in projects that make a diff erence in our community. By increasing public awareness and community involvement, we can all enjoy a cleaner Mission.

Currently the society has over 230 volunteers from 150 diff erent households. Together they have one trail adop- tion, three creek adoptions, 168 block adoptions and four park adoptions. Combined with special events cleanups, community volunteers collect or remove an average of almost 27,000 pounds of litter each year. Th at's over 13 tonnes of litter and junk. I had the honour of attending the third annual St. Patrick's Day community cleanup on March 16. Together, in a few hours volunteers removed 837 pounds of litter from downtown Mission.

Th anks go to Mission Adopt-A-Block Society execu- tive director Kristin Parsons; the entire board of directors, including chair Cindy Kelly and vice-chair Doyle Clift on; downtown businesses; and importantly, all the many community volunteers of the Adopt-A-Block program. Th anks to all of them for being a great example of com- munity pride by cleaning up litter on our public walk- ways, curbs, green spaces, parks and trails. Th ey are a benefi t to all of the citizens of Mission by making our community a cleaner and healthier place to live. NANAIMO RECYCLING EXCHANGE D.

Routley: I am rising to speak of a lovely institution in Nanaimo called the Nanaimo Recycling Exchange. A timely idea in 1990, businessman and activist Jim Sloan approached his friend Bob Boxwell, a longtime conserv- ationist and former Nanaimo city administrator, about creating a new recycling depot. Th ere were many voids in recycling programs of the day, and this new enterprise would fi ll many over its time.

An ideal location was secured, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee provided initial fi nancial support, and in September 1990, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee Recycling Depot opened for business. Soon the city of Nanaimo committed core funding of $10,000 per month. A year later it became known as the Hub City Recycling Society, and fi nally, the name has been changed to Nanaimo Recycling Exchange Society, now simply referred to aff ectionately as the NRE. We live in a consumer society that creates incredible amounts of waste through unnecessary packaging and so many other sources.

More gold today is accumulated through recycling and reuse than all mining on earth. So the recycling industry itself is an essential service to all of our communities. [1400] Th e NRE operates a community market where the thrift store sells goods that are recovered from the trash fl ow. Work experience is given to clients of the ministry of Housing and Social Development. Th ey accumulate, along with the city, lost and stolen bikes that are kept for a couple of weeks, at which point they're sold back into the community.

Th ey have extensive education programs, helping children in schools develop programs of their own. Th ey do workshops on zero-waste composting, cli- mate change and water quality protection for local com- munity groups. Th e NRE is an essential community-based service with its fi nger on the pulse, and we need to support it. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF MILL EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS A. Dix: On January 10, 2014, victims and families of the Babine Forest Products fi re and explosion were in a meeting with Crown counsel at the Heritage Hall in Burns Lake.

Th e purpose of the meeting was for Crown counsel to explain why no charges would be laid against the mill's owner for a tragedy that killed two workers and injured 19 others. Unbeknownst to the families, offi cials from WorkSafe were upstairs in the hall, listening in to the conversation. Th ey would later come downstairs aft er the meeting with the Crown was over and give an alternate view, a contra- dictory view, to the families on that day, essentially blam- ing the Crown.

My question is either to the Minister of Labour or the Minister of Justice, because one set of these offi cials re- ports to one and one set reports to the other. Can either of them explain why the families and workers were treated so shabbily on that day?

British Columbia Debates2854 Monday, April 7, 2014 Hon. S. Bond: What took place on that day was an eff ort, certainly, to inform families about what had oc- curred in terms of the decision of Crown counsel not to pursue charges. I'm not aware of the specifi c details of who was in what room and who said what specifi cally.

I can assure the member opposite that from the mo- ment that the decision not to pursue charges was made, the Premier took specifi c actions to follow up, to involve the senior public servant, a highly regarded public ser- vant, to follow up, set the fact pattern and ensure that there were recommendations that would ensure that changes would take place, not only at WorkSafe but also with the relationship with Crown. Th at work is under- way, and we expect all of those recommendations to be implemented. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A.

Dix: Th e minister surely can't be unaware of what happened on that day, because WorkSafe produced a press release saying precisely what they did, which con- tradicted what the Crown had done in its press release. Th e families had to deal with this circumstance in Burns Lake. Th ey had to deal with the government agencies, one reporting to that minister and one reporting to that min- ister. Th ey had to deal with them saying contradictory things on that day. Surely, I think, that's completely un- acceptable, and it shows the preference of the govern- ment for spin over substance in this matter.

Now there's going to be a decision made in the com- ing days about Lakeland. Can the Minister of Labour or the Minister of Justice give us the assurance that we will not see a repetition of this shabby treatment for Lakeland workers? Hon. S. Bond: It is very diffi cult in the House when the Leader of the Opposition stands up day aft er day aft er day and makes commentary and makes comments about the fact that people either in this House, people in- volved in the investigations or the people who responded to the investigations don't care about families in this cir- cumstance. He is absolutely wrong.

Th ere isn't a person, no matter what the outcomes were — not a single person — that doesn't feel absolutely horrifi c about what happened to those families in those communities and in those cir- cumstances. [1405] I can tell the Leader of the Opposition that the most productive thing we can do at this point in time is work tirelessly looking at every single initiative we can think of, working constructively with forestry companies in British Columbia, working with WorkSafe and work- ing with Crown, to make sure the most important leg- acy we leave is that this does not happen again in British Columbia.

Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A. Dix: Well, what matters is not how we feel but how we act. What's required here — in a case where there are signifi cant fundamental questions left unanswered, where families have been betrayed by their government in their quest for justice — is a full public inquiry into this explosion and fi re. Th at is what's required here.

Th e minister may think that it's just one of those things that offi cials of their government were sent to Burns Lake to spin two diff erent sets of facts to the families who are suff ering the shock of fi nding out that no charges would be laid. But what I want, and I think what people at Lakeland want and what people in Prince George and Burns Lake want is an assurance from the minister that this kind of behaviour won't be repeated this month. Hon. S.

Bond: If the member opposite is suggesting for one moment that ministers of the Crown intervene and give direction to independent authorities in British Columbia…. Th at is not what happened, that is not what should happen, and any commentary of that nature is completely inappropriate. What we did was act. From the moment that the ex- plosions took place, phase 1 of the investigations took place. Th e RCMP investigated. WorkSafe investigated. Th ere has been a three-phase inspection process. In fact, today the fourth phase of inspection starts.

We are go- ing to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the leg- acy we leave for this horrifi c tragedy is one that shows that we did take action. In addition to that, there is a coroner's inquest, and that inquest, in the words of the coroner herself, assures us that that is the appropriate mechanism for ensuring that all of the details will be discussed and made public. I can assure the member opposite that every single person in this House….

Well, the member opposite can roll his eyes all he wishes and question the integrity of people who are doing their best to ensure that families have some legacy, making sure that employees in British Columbia can go to their mill and feel safe. Th at's why we're working aggressively, and that's why we'll continue to look for every opportunity to fi nd ways to ensure that mills are safer in our province. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TO FORMER LOTTERY CORPORATION CEO S. Simpson: Michael Graydon submitted his resig- nation as the CEO of the B.C.

Lottery Corporation and one week aft er leaving government went to work for a Paragon subsidiary to head up the new proposed casino in Vancouver.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2855 Th e Finance Minister will know that government and Crown corporation employees don't usually receive sev- erance when they resign their positions. For example, Dana Hayden received no severance when she recently resigned as the CEO of the B.C. Pavilion Corporation. However, Mr. Graydon walked away with almost $86,000 in severance and bonuses. We know from documents the opposition has received that the Finance Minister signed off on this deal. Can the minister explain why Mr.

Graydon received such a deal from the government aft er he quit to go to work for the proposed Vancouver casino? [1410] Hon. M. de Jong: Thanks to the member for the question. He will know from our previously having canvassed this issue in the chamber and the circum- stances surrounding Mr. Graydon's departure that there are guidelines in place, guidelines that relate both to an individual's entitlements at the time of departure and guidelines regarding the nature of the behaviour and the ongoing fi duciary responsibility that continues between the individual and, in this case, his former employer.

I am advised that Mr. Graydon has complied. I am ad- vised that those guidelines were abided by in all instances. With respect to the specifi c question about the amount involved, I'm happy to reconfi rm that and report back to the member. S. Simpson: We know, and as the Minister of Transportation told me in estimates the other day when speaking of Ms. Hayden, that the policy of the govern- ment is if you resign your position, you don't get sever- ance, and that was the situation with Ms. Hayden.

A February 6 e-mail from the vice-president of human resources at the Lottery Corporation to the Public Sector Employers Council states: "Attached is a copy of the re- lease, which outlines the conditions of his departure as you requested. Th is was agreed between our chair and the minister, and I understand he has a copy." Th is gave Mr. Graydon two months of salary, about $50,000, and a bonus of more than $35,000 — all of this when the minister knew full well that Mr. Graydon would be starting his new job a week later. It's shocking enough that Mr.

Graydon has essentially no cooling-off period before going to work for this company that he was intimately involved with as the president of the Lottery Corporation, but you have given him $86,000 to boot. Again, why did the minister sign off on this sweetheart deal for Mr. Graydon? Hon. M. de Jong: Th e member should be cautious about presuming what I may have known or not known about Mr. Graydon's future intentions. What we cer- tainly were aware of was that the former president of the Lottery Corporation, Mr.

Graydon, indicated his inten- tion to leave, reported that to the board of the Lottery Corporation, the board chair. Th e details of his departure were fi nalized. Th ey in- cluded a fi nancial component which, I have indicated to the member, I'm happy to obtain further information on, on behalf of the member and report back to him. Th ere were details relating to his departure and his ongoing re- sponsibility pursuant to the fi duciary responsibility he owed to the corporation itself.

If the member has an allegation he wishes to make that guidelines weren't complied with and that some- how proper processes weren't followed, then he should make it. But right now, the information I have and have conveyed to the House is that proper guidelines were followed. K. Corrigan: Th e minister just made the statement that we shouldn't make assumptions about what the minister knew, but we have a copy of an e-mail to Tom Vincent of PSEC which says: "Tom, attached is a copy of the release which outlines the conditions of his departure as you requested.

Th is was agreed between our chair and the minister, and I understand he has a copy." So the min- ister should know about this. Th is sweetheart severance deal for Mr. Graydon aft er he quit gets even more outrageous. Even though he didn't complete the full year's worth of work, the Finance Minister agreed to give him 100 percent of his holdback bonus, and it doesn't end there. The almost $36,000 bonus was 75 percent more than the bonus Mr. Graydon received the previous year. [1415] British Columbians are on the hook for an $86,000 severance package for Mr.

Graydon, who quit and im- mediately started working for a private gaming and resort corporation that owns and is planning on redeveloping the Edgewater Casino, a corporation that is directly go- ing to have to be working with B.C. Lottery Corporation. Again to the Minister of Finance, who agreed to this deal: why are British Columbians, many of whom are struggling to meet their monthly payments, paying so much for Mr. Graydon aft er he quit? Hon.

M. de Jong: Th e member and the members op- posite may know that we have paid particular attention over the past number of years to developing and refi ning an executive compensation regime. Interjections. Hon. M. de Jong: Well, what I detect is a reaction of satisfaction that we've actually managed to reduce execu- tive compensation. Parenthetically, Madame Speaker, I thought I should announce to members, so they don't read about it in the media, that members of the cabinet are actually getting

British Columbia Debates2856 Monday, April 7, 2014 a pay raise this year, speaking of executive compensa- tion. Th at 10 percent holdback that we haven't got for four years, now that the budget is balanced, ministers are receiving. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Order. Members will come to order. Hon. M. de Jong: Th ere is a strict set of guidelines in place. Th e departing CEO reported to the chair. An arrangement was arrived at that fi t within those guide- lines, as required under the guidelines. It was negoti- ated between Mr. Graydon and the board at the B.C. Lottery Corporation, and the B.C.

Lottery Corporation continues to do good work on behalf of the citizens of British Columbia. Madame Speaker: Burnaby-Deer Lake on a supple- mental. K. Corrigan: In a January 30 e-mail sent to the vice- president of human resources, Mr. Graydon outlines the total package he negotiated and the minister agreed to. "Two months' pay, holdback being paid and vacation re- serve paid out, which I believe is about 32 days. Also, as requested, my laptop, phone and iPad." Usually when someone quits, they don't get any sev- erance package whatsoever, let alone $86,000 worth plus a laptop, plus a phone and an iPad.

Can the Minister of Finance please explain why he agreed to such an outland- ish deal for Mr. Graydon? Hon. M. de Jong: Again, I will repeat what I said ear- lier. Interjections. Hon. M. de Jong: I hadn't expected to hear members on that side of the House talk about poverty and pro- tecting people engaged in poverty. I'll repeat, because apparently the hon. member didn't hear or chose not to hear, that there are guidelines in place that govern this, as well as a contract that guid- ed Mr. Graydon's relationship with the B.C.

Lottery Corporation. [1420] I am advised that in certain circumstances, though not frequently, when an executive member leaves the employ, a personal electronic device will follow them, although it is wiped clear of any data that is the property of the cor- poration — in this case, the B.C. Lottery Corporation. Th at's what took place here, again to conform with the guidelines that are in place. GRACE ISLET DEVELOPMENT AND FIRST NATIONS CONCERNS G. Holman: Grace Islet, off Saltspring Island, has long been documented as a burial island and a sacred site for south Island First Nations.

Two years ago the owners of Grace Islet began preparing the site for construction. Despite the fact it was required by law, the owner did this without archaeological and First Nations' monitoring. Th e Penelakut First Nation lodged a complaint with the archaeology branch and then with the RCMP . Charges were never laid, and First Nations' concerns have not been addressed. To the minister: will he commit to working with First Nations and ensuring that Grace Islet is protected? Hon. S. Th omson: I thank the member opposite for the question. Th is situation is one that has had extensive review.

It is one that has had the archaeological process and permits reviewed and issued in order to protect the archaeological values of that property. All of that pro- cess was undertaken and reviewed, and the development and the process is consistent with the application of the archaeological and the Heritage Conservation Act. Th e permits and the process that's in place were followed by both the developer and the archaeological branch. Madame Speaker: Saanich North and the Islands on a supplemental. G. Holman: If this was a cemetery, we wouldn't be talking about permits to build a house on it.

Grace Islet is a First Nations burial ground. Our current legislation is supposed to protect these sites, but it's clear that polit- ical will is needed to make these laws eff ective. Will the minister halt the development on Grace Islet, work with First Nations communities and with the Saltspring com- munity to resolve this issue? Hon. S. Th omson: Th is government is committed to the protection of First Nations heritage resources. Th at's the provisions under the Heritage Conservation Act, in this case and in many other cases. We have followed the process.

Th e permits were reviewed by the archaeological branch. Permits were issued to allow development to pro- ceed, but they were issued in a way that ensured the pro- tection of the First Nations heritage resources on that site. ROLE OF B.C. LIBERAL PARTY OFFICIAL IN ONTARIO GOVERNMENT BREACH OF TRUST INVESTIGATION B. Ralston: My question is to the Justice Minister. As B.C.'s top law enforcement offi cer, will she advise the Premier to ask B.C. Liberal Party executive director Laura Miller to cooperate fully with those police offi cers investi-

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2857 gating the Ontario Liberal Party breach of trust scandal? Hon. S. Anton: Th is question relates to an Ontario in- vestigation. As the Attorney General of British Columbia, I'm not going to be answering questions about an Ontario investigation. In fact, I'm even dubious that the question has any relevance to this House at all. This side of the House was elected to balance our budget, grow our economy, create jobs in British Columbia.

Th e other side of the House has so few ques- tions that they wish to draw an Ontario political debate into the chamber of this House to which it has no rel- evance whatsoever. [1425] Madame Speaker: Members, questions are not part of ministerial responsibility, and I would caution you as you go forward. B. Ralston: In that case, then, I'll defer my question. PROTECTION OF FARMLAND AND AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE N.

Simons: Two farmers from the Kootenays, Erin Harris, a dairy farmer, and Oliver Egan, who grows vege- tables and fruits at his Edible Acres farm, stood on the steps of the Legislature this morning with a clear mes- sage: government should keep its hands off the agricul- tural land reserve. Th ey showed that they can grow much more than just hay, as the minister stated. My question is to the Minister Responsible for Core Review: will he listen and heed the advice of these Kootenay farmers? Hon. S.

Th omson: I'm going to be careful in my re- sponse here and maybe seek guidance, to start, because I think the member opposite's question was specifi cally related to legislation that is before the House, and the member opposite knows that that legislation is before the House. So I seek your guidance in terms of responding specifi cally, because it was in relation to the Agricultural Land Commission, agricultural land reserve, and chan- ges to that, which are before the House. Madame Speaker: As members are aware, only a gen- eral substance matter can be discussed, not the contents of a bill.

I would caution the member. N. Simons: I appreciate it, Madame Speaker. Maybe that's the answer about the ALC legislation, but aff ord- able agricultural land in British Columbia is critically important to young farmers like Erin and Oliver. If it's opened up for development, it'll become unaff ordable. Will the minister responsible listen to farmers and to 85 percent of the population of this province and make sure we protect our agricultural land? Hon. S. Th omson: Again, that's exactly what we're do- ing with the changes.

I have to be careful again, because I've just made the comments about responding directly to legislation, so I'll have to be careful. What's important to recognize is that there is more land in the ALR today than there was in 1974. Between 2001 and 2007 over 48,000 hectares were added to the ALR. Approximately 8,000 hectares were approved for exclusion. In the 1990s the members opposite removed over 20,000 hectares from the ALR. B.C. AMBULANCE SERVICE CHANGES TO CALL CLASSIFICATIONS J. Darcy: Last fall the B.C. Ambulance Service insti- tuted major changes to the way it responds to 911 calls.

Under this new plan, 30 percent of calls that were pre- viously classifi ed as code 3, emergency dispatch, and re- sponded to by ambulance paramedics with lights and sirens were downgraded to "routine" dispatch. Th ese downloaded calls include convulsions, second-trimester hemorrhage and electrocution by lightning. Th ese sweeping changes were made without consulting with paramedics, with fi refi ghters or municipal leaders, all of whom have expressed grave concern that this re- duction in emergency services is putting patients' safety at risk. Will the Minister of Health tell the directors of the B.C.

Ambulance Service to put this plan on hold and carry out the kind of consultation that should have been carried out before this plan was put into place, not aft er? [1430] Hon. T. Lake: No, I will not do that, because what this is doing is making sure the right resources are available to the right patient at the right time. Th at is what this is about. These changes have resulted in B.C. Ambulance Service responding faster to those urgent cases where people's lives are at risk.

Th is is the right thing to do, for a number of diff erent reasons, providing the best level of service to B.C. patients and also to protect the public and also the paramedics. A newspaper story on the very same day talked about the resource allocation plan and the concern about the reclassifi cation of calls. A second story on the same page of that newspaper talked about a $1 million award be- cause a lady had been T-boned by a police cruiser run- ning through an intersection, with lights and sirens. Th is is about the right resources to the right person at the right time.

We will continue to provide that excellent level of service to the people of British Columbia. [End of question period.]

British Columbia Debates2858 Monday, April 7, 2014 Petitions N. Simons: I have a petition from close to 100 farm- ers asking that the agricultural land reserve be respected and the commission be strengthened. Michelle Stilwell: I request leave of the House. Leave granted. Introductions by Members Michelle Stilwell: I'd like to introduce a new con- stituent of mine, Candace Wu. She has recently moved to Parksville-Qualicum as a reporter for the Parksville- Qualicum News . I would ask that the House make her feel welcome. Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: In Committee A, the Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the estimates of the Ministry of Natural Gas Development with respon- sibility for Housing. In this chamber second reading of Bill 20, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. [D. Horne in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 20 — LOCAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN FINANCING ACT Hon. C. Oakes: I'm pleased to move that the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act be read for the second time now. Th e legislation modernizes campaign fi nance rules for local government elections. The great work of….

People who diligently work in local governments throughout British Columbia know that the rules gov- erning local elections need to be renewed, and our gov- ernment agrees. Th e system needs modernization. [1435] Th at is why we worked together with the local govern- ments through the joint B.C.–Union of British Columbia Municipalities Local Government Elections Task Force to come up with these recommendations needed to make changes people want and people need. I want to thank everyone associated with this tremendous work, which has been moving forward since 2009, when the task force was fi rst convened.

I want to recognize the co-chairs of the Local Government Elections Task Force, Harry Nyce, former president of UBCM, and his co-chair, who is a mem- ber of this House, the member for Kootenay East. I also want to recognize the members for Cariboo-Chilcotin and Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, who also served on this task force. Th e task force work has benefi ted from the dedication and knowledge of some great local government leaders here in British Columbia.

I want to recognize Barbara Steele, councillor with the city of Surrey; Mary Sjostrom, mayor of the city of Quesnel; and Robert Hobson, coun- cillor for the city of Kelowna and chair of the regional district of Central Okanagan, for their great service to this task force. Specifi cally, the proposed legislation will require all election advertising to identify sponsorship information. It will authorize Elections British Columbia to play a new, key role in local government elections, enforcing compli- ance with campaign fi nance rules.

It will require third- party advertisers to register with Elections B.C. before sponsoring third-party advertising. Th is legislation will also require that campaign fi nance disclosure statements be fi led with Elections B.C. within 90 days following the election instead of 120 days. Th is legislation will authorize Elections B.C. to post on line all candidate electoral organizations and third- party advertiser disclosure statements. What this means is that citizens in British Columbia will now be empow- ered when they go to vote. Th ey will know who is fund- ing the candidates.

Th ey will know where that money is coming from. Th ey'll know how much is being spent on candidates, where the money is come from and how it'll be utilized. The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Elections B.C. and other key stakehold- ers involved in the administration of local elections will provide ongoing education and advice to help all elec- tion participants learn the new rules about campaign fi nance. Th is legislation will help bring greater transpar- ency and accountability to local government elections. It will strengthen compliance with new campaign fi nance rules.

It will establish a more formal process to guide edu- cational resources to help candidates, electoral organiza- tions and citizens to understand these new rules. Changes to local elections captured by this legislation are based on recommendations of the joint B.C. govern- ment–Union of British Columbia Municipalities Local Government Elections Task Force. Updating campaign fi nance rules in local elections is something that will benefi t all British Columbians. Democracy must be transparent and fair. Th e rules have to keep up to people's expectations.

Th is legislation will help local democracy remain a vital part of successful communities in British Columbia. Modernizing British Columbia's local elections is a goal I'm sure we can all agree on. I ask that all members lend their support to this piece of legislation. S. Robinson: I agree that this has been a tremendous body of work. Th e minister did a great job of thanking those who were involved in the initial task force back

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2859 in 2010. Th ey certainly did work hard and made sure to bring forward some recommendations as they con- sulted widely. [1440] Th is piece of legislation impacts all local governments, school boards, Islands Trust, regional districts and parks boards throughout the entire province. Everyone living in British Columbia will be impacted by these legisla- tive changes.

It does some really great things in terms of making local government elections accessible, making them accountable and, certainly, transparent: tightening up campaign accounting; taking the Wild West of third- party election advertising and developing rules for sponsorship contribution and advertising; registering third-party sponsors; legislation for, as said, voting adver- tising; developing a substantial role for Elections B.C. for managing this Wild West of local government campaigns that include public access to disclosure information and enforcement powers when penalties for failure to comply to disclosure requirements appear.

Th is is all good stuff . I also want to acknowledge that government had the good sense to stand up to pressure to give business the vote. I know that there was some substantial pressure, and government understood that that would not be ac- ceptable to the electorate. Th ese are all good things that will make our local government elections work better and address issues related to transparency, compliance and enforcement. I do, however, have some concerns with this piece of legislation, so I want to focus my time here in the House to speak to the timing of this legislation and what's not here in this bill.

Given that it was announced back on October 2, 2009…. The Premier at the time, Gordon Campbell, announced the creation of a joint task force to make recommendations to update this legislation. I was at that UBCM, and it was actually a very welcomed piece, a very welcomed announcement. Th is task force, with members from UBCM and the government, considered a range of election topics.

I would be remiss if I didn't note that not a single member of the offi cial opposition was appointed to this task force, implying somehow that nobody on this side of the House would have anything of value to off er, which is a bit of a shock because, really, this would be a non- partisan issue. But clearly, that wasn't the thinking of the day. I hope it is diff erent today.

Th e task force was instructed to consider campaign fi nance and tax credits, contribution and spending dis- closure and limits, enforcement processes and outcomes, the role of the Chief Electoral Offi cer in local govern- ment elections, the election cycle, the corporate vote and other agreed-upon matters — matters that were raised by UBCM resolution, such as candidate eligibility of volun- teers.

What was also interesting about this was that gov- ernment and the UBCM had to report by May 30, 2010, with the goal of making recommendations for legislative changes that would be introduced in the Legislature be- fore the 2011 general local elections. Th e work seemed to progress nicely — at fi rst. A back- grounder was produced in January 2010, and the fi nal re- port was delivered on May 28, 2010, just a couple of days before the deadline.

Th e task group noted in the report, from the letter from the minister of the day and the president, Harry Nyce, of the UBCM: "Th e vast majority of local elections are ef- fectively administered.

Th ese recommendations focus on the areas where the task force found gaps — namely, campaign fi nance rules." The recommendations included imposing expense limits on local elections campaign participants, requir- ing registration and disclosure by third-party advertisers, requiring sponsorship information on all election adver- tising, making campaign fi nance disclosure statements available earlier and in an electronically searchable form, establishing a key role for Elections B.C. in enforcement of campaign fi nance rules, and enacting a separate act for campaign fi nance rules.

It was reiterated in the May 2010 report that the goal was to bring in these changes before the 2011 general lo- cal elections, and it noted: "Legislation must be developed for consideration by the Legislature at the earliest reason- able opportunity" — and then in brackets — "which is ex- pected to be in the year of the next general local elections." The input to this task force was pretty significant.

According to the report, there were over 10,000 indica- tions of opinion, which I thought was a very interest- ing way to describe it, but I understand that to mean Facebook members, posts, campaign signatures and e- mails. Th ese were all received by the task force. [1445] Th ere were 920 written submissions — 802 from in- dividuals, 58 from local governments and 60 from organizations.

Four organized campaigns provided fur- ther indications of opinion of the task force: 972 "Local Campaign Finance Reform Needed Now" e-mails argued for contribution and expense limits, and 89 "choice of voting system should be a top priority" e-mails argued for voting system reform and other accountability meas- ures. Th ere were 2,354 people who joined a Facebook group against the corporate vote, and the CFIB submit- ted a petition signed by over 6,000 people in favour of the corporate vote.

Clearly, there was a lot of work and a lot of consulta- tion that went into this, with the intention of certainly bringing this to fruition for the 2011 local government elections. One of the key recommendations that also was brought forward by this task group, which did, I think, an out- standing job…. Th is task group really left no stone un- turned. Th e fact that they even considered Facebook postings and Facebook membership I think really speaks

British Columbia Debates2860 Monday, April 7, 2014 to the fact that they embraced the technology and em- braced whatever communications came their way and made the best recommendations possible — 31 recom- mendations in all. One key recommendation was for the task force to consider expense limits. Th e rationale provided by the task force was that this would increase accessibility.

"Th e task force believes that expense limits would increase access- ibility and fairness by levelling the playing fi eld among candidates, encouraging candidate participation, and reduce the need for large contributions to fund expensive campaigns. Expense limits are ex- pected to be more eff ective than contribution limits in promoting accessibility.

Unlike contribution limits, expense limits reduce the need for large contributions, yet they do not limit the democratic discourse and the variety of voices that can be heard in an election." With all of this there was certainly some clarity that ex- pense limits needed to be part of any election reform that was going to come forward. Th ese limits that were set up by the task force could surely have been set by now. It's been four years since we've seen this come forward. Th e focus at the time, I'd like to remind the Speaker, was get- ting ready for the 2011 local elections, which were three years ago.

Lo and behold, nine months aft er these recom- mendations came forward there was a press release that came from the government. On April 21, 2011, the prov- ince announced that it would proceed with implementing these changes for the 2014 local elections rather than the 2011 local elections. What was the rationale? We have to ask ourselves…. All this work had gone into this. We'd had over 10,000 submissions, 10,000 pieces of feedback. People volun- teered their time, these folks who were on the task force. I'm assuming they didn't get paid extra. Th ey volunteered their time.

They went through all these submissions. Th ey met, I would imagine, a number of times, and they mulled over all this information. Th ey came forward with a set of recommendations, and lo and behold, govern- ment decides to put the brakes on it. Now, we're just six months before the local elec- tions for 2011. Everything's been going along tickety- boo, and we fi nd out that no, we're not quite ready. Th e rationale….

Th is is from the government's own website: "Implementing the task force's recommendations for the 2014 local elections rather than the 2011 elections will give all election participants a fair opportunity to under- stand and follow the new rules when they are introduced." Certainly government recognized with six months to go that it would be really hard for election participants to have a fair opportunity to understand these new rules that were going to be governing these new rules.

Th ey would have a hard time getting up to speed. [1450] Th e website goes on to say that they recognize that "the recommendations constitute the most signifi cant chan- ges to local elections legislation in nearly two decades." What it says there is that things have been operating for 20 years with these sorts of rules and that with six months to go before an election, it would just be too much to ex- pect people to get with the new rules, get a fi rm under- standing and conduct themselves accordingly.

The third bullet point notes that waiting to 2014 "should help avoid confusion among election partici- pants about which rules apply in 2011 and the inadver- tent errors that could result." So there was clearly some understanding that there would certainly be some chal- lenges, that people would make errors, that given the short timeline, it would be quite diffi cult to get every- body up to speed.

Th e fourth bullet point notes that by waiting to 2014, we will "ensure that details of the most signifi cant chan- ges — such as expense limits and the rules related to such limits — can be more fully considered before they take eff ect." When I read this, it really strongly suggests that in 2011 government had developed some expense limits. Th ey actually had a plan.

Th ere was some concern that with- out having enough time to educate and inform the can- didates and the sitting politicians who would be looking to get re-elected, without having enough time to fi ll them in on all these changes, there would be some errors made, and government didn't want that. Given that there were only six months to go, the decision was to delay. I do have a question that I hope at some point the minister would be able to answer.

What the heck has their government been doing since July 7, 2010, until these bills were tabled a few weeks ago, 3½ years later after these important fairness and level-playing-field values that governed all of this, that moved this whole piece of legislation forward…? We still don't have the expense limits. It would seem that this work just simply fell off the table. It would appear that with the April 21, 2011, an- nouncement that the changes wouldn't be coming in time for the 2011 elections, all work on these very important changes just ceased.

If these changes were truly import- ant to this government, there would have been an eff ort to introduce these changes in the intervening years. We're not talking about a couple of months. Th is hasn't been a delay of months. Th is has been a delay of years. Once again, here we are, six months before an election, and government is introducing legislation that has huge implications, legislation that is good. I don't want to say that these ideas aren't good. But what happens, again, in terms of making sure that all election participants have a fair opportunity to understand and follow the new rules?

What happened to the recognition that these recommen- dations constitute the most signifi cant changes in near- ly two decades? What happened to the concern about avoiding confusion among election participants about which rules would apply? What happened to ensuring that details of the most signifi cant changes, including ex- pense limits and the rules that relate to such limits, can be fully considered?

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2861 Well, one of the things that certainly happened is that it would appear that back in 2011 the current Minister of Energy and Mines, who had some responsibility for this portfolio back then, was sitting as an independent at the time. He even noted, "Everything seems to be on hold within government for the last few months" when he was asked about what was happening with this legislation. He noted that the changes will improve the integrity of local elections, and it has to do with transparency and ac- countability of people who go into local government.

But clearly, he even saw that all work on this project seemed to cease from the government. So here we are, six months before another local elec- tion, and this government is only tabling this legislation now. Th ree years have passed, and in those intervening years the most pressing recommendation — the one ask- ing for expense limits — isn't here. It's not what's in here that I have a problem with. What's in here is actually pretty good. It's what's not in here that's a problem. [1455] From an accountability perspective, I want to know what this government has been doing for three years with this fi le.

It would appear that they've been doing nothing. Th ey are seeking greater accountability from local gov- ernments but are not being accountable to the promises that they made to local government in 2010. Th at's very disappointing. Because this government dropped the ball, we will go through an intense period of bringing candidates for school districts, park boards, municipal offi ces, regional districts, Islands Trust…. We're going to be working to bring them up to speed very quickly on a whole host of changes — changes where they could make an inadver- tent error and suff er consequences for that.

A signifi cant outreach eff ort will have to be made to get those already on the campaign trail up to speed. I worry for those who are not yet elected to offi ce. Th ose are the folks who might be a coach of a local baseball club, or they might be busy taking their kids to the hockey rink and talking to their neighbours and fi nding out that there are some issues, and they should be stepping up and run- ning locally. How is this government going to reach out to these people in the next couple of months and make sure that they understand all of these changes?

I don't worry so much for those who are already elect- ed. Th ere are easy avenues to access those people and make sure that they are fully aware of the changes. It's the regular folk who are not yet tuned in to all of these chan- ges, who don't even know how to open up an account, don't yet know even that they need to have a way to track all of their donations. Th ese are the folks that I worry for. Th e other thing I think it's important to note, in terms of what's missing from this bill, is that we're going to con- tinue to see outrageous spending in some communities like Vancouver. It will continue unabated.

Furthermore, there's nothing here that bans union or corporate do- nations — something that would go a long way to lim- it campaign spending and would make local elections more accessible. In 2008 all candidates and parties in Vancouver alone spent $4.5 million, and in 2011 that went up to $5.3 mil- lion. Th is has to stop. Th is government said it would stop in 2010 when it brought forward all those recom- mendations. People were hopeful. Th e electorate was hopeful that this government was going to step in and stop that ridicu- lous, outrageous amount of spending, making our local elections accessible.

Th ey were promised it was going to happen in 2011, and it didn't happen. Th ere was a belief that it would happen for 2014, and it didn't happen. How disappointing. How unaccountable. How could anyone compete with the thousands of dollars that get spent in some communities? Even in my own smaller community of Coquitlam, where 120,000 people live, they are spending more than $50,000 for some municipal seats. I'm just talking local councillors — $50,000 or more. It's way worse in Vancouver, but it's still something that…. Regular folks just don't have ac- cess to those resources. What's the impact of that?

Th e impact is that they don't get to participate. It's not a fair, level playing fi eld. Th at was supposed to be part of this bill, and it's missing. While this bill increases accountability, enhances transparency, strengthens compliance and enforcement, and even expands education and information — al- though I'm a little bit worried about how it will do that in the next six months — it utterly fails on increasing ac- cessibility for the most accessible level of government for many communities. D. Barnett: It is indeed an honour for me to stand here today and support this bill.

I had the privilege with your- self, Mr. Speaker, and others, to be on the task force, to work with local governments and put together this legis- lation — not in this form, but to put together the infor- mation that has been brought forward to the minister to move forward with changes to

an act that is 20 years old. I fi nd it very interesting listening to the comments from my colleague across the fl oor. Normally what I hear from across the fl oor is: "Y ou didn't do enough consulta- tion." Now I hear: "Y ou took too long." So I'm a little bit confused, but I guess we'll move forward. [1500] Th ere was much consultation put into this. We worked very closely with local governments. I come from local government. I had many, many years of experience in lo- cal government and in elections at the local government level, and to me, it's not about money. It's about being a candidate.

It's about your connection to your community, your connection to the people that elect you. Th e last election I ran in locally…. I spent a little more at the provincial level, but I spent $800. I think that was

British Columbia Debates2862 Monday, April 7, 2014 the year that I spent the most, and that was my sixth elec- tion. It's about you going out and connecting with your community, and it's not always about money. I feel that in a system, if people choose to spend money, that is their prerogative, as long as it's registered, recorded and we know who is supporting these candidates. Y ou know, the NDP , my colleagues across the fl oor, have said that there was no participation from them in the task force. Well, there was. Opposition members were invited to give presentations to the task force, and they did.

Th e opposition leader presented. I have a letter here from the opposition leader at the time, and she thanked us very much for the…. Interjection. D. Barnett: Local elections are where the grass roots of politics start. Th ose that run in local elections, in my opinion — and there are many in this room who have in the past — do it for reasons that I hope we all come to this House for. We come to work on behalf of citizens. We come to listen. We come to promote. We come to pass legislation that is going to be in the interests of all.

Th ere is always more in a piece of legislation that we can do, and there is always much more that will bring us closer together in keeping discussions open if we do things in a proper manner. "Th ank you very much for the opportunity to address the Local Government Elections Task Force. Th e work of this task force is critical to building public confi dence and promoting citizen en- gagement in a climate of low voter turnout and declining partici- pation in civic aff airs. It's imperative we take every opportunity to strengthen the connection between citizens and their democratic system.

Th at means being open and transparent and making an eff ort to engage the public in a discussion of the issues." It goes on. I commend the leader of the day for the work and the input that was given to us, the task force, from the opposition. I know the minister will be moving forward with other recommendations as time goes on. I know it is diffi cult and causes controversy from time to time, but it will be done with open, transparent consultation with local gov- ernments, who basically need to put much of the leader- ship into all this legislation. I'm not going to carry on any longer.

Th is is a great step forward. Th is is a great partnership with our local governments, and I know that there will be, in the future, many more days when we will have much discussion with our local governments and continue to improve elections acts in this province. L. Krog: Well, let's say something nice right off the bat. We're very grateful over here that the legislation has fi nal- ly been introduced, very grateful indeed. By my calcula- tion, it's only two periods of gestation for an elephant to get it from where it was three years ago to today — back to back, not concurrent but consecutive, gestations.

Now, I respect the fact that the bill is 101 sections long, so it's a fairly substantive piece of legislation. Lord knows that British Columbians who take an interest in munici- pal politics have been asking for it for a very long time. [1505] Gosh knows we have seen the millions and millions of dollars spent in campaigns in Vancouver over the last several municipal elections, where there has been a gen- eral public revulsion against a system that has no spend- ing limits whatsoever, that sees that kind of money spent on what was until recently regarded as part-time work, if you will, and public service.

So it's a good thing that this has fi nally come to fruition, that we have legislation in front of us. But this is Canada, and in most Canadian jurisdictions now we accept and understand that the power of money in campaigns is just that — it is power — and it needs to be circumscribed. It needs to have limits placed on it. It needs to be dealt with in a way that protects democracy. Y ou don't have to be very old in this province to re- member when we had a corporate vote, for heaven's sakes, where corporations got to vote in municipal elec- tions.

Now, I realize that may seem a very diffi cult con- cept for many members here — who are elected by living, breathing voters — but in fact that was the case. Th at was a great step forward, eliminating the corporate vote. Th at was regarded as progress. In most jurisdictions, putting campaign spending lim- its on what candidates can spend or electoral organiza- tions can spend is seen as a good thing. Th at's with the exception of the U.S.

Supreme Court, which is dominat- ed by Republicans — the same good people who denied Al Gore the White House and gave to it George Bush, the same good people who have decided that corpora- tions are people and that you can't limit their rights to free speech, as if a corporation had a right to free speech under the Constitution of the United States. Apart from the United States, there aren't a lot of jurisdictions that I'm aware of that don't accept and ex- pect that that would be one of the signal points of good legislation. It reminds me of when I was a kid in my fi rst real job.

I was working at the Chevron in Parksville. I was washing a car. I just didn't wash cars much, so I wasn't a very ex- perienced sort of guy. I remember that the owner of the Chevron took me aside. He did indicate to me politely, and he said: "Y ou know, a job worth doing is worth do- ing right." It's kind of a simple lesson. When you're a teenager, you don't pay much attention to anything in the world, but those words have stuck with me.

So when I see legislation come to this House, I can't help but think: "If you're going to do it, do it right." Would it have been so difficult to include the ban- ning of corporate and union donations or to place caps on spending in this legislation? I doubt it would have presented a singularly diffi cult hurdle for the legislative

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2863 draft ers to include that. We managed to create, as I say, a fairly signifi cant bill with 101 sections, very complex, dealing with all the complexities of municipal and local campaigns that will probably, in fairness and with due respect to the minis- ter, have a signifi cant impact on the number of people who will seek electoral offi ce, because they'll be terrifi ed by the amount of regulation. I'm not opposed to the regulation and the legislation.

I'm afraid, unfortunately, that unless you nail every loop- hole down, unless you cover it off , somebody is going to fi nd a way around it. So if you're going to do it, you have to do it right, and that requires a fairly signifi cant piece of legislation. Would it have been that much more prob- lematic to go the other step and bring it up to date with where the people are at? I mean, is the minister honestly suggesting inferential- ly that by not including a ban on corporate and union do- nations or including a cap on spending…?

Is the minister, by inference through this bill, telling British Columbians that she's hearing that people want the Wild West show every municipal election, that people get to donate as much as they want, that there are no limits here? Is that what the minister is suggesting? Honestly, if the minis- ter has heard that…. I realize she's had her chance in the second reading debate. She'll have an opportunity in committee stage to defend it. [1510] But I'd like to hear some of the Liberal members stand up and say their constituents are pounding their doors as we speak and saying: "Y ou know what?

We don't want campaign spending limits, and we love corporate and union donations to infl uence local government. We're solidly in support of that concept. Th at is what drives us. Th at is what inspires us." Now, I am being a little bit cheeky, just in case the members opposite hadn't noticed, just a little bit cheeky. But I would love it if some member over there could stand up and tell me that that's what their constituents want. Instead of taking the opportunity, given the three years….

Th ree long years, and even a provincial election in between, and we couldn't just go that extra step and do something that you could say was an unqualifi ed success, that the opposition wouldn't have to criticize, and we'd simply jam this thing through the Legislature quickly because we know it's a good thing. Th e government has had that opportunity, that very opportunity, and chosen not to. Y ou know, it's not like they haven't had requests from folks.

Vancouver city council, which represents the most signifi cant city in the province — indeed, has its own charter, as we all know — has asked on multiple occa- sions for an amendment to the Vancouver Charter to allow Vancouver council to set their own cap or ban on corporate and union donations. Th at request was sup- ported by the UBCM in 2013, brought to the government by a UBCM executive in October 2013. Why wouldn't you want to do that? What reasoning is there? Again I come back to the inference one must draw by the absence of the cap for the restrictions. Th e infer- ence is that the B.C.

Liberals like it when big money has a bigger voice in municipal and local elections. Th at's the only inference one can draw from this. Y ou can't tell me it's going to be more diffi cult to imple- ment the legislation. Y ou can't tell me it's going to make it harder on candidates. We have a bill with 101 sections that, yes, is going to make it diffi cult for local politicians seeking electoral offi ce. It is going to make it more diffi - cult. Th ere is no question about that, and no one will pre- tend that it's not going to make it more complex.

If you go from a system without rules to a system with rules, obviously, it becomes more diffi cult. But you do that because you want to achieve something, because there is a wrong that needs to be righted, because there is a problem that requires a remedy. If this is remedial legislation — and I would suggest that is exactly what it is — then why not include the obvious remedy — the remedy that's included in other jurisdictions, the remedy which exists in our national elections?

I mean, if it's good enough for Confederation, so to speak, if it's good enough for the Dominion of Canada, why isn't it good enough for Pouce Coupe or Hope or Nanaimo or Pitt River? Why isn't it good enough for them to have resort to the same kind of legislation that exists where we have recognized that we don't want money to have an undue infl uence on our democratic processes? My point is fairly simple, and the government, frankly, could surprise and shock all of us. It could go that extra step. It could actually make an amendment itself. It could seize the day — you know, carpe diem, just like the mov- ie.

Th e minister could introduce an amendment. I'm sure she has the authority, the support of her colleagues. Lord knows they've got the legislative draft ers there who are ready to do it. Do the right thing. Just go that extra step, and make this not just an improvement but an almost perfect improvement. Make it the kind of legislation that wouldn't face criticism from anyone. Make it the kind of legislation where the city of Vancouver could send a nice letter. Th e member who spoke earlier was talking about one of those nice let- ters. We love to quote nice letters in the House.

Gregor Robertson could send a nice letter to the minister, saying: "Th ank you for including amendments to the Vancouver Charter in this, and thank you for bringing in these kinds of limits. Th ank you for giving everyone the opportunity to do this, and thank you for imposing the kind of legis- lation that people will support." Th at would have been the right thing to do, because all we're really doing here is playing a little game of delay.

British Columbia Debates2864 Monday, April 7, 2014 I'm satisfi ed, in my own heart, that the minister knows it's the right thing. Th e opposition knows it's the right thing. Th e public certainly knows it's the right thing. [1515] When you have an off er of cooperation, when you have general public consensus on something, particu- larly around governance, particularly around elections, why would you turn down that opportunity? Why would you not work with the opposition to bring in legislation or amend the legislation that's before the House in such a way that everyone could support it without qualifi ca- tion?

Th ere'd be no need for any members to stand up in this chamber and criticize it because the government left out something that is major and important. Y ou know, I've just seen a release from the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods,which represents 22 resi- dents associations. Th ey've got two things to say, one about Bill 20 and one about Bill 21 — about Bill 20, the failure to cap spending, and Bill 21, the term limit being increased from three to four years. I'll deal with that in another speech at another time.

But when you have some of the most grassroots, demo- cratic organizations in a major centre — the people who represent their neighbourhoods, who take an interest in civic government — telling you that what you've done is not what they want, why would you turn it down? Y ou know, there's an old expression. What is it? Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come. Th e public is way ahead of the government on this issue, and it astonishes me why the government wouldn't want to do what the people want. If they don't do it, someday somebody will.

All that will happen is there'll be a debate in this place, and the people there will say, "Gosh, why didn't we do this a decade ago?" — or four years ago or eight years ago or whatever the case may be. Th e opportunity is there for the government. Th ey've heard from a couple of opposition members already. Th ey know where we stand; they know they'd have our sup- port. Let them do the right thing. Th ey have that oppor- tunity. Before this bill passes, make the amendment. Do the right thing.

Do the right thing for voters and British Columbians, and let's make municipal campaigns look as clean and sparkly as everyone would really, truly like them to be. Hon. P . Fassbender: I do stand in support of this legis- lation. I do so not just because it's being introduced by government, but because as a person who served many years in local government and sat on the UBCM execu- tive when the task force recommendations came for- ward, I'm patently aware of what was being asked of the government.

One of the things that is very clear to me, which UBCM clearly said to the minister and to this gov- ernment, is that they wanted a phased approach to this legislation. Th ey did not want to see campaign fi nancing done in a hurry. There are many issues around it that were raised around that table. I sat there as a member of the UBCM executive and was very clear that there was not consen- sus around the table or even in the province with all of the stakeholders on where this particular issue should go.

I fi nd it interesting that members opposite say that the public is in support of this and that stakeholders are in support of this, when in point of fact…. Th e fact is that there is no consensus. What they have asked for is to take a long and sober look at this so that whatever changes we introduce in legislation are changes that make sense and will be applicable.

What they did say is, "We want some consistency so that we have goalposts that we all understand — that the public understands, that all of the potential contributors to campaign fi nancing will understand — and that there is a robust education program that goes along with it so people who choose to run for local offi ce can do so in the full knowledge of what is allowed and what isn't allowed." As I rise to this, I think the issues that the minister spoke about….

I'm not going to talk about the detail of the legislation, because I think that is very obvious and has been spoken about by the minister and other speak- ers. But the issue of accountability is paramount in any- thing we do here. [1520] Local governments have asked for that accountability. Th ey want it to reside in this legislation, and it does. Th ey want transparency — transparency not only in terms of fi nancing but the entire process of local elections, so they feel comfortable, if they choose to stand up, that there is a framework that they understand that the electoral com- munity understands.

It is absolutely critical that there is equal accessibility to the offi ce in local communities. Whether it be school trustees or local governments, they are asking for that accessibility, and this legislation goes a long way. I think it's very important for the members opposite, who are standing up and criticizing this, that of the 31 recommendations that were made, all of them are being moved on. Th e fi nancing was the only one where UBCM clearly said to government: "Please do not move on this too quickly. We would like you to take a longer look. We need more consultation.

We need more time to be sure that when we agree to any recommendations, we've had the opportunity to look at that in depth." That's what they've asked for. The minister has re- sponded in this approach to give the UBCM and local governments throughout the province the opportun- ity to have that debate, to look at it in a fulsome way so whatever does come forward is manageable, is clear and meets all of the criteria. It is absolutely critical, as we move into campaign fi - nancing at local government level…. It is diff erent than provincial. It is diff erent than federal.

It needs to be sensi- tive to the diversity in this province and, as one of the

British Columbia DebatesMonday, April 7, 2014 2865 speakers on the other side of the House said, that every person has a chance, should they choose to want to serve their local community, can do so and feel comfortable in the process and know that they can have the support that they need. Th e education and advice that is going to be required for people who are thinking about moving into local government is absolutely critical as well.

When I look at this legislation and I look at its intent, I recognize clearly, as a member of a local government for many years and UBCM executive, that we need to move slowly on the fi - nance regulations. We need to take that time. We need to continue to consult. Under the new rules there are clear examples. I re- member one debate where there were questions about: if someone sends out a tweet, in this electronic age, is that part of campaign fi nancing? Is that part of third-party support? We went around the table for over an hour and a half on that one question alone.

Th e diversity of opinion of people who represent lo- cal governments at UBCM around the table was quite diverse, and the opinions were all over the map. At the end of it, everybody looked at each other and said: "Y ou know what? Let's not rush into this. Let's not move on something that we believe does not meet the reality of our communities and our province and the reality of the age we live in." I think this legislation absolutely is going to satisfy UBCM, local governments, potential candidates.

As we work together in the future to look at the campaign fi - nancing component of it, we are going to come up with the enhancements at the appropriate time and in the ap- propriate way. I've heard the comments from across the House. I'm not surprised that the members opposite, who don't even have policies on most things, want to stand up and criti- cize. But here the government listened to the local com- munities. Th ey listened to local elected offi cials. Th ey said: "We want to meet your needs.

We want to meet your recommendations." Th e task force that was put together did a lot of hard work, travelled throughout the province, listened to sub- missions. Every one of their recommendations, save the one that UBCM executive — and I'm repeating myself — asked us not to move on, is being moved on at this stage. [1525] If that isn't responding as a government to what we're being asked to do by those that we're in relationship with, and that is local governments, then I don't know what is. Y ou know, this is not a top-down process that we did. This is absolutely a bottom-up process.

We've heard from the people who are in this position, who have said to us: "Please help us. Th e current rules are confusing. We want them clarifi ed." We've done all of that, and we have looked at another recommendation, of course, on the anonymous contributions. We've responded to some of the feedback that came as a result of the draft docu- ments that went out from the minister, and she has met with them. She has responded, and the legislation refl ects that feedback as well.

I think that as we look at legislation in any form, if we have the kind of robust process that we did in this case and what we have been asked to do by their body that represents them, I can't think of a more clear example of government doing what it's elected to do, and that is to meet the needs of the people in the province and to respond with legislation that is both achievable and practical. Rather than going on and on about it, I believe…. I have talked to my former colleagues at UBCM. Th ey are delighted with this legislation. Th ey're happy that we're moving ahead.

Th ey want us to work together on any fu- ture enhancements to the legislation, and we will do that. Th e minister is committed to that, and we as a govern- ment are committed to that. I would ask the members opposite to take some so- ber refl ection on what they're saying about what's wrong with the legislation, because they are criticizing local gov- ernments, who have said to us that it meets their needs. S.

Chandra Herbert: Well, I've been listening with open ears to see the Liberals justify allowing one person to make a million-dollar donation to Vancouver council parties in support of the chosen political party he wants as just being allowing people to have their voice heard. "Oh, it's just about letting people have their voice heard. One person wants to donate a million dollars.

Well, no- body will listen more to that man than the man who do- nates a dollar, because this is just about letting people have their voices heard." Well, just as we have one vote, I don't think anybody could justify saying that unlimited local donations in this upcoming election — be they corporate, union, person- al — should have no problem. I don't understand that. Th at's not, to me, democracy. I think that's why in prov- incial elections and in federal elections we have campaign spending limits and we have campaign donation limits.

In the federal election process we actually have banned corporate and union donations. My council has been unanimous in making this re- quest again and again and again, and the Liberals, I guess, refuse again and again and again. Even the Attorney General on the Liberal side voted in support of banning corporate and union donations. She stood strongly and said that this must happen. Her party, the NPA, said that this must happen. Th ey were outraged, just as Vision Vancouver was outraged, COPE was outraged, the Green Party was outraged.

Th e citizens of Vancouver are the ones that were out- raged by this — to say that you could donate unlimited amounts of money, to say that corporations who the city has to do business with, the unions the city has to

British Columbia Debates2866 Monday, April 7, 2014 do business with, could donate just about whatever they wanted. As we heard, in one case one man decided to do- nate a million bucks. Th at was over a third of what the political party he donated to used in their campaign — one-third of the election budget donated by one man to support him and his interests. Now, to the person who also, at least according to the Elections Act, only has one vote, just as this man does….

Do you think that that person who donates $1 or who donates nothing at all but votes has that same infl uence on the people the one man donated a million dollars to? Th at's the kind of question I get asked all the time. Th at's why citizens of Vancouver–West End and citizens all across Vancouver have said this law needs to be changed. [1530] It needs to be stronger. We need campaign spending limits. We need a ban on corporate and union donations, just like we need that ban on corporate and union dona- tions in B.C. politics. Th e question is: who votes? People do. Do corpora- tions vote? No. Do unions vote? No.

People do. Th at's who democracy is supposed to be about. It's supposed to be about from the bottom up. It's not supposed to be about one person having more might, more fi repower, the ability to hire hundreds and hundreds of people in support of their political goal, to be able to overrun the interests of the citizens. Democracy was supposed to be about the people having a voice, not the elite, not the super-rich, not the super-organized but the people. And this B.C. Liberal government has failed us once again. Th e minister says: "Oh, don't worry.

It'll come, it'll come, down the road." Well, that's what they've been saying for years and years. Meanwhile, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, local town councils, districts and others have been pushing for change. Citizens hav

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140407pm-Hansard-v10n4
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140407pm Hansard v10n4
Language	en
Format	pdf
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