British Columbia Hansard — Monday, October 20, 2014

20141020pm-Hansard-v15n8

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Th ird 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, October 20, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 15, Number 8

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Third 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.

Norm Letnick 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 ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan 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, Wm.

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

Juan de Fuca 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, Hon.

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, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Dr. Darryl (BC Liberal) .............................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon.

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

John (BC Liberal) ................................................ Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, 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 ..................................................................... Dr. 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 .........................................................................Wm.

Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. 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 ................................................................................

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, October 20, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 4707 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4707 Beatrice Leinbach D.

Eby Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 4707 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 4708 Bill 2 — Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act Hon. M.

Polak Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 4708 Small business L. Larson Lyme disease J. Darcy Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts M. Bernier Syntal Products and plastic recycling L. Popham Waste reduction M. Hunt HMCS Regina M. Karagianis Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4710 Mine inspection levels and Mount Polley mine inspections N.

Macdonald Hon. B. Bennett Public information and investigation into tailings pond breach at Mount Polley mine N. Macdonald Hon. B. Bennett S. Chandra Herbert Haida Nation concerns regarding Russian ship and comments by parliamentary secretary S. Fraser Hon. M. Polak Review of Health Ministry investigation into alleged privacy breach J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake A. Dix Access to organ transplantation services B. Routley Hon. T. Lake Implementation of Missing Women Inquiry recommendations and bus service on Highway 16 M. Karagianis Hon. S.

Anton Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 4715 Elections B.C., annual report, 2013-14, and service plan, 2014-15 to 2016-17 Offi ce of the Registrar of Lobbyists, Investigation Report 14-07, lobbyist: Brad Zubyk, June 5, 2014 Offi ce of the Registrar of Lobbyists, Reconsideration 14-07, lobbyist: Brad Zubyk, October 1, 2014 B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, annual report, 2013-2014 Document regarding inspections at major mines

Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4715 Michelle Stilwell E. Foster Orders of the Day Th rone Speech Debate (continued) ....................................................................................................................................... 4715 D. Routley Hon. S. Cadieux M. Mungall Hon. S. Bond G. Holman Hon. T. Wat L. Popham Hon. S. Th omson S. Hammell R. Sultan A. Dix

MONDAY , OCTOBER 20, 2014 Th e House met at 1:33 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members A. Weaver: It’s with great pleasure that I’ d like to intro- duce Sean LaGuardia, who is a policy analyst and man- agement fellow from the county of Los Angeles. He’s visiting us here today from the United States. May the House please make him welcome. S. Hamilton: It’s my pleasure to introduce, visiting the precinct today, 30 students from Seaquam Secondary School in North Delta, along with their teacher Erika Hardmen. I’ d ask that the House please make them wel- come.

Tributes BEATRICE LEINBACH D. Eby: I rise to advise this House of the passing of a real entertainment legend in British Columbia, who passed away at the age of 93. [1335] Y ou may remember her as Captain Bea. Bea Leinbach was the creative force behind the Kitsilano Showboat, which for 80 years was the stage where young kids from across B.C. would perform. Th e positive infl uence of the institution was obvious to all.

Captain Bea used to say: “No kid who performed at Showboat ever became a bad kid. ” Beyond her work at the Showboat, she was the found- er of Meals on Wheels in Vancouver and a key or- ganizer for the children’s hospital society and the B.C. Special Olympics. She was, of course, awarded the Order of Canada, but she was also, perhaps if I can say even more importantly, given her own star on the B.C. Entertainment Walk of Fame. Th ank you very much to Captain Bea, and my regards and all of our regards to her family at this time.

Introductions by Members Michelle Stilwell: I’m pleased to welcome today a delegation from Parksville and Qualicum. Th is group has been raising awareness for end-of-life care in our com- munity by fostering discussion about end-of-life resour- ces. More people are now aware of what is available in our communities currently as well as the plans to extend pal- liative resources. Obviously, with the population of our province in general being more elderly and aging expo- nentially, really, the understanding of end of life needs to be extremely well versed.

I’ d like to thank Carol Dowe and her volunteers for championing this cause. Please welcome Fred and Carol Dowe; John Demetriose; Betty Fitsimmons; Carole and Michael Jemjimberry; and of course, the Qualicum may- or, Mayor Teunis Westbroek. J. Shin: I have the honour of welcoming four inspiring British Columbians today. Nicolas Stefan, just 22, is a co- founder of Sprouthire, an exciting Burnaby-based start- up that pairs young job seekers with entry-level positions in the Lower Mainland. I think it’s only a matter of time that he’s going to take his business nationwide. We also have Kyle Empringham.

He’s a public en- gagement specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation by day, but he’s an environmental superhero by night at the Starfi sh Canada project, informing and empowering youth to engage in science and policy as they pertain to the planet that we live on. Aft er watching Kyle’s SFU pub- lic square and TEDx talks, I’m hoping, certainly, that he’s going to take a seat in this House one day. We also have Vivienne Megas, who also joins us in the gallery, who is the recipient of the Mosaic Seniors Champion Award this year.

Vivienne came from Hong Kong 35 years ago and decided to give back to our com- munity by volunteering her time to assist seniors, settling immigrants and new citizens. Lastly but not least, I have my very good friend Duc Tran in the precinct. Duc is a hard-working public ser- vant with the Ministry of Justice and also a committed community activist. Burnaby-Lougheed is very lucky to have him as our fundraising chair. Together we survived six fundraisers this year, with the seventh one coming next week at SFU.

I ask all the members to please thank Nicolas, Kyle, Vivienne and Duc for their contributions to our com- munity and help make them feel very welcome in the Legislature today. J. Martin: Th ose of us that have the great privilege to serve in this House — every day we carry on a num- ber of wonderful traditions. But being the member for Chilliwack, there’s one tradition that falls solely on my shoulders, and that is to continue the legacy of intro- ducing John Les’s grandchildren to this House. So bear with me. Born October 10 to Chris and Carina Les is Blythe Isabella Les.

Born a little while ago, June 24, to Allan and Elena Les was Lynsey Madelyn Les. For those of you keeping score at home, that brings us up to 19. N. Simons: Many of you might think I’m about to introduce my grandchildren, but I’m not. I’ d like to welcome to the House one of Canada’s pre- 4707

British Columbia Debates4708 Monday, October 20, 2014 eminent composers, Tobin Stokes — we’ d like to claim him as a Powell Riverite — the composer of choral music, instrumental music and, more recently, Pauline along with Margaret Atwood. I’ d like to ask the House to wel- come him here. G. Kyllo: I have two constituents from my riding of Shuswap visiting the House today — Terry and Vivian Martin. Would the House please make them feel wel- come. [1340] Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 2 — GREENHOUSE GAS INDUSTRIAL REPORTING AND CONTROL ACT Hon. M.

Polak presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act. Hon. M. Polak: I move that the bill be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. M. Polak: Th is bill contains the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act.

Th is act will enable a performance standard for industrial facilities under the scope of the act while streamlining other as- pects of greenhouse gas management currently under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, the Greenhouse Gas Targets Act and the Environmental Management Act under a single act. Th is will help to achieve the province’s commitment to cleanest LNG facilities in the world. We will have to do more to continue reducing emis- sions. We remain committed to achieving, fi rst, a 33 per- cent reduction and, ultimately, an 80 percent reduction from 2007 GHG levels.

Th e benchmark approach in the bill sets a performance standard for liquefi ed natural gas and coal-fi red electricity generation facilities. If the facil- ity cannot meet the benchmark through emissions reduc- tions on site, they may off set their emissions or purchase funded units whose proceeds would be invested in clean technology research and development for long-term emission reductions. I 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 2, Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) SMALL BUSINESS L. Larson: I rise today to recognize October as Small Business Month in B.C. Small businesses and the entrepreneurs that run them are the heart and soul of our province. Th ey make up 98 percent of all B.C.-based businesses and account for 31 percent of our provincial GDP and 55 percent of all private sector employment.

Th at’s one million British Columbians in communities large and small. Th e sector is an incredibly important economic driver of our province, and I am proud to support small busi- nesses at every opportunity, whether I’m in my constitu- ency or travelling throughout the province, as do many of us in this chamber. However, small businesses cannot grow on their own. Th ey need economic incentives such as low taxes and less red tape from government so they can concentrate on operating their businesses.

I am proud to recognize Grand Forks, the hub of Boundary country, for receiving an Open for Business Award, recognizing their eff orts to promote and foster small businesses with a true open-for-business culture. Th ey were awarded $10,000 by the B.C. Small Business Roundtable at UBCM in Whistler, with part of it being used to help create a long-term economic development action plan to attract, retain and grow businesses right in their community.

Th e Small Business Roundtable, which I was a proud member of for six years, was instrumental in developing programs and initiatives like this one to encourage small business growth from the ground up, starting at the com- munity level. Small business owners and operators deserve our un- doubted support and recognition, driving our economy forward, so join me in celebrating B.C. ’s Small Business Month this October. LYME DISEASE J.

Darcy: A few weeks ago I met with Karen Marchand and Sharon Britz, brave women who both suff er from the debilitating and painful eff ects of Lyme disease, the result of being bitten by an infected tick. I have met with Gwen Barlee and Jim Wilson from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, and I have heard from countless people living with Lyme disease across B.C., all of them sharing personal stories of the suff ering they experience: arthritis-like pain, extreme fatigue, se- vere weight loss, cognitive decline, loss of short-term memory and more.

Some are unable to care for themselves, others have lost their jobs, and many have reached their personal breaking point. Most have been bounced around from

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4709 one health professional to another without getting the diagnosis or treatment they need to heal. Why? Because medical opinion is divided on how to diagnose, how to treat and on the prevalence of Lyme disease in B.C.

Doctors who treat Lyme disease aggressively with anti- biotics do so at serious professional risk. [1345] Th is is happening despite the fact that a confi dential report by Brian Schmidt, commissioned by this govern- ment in 2010, said that the incidence of Lyme disease in B.C. is rising and likely to increase and also exposed the woeful inadequacy of testing and treatment for Lyme dis- ease in B.C.

Th is report stated clearly: “Doctors should be able to prescribe therapy unless that therapy poses a greater risk to the patient. ” Y et patients with Lyme dis- ease are still being forced to leave B.C. or pay very high costs, if they can get treatment at all. People with Lyme disease have the right to be treated by a physician here in B.C. Physicians should not suff er the consequences for providing that care. I hope that all members of this House can come together to make it so. CALVIN KRUK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS M. Bernier: How do you make a family-friendly com- munity?

How do you try to have the best quality of life possible for citizens, and what kinds of services do com- munities ask for? Well, in Dawson Creek they recognize the need to have services to attract families, businesses and professionals to the area. In 2007 one idea started with a council that heard, loud and clear, from the community members that they needed to have a better facility to house the performing arts. Shortly aft er the visioning process started, though, Calvin Kruk — the mayor of the community and a man who started the process — sadly, passed away from can- cer at the young age of 43.

Th at didn’t stop the community though. Th ey wanted the dream to become a reality, and it only fuelled the de- sire for them to move forward and create the space that was so badly needed. Aft er intense fundraising and many community planning sessions the project began. Taking an almost 50,000-square-foot, closed-down federal post offi ce in the heart of downtown Dawson Creek, trans- formation began to create a state-of-the-art, multifunc- tional centre that would house dance studios, community archives, music studios, pottery, quilting and much more.

I was very lucky a few weeks ago to be at the ribbon cutting for this facility named aft er the man who started the process. With thanks to the provincial and federal governments and the many individuals and businesses that contributed, the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts is now a busy, active place, providing much-needed op- portunities for people in the region and another positive addition to downtown Dawson Creek. Please help me in congratulating the city of Dawson Creek in opening this amazing new facility. SYNTAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC RECYCLING L.

Popham: I rise today to thank Brian Burchill and his fellow co-workers and staff of Syntal Products, re- cently located on the Saanich Peninsula. Syntal Products was a remarkable business and a Canadian pioneer in the recycling industry. For 16 years it accepted plastic waste from consumers and regional districts at no charge. Syntal took in thousands of tonnes of the stuff , diverting it from the Hartland Landfi ll, reducing the costs of the regional recycling programs. It was a win-win situation.

Th e regional district did not have to pay to recycle or dispose of the materials, and a local business was able to convert a waste stream into a sellable product. Syntal was a successful and profi table business, turning waste into wealth. I recently toured this business and was struck by its combination of simplicity and sophistication. Th e clean hard plastics it accepted were fi rst shredded and then granulated into tiny beads. Th ese beads were then fed into a large hopper above a long chamber fi tted with an enormous steel screw. As the screw turned into the chamber, the beads were fed in.

Th e heat created by the pressure soft ened the beads and turned the material into a soft liquid the con- sistency of toothpaste. Th is material was then injected into 2-by-4-lumber-sized moulds and cooled in water. The result was plastic lumber: such a simple technol- ogy, such excellent recycling, and no harsh chemicals were used. Th is August the business was shuttered, then sold lock, stock and barrel to a company operating in another prov- ince. More than half of the supply of plastic had dried up overnight, breaking the business model, the result of a regulation change in B.C.

Despite this regrettable last chapter, I want to congratu- late the staff and owners of Syntal Products for 16 years of hard work. Th eir green, local business turned a waste stream into a valuable product and demonstrated the ingenuity and environmental-oriented mindset that we need to embrace in this province if we are to build a green economy and address the challenges of climate change. [1350] W ASTE REDUCTION M. Hunt: I want to draw to your attention today that all across Canada, October 20-26 is Waste Reduction Week.

Th is important week has been recognized by all provinces and territories in our nation since 2001, and many communities throughout British Columbia offi - cially recognize this week, including my city of Surrey. Waste Reduction Week is organized by a coalition of non-governmental environmental groups and is put together to get people to change their ecological foot-

British Columbia Debates4710 Monday, October 20, 2014 prints by reducing their waste. For example, the Carton Council of Canada is a major contributor to the Waste Reduction Week. Th ey are dedicated to environmental practices, that they be taken care of throughout the en- tire life cycle of that carton. B.C. is a leader in sustainable environmental manage- ment.

In 2011, B.C. ’s recycling regulations were updated to shift responsibility for managing the residential recyc- ling of paper, packaging and printed materials from lo- cal governments and their taxpayers to businesses and to those who produce the materials. Since that time, with the number of new materials collected curbside, recyc- ling has grown with the help of our consumers. Today I challenge everyone to reduce their ecological footprint, and I hope we can inspire each other to come up with unique and creative ways to reduce our waste.

I encourage everyone this Waste Reduction Week to think about ways to recycle and reduce waste because, aft er all, one person’s waste is another person’s treasure. HMCS REGINA M. Karagianis: It was quite the day on Wednesday, September 17, when citizens from my community turned out to line the shorelines for a long-anticipated home- coming. Th at day, HMCS Regina sailed back into her home port, ending a deployment that began in January. First, the Regina and her crew were deployed in sup- port of Operation Artemis. Th at was a counterterrorist and marine security operation in the Arabian Sea.

Th en it was to Operation Reassurance to reinforce NATO’s collective defence in response to Russian aggression and provocation along Ukraine. Th e Regina headed for home by way of the Suez Canal and Asia, stopping en route to strengthen diplomatic ties in the region. In all, the deployment lasted more than eight months, and, as you can imagine, it was quite a homecoming scene when she pulled into home port in Esquimalt. Th e smiles of the families, the children, the crew and their families said it all. Dozens of citizens lined the shore, waving Canadian fl ags, with their pride overfl owing.

I hope that all members will join me in saying con- gratulations to all those who served on HMCS Regina in this deployment and thank-you to their families and their loved ones who gave them up for a while so that they could serve our country. Y ou’ve made us all very proud, and we’re so very grate- ful to have you back safe and sound. Oral Questions MINE INSPECTION LEVELS AND MOUNT POLLEY MINE INSPECTIONS N. Macdonald: My question, of course, is for the Minister of Mines. On September 26 the Premier told CKNW ….

I’ll read the exact quote: “Th e number of in- spections on major mines is exactly the same as it was under the NDP in the 1990s. It has not gone down at all for major mines. ” Th at’s the quote. Th at’s not true. Th at’s not close to being true. We know that as a result of reck- less cuts by her Liberal government, Mount Polley did not have a single geotechnical inspection in 2009, in 2010, in 2011. How does the Premier get her facts so absolute- ly wrong? Did the Minister of Mines give the Premier inaccurate and misleading information to use in her speeches and interviews? Hon. B.

Bennett: It’s the fi rst time that I’ve had an opportunity in the House to speak about the disaster at Mount Polley mine, so if I can just take 30 seconds and say here in the House that certainly, I think everyone in the province, actually, was traumatized, shocked by what happened. I know that the mining industry was. [1355] I know all the professional people who work in the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment were terribly shocked by what happened and have put hundreds and hundreds of hours into try- ing to fi nd the cause and make sure that it doesn’t hap- pen again.

I think the people — certainly in the whole Cariboo region, but in particular the First Nations in that region and the people of Likely — have obviously had a very diffi cult time dealing with something that was a disaster, that threatened their way of life and everything that’s im- portant to them. Th at’s the context for all of what will follow, I’m sure, over the next couple of months here in question period. To the member’s question: in fact, as I’ve been saying for the past few months, the number of inspections over- all on major mines in B.C. has actually gone up as of to- day. Th ey started to….

Interjections. Hon. B. Bennett: I don’t want to confuse the oppos- ition with the facts but, in fact, in the year 2000 there were 99 inspections of metal mines here in B.C. In 2012 there were 156; in 2013, 145; and in 2014, to date, 186. Let me just fi nish by acknowledging that in 2010 and ’11 the number of geotechnical inspections was way down. Th at wasn’t appropriate — not acceptable. But to- day, since 2012, those numbers of inspections are again where they’re supposed to be. Madame Speaker: Columbia River–Revelstoke on a supplemental. N.

Macdonald: Th e minister is quite willing to make assertions without backing this up with any facts at all,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4711 and, when we get facts, we fi nd oft en that the exact op- posite is true. What have we heard from this minister? On August 7 the Mines Minister said: “Th e inspections that are done on mine sites are no diff erent today than they were fi ve years ago. ” Recall, Madame Speaker, that Mount Polley had no geotechnical inspections over the course of three years in that period — zero. We also have August 8, “We’ve had no cuts to inspections; we have not cut in- spections to major mines” — as the minister asserts again today.

Th e contradictions in what the minister says and reality are glaring. Th e minister has all this information. It’s there on his desk. Th ere’s one way to get to the bottom of this, and that’s for the minister to release all of the information, as we requested in late August. Will the minister release all of the information related to the Mount Polley disaster, including the number of inspections done at the tailing pond dam? Hon. B. Bennett: In fact, the document that I’m hold- ing and reading from is a document I’m quite prepared and happy to share with the member. In fact, I’ll table it aft er question period.

Th e media already has it. It lists out the number of all types of inspections of major mines, also geotechnical inspections and inspections that relate specifi cally to Mount Polley. Th e member made an assertion that there have been fewer inspections at Mount Polley. He is correct. I want to be accurate. I want to be fair. He is correct about the geotechnical, one type of inspection, in 2009, ’10 and ’11. However, when you compare to 2000 — and we all know who was in government in 2000 — there were four in- spections at Mount Polley.

In 2012 there were six, in 2013 there were 15, and in 2014 there have been eight so far. In terms of the member’s suggestion that somehow or other inspections, number of inspectors, caused this ter- rible accident at the Mount Polley mine, if the member actually knows what caused this accident, the member has an obligation, a moral and a legal obligation, to step forward and tell the appropriate authorities how this hap- pened. For the rest of us who don’t know, we’re going to allow the independent panel to make that determination. Madame Speaker: Columbia River–Revelstoke on a fi nal supplemental.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND INVESTIGATION INTO TAILINGS POND BREACH AT MOUNT POLLEY MINE N. Macdonald: What a ridiculous answer. I mean, the facts are that we have been asking for information since August 18, and the minister puts out piece aft er piece when it’s to his convenience. [1400] Th e Liberal government…. I mean, let’s be clear here. Y ou have a history of investigating yourself… Madame Speaker: Through the Chair, Member. Th rough the Chair. N. Macdonald: …and coming up with a whitewash. Th e B.C. Liberal government has that history — white- wash aft er whitewash. Here we have another example.

When we asked on Th ursday…. Th e minister missed this, but we asked questions, and the Minister of Environment stood up and quoted from the chief inspector. Th e chief inspector is under investigation with the Mount Polley disaster, and yet the government relied on his advice to suppress public documents that could re- fl ect badly on his offi ce. Why has the government taken advice on suppressing documents from one of the sub- jects of the investigation? Hon. B. Bennett: I think my colleague the Minister of Environment tabled the document last week from the chief mines inspector.

Th at is one of the pieces of advice that we have received with respect to the release of in- formation that is relevant to this accident and relevant to the independent investigation of it. I’m not going to quote very much from the letter. Th e chief mines inspector did say that government must “pro- tect the integrity and independence of these investiga- tions” to ensure we determine how the breach occurred. Th ere’s another element that relates to the capacity of the Crown to lay charges, should that eventuality be something that they look at.

We defi nitely don’t, on this side of the House, want to do anything that’s going to either undermine the integrity of the independent in- vestigation or get in the way of eventually laying charges against the people and the companies who are respon- sible. I’m surprised, frankly, that the NDP would want us to do that. S. Chandra Herbert: So let me get this straight. Th e minister says releasing any piece of information could damage the investigation, could make it so you couldn’t lay charges, could mean we don’t know what actually happened at the Mount Polley disaster. Th at’s what the minister says.

He says he’s been told this by the chief in- spector of mines. Th ere’s no way he can release one piece of data. Y et with his other hand, he’s handing media data about what’s going on in mines, inspection reports, where he feels it would help the government. So he says one thing and does the other. Can the minister explain how he can release data when it’s his choice, but when we ask for it or the pub- lic demands it — even decades-old reports — he says no, because it would damage the investigation. Explain yourself, Minister.

British Columbia Debates4712 Monday, October 20, 2014 Hon. B. Bennett: Th e member is wrong about one very important thing, and that is the fact that everyone — the public, the opposition, everyone — will have ac- cess to all of the information once the independent panel completes their investigation. Th ey’re submitting a report on January 31, 2015. In the meantime, we have been advised by the con- servation offi cer service. I’ve heard the Leader of the Opposition and others on the other side denigrate the conservation offi cer service. Th ey actually poke fun at this great group of people.

Th e chief mines inspector is the statutory offi cer that has the statutory authority to do this investigation with- out interference from elected people or anybody else. His advice has been: do not disclose these documents. And we have three highly respected individuals from around North America who have a lifetime of experience at in- vestigating accidents like this, and they also would prefer that we don’t release this information. Y et the opposition continues to demand it. Why? For pure political reasons. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Vancouver–West End on a supplemental. [1405] S.

Chandra Herbert: Well, when the minister stands and talks about pure political reasons, doesn’t answer questions, you’ve got your answer right there. Th ere is a hollowness to his argument, because there is no justifi - cation — when one day he can hand media news releas- es, investigation reports, inspection numbers, and then the next day say with that same mouth: “No, it’s impos- sible. Th ere’s no way you can because it would damage the investigation. ” Can the minister explain himself? Or is he just going to give us more pure politics? Hon. B.

Bennett: Th e irony of the line of question- ing from the opposition, for me at least, is that if I had the capacity or the legal right or diff erent advice, I guess, from those who know better about these things than I do, such as the lawyers in the Ministry of Justice…. I haven’t practised law in 13 years, and I freely admit that I take the advice of the lawyers in the Ministry of Justice and the chief mines inspector. I would love to allow everyone on the other side to come into the Ministry of Mines and look at all the documents that are fi led away in the fi ling cabinets.

Aft er January 31 when we have that report and we know what happened…. I think the other side is going to be dis- appointed, but when we know what happened, then they will be able to come in and look at all that paper, and I will take them personally into the offi ces — anyone who wants to come and look at all that documentation. Th e only thing…. I kind of think that at that point in time they won’t be interested because the theatre will be over. HAIDA NATION CONCERNS REGARDING RUSSIAN SHIP AND COMMENTS BY PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY S.

Fraser: On this side of the House we believe that First Nations are essential partners in the sustainable development of our economy. Prosperity and justice for all communities relies on recognition, reconciliation and respect for First Nations. Last week the Haida were the fi rst to raise the alarm of the Russian container ship Simushir adrift off the coast of Haida Gwaii. Th ey should be lauded for draw- ing attention to what could have been a disaster for their community and for all of British Columbia.

Instead, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Justice Minister, the mem- ber for Richmond-Steveston, said: “Th e eco-fearmongers can stand down. ” Question to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: is it also the government’s position that the Haida Nation were fearmongers? Hon. M. Polak: First of all, of course, we are all re- lieved to know that the vessel now is tied up in Prince Rupert and poses no other risk. I’m also pleased to report to the House that I was able to speak with Peter Lantin from the Haida Nation Council as this was unfolding.

We also were able to co- ordinate with the Haida Nation Council through the joint eff orts of the Canadian Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Emergency Management B.C. and the Department of National Defence along with the local regional district. It’s always our intention to involve at the highest levels those local First Nations who are impacted by signifi cant events like this. We will continue to do that. I commend the Haida for the great cooperation that they gave us as this event unfolded. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Alberni–Pacifi c Rim on a supplemental. S.

Fraser: Surely the minister would agree that it’s callous and disrespectful to belittle legitimate concerns raised by the Haida leadership. Th e potential for disas- ter was real — both ecological and human. It was more than 48 hours from the time the ship lost power until it was securely under tow. Th e seas were rough, and the coastline is rugged. Th e Haida were right in raising these concerns, yet the Parliamentary Secretary to the Justice Minister called them fearmongers. Will the minister today write to the Haida with his and his government’s apology for the slurs cast by his caucus colleague? [1410] Hon.

M. Polak: I have to give my huge congratulations and thanks to the Haida for the way in which they col-

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4713 laborated with us as we attempted to deal with a highly volatile situation. Th roughout the integrated incident command they were involved, they were informed, but more importantly, they off ered us their collaboration in terms of their knowledge of the area and participated together with our team as we planned how to address a very, very serious incident. REVIEW OF HEALTH MINISTRY INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED PRIV ACY BREACH J. Darcy: Two weeks ago this government lauded the independence of its latest review of the fi ring of health researchers.

But only aft er pressure from the opposition has the government now been forced to backtrack and admit that these terms were not good enough. While the revisions the government has since made seek to clarify the independence of Ms. McNeil, they do not address the fundamental question of having Ms. McNeil submit the fi nal review to the head of the Public Service Agency. Th e departing head of the Public Service Agency was party to the investigation and fi rings, as was the incoming head, Elaine McKnight, who was chief administrative offi cer within Health at the time of the fi rings.

Why is the minister directing Ms. McNeil to submit her report to two individuals who both oversaw the ori- ginal investigation? Hon. T. Lake: I have stood in this House and acknow- ledged that some mistakes were made in the HR practi- ces relating to the investigation in the Ministry of Health at that time. Th at is why a review is being done of those HR practices. But the member is incorrect. I have not directed any- one to change the terms of reference. No elected offi cial has done that.

Th is is an independent review directed by the public service, which is responsible for human resources man- agement in the province of British Columbia. I am very confi dent that Ms. McNeil will do an independent, ob- jective report. Th at report will be made public and en- able us to ensure that all of the great people who work for the province of British Columbia are treated fairly in terms of human resource management practices in British Columbia. Madame Speaker: Th e member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J. Darcy: In the government release containing the revised terms it says that Ms.

McNeil will interview any people she deems necessary, review documentation and make independent fi ndings of fact and that she will re- port to the Public Service Agency. But it still remains un- clear whether or not Ms. McNeil will be able to compel evidence from current or former government employ- ees, from the deputy to the Premier or from the Premier herself. Can the minister confi rm that Ms. McNeil will be able to retrieve the necessary information from whoever she sees fi t by compelling testimony under oath? Hon. T.

Lake: I’ve already said in this House that this is not a judicial or a quasi-judicial process. Th is is an in- dependent review of the HR practices that were used at the time. We recognize that some of those practices, we feel, were heavy-handed, that they overreached. We have apologized to some people in cases in which we felt that was the case. Ms. McNeil will now do a review to help ensure that that does not happen in the future. [1415] A. Dix: Th e minister speaks about treating people fair- ly.

Th ese were wrongful dismissals that the government paraded as correct dismissals for two years in a very pub- lic way. Th e terms of reference designed by Ms. Tarras, according to the minister — approved by the government, including the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health — intentionally exclude two years of human re- sources mismanagement during which the government sought information to justify what they now acknow- ledge are wrongful dismissals. Will the minister now agree to allow Ms.

McNeil to expand the timeline of her review to include the two years aft er the fi rings when the government’s miscon- duct continued? Hon. T. Lake: I might remind the members opposite that a breach of confi dential medical information — to allow that information out into the public or to be ac- cessed inappropriately — is a very serious concern. In fact, the now Leader of the Opposition said so at the time. It was appropriate for the government to take action. What we have said is that in some cases, some of that ac- tion was an overreach, was heavy-handed.

Th at is why this review is taking place — to make sure that it doesn’t happen in the future. Th is review will be done very quickly, and then the members opposite will be able to assess that review and judge at that time whether or not the recommendations that come from that review are appropriate. We have all learned lessons about rushing to judgment. I would ask the members opposite to wait for this review, and we will have a very good, full public discussion of the review and the recommendations that come from it. A.

Dix: Th e minister just said that sensitive health in- formation was allowed out to the public. I’m sure every- one will be very interested in his testimony to the review. Will the minister commit today to releasing Ms. McNeil’s

British Columbia Debates4714 Monday, October 20, 2014 report to the public when he and the government receive it? In other words, the day they receive it, the public sees it too. Will he commit to that? Or if that standard is too high a standard of independence for him in this case, will he commit to releasing it before the end of this legisla- tive session? Hon. T. Lake: Th ank you for the question. We have said in this House that that report will be released upon its reception from Ms. McNeil.

But it’s important to note, because the member opposite said that the terms of refer- ence were approved by the minister…. Th at is incorrect. Th e terms of reference were not approved by any elect- ed offi cial. Th is is an independent review that is done through the auspices of the Public Service Agency with an independent reviewer. Th ose fi ndings — we have al- ready committed — will be made public for all British Columbians. ACCESS TO ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION SERVICES B. Routley: My constituent, Tami Walker, needs a double-lung transplant in order to survive her life-threat- ening health condition.

Before this can happen, she needs to be put on the transplant waiting list. Th e problem is that, like so many struggling with aff ordability in this province, her family can’t aff ord the costs associated with moving to Vancouver for treatment and recovery. Why is this government adding undue stress to B.C. families by allowing fi nancial means to dictate who can and who can’t receive life-saving surgery? Hon. T. Lake: Th is government will not allow some- one’s fi nancial situation to be an impediment to life- saving treatment.

We commit to British Columbians that when they need life-saving treatment, it will be there for them. [1420] In this particular case, Vancouver Coastal, which is responsible for lung transplant procedures in the prov- ince of British Columbia, has reached out to this family. Th e member’s constituent is only in the assessment phase to see if in fact she would be an ideal recipient for a lung transplant.

As they move through that process, Vancouver Coastal will work very closely with them, making sure they are connected to the services and supports they need to ensure that she receives that life- changing and life-saving surgery. Madame Speaker: Member for Cowichan Valley on a supplemental. B. Routley: Th is minister has repeatedly insisted that Tami won’t be denied access to treatment based on cost.

Y et Vancouver Coastal Health itself stated back on August 19, 2014, that fi nances are “a major barrier to proceeding with activating her on the list. ” It’s going to cost Tami’s family $25,000 at least to stay in Vancouver. Her community has been rallying around her, helping and fundraising. But it shouldn’t fall to good- will to determine whether or not Tami’s life can be saved. She’s in Vancouver hospital today, by the way. Will the minister turn his words into action and com- mit today that Tami and so many other families will get the funding for treatment she so desperately needs?

Is he going to commit to pay? Hon. T. Lake: I have said that we will not leave British Columbians behind. We will ensure that their fi nancial situation is not an impairment to them receiving life- changing surgery. Th e member opposite can stand up in the House and talk about this particular case. It would have been nice if the member opposite had come and sought a meeting with me before standing up and grandstanding on this particular issue. We look aft er British Columbians in the province of British Columbia from every corner of this province.

We will continue to do that and ensure that this constituent has the care that they require. IMPLEMENTATION OF MISSING WOMEN INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS AND BUS SERVICE ON HIGHW AY 16 M. Karagianis: A report that was released last week on women’s rights gives the B.C. Liberal government a near-failing grade on its commitment to missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Th e West Coast LEAF re- port states that over a year and a half aft er the Missing Women Inquiry report was released, there has been “lit- tle concrete progress on some of the most critical recom- mendations. ” Th e report goes on to call the government’s progress “disappointing” and “painfully slow. ” Why has the Justice Minister repeatedly refused to take concrete action on one of the most crucial recommenda- tions coming out of the inquiry and implement a shuttle bus along Highway 16? Hon. S.

Anton: Th e Missing Women Inquiry dealt with the tragedy of the missing and murdered women on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. We received the report. Th e government has been working continuously and tirelessly and with great focus on the recommenda- tions from the report — so much so that we have now of- fered, through three levels of government, compensation for all the children of the missing women. We have improved policing practices throughout British Columbia, which was one of the main focuses of the report.

We spend $70 million annually on safety and help for vulnerable women, and we have implemented legislation and done other measures so that we have a

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4715 coordinated and proper approach on missing persons. The question was asked about the transportation, which was one recommendation in the report — safer transportation, as the report says, on northern highways, all of our British Columbia highways. Indeed, Madame Speaker, I am pleased to announce that we do have cell- phone coverage on the highways. We have police with better communications than they have ever had before.

Our highways are safer, our women are safer, and our government is committed to helping vulnerable women throughout British Columbia. [1425] [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, I have the honour to present the following reports: Elections B.C., Annual Report 2013-2014 and Service Plan 2014-2015. Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists, Investigation Report 14-07, lobbyist: Brad Zubyk; Offi ce of the Registrar of Lobbyists, Reconsideration 14-07 (Investigation Report 14-07), lobbyist: Brad Zubyk. Hon. S. Anton: I have the honour to present the B.C.

Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report 2013-2014 . Hon. B. Bennett: Madame Speaker, I’ d like to table a document. Petitions Michelle Stilwell: I table a petition of over 4,000 people regarding the need for funded palliative care beds and night nurses in Parksville-Qualicum. E. Foster: I rise to present a petition of 133 residents of Lumby, electoral areas D and E, requesting that gov- ernment investigate whether safety measures such as a safety barrier could be installed on the Shuswap River Drive in area D to prevent further accidents and tragedies. Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: Continued debate on the throne speech. [D. Horne in the chair.] Th rone Speech Debate (continued) D. Routley: About a week ago I ended the sitting of this House in the middle of my speech, and I’ll pick up where I left off . But I’ d like to summarize that it has become a bigger and bigger task to list the number of broken promises that this government has made in throne speeches. Th is recent throne speech — you can at least say one thing for it, and that is that it doesn’t off er great opportunity for too many broken promises since there really wasn’t much to the throne speech.

At least in the past, the government of Gordon Campbell, although ideological and sloganistic in its approach to throne speeches, addressed some of the issues that were on the table with British Columbians. Th is government has essentially reduced the govern- ment from being one of governance by slogan to one of governance by simple acronym. Th at might begin with “YES LNG” — end, full stop. Th at could have been the throne speech. Even their commitments, the LNG promises that they made during the election, have been drastically reduced or fl ed from.

Th at is because it’s obvious that what they promised us couldn’t be materialized and won’t be. [1430] We essentially have a government that is like an Internet scam. Y ou’ve received them, I’m sure, Mr. Speaker, in your inbox — the relative in eastern Europe that needs your credit card number to help release a huge bank account in which you can share, if only you’ll share your credit card number. Y ou’ve heard of people travel- ling in Africa, in your in-box, asking you for your credit card number to free up massive sums of money .

Th at’s a little bit what it’s like being a British Columbian under this government. This government says: “Y ou know what? If you’ll only write us a $20.17 cheque, we’ll give you a debt-free B.C. ” Th is, while they increase the debt at a greater rate than any government in history. “If you’ll only write us a $20.17 cheque, we will give you a massive prosperity fund of $100 million. ” It’s a little bit like that Internet scam, and I think it’s not surprising that the pronouncements of the government are now just being ignored. Th ere weren’t people in the House. Th e media didn’t pay attention.

Th ey didn’t pay attention because there’s essentially nothing to what the government has off ered to British Columbians, and what- ever they have off ered has failed to materialize. Th e list is too long. It takes the entire speech of an op- position member to list off the number of broken prom- ises over the years that I’ve been in this House, from the 2009 budget defi cit of $495 million — not a penny more — which wound up being $1.8 billion, to now the latest hubris and arrogance off ered to us by the B.C. Liberals.

Aft er the longest strike in the history of public educa- tion in this province, they tell us in the House that they’re really good at negotiating. Th at’s what they’re really good at, even though their negotiations kept kids out of classes longer than has ever occurred in this province. Th at’s what they deliver. Th ey say one thing; they deliv- er another. Th ey say one thing and then do as they please.

British Columbia Debates4716 Monday, October 20, 2014 Th ey say one thing and completely break that word. Th at’s the pattern. Th at’s the habit. Let’s examine this claim of a debt-free B.C. When the B.C. Liberals came to power, the debt-to-GDP percent- age was 20 percent. It’s over 19 percent now and climb- ing, and that’s if you leave off the off -balance-sheet debt that this government has accumulated in contractual obligations. Th is government has taken the public debt, recognized and reported, from $35 billion when they took power to $69 billion today — doubled.

Add to that, $96 billion in off -balance-sheet obligations, largely in the form of ri- diculously loss-ridden B.C. Hydro power-buying con- tracts, long-term contracts, and you’ve got $170 billion in obligations since this government came to power. They’ve taken the per-capita obligation of British Columbians from $8,400 when they took power to $40,000 per person — woman, man and child — in this province today. Th at’s what they’ve delivered. And they have the gall, the hubris, the arrogance to campaign with a slogan on their bus that says “Debt-free B.C. ” I mean, it’s too astonishing to imagine.

If it weren’t such a tragedy for people like the woman waiting for the double lung transplant, who was men- tioned in question period, if it weren’t so tragic for those people who are waiting for services, it would simply be comical. I mean, it’s only worthy of satire. Th at’s why I started out saying that this is a government essentially like an infomercial. Th is is Vince selling you a ShamWow. “If you only do it now, we’ll deliver twice. ” Th at’s what British Columbians have come to see their government as.

Th at, I think, is why we see such cynicism from British Columbians — because this government has essentially delivered to them a lack of faith. A lack of faith. As we see the outcomes of B.C. Liberal policy aff ect our communities, we are challenged by the stark contrast be- tween words off ered and delivery from the government. [1435] When they took power, there were one million cubic metres of raw logs exported per year. Last year there were 6.7 million. Th is one million exported when they took power was 1⁄10 of the annual allowable cut.

Now on Vancouver Island in most areas — in my constituency, in particular — at least 50 percent of the logs taken from our forests are exported as raw logs. Not only are they exporting massive amounts of logs; massive amounts of waste are being left in the forest to rot and contribute to our carbon footprint. At the same time those logs — pulp logs and sawlogs — rot in the bush or are burned every year, our mills are being closed be- cause of a lack of fi bre access. Th is is the outcome of B.C. Liberal policy. Th is is what our communities are facing.

As we see this government spend on its pet projects — $149 million for the B.C. Place roof, which still leaks…. Th at’s the overrun. Th e $149 million is the overrun for the B.C. Place roof. So $514 million, in total, spent on a roof that still leaks. And $2.3 billion on the Port Mann Bridge — massive overruns. Our communities, at the same time, are faced with a lack of resources. In my constituency there are people who are struggling to deliver services to families in need who cannot keep their doors open.

Th is government is abandoning them and the people they serve in the inter- est of pet projects and an absolutely failed management. Even though they have directed the entire focus — the obsession of government — towards one industry, which we have not even materialized, at the expense of those which we already have, such as the forest industry…. Even while they do that, they fail to deliver. Over two years late — their regulatory and tax regime for the liquefi ed natural gas industry. Now we may be fi nally on the eve of seeing what that looks like.

What it will tell us — we know, and they’ve already intimated and hinted — is that it will never equal the promises they made in order to be elected. Th e real tragedy is that that comes as absolutely no sur- prise to anyone. It has become absolutely accepted and expected by our media — and it has come to be accepted by ministers of that government and their members — that their government will simply mislead the people of B.C. time and time again: deliver low and promise high, and everything will be okay.

I hope that as early as tomorrow, when we see the real- ity of that tax regime and we see that there’s no possible chance for that industry to deliver what these ministers promised for election…. Hon. S. Bond: We’re going to quote you on that. D. Routley: Y eah, please. Th e minister says she’ll quote me on it. I absolutely can’t wait, because this government will fail again. We have come to have this tragic expectation of failure from this government. Meanwhile, mental health spaces are not available, particularly for youth, and the Nanaimo emergency room staffi ng levels are at critically low levels.

School dis- tricts — our schools are closing. Class size and compos- ition are not being addressed by this government. Forest workers at the Nanaimo sawmill saw their mill close. Forest workers at Harmac see the threat of closure at their facility because of a lack of fi bre. Forest workers at the successful Coastland mill are fi ghting every day to have enough fi bre to be able to keep their doors open. Th ese are highly competitive and successful businesses paying the price for failed B.C. Liberal forest policy. Th e Morden mine, in my constituency, is a historical park.

It is a prime example, one of the few examples, of the early technologies used in our early industries on Vancouver Island. [1440] It sits deteriorating, threatening to fall down any day,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4717 and this government answers their plea by saying: “We’re divesting ourselves of parks like that. ” Th ey don’t have their needs met, we see our province diminished, and this government continues to off er promise aft er prom- ise aft er unmaterialized promise. Our ferries. My colleague from North Island has done an excellent job in shining a light and focusing on the absolute failure of the government to make our marine highways work for our coastal communities and econ- omies.

Th e UBCM released a report which conservatively es- timated that $2.3 billion of economic activity has been lost because of the mismanagement of B.C. Ferries and the massively increased fares. It points out that $2.3 bil- lion more activity would have occurred even if fares had increased only at the rate of infl ation, general infl ation. Th ere would have been 1.7 million more passengers if only fares had been kept to the rate of infl ation — not even frozen, not reduced, but just kept at increases that matched the general rate of infl ation.

All of these problems are problems that vex our com- munities and our economy today. Th ey’re not pie-in-the- sky promises ten years or 15 years out. Th ey’re problems that face people today, and they all went unaddressed in the address from the throne. Th ey all were ignored by a government that is solely focused on an obsession around a promise it made, and it has staked its political future and the economic well-being of our province in one basket.

I’ll fi nish up by simply asking the members on the other side to refl ect on what brought them to politics and to live up to the words and promises they off er the people of B.C. Hon. S. Cadieux: I’m very pleased to take my place to- day in support of the Speech from the Th rone and the dir- ection set out by this government for British Columbia. Before I get started, of course, I’ d like to thank all of my constituents in Surrey-Cloverdale, the folks that chose me as their representative. I appreciate that honour very, very much and will continue to work hard to ensure that they are represented here.

Of course, as well, I’ d like to thank my husband and family and my constituency as- sistants, who spend much more time than I, unfortu- nately, in my constituency offi ce, but do a wonderful job representing me. Sharon and Scantone are wonder- ful representatives and give much of their own time and energy to our community in Cloverdale. This Speech from the Throne outlines a very clear and decisive direction, and one that will drive British Columbia’s economy into the future. I fi nd it I wouldn’t say disappointing, perhaps, and certainly not uncharac- teristic of members opposite to be negative.

But I do fi nd that, in one’s own life and through my own life experience, a life experience that included a great deal of upheaval at an early age and what many would describe as tragedy, a positive outlook on life brings much greater reward. A secure tomorrow for the province of British Columbia requires us to look forward with a positive lens, look forward with that sense that so much can be accomplished in this province, that there is so much op- portunity that lies ahead of us. Part of that great oppor- tunity can be achieved by harnessing the liquefi ed natural gas opportunity.

We have made great strides towards developing this very new industry in British Columbia. [1445] Major industry players continue to show commitment to advancing LNG facilities, pipelines and marine infra- structure. Th ey are not just talking with words. Th ey are not just positing a positive future here. Th ey are investing in British Columbia, and in doing that, they and we are working closely with communities and First Nations who will all benefi t from the opportunity that lies ahead. Right now there are 18 export proposals in British Columbia, all of which are working towards final in- vestment decisions.

Some may go ahead. Some may not. Th at is the process that befalls us when we embark on a new industry. Several dome stic facilities are also be- ing planned. Th is throne speech was very clear about the work that we’re going to do here in this legislative session. We’re finalizing the fiscal policy framework to ensure that LNG proponents have the confi dence and certainty that they need and require to work towards their fi nal invest- ment decisions. British Columbia’s LNG industry will be globally competitive.

I see this path forward as vital to the work that my ministry does for British Columbians, because it is only — and I’ll underscore that — with a strong economy that we can ensure that children, families, the vulnerable, the elderly can receive effi cient and eff ective social services. Now, our record as a government clearly shows that growing the economy is our number one priority, and there’s a reason for that. Th anks to the focus that we’ve set on the B.C. jobs plan, we’ve seen $3.9 billion in economic growth last year. We’ve experienced $7.2 billion in eco- nomic expansion since 2011.

We have a record 2.3 mil- lion people working in British Columbia, and more than 66,000 new jobs have been created over the past years. Th ese results are all within and all happening when the worldwide economic climate is still very uncertain. It makes the point that it’s all the more crucial to seize this growth potential and prepare young people to take on the full advantage of the many opportunities that will come their way in the future.

By 2022 there will be about a million job openings across the sectors in our province, and more than three-quarters of those will require some post-secondary education and training. The landscape for jobs in the province of British Columbia has changed greatly in the last 25 years, and it’s going to change into the future. To respond to that, we’ve created the skills-for-jobs blueprint. While the B.C.

British Columbia Debates4718 Monday, October 20, 2014 jobs plan is about ensuring that we have a competitive, diversifi ed, export-oriented economy that is growing and adding jobs, the blueprint is about ensuring that we have the skilled workforce in place to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that are on the horizon, particularly those in the new LNG industry. At the heart of that blueprint is a major shift towards a data-driven model, where training dollars and programs are targeted to jobs in demand. Th at is effi cient and ef- fective.

Th is year alone we’re targeting more than $160 million to do just that, and we are doing that while man- aging to keep our budget balanced. British Columbians, my constituents, have told us that balancing the budget has to be a top priority. Th ey understand that you can’t spend more than you have. Our government’s commitment to fi scal responsibility has not faltered. In my mandate letter from the Premier it clearly indicates that I have to manage my budget. But I must note that we were one of the few ministries to re- ceive a budget lift , and I’m thankful for that.

It requires a strong commitment to live within our means to balance a budget. Th at means we have to make tough decisions. Th at’s what we were elected to do. What’s the outcome? Th e latest economic update con- fi rms that we are moving in the right direction, so I am continuing to be optimistic. Revenues to government are up. Employment is up. Retail sales are up. Housing starts are up. All of these things are the signs of a strong econ- omy. Th e list goes on.

Growth in the economy is vividly on display in my rid- ing and across Surrey, as other members of the Legislature from our neck of the woods are sure to understand great- ly. In fact, Surrey accounts for approximately one-third of the region’s population growth, and its overall size is expected to match Vancouver by 2041. [1450] While Surrey is growing, it’s also young and vibrant, with one-third of our residents under the age of 19. Th at’s a strong emerging workforce to take advantage of.

Th at’s a strong emerging workforce that can take advantage of the tremendous opportunities aff orded to them by that growing economy. Th ere were more than $6 billion worth of building permits issued in the past fi ve years in the city of Surrey. Th at’s thanks in part to the lowest residential taxes and second-lowest tax burdens in the region. The city of Surrey understands that growth is important and that being positive is important. Surrey welcomed more than 2,100 new businesses last year, including 25 aerospace in- dustry manufacturers, and Surrey has a strong focus on developing a high-tech industry.

I invite people to check out, the next time they’re in Surrey, innovation boulevard. It’s a central corridor of health and science clusters that includes 180 health- related companies that have set up in the downtown in Surrey. Th ey are anchored by the Jimmy Pattison centre, B.C. Cancer Agency and a $500 million expansion to Surrey Memorial Hospital. Surrey is ready to take on the advantages of our grow- ing economy. It has taken notice of the positive indicators that say B.C. is on the right track. It remains positive; our people remain positive.

In September the Conference Board of Canada re- leased a report predicting British Columbia’s econom- ic growth will outperform the Canadian average both this year and next. In fact, B.C. ’s growth will be one of the highest amongst all of the provinces for 2015. Th e Conference Board recognizes that British Columbia is getting the fundamentals right and that we’re success- ful in creating favourable conditions for the private sec- tor to fl ourish. Th e business community also knows we’re working with their best interests at heart.

For the third year in a row, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business awarded British Columbia an A rating for our ongoing eff orts to slash red tape for small businesses. We are, in fact, the only province in Canada to receive that desig- nation this year. British Columbia continues to maintain the highest credit rating possible with Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. Moody’s confi rmed B.C. ’s triple-A credit rating in September, and Standard and Poor’s most recently affi rmed its triple-A rating in April, following Budget 2013.

Th ese results illustrate that there’s confi dence in our economy and in the direction government is taking, but it takes work. We need to stay committed; we need to stay the course. Nothing happens overnight. We know that a strong econ- omy is the only protector of the exceptional public ser- vices that we enjoy here in British Columbia, and in my ministry those public services benefi t some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Th e Ministry of Children and Family Development is where strong economy and strong services intersect to make the biggest diff erence in people’s lives.

Most British Columbians do not, and may never, come into contact with my ministry, and I would wish that for them. Th eir only context for the ministry is through the news head- lines when something tragic has happened. Th at’s un- fortunate, because those are certainly not the whole story — not even close.

Whether it’s fi nding permanent homes for children and youth in care, helping former foster kids pursue post- secondary education or providing access to high-quality child care, I can assure British Columbians that through the science of social work, our front-line staff work tire- lessly to protect children and to build capacity for loving families throughout the province. Th e ministry and I are committed to ensuring that kids in British Columbia get the best possible start in life. Although the Ministry of Children and Family Development has managed some funding increases,

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4719 there are still continued pressures on our budget. Th ere always will be, and therefore we do need to prioritize. One of our key priorities is the B.C. early-years strat- egy, which is about investing in children’s futures and supporting families. Th e earlier we can help young chil- dren build the capacity in their own lives and for them- selves, the better off we’ll be. Th at’s why we’ve placed a strong focus on early intervention.

Th e early-years strategy is an eight-year commitment to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early-years programs and services for families with young children. Th e strategy builds on the $1 billion a year government spends on early learning and childhood development initiatives, services and supports. Th ose are things like Success By 6, Children First and aboriginal early childhood development programs.

It includes full- day kindergarten; programs that support healthy preg- nancy, birth and infancy; early childhood development care and learning program investments, including public health nursing; Ready, Set, Learn programs; StrongStart B.C.; and a variety of programs and services and sup- ports to address the specifi c needs of children and youth with special needs. [1455] A big part of the early-years strategy was the creation of the provincial offi ce of the early years, which helps ensure that services across government and across B.C. are coordinated and eff ective.

Th e offi ce focuses on the needs of families with children up to age 6, and the gov- ernment will spend $292 million on child care this fi scal year — a 38 percent increase since 2001. More child care spaces are on their way. Th ey will add to the over 104,000 licensed child care spaces currently funded in communities around the province. Since 2001, government has invested more than $35 million in major capital funding to help community partners create more than 6,500 licensed child care spaces. In Surrey we fund more than 9,200 child care spaces — more than double the number funded ten years ago.

Over the next two years — so this year and next — we will invest $32 million to create up to 13,000 new spaces over the next eight years. Th at starts with 1,000 this year and 1,000 next year. Government is getting close to an- nouncing where those fi rst major capital projects will be. In May we invited child care providers to apply for a total of $14.8 million this year.

Non-profi t child care providers were able to apply for up to $500,000 and private child care organizations for up to $250,000 to build a new facility, which might include the cost of buying land or a building, to assemble a mod- ular building or develop a site, to renovate an existing building or to buy eligible equipment, including play- ground equipment and furnishings, that would support an existing facility.

Preference, of course, is being given to applications that will create child care spaces on school grounds, where children can smoothly transition from early-years programs to classroom and aft er-school care, because that’s what we have heard from families. Th at’s what is needed. Th ere will always be a need for more. Examples of underserved areas right now include Surrey — as I men- tioned, with such a large young population — and also communities like Abbotsford, Richmond, Vancouver and Burnaby. Construction of these new spaces is expected to begin this fi scal year.

While we know that they will be welcomed, there’s also a demand, therefore, for quali- fi ed early childhood educators to care for those young- est learners. Whether those childhood educators are working at child care centres or delivering government programs like StrongStart B.C., they play a critical role in the de- livery of high-quality programs to children at their ear- liest learning opportunities. Th at’s why government is investing $513,000 this year to increase the number of early childhood educators across B.C.

Th e funding has gone to one of our valued partner organizations, the Early Childhood Educators of B.C., to establish a bursary pro- gram for students in early childhood education programs. Th e bursary will allow ECE students to apply for up to $300 per course or $1,500 per semester. We’re committed to helping to increase the number of early childhood educators throughout the province. We’ve provided over $1.5 million in bursaries to almost 1,300 students since 2007.

Just as we want young British Columbians to have the support they need to learn, grow and do their best, we also want to support individuals who want to become ECEs to pursue this career path, a path that makes a profound diff erence in the lives of young children. Because we recognize the special need for early child- hood educators that specialize in aboriginal program- ming, priority will be given to aboriginal students, students attending early childhood educational programs with an aboriginal focus and students working to achieve an infant or toddler designation.

Th e new bursary pro- gram is part of our commitment to that early-years strat- egy that we launched in February 2013. When I was at an opening of one of our fi rst early-years pilot centres this last week in North Delta, the energy and excitement around the opportunity to bring those servi- ces together were palpable. Th ere are a lot of programs in the province funded by this government that are also supplemented by other agencies, municipalities, com- munity groups. [1500] Oft en those programs are disparate and hard for fam- ilies to navigate.

What we know is that we need to do a better job of coordinating those services and ensuring that parents have ease of access to all of those services that can benefi t them and their child. Programs might include drop-in programs, such as Parent-Child Mother Goose. It might, as I’ve mentioned,

British Columbia Debates4720 Monday, October 20, 2014 be a StrongStart program. What we know is that parents and caregivers need the access to practical advice, sup- port and links to child care and early childhood develop- ment services, and that’s what we’re looking to provide in these early childhood centres. Th e fi rst number of those centres has now been an- nounced: 12 throughout the province that focus on a variety of areas — rural, urban, aboriginal settings. We’ll look to learn from those fi rst pilots to see how best to roll out to the other communities of British Columbia.

While we are doing this work with providers and while we’re doing this work to expand child care and to improve the quality through early childhood educators, we also know that child care is really expensive. It is a real chal- lenge for families. In order to make child care more aff ordable for B.C. families, we are introducing the B.C. early childhood tax benefi t next April. Th e benefi t will provide $146 million a year, annually, to 180,000 families with children under age six.

Families will be eligible to receive up to $55 per month, or $660 per year, per child, and we’ll provide child care subsidies, as we already do, to help low-income fam- ilies aff ord child care — subsidies that currently help ap- proximately 50,000 children each year. Full-day kindergarten is creating additional early learning opportunities for children and, at the same time, freeing up some child care spaces for families. As you can see, Mr.

Speaker, the early-years strategy is backed by a strong commitment, a commitment that will improve the support for families and ensure that young British Columbians are indeed receiving the best possible start in life that they can. W e all know that there is a population that is oft en overrepresented in the Ministry of Children and Families. To that end, we also want to ensure that aboriginal chil- dren are getting the best possible start in life.

Th e num- ber of aboriginal children in the care of the ministry has remained relatively stable over the past few years, but they do represent a large percentage of children in care. It’s why we’ve taken additional measures to make sure that aboriginal children, youth and families have direct access to services that speak to their cultural needs and experiences. We have shift ed the focus of contracts for our aborig- inal service providers to where it needs to be: on dir- ect service delivery.

Th is will allow us to work with our partners to ensure that aboriginal children are living in strong, healthy families, in sustainable communities where they’re connected to their culture and traditions. While we are keenly aware that aboriginal children and youth represent the largest number of children in care, we also need to ensure that these kids are placed in permanent home environments that are sensitive to their cultural, traditional and language needs.

We know that young people who have the foundation of a permanent home as they become adults have better outcomes than their peers who age out of care without the support of a family. Th ey are more likely to graduate, to go to post-secondary and to fi nd successful careers. Th ey’re less likely to become involved with the social wel- fare and criminal justice systems as adults. Transitioning to adulthood, though, as we also all know from our own personal experience, doesn’t mean that you stop needing a support network or people to ask questions of or shoulders to cry on. Y ou don’t stop needing a family.

Y ou don’t stop needing a core group of people to rely on or a place to call home. It’s important for young adults to have someone there for their gradua- tion or their wedding, to celebrate a family milestone and milestones with them throughout their life — and a place to go home to for the holidays. Th e Ministry of Children and Family Development is committed to ensuring that children and youth in our care have the support they need to be healthy, contrib- uting adults. In the past fi ve years nearly 1,300 children have been adopted in British Columbia. Th at’s good news for 1,300 children.

But the need for adoptive families con- tinues, as more than 1,000 children in British Columbia are still waiting for a permanent home to call their own. [1505] Th at’s why we’re strengthening the focus on adoption and permanency in British Columbia. In April we in- vested $2 million to increase the number of home studies that are carried out so that waiting kids could fi nd for- ever families faster. We have a chance to set these kids up with stable, long-lasting supports and the best prospects for success in life.

With this $2 million, the goal is to place 300 children and youth in adoptive homes by March 31, 2015, and to place approximately 150 children and youth in perma- nent guardianship environments. Th is funding includes an even stronger focus on increasing culturally appro- priate permanency plans and placements for aboriginal children. It’s an exciting thought to know that we can make such a radical diff erence in the lives of children and youth. Most recently the Representative for Children and Y outh and I joined forces to encourage British Columbians to consider adopting a child in care.

We’ll be following that up with a sustained eff ort through a public campaign to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be in a forever home — one that is secure, one that is safe and one that is supportive. Our children’s future is connected to our economy. It is our economy that is our true strength and potential as the province moves forward. We will continue to control spending. We will continue to open new markets and at- tract new investment. Th at is what we’re here to do this term in the Legislature. It’s to build that path forward.

LNG will be a legacy that will outlast us, but it’s a foun- dation upon which our children and their children will be able to fi rmly stand.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4721 Deputy Speaker: I recognize the member for Nelson- Creston. [Applause.] M. Mungall: Th ank you very much. It’s so great that the person sitting next to me gives me some applause. It’s my pleasure to rise in the House today to give my response to the throne speech. Before I get into the meat of my thoughts, as well as the thoughts of the people I represent in Nelson-Creston, I do want to pay a bit of a tribute myself, as we did in the throne speech.

I would like to acknowledge some of the people who have served the communities in Nelson-Creston as local government representatives. Th ey are retiring — they are not running for re-election right now this fall — and they have served our communities incredibly well. In Creston we have Scott Veitch, Judy Gadicke and Jerry Schmalz, who are all stepping down this year. Scott served one term, and Judy and Jerry I believe have served a total of three terms. Th eir commitment to the commun- ity of Creston and, indeed, to the entire Creston Valley and to the entire Kootenay region cannot be questioned whatsoever.

Also, in Kaslo we have Maureen Leathwood. Molly Leathwood is retiring. She has been on council for, I be- lieve, three terms as well. She’s also a teacher in the region. I’ve been able to speak to her class and see her dedica- tion to children, not only in the classroom but also in her work as a member of the village council in Kaslo. In Salmo Ann Henderson is retiring aft er four terms as mayor. She was fi rst elected the same year I was, in 2002. When I was elected to Nelson city council, she was elected to Salmo village council.

I got to know her then, and I’ve known her ever since and been able to watch the work that she’s done in Salmo and the dedication that she has to that small community and the vibrancy of that community. Ann has done a tremendous amount of work. One of the things I will highlight is the new health centre in Salmo. Th at was Ann’s passion for quite some time, and I know when that health centre was con- structed and we cut the ribbon, a lot of the work there was owed to Ann. Jennifer Peel is also stepping down aft er her fi rst term on council. I do hope that she comes back.

She has a tremendous love for the village of Salmo, and that pas- sion and that love was displayed every day that she was on council. [1510] Th en we have some regional district directors who are retiring — Ron Mickel and Andy Shadrack, both serving their areas exceptionally well. In Nelson both Paula Kiss and Candace Batycki are stepping down aft er serving a term.

Both came into council with an incredible passion for the environment and over the last three years have shown the importance of speaking out for sustainable economic development and have brought that perspec- tive and established it very well on council. Now, there are two people that I want to specifi cally ac- knowledge and that are good friends of mine. I’ve known them for a very long time. Th ey are at complete opposite ends of the political spectrum but are very good friends — and very good friends of mine as well.

First I want to pay a special tribute to John Kettle, who’s been the area dir- ector. [Applause.] I fi gured he would get some applause from members of all sides of the House. John Kettle has been a member of the RDCK. He’s been chair of the RDCK and the representative for area B since, I believe, 2002. We were both elected at the same time. Th at’s when I fi rst got to know John. I was much younger than him. I’m happy to point that out. John and I hit it off famously right from the beginning, despite him being very conservative and me being quite on the left side of the political spectrum.

But we both had this deep passion for our region. We shared that. We always would say: “If you’re going to pick a fi ght with the Kootenays, don’t pick it with John or me, be- cause we’re defi nitely ready for a good scrap to defend our territories and our region any day of the week. ” Despite any of our disagreements, we’ve always remained good friends and have even put wagers on various elections — and John has always paid up. Donna Macdonald is someone who has been a rock in my life, both personally and politically.

When I was fi rst elected in 2002, Donna was a veteran city councillor in Nelson and was wonderful and patient with mentoring me. I learned so much from her. Over the years — par- ticularly in my personal life, when I had left Nelson and wanted to go back and I needed somebody to provide a landing pad for me to come back to Nelson — Donna and her husband, Greg, were there. Donna has just been an incredible person for me per- sonally, but most notably, in the community of Nelson. Her tireless, hard-working, driven nature in the role as a city councillor for Nelson is unmatched. She has earned this retirement.

She’s earned this rest. I’m sure it won’t be long. I think, Donna, you’re going to get about three months before everybody starts asking you to sit on community boards. I want to again just thank everybody who is retiring this year and also thank everybody who has put their names forward in the upcoming municipal elections and local government elections. Just standing for offi ce and being willing to put your name forward is a tremendous service to all of us and to our democratic structure. We are all the better for them doing that. I’ll also just take a moment to recognize some other people.

I want to recognize my constituency assistants, Curtis Bendig and Laurie Langille. And for the past year a young woman named Jen Comer had worked in my offi ce as well, out of Creston. Th ese are three of the fi n- est people that I have ever worked with in my life. Th ey are just, day in and day out, serving the community and enjoying it as they go along. It’s truly inspirational. I am

British Columbia Debates4722 Monday, October 20, 2014 motivated every day to know that I get to work with them. I want to pay a special thank-you to them and, as well, to my husband, Zak, who whenever we go out gro- cery shopping or go see the theatre or to the movies will stand there patiently while I chat up with constituents. He understands that my job doesn’t end at fi ve o’ clock in the aft ernoon; nor does it start at nine in the morning. It certainly means that evenings and weekends are work times as well.

I just want to also say thank you so much to all the vol- unteers in Nelson-Creston who put their time and energy forward for the variety of projects and non-profi t services. It’s because of them that our communities keep thriving. [1515] Coming back to what we’re speaking to here to- day, though, which is the Speech from the Th rone. Th e speaker before me, the Minister of Children and Family Development, called it decisive. Th ere’s no doubt that de- cisions were made in putting this Speech from the Th rone together, so in that sense, yes, it is decisive.

Th at being said, I don’t know if we can say that fi ve pages is a fulsome direction for the province. Y es, a deci- sion was made, and that decision was to limit everything that this province needs into fi ve pages with essentially one topic. We all know the letters of that topic: LNG. What’s interesting about what’s in those fi ve pages is also what’s not in the fi ve pages. What were the decisions made to be left out? Well, when it comes down to LNG, the conversation is short. Th e discussion is short and per- ipheral, lacking substance.

Here is the big-banner item of this government with big promises before the election. We heard mention of 100,000 jobs, $100 million into a prosperity fund. “Everything is going to be paid for. We’re going to elimin- ate the PST” — big promises. “We’re going to have debt- free B.C. ” Th at was on the side of the bus that went from community to community, making that promise in every place it stopped: “Debt-free B.C. ” But none of that was in this throne speech. We don’t hear about the prosperity fund. We don’t hear about eliminating debt. We don’t hear about eliminating the PST.

We don’t hear about hundreds of thousands of jobs. What we hear about is that LNG is going to allow us to merely hold the line. What happened between 2013 — before the election — and today? What happened that the government has to pull back on all of its promises? Another member of this House was talking about…. Y ou know, they were promising everything. Why didn’t they just promise unicorns for everybody? Th ey were so grand. Now maybe it’s because we’re back in the land of reality and the government just simply isn’t able to deliver. Th ey say one thing and do another.

Th ey say something that sounds really great and really nice. It gives everybody hope. But they’re not able to deliver, and that’s exactly where we’re at. Th at’s why this throne speech can only be fi ve pages — because it was supposed to be all about their big prom- ise, and they can’t even deliver. All they can off er now is to hold the line. Th at’s not what people wanted. Th at’s not what people said in the election. Th ey wanted to see a better way forward for British Columbia. Instead, we get a government pulling back on everything it said it was going to do.

I also think it’s important to mention about the eco- nomic sectors that are not mentioned in the Speech from the Th rone. We’re focusing on one sector and saying that it’s going to do everything that we need it to do. “ All these other opportunities are irrelevant” is what I’m hearing from this government. But let me tell you, hon. Speaker, in my area agriculture is not irrelevant. It is a core indus- try in the Creston Valley. It is an important industry all throughout the Kootenays. [1520] It’s why we’re able to eat a 100-mile diet.

In Cranbrook it’s only 50 miles — Creston Valley from Cranbrook — where you can eat everything, almost anything. Y ou have your grains. Y ou have dairy. Y ou have meat, poultry. Y ou have vegetables. I was just in one of the nurseries and greenhouses in the Creston Valley last spring. And what were they growing there? Oranges. So we’re even grow- ing citrus fruit in the Creston Valley. Th is is an important economic sector for our region, and all it gets in this throne speech is one word. One word — that’s all it got.

So for the Harrises, who have a dairy farm and who are expanding the value-added portion of that farm, not just by producing cheese and bottling milk but also by doing agritourism, one word doesn’t help what they’re trying to achieve and what they’re trying to contribute to our local economy and to B.C. ’s economy. Aft er Bill 24 with last session, they needed some reassur- ance from this government that they were going to have stability in their economic sector, and they didn’t get that. Th ey got one word. Well, at least they got an honourable mention.

Because tourism and the arts, two other very important economic sectors for Nelson-Creston, didn’t even get one word. It’s like they don’t even exist, according to this throne speech. What happened to one of the most important sectors in our province — tourism? What makes tourism so suc- cessful in many places like Nelson is the arts. We know that for every tax dollar that goes into the arts, $1.36 comes back to B.C. coff ers. We’re making money when we invest in the arts. We know that in the city of Nelson. We see that regularly. We see that regularly in the village of Kaslo.

Just about a week ago I was at the 40th anniversary for the Langham Cultural Centre, where we saw the story of people com- ing together 40 years ago to renovate a building that had literally fallen apart and was mostly inhabited by pack- rats. Now it is this beautiful cultural centre, a beautiful theatre that is used regularly. It houses the museum of Japanese Canadians who survived the internment in that

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 20, 2014 4723 area. In fact, that very building is where many Japanese Canadians were interned during World War II. Th eir story is told at this cultural centre. If we had taken the time to talk about how important that was in the throne speech — maybe, I don’t know, a sixth page to the throne speech…. If we had taken the time to talk about how important the arts and tourism are to the B.C. economy, we would have been able to ac- knowledge and set an appropriate agenda to build that sector. It’s also one of the highest job creating sectors in the province.

So if this government is going to promise jobs, why not talk about and support and work with the sector that houses most of the jobs and the highest job creation? Again, a decision to ignore. Th at’s the decisiveness that was earlier described as this throne speech. Improving health services for seniors. Th at wasn’t in this throne speech. Th e only mention of education was around the labour dispute. Th e necessary resources in the classroom, long-term vision — that wasn’t there. Th ese are the basic things that people come to expect from gov- ernment.

Y et in these fi ve pages very little mention and nothing mentioned on health care. Perhaps if we had ex- panded it to maybe seven pages…. [1525] I mean, we used to make note that something of ten pages was a small, thin Speech from the Th rone — a thin agenda for government. And here we are at fi ve pages — half that. Talk about a thin agenda now. One whole page is devoted to just ramblings about leadership, right?

Th ey could have taken that part out and started talking about the real services that British Columbians need in their communities: the health care services, the social services, the long-term-care facilities, housing. Th e list goes on. One of the things I would have really liked to have heard about from this throne speech is what’s going on with the Ministry of Social Development and what’s hap- pening for people living in poverty. I would have been the fi rst person to praise this government if in this throne speech there was a conversation, if there was a commit- ment, about a poverty reduction plan.

I’ve put forward legislation in this House — poverty reduction and economic inclusion — so that our econ- omy benefi ts everyone. But why wasn’t that in this throne speech? Why was there no mention of that? Well, maybe it’s because every time we hear about pov- erty from the Liberals, it is always in the frame of: “We have to be able to aff ord these things. It means we have to have a strong economy. When we have a strong economy, we’ll be able to do poverty reduction. When we have a strong economy, we’ll be able to raise income assistance rates.

When we have a strong economy, we’ll be able to give kids their money back. When we have a strong econ- omy, we’ll be able to do X, Y and Z to address poverty. ” Here’s the fact of the matter. It doesn’t matter what the status of the economy is. Th is government does nothing when it comes to reducing poverty. Poverty reduction is not a partisan issue. Th e fi rst province to have a poverty reduction plan was one with a Liberal government. Th e second province was Newfoundland, with a Conservative government.

Governments, regardless of political stripes, have started doing poverty reduction plans — meaningful poverty reduction plans, not just connecting people with the existing community services in their regions. I mean, goodness, most constituency offi ces of MLAs already do that, right? Th ese poverty reduction plans look at the policies that government has and identify the ones that exacerbate poverty rather than alleviate poverty.

If we had a poverty reduction plan in this province that required government to do just that, I have no doubt one of the fi rst policies that they would identify is the clawing back of child sup- port payments from children simply because their par- ents receive income supports like disability. We have the highest child poverty in the country, not just last year but for 11 years. We have the highest over- all poverty in the country for 13 years, and 50 percent of single mothers and their children are living in poverty.

Y ou would think that that would spur any government to action, regardless of their political stripe. But that has not happened here in British Columbia. What we see is more rhetoric, more talk. “We’ll get to that when the economy is strong. We’ll get to that when we have all this money from LNG. Oh, by the way, let me backtrack on that one, ” says the government, because: “LNG is now only going to let us hold the line, so forget all those promises. ” Th erefore, will government ever address poverty? It’s high time they did. It’s long past due.

But that was mis- sing from this Speech from the Th rone. [1530] What is a shame is when the Minister of Children and Families says that you can’t spend more than you have, that that is the philosophy she lives by, that that’s the phil- osophy government lives by and that that’s what British Columbians want government to live by. Th at’s a fair comment, but the reality is that families who are living on income assistance, living in poverty, regularly have to go into debt — credit card debt or worse — just so they can put food on the table. Every time this government claws back $300 from a family….

Th ey take away that child support payment. Every month that they take that away, that family has to struggle. Th at family has to look at using MasterCard or Visa — if they can get a credit card — to pay for grocer- ies and not be able to pay it off at the end of month — not because they’re lazy and don’t want to but because the government is taking away their child support payments. While this government preaches that you can’t spend more than you have, it certainly sets up British

British Columbia Debates4724 Monday, October 20, 2014 Columbians to not be able to practise that. It sets British Columbians up to have to go into personal debt. I’m talk- ing here about families who are living so below the pov- erty line, who are struggling every month just to put food on the table. Th at number is growing. Th e middle class is starting to feel the pinch, as well, every time MSP goes up. ICBC rates, B.C. Hydro going up…. Aff ordability is starting to become a number one issue. Dr. Paul Kershaw has pointed out that my generation is Generation Squeeze.

We have less disposable income than our parents did — because of the rate of infl ation, wages not keeping pace, housing costs going up. With all of these things that my generation contends with — child care costs, elder care costs — we have less disposable in- come than past generations. It shows. When I talk to my peers, the number one issue: aff ordability. Struggling to pay the bills. Working oft en two or three part-time jobs because it’s really dif- fi cult to get a full-time job. Not having any time to vol- unteer in the community. Th ese are the things that my generation struggles with.

Th at wasn’t really in the throne speech. What was in the throne speech were broken promises. I also would have liked to have heard why, in the Ministry of Social Development, we see changes, reduced hours, at ten offi ces and an 11-minute cutoff to phone calls. More and more the ministry is moving towards…. “Self-serve” is what they call it. If people want to make an application, they have to do it on line. Th eir computer literacy is irrelevant. Th ey have to do it on line. If they need any assistance, there is a 1-800 number for them to call. But don’t talk for more than 11 minutes, because you’ll be cut off .

In Nelson if you

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20141020pm-Hansard-v15n8
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20141020pm Hansard v15n8
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	dae7f10c9289b37cd5284c970d434030b6a1e7f1

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