British Columbia Hansard — Wednesday, March 26, 2014

20140326pm-Hansard-v9n1

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 9, Number 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 2427 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 2429 Bill 20 — Local Elections Campaign Financing Act Hon. C. Oakes Bill 21 — Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. C.

Oakes Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 2430 Colorectal cancer awareness and prevention E. Foster Contributions of immigrants J. Shin Oscar Schultz L. Th roness Waste reduction and recycling D. Routley Purple Day and epilepsy awareness D. Plecas Election of Logan McMenamie as bishop of Anglican Diocese C.

James Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2432 Protection of foreign workers' rights and blacklisting of workers by Mexican government A. Dix Hon. C. Clark N. Simons Earthquake preparedness K. Corrigan Hon. S. Anton Seismic upgrades for schools R. Fleming Hon. P . Fassbender Earthquake preparedness S. Fraser Hon. S. Anton St. Paul's Hospital redevelopment and seismic safety G. Heyman Hon. T.

Lake Hiring of John Les for earthquake preparedness position and release of Auditor General report S. Simpson Hon. S. Anton Multi-Material B.C. recycling program implementation L. Popham Hon. N. Y amamoto Standing Order 81 ................................................................................................................................................................... 2437 Bill 25 to proceed through two or more stages in one day Hon. M. de Jong B. Ralston

Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 2437 Bill 14 — Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. S. Anton L. Krog K. Corrigan K. Conroy Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 2444 Bill 5 — Forests, Lands and Natural Reso urce Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. S. Th omson N. Macdonald B. Routley V .

Huntington Standing Order 81 ................................................................................................................................................................... 2461 Bill 25 to proceed through two or more stages in one day Hon. M. de Jong Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 2461 Estimates: Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (continued) Hon. J. Rustad D. Donaldson N. Simons B. Routley C.

Trevena A. Weaver

WEDNESDAY , MARCH 26, 2014 Th e House met at 1:34 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [1335] Introductions by Members N. Simons: I'm very happy to be able to introduce a well-loved family from Powell River who have joined us here in the House for question period. Powell River is a wonderful place to live, in part be- cause of people like Mohinder Singh, his wife, Janmeet Kaur, and their daughter Asees Kaur. Not only are they a well-loved family, they are proud owners of what's be- coming an iconic restaurant in Powell River, the Little Hut Curry.

Will the House please join me in welcoming them here. Hon. T. Lake: I have two sets of introductions today. First of all, I would like to introduce the team from the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre, who are joining us in the House. We have: Barb Gilmore, Jenn Morgan, Terri Beaton, Joanne Lefl er, Christina Middleton, Pauline Johnson and Lise Anthony — who has her seizure dog, Bond, attending with her as well. Th is is a non-profi t society that supports the Victoria capital regional district with information and educa- tion services.

With their help, those suff ering with these neurological disorders are better able to manage the physical, psychological and social eff ects so that they can lead active lives and fully participate in society. Would the House please make this group very wel- come. K. Corrigan: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to wel- come two of the members of a large delegation of Korean constituents from across the Lower Mainland, largely. I'm pleased to introduce Song Ja Lee and Yun Ik Schallert. I would point out that Yun Ik is the president of the Korean Senior Society.

So it gives me a great deal of pleasure, and I hope the House will make them all feel welcome. R. Sultan: ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's dis- ease, is a neurological disorder with devastating conse- quences. Th e ALS Society of British Columbia provides patients with support, raises funds for services to help them and raises public awareness of this dreadful disease. With us today in the galleries are fi ve representatives of the society: Rick Poliquin, director; Dr.

Neil Cashman, director — heavily involved in research, by the way; Ann McArthur, patient services committee; Wendy Toyer, executive dir- ector; and a person who really, for many of us, needs no introduction, former MLA Susan Brice — former MLA for Saanich South, as a matter of fact — vice-president of the Victoria chapter. Would the House please make these guests welcome. G. Holman: I would like to introduce to the House today my young constituency assistant, Ryan Painter, a frighteningly enthusiastic young man.

He's just doing a great job for me making me look good, which, as some of you have come to know, is a diffi cult task indeed. Would the House please welcome Ryan Painter to the House today. J. Tegart: I'm pleased to introduce Doreen Gowans, Agnes Geiger and Gisela Montague from the B.C. and Yukon council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada. They presented to our caucus outreach this morning, sharing concerns. I ask the members of this House to make them welcome. J.

Shin: Joining us today in the gallery are British Columbians of Gangnam style, people who built the ruins of the war into the 15th-largest economy in the entire world in just one generation and ranking sev- enth in the 2008 and fi ft h in the 2012 Olympics and, of course, sweeping the globe with their K-pop and their K-fashion trends.

Th ey contribute their incredible work ethics and bring their big social hearts and all their kimchi-loving ways to the multicultural society of our province. [1340] Th ey are really my extended mamas and papas in the House today, who worry if I'm eating okay, who cup my face to tell me that I can do it. When I greeted them earlier today at the entrance of this building and said, "Welcome home.

Th is is your House," their eyes teared up instantly, and so my heart is very full today. [Korean was spoken.] Would the House please make the delegation of 30 leaders from the Korean-Canadian community in Metro Vancouver feel very, very welcome. Hon. J. Rustad: It's a great pleasure today to have somebody from my riding down here, not just because it's — I don't know if you'd say — rare to have people from Nechako Lakes be able to travel down here, but also because this individual was able to help witness the signing of an incremental treaty agreement with Lake Babine Nation.

Would the House please make welcome the Deputy Chief of Lake Babine Nation, Frank Alec. A. Dix: I wish to welcome someone from my constitu- ency of Vancouver-Kingsway today, part of the delegation of Korean Canadians who've joined us: Sun Ja Im. I'd like the House to make Sun Ja Im welcome. 2427

British Columbia Debates2428 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 E. Foster: It gives me great pleasure to rise today to introduce fi ve special guests to the House. First and fore- most, of course, is my long-suff ering wife of almost 30 years, Janice Foster. With Janice today, with my wife, are four international students: two Rotary exchange stu- dents that are staying with us in Vernon right now, an international student in the international program at school district 22 and a fourth young lady who is here visiting. She was a Rotary exchange student in Vernon last year.

From Turkey we have Zenab Janare; from Italy, Giovana Paulino; from South Korea, Kae Y on Kim; and Th u Dah, who is my good friend who was here from Th ailand last year and visiting again. I apologize to any Th ai speakers in the audience. Kotai Dah — her last name is Chunsirecuhunai. Th at's why we call her Dah. If the House would please make them all welcome. R. Fleming: Joining us today from Reynolds Secondary School are 29 grade 11 students with their teacher Ms. Sara Reside. It's great to have this group of grade 11 stu- dents here.

Th ey come from a wonderful school that has an incredibly inclusive culture and a connectedness be- tween students and the broader community. Th ere's a very strong sense of civic engagement at this school and active citizenship. Reynolds is known for that in our com- munity. I would ask the House not only to make them welcome but not to disappoint them in any way in our democratic chamber this aft ernoon. Hon. T.

Lake: In the House today — I had the pleas- ure of having lunch with these two fi ne gentlemen along with the MLA for Fraser-Nicola — we have the chair of the Th ompson-Nicola regional district, from my con- stituency, Barriere mayor Bill Humphreys, as well the CAO of the Th ompson-Nicola regional district, Sukh Gill. Th ese are two gentlemen that have been a pleasure to work with over the years and enjoyed a great time at lunch. I would hope the House would please make these hard-working local government representatives welcome. H.

Bains: Of the delegation that my colleague from Burnaby-Lougheed mentioned earlier, one of them is a Surrey-Newton resident, Ji Won Chung. She is there a director of the Korean Society of B.C. Please help me welcome her to this beautiful House. [1345] M. Dalton: Joining us in the gallery today are some spe- cial guests of mine. John and Val Hatch from Tsawwassen are here. John is my brother-in-law and is the deputy fi re chief in New Westminster. Sitting next to him is his gor- geous sister Marlene, who also happens to be my wife. We also have Bill and Jean Jones, who are from Victoria.

Previously Bill was the fi re chief in Galiano. Would the members please make them feel welcome. C. James: I have two very important guests visiting the gallery today. Th e Rt. Rev. Bishop Logan McMenamie is here with his executive assistant, Imelda Secker, and I'll have a little more to say about the reverend a little bit later. Would the House please make them very welcome. S. Simpson: I'm pleased to join with my colleague from Burnaby-Lougheed in her greetings for our friends from the Korean-Canadian community. I particularly want to welcome Ms.

Lotus Chung, who's the former president of the Korean Lions Club, and Mr. Ho Jin Lee, who is a director of the Korean Society of B.C. Please make them very welcome. D. Eby: It's my pleasure to join with my colleague from Burnaby-Lougheed in welcoming the Korean delegates here today and, in particular, Ok Hwa Hwang, the direc- tor of the Korean Senior Society. Welcome to you today. M. Farnworth: It's a pleasure to actually introduce someone from my riding. I can't remember the last time I've have done it in this chamber. It gives me great pleasure to welcome two members of the delegation of Korean leaders.

Th ey are Y ong Pil Kim, who is a director of the Korean Society of B.C. and a Korean War veteran. Accompanying him is Duck Jin Kim. I'd ask the House to please make them both very welcome. J. Darcy: Th e list of people to introduce keeps grow- ing. I'd like to join with my colleagues in welcoming two members of the Korean-Canadian delegation that are here today, from my constituency: Mr. Chin Uook Kim, the new president of the Korean Senior Society, and Mrs. Bok Gyoum Kim. Please join me in welcoming them to this House.

It also gives me great pleasure to add a welcome to the deputy chief of the New West fi re department, who I've encountered, unfortunately, on two occasions recently at the site of fi res in New Westminster. Our New West fi re department does an absolutely fabulous job, and we are grateful for them every single day. I will join my col- league on the other side of the House in making them welcome today. We're also very grateful that members of the ALS Society of British Columbia are here today. Th ey've been previously introduced, so in the interests of time, I won't mention all of their names.

I certainly look forward to meeting with them later on today because the ALS Society of British Columbia is absolutely dedicated to providing direct support to ALS patients along with their families and caregivers and also ensuring that we fi nd a cure for ALS. Please make them welcome in this House. G. Heyman: It was a great pleasure earlier today to meet with members of the Korean-Canadian delegation, talk with them a bit, and in particular to see the regard

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2429 with which they held the fi rst Korean-Canadian MLA, my colleague from Burnaby-Lougheed. So it gives me great pleasure to introduce Jieni Quan and Hui Lin Shen. Th ey serve as Chinese-Korean community liaisons. Will the House please make them very welcome. R. Chouhan: I would also like to join my colleague from Burnaby-Lougheed in welcoming some of my con- stituents from the Burnaby-Edmonds area.

Haeng Ja Kim is the director of the Korea Reunifi cation Society; Dong Im Seo, director of the Korean choir; Woong Lai Noh, the principal of Korean senior school; and Suk Ja Lee, his wife, director of the Korean Senior Society. Please join me to welcome them. S. Robinson: It gives me great pleasure as well, along with my other colleagues, to welcome a number of con- stituents and people who call Coquitlam home, who are part of this Korean-Canadian delegation. [1350] I'd like the House to join me in welcoming Mr. Y ong Hoon Lee and his wife, Mrs. Kyung Sook Lee — Mr.

Lee is the former outgoing president of the Korean Society of British Columbia — and Mr. Hyea Jung Park; and Mrs. Zoo Y oul Kim. Mr. Park is the president of the Korean Literacy Association. Miss In Soon Lee is the president of the Korean Women's Society. Mr. Jeong Y oo Joo is the director of the Korean Society of British Columbia. Miss Eun Sook Park is the director of Korea Reunifi cation Society. Mr. Y o Sang Song is the president of the North Korean Escapee Advocacy Society. Mr. Y oung Suk Choi is the president of the Korean Business Association.

I am very proud that they call Coquitlam home, and I'd like to ask the House to make them feel very welcome. B. Ralston: I, too, would like to join with the member for Burnaby-Lougheed in welcoming Miss Eun Sook Seo, who is a director of the Korean Senior Society. M. Elmore: It's a very great honour and privilege to welcome our friends from the Korean-Canadian com- munity and really recognize them for their leadership commitment in not only building the Korean community but also contributing to our rich tapestry here in British Columbia.

I'm very pleased to welcome Harry Hur, the former president of the Korean Business Association, as well as Annis Eun Sook Hur, the wife of the former president of the Korean Business Association, and also to welcome Y ong Suk Choi and Jin Yuong Lee, directors of the Korean Society of B.C. D. Routley: I was never able to introduce my father in this House, George Th omas Routley, because several years before I became an MLA he passed, from ALS. I feel that my dad had such great courage, particularly in that time.

I want to thank the people from the ALS Society for what they've done for our family and for being here today. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 20 — LOCAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN FINANCING ACT Hon. C. Oakes presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Hon. C. Oakes: I move that Bill 20, entitled Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, be read for the fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. C. Oakes: I am pleased today to present the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

Th e legislative update of the campaign fi nance rules for local governments is the most signifi cant modernization of these rules in two dec- ades. Th is legislation will help bring greater transparency and accountability to local elections. It will apply to elec- tion participants in municipalities, regional districts, the Islands Trust, parks boards and school boards. It will also strengthen compliance to new campaign fi nance rules and establish a formal process to guide educational resources to help candidates, election organ- izations, third-party advertisers and citizens to under- stand these new rules.

More specifi cally, the proposed legislation will require all election advertising to identify sponsorship information. It will authorize Elections B.C. to play a new key role in local government elections, en- forcing compliance with campaign fi nance rules. It will require third-party advertisers to register with Elections B.C. before sponsoring third-party advertising. It will require campaign fi nance disclosure statements to be fi led with Elections B.C. within 90 days following the election, instead of 120 days.

It will authorize Elections B.C. to post on line all candidate, electoral organization and third-party advertiser disclosure statements. [1355] The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Elections B.C. and other key stakeholders involved in the administration of local elections will pro- vide ongoing education and advice to help all election participants learn the new rules about campaign fi nance. Changes to local government elections captured by this legislation are based on joint recommendations of the B.C. government, Union of B.C. Municipalities and Local Government Elections Task Force.

I move that the bill be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

British Columbia Debates2430 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Bill 20, Local Elections Campaign Financing 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. BILL 21 — LOCAL ELECTIONS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Hon. C. Oakes presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014. Hon. C. Oakes: I move that Bill 21, entitled the Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. C.

Oakes: I am pleased to present the Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act. Th is legislation is a necessary companion piece to the new Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. With the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act fo- cusing on campaign fi nance rules, there are a number of other statutes that require amendment. Th ese statutes in- clude the Local Government Act, the Vancouver Charter, the Community Charter, the Islands Trust Act, the Cultus Lake Park Act and the School Act.

Th e proposed Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act also addresses the recommendations made by the Local Government Elections Task Force, which are not specifi c to campaign fi nancing. Th ese recommendations include a change to four-year terms of offi ce for local elected of- fi cials, a change of the election date from November to October, a requirement that nomination documents in- clude a solemn declaration that a person is aware of and will comply with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, and an enhanced oath requiring election offi cials to exercise their powers faithfully and impartially.

I want to note that both the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the B.C. School Trustees Association support the change to four-year terms of offi ce. UBCM has also endorsed moving the general local election date to October. In addition, this legislation contains the rules which will govern the transition from the existing local elections legislation to the new campaign fi nancing rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Lastly, the Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act addresses minor amendments and housekeeping mat- ters.

Th is includes giving regional districts and the city of Vancouver power to establish their own oath of offi ce as other local governments in British Columbia already do. I move that the bill be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill 21, Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, 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) COLORECTAL CANCER AW ARENESS AND PREVENTION E.

Foster: March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. While most Canadians don't like to talk about colorectal cancer, this is a great time to change that. Talking about this disease can save lives. Colorectal cancer is one of the only cancers that can be prevented through regular screening. Th at means that the disease is preventable, treatable and beatable when detected early. Currently colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and the third- leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in Canada, aft er lung and breast cancers.

More than 90 per- cent of cases of colorectal cancer occur in people aged 50 or older, and the risk increases as we age. Th is gov- ernment aims to reduce incidences of colorectal cancer through awareness, screening and planning. A simple test exists called the fecal immunochemical test — or FIT, we'll call it — that will help save lives by supporting the early detection of this disease. Since April 2013….

Th is test, funded by the government, is easy for patients to complete and does not have any dietary or medication restrictions. [1400] On November 15, 2013, the provincial colon screen- ing program was rolled out to all health authorities in B.C. for residents aged 50 through 74. Th is program has a primary care focus with general practitioners refer- ring patients between the ages of 50 and 74 years of age for a screening test. Average-risk patients are then re- ferred for an FIT, while patients with signifi cant family history of colorectal cancer will be referred for a screen- ing colonoscopy.

Th e good news is that more British Columbians are aware of this program and the life-saving eff ects of early screening to help detect or even prevent colorectal can- cer. Th is month share information with your family and your friends about the importance of regular screening and discussing cancer prevention with your doctor. If colon cancer is detected in its early stage, patients have a 90 percent chance of survival, and that is something to talk about. CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS J. Shin: As we all know, the faces of British Columbia have greatly diversifi ed in the last three decades.

With more than 20 percent of all Canadians born abroad,

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2431 Statistics Canada estimates that by 2030 net immigration will make up 90 percent of our population growth. Many of us are among the wonderful mosaic landscape that we enjoy today as one of the seven million immigrants, from Vietnam to Iran, who have made Canada our home. Now, what is it about B.C. that attracts so many of us?

When I ask this question of the many immigrant families that I serve in Burnaby-Lougheed, I hear the same an- swers over and over again: parents who came looking for accessible quality education for their children, families who came looking for peace of mind with medicare, kids looking to grow up in the magnifi cent nature and wild- life that our province is famous for, seniors looking for a dignifi ed retirement with their loved ones, people look- ing for the right to respect and to be respected in their workplace and in choosing who they love.

However, the history shows that life as an immigrant wasn't a fair one. Even in just this past decade the income profi le of recent immigrants deteriorated signifi cantly. So did their quality of life here. So it is with profound grati- tude that I recognize the contributions and celebrate the legacies of many minority community organizations and societies like the ten Korean-Canadian associations that are present here with us today that stood up and fought for equality. Immigrants have been a vital pillar for our labour and investment economy and for the wonderful social di- versity that makes Canada.

I hope we can honour their incredible value by always challenging ourselves to build an even better society. OSCAR SCHULTZ L. Th roness: I rise today to honour a constituent of mine who passed away on March 2 aft er a short illness. Oscar Schultz was born in Manitoba in 1931 and, like so many who endured the Dirty '30s found his way to the green paradise of the Fraser Valley. He graduated from Chilliwack Senior Secondary School; met the love of his life, Joyce Cramer, in 1953; and spent the next six dec- ades with her, raising four fi ne children.

His entire career was spent in the berry-processing in- dustry, 42 years with Y ork Farms, where Oscar worked his way up from bookkeeper to company president of a plant in Chilliwack named Berryland. Oscar loved sports, and he travelled a lot for work and pleasure. He also loved his church, where he held just about every job, including treasurer, in the days when the church had a big debt and interest rates were over 20 percent. Oscar was also a great supporter of mine, off ering con- stant encouragement even when politics weren't going so well.

He would oft en invite me to meet him at White Spot for his favourite meal, fi sh and chips, and regale me with stories about his days working for the company's owner, Jimmy Pattison, for whom he had a great deal of respect. Perhaps Oscar's legacy, besides his 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, can be summed up by Jimmy Pattison himself, who sent this message to the Schultz family: "Oscar was a true man of God and a wonder- ful employee. I have many fond memories of our years together at Berryland.

May God wrap his loving arms around you as you grieve the loss of this wonderful man." We in Chilliwack will miss him too. We are lucky to have known him. W ASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING D. Routley: I rise to speak of something that British Columbians are rightly very proud of, and that is their continent-leading recycling programs.

Our ubiquitous blue boxes, green bins and yellow bags represent a prov- incewide commitment by the people of this province to recycling, composting and reducing our waste stream. [1405] Managed by local governments and involving private and non-profi t players, recycling is a conservative activ- ity, reclaiming resources from the waste stream. Did you know that more gold is harvested through recycling than through mining today? We have a consumer society that has vast amounts of superfl uous packaging, and that equals waste. We use resources borrowed from the future.

Many resources re- cycled today had no recycling potential just a few years ago. Th e demand to reduce our waste stream incents innov- ation in recycling, reuse and reduction. Making the issue go away through incineration, using the atmosphere as a dump, will disincent improvements in waste reduc- tion and recycling. Landfi lls are currently mined today for their resources. Using the atmosphere as a dump is not the answer. California is avoiding incineration, moving to zero waste. California is the economy of scale on the west of the continent of North America.

San Francisco is the fi rst major city to ban bottled water just this week. B.C. has two times the land mass of California, yet California has 25 times the population. Th ey led the way, banning leaded gas. Th ey led the way in automobile safety stan- dards that changed the world in terms of automobile production. We have the means, the mechanisms and the ability to get to zero waste and to do what's right for the future. Our recycling programs in B.C. are continent-leading, and we need to be very, very proud of them. PURPLE DAY AND EPILEPSY AW ARENESS D.

Plecas: I rise today to remind the House that to- day, March 26, is Purple Day, a global eff ort to promote awareness about epilepsy. Purple Day was founded just fi ve years ago by a young woman named Cassidy Megan

British Columbia Debates2432 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Nova Scotia. Cassidy wants to get people talking about epilepsy in an eff ort to dispel myths and to remind those who suff er from epilepsy that they are not alone. Th e colour purple was chosen because the lavender fl ower is oft en associated with solitude, which is refl ect- ive of the feeling of isolation oft en felt by many people aff ected by this disorder. Epilepsy is not a disease. It's a neurological disor- der that aff ects approximately 1 percent of Canadians. It aff ects about 65 million people worldwide.

It is the most common neurological disorder in the world. Unfortunately, though, it's not well understood. Many people living with epilepsy experience social isolation, work barriers and relationship issues. Here in British Columbia help is available. Any time, day or night, HealthLink B.C. provides access to non- emergency health information and advice. Individuals with questions or concerns about epilepsy can contact HealthLink at 811 and speak to a nurse, a pharmacist or a health representative. Also, people will want to know that translation services are available in 130 diff erent languages. Th ank you, hon.

Speaker and members of this House, for observing 2014 Purple Day in British Columbia. ELECTION OF LOGAN McMENAMIE AS BISHOP OF ANGLICAN DIOCESE C. James: I'm proud to stand today and share with this House the story of Victoria's own Dr. Logan McMenamie, who was named the 13th bishop of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia earlier this month. His election as bishop is a culmination of a remarkable journey that took him from 63 years ago in Greenock, Scotland, right here to Victoria. It was in Scotland that Bishop McMenamie met his wife, Marcia. She was a Victoria resident, and the pair moved to Canada in 1974.

They settled in Port Alberni, and Marcia began at- tending the Anglican parish. Before long, her husband joined her, and he began teaching Sunday school and serving as a youth leader. He had some experience of that, being the father of seven children. Encouraged by his family and others in the parish, he earned his master of divinity degree and was ordained as a deacon in 1986.

He served as pastor in Port Hardy, Ucluelet, Duncan and Nanaimo before becoming rector and dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria in 2006. [1410] When Anglican bishop James Cowan announced his retirement last year, work began to choose a successor. Voting commenced on December 7, with Victoria's own dean winning the job. In his role, Bishop McMenamie will travel around the province, but he will return home to lead services at Christ Church for Christmas, Easter and ordinations. Over my years as a local MLA, I've had the privilege of getting to know Logan McMenamie the person.

In our community he's helped lead the way on issues such as homelessness, poverty, addictions, mental health, and healing and reconciliation with First Nations people. He's worked to bring together diverse groups of people to ad- dress the challenges all around us, and no issue was ever off the table. Th ey were not always easy discussions, but Bishop McMenamie shared his strong leadership, which was always focused on inclusion, problem-solving and action, and did it with humour and warmth. Please congratulate Bishop McMenamie on his elec- tion.

Oral Questions PROTECTION OF FOREIGN WORKERS' RIGHTS AND BLACKLISTING OF WORKERS BY MEXICAN GOVERNMENT A. Dix: My question is to the Premier. On March 20 the B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled that the Mexican government had blacklisted a Mexican seasonal worker from returning to Canada because of suspected union sympathies. Th is is aft er the Mexican government had attempted to prevent former employees from voluntar- ily testifying, claiming sovereign immunity. Th e rights of workers are a fundamental foundation of Canadian society, including their rights to freely as- sociate and to join unions if they desire.

Th e news that a foreign government is attempting to remotely restrict those rights by blacklisting workers is disturbing, to say the least, and cannot be allowed to continue. What actions is the current government taking to en- sure that workers contributing to our economy are guar- anteed human rights when they come to Canada and that temporary foreign workers receive the same rights as all workers in British Columbia? Hon. C. Clark: Everyone who comes to work in Canada is entitled to the rights that are afforded to Canadians.

We believe very passionately in supporting human rights in all cases across our province. I'd remind the member we certainly, I think in the last few months, have shown our willingness to work with trade unions, public sector unions, fi nding settlements — respectful, fair settlements — spending time meeting with them, learning about their issues and fi nding ways that we can come together. We know that we can only grow our econ- omy if we decide we want to do that together. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A. Dix: Hon. Speaker, what we're talking about here….

Over ten years we've seen a 141 percent increase in the number of temporary foreign workers in British

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2433 Columbia and in the most recent period of time when British Columbians are leaving British Columbia for other provinces. We're talking about people whose rights are routinely disrespected. What I'm asking the Premier, given in this case that we're talking about the blacklisting of people who are asking for their basic employment rights…. Th at's what we're talking about. Will the Premier, given the decision and the ruling of B.C.

Labour Relations Board, take ac- tion to ensure that workers in that situation get the same rights as every other worker in British Columbia? Hon. C. Clark: Certainly, every worker in British Columbia is protected by the same rules and has the same rights, as they should. Canada was built by people who came from all over the world. Nobody called them tem- porary. Th ey came here; they built our country — immi- grants from every corner of the globe. [1415] Th ose immigrants, some of whom I saw members op- posite welcoming today in this chamber, built our coun- try and continue to build our country.

Some of them, aft er they start joining with us in building our country, decide to stay, and we hope they do. When it comes to growing our economy, here is our policy. As we grow this economy, as we see the benefi ts of liquefi ed natural gas and the 100,000 new jobs that will come to British Columbia, we want to make sure that every British Columbian has the fi rst crack at those jobs; and then second, to look across the country and invite Canadians, wherever they come from, to come to British Columbia to work.

Th en in peak periods, when we have trouble meeting those demands, we will certainly be looking across the border and overseas. But our policy is this: we believe British Columbians should be fi rst in line for those jobs. Th at's how you build a country. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A. Dix: Well, rights have to exist in reality, not just in law.

Here in British Columbia the majority of immigrants — the only province in Canada where this is the case, and it's directly because of the policies of this government — are temporary foreign workers not allowed to stay and not permanent residents. I don't know what planet the Premier is living on, when she responds to a question about a person in British Columbia who has been denied fundamental human rights, with that fatuous answer.

We're talking about something basic here, and we're asking whether the government of British Columbia will stand up for people who come to British Columbia and expect to see their rights protected. Will they stand up? Will she take action? Will she join with me, for example, in sending a joint letter to the Mexican consulate saying that this practice is completely unacceptable to her? Hon. C. Clark: We absolutely on this side of the House believe that every worker in British Columbia has the right to be protected. Every worker in British Columbia deserves to know that the law is there to protect them.

We believe in that. We stand for that, and those rules exist across the board to protect people no matter where they come from. Th is country was built by immigrants. Th e people who come here from overseas to fi nd jobs and oft en start as temporary foreign workers are people who we all hope will stay and continue to build this country. We hope that this will be a place that welcomes them, that protects them and that ensures that their rights are defended.

We believe in those things, we stand for those things, and as we continue to grow our economy, we are going to need every single helping hand from across this country and across this province to make sure we can grow it. N. Simons: Th at's a hard act to follow, I have to say. I'm a little bit surprised that the Premier — whatever planet she's on — doesn't know the rules of British Columbia. We're talking about a temporary foreign worker pro- gram for seasonal agricultural workers. A Mexican work- er was blacklisted because he was involved in union activity.

Th e question to the Premier is: has she spoken to our federal counterparts to say that this isn't acceptable on the part of British Columbians? Is she going to do that? Is she going to tell us when she's going to do that? Hon. C. Clark: I'm sure it was obvious to everyone who was listening, so I probably don't need to say it, but I will. Th at wasn't actually the question. Nonetheless, I will repeat my commitment to what I said a little bit earlier but add this, though, too. Temporary foreign workers are people that deserve the attention of policy-makers all across governments in this country.

I have sat down recently, as the members may know, with Jim Sinclair, who's the leader of the B.C. Federation of Labour, and spoken to him specifi cally about what we can do together in ensuring that the rights of temporary foreign workers are respected, including building a list, as they have done in other provinces, of temporary foreign workers that are residing in British Columbia. [1420] It's worked and is working in other places in helping governments ensure that we are able to work to defend and protect those rights of those workers who are wel- comed into Canada under what is ultimately a federal program.

We have responsibilities to fulfi l. We intend to fulfi l them. We want to ensure that every worker in our province, whether they are temporary or whether

British Columbia Debates2434 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 they are permanent, has their rights respected as they should be. Madame Speaker: Powell River–Sunshine Coast on a supplemental. N. Simons: Th e Labour Relations Board found that Mexican offi cials in Mexico told a worker that his visa had been denied by Canada when, in fact, a valid visa existed. It also found that the worker had all his docu- mentation and, in fact, had a job. He was denied because it was noted on internal consulate records that he was in- volved in union activities.

Now, I can't imagine that the Premier believes this is correct or appropriate, and I wonder why the Premier doesn't say that she's going to do something about it. Th is, in fact, has a huge impact on British Columbia's economy. Does the Premier know how many other workers have been turned down due to similar practices in other countries? Hon. C. Clark: Certainly, if the member has informa- tion that he would like me to act on, I'd ask him to make sure he gives it to me, and I will certainly endeavour to make sure that we take whatever action is necessary.

We certainly do want to make sure that we protect the rights of workers — union, non-union, permanent and tempor- ary — across the province. Of course, that's why I had a discussion about this very recently with Jim Sinclair from the B.C. Federation of Labour and a number of other labour leaders. I do meet with labour leaders quite regularly.

In fact, I've met with some of them today here at this Legislature to talk about the issues that are facing people who are working in our province and who are building our economy — the people who put their shoulders to the wheel every single day and create wealth in every single corner of this great province. EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS K. Corrigan: One of the key responsibilities of the provincial government is to help British Columbians re- spond to and recover from major natural disaster. Th at requires the provincial government to fi rst be prepared for such emergencies.

However, the latest Auditor General's report makes it clear that the Liberals have been negligent in their responsibility to ensure their emergency management program is ready to deal with a major catastrophic earth- quake. It's also clear from the report that earthquake preparedness has essentially been treated as a side-of-the- desk exercise, even though "the majority of B.C.'s popula- tion lives in a highly active earthquake zone." Can the minister for public safety please explain why this administration has utterly failed in its responsibil- ity to prepare British Columbia for a major catastrophic earthquake?

Hon. S. Anton: I'd like to thank the Auditor General for his report because this is a matter of vital importance to us in British Columbia. We do live in an area where there could be a catastrophic earthquake. A tough report is a great opportunity. Th is is an oppor- tunity for us to fi ll in some of the gaps that were identi- fi ed by the Auditor General in his reporting. It's 50 years since the Alaska earthquake — 50 years tomorrow. Th ere are many people in British Columbia who still remember how terrible that earthquake was and who remember the tremendous response along British Columbia's coastline.

We have to be sure that we are ready for the next big earthquake. Th at is why we are accepting all nine of the Auditor General's recommendations. That is why we have two immediate actions right now. One is to have a broader consultation around British Columbia. We've hired Mr. Renteria to do that — to go around commun- ities in British Columbia, assess their readiness. Th at is why we are going to develop a long-term plan in govern- ment to identify the gaps and to talk about the issues that the Auditor General identifi ed in his report. [1425] Madame Speaker: Recognizing Burnaby–Deer Lake on a supplemental. K.

Corrigan: Th is government has had an opportun- ity for 12 years to prepare for a major earthquake and has known for the whole of its mandate that we have prob- lems. Th e Auditor General fi nds that B.C. is not "pre- pared to manage the eff ects of a catastrophic earthquake" and that the provincial government needs to provide ad- equate resources towards earthquake preparedness. Th is was made apparent in real terms two years ago when Haida Gwaii was hit by an earthquake.

In its aft er- math, Emergency Management B.C. identifi ed major shortcomings, including insuffi cient personnel with the experience, knowledge and training to effectively re- spond to an earthquake and tsunami event. Th e Auditor said that Emergency Management B.C. does not have the necessary capacity to address identifi ed critical gaps and that the Liberals essentially have defl ected responsibility to local government. Th e gaps became obvious aft er the Haida Gwaii earth- quake. Why has the Liberal government failed to close those gaps over the past two years? Hon. S.

Anton: Emergency Management B.C., of course, is the agency in government which deals with emergencies. It, in fact, deals with 6,000 emergencies a year. Many people in British Columbia who have ex- perienced a fi re or a fl ood will have seen Emergency

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2435 Management B.C. in action. Th ey do a fantastic job. Every time they go out to an emergency, they learn from that. Th ey develop their plans, and they do their work. We actually do have many plans in British Columbia which are current. We have a B.C. earthquake plan. We have a tsunami notifi cation process plan. We have Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre operational guidelines. We have the B.C. Seismic Safety Council.

We have many, many agencies in British Columbia which are working extremely hard on this kind of coordinated ef- fort that the Auditor General is looking for. What we don't have and what the Auditor General is asking for and which I am committed to deliver — we are committed to deliver, in government — is the big pic- ture plan, the big piece that puts all the pieces together, that identifi es exactly what we are doing, where the gaps are. We're committed to delivering that, and we will be delivering that. SEISMIC UPGRADES FOR SCHOOLS R.

Fleming: Th is government promised in 2005 that it would complete seismic upgrades at all schools in British Columbia at risk of signifi cant damage in an earthquake by 2020 or sooner. Almost ten years later government's own report shows that less than half of seismically unsafe B.C. schools have been upgraded. As of last month up- grades of 177 schools have not been done; 104 have not even been approved to proceed. In Vancouver alone, 50 schools are at high risk of collapse during an earthquake. I would ask the minister responsible for public safety: following this audit, when will the B.C.

Liberal govern- ment show that the seismic upgrading of schools can be completed by 2020 or sooner, and will she release a cred- ible plan that demonstrates to parents and those in the education sector that this will be done? Hon. P . Fassbender: Absolutely, this government is committed to the safety of students throughout this prov- ince. We have dedicated $2.2 billion to make sure that we upgrade schools throughout the province. In the city of Vancouver we have already identifi ed those schools and are working with the school district in the city of Vancouver for them to bring their priorities.

We've done a lot of work on schools already, and we're going to continue to work with them, as we do with every school district, to make sure we meet our goals of keep- ing students safe throughout the province. Madame Speaker: Recognizing Victoria–Swan Lake on a supplemental. R. Fleming: Here's what the chair of the Vancouver school board said about buildings where children in this province spend their days. [1430] Th e chair of the Vancouver school board said: "Some of these buildings are made of the worst kind of material in construction that you can have in the event of an earth- quake.

Th ey're very brittle, heavy, old buildings." Seismic experts and school leaders know what the problem is. Th ey know how to fi x it. We need to get on with it. Again, I would ask the minister for public safety…. It's your job to preserve public safety in this province. Will your government fi nally give the assurances backed up by a plan to show British Columbians that you have a plan to seismically upgrade schools by 2020 or sooner? Hon. P . Fassbender: I believe that the member op- posite is repeating some comments made by the chair of the Vancouver school board. But here are the facts.

Right now in the city of Vancouver we've identifi ed 89 schools. We have a plan. We're working with them. Th eir respon- sibility is to develop a project offi ce that will identify the priorities in working with us. We have an award-winning seismic program that is recognized right across the country. We're working with professional organizations. Th e engineers and we are de- veloping a program that is meeting the needs as identi- fi ed by the Vancouver school district.

Th ey need to help us put that project offi ce together so that we can ensure that the priorities are met and that the moneys that we are investing and have already invested are used to their best ability. EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS S. Fraser: Th is Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the Port Alberni tsunami. Th is anniversary in the same week as the Auditor General's stark report, grim report, is a great reminder of how inactive this government has been when it comes to emergency preparedness and just how at risk my constituents in Alberni–Pacifi c Rim are because of that inaction.

We were lucky that not a single life was lost in the tsu- nami 50 years ago, but we may not be so lucky the next time. Th e Auditor General's scathing report is clear. Can the minister responsible for public safety explain this government's public safety negligence in preparing for the next earthquake's devastating eff ect or a tsunami? Hon. S. Anton: Indeed, 50 years ago there was the great Alaskan earthquake. It was not miraculous, but it was extremely fortunate that nobody died. Th e reason nobody died is because the communities themselves sprang into action.

Th ere was individual resilience and individual enterprise that went and knocked at doors and made sure that people were notifi ed and got out of their homes safely. Th ere was property damage, but there were no deaths. It is that individual resilience and that individual pre- paredness, along with the things that communities do

British Columbia Debates2436 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 and along with the things the provinces do, which is needed for all of us in British Columbia. Indeed, the province has some gaps to fi ll. But one of the gaps we need to fi ll is to make sure that communities are work- ing hard, which they are, and to make sure that individ- uals are prepared. Does everybody in this room have water in their gar- age? Did they change it on the spring equinox? Do we all have food in our storage? Th e fi rst responder is your neighbour. Every individual in British Columbia needs to be ready for two or three days, four days.

If there is a catastrophic earthquake, it may be awhile before help ac- tually comes. Th at's what the province's job is, and that's the piece we're working very hard on right now. ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT AND SEISMIC SAFETY G. Heyman: Th is government has been promising to make needed infrastructure improvements at St. Paul's Hospital since 2002. Th at's 12 years of promises made and 12 years of promises broken. [1435] When an earthquake happens, two-thirds of the hospi- tal is at high or extreme risk of failure.

Th e central build- ing will almost certainly collapse into the emergency department, which will be needed in that event. Can the minister responsible for public safety tell us when exactly her government will face up to the inevit- ability of an earthquake in British Columbia and take the action promised to protect workers and patients at St. Paul's? Hon. T. Lake: St. Paul's Hospital. I was there last week, and I just want to commend the men and women who work in that hospital and do such a fantastic job, as we open the acute behavioural stabilization unit.

Th at hos- pital has looked aft er British Columbians for many, many years, as we all know. It is in the stages of design. Th e business case is being reviewed. We will replace St. Paul's Hospital, unlike the NDP who were in power, who chose not to upgrade Van Tech Secondary but, rather, upgraded to seismically protect a liquor distribution warehouse. We have priorities on this side of the House. St. Paul's is one of those priorities, and we will make sure that it is replaced and it is held safe for the men and women who work every day in that hospital.

HIRING OF JOHN LES FOR EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS POSITION AND RELEASE OF AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT S. Simpson: When the Attorney General broke the government's own procurement policies and appointed John Les to his $140,000 patronage job without following government hiring processes, she made the excuse that it was done under emergency provisions.

Th e minister's of- fi cial statement said B.C.'s procurement policy allows for direct awards "when there is an urgent need, particularly in the case of an emergency." A member of the press gal- lery, on a tweet, asserted that this was a preposterous re- sponse, and I agree with the member of the press gallery. Will the Attorney General admit that the only emer- gency was a looming political problem for the B.C. Liberals, knowing the Auditor General's report on earth- quake preparedness was coming? Hon. S.

Anton: Indeed, when we announced the pub- lic consultation to go around British Columbia to con- sult with communities and consult with individuals…. At the time of that announcement, it was made in ac- knowledgment that the Auditor General's report was coming. So yes indeed, we did. We have put that consul- tation in place, knowing that it was needed. It is needed because it is an urgent matter. It is urgently required by the Auditor General. It's urgently required by citizens of British Columbia. We need to be ready in the case of a catastrophic earth- quake.

Th at's why we have committed to implementing the Auditor General's recommendations. Th at's why we are doing the consultation around British Columbia. And that's why we will be taking further actions over the next few months and years as we develop our longer- term planning. MULTI-MATERIAL B.C. RECYCLING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION L. Popham: My question is to the Premier over con- cerns about the Multi-Material B.C. system that's going to be implemented in less than eight weeks. Businesses across B.C. are very concerned because they don't know how the new rules will aff ect them.

Th e ones that do understand, like newspapers, landscape nurseries and recycling businesses, just to name a few, say the impact will be severe. As well, municipalities say that they've been pressured into signing contracts with inadequate compensation for their costs. Th e Premier is chucking B.C.'s recycling system into a giant dumpster by com- pletely botching the implementation. British Columbia deserves to get our recycling right. Will the Premier stop the implementation of MMBC until businesses, environmental organizations and mu- nicipalities have been properly consulted? [1440] Hon. N.

Y amamoto: It's a little surprising to hear the member opposite oppose a program that essentially transfers the recycling costs from taxpayers to the actual people, the producers, who produce the packaging and the printed paper in the fi rst place. Now, if the member opposite is opposed to that principle, then she should

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2437 say so right now. How many of us have come home aft er purchasing a relatively small item, struggled to unpackage the item and then found ourselves with a mountain of waste material that we have no control over? Th is program actually provides an incentive to producers to reduce their packaging. We heard some concerns from the small busi- ness community. We asked MMBC to work with the small business community and the B.C. Chamber of Commerce to actually create a small business policy. Th at's been done.

A new policy has been created, and more than 99 percent of all small businesses will be ex- empt from recycling costs and reporting of this pro- gram. [End of question period.] Standing Order 81 BILL 25 TO PROCEED THROUGH TWO OR MORE STAGES IN ONE DAY Hon. M. de Jong: Y esterday, members will recall, I brought an application before the House with respect to Standing Order 81. I rise with respect to Standing Order 81 again. Th e Chair entertained submissions from myself and the hon. Opposition House Leader.

I indicated then, at the conclusion of my submissions, that I would alert you and the House to any changed circumstances that might negate the need for a ruling. I can advise…. In fact, I request that the Chair, if you saw fi t, would delay issuing that ruling until 4 p.m. today. B. Ralston: Given the representations of the Government House Leader, we're prepared to agree to his proposal. Madame Speaker: Th ank you both very much. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: In Committee A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, are the estimates of the Minister of Aboriginal Relations.

In calling Bill 14, I might suggest a brief recess to give members an opportunity to take account of the changed call. Members opposite would not have had notice until now that we're calling second reading of Bill 14. Th e House recessed from 2:43 p.m. to 2:49 p.m. [D. Horne in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 14 — JUSTICE STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Hon. S. Anton: I move that Bill 14, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, now be read a second time. Deputy Speaker: Proceed. Hon. S. Anton: Bill 14 amends a number of statutes.

First of all, the Adult Guardianship Act and Patients Property Act amendments will enable provisions of the Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, which update the statutory guardianship pro- cess to work in conjunction with the Patients Property Act. Th e amendments are required to support a phased approach to implementation of the 2007 legislative re- forms relating to statutory guardianship.

Th is approach will allow adult guardianship reforms to move forward as opportunities for full implementation continue to be examined. [1450] The proposed amendments will also add notice re- quirements relating to the issuing of a certifi cate of in- capability and will make technical amendments, such as ensuring suffi cient regulation-making authority. A pro- posed amendment to the Public Guardian and Trustee Act will ensure that there is suffi cient time for the Public Guardian and Trustee to take action to protect the fi - nancial interest of vulnerable persons in urgent circum- stances.

Minor amendments are proposed to the Family Law Act to make needed corrections and clarifi cations. Th e majority of these proposed amendments address issues about the division of property between spouses but also include amendments that strengthen the protection or- der regime and allow for the future development of regu- lations, setting minimum training or practice standards for professionals who write parenting arrangement re- ports.

Next, the bill proposes minor amendments to sections of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act that were consequentially changed or otherwise aff ected by the en- actment of the Family Law Act. Th e changes ensure that the policies of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act are clear and remain consistent with the Family Law Act. Next, minor changes are also proposed to two sections of the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act that clari- fy the intent of the

section in order to avoid unintended

interpretation. Next, proposed amendments to the Police Act further our government's response to the recommendations of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry and specifi c action items in the B.C. Policing and Community Safety

British Columbia Debates2438 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Plan. Specifi cally, the bill responds to recommendations of Commissioner Oppal that government improve police accountability of major crime investigations and investi- gations of missing persons as well as police accountability to the communities they serve.

Th e changes include new proposed authorities to al- low for the establishment of additional provincewide standards for policing as well as a new process where- by government can order an audit of an inactive ma- jor case investigation by an external police department when there's reason to believe that provincially estab- lished best practices for major case investigations have not been followed.

Next, the proposed amendments to the Provincial Court Act will bring into eff ect the recent reorganization of the Provincial Court's judicial administrative struc- ture and provide clarifi cation in sections related to family matters. Th ese amendments support a new and more effi - cient judicial administrative structure. Th e amendments refl ect the chief judge's reduction in the number of judi- cial regions from 12 to fi ve and shift from administrative judges to regional administrative judges.

Th ese amendments also clarify a judge's discretion to exclude a child or a party from a proceeding and make changes to permit, rather than require, each municipal- ity to have a family court committee. Next, the Wills, Estates and Succession Act amend- ments are minor and housekeeping in nature. Since the act came into force, other legislation has been amended or enacted requiring cross-references and language to be updated. Th e ministry is also being responsive to stake- holders in the legal profession and is modifying language to clarify the intent of some provisions.

Finally, an amendment to the Provincial Symbols and Honours Act will provide authority for government to recognize and honour the dedicated service of senior- ranking members of the municipal police departments by conferring commissions on those who meet the required criteria and qualifi cations. I now welcome comments from other members of the House. L. Krog: It's always a pleasure to stand up and speak to the miscellaneous bills. I fi rstly want to express my gratitude to the hon. Attorney General and her staff who provided a briefi ng.

As I mentioned the other day when speaking to another bill, there are generally three rea- sons that I believe — we in the opposition believe, at any rate — the government provides briefi ngs. Firstly, out of courtesy. Secondly, because the bill is so technical in na- ture that it requires some explanation so the opposition doesn't waste the House's time too much. Th irdly, we sus- pect government is trying to put one over on us. In this case, items 1 and 2 most clearly apply.

I am grateful for the opportunity that both my colleague and myself, who share the critic role for this particular min- istry, had with minister's staff to review the number of changes. From the public outside, this may not appear to be ter- ribly exciting. It probably doesn't draw as much interest from the news media as the debate did yesterday around Bill 25.

But the reality is that all of the changes that are made here actually have a real impact — although not signifi cant, because the changes are relatively minor — on the lives of British Columbians. [1455] In an aging population, the Adult Guardianship Act and Patients Property Act are extremely important because we are working on what has to be one of the longest-going legal and political projects in British Columbia's history, which is to bring about the imple- mentation of the Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, etc.

When I was here, back in what I know my friends on the opposite side of the House like to refer as the dismal decade…. I like to think of it as the great decade of the last century, when peace and good order and good gov- ernment were in power in British Columbia, and I see my friend from Fernie nodding sagely, of course.

I remem- ber, I think it was, Colin Gabelmann, who was Attorney General, trying to commence bringing all the parties together and dealing with the complex issues surround- ing adult guardianship representation or what we now know as representation agreements, etc. — a very com- plex and diffi cult matter. A number of these amendments are highly technical in nature. What they're trying to do…. I think I can safely say to the minister now — I know she's just waiting with bated breath for me to say this — that we're going to sup- port the bill.

What these amendments essentially do is have the eff ect of clarifying process, making it easier for that process to continue. But in fairness, it is also an acceptance that things haven't gone smoothly for the government, because this has come back to the House again for amendment, all trying to put in place a process by which those amongst us who face some disability or change in our circum- stance or our abilities will have our aff airs, both personal and monetary, governed.

In an aging population, which British Columbia most certainly has, in many respects — as I think many of the members know, Qualicum Beach itself is now, demo- graphically speaking, the oldest community in Canada — these issues are important. Th ese issues, in fact, are ones that lawyers, particularly with applications of the existing Patients Property Act, have to deal with on a quite regular basis. Th ere is a great deal of case law developed around it.

Th ese represent matters that, as I say, may not appear to be as exciting as yesterday's debate but most certainly are important to average British Columbians, because the possibility that we will, as individuals, face a period of incapability increases consistent with the nature of the

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2439 demographic of the population. We have welcomed and encouraged people to retire to British Columbia. We are living longer, statistics confi rm. Advertisements, health care organizations, health care providers remind us con- stantly to look out for our own health because we are go- ing to live that much longer.

What those studies' experts tell us with some depress- ing frequency is that we may spend a number of the years, the declining years — the years that some jokingly refer to as waiting in God's waiting room — in a degree of health that no one wishes to suff er, where we're either incapable in a physical sense or in a mental sense or in both, in many cases. Perhaps a clear mind trapped in a decaying body, perhaps a decaying body with a clear mind trapped in it — all sorts of possible combinations. It's important that the Legislature get this right.

It's im- portant that we have a statute in place to take care of these situations that is both eff ective and understandable and provides the kinds of guarantees and security to people that they will not lose control of their aff airs, unless it is appropriate, and that if they do lose control of their af- fairs or control of their health care or whatever the case may be, it will be in circumstances where there is a sys- tem in place to guarantee their security, their safety and that respects their rights. [1500] Th ese amendments are, I would argue, not exciting but important.

Th e bill also quite specifi cally deals with what has become an issue of increasing concern and a concern that I've had expressed from many constitu- ents over the last few years in particular — not so much in the '90s, but certainly now. Notice will be required to be given and an opportunity to respond with respect to the issuing of certifi cates of incapability by the Public Guardian and Trustee.

What that means is that opposed to suddenly discov- ering that Uncle George is no longer in his house or has control of his bank accounts, there will be a requirement that notice be given with respect to spouses, obviously — that's pretty straightforward — but also near relatives. Th e reality is that not everybody has a spouse, and not everybody has children. For those of us who have par- ented teenagers, sometimes I'm sure we all wish we never had children. But that does pass, and then we get to the wonderful stage where grandchildren arrive.

Like the for- mer member for Chilliwack, you can spend hours in this chamber announcing the arrival of another one, with the same regularity that the weather changes. It's important that families have an opportunity to get notice of the process because their attitude, their know- ledge, their particular viewpoint, if you will, their advice, their assistance and their support are all things that need to be considered when something as dramatic as the issu- ance of a certifi cate of incapability is granted.

With great respect to the Offi ce of the Public Guardian and Trustee, who do their best, if you have got some family support and family who care about you, I think many of us would agree that that is the best form of sup- port possible. Th e fact that these changes ensure that there is that kind of consultation occurring — that is a very positive step.

With respect to the changes around the Family Law Act, as listeners may or may not know — because, hope- fully, they are still involved in happy relationships — this province proclaimed last year the new Family Law Act, which is a signifi cant change to the law relating to prop- erty division, support, parenting and all matters related. Signifi cant changes that have a signifi cant legal im- pact. In other words, I come back to my point about these changes on the face of it not appearing to be exciting and not drawing much public interest or comment. But in fact, the Family Law Act was a major change.

What these amendments do…. I suspect that I have to do my job as critic. I suspect what it means is: we didn't get it right the fi rst time. But this won't be the fi rst gov- ernment or the fi rst Legislative Assembly that didn't get it right the fi rst time and has to come back and correct it. But I must say: we're coming back fairly quickly. As the House well knows, this legislation was passed back in 2011. We took two years — intensive public education and programs — to enable the legal community to get up to speed before it was actually proclaimed.

Now, not quite a year aft er proclamation, we're looking at making a number of amendments that run for several pages of this bill. Literally, sections 10 all the way through 28, making a number of what I think are relatively speak- ing smaller changes in order to refi ne the legislation and defi ne more clearly exactly what the existing and pro- claimed act means to those who resort to it or, alterna- tively, the legal practitioners who are going to do their best working with it in our court system.

Finally, with respect to the amendments to the Provincial Court Act, those changes refl ect, I believe, a growing sense in the provincial judiciary that they have to improve their administrative effi ciency. [1505] It sees a reduction — taking into account that we're reducing to fi ve judicial administrative regions from 12, which I suspect most British Columbians would probably see as a positive thing. I hope and trust that over time that will, in fact, prove to be the case. Although, I believe that someone once said the road to hell was paved with good intentions.

But I suspect and would hope that, in fact, it will make things more effi cient. Finally, with respect to the Police Act, I am going to defer to the wisdom of my friend from Burnaby, who will make signifi cant comment on that. Again, a signifi cant series of amendments having to deal with issues arising out of the Oppal Commission. Th e Missing Women Commission of Inquiry repre- sents, I think, for most British Columbians, one of the most awful indictments of a society and of attitudes in

British Columbia Debates2440 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 society and amongst police forces and others involved in our justice system and of our government and politicians in general, who for so long so overlooked and ignored in- formation and evidence and failed to coordinate eff orts in such a way that ultimately allowed a notorious serial kill- er to carry on heinous activities that I don't think most British Columbians even feel comfortable thinking about let alone verbalizing. It also refl ected an attitude from the darkest times of colonialism in this province.

A number of recommendations were made, and these changes to the Police Act are a step forward. I suspect the member from Burnaby is going to have something more to say about that, because it's not going to go far enough. Th at is always a disappointment — when we don't see prompt action on this. Wally Oppal was not just a former judge of our su- perior trial court and the Court of Appeal. He was also a former Attorney General and understood the politics of this as well. I would hope that it would represent a greater priority for government.

Finally, the proposed amendments to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act are largely housekeeping in nature. Again, I think it's another time when the government has to admit that "oops, we didn't quite get it right the fi rst time." Th at act was passed so very long ago that the present Government House Leader was the Attorney General at the time. As I recall, Mr. Barisoff was Speaker, and we spent numerous hours in very diligent work in commit- tee stage of that bill. Th en it mouldered, so to speak, for quite some considerable period of time before it was ac- tually in a position to be proclaimed.

Of course, April 1 you'll now have a great number of lawyers in the province, I can assure you, rushing to court registries all around the province, attempting to fi le their applications for what we still refer to as grants of letters probate or letters of administration, as the case may be, or whatever. Again, this is a signifi cant change to the law. What these changes represent are, in eff ect, correcting cross-references, ensuring that the legislation contains up-to-date refer- ences. It also clarifi es the role and responsibilities of the Public Guardian and Trustee.

Th is is kind of like your opportunity when you're a student to get a preliminary mark on your essay. It gets handed back. Y ou didn't do very well, so we're going to give you that opportunity to fi x it up. Th at's really what we're doing with the bill overall. Th e government is get- ting an opportunity to make some corrections, to clarify, to do what is appropriate to ensure that the legislation is, in fact, eff ective.

Subject to the kind of criticisms that one expects from the opposition and what we're going to hear from my friend, I can again assure the Attorney General that the act will generally receive our support but our scrutiny. [1510] I do look forward, of course, to committee stage, be- cause there are a number of sections that are so defi nitely technical that they're going to require the kind of ex- planation that I know the Attorney General will be able to deliver — certainly with the advice and assistance of the able staff of the ministry. With that, hon.

Speaker, I cede the fl oor to any other members who wish to speak. K. Corrigan: I will be addressing the provisions that largely are related to the Police Act and have left it to my able colleague to deal with all the arcane amendments that have to do with a whole variety of areas, to do with the Adult Guardianship Act and so on, which were all very important. I left those to him — those complex changes, some of which were important and some of which were more housekeeping types of provisions.

With regard to the Solicitor General side of the act — the provisions that relate to the Solicitor General, the Police Act and that area, for which I am critic — I will make some comments. Th e number of changes that are related to the Police Act are fairly small, but there are a few that are very signifi cant, and I will comment on those. A small change, but one that will make a diff erence to municipal police boards, is the fact that this act increases the maximum number of people that can be appointed by the province on a municipal police board from fi ve to sev- en.

Up till now, there have been fi ve appointments by the provincial government on municipal police boards, and then the mayor and a councillor can be appointed as well. My understanding from our briefi ng is that this came out of…. We can certainly ask about this when we get to the clause-by-clause in committee stage. I believe it was a request from the police chiefs of British Columbia. I'm also checking with some of the local police boards to some of the cities to see how they respond to that, what their feeling is. It's not a huge change.

Th e only caveat that I would note is that the percentage, the proportion of representation from the local commun- ity may go down, because I don't believe there's anything in the act that requires that a provincial appointee have any particular connection with a community. Certainly, I don't believe that there is a requirement that those indi- viduals be approved by the local community at all. It is a small concern I have that if you are having a board of seven and you have two of those seven being the mayor and a councillor, you at least have that per- centage of representation.

Now that percentage of rep- resentation goes down to around a quarter — two out of nine. Th at is a little bit of a concern. I'll be interested in hearing from the minister, when we ask questions at the committee stage, why that was necessary and whether or not there was consideration given to possible concerns by local communities. I know that in my community we have an RCMP de- tachment, so we do not have a local police board. We

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2441 certainly feel in our community…. I think the mayor and council in our community feel that they have an ex- cellent relationship with the local detachment. Th e sen- ior ranks of the local detachment — the leadership has been excellent for many, many years, and it's very much a cooperative exercise. With the detachment having a fair amount of autonomy, certainly that's the case. In the goals and the aims and so on for the community, it has been very cooperative.

I hope that this move will not mean that there's less of a local refl ection and less representation in terms of electoral representation. In other words, it is an appoint- ment that is done in consultation with the director of police services, I believe, so there is not anybody voting for those individuals. Th ey are provincial appointments.

It is a small concern that I have, but if it means that police boards run more eff ectively, that there's more of a spreading of work, then perhaps that is a good idea. [1515] I am continuing to investigate and find out the re- sponse to that, but I suspect that we will support that. Th at's a one-liner change, but it can have an impact on municipalities. Th ere are some provisions, some fairly long provisions, in this act that do address some of the recommendations that were in the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, in Justice Oppal's report. We are always pleased to hear that there is progress being made.

We are very concerned that some of the priorities that this government has set in terms of implementation have not been ones that members of the community most closely aff ected have been concerned about. I think the primary one that is not represented here and that we haven't heard about yet would be a higher priority than those changes that are represented in these amendments and these additions to the Police Act. It would be to re- appoint a champion. We know that we had the champion in hon. Mr. Steven Point. He was on the job for a while.

He was appointed as the champion of the implementation of the recommen- dations of the Missing Women Inquiry, but he has been gone since May. I believe that the minister has said in this House that the work was done to champion, and now we're on to implementation. I think the reality is that if you do not have a person whose sole focus is to make sure that the recommendations of the Oppal Inquiry, the Missing Women Inquiry — if you don't have a champion for those recommendations — then you don't have somebody who is watching closely and making sure.

Y ou don't have that person who is spending all of their time ensuring that they are in communication with and listening to and really understanding the desires and the priorities of those people who are aff ected. I think, for ex- ample, of the Missing and Murdered Women's Coalition. Th ey are one group that has said that reappointing a champion, having a new champion, is instrumental in terms of implementing these recommendations. Th at is a concern.

I know another primary concern of that coalition and many others — many others in the north, particularly — would be to ensure that we have transportation along the Highway of Tears. I recall and remind this House that the government said at the time that the report on the miss- ing women was published that government was fully be- hind the recommendations. Th is has been a key recommendation.

We in the offi cial opposition have raised this repeatedly, and still there is no action in terms of making sure that people, particu- larly women, can travel safely along the Highway of Tears, which I understand could be described in some areas as positively desolate with not many people along. Unfortunately, because the commercial transportation and the Greyhound route was cut, women continue to hitchhike along that highway. It has such an unfortunate and tragic history that this was seen as a key recommen- dation.

Unfortunately, there has been no action whatso- ever on this recommendation, so that's another that has not been acted on. I would give the government credit for recently an- nouncing compensation for the families, the children, of the missing and murdered women. Th at was a priority for the families and for the coalition. Th ose children having been through a death and then an inquiry and a trial, it is good to hear that that compensation has been provided.

Th ere are many other recommendations that have not been fulfi lled, but there is in this bill one of the recom- mendations that was made by Commissioner Oppal. Th at was that when a serious case involving missing per- sons or complex crimes or serious crimes — those ma- jor cases — has gone unsolved for a year, Justice Oppal recommended that there be an audit. [1520] Th e way he framed it, he said that the director will appoint….

It would be a mandatory audit, and the sug- gested requirement is that the director will appoint an- other police department to conduct an independent audit of the prior investigation and conduct such additional investigatory steps as it deems necessary. Now, the government, in this bill, has changed that, has not done that. It slightly weakens Justice Oppal's recommendation in that rather than requiring the direc- tor, it gives the director the option to have a major case investigation audited. I would read from the bill itself.

"Th e director may require an audit of a major case inves- tigation if, aft er reviewing the internal review report of the major case investigation, the director considers that the entity, designated board, municipal police board or chief of the police service, as the case may be, did not en- sure compliance with the director's standards referred to" in an earlier section. At the time that the bill was fi rst tabled, I did express

British Columbia Debates2442 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 some concern, and I said what I continue to believe is the appropriate way to deal with this: we'll monitor this. We'll take a look at this and see how this works. I believe that it has been said…. Th e minister has said that the deci- sion about whether or not there would be an audit would be complaints-driven. I hope I'm not misrepresenting what the minister said. Th at was my understanding from our briefi ng. Th at concerns me a bit because we want to know….

I'm a little concerned about decisions being made on the basis of whether or not there is a squeaky wheel, and I hope that's not entirely the case. I do understand that the reason why these audits in major cases that have gone cold are not being made mandatory is that…. Part of the mitigating reason for that is that there will be an internal review of inactive major case investigations fi rst. Th e extra step is the in- ternal review that will be done at the local level, so that does mitigate to some degree the fact that there will not be a mandatory audit of these major case investigations that have gone cold.

As I said, we will monitor. We will see how that goes, watch it closely over the next few years. But I've got to say there is another

section here related to that which really concerns me. What has happened here is if an audit is directed and it's the director of police services that makes the deci- sion…. If there is a direction from the director of police services that an audit takes place, then that audit will be an outside audit. Th e responsibility for the cost of that audit in relation to a major case investigation is going to largely, in most cases, be the responsibility of the mu- nicipalities where the case has originated or where the case went cold.

So if it is in a community with a population of less than 5,000, the government will cover the cost, as the government does cover the cost of policing in small mu- nicipalities of less than 5,000. In the case of a municipal- ity with a population of more than 5,000 people, then the municipality itself will be responsible for the costs. Th en it also says that if the major case investigation was con- ducted by a designated policing unit, the entity on behalf of which the designated policing unit was established will be responsible.

I would assume that that is going to refer to RCMP communities — like the community that I live in, Burnaby — that they would be the designated policing unit. What this is doing is passing the costs on for these aud- its, for which they have no control, to municipalities or the RCMP , which also essentially will be the municipality. [1525] When we were briefed by the ministry about what work and what analysis had been done in terms of how much this would cost, we were told — my colleague and I — that no analysis had been done.

So I said: "Well, how much would one of these audits cost?" Th e response again was: "We don't know. We really don't know." I said: "So $50,000 per audit. Maybe much higher, in some cases." It really troubles me that, once again, we have a gov- ernment imposing a responsibility on a local government. Th e provincial government decides that there's going to be an audit, saying, "We make the decision. We have no responsibility fi nancially, but we can make the decision to impose an audit," which in some very, very complex cases might cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It is passed on to the responsibility of the local government and could be very expensive for local governments. If you had one or two audits in a year…. I don't im- agine that would happen, but I don't know there either. We asked about whether or not there'd been analysis of how many audits there would be. I think we got an es- timation that there had been…. Th e cases that would qualify would be, I think, somewhere in the range of 50 cases a year.

I could see that in a large municipality — like Vancouver or Surrey or Richmond or Coquitlam or Victoria or Prince George and other communities getting up there in size — you could have an audit that essentially, in a complex case, could have a very signifi cant budget impact for that municipality — and then even more so, I guess, for a smaller municipality. Th ere's no reason that a smaller municipality can't have a very complex case that ends up going to audit. Th at could end up costing a small municipality, presum- ably…. Th ere's really no knowledge of how much it could cost. So that part of it concerns me.

I'm going to say that it concerns me that when you look at the implementation of recommendations as a whole…. For example, we've dealt with the missing-persons case. Now we have a recommendation that there be audits in some cases that have gone cold, serious cases of missing persons or murder or other serious cases. It really con- cerns me that it seems to me that in most of these situa- tions where the government has taken action, the actions have been ones that cost them little or no money or re- sources. It is municipalities and their police forces that are going to pay the price.

I hope that what government is not doing is casting its eye upon the recommendation of the Missing Women's Inquiry and choosing to implement those recommen- dations and prioritizing not on the basis of whether or not these are important things to do, in order to satisfy the very important recommendations that were made by Justice Oppal, but instead casting their eye and prioritiz- ing on the basis of: "Well, we won't have to pay for this one. We won't have to pay for this one." Th at is true of the two major pieces that have brought forward by this government, other than the compen- sation.

Th ese ones will cause major costs. Th e Missing Persons Act will be at the door of the local municipalities, the costs related to that, and this requirement for audits. Again, it's going to be the local municipalities. I don't believe that there was any consultation with

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, March 26, 2014 2443 municipalities about that. I could be incorrect, but it is my understanding that there wasn't. I know that cer- tainly with my local municipality, I asked if there was any understanding this was about to happen, and there was not. Th ere was real concern, because it's an unknown budget cost. Th at does not mean it's not a good idea. It is a good idea, and we thank the government for bringing this change forward for that.

But it is a major weakness, and it really concerns me. [1530] Th e fi nal thing that I wanted to talk about does also to some degree satisfy another recommendation, which was a series of recommendations around making sure that when investigations are done, they are done with sensitiv- ity and cultural understanding, that there's a clear set of standards and protocols about how major investigations with regard to missing persons — or investigations which are complex or involve serious crimes like murder, at- tempted murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, armed rob- bery or money laundering — that there be standards….

One of the sections of the amendments in this act, sec- tion 39, will amend

section 40 of the Police Act to say, es- sentially, that the director can set standards with respect to the things I was just talking about — in other words, "cooperation and coordination among the provincial po- lice force, municipal police departments and designated policing units" in relation to those types of investigations that I talked about.

It also says that the director can set standards respect- ing the "principles, practices and strategies to be used in investigations" and set standards with regard to "the pro- motion of unbiased policing and law enforcement ser- vices delivery" and standards with regard to "community consultation regarding the priorities, goals and objectives for policing and law enforcement." Th ese changes, I think, can potentially improve investi- gations and the sensitivity of investigations, the protocols and, certainly, consistency of investigations with regard to serious crimes.

In that regard we are certainly support- ive of this

section and this change. I do want to go back to the very serious question and, fi nally , remind government that we need to look at all the recommendations of the Oppal Inquiry, listen very closely to the coalition and to others and families that have been most closely aff ected. I'll remind that the gov- ernment needs to fully implement the Highway of Tears Symposium action plan in a manner that ensures in- volvement of all aff ected communities along Highway 16.

Th e provincial government needs to provide addition- al funding to aboriginal women's organizations to create programs addressing violence on reserves so that fewer women and youth are forced to escape to urban areas. And the provincial government — again, another Oppal Inquiry recommendation — provide additional funding to aboriginal women's organizations to provide more safe houses and counselling programs run for and by aborig- inal women and youth.

Going back to my earlier remarks about there have been some actions, that some of the actions simply im- pose, while good protocols or laws, the cost will be borne by municipalities. Th e preponderance of costs associated with the recommendations that have been implemented so far are downloaded and won't cost this province anything. Th ese ones that I have just mentioned that are prior- ities would be provisions, would be recommendations that, if implemented, would cost the provincial govern- ment some money.

Th e provincial government is happy to impose recommendations and implement recommen- dations that cost local governments money. I think it's time for the provincial government to step up and imple- ment some of the very important recommendations that will require provincial resources as well. Finally, there is one other part of the act that gives the province the ability to award police commissions. I did not know that there was such a thing. I've heard of com- missions, I think, at the federal level.

My understanding is that it's an honorary type of provision for somebody who has a great deal of respect and meets criteria and has the qualifi cations, which we haven't seen yet. People can be given a police offi cer commission, and we certainly will be supporting that. [1535] With that, those are the comments that I have. I'm looking forward to a chance to more deeply explore some of the questions and concerns when we go to the next stage of this bill, which will be the committee stage.

Th ere are many, many sections, and probably my col- league from Nanaimo will ask most of the questions, be- cause most of this bill does deal with provisions that are on the Attorney General's side. But some of them that are very important, like the provisions that deal with recom- mendations from the Oppal Commission, are ones that I will be exploring more deeply. I look forward to doing that — some serious questions. With that, I will take my seat. K. Conroy: My colleagues from Burnaby–Deer Lake and Nanaimo have spoken very eloquently about this bill.

I just have to say a few words to say how delighted I am to see the amendments to the Adult Guardianship Act. Th ere are a number of times I've had families of seniors in my offi ces, calling me, expressing real concern because their loved one has suddenly come under the guardian- ship of the Public Guardian. Without their knowledge or without any notifi cation, the health authority has sud- denly decided that a senior is incompetent and doesn't have the capability to take care of themselves anymore, and the Public Guardian has taken over the senior's life.

Th is happens more oft en than not, so I'm really delighted to see the changes to the act — the fact now that before a health authority can designate the Public Guardian,

British Columbia Debates2444 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 family members have to be notifi ed, a loved one has to be notifi ed. I've had common-law spouses who have lost the ability to speak for their common-law spouse, because they did not know that this was happening. Th is is a real win for seniors in this province. Th is is a win for people that have had to go through this process. I've talked to people who thought they had gone through the whole process of becoming the committee for a sen- ior, a legal process that is really quite expensive, only to have that senior come under the Public Guardian.

It's really diffi cult for families, diffi cult for relatives. Nieces and nephews have spoken to me about it. I think this is a real win for seniors in this province. I'm delight- ed to see it's in here. I have some concerns around the time frame, which I'm sure, as my colleague said, we'll drill down under the committee stage — time frames for families to get back to the health authority's designate to let them know that they do speak on behalf of their seniors, making sure that there is enough of a time frame given so that those adults will be able to have their relatives and loved ones speaking for them.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to make sure I was on record that I am really happy to see this, happy to see the changes. I know many diff erent groups in the province have been asking for these changes, so it's really good that these changes have come into being. Deputy Speaker: I thank the member, and seeing no further speakers, I'll call on the Attorney General to close debate. Hon. S. Anton: I thank the members opposite for their remarks. Generally, I am glad that we did the tech- nical briefi ng, as the member for Nanaimo pointed out, because a lot of these amendments are rather technical.

Th ere are some substantive items which have been identi- fi ed, which we will go further into in the committee stage. It is a grouping of a variety of statutes that all fall under Justice. Th ey do some corrections, and they make import- ant changes. In particular, they respond to some of the things in the Missing Women Inquiry, which are very important to respond to. With that, I move second reading of Bill 14. Motion approved. [1540] Hon. S. Anton: I move that Bill 14 be refe

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140326pm-Hansard-v9n1
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140326pm Hansard v9n1
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	e6d4dedb3e8ad1c320c39ca6ca3a2915b870c23d

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