Fourth Session, 42nd Parliament

(2023) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 287

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of

Bills

Bill 15 — Vital Statistics Amendment Act,

Hon. A. Dix

Bill 16 — Supply Act (No. 1), 2023

Hon. K. Conroy

Bill M215 — Non-Disclosure Agreements Act

S. Furstenau

Introductions by Members

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Nowruz celebrations

K. Kirkpatrick

World Kidney Day

H. Yao

Don Stirling

D. Davies

International Women’s Day and support for

anti-racism

M. Elmore

School food programs

S. Furstenau

Journée de la francophonie

K. Paddon

Oral Questions

Conditions in forest industry and government action

on issues

M. Bernier

Hon. B. Bailey

P. Milobar

Heatwave response and provision of air

conditioners

S. Furstenau

Hon. A. Dix

Labour dispute in Fraser Valley transit

system

M. de Jong

Hon. H. Bains

Government lawyers labour dispute

M. Lee

Hon. K. Conroy

Implementation of permanent daylight saving

time

T. Stone

Hon. R. Kahlon

Police services in Surrey

T. Halford

Hon. R. Kahlon

Government action on tent cities

K. Kirkpatrick

Hon. R. Kahlon

Government action on drug toxicity crisis

E. Sturko

Hon. R. Kahlon

Petitions

A. Olsen

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 10 — Budget Measures Implementation Act,

Hon. K. Conroy

T. Wat

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and

Sport

Hon. L. Popham

B. Stewart

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023

The House met at 10:05 a.m.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Hon. S. Malcolmson.

Introductions by Members

Hon. A. Dix: Bonne

Journée de la francophonie, Monsieur l’Orateur. Happy B.C.

Francophonie Day.

Aujourd’hui nous célébrerons la Journée de la francophonie.

Today we celebrate B.C.’s Francophonie Day.

I’d like to

introduce guests who are joining us to celebrate today and, of course,

invite all members of the House to join us at noon for our common

celebration with them.

I wanted to

introduce:

Claudya

Leclerc, présidente du Conseil jeunesse francophone de la

Colombie-Britannique; Sophie Audet, who’s also with the Conseil

jeunesse.

Paul Mulangu;

Brian Conway, the president of RésoSanté.

François

Clavel, président de l’Association francophone du centre de l’île; Michèle

Clavel, who is the partner of François; Marie Dussault.

Mylène Letellier.

Jacky Essombe.

Aboubacar

Prince George; and Diamondra Rakotoarijaona, who is also with Le Cercle des

We wish them

all welcome today. It’s an exciting day. It’s always exciting to have people

from Prince George, always exciting to celebrate B.C.’s Francophonie

community.

P. Milobar: She doesn’t

get down here very often; however, when she does, it always seems to

coincide with a protest. I guess it’s no surprise that there’s a protest

slated for this afternoon, out front.

Will the House

please make welcome my wife, Lianne, who has come down to see the

proceedings today.

Hon. D. Coulter: In the House

today is component 12 of the BCGEU. They’re the administrative professionals

executive. They represent 14,000 administrative professionals, which include

people from every ministry across the province. Part of what they’re here in

Victoria doing is planning Administrative Professionals Day, April

Joining us we

have DJ Pohl, Dawn Dreher, Cynthia Unrau, Faith Johnston, Annette

Schonewille, Tahnee Trusler, Tori Reid, Liam Smith, Leslie Schulze, Bob

Kary, Kathleen Dow, Andrew Robinson, Christine Crawford, Clint Casselman,

Lori Isaac, Hayley Wright and Matt Damario.

Would the

House please join me in welcoming component 12.

N. Letnick: I’d like to

join the Minister of Health, le ministre responsable des affaires

francophones , to welcome all our French-speaking people. There’s

over 300,000 francophones and francophiles in British Columbia, coming from

places all around the world.

[10:10 a.m.]

We’ve had the

pleasure, the minister and I, to entertain, talk with and listen to people

who are advocating for improvements for services in French in British

Columbia.

Puis, ça me fait grand plaisir d’être avec vous aujourd’hui .

I will take up

the minister’s invitation to be there at noon today.

I hope all our

colleagues will join me in welcoming our French friends by saying

bienvenue when I ask them to do so.

So now, one,

two, three:

Some Hon. Members: Bienvenue.

Hon. P. Alexis: It is my

pleasure to welcome, from Australia, the Nuffield Australia farming

scholars, led by Jodie Redcliffe. There are 26 joining us today in the

chambers. So a long, long way to come.

Please welcome

our guests from Australia. Thank you so much.

C. Oakes: As we

celebrate extraordinary women this week, and all times, joining us today is

Kate Cox. She is the CEO of the Barkerville Heritage Trust. Kate recently

won the Business Woman of the Year for the B.C. Tourism and Hospitality

Conference that took place on March 2 in Prince George. We’re so proud of

Kate. She came in at a very challenging time as the CEO, running a fantastic

heritage site in the province.

Just as a

reminder to everyone in this House, the Barkerville Historic Town and Park

summer season is June 3 to September 10. Come join us — 125 heritage

buildings, a living testament to B.C.’s golden era. You’re all

invited.

Would the

House also please help us recognize Kate Cox for her extraordinary

work.

Hon. M. Dean: First thing

this morning I had a wonderful meeting with members of the BCGEU component

6, executive members of the social, information and health services

component 6. They’re joining us here today in the gallery.

We have Judy

Fox-McGuire, Kayla Woodruff, Kevin Ball, Mona Dykes, Andrea Mitchell,

Desiree Cabecinha, Anna Depretto, Teri Goodrick, Sonja Haigh, Karen Kenney,

Terri Lyn Kibbe, Jeremy Leveque, Lisa McDonald, Souie Gorup, Falon Renshaw,

Ryan Todd, Jessie Peden and Mike Eso. Would the House please make them all

very welcome.

Hon. J. Whiteside: Joining us in

the gallery today, for their very first time, are the wonderful staff from

the deputy minister’s office of Mental Health and Addictions: Holly Wiman,

Sara Turner, Tamara Casanova and Naoko Gadd.

Yesterday was

International Women’s Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the achievements

of women. I want to say that I am so grateful for this team of amazing women

and for the support that they bring to the minister’s office. The work that

they do in the public service is, of course, very important in supporting

the work that we do in the Legislature.

Would the

House please join me in making them welcome.

Hon. G. Lore: Up in the

gallery is Jan Bate. Jan is the executive director of the Cowichan Women

Against Violence. She joined this morning to be with the Parliamentary

Secretary for Gender Equity and the Minister of Housing for really important

announcements on supports for women’s transition and second-stage homes. Jan

is also a friend, and I’m really grateful for the work she does with CWAVS.

Will the House please join me in making her welcome.

S. Furstenau: In the

gallery is Sean Hearn. Sean is a friend. I got to know him when he was the

lawyer for the Shawnigan Residents Association in our efforts to protect our

watershed. He has heroic status in Shawnigan Lake, and he continues to do

incredible work, particularly representing that important pillar of

democracy, journalism.

I’m so

delighted to see him here. I am happy that he proposed some legislation that

I will be presenting later today.

Will the

House please make Sean most welcome.

[10:15 a.m.]

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL 15 — VITAL STATISTICS

AMENDMENT ACT,

Hon. A. Dix presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Vital Statistics Amendment Act,

Hon. A. Dix: I move

that Bill 15, the Vital Statistics Amendment Act, 2023, be introduced

and read for a first time now.

B.C. is a

gender-diverse province, and government is committed to modernizing the

ways that we record gender. We have followed through on these

commitments by carrying out systemic changes in recent years. This bill

proposes to amend the Vital Statistics Act in two ways that will

continue this approach.

The first

amendment will remove the requirement for people 12 and older to obtain

confirmation from a physician or psychologist when they apply to change

the gender indicator on their birth registration and bring the

legislation into alignment with the policy implemented last

year.

The

second proposed amendment would change the requirements in the act for

information that must be included on a birth certificate. This change

will align British Columbia with Ontario and Nova Scotia, which offer

birth certificates without an indicator of gender.

The act

currently provides that all birth certificates must include a sex

designation. The gender F, X or M, from the person’s first registration,

is automatically displayed on the birth certificate to fulfil that

requirement. However, gender-diverse people may not recognize themselves

in those choices. The amendments proposed in this bill would allow

individuals to get birth certificates that do not display a

gender.

Our

government is committed to supporting the health and well-being of

two-spirit, transgender, intersex, non-binary and gender-diverse people

and to making B.C. a more inclusive province when it comes to gender

identity.

I’m

honoured to propose first reading.

Deputy Speaker: Members,

the question is first reading.

Motion approved.

Hon. A. Dix: I move

that Bill 15 be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at

the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 15, Vital Statistics Amendment Act, 2023, introduced, read a

first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading

at the next sitting of the House after today.

BILL 16 — SUPPLY ACT (N o . 1),

Hon. K. Conroy presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 2023.

Hon. K. Conroy: I move

that Bill 16, Supply Act (No. 1), 2023, be introduced and read a first

time now.

Bill 16

provides interim supply for ministry operations and other appropriations

for approximately the first three months of the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The bill also provides interim supply for a portion of government’s

anticipated financing requirements for the ’23-24 fiscal year, including

an amount equalling one-third of fiscal year ’23-24, estimated capital

expenditures, loans, investments and other financing requirements, and

the full amount of the year’s estimated disbursements for revenues

collected on behalf of and transferred to specific programs and

entities.

Deputy Speaker: Members,

the question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. K. Conroy: I move

that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for the second reading

at the next sitting of the House.

Bill 16, Supply Act (No. 1), 2023, introduced, read a first time and

ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next

sitting of the House after today.

BILL M215 — NON-DISCLOSURE

AGREEMENTS

ACT

S. Furstenau presented a bill intituled Non-Disclosure Agreements

Act.

S. Furstenau: I move

that a bill intituled the Non-Disclosure Agreements Act, of which notice

has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a

first time now.

Too many

British Columbians are faced with gag orders that allow instances of

harm to be swept under the rug. It’s time for this practice to end.

Non-disclosure agreements were designed to prohibit the sharing of trade

secrets, but they’ve become tools to silence victims of workplace

discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, racism,

ableism and other forms.

NDAs are

exploitative and often require coercing the victim into signing. The

misuse of non-disclosure agreements silences and isolates those who have

been wronged, causing devastating lifelong effects on their mental

health, career prospects and ability to maintain relationships. NDAs

allow perpetrators of harm to continue without consequences.

[10:20 a.m.]

The

Non-Disclosure Agreements Act restricts the use and content of

non-disclosure agreements relating to acts and allegations of

discrimination and harassment. The bill sets out strict criteria that

NDAs must meet in cases of discrimination and harassment, including

requiring the victim to request an agreement without coercion or

pressure, allowing them to access a lawyer before signing, allowing them

to waive their agreement later and making NDAs time-limited.

Discrimination and harassment happen to all people across the

province. It’s time that we as legislators create a framework for

transparency that protects victims, not the wrongdoers. When people are

allowed to speak their truth, it makes the world a safer, more inclusive

place.

I call on

this government to recognize the value of this work and hope to debate

this bill at second reading.

Deputy Speaker: The

question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

S. Furstenau: I move

that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at

the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M215, Non-Disclosure Agreements Act, intro­duced, read a first

time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

A. Olsen: I

seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

A. Olsen: Thank you,

Mr. Speaker. Welcome to the chair for question period.

I’d like to

introduce Eric Falkenberg-Poetz, Fran Pugh and Daniel Kenway, who are

joining us in the legislative precinct this morning. They dropped off a

petition with respect to the Saanich Inlet, which I will table after

question period is over. Eric and Fran work on the Saanich Inlet Protection

Society, and Daniel Kenway is a Willis Point resident.

Could the

members of this House please make them feel very welcome.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

NOWRUZ CELEBRATIONS

K. Kirkpatrick: Aidé

shomā mobarak . Happy Persian New Year. Happy Nowruz.

Today I

wish to acknowledge Nowruz, the celebration of the beginning of the new

year in the Persian calendar with commencement of spring and the new

solar year.

Nowruz

literally means “new day.” It’s an important occasion for many around

the world to spend time reflecting on the values of peace, harmony, and

reconciliation. It aligns with the spring equinox, signaling the return

of sunshine, warmer temperatures, blooming flowers, birds and bees for

those of us in the northern hemisphere.

Nowruz is

celebrated by many in my riding across the North Shore and across

British Columbia. For over 30 years, one of the largest celebrations,

the Fire Festival, has been held at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver,

attracting people from across the North Shore and all over Britain

Columbia.

Nowruz is

also a turning point in the year, where we carry the best of the past

year while we set goals for a better new year. Nowruz gives inspirations

of love, compassion, peace and happiness, while promising a new

chapter

of hope for prosperity and well-being.

Originally a Persian cultural feast, Nowruz has been celebrated for

millennia by Iranians of all ethnic and religious groups. The

celebration of Nowruz has now spread all around the world, and in 2010

Nowruz was recognized as the international day by the United

Nations.

The

spirit of Nowruz is all inclusive and singles out no one, and we need it

today more than ever. Let us renew our faith and care for one another on

this day. May this Nowruz and many Nowruzes to come lead us to a far

better world in harmony, peace and towards the light.

WORLD KIDNEY DAY

H. Yao: Today,

March 9, 2023, is World Kidney Day. This year’s theme is “Kidney health

for all.” Chronic kidney disease is considered one of the

non-communicable chronic diseases, which are known to be the leading

cause of death and disabilities worldwide.

In the

event of disruptive emergencies, interruption to the much needed,

established and coordinated care and treatment for chronic diseases can

have a devastating effect for this vulnerable population. When the

health care system further experiences challenges, it can further

exponentially compound stress and delay treatment for

individuals.

[10:25 a.m.]

British

Columbians are experiencing multiple emergencies, with the strain on our

health care system to address the challenges of COVID-19 and a toxic

drug crisis. Extreme weather events are also adding additional layers of

difficulty for individuals who need regular treatment and care for

non-communicable diseases.

While the

world is actively engaged on the four major non-communicable diseases —

cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes and respiratory — it is estimated 55

percent of global non-communicable diseases’ burden is attributed to

diseases outside of this group, such as kidney disease. Worldwide, 850

million people are affected by chronic kidney disease.

As we

prepare people and communities for further challenges, our work must

also include supporting people with non-communicable diseases, such as

kidney disease. Prevention, early detection and adaptive management

strategies are key.

We must

also continue to work towards equitable access to care for people.

Educating the public on chronic disease awareness, prevention, early

signs and emergency preparedness can also eliminate stigma and help save

lives. And remember: we can care for our kidneys as well by eating a

balanced diet, exercising regularly and drinking plenty of fluids, as

well as getting routinely screened.

Together

we can prepare for the unexpected and support people around

us.

DON STIRLING

D. Davies: This

Saturday many will come together to celebrate the incredible life of Don

Stirling. It’s hard to find a starting point with Don’s involvement, as

his accomplishments and involvement were many.

He has

always been involved in sports, playing softball, golfing, badminton,

hockey and almost every other sport that was available. Don coached his

two boys, Shane and Dustin’s, softball team, youth bowling and badminton

teams and coached early skiing.

Don was

known throughout the region for his philanthropy and community

involvement. He has supported a variety of organizations and

initiatives, including the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation, the

Northern Lights College Foundation and the North Peace Justice Society.

He was the director of the Northern Lights College board and very active

in the Fort St. John Petroleum Association, just to mention a

few.

He also

spent many years on the program advisory committee for instrumentation

at BCIT, which helped develop and shape this trade in British

Columbia.

In 1978,

he founded Epscan Industries, a large electrical and instrumentation

company based out of Fort St. John. Don was widely respected in the

industry for his entrepreneurial spirit, his commitment to quality,

being a great boss and, of course, his dedication to

community.

Beyond

all his other community involvement, Don was a respected master Mason,

literally across Canada. He was raised to the degree of master Mason in

the Fort St. John Lodge in 1986 and, some years later, became the master

of the lodge and eventually the deputy district grand master of the

Peace River district.

He also

became a noble in the North Peace Shrine Club in 1992, where he was

active with the clown unit and was known as Tex the Cowboy Clown, where

he became very proficient at tying balloon animals for children. He

would often be seen at community events, tying balloons or riding around

in his Tin Lizzy mini car. You have to imagine this 6 foot 1, 250-pound

Texan cowboy. It was amazing. Don was very engaged in all other branches

of the Masonic order and even being the founder of some.

This is

just a small snapshot of Don Stirling’s life, his story of love of

family, hard work, determination and his commitment to community

service.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

AND SUPPORT FOR

ANTI-RACISM

M. Elmore: Yesterday

we celebrated International Women’s Day. This day has been recognized in

countries around the world since 1911. We know the history of misogyny

predates thousands of years, and the history of racism, white supremacy,

colonization predates many centuries.

It’s a

day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political

achievements of women, women like Baljit Sethi, a community advocate for

refugee and immigration rights in B.C., who founded the Immigrant and

Multicultural Services of Prince George; and Karen Joseph, co-founder

and chief executive officer of Reconciliation Canada; and Hide Hyodo

Shimizu, who was an activist and educator in Vancouver and one of the

first Japanese-Canadian women to receive a teacher’s

certificate.

These

Indigenous and racialized women and so many more have helped to make

British Columbia a more welcoming and inclusive place for

everyone.

[10:30 a.m.]

International Women’s Day is also a call to action to accelerate

women’s equality. Just this past week the Office of the Human Rights

Commissioner released its report following an inquiry into hate in B.C.

during the COVID-19 pandemic that shone a light on racism and hate

incidents that continue to impact Indigenous, Black and racialized

people in B.C.

It’s

exactly why having an independent human rights commissioner is so

important.

Through

our historic Anti-Racism Data Act, we’re taking an intersectional

approach to dismantling systemic racism. We’re implementing this act in

partnership with Indigenous, Black and people of colour so that together

we can safely and securely collect data to shine a light on barriers

people face when accessing government programs and services. Through the

Resilience B.C. Anti-Racism Network, we’re investing in our communities,

providing people with the tools they need to address hate in their

communities and advanced anti-racism efforts.

Behind

all this important work, we have so many strong, passionate Indigenous

and racialized women breaking barriers, standing up for change and

fighting for the rights of all people. I’m proud to be working with so

many women who, every day, help to make life better for British

Columbians. I’m proud to stand in solidarity with every member of this

Legislature who shares that commitment.

Thank you

very much for the opportunity to speak about the inspiring, powerful and

good women of this province and to celebrate their accomplishments with

all of you.

SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS

S. Furstenau: In my

constituency, over 1,000 children are provided nutritious food by the

generous staff and volunteers at Nourish Cowichan, which was founded in

2017 and led by my dear friend Fatima Da Silva.

Nourish

Cowichan has rapidly expanded to meet the community’s need for

affordable, accessible food. Today more than a dozen schools, three

daycares and the maternity clinic at Cowichan District Hospital are

served by the donor-funded non-profit, with several others on the

wait-list.

Without a

universal school food program in B.C., Nourish Cowichan and

organizations like it across the province are filling a critical gap in

our social safety net. During the pandemic, food bank usage went up by

more than 20 percent and has only continued to grow amidst

record-breaking inflation. To add to this, in B.C., one out of every

three food bank users is a child. Our province needs a universal school

food program to ensure that children from all income backgrounds have

access to nutritious meals that allow them to thrive within and beyond

the classroom.

Recently

I met with the Single Mothers Alliance of B.C., which has been a strong

advocate for this work. Their discussions with parents and caregivers

throughout the province showed that overall “participants feel that a

universal school food system would address a range of personal,

financial and social needs for families.” They also expressed concerns

about existing food programs that focus on children from low-income

families. That can lead to feelings of shame that prevent those who are

desperately in need of food from accessing it.

For too

long, hunger has remained a problem in our schools. Community groups

like Nourish have stepped up to care for our children. Amongst G7

nations, Canada is the only country without a national school food

program. But B.C. has the opportunity to lead the way.

I’m

asking the House to join me in supporting a universal school food

program in B.C. that benefits our farmers, our families and the children

of British Columbia.

JOURNÉE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

K. Paddon: Chaque

année, la Colombie-Britannique reconnaît et proclame le 20 mars Journée

de la francophonie dans notre belle province.

As we do

each year, B.C. recognizes and proclaims March 20 as la Journée de la

francophonie in our belle province. By doing so, we join more than 80

other states and governments across five continents who also celebrate

March 20 as la Journée internationale de la francophonie.

very much reflected in this beautiful province of ours.

Les

francophones de la Colombie-Britannique viennent de partout dans le

monde, de toutes les régions du Canada et vivent dans toutes les régions

de la province. N’oublions pas que de nombreux francophones sont aussi

nés et ont grandi en Colombie-Britannique et qu’eux aussi vivent,

Francophones in B.C. come from all over the world and from all parts

of Canada and live in all parts of our province. Let’s not forget that

many francophones are also B.C.-born and -raised and that they, too,

live, work and celebrate in French every day.

Victoria à Campbell River, Powell River à Prince Rupert, Fort St John à

Fernie, de Kelowna à Vancouver — et Chilliwack-Kent — et dans bien

d’autres places, vous trouverez une présence francophone dynamique

partout en Colombie-Britannique.

[10:35 a.m.]

No matter

where they come from or where they live in this province, the B.C.

francophone community is a beautiful mosaic of cultures, traditions and

values, all of which are proudly displayed in our schools, in our

workplaces, in our places of worship and in our communities, festivals

and events.

Durant l’heure du dîner aujourd’hui, nous célébrerons le rôle que

la communauté francophone joue dans l’accueil des nouveaux arrivants

francophones en Colombie-Britannique.

Over the

lunch-hour today, we will honour and celebrate the work of the B.C.

francophone community and the role it plays in welcoming francophone

newcomers to B.C. for the benefit of all residents.

I invite

all members to join us today in the Hall of Honour to acknowledge and

celebrate la francophonie Britanno-colombienne.

Bonne

journée de la francophonie à toutes et à tous.

[French text provided by K. Paddon.]

Hon. R. Kahlon: I

seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Hon. R. Kahlon: I have two

sets of introductions.

First, I want

to recognize Jan Bate, who’s here today, the executive director of Cowichan

Women Against Violence Society. I want to thank her for the amazing work

that she does day in and day out. I know it’s not easy work. We talked about

some challenges that the community is facing, and many of these

not-for-profit providers feel that personally. I want to thank her for the

work she’s doing and welcome her to this place. Please join me in welcoming

her.

I have a few

friends who are visiting in town. I have my friends, Paulus Maas; Michele

Sanders; Henri Sanders; Nicole Sanders; and Pim Sanders. They are here from

the Netherlands, 36-hours of flying time to get here. They missed their

flight in London. They ended up going to Mexico and then coming up and

landing and then going to the Canucks game. One of them fell asleep, but I

won’t name names.

I look

forward to showing them around Victoria, showing them around. They’re going

to go to Whistler and go skiing. Paulus is just an amazing friend. I’m just

so grateful to be able to spend some time with them. Can the House please

make my friends welcome today.

Oral Questions

CONDITIONS IN FOREST INDUSTRY

AND GOVERNMENT ACTION ON

ISSUES

M. Bernier: Frustration and anger is building as people grapple with the impacts

of this NDP government’s neglect and failed forestry

policies.

Despite

the NDP promising in 2017 that there would never be a mill shut down

under their watch, mills are actually closing or being curtailed right

across this province right now. I’m now being also told that B.C. Timber

Sales has not had a sale for over 450 days and counting, more proof that

this Premier has actually no intention of supporting the forestry sector

or the tens of thousands of jobs that forestry families depend on here

in British Columbia.

To the

Premier, how many more forestry-dependent families are going to lose

their jobs because of this NDP’s delays and failed policies?

Hon. B. Bailey: Thank you

to the member opposite for the question. The first thing I’d like to say

is that I very much am thinking about those workers who have been

impacted by mill curtailment. I’ll share with the House that I grew up

in a forestry family, and I remember what it was like in the early ’80s,

living in Nanaimo, when we had a mill curtailment at Harmac. It impacts

individuals. It impacts families, and it impacts communities. It’s so

important that we’re there for workers, and we are.

There are

a number of supports we put in place in the circumstance of mill

curtailment, and we have workers on the ground doing that work. It’s an

opportunity for us to ensure that folks land on their feet. We’ve got a

number of programs that are immediate and some that are long term, and

both of those supports are being put in place currently.

M. Bernier: That

answer is cold comfort to the families that are having a hard time

putting food on the table right now because of mill closures and

curtailments in British Columbia.

The

closure of Aspen Planers in Merritt since last year has left workers

without a job and a community in shock. Bryan Halford, the chair of the

local United Steelworkers union, says there are permit applications

sitting with this government right now for over a year that can be

approved to put their workers back to work.

[10:40 a.m.]

Instead

of doing his job, though, and approving permits, the Minister of Forests

actually blundered in a recent interview by saying: “In Merritt, I think

the Weyerhaeuser sawmill is operating as normal.” Here’s the problem.

There is no Weyerhaeuser mill in Merritt. In fact, it closed in the

1990s under the NDP government.

Again to

the Premier, how many more forest-dependent communities and families are

going to suffer before this Premier starts doing his job, approving

permits and letting these mills open and get families back to work where

they want to be?

Hon. B. Bailey: Thank you

to the member opposite for the question. We know getting workers working

is the most important thing. These workers matter to us deeply. When

workers in the regions in British Columbia aren’t working, British

Columbia is not working. We know that.

We have a

number of programs we’ve put in place. Let me tell you about the

manufacturing jobs fund, $180 million to drive well-paying manufacturing

jobs into the regions. We know that we need value-added jobs. The other

side talked about it for years. We’re doing that work.

Let me

share with the member opposite an example of what that can look like.

The Premier and myself and one of our colleagues went to Crofton

recently. This is a great example of what value-add can look

like.

Crofton

Mill lost over 100 workers, but on our side of the House, we worked with

that private sector company to ensure that they transition to value-add.

They are now creating restaurant supplies that replace single-use

plastics. I will tell the member on the other side of the House that

every single one of those 100 employees is back working.

P. Milobar: Merritt

is a long way from Crofton. The questions are about Merritt. What

Merritt needs, the support they need from this government…. They need

timber sales and they actually need permits so they can access

fibre.

They

don’t want to change careers. They’re generational, multigenerational,

loggers and multigenerational millworkers that want to stay employed in

the forest sector. That’s what this government seems to be disconnected

with.

Forestry

workers and contractors have been rallying in downtown Merritt and

outside many ministry offices demanding immediate action. Shelley

Stewart is a First Nations logging contractor and is just one of many

that wants to get back to work. Under this NDP government, however, she

has no work, and she’s had to lay off her crew of 30 people.

She says:

“The permit delays are just one example of how the NDP government is

ignoring the little guy. During action, it’s holding us back and hurting

small businesses like mine, and that includes First Nations forestry

operations. It’s time for them to prioritize our

livelihoods.”

It’s time

for the Premier to start taking some accountability for this. They’re

failing miserably in getting permits approved. When will the logjam of

permitting break?

Hon. B. Bailey: Thank you

to the member opposite for the question. Everyone agrees that we need to

move past the boom-and-bust cycles that are too often leaving forestry

workers and communities behind. That’s why we’re making important

investments.

I’ll

share one with the member opposite: B.C. Timber Sales, where we just

launched a new program that will provide dedicated access to timber and

accelerate the growth of value-added manufacturing.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members. Order.

Hon. B. Bailey: And what

are people saying about that? Let’s hear not my thoughts but Joe Nemeth

of Pulp and Paper Coalition, who said on January 19, in regards to

timber supply: “This is a major positive step towards resolving the

single biggest issue the B.C. forest sector is…facing: lack of economic

fibre.”

[10:45 a.m.]

It’s

supported by the work of government and industry. They’ve completed,

since the fall of last year, through the pulp fibre supply force. We

understand these issues, and we’re addressing them.

P. Milobar: Well,

perhaps the government didn’t hear my colleague’s first question, where

he pointed out that it’s been 450-plus days since B.C. Timber Sales has

sold anything. So there aren’t any sales happening with B.C. Timber

Sales.

The

reality is that this government’s inaction is having a devastating

impact on all logging contractors out there, including First Nations

contractors like Shelley Stewart. This is the time of year that they

need to be logging to pay the bills. When Shelley and her crew are

working, that means $200,000 a month in the Merritt area is going to

fuel suppliers, suppliers like Lordco and other parts stores, to keep

their operations running. Not only is that crew of 30 not working; it

impacts all of those suppliers and their workforce as well.

What do

we get from this government? Excuses and dragging of feet. Shelley says:

“It’s a slap in the face that the NDP government is putting the brakes

on forestry in this province. Their actions are coming at the expense of

logging contractors like mine. This government needs to do their job so

we can do ours.”

I’ll

point out that in this year’s budget the revenue projections are the

same as last year, a $1 billion decline. This government sat for the

last 12 months doing nothing to help forestry, expecting a drop in

revenues like that.

Merritt, on March 17, there is going to be a big rally…

Deputy Speaker: Question, Member.

P. Milobar: …protesting this, trying to get action from the government. I know

that government members…

Deputy Speaker: Is there a question, Member?

P. Milobar: …routinely like to go to protest rallies. So will anyone…?

Will any

minister in this government commit to being in Merritt on March 17 to

meet these people face to face, look them in the eye and tell them

they’re actually doing all they can do to actually get their mills

reopened again?

Hon. B. Bailey: We know

that there are significant economic headwinds that the forestry sector

is faced with today — the beetle kill, forest fires, softening of timber

sales in the U.S., just to name a few.

Let me be

very clear. This side of the House has nothing to learn about the

forestry sector from that side of the House. The old government

completely abandoned workers. They saw nearly 30,000 forestry jobs

disappear under their watch.

I hear

chirping on the other side. The member may not want to believe this, but

don’t take my word for it. These numbers come directly from Statistics

Canada. In 2001, when they came to power, the forestry sector provided

good, family-supporting jobs to 85,000 workers in British Columbia. By

the time they were done, there were 56,000 jobs left in the forestry

sector. These are the facts.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Leader,

Members, we will listen to the question. We will listen to the

answer.

HEATWAVE RESPONSE AND

PROVISION OF AIR

CONDITIONERS

S. Furstenau: In 2021,

B.C. had the largest mass casualty event caused by weather, and 619

British Columbians died from heat-related deaths during the heat dome of

2021. Many of them were elderly, women, and many were disabled and

poor.

This

government promised to look into providing air conditioners as medical

devices during extreme heat events, and now they’re three months late on

their deadline to even announce their plans.

question is to the Premier. Will he ensure that British Columbians have

air conditioners, which are necessary, life-saving devices during

heatwaves?

Hon. A. Dix: As the

member will know, we’ve taken substantial action in response to the

circumstances of the heat dome. The member will know that includes the

launching of the B.C. Heat Alert and Response System, the release of the

preparedness guide, the supporting of local authorities and First

Nations by creating an extreme heat funding stream under the Community

Emergency Preparedness Fund and providing guidance and funds for local

authorities to open cooling centres.

[10:50 a.m.]

As well,

my ministry and the Ministry of Social Development are reviewing the

very issues raised by the hon. member. This is substantial action in

addition to the very significant action that has taken place in B.C.’s

emergency health services.

We’re

going to continue to do so. I would be happy to meet with the hon.

member on this question to discuss the progress that we’ve

made.

S. Furstenau: Substantial action is actually what Oregon did. After the devastating

heat dome hit Oregon, the very next summer, the government provided

air-conditioning units to low-income housing.

Heat

alerts, preparedness guides, guidance and funds are important, but when

there is another heat wave or a heat dome, for people who don’t have the

ability to cool the air in their housing units and don’t have the

ability to get somewhere that is cool, that will be cold

comfort.

question again is to the Premier. What has the Premier learned from the

2021 heat dome, and how will this government act differently to prevent

mass casualties in the future?

Hon. A. Dix: My

colleague the Minister of Social Development and myself are working and

are focused on this important issue. The member will know that in times

of crisis, crisis supplements are available to people.

addition to that, we’re taking systematic action across a range of

issues that I detailed to the hon. member earlier, including the issue

that she has raised. These are fundamental issues that involve action

for people. Those are crisis supplements and direct supports to local

governments and organizations and others to ensure that cooling stations

and other things are in place, action across the range of health

services, but also broader services than that.

communities, that will mean, I think, working closely with local

governments to support all communities, especially communities that

require, for example, supports with respect to greening neighborhoods

and communities. This is an issue that the government, especially the

Minister of Social Development and the Minister of Health, is working

very closely on, and I look forward to continuing to work with all

members of the House on this vital question to all British

Columbians.

LABOUR DISPUTE IN

FRASER VALLEY TRANSIT

SYSTEM

M. de Jong: Well, if

you’re looking to take a bus today in Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack or

Hope, or the Fraser Valley connector that connects those communities,

I’m afraid you’re out of luck. There are significant disruptions taking

place.

If you’re

one of the people or families that can’t afford to pay the highest gas

prices in North America, your ability to get to work, to get to school

or to get to a medical appointment has now been disrupted by job action.

That’s the situation facing Samranjeet Singh. He’s a student stuck at

home, can’t get to classes.

Last

year, the government sat back and let a transit dispute on the Sea to

Sky corridor go on for months and months and months, compromising

people’s ability to get to work, to get to school or get to medical

appointments.

Is the

government going to sit idly by once again while this dispute continues,

or will the Premier step in and ensure that people in the central and

eastern Fraser Valley have the transit services they require?

If they

need legal advice on the matter, they can ask one of the lawyers that’s

gathering outside this afternoon in protest, the other labour fiasco

that the government is dealing with right now.

Hon. H. Bains: I am

fully aware of the situation that the member is describing between First

Transit and CUPE Local 561, where the workers have decided to exercise

their right to withdraw their services, which is allowed under the

labour code.

This is a

normal bargaining process, and I want to make it clear that this side of

the House believes and supports free collective bargaining in this

province.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

Hon. H. Bains: As such,

we must respect the integrity of free collective bargaining.

Interjection.

[10:55 a.m.]

Hon. H. Bains: The

member knows fully well that the best collective agreement is negotiated

at the bargaining table — not in this House, not outside

here.

encourage both parties to get back to the bargaining table. They have

withdrawn their services for three days, I’m advised, and they are

scheduled to go back to the bargaining table next week. I encourage them

to stay at the bargaining table until their collective agreement is

negotiated.

GOVERNMENT LAWYERS LABOUR DISPUTE

M. Lee: In view

of the Minister of Labour’s last response and hiding behind negotiations

here, let’s talk about another set of negotiations.

B.C.

government lawyers are out in front of the Legislative Assembly today,

on the Legislature lawns, protesting as negotiations have broken down.

The NDP only have themselves to blame because they started off in bad

faith, trying to force the lawyers to join a union that they didn’t want

to join.

We’ve

heard this story before with the NDP’s community rip-off agreements. You

can only work on government projects if you join an NDP-approved union.

It’s hypocritical, and it’s wrong.

Whether

the NDP are shutting down Indigenous contractors like Jon Coleman of the

Cowichan Tribes on public infrastructure projects or shutting lawyers

out of negotiations, it’s clear the NDP don’t want to play by their own

rules. As Gareth Morley says: “We want to talk to the government, but

we’re not going to agree to a bill that takes away the ability of our

members to decide what union they want to apply to.”

It’s

clear that the NDP are playing politics instead of negotiating in good

faith. When will the NDP drop their hypocrisy and work with the BCGLA to

end this dispute?

Hon. K. Conroy: I thank

the member for the question. We continue to support the B.C. Government

Lawyers Association’s right to association, the right to collective

bargain.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

Hon. K. Conroy: The

legislation that we tabled creates a space for the association to

bargain within the existing structure of the public sector, but it’s

important to note that we’re not requiring them to do so. The

legislation offers a benefit of component agreement which they will be

able to use to negotiate for their own unique needs within the public

service. It’s entirely up to the association if they would like to

join.

If the

association wants to challenge the Public Service Labour Relations Act

and the designated bargaining unit model, government is prepared to

fully participate and to jointly take all of the available steps to

expediate the proceedings that have been adjourned.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Let’s

listen to the answer as we listened to the question.

IMPLEMENTATION OF

PERMANENT DAYLIGHT SAVING

TIME

T. Stone: Well,

despite all the talk and big promises from the Premier, families are in

for another rude and cruel awakening this Sunday. It’s déjà vu all over

again. Yes, it’s that least wonderful time of the year, yet again, when

we all lose one hour of precious sleep because the Premier couldn’t get

the job done.

We all

know….

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

Members.

Some

order, please. Thank you.

The

member for Kamloops–South Thompson has the floor.

T. Stone: The

Premier could not get the job done.

We all

know that there is nothing the Premier loves more than making big flashy

announcements, but when it comes to results, he’s all talk and no clock.

Instead of springing forward to act on permanent daylight savings time,

the Premier is falling back on tired excuses. It’s time to wake up and

smell the coffee.

Is the

Premier going to deliver real change, or is he going to keep sleeping on

the job?

[11:00 a.m.]

Hon. R. Kahlon: I can

assure this member that no one in this House wants to see him with one

hour less of sleep.

We know

this is an important issue for many families. Certainly, I know when my

son was younger, having that shift was a real challenge to adjust

times.

We want

to make sure that this gets done right. We want to make sure that it’s

aligned with our jurisdictions on the west coast. We want to make sure

that our business community is engaged and understands the implications

of what this means. We’re doing that work.

certainly hope that California, which is in the process of moving in

this direction, goes in that direction so that we all can move

collectively.

POLICE SERVICES IN SURREY

T. Halford: The

Premier has been all over the map when it comes to the mess in Surrey

regarding policing, and the results are terrible. First, the NDP

recklessly approved the transition without actually doing a proper

feasibility study. Then they delayed. They dragged their feet on making

any kind of decision. Residents of Surrey are faced with a massive tax

increase, the biggest the city has ever faced.

To add to

the confusion, the Premier is now refusing to confirm whether

infrastructure funding can be used to mitigate the NDP tax hike. When we

say this, we have one minister saying one thing: “Probably yes, they can

use that money.” Then we have the Premier now saying: “Probably no.” So

which is it?

This

Premier is still flip-flopping, and the residents of Surrey are paying

the price. Will he take responsibility for the escalating costs and end

this uncertainty now?

Hon. R. Kahlon: I know

this issue has been canvassed at great length in this House. Right now

the Solicitor General’s office is reviewing the information that’s been

provided, to make a thoughtful decision on how we proceed. I know this

side of the House is very proud of the $1 billion that is going to

communities throughout this province. I appreciate that the member

across the way is excited to find ways to spend the money he didn’t

support, he didn’t actually vote for.

Now, the

city of Surrey has themselves indicated that the taxation rate that they

initially put out is coming down. We encourage them to continue to find

ways to refine their numbers to give the public a correct justification

of what they see as the pressures they’re facing. The infrastructure

dollars are there. We continue to have conversations with Surrey about

how we can continue to support the many infrastructure needs that they

have.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON TENT CITIES

K. Kirkpatrick: One of

the very first promises made by this Premier after a man was murdered

last year was to put an end to tent cities. But the province has now

spent three-quarters of a million dollars towards Crab Park to make the

tent city there permanent, instead of spending that money on getting

these campers into real homes.

Permanent

tent cities have become the norm for this Premier, as evidenced by his

personal intervention as Attorney General when he sued to allow

permanent tent cities at Beacon Hill Park. But the Premier recently

suffered a humiliating setback in court at the B.C. Court of Appeal when

they said no, that he could not do that.

Why is

this Premier fighting for permanent tent cities instead of delivering

the results that he has promised?

Hon. R. Kahlon: I thank

the member for the question. We have said many times, the Premier has

said many times, and I’ll reiterate this right now that we believe the

encampments are not safe for the people that are living in the

encampments, and they’re not safe for the community at large. We are

working actively with our partners to find ways to get people into

housing, get them out of the encampments. That is our goal.

The

member mentioned Crab Park. We provided dollars to the city of Vancouver

to support the community. They chose to have dollars available for

providing sanitary services and other services for some of the folks

that are at Crab Park.

I remind

the member, and I know the member knows this, that these are our loved

ones. These are people’s sons, they’re people’s daughters, and they have

needs. They have supports that we must provide them.

[11:05 a.m.]

I know

that it’s not necessarily a comfortable place always for the opposition.

The B.C. Liberal Party president is on the record as saying, when he’s

talking about the most vulnerable people in this province: “We should

focus on the 60 percent and essentially not bother with some

demographics that will not likely or absolutely never support us,” you

know, like “homeless people” or those that are “dependent on social

services.” This is the president of the B.C. Liberal Party.

We’re

going to continue to do what we need to do to ensure that people that

are in encampments have the supports they need, get them into housing,

get them out of encampments, because we know that’s the best way

forward.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON

DRUG TOXICITY

CRISIS

E. Sturko: The

latest overdose figures released by the coroner’s office are

devastating. The death rate in British Columbia has doubled since the

public health emergency was declared in 2016, but instead of doubling

our response to this crisis, the government has doubled

delays.

The Clark

and 1st Avenue housing treatment project in Vancouver was announced by

this government in 2018. As advocate Guy Felicella says: “It’s vital to

have this facility up and running.”

This

facility has become emblematic of the NDP’s slow and deadly response to

a crisis that is now claiming seven lives a day. But as is so often the

case with this government, it was merely an announcement that resulted

in nothing. The NDP budget confirmed the cost is up 400 percent and is

delayed further until 2026. You know that that’s unacceptable when seven

people are losing their lives every day.

How can

the Premier justify these delays when timely and effective treatment and

recovery options are urgently needed now?

Hon. R. Kahlon: Certainly, this side of the House knows that these services are needed

urgently. The site, in particular, that’s being referenced was in the

process of the city of Vancouver. The city made some changes to their

bylaws which required further changes to the project. That work is

happening right now with the city of Vancouver to make sure that we can

adjust the project to fit within the changing bylaws, the laws that

they’ve changed. We expect construction to start this fall.

[End of question period.]

T. Stone: I seek

leave to move Motion No. 30 sitting in in my name on the order paper.

This motion seeks to empower the Select Standing Committee on Health to

examine the multiple sections in Bill 36, the Health Professions and

Occupations Act, that remained uncanvassed due to the invocation of time

allocation in the third session of the 42nd parliament.

Leave not granted.

Petitions

A. Olsen: It’s my

pleasure to stand today and table a petition with 711 signatures. These are

handwritten signatures, which means that there was an incredible amount of

work that was done by our community. This is with respect to requesting that

the B.C. Environment Minister require an environmental assessment for the

Bamberton projects.

Orders of the Day

Deputy Speaker: Government House

Leader.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you so

much, hon. Speaker. Well done on your first question period.

In the main

House, I call second reading of Bill 10.

In Committee A, I

call debate on the main estimates for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and

Sports.

Deputy Speaker: If we can go

where we need to go so we can get the business underway, I’d appreciate it.

Thanks, Members.

We will take a

short recess, Members.

The committee recessed from 11:09 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

[R. Leonard in the chair.]

Second Reading of Bills

BILL 10 — BUDGET MEASURES

IMPLEMENTATION ACT,

Deputy Speaker: I call

the House back to order. We are on second reading of Bill 10.

Hon. K. Conroy: I move

that Bill 10, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2023, be read a second

time.

Bill 10

consists of two parts. In

part 1, the bill amends the Balanced Budget

and Ministerial Accountability Act to include the 2025-26 fiscal year in

the periods of fiscal years for which budget deficits are allowed to be

forecast in the main estimates. This is consistent with similar

amendments made over the past three years.

Budget

2023 includes a three-year fiscal plan extending to ’25-26, and it

includes deficit forecasts for each of the three years of the fiscal

plan. This proposed amendment ensures that the fiscal plan as presented

in Budget 2023 is in line with legislation and ensures that the fiscal

plan aligns with government’s commitment to view balanced-budget

legislation every year and to make amendments if and when

required.

Amendments are also proposed to the Members’ Remuneration and Pensions

Act to suspend salary adjustments for members of the Legislative

Assembly for fiscal years 2020-21 and ’23-24. The Legislative Assembly

Management Committee made a decision in March 2020 to withhold the

statutory increases to members’ salaries that were scheduled to come

into effect on April 1, 2020. The committee made the same decision again

in December 2022 with regard to member salary increases that were

scheduled to come into effect on April 1, 2023. The proposed amendments

give statutory effect to these two decisions of the

committee.

Part 2 of

Bill 10 amends several statutes to implement the tax measures in Budget

2023. Bill 10 amends the Income Tax Act to introduce a new income-tested

renter’s tax credit for 2023 and subsequent tax years. The refundable

tax credit will support renters by providing $400 annually to households

that earn as much as $60,000.

We expect

that 80 percent of renting households will get the credit to help make

life a little easier in the face of today’s rising costs. Households

that earn between $60,000 and $80,000 will receive a partial credit. The

income threshold will be indexed to inflation each year to help keep

pace with rising costs.

The

Income Tax Act is also amended to allow income thresholds for the

climate action tax credit to be set by regulation. This change is in

addition to the increase in payment amounts starting July 2023. The

income thresholds for the climate action tax credit are currently

indexed to inflation. By making this change, government will be able to

set these income thresholds to ensure that more British Columbians will

receive the tax credit.

We know

that the carbon tax is an important part of our CleanBC plan. It’s

helping move B.C. to a cleaner, greener future and meet federal

requirements. The climate action tax credit is an important part of this

plan. It’s helping offset these carbon costs for British Columbians.

Government plans to keep increasing these thresholds so that 80 percent

of B.C. households will receive a full or partial credit by

The

Income Tax Act is further amended to permanently increase the B.C.

family benefit, starting in July 2023. Families with children will now

receive higher benefit amounts to better keep pace with rising costs in

the face of global inflation.

The bill

extends two tax credits under the Income Tax Act. These are the farmers

food donation tax credit, which is extended for three years, to the end

of 2026. The extension affirms the government’s commitment to support

B.C. agriculture while providing food banks with local, nutritious food.

And the interactive digital media tax credit is extended for five years,

to August 31, 2028. By extending the credit, the government ensures

continued support for B.C.’s dynamic and growing tech and creative

sectors.

The bill

also includes several technical amendments. It amends the Income Tax Act

to implement previously announced changes to the pre-certification rules

under the production services tax credit, a change to support an

industry critical to B.C.’s economy and minimize disruption from the

pandemic. This change helps production companies receive the tax credit

for labour costs incurred between July 2020 and February 21, 2022. This

has already been administered by the Canada Revenue Agency.

[11:25 a.m.]

The

Income Tax Act is also amended to clarify certain terms and the

application of federal provisions for provincial income tax purposes.

This will also ensure that the province meets its obligations under the

Canada-B.C. tax collection agreement. The act is further amended to

modernize the language for assessing information held by other public

bodies. This change will clarify the scope of this power and assist with

the effective administration of the Income Tax Act.

Bill 10

amends the Carbon Tax Act to increase B.C.’s carbon tax rate by $15 per

tonne annually, from 2023 to 2030. This change ensures the B.C. carbon

tax is in line with annual increases required by the federal government.

Bill 10 also amends the Carbon Tax Act to ensure the operations

regulated under the new made-in-B.C. pricing system that capture, store

or sequester their emissions can still be exempt from tax imposed under

the act. Bill 10 amends the Carbon Tax Act to clarify the tax payable if

fuel is not used for a purpose currently eligible for a partial

exemption. This change will help support a reduced carbon tax for

greenhouse growers.

Amendments are proposed to the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and

Control Act. These amendments to this act are required for B.C. to

deliver on commitments made in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030. Updates to

the act will support the drafting of regulations needed in 2024 to

implement the new made-in-B.C. industrial carbon pricing model. The new

system will apply to industries such as mining, cement, pulp and paper,

oil and gas and manufacturing.

Industrial operations will pay for the carbon emitted above a limit,

helping incentivize reductions in emissions. Industrial operators that

emit above their sector’s limit can pay their carbon obligation through

a number of options. They can purchase carbon offsets generated and

regulated under the act, they can purchase credits from other operators

that have performed below the emission limit and earn credits, or they

can pay a complete compliance charge priced at the same rate as the

Carbon Tax Act.

The

amendments also allow for smaller industrial facilities like many

sawmills to opt into the B.C. carbon pricing model. Finally, the

amendments create a more streamlined digital service option that will

support better compliance and enforcement.

The bill

amends the Provincial Sales Tax Act to make a minor temporary correction

permanent. This will make sure that heated tobacco products continue to

be subject to tobacco tax, as well as the base 7 percent provincial

sales tax. The Provincial Sales Tax Act is also amended to clarify that

the federal goods and services tax is not part of the taxable purchase

price of goods brought into B.C. The bill also clarifies that the

federal luxury tax is not part of the taxable purchase price or lease

price of vehicles, boats and aircraft.

The bill

amends several rules related to the collection obligations of online

marketplace facilitators to make the rules more clear, simple and

consistent. The bill also authorizes retroactive regulations to exempt

automated external defibrillators from provincial sales tax. The Motor

Fuel Tax Act and the Financial Administration Act are amended to ensure

the correct calculation of interest on overdue payments under the

international fuel tax agreement.

Bill 10

amends the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement

Act to enable the Nisg̱a’a Nation to

establish property tax exemptions for

Nisg̱a’a citizens for property on

Nisg̱a’a lands. This flexibility

will ensure the Nisg̱a’a Nation can

broadly determine when and if it is appropriate for property taxation to

apply to Nisg̱a’a citizens on

Nisg̱a’a land. This measure is

the result of collaborative engagement with the

Nisg̱a’a Nation. It aligns with

government’s reconciliation commitments to self-determination and

inherent right of self-government under the Declaration Act action

plan.

The bill

also amends the Treaty First Nation Taxation Act to enable treaty First

Nations to establish property tax exemptions for treaty First Nation

members or constituents for property on their treaty lands. This will

create the same flexibility for treaty First Nations to determine the

application of property taxation to their members or constituents on

their treaty lands. This measure was developed collaboratively with

treaty First Nations. It’s an important step in the work on

reconciliation.

Bill 10

amends the Property Transfer Tax Act and will help the purchasers of

new, purpose-built rental buildings through an exemption on the 2

percent property transfer tax applying to residential properties over $3

million. Qualifying buildings will have to meet eligibility

requirements, and it will apply to purchases on or after January 1,

The goal

is to reduce any additional pressure on the rental market and ensure

that additional costs are not downloaded to tenants. This amendment

builds on the rental housing revitalization tax exemption as part of our

30-point housing plan, encouraging more rentals via property tax

exemptions. It further encourages the construction of new, purpose-built

rental buildings.

Bill 10

amends the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act to clarify the definition of

“corporate interest holder” in cases involving a

receivership.

[11:30 a.m.]

When a

corporation owns a residential property that is subject to the

speculation and vacancy tax, government looks at the interest holders of

the corporation to determine potential tax rate and eligibility for

exemptions. In cases where a receiver has been appointed to administer a

corporation, that receiver will not be included among the corporate

interest holders.

Bill 10

amends the Insurance Premium Tax Act and the Logging Tax Act to allow a

fee to be charged to taxpayers to recover costs associated with

out-of-province audits. These audits ensure compliance with and the

fairness of our tax system. Auditors need to conduct audits of taxpayers

who choose to keep their books and records outside of British Columbia.

The Insurance Premium Tax Act and the Logging Tax Act are further

amended to harmonize offences and penalties under these statutes with

the Employer Health Tax Act. This will help with the administration of

these taxes and encourage taxpayer compliance by ensuring that

deterrents remain effective.

Bill 10

further amends the Insurance Premium Tax Act to improve tax

administration by requiring filings and payments to be made

electronically under the act.

Finally,

Bill 10 amends numerous tax and revenue statutes to improve

confidentiality. These changes will standardize the language and

confidentiality provisions across tax statutes. Consequential amendments

are also made to the confidentiality provisions in the income tax act

and the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act to update references and remove

no longer needed provisions.

These

changes are all part of this government’s work to take action on the

issues that matter most to British Columbians. These changes increase

access to support with costs in a time when people are facing increased

costs because of inflation. These changes also help reduce barriers to

supports and ensure that existing legislation is working for people in

B.C.

T. Wat: I’m

pleased today to provide remarks on Bill 10, the Budget Measures

Implementation Act. All British Columbians and those in my constituency

of Richmond North Centre deserve to know how the taxpayers’ money is

being spent. There are too many challenges that impact daily life in

B.C. today. This Budget Measures Implementation Act does not address

those as comprehensively as it should.

Unfortunately, just like many others of this government’s

announcements, the words, the packaging and the sentiment seemed all

good. We are very skeptical about what the results are going to look

like. British Columbians deserve results. Right now, they see no

improvements on any of the critical issues that are on top of people’s

minds.

Now,

let’s begin with a few things that we were expecting the budget to

adequately address. After six years of the NDP, we see terrible results

that have left the province in multiple crises. Life is more

unaffordable than ever before. In fact, with the highest gas prices and

highest housing costs in North America, life has truly never been more

expensive.

People

are dying because they cannot access basic health care. One million

British Columbians don’t even have access to a family doctor. Emergency

rooms are shutting down, and the long-awaited hospitals, such as the one

in Richmond, continue to face cost overruns and delays. This is the

NDP’s seventh budget. While they say that the people who need help the

most will benefit from it, there are clearly lots of gaps that we need

to highlight and talk about.

In my

constituency of Richmond North Centre, the housing crisis is felt by

everyone. Whether you are a homeowner, a renter or someone looking for a

place to call home, it is not easy. The NDP have completely abandoned

their promise to build 114,000 affordable housing units over ten years.

They have added 21 taxes or increased those taxes. This has given us the

highest housing prices in North America and the highest rents in

Canada.

[11:35 a.m.]

repeatedly warned that more taxes would not lead to more affordable

housing. But this government refuses to listen — stone deaf. Only

recently have they started to embrace the need for more

supply.

The

renter’s tax credit is a watered-down version of what the NDP promised,

and it doesn’t go as far as it could have, had they acted sooner to make

good on their promise to taxpayers of a $400 renters rebate. Today the

Premier has given them a $400 tax credit. A measly $400 doesn’t do much

to soften the blow for those who are even eligible for the credit. It

won’t even cover a single month of the increase after six years of this

NDP government.

When it

comes to health care, I would like to give the government credit where

it’s due for welcoming the move to provide free contraception. It’s

unfortunate that it took seven budgets, this many years and multiple

calls from the opposition, women and British Columbians to provide free

contraception for those that need it. It’s years overdue, but we are

pleased to finally see it in this budget.

When it

comes to the health care crisis that has touched every corner of this

province and every British Columbian, there’s nothing to suggest that

more funding will lead to better results. The government is quick to put

out announcements, play flashy ads and pick the most photogenic

background for media coverage. The results and reality on the ground

gives a completely different picture.

The B.C.

Nurses Union supports the building of new infrastructure, but pointed

out how the government has completely failed to address not just the

growing need for new nurses but the existing need for — I quote the

president of BCNU — “5,325 vacancies” in B.C.

Meena

Brisard from the health employees union pointed out how, in 2020, “the

NDP government made a commitment that they will fix seniors care, and we

don’t see that money in the budget.” Where is the money?

The

reality check is that hospitals are in total chaos, and emergency rooms

are closing around the province. People are losing their lives because

of ambulance delays.

People in

Richmond, young families and many new immigrants, are forced to face the

country’s worst walk-in clinic wait times, among many other horrible

things. Understaffed urgent and primary care centres, delays for medical

imaging, one million people wait-listed to see specialists — the list

goes on and on.

British

Columbians have been let down by another NDP budget that misses the

mark, especially when it comes to our health care. I’m looking forward

to explaining to my constituents in Richmond, in the next two weeks when

we are having our break back into our constituency, why this government

has failed on their commitments and why, under the Premier’s leadership,

only $2 million have been spent on the Richmond Hospital rebuild project

despite a total budget of $861 million.

How is

this an example of an expedited effort by the government to give people

access to the health care they deserve? How is only spending $2 million

out of the $861 million an effective way of telling people that yes, we

are working on the hospital build, and we want to get it done fast?

Instead, just like the Cowichan district regional hospital project, we

are far, far, way away from the end result.

[11:40 a.m.]

The

budget also fails to adequately address the surge in hate, especially

anti-Asian hate in our cities following the pandemic. Under the

Premier’s catch-and-release system, repeat offenders roam the streets

while British Columbians have to walk in their own neighborhoods with

the risk of being one of four people randomly attacked every day. It

should be shameful that Vancouver has become the anti-Asian hate crime

capital of North America.

Yesterday

we all celebrated the progress and achievement of women all over the

world. It’s International Women’s Day. Yet Asian women here are facing

rising violence based on both their race and gender.

colleagues and I have been calling for a racist incident hotline since

2020, but the NDP government has only made empty announcements for

years. Under pressure, the NDP government made an announcement in April

2021 that they would do it, but it was yet another empty NDP

announcement. They haven’t done anything for over 1,000 days. There’s no

racist incident hotline.

People

deserve to be safe from racist attacks. The Human Rights Commissioner

has called out the NDP for their delay and lack of action, saying: “The

ministry was unable to provide details, including when it would be

operational, who would operate it and what funding would be allocated to

it. This delay is unacceptable and leaves Asian women at risk of more

violence and discrimination.”

The

spending in the Premier’s office has reached a new record high of $16

million, nearly 80 percent higher than 2017. The NDP are adding another

11,303 new government workers. Total employment in the B.C. public

sector has increased by nearly 128,000 positions under the NDP, or a 33

percent increase.

Despite

the growth in government under the B.C. NDP and all this increase in

percentages, the results keep getting worse. Clearly, the government’s

mismanagement is not just evident in the House but also in the lack of

results from the government’s continuous flooding of funds into

problems. There seems to be no correlation. When will the Premier change

his approach?

There’s

nothing in the budget to talk about growing the economy, generating more

revenues.

Deputy Speaker: Member,

I’d just like to remind you that we are on Bill 10, the Budget Measures

Implementation Act.

T. Wat: Thank

you, Madam Speaker. That’s why it’s important to talk about how to

implement the budget. It’s related to the budget and how we are going to

implement it.

Deputy Speaker: Just to

remind you that it is Bill 10, the Budget Measures Implementation

Act.

T. Wat: Yes.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I’m talking about how we are going to

implement this budget. I’m trying to say that the budget, what kinds of

issues that we see as opposition in the budget…. We need to implement it

effectively.

I was

saying that there’s nothing in the budget to talk about growing the

economy, generating more revenues and supporting small business. My

riding has hundreds of small and medium businesses, and they are looking

for the implementation of this budget to help them grow their

business.

[11:45 a.m.]

They have

suffered so much during the three years of the pandemic, yet they don’t

see any implementation in this budget of how to help them not only get

over the three-year pandemic but look forward on how to grow their

business. Actually, there are a lot of comments from the B.C. Chamber of

Commerce, the B.C. Business Council and the Greater Vancouver Board of

Trade about how they’re disappointed that they don’t find any meaningful

steps in growing the economy.

There’s

no plan on how the government expects to fund the world-class health

care, education, public safety and quality of life that all British

Columbians deserve. Yet again, despite record low results,

taxpayer-supported debt is dramatically increasing to $100 billion, more

than double the debt level when the NDP took office. Debt servicing

costs will grow by $1.5 billion, meaning less money for health care,

housing, crime and addiction treatment.

That’s

why it’s important to talk about how to implement Budget 2023. We should

have a comprehensive plan that props up British Columbians for success

by approaching all issues that people face with a focus on the outcomes,

not what it looks like on TV.

Budget

2023, when we are implementing it, provides funding towards

decriminalization to “prepare for the change.” But all of this work was

supposed to have been completed before implementation.

While

it’s good to see this government allocate dollars for addiction

treatment, we also note the government’s commitments are sorely lacking

when compared against the plan proposed by the opposition. There’s no

mention of eliminating fees for treatment, something that remains a huge

barrier to many seeking care. Despite promising to expand the Red Fish

Healing Centre in Coquitlam, there’s nothing in the capital plan for it.

That’s why it’s important to know how to implement the budget. While

people struggle to access mental health and addiction support, there’s

no target to reduce wait times for care.

A slow

rollout announcement is not good enough. People need help now. They need

to know that when they pick up a phone and ask for help, it will be

there for them today, not weeks or months from now.

All of

this comes after the government pursued a plan of decriminalization that

had little to no information for many that need it. I know of many young

parents, families and communities that are concerned about the

prevalence of drugs around them and how it impacts the safety of their

loved ones. The government is spending $184 million over three years on

the public supply of addictive drugs, nearly $100 million more than

their prolific offender programs, totalling $87 million.

Decriminalization is expected to cost a further $7 million.

That’s

why it’s important to know how to implement the budget. Without a plan

from the government for how to pay for all of this, while it abandons

key industry in our rural regions, the fiscal future of B.C., as well as

the other issues we face, seems to be in jeopardy.

The

Finance Minister spent a fair bit of time outlining the immense

challenges people are facing in her speech earlier on, but what is

missing is an acknowledgment of this government’s failures to look after

people after six years. Outcomes matter, and this government’s outcomes

are terrible. If you asked anyone today whether they are better off

after six years of the NDP, I imagine most, if not all, would say

no.

[11:50 a.m.]

Deputy Speaker: Member,

I’d like to remind you again that it’s Bill 10 on the budget

implementation measures.

T. Wat: Thank

you, Madam Speaker. I’m talking about the implementation of the budget

and how it can be effectively implemented. That’s why I’m speaking on

this Bill 10.

Seniors

and those that are vulnerable are scared they won’t get the help they

need in a medical emergency. People in Richmond, Vancouver and elsewhere

are looking over their shoulder in their own neighbourhoods, fearing for

their safety.

They are

struggling to pay the bills as the cost of living soars. This government

promised to make life affordable for people, but under the NDP’s watch,

things have only gotten much, much worse. The young families looking to

build a future in places like my constituency in Richmond can’t afford

rent. They have given up even thinking about buying a house. Their

grocery bills and fuel costs are staggering. They can’t get ahead, no

matter how hard they try.

That’s

why today, when we look at this government budget…. They should know how

to implement a more effective budget that will relieve pressures.

Measures that don’t go far enough…. They are half-measures as per

usual.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

The

government simply won’t provide British Columbians with the support they

need to not only stay above water at the end of each month but to have

some hope for the future, some ability to save for a rainy day and

relieve some of the pressures they are being burdened with. They are not

seeing any improvement on the issues this government has said it is

working on.

Meanwhile, the House is in complete mismanagement while the government

fumbles back on giving the opposition proper opportunities to debate and

can’t properly answer questions of accountability when in

estimates.

This is a

budget that is pessimistic and uninspiring. According to the NDP’s own

budget documents and forecast, right now is as good as it gets. It’s

only downhill from here. Do better.

Hon. M. Dean: I

seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Hon. M. Dean: As the MLA

for Esquimalt-Metchosin, I’m really excited to say that we have the

Westshore Nature Buddies here in the gallery. Would everyone please make

them very welcome.

T. Wat moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Committee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted

leave to sit again.

Hon. B. Ma moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE

DOUGLAS FIR ROOM

Committee of Supply

ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF

TOURISM, ARTS, CULTURE AND

SPORT

The House in Committee of Supply (Section A); H. Yao in the

chair.

The committee met at 11:16 a.m.

The Chair: Good morning, Members. I call the Committee of Supply,

Section

A, to order.

We are meeting today to consider the estimates of the Ministry

of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

On Vote 44: ministry operations, $176,229,000.

The Chair: Minister, do you have any opening remarks?

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you, Chair. I’m going to make this short. I like to get

right into it.

I just, first off, would like to say that I’m really excited to be

the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport since December. It was

a big shift for me, coming from Agriculture after five years, but I am

really thrilled to be here.

I have an exceptional team that supports me. A lot of them are

here today. I have my deputy, Neilane Mayhew. I have four ADMs sitting

with me today: Nick Grant, Kim Lacharite, Claire Avison, Alana Best. I

have a host of others that are in the grandstands in the

back.

I’m happy to be here. I’m not going to go on at length. I just

want to get into the questions. I know we only have four hours, and we

will be covering off quite an extensive amount of issues. So I think

we’ll just start.

The Chair: Thank you, Minister.

I now recognize the member for Kelowna West. Would you like to

make any opening remarks?

B. Stewart: Thank you very much, Chair. I look forward to working with the

minister and her staff in terms of finding answers to how tourism will

continue to be resilient. We will be able to deal with some of the

issues about supply challenges. I’m looking forward to the remarks and

her ideas. I know she’s very competent, and she, I’m sure, will do

extremely well in this ministry.

With that, maybe we could start with a little bit about some of

the questions that I have and that I know members of the public are

wondering about.

Minister, I just wanted to find out about the fact…. If you can

discuss the budgetary changes in the tourism sector strategy and the

specific changes that you see happening with this budget.

[11:20 a.m.]

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you for the question. I’m used to working with the critic

across the way on other files, and so I think we’re going to have fun

today.

The good news is that there has been over an $8 million increase

in ministry operations. That is due to the following. There’s been

almost a $4 million increase due to the shared recovery wage mandate.

There has been an almost $3 million increase to the sport and creative

division and management services that will support staffing and

operational resources for the marquee sport events branch.

There’s been over a $1 million increase to Destination B.C., and

that’s going to fund a budget lift as outlined in their

performance-based funding model that’s established through a ministerial

directive; a $127,000 increase to support the minister’s office

resources and the addition of a Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism,

which, I think, is great news. More boots on the ground.

Then an $89,000 increase to the tourism sector strategy division

to support the mountain resorts branch as part of the transformation of

the permitting regime in the natural resources sector. That’s an overall

overview, and if you want to get into the details, we can.

B. Stewart: Thanks very much for that

summary. You mentioned something in your

remarks there about a performance-based increase with Destination

B.C.

Could you just elaborate and tell us how that works, knowing the

current budget, I believe, was about $50 million-plus? If you could just

kind of explain to myself and the members here how those measurements

and metrics work.

[11:25 a.m.]

Hon. L. Popham: Thanks for the question. The directive actually was that they

would get up to a 2 percent lift based on performance metrics. Some of

those performance metrics would be tallying up — for example, the

overnight stays in British Columbia, the out-of-province stays,

etc.

An independent review is done annually. If that review comes out

positive, then they are in line for up to a 2 percent lift.

B. Stewart: Just further questions. That independent review — is that publicly

available?

Hon. L. Popham: Yes, it is. We can share it with the member if he’d

like.

B. Stewart: I want to talk a little bit, in tourism, just about resiliency.

The report that the tourism industry task force provided to the minister

at the time was talking about resiliency. Of course, that report is more

than a couple of years old since the work was being done, but we do know

the statistics. We know that there has been, for the most part, a varied

recovery. It’s not there yet, and certain markets are still not open, as

you and I have discussed.

I guess what I’m kind of wondering is what the minister and her

ministry are doing to ensure the industry’s resiliency.

Hon. L. Popham: Great question. When I first became minister, I started to meet

with our stakeholders. I know that the member is probably very familiar

with them up in the Okanagan. The stories that I heard were varied, of

course, as the member suggests.

There are some areas of the industry that have made really great

gains over the last year, but there are some parts of it that are still

struggling, for sure. Everybody is sort of in a different situation, and

it was really great to be able to hear about the individual stories as

we met with folks.

We are continuing to focus on the areas that need help. I’m sure

the member noticed that we rolled out $30 million for various festivals

and events a couple of weeks ago.

It was really clear that those specific areas of tourism were

really still suffering. A lot of that had to do with trying to attract a

live audience, and they just were not able to make the financials work

to do some of the events that people were looking forward to. That

program was rolled out a couple of weeks ago. My staff got right to

it.

[11:30 a.m.]

The applications are in process right now. I think we’re close to

1,900 applications, maybe. People knew about it from last year when that

money got rolled out then. The ministry was in really great shape to be

able to get those moving really quickly. We’re going to see that this is

going to help festivals — music festivals, etc. — all over the province,

to try and bring back some of the joy that people want to

see.

We are continuing to focus on a lot of the areas that need help,

continuing to focus on developing tourism infrastructure and

experiences, rebuilding the business events and conference

sector.

I’ve heard, loud and clear, that the conferences want to come

back, but they’re not quite there yet. The member can probably look

online to find this: if you go online with B.C. Place or PavCo, you can

see the list of events that are coming up over the next six to 12

months. What’s coming here is pretty spectacular. We can get a more

formalized list if the member would like.

Supporting the return of community events and festivals — that was

the money that we just rolled out. We’re really focusing in on our

responsibilities and what it means to B.C. to be hosting marquee events

such as the FIFA World Cup. We have the Invictus Games coming, which

everybody is very excited about, and of course the Grey Cup. We’re

trying to figure out how to get the biggest bang for our buck, as a

province, when we’re hosting those bigger events.

We’re also expanding marketing campaigns to bring back

international visitors to B.C. I believe that the member is very

interested in that. We’ve been hearing about the different types of

international visitors that are coming. You’ll often see people coming

in as couples or just individual families, but we really are seeing that

we want to get an uptick on the large tours that come in. So we’re

focusing on how we can support that.

B. Stewart: I wonder if I could just ask the ministry…. With the resiliency

that is recommended there, a lot of these actions have to happen within

other ministries, in the sense that they’re required to help in terms of

their support. A good example would be, certainly, labour — some of the

costs that are being passed on. From a cross-ministry perspective, how

are the other ministries supporting the resiliency that you

have?

You’ve talked about the events, how the ministry is supporting

getting people back. That is really important. I know the ministry

touched on the fact that the numbers are showing that the independent

travellers are coming back, the ground travel. There is still that

business part that is lagging.

I do want to compliment Destination B.C. and the people that I

have been briefed by, in terms of their work, with more of a singular

focus, which I think is good because tourism is one of those areas where

anything kind of fits in. You’ve got to kind of say: “This is what we’re

going to zero in on.”

Anyway, the resiliency part. From the variations of businesses and

the challenges, what are other ministries providing to help support

their resilient kind of needs?

[11:35 a.m.]

Hon. L. Popham: The member is right. You do have to do a lot of work,

cross-ministry, to try and hone in on the specifics of what can help us

increase the numbers of tourists and make sure we’ve got the labour

force in place to deal with them. The cross-ministry, cross-government

work is something I take really seriously.

There’s a quote from the federal Tourism Minister. He said that

every minister is a tourism minister. It really means…. What we try and

do in our ministry is dependent on a lot of stuff that other ministers

do.

Obviously, in working and having conversations with

Transportation, we have heard some feedback around maybe some challenges

of getting people from A to B, having people arrive in Vancouver, for

example and wanting to get out into the Okanagan or the Cariboo, just

some challenges around that. I’m still working with the Ministry of

Transportation.

Labour is a big one. Coming from the Agriculture file…. I had a

great relationship with the Mexican consulate. Those conversations will

continue in this ministry on how we access labour outside of British

Columbia, as well as working with the Minister of Post-Secondary

Education and Future Skills to make sure we also are growing our own

labour force here.

It is challenging. There’s not any conversation that I’ve had,

over the last two years even…. I’m sure the member has experienced the

same thing. Labour is an issue. We don’t see people returning to the

jobs in the same way, and we need to be able to figure that

out.

It’s not a British Columbia problem. It’s a national problem, and

it’s a North American problem. Labour is a challenge.

We’re working on that, working closely with organizations like the

B.C. Restaurant Association. They just wrote to us about having a round

table to talk specifically about labour. I’m very interested in that and

very happy to have the critic join. I know that he is very interested in

the labour issue as well.

B. Stewart: I guess, cross-ministry…. What I’m wondering about is…. Is the

ministry aware that there is…? Besides the reports from the B.C.

Restaurant Association about the challenges…. Is it being watched from

the standpoint that closures, such as restaurants and other types of

activities that have been shut down because they’re citing this long

list of things…?

I know that the ministry is not responsible for the individual

control over, whether it’s labour costs or other taxes and things like

that. But these layered-on costs that have been identified in the

restaurant association’s letter recently…. I guess what I’m wondering

is: are they alive to the issue and understanding the solution that may

be needed, even in the interim?

That’s what I think we’re…. We’re seeing closures here, even, in

Victoria. I think the Oak Bay Group closed a restaurant just down in Oak

Bay recently. I worry about whether, with the current inflationary

trends and the labour supply, there’s going to be a cascading effect,

and all of a sudden we’re going to be seeing that. That’s why I wonder

if they’re supporting you and able to help out.

[11:40 a.m.]

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you for the question. It’s a serious issue — very, very well

aware of it. Of course, in the conversations I’m having with

stakeholders, it’s a common thread. My deputy, my assistant deputies….

Everybody is hearing about the same thing.

We do know that we’ve got a…. I hate to overuse the word

“resilient.” We have an extremely resilient sector, and folks that are

putting their minds to it in different parts of the sector are coming

forward with plans of their own that we absolutely support.

I had already mentioned Ian Tostenson. He would like to get people

together in a round-table situation to start talking about that from his

perspective and the restaurant perspective. We’re really happy to do

that with him. Having a constructive conversation is great. This is not

just a problem in British Columbia. We’re talking about that with our

federal counterparts.

Again, it’s cross-government. As a government, we are investing

enormous amounts right now to support our economy, and we will see that

continue to play out.

I can say…. I do appreciate very much when the critic brings

issues to my attention. We’ve had conversations, many conversations

offline, and I hope that he will continue to do that. It’s helpful,

coming from, obviously, the jurisdiction that he represents in the

Okanagan but also just his experience in the wine industry, the

restaurant industry, himself, and just the travels that he has done. So

I appreciate that.

B. Stewart: I’m just wondering if the ministry could be, perhaps, maybe, more

specific. Are there specific actions that they’re taking to address the

systemic challenges that have been outlined by some of these

organizations?

You referred to the B.C. Restaurant Association, which is one

group, but I think that there are other groups, I’m sure, that you’re

alive to. What are the things that your ministry is approaching, in

terms of trying to find specific opportunities, so that, if asked that

question, we can address it?

Hon. L. Popham: I do have a specific example that I can share with the

member.

[11:45 a.m.]

Last year, in response to the needs that were identified by the

industry, our ministry provided approximately $1.3 million. That went

towards go2HR. That was to hire five regional tourism HR specialists. We

all know that labour is such a major problem. It went towards hiring

five regional tourism HR specialists, and that was to support

specifically the tourism and hospitality employers in the different

regions.

Each HR specialist provides expert advice to employers on a wide

range of HR matters, including workforce strategy, recruitment,

onboarding, compensation, training, health and safety, and interpreting

employment legislation. The HR specialists are improving the HR acumen

of tourism employers across the province, which is an important step in

ensuring that tourism jobs are attractive and competitive in a

competitive market.

So we’re kind of honing in on the hiring skills that our regions

have and the hiring challenges. On Vancouver Island, there’s going to

be…. I think it’s a workshop at the end of March that will talk about

positively impacting staff retention. So that’s another problem that

we’re hearing about. You may be able to hire folks, but they’re not

staying on the job long enough after the businesses and the stakeholders

spend the time and invest the time in training them.

Those are really specific examples, but we’re doing things like

that across the board.

The Chair: I ask the minister to move the motion.

Hon. L. Popham: Hon. Chair, I move that the committee rise and report progress and

ask leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:46 a.m.

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