British Columbia Hansard — 6 October 2021, p.m., Issue 103 (42nd Parliament, 2nd Session)

20211006pm-Hansard-n103

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 42nd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday, October 6, 2021 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 103 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Second Session, 42nd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...........................................................................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries......................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing .............................................................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................................Hon.

Mitzi Dean Minister of State for Child Care...................................................................................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.....................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Education .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation ........................................................................................Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy............................................................................................. Hon. George Heyman Minister of Finance .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Selina Robinson Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations................................................................................. Hon. Nathan Cullen Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.............................................................................Hon.

Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation .......................................................................................... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation....................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon.

George Chow Minister of Labour ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.............................................................................................................. Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Municipal Affairs ............................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Josie Osborne Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction........................................................................................... Hon. Nicholas Simons Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport .................................................................................................................. Hon.

Melanie Mark Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of State for Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Bowinn Ma LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition...................................................................................................................................................Shirley Bond Leader of the Third Party .......................................................................................................................................................... Sonia Furstenau Deputy Speaker..........................................................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Assistant Deputy Speaker..............................................................................................................................................................Norm Letnick Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole .......................................................................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...........................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.............................................................................................................................. Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services........................................................................................................................... Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees.......................................................................................................................................................................

Jennifer Arril Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..............................................................................................Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst ................................................................................................................................................................... Karan Riarh Acting Sergeant-at-Arms..................................................................................................................................................................Greg Nelson

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Alexis, Pam (BC NDP) ............................................................Abbotsford-Mission Anderson, Brittny (BC NDP) .........................................................Nelson-Creston Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Penticton Babchuk, Michele (BC NDP)...............................................................North Island Bailey, Brenda (BC NDP).................................................. Vancouver–False Creek Bains, Hon. Harry (BC NDP).........................................................

Surrey-Newton Banman, Bruce (BC Liberal Party) ............................................ Abbotsford South Beare, Hon. Lisa (BC NDP) .......................................

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (BC NDP).................................................................Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...............................................Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal Party).................................Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (BC NDP) ................................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal Party) .............................................

Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–West End Chant, Susie (BC NDP) ..............................................North Vancouver–Seymour Chen, Hon. Katrina (BC NDP) ............................................... Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Hon. Raj (BC NDP).................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon. George (BC NDP) ..........................................Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal Party)........................Columbia River–Revelstoke Conroy, Hon.

Katrine (BC NDP) ....................................................Kootenay West Coulter, Dan (BC NDP) .......................................................................... Chilliwack Cullen, Hon. Nathan (BC NDP) ................................................................... Stikine Davies, Dan (BC Liberal Party)................................................. Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal Party)....................................Abbotsford West Dean, Hon. Mitzi (BC NDP) ...............................................

Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (BC NDP) .........................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (BC NDP) ................................................ Vancouver-Kingsway Doerkson, Lorne (BC Liberal Party) ........................................Cariboo-Chilcotin Donnelly, Fin (BC NDP) .......................................... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Dykeman, Megan (BC NDP)............................................................... Langley East Eby, Hon. David, QC (BC NDP).......................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (BC NDP) ..................................................Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (BC NDP) .................................................Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (BC NDP) ...............................................

Victoria–Swan Lake Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) .............................................Cowichan Valley Glumac, Rick (BC NDP) ..................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Greene, Kelly (BC NDP) ........................................................Richmond-Steveston Halford, Trevor (BC Liberal Party) .........................................Surrey–White Rock Heyman, Hon. George (BC NDP) .........................................Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (BC NDP) ......................................... Langford–Juan de Fuca Kahlon, Hon.

Ravi (BC NDP) .............................................................. Delta North Kang, Hon. Anne (BC NDP) .................................................. Burnaby–Deer Lake Kirkpatrick, Karin (BC Liberal Party) ........................West Vancouver–Capilano Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal Party)....................................................................Shuswap Lee, Michael (BC Liberal Party) ..............................................Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (BC NDP)...............................................

Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal Party) .................................. Kelowna–Lake Country Lore, Grace (BC NDP)........................................................... Victoria–Beacon Hill Ma, Hon. Bowinn (BC NDP).....................................North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila (BC NDP)........................................................Nanaimo Mark, Hon. Melanie (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Mercier, Andrew (BC NDP) ........................................................................

Langley Merrifield, Renee (BC Liberal Party)......................................... Kelowna-Mission Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal Party) .......................... Kamloops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ................................. Prince George–Mackenzie Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal Party).................................................. Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)............................ Saanich North and the Islands Osborne, Hon.

Josie (BC NDP)........................................Mid Island–Pacific Rim Paddon, Kelli (BC NDP) ................................................................Chilliwack-Kent Paton, Ian (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Delta South Popham, Hon. Lana (BC NDP)........................................................ Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce, QC (BC NDP) .............................................Surrey-Whalley Rankin, Hon.

Murray, QC (BC NDP) .............................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Rice, Jennifer (BC NDP) ...................................................................... North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (BC NDP)...................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal Party)......................................................................... Skeena Routledge, Janet (BC NDP) .............................................................Burnaby North Routley, Doug (BC NDP)...........................................

Nanaimo–North Cowichan Russell, Roly (BC NDP).................................................... Boundary-Similkameen Rustad, John (BC Liberal Party)......................................................Nechako Lakes Sandhu, Harwinder (BC NDP) .................................................Vernon-Monashee Sharma, Niki (BC NDP)..........................................................Vancouver-Hastings Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal Party) .................................................... Kootenay East Simons, Hon. Nicholas (BC NDP).........................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Sims, Jinny (BC NDP) ................................................................. Surrey-Panorama Singh, Aman (BC NDP) .............................................Richmond-Queensborough Singh, Rachna (BC NDP)...................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Starchuk, Mike (BC NDP) ......................................................... Surrey-Cloverdale Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal Party) .......................................................

Kelowna West Stone, Todd (BC Liberal Party) ...............................Kamloops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal Party) ............................. West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal Party)....................................................... Fraser-Nicola Walker, Adam (BC NDP) ....................................................... Parksville-Qualicum Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal Party) ....................................... Richmond North Centre Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer (BC NDP) .........................................

New Westminster Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal Party)......................Vancouver-Quilchena Y ao, Henry (BC NDP) ..................................................... Richmond South Centre LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission................................................................................. Pam Alexis Abbotsford South...............................................................................Bruce Banman Abbotsford West......................................................................

Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen........................................................................ Roly Russell Burnaby–Deer Lake....................................................................... Hon. Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds......................................................................Hon. Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North .................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin ..........................................................................Lorne Doerkson Cariboo North.................................................................................... Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ...............................................................................................Dan Coulter Chilliwack-Kent .................................................................................... Kelli Paddon Columbia River–Revelstoke .........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...............................................................Fin Donnelly Coquitlam-Maillardville ...................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley ............................................................................. Sonia Furstenau Delta North................................................................................... Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Delta South ..................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin .................................................................... Hon. Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola .........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kamloops–North Thompson .............................................................Peter Milobar Kamloops–South Thompson..................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country .....................................................................Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission ...........................................................................

Renee Merrifield Kelowna West ..........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East.......................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West........................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca .............................................................. Hon.

John Horgan Langley .............................................................................................Andrew Mercier Langley East....................................................................................Megan Dykeman Maple Ridge–Mission.............................................................................. Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows............................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim............................................................ Hon.

Josie Osborne Nanaimo.............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo–North Cowichan............................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes........................................................................................ John Rustad Nelson-Creston ............................................................................. Brittny Anderson New Westminster.............................................................. Hon.

Jennifer Whiteside North Coast ........................................................................................... Jennifer Rice North Island................................................................................... Michele Babchuk North Vancouver–Lonsdale......................................................... Hon. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour...................................................................Susie Chant Oak Bay–Gordon Head..................................................Hon.

Murray Rankin, QC Parksville-Qualicum........................................................................... Adam Walker Peace River North ................................................................................... Dan Davies Peace River South ................................................................................ Mike Bernier Penticton ................................................................................................. Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam...................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam.......................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast..............................................Hon. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie....................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ..................................................................

Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre..........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough..................................................................Aman Singh Richmond South Centre .......................................................................... Henry Y ao Richmond-Steveston ............................................................................

Kelly Greene Saanich North and the Islands .............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South .............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap...................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena........................................................................................................... Ellis Ross Stikine........................................................................................ Hon.

Nathan Cullen Surrey-Cloverdale .............................................................................. Mike Starchuk Surrey-Fleetwood.....................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers........................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford......................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ..............................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ...................................................................................... Jinny Sims Surrey South ................................................................................ Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley ................................................................. Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Surrey–White Rock .......................................................................... Trevor Halford Vancouver-Fairview.............................................................. Hon.

George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek...................................................................... Brenda Bailey Vancouver-Fraserview...............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ..............................................................................Niki Sharma Vancouver-Kensington....................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..................................................................... Hon.

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara................................................................................ Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant..................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey ............................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena........................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End .....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee .....................................................................

Harwinder Sandhu Victoria–Beacon Hill............................................................................... Grace Lore Victoria–Swan Lake.................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano...........................................................Karin Kirkpatrick West Vancouver–Sea to Sky................................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC NDP 57; BC Liberal Party 28; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS Wednesday, October 6, 2021 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 3363 Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 3364 Bill 19 — Societies Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. S.

Robinson Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 3364 World Cerebral Palsy Day J. Routledge Tourist attractions in West Vancouver–Capilano area K. Kirkpatrick COVID-19 and wildfire response by communities in interior B.C. H. Sandhu World Cerebral Palsy Day S. Cadieux COVID-19 response by Fraser Health Authority J. Sims Mental health awareness and discussion T.

Halford Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 3366 Government response to heatwave S. Bond Hon. A. Dix P . Milobar Panel report recommendations and deferral of old-growth logging S. Furstenau Hon. K. Conroy Truck driver training and ICBC road tests T. Shypitka Hon. M. Farnworth COVID-19 vaccine policies for teachers and school staff J. Tegart Hon. J. Whiteside Education system reopening and use of rapid testing D. Davies Hon. A.

Dix Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3371 S. Furstenau Reports from Committees...................................................................................................................................................... 3372 Election Act Provisions Review Committee, report, August 2021 J. Brar P . Milobar

Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 3372 Bill 17 — Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. G. Heyman P . Milobar S. Furstenau Hon. S. Malcolmson E. Ross F . Donnelly K. Paddon S. Chant R. Russell D. Routley J. Brar J. Sims Hon. G. Heyman Committee of the Whole House............................................................................................................................................ 3390 Bill 14 — Early Childhood Educators Act Hon. K. Chen K. Kirkpatrick E. Ross

WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 6, 2021 The House met at 1:33 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: Hon. S. Malcolmson. Introductions by Members Mr. Speaker: Member for Richmond South Centre. H. Y ao:Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to do two introductions, if you don’t mind. The first one is for one of my constituents. Her name is Elfriede Dorge, and she’s celebrating her 100th birthday.

I welcome the House to put your hands together and make her feel excited about her celebration. [1:35 p.m.] The second one I would like to introduce is actually the new director general for the Taipei Economic and Cultur- al Office, or TECO. Her name is Lihsin Liu. Her English name is Angel. I’ d like everybody to welcome her. Also her husband — I apologize for that — Jing-Tsan Tsay, whose English name is Sam. Of course, we would also like to welcome Jacob Nien-Ting Hsia, secretary of TECO. Everybody please join me in making them feel welcome. Hon. K.

Chen: I am so grateful to have this opportunity to wish happy birthday to a close friend of mine, someone who I truly admire and who is also a colleague in this House, the member for Vancouver-Hastings. I actually met the member for Vancouver-Hastings when we both ran for municipal politics in 2014 at a temple where she brought her young child, her daughter, who was about the same age as my son. I remember think- ing, at the time, about the extra barriers women and young mothers — we were both younger at the time — have to carry when we’re entering politics. I’m so honoured to have worked with her.

She was one of the first people to work on the Childcare B.C. plan. I really appreciate her work, and I look forward to working with her closely in the years to come. Happy birthday to the member for Vancouver-Hastings. Hon. S. Malcolmson: Here for their first time witness- ing question period in person, from the minister’s office for Mental Health and Addictions, Arianna Klus and Siobhan Clancy. Will the House please make them wel- come. J. Tegart: I’ d like to wish a happy birthday to one of the most hard-working local media stars that I know. Michael Reeve works for Q101 radio in Merritt.

Please join me in wishing him a happy birthday. D. Davies: Today I’m welcoming a couple of guests in the House, Sonjia Grandahl and Brent Frain. Both of these folks have been fiercely fighting for persons with disabil- ities — currently working on raising shelter allowances as well as the infamous $300 clawback. I’m sure you’ve seen them out on the front lawn a number of times. Would the House please make them feel welcome. R. Merrifield: It’s very rare that you get to honour one of your mentors, one of your teachers, someone who has championed you literally in snow, rain and at the doors.

But today I actually get to welcome to the House someone that many of you are already familiar with, Steve Thomson. Steve has served in 2009, 2013, 2017. He always showed up. He knew everyone. He always attended events within our riding and always listened. He gave me insanely big shoes to fill, doing things like the Great Bear Rainforest in his tenure as minister. If I could have designed an older brother, it would certainly be some- one like Steve Thomson. Please join me in welcoming him to the House today. Hon. L. Beare: I have a brief birthday greeting to give as well.

In the precinct today, we have Ramesh Ranjan, my former ministerial adviser, now caucus outreach for us at the B.C. NDP . It is his birthday today. Please join me in thanking him. J. Rice: I have two guests in the gallery today, Ben Tas- sell and Julena Breel. Ben was a constituency assistant of mine who is now on his way — today, I think, or tomorrow — to Ottawa to be a constituency assistant to re-elected MP Taylor Bachrach. Ben and Julena were quite helpful this summer when they helped me build a greenhouse. I wanted to put on the record that I am really grateful for the weekends that they sacrificed.

Would the House please make them both feel welcome. [1:40 p.m.] I. Paton: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our good chap- lain for lunch today. Many, many years ago he went on a blind date with his brother-in-law, Casey van Vloten, who is here today to see us. Casey is an old friend from Abbotsford. I hope the House will welcome Casey van Vloten, the brother-in-law of Jason Goertzen. 3363

Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 19 — SOCIETIES AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 Hon. S. Robinson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Societies Amendment Act, 2021. Hon. S. Robinson: I move the bill be introduced and read a first time now. Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to introduce the Societies Amendment Act, 2021. In November 2016, the new Soci- eties Act came into force, replacing the former Society Act.

The new act provides societies with a responsive legisla- tive framework giving them greater adaptability in their internal governance, while also ensuring transparency and accountability. The purpose of the proposed amendments is to address various issues that have come to light since the act came into force. These proposed amendments will refine the Societies Act by making it more accessible, addressing uncertainties and omissions, and creating consistency within the act and with other legislation. Many of these issues were identified by members of the public, societies and the legal community.

Feedback from a public con- sultation was carefully considered and incorporated into these amendments. The proposed amendments were also developed in close consultation with the corporate registry, which adminis- ters the act. To help maintain consistency, related amend- ments to the Business Corporations Act and the Cooper- ative Association Act are also being proposed. Refining the Societies Act will support and further empower societ- ies in their vital work to strengthen our communities and deliver social services right across our province.

We have been mindful of the requirements of the Dec- laration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act as we have developed this legislation. We have done an assess- ment of this legislation as it relates to aligning with the UN declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples. We know that Indigenous peoples have specific interests in the organizations that provide services in their communities. As a result, we have consulted with Indigenous partners to seek their input and their perspectives.

This has included notifying treaty First Nations of the proposed amendments and discussing the amendments in detail with the Nisg̱ a’a Lisims Government. Consultations also included discussing proposed amendments with the First Nations Summit, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and the Métis Nation B.C. Some proposed legislation was revised based on the feedback received from these discussions. We will con- tinue to work with Indigenous peoples as we move for- ward with this work in the spirit of reconciliation. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. S.

Robinson: 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 19, Societies Amendment Act, 2021, 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. Statements (Standing Order 25B) WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY J. Routledge: Mr. Speaker, I’m wearing green today in recognition of the 10,000 children and adults in B.C. who live with cerebral palsy. October 6, 2021, is World Cerebral Palsy Day. Today I’m thinking particularly about twins Elias and Gabriel.

Their aunt has been telling me about their journey since they were diagnosed with CP when they were two years old. That was 13 years ago. She told me about their mother transforming their wheelchairs into taco and pos- tal trucks, when they were nine years old, so that they could trick and treat on Halloween, just like the other kids. I applaud her for her creativity and her commitment to her sons’ sense of belonging.

This is a day to both celebrate and support those living with cerebral palsy as well as to promote inclusion, raise awareness and take action to ensure that people with CP have the same rights, access and opportunity as everyone in our communities. Over 17 million people worldwide are living with CP , and despite being the most common physical disability in children around the world, many people still don’t know what it is. [1:45 p.m.] CP is a complex disability that can affect each person differently. One in four children with CP cannot talk. One in four children cannot walk.

One in two children have an intellectual disability. One in four have epilepsy. Today I encourage everyone to help us spread the word and raise awareness. Share your stories and show your support on social media using the hashtags #bc4cp and #worldcpday. Share photos of sites in your community that are lit up green. We have 16 landmarks around B.C. that will be joining in, including the Legislature. Please join me and everyone in British Columbia to rec- ognize today as World Cerebral Palsy Day. Elias and Gabriel, here’s to you. 3364 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN WEST V ANCOUVER–CAPILANO AREA K. Kirkpatrick: West Vancouver–Capilano is home to some of Vancouver’s most popular tourist attractions for locals and tourists alike. The Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of British Col- umbia’s top attractions. Originally built in 1889, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to mix adventure while exploring some of our rich history and culture.

Locals and visitors can appreciate the nature via the Treetops Adven- ture walk and enjoy splendid views of the old-growth forest and river as they cross the 450-foot-long footbridge suspended 230 feet above the Capilano River. No more than a seven-minute drive from the suspen- sion bridge you will find yourself at the base of Grouse Mountain, a popular summer and winter destination.

Grouse Mountain has something for everyone, whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast conquering the Grouse Grind, which, if some of you have not already done it, is a 2.9 kilometre hike up the side of a mountain, with a 2,800-foot elevation gain and 2,830 stairs. If you’re ever bored on a weekend, it’s a great thing to come and visit us to do. Or go with the family, in the summertime, for a leisurely stroll on the mountain and meet the local bears, Grinder and Coola, at the wildlife refuge. Once the snow arrives, you’re spoiled for choice with things to do, be it skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or ice-skating.

Following a busy day exploring some of our North Shore attractions, tourists can go over to Edgemont village, where it is filled with places to sit, have coffee, simply stroll around and enjoy the village. For kids, you can find kids’ bookstores and shops that specialize in the work of B.C. ’s artisans — potters, candle makers and many others. Please, I welcome you to come and join us in the beau- tiful riding of West Vancouver–Capilano. We’ll see you there. COVID-19 AND WILDFIRE RESPONSE BY COMMUNITIES IN INTERIOR B.C. H.

Sandhu: We had a particularly challenging summer this year in the Interior due to wildfires and rising COVID cases. I want to reflect and show appreciation for the efforts of everyone in our communities coming together once again. While there were hundreds of wildfires across the pro- vince that caused incredible amounts of devastation, I’ d like to speak to the impacts of the White Rock Lake fire. Many in Vernon-Monashee and the North Okanagan had over a month of sleepless nights worrying about their homes, their livestock and the safety of their neighbours.

What brought solace and reassurance in this challenging time was communities coming together. Neighbours were opening their doors and offering their homes to people who were evacuated. Restaurants were offering free meals. Communities would gather to cheer on and show support to our incredible firefighters, equip- ment operators, Canadian Armed Forces, volunteers and emergency crews every evening. The brave firefighters on the front lines and those working behind the scenes tried their best to keep us all safe, despite facing ongoing chal- lenges caused by unpredictable weather.

My amazing CAs, Josh and Emily, worked long hours trying to help as many people as they could, regardless of their electoral boundaries. They did their absolute best to support people and to make sure that they were connected to the resources they needed. Times like these are when we all need to put politics aside, forget about our electoral boundaries and work together. [1:50 p.m.] At the same time, our health care heroes were faced with rising COVID cases. Despite many being on evacuation orders and alerts, my former health care colleagues still showed up to work.

Please join me to applaud the solidarity, unwavering dedication and kindness shown during this catastrophic event. WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY S. Cadieux: As the member for Burnaby North just informed the House, today is World Cerebral Palsy Day. So let’s learn a little bit more. Cerebral palsy is most com- monly referred to as CP , as the member noted. It’s a per- manent physical disability. It affects about 10,000 British Columbians. There are four types of cerebral palsy: spastic, dys- kinetic, ataxic and hypotonic. Some people have more than one type.

The disability affects each individual dif- ferently, because the effects of disability are determined by what part of the brain is damaged. The effects can include a lack of coordination, spasticity, muscle tight- ness, involuntary movement, speech impairment, diffi- culty with gross and fine motor function, and abnormal perception and sensation. World Cerebral Palsy Day helps to create awareness.

This year’s theme, “Millions of reasons, ” is being shared through social media and a media campaign celebrating the unique lives and perspectives of those living with the disability and their own personal reasons to celebrate. I’ve known a lot of people with cerebral palsy in my life.

A few have stood out, particularly Ryan LaChance, who’s a comedian from White Rock, British Columbia; Louise Gaudry, a co-worker of mine for many years from whom I learned a lot; Marco Pasqua, who’s a friend, a champion for disability inclusion, an award-winning entrepreneur, a new dad and the provincial spokesperson for the CP Asso- ciation; Paul Gauthier, founder and executive director of the Individualized Funding Resource Centre Society and a gold medal Paralympian in bocce; author, virtual key- Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3365

note speaker and advocate Glenda Watson Hyatt; Brendan Parker, who is a university student studying business and founder of Brendan’s Ride; and, lastly but by no means least, my constituency assistant Ekamjit Ghuman. Today I celebrate them, their significant accomplish- ments, their fight for their dreams and for the dreams not yet dreamt by others and their contribution to soci- ety’s understanding of the talents and abilities of people with CP . Check out the campaign to learn more about cerebral palsy at bc4cp.com. COVID-19 RESPONSE BY FRASER HEALTH AUTHORITY J. Sims: Mr.

Speaker, 1.9 million residents, 40,000-plus staff and volunteers, 20 diverse communities from Burn- aby to Boston Bar — this is the Fraser Health Authority. From the onset of this pandemic, Fraser Health Author- ity has been front and centre. As COVID-19 cases rose in Surrey, Fraser Health responded with multiple testing centres in and around the city. These centres were walk- ins and drive-throughs, well staffed and efficient. Contact tracers were hired, and contact tracing ensued. Long- term-care homes were closely monitored. Staff and res- idents were vaccinated.

Hospitals adapted to continue to function as normally as possible with COVID regulations. When the vaccine was rolled out, Fraser Health mobil- ized to vaccinate high-risk populations as quickly and as efficiently as possible. They expanded to host the most organized, efficient vaccine clinics across the region. When those clinics started to slow, Fraser Health began hosting pop-up and mobile clinics, including home vac- cinations for those in need.

The delta variant has brought another escalation of cases in the Fraser Health Authority, and like other times, the staff at Fraser Health is rallying to test, treat and vaccinate. As hospital cases surge, staff are being pushed to their lim- its. I’m in awe of how Fraser Health Authority has rallied to effectively fight this pandemic. They continue to meet every day and every challenge with kindness, patience and professionalism.

I would like to thank all staff and volunteers within the Fraser Health Authority for everything they have done to educate, test, treat and protect everyone in the region dur- ing this pandemic. In the largest and most often challen- ging health authority, we have led with care and respect. Thank you. To everyone who is not vaccinated, please go and be vaccinated. [1:55 p.m.] MENTAL HEALTH AW ARENESS AND DISCUSSION T. Halford: For many of us, the past year has been one of the most challenging for our mental health. Front-line workers are coping with burnout.

Countless children and youth are struggling with isolation. Many seniors are feel- ing lonely, and far too many British Columbians in every corner of this province are suffering in silence. We must be open in naming, expressing and discussing our emotions and mental health challenges, even the most uncomfortable ones. This Sunday, October 12 is World Mental Health Day. Let’s all remember that no one is alone in their feelings. This year’s theme is encouraging everyone to not only reach out if you need help but also a call to action for governments at every level to ensure that help is available to everyone.

Now, we all in this House have a duty to work every day to try and end the stigma when it comes to mental health. It’s a duty that I think all 87 of us take very seriously. There is no member of this House that has not been touched by mental health. I know that growing up in my family, we did not discuss this enough at our kitchen table. But I can assure this House that, like other members, we are hav- ing those conversations at our kitchen tables with our kids, with grandkids, with grandparents. It is so important to be doing this every day. Mental health has touched my family at numerous lev- els.

I lost an aunt ten years ago to mental health. It’s some- thing that I think about every single day — to see what I could have done more, what my family could have done more, what we, as a society, could have done more to make sure that she was with us today. That is not the case. It is a burden I wear and my family wears, and I know there are many other families in this House and outside of it that wear that every single day. It’s one we take seriously.

On Sunday, it is World Mental Health Day, but every day we need to continue those conversations and make sure we are checking in on each other and keeping every- body safe and aware when it comes to mental health. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HEATW AVE S. Bond: Y esterday an absolutely damning new report was released from Human Rights Watch, an international watchdog, an independent international watchdog. They certainly didn’t mince words about the response of this Premier and his government to the extreme heat event that our province experienced.

The report found that inadequate government support compounded risks for people with disabilities and older people during the recent extreme and foreseeable heat- wave and contributed to unnecessary suffering and pos- sibly death. British Columbians were absolutely astounded when the Premier responded to questions about vulnerable people dying by saying that fatalities are a part of life and 3366 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

there’s a level of personal responsibility. The Premier has consistently avoided answering for his government’s fail- ure to protect vulnerable British Columbians that died from an extreme heat event. But today they expect an answer. Can the Premier explain why he chose to say that this crisis was an issue of personal responsibility, when his gov- ernment had been warned about the risks multiple times and when the report outlines the tragic outcomes that occurred were clearly a failure of this government? Hon. A.

Dix: I think we recognize that the events of the heat dome weekend — around June 28, 29 and 30 — were very significant events for a lot of British Columbians: 570 cases, in the preliminary findings of the coroner, of people passing away related to heat. This was a singular event in the history of our province, one that had not occurred before in this way. As we dis- cussed yesterday with the Leader of the Opposition, in 2009, there was a significant heatwave, and 110 people passed away at that time. It was principally focused on the Fraser Valley.

This heat dome was five degrees, on average, higher than that — unprecedented in the history of our province. That caused enormous hardship for people. [2:00 p.m.] The actions that the Premier has taken and the gov- ernment has taken have increased resiliency and reduced inequality. The actions the Premier has taken…. The Min- ister of Environment has taken leadership on the issue of climate change, but we have significantly more to do. That’s why you know and all members of the House know we have to take actions based on this one-in- 1,000-year event that has now happened this year.

It’s a one-in-one-year event now. To increase the resiliency of British Columbians, we’re taking those actions, and we need everyone at every level of government to draw the correct conclusion — that we need to take action on climate change and we need to be more resilient against the effects of climate change. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. S. Bond: What the minister conveniently fails to men- tion is the fact that this government had warnings.

There were reports that made it clear that this was a possibility, that hundreds of British Columbians would potentially lose their lives. Six hundred. Almost 600 British Columbians died. They were spouses. They were parents. They were beloved friends. Not a single answer from the Premier of British Columbia. Not a single answer. No accountability from this government. Let’s look at what the report said. Not my words. The government members might find them uncomfortable.

Here’s what the report of an international watchdog said to this government: “The provincial government was slow to respond. ” The Premier said officials were “dis- tracted by COVID-19 and did not think the heat would be that serious. ” The public was not made aware of the emergency, and the emergency operations centre wasn’t initiated until after the heat dome began to subside. What an absolutely dev- astating report. Failure after failure by this government. What an absolutely tragic set of outcomes.

In Fraser Health alone, 166 people died on a single day in British Columbia, instead of the ten to 12 that would normally be experienced. Many died at home. Many died alone. Many people called for help, and no help came. None of us will forget — I can’t imagine the members on the opposite benches will forget — that one family was so desperate for help they called a fire station, and then they drove their beloved relative to the fire station. Despite heroic efforts, that British Columbian died in the driveway of a fire hall. It is clear that many British Columbians did not under- stand the risk.

Make no mistake about it. The Premier’s comments contributed to the tragic outcomes. Today will the Premier take responsibility for his abso- lutely unacceptable comments, and will this government take responsibility for how they contributed to this tragic event in our province? Hon. A. Dix: Thank you to the member for her ques- tion. The member suggests that emergency operations and health authorities weren’t in place in advance of the heat dome. They were in place. They were in place the rest of the weekend, led at a provincial health officer level by Dr.

Bonnie Henry, led by the presidents and CEOs of the health authorities and, indeed, led by the Minister of Health, myself. This was, I have to say, expected to be a ser- ious weekend, and responses were put in place across the board. What we saw, though, were events beyond anything we have seen before — a one-in-1,000-year event which is now, as I say, a one-in-one-year event. Our responsibility is to do what health authorities did that weekend, which is to take extraordinary efforts to protect people.

Municip- al governments did much of the same, opening up cooling centres around B.C., actions of my colleague the Solicitor General to announce and to declare the risk to everybody in B.C. and actions of the federal government. Y et what we saw was heat beyond what we’ d ever seen and its impact not on those who we were connected with in the health care system — for which there were better outcomes, although still some severe outcomes — but actions that affected people living in isolation in their homes. Y es, absolutely, we have to make things better.

Y es, we Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3367

have to become more resilient. Y es, this Legislature has to act to address climate change. [2:05 p.m.] We need to do all of these things. Nobody in British Columbia feels anything but grief for what happens. Our response to that grief has to be action, and that is what we are going to do. P . Milobar: All I remember is that when the climate change risk assessment report was presented in this House in 2019, a report commissioned by this government, it was similar clapping then.

Sadly, all they did was clap for the report, patted themselves on the back and then did noth- ing about the warnings in that report about the potential impact of heatwaves. In fact, the potential in that report was less than what actually played out. The reality was that government was not ready for the heatwave. Government did not have proper resources in place for the heatwave that everyone knew was coming. Ember is a 69-year-old woman from South Surrey with a physical disability. The temperature inside Ember’s sub- sidized housing unit was 39 Celsius — 39 Celsius inside her house.

She says in the Human Rights Watch report: “I have never been so sick in my entire life. Money is scarce for anything so luxurious as a proper fan or, heaven forbid, an air conditioner. ” It’s the vulnerable seniors like Ember who couldn’t afford air conditioning or even a proper fan that the Pre- mier told to take personal responsibility.

The 570 families want to see some personal responsibility out of this Pre- mier, some personal responsibility from the Premier to acknowledge and explain why he ignored his own com- missioned report from 2019 and took no action in the days leading up to the heatwave to make sure those 570 vulner- able British Columbians were protected. Why did the Premier not take proper actions, knowing this was coming? Hon. A.

Dix: The emergency systems responded in B.C., and responded at a staff level, with extraordinary courage around what occurred that weekend, our ambu- lance paramedics, firefighters at the municipal level, staff of the government, staff in emergency rooms, staff who support vulnerable seniors at home who require home support, staff in long-term care and all of our families and friends who helped one another. Everyone got on board to help one another.

We saw a heat dome and a heatwave that we have never seen before and its impact on people, particularly people of lower income, particularly people with other vulner- abilities, particularly people with chronic conditions such as diabetes. Particularly those people were profoundly affected by it. We know that. We have to, I think, in response to a one-in-1,000-year thing that has now happened, build and create resiliency to provide supports. That means actions that decrease social isolation, which was in part, of course, caused by the other public health emergencies that we’re facing.

Problems that are dealt with, with continuing inequality, which has been reduced in the last number of years for people, and support for vulnerable seniors…. All of these things, all of these investments have been made by this government, supported by this Legislature and the previ- ous Legislature, but we need to do more. We need to be more resilient. We will, I think, given the changing circumstances of climate change, be judged as a Legislature, judged as a government, by how we respond on the issue of climate change and on the issue of building the resilience of people and reducing inequality in our society.

Mr. Speaker: The Opposition House Leader on a sup- plemental. P . Milobar:It’s a little disappointing that the other side seems to keep clapping for an answer that says nothing more than resilience, when 570 people died because of their negligent watch of ignoring a report. This isn’t about the first responders’ response. They were working flat out.

The first responders were doing every- thing they could do with the resources provided to them — or should I say the lack of resources provided to them? — in advance by the Premier, who chose to ignore his own climate risk assessment report. [2:10 p.m.] The deadliest day of the heatwave was Tuesday, June 29. Three hundred and one people died on that single day — 301. But on that very same day, this is how the Premier described how he felt: “We were a bit jolly…a bit giddy. ” Those are the Premier’s own words about how he felt on the day his government failed hundreds of vulnerable Brit- ish Columbians.

Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the question, please. P . Milobar: They don’t want to hear their boss’s own words, I guess, while 300 people were dying. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. P . Milobar: He also said this: “Fatalities are a part of life, and British Columbians should take personal responsibility. ” The Premier took no personal responsibility to ensure that he listened to the report he commissioned in 2019 on a climate change risk assessment.

So instead, because no action was taken on that report about a heat dome event, 3368 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

with warnings, we are now awaiting a coroner’s report. That action will be taken based on a coroner’s report instead of a climate risk assessment report done ahead of time. When will this government take proper responsibility, stop trying to pass the buck and actually acknowledge the failings of his own government when it came to this cli- mate risk assessment report? Hon. A. Dix:Thank you to the member for his question. I think one can say definitively that on key areas of emergency response, action has been taken.

With respect to the Ambulance Service, we went from funding that had been below the rate of inflation…. More than doubled in annual increases. So we went from $420 million to $560 million a year. And now we’re doing more, because we are acting to become more resilient. We’re supporting, in 24 communities in rural B.C., going to a 24-7 staffing model. In another 26 rural and remote communities, where the effects of climate change — I don’t need to tell anybody in this House — are as pro- found as they are in urban areas — increases there.

A significant increase in buying new cars, as we have, over the next three years for the Ambulance Service, because what we saw on that weekend was an increase in ambulance calls the likes of which we’ve ever seen — the largest days of calls in the history of our province, well beyond anything we’ d seen before. We are taking action to become more resilient across the board, and we’re taking action to reduce inequality. We see this in long-term care, where people are vulnerable and where, when I became Minister of Health, 90 percent of care homes were below the staffing standard.

Now the average across health authorities is above that standard. That’s action taken to become more resilient, and we have to take more. The government is acting on climate change. It’s acting on inequality. It’s acting on these issues. And still, these events happen. We warn people, and we should be inspired to take more action. We should inspire to take more action. The idea that this did not have something to do with cli- mate change is wrong. It’s just wrong. We have to continue to work together as a community. We’re not going to com- pare actions on these questions.

But what I would say is that we have to continue to act, to learn the lessons and to make things better for everybody in British Columbia. PANEL REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS AND DEFERRAL OF OLD-GROWTH LOGGING S. Furstenau: A year ago our province was in an elec- tion campaign. On October 15, 2020, the Premier stated that if elected, his government would implement the old growth strategic review panel’s report in its entirety…. Interjections. S. Furstenau: There is nothing to clap about. Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the question, please. Just wait. Please continue. S.

Furstenau: It included the recommendation to defer the logging of old growth while developing a new strategy. Where are we at a year later? As of May, this govern- ment’s approvals of the logging of old growth increased 43 percent over the previous year. First Nations that have requested deferrals on their territories are still waiting.

B.C. has once again seen the largest act of civil disobedi- ence in Canadian history, with over 1,100 people arrested at Fairy Creek and, in the meantime, no new deferrals. [2:15 p.m.] As I expect we will hear a whole bunch of numbers thrown around in the response, I will remind this House that an analysis by scientists of the 200,000 hectares of deferrals announced in 2020 revealed that only 4,000 of those hectares actually contained productive old growth needing protection as defined by the old growth review panel’s recommendations.

My question is to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. On June 2 of this year, the minister stated in an interview on CBC: “I expect we’ll be able to announce additional deferrals this summer. ” Will the minister be announcing these addition- al deferrals now that summer is over? Hon. K. Conroy: I want to thank the member for the question. I’m really happy to talk about this, because I know how passionate everybody in the House is about old growth and about our forests in general.

Just to remind the members, we have deferred the har- vesting of old growth in 11 areas across the province since the report was tabled last year, totalling nearly 200,000 hectares. We brought in a big tree regulation to protect over 1,500 groves of exceptionally large trees, those trees that people look to, those fantastic big trees that people want to put their arms around and can’t. We’ve created an independent review, and we are committed to implement- ing all of those recommendations, as I have been saying. All of those recommendations are being worked on.

We’ve protected forest habitats for caribou, spotted owl, vulnerable species like the marbled murrelet and northern goshawk. We did work with the Pacheedaht, with the Ditidaht and with the Huu-ay-aht to defer over 2,000 hec- tares of old growth in the Fairy Creek watershed and the central Walbran area. And yes, we did strike a new inde- pendent technical advisory panel — I think it’s made up of the very people that the member referred to — working together to identify the most at-risk old-growth ecosys- tems in the province and provide a basis for additional deferrals.

The member may roll her eyes, but these are significant Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3369

issues that we have dealt with and that we are moving for- ward on. We are implementing all 14 recommendations. We are moving forward, and we will be making more deferrals soon. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Third Party on a supple- mental. S. Furstenau: I worry a great deal when the reality that people are experiencing is not acknowledged or rec- ognized by the people in here who they expect to repres- ent them, who they expect to recognize what is actually happening. The talking points are well polished. They’re great.

Y et the recommendation in that review panel’s report indic- ated very clearly, six months after the review panel report was received by government: implement deferrals on old- growth logging in this province. We are now 18 months since this government got that report. On August 4, First Nation leaders in British Columbia called on B.C. to take immediate action to protect old growth. It’s not about picking and choosing. It’s about actually doing what you say you’re doing. The Minister of Health, yesterday and today, has been saying: “We need to take action on climate change.

We need to take action to ensure that British Columbia becomes more resilient to climate change. ” It’s astonishing — 43 percent more approvals of old-growth logging under this government than the year before, 43 percent more according to government data. Keep applauding that. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the question. [2:20 p.m.] S. Furstenau: Scientists have estimated there are 1,300 tonnes of carbon per hectare stored in the old-growth forest at Fairy Creek and in old-growth forests in British Columbia. The reason those forests can contain that car- bon is because of their biodiversity.

We don’t need another technical panel; we don’t need another report. The only thing that’s getting deferrals on here is actually the action this government kept promising it would take. We need government to do what it promised it would do. My question to the Premier. The vast majority of British Columbians want to see this government live up to its promise to protect the last remaining old-growth forests in this province. When will this file be treated as a priority by this government? Hon. K. Conroy: Again, I thank the member for her questions. It’s interesting that she referenced Fairy Creek. It was actually….

The message that was coming from her, from her colleague, from colleagues outside, was that that was the last remaining ecosystem, the last remaining old growth, and we did protect that. We protected that. Our government is also committed to reconciliation and to environmental protection, which we believe must go together, must work hand in hand. The days of making unilateral decisions on behalf of Indigenous peoples are over. I believe I’ve been very clear.

Our government has been very clear that in order to protect old-growth forests, we have to put Indigenous peoples at the front of the dis- cussion, and that’s what we’re doing. We are having those discussions with Indigenous na- tions. We are looking at areas across the province, but we are also respecting the wants, wishes and needs of Indi- genous nations. I want to quote Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert Dennis who said to people: “It is our responsibility to take care of our land for future generations. We are the decision-makers.

We follow the guidance of our Elders and citizens to make the decisions we think are right. We are asking others to respect that process and follow our direction on our territory. Our citizens have a constitu- tionally protected right to manage and benefit from our lands, waters and resources. ” I think that we should all respect those words from Chief Councillor Robert Dennis. I think there are many other nations that have reached out and have said the same thing. I think it’s incredibly important that we respect the rights, needs and wishes of Indigenous nations in this very important decision-making.

TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING AND ICBC ROAD TESTS T. Shypitka:After the horrific crash involving the Hum- boldt Broncos, the provincial government moved to improve driving training — a move supported by the industry and, quite frankly, everybody on this side of the House. Drivers would have the opportunity to pass a test proving their skills before the new regulations came into effect. Again, all good. Then the pandemic hit, and ICBC has not offered the spaces for road tests. Darrin Hudson applied June 1 for his test and won’t get one until after the rule change comes into effect on October 18.

That decision could cost him up to $15,000. One company in my riding faces hard costs of about $55,000 and a total loss of $115,000 because ICBC has failed to deliver the road tests on time. Today the province doubled down on penalizing these drivers who are ready to do the right thing. To the Premier, a very simple question: will you do the right thing and grandfather those who, because of ICBC backlogs, can’t do the road tests, instead of driving them into debt and out of business? 3370 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Hon. M. Farnworth: We are aware of the issue with ICBC and the road tests, and we are working to ensure that people who need to get the tests are able to get those tests. COVID-19 V ACCINE POLICIES FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF J. Tegart: For months, parents and the official opposi- tion have been asking the Premier and the Education Min- ister for a clear back-to-school plan that keeps students, staff and teachers safe.

When it comes to the vaccination of teachers and staff, the Premier is choosing to sidestep the issue and put it on to individual school boards, creating a potential patchwork of programs across the province. Parents across B.C. are frantic and worried about the explosion of COVID-19 exposures in their schools, and the Premier wants to make it worse, instead of providing the leadership that our parents are looking for. [2:25 p.m.] In my riding, we have four different school districts. Does the Premier really think there should be four differ- ent approaches in one riding? Hon. J.

Whiteside: Thank you very much to the mem- ber for the question. I want to say that I am extraordinarily grateful for the work that educators, school staff, our district and school leadership, trustees and parents have done over the course of this pandemic. We’re now in our third school year where everyone is grappling with the pandemic. We have worked hard with the BCCDC, with all of our partners, over the course of this pandemic to ensure that we have robust, strong safety plans in place. That’s what allowed us to keep our schools open and to keep school kids in class for all of last year. I understand.

I talked to a lot of parents and teachers and people in the school community, certainly over the last several weeks, and I understand the concerns that folks have with respect to exposures in schools and with respect to the question about mandatory vaccinations. We do not have a public health order that would allow a pro- vincial approach. We have a situation where, as the member well knows, having served as a school trustee, school boards are the employers of school staff.

So I convened a meeting of all of our education partners yesterday to support the devel- opment of guidelines that will inform the decisions that boards will make when they are considering mandatory vaccination policies for their staff. We expect that, as we have done since the beginning of this pandemic, the extraordinary collaboration and cooperation across all of our sector and all of our partners will continue as we deal with this next issue. EDUCATION SYSTEM REOPENING AND USE OF RAPID TESTING D.

Davies: The lack of a back-to-school plan by the Premier has meant a scary return to the classroom for students, staff and teachers. The number of cases in our schools is on the rise. We’ve seen the Education Minister already have to backtrack on notifications and masks, and British Columbia, sadly, is behind when it comes to using rapid tests for school exposures. Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia have all announced rapid testing plans. But here in B.C., parents are faced with long lines, delays and panic when it comes to getting their kids tested. Even the Premier’s former senior adviser, Mira Oreck, agrees.

She says: “It took 2½ hours to get my kids tested for COVID-19 this morning at B.C. Children’s Hos- pital. Given the lack of protection for kids, the least the province can do is increase testing accessibility. More sites and more staff are seriously needed. ” I can attest that the wait is longer in some rural areas. We know that this government is sitting on hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of rapid tests that have come from the federal government. We’ve seen the continued stubbornness, resistance by this government to use rapid tests.

Will the Premier protect school-aged children and use rapid tests in schools today? Hon. A. Dix:Thank you to the member for his question. I know he’s expressing the concern of many people in his community. In September, the gold-standard test, the PCR test…. There were more PCR tests in September than at any other time in the pandemic. Indeed, four times as many in the Northern Health Authority, as I’ve discussed with the min- ister, than had taken place during the height of the third wave of COVID-19. We are increasing PCR testing. Never more than in the month of September have rapid tests been used in B.C.

The technology, as well, is improving. The capacity to have at- home tests is improving. Those things will be explored by the people who are directing our testing policy, the people who are qualified to do it, the people who have been lead- ing it from the beginning, our leaders at the BCCDC and the provincial health office. Our government will continue to support them as they make every effort to ensure that children, adults — every- body — are protected as much as absolutely possible from COVID-19. [2:30 p.m.] [End of question period.] Petitions S.

Furstenau: I rise to table a petition signed by 52,504 Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3371

British Columbians who are asking this government to act now and ban logging for the most at-risk old-growth forests. I will be electronically transmitting the petition to the Clerk’s office. Reports from Committees ELECTION ACT PROVISIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE J. Brar: I have the honour to present the report of the Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Election Act, which was deposited with the Office of the Clerk on August 9. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: Member, are you seeking leave? J. Brar: I am seeking leave. Leave granted. J. Brar: I move adoption of the report, and in doing so, I would like to make some brief comments.

Section 215.03 of the Election Act requires that the spe- cial committee be appointed to review the annual allow- ance paid to political parties. In particular, the special committee was to determine whether the annual allow- ance to political parties should continue after 2022 and, if continued, the amount of the annual allowance and the number of years the annual allowance is to be paid. The committee was appointed in April 2021 and con- ducted public consultation in May, hearing from academic experts, stakeholders and British Columbians.

The com- mittee’s report makes three recommendations: first, that the annual allowance to political parties continue after 2022; second, that it be set at a rate of $1.75 in 2023 and adjusted to reflect changes in the consumer price index for subsequent years; and third, that this allowance be made permanent. On behalf of all committee members, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the public consulta- tion.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the Deputy Chair, the member for Kamloops–North Thomp- son, and all committee members for their work on this committee, as well as to staff members of the Parliament- ary Committees Office — in particular, Ron Wall, manager of committee research services; Jesse Gordon, committee researcher; and Susan Sourial, the Clerk to the committee. P . Milobar: Thank you to the Chair of the committee for the work put into this, on behalf of the member for Shuswap and myself sitting on this committee. We’ d just like to thank all the staff as well.

It was certainly a lot of work to collate and pull together all the presentations. Thank you to the public and all the organizations that made their voices heard. There were certainly very differ- ing views on what should be done or not. That is for cer- tain. I don’t think that’s a big surprise for anybody out there. But it was always good to see that there was a large base of commentary to be able to draw upon as we pulled together the report. Motion approved. Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth: I call second reading, Bill 17. [2:35 p.m.] [S.

Chandra Herbert in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 17 — PROTECTED AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 Deputy Speaker: All right. Members, I’ d like us to get this House back into business. If you have conversations you need to have with others, please move out into the dis- tant hallways to have those conversations. The minister is here and ready to start the debate of second reading. Hon. G. Heyman: I move that this bill be read a second time now. Amendments…. Interjections. Deputy Speaker: Excuse me. Sorry, Minister. Members, if you could please….

I’m going to stand now, and maybe you’ll acknowledge me then. [The Deputy Speaker rose.] Deputy Speaker: If you could please take your conver- sations outside, I would appreciate it. When you’re in the hallways, please be quiet. Thank you. Minister, apologies. [The Deputy Speaker resumed his seat.] Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In case anyone didn’t hear me, I move that this bill be read a second time now. Amendments are being proposed to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act. First, this bill proposes amend- ments to rename two class A parks to include Indigenous place names.

Acknowledging the Indigenous place names 3372 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

allows British Columbians to connect with the history and cultures of our province and supports ongoing reconcili- ation with Indigenous peoples throughout B.C., as well as the implementation of the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Article 13 of UNDRIP specifically refers to Indigenous place names. Chilliwack Lake Park will be renamed to S xótsaqel/ Chilliwack Lake Park. The proposed name includes the Halq’ eméylem place name, which means sacred lake. This area is the ancestral homeland of the Ts’ elxwéyeqw Nation. Newcastle Island Marine Park will be renamed Say- sutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Park. Saysutshun is the Snuneymuxw First Nations name for the island. The island is a significant and sacred place for the Snuneymuxw people.

Secondly, the bill continues our routine practice of add- ing to B.C. ’s protected areas network, modifying protected area boundaries, improving protected area boundary descriptions and, of course, correcting some administrat- ive errors. These amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act establish a new 143-hectare class A park called Hwsalu-utsum near the Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island.

This area, known locally by some as Eagle Heights, was purchased by the province with the support of partners including the Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan Valley regional district, the Cowichan Valley Naturalists Society, the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and Cowichan Community Land Trust. This new park protects a rare pocket grassland, a rem- nant old-growth Douglas fir forest and important lime- stone karst features. The biodiverse property is culturally significant to local Indigenous peoples, and the Cowichan Tribes have provided us with the name of this new park.

Hwsalu-utsum is their place name for the broader ridge of which the new park is a part. This is the first new class A park in British Columbia since 2016, when Chun T’ oh Whudujut ancient forest park was established near Prince George, and it’s the first on Vancouver Island in over 20 years since Hesquiat Lake Park was established in Clay- oquot Sound. The amendments also add to nine class A parks and one conservancy. In detail, these are that Beatton Park in the Peace region will have an addition of 22 hectares of land that the ministry purchased in March 2007.

This addition protects important wetland and lakeshore habitat at Girl Guide Bay on the shore of Charlie Lake. Eleven hectares of lake foreshore will also be added to this park. Echo Lake Park near Lumby will have 65 hectares of lake foreshore added. This lake foreshore addition, in com- bination with the Beatton Park addition, increased the protection of adjacent lake values. [2:40 p.m.] Chasm Park near Clinton will have 101 hectares of land added that the ministry acquired in July 2019 through a donation under the federal ecological gifts program.

The addition secures two inholdings that were completely encompassed within the park boundaries. Bonaparte Park near Kamloops will have an addition of 1,708 hectares of Crown land. This addition implements a recommendation of the Kamloops land and resource man- agement plan to protect an area around Elbow Lake. The Elbow Lake area includes unroaded areas, remote recre- ation and tourism opportunities and lakes that provide a variety of fishing experiences. Mount Robson Park will have one hectare added as a result of the transfer of the visitor centre parking lot to B.C.

Parks from the Ministry of Transportation and Infra- structure. This will allow B.C. Parks to administer and manage this popular parking lot area, which is intrinsically and essentially part of the park. Granby Park in the Kootenay-Okanagan-Boundary area will have 147 hectares of Crown land added as mitigation for past timber harvesting that occurred in the park due to an administrative mapping error. Dragon Mountain Park near Quesnel will have 0.3 hec- tares added. This land was excluded at the time of park establishment because it was subject to a commercial land use permit.

The commercial tenure has now expired and been cancelled, so the area, which is used as a parking lot and meeting place for park visitors, can now be added to the park. Lucy Islands Conservancy will have three hectares of land and 129 hectares of marine foreshore added. This adds two islets and surrounding marine waters that were left out in error at the time the conservancy was first estab- lished. This conservancy protects globally significant breeding and nesting habitat for sea birds, important Coast Tsimshian cultural values and diverse local recre- ational opportunities.

Skaha Bluffs Park will have 65 hectares of land from a 2019 private land donation added to the park. This donation contains habitat for species at risk, including bighorn sheep and western rattlesnake, along with cliff terrain that supports peregrine falcon and endangered bats. The parcel also contains numerous rock-climbing routes and popular trails. Garibaldi Park will have 5.6 hectares of private land that the ministry purchased in 2019 added. The property is currently an undeveloped inholding that is entirely sur- rounded by the park.

The addition of the area to the park will provide the ministry the flexibility to address parking and road safety issues at this popular park access point. The amendments also modify the boundaries of five parks and cancel one protected area. One hectare will be deleted from Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park to allow for an access corridor for private land that was erro- neously included in the park. One hectare will be deleted from Goat Range Park to remove a small portion of the Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3373

right-of-way for Highway 31 that was erroneously in- cluded in the park when it was established. Enabling amendments will allow 42 hectares to be deleted from the Peace River Corridor Park and estab- lished as a protected area under the Environment and Land Use Act in order to enable the ministry to authorize a water line and associated infrastructure for the South Peace Hutterian Brethren colony. This amendment re- solves issues associated with access to a safe and adequate supply of water for the colony.

The colony has in turn also proposed to transfer 62 hectares of private land to the min- istry, which will be added to the park. Three hectares will be deleted from Moberly Lake Park to resolve a past administrative error to enable ongoing legal access for owners of adjacent private lands whose access roads existed prior to park establishment. Amendments to the boundary of Elk Falls Park and the cancellation of Elk Falls Protected Area will complete the implementation of a land exchange agreement between B.C. Hydro and B.C. Parks that is related to the John Hart generating station replacement project.

Overall, three hec- tares of land will be added to the protected area system as a result of these changes. [2:45 p.m.] The amendments also include several administrative corrections and improvements to legal descriptions. This continues ongoing work of the ministry of moving from so-called metes and bounds and lot and parcel descrip- tions to mapped boundaries that are called official plans. Official plans are more accurate, more understandable and more practical for field surveying than the written metes and bounds descriptions. The administrative amendments in this bill are as fol- lows.

Three parks — Echo Lake, Lakelse Lake and Moberly Lake — will have their existing boundary descriptions replaced with official plans. Ellison Park will have a new boundary description as the result of a minor administrat- ive update to a survey plan reference. Over 14 percent of our province is contained within our provincial protected area system, and these amend- ments continue our government’s and our ministry’s com- mitment to improving this system.

This includes not only looking for opportunities to add ecologically significant lands but also improving recreational opportunities and experiences within our diverse parks system. We all know, and we have seen, the increasing demand for access to B.C. Parks by British Columbians during the pandemic. This means that many new British Col- umbians, as well as many British Columbians who hadn’t gone to parks for quite some time, are discovering or rediscovering the benefits of being in nature and the beauty of our park system.

We know and expect that this demand will continue, and we will continue to work hard to meet that demand. Finally, our ministry is also working closely with Indi- genous peoples to find meaningful ways to recognize their culture and connection to these protected lands and to share this rich history with all British Columbians. The proposed new park names are an important, although not the only, part of this commitment. In closing, I look forward to the debate. More import- antly, I welcome the opportunity to add to our magnificent park system. P .

Milobar: It gives me pleasure to rise to Bill 17, the bill to deal with the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act. Certainly, this is a process and a procedure that has spanned governments. I think everyone in this House and everyone in British Columbia can appreciate the need to make sure we have modern and effective mapping, which a lot of these clauses in this bill are doing to update to make sure that our parks are properly represented. More broadly, I think the general population is very supportive of making sure we do have properly located and accessible and a well-located park system.

Certainly, you think back to the previous government — and we heard it earlier, when Steve Thomson was recognized here — the Great Bear Rainforest and other parks like that. We have very large parks. Sometimes it can take quite some time, and then you have parks like we see in this bill at 143 hectares, which maybe aren’t as large in actual mass but still very important nonetheless and can still take many, many years to move forward with and get everything put into place to make sure it becomes a park protected and enjoyed for generations to come.

Certainly, no great issue with this bill in terms of what we see in it, even the renaming of parks to recognize Indi- genous history in the area. It’s something, again, that spans governments and something that has been supported, I believe, by both sides of this House, regardless of who hap- pens to be in government. That said, this bill is now being introduced under a dif- ferent backdrop than we’ve seen previously, and that is with this House’s unanimous consideration and support of UNDRIP and now referred to as DRIPA.

There will cer- tainly be a lot of questions as we enter into committee stage on this bill around that impact, because this is 100 percent dealing with things to do with addition and sub- traction of Crown lands. At a fundamental core under UNDRIP , making sure that consultations are properly engaged with, making sure accommodations are properly made and making sure the right area of Indigenous communities have been consulted with is a big part of that bill.

One would assume and one would hope that this bill would have followed that process to the letter, because as we’ve asked bill after bill after bill that has been introduced in this chamber post-UNDRIP and post-DRIPA adoption, we’ve seen very few bills where there’s actually been consultation by the government as they bring forward bills. [2:50 p.m.] 3374 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

That seems to fly in the face of what we all agreed we would strive to do as a collective government entity. Those are the questions that I will certainly have as we get into committee stage on this bill. They’re serious questions. I know the minister will do his best, in conjunction with staff, to answer those questions and see them for what they are.

They’re not to be combative questions but to make sure that the public and, indeed, Indigenous communities fully understand what to expect from this government, espe- cially on things revolving around how the government intends to move boundaries around Crown land holdings, the impacts that it would have on the use of those areas, or the lack of use of those areas, especially as it relates to traditional practices and the ability to access for tradition- al practices, and those types of questions. I do look forward to the committee stage of this bill, as we move forward.

I look forward to hearing any other comments from other people willing to speak to this bill before we get to that stage. As I say, it’s one, I think, that year over year we always see come forward. But this is the first year where we will have seen this bill come forward with that backdrop of UNDRIP . That certainly does change the tone and tenor, I think, of this bill and, most importantly, the questions that we, as an opposition, have a duty to make sure that we address and get asked and answered for the public and for Indigen- ous communities across this province. S.

Furstenau: I’m happy to speak to this legislation, Bill 17. Protected areas absolutely are a useful mechanism for safeguarding the ecological and cultural values of ecosys- tems in our province. In particular, of course, today the establishment of the Hwsalu-utsum Park, an area of spir- itual and cultural importance to the Quw’utsun’ people, is something to be celebrated. This area is home to important ecosystems, vulnerable species, including certain grasses used in spiritual practices by the Quw’utsun’ people.

There are also other parks where the Indigenous place names are being adopted — S xótsaqel Park, also known as Chilliwack Lake Park, and Saysutshun Park, also known as Newcastle. Acknowledging and using Indigenous place names really is

an act of respect and is an indication of where we need to be going further and further in this province. I’m pleased to see this part just being taken by this government. This legislation adds 2,258 hectares of land and foreshore to provincial parks, and one con- servancy. That’s a good thing. But I stress that in light of where we are as a province globally, what we’re looking at with the climate emergency and the impacts we’re seeing in very real time, this feels like a bare minimum from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

We are seeing a loss of biodiversity and a loss of forests in both wildfires and ongoing logging practices in this province. We are seeing the impacts that climate change is having in the real lives of people in this province, particu- larly — as has been discussed a lot in this House in the last few days — the heat dome which cost the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people. For the first piece of legislation tabled during this legis- lative sitting, it feels incommensurate with the enormity of the challenge and the seriousness of the climate emer- gency.

I would have hoped to see a response from this minister and this government that matches that urgency, that recognizes that we can’t continue with status quo in how lands are managed in this province and how we look at the very serious implications of the biodiversity col- lapse. We’ve now had a year of this government with its full mandate that it had wanted so badly to implement its vis- ion, yet what we see is a doubling down on the status quo, tinkering around the edges. [2:55 p.m.] This is not to diminish the importance of these parks, these protected areas and these name changes.

But I think that British Columbians would very much like to know that what they are experiencing…. I would point to the gathering of youth just a week ago on yet another school strike for Friday expressing — certainly, what I heard when I was in Cowichan — a sense that their voices aren’t being heard and their futures aren’t being considered. There’s so much that could be done. We could be leaning into Indigenous-led conservation in protected areas. We could be putting biodiversity, ecosystem health, at the centre of decision-making.

We could be looking at the extraordinary leadership that’s happening in cities around the world that are reorienting and rearranging themselves to be resilient to climate change. I hope in the coming days and weeks that we will see some indication from this government that the urgency of the situation we’re facing globally, but here in British Col- umbia, is going to be met with the kinds of legislative and policy changes that we need to see. Hon. S.

Malcolmson: Being elected in Snuneymuxw First Nation’s territory, I’m honoured to take my place in the House and speak to Bill 17 and its many additions, in many parts of the province, to British Columbia’s beautiful park system. This is something that is recognized across the country — the beauty from beach to glacier, from coast to mountaintop — how fortunate we are and how much the physical landscape defines the people and the place in which we are fortunate to serve.

That today this legislation adds 2,258 hectares of land to British Columbia’s protected park system is an accom- plishment and a credit to the many volunteers and people in every corner of the province that have fundraised, have advocated, the many public servants that have worked to bring this park system together. That the minister today is taking another step forward to add to it is something that I am encouraged and proud to be part of. Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3375

On Vancouver Island, this legislation establishes a new provincial park, one of 143 hectares. The last time a pro- vincial park was established on Vancouver Island was Hesquiat Lake Park in Clayoquot Sound in 2001. So 20 years later our second new park establishment in the beau- tiful Cowichan Valley — very encouraged to see that. Alto- gether now over 14 million hectares, or 14.5 percent of the land mass of British Columbia, is protected as park.

What I particularly want to focus on, though, given this Legislature’s commitment to the United Nations declara- tion on the rights of Indigenous peoples and one of its calls to action around the world, is to rename place names with their original Indigenous names. I’m very encouraged that right in the place that I am honoured to serve, in keep- ing with the commitment made by the province of Brit- ish Columbia one year ago, what we have known as New- castle Island provincial park is in this legislation now being returned to its original Snuneymuxw place name, which is Saysutshun.

I’m going to read a quote from Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse. A year ago, at the time of the reconciliation agreement between the province of B.C. and Snuney- muxw, he said: “These agreements…mark a major step forward in a journey that goes back to the important promises and understandings that formed the basis of our treaty relationship with the Crown when Sir James Douglas entered into a treaty with our people in 1854.

Today we are working with British Columbia in a relationship based on recognition and respect for our treaty of 1854 and a re- newed government-to-government relationship. “This is an improved relationship that opens the door to mean- ingful cooperation and collaboration based on the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples, including steps for land reconciliation in relation to the return of our traditional ter- ritory. [3:00 p.m.] “Our shared commitment to stewardship and protection of the lands and waters of British Columbia and protection of endangered species and habitat is an essential element of our values to protect our land and resources for this and future generations.

Like we have always done, Snuneymuxw people welcome new relation- ships, support prosperity and business development in the mid-Is- land area and will work with all of our partners to bring new op- portunities. “This step today was made possible by the leadership of our people for many generations and will serve to support our children and grandchildren to know our identity, nation and lands are rec- ognized and supported by all. ” This land transfer agreement one year ago included a package of more than 3,000 hectares of Crown land, now being returned to Snuneymuxw on Mount Benson and Mount McKay.

There are elk habitat and deer popula- tions there. This is not part of park creation, but it’s a sample of some of the commitments that were made by the province and agreed with by Snuneymuxw on that agreement signed September 20, the year of 2020. I want to recognize my friend, at the time Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Scott Fraser, who pushed very hard, along with the Premier, to make sure that that agreement was brought to its completion.

There was also a commitment at that time on the part of the government of British Columbia to rename Newcastle Island Saysutshun, so here we are today, following through on that commitment. I’m very honoured to hold now in my hands the words of a Snuneymuxw young man, Eliot White-Hill, who wrote this history of Saysutshun. To have this on the record in the Legislature I think speaks to the values of the place and why it’s so important for us to call this beautiful island in the harbour of Nanaimo by its real name. Eliot White-Hill says, in his

preamble: “In our tradition, before any work is done, we recognize where the knowledge comes from, where our roots lie. I want to acknow- ledge our Elders and their efforts to preserve Coast Salish oral tra- dition and history.

The stories that I refer to come from them, both living and gone, who have taken it upon themselves to do the work that is imperative to continuing our traditional ways of life, pre- serving what we have so that it can be handed down to future gen- erations. ” These Elders are Albert Wesley; Xalanamut, also known as Mary Rice; Tsa’tass’aya, also known as Jenny Wyse; Kwulasulwut, the late Dr. Ellen White; Xulsimalt, also known as Gary Manson; C’tasi:a, also known as Geraldine Manson. Eliot says: “Huy ch q’u siem. ” He describes Saysutshun as: “ A sacred place that is highly significant to us as Snuneymuxw people.

When we think of it, we think of a place of healing, a place of preparation, a place of transformation. We think of home. It is a place of safety. It has borne a wealth of legends and teachings in our oral tradition, ranging from creation stories to familial lore, some still existing within living memory. It is a place where Xeel’s, the transformer, walked and left his mark.

It is a place where we can connect with our ancestors. “The name ‘Saysutshun’ refers specifically to the island’s use as a place of preparation, how our ancestors used it to train, bathe and prepare themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. They ran the trails on the island and bathed in the water. “Bathing is a sacred act for us. There is a strict process, and it can only be done in certain locations. Those places carry great spir- itual significance. It cleanses us, our bodies, our minds and our spirits. It is a way for us to tap into the natural energies of the world. It is

an act of prayer. We beg the water and the air and the ground beneath our feet to help us, to help those who stand and walk with us and those who are important to us elsewhere in the world. “ A person would be required to bathe daily for extended periods of time before ceremonial events or going on a hunt or other such undertakings.

To prepare oneself properly as such is crucial to the success of the work being done, and Saysutshun is one of the unique places where that can be achieved. “There are many stories from the days when Xeel’s walked the land and spread teachings, helping those who needed help, chan- ging things into the way they are today. One story tells of a sea monster at Thlap’ qwum which looked like a giant skate fish.

It lived in the channel between Saysutshun and where Stewart Avenue is today. [3:05 p.m.] “In a case of forbidden romance, a young couple lived across the channel from each other but were not allowed to be together. One day the young man finally decided to swim across the channel to 3376 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

be with his loved one, but the water began to bubble and churn as though it was boiling, and the monster surfaced, swallowing him whole. Through the collective work of the community, they man- aged to spear the monster using a trap of clams to free the person, who was unharmed. “In one version, this is the origin story for the species of clams and our clam beds in the area. In another version, Xeel’s pulls the monster out of the water and throws it through the air, out into the Salish Sea. Another example talks about Hamatsa Rock, which is past Kanaka Bay. This rock was once a person.

Xeel’s turned many people into stone, people who misbehaved. It is closely connected to a similar rock on Tle:ltxw, ” which we call Gabriola Island, “called Xuw’t’luqs, who was also turned into stone. ” I will just finish with Eliot’s final words: “Whether you are a new visitor to our territory or an old, we hope that you will come to experience Saysutshun. Walk the paths of our ancestors with us. ” That is the end of Eliot’s words. I’ll say that if you are coming into the ferry from Horse- shoe Bay into Nanaimo, you will pass Saysutshun.

If you are going to the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island in the little harbour water taxi, you will see Saysutshun on your left. If you take the little foot passenger ferry, which is now run by Snuneymuxw First Nation, from Swy-a-Lana Lagoon Park, also known as Maffeo Sutton Park, directly to Saysutshun, they have a fantastic service and traditional dances and food, because they’ve been working in cooper- ation with B.C. Parks for some time. If you take that ferry, you will go right to Saysutshun. If you’re taking the ferry to Gabriola Island, you will see Saysutshun on your left.

It’s a real gem in the heart of our harbour. Many people sea kayak around it. I hope now, with this action of returning it to its original name, in keeping with our province’s commitments to the Snuneymuxw First Nation, that the visitors who Snun- eymuxw have so generously welcomed to our region around Nanaimo will have a new connection with and appreciation for both the original peoples of the land and some of those origin stories that now make Saysutshun the proper and restored name of this beautiful gem in our B.C. park system.

With thanks to the minister and thanks to the Speaker for the indulgence, that concludes my comments. E. Ross: It’s a pleasure to get up to talk to Bill 17, Protec- ted Areas of B.C. Amendment Act, 2021. It is quite time- ly, because, really, what we’re talking about is land. That’s what we’re talking about.

In terms of land, especially in light of the United Na- tions declaration on the rights of Indigenous people that was just passed in this Legislature a couple of years ago, this means everything to B.C., because when you are talk- ing about resource development prior to UNDRIP being legislated in this House, consultation was fully defined, but it was only in relation to activities of the Crown that affected rights or title of First Nations people in B.C. That’s no longer the case.

Now, anything — whether it’s connected to the land or not, whether it’s connected to the rights or not — has a duty of consultation owed to First Nations people because of the new legislation, Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. So the old rules on just sticking to rights and entitlement infringements don’t exist anymore. But the issues of the First Nations haven’t changed. The recognition that we’ve been talking about in this chamber for the last year or so now — that’s all it is. It’s recognition. And I think that I’ve talked about this before.

First Nations have had enough of recognition. [3:10 p.m.] First Nations’ issues were first recognized by the consti- tution in 1982. It didn’t change anything. We have been in treaty negotiations for the last 40 years. It hasn’t changed anything. We’ve talked and complained about the Indian Act for the last 50 years. Nothing has changed, because all we do is recognize. We don’t talk about the realities of First Nations in Canada, let alone B.C., the real issues that affect people — issues like poverty, like suicide, issues of children going into government care, of Aboriginal males and females going into prison.

Per capita, it’s the highest population in prisons in Canada. We don’t talk about that. All we talk about is recognizing them. Y et there are many leaders across B.C. proactively trying to change it — and quite suc- cessfully, I might add. At the end of the day — if you had read your case law that was determined in the courts of B.C. and Canada — First Nations are not frozen in time.

These are great stories, talking about how we rename places around B.C. or how we observe the culture or cus- toms of First Nations that, by the way, have changed dra- matically over the last hundred years, but this does noth- ing for the quality of life for that person that doesn’t know there’s an alternative to prison. Now, when we’re talking about the First Nations recog- nition across B.C., you’re quite right. There are many that are still connected closely to their culture and to the land — many, especially in remote communities.

But there are many First Nations in B.C. that have been disconnected from that and now are starting to try and figure out a way not only how to survive in the 21st century but how to thrive, how to stay out of prison, how to stay away from the violence and poverty. They get completely ignored by this government. Not once have I ever heard a minister or a member from that side of the House get up and talk about how econom- ic development in terms of LNG or forestry or mining has succeeded in uplifting a generation of people — not once.

The largest investment in Canadian history, the LNG Canada project — $40 billion, quite historic — should have been a nation builder, should have been a province builder. Nobody talks about how not only did they uplift an entire generation of Aboriginals out of poverty from all over B.C., mind you, but also uplifted a region that Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3377

had been economically depressed since the ‘80s. Every- body benefited. Not one mention of that, and not one mention of the Chevron project, the $30 billion project that packed up and left. That was going to bring more progress to First Nations people and non–First Nations people across B.C. Not one mention of the Cedar project, Cedar LNG by Haisla, a First Nations project, the first one of its kind, that’s a spinoff of the LNG Canada project that would benefit B.C. No mention.

That’s the true progress of First Nations, because an entire generation of people are not going to understand the issues behind the Indian Act, behind rights and title, behind treaty negotiation. That is perfect. That is what we should be striving for. Those are the issues of our day. If the next generation is not complaining about that because they are building their lives, we have accom- plished something for one of the most disadvantaged populations in Canada.

There’s a phrase that has been developed in the courts of Canada and B.C. that I think everybody should under- stand when you’re talking about Aboriginal people in this chamber. First Nations people are not frozen in time. I hear the talk in here that talks about natives almost like we’re still stuck in 100 years ago or 200 years ago. That does nothing for a First Nations person that’s living down on Hastings Street on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver or on the streets of Prince George. [3:15 p.m.] If you want to talk reconciliation with First Nations peo- ple, you have to include economic reconciliation.

There’s a component of rights and title that speaks directly to the economics of rights and title. That is why there are a number of First Nations people that are engaging in the resource activities around them. In terms of this bill, when we’re talking about land….

And I take this government back to their own bill that they actually passed in this House. “In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples in British Columbia, the government must take all measures necessary to ensure the laws of British Columbia are consistent with the Declaration. ” We asked questions in debate about this when we we’re actually debating this bill before it got passed, and we talked about the consultation of 203 bands in B.C. It was made clear to us that this government intended to consult with 203 bands in B.C. in terms of aligning the laws of B.C. with First Nations interests.

To date, this government has not consulted with one band on any piece of legislation either proposed or exist- ing. Instead, this government has actually gone to advo- cacy groups like the leadership council. That’s not con- sultation. The leadership council does not hold rights and title on behalf of First Nations people. They’re not even a governing body. I just heard in the speech before me that they were so proud of government-to-government negotiations. The leadership council is not a government body.

When you’re talking about government of First Nations, it’s up to that First Nation community to decide for themselves who represents them to be their government, to be their spokesperson. Deputy Speaker: If I might, Member, just to draw you back to Bill 17, Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, just to make sure you can show the rele- vance of your remarks. E. Ross: Thank you, Speaker. I will show the relevance. I’m getting to that. Thank you for that correction.

We talk about how this government talks about the con- sultation with First Nations to bills, especially to Bill 17, yet we find out there was no consultation. There will be no consultation. What this bill is talking about is the dispos- session of lands. That’s what this bill is talking about. Now, there are a number of First Nations communities that have had parks or protected areas in their territories that we determined without their consent or consultation, long before 2004.

According to the UNDRIP bill, the gov- ernment is going to correct that by making sure that all laws of B.C. are in alignment with First Nations interests. There are a number of protected areas and parks in my territory. I’ d be curious to see how much consultation, meaningful consultation, was done with the Haisla Nation. There must be a record. There must be a binder. First Nations people, by the way, have gone beyond the idea of protecting land. They’ve gone to look at the land, to look at all the components of what that value can bring to the First Nations people in general.

There’s an economic com- ponent to rights and title that this government refuses to acknowledge. I’m sure if you went to talk to the Haisla leadership of my community — who are elected chief and council, by the way — they would have some interest in determ- ining which lands would be expanded upon and which ones could be amended. I’ll give you an example. There was a protected area in my territory that had an incred- ible opportunity to be developed into an independent power project, run of the river. But because it was within the boundaries of a protected area, we couldn’t change it.

We couldn’t actually pursue that goal. We couldn’t get it changed. Here’s a chance for this government not only to fix the mistakes they’ve made in terms of not consulting with First Nations on their own UNDRIP bill, in terms of consultation, but you could fix some of the interests of the First Nations people in relation to existing parks where they had no say in the first place — some within the heart of the First Nations territories, some of these parks that they actually use for hunting and fishing and ceremonial purposes. [3:20 p.m.] 3378 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, October 6, 2021

There was mention of the relationship and the consulta- tion of this bill, Bill 17, in relation to First Nations people. Really, you’re talking about the leadership council. Y ou’re not talking about communities. But you’re not even talk- ing about the leadership themselves. In fact, in picking who you’re negotiating with, it seems clear to me it’s either Hereditary Chiefs of selected bands that this government is willing to negotiate with — in terms of Bill 17, for example — or the leadership council. No respect given to elected Chiefs and councils — only if it serves your purpose.

Undermining elected Chiefs and councils is destabilizing First Nations communities. This goes back to the consultation that this government is fail- ing to do under Bill 17. Does that work? Interjection. E. Ross: Why would I save it for committee? Hon. G. Heyman: So I could answer your questions. E. Ross: There are no questions here. I haven’t asked one question of the minister. Interjection. Deputy Speaker: If I might ask, can we just let the speaker have his space. Thank you. E. Ross: Well, if he wants to ask questions, I’m more than willing to answer questions from the Minister of Environment.

This is your bill. Deputy Speaker: Through the Speaker, Member. E. Ross: Through the Speaker. Sorry about that, Speaker. This is brought up repeatedly, not only in terms of Bill 17. Every single bill that has come to this House has not had the consultation with First Nations leaders as prom- ised by the government’s own bill, Bill 41. Y et you’re talk- ing about something so central right now to First Nations people — land. I haven’t even heard the term “overlap” brought up in this discussion.

When you’re talking about parks and pro- tected areas and First Nations communities, you’re talking about overlap that hasn’t been resolved. If the consultation was done before this bill was brought to this House, I would love to see the

section on overlap and how this gov- ernment has resolved that. If the binder exists on this con- sultation that was done, will this House get a chance to look at it? These are age-old issues, not only in terms of parks but also every decision made by the Crown on First Nations lands, especially since 2004. That’s not a question; that’s a request. I don’t understand the discomfort that this conversation is actually creating for that side of the House, for this NDP government. I don’t understand the discomfort. Why the complaints?

This is the bill, Bill 41, United Nations declar- ation on the rights of Indigenous peoples. This is the bill that was implemented by this government. These are your promises. Deputy Speaker: Please, no use of props, Member. Thank you. E. Ross: Thank you, Speaker. Is “your” okay too? I said “your. ” Is that okay? Deputy Speaker: If you’re speaking to me, you can use “you. ” But if you’re speaking about government, the appro- priate reference is either to the minister or the government as opposed to “you, you and you. ” Thank you. E. Ross: Okay. Thanks for that. This is the NDP government’s bill, Bill 41.

I’m just point- ing out the facts in terms of what this government prom- ised. That’s all I’m doing. I’m trying to get beyond the recognition. I’m trying to get beyond the politics of this. I’m trying to get into the issues of First Nations people in general. It’s a complicated question. I understand that. We were on a good path. We had a good set of rules in terms of the case law that was established by the courts in B.C. and Canada. Everybody understood their role. The Crown, the First Nations and the third parties understood their roles. That’s all gone. Now we don’t know what the rules are.

The only rule I see as being broken is the com- mitment to consult Indigenous governing bodies. Number one, that’s the only rule I see being broken here, by the gov- ernment that actually brought in Bill 41 in the first place. [3:25 p.m.] When we’re talking about the land question, in terms of Bill 17, times have changed so much. Y es, First Nations are actually looking to be included in land decisions, not only for economic development, not only for the recreational purposes — which are actually pretty amazing in today’s day and age — but they’re also looking for opportunities to remediate past impacts.

If there are any more impacts to save parklands, they want to be a part of it. If you want to build a new trail, they want to be a part of it. If you want to put in a new bridge, they want to be part of it. This does relate to what British Columbians are not thinking about, by the way, because when we’re talking about land, the next question will be: is it private land? If we don’t fix this right now, that’s where the conversation will go next. I think I’ll leave the rest for third reading. Thank you for your corrections and your guidance. I’ll leave my com- ments there. F.

Donnelly: I’m pleased to speak today in support of Wednesday, October 6, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3379

Bill 17, amendments to the Protected Areas of British Col- umbia Act. It will create a new class A provincial park in the Cowichan Valley on southern Vancouver Island to hon- our the Indigenous history of a local ecosystem and assist in the preservation of threatened species. In addi- tion, the bill renames two provincial parks to include Indigenous place names, adds 2,200 hectares of land to nine existing parks and one conservancy, continuing B.C. ’s proud record of supporting one of the largest park systems in North America.

This bill advances our government’s environmental goals by establishing new parks in protected areas as well as adding land to existing parks, conservancies and ecolo- gical reserves. It also aids in the conservation of threatened species such as Roosevelt elk, western screech owl and northern goshawk. Renaming parks to include Indigenous place names is an important step forward in our ongoing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples across B.C. It also encour- ages all of us to connect with the rich history and culture of our province. I congratulate our government for this farsighted

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20211006pm-Hansard-n103
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20211006pm Hansard n103
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	ef7ba19ef5fcfe57b6e1fdb1a98dbaf908854aa9

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