British Columbia Hansard — 22 April 2026, p.m., Issue 160 (43rd Parliament, 2nd Session)

20260422pm-Hansard-n160

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 43rd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 160 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, CM, OBC Second Session, 43rd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ................................................................................................... Hon. David Eby, KC Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities .......................................................... Hon.

Brittny Anderson Minister of Agriculture and Food ..............................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Deputy Premier ............................................................................................................... Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Minister of Children and Family Development ......................................................................................................Hon.

Jodie Wickens Minister of Citizens’ Services ......................................................................................................................................Hon. Diana Gibson Minister of Education and Child Care ............................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ................................................................................ Hon.

Kelly Greene Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions .................................................................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Environment and Parks .................................................................................................... Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson Minister of Finance ......................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Brenda Bailey Minister of Forests .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Parmar Minister of Health ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Josie Osborne Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs ...........................................................................................................Hon.

Christine Boyle Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ........................................................................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Minister of Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Bowinn Ma Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth ...................................................................................................................... Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies .................................................................. Hon. Rick Glumac Minister of Labour .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals .....................................................................................................................Hon.

Jagrup Brar Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills ........................................................................................Hon. Jessie Sunner Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................ Hon. Nina Krieger Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services ........................................................................ Hon.

Terry Yung Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ...............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ............................................................................................................. Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Transportation and Transit ................................................................................................................ Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship ............................................................................................... Hon. Randene Neill Minister Without Portfolio ..............................................................................................................................................Hon.

Grace Lore LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition ......................................................................................................................................Trevor Halford Leader of the Third Party .................................................................................................................................................Jeremy Valeriote Deputy Speaker ......................................................................................................................................................................

Mable Elmore Assistant Deputy Speaker .................................................................................................................................................Lorne Doerkson Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................................................George Anderson Clerk of the Legislative Assembly....................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel ......................................................................................................................Seunghee Suzie Seo Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...............................................................................................................

Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees .............................................................................................................................................................. Jennifer Arril Committee Clerk ......................................................................................................................................................................

Karan Riarh Committee Clerk .........................................................................................................................................................................Darryl Hol Senior Legal Counsel .................................................................................................................................................................Hayley Hill Sergeant-at-Arms ..................................................................................................................................................................

Ray Robitaille Director of Hansard Services .......................................................................................................................................D’ Arcy McPherson Legislative Librarian ...............................................................................................................................................................Peter Gourlay

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS BY PARTY BC NDP Anderson, Hon. Brittny ........................................... Kootenay Central Anderson, George ................................................ Nanaimo-Lantzville Arora, Rohini ....................................................................Burnaby East Bailey, Hon. Brenda ................................Vancouver–South Granville Beare, Hon.

Lisa .......................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry .................................................................Surrey-Guildford Blatherwick, Jennifer ....................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Boyle, Hon. Christine .............................Vancouver–Little Mountain Brar, Hon. Jagrup ......................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Chandra Herbert, Hon. Spencer ..................... Vancouver–West End Chant, Susie .............................................

North Vancouver–Seymour Choi, Paul ..................................................Burnaby South–Metrotown Chouhan, Hon. Raj ................................. Burnaby–New Westminster Chow, George ....................................................Vancouver-Fraserview Davidson, Hon. Tamara / Laanas ...........North Coast–Haida Gwaii Dhir, Sunita .............................................................Vancouver-Langara Dix, Hon. Adrian .................................................. Vancouver-Renfrew Eby, Hon. David, KC .......................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable ................................................. Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike .................................................Port Coquitlam Gibson, Hon. Diana ........................................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Glumac, Hon. Rick ...................................... Port Moody–Burquitlam Greene, Hon. Kelly ..............................................Richmond-Steveston Higginson, Stephanie ........................................Ladysmith-Oceanside Kahlon, Hon. Ravi .............................................................. Delta North Kang, Hon.

Anne ......................................................... Burnaby Centre Krieger, Hon. Nina ...............................................Victoria–Swan Lake Lajeunesse, Dana ..............................................Juan de Fuca–Malahat Lore, Hon. Grace .................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Ma, Hon. Bowinn ................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila .........................Nanaimo–Gabriola Island Morissette, Steve ...................................................Kootenay Monashee Neill, Hon. Randene ............................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Osborne, Hon. Josie ....................................... Mid Island–Pacific Rim Parmar, Hon. Ravi ...............................................Langford-Highlands Phillip, Joan / Amshen .....................................Vancouver-Strathcona Popham, Hon. Lana ........................................................ Saanich South Rotchford, Darlene ...............................................Esquimalt-Colwood Routledge, Janet .............................................................Burnaby North Sandhu, Harwinder ......................................................

Vernon-Lumby Shah, Amna ............................................................. Surrey City Centre Sharma, Hon. Niki, KC ....................................... Vancouver-Hastings Sunner, Hon. Jessie ....................................................... Surrey-Newton Toporowski, Debra / Qwulti’stunaat .......................Cowichan Valley Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer ...................New Westminster–Coquitlam Wickens, Hon. Jodie ............................. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Yung, Hon.

Terry .................................................Vancouver-Yaletown CONSERV ATIVE PARTY OF BC Banman, Bruce .......................................................... Abbotsford South Bhangu, Harman .................................................. Langley-Abbotsford Bird, Rosalyn ............................................. Prince George–Valemount Block, Lynne ..............................................West Vancouver–Capilano Chapman, Brent .................................................................Surrey South Clare, Sheldon ....................................

Prince George–North Cariboo Davis, Pete ..................................................................Kootenay Rockies Day, Brennan ........................................................... Courtenay-Comox Dew, Gavin ..................................................................Kelowna-Mission Dhaliwal, Mandeep .......................................................... Surrey North Doerkson, Lorne .....................................................

Cariboo-Chilcotin Gasper, Reann .......................................................Abbotsford-Mission Giddens, Kiel ..............................................Prince George–Mackenzie Halford, Trevor ......................................................Surrey–White Rock Hartwell, Sharon ..............................................Bulkley Valley–Stikine Hepner, Linda ................................................Surrey–Serpentine River Kindy, Anna ........................................................................North Island Kooner, Steve ............................................Richmond-Queensborough Loewen, Kristina ..........................................................

Kelowna Centre Luck, Tony ..........................................................................Fraser-Nicola Maahs, Heather ......................................................... Chilliwack North McCall, Macklin .........................................West Kelowna–Peachland McInnis, Scott ......................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke Milobar, Peter ............................................................

Kamloops Centre Mok, Lawrence ...........................................................Maple Ridge East Neufeld, Korky ............................................................Abbotsford West Neufeld, Larry ...........................................................Peace River South Paton, Ian ..............................................................................Delta South Rattée, Claire .................................................................................Skeena Rustad, John ...................................................................Nechako Lakes Stamer, Ward .........................................Kamloops–North Thompson Tepper, Br yan ............................................................

Surrey-Panorama Toor, Jody ............................................................Langley-Willowbrook Van Popta, Misty..............................................Langley–Walnut Grove Warbus, Á’a:líya ..............................................Chilliwack–Cultus Lake Wat, Teresa .........................................................Richmond-Bridgeport Williams, David ...............................................Salmon Arm–Shuswap Wilson, Donegal ............................................Boundary-Similkameen BC GREEN PARTY Botterell, Rob .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Valeriote, Jeremy .....................................

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky INDEPENDENT Armstrong, Tara .....................Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream Boultbee, Amelia .............................................Penticton-Summerland Brodie, Dallas .................................................... Vancouver-Quilchena Chan, Hon ..................................................................Richmond Centre Kealy, Jordan ............................................................. Peace River North Sturko, Elenore .........................................................

Surrey-Cloverdale PARTY STANDINGS Total seats – 93 BC NDP – 47 | Conservative Party of BC – 38 | BC Green Party – 2 | Independent – 6

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF RIDINGS A Abbotsford-Mission ........................................................Reann Gasper Abbotsford South ........................................................... Bruce Banman Abbotsford West .............................................................Korky Neufeld B Boundary-Similkameen .............................................Donegal Wilson Bulkley Valley–Stikine ............................................... Sharon Hartwell Burnaby Centre ...........................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Burnaby East ......................................................................Rohini Arora Burnaby–New Westminster .................................. Hon. Raj Chouhan Burnaby North ..............................................................Janet Routledge Burnaby South–Metrotown .................................................. Paul Choi C Cariboo-Chilcotin .......................................................Lorne Doerkson Chilliwack–Cultus Lake .............................................. Á’a:líya Warbus Chilliwack North ..........................................................

Heather Maahs Columbia River–Revelstoke ...........................................Scott McInnis Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .............................. Hon. Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville .................................... Jennifer Blatherwick Courtenay-Comox ............................................................ Brennan Day Cowichan Valley ....................... Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat D Delta North ................................................................Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Delta South ...............................................................................Ian Paton E Esquimalt-Colwood ................................................Darlene Rotchford F Fraser-Nicola .......................................................................... Tony Luck J Juan de Fuca–Malahat ...............................................Dana Lajeunesse K Kamloops Centre ............................................................. Peter Milobar Kamloops–North Thompson .........................................

Ward Stamer Kelowna Centre ........................................................... Kristina Loewen Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream ......................Tara Armstrong Kelowna-Mission ..................................................................Gavin Dew Kootenay Central ............................................ Hon. Brittny Anderson Kootenay Monashee ....................................................Steve Morissette Kootenay Rockies................................................................... Pete Davis L Ladysmith-Oceanside ........................................

Stephanie Higginson Langford-Highlands ................................................ Hon. Ravi Parmar Langley-Abbotsford ....................................................Harman Bhangu Langley–Walnut Grove ..............................................Misty Van Popta Langley-Willowbrook ............................................................ Jody Toor M Maple Ridge East ............................................................Lawrence Mok Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim ........................................ Hon.

Josie Osborne N Nanaimo–Gabriola Island ..........................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo-Lantzville ................................................. George Anderson Nechako Lakes ....................................................................John Rustad New Westminster–Coquitlam .................... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside North Coast–Haida Gwaii ............Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson North Island ........................................................................Anna Kindy North Vancouver–Lonsdale .....................................Hon.

Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour ...............................................Susie Chant O Oak Bay–Gordon Head ......................................... Hon. Diana Gibson P Peace River North ..............................................................Jordan Kealy Peace River South ............................................................Larry Neufeld Penticton-Summerland .............................................. Amelia Boultbee Port Coquitlam ................................................. Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Burquitlam ........................................Hon.

Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast ............................. Hon. Randene Neill Prince George–Mackenzie ...............................................Kiel Giddens Prince George–North Cariboo ......................................Sheldon Clare Prince George–Valemount ...............................................Rosalyn Bird R Richmond-Bridgeport .......................................................... Teresa Wat Richmond Centre .................................................................. Hon Chan Richmond-Queensborough ............................................

Steve Kooner Richmond-Steveston ...............................................Hon. Kelly Greene S Saanich North and the Islands ....................................... Rob Botterell Saanich South ......................................................... Hon.

Lana Popham Salmon Arm–Shuswap ................................................David Williams Skeena ..................................................................................Claire Rattée Surrey City Centre ...............................................................Amna Shah Surrey-Cloverdale .......................................................... Elenore Sturko Surrey-Fleetwood ....................................................... Hon. Jagrup Brar Surrey-Guildford .................................................................

Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ........................................................ Hon. Jessie Sunner Surrey North ............................................................Mandeep Dhaliwal Surrey-Panorama ..............................................................Br yan Tepper Surrey–Serpentine River ................................................

Linda Hepner Surrey South ..................................................................Brent Chapman Surrey–White Rock .......................................................Trevor Halford V Vancouver-Fraserview .....................................................George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ........................................ Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Vancouver-Kensington ...................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Langara .............................................................Sunita Dhir Vancouver–Little Mountain ............................. Hon.

Christine Boyle Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................Hon. David Eby, KC Vancouver-Quilchena ......................................................Dallas Brodie Vancouver-Renfrew ................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver–South Granville ................................ Hon. Brenda Bailey Vancouver-Strathcona ..................................... Amshen / Joan Phillip Vancouver–West End .......................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Vancouver-Yaletown ..................................................Hon.

Terry Yung Vernon-Lumby ....................................................... Harwinder Sandhu Victoria–Beacon Hill ................................................. Hon. Grace Lore Victoria–Swan Lake ................................................Hon. Nina Krieger W West Kelowna–Peachland ..........................................Macklin McCall West Vancouver–Capilano ................................................Lynne Block West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ...................................... Jeremy Valeriote

CONTENTS Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 6761 Statements ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6763 Earth Day Hon.

Laanas / Tamara Davidson Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 6763 Statements ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6764 Accomplishments of Musician Raymond Salgado George Anderson Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 6764 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................ 6764 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act Trevor Halford Members’ Statements ...................................................................................................................................................... 6765 Earth Day and Everett Crowley Park Celebration George Chow Dao Tran and Community Contributions Bruce Banman Religious Diversity Steve Morissette Agricultural Technologies in Chilliwack and Link to Netherlands Heather Maahs Environmental Activists in Vancouver-Kensington Area Mable Elmore Rio Tinto Aluminum Operations in Kitimat Claire Rattée Oral Questions ................................................................................................................................................................. 6767 Government Handling of DRIPA Concerns and Legal Issues Trevor Halford Hon.

Niki Sharma Scott McInnis Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology Jeremy Valeriote Hon. Rick Glumac Justice System Handling of Victim Impact Statement in Case of Police Officer Death Steve Kooner Hon. Niki Sharma Government Position on Pipeline Proposal and Engagement Process Kiel Giddens Hon. Adrian Dix Mineral Claims Processing and Consultation Framework Gavin Dew Hon. Jagrup Brar Mineral Claims Processing Decisions and Role of First Nations Korky Neufeld Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert

Oral Questions (continued) Government Handling of DRIPA Concerns and Legal Issues Peter Milobar Hon.

Niki Sharma Reports from Committees .............................................................................................................................................. 6773 Lobbyists Transparency Act Review Committee, statutory review, April 2026 Steve Morissette Kiel Giddens Petitions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6774 Jody Toor Ian Paton Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice ................................................................................................................................................. 6774 Deferral of Divisions Hon.

Mike Farnworth Government Motions on Notice ................................................................................................................................... 6774 Motion 15 — Committal of Bill M237 to Insurance (Vehicle) Act Provisions Review Committee Hon. Mike Farnworth Á ’a:líya Warbus Sheldon Clare Peter Milobar Second Reading of Bills .................................................................................................................................................. 6779 Bill 20 — K’ ómoks Treaty Act Hon.

Spencer Chandra Herbert Scott McInnis Steve Morissette John Rustad Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ...................................................................................................................................................... 6799 Estimates: Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions Hon. Adrian Dix Larry Neufeld David Williams

6761 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026 The House met at 1:33 p.m. [The Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: Hon. Sheila Malcolmson. Introductions by Members Hon. Jagrup Brar: Today is Administrative Profession- als Day. The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals is powered by our amazing teams of administrative staff who support the work that we do.

Today it was a pleas - ure to invite our ministry’s DMO administrative staff to the Legislature for lunch in the dining room and to watch question period here in the chamber. [1:35 p.m.] Please join me in welcoming Magdalena Golacka, Leigh-Anne Gajowski, Ashley Giasson, Tamara Crosby, Staci Krausse, Melanie Mitchell, Rue Pope, Chris Munk - acsi, Julie Hutchins, Jane Mayall and Maryann Sloan. I’ll ask the House to please make them feel welcome.

Rob Botterell: I’m pleased to welcome two guests from the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission, a non-profit economic development office that attracts global film projects to the south Island. In the gallery to - day are Annie Wong-Harrison, the president of the board of directors and a resident of North Saanich; and Tara-Lee Novak, the film commissioner for southern Vancouver Island.

A few months ago, Annie and Tara-Lee took me on a set tour of a production being filmed in my riding of Saanich North and the Islands, and I got to see firsthand how the film sector generates an annual regional spend of approximately $60 million. In other really exciting news, the south Island has been recognized as an emerging location at the Global Produc - tion Awards, along with Texas, Spain and Slovakia. The winner will be announced in Cannes, France, during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Tara-Lee and Annie will represent south Vancouver Island at that event.

Please join me in wishing them the best of luck. Kiel Giddens: I know that they’ve been in the House already this week and have been introduced, but the inter - governmental affairs committee from the city of Prince George is here again today. I want to sincerely thank every member of this House who has met with them this week. They’re doing import - ant advocacy for the North. I hope that some folks have come away with some more city of Prince George, Mr. PG socks. Really, I thank them for their time here this week. I also want to thank Coun. Cori Ramsay. Last night UBCM held a reception.

We’ve been meeting with UBCM representatives. I know that Councillor Ramsay is not in the room, but she’s making the city of Prince George, also, very proud as the president of UBCM this year. Will the House please make them all very welcome. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside: I know that for all of us in this House, Creative Industries Week is one of our very favourite weeks of the year. I’d like to take a moment to introduce and welcome members who are here from the Council of Film Unions, the Union of British Columbia Performers and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

It was a pleasure to join them last night at a wonderful reception at the Provincial Museum. I just want to take a moment to note that these unions and their members represent thousands of skilled workers who, literally, power B.C.’s film and entertainment indus - try. They tell our stories both from behind the camera and in front of the camera. With more than 20,000 members across these groups, their contribution to our province’s economy is enormous.

In the gallery, I am pleased to welcome members of IATSE 891, including the president, Amanda Bronswyk; business representative, Crystal Braunwarth; and ser - geant-at-arms, Michael Billings. From UBCP, I’m pleased to welcome Keith Martin Gordey, president of UBCP and ACTRA national vice- president; along with Aliza Vellani, Henry Williams, Ari - elle Reid, Lesley Brady and Phil Klapwyk. Finally, from the B.C. Council of Film Unions, we’re honoured to be joined by Nicole Luther, the executive director. Thank you so much for being here today. Would the House please join me in making them feel very welcome.

Claire Rattée: I’m really grateful and really blessed to have a lot of amazing women in my life, but today I have two of the most important in the gallery — my mom, Marjory, and my best friend, Chelsea. My mom asked a very simple thing of me. She asked me to say something smart today, so I hope that I do while she’s watching. I would just hope that the House would please make them feel very welcome. [1:40 p.m.] Hon. Ravi Parmar: I’ve got a couple of introductions, both on either end of the House. First, a couple of constituents from Langford.

We’ve got Melissa Ellis, who many will know in the building as one of our fantastic political staffers, an Energizer Bunny keeping us all excited in the hallways. Her son Grayson is in the House, I think for the first time, in question period. Now, Grayson is a 15-year-old

6762 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 Royal Bay student who loves baseball, and I think he loves politics too. Will the House please join me in making Melissa and Grayson feel very welcome. Then, way on the other side of the House, I’ve got my constituency advisers in the House. We’ve got Logan Nemet, Sawyer Pugh and Mack Stanbridge. They keep me organized. They are beloved by the people of Langford- Highlands, because they fix problems every single day. Would the House please join me in making my incred - ible constituency office team welcome here as well.

Lynne Block: I do want to add on to the Creative In - dustries Week some brilliant people who really enhance British Columbia to the world. Specifically, I want to really highlight Screen B.C. I had a tour about a month ago of all these different places in B.C. that were filming some very well-known series, in - cluding Tracker, which is one of my favourites. I just want to make sure that they feel very, very wel - come today. Dana Lajeunesse: Today I want to introduce a school group to the House. Above the Speaker are Dan Walkem, Casey Clinton, Maureen Froud and Laura Stevenson.

These are members of my graduating class from 1981. Over lunch today, I made them promise that if I could get them a nice, warm House welcome, they wouldn’t share too many secrets with anyone here. Amelia Boultbee: I am very excited to welcome two of my friends and constituents here to the House today, Paul Crawford and Julie Fowler, who are both big proponents of the arts. Paul Crawford was the director of the Penticton Art Gallery for over 20 years, and Julie also runs Ignite the Arts and is the executive director of the B.C. Music Fes - tival.

They are both here today to also celebrate Creative Industries Week, and I want to thank them both for every - thing they do for the arts in our community. Would the House join me in making them feel very welcome. Sunita D hir: Today in the gallery I have a very special guest — a proud husband, a very proud dad and an even prouder longshoreman and union worker — my darling husband, Navdeep. I want to take a moment to thank him for his support. It’s not easy being married to this job, and I could not do it without you. May the House please make him feel welcome.

Rosalyn Bird: This person does not need an introduc - tion for those of us that work in this House, but for those in the gallery, I would like to introduce you to the Clerk of the Legislature, Kate Ryan-Lloyd, who just completed her fourth Boston Marathon in person, with a time of 3 hours, 54 minutes, 52 seconds. I would just like to thank her for her incredible dedica - tion and commitment, not only to how this House runs and the support she gives the staff here but for showing that to the community and the province. She does that for everything that she puts her mind to. Hon.

Anne Kang: It is Creative Industries Week in the Legislature this week, and I would like to welcome a group of guests to the House who represent the strength and leadership of B.C.’s creative and screen sector. Joining us are Leslie Wootton, executive director of Screen B.C., and Liz Shorten, chief operating officer of the Canadian Media Producers Association. [1:45 p.m.] Screen B.C. serves as a strong voice for the motion pic- ture industry, bringing together partners across the sector to support growth, workforce development and collabora - tion.

The Canadian Media Producers Association repre - sents independent producers across the country, advocat - ing for a strong production environment and helping to bring Canadian stories to audiences at home and around the world. I’m also pleased to welcome Michelle van Beusekom, president and CEO of the Knowledge Network. Know - ledge Network plays a unique and important role as B.C.’s public educator-broadcaster, supporting and commis - sioning high-quality, commercial-free programming, in - vesting in B.C. creators and sharing stories that reflect the diversity, history and culture of our province.

Through its work, it helps ensure that local voices and perspectives are accessible to audiences across British Columbia. We also welcome producers Tyler Hagan and Trish Dolman, whose work continues to showcase the creativity and talent of B.C. Together, these leaders and creators are helping to build a strong, innovative and globally recognized screen sector in our province. Please help me welcome all these folks to the B.C. Legislature. Harman Bhangu: Today we have Monica Anchan’s grade 5 class from St. Catherine’s Elementary in Brooks - wood. There are 30 students and ten adults here.

Would the House please make them feel welcome. Hon. Diana Gi bson: I want to also welcome the Van - couver Island South Film and Media Commission and speak to the impact they have across our region — over $60 million annually of spending, 4,300 jobs, 167 produc - tions. Their role, championing not just the south Island but all of British Columbia’s film industry, has been what

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6763 brought that Cannes nomination, and their trip over to Cannes is part of our trade profile as a province. I want to really thank them for the work they do. Also, they shared with me that the digital tax credit that our government introduced has been key in the international competitiveness needed for them for the Cannes nomina - tion and the work they do. Thank you. Make them feel very welcome.

Gavin Dew: I rise today to acknowledge the birthday of former Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson, one of my predecessors and someone I have long admired for his humble leadership and steady service. Steve brought to public life the same teamwork and discipline that earned him the nickname the Blue Ox in his rugby career, including time with Canada’s national team. He also served with distinction as minister of agricul - ture, energy and forests and continues to give back, in - cluding through his work helping lead Kelowna’s Memor - ial Cup effort. Happy birthday, Steve. The Speaker: Member for Peace River North.

Jordan Kealy: I thought you were going to save the best for last. I would like to introduce my friend and fierce advocate for Tumbler Ridge, Darryl Krakowka. He’s in the House today. He has been here for a couple of days, as well as members from the Peace River regional district. They’ve been here for a couple of days. I also want to thank the Minister of Transportation for fitting in an impromptu meeting for a landslide that just happened in my community and that isolated some fam - ilies. It’s not an easy situation, so I just wanted to give a shout-out to everybody. I wish you luck in the rest of your meetings.

Steve Morissette: I rise today to welcome three guests to the House who play a critical role in supporting safety across British Columbia’s film and television industry. Joining us today are Tamara Tulloch, industry health and safety specialist for Vancouver Island; Daniel Farley, director of industrial health and safety; and Trina Pollard, CEO of Actsafe Safety Association. Through their work, they help ensure that thousands of workers in the motion picture and performing arts in - dustries can do their jobs safely each and every day.

Their leadership, expertise and commitment to health and safety are essential to the continued success of this im - portant sector. Please join me in warmly welcoming them to the Legis - lative Assembly. [1:50 p.m.] Korky Neufeld: I’d like to introduce Paulina Chow- White. She’s not in the chamber. She’s somewhere in the precinct, probably having meetings all afternoon. She’s the CEO of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. We had an inspiring discussion with our caucus about passing on Terry Fox’s legacy to the youth across Canada through their awards program. Let’s make them feel welcome.

Statements EARTH DAY Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson: As my colleague said, we’re sending lots of love and light and prayers to our colleague Amshen, the MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona. Also, today is Earth Day. As Minister of Environment, I take this very seriously. I hope that we will all reflect on what we are doing to uphold the strong environmental protection that we have here in British Columbia and that we all take the time to figure out what more we can be do - ing to help save our earth.

Introductions by Members Sheldon Clare: I would just like to remind the mem - bers of the House, and I thank you for the reminder that I received today from one of the members on the other side, that it’s Administrative Professionals Day. Thank your managers, your CAs, your LAs — all of those people who make all of us look so great. Sunita Dhir: I rise today to welcome a group of distin - guished guests to the House who are leaders across British Columbia’s screen, creative and digital media sectors. Joining us today are Amy Lang, president of North Shore Studios; Dr.

Ted Gervan, managing director of aca - demic and business operations at the Centre for Digital Media; and Mary Lim, director of programs and innova - tion. We are also pleased to welcome Dominique Roy, man - ager at Screen B.C.; Gladys Tong, founder of G Creative Productions and a Screen B.C. board member; and Sonia Bhatia, director of diversity, inclusion, recruitment and engagement at Sony Pictures Imageworks.

These individuals are helping to grow and strengthen one of British Columbia’s most dynamic industries — sup - porting innovation, talent development and inclusive op - portunities across film, television and digital media. Please join me in warmly welcoming them to the Legis - lative Assembly. Paul Choi: I rise today to welcome several guests to the

6764 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 House who are helping drive B.C.’s success as a global cen- tre for film and television production. Joining us are Spen - cer Kent, VP of finance at Industrial Light and Magic; Kendrie Upton, executive director of the Directors Guild of Canada, B.C.; along with Amy Barager and Heather Hawthorn Doyle, board members of the Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council. We’re also pleased to welcome Raila Gutman, who is senior director of B.C. and national member development with CMPA-BC.

Their work supports a thriving industry that creates jobs, develops talents and brings B.C.’s creative expertise to audiences around the world. Please join me warmly in welcoming them to the Legis - lative Assembly. Statements ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MUSICIAN RAYMOND SALGADO George Anderson: I rise today to recognize an extra - ordinary constituent, Raymond Salgado, whose voice is carrying the spirit of our province onto the world stage. Raymond was born and raised in Lantzville. He started singing at the age of 11.

Since that time, his incredible tal - ent and amazing voice have taken him pretty far: sing - ing for the Canucks at Rogers Arena; becoming a final - ist in season 2, Canada’s Got Talent; and more recently to Cannes, France, where he participated in an epic flash mob that has been viewed over 80 million times on Tik - Tok alone. If you haven’t seen it, I’ve shared it on my TikTok. Ray- mond sang a sweeping rendition of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” alongside a choir, violins and flash mob creator Ju - lien Cohen at the grand piano.

Raymond is amassing a global fan base and is set to release an EP of original songs in summer 2026, proving again that world-class talent grows right here in British Columbia. I hope that the entire House will join me in congratu - lating Raymond Salgado. [1:55 p.m.] Introductions by Members Hon. Ravi Parmar: My apologies.

I’ve just been made aware that a good friend and colleague of mine, and that of members of this side of the House, Jen Ford, who’s the board chair of the Squamish-Lillooet regional district as well as a councillor with the municipality of Whistler and former UBCM president, is somewhere in the House. I be - lieve she was just entering security. Will the House please join me in making her feel very welcome. Introduction and First Reading of Bills DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES REPEAL ACT Trevor Halford presented a bill intituled Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act.

Trevor Halford: I move a bill intituled Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act, of which no - tice has been given in my name on the order of paper, be introduced and read a first time now. I rise to introduce a bill to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, because when this bill was passed in 2019, British Columbians were given a series of promises. We were told it would not cast doubt on private property. It has. We were told it would not create a veto over development. It has. We were told it would never be used to strike down laws passed by this House.

It most definitely has, including the Mineral Tenure Act, throw - ing an entire sector into chaos and putting thousands of jobs at risk. We haven’t entered into reconciliation. We’ve entered into co-governance now, and the Premier knows that. It’s not my word. It’s his. The Premier has said that this pre - sents significant legal risk.

He said: “It must be fixed as quickly as possible.” He called the amendments that he was going to put forward “urgent.” He called them “non- negotiable.” He told this province that 20 court cases have already been amended to cite the Gitxaała decision and that every one of those cases puts other B.C. laws at risk. Those are his words, not mine. They have been telling British Columbians that they have frustrations, that he would act decisively. He has changed his position again and again — amend it, sus - pend it, delay it. More uncertainty. The solution is simple.

We need to protect the legal lia - bility that this Premier and this Attorney General have clearly outlined, and I believe that this bill will do that. The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill. Division has been called. Madam Clerk will connect with members participat - ing remotely. Please make sure your audio and your mics are on. [2:00 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.] Motion negatived on the following division: YEAS — 44 Loewen Kindy Milobar Warbus Halford Rattée Wat Kooner Banman

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6765 Hartwell L. Neufeld Van Popta Dew Clare K. Neufeld Rustad Wilson McInnis Paton Day Bhangu Toor Hepner Giddens Dhaliwal McCall Maahs Block Stamer Gasper Mok Davis Chan Boultbee Sturko Brodie Armstrong Kealy Williams Chapman Bird Doerkson Luck Tepper NAYS — 47 Lore Blatherwick Dhir Routledge Chant Toporowski B.

Anderson Neill Osborne Brar Krieger Davidson Parmar Sunner Beare Greene Wickens Kang Begg Arora Higginson Sandhu Lajeunesse Choi Rotchford Elmore Popham Dix Sharma Farnworth Eby Bailey Kahlon Chandra Herbert Whiteside Boyle Ma Yung Malcolmson Gibson Glumac Shah G.

Anderson Chow Morissette Valeriote Botterell Members’ Statements EARTH DAY AND CELEBRATION AT EVERETT CROWLEY PARK George Chow: Today marks the 56th anniversary of Earth Day, which is especially significant because the Artemis moon mission just returned to Earth 12 days ago and reminded us once again that the Earth is not flat and that there is only one Earth. Having one Earth is becoming quite a challenge. If everyone in the world lived like Vancouver, we’d need three Earths. Since we only have one Earth, and until we get to Mars, we need to love Earth and cherish it.

So let’s celebrate Earth Day in my riding of Vancouver- Fraserview at Everett Crowley Park this coming Saturday, April 25. Vancouver’s longest-standing annual Earth Day celebration, Earthfest, is organized by the Everett Crow - ley Park Committee within the Champlain Heights Com - munity Association in my constituency. It is a local group of volunteer environmental stewards who have tended to Everett Crowley Park since 1985. I’d like to give recognition to this group of passionate residents who advocate for and implement the Champlain Heights community vision for Everett Crowley Park as an urban wilderness.

They work closely with the three host First Nations, the Vancouver park board, local residents and NGOs to ensure that their work is inclusive and col - laborative and that it leads to a cohesive community with a lasting connection to the park and the land. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the committee, Ever - ett Crowley Park has come a long way from being a for - mer city garbage dump to a beloved space for many in the Vancouver-Fraserview community. There’s lush greenery, a duck pond, many varieties of wildlife and even off-leash dog trails. There is something to enjoy for everyone.

I invite all of you to join me at the annual Earthfest tak - ing place in Everett Crowley Park this Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. DAO TRAN AND COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS Bruce Banman: I rise today to recognize an individual whose story reflects the very best of what it means to call British Columbia home, Dao Tran. Dao Tran came to Canada as a Vietnam refugee in the mid-’80s. Before arriving in Abbotsford, he spent years in a refugee camp in Hong Kong, uncertain of what the fu - ture would hold.

Like so many who come to this coun - try seeking safety and opportunity, he arrived with little more than hope, dreams and determination. What he built from that beginning is nothing short of remarkable. [2:15 p.m.] For more than 40 years, Dao has been a steady and familiar presence in the Abbotsford cycling community. Through his work at Abby Bike Shop, he has not only run a successful small business, but he created a place where relationships are fostered, where families are served and where community truly comes first. What stands out most is not just what he has built but how he has given back.

In addition to the countless dona - tions over the years, this year Dao made a significant con - tribution to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital by funding an ECG heart-monitoring machine, helping ensure pa - tients have access to timely and accurate cardiac care. He has also volunteered his time through the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation and supported hospital initia - tives directly, giving back in both visible and in quiet ways. Dao is a fiercely proud Canadian. He has never forgot - ten the community that welcomed him, and in return, he has spent a lifetime strengthening it.

Dao Tran’s story is one of resilience, gratitude and ser - vice. It is a reminder that the strength of our communities is built not only through hard work but through kindness and a commitment to giving back. On behalf of this House, I will ask all members to join me in recognizing Dao Tran for his extraordinary contri - butions to Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Canada. Thank you, Dao Tran.

6766 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY Steve Morissette: I rise today to celebrate the rich and beautiful diversity of religions in British Columbia. March and April are especially meaningful months across many faiths. I have been making an effort to learn more about these faiths and their celebrations to better understand the cultures and traditions that shape the lives of so many British Columbians. April is Sikh Heritage Month, and during this time, Sikh communities celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most sig - nificant dates in the Sikh calendar.

A short time ago, Christians across the province gath - ered to celebrate Easter, a time of reflection and renewal. In the Jewish faith, Passover is observed, a commem - oration of the Exodus and a powerful story of resilience and freedom. In Hindu communities, Holi has recently been cele - brated, a vibrant festival of colour, joy and the triumph of good over evil. And for Muslims, Eid is marked with joyful, multi- day celebrations of prayer, charity and feasting following Ramadan.

Many First Nations hold a spiritual responsibility to the land and sea and believe that we humans are part of a circle of life where all animals, plants and elements pos - sess a spirit and share equal value. I know there are many more beliefs. British Columbia is home to a remarkable diversity of faiths and beliefs that add colour, depth and strength to the cultural mosaic we all share. We are a province that supports, respects and celebrates this diversity. Whatever you celebrate, whatever you believe, you’re not wrong. It is right for you. That freedom, that respect is something we must always protect.

The S peaker: Members, before we continue for the next statement, the Chair has observed and has been also advised by other members that some members are wear - ing unauthorized pins today. So please make sure you take off those pins if you are wearing that today. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN CHILLIW ACK AND LINK TO NETHERLANDS Heather Maahs: What do the Netherlands and Chil - liwack have in common? Of course, beautiful fields of tulips but also nurseries, greenhouses, farms and canals or sloughs.

Chilliwack boasts approximately 40 greenhouses. [2:20 p.m.] Did you know that the Netherlands is the world’s second-largest agriculture exporter, despite the limited land available to them? Their advanced farming tech - nologies and knowledge utilize the least amount of space, incorporating such innovations as vertical cultivation to yield these fantastic results. Using automation and bene - ficial insects, they have revolutionized the way we grow food. This past weekend I attended the opening of a brand- new nursery in Chilliwack called The Flowerhouse.

Pete DeVrij took the land in the ALR that was unusable for crop production and built a huge greenhouse, thus mak - ing the best use of land and yielding a spectacular array of beautiful flowers. Chilliwack boasts many greenhouses and nurseries, almost exclusively run by the hard-working Dutch com - munity, bringing with them their knowledge, technology and expertise in growing. Many are now proudly using self-serving refrigerators that come directly from the Netherlands and that the community can utilize to pur - chase eggs, flowers, dairy, hazelnuts — you name it.

Of course, we value all diverse contributions from all folks from all countries, but on this day, I want to recog - nize the contribution of the good, hard-working people who live in Chilliwack, whose Dutch heritage helped make Chilliwack the beautiful and productive agricultural hub it is today, and say thank you to them. ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS IN V ANCOUVER-KENSINGTON AREA Mable Elmore: Today on Earth Day, in a world buf - feted by climate change and biodiversity loss, the activism by environmental advocates has never been more import - ant.

Activists play a vital role in driving change to protect our planet and promote sustainable alternatives. Vancouver-Kensington is home to three change-mak - ers who are committed to green initiatives and environ - mental justice. They are Donelda Rose, Jeanie Morton and Ben Ernst. On a side note, Ben Ernst is the co-founder of Earnest Ice Cream, a chainlet of artisan ice cream that is widely known for its unique flavours and its commitment to sustainable operations, charitable work and sourcing lo - cal and fair trade ingredients.

Ben and a friend started Earnest Ice Cream on Fraser Street, not far from my Vancouver-Kensington community office, and now have two other branches in Vancouver and one in North Van - couver. I encourage you to try their scoops and pints. Also, Ben and Donelda live in Vancouver’s first co- housing project, an intentional community where sus - tainability and caring for the environment are among its shared passions. Ben, Donelda and Jeanie visited me recently to talk about how British Columbia can meaningfully live up to its commitments to climate action.

They brought with them a report by the B.C. climate emergency campaign, a group of nearly 650 diverse agricultural, arts, busi - ness, community, environment, faith, health, housing, Indigenous, labour, government, outdoor recreation, re -

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6767 search, senior tourism and youth organizations across the province. As the report notes: “We need to build for the future, not the past. Investing in climate action reduces energy and transportation costs, creates jobs, builds healthier communities and improves energy security.” We need more everyday heroes for the environment — like Donelda Rose, Jeanie Morton and Ben Ernst. We also need to encourage and empower the youth to take up ad - vocacy for the environment.

I close with a quote from Xiye Bastida, a 21-year-old Indigenous climate justice activist from Mexico: “We are on earth to take care of life. We are on earth to take care of each other.” RIO TINTO ALUMINUM OPERATIONS IN KITIMAT Claire Rattée: I want to take some time today to recog - nize an incredibly important milestone for my community. Last Wednesday was the unveiling of Rio Tinto’s new alumina conveyor at B.C. Works, replacing infrastructure that was originally built more than 70 years ago when the Kitimat smelter first came into operation.

That original conveyor helped build the community that so many of us are proud to call home. Now, with a $138 million invest - ment, Rio Tinto is ensuring that legacy continues for dec - ades to come. I had the opportunity to tour this project with a num - ber of my colleagues in its final stages last September. What stood out to me was not only the scale of the work but the confidence that it reflects in Kitimat’s future. Rio Tinto has been foundational to what makes Kiti - mat what it is today. That impact extends far beyond the smelter itself.

It is seen in good-paying, family-sustaining jobs across the region. It is seen in their significant contri - butions to organizations like the Terrace and area hospice society or the Kitimat Hospital Foundation. It is seen in a long-standing commitment to community that has never wavered. Generations of families have lived in the Kitimat and Terrace region and worked entire careers at the Rio Tinto smelter and the Kemano dam.

This legacy is what has built the foundation of Kitimat and continues to do so to this day. [2:25 p.m.] What makes this investment even more meaningful is the context in which it is being made. In the face of global pressures, like rising aluminum tariffs, and environ - mental challenges, such as drought, Rio Tinto has con - tinued to invest, adapt and move forward. That kind of resilience and long-term commitment matters, especially in northern and rural communities like mine. This project is about more than infrastructure.

It is about continuity, confidence and ensuring that the next generation can continue to build their lives in Skeena, just as so many have before them. Today I want to recognize Rio Tinto, the workers who made this project possible and the community that con - tinues to support it. Skeena was built on projects like these, and thanks to investments like this one, its future remains strong. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF DRIPA CONCERNS AND LEGAL ISSUES Trevor Halford: More than 20 claims against the prov - ince have already been amended in light of the Gitxaała decision.

British Columbians, homeowners, small business owners, municipalities and industries are left in the dark regarding these cases and this government’s supposed plan. Now the Premier himself has stated that there are over 20 cases right now before the courts that could have significant ramifications based on the legislation that this Premier passed in this House. To the Attorney General, can she table or will she table today a complete list of the 20 court cases the Premier referenced? Hon.

Niki Sharma: It’s precisely why we are moving with First Nations and other stakeholders to solve this problem through addressing it at the tables that we’re bringing together right now, because of the identified risks that the Premier has articulated and so have I. I have legal teams that are actively assessing and mak - ing sure that we respond to all claims, and we will be seek - ing appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada to clarify the law. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Trevor Halford: I think I asked a very simple question. That could’ve been a very simple answer.

It was the Premier himself that said that they had to act in a very urgent way. It was him himself who said that there are 20 cases right now before the courts that re - quired immediate attention in terms of legislation, in their words, to amend DRIPA. Twenty court cases. The first question is: can the Attorney General produce a list of those court cases today?

The second question is: when the Premier says that the idea to postpone the amendments to DRIPA, in his words, were based on the direction of the Attorney Gen - eral to delay and put British Columbians at further legal risk, can the Attorney confirm that was her advice to the Premier — that we delay this legislation this spring and, in

6768 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 fact, maybe we’ll see something in six months? Was that at her direction, yes or no? Hon. Niki Sharma: This side of the House is really fo - cused on bringing people together to solve very challen - ging problems. We take a very different approach to the people across the aisle, who would spread misinformation, create division… Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: …create ridiculous conversations that are not based in reality about this topic.

We are facing a challenge that we are going to bring people together to solve and create a durable solution for this province and for all people of this province. We’ll continue to do that work. The Speaker: Member, second supplementary. Trevor Halford: Okay, let me try this again. I’ve asked two very clear questions of the Attorney General, and I get that they may be a bit awkward, but they need to be answered for the public record. Question 1. The Premier has said there are 20 court cases right now, and that was his reason for the urgency in putting forward amendments to DRIPA. What are those 20 court cases?

The other question that was clearly asked is…. The Pre - mier said to the media 48 hours ago that it was the At - torney General that tapped him on the shoulder and said: “There’s another way. In fact, let’s not do the amendments. Let’s put it off.” Even though, in the Premier’s words: “There is extreme legal liability.” “Let’s put that off and try and see what we can do in six months.” Was that the direction the Attorney General gave to the Premier, yes or no? [2:30 p.m.] Hon. Niki Sharma: I’ve said it many times.

We are fo - cused on bringing people together to find a durable solu - tion to this challenge… Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: …and we are working together as a team, on this side, to confront what is a challenging issue. As the Premier talked about, it’s one of the most dif- ficult issues I think we have had. We want to make sure that the solution that we present to this House is the most durable solution to fix the chal - lenge that we’re facing, and we’re going to work together as a team to do that.

Scott McInnis: Legal experts on Aboriginal law are speaking out against this government’s utter mishand - ling of Indigenous relations in British Columbia. Geoffrey Moyse, a government lawyer for over 30 years, said this government is displaying a level of “ineptitude and in - competence” he has never seen before. Tom Isaac, who lit - erally wrote the book called Aboriginal Law , said the NDP “seems to be co-governing with undemocratically elected governments.” My question is a very, very simple one. Does the Attor - ney General agree with these statements made by leading Aboriginal law experts? Hon.

Niki Sharma: You ask a lawyer, they’ll give you their opinion, and every opinion is very different. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: I’m going to make sure that we stay focused on the task of solving the problem. But since I’m up again on this topic, I want to talk about the accom - plishments because of DRIPA. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. Niki Sharma: Sections 6 and 7 agreements that have unlocked… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Members, shhh. Members, you have asked the question. Interjections. The Speaker: It’s her prerogative how she answers. Please, let’s listen to her.

Hon. Niki Sharma: …billions of dollars of investment in this province — billions — making sure that we can ad - dress child and family services so First Nations can take over jurisdiction over their children, rectifying a wrong of historic proportions in this province. I’m proud of that work, and every single person in this House should be very proud of that work. The commit - ment that we have to DRIPA lifts all boats in this province, and the work that we have done so far shows that. We’ll continue to do that.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6769 The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Scott McInnis: Well, I’d like to thank the Attorney General for that. I’d like to talk about the challenges with DRIPA, but we have less than 23 minutes left in question period. It seems like the AG and the Premier are at odds with how to proceed here. The Premier proposed a suspension, while the AG’s plan about some sort of cabinet–First Na - tions Leadership Council decision-making framework has clearly won the day. So my question is a very simple one. Who’s in charge over there? Hon.

N iki S harma: The only thing odd is the ques - tions coming from that side today. We are working together, again, to solve a very chal - lenging issue… Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: …and we are bringing people to the table to do that. We will come up with a durable solu - tion to this challenge. That is for sure.

If you want to talk about odd, sending a fundraising email after a very serious decision came out so that there could be political gain on something that is a very serious issue in this province, sending out misinformation about an agreement with the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm to stir up this idea that Indigenous people are going to take everybody’s pri - vate property…. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: That’s the approach and the choice that they’re making over there that is going to solve noth - ing. We’ll continue to do the work to get to a durable solution.

REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY Jeremy Valeriote: As several members have noted, it’s Creative Industries Week, and artists’ livelihoods are at risk, along with the livelihoods of workers in many other sectors. We’ve heard this government advocate for a social media ban for teenagers, but the public has no concept of their plan for artificial intelligence.

As long as the govern - ment remains focused on the economics and energy re - quirements of the AI boom and patiently waits for the fed - eral government to regulate the sector, we put at risk that which makes us human: artistic expression and creativity. [2:35 p.m.] B.C.’s creative industries need to know what the plan is. To the minister of AI…. He has been in this role for nearly a year. When will he share his service plan so that British Columbians know their government’s plan to ad - dress AI in B.C.? Hon. Rick Glumac: As the member probably knows, we have a Look West economic plan. Part of that plan….

There’s going to be an action plan related to AI and new technologies. We are working very closely right now with the federal government. We’ve had several meetings with the federal government, and they’ve done broad consultation around a federal AI strategy. When we’re talking about regulation affecting AI, the regulation has to happen at a federal level in most cases. We’ve done that advocacy.

I’ve reached out myself to several ministers around this, and when the federal gov - ernment releases their AI strategy, which I understand is coming soon, we’ll be talking very closely with them and updating our action plan on AI and new technologies as well. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Jeremy Valeriote: If we’re relying so heavily on the fed- eral government, it makes me wonder why we even have a provincial minister of AI. Week after week we hear serious concerns globally about the concentration of power in a small number of AI companies and their executives.

The UN is exploring co - ordinated approaches to AI governance, and the minister of state has a chance to include British Columbians in this process too. But I’m not hearing a clear service plan, and when questioned about his AI investments, the minister offered no contrition, though British Columbians are be - ing asked to adapt to a rapidly evolving technology with - out a meaningful role in shaping how it’s governed.

Given the scale of what’s at stake, from data privacy to public safety to democratic integrity, will the minister commit to striking a people’s assembly so British Colum - bians can have a direct voice in shaping how AI is gov - erned in this province? Hon. Rick Glumac: As I said, we’ve been talking very closely with the federal government. If the member thinks that every province can develop their own set of regula - tions to govern this rapidly changing sector…. I think that’s an irresponsible way to go.

We need to have a uniform set of regulations, and that’s some of the advocacy that we’ve been doing to the federal government. In fact, in the wake of the horrible tragedy in

6770 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 Tumbler Ridge, we have reached out to the federal govern - ment to ask for uniform reporting standards for AI com - panies regarding their chatbots, and that’s advocacy that we’re continuing to make. You will see, through our AI action plan, what the province will be doing in regards to AI locally, and that’ll be coming out soon. JUSTICE SYSTEM HANDLING OF VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT IN CASE OF POLICE OFFICER DEATH Steve K ooner: Thirty days before the ruling on the case of the killing of Const.

Shaelyn Yang, the National Police Federation wrote to the Attorney General to warn her office there would be no victim impact statement by her family if the accused was found unfit to stand trial. They even provided a solution. Despite that advance no - tice, this Attorney General failed this family. Why did the Attorney General not respond to these concerns raised by the National Police Federation and the family of Constable Yang? Hon. Niki Sharma: Out of clear respect for families in - volved and court matters, I won’t talk about a specific case in this House.

I can assure people that it has been a top priority to make sure that our justice system is functioning in a timely way that respects victims. We’re doing a range of reforms with respect to that, also including making sure that the Criminal Code of this country responds in cor - rect ways, when it comes to crime, and keeps people safe. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Steve Kooner: There was a press release by the Na - tional Police Federation, so this is in the public domain.

This government talks a big game about efficiency in our freedom-of-information request system, yet the At - torney General didn’t even have the decency to respond to this family and the National Police Federation in a timely manner. [2:40 p.m.] This is unacceptable. The Attorney General had a clear and concrete solution proposed to her. The Yang family had already prepared their statement in good faith, yet the apathy from this Attorney General meant their voice was excluded.

Will the Attorney General, at least, acknowledge this family and commit to immediately addressing this gap to ensure another family is not silenced? Hon. Niki Sharma: I’m always really appreciative of people that come to me with their concerns about the jus - tice system, and they let me know what the gaps are and what the needs are to fix it. Although I won’t comment about particular cases or issues in this House, of course, I will sit down and connect with people who have issues or ideas.

It’s my job to make sure that the justice system is work- ing in an efficient way and responding to people and their needs, and I’ll continue to do my best to do that. GOVERNMENT POSITION ON PIPELINE PROPOSAL AND ENGAGEMENT PROCESS Kiel Giddens: The government of Alberta has been meeting with First Nations and local governments in our province about natural resource development and oppor - tunities for B.C.’s and Canada’s prosperity. Is the B.C. government at the table, yes or no? Hon. Adrian Dix: Again, because we’re discussing the same issue over and over again, I’ll say it very clearly.

There is, with respect to Alberta’s pipeline proposal, no proponent, no proposal, no route. Alberta missed dead - lines, so far, in their MOU with the federal government. When there’s an actual proposal and an actual route and an actual idea and actual customers for a line, which surely no one will pay for, then, of course, we’ll engage. We continue, as well, to engage with the government of Alberta, to engage with the government of Canada on a host of energy issues — including with Minister Jean, with Minister Neudorf and, of course, with Minister Hodgson — and we’ll continue to do so.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Kiel Giddens: The Minister of Energy already lost one election on a pipeline. I think he’s ready to lose another one. That was a long-winded answer to a simple question. The answer is that B.C. is not at the table. In 69 days, Al- berta is submitting a project and proposal to the federal major projects office for “a world-class, Indigenous co- owned pipeline to the west coast of British Columbia.” Al - berta is engaging communities in our province to cham - pion this project and find a respectful path forward to partner with First Nations.

Will this government stop its opposition campaign, work with the Premier of Alberta, work with the Prime Minister and get a nation-building project to B.C.’s coast, yes or no? Hon. Adrian Dix: Well, the member from the North who opposes NCTL; who opposes the low-carbon fuel standard, which would cost jobs in Prince George; who opposes energy projects across the North; who opposes clean electricity, which hugely benefits the North….

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6771 Gladly fight an election on any of those questions when the time comes. The province of Alberta, in this free country, is allowed to come to British Columbia and talk to people, just as I regularly go to the province of Alberta to talk to people there. They don’t need my permission, and they haven’t asked for us to be at the table. They’re coming. It’s a free country. They can come. I don’t know what the member is talking about. He talks about a proposal that doesn’t exist yet. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon.

Adrian Dix: He’s talking about a proposal and an MOU between the federal government and Alberta, where the principal items, due on April 1, were not delivered. We’ll continue to deal with the situation in all jurisdic - tions, but we support projects in British Columbia. The opposition, for reasons passing understanding, is more supportive of Alberta projects than British Columbia pro - jects. Maybe they should fight the next election in Alberta.

MINERAL CLAIMS PROCESSING AND CONSULTATION FRAMEWORK Gavin Dew: This government says B.C. will be a “critical minerals powerhouse,” but the record says otherwise. [2:45 p.m.] Government’s own mineral claims consultation frame - work promised decisions in 90 to 120 days, yet 85 percent are not completed on time. This government is paralyzing the very sector it claims to support. When will the Mines Minister actually deliver approv - als on time? Hon. Jagrup Brar: Thanks to the member for the question. The mineral claims consultation framework was de - veloped in response to a Supreme Court ruling.

The Su - preme Court gave us time, and we consulted with the in - dustry and also with the First Nations. We put together the system, and we have implemented that system. We know that that system needs improvements, because it’s a new system. In this budget, we have $3 million additional money to hire more staff members to fix that. Let me tell the member that, from last December to this January, we have approved six major mining projects. Every second month a new mining project was approved.

Each project will bring in over $5 billion investment to support thousands of jobs for the people of British Colum- bia during construction and thousands of jobs during the mines’ longtime life. We will continue working on that, to improve the sys - tem and to make it better, moving forward. The Speaker: Kelowna-Mission, supplemental. Gavin Dew: Incremental system improvements are not going to be enough. Right now people thinking of risking their capital are unsure who really makes the decisions in B.C. To quote the president of the Association for Mineral Exploration: “Who’s actually in charge?

Who’s the final decision-maker? Who signs off on a project?” Who is really in charge of mining in this province? Hon. Jagrup Brar: Thanks to the member for the ques - tion. I think the member is asking a question to the Min - ister of Mining, and the Minister of Mining is in charge of this file. As I said earlier, the one thing which I have heard from the industry, including under the previous administration, is certainty and stability in the permitting process. The difference is, during the last 16 years when they were there, they failed to take any action.

We are taking action, as we speak, to improve and to provide that certainty and stabil - ity in the permitting process. We have reduced the major mines application process time by 35 percent. We have announced a fixed permit - ting timeline for mineral exploration — the only province in the country to announce that. We will continue to make improvements. But let me tell the member once again that we have approved six major mining projects between last December to this January.

That will bring over $5 billion revenue to support thou - sands of jobs during construction and thousands of jobs over a long time during the mining life cycle. MINERAL CLAIMS PROCESSING DECISIONS AND ROLE OF FIRST NATIONS Korky N eufeld: Here’s a quote: “All of our worst fears at the time, that we were told would never happen, have all happened. Basically, there’s a de facto veto in place with the current implementation of DRIPA.” These are the words of the president of the Association for Mineral Exploration.

To the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconcili - ation: do First Nations have veto over mineral claims deci - sions in this province, yes or no? Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: Well, I think every one of us would want a say for something that happens in our own backyards, and that’s, indeed, what First Nations people want too. So I don’t think it’s unusual that they want to be involved in mining projects in their territories. [2:50 p.m.] Indeed, the process is important. A veto suggests that there is no consultation, there is nothing and it’s just an arbitrary decision.

In fact, what First Nations people want as leaders in the mining industry….

6772 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 They’re leaders in the mining industry, Member. I think the members need to understand this. This is not the time to spread doubt on the fact that First Nations people want mining success in their province. In fact, just earlier today, if we followed the members in their thinking, we would have torn up a plus-billion- dollar project with the Tāłtān in mining, which they have supported, they’re leading on and they’re investing in.

If we followed his line, that project would be torn up, in smithereens on the ground, with thousands of people losing their jobs, because he does not have the respect for First Nations leadership in mining. We do support First Nations leadership in mining. They want to see it succeed, and so do we. Korky Neufeld: That was the longest “yes” answer I’ve ever heard. AME’s news release said: “Any process on DRIPA needs to be consistent and transparent. After all, we are all in this together.

The only way to succeed is if everyone is at the table.” This government has tried to do reconciliation in the dark for years, and the result has been a total failure. When will this government learn from its own mis - takes, stop doing reconciliation behind closed doors and be open and transparent with the public and industry when it comes to reconciliation? Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: Again, I think it’s important that we be respectful to other governments that we work with in this province, and that includes First Na - tions governments.

They’re legitimate governments that have a legitimate right to make decisions that impact their people. The member may not agree with that, but I believe it’s true. If a member thinks that we can…. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: If the members think that we can proceed with ignoring the legal realities of this province, with ignoring title rights of Indigenous Peoples, ignoring the

section 35 rights of Indigenous Peoples, they should say so, because their actions demonstrate that that’s what they believe. I know they go around here, and they try and have it both ways. But their example today of trying to tear up agreements, which would lead to economic chaos in this province, tells the whole story. Look at mine project after mine project… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Shhh. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: …forestry, clean energy, housing, culture. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon.

Spencer Chandra Herbert: You know the other thing that they tore up this morning by trying to bring forward legislation that would tear up the rights of In - digenous People? Child welfare in Indigenous commun - ities. They would tear up that agreement, as well, to take the children of First Nations communities and bring them back into the wards of the state. We respect First Nations governments. We think that we should listen to them, work with them — just as we do with all governments in this province, businesses, unions, non-profits, the people of B.C. — respect them, work with them.

GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF DRIPA CONCERNS AND LEGAL ISSUES Peter Milobar: Well, I guess we found one of the ten in the caucus that didn’t support the Premier last week. The Attorney General has recommended that, essen - tially, DRIPA be reworked over the next six months. But there are a lot of things hanging in the balance — the Heritage Conservation Act reworking, the Water Sustain - ability Act, rangeland tenures, Mineral Tenure Act, the old-growth deferral.

Is the Attorney General suggesting that all of those potential changes are on hold until DRIPA conversations with Indigenous communities, or are those going to pro - ceed as if nothing has changed all of a sudden? Hon. Niki Sharma: We are addressing a very particu - lar challenge to do with the Gitxaała decision through the discussions with First Nations leadership.

The work of government continues in the many things that we are working on to bring prosperity to this province, to bring more equality to this province, to make sure that we’re supporting British Columbians across the province through very challenging times. That work will continue, and we’ll continue to do it in a way that is very transparent and includes everybody. Peter Milobar: DRIPA impacts every law on the books in British Columbia. The Premier is just not your run-of- the-mill Premier; he is a lawyer who also happened to be the Attorney General during the time that DRIPA was brought in and also the

Interpretation Act changes came in. He would very well know the legal ramifications of making statements like that there are 20 cases be - ing amended right now, creating extreme legal liability

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6773 to British Columbians. The Premier would have known exactly what he was saying and what that exposure was. He has now told us — on the advice of the Attorney Gen - eral, who should also know whether that legal exposure is actual, real or political theatre — to actually not worry about it. We don’t need to pause anything. We don’t need to change anything on the legal books. [2:55 p.m.] We can just let things continue on for the next six months while conversations happen.

There’s no legal exposure, and everything else can continue on and get changed, as this government is thinking, under the provi - sions of DRIPA. A very simple question that this Attorney General has dodged several times today. Did she provide the advice to the Premier to stand down and that there was no longer legal risk for those 20 cases over the next six months, or did the Premier not tell the public what was actually hap - pening when he said that we needed to pause DRIPA for three years because of extreme legal exposure?

A Premier who was a former Attorney General, who ought to have known exactly what he was saying when he said that…. Hon. Niki Sharma: Again, we are dealing with a very challenging issue. We’ve been clear about what we see as the legal risks with the decision with Gitxaała that we’re searching to appeal on — and a clarity in the law. We have an opportunity to solve that issue with First Nations leadership, to solve it in a durable way where we can move forward without that liability and continue the good work under DRIPA. This is a conversation that we’re having with many people transparently.

We are working as a team to solve this issue, and we’ll continue to work as a team to do that. [End of question period.] Reports from Committees LOBBYISTS TRANSPARENCY ACT REVIEW COMMITTEE Steve Morissette: I am pleased to present the report of the Special Committee to Review the Lobbyists Transpar - ency Act. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. Steve Morissette: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. Steve Morissette: I move that the report be adopted, and in doing so, I would like to make some brief comments.

As this House will know, the Lobbyists Transparency Act regulates lobbying activities in the province. The act requires a special committee to review the act once every five years. This was the first review of the act since it was amended in 2018. Our committee’s work included receiving input from key stakeholders and the public. On behalf of the com - mittee, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the organizations and individuals that took the time to participate.

I would also like to acknowledge staff from the Min - istry of Attorney General and the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists, who provided briefings and additional infor - mation to the committee to assist its work. In the course of its deliberations, the committee re - ceived considerable input regarding the workload required for organizations, especially charities and non-profits, to register and report lobbying activities. We also heard about the act’s important role in promoting transparency and supporting public trust in democratic institutions.

The committee’s recommendations reflect this input and seek to balance the act’s registration and reporting re - quirements with its transparency objectives. Our commit - tee makes 24 recommendations to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the act, address concerns about high ad - ministrative demands and increase transparency related to the use of communications. We also highlight the importance of improving public understanding of the act’s requirements and the lobby - ists registry through enhanced accessibility and educa - tional supports delivered by the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all com - mittee members for their dedication and meaningful dis - cussions during this review. In particular, I would like to thank the Deputy Chair, the member for Prince George– Mackenzie, for his support throughout our work as well as the previous Deputy Chair, the member for Prince George–Valemount, for her thoughtful contributions to this committee.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to express my appreciation to staff in the Parliamentary Commit - tees Office who supported our work, including Darryl Hol, Natalie Beaton, Hanna Kim, Alexa Neufeld and Emily Andrews. Thank you as well to the staff in Hansard Services for their support. [3:00 p.m.] Kiel Giddens: I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to all committee members — particularly the Chair, the member for Kootenay-Monashee; and the previous Deputy Chair, the member for Prince George– Valemount — for their dedication and the work they’ve undertaken on this review.

6774 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 I would also like to recognize everyone who contrib - uted their perspectives and provided thoughtful input on how the Lobbyists Transparency Act can be improved. In particular, the committee appreciated the registrar of lobbyists, Michael Harvey, and his team for their input as well as their important role in ensuring the reporting and monitoring of lobbying activities. During our review, the committee discussed the mis - conceptions that may exist around lobbying as well as the legitimate and important role of lobbying in democratic societies.

Lobbying does allow individuals and organiza - tions to share their expertise and perspectives with pub - lic office holders and to engage in the policy-making pro - cess. The act’s requirements and the lobbyists registry are essential tools in ensuring that lobbying takes place in a transparent way, which is critical to maintaining the pub - lic’s trust. As committee members, we also reflected on the input we received about a lack of clarity regarding the act’s re - quirements and the concerns some have about inadvertent non-compliance.

We heard about the chilling effect this could lead to, where individuals and organizations could actually be discouraged from engaging with public office holders. To address these concerns, the committee iden - tified opportunities to simplify reporting requirements while maintaining transparency in order to better support democratic participation. Finally, I, too, would like to extend my sincere thanks to the staff of the Parliamentary Committees Office and Hansard Services for the support they provided through - out our work. The Speaker: Members, the question is the adoption of the report. Motion approved.

Petitions Jody Toor: I rise to present a petition regarding Bill 9, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amend- ment Act, 2026. This petition is signed by over 10,000 B.C. taxpayers demanding that the government end its assault on open information and scrap Bill 9. Ian Paton: I also present a petition of 158 signatures from residents of Delta South.

The petition from the residents of Delta South and Tsawwassen respectfully requests that this House call on the Ministries of Forests and Agriculture and Food to can - cel the 2026 plans to aerial spray in Tsawwassen, Beach Grove and Squamish for spongy moth and to reform the program permanently to prohibit all aerial spraying over B.C. communities. Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice DEFERRAL OF DIVISIONS Hon.

Mike Farnworth: I move: [That, pursuant to Standing Order 16 (4), a ny division called in Sections A, B or C during the morning sitting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, b e deferred until the start of Orders of the Day for the afternoon sitting on Thursday, April 23, 2026.] Motion approved. Hon. M ike F arnworth: In this chamber, I move Mo - tion 15, which is on the order paper.

In the Douglas Fir Room, I call Committee of Supply for the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions. Á’a:líya W a rbus: I rise today to oppose Motion 15 and the motion that the Government House Leader is moving to have a private member’s bill…. The Speaker: Member, the motion has not even moved yet. Á’a:líya Wa rbus: Did you not move it yet? Interjection. Á’a:líya Wa rbus: Oh, he called it. The Speaker: Thank you. [3:05 p.m.] [Lorne Doerkson in the chair.] Government Motions on Notice MOTION 15 — COMMITTAL OF BILL M237 TO INSURANCE (VEHICLE) ACT PROVISIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE Hon.

Mike Farnworth: I move Motion 15, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper. [That, should the motion for second reading of Bill (No. M 237) intituled Insurance (Vehicle) Amendment Act, 2026, pass, notwithstanding Standing Order 84A (1), B ill (No. M 237) b e committed to the Special Committee to Re - view Provisions of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act. And that, notwithstanding Standing Order 84A (2), t he Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act report Bill (No.

M 237) b ack to the House by the deadline fixed for the Special Committee to present its final report to the House.] I’ve been watching the second reading debate on Bill

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6775 M237, and it has struck me that this bill is seeking to amend parts 10 and 11 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act. Sec- tion 182 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act requires the Legis - lative Assembly to appoint a special committee to review parts 10 and 11 of the act, something this House did at the beginning of this session on February 19.

This House knows that we’ve established a multiparty committee to examine how enhanced care is functioning — listening to public and stakeholder feedback; and con - sidering potential improvements, including ideas such as those outlined in this bill. As the Government House Leader, part of my role is to advise the House on efficient ways for us to spend our time and ensure that we are stacking our work accord - ingly.

Given that there is a committee with expertise re - viewing the sections of the legislation that this bill looks to amend, it makes sense to send this bill for complete study and entertain amendments as they consider other changes to the act. I want to be clear. This motion does not kill the bill nor does it prevent the committee from doing the work and reporting back to the House. It’s simply recognizing that having two committees doing the same work at the same time could lead this House to adopt recommenda - tions that are counter to each other. This bill has merit in its discussion.

In passing this motion, it allows for a fulsome discussion and an exam - ination of this bill by a special committee that is already tasked with looking at aspects of this work. Á’a:líya W a rbus: The motion that the Government House Leader is moving today is bringing forth that, not - withstanding Standing Order 84A(2), the Special Com - mittee to Review Provisions of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act report this private member’s bill back to the House by a deadline fixed for the special committee to present its final report to the House. We don’t have clear language right now about that fixed deadline.

In discussions about allowing this to set a precedent moving forward for private members in any caucus to bring forward…. This is their one opportunity to bring forward an item of business. That is very important. That is very prominent. So this idea that it can’t be handled through the regu - lar course of action and the duplicity…. It’s dealing with something very, very specific. It is making a straight - forward, minor change that, in the opinion of our caucus, does not need to belabour the special committee in the work that they’re doing that, actually, is more robust, is more fulsome.

To the Government House Leader’s point around a committee coming with a different opinion than another committee, then that would be something that this House should consider. [3:10 p.m.] Again, just going back to the precedents of this House, the way that these standing orders are set out, they’re set out that way for a very specific reason. There’s a reason why we follow these standing orders. There’s a reason why precedent is set by any decisions made based off of changing those standing orders and moving away from a process.

I worry, personally, about the protection for any future private members that want to bring forward business. I am one of those private members, and although I’m further down on the list, I know that if I come forward with a very specific idea and a very specific bill or a legisla - tive change, I would like to know that the government will not be able to move that bill over to a different committee, where it is not following the same procedure as everybody else’s bill and being measured the same way that every - body else’s bills have been measured. And that is through this committee.

This committee has done some really sophisticated work in the time that I’ve been sitting as an MLA. We’ve seen many private members’ bills move through that com- mittee because there is a fixed deadline. There is a fixed deadline that everybody agrees upon, that it is a certain amount of days, and that ensures the protections are af - forded to each member that their work is going to move through that committee. There’s not going to be a stall. There’s not going to be a hold.

Things could get complicated with that committee and the things that they are talking about, specifically to those two clauses that have nothing to do with this very narrow, specific change that is within this private member’s bill that he has brought to this House. Again, I go back to if we set that precedent and then fur- ther to that, down the road…. “Well, we did that one time, so what’s the issue this time? What makes this different?” Then I think it opens a doorway where private members may not feel, again, protected by a process that was decided upon in this House.

There was a committee that was put together that de - signed this process very specifically — that that commit - tee would be the committee that would sit and handle pri - vate members’ bills. Again, they’ve done really sophisti - cated and excellent work in bringing these bills to really high levels of scrutiny and ensuring that they get the dis - cussion they need. It’s the opinion of our caucus and of other private members on this side of the House that this just wouldn’t be appropriate, so we cannot support the motion.

When it was talked about to begin with, it was really clear that that wouldn’t be supported. I’m standing up today in opposition to that, making sure that we make the point that if there is some perceived duplicity, then that is not a purposeful move by our mem - ber, who did not know what the work of this committee was going to be.

6776 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 Today I just want to make sure that we get it on the re - cord that the democracy of this House and the protection of these private members and the bills that they’re going to bring forward…. This is their one opportunity, just one, that they get, and it is protected by process that was al - ready designed by this House.

So since we already declined this, and now the motion is being brought forward, we have to stand up and defend that democracy and defend the standing orders and the processes of this House to make sure that anybody in the future is not going to be shut out, shut aside, maybe not heard on how they would prefer for their bills to be scru - tinized and by the ways that are laid out for a very specific reason. With that, I just want to make it very clear.

We, abso - lutely, do not support this motion to move this private member’s bill to a different committee and believe that it needs to follow the proper channels that were laid out for private members’ bills so that they can have the exact same chance as every other private member’s bill. If we delineate from that, then I’m not sure why we have orders that we follow in the House at all. They’re really important. Everybody agrees to them. This motion is a motion that we don’t agree with. [3:15 p.m.] Sheldon Clare: I’m the designated speaker on this par - ticular motion, at the request of the House Leader.

I would ask that we take a short recess for a bathroom break at this time. Could we take a short recess? Okay, well, I’ll start talking then. This is about the fundamental principles of democracy. This is about the fundamental role of due process. Despite the arguments made by some in the government that this bill represents a violation of process, I completely and vehemently disagree with that particular assertion. What this bill, in fact, represents is due process for people, doing the right thing for people at the right time with due speed and exigence for an urgent matter.

This bill was originally drafted last fall, and it died on the order paper and has been resubmitted. There was no such committee struck at that time. If the government had a problem with that bill, they may have come forward to some sort of issue in that regard. But to go and try to hide their disdain for amputees by hiding this in a committee where it would be buried and have no force or effect and no requirement to be brought forward as legislation is simply reprehensible. It is in - appropriate. It is unconscionable. It is not the right way to represent the people of British Columbia.

Standing Order 84A(1) needs to be applied. Stand - ing Order 84A(2) needs to be applied. We should not be pushing aside the standing orders to shove a private mem - ber’s bill off to a committee when, in fact, the due pro - cess is clearly laid out in our procedures and in all of our references.

When I look at the lovely synopsis that all members have been provided with regarding private members’ time, Monday morning statements on motions and bills — which every member has a copy of, printed in March 2026 by the Legislative Assembly of the province of Brit - ish Columbia, on statements, motions and bills, which de - tails through its table of contents the specifics of how this process is supposed to occur — I see nothing compelling about the government’s desire to shove this bill, this com - pelling bill, which will help people, off to another commit - tee to be examined and possibly to die forever, never to see the light of day again.

The committee’s recommendations would not be bind- ing on the government. The committee’s recommenda - tions would have very little to do with anything about helping people at this point. That committee will hear a whole variety of other things. Why not concentrate on those? This is a parallel process. It is not a divergent process. When we look at the table of contents in the synopsis regarding this bill, we see, on page 1, private members’ time. Well, let’s examine exactly what that says.

It says: “Private Members’ Time, Monday Mornings.” “Private members’ time on Monday mornings af - fords private members the opportunity to discuss matters of importance in their constituencies or the province at large that they may not necessarily have the opportunity to raise during other proceedings. “It takes place in the chamber from 10 a.m. to 12 noon each Monday morning and is comprised of pri - vate members’ statements; private members’ motions; and private members’ bills, also referred to as public bills in the hands of private members.” There is a list of precedence associated with getting on this particular list.

So just like anyone else, I was drawn on the list of precedence. I was down a bit on the list, and I managed to negotiate a spot with another member to switch so that this compelling bill could be brought for - ward in an exigent manner, so that it could be heard and bring help to people in a direct and quick way to solve compelling issues. [3:20 p.m.] How does that draw list of precedence work? Well, at the earliest opportunity in a new parliament, the Clerk of the House will conduct a draw to establish the assigned placement of private members to propose business for the duration of that parliament.

Such a draw was conducted. That list is then appended to

schedule D of the orders of the day. And when we look at the orders of the day, we see that list. It is all there, with all of the members duly listed. It is also available on the Legislative Assembly website, under the “Parliamentary business” menu on the “Ses -

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6777 sion overview” page. The member at the top of the list will have the first opportunity to move a private member’s mo- tion or second reading of a private member’s bill. After the member moves their item of business, their name is removed from the list, and the next member be - comes eligible. My name is now removed from that list. I would revert to the end, and the next person goes forward. I don’t get to come up with another bill.

I don’t just have one sitting in my back pocket that I can whip out and say: “Okay, here’s another bill that’s going to help people.” Oh, no. No, I don’t have that handy right now. I’m sure I could think of one, because there are an awful lot of things that need to be done in this province to help people. That’s certainly the case. Recognizing the need to be urgent about this particu - lar matter, the member from Shuswap graciously agreed to switch places with me. He didn’t even think twice about it. He said: “That’s an important bill that you need to get through.

I support that bill, and I’m happy to switch places with you.” We duly went through all the process to do that, and I thank the Office of the Clerk a great deal for their support in making sure that happened in a smooth and reliable way. Now, this is all within the due process, as described in the synopsis. So after the initial draw in a new parliament, any member may exchange their placement with another member, or should they choose, they could withdraw their place, up until the opening day of a new parliament. That’s a perfectly reasonable, process-laden way to operate.

After the opening day, a member may only exchange their placement or withdraw their place until they reach the third place on the list of precedence. Exchanges or withdrawals are not permitted when a member is listed first, second or third on the list of precedence. Exchan - ges and withdrawals must be communicated by providing written notice to the Office of the Clerk. That is exactly what happened. That due process was followed. Hearing from the Government House Leader that this somehow represents a better process, quite frankly, is a farce.

This is not a better process, to take a private member’s bill, to shove it into a committee and let the committee play with it as they would. No, sir. It is not due process. On sitting days, the other way that you can shift this is by providing the notice to the table during sitting hours using the “Notice of list of precedence change” template. If exchanging places, both affected members must sign that notice. That is on sitting days. This is the kind of thing that goes on when you want to switch.

It’s not a simple matter to go and trade places and negotiate or discuss, but in this case, it was easily done in a respectful, sensible way, because it was the right thing to do. Now, on non-sitting days this is done by electronic means. You email the details of that change to the Of - fice of the Clerk. If exchanging places, the other affected member, of course, has to be copied and also reply signi - fying their consent to the change. After all of that, the list of precedence on

schedule D of the order paper is updated and the date of the change is noted. This is due process. Due process. [3:25 p.m.] Writing such a bill also has a process. You could do some and take a first kick at it yourself and write a draft and then take it to the Clerk for support. The Law Clerks look at it very carefully. They provide advice. They make suggestions. They do a few tweaks, sort out where your commas are supposed to go, maybe make some insightful and intelligent wording choices, give you some good ad - vice as to the drafting of that bill and then come up with a version for making a motion.

That support provided by the Office of the Clerk to members as they near the top of the list doesn’t mean that members don’t have any other responsibilities. They are responsible to ensure that they have prepared an item of business for private members’ time. Members who are near the top of the list of precedence should also be pre - pared to move their item of business, as debate may move quickly, depending on the time taken to make sure that the preceding member’s motion or bill gets before the House. Now, there are timelines associated with all of this. Ad - vancing private members’ business is not trite.

It is not something taken lightly. It is not something that can just be willy-nilly chucked out of the House with a move from the Government House Leader to a new committee with - out violating our standing orders. This is why the Gov - ernment House Leader wants to do that. He wants to do something that does not follow due process, while at the same time claiming that this bill somehow violates due process. It’s duplicitous.

In order to advance private members’ business and timelines, it is, certainly, the case that in order to pro - vide certainty about which items of business will proceed and to ensure which members need to prepare for debate, timelines for preparing and identifying an intended item of business must be met. In this case, these timelines were met. Everything to make a very simple and elegant change to a flawed piece of legislation was followed to the T.

When we’re looking at a piece of legislation that is in - tended to change the definition of a catastrophic injury — from two or more to one or more limbs being severed, lost, gone — one would think that this is the type of thing that all parties in this House would support without hesitation and without reservation. It is shocking to me.

It is shocking to me that members on the other side of the House, in the government side, would be going around and attempting to subvert this bill by pushing it off to committee, all in the guise of saying: “Well, you know, we’re very sympathetic to the plight of people who’ve lost a limb. However, it’s about process.” It’s

6778 B ritish Columbia Debates W ednesday, April 22, 2026 about process. Well, that sounds like something that a per- son would hear from an adjuster and when they would, ac- tually, really, want to have a lawyer to argue on their behalf. I find the suggestion that this bill be shoved out and shoved away into a file folder in a committee, which will hear a whole bunch of other problems with

an act that cer- tainly has a lot of flaws, just simply unacceptable. Now, this is not all of the process that had to happen with regards to this private member’s bill and, dare I say, any other private member’s bill. When you reach third place on the list of precedence, the item of business that you wish to advance must go onto the order paper. That means that by the time a member is in fourth place on the list of precedence, you must either have a mo - tion of notice or a bill listed for second reading on sched - ule D of the order paper.

This ensures that the motion is eligible to be called or that the bill is before the House when that person advances into third place on that list of precedence, which I referred to earlier. [3:30 p.m.] It’s important to note that although bills must have been previously introduced and read a first time, they may still appear as not printed on the order paper. Now, there are example timelines that are made for reference in the synopsis.

I very much appreciate the work of the Clerk’s office in taking that excellent guide to parliamentary procedure, which was recently revised, and making these synopses for members, such as myself, as guides to follow while put- ting everything in one place to make it easy to understand and make sure that we follow due process. Due process is what this is about. It is, certainly, the case that members are responsible for managing the two-day notice requirement in time for motions and bills to reach the order paper. That is exactly what has happened in this particular case.

I took all the steps required to make sure that the two-day notice re - quirement was met. I made sure that all the i’s were dotted and all the t’s were crossed. I even took the additional step in making sure there was plenty of time. This bill has been in preparation for a good long time, since I first met with the person inspiring the need for this, Ms. Chantal Sutton, who was here on Monday to discuss all of this.

When you see someone who has firsthand experienced the problem that this bill is designed to fix and she tells you of the heartbreaking accounts of the difficulties in getting a fair settlement from the Insurance Corp. of Brit - ish Columbia and the difficulties in being treated with any sense of feeling for what she has gone through, it’s heart - breaking. It’s heartbreaking. Is it manipulative? No. Is it somehow misleading or lobbying? No.

This is a person who had a problem that came forward and, recognizing that this problem applies to others as well, stepped up and said: “I’m more than will- ing to support my MLA for Prince George–North Cariboo in bringing forward a bill about my particular problem.” We didn’t call this Chantal’s bill, but it well could be re - ferred to in popular speak as that. It’s certainly her bill, as much as it is mine or this opposition’s.

Now, when we are considering whether or not we’re go- ing to have a bill like this taken and handed off to a com - mittee, I think it’s very important for all of us to under - stand the significance of doing such a thing. When we do that, what we are doing is delaying that time period in which an individual can claim for benefits in respect of a catastrophic injury, even further than would be the case if we were to let this bill go through due process completely parallel with the process of the committee. This bill has never been an attempt to subvert the work of any committee. This bill is parallel to that.

If the com - mittee chooses to examine this bill while it’s going through the House, or the points on it, that’s fabulous. They do not need to pull the bill in order to do that. It’s disingenuous to suggest otherwise. How many people are there out there that would bene - fit from this bill were it to be passed? The answer is un - clear. The answer is unclear because that information is not published by the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia.

To get a freedom-of-information request out to do that, apparently, will take a bit of time. [3:35 p.m.] Currently, losing a limb, such as a leg or an arm, is not considered a catastrophic injury, and for that reason, benefits are not provided. We all recognize this is devastating. We recognize this changes a person’s life and that we should be supporting those suffering from catastrophic injuries in every way we can.

Supporting this bill is one step forward in this House, dealing with a clear oversight in the legislation and mak - ing it better for British Columbians and their families who are having to deal with this catastrophe that has affected their lives — one of many problems with the legislation that I hope that committee will look at. But we’re already looking at this problem, and let’s fix it in this House right now, where it needs to get dealt with. That’s all I have to say. Peter Milobar: I feel the House Leader and my col - league from Prince George–North Cariboo covered off most things quite well.

But I did want to highlight the reason this is such a concern to the opposition. It’s very clear to us that with four private members’ bills now being passed, of conse - quence, brought forward by the opposition, the govern - ment is stinging a little, I think, between their use of Mon - day morning time, trying to bring in wedge motions or private members’ bills that they then have to walk back and pull back and remove from their member. That is not on the shoulders of the opposition, that the

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6779 government side cannot seem to get their act together on how they are dealing with issues at Monday morning pri - vate members’ time. But certainly, the member for Prince George–North Cariboo should not be penalized.

More importantly, the people of British Columbia that suffer catastrophic loss in an ICBC claim should not be penalized because the government has a bruised ego about the fact that their private members do not come forward with substantive changes to public policy — be it this, be it the firefighter cancer presumptions, the dashcams, the postpartum-prenatal care bills. I know I’m missing an - other one. There were four. Yesterday, the other around veterans, the other bill….

That’s the substantive work this side has been doing, and a motion like this is just the government’s attempt, frankly, to try to push back a bit on their embarrassment of the lack of serious issues that they’ve been bringing for - ward, choosing to spend their time on wedge politics on Monday mornings instead of substantive work like we are talking about. So we fully reject the premise of this motion completely. Deputy Speaker: Members, the question before this House is the motion on notice that has just been presented.

Division has been called. [3:40 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.] [The Speaker in the chair.] The Speaker: Members, the motion is that, should the motion for second reading of Bill M237, intituled Insur - ance (Vehicle) Amendment Act, 2026, pass, notwithstand - ing Standing Order 84A(1), Bill M237 be committed to the Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act and that, notwithstanding Standing Order 84A(2), the Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act report Bill M237 back to the House by the deadline fixed for the special committee to present its final report to the House. [3:50 p.m.] Motion approved on the following division: YEAS — 49 Lore Blatherwick Dhir Routledge Chant Toporowski B.

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Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20260422pm-Hansard-n160
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20260422pm Hansard n160
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f0f762ca4db079e9d84cd17341902afa6f12815c

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