British Columbia Hansard — Monday, October 5, 2015

20151005pm-Hansard-v29n2

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, October 5, 2015 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 29, Number 2

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

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink ................ Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

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

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

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon. Suzanne Anton Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch ...................................................................... .................. Hon.

Coralee Oakes Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness ................................................................................. ....................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker ............................................................................................................................................................... Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ............................................................................................................................................ Pat Pimm Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...................................................................................................................................................

Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees ................................................................................................................................. Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ............................................................. Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston Vacant .....................................................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Vacant ...................................................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Dr.

Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim .......................................................................... Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...................................................................

Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T. Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon.

Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain ....................................................................Vacant Coquitlam-Maillardville...........................................................

Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm. Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon.

Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon.

Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ...........................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan ......................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ...............................................................................

Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .......................................................Hon.

Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................ Pat Pimm Peace River South ..................................................................Hon. Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast .................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ............................................................. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon. Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands ....................................................

Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................ Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon.

Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon. Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon.

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

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr.

Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant ......................................................................Vacant Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

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

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 48; New Democratic 33; Independent 2; Vacant 2

CONTENTS Monday, October 5, 2015 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 9393 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9393 Gary Turner R.

Austin Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 9393 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 9394 Bill 38 — Franchises Act Hon. C. Oakes Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 9394 Fire prevention and smoke detectors M.

Morris Roy Hisashi Inouye K. Conroy Paul Myers and Lions Gate Hospital donation R. Sultan Food bank at UBC D. Eby Small business and Burnaby Heights neighbourhood R. Lee Local government response to droughts and forest fi res S. Robinson Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9397 Children and Y outh Committee meeting cancellations J. Horgan Hon. S. Cadieux Hon. M. de Jong Deaths of mother and son in Prince Rupert and services for children with complex care needs J.

Rice Hon. S. Cadieux D. Donaldson Services for children with complex care needs C. James Hon. S. Cadieux Transit fares C. Trevena Hon. T. Stone Hiring of lobbyists by post-secondary institutions K. Corrigan Hon. A. Wilkinson D. Eby Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 9402

Summary of ministerial acountability for operating expenses for fi scal year ending March 31, 2016, revised

schedule F , July 30, 2015

Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 9402 Bill 36 — Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act, 2015 (continued) M. Farnworth S. Sullivan G. Holman J. Th ornthwaite J. Rice G. Kyllo H. Bains J. Sturdy M. Mungall D. Bing R. Fleming Hon. C. Oakes C. Trevena Hon. P .

Fassbender Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 9425 Bill 33 — Motion Picture Amendment Act, 2015 Hon. S. Anton G. Heyman Personal Statement .................................................................................................................................................................. 9426 Clarifi cation of comments made in the House D.

Donaldson Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 9426 Bill 33 — Motion Picture Amendment Act, 2015 (continued) G. Heyman Hon. S. Anton L. Krog

MONDAY , OCTOBER 5, 2015 Th e House met at 1:34 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members Madame Speaker: Good aft ernoon, hon. Members. I am pleased to welcome to the chamber this aft ernoon a visiting parliamentarian. Brad Battin is the Member of Parliament for Gembrook in the Parliament of Victoria. He also serves as the caucus’s Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and the Shadow Minister for Environment. He’s a two-term MP , fi rst being elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. I’ d ask the House to please make him welcome. [1335] Hon. J.

Rustad: It’s a great pleasure today to introduce a few special guests in the gallery. Joining us today are four of the graduates of the provincial aboriginal youth internship program: Krista Alec, Rachelle Trenholm, Matthew Norris and Nicolas Mejia. I hope I have pro- nounced that correctly. Th e aboriginal internship program is the fi rst of its kind in Canada, and each year, we have about 25 young aboriginal British Columbians who have worked as in- terns within the province.

Th e goal of this program is to help aboriginal youth build skills, learn fi rsthand about careers in the provincial government and, of course, above all, encourage them to help develop their capacity for leadership. Tonight most of the 20 new graduates will take

part in a completion ceremony. On behalf of all members in the House, I just want to congratulate all of these young people that are interest- ed in the internship program and also ask the House to please make our guests welcome. Hon. Michelle Stilwell: It’s my pleasure to welcome to British Columbia and to the House, a delegation visiting us from the Flemish Parliament, one of three regional parliaments in Belgium. The members of the committee on housing, pov- erty reduction and equal opportunity are joining us in the gallery this aft ernoon and include Mr. Lorin Parys, the committee chair; Mr.

Björn Anseeuw; Mr. Piet De Bruyn; Ms. Katrien Schryvers; Mr. Dirk de Kort; Mrs. Griet Coppé; Mrs. Freya Saeys — forgive me on my pro- nunciation; Mrs. Mercedes Van Volcem; Mrs. Michèle Hostekint; Mrs. An Moerenhout. Accompanying as well are the members of the follow- ing offi cials and staff members: Mr. Julien Lecomte, the deputy head of mission from the Embassy of Belgium in Ottawa, and Mr. Dirk Mattens, the Committee Clerk.

Th e delegation participated in meetings today with staff, as well as members of various ministries and Members of the Legislative Assembly during lunch and are here to enjoy the proceedings of the House. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. Hon. M. Bernier: Th e auto industry accounts for ap- proximately 1.9 percent of our provincial GDP and pro- vides 45,000 jobs for British Columbians. Specifi cally, the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. generates close to $11 billion in economic activity and employ more than 36,000 in high-paying jobs in 55 communities in this beautiful province.

Th is fantastic group is an essential partner in creating a strong, diverse economy for British Columbia. In the House joining us are Blair Qualey and, from my riding, Jim Inkster and Josh Peters from the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia. Also with them is Mark Jiles. Will the House please make them most welcome today. Tributes GARY TURNER R. Austin: Hon. Speaker, it is with great sadness today that I would like to share with the House the sudden death of Gary Turner on Friday in Terrace. He was a school trustee. His family, of course, is in complete shock at the suddenness of this.

He leaves behind his wife, Lynn, and his two daughters, Heidi and Amy. I would ask, on behalf of all of us here, that you send condolences to the family. Madame Speaker: It shall be done. Introductions by Members Hon. C. Oakes: I wish to acknowledge guests in the gallery who are here to provide support for the pro- posed new franchises act. We have today a franchisor, Ms. Natacha Beim from Vancouver, who is CEO and founder of Core Education & Fine Arts, an early learning school.

We also have two franchisees who operate schools under the Core Education & Fine Arts franchise, Mark Leslie and Jackie Jackson, from Surrey, both who operate ear- ly learning schools in Langley, White Rock and are ex- panding into South Surrey and Richmond. Here today also is Lorraine McLachlan, president and chief executive offi cer from the Canadian Franchise Association. As well, we have Jennifer Chow, president of the Canadian Bar Association through the B.C. branch, from V ancouver.

I’m also pleased to welcome Mark Startup, CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, and Greg Wilson, director of government relations for the Retail Council, British Columbia. 9393

British Columbia Debates9394 Monday, October 5, 2015 [1340] We also would like to acknowledge the countless vol- unteer hours that several lawyers on our franchise law advisory group contributed: Blair Rebane, Peter Snell, Stuart Rennie. As well, here today are Tony Wilson and Sheena Mitchell, private franchise lawyers from Vancouver, and Greg Blue, QC, a lawyer from the British Columbia Law Institute.

Last but not least acknowledged, several of the staff from the Ministry of Justice who have been working on this franchise legislation: Renee Mulligan, Bruce Macallum, Nancy Carter, Alison Moore, Caitlin Ehmann, co-op students who have helped with the bill. And fi nally, from our ministry, Jordan Bennett, Christine Little and Tim McEwan. Would the House please make them all welcome. L. Throness: I would like to welcome high school teachers Ron Neels and Rita Klop, along with four other adults, who are accompanying 18 grade 11 students from Mount Cheam Christian School today.

Th ey come from a beautiful agricultural area of my riding known as Rosedale. It’s a small paradise of cows and greenhouses and shrubbery. Would the House please make them welcome. Hon. A. Virk: It’s my honour to introduce some guests that are in the gallery today. First of all is George Cook. George Cook is, like me, an immigrant to Canada and came to Canada from Scotland at age 23. George and a partner established NORAM Engineering whose prime focus would be developing and commercializing new technologies. Th e NORAM group includes B.C. Research, a diff er- ent company in B.C.

And under George’s leadership, the companies owned by NORAM continue to grow and em- ploy over 200 people in British Columbia, with projects in China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Chile, Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. George is a proud Canadian who feels that he continues to owe a debt to Canada and must give back. Accompanying Mr. Cook is Sergio Berretta, vice- president and chief operating offi cer of B.C. Research. He’s been with the company for over 20 years, helping Mr. Cook grow this company and grow this company in British Columbia.

As a side note, Sergio’s son was the 13-year-old karate champion for Canada, as well, last year. Would the House please join me in making them both feel very welcome. M. Hunt: Also visiting us in the House today, from the Khalsa Diwan Society in Surrey, we have Mrs. Jagdish Hallen, Mrs. Surinder Bains, Mrs. Ranjit Kaur, Mr. Sarbjit Singh, Mr. Manjit Singh, Mrs. Sukhwinder Kaur, Azad Singh, Madan Singh, Tejpal Singh and Gian Singh Jandu. I would ask the House to make them all feel very wel- come. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 38 — FRANCHISES ACT Hon. C.

Oakes presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Franchises Act. Hon. C. Oakes: I move that Bill 38 be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. C. Oakes: I am pleased to introduce the Franchises Act. Th is bill will provide… Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. C. Oakes: …important legal rights and remedies to British Columbia–based small business owners who operate a franchise. It is modelled on the uniform legislation that is en- forced in fi ve other provinces across Canada in order to provide business certainty for franchising in British Columbia.

Th e legislation is designed to strike a balance between protecting vulnerable franchisees and uphold- ing franchisors’ rights to freely contract to allow for the success of the franchise chain. It will provide franchisees with the same legal protec- tions as those in the fi ve other Canadian provinces with a franchise legislation. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Bill 38, Franchises Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. [1345] Statements (Standing Order 25B) FIRE PREVENTION AND SMOKE DETECTORS M. Morris: I rise today to speak to the integral safety issue of fi re prevention. Th is week has been nationally designated Fire Prevention Week, and I ask all British Columbians to make this a priority in their homes. Th e theme this year is “Hear the beep where you sleep. ” Th e

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9395 theme is of the utmost importance, as approximately half of home fi re deaths are reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and fatalities rise by 74 percent where there isn’t a working smoke alarm. There’s a reason this is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. Continued edu- cation on home fi re safety is essential for everyone. As a former police offi cer, I understand the value of pre- vention. I encourage all British Columbians to add test- ing smoke alarms into their routine house maintenance.

Being mindful of such a simple act as changing the bat- teries on your smoke detector can save lives. It’s suggested that alarm batteries be tested once a month. Batteries should be replaced every year, and alarms should be re- placed every ten years. Take a moment this week to sit down with your family and create a fi re escape plan. On average, one British Columbian is injured by fi re every 45 hours in B.C. Th is small task could prevent you from being part of that sta- tistic.

In closing, I’ d like to thank the fi refi ghters who work to protect us from fi re, putting their lives in danger every time they respond to an emergency. Make sure that you thank your local fi refi ghters and help make their job eas- ier by practising fi re prevention year-round. ROY HISASHI INOUYE K. Conroy: Roy Hisashi Inouye of Kamloops passed away on September 8 at 83 years of age. Roy was born in Mission City, B.C., December 25, 1931. During the 1942 evacuation of the Japanese Canadians from the B.C. coast, he and his family moved to Oak Bluff , then Winnipeg, re- turning eight years later to Vancouver.

Roy worked on the Lower Mainland before attending UBC, where he met Betty Miyazaki, the love of his life. In 1957, he moved to Kamloops to run Ray’s TV Audio with his brother. In 1959, he married Betty. He joined Xerox in 1970 until he retired in 1989. Roy was an active volunteer in numerous local, prov- incial and national organizations, oft en serving on the executives. Over the decades, his dedication to his com- munity was recognized by many awards from the vari- ous groups he was involved with and from all levels of government in both Canada and Japan.

His interest in serving the community began with his involvement with the Manitoba Buddhist Society. Aft er that, he continued his connection to the Buddhist Society, which he sustained throughout his life. I met Roy aft er the apology to Japanese Canadians was read in this Legislature and got to know him personal- ly when he and other Japanese Canadians met with me to lobby on behalf of a dedicated legacy stemming from the apology.

Roy had a three-point plan: to erect highway signage marking locations of former Japanese-Canadian intern- ment camps and markers where Japanese Canadians were forced to work to upgrade roads; to fi nancially sup- port the upkeep of Japanese-Canadian heritage sites like the Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver and Miyazaki House in Lillooet; and to include in the so- cial studies curriculum books about the unjust treatment of Japanese Canadians during 1942 to 1949.

He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Lori and Robert, Adele and Bill, and Teri and Denis; grandsons Brian and Alex; and sisters Margaret Lyons, Kazuko Shimizu and Y oshiko Tanaka. His family hopes we can all work together to achieve Roy’s dream and vision of a permanent legacy for the Japanese Canadians who were so unjustly treated. PAUL MYERS AND LIONS GATE HOSPITAL DONATION R. Sultan: Last summer I talked to a former school trustee about the government’s plan to train more weld- ers and plumbers.

Her loft y reply was: “In our school district, parents expect their kids to be doctors and law- yers. ” Maybe so, but they should be mindful of the story of North Vancouver’s Paul Myers. At age 19, Paul Myers was apprenticed to Keith Plumbing and Heating, which then and now will come and fi x your leaky faucet. A dozen years later, he bought the company — then and now a union shop.

About 60 years later, the North Shore received a very healthy gift from this quiet and unassuming fellow: $25 million to Judy Savage’s Lions Gate Hospital Foundation — the lar- gest single donation from any citizen to a hospital foun- dation in the history of this province. [1350] Th e money will help fi nance a new tower on the Lions Gate campus. In the interim, the south acute tower will be named aft er him. Paul knows his hospitals, having worked on more hos- pitals than any other contractor in B.C. He also under- stands excellence.

In 2015, his company was recognized for excellence in plumbing what is now called, by some at least, in the most modern shipyard in the world, Seaspan, in North Vancouver. Paul Myers didn’t inherent $25 million. He worked hard. He earned it, and he saved it one dollar at a time. He gave it back to our community. Th ank you, Paul. FOOD BANK AT UBC D. Eby: It’s very hard to study when you’re hungry, but it’s also really hard to eat if you don’t have enough money for food. Students at universities across British Columbia have to choose too oft en between paying for school es- sentials and food.

Sometimes the money doesn’t stretch as far as the student fi rst thought, and sometimes the

British Columbia Debates9396 Monday, October 5, 2015 money was never there in the fi rst place. Into this hunger gap have stepped food banks at B.C. ’s universities and colleges, including the food bank run by the University of British Columbia AMS. Coordinating the food bank at the Point Grey campus of UBC is Jay Singh, a happy and energetic 20-year-old bachelor of commerce student at the Sauder School of Business. It’s Jay’s job to coordinate the many volunteers who spend what few hours they have between home, school and studying to staff the food bank. Jay does this job with enthusiasm and a lot of concern.

As he told local media this summer: “We’ve seen an increase in demand, but we haven’t seen an increase in supply at all. ” To meet the shortfall, the food bank is introducing a new program called Food for Fines, where students who have to pay library fi nes can pay with canned food. They’ve also started offering fresh produce sourced through a partnership with a community rooft op garden at the AMS student building. But it may not be enough. Last year at this time, the UBC food bank had 23 visits from students who needed food. Demand has more than doubled this year.

So far this September, 58 students knocked on the AMS food bank door. Th e food bank always needs fi nancial and food dona- tions. If you call to donate, wish Jay and the volunteer food bank team luck. Th ey have far too much work to do and not enough food with which to do it. Congratulations to all of the UBC students volunteer- ing with the UBC food bank. We wish we didn’t need your work feeding hungry students in our community, but we thank you for it. SMALL BUSINESS AND BURNABY HEIGHTS NEIGHBOURHOOD R. Lee: October is Small Business Month, and we have a lot to celebrate in British Columbia.

Small busi- ness makes up 98 percent of all business in the province and employs over one million people. Small business provides nearly 54 percent of all private sector jobs in British Columbia, the third-highest rate in the country. It’s therefore not surprising that small business accounts for 33 percent of British Columbia’s GDP . In my own riding, Burnaby Heights has been the local hub of small business for 75 years. Th e Heights is one of the best-kept secrets in the Lower Mainland.

Th e area is comprised of a vibrant mix of many long-standing, in- dependent businesses, as well as successful franchises and well-known anchor businesses as well. Th ere are many restaurants, hair salons and one-of-a-kind shops. I’m sure you would enjoy meals at the many Italian, Greek, Japanese, Vietnamese, Th ai, Indian and Chinese restaurants. Y ou may also want to have a piece of cake from the 58-year-old Valley Bakery. Its owner, Jack Kuyer, has done such a good job that he will be formally inducted into the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame this Th ursday by the Burnaby Board of Trade.

Promoting this friendly neighbourhood is the Heights Merchants Association, a BIA consisting of more than 250 merchants and over 150 property owners. Th e HMA actively promotes the Heights by improving its physical attractiveness, organizing events like Hats Off Day and attracting more shoppers and businesses to the area. Th e next time you’re in Burnaby, be sure to pay a visit to the Heights. Y ou will be glad you did. LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO DROUGHTS AND FOREST FIRES S. Robinson: This past summer parts of British Columbia experienced severe drought and overwhelm- ing forest fi res.

We topped this summer off with the epic windstorm in the Lower Mainland on that last weekend in August. When I refl ect on these extreme weather events and the impacts they have on the lives of British Columbians, I am struck by the resiliency and the strength of our local governments here in British Columbia. [1355] I had the chance to speak to mayors, councillors and regional directors who were dealing with water restric- tions, forest fi re evacuations and road closures.

I heard from community leaders who had to deal with neighbour pitted against neighbour when addressing who can water and who can’t water their lawns. I heard from mayors that had to put their commun- ities on evacuation alert. I heard from mayors who had to host town hall meetings so that everyone could get the same information at the same time so that they could be prepared for what was to come next in their community.

I saw how mayors and councillors and regional direc- tors throughout the Lower Mainland were using social media to advise residents on the activities of city crews so that they would know that their tax dollars were hard at work. In all of my conversations, I heard community leaders focus fi rst and foremost on the safety of their citizens. I also heard how communicating with residents was a top priority, because local government leaders know that when people are better informed, they are calmer and better prepared for emergencies.

Th ese community leaders are at the forefront of dis- asters and crises that strike our communities. Th is past summer they demonstrated excellent creativity, dedica- tion and resilience. I invite the House to join me in applauding their hard work, their commitments to their communities and the people of British Columbia. Madame Speaker: Th e Minister of Technology, I be- lieve, seeks leave to make an introduction.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9397 Leave granted. Introductions by Members Hon. A. Virk: It’s indeed my pleasure to introduce, vis- iting from my hometown in Surrey, a group of seniors — everything from physicians to professors to homemakers to homeopaths. Today in the House, we have Dr. Bicker Singh Lali. We have Mrs. Jasminder Kaur China. We have Mrs. Surjit Kaur Lali, Mrs. Parmjit Kaur Sihota, Mrs. Preet Pender, Mrs. Indu Parhar, Mrs. Surjit Kaur Gill, Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Sidhu, Dr. Sohan Singh Telin, Mrs. Manjit Kaur Dhillon, Mr. Baldev Singh Virya, Mrs. Pushpindar Kaur Ramgotra, Mrs.

Sujinder Kaur Kotli, Mrs. Satwant Kumar, Mrs. Harminder Kaur Batal, Mr. Palminder Singh Batal. We have Mrs. Gurmej Kaur Dhillon, Mrs. Baldev Kaur Bains, Mrs. Santosh Bhushan. We have Mrs. Baljit Kaur Gill. My colleagues will introduce the rest of them, but will the House please make my guests feel welcome. Hon. P . Fassbender: I ask for leave to make some introductions. Leave granted. Hon. P . Fassbender: Again, as my colleague has stat- ed, these individuals are visiting us from Surrey. I’ d like to introduce Mr. Tarsem Singh Atwal, Mr. Jasbalkaur Atwal, Mr. Kulwant Singh Nijjar, Mrs. Parminder Kaur Dhillon, Mr.

Avtar Singh Dhol, Mr. Balwant Singh Grewal, Mr. Sham Singh Shahal, Mr. Arun Singh Sandhu, Mr. Surindu Singh Gill and Mrs. Shanti Toman. I would ask the House to make them all feel welcome. Madame Speaker: The Minister for Children and Family Development also begs leave to makes an intro- duction. Leave granted. Hon. S. Cadieux: Also visiting from Surrey are Mrs. Parmjit Ahluwalia, Mr. Piara Singh Gill, Mrs. Gurdip Kaur Dhillon, Mrs. Saroj Sood, Mrs. Rajbinder Kaur Sekhon, Mrs. Harjinder Kaur Sanghera, Mrs. Sukhjinder Kaur Basi, Mrs. Jaswinder Kaur Saran, Mrs. Jagir Kaur Brar, Mrs. Gurdev Kaur Samra, Mrs.

Swaran Kaur Tatla, Mrs. Ravinderr Uppal, Mrs. Amrit Bhalla and Mr. Surinder Bhalla. If the House would please make them welcome. H. Bains: It’s not too oft en you see so many of my community representatives all at one time attending the House in this many numbers. It is a very proud moment for me to introduce them to this House, because these are the leaders of our community. Many of them are elders. Th ere are some younger people in the crowd as well, and I welcome them as well.

I ask the House to please join with me and give them a warm welcome. [1400] Oral Questions CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE MEETING CANCELLATIONS J. Horgan: Last week we began question period and carried throughout the week questions to the Minister of Children and Family Development around issues that have been canvassed in this House in the past — the tragic case of Isabella Wiens, the continuing nightmare for J.P . and her family and, of course, the death of Alex Gervais.

We also talked about the story of Paige, which was articulated in a report by the children’s representative, a report that was going to be coming before the select standing committee this week. On Friday, the commit- tee cancelled its hearings until aft er the House rises at the end of November. My question to the Minister of Children and Family Development is: did she have any role in having the hear- ings cancelled, which would have led to an opportunity to discuss these very vexing issues and provide some con- fi dence in her and her ministry? Hon. S.

Cadieux: As the member knows, the select standing committees or committees of the Legislature are not committees that answer to the Ministry of Children and Families. As such, no, I had no involvement in the decision by the committee. Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: As I said last week and I say again today, our objective here is to ask some tough questions of the min- ister and her staff to ensure that we’re getting the straight goods on the tragedies that have been unfolding on her watch over the past number of months.

To that end, we attempted to have the minister come before the select standing committee last week, and the Liberal majority on that committee denied that oppor- tunity. Th en we were told, aft er having scheduled meet- ings for October 6 and November 4 to hear evidence from the children’s representative and to discuss the issues that are of public concern…. Clearly, when chil- dren in care lose their lives, this is an issue that involves all of us, and it involves accountability. We had hearings cancelled for no particular reason.

I want to know if, perhaps, the House Leader can advise why it is, if it wasn’t the minister. I’m fairly confi dent

British Columbia Debates9398 Monday, October 5, 2015 I won’t be getting an answer from the Premier today. Perhaps the House Leader can advise me why it is that hearings that were prepared, evidence about to be given by the children’s representative, were abruptly cancelled on a Friday aft ernoon. Is it, as I rather suspect, because the government doesn’t want to talk about this in public? Madame Speaker: I will caution all members. Questions must relate directly to the purview of minis- terial responsibility. J. Horgan: Well, again, I’ll pose my question to the Government House Leader.

The Government House Leader, as you know, hon. Speaker — and the Clerk will, I’m sure, advise — is responsible, with the Opposition House Leader, for constructing committees so that they can do the business of this Legislature. I can’t ask questions directly of the committee Chair. I’ve just asked the minister responsible if she was in- volved in cancelling the hearings. I can’t ask the Premier today if she was responsible. So I’m looking to the next logical person. If not he, perhaps the Deputy Premier would like to stand and off er an explanation to the people of British Columbia on why it is that the B.C.

Liberals don’t want to talk about these diffi cult issues. We’re not going to get resolution unless the govern- ment is prepared to open the books, open the doors and answer candid questions about their behaviour over the past number of months. Hon. M. de Jong: Th e hon. Leader of the Opposition is a senior member, obviously, and an experienced mem- ber of the House and knows the rules around what is and is not in order. I will say this. First of all, I reject categorically the as- sertion that somehow the scheduling of committee meet- ings is the result of direction from the executive council.

I would also say this. If the member examines the breadth of activity that committees have been undertak- ing over the past number of years, he will, I think, if he is being fair, come to the conclusion that the government has been in no way shy to tap into the talents of members on both sides of the House and avail themselves of the work and the considered questions, opinions and submis- sions of members of the House via an active and vibrant committee system. [1405] Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a fi nal supplemental. J.

Horgan: It’s for the very arguments that the House Leader just gave that we would like to see the meetings take place. Th e children’s representative has cleared her calendar. She was going to be here on Wednesday to take the committee, a bipartisan committee, through the chal- lenges that Paige faced before she lost her life aft er aging out of the system, dying alone on the streets of Vancouver. I’ve been a member of the Finance Committee. I know I’ve worked with many members on both sides of the House. Eff ective work is done in that area.

Similarly, again, the work of the committee on children and fam- ilies has been exemplary. Th is is about accountability. Th e rationale given for cancelling the hearings was confl icts with other committees. Th ere are no other committees meeting on the days in question. Absent a real answer, absent an ability for the minis- ter to say whether she had a role in it or not, absent an opportunity to ask the head of the government, I would again pose my question either to the Deputy Premier or the Government House Leader.

If this professed reason for cancelling the hearings is confl ict with other meetings, and there aren’t any, what’s the public to draw from that? I would suggest the public will draw the conclusion that I have: that the government doesn’t want to talk about it because they have something to hide. Hon. M. de Jong: Th e member has put the question twice and twice received a very specifi c and very direct answer. He may choose to ignore it. He may not like that answer. But he has received it nonetheless.

Th e minister and the government, the entire govern- ment, take the issues that have been canvassed in this House very, very seriously. Th ey touch on some of the worst types of tragedy. Th ey touch on an area of respon- sibility that is, fi rst and foremost, for government, on be- half of all citizens, to discharge. Th ere is no hesitation on the part of the minister or the government to confront these issues, to address them in a way that will ensure that where failings have been identifi ed, they are corrected to prevent a similar tragedy as occurred in the past.

I am not in a position to speak to the discussions that may have taken place at the committee, but I am in a position to assure this House that the government’s com- mitment, the minister’s commitment, the Premier’s com- mitment, is to ensure that all is being done to attend to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. DEATHS OF MOTHER AND SON IN PRINCE RUPERT AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX CARE NEEDS J. Rice: Last week, I attended the inquest into the deaths of Angie Robinson and Robert Robinson. Angie was a single mom struggling with depression.

Her son, Robert, had severe autism, and she struggled to give him the care he needed. Taking care of Robert was a full-time job, so Angie aske d the Ministry of Children and Families to help her get child support from her ex- partner. Th ey didn’t help. Angie asked the ministry for respite care assistance. It wasn’t given. Angie’s cries for help were ignored.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9399 My question is to the Minister of Children and Family Development. How many families have to experience tra- gedy before changes are made in her ministry? Hon. S. Cadieux: To the member opposite and all the members opposite: the Coroners Service and the jury had a very diffi cult job to do, to listen to a great deal of infor- mation during their deliberations last week on an event that was incredibly tragic. My heart, at the time and still today, goes out to the family, the friends and the com- munity for the loss.

We will take all of the recommendations of that cor- oner’s inquest seriously. We will add those recommen- dations to the practice considerations highlighted by the director’s case review that has been completed on this case. We will fully respond to those recommendations in due course. [1410] Madame Speaker: Th e member for North Coast on a supplemental. J. Rice: Robert’s condition was so severe that he smashed out a truck window with his head. When Robert had an episode in the emergency room, it took three RCMP offi cers, a doctor, a nurse and his mother, Angie, to help manage him until he calmed down.

Th e ministry left a single woman alone, a woman fl ee- ing from an abusive relationship, without the supports she needed to care for Robert. She was deeply depressed, but no help was given. Aft er every tragedy, new recommendations are made, and the children’s minister ignores them. Again to the minister: when will families in crises get the help that they need and they deserve? When? Hon. S. Cadieux: As I said, there are very fulsome rec- ommendations coming from the coroner’s inquest, and I would thank the coroner and the jurors for their service.

Th ere are a number of issues that have been raised through this — certainly, that the matter of ensuring the status of peace bonds and no-contact orders be known. Actually, we’re in the fi nal stages of working with our justice partners to give social workers the ability in real time to check orders by giving them access to the pro- tection order registry. We think those are incredibly im- portant things. While we do already have policy on collaboration in the ministry, clearly more needs to be done. We are cer- tainly open to both reviewing and strengthening that work within the ministry.

Th ose are just two of the recommendations, of course. I can also tell the House that the ministry has provided child protection staff and community partners all with domestic violence training. We amended the child and family service act in June of 2014, as the member will remember, to include domestic violence in the act as a child protection concern and to include support services to children who witness domestic violence. Th ere is always more to do, and when we receive rec- ommendations, we take them seriously.

We look at how that should be integrated or change our practice and our work, and we will continue to do so. D. Donaldson: In the spirit of collaboration and tak- ing things seriously, I ask that the director’s case review be tabled in this House. Angie attempted suicide twice in the lead-up to her fi nal attempt. She reached out to the ministry multiple times, and each time, they pushed her away. Th is govern- ment wasn’t there for Angie. If the issue wasn’t a lack of resources, why wasn’t Angie given the help she needed? Hon. S. Cadieux: I’ll say a number of things in re- sponse to the member’s questions.

First off , the director’s case review will be made public, as the member knows. We do that consistent with policy, publicly posting the summaries at the end of the year, and that will be done this year as well. While I can’t speak to the specifi cs of the case, what I can say is that there are numerous supports and services available in the province — and in Prince Rupert, spe- cifi cally — for children with autism and their families and for families needing support from the ministry on other matters. Th e case review and the coroner’s service work here has led to a number of recommendations.

We will be re- viewing them and taking them extremely seriously. D. Donaldson: Robert’s mother did the best she could do for her son, even driving two hours to get respite care in Terrace, until that was cut off . When she lost respite services, Angie asked for help and was told to wait till Robert turned 19, a wait of three years. Aft er hearing that news, four days later, on World Autism Day, she and her son were dead. Everyone knew that Angie was struggling, and nobody knew where to get help. Th e minister failed this family.

She failed the child, she failed the mother, and she continues to fail the ex- tended family. Does the minister think it’s right to tell a family in crisis to wait three years for services, with hor- rifi c consequences? [1415] Hon. S. Cadieux: What I can tell this House, and have on numerous occasions, is that there are a variety of services available, through the ministry, for families. Th ose services are available wherever people live. When it comes to autism services, we’re the only province in the country to have a no-wait-list policy for autism supports.

We do provide support for families with children with autism and young adults with autism, in addition to res-

British Columbia Debates9400 Monday, October 5, 2015 pite services and in addition to CYSN services and other supports to the family. I recognize that, at times, fi nding specialized services in smaller communities is diffi cult. In many cases, it’s similar to the challenges faced by individuals with health challenges that need to travel for specialized services in larger centres. We are always looking to improve the ser- vices that we provide. We will continue to do that. SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX CARE NEEDS C.

James: Like Alex Gervais, Alex Malamalatabua spent the last months of his life living somewhere no child should live — in a hospital. He was waiting for the ministry to fi nd him a home with the supervision he needed to keep him safe and the supports he needed to get better. Aft er fi ve months of waiting, he took a day pass, and he left the hospital. He never returned. His body was found three days later. My question is to the children’s ministry. Th e minister claimed that a variety of services are available. If that’s so, then why didn’t her ministry get Alex into a safe and supported home setting? Hon. S.

Cadieux: As the member knows, I can’t speak to the specifi cs of any cases. What I can tell the member and ensure the member is aware of are the vast array of services available and, in particular, the work we’ve done to improve the services available for complex care. In 2013, I made a commitment to strengthen our net- work of support, and we’ve added six beds in our complex care unit at the Maples. We’ve committed to community beds by the end of this year — four beds in Prince George and four beds in Vernon.

Certainly, it takes time — not because of a lack of will, but in fact because each of those beds comes with a team of highly specialized clinicians who are trained in dealing with serious mental health and trauma issues that are coupled with low mental acuity. Th ere are also other services and supports that we provide. We have programs at Maples — six beds for the Dala program, and the Crossroads program has eight beds — other response beds in the province, as well, and non-residential programs and community mental health programs.

Th e most important thing for everyone to remember is that each child and youth who presents with mental health issues or special needs is unique. Not all services or supports are right for every child. Madame Speaker: Victoria–Beacon Hill on a supple- mental. C. James: For the minister to say that there are a vast array of services is an insult to children and families and an insult to the workers in this province.

Th ese are work- ers who spend every day going to work trying to fi nd services, trying to fi nd supports and not fi nding them because that government has cut supports for children and families in this province. Robert Robinson should have had access to a thera- peutic group home. Alex Gervais should have had ac- cess to a therapeutic group home. Alex Malamalatabua should have had access to a therapeutic group home. Th e minister refuses to answer why these children didn’t get the services they need. But the children’s rep- resentative has an answer.

She says this government has “grotesquely underfunded acute care and therapeutic foster care. ” In 2013, aft er a troubled child was tasered in Prince George, she implored this government to fund supported housing for children with complex needs. In 2013, in this House, I also asked the minister where the supports were for children with complex needs. [1420] Th e minister didn’t act. It’s too late for these families. To the minister: when will these services be put in place? Hon. S. Cadieux: As I just stated in my last answer, those complex care beds are there now.

Th at was a com- mitment we made, and they’re in place. Th at said, I think the members opposite have diffi culty understanding that not every child’s needs are suited to every type of service available. In fact, on many occa- sions, what is necessary is a customized response, a cus- tomized care setting. Th ose do take time to establish, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t made available. TRANSIT FARES C. Trevena: My question is for the Minister of Transportation, the minister responsible for B.C. Transit. B.C.

Transit is reviewing its fare strategy for Victoria, the end result of which will be higher costs, especially for seniors and students. Transit is considering three options, all of which increase fares for seniors and students by as much as 50 percent. In a city already beset by traffi c gridlock and at a time when we’re trying to get people out of their cars and into the habit of taking transit, I’ d like to ask the minister why his government is planning to make it less aff ordable to take transit, especially for those seniors and students. Hon. T.

Stone: What a welcome, welcome question from the member opposite about B.C. Transit services. Th is provides me, on behalf of government, to talk about the fact that here in British Columbia, we actually spend more supporting transit services than any other province in this country — in fact, double the national average. Because of those record levels of investment, transit service across British Columbia is actually up by 40 per- cent since 2001. We’re going to continue to work with

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9401 communities across British Columbia and we’re going to continue to work with B.C. Transit to ensure that the services British Columbians have come to rely upon and the expansion that communities would like to see in their communities will continue to be possible in large part be- cause of a continued support of record levels of operating from this government of British Columbia. Madame Speaker: Th e member for North Island on a supplemental. C. Trevena: I understand from the minister’s response to my question that that’s a yes.

Seniors and students will be paying more, thanks to this government’s policy. Transit riders outside the Lower Mainland and, ob- viously, around the Island are wondering if this is going to be the thin end of the wedge. Th ere are 49 commun- ities with transit all wondering if they’re going to be tar- geted for fare hikes. No matter what the minister may say, this is the minis- ter that has frozen funding for B.C. Transit in commun- ities which wanted to expand already successful systems. Th at includes his own riding of Kamloops, Prince George and a number of others.

Could the Minister of Transportation assure the House that these places which are not receiving the money that they expected to be able to invest in their systems — Prince George, Kamloops, Chilliwack and Nelson, to name just a few — are not next in line for fare hikes? Hon. T. Stone: As I mentioned in my previous re- sponse, this government is going to continue to lead the country. We will continue to lead the country in our level of support for transit in the Lower Mainland and, indeed, in communities across British Columbia.

When the Evergreen line is completed, British Columbia will have the longest rapid transit line in the country. We are going to continue to support transit ser- vices in Cranbrook and Kamloops and Campbell River, communities across this province. [1425] Th ere is actually not a reduction in support for tran- sit services in the fi rst year of the three-year service plan. Th e member has her facts wrong on that point. I would encourage her to look at that service plan. In fact, there’s a modest increase. We’re going to continue to work with communities to provide even more transit service across this province.

HIRING OF LOBBYISTS BY POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS K. Corrigan: In the spring, we learned that universi- ties and colleges had wasted more than $290,000 hiring B.C. Liberal insiders to lobby the B.C. government. Th e minister responded — and I think everyone will remem- ber this — by clucking. But aft er that, he said: “I’ll be making it clear to them that we do not see the need for them to retain government relations consultants. ” Well, we now know through an FOI request that the minister did send letters on March 16 to 25 post-second- ary institutions. But these letters are exactly the oppos- ite of clear.

Th ey don’t mention the words “government relations. ” Th ey don’t even mention the word “lobbying. ” Nowhere in these letters does the minister say: “Hey, stop doing this. ” Can the minister please explain why he has failed to put an end to this wasteful practice? Hon. A. Wilkinson: I’m always delighted to be able to rise in this House to any question related to advanced education, because it’s such a massively successful pro- gram in this province.

We have 25 institutions with 430,000 students reaching their goals in life by getting credentials and training so they can improve their lot in life, go out and start businesses, build their families and their careers. Th e question that the member asks is redundant. I spoke with all the institutions and told them that this is unnecessary. I communicated with them directly. I prefer to do it, whenever possible, in a collegial fashion directly rather than through the mail. Madame Speaker: Burnaby–Deer Lake on a supple- mental. K.

Corrigan: I read the letter that the minister sent to all these institutions, and it is far from clear and men- tions nothing about lobbying. In fact, I don’t even know how they would have fi gured out that it had to anything do with the subject at all. But apparently, because we got it as an FOI response, that is what the letter was about. Th e minister stood up and told this House he would tell post-secondary institutions to stop hiring B.C. Liberal lobbyists, and then he chose not to. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. K. Corrigan: Students deserve better than this.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars of student tuition and taxpayer money…. On February 25, Vancouver Island University wrote to government to report that they, too, had used lobbyists. Th ey wrote: “Th is work has totalled $103,656 during the past three fi scal years. We are currently not using their services but may in the future. ” To the minister, why did he say he was putting a stop to this practice and then continues to turn a blind eye to it? It continues to happen.

British Columbia Debates9402 Monday, October 5, 2015 Hon. A. Wilkinson: Well, we can see that when the opposition has completely run out of steam as they des- perately wait for a favourable result in the federal election, they are now reduced to wild allegations, groundless in- nuendo, reading out letters from four months ago that are utterly redundant with has what has happened since then. Th e issue of lobbying by institutions has been dealt with. I’ve just explained how it was dealt with directly rather than indirectly through some kind of correspond- ence.

And so we fi nd the member opposite grasping at straws, desperate to manufacture a crisis, because the op- position is truly lost waiting for the federal result. [1430] D. Eby: We’re talking about almost $300,000 in wast- ed student money and public money on lobbyists. Now, the government had an opportunity to put in writing, to send clear direction to universities, that they should not practise business this way. Th e minister chose not to do so. He chose to do so orally, and what did he get in re- sponse? “We may do this again in the future. ” To the minister: it has obviously failed.

Will you put it in writing? But then, maybe even if you do, the Minister of Technology might not have listened to that anyway. Will the minister put it in writing so that universities and boards of governors know that they should not waste student money this way when they have food banks on their campuses? Hon. A. Wilkinson: Well, it’s sad in the Legislature when two former members of the Law Society, who know how lawyers correspond with each other, who know how agreements are made, who know the structure of corres- pondence…. Interjections. Hon. A.

Wilkinson: Th ey stand here today, and rath- er than focus on the benefi ts for students, they carp on about… Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. A. Wilkinson: …correspondence. It’s truly a sad day when just last week…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Th e members will come to order. Interjection. Madame Speaker: Vancouver-Kingsway. Hon. A. Wilkinson: Just last week I was pleased to be invited to UBC’s 100th anniversary on September 30, where they celebrated going from cowsheds at Fairview Slopes, through the good offi ces of this government, to being in a fabulous campus at Point Grey.

Not a sin- gle mention was made in this House of that fact by the member for Point Grey. Instead, we hear carping criti- cism of our universities when we should be celebrating their success. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Hon. M. de Jong: In accordance with

section 6 of the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act, I’m tabling a revised

schedule F for the fi scal year ended March 31, 2016. Th e revised

schedule F refl ects the chan- ges to ministerial accountabilities resulting from a gov- ernment reorganization that took place on July 30, 2015. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: Continued second reading on Bill 36. Madame Speaker: We’ll allow members to return to their other duties. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 36 — AUDITOR GENERAL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 2015 (continued) M. Farnworth: It’s my pleasure to resume remarks on the Auditor General’s bill. [1435] It’s nice to see the minister here.

Th e last time we were talking, I think I was doing some background in terms of the history of how we got to where we are. One of the key issues that arose at that time was the issue of in- dependence. Literally every member on the government side said the Offi ce of the Auditor General was being set up because it was absolutely imperative that this offi ce, this individual, be completely independent of politicians. Th e Minister of Energy was emphatic in that. In fact, he said and stated that we cannot have politicians inter- fering in this — that this position must be completely independent.

At the time, as the opposition we suggested that if that was the government’s concern, there were a number of avenues open to them. One was making the position be a fully independent offi cer of the Legislature.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9403 Th e other was to roll it into the Auditor General’s offi ce. Th at’s already a full-standing independent offi ce that has a budget. It has offi ces, it has the ability, it has the staff , and it would not take much to put additional resources — signifi cantly lower than what the government, in fact, ended up investing — and you could have put a munici- pal auditor general, a function, in the Auditor General’s offi ce. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Th e government, as too oft en is the case, gets an idea into its head, and that’s it.

It will not listen to anybody. It will not listen to UBCM. It will not listen to the opposition. It will not lis- ten to experts outside its head. It is literally: “My way or the highway. ” Invariably, when governments do that, they get into trouble, and that is exactly what happened here. We saw the government spend more than $5 million on an of- fi ce that produced, at the time that the $5 million fi gure came out, one audit. It has since produced some addi- tional audits, but the reality is that the government then found itself in a battle with the very individual that it put in there.

Th e result of that was chaos in the organization, local governments that were extremely dissatisfi ed with what was taking place in an offi ce that was coming in and was not telling them or that they did not want in the fi rst place. It was, as has been pointed out, a brainchild of the Premier. It was in essence a solution looking for a prob- lem that ended up looking for a fi ght. Th is legislation here today is an attempt by the gov- ernment to try and resolve the mess that they created.

What’s interesting is that in tabling this particular piece of legislation, it’s almost like the previous legislation never happened — that the previous eff orts of the municipal auditor general never happened. It was like, “Nothing to see here; move along, ” and we have this bill to try and — in the words of some of my colleagues — “put lipstick on a pig. ” Well, the reality is that you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. UBCM clearly recognized that when they voted at their recent conference, which the minis- ter used to be a member of and would have been a very vocal, very active member.

UBCM voted to tell the gov- ernment that they were not in favour of what has taken place. Th ey were not in favour of this offi ce. Clearly, the government with this bill has not listened to local government, has not listened to the UBCM and, more importantly, has turned its back on what it said was one of the key principles and one of the key foundations upon which this offi ce was supposed to have been built — that it was going to be independent. Th e fact is, it is not independent. And the fi ne words of members on the other side to say: “Y es it is…. ” It’s not.

It is a function that has been brought into government, and we know, from time and time again, how this gov- ernment deals with powers that have been brought into government and how, all too oft en, they use those powers. [1440] One only has to look at the Ministry of Education. For example, when they decide that they don’t like the dir- ection a school board is going or the attitude of a par- ticular school board that maybe wants to stand up and say the emperor has no clothes…. When a school board does that, well, what happens? Th e government says: “Y ou know what?

We’re going to stick an auditor in there to go and audit you and make your life diffi cult. ” Th at’s what they do. It is a vindictiveness that we have seen from this gov- ernment on a number of occasions. When they are questioned…. We have seen — it is still not over, by any means — what happened in the Ministry of Health around the health fi rings, for example. It’s an issue that is still under investigation. But clearly, for many people, the success of the therapeutics initiative was very much a topic of that and the government’s dislike of that initiative.

What we have seen is, as I said, when it comes to edu- cation, government’s willingness to say: “Y ou know what? Y ou are your own duly elected body, but — guess what — we know best.

We know best, and we are going to make your life diffi cult, and we are going to send somebody in. ” I will guarantee that if this bill passes and they bring this offi ce in-house, this government and this Premier will be unable to resist the desire to make it clear that if there is a local government, for example, that they do not like, a local government that is critical of them — and I can think of a number of local governments around the province — this government will go: “Y ou know what? We’re getting a lot of heat from this municipality. Let’s make their life diffi cult.

Let’s go and get the internal aud- itor general to go in and to cause problems. ” J. Rice: Meddle. M. Farnworth: Meddle, as my colleague from North Coast says. Unfortunately, that is one of the things that will happen with the passage of this legislation. Th is is a centralization that happens in this government where…. As we saw earlier today, the children and families com- mittee shut down even though the children’s representa- tive wanted to speak to it. It was shut down until aft er the session happened. It was shut down until aft er the ses- sion is over. So we’re here in Victoria.

All the members are here, and what happens? An issue which the govern- ment is highly sensitive about, for which it has faced a lot of criticism…. One of the ways that accountability is in place, for ex- ample, is for that committee to hear from the children’s representative, and it shuts it down so that it can’t be used while the House is in session. Th ey say, “Oh, we can meet aft er session” — meet aft er session and fl y everybody down and all the costs…. But more importantly, it’s to avoid embarrassment, and

British Columbia Debates9404 Monday, October 5, 2015 that’s how this government operates, time and time again. Mechanisms designed for accountability are shut down. Mechanisms designed for accountability have their pow- ers curtailed. Th ey have their independence curtailed. And unfortunately, that is what is going to happen with this particular piece of legislation. It’s a shame that they would not listen to the opposition. It’s a shame that they will not listen to UBCM. It’s a shame that they would not work with the Auditor General’s of- fi ce. But that’s what we have come to expect.

Th e government has a majority. It will pass this bill. We will go through extensive discussion at committee stage on the various clauses of this particular…. [1445] If the minister is wondering if I’m the last speaker, I can assure him that I am not the last speaker. Th ere will be a number of speakers still to come, because it’s still ear- ly in the aft ernoon. While there is other legislation to do, some not quite as complex as this particular bill…. I see the minister nodding, and I just wanted to let him know — and his staff who are, no doubt, watching.

It’s important that we have that discussion in this chamber, because the idea that the government likes to talk about is: “We’re about local government being able to use its powers and its abilities to exercise the functions that it has. ” Th e reality is that too oft en, the government wants to say: “No, we’re going to have the last word” or “No, we don’t like what you’re doing, so we’re going to change things. ” Th at, unfortunately, is what is going to happen with this particular piece of legislation. Th e government, I know, will say no, that that’s not correct.

Th e government will say: “No, the hon. mem- ber is wrong. ” But the reality is that we see too many oc- casions, as I have pointed out, where that is simply not the case and the government feels the need to go in and meddle in areas and jurisdictions that are supposed to be the purview of local government, that are supposed to be the purview of municipalities and that they talk about re- specting. Th e reality is that they don’t, to the degree that they really should.

As I said, there will be lots of questions during the committee stage on the debate on this particular piece of legislation, and I hope that the minister is able to an- swer those questions. With that, I know that there are other members of this House who will be rising to speak to the legislation. I am looking forward to hearing what they have to say, as I know the minister is looking forward to hearing what they have to say. I will take my seat and listen to them, and I look forward to the committee stage of the debate when we get to it. S.

Sullivan: I’m very pleased to support Bill 36, the Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act. I can tell you that when I was mayor of Vancouver, we discussed having such a position, funded by the property tax. Th at was an issue for us. We know that there were other cities that had discussed it as well, and it never moved forward. Why did we want an auditor general? Well, for many of the same reasons that the British Columbia govern- ment wants it and has it. And it does a very fi ne job. Th is does not detract from the autonomy of local government. In fact, it’s given more information.

What it does is it provides more information to local government, infor- mation that is independent of municipal bureaucracies, which can be a very valuable service. I don’t believe that the system and the structure that we set up here will be the system and structure we have in the future. I can only look to the history of auditors general, the offi ce of the auditor general in history. And I’ll just re- hearse a little bit of that, going back to 1857, when Sir Francis Baring in London fi rst proposed the concept. He developed a Select Committee on Public Monies, as it was called.

But it wasn’t until 1861 that William Gladstone extended this oversight to all departments and created a permanent committee. And in 1866…. It wasn’t until that date that they actually established a staff position for this. Th ey called it the Comptroller and Auditor General. It’s interesting to note that Britain still has these positions amalgamated, and it’s called the position of Comptroller and Auditor General. It was in 1866 when they started to do the performance audits, as we now understand the Auditor General, these value-for-money audits.

Th e saying at the time was that they not only wanted to look out for traditional accounting expendi- tures, but they wanted to look at the wisdom, faithfulness and economy of the actions of government. Now, it was in 1878 when Canada fi rst developed an independent Auditor General, but it wasn’t until 1931 that the Auditor General’s position split from the comp- troller general. [1450] It’s interesting to note that when Britain received its fi rst Auditor General, it was the same year that British Columbia developed the position — 1861 — although it lacked the independence that we currently appreciate.

In 1977, the Auditor General of B.C. was created by Finance Minister Evan Wolfe in a Social Credit government. Since that time, we’ve seen the history of the Auditor General grow in incremental steps. It has developed bit by bit. As we get more experience, the position gets changed, and I fully expect that this will happen with the Auditor General for Local Government. In fact, it’s what is happening right now. Th is is an amendment. It gives us the opportunity to apply what we have learned in the fi rst two years since the Offi ce of the Auditor General for Local Government was launched in January 2013.

It amends the Auditor General for Local Government Act by clarifying and enhancing the governance and accountability provisions of the act.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9405 We’re only following a very long tradition of incre- mental changes. I think this is defi nitely the right way to go. Th e government is committed to the concept of the AGLG, and the offi ce is already on a stronger foot- ing. We believe the work of the Auditor General for Local Government will result in opportunities for local govern- ments to learn, to improve their operations, to demon- strate accountability to the one taxpayer that we all serve.

What it does is it helps to really defi ne the roles and responsibility and enhance the accountability of the pos- ition. It makes sure that, as a provincial appointee, the AGLG is accountable to government and to the audit council. Th is Auditor General will, in fact, continue to have the independence to select and conduct the per- formance audit program, and there will be clear respon- sibility to deliver results. The authority of the minister and the audit coun- cil to review the performance of the offi ce and to the AGLG to accountability…. It will be strengthened.

Th ese amendments mean that the audit council will have a clear authority to review the Auditor General for Local Government’s performance and delivery. Th e proposed amendments establish clear lines of ac- countability. For example, the audit council will have the clear authority for reviewing and monitoring the per- formance of the Auditor General for Local Government as it relates to their purpose and mandate. Specifi cally, the amendment strengthens the role of the minister by enabling the minister to initiate a re- view of the offi ce or the AGLG at any time in addition to the mandated review in 2017.

It will enable the minis- ter to directly recommend suspension or removal of the Auditor General for Local Government without waiting for a recommendation from the audit council. It ensures that the minister has a role in the budget and estimates process for the AGLG. Th e core mandate of the Auditor General for Local Government is to conduct performance audits. Th is is the value for money that was established in 1866 — that concept by William Gladstone — and that will focus on the economy, the effi ciency and eff ectiveness of the de- sign and delivery of programs, services and policies.

As the Deputy Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I got to witness fi rsthand the importance and the power of this position — how it can deliver better results for the taxpayers. It’s truly a wonderful thing to observe the min- istries adopting and changing their performance based on some of the feedback given by the Auditor General. [1455] We know that performance auditing is diff erent from fi nancial auditing. Financial statements are audited to ensure they are accurately reporting an entity’s fi nancial position. Th at’s really not the primary function of the Auditor General.

It’s really not to be an auditor to lead or conduct performance audits. Under the circumstances where the AGLG, in this case, is not a certifi ed auditor, the AGLG will have to appoint a Deputy Auditor General who is authorized to be an auditor. Now, we know that the proposed amendments en- hance the relationship between the AGLG, the audit council, the minister, the government and local govern- ments by clarifying and defi ning roles and responsibil- ities of those parties and enhancing the accountability framework for the Auditor General.

Th ese amendments maintain the functional independence of the Offi ce of the Auditor General for Local Government and protect the independence of the Auditor General in crucial areas. Th e Auditor General for Local Government will con- tinue to have the sole discretion to select performance audits to be conducted. I think that must be emphasized: to know that there are two clear lines of authority, but the discretion to select performance audits will be that of the Auditor General for Local Government.

Previously, there was a provision that did not provide a role for the minister in the budget and estimate pro- cess for the AGLG. Th at provision is being removed, and the minister will present the Auditor General for Local Government’s budget estimate for approval by Treasury Board. Th is makes the offi ce’s budget process more con- sistent with other government entities and strengthens the role of the minister without compromising the in- dependence of the offi ce’s operations. Th e amendments clarify the terms and conditions of employment for the AGLG by doing several things.

It appoints the AGLG under the Public Service Act, which allows the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council to set the terms and conditions of employment. Th is could in- clude the establishment of holdback measurements. Th e allowing for the removal with or without cause, apply- ing the employment termination standards regulation, provides certainty regarding severance in the event of a termination without cause. And the Auditor General for Local Government will retain the sole discretion to select the performance audits to be undertaken.

By appointing the AGLG under the Public Service Act, the AGLG will be subject to the B.C. Public Service Standards of Conduct , and the AGLG must take the B.C. Public Service oath of employment. Th e Auditor General for Local Government will be accountable to the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council in relation to hu- man resource matters like personal conduct, and the Public Service Agency policies in relation to human re- source matters will apply to the Auditor General for Local Government. Th is allows for holdback measures to be established if desired.

Th e amendments align fully with the recommenda- tions to clearly defi ne roles, responsibilities and expecta- tions and strengthen the accountability framework. Th e amendments strengthen the role of the minister. Th ey do provide the audit council with broad authority to request from the AGLG information necessary to carry out its re- sponsibilities, and they prepare a report to the minister at

British Columbia Debates9406 Monday, October 5, 2015 any time on all and any aspects of the AGLG’s perform- ance within its purview. It also broadens and clarifi es the audit council’s author- ity to review and monitor the Auditor General’s perform- ance, including as it relates to fulfi lling the mandate of the offi ce and managing the operations of the audit, including a review undertaken by a contractor. It clarifi es that the audit council can recommend the suspension or removal of the AGLG without being invited to do so by the minister. Th ere was consultation with the UBCM.

Th e Minister for Community, Sport and Cultural Development has had discussions with members of the UBCM executive and indicated that the government is committed to stay- ing the course with the AGLG and believes that the offi ce is already on a stronger footing. [1500] Th e views expressed in UBCM’s report and survey of audited local government helped inform the future direc- tion of the offi ce of the AGLG. In addition, the proposed amendments provide that UCBM must be consulted in regards to themes for performance audits conducted by the AGLG.

We can see that over 150 years or more, this position of Auditor General in Britain and Canada and British Columbia has morphed, evolved and changed, and I fully expect this position, Auditor General for Local Government, to do so. Remember that the initial concept of auditor gener- al was actually a committee of parliament, and that has changed. Th e position of auditor general and comptroller has been separated over time, at least in Canada. I fully expect to see other changes as we go and evolve and we look at what’s happened and we review the process.

I’m very pleased to support this bill, and I would also like to commend it to the rest of the members. G. Holman: I’m very pleased to stand and speak today to the Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act.

It’s been interesting listening to other members of the House — particularly the last speaker, the member for Vancouver–False Creek — going through some of the specifi c provisions in the bill, torturously explaining to us that this amendment will give the minister greater authority over the AGLG, that there will be a number of provisions in the amendments that provide greater over- sight over the AGLG. In eff ect, we’re creating a watchdog to watch over the watchdog. As the member for Port Coquitlam has suc- cinctly stated, all of this really is about lipstick on a pig.

I would like to elaborate on that a little bit further. Truly, this was a silly idea in the fi rst place, and we’re really just making it worse. In fact, we’re getting further and further away from the original intent, which was to provide independent oversight and advice to local gov- ernments. I’ m very pleased to speak to this bill because, as are many in this House, I’m a product of local government. I served two terms as the regional district director for Saltspring Island.

I think I understand the key role that lo- cal governments play in providing services and infrastruc- ture, but with only very limited resources available to them. Really, this is the elephant in the room — the fact that local governments are responsible for at least 60 per- cent of the infrastructure in British Columbia with only a very small proportion of tax revenues to support that. Th at really, at its root, is the basic problem that local gov- ernments face. Th is legislation, of course, does nothing. Neither the original legislation nor these amendments do anything to address this fundamental problem.

Most people in Canada, in British Columbia, don’t understand that local governments in British Columbia and Canada are responsible for most of the infrastruc- ture but only have available to them about 8 percent of the tax revenues. A number of my colleagues have mentioned that Bill 36 is a solution looking for a problem and also that the notion of the local government auditor general seems to have originated as a trial balloon fl oated by the Premier. Certainly, local governments have not asked for this legislation.

In fact, just recently at UBCM, a strong ma- jority of local governments just reaffi rmed at the conven- tion their view that this legislation is not necessary — 55 percent. A strong majority of local governments say this isn’t necessary, and they objected to it in the fi rst place. This legislation, introduced immediately after lo- cal governments collectively made their views known, shows a disregard by this government for their concerns. Local governments are facing fi scal challenges, but there are better ways to help them — for example, by helping them to address the infrastructure defi cit that they face.

In Canada, this is estimated at up to $170 billion. Anyone who’s come from local government — and there are many of us here — understand this problem all too well. Th is legislation does nothing to address that. In fact, it makes it worse. [1505] Th e province could also stop downloading even more responsibilities onto local governments, such as wildlife management or, as we’ve heard many times in this House, mental health services.

For example, in my constituency on Mayne Island, there’s a huge problem with a species called fallow deer, which were escapees from a provincially regulated facil- ity on Mayne Island. Th ese animals have now escaped. Th ey’re eating their way through Mayne Island. Th is is a provincial responsibility. Small example. Folks on the other side laughing, it’s not so funny for people on Mayne Island. Perhaps you could come over and talk to them about it — how funny you think that is.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9407 It’s just a small example of how the province is, step by step, downloading responsibilities onto local gov- ernments and then showing up with an auditor that’s pointing fi ngers at them when they run into fi nancial diffi culties. Deer and geese on the peninsula. Another similar ex- ample where local governments, including the capital regional district, are spending tens of thousands of dol- lars dealing with an issue that’s a provincial responsibility.

Much larger numbers, and more signifi cant — and perhaps members won’t fi nd this quite as funny — are the fact that local police throughout British Columbia are dealing with mental health and addiction issues that are clearly not their responsibility. All of these are examples of the provincial government downloading additional costs onto local government. Th eir solution to address these concerns is to create an auditor function that points fi ngers rather than helps them resolve the issues.

Th e irony is that this Liberal government is pointing fi ngers at local governments when they don’t have their own fi scal house in order. So $5.2 million for an offi ce that has delivered only a few audits within two years. And depending on whether you believe it’s two or four or six or whatever, it’s about a million dollars an audit at an average taxpayer cost of about $12,000. Th is doesn’t include the settlement costs associated with the termina- tion of the fi rst Local Government Auditor General.

But as wasteful as the AGLG has been, it pales in com- parison to the other Liberal government boondoggles like the hundreds of millions in failed IT projects that we’re still dealing with today in this House or billions in cost overruns on the Vancouver Convention Centre, the B.C. Place Stadium roof, the northwest transmission line. On and on it goes. Or a Site C project that, according to B.C. Hydro’s own estimates, will lose, in the fi rst four years of operations, $800 million.

Th at’s not chump change, and it clearly sug- gests that for this government to lecture local govern- ments about fi scal prudence is a classic case of throwing stones while living in a glass house. As for Bill 36, it’s bizarre that additional layers of oversight are being laid over a supposedly independent watchdog.

Th is point has been made by my colleagues on this side of the House, and I do want to quote from the minister of the day, March 9, 2015, lecturing this House about the need for an AGLG: “It’s a good opportunity to remind the members opposite that, as we know, for any auditor to be eff ective, it needs to be independent from politicians. ” As the offi cial opposition has been saying for years, if an oversight function on local governments is required, it would be much more eff ective and more cost-effi cient to include this function as part of an existing independ- ent offi ce of the Legislature — in this case, the Auditor General of British Columbia.

It’s interesting that government is creating a new of- fi ce, albeit one under control of cabinet, when in other cases, it requires and, in fact, creates legislation to force a shared-service approach — for example, just recently with respect to school boards who, for the most part, go out of their way to share services whenever they can, but government, in fact, felt the need to actually create legis- lation to force that. So in that case, government was look- ing at a shared-service approach.

In this case, it sets up a separate offi ce with its own separate admin and other overheads. [1510] Th e Finance Committee has just requested — and I sat on the Finance Committee for a couple of years — that independent offi ces of the Legislature also share servi- ces such as administrative overheads in order to reduce costs. Incorporating a local government auditor general within the Auditor General offi ce would reduce costs, be truly independent of political interference and be much more eff ective. Bill 36, this amendment, would be en- tirely unnecessary. Instead, having created a monster….

Rather than slay- ing it, they’re fi ddling with it in a way that negates its ori- ginal intent of political independence. Th is government isn’t fi xing a problem of its own making. Th ey’re com- pounding the problem. In closing, if fi scal oversight for local governments is needed, this can be accomplished more effi ciently and more eff ectively in a truly independent manner by in- corporating the function within the Auditor General of British Columbia, an independent offi ce which already has the expertise and administrative capacity to do the job.

I urge government to withdraw this bill, bring for- ward legislation to incorporate a local government audit function within the Auditor General of British Columbia and take real action to help local governments address their fi scal challenges. It’s time to start working in real partnership with lo- cal governments — to address a growing infrastructure defi cit and to stop downloading services for which the province is constitutionally responsible onto local gov- ernments — rather than pointing fi ngers and scapegoat- ing. J.

Th ornthwaite: I’m speaking on behalf of Bill 36, Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act, 2015. Th is act’s amendments apply what we learned in the fi rst two years since the Offi ce of the Auditor General for Local Government was launched in January 2013. It amends the Auditor General for Local Government Act by clarifying and enhancing the governance and account- ability provisions of the act. Th ese amendments align with the recommendations from the audit council’s independent review of the AGLG in 2015.

Th e amendments will strengthen the relation- ship between the Auditor General for Local Government

British Columbia Debates9408 Monday, October 5, 2015 and the audit council, the minister, government and lo- cal governments by more clearly defi ning the roles and responsibilities and enhancing the accountability frame- work. Th ey’ll make it clear that as a provincial appoin- tee, the AGLG is accountable to the government and to the audit council. Th e AGLG will continue to have the independence to select and conduct the performance audit program, but there will be a clear responsibility to deliver results.

Th e proposed amendments will make it clear that as a prov- incial appointee, the AGLG is accountable to government and to the audit council. While the AGLG will continue to have the independence to select and conduct the per- formance audit program, there will be a clear respon- sibility to deliver results — and consequences, as I said, for non-delivery. Th e authority of the minister and the audit council to review the performance of the offi ce and the AGLG and hold the AGLG to account will be strengthened. Th e proposed amendments establish two clear streams of accountability.

Th e audit council will have clear author- ity for reviewing and monitoring the performance of the AGLG as it relates to the AGLG’s purpose and mandate, including how it fulfi ls its mandate. Th e council will not have the authority over human resources within the of- fi ce. Specifi cally, these amendments strengthen the role of the minister by enabling the minister to initiate a review of the offi ce or AGLG at any time in addition to the man- dated review in 2017 and enable the minister to directly recommend suspension or removal of the AGLG with- out waiting for a recommendation from the audit council.

Plus, it ensures that the minister has a role in the budget and estimates process for the AGLG. Th e amendments strengthen the role of the audit coun- cil by providing the audit council with broad authority to request from the AGLG information necessary to carry out its responsibilities and to prepare a report to the min- ister at any time on any or all aspects of the AGLG’s per- formance within its purview. [1515] Th e amendments also broaden and clarify the audit council’s authority to review and monitor the AGLG’s performance.

Th is includes the ability to conduct a re- view of the auditor general’s performance, including as it relates to fulfi lling the mandate of the offi ce and manag- ing the operations of the offi ce, including a review under- taken by a contractor, and clarify that the audit council also can recommend the suspension or removal of the AGLG without being invited to do so by the minister.

The amendments to the act, therefore, clarify the terms and conditions of employment for the AGLG by appointing the AGLG under the Public Service Act, which allows the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council to set the terms and conditions of employment. Th is could also include the establishment of holdback measures. It could allow for removal, with or without cause. It could apply the employment termination standards regula- tions, which provide certainty regarding severance in the event of a termination without cause. Th e AGLG will re- tain the sole discretion to select the performance audits to be undertaken.

I think these amendments do improve the situation — that it was before. Th e minister has been very clear that there’s more accountability in the relationships with the audit council, as well as government and local govern- ments. In this regard, I will be supporting this act. J. Rice: I’m pleased to rise today to talk to Bill 36, the Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act, 2015. I just wanted to touch on a little bit of my ex- perience in local government. It was limited. I did half a term as a city councillor for the municipality of Prince Rupert before I was elected as MLA.

Many people in the House come from local government and so, no doubt, have varied opinions on the Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act. But I wanted to share with you my experience, even though limited, within local government. It has been that local governments are stretched and working very hard to make ends meet with the limited amount of resources that are available to them — a limited tax base. And in Prince Rupert, that’s a really hard tax base to draw upon, considering all major industry is now located on federal port lands.

Th e amount of industrial tax that they are able to gather is limited and has been shrinking, particularly with the loss of our local pulp mill. Th e member who spoke before me on this side of the House talked about the fact that local governments only have about 8 percent of the tax base to draw from — rev- enues from 8 percent — and yet the responsibilities that have been put upon local governments have expanded beyond the roads and sewers and fi xing potholes that we’ve known local governments to be responsible for in the past.

In my community, my local government is tackling provincial matters such as a housing shortage — a lack of, and loss of, B.C. Housing and social housing for those with special needs, those for low-income families and on fi xed incomes. Th ey’re addressing a tremendous amount of supports needed for mental health services. Th ese are beyond the traditional scope of local governments. My local government would like to tackle issues such as their aging infrastructure, the fact that we have wood- en water pipes still, over 100 years old. Bridges — we have wooden bridges.

So to burden my community with unnecessary aud- its from the local government auditor general is really unfair, in my opinion. If this is deemed an important piece of needed infrastructure for local governments, I’m not clear on why we cannot use the current provin- cial Auditor General. Th e infrastructures are already in

British Columbia DebatesMonday, October 5, 2015 9409 place. Th ey have the support staff . It seems ironic to me, with a government that prides itself on cutting red tape, in introducing legislation around cutting red tape, that we would create more red tape. I don’t understand the irony of that. I think it’s really unfair.

And I think it’s particularly insulting, considering that just over two weeks ago now, I attended the UBCM, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention, and there was no mention there of introducing these amendments that infringe upon the liberties of local governments. [1520] I don’t understand why that wasn’t discussed with mayors, councils, regional districts and members of lo- cal government at that time. It demonstrates to me a lack of consultation with local communities.

If government was, indeed, listening to the local communities, they’ d be well aware that UCBM passed resolutions in regards to abandoning the Auditor General for Local Government. Instead of adopting our long-standing advice that the work of the AGLG be folded into the provincial Auditor General’s office, this legislation increases ministerial creep. It creates an unprecedented level of government control over “an independent” auditor general. Not only is this a departure from the principle that an auditor gen- eral is to be independent from government, it also raises the risk of political interference.

Th e legislation’s purpose and eff ect of increasing gov- ernment control also refl ects the Liberals’ lack of confi - dence in this offi ce. If the problems with this offi ce rested with the original choice of AGLG, why the need for more government control over this so-called independ- ent body? Th is further reinforces our proposal that the AGLG be disbanded in favour of the provincial Auditor General assuming the work of municipal audits.

I’ d just like to reiterate that I don’t think that this is the appropriate legislation — that it’s unfair to local govern- ments and that they are not heeding the wishes of local governments from the UBCM convention that we just attended over two weeks ago. It’s disrespectful to local governments, and I will not be voting in favour. G. Kyllo: I’m proud to stand in the House today on behalf of my constituents of Shuswap to speak in favour of Bill 36, the Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act.

We have a vast array of municipalities, mayors and councillors across this great province that do an amazing job on behalf of citizens of this province. I think having the opportunity to look for best practices, to provide an opportunity for performance evaluations, provide addi- tional input to provide them the opportunity to improve the services they’re providing for taxpayers in this prov- ince are extremely important.

We believe that the work of the AGLG will result in opportunities for local governments to learn, to improve their operations and to demonstrate accountability to the one taxpayer that we all serve. Th ese amendments will strengthen the relationships between the Auditor General for Local Government, the audit council, the minister, government and local governments by more clearly defi ning the roles and responsibilities and enhan- cing the accountability framework. Th is is really important work.

I have no idea why the opposition seem to have a concern with providing the op- portunity to provide the service for local governments to provide an opportunity to have a look at best services and the opportunity on how they can work amongst them- selves to provide opportunities to ensure that the tax- payer, which is most important, is actually being served well in this province. As well, the authorities of the minister and the audit council to review the performance of the Offi ce of the AGLG and to hold the AGLG to account will be strength- ened by this bill.

Th ese amendments mean the audit council will have a clear authority to review the AGLG’s performance and delivery. Th e audit council will be able to ask the AGLG for information that it feels is needed to carry out its re- sponsibilities and will now be able to provide a report to the minister at any time. As well, the amendments align with the recommendations from the audit council’s in- dependent review of the AGLG in April of 2015. For those reasons, among many others, I’m very happy to stand in support of Bill 36. H.

Bains: It is always an honour and privilege to stand here and speak on issues that aff ect our constituents, af- fect our province. [1525] Not too many people get the opportunity that we get as elected representatives of our community. I’m really thankful for that, at least to my constituents for sending me here and giving me the opportunity to represent them and speak on issues that matter to British Columbians and to my constituents. Bill 36, Auditor General for Local Government Amendment Act.

I think if you look at the history behind this particular bill, when the AGLG offi ce was originally created and a number of other government actions, it re- fl ects that this government is willing to say one thing and has no intention of complying with what they say. Th ey do quite the opposite. Th ere are examples aft er examples, and I’ll speak about that in a minute. When you look at when they established this offi ce, it wasn’t that it was needed .

It was a political decision made by this Premier because she was told during her leadership campaign that this would be a good political position to take for her chances — a little better than the others if she took this position — because she couldn’t secure very much support from the then existing caucus, except for one. I don’t know what happened to that per-

British Columbia Debates9410 Monday, October 5, 2015 son. We all know that. So the offi ce was created whether it was needed or not because she made that commitment. Th is is a government that talks about cutting red tape. We wasted, last week, a lot of time talking about red-tape day legislation here. All of that can be done with OIC, through regulations. But nonetheless, they wanted to dis- cuss that and waste this House’s time just for that. Th ey just talked about red tape — cut-red-tape day. Th e creation of this offi ce is nothing more than red tape.

What we’re talking about today, this bill, is add- ing more red tape to the original red tape. Th e word that comes to mind is “hypocrisy. ” Th at’s exactly what this government has established themselves with: hypocrisy after hypocrisy. There are numerous examples that I could sit here and read out. Y ou talk about recall of this House last week. Y ou would think there are some urgent issues that face our constituents in this province and that we would be dis- cussing those last week and this week and going for- ward. No. We are just looking at dealing with bills that are non-issues. Imagine….

Remember the fi rst day we came here, Bill 29 was discussed? Y ou know what Bill 29 was? It was tell- ing the municipalities not to do what they have never done. Th at’s what this government thought was a prior- ity going into this fall session. Then we had this cut-red-tape day. Was that more important than talking about all of the issues that were brought up in question period by the opposition about so many vulnerable children out there under government care and how we make that system work? No. Th at didn’t come from the government.

Kicking and screaming, they are dragged into discussing that issue by the opposition. It just shows the priorities of this government and just shows that they are lost in the way. Th ey have run out of ideas on how to run this government. All politics, all the time, rather than sitting down, listening to British Columbians’ issues and dealing with them in a serious manner. Th at is lacking by this government, and I think that is an insult to all of the constituents, all of the people that elected us.

Th ey paid big bucks to send us here, and they expect us to deal with the issues that aff ect them on a daily basis. [1530] [R. Lee in the chair.] Th e forest industry is on its knees right now. Th e soft - wood lumber dispute is just being discussed, but no dis- cussion by this government on that issue. How do we keep our raw logs that are being exported at a record rate from this province last year, the year before and continuing on today?

How do we keep those raw logs, and how do we invite investors to come and invest in British Columbia so that they can utilize those raw logs right here in British Columbia to create jobs for British Columbians in B.C.? Th at is not being discussed. How do we add value to the product that we produce here in the British Columbia forest industry? Th at is not being discussed. How do we learn from Ontario and Quebec, who produce three times more jobs on a unit of lumber that is harvested from their forests than in B.C.? How do we, at least, get close to them? Th at is not being discussed. Th ose are real jobs.

Th is Premier wants to talk about jobs, but when there’s an opportunity, the jobs are for people from Alberta or from China. Or we bring tem- porary foreign workers here, and they get exploited. Th ey have no protection from this government. British Columbians and their children are not even in the line- up for those jobs. Here we are talking about Bill 36 today, which, again, is adding more red tape to the original red tape that they created. When are we going to talk about fi

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20151005pm-Hansard-v29n2
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20151005pm Hansard v29n2
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	f2ef1fa668c7689cd48f02eb338905b92f808868

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