British Columbia Hansard — 15 March 2021, a.m., Issue 29 (42nd Parliament, 1st Session)

20210315am-Hansard-n29

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

First Session, 42nd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, March 15, 2021 Morning Sitting Issue No. 29 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Monday, March 15, 2021 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members....................................................................................................................................................... 695 Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements................................................................................................................................................... 695 Avalanche Canada D. Clovechok B. Anderson Accessibility D. Coulter S. Cadieux Y outh mental health T. Halford A. Singh Food security M. Dykeman J.

Sturdy Private Members’ Motions ....................................................................................................................................................... 704 Motion 5 — Economic recovery and infrastructure plan M. Lee M. Starchuk I. Paton H. Y ao B. Banman B. Bailey J. Rustad K. Greene K. Kirkpatrick R. Glumac G. Kyllo

MONDAY , MARCH 15, 2021 The House met at 10:02 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: H. Y ao. Introductions by Members G. Kyllo:I’m very proud to stand in the House today on behalf of me and my wonderful wife, Georgina, to announce the arrival of our ninth grandchild and our third grandson. Sawyer Forrest Kevin Benty was born on November 23 at Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm. The proud parents, Allan and Brittany Benty, couldn’t be hap- pier on the arrival of a little baby brother for their two daughters, Nova and Journey.

Brittany and Al asked that I give special thanks to the amazing team of doctors, nurses and support staff that provided exemplary care for both Brittany and Sawyer during their stay. Now, for anyone doing the math, the granddaughters now outnumber the grandsons by a factor of two to one, but Georgina and I remain hopeful that there will be many more grandchildren to come, and we may yet attain gender parity. Would the House please welcome Sawyer Benty. [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements AV ALANCHE CANADA D.

Clovechok:It gives me a great deal of pleasure to rise today to speak about an iconic Canadian service organiz- ation located right here in British Columbia. That is Ava- lanche Canada, or AvCan. The crew from AvCan is watch- ing the live stream, so welcome to Gilles and everyone that’s online. [10:05 a.m.] AvCan is a non-government, non-profit, charitable organization and is Canada’s national avalanche safety organization. It’s based in my riding in the beautiful city of Revelstoke.

They develop and deliver public avalanche forecasts and special public avalanche warnings, as well as world-class public safety programs for the mountainous regions in Canada. They also provide curriculum and sup- port to instructors of recreational avalanche skills and training courses, deliver public avalanche awareness and education programs, encourage public avalanche research, provide curriculum to teachers and organizations and act as a central hub for avalanche information.

The organization was formed in 2004, after a report was prepared for the government of B.C. after 29 people were killed by avalanches in Canada during the winter of 2002 and 2003. This included seven high school students in the 2003 Connaught Creek avalanche. AvCan is led by executive director Gilles Valade, who is one of the most impassioned and hard-working profes- sionals I’ve had the pleasure to work with. It’s an organiz- ation critical not only to the safety of British Columbians but to the many thousands of visitors that enjoy our back country.

AvCan is recognized internationally as a leader in public avalanche safety. They provide forecasts for 14 regions that total 330,000 square kilometres, 98 percent of which is in British Columbia. By comparison, the United States has 22 different avalanche centres providing fore- casts for less than 200,000 square kilometres in total. Current evidence indicates that due to COVID-19, there has been an increase in back-country recreation, and many of these users are inexperienced.

It should be noted that because of this increase, search and rescue teams con- tinue to have an unusually busy winter, making Avalanche Canada’s accident prevention programs even more important. Unfortunately, while the back country has been busier than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened an already downward trend in sponsorship for Avalanche Canada. Private businesses are no longer able to fund what is clearly a public service. The federal government has recognized the import- ance of AvCan. In 2019, they provided a $25 million, one-time contribution that will help Avalanche Canada over 15 years.

This funding, however, was conditioned on shared funding from the provinces. The approved business plan was based on AvCan’s receiving increased funding from B.C. The funding from this province is expected to be pro- portionate to the level of services it receives from Ava- lanche Canada and an accurate reflection of the avalanche problem in B.C. More than 95 percent of AvCan’s forecast regions are in B.C., over 80 percent of AvCan’s entire budget is spent in B.C. and, tragically, 75 percent of all ava- lanche fatalities in Canada in the last 20 years occurred in B.C.

So far this year, eight people have died in avalanches in Canada, all of them in British Columbia. In 2019, the government promised $1 million every year for AvCan. Multiple times we’ve heard from this government a commitment to that funding, but the funds have yet to arrive. Although AvCan has a national and international recognition, they continue to struggle for recognition and support from the province that benefits the most: B.C. Fifteen organizations representing “everyone who is anyone in this industry” have sent letters urging this gov- ernment to financially support AvCan.

It will come as a shock to most British Columbians that although B.C. 695

receives most of AvCan’s products and services, the province of B.C. is lagging far behind in providing adequate funding. The Yukon, for example, provides $60,000 annually to AvCan, representing approximately $1.40 per resident, even though a significant portion of that funding is spent in B.C. Even Alberta, with its strug- gling economy, provides funding to Avalanche Canada in a multi-year commitment. The province of B.C., on the other hand, usually provides $400,000 each year, representing just eight cents per resident. I say “usually” because this provincial fund- ing is not guaranteed.

Up to $250,000 of AvCan’s annual funding from B.C. comes in the form of community gam- ing grants, which means that AvCan has to re-apply every year for this grant. This past year has added a level of uncertainty again. Instead of receiving a notification of community grant funding in November 2020, AvCan was notified that con- firmation would not happen until February 2021, which created an unnecessary and unreasonable level of uncer- tainty for the organization’s operating budget. [10:10 a.m.] Just this past year alone, Avalanche Canada braced itself for $287,000 lost in funding, based on several programs.

EMBC’s $500,000 grant in 2017 has now ended. EMBC’s $25,000 grant for Mountain Information Network has ended. Columbia Basin Trust has indicated their funding will not be renewed when it expires, as well as…. There are others. With $287,000 this year, the planned expansion of avalanche safety programs into underserved regions, including the Northern Rockies and Vancouver Island, cannot go ahead without more funding from B.C. Avalanche Canada provides an essential service to the province. Our own government agencies, including B.C. Parks; B.C.

Hydro; Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; EMBC; the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; hundreds of search-and-rescue volunteers and so many others all rely on AvCan’s daily forecasts as safety and risk manage- ment tools. Several times, we’ve heard from this government that funding is coming. How many more tragedies and lost lives is it going to take to get the Premier Horgan’s atten- tion before he makes good on his government’s commit- ment for the sustained and adequate funding that AvCan was promised.

Deputy Speaker:Member, I can appreciate the serious- ness of the issue, but this is not a time for partisan attacks. This is not a time for naming of government officials. The member should know that by now. Thank you. D. Clovechok:Duly noted, Mr. Speaker. Deputy Speaker:The member for Nelson-Creston. B. Anderson:Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the member for highlighting the important work of Ava- lanche Canada. I would first like to provide condolences to the family and loved ones of a local snowmobiler, Joe LeBlanc, who was killed in an avalanche near Kaslo earlier this month.

Joe was a search-and-rescue volunteer and an experienced back-country enthusiast. I would also like to extend my condolences and thanks to the Kaslo search- and-rescue team who responded to the avalanche. One of the joys of living in or visiting B.C. is exploring the wonders of our mountainous back country. It is a great way to experience incredible natural beauty and get exer- cise. But travelling in the winter back country can include the risk of avalanches. Avalanches are the deadliest natural disaster in Canada, killing more people every year than all other natural disasters combined.

Michel Trudeau’s — the brother of our current Prime Minister’s — body lies to rest at the bottom of Kokanee Lake, after being pushed into the glacial lake by an ava- lanche over two decades ago. That same year, my friend’s aunt Mary Cowan was killed by an avalanche that took the lives of six people during a back-country ski adventure in Kokanee glacier provincial park. Our community loses people to the back-country avalanches every year. Avalanches pose a real risk to winter back-country enthusiasts. Avalanche Canada provides resources that help to ensure that people are able to recreate safely.

With our beautiful mountain ranges in B.C., we have approxim- ately 80 percent of the avalanche risk terrain in Canada. With COVID-19, people have been going outdoors in record numbers. I know our local stores that are selling outdoor recreation equipment have experienced a sharp increase in interest. It is extremely important that people have the information, training and skills to keep them- selves and others safe in the back country.

The province appreciates Avalanche Canada’s continued support for back-country users through public avalanche forecasts and outreach, trip-planning tools, terrain models and world-class avalanche safety programs and courses. Avalanche Canada issues public information about risks and safety and the precautions that should be followed by back-country enthusiasts. Avalanche Canada provides courses that teach people how to make terrain choices that are appropriate for the conditions. These courses provide students with a strong foundation in planning and decision-making in avalanche terrain.

Their courses are important for any back-country recreationalist, whether they access their winter play- ground by ski, board, sled, snowshoe or climbing. These courses empower recreationists to enjoy Canada’s winter back country and to be safe from avalanches. [10:15 a.m.] The province provides $400,000 in annual funding, through various ministries, for the existing services provided by Avalanche Canada, including $150,000 from emergency management B.C. to support avalanche bullet- 696 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

ins, $250,000 in community gaming grants through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for operational costs, and approximately $10,000 annually for special avalanche warning alerts. The province also supports search-and-res- cue volunteers with avalanche training. On their social media, Avalanche Canada reminds us that avalanche dangers rise with the heat, and there are more fatal avalanche accidents in March than any other month. In fact, nearly 30 percent of avalanche fatalities occur in the month of March.

Three major factors contrib- ute to this statistic, including a complex snowpack that’s developed during the winter, a destabilized snowpack due to warming temperatures and an increase in mountain accessibility that takes place in March. To help keep Canadians safe, Avalanche Canada recently launched Avy Savvy, a new online tutorial geared to back-country beginners. The program is aimed at new users of the winter back country and provides solid intro- duction to avalanche safety. Avy Savvy is not a substitute for taking the avalanche skills training course, but it gives people an overview.

In close, as we look forward to spring, many of us will want to get a few more days of fun under our belts before the snow melts. I would like to remind everyone to please ensure they’re using the resources provided by Avalanche Canada to have fun and stay safe in the back country. D. Clovechok: I’ d like to thank the member for her response. The need for AvCan has never been greater. The funding issue and the shortfall from B.C. is nothing new, but here we are. The funding commitments that have been made have never been more crucial. Canada recognizes the need. Alberta recognizes the need.

The Yukon recog- nizes the need. The many non-government donors recog- nize the need — and fund the need. But where is B.C.? To put this into context, on Thursday, July 20, 2020, in the Committee of Supply, I had the opportunity to ask the Minister of Public Safety about the province’s commit- ment of $1 million in funding for AvCan that had been made when I asked the same funding issue in 2019. My ask was simple both times.

As quoted fromHansard: “Will the minister commit to providing guaranteed annual funding so that AvCan does not have to wait for their gaming grant application?” From the Minister of Public Safety, I heard: “I fully rec- ognize the value of AvCan. I think they do a remarkable job. I did commit to go to Treasury Board. I went to Treas- ury Board. Was it successful this year? No.

But I com- mitted to trying to find a sustainable, long-term funding format for AvCan in the same way that we’ve done for search-and-rescue here in British Columbia. ” I also asked: “Would the minister commit to advocating for a one-time lump-sum grant that would eliminate the need for AvCan to apply annually for the community gam- ing grant, that way guaranteeing the resources like Alberta, that has given a three-year commitment to AvCan?” His answer again: “I will continue to push for that. ” The minister is an honourable man, so I took him at his word.

Y et it’s hard to understand why other provinces, a Canadian territory and multiple private donors have understood the importance of funding AvCan and have delivered, but not B.C. Well, actions speak louder than words, and lives are at risk. It’s time for empty words and promises from B.C., to step up, and it’s long past…. Deputy Speaker:Member, Member. D. Clovechok:Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Deputy Speaker:Excuse me, Member. It is quite pos- sible to take strong policy positions on issues for your party without targeting a single member.

I would recom- mend that the member, before getting up and giving another statement in the House, review the standing orders for private members’ statements. I gave a warning earlier, and I’ d hoped the member would take this to heart. It’s a time that we try to get the best out of all of ourselves and out of this chamber, without targeting individual members for denigration or attacks. Please take that to note, Member. We’re going to move on now. [10:20 a.m.] ACCESSIBILITY D.

Coulter:I’ d like to first begin by acknowledging that I am speaking to you today from the traditional unceded territory of the Stó:lō people and, in particular, that of the Halq’ eméylem-speaking people. It’s my pleasure to speak to this chamber about access- ibility today. In his groundbreaking TED Talk about e- accessibility for people in the deaf community, Mohamed Jemni puts it succinctly: “The disability is not the problem; the accessibility is the problem. ” At its core, accessibility is about removing barriers to provide equal access to social, political and economic life.

We need to focus on removing the barriers people with disabilities experience in their daily lives, including physical, attitudinal and information barriers. I can tell you that accessibility is a key priority for this government. As many of you likely know, our government has been working on developing accessibility legislation, set to be introduced this spring. Working on creating accessible, liveable communities throughout the province is something that our government really believes in and is something I personally value. I’m so grateful that the Pre- mier put his trust in me to lead a part of this work.

As someone with a spinal cord injury who has been using a wheelchair for over 20 years now, I know firsthand how frustrating seemingly small barriers can be for people with disabilities. When I go to a new business, community Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 697

centre or public space, I circle the building in my car, look- ing to see how accessible it is. Are there curb cuts? If so, where are they? Is there a ramp available? If so, what’s the gradient? Is there an accessible door? If not, will it be wide enough for my chair? These are just a few of the questions that I ask myself every day. And while repeating this process, I, alongside other people with disabilities, am reminded of the multiple barriers — not only in the built environment — of a world that wasn’t built with us in mind.

While I may have some lived experience as a person with a disability, I am by no means an expert on all of the barriers that people living with disabilities face on a day-to-day basis. I believe that our government’s forthcoming accessibil- ity legislation will be transformative for all British Colum- bians. Nearly 25 percent of people in our province are liv- ing with a disability, and as the population ages, we know that number is set to increase. The new accessibility legis- lation will seek to tackle barriers through the development of new accessibility standards that will benefit all British Columbians.

I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be directly involved in developing new guidelines, laws and policies that will shape the future of a more accessible British Columbia. Nearly 7,000 people, including people with lived exper- ience, service providers and small business owners, parti- cipated in the consultation process in 2019 to share their ideas about how we can best integrate accessibility into our daily lives. To create more inclusive, liveable communities, we need to look beyond our workplaces and homes. How can we make our small businesses more accessible?

How can we improve the way we communicate or incorporate a more inclusive curriculum into our education systems? Over two months, our dedicated ministry staff put in the time to connect with and listen to self-advocates, care- givers, supporting organizations, Indigenous communities and business groups to find out what government should be prioritizing when it comes to accessibility. Our approach, in lead-up to the introduction of this legislation and throughout the development of its implementation, will continue to be in line with the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The principle of “Nothing about us without us” will con- tinue to guide our process, meaning that people with dis- abilities will continue to be engaged in this process every step of the way. Our goal is to make real and significant changes to the way things are done in B.C. Accessibility doesn’t look the same for everyone. That’s why the voices of the people who are asking for changes must be front and centre throughout this process.

While this legislation will be transformative in build- ing a British Columbia that works better for all of us, our government is already taking action to make our communities more accessible. Just one example close to home: the Ministry of Environment has demonstrated their leadership by implementing a series of changes to make B.C. parks and campgrounds more accessible. In my neighbouring riding of Chilliwack-Kent, Maple Bay campground in Cultus Lake Provincial Park now has accessible cabins. These newly constructed wheelchair- accessible cabins have leveled entryways and are close to the beach.

Opportunities like this help more people with disabilities discover the beauty of B.C. parks, and I hope to check them out myself soon. [10:25 a.m.] The province is doing so much more. As part of our StrongerBC economic recovery plan, we’re committed to building a more inclusive economy that leaves no British Columbian behind. As part of this plan, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction announced $10 million in funding to support the local hiring of people with disabilities in non-profits and small businesses across the province.

Through the work experience opportunities grant, participants will receive a 12-week paid work experience opportunity. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has dis- proportionately impacted people with disabilities. That’s why paid work experience, through programs like this, will help employers hire new staff and give employees the experience and confidence they need to return to the workforce. This pandemic has shown us how crucial government support is in making sure that people with disabilities and those facing multiple barriers receive the support that they need.

While we are supporting initiatives to help with employment opportunities, we need to make sure that when people with disabilities re-enter the workforce, they are entering a place that is accessible, inclusive and suited to their specific abilities, and we need to make sure that our workplaces and communities receive the support they need to make this happen. Our accessibility legislation will help us get there. As we move ahead with work on this important file, I’m looking forward to working across the aisle to build a more inclusive and accessible British Columbia. S. Cadieux: Thank you to the member.

I certainly agree with the member on pretty much everything that he spoke about today. I’m sure we’ve had many similar experiences as we both have navigated our adult lives with spinal cord injuries. The reality is that nothing is spontaneous for people with disabilities. We are masters of planning and innov- ation. That’s what it takes to live in a world that was not built for you, and that is what we are trying to change. It is one of the highlights of my career here, I would say, that we can collectively and cooperatively recognize that this is something that needs to be done.

The fact that all parties in this House have committed to accessibility legislation and understand the need means a great deal to me. The UN position on “Nothing about us without us. ” As I have learned it over the years and lived it over my 698 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

advocacy career, the reality is that we’ve changed that somewhat. Now, really, that effort is “Nothing without us. ” It isn’t about doing it for people with disabilities. It’s about ensuring people with disabilities are there to do it for themselves. In British Columbia, not everybody is able to experi- ence the province equally. What someone can accomplish without a second thought, like navigating a shared space like the Legislature, poses a significant challenge to other people. These vastly different experiences are reflected around us every day, often to the detriment of those who need them most.

A narrowing sidewalk, a crowded bus, a high curb, an unmarked crosswalk on a busy street — all are obstacles that some won’t even notice. The term “disability” is a wide umbrella. It covers a diverse group of individuals throughout our communities. They’re not always visible, not always physical, not always chronic. Likewise, barriers themselves are diverse and often hidden. They can be physical, financial, emotional, social, economic and others. Some must contend with dis- ability from the beginning of their lives. Others are con- fronted with new challenges at a later age, and it’s often a difficult transition.

The current statistics suggest more than 20 percent of Canadians live with a disability. As we heard the mem- ber say, close to 25 percent in British Columbia recog- nize some form of disability in their lives. For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened that. They’re less likely to be employed, representing a vastly untapped labour market, and the pandemic has significantly com- pounded this. We know that accessibility means different things to dif- ferent people and that different people will need different things. People face real barriers purely as a result of their identity as well.

One’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or upbringing can have serious ramifications on access of an individual or community. These things alone can be barriers, but they can also overlay and add com- plexity as it relates to people with disabilities and their inclusion in society. [10:30 a.m.] We have a lot of work to do. One of the things that I like to remind people of is…. I had a conversation recently with a hotelier. Brand-new hotel, beautiful facility with pretty good accessibility, but there were some problems, and I pointed them out. I asked: “Why?

Why are these problems still here?” And he said: “Well, you know, disab- ility is really not our market. ” I said: “Well, what is your market?” And he said: “Business people. ” I said: “Well, I travel for business four days a week. ” And then he said: “Well, yes, but really, it’s an artsy community. ” And I said: “Well, I’m the president of a theatre company that just toured a production across Canada. ” The reality is that people with disabilities are not a dis- crete group of people. They are 20 percent of every group of people, 20 percent of our population, and we are exclud- ing their participation.

We have work to do to help people understand that this is not something we do to be nice. This isn’t something we do for some. We do it for all. We have a lot of work to do, and collectively, I am confident we will get there together. D. Coulter:I’ d really like to thank the member for Sur- rey South for her speech. I can see that we will have an ally in passing this legislation.

This legislation that I keep referencing and am excited about will represent an important step towards the realiz- ation of a more accessible and inclusive province for the approximately 25 percent of British Columbians who live with a disability. I also believe that all British Columbians will benefit from this work, whether it’s as we travel, as we support our loved ones or as we age. In many ways, the passing of this legislation represents the end of the begin- ning.

In order for our efforts to succeed, it’ll be import- ant for us to continue to work in partnership with people with disabilities and the broader community as we work to develop accessibility standards that work for people. The accessibility legislation will be informed by several key themes. One, breaking down barriers. We know we need to focus on removing the barriers people with dis- abilities experience in their daily lives, including physical, attitudinal and informational barriers. Two, advancing human rights.

We want this legislation to reinforce and strengthen our commitment to the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Three, creating a culture of inclusion through education and awareness and ensuring social connectedness. Four, pro- moting fairness and equality through emphasizing diversity and equity. Embracing diversity makes us stronger as a society and also ensures that we’re equitable.

We know that there are many intersectional factors — gender, race, sexuality, indigeneity — that contribute to the barriers people experience. We need to ensure that we’re aware of these factors and work to address them. Our intention is to learn from and model other jurisdictions. We aim to promote a culture of change to work towards a more accessible B.C. It’s going to take time, and I look for- ward to carrying out this work with communities across the province.

We also know that government needs to lead the way and develop tools and supports that help both public and private organizations comply with standards. Though we hope everyone will willingly jump on board with making B.C. more accessible, we will be establishing a variety of compliance and enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability. I’m so excited to be part of this work, and I look forward to debating this important legislation in the months ahead. Deputy Speaker:The member for Surrey–White Rock. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 699

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH T. Halford:Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that introduction. It felt like a hockey game there for a second. I rise today to speak on the important issue of youth mental health. For many British Columbians, the last year has been the most challenging and difficult in our col- lective memory. Our communities, our province, and our world have changed drastically since the beginning of COVID-19.

The global pandemic is something we are all feeling the effects of — most notably, the pandemic’s effect on the mental health and well-being of children and youth in British Columbia, and all of us in this House are deeply concerned. Children and young people in this province are facing increased isolation as a result of the pandemic.

Evidence shows that physical distancing can have a signi- ficant impact on mental health, although many children and youth are still able to attend school in person, as my children do. [10:35 a.m.] The continuous isolation from friends, family and loved ones is significantly impacting the mental health of our young people. Kids haven’t been able to hug their grand- parents in over a year, and that loss of contact and physical affection can be deeply impactful. Even in schools, stu- dents sit. They contribute for hours on end, but their inter- action is minimized, for good reason.

But these feelings of isolation can lead to effects that are very long-lasting. It’s undeniable that the negative impact on child and youth mental health is concerning, and we have a long way to go. Now, my children, all three, go to elementary school in my riding. They have not been able to hug their grandpar- ents or visit their grandparent’s home to play with the fam- ily pet. This is something I know that all members in this House…. They share very similar stories.

I think it’s some- thing that we all struggle with, but at the end of the day, we’re all trying to make sure that we are doing the best with what we have. The disruption of routines has also caused a massive surge in mental health issues among youth, according to doctors and psychologists. Structure is incredibly import- ant for young people, and a disruption in routine can sometimes be traumatic.

Children and youth are also increasingly conscious and worried about their health and the health of their family members, beloved seniors, the financial repercussions of the pandemic for their families and the global effects of the pandemic itself. The research is clear. Children and youth can be expected to experience many health challenges during and after the pandemic, such as increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depres- sion and behavioural problems. British Columbia’s mental health system was already stretched and underfunded before the pandemic. It is con- tinuing to struggle.

The extra demand resulting from the stresses of COVID-19 is just exasperating that problem. Many clinics, such as the Foundry, which offered walk- in support to youth before the pandemic, now require appointments. These necessary pandemic safety measures are causing longer wait-lists and more gaps in the immedi- ate care for youth. In May of 2020, only three months into the pandemic, B.C. ’s Representative for Children and Y outh confirmed that there were more than 2,500 youth in B.C. on the wait- lists. That number continues to grow today.

Y outh who are at risk of self-harm or other mental health challenges can- not afford to wait months. They need help today, and I think that’s something we all realize.

I’ d like to echo the recent sentiments of my honourable colleague, the member for Saanich North and the Islands, when he eloquently stated in this House last week that when people have sought treatment for mental health con- ditions, they were undermined, belittled and taunted, but “as soon as their ailment was physical, they were put on life support. ” I agree with the member that it is time for this government to treat the brain like it is truly part of the body and to value mental health as we do physical health.

By now, many of us have seen the advocacy of two par- ents who tragically lost their 16-year-old son from Victor- ia who had a history of struggling with mental health. On January 3, 2021, this teen left his home to walk along the E&N rail line, but he never returned. That very day his par- ents received a call about a psychiatric appointment to be scheduled in February. We all know that call was too late. Since then, his parents have publicly advocated for greater youth mental health supports in B.C. I think we should applaud those parents today. This teenager was let down by our mental health system in B.C.

This family was let down by our mental health system in B.C. The pandem- ic, which robbed this boy’s ability to see his grandparents, isolated him from friends, took a major toll on his health. His mental health was plagued by isolation, loneliness, a loss of routine and anxiety. Sadly, this teenager’s challenges and his barriers to access mental health services are not unique, since chil- dren and youth trying to get their first visit with clinical or psychiatric mental health services face an average wait time of almost 55 days in B.C.

When you are a young per- son in crisis, a two-month wait-list is two months too long. [10:40 a.m.] We need to properly address this to make sure that we are not speaking about other tragedies in this House. The importance of addressing mental health issues in early stages is undeniable. We need more services to make this a reality. Children and youth are moving through many physical and emotional and social changes, more than at any time in their lives. I ask this House today, this government, this opposition, that we all make sure that we are making mental health for youth an absolute priority. A.

Singh: I thank my friend from Surrey–White Rock for those comments. This is such an unprecedented time, 700 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

such a hard time for all of us, but I’m hopeful we’ll get through. This is my first time speaking in these halls, phys- ically speaking here. Of course, I’ve been up there. For me, it’s a bittersweet moment as a racialized person, as a person of colour — bitter in recognition of the storied history of these halls, of this province and the many oppressive things done to people in society that originated from these halls. I want to recognize that and recognize that history.

And sweet because of all of the good that also originated from these halls and the sense of hope I feel and see with all of you, all of us working together, for all of the good that we still have to do for this province and for the people that we represent. History is like that. My thoughts are with Andre and his family who are grieving. I have a 1½-year-old daughter. I can’t even conceive of that. After decades where mental health care was neglected, we know that things are not that great right now, but we’re trying to work to make it better. That is speaking of the good.

I’m proud to stand here today on this side, with the gov- ernment that has a Minister of Mental Health and Addic- tions who gets up in the morning and goes to sleep every night, day in, day out, thinking about the work that needs to be done to help the countless number of people who desperately need our help still. This is no easy task. There are so many barriers to dealing with mental health and addictions — stigma and the fear of asking for help being a huge one. I know that well. I know that really well.

The hardest thing I ever did in my life was to reach out for help during my darkest times in the throes of alcohol- ism, when I was in the proverbial valley of the shadow of death. I was an adult. Reaching out as a youth must be so much harder. That’s why it’s so important that when you reach out, when they reach out, that there’s a hand there to clasp their hand. That moment of clarity comes really…. It’s fickle. It comes once — that moment of clarity when you have the strength to reach out — and it doesn’t last long. We need to make sure that the resources are there so that hand can be clasped.

That’s why this government and this minister have been working tirelessly for almost four years now, investing in mental health resources and resources for youth. This, after years, as I said, of neglect. We can still see the effects of that now. This government has been building a system of care from the ground up that focuses on early intervention and prevention. Since 2017, this government has invested almost $140 million in youth mental health services and has brought in new ways for young people to access care and skill them up in response to the pandemic.

Undoubtedly, this is an unprecedented time, something we hopefully will never see in our lifetimes again. We face new challenges. We’re trying to stand up to them. We’ve opened urgent primary care centres all over the province, where clinicians are available 365 days a year for same-day access. That includes mental health support. In addition to these supports, my friend spoke about the Foundry — amazing organization. As of 2020, there are nine Foundry centres operational across the province. There will be a total of 19 centres once complete. These offer not only in- person but also virtual supports as well.

The province has invested $5 million in virtual mental health services during COVID-19 to provide expanded services to British Columbians, with specific services for children and youth. My good friend works for the Foundry, so I have some familiarity with them. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with them on many occasions. What an amazing resource. [10:45 a.m.] They offer young people aged 12 to 24 health and well- ness resources, services, supports online and through integrated services, drop-in counselling — not only for youth but also their caregivers — and peer support for youth and their caregivers.

These are the kinds of missions and organizations we need to support. We’ve invested a lot into youth mental health, and we’re going to continue to invest more. We’re continuing to work urgently to build a comprehensive system of care that works for everyone, with a strong focus on children and youth. I’m going to end with this. It’s a quote from Gibran: “Y our children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. Though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

Y ou may give them your love but not your thoughts. ” I want to be able to have support and services so that when they do reach out, the hand is there for them. Deputy Speaker:Thank you, Member, and welcome. T. Halford:I just want to start off and congratulate the member for Richmond-Queensborough for his first stand in the House. It was an eloquent one at that. Before we started here, I got to catch up with him and hear about his 16-month-old daughter, who he is very proud of. I’m sure she will be very proud to see him continue to rise in this House.

On reflection of the remarks, I think it’s important that we all realize — and all members on both sides of the House agree — that we must and we can do more than what we’re currently doing. The mental health crisis facing our children and youth in British Columbia, as the pan- demic continues, remains strained.

Unfortunately, the expansions and the innovations are reactionary: reacting to the already pressing mental health crises that, again, are exasperated by this pandemic; react- ing to the needs of children and youth who are desperate for care after months and years of facing barriers; reacting to the mental health emergency well underway here in B.C. These reactionary measures can often be too little and too late. We saw that. We’ve seen it, tragically. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 701

When discussing youth mental health struggles, we must also consider a frequent intersecting factor. Y outh substance and youth addiction…. Problematic youth substance use is not a new issue, and it continues to have a lack of access to appropriate services, which is concerning. The current youth substance use health sys- tem has been deemed inaccessible, difficult to navigate and lacklustre. These are terms used by the children and families in crisis seeking those services. So the action and service expansion we have seen from this govern- ment has clearly not been enough.

Children and youth in British Columbia are struggling. Some, tragically, have died. We can no longer wait for ser- vices from an overworked, reactionary system. The cur- rent mental health system in B.C. is failing. Children and youth are moving through many physical, emotional and social challenges, more than at any time in their lives. They have not developed the coping mechanisms and those experiences to get them through these times, and the pan- demic adds another layer of complexity and additional challenges. Again, Mr.

Speaker, government, all leaders in this House, I ask you that we please make mental health a pri- ority, going forward. FOOD SECURITY M. Dykeman:It’s a privilege to rise in this House virtu- ally today from the traditional, ancestral and unceded ter- ritories of the Matsqui, Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations to speak about a topic that affects everyone.

As agricultural advocate Brenda Schoepp said: “My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher, but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer. ” As a farmer myself, it’s an honour to speak today in this House about food security. Although food security is such a broad topic, having so many prongs, it’s something that each one of us, whether a farmer or not, share in common. We all eat, and we all rely on availability of our food.

So today I would like to discuss the importance of local food security, an issue that has really been pushed to the forefront with the challenges of COVID-19. [10:50 a.m.] Our world is a complex network of supply systems that we largely take for granted, which depend on the services of various transportation and logistics providers. The pan- demic has highlighted the fragility of relying on supply systems, which require logistics, warehousing and pack- aging — to name a few components of this complex system — all of which must work in unison for each one of us to put food on our table.

What we saw was how vulnerable the system is to dis- asters of any kind and how quickly a disruption in any por- tion of the supply chain can lead to shortages of food or food insecurity, which the UN defines as “the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of afford- able, nutritious food. ” But we are fortunate that British Columbia has some of the most fertile soil in North Amer- ica and a more favourable growing climate than much of our country. That is why investments in local B.C. farmers is such an important step in combating food insecurity.

Statistics Canada began monitoring household food insecurity in 2005 through the Canadian community health survey. The most recent national measure was taken in 2017 and ’18, in which one in eight households, about 12 percent, were food-insecure — amounting to over 4.4 million Canadians, including 1.2 million children — and living in homes that struggled to put food on the table, the largest number recorded since Canada first began mon- itoring food insecurity.

Even more startlingly, in the first two months of the pandemic, that number grew by 39 per- cent, with one in seven people struggling with food insec- urity, as reported by Stats Canada in December of 2020. Unfortunately, food insecurity and other markers of social and economic disadvantage are closely related. In low-income households, lone-parent homes, renters and those who identify as Indigenous, Black and racialized households, food insecurity is most prevalent. Indigenous households report rates of food insecurity of approxim- ately 28 percent.

However, that number is an underestim- ation of the actual prevalence. The survey sample did not include people living on First Nations reserves, people in some remote northern areas or people who are homeless — specifically, the three groups at the highest risk of food insecurity. For an example, in Nunavut, approximately 57 percent of households are food-insecure. Our situation in British Columbia, based on the same 2018-19 data, showed that here, 12.4 percent of our households are food-insecure, which translates to over 600,000 people in B.C. struggling to put food on the table.

Over the last ten years, B.C. has imported about $2 billion worth of food each year. Over 98 percent of fruits consumed in B.C. come from international imports, and we are highly dependent on California for most of our fruits and vegetables. Residents of Metro Vancouver consume about 2.5 mil- lion tonnes of food per year, accounting for approximately 53 percent of the total food supply in B.C. However, only about 14 percent of the food consumed in Metro Van- couver is produced locally.

International and interprovin- cial imports account for over 73 percent of the food con- sumed in Metro Vancouver, highlighting our dependence on national and international transportation systems and the importance of the infrastructure that supports it. Every day Metro Vancouver is only days away from empty grocery store shelves and hungry children, due to the next international, national or significant regional crisis. The probability of such events makes our food security an illusion, unless effective measures are put in 702 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

place to produce enough food locally to offset such even- tualities. The average Canadian will pay an extra $695 for food this year, as the pandemic, wildfires and changing con- sumer habits drive up grocery bills.

With the biggest increase ever predicated by an annual food price report, rising prices for bread, meat and vegetables are expected to lead to an overall food price increase of 3 to 5 percent, according to Canada’s food price report in 2021 — which, for an average family of four, translates to a grocery bill of $13,907. [10:55 a.m.] The stresses on our food system highlighted during this pandemic are why investment in good local production capacity is so vital.

This is why support for farmers, who create robust, accessible food systems that increase local food production capacity right here at home, are integral to a resilient food security plan. In response to the very real challenges we face, the Metro Vancouver regional planning committee found that both self-sufficiency and resilience contribute to food security.

Our government also recognizes the benefits of self-suf- ficiency and has created programs like Buy B.C., invest- ment in agro-innovation and investment in food hubs like the Plenty and Grace Food Hub and Innovation Centre by Langley farmer Lee Murphy, owner of Vista D’ oro Farms and Winery and the Preservatory. The B.C. Food Hub Network aims to foster growth and innovation in the processing sector through improved industry access to facilities, equipment, technology and technical services and business supports.

In conclusion, these are all important steps we’re taking to ensure a prosperous and strong agricultural sector that can contribute significantly to a reduction in food insecur- ity in B.C., while making life more affordable for everyone. Agriculture is a significant economic driver right across British Columbia. These are wise investments in the future of all British Columbia, socially and economically. J. Sturdy:I’ d like to thank the hon. member for raising what is a very important topic today and that is of food security.

It is an interesting discussion of what actually constitutes the definition of food security. Clearly, food security to a vulnerable person living on the streets of the Downtown Eastside is certainly different from that of a suburban family, a rural resource worker or a farmer. In the case that we’re talking about, actual food produ- cers themselves, I am confident that farmers have quite different thoughts about what the term “food security” actually means to them.

Growers face real risks: drought and floods and the impacts on the land base; the cost of animal feed; wildfires and the impact on feed supplies; market access; pandemic restrictions on agricultural workers; and, ultimately, the age-old question about the actual use of land contained within the agricultural land reserve. Before we get into a discussion about what is permiss- ible on the ALR these days, we do need to examine what actually constitutes so-called food security. There are dif- ferent ways to define it. Looking at it as a grower, what is provincial food security as referenced by the member opposite?

Based on the commodity production figures published by the Ministry of Ag a number of years ago, multiplied by the caloric value and divided by the popula- tion of B.C., it appears that we do produce enough calories to feed the population of this province. It would, however, be quite a limited diet, one that would certainly not suit everyone. Just as an example, I personally do love my olive oil, and it’s something which we certainly won’t be producing domestically anytime soon.

Food security in British Columbia, with our diet of choice, does and always will depend on imports from oth- er jurisdictions to keep us well-fed with the range of products that we like and in the off-season, when our production capacity of fresh products is greatly reduced, frankly. These are realities and are important considera- tions in the discussion of food security. [N.

Letnick in the chair.] As you may be aware, I’ve long been a vegetable and berry grower, along with producing some proteins, and am required to make forecast choices at the beginning of the season if I am to be successful in getting product to market. This is an issue that every grower faces. Believe me, as an elected official, I have heard a great deal from growers ever since this current government was elected four years ago. As the hon. member opposite is no doubt aware, agri- cultural producers have been consistently weighed down by increasing regulation and, frankly, a crushing tax bur- den.

Under the current government, agricultural produ- cers are losing ground. As producers who compete glob- ally, we have very few protections for B.C. growers. We face some of the highest farmland costs relative to other jurisdictions, especially in the southern and most popu- lated regions of the province. We face the highest level of taxation after 17 tax increases since this government was formed in 2017. A particularly onerous and irksome challenge is the lack of recognition that agriculture is a highly labour-intensive business.

With the employer health tax, this government seems to believe that big payroll equals big profit. I can tell the member — and she sure would know, if she’s a grower — that in the case of agriculture, this is simply not true. Agriculture is a razor-thin business and the employer health tax is an enormous burden for growers. [11:00 a.m.] Growers face some of the highest degree of land regula- tion that is highly restrictive to giving farmers and ranch- ers alternative sources of income. We support some of the Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 703

highest environmental standards anywhere in the world, but that comes with a cost. We have the highest agricul- tural labour costs, some of them. We have the highest tax rates, the highest fuel costs in the world. Of course, we only get one crop off the field, versus our southern com- petition, which may get two, three or four crops. Y et we must compete in this uneven global market. Despite the obstacles we face, some of which govern- ment has thrown in the way of agricultural producers in British Columbia…. Our farmers and ranchers have become some of the best in the business, despite these challenges. Why?

Well, because we simply must be the best if we want to survive. Before I conclude, I should mention that this current government has gone to great effort to reverse many of the progressive initiatives that had gone into improving a farmer’s ability to make a living on the land base within the agricultural land reserve. The focus should be on main- taining the agricultural capacity of the land, rather than restricting opportunities for farmers that have little or nothing to do with the land base. Ideology running amok seems to be the driver, not the health of our farmers.

In conclusion, I ask: does the member opposite agree that we should be doing all that we can to support farmers to be successful, to be multigenerational, to be supported to feed B.C. during this pandemic and beyond? If so, will the member commit to advocating for the changes needed to make B.C. growers more competitive? M. Dykeman: Thank you to the member opposite for his comments. I appreciate his recognition of the import- ance of food security. As I mentioned previously, agriculture is a significant economic driver right across British Columbia.

Agricul- ture is very unique in that it has a much greater impact on reducing poverty and improving food security than any of the other sectors of the economy. I would like to share another important component of a strong and healthy food security plan and another way that support for agri- culture is being demonstrated: agritechnology. Agritech is the fusion of innovation and technology applied to the agriculture, food processing and seafood sectors.

One of the most important ways that we can address food security is to support innovations that increase the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. These improvements can also result in enhanced incomes and nutrition. By having the most diverse array of agricultural commodities in Canada, B.C. is perfectly positioned to benefit from a wide range of innovations, particularly those that can support regenerat- ive agriculture, innovative, on-farm management practices that promote conservation and rehabilitation of farmland.

British Columbia is home to over 150 companies devel- oping and producing world-class agriculture technology — or agritech. Investment in this area has significant potential to address production issues arising from a growing population, with increasing expectations for sus- tainability and traceability. B.C. is positioned to become a leader in the development of agritech. Our government recognizes the important role of agriculture and the role that agritech plays in both food security and a strong eco- nomic recovery.

Our government is committed to supporting agritech, as can be demonstrated by the recent agritech grant pro- gram, which provides $3 million to help B.C. agritech — agriculture and technology — companies scale up, expand and develop technologies to increase sustainable and regenerative food production in B.C. Programs like these support innovation in agriculture and have a measurable effect on increasing the innovation and infrastructure we need in our province to ensure a food-secure future for everyone in British Columbia. Hon. J. Whiteside:Hon.

Speaker, I ask that the House consider proceeding with Motion 5, standing in the name of the member for Vancouver-Langara. N. Letnick:Hon. Members, unanimous consent of the House is required to proceed with Motion 5 without dis- turbing the priorities of the motions preceding it on the order paper. Leave granted. [11:05 a.m.] Private Members’ Motions MOTION 5 — ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN M.

Lee:I rise in the House to move this motion: [Be it resolved that this House recognize the importance of a com- prehensive infrastructure plan to support British Columbia’s post- pandemic economic recovery.] This past year has been one of immense turmoil and change. COVID-19 has impacted every sector of our eco- nomy, transportation included. Not only did the pandemic change the ways and how frequently we travel and com- mute around our province; it has also impacted industry operators like airports and motorcoach companies that play essential roles in our daily lives.

After months of advocacy from those in the industry and our B.C. Liberal caucus, the NDP finally delivered grants for bus companies and regional airports in need of support. This is a positive first step, but for our province to move forward with economic recovery, we need to do so much more. This government needs to develop a com- prehensive plan to support and maintain our transporta- tion networks and invest in our infrastructure so that these routes can continue to serve British Columbians both dur- ing COVID-19 and long into the future.

I wrote to the Minister of Transportation nearly two 704 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

months ago asking for such a plan, but have yet to receive a reply. We’ve been in this pandemic for more than a year. The NDP government has had plenty of time to invest in transportation and infrastructure to keep our province running and aid in future recovery, yet until last week, the government had done nothing to address the growing challenges facing transportation in our province.

Not only will reliable, viable and sustainable transport- ation networks be essential for facilitating the trade and travel necessary for economic recovery, but investing in our infrastructure will also directly create jobs and stim- ulate the economy. We need this government to advocate for B.C. ’s fair share of federal funding for well-targeted infrastructure projects that will enable safe, efficient and reliable transportation corridors and benefit our province for decades to come.

This plan must include projects like the Massey Tunnel replacement, which is a critical pathway for tens of thou- sands of daily commuters and an important trade route. It’s been 1,286 days since the NDP cancelled the replace- ment, leaving commuters stranded in the worst bottleneck in B.C. All we see from this government is more delay, including with the business case that it’s been sitting on, with no decision since last December. There is the issue of the challenge of transportation access to the Royal Columbian Hospital, our province’s number one trauma hospital.

The government’s delay tac- tics are evident here as well. In December 2017, the government concluded con- sultations on the Brunette–Highway 1 interchange and related access improvements for New Westminster. Three- plus years later, it has not moved an inch. These are not just Lower Mainland issues, but wide- spread ones across the province. There is the Taylor Bridge, a vital piece of infrastructure crossing the Peace River and linking Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Millions of dol- lars worth of products, food, fuel and heavy equipment in northeastern B.C. are carried daily over this bridge.

Des- pite its being in crucial need of replacement, it has yet to be included in this government’s ten-year capital improve- ment plan. We also need to invest in our rural roads, throughout the province. They connect B.C., enable people to com- mute safely and, when it is safe to do so again, will enable tourists to explore our province once again. Many of our roads around B.C. are deteriorating and in need of sig- nificant repair, like the constant flooding and damage on Dog Creek Road near Williams Lake, or with the Quesnel- Hydraulic Road, which was impacted by a landslide last year.

On top of all this, we have the ongoing struggle with CBAs, which are discriminatory and have also repeatedly driven up the cost of projects while dragging down their scope and causing significant delays. This has been the case with Highway 1 expansions for Salmon Arm west, Chase Creek Road, Illecillewaet, and the Kicking Horse Canyon, along with the Pattullo Bridge replacement and the Broadway subway project. This government needs to be doing more to invest in provincial infrastructure. It is absolutely essential to our economic recovery.

We need this government to prove that they have a real vision for transportation, including in Metro Vancouver, with its population expected to grow by one million people over the next three decades, and in the Fraser Valley, with the much-needed expansion of High- way 1 beyond Langley to Chilliwack. We need a plan that is going to maintain the long- term viability of our critical transportation routes from commuting and daily life, critical care access and facil- itating trade, to eventually bringing visitors back to our province. We need safe, efficient and reliable transport- ation networks.

It’s time that this government made it a priority. [11:10 a.m.] M. Starchuk:Before I start, thank you to the member opposite for the opportunity to respond. I want to mention that I am speaking to you today from the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations. As we know, COVID-19 in these times has been difficult for all of us. We can finally see the glimmer of hope — the light at the end of the tunnel — that’s coming towards us.

When we take a look at what we’re doing as far as the economic development and the plans that have come in place, they’re very comprehensive and probably the most supportive in all of the country. When we take a look at what happened in B.C., we’ve created 26,600 jobs. Employ- ment levels have risen to about 99.4 percent…. We’ve restarted the province to the point where we are amongst the highest-rated for provinces that we have. We continue to make priority investments, right across the province, to help build and maintain a reliable and environmentally sound transportation system.

I’ d like to speak about some of those that come to my riding of Sur- rey-Cloverdale. When we talk about connecting com- munities with safe, effective, active transportation net- works, they have to be the most affordable transportation options. That’s part of the foundational part of our govern- ment’s plan to build a better, cleaner province. When we talk about transportation and how it affects the community, I want to make sure that we have that as part of our business plan that’s going and part of what we talk about as our economic recovery for small business.

We want to make sure that the transportation hooks up those small businesses to the transportation networks that we’re building. We’ve got accounting firms in my riding that have helped out and reached out to over four busi- nesses right now — small — that will benefit from this transportation network that will come in to solve what we’re having here. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 705

When we talk about the infrastructure and the invest- ments that are there to the community, let’s talk about the Pattullo Bridge. While it’s not connected to my riding in specific, it is connected to the Lower Mainland, Surrey and New Westminster. The new bridge, for those of you that have not driven over the old bridge, is a great improve- ment over what we’ll have in front of us today. There will be more walking lanes, four lanes to travel back and forth. It’ll better connect the communities of Sur- rey and New Westminster, with these wider lanes that will make it safer to get across to the other side.

Along with this, when we talk about a green network, we’re talking about high-quality walking and cycling paths that’ll con- nect the bridge and the wide-use paths that’ll be on either side of the bridge, separated from the traffic with barriers. When we look forward at the infrastructure investments that are coming, we take a look at Surrey-Langley SkyTrain. It’s a priority for our government. No longer is it going to be a phased-in approach. It’s going to start from Surrey centre and move itself all the way to Langley. The jobs that this will create will be great for the area that we live in.

There’ll be steady jobs, high-paying jobs, and those jobs will, in fact, help the small businesses that are in the community that we serve. When we talk about the transportation that we have that’s here with regard to the routes that are there, the Pat- tullo Bridge project is going to also help with that access that the member opposite talked about with RCH. We talk about Highway 1 and the Fraser Valley and the future improvements that are there to get the work underway.

Last year we completed the 216 exchange that was there, and now they’re planning to add HOV lanes in each direc- tion of Highway 1 between 216 and 264. I’ d be remiss if I didn’t remind that the new Pattullo Bridge will be along the lines of what the government has done so that we’re not punishing the people of Surrey and New Westminster with tolls. This bridge will be provided to the people of Surrey and New Westminster — and oth- ers that are travelling through the city — at no cost. Tolls are not what we need to happen here. We need to have accessibility to these bridges.

These are some of the things that the current govern- ment is doing to address the issues around infrastructure investments for the province of B.C. [11:15 a.m.] I. Paton:I’ve been a resident in my riding of Delta South my entire life, and I still live on the farm that I was born and raised on. I’ve witnessed the construction of High- way 99 south to the U.S. border and Highway 17 south to Tsawwassen and the B.C. Ferries. I’ve even witnessed the toll booths that welcomed drivers to the entrance of the original Deas Island Tunnel.

I can personally account for 62 years of ups and mostly downs of this dark, narrow tun- nel lying at the bottom of the Fraser River. How will our province recover from the enormous economic setback we’ve suffered due to COVID-19? Will our government, like a wise farmer, use attributes like creativity, innovation, common sense and integrity in its efforts to rebuild? It has a chance with one of the critic- al pieces of infrastructure that could play a key role in B.C. ’s economic recovery. Getting the George Massey Tunnel replacement project back underway would put thousands of people back to work.

It would put a glimmer of hope in the eyes of some 85,000 commuters a day who are stuck in B.C. ’s worst traffic bottleneck. It would bring relief to our trucking industry, which sees an incredible amount of time and money wasted as drivers creep along slowly and sit idle in gridlock. It would allow goods to move more quickly to the U.S. border, to the ferries and to our local container terminals and industrial parks south of the Fraser.

These improvements would have a profound impact on our economy at a time when we need it most as B.C. recovers from a pandemic that, like the Massey Tunnel traffic, has ground almost everything to a halt. Sadly, the plans for this project have also ground to a halt: more studies, more consultation, more opinions, as we contin- ue to wait for the release of a business case for an entirely new replacement project. Back in the middle of December, the government said it had that business case. Well, where is that business case?

It’s 3½ years after this government cancelled our former government’s plan to replace the aging and seismically unsafe tunnel with a bridge, and virtually nothing has been done. Instead of sticking with the more innovative bridge plan, which would have fewer environmental impacts, the government seems intent on reliving the 1950s and plunk- ing another concrete tube in the Fraser River. My constitu- ents tell me they don’t have much hope that they’ll see a completed project any time soon. Recently CKNW’s Lynda Steele pressed the Transporta- tion Minister on a timeline for a new project.

She asked the minister repeatedly, over and over, when shovels might be in the ground and when the new project will be completed and open. She asked the minister: “When are we going to see some movement? What happens next, and when?” Ms. Steele obviously wasn’t impressed by the answer — or lack thereof — because she pressed on. “Define ‘soon’ , ” she said. “When are we going to hear something? Are we going to see shovels in the ground this year?” she said.

Then she said: “I hate to keep pushing you on the timeline, but I know that commuters are saying: ‘I need to envision some relief sometime in the near future. ’ If we’re going to hear something in the next couple of months, you’re not really committing to shovels in the ground. When can we actually expect to see construction?” She went on to say: “Is it going to be five years? Is it going to be ten years before this tunnel is done and open?” Just as with the official opposition any time we press the issue, she mostly got a bunch of non-answers. However, 706 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

near the end of the interview, the minister finally allowed that we will see a completed project within a decade. A new bridge would nearly be done by now. It’s hard to fathom that we might now have to wait ten years for a solution. When it comes to shovel-ready infrastructure projects in this province, no project in the nation could fit this term better than the cancelled Massey Bridge project. The minister made one other interesting comment dur- ing the interview.

He said: “We have a budgeted replace- ment project in our capital plan. ” The minister cannot point to it in the budget because it’s simply not there. This is what I was talking about off the top when I spoke about integrity. A farmer’s word is everything. Farmers pride themselves in being upfront with people. It’s not what we’re seeing in regard to this important infrastructure project. Those living south of the Fraser are frustrated, and they need answers soon. They want real, honest answers about when this replacement project will get underway and when it will be done, once and for all.

It’s clear that we cannot wait a decade for a new crossing. We need action now. It would be good for motorists; it would be good for our economy. Let’s expedite a solution to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel. [11:20 a.m.] H. Y ao:Thank you for the opportunity to speak in the House, for the first time, and for the opportunity to respond to Vancouver-Langara’s motion. I do want to start by saying our government has done a fabulous job in pre- paring for economic recovery for 2021. The motion that was made was about economic recovery with infrastruc- ture investment.

If the House will entertain me, I’m going to break that into two components. First is economic recovery. Recently I was actually visit- ing a local mall in my riding, Richmond South Centre, and have seen the vibrancy of the people already slowly com- ing back. It reminded me of the over 99 percent job recov- ery, already matching closer to a post-pandemic level. It also reminded us that our government introduced a COV- ID-19 recovery benefit to help us keep the economy mov- ing.

While many other provinces continue to close and open, close and open, B.C. was one of the champions who continues to maintain an open and consistent economy to ensure that our small and medium-sized businesses are ready to take advantage of the opportunity given to them when the vaccine rolls out. Speaking of vaccine rollout, I’m very glad to be able to speak to you about my constituent who is 80 years old. This Friday, we may be able to assist him to book an appointment. Our vaccine rollout is actually ahead of schedule.

All of British Columbia has spoken, and espe- cially ones in the Richmond South Centre riding continue to remind me. We are looking for economic recovery, but based upon the opening of the economy. Vaccine rollout is a priority. It isn’t some small project here and there, but it’s actually a lot of the B.C. economy returning to the previous nor- mal.

That is the reason why I’m so glad to be part of a government that focuses on the people, focuses on build- ing small and medium-sized businesses through our small and medium-sized business grant, to allow us to continu- ally push the economy forward and allowing small and medium-sized businesses to overcome the struggle being provided by the pandemic. Pandemics will wrench into our expectation. The pan- demic of this COVID-19 is unique and unprecedented for British Columbian history, but we are so proud to be part of a government that continuously allows B.C. to be a lead- er in many aspects.

Especially, I want to thank British Col- umbians for being heroes, for being champions by follow- ing Dr. Bonnie Henry’s order. We understand, as some of the hon. members mentioned, that kids want to embrace their grandparents. We have people who want to say hi to one another, and we are all looking forward to a full eco- nomic recovery as we’re moving forward. The vaccine rol- lout will be key as we move towards an economic recovery and the recovery of British Columbia. I also want to address, as we have been continuously talking about the Massey Tunnel replacement….

I heard many members mentioning integrity, common sense, that we should do things the right way. Y et it is the very govern- ment back then, the past government, talking about doing a bridge project even though the Mayors Council rejec- ted it. It was the many environmental groups around the area who said it is not the right way to go. I’m not too sure whether common sense or integrity is there, but I do want to emphasize one thing: our government is talking about planning. Our government is doing studies.

Our govern- ment is ready to introduce an infrastructure project that actually matches the need of the local people. We’re talking about having a bunch of people who were talking about economic impacts and fewer economic impacts with the bridge, yet it is the third environmental group in Richmond that continues to remind me that if we do the bridge, it will actually create a safety issue and it will create an environmental issue for Richmond and the Fraser River south area. I do want to take a moment and thank our government and remind all British Columbians that we are moving forward.

We are not just thinking about simple projects, but we’re thinking comprehensively about how we can, as British Columbians, recover, open and welcome the world, coming to us through our tourism sector. Another great introduction by our government was the funding to sup- port the tourism sector in our province.

In conclusion, I want to thank the member for bringing an important topic, talking about economic recovery, and welcome all the members to continue to support govern- ment pushing a healthy, comprehensive and well-thought- out economic recovery plan for both British Columbia, for all ridings and for Richmond South Centre. Thank you. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 707

B. Banman:I just wanted to say how honoured I am to rise today and speak to this motion. Infrastructure has always been one of the driving forces of our economy. It creates thousands of jobs, promotes urban and rural development, and promotes immigration to British Columbia as we develop the commuting and business infrastructure to meet our growing population and demographics. [11:25 a.m.] There is no doubt that investment in infrastructure will be one of the driving forces of our post-pandemic economic recovery. My concern is whether this is the right administration for the job.

I think at this point, the members of this House are all too familiar with their track record. The track record of this government and their infra- structure plans and commitments over the past four years that have been plagued with ballooning cost overruns, bungling delays and cancellations across the province.

Beyond that, I feel a fundamental failure of this govern- ment has been their inability and unwillingness to inherit the province’s committed infrastructure plans from previ- ous administrations, many of which came from extensive joint consultation with federal, provincial and municipal levels of government, as well as local stakeholders and First Nation groups — to pick up where they left off.

As the newly elected MLA for Abbotsford South, a municipal councillor and former mayor of the city of Abbotsford for many years, my constituents and I are all too familiar with this government’s history of killing plans they inherited, plans that would have resolved many of the commuting and congestion issues my constituents and British Columbians are experiencing today.

Projects, as my colleague mentioned, like the bridge replacement for the George Massey Tunnel, a project this government was all too happy to axe, burning away millions in taxpayer dol- lars already invested, while bringing zip to the table, bring- ing nothing. There’s nothing to show for it. Nowhere is this more apparent than our promised Highway 1 expansion in the Fraser Valley. Over the past few decades, more and more families have moved into the region and are forced to rely on Highway 1 to commute to and from the Fraser Valley.

It has turned this mainstay of transportation into a commuting nightmare for years, Abbotsford commuters have battled bumper-to-bumper traffic and lengthy travel times along Highway 1 as they have lost valuable time with their families while being forced to sit idling in their vehicles, creating unnecessary pollution along one of the most congested roadways in the Lower Mainland, if not in Canada. But it’s not just about commuters.

A recent study by Jonathan Arnold, completed for the Business Council of B.C., estimates that gridlock accounts for $1.65 billion to $2.25 billion of lost economic opportunity, increasing gas costs, time loss, increasing CO2. Truckers estimate 30 per- cent time loss per trip, costing them $750 million a year. This is not a problem that happened overnight, which is why the previous B.C.

Liberal government put plans in motion to address this almost a decade ago, when it pledged to widen Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley to six lanes between Langley and Abbotsford as part of its provincial transportation planB.C. on the Move way back in 2012, when I was the mayor. In 2013, an agreement was reached by the previous gov- ernment to expand Highway 1 to six lanes from 202 Street all the way to Whatcom Road exit in Abbotsford. Con- struction was set to start in 2017 on the first phase: a $113 million six-laning expansion from 216th to 264th. Unfor- tunately, the new administration took over.

They quickly abandoned this plan, and here we are, four years later, still stuck in gridlock, for whatever reason. Whether it be spite, indifference to the concerns of the people of the Fraser Valley, or simply poor planning, there has been zero pro- gress on this infrastructure. [11:30 a.m.] I hope this government will rethink their commitments to the people of the Fraser Valley and deliver on the High- way 1 expansion, which has been ignored for far too long. B. Bailey:I thank the member for Vancouver-Langara for his motion and agree.

Infrastructure planning and building is profoundly important to B.C. ’s economy and to our communities, particularly during these trying times. A year ago, when COVID first began to significantly impact our lives, many hard-working British Columbians were unable to go to work. By providing one of the most sup- portive and comprehensive COVID-19 responses in Canada, our government is helping the people and busi- nesses weather this pandemic. Transportation infrastruc- ture has been instrumental in this. Road construction continued with proper COVID safety protocols in place.

Despite the large number of job losses in many parts of Canada, B.C. was able to create 26,600 jobs in February, and B.C. has the lowest unem- ployment rate among the four largest provinces, well below the national average. Looking ahead, keeping our economy moving is an integral part of B.C. ’s restart plan. I’ d like to speak spe- cifically about one of the major infrastructure projects: the Broadway subway project. Come 2025 the Broadway subway project will transform how people get around in this part of Vancouver — much-needed support for east to west travel.

The Broadway subway project is a 5.7 kilo- metre extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark station to Broadway and Arbutus. It will provide fast, frequent and convenient SkyTrain service to B.C. ’s second- largest job centre, world-class health services and an emer- ging innovation and research hub and growing residential communities. Seven hundred metres will be elevated, extending from VCC station to a tunnel portal near Great Northern Way. 708 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

Six underground stations will connect communities and the region, including a direct underground connection to the Canada Line at Cambie Street. These six stations will connect businesses, jobs and communities at…. The first one on the east is Great Northern Way. This is the Great Northern Way–Emily Carr station on the east side of Thornton Street, just north of Great Northern Way Cam- pus. I just want to take a moment to speak about this campus and innovation tech hub, in case you’re not familiar.

It’s a place that I’ve spent a lot of time at, and it’s a combina- tion of some of the most excellent educational infrastruc- ture in British Columbia and very many innovative com- panies. Emily Carr is there, the Centre for Digital Media, VCC, Langara Centre for Entertainment Arts. There are also vibrant tech and creative tech companies including Synacite, Samsung, Axiom Zen and Blackbird entertain- ment. The tunnel began well over a year ago. I’ve been down to see it. It’s incredible to watch this project in action — thousands of tonnes of earth being moved. But back to the other stops along the way.

The five other stops are: Mount Pleasant, Broadway–City Hall, Oak-VGH, South Granville and, finally, Arbutus. These stations will make it easier and more affordable to live, work, shop and access services along the Broadway corridor when the extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark to Arbutus sta- tion is completed. Each new station will be located underground, includ- ing station infrastructure such as platforms, up-and-down escalators and elevators, clear way-finding and passenger information, accessible services and public art.

Stations will be integrated with the current streetscape along Broadway and include street furniture and bike parking. All stations will be accessible by bus, walking and cycling for a complete multi-nodal experience. The 99 B-line bus service will connect from Arbutus Street to the University of British Columbia. The project is on

schedule for the new line to open in 2025. This is about one of the major infrastructure projects that’s transforming our communities for the better, employing folks and creating connections and access. Access is important.

It’s worth noting for this project, as with many others, that it’s being completed using a com- munity benefit agreement. [11:35 a.m.] A CBA is used to ensure that locals, Indigenous People, women and other underrepresented groups who want to start or grow a career in the skilled trades have a chance to do so and that apprentices have more opportunities to work on site and to gain the experience that they need to move towards completing their certification.

The CBA ensures competitive, transparent wages and fair working conditions that foster a workplace free of dis- crimination and harassment, and provides equity training and Indigenous cultural competency training. While this is an upfront cost on this project, a little under 4 percent, the long-term economic benefits of train- ing the next generation of skilled workers and expanding the construction workforce far outweigh the cost. J. Rustad:It is always an honour to have an opportunity to speak on behalf of my constituents in Nechako Lakes.

I want to thank the member for Vancouver-Langara for bringing forward this motion, as it talks to some key issues, I think, for us as a province but also, certainly, for my riding. That is the economic recovery and the infra- structure plan that’s needed. One of the members from Richmond talked about the need for a comprehensive and well-thought-out plan. Well, I would say that is exactly what’s needed, and that’s exactly, quite frankly, what is lacking, especially when you start thinking about the economic recovery. Rural resources are a key part of how our economy has recovered and will continue to recover.

Whether it’s lumber or min- erals, they’re all so critical to us as a society; agricultural products as well. All of this depends on a good infrastructure network. All of this depends on our road network. When you look at the roads outside of the Lower Mainland that many mem- bers talk about, we have 58,000 kilometres of resource roads, forestry roads. Many of our products move down these roads to get to our markets, to be able to support the jobs, whether it’s in the Lower Mainland or in communit- ies like mine, in Nechako Lakes. What is the plan that we see for these roads?

As the Auditor General pointed out, only between 14 and 20 per- cent of what is budgeted and what is asked for, for main- tenance of these roads, is actually being delivered. Just think about that. Every year these roads need work. Every year these roads need the kinds of investments to make sure that people can travel safely down these roads, whether it’s for tourism or for our resource sector, and they’re only get- ting 14 percent of what they need, by this government, without a comprehensive plan.

It is absolutely shameful to think that is what this government is looking at, to such an important component of British Columbia and such an important component to our economy and our economic recovery. Furthermore, because of these unfunded and because of this lack of things, we have…. About half of the high pri- ority — these are critical components that could actually end up shutting down roads — that need repairs are tak- ing two years or more to get done. In fact, there are 583 bridges and culverts that are in desperate need of being replaced and that aren’t even in the five-year plan.

This is part of how we need to work, and this is, for my riding, how people get around. Y ou’ve got places like Madson Creek and Germansen Landing, where we see a lot of mineral activity, forestry activity. They’ve had such damage to the roads that they Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 709

are often down to one lane, and quite frankly, if you don’t have a 4-by-4, you don’t even have a chance to get to your home and your community because of the lack of invest- ment that is happening in these roads. I’ve got constituents living out in Houston that have had their axle broken as they’re trying to drive down the road, because the potholes and the disrepair of the forest roads, of these resource roads, are so bad. They’re not getting the attention that’s needed.

Down in the Cariboo there are areas that have been washed out and that are going to be years and years before they’re replaced, causing hours and hours of delays. This is, quite frankly, unacceptable when you look at this. Where is this comprehensive plan? Where is this vision for a province where we can all be in this together, where we can all be able to provide the support that’s needed, both for communities and for people, for our resource sec- tor, for tourism to build and move through? I mean, if you think about many of the communities, whether it’s Burns Lake or Houston, tourism is important.

Tourism has taken a huge hit because of COVID-19, but we’re optimistic that that’s coming back. [11:40 a.m.] Even for the locals who want to go out now to visit lakes or to go out and do these kinds of activities, it’s becom- ing more and more difficult, simply because the access roads are not being maintained.

I would think that this is a great motion to bring forward and a great opportunity to talk about some of these needs, but especially those com- ponents that are critical to our economy in terms of the resources, the resource sector, that are critical to tourism in the small communities and where people live and love to call home, like Nechako Lakes.

I look forward, one day, to seeing a plan that does come forward from this government addressing these kinds of issues, but unfortunately, I’m not awfully hopeful, because clearly this government has not made those critical com- ponents a priority, and quite frankly, as I’ve said, that’s shameful. K. Greene:I come to you today from the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam people and ask everyone to take a moment to reflect on the traditional ter- ritories you reside upon. It would be understating the obvious to say that this has been a difficult year for everyone.

Normal has been turned on its head, locally as well as globally. We need a plan in British Columbia to recover from the lasting impacts of the pandemic. Our government has been supporting people and businesses throughout the pandemic, ensuring that a recovery period has a strong base on which to grow. As recently as February, our economy gained 26,600 jobs and is at 99.4 percent pre-pandemic employment. We’re going to continue to make investments in local com- munities across the province as we see, on the horizon, our post-pandemic future. Infrastructure is an important part of B.C. ’s post-pan- demic recovery.

Good infrastructure projects will not only promote economic recovery but also support social and environmental recovery as well. It’s so important to con- sider not just short-term economic impacts but long and lasting sustained and sustainable growth in the long term. In Richmond, we anticipate the start of the Richmond Hospital acute care tower replacement project. When under construction, the project will employ hundreds of workers, including Richmond workers. These are good, quality jobs that will stimulate the local economy, but in the long run, the impact will be far greater.

Richmond Hospital will be able to offer more services with the replaced and expanded tower, which means long-term employment for health care and support workers. The social impact will be significant as well, with Richmond residents well supported in their own community in their time of need. The replacement tower will also improve the morale of our health care team at Richmond Hospital, who have been providing excellent health care despite the frequent challenges of delivering that care in a building that’s 55 years old.

Projects like the Richmond Hospital acute care tower replacement will support us now and for years to come. Rapid transit projects like SkyTrain extensions are another example of infrastructure that will support us post-pandemic. In the short run, hundreds of local work- ers will find good employment to support their families and, in turn, spend in the local economy, boosting that economic recovery.

But the magnitude of the project benefits will be appre- ciated in the long run when hundreds of thousands of people — workers, students, shoppers, visitors — have more route options and can get where they need to go quickly and affordably. Having a good transit alternative will get more people out of their cars and ease congestion on crowded routes. People will get home more quickly, benefiting the social fabric of our communities — more time with loved ones and more time to do the things that fill up our hearts. The environmental benefit of rapid transit is critical for meeting the targets set out in CleanBC.

It is imperative, as we face the coming crisis of climate change, that we find ways to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions. A major portion of GHGs are in transportation, so projects that enhance and expand our excellent transit system are going to play an important role in rising to the defining challenge of younger generations. Transportation infrastructure projects are also includ- ing safe, fully separated, active transportation options that never would have been considered in years past. Accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians means more low-carbon options for residents.

An added benefit of 710 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

these affordable low-carbon transportation options is better health of body and mind from exercise — a great example of the social benefit. [11:45 a.m.] Obviously, investing in other projects will be necessary to reduce GHGs and support our economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic. This is why we need to high- light the creation of a new centre for innovation and clean growth, which is an investment of $35 million, an exciting development as part of Stronger B.C.

This centre will sup- port good jobs and leverage the exceptional talent that we have here in British Columbia to grow the technology that will help us transition to a low-carbon future. The projects that we undertake today will support long- term, economic, social and environmental targets. To do so means we are not just investing in economic recovery today but in stronger, sustainable communities for decades to come. Incorporating social and environmental lenses on pandemic recovery projects means a more robust recovery for everyone. K.

Kirkpatrick:I’m honoured to speak to the import- ance of smart infrastructure investment in the province of British Columbia. I’ve got a great interest in the benefits of smart transit planning. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all. But governments should also seize this opportunity for pivot- ing and planning for the future to ensure our communities are resilient and productive. Infrastructure investment is important to stimulate economic recovery, and it provides a significant multiplier effect.

It enhances accessibility, facilitates trade, improves mobility, generates job oppor- tunities and boosts supply and overall economic pro- ductivity. It’s proven to be a very important tool for eco- nomic recovery. As an

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20210315am-Hansard-n29
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20210315am Hansard n29
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	fab98a7e0f1ec3eabd546f7a8916cf4ba6d6bb42

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