British Columbia Hansard — Monday, November 24, 2014

20141124pm-Hansard-v18n5

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Th ird Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, November 24, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 18, Number 5

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

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

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

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

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation......................................................................................................Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ....................................................................................................................................... Marc Dalton Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) .............................................................

Nanaimo Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Hon.

Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) .................................................. Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon.

Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Dr. Darryl (BC Liberal) .............................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon.

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

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

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

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

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Dr. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm.

Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon.

Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan ......................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon.

John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ............................................................................... Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................

Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie .............................................................

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

Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon. Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley..............................................................................

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

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

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

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Monday, November 24, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5517 Pat Quinn Hon. M. de Jong J.

Horgan Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 5517 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 5518 Bill M212 – Safeguarding Y oung People’s Future Act, 2014 G.

Heyman Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 5519 Richmond Chamber of Commerce J. Yap Jim Sinclair J. Horgan Lung disease awareness and role of lung associations G. Hogg Huu-ay-aht First Nation living-wage policy S. Fraser Britannia Mine Museum J. Sturdy Newton Business Improvement Association H.

Bains Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5521 Disclosure of information by Advanced Education Minister to Kwantlen University investigation B. Ralston Hon. A. Virk D. Eby K. Corrigan H. Bains Call for Auditor General investigation into executive compensation at Kwantlen University J. Horgan Hon. M. de Jong M. Farnworth Regulation of party bus industry G. Heyman Hon. T. Stone Wheelchair-accessible cabin rates on ferries J. Rice Hon. T.

Stone Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 5525 Offi ce of the Merit Commissioner, Merit Performance Audit 2013-14 Correspondence regarding Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Orders of the Day Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 5525 Bill M203 — Terry Fox Day Act L.

Reimer Report and Th ird Reading of Bills ......................................................................................................................................... 5526 Bill M203 — Terry Fox Day Act Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 5526 Bill 6 — Liquefi ed Natural Gas Income Tax Act (continued) V . Huntington Hon. P . Fassbender L. Krog Hon. A. Wilkinson M. Farnworth Hon. J. Rustad J. Kwan S. Hammell R. Fleming Hon. B. Bennett J. Horgan Hon.

M. de Jong Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 5552 Bill 4 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2014 (continued) R. Sultan Hon. S. Anton M. Farnworth

MONDAY , NOVEMBER 24, 2014 Th e House met at 1:33 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Tributes PAT QUINN Hon. M. de Jong: Members will know that Canada and the hockey world lost a giant yesterday with the passing of Pat Quinn. He was here in Victoria just a few months ago, and he stopped in at my offi ce. I’m not sure he could detect how excited I was to meet a hockey legend.

But there were two things that were readily apparent at the time I met him: one, that time and challenges with health had shortened his stride and taken a little bit off his shot, but the second thing that was obvious was that he wasn’t going to allow those challenges to diminish his love for the game of hockey or his enthusiastic approach to life generally — and what a life. What a life in hockey. Born in ’43 in Hamilton, where he played minor hockey and junior hockey. He came to Edmonton. Won a Memorial Cup. Played his fi rst game with the Leafs in 1968 and had an immediate impact.

We got to know him here in British Columbia in 1970, when he joined the expansion Vancouver Canucks. He ended his playing career in Hamilton with the team there, with the Flames. But it’s probably as a coach that he may have left the most indelible mark.

He took two teams to the Stanley Cup fi nals — the Flyers in the ’80s and, of course, the Canucks on that memorable 1994 playoff run. [1335] If the Stanley Cup eluded him, every other prize in hockey did not — world championships; world jun- ior championships; and, of course, the 2002 Winter Olympics, when he ended a 50-year drought for Canada and coached our team to gold. Th e other thing about Pat Quinn that this House, I think, knows and will appreciate is that, as important as hockey was, he always described education as the tool- box which young people needed to avail themselves of fi rst and foremost.

It was a creed he lived by. He acquired a law degree himself a number of years ago. Most recently he was the part owner of the Vancouver Giants, and today his hockey family grieves. He may not patrol the blue lines or the boardrooms or the sports bars of Canada any longer, but all of us in this House, I’m sure, will want to send to his hockey family and, per- haps more importantly today, to his immediate family our condolences, our thoughts and prayers on the loss of a great Canadian. J.

Horgan: On behalf of the offi cial opposition, I’ d like to join with the Government House Leader and lament the passing of a giant of an Irishman, Pat Quinn. I fi rst became aware of Pat Quinn as a young man, when he was, in fact, patrolling the blue line for my fa- vourite at that time, the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was years later, when he came to Vancouver, that I adopted a new favourite team.

Th e thing that I want to add to the House Leader’s com- ments: there are very few Canadians who can say that they’ve had a profound impact in British Columbia and in Toronto — which is, of course, the centre of the known universe. Pat Quinn was able to do that. Beloved in two places in this country — a rarity among athletes, a rarity among managers and, certainly, a rarity among politicians.

Th e memories that I will have of that great run in 1994 and the time that Pat Quinn spent cultivating excellence, whether it be in purchasing and joining with others in establishing the Vancouver Giants or what he did for Trevor Linden…. My thinking of Trevor Linden, the greatest of all Vancouver Canucks, is how he was men- tored by Pat Quinn. Pat saw — even though he was, at his passing, 71 — the power of youth, the power of ensuring that you mentor those who are coming aft er you. He did that as a play- er. He did that as a coach. He did that as a manager, and more importantly, he did that as a person.

British Columbia and Canada have lost a great person today in Pat Quinn. I want to join with my colleagues on this side of the House in extending our sincerest condol- ences to the Quinn family and to all of those who love Canada and love hockey. Introductions by Members G. Heyman: Joining us in the gallery today from Maple Ridge are Julie Upton-Raymond and her daugh- ter Danielle Raymond. Julie is the mother and Danielle is the sister of Shannon Raymond, who tragically died in 2008 following incidents on a party bus.

Since that time, they have both worked tirelessly in their community, talking to elected officials, and throughout the province to bring greater responsibility to this industry, as well as greater regulation. Danielle, in addition to that, having worked on this for six years, is pursuing her master’s degree in psychology. Joining them as well, from Saanich, are Shannon’s uncle and aunt, Laurie and Kathy Upton. I’ d ask the members of the House to make them very, very welcome. Hon. T. Lake: As many members know, November is lung month in Canada. Today the B.C.

Lung Association and the national lung association are both in the precinct to help us to learn about lung health and preventing lung disease. Th e B.C. Lung Association has great partnerships with 5517

British Columbia Debates5518 Monday, November 24, 2014 the province, including QuitNow B.C., to help people stop smoking; the woodstove exchange program, which is im- portant to maintain air quality; and also the radon aware- ness program, which is certainly an emerging concern. In the gallery this aft ernoon are representatives from the association, including Scott McDonald, the president and CEO of the B.C. Lung Association; Dr. Peter Paré, the chair of the B.C. Lung Association’s board of directors; and Mike Ellis, who is the director of the national lung association.

I would ask that all members please make them very welcome here today. [1340] L. Krog: Joining us in the gallery today is one of my constituents, an active member of my executive, a strong supporter of the New Democratic Party. Y es, she’s skip- ping out of school today, but that’s only because she’s such a bright and able student that she can aff ord to take a little time off to come down and watch us here today. Would the House welcome Avery Valerio. J.

Y ap: Madame Speaker, on your behalf and the Minister of International Trade and for Multiculturalism, I’ d like to welcome to the House four gentlemen from Richmond, from all of our ridings, who are here on be- half of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. With us today are Rob Akimow, vice-chair; Howard Harowitz, policy chair; Michal Y eung, a director; and Matt Pitcairn, who’s the communications and policy manager for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Th ey’re here for meetings with MLAs and ministers and are here in the gallery for question period. Would the House please give them a warm welcome. J.

Kwan: I have a very special guest visiting here to- day in the Legislature. It’s her fi rst time visiting us in this building as an offi cial individual — someone who actually moves mountains on behalf of my constituents and is not a stranger, I would venture to say, to the staff of the Minister for Housing and the staff of the Minister of Social Development responsible for CLBC. She is Lisa Macleod, and I live in fear every single day that she might leave my offi ce. She really does wonders for the constituents and representing the people, espe- cially when I’m not there. Th ank you very much, Lisa.

Would the House please make her welcome. M. Dalton: In the gallery today is my personal an- gel and my wife of 29 years, Marlene. Next to her is Gail Payeur, a good friend of ours. Would the House please make them feel welcome. C. Trevena: I think all members take great pleasure in introducing guests in the gallery from their home com- munities, and today I have that pleasure. Doug Peters has long been talking about coming down here.

He’s a self- confessed political junkie, but as a person who says that he’s going to retire and then keeps running his very well- known small business on Quadra Island, it’s hard enough to get him off the island. But grandparent duties have brought Doug and his wife, Gretchen, down to Victoria. Gretchen is actually carrying them out at the moment, while Doug is here. He joined me for lunch. He’s going to observe question period and then going to take a bit of a tour of these buildings. I hope the House will make Doug Peters very welcome. J.

Tegart: It’s with great pleasure that I introduce a con- stituent from Merritt, Richie Gage. Richie works tirelessly in his community and also in the province, and it’s such a pleasure to welcome him to the House today. Hon. T. Stone: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce two former members of this chamber. On the fl oor today we are graced with the presence of Sheila Orr and Brian Smith, who both served this chamber with dis- tinction and served British Columbians with pride and have gone on to very successful careers in both the pub- lic and private sectors.

I would ask that the House please make Sheila and Brian welcome. Hon. S. Anton: I would like to join with that to wel- come my predecessor, Brian Smith, of course joined by Sheila Orr. I did have to question them as to why they were here. Th ey said they’re here on their annual checkup of the Legislature. May we pass muster. As well, I’ d like to welcome three persons who joined us today with the announcement of the extension of the liquor primary licences for golf courses and ski hills. Th at is David Lynn, president and CEO of Canada West Ski Areas Association, who is in the gallery.

He was joined by Kris Jonasson, the executive director of the B.C. Golf Association, and Jim Lee, the director of business de- velopment of the B.C. Golf Association. Will the House please make them all very welcome. [1345] Hon. A. Wilkinson: Th e precinct is pleased to receive today members from the organization known as DigiBC, which represents the digital media industry in British Columbia — which, as we all know, is very successful, in- cluding right here on Vancouver Island — and its president, Howard Donaldson. Could we please make them welcome.

Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M212 – SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE’S FUTURE ACT, 2014 G. Heyman presented a bill intituled Safeguarding Y oung People’s Future Act, 2014.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5519 G. Heyman: I rise to table a bill intituled the Safe- guarding Y oung People’s Future Act, and I move that it be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. G. Heyman: Th e party bus industry has grown across North America as well as here in B.C. It has been increasing- ly obvious for several years that a signifi cant number of oper- ators ignore or abet fl agrant and dangerous use of alcohol and controlled substances. Unsafe as well as illegal practices abound in these circumstances.

Fights are routine, young passengers have fallen from unsecured doors, and others have been left in unsafe and isolated locations following as- saults and when they are clearly in need of medical attention. Worse, two 16-year-olds, Shannon Raymond and Ernest Azoadam, lost their lives as a result of party bus excursions. In the fi ve years between their deaths only ineff ective warn- ings were issued to the industry, as dozens of other danger- ous and illegal incidents have occurred and been reported.

Alcohol consumption in vehicles is illegal in B.C., but it is still advertised by many party bus companies as part of the experience. Alcohol is oft en the principal reason for the party bus excursion. Th e industry has been warned at least three times by the Ministry of Transportation to remove references to alcohol from their websites. Most have not complied. Our neighbours have taken action.

California im- plemented Bill 45 to address the common practice of under-age drinking on party buses aft er the death of a 19-year-old, and Washington state is poised to introduce legislation in January to protect children from the risks associated with this industry, aft er conducting research that included B.C. statistics. Th is bill seeks to enact protections for young passen- gers contracting trips on party buses and to ensure that the industry is subject to the same level of licensing and oversight as other sectors of the passenger transportation industry through the Passenger Transportation Board.

I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill M212, Safeguarding Y oung People’s Future Act, 2014, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE J. Y ap: I’m honoured to rise today and recognize the signifi cant contributions that the Richmond Chamber of Commerce — RCC — has made in the past 89 years. Th e RCC’s motto is to ensure the success of its member busi- nesses.

It helps its members start up business, increase eff ectiveness and, ultimately, reach profi tability by pro- viding professional advice and expert assistance. It also supports its members with discount programs for offi ce supplies, recruitment advertising and shipping services. Members have access to a network of more than 2,000 businesses and government agencies for informa- tion and promotion. RCC, in partnership with the city of Richmond, has paid tribute to the business community through its Business Excellence Awards since 1977.

Th ese awards recognize some 60 companies in six diff erent categor- ies every year. Moreover, RCC has been representing the voice of business in Richmond by addressing important issues in the community, in the province and across the coun- try. In October representatives of the RCC went to Prince Edward Island and Ottawa to promote and highlight the landmark economic importance of the Lower Fraser report.

The RCC received a silver medal in the 2014 Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Voice of Business competition in recognition of this Fraser River report, which brought unprecedented collaboration from 14 chambers of commerce and boards of trade adjacent to the banks of the Lower Fraser River. RCC also successfully passed a policy that calls for all levels of government to immediately address the manage- ment requirements on the river at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Charlottetown.

I’m very proud and thankful for the wonderful and meaningful work of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and would like to thank its many leaders — including current chair, Gerard Edwards; Vice-Chair Rob Akimow, Communications Policy Manager Matt Pitcairn; and the executive director, Craig Jones — for their com- mitment, passion and diligence in making Richmond a more business-friendly and prosperous place to live. [1350] JIM SINCLAIR J. Horgan: Th e B.C. Federation of Labour is holding its convention this week in Vancouver, and for the fi rst time in 15 years, Jim Sinclair will not be seeking re-election.

During that time, B.C. families have had a passionate cham- pion at their side. Jim Sinclair has led the B.C. Federation of Labour to be a voice for all workers, not just those with a union card. With roots in journalism and the fi shing industry, Jim has been an eloquent spokesperson for both public and private sector unions. In his tireless pursuit of justice for farmwork- ers in the Fraser Valley, his campaign for a higher minimum wage, or his work for better health and safety standards, Jim Sinclair has fought to make working families safer and bet- ter off , at the end of the day, here in British Columbia.

British Columbia Debates5520 Monday, November 24, 2014 Jim also leaves behind a stronger and more united labour movement than he inherited. During the recent teachers dispute, we saw a union movement that stood together for public education. Teachers took a stand, and they knew that they weren’t alone. Th at solidarity is tes- tament to Jim’s vision for a united labour movement that is a strong voice speaking up on behalf of all working people and their families. He’s a tireless British Columbian who has put himself out there for working people time and time and time again.

I’m going to miss him as a friend, and I know that working people in British Columbia will miss a great champion. I’m sure his voice will continue to be heard speaking up for working families. I will ask this House to join me in giving Jim Sinclair a warm, warm round of applause for 15 years of service to the people of British Columbia. LUNG DISEASE AW ARENESS AND ROLE OF LUNG ASSOCIATIONS G. Hogg: Our lung associations are non-profi t, volun- teer, health-based charities with the mission of improving lung health and the vision of a world free of lung disease.

It is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in Canada. November is national lung month, and today we both recognize and celebrate the work of the Canadian and B.C. lung associations. Together they have helped to lead British Columbia to amongst the lowest smoking rates in North America. Y et one in fi ve of our residents has a lung disease, and lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are among the leading causes of death in Canada. COPD is the No. 1 cause of hospital admissions. Aft er smok- ing, radon is our leading cause of lung cancer.

Th e lung association is urging all homeowners to test their home for radon. It is a simple, inexpensive and important test. Th e lung associations provide research resources, pre- vention services and support for patients. Th ey focus on the full scope of respiratory diseases — on asthma, sleep apnea, tuberculosis, lung cancer, occupational lung dis- eases and air quality. Nationally, they’re bringing pa- tients, researchers and donors together to breathe as one to breathe new life into research initiatives.

I ask the members of this House to take a deep breath and to show our support and gratitude to the lung asso- ciations for their partnership, their guidance and their leadership in making B.C. a better place to live and to breathe. Please breathe. HUU-AY-AHT FIRST NATION LIVING-W AGE POLICY S. Fraser: Th e Huu-ay-aht First Nation achieved nation- hood through the Maa-nulth treaty. Talk about leadership. Huu-ay-aht is the fi rst First Nation community in Canada to adopt a living-wage policy for all of its employees.

Out of respect for all Huu-ay-aht employees, the executive coun- cil voted in favour of implementing a living-wage policy on October 24. Th at’s just a couple Fridays ago. Th e decision was made based on the belief that B.C. ’s current minimum wage is not high enough to meet the needs of families to promote health and well-being. Huu- ay-aht believe that people should not have to decide be- tween paying rent and feeding their family. With today’s high cost of living, this is a reality for far too many people. Many are forced to rely on food banks in order to get by.

British Columbia has been amongst the highest child poverty rates in Canada for a decade now, and low wages are a key contributor.

Huu-ay-aht believe that work should lift families out of poverty, not keep them there. “Too many of our people are living on minimum wage or below the poverty line, ” explained elected Chief Councillor Jeff Cook. “It is our hope that this will off er our employees a choice other than just surviving and liv- ing paycheque to paycheque. ” [1355] “Th e treaty has given us the ability to make decisions based on our values and goals and implement those deci- sions in accordance with our own laws.

Th e living-wage policy shows us how the treaty gives us the ability to chart our own future. ” Th at’s from Councillor Tom Mexsis Happynook. He went on to say: “We have a long way to go to meet or exceed the living standards of Canadians, but this is a great step in the right direction. ” I would like to thank the Huu-ay-aht for demonstrat- ing what true leadership is all about. True leadership involves supporting your citizens to reach their full po- tential, and we can all learn from that. BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM J.

Sturdy: Th e Britannia Mine Museum presents not only a glimpse at British Columbia’s past but also speaks to the opportunities and the responsibilities of B.C. ’s fu- ture. Y ou will likely have seen the museum. Y ou can’t help but notice its 20-storey concentrator building towering above the highway in Britannia Beach. Britannia mine opened 110 years ago and, in various iterations, operated until 1974.

Whether it be the 130 miles of tunnels traversing from high in the mountains to thousands of feet below sea level, the 50 million tonnes of ore extracted or the 60 thousand people that passed through Britannia Beach over the working life of the mine, Britannia Mining and Smelting Company and its successors had both a local and a global impact. When the mine fi nally closed, the community thought it had seen its best days. A dilapidated facility left with an acid rock drainage legacy.

But today Britannia mine is a designated national historic site, where acid rock drain- age is managed and treated, and where the museum and community around it has become a Sea to Sky must-see.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5521 The museum’s mission is to inspire visitors to explore British Columbia’s past, present and future by gaining a better understanding of the mining industry and the important role that minerals and metals play in our everyday lives. In 2010 a $14.7 million renovation was concluded, which completely transformed the museum. Of the more than 70,000 people who visit each year, I couldn’t guess what each takes away as a highlight: the train ride through the old tunnels or the massive wooden concen- trator building or panning for gold.

If I may off er advice on a visit, it’s to give yourself more time than you think that you need. Th ere’s much to see. Th e Britannia Mine Museum not only entertains but also educates, and you will leave with much more than you came for. NEWTON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION H. Bains: A number of people from businesses in Newton have been working very hard for the past few years to form Newton Business Improvement Association.

Philip Aguirre, of the Old Surrey Restaurant; Linda McCabe, from Value Properties Group; Jaspal Brar, from JSB Co-operators insurance; Gabrielle Steed, from the John Volken Foundation; and Santosh Nahal, sen- ior property manager for King’s Cross Shopping Centre have vested interest in Newton community, and all were instrumental in forming the Newton BIA. Although they were given approval by the city just this past month, these people have been working tirelessly to improve the Newton community all along. Th eir hard work is already paying off .

Th ey were successful in get- ting the paid parking meters removed from 137th Street, on my suggestion, in front of my offi ce, between 74th Avenue and 72nd Avenue. Small business owners were constantly losing business because people did not want to pay to park to run in for coff ee, their dry cleaning, their mail or a photocopy or even their dinner. Th ese businesses now have a voice at the city to discuss issues aff ecting them. Th e vision of the new executive director, Philip Aguirre, is promising. He’s committed to turning Newton into a thriving community that busi- nesses and residents can be proud of.

His aspirations include a four-pillar plan focusing on safety; area en- hancement; lobbying government — believe it or not; as well as marketing and events. Mr. Aguirre has his sights set on adding events like a farmers market, movie nights and a food truck program and is considering a drive-in movie night at King’s Cross Shopping Centre. He would like people to be able to work, play and live right in the community of Newton. I would like to welcome Newton BIA to Surrey-Newton and congratulate Mr. Aguirre on his appointment as exec- utive director.

I can’t wait for the movie night. [1400] Oral Questions DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY ADV ANCED EDUCATION MINISTER TO KW ANTLEN UNIVERSITY INVESTIGATION B. Ralston: Members of this House will recall that the Minister of Finance directed Rob Mingay to conduct an investigation into executive compensation at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Th e opposition now has reason to believe that the Minister of Advanced Education with- held material information from Mr. Mingay. To the Minister of Advanced Education, will he take this opportunity here to acknowledge that he did not ac- count fully to the investigator? Hon. A.

Virk: Th ere’s certainly been a great deal of in- terest from the members opposite on my previous role as a board member of that university. Indeed, out of an abundance of caution…. Th ere are ongoing civil matters that I can’t speak about between former employees of that university and the university. I have actually volunteered to recuse myself with any involvement with that univer- sity. In fact, I’ve asked my deputy minister to oversee any day-to-day matters as they arise. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Surrey-Whalley on a supplemental. B.

Ralston: A key fi nding of the Mingay report was that the Minister of Advanced Education and the board had no involvement in what became known as the Lavack contracts. Th e Minister of Finance used that conclusion in this House as recently as November 6 to defend the Minister of Advanced Education. Does the Minister of Advanced Education agree with Mr. Mingay’s conclusion that neither he nor the board of govern- ors at Kwantlen had any knowledge of the Lavack contracts? Hon. A.

Virk: I can assure the House that as to the investigation done by the assistant deputy minister, the fullest of information available to myself was provided for Mr. Mingay. D. Eby: We have obtained a series of e-mails sent to and from the minister’s former RCMP e-mail account in which the minister and his colleagues on the Kwantlen board discussed their plan to break government compen- sation rules in the Lavack contracts. Th e initiating e-mail sent from the former university president to the minister and others proposes paying Ms.

Lavack a salary “at the ceiling. ” Th e president then proposes making an additional $100,000 payment to Ms. Lavack to cover moving expenses and “a signing bonus. ” In short, this e-mail directly contradicts the investigation fi ndings. It is relevant, and it was never disclosed.

British Columbia Debates5522 Monday, November 24, 2014 To the Minister of Advanced Education: this e-mail was addressed to you. Y ou received it. Y ou didn’t disclose it. How do you explain yourself? Madame Speaker: Th rough the Chair, Member. Hon. A. Virk: Th e report done by the assistant dep- uty minister asked a number of questions of a number of individuals, and any responses that Mr. Mingay asked of myself and my offi ce were provided to Mr. Mingay in the compilation of his report. Madame Speaker: Vancouver–Point Grey on a sup- plemental. D.

Eby: Well, the investigation conclusions make it clear that when a Ministry of Finance investigator inter- viewed the Minister of Advanced Education, the Minister of Advanced Education did not tell the investigator that the Kwantlen board were directly involved in the Lavack contracts. It is also clear that the minister did not disclose these e-mails to the investigator. Why did the Minister of Advanced Education hide this information from the investigator? Hon. A.

Virk: As I’ve said to the member opposite, any information that was requested by the assistant dep- uty minister in his review of compensation as it relates to contracts in my role as a board member of that uni- versity — my offi ce and myself were open completely in providing answers to those questions that were asked. [1405] K. Corrigan: In his e-mail to the Minister of Advanced Education the former Kwantlen president outlined how they could avoid provincial government reporting re- quirements. He said: “I suggest that I draft a letter which Anne will sign indicating her agreement.

We will then draft a contract that outlines, in general terms, the con- ditions of the contract. Th is would be sent to PSEC for its records. Th ere would be a separate letter outlining in de- tail the housing allowance, professional allowance. Th is is what occurred in my own case. ” To the now Minister of Advanced Education, this e- mail from the president set out a plan to hide payments in the Lavack contract from the provincial regulator. Why did the minister not disclose it to Mr. Mingay? Hon. A.

Virk: Well, the assistant deputy minister did, indeed, conduct a review of compensation as it related to the president and to other staff at that university. Th e fullest of information has been provided, as asked by Mr. Mingay. Mr. Mingay did come to a number of diff erent conclusions, and that report was, indeed, made public for all to see. Madame Speaker: Burnaby–Deer Lake on a supplemental. K. Corrigan: On April 10, 2011, the Minister of Advanced Education responded, in an e-mail, to this scheme, as set out by the former president. It turns out he did support this plan.

Th e minister wrote: “ All looks well and is in line with our collective thoughts. ” To the minister: why didn’t you tell the investigator that you personally signed off on Kwantlen’s detailed plan to violate provincial compensation rules? Hon. A. Virk: The assistant deputy minister indeed interviewed a number of individuals within that university, as well, and did complete a report aft er having a fulsome analysis of interviews within that institution.

Th e inter- views were in terms of those individuals that were respon- sible for the vice-presidential level, for the oversight of those contracts, for signing those contracts. Th at assistant dep- uty minister made that public, open. It was all for all to see. H. Bains: Th e minister was so involved in the Lavack contract negotiations that he wrote to the other board members to defend their scheme when they raised ques- tions.

For example, the minister defended a generous re- search leave allowance as follows: “If I may off er another angle on this, given the low pay level of a VP at Kwantlen and the diffi culty in drawing candidates within the cur- rent pay scale, the research leave is one way to top off the pay level. Th is is a common practice that I learned of. ” To the minister: why didn’t you report your detailed involvement in the Lavack contract to the investigators? Madame Speaker: Th rough the Chair, Members. Hon. A.

Virk: There are a number of recommenda- tions that arose from the ADM’s report, as to compensa- tion across the post-secondary sector. It made a number of recommendations that required boards to report, to under- stand, to be able to take a better understanding. I look at it that, as a previous board member, I ought to have known more about the reporting requirements. I have apologized for that.

As a board member at the time, I ought to have known better in terms of reporting requirements. [1410] We are fully committed, in terms of taxpayer account- ability, to implement each and every one of those recom- mendations. Some of those recommendations help to ensure that boards understand their responsibilities and their obligations better. CALL FOR AUDITOR GENERAL INVESTIGATION INTO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AT KW ANTLEN UNIVERSITY J. Horgan: Th e Minister of Finance told the media, following the Mingay report’s release, that he had gotten

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5523 to the bottom of the Kwantlen compensation fi asco. We now know, based on the evidence that’s been presented to the House today, that that clearly is not the case. It would have been the case had it not been for a whistle- blower who obtained these documents from archived academic search binders and provided them to the of- fi cial opposition.

In light of the assertions that are made in these e-mails — that the Minister of Advanced Education was not only fully apprised of the scheme but in fact off ered sugges- tions to improve it — wouldn’t the Minister of Finance agree with me…? Rather than continue the facade that the Mingay report actually did get to the bottom of this, wouldn’t it be past time for the Auditor General to have a look at this so that we can compel evidence and ensure that all documents are released — as they should have been the fi rst time around? Hon.

M. de Jong: It is undoubtedly convenient for the member of the opposition and his colleagues to refer to documents that no one on this side of the House has seen. He has material that he is referring to, but let me go further and say this. An examination of what took place occurred, and there was no ambiguity in the fi ndings that although disclosure of the matters that members oppos- ite have referred to in these various discussions did take place pursuant to certain processes, they did not in all circumstances take place pursuant to the employment disclosure requirements. No one has denied that.

No one has tried to hide from responsibility for that. Th e minister responsible, to his credit, has acknow- ledged that there was a more robust reporting require- ment that should have been met. He has apologized for that. He has gotten on with doing a great job representing the interests of advanced education in British Columbia for students right across the province. Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: I suppose if you’re trying to deceive some- one….

To his credit, he kept information from the gov- ernment twice — once as a board member and then again as a cabinet minister. If that’s an applaudable off ence, I suppose that we could all rejoice in that. But I think the public has a higher standard than the government does on these matters.

Back on November 6 the Minister of Finance, in re- sponding to a privilege motion in this House, said the fol- lowing: “From a review of documentation and through interviews, it appears that neither KPU’s board of gov- ernors nor its administrative staff were aware of the terms of Lavack’s off er letter and agreement or the pre- employment contract. ” Well, we now know that that’s not a supportable pos- ition. We know that although the minister said at the time that the fi ndings were troubling and disturbing, now it’s applaudable that they were troubling and disturbing.

Again I go to the Minister of Finance, in the absence of anyone else of authority that I could ask this question: don’t you think it’s past time that we had someone who could compel the Minister of Advanced Education to tell the public what really went on? Have the Auditor General look at this. Hon. M. de Jong: I think it’s regrettable that the Leader of the Opposition would — as I think he’s doing — try to impugn the motives or the intents of a member of this chamber. [1415] Th e minister, in conveying information to Mr.

Mingay, in no way tried to disassociate himself from the role that he played as a volunteer member of that board and ac- knowledged that there were requirements for disclosure that were met and other requirements for disclosure that weren’t met. As a result of that, recommendations have been made by Mr. Mingay. Th e government has en- dorsed those recommendations and is moving to imple- ment them. In the meantime, the good work that is taking place under the auspices of the Minister of Advanced Education is taking place.

Students across British Columbia are re- ceiving the support, the training opportunities and the educational opportunities that they require and deserve, and that’s good news. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Offi cial Opposition on a further supplemental. J. Horgan: Th e Premier, on the 18th of June…. Th at wasn’t a sitting day, so this was made somewhere else. She said the following: “He is committed to making sure that the rules and the intent of the rules are followed.

I have spoken to him and have absolute confi dence in him and his ability to serve as Minister of Advanced Education. ” Th at was the Premier’s view in June. Th at was prior to the Mingay report. Th at was prior to the troubling and disturbing fi ndings that the Minister of Finance talked about. Now we have a representation in an e-mail from an RCMP e-mail account advising how to deal with get- ting around the rules that the minister — at that time a board member — was responsible for upholding.

Absent the chair of executive council, again to the Minister of Finance: surely to goodness, there’s a high- er standard in your operation than the one that’s being demonstrated by the Minister of Advanced Education. Hon. M. de Jong: For a group that has taken some time this session pointing out the hazards of rushing to judg- ment, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues seem quite content to proceed precisely on that basis. Th ere has been absolutely no attempt to shield what

British Columbia Debates5524 Monday, November 24, 2014 took place here. Th ere has been no attempt to withhold from the public what occurred. Th ere has been no at- tempt to deny that there was a lapse with respect to the disclosure in conformity with the PSAC employment re- quirements, although the information that lies at the root of the concerns expressed by the members of the oppos- ition was in fact disclosed and was in the public domain.

I’m sure it suits the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues to stand and make these assertions and cas- tigate the good character of the Minister of Advanced Education, but I can tell you this: the Minister of Advanced Education is committed to the interests of students in British Columbia and is going to remain com- mitted to the interests of students in British Columbia. M. Farnworth: What I hope is that the Minister of Advanced Education would be committed to the integ- rity of this House and chamber. On page 11 of the Mingay report, Mr.

Mingay fi nds: “My review did not reveal information to suggest that the then board of governors was aware of the Lavack off er let- ter of employment or pre-employment contract. ” Th ese e-mails, which we will happily table aft er question per- iod, say otherwise. Th is is no longer about the minister’s role or conduct as the board chair of Kwantlen but rather his role as a minister to supply all the relevant information to an in- vestigation that was undertaken by this government aft er issues were raised by the opposition. My question to the Minister of Finance is this.

He was disturbed about these issues enough to order an inves- tigation when the minister was chair of the board. Well, how about now that he’s a minister of the Crown? It’s a bit more than disturbing, and it requires the Auditor General to come in and sort out this mess. Will he at least do that? [1420] Hon. M. de Jong: Th e hon. member is an experienced member of this chamber and knows — at least I expect he knows — that the Auditor General does not take direc- tion from anyone on this side of the House. Th e Auditor General will make her own decisions about matters, and thank goodness for that.

Th e Auditor General will make her own decisions about the matters that she wishes to in- vestigate, to examine, to review. Th at has been the case. It has served the interests of this chamber of the Legislative Assembly and British Columbians well in the past and will continue to serve them well in the future. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Port Coquitlam on a supplemental. M. Farnworth: I have a very straightforward question for the Minister of Finance.

Does he have enough concern about the issues being raised to write to the Auditor General and say that the government is concerned and would appre- ciate if the Auditor General would examine this particular issue so that we can get to the bottom of the mess? Hon. M. de Jong: I’ve also been around long enough to know that it might actually be wise to read the documents that the members are referring to before taking at face value the assertions being made by members of the opposition. He’s indicated that he intends to table this documenta- tion.

As always, I will read with interest what members of the opposition have to off er. But none of that alters in any way my perception and my absolute belief in the com- mitment that the Minister of Advanced Education has to the interests of advanced education and the students of British Columbia. He has been working diligently since assuming that offi ce to advance those interests. REGULATION OF PARTY BUS INDUSTRY G. Heyman: In 2008 16-year-old Shannon Raymond died. Like many B.C. teens, she and her friends had been using a party bus as a place to consume alcohol and Ecstasy.

Th e driver even helped them conceal their alcohol. In 2013 16-year-old Ernest Azoadam also died fol- lowing a trip on a party bus, and 17-year-old MacKenzie Gortva was left lying in a parking lot following an assault. Last month, as Emmannuel Dario was convicted of ag- gravated assault, the Crown prosecutor said: “Th e bloody and senseless violence in this case screams for greater regulation and monitoring of party bus operators. ” Th e Raymonds are in the gallery today.

To the Minister of Justice, will she admit that existing laws are inadequate to control party buses, and will she commit to act now before another young person dies? Hon. T. Stone: Certainly, as the father of three girls my- self, I can only imagine what the loss that the Raymonds have suff ered must be like. My heart, and I know those of all of us in this chamber, certainly goes to the Raymond family. I met with the Raymond family not that long ago to talk about this situation and their thoughts on possible improve- ments. I know that the Attorney General did the same.

At the end of the day, and as the holiday season fast approaches, we know that there will be lots of British Columbians, many of whom will be young, who will be out enjoying the festive atmosphere and will use limou- sine services and other similar services.

It’s very import- ant, I think, for all British Columbians to be reminded of the fact that it actually is illegal to consume alcohol in any type of vehicle in British Columbia. [1425] In addition to that, I would like to reassure the mem- bers opposite and British Columbians generally that we meet on a regular basis with the operators, that the pas- senger transportation branch does. Th ey are reminded of their obligations of which, fi rst and foremost, is the safe

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5525 transport of their passengers. I have also asked the passenger transportation branch to look at how we could possibly strengthen the fi tness requirements that are attached to the licensing to see if there may be an opportunity to strengthen the safety here. I await the information back from the passenger trans- portation branch on that request. Madame Speaker: The member for Vancouver- Fairview on a supplemental. G.

Heyman: I heard the Minister of Transportation make a fairly similar speech earlier this year, just shortly before he shunted the Raymonds over to the Justice min- ister. Th ose are sympathetic words, but sympathy without eff ective action is meaningless.

Shannon Raymond’s mother and sister have met with both the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Justice and shown evidence of party bus drinking, fi ghts, fi ghts with other motorists, assaults with weapons, med- ical distress calls, passengers falling out of unsecured doors, passengers being ejected and left on the side of the road, passengers being assaulted and left unconscious at unsafe locations. What does it take for either of these ministers to have more than a conversation with the pas- senger transportation board?

Will the Justice Minister commit today that she will take concrete action to stop the dangerous behaviour that’s a staple diet on party buses? Hon. T. Stone: It is the law in British Columbia that…. Th ere is no tolerance whatsoever for the consumption of alcohol in any type of vehicle — no vehicle whatsoever. We meet through the passenger transportation branch. We meet on a regular basis with operators to ensure that they are aware of their obligations. We will continue to do that.

In my previous response I indicated, I thought quite clearly, to the member opposite that we have asked the passenger transportation branch to take another look at the fi tness testing requirements that are associated with the licences at play here to determine whether or not there are opportunities there to strengthen those fi tness requirements, all in the name of safety. In addition, our ministry is going to continue to work very closely with staff in the Attorney General’s offi ce, with ICBC and with law enforcement to ensure height- ened awareness, education and enforcement.

At the end of the day, we’re going to continue to do everything we can to ensure the safe transport of British Columbians. WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE CABIN RATES ON FERRIES J. Rice: Th e Inside Passage and Haida-Gwaii-to-Prince- Rupert ferry routes are oft en overnight trips. For sleeping quarters it’s $90, but if you use a wheelchair, it’s $120. Th e Minister of Transportation has claimed he is trying to do what he can to “ensure that the fares are as aff ordable as they can possibly be. ” To the Minister of Transportation: why are people who use wheelchairs being discriminated against with this unfair extra fee?

Hon. T. Stone: Let me say that in our eff orts as gov- ernment to position British Columbia as being one of the most accessible jurisdictions in North America and, cer- tainly, in Canada, there is a huge role for transportation, obviously, to play in that. Th is is why, on a regular basis — whether it’s involving transit buses, whether it involves B.C. ferries and other facets of transportation — we have, as a matter of requirement, to ensure that when new assets are replaced and retrofi ts are done, to the maximum extent possible we take into account accessibility requirements.

Now, if the member has some specifi c information about a specifi c route, I would be more than happy to look into that further. Our goal is to be the most accessible jurisdiction in North America. [1430] [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, I have the honour to present the Merit Commissioner’s Merit Performance Audit 2013-14, Uphol ding Fair Hiring in the British Columbia Public Service . M. Farnworth: I seek leave to table documents. Leave granted. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: Committee stage debate on Bill M203, the Terry Fox Day Act.

Committee of the Whole House BILL M203 — TERRY FOX DAY ACT Th e House in Committee of the Whole on Bill M203; D. Horne in the chair. Th e committee met at 2:32 p.m. Sections 1 and 2 approved. Title approved. L. Reimer: I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of the House for honouring our great

British Columbia Debates5526 Monday, November 24, 2014 hero, Terry, and for sharing their stories and memories of Terry and how he impacted and also others in the world. I do want to make one clarifi cation. Th at is I just want to clarify the date of the Terry Fox Run. It was the family’s wishes that we hold that day on the day of the run. Th at date is the second Sunday aft er Labour Day in September, not the second Sunday of September. I wanted to make that one clarifi cation. I’ d be happy to take any questions if any of the members have them.

Deputy Speaker: Actually, we completed the bill, Member, so if you could move that the committee rise, report the bill complete and seek to adjourn without amendment. L. Reimer: I move that the committee rise and report the bill complete without amendments. Motion approved. Th e committee rose at 2:34 p.m. Th e House resumed; Madame Speaker in the chair. Report and Th ird Reading of Bills BILL M203 — TERRY FOX DAY ACT Bill M203, Terry Fox Day Act, reported complete with- out amendment, read a third time and passed. [1435] Hon. M. de Jong: I call continued second reading de- bate on Bill 6.

Second Reading of Bills BILL 6 — LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS INCOME TAX ACT (continued) K. Corrigan: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to stand at this moment and speak on Bill 6. While we are supportive on this side of the House, very supportive of the LNG industry, we are very concerned about the en- vironmental impact. [D. Horne in the chair.] Deputy Speaker: Member, it’s come to my attention that you’ve actually already spoken on this bill. K. Corrigan: I have, have I? Well, I apologize. V . Huntington: I will say this has been a very, very dif- fi cult bill for me to come to terms with.

I have struggled with whether or not to support this bill. I have been in my riding, briefi ng people and have had people briefi ng people and have asked my constituents and my riding association to consider it. Almost to a person they have said it’s not worth supporting, which has added to my confl ict about the bill. I do believe in the issue of climate change. I believe in the seriousness of climate change and the fact that this world is facing dire circumstances and a dire future.

I have a lot of sympathy for those who feel that we should be taking the great leap and saying: “No, we will not add to the emissions of this world. ” In struggling with the desire to say that, I have had to admit I feel that, ultimately, the struggle to reduce our emissions is going to require a transitional period, and that liquefi ed natural gas is, in fact, to be that transition- al fuel. I would far rather have liquefi ed natural gas than coal burning. I think it’s going to take upwards of ten years or more before China begins to wean itself quickly and more thoroughly from coal.

I think that, in the meantime, we have to recognize there will be a transition. I would like to think this province could stand up and say: “We will not contribute. We will do the right and moral thing. We will move unilaterally to reducing our emissions. ” But we’re not going to do that. I think that until public pressure is such that govern- ments and business are forced to realize that something must be done, and done now, I guess I would say that I would rather LNG than coal. I am extremely disappointed with the tax structure of this bill.

I feel that the damage that is going to be caused to our environment is not being recompensed by this tax- ation that we will be receiving. It is not enough. It does not off set the damages that I think we’ll see over time. I suspect that the Ministry of Finance is equally as dis- turbed with the amount of tax that we will be receiving over a period of time. Saying that, the fact is that we will at least be getting something, which I suppose during a transitional period is better than nothing.

I have come to the conclusion that it is supportable on that basis, even though reluctantly. [1440] Also, the numbers of jobs that have been touted by the government, I think, have been highly exaggerated — I think unfairly exaggerated during an electoral period, improperly exaggerated during an electoral period. We now know that most of the construction of the facilities will take place overseas and be towed in to the facilities in Canada, so the construction benefi ts will occur off shore. I have absolutely no doubt that this government has made agreements for temporary foreign workers to come in.

I think Petronas’s release, which indicated there were very real concerns they had with our benchmark costs for labour and construction, has probably spurred the

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5527 government into making agreements that we do not yet know about. I think that B.C. and its labour market are going to be the worse for this agreement. However, I think that the infrastructure presently in the north would become meaningless in a very short space of time, given oil prices, if we did not pursue this last opportunity in the fossil fuel industry. I believe that we cannot pull the rug out from the job market in the north at this point. So with a great deal of reluctance, I will support this bill.

I don’t think it is the right way to go in terms of our climate change. I don’t think it’s providing British Columbia with the benefi ts that have been touted. I think we’re all disappointed with that aspect of it. But I think the fact is and the reality is that LNG is with us, and we may as well participate in it in order to keep the north alive at this point. Hon. P . Fassbender: I rise in support of Bill 6. I’ve lis- tened with interest to all of the debate around liquefi ed natural gas, greenhouse emissions.

It has been my experi- ence that every person in this House is concerned about the future of our environment, that we recognize the importance of setting in the protocols and the steps that are necessary to ensure that we have the cleanest LNG industry in the world. As members in this House know, the bill that was pre- viously introduced that sets the benchmarks was done to clearly ensure that we set the standard for the clean- est LNG industry of any jurisdiction on this globe. Th at is important.

While the benefi ts of LNG are obvious, what is also ob- vious is that we have a signifi cant responsibility to future generations to ensure that the environmental protection that we put in place is there. So while I appreciate the concerns and the passion which some of them have ex- pressed, I also clearly recognize that the government has, through the initiatives and the legislation that we have brought forward, done everything we can to ensure that we protect the environment and the beautiful province that we are so blessed to be able to live in.

It’s important that there are two balances — in my view and, I believe, the view of our government — when it comes to opening opportunities for the private sec- tor to realize benefi ts of an industry, no matter what it is. We well know that this government has a track rec- ord of ensuring the safety of industries across the sec- tors, whether it be mining, whether it be forestry, and now with the potential of LNG, liquefi ed natural gas, as an opportunity for us.

We also recognize that in order for us to ensure that we protect the province and our natural resources, we equally have a responsibility to the proponents to ensure that we have a tax regime that ensures that they are able to do that successfully, because we are looking at literally billions upon billions of dollars of investment by them to create an industry that is not only going to provide rev- enue but the jobs that this province needs for the future. [1445] When you look at this bill and what it does, it en- sures that we give proponents the opportunity to make those investments, to see that they have a responsibil- ity through our protections but also that they are able to thrive and create the jobs that we all need.

I know that the Minister of Natural Gas, the Minister of Finance and the Premier have spent literally months and months consulting with all of the stakeholders and with the industry to make sure that we fi nd that balance between the protection and the ability for the industry to thrive and to grow. I know that that consultation has required give-and-take on the part of both the govern- ment of British Columbia and the proponents. Th e bill that was introduced refl ects that understand- ing — that government has signifi cant responsibilities.

But we also can look at the industry to take their respon- sibility seriously when it comes to how this is going to move ahead in the province of British Columbia. Right now we have 18 — 18 — potential LNG projects in the province. Now, the question keeps being asked: is that a pipedream? I will pardon the pun. But the reality is that those 18 are serious proponents that are looking at what potential there is for them.

What we’ve done with each and every one of them is to ensure they clearly understand the regulatory framework that they need to operate in, the environmental protec- tions that we are expecting of them, but also to look at how we can ensure that they can be successful. I am very clear in my own mind that we will not immediately see all 18, but what we will do is see two or three that will come on line and begin a road to prosperity for the prov- ince of British Columbia that is unparalleled in our past.

Th at also speaks to the fact that those proponents are going to make their decisions based on the components that I talked about — their ability, through the tax regime, to make money and their responsibility to protect the en- vironment and to do it in the best interests of all British Columbians, including future generations’ ability to get jobs in that industry. Our tax system, in addition to creating a platform that is appropriate for the industry, also does a number of other things, as we looked at rival jurisdictions around the world.

When I look at those rival jurisdictions, some of them are equally as concerned and have regulatory regimes in place to deal with the environmental impact, but I be- lieve there are some that do not have those same stan- dards. Our standards will now set the new benchmark for protecting the environment, for ensuring that we lay the groundwork for a safe and an appropriate industry when it comes to the environment. British Columbia is blessed with large reserves of nat- ural gas that are in close proximity to the proposed facili-

British Columbia Debates5528 Monday, November 24, 2014 ties that these proponents are looking at. We have, and continue to train, a skilled workforce that is going to meet the needs of those proponents. We have infrastructure that supports it throughout the province, and this is one of the things that I think is excit- ing about this new opportunity for this province.

Every community in the province of British Columbia has the potential benefi t — not just from the benefi ts that we get through the taxes and the revenue that we’ll receive through royalties, but it also creates jobs in those com- munities by providing the infrastructure and the support that the industry is going to need. [1450] W e also know that if we have some of the largest re- serves, the best quality of natural gas, the ability to get it to the facilities in a timely fashion and the ability to put it on the seas to deliver it to the markets around the world….

Our transport times and rates that we have to ensure the delivery of that product to the markets that need it are signifi cant. I mentioned the quality of our natural gas. Th e extrac- tion temperature of the natural gas in British Columbia and the environmental temperatures that will reduce the energy costs during the production of liquefi ed natural gas again contribute to the protection of our environ- ment. I know that many people in this province are asking the question: is this a real opportunity? It absolutely is.

It is a time-sensitive opportunity that we need to take ad- vantage of as quickly as we can, but not at the expense — not at the expense — of our environment or the pro- tection of the rights and the needs of the people of British Columbia.

Th e emission benchmark and the fl exible options that have been built into the legislation that was previously introduced in this House are going to ensure that the revenues that fl ow from this industry will be put to good use, either through the off sets that may be necessary or the contributions to the technology fund that are going to help to develop this industry and help other jurisdic- tions as we move forward. It’s clear to me that liquefi ed natural gas is indeed a fuel of choice for the future for many countries.

Th e de- mands around the world are going to continue to grow, and the opportunity for British Columbia to benefi t by being in that industry, ensuring that we do what we need to do, is to ensure that we are going to have a strong and healthy economy, that we’re going to continue to balance our budget year aft er year and that we’re going to be able to invest in the future of British Columbians in all of the sectors that we speak about so oft en in this House, in- cluding education, health care and other public services. I totally support this bill.

I totally support our govern- ment’s initiative to be there, to be there in a timely fashion and to recognize how we can set a standard in the world that will be second to none. L. Krog: I want to preface my remarks about Bill 6 by saying that I was much moved by the remarks of the in- dependent member for Delta South, who I think refl ects the growing unease felt by British Columbians around the whole concept of how we’re going to maintain an energy-driven society. By what methods are we going to heat our homes and transport our goods and supply our electricity, whatever the case may be?

It is something to remember and keep in the back of our minds constantly, because if there is one thing that I’m conscious of, it is certainly that generation born in the ’30s and thereaft er and those generations that have followed that have enjoyed the greatest economic benefi t of any generation or generations in history. One can’t help but refl ect on the fact, as I’ve pointed out many times, that in British Columbia in particular that wealth and that benefi t and those great opportunities were largely a result of the exploitation of our God-given natural resources.

When one goes out into the rotunda, as I’ve pointed out many times, and you look up, you will see the great industries of this province, the great economic basics of this province — agriculture, forestry, mining and fi shing.

When my wife and I were driving down-Island from Black Creek yesterday and we drove past what used to be known as northwest bay camp — just literally south of Parksville, on the edge — I pointed out to my wife that in its heyday, when MacMillan Bloedel was running at full steam, there were over 600 people employed at that site alone, all to do with the extraction of resources — in that case, timber. [1455] One can argue that like liquid natural gas, which pre- sents a signifi cant opportunity for British Columbians…. Nevertheless, the province diversifi ed over time, and things have improved.

Th ere are now great numbers of people employed in the service sector. Th ere are people employed in the technological sector. Th ere are people employed in communications. Th ere are people doing cartoons in Vancouver that get seen around the world. One would, I think, be able to fi nd a message in that, and that is that the economic basis of the province has somewhat shift ed. Y et here we have a Premier and a gov- ernment around liquid natural gas, which puts me in mind of that expression that Andrew Carnegie, who was the founder of U.S.

Steel and the man who had a mon- opoly on it, said so wisely once: “Put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket. ” Well, that’s good when you have a monopoly, but the problem with liquid natural gas is we have anything but a monopoly. We know that there are countries around the world that are discovering quantities of natural gas that they didn’t think they even had. I won’t exaggerate — because that seems to have become the language of B.C. politics so much — and say it’s every day, but it is sincerely very clear that we’re not the only player in the

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5529 fi eld when it comes to liquid natural gas. With the opposition, I think it has been accused of be- ing a naysayer around the development and exploitation of liquid natural gas. I see one of the members over there nodding his head sagely — unless he’s actually speaking to his electronic device — indicating agreement with what I’ve just had to say.

In developing liquid natural gas, surely it is appropri- ate to ensure that the four conditions the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Juan de Fuca, has so care- fully and wisely expressed should be foremost in our minds around liquefi ed natural gas and the tax regime that fl ows from it.

In order for it to move ahead, it should include express guarantees of jobs and training oppor- tunities for British Columbians; provide a fair return for our resource; include benefi ts for First Nations, who have been shut out of the economic pie in this province ever since fi rst contact, to a large extent; and protect our air, land and water, including living up to our climate com- mitments. Y ou know, at least when we were cutting down the for- est with wild abandon, there was signifi cant employment — the kind of employment I referred to earlier at north- west bay.

Th at was just one camp — one camp, 600 jobs. Th ose were union jobs. Th ose were jobs that existed in a day when a single, employed, adult member of a family could support a family. Th e suggestion is that somehow liquid natural gas is going to give us all of that again. Well, I think it’s pretty clear from the evidence that there will be a signifi cant construction boom of a limited variety. Th e member for Delta South again wisely pointed out that there’s some suggestion now we’re not even going to see the construc- tion jobs of the facilities themselves in British Columbia.

We’re essentially going to see the puzzle shipped over here. We get to put it together, but we don’t get to make the puzzle. Why is the opposition going to support this bill? Because fi rstly, we, too, have faith in liquid natural gas. But, hon. Speaker…. Interjections. L. Krog: We are? No, we’re not going to support it. I knew that the members would jump up. What’s the problem with the bill? It is the govern- ment’s own action around this in the last few months. We’ve gone from a tax regime at 7 percent, and now we’re down to 3½.

I almost feel we should rush this bill through the Legislature lest we end up with a situation where we ac- tually have to drop the tax to 1¾. It’s dropping by a half every once in a while. What’s the reason for the promotion of liquid natural gas? Well, it is, I think, the fi ght between politics versus public policy. When it comes to public policy, what do we know? We know that the Premier herself has prom- ised a debt-free B.C. Oh my goodness, if you want to go over the top, there’s one.

According to the B.C. budget, B.C. ’s debt is scheduled to reach — wait for it — $68.9 billion by March 31, 2017. [1500] Th at’s not a generation away. Th at’s not a decade away. Th at’s less than 2½ years. Interjections. L. Krog: Now, I know I’ve got the members chirping now, and I’m always pleased when the members opposite actually pay some attention to the opposition. Th e member who wants to be Attorney General chirps up, wanting to get into the front rows again. Surely the member is not suggesting that it’s being in the gutter to move into the Offi ce of the Attorney General.

I’m sure that’s not what he meant to say. Now he’s even questioning my dress. I’m shocked and hurt. Th e member for one of the Fraser Valley ridings only earlier liked my tie. But that’s another day. What’s driving this? I’ll tell you what’s driving this. It is not necessarily public policy, which is what should be the driver behind it. It is the tawdry thing that many of us have to acknowledge, and that is good old politics, raw B.C. politics. “We made the big promise. We won an elec- tion. We’ve got to deliver. ” [Applause.] My goodness.

If that was enthusiasm for liquid natur- al gas, I must say the future of liquid natural gas doesn’t look too promising in British Columbia. What’s the problem? Th e problem, as I said, is politic- al. We have a government that has made commitments around liquid natural gas that it probably can’t fulfi l. We have promises of plants that may never be built. We have promises of investment that have yet to come to fruition.

As we have already dropped, as I said, from 7 percent to 3½ percent in terms of the liquid natural gas tax rate, you could argue that perhaps the government has even sold us out for their politics again, instead of relying on public policy. It’s rather amusing. Th e explanation for it is — and I attributed the change — that it’s due to “economic con- ditions changing. ” I understand the economy. I know the members opposite think nobody over here does. We understand the economy. But when the tax is profit- based, it’s really not the changing economic conditions that cause that problem. It’s kind of odd.

It’s like the B.C. Liberals don’t understand how the tax works: if you don’t make a profi t, you don’t pay tax. In my experience, most of the business people I have dealt with in my community over time — and there have been many — have always been more interested in their revenue issues than they are in their taxation issues. Th ere is nothing sweeter than to have to go to an accountant at the end of the year and try and fi gure out

British Columbia Debates5530 Monday, November 24, 2014 every possible deduction you can manage in order to re- duce the income tax you’re going to be paying. But no- body can rush out at the end of the year, unless you’re a happy retailer, and solve the revenue problem. Market conditions. We know they’re always changing. Does that mean the tax, as I suggested earlier, is going to drop now from 3½ to 1¾? Is it going to get worse? I mean, is the end in sight, where we’ll actually, at some point, if things continue to decline in the Liberal world view, have to pay someone to take our gas?

Is that how far it’s going to go? It’s only this government’s incredible political promises that have put us into this place. It’s only the incredible political promises. Instead of talking about good pub- lic policy, we’re still talking politics. Th at is one of the problems. We have infl ated the expectations of British Columbians, and not just the happy generation who have enjoyed the prosperity that follows the postwar boom in the western world, generally.

We’ve infl ated, unreasonably, the hopes and aspira- tions of all those young people, fi rstly, who are still wait- ing to get trained by a government that hasn’t bothered to put in place the kind of training regime that it should have in order to ensure you have the workers in the fi rst place.

We have infl ated the expectations of their parents — that those kids won’t be part of the boomerang gen- eration, that they’ll actually have good employment and decent jobs, that they’ll be able to participate fully in the economy and enjoy the same kinds of benefi ts their par- ents’ generation did. [1505] It’s becoming increasingly apparent that that isn’t the case. Th at is simply not the case. We on this side of the House are asking that the government try and be realis- tic about what liquid natural gas can do.

I think one of the members earlier today used the term “transformational. ” It seems to me I recall a Premier — wasn’t it? — who used the term “transformational change. ” Wasn’t that somewhere in a throne speech or something? I am looking to our House Leader for a little guidance and assistance here. M. Farnworth: Several throne speeches. L. Krog: Several throne speeches: transformational change. What is that French expression? Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Th e more things change, the more they stay the same.

Here we are, once again, being promised this bright future around one resource, and yet all of the evidence would indicate that in order to succeed in the modern economy, in the modern world, in any economy going up against the problems of globalization…. Going back to Andrew Carnegie, putting all those eggs in one basket just doesn’t make sense anymore. Indeed, that’s one of the problems with the Liberal’s emphasis on liquid natural gas. Th ey have put their pol- itical eggs in one basket. Th ey don’t know what else to do.

Th ey don’t appear to have any signifi cant ability to address the increasing provincial debt. I remember, happily, back in the ’90s, when the prov- incial debt was being increased to create significant infrastructure around the province — whether it be the building of the inland Island highway or other things — and how the Liberals were screaming that the end was near. Y ou thought the world was going to collapse and British Columbia would disappear as an economic power — that things would get so bad.

We on this side have no problem with infrastructure and no problem with exploiting public resources in a sensible and reasonable way. But the expectations that have been infl ated around this are so signifi cant and so unrealistic, all it will ultimately do is lead to a further destruction of public confidence in the political pro- cess, because at some point the voters of B.C. are going to wake up and think to themselves that they got sold a bill of goods again. We have seen the rushes in the province’s history, whether it’s the gold rush, or the rush to exploit furs, or timber, or fi sh.

Whatever the case may be, it’s been over and over again…. M. Farnworth: Water licences. L. Krog: Water licences. Y es, we’ve seen that gold rush too. Th e gold rushes on our rivers. Y ou don’t have to go very far. Y ou can trot up to the library. Any of the members opposite can go read George Bowering’s book about British Columbia’s history, Bowering’s B.C.: A Swashbuckling History. Th e attitudes have not changed. Everybody gets ex- cited. We think we’re involved in another gold rush, and away we go.

Surely, at some stage the political discourse in this province will have to start to resolve itself around the concept of facts and some credibility and some hon- esty and good public policy. If this government could deliver all these gas plants…. It’s just like I said to the Minister of Housing once: if he’ d put the housing unit up in my community, I would thank him publicly and personally. And I did.

If this government can deliver on all those plants in the time frame they’ve indicated, I think we’ d all be quite excited, assuming they would remain operational and British Columbians would be employed, not temporary foreign workers. If that young generation following us could see a future, if the government would retrieve the resource revenues that they believe they are entitled to, obviously — that we need and we all want to have…. Aft er all, when the liquid natural gas is gone, there goes that revenue source. Interjection.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5531 L. Krog: Th at’s the problem with it. Th e member says 150 years. Goodness gracious. If we’ve got 150 years, probably someone in Russia has 150 years, and someone else someplace else has 150 years. I know that member prides himself on being an in- tellectual, so I know he’s aware that the government of China is sending a great deal of its fl eet into the China Sea. Th ere are signifi cant oil and gas fi nds there that they want to get their political hands on, quite appropriately.

What we’re conscious of is that, unlike some of the doomsayers of a decade or two ago, there appears to be more oil and more liquid natural gas available than we ever thought. [1510] On one hand, you can say, “Th at’s wonderful, ” but the implications are that the market for it, therefore, is much diminished — that it will not be the great boon that the B.C. Liberals and the Premier herself have promised over and over again. It will not deliver the kinds of revenues. What it will clearly not deliver is the debt-free B.C. that we were promised.

I mean, even the Minister of Finance has taken some time now and used very careful words to talk about…. Perhaps the time at which the debt will disappear may be somewhat longer than what we’ d anticipated. Th ere’s a little blush off that rose, and one can understand that. It’s always good for somebody on the opposite side to inject just a tiny note of realism into the government’s expecta- tions around liquid natural gas. Again, I come back to it: good public policy versus bad public policy.

Good public policy means that this government would have been moving forward with this some time ago, would have realized changing market conditions, would not have infl ated expectations and would have had this tax regime or any regime in place much sooner so that just maybe we might have caught this last wave of investment. We know that these international investment compan- ies — these international oil and gas companies — are looking for opportunities all around the planet. Th ey will check out all kinds of regimes.

As much as we are close to the Pacifi c Rim, China signed — what was it? — a $400 billion deal with Russia — May 2014, a 30-year deal, $400 billion U.S. I don’t know where this govern- ment comes from, but I’ve got to tell you, back home in dear old Nanaimo $400 billion is a pretty big number, and a 30-year deal indicates a pretty signifi cant commitment. China’s already secured that with Russia.

If China is able to exercise sovereignty over the South China Sea, settles its issues with Vietnam and, perhaps, the Philippines, they will have another source, a signifi cant source, of the very thing which the member for Delta South talked about — that is, the realization that we have to shift our sources of energy from the traditional carbon-based in order to literally save the planet.

We’ve tied our horse with this government to some- thing which the world recognizes they should be using less of, which are carbon-based fuels, and said that we have to move into the use of liquid natural gas because it creates less pollution — instead of, I would argue, this government’s opportunity to signifi cantly invest in the kind of technological change, the kind of research and the kind of development of bright young minds to fi nd alternate sources of energy that do not have the signifi - cant environmental impact that has occurred over the previous decades, literally since the 19th century, when we started to use oil in a signifi cant way.

Th ey’ve had that opportunity, but they’ve chosen not to exploit it for whatever reason. What we do know is that the government is losing ground on this one. We may well have missed the boat, and the government will have to deal with the political fallout that fl ows from it. I hear the Minister of Energy and Mines. I’m always pleased to hear from him. He’s very gracious. I noticed today he didn’t take the opportunity when I talked about the ’90s.

He chose not to use his favourite phrase now that he’s become so well known for when he refers to it as being in the last century, unless, of course, you’re talk- ing about the NDP . Th en, of course, I guess it’s the dismal decade as opposed to last century. What we do know is this. Th e government made a promise. The government made a commitment. The government infl ated expectations. Th e government has raised the bar, and the government’s got to deliver.

I just don’t sincerely believe they can. [1515] It’s unfortunate because in the days when there were higher rates of unionization in this province, when there were of tens of thousands of people employed in the re- source industry, able to support their families and sup- port their communities, it was, in a sense, a golden era. Th e B.C. Federation of Labour represented that golden era — all of those decent, good-paying jobs created as a result of the hard work of unions across this province and leaders in every community trying to do the best for the workers.

I can’t close today without making reference to Jim Sinclair, who will leave office this week after a distin- guished career as head of the B.C. Federation of Labour. And I do have to pay my compliments to the members op- posite, who clapped with as much enthusiasm as the mem- bers on this side of the House did, extolling his virtues. I don’t mean to be too cheeky and no disrespect to Jim Sinclair, who’s a friend and a person I admire and who knows my feelings about him and his incredible contri- bution. It puts me in mind of the story about Tommy Douglas. He was being toured around…. Interjection. L.

Krog: If the member will just be quiet, I’ll tell the story. But I know the member loves to hear his own voice,

British Columbia Debates5532 Monday, November 24, 2014 so perhaps he should go into a closet somewhere and talk to himself. He was being toured around a university in Scotland by, of course, the local establishment. Th ere was a statue of this long-dead radical leader, and they were all admiring it. Douglas was looking up, being welcomed home to his na- tive country. Of course, he turned to those assembled and said, looking at the establishment around him: “Th ere’s nothing the establishment so loves as a dead socialist. ” Well, what I’m suggesting is that the enthusiasm for Mr.

Sinclair may refl ect the fact that he’s going to be out of offi ce shortly and not able to help lead the fi ght against this government. And that is too bad. By way of coming back to my remarks about liquid natural gas and the importance of decent, union-paying jobs, Jim Sinclair would be leading that fi ght to fi nd de- cent jobs. Th at’s what the opposition wants out of liquid natural gas. We want decent jobs for British Columbians. We want our share for our families and our children and our grandchildren. We want to ensure that it’s developed responsibly.

We want to ensure that we get that return which we deserve. I’ve still got the pencil — a 1972 NDP pencil. Th e line on it says: “Y ou’ll pay more for this pencil than B.C. gets for royalties on a ton of coal. ” It’s one of the reasons W .A.C. Bennett lost the ’72 election — because British Columbians sensed, fi nally, that they were being sold out. Th ey were being sold out in terms of their patrimony and the wealth of this province. Th at’s why we’re asking: has the government struck the deal with this bill?

Are we getting the return we deserve on our resources and, in particular, natural gas gener- ally — not necessarily liquefi ed natural gas? Are we get- ting that return? More importantly, are the First Nations of this prov- ince — the original occupiers of the land, the people who have occupied the land since time immemorial — going to get the benefi t that they so richly deserve, let alone for their current compensation but as some form of compen- sation for all of that which has been taken from them?

For our children and our grandchildren, are we going to protect our air and our land and our water and live up to our climate commitments? We saw with a previous bill this session that the commitment to climate change and the good work that Gordon Campbell undertook when he was Premier seems to have become shocking…. Interjection. L. Krog: Oh well, the member says it’s the fi rst time he’ d heard it. I’m sure that if he reads Hansard, he can see my remarks.

Th e good work that was done to move this province forward in acknowledging what the president of the United States now and even the president of China are acknowledging — even the president of China…. Th e good work that was done is now being shunted aside as this government does its best to try and exploit the last card it has to play, which is liquid natural gas. As I said, I’ d be delighted if they’ d build all the plants and if the employment would be generated the way it has been promised. But — what is it? — Missouri is the Show Me State.

So show me. [1520] We’ve got two and a half years to the next election. Show me that all the promises that were made in 2013 are going to come to pass, that all of the jobs that have been promised are going to be created, that all of the revenue that’s been promised is going to start to fl ow, that all of the bright future promises that have been made about British Columbia and what it’s going to be like will be fulfi lled. It’s rather like my grandson. I have two. Th e fi ve-year- old told grandma he wants a trail bike for Christmas.

Now, I must tell the House that grandma and grandpa are not going to buy him a trail bike. Interjections. L. Krog: No, and Santa isn’t either. As the members well know, fi rstly, it would be illegal for a child to ride a vehicle of that type at that age. But he’s got to be realistic about his expectations for Christmas. Interjections. L. Krog: Not that mean. I promise to send the chirpy member opposite a bag of coal for Christmas so he can keep warm. He’s got to be realistic; this government has to be real- istic. I look forward to seeing how that dose of realism actually is taken in by this government.

Let’s just see 2½ years from now who’s still promoting a debt-free B.C. and liquid natural gas as the great saviour of this prov- ince. I look forward to it. I’m delighted by the concept that this government has wrapped itself in that fl ag, has tied itself to that wagon — every cliché and excuse you can use. Let’s just see how far we get with it. Let’s just see how far we get. Hon. A. Wilkinson: It’s always impressive to note how the member opposite, and the members opposite more generally, can turn a generational opportunity into bad news.

Th e members opposite seem to have no faith in the abilities of our people to work in highly sophisticated en- vironments to attract capital and to attract employment. Th at’s why we are here, and to be blunt, that’s why this party got elected in the last election. The member opposite laments the involvement or lack thereof, in his mind, of First Nations. He apparently hasn’t spoken with Mr. Ross Ellis, chief of the Haisla First Nation, who speaks at every opportunity and will be in Toronto talking to an international conference put on

British Columbia DebatesMonday, November 24, 2014 5533 by Th e Economist in about two weeks about the oppor- tunities in British Columbia related to natural gas, and how deeply and thoroughly involved his First Nation is in this opportunity. Now, the members opposite also seem to think that the world is full of bad market opportunities, that we have all our eggs in one basket, that we have no confi dence in our own people, that pessimism should rule the day. In fact, the markets are prime for this opportunity. Liquid natural gas, as I said earlier, is a generation- al opportunity.

It means that British Columbians can unlock a resource that was previously very diffi cult to extract and is now entirely feasible for extraction and ex- port. All of us know, through common sense, common knowledge and reading the newspapers, that the North American markets for natural gas will be saturated in the next decades. And so we have the obligation, if we can, to serve the public interest by exporting our gas in liquefi ed form to the active markets in Asia.

Th is is truly a generational opportunity, again, recog- nized in Th e Economist last week in its special insert sec- tion on the economy of Pacifi c Ocean countries. Th e Canadian natural gas opportunity is amongst the best in the world. Th at is not really in doubt anywhere except on the opposite side of this House. Th e introduc- tion of the LNG income tax gives proponents the cer- tainty they’ll need to make decisions. Th ey have to put together their entire capital model to fi nd the fi nancing and to put together projects that will actually be viable in the marketplace.

Th is is not a simple task, and this gov- ernment has been entirely cooperative by putting our cards on the table. [1525] Th is bill is probably one of the last cards to be put on the table so that decisions can be made, so that those important capital investments can come to the decision point. Th ese decisions are being made all over the world. It’s not like they’re being made in Victoria or Vancouver. Th ey’re being made in the Hague and in Malaysia and in other capitals around the world, because energy mar- kets are global. Th e members opposite don’t want to hear that.

Th ey think that we can determine the market locally, that we are vulnerable to foreigners and outsiders coming and stealing our resources and that we don’t have the skills here to extract and process those resources ourselves. Th ey are entirely wrong in those propositions. We’ve been consulting with industry on a new rev- enue framework that will deliver long-term benefi ts to British Columbians and provide industry with a certain- ty it requires to be successful, to make those fi nal invest- ment decisions.

Our government is confi dent that British Columbia will be a highly competitive, attractive juris- diction for billions of dollars of investment from multi- nationals all around the world who are the ones most active in energy markets. We’re looking at a potential 18 LNG projects in British Columbia. Th at speaks for itself. It’s almost impossible to get a hotel room in Terrace. It’s almost impossible to charter a helicopter anywhere in northern British Columbia because there is so much activity going on by all of these proponents in determining their prospects in this space.

Do we expect 18 LNG plants to materialize? No. But we do expect a good number of those to materialize, along with the feeder pipelines in the gas fi elds of north- eastern British Columbia and the delivery pipelines that will traverse northern British Columbia to the coast. Th is will generate enormous opportunities for British Columbians and for the people of the entire province through the tax revenues, through the employment op- portunities, through the training opportunities and all of the benefi ts that arise from massive investments in highly sophisticated industries.

That level of capital investment, of course, gener- ates training and employment opportunities. British Columbians will and can become leaders in this fi eld, just as Albertans are leaders worldwide in oil fi eld services, just as mining development is based primarily in the city of Vancouver on a worldwide market basis. Th e talent is here, the skills are here, and they will be deployed and developed right here in British Columbia. We have another great advantage, and that is the rule of law. It’s not just large reserves of natural gas. It’s not just a skilled workforce.

It’s not just our robust infrastruc- ture. It’s not the fact that we are in the right climatic zone to deliver cool gas for liquefi cation rather than the hot gas found in most markets in the world. Th e rule of law gives us a distinct advantage. We are not Mozambique or Tanzania. Th e member opposite suggests that Russia somehow has the leap on us by signing a deal with China for $400 billion worth of natural gas over about 40 years. Th at would amount to about 1 percent of the energy supply for China if — and it’s a big if — Russia is actually pre- pared to deliver it on a reliable basis.

I don’t think any of us would be rushing to invest in a Russian gas pipeline. Y et we have investors from around the world interested and enthusiastic to invest right here in British Columbia. Th e LNG tax framework that is the subject of this bill applies to net income derived from liquefaction activ- ities at LNG facilities in B.C. Th is, of course, is in addi- tion to all the property taxes, in addition to the income taxes from the individuals who’ll be employed in the fi eld.

Th e tax rate on net income from those liquefaction activities will be 3.5 percent, eff ective for taxation years beginning aft er January 1, 2017. Th is is a reasonable tax level that responds to market forces, that guarantees a re- turn for British Columbians. In 2037 the tax rate on net income will increase to 5 percent. Th is is a response to market forces, something this government fully respects and understands and that the

British Columbia Debates5534 Monday, November 24, 2014 members opposite should perhaps take a few courses in so they can bring themselves up to speed. Th is government is also notable, as is all of Canada, for respect for property. If an investor purchases property, as a number of the multinational energy companies have purchased gas rights in northeastern British Columbia, those are ironclad rights. Th ey will not be taken away by government in a capricious act of the sort that may hap- pen on the east coast of Africa or in Russia.

Th is gives us a huge advantage in the world energy markets because all large investors seek, above all else, stability and cer- tainty. We off er both. [1530] Th ese are large capital investments that require fi nan- cing, and the lenders require stability and certainty. Th at is what we off er. Th at, of course, trickles down through billions of dol- lars of capital investment to provide the kind of pros- perity that our communities benefi t from.

Terrace and Kitimat are going through booms in terms of employ- ment, in terms of hotel spaces being built, in terms of aircraft charters and in terms of infrastructure. Prince Rupert is on the edge of a similar boom. Th is also, of course, benefi ts not just the local com- munities along Highway 16 in the north but also our very own technology sector. We have the talent. We have the ideas. We have the companies that can deliver on clean tech remedies and solutions for these investors and also on the massive infrastructure and data management de- mands that they place upon the systems.

We have an opportunity, as well, to provide a much more extensive fi bre optic connection in the north be- cause these linear corridors will be being built. Dropping some fi bre optics in with those pipelines costs next to nothing and provides critical environmental monitoring opportunities and a sophisticated and high-volume data channel for the rest of the province to use, in addition to the investors themselves.

In short, this is a generational opportunity that this bill will provide the necessary certainty for so that we can all proceed toward a brighter future with heavy capital in- vestment, with employment, with skills development and a brighter future for all of British Columbia — and, for that matter, for all of Canada, because we are Canada’s Pacifi c province, and the future lies on this ocean. M. Farnworth: It’s my pleasure to take my place in the debate on Bill 6, the LNG tax framework bill.

It’s an im- portant piece of legislation before the House — one that has been awaited with considerable anticipation for many, many months now. I’ve been listening with interest to the comments from my colleague across the way. Th e thing that has struck me…. In his remarks, he used the term “generational opportunity. ” Well, all I can say is yes, it’s an opportunity. But the generational thing? It’s a generational spin op- portunity from the government, the way that they have been trying to sell LNG to the people of the province of British Columb

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Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20141124pm-Hansard-v18n5
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Volume / chapter	20141124pm Hansard v18n5
Language	en
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