Third Session, 42nd Parliament

(2022) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 233

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Small businesses in Kelowna and appointment of Dan Rogers to Canadian Chamber of Commerce board

R. Merrifield

Recipients of Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education

S. Chant

Wilf Smith

L. Doerkson

Technology innovation awards recipients

B. Bailey

Retiring local elected officials in Columbia River–Revelstoke

D. Clovechok

Small businesses in Kootenays

B. Anderson

Tributes

E. George MacMinn

Mr. Speaker

(Hon. R. Chouhan)

Oral Questions

Attacks by repeat offenders and action on justice system reforms

E. Sturko

Hon. M. Farnworth

Action on community safety and role of incoming Premier

T. Stone

Hon. M. Farnworth

Government action on campaign statements

S. Furstenau

Hon. M. Farnworth

Government openness and transparency

S. Furstenau

Hon. M. Farnworth

Orders of the Day

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: N. Letnick.

Introductions by Members

Hon. J. Horgan: First of all, I want to compliment the Leader of the Opposition on his

tie. Looks good.

I also want to acknowledge, in the gallery, two dear friends of mine

who are not strangers to this place. Those who were elected in 2020 may not

have come upon my friend Kody Bell and his faithful sidekick, Mark Bridges.

Both Kody and Mark are here today.

They have been invading Speakers’ offices going back to Bill Barisoff,

going through Linda Reid and up to this present day. The current Speaker

will have the privilege of having them come in for a visit in the next

little while.

A few pointers for those who don’t know Kody and Mark. Do not give him

your keys. Do not give him your phone. The number of people that Kody

contacted on the way into work today who are saying, “I haven’t heard from

you in years,” is a testament to that.

They’re both great guys. They are passionate about this institution.

They love to come here to watch the vigorous debates. More importantly, they

like to come and engage with all the people in the Legislature. They stand

out in my mind, over 18 years now, as two of my dearest friends and dear

friends of this place.

[10:05 a.m.]

I know, Mr. Speaker, you will have some good candy and food for them

to eat when they descend upon you. Hang on to your phone.

Would the House please make Kody and Mark very, very

welcome.

K. Falcon: I, too, want to compliment the Premier on his fine choice of tie. I’ve

always felt that there’s a lot more…. We’re becoming more alike as we get

older, John — excuse me, Mr. Premier — as things go along.

I would like to also welcome in the gallery today…. As we know, all

members of this Legislative Assembly rely so hard and so much on the

constituency assistants that do such great work for us. They deal with the

public. Most of the time, when you’re dealing with the public, it’s a

fantastic experience. I’ve heard rumours that every once in a while, maybe,

it’s not always perfect. I can tell you that the constituency assistants do

an exceptional job on behalf of all of us.

Today in the gallery, we’re joined by all of the constituency

assistants for the members of the opposition. I’d sure like the House to

make them welcome.

P. Milobar: Today I just want to take a brief moment to mark a birthday, back in

Kamloops, of a dear friend, a longtime colleague — on the heels of a civic

election, it seems fitting, I guess — and, certainly, a mentor of mine when

I first started in politics. Pat Wallace has a birthday today.

She served for over 30 years on Kamloops city council. She was a staff

person working for Claude Richmond back when he was a minister in this place

as well. She has given a good portion of her adult life to the betterment of

our community.

I just want to make sure this House wishes Pat a happy birthday. I

won’t disclose her age, though. She would kill me for that.

T. Wat: Today is the birthday of my second grandson, Ashton Chung.

I’d like the House to wish my grandson Ashton a healthy and happy

birthday.

I’d also like to share the exciting news that I had a third grandchild

this year. My granddaughter — I have two grandsons and one granddaughter —

was born on July 11. She’s now, with the whole family, with me, and they are

leaving soon. I want to share with you that I’m a proud grandmother of two

grandsons and one granddaughter.

Mr. Speaker: Members, we can continue with the introductions after we finish with

our earthquake drill. The House will have a brief recess. We will all be

participating in that drill, with further instructions given to you by the

Clerk’s office. I think it’s also raining. So maybe you can take an umbrella

or jacket with you when you go out, just in case.

At approximately 11 o’clock, we will come back to the House. At the

time when you hear the bell, please come back as soon as possible. We’ll

continue with the morning agenda.

The House is now in recess.

The House recessed from 10:08 a.m. to 11:03 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

SMALL BUSINESSES IN KELOWNA

AND APPOINTMENT OF DAN

ROGERS TO

CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD

R. Merrifield: I rise to celebrate the small businesses in Kelowna that employ

much of our population. The Kelowna CMA is home to over 30,000 small

businesses and was actually acknowledged by the Financial Post

as the most enterprising region in Canada. In my riding, you can enjoy

several great shops, restaurants and services that provide for our

community.

If you want to go out for an extraordinary meal, head out to the

Fixx Café, but if you just need a coffee, the Bean Scene or the

Marmalade Cat Café is more your speed. For shopping, there’s no better

fish than Codfathers or produce than Don-O-Ray’s or the Sunshine Market

for those last-minute items, heading home to the Upper Mission. To show

someone that you love them, well, go and visit Marie at Earthly

Creations. But for those big shops, head to Peter’s Your Independent

Grocer.

We need to support our small businesses now more than ever, which

is why it is so great that we have a champion of our business community

in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the executive director, Dan

Rogers.

[11:05 a.m.]

Dan Rogers has been the executive director of our Kelowna chamber

for many years, having come from a political life in Prince George to

the Okanagan. But his hard work and efforts for our entrepreneurial

community are now being recognized by Canada, as just this last week he

was appointed to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce board of directors at

the national AGM and policy conference in Ottawa. Rogers is serving as

the second vice-president with the Chamber of Commerce Executives of

Canada and will represent the CCEC on the Canadian Chamber board for the

next three years.

Would the House please join me in celebrating this new appointment

for Dan Rogers and, in doing so, celebrate the whole entrepreneurial

spirit of Kelowna.

RECIPIENTS OF PREMIER’S AWARDS

FOR EXCELLENCE IN

EDUCATION

S. Chant: Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the Premier’s Awards

for Excellence in Education. This was a live event attended by people

from all over B. C. and held at Government House. We were introduced to

over 30 educators who have made significant contributions in a wide

variety of areas.

Through vignettes on the big screen, we watched committed, engaged

and compassionate teachers, administrators and support staff doing

exemplary work with their school communities. The awards were in

categories that aptly described the winners’ ongoing contributions as

follows.

For community engagement — Sandra Richardson, vice-principal,

Penticton Secondary, school district 67, Okanagan-Skaha. District

leadership — Ivano Cecchini, executive director of facilities and

planning services, school district 43, Coquitlam. Extracurricular

leadership — Christina Horwood, teacher, Oak Bay High, school district

61, greater Victoria. Indigenous education — Birdy Markert, district

principal of Indigenous education, school district 54, Bulkley

Valley.

Outstanding new teacher — Rupinder Aujla, teacher, Ellison

Elementary, school district 23, Central Okanagan. Outstanding support of

the school community — Nicole Rishaug, student success team advocate,

Mount Boucherie Secondary, school district 23, Central Okanagan.

Outstanding support, teaching assistant — Elaine Tattrie, teaching

assistant, Gibsons Elementary, school district 46, Sunshine Coast.

Outstanding team collaboration — Megan Kang, Meghan Stewart, Tricia

Yurkowski, Westcot Elementary, West Vancouver. School leadership — Ian

Levings, principal. School equity and diversity — Nerlap

Sidhu.

I, for one, am very grateful that our kids and our future are in

the hands of these marvelous people that we call teachers,

administrators and support staff in our schools across British

Columbia.

WILF SMITH

L. Doerkson: On September 1 of this year, Cariboo-Chilcotin lost an amazing

icon, loved and respected. Last weekend almost 1,500 people gathered in

the Williams Lake Stampede grandstand to pay their final respects to

Wilfred “Wilfeo” Leslie Smith.

Wilf Smith is a long-time auctioneer with B.C. Livestock. He

started his career in partnership with his brother, Al, after attending

auction school in the U.S. He was known for his quick wit and commitment

to his family, our community and, of course, his clients.

He volunteered his time and auctioning skills freely to groups

like Williams Lake Stampede, the Harvest Fair, Ducks Unlimited and 4-H.

Darrell Williamson said it best, and with a chuckle, when he told me the

best thing about Wilf was that once you put your hand up once, you were

good for about six bids without having to put it up again. He could have

been quoted as saying to one of his colleagues, Larry Jordan: “Larry,

everybody here wants to buy something, so take their bid. Take it even

if it looks like they’re just thinking about it.”

Joking aside, he was well loved by the staff, colleagues and

clients of B.C. Livestock, who made it clear in their tributes during

his service that they all had admiration, respect and trust in Wilf

Smith. Bruce Rolph, Larry Jordan, Stephanie Matussek, Curtis Jette, Jay

and Al Smith, Cordy Cox-Ellis, Wayne Jordan, Wade McNolty and Jack

Billings all did extremely touching tributes to Wilf. They used words

like firm, honest, supportive, caring, hard-working and loyal to

describe him. This was a man that a handshake met everything, and for

sure it meant his word. Most knew that of Wilf.

[11:10 a.m.]

I, along with the Cariboo-Chilcotin, send our love and our prayers

to Wilf’s family — to Darlene, his wife. He’ll be missed by so very many

people.

May he rest in peace, Wilf Smith.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

AWARDS

RECIPIENTS

B. Bailey: Earlier this month, with the Minister of Citizens’ Services and

the Minister of Energy, I attended the annual technology innovation

awards, or the TIAs. Think Oscars for tech companies. Staged before a

sold-out crowd of more than 700 people, the province’s largest,

longest-running tech awards celebrated 12 outstanding companies among a

multitude of deserving nominees.

Start-up of the year went to VodaSafe, an underwater scanning

technology used to help identify swimmers in distress and prevent

drownings.

The inaugural award for GameChanger, Climate Leadership was

presented to HTEC, who are unlocking hydrogen’s potential to reduce

pollution and climate change by building hydrogen supply solutions and

station networks.

I’ll quickly run through the other ten winners. Dapper Labs was

the big winner of the night, taking home both the Spirit of B.C. Tech

and the Excellence in Culture Awards. GameChanger, Diversity and

Inclusion went to Hootsuite. The Vancouver Airport Authority won for

excellence in industry innovation for their great work on their digital

twin.

Excellence in Technology Innovations went to MeetAmi Innovations.

The Growth award went to AOT Technologies. Advanced Cyclotron Systems

won the Export award. Company of the Year, Scale went to Redlen

Technologies. GeoComply won the Company of the Year Award for anchor

companies.

The evening’s final award, Person of the Year, went to Josh

Nilson, who is originally from Willow River, B.C. and of Indigenous

heritage. Josh is a co-founder of East Side Games.

I want to end by quoting Josh, because I think his words are very,

very important. “I think I’m a voice right now in getting the word out

that ‘tech is for everyone….’ I think my job is just to hold the door

open so other people can come in…. I’ll help amplify their voices and

support them in whatever way I can.”

Congratulations to all the winners and to Jill Tipping and her

team at B.C. Tech for putting on a world-class event celebrating the

extraordinary talent in our tech ecosystem.

RETIRING LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS

IN COLUMBIA

RIVER–REVELSTOKE

D. Clovechok: With the municipal elections behind us, I’d like to acknowledge

three outstanding individuals who chose not to run for re-election, with

a snapshot of their accomplishments.

Karl Sterzer served the village of Canal Flats for eight years,

first as a councillor and most recently as mayor. He worked closely with

the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation on their Columbia Lake Recreation Centre. He

delivered a forward-thinking OCP that focused on affordable housing. He

attracted new businesses to town and a new community daycare, which is

scheduled to open very soon. The Premier, actually, was out in Canal

Flats at one of those celebrations.

Karl continues to be a passionate advocate for the Columbia

Valley. He’s going to be missed.

Jerry Wilkie served the folks of the RDEK, electoral area G, for

14 years. Jerry’s passion for the environment was instrumental in

establishing the Columbia Valley local fund, which was the first of its

kind in Canada. The fund provides local financial support for important

projects that contribute to the conservation of valuable natural

areas.

With Jerry…. Politically we couldn’t be further apart. He’s a

staunch NDPer. But we worked well together. I learned a lot from him,

and I know I’m going to be getting him out to door-knock with me during

the next election.

Clara Reinhardt served the community of Radium Hot Springs for 14

years, six years as a councillor and mayor for eight. Clara achieved a

great deal for her community with her colleagues in the Columbia Valley.

Most recently Clara was recognized in Ottawa as a community champion by

the Forest Products Association of Canada. One of her biggest highlights

was Radium’s new community centre and building it all with B.C. wood

products.

In my riding, I have the honour to work with 49 local government

elected officials, in addition to the elected school board trustees.

These three individuals epitomize the calibre of government

representatives we have here in British Columbia.

Thank you, Clara, Jerry and Karl.

SMALL BUSINESSES IN KOOTENAYS

B. Anderson: Small businesses are the economic engine of British Columbia and

employ over two million people. Our government knew it was essential to

keep small businesses open during the pandemic. So we invested $530

million, with a total of $1.5 billion in COVID relief.

Child care centres are small businesses. Our government is

lowering child care fees so more parents can work in places like small

businesses but also in hospitals, forests and schools.

[11:15 a.m.]

On the East Shore, you can find artisans like Barefoot Handweaving

and North Woven Broom, which made the brooms for Harry Potter. That’s

right. Our small businesses are serving the world and

Hogwarts.

In the Creston Valley, we have farmers feeding our communities,

like Kootenay Meadows, run by Erin Harris and her family. Best milk

ever. With investments from our provincial government, the food hub

recently opened, which will help even more businesses start, expand and

flourish.

In Kaslo, the pharmacy was instrumental in getting people

vaccinated. During the pandemic, they did home delivery to support

people’s health needs.

Thanks, Ward and the team.

At Sunnyside Naturals, you can get everything from delicious tea

to crystals from Hana and her staff.

In Salmo, stop and grab a refreshing beer at Erie Creek

Brewing.

In Nelson, DeVito’s has been around since 1926, with four

generations working there, including Shelley and Vince’s sons, John,

Matt and Joel. They not only sell high-quality footwear, but they are

also the largest shoe repair in Canada.

Start-up businesses like CertiCraft are moving to the Kootenays,

providing craft cannabis cultivators like Rosebud Farms their novel

software.

Do you want to see a true cross-section of the Kootenays? Head

over to Oso, where, if asked for an espresso bean recommendation, owner

Jon will launch into a personal journey with you to find your perfect

fit. Just ask our Minister of Environment.

This week let’s celebrate all of our incredible small businesses

in all of our communities.

Tributes

E. GEORGE

M ac MINN

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acknowledge that later today a memorial

service will be held for George MacMinn, who passed away at the end of

August at the age of 92.

George was known to many of us and was highly regarded, given the

mark that he left on this institution. He was a force in strengthening

the role of the Legislative Assembly and the manner in which it conducts

its business and was deserving of the many accolades that were bestowed

upon him during his life in recognition of his remarkable service to

this institution.

At the time of his retirement, 2011, from the position of Clerk of

the Legislative Assembly, to which he was appointed in 1993, he had

served this institution as a Table Officer for an unprecedented 54 years

of service. His contributions to the Legislative Assembly will, no

doubt, continue to be reflected in how this institution operates for a

long time to come.

I simply wanted to take a moment to honour his service and memory

today.

Oral Questions

ATTACKS BY REPEAT OFFENDERS AND

ACTION ON JUSTICE

SYSTEM REFORMS

E. Sturko: The crisis of violence, random attacks, social chaos and disorder

on our streets continues with more victims every day. Yesterday we

learned of a woman who was robbed and sexually assaulted just blocks

from this very Legislature. This woman wasn’t alone. Innocent people,

front-line workers and police officers are facing barbaric attacks every

single day.

This week an RCMP officer was murdered in the line of duty. Now

we’ve learned that her accused attacker had a history of being arrested

and charged with assault. He was arrested last year and charged with the

assault and resisting of a police officer and then released. This March

he was again arrested and charged with assault and again released. On

Monday, a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show up

for court. At the time of the fatal stabbing, he was on conditions, not

allowed to possess any weapons.

Enough is enough. Enough is enough. The soon-to-be Premier’s

catch-and-release program has failed.

How many more people have to be assaulted, victimized or even die

in our province at the hands of violent offenders before this government

will take action?

[11:20 a.m.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for that question. All of us in this House take

the matter of public safety incredibly seriously. That is why we have

been working both at the local level and the provincial level with our

police institutions on changes that they want to see that will make

their work more effective and better. That’s why I pointed out yesterday

the number of initiatives that have been undertaken to do just

that.

We also know that there have to be changes to the Criminal Code,

because when changes are made to the Criminal Code in how the police do

their duty, how they enforce the laws — and how those changes come about

sometimes because of case law at the Supreme Court — those are in the

jurisdiction of the federal government.

It’s why we have been aggressive with the federal government in

terms of the need for change in some of those areas. It’s why the

Attorney General and myself — in Halifax — along with Attorneys General

and ministers of justice from other provinces right across this country,

who are dealing with similar situations, have said there have to be

urgent changes done. We are working to do that.

At the same time, we are putting in place those initiatives

identified in the LePard-Butler report that can do what police are

wanting. The restoration of the prolific offender management program is

a key priority. From the mental health side, how to deal with the mental

health issues that more and more police are seeing on the streets; peer

assisted PACT teams — the number one recommendation that they want to

see in place.

We are working as hard and as diligently as we can to ensure that

we are keeping the streets and communities of this province

safe.

E. Sturko: You know, this government has had five years to take on these

challenges. We recognize that it is difficult. However, I want it on the

public record that the case law which I believe my friend is referring

to, R. v. Zora , talks about the provisions by which prosecutors

may ask, may seek, may request the detention of people who may cause

harm in our communities.

In R. v. Zora , it does allow for prosecutors to bring

forward information when it is a matter of public safety or where our

justice system may fall into disrepute. They can ask for dangerous

prolific offenders to be held in custody. This is no guarantee, but they

should be asking, because it’s a crisis. We can’t afford any more

inaction.

Kenneth Solowan is a prolific offender accused of brutally

attacking, with a machete, two strangers who were loading luggage into a

taxi. He has a long criminal record and past weapons charges. But

according to the police: “He was recently granted bail and immediately

breached his conditions.”

Violent stranger attacks like this should never be just accepted

as a fact of life. Yet day after day, we see violence on our streets as

prolific offenders are released and then breach bail and probation

conditions.

The NDP government keeps telling us what they can’t do. When will

they say what they can do and actually keep British Columbians

safe?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I’ll answer the question from the member and then the comment from

the Leader of the Opposition.

I have been outlining all the things that we have been doing and

can be doing — initiatives that police have been asking for that we have

been implementing over the last five years. There’s a significant amount

of work that’s been done.

[11:25 a.m.]

Police have asked for witness protection programs, witness

security programs to build stronger cases so that when people do commit

violent crimes, they can be put away for a long time. Police have asked

for forensic services that have been in place — that weren’t here, that

we have put in place.

Police have asked for support teams in communities such as

Terrace, such as Kamloops, such as Kelowna, with additional police

resources to help deal with the challenges that they face — mental

health teams, the peer assisted teams, the mental health experts to deal

with those complex challenges that we know police face that are more

complex than ever. We have done those things.

I know the Leader of the Opposition somehow seems to think that

when you go to the federal government to talk about the Criminal Code:

Oh, that’s just a meeting. No, it is not just a meeting.

The Criminal Code, Leader of the Opposition, is the responsibility

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Members, we heard the question. Let’s continue with the

answer.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Those changes are being sought by British Columbia, Alberta,

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward

Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories

and Yukon.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Please continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: We understand that dealing with these issues requires a

collaborative approach of local government, the provincial government

and the federal government. We are going to do everything that we

can.

Interjections.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I think that comment from the opposition says that they’re not

really interested. They’re not really interested. But we are. We are,

and we will continue every single day doing our job.

ACTION ON COMMUNITY SAFETY

AND ROLE OF INCOMING

PREMIER

T. Stone: Well, could the gulf between what this government thinks is

happening in this province and what is actually happening on the ground

be any larger? Talk about a government completely and totally out of

touch. The Solicitor General and his colleagues have had almost six

years to take action. They’ve had six years to hold meetings with

federal governments, to talk about Criminal Code implications. They’ve

had six years to address what has been a rising challenge of prolific

offender attacks that are terrorizing British Columbians.

All that really matters to British Columbians are the results. The

results are that people increasingly do not feel safe in their

communities, because they aren’t safe in their communities. That’s on

this minister. That’s on this government.

The catch-and-release program that the incoming Premier oversaw

for five years while being Attorney General has been an unmitigated

disaster. This NDP government is dragging its feet when it comes to

something as important and as critical as people’s right to feel safe in

their communities.

When it comes to orchestrating a backroom takeover of the NDP

leadership, the incoming Premier acted lightning fast to eliminate from

the race a young woman who actually had the temerity to challenge him.

While busy playing politics and stacking the deck in a leadership race,

the incoming soft-on-crime Premier left our streets in chaos and our

communities in fear.

The members opposite can laugh. British Columbians are not

laughing at all.

What is it going to take? What is it going to take for the NDP to

take real action to put a person’s right to feel safe in their

communities above the rights of criminals to reoffend in British

Columbia?

Hon. M. Farnworth: First off, for the member’s information, the changes that we have

been talking about, that all provinces are concerned about, took place

in 2019. We’re now seeing the unintended consequences of those

changes.

In terms of the rules and the laws in place, they are exactly the

same as when they sat on this side of the House. In fact, the same head

of the prosecution service is the person that they appointed. For five

years, we have been making investments in policing and support services

that they have been asking for, and we will continue to do

that.

We have increased funding for victim services. I hear the Leader

of the Opposition talked about victims.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, please.

[11:30 a.m.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: “Here we go,” he says. Here we go. When a young woman is sexually

assaulted or when a woman is raped and they need support services —

trauma-informed services from experts with the training, who know how to

deal with these terrible situations — they go to sexual assault centres.

Guess what. Did they care about that when they sat on this side of the

House? No, they did not.

Interjection.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Shame, hon. Member? What’s shameful was cutting the

funding.

Mr. Speaker: Members, Members.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, shhh. Just hold it.

Hon. M. Farnworth: You cut the funding. You cut the funding for those centres that

served victims, hon. Member. You cut the funding.

We restored that funding to make sure that funding is available

right across the province. We know what needs to be done at the

provincial level. In turn….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, wait for your turn, please.

The minister will continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

We’ve been working with local governments, we’ve been working with

police forces, and we’ve been working with communities on what needs to

be done. We also know that the work needs to be done with the federal

government, and we are going to continue doing it till we get the

changes that we need and that will keep streets in this province

safe.

Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader, supplemental.

T. Stone: Well, the prevalence of violent random attacks has never been

worse in British Columbia than they are right now under this government.

That’s on this government. If the Solicitor General is going to stand up

again and say, “Well, it didn’t actually become a problem until 2019,”

why in God’s name didn’t he take action three years ago?

Why didn’t you take action back in 2019?

Mr. Speaker: Member, through the Chair.

T. Stone: The fact of the matter is that it’s getting worse and worse by the

day in this province, and everything that this government has tried has

failed. The answer that the Solicitor General just gave typifies this

blame-everyone-but-themselves approach, which they are now becoming well

known for, on this file and many others.

Now, the fact of the matter is that this government has ignored a

whole range of actions, solutions, ideas that we have brought forward

and that have been informed by mayors, informed by law enforcement and

others — such as issuing policy directives to the Prosecution Service

and assigning dedicated Crown counsel to prolific offenders.

Clearly, the NDP are hung up on their ideology. They haven’t taken

action on these. It has been talk, talk, meeting, meeting, talk, talk

and more meetings. It starts with the soon-to-be Premier, who wrote the

handbook called How to Sue the Police . That was helpful. He

even opposed the successful B.C. Liberal prolific offender management

program, informed by best practices, calling it “aggressive policing

tactics.” That’s the incoming Premier’s view of that.

What else did the incoming Premier say? He said: “It’s time to

wean police from our taxes because crime is at low and acceptable

levels.” These are the views of the soon-to-be Premier of British

Columbia.

When will this NDP government abandon the soft-on-crime approach

of this incoming Premier and end his catch-and-release

program?

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: That’s not very smart. Members, please.

Just hold it, Minister.

When the question is asked, please take a pause and let’s listen

to the answer.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I do find it interesting that the members of the opposition want

to talk about a leadership race, when they should go back and look at

the last leadership race that they just had, and the fact that their

winning candidate….

Interjections.

[Mr. Speaker rose.]

Mr. Speaker: Members, are we going to continue like this and waste our time? If

not, let’s proceed with a proper question-and-answer period.

The minister will continue.

[11:35 a.m.]

[Mr. Speaker resumed his seat.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

Their winning candidate couldn’t stick to the spending

rules.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, the Chair can hear both sides, and the Chair can decide

what’s appropriate and not. You don’t have to tell me,

please.

The minister will continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

I guess when the member stood up to ask that question, the facts

really triggered him, because that was their record when they were on

this side of the House. They cut funding for sexual assault centres.

They cut funding for victim services. They cut funding to the support

services that people need, that police rely on, knowing that there are

experts out there that they can put in place to help them when they’re

doing a very difficult job.

We want changes that will make sure that those engaged in violent

crime go behind, are kept off our streets, where they belong. That’s why

the ministers in Halifax talked about and want action on things, so that

we can have a reverse onus, not just on those who use weapons such as a

gun, but on those who use knives, for example, or use bear spray or

other things that will….

Interjection.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Exactly hon. Member. That’s what we want done.

That’s done at the Criminal Code of Canada. That’s what we are

determined to ensure takes place. That’s why we are working with the

federal government on those changes, along with the other provinces.

That’s why we’re putting in place the initiatives that we have done

since we took office five years ago to ensure that police have the tools

they need to do the job.

Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader, second supplemental.

T. Stone: Well, the difference between their leadership race and our race is

that we actually had multiple candidates running for our leadership —

seven candidates, to be exact — while I think all British Columbians

have always known that the fix was in on this NDP leadership

race.

I’ll tell you this much. As someone with three daughters, I am

shocked and appalled that not only did they disqualify a young woman who

stepped forward; they are smearing her, smearing her every day moving

forward. That’s appalling. Every member over there should be ashamed of

that.

Interjections.

T. Stone: What is so funny?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

T. Stone: You bend yourself like pretzels to remove a young woman from your

leadership race, who has organized and signed up more memberships than

your soon-to-be-incoming Premier, and now you’re smearing her.

Unbelievable. What a reflection on the members opposite.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member, you’re heckling your own member.

Members, let’s hear the question, please.

T. Stone: At a time when people need to have trust in their leaders to take

on big challenges, it’s clear that the incoming Premier has a massive

cloud over his head. British Columbians are going to be led by a

soft-on-crime former Attorney General who abandoned public safety and by

an NDP that has abandoned democracy. When the former Attorney General

spent the last year scheming his takeover of their leadership race and

the elimination of all opponents from said race, what he wasn’t doing

was his job of keeping British Columbians safe.

For over six months, we have called for action from this

government — which I mentioned in the previous question and which wasn’t

answered by the Solicitor General — yet this government refuses to take

action. British Columbians continue to be assaulted and attacked —

people stabbed; people struck in the head with steel pipes; women being

followed into their apartments and being assaulted; prolific offenders

being released over and over again and then reoffending, sometimes only

a couple of hours after their release. This madness has to

stop.

When will this NDP government abandon the soft-on-crime approach

of the incoming Premier and put the public’s right to safety above the

rights of criminals to reoffend?

[11:40 a.m.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: You know, hon. Speaker, our new Premier-to-be is going to come

into this House, and he is going to do the same…. He’s going to bring

the same commitment that he showed when he took office as Attorney

General…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Please continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: …and set in place the body, the commission, that brought back a

report into the unmitigated failure of the previous government when it

came to money laundering in this province, money laundering that

fuelled….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Members. Members, let….

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

The money laundering led to unmitigated organized crime, drug

dealing, trafficking, all of the kinds of things that it fuelled,

because they….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, Members.

Members, have the courtesy to listen, please — all of you, both

sides.

Continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Money laundering fuels organized crime, hon. Member. It’s that

simple. What part of that equation don’t you understand?

Hon. Speaker, the LePard-Butler report, again, which the Attorney

General commissioned, with the 28 recommendations…. As soon as that

report has been received, three of those recommendations are being acted

on, including the one that they criticize, which is the repeat offender

management program. He has committed to it going ahead. That’s why it’s

going ahead.

Interjections.

[Mr. Speaker rose.]

Mr. Speaker: Members, take it easy, please. Please.

The minister will continue.

[Mr. Speaker resumed his seat.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

Those recommendations are being implemented. On the changes that

we are seeking at the federal level to the Criminal Code, we are all

united on this side of the House — and, I would hope, on that side of

the House — to make sure that they get done. The tools that police have

been asking for, for the last five years and that we have implemented

have been initiatives of this government. They have been put in place,

and we are going to continue to do that.

They’re upset that we have a leader who’s going to carry on the

good work of our Premier. I will put our new leader against their leader

any day.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Third Party has the floor.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON

CAMPAIGN

STATEMENTS

S. Furstenau: I hear the opposition talk about actions, solutions and ideas, and

I think about two — over two — years ago, when we brought the proposal

to bring psychologists into MSP and incorporate them into primary care

and how much that would have helped to meet the needs of people over the

last two years, if it had happened.

Free prescription contraception, biodiversity legislation, an end

to old-growth logging, the renters rebate, a medical school at SFU,

meeting our climate change accountability targets, stopping Site C,

affordable housing, police reform, pay equity, community health centres,

a review of fracking. These are just some of this government’s promises

— promises made in election after election, promises made by the

Premier, by the ministers, by backbenchers — promises made to the public

and not delivered on.

After nearly six years, I think the members opposite need to ask

themselves what they stand for. They called a snap election. They got

the majority they wanted so badly. They have all this power, and they’re

not demonstrating the courage to deliver. They should look to the three

years that Dave Barrett was in power for an example of courageous

leadership.

To the Premier, after so many broken promises, why should British

Columbians trust this government?

[11:45 a.m.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for her question, because this government has

done absolutely amazing work over the last five years. You know what,

hon. Speaker? For a young family, young parents with young children, who

want to have child care — cheaper child care, more affordable child care

than ever existed when they were on that side of the House — that’s

pretty amazing.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Members.

Members, please.

Hon. M. Farnworth: When people were concerned about MSP premiums and how much that

impacted the family budget in doing away with those, that’s pretty

amazing.

When people were struggling with car insurance that was going up

and up and up and members on the other side, when reports came out,

said, “Oh, it’s going to go up,” and then, “Oh no, no, no, it’s not

going up,” just before an election, the national election, they jack the

rates up, and all of a sudden we are able to give them car insurance

that is significantly, 20 percent, cheaper than it was before. That’s

pretty amazing.

When we bring together a climate action plan that’s the best in

this country, that’s pretty amazing. We’ve got a lot more to do, and

we’re going to do it.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Third Party, supplemental.

GOVERNMENT OPENNESS

AND

TRANSPARENCY

S. Furstenau: When this government was in opposition, they used to rave about

the need for more honesty and transparency. Now this Legislature is

shrouded in secrecy. This government says one thing and does another. In

compromising the trust of the public, they are perilously close to

disavowing democracy itself. They have passed restrictive FOI

legislation. They have threatened to revoke the party status of their

opposition. Lobbyists are embedded in their party

infrastructure.

The Canadian Association of Journalists gave this government the

Code of Silence Award for its dedication to denying transparency,

openness and the public’s right to know. Less transparency, less trust,

more corporate influence — this is not the party that they sold

themselves as to British Columbians.

To the Premier, in his own words, how would he describe a healthy

democracy?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for her question. A healthy democracy

recognizes the injustice that was done when they took office in 2001 and

refused to recognize two people. They were so scared of two people, when

they had 77 seats, that they would not even recognize them as official

party status. And when we took office….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

[Mr. Speaker rose.]

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Is the member for Surrey–White Rock asking a question?

Take your time.

Please continue.

[Mr. Speaker resumed his seat.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When we took office in 2017, we corrected that and made official

party status for when there are two individuals. That allowed that

member and her colleagues to become an official party in this

Legislature.

[End of question period.]

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, question period is over. Please.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

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