B.C. Today – Daily Report September 6, 2019

Quotation of the day

“This is a generational industry. Forestry requires not quarterly decisions, ​ but decade-long decisions ... It's not yesterday's forest industry, it's tomorrow's forest industry.” ​

Premier says, long-term, the challenges currently facing B.C.’s forestry industry ​ ​ will be overcome.

Today in B.C.

On the schedule The House is adjourned for the summer recess.

Back to the grind: Horgan talks ride-hailing, forestry woes and ICBC premiums Following a funding announcement in yesterday, Premier John Horgan told ​ ​ reporters he’s not worried that the Vancouver taxi industry’s petition to have the B.C. Supreme ​ ​

Court reject the Passenger Transportation Board’s (PTB) ride-hailing rules will delay the rollout of the service in the province.

“I'm confident that we've done everything we can to make sure that the implementation of ride ​ sharing is as seamless as it could possibly be,” Horgan said. “The judicial review is an issue for the PTB and the companies that are bringing this concern forward.”

The premier also denied that his letter to the Vancouver Taxi Association — in which he wrote that the government remains committed to “to minimiz[ing] negative effects on the taxi sector” — was out of line.

“My job and the job of my staff is to be open and accessible to the public, to hear what they have to say and then to articulate back to them that we understand their concerns, and that’s why I wrote the letter,” he told reporters.

Horgan also defended Transportation Minister ’s letter to the PTB to “relay ​ ​ widespread concerns” about certain aspects of the ride-hailing regime, especially the lack of a cap on fleet sizes — a move the Liberal Party has called inappropriate. ​ ​

“The minister wrote to the board to express our concern that we want to maintain issues around congestion,” Horgan said. “We don't want the roads clogged with drivers spewing emissions if they're not in hybrids or electric vehicles chasing down rides that may not exist.”

Asked about news that yet another B.C. sawmill will permanently close its doors by the end of the year, Horgan said he and his government are “very concerned about the transition” forestry-dependent communities are going through.

“A whole bunch of issues have conspired against the forest industry and rural communities,” he told reporters. “Having said that, we have set up tables in communities, bringing together labour, communities, Indigenous people, and companies to find a way to manage our timber supply community by community, and we have Workers' Compensation issues in play as mills go down. We're in regular contact with executives.”

Today, the premier will meet with the Council of Forest Industries to “talk further” about the challenges facing the industry.

Kicking Horse Canyon project enters final phase with extra $151 million in projected costs A request for proposals (RFP) was issued yesterday for the final 4.8 kilometres of the Kicking ​ ​ Horse Canyon project, which will realign a stretch of Highway 1, east of Golden, and expand it from two lanes to four.

Government officials described the work slated for the section as “very challenging and risky project” — work that will be further complicated by the 100,000 vehicles, including interprovincial commercial trucks, that travel the canyon at peak times.

“This last two-lane section has 13 bends with rock faces on one side and canyon on the other,” Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena told reporters yesterday. “There is ​ ​ hardly enough room for people to safely change a tire if they need to.”

“The work won’t be easy or inexpensive but it is work which simply must be done,” she added. “The hot construction market has led to cost increases on projects across the province. The price of materials continues to increase and the skilled labour shortage means hiring people is more expensive.”

In 2016, the project budget was $450 million but is now expected to cost $601 million. B.C. and Ottawa will share costs for the project, with a provincial contribution of $385.8 million and Ottawa contributing up to $215.2 million through the New Building Canada Fund.

The cost of community benefits The NDP government’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is also adding to the cost of the project, to the tune of $35 million — all of which will be borne by the province. The government’s news release states the CBA-related increase “represents 5.8 per cent of the project’s total budget” but the increase to provincial coffers is more like 27 per cent.

Over the four-year lifespan of the project, $15 million will be spent on accommodations or living allowances for workers at the remote project site. B.C. Infrastructure Benefits (BCIB), which is responsible for overseeing CBA-administered projects, anticipates it will spend $8 million managing the final phase in the Kicking Horse Canyon and another $12 million has been allocated for “competitive wages and benefits.”

The project is expected to require up to 300 full-time positions at peak construction. Workers will be offered wages of about $33 per hour — slightly less than non-CBA wage rates of about $36 per hour. However, benefit compensation under the CBA is nearly double the hourly benefit compensation offered by non-CBA employers, according to BCIB.

The CBA “will ensure all workers receive competitive, equal, transparent wages and benefits, enabling greater employment and training opportunities for people traditionally underrepresented in the trades, including women, Indigenous peoples, apprentices and people with disabilities” — benefits the government maintains offset the increased costs.

CBAs “will help diversify and mobilize the skilled trades now and in the future,” according to the transportation ministry.

Impacts and next steps

The challenging work in the canyon will create significant disruption for the nearby town of Golden and other communities, as well as businesses shipping goods by truck from B.C. through Alberta.

Full closures of Highway 1 will be required for significant stretches of time. A single detour route — from Golden south to Radium Hot Springs and then north-west to Castle Junction for westbound traffic — will add 90 minutes of travel time.

The RFQ will establish a short list of qualified bidders by December. The contract will be awarded in 2020, according to the transportation minister, and construction is expected to begin that summer with completion set for the winter of 2024.

Today’s events

September 6 at 10 a.m. – Surrey ​ Liberal MPs Gordie Hogg (South Surrey—White Rock) and Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre) will ​ ​ ​ ​ make a housing-related announcement at 1881 - 152 Street.

September 6 at 10:30 a.m. – Surrey ​ Labour Minister , who represents Surrey—Newton, will be joined by Surrey—Green ​ ​ Timbers MLA and members of the B.C. Arts Council at the Royal Academy of ​ ​ Bhangra Studio for an announcement in support of arts and culture in the province. The event will feature a special Bhangra performance.

September 6 at 11:30 a.m. – Terrace ​ Advanced Education, Skills and Training Minister will make an announcement ​ ​ that will support students attending Coast Mountain College and improve access to rental housing in the region.

September 6 at 12:30 p.m. – Burnaby ​ Education Minister and , parliamentary secretary for Gender Equity, ​ ​ ​ ​ will make an announcement at Cariboo Hill Secondary School regarding SOGI-inclusive (sexual orientation and gender identity) education in B.C. schools.

September 6 at 1 p.m. – Surrey ​ National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South) will announce funding in support of ​ ​ multiculturalism and anti-racism initiatives at Newton Cultural Centre.

September 6 at 1 p.m. – Port Coquitlam ​ Premier John Horgan and Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister , who ​ ​ ​ ​ represents Port Coquitlam, will celebrate Terry Fox's legacy at Terry Fox Secondary School.

September 6 at 2 p.m. – New Westminster ​ Education Minister Rob Fleming and Mitzi Dean, parliamentary secretary for Gender Equity, ​ ​ ​ ​ will be joined by Mental Health and Addictions Minister , who represents New ​ ​ Westminster, at Fraser River Middle School to celebrate equitable, stigma-free access to menstrual products alongside students, staff and officials in the New Westminster school district.

Weekend events

September 8 at 6 p.m. – Terrace ​ The NDP’s Skeena riding association will host Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister at ​ ​ the Back Eddy Pub.

Topics of conversation

● Ottawa and Victoria have signed a bilateral agreement to co-operate on large-scale ​ ​ ​ project reviews under two new pieces of legislation: the federal Impact Assessment Act and the provincial Environmental Assessment Act, which was passed during this spring’s legislative session. The Canada- Impact Assessment Cooperation ​ Agreement sets out how the two jurisdictions will work together on impact assessments ​ that require approvals from both levels of government to ensure “a more predictable and timely process, increased efficiency and certainty, and result in quality assessments that draw on the best available expertise.” The agreement includes a commitment for both levels of government to “coordinate cooperation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples” during impact assessments. ○ The agreement supports B.C.’s “revitalized environmental assessment process,” according to B.C. Environment Minister , and affirms the ​ ​ province’s “commitment to working with our federal counterparts, while retaining our independent decision-making authorities.”

● B.C. school districts have until the end of 2019 to make menstrual products freely ​ available to all students in their schools, per a ministerial order issued by Education ​ Minister Rob Fleming in April. In the Greater Victoria School District, menstrual products ​ ​ ​ have been available for students in school offices, and this year, the district will step up its efforts to make the products more accessible by placing them in baskets in secondary and middle school washrooms to ensure all students have stigma-free access to these products. In elementary schools, products will be available in some washrooms, as well as the main school office and in counsellor offices.

● A new poll from the Angus Reid Institute shows the majority of Canadians see climate ​ ​ change as a top issue in the upcoming federal issue, while a majority also feel oil and gas development should be a top priority.

○ Of those surveyed, 69 per cent say climate change should be a top priority while 58 per cent say oil and gas development should be a major ballot box issue. ○ The survey showed most Canadians do not see the two as an either/or dichotomy. Of those who believe that climate change should be a priority, 75 per cent also want to see some level of investment in the oil and gas sector. Eighty per cent of respondents who said the energy industry should be a priority, also want to see investment in climate change.

News briefs - Governmental

Ministry of Health Health Minister announced the expansion of B.C.’s biosimilar drugs program to ​ ​ ​ ​ include drugs that treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) conditions, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Biosimilars are virtually identical versions of biologics that cost anywhere from 25 per cent to 50 per cent less than their patented counterparts. Canada’s use of biosimilars is significantly lower than comparable jurisdictions at approximately eight per cent. Other nations have up to 95 per cent biosimilar usage.

"The evidence clearly shows that these patients can transition from original biologics to biosimilars safely and effectively, which are key considerations that have always been our top priorities with this change," Dix said in a statement.

In May, Dix announced the initial phase of the biologic program which is in the process of ​ ​ transitioning about 20,700 British Columbians to biologic drugs to treat ankylosing spondylitis, diabetes, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation First Nations Summit The First Nations Summit and the provincial and federal governments have collaboratively developed a Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British ​ Columbia. ​

The B.C.-specific policy supports a rights-based approach to treaty negotiations that “is suited to ​ ​ the unique context of treaty negotiations in British Columbia,” according to a government news release. It centres the recognition and continuation of rights without modification, surrender or extinguishment when a treaty is signed.

Under the new policy, treaty negotiations will begin with the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination and the co-development of negotiation mandates

Funding announcements

● Transport Canada is investing $153.7 million to support three projects aimed at ​ ​ ​ increasing capacity at the Port of Prince Rupert. During construction, the projects are expected to create a total of 3,100 jobs. ○ The Prince Rupert Port Authority will build a double-track bridge across the ​ ​ Zanardi Rapids, allowing trains to arrive and depart simultaneously along key rail routes. ○ Another project will contribute to the development of a hub to transfer shipments from one mode of transportation to another (i.e. ship to rail), improving the effectiveness of the supply chain for Canadian producers. ○ The Metlakatla Development Corporation will develop land for new import and ​ ​ export logistics facilities near the Fairview Terminal, as well as a container yard. ○ The facilities will provide the capacity to load and unload 175,000 twenty-foot containers — equivalent to more than 66,000 rail cars — per year, increasing the region's trade growth and Port of Prince Rupert's overall efficiency.

● Premier John Horgan launched the second phase of the Childcare B.C. plan’s ​ ​ ​ ​ three-year, $714-million investment in early childhood education at Langara College yesterday. Twelve public post-secondary institutions will share $2.7 million to add 314 student spaces in early childhood education programs, ranging from part-time certificates to full-time diplomas. ○ About two-thirds of the new student spaces are designated for institutions serving rural and remote communities.

Lobbyist registrations

If you are looking for further information on any lobbying registry, it is all public and easily searchable here. ​ ​

Consultants who registered as lobbyists from August 30, 2019 – September 5, 2019

● Michael Gardiner, Gastown Strategy Group ​ o Clients: WJW Land Holding GP Inc. ​

● Amy O'Connor, Reece Harding Young Anderson ​ o Clients: Fraser Valley (Regional District) ​

● Martyn Lafrance, N/A ​

o Clients: Woodside Energy International (Canada) Limited ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from August 30, 2019 – September 5, 2019

● BC Teacher’s Federation ● Advanced Biofuels Canada ● Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. ● Lundbeck Canada Inc.