Second Session, 42nd Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday, May 31, 2021 Morning Sitting Issue No. 78

THE HONOURABLE , SPEAKER

ISSN 1499-2175 PROVINCE OF (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871)

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

Second Session, 42nd Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ...... Hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...... Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries...... Hon. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing ...... Hon. , QC Minister of Children and Family Development ...... Hon. Minister of State for Child Care...... Hon. Minister of Citizens’ Services...... Hon. Minister of Education ...... Hon. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation ...... Hon. , QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy...... Hon. Minister of Finance ...... Hon. Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ...... Hon. Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations...... Hon. Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Afairs...... Hon. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ...... Hon. , QC Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation...... Hon. Minister of State for Trade...... Hon. Minister of Labour ...... Hon. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions...... Hon. Minister of Municipal Afairs ...... Hon. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ...... Hon. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction...... Hon. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ...... Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon. Minister of State for Infrastructure ...... Hon.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Ofcial Opposition...... Leader of the Tird Party ...... Deputy Speaker...... Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel...... Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services...... Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees...... Jennifer Arril Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ...... Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst...... Karan Riarh Acting Sergeant-at-Arms...... Greg Nelson ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Alexis, Pam (BC NDP) ...... Abbotsford-Mission Abbotsford-Mission...... Anderson, Brittny (BC NDP) ...... Nelson-Creston ...... Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal Party)...... Penticton ...... Michael de Jong, QC Babchuk, Michele (BC NDP)...... North Island Boundary-Similkameen...... Bailey, Brenda (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–False Creek Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Hon. Anne Kang Bains, Hon. Harry (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Burnaby-Edmonds...... Hon. Raj Chouhan Banman, Bruce (BC Liberal Party) ...... Abbotsford South Burnaby-Lougheed...... Hon. Katrina Chen Beare, Hon. Lisa (BC NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ...... Begg, Garry (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Guildford Cariboo-Chilcotin ...... Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...... ...... Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal Party)...... Prince George–Valemount Chilliwack ...... Brar, Jagrup (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Chilliwack-Kent ...... Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal Party) ...... Columbia River–Revelstoke ...... Chandra Herbert, Spencer (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–West End Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Chant, Susie (BC NDP) ...... North Vancouver–Seymour Coquitlam-Maillardville ...... Hon. Selina Robinson Chen, Hon. Katrina (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby-Lougheed Courtenay-Comox...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Chouhan, Hon. Raj (BC NDP)...... Burnaby-Edmonds Cowichan Valley ...... Sonia Furstenau Chow, Hon. George (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Fraserview ...... Hon. Ravi Kahlon Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal Party)...... Columbia River–Revelstoke ...... Conroy, Hon. Katrine (BC NDP)...... Kootenay West Esquimalt-Metchosin ...... Hon. Mitzi Dean Coulter, Dan (BC NDP) ...... Chilliwack Fraser-Nicola ...... Cullen, Hon. Nathan (BC NDP) ...... Stikine Kamloops–North Tompson ...... Davies, Dan (BC Liberal Party)...... Kamloops–South Tompson...... de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal Party)...... Abbotsford West Kelowna–Lake Country ...... Norm Letnick Dean, Hon. Mitzi (BC NDP) ...... Esquimalt-Metchosin Kelowna-Mission ...... Renee Merrifeld D’Eith, Bob (BC NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Mission ...... Dix, Hon. Adrian (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kootenay East...... Doerkson, Lorne (BC Liberal Party) ...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Kootenay West...... Hon. Katrine Conroy Donnelly, Fin (BC NDP) ...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Langford–Juan de Fuca ...... Hon. John Horgan Dykeman, Megan (BC NDP)...... Langley ...... Eby, Hon. David, QC (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–Point Grey Langley East...... Elmore, Mable (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kensington Maple Ridge–Mission...... Bob D’Eith Farnworth, Hon. Mike (BC NDP) ...... Port Coquitlam Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Hon. Lisa Beare Fleming, Hon. Rob (BC NDP) ...... Victoria–Swan Lake Mid Island–Pacifc Rim...... Hon. Josie Osborne Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ...... Cowichan Valley Nanaimo...... Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Glumac, Rick (BC NDP) ...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Greene, Kelly (BC NDP) ...... Richmond-Steveston Nechako Lakes...... Halford, Trevor (BC Liberal Party)...... Surrey–White Rock Nelson-Creston ...... Heyman, Hon. George (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Fairview New Westminster...... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Horgan, Hon. John (BC NDP) ...... Langford–Juan de Fuca North Coast ...... Kahlon, Hon. Ravi (BC NDP) ...... Delta North North Island...... Kang, Hon. Anne (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby–Deer Lake North Vancouver–Lonsdale...... Hon. Bowinn Ma Kirkpatrick, Karin (BC Liberal Party)...... West Vancouver–Capilano North Vancouver–Seymour...... Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal Party)...... Shuswap Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC Lee, Michael (BC Liberal Party)...... Vancouver-Langara Parksville-Qualicum...... Adam Walker Leonard, Ronna-Rae (BC NDP)...... Courtenay-Comox Peace River North ...... Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kelowna–Lake Country Peace River South ...... Lore, Grace (BC NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Penticton ...... Ma, Hon. Bowinn (BC NDP)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Port Coquitlam...... Hon. Mike Farnworth Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila (BC NDP)...... Nanaimo Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Mark, Hon. Melanie (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Hon. Nicholas Simons Mercier, Andrew (BC NDP) ...... Langley Prince George–Mackenzie...... Merrifeld, Renee (BC Liberal Party)...... Kelowna-Mission Prince George–Valemount ...... Shirley Bond Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kamloops–North Tompson ...... Morris, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...... Prince George–Mackenzie Richmond-Queensborough...... Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal Party)...... Cariboo North Richmond South Centre ...... Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)...... Saanich North and the Islands Richmond-Steveston ...... Osborne, Hon. Josie (BC NDP)...... Mid Island–Pacifc Rim Saanich North and the Islands ...... Paddon, Kelli (BC NDP) ...... Chilliwack-Kent ...... Hon. Lana Popham Paton, Ian (BC Liberal Party) ...... Delta South Shuswap...... Popham, Hon. Lana (BC NDP)...... Saanich South Skeena...... Ralston, Hon. Bruce, QC (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Whalley Stikine...... Hon. Nathan Cullen Rankin, Hon. Murray, QC (BC NDP) ...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Surrey-Cloverdale ...... Rice, Jennifer (BC NDP) ...... North Coast Surrey-Fleetwood...... Jagrup Brar Robinson, Hon. Selina (BC NDP)...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Surrey–Green Timbers...... Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal Party)...... Skeena Surrey-Guildford...... Routledge, Janet (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby North Surrey-Newton...... Hon. Harry Bains Routley, Doug (BC NDP)...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Panorama ...... Russell, Roly (BC NDP)...... Boundary-Similkameen Surrey South ...... Rustad, John (BC Liberal Party)...... Nechako Lakes Surrey-Whalley ...... Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Sandhu, Harwinder (BC NDP) ...... Vernon-Monashee Surrey–White Rock ...... Sharma, Niki (BC NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Fairview...... Hon. George Heyman Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal Party)...... Kootenay East Vancouver–False Creek...... Simons, Hon. Nicholas (BC NDP)...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Fraserview...... Hon. George Chow Sims, Jinny (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Panorama Vancouver-Hastings ...... Singh, Aman (BC NDP) ...... Richmond-Queensborough Vancouver-Kensington...... Singh, Rachna (BC NDP)...... Surrey–Green Timbers Vancouver-Kingsway...... Hon. Adrian Dix Starchuk, Mike (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Cloverdale Vancouver-Langara...... Michael Lee Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kelowna West Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Hon. Melanie Mark Stone, Todd (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kamloops–South Tompson Vancouver–Point Grey ...... Hon. David Eby, QC Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal Party) ...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver-Quilchena...... , QC Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal Party)...... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver–West End ...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Walker, Adam (BC NDP)...... Parksville-Qualicum Vernon-Monashee ...... Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal Party) ...... Richmond North Centre Victoria–Beacon Hill...... Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer (BC NDP) ...... New Westminster Victoria–Swan Lake...... Hon. Rob Fleming Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal Party)...... Vancouver-Quilchena West Vancouver–Capilano...... Yao, Henry (BC NDP) ...... Richmond South Centre West Vancouver–Sea to Sky......

Party Standings: BC NDP 57; BC Liberal Party 28; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS

Monday, May 31, 2021 Morning Sitting Page

Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements...... 2213 Women and aging J. Routledge K. Kirkpatrick Cruise ship industry in B.C. D. Clovechok J. Rice Anti-Asian racism N. Sharma T. Wat National AccessAbility Week S. Cadieux K. Paddon

Private Members’ Motions ...... 2221 Motion 9 — Accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities D. Coulter R. Merrifeld B. Bailey E. Ross A. Mercier T. Shypitka S. Chant M. Lee M. Starchuk C. Oakes R. Leonard

2213

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 of women’s qualifcations than it does for men. Further- more, it found evidence that older women are judged by Te House met at 10:04 a.m. interviewers to be less attractive and, therefore, less qual- ifed than older men or younger women. Tese conclu- [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] sions are based on evidence gleaned from over 40,000 job applications. Routine Business Scientifc research aside, social media and journalism’s fxation on fnding out if 80-year-old Nancy Pelosi, argu- Prayers and refections: D. Clovechok. ably the third-most powerful person in the world, has had [10:05 a.m.] plastic surgery kind of proves the point. As one opin- ion piece put it: “Ambitious…women have to look pre- Orders of the Day embalmed when they hit the big numbers, knowing that if they look anything like Bernie Sanders, who’s actually Private Members’ Statements two years younger than Pelosi, they will actually cease to exist.” As another journalist put it, the mere fact that WOMEN AND AGING Nancy Pelosi is Speaker of the United States House of Rep- resentatives proves she’s had a facelif. J. Routledge: When my mother was just a few years Another study revealed that when looking for a place to younger than I am today, she gave me this piece of advice. live, older women are more likely to be told by prospect- “Don’t get old,”she told me. “When I was a young woman,” ive landlords that an advertised rental suite is not available, she said, “men would leap up to give me their seats on the but the same unit is then ofered to younger applicants. bus. Tey would rush to hold doors open for me. Now,” Women who divorce in later years are less likely than their she said, “when I have arthritis in my hips and my hands husbands to remarry, and I think we all know at least one and I could use a little extra help, no one ofers me a seat older woman who was terrifed she would spend the rest anymore. And when people rush to open doors, it’s so they of her life alone when her husband lef her. It’s not an idle can get through ahead of me. I’ve become invisible in my fear. Almost half of single, widowed or divorced women old age.” over the age of 65 live below the poverty line, and their poverty rate is double that of older men. [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] Tat women disappear as they age is embedded in our culture. It’s the premise of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Te I’ve begun to notice the same thing happening to me. Lady Vanishes, in which an elderly governess disappears Do women lose respect as they age? Are older women on a train, and no one can remember what she looked treated with less respect than older men? If so, why is that? like or even that she was there on the train at all. In the Does it matter? Is it a social problem we should be con- end, it turns out she was a British spy. In fact, according to cerned about, and if it is, what are we going to do about one article I read in preparation for this statement, intel- it? Tese are the kinds of questions I’ll be addressing in my ligence agencies have been more likely to recruit middle- statement this morning about women and aging. aged women than the stereotypic Mata Haris because they Let me begin by describing the invisible older woman tend not to get noticed. syndrome. Yes, it is a thing. You can google it. Te invisible Ten there’s the iconic scene from the Netfix sitcom older woman syndrome is a social phenomenon that starts Grace and Frankie, in which the older Jane Fonda has to afect many women at the age of about 45. Tey start to a dramatic meltdown when a male sales clerk remains feel irrelevant. oblivious as she tries to get his attention but immediately Te women’s movement has made great strides, and notices and serves a young, attractive female customer the lives of women are much less constrained today than instead. they were in our mothers’ time or grandmothers’ time. But [10:10 a.m.] women still tend to be judged by their physical appear- Visibility can be infuriating, but it can also be life- ance and perceived child-bearing and child-rearing capa- threatening. For example, we know that the pandemic has city, attributes which are all associated with youth. So had a disproportionate impact on women workers and when women age, they feel less valuable to society, and family caregivers, but according to medical journals, the they are not imagining it. impact on older women, especially in long-term care, has Studies from around the world confrm that older been ignored everywhere in the world. women are less likely to be hired or promoted than are I’d like to conclude this portion of my statement by older men or younger women. Te results of a compre- reminding us of the ofen-quoted saying that “men age like hensive feld experiment published in 2017 found evid- wine, women age like milk,” and sour milk is something ence that when candidates are being interviewed for jobs, you throw away. physical appearance plays a bigger role in the assessment 2214 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021

K. Kirkpatrick: Tank you to the MLA for Burnaby by a man, which further exacerbates low-income rates North. Well, it’s been a long journey for women, and it for women, especially those who live alone or as single continues to be. I thank the groundbreaking women that mothers. came before me and started to open the door, and I thank Women also experience more disruption in their car- the amazing young women coming up behind who are eers, as they take time of to have children and to be care- kicking that door open. givers. Now, I noticed something several years ago, when All too ofen it feels like getting older means being era- I was managing a group of women, that it wasn’t unusual sed from a culture that equates youth with beauty and for a woman employee, when she came to let me know that beauty with value. Te world remains rife with ageism and she was pregnant and she was going to plan her maternity sexism for older women. But I do see more and more of leave, that she wouldn’t fnish that sentence without apolo- that narrative changing. I’m seeing more roles being writ- gizing to me. Tis is apologizing for what should have been ten for, I’ll call them, mature women in movies. And I see the happiest time in her life. more women leaders and an expectation that women will Ten I found I did it myself. When I told my boss I was be leaders, regardless of age. going to take time of because I was having a daughter, I A friend once told me that when a woman hits 50, apologized. He looked at me like he was a bit annoyed, like she becomes invisible. Now, from the MLA for Burnaby I’d chosen a very inconvenient time to become a mother. North, I did not know there was actually a syndrome Men don’t experience this. called invisible older women syndrome, so I have just [10:15 a.m.] learned something. Perhaps my friend was not too far So the preponderance of women living in poverty is also from the truth. due in part to biology. Women simply live longer than I think aging is a woman’s super power. As we age, we’re men: 83 years in Canada, on average, versus 79 for men. more likely to be able to live our own life with our truth Tey are much more likely to outlive their spouses and and be comfortable with who we are and the value that we their savings. Tat leaves them having to save more for bring to others. As I age, I get smarter. But growing up as their retirement. My own 94-year-old mother ofen jokes a woman in the ’80s and ’90s did result in some traditional that she would have saved more had she known she was baggage that so many women feel, at my age, and are try- going to live this long. ing to get rid of. Tat’s that self-doubt, the instinct to defer But I wouldn’t trade aging for anything. Te alternative to others and the very annoying habit of when you apolo- is not very appealing. I have learned and grown for all gize to someone in the grocery store, and they’re the one of the journeys and experiences of my lifetime. It makes that actually walked into you. me a kinder and gentler person. But I will still never wear I am very lucky that my daughter is growing up in a purple or a red hat. me-too generation, where there aren’t, in the back of her mind, traditional gender roles that are going to guide her J. Routledge: Tank you to the member opposite for life choices. Ten when she fnds herself in some situation your age-afrming observations. In my opening remarks, I being disrespected because she’s a young woman, she can spoke about the invisible older woman syndrome. But dis- recognize that now, as we perhaps didn’t, and she can call appearing isn’t all that happens to older women. it out. But hopefully, because of all we’ve learned as we age, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella — these are she won’t have to do that. all familiar fairy tales beloved by generations of chil- Tere is a consequence, however, to longevity. And we dren. Tese narratives shape our self-image and our rel- can’t forget that there are a number of continuing social ationship to the world. What do they all have in com- issues that impact women disproportionately in their qual- mon? A young, beautiful woman is saved by a hand- ity of life while aging. As our society ages, the ratio of some, young prince. But saved from who? In every icon- women to men continues to increase. In Canada, there ic fairy tale, the young, beautiful heroine is saved from a are two times as many women living afer the age of 85 jealous, bitter old woman. Even the classic Wizard of Oz and fve times as many over 100. Te poverty rate for is premised on the vindictiveness of an older neighbour senior women in Canada is almost double that of men. who morphs into a witch. Te largest group of poor seniors are single, widowed or Speaking of “witch,” what are some of the other nouns divorced women over 65, living alone. Almost half of those commonly used to refer to an older woman? Hag. Biddy. live below the poverty line, with isolation being a common Crone. Battle-axe. Old bat. Even today, when women have struggle for senior women. more rights than ever before, more opportunities than ever One of the top factors pushing women into poverty before to lead fulflling lives and infuence the world later in life is the traditional role that they play, and that around us on our own terms, it continues to be normal- traditional role does remain, in many ways, today in the ized, perhaps subconsciously so, that women are expected workplace and in their families. Women are much more to compete with other women for the attention and likely to work part-time than are men. Women continue approval of men. It continues to be normalized that as to approximately make 70 cents per every dollar earned Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2215 we age, our status, our worth will be stolen by younger Here in Victoria the industry is responsible for about women. 800 jobs, contributing about $130 million per year. We all — women, men; younger, older — have a role to In 2019, pre-COVID-19 times, 264 cruise ships visited play to break the stereotype. We need to open our eyes and Victoria, with over 700,000 passengers who, on average, start seeing older women in stores, on public transporta- spent about $83 per person, with crew members spending tion, in the workplace. We need to start including older on average about $113 per person, locally. women in our research. We need to start recognizing that It’s obvious that the cruise industry is a key driver of older women, like older men, have a lifetime of experience, economic activity within the tourism sector in B.C. It rep- wisdom and gravitas to contribute as we grapple with the resents one of the largest employers yet is an industry that challenges that confront our planet, our communities, our has been completely shut down. Tis, in turn, afects thou- homes. sands of British Columbians and businesses who are dir- Finally, just as women of all ages are undoing the help- ectly impacted by the catastrophic efect that COVID has less damsel in distress stereotype, we older women must had on this industry. Te industry has not only been under resist being typecast as crabby old witches. attack from COVID-19 but now is under pressure from the United States government. Deputy Speaker: Recognizing the member for Colum- Te Jones Act, which for decades has been deemed by bia River–Revelstoke. the cruise industry as antiquated, is a federal U.S. law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY IN B.C. Within that act is cabotage. Tat relates directly to the transports of people and goods between the ports in the D. Clovechok: Tank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So same country. nice to see you. If you have been on a cruise, you would know and have It gives me a great deal of pleasure to rise and speak noticed the amount of detail that is spent on recording about the tourism industry, a pillar of this province’s eco- passengers coming on and of ships. Tis is all due to the nomy, and to highlight the cruise ship industry as a key Jones Act. Cruise operators are highly motivated to avoid contributing sector of our economic success. breaking the Jones Act, because if they do not abide by the I had the great fortune in my career to work for Princess law, there are signifcant fnes that are levied. Tours, a subsidiary of Princess Cruises, and spend an en- Again, this is an act or piece of legislation that cruise ormous amount of time on our ships. Te job took me operators for years have believed is antiquated and to the jungles of Costa Rica, to Panama and Nicaragua restricting. What most people may not know is that most and, of course, to the glaciers of Alaska and so many other cruise ships operating out of the United States ports are places and ports throughout the world. not registered in the United States and are subject directly Te tourism industry is B.C.’s third-largest economic to the Jones Act. sector, and we all know it has been the sector that has To put this in simplistic terms, because of the Jones Act, been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, espe- cruise ships that were not built in the United States or not cially the cruise ship industry. Traditionally, April is the U.S.-owned, and with non-U.S. crews, cannot travel dir- beginning of the Alaska cruise season, and the ships begin ectly between U.S. ports unless they stop in a foreign port. to reposition for Alaskan departures, which typically run Tis means that a ship with a foreign crew or in any way right through late September. It has been these ships that foreign cannot, as an example, go on a round trip from have brought tens of thousands of passengers to visit our Seattle, Los Angeles or even Alaska without stopping at beautiful ports of Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and a Canadian port, which of course would be Vancouver, Prince Rupert, visitors all experiencing the beauty and Prince Rupert or Victoria. hospitality of B.C. and leaving their hard-earned cash Due to COVID-19, the Trudeau government curtailed behind, supporting our local and provincial economies. the arrival of cruise ships into Canada until 2022. What British Columbia is the largest cruise region in Canada, that means is that cruise ships originating in the United accounting for more than 69 percent of all Canadian cruise States and destined for Alaska in 2021, because of the trafc, with visitors from all over the world. Most cruisers Jones Act, would not be able to stop in Canada, thus come from the United States, about one quarter from over- preventing them from sailing north. seas and the rest from Canada. Tis has been disastrous news for the American-based [10:20 a.m.] cruise companies and industries, as they are repositioning Te cruise ship industry in B.C. is responsible for about to reopen their Alaska market this summer. $2.7 billion in economic activity. In Vancouver, each dock- In response, the decision to close our ports has, in turn, ing ship contributes approximately $3.17 million, for a tot- precipitated the passing of a bill by the Americans that will al of about $2.2 billion in economic impact. Te industry allow ships to go to Alaska without stopping in Canada. creates around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in B.C. Tis bill was unanimously passed in a rare example of U.S. bipartisanism and, as I say, unanimously. President Biden 2216 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 signed the bill into law last week, which allows cruise ships Seattle consulate weekly. Provincial government shares a to sail to Alaska without requiring them to stop in Canada. common desire with the people of Alaska to see a safe What does that mean for B.C. and the thousands of return to the cruise ship industry to the beneft of both British Columbians who depend on the arrival of these of our regions. We’re investing in tourism so that we are ships? It means that the millions of dollars of tourism-gen- ready when the borders open. erated moneys that were spent in our province will end On December 22, we announced a $100 million tour- up being spent in American ports like Skagway, Ketchik- ism-specifc stream under the small and medium-sized an and Juneau, ports that are absolutely dependent on the business recovery grant program as a response to a call cruise industry. to action from the tourism task force. We’ve also del- Tis new law represents an achievement the industry ivered $5 million in dedicated relief funding that is has wanted for years. Te cruise industry has been asking being delivered by Indigenous Tourism B.C. for Indigen- for the repeal of this for years, and they fnally have got it, ous tourism businesses. all because two Alaskan senators and an Alaskan congress- We have also invested $19 million to support small man took it upon themselves to do their jobs and fght for municipalities that are dependent upon tourism to build, the well-being of their constituents, who are so dependent adapt and diversify their tourism infrastructure. We’ve on the cruise ship industry. invested $20 million for tourism infrastructure projects supporting destination development. We’ve invested J. Rice: Under current U.S. law, foreign-fagged cruise nearly $14 million to support targeted tourism develop- ships travelling between U.S. destinations are required to ment partnership initiatives in the six tourism regions stop at a foreign port in-between. Tis rule has greatly across B.C. to help the industry recover from COVID-19. benefted British Columbia, where Alaska-bound cruise We have also supported local community development ships have stopped in places like Victoria and Prince management organizations with $60 million so they can Rupert. retain critical staf and ofset fxed expenses. On May 27, [10:25 a.m.] we announced a $50 million program for B.C. major A decision made by the federal government of Canada anchor attractions. temporarily banned cruise ships from Canadian ports Te province will continue to support and defend B.C.’s until February of next year to prevent the spread of COV- tourism industry and all the people, businesses and com- ID-19. Because of this, the recently passed Alaska Tourism munities who depend on it. I will continue to stand up for Recovery Act temporarily allows Alaska-bound ships to tourism businesses, and I look forward to receiving cruise bypass B.C. ports. Tis is a temporary measure, with a sun- passengers in Prince Rupert when it’s safe to do so. set clause. Te law is clear that the changes would be auto- matically rescinded when Canadian ports are reopened to Deputy Speaker: Tank you, Member. cruise ships. Of course, members are reminded we do not use mem- My home community of Prince Rupert is ready and bers’ personal names in statements. willing to welcome Alaska cruise passengers when it’s safe Recognizing the member for Columbia River–Revel- to do so. We have a breadth of attractions for adventurous stoke. Wonderful part of the world. souls, with world-class kayaking, whale- and bear-watch- ing and cultural experiences. D. Clovechok: Tere you got it. Well done, Mr. Speaker. Our restaurants cover the gamut from international cui- It is so. sine to locally caught seafood. While things are gradually Tank you to the member opposite for their comments. opening up across the province, it’s still not safe enough to Te British Columbians and their families whose liveli- open international and U.S. borders. Tis is for the health hood depends on tourism and, in this case, cruise ships and safety of all Canadians. We are working with col- deserve a much better fate. Te problem that we see before leagues across the province, with the federal and U.S. gov- us today has been on the radar screen for over a year, yet ernments. Premier Horgan is meeting Alaska senators on nothing has really been done to address this issue. June 9 on this very matter. Tis issue was in front of the provincial leadership as Te Transportation and Infrastructure Minister has sent of February 12, 2021 when they were cc’d on a letter that a letter to his federal colleagues around the logistics of was sent to our Canadian Prime Minister from the two technical stops. Te Tourism Minister has met with the Alaskan senators and an Alaskan congressman informing U.S. Consulate General in Seattle and discussed this issue. them: “As neighbours and economic partners, we are dis- She has spoken to the federal Economic Development couraged by Canada’s lack of outreach before announcing Minister on the matter, and she has met multiple times this long-term closure.” with Ian Robertson from the Greater Victoria Port Upon receipt of this letter from the American politi- Authority. cians, red fags should have gone up immediately for the Ian is also a member of our tourism advisory table. leadership of this province, yet the seriousness of this Te B.C. intergovernmental relations team meets with the Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2217 threat to B.C.’s cruise industry and those who depend on it As I learned the other day, some elders are taking self- has been downplayed from the start. defence courses, learning how to use their aged limbs to [10:30 a.m.] protect themselves from the threat of physical violence It was dismissed by the Premier who said it was “a blip,” on our streets. Tese elders are arming themselves with and assured British Columbians the chances of this law whistles, in the hopes that if they are attacked on our being passed by the American senators were…. streets, people will come to their aid and protect them from violence and hatred that they may face. Deputy Speaker: If I might remind the member before Tis is where we are today. To those elders who are he goes further, remarks that target specifc members in to be revered and protected in this stage of their lives: this House go contrary to the spirit of this time. Of course, I am ashamed that this is your reality today, and I am there are opportunities in question period, speeches, etc., sorry. Despite the over 150 years of Asian immigration to on other bills to target individuals. Canada, we’ve yet to overcome the racism and xenophobia that exists among us. D. Clovechok: A good reminder. Tank you. May is Asian Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge Te Minister of Tourism told British Columbians the the contributions that the Asian community has made to proposed American legislation was “a temporary measure British Columbia — their blood, sweat and hard work and its passing was very unlikely.” Te reason I make these that is so deeply tied to the building of British Columbia, comments, Mr. Speaker, is that they speak to a point that whether it’s our railway system, our agricultural system, I’m going to be making. our small businesses, our health care system, and the list Te thing is, is on May 13, the U.S. Senate passed, unan- goes on. imously, and approved a bill to bypass Canadian borders Our history is also flled with tragic stories, like the for the duration that they were closed, a bipartisan action fact that two Chinese workers died for every mile of rail- that virtually never happens in the United States. Te way that was laid across the Rockies, and so many more. biggest issue now for B.C. is that the new legislation has Yet despite these contributions and the generations of been signed into law by President Biden and will work families that live here in B.C., far too many are met with to the advantage of the American-based ports, like Los hatred today. Angeles and Seattle. Tis will allow U.S.-based cruise ships What is a hate crime? It’s a crime committed against a from the Los Angeles, Seattle, Alaskan run to completely person or property that is motivated by hate and includes bypass B.C., a move that analysts say will likely become things like assault, uttering threats, criminal harassment permanent. and grafti. Hatred is an ugly thing. It’s defned in law as Te British Columbians who worked directly or indir- an emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly ectly for the B.C. cruise industry deserve better, or at least associated with vilifcation and detestation. It puts upon the same advocacy and respect the Alaskans received from those individuals a feeling that they are to be despised, their elected ofcials. Had action been taken immediately scorned, denied respect and subject to ill treatment. and had the American concerns been taken more seriously Tis hatred is experienced in reality by our neighbours, when it frst presented, the tourism calamity that is today like a Vancouver lawyer who was yelled at in his car when and the tourism cruise calamity that will be tomorrow he was on the corner of Fraser and 41st Avenue by two could have well be avoided. men who screamed a racial slur. When he rolled down his window in misbelief, they threw garbage at him. ANTI-ASIAN RACISM [10:35 a.m.] Or a young woman who was spat at for walking too N. Sharma: I come here today with a great sense of loudly on the seawall and has written about grappling with shame — shame that flls my heart as a Vancouver MLA, the impacts of this incident on her well-being. And terrible whose city is the anti-Asian hate crime capital of North acts of violence: a 92-year-old who was forced out of a con- America. venience store on to the sidewalk or a woman who was I know that we are all ashamed of what this means. It punched in the head at a downtown bus stop. means that reported hate crimes have gone up over 700 Tese are just some of the hate crimes and the incidents percent. It means that, as a recent poll found, 43 percent that have been reported. We need to ask ourselves: how of British Columbians of Asian descent have experienced do we bend this curve? How do we bring a sense of safety a racist incident in the past year, ranging from racial slurs back to our communities and push back against this to property damage to physical assault. Tat is almost half racism? of the population. It means that as fear of the virus spread, As we learn and listen to the communities that are im- so did hesitation to visit Asian-owned and operated busi- pacted, we are fnding there are many tools that we need nesses — businesses that have been a staple of our com- to use in solidarity to make our streets and our communit- munities for decades. It also means that elders in our com- ies safe. Number one, do not be a bystander. Hollaback, an munity are fearful, now, of walking on the streets. organization, provides bystander intervention training to 2218 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 help arm us with knowing what we do if we witness a hate are to truly eliminate hate and intolerance in our province. crime. Tat includes the fve Ds. We need to take concrete steps that amounts to more than Distract. Derail the incident by interrupting and di- just sympathy. Tis is why I wrote to the Premier and verting its attention. Start a conversation with the victim Attorney General last week, outlining a ten-point plan of to defect. crucial actions government could take to truly follow our Delegate. Seek help from a third party that is more province’s mission of eliminating racism. capable of intervening. Call 911 if the situation is speci- [10:40 a.m.] fcally unsafe. Te ofcial opposition has asked government to take the Document. Record the incident, always making sure the following steps. person who is being recorded decides what’s done with the One, activate the Select Standing Committee on Educa- footage. tion to review policies and actions that have contributed to Delay. Check with the person that’s afected. Ask them if the rise in racism and conduct a comprehensive examina- they want you to sit with them or walk with them afer the tion of the current state of racism in B.C. by working with incident. organizations and community representatives to provide Direct. If it is safe, intervene directly by addressing what recommendations on how we can improve. is happening and confronting the perpetrator. Two, fund an anti-racism secretariat to monitor and Tere are also other supports that are coming. B.C. is quantify discrimination, promote preventative measures launching a hotline that is intended to be a multilingual and report on this progress to the Legislature by the end of service not delivered by the police, for British Columbians this calendar year. to respond and report incidents and receive support and Tree, quickly implement and activate the hotline for referrals. British Columbians to report racist incidents, announced We need to support our local Asian-run businesses that on April 30, 2021. have not only been impacted by the pandemic but this Four, increase funding to multiculturalism and anti- rising hate. We need to support those community organ- racism programs. izations that are on the front line and are working to keep Five, develop more educational tools and resources for people safe. the K-to-12 education curriculum to combat racism and I call upon all of us here today to stand in solidarity educate students about the contributions of immigrants to against the rise of hate crimes and all do what we can to British Columbia. support our neighbours and never be a silent bystander in Six, ensure local police forces have sufcient resources the face of hatred. to respond quickly and to fully investigate hate crimes and racist incidents, including online reporting. T. Wat: I thank the member opposite for her comments. Seven, ensure that the Attorney General’s Crown pro- As MLAs, we have a fundamental responsibility to not secution service treats racist incidents as a priority for only represent our constituents but represent the many charge determinations and prosecutions. diverse cultural groups that make up our communities. Eight, press the federal government on amendments Regardless of our personal political beliefs, we must all be to section 718.2 of the Criminal Code with respect to allies in our fght against racism and intolerance in this sentencing for hate-inspired crimes to better defne hate province. Amidst these horrifc events, it gives me great based on race. hope and pride to see so many MLAs speaking out against Nine, apply to the National NewsMedia Council for a the rise in anti-Asian hate that our province has experi- review of media coverage to determine the extent, if any, enced this past year. to which language, visual depictions and editorial content Although we are discussing anti-Asian racism, I think may have conditioned people to accept racial stereotyping it is also important to recognize the heartbreaking discov- and racial intolerance. ery of a burial site of 215 children at the former Kamloops And ten, call upon major media outlets in Canada, Indian Residential School. Our hearts go out to the famil- as well as social media outlets, to implement a coherent ies of those impacted by this horrifc discovery. public awareness campaign on racism and the unaccept- Tis pandemic has shone a dark light on how deeply able incidents of harassment in recent months in con- racism and intolerance are still rooted in parts of our soci- junction with the 50 year anniversary of Canada’s multi- ety. Last year, more anti-Asian hate crimes were reported culturalism policy. in Vancouver, a city of 700,000 people, than in the top- I look forward to the Premier and the Attorney Gen- ten most populous U.S. cities combined. Almost one out of eral’s prompt response. Implementing these steps will go every two residents of Asian descent in British Columbia a long way to securing a bright and tolerant future for all have experienced a hate incident in the past year. so we can work together to build a culture of acceptance While I thank government for acknowledging the pub- where all people can feel safe no matter their race, their lic desire for more anti-racism initiatives by establishing religion or their background. an Anti-Racism Awareness Week, we have far to go if we Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2219

N. Sharma: I’d like to thank my colleague for her very people, identifed as having one or more disabilities. deep and powerful comments and to acknowledge that Tat’s nearly a quarter of the population that might have many of us are wearing orange today for the recent and an issue interacting with you, might not be able to access tragic discovery of the bodies of those children at the and purchase your services and products, might not be Kamloops residential school. able to relocate to your community or exercise their I’d like to spend the rest of my time thanking organiz- rights as citizens. ations who are supporting people on the front lines of this Among those people with disabilities aged 25 to 64 who increased incidence of hate. Resilience B.C. supports an were not employed and not attending school, 39 percent anti-racism network of organizations across B.C. on the want to work. Tat’s nearly 650,000 people that are ready, front lines. Tis includes Queenie Choo and her fabulous willing and able to work, but they aren’t working because team at SUCCESS. MOSAIC and Collingwood Neigh- businesses aren’t hiring them or because the places of work bourhood House are all part of the anti-racism network. aren’t accessible. Tat’s a huge untapped labour pool that I’d like to acknowledge artist Christopher Tse, who cre- could be mobilized to fll job openings. ated a public service announcement where he wrote and Te reality is…. As the Conference Board of Canada directed Eyes Open, which is a beautiful call to action and a showed in a report titled the Business Case to Build Physic- tribute to the Asian-Canadian community during this Asi- ally Accessible Environments, in January of ’18, the number an Heritage Month. of Canadians living with physical disabilities that impair I’d also like to thank all the organizers of the May 29 vision, hearing or mobility will rise by 1.8 percent per year day of action and all those who participated. It is always between now and 2030. Te total population growth in the show of solidarity and support from our community in that same time will average less than 1 percent a year. response to these incidents that brings us hope for a better Te same report suggests that implementing measures future, one where our elders can walk the streets without to improve workplace accessibility would enable 550,000 threats of violence and hatred. Troughout our history, it Canadians to work more hours and increase GDP by $16.8 has always been the solidarity and action of groups like billion. Tis larger pool of available workers would boost these that help us build a more equal society. I know we all the total income of people with disabilities by over $13.5 are very grateful. billion. Yet here we are, still building barriers. Why are there no accessible electric-vehicle-charging NATIONAL ACCESSABILITY WEEK stations? An example of how we’re continuing to exclude — building barriers — and an example of bias: assuming S. Cadieux: We all beneft from a society and an eco- that no one with a disability would also have an electric nomy without barriers to inclusion. But every day people car. with disabilities face barriers to accessing basic necessities Multi-storey buildings with only one elevator. When it’s like housing, employment, resources and services. out of order, there’s no access. National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to celeb- Cities piloting e-scooters. Sounds like fun for some, but rate the valuable contributions of people with disabilities these are a huge barrier to people with disabilities who and to recognize the eforts of individuals, communities need clear sidewalks for safe routes. People with mobility and workplaces that are actively working to remove barri- aids can’t get by. People who are blind can trip over ers to access and inclusion. Te theme this year, “Disability haphazardly discarded scooters. inclusion 2021: leaving no one behind….” Well, that will What about, for example, the blocking of accessible take some work. It won’t be the default. parking spaces at an Island Health unit to use as a tented [10:45 a.m.] area during COVID? One action for a purpose eliminates Most people watching this or even hearing this right access to the whole clinic. now are probably thinking: “Yes. Of course we should do What about policy barriers? Here’s an example of a bar- that. Tat’s nice. But it’s not about me. I don’t have a stake rier to love and relationships. For those requiring income in this.” supports from government, a long-standing challenge. Tis morning I would like to be a bit provocative. No. Incomes are reduced for couples, treating these couples I would actually like to be a lot provocative. It’s not about diferently than two-income couples who are able to work. me or other people with disabilities. It’s about you. Te Now we’re not just talking about access. We’re talking whole reason we have to have this week is because you, about dignity. in the widest sense, have, and continue to, built a world I say again. Accessibility is not my problem. It’s society’s and policy that exclude us. Tat creates barriers for us. problem. We all have a role to play. You might not need We don’t do it to ourselves. We can’t fx it or overcome it these things today. I didn’t either, until a split second ourselves. It’s about you as individuals, as businesses and changed my world to one where I couldn’t even go home. as policy-makers. Tese are truly fxable problems. Tey are barriers we can Let me explain why you should care. In 2017, 22 per- break down. We have to see them, and we have to make cent of Canadians aged 15 and over, or about 6.2 million change. 2220 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021

Here’s some homework. If you’re an individual member tions who work, speak up and lead the way to inform us of the public, ask yourself: what biases do I hold? How can and to educate us on how to be inclusive and accessible I be an ally? Do I know what to watch for? When I see a throughout British Columbia. barrier, do I point it out and advocate for change? If you’re Te British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability on social media, do you use alt text for images and caption Society, or BCANDS, is celebrating with National Indi- your videos? I’m still struggling to get this right myself. genous AccessAbility Week. Tey describe the importance If you’re a business owner, do an inventory. How ac- of this week, with the intersectional lens of indigeneity, cessible are you? What about your website or the apps you with the following: “Honouring the rights of Indigenous use for customer loyalty? Engage an expert for assistance. peoples in Canada means honouring the rights of Indigen- Put up a sign. Ask your customers to tell you how you’re ous peoples living with disabilities to be included and pro- doing, what you’re doing well and how you can do better. tected in our communities.” As they put it, simply: “If it’s Make a plan to make changes when you learn you have not accessible, then it’s not acceptable.” defciencies. Societal and physical structures that interfere with If you’re a municipal leader, do you have a disability accessibility are built on a history of norms — typical, advisory group? Are you actively engaging with them? Ask average and majority. Systems of attitudes, policies and citizens with disabilities to share the challenges they face environments that worked for most — or at least, many accessing their community. Review your bylaws. Check in — were good enough. For those who could not access, the with your planning and inspectors. Do they have enough fault or issue was squarely located within the individual knowledge to do their jobs properly? Do they need a crash — a history of blaming some people for not ftting neatly course in what to watch for? Do you have an accessible into boxes. But we know it’s not some people. In B.C., over parking bylaw? Are you permitting accessible and adaptive 900,000 people aged 15 and older, about a quarter of our housing? population, identify as having a disability. In Canada, one [10:50 a.m.] in fve adults has a disability. As our population ages, this If you’re an MLA or cabinet minister, demand change. number is expected to grow. Let’s make sure we put an access lens on all our work, not Accessibility is a social, family and economic issue as just on, but starting with, the Accessible B.C. Act. I ask this well, as 55 percent of Canadians have a connection to as your colleague, a friend, an advocate and, most import- physical disability in their daily life, either personally or antly, as a person who knows personally how much good through someone they care about, impacting how people intentions aren’t enough. work, buy, access services, travel, spend time together and I’m tired of feeling thankful when there’s an accessible participate in our community. We also know that issues washroom, a ramp or a powered door opener. I’m tired of of accessibility impact disproportionately across our com- fshy-smelling freight elevators that are considered access munity. When interacting with impairments related to to public places like restaurants. I’m tired of arriving at pain, mobility, fexibility, learning disabilities, mental appointments to fnd that the accessible parking is being health, cognition, vision, hearing or communication, we used to house shopping carts, dumpsters or snow piles. I’m know that age, gender and race — aspects of identity that tired of having to explain to people why it is not okay for also have an impact on accessing society — can compound them to assume that I always want to have or always have and further impact accessibility. someone with me to assist me. Based on Statistics Canada, in 2019, roughly one in Tere is a lot to do. Tis week this Legislature can com- three Métis and First Nations people living of reserve mit to change. Let’s see that we do. had one or more disabilities compared to one in fve for non-Indigenous Canadians. Te prevalence of disability K. Paddon: I’m grateful for the privilege of speaking increases with age, and although disability can occur at from the traditional, unceded territories of the Stó:lō any time of life, rates range from 13.4 percent in youth to people. 41.7 in seniors. Also, women have a higher prevalence of Although I am so thankful for this opportunity to dis- disability than men, regardless of age, at 26.5 percent. cuss accessibility, I do acknowledge that I’m doing so dur- Only by identifying, removing and preventing barriers ing a time of profound grief. Even despite the importance can we move forward together to an inclusive B.C. where of this topic, it doesn’t eclipse the trauma currently being everyone has access to fully participate. Tat’s why I’m so experienced across our province. excited about the Accessible British Columbia Act that was As the member opposite has highlighted so well, ac- introduced on April 28 of this year. Once passed, this act cessibility is everyone’s problem. Tis week, May 30 to will enable us to move ahead with establishing new access- June 5, is National AccessAbility Week. It is also British ibility standards in areas such as service delivery, educa- Columbia’s fourth annual AccessAbility Week. Tis week tion and the built environment. Tis Legislature…. is an important opportunity to recognize and show [10:55 a.m.] appreciation for the self-advocacy, support and com- mitment of so many individuals, families and organiza- Deputy Speaker: Member, sorry. If I might remind the Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2221 member, we don’t talk about legislation that’s in front of ilities are experts in innovation — like the new prototype the House except in speeches on that legislation. But thank airline seating, designed by a woman with a disability in you. Montreal, as just one example. Te incredible, and I do mean incredible, lack of access- K. Paddon: Tank you. ible and adaptable housing options across the spectrum. I’m also very grateful for our government’s announce- Regular stresses of wondering if medical appointments ment this past weekend that in celebration of B.C.’s Access- might be cancelled because an individual can’t transfer Ability Week, there will be new community grants aimed independently onto inaccessible exam tables. Yes, the bar- at improving accessibility and inclusion. Trough Disabil- riers are real, even in health care. ity Alliance B.C., with their mission to support all people Te worst, though, and still the more pervasive, barrier, with disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as of attitudes — attitudes about the value of people with equal and full participants in the community, $500,000 in abilities, about their abilities and about what accessibility grants will be distributed to support local accessibility pro- means. jects focusing on accessible education and learning; sports What it all boils down to is that the rights of people with and recreation; arts, culture and tourism; community par- disabilities are not being met. Governments at all levels are ticipation; emergency planning and response; or accessible letting people down. If someone today were not able to employment. access a public space because of their race, we would be Te pandemic has shown us what it looks like, what rightfully mad as heck, and society would demand action. we are capable of, when it comes to making accessibility Yet if somebody today is unable to access a public space a focus and a requirement. When so many of us suddenly because the space is built to exclude them, we make had to change how we access our jobs, our colleagues, excuses: it’s too expensive, only a few people need it, it’s not our families, our education, our services, we had to pivot our market, or it’s too difcult. Well, that’s just not good immediately. As we celebrate this week, let us carry that enough. learning forward far beyond these past months and truly Tis is National AccessAbility Week. It is a time to rec- embrace the idea: “If it’s not accessible, then it’s not accept- ognize people with disabilities and their accomplishments. able.” It’s also a time to recognize that there are hundreds and thousands of people who are prevented from engaging S. Cadieux: I thank the member for her comments. I fully, prevented from giving back. Just imagine how many appreciate her allyship. She’s right: nobody fts neatly into more accomplishments we could celebrate if we made sure a box. It has taken too long to recognize this and too long that all people had access to the same things that you do to change. But we have shown, during this last year, that and take for granted. As the B.C. Aboriginal Network on we can pivot. So let’s do that. Earlier I cited a few of my Disability tweeted, “If it’s not accessible, it’s not acceptable” daily barriers, but I asked my friends in the broader disab- — period, full stop. Get mad with me; get loud with me. ility community for theirs. Here are some examples. It’s 2021. Demand access for everyone. Te move to self-serve-only gas stations, because pump- ing gas is not actually a simple task for many drivers with Hon. J. Whiteside: I ask that the House proceed to the disabilities. I’m pretty sure I know every full-serve station consideration of Motion 9, standing on the order paper in in the Lower Mainland and Victoria. the name of the member for Chilliwack. Limited seating at event venues, always at the back and always limited to one person with a disability and one Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, unanimous consent guest, like we don’t have more than one friend or family of the House is required to proceed with Motion 9 without member. disturbing the priorities of the motions preceding it on the Getting stuck in the hallway in buildings where there’s order paper. Braille signage on the elevator buttons but not on the walls on the foor you need to visit. Leave granted. Restaurants with a majority of high-top tables or [11:00 a.m.] booths, because — news fash — these are not accessible options for wheelchair users or people with other mobility Private Members’ Motions issues. Limited options for transportation. Temporary proced- MOTION 9 — ACCESSIBILITY AND ures initiated by TransLink during the pandemic made it INCLUSION FOR PERSONS very hard for people with disabilities to ride transit safely. WITH DISABILITIES Ride-share companies are not stepping up to provide wheelchair-accessible service. On this front, I’d argue that D. Coulter: I would like to move: companies would do a lot better if they hired some people [Be it resolved that this House recognize the fourth AccessAbility with disabilities to help them innovate. People with disab- 2222 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021

Week and reafrm its commitment to building an inclusive wheelchair out of my car. But the curb cut was around the province that improves the lives of people living with disabilities.] corner. I had to go through the parking lot. Sitting in my Hon. Speaker, we celebrate awareness weeks in British chair, I’m somewhat short, and there are cars backing out Columbia to highlight and create awareness of important of spots and stuf. Tis is hazardous. issues. Afer I got my hair cut, I went and stopped at a store. Tey had an accessible parking spot, but the curb cut was [N. Letnick in the chair.] in the middle of the parking spot, which made it so that if you lef your car in the parking spot, you couldn’t access Tis week we celebrate the abilities of people, recognize the curb cut. Tese are two stories just from yesterday, the individuals and organizations that continue to go while I was on the way to the Legislature. above and beyond, and raise awareness about what each of Tese types of physical barriers represent only a sub- us can do to make our province more inclusive. Te recog- section of the barriers people with disabilities face in nition of AccessAbility Week is supported by our govern- their everyday lives. Te highest proportion of disability ment, and there’ll be several events this week. Te minister types is related to pain, but we know people also face and I had a kickof event this morning. disabilities impacting their fexibility, mobility, mental Yesterday, to start of AccessAbility Week, we announ- health, seeing, hearing, dexterity, learning, memory, ced new community grants aimed at improving accessib- developmental and more. ility and inclusion. Te grant funding will support organ- MLAs from all parties need to support AccessAbility izations across the province in removing barriers and cre- Week. We need to recognize that we need to make our ating new local opportunities for British Columbians with spaces more accessible because I and many struggle with disabilities. We’ll have more announcements throughout this every day. I’ve ofen met people out for a drink or the week. a bite to eat and had to return home because the venue People with impairments are not disabled until they en- wasn’t accessible. I used to chock it up to the way things counter a barrier that gets in the way of full participation are, but it doesn’t have to be that way. in their communities. Our lives and communities are not [11:05 a.m.] built with disabled people in mind. But our government We can build a province where everyone is included, is committed to making B.C. a better place for people liv- where everyone can participate fully in their communities. ing with disabilities. We’ve introduced the Accessible Brit- I’m here today talking to you in this House as a passionate ish Columbia Act to remove barriers for people with dis- advocate. It is with this passion that I urge this House to abilities, and 25 percent of people identify as having a dis- recognize the fourth AccessAbility Week. ability. Tat’s one-quarter of our province that we have put barriers in front of. Te ABC Act will identify, remove and R. Merrifeld: I love the passion that I just heard, as prevent these barriers. today I rise in the House to speak positively to this motion, Much of our work is ahead of us. To be a truly inclusive because I believe that this House wholeheartedly needs to province, we must integrate accessibility into all aspects of afrm its commitment to building an inclusive province our lives so that people living with disabilities can fully that improves the lives of people living with disabilities. participate in their communities. Together we can create Tis one is personal for me. Daniel was born six weeks more opportunities for meaningful employment, support early. He had a difcult delivery and was kept in the NICU greater independence and help facilitate full workplace for a few weeks. His brain didn’t get enough oxygen, and and community participation for people with disabilities. he was diagnosed with dyskinetic ataxic cerebral palsy and It is so important that we are enshrining this week in Bill a severe hearing impairment when he was ten months old. 6, the Accessible British Columbia Act. But it goes without Daniel’s mom has fought for occupational, speech and saying that accessibility is something that we must keep in physiotherapies, for school integration and for an equal mind every day of the year, especially if we want to identi- chance for independence, education, a job and, ultimately, fy, remove and prevent barriers in people’s lives. a future for her son. She had to pay for any modifcations I have had my own lived experience, but my role has or special equipment necessary to level the playing feld for driven me to become a better advocate. When I became an his growth and future. MLA, people from across the province reached out with I can still remember her tears when Daniel may have their personal stories. I must thank the member for Surrey gone into the pool with his hearing aids on or lost one South for her stories today. I share many of the same stor- of them while he was having fun. Her background as a ies with her. Today I’ll share some stories — in particular, teacher, administrator and professor enabled her to work my experience with parking lots just yesterday. towards a positive diagnosis and plan so that Daniel could I went to get my hair cut. It looks pretty good, right? As have the best chance at an independent life and product- I’ve said in this House before, I circle businesses to fnd ive, positive future. access and stuf. When I got there, there was an accessible I have watched Daniel struggle with simple physical parking spot which had enough room for me to get my tasks or miss out on opportunities because of a lack of ac- Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2223 cessibility when it should be there. People with disabilities tive technology, or AT. AT is a broad category that includes are ofen forgotten, overlooked or just plain not considered both sofware and hardware. An example of adaptive sof- when designing our societal systems. Tat’s why accessib- ware is Microsof’s Seeing AI, which uses artifcial intel- ility is so important. Tat’s why those of us that can stand ligence to describe the environment around you through up and yell, for accessibility is so important. the use of the camera on your smartphone so that blind Every British Columbian deserves to have equal access folks or folks with low visibility can have increased situ- to employment, services and the built environment. It’s ational awareness. Examples of AT hardware are things not just Daniel that requires this commitment; 25 percent like adaptive keyboards and toggles and mechanical of the population does. But Daniel, well, he’s a fghter — chairs. fercely independent, strong, smart and very funny. He has Technology and technologists have unlimited capacity always had to work harder to overcome his physical lim- to aid those living with disabilities to fully integrate into itations, while performing tasks that are much easier for community, education, workplace and society. Many tech those without disabilities. advances have led to the opening of access for people liv- My hope is that motions, but moreover, commitments ing with disabilities — tools such as screen readers, like these, will be a step to levelling the playing feld for audiobooks, voice-to-text programs, geolocation tools, AI, others like Daniel, steps that lead to action and positive and so much more. change. Considerations need to be made in all facets of our If you have not yet seen the incredible work going on society — how we move, how we accommodate on trans- in robotic exoskeletons, I encourage you to look it up it, our housing, our businesses and our education system. online. Tese devices provide the ability for some people Daniel was, at one time, thought not to be able to read or who have been unable to walk, to walk on their own while write, but give him a computer, and thoughts could pour wearing the device. out of his trapped mind. Te relationship between people living with disabilities How do I know Daniel and his mom so well? Well, and the technology embedded into our daily lives can be Daniel is my nephew, and his mom is my sister. Daniel is fraught, depending on whether the tech has been built now 25 and a graduate of university, an active blogger on from the ground up with people with disabilities in mind all things politics and sports. He is so smart. or not, and whether people with disabilities have been But the pandemic has been difcult for those with dis- involved in the creation of that tech or not. abilities. A cold for Daniel is not the same as a cold for me. Last week I visited Neil Squire centre in Burnaby. Daniel contracting COVID would be devastating. Daniel Tanks to the team there for the incredible work and the was overlooked in many ways in this pandemic. Daniel is fascinating tour. Te guiding vision at Neil Squire is to only a symbol of the 25 percent of those with disabilities, achieve economic and social inclusiveness for all people because despite being immunocompromised, ones like with disabilities. Te program that I found most com- Daniel still had to take public transit. He was still required pelling was Makers Making Change. Tis program lever- to go into the ofce that he worked at. ages the capacity of community-based makers, occupa- Tis pandemic was simply a light — a light that shone tional therapists and volunteers to develop and deliver through the cracks of missing legislation, missing societal afordable, open-source assistive technologies. norms, and gaps within our systems of care. Tis evidence What does this mean? Here’s a great example: the Lip- of how the pandemic has afected our society provides us Sync wireless mouth mouse. Tis device was designed with an incredible opportunity to fx it, to make life easier and refned by maker volunteers, community members, and more accessible for everyone, all of the time. engineers and tinkerers who volunteer their time to [11:10 a.m.] solve technical issues between what the user wants to do We must take this opportunity. We must stand up for and what the product allows them to do. So in this case, those overlooked and make adjustments to give an equit- the use challenge was using a touch screen if hand dex- able chance at independence and life, to make sure that terity does not allow. Te LipSync device is a mounted we all beneft from the thoughts, contributions and com- device where the movement of a joystick by one’s lips munity that every British Columbian has to ofer. and a puf of air from one’s mouth controls the cursor My hope is that Daniel and other people with disabilit- and touch features on an iPad. ies will be able to have stronger futures because of the work Neil Squire has more than 200 active volunteers, mostly that we do in this Legislature. engineers, working with clients to build or create the AT needed to fully access products that we all take for granted, B. Bailey: I rise to support the motion: “Be it resolved such as our phones, computers, gaming consoles, screens that this House recognize the fourth AccessAbility Week and even things like driving our cars or opening the oven. and reafrm its commitment to building an inclusive Makers design or build open-source adaptive technology, province that improves the lives of people living with dis- ofen relying on 3D printers to print out the device once abilities.” designed. Technology designed to include all users is called adap- All of the designs are open source, meaning the code, if 2224 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 sofware, or design and instruction, if hardware, are open ing benefts for our of-reserve members as well. But for anyone to use from their website. Tey also have ultimately, my real insight into the world of people with instructional videos. If a person prefers, they can be disabilities didn’t happen until I came here to the Legis- partnered with a maker who will build the device in ques- lature in 2017. tion, asking only to be reimbursed for the cost of parts. All At that time, we had three elected MLAs in the B.C. Lib- devices are designed with simple, inexpensive parts that eral caucus who used wheelchairs throughout the stone can be ordered easily or 3D-printed at Neil Squire or else- passageways of this Legislature that was designed with a where. If the device the consumer requires isn’t created yet, 19th-century approach to access and mobility that was vir- then a volunteer maker can work to create a solution that tually non-existent by today’s standards. meets the needs of that user. Now, the building has since seen a number of improve- I was so impressed by the range of adaptive technologies ments, but at the end of the day, each MLA I knew exper- available on the Neil Squire website. I encourage you to ienced difculties unique to their own situation and abil- check it out. ities. Former MLA Sam Sullivan frst sparked my curiosity Some tech companies have truly embedded adaptive when he thanked my ofer to help, but my kind of help technology into their company DNA. Apple is a great ex- wouldn’t do much good. Tat led me to ask him a whole ample. Tey’ve been a huge leader in the way that access- bunch of questions about his unique set of difculties and ible design — and providing a range of accessibility fea- how he managed in a highly specialized wheelchair. tures and products — come right out of the box. Simply Sam was very patient and kindly tolerated my ignorance put, iPhone has become the most powerful and popular and politely answered my questions. At one time, we were assistive device ever. both late for a caucus meeting at the Legislature, so I [11:15 a.m.] ofered to walk with Sam and his wife, and she told me he What stands out about Apple is that they seamlessly would probably beat us both there because his wheelchair include accessibility into a device that all people can use actually moved quite fast, which it did. I ran behind the universally. One example is VoiceOver, AT reading of the whole way down Government Street. contents of the screen in a way that allows blind users to My next learning experience came from former MLA navigate OS easily. Michelle Stilwell. One night when we were departing from How have these companies, companies like Apple, been an event, I ofered to help push Michelle up a hill, but I so successful in their AT integration? Inclusion. Repres- couldn’t fnd any handles on her wheelchair to push on. entation and inclusion are critical to getting AT right. Te Her loud, somewhat ferce and independent voice came mantra of many living within the disability community is: out as she declined my ofer. It wasn’t a polite declination “Nothing about us without us.” either. But as we talked more, I understood where her atti- Companies that hire folks from the disability com- tude came from. As I got to know her even more, I began munity to get these adaptive technologies right — they’re to realize that she experienced a lot in life, but it was never the ones that are doing it right. Research indicates that enough to quell her competitive spirit or her exceptional integrating folks with disabilities into product design will to be independent. improves the product overall for all users, not just those Te last insight I got was from our caucus chair, who I with disabilities. caught red-handed standing up beside her car afer a day’s Hats of to the leaders in this space and to the makers, end, and she explained to me the basics of blood circula- such as those working at the incredible Neil Squire Society. tion and that standing was still possible for some. By seeing the world from diferent perspectives, I got E. Ross: On behalf of my constituents of Skeena, I am even more inspired to learn more. I’ll never forget playing more than happy to address the following motion: “Be wheelchair basketball with Michelle Stilwell and players it resolved that this House recognize the fourth Access- from the Wounded Warriors Canada program here in Vic- Ability Week and reafrm its commitment to building an toria. It was that moment I saw the pride and determina- inclusive province that improves the lives of people living tion of people who refuse to give up, regardless of setbacks. with disabilities.” It was inspiring, to say the least. I frst gained insight into this issue when I sat on the So I have a diferent outlook when I come to a trafc Haisla Nation Council. We wanted to build more wheel- stop or I see a parking spot or a ramp. It makes me think chair ramps, purchase more chair lifs and aid equipment about what it’s like for someone who is hearing-impaired, at home to help with beds and bathrooms, but the whole uses crutches, has limited sight or doesn’t have the use process was application-driven. So our response was lim- of their legs or arms. It’s not about special treatment. It’s ited to whatever government approved, especially when it about having equal access to the same services that the rest was outside of our existing federal funding agreement. of us take for granted at times. Now that my band has its own source of revenues I will leave you with one last thought. One day I was through title agreements, we have not only funded some outside a restaurant here in Victoria getting ready to go of these services ourselves but are even capable of ofer- Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2225 inside with my fellow colleagues, but our caucus chair had riage, your relationship with your parents, your child — stopped short at the entrance. the single most important relationship in somebody’s life [11:20 a.m.] is work. It’s where you spend the bulk of your time. For When asked what was wrong, she informed us that the many folks, it’s where you get your sense of purpose and restaurant didn’t have wheelchair access. I was stunned, meaning. Returning to work and going through a return angry, but felt crunched up inside thinking about how she to work, it’s not a single day, it’s not a single event; it is a felt about the simple act of trying to enter a place that lifelong process that occurs over the course of someone’s could possibly afect her whole day and, saying that, how working life. it could afect her whole life. Her response was casual: “It Now, as legal counsel to a labour union, I was involved happens. It’s no big deal.” in that process frsthand for many grievors and for many But it is a big deal, not just for equality but for the simple members as they struggled to return to work with an reason of inclusion. injury. Ofen you would have an employer that would be looking for an accommodation and a lot of very difcult A. Mercier: I’d like to rise to speak to the motion moved realities around trying to manage the accommodation by my friend, the member for Chilliwack: “Be it resolved process and manage the return to work. It is so import- that this House recognize the fourth AccessAbility Week ant that we as legislators, the government, support that and reafrm its commitment to building an inclusive process. province that improves the lives of people living with dis- I’m proud to be a part of a government that’s invested abilities.” $6 million in the National Institute of Disability Man- Tere are two people in my life that have really opened agement and Research over the next four years. We’ve up my eyes to the barriers and impacts that having a dis- done that specifcally to help promote disability manage- ability can bring to bear on somebody’s life and also that ment. I really want to reiterate management and process the lack of appropriate supports can have on folks. Tey’re here — this isn’t a singular event — so that folks can get both injured workers. back to work. One of them is my friend the member for Chilliwack, Part of what that funding is going to go to…. Tat fund- who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for over a decade ing has, really, three strategies behind it: promoting dis- now. I’ve seen frsthand…. I’m thinking back to university, ability management programs, assessments and improve- to college, being two, I think, relatively good-looking ments as well as educational development and profession- young men trying to go out and fnd a spot to have a bever- alization. age and seeing the problems that that can cause when there [11:25 a.m.] is no accessibility, when there is no ramp and when there But a core part of that, and part of the professional des- is nowhere appropriate to sit. ignation component, is scholarships for part-time and full- I’ve watched the member for Chilliwack come into this time students enrolled in bachelors of disability manage- role and tirelessly focus on advocating for other folks. ment programs. We need to support the folks who are Tat’s really been the tenor of the spirit that he’s brought to doing the critical work and helping support others so that advocacy for his whole life. It’s really typical of the mem- we can all go on to lead our best lives. No one should ber for Chilliwack, as well, that he’s not engaged in self- be regarded as less than because they have a barrier to advocacy. He is busy fghting for others. their accessibility. No one should have to go through those Now, the second person is my mother. My mother is kinds of impacts. a nurse, and I remember, quite young, she had an injury I’d like to say that I strongly support this motion and I that’s very common among nurses, which is that she strongly support the work of my friend, the MLA for Chil- injured her back. It started of as a slipped disk. A slipped liwack. disk leads to a surgery. A surgery leads to a fused spine, and a fused spine leads to chronic pain, an inability to walk T. Shypitka: On behalf of my constituents of Kootenay properly in many ways and a lifelong fght with WorkSafe East, I am pleased to support the following motion and to try to return to work and to try to get an appropriate will use my time this morning to explain why. accommodation so that she could continue working and But before I do, I would just like to use a few moments eventually retrain and move on and become a professor of to ofer, on behalf of all of the constituents of Kootenay nursing at Douglas College. East, our sincere thoughts and prayers to all of those in My point here is that through my friendship with the the Kamloops area and those survivors of the residential member for Chilliwack but also my own experience grow- school system across the province. ing up with a mother with a disability, you see frsthand Today I also send my prays to the Ktunaxa Nation, as the impacts that a helping hand can have to help reduce well, whose traditional territories include Kootenay East. barriers and to help people lead their best lives, because Te St. Eugene Mission is just north of Cranbrook and the fact of the matter is there is a dignity to work. was the site of a residential school from 1910 to 1970. Outside of personal, familial relationships — your mar- My friend Cheryl Casimer is a survivor of that school 2226 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 and wishes more positive relationships between Indigen- and federal funding for appropriate models for complete ous and non-Indigenous people. True change can only inclusiveness. happen when we work together, and this is what she [11:30 a.m.] advocates for. I couldn’t agree more. May we all pray for Able-bodied people need more education, understand- those 215 beautiful souls and the unthinkable loss that tra- ing, on the barricades that face those with physical and gically has been uncovered. mental disabilities. Tis can all be done with more conver- To speak to the motion I wholeheartedly support, “Be sation and focus. it resolved that this House recognize the fourth Access- My colleague from Surrey South said it best on recog- Ability Week and reafrm its commitment to building an nizing these challenges. She said: “We have to see them, inclusive province that improves the lives of people living and we have to make change.” She also said: “If it’s not ac- with disabilities….” cessible, it’s not accessible.” When we think of disability as a concept, it’s natural for Although I wish I had more time in this debate, sufce us to relate to the last person we saw trying to access a to say that while we have made progress in making path- building without the proper entrance facilities or perhaps ways to accessibility on many diferent levels, both mental the pain of watching someone trying to navigate sidewalks and physical, much more remains to be done, and that’s that are not up to speed for people living with disabilities. why I support the motion on behalf of Kootenay East. However, rather than look for problems in this debate, I think we should concentrate instead on fnding appropri- S. Chant: Tank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity ate solutions. to speak in support of the motion. According to the latest data gathered by Statistics Can- I speak to you today from the unceded territories of the ada, an estimated one in fve Canadians aged 15 and over Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations, where had at least one or more disabilities that limited their daily I have the opportunity to both live and learn. activities. Tis is according to a national 2017 Canadian I also put my hand on my heart for those children, and survey on disability. Tat’s why I think this morning’s I am so sad, and I know the people in my riding are so sad debate is so important. to acknowledge something that has been part of unknown Until we have a cumulative understanding of each and knowledge before, and has now truly been said as: “Tis is every one of the challenges that people living with disab- real, and we have to see this.” ilities face on a daily basis, both physical and mental, we I would like to talk about a couple of other things that won’t be in the right position to help and inform govern- maybe have been spoken to in this time. I want to talk ment policy. Tose with more severe disabilities ofen have about the invisible population. We’ve heard Daniel’s story, lower rates of employment, lower income — even when where Daniel has a mom and an auntie who are very able employed full year and full-time — and a greater likeli- to advocate on his behalf and has done many, many things hood of living in poverty, regardless of age. that many other children with similar disabilities would As an elected representative from rural British Colum- never have the opportunity to access, because their moth- bia, I think it is also worth noting that there is a substantial ers and aunties and families have lobbied and advocated diference in the challenges that people living with disab- and rallied. Tere are many other people in our popula- ilities face between those living between urban and rural tion that don’t have those strong advocates, and as such, parts of the province. Urban and suburban parts of B.C. our society isn’t able to recognize them and support them, have a much wider tax base and, therefore, the ability to because they don’t make it to that place. deliver far greater access compared to our rural counter- I speak of what I call our invisible population. We have parts. Terefore, those living with disabilities in rural parts children that are staying at home, cared for by their par- of the province do face greater challenges because of fewer ents with some help, perhaps, from our health agencies or available resources. We need to change that. from our various organizations, but their parents are ofen Winter, spring, summer or fall, my riding of Kootenay full-time caregivers for the children. Tey can’t access East presents its own set of challenges for those living with school. Tey can’t access baseball. Tey can’t access soccer. disabilities in small-town B.C., day or night. It’s difcult, None of those things are available to them because of the even at the best of times, for a fully able-bodied pedes- way that they are dealing with their world. trian to navigate rural sidewalks at night with no proper When the families reach out for help and when the fam- lit crossings, let alone deep snow. For people living with ilies reach out to advocate, sometimes they get that help disabilities, this is nothing short of a complete disconnect and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes their advocacy is from everything that most people enjoy without concern heard, and sometimes the energy that it takes to do that every day. Tis is unacceptable. advocacy and do the care and try to have a life is too much. We need a coordinated efort by all three levels of gov- We talk about our youth. We talk about our youth who ernment. If we have a chance at making a diference in are in…. Let’s talk about elementary school. School is sup- the general well-being of our whole society, city planning posed to be available and accessible to everybody. It’s not. and bylaws need to coordinate with provincial legislation Elementary school is not necessarily available and access- Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2227 ible to everybody of the appropriate age to be there. Again, ies more inclusive. An essential component of that work there are many diferent things that have been done and must be to provide safe, inclusive and accessible public can be done and many things that have not been done spaces so that everyone can live and participate to their full at all. We have to look at each person and look at the potential. community in which they are living and the environment For too long, we have approached accessibility as an that we’re trying to support and get them there — support aferthought or simply as a set of criteria that businesses them to be there. Tere are so many people that haven’t are required to meet to be within the bounds of the law. even come to the surface. But true inclusion goes far beyond simply doing the bare We talk about our 25 percent. I’ve heard many people minimum. It involves looking at the world and the policies say 25 percent of our adults in British Columbia and in we design, from the built environment to social programs, Canada are dealing with disability. We have a lot of chil- through an accessibility lens in a way that incorporates the dren behind that number too. We have to remember them lived experience of people with disabilities and truly seeks as well. We have to support them as well, because they will to ensure a world where everyone can take part to their full become our adults. I did hear somebody who indicated potential. that the growth of the numbers with disabilities is going to Tis year’s theme for National AccessAbility Week is: outstrip our birth rate. Absolutely it is. Our aging popula- “Disability inclusion 2021 — leaving no one behind.” How tion is going to contribute to that as well. do we ensure that in this House, through the work we do Tere is no reason in this day and age — it’s 2021, by every day, no one gets lef behind? It’s a question that we the way — that we should be having people saying: “I can’t need to continually ask ourselves. do this because it’s not accessible.” Tat is just wrong. It’s Our approach certainly needs some modernizing and not acceptable in our society. However, we’ve got to do the an attitudinal shif. Tere continue to be obvious gaps in work and continue to do the work and demand that the the way that we approach accessibility. For example, in work be done. the city of Vancouver there are no formal guidelines for [11:35 a.m.] designing accessible parks and outdoor spaces, which I heard somebody else speaking: “We need the three means that, unfortunately, many parks in the city cannot levels of government.” We absolutely do. Tat means we be equally appreciated and enjoyed by all. In contrast, need to collaborate and work together and have goals that cities like Campbell River have established guidelines for integrate, again: “Nothing about us without us.” We’ve got parks that set out appropriate dimensions for accessible to have our goals that integrate the people that we’re work- signage, trails and parking, all to improve park accessib- ing towards. ility for users with physical, cognitive and sensory disab- I fnd it absolutely amazing when I see some great and ilities. wondrous plan put together by somebody that does not Tere also continues to be the need to increase the num- include the people that it impacts. We’ve got to learn from ber of accessible public restrooms along TransLink’s ourselves and from each other how to make this work. I routes, as only the SeaBus terminals and West Coast Ex- thank you for this opportunity to support this motion in press trains currently have them, as opposed to what are its fullness. efectively staf bathrooms, which are only usable by asking a SkyTrain attendant. None of the six underground sta- M. Lee: Today as we recognize National AccessAbility tions for the planned Broadway subway will initially have Week, I am pleased to rise to continue the discussion on accessible public washrooms either — only hypothetical the motion before this House: “Be it resolved that this possibilities of them being built in the future. House recognize the fourth AccessAbility Week and reaf- We in this House have been elected to serve as MLAs frm its commitment to building an inclusive province that because we want to make life better for our constituents improves the lives of people living with disabilities.” and because we want to make our communities better, It is certainly a motion needing considerable discussion more equitable, more inclusive and accessible, where in this House, and I appreciated the contributions of my people can thrive and live full lives. We have all made com- colleagues to this discussion and the continued advocacy mitments, as this motion suggests, to improve the lives of by many members of this House, including our former all British Columbians. colleagues representing Vancouver–False Creek and Tis pandemic has disproportionately impacted people Parksville-Qualicum, as well as the members for Chilli- with disabilities, and we can’t make decisions about recov- wack and Surrey South. We learn a great deal from each ery without taking this into account. We need to take a other in all of this. look at the lessons that this pandemic has taught us and Similarly, the work in this House to move forward with the gaps that have been revealed and proactively ensure Bill 6, the Accessible British Columbia Act, is certainly that we do not discriminate against people with disabilit- a much-needed step towards modernizing our province’s ies. We must do better. approach to accessibility. We have spoken a great deal in [11:40 a.m.] the past few years about what it means to make communit- Our discussion here is an important part of that work, 2228 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 and I hope that we will see the sentiments expressed today ility as a main focus. In speaking with the manager of sup- go beyond words and into real action. People living with port services and accessibility, Tara Cleave, I was informed disabilities face very real barriers every day, in the built that Surrey has received 25 accessible certifed designa- environment and in attitudes, and we in this House should tions and fve accessibility gold certifcations through the feel an urgency to do our part to break down those barriers Rick Hansen Foundation. that can prevent people from being able to fully participate Surrey is currently the highest-participating municipal- in society. ity in Canada. Surrey ofers a range of adapted and inclus- Let’s commit to working together to improve the lives of ive programs in sport, leisure and recreation, which all British Columbians. include wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, chair yoga and ftness, audio book clubs, sensory-friendly spaces, M. Starchuk: Te motion, in part, asks that the House inclusive cooking programs and one-to-one skating and reafrm its commitment to building an inclusive province swim programs. I’ve been told that Surrey is currently that improves the lives of people living with disabilities. working on updating their parking bylaws, which include It was a few weeks ago that we heard the MLA for Van- signage and parking stall requirements that would have couver–West End speak about his four-year-old and fart helped out the MLA for Chilliwack. bikes. It’s not that when I think about accessibility, I think Tis leads me to a personal story of a friend and about fart bikes, but rather, I think about a four-year-old a colleague and his comments regarding accessibility. and when they ask them: “What do you want to be when Pete Skowronek's son Todd is a 33-year-old with cere- you grow up?” I think about the upcoming legislation and bral palsy and hydrocephalus. A number of years ago moving forward, and I think about a four-year-old with no we engaged in a group conversation regarding the word barriers, and they can do whatever it is that they want to “handicapped.” He spoke to the origin of the term and do when they grow up. how it was not a word that anyone with a disability cared When we all think about accessibility, you have to be for. Cap in hand, when connected to handicapped, is a excited about the creation of the Accessible British Colum- term that was ofensive to Peter. bia Act, which will build an inclusive province and work I am pleased to see my city, Surrey, is removing this type for all of us. Te act will remove the barriers so that all of signage from all the public areas, washrooms and other people can fully participate in their communities. Te act public areas. I’m hopeful that other private areas in my city will allow government to establish accessibility standards and other cities in British Columbia will follow suit and aimed at identifying, removing and preventing barriers to not wait for the upcoming legislation of Bill 6. accessibility and inclusion. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take some time to address I’m familiar with some of the regulations that are cur- some concerns, one in particular that a constituent has rently in existence as Surrey’s former chief fre prevention with regard to perception that Bill 6 would lack inclusion ofcer. We were always ensuring that building code and of learning disabilities under the defnition of impairment. fre code regulations were being adhered to. When a fre Tis constituent has a child diagnosed with learning dis- alarm bell is ringing and someone needs to get out, there abilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. are many things to consider. Strobe lights for those with [11:45 a.m.] hearing disabilities, Braille on doors and elevator keys for I can assure this mom, who is a physiotherapist, that this those with visual disabilities and emergency pull stations is enabling legislation. It provides a framework in which at the height for those in wheelchairs are just a few the we can create regulations based on thorough consultation British Columbia building code and fre code regulations and consideration. It’s not intended to create prescriptive in use today. lists that wouldn’t be fexible in the future. Our government is committed to the United Nations It’s my hope that Erica, like many others who have con- convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and tacted us, will be understanding that this is a defnition the principle of “Nothing about us without us.” It’s import- and will know that it’ll include all of those that have been ant to note that James Charlton authored the book Nothing diagnosed with learning disabilities. About Us Without Us in August of 2000. Te term “Noth- I look forward to a better society for all British Col- ing about us without us” expressed the conviction of umbians and when the Accessible British Columbia Act people with disabilities that they know what’s best for comes into full force and efect in the near future. I look them. Tis mantra became the rallying call of the United forward to a day when accessibility issues are so far in the Nations convention on persons with disabilities, which past that we have to google them, the same way the four- was adopted in 2006. year-old googles what a VCR was. While we wait for Bill 6 to take some time to imple- ment…. We know it will take some time, but it doesn’t pre- C. Oakes: I want to recognize that I’m joining the de- clude local governments from moving forward on access- bate today from the Southern Dakelh Nation. ibility issues while this bill moves forward. In my riding, My prayers are with all the residential school survivors we have many civic facilities that have looked at accessib- and their families during this heartbreaking time. Monday, May 31, 2021 British Columbia Debates 2229

On behalf of my constituents of Cariboo North, it truly B.C.’s economy. We must ensure that no British Columbian is humbling to join the members of this Legislature to is lef behind as the province moves forward. Despite the recognize the fourth AccessAbility Week and to reafrm importance of post-secondary education for employment its commitment to building an inclusive province that outcomes, students with disabilities still face signifcant improves the lives of people living with disabilities. barriers to accessing post-secondary education and, fol- I want to thank all of the members who have shared lowing completion of their degree, barriers to accessing today. I especially want to acknowledge my colleague from employment. Surrey South for her tireless eforts as an advocate for [11:50 a.m.] improving the lives of people living with disabilities. She We must get loud. We must remove barriers. And there’s has done this work both inside and outside of government, so much more that we need to do. I want to recognize and I want to personally thank her for her leadership, her and thank the Alliance of B.C. Students for their advocacy education of and for the work that she continues to do. on this topic. In particular, I want to thank June Reisner, I commit to this House that I’ll join her call to action to who is the accessibility justice coordinator and is a student get mad, to get loud and to demand access for everyone. at Capilano University, and Jessica Levesque, who attends When we discuss the need for afordable housing, we need Fraser Valley University. Teir advocacy on improving to be ensuring that we also have adaptive housing. Far inclusion at post-secondary is incredibly valuable. I thank more needs to be done, and I appreciate the member for them for their eforts. Surrey South’s advocacy on this. Another takeaway from From listening to the students, I gained a perspective the member’s comments is to understand that people with and an awareness on the experiences students with dis- disabilities are experts in innovation. abilities face, including disruptions to their education due Imagine the incredible potential of a post-pandemic to fnancial, health and accessibility constraints. Students world where everyone has access to and can participate with disabilities ofen take on exceptional additional costs in the rebuild of our magnifcent province. Several weeks both directly and indirectly related to their education. ago, during one of our Children and Youth Committee It is critical that we recognize and understand invisible meetings, I had a profound moment — where the meeting disabilities such as dyslexia. It’s vital to apply a critical lens will stay with me for a long time. We had the opportunity to our post-secondary institutions so that we can celebrate to hear from Myles Himmelreich, a strong advocate to past achievements but, in so doing, develop a better under- increase the understanding, support and inclusion for standing of what life is like with a disability. So I am call- children with FASD and their families. I want to sincerely ing on the government with the request that the Alliance thank Myles for sharing his story, for being vulnerable, for for B.C. Students has recommended: that the province of standing up and helping us understand how all of us can British Columbia conduct a provincewide survey on the help remove barriers. experience of students with disabilities in post-secondary I also want to thank the Representative for Children education. and Youth and her team for providing recommendations I think this makes sense. In the minds of many, if it’s not on how we all can be removing barriers when we look at accessible, then it’s not acceptable. legislation in this House. I also want to acknowledge the government today for the announcement that they have R. Leonard: I rise in support of the motion by the mem- made for increasing support for students with disabilities ber for Chilliwack to recognize our fourth AccessAbility enrolled in public secondary institutions. Tis work has Week in British Columbia and reafrm the commitment been championed for many of the student associations, for of this House to building an inclusive province that the Alliance of B.C. Students. I think that it’s important to improves the lives of people living with disabilities. hear from students and that when the government listens AccessAbility Week is not only a time to celebrate all and makes improvements, we acknowledge and recognize the incredible work being done by diligent and thoughtful those eforts. people and organizations throughout B.C. to make it a Te ACE program supports accessible post-secondary more equitable and inclusive place for all. It’s also a time to education for students who are deaf, hard of hearing or raise awareness and commit to doing our part, individu- deaf-blind and are attending or planning to attend college ally and collectively, to making life better for those with and university in B.C.; the CAPER program that provides diverse abilities, those abilities that have not been fully rec- alternative-learning-format materials such as digital ognized and accommodated in the mainstream. audiobooks, large-print text, electronic text and other suit- With nearly a quarter of B.C.’s population aged 15 and able formats to students and instructors; and the pilot pro- older, that’s more than 926,000 people living with disabil- gram that supports post-secondary students that require ities, and the numbers are growing. It’s apparent that we’re specialized adaptive technology. not talking about just a small portion of society. If you’re I know we all share an incredible pride in our world- not someone living with a distinct challenge to your abil- class post-secondary education system. We understand ity to move, communicate, learn, understand or cope with that access to advanced education is essential to rebuilding everyday matters, your life is more likely than not to be 2230 British Columbia Debates Monday, May 31, 2021 touched by such a person. We’re talking about living with building an equitable and inclusive B.C. that it is accessible a disability as a regular part of everybody’s life. and improves the lives of people living with disabilities. In the spirit of “Nothing about us without us,” our gov- [11:55 a.m.] ernment swept the province in the fall of 2019 to consult Today, as we provide more programs and supports, with people with lived experience, to help shape the devel- doors are opening for a diferent world. Our government opment of accessibility legislation that would lead to has raised disability rates many times, the latest being the standards and regulation, entrench the voice of those liv- single greatest increase ever. We’ve also raised the amount ing with disabilities and review to make sure we continue people can earn without clawbacks. We’ve supported to make progress. people living with disabilities through the pandemic with income supplements and grant opportunities, work exper- [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] ience programs and adjustments to grants and programs to give fexibility in these uncertain times. My own community came out to the Comox legion to We are dedicated to including people with disabilities share with the then minister their challenges and ideas for in a strong recovery, building a more accessible, inclus- addressing their needs. I recall Jean sitting in her wheel- ive B.C. in child care, afordable housing, school play- chair, speaking with passion and strength of purpose to grounds, supports for post-secondary education, access- address communication challenges and technology for the ible government services, improvements to transporta- hard-of-hearing, reminding us of the range of experiences tion and the built environment, communication tools as people with multiple disabilities strive, in an exhausting and learning resources, technology, business supports, daily trial, to participate. and so much more. I have ridden the bus with my sight-impaired friend, We can be assured of continuing attention with the Michael McLellan, a tireless advocate for the disabled. member for Chilliwack in the new position of Parliament- Afer he moved, he shared about the painstaking work to ary Secretary for Accessibility. Te Premier and our gov- learn the lay of the land and travel in new places that the ernment continue to take steps to build a more inclusive sighted only need a road map and bus schedule in hand to British Columbia and improve the lives of people living navigate. with disabilities. As we move forward, AccessAbility Week I have my own experiences of living with a cane on has more and more reasons to celebrate together. and of over many decades. People with transitory or epis- odic challenges or invisible disabilities also regularly face R. Leonard moved adjournment of the debate. attitudes about justifying their lives. Te need to reduce stigma is very real. Motion approved. I’m also grateful to John Higginbotham, who has made it his mission to entice newly elected Courtenay council- Hon. J. Osborne moved adjournment of the House. lors and senior staf to tour the city with him on an elec- tric scooter. A poorly placed bush at an intersection, inad- Motion approved. equately designed public washrooms — experiencing the safety challenges and frustrations of navigating a walkable Mr. Speaker: Tis House stands adjourned until 1:30 in world does more than raise awareness and understanding. the afernoon. It elicits a compassionate response to make it right. Tat’s why it’s exciting to see the focus of our government on Te House adjourned at 11:56 p.m. Hansard Services, Reporting and Publishing

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