Third Session, 39th Parliament

official report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Thursday, April 28, 2011 Afternoon Sitting Volume 20, Number 10

the honourable , speaker

ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871)

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC

Third Session, 39th Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Premier and President of the Executive Council...... Hon. Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance...... Hon. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation...... Hon. Minister of Advanced Education...... Hon. Minister of Agriculture...... Hon. Don McRae Attorney General...... Hon. , QC Minister of Children and Family Development...... Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development...... Hon. Minister of Education...... Hon. George Abbott Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing...... Hon. Minister of Environment...... Hon. Dr. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations...... Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Health...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation...... Hon. Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government...... Hon. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General...... Hon. Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism...... Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Leader of the OfficialO pposition...... Deputy Speaker...... Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole...... Douglas Horne Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...... E. George MacMinn, OBC, QC Clerk Assistant...... Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk...... Ian D. Izard, QC Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees...... Craig H. James (on leave) Clerk Assistant and Acting Clerk of Committees...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms...... Gary Lenz ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING

Abbott, Hon. George (L)...... Shuswap Abbotsford-Mission...... Austin, Robin (NDP)...... Skeena Abbotsford South...... Bains, Harry (NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Abbotsford West...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Barisoff, Hon. Bill (L)...... Penticton Alberni–Pacific Rim...... Scott Fraser Barnett, Donna (L)...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Boundary-Similkameen...... John Slater Bell, Hon. Pat (L)...... Prince George–Mackenzie Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Bennett, Bill (L)...... Kootenay East Burnaby-Edmonds...... Raj Chouhan Black, Dawn (NDP)...... New Westminster Burnaby-Lougheed...... Hon. Harry Bloy Black, Iain (L)...... Port Moody– Burnaby North...... Richard T. Lee Bloy, Hon. Harry (L)...... Burnaby-Lougheed Cariboo-Chilcotin...... Bond, Hon. Shirley (L)...... Prince George–Valemount Cariboo North...... Bob Simpson Brar, Jagrup (NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Chilliwack...... Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (L)...... Surrey-Panorama Chilliwack-Hope...... Hon. Barry Penner, QC Cantelon, Ron (L)...... Parksville-Qualicum Columbia River–Revelstoke...... Norm Macdonald Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP)...... –West End ...... Hon. Don McRae Chong, Hon. Ida (L)...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Douglas Horne Chouhan, Raj (NDP)...... Burnaby-Edmonds Coquitlam-Maillardville...... Diane Thorne Coell, Murray (L)...... Saanich North and the Islands Cowichan Valley...... Coleman, Hon. Rich (L)...... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Delta North...... Guy Gentner Conroy, Katrine (NDP)...... Kootenay West Delta South...... Vicki Huntington Coons, Gary (NDP)...... North Coast Esquimalt–Royal Roads...... Maurine Karagianis Corrigan, Kathy (NDP)...... Burnaby–Deer Lake Fort Langley–Aldergrove...... Hon. Rich Coleman Dalton, Marc (L)...... Maple Ridge–Mission Fraser-Nicola...... de Jong, Hon. Michael, QC (L)...... Abbotsford West Juan de Fuca...... Dix, Adrian (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kingsway –North Thompson...... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Donaldson, Doug (NDP)...... Stikine Kamloops–South Thompson...... Elmore, Mable (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kensington –Lake Country...... Falcon, Hon. Kevin (L)...... Surrey-Cloverdale Kelowna-Mission...... Hon. Steve Thomson Farnworth, Mike (NDP)...... Port Coquitlam Kootenay East...... Fleming, Rob (NDP)...... Victoria–Swan Lake Kootenay West...... Foster, Eric (L)...... Vernon-Monashee Langley...... Hon. Mary Polak Fraser, Scott (NDP)...... Alberni–Pacific Rim Maple Ridge–Mission...... Marc Dalton Gentner, Guy (NDP)...... Delta North Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Michael Sather Hammell, Sue (NDP)...... Surrey–Green Timbers ...... Leonard Krog Hansen, Colin (L)...... Vancouver-Quilchena Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Doug Routley Hawes, Randy (L)...... Abbotsford-Mission Nechako Lakes...... Hayer, Dave S. (L)...... Surrey-Tynehead Nelson-Creston...... Heed, Kash (L)...... Vancouver-Fraserview New Westminster...... Dawn Black Hogg, Gordon (L)...... Surrey–White Rock North Coast...... Gary Coons Horgan, John (NDP)...... Juan de Fuca North Island...... Claire Trevena Horne, Douglas (L)...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain –Lonsdale...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Howard, Rob (L)...... Richmond Centre North Vancouver–Seymour...... Jane Thornthwaite Huntington, Vicki (Ind.)...... Delta South Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Hon. Ida Chong James, Carole (NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Parksville-Qualicum...... Karagianis, Maurine (NDP)...... Esquimalt–Royal Roads Peace River North...... Krog, Leonard (NDP)...... Nanaimo ...... Hon. Blair Lekstrom Krueger, Kevin (L)...... Kamloops–South Thompson Penticton...... Hon. Bill Barisoff Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP)...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Port Coquitlam...... Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (L)...... Kamloops–North Thompson Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Lali, Harry (NDP)...... Fraser-Nicola Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Lee, Richard T. (L)...... Burnaby North Prince George–Mackenzie...... Hon. Pat Bell Lekstrom, Hon. Blair (L)...... Peace River South Prince George–Valemount...... Hon. Shirley Bond Les, John (L)...... Chilliwack Richmond Centre...... Letnick, Norm (L)...... Kelowna–Lake Country Richmond East...... Linda Reid MacDiarmid, Dr. Margaret (L)...... Vancouver-Fairview Richmond-Steveston...... Macdonald, Norm (NDP)...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Saanich North and the Islands...... McIntyre, Joan (L)...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Saanich South...... McNeil, Hon. Mary (L)...... Vancouver–False Creek Shuswap...... Hon. George Abbott McRae, Hon. Don (L)...... Comox Valley Skeena...... Robin Austin Mungall, Michelle (NDP)...... Nelson-Creston Stikine...... Penner, Hon. Barry, QC (L)...... Chilliwack-Hope Surrey-Cloverdale...... Hon. Kevin Falcon Pimm, Pat (L)...... Peace River North Surrey-Fleetwood...... Jagrup Brar Polak, Hon. Mary (L)...... Langley Surrey–Green Timbers...... Sue Hammell Popham, Lana (NDP)...... Saanich South Surrey-Newton...... Ralston, Bruce (NDP)...... Surrey-Whalley Surrey-Panorama...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Reid, Linda (L)...... Richmond East Surrey-Tynehead...... Dave S. Hayer Routley, Bill (NDP)...... Cowichan Valley Surrey-Whalley...... Routley, Doug (NDP)...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey–White Rock...... Gordon Hogg Rustad, John (L)...... Nechako Lakes Vancouver-Fairview...... Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Sather, Michael (NDP)...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Vancouver–False Creek...... Hon. Mary McNeil Simons, Nicholas (NDP)...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Fraserview...... Simpson, Bob (Ind.)...... Cariboo North Vancouver-Hastings...... Simpson, Shane (NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Kensington...... Mable Elmore Slater, John (L)...... Boundary-Similkameen Vancouver-Kingsway...... Adrian Dix Stewart, Ben (L)...... Westside-Kelowna Vancouver-Langara...... Dr. Stilwell, Dr. Moira (L)...... Vancouver-Langara Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Sultan, Ralph (L)...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver–Point Grey...... Vacant Thomson, Hon. Steve (L)...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver-Quilchena...... Thorne, Diane (NDP)...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Vancouver–West End...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Thornthwaite, Jane (L)...... North Vancouver–Seymour Vernon-Monashee...... Eric Foster Trevena, Claire (NDP)...... North Island Victoria–Beacon Hill...... van Dongen, John (L)...... Abbotsford South Victoria–Swan Lake...... Yamamoto, Hon. Naomi (L)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale West Vancouver–Capilano...... Yap, John (L)...... Richmond-Steveston West Vancouver–Sea to Sky...... Joan McIntyre Vacant...... Vancouver–Point Grey Westside-Kelowna......

Party Standings: Liberal 48; New Democratic 34; Independent 2; Vacant 1

CONTENTS

Thursday, April 28, 2011 Afternoon Sitting

Page

Routine Business

Introductions by Members...... 6471

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 6471 Bill 5 — New West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act Hon. P. Bell

Statements...... 6471 Congratulations on royal wedding Hon. K. Falcon J. Horgan

Statements (Standing Order 25B)...... 6471 Day of Mourning for workers K. Conroy D. Hayer Roller derby M. Mungall Samantha Nutt and assistance for women in war zones J. Thornthwaite Autism awareness C. Trevena Steveston fundraising for Japan earthquake relief J. Yap

Oral Questions...... 6473 Government response to court ruling on teachers' collective bargaining A. Dix Hon. G. Abbott School district funding and court ruling on teachers' bargaining R. Austin Hon. G. Abbott Funding for school meal program in Surrey H. Bains Hon. G. Abbott Cost of government information on B. Ralston Hon. K. Falcon Government and third-party information on harmonized sales tax J. Kwan Hon. K. Falcon Appointment of judges L. Krog Hon. B. Penner Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued)...... 6478 H. Lali D. Hayer D. Thorne J. McIntyre B. Routley E. Foster M. Mungall J. Thornthwaite

Motions Without Notice...... 6507 Committee of Supply to sit in two sections Hon. R. Coleman 6471

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011 comply with the labour mobility provisions of the new west partnership agreement. The House met at 1:35 p.m. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Bill 5, New West Partnership Trade Agreement Imple- Routine Business mentation Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at Introductions by Members the next sitting of the House after today.

J. Horgan: I'd like to introduce in the gallery a con- Statements stituent of mine, Rick Atkinson, who is the regional vice-president of the paramedics association here in CONGRATULATIONS ON ROYAL WEDDING Victoria, CUPE Local 873. Rick is in the precinct today. There he is there. Thank you very much,R ick. Would the Hon. K. Falcon: Tomorrow, April 29, at 11 a.m., the House please make him very welcome. marriage of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Elizabeth Middleton will take place in London, England. Introduction and On behalf of all members of this Legislature, I would First Reading of Bills ask that the Speaker send a letter of congratulations to Prince William and Catherine Middleton for their Bill 5 — New West Partnership wedding tomorrow. Trade Agreement Implementation Act J. Horgan: I want to join with the Minister of Finance. Hon. P. Bell presented a message from His Honour As a descendant of Irish ancestors, I will be more colloquial the Administrator: a bill intituled New West Partnership and say, on the opposition side, we give our best wishes Trade Agreement Implementation Act. to Wills and Kate on their most auspicious of occasions. Tomorrow, sometime at four in the morning, my spouse Hon. P. Bell: I move that Bill 5 be introduced and will be watching on the television. read for the first time now. Mr. Speaker: Consider it done. Motion approved. Statements Hon. P. Bell: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 5, the New (Standing Order 25B) West Partnership Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2011. The new west partnership trade agreement was DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS signed by British Columbia, Alberta and on April 30, 2010. The agreement seeks to further re- K. Conroy: Today the Day of Mourning is being held duce and eliminate barriers to the free trade movement to remember people who've been killed or injured on of workers, goods, services and investments across west- the job. In addition to the pin from WorkSafe B.C., we've ern Canada between British Columbia, Alberta and all been given the opportunity to wear a pin that has Saskatchewan. Our common goal is an open, efficient come to symbolize this day. The pin shows a canary in a and stable market that operates in the best interests of birdcage. As I'm sure most of you know, in the early days our workers, our businesses and our investors. of coalmining, miners were sent into the mines carrying Bill 5 introduces provisions that do the following canaries in a birdcage to determine the air quality in the three things, all of which are necessary to ensure that shafts.I f the bird died, the miners had to quickly evacuate meets its obligations under the new west or perish themselves. partnership trade agreement and the national agreement Steve Hunt, a member of the United Steelworkers, on internal trade: first, to ensure that the province has designed the pin after sitting through the Westray mining the statutory authority to exercise its rights and fulfil its disaster hearings. The Westray mine was a coalmine obligations under the agreements; second, to provide a in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, where, in 1992, a methane right of appeal and judicial review of panel decisions explosion killed 26 miners. Steve felt that the day of and ensure monetary awards are enforceable, all of mourning required a symbol that would ensure we not which will effectively implement the agreement's dispute forget the tragedy of the miners and the lives lost. He resolution procedures; and finally, amend the provisions took the image of the canary and used it to symbolize to the College of Applied Biology Act to ensure that the the plight of workers worldwide. Nothing got done to rules of the council of the College of Applied Biology ensure workers' safety until the canary died. 6472 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

Unfortunately, it's much the same for far too many Fast-forward to now, just months from that first bout, workers today. Today this pin is being worn across and you will find my local league boasting a full eight Canada and the United States not just by steelworkers, teams, making it the largest in Canada. Now on the roster for but by thousands of people from many different unions this season's bouts, the Angels and the Babes are joined and by politicians like us on both sides of the House by the Castlegar Dam City Rollers; the Slocan Valley and both sides of the border. As legislators, it is our duty Vendettas; as well as both Nelson teams, the Killjoys and to make sure legislation is in place that ensures every the Lumber Jackies. I can't forget our junior team nor worker in B.C. can go to work in a safe environment and our travel team, the Kootenay Kannibelles, who recently return home to their families at the end of their shift. trounced the Okanagan's SS Rodeo. [1340] Now, the coolest part of the roller derby explosion is I want to thank the steelworkers for providing the that the West Kootenay women, while the largest league, members of the Legislature this pin that we can all wear aren't the only growing league. We have Okanagan, East in solidarity as we remember workers who have died or Kootenay, Okanagan-Shuswap, Abbotsford, Rain Valley been injured on the job and their families who are left Vixens, Vancouver Terminal City Rollers. Fort St. John behind. has got a league too, and it's accepting fresh meat for the Energetic City Roller Derby Association so that they can D. Hayer: Mr. Speaker, the Canadian flag is flying battle it out with Prince George's Rated PG teams or any at half-mast on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and over the of the teams in the UNBC league. Legislative Assembly in Victoria, not honouring the loss Who can forget the gals that started it all in B.C., of a major leader or a captain of industry but in honour of Victoria's very own Eves of Destruction? TheE ves spread the everyday worker lost or injured while on the job. Today the derby word wide and far, and now bout hunters like across this land we recognize April 28 as a National Day myself are league sponsors. of Mourning to commemorate those who died or were On May 6 I'll be attending my first bout as a sponsor. injured in the line of duty while performing their jobs. Sinful de Mayo is a doubleheader. Get your tickets quick, In 2009 alone almost 1,000 Canadian workers lost because they go fast. their lives while on the job. That is more than 2½ deaths Remember, Mr. Speaker, to whip it and whip it good. every day. Since 1993 well over 15,000 men and women lost their lives due to work-related causes. That is equiva- SAMANTHA NUTT AND ASSISTANCE FOR lent to the entire population of a medium-sized town in WOMEN IN WAR ZONES British Columbia, and that is an immense tragedy. We have been commemorating this day and the loss J. Thornthwaite: On March 8, I was honoured, along of workers in our nation since 1991, and today what with my colleague the member for Burnaby North, to Canada began then has been adopted by 80 countries attend the International Women's Day presentation around the world. So if we see legislative employees sponsored by Capilano University. Together we presented or other workers wearing black arm bands, ribbons or a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Samantha Nutt, the lighting candles, we will know that they are remem- founder and executive director of War Child Canada. bering so many fellow workers who truly gave their all [1345] for their jobs. Dr. Nutt has worked tirelessly for the last 15 years to I ask all members of the House to bow their heads expose the atrocities and violent sexual and physical for a moment, to join me in remembering all those who abuse of women in war-torn countries. As a keynote have lost their lives as a result of their work and to work guest speaker at the event, Dr. Nutt shared three heart- diligently towards ensuring safety in the workplace to wrenching stories that she experienced while working curtail this tragic loss of life. in the Republic of Congo, Darfur and Afghanistan. She spoke of the horrors of violent rape and physical abuse roller derby that millions of women all over the ages suffer on a daily basis while simply trying to provide food and water for M. Mungall: Well, it was just one year ago that I was their families. getting ready for the Salmo Slamo, where the Babes of However, she was heartened to share that the efforts Brutality of the West Kootenay Women's Roller Derby of many non-governmental organizations who focus on League were doing their first demo of the sport. I even providing education and assistance by women to women can spoke about it in this House. help turn around the abuse they must endure every day. At the time the league had two fresh teams, not quite While we here in B.C. can boast of all the encouraging ready for a bout, but that bout did happen not long after numbers of our fellow women as doctors, lawyers and the Salmo Slamo. The Gnarlie's Angels went head-to- many high-level executive positions, including our new head with the Babes. Watching from the suicide seats, I Premier, we must also realize that this is not universal cheered the Babes to victory at the league's first match. and that in developed and developing countries we still Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6473

have a long way to go. It is up to each and every one of days by the Steveston Rotary Club, Steveston Community us to talk about it and to help make a change. In the Society and the Steveston Buddhist church, this event words of Dr. Samantha Nutt, all women need to be heard, raised over $80,000 for the Japanese Red Cross. respected and empowered, no matter where they live. Steveston resident Janet Yau is another example of compassion and kindness. She decided to hold a raffle in AUTISM AWARENESS support of Japan's people after hearing about the tsunami, so she went to work recruiting 55 local businesses to donate C. Trevena: April is Autism Awareness Month. prizes. Janet then spent three weeks selling tickets all Having one month dedicated to the disorders allows for day, every day. She formed a team of ticket sellers, in- a greater discussion around autism and gives individuals, cluding more than two dozen moms in the area and even families and governments the opportunity to address her four-year-old son, Tyson. concerns, interventions and supports. By the draw date Janet had sold 4,050 tickets and had About one in 110 children is affected by autism spectrum raised a total of $8,100 for the Red Cross. Janet is quoted disorders, which are believed to have neurological roots. as saying in the Richmond News: "If anything, this whole There is no typical child or person with autism, but the experience has reaffirmed to me that Steveston is truly a disorders affect development. Many find it hard to form village. This small-town community aspect makes this social relationships. Some find difficulty in communication, place unique." interest or focus, and behaviour may appear extreme. [1350] Autism is more likely to affect boys than girls, and there I'd like the House to join me in recognizing the work, are close to 7,000 children and youth in B.C. diagnosed community spirit and compassion of Stevestoners who with autism spectrum disorder. contributed to this important task of helping people in a Not everyone who has autism needs treatment. Some time of great need. are so-called high-functioning, but among the chal- lenges for parents is trying to access support services for Oral Questions their child who does need help if the disorder is diagnosed. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO COURT RULING Early intervention is proven to help children and their ON TEACHERS' COLLECTIVE BARGAINING families deal with the characteristics. But controversy is never far from the surface. At the moment it's whether A. Dix: In order to continue our era of good feeling in to build a special centre which provides support for autism the House, yesterday I asked a question of the Minister or to ensure families have money to select the supports of Finance, and today I'm going to move on to the themselves. Access to therapists is always contentious. Minister of Education. The Minister ofH ealth may want Money is, like in so many areas, always a problem, to wait for Tuesday. I'll give him a little preview. I'll ask and for many parents, answers are too slow — parents him if he now agrees with the Premier's policy on health who see their children grow up without the help they spending. perceive is needed, parents who age themselves and are But we know where the Minister of Education stands worried about future care for their adult offspring. on that, so I'll ask him a straightforward education question. Networking is vital for many families. In Nanaimo this He knows that the B.C. Supreme Court ruled against the weekend there will be a chance for families from across government and found the government's decision to not Vancouver Island to get together for the first annual allow teachers to negotiate improved classroom condi- Autism Expo, designed as a celebration, a community tions for students to be illegal. I want to ask the minister gathering and an opportunity for families to connect with if he's planning to appeal that decision. one another as well as local organizations that provide intervention or support services to the mid-Island area. Mr. Speaker: Minister of Education. [Applause.]

STEVESTON FUNDRAISING FOR An Hon. Member: That's the last applause you're going JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF to get.

J. Yap: I rise today to highlight two recent events in Hon. G. Abbott: Yes. my community. Steveston is well known for its big- heartedness, having welcomed the first Japanese Interjections. immigrants to Canada in 1877. So when the tsunami struck Japan last month, Stevestoners immediately answered Mr. Speaker: Members. the call. In late March the historic Steveston Wharf was transformed into a festival ground as 7,000 participants Hon. G. Abbott: I am certain that I'll be able to took part in the Walk for Japan. Organized in a matter of weather this storm of appreciation from both sides of 6474 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

the House. The recent ruling of the B.C. Supreme Court A. Dix: You know, hon. Speaker, the Premier was is, of course, appealable. That is an important decision explicit. She said she'd respect the decision. She said which government will have to make — whether to appeal she'd come back here and change the law. That's what or not. she said. She didn't say she was considering an appeal. I can advise the Leader of the Opposition that the con- That's the Minister of Education. That's what he's saying sideration of whether to appeal is ongoing. Legal analysis now. That's not what she said. is ongoing, and government will make its decision shortly. I I just want to remind…. So it's a little bit of he said, believe the appeal period reaches its end mid-May, so the she said here, but I would say this. This is important. The member will be hearing, I'm sure, relatively shortly about court ruled: "The evidence that the government relied the government's decision with respect to that. on in the hearing before me to support its assertion that class-size limits were causing hardships to students Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a and parents was anecdotal hearsay." What is needed supplemental. in B.C. at a time when 12,000 classrooms are outside the composition limits, at a time that 4,000 classrooms A. Dix: Well, I'm puzzled, hon. Speaker, because… are outside the class-size limits, is action. Why doesn't the government accept the court decision and negotiate Interjections. class size and composition with the BCTF?

Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. G. Abbott: So now I think I'm starting to under- stand the nature of the question. This is actually about A. Dix: …the Premier of British Columbia said when the Leader of the Opposition returning some favours to the court decision came out that she would respect the the B.C. Teachers Federation early on. We know…. decision. She said she'd respect the decision and change the law. So I wanted to ask the minister whether his Interjections. new role is to tell us what the Premier meant to say or whether he thinks that considering an appeal is respecting Mr. Speaker: Take your seat, Minister. the decision of the B.C. Supreme Court. Continue, Minister.

Hon. G. Abbott: It's pretty clear that the Leader of Hon. G. Abbott: We know that the Leader of the the Opposition is a better politician than he is a lawyer. Opposition has always relied very heavily on the public Clearly, the fact that the Premier respects a decision sector unions to support his campaigns, and so I appreciate does not make it non-appealable. It is important…. that he will raise this important issue. It may well be…. I've reviewed the words of the Premier very carefully on Interjections. this point. There is nothing in her words that indicates that this is not an appealable issue nor that we would not Mr. Speaker: Continue. give appropriate consideration to that. The member is thinly disguising a supposed question in order to get Hon. G. Abbott: Now, I know, Mr. Speaker, that the where he wants to be, which is openly shilling for the Leader of the Opposition is a master of revisionist history. B.C. Teachers Federation. If their…. SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING AND COURT Interjections. RULING ON TEACHERS' BARGAINING

Mr. Speaker: Members. R. Austin: Actually, I think what we would like on this side of the House is to put our children's education first Hon. G. Abbott: However, I think I might be able to and foremost. That's what we consider to be putting fam- cite quite a number of cases from that period of time ilies first. It's been six years since this government last between 1991 and 2001 where a former NDP government made a substantial investment in new schools for Surrey. respected a number of decisions of courts in this province Now after years of increased enrolment, the school but also elected to appeal those decisions. The distinction district is making students in schools, like Earl Marriott, is not that subtle, and I hope the member can understand attend in shifts because of a lack of classroom space. that. Recently the B.C. Supreme Court ruling has struck down provisions restricting teachers from negotiating Mr. Speaker: TheL eader of the Opposition has a further calendars and timetables, and the Surrey school district may supplemental. be hit with increased costs because of this government's [1355] failure to invest in Surrey schools. Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6475

Given the fact that this Supreme Court judgment will formula, a formula that forces the Surrey school district take effect before the end of the next school year, is the to make cuts to the classroom learning to pay for the government ready to help districts like Surrey comply school meal program, and yet nothing has been done with this ruling? — nothing. According to Laurae McNally, the chair of the Surrey Hon. G. Abbott: I appreciate the member raising this school district, if the government doesn't take immediate important question. I had the opportunity recently to meet action, the board will "probably eliminate part of our with the Surrey board of education. It was a very good school meal program, or we will have to make up the and constructive meeting. They do have challenges with shortfall out of our operating budget, which will mean respect to growing school population, and I'm delighted taking away from every classroom in the district." to say that this government, since 2001, has invested $230 To the Minister of Education: will he be any different million. So $230 million, ten new schools and 3,000 new than his previous colleagues by acting immediately to student spaces in Surrey school districts since 2001. ensure that the Surrey school district doesn't have to make We'll continue to make those investments. I am sure…. I cuts into the in-class learning to pay for the hungry stu- am dead certain that all of the members from Surrey will dents' meals in our schools? show up in June when we celebrate the opening of the Adams Road Elementary School in Surrey. They'll all be there. Hon. G. Abbott: Thank you…. [1400] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. Mr. Speaker: Continue, Minister. R. Austin: School districts all over B.C. are currently in the final stage of planning their budgets for the next Hon. G. Abbott: Certainly, I am looking forward to school year, and several districts are planning increased acting thoughtfully in respect of CommunityLINK. I class sizes in order to balance their books after years of wouldn't say necessarily acting immediately. cuts from this government. The NDP philosophy of acting immediately was what Given the fact that the Supreme Court judgment on led, for example, to the accumulation in the Surrey class size and composition will take effect before the end school district of 363 portables back in the 1990s. That's of the next school year, will the government act immedi- the kind of approach of ready, fire, aim that theN DP has ately to budget for the implications of this judgment, or always undertaken. do they plan on leaving school districts to pick up the [1405] tab for their mismanagement yet again? But we will be looking very thoughtfully at the Com- munityLINK program. We will be looking thoughtfully Hon. G. Abbott: I thank the member for his submission. at the formula. Regrettably, when the CommunityLINK I heard a similar submission just two days ago when I program was formed in 1996, the government of the met with the B.C. Teachers Federation in one of my con- day that produced it I don't think put in provision in the tinuing meetings with the federation, and I appreciate formula to respect the growth in student population that the member reiterating the theme again. would occur over time, and that has proven challenging to But the important thing is this. We have never — never others. We will review the formula, and we will thought- once, in ten years as this government — reduced education fully reform it. funding in the province of British Columbia — never once. Overall, we have seen the budget for education in this Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. province grow from $4.1 billion in 2001, when these folks left office, to, today, $5.8 billion in education funding. H. Bains: The minister wants to talk about portables? That equates, on a per-student basis, that we've moved Mr. Speaker, 9,000 students today are studying in from $6,262 per student back in 2001 to $8,357 today. portables. It's a shameful record of your government, Minister — 9,000. Interjections. Surrey school district….

Mr. Speaker: Members. Interjections.

FUNDING FOR Mr. Speaker: Members. SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM IN SURREY Continue, Member.

H. Bains: Five differentL iberal Education ministers have H. Bains: For the benefit of the minister, Surrey school promised to fix CommunityLINK's unequal funding district added more than a thousand students last year, 6476 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

and yet the CommunityLINK funding formula remained referendum. Will he lay out now, before the public, unchanged. Even worse, on a per-capita basis, Surrey re- the entire cost of the public portion of the referendum ceives, if not the lowest, one of the lowest of all school campaign? Surely he knows, and the public has a right to districts in the CommunityLINK program on a per- know. student basis, leaving them with a $600,000 shortfall for their school meal program this year. Hon. K. Falcon: If there was ever a better example So my question again is to the minister. Five ministers of why government has an obligation to make sure the they have gone through, and you are saying that we are public has accurate facts and information on the HST, still waiting. You still have to think about it. When will it was certainly provided yesterday when the Finance you take action so that the students in Surrey are treated critic for the NDP stood up and asked the question on equally as everywhere else in the province? HST rebates which demonstrated he had absolutely no idea of what an HST rebate was all about. Hon. G. Abbott: Well, let me just remind the member, You know, a week and a half earlier another one of first of all, as he said in his preamble around portables, their leaders, Jack Layton, was in B.C. saying: "You know that we can't hold a candle to the NDP government in what? TheH ST is good in Atlantic Canada because they terms of use of portables in the Surrey school district — don't charge it on home heating fuels." Well, guess what. can't hold a candle; not even close. We don't charge it on home heating fuels in British You know, I am very proud that our government, Columbia either. despite economic pressures that we have faced, has main- So as I committed to from the very beginning, I will tained $51 million annually to the CommunityLINK make sure that all of the information associated with program in this province. I'm proud of that. informing the public of what the facts are around the The formula that is in place today has been in place HST will be made public prior to the end of this legisla- since 1996. I have agreed that that formula should better tive session. reflect student numbers. It is regrettable, perhaps, that in my five weeks I haven't reformed it. You apparently Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. had five years to do that and were unable to do it. We will be working on that, because CommunityLINK is an B. Ralston: The Minister of Finance is frequently important program. But we will be doing it thoughtfully. wrong, occasionally right, but never in doubt, and this We won't be doing it on the back of an envelope, as the response just proves that. He's going to be using the member suggests we should. We will be pursuing this public's money…. The B.C. Liberal government will be thoughtfully, I'm sure. using the public's money to promote the HST here in I know this member is very thoughtful. If he has some British Columbia, to justify the shift of $2 billion from good ideas on how to reform CommunityLINK, I'd like big business onto small business and individuals. How him to tell me, because I know, regardless of what we do, much of the $600 million contingency fund is he planning he'll line up to oppose it. to use to advance that campaign?

Interjections. Hon. K. Falcon: As I committed, fully and up front, all of that information would be made available the Mr. Speaker: Members. moment I am aware of what that dollar amount will be. I said that right from the very beginning. But I notice the COST OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION Finance critic…. ON HARMONIZED SALES TAX Interjections. B. Ralston: Everyone in the province knows that the B.C. Liberal government misled British Columbians Mr. Speaker: Minister, just take your seat for a about the HST during the last election. Ever since, the second. B.C. Liberal government has been spending the pub- Continue, Minister. lic's money in an effort to change their mind about the wisdom of shifting $2 billion from big business onto in- Hon. K. Falcon: I am sure that the member might dividuals and small business here in British Columbia: want to check his facts on the question he asked yesterday, paid Tom Syer $200,000; pro-HST website, $70,000; because he hasn't acknowledged how very wrong he was. $780,000 on pamphlets thrown into the wastebasket; an And I do think that if the Finance critic for the NDP undisclosed amount to run radio ads. does not understand something so fundamental as HST [1410] rebates, as distinct from GST rebates, then you can see The Minister of Finance surely knows the cost that that getting accurate information out to the public is this campaign is going to take in the months before the absolutely the right thing to do. We will do that, and Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6477 we will make sure the public knows exactly what we're Will the minister stop insulting British Columbians spending to provide accurate information to the public. and stop with the advertising campaign and trying to pull the wool over the eyes of them once again? GOVERNMENT AND THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION ON HARMONIZED SALES TAX Hon. K. Falcon: I would think that that member, of all people, would want to make sure that low-income J. Kwan: The minister wants all to be forgiven. He folks in her riding have the facts on HST rebates. I would says: "We did a terrible job introducing the tax." Then hope that that member, when she knows that she's got what does he do? He steps up an advertising slush fund single parents in her riding with several children that with an undisclosed amount of taxpayers' money so are receiving $920 a year of HST rebates, would want that he could tell British Columbians that what's bad for that individual to know that the NDP position of going them is actually really good for them. back to the PST means they get zero. I would think that [1415] that's an important fact for folks in her riding. Then to top it off — just wait — he allows for an un- I cannot understand why those members are so afraid limited third-party advertising campaign for the people's of having information in the public. Last night I was on a referendum. That's not mea culpa. That's another con telephone town hall in Surrey, and 27,000 residents took job, and the minister knows it. part. The NDP is absolutely terrified to have a debate Will the minister cancel the HST advertising cam- over the facts because the facts actually aren't with them. paign and put spending limits on third-party advertising That is what they're afraid of. so that the people of British Columbia will have some balance and fairness in the referendum that they fought APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES for? L. Krog: B.C. Liberal inaction has created a serious Hon. K. Falcon: Well, allow me, if you will, to roll back shortage of judges in British Columbia. There are 17 the date a little bit here if I could. I'd like to talk about an judicial vacancies as we speak here today, and the conse- advertising campaign that…. Actually, the Leader of the quences of that are serious. Even judges are speaking out Opposition was chief of staff at the time when one of the publicly in an unprecedented way about this. largest advertising campaigns, $7.8 million to promote [1420] the Nisga'a treaty, was put into place by that government. So the question to the Attorney General is very simple. Now, what is interesting about this? What is interest- Is he going to fill these vacancies — yes or no? ing about this is that the NDP said that it would cost no more than $2.3 million. And what happened? Well, Hon. B. Penner: We have appointed nine judges in three days before Christmas, the chief of staff at the time the past year in British Columbia. That's not to say that quietly released the cost: 400 percent more than they there aren't challenges in the court system. We are said it would be. managing to a budget, something the NDP would never want to do if they were in government. Their option Interjections. is always to tax more, borrow more and spend more. On our side of the House we believe in living within a Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. budget and trying to get the best value for every dollar The member has a supplemental. spent.

J. Kwan: I'll remind the minister that this HST referen- [End of question period.] dum is not the minister's referendum. It is not corporate B.C.'s referendum. It is the people's referendum, Minister. Orders of the Day They are the ones that went out…. Hon. R. Coleman: In this House we will continue Interjections. budget debate.

Mr. Speaker: Members. D. Hayer: May I have leave to make an introduction? Continue, Member. Mr. Speaker: Proceed. J. Kwan: They're the ones that went out and got others to sign the petition. They're the ones that went out and put Introductions by Members their sweat so that they can hold this government to ac- count, so that they could finally have a say on this $2 billion D. Hayer: It gives me great pleasure to introduce 63 tax shift onto the backs of families and small businesses. students from grades 8 to 12 who are visiting from the 6478 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

Fraser Heights Secondary School in my riding of Surrey- that he was going to bring down the deficit, when the Tynehead. Joining them are five teachers — Ms. Louise budget was already balanced three years in a row; that he Hazemi, Mr. Brent Derbyshire, Ms. Angela Monk, Mr. was going to control the debt, and here it is. The debt is Perrie Scarlett and Ms. Vicki Schrader — who have taken just skyrocketing. time out of their busy schedules to bring students here. Here's another one of these testimonials. Again, this Would the House please make them very welcome. is from the Vancouver Province on February 16. Michael Smyth, the columnist, writes: "Budget Swimming in Budget Debate Slush for New Leader." It says: (continued) "The weather outside the Victoria convention centre was unseasonably warm and sunny, but the conditions inside were considerably slushy. As in slush fund, that is, although the Finance Mr. Speaker: Member for Fraser-Nicola. [Applause.] Minister preferred to call it 'flexibility' built into his new budget for whoever becomes the next leader." H. Lali: Thank you. Well, keep going. Don't stop there. This was written a couple months back. "With the Liberals in the home stretch of a hotly contested [L. Reid in the chair.] leadership race, the Finance Minister said his 'status quo' budget was designed to give the winner some money to play with after he or she moves into 's west-wing office…there's I continue debate from this morning on the budget enough slush sloshing around to fill every Slurpee machine in that was presented in February by the government. I was B.C." reading into the record some of the comments in terms This is from the Vancouver Province, Michael Smyth's of the budget that folks who are observing or folks in column. the media are saying so that the ministers across the way And of course, there's a $600 million contingency don't think that I'm just making this up. It's right there fund. Obviously, there's another $350 million in the in the record. forecast allowance in the budget. If you add all of that I'm going to read this out. It's an editorial in the up, you've got a billion-dollar slush fund this year alone, on February 16, 2011. The caption reads: with actually billions more in goodies that the Liberals "A Stand-Pat Budget Sees Debt Growing Out of Control." hope to push out during the election campaign to try to I quote the editorial from the Vancouver Sun. win back the public and buy their vote. "Finance Minister…said he couldn't describe the status quo The Minister of Finance — the former Minister of budget he presented Tuesday as exciting given the absence of new spending programs or tax measures. It may not be exciting, but it Finance — tried to paint a picture that everything was is alarming given the massive increase in overall debt." gloomy supposedly in the '90s and that everything is I continue. really glossy in the first decade of this century. I quote "However, economic growth going forward is hardly robust. the Vancouver Province again: The budget forecast the economy to grow by 2 percent in 2011, 2.6 "Of course, there were no overhead slides showing all the deficit percent in 2012 and 2.8 percent a year thereafter through 2015. budgets under Campbell's watch or how the accumulated debt "The government insists that the debt remains affordable, cit- is now set to hit an astronomical $60 billion. I remember a time ing the debt-to-GDP ratio, which will peak at 17.8 percent next when Campbell said mounting debt was simply an irresponsible year for tax-supported debt and 26.1 percent for total debt. But 'tax on our kids.' Now the interest costs alone on the debt repre- total debt has been growing at an annual average of 6 percent, far sent the third-biggest expense in government." outpacing the rate of revenue growth. Without robust economic It's unreal how the former Premier and now the growth, the government's debt management plan — that is, hold- ing the debt-to-GDP ratio below 18 percent — cannot succeed." present Premier, who's obviously still waiting to take a [1425] seat in the House, can sit there and try to justify their This is from the editorial of the Vancouver Sun, and ballooning of the debt when they railed against it, both the Liberals are just pouring on debt for future genera- of them and many members who were still sitting on tions. The editorial also continues: the opposite side there when they were in opposition in "If there was one thing that stood out from this status quo, stand- the 1990s. pat budget, it was a rise in total provincial debt, which includes Here's another one from Les Leyne, the Times Colonist, the debt of Crown corporations. By 2013 debt is expected to reach February 16, 2011. The caption reads "Budget Built on $60.4 billion, up from $33.4 billion in 2006, an 80 percent increase" in just four and a half years. "That will bring annual interest costs Liberal-Created Myths." to $2.9 billion, accounting for more than five cents of every dollar "By now" — this would be the former Finance Minister — "… of government revenue. knows the story so well he recites it from memory. With nothing "Debt now represents more than 100 percent of revenue, and much new to say about Tuesday's budget, he took the opportun- the budget plan has it rising still higher. To put all this in the ity in his budget speech — the last one Premier Gordon Campbell worst possible light, the budget sees per-capita debt growing from will likely applaud in the Legislature — to tell the old story yet $7,880 in 2006 to $12,762 in 2013, despite projected population again." growth of nearly 500,000." It's the Liberals' "very own creation myth," Les Leyne calls it. It's unbelievable the amount of debt that this govern- He talks about some of the myths of the supposed ment is piling on. When they took office in 2001, the structural deficit of $4 billion when it was actually a bal- former Premier, Mr. Campbell, swore on a stack of bibles anced budget. Their own Auditor General's report in Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6479

2004 said it was a $1.4 billion surplus in the last year of Deputy Speaker: I would caution the member. the NDP. [1430] H. Lali: Thank you, hon. Speaker. If I also may, the Then there's obviously the myth that they approved member opposite across the way is shouting a whole lot $45 billion worth of building. Of course we need a lot of of things, and I think he needs a caution there as well, the structures that are going up. They keep talking about hon. Speaker. But anyway, hon. Speaker…. the myth of their significant growth in the standard of living and, also, how supposedly when the NDP was Deputy Speaker: Member, I would ask you to with- in office, they put out a myth that thousands of people draw that last remark. actually left this province in search of work, when the reality was that tens of thousands of people actually H. Lali: I withdraw. I apologize. I wasn't trying to moved here from other parts of the province during challenge the Chair, hon. Speaker. I was just sort of making those years. a comment. You check the stats. Take a look at the stats. The former Minister of Finance is getting a little edgy because of the Deputy Speaker: I will accept that, Member. Continue. misrepresentation of the facts that they were putting out. Check the stats. The population of British Columbia H. Lali: Thank you, hon. Speaker. during the 1990s grew by over 600,000 people, and the To continue on, Les Leyne continues in his editorial unemployment rate in 1991 was over 9.5 percent at the comment here. He says: "Start with the $4 billion deficit time. By the time we left office when the Liberals took they inherited" — or supposedly they did, when they over, it was 6.5 percent. were saying that. "It was more or less imaginary. The last Under their ten years, when the Liberals have been in budget the NDP posted was balanced. The deficit was government, the average unemployment rate in British forecast by a fiscal review team that applied worst-case Columbia has been over 8 percent — over 8 percent. projections to make things look as bad as possible in order Under the last ten years of the Social Credit government, to give the Liberals room to work." because they like to talk about GDP growth on an annual So they can justify the massive cuts that they made. basis as the mark of how well an economy is doing…. See, on the one side, they've painted this gloomy picture Under the ten years of the Social Credit, the annual to the people of British Columbia: oh my god, there's a growth was 2.9 percent. That's a percentage of the GDP. structural deficit of $4 billion. They didn't tell the people During the years of the NDP, the 1990s, the average of B.C. that it was $2 billion in corporate tax giveaways annual growth was 3 percent. Guess what. Under the and people in the richest 2 percent of the province which tenure of the B.C. Liberals, while that member was formed a part of that. But they turned around and made Minister of Finance, the average has been a distant third massive cuts to health and education and social services at 2.4 percent. So if they want to talk about numbers and and ministries all across the board. they want to talk about job creation, all they need to do There were courthouses that were closed all across the is take a look at those reports, which are put forward by province, five of them in my constituency, which was the Auditor General of this province — not by any left- known as Yale-Lillooet at the time. Transportation offices, wing think tank or right-wing think tank but an auditor probation offices, environment offices, ministry offices, general. etc., all across the province. Hospitals closed, wings in Now I see that the minister is just sitting there with his hospitals closed in rural B.C. and across other parts of head bowed, because he knows the kind of misleading the province and on the upper Island as well. facts that the Liberals have been putting out, especially [1435] on the HST during the election. When that member was They gutted the health care system in rural British asked a question point-blank about the HST during the Columbia, all because of the misleading information election, "No, it's not on our radar," they said. We know that was put out there at the time. the truth. They were already negotiating this. So Les Leyne continues: "The most telling comparison There's been enough FOI information that has come between the Liberal myth and the reality is on defi- out to say that the Liberals were already in negotiations cits. The entire thrust of Campbell's tenure as Premier with the federal government in terms of the implemen- was to eliminate deficit spending…but according to tation of the HST, which they Pearl-Harbored the people the current plan, at the end of what would have been of British Columbia on right after winning the election. Campbell's third term, the Liberals will have run seven Had they answered that question in the affirmative and deficit budgets." said the HST was on their radar, they know the results I would also like to read a portion of some of the of the election would have been different. The member editorials that have come forward. There's an article, knows that, and the member opposite knows that, but again by Vaughn Palmer, in the this time, he continues to mislead. which was submitted on February 16. The caption reads: 6480 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

"From Debt Loathers to Debt Loaders." That's what it there've been massive job losses. To give you an example, says right here. I want to quote what Mr. Palmer says. under this Liberal government's mismanagement of "For all of Finance Minister's" — and he names the former min- the forestry file and their sellout of the softwood lumber ister — "insistence on a status quo theme for Budget 2011, he deal by joining in with Mr. Harper, selling out to the wasn't standing pat on borrowing and the provincial debt. The minister projects for the debt burden to exceed $60 billion three Americans, and their deliberate neglect of the pine beetle years from now, at the end of the current B.C. Liberal fiscal plan. infestation…. When the federal government was coming "For comparison's sake, just three years ago, as then Finance forward with a couple hundred million dollars of their Minister tabled her last budget in the Legislature, own money, these Liberals refused to match it. the debt stood at $34 billion, about where it was when the Liber- als took office. So what you had as a net result over the last ten years "From debt loathers to debt loaders in the space of six years." under this Liberal government is that 78 sawmills and It says here also, and I continue: pulp mills in this province were forced to close by this "Finance reports that each additional $1 billion in debt adds $42 Liberal government putting 42,000 permanent, family- million in interest cost each year. And that is at the current rela- supporting forestry jobs out of commission and most of tively low interest rates contracted by the public sector. As well, that in rural and coastal communities in this province. each additional one-point rise in interest rates is projected to boost interest charges across government, its Crown corporations and That's their commitment to job creation, and there's agencies, by a further $200 million a year." none of that in this budget to be able to protect that. I continue: When you look at the level of poverty…. You know, the "The total provincial debt is scheduled to reach 100 percent number of people not only in absolute numbers but as a of revenue this year, up from 80 percent when the Liberals took percentage of our population has steadily risen for ten years office…On a per-capita basis, debt will be up almost 50 percent under this Liberal government to one of the highest in the from the good years in the middle of the past decade. And the debt load, expressed as a share of provincial economic output, is country. But when you look at child poverty, it is now, for jumping from less than a fifth to more than one-quarter of prov- the eighth year in a row, the highest rate of child poverty of incial output." any province in the country, under this Liberal government. I'll skip a little bit here, and I'll continue with what else They have the audacity to stand up here in this House and he quotes. From Mr. Palmer: try to tell British Columbians that they are the better man- "All manageable, the Finance Minister insisted Tuesday. Nothing agers of the economy and that they are creating jobs when that would pose any risk to the province's vaunted triple-A credit rating. Still, by the standards professed by the Liberals when they what they've done is made hardship for families. came to office, one wouldn't have expected anything like this The new Premier now has the gall to actually stand up degree of indebtedness at the provincial level. and say: "I'm going to put families first." She says, "I'm "Unless the next leader of the party is prepared to return the going to advance education," or make education better. government to its earlier ways, the direction is toward much more But when you look at her own record when she was in borrowing, more debt and a correspondingly higher exposure of taxpayers to higher interest rates, and less money to provide this House, it was exactly the opposite as a record number services." of schools were closed. And a record number of cuts to So you can imagine, the new Premier, when she takes children and families…. her seat — the reality for her is to either cut services or raise taxes. Because you can't have it both ways, if D. Hayer: It is an honour to speak in support of this they say they're going to try to protect health care and budget that we will be debating during this session of education. the Legislature. However, I would like to welcome you You know, what's missing out of this budget — be- back to these chambers, as I welcome all other members. cause it's the same old, same old — is there's a lack of I also have the honour and privilege to welcome two any strategy on job creation. There's also a lack of any new leaders to this House — our new Premier, Christy strategy on protecting the jobs that we have, especially Clark; and our new opposition leader, the member in the resource sector of this province. Especially in the for Vancouver-Kingsway — in their new roles in the resource sector — whether you're talking about forestry, government. I look forward with great anticipation to agriculture, ranching, or you're talking about tourism, the day when our new Premier joins us in this House. or many other areas. Mining, for instance, oil and gas. The leadership races were extremely exciting, and this There's no strategy there. There's nothing put in place new leadership will certainly usher a breath of fresh air to actually protect jobs or to even shift the economy, into these chambers as we proceed through the session to diversify the economy, into the new clean, green tech- and through the rest of the year. nologies that the rest of the world is already pouncing I have always believed that new ideas and opinions on, especially European countries. None of that is in the are good and that changes of direction bode well for our budget to be able to promote all of that. citizens, for our province and for the future. I would be [1440] remiss, however, if I did not thank our former Premier You know, under the B.C. Liberals, with the abandon- Gordon Campbell for his work in the public service and ment that they perpetrated on rural British Columbia everything he did to ensure that our city of Surrey and especially…. You look at the resource industries where all of British Columbia was a better place. Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6481

I also want to personally and especially thank him will maintain the services we have all come to expect, that for keeping with and understanding the pain of the vic- will strengthen the economy that we all depend on and tims, of families of those 329 men, women and children that will build on the livability of British Columbia for who died as a result of the Air India bombing and those today, for tomorrow and for decades to come. Without who died in the similar bomb attempt at Japan's Narita a sound financial footing, without a strong and vibrant airport. economy, we could not be doing the things that are im- In 2005, on the 20th anniversary of the Air India portant to all British Columbians. bombing, my wife and I travelled by ourselves to Ireland We also could not be doing all the things that are so to pay homage to the victims. I was very pleased and important to my constituents in Surrey-Tynehead. The proud to see Premier Gordon Campbell in Cork and in accomplishments in Surrey-Tynehead depend on the Bantry in Ireland at the same time, representing the strong economy, but they also depend on the invest- government of British Columbia to recognize the tragedy ments that our government has made and is making to that occurred in the skies 20 years before that date. make our homes, our lifestyles and the families better Premier Campbell's creation of a special memorial and stronger. at Stanley Park with the help of the Prime Minister of Just recently our new Premier, Christy Clark; the Canada and the mayor of Vancouver on the 25th an- Minister of Health; and I, along with my other colleagues, niversary of the tragedy earned a special place in our attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new eight- hearts and in the hearts of every victim of terrorism. storey addition to the Surrey Memorial Hospital. This Our former Premier was also a leader in the recognition massive undertaking, which is worth more than half a and reconciliation of the tragedy that was the Komagata billion dollars, is the largest investment in health care in Maru, one of the darkest days of our province. the history of our province. This project will add more I would also like to give my due thanks to the leader than 150 new care beds to Surrey Memorial Hospital. of the opposition party across the aisle for the excellent The new tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital will expand contribution to this House and to the people of British many services, including 48 children's neonatal intensive Columbia. care beds and specialized mental health and pediatrics [1445] units. The new tower is projected to cost over $500 mil- Since I was first elected in 2001I have been impressed lion and will contain a new emergency department that by the work ethics of Joy MacPhail from 2001 to 2005 will be five times larger than the existing facility at Surrey and the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill from 2005 Memorial Hospital. to 2010 and of the member for New Westminster from It will include a separate children's emergency, an en- 2010 to 2011. hanced minor treatment unit, a maternity department that Most of all, I want to thank the people of British will have 13 new birthing beds, private rooms for moms Columbia and the party members who participated and their families, and additional academic space for enthusiastically in our democratic system to elect both new doctors and other health care professionals in part- of our new leaders with grace and dignity. We all are very nership with UBC medical school and Fraser Health. lucky and fortunate in British Columbia and in Canada. The new tower will also have a new rooftop helipad to In other parts of the world where they want a democracy, deal with emergencies in Surrey. where they want elections, they have to pay with their This is just one of the numerous investments our lives to achieve the freedoms and the privileges that we government is making in health care throughout Surrey, enjoy here, and sometimes we take it for granted. and it will create more than 3,760 jobs. All of this comes Because of the beliefs and strengths and dedication of on the heels of 73 new acute care beds we opened at our pioneers, we have a country and a province we can Surrey Memorial Hospital in August 2008. be proud of. Our province, our country, is considered As well, there was a $10 million expansion of Surrey the best place in the world to live, to work, to visit and Memorial Hospital's kidney dialysis unit, which increased to do business in. the availability of stations from 18 to 30. This was all part We must not forget our soldiers who fought and died of a $30 million upgrade initiative at Surrey Memorial to keep us free. Without the spirit of the pioneers, the Hospital that began in 2005. This project aimed to build dedication and sacrifices of our soldiers and the contri- capacity, expand services and ease congestion at the butions of our seniors, we would not have the freedom Surrey Memorial Hospital. These additional beds repre- to choose, the freedom to speak out and the freedom to sent a 26 percent increase in acute care beds in Surrey; enjoy a lifestyle and a future that is second to no country that is 491 of them since Fraser Health was created by in the world. our government. Madam Speaker, that is what our government and our [1450] budgets are all about — creating and ensuring a future For cancer services, this government has spent $12.5 not just for ourselves but for all the generations to come. million on renovations to the B.C. cancer centre in Surrey. It is our task within this chamber to chart a course that These vastly improved services for cancer patients in 6482 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

our community will allow them to stay in the commun- Until this project is completed, the loss to the econ- ity and be treated with first-class service at the Surrey omy is estimated at $1 billion a year, and that's a lot cancer centre from the B.C. agency. The health care of money being wasted by individuals and businesses. improvement for Surrey residents will be immense. Those savings alone justify this massive investment in The incredible addition to Surrey Memorial Hospital infrastructure in our project, which is needed for our is not alone. In June of this year a new $239 million out- future generations to enjoy and use. patient hospital will be opened at Fraser Highway and Another important aspect of this project is that it will 140th Street in Surrey. It will be officially opened and greatly improve the air quality for people who live in will accept its first patients in June of this year. This tre- my riding and throughout the . Right now mendous new facility will be 188,000 square feet, and it people are standing in the traffic for hours and hours has created more than 1,500 construction jobs. and wasting time, when it should be taking only minutes This new hospital will feature expanded day surgeries to go through. and diagnostic services, including four operating rooms At my old office on the Fraser Highway and 160th and ten procedure rooms. It will also include a primary Street…. From there to go to the Port Mann Bridge used care area for seniors or people living with chronic dis- to take, in traffic, 45 minutes to one and a half hours. eases or HIV/AIDS. This facility will decrease wait-lists, When there is no traffic, it takes only 5 minutes. So you make day surgery more accessible and greatly ease the can see how people are gridlocked and wasting time and patient load on Surrey Memorial Hospital. burning fuel, which is not good for the environment or These excellent additions to the health care in Surrey, for anybody else. which will be filled with state-of-the-art equipment and In addition, the South Fraser perimeter road is on technology, would not have come about if it had not its way, with the construction expected to complete in been for prudent budgeting by a government driven to about two years. This route from Deltaport to the Trans- ensure that our economy stayed strong. Canada Highway 1 and 176th Street to Golden Ears There is almost $1 billion being invested in health Bridge, will take commercial trucks off the residential care in Surrey. Because of this budget and past budgets, street. This will improve safety and traffic flow while cutting we have been able to accomplish so many more things. truck travel time. In transportation improvements alone in Surrey, we [1455] have built the 156th Street underpass at Highway 1; widened Another great addition to the transportation in Surrey to four lanes PacificH ighway, 176th Street, from the U.S. will be the construction of an expansion of SkyTrain border to Highway 1 in my riding; four-laned the Fraser or light rail from the current station in Surrey Centre, Highway and Highway 10, which was promised for dec- Whalley area and to Guildford and then to the Fraser ades and decades; built the Golden Ears Bridge; and are Highway and 168th Street — this future expansion going building a pedestrian and bicycle overpass on Highway so far as downtown Langley, and probably later on, to 1 and 168th Street in my riding, which will connect the the Abbotsford area. Fraser Heights, Tynehead, Guildford, Fleetwood and Additionally, there will be new rapid buses added and Port Kells area. future rapid transit in the form of SkyTrain or light rail Most important of all, we are building and soon will system down the King George Highway to Newton and open the new 10-lane Port Mann bridge, which will other parts of the rapidly growing city of Surrey. have buses running on it for the first time since 1989, This budget and past budgets have also allowed us to and it will include a separate bicycle lane and a pedes- accomplish a great deal for our young people and for our trian walking lane. This new 10-lane Port Mann bridge future leaders. For them, for their future and the future is designed to handle future light rail system expansions of their families, we have built Simon Fraser University's to Surrey and Langley. This incredible and long-awaited new Surrey Centre campus, created Kwantlen University project is expected to be opened at least a year ahead of and built the new world-class trade and technology campus schedule, probably next year. Coupled with that massive in Cloverdale, along with expanding the Newton campus project is the widening of Highway 1 to eight lanes, all of Kwantlen. the way from Vancouver to Langley. We are also building and opening a number of new Along with ambitious construction projects that em- elementary schools and began all-day kindergarten for ploy thousands of people, there will be improvements to those parents who wish it for their children. We have all the interchanges on Highway 1 and completely new also seismically upgraded schools, and we will continue overpasses and interchanges all along the Highway 1 to do those critical upgrades when needed. route from Langley to Vancouver. Madam Speaker, we have developed so many more These projects will get my constituents to work and StrongStart programs throughout Surrey schools that back home much quicker. They will also provide mas- parents are really happy to see, and this will ensure that sive boosts to business and commerce by getting goods children and the families receive a good beginning to and services moved much faster and more efficiently. school, to our education system and to our society. Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6483

I am working closely with the Surrey board of educa- million building project, and over $91,000 for the ActNow tion and the Minister of Education to help vulnerable B.C. seniors park at Fleetwood Community Centre. students within the city of Surrey by helping to fix that [1500] CommunityLINK funding formula. This board has been We also provided over $365,000 for Fraser Health — wrestling with this funding inequity for more than 15 three new stroke prevention clinics. We have also created years, and I want to see it fixed.I will be working closely centres for the homeless people and for those who are at with my colleague MLAs and also with the Surrey board risk of homelessness, and have funded many programs, of education and our Minister of Education. facilities and sites to combat the tragedy of addiction In this world there is no place for vulnerable children and mental health. Additionally, we opened up the first and their families to be treated like second-class citizens. phase of a $17.9 million Maxxine Wright centre, which The Surrey school district is B.C.'s largest, with more provides pregnant women and their children with safe than 12 percent of the province's total public school and supportive housing. enrolment, and it needs to be treated equally and fairly We opened up Freedom Place, a $7.3 million develop- with all other districts in the province. ment which provides 20 assisted-living units for young I am working with the Minister of Education and adults with physical disabilities in the Guildford area of the board of education to ensure that this occurs as my Surrey-Tynehead riding. Most of these accomplish- soon as possible. I am also working with both of them ments have been done through responsible and decisive to obtain capital budgeting and funding for the Surrey budgeting in the past. school district to replace portables at the Fraser Heights Let's talk about what specifically is in Budget 2011. It Secondary School in my riding of Surrey-Tynehead and reaffirms the government's commitment to funding the to build more new schools in Surrey, and we have many vital public services that British Columbia depends on, more new schools. Because the population of Surrey is while continuing to demonstrate prudent fiscal manage- growing so fast — especially the children — we need ment during a time of transition and ongoing economic to have more funding for capital to build more schools recovery. It provides the government with the spending for the new kids that will be coming and attending our authority to manage the province's affairs for coming schools. years, focusing on new spending on health care and CommunityLINK, by the way, means learning good social services, while providing some fiscal flexibility nutrition and knowledge. Its funding provides services priorities for the new Premier and executive council. such as the breakfast and lunch program, inner-city Budget 2011 also reflects our responsibility to hold the and community school programs, school-based sup- line on government spending as the B.C. economic recovery port workers and counselling for at-risk children and continues. Our approach is helping B.C. successfully youth. manage the economic downturn better than other juris- We can also thank this budget and those of the past dictions around the world. Most of the people agree that ten years for creating many great new housing projects B.C. has come out ahead, when you compare to other for seniors, creating libraries and recreational centres for parts of Canada and other parts of the world, from this them to join and to mingle with others of their own age economic recession we've had the past couple of years. group. For example, there is the Harrison at Elim Village, While we are holding the line on spending, we will continue a $30 million residential care facility for seniors. to deliver new schools and new health care facilities, road improvements, social programs and hydroelectric Introductions by Members facilities. British Columbia's economy performed better than Deputy Speaker: Thank you most sincerely, Member. expected in 2010, with an estimated growth rate of 3.1 If I might ask you to join with me in acknowledging percent. B.C.'s independent Economic Forecast Council the students who have just arrived in the gallery. They are is forecasting growth of 2.7 percent in 2011. Exports, students from Mitchell Elementary School in my riding. housing starts, retail sales and tourism numbers are all I'm very proud of them. We had a discussion sometime on the rise. Mining is back. We have mineral exploration back about what they might see when they're here, and I spending now more than ten times higher than it was at told them you would all be fabulous. So thank you very, the end of the 1990s. Thanks in part to our accelerated very much. Welcome. infrastructure program, construction activity surged in the last two years. Debate Continued What has also surged is the amount of money left in taxpayers' pockets. Since this government was first D. Hayer: Welcome to the students that are here. elected in 2001, most British Columbians have had their Madam Speaker, for example, there is the Harrison at personal income taxes reduced by 37 percent or more. Elim Village — as I was stating — a $30 million residen- An additional 325,000 people no longer pay any income tial care facility for seniors. Kinsmen Place Lodge, a $33.7 tax in British Columbia at all. Anyone earning less than 6484 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

$20,000 per year does not pay any provincial income tax D. Thorne: I rise to respond to the 2011 budget, but at all in British Columbia, and we have Canada's low- first I would like to congratulate the new Premier and est personal income tax rates for any individuals earning the new Leader of the Official Opposition. less than $120,000 a year. Generally, this budget is status quo in that it doesn't Keeping taxes low is an essential part of our plan to introduce any new programs or significant spending in- ensure job creation, attract new investment and keep itiatives. This budget continues to cut spending and fails our economy growing and expanding. Looking after the to invest in key areas, like protecting vulnerable children, family is very important, creating jobs is very important, improving access to education and training, protecting open government is very important, and connecting the environment or introducing a poverty reduction with British Columbians is very important. So in addi- plan which would meet the new government's mandate tion to all these investments in health care in Surrey, as of putting families first. However, a significant budget I previously mentioned, I want to point out that this cushion of approximately $2.5 billion over the next three budget contains a $6.5 million increase for 2013-14 years has been left for the new Premier and her caucus. for the Ministry of Health to sustain front-line service I am honoured to stand before you once again repre- delivery. senting the people of Coquitlam-Maillardville, who In fact, the new funding provided in this Budget 2011 have placed their trust in me since 2005. I take this trust builds on the funding increases in the past to raise the seriously and hope I have represented my constituents Ministry of Health's budget by almost $2 billion com- with dignity, honour and passion. I say "passion" be- pared to 2010. By 2013-14 health care budget expenses cause I am passionate about this beautiful province and will be reaching $18.5 billion, and the total health care its future. expenses will make up almost 50 percent of total gov- That's why I stand before you today to look back at ernment spending. Of almost every dollar government what this government has and has not achieved in the spends, 50 percent of that goes on health care services. last ten years in power and in their yearly budgets. They For those who are vulnerable, Budget 2011 will provide may have changed Premiers and shuffled cabinet titles $65 million over the three years to the Ministry of Social and ministers, but the fundamental issues that trouble Development for income assistance for individuals and our province remain the same. families in need. In education this budget sees per-pupil Health care and education continue to suffer. We are funding rising to $8,357 in 2011-12, the highest level ever ignoring climate change and environmental issues at in the history of the province of British Columbia. our peril. The floundering economy is reflected in our [1505] high rate of unemployment and the thousands of for- Just so everyone is clear on how much we are investing estry jobs lost. Child poverty is worse here than almost on education, our government spent more than $24 mil- anywhere in Canada. lion per school day on education programs and services My constituents wonder if they will end up in a Tim to support students across the province. The funding Hortons outlet when they go for help in the emergency in higher education will also be increased. We will pro- department at the Royal Columbian Hospital, and they vide $1.9 billion for post-secondary institutions in the wonder if their neighbourhood schools will close. 2011-12 year. Post-secondary funding has increased by Today I'm going to take a stroll through several min- 36 percent since 2001-02. That is a 36 percent increase istries and look at some of the issues that are particularly since we were first elected in 2001. important to my constituents and how or whether the new It is clear to me and should be clear to everyone who budget has affected them negatively, positively or at all. reads this budget document that our government is I look first at the Ministry of Community, Sport and once again on the right path to funding the needs of to- Cultural Development. More than a year ago, same time, day and the needs of future generations. This is a good same place, I talked about cuts to the arts and what they budget. This budget gives our government flexibility, mean to my riding. Nothing has changed. The arts con- and it sets the stage for future generations to succeed, tinue to be underfunded in Coquitlam-Maillardville because as the future generations succeed, our province and around the province. will stay the best place in the world to live in, to work in, The national provincial arts funding average is $25 to raise a family in, to visit in or to do business in. per capita. In B.C. it is $6.54 per capita. That is an $18- I support this budget fully and stand by our govern- per-person difference, and meeting the national average ment for the budget and look forward to the members would make a huge impact for artists, musicians, dan- from the opposition to respond and agree with all the cers, actors and creative groups as they seek to enrich great things I have said that are in this budget and every- our society. thing else our government has done over the last ten [1510] years to make sure the economy of British Columbia The only good news last year regarding the arts was stays the best economy, not just in Surrey-Tynehead but that this government was forced to back down and re- all over British Columbia. turn $7 million in funding to the B.C. Arts Council. Of Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6485

course, this reversal came only after months of protests Because Coquitlam, as I mentioned, has the lowest per- and outcry from the arts community, the resignation of pupil funding, we are especially grateful for the funding B.C. Arts Council chair Jane Danzo and continued de- for this program, as it has come from external sources. bates in the Legislature. Last year 140 families hoped to enrol their children in This partial restoration of funds doesn't change the the 90 available spaces, and we're expecting that this fact that programs and productions had already been year we'll see even larger numbers. cut and many talented people have lost their jobs and I move now to the Ministry of Advanced Education. left our province. Nor does it address the huge cut in Higher education has moved beyond the reach of many funding through gaming grants in general. young people in B.C. at a time when we will need a more I am proud that the official opposition has been unwaver- educated workforce, as many jobs will require a univer- ing in its support for the arts, constantly pointing out their sity degree. Right now B.C. ranks seventh among the ten importance to our quality of life, our economy and our provinces in the number of university degrees granted future. Without the arts, how would we see beyond the re- per capita. alities of the present day and express our dreams of change? What is stopping our young people? Tuition fees have I am also proud that the official opposition has sup- doubled since 2001, forcing student debt levels to among ported small community charities which have seen gaming the highest in Canada, averaging $27,000 for a four- grants eliminated completely or cut back drastically. I call year program. Student aid has been cut by $34 million. on the government to restore gaming funds to their former Underfunding of trades and apprenticeship training levels and, finally, to involve the community if new grant often means long waiting lists, which makes little sense categories are to be created or older ones eliminated. when we keep hearing that there is a trade shortage on I look now at the Ministry of Education. Having been the horizon. one of two Education critics for the past two years, I [1515] know firsthand that these have not been easy days for Under the B.C. Liberals, B.C. became the only prov- public education. School boards have had to grapple ince in the country to eliminate a needs-based grant with budget cuts as the Education budget has remained program. The province of B.C. also currently provides largely unchanged. the least amount of student aid in Canada. At 2.5 per- While there has been an increase in per-student fund- cent above prime, student loan interest rates in B.C. are ing to $8,357, no inflationary pressures faced by school the highest in Canada. These are not statistics that bode districts have been addressed. My own school district, well for a society that will depend not just on knowledge Coquitlam, the third-largest district in the province, but on creativity and innovation. receives only $6,781 per-pupil funding, the lowest in Let's look now at the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and British Columbia. The only funding increase will go Innovation. Let's look at some hard numbers when it to full-day kindergarten and the remaining portion comes to job creation and economic growth. Between of teacher pay increases in the current contract. Many 2001 and 2009 B.C. was a have-not province six times school districts have tacked an extra week on to spring and was the only province in western Canada to have break to balance their budgets. negative growth in exports. Between 2001 and 2009 We have seen 190 public schools close in this province B.C. had the lowest growth in average hourly wages and since 2002. Why, when our new Premier was Education lost approximately 50,000 jobs in natural resource and Minister, 120 schools were closed, 2,000 teachers were laid manufacturing industries. off and many librarians and special needs supports were cut. Why, in December 2010, B.C. lost a shocking 20,000 I was more than pleased when a provincial law that full-time jobs, half of which were in construction, and stopped the ability of teachers to bargain for class size let's recall that this government claimed that 46 percent and composition was ruled recently as unconstitutional. from the HST would flow to the construction industry. The legislation was brought in by our new Premier when But according to StatsCan, B.C. had the second-worst she was Education Minister. drop-off in building permits in Canada, and residential "It is clear from the government's own evidence that building permits fell by 51 percent in November alone. a key reason that school administrators and the gov- Some 3,400 jobs were lost in the accommodation and ernment did not like to have class size and composition food services industry over the last year, and the B.C. limits included in collective agreements was the fact that Restaurant Association tells us that the HST certainly these districts increased costs to school districts," said played a hand in that. With higher ferry fares, fewer Justice Susan Griffin. She also said that the legislation provincial park services, fewer fish for recreation anglers, came at a cost to teachers. "They lost the ability to be it is no wonder the tourism industry is suffering. involved in decisions which could greatly affect their Looking now at the Ministry of Environment. In my working conditions." riding of Coquitlam-Maillardville the environment and On a happier note, from school district 43, the new its preservation are huge issues. We have several com- Mandarin bilingual program has been a great success. mitted and active environmental organizations that 6486 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

monitor local waterways, clean up parks and trails, and expected to grow to 290,000 by 2020, still has no mater- work to further educate the public about clean water, nity facilities at its only hospital. I wonder the same clean air and the future of our beautiful but beleaguered thing, and I suspect, like SkyTrain to Coquitlam, that I planet. may not live long enough to see that happen. Here are just some of the ways the Ministry of Preservation of the Riverview lands continues to be Environment has failed to act to protect our parks system. a high-profile issue in my riding. In 2007 the media Interpretative programs were eliminated. Massive cuts printed a story that the government was considering between 2002 and 2004 led to the removal of toilets and selling much of the Riverview property to develop up to boat launch facilities from many parks. Trails, bridges and 10,000 units of market housing and 1,000 units of other park infrastructure have also been in decline. Some social housing, probably a token amount. Approximately 22 conservation officers were eliminated, along with 128 15,000 people from around the province have signed our scientific technical officers, 21 park assistants, 17 -biolo petition in response to this announcement. gists and 26 licensed science officers. Since that time the government has remained omin- In 2003 the Parks and Protected Areas Statutes Act was ously silent. In this case, Madam Speaker, no news is not amended to allow for oil and gas exploration and develop- necessarily good news. With the provincial government ment within B.C. parks. As well, there continues to be short of funds and possibly owing money to Ottawa in ongoing subsidies and tax breaks to the fossil fuel sector. the future for the ill-conceived HST, I worry that it will I am proud that the official opposition supports policies look to Riverview to fill its coffers. that put environmental sustainability at the forefront of I have been proud to champion the cause of pro- decision-making. As an example, the Special Committee tecting what is left of the Riverview Hospital, and I will on Sustainable Aquaculture, established in 2007, firmly es- continue to do so. The land contains many valuable and tablished the opposition position on closed-containment rare trees, along with precious wildlife and other horti- fish farming. Our policies are science-based, transparent, culture worth preserving. This land must be preserved and we are always aware of our accountability to the public. for people with mental illness and for its environmental Unfortunately, the current government has taken no and heritage value. Instead of continuing to cut beds, we action on the recommendations of this committee. should be increasing the hospital's role to help with our Now, moving on to the Ministry of Health, everybody's many vulnerable citizens with mental illness. favourite. Fraser Health, which serves my riding, con- As of October 2010, Riverview had only 189 patients tinues to experience a shortage of acute care beds. We remaining. Since 2002, as part of the Riverview redevel- even made the national news earlier this year when the opment project, patients have been, and continue to be, Royal Columbian Hospital emergency department was moved into private long-term care facilities, often ne- so overcrowded that beds were moved into the nearby cessitating the transfer of current residents. This is no Tim Hortons. There were many jokes: "Will that be a doubt a dramatic process for all concerned. double-double on meds?" and "Roll up your rim to win your Tucked into the Ministry of Health are women and turn with a doctor." But really, it is no laughing matter. seniors — grouped together, I assume, because both Stretchers often block the hallways and exits of theER , groups are marginalized by this current government. and ambulances are diverted to other hospitals. The fire The problems of poverty, HST, higher food and energy marshal was called in twice to the Royal Columbian to costs, etc., affect seniors to a disproportionate degree — deal with overcrowding in 2008. those who are able to remain in their own homes and What do we hear as the solution from the govern- the men and women in seniors housing communities. ment? More calls for privatization. If it hasn't worked so Meanwhile, our frail seniors who are in residential far, why would we continue with this same tired policy? care are looking at yet another rate hike. This $54 million [1520] revenue grab will leave many men and women struggling Eagle Ridge Hospital, which also serves my riding, was to pay for basic needs. A senior whose before-tax income built to accommodate 200 beds but has never reached is $22,000 will now have to pay close to $2,000 more for that goal. Local city councils have passed many motions long-term care. This translates into fewer necessities calling on Fraser Health to "quickly and publicly address such as toiletries, dental care, over-the-counter medicine, all 27 recommendations" in the service review delivered hearing aids and clothing for seniors. It will mean that to the health authority in 2009. seniors might remain in their homes longer than they I recently attended a status update on these recom- should, with many eventually ending up in acute care as mendations at city hall, and I'm happy to report that what are commonly called "bed-blockers." This certainly many of them have been achieved, so we are making seems like false economy to me. some progress. However, too many are "in progress," Just looking briefly at the Ministry of Agriculture. and I can only hope that they will soon be put in place. Although my riding is suburban, I am still angered that One of the questions that came up at this public meet- this government has allowed the Agricultural Land ing was how the Tri-Cities, with 215,000 residents and Commission to remove thousands of acres from the Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6487

ALR, while at the same time weakening legislation for Of course, it took about ten years, and unless some environmental assessments. I'm also disappointed that action is taken on affordable housing, the rising costs of the Buy B.C. program seems to become less important transit, hydro increases, tuition costs, user fees, etc., the in the budget every year. government is going to have to look at raising it again Moving now to the Ministry of Transportation and to keep up with costs that have spiralled out of control Infrastructure, which is very, very important to my riding. since 2003. Because only 25 percent of people who live in Coquitlam- I want to get through these before my time is up, Maillardville work in the city they live in, transportation Madam Speaker, so I'm not pausing in between the issues are very important. Our residents use the West ministries. Coast Express for commuter rail service into Vancouver The Ministry ofA ttorney General. We do live in inter- and east to Mission, and you will see many TransLink esting times. TheC rown Counsel Association says there buses on our streets, although many neighbourhoods are are not enough prosecutors to fight crime in this province. not served. This is despite the fact that automobile ex- The association president disputes claims that ten pros- haust is one of the largest sources of pollution in B.C. ecutors have been hired to deal with gang violence. [1525] Instead, prosecutors were moved from other offices, And the Nevergreen line, as I call it, has been on track leaving those offices understaffed. That is coming from and off track and then back on track so many times that the association. everybody has lost track. The government announced As well, 60 legal aid offices have been cut, ten jails and the line would go ahead several years ago, before the es- 24 courthouses have closed, and there are not enough timated $1.4 billion in funding had been secured. judges to oversee trials. Pretrial facilities are 200 percent The federal government made its financial commit- over capacity, which increases the threat of violence. ment, and construction was finally expected to start in Surely we must make sure that the justice system has the 2010. However, the provincial government was $2 mil- resources it needs to keep our streets safe. lion short, and now TransLink has announced it cannot Much as I would like to ignore the B.C. Rail deal, I afford to build or operate the line, which they estimate simply can't. The office of the Attorney General signed will cost at least $350 million per year. off on a $6 million deal to secure guilty pleas from two I would be pleased if someone, anyone, could tell former political aids in this corruption trial. I have to me and the community what is going on. The last time believe this was so the government could save face and I looked, SkyTrain's website said construction would avoid media and public scrutiny. begin in early 2011. Like my constituents, I'll believe it As well, for more than seven years, the government when I see it. It seems to me that we've passed early 2011, has refused to answer questions relating to the sale of so the website will probably be updated any day now. B.C. Rail. They have refused repeated public calls for an Looking at the Ministry of Finance, which flows quite independent inquiry into the sale of the former Crown naturally, I think, from the transportation ministry and corporation, and like my constituents, I wonder what talking about the Nevergreen SkyTrain line to Coquitlam, they are afraid of. I hear from my constituents that the HST continues to Moving onto the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor be a huge issue in my riding. I can understand why, as General and gaming. Gaming policy and enforcement the $1.9 billion tax shift from business to consumers hits and responsible gambling strategy come under the everyone, from small business to those families that are Minister of Public Safety, along with the B.C. Lottery struggling to make the end of the month come before Corporation. I remember very well when casinos first the end of their money. came to this province with a promise that they would As everywhere else in the province, Coquitlam- generate revenue for non-profits and charities, many in Maillardville residents were outraged with the the arts sector. introduction of the HST just weeks after an election [1530] campaign where they were not told it was on the table. I meet people of every political stripe who are willing to [C. Trevena in the chair.] be counted in the fight to stop the tax.B ut let's remember that all the Liberal MLAs voted for it right here in this But that social contract, which led to city councils House and are now making a concerted effort to resell approving casino locations, has been broken. In fact, the HST to British Columbians before the referendum is gaming grants are actually lower now than they were held this summer, and it's all at taxpayers' expense. in the 1990s, despite a huge increase in profits. Like All of us in the opposition are pleased, of course — moving most of the people in this province, I question why the on to something positive to say — that the government top priority for gaming revenue should be subsidizing finally listened to working British Columbians and private casino companies' car parks and show lounges. raised the minimum wage. [Applause.] Well, it's good to Aren't the casino companies making enough money? know that they're listening. I always appreciate that. Do they really need subsidies when grants are being cut 6488 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

for the arts and for charities that help people with dis- into the beating death of a toddler, and 62 abilities, seniors and children who want to play sports, recommendations were proposed, which the government take music lessons or perform? accepted. What has happened? Clearly not enough. Casinos can receive a subsidy of 3 percent of their The B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, net win plus an additional one-time subsidy, which is Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, said in her final report on an additional 2 percent of a casino's net win. Together implementation of the recommendations that less than these subsidies have offset about 40 percent — 40 per- half had been completed. "Much has been promised and cent, Madam Speaker — of the capital costs of casino little delivered," she said. development in B.C. in recent years alone. I can assure It would seem logical that the ministry charged with you that these casinos have not spent 40 percent of their child protection and the person charged with repre- capital costs on programs for problem gamblers or help- senting children and youth would have the same goals ing their families. and work together. It has not seemed so. The province Again, it is difficult to see why casinos need subsidies tried to reduce Turpel-Lafond's budget. She was forced at all. Gambling revenues at the lottery corp were at $2.5 to take the province to court to get documents she billion in 2009-10. Casino receipts increased from about needed just to complete one report. $492 million to about $1.3 billion, with casino growth [1535] going from one-third of the Crown corporation's total In January Turpel-Lafond released a report reviewing revenue to more than half of it. the deaths of 21 infants since 2007. The report made sev- Slot machine revenue has jumped to $1.3 billion, an eral recommendations and questions the practices of the interesting statistic when I remember something about ministry in providing preventative care, ongoing mon- the B.C. Liberals talking about stopping the expansion itoring of difficult family circumstances, and reviewing of gambling. Gaming, as it is now called instead of gam- and learning from past mistakes. She indicated — again, bling, is a big business. At the very least, isn't it time that I quote — "chronic, deep poverty" as the single-largest we separated gaming policy and gaming enforcement risk factor in the lives of families that she reviewed. into separate ministries? With 9,000 children in care at any one time, how can Looking now at the Ministry of Social Development this government continue to not only ignore many of and references to the budget and what occurred there in Turpel-Lafond's recommendations but to actively make the 2011 budget. In February the budget projected 3,000 her work more difficult? Surely everyone can agree that more people would be on income assistance over the next the best interests of children are what matters. two years. So what does the government do? It cuts em- Madam Speaker, we are facing many challenges in this ployment programs for people on income assistance by $16 beautiful province, but I am confident that we can meet million. Income and disability assistance is shamefully low. these challenges if we all work together for the good of Certainly thousands of B.C. children live in poverty, our citizens. It is long past time to put people first and to the most in Canada. Where is the poverty reduction let their wishes and needs be heard in these halls. Our plan? What is this government doing to be sure that young people must be able to get a better education. Our children have enough to eat and warm winter coats? seniors must have respect. We must protect our resources and In my riding of Coquitlam-Maillardville we see home- commit to a sustainable environment. Our citizens who are lessness. Since 2007 the number of homeless people sick need the best health care. Our public schools must be in the Tri-Cities has fluctuated between 160 and 210 viewed as one of our most precious resources and protected. people. After threats, obscenities and impassioned de- Of course we all want economic prosperity, and I believe bate, Coquitlam council approved rezoning land for a we can have that by making smart choices that put homeless shelter in the eastern part of our city. Standing people first and address the widening gap between rich in the way of construction is a memorandum of under- and poor. All things are possible when there is a will to standing with the province, an operational plan and, succeed. We have nothing to lose and everything, every- most of all, funding by the government. thing, to gain. The Hope for Freedom Society, along with five lo- cal churches and volunteers, continues to operate a Deputy Speaker: Can I ask members who are having cold and wet weather mat program to provide tempor- separate conversations to keep their voices down a little ary overnight housing for those in need. I thank them so we can hear the people who are participating in the for caring, and I hope that the provincial government debate. shares the same urgency as we do to provide the home- less with something more permanent in the Tri-Cities J. McIntyre: It's with great pleasure that I take my region of British Columbia. place in the budget debate today. It's very nice to be back Moving now — I'm in closing, I think — to the in the House. I thought I would like to start by, first of all, Ministry of Children and Family Development. Back thanking all the constituents of West Vancouver–Sea to in 2006 the hon. Ted Hughes released a scathing report Sky who two years ago — I guess just about this time two Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6489 years ago — placed their confidence in me representing capital spending on schools, hospitals, roads, hydroelec- them here in Victoria. It is every day a privilege to serve tric projects and other infrastructure is now expected to my constituents, and I really want to, as I say, begin this total about $19 billion over this next three years. Since by thanking them all. October 2008 we've committed $5.5 billion to about 900 I also, of course, want to thank my constituency assist- accelerated capital infrastructure investments around ant Judith Fee, who does a huge amount of casework in the province that have stimulated the economy. It's kept our very big, sprawling riding, and my staff here in the British Columbians working, especially in a very difficult Legislature, former and current, and most of all, I think, economic downturn. like all of us, want to recognize our families, who do so Debt. I also, as I say, want to acknowledge, I guess in much behind the scenes to give us the support to be able rebutting my member across, that we are bending down to do this job. So I want to thank my husband, Andrew, the debt-to-GDP ratio. That's a very important part of my two children and my dad in Toronto, who will be 85 this budget. this September and who I still find that I rely on regu- I also want to remind people that this budget — it has larly for his strong advice. So thanks to all of them and sometimes been called status quo — is really built on the to all of my colleagues who, again, make my job easier. basis of a very, very strong foundation. In the decade that I thought I would start today with some budget high- the B.C. Liberals have been in government…. I thought lights. Much has been said back and forth, but I think it is I'd just zoom through a couple of highlights. B.C. has worth putting into the record some of the key things that created almost 50,000 jobs overall last year alone — in this budget does for British Columbia. Our former Finance 2010, still coming out of an economic recession — and Minister has reiterated a number of times that this budget altogether moving up towards 400,000. in 2011 really recognizes the commitment of the govern- We've eliminated corporate capital tax on financial ment to fund vital public services that we've all come to rely and non-financial institutions, which I think is pretty on, while also continuing on a prudent fiscal course during vulnerable with the new leader across the aisle here, who a time of transition and still ongoing economic recovery. I want to congratulate personally. But I have some fear The deficit actually is now lower than what we origin- about his plan for British Columbia, especially with a ally forecasted. It's now 25 percent lower and is now at promise to raise taxes. $1.265 billion. The budget also forecasts deficits lower of We have lowered the general corporate income tax $925 million going forward to 2011-12 and $440 million rate from 16.5 to 10 percent over these last few years, in 2012-13, ending up with a surplus now of $175 mil- and the small business rate is about to be eliminated. It lion in 2013-14. So we're on track to balance the budget went from 4.5 to 2.5, and April 1 next year, exactly 12 at the time we originally said. months, will be down to zero — gone, eliminated for Also, I think most importantly, and in contrast to the small businesses around this province. member across from us from Fraser-Nicola, we are bend- We've also eliminated over 150,000 regulations since ing the curve down on the GDP-to-debt ratio, which was forming government. Our average hourly rate is up at higher. It was about 21 percent or so when we took office over $23, which is up even over last year, January 2010, in 2001. We lowered it by about 37 percent or something, and altogether a 27.5 percent increase since December. down to 13 or 14 percent. Yes, admittedly in this time of I cede the floor to my colleague. recession, where we're investing in infrastructure, it is creeping up a little, but it will never reach the level that J. Les: I beg leave to make an introduction. we inherited, and it's on course to go down. [1540] Leave granted. We are very confident that we are funding the pri- orities, and I want to go through those: an extra $605 Introductions by Members million to the Ministry of Health through 2013-14 to sustain that front-line delivery; $65 million over three J. Les: I'm delighted this afternoon to welcome to the years to the Ministry of Social Development to help the precincts…. most vulnerable, those on income assistance and fam- ilies in need; and some additional flexibility — $150 Interjection. million in the contingency fund. We're also still funding health care at record amounts. J. Les: No, that would be overdoing it. By 2013-14 the Ministry of Health budget will increase I am delighted to welcome to the House this after- by almost $2 billion from the 2010-11 levels, and it's on noon 36 grade 11 students from Highroad Academy in track to $18.5 billion, or over 42 percent of all expenses, my constituency of Chilliwack. They arrived in Victoria by 2013-14. this afternoon. I am delighted they've taken some time On the capital side, we've done an immense amount of to visit the legislative precinct. I hope all members will investing, especially during the economic downturn. The be on their best behaviour while they're in the House — 6490 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

no heckling, no catcalling, especially from the member throughout B.C. as it possibly gets extended as far south for Abbotsford West. Would you please help me make to California. We entered a federal-provincial partnership them all very welcome. investing $89 million in 20 fuel cell buses in the Whistler hydrogen fuelling station, where I had the pleasure of J. McIntyre: I'm happy to add my voice of welcome being at the opening with the Minister of Transportation to you all. It's wonderful to see students in the gallery. and Infrastructure. It's very important, I guess, government procedures that So those are the kinds of things that we are taking a you're witnessing today, and I hope it will be a memor- lead on in making sure that we have clean, green jobs, able visit for you all. especially for youth and people who are contemplating careers. We want to make sure that those are the right Debate Continued kinds of jobs that are available for you. I also want to take a moment to…. There was an J. McIntyre: So yes, back to my speech. I think that interesting article by Moura Quayle, who used to be a was a good break. deputy minister here not too long ago in the provincial I'd like to move on, actually, from some of those gen- parliament. She's now at the Sauder School of Business eral highlights and the strong economic foundation at UBC. She wrote this article with John Richards at the we've laid to talk a little bit about British Columbia's School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser just this week. leadership role in adapting and developing a green It provided very good food for thought as we go forward. economy, because I think that's something obviously We have a new Premier, new Leader of the Opposition, very important as we move forward. but there is a great opportunity. The genesis of the article, Again, despite something the member for Fraser- the gist of the article, was that we have a lot to celebrate in Nicola said when he asked about and tried to deny that British Columbia, but we have almost a duty or, hopefully, we even had the foundation of a green economy…. I'd an obligation to take the green economy to the next level. like to rebut some of that, because for the first time They cited a recent column by economist Mark ever we now have private sector innovation that's being Jaccard, who had been very favourable about our carbon applied freely to the development of clean, tidal, geo- tax and other steps we were taking. Interestingly, his re- thermal, wind, run-of-the-river and biomass projects all port highlights figures from our budget that the carbon across the province now. tax has paid back to British Columbians $200 million [1545] more than it has taken away. So they comment that the We introduced further incentives in 2005 to sup- carbon tax has actually delivered a significant tax cut. port the development of wind power projects. We also According to his assessment, at least three-quarters of supported the construction of B.C.'s first tidal energy British Columbians are paying less today because of the project, and it began operation in 2009. Policies that carbon tax, and of course, for thousands of people that we have done have prompted the private sector to in- means that we have more money in our pockets — right? vest more than $2.5 billion now in new, clean, renewable — for groceries, child care, sports, all sorts of other costs power right here in British Columbia. that families incur. We established the innovative clean energy fund to They go on to say that our carbon-pricing policy has support promising clean power technology projects and helped one of the largest clusters of clean tech compan- to help them succeed. That resulted in ICE fund contri- ies in the world to expand. Clean tech stands, of course, butions of about $47 million to 34 different projects all as one of the fastest-growing sectors with hundreds of around B.C. companies and thousands of jobs. We passed legislation in 2008 that set a 5 percent aver- I also want to comment — and I feel quite strongly age renewable fuel standard for gasoline and phasing about this from other roles I've played in government the diesel requirement with a 3 percent target for 2010, over the years — that they're urging, and stating really, 4 percent for 2011 and 5 percent by 2012. We've made that our economic advantages have been bolstered by a commitment to reduce the carbon emissions intensity the leadership that we took in the Western Climate of transportation fuels by at least another 10 percent by Initiative, in WCI, which was the regional agreement 2020. to help tackle some of the issues of climate change. Those are all very important attributes as we move for- Throughout, the cooperation that we've had with other ward, and we know that British Columbia is being looked jurisdictions like California, Quebec, Ontario and others, at as a leading centre across North America with the legis- British Columbia is literally being regarded as being on lation that we've been rolling out over the last few years. the leading edge of the green economy. Just locally, to give you a little bit of local flavour, in I also want to move on from that to another type of West Vancouver–Sea to Sky, of course, British Columbia job that, again, we're hoping to make sure that our youth has been building a green highway that runs from and people behind us are developing skills and have Whistler to Victoria and will include more stations interest in, and that is in what we have here in British Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6491

Columbia: a vibrant motion picture industry. The theme find ourselves in a position to have to pay back to the is the same. They're good, clean, green jobs, high-paying federal government $1.6 billion and if we also have to go jobs, but they need skills. They need the skills that we through the steps of re-employing hundreds of employ- hope to prepare our youth with. ees, $30 million a year, to reinstitute a tax department We have a very vibrant motion picture and interactive and audit department here in British Columbia. We'll be game industry here — third-largest motion production asking companies to deal with two different tax agencies centre in North America. Our government has supported again, both federal and provincial. That's about a cost of this industry with tax credits to level the playing field $150 million to business itself. with other jurisdictions and to support what we Really, as I say, my plea today is to make sure that have here in a very skilled labour force and also the British Columbians have the facts that they need to diverse locations that we have around beautiful British make an informed decision, so to that end we've taken Columbia. a number of steps. The public has told us….A s much as [1550] we respect their decision in this referendum, they have I just want to put on the record here that our film tax told us over and over very clearly that they want the facts, policies and the credits that we've provided have made the straight facts. So we have taken these steps. sure that British Columbia is competitive. Budget 2008 We have appointed an expert panel. They're reviewing raised those tax credit rates. Budget 2009 eliminated the the referendum options, and they're going to be reporting expiry dates and expanded the eligibility for domestic out to the public independently about the likely impacts credits, allowing some of our B.C. production companies on consumers, on the budget and on our economy. more access to capital in other markets. Then inF ebruary We've delayed the release of that report, I understand, 2010 our government announced new tax incentives till after May 2, till after the federal election, but hope- and extended them to interactive digital media. fully we will have that objective information. We've now got B.C. film crews, infrastructure and We've also engaged in what's called Talking Tax. It's a production companies that are recognized as the best public campaign that we're embarking on that's to pro- in the industry and, coupled with these locations I was vide this timely opportunity to discuss and review the talking about, make B.C. now a top choice for domestic HST in advance of the referendum. It's also an oppor- and foreign producers. tunity for voters to fully understand the choices before The motion picture industry here inB ritish Columbia them and for the government to listen to what British employs approximately 35,000 people. That is a lot of Columbians have to say about the tax and also to hear people. Most of those jobs are sort of project-based, their ideas about how the HST can be improved. freelance, and 5,000 or 6,000 of those are located on the I don't know if some of you were here earlier. The North Shore adjacent to and throughout the riding that Finance Minister was talking about the thousands — I represent. It's a very, very important industry. there were something like almost 30,000 people — that That leads me and provides a very nice segue, because had participated in a couple of the teleconferences here the industry is flourishing here in British Columbia because the public is engaged. It shows. They want to now partly because of the HST. Without the HST that know more about it. was introduced, you can ask many of the people…. You The other thing is, as I say, we really want to make ask Peter Leitch, who is the head of the Motion Picture sure that the public understands the two options, be- Production Industry Association. Those jobs, they know, cause this isn't a matter of no tax or tax. This is a matter would be immediately, overnight, going to Ontario of which form of taxation. where the HST is offered. They have been…. [1555] I want to thank them here and put on the record their Do you want to go with the single HST that's a benefit efforts to help educate the public on this topic and let to businesses and creates jobs, or do you want to return people know how important the HST is to particular to this two-tax PST-GST system which sees the provin- sectors, that it's well worth considering. cial sales tax embedded at every level of the value chain, I want to go on, because I do want to take some of of the production chain? I'm hoping and confident that my time today to talk about the HST and about the HST once we go through this public engagement process and referendum that's coming up. My plea today is to make people get the facts, they'll be able to make a much bet- sure that the public does get engaged in the information ter decision. I just wanted to take a few minutes to talk and the public engagement campaign that we're finally about some of that plan, because people may not know embarking on, because as much as we have an excel- what's before them now. lent track record on the economy, and we have a good Under the plan that we announced a couple of weeks foundation, we still are facing considerable uncertainty ago, we're providing a total of $500,000 for the yes and no related to the harmonized sales tax. sides, which will be subject to conditions on the appro- It makes some of what we're discussing here, and some priate use of the public funding and the accountability of what we're talking about in the budget, moot if we for that spending. We're creating a public dialogues fund 6492 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

of $500,000 to be independently managed by the prov- Pemberton is undergoing a very interesting…. It's been ince's public universities, colleges and institutes. They'll a long, sort of tenuous road through a boundary expan- be holding informative public dialogues in advance of sion that will allow them actually to attract a school, a the referendum. private school, elementary school gyms that they're We're also producing and sending a comprehensive working on. Their music festival…. All sorts of things guide to every home in British Columbia with infor- depend on some of these zoning issues, and Pemberton mation that will have statements from both the yes and will have, with this boundary extension, a better and no side. We have asked the hon. Stephen Owen, and bigger opportunity to set their own goals and object- he's agreed to be appointed as an independent fund- ives for what they would like to be going on in their ing decision-maker. He'll be overseeing this. He has a community. very…. I think he's regarded very well by both sides of They've been the beneficiaries of some infrastruc- the House, and I'm very confident that he's going to be ture grants, including a walkway around One Mile Lake, able to lead us in that discussion. trails, infrastructure for wastewater. They just recently As I say, my final plea is that we have and do find received some money for diking, which has been very ways to engage the public, including youth and every- much appreciated. one around the province — from rural, urban, all those I think the community is growing. They have many who hopefully will be able to see the benefit and know babies. They had a record of babies, I think, in the last why, actually for almost two years, we have consistently couple of years. So it's a thriving community, albeit still supported the tax. I think we know in our hearts it is the small — under 5,000. It's been, again, a pleasure to serve right thing for British Columbia. those members. It's been a very difficult thing, and I think we have a I also want to mention, of course, First Nations. The number of times apologized to the public for the way in Lil'wat, Mount Currie band is adjacent. Pemberton and which the tax was introduced, but it is probably the most Mount Currie, I think for the first time in their history, significant public policy issue we're facing as a province. are actually having joint municipal — if you can call There are over 130 countries all around the world that them that; or joint band and council — meetings on a have all gone to value-added tax. The rest of Canada, regular basis. basically the vast majority of the population in Canada, [1600] has moved to that. So we will be going there, and we are That came out of a report called Winds of Change, there now. where they had a very unfortunate tragedy in their com- The lost cost in opportunity, if we ever had to really munity and realized that they have to work together, reverse this system — the cost to business and to the both aboriginals and non-aboriginals, to set their future public and to those at the lower end of the income scale course. They are doing that in a very respectful and very who are getting a benefit, are getting cheques quarterly successful way. to help them with those costs, to actually more than help I think those efforts were really highlighted during them with those costs…. All of those things will be a 2010, during the torch relay, when the torch stopped at great loss. I just want to be on the record of saying that I Mount Currie band. In fact, when the torch stopped at hope we can get the facts out, and I hope that the public the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, when will see and will forgive, despite the way it was launched, one of the youth from Lil'wat Nation passed the torch will see the merits of the tax and support and cast their to one of the youth from the Squamish Nation, it was a ballot. very, very touching moment that I think all of us will re- They have a whole month, from June 24 until July 22, member — all of us holding candles. to cast that ballot, and I hope that everybody will do it Those are the kinds of memories from the 2010 torch in an informed, educated basis and take the time to get relay and activities that were, I think, so important to themselves up to speed. binding and bonding the Sea to Sky corridor, because With that, I'd like to do a switch here in my com- naturally, with the Olympics — many of the games, in- ments, because I realize that most of us do take the time cluding the Paralympics, being held in Whistler — we at budget response to talk a little bit about their rid- had this wonderful opportunity of being able to work ing and how things are faring in the riding. I feel that together, cooperate together and make these memories we're halfway through this second term, and I thought together. it would be a nice opportunity to take people, and hope- Also, the 2010 hosting of the games was very import- fully the viewers at home, on a tour pretty well down the ant for First Nations because there were some economic Sea to Sky Highway, which is the main road that links opportunities for them that they had never had before, all of my communities in the wonderful riding of West opportunities on the highway, producing asphalt. A Vancouver–Sea to Sky that I represent. number of them were trained by Kiewit and Sons and I thought I would start at the north end and talk a have now moved on to the Port Mann bridge and other little bit about Pemberton — start there. The village of places where they've received training. They've now Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6493

been able to move from the Sea to Sky right into other the social front in Squamish with funding 24-7 at Pearl's good, well-paying jobs. They also, of course, have had Place, which is a transition home, and a homeless shelter. opportunity in the forests and other kinds of things in We were able to help the homeless shelter there become the partnerships we've been doing with aboriginal com- 24-7. Again, unfortunately, it turned into a much more munities. I've been very privileged to be a part of and to needed facility and amenity for Squamish. support that wherever I can. [1605] Of course, coming down the road we move on to They have an exciting development before them in Whistler. You immediately see some of the successes, terms of the oceanfront lands which the province gifted obviously, of hosting the 2010 games, and I would like to Squamish for $1 a number of years ago. They've gone to compliment Whistler publicly at this time. I wrote through some different machinations of trying to figure them a letter. Their success in hosting….I n a small com- out how they would like to develop the 70 acres that are munity of 10,000 people they were able to manage what now available, which will be a combination of green space, they did in short order, and particularly the Paralympic some light industrial to support a marine environment and Games. then also some residential. So I think they've come up with Most of the Paralympics were held in the Whistler a very good plan that's going through the final stages now. area, and the medals were delivered there. They did an Of course, one of the things I really want to spend exceptional job, and I think everybody has regarded that a moment on is a historic agreement that the district as the best Paralympic Games ever. My compliments go of Squamish has just signed with the Squamish First out to all the volunteers and staff in Whistler and all Nation. After essentially years and years of having no the people who put the efforts into making that such a guide — and I'd say years and years, probably, of not success. The legacies that we now have, things like the working together in a harmonious way and not collab- athletes village, which has now turned into a new neigh- orating and not understanding that their futures really bourhood called Cheakamus Crossing…. It's been built are intertwined together — they have just signed a his- to be affordable for residents, to enable residents who toric agreement about a month ago, a legal agreement work in Whistler to be able to live in more affordable that outlines and maps out how the First Nations and accommodation in their own community. the district of Squamish will move together on land use. We of course have the wonderful Nordic skiing — It encompasses a number of issues — some agreements, the cross-country skiing facilities that are now in the like the umbrella lands agreement, go back to the late Callaghan Valley just south of Whistler. Even the medal '90s — that have all been discussed and never been able plaza is all being redone in green now to be able to be to move forward in a collaborative way. a central focus of a community where everybody can I am very proud of the leadership that's been shown meet and there can be theatre. Actually the GranFondo by both the district of Squamish — the mayor, Greg race — which we hosted for the first time last year and Gardner; and his staff — and also the leadership shown which was the bike race all the way through the Sea to by Chief Gibby Jacob and others — the negotiator, Toby Sky Highway — ends in Whistler and will end in the Baker — who have put an enormous amount of work revitalized medal plaza this year. There are many recrea- into really what is an absolutely historic agreement. tional and cultural opportunities in Whistler as a result It actually mirrors some of the work that's been done of our investments over the last few years. in Whistler with their legacy land agreements, too, that Moving down to Squamish we see, of course, a number the Whistler administration was so successful. These of legacies there. There was actually a direct legacy from are historic agreements, never been done in British VANOC for $750,000. The Squamish community now Columbia before between First Nations and existing are looking at how to spend that money. It's going to be municipalities. designated for youth, sports and development. They're Zooming down the rest of my highway now, although now, fortunately, having the luxury of being able to fig- I can't speed on the highway, we go through Britannia. It ure out how to spend that money, and I'm anxious to see has really developed beautifully. There was a land sale, I how that unfolds. They also received a grant for a central guess, and swap that involved the province and a private gathering place, which will now be O'Siem pavilion. It's developer, Macdonald Development Corporation, who just under construction now, but again it will provide have allowed people who never had home ownership a wonderful place right on their Main Street to be used before to now own their homes in Britannia. They're for a gathering for the Sikh festival and other events in working on developing the commercial area. Squamish. Of course, the Britannia museum, the one place in They've had a number of infrastructure grants for British Columbia where youth and others can learn things like wastewater and other trails, but they also about the history of mining and the future of mining, just received $1.2 million from the Public Safety and has been supported by both the federal and provincial Solicitor General office for flood protection, which they governments and the private sector to fully revitalize that are most pleased about. We've also been able to invest on mining museum, which is open seven days a week and 6494 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

sees thousands and thousands of students and adults they requested a meeting with the government over the through there every year. issue. The emergent issue right now is that they need $15 Lions Bay is very happy that they've been receiving million to correct a problem. They've got an emergency some of the infrastructure grants for trails and got their with the tracks. They had a derailment, and in order to new fire truck and have been, I think, very grateful to repair the track and get the E&N train — the dayliner, it's be the recipient, as others on have too, affectionately referred to — running again up and down from the economic stimulus plan that the federal and the Island, it's going to take those emergency repairs. provincial governments engaged in to make sure that I want to remind this Legislature that for years and communities got the necessary infrastructure and could years this government as well as previous governments set their goals. have collected millions of dollars from those lands, whether it's the harvesting activity, all of the popula- Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Member. tion and activity that's involved in those lands in that area. There's a responsibility,I believe, to pay back those J. McIntyre: I was just down to West Vancouver, so communities. thank you very much. You think about just the timber resource alone. Recently I read that Brookfield, when they sold off B. Routley: First of all, I want to say how thankful I Island Timberlands, said that they had some of the am once again for this opportunity to represent the fine most valuable timberlands in Canada — most valuable people of the Cowichan Valley. timberlands in Canada. A small amount of the money I do want to take a moment to thank all of the candi- that is being taxed from those companies would be the dates in both parties who ran in the recent leadership $15 million that we need to fix up that rail line, and it campaigns and certainly to congratulate the new leaders. is incumbent, I believe, on both federal and provincial Democracy is alive and well in British Columbia, and I governments to do just that — to repair that line. believe that is indeed a good thing. I would also ask that government take a look at the In this budget debate I want to speak about the people new technology that's emerging. I recently saw a pro- of the Cowichan Valley and some local and Island issues gram where they showed a bus. I believe it's in use in that I believe would be a good place for this govern- Japan. They've also looked at it in Europe. This bus…. ment to spend a small portion of the $600 million that They push a button, and down come the wheels so that they have in their contingency fund. I am speaking they can run on the railway track. When they get to the now about one of the first priorities — really an Island end of the line they push the button, they drive off the priority more than just Cowichan Valley. We're one of rail line, and away they go. Those kinds of new and emer- the many communities linked by the Esquimalt and ging technologies are things that we need to look at. Nanaimo Railway. When you look at the recent accident that we had There is a huge legacy that goes back to the turn of on the Malahat, there's an example of an opportunity the century. When the railway was first proposed by the missed. All kinds of people would have been moving to federal government, they connected from Esquimalt to the rail line, had there been such a train that I've just Nanaimo and really have gone north of that all the way talked about. New technology, a new opportunity to up to Courtenay now. You look at that legacy. They gave move more people in what is already a very busy cor- away 20 miles on both sides of the railway track — a huge ridor…. Government has an obligation, I believe, to chunk of land on the eastern side of Vancouver Island. look at that — certainly on behalf of the people in the [1610] Cowichan Valley that I know believe that the railway In return, we were supposed to get a railway in perpe- ought to be fixed up and ought to be running again, and tuity. What has happened is really quite a tragedy, in my not only for the green tourism opportunities that are opinion. Being somebody who negotiated agreements presented by that rail line. over his life, I really wish that the founding fathers who We're fearful that if that rail line is not funded, what had written that agreement had linked the lands directly will happen is…. They're talking about an orderly shut- and made sure that if the railway was in any way closed down of that rail line, and that is absolutely unacceptable. or shut down, those lands returned to the federal gov- The people of theC owichan Valley, I know, are absolutely ernment. That didn't happen. It wasn't written that way. opposed to any idea or notion of shutting down that rail But I do know there is a collective responsibility both line. It should be continued. In fact, we should be not only federally and provincially to deal with that issue. improving the rail line but looking at new opportunities I happen to know that Vancouver Island mayors…. such as I've just talked about. The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal [1615] Communities, representing more than 51 municipal- Again, I point to the taxation and the linkage — all ities and regional districts, recently passed an emergency those years, millions of dollars in provincial and federal resolution calling for action on the E&N rail line. I know revenue coming off those lands that were part of that Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6495

railway deal. Some of it…. It's payback time. They've got Ball ferry, and he bought it back and provided the oppor- to be putting back and making sure that the commun- tunity for all of Vancouver Islanders to have reasonable ities have what I think is rightfully there, and that's to get transportation to and from the Mainland, to connect us that rail line working again and get the E&N back on the to the rest of B.C. tracks and running up and down the Island. And what has this government done? They've piled The second issue that I want to talk about is the Mill on. They created an almost independent corporation — Bay–Brentwood ferry. This government apparently has if you can call it that — with the million-dollar man in until June 30. They said on their website…. B.C. Ferries charge. We're seeing nothing but ramping up increase was talking about one option, which would be to close after increase, and it's becoming more and more difficult the Mill Bay–Brentwood ferry, and that would be totally for Vancouver Island families to get off the Island and unacceptable to the people in Mill Bay and a lot of other visit other family members, whether it's sons or daugh- communities. I know the chamber of commerce in Mill ters, brothers or sisters — any family member over on Bay, the regional district and others are most interested the Mainland. in making sure that that Mill Bay ferry continues. You know, I've talked to all kinds of people in my con- I would urge that the government look carefully at that stituency that said that they used to go two or three times option — and urge you to ensure that that Mill Bay ferry over to the Mainland. Now if they get over once a year…. continues to run — and to invest again in a run that now It's such a costly adventure that it makes it difficult. and in the future not only creates tourism opportunities [1620] but would be absolutely necessary in an emergency. The tourism industry, I believe, is indirectly impacted That recent accident on the highway…. Again, there by the government's failure to acknowledge that our B.C. were people that used that as an option in that emer- ferry system ought to have been held in the government's gency who headed off that way. I, myself, have gone the hands and certainly was benefiting allB ritish Columbians, Brentwood way to Mill Bay in snowstorms. It's simply particularly Vancouver Islanders who depended on that a safer option. So again, I would ask that the govern- service. ment, when they're reviewing the budget and this $600 We've got seniors and the lowest-paid struggling to keep million that they have in their contingency fund, look up. Many families are hurting, and now, once again, seven at those kinds of options that would help the people in years in a row, we have the poorest children in the province the Cowichan Valley and other regions on Vancouver living in poverty with no plan. There's no plan to address Island. the needs of the people that most desperately need it. Now, turning back to this budget, sadly, this Liberal But what do we have? Oh, there's immediate action. budget proves once again that they are planning to fail The government, meanwhile, puts in place their HST, B.C. families. This government budget…. In their high- which is a tax shift. And let's go back to when they first lights document they admit, and I quote in part: "This talked about this. This was a tax shift. They were going budget sets no new directions." That's sad that there are to take taxes, and they were going to take it from the big no new directions. In fact, this budget was what I be- corporations — "we're no longer going to have to pay lieve is an attack on B.C. families. It abandons families these taxes" — and they were going to shift it right over struggling to make ends meet — issues that really im- and put it on the backs of families throughout British pact families, such as MSP premiums. Columbia — you know, a tax that benefits their corpor- Here's a government that's found a new and unique ate pals and, at the same time, hurts families throughout way to attract all kinds of tax revenue, and you're not British Columbia. going to get any help from this government. No, they're The facts are clear. I don't know. This government…. going to load onto B.C. families more indirect taxation It's a tax transfer, pure and simple, and they're soon go- through MSP premium increases. ing to try and dress this pig up to try and make it fly. You Hydro rates are continuing to escalate. Again, this can try and put wings on this HST pig, and I can tell you government has bled off millions of dollars from B.C. right now, hon. Speaker, it just isn't going to fly.I t ought Hydro, and now they are in a position where you've got not to fly because the people of British Columbia will B.C. Hydro saying: "Well, we're going to have to increase see through what's going on here, and it's a transfer of rates." Now they're going to have some kind of big pol- tax onto all British Columbians. itical government review or injection of themselves, but I know the glee club, all of those benefiting — you they bled away all kinds of the revenue, and now fam- know, the folks that are stuffing their pockets with the ilies are paying more and more and more. cash. Hockey socks full of cash, dump truck loads of Ferry fares. As a Vancouver Islander, I remember cash that they're making, that they're taking away from when I was a kid, when old W.A.C. Bennett took over the people of British Columbia, and they're loading it the ferry on behalf of the people of British Columbia back up in the coffers of the biggest corporations to give and said it was an important part of our transportation themselves big paycheques and bonuses and who knows route for all British Columbians. We had the old Black what they do. 6496 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

ThisH ST is the biggest snow job since the last big snow B. Routley: Yeah, but the paramedics were going to job by these B.C. Liberals, and that snow job was the B.C. Rail. work every day. There were a handful of people. It had Why wouldn't these big corporations spend some money? absolutely nothing to do with the paramedics going back It's a $2 billion gift from this government, a tax reduction. to work — nothing to do, and you know that. That's more Let's not forget, the people of British Columbia should jiggery-pokery by this bunch. not forget, that this government claimed that it was not However, they still cling to this HST attack on fam- on their radar. They were not thinking about it as an op- ilies. Take from the poor and the middle class and give tion whatsoever. That was what they told the people of to the rich and the richest, a government with no plans British Columbia. That's what they've stood up in this to help those families that are most disadvantaged. For House and said over and over again: it was not on their seven years the worst record in Canada, no plan in this radar. budget, hon. Speaker. There's absolutely no money for a So if it wasn't on their radar, then it's a pure and sim- poverty reduction plan. ple gift to the corporate sector — pure and simple. That's The new Liberal leader seems to acknowledge the fail- what it is. So again, you can come up with all kinds of ure of this government over the years in declaring…. I things…. want a particular note to file on this one. Note to file: This government now says they could have handled it now, after ten years of Liberal attack on B.C. families, of a little better. Wow. Have they had some kind of decade- abandoning families, this Liberal leader says she wants of-deceit makeover? I just don't buy it. to put families first.I see and hear this as a clear acknow- In 2001 they said, and actually the new Premier was ledgment that someone else was first. Someone else was one of the ones that said: "Read my lips. Take a look. You first, so that begs the question: who was first before families can count on me. We're not going to sell B.C. Rail." And in British Columbia during the term of this Liberal they sold B.C. Rail. Then they said they wouldn't rip up government? health care contracts, and they did. Even the incoming — well, if she gets elected — Then they ripped up teachers' contracts, and now it Premier has to acknowledge that families haven't been takes the Supreme Court to intervene to get any kind first. She wants to put them first. You need look no of justice for working people, for people that we count further than the big list of corporate Liberal donors on to teach our children. Imagine, the teachers that we who are benefiting in major ways from this government count on to teach our children have to take this govern- action, starting with, in 2001, corporate tax cuts and tax ment to the Supreme Court to get some kind of justice, cuts to the biggest banks. and this government now tells us they're looking at its The HST is all about rewarding their friends and insid- options to appeal. ers of this Liberal government. It's the biggest thing they Then let's talk about…. I remember standing in this could do, they said. The line was that this was going House talking about paramedics. They ordered para- to create the opportunity to gain investment and jobs. medics back to work. Do you remember this, hon. However, the facts are that since the B.C. government Speaker? They said: "Oh, well, we've got to order these and the federal government started reducing corporate paramedics back to work because there's a pandemic." taxes, investment has failed to create the kinds of results [1625] claimed by these right-wing governments. The new Minister of Finance, I remember well: "Oh, Where's the investment? They have claimed all these there's going to be a terrible pandemic. Oh, it's just years that there was going to be investment. It just didn't frightening what could happen to the people of B.C. happen. After all, if lower taxes caused investment, the if we don't act immediately." And did the pandemic ma- Liberals' huge reduction in corporate income tax would terialize? Absolutely not. There was no pandemic.I t was have already done the trick. They have cut them from just more jiggery-pokery, the same as the 2009 deception 16.5 percent in 2001 to 10 percent today. They elimin- by this government. ated capital taxes and cut property taxes, especially for big companies. Interjection. As part of the 2008 carbon tax package, this Liberal government cut the corporate income tax rate, and the B. Routley: You know, the minister is beaking off. HST has reduced corporate tax even further. By now we We've got the Finance Minister, who could listen and should be seeing a flood of investment and job creation, learn. Take the opportunity to listen and learn, because but, no. In fact, the investment in B.C. has increased on these are important things. These are points of view average just 0.26 percent since 2001. Forestry investment from the people of the Cowichan Valley that are upset has been negative during the same period. It's not tax with the jiggery-pokery, and they came out in droves saving that those companies want. It's lower taxes and and voted against the HST. higher profits, more returns on less investment, and prof- its on their own don't cause investment or job creation. Interjections. [1630] Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6497

All told, there's no good reason to expect much bene- B.C.'s debt-to-income ratio — which compares all debt, fit at all from a tax that lets companies off the hook but including mortgage debt, to personal disposable income makes the average families pay even more. It's a failed — is 160 percent. This is the same level that was reached ideology, but they believe it will eventually trickle down in the United States just before the financial crisis and to some of us. the housing meltdown hit. This is alarming. I have to lighten it up a little bit. I find myself get- Everyone should be alarmed, yet this government ting excited here. So I want to give you the Bill-lite story and this budget are piling on more costs to those British here. Columbians and those families who are already in debt If you can imagine for a minute, hon. Speaker. The and stretched to the limit. Liberals are out berry picking, and they find themselves When you look closely at this government's record, in grizzly country, short of food and suddenly looking they continue to act over and over for the interests of the to deal with a very hungry bear that confronts them. I crybaby capitalists. In fiscal 2007-2008 B.C.'s provincial imagine that these Liberals would gather together and treasury received $117 million in corporation capital tax. decide to feed the bear most of their berries, and they In 2008-2009 the comparable number was $108 million. would hope and even believe that the grizzly would give The budget for this fiscal period calculates this year that them enough berries back so that they could survive. I the capital tax will generate nothing. hate to imagine where they may go looking for berries. [1635] In fact, I shudder to think where they may go looking B.C. has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in rev- for berries. enue, and we're promised jobs and investment. The facts If the bear spilled a few berries on the path as the bear are: it's not happening. It's just more pink fog from a runs off with all the berries, these Liberals would call in government bent on giving away to the richest among Jack Mintz. They would study these berries on the path, us. and they would declare a great success and point to this Did you know that when they made the same kinds berry find as evidence that bears really want to share. of promises about bank jobs, when we were going to cut They would explain that, given half a chance, in the full- this horrible penalty to the richest banks in Canada…? ness of time, these bears would even invest in massive Oh, they were so desperate, these crybaby capitalists berry farms, and we will all live happily ever after — not and the banks, that they needed their $100 million back. just eating berries, but we're going to have job creation What did British Columbians receive at a cost of more on the berry farm. than $100 million each and every year to the revenues of Now, this is very close to the kind of thinking that goes British Columbia? According to the Canadian Bankers into this Liberals' fable on the HST. Give away enough Association calculations, bank employment full-time cash, and surely some of it is going to come trickling and part-time in our province fell from 29,785 jobs in down, they believe — perhaps even cascading down in 2008 to 28,745 in 2009 — a loss of 1,000. such a torrent that we should only have the opportun- Wait a minute. We were supposed to create jobs — ity to run as fast as we can out of the way, with all these 1,625 jobs lost in banks and 15 branches were closed. cascading benefits from their HST. Now, let's get back to More Liberal jiggery-pokery. what's really going on with this failed government's plans. Looking back, when this government first ran into For a decade now we've been told over and over that the public opposition on the HST, they quickly went cutting corporate taxes will stimulate investment and out and promptly hired an economist, Jack Mintz, who create jobs. This government has steadfastly maintained is well paid by this government. But you need to know that if you simply reduce corporate taxes, companies something else about Jack Mintz. I don't think any of will respond by performing in the interests of British the local papers were telling us this part of the story. I've Columbians. Back in 2001 tax cuts to corporations were since learned that he's not just an economist. going to make businesses want to move to B.C. and in- Did you know that Jack Mintz sits on the board of vest. This was the very sameL iberals' line last year, when directors of Brookfield Corp., a multinational cor- this government sprang the surprise HST plan on the poration with major investments here in B.C., such as people and families of B.C. Again, they claimed this was Island Timberlands, and major investments in Western going to create jobs and generate investment. Forest Products, investments in 635,000 acres of private Against that backdrop, I want to pause for a minute land, mostly in the log export business? That's a com- and say: how are British Columbians faring with their pany that's now situated themselves in Bermuda so that own financial challenges? Let's not forget that this gov- they can avoid paying Canadian taxes and dealing with ernment, through the HST, is transferring $2 billion Canadian regulation. each and every year onto our B.C. families. This is the kind of group that they want to support Currently B.C. households are the most vulnerable and give tax cuts to. So lo and behold, Jack projected in Canada to interest rate hikes or an economic down- mostly all good things were going to come from the HST. turn, says a report released recently by TD Economics. Apparently that will include Brookfield's assets. My, my, 6498 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

isn't that cozy? It should be a very uncomfortable fact will provide $5.3 billion for transportation investments for this Liberal group that they would go out and hire over the next three years. Since 2001 about $1.12 billion somebody directly connected to the multinational cor- has been invested in highway expansion and rehabilita- porations that stand to benefit from the HST. tion projects in the Thompson-Okanagan areas. It's shameful. It's too bad that this government didn't In the Vernon area there are currently several road ask Mintz to evaluate the impacts of past tax cuts on improvement projects underway. Most importantly, up- investment and employment creation. Had he done so, dates to Highway 97 at the intersection with Highway 6 however, he would have been obliged to conclude that to improve the capacity and safety of this intersection are investment and employment in British Columbia have coming along quite nicely. This $5 million project is only stagnated; and that recently, despite all those tax cuts possible because of the close collaboration between the gov- and capital spending, capital spending has fallen sharply. ernment and the federal government, which provides major There are the facts. funding for infrastructure projects in British Columbia. Our strong relationship with the federal government E. Foster: A great pleasure that I rise today to speak to helped to secure $1.3 million in funding for this pro- this budget, but before I do so, I have a few thank-yous. ject. Work is expected to be completed this summer To start with, I'd certainly like to thank my constitu- and involves construction of double left-turn lanes on ency assistants, Min Sidhu and Krysta Seifert, for the Highway 6 and 25th Street as well as improved right- great job they do in my riding, in Vernon-Monashee, turn lanes and paved shoulders for bicycles. and the service they give to our constituents; also to my Work is also being done on Highway 6 by the legislative assistant Rick Orlando, who makes sure that Coldstream Ranch. This approximately $12 million pro- I'm always where I'm supposed to be and when I'm sup- ject, fully funded by the Ministry of Transportation and posed to be there; Kevin Dixon, the EA in the Whip's Infrastructure, is of great importance to the area. office, who makes my job as a Deputy Whip a whole Engineering work is underway to realign a 2.2-kilo- lot easier; and also to my communications officer Jeff metre section of highway removing a sharp S-turn at Kal Melland, who does a great job of keeping me informed Lake Road. This will greatly improve safety for travellers on what's going on. and commercial vehicles. The improved intersections But I guess when you're doing thank-yous, the most along this stretch of Highway 6, a new rail crossing and important one is the family and in my case, my wife, wider shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists will also be Janice, who has supported me through 26 years of pub- major improvements. lic service and not all easy for her, I assure you. So to her, Design work is underway and should be completed thank you very much. early next year so we can get this project ready for A couple of very special people are spending the construction. Over the many years that I was in lo- year with us in our home in Lumby. We have two inter- cal government, this was a project that we worked on national students: Jesus from Mexico and Nobuhira, bringing forward, and I was most pleased in my first who is visiting us this year from Japan. So to Jesus and year as an MLA to be able to deliver this project to our Nobuhira, I'd like to say hello and thank them for shar- communities. ing their lives with us over this year. There's more. Work is scheduled to begin this spring [1640] on the second phase of a $1.8 million project to im- I think it's safe to say that my colleagues and I on this prove highway safety at the intersection of Highway side of the House and the opposite side of the House 97 and Bailey Road, south of Vernon. The next phase quite often disagree on issues that come before us, but I will involve construction of new acceleration lanes for think it's also safe to say, however, that we do share one motorists turning south towards Kelowna, extensions to important thing in common. We all want to make our the left- and right-turn lanes on the highway, and - in communities better places, and we want to make B.C. a stallation of multiple strips and rumble strips on Bailey better place to live. Now, we have different ideas when it Road to warn motorists that they're approaching a stop comes to accomplishing this, but at the end of the day, sign. we do all have the same aim. I'd like to thank the hard-working staff at the Ministry In my view, this budget provides the funding and of Transportation and the minister herself for the great the programs to make the communities in Vernon- work on these projects, which do so much to improve Monashee a better place and also B.C. a better place to the communities in my riding. These types of infra- live. For this reason, I am proud to support the budget. structure projects make our roads safer, and they also This budget continues to invest in our government's create jobs for British Columbians, boost trade and sup- transportation investment plan. The province has se- port tourism. cured significant federal cost-sharing on projects and As an aside, Madam Speaker, I would like to mention has leveraged investments through partnerships and that the HST, which the members opposite are so fond private partners. The public and private sectors together of fulminating about, has proven to be a major help in Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6499

getting construction projects moving all across the prov- because without a strong economy, we cannot possibly ince. In fact, the number of proposed projects right now hope to maintain and improve the critical services we all stands at an all-time high of 547. Since '01 the number depend on — health care, as an example. of projects has nearly tripled, and their value has more One thing I am particularly pleased to see in this than quadrupled. On day-to-day transactions, the HST budget is that it maintains the high levels of investment is resulting in lower costs for goods and services. in health services that we have delivered since we formed An industry seeing major benefits from the HST is government in 2001. The 2011 budget confirms this gov- the forest industry, an important economic sector in ernment's commitment to providing top-quality health Vernon-Monashee and in many regions of the province. care for all British Columbians. We have honoured our In this regard, China is a big story. commitment to protect health care with an additional $2 The world's most populous nation and with a fast- billion in health care funding over the next three years. growing economy, China represents a huge opportunity Budget 2011 announced a funding increase of $605 mil- for B.C. wood products. If half the low-rise housing lion for 2013-14 in addition to the funding increases for units being built in China used wood-frame construction previous years announced in previous budgets. for the top four floors and roof, 25 billion board feet of This increase in funding breaks down simply as follows: lumber would be used or the equivalent production of $1.4 billion to health authorities for front-line services, a hundred large sawmills. That is why we opened B.C.'s $438 million to MSP for physicians and laboratory ser- first lumber trade office in China in 2003. vices, $144 million for PharmaCare budget. By 2013-14, [1645] health care funding will reach $18.5 billion. B.C. lumber exports in China in 2010 were more than These are big numbers, butI 'm proud to say it is money 12 times what they were in 2003. In 2010 lumber exports to well spent. B.C. has some of the best health outcomes in China reached 4.56 million cubic metres, or the equivalent the country. We have the best results in Canada on a num- of ten large B.C. sawmills. ber of factors such as average life expectancy, mortality Exports doubled in 2009 compared to 2008 and then rates for cancer and heart disease outcomes. This is espe- nearly doubled again in 2010. In the first two months cially significant, given that cancer and heart disease are of 2011, lumber exports to China continued to nearly the leading causes of death in Canada. We also have the double what they were during the first two months second-lowest infant mortality rate in the entire country. of 2010. In March 2010 an MOU was signed between These are excellent outcomes, and I'm very proud to see the governments of China, Canada and B.C. to pursue that we are building on the strong foundation this gov- six-storey wood-frame construction for the Chinese ernment has put in place over the past ten years to make housing market. our health care system even stronger in the future. Madam Speaker, my colleague the member for Prince A major factor that contributes to the success of our George–Mackenzie did some great work here, and the health care system is the investment in facilities that this results have been fantastic in Vernon-Monashee. Just government has made. Since 2001 this government has around Vernon, there are two major sawmills and another spent nearly $7 billion on capital projects for the delivery six smaller mills. In the entire district, there are about of health services. A variety of factors are considered four other major mills and 12 smaller ones. I'm very when making progress towards a capital project investment: proud to say that the mills in my riding have all shifts changing populations; changing demographics, especially running for China market, which is great news for many aging populations; strategic planning for health care families in the area who depend on forestry. delivery across communities and across health authorities; Brad Thorlakson, the CEO of Tolko Industries, men- advances in technology; structural conditions of the tioned recently in an article in the paper that the hard current facilities available in the regions. work done by the Ministry of Forests on the markets A significant portion of these investments have been in in China as well as the HST have made this possible. conjunction with regional hospital districts and founda- Speaking to several millworkers that live in our com- tions. Since 2001 the province has worked with regional munity, they are thrilled at the hours they're getting. hospital districts and foundations to put forward $460 They're running around the clock, and there's lots of million towards expanding and renewing 30 emergency overtime. This hasn't happened for a few years, and rooms across British Columbia. That's part of the overall they're very pleased. provincial picture since 2001, and it's a bright one. In health care we have a lot to be proud of looking [1650] back at our time in office. We worked hard to clean up The picture in my backyard is also very bright. In fact, the mess left behind by the previous government and we have funded a wide range of capital health care projects to make our economy stronger than ever. Our respon- in the Interior: $433 million for new patient care towers at sible fiscal management also allowed British Columbia Kelowna General and Vernon Jubilee hospitals and medical to weather the world economic crisis much better than teaching space; $448 million for a new cardiac care program most parts of the world. This is of crucial importance and expanded surgical services at the Interior heart and 6500 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

surgical centre at the Kelowna General Hospital; $52 million As I mentioned before, it includes a new emergency invested at Royal Inland Hospital for a major redevelop- room department three times larger than the current ment. This included the expansion of their emergency ER, new operating rooms, a new intensive care unit, a department to make trips to the ER quicker, a new MRI new maternity and pediatrics wing, as well as the two and a CT scanner, intensive care unit renovations, medical in-patient floors for acute care beds. I'm working with device reprocessing. the Minister of Health at this time to secure more beds Now, there's an important fact about my riding, in those shelled-in floors. It's a high priority, and we're Vernon-Monashee. We have an aging population, and working towards getting that done. we're facing the pressures that come with it in health care. Now, here's the significance of the new care tower at The number one concern for the Ministry of Health is VJH, and I'm very pleased to say this is a long list of that patients in Vernon receive quality care. That's why benefits I'm about to share with the House. It will triple Vernon Jubilee Hospital continues to do a lot of work to the size of the current ER, which will relieve pressures address the challenges related to overcapacity. The hos- on staff and reduce wait times. It is the single largest pital has bolstered regular staffing levels and brought in health care capital project investment in the history of extra staff when needed. They've increased in-patient the North Okanagan. It will mean that Vernon and area acute care beds by 23 in the past two years, and Interior residents will be able to access a hospital that has more Health continues to meet with the BCNU and others to capacity, greater efficiency and state-of-the-art equip- consider other options to help address congestion issues. ment. It will bring a larger ambulatory care department, Patient care is our top priority, and we are committed which will allow staff to better manage patient flow and to ensuring that patients get the very best care. In fact, provide patients with more out-patient programs. government has invested $180 million for a new patient The care tower will have larger operating rooms. There care tower at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, which will will be the space for more efficient layout. There's also provide additional capacity and efficiency starting in the space in the new tower for additional developments in fall of 2011. The new tower will include a new expanded the future. We will also see coordination of patients im- and modernized emergency department, consolidated proved and make more effective and efficient efficiencies and centralized new operating rooms, a new maternity thanks to the closer integration of the new departments. and pediatrics ward, a new intensive care unit, a new Finally, the shift of departments to the new tower brings out-patient department and two extra shelled-in floors the benefit of freeing up space in the existing facilities to build future capacity for additional patient beds. for patients at VJH. We expect that all of these improvements will improve The member for Vancouver-Kingsway likes to say that patient flow and quality of care and will help the hospital Vernon has been left behind when it comes to health care. manage their capacity more efficiently. Adding beds is Well, I have to wonder if he's visited Vernon in the last certainly one option, but it doesn't address the under- ten years because despite demographic pressures that lying issue. We know that many of the patients currently come with an aging population, which we are working in hospital no longer require acute care. That's why it's to resolve, health care in the Vernon area is a lot better important to focus energies on working with commun- than it was in the last government. ity and residential care partners to place people in other [1655] settings as soon as it's safely possible. Should the member for Vancouver-Kingsway ever decide The province also gave funding infusion of $272,000 for to visit, I'd be happy to take him on a tour of the new patient-focused care to the Vernon ER. This will reduce facility at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital, in the new tower, wait times at the ER for patients and will also help ease which I had the pleasure of touring just last week. It is congestion. This type of funding ties the amount of money state-of-the-art. health authorities receive to their success in delivering These are going to bring significant benefits to the efficient and effective health care. The fact that health people of Vernon and to the surrounding area, and I can authorities get more money if they reduce wait times only say when the hon. member talks about Vernon being for patients means that they have a powerful incentive to left behind in health care, I assume he's talking about become more effective and efficient. Vernon, Texas, because Vernon, British Columbia, has This funding for the Vernon ER is part of a $250 improved a great deal since the days he was chief of staff million announcement that will be used to implement in a certain former Premier's office. patient-focused funding across the province. By 2012-13, Madam Speaker, investing in the new medical facili- 20 percent of health care spending will be tied to patient- ties and new medical equipment is of vital importance, focused care, and the other 80 will stay as block funding. but just as important is investing in the education of The province will allocate $80 million in 2010-11 and the future health care professionals. One very promising $170 in '11-12 to patient-focused funding. project in my riding springs from the collaborative part- I'd like to call a bit more attention to the new $180 nership between Okanagan College and the University of million patient care tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. British Columbia Okanagan campus. Nursing students Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6501

now have the option to complete the first half of their 2013 school year. The new school is designed for 950 four-year bachelor of science in nursing at the college, students and is a fully comprehensive secondary school. closer to home and closer to their families. The new school has also been designed to achieveLEE D This partnership provides students with more choices gold standards. for nursing education and another choice of where they Madam Speaker, as I said at the beginning of my re- receive their education. It is also an investment in a pri- marks, all of us who sit in this House are here for one ority health education program that will result in jobs reason: to make our communities and our province a and will benefit British Columbians now and in the better place. We disagree fairly often on how to go about future. doing this, but we all share that aim. The province is providing the post-secondary insti- When I look through this budget, what I see is a plan tutions with a combined $2 million in startup funding to make British Columbia better and to make my riding to get the program up and running this September. The better. I see a plan that puts families first by investing ministry will also provide ongoing funding to support in education and health care and by keeping our econ- the additional student enrolment. omy strong. I see a plan that makes me very proud to Since 2001 the province has invested more than $200 be part of this government, of our record of sound eco- million through the B.C. nursing strategy to educate, re- nomic management and our vision for a better future, cruit and retain nurses. B.C. has more than doubled the and I see every reason to give my enthusiastic support number of nursing training spaces, adding more than to this budget. 4,300 new spaces and producing a record number of [1700] graduates who have received more than 20,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates in British Columbia. M. Mungall: Hon. Speaker, a little bit caught off guard. On the topic of education, I'm very proud to see that I was anticipating the member to go on a little bit longer, funding for the B.C. education system remains a core but here I am, and on time. priority. The total operating funding for school districts To start off, I think I really need to focus on what this remains at $4.7 billion per year, but the average funding government has been claiming itself to be in the last lit- per student is estimated to increase to $8,357. tle while in change. Sure enough, they have a new leader, Funding for post-secondary institutes in 2011-12 is and with the new leader, they continually say: "Change. $1.9 billion, continuing this government's commitment We're going to bring change. Here we are. Fresh perspec- to funding higher education. Since 2001-2002 there tive for British Columbia. We offer change." have been significant increases in operating funding for Let's look at the dictionary, at what "change" means: this sector. "to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., This government's commitment to education has of something different from what it is or from what it made a big difference in Vernon-Monashee.C oldstream would be if left alone."As an example, the dictionary Elementary School opened last fall. This was a $13.4 mil- says: "to change one's name, to change one's opinion or lion project to replace a school that had served the area to change the course of history." for almost a hundred years. The school was designed to That change, again, that they say they are offering this meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, province of British Columbia is simply because they've LEED, gold standards. LEED standards focus on sustain- made one change — one change in leader. Yes, the leader ability, innovation and design, energy and atmosphere, has a new name, is a new person. But does she bring materials and resources, water efficiency and indoor -en change to this government? What's really going on? vironmental quality. Well, let's look at this budget. This budget is status There are 15 classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, quo — hardly change. It's hardly change that this gov- kitchen, gymnasium, library, multipurpose space and ernment is promising British Columbia — rather, status the administration areas. The exterior will have a full- quo. What does "status quo" mean? Just to be sure, to be sized sports field, paved basketball and play areas, and absolutely sure of what's going on, status quo, accord- two playground equipment zones. ing to the dictionary, is "to maintain." The status quo is Projects like Coldstream Elementary create better "to keep things the way they presently are." No change learning spaces for our students and staff while also sup- here. porting good jobs in British Columbia. It's not just me or my colleagues on this side of the Another school that has recently benefited from gov- House calling this budget status quo. Not at all. Let's go ernment funding is the Vernon Secondary School, which right to February 15 when the then Minister of Finance is under construction as we speak. Vernon Secondary introduced this budget bill, and he said: "…this can best was built in 1968 and is currently being replaced at an be described as a status quo budget. It provides govern- estimated cost of $42 million. Vernon Secondary School ment with spending authority to manage the province's replacement building is planned for completion and affairs for the coming year. However, it does not set out occupancy of students and staff for the start of the 2012- new directions. That will be in the purview of the next 6502 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

Premier, who will set the course for the next decade of the best place on earth should not be having a student growth and opportunity for this great province." with an $84,000 debt — or many students with a simple Up to the next Premier. Apparently, on February average of $27,000 of debt. 15 the then Minister of Finance thought that the new So why? Why is this happening? Well, one contributing Premier would bring about change that she promised. factor is certainly that tuition has gone up, gone way But she hasn't, because this is the exact same budget that up since 2001. In fact, I have a sign in my office, a sign was presented on February 15. What was that budget? that I was given at a rally held here on the steps of the Status quo. This is best described as a status quo budget. Legislature on March 16. Students from all over British The reality is that the status quo is not creating - op Columbia came together. portunity. It is not creating growth. It is not doing these I saw a young gentleman who is from my neck of the good, rosy things that members opposite keep saying. woods. He has been an active student at Selkirk College. Not at all. In fact, this status quo budget is doing exactly He was there. I ran into students from Langara College. what budgets in the last ten years have been doing under I ran into students from Simon Fraser University, from the B.C. Liberal government, and that's hurting B.C. Camosun College, from UBC, from UVic. They had all families. come together for one message, and that was that student Far from putting B.C. families first, this status quo issues count, and that tuition is too high and debt is too budget is putting B.C. families last. There are many, high. many examples, and we could be here…. I could be here So the sign that I got at this rally reads that tuition alone for hours and hours, but I'm only allotted 30 min- has doubled since the Premier went to Simon Fraser utes, talking about each way in which this budget, this University. In fact, the sign was made by Simon Fraser status quo budget, is detrimental for B.C. families. But I University students. The vast majority of that increase, will pick one area right now, one area where it's having that doubling, has occurred since 2001 when the Premier a tremendously negative impact on British Columbians, was Deputy Premier in the cabinet that completely and that is in advanced education. changed the way in which post-secondary education Now, I have heard the Minister of Advanced Education was administered in this province. and heard other members across the way go on and That doubling, that increase has been the largest in- on about what a great job they've been doing for post- crease in Canada over the past ten years — the largest. secondary education, but who are they talking to? When So they talk about how much they're funding, but they I go out and talk to people who are running the institu- leave out some of the most critical parts of the story, tions in this province, when I go out and talk to students and one of those parts is that they have allowed — they who are going to institutions in this province, when I have created — the largest increase in tuition for post- talk to professors and teachers, they talk about what's secondary students in Canada over the past ten years. really happening. What else? What else has contributed to this skyrock- [1705] eting student debt load? Interest rates. B.C.'s interest rate The picture they paint is not so rosy at all. In fact, for student loans is the highest in Canada — highest in- the picture they paint is one of hardship and difficulty. crease in tuition, highest interest rate in Canada. We're Student debt in this province is at the highest in Canada at prime plus 2.5. So that means that the average student west of the Maritimes, at $27,000 per the average student. with $27,000 of debt will pay $35,000 when all is said It's $27,000. At very least, that $27,000 could have got- and done. That's $8,000 more just in interest because in- ten a student a mortgage, a down payment for a home, terest is the highest in Canada right here in B.C. and get into that economy, into the housing economy [1710] — start contributing, have some security, some financial This is nothing to be proud of. This is nothing to boast, security. and yet members opposite like to paint a rosy picture Instead, they graduate with, on average, a $27,000 debt and boast about what they are doing. Yet if you start load, highest west of the Maritimes. That's just the average to bring other colours into that picture, into that story, student. Of course, that's not every student. A little while you find out that it's not so rosy at all and that there's ago I received a Kraft Dinner box in my mail, a box full nothing they ought to be proud of when it comes to ad- of good old KD. What students had done was to create a vanced education and how students are suffering with campaign to raise awareness of their debt situation. The debt loads — highest debt loads outside of the maritime box of Kraft Dinner that I received had the name of a provinces. young 20-something who is going to school. And what Another thing, though, that is contributing to these was her debt load? Some $84,000 — $84,000 in debt. debt loads is the fact that British Columbia has the low- How does that happen? How does that happen in one est level of student aid grants in Canada. I found this of the richest countries in the world, in one of the rich- out. I went to a workshop put on by the Millennium est provinces in the country, in the richest place in the Scholarship Foundation about a year ago. They were world? In fact, we call this "the best place on earth." But showing where all the provinces are at and what the best Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6503

strategies are to improve post-secondary education and in their budget or in any of their speeches, we will. Our therefore improve labour markets in our various prov- new leader, where there's real change, is offering more inces. B.C. was dead last in student aid grants in this — more than status quo. He's offering change. He's got country — dead last. bold moves that will address the needs of students, their How embarrassing. How embarrassing that we are families and this province. doing the worst. In a province like ours, the supposed Just an example: post-secondary education. We want best place on earth, we are dead last. to get the debt off the backs of students. A hundred mil- But don't just take my word for it or the hundreds lion in students grants — that's what we propose. Thirty and hundreds of students that rallied on the steps of the million to eliminate interest — that's all that's needed. Legislature or the Millennium Scholarship Foundation It's simple, it's easy, and how are we going to do it? How or the incredible amount of research that has been done are we going to get the money? From the people who on students issues. Let's go to the students directly. benefit, from a labour force with post-secondary education. You can find them on YouTube doing some videos. Because it's time that they paid their fair share into post- Camosun College students got together and decided secondary education. to tell their story of what's going on — a very different Right now they are paying less in taxation than students story, like I said, than those put forward by members op- pay in tuition. Students get the debt, and the corporations posite; a very different story indeed, and also,I 'd have to — the big corporations — get the profits so that we can say, and all due respect to members opposite, a lot more provide them with the labour force that they need. We entertaining, the way in which they delivered it. get the debt; they get the profits. Yet we're providing them The first video that you can find on YouTube done by with the labour force that they need. It's messed up. It's Camosun College students is a rap. It has two students messed up, and we're going to clean that mess. rapping. One of the lines that they say is: "My life is a Now, some members opposite worry about how we debt sentence; my mind is a debt sentence." manage things — right? — because they have a different They go on to talk about the fluctuating interest rates. way of doing it. Now, I've already pointed out that their Who knew that rap would start to take on the issue of different way of doing things is messy. But having that fluctuating interest rates? debate is what we're here for. Having that debate is good; They also talk about how their ambition comes with a it's very good. It's part of our democracy, and I wish we price. Their ambition to want to do everything that they did it more than the 90 hours that they are actually allot- have the potential to do, their ambition to have a better ting us to review the budget in estimates this year. life, their ambition to get an education, their ambition to A real concern for B.C. is that we are reviewing essen- contribute to society comes at a cost. A cost of interest tially $400 million of B.C.'s budget per hour at the rate rates is what they are talking about. that the B.C. Liberals have set for debate on estimates Their ambition comes with interest rates, prime plus — far from what is fair, far from what is appropriate and 2.5, and to pay it back, you have to break your back, as far from what is needed. I guess maybe it's because they they say in that wonderful video. think the status quo means that we have nothing to talk Another video on YouTube done by the Camosun about, but they are wrong. We absolutely have something College students union has a girl. She's nicely putting on to talk about. lipstick. You're wondering: what on earth does this have The people of Nelson-Creston want to talk about this to do with post-secondary education? Nicely putting on budget. The people ofN elson-Creston want to know why lipstick, but then she starts going all over her face. She's this government made a 4.4 percent cut to Agriculture got a lot of lipstick on right now, excessive amounts of lip- after we already have the worst rate of spending in the stick, and, you know, it's like: what on earth does this have country. The people of Nelson-Creston want to know to do with post-secondary education? Well, the message why this government cut $15 million from the Attorney is less is more: less interest, more grants. Less is more. General, further adding to court delays and criminals In another video this smart-looking guy can't seem getting off because there are no judges. to shake this sleazy, obnoxious tagalong. He goes to the They also want to know if the $6 million cut from movies with his girlfriend only to find that that sleazy prosecutors is actually the $6 million that was paid to guy comes creeping up in the row behind him and decides lawyers for the convicted B.C. Liberal insiders Basi and to get in between him and his girlfriend, only to eat all Virk. The people of Nelson-Creston want to know why the popcorn. This sleazy guy just keeps showing up in this government has absolutely no new investments in this smart-looking guy's life. No matter where he goes, children and families, absolutely no new investments in there he is, Mr. Sleaze. The video's message? Student an area that they say is a priority for them — but nothing debt stays with you. new. [1715] The people of Nelson-Creston want to know why this Student debt is awkward, but we have to talk about it. government continues to leave school districts in the So while this government won't talk about student debt lurch with unfunded costs that force them to impact 6504 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

their budgets in places no one wants, the classroom. The forward by the Sled Dog Task Force. These are the toughest people of Nelson-Creston want to know why this gov- animal cruelty laws in the country. I would like to thank ernment is celebrating the 100th year of B.C. Parks by the hon. member for Kamloops–North Thompson, our cutting their budget yet again. Minister of Environment, and also the hon. member for The people of Nelson-Creston want to know where Comox Valley, our Minister of Agriculture, for their MSP increases generating an extra $147 million last assistance. Animal cruelty is a key issue that gets raised year are going, because we're still without a surgeon at by constituents in my riding. Kootenay Lake Hospital. We still have 2,000 orphaned The province will immediately begin the process to patients in the Creston Valley, and we still have over- make changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, worked public health nurses covering regions the size of including increasing penalties up to $75,000 and 24 months some European countries. in prison for the most serious offences, extending the cur- The people of Nelson-Creston want to know about rent six-month limitation period for prosecuting offences affordable housing programs. They want to know about and requiring mandatory reporting of animal abuse by municipal infrastructure. They want to know aboutB .C. veterinarians. TheBC SPCA has also received $100,000 to Hydro. enhance their capacity for animal cruelty investigations. [1720] The sled dog report also recommended ten changes to They want to know how this government can even enhance the health, welfare and protection of sled dogs talk about families when all it does is cater to a few who in British Columbia and to strengthen animal protec- reap the dividends for massive corporate tax cuts while tion legislation, including development of a mandatory we pay more and more and more. The good people of code of practice for sled dog operators and improved Nelson-Creston want to know how this government can communication and awareness of animal abuse. talk change when all it ever offers is the status quo. The other major announcement that came very recently after the Premier was elected was on gaming grants.A lmost J. Thornthwaite: I am pleased to stand in support of this 2,600 groups share $15 million extra in gaming grants. budget today — a responsible budget, a balance between This announcement was just made last week. Again, I prudent fiscal management of taxpayers' money and a thank the hon. member from Oak Bay — our Minister recovery budget to help get us out of the worst economic of Community, Sport and Cultural Development — for downturn of our generation, with a responsible amount making this announcement for us. of spending to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens They are only a small fraction of the other announce- get the care and services they need. ments that have been made over the last couple of years First off,I would like to congratulate our new leaders — since I was elected in 2009. This is in addition to the fact both with new energy in a new session. Congratulations that we have been suffering from the worst economic to the member for Vancouver-Kingsway in his leadership downturn that we have had. win. And of course, congratulations to our new Premier [1725] and the future member for Vancouver–Point Grey. Some of the groups and some of the announcements have In addition to congratulating our new Premier and her been of interest to people that are in my constituency. very successful campaign for leadership, I would like to The North Shore Disability Resource Centre — last highlight some of the key announcements that she has year, we gave them $77,000. In February of this year made during her first few days as our new Premier. The we gave them a top-up for almost $20,000, and another key announcements that have been mentioned to me by $19,250 announced two weeks ago. my constituents — that they are most pleased about — Parkgate Community Services Society, which is a very are, first, the minimum wage. prominent organization that combines government as Effective this Sunday, the general minimum wage well as non-profit and volunteers and provides many, increases from $8 per hour to $8.75 per hour. The first- many services in my riding. They received over $39,000 job wage, also known as the training wage that was very in the last announcement, and in the most recent one, unpopular, is now repealed and no longer in effect. So just a couple of weeks ago, almost $30,000. we've got an increase in the minimum wage, in response So there have been some significant announcements to comments that we had from many groups over many in my riding, as well as across the province, that have years, to $8.75 an hour starting May 1, to $9.50 an hour helped to assist non-profit groups and organizations starting November 1, and up to $10.25 per hour on and service providers in our province. Even the Young May 1, 2012. I think this first announcement was a clas- Naturalists Club of British Columbia, which services not sic example of how this government is new, and it's just environmental organizations but also children and listening, and it's bringing forward and delivering. education, received a top-up of $10,000 on top of their The second major announcement that a lot of my con- original $10,000 that they had last fall. stituents had made very, very positive comments about So I'm very, very pleased that this funding for 500 was the toughest animal cruelty laws that were brought organizations was topped up to close to previous level Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6505 years. Beneficiaries included, in addition to the ones I spent 22 years of my professional career as a nutri- that I mentioned, youth; arts; culture groups; commun- tionist helping people live healthier lives, giving advice ity service groups, such as the Rotary and Kiwanis; fairs; to individuals, groups and companies on how they can festivals; museums; and organizations involved in com- best prevent chronic diseases simply by making wiser munity education, such as Parent Support Services. choices at the supermarket. There are many high-skilled There were other groups also, in the health and social professional people working in hospitals, universities services sector: transition houses, food banks, drop-in and clinics across the province. They serve millions of centres. And putting families first, the province targeted people across our province and help them get well and this funding to help food banks meeting growing demand back on their feet. as well as support for youth and family programs, parent Our top-notch health care system costs money, advisory councils and district parent advisory councils. though — lots of money. And with technology allowing Last year we upped the rate for students, for parent us to live longer and everyone demanding more, we are advisory councils, to $20 per student, and just recently, at a cusp right now, as are all jurisdictions in the world, two weeks ago, they got an extra top-up of $5 per stu- as to how we are going to pay for it all and serve the dent. So these are very significant for parent advisory people that we govern. councils. They contribute a lot, and they go directly to Likewise in our education system and social service the parent advisory councils themselves in each school, system — it all costs money. These are expenditure min- and this is on top of their regular education funding. istries. Where and how do we pay for this all? A good In addition to the announcements of the extra fund- economy. Because good government policies encourage ing for these community gaming grants, a prominent investment and help businesses and industry to set up individual — probably a retired judge — who is in- shop here and provide jobs for our citizens — good gov- dependent of government will be appointed to head the ernment policies that grow our revenue industries, like review to examine the role of government in gaming mining, forestry, oil and gas, energy and tourism. Taxes and input from charities, community members, indus- also pay for the services that we demand, that we de- try representatives and local government. serve and that we enjoy. So again, these last three announcements that…. Expenses and revenue. Just like I run my home in Members of my community, constituents of North order to pay for my family and my kids, our govern- Vancouver–Seymour, had expressed complete satisfac- ment has to balance these in order to provide the health, tion and gratitude that this new government under our the education and the social services for the people new leader is listening and delivering to the residents of of B.C. and for the citizens, my constituents in North British Columbia as well as North Vancouver–Seymour. Vancouver–Seymour. Our economy is improving, but we are not out of the I draw your attention, when I was reading the budget, water yet — hence, the reason for this status quo budget. to table A12. There is a table that's very interesting: Prudent management of the economy is what taxpay- "Expense by function." There I looked at the percentage ers want. British Columbians have fared much better of the total expenses of each ministry. than many of the jurisdictions around the world. Even I looked at, in particular, the expenditure ministries — our neighbours to the south are still struggling to get out Health, Education, social services, and Housing. Health from under the burden of some governmental decisions takes up almost 40 percent; Education, including the that were made that did not make prudent fiscal man- kindergarten-to-grade-12s and post-secondary, almost agement of the taxpayers' dollars a priority. 30 percent; and social services — in other words, so- Spending beyond our means now would mean in- cial assistance for our most vulnerable, child care, and creasing the burden on our future and on our children. It community living and housing — just under 10 percent. eventually catches up to you, either in your own family's That leaves 20 percent for everything else that govern- budget or with the government's budget. Eventually we ment must provide for their citizens — transportation, pay too much to service the debt in our own families, natural resources, etc. thereby reducing our spending ability, and likewise from So I match that to what I'm hearing from my constitu- a government perspective. Spending beyond our means ents. What do the people of North Vancouver–Seymour will result in higher taxes in the future for everyone but want from their government? I wrote an article in one also the ones we are trying to protect or those in our of our local newspapers after the leadership election, communities that are most vulnerable to change. and I asked my constituents: what were their priorities? I often find myself connecting the dots between rev- What is important to them? Their answers: health, edu- enue and expenditures — the revenue ministries versus cation, transportation and a rehaul of the gaming grants the expenditure ministries. Health and education, for — exactly what we're doing. instance, which my professional and previous political I asked them what they thought a families-first career centred around. agenda looked like. What are we doing really well, what [1730] should we continue doing, and what could we be doing 6506 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

better? And then I matched what I heard from my con- Currently our school district is building new facili- stituents to what our government has accomplished over ties including Ridgeway and Carson Graham as we the years, what has been announced in the last couple of speak, and the educational services centre and artists for months and how my constituents in North Vancouver– kids gallery. Queen Mary Elementary is next on the list. Seymour had similar concerns and priorities to the rest Lastly, Windsor Secondary received a comprehensive of the province. seismic upgrade and has this new artificial turf field that Let's take education. In my riding of North Vancouver– I just mentioned. We've got a couple of other projects Seymour we are just about to announce the opening of that are on the way. the new artificial turf field at Windsor Secondary School. So there's lots happening in North Vancouver– This project has brought together many funding and Seymour when it comes to education, and there's lots community partners, including federal, provincial and happening in North Vancouver–Seymour when it comes municipal governments; the school districts; commun- to building new schools. ity sporting groups; and local industry. What about transportation? That was another one of This project, valued at over $3.3 million, has been the issues that a lot of people in my constituency have made possible thanks to an almost $2.2 million grant expressed an interest in, and also a priority as far as funded jointly by the government of Canada and the spending. On the North Shore right now there are a province of British Columbia and Canexus, a long- couple of projects going on — big projects. There's the standing business partner in our community, which has Lions Gate Bridge, which just received over $125 mil- generously donated $1.2 million towards this project. lion in funding, and the Old Capilano or Blue Bridge, [1735] including transit improvements, received $40 million in In addition to the direct funding, North Vancouver total funding — $22 million from the province, and $18 district, North Vancouver school district No. 44, and million from the infrastructure stimulus fund, which is the North Vancouver Community Sport and Recreation federal. Again, this is another good example of the part- Council will provide and have been providing technical nerships of all levels of government coming together and in-kind support. The official opening is scheduled to and making things happen for our constituents. occur in the next week or so, just in time for my 12-year- More importantly, in my own riding, right in North old to enter her first years in high school in September Vancouver–Seymour, right by the Highway 1, Fern of 2011. She will be attending Windsor. Street and Exit 22 — that's a bottleneck. It's always been What other exciting announcements have we had in a problem, some would say a nightmare, if you live in North Vancouver–Seymour in the education field?H ow North Vancouver–Seymour, getting back and forth, about the Capilano University film school? This is an- to and fro, as well as for folks that are going along the other partnership project with the federal government. Highway 1 corridor up to the Sea to Sky, to and from A $30.2 million investment from the federal and prov- Vancouver or Burnaby. incial governments is funding the construction of a new So far the provincial government has spent $500,000 film centre, the building, at Capilano University as we to date on evaluation studies on trying to revamp this speak. I'm scheduled to go for a tour very shortly. particular infrastructure project, and it's my number Capilano University school of motion picture arts one priority, as well, moving forward for a transporta- is the largest film school in western Canada and offers tion improvement in our riding. a wide range of full-time certificate and diploma pro- What other funds have happened and occurred re- grams that prepare students for a variety of career paths cently to do with the community gaming grants? How including motion picture production, cinematography, about some of the new arts funding announcements? costuming and indigenous digital film-making. TheN orth Vancouver arts legacy fund's flow went toB .C. What about the K-to-12 education system? In addi- Spirit Festivals. They received $45,000 from the province tion to the per-pupil funding and extra funding for to commemorate B.C.'s 2010 Olympic success by enlist- special needs, the ministry also provides extra grants for ing local arts and cultural organizations to lead B.C.'s different school districts depending on each district's in- Spirit Festivals that were held last February to commem- dividual circumstances. This is in addition to the capital orate the anniversary of the Olympics. funding and annual facility grants, which help pay for [1740] renovations, seismic upgrades, maintenance and new The B.C. Arts Council more recently also approved schools. almost $300,000 in provincial government grants to 12 Recent seismic upgrades in North Vancouver have arts and culture organizations in the North Shore. The been at Carisbrooke and Canyon Heights elemen- 2010 sports and arts legacy builds on the success of the tary schools. North Vancouver school district has also 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Cultural built many new schools in the last few years: Westview, Olympiad by providing $30 million over three years to en- Highlands, Lynn Valley and Sutherland, with its new hance opportunities in the arts for all British Columbians. track and field facilities. In the 2010-2011 year the Arts Council received $7.75 Thursday, April 28, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6507

million from the legacy to help implement its strategic community services that we desire and we want…? They plan. come from taxes, and choices have to be made. Taxes Lastly, I'd like to talk briefly about the HST. After pay for services. You simply can't have it both ways. The much controversy, this new government is listening. We most fair way to tax is a value-added tax that allows in- agree that the way that it was brought forward was not dividuals to decide where and when and what they're ideal, but we still believe that it is the best choice for all going to spend their money on. So if we do have to tax, British Columbians. Why? Because value-added taxes the HST is the fairest way to do it in order to pay for the are a fairer tax than other taxes. Virtually all developed services that our citizens demand. nations have adopted a value-added tax. It will make us Mr. Speaker, noting the hour, I would like to reserve more competitive and encourage investment. my right to continue my remarks and move adjourn- However, having said all that, we have an upcoming ment of the debate until next time. referendum to allow the citizens themselves to decide on their own. We have town hall meetings coming up J. Thornthwaite moved adjournment of debate. and an informative website. In fact, we just got a notice today that 33,000 people have participated in the first Motion approved. two HST telephone town hall meetings in Surrey and in [1745] Peace River. These Talking Tax public engagement ses- sions provide a timely and important opportunity for Hon. R. Coleman: First of all, I'd like to inform the government to listen to the public and help determine House of an agreement reached by the government and what improvements may be made to the HST. the opposition and the independents to close budget de- There are provincewide tele–town halls conducted bate one-half day earlier to permit moving into other by region, stakeholder meetings with a wide variety of important House business including estimates debates. groups with interest in the HST, and website informa- That would mean that the budget debate would be com- tion and suggestions for improvement. We are receiving pleted by noon on Tuesday. input on suggestions for improvement, and we wel- come input from everybody on how we may improve Motions Without Notice the HST. Over the last few months I have talked with many COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY constituents about the HST. I can tell you that even one TO SIT IN TWO SECTIONS of the folks in my riding who was an ardent opponent when it was introduced…. He is a small business man, Hon. R. Coleman: Hon. Speaker, by leave, I move: a very successful small business man, in my riding. He [Be it resolved that this House hereby authorizes the Committee owns a very successful franchise of coffee shops on the of Supply for this Session to sit in two sections designated Section A and Section B; Section A to sit in such Committee Room as may North Shore. Recently he told me that he was voting for be appointed from time to time, and Section B to sit in the Chamber the HST. Why? He feels that to go back to the PST and of the Assembly, subject to the following rules: the GST would be too difficult, too cumbersome and ex- 1. The StandingO rders applicable to the Committee of the Whole pensive, and that we would all come out worse in the House shall be applicable in both Sections of the Committee of long run than we are right now. Supply save and except that in Section A, a Minister may defer to a Deputy Minister to permit such Deputy to reply to a question put to the Minister. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] 2. All Estimates shall stand referred to Section A, save and except those Estimates as shall be referred to Section B on motion with- I was interested to hear what the top two issues were out notice by the Government House Leader, which motion shall that the opposition members brought forward in the first be decided without amendment or debate and be governed by question period that we have had since coming back to Practice Recommendation #6 relating to Consultation. 3. Section A shall consist of 17 Members, being 10 Members of session. The two ministers who were being questioned the B.C. Liberal Party and 6 Members of the New Democratic by the opposition were the Minister of Finance about Party and one Independent. In addition, the Deputy Chair of the the HST and the Minister of Social Development about Committee of the Whole, or his or her nominee, shall preside a perceived lack of services for group homes and com- over the debates in Section A. Substitution of Members will be munity gaming grants. I find that fascinating. permitted to Section A with the consent of the Member's Whip, where applicable, otherwise with the consent of the Member It is like a conversation that I recall I had with my chil- involved. For the third session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, dren a few years back: "Mommy needs to work in order the Members of Section A shall be as follows: the Minister whose to pay for that trip to Disneyland. If mommy doesn't Estimates are under consideration and Messrs. Bennett, Dalton, work, then we can't go to Disneyland. What would you Hayer, Lee, Letnick, Pimm, and Rustad and Mmes. Barnett and Thornthwaite, and Messrs. Horgan, S. Simpson and Lali and Mmes. prefer?" "Disneyland." Elmore, Mungall and Hammell and Ms. Huntington. Where do the members of the opposition think the 4. At fifteen minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjourn- money to service those group homes and to service the ment of the House, the Chair of Section A will report to the House. 6508 British Columbia Debates Thursday, April 28, 2011

In the event such report includes the last vote in a particular minis- 9. Bills or Estimates previously referred to a designated Committee terial Estimate, after such report has been made to theH ouse, the may at any stage be subsequently referred to another designated Government shall have a maximum of eight minutes, and the Official Committee on motion of the Government House Leader or the Opposition a maximum of five minutes, and all other Members Minister responsible for the Bill as hereinbefore provided by Rule (cumulatively) a maximum of three minutes to summarize the Nos. 2 and 8.] Committee debate on a particular ministerial Estimate completed, such summaries to be in the following order: Leave granted. (1) Other Members; (2) Opposition; and Motion approved. (3) Government. 5. Section B shall be composed of all Members of the House. 6. Divisions in Section A will be signalled by the ringing of the Hon. R. Coleman: By agreement, I move that the division bells four times. House, at its rising, do stand adjourned until Tuesday, 7. Divisions in Section B will be signalled by the ringing of the May 3, 2011, at 10 a.m. division bells three times at which time proceedings in Section A will be suspended until completion of the division in Section B. Motion approved. 8. Section A is hereby authorized to consider Bills referred to Com- mittee after second reading thereof and the StandingO rders applicable to Bills in Committee of the Whole shall be applicable to such Bills Hon. R. Coleman moved adjournment of the House. during consideration thereof in Section A, and for all purposes Section A shall be deemed to be a Committee of the Whole. Such Mr. Speaker: ThisH ouse stands adjourned till Tuesday, referrals to Section A shall be made upon motion without notice by the Minister responsible for the Bill, and such motion shall be May 3, at 10 a.m. decided without amendment or debate. Practice Recommendation #6 relating to Consultation shall be applicable to all such referrals. The House adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Hansard Production

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