Second Session, 41st Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday, September 18, 2017 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 19

THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER

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

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC

Second Session, 41st Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas

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

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Ofcial Opposition...... Deputy Speaker...... Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ...... Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ...... Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...... Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ...... Gary Lenz ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal) ...... Penticton Abbotsford-Mission ...... Simon Gibson Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...... Surrey-Newton ...... Hon. Darryl Plecas Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ...... Cariboo-Chilcotin ...... Michael de Jong, QC Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP)...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Boundary-Similkameen...... Linda Larson Begg, Garry (NDP) ...... Surrey-Guildford Burnaby–Deer Lake ...... Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) ...... Burnaby-Edmonds ...... Raj Chouhan Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)...... Prince George–Valemount Burnaby-Lougheed...... Hon. Katrina Chen Brar, Jagrup (NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood ...... Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)...... Cariboo-Chilcotin...... Donna Barnett Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ...... –West End ...... Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP)...... Burnaby-Lougheed Chilliwack...... John Martin Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...... Burnaby-Edmonds Chilliwack-Kent...... Laurie Troness Chow, Hon. George (NDP)...... Vancouver-Fraserview Columbia River–Revelstoke...... Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal) ...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Joan Isaacs Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal) ...... Coquitlam-Maillardville...... Hon. Selina Robinson Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)...... Kootenay West Courtenay-Comox ...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Darcy, Hon. Judy (NDP) ...... New Westminster Cowichan Valley ...... Davies, Dan (BC Liberal) ...... ...... de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford West ...... Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...... Esquimalt-Metchosin Esquimalt-Metchosin...... D'Eith, Bob (NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Mission Fraser-Nicola...... Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kamloops–North Tompson...... Donaldson, Hon. Doug (NDP)...... Stikine Kamloops–South Tompson ...... Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP)...... Vancouver–Point Grey Kelowna–Lake Country...... Elmore, Mable (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kensington Kelowna-Mission...... Steve Tomson Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP)...... Port Coquitlam ...... Vacant Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP)...... Victoria–Swan Lake Kootenay East ...... Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)...... Vernon-Monashee Kootenay West ...... Hon. Katrine Conroy Fraser, Hon. Scott (NDP) ...... Mid Island–Pacifc Rim Langford–Juan de Fuca...... Hon. John Horgan Furstenau, Sonia (Independent)...... Cowichan Valley Langley...... Mary Polak Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford-Mission Langley East ...... Rich Coleman Glumac, Rick (NDP)...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Maple Ridge–Mission ...... Bob D'Eith Heyman, Hon. George (NDP)...... Vancouver-Fairview Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ...... Hon. Lisa Beare Horgan, Hon. John (NDP)...... Langford–Juan de Fuca Mid Island–Pacifc Rim ...... Hon. Scott Fraser Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey-Cloverdale ...... Leonard Eugene Krog Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal) ...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Nechako Lakes ...... Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...... Richmond-Queensborough Nelson-Creston...... Hon. Michelle Mungall Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)...... Delta North New Westminster ...... Hon. Judy Darcy Kang, Anne (NDP)...... Burnaby–Deer Lake North Coast...... Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ...... Nanaimo North Island ...... Hon. Claire Trevena Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)...... Shuswap North Vancouver–Lonsdale ...... Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) ...... Boundary-Similkameen North Vancouver–Seymour ...... Jane Tornthwaite Lee, Michael (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Langara Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...... Dr. Andrew Weaver Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ...... Courtenay-Comox Parksville-Qualicum ...... Michelle Stilwell Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna–Lake Country Peace River North...... Ma, Bowinn (NDP)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Peace River South...... Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Penticton...... Martin, John (BC Liberal)...... Chilliwack Port Coquitlam ...... Hon. Mike Farnworth Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–North Tompson Port Moody–Coquitlam ...... Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ...... Prince George–Mackenzie Powell River–Sunshine Coast ...... Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP)...... Nelson-Creston Prince George–Mackenzie ...... Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal) ...... Cariboo North Prince George–Valemount...... Olsen, Adam (Independent) ...... Saanich North and the Islands ...... Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)...... Delta South Richmond-Queensborough ...... Plecas, Hon. Darryl (Independent)...... Abbotsford South ...... Linda Reid Polak, Mary (BC Liberal) ...... Langley Richmond-Steveston...... John Yap Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)...... Saanich North and the Islands...... Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) ...... Surrey-Whalley Saanich South...... Hon. Lana Popham Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey–White Rock Shuswap ...... Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond South Centre Skeena ...... Rice, Jennifer (NDP)...... North Coast Stikine ...... Hon. Doug Donaldson Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Surrey-Cloverdale...... Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)...... Skeena Surrey-Fleetwood ...... Jagrup Brar Routledge, Janet (NDP)...... Burnaby North Surrey–Green Timbers ...... Routley, Doug (NDP) ...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Guildford ...... Rustad, John (BC Liberal) ...... Nechako Lakes Surrey-Newton...... Hon. Harry Bains Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal) ...... Kootenay East Surrey-Panorama...... Hon. Jinny Sims Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Surrey South...... Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Surrey-Whalley...... Hon. Bruce Ralston Sims, Hon. Jinny (NDP) ...... Surrey-Panorama Surrey–White Rock...... Tracy Redies Singh, Rachna (NDP) ...... Surrey–Green Timbers Vancouver-Fairview ...... Hon. George Heyman Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)...... Parksville-Qualicum Vancouver–False Creek...... Sam Sullivan Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–South Tompson Vancouver-Fraserview ...... Hon. George Chow Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver-Hastings ...... Hon. Shane Simpson Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver–False Creek Vancouver-Kensington ...... Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver-Kingsway ...... Hon. Adrian Dix Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ...... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver-Langara ...... Michael Lee Tomson, Steve (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver–Mount Pleasant ...... Hon. Melanie Mark Tornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ...... North Vancouver–Seymour Vancouver–Point Grey...... Hon. David Eby, QC Troness, Laurie (BC Liberal) ...... Chilliwack-Kent Vancouver-Quilchena ...... , QC Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) ...... North Island Vancouver–West End...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond North Centre Vernon-Monashee...... Eric Foster Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Independent)...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Victoria–Beacon Hill ...... Hon. Carole James Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver-Quilchena Victoria–Swan Lake ...... Hon. Rob Fleming Yap, John (BC Liberal)...... Richmond-Steveston West Vancouver–Capilano ...... Ralph Sultan Vacant...... Kelowna West West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ......

Party Standings: NDP 41; BC Liberal 41; Independent 4; Vacant 1

CONTENTS

Monday, September 18, 2017 Afernoon Sitting Page

Routine Business

Introductions by Members...... 441

Tributes ...... 441 Twyla Roscovich J. Rice Bruce Hill J. Rice

Introductions by Members...... 441

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 441 Bill 3 — Election Amendment Act, 2017 Hon. D. Eby

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 442 Community markets in Esquimalt-Metchosin area M. Dean Richmond Hospital and Richmond Hospital Foundation T. Wat Facilities for families in downtown Vancouver S. Chandra Herbert Clarke McGuire J. Yap Pedram Amani B. Ma North Shore Disability Resource Centre and fundraising event J. Tornthwaite

Oral Questions...... 444 State-of-emergency status for wildfres R. Coleman Hon. M. Farnworth Freedom-of-information requests for wildfre loss cases C. Oakes Hon. M. Farnworth Government response to businesses impacted by wildfres D. Barnett Hon. M. Farnworth Allan Schoenborn and high-risk designation P. Milobar Hon. D. Eby Greyhound bus service S. Bond Hon. C. Trevena

Tabling Documents...... 449 B.C. Judicial Compensation Commission, report, 2016 B.C. Judges Compensation Commission, report, 2013

Points of Privilege (Reservation of Right)...... 449 J. Rustad D. Barnett

Government Motions on Notice ...... 449 Motion 1 — Changes to question period and daily House business Hon. M. Farnworth M. de Jong Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued) ...... 450 T. Stone Hon. S. Simpson S. Cadieux Hon. S. Robinson A. Olsen Hon. J. Darcy M. Hunt Hon. G. Chow J. Tegart Hon. K. Conroy 441

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 Tributes

Te House met at 1:35 p.m. TWYLA ROSCOVICH

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.] J. Rice: B.C. has lost two wild-salmon warriors this week. Twyla Roscovich, an environmental advocate and flm- Routine Business maker, was a tireless advocate for protecting our coast and for protecting B.C.’s wild salmon. She was an incredible Introductions by Members empath and loved by so many up and down the coast, and she was loved across this province. Hon. J. Horgan: Today I was joined in my ofce by I went to Northwest Community College with Twyla over Braden Webb and his caregiver Johnny Vantol, both visiting a decade ago, and I remember her to be compassionate, pas- from Delta — actually, the constituency of the member for sionate yet a respectful debater. She leaves behind a four- Delta South. Now, the interesting part of Braden’s visit was year-old daughter. A GoFundMe page has been set up for her that he came into the ofce with some authority and advised future, if anyone cares to contribute to that. all present that he was there to see the Premier, that he had important issues to discuss. And that was absolutely true. He BRUCE HILL had business to discuss. It wasn’t for himself. It was mostly for his aunt in Kamloops, who was not getting access to J. Rice: We lost Bruce Hill this morning, another tireless handyDART services. advocate and a giant of a man who spent his entire life stand- Braden made the case that we need more handyDART ing up for people and places. He’s known for his work in services in British Columbia. I took him at his word. I will the north, whether that’s protecting the Sacred Headwaters bring forward more information and work with the Min- of the Stikine, the Nass and the Skeena rivers or protecting ister of Finance to see what we can do to assist not only the coast from oil tankers. He was a giant of a man. He had a Braden’s aunt in Kamloops but those right across British giant of a personality. He was so hard on me, but he believed Columbia who need access to handyDART services. I will in me, and I owe a lot for my place in this House to Bruce also say, as a Vancouver Islander, that Braden had some Hill. I’m sad to know that we’ve lost him this morning. issues around B.C. Ferries as well. [1:40 p.m.] Would the House please make both Braden and Johnny very, very welcome. Introductions by Members

D. Davies: It is my great pleasure that I introduce E. Foster: I have four guests in the House today, friends someone today who I served with as a colleague on a city of mine from the Shuswap area, actually, who are here vis- council for 12 years. I’d like this House to make welcome one iting the precinct for the frst time — which really surprises of the hardest-working mayors in Fort St. John, Her Worship me, because they’re very politically active people. Would the Mayor Lori Ackerman. House please make welcome Cindy Derkaz; her husband, Don Derby; and their friends Lois and David Higgins. Wel- J. Sturdy: In the House today are two of my favourite come to the House. constituents. One is known as the Queen of Whistler, or so it seems to be a more common occurrence. It’s the may- Introduction and First Reading of Bills or of Whistler. Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden and one of her councillors, Jack Crompton, who is also the chair BILL 3 — ELECTION of the Squamish-Lillooet regional district, are here to talk AMENDMENT ACT, 2017 Sea to Sky regional transit. May the House please make them welcome. Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Election Amendment S. Furstenau: It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce my Act, 2017. friend, colleague and mentor Mark Neufeld, who is here with his students from Claremont School. He teaches in Hon. D. Eby: I move that the bill intituled the Election the Institute for Global Solutions. He is the teacher I Amendment Act, 2017, be introduced and read a frst time wanted to grow up and be. I’m absolutely delighted he’s now. here in the House with us today with his students. Please make them feel welcome. Motion approved.

Hon. D. Eby: I am pleased to introduce Bill 3, the Election Amendment Act, 2017. Tis bill honours our government’s 442 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 commitment to get the big money out of politics. Te bill variety of music each week. makes signifcant changes to the Election Act’s rules respect- [1:45 p.m.] ing political contributions, election expenses, loans and On Wednesdays, it’s the Q market in Colwood, which debts, fundraising functions and the regulation of third- ofers a wonderful, bright and inspiring range of crafs and party advertisers. goods. Here I recognize the art of local jewelry designers, Te bill proposes to ban union and corporate political local brewing companies and other home-based products contributions, as well as political contributions from outside and services. Te market flls with visitors and families who of B.C. It proposes an annual limit of $1,200 on contribu- browse the stalls, dance to music and grab a bite to eat. tions from eligible individuals to any one political party and On Tursdays, my regular haunt is the Esquimalt Farmers its candidates. Te bill also places strict restrictions and pub- Market, which serves as a community gathering point. It lic reporting requirements on fundraising functions held at builds relationships, encourages healthy local living, envir- private residences. onmental and economic sustainability. Not only is it full Te bill has retroactive efect, restricting the future use of great-quality, cutting-edge artisan and locally produced of contributions received before the bill comes into force. goods and crafs; it also has a park for dogs and a wonderful Any donations not received in accordance with the new rules playground for kids of all ages. A diferent band plays each would not be permitted to be used for future election week. Families bring blankets, and they make a whole even- expenses under the bill’s provisions. ing out the entertainment and the atmosphere and food. Although this bill introduces the second-lowest individual Finally, on Saturdays, I visit Goldstream Market to stock donation limit in , the bill does not provide a per- up on baked goods and peruse other crafs from our creative manent, public per-vote funding mechanism like in Ontario community. I appreciate the opportunity to visit with our or Quebec. Instead, political parties that received at least 10 local vendors, learn about their productive process and do percent of the vote in the most recent general election will be my part to support our local economy. It feels good to buy provided with an allowance that declines each year and ends from those who grow B.C. so that my family can eat B.C. in 2022. Tis allowance is temporary and is intended to be used by parties to transition away from corporate and union RICHMOND HOSPITAL AND donations. RICHMOND HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Te bill also proposes to lower the previously allowable election spending limits for political parties and candid- T. Wat: We all work hard to maintain our good health in ates by 25 percent. In addition, third-party sponsors of the hopes of living a long life and staying out of hospital, if direct election advertising will be subject to the same we can. But when we do fnd ourselves in the midst of med- donation limits as political parties and candidates. Tey ical challenges, it is reassuring to know our local hospitals will also be subject to additional disclosure and account- and health care providers are there to assess those problems ability requirements. and treat them efectively. Finally, the bill establishes new monetary penalties for Our Richmond Hospital has done that for more than 30 contravening election fnancing and election advertising years. Since 1966, Richmond Hospital has delivered high- rules. quality health care to residents of Richmond and Delta and I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for is ofen relied upon to treat travellers who fall ill at Van- second reading at the next sitting of the House afer today. couver International Airport and the Tsawwassen ferry ter- minal. But right now, the hospital faces challenges of its own. Bill 3, Election Amendment Act, 2017, introduced, read a With Richmond’s population growing rapidly, especially frst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for our seniors population, there are more and more people second reading at the next sitting of the House afer today. seeking care, and our aging facilities and equipment need to be upgraded. Tat’s where Richmond Community Cares Statements (Standing Order 25B) Month comes in. Tis initiative by the hard-working Rich- mond Hospital Foundation reaches out to our diverse com- COMMUNITY MARKETS munity to raise funds throughout the month of September. IN ESQUIMALT-METCHOSIN AREA Te focus of this year’s fundraising is to help advance plans for a new acute care tower at the hospital. It’s a top pri- M. Dean: Trough the summer, I could have been at a ority for our community, and I hope it will be for this gov- local community market nearly every day of the week. It ernment as well. My sincere thanks go out to the foundation is a festive and vibrant season across my constituency of and their staf and volunteers who are working tirelessly to Esquimalt-Metchosin. support our community’s growing health care needs. On Sundays at the Metchosin Farmers Market, there’s a fresh array of locally grown vegetables, breads, jams, salsa, baked goods and herbs. I love to buy fresh tomatoes for a Sunday evening salad, and I sit on the green, listening to the Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 443

FACILITIES FOR FAMILIES award of excellence for leadership and community building IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER is all about.” Clarke would drop by my constituency ofce every now S. Chandra Herbert: Tey’re coming. Tey’re on their and again to update me on his latest endeavours. One that way. Tey’re coming. It’s getting busier every day. was very near and dear to him was leading Team B.C. at an No, the planners would say. Families don’t want to live annual paramedic competition in Europe. Te Rallye Rejvis downtown. Tey want to live in the burbs, where they can International Medical Rescue Competition is an internation- have a backyard. Well, you know what? Te people were al professional exercise and competition for emergency right; the planners were wrong. Tere are more and more medical service crews, founded in 1997. Under Clarke’s lead- kids moving downtown with their families all the time. In ership, Team B.C. not only won top honours but showcased fact, there are so many that our schools, our child care facil- B.C. paramedics to the world. ities and our public places are full to bursting. But there’s also another side to Clarke. He has provided Why do they live downtown? You’ve got the beaches. valued input for changes to the building codes to improve You’ve got the ocean, Stanley Park, the Y, Coal Harbour, lives for patients. Something that seems so simple today — West End community centres, Gordon House, Joe Fortes lib- insisting building elevators be installed that ft not only the rary. Te list goes on and on. But we need to act, because the paramedics but also the stretchers as well — were a result of schools are too crowded. Clarke’s input. I know we will get action. How do I know? Because our I ask the House to join me in congratulating Clarke community has seen these challenges before. We needed McGuire on his recent award and for all he has done for his play space. What did we do? We united. Under playground profession and for our province. chair Danny Laufer, we just recently opened a brand-new playground at Lord Roberts Annex. With the support of the PEDRAM AMANI Golden family, who put resources behind it, we fnally got that playground built, and this last week, I got to see it open B. Ma: Salaam, Mr. Speaker. for the frst time. You can see what communities working Te Iranian-Canadian community on the North Shore together can achieve. has shared so much with all of us here in Canada, not least What’s next? How do we deal with this crowded classroom of all their professional expertise and academic achieve- situation in downtown Vancouver that’s been lef for too ments. A brilliant example of this is 18-year-old Pedram long? We build new schools. Coal Harbour elementary Amani, a recent immigrant from Iran. Pedram was study- school must be built. Te great thing about that school is that ing at Tehran’s Atomic Energy High School before he and on top of it, we’ll get new child care, which is also needed. his family moved here to British Columbia in October of We’ll also get more afordable housing on top, which is also 2015. Pedram joined the IB program at West Vancouver desperately needed. Secondary School. [1:50 p.m.] Less than seven months afer joining us here in Canada, For years, we were told no. For years, we are going to con- Pedram was participating in the Canadian Association of tinue to act. Tis year I’m hoping we’ll fnally get action, Physicists High School Prize Exam, a nationally conducted because our community deserves it. Our community needs contest with approximately 2,000 participants. Pedram did it. When kids need something, they’re the ones we should very well for British Columbia, coming in fourth overall in listen to most of all. As a new dad, I’ve learned that very well. the country in 2016 and third overall in the country in 2017, I thank the community who have worked so hard to build the best performer in B.C. in this contest. the new playground and everybody who worked so hard to As a result of this performance on this test, he was invited get the Coal Harbour elementary school built. to join the Canadian Physics Olympiad National Program camp, where he earned the opportunity to compete in the CLARKE MCGUIRE 48th International Physics Olympiad as a member of Team Canada. Tis annual global physics competition for second- J. Yap: It’s an honour to rise in the House today to talk ary school students was held in Indonesia earlier this year, about my constituent Clarke McGuire. and Pedram came home with a bronze medal for Canada. Clarke is a well-known fgure in Richmond. Although Young Mr. Amani has lived in Canada for less than two retired now, sort of, he was an advanced life support para- years and has already represented Canada so well. Today medic in our province and in Richmond for 40 years. He Pedram is a new student at my own alma mater, the Uni- is also the frst recipient of a new national award, a Para- versity of British Columbia, where he is studying applied sci- medic Association of Canada’s Paramedicine Across Canada ences and hopes to enter the feld of engineering physics. Expo, or PACE, award. His former colleagues Gene Benoit I want to thank Pedram Amani and so many other immig- and Ron Van Houghton were instrumental in submitting rants like him who have chosen to share their talents with Clarke’s name for this award. Mr. Benoit describes Clarke as Canada and contribute to the beautiful mosaic that this follows: “He embodies everything that this inaugural PACE country can be. I wish him all the best in his future endeav- 444 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 ours. Merci. tory, the Plateau wildfre, continues to burn at almost the size of Prince Edward Island. Clearly, the fre season is still very NORTH SHORE DISABILITY RESOURCE much in full swing. CENTRE AND FUNDRAISING EVENT My question is to the Premier. Now that he’s cancelled the state of emergency, how many out-of-province fre- J. Tornthwaite: I rise today to recognize a North Shore fghters do you need to help fght these fres and get them association that has supported and empowered people with under control? And how many resources do we no longer disabilities for over four decades. have access to? [1:55 p.m.] Established in 1976 by a group of parents, professionals Hon. M. Farnworth: I can tell the Leader of the Opposi- and advocates, the North Shore Disability Resource Centre, tion — I thank him for his question — that the lifing of the located in the centre of my riding, has been working to provincewide state-of-emergency order has no impact on ensure that people with disabilities are provided with the our ability to access resources from wherever they are within opportunity to live comfortably in their communities and the country — coordinated through the centre in Winnipeg, actively participate as contributing members of our society. which we have an agreement with, and we work with other Tey are the only agency on the North Shore that provides provinces. So on that side of things, that does not impact our assistance to people of all ages with any sort of disability and ability to access resources at all. to their families and caregivers. In terms of the number of people who are currently under Today the association directly serves over 450 individuals, evacuation order, right now it is 1,322 and just over 6,000 on through a wide range of residential and community-based evacuation alert. Tat is down signifcantly from the peak, programs and services for people with physical, neurologic- where more than 45,000 people were under evacuation al, psychological, intellectual and sensory disabilities. order, which was 10,000 more than in the fres of 2003, and Tis coming weekend the North Shore Disability 65,000 people have been afected. Resource Centre Foundation will be hosting their annual Te lifing of the order was based on information comedy beneft event, taking place at North Vancouver’s provided by the people fghting the fres on the ground, the Centennial Teatre on Saturday, September 23. Tis year’s experts in the feld — that the conditions that are required event will feature comedy and music from iconic Canadian in order to lif that state of emergency were, by and large, in performers Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath. Proceeds place. As a result, the emergency was lifed. Tat does not from the event will go to help the centre administer a wide change, for example, local states of emergency. Tey contin- range of important services, from supporting seniors with ue to remain in efect. disabilities fnd housing to creating individually tailored plans to assist children with disabilities as they transition R. Coleman: To the minister, with the removal of the from youth to adult support services. state of emergency, British Columbia no longer has the same I want to thank the North Shore Disability Resource access to international incident teams and supports. Tis is Centre for their commitment to those in our community not according to us but according to emergency manage- with disabilities. I encourage everyone who’s in this area to ment B.C. Tis could not have come at a worse time, given buy tickets to this fantastic event. If you’re unable to attend that 1,000 of our frefghters have gone back to school and the event, I encourage everyone to give to this extraordinary numerous frefghters are tied up at the Elephant Hill and the foundation, at their website, at http://www.nsdrc.org/nsdrc- Plateau fres alone. foundation/. Te provincewide state of emergency is a unique situation, as the minister knows. It allows the minister to deploy any Oral Questions fre equipment, any personnel and any equipment other than fre equipment anywhere in the province at a moment’s STATE-OF-EMERGENCY STATUS notice, under his control. FOR WILDFIRES [2:00 p.m.] When you give that up, you no longer have the ability to R. Coleman: On Friday, the government ended the state backfll from fre department to fre department and move of emergency in British Columbia, which limits the people here to there to protect the communities and fght province’s ability to deploy resources. According to their these fres. Basically, the gap that we’re concerned about is own news release, the government ended the state of where you are getting the additional people that you have emergency despite the fact there are still 153 fres burning with those going back to work or back to school, wherever in B.C. and 11 evacuation orders in place afecting more they’re going to. Where are you getting the other 1,000 than 3,000 people. people you’ll need to fght the fres that are still burning Tere are another 23 evacuation alerts in place, meaning today? more than 5,700 people have been told to leave at a moment’s Last week the minister was quoted as saying the situation notice. Tis, despite the fact that the largest fre in B.C. his- is volatile, and he’s right. Tousands of British Columbians Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 445 are still afected by these fres. So what’s the plan? How many state of emergency of, you no longer have the ability to frefghters from B.C. do you have, and how many have to move fre people within British Columbia quickly to go to a come from out of province? Now that you’ve taken the state fre, because that’s what the provincewide state of emergency of emergency of provincewide and you’ve lost the ability to allows you to do. It actually allows you to move frefghters move people, where are those personnel coming from? from one community to another. Back in 2003, you saw fre trucks from Saanich in Oliver for fres because the state of Hon. M. Farnworth: Te Leader of the Opposition is in emergency allowed for the movement of those people. fact wrong. Te lifing of the state of emergency…. It’s nice Te reality is this, though. Less frefghters means, inevit- to hear some of the piping up from the back bench back ably, we’re not going to be able to prioritize our frefghting there, but you’re not experts on fghting fres. It’s the people system the way we want to. Some may be fought, while oth- on the ground who are. It’s the people in our fre services ers will be allowed to burn. At a time when there is roughly who are the experts. It’s emergency management B.C. who a fre the size of P.E.I. being fought in British Columbia, you are experts. know full well people cannot aford be pushed down gov- Tey’re the ones who have been monitoring the situation ernment’s priority lists. Tey need to know the protection is on the ground. Tey’re the ones who examine each of the there for them. components required to (1) put in a state of a provincial You’ve lost 1,000 people. Forget getting rid of the emergency but also (2) to lif that state of emergency. And provincewide state of emergency. You’ve lost 1,000 people, those experts are satisfed that the time is now, that enough who have gone. Have those 1,000 people been brought into progress has been made in enough of the key areas that we British Columbia — additional frefghters in British can lif that state of emergency. Columbia who are identifed to fght the 153 fres burning in As for the ability to access resources and where do they British Columbia today? come from, that’s very clear. Access to out-of-province or international frefghting resources do not rely on a pro- Hon. M. Farnworth: Te answer is yes. Tose resources vincial declaration of emergency. In fact, those continue to are in place today. Tose resources were in place when this be coordinated through the Canadian Interagency Forest fre season started. Tose resources will continue to be in Fire Centre, CIFFC, which is based in Winnipeg. I can tell place until this fre season is over. you that the discussions that have taken place within emer- [2:05 p.m.] gency management B.C. and the Wildfre Service…. Tose Te fact that we have lifed the provincewide state of resources are there and are still able to be accessed today. emergency does not impact our ability to access the We have been planning on this for quite some time, resources that are needed. In fact, as crews are rotated out, because of the nature of this fre season, which has been new crews have been rotated in, and in many cases, they unprecedented. Weeks and weeks ago they recognized that have come from Quebec and Ontario and other provinces. lots of people are going back to school, and plans were put Tis is a fre season that right from the very beginning…. in place to ensure that we have enough people coming for- Right from the moment when it became clear that it was ward. Provinces like both Ontario and Quebec, which have unprecedented, the planning work done by emergency man- had signifcantly lower fre seasons than expected, have the agement B.C. and the Wildfre Service has been consistent resources should we require them. and seamless through the transition of government, ensur- We’re able to get them. Tey’ll be coming through a ing that those resources are in place and will be in place and coordinated centre from Winnipeg. You don’t have to have will be in place till the end of this fre season. the state of emergency in place to access those resources. FREEDOM-OF-INFORMATION REQUESTS Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on a FOR WILDFIRE LOSS CASES second supplemental. C. Oakes: Well, I would welcome the minister to come R. Coleman: Tank you, Minister…. and talk to the constituents who have lost properties. He was in our community, had the opportunity to meet with con- Mr. Speaker: Member, if you may, direct your question stituents who’ve lost items and didn’t take that opportunity. through the Chair. Can you imagine anything as difcult as the uncertainty of being evacuated? You’re told that steps will be taken to pro- R. Coleman: Tank you, Mr. Speaker. tect your property, and we just heard from the minister that To the minister, I am very familiar with the provincewide there are lots of resources that are made available. Your live- state of emergency. It’s only been done in British Columbia lihood, as you see the fames tear along the horizon, knowing twice, and I did the frst one in 2003, during the 2003 fres. that they’re coming for everything that you have ever built, I know about the international relationships and moving that you have built with your own two hands. people around, but it doesn’t answer the question. Imagine not knowing for days, sometimes weeks, whether Te question is…. Now you’ve taken the provincewide your homes and your structures are still standing, whether 446 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 your horses and other livestock survived. Ten you fnd out [2:10 p.m.] that something went wrong, and in order to fnd out what Well, Minister, here is the reality. David McNab has lost happened, the only response from the government is to sub- his sawmill. He’s lost fve properties. In fact, they have lost mit a freedom-of-information request. everything that they require to live this winter on their prop- Many of these people are wiped out. Teir livelihoods are erty. When he was asked about his property, he was told that gone, and they are hurting. Can the minister explain to my he was required to go through freedom of information for constituent, Dave McNab, who has been told to enter the the documents, through the risk assessment branch of B.C. process that will take three to four months just so he can get Wildfre Service. He was then told that he would have to pay answers — answers that he requires to rebuild? $5,000 to get the documents detailing what actions had been taken to protect his property. Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for her ques- Mr. McNab did do this. Further, the McNab family are tion. As the member well knows, we have had upwards of under incredible stress, as so many constituents are who’ve 4,000 — almost 5,000, at some points — men and women lost everything. Tey don’t know what they will do this fghting the fres on the ground in the most unprecedented winter, and their stress is compounded with the punitive fre season we have seen in British Columbia’s history. nature of this. Tey have to pay a $5,000 fee to get access to Tose men and women do an amazing job, and it’s those information, information that is required for them to rebuild experts on the front lines and in emergency management their lives. B.C. and the Wildfre Service who determine when the A yes or no question to the minister: will he ensure Mr. state of emergency is lifed. McNab and others seeking information about the actions taken to protect their properties during this wildfre sea- Interjections. son have access to the documents without fees or lengthy wait times? Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall listen to the response. Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for her supple- Hon. M. Farnworth: Tank you, hon. Speaker. mental question because had she asked that the frst time, I As well, the government put in place, for which the mem- would have been able to give a more fulsome answer. ber was well able to access, a call every single day, at 8:30, to raise issues around individual constituents, which were Interjections. looked into. Tat happened, literally, since the very begin- ning of this government taking over. Mr. Speaker: Members. In terms of the meeting up in Quesnel, we met with both the mayor and council and the chamber of commerce. If the Hon. M. Farnworth: As I said, had the member outlined member has a specifc case to raise, rather than just saying a what the nature of the issue was, I would have been able to general FOI, all she has to do is, in fact, provide details, and give her a more fulsome answer. we will get her an answer and an answer immediately. I’ll say two things right now. One, we’re more than happy to sit down with the member and discuss this particular case Interjections. with her. Second, we are dealing with a system which her government has had in place for the last 16 years. Mr. Speaker: Members, order please. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO Hon. M. Farnworth: Te member asked a question BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY WILDFIRES around FOI. She hasn’t stated exactly what the nature of that question is. She hasn’t stated whether it relates to a specifc D. Barnett: Spruce Hills guest ranch, Loon Bay Resort, loss or not. Terra Nostra Guest Ranch and Ponderosa Resort are just Tose programs are in place. Te member is able to access a few small businesses in my constituency, many of which those, and we’re more than happy to sit down and provide are seasonal tourism operators, who have been hit hard by her the answers and that her constituents need. this wildfre season. Fire, smoke, road closures, Crown land closures, evacuations, destroyed infrastructure and cancelled Mr. Speaker: Te member for Cariboo North on a supple- bookings are a daily story. Tese businesses have had little, if mental. any, season yet are still faced with everyday bills, mortgages and looking afer their children and families. Tey’re won- C. Oakes: Te minister didn’t answer the question. Te dering who will help them to continue on. question was: why was Mr. McNab told that he was required Now the media is reporting the NDP government is say- to go through freedom of information to answer the ques- ing that property tax relief is not the best way to help wild- tion? Further, Minister, you received daily reports. You know fre-impacted communities, leaving many local small busi- full well that I was on all of those calls. nesses wondering where government’s help is. Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 447

My question is to the Minister of Finance. Enough with relief to these small businesses, which have been devastated the kind words, programs, consultation. Can she tell this by the wildfres of 2017, and quit blaming everybody else? House why she’s content to let small businesses sufer afer the worst summer of wildfres on record? Hon. M. Farnworth: You know, we’re not interested in blaming anybody. We’re interested in getting to the bottom Hon. M. Farnworth: I can tell the member that on this and fxing the problem on the ground in those areas. While the action the government has taken has been quite consid- that member and that member went into a fre station one erable, particularly recognizing some of the key issues that day, asked for a helicopter tour and diverted staf resources the very businesses she has been talking about are facing. away from fghting fres, we had thousands of men and One, we announced an additional $200,000 through the women fghting fres on the ground. Ministry of Tourism. In terms of the small business pro- We have emergency management B.C. and a coordinated gram, we have put in place the initial $1,500 to help small ministerial process underway to deal with the issues on businesses, which was something that was not in place recovery. when that party sat on this side of the House but was, in fact, modelled on the program that took place in the Fort Interjections. McMurray fre. We extended the credits for people who were evacuated, Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, order. We will listen to from $600 for the frst two weeks to continue for every time the response, please. that they were under evacuation. We are looking at all additional measures in terms of what Hon. M. Farnworth: We have a recovery plan that’s else support we can supply. Te $100 million fund that was underway. We have allocated more than $600,000 to help established and that has since been matched, in part, by the tourism businesses in British Columbia. Tat’s not blaming federal government — much of that money is now being anybody; that’s taking action. looked at in terms of how we can allocate to fll in those gaps We are working with the federal government on addi- that are not covered, for example, by insurance. tional measures that can be put in place to help those on [2:15 p.m.] the ground who’ve lost business. Guess what. Tat’s under- As the member well knows, the existing programs in way. We’ve said that we will look at additional measures. place, which for 16 years served her government so well, All measures are on the table. It’s that member on that side, including back in 2003, do not cover insurable situations. those members over there, who don’t want to listen. For example, many businesses are expected to have their own fre insurance. Mr. Speaker: Te member for Cariboo-Chilcotin on a Having said that, we are looking at what other initiatives supplemental, if you wish. can be undertaken. I know the member submitted to me a Te member for Kamloops–North Tompson. request that we waive property taxes for 2018, amongst other things. We are looking at what additional measures we can ALLAN SCHOENBORN take, but we will also make sure that we do the proper policy AND HIGH-RISK DESIGNATION work to make sure that we’re not covering costs that will be covered by the federal disaster assistance or that we cannot P. Milobar: On Tursday, the B.C. prosecution service cover because they are deemed to be insurable already. announced it would not be pursuing an appeal of the judge’s decision to deny the high-risk designation for Allan Schoen- Mr. Speaker: Te member for Cariboo-Chilcotin on a born. Schoenborn, we all know, was convicted of frst-degree supplemental. murder afer he stabbed his ten-year-old daughter, Kaitlynne, and smothered his sons Max, who was eight, and D. Barnett: Mr. Speaker, I guess they just don’t under- Cordon, who was only fve years old. stand. When you have no business, you can’t pay your bills. It was hoped that in pursuing the high-risk designation Local businesses are the backbone of our rural economy, and that not only would Schoenborn have been limited to the you’ve lef them out in the cold. Tese businesses have not number of hearings allowed before the B.C. Review Board, turned a nickel. How are they to pay their employees, buy to once every three years; he would have also lost the right to shoes for their children? In many cases, these tourism oper- go on leave in the community. It would spare Darcie Clarke ators will not be there next year without help. and her family the anguish of having to relive the tragedy on Te government is very good as saying that they care, that an annual basis at each review board hearing. they are concerned, but who are you listening to? My con- [2:20 p.m.] stituents are shocked at the Minister of Finance’s statement A simple question to the Attorney General: will he do the that tax relief is not the best way to help wildfre-impacted right thing and continue fghting for this family’s right to communities. justice and peace and order an appeal of the court’s decision? Again, will the government commit to providing fnancial 448 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017

Hon. D. Eby: Tank you to the member for the question situation. — such a devastating case involving the murder of young With that said, it is important to recognize that we have children. I think that all of us with kids shudder when we an independent criminal justice branch. Te deputy minister hear these kinds of stories. now is the same as the deputy minister when that govern- Te application, as I understand it, was unsuccessful at ment was in power. Te recommendation of these very trial. Te criminal justice branch prosecutors did the best experienced prosecutors, who have no interest in having they could to advance the case that Mr. Schoenborn should dangerous ofenders on our streets, was very clear that it was be designated as a high-risk ofender under the new federal not in the public interest to pursue an appeal. legislation. Tey were not successful at trial, and there were I think that one of the critical roles in this House is that fndings at trial that were adverse to the possibility of success we recognize the federal rules within which we operate and on appeal. also that when the independent prosecution service that is Tey made a recommendation to me, in my role as Attor- in place to protect the public interest and the public safety ney General, that an appeal would not be in the public makes a recommendation, it’s treated very seriously by the interest. I accepted that recommendation of the independent Attorney General. I certainly did treat it thus, and I share the criminal justice service. But I would like to say to the mem- member’s concern. I thank him for the question. ber and to all members of this House that Mr. Schoenborn is in a secure facility. He will not be released. He will not be in GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE the public without the approval of the independent Mental Health Review Board that reviews cases like this — certainly, S. Bond: Last month Greyhound Canada made it known we’re very glad that they do — and I’m monitoring this case that they wanted to discontinue bus service to communities closely. Tank you for the question. in northern B.C. People in many remote and rural com- munities rely on having regular scheduled, safe travel, partic- Mr. Speaker: Te member for Kamloops–North ularly during difcult winter months. In the past, when the Tompson on a supplemental. company had threatened to discontinue routes, the govern- ment was actively engaged. My constituents, and presumably P. Milobar: Te Attorney General’s answer is somewhat those of the minister’s colleagues in Stikine and North Coast, disappointing, because every so ofen a case does come along have been raising this issue for weeks. Te minister said she and the public demands that the government do what is right would meet with Greyhound. and fght to the bitter end for them. Just recently, in May, it To the minister, did she keep her commitment? Did she was confrmed by a psychiatrist that Allan Schoenborn con- meet with Greyhound, and just what has she done since tinues to have serious anger problems. Even worse, he con- learning about the potential cancellation of services? tinues to demonstrate violence and was confrmed by doc- [2:25 p.m.] tors and staf during recent hearings to be dangerous and to be a continued threat to others. Hon. C. Trevena: I thank the member for her question. So it’s shameful that while the Attorney General is willing It’s deeply concerning to everybody that Greyhound is want- to spend money for lawyers to intervene against Kinder ing to pull out from the north, reduce service throughout Morgan and to cover the legal bills of both the jobs-loss the province. It’s already pulled out from some areas. Tat minister and the Premier, he doesn’t have the same drive to happened a few years ago when that member was in govern- stand up for justice and ensure the high-risk designation is ment. Greyhound pulled out. appealed. His failure to stand up for public safety and appeal I have been active in trying to work with a number of the court’s decision could have far-reaching consequences to areas to ensure that we can come to some sort of solution. other cases across Canada. I have talked to mayors around the north about this, and Again to the Attorney General. You’ve shown us you’re they’ve been very concerned and were very pleased that I willing to spend on lawyers for your colleagues and that reached out to them. I am going to be sitting down and you’ll intervene on Kinder Morgan. Why will you not inter- meeting with them next week during the Union of British vene in this case and ensure that the case goes to an appeal? Columbia Municipalities meeting. I have met with Greyhound and discussed with Grey- Hon. D. Eby: I thank the member for the question. Tis hound their plans both for the north and for the rest of the is obviously a very emotional case for all of us. I think we province. I think that Greyhound is very aware of my con- want what is best. I don’t think that anybody believes that cern, of our government’s concern that they should not be Mr. Schoenborn should be anywhere in the public, and that walking away from established routes that people rely on. is the consensus view of the review board that determines Te people have no choice. Tey can’t just hop in a car and the hearings. go into the airport and get on WestJet or something. Tey Similarly, I don’t think any of us are happy about the fact need a bus service for safe and reliable travel. I made that that the surviving family members have to go through and very clear, and I think that everybody in this House is aware endure these kinds of hearings. Tis is an incredibly difcult of the difculty of the geography of our province. Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 449

I am continuing to work on the issue and will be looking assembly does not pass such a resolution within that time, at lots of diferent avenues. I would be happy to sit down with then pursuant to section 6 of the act, the provincial court the member and other members from that side of the House judges will receive the salaries and benefts recommended in who represent these rural communities, because we’ve got to the report. fnd a way that we have safe transportation for these areas. I mean, we can see what happened in various areas when Points of Privilege it’s pulled out. People need this. We’ve got to make sure that (Reservation of Right) happens. I thank the member for her question. I’m very happy to J. Rustad: I rise to reserve my right to raise a point of priv- work with her and other members from the opposition who ilege. have these constituents in rural areas and will continue to work on this issue. D. Barnett: I rise to reserve my right to raise a point of personal privilege. [End of question period.] Government Motions on Notice Tabling Documents MOTION 1 — CHANGES TO QUESTION PERIOD Hon. D. Eby: I have the honour to present the fnal report AND DAILY HOUSE BUSINESS of the 2016 British Columbia Judicial Compensation Com- mission. Tis commission is appointed under the Judicial Hon. M. Farnworth: I call the motion on the order paper Compensation Act to make recommendations regarding the standing in my name. salaries, allowances and benefts for provincial court judges [Be it resolved that the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly and judicial justices for the three fscal years 2017-18 of British Columbia be amended as follows: through 2019-20. 1. Standing Order 25 be deleted and the following substituted: Pursuant to section 6(3) of the Judicial Compensation Te daily routine business of the House shall be as follows: Act, I also advise the House that if the Legislative Assembly Prayers (morning or afernoon sittings) does not resolve to reject any of the recommendations con- Introduction of Bills tained in the report within the time established in the act, Statements (Standing Order 25B) (afernoon sittings: Monday and Wednesday; morning sittings: Tuesday and Tursday) then the judges and judicial justices will receive the salaries Oral question period (30 minutes, afernoon sittings: Monday and and benefts recommended by the commission. Wednesday; 30 minutes, morning sittings: Tuesday and Tursday) Te time established in the act for such a resolution is Presenting Petitions 16 sitting days afer the date the report is laid before the Reading and Receiving Petitions assembly — in other words, 16 sitting days afer today. If any Presenting Reports by Committees recommendations contained in the report are rejected, then Motions on Notice the assembly must set the remuneration, allowances or bene- fts that are to be substituted for the commission’s recom- Written Questions on Notice mendations. Proposed Amendments on Notice I am also tabling the fnal report of the 2013 British Orders of the Day. Te order of business for consideration of the House day by day, afer Columbia Judge’s Compensation Commission. As some the above routine, shall, unless otherwise ordered, be as follows: members may recall, the assembly frst addressed this report MONDAY in March 2014 by unanimously endorsing the response pro- 10 a.m. to 12 noon posed by government. Following a judicial review of that (Private Members’ Time) response, the assembly is obliged to reconsider the report Private Members’ Statements (10 a.m.) and its recommendations. Public Bills in the hands of Private Members Te Judicial Compensation Act is silent on the time limit Private Members’ Motions for completing a court-ordered reconsideration of a com- Private Bills mission report, and the court did not make any order Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice respecting timing. However, it is my intention that the No division, on Orders of the Day, will be taken in the House or in reconsideration be brought forward in accordance with the Committee of the Whole during Private Members’ Time, but where a timeline set out in section 6 of the act, as if the House were division is requested, it will be deferred until thirty minutes prior to considering the report for the frst time. the ordinary time fxed for adjournment of the House on the Monday, Accordingly, the assembly may, within 16 sitting days afer unless otherwise ordered. MONDAY (AFTERNOON), TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND today, resolve to reject one or more of the recommendations THURSDAY made in the report. If the assembly does so, it must set (Government Days) the remuneration allowances or benefts that are to be sub- Trone Speech Debate stituted for the commission’s recommendations. If the 450 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017

Budget Debate including Committee of Supply do here. Tank you so much. Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice Private Bills T. Stone: It is a tremendous honour to rise today to speak Public Bills in the hands of Private Members to this budget update. Before I get into the details of my com- Adjourned debate on other motions ments on the budget, I would like to frst just acknowledge 2. Standing Order 47A be deleted and the following substituted: what a privilege it is to represent the hard-working men Tere shall be a 30 minute Oral Question Period at the opening of and women of Kamloops–South Tompson. From Savona each afernoon sitting on Monday and Wednesday and at the opening to Chase, Cherry Creek to Pritchard, Westwold and Monte of each morning sitting on Tuesday and Tursday, which shall be subject to the following rules: Lake to Adams Lake, Knutsford to the south shore of Kam- (a) only questions that are urgent and important shall be loops, it is truly an amazing corner of our beautiful province. permitted; I want to thank the people of Kamloops–South Tompson (b) questions and answers shall be brief and precise, and stated for placing their trust in me a second time. I look forward to without argument or opinion; working, always passionately, on their behalf. (c) supplementary questions may be permitted at the discretion I want to acknowledge my staf in my legislative ofce here of the Speaker. Tere shall be no supplementary question to a in Victoria as well as my constituency staf back in Kam- question taken on notice; loops. I am very, very well served in both places and really (d) debate shall not be permitted; couldn’t do what I do without having that tremendous sup- (e) points of order arising during Oral Question Period may, at the discretion of the Speaker, be deferred until Question Period has port in place. been completed; [2:35 p.m.] (f) Oral Question Period shall not take place on the day of the Of course, I want to acknowledge and thank, as we always Speech from the Trone.] do, our families for the tremendous support that they [2:30 p.m.] provide us. My wife, Chantelle, and my daughters — Han- Tis is the issue around changing the standing orders nah, Sydney and Caitlin — are really the inspiration for under which we operate, whereby for the last four years, we everything that I do and the reason that I am here. have had a sessional order in place so that question periods I want to start of just by acknowledging the worst wildfre on the second week start Monday afernoon, Tuesday morn- season that we have had, this season, here in British ing, Wednesday afernoon and Tursday morning. Tis will Columbia. I want to thank all frefghters, frst responders now make that change permanent. and the Canadian military personnel who have been risking I discussed the issue with my colleague across the way, the their lives to protect communities and to protect our lives. ofcial opposition House Leader, as well as the leader of the Tey do their best to put these fres out and to ensure that Green Party, and we are all in agreement. there are livelihoods for people to go back to when the fres are indeed out. M. de Jong: I was tempted to refer to this as an egregious We had over 45,000 evacuees at the outset of this year’s assault on the rights of the opposition but was convinced by wildfre season. It was my responsibility, as the minister the advocacy of my friend the Government House Leader. I responsible for emergency management B.C., to declare the think it’s probably time to make this a permanent change. It provincial state of emergency. Tat was no small decision, seems to have served the interests of the House and mem- not one taken lightly but one that truly refected the serious- bers and those who track the afairs of the House and what ness of this particular wildfre season. takes place here. I think it’s appropriate to make the change In Kamloops, we had about 15,000 evacuees at the peak. to the standing orders. We were not directly afected in our community insofar as the fres themselves. But along with Prince George, we Motion approved. were one of the largest reception centres for evacuees, with 15,000 people at one point in the city of Kamloops. I want Orders of the Day to really thank everyone in Kamloops who stepped up to make life just a little bit easier for the wildfre evacu- Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued debate on the ees — the thousands of volunteers, all of the restaurants budget. and those in the hospitality industry, community organiz- ations and everyone that just stepped up to do whatever [R. Chouhan in the chair.] they could to help evacuees. We certainly witnessed a lot of examples of this compas- Budget Debate sion and the reciprocal gratitude from those who were being (continued) served. Te Kamloops ESS centre, which moved between a few diferent locations in the city, was always full, with group Deputy Speaker: Members, would you please conduct lodging of up to 500 people. It was incredible — the organ- your business outside the House. We have other business to ization, the logistics that were required, the hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers that were required on a daily basis Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 451 for months through this wildfre season. ering maybe giving it some medication to just kind of calm Te Tk’emlúps Indian Band opened up their powwow it down a little bit. But before anyone could intervene, this grounds, and they were full. Tey had RVs and people in homeless gentleman stepped forward and said: “Let me look tents. Tey were also providing not just space on their afer the Great Dane.” For four nights in a row, that gentle- grounds and the use of their facilities, but indeed, they were man slept in a tent that he brought up from the river. He set providing evacuees with three hot meals day — no small feat that tent up by the shelter, and he slept with that Great Dane for them. for four nights. He became best friends with this dog, and Of course, there were thousands of folks housed in the the dog became best friends with him. homes of Kamloopsians. At one point, out of 20 homes on I think it really goes to show that every single one of us my street, there were 17 homes that were hosting evacuees. has a role to play. Every single one of us can step up, no Tose were the most heartwarming moments. When you matter what you have, to help your fellow human being. would walk down the sidewalk and introduce yourself to Tat is just one of many stories of what transpired in Kam- people, you’d just get a sense of the seriousness of the issue loops, as so many evacuees poured into our city and were but the sense of gratitude that these folks had for the heart met with open arms, with big hearts, and made clear their that they were being given by the people of Kamloops. gratitude for that support. Te Kamloops Food Bank coordinated thousands of Now, the fres will be put out, eventually. We do know that pounds of food that fowed into our city from all over British we’re still in a very serious situation. We’re very, very thank- Columbia and even across the country. In particular, Alber- ful that there’s been no loss of life. But we are very rapidly tans really stepped up. I really want to give a shout-out to moving from a wildfre crisis into an economic crisis. the folks in Fort McMurray. Tey donated more food than Te most common question that we get — those of us almost any other city outside of British Columbia — just who represent ridings up in the central Interior, whether truckload upon truckload — in a selfess gesture of paying it’s in the Chilcotin or the Cariboo or Fraser-Nicola or the it forward. Tey knew that we, as British Columbians, had North Tompson…. People want to know where their gov- their backs when they went through their wildfre situation ernment is. recently. Tey certainly had our backs this time round. Tere’s been a huge loss of trees. Lots of fbre is gone. Hun- Te United Way Tompson Nicola Cariboo put together dreds of structures are gone. Livestock is gone. Fencing and a campaign to raise funds for important social needs like rangeland, gone. We know that several mills may not reopen. housing, food assistance, trauma and mental health sup- Tis will throw hundreds — and hopefully not, but poten- ports. Ranchers opened up their property to house and feed tially, thousands — of hard-working men and women out and water other people’s livestock. of their jobs. Yet what have we heard from the Minister of Speaking of the animals, again, at the ESS centres, there Forests on this economic crisis? What have we heard from were…. Tis was at the Sandman Centre in downtown Kam- the government on this economic crisis? What have we loops. At its peak, there were 300 dogs on any given day, 300 heard from the Premier on this economic crisis? What has cats and, my favourite, 300 “other” — every animal that you this government done to address the concerns of the people could possibly imagine, mixed in and amongst all of these of the central Interior that they will be supported through dogs and cats. Just the logistics of taking 300 dogs out to the economic crisis which is barrelling down on them? I go to the washroom in the morning required an enormous would venture: nothing. amount of volunteer capacity, but Kamloopsians stepped up Tere appears to be no plan. Tere’s been no mention and were there. of economic development for the central Interior. Tere’s [2:40 p.m.] been no detailed plan that has been presented to the Perhaps one of the most heartwarming stories is this. It people of the central Interior as to what they can expect relates to the animal shelter that was on site at the ESS centre. from their government in support of their livelihoods and Tere is a homeless gentleman who is known to most of us in their families coming out of the worst wildfres that we’ve Kamloops, who lives down in Riverside Park. He’s been there ever had in this province. Tat is wrong. It’s inexcusable, for quite some time. Even he came out of the shadows that he and it’s unforgiveable. lives in and came up to this animal shelter and made it clear We’ve canvassed in this chamber, as well, over the last that he wanted to help in whatever way the volunteers felt week, countless stories of small businesses who have stepped was necessary. Just as he was there making this ofer, there up to support wildfre evacuees, who have provided food and was a massive Great Dane that was brought into the facility. lodging and other services, on the basis that through the Tis was a big boy, hundreds of pounds, who was not very voucher program, they will be reimbursed in a timely fash- socially well adjusted to other animals. He was a ranch dog ion. Tese are small businesses, many of them. from up in the Chilcotin and was really upset that he was [2:45 p.m.] watching his owner walk of into the distance. I’ve talked about Harold’s Restaurant in Kamloops, which Tis Great Dane required three adults to hold it down. thankfully…. Afer some back and forth last week and some Tey didn’t have a kennel big enough for it. Tey weren’t sure really hard work on the part of folks in emergency manage- what they were going to do. Te veterinarians were consid- ment B.C., fnally some of the $40,000 that Harold’s has been 452 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 owed for two months has been paid. Not all of it, but some Te George Massey Tunnel replacement project was truly of it. Tis is a small business, and being owed $40,000 is a lot shovel-ready. I was the minister who worked on this for of money. the previous four and a half years. Tree rounds of public We know of a long list of small businesses who are in the engagement. Te release of 14,000 pages of information. same boat, and it’s just wrong. In fact, the response from the Hundreds of meetings with local governments, including minister at one point last week was to suggest that MLAs Richmond and Delta, Metro Vancouver. First Nation should raise the issue of non-payment with government in engagement as well. A project that 80,000 commuters every order for small businesses to be paid. Really? Tese small day were holding out as hope that relief was on its way: businesses, as I said last week, have stepped up to support the single largest congestion point in the province of British evacuees. It’s now time for the government to step up and Columbia would be addressed, a choke point for $25 billion support these small businesses. worth of goods movement every single year. Now, with respect to the budget, I’m very disappointed A project that included half a billion dollars of critical with the NDP-Green budget in a number of areas. I looked transit improvements will now not happen. Te government through this budget. I looked through the lens of my three has said no. Tey have killed this project, and they’ve killed daughters. What will our province look like in the years the 9,000 jobs that would have come with this project. Tat’s ahead? Will there be jobs for my daughters and for our kids? irresponsible. Will B.C. be better of in the future as a result of the decisions [2:50 p.m.] that are made today? My conclusion is that this budget really As we’ve pointed out in this House, this government has misses the mark. also not been forthright. Tey haven’t been forthright not It squanders the strong economic position which the NDP just with the commuters who were relying on a fx; they government inherited from our former government — the haven’t been forthright with British Columbians. We No. 1 economy in the country, the strongest economy; the released a memo last week that indicated very clearly that lowest unemployment rate; the best job-creation record their plan all along, prior to even the election campaign, was across Canada, almost 200,000 jobs created since the jobs to be bold. Tat was code for “kill George Massey.” In fact, it plan was introduced; the most competitive tax environment wasn’t code. It was written right on the memo. “We’re going in Canada; on track to paying of B.C.’s operating debt within to pay for all of these commitments by killing George Mas- a few years; a vibrant investment climate where international sey.” How very disappointing. companies from every corner of the world were coming to LNG. Again, shortly afer this government was elected, a British Columbia. Tey wanted to set up in British fnal investment decision did not happen with Pacifc North- Columbia. Tey wanted to invest here because of the prom- West LNG up in Prince Rupert — a $36 billion investment ise that British Columbia provided them as well. And the fact that would have created thousands of jobs and provided that we had a triple-A credit rating and paid $199 million hope not just to the local governments and the communities less in interest to support our debt in the province last year up there and local government tax revenue, but, indeed, it over the year before because of that strong credit rating and was life-changing for communities in Prince paying down our operating debt. Rupert and the area. Tis government was, I dare say, almost Te budget does include some priorities which we giddy at the cancellation of this project. If anyone thinks that included back in our February budget. It’s important to this government’s approach to regulation and to taxes and to acknowledge that. I do think it’s interesting that the NDP, the cost of doing business in this province had nothing to do this government, is trying to…. Tey’ve highlighted a whole with their decision to cancel this LNG project, they’re kid- bunch of things in their budget update, items that they are ding themselves. trying to suggest to British Columbians really should under- Or how about Kinder Morgan, another project which pin the commitment that this government has to a number the NDP have made clear they’re going to utilize every tool of areas, particularly on the social side of the equation, when that they possibly can muster to kill — this pipeline twin- a lot of the increased spending in targeted areas was already ning? It’s a $7.4 billion private sector investment. It’s an in the budget last February. It was in the budget that we investment that involves 42 project agreements with First introduced. Nations totalling $300 million. Again, it’s a project that We heard much about how health care funding is up would provide thousands of jobs — 15,000 during con- almost half a billion dollars. Tat was in the budget in Feb- struction alone. ruary. Or education funding being up $256 million — again, In my community, in Kamloops, people are looking for- that was in the budget last February. Social services funding ward to and banking on 600 jobs related to this project. is up $137 million. It was already in the budget. But that said, Te economic spinof will include an $11 million increase with this budget, the NDP are leading British Columbians to property taxes paid to local governments. Te city of down a reckless economic path. Kamloops has signed a community beneft agreement for Let’s start with the past six weeks of cancelled projects and $700,000, and our university, Tompson Rivers University, chaotic reviews, which has become a hallmark of this gov- will receive $500,000. All of that is at stake. All of that is ernment. in jeopardy because this government wants to kill this pro- Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 453 ject as well. of province. Even if they’re trained here, we’re all operating Ten there’s Site C, which, very clearly, is part of the deal in a highly competitive environment to have doctors prac- struck between the NDP and the Greens to do everything in tise in our communities. What we’ve done in one fell swoop their power to delay and probably try to kill this project as with this budget by increasing the taxes on the high-income well. It’s a project that would provide clean, reliable electri- earners is we’ve said to these physicians: “Go someplace else. city in B.C. for 100 years, a project that would provide a con- Don’t come to British Columbia, because we’re going to take tribution to our provincial GDP of $3.2 billion, 10,000 jobs a little bit more out of your pocket.” during construction. Tere are 2,700 people already working Or how about the high-tech sector, where the average up at this project, about 81 percent of whom are from British salary is much, much higher than the average salary, gener- Columbia. ally, in the province? Many, many folks in the tech sector — Tere are 48 people, as of a couple of months ago…. Te this is the sector I come from — are making well in excess number may have changed since then, but as of a couple of of $150,000. Tese are highly skilled jobs, but they’re also months ago, there were 48 individuals from Kamloops and highly mobile jobs. It’s very easy to pick up a tech company area working at Site C — 48 people with families in Kam- and move it from Prince George to Washington state or to loops. People like Bob, who’s a heavy equipment operator pick up a company in Salmon Arm and move it to Ontario. and has three kids, or Carl, who’s an electrician and has two We have made ourselves less competitive by increasing kids in Kamloops. I know Bob and I know Carl because I fy these taxes, made British Columbia a less attractive place to with them many weeks. Back and forth they go from Kam- invest, a less attractive place for people to move to and to loops to Vancouver and then connect up to head up north to work. Tat’s going to have ramifcations for communities all work on the project. Tey’re wondering when they’re going across the province. to receive their pink slips and what they’re going to tell their Tey’re projecting a $200 million surplus for the forth- families, how they’re going to support their kids. coming year. Tat contrasts with a $2.7 billion surplus that Whether it’s George Massey, LNG, Site C or Kinder Mor- this government inherited as a result of our sound fscal gan, these are all projects, many of which involve private management. sector investment, that are either dead or on life support What have they done? Tey’ve increased spending, which because of the choices that this government is making. And I’ve talked a bit about, dramatically. Tey’ve also increased this is all just in the frst six or seven weeks of the new gov- the taxpayer-supported debt through the elimination of tolls ernment. on the Port Mann and the Golden Ears bridges, despite We also know in this budget that there is a massive warnings from many, including bond-rating agencies. Tese increase in new spending — $3 billion in one year alone bond-rating agencies have been very clear. Tis is going to — but there’s no plan to generate the revenues necessary result in a higher cost to borrow in British Columbia, which to cover of this increase in spending other than to blow is going to mean higher interest payments, and that’s going through the surplus or to raise taxes. And of course, on the to mean less money available for health care and education. tax front, we know that this budget includes $1 billion in In the context of bridges and all of the infrastructure that new taxes. Corporate taxes are going up. Income taxes for we need to build in this province…. When you build a higher-income individuals are going up. Carbon taxes are bridge, you have to pay for it somehow. With no tolls, that going up. means that the only other options are higher taxes or [2:55 p.m.] reduced spending. Even worse, on the carbon tax side, this government has I would suggest that we know what the NDP’s answer on decided to end the revenue neutrality aspect of the carbon that point is. Tey are choosing to increase taxes. So the fsc- tax, which means the tax is going to continue to further bur- al room is largely gone, which makes this budget even more den British Columbians. Te price at the pumps will go up. worrying because it assumes that B.C.’s economic perform- Te price to heat homes will go up. But there’s no longer ance and GDP growth will be repeated. going to be a commitment from the government of British Te budget relies on a substantial increase in forecasted Columbia to ensure that the people of this province beneft GDP, from 2.1 percent growth to 2.9 percent growth, but that from an equal reduction in tax burden, a tax reduction equal won’t happen. Tat just won’t happen, because it doesn’t hap- to any increase in the carbon tax, and that’s just wrong. pen when you increase taxes. It doesn’t happen when you Now, on the taxes on higher incomes. I want to just touch dramatically increase spending with no clear plan for pay- this one for a moment because I do know that this has ing it. Tat doesn’t happen when you say no to every major become a mantra for the government to increase spending job-creating project that crosses your desk. Of course, in as dramatically as they are. Let’s just make the wealthy pay addition, there are factors outside the government’s control more. Well, I’ll give you a couple of examples — and there which will further compound their ability to meet their fscal are many — that are pretty poignant, I think, for most com- objectives — factors like a rising currency, uncertain world munities in British Columbia, but certainly in Kamloops. markets and rising interest rates. We’re working really hard to attract more doctors, more Tis budget has no jobs plan. Tere’s no plan to sustain specialists to our community, many of whom come from out and grow the economy. Tere’s no plan to attract invest- 454 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 ment and expand our footprint around the world. In fact, Te NDP can say all they want that help is on the way. the budget really only deals with one side of the balance Well, British Columbians say no thanks. British Columbians sheet — spending, spending and more spending. Tis have worked very hard in recent years to generate signifcant budget is bad for jobs, it’s bad for growth, and it’s bad for budget surpluses and a strong, growing diverse economy. investor confdence. British Columbians save their money. Te NDP will spend it, [3:00 p.m.] all of it and more. But what’s equally concerning is what’s not in the Our economic momentum truly hangs in the balance. Te budget. It’s worth highlighting, so British Columbians choice is clear, and it’s not a choice between backing business know that on the heels of an election campaign where on the one hand and promoting fairness on the other. Tere grand promises were made by the government on all kinds is nothing progressive about attacking business and under- of investments they were going to make…. Tey just have mining our economy. Tere is nothing progressive about not transpired yet. It’s important for British Columbians turning your backs on multi-billion dollar investments and to know what that part of the story looks like as well. Key walking away from tens of thousands of jobs. If the economy NDP campaign promises with huge price tags are nowhere fails it’s not the richest who sufer, it’s the poorest, and every- to be found in the budget. one loses. How about afordable housing, the creation of 11,400 In that spirit, and on behalf of my constituents of Kam- units of housing? In fact, all that’s in this budget is the 3,400 loops–South Tompson, I say with purpose and resolve that units that we had already committed to in February. How I cannot and will not support a budget that fails not only about the $400 annual renters rebate? It’s not there. Te the British Columbians of today but fails our kids and our second half of MSP elimination? Not there. How about the grandkids of tomorrow. ferry rate freeze? Do you remember that commitment? Nowhere to be found in this budget. Or the Hydro rate Hon. S. Simpson: I’m pleased to have the opportunity to freeze. Also not there. Te $15 minimum wage? Not there. join in the debate in regard to Budget Update 2017. Te elimination of interest payments on student loans. Not It’s always good to be back in this Legislature and good there. Te $1,000 completion grant for post-secondary edu- to be here on the territories of the Lekwungen-speaking cation. I looked and looked for this one, but I couldn’t fnd peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. it. I don’t think it’s there. And $5 million to restore provincial [3:05 p.m.] parks and hire conservation ofcers. Not there. How about I’m very grateful to the people of Vancouver-Hastings, $10 million in new arts and culture funding? Also not there. who have sent me back here to represent them for the fourth And what about $10-a-day daycare? No mention of it. time. I’m particularly thankful for all of the work that is done No mention of it whatsoever. On this one, perhaps that’s a by those in the constituency on my behalf. I have a wonder- good thing — recognizing just how unafordable their plan ful team in my ofce in Vancouver-Hastings with Anne and would be, recognizing just how their plan would not target Sherrill and Teresa, who all do excellent work for me and the supports where it’s needed the most and wouldn’t result excellent work in making sure that the needs and concerns in any new spaces to boot. Te NDP did include $20 million of citizens and constituents of Vancouver-Hastings are met in funding that our previous government had already and that their issues are addressed. Tey’ve been doing it for announced for child care in February. a long time, and they do it extremely well. Now, why all of the big ticket promises not in the budget? I’m also very pleased and thankful for the people who Perhaps it’s because the NDP blew through all their fscal helped to return me here during the 2017 election. We all room with the $3 billion in additional spending in the know that elections are exciting times. Tey’re times that can budget. Perhaps it’s because the NDP is concocting other be stressful, and they’re times when we bring together people plans to increase other taxes to pay for these promises. Per- in our communities who support the values that we bring haps it’s because the junior partner in this government, the forward to this place and who come together to help to get Greens, haven’t signed of yet. I tend to think that it’s a little us elected. bit of all three of those. I had a wonderful team of people, and I just want to par- Tis government does obviously wield the full authority ticularly acknowledge Colette Barker, who stepped up and of the purse. Tey were sworn in. Whether one wants to took charge of my campaign as the manager and did a won- get into a debate on how legitimate this government is or derful job making sure that I got the opportunity to come not, they certainly don’t have a popular mandate from the back here and speak for the people of Vancouver-Hastings in people. Te Premier and his government were not elected by this Legislature again. British Columbians, but they do wield the authority of gov- Since the election, of course, it was certainly a wild ride, ernment, and British Columbians are rightfully and increas- as we went through the processes of resolving how govern- ingly dismayed at this government’s systematic dismantling ment would unfold and play out here in British Columbia. of B.C.’s economic leadership and advantage. Defer, delay, Of course, I’m very, very excited with the resolution that we dither, review, review, review, taxes up, spending up — that’s reached in this province, a resolution that led to a new gov- the story of this government. It’s the story of this budget. ernment in British Columbia, a government that was com- Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 455 mitted to making this province more afordable, a govern- About 20 percent of those are kids living in poverty, and we ment that was committed to adding and enhancing services know that poor kids mean poor families. and a government that was committed to a sustainable eco- [3:10 p.m.] nomy with family-supporting jobs. Te other thing that we know is that this isn’t just about Tat’s the commitment that we have made, that’s the dir- people on persons-with-disabilities or people on social ection that we have received from the Premier, and that’s the assistance. Over 40 percent of the people living in poverty work that we are all doing every day. I’m very excited to be are the working poor. Tey have a full-time paycheque com- able to participate and be part of that through my role as the ing into their household, and they can’t make ends meet. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction — a Tey can’t aford even a modest standard of living for them- ministry that we have revamped, and I’ll talk a little bit about selves and their families. that as we move forward — and taking on new challenges I would like to think that everybody in this House would into that ministry. say that if you get up every day and you go to work and you At the outset, I really want to say a big thank-you to the work hard, you should be able to bring home a paycheque people who have stepped up to help me in this new job that at least afords you and your family a modest standard as minister, particularly to Val, Brenda, Jayne, Casey and of living. Tat’s not what’s happening today. Leah, who work in my ministry ofce and work for me We need to attack that issue, and attack the issue is what as the minister; and, of course, to all of the people in the we’re going to do. We’re going to do that on a number of ministry — the leadership of the ministry, the deputy, the fronts. What you’ll see, moving forward, is frst of all, the ini- ADMs, the directors and everybody right down to all of tial steps that we’ve taken, a couple of quick steps that we the people on the front lines, who do a great job and who knew would at least ease some pressure. Te frst of those are working very hard and who have been extremely sup- was to add $100 to the cheque of everybody collecting social portive and very excited about the changes in the ministry assistance and persons-with-disabilities. It doesn’t solve the and about the opportunity to do the work that they believe problem, but we knew, and I knew, that putting a few more needs to be done. dollars in people’s pockets, a few more dollars to spend in It’s a good time around that. As we move forward with the what is a very expensive place to live, would at least ease a initiatives that are in front of us, we’re very much seeing a little bit of pressure. level of excitement and commitment by people in the min- Te other thing that was announced in the budget and istry every day who are looking at new and innovative ways that you’ll see as we announce more details is starting this that we can make life more afordable, that we can reduce October 1. We’ve increased the earning exemptions for per- inequality and can deal with the cornerstone issues that are sons on social assistance and persons-with-disabilities. What in front of us. we have said is that we’ve increased them by $200. Tat At the time when this government came into ofce, there means for a person on social assistance, a $200-a-month were a number of adjustments made around ministries. exemption has become $400. For a person with disabilities, You’ll know, and people ofen talk to me, about the change in the $9,600 annual exemption becomes $12,000. the name of the ministry that I lead. Te name changed, and What that does is it allows people to at least work some it became the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty and keep the money. It encourages people to show some ini- Reduction. I’ve had people say to me: “So what does that tiative, to take an opportunity and to be rewarded for that mean, the Ministry of Poverty Reduction?” when they do that and to know that it’s not going to just get Te Premier was very clear, in the conversations that I clawed back of their cheque. If they can make a few hun- had with the Premier, about what he wanted to achieve. dred extra dollars and ease their pressure a little bit, that’s a He was very clear when he said that this is not a rhetorical good thing. We all know that part of breaking the cycle of change in the name. Our commitment is to reduce poverty is fnding ways to encourage and support people into inequality. Our commitment is to reduce poverty. Te work when that’s an appropriate and available opportunity mandate that I was given, and it’s in my mandate letter, is for them, with a little bit of help. Part of that is letting them to in fact efect those changes, and we’re going to do that keep a few of those extra dollars as they move forward. I’m through a number of initiatives. very proud of that. Te frst three of those are on the table now, and that We’re going to announce very soon the details of the initi- work is proceeding. But the context of that work is: if we ative around transportation issues for persons with disabilit- have poverty…. Why do we need a poverty reduction plan ies, the bus-pass issue that was back and forth in this House for British Columbia? Well, British Columbia is the only for months and months and months. I look forward to the province in this country that doesn’t have a poverty reduc- solution that we’ve designed. We’ll be putting that in place, tion strategy. It is the only province that has ignored that and it will come into force on the frst of January of 2018. issue for over a decade, and that has to change. Te reason it More will come on that in the coming days and weeks. has to change is because when you look at British Columbia, We’ve also seen, from other parts of government, initi- we have 700,000 people who live in poverty, based on the atives that support people who are vulnerable. We saw the Stats Canada standards — 700,000 British Columbians. removal of tuition fees around adult basic education and 456 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 language learning, ELL. We saw the free tuition for foster One of the other things that we’re doing with this — and kids, kids coming out of foster care. We’ve seen the initiat- you’ll see this as we move forward — is beginning to look ives that were in the budget — and there’ll be more details at some of the long-term potential solutions. Part of the to come — around housing and homelessness and a home- agreement between ourselves and the Green caucus is to lessness strategy to put thousands of units and available look at a basic income pilot and to look at what that looks spaces in place for people who are homeless. Tere will be like. We know Ontario is doing some of that work, and more to come. we’re going to do that work here and look at it in a British As the previous speaker talked about a list, well, I will Columbia context. assure the folks who are watching and the members on the We don’t know what the result of that will be. We don’t other side that the issues of child care and the issues of the know what the evaluation of that will look like. But we minimum wage and the issues of further housing initiatives will put in place, in the coming months, a pilot that will are all to come. You will see more on that in the February allow us to evaluate whether that model makes sense and, budget, the frst true budget of this government. You will see over the period of a couple of years, will be able to collect the plan begin to unfold as to how we, in fact, get at some of enough data to be able to make decisions about whether those objectives and those commitments. Tis is a govern- we should, in fact, be moving forward long term with that ment that put a series of promises in front of people, and we kind of initiative. have been checking them of one at a time. Tat work’s being done. Ontario is pursuing that work Tere’s much more work to do, but we will get that work now. We’ve seen it previously in Dauphin, Manitoba, where done. I’m confdent about that. I’m confdent that we’re going it was pursued. In Finland, it’s been pursued. We’re collecting to be successful in that. I look forward to the debates in this that information now. We’re collecting the data. We’re talk- House, and I look forward to the debates moving forward as ing to experts in the feld and beginning to craf what that we move on these issues. pilot looks like, to allow us, in fact, to be able to measure [3:15 p.m.] whether that initiative, that kind of model, makes sense in In my ministry, there really are a couple of key steps that British Columbia. I want to talk about. I want to talk a little bit about poverty One of the other issues we’re looking very closely at — my reduction. Te fght against poverty, the fght to reduce colleague the Minister of Municipal Afairs and Housing, my inequality, is around improving the lives of people who are colleague the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and vulnerable. It is about looking at ways to break that cycle myself have all been mandated by the Premier to look at a of poverty. It is about ways to bring together the resources provincewide homelessness strategy. We’ve been mandated of government to be able to efect some of the changes that to look at a strategy that will afect, in a meaningful way, the break that cycle of poverty or begin to erode that cycle of homelessness crisis that we’ve seen across this province. It’s a poverty. crisis that is not limited to the big city of Vancouver but that It means the minister responsible for Housing; the Minis- we see in community afer community around the province. ter of Mental Health and Addictions; the Minister of Health; Even in my early travels as a minister, when I’m talking to the Minister of Education; of Advanced Education, Skills people in those communities, I’m hearing about those issues. and Training; the Minister of Finance; Public Safety…. Tere We’re seeing tent cities pop up around the province. We’re has to be a concerted efort here. All of these ministries are seeing people who really are striving to try to fnd solutions coming together. We are bringing them together. for themselves, because they’ve not been satisfed with the We are focusing attention on how to attack this issue. Tat solutions that government has put in front of them. Tere consultation, the broad consultation in the community, has has to be a better way to do this. started. We are putting together the pieces now around what [3:20 p.m.] that strategy looks like moving forward. We are starting the I know my colleagues are committed to it, I’m committed conversation around how the legislation will look, and there to it, and the Premier is committed to it. We will, over the will be legislation next year to legislate a poverty reduction coming months, fesh that out, and it will become more strategy — a poverty reduction strategy with clear targets apparent. We will be taking steps along the way to ease those and timelines, a poverty reduction strategy that will report to pressures, as we head down that path to a homelessness this Legislature on an annual basis and that will seek advice strategy that efects real change in British Columbia. on an ongoing basis, on an ongoing process, from people in Te other issue that I want to talk about a little bit is the community. around why I believe there is the level of excitement about It’s not just the activists and the stakeholders. We’re reach- the new government. And I hear that a lot. We hear that ing out to people who are living the experience of being poor from people who are just excited about the change. We hear and talking directly to people who are living the experience that from people who are just excited about a government of poverty. We are going to engage them directly in the pro- that is talking to them. We hear that from local ofcials. I cess of helping us look through some of these issues and hear it from people in the community. I hear it across sec- looking for the practical and the pragmatic solutions as we tors. I hear it from people who are not historically or tradi- move forward. tionally supporters of the NDP. I hear it from people who say Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 457 there comes a time when you need new energy. Tere comes ish Columbia. We are here to work together. If that vote, that a time when you need a government that is prepared to reach referendum, is successful, then the system will change. Te out. Tere comes a time when you need a government that is dynamics and the makeup of this place will be a very difer- prepared to look to the future and not just to how to hang on ent composition on both sides, whatever that means — on to power. And that’s what we have here. the three or four or fve sides, however many sides there are. Tere’s a lot of excitement, I must say, about the agreement We’re going to have to all learn to work together to make that between our party and the Green Party. I hear that in a lot of successful. places. It’s an excitement about a sincere efort to have mean- I would urge us all to make the eforts to start to build that ingful collaboration on how to move forward. It doesn’t say new rapport, that new environment and that new climate for that we are going to agree on everything. It doesn’t say that legislative action today. We don’t have to wait. We can do that we will vote the same way on everything, necessarily. It says today. Te time for elections will come in due course. We that we have embraced a common set of values for the next will all run, and there will be parties that will come together, 4½ years, embraced a common set of broad objectives, and whether it’s on the right or the lef or the middle, to form a that we are going to work together. We will have our difer- government down the road. We have an opportunity today ences, and we will have them respectfully. We will argue and to try to work to make that happen. articulate our positions in a respectful way with each other. I think that’s what people want. Tat’s the excitement that We will sustain the government, but it doesn’t mean that we I hear from people about the agreement between our party will always agree. And you know what? Tat’s okay. — the government — and the Green caucus. It’s an excite- As we move forward — you will see this in the coming ment about the possibilities. It’s an excitement about the weeks — around electoral reform and as we begin to lay out opportunity. It’s an excitement about politicians who are pre- the frst steps of a plan for a vote to happen next year around pared to make a commitment to try to do things diferently proportional representation, I know that it’s going to be crit- and to try to do things in a more collaborative way. ically important that we be able to demonstrate that we can We will not always get it right. We will mess it up some- work together in the best interests of British Columbians and times, and we will not always agree, but the efort is sincere, to make the case for why a change in the electoral system certainly on the part of both parties, I believe. It’s an efort is so important, why we need a change in the electoral sys- that I feel very confdent is going to lead to many progressive tem, where this Legislature more clearly refects the inten- and positive changes over the next four or 4½ years here in tions of British Columbians. It’s simply not acceptable any- British Columbia. I look forward to that as we move forward. more to the people of British Columbia, I believe, that any Te previous speaker talked about an array of issues, and political party can get 43 percent of the votes and 100 per- he talked about the economy. Well, we know the economy cent of the power. It just isn’t what people want, in the future, is changing. We know the resource industries need support. from their representatives. We know that probably the most compelling issue in front of We see frustrations happening around the world, around us from the resource sector is to fnd resolution on sofwood political systems and around what they see as the elites. I to put the forest industry back on its feet and begin to try to think we have a commitment to try to change that. Te legis- restore some of those 30,000-or-so jobs that were lost in that lation that was introduced today around campaign fnance is industry over the last decade and a half, to bring those jobs a step to take big money out of politics. back. Tey’re good, family-supporting jobs. We know that people are very cynical. Whether the cyn- We also know that we need to move forward and be very icism is around the reality or the perception, it really doesn’t thoughtful about what the new economy looks like and matter. People are cynical that those who have wealth — about how we advance the new economy in a way that those organizations, whether it be a corporation or a union doesn’t create winners and losers. Tat’s a big challenge with or, maybe even worse, people from ofshore and other places the economy. that don’t call British Columbia home — have the ability, One of the things that we know, going back to the work through money, to infuence the outcome of elections. Tat’s that we’ll be doing in my ministry around poverty reduction, going to end, and we will move forward. We have seen the is that a poverty reduction strategy and a strategy to reduce last general election where money will be a major determin- inequality is not simply about putting a few dollars in the ing factor in the results of that election. Tat will be good for pockets of people who are poor — that’s an important thing all of us. Tat will restore a level of confdence. to do — but it is an economic renewal strategy. It is a strategy [3:25 p.m.] that is about revitalizing the economy. All of the evidence I believe an initiative around proportional representation and all of the research shows that those societies, those — if the people of British Columbia choose to support that countries, those communities that have succeeded in redu- next fall — will further restore confdence. Our task here is cing poverty, reducing inequality, have some of the most to demonstrate…. I don’t believe this is an obligation just vibrant and dynamic economies in the world. Te evidence on the NDP and the Greens. I believe it’s an obligation on shows, without exception, that those are the economies that the ofcial opposition, as well — for us to do our best to work best. demonstrate that we are here to work for everybody in Brit- 458 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017

[L. Reid in the chair.] We’re going to get this done, and we’re going to get it done over the next year. I look forward to the support of all mem- I do believe what we’ll see, moving forward, is that if we bers of this House to make that successful moving forward. want to seriously address many of the social issues that are in front of us, whether they are issues of homelessness or issues Deputy Speaker: Member for Surrey South. [Applause.] around the opioid crisis or issues around mental health and addictions — any of these issues — we will do better when S. Cadieux: Tank you for that round of applause. I’m we strengthen everybody’s circumstances, when we improve pleased to take my place to respond to this government’s frst the circumstances for all. We’re committed to doing that. budget update. It’s an honour to serve my constituents of [3:30 p.m.] Surrey South both here and at home. I believe that we can achieve that, and as we do, I think I’d like to start by welcoming all of the new MLAs. It’s been we then will be in a better place in terms of the future of an unusual start to their tenure, and I’m certain that all of this province. We see poverty reduction, these initiatives, them, on both sides of the House, are pleased to be settling as being economic initiatives for economic renewal, moving into the routine and their new respective roles. forward. I’m very excited about this time. Congratulations also to the Finance Minister for her frst I must say that when I was frst elected in 2005, probably budget because, regardless of my feelings about the content the most exciting day of my life at that time — certainly my of the budget, it’s a huge responsibility and an honour for work life — was the opportunity to come into this place for her, I’m sure, and deserving of recognition. I’d also like to the frst time to swear in as a member of the Legislature and thank the Finance Ministry staf that support the minister in to begin this adventure. Tat was an incredible day. I know the preparation of the budget, because I expect many long that every member here has found that that’s a day none of us days and hours were required. will ever forget — the day that we were sworn in. You begin Now, before and during the recent election campaign, out- to realize the incredible responsibility that you’ve taken on to lined in the throne speech on Friday and today captured represent the people of your community. in the budget, the minister laid out her aggressive spending But I must say, the day that I got sworn in as a minister plan. Te list of planned expenditures is long and, and took on a totally diferent responsibility — one that I undoubtedly, will continue to grow. While this budget didn’t entirely understand…. I know I can look at friends update contains an ambitious spending plan, what concerns across the way, who have certainly had that responsibility. me most is what’s not refected in either the throne speech I’m sure they would agree that the job of MLA is the frst and or the budget update — a plan to sustain and grow the eco- the most important job. Tat’s what you’re here for, is to be nomy and create the jobs that British Columbians will need. the MLA. Te budget, as I said, does outline an ambitious spending But the job of minister is a whole other experience, the plan, but what is missing is that other half of the balance good and the bad. So far, good. I know there’ll probably be a sheet — a plan to generate the revenue, to attract the invest- little bad to come down the road sometime. I’ll get there in ment, to expand and increase our export markets to Asia and due course, but I’m not in a rush. Tat day certainly borders beyond. In fact, it’s a budget that’s relying on tax increases on being the best day in my political life. We have a lot of amounting to almost $1 billion over three years. work to do, though.We are committed, on this side, to doing [3:35 p.m.] that work. We are committed to doing it in a way that sup- In June, the former Finance Minister and member for ports all British Columbians in all the communities around Abbotsford West proactively released the updated budget this province. status that showed strong economic job growth that would We understand that poverty is not limited to the Down- result in a $2.7 billion budget surplus. Te then opposi- town Eastside and not limited to Vancouver — that it exists tion, now government, mocked it. Tey said they didn’t in every province, every part of this province, every com- believe it. But the public accounts released in August by munity in this province, whether it be Quesnel or Prince the Finance Minister — the now Finance Minister — did George or Cranbrook. We need to work in those communit- indeed confrm it. ies. I’m looking forward to building a consensus in those What the NDP government inherited is the best-perform- communities about how we move forward on poverty reduc- ing economy in the country: fve consecutive balanced tion. I’m looking forward to bringing together the resources, budgets, a $2.7 billion budget surplus, a triple-A credit rating business, labour, local governments to begin to address those and a proven plan to keep taxes low, attract investment and issues in those communities. grow the economy to create jobs. Upon release of the audited I look forward to the opportunity, hopefully, to come back public accounts, reported on August 22, the Finance Minis- in about a year and report out the frst year of a poverty ter was quoted as saying: “Te public accounts for 2016-17 reduction strategy, the eforts we’ve made and the progress show that the B.C. economy is strong. We’re growing faster we’ve made on the path to reducing poverty in this province. than was forecast, and we certainly have revenues that were I think it’s there. I think we can achieve it. It excites me. I higher than projected.” Te result is a surplus of $2.7 billion. know it excites a lot of people in British Columbia. Indeed, that is good news. Good news, as well, that the Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 459 surplus was used to pay down provincial debt, as required by answer, but the money required to pay the increased interest law. But past performance is no indicator of future success. costs is a direct and obvious cost that afects the budget. It’s Just ask a Maple Leafs’ fan. I jest. It’s not funny. It’s money that has to come from somewhere. vitally important to the fscal well-being of the province, and At the same time, as government needs to fnd more we have to respect that fact. Our past success is no guarantee money, so do consumers and businesses on their mortgage of our future performance. payments, their lines of credit and their credit cards. With Tere is no guarantee that there will be a large surplus that, the capacity of those businesses and individuals to next year, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty. absorb the government’s proposed tax hikes, amounting to Revenues from corporate tax sources depend on a pro- nearly $1 billion over the next three years, is also dimin- vincial economy performing in a healthy and supportive ished. investment environment. Add to that the things you can’t Now, I’ve been proud to be a part of a government that predict, the issues that emerge or the deliberate policy has created one of the most competitive tax and business jur- decisions that will have signifcant fscal implications that isdictions in Canada. In the words of my colleague: “Silver may be unknown today. isn’t gold. It’s the frst loser.” It’s going to be true for British Dominion Bond Rating Services knows this. A quote Columbians. You have to strive to be the best to attract cap- from them: “At this time, British Columbia continues to have ital that’s mobile. one of the strongest credit profles of Canadian provinces [3:40 p.m.] and is not at immediate risk of a negative rating action. Capital investors can choose to invest wherever they want. However, this fscal policy direction reduces fexibility with- We want them to choose British Columbia. We don’t want in the credit profle and suggests that social and program- them to choose Manitoba, or . Tis matic considerations are likely to trump defcit reduction if week, in the very short tenure of the government, the busi- the province’s fscal plan is challenged by an economic cor- ness world has been sent a message that it’s about to get sig- rection.” Tat’s from Dominion Bond Rating Services’ 2017 nifcantly more expensive to do business in British Columbia Budget Update. because we’re striving for second place. In the words of the Tere are a few things we do know for certain. By can- Premier: “Te lowest tax jurisdiction in North America is celling major investments in our province, the government not something we should strive for. Why wouldn’t we strive is jeopardizing thousands of jobs. British Columbia has to be the middle tax jurisdiction in North America?” With been devastated by the worst forest fre season on record. all due respect to the Ofce of the Premier, that’s embarrass- Te central bank has raised the interest rates and put the ing. Because we want to be sending a message that is about: country on notice that further rate hikes are likely. Tere this is the place to invest. Tis is the place to grow your busi- are ever-present risks of government litigation costs and ness, to live, to work and to play. unfortunate things we probably haven’t anticipated — the I believe many voters — and many voters in my riding ever-present risks. — put their faith in the government when they said they’d When the Finance Minister tabled her budget, British deliver a $10-a-day daycare program. But where is it? It’s not Columbians expected that this government — this new gov- refected in the budget update. It’s not refected in the three- ernment, a coalition government — was going to bring in year fscal plan. But it is still being touted that it’s coming. So a signifcant number of new expensive programs, programs what is it? Is there going to be a $10-a-day program in Brit- that during the past years and the most recent election cam- ish Columbia or not? Who’s going to pay for it? paign we on this side ofen referenced the cost of. Not I’m not asking about the merits of the program. I want to because we don’t care about those kinds of programs, not see improved benefts for B.C. families. But I want to be able because we’re heartless, not because they don’t matter to to explain to my constituents when government will live up us, but because it’s just simple math. When you want three to their promise and how they intend to get the $1.5 billion apples, but you only have two, you come up short, and it’s no or more, in addition to all the other spending promises that diferent in this circumstance. they’re making, to deliver that promise in British Columbia. Social programs matter — health care, education, child I want to know that, because it will afect the wallets and care. Tey matter to British Columbians. Tey matter to each bank accounts of British Columbians, and they deserve to one of us British Columbians here in this House. But govern- know how. ing is about making decisions and tough choices. It’s about We will also want to talk about the other missing pieces. fguring out how you can maintain the No. 1 economy in the Tere’s a list of promises. Te $400 rent subsidy, support to country and care for British Columbians at the same time. students in post-secondary education, capital investments in Te Minister of Finance has made it clear that she wants to post-secondary expansions — and the list goes on. Again, make life more afordable for British Columbians, and I want I’m not suggesting that the government should go and do that too. But none of what happens in government happens those things. I’m not suggesting they should spend more in a vacuum, no matter what it might look like sometimes. money. I’m just concerned that they’ve promised these How much does a 0.025 percent increase in interest rates things to British Columbia, and they continue to speak about cost the provincial treasury? None of us probably knows that the fact that these things are coming, but they’re not refected 460 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 in the budget or the three-year fscal plan — not even levels not seen since those early ’80s. Te levels are absolutely notionally. How will the government do these things? How still too high. More can and should be done. But the folks will they pay for them? Tat’s what I’m asking. across the aisle have continued to ignore the fact that B.C. Tere are other things that seem to have been completely already has the most comprehensive system of supports in forgotten, of course. Afer fve years of railing about the place and has been the most successful in reducing poverty underfunding of the Ministry of Children and Families, in our country. which I certainly know all too well, and the need to hire Given that we all, I believe, want to see poverty rates con- more people, the wait-lists for early childhood interventions, tinue to decline — the faster the better — one would expect the need for more autism supports, the inadequate child that at least the government would want to start by acknow- and mental health wait-lists, the foster care supports and ledging the current realities, informing themselves of what the foster care rates — need I go on? — there is nothing. other jurisdictions have done and build from there. Now, I’d Crickets. Nothing but a reannouncement of the B.C. Liberal be happy to share with them the volumes of information that budget and plan for MCFD. I have collected over my tenure as minister responsible and, So what do we take away from that? Either they don’t also, from the national poverty summit from last year, if it really care as much as they profess, or the state of the min- would be helpful. istry is better than they chose to tell the public, or, heaven I also support the proposal for a basic income pilot. It will forbid, they think the plans, initiatives and budget that I be interesting to see how that unfolds, although I expect this put in place as minister were, in fact, on track. I suppose area may be slow-walked by the government. Beyond say- time will tell. ing that I support the idea, I’ll say…. I’ll explain that a little Te issue is this: it doesn’t appear in the budget update at bit. I support it because the move to a new economy, a new a time when the economy of British Columbia is in the best technology-based economy, is happening. We’re aware. We state it will probably ever be in. Te most expensive promises all agree. And it’s a good thing. But as we do that, fewer and made by the NDP government are missing from their fn- fewer jobs are available for folks with low education levels, ancial equation. Tat is an issue for concern. It’s a legitimate unskilled workers. Tose workers are lef, really, in a service- issue of concern and a question for British Columbians who type job or environment, and those, traditionally, pay low heard the budget update. wages. Tat’s concerning. Again, please do not take any of my comments as a plea It used to be that in our resource sector at least, one with for the expenditure of more money. It’s just intended to limited skills and limited education could earn a family-sup- remind the government that, in fact, governing is hard. I porting wage. But with technology and advancement and simply wish to illustrate that choices, even very good change in our world, that is changing. It’s changing very rap- choices, have consequences. Priorities confict. Money is idly. And I don’t believe that there’s a government out there easy to spend and hard to make. I believe the choices being today who has yet tackled this issue efectively. So I think made are going to make making money in British Columbia conversations around basic income are necessary. even harder. Tax increases will no doubt hamper investment, I think that people like Sen. Hugh Segal, who I spoke and that will afect the strength and growth of our economy with a few months ago about this, and Mark Zuckerberg, — growth that this government is currently counting on. who has been an outspoken advocate for looking at a basic I’m certainly not here to criticize all of the decisions of the income, are all in agreement that something is going to have government. I actually support a number of initiatives that to change. How is the question. I’ll leave further comments the government has in place. I support the expansion of the about that to a future date, but I do support the government tuition waivers for kids from care. I support the general idea moving forward with that efort. of a poverty reduction efort, but I continue to be concerned I support the expansion of the earnings exemptions for about how efective it will be, because member afer member people on income and disability assistance, something I has stood up and repeated a statement that B.C. is the only successfully reintroduced as Minister of Social Develop- province without a legislated poverty plan. ment a number of years ago. And of course, I support the [3:45 p.m.] reduction in MSP and the frst-responders credit, both of It’s factually incorrect. In fact, Nova Scotia has abandoned, which were just reannouncements of B.C. Liberal policy or at least paused, their plan. Most provinces and territories from last February. have initiatives for reducing poverty, but most do not have But here’s where things get tougher again. We lef the best legislated targets or timelines. And there’s a reason for that. fnancial position a government could hope for anywhere. It’s very difcult, complicated work. We have an economy that’s the envy of North America, and I think it’s important to remember that when you examine it appears that the government thinks it’s all by chance and child poverty rates in this province and take a look historic- that it will continue into the future despite their tax-and- ally, the child poverty rate went up 38 percent in the 1980s spend decisions and despite their deliberate industry- and under the Social Credit government. It went up 43 percent job-killing campaigns. in the ’90s under an NDP government. And under a B.C. It’s as if the cabinet today sits around the table and says: Liberal government, it dropped by more than 40 percent to “What big project can we axe today? We don’t want big pro- Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 461 jects in British Columbia.” What they should be asking is: people in British Columbia relying on those businesses for “What can we do to bring the next big project to British their jobs. But it’s the small businesses I’ve talked to that Columbia? What can we do that will create an environment are still concerned about the impact of a proposed $15 for business to thrive, to innovate and to grow?” When other minimum wage. Te devil is defnitely in the details and jurisdictions are saying, “Let’s create tax-free zones to attract the date of that. We’re seeing report afer report suggest new investment and new industry,” this government is say- that good intentions don’t always have the desired efect. ing: “What roadblocks can we put up?” We need to move carefully. Tis budget assumes that the economic performance of Our economy is indeed a unique one with the highest per- this province over the last year, which resulted in a $2.7 bil- centage of small businesses, but it’s not unique in Canada as lion surplus, will be repeated. Tere are no guarantees, and being resource-dependent. As such, we need to be focused the risks are substantial. It relies on a substantial increase on what makes that economy thrive. Competitiveness is in the forecasted GDP growth, but GDP growth will essential. In 2017, sustainability — socially, environmentally undoubtedly be negatively afected by the cancellation of and technologically — is essential. Our job as the ofcial projects and the delay or cancellation of investments by the opposition will be to watch the benchmark. Te public private sector. accounts that were released recently set that benchmark. [3:50 p.m.] British Columbians deserve to know that they have a gov- Te cancellation of the George Massey Tunnel replace- ernment that’s going to have a strong economic plan, that’s ment project — 9,000 jobs, all of which contribute to GDP. going to focus on job creation and that’s going to welcome Site C, the Trans Mountain pipeline — all indications from investment to this province, and that they’re going to be this government are that those are next. mindful that every time they increase taxes, there’s an impact So where is the plan for job creation — for job retention, on the economy and on the wallets of British Columbians. at least? My goodness, I sure hope they don’t think govern- Tis government is opposing the economic development ment can hire all the people that are out of work. that British Columbians need and want for today and tomor- Tere was a statement in the throne speech that suggested row, and with tax hikes and spending increases, it’s lining up concern over the fact that there was a rise in part-time, the chess pieces for a rewind to the 1990s. It fails to respond low-paying jobs. Tis is concerning, not because there is an to the transportation needs of my constituents, with the can- increase in jobs or that there is an increase in part-time jobs. cellation of the Massey Tunnel replacement and no addition- It’s concerning because in the throne speech, the govern- al or alternative forward-looking transit investments for Sur- ment’s vision for the province — our State of the Union of rey South. sorts — the impression was lef that more part-time jobs I know all too well the need for capital for a growing city were being created than full-time jobs. Tat would be really like Surrey, for schools and hospitals. I advocated for invest- concerning if it was true. Yet on page 72 of the government’s ments in both over the last eight years and was successful in own budget document, it says that most of the 88,500 year- securing more than $400 million for new schools in my area. to-date jobs gained had been in full-time employment — When our former government announced the latest invest- about 85 percent of those, or 74,500, in comparison with ments totalling $217 million, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley, only 15 percent, or 14,000 of those jobs, being part-time. now the Jobs Minister, said, “Afer years of neglect, Christy As a matter of fact, when you think about it, when you Clark and the B.C. Liberals are trying to convince Surrey think about those jobs and job creation…. I also found it parents and students that they care about them,” and I don’t interesting that in the very frst month of the NDP govern- think anybody is convinced of that. Well that was afer ment, we lost 28,000 full-time jobs. And when you look at $400 million. the projects that this government, in its frst few months But afer the pledges and the campaign by the now Premi- alone, has already moved against or outright cancelled — the er and Surrey MLAs to eliminate portables and build more 9,000 jobs on the Massey project, the thousands more with schools, not one dollar of new capital for schools in Surrey is Site C and Kinder Morgan — and then add the devastating in the three-year plan. Tis government’s members, includ- impact that the forest fres have had on the economies of the ing the Premier, said repeatedly it wasn’t enough, that they north…. Good, full-time, family-supporting jobs, gone. would do more, that they would do it faster. Last Monday If I was a member on that side of the House, I’d be con- they had the opportunity to show their cards, and nada. cerned about keeping every job — every part-time, full- [3:55 p.m.] time, private sector, public infrastructure, resource sec- I think this government is learning, hopefully quickly, that tor, small-town, downtown, high-tech, low-tech…. I’d be it’s far easier to criticize than it is to govern. Our job will telling people how I planned to keep them working, but be to hold the government to account for the promises that what’s glaringly missing from both the throne speech and they’ve made, the ones they will make and for the decisions the budget is just that. they make on how to pay for those promises and the oppor- It’s great that the NDP government has decided to move tunity costs of those choices. forward with a tax decrease for small business that was For example, our choices, admittedly, were to be fscally also in the February budget, with more than one million prudent, to use our fought-for surpluses to pay down debt. 462 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017

With diligence, we produced fve balanced budgets, and we laws, Sandra and Gary. Teir guidance, words of wisdom and paid down our operating debt, rather than increasing it comfort and support have been invaluable. through defcit spending. Because of that diligence and our Finally, I need to thank all the volunteers and supporters choices, our interest costs decreased by almost $200 million who helped to broaden my margin in this last election. In last year. Tat’s $199 million that can be used for British 2013, I won by a mere 41 votes. Tere is nothing like a zero Columbians and not paid to the banks. I believe that’s put- margin to ensure that you continue to engage your constitu- ting British Columbians frst. ents and ensure that you are listening very closely to them. Now, the decision to eliminate tolls is popular in my I want to thank all the people who helped with the door- region, but I also look at the roughly $200 million that knocking and making sure that we increased the margin to will no longer be on the revenue side of that equation almost 3,000 votes. and the cost of moving that bridge back onto the public Te reason, I think, for that margin is because of the kind debt. Adding $3.5 billion to the province’s debt increases of platform that the NDP put forward and that this cur- the money we’re spending on interest, which means that rent NDP government is acting on. In the subsequent years money is no longer available to pay for services and prom- between elections, I spent regular Saturday mornings out on ises. It’s all about choices. the doorsteps of the neighbourhoods throughout Coquit- I realize this government is just getting their feet wet, and lam-Maillardville. Afer the 2013 election, I started to hear they’re not done yet. Tose promises they’ve made, they’ll more and more about afordability as a signifcant issue. get to them, and that’s what worries me. With only half a [4:00 p.m.] plan, with only a spending plan and no revenue plan, we’re It was these conversations on the doorsteps of my com- lef to wonder what’s ahead. munity over those years, while I served in my frst term, that I see a few options: huge defcits resulting in greater helped to shape my perspective and our government’s per- interest costs and fewer services; huge defcits resulting in spective on how a caring government, a government that greater interest costs and even bigger defcits to pay for the listens to its citizens, needs to act. Acting on these concerns interest costs; stalled infrastructure spending — no new hos- is what we have been doing. pitals, schools or transportation spending; service cuts; Tis Budget 2017 Update is just the frst steps of a 4½-year promises forgotten; further tax increases on job creators res- government that has an ambitious plan to make life more ulting in further job losses and increased social costs; or new afordable for British Columbians — a plan to ensure that the taxes on the middle class. One or all of those things is com- services British Columbians have come to rely on are there ing, and we’ll be holding the government to account for the for them when they need them most and an economy that choices they make. But it’s their turn. is resilient, sustainable and has opportunities for all British With that, I will conclude my remarks with this. Despite Columbians, not just some British Columbians. Tis budget my agreement on a number of initiatives that this govern- refects the beginning of a change for British Columbia, a ment is embarking on, overall the tax increases and uncer- change that signifes that this government has been listening tainty delivered by the budget update do not bode well for to British Columbians and is acting on what we have been the economy nor for my constituency, and as such, I will not hearing for years. be supporting the budget update. We heard that life was getting harder for people. Making ends meet was getting more difcult. Te previous govern- Hon. S. Robinson: It is with great pleasure that I take ment’s policies, their choices, required citizens to pay for my place in the debate on the Budget 2017 Update, in this increasing hydro, ICBC and MSP rates — rates that just kept frst session under a New Democrat government. I’m proud going up with no end in sight, rates that were becoming to stand here in this House on the traditional lands of the an increasing burden for those already stretched. Child care Lekwungen-speaking peoples. costs, if you could fnd child care, had become the equivalent Of course, it took considerable support to get me here for of a mortgage payment. And housing afordability has my second term. First, given that this is my frst time on my become the most signifcant issue facing young people, fam- feet here in the House, I would like to take the opportunity ilies and seniors. to thanks the residents of Coquitlam-Maillardville for put- Tis budget update is our starting point for addressing ting their faith and trust in me and in the B.C. NDP for the some of these very pressing, signifcant issues. Your gov- next 4½ years. ernment’s Budget 2017 Update presents a strong, fscally Secondly, I’d like to take a moment to thank my family — responsible plan that puts people frst and ensures that we my husband, Dan, and my children, Aaron and Leya — for have the fnancial sustainability necessary for the future. their sacrifce. Everyone in this House knows what it means Tis budget update for 2017-18 is balanced. Total to miss birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners and holidays spending is $51.9 billion, and total revenue is $52.4 bil- in order to serve our communities. I’m seeing nods on all lion. We have a forecast allowance of $300 million and a sides. We can all agree on that. My family has done this budget surplus of $246 million. We’ve also identifed sig- with grace and with encouragement. I also want to acknow- nifcant capital spending needed to grow our province. We ledge my dad, Irv, and my late mom, Rhoda, and my in- are doing all of this while maintaining a debt-to-GDP ratio Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 463 that is afordable. for people who need safe, afordable and functional housing. I am very proud of this budget update. Te people of Brit- Budget Update 2017 also increases resources for the res- ish Columbia have waited a long time for a government that idential tenancy branch. Tis new funding will reduce wait puts people at the centre of its policies, and in a few short time to resolve tenancy disputes. Tese additional resources weeks, we’ve already started to do just that. will fnally begin to address the backlog that was created With this budget, we are asking top income earners in our under the previous government. Tis backlog lef both ten- province to pay a little bit more, and we are lowering the ants and landlords waiting far too long to resolve diferences. small business tax rate by half a percent and increasing the Tis is why we on this side have chosen to make invest- corporate tax rate by a modest 1 percent. ments. British Columbians have been waiting for far too long In my inaugural speech in this House, back in July 2013, for a whole lot of things from their government. We heard I referred to a woman that I met on the doorstep and the what they had to say, and we have been acting. impact the B.C. Liberal government’s choices were having on Your new government has the priorities that British her family. I remember sitting on that side and talking about Columbians expect of its government. Our priorities include her. I don’t know if the Speaker will remember. all the people of this province, not just the wealthy and the Tis woman had a knife, and she was waving it around as healthy. We have heard from numerous advocates that our she spoke. I was asking her questions about what was hap- budget update priorities are hitting the mark. And as you pening in her life and how she expected the provincial gov- can well imagine, as the new Minister of Municipal Afairs ernment to make decisions that would make life better for and Housing, I’m paying very close attention to what hous- her and her family. Tis woman stood out because of that ing advocates and the housing community have to say about knife in her hand. It was a late Sunday afernoon, and she our budget. came to the door wearing an apron. Clearly, she was pre- Te Association Advocating for Women and Com- paring something in the kitchen. I hope that’s what she was munity said: “It’s going to be a huge answer to the issue doing, as she was wielding this knife, and she was waving it of homelessness and for this community.” Tey recognize in the air as she spoke. that a government that invests appropriately in homeless- She was preparing dinner, and she did take the time — ness is prepared to act because we’ve heard what it is that and I really appreciate it — because she had lots to say these communities need. about how life was becoming more and more unaford- I’m not just talking about Vancouver. We recognize it’s able for her and for her family. She commented on having signifcant there. It’s signifcant here in Victoria, in Maple to pick up more shifs at the hospital, where she worked, Ridge, in Surrey. It’s signifcant in Terrace. It’s signifcant in order to make ends meet. As a result, there was less in Smithers. Every community is being impacted by home- time to spend with her family. She spoke about frustration lessness. Tere has been a lack of focus, a lack of com- with having to pay bridge tolls, increasing hydro costs and mitment to address it in a coordinated, logical fashion. signifcant school fees. She expressed concern about the Tat’s changing under this government, and this recent lack of support for her children at the school her children announcement in our budget of modular temporary units attended and the added cost for private tutors so that her is just the beginning. children could keep up. Kishone Roy of the B.C. Non-Proft Housing Association Afer 16 years of a government that ignored the afordabil- said: “Combining new units with supports shows a com- ity challenges of its citizens, we are tackling those very issues mitment to saving the lives of the most vulnerable among that this woman, 4½ years ago, spoke to me about. We are us, and making a commitment to modular housing demon- taking action to fx a problem that festered under the previ- strates that the government desires immediate action on ous government’s watch. addressing homelessness.” Hearing that from some of our [4:05 p.m.] advocates really helps to let us know that we are hitting the In this budget update, we are taking our frst steps. We mark, that we are starting to make a diference, because this eliminated those tolls that unfairly burdened those living is a fle that has required signifcant action for some time. south of the Fraser and that burdened those whose jobs were Vancouver’s mayor, Gregor Robertson, calls our modular south of the Fraser. Tis woman’s life is now better and easi- housing investment “a huge step forward towards solving er because we have removed those unfair tolls and she is no homelessness in B.C.” We know it’s important that we actu- longer burdened with that. ally solve it. We need to not only address homelessness, but We are also making investments in housing — $208 mil- we need to actually also prevent homelessness. Tose 1,700 lion over four years that will support the construction of units for rental are part of addressing the fact that we have to more than 1,700 new units of afordable rental housing keep people housed. We need to keep them in their homes. across this province as part of this budget. We are investing So we are making the initial steps that require a government $291 million over two years to build 2,000 temporary mod- that is prepared to act. ular supportive housing units for people who are homeless. Te landlord and tenant associations are agreed that this Tat includes 24-7 support for those people. Tat’s 3,700 new new investment in the residential tenancy branch is long housing units in B.C., a substantive, meaningful investment overdue. Tese are investments that are a starting point for 464 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 a comprehensive housing plan for British Columbia that for business, eight-by-eight rooms, is not going to address we will build together in partnership with local govern- homelessness, because a room in the Downtown Eastside ments, First Nations, federal government, the private sec- isn’t necessarily a home. And it’s not necessarily where tor, the non-proft sector, the faith-based sector and the people can get the services that they need so that they can co-op sector. become a contributing member of society. Tere is still much to do, and we are getting started right Tat’s not the kind of society that I want. I want people to now with this budget update. I want to just echo my col- be able to participate, to be able to be part of the community, league here the Minister of Social Development and Poverty to get their needs met so that they are not cycling through Reduction in acknowledging the kind of work that we’re the criminal justice system and then going into hospital and doing with the Green caucus and making sure that they then going back to the street. Tat’s not what I want. I don’t understand what this government is prepared to do. Tey see think it’s what anybody in this House wants. themselves as part of the solution. When we work together Being instructed by the Premier to work closely with my with our Green caucus colleagues, it really says that we are colleagues so that we understand that the pieces that we working on behalf of British Columbians. can each bring to our ministries can actually make a difer- [4:10 p.m.] ence is part of what we need to do. I look forward to doing I would certainly invite members across the way to engage that work. in that conversation to make sure that we have all the voices Te Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduc- around this province focusing on a very, very difcult and tion and I have both been tasked to develop a homelessness complex situation around housing afordability. But the real- action plan. We certainly saw that homelessness ballooned ity is that unless we get started, unless we commit to start under the previous Liberal government. Tat government working on it, we’re never going to get a handle on it, and didn’t have a particular plan. Tey also worked in silos, so we nothing will change. So having a new government — a new know that in order to address this problem, we need to be government that has a diferent attitude, a diferent approach working together. I look forward to working with my minis- and a diferent style of working — provides an opportunity ter colleagues to make a diference, a diference that has its for British Columbians everywhere. time coming. I think every British Columbian recognizes the No matter where I go and when I talk with people as the value and importance of getting a handle on it and working new Minister of Municipal Afairs and Housing, I am hear- together to make a diference. ing hopefulness. For the frst time in a long time, people are I also will be working closely with the Minister of Mental hopeful that things will change. Tey’re excited about what Health and Addictions, who’s been tasked to develop a seam- they’re hearing from us. Tey’re excited about what they’re less, coordinated mental health and addictions system, hearing from our Green colleagues. Tey want things to be something that has been sorely lacking in our province. We diferent. Tey want us to engage diferently. Tey want their recognize that if you don’t have housing and you have an voices heard in this House. Tey want us to address the addiction or you’re living with a mental illness, it’s not going issues that matter most to them. Tey want us to do it with to change anything. It’s just not. We recognize the import- them — not for them but with them. So with this govern- ance of working together, of tying these things together and ment and this budget is the beginning of a new era, and I’m making sure that we’re working in lockstep to bring services, very proud of that. to bring supports on-line. Because at the end of day, really, I do want to take time to refect on how we are working what we want is we want people to be healthy, to be able to diferently, because I think it’s really important that British contribute and to have meaningful lives so that they can fully Columbians understand that when you’re dealing with dif- participate. fcult and intractable issues like homelessness, like mental [4:15 p.m.] health and like housing afordability, we need to work It’s also important to acknowledge that we need to reduce together. My mandate letter is very signifcant in the instruc- the burden on our overtaxed hospital emergency rooms, the tions to work with others. criminal justice system and our policing costs. Making sure When we tackle homelessness, I was given very clear that we invest in the right direction will help. Not only will it instructions — I’m very comfortable with it, and I think it’s help people and families, but it will actually reduce the fn- appropriate — that I work together with the Minister for ancial costs of ignoring or not working together and making Social Development and Poverty Reduction and that I work, a diference. as well, with my colleague from New West, who is the Min- Te other thing I want to mention, just in terms of work- ister of Mental Health and Addictions. ing diferently — because I think it’s important to stick with We all recognize the challenges that come with living with that theme for a second — is that my ministry has a new a mental illness and the challenges that come when you are name. It used to be called Community, Sport and Cultural afected by poverty. Homelessness is part of both of those Development. A lot of people did have a problem with that. things or just some of those things. So making sure that We’ve given it a new name, because we think it’s (a) more we’re working in lockstep, that the pieces that we’re bringing descriptive, but (b) because it demonstrates the importance on line make a real diference.… To just have SROs open that when you’re dealing with housing, you need to recog- Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 465 nize that you’re doing that work in partnership. for, for years from the previous Liberal government, and it My ministry’s name is Municipal Afairs and Housing, just wasn’t coming as they insisted on dragging things out in and I’m the Minister Responsible for TransLink. When we the court system. think about working together and pulling fles together dif- Her children are going to beneft. Now that they’ll have ferently…. We’re clear that in order to bring more housing the resources that they need, she might not have to pay for on line, housing that is afordable, that better meets the private tutors — money that was coming out of her pock- needs of British Columbians, that is safe and afordable and et to make sure that her children have the resources they functional, so it’s appropriate housing, we need to be work- need. She knows that her government is investing in our ing together with our local governments. children because she knows it’s the best return on invest- Te previous government did not have a very good rela- ment that we can ever make. I’m very, very proud of our tionship with local governments. It was pretty…. It was commitment to that. tested. It was a very tested relationship. In order to really [4:20 p.m.] change how we do business here in British Columbia, we Your government’s Budget 2017 Update is also mindful need to be working diferently with local governments. that we need to build a sustainable economy that works Making sure that my ministry is tied in with housing for everyone. It’s for this reason that we have committed is very, very important so that we all understand — local $14.6 billion over three years to build much-needed governments are at the front lines and have the land use schools, hospitals, transit and infrastructure in communit- decision-making authority — that we need more purpose- ies right across British Columbia. Tese projects will cre- built rental in our province, that we need to work together to ate jobs in every corner of B.C. and enrich the lives of Brit- leverage federal supports to get some more housing on line, ish Columbians. that we need three- and four-bedroom rental units in our Tat is why we are also creating an innovation commis- stock. Tere are certainly some issues around stock. sion that will advocate and be an ambassador for B.C.’s tech We need to address the demand side of housing. We sector. We know that the economy is changing, and we have need to be making sure we are looking at short-term rental to be at the forefront. Tat is why we’re also moving forward and how that plays out. Tere’s a lot of opportunity for dis- to phase out the provincial sales tax on electricity. Tis will cussion when you have the ministry housed in one place. help B.C.’s businesses compete, while encouraging a trans- Of course with TransLink, we recognize, certainly in the ition to low-carbon energy sources like electricity. Lower Mainland, that if you’re going to be doing aford- It’s important that we make sure that there are opportunit- able living…. We recognize that having a car, having auto- ies, like this one, that make a diference for British Columbi- mobile-oriented communities, adds signifcant cost to the ans. Tat’s why we’re also lowering the small business cor- afordability. Somewhere in the neighbourhood of $500, porate income tax rate from 2½ percent to 2 percent. We $600 a month goes to having a vehicle. Certainly, building recognize the value, we recognize the need, and I’m very housing or an apartment with a place to park a vehicle, proud of that. that’s an extra $50,000 to $60,000 added to the cost of the I also just want to take an opportunity to recognize that housing right there. when we do business diferently, it also means getting rid Making sure that we’re working lockstep with transit, of big money out of our elections, that 2017 was the last making sure that the transit investments are tied in with big-money election. We heard it loud and clear. I believe housing opportunities and working with local government the number was well over 80 percent of British Columbians is a beginning. It’s another example of how we need to work who’d had it with the Wild West, had had it with big corpor- together in order to address the housing afordability chal- ate and outside interests and union investments in infuen- lenges that we are facing, that British Columbians are facing, cing our politics and in potentially infuencing government. in all of our communities. I’m very proud of the work my colleague the Attorney Gen- It’s afecting not just families but certainly seniors and eral has done to make sure that we don’t have that kind of young people as well. Government has more to do for famil- infuence in our politics. ies. Tat is why we have started to increase child care invest- Tis is a government. Your government is about people. ments. It’s why we are cutting MSP premiums in half, saving It’s not about big business, it’s not about unions, and it’s families up to $900 a year. Tat is why we are investing in certainly not about outside infuences. Tis is about British education. We are providing $681 million over three years to Columbians, and British Columbians get to have a say for our public education system so that our children, our most how their democracy runs, for how their government precious resource, will get the education they deserve: smal- responds and how their government listens. I’m very proud ler classes, more resources and much-needed supports. of this budget update because it’s built on exactly that: listen- When I refect back on that woman who answered the ing to what British Columbians have been saying for years door back in 2013, the one who was waiving that knife and taking our frst steps towards doing that. I am pleased around as we spoke, I know that she will be pleased that her with this budget. I know that there’s more to do. Tese are government, her New Democrat government, is investing in early days for us. public education — a commitment that she has been waiting It’s been a pleasure to serve these last few months in my 466 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 capacity, and I look forward to what the next 4½ years look ation, the economy is rapidly changing. It’s hard to picture like. Tere’s certainly more work to do. We’ve certainly heard what our province and our daily lives will look like 20 years from members on the other side, who are starting to com- from now or even in ten years time. plain that we haven’t done it all. Much of this change is due to technological advances. I recognize that there’s angst on that side, because there Automation is set to have efects on the structure of our has been not a whole lot happening for a lot of years. So I economy and our workforce that we can only begin to can certainly appreciate them sharing the voices of their con- imagine. Tere are huge challenges in this time of trans- stituents, that they want to see more. Tat certainly says to ition, but there are also huge and incredible opportunities. us that British Columbians want to see more, and we’re pre- To seize them, we must position ourselves at the forefront pared to deliver more. of the emerging economy. I look forward to our frst real budget, our full budget for We must develop a long-term economic vision which this government. February of 2018 is when we will be deliv- moves beyond old ways of thinking. Te B.C. Greens’ eco- ering our full budget, recognizing the numerous commit- nomic vision is to build resilient and prosperous communit- ments that we’ve made. I know there’s going to be a lot more ies. Te notion that economic investment in this province work to do. only counts when it’s an investment in the resource sector is I look forward to working with all members of this House. not refected in our current reality, and it isn’t refected in the I’m pleased to be working with the Green caucus. Tey’ve emerging economy. had some really good suggestions. I look forward to hearing Tere are incredible opportunities to revolutionize the from the Liberal caucus members as well. resource economy that built this province — not the whole- Our Budget 2017 Update takes the critical frst steps to sale liquidation of our assets, as we’ve seen in recent years, build a better B.C. Our government, your government, is but a thoughtful, well-informed, strategic approach, an choosing to invest in people and in a strong, sustainable Brit- approach that minimizes waste and invests in adding value ish Columbia. I look forward to the coming days, weeks, right here in British Columbia. months and years ahead. I’m thrilled that this budget update included two items from our platform: the emerging economy task force and the A. Olsen: Before speaking to the budget update, I’d like innovation commission, designed to build the future of our to once again recognize the Minister of Indigenous Relations economy. Te emerging economy task force will look at the and Reconciliation for his statement last week in honour of changing nature of business and how we can position B.C. to the tenth anniversary of UNDRIP and for his government’s be at the forefront. Te task of the innovation commission joint commitment with us to implement UNDRIP, the calls is to foster innovation in the emerging economy, not only in to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a the tech sector but across sectors, supporting innovation in move towards reconciling our collective history here in Brit- our resource sectors, such as forestry, for example. ish Columbia. Not only is our economy changing, the climate is chan- Tis commitment, in my mind, sets the tone for this ging in undeniable ways which are already having wide-ran- budget and for everything that government will do over ging efects on communities across British Columbia. Rur- the coming months and years. Te extent to which they al communities have seen the devastation of the pine beetle live up to their commitment to breathe life into the words infestation, fooding and wildfres, just to name a couple of of the declaration will be one of the greatest measures of challenges that we face. their legacy. We are still going through the worst wildfre season on Finally, we are at a threshold of real change in this rela- record, which has had devastating impacts on communities tionship. Tere is a real possibility for true government-to- across British Columbia and which our incredible frefght- government relationships based on recognition and respect. ers and volunteers are still fghting. As we have seen in these Te space that we occupy at this moment in time is truly his- communities, British Columbians are extraordinarily resili- toric, and it’s a time to embrace the opportunity before us. ent, and we must do more to support them. [4:25 p.m.] In the face of climate change, we cannot aford to stick our Tis sense of change extends much further. We are living heads in the sand. It is a challenge that requires that we take in a time of extraordinary change in British Columbia, both bold action and that we take it today. We were once leaders in scope and in pace. Tis budget update shows that our eco- in addressing climate change, but sadly, we’ve become lag- nomy continues to enjoy strong economic growth, as meas- gards. Tis is not good enough, not for now or for future ured by GDP, and this is undoubtedly positive. However, generations. GDP does not tell the whole story of the health of our eco- On this front, I am thrilled to see meaningful action on nomy. It does not capture the changes we’re seeing in how climate change in this budget update being taken through our economy functions or the afordability crisis squeezing the increases in carbon tax. I look forward to future budgets British Columbians. where the government will broaden the carbon tax to While government policy has frmly been lodged in the include forest slash-pile burning and fugitive emissions. 20th century, applying ideas of my late grandparents’ gener- I hope that the work will not stop there and that this Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 467 government will introduce measures to move away from ing, I read an article about SAM. SAM is a semi-automated the internal combustion engine on our roads by incentiviz- mason. Yes, even the masons are being replaced by robots. ing and educating British Columbians to make the default SAM can work about three times faster than a human. choice the low-carbon choice. Trough these and other Humans lay about 300 to 500 bricks per day. SAM lays steps, we can once again become a leader in addressing cli- between 800 to 1,200 bricks per day. As automation acceler- mate change. ates and people undergo more work transitions, we need to In response to the changes we’re seeing across the board, support people to shif gears and retrain mid-career as the we need to take bold, forward-looking action to foster resili- fnal component of supporting lifelong learning. ence in our community and to enable us to seize opportun- My generation will have more than a dozen jobs in a ities that arise from change. We need to support people to be career — my late grandfather, just one. Providing people resilient. with lifelong learning opportunities supports their resilience [4:30 p.m.] as individuals, as an educated, skilled and agile workforce is To this end, education is the single most important invest- essential to the resilience in our economy. ment our government can make in British Columbians. We Tis time of economic change also means that we need said that we were going to make education the highest pri- to support British Columbians through providing greater ority, that we were going to give our children, all of our chil- income security. Tis is particularly important as the eco- dren, the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing nomy changes rapidly, and our old version of the social world. So I’m fully supportive, of course, of the investments safety net is failing too many. announced in this budget update in education and, of I support the increases to the welfare rates of $100 a course, the restoration of free adult basic education and Eng- month that this government has implemented. However, lish language learning. we must also ask: is our current welfare system the best But a strong public education system is only one part of tool to provide income security for British Columbians in the equation. Providing parents access to child care and mid- the 21st century? career retraining programs provides people with the ability Tis is why we pushed for a basic income pilot to test to prosper and provides stability in our society. whether basic income might be a better tool to provide I have two young children. Both are now in public school. health, wellness and employment outcomes for British Ella, my daughter, just started kindergarten last week. She’s Columbians. I’m excited to see the government move on this pretty cute, I have to say. For the past ten years, I have been fle in the full budget in February. a work-from-home father. Emily and I decided that we were Tis time of change that we’re living through extends to going to raise our children, so we have largely become a our politics. Tis minority government presents an historic one-income family for that period of time. It is important opportunity to do politics diferently in B.C. and to craf bet- that our government develop a child care and early child- ter policy as a result. We are still learning what this looks hood education program that considers parents who want like. It’s an exciting time, and I truly believe that this gov- this fexibility. When we design this program, we must do it ernment has the potential to become more than the sum with care and attention. of its parts. We can all make things better through working Te increasing costs of child care weigh on the minds of together and through holding each other to account. so many and add stress to all the other factors making life [4:35 p.m.] less afordable, like access to safe and afordable housing Tis extends sincerely to the Liberals. As the government near our work and near our families. We have less time to for 16 years, you are an immensely important voice in hold- spend on the ball feld and playing with our children, and ing government to account and on sharing your expertise that increases an empty, guilty feeling while we’re grid- and making sure government is serving British Columbians locked in trafc. in all regions of the province. We are less happy, less productive in what should be the We are all diferent parties, and we all have diferent points most productive years of our careers. Tis is not good for of view. Te goal isn’t to agree all the time. To borrow a line, community, and it’s not good for our economy. I am a strong we must be able to disagree without being disagreeable. We advocate for supporting parents to support their children. all share a common commitment to British Columbians, and Tat is why I am excited to work with the government if we keep this commitment at the forefront, our disagree- thoughtfully to develop child care and early childhood edu- ments can provide a gateway to crafing better public policy. cation programs over the coming weeks and months. More voices will only ever make policy stronger. We need to Child care, early childhood education, public education, rebuild trust in government. All of us in this House have a adult basic education and post-secondary are all critical shared responsibility to do this. components to providing British Columbians the education Tis summer I heard a lot about the balance of power. that we need to succeed in the 21st century. Another critical I recoiled when I was asked about this. Our government is aspect of this are much-needed investments in programs made up of 87 members. We all got here exactly the same that support workers to retool for a changing economy. way. Yes, we have the power to make laws and regulations, Losing a job to a machine is a scary prospect. Tis morn- but there’s much more to it than that. We share a respons- 468 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 ibility to all British Columbians to work collaboratively to homes, because they’re diferent than housing units. Homes develop and strengthen public policy focused on increasing are the places where people live, where families grow up. the quality of our communities, our lives, our economy and Homes are the cornerstone of stable, resilient communities. our environment. But unfortunately, this House has become [4:40 p.m.] more about power — ruling over British Columbia rather In my opinion, when your home is a rock, we have much than governing our province. stronger social outcomes, and economic and environmental We have to do better. We have to stop making promises outcomes as well. When you feel vulnerable in your home, at election time that feed the desire to rule British Columbia when it is on the sand, then everything else is less stable, and and focus on governing our great province. When this place that is when desperation sets in. is reduced to a debate about who holds power, when we do From what I have seen so far, desperation has set in for not all equally share the balance of responsibility, we stop many British Columbians, and it’s from across a vast serving the people of British Columbia and start serving socioeconomic spectrum. We can immediately address our banners, our colours and our parties. I do not accept a housing afordability issues — the leaky bucket — by plug- balance of power. I only accept my share of the balance of ging the holes. But we ultimately need public policy that is responsibility on behalf of my constituents in Saanich North about more than just plugging holes. We need to address the and the Islands and all British Columbians. integrity of the bucket. It is pretty clear to me that the former I’m troubled by the promises to remove bridge tolls, I have government used the runaway housing market to cash in on to say. Tis was a political decision based on the desire to their strong-economy rhetoric when their promises around scoop up votes on either side of the bridge without properly natural gas did not come to fruition as planned. analyzing how we’re going to pay for it or how it fts into our Housing is too important to the stability of our society transportation or climate strategies. I do not believe that this to be playing political games with. I support this budget’s is how sound public policy should be made. investment in afordable housing, but I want to push further. At the Saanich Fair this past Labour Day weekend, I I want us to dig deeper. In my opinion, we are not going to felded so many questions from Vancouver Islanders who solve the problems of housing afordability simply by end- said: “Well, what about ferry fares? What about us?” Tey lessly increasing inventory. British Columbia is blessed with saw right through the decision to remove tolls on the Port an endless supply of demand from people who want to live Mann and Golden Ears bridges. Decision-making like this in our beautiful province, from all across our country and quickly becomes a race to the bottom. It exacerbates the very all across the world. We must take bold action to curb the problem that we’re trying to fx. rampant speculation in our housing market, which is turn- During recent town halls on all the Gulf Islands, I was ing our homes solely into commodities. asked about lowering or removing ferry fares, the critical Tat said, we must do this with caution. Many British connection for Gulf Islanders to the rest of British Columbia. Columbians are banking on the value of their homes for My answer may have been unacceptable to some, but I their retirement. So this is the fne line that we are walking. believe that it was the responsible one. Decisions about ferry Homes defne a community, and communities defne a fares need to be based on careful analysis. province. Te unwillingness of the previous government to Are the ferries to the Gulf Islands too expensive? Are Gulf tackle this issue head-on is breaking our communities, and Islanders unfairly carrying more of the cost of their high- it is breaking our province. I sincerely hope that this govern- ways than others in British Columbia? I think the answer is ment will show itself willing to treat the roots of this issue, yes, but rather than making this a political decision that may to truly tackle the housing afordability crisis gripping our have consequences in the near future, it is responsible to take province. I will be working with them, going forward, to more time now to understand the current situation so we ensure that meaningful action is taken. can make a more informed decision in the coming weeks. We are having some fundamental discussions in our I am disappointed, and I share the disappointment of my communities about governance. In my riding alone, Salts- constituents, that B.C. Ferries was pretty much overlooked pring Island has had a long debate on incorporation, and in this budget and in the throne speech. Let’s not forget that the Saanich Peninsula and , on amalgam- B.C. Ferries connects people to their homes and approx- ation. A referendum ended Saltspring’s incorporation imately 30 percent of our provincial economy. To all the debate, with residents choosing the status quo. A report Gulf Islanders and the people living in ferry-connected com- recently released identifed ways that greater Victoria munities, I will be a strong advocate for you. I look forward municipalities could work more closely together. While to working with the Transportation Minister to address this these initiatives addressed the immediate question at issue in the very near future. hand, nothing has changed. I have heard, in every community I have visited, British Communities make a province. And how those com- Columbians’ exasperation about housing. Tis is a canary in munities are working together managing those fence lines the coal mine for the provincial government which has been and their connections across the fence lines ultimately is largely ignored. Governments talk about housing units. Tey what defnes who we are as a province. It is our duty to make do not talk about homes. I think we need more talk about sure that government is serving the people and that they are Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 469 ultimately in control of their governance at the community Columbia, we must address the root of the housing afordab- level and at the provincial level. When public debate about ility crisis and take bold action to curb speculation and close incorporation or amalgamation exists, it is a sign that the loopholes in our real estate market, while maintaining an communities are not feeling well-served by their governance understanding that people have invested a lot in their homes. structures, and we have a duty to act. Housing is too important. It’s too fundamental to the Housing, transportation, business — all exist in com- well-being of British Columbians and to the health of our munity. If the community governance is not working, if we communities, to the health of our province, to only take cannot efectively build sewage treatment systems or efect- action on the sidelines of this crisis. We must face the ively negotiate better transportation and transit options housing afordability crisis and the many challenges facing because it is unclear what fence lines we are responsible for us in B.C. head-on. and what fence lines we are tending to, then the governance We are in a time of change in B.C. As we navigate it, we structure needs attention. must at all times be thinking: what do we want our com- Te provincial government has a critical role in address- munities to look like today and tomorrow? How do we want ing this. Tose conversations will start with this new govern- to shape our future? Going forward, we must embrace a ment next week at the Union of B.C. Municipalities. I look vision for the future of our province that is hopeful, that forward to working with the Minister of Municipal Afairs brings new opportunities and rejects the premise that we and Housing and the Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink are divided. Trough making smart, unbiased choices based to address these issues in future budgets. on the long-term vision for B.C., we can seize the exciting To sum up, there is much in this budget that I fully sup- opportunities arising out of our changing world. We can port. I’m thrilled that this budget update includes the emer- build a province where British Columbians enjoy a high ging economy task force and the innovation commission — quality of life for generations to come. HÍSW̱ḴE. Tank you. the two B.C. Green ideas out of our platform designed to build the future of our economy and enable us to seize excit- Hon. J. Darcy: I welcome the opportunity to take my ing opportunities. place in this debate in response to the Budget Update 2017. I welcome the increases to the carbon tax announced in I want to begin by acknowledging that we meet today on the this budget. Tis is the frst of a number of steps that need territory of Lekwungen-speaking people. to be taken to take meaningful action on climate change, I am deeply honoured that the people of New Westmin- enabling B.C. to once again become a climate leader. ster have re-elected me as their member of the Legislative [4:45 p.m.] Assembly. I’m incredibly proud to represent such a won- I am fully supportive, of course, of the investments derful community, a compassionate and dynamic com- announced in this budget in public education and the res- munity where everybody comes together, whatever the toration of free adult basic education and English language occasion is, whether that’s to care for the most vulnerable, learning. I’m excited to work with the government to whether that’s to stand up to bigotry and hatred or wheth- thoughtfully develop child care and early childhood educa- er it’s to build a strong and thriving local economy where tion programs over the coming weeks and months. nobody is lef behind. Everybody comes together to do I support the long-overdue increase of welfare rates by those things together. $100 a month. But we also must take a step back and ask I want to take the opportunity to thank the amazing staf a more fundamental question than if our welfare rates are in my constituency ofce: Nadine Nakagawa and Laura Sun- adequate to support the fundamentals of a decent life — nus, my constituency assistants, and my new executive which, of course, they’re still not. We must ask whether our assistant, Raymond Liens. We have one of the busiest con- social assistance system needs updating to adapt to the 21st stituency ofces in the province, I think, and they do just century. To help us answer this question, I look forward to a wonderful job addressing the needs of constituents who the introduction of a basic income pilot in the full budget, in come to them every single day. February. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank my husband Tere are also items in this budget that I disagree with. of almost 40 years. Yes, this is the time when hon. members Te removal of bridge tolls stands out. It’s the result of a are supposed to gasp and say: “Forty years?” But it’s true. My political calculation done to win votes without properly ana- son is 33 years old now. I want to thank them for their love lyzing its impact on the government books or its place within and their stalwart support through good times and through our transportation and climate strategies. I’m disappointed, challenging times. and I share the disappointment of my constituents, that B.C. [4:50 p.m.] Ferries was pretty much overlooked in this budget. I will I am deeply honoured that the Premier of British advocate for all of the Gulf Islanders living in ferry-connec- Columbia asked me to serve as this province’s frst Minister ted communities, because this issue hasn’t been taken seri- of Mental Health and Addictions. When he called me, as I ously enough. was getting on the ferry and coming over before the swear- And while I welcome the investments in afordable rental ing in, and asked me to take on this task and explained to me stock and modular housing for homeless in British 470 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 why he wanted me to do it, I said to him: “Premier” — with a addictions, not to mention the social factors that have such a little difculty at that time wrapping my tongue around call- huge impact. ing him Premier — “I will pour my heart and my soul into Having said that, I cannot say too much about the incred- doing this job.” ible work of all those people on the front lines — our frst I want to begin by sharing a story that I think goes to the responders, health care providers, community agencies, heart of why our government has created this new ministry. clinicians, researchers, activists, peer support workers, staf A few weeks ago, on Overdose Awareness Day in Victoria, I and volunteers. You have been there through thick and thin, spoke to parents of a young woman who was sexually assaul- ofen when your provincial government has not been. On ted at the age of 13. Te trauma of that horrifc experience behalf of the government and people of British Columbia, I led her to become addicted to street drugs at age 17. Her par- want to thank you so much for your heroic work. ents told me that their entire lives are focused on trying to Our new ministry has hit the ground running, visiting keep her alive. Tey also told me that there are no treatment dozens of sites, speaking to hundreds of people on the front beds available for young women in Victoria and that they lines. In this budget, we are acting to save lives now and, at have to wait for months to get access to a treatment bed in the same time, to build lasting, durable solutions for the long the Lower Mainland. term for mental health and addictions. It’s pretty much like Families like this one and thousands more need our help building a jumbo jet in mid-fight. to keep their loved ones alive and to have access to treatment Te urgency and scope of this emergency mean there is and a pathway to hope. We are in the midst of a public health absolutely no time to waste on turf wars or communication emergency, an acute widespread epidemic, the worst in Brit- silos. We just have to get the job done. Tat’s why we’re tak- ish Columbia in decades. Tere are thousands of families in ing an all-government approach, bringing together Health British Columbia today who are living with the same fear and Housing and Poverty Reduction and Children and Fam- that those parents are living with. ilies and Public Safety and Education and every other If today holds to this year’s pace, four British Columbians department that we need to in order to tackle this crisis. will likely lose their lives to overdose in the next 24 hours. [4:55 p.m.] We don’t know who those four people are, whether they’re We’re taking action in four crucial areas: (1) saving lives young or old, whether they’re living on the streets or earning now, (2) ending the stigma around addictions and mental ill- a middle-class salary, like the college professor whose wife ness, (3) building a network of mental health and addiction came to see me in New Westminster and shared her tragic treatment services and (4) addressing the full range of sup- story. Tey could be occasional drug users or people with ports and social factors that can keep people from develop- long-term addictions. It could be an injured worker who ing addictions in the frst place. I want to stress the import- began with prescription painkillers, became addicted, was ance of moving forward on all four fronts in tandem. None cut of and turned to street drugs. of them can succeed without the others. But let me start with We don’t know when they’ll die or where. It could be any- saving lives because that’s the most urgent part of the job. where in our province. We do know a few things, though. Saving lives is crucial. It means meeting people where We know they’ll probably die alone. We know they’ll prob- they are now. Tere are many pathways to hope, and what ably be men aged 30 to 59. We know one in ten will be Indi- works for some won’t work for others. Whether that path genous, and that means that Indigenous people are dying means abstinence or harm reduction, sobriety or mainten- at three times the rate of the general population. We know ance, people need to be alive to follow it. Tat’s why, in this something else. We know that these deaths are avoidable. budget, we will be dramatically expanding access to nalox- Addressing those deaths is my most immediate, most urgent one and the number of people who are trained to administer priority as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. it — so that when someone does overdose, there’s someone As Premier Horgan has said, the reason for creating this else nearby who can bring them back from the brink. ministry is so there is someone in government who wakes We’re going to do everything we can to deliver the mes- up every morning focused on addressing mental health and sage: don’t use alone. We’re going to expand access to harm addictions and nothing else. Tat’s exactly what my dedic- reduction in this budget. Tere has never been an overdose ated and hearty little band of people are working on. death in a B.C. safe injection site or an overdose prevention I want to take the opportunity to thank the staf in the centre — not one. Harm reduction does work. Tat’s why, in minister’s ofce: Shannon Russell, who served as my min- this budget, we’re expanding access to harm reduction sites isterial assistant for the crucial frst seven weeks; Debbie in communities across B.C. We’re expanding access to Sub- Wade, our admin coordinator; Mary Kelly, our admin assist- oxone and methadone to treat people with opioid use dis- ant; Meaghan Tumath and Anna Lindsay-Baugh, our min- order. We’re expanding the number of patients who can be isterial assistants just for the past week; Doug Hughes, my served by the Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver. We’re expand- deputy minister and his team. ing access to injectable hydromorphone too. Harm reduc- Tis overdose crisis didn’t just dawn on British Columbia tion saves lives and opens the door to healing and hope. one morning. It has been building for years. For the past 16 Hand in hand with saving lives is the action that we’re years, this province has neglected both mental health and taking to combat stigma. If shaming and ostracizing people Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 471 could end addictions, this province would be addiction-free who deliver mental health and addiction services, who do an many times over. Stigma is why people inject themselves in amazing job under very, very difcult circumstances. a room at home or in a locked bathroom stall where nobody But the system itself is fragmented. It has huge gaps. can see them when they crash. It’s also why people sufer- Tere’s a lack of early intervention, prevention, coordination, ing from mental illness ofen don’t ask for help before it’s too communication and follow-up. What we also have, efect- late. Stigma is why those people closest to those living with ively, is two-tier care when it comes to mental health and mental health or addictions ofen don’t have any idea that addictions, because access to care ofen does depend on the there’s a problem and why, if they do worry about it, they size of your bank account or whether you have a really good don’t feel they can ask. Stigma keeps the broader community extended health plan. And that’s wrong. from understanding what’s really happening with addictions In this budget, we are taking some important frst steps and mental illness, what’s at stake and what measures really to put some building blocks in place for a better system for could make a diference. treatment and prevention programs for people living with I am so proud that our government’s frst budget update mental health issues or with addictions. Tat includes fund- will allow us to take on stigma in a very big way. We have ing for specialized substance use centres that will be hubs to end the idea that addiction refects some defect of charac- for an array of health and social supports. It includes addi- ter, both because it hides the fact that any of us could be at tional funds for Foundry Integrated Youth Services hubs to risk and because it separates us from compassion. Addiction increase the number of youth served in the ten sites planned is not a moral failure. Let me repeat that. Addiction is not a across the province. It includes more residential treatment moral failure. Te truth we need to tell is that addiction is beds and outpatient services. It includes funding for most ofen a response to pain, to trauma, to profound emo- improved pain management services. tional pain or acute physical pain, and shame only serves to Tis budget also provides funding to support those compound the pain. people on the front lines in hospitals and emergency For some communities, that pain runs very, very deep departments, support for more outreach workers to con- indeed. First Nations of British Columbia, Indigenous nect with vulnerable groups and referral for things like people, are grappling with an intergenerational trauma, the harm reduction services, housing, health care or social legacy of colonialism and racism and residential schools. services. It includes support for frst-line responders, recognizing the urgent need to provide emotional and psy- [R. Chouhan in the chair.] chological support for frst responders, community work- ers, health workers and volunteers. In the past number of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity As Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, I am to travel to First Nations communities and health centres, haunted by the knowledge that time is not on our side and at the First Nations and cabinet leadership summit, and to what that means in human lives. I’m very proud that our meet with First Nations leaders across B.C. about the suicide government has committed the funding in this budget to epidemics amongst their youth, about the hopelessness and not just continue the emergency response but to escalate despair in many of their communities. Too many of their our emergency response to the overdose crisis — extremely young people are turning to drugs and alcohol to numb their proud that our government has committed $322 million pain. I’m very proud that Budget Update 2017 commits sig- over the next three years to do that and to start to build a nifcant funds to tackle the overdose crisis as it afects Indi- better system for mental health and addictions. genous people. When I say we are taking an all-government approach, Tat brings me to the third area of action that this govern- when I say it needs to be all hands on deck, I’m talking ment is committed to. Tat’s building a solid network of ser- about the full attention of government, but I’m talking about vices for people dealing with mental health and addictions. something much bigger. Tis crisis is afecting our whole [5:00 p.m.] province, and it demands nothing less than our whole If I were to fall today in the Legislature and break a leg province to address this. — I assure you that’s not going to happen — everyone in We all share this. Nobody, not one person, is of the hook. this chamber would know what to do. Everybody listening Everybody has something to contribute, and that’s why we’re today would know what to do. Tey would know what kind going to go out and actively bring partners into the solution of treatment I need and where I would get it. I would also get — families, people with lived experience, local government, sympathy, not stigma. But nothing remotely like that hap- federal government, First Nations, Indigenous organiza- pens for someone who wants help dealing with an addiction tions, community agencies, the business community, the and with mental health issues too. Chances are they wouldn’t labour movement, faith communities, schools and universit- even know where to start. ies, not-for-profts, sports teams, frst responders, WorkSafe Our new government is acknowledging a hard truth. Te B.C. You name it. It absolutely needs to be all hands on deck. system B.C. has for dealing with mental illness and addiction Also, in the coming months, I’ll be working closely with is fundamentally broken. Tat is not for lack of goodwill, my colleagues to develop a comprehensive strategy for men- dedication or professional skill by people on the front lines tal health and addictions, because we know that addictions 472 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 have a powerful social dimension as well as a medical and more afordable. We are improving the services that people psychological one. Tat raises the fourth area where we’re count on. We will be creating good jobs for people taking action, ensuring that our strategy includes the social throughout British Columbia. and economic supports that people living with addiction and Our government is committed to putting people frst and mental illness need, and that’s why we’re taking an all-gov- making life better for families everywhere in B.C. Afer 16 ernment approach, starting with housing. years of bad choices and neglect, there’s an awful lot of work [5:05 p.m.] to do. Tis budget update takes the critical frst steps in Time and time again, I hear from front-line workers, from building a better B.C. It starts by investing in people and in a health providers, from people living with mental illness and strong, sustainable British Columbia. addictions. Tey stress the critical importance of housing, as Tis budget is also about fairness. We are asking people my colleague the Minister of Housing spoke about just a few at the very top to pay a little more — yes, the top income minutes ago. Te importance of having a safe, secure, stable earners who got a tax break under the B.C. Liberal gov- place to live is the foundation of everything else in rebuild- ernment. We’re increasing corporate taxes by a modest 1 ing a life. percent, keeping us competitive with Alberta, Saskatchewan An all-government approach also means that we make the and Manitoba. We’re also cutting MSP premiums in half, early interventions that we need in order to keep the risk saving families up to $900 per year. I can’t tell you, hon. of substance use from becoming a life-threatening addic- Speaker, how many of my constituents have come to see me tion. Tat means starting early, with our kids in our schools. over the last number of years about this unfair fat tax. We Drawing the connections between addressing addiction and are also lowering the small business tax rate by 20 percent, addressing poverty and educational and employment oppor- from 2.5 percent to 2 percent. I can tell you that the hun- tunities and community services in the justice system and dreds of dynamic small businesses in New Westminster, who recognizing the indispensable role of reconciliation with are the backbone of our economy, are certainly very welcom- First Nations are all crucial to our approach. ing of that move. I am so incredibly excited that our new government has In the area of improving services, we’re moving forward moved on many of these areas already — increasing the with new child care investments that will increase our minimum wage; waiving post-secondary tuition for young spending on early childhood development and child care people who have aged out of care; restoring free tuition for to $330 million this year and support more than 4,000 new adult basic education and English-language-learning classes, child care spaces. Tis is just the beginning of what is to a move that was applauded at Douglas College in New West- come in creating a universal, afordable child care system for minster and by those people who had not had access to parents across British Columbia, an issue that is certainly top those programs because they couldn’t aford to pay; increas- of mind for young families in my community who have told ing income assistance and disability rates; tasking a ministry me over and over and over again that child care costs, for specifcally with poverty reduction; and working on a homes them, are almost as high and sometimes even higher than and homelessness strategy, working on a strategy to create what they’re paying for rent or mortgage. more afordable housing. [5:10 p.m.] I want to just go back to my constituency for a minute. As Te story that Laura Cornish has shared with me many I said, it’s a very busy constituency ofce. People come there times and has spoken out about in child care forums I’ve with a wide variety of issues that they need help with, but organized in my community…. She has a daughter, three part of almost everybody’s story is lack of access to aford- years old, and a new son, now two months old. Her daycare able housing. costs, now that she has a toddler…. Now that her daughter is Tat includes a young mom, a recently widowed mom, three, she’s paying $855 per month. But when she was under by the name of Jane, who has a daughter who is not even three, she was paying $1,250 a month for full-time daycare. two years old and who is paying $1,300 plus utilities for her She is desperately trying to fnd home-based child care for apartment. Because of that, she doesn’t have enough money their infant son, but it isn’t the quality of care that they want. for food. She has to use the food bank. She’s ofen struggling Tey’re on the wait-list for the only daycare in downtown to pay for child care and the cost of transportation to work, New Westminster that has infant care. Tere’s no daycare with no money lef over for savings. She was working two where their new child and their three-year-old can attend jobs but was recently laid of at one of those jobs. If Jane and together, so they’re looking at very hard choices. Her hus- her daughter had afordable housing, she’d have a sense of band may have to stay home until their son is 18 months security with a roof over her family’s head. She’d be able to old so he can attend the same daycare as their daughter. Te save for emergencies and for her daughter’s education. alternative is two separate daycares and over $2,000 a month. All of these initiatives, in all of the areas that I’ve talked In this budget, we’re also making important investments about, are an integral part of our strategy. All of these actions in K-to-12 education, $681 million over three years, to help are about creating pathways to hope. Tat’s exactly what this our kids get the education that they deserve, with smaller budget does. Te budget update that was presented last week class sizes, more resources and the supports they need to provides hope for British Columbians. We are making life succeed, including hiring approximately 3,500 teachers. Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 473

We’re providing capital funding for $50 million to ensure in Surrey-Cloverdale for their fantastic support in this past that space requirements for kids going back to school are election and giving me the absolute honour and privilege of addressed. I’m very, very excited, as I know that the folks being able to serve them here in this House. I, also, of course, in New Westminster are, about the fnancial commitment would like to thank my family for their support. As with the in this budget to rebuild New West Secondary School, one member for New Westminster, who’s just spoken — and who of the oldest schools in our province and one that is in a thought that we should all be gasping at her almost 40 years state of complete decay — great education happening there of marriage — my wife and I passed 43 years this past sum- despite it, but really excited to see this investment in New mer. So I wasn’t going to gasp on that one. [Applause.] Westminster Secondary School. I’m also very excited to see Tank you, thank you, thank you. But actually…. funding for seismic upgrading at F.W. Howay School, as well as a commitment to accelerate further seismic upgrading of Interjections. schools in years to come. I can’t tell you how excited my community is that we are, M. Hunt: Yeah. Well, in three more years, we’ll have the indeed, continuing to move ahead with phase 2 and phase 3 three. of Royal Columbian Hospital’s development, a hospital that Also, for our 16 wonderful grandchildren that we have the serves not just our community of New Westminster but is a awesome privilege of being able to enjoy, I’ll just give one trauma centre for approximately one-third of the province. little story on that. We were watching the new Cinderella Finally, this budget highlights our commitment to build- movie with a couple of our granddaughters a little while ing a sustainable economy — $14.6 billion in capital spend- back. As the movie was going on and as you come to the ing over three years for schools, hospitals, transit, transport- part in the movie where the ball is at the prince’s palace, my ation infrastructure in communities and in job creation in granddaughter looks and says: “Oh, the prince has a palace every corner of British Columbia. just like grandpa.” It also includes creation of an innovation commission, So we’re going: “Okay, grandpa.” Yeah, the member for which will be both an advocate and an ambassador to B.C.’s New Westminster has got the same look on her face as we tech sector, and an emergency task force, which will be had, like: “Grandpa’s castle? What is this?” So then we said: charged with developing made-in-B.C. solutions and look- “Well, where did you see grandpa’s castle?” “Oh, we can ing at how government can encourage innovative and sus- see it from grandpa’s condo in Victoria.” Obviously, this is tainable industries to drive economic growth in British grandpa’s castle that we get to enjoy. It’s always interesting, Columbia in the 21st century, one of the important ideas that seeing life and reality from other people’s perspectives. Here the Green Party has contributed to this budget in our work- our granddaughter looks at this as grandpa’s castle. ing relationship to build a better British Columbia. As we look at the budget speech and the budget that’s Also in this budget, an important priority, a critical prior- before us, we really can’t start to talk about the budget unless ity, has been placed on fghting climate change by increasing we frst of all talk about the fres of this past summer. Tose the carbon tax by $5-a-tonne, starting April 1, 2018. We will fres across the summer have had quite an efect on this be using that carbon tax revenue to support families and to province and, certainly, a devastating efect on those up in fund green initiatives to address our climate action commit- the Cariboo and in the areas afected. ments. All of this is in the context of a balanced budget. Certainly, we want to thank the frefghters, the RCMP, Let me conclude by saying I am very proud to stand in the emergency social services people — all those people that support of Budget Update 2017, a budget that truly does were involved in it — but it also comes down to Cloverdale. put people frst. I am very excited to be asked to serve as Tat’s because when we think of this, we think, “Well, this is the frst Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in Brit- up in the Interior, and Kamloops is a logical place for them ish Columbia and to have the budget commitment today to go while they’re being evacuated,” and those sort of things. to be able to move forward to ensure that we are both sav- But you had people that went from one evacuation to anoth- ing lives and building a seamless, coordinated system for er evacuation to another, as the fres continued to grow. mental health and addictions. As a goal, in the future it During this summer, we had the wonderful opportunity will indeed be the case that when people ask for help once, of seeing Surrey’s emergency social services work together they get help fast. in Cloverdale to set up a facility in Cloverdale to be able to I’m very excited about the great work that lies ahead of deal with these evacuees. Certainly, the staf were wonder- us over the next four years, working closely with the Green ful, but what was even more wonderful were the volunteers Party and with all members of this House. I’m very excited who came and were supporting their fellow citizens. Many for the opportunity to work again to serve my community people they didn’t know from Adam, but they were there to and to serve communities across British Columbia in build- help them, to support them in the midst of their crisis and ing a better B.C. in the midst of their difculties, as they were evacuated from [5:15 p.m.] those fres. One of the most interesting parts I found was that when M. Hunt: I want to begin by thanking my constituents we’re dealing with evacuees, we normally think of the people 474 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 side of things, of course, but we also have pets. It was inter- part of our February budget. Congratulations to the mem- esting that over on the side was one group of people that bers opposite for actually fulflling that portion of what was were there to help the pets of those who were evacuated — our commitment, as well as their commitment, to reducing with various supplies, various medical things, for them to be that in half. But now the challenge comes with reducing the able to also take care of the pets and the trauma that the pets other half. Tat’s $1 billion, and where is it going to come were going through in the midst of all of this. from? Well, that’s going to go of to somebody else to study To focus on the budget that is before us — a budget that for a while, and we’ll see where that one comes in. is described as being “more afordable” for working people We talked about fast-tracking schools in Surrey. We put — certainly, we see that when we look at our riding in Sur- over $200 million into the fast-tracking of schools in Surrey rey-Cloverdale. In the north end of the riding, we have those in order to reduce the number of portables. Our opponents, people that are very pleased with the removal of the tolls the NDP, said that they were going to remove all of the port- on the Port Mann Bridge. Also, those businesses up in the ables in Surrey within four years. But when we look at the north, as well as up in Port Kells, have their employees com- budget, in fact, we see no new capital in this budget for Sur- ing from over in Maple Ridge–Mission. With the removal of rey schools. As a matter of fact, we see less capital in this the tolls on the Golden Ears Bridge, of course, they’re very budget for schools than there was in our budget back in Feb- pleased with that and receiving the benefts of that. ruary. So how is that promise going to get fulflled? [5:20 p.m.] We said back in February that we were going to put Tose in the south part of my riding are not quite so $147 million into new daycare spaces, creating about anoth- excited about the cancellation of the replacement of the er 2,000 new daycare spaces in the province. Of course, we Massey Tunnel and the continuation of their commute remember the NDP talked about a $10-a-day daycare, but challenges as they work through the southern routes. We they were going to take ten years to bring that in. I always also have the increase in the carbon tax that’s coming to thought that was an interesting one, because ten years to us from this budget. It’s an increase that…. One minute we bring in a campaign promise that is a current promise means think: “Well, that’s it. It’s carbon tax. It has nothing to do you got at least two more elections to work that promise in. with us.” But, actually, it’ll be raising the price of gasoline We’ll see what happens with that one. for everyone. I believe it’s about fve cents a litre that we’ll Tey said they were going to start with $175 million in see it going up. this year’s budget to be able to get it started and to get it advanced. Well, when we look at the budget, what do we dis- Interjection. cover? We discover the same $147 million that we had for 2,000 spaces. Somehow they are going to wave the magic M. Hunt: I’m sorry. It’s 6.7 cents a litre that the price wand, and that’s going to become 4,000 spaces. We’ll see of gasoline will be going up for everyone throughout the what actually happens on that. province. Back in February, we said that we were going to add We also see things like the efect it’ll have on things like 3,700 new units for the homeless, for afordable housing, cement and the whole cement industry, which has been low-income citizens, seniors, those sorts of things. Our extremely challenged with the carbon tax that we’ve had to friends in the NDP said they were going to build 114,000 date. Certainly, they are fghting with imports of cement afordable housing units. But again, it was going to be in from other countries that don’t have carbon tax and aren’t ten years. Again, two more elections to be able to work that paying carbon tax. Tey’re having tremendous difculty promise through. staying competitive. Teir market share has greatly Tat averages out to 11,400 units per year. What do we see decreased. But of course, that all comes to the price of in this budget? Well, in this budget, we’ve got 1,700 aford- cement, the price in construction and those sorts of things. able units and we’ve got 2,000 homeless units, which makes Te long-term efect of this is, in fact, going to be touching — surprise, surprise — 3,700 units of afordable housing, everyone. Of course, we also have heard that the ICBC rates which is exactly what we said back in February and not what are going up, which is a challenge for all of us. I hear it’s they said in the election of 11,400. about $130 a year for the average person. We see prices con- Obviously, the reality of having to balance budgets and the tinuing to go up. fnances is taking its efect. Also what we don’t see in this We’ve discovered that it’s a lot easier to make promises budget are other promises that they made which, of course, than it is to actually deliver on those promises. I’d like to talk we shook our head at and said: “How are you going to be able about a few of those promises. Within the platform of the to aford that?” current government, the NDP’s platform, it was supposed to [5:25 p.m.] be realistic and reasonable. It was completely costed. But in Well, they haven’t been able to aford it. Te $400 renters fact, what we see is a budget that says something very, very rebate, ferry fares rollback, the freeze on hydro rates, diferent. transit upgrades, the elimination of student loan interest, a We look at, for example, the MSP premiums being cut in new hospital for Surrey — it almost sounds like that chick- half. We had suggested that we were doing that. Tat was a en in every pot that we had back in the States back in Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 475 the 1930s. But anyhow, something for everybody, and we’ll taxpayers in the future. Either you increase the number of stretch it all over. taxpayers, which is economic growth, or you increase the What did we get? We got tax increases of $1.6 billion on amount that the taxpayers pay, which is simply more taxes, top of the surplus that we had already given to them. So new and extractive taxes. So instead of attracting investment, we’ve got a 1 percent corporate tax rate increase. Of course, creating jobs and growing the economy, it’s clear that this they describe that as saying: “Well, we’re just staying like plan is to raise taxes, reduce jobs and reduce the number of everybody else.” What we’re doing, in fact, is losing the com- taxpayers. petitive advantage that attracted businesses to British We simply have to look at Site C and the whole debate on Columbia. Now we’re just like Alberta and the other western Site C — 2,600 current jobs there. If they in fact go ahead Canadian provinces, except they don’t have the high cost of with cancellation of that, we’re talking 10,000 jobs lost. Te real estate that we have. Massey Tunnel replacement — 9,000 jobs disappeared with A 2.1 percent increase in the income tax for the higher the stroke of a pen. Ten of course, we’ve got things like wage earners. Now, that sounds fair, because, afer all, that’s fghting Kinder Morgan and those jobs. So we really have a those rich guys. But when we listen to the platform of the climate of job loss that is being created, not of job creation. Green Party, in particular, we see that what they’re wanting [5:30 p.m.] to attract, to keep the economy growing, are high-tech work- If we look at this year’s budget, we’ve got a 2.7 percent ers. Tat’s what they want to come. Well, those high-tech surplus from last year’s budget. We’ve got $1.6 billion in tax workers are the ones that they just increased the taxes on increases. If my math is simply working here, that’s $4.3 bil- by 2.1 percent to discourage them from coming to British lion to spend. But this budget, in fact, only has a $200 mil- Columbia and encourage them to go elsewhere. lion surplus at the end of the day. In other words, they’ve Ten of course we have the 17 percent carbon tax increase spent it all. It’s all spent. So where are the rest of these prom- per year, which now will not have neutrality. I think that ises? Where are the revenues for that going to come from? actually might be where the money is going to come from I would suggest that it’s going to come from new and for the rest of the promises that aren’t in this budget, because increased taxes, and that I consider a great concern. We saw that simply is a tax grab. We have made neutrality in legis- it back in the 1990s. It drove people out of this province. It lation, and that is now being changed for whatever else we drove jobs out of this province. Oh I forgot. I’m not supposed want to spend money on. to be talking about the 1990s, because somehow they didn’t Te problem with this budget is very simple: there is really happen. no plan to grow the economy, and it’s the economy that Te problem is that those who fail to study history are gives us the money to spend. It’s just like in a home. You doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately, it looks like that’s where only have the money that comes in from your job. You’re this budget is heading. As a result, I will not be supporting only working so many hours and getting paid so many dol- this budget. lars. Te math is really quite simple. But when we remove the competitive advantage that we have in B.C., and our Hon. G. Chow: Our government is focused on putting house prices continue to rise, we are, in fact, removing the British Columbians frst. Earlier this week, the Minister of advantages that attracted these people, which is why the Finance released the Budget 2017 Update. Te budget update economy has been growing. Now we’re heading ourselves outlines the government’s new investments that will grow in the opposite direction. jobs and help develop a strong economy for the people and Te economy and revenue are built on — and have been businesses of the province. built on — growth. If you look at Surrey, as an example, you British Columbia has the fastest-growing economy in the see that it’s been built on real estate development. But what country. International trade and investment are critical to we have, in fact, is that our friends on the other side — the our province’s economy, generating millions in revenues and new provincial government, the NDP — have decided they jobs in communities across B.C. Tis is why, as the Minister want to stop that. Tey want to cool down the housing mar- of State for Trade, I’m very supportive of the government’s ket. Tey want to decrease the cost of housing and decrease announcement in the budget update to provide funding to the value of housing, which ultimately also decreases reven- expand B.C.’s international trade and investment. ue, because the construction industry is not continuing to In the budget, our government has committed $1.7 mil- build, and that’s where those dollars have come from. lion to establish a trade and investment representative ofce Federally we see higher interest rates, and we have the in Singapore and to continue the operation of two existing potential of credit downgrades because of the various things ofces in Manila and Jakarta, and $800,000 to increase B.C.’s that we’re doing with the tolls on the bridges. Tat in fact is trade and investment representative’s presence in the United going to decrease revenue and increase expenses, which is States, specifcally in Seattle and San Francisco, with an addi- exactly the opposite of balanced budgets. tional $500,000 in fscal year 2018-19 and fscal year 2019-20 It’s a very simple reality. Raising spending has to be paid to support these ofces. for by raising revenue. Real simple. Tere are only two I will elaborate more about international trade and invest- sources of revenue in real terms: the taxpayers now or the ment, but frst I would like to tell a bit about myself. I was 476 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 born in China and went to Hong Kong when I was about B.C. in sofwood lumber negotiations with the United States; four years old, with my mom and dad. Life was tough then, expand eforts to market innovative manufactured wood and my father decided to join my maternal grandfather in products to world markets; ensure that B.C.’s tourism sector Canada. He landed in Victoria’s Chinatown in 1955, while is represented on all trade missions; advance B.C.’s food and my mom and I and my younger brother remained in Hong agricultural exports, especially to growing markets in the Kong for the next ten years. We did not see our father again Asia-Pacifc; and also develop a multi-year growth strategy until we came to Vancouver in 1965. to expand exports in the manufacturing sector. My frst impression of Vancouver, upon landing on that All of these are complex and ambitious initiatives that will February day, 52 years ago, was positive. Compared to Hong require close collaboration and relationships with our part- Kong, the cars here were bigger, the roads straight and wider, ners here in B.C. and also abroad. But I’m comfortable that and the trees were everywhere. But inside, I was apprehens- through partnership and hard work, we’ll be able to achieve ive. “Am I going to cope in this new land?” these objectives together. My ministry has already made pos- My brother and I were enrolled in new Canadian classes itive progress on many of these initiatives. at Sir William Dawson School in the west end of Vancouver, As you know, in the realm of international trade, the cur- while our whole family lived in a rooming house bordering rent North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, is of Hogan’s Alley at the edge of Vancouver’s Chinatown. On the high importance to Canada, Mexico and the U.S.A. It will frst week of school, the teacher asked me whether I wanted have impact on all Canadian provinces and territories. As to pick an English name. I thought to myself, “An English NAFTA renegotiations continue, our ministry, as the lead on name would be kind of cool,” because while going to school behalf of the province, will continue to work with the gov- in Hong Kong, I noticed that most of the kids attending Eng- ernment of Canada to advance and protect B.C.’s interests. lish-speaking schools had English names. Our government continues to seek input from stakehold- [5:35 p.m.] ers and interested individuals. Stakeholders were invited to Tere was just one problem. Although there was English submit their input to the B.C. government’s call-for-sub- taught at the Chinese-speaking school that I attended, my missions webpage, which will remain open throughout the English was limited. However, I did remember a few Eng- negotiations. lish names, like John, George and Richard, and I picked As you all know, B.C. has many trade agreements with George, because King George came to mind. Tat was how other jurisdictions. One of the main mechanisms we have to I got my name. facilitate trade and investment in the province is through our Afer a few months, I was promoted to grade 8 at Britan- extensive network of trade and investment representatives nia Secondary School. I say promoted because my English in countries around the world. Tis network connects B.C. language ability was really not up to the standard, but businesses with new markets and trade opportunities and because of my age, I was put into grade 8 anyway. Needless to promotes British Columbia as a stable and attractive destin- say, I failed English in my frst year, getting a D on my report ation for investment, as well as for international students. card for English. B.C. currently has trade and investment representatives in With time, my English improved, and I graduated from Japan, South Korea, India, China, the Philippines, Indone- Gladstone Secondary School and went on to study mech- sia, Europe and the United States. And I’m pleased to tell you anical engineering at UBC, graduating in 1975, and that our Seattle trade and investment ofce in the U.S. is now worked for B.C. Hydro for the next 30 years. Afer my up and running, as our ministry announced earlier at the retirement from B.C. Hydro, I ran for civic politics and Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Washington. was elected to Vancouver city council for two terms, from [5:40 p.m.] 2005 to 2011. I also ran in the last provincial election in Te Seattle trade and investment ofce expands our 2013 but was unsuccessful. province’s trade network in the United States and will attract I would like to thank the voters of Vancouver-Fraserview investment to B.C. while connecting our companies with for electing me to represent them in this Legislature. I would American venture capitalists, skilled tech workers and stra- like to thank my wife for her support and on-the-ground tegic partners. Our ministry is also working to establish a assistance in all my elections, starting in the year 2002. I’d trade and investment ofce in the Silicon Valley. Tat new like to thank our campaign team and our riding association ofce will open late this fall, representing B.C. in the most executives, as well as all the hard-working volunteers who vibrant technology markets in the United States — Cali- got me elected. Without them, I would not be here today. fornia, the Boston and New York corridor and the Pacifc Now, I’d like to focus on our ministry’s mandate to devel- Northwest. op B.C.’s national and international relations. In addition to our trade and investment representative To achieve that mandate, I have been given the responsib- network, we also have the export navigator pilot project, ility to work with the federal government, other ministries, which helps B.C. businesses in rural regions and com- Crown agencies and industry stakeholders to protect B.C.’s munities to become export-ready. It is a multi-stakeholder interests in trade negotiation and disputes; expand export partnership, with fnancial and income support from the opportunity for B.C. businesses; advocate for a fair deal for province, the federal government, Small Business B.C., Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 477

Community Futures organization and the Comox Valley vice will be more important than ever as it touches on every Economic Development Society. Tis pilot is currently family in the province. Whether in the home, assisted living running in six regions: central and north Vancouver or residential care, the government is committed to support- Island, central Vancouver Island, North Okanagan, ing relationship-based care for B.C.’s seniors. Kootenay-Boundary, the Cariboo and the Pacifc Northw- Our government is committed to bringing care hours up est. Tis pilot provides many benefts to participating busi- to appropriate levels and meeting the minimum of 3.36 dir- nesses, and our government will be making an announce- ect care hours per day, per person, as an average by health ment about this program in the near future. authorities. We will also demand accountability from pro- Tis is some of the diverse work our ministry is doing viders to ensure stafng standards and levels are met and right now to help B.C. business grow, to attract foreign maintained. investors and to position our province as the ideal place for By helping seniors stay in their homes longer through international corporations to set up operations. improved access and care delivery in the community and by While our ministry is focused on achieving our objective investing in quality long-term care, we reduce the demand of expanding B.C.’s trade presence and attracting investment on acute care and emergency beds, provide relief to care- here, I think it’s important for us to know that a strong B.C. givers and staf and ensure seniors get the care they deserve. economy that benefts all British Columbians depends on Te government will be working with municipal and more than robust international trade and investment. community partners to strengthen seniors centres across the We must also focus on other aspects that contribute to the province. Tey provide a very important social network and well-being of all our residents, because a strong economy is help seniors stay at home longer. built on the foundation of our people. At the fundamental While we take care of our senior citizens, we also must level, it includes housing for B.C. residents, and our govern- take care of our youngest citizens. We are providing ment is working on a comprehensive plan to make hous- $681 million over three years to help our kids get the edu- ing more afordable for people, close real estate speculation cation they deserve, with smaller class sizes, more resources loopholes and reduce tax frauds and money laundering in and the support they need to succeed, including hiring B.C. real estate. approximately 3,500 teachers. We are providing capital fund- To add more afordable rental housing in communities ing of $50 million to ensure that space requirements for kids across B.C., the government is investing $208 million over going back to school are addressed. four years to create more than 1,700 new units. In addition Our children need to learn in a safe and secure facility. to this, there will be 2,000 supportive housing modular units I’m pleased that Budget 2017 will provide a seismic upgrade for people who are homeless, thanks to an investment of to Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Elementary School in Van- $290 million over two years. couver-Fraserview, which is worth $11.6 million in the B.C. Housing is providing $9 million in capital funding upgrade. Tis is a long-awaited upgrade. for 109 units of afordable housing for low- to moderate- We want the people of B.C. to get ahead. We want people, income individuals, seniors and families. Tis project is loc- families and communities to thrive. People thrive through ated at 3175 Riverwalk Avenue in Vancouver. Tat is in my learning and education. It gives them opportunity and is riding of Vancouver-Fraserview. Tey will be operated by the the road to prosperity. Tat’s why we eliminated fees for long-standing social agency SUCCESS. In addition to creat- adult basic education, and we eliminated fees for English- ing more afordable housing units for all B.C. residents, our language-learning programs. Tese people who want to government is also boosting support for families across the improve their English so that they can join the workforce or province. As grandparents to a 1½-year-old, we know the go on to university or college can do so. importance of child care to young families. We’re improving accessibility for immigrants, people who We are moving forward with $20 million in new child care are underemployed and people who want to participate in investment that will increase our spending in early child- B.C.’s thriving economy. British Columbia has always wel- hood development and child care to $330 million this year comed immigrants, and we continue to do so. Immigrants and will support more than 4,000 new child care spaces. have helped build our province and continue to play a role in While we are providing support to working B.C. residents growing our economy. When newcomers arrive in B.C., they and families, we also need to take care of our seniors pop- ofen need supports to adjust to life in our province and to ulation in B.C. In the city of Vancouver, Vancouver-Fraser- successfully integrate and join the job market. view has the highest number of seniors as residents. B.C. While the majority of settlement services in B.C. are fun- seniors contributed and continue to contribute to building ded by the federal government under the national settlement our province. Over one-sixth of B.C.’s population is over 65 program, B.C. also funds complementary settlement ser- years old, and the number of seniors is expected to rise from vices. Te province is providing $4 million in funding for approximately 880,000, in 2016, to an estimated 1.6 million services for newcomers that are not eligible for federal ser- over the next 15 years. vices, under the B.C. settlement and integration services pro- [5:45 p.m.] gram. It means that up to 12,000 newcomers will be able With an increasing seniors demographic, health care ser- to access services under the B.C. settlement and integration 478 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 services program in fscal 2017-2018. Te program will I’m also very fortunate to have a number of people in my include referral and orientation to key resources; community riding who keep me informed of what is happening and what connections; language training; labour market services; and is important in their communities. Tese people include loc- information and support on rights and responsibilities as al First Nations leaders, local government leaders and many residents, workers and citizens. informal leaders in the many communities I serve. I want to In addition, the province has allocated $3.5 million to thank all of them for their dedication and caring to ensure Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants. Tat’s to support skilled that they have a strong, healthy community. newcomers to fnd employment that matches with their pre- I would also, at this time, like to recognize two very arrival skills, education and experience. It is anticipated that important people who helped to ensure that I was returned approximately 1,000 clients will be serviced by this program to this House last spring. Michele Coleman and Shirlee in 2017-18. Johnson are tireless supporters and volunteers. Tank you to Budget 2017 also sets out an ambitious capital plan. We’re both of them. going to build schools, hospitals, transit and transportation When I look at the budget update, I view it through a lens infrastructure in communities and create jobs in every of what is important to my riding and to the province. I’m corner of our province with $14.6 billion in capital spending also very aware of the growing divide between urban and over three years. rural ridings, which is refected so visibly in the representa- [5:50 p.m.] tion in this House. One of the actions we have taken already to make life I want to talk a little about the riding of Fraser-Nicola and more afordable for the residents in Metro Vancouver is to what it takes to represent a large geographic area with small eliminate a bridge toll for the Port Mann Bridge and the pockets of population who deserve and expect strong repres- Golden Ears Bridge on September 1. Te elimination of entation, versus a large, urban riding with a large population bridge tolls saves money and time for the commuters and but ofen a small area. Fraser-Nicola starts in the south at the truck drivers who cross the bridge every day, which in turn U.S. border. It includes Manning Park to Hope, from Hope benefts businesses and Lower Mainland communities as up the Fraser Canyon north to 70 Mile, over to Lillooet, out well. to Gold Bridge and Bralorne, west to Deadman Creek and For Vancouver-Fraserview, transportation is an important everything in between. issue, as the riding will see another 15,000 residents in the I have eight incorporated communities, three regional dis- next few years with the development in the East Fraser tricts, three school boards, two health authorities and over Lands. We need better bus service with more routes. I’ll be 30 First Nations bands. Contrast that with an urban riding working with our residents to improve transit in the riding. where the MLA can ride a bike around the perimeter of their In conclusion, it has only been two months since I was riding in less than an hour. I cannot drive from one end of sworn into cabinet, but already, in this short amount of time, my riding to the other end in a day. I have had the great privilege of meeting many trade-related [5:55 p.m.] stakeholders in my capacity as Minister of State for Trade, We have roads, hospitals, schools, community infrastruc- and various constituents as MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview. ture and a need for services for seniors, children and famil- I’m very honoured to serve the people of B.C., and I’m ies. We have forestry, agriculture, mining, small businesses, very excited about the goals and mandate objectives that lie which all need support and acknowledgment of their ahead of me. Most of all, I’m excited by the budget that this importance to the province as a whole. government has introduced. Te government’s role is to help Tere are many diferences between a rural and urban rid- spark investment in our province so that we can all prosper, ing, but there are also many similarities. I think it’s the job of to foster a favourable climate for job creation, to help build a every member in this House to share and inform each of us better future for our children, our families and the people of on what it’s like to do the work of an MLA for their constitu- this great province. ents so that we can build empathy and understanding, as we look for solutions for a strong B.C. J. Tegart: On behalf of my constituents in my riding of When I look at this budget, there is a lot missing, espe- Fraser-Nicola, whom I’ve had the pleasure of serving for cially for rural B.C. For instance, there’s no mention of over four years, I’m pleased to rise today to give my com- whether or not the rural economic development fund would ments on the budget. continue to exist, nor was there funding for any kind of eco- Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge a number of people nomic recovery strategy for the interior of B.C. communities who dedicate their time to serve the constituents in my rid- that have sufered so much due to foods and wildfres. ing. I have Lori Pilon, Monika Walker and Andrea Graham, Te rural economic development fund, which was created who are my front-line staf in my ofces in Ashcrof and to build, strengthen and diversify rural communities, was Merritt. Tey are the faces that greet people visiting my ofce expected to support up to 26,000 direct jobs, improve Inter- with concerns and issues, and I’m pleased to say that they net access and reinvigorate local economies. Tis program have a great deal of success in helping fnd solutions that was life-changing for many rural communities, yet it meet constituents’ needs. received no mention in Monday’s budget announcement. Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 479

All of us have seen on the news and have heard from a [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] number of MLAs in this House about the damage that wild- fres have caused to B.C.’s interior. Te largest of these fres Our farmers and ranchers have noted that, yes, they have started in my riding, and my constituents and I have lived been allocated money for fencing on Crown land. But what through months of disruptions and hardship. about private land? What about their grazing tenures? My Recently the TNRD released a completed summary of constituents are feeding their herds their winter hay right noted structure loss and damage sufered due to three fres in now. Usually their cattle are out grazing, but they’re all in my area. According to the report, 234 structures have been close to home and having to be fed. lost or damaged. Of this number, 215 have been completely Tey’re thankful that they’ve received about two weeks’ destroyed. Te fres had an impact on every aspect of life in worth of relief hay, but the reality of the situation is they’re my riding, from small businesses to forestry, mining, trans- going to need two to fve years’ worth of hay because their portation and infrastructure. grazing tenures are gone. We are burnt to a crisp. But numbers do not tell the story. Te stories of people Unfortunately, I think B.C. is going to see a wave of small having 15 minutes to evacuate safely. What to take? Where businesses in our interior just disappear because they cannot to go? How long will I be gone? Te many unsung heroes catch up from the impact of the fres that have been 2017. — neighbours helping neighbours who could not fnd their Where in this budget is there any money to support recovery pets, who did not have transportation, who just needed to for our rural farmers, our local businesses, our tourism know someone had their back. Small businesses had to evac- industry? uate with thousands of dollars worth of food in their kit- I know that watching these stories on TV for months chens, which spoiled during the evacuation. Teir employees about forest fres can be desensitizing. Until you stand in were laid of. And how many stepped up to keep rescue the ashes of a home and talk to the homeowner, you have workers fed and vehicles fuelled up so that the important no idea what the impact is, and that is a reality for so many work could continue? of my constituents. To drive through my riding is like driv- I have a local market garden that, in a normal summer ing through a moonscape. Everything is burnt right down day, will see 600 cars a day. With fres and road closures, they to the road. were down to 15 to 20 a day, not for just a week but for mul- We’ve not yet begun to talk about the efect this fre will tiple weeks. Tey normally sell 500 pies a day. Tey laid of have on next spring’s runof. In the midst of crisis, we really 30 workers. Teir revenues were down at least half a million needed and continue to need our government to step up to dollars. What kind of support is in this budget for this busi- the plate, and thus far, many in my riding are feeling unsup- ness and its laid-of workers? ported. Te front-line crews that started fghting the fre in I visited a usually very busy sandwich shop in Cache my riding are now 70 miles away and are still doing their best Creek on the Monday of the August long weekend. Nor- to contain and extinguish the fames. mally, a lineup out the door. No one in the shop. Te owner Our people are coming home, but they’re seeing huge gaps had sent her workers home. Where is the support for this in support. To add insult to injury, in addition to sufer- small business in this budget? Te Cache Creek golf course, ing through a horrendous wildfre season, we also were hit run by a non-proft society for over 20 years, was closed for with terrible fooding early this spring. We started out with the month of July due to evacuations and fres. Because of foods in Cache Creek, where we lost our fre chief, Clayton the closures and the efect on their budget, the society made Cassidy. We had foods in Merritt, upper and lower Nicola, the difcult decision to dissolve and shut down the public foods that took out culverts and washed away bridges. golf course — a great loss for the area. A service to the com- If our current pace keeps up, when the food season munity for over 20 years. It’s too late to provide support for begins next year, the people in my riding will still be this business. recovering from the food damage that we saw this year. [6:00 p.m.] If you talk to any of our wildfre professionals and volun- Although not burned or evacuated, fruit stands in the teers, every single one of them did their absolute best, and Spences Bridge area saw trafc decrease to two to three cus- we are incredibly grateful for their contributions. But what tomers a day. Te district of Lillooet saw bus tours cancelled. they will notice shortly, and what many of my constituents Road trafc decreased to a trickle. Te local winery has have noticed, is that there is no comprehensive plan for indicated a 40 percent loss in revenue. Fires, evacuations, short- and long-term recovery. We haven’t even begun to road closures — businesses from Spences Bridge to Prince see what the impacts will be, how it will afect ranching, George have been afected. Our unprecedented fre season is farming, agriculture, small business. leading up to an unprecedented economic crisis. Te $1,500 Tus far, we’ve heard a lot about the fnancial impacts of from government was a welcome start. But it must be just fres, and rightly so, as we’re discussing a budget. However, the beginning, because my businesses are hurting, and they all this completely ignores the mental stress that has been ofen run on the edge. A full summer of income is gone. put on my constituents — from the mental stress felt by Tey don’t need talk. Tey need action. our front-line workers, who’ve been working for months, straight to the guilt felt by those who weren’t afected by fres 480 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 when their neighbours were. budget on how the government plans on expanding and [6:05 p.m.] encouraging trade with Asia and beyond. Tey make dan- I’m really concerned, and the people in my riding are gerous assumptions that our economic performance will concerned, that their livelihoods have gone up in smoke. mimic the $2.7 billion surplus that we enjoyed last year and Truck drivers, skidder operators — everyone in the forestry rely heavily on a forecasted GDP growth of 0.7 percent. Te industry is concerned. reliance on economic growth comes at a time of uncertain Next spring, we’re likely going to face more fooding, and economic future, U.S. protectionism and the cancellation of we don’t have time to talk about mitigation, because we’re multiple multi-billion-dollar projects. It has only taken this still dealing with recovery from the fres. Where in the government approximately 60 days to take business confd- budget is there money to help make our forest lands safe ence in B.C. from frst to near-last. For all of those hoping again? Even though tree roots have been burnt to a crisp, to fnd work across B.C., especially those in trades, this has those trees are still standing, and very dangerous. been an incredible disappointment. My riding has lost the most homes of any, and many of my [6:10 p.m.] constituents are feeling abandoned. Tey still have to jump Another disappointment is not one but two warnings that through hoops to get aid, and when it does come, it hardly B.C. has received, which state that B.C. may very well lose feels adequate. Tey are tired of telling their story over and our triple-A credit rating if we do not fnd any additional over again — a new face every time they have to tell it. Tis sources of revenue. For a government that has inherited government is moving an inch when we need you to cover nearly every advantage, from our triple-A credit rating to a miles. I assure you that we will maximize whatever tools for $2.7 billion surplus, we’re seeing a dismal start. recovery are made available, because our people need it. Members on the opposite side of the House seem more Te people in my riding need action, and they need it concerned with spending, increasing taxes and creating now. I share this with you because, as I said earlier, each of policy that will drive away business, rather than job creation us in this House has an obligation to share our stories so that or planning any long-term recovery solutions for those who you will build an understanding of a place that’s perhaps dif- are in crisis. ferent from where you live. Te constituents of Fraser-Nicola As one of the voices for rural B.C., I can assure you that are asking for your support today. my colleagues and I will keep this new government account- Just so you know: although fres have been uppermost able for the things that they’ve promised British Columbians in our minds in the last little while, we also need jobs. We and for how they have chosen to respond to them. need jobs like Kinder Morgan. We need support for tourism, I don’t think it will be any surprise for you to realize that I which is the engine that drives our small community eco- will not be supporting this budget, as it falls short of so many nomies. Fraser-Nicola is the gateway to the interior of British things that those of us above Hope need. Columbia, and I would ask that everyone who lives below Hope and those of us who live above Hope remember how Hon. K. Conroy: It is my pleasure to address the House important that transportation route is. We need a govern- today in support of Budget Update 2017. ment that realizes that what is good for rural B.C. helps to As the MLA for Kootenay West, I’d like to thank my con- sustain urban B.C. We need a budget that refects that and so stituents, those who have put their trust in me to represent much more. our region in the Legislature. I have an amazing constituency Tus far, I’ve talked about what’s missing from the budget. made up of a diverse group of communities and constituents. Here are a few things that the budget does include. It prom- I’m incredibly fortunate to have the support I do from so ises to burden British Columbians with a $1 billion tax many people. increase. It promises to spend, without any concrete plans on As MLAs, we all know we couldn’t do our jobs without the how to grow the economy or create jobs. It promises to tar- support of the people who work in our constituency ofces. nish B.C.’s award-winning carbon tax by removing its reven- Tank you to my constituency assistants, Elaine Whitehead ue neutrality. and Edena Brown, who have worked with me since 2005. Among many things, it promises to make beautiful, out- Now Edena has been hired as my new executive assistant. We standing, nation-leading British Columbia average, by are welcoming Angelika Brunner as my new constituency bringing our business taxes in line with other western assistant, although she really isn’t new, as she has worked for provinces. As Winston Churchill once said: “Adequacy is no us to cover leaves in the past couple of years. A great team to standard at all.” It promises to remove the incentives for busi- ensure that constituents of Kootenay West get the best ser- nesses to invest in our province — a bad move for econom- vice possible. ic progress, a bad move for those seeking jobs and a bad Tanks to my family as well. My husband, Ed, one of the move for B.C. If we do not stand out, people and compan- few spouses in the House who really understands this job, as ies are going to put their money elsewhere. When companies well as our kids and grandkids — all incredibly supportive decide to invest elsewhere, families miss out on opportunit- of my work, all attending events with me and for me. Ed has ies and British Columbians sufer. even given speeches for me at events that I couldn’t attend. I Tus far, there has been no mention or allotment in the think not many MLAs in the House can say that, so I’m truly Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 481 grateful and thankful to him. involved persevered, way ahead of their time. Representing Kootenay West is not an honour I take For all those years, I worked hard to ensure better services lightly. It’s a privilege that I am reminded of each time I to kids and their parents, greater supports for youth and speak with someone in my constituency who wasn’t suppor- better wages and working conditions for the people who ted by the previous government, and it invigorates me to do worked in the sector. For these reasons, I knew that, when the work that I need to do for B.C.’s families. I made the decision back in 2004, I needed to follow in my I’m also honoured to rise in this House as B.C.’s Minister husband’s footsteps and get into politics. So here I am today, of Children and Family Development to speak to our gov- fnally able to efect change, to ensure kids and families in ernment’s Budget Update 2017. Tis is a portfolio that is very this province get the services they deserve and need and close to my heart. make sure early childhood educators fnally get the wages I had a number of diferent careers before I ran for ofce and benefts they deserve. in 2005. I was one of the frst female power engineers in As a mom and a granny — my nine grandkids call me B.C., and I was the very frst woman to work in the Celgar Granny Kat — I know from experience the challenges par- pulp mill. In those days, the only women working at Celgar ents face when raising their family. I can tell you that our worked in the ofces. I didn’t even have washrooms or family has benefted from some of the services this ministry change rooms to use. I had to tag out of the washrooms or has to ofer, and I have always been grateful that we could change rooms when I was going to use them. For those not access those services when we needed them. familiar with this industry, it means hanging a great big sign I’ve been told that serving as minister here is a thankless on the door saying “Do not enter.” job, but I don’t see it that way. I am honoured to stand up By the time I lef, they were building a change room and for kids and families from every background. I’m excited to washrooms for women. A few years ago I had the pleasure of challenge the status quo and make positive changes, and I meeting a young woman who was working at the mill. She am keen, in my new role as minister, to start building on and came and thanked me for proving that women could work improving services. in the mill and ensuring that she had the proper facilities. It With the mandate that the Premier has given to me and was tough going at times, as even though many men were this ministry concerning the fundamental shif we need to welcoming and supportive, there were also many who didn’t make in our relationship with B.C.’s Indigenous people, I am think women should be working in a man’s place of work. feeling very optimistic about the opportunity now to make Te experience helped make me who I am today. I can be real and lasting change, supported by our historic agreement tough when I need to. with the Green MLAs and confdent that this is a desire of all With my husband, Ed, we run a ranch, raising purebred members in this House. Hereford cattle for breeding and beef. Tere’s nothing like As the new minister, I want to say that I am here to helping a cow give birth in the middle of a cold winter night listen. I am here to work across party lines whenever pos- to ground you to reality. sible, and I am here to make life better for children, fam- When I lef the mill and decided to go back to school to ilies and communities across B.C. Whether you’re a youth become an early childhood educator, it was a tough choice. in foster care, a toddler with special needs, a single mom I liked the mill. Te pay and benefts were really good, but or dad looking to balance work with child care, a family the hours and Ed’s work hours just weren’t conducive to a looking to adopt or a young couple just starting out, I good relationship or family life. I lef to go to school for a stand in the House for each one of you, and I am grateful career that I knew would be incredibly rewarding, just not for the opportunity to speak to a budget that refects very well-paying. investments in you and every B.C. family. Te opportunity came up when Selkirk College, the oldest Regardless of what corner of the province you live in, community college in B.C., ofered the early childhood edu- regardless of your age, socioeconomic position or what you cation program for the frst time in Castlegar. Tat decision do for a living, this budget update belongs to you. It’s just one led to a career of over 20 years as an early childhood edu- of the many frst steps your government is taking to make life cator, an instructor at Selkirk College teaching administrat- more afordable for you, improve the services you depend on ive and program planning in the ECE department and as and build a strong sustainable economy that will propel our an administrator for a multi-service organization — a non- province upwards for decades to come. proft society — providing services to children, youth and So here I am today to speak in favour of Budget 2017 families. Update. It’s important that I start by frst acknowledging that [6:15 p.m.] this is a budget update, and that our frst full budget as the Ironically, it was the very same organization my mom had new government will be in February. Te previous govern- been a founding board member of back in the ’70s. Ima- ment, the B.C. Liberals, also started their time in ofce with gine. Tere were actually people who tried to fght against a budget update in 2001. Tis isn’t unusual. It’s what gov- the creation of a society that was going be ofering child ernments need to do if, due to the timing of elections, they care services. Te sentiment was that moms should stay at start their mandate halfway through a budget cycle. So we home with their kids. Well, my mom and those other people are looking forward to our frst real NDP budget this com- 482 British Columbia Debates Monday, September 18, 2017 ing February, when we can act on our priorities, particularly small businesses get ahead by lowering their tax rate. around addressing the afordability crisis in this province Everyone knows that housing afordability is a huge issue and restoring the services people count on. in our province, and it’s put a growing pressure on lower- I think, given the criticism I have heard from the opposi- and middle- income British Columbians. While there’s no tion Liberals, that it is important to remember and highlight easy fx to this issue, we’re taking defnitive steps in the right that when those on that side of the House were in govern- direction. Going forward, we will have a plan in place to ment, when the B.C. Liberals had their frst opportunity to make housing more afordable for all British Columbians. do their own budget in 2002, they gutted the Ministry of We’ll do that by closing speculation loopholes and reducing Children and Families, cutting it by 23 percent. And the B.C. fraud in B.C. real estate. Liberal government tried to impose those drastic cuts to the We want to keep our economy strong, but we also need ministry’s budget at the same time as they were getting rid of to ensure all British Columbians can beneft from it — the independent watchdog for children in care, the children’s $14.6 billion in capital spending, creating jobs in com- commissioner. munities and supporting the infrastructure families Tere was tremendous damage done to the ministry dur- depend on: our schools, hospitals, highways and roads. ing those years. I remember it well, as I worked in the sector We’re complementing that spending with strong invest- and felt those cuts to the people we were providing services ment in our social sector — in classrooms with the devel- to — another reason I got into politics. oping minds that will inherit the B.C. of tomorrow. Over It was also a time, I will remind members, when there three years, we’re investing $681 million to shrink class were only two New Democratic MLAs in this House. Our sizes, bring in more teachers and ensure kids have the sup- tireless MLAs Joy MacPhail and fought the B.C. port and resources to help them thrive. Liberal government’s cuts, as did community service organ- In health care, where we’re grappling with the challenges izations and people from across this province. As a result of of a provincewide opioid crisis, we’re boosting the budget for all the public pressure, the previous government was forced the Ministry of Health by $603 million and putting nearly to react. Tey realized they weren’t going to get away with half of that to address the fentanyl emergency. We’ve got a cutting the ministry as much as they wanted to, so they new Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to ensure reduced their cuts to only 11 percent. Only 11 percent — I services are coordinated, efective and working for British say that somewhat facetiously. Te ministry has been trying Columbians. to recover fully ever since. In my area of ministerial responsibility, our child care sys- [6:20 p.m.] tem, $20 million in new child care investments will bring Tis was a pattern with the previous government that can our spending in early childhood development and child care be seen across their 16 years in ofce. Te only time substan- to $330 million this year and support more than 4,000 new tial increases came for the Ministry of Children and Famil- child care spaces. And this is just the beginning. ies was right before an election year or afer scathing reports B.C. families are working harder than ever, but struggling on the failings of the system. Budget choices were driven by with the high cost of child care, and for 16 years, a child political interests, not the best interests of the children of our care crisis has been getting worse, not better. We all know province. Tat needs to change, and I am committed to mak- the reason. Te B.C. Liberals spent their time in government ing that change. actively dismantling existing child care programs and spend- I’m proud to say that afer 16 years, we have a government ing federal child care dollars on ABC — anything but child- that’s not working just for some but for all of the people care. Many of us remember Boostergate, when federal dol- of British Columbia. We recognize that there are problems lars meant to improve child care were spent on booster seats that must be fxed, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. that were distributed at only B.C. Liberal MLA ofces. It all starts when we choose to invest in people. Tis budget As a result of 16 years of neglect and inaction on child update is an important frst step in doing just that. care, families in this province are in crisis, but our govern- We’re investing in fairness, in the principle that the cost ment is committed to bringing forward a plan for afordable, for services shouldn’t be the heaviest on those who can least accessible and safe child care for all British Columbians. aford it. As a society, we have a shared responsibility to Noting the hour, I’d like to call adjournment of the debate help lif vulnerable families out of poverty. Already we’ve and reserve my right to continue at the next sitting. increased income and disability assistance rates by $100 a month, and we’ve established a ministry and parliamentary Hon. K. Conroy moved adjournment of debate. secretary designated to reduce poverty in B.C. We think that those at the top can aford to pay a little Motion approved. more to help support the services all British Columbians need, when they need them. Tat’s why we’ve reversed the Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. tax cut for top earners and increased corporate taxes, in line with the rest of western Canada. At the other end, we’re sav- Motion approved. ing families money by cutting MSP premiums and helping Monday, September 18, 2017 British Columbia Debates 483

Mr. Speaker: Tis House shall be adjourned until 10 a.m. Te House adjourned at 6:24 p.m. tomorrow morning.

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