Debates of the Legislative Assembly

Fift h Session, 39th Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(HANSARD)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 41, Number 2

THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER

ISSN 0709-1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871)

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC

Fifth Session, 39th Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Premier and President of the Executive Council ...... Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing ...... Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ...... Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism ...... Hon. John Yap Minister of Agriculture ...... Hon. Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government ...... Hon. Ben Stewart Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ...... Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Education ...... Hon. Don McRae Minister of Environment ...... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of Finance ...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations...... Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ...... Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Minister of State for Seniors ...... Hon. Ralph Sultan Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...... Hon. Pat Bell Minister of State for Small Business ...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Minister of Justice ...... Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Social Development ...... Hon. Dr. Moira Stilwell Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ...... Hon. Mary Polak

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...... Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker ...... Linda Reid Assistant Deputy Speaker ...... Dawn Black Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ...... Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees ...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...... Roderick MacArthur, QC Clerk Consultant ...... E. George MacMinn, OBC, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ...... Gary Lenz ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING

Abbott, George (BC Liberal) ...... Shuswap Abbotsford-Mission ...... Randy Hawes Austin, Robin (NDP) ...... Skeena Abbotsford South ...... John van Dongen Bains, Harry (NDP) ...... Surrey-Newton Abbotsford West ...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Barisoff , Hon. Bill (BC Liberal) ...... Penticton Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ...... Scott Fraser Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Boundary-Similkameen ...... John Slater Bell, Hon. Pat (BC Liberal) ...... Prince George–Mackenzie Burnaby–Deer Lake ...... Kathy Corrigan Bennett, Hon. Bill (BC Liberal) ...... Kootenay East Burnaby-Edmonds ...... Raj Chouhan Black, Dawn (NDP) ...... New Westminster Burnaby-Lougheed ...... Harry Bloy Bloy, Harry (BC Liberal) ...... Burnaby-Lougheed Burnaby North ...... Richard T. Lee Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ...... Prince George–Valemount Cariboo-Chilcotin ...... Donna Barnett Brar, Jagrup (NDP) ...... Surrey-Fleetwood Cariboo North ...... Bob Simpson Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey-Panorama Chilliwack ...... John Les Cantelon, Ron (BC Liberal) ...... Parksville-Qualicum Chilliwack-Hope ...... Gwen O'Mahony Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ...... Vancouver–West End Columbia River–Revelstoke ...... Norm Macdonald Chong, Hon. Ida (BC Liberal) ...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Comox Valley...... Hon. Don McRae Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...... Burnaby-Edmonds Coquitlam–Burke Mountain ...... Douglas Horne Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver–Point Grey Coquitlam-Maillardville...... Diane Th orne Coell, Murray (BC Liberal) ...... Saanich North and the Islands Cowichan Valley ...... Bill Routley Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) ...... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Delta North ...... Guy Gentner Conroy, Katrine (NDP) ...... Kootenay West Delta South ...... Vicki Huntington Coons, Gary (NDP) ...... North Coast Esquimalt–Royal Roads ...... Maurine Karagianis Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ...... Burnaby–Deer Lake Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...... Hon. Rich Coleman Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ...... Maple Ridge–Mission Fraser-Nicola...... Harry Lali de Jong, Hon. Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford West Juan de Fuca ...... John Horgan Dix, Adrian (NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kamloops–North Th ompson ...... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ...... Stikine Kamloops–South Th ompson ...... Kevin Krueger Elmore, Mable (NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kensington Kelowna–Lake Country ...... Hon. Norm Letnick Falcon, Kevin (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey-Cloverdale Kelowna-Mission ...... Hon. Steve Th omson Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ...... Port Coquitlam Kootenay East ...... Hon. Bill Bennett Fleming, Rob (NDP) ...... Victoria–Swan Lake Kootenay West ...... Katrine Conroy Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) ...... Vernon-Monashee Langley...... Hon. Mary Polak Fraser, Scott (NDP) ...... Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Maple Ridge–Mission ...... Marc Dalton Gentner, Guy (NDP) ...... Delta North Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ...... Michael Sather Hammell, Sue (NDP) ...... Surrey–Green Timbers Nanaimo ...... Leonard Krog Hansen, Colin (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Quilchena Nanaimo–North Cowichan ...... Doug Routley Hawes, Randy (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford-Mission Nechako Lakes ...... John Rustad Hayer, Dave S. (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey-Tynehead Nelson-Creston ...... Michelle Mungall Heed, Kash (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Fraserview New Westminster ...... Dawn Black Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey–White Rock North Coast...... Gary Coons Horgan, John (NDP) ...... Juan de Fuca North Island ...... Claire Trevena Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain North Vancouver–Lonsdale ...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Howard, Rob (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond Centre North Vancouver–Seymour ...... Jane Th ornthwaite Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ...... Delta South Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...... Hon. Ida Chong James, Carole (NDP) ...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Parksville-Qualicum ...... Ron Cantelon Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ...... Esquimalt–Royal Roads Peace River North ...... Pat Pimm Krog, Leonard (NDP) ...... Nanaimo Peace River South ...... Blair Lekstrom Krueger, Kevin (BC Liberal) ...... Kamloops–South Th ompson Penticton...... Hon. Bill Barisoff Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Port Coquitlam ...... Mike Farnworth Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (BC Liberal) ...... Kamloops–North Th ompson Port Moody–Coquitlam ...... Joe Trasolini Lali, Harry (NDP) ...... Fraser-Nicola Powell River–Sunshine Coast ...... Nicholas Simons Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ...... Burnaby North Prince George–Mackenzie ...... Hon. Pat Bell Lekstrom, Blair (BC Liberal) ...... Peace River South Prince George–Valemount ...... Hon. Shirley Bond Les, John (BC Liberal) ...... Chilliwack Richmond Centre ...... Rob Howard Letnick, Hon. Norm (BC Liberal) ...... Kelowna–Lake Country Richmond East ...... Linda Reid MacDiarmid, Hon. Dr. Margaret (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Fairview Richmond-Steveston ...... Hon. John Yap Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Saanich North and the Islands ...... Murray Coell McIntyre, Joan (BC Liberal) ...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Saanich South ...... Lana Popham McNeil, Mary (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver–False Creek Shuswap ...... George Abbott McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) ...... Comox Valley Skeena ...... Robin Austin Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ...... Nelson-Creston Stikine ...... Doug Donaldson O'Mahony, Gwen (NDP) ...... Chilliwack-Hope Surrey-Cloverdale ...... Kevin Falcon Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) ...... Peace River North Surrey-Fleetwood ...... Jagrup Brar Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) ...... Langley Surrey–Green Timbers ...... Sue Hammell Popham, Lana (NDP) ...... Saanich South Surrey-Newton ...... Harry Bains Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ...... Surrey-Whalley Surrey-Panorama ...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond East Surrey-Tynehead ...... Dave S. Hayer Routley, Bill (NDP) ...... Cowichan Valley Surrey-Whalley...... Bruce Ralston Routley, Doug (NDP) ...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey–White Rock ...... Gordon Hogg Rustad, John (BC Liberal) ...... Nechako Lakes Vancouver-Fairview ...... Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Sather, Michael (NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Vancouver–False Creek ...... Mary McNeil Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Fraserview ...... Kash Heed Simpson, Bob (Ind.) ...... Cariboo North Vancouver-Hastings ...... Shane Simpson Simpson, Shane (NDP) ...... Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Kensington ...... Mable Elmore Slater, John (Ind.) ...... Boundary-Similkameen Vancouver-Kingsway...... Adrian Dix Stewart, Hon. Ben (BC Liberal) ...... Westside-Kelowna Vancouver-Langara ...... Hon. Dr. Moira Stilwell Stilwell, Hon. Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Langara Vancouver–Mount Pleasant ...... Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Sultan, Hon. Ralph (BC Liberal) ...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver–Point Grey ...... Hon. Christy Clark Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) ...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver-Quilchena ...... Colin Hansen Th orne, Diane (NDP) ...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Vancouver–West End ...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ...... North Vancouver–Seymour Vernon-Monashee ...... Eric Foster Trasolini, Joe (NDP)...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Victoria–Beacon Hill ...... Carole James Trevena, Claire (NDP) ...... North Island Victoria–Swan Lake...... Rob Fleming van Dongen, John (Ind.)...... Abbotsford South West Vancouver–Capilano ...... Hon. Ralph Sultan Yamamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal) ...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ...... Joan McIntyre Yap, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond-Steveston Westside-Kelowna ...... Hon. Ben Stewart

Party Standings: BC Liberal 45; New Democratic 36; Independent 4

CONTENTS

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 Aft ernoon Sitting

Page

Routine Business

Tributes ...... 12719 Firefi ghters Hon. S. Bond J. Horgan

Introductions by Members ...... 12719

Tributes ...... 12720 Hardial Singh Grewal R. Chouhan

Introductions by Members ...... 12721

Tributes ...... 12721 Clyde Hertzman Hon. D. McRae C. James

Introduction and First Reading of Bills ...... 12721 Bill 2 — Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act, 2013 Hon. M. de Jong Bill 3 — Destination BC Corp. Act Hon. P. Bell Bill 6 — Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 Hon. B. Bennett

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 12722 Firefi ghters memorial H. Bloy L. Popham Chambers of commerce and awards in Cariboo area D. Barnett 150th anniversary of Congregation Emanu-El C. James Poole family farm and Century Farm Award J. Rustad First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition C. Trevena

Oral Questions ...... 12724 Government advertising during pre-election period A. Dix Hon. C. Clark Government advertising campaign and spending priorities C. James Hon. P. Bell Job creation and government advertising campaign J. Kwan Hon. P. Bell Government advertising campaign and spending priorities M. Farnworth Hon. P. Bell Natural gas revenue projections B. Ralston Hon. M. de Jong J. Horgan Reports from Committees ...... 12729 Special Committee to Appoint a Confl ict of Interest Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner C. Hansen

Motions Without Notice ...... 12730 Appointment of Merit Commissioner C. Hansen Appointment of Confl ict of Interest Commissioner Hon. C. Clark

Petitions ...... 12730 J. Slater

Ministerial Statements ...... 12730 Anti-violence initiative by aboriginal men Hon. I. Chong S. Fraser

Orders of the Day

Th rone Speech Debate ...... 12731 D. Barnett D. Horne N. Macdonald Hon. S. Th omson A. Dix Hon. P. Bell C. Trevena Hon. B. Stewart 12719

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013 Apostolic Church of Canada; Shahin Soheili, member, national executive and director at large, Armenian Th e House met at 1:37 p.m. Apostolic Church of Canada Diocese; Hasso Essmailian, member of board of trustees, Armenian Apostolic Church [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] of Canada Diocese, and Vancouver parish representative; Armen Martirosian, Vancouver parish representative on Routine Business the Diocesan Assembly, Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese; and Shant Tersakian, member, parish council, St. Prayers. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church. Would the House please extend a warm welcome to our special guests. Tributes S. Fraser: I'm pleased today to introduce Paul Lacerte. FIREFIGHTERS Paul is a champion of aboriginal off -reserve rights and justice, well known to both sides of the House and respect- Hon. S. Bond: Today I rise to welcome some of British ed. He's the executive director of the B.C. Association of Columbia's fi nest — fi refi ghters from around the province, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, and he's visiting us today. and their families. Today outside the Legislature it was a Please make him feel very welcome. very moving service, an opportunity to unveil a memorial to those fi refi ghters who lost their lives in the line of duty. C. Hansen: We're joined on the fl oor of the House today Firefi ghters risk their lives to keep us safe, and in a dis- by two of our esteemed offi cers of the Legislature. Our confl ict aster they are a beacon of hope to those in great pain or commissioner, Paul Fraser, and our Merit Commissioner, mortal danger. We can never, ever thank them enough for Fiona Spencer, are here. As we all in this chamber face questions keeping us safe. And to the families who have lost a loved about our job security in the coming months, we're here to one, we can never repay you. We can, however, as we did provide some answers to these offi cers with regard to their today, pay tribute to their memory. job security later in these proceedings. I would ask all members of the House to show their gratitude to these fi ne men and women who serve us C. James: I have seven visitors in the gallery from and also to make them welcome here in the House today. Congregation Emanu-El. I'll have a little more to say about [Applause.] that later, but I would like the House, please, to recognize Rabbi Harry Brechner; Frances Aknai; Janis Diner-Brinley; J. Horgan: On behalf of the offi cial opposition, I want Alan Rutkowski, who is an amazing person in his own right, to join with the Attorney General in thanking and giving but some of you may recognize him from a former staff our utmost gratitude to the men and women who are person who worked in the Legislature — this is Jim Rutkowski's joining us here today to celebrate the work of fi refi ghters dad; Zelda Dean; Tim Humphreys; and one of my daughter's right across this province. all-time favourite teachers from Central Junior, Barbara Mike Hurley, the president of B.C. Professional Fire Pelman. Would the House please make them very welcome. Fighters, has been a leader in bringing fi refi ghters' issues to this Legislature in a non-partisan way — in a way where Hon. I. Chong: I want to thank the member for all 85 of us can grow and better understand the incredible Alberni–Pacifi c Rim for introducing Paul Lacerte. I, too, work that our neighbours, our brothers and our sisters would like to acknowledge his presence in the House to- and everyone in our community put into safety, fi re pre- day and, just by way of background, indicate that he is a vention and, most importantly, have an understanding member of the caribou clan and a citizen of the Carrier and grasp of the challenges that these men and women Nation in north central British Columbia. face each and every day selfl essly on behalf all British He is here today not just on his own. I believe he has Columbians. brought his family, so I would ask the House to please Again, on behalf of the offi cial opposition, I join with the make Paul, his partner Asma and their four daughters Attorney. and one son that are joining us today very welcome. To those that were at the presentation today: thank you very, very much for your service and your continued con- M. Karagianis: It has become a bit of a tradition in the tribution to the people of British Columbia. House to introduce new grandchildren. I would like to [1340] introduce my newest grandchild, Caladan Baird Hennebery, who was born on November 28, to my daughter Aubrey Introductions by Members and her partner, Brendan. I hope we will make this new baby welcome. Th at makes my eighth grandchild. I know Hon. J. Yap: We have some special guests in the gallery I can't catch some members of this House, but that's my today. Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, primate of the Armenian eighth, anyway. 12720 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Mr. Speaker: We should just automatically go to G. Abbott: I'll just carry on from the Opposition Chilliwack. House Leader with respect to the legislative interns. We've had the pleasure in this Legislature now for 37 J. Les: Indeed, I rise today to update the House on years of hosting the legislative internship program. Th is two additional grandchildren that my wife and I have is the 37th class of interns that will be joining us for a few been blessed with since the last session of the Legislature. months. I know they're the 37th because I was a member On June 29, 2012, Gavin David Les arrived. He's a lit- of the inaugural group 37 years ago. Sometime in the last tle brother for Airyn and Lyndon. His parents are our distant century, apparently, I was a member of it. son Chris and his wife, Carina. On November 28, 2012, But it is a great opportunity for us to learn from Kyle Matthew Kooyman was born. He's a little brother them, and also an opportunity for them to learn some for Nicholas and Ashlyn. His parents are our daughter of the processes of this very beautiful and important Sharon and her husband, Ron. place as well. I would like to introduce Th omas Lattimer, We are delighted with these additions to our family, Stephen Satterfi eld, Maya Fernandez, Vanesa Tomasino and I would ask the House to please join me in welcom- Rodriguez and Jared Marley, who are joining the B.C. ing them to our great province. Liberal side of the House. I would also like to take a moment, Mr. Speaker, be- An Hon. Member: What's the grand total? cause the program operates so very well because of the support of people like Paddy Smith of Simon Fraser and J. Les: Seventeen. Karen Aitken, who works in the assembly here to co- ordinate the program. Th ey do wonderful work, and we Mr. Speaker: I'm not certain I heard that correctly. Did look forward to learning much and enjoying the com- the member say 17? pany of the 37th class of legislative interns. [1345] R. Fleming: Joining us in the gallery today are mem- J. Horgan: We have gratitude to the member for bers of the Jordan River Steering Committee, which is an Chilliwack for reminding us just how long it has been alliance of citizen volunteers and groups from the Juan de since we sat here — approximately nine months, plus Fuca electoral area and greater Victoria, with represen- or minus a few weeks. But again, as always, congratu- tation from the Wilderness Committee, the Sierra Club, lations to the member and the growing constituency of the Sea to Sea Greenbelt Society and other community Chilliwack. organizations. With us are Vicky Husband, Nitya Harris, I, however, am rising to introduce the bright-eyed Rosemary Jorna, Saul Arbess, Torrance Coste and Ray and bushy-tailed interns that arrived with hope in their Zimmermann. I would ask the House to make all of these hearts and a sense of the importance and dignity of this individuals welcome here in the gallery today. place. Of course, they hadn't been introduced to the lodg- ings that we were going to give them in the bowels of the Hon. P. Bell: I'm really pleased today to be joined in building, right beside the infrastructure to keep the com- the House by three distinguished members of the tour- puters going. Nonetheless, that's what we've got. ism industry association, provincial destination market- Joining us on the opposition side…. I'm sure my colleague ing organization task force. Th ese individuals worked from Shuswap will have some words to say about the govern- long and hard to come up with an industry-led, formula- ment members, but joining us in the 2013 list of interns are funded organization that's going to help support tourism Katie Dittrich, Emma Fraser — who may be related to the into the future. Joining us today are Lana Denoni, who is member for Pacific Rim; we're not sure — Kate Russell, the chair of the Tourism Industry Association, Christine Rebecca Whitmore. Braeden Wiens rounds out the team. Stoneman and James Terry. Would the House please Would the House please make them very, very welcome make them very welcome. and ensure on this, their fi rst question period, that we have all the answers to the question that we ask. Tributes

H. Bloy: I have three staff from my office visiting HARDIAL SINGH GREWAL me today. I have Barbara Spitz, Ed Sem and Laura Yin. Would the House please make them welcome. R. Chouhan: I would like to pay tribute to a man because of whom I am here in Canada, my father-in-law, G. Coons: Two guests in the gallery today from Prince Mr. Hardial Singh Grewal, who passed away on February Rupert, two fi refi ghters, IAFF Local 559 members: Remo 3 very peacefully. He came to Canada in 1959. When he Pomponio and president James Daniele. Could the arrived here, like many other people, he worked in saw- House please make them welcome for all the hard work mills. He became a very active member of IWA. He also that they do — and all fi refi ghters in the province. served as the director of IWA Credit Union for many Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12721 years, and he was also president of the Khalsa Diwan schools, making decisions on early childhood education…. Society in New Westminster. Children's lives in this province are better because of Clyde [1350] Hertzman's work. Children's lives have been improved. During his life in Canada he also helped very many Families' lives have been improved because of Clyde's work. people to raise funds to buy medical equipment for Royal And while I know this is a very diffi cult time for his Columbian Hospital. He was also a small business man. family, and our thoughts go out to them, I also know So please join me to say my best wishes to our family — that that incredible legacy will give them some comfort especially my wife, who really misses him. as they're going through this diffi cult time.

Introductions by Members Introduction and First Reading of Bills J. Th ornthwaite: In addition to welcoming the fi refi ghters from the district of North Vancouver — Mark BILL 2 — PROVINCIAL SALES TAX Dear and Brian Leavold — I'd also like to recognize Tim TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND Schindel, our legislative chaplain. I just noticed he was AMENDMENTS ACT, 2013 up there. Th ank you for the work that you do. Hon. M. de Jong presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Provincial Sales Tributes Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act, 2013.

CLYDE HERTZMAN Hon. M. de Jong: I move the bill be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Hon. D. McRae: As the Minister of Education, I'm honoured to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Motion approved. the late Dr. Clyde Hertzman. British Columbia has lost a leader, a teacher, a scientist and an innovator. Dr. Hon. M. de Jong: Th is bill completes the legislation Hertzman's intelligence, coupled with his passion for required for the reimplementation of the PST, a tax that learning and research, has led to an invaluable contri- will apply to the same goods and services and provides bution to early childhood and human development. He the same permanent exemptions as the old PST and ho- strove to make quality early childhood education access- tel room tax did prior to the implementation of the HST ible to as many young British Columbians as possible. on July 1, 2010. Th e PST will be implemented pursuant As the director of the human early learning partner- to this and other legislation, eff ective April 1, 2013. ship at UBC's college for interdisciplinary studies, Dr. Th e bill provides transitional provisions for the PST Hertzman studied the connection between biological for transactions that straddle April 1, 2013, transition- and socioeconomic factors that impact children in their al provisions for the Motor Fuel Tax Act and for the early stages of development. Concerned about children Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act, Hotel being vulnerable by the time they entered kindergarten, Room Tax Act and the Social Service Tax Act, con- Dr. Hertzman's applied research in early childhood de- sequential and related amendments to various other acts, velopment has not only measured early developmental amendments to the New Housing Transition Tax and health but helped communities, parents, teachers and Rebate Act and, fi nally, amendments to the Provincial school boards all work towards improving learning en- Sales Tax Act itself. vironments at school and at home. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day Not only does Dr. Hertzman leave a legacy for his for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er fellow researchers and scientists in his fi eld of study, but today. his embodiment of leadership also serves as inspiration for all British Columbians to follow. I extend my deepest Bill 2, Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and sympathies to Dr. Hertzman's family. Amendments Act, 2013, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second read- C. James: I want to echo the words of the Education ing at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Minister and add, on behalf of the opposition, our [1355] thoughts to Marcy and to their family, to Clyde's children. I think it's an extraordinary legacy that he leaves BILL 3 — DESTINATION BC CORP. ACT in this province. When I think back to my days as a school trustee and Hon. P. Bell presented a message from Her Honour the work that Clyde has done to be able to assist people the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Destination making decisions around resources, making decisions in BC Corp. Act. 12722 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hon. P. Bell: Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill 3 be intro- closing a loophole in relation to tax sales, authorizing city duced and read a fi rst time now. council to use up to fi ve years for land assessment aver- aging to calculate annual property taxes, and clarifying Motion approved. the city's power to regulate the days and hours of operation of licensed restaurants. Hon. P. Bell: B.C. faces fi erce global competition for I move that the Local Government Statutes Amendment each and every tourist dollar, but we also have an incred- Act, 2013 be placed on the orders of the day for second ible opportunity to move into new markets and emerge reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. with new opportunity. Our new tourism Crown corporation, Destination B.C., will strengthen collaboration with Bill 6, Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, the tourism industry so that we take full advantage of the 2013, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be opportunity to market B.C. as a world-class destination placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next and compete on a global scale. sitting of the House aft er today. Although Destination B.C. was established in November of 2012 under the Business Corporations Act, establishing Statements it as a corporation through statute provides greater trans- (Standing Order 25B) parency and funding certainty for the industry, stakeholders and the public. FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL Th is legislation sets out a framework for Destination B.C. that will enable greater responsiveness to the tour- H. Bloy: For our province's fi refi ghters, recognition is ism industry and increase accountability to taxpayers. It not an important part of the job. What is important is is expected that Destination B.C. will help the tourism keeping their community safe and helping those who industry in British Columbia grow and increase tour- need their support. So it is fi tting that many of us don't ism revenue, visitor numbers and job creation across really think about them until we realize we need their the province. help. I move that Bill 3 be placed on the orders of the day for Unfortunately, due to the dangerous nature of their job, second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. B.C. fi refi ghters oft en put their own lives in danger to protect the lives of others. Every once in a while a fi refi ghter Bill 3, Destination BC Corp. Act, introduced, read a gives his or her life to save another. Seventy-six fi refi ghters fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day have lost their lives while on the job, committing the ultim- for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er ate sacrifi ce in service to their fellow British Columbians. today. Today they will get the recognition they deserve. For the past three years our government has worked BILL 6 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTES with the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association to AMENDMENT ACT, 2013 create a monument to our province's 76 fallen heroes. I'm very proud that we were able to fi nd a permanent Hon. B. Bennett presented a message from Her home for the monument here on the legislative grounds. Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local I would like to thank the Premier and you, hon. Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013. Speaker, for your full support on this project in making it a reality. As well, I would like to thank Mike Hurley for all Hon. B. Bennett: I move that the bill be read for the the work that he, as president of the B.C. Professional Fire fi rst time now. Fighters, put in to make this a reality, and Jay Brownlee, who worked tirelessly to make this ceremony today such Motion approved. an incredible event. Because of everyone's collective eff orts, every British Hon. B. Bennett: I am pleased to present the Local Columbian will know the bravery of our fi refi ghters and Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013. Th is legis- the sacrifi ce some make to keep others safe. With this lation responds to a request from British Columbia local monument, they will always be remembered. governments to allow them to send property tax notices [1400] electronically. Th is will be a service municipalities can now off er to taxpayers. It will be at the request of the tax- L. Popham: Today British Columbia fi refi ghters trav- payer and is voluntary. elled to the Legislature to attend the BCPFFA 2013 Fallen There are also four minor amendments to the Firefi ghter Memorial service. Th is memorial service re- Vancouver Charter that were requested by the city of membered those professional fi refi ghters who have given Vancouver. Th ey include, briefl y, providing the option of the ultimate sacrifi ce in service of their communities and being able to pay for parking with a credit card or phone, have died in the line of duty. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12723

Th is year six fi refi ghters' names were recognized, mak- celebrating its 19th annual Business Excellence Awards ing 76 the number of British Columbian fi refi ghters who and Citizen of the Year awards recognizing the invalu- have given their lives for us. Today the last alarm rang for able contribution that both business and citizens have Bruce, Ron, Leister, Terry, John and Sidney. As with the made to our communities. On the same evening, the inaugural ceremony in 2011, this one was emotional and Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce will moving. Th e monument that was unveiled will be a wel- also be celebrating their 18th annual Business Excellence come place for friends and families who have lost loved Awards. ones. It's a place to remember, and it's a place to grieve. Th ese excellence awards are a great way to recognize I feel very connected to the B.C. fi refi ghter family, as the achievements of local business and citizens and to my husband, Jon Popham, of the Oak Bay fi re department, demonstrate our appreciation for all the hard work they and my brother, Guy McKintuck, of the Delta fi re depart- do to make our communities a better place to live. ment, have each dedicated over two decades of their lives I would like to acknowledge Chamber of Commerce to their profession. My father, Henry McKintuck, and my Week, which is next week, from February 18 to 22. cousin David Bjorkman have also served in a volunteer Chambers of commerce play an integral role for busi- capacity for fi re departments around the province. My nesses in our communities, often offering economic life is full of these courageous people who have devoted seminars, networking events, economic development their lives to protecting us. initiatives and Shop Local programs. Th ese services not Th is poem was written by a fi refi ghter in 1973, and it's only play a supportive role for businesses but, in turn, called Th e Last Alarm. positively aff ect all members of the community by con- My father was a fi reman. tributing to a strong economy. He drove a big red truck, I encourage everyone to take the time next week and and when he'd go to work each day, participate in their local chamber of commerce events he'd say: "Mother, wish me luck." Th en Dad would not come home again during British Columbia Chamber of Commerce Week. until sometime the next day. It is an opportunity to support and appreciate work that But the thing that bothered me the most chambers do supporting businesses across B.C. was the things some folks would say: "A fi reman's life is easy. 150th ANNIVERSARY OF He sleeps and eats and plays, CONGREGATION EMANU-EL and sometimes he won't fi ght a fi re for many, many days." When I fi rst heard these words, C. James: In 1863 Congregation Emanu-El was es- I was too young to understand, tablished as a spiritual home for Victoria's Jewish set- but I knew when people had trouble, tlers. Th e construction of a synagogue was a tremendous Dad was there to lend a hand. undertaking, and it succeeded in no small measure due When my father went to work one day to the support of the wider community, including other and kissed us all goodbye, local churches. little did we realize [1405] that night we all would cry. Today, 150 years later, the historic synagogue on My father lost his life that night when the fl oor gave way below. Blanshard Street is a rare surviving example of 19th-century I wondered why he'd risked his life Romanesque revival architecture and is the oldest syna- for someone he didn't know. gogue in continuous use in all of Canada. In 1983 it was But now I truly realize designated as a national historical site. the greatest gift a man can give What a long and proud journey it has been. Early is to lay his life upon the line Jewish settlers in Victoria were actively involved in pub- so someone else might live. lic life, and the congregation has celebrated many histor- So as you go from day to day and pray to God above, ic fi rsts. In 1859 Selim Franklin was elected to the B.C. say a prayer for your local fi reman. Legislature, the fi rst Jewish person to take a seat in any He may save the ones you love. legislature in British North America. In 1865 his brother Lumley Franklin was elected as the second mayor CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE of Victoria, and in 1872 Henry Nathan Jr. was the fi rst AND AWARDS IN CARIBOO AREA Jewish Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons. Today Congregation Emanu-El continues its involve- D. Barnett: March 9 marks celebrations for the South ment in the wider community. Members provide hot Cariboo Chamber of Commerce as well as the Williams meals to those in need, and in the winter months they Lake and District Chamber of Commerce in my riding convert their social hall into an Out of the Rain Youth of Cariboo-Chilcotin. Night Shelter. Th e congregation also provides rent sub- Th e South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce will be sidies to families at risk of homelessness, and they run 12724 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

educational and cultural programs throughout the year. fi ghting for B.C.'s children and youth, and the need has June 2 is the 150th anniversary of the laying of the never been greater. cornerstone. It will be commemorated with public events It's First Call that every year publishes the child pov- and celebrations spanning several months. Congregation erty report card showing the dismal state of childhood Emanu-El is also raising the almost $1 million needed to in our province. Every year it highlights how poorly we restore the synagogue, and I'm certain that our commun- serve our children by letting them grow up in poverty. It's ity will once again step forward to help this magnifi cent First Call that brings together organizations from around historical building to stand for another 150 years at least. the province to help advocate for high-quality, low-cost I hope all members will join me in saying mazel tov, public child care for our youngsters so they and their congratulations, to Congregation Emanu-El on its 150th families can get on with a life fulfi lled. anniversary. It's First Call that's leading the campaign to end child labour in B.C. Th e laws were changed by this govern- POOLE FAMILY FARM ment to allow kids as young as 12 to work, often in AND CENTURY FARM AWARD dangerous situations without supervision. First Call is willing to stand up to fi ght that jobs plan and make sure J. Rustad: Th e Century Farm Award honours agricul- that children and youth are not exploited by force of cir- tural organizations that have contributed to B.C.'s leg- cumstance. acy of food production and agriculture for a century or [1410] longer, as well as pioneers whose farms have been in the It's First Call that's championing the living wage cam- family for 100 years or more. paign. Th at's an eff ort to get communities to commit to I'm proud to say the Poole family in my riding is a everyone receiving a living wage — not the minimum recipient of this award, and I'd like to share their story. wage but a wage that families can live on, can feed their In 1912 Charles and Alfred Poole, alongside their fam- kids and get them clothes, can pay the rent and their hy- ilies, travelled to B.C. searching for good farmland and dro bills. successfully located an area in the Mapes district, south- First Call, a non-partisan organization, has been on east of Vanderhoof. the front lines for 20 years. It's committed to early child- Ever since Charles Poole obtained a pre-emption claim hood education. It supports strong transitions from for the property in 1913 and a certifi cate of title in 1924, childhood to youth and from youth to adulthood. It the land has remained in the Poole family. In 1955 the wants to see economic equality, and it wants safe and property was transferred to Charles's daughter Grace, the caring communities. Its three-strong staff , headed by the second-generation Poole family to own it. She worked amazing and award-winning Adrienne Montani, con- the land with her brother Hubert, and in 2012 the land tinue to guide the coalition through the maze of public was then transferred to Hubert's son, Alfred Poole, and policy and partisan stands. Poole Farms Ltd. Essentially, none of what First Call advocates for Although the majority of the responsibilities fall on should be a fi ght. Th eir positions, if adopted, would en- Alfred and his son Dale, Hubert and his wife, Edna, are hance the fabric of our society. High-quality, aff ordable still involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, even and accessible child care makes sense. Children having aft er retirement. Th e family's commitment to working to go to work to help their families make ends meet is an the land demonstrates their investment in the agricul- insult to all of us, and having kids and families living in tural industry and attachment to the area. poverty demeans us all. Th e original property of 160 acres is now a 3,500-acre It is, as they say, a no-brainer. We either invest our operation where the family continues to raise cattle. Th e children now so that they can have a good start in their Poole family exemplifi es hard work and dedication to lives and become active participants in our communities food production in our great province, making extensive and our society, or we pay the price later, picking up the contributions to B.C.'s economy. pieces and seeing our society diminish. It's hard to imagine what life was like 100 years ago or all of the challenges and joy that come with working the Oral Questions land over that time. Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to recognize the Poole family's achievements. Please join me in GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING congratulating their receipt of the Century Farm Award. DURING PRE-ELECTION PERIOD

FIRST CALL A. Dix: It's obviously going to be a very interesting ses- CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCACY COALITION sion of the Legislature. It feels like we were here about 8½ months ago, and indeed, we were. C. Trevena: For 20 years B.C. has been lucky to have My question is to the Premier. As the Premier will know, an immensely active advocacy coalition, First Call, out the government is engaged in an unprecedented partisan Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12725

ad campaign around its jobs plan, ads that should be paid want to say, at this point in the session, how much I'm go- for by the Liberal Party and not the taxpayer. We don't ing to miss the member for Kamloops–South Th ompson. know when the ad campaign will end, however. As the Premier will know, her predecessor, Mr. Campbell, took Interjections. the view that government shouldn't be doing this four months before an election campaign. Mr. Speaker: Members. My question to the Premier is simple. Can the Premier confi rm that her government wants to continue this taxpayer- A. Dix: When he's gone, I'm sure we're all going to funded campaign through at least the end of March? miss him, and me, surely, more than most. Th e question to the Premier is simply this: will the Hon. C. Clark: Indeed, it is nice to be back. Premier join with the opposition and change the govern- I would just want to start by clearing this up. Th e ment's approach? Will she put a stop today to this waste Leader of the Opposition should certainly know that it's of public trust? not unprecedented in British Columbia, fi rst of all. Second, when we talk to British Columbians about Hon. C. Clark: I recognize that the information the getting engaged in skills training, for example…. Th e government is putting out off ers some uncomfortable government has made a $75 million investment in skills facts for the opposition, including the fact that in the and trades training, connecting people with those op- fi rst year of the jobs plan we were number one in job portunities all across the province — job fairs that have creation of any province in Canada, including the fact happened, which the opposition has also opposed, where that we have maintained our triple-A credit rating in the people have been connected with jobs on the spot. Th at is face of a terrible economic downturn and including the the work that government needs to be engaged in. fact that we have the lowest personal income taxes in the If we stick to our plan, if we play our cards right, British country for most taxpayers in British Columbia. Th ose Columbia is facing an incredible opportunity to grasp are uncomfortable facts. prosperity for this generation and future generations. We Th ose are facts. As we enter this next age, where to- need to attract that investment, we need to create the jobs day and tomorrow and over the next year we are going and the economic environment here in British Columbia, to be making the pivotal decisions that will determine and we need to make sure that British Columbians are whether or not our province grasps the opportunity for connected with those jobs so that we can deliver that prosperity that is promised by liquefi ed natural gas…. prosperity for the people of our province. As we move into that era, we won't be just talking about those facts. We'll be talking about some of the facts, the Mr. Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition has a sup- uncomfortable facts, about where the NDP stands on plemental. those issues as well.

A. Dix: Even though it was 8½ months ago, I remem- Mr. Speaker: Th e Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ber question period. It's good to show up, probably, with has a further supplemental. the questions and the answers. In light of that answer, I have a document from the A. Dix: Where we stand on this issue is to end this government that shows that its $16.4 million ad cam- kind of misuse of public funds. Th e government, on the paign…. Th e intent of the government is actually to ramp record…. up this campaign, contrary to what Mr. Campbell did, through the end of March. Interjections. What is its purpose, when you think of all the things that government is not supporting right now? Th e pur- A. Dix: Well, the members opposite will have the op- pose of this campaign, according to the government portunity in this session to join with me in legislation document, is to help "decrease the credibility gap" of the that will ensure that every government ad is approved government. by the Auditor General. Th e government will remember So $16.4 million — yes, it's an ambitious goal. Th e real- the Auditor General. To say no to all government ad- ity is that the government appears to want to continue to vertising in a pre-election period — that's a good idea. pour it on in this pre-election period and to spend more Premier Gordon Campbell supported it. Why doesn't and more money on government advertising. the government today? [1415] Th ere was $3.9 million in ads in late 2011-2012…

Interjection. Interjections.

A. Dix: You know, Mr. Speaker, it's interesting. I just Mr. Speaker: Members. 12726 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A. Dix: …and $5.1 million for nine 15-second ads. Th e Hon. P. Bell: Apparently, what we have with the op- only way we could be number one in job creation is to position is a case of: "Don't do as we did. Do as we say." I ignore the existence of seven other provinces. was just scanning the blue book estimates for the 1990s, So $2 million for the domino ad that's currently run- when the NDP also had an advertising budget. A quick ning, $1.5 million for two ads about skills training that scan of it from 1993 to 2000 points out that the $16.3 mil- are currently running and — here it is — $4.1 million lion that we have budgeted this year is less than any given for post-budget ads that will start next week. Apparently, year in that entire period of time. the government doesn't believe the budget will sell itself. You know what? Th ere is a standard that has been set My question to the Premier is simple. Does the Premier by certain opposition members, which is below anything think that enough is enough — that we should change the way we deal with government advertising and ensure that I could comprehend in terms of partisanship. In fact, that the partisanship is taken out of it once and for all? we have ads here from the member for Fraser-Nicola that use not only his constituency offi ce and his MLA title but Hon. C. Clark: It's always interesting to see the mem- also the B.C. NDP website in exactly the same ad. Th at's ber do an about-face on just about every issue — on this partisan advertising. Th e opposition needs to acknow- one, on all of their positions that they've taken with re- ledge that they're far more guilty in this than anyone else. spect to liquefi ed natural gas. "Yes, we'll have Site C. No, we won't have Site C. Yes, we'll have green power. No, Mr. Speaker: Th e member has a supplemental. we won't have green power" — all of their positions that they've taken all across the board. Of course, this one is C. James: Th e documents that the Leader of the Oppos- no diff erent. ition referred to show that the next set of ads will be aimed In British Columbia here we are with one of the best at selling the Premier's budget. Now, I understand, given economic track records you will fi nd anywhere in the how far from reality the 2009 pre-election budget was, world. Th at did not happen by accident. that's going to be quite the sales job that's going to be needed [1420] on this budget. It happened because we planned for the long term, British Columbians expect their government to pro- because we were disciplined, because we were commit- vide services that they need, not waste tens of millions ted to doing what we said we were going to do, and that has delivered thousands of jobs for people all across this of dollars on partisan advertising. Th at's why British province. Columbians support the New Democrats' direction to Mr. Speaker, as you could detect from the throne ban this kind of partisan advertising. speech yesterday, we are just getting started. I ask again today: will the Premier…

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN Interjections. AND SPENDING PRIORITIES Mr. Speaker: Members. C. James: Th e Premier mentioned the throne speech. Yesterday's throne speech actually laid out some revenue C. James: …do the right thing? Will the Premier can- projections that seem to be based on some fantasy world. cel this ad campaign and direct that critical money into Today we learn that the advertising numbers, in fact, also services for seniors, children and people who need them were not exactly accurate. the most? Originally, we heard the government say they'd be spending ten million taxpayer dollars on these partisan Hon. P. Bell: For me to take this member seriously, she ads. Th en the number went up to $15 million, and now would need to stand up and also admonish the Leader of we hear it's $16.4 million or more. British Columbians the Opposition, who — when you go back to the election are already outraged at this waste of money, and now period when that member was the chief of staff — spent they fi nd out they're spending more of taxpayer dollars. $28.4 million in advertising, not the $16 million. When the Liberal government is actually looking For me to take that member seriously, she needs to at cutting resources for forest health, when we see the shameful statistic around child poverty in this province, stand up and admonish the member for Fraser-Nicola the priority of this government is to spend taxpayer dol- for spending constituency funds on an ad that he now lars on partisan advertising. says was just a mistake. We can't take these folks seriously. I ask the Premier today: how does she justify spend- Th ey don't do as they say. Th ey do as they did, and that's ing that money on partisan advertising to simply boost very, very damaging. her own political gain? [1425] Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12727

JOB CREATION AND 2011. In the private sector alone, where the job plan is GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN supposed to target, we have seen a dramatic loss — a job loss of 37,000 jobs since the job plan began. Th at is ac- J. Kwan: Clearly, these partisan ads are a waste of tax- tually the worst in the country — 37,000 private sector payers' money. jobs lost. And the government is still spending millions Now, let's do something that the Liberal government of dollars, taxpayers' dollars, with their partisan ads. Th is is not used to doing. Let's look at the substance of the kind of waste is exactly why British Columbians want to jobs plan ads. Th e $16-million-plus ad claims that British see a ban on government advertising. Columbia is leading the nation in job creation, when in Will the minister just do the right thing? Will he just fact this is categorically false. It has since been that case confi rm what everyone already knows — that is, that when the jobs plan was announced back in September the jobs plan is a complete failure — and save taxpay- 2011. Statistics Canada's labour survey study released last ers' hard-earned money and cancel the jobs advertising? Friday actually shows that B.C. is eighth in the country in overall job creation. Interjections. Will the minister stop wasting taxpayers' money… Mr. Speaker: Just take your seat for a second, Member. Interjection. Reminding members that this is the first question period, but let's listen to the question, listen to the an- Mr. Speaker: Member. swer and show a little bit of respect on both sides of the House, please. J. Kwan: …and put a stop to these partisan ads? Hon. P. Bell: Another uncomfortable fact for the op- Hon. P. Bell: I know there are some uncomfortable position. When that member that just asked the question, facts for the members opposite in the ads that are run- actually, was last in government, the unemployment rate ning. Th e fi rst point, the very fi rst point, in the dominoes in Canada was 7.2 percent. Ironically, last year the un- ad that's running right now is that there are economies employment rate in Canada was also 7.2 percent. around the world that are in a fragile state — very clear- [1430] ly articulated. I know the members opposite actually Th e uncomfortable part of the fact is that when that don't want to admit that. Th ey'd like to think that things member was last in government, the B.C. unemployment are rosy around the world. In the European Union, the rate was half a point higher than Canada's. Th e other side United States and other provinces — very, very challen- of the uncomfortable fact: the B.C. unemployment rate is ging economic times. now half a point lower than the rest of Canada. Th e second point that's likely uncomfortable for the members opposite is that this province, as a result of its GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN judicious management of fi scal resources, still has a triple- A credit rating. AND SPENDING PRIORITIES Mr. Speaker, people are nervous in British Columbia right now. But I'll tell you why they're nervous. It's be- M. Farnworth: Let's talk about another uncomfortable cause the members opposite have not disclosed their fact — that the priorities of this government are clearly hidden agenda. What are their plans? What are their not the priorities of the public of British Columbia. strategies to generate the revenues that are required to Th e priorities of this government around things such pay for the services that they're talking about? as seniors care. Can you imagine how much seniors home support could be provided for more than $16 mil- Mr. Speaker: Th e member has a supplemental. lion? Can you imagine how many miners could have been J. Kwan: Speaking of uncomfortable facts…. trained for more than $16 million, how many educational opportunities could have been given to young people Interjections. in this province for more than $16 million? Can you imagine what $16 million would do in developing an anti- Mr. Speaker: Members. bullying program in the province of British Columbia? Member, just take your seat for a second. Will this government admit that its priorities around Continue, Member. advertising are wrong, that this ad campaign is a gross misuse of taxpayers' dollars and get on side of the pub- J. Kwan: Speaking of uncomfortable facts, the latest lic? Pull these ads, and put that money where it could be fi gures actually show the overall jobs numbers have been doing real use, which is services for the people of British stagnant since the jobs plan was introduced in September Columbia. 12728 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hon. P. Bell: Today is, unfortunately, a day of uncom- Columbians across this province, at least listen to the fortable facts for the NDP. I'm glad they continue to put member for Cariboo-Chilcotin — who gets it that this up members that were actually in government in the orgy of government advertising should end — and can- 1990s, because I can point out some uncomfortable facts cel the campaigns? during that point in time. Th e government communications department of the Hon. P. Bell: I'm wondering if Cupcakes perhaps day actually had an interesting name. Th e member op- wrote that particular speech for the member opposite. posite will likely remember it was called Cupcakes. What Th e members opposite would like to deny the history was interesting about that — when that member was in that they bring with them. In fact, when I look across the charge, when that member sat in cabinet — is that the aisle, I see people like the member for Fraser-Nicola, the budget for Cupcakes was $39.28 million, and there were member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant, the member for 322 FTEs in that department. I guess that's the idea of Port Coquitlam, the member for Nanaimo and, of course, NDP job creation, from what I can tell. the Leader of the Opposition, who was not necessarily Now, the budget today for that particular department elected at the time but sat in a very important power as is 33 percent lower than it was when that member was in the chief of staff to the Premier of the day. government. Th e FTE count is 37 percent lower than it Th e facts are very, very clear. When I look up the num- was when that member was in government. Th e advertis- bers, $28 million, $22 million, $18 million, $19 million, ing budgets have shrunk signifi cantly. We need to make $21 million was spent on advertising by the NDP each sure British Columbians know where we stand. and every year that they were in power. What I would like to know is what the hidden agen- For me to take that member seriously, I need to hear da is that the members opposite have and why it is that him stand up and say: "We were wrong. Th is is completely they are so hesitant to tell us what their economic plan contrary to what we believe, and we support the model for this province is. that we're currently operating under."

Interjections. NATURAL GAS REVENUE PROJECTIONS

Mr. Speaker: Members. B. Ralston: Yesterday's throne speech showed this Take your seat, Member. Liberal government is clearly out of ideas. Th e centre- piece of the speech was the empty promise of a fantasy Interjections. windfall of revenue up to 30 years away. But British Columbians know they can't trust this gov- Mr. Speaker: It's your time, Members. ernment to project revenue with any degree of precision. Th e member has a supplemental. Over the last four years natural gas revenue projections were consistently off by hundreds of millions of dollars, M. Farnworth: We're talking about 2013, when people most dramatically last year. are concerned about the spending of their taxpayers' dol- Will the Finance Minister answer why British Colum- lars. Th ey don't like this advertising. Th ey've made that bians should accept the Liberal government's fantasy abundantly clear. fund and LNG revenue projections over the next 30 years Let's look at what the attitude of this government is. when they were inaccurate in projecting natural gas revenue Th eir own document says, "All parts of the campaign over the last 12 months? work together and drive one another. No one ad works alone, and no piece of creative operates outside a media Hon. M. de Jong: Th e investment that is taking place buying and targeting strategy" — a strategy that involves in the liquefi ed natural gas industry, for the members' in- ramping up taxpayers' dollars from now till the end of formation, is real. Th e opportunity that exists for British March. Columbia to access markets where the product we have Well, the government doesn't want to listen to the op- in abundance, the resource that we have in abundance position or the public, but perhaps the Premier will lis- in British Columbia, is being purchased at a dramatically ten to one of her own members who understands how higher price than is available in the continental North grotesque this strategy is. The member for Cariboo- American market is real. Chilcotin gets it, because when she was asked a direct Th ere is a third thing that is real. If we squander this question about whether this spending on government opportunity, if we do not move quickly to ensure that the advertising was excessive, she replied correctly: "Yes." infrastructure is in place and the agreements between the Th ere's one member on that side who gets it. It's a shame private sector and the government are in place so that we the rest of them don't get it. can begin to move this product off shore into those more [1435] lucrative markets, then we will have to look our children Will the Premier, if she doesn't want to listen to British and grandchildren in the face and answer for that. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12729

Th ere is nothing mythical about the opportunity that Interjection. confronts us today. British Columbians will know, and they will have an opportunity to choose the group that Mr. Speaker: Member. is best equipped to take us to that reality. J. Horgan: …zero dollars in 2015, zero dollars in 2016. Mr. Speaker: Th e member has a supplemental. If I'm not mistaken, we will be into the second election cycle before we see one scintilla put into a prosperity B. Ralston: Well, last year the then Minister of Finance fund. had to revise his estimates of natural gas revenue, which Again, in light of the abysmal record of judging what is domestically traded and traded in the United States as revenue we will get from natural gas in a North American well, down by $1.1 billion over three years. I appreciate market, why in the world would British Columbians be- the confi dence of the minister, and one looks forward lieve a government that thinks they have the answers 30 with optimism to the capital projections of those com- years out? It's ridiculous. Admit it. panies that are assessing the opportunity in the LNG industry. But it is a global market and at a price that's set Hon. M. de Jong: Well, to my friend the Opposition globally. House Leader, I agree with one aspect of what he said. Will the minister acknowledge that given his failure to Th e bulk of the revenue opportunity that will fl ow from project revenue accurately over the last 12 months, pro- this extraordinary opportunity will flow into British jecting revenue of those measures over 30 years gives no Columbia and into B.C. coff ers aft er the electorate has confi dence whatsoever to the public and that it is simply had a second opportunity to reject the NDP. a B.C. Liberal… Look, I will say this. The member chooses — and I understand why he and his colleagues talk about Interjections. 30 years…. This is happening now. In the same way that when the Olympics were awarded in 2003 and we Mr. Speaker: Members. thought, "Oh my goodness, 2010 is a long time off ," seven years happen very quickly. Th at's the window for be- [1440] ginning to realize the benefi ts on liquefi ed natural gas. Th e fact that the members opposite scoff in the way B. Ralston: …fantasy designed as a lure in the election that they do and dismiss this opportunity in the way that campaign to come? they do fi lls me with trepidation, except for one fact, and that is because British Columbians this May will have Hon. M. de Jong: I think it's troubling that the mem- an opportunity to choose who is going to lead British ber and many of his colleagues appear to have been as Columbia into the future. dismissive of this opportunity as they are — which I say, again, is very real. [End of question period.] I will say something else. Pursuing this opportunity will require a singular commitment on the part of gov- Reports from Committees ernment, on the part of communities and on the part of industry, because there is competition — there is com- C. Hansen: I have the honour to present the report of petition in Australia, in Russia, in Africa — and the op- the Special Committee to Appoint a Confl ict of Interest portunity will be lost. Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner. We have heard the confl icting comments from mem- I move that the report be taken as read and received. bers of the opposition — some who say it's a good idea, some who say it's a bad idea and some who don't know. Motion approved. We know. We know that there is an opportunity to take advantage of a price diff erential that exists in the Mr. Speaker: Continue, Member. markets overseas for liquefi ed natural gas, and we're going to go get those opportunities on behalf of all British C. Hansen: I ask leave of the House to suspend the Columbians. rules to permit the moving of a motion to adopt the report. J. Horgan: I don't want to quibble with the Finance Minister's view of the 30-year horizon, but I will just pose Leave granted. this series of simple questions. If I understood the throne speech yesterday, the myth- Mr. Speaker: Please proceed, Member. ical prosperity fund will have zero dollars in it in 2013, zero dollars in it in 2014… C. Hansen: I move that the report be adopted. 12730 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Th is report constitutes the committee's unanimous Hon. C. Clark: I ask leave of the House to permit the recommendation for the appointment of a Confl ict of moving of a motion requesting the Lieutenant-Governor Interest Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner for to appoint Mr. Fraser Confl ict of Interest Commissioner British Columbia. On behalf of the committee, I am for the province of British Columbia. delighted to put forward this unanimous report to the House recommending the reappointments of Paul Fraser Leave granted. and Fiona Spencer. [Applause.] [1445] Mr. Speaker: Continue, Premier. Mr. Fraser was first appointed Conflict of Interest Commissioner in 2008. Members have all benefi ted from APPOINTMENT OF his sound judgment and advice. Mr. Fraser's continuing CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMMISSIONER commitment to his statutory responsibilities impressed the committee members. Hon. C. Clark: By leave, I move: Since her appointment as Merit Commissioner in [That this House recommend to Her Honour the Lieutenant 2010 Ms. Spencer has shown a continued dedication to Governor the appointment of Mr. Paul Fraser, QC as a statutory the principle of merit. Committee members recognized offi cer of the Legislative Assembly to exercise powers and duties assigned to the Confl ict of Interest Commissioner for the province and particularly appreciated the knowledgable and pro- of British Columbia pursuant to the Members' Confl ict of Interest fessional manner in which Miss Spencer has undertaken Act (RSBC 1996, Chapter 287)] her duties. I will be moving a motion requesting the Lieutenant- Motion approved. Governor appoint Miss Spencer as Merit Commissioner. Section 14(2) of the Members' Confl ict of Interest Act re- Petitions quires that the Premier move the motion respecting the Confl ict of Interest Commissioner. J. Slater: I have a petition to present from 250 people Once the House has dealt with my motion regarding in the South Okanagan, Oliver-Osoyoos area, on the the Merit Commissioner, I will take my seat and the operations of the South Okanagan General Hospital. Premier will move the motion respecting the Confl ict of Interest Commissioner. Ministerial Statements

Mr. Speaker: Th e question is adoption of the report ANTI-VIOLENCE INITIATIVE as read and received. BY ABORIGINAL MEN

Motion approved. Hon. I. Chong: Today I rise in the House to make a statement with respect to an event that will be taking Mr. Speaker: Continue, Member. place this Friday, February 15. On that day, I will have the honour of participating in a very special event taking C. Hansen: I ask leave of the House to permit the mov- place here in Victoria. It is the second annual gathering ing of a motion requesting the Lieutenant-Governor to of aboriginal men standing up against violence toward appoint Ms. Spencer Merit Commissioner of the prov- aboriginal women and children. ince of British Columbia. Th e event is part of the moosehide campaign initiated by Paul Lacerte and the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Leave granted. Friendship Centres. Th e campaign encourages men to wear a small piece of pinned moosehide to raise aware- Mr. Speaker: Proceed, Member. ness and signify a personal commitment to ending violence against aboriginal women and children. Motions Without Notice Th e gathering is a call to action and an invitation for brothers, uncles, fathers, grandfathers and sons to stand APPOINTMENT OF MERIT COMMISSIONER together to help end violence against aboriginal women and children. It is a remarkable event and one that C. Hansen: I move: speaks to the importance of the voice of men and the [That this House recommend to Her Honour the Lieutenant community-based approach to ending violence against Governor the appointment of Ms. Fiona Spencer as a statutory aboriginal women and children, whether they are First Offi cer of the Legislature, to exercise the powers and duties assigned to the Merit Commissioner for the province of British Columbia Nation, Métis or Inuit. pursuant to the Public Service Act (RSBC 1996, Chapter 385).] Violence against aboriginal women and children is a complex issue, and solutions are not easily found. We know Motion approved. that solutions must be community-driven, community-led Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12731

and respectful of culture, traditions and language. that I take very seriously, and I consider myself privileged It is an honour for me to be able to be part of the gath- to speak on behalf of the communities that make up the ering of aboriginal men event on Friday, and I would like backbone of the province of British Columbia. to acknowledge the eff orts of Paul Lacerte and all those While much of the population of our great province who worked hard to make this event happen. lies in urban areas such as the capital region and Metro [1450] Vancouver, it is the rural areas that give British Columbia Violence against aboriginal women and children is not its unique characteristics. just a woman's issue. We must include men in the discus- Rural and urban regions in our province depend on sions and in solutions. each other, but the fact is that many rural areas in British Columbia are going through a diffi cult period as a result S. Fraser: Hon. Speaker, I would fi rst like to apolo- of the global economic downturn of the past few years. gize to you and the House. I wore a moosehide patch in Th is includes many regions which will become the focus the House today, and of course, that's against the rules. of our province's future economic growth, with the de- I apologize for doing that, but the cause is a good one. velopment of resources such as natural gas. I want to join the minister in congratulating Paul But it is important to remember that rural B.C. is not a Lacerte and the moosehide campaign for taking a leader- uniform region with the same resources or the same needs ship role — men against violence against aboriginal everywhere. Th ere are major diff erences between the issues women and girls — in the province of British Columbia. facing diff erent rural areas. While some areas have seen a It's an important and powerful statement, considering boom as a result of oil, gas and mining, many have seen the Human Rights Watch report that came out today slow population growth and relative economic stagnation. that highlights, again, the issues in the north — violence As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, ad- against women and girls, missing women, other issues. dressing this is very important to me. Th e fact is that I think it's just so timely that Paul Lacerte…. The while the unique needs of rural communities in our prov- moosehide campaign is underway, and they were ahead ince are oft en acknowledged, what is really needed is a of their time on this. I think we should all learn. discussion of what could be called for…. I will also be attending, and I urge all members who Systemic changes facing rural B.C. We need a clear are available on Friday to also attend the events. I think picture of these challenges if we are really to improve the it's between 12 and three o'clock, but…. I stand cor- economic standing of rural communities in our province, rected on that. ensuring that they experience growth proportional to that which is benefi tting urban centres. Orders of the Day Last month the Rural B.C. project, which I am involved in through my work with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Hon. M. de Jong: I call continued debate on the Action Coalition, released a discussion paper entitled Speech from the Th rone. The Pathway to Prosperity in British Columbia Runs [1455] Th rough its Rural Places: A Long-Term Strategy for Rural Development. Th is paper was focused on setting out a [L. Reid in the chair.] long-term strategy for investment in the social and economic development of our rural regions. Th rone Speech Debate I'd like to take some time to talk to you about this paper and work on the Rural B.C. project, which is rel- D. Barnett: It is my honour to move today, seconded evant for all rural British Columbians. Th e Rural B.C. by the member for Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, the fol- project is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the lowing motion: issues that are faced by rural B.C. It uses a non-partisan, [We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative cooperative approach, presenting a picture of the needs Assembly of British Columbia in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour of rural communities free of any political agenda. has addressed to us at the opening of the present session.] It was launched in 2010 through contributions from It was with great interest that I listened to the Speech each of the three regional beetle action coalitions in our from the Throne yesterday. The central theme of the province: the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, throne speech was seizing on economic opportunities the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition and the and securing the future of British Columbia families, Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. Th ese three beetle and nowhere is this more important than in rural areas action coalitions, each supported by $1 million a year of British Columbia. in provincial funding for a period of three years, have As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, I rep- worked together to create the B.C. rural project. resent not only my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin but also [1500] the interests of rural communities across our province. Th e paper released by the Rural B.C. project last month, Representing rural British Columbia is a responsibility which is the result of a great deal of research into this subject, 12732 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

proposes a long-term strategy to support social and econom- staff for the government in the 1990s, ending up costing ic development in rural communities. taxpayers close to $150 million in compensation aft er a The report recommends working with existing or- 1999 court ruling found that the NDP government con- ganizations for economic and social development and cealed evidence and manipulated administrative proced- collaborating with First Nations and non–First Nations ures to get its way. communities as part of the decision-making process. [1505] Government must commit to long-term investment With a record like this, how can we even say the NDP in rural regions, appoint a provincial cabinet minis- has a viable forest policy? What about an economically ter responsible for rural issues and engage local rural viable mining policy? stakeholders to adopt public lands and a resources management strategy. Using the resources of post-secondary [H. Bloy in the chair.] institutions is a key asset. Venture capital and business support are required. In yesterday's throne speech one of the main themes Th e needs of rural British Columbians are diverse, and was the economic opportunity that presents itself to our each also has diff erent strengths. My region, the Cariboo- province at the present time and the chance to create a Chilcotin, relies on several key industries, including legacy that will benefi t our children and grandchildren forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism. Our forest through the prosperity fund. Th e prosperity fund pre- industry is alive and well despite the damage caused by sents a wonderful opportunity for securing the economic the pine beetle infestation. We are working with business future of our province, providing a legacy for our chil- groups and First Nations to ensure that our forest policies dren and grandchildren. Paying down our provincial are both economically and environmentally sustainable. debt, for example, will save our province $2.5 billion a Last month our government issued a First Nations year — money which can be reinvested in the economic woodland licence to the Tsq'escen' people of the Canim development of B.C., including its rural area. Lake Band, allowing the band to harvest up to 20,000 In my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin there is another pros- cubic metres of timber per year. Th is is only the second perity project, and it also off ers a promise of a lasting legacy First Nations woodland licence agreement to be signed that can benefi t all of the surrounding communities now in the province, and I'm proud it was in the Cariboo- and for future generations. Th e project I am talking about, Chilcotin. We are also working with business groups to of course, is the Prosperity mine. Th e Prosperity mine promote a sustainable forest policy in the region. would bring strong and far-reaching economic benefi ts to Th is past week I had a chance to visit Quesnel, where our region, but it has been delayed by an ongoing federal I dropped by the College of New Caledonia campus. I environmental review. had the chance to see the trades and training program Our province has the highest environmental standards, in action, a program that has been running for two years. and we value our environment. Th at is why we demand I attended a ceremony for the joint program being run full environmental impact assessments before allowing by West Fraser Mills and the College of New Caledonia. projects to go forward, secure in the knowledge that It has West Fraser employees receiving training at CNC when a project is approved, that project has been evaluat- and improves access to courses for students in the region. ed in a fair and thorough manner. And when these assess- West Fraser Mills and CNC are working together to de- ments have been completed and the project is approved, sign and deliver programs that help meet the needs of the we know it is safe from an environmental point of view. industry and provide jobs for new graduates — for ex- Th e Prosperity mine project has undergone a thorough ample, as millwrights. In 2013-14 over 140 students will evaluation, and the B.C. environmental assessment offi ce be participating in apprenticeships through this program. has once given it a conditional approval. Our environ- Not surprisingly, the newest building on the CNC mental experts looked at the project objectively and ruled campus in Quesnel is offi cially named the West Fraser it met the most stringent environmental standards, yet Technical Centre. West Fraser Mills is investing $250,000 the Prosperity mine is not moving forward at this time. over a period of ten years, or $25,000 a year, in CNC. And a project that could be worthy of its name, for a re- Th is is just one of many examples of the way that our gion that has been aff ected in the last few years by the government is producing partnerships with the private global economic downturn and the devastation of the sector. We understand business, and we are providing pine beetle infestation, has been stalled. businesses the opportunity to grow prosperous, benefi t- I hope to see this issue resolved in the near future and ing our provincial economy and B.C. families. to see the project move forward, and while I fi nd myself Th is is in sharp contrast to the NDP record on forest- disappointed to see a project that could have such a positive ry management, exemplifi ed by the breach-of-contract impact in our region held up, I am even more disappointed court case brought by Carrier Lumber in the Cariboo. In to see the political posturing of the opposition around this that case, much of the work took place during the hon. issue. A project such as Prosperity mine, which can help member for Vancouver-Kingsway's tenure as chief of revitalize the economy of our entire region, should not be Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12733

held hostage by what is politically convenient. Having celebrated Family Day earlier this week, we When built, Prosperity would create 500 full-time jobs are reminded of the importance of supporting British and over 1,200 indirect jobs and would spend $200 mil- Columbia families and ensuring that they can rely on a lion every year during the 22-year anticipated life span strong economy and well-paying jobs both now and in of the mine. Th at's why it disappoints me to see the NDP the future. Nowhere is securing this legacy more import- opposing this benefi cial project, which could have such ant than our rural communities — our mining commun- a positive economic impact on our region. Th e NDP re- ities, our forestry, our tourism, our agriculture and more. mains opposed, both literally and fi guratively, to prosperity. I hope to see all the members of this House working Agriculture is an important industry in my region and together for the good of our rural regions, which will all over rural B.C., with farms ranging in size from a few keep B.C. strong. acres to over 30,000 acres, and the beef sector is a major part of our economy. I have been fortunate to sit on D. Horne: It's with great honour that I rise in the the Ranching Task Force, looking at the many important House today to second the motion from the hon. mem- issues facing our agriculture industry, such as predator ber for Cariboo-Chilcotin. control and range issues and meat inspection. Th e throne speech provides a vision of the future and Another important industry in the Cariboo-Chilcotin an understanding of the direction this government in- is tourism. Last month I was honoured to be asked to tends to lead British Columbia this year and into the fu- write the introduction to the Guide to Williams Lake and ture, with the support of the people of British Columbia Area. Our region provides so many amazing opportun- this May 14. ities, and I am very proud to represent this region with Mr. Speaker, 2013 is a pivotal year in the history of so much to off er. British Columbia with one of the most important elec- [1510] tions in many years, and the people deserve to fully I have been working with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Coast understand and appreciate the choices before them. Th e Tourism Association to improve tourism opportunities issues that are important to British Columbians and the in our region and look forward to continuing to work residents of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, those I repre- with them in the future. Th e tourism industry requires a sent, are public safety, education, access to health care, quality transportation system to function properly, and I jobs, transportation and family fi nances. was thrilled to see the completion of $8.5 million worth Before I go more in-depth on each of those issues, I'd of regional road improvements in my region, with the like to speak a little bit about the last four years, the time resurfacing or seal-coating of many of our most import- since I've been elected — particularly my wife, Larissa ant transportation arteries. Horne, who joins us in the gallery today — and the sup- Yesterday's throne speech focused a great deal on leav- port that we each receive from our family. ing a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren, My wife, Larissa; our two daughters, Liza and Victoria; but it is important to remember our elder citizens as well. my mother, Phyllis; my father, Neil; and my stepmother, Th at is why I'm proud to note some of the great invest- Joyce — I have to say that the support of one's family is ments government has made to help seniors in my riding. so important when one is in elected life. We spend a lot Th is includes the opening of a DriveABLE assessment of time at events and diff erent functions, and without the service in Williams Lake. Th is means that drivers who strong support of our family I think it would be very, very have been recommended for the assessment as a result diffi cult for each of us on both sides of the House to do of medical practitioners' concerns about an individual's the work that we currently do. cognitive abilities in regards to safe driving can now com- As well, I'd like it say how proud and honoured I am plete the assessment close to home. to represent and serve the people of Coquitlam–Burke Another great investment for seniors has been the Mountain. I thank all of the residents for their support renovation of Deni House in Williams Lake and the ex- and confi dence in me. pansion of Fischer Place in 100 Mile House. [1515] It is important for our government to continue to in- It's a spectacular place in the province that I repre- vest in this type of care for our elderly citizens, to ensure sent. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain is over 600 square that they have access to the best services available. Our kilometres. Where the people actually live I think I can support for seniors is boosted by the age-friendly grants drive in less than ten minutes. So I represent a lot of recently received by Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. trees and a lot of bears but also the spectacular ability So 100 Mile House received $19,967 and Williams Lake for large towers. received $20,000 to support age-friendly planning and Currently in the Coquitlam city centre we have many projects benefi ting seniors. towers over 30 storeys. We currently have one tower under Th is program, which our government runs in partner- construction that's 43 storeys. We have several more tow- ship with the Union of B.C. Municipalities, is just one way ers of that height that are currently in the planning stages. that we are supporting seniors and families. It really makes for a remarkable community — a place 12734 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

that's so close to nature yet so urban, with all of the amen- Our government currently invests more than $1 billion ities and things that come along with that. annually in the justice system. Last fall we also launched a We also have the wonderful development of Westwood reform initiative led by Geoff rey Cowper, QC, to identify Plateau, which I also represent, that was developed by actions that the government and judiciary and the legal Wesbild. Wesbild is now developing a further commun- profession and the police can take, all working together. ity on the Burke Mountain side. Th eir vision for the com- I think, really, that's the key. It's a key to many things that munity there is much the same as Westwood Plateau, a we do. By working together, by communicating, by ac- wonderful place with the nature and the housing and the tually talking and trying to fi nd the answers that make wonderful amenities that we have there as well. sense for all of British Columbians, we create a far bet- I have to say the support that Wesbild and Mr. K, who ter province. is the chairman of Wesbild, have given to the commun- As well, this government created a new civilian in- ity — they continue to give to the community — and all dependent investigations offi ce that will investigate ser- of the work that they do really does make the place that ious incidents involving police in B.C. In December 2011 I represent and the place where we all live just that much Richard Rosenthal was appointed as the chief civilian. better. It's wonderful to have an opportunity to represent Th e independent investigations offi ce is currently set- the people of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain. ting a standard for independence in police investiga- We meet and attend many community events each year tions in Canada. — Canada Day; citizenship ceremonies; walks and fund- I think that one of the other great things on the public raisers for our local hospice, Crossroads, and foundations safety side that we see is the return of 100 percent of the and organizations that promote health and awareness, net traffi c fi ne revenue to B.C. municipalities, providing like the Michael Cuccione Foundation and the dinner an additional $493 million in 2012, since 2001. Th ey can and the soccer tournament that they host each year in put that to local crime prevention, policing. Last year support of the great work they do for childhood can- Coquitlam received over $800,000 under this program. cer research and their eff orts; as well as the Aga Khan [1520] Foundation and the World Partnership Walk; and many As well, other provincial programs that Coquitlam also walks for the cancer society, the kidney foundation and benefi tted by…. For example, there's a program that's many others. funded under the traffi c fi ne initiative for Bike B.C. to I have to say that one of the highlights of my year build biking infrastructure and bike paths. Coquitlam is also the teddy bear picnic and the parade — such a was one of the benefi ciaries of that program last year. wonderful time with all of the families and young chil- I think one of the main issues that many think about dren. Promoting literacy, promoting…. Each year from when it comes to safety is also drinking and driving. my booth there I give out hundreds of books and pro- Th ere has been a 40 percent decrease in drunk-driving- mote reading and the imagination and the excitement related fatalities on British Columbia's roads. Th e addi- that reading generates. I have to say that it's one of the tion of the primary goal of a tougher approach is meeting highlights of my year. It's one of the things that I really the other key goals. During the fi rst year of the tougher say, when I have a chance to meet all of the people, how new drinking-and-driving laws the number of drinking- wonderful it is. driving cases being referred to Criminal Code prosecu- One of the things that I think is very important to the tion has dropped by 75 percent, freeing up much-needed residents not only in Coquitlam–Burke Mountain but capacity within our court system. also to the residents across British Columbia comes to Police enforcement time spent processing drivers public safety and safety within our communities. Since found drinking and driving has also dropped by approxi- 2001 our government has more than doubled the an- mately 75 percent, with the amount of time required nual provincial policing budget. It's up by $167 million, to process a driver under the new law taking less than and it's helped increase the offi cer count across British an hour compared to 4½ hours previously under the Columbia by more than 2,100 — a budget that is in- Criminal Code system. We also are working to make a creased by $66 million over the next three years and fi x that's required to maintain the success that we have supports the anti-gang strategy and maintains 168 of- had in saving lives in British Columbia. fi cers hired in Prince George, Kelowna and the Lower Public safety is a key issue to many British Columbians Mainland. and making certain that we make criminals pay for what Th is is something of particular interest to those in the it is that they've done and not to…. One of the things Tri-Cities. As recently as last fall we saw a gang-related about the gang lifestyle that many fi nd enticing is the fast incident and shooting in the Tri-Cities. It's this type of cars — and the money and all of the accoutrements that work — it's working with gang-related task forces; it's they see coming with a gang lifestyle. working with integrated task force — that really allows I'm proud to say that, through the civil forfeiture law us to address this problem and work together to ensure that was put forward, the proceeds of unlawful activ- that our streets are safer. ity are now taken away from these people. More than Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12735

$23 million to date has been obtained from the sale of tremely important issue. But it's something that we have seized assets. to understand and rationalize how it is that we pay, how B.C. was one of the fi rst provinces to have a law. Today we make it accessible, how it is that we train the people there are seven provinces operating under this. I think that we need, but also that we train the people that we that's hugely important. It's being able to take back the need for the skills that actually get them a job and get proceeds of criminal activity and not really having the them what they need to be able to be employed at the enticement of the ability to keep that as time goes on. end of the process. Th at, sometimes, is something that I think one of the other key issues for British we need to think more about as well. Columbians, as well, comes to education and health care. You know, oft entimes…. I remember, at the time when One of the things that really, truly is important to many I was in my university years, it was interesting because on the health care side is the huge shortage of nurses and people would either go into BCIT or trades training or physicians that we've seen in the past. Certainly, that is they'd go into university. It's funny now because you not a problem that's been solved, but it's one that's been go and you read the Peak newspaper at Simon Fraser addressed considerably. University, and there are ads within the Peak newspaper Currently we've added 4,500 new student seats for for trades training for those that, once they graduate from training registered nurses in British Columbia since 2001. university, want to get further training to be able to be in- I think this does a great deal to make certain that we have volved in the economy. So things change. Th ings change the medical professionals that we need. dramatically over time, but it's very, very important that It goes also to the fact that we need to train skilled pro- we continue to fund and we continue to stress that. fessionals to provide the services that we need, not only I also want to talk about the K-to-12 sector and the im- in the health care system but for the jobs in mining, the portance of that. I look to my own area, and I think one jobs in the liquefi ed natural gas sector, the jobs in the of the most important things facing Coquitlam–Burke many other sectors that will really drive and build the Mountain right now is to do with schools and the fund- economy as we move forward. ing of schools and, really, where we're at when it comes Key to this, as well, is the number of doctors graduating to education. per year in British Columbia. Th is has doubled since 2001. I found one thing disheartening in the last year. Th ere Currently we also have over 100 trades in which ap- was a poll done last year — I actually think I spoke in this prenticeship training is available in British Columbia House to that poll last year, earlier — and that was a poll and over 33,000 apprenticeships in trades and training of British Columbians. Th e question was asked: "Do you — more than double the numbers since 2004. believe the government of British Columbia has system- It's also important that we talk about how this is all atically reduced or cut funding to education over the last paid for. I meet oft entimes with post-secondary students, ten years?" In response to the poll, two-thirds of British and they talk about the cost of post-secondary education Columbians, 66 percent of British Columbians, said: and how it's a very diffi cult situation for many. Th e costs "Yes, that is a true statement. Th e government of British facing, just for housing and many of the other issues, is Columbia has systematically cut funding to education." very, very diffi cult. It's very, very difficult. I chair the Select Standing One of the things, actually, that I found diffi cult when Committee on Finance and Government Services. We I met with one group of students was…. Th ere was the toured the province as well. I can remember one teacher group of students. Th ere was one person in the group that who came before the committee, an extremely passion- was fi rmly convinced that we, as a government, actually ate gentleman — you know, really cares about education, made money off post-secondary education and that the was someone that really went above and beyond the call tuition fees that they were paying were actually profi ting of his profession and really cared substantially. He gave the British Columbia government and that we were using a presentation to the Select Standing Committee on this money elsewhere. Finance. During the presentation he talked and used the I think it's by sitting down with people and communi- words "cuts to education" 32 times. cating with people and building a better understanding At the end of it I was a little bit shocked, and I men- that we actually have a much better dialogue as we move tioned to him the fact that in the province of British forward to try to fi nd solutions to things. Th is person was Columbia, overall, we have 63,000 less students than we very shocked when they realized that almost 70 percent had ten years ago, but despite the fact that we have 63,000 — actually, in many institutions about 72 percent — of less students than we had ten years ago, we still spend the cost of the education is already borne by the prov- $1.4 billion more on education than we did ten years ago. ince of British Columbia. Really, students are only paying So the fact that there have been cuts to education is 30 percent — less than 30 percent — of their education. simply unfounded in fact, but we hear it over and over [1525] again. Th at's one of the diffi culties. Oft entimes we hear It's important. The training and building post- these things over and over and over again, and as they're secondary education are extremely important. It's an ex- repeated over and over again, they become the truth. 12736 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Th ey become reality. You know, I've actually been chal- big solid wall, usually with a nice picture of the school's lenged by people on the fact that we've cut funding to mascot on the side of it, but it's a very sort of closed, al- education. most dark place. In the new schools this wonderful new light and wonderful huge new windows just enhance the Hon. B. Bennett: People over there believe it. space so much and so dramatically. I've been working very hard. One of the things that I D. Horne: People over there certainly believe it. think we're fi nally in the place of is that the schools up You know, it's diffi cult because the fact of the matter Burke Mountain…. I mentioned Burke Mountain sec- is…. I look to only my own district, and I look to the ondary, which we've already purchased the land for. To per-student funding, the fact that we've had a decrease get a new elementary school up there I see as one of the in enrolment. Th is year we're actually challenged because huge priorities and something that needs to be done in there are less students in our district than was anticipated, the short term. So I've been working very hard. It's been and that's caused some diffi culties on the funding side. in the capital budget to have it built in 2017-2018, by But I have to say that our school board works very hard to the time students go there. I've been working very hard. try to deal with these issues, and so in working together I think we're fi nally in a position, or will be shortly, to and in working collaboratively, we can get things done. be able to fast-track that school and have it built much, I think that's one of the things best highlighted on much sooner. the capital program. Since 2001 more than $4 billion Having schools within our community, having places is committed to school capital and maintenance pro- that children can go but that also can be centres of com- grams throughout British Columbia. Th is includes 93 munities, as with James Park, is just a fantastic thing. new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renova- Also, I attended recently, at the Tri-Cities Chamber of tion projects and 22 site acquisitions throughout British Commerce, a speech by the Leader of the Opposition. It Columbia. I have to say that one of those site acquisitions was interesting, and many of his colleagues were there as is for the new Burke Mountain secondary school that we well. He spoke during the speech as to the economic re- look forward to. cord of the NDP government during the 1990s and our [1530] government over the last 12 years. I also have to talk locally in my own area. I was very One of the things that seems to be forgotten…. If you pleased at the beginning of my term to be able to open look at the independent view of the world, it is forgot- the Glen Elementary School; Heritage Mountain middle ten. We have a triple-A credit rating in the province of school, which was actually mentioned during the throne British Columbia, and that's not our saying that we have speech yesterday; Pitt River Middle School, which is cur- a triple-A credit rating. Th at is independent bond-rating rently under construction; an addition to Bramblewood agencies saying that you have fi scally been responsible School in my area. and that you are managing the fi nances of the province Only a week and a half ago I opened the brand-new of British Columbia in a very good way. James Park Elementary. I have to say that one of the To actually bring substance to what a triple-A credit things that was most exciting about opening the new rating is, we have today a higher credit rating — in other James Park Elementary School is that this is a school that words, we're more credit-worthy — than the United is in the member for Port Coquitlam's riding and has ac- States of America. So to stay that we are more credit- tually existed for more than 100 years. It was a very old worthy than the United States of America, I think, is say- school and a wonderful place. ing quite a bit. It goes fundamentally to where we stand in I think one of the most interesting things about the the world and the fact that the United States of America way we design schools and the way that children learn doesn't have a triple-A credit rating and the fact that and the way that we move forward is that the new James many other countries around the world — France and, Park Elementary School has the ability to be a commun- obviously, Greece — do not have a triple-A credit rating. ity school. It has partitions within the school so that other You know, you go to where we are in the world, the fact community groups can use it in the evening time. Th e that we've had a very turbulent global economy, one that school can use those spaces during the day. Really, it be- is slowly…. Th e United States has been doing better over comes a centre in the community that is used both for the last little while, but it's not a fait accompli that we're much more hours and for much more opportunity for out of the woods at this point. the community than we've seen in the past. Prudence is extremely important, and managing the As well, I think one of the most exciting things was…. government's budget and balancing the budget is just re- We were in the gym when we opened the school. Th e spectful of taxpayers and something that I think we all Minister of Education said, as he was there…. He point- need to work towards. ed out the fact that the gym of the school actually has [1535] windows, large picture-frame windows. If you've been I have to say the Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee in the average gym of a school, usually you'll have a nice, and myself worked very hard. I have to say of all of the Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12737

achievements since I've been elected, I think one of my road. You won't even see any revenue from that for four proudest accomplishments — and one of the things that years. Quite frankly, if you're not seeing any revenue from really talks to how we should work together — is the re- that for four years, what diff erence does it make today?" port of the Finance and Government Services Committee What diff erence it makes today is…. Well, we plan for from last fall. It was one of the few times that the com- the future. While we may not see revenue from it for four mittee actually reached a unanimous report. years, if we don't start it today, we won't see anything Th at shows that when we actually do work together, from it in four years. Quite frankly, if we don't start it to- when the opposition and the government work together day and we lose the opportunity, and if the Australians for what is best for British Columbia, which is why we and many others from around the world seize the oppor- all should be here, we can actually achieve results that tunity and move forward so that they push us out of the British Columbians believe we should achieve and have marketplace and don't allow us to achieve the advantages the best interest of British Columbians on the whole. that the liquefi ed natural gas plan can accomplish, then Paramount to that, and the key recommendation of basically, we would never see it. that report — and as I say, the opposition members of the So we can look, and we can, as the opposition says, committee agreed with this as well — is that we should study this further, and we can look at whether or not it have a balanced budget, because a balanced budget is so makes sense to move forward with this plan, or we can important, not for us but for future generations. seize the moment, we can move forward, and we can I've told this story many times. You have a couple. make sure that future generations of British Columbians Let's say you have an older couple that's retiring. Th ey've will have the options, will have the fi nancial stability and worked very hard all their lives. You know, many older will have the choices that they deserve. couples, as they come to their retirement, think it might [1540] be nice to get themselves a nice RV, and they go in the It's really a pivotal change as we move forward. You RV, and they go and travel around the province, travel look at Alberta today. You look at Saskatchewan today around Canada, travel around the United States. Many compared to where they were a decade or so ago, and it's believe, as they come into their retirement ages, that not night and day because they see the advantages. Th ey've only do they deserve that but that that's their entitlement. been able to seize the opportunity on the oil revenues So we have our older couple. Th ey believe that they that they now enjoy. Th at has taken their economy and deserve that. Th ey believe that's their entitlement. Quite moved it to a new level — and Alberta in the same way, frankly, for the hard work that they've done, it's a won- with the revenues they enjoy. derful way to spend one's retirement years. We have to be proud in British Columbia. You look at Unfortunately, the couple that I'm speaking of doesn't the production of energy and the use of natural gas com- quite have the money to be able to pay for the RV. One pared to other fossil fuels, compared to coal. In China of the options they have is they go to their kids. Th ey say today, Shanxi province has a huge amount of coal that's to their children: "You have good jobs. You're doing very burned for energy. By moving into that market and hav- well. I think you'll do better in the future. Really, right ing a transfer from energy derived from coal to energy now we'd like to be able to spend this money, so will you derived from natural gas, the greenhouse gas eff ect on co-sign the loan for our RV?" I can tell you that most chil- that is massive as well. It's much cleaner burning, as well, dren in the province of British Columbia and in Canada so the particulates that you get from burning coal are no would look at their parents like they were completely nuts longer in the equation. at that point and say: "What planet are you on?" Really, that's the choice. We talk about the choices that And that's what balancing the budget for the province are before British Columbians, the choices that they're of British Columbia is all about. When we don't bal- going to have to make over the next few weeks, at this ance the budget, we are asking our children, our grand- point. To understand those choices and understand what children and subsequent generations to co-sign the loan they're really being asked…. From what I see, as I hear it for our spending today. Quite frankly, that's not fair. over and over again, they understand the opportunities Th ey have their own priorities. Th ey have their own that are before us. Th ey understand that we've been man- objectives as to what they see as important to them. We aging this province in a very fi scally prudent fashion, that take their options away from them when we don't bal- we've been keeping taxes and tax rates low — having the ance the budget, when we aren't fi scally responsible, and lowest personal income tax rate in Canada for those that when we don't do things that are important. make up to $120,000 a year and keeping other levels of Th e other issue that we saw today — we saw it during taxes down as well. question period — was the talk about liquefi ed natural You know, I think that's one of the things, when it comes gas — the future, the prosperity, the opportunity and the forward as we move forward, that we really have to under- revenue that liquefi ed natural gas represents to British stand and look at more. We say it oft entimes in govern- Columbia. We heard some from the opposition side say: ment, but we need to really put more credibility to it. Th ere "Oh well, don't worry about that. Th at's years down the is only one taxpayer. We really need to appreciate that. 12738 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

When it comes to civic taxation, when it comes to gas, when we talk about other opportunities within the provincial taxation, when it comes to federal taxation, economy — it aff ects each and every one of us. it's all the same person that pays all of these taxes. You It is something that aff ects us all. It is something that — can only put your hands in that same person's pocket when we build the economy, when we build jobs, when enough times before, quite frankly, it makes it diffi cult so we create all of the things that are important to all of that they can't make the choices themselves that they'd British Columbians — aff ects us all. Really, that's how like to make. we all have either a comfortable lifestyle with a growing I think a perfect example of that, too, is…. Unfortunately, economy and the jobs that we all deserve, or we don't, as a society, I know that all of us are guilty of this to a you know? certain extent. It's all right to do something as long as it I'll take another perfect example of sort of working doesn't aff ect me. If it doesn't aff ect me, then it's prob- together and being part of one. It's something that's very, ably all right. It doesn't aff ect me, so I really don't care. very important to our area but something that oft entimes For example, the NDP has said, point-blank, that people forget. Th at is transportation. should they become government, they'll put a capital If you take a look at the investments that this govern- tax on banks in place that basically kills banks. Th e aver- ment has made in transportation since 2001, this govern- age person goes: "Well, that's a great thing, because that ment has delivered $14.3 billion in vital transportation doesn't really aff ect me. I think it's great. Th e banks make infrastructure throughout the province. I look to my own billions of dollars. Th ey make huge amounts of money, area, with the gateway transportation program. I look to and they should be paying a little bit more tax." the new Pitt River Bridge. I look to the new Port Mann Th en you tell the average person: "Hey, why don't you Bridge. I look to the Evergreen line, which is now under take a look at your RRSP? Why don't you take a look at construction, that I'm so proud of and pleased. your pension fund? Why don't you take a look at the You know, it's something that really does benefi t all ways that you plan on funding your retirement, those British Columbians, because it's not only personal travel things that really are important to you in the retirement across the Port Mann Bridge that is enhanced by the new years?" We just went into the fact that you'd like to buy Port Mann Bridge and the fact they have ten lanes on the an RV and go and be able to relax and enjoy your retire- new bridge, but it's also commercial traffi c. It's moving ment years. Th e top investment in the average pension goods faster. It's making our economy move and perform fund and RRSP in Canada is, oh, a bank. Th e No. 2 in- better than it has in the past. vestment in the average pension plan or RRSP is a bank. As I mentioned before, during my time as Chair of Oft entimes, in many pension plans the third investment the Finance Committee we went and travelled around is also a bank. the province. I have to say that the member for Surrey- So taxing the profi tability on these banks: what does Tynehead mentioned over and over and over again — so I that do? Oh, that basically makes it so that you put in would be very remiss if I didn't mention it — that the Port peril the income of the banks. What does that do? It Mann Bridge is in the Guinness Book of World Records lowers the value of the stock of the bank, which basically as the widest bridge in the world. lowers the value of the RRSP. I have to also talk about funding for the Evergreen Now we're actually aff ecting average people. When the line, as I mentioned. You know, this is a project that average person does the math and says, "Well, okay, by went on for years and years and years. Actually, it's doing that, you're actually attacking my pension income," funny, because you can probably make it even longer. My that doesn't sound like such a great idea anymore. understanding of the original concept and plan for the Actually, we don't really have to worry about that too Millennium Line that we have and that was built under much. I said what I've just said to a senior vice-president the NDP government in the 1990s…. Th e original plan of a large bank in Canada. He said: "Well, no, we're not for that Millennium Line was that it would come into the really all that worried about that, because no, it wouldn't Coquitlam town centre, but unfortunately, as it was fi nal- aff ect the value of our stock at all. Th at really wouldn't ly designed, it wasn't the case. So we've now…. come into issue at all, Doug, because all we'll do is we'll increase our fees to British Columbians to recover the cost." Interjection. [1545] In a perfect and direct sense, should the NDP become D. Horne: No, no. It was moved into two phases. I'm government and put this new capital tax in place, British being reminded by the member from Port Coquitlam Columbians can rest assured that they will be paying that it was in two phases. But before it was in two phases, those fees, will be paying that tax. Quite frankly, it will it was actually in one phase that included just coming to aff ect them whether they like it or not. the Tri-Cities. Th en, when the second plan was created, Th at's the thing that, really, British Columbians need it was created in two phases, where the Evergreen line to understand. Within the economy, when we talk about became the two phases, which is, as I say, the extension all of these issues — when we talk about liquefi ed natural of moving it forward. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12739

I have to say, the province took a huge leadership role N. Macdonald: I need to start by extending best in making this happen — establishing the project offi cer, wishes to the deputy critic for forestry and the MLA for establishing the engineering, moving the thing forward Cowichan Valley. He had his valves cleaned out like an and trying to pull everyone together. I have to say, it's a old Ford. Th at's the way he described it. In any case, he's diffi cult thing for us all when you're dealing with a group doing well. As everyone knows, he's a great friend of of mayors on the Mayors Council and the way that cur- mine and a powerful advocate for sustaining the land rently we deal with the regional transportation within the base and for protecting the interests of those who make Lower Mainland. It's very, very diffi cult. a living from our forests. [1550] We're thinking of you out there. I know he's watch- I think one of the most diffi cult parts of that was the ing today. mayor of Port Moody at the time. Th roughout the entire I want to take the time that I have today to talk about process he was incredibly negative and spent an incred- forestry. Th is was a topic largely ignored in the throne ible amount of time explaining why the project wasn't speech. Forestry is, of course, very important not only to going to move forward, explaining why he didn't like Columbia River–Revelstoke, but it's critically important the project, explaining why he didn't like SkyTrain as to all of rural British Columbia. an option. Th e forestry critic role is one that I've had for four years Actually, I'll read a quote from some time ago. A Port now. I also served as the Deputy Chair of the mid-term Moody councillor at that time moved a motion "that the timber supply committee that was active last spring and GVRD and GVTA be advised that Port Moody council summer. Th at the throne speech ignored the committee's is opposed to any SkyTrain line through Port Moody and work bothers me, because it was an expensive commit- strongly supports the alternative route along Lougheed tee. It was an expensive exercise, and 650 groups or in- Highway to Coquitlam Centre, to the east end of Port dividuals took the time to participate, thinking it would Moody." Th at was moved by the then councillor and cur- inform decision-makers. People will see that it certainly has supported and informed NDP thinking. rent member for Port Moody–Coquitlam. As we head into a provincial election, B.C. New In 2001 that member also mentioned that if we were to Democrats will be seeking a mandate from the pub- tunnel through Port Moody — and I'll quote him at this lic on many things, but certainly, an important part of point — the tunnelling through the city of Port Moody it will be investing in our public lands. One of the key would be done "with the residents of Port Moody lying things that I've heard from people in communities across in front of their bulldozers." British Columbia is that there needs to be an attitude shift Luckily and fortunately for all, we are moving forward in Victoria towards better stewardship of the land. How with the Evergreen line. We will be tunnelling so that it we achieve that stewardship has to be viewed in context, will actually arrive in Port Moody. It will be a great thing starting with the fi scal realities that we face. for all Tri-Cities residents and a great thing, quite frank- Th e B.C. Liberals, in the throne speech, asserted that ly, for the Lower Mainland — rapid transit and moving they were all about balancing the budget, but the truth people around and making it convenient for people. is that the budget for the province is in defi cit. It has Look at the Canada Line that was built under our gov- been in defi cit since the B.C. Liberals last won the elec- ernment and the opportunities that the Canada Line has tion, and you would need to be signifi cantly naive to be- created and the number of people…. It's far ahead of ex- lieve that we will not be in defi cit going forward into this pectations. year's budget. Lastly, talking locally about health care, I'm proud to [1555] say that this last fall we expanded the number of beds at Provincial debt has been increased, under the B.C. the Eagle Ridge Hospital. Th at has really allowed people Liberals, from $33.8 billion to $57.4 billion. Th at's a 70 to move from the emergency room into being admitted percent increase. As well, there is the off -the-book debt, into the hospital and really cleared the logjam. We now which has risen from nothing in 2001 to $96 billion. have a plan moving forward to expand the Eagle Ridge Th ese are the contractual obligations, the energy purchas- Hospital emergency room. As I say, I think health care is ing agreements, the P3s and so on. fundamental to a strong and good community. Th e next government will be signifi cantly constrained With this throne speech, a vision for our future, a vi- fi nancially. Despite that, New Democrats believe it is sion for where we're going but also a vision on how we're crucial to invest in the land. We have to invest in the going to pay for it. Th rough the liquefi ed natural gas plan land because it is our most valuable asset and because and the prosperity fund, we really do have a plan on there is a great need. Th e B.C. Liberals have taken from how British Columbia and future generations of British the land without putting resources back for most of the Columbians will have a strong economy, will have the past decade. jobs they need and will have the opportunity that all As I've said, I was Deputy Chair of the Special Committee British Columbians deserve. on Timber Supply. What we heard in community aft er 12740 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

community was similar to what was made clear in reports for urgent action by the government to restock our pub- from the Auditor General, the Forest Practices Board and lic lands. Of course, COFI's comments echo the recom- the association of B.C. foresters. What we heard is that the mendations made by the Auditor General and the Forest B.C. Liberals have made choices to underfund steward- Practices Board. ship eff orts for this province from the moment they came We have an NSR crisis in the province, not suffi cient- to power. Th e results of those decisions were predictable, ly restocked. NSR describes the land that should be re- and they are now evident for all to see. planted, that hasn't been replanted, that is a provincial Let's fi rst talk about timber and non-timber inventory. obligation. As you know, what you do not count and measure, you [1600] cannot manage. A current reliable inventory tells us not Again, some history. In 2002 the B.C. Liberals re- only how many trees we have but what species and size scinded legislation requiring the province to assess NSR and where they grow. land and to replant it if feasible. Th e B.C. Liberals then In 2002 the B.C. Liberals rescinded legislation in the cut the budget by 90 percent. Forest Act requiring the chief forester to conduct and Predictably, a vast area now sits unplanted that should maintain a current and reliable inventory of the lands have been planted. Th e Forest Practices Board, in a June and forests of the province. As a result of relieving them- 2012 report, pointed out that the total NSR that was feas- selves of the legal obligation to maintain and conduct in- ible to plant, that this government neglected to plant, was ventories, the B.C. Liberals, by their own account, have over one million hectares. Th e B.C. Liberals have not in- purposefully allowed just under three-quarters of the vested in replanting in a meaningful way. province's forest estate, 74 percent, to degrade where the After doing no planting for a few years, the B.C. inventory is 30 years or more out of date. Liberals started Forests for Tomorrow in 2005. I was Consider this. In the 1990s budgets for inventory aver- here in the House when that was announced. Th e B.C. aged $23.6 million — $23.6 million on average. Compare Liberals at that time, and for years subsequent to that, that to an average of only $8.5 million under the B.C. promised the rate of planting would reach 50 million Liberals. — fi ve-zero — seedlings a year by 2012. But the truth is As well, in 2010 the ministry assumed the additional that the government planted about 16 million seedlings responsibility for conducting and maintaining 34 TFL in- last year — one-six — and they intend to cut funding in ventories — so even more work with budgets well under this upcoming budget. I have heard it will be cut by 30 what forest professionals identify as the minimum need- percent. ed to do inventory work properly. Forest professionals, by the way, say that $15 million is the minimum that is [D. Black in the chair.] needed — money better spent, I think many would agree, on inventory than partisan ads. Th is continues the degradation of the last decade. We Th e B.C. Liberals intend to cut budgets for inventory know we will realistically need four to fi ve years to get to work going forward in the upcoming budget. What I'm a meaningful level of replanting, and we know that we told is that the budgets for inventory will be around $7.5 need to start now. Consistent with the timber committee's million, about half of what it needs to be, at a minimum. recommendations, consistent with the public interest, We have to ensure that all management unit inventor- New Democrats will improve inventory, New Democrats ies are current within ten years to the VRI standard, the will replant, and furthermore, we will re-establish the vegetation resources inventory standard. We've been told research branch. time and again that inventories that are more than ten What we're talking about is the past, the present and years old don't have much worth. Th ere are exceptions the future. Inventory work represents understanding to that standard, but it's clear that government needs to what has happened on the land base. Reforestation and make inventory work a priority once again. Th is includes silviculture are today's investment in the land base, re- updating units for gross depletion such as logging, large- fl ecting the information we've gathered in the inventory scale pest infestations and major roads. stage. Th e third leg of the stool is research, which pre- We also know that current and reliable inventories for pares us for the future of the forested land base. non-timber inventories such as wildlife, soils, water, re- In a time of climate change we manage credibly only creation and visuals are essential. Th is is the work that if information is evidence-based, science-based and the timber committee recommended be done. It is the grounded in long-term sustainability. A renewed and fi rst practical step towards properly managing our land. vigorous science program lays the foundation on which Next we need to talk about silviculture and replanting decision-makers can base policies to sustain the land in particular. Th e Council of Forest Industries — which base for the next generation. represents many of the Interior's major licensees such as New Democrats also recognize the need to review land West Fraser, Canfor and Gorman Bros. — in their pres- use plans and sustainable resource management plans. entation to the Timber Supply Committee cited the need Th is would be done fi rst within the 12 timber supply areas Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12741 worst aff ected by the mountain pine beetle. placed end to end, would stretch from Victoria to Th under Th is work has to be done involving rural commun- Bay. So that is an incredible volume of logs sent off , with- ities and First Nations groups to make sure that the plans out any value being added to them, each and every year. are reviewed and reported on regularly. Rural British It is still the law in British Columbia to manufacture Columbians, it was clear to us again and again, want a say logs and to export only what manufacturers do not need. in land use decisions that impact them and their com- Part 10, section 127, of the Forest Act is unequivocal in its munities. New Democrats believe that wisdom about language, even if you only look at the titles of things like the land sits in our communities, and they need a voice part 10. Th e title is "Manufacture in British Columbia." where decisions are going to be made. Or the title of section 127: "Crown timber to be used in Finally, New Democrats also recognize that better in- British Columbia." Th at's still the law. sect and disease monitoring and treatment, forest and Section 127.1 of the Forest Act states that a person range evaluation as well as strengthened restoration and must not attempt to remove from British Columbia tim- landscape management are needed. ber or wood residue harvested from Crown land; from I started my comments with the province's fi scal state. private land granted aft er March 12, 1906; or from private At the same time, as I just outlined, the need for action land granted before March 12, 1906, in tree farm licences. is essential. I recognize that many will be impatient for So the law remains clear. B.C. logs should be manufac- change, and I understand that. I want to assure people tured in B.C. to create B.C. jobs. that there will be change focused on the health of our for- Th e public is even clearer that they see raw log exports ests and the practical steps that we need to take towards as job exports. Th at is what the public believes. Th e public proper stewardship and ensuring that there are boots on believes that B.C. Liberals are facilitating the giveaway of the ground to do the work. Th ese would be priorities for our logs. I have heard this again and again from people a New Democrat government. across the province. Th ey expect their provincial gov- Ecosystems are changing with the impacts of climate ernment to do better. Six million cubic metres exported change, so there's no question that the work we need to and, on top of that, an average two million cubic metres do is incredibly complicated. But we have capable people per year of usable logs left on the ground on the coast as that are able to do this work if government shows leader- waste. Huge opportunities — lost. ship. At the same time, we can be excited about the chal- What are some of the things that we, as New Democrats, lenge that is there. We know that we can add value to our say need to happen? First off , we need the timber export lands through eff orts in forest health. advisory committee, also called TEAC, to be allowed to [1605] direct wood to existing mills. At the very least, allow the I also think that we've only begun to tap into the value- timber export advisory committee to do its job. added products that can come from our forests. Th ere are Th e fact here is that for the past 20 months the timber still many more opportunities in engineered wood prod- export advisory committee has been overridden dozens ucts. Nanocrystalline cellulose technologies are opening of times by the Minister of Forests to allow logs to be up all sorts of possibilities that are new. As well, we have exported even though they were needed here in British our traditional excellence in structural wood products. Columbia by existing manufacturers. Th en last month Th e truth is that markets are picking up. Russell Taylor the minister changed the rules — changes that will shut and the International Wood Markets Group have re- the timber export advisory committee out to a greater ported on the market improvements. We need to remem- degree and will inevitably result in even more logs being ber that U.S. property markets collapsed to the tune of $6 exported, even more jobs being lost. trillion not that many years ago. But the fact is that that Nearly six million cubic metres were exported in 2012 market is coming back, and with new markets in China, — a record number. Meanwhile, mills in communities on there is a tremendous amount to be excited about. All of the coast, on the Island, even some mills in Vancouver these are powerful reasons to look aft er our forests. and along the Fraser, are shutting down shift s because I'll switch now to the next area where we need to im- they can't get fi bre. prove. We need jobs from our logs. Th e B.C. Liberals [1610] have lost over 30,000 forestry jobs since 2001. Vancouver Even the B.C. Liberal member from Nanaimo says that Island and the northwest have been particularly hard hit; it's a wrong-headed approach, and if you live in any of 33 mills have closed since the B.C. Liberals took power. these areas, you will consistently hear that. Th at's what At the same time, the volume of raw logs exported has people believe. It's a public resource, and government has grown from one million cubic metres to almost six mil- to be mindful of that. lion cubic metres exported as raw logs. Th at represents As a province, we need to commit to working with all 32 percent of the coastal harvest. stakeholders to get more jobs from our logs. Government Now, for those that are less familiar with the terms has the ability, through control of fees in lieu, to bring used here, a cubic metre is the size of a telephone pole. Six everyone to the table, and with a mandate from the pub- million cubic metres put on logging trucks, if they were lic, it will happen. Th e New Democrats will seek that 12742 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

mandate, because we know that we can only fi nd solu- have recommendations in the Timber Supply Committee tions here with a change of government. report on creating area-based tenures. So what I can say Skills training was mentioned in the throne speech, defi nitively is that I know the government knows the ap- but it is an area of particular weakness for this gov- propriate way to proceed. It is there in the recommenda- ernment. In forestry there are real shortages of drivers, tions, supported not only by three MLAs from the NDP tradespeople. Government can point to recent programs side but four MLAs from the government side. Th ose and to where training related to the forest industry has recommendations are there. taken place. New Democrats need to continue what Th e question, I think, is whether the government is works, if given the opportunity to govern, and to build going to choose to do the right thing. As I say, all the programs to fi ll the very real gaps in skills training. information that's needed is there within the commit- We also need to manage fuels in the wildland-urban tee report. interface. We know wildfi res will be increasingly diffi cult [1615] to control. We need to commit to fund strategies and ac- I want to fi nish with just a couple of thoughts. Th e fi rst tivities for reduction of fuel in the interface, to make sure one is this. New Democrats called for an all-party stand- that tenure holders help manage fuels across the broad- ing forestry committee as far back as 2005, although I er forest landscape and to do this work so that our com- have to say that when, in 2012, the B.C. Liberals an- munities will be safe. nounced a special committee on timber supply, I was We also know that since 2001 the B.C. Liberals have highly, highly suspicious. I think all on the NDP side lost over 70 mills. Government inevitably is drawn into were. communities where a major employer is lost. What I can In the end, I was really proud of the work that the four say is that when you look over the past dozen years, the B.C. Liberal MLAs did with my two NDP colleagues and government response has been remarkably inconsistent. me. Th e previous speaker talked about the satisfaction he In Mackenzie the government response was to use had working on the Finance Committee. I would say this what is essentially appurtenance — a tool that they got rid was a group that had discussions and did hard work and of in all other parts of the province. Th ey used appurten- came up with some very useful work. ance in Mackenzie to try to get a mill back up and going. We were supported by ministry staff who were excel- You compare that to what was done in Barriere which was lent — two retired chief foresters — and we had the par- essentially nothing. You compare that to any number of ticipation of over 650 groups and individuals. Like I say, communities where nothing was done. So it's tremen- the committee did very useful work. I found that we had dous inconsistency in the approach to these job losses. a lot in common on both sides of the partisan fence, and Th e other problem is that the quality of the work has our unanimously supported report refl ects that. been very inconsistent as well. Th e leaked cabinet docu- Th e NDP leader, our leader, has been clear in both ment that members here will remember from the spring words and actions that he'll do politics diff erently. Th is was the work done by Bob Clark in Burns Lake. It was a includes looking at ways to ensure a higher degree of set of proposals that was never going to work. understanding and debate on issues as important as the We asked Bob Clark at the committee: "Is this the stewardship of our land. work?" Bob Clark was the gentleman that was appointed I think it's a point to be taken here that two speakers by the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. We in a row say the most satisfying work that they've done is asked him: "Is this what you suggested — this leaked cab- where people can sit from either side and have intelligent inet document? Is this the document you sent to cabinet debate based on fact. I think that we need to work, as our as the plan for going forward in Burns Lake?" He said it leader has suggested, to make sure that that is more com- was. Was it ever going to fl y? No. Was cabinet ever going mon than simply the exception here in British Columbia. to agree to it? No. What's clear to me is that change is needed. But more What we have is just this very inconsistent approach, than that, really, a change for the better is needed. I think not only in when work is done but just in the quality of it's coming, and that's an exciting prospect. the work. It's simply not good enough for communities One of the last things I'd just like to say is that part that are depending upon government to be competent at of that change is the decision that people make to step some level. So what we need is a community economic back into civilian life. On our side we have people that response team that is competent and consistent, and poli- we've spent eight years with: Delta North, who's busy cies that are competent and consistent. behind me, working away; Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows; Finally, we have come into this session expecting legis- North Coast; New Westminster; Coquitlam-Maillardville. lation about creating more area-based tenures. It's been Th ese are people that I've come to know very well, and referenced. Th at is legislation that, of course, we're yet they're really going to be missed. I certainly appreciate to see. all the work that they've done. What I do know is that this was an area that was widely I also want to just say there are others that through their debated and widely canvassed with the committee. We work done as ministers — Peace River South, Shuswap, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12743

Surrey-Cloverdale; there are many that I know are going that provided her some full-time opportunity. She was a to stand up and give their last speeches — have all con- part-time constituency assistant. We're really going to tributed a tremendous amount. miss her. I want to welcome Jennifer Newman to our of- Th e last thing that I meant to say, that I was remiss in fi ce. She's doing great work in the fi rst early days in our not saying, is that we also had Hansard staff and legisla- offi ce. I really appreciate all the work that they're doing. tive staff , who always do a tremendous job with the com- Th e throne speech clearly stated our government's mittee as well. We had, I think, the Hansard staff here that focus. It shows British Columbians that we are dedicated travelled. And while we would stand around and chat, of to supporting economic growth, creating jobs for British course, they were busy setting up and putting down a tre- Columbia and the communities, and making sure that we mendous amount of equipment. that have the tools and the focus and the vision in order Th at concludes my remarks. As always, it's nice to be to be able to do that. Th is is so important to us because here, and it's always a privilege to stand and to speak in our future is dependent on a strong economy to support this House. the critical programs that we need. Th e focus on LNG opportunities in this throne speech Hon. S. Th omson: I'm very pleased to have the op- is an opportunity that is before us now. It's an opportun- portunity to stand and respond to the Speech from the ity that we can't aff ord to miss, and our throne speech Th rone and share some of my thoughts on the benefi ts recognizes that opportunity and provides the focus and of the direction and the focus of the throne speech to the vision that will ensure that it happens. the constituents of Kelowna-Mission and to families all Th e throne speech also introduced the government's across this province, and just to recognize the tremen- plans to set up a British Columbia prosperity fund, which dous honour that we have in being able to do this and to will direct funding generated by exporting natural gas be here in this House, and to thank all the constituents and the tremendous opportunities we have to reduce of Kelowna-Mission for that opportunity. our provincial debt and to support B.C. families. It will Kelowna-Mission is where I was born and raised. It allow us to continue to direct funding towards key local is a great place to have been born, a great place to have programs, capital projects that benefi t our communities grown up, a great place to continue to live and a great not only for today but for the future. place to represent. I also want to take this opportunity We are fortunate in my riding of Kelowna-Mission to again — I think, as we all do when we get opportunities see the direct results of the work of government by look- in this House — to really thank my family for their con- ing at our investments in health care, education, aff ord- tinued sacrifi ce and support in doing this job. able housing and agriculture in the Central Okanagan, [1620] just to name a few. As people have mentioned, we're away a lot, and it puts Providing quality health care is important to British tremendous strains and pressures on our families. I real- Columbians. It really does impact every one of us. ly want to thank my wife, Brenda, my sons, Andrew and Looking at our record, I am proud of our government's Spencer; my daughter, Alex; and our fi ve grandchildren commitment to the health system. for continuing to have that patience. Since 2001 health care spending has increased by 92 I should do a little bit of a shout-out at this point. percent, from $9.4 billion to this year's total of $18 billion. When I talk about one of my sons — Spencer, my young- Cardiac care is particularly noteworthy in the Kelowna est son — I want to give a little shout-out to the mining area. In November 2009 at Kelowna General Hospital we industry and the mining exploration industry, who prob- had the fi rst ever PCI interventions performed. Th at was ably, this summer, gave my son the best summer of work our fi rst ever performed outside of the Lower Mainland that he has ever had, working in up in the Northwest and Victoria. Lives were saved, and patients no longer Territories in mining exploration. had to wait for care in the Lower Mainland or Victoria. What it taught him this summer in terms of learning We now have the very signifi cant investment in the about the industry, work ethic, working in remote camps new Interior health and surgical centre at Kelowna and everything…. It was a just a tremendous opportunity. General Hospital. Th is fi ve-phase $360 million endeav- So a little shout-out to the mining exploration business, our is already in operation. In fact, the fi rst surgery was which I'll say a little bit more about later. performed last year on December 3, 2012. Th is successful I should also take this opportunity to thank for the operation was the fi rst cardiac surgery to occur outside great work that our constituency assistants do in our of- the Lower Mainland or Victoria, and we can appreciate fi ces over the years. We're away a lot, and they really hold the signifi cance of this for many patients and also their down the fort, representing and working with all the con- families. stituents in our community in our offi ces. I would like to share a comment from Luke Brockholm, My great thanks to Nan Pellatt in my offi ce and to the patient who received the fi rst surgery at Kelowna Rebecca Narinesingh who, unfortunately, we have just General Hospital. Th is is what he said: "I feel so fortun- lost in our offi ce. She found other very good employment ate to have the opportunity to have my surgery done 12744 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

at Kelowna General Hospital. Being only an hour away sure that B.C. has the right mix of skills-training pro- from where I live in Penticton, I was able to return home grams so that B.C. students are fi rst in line for jobs that in less than a week, which has been a huge relief for me are close to home. We are prioritizing training so that and my family." we stop training people for jobs that don't exist and start We are very close to having 100 more stories exactly training them for jobs that do. like this, a tremendous gain and tremendous benefi t to Our government is supporting the training and trades our communities not just in Kelowna but in all the com- to get more students into technical programs by investing munities in the Interior and the region that the Interior $75 million in improving and upgrading training facili- health agency serves. It will allow patients to remain close ties, equipment and access to teachers. Just last fall at to home and their support networks while reducing the Okanagan College we received $28 million to expand stress and fi nancial burden that can go with travelling and renovate the trades training facilities, in addition to farther away. $867,000 for equipment upgrades. [1625] Reducing completion time for apprentices while re- We're also continuing our strong commitment to cap- specting the need for high-quality workers is part of this ital projects, with almost $7 billion spent since 2001 and program. There are approximately 5,200 apprentices an additional $2 billion earmarked for the next three registered in the Th ompson-Okanagan region, account- years. It has allowed us to invest in hospitals across British ing for almost 16 percent of the total apprentices regis- Columbia — Abbotsford, Victoria, Surrey, Vernon, tered in the province. Vancouver and, of course, the Kelowna General Hospital. We're investing in capital funding to ensure students Th e Interior heart and surgical centre, which I have alcan learn in modern facilities, including $220 million in ready discussed, isn't the only big accomplishment, with capital funding at UBC Okanagan. What has this accom- the $432 million Kelowna General Hospital patient care plished? It has provided funding for the health sciences tower, which had its fi rst helicopter land in March. complex. It went towards the engineering management Th e platform outlined in the throne speech yesterday education building, the arts and science building and has outlined a clear path to sustain this vital commitment many others that are building quality education at this to education and training. It focuses on ensuring that the great new facility in our region. next generation can enjoy a promising future. Th is is not Our government has funded over 32,000 new student possible without a commitment to education. spaces and created seven new universities, allowing more We remain committed to quality education in the students to study closer to home. It's important that we Central Okanagan and across British Columbia. Th is will continue to support our education system, both K to 12 also help British Columbians gain the skills to get good and post-secondary, to ensure that children all across jobs in our province. In the K-to-12 system, yearly per- British Columbia have the skills and knowledge to fi ll pupil funding has increased by almost $8,000, ensuring these positions. our kids have the resources they need to get the best start Judging by the momentum that we are seeing at both they can on their educational careers. Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan, the future ap- Since 2001 the province spent $84.3 million in pears bright in the Central Okanagan and, indeed, across the Central Okanagan school district. It has allowed the province. the school district to complete 13 construction pro- With our triple-A credit rating we remain an economic jects, including a new school in my riding, Chute Lake safe harbour, one of the jurisdictions that continues to at- Elementary. It has allowed us to welcome more young tract investment. Part of attracting investment includes students, with an additional $9.5 million for additional the need for a strong transportation system facilitating spaces in full-day kindergarten. the fl ow of goods and people. I had the great honour of being able to reopen a In the Central Okanagan, projects we've invested school in my riding, Okanagan Mission Primary, to sup- in include the four-laning of Highway 33 from Muir port full-day kindergarten. Th is was the school where Road to Gallagher Road; constructing two kilometres I fi rst attended in my kindergarten days and fi rst years of passing lane on Walker Hill; Highway 97 improve- of grades 1 to 4 at Okanagan Mission Primary. It was a ments — the William R. Bennett Bridge, building the great opportunity, because this school had been closed UBCO Flyover, additional lanes on Highway 97 through for a number of years. To be able to reopen that school Kelowna. Likewise, we're adding a new four-lane stretch to provide the services…. It was a real honour to be able from Winfi eld to Oyama, a project which is on budget to attend that day. and is scheduled to be completed in 2013. As a father of three children and with five grand- [1630] children, I know how important it is that students have Our air transportation network continues to grow in access to safe, modern facilities. the Central Okanagan, with last December's exciting Over the next decade there will be approximately one announcement at Kelowna International Airport wel- million job openings across our province. We must en- coming daily direct fl ights from Los Angeles on United Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12745

Airlines. Th e airport's economic impact study predicts As I've mentioned, our strong relationship with other clear skies, with each daily long-haul fl ight adding 21 levels of government allows us to achieve benefi ts for person-years of employment and $1.2 million in wages British Columbians, ensuring key industries will con- to the local economy in the Okanagan. tinue to grow and create jobs. For instance, our govern- Our government continues to reduce the barriers, al- ment is working eff ectively with the federal government lowing this type of good news to occur. For instance, and the industry to get cherries into the Chinese market. in 2012 we eliminated the jet fuel tax for internation- With over $1.5 billion invested in the Central al fl ights. Th is has reduced the cost for airlines, which Okanagan, we have a lot that we have achieved, a lot equals expanded services and improved fl ight options, to be proud of. These are accomplishments that I'm benefi ting B.C. families and making B.C. more competi- very proud to have been able to be a part of. I believe tive in the global marketplace. they were only possible due to close cooperation with Th e results speak for themselves, with the Kelowna my fellow Central Okanagan MLAs, the members for International Airport placing in the top ten busiest air- Westside-Kelowna and Kelowna–Lake Country — Team ports in Canada, creating over 2,700 jobs and producing Okanagan, as we call ourselves — and all the members of a total economic output of $610 million. the Okanagan caucus. Th ere are many important initiatives in our community But it's not just us; it's not just our work. Our team ex- which continue to drive growth. As an example, Accelerate tends to our partners in the community, including gov- Okanagan is a local, successful organization that aims to ernment at the local and federal level, school districts, foster entrepreneurial spirit supporting local startups in the social not-for-profi t organizations and many other dedi- technology sector. In 2011 our government, in partnership cated individuals in our community. It has allowed us to with the government of Canada, committed to provide $2.1 identify priorities for our community and collaboratively million to this local facilitator for the next three years. achieve these goals. I'm optimistic that it will allow us to There have been many successful organizations continue to move forward with a strong, united voice in and businesses that have benefitted from Accelerate the Okanagan. Okanagan's mentorship. Just to name a few — Vineyard I'd now like to share some of the important things Networks, which was just recently purchased by Procera that we're doing these days in the province's Ministry of Networks; Media Cooler Innovations; Orcamax Business Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, a min- Solutions; and Trajectory Design Automation. Th ese are istry which I am proud to lead. Our job is to take all the all new businesses, creating additional jobs in our com- factors into consideration when making decisions about munity, that are being fostered and mentored by the great land management in British Columbia. To do that, it's es- work and the support of Accelerate Okanagan. sential to balance environmental sustainability and eco- Agriculture is also a vital part of our economy in my nomic prosperity. riding of Kelowna-Mission, employing many people. Our [1635] $2 million B.C. Buy Local program, for instance, will help In fact, environmental sustainability and economic businesses and organizations in my riding and, indeed, prosperity have equal importance in the ministry's vision across the province, launch and expand their marketing statement, yet I see them not as contradictory goals and campaigns. contradictory visions but complementary. By nurturing a strong relationship with our partners From forests to fi sh and wildlife, to heritage sites, to in the community, local industry and government lead- archaeological resources, to assessing and reviewing per- ers, we've supported this sector. Just last year, as part of mits and applications for major projects and licences of the province's agrifood strategy, our government an- occupation on Crown land — these are all areas that my nounced a $2 million replant program to increase tree ministry is taking action on. With such a wide range of fruit growers' competitiveness and profi tability, encour- responsibilities, it is important for the ministry to bring aging planting of high-demand varieties of apples, in- a high degree of coordination between agencies and or- cluding Ambrosia and Gala and other new varieties. ganizations. I would like to thank the Minister of Agriculture, the A project or activity on the land base may require mul- member for Kelowna–Lake Country, for recent adjust- tiple authorizations. In the past applicants told us they ments to the program, refl ecting the growers' and indus- found the process time-consuming, overly complicated try needs. Th is is a case where we listened carefully to and ineffi cient, and we've been listening to our clients the concerns of growers about the existing program, and and customers. To that end, we've created a single land some very important strategic adjustments were made to manager for the province's resource sector. Th is helps en- the program, which will benefi t the industry overall and sure our policies are integrated with the operations side many of the growers in my riding. We're also working of resource management. closely with the federal government by jointly providing Our new business model — we call it a one-project, the B.C. tree fruit growers cooperative $2.7 million to one-process approach — means project applicants have upgrade their plant in Lake Country. a single engagement with the ministry, oft en for multiple 12746 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

authorizations. In other words, all these required au- medium-sized natural resource businesses starting up or thorizations are processed together, based on the client's already operating. This new system will launch this needs. It's more effi cient, eliminates overlap and uses month. fewer resources. Based on the feedback we've received to We're also seeing an increase in complex applications. date, our clients confi rm it is working and are apprecia- Last month our Premier announced the important news tive of our initiatives. that for the second consecutive year our province had a Naturally, this increased coordination is important to record year of investments. Preliminary estimates for ex- support B.C. workers, businesses, investors and the en- ploration expenditure are $680 million for the last year. vironment. Th e employees at my ministry understand Th at's up 47 percent from the record levels of 2011. very well that it's collaboration across the natural re- To help the industry take full advantage of the grow- source sector that makes us diff erent. As the saying goes, ing global need for natural resources, we also announced the conversation we have with our customers is the rela- that B.C. is investing an additional $7 million to continue tionship, and when that conversation stops, so does the our successful streamlining process. We'll be using it to relationship. provide more effi cient permitting for water, land and My ministry's commitment to the customers is to con- mining exploration; better processing times; reducing tinue that collaborative relationship, to continue that the average turnaround time for notice-of-work appli- cooperation and to make sure that we meet our commit- cations; all the while balancing our commitment to pro- ments that have been written into B.C.'s jobs plan. Just tect the environment and requirements for First Nations an example of what I mean by that is the work that we consultation. have done to address the backlogs in permits and applica- [1640] tions, or permits and authorizations, that were identifi ed. I also believe that our natural heritage is something I'm very, very pleased to report that we have met the worth preserving and celebrating. Th is is a commitment targets that were set out in the B.C. jobs plan. A great that I'm proud to say we've lived up to. In Budget 2012 we deal of this relates to additional assistance or support that announced $21 million over the next three years for the was provided to our ministries — not just my ministry maintenance and operation of provincial heritage sites. but across the resource ministries — with a $24 million One project in particular that stands out to me is the program designed specifi cally to address those backlogs McAbee fossil site, which we formally recognized as a while upholding environmental standards and consult- heritage site last year. I was very pleased to be able to ing with First Nations. complete that process and to provide that protection By reducing the backlogs, we were able to speed up our and designation for that very, very critical and import- natural resource development within our province. Th ere ant resource here in the province. Th e ministry is act- were specifi c targets. Th is included an 80 percent reduc- ively working on a conservation management plan with tion in notice-of-work permits, a 50 percent reduction all stakeholders to ensure these important fossil beds are in Water Act and Land Act licences and a commitment preserved for all time. We'll soon be releasing a heritage to maintain a 60-day turnaround for notice-of-work ap- strategy for B.C. which will allow us to continue to pro- plications. tect these sites in British Columbia. You may be wondering how we are doing on these tar- I'm also very proud to say that our forest sector con- gets. I'm pleased to report that we are meeting them. In tinues to recover from the worst downturn ever and one fact, we actually reached our notice-of-work reduction of the most challenging periods in its history. In 2009, at target two months ahead of time. We met our targets for the bottom of the downturn, the B.C. forest product ex- land applications, and we met our targets for Water Act ports totalled $7.6 billion. Fast-forward to 2012. Forest applications. We're well on our way to attaining our goal product exports totalled almost $10.2 billion. of a 60-day turnaround for notice-of-work applications. As the member for Columbia River–Revelstoke said, We've already reduced the turnaround time from 110 we're seeing a period of predicted continued improve- days to 80 days, and we will reach our goal of a 60-day ment in market returns. Over the last three months turnaround. We plan to maintain that level of perform- lumber prices have been consistently above $355 per ance as we continue to build confi dence with our busi- thousand board feet, which means soft wood lumber ex- ness partners. port tax is zero and companies have more money to in- Reducing delays and ensuring a predictable process vest in their mills, supporting B.C. jobs in communities. helps ensure people keep working and are not unduly bu- Over the last year alone we've seen over $300 mil- rdened by the application process we promise to improve. lion in investments in mills from Vancouver Island to Our client-centred approach will offer the first e- Mackenzie to the Kootenays, refl ecting the confi dence in application for notice-of-work and water licence applica- the future of the industry. Th at's over and close to $900 tions. Th is new on-line service will be available through million investment in the last two years. FrontCounter B.C., put together by government to sim- We're very familiar with the devastating impact that the plify the application process for individuals or small- to pine beetle has had on our forest sector. Government's Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12747

response to the special committee report that the mem- triple-A credit rating, despite the very uncertain econom- ber for Columbia River–Revelstoke referenced and talked ic times. Th is is good news for all British Columbians and about…. I would also like to add, at this point, my thanks for everybody in the Okanagan. for the work of all of the members of the committee — [1645] the work that they took on over the summer. Th ey took We're living in extraordinarily competitive times. time out of their other commitments and schedules to We're seeing one of the greatest and largest economic be able to do that very, very important work across the shift s in our history from the west to Asia, and it's hap- province. pening now. While other countries might be trying to We have provided our response to the special commit- adapt to this new reality, B.C. is well positioned to take tee report. We're in our next phase of responding to that advantage of the shift . But to keep us competitive, we mountain pine beetle infestation and the report. And have to confront some challenges. In dealing with our the response includes nine sustained and 11 new actions. growing skilled labour shortage, we will be focusing on Since 2001 the government has committed $884 million skills training. Over one million job openings are ex- in fi ghting the mountain pine beetle infestation and its pected by 2020, 43 percent of which will require skilled environmental and economic impacts. Th e bulk of the workers. committee recommendations are being implemented, Th e numbers in the Th ompson-Okanagan region for and legislative recommendations, as was noted, will be the same period are staggering. By 2020, 110,000 job introduced soon. openings are expected in the region, with nearly 28 per- We're updating our inventory, developing type 4 silvi- cent of them expected to be newly created jobs. Kelowna culture strategies, and we have three new fi re manage- and the Okanagan need to be ready, and under our gov- ment projects underway. ernment and the B.C. jobs plan, we will be ready. We As we implement the recommendations, the govern- need to make sure that British Columbians have the skills ment is seeking to create viable, lasting partnerships that needed to fi ll these jobs and that our training system is include First Nations, communities and industry. We will fl exible enough to meet the changing needs of the evolv- respect the interests and the rights of all parties by en- ing labour market. suring an equitable, transparent process to implement We're supporting the plan with concrete action. We all commitments, including the identifi cation of area- still have a lot of work to do. I'm proud of the work that based licences. our government has done to address the challenges of the Now that the infestation has run its course, we have future, and you'll see in a week's time that our budget will the opportunity to take stock of the current state of our set the fi nancial pathways to meet the opportunities and Interior forests. We will continue to invest in those areas. challenges that lie before us. We'll continue to address the recommendations of the I believe in a British Columbia that encourages indi- mid-term timber supply committee report and continue vidual initiative, rewards hard work and creates econom- the important work that was done through that process. ic opportunities for the thriving private sector. I believe Th is January at the Truck Loggers Association con- in building confi dence in our economy, both here at vention I was pleased to announce changes that will home and around the world. increase domestic availability of supply to our coastal Th ank you very much for the opportunity, and I'm industry. I also shared with those in attendance that B.C. pleased to stand and support the throne speech and pro- Timber Sales will be accelerating its sales schedule and vide these comments that talk about the tremendous will be auctioning an additional 500,000 cubic metres opportunities that the work that we have done as a gov- on the coast before June. Th ese changes are designed to ernment has provided for the province as a whole and increase harvesting economic activity on the coast, and specifi cally for our region in the Okanagan. industry estimates that up to 4,000 additional jobs could be created. A. Dix: It's always an honour to stand in the Legislature So how are we doing? Overall, during the fi rst year of and represent the constituency of Vancouver-Kingsway. our plan our economy attracted $800 billion in new in- It's a constituency that has had over time extraordinary vestment. representation — people who have advocated for the cit- Sorry, it contributed $80 billion in new investment. izens of Vancouver-Kingsway, who made a diff erence in the lives of the citizens, who've fought for change and for Interjections. social justice across the province but particularly in our neighbourhoods. Hon. S. Th omson: Th e members opposite are listen- You think of people such as Alex Macdonald, the for- ing. You are. mer Attorney General of the province, and Bob Williams, For the fi rst time ever, exports to the Pacifi c Rim were the former resources minister of the province, and Glen higher than to the U.S. Exports to China increased by 24 Clark and Dave Barrett. Th ink of those names. percent and to Korea by 45 percent. We've maintained a Th ink of Harold Winch, who twice in general election 12748 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

campaigns in British Columbia won a plurality of votes. ness person in her community and how she has fought, I He did not win the government because of the nature, in think, believed in and expressed the need for that com- those times, of electoral systems and electoral distribu- munity to be represented here, the need for women to be tion of seats but was an extraordinary leader who came treated with justice and equality. to the Legislature in the early '30s. He was on relief, and And her voice, that thing which we can hear — all of he came and represented his constituents. us who know the member can hear that voice. Th ey can We have a proud tradition. Rob Nijjar represented the hear it in their ears now and know what that has meant constituency of Vancouver-Kingsway on the government in her contribution over all those years of public service side, and he continues to work in Vancouver and make a as a councillor and as an MLA — just exceptional. real contribution to the community. Recently Rob con- Hon. Deputy Speaker, yourself once voted — I think tacted me about a person he thought, from his work as justifi ably — as one of the ten best members of Parliament an MLA, was worthy of the Queen's jubilee medal. In in another House and has come and represented the fact, I was happy to join him in nominating that person, people in New Westminster, a community with just as who won that award. great a tradition of representation as my constituency. I think it's an extraordinary thing, and I think espe- I can think of the people who have represented it and cially in this session at this time in the Legislature we think of the fact that not long from now people will need to acknowledge what a privilege it is to sit here and speak of that and add to names such as Anita Hagen and the work that has been done by other members of the Dennis Cocke and Rae Eddie that the member for New Legislature over time. Westminster, the current member for New Westminster, A number of members of the opposition caucus are represented them in the House and made an enormous leaving the Legislature. Th ey've announced that they're diff erence. not seeking re-election. All of them — and I know this I think of members on the government side as well. from having worked with them on a daily basis over years One of the proudest moments I had as an MLA — I was — have done a truly exceptional job, not just in their jobs Health critic — was the day that the former Premier, Mr. as critics or in this House but in their jobs as representa- Campbell, and the Minister of Health, who had advo- tives of people in their community. cated for this, initiated a program in British Columbia to I think of the member for Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows, allow young people in need of insulin pumps to get gov- a biologist by training, and his advocacy for people on en- ernment funding. Th ey made an announcement on the vironmental issues, his real and profound understanding west side of Vancouver. Th e Minister of Health was there. and fi ghts on issues such as IPP development over time I had advocated for that for some time. Th e Minister and issues in his community, advocating for hospital care of Health delivered on that, as he has for a very long time and home support in his community — a tremendous in the Legislature, since 1996, representing his constitu- MLA with a tremendous legacy. ents — representing them well and proudly on the gov- [1650] ernment benches. Th e member for Delta North, who served as a council- As many disagreements as I've had with the member lor in Delta before becoming a member of the Legislature, for Shuswap — some of them dating through 20, 24 or 26 whose legacy around Burns Bog, whose belief in fi ghting hours of estimates — the fact of the matter is that I don't for community events such as the Tour de Delta, his idea think anyone can say he hasn't made a profound contri- that you can build community and participation through bution to this place. public events that bring people together, his commitment I think of the member for Abbotsford-Mission, who to the ALR, which has been expressed with such passion helped me in a motion that I had passed in the Legislature and such eloquence in this House…. recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Th e member for I think, of course, of the member for North Coast, Kamloops–South Th ompson spoke to that motion, and who's been our ferries critic over time and has worked we unanimously came together and did that as legisla- to advocate on behalf of his constituents, people on the tors on both sides. coast who oft en have not had adequate access to ferry ser- I think of my friend here from Chilliwack, who has vice, who have felt, I think, the pressure on their services. represented as a mayor and as an MLA with passion. Th e member has made the case and oft en been heard on I think of one person who isn't here, who all of us in the government side. I think of his arguments heard at the Legislature miss, the former member for the Comox times by the successive Ministers of Transportation, in- Valley, Stan Hagen, who represented us. He was the cluding the member for Peace River South, who's also Minister of Children and Families when I came to the retiring today. Legislature. I was the Children and Families critic, and We think, of course, of the member for Coquitlam- while we two disagreed oft en, the reality is that aft er his Maillardville — also a city councillor, our Education time as critic he took the step, which is hard in govern- spokesperson for years — and the passion and humour ment — we've done this on both sides; we've experi- that she brings to this Legislature, her role as a small busi- enced this — of stepping back from an initiative the Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12749

government had taken and reinstating, along with the environmental issues — not just of their city, not of their unanimous vote of this Legislature, a Representative for community and not just of their neighbourhood but of Children and Youth. their province, of their country, of their world. Th is is a great place, and I want to acknowledge the Students at Gladstone, as well, did us proud this year. eff ort of the entire opposition, all of the members retir- They showed what can happen in K-to-12 education ing from the Legislature at the end of this session who've with dedicated teachers working together with students, made an enormous contribution to British Columbia. when they won the world robotics championship. Over We think of our community. Last week a guy that I a period of years, one of the most interesting days…. knew well from Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Th ey came back, and they had a celebration with people who was a volunteer — he was almost 90 — Albert who'd been in that program over four years — a program Battistoni…. He always used to wear funny clothes, the community had supported because they had to get funny-coloured clothes. He always had a joke. He vol- to Dallas and then they had to get to Anaheim each year. unteered for years at the Collingwood Neighbourhood So it was a very diffi cult thing. House. In Gladstone School, in our constituency of Vancouver- [1655] Kingsway, those students fi nished fi rst and second in the Th at changed. It was actually created — to speak of the world amongst thousands who participate in that compe- kind of things we were talking about — at a time when a tition. And it's because of a teacher who won the Prime predecessor of mine, Glen Clark, was the MLA and the Minister's medal recently, Todd Ablett, who made that mayor of Vancouver was Gordon Campbell. Th ey worked happen. together to create the Collingwood Neighbourhood Th ose people, the group of people involved in the pro- House, along with the community. gram, have been transformed. Many of them were not, Albert had volunteered there for a very long time. A when they entered the program, always the leading stu- couple weeks ago Albert passed away, and we're going dents in their schools, but they have a legacy now, and to recognize his contribution. But the value that people they've gone on to follow that legacy at places like BCIT such as Albert bring to our community and the change and in engineering. And the students behind them, who they've brought and what they saw and the joy they've they continue to work with, are part of that legacy. Th ey brought to people's lives…. are an example of why we have to give more opportunity, You know, the people at our schools in my commun- not less opportunity, on issues of skills training. ity…. Th e Aviva Community Fund recently recognized Th en there are other students at Gladstone, who are Gladstone. You think of the issues that they see as import- currently in a class with 54 students in it, who make ant — that young people see as important in our com- the case that maybe in public education…. Th ey made munity. Just look at the work being done at Gladstone a video — which I recommend to people — advocating Secondary School in my constituency of Vancouver- for their school and their community and saying that 54 Kingsway — $50,000 from the Aviva Community Fund students are too many students in a public school. — because they want to promote local food. Th ey would expect issues of class size and compos- Th ey did a video to the fund that talked about the cost ition to be refl ected in their throne speech, just as the of importing tree fruit, apples, from New Zealand to robotics students would expect skills training, just as the British Columbia and how it would be a better idea to Windermere students and Gladstone students would as- grow locally. Th ey built the case to build a greenhouse sume that local food and agriculture would play a key in their school to help make that happen. Th ey won that role in the throne speech, just as students from across contest and won $50,000. Th at's what they're advocating the city who took part in the climate change conference for. Th ey understand that local food is important and at Windermere would expect that climate change would should be recognized and promoted in a government's be a key issue in any government's legislative agenda in economic and agricultural strategy. Th ey understand that. the 21st century and in a throne speech. The students at Windermere School understand it. I think that we're in a period, obviously, that's an elec- Th ey hosted, as they do every year, a conference on cli- toral period, but I think a fair person looking at this mate change recently, and 500 people took part on a pro- government's throne speeches over time would fi nd the fessional day. Th ey didn't have to be there, but they were throne speech presented yesterday to be out of step even there — an extraordinarily diverse audience that came with those presented by the government in the past. together there to talk about the future of the planet. Th ere was no overarching vision of the economy — Th eir expectations of us are that we not ignore issues other than, seemingly, one idea and one project. Th ere around climate change, that we take action, that a throne were no goals. Th ere was no evidence of climate change speech — in their mind, surely, if they were writing a and the environment being a key issue, as there had been throne speech — would not ignore issues around climate in successive throne speeches under the former Premier. change. Th ey would argue that those issues are of central In fact, there was very little of that at all. importance to them, to their future — our economic and Th e government, it would appear, treated the throne 12750 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

speech a little bit like a campaign exercise, where they were allowed to return in 1945. would release one little fact and not lay out, as govern- Th ere was injustice in both places. It refl ects, in fact, ments are expected to do in their throne speech, their an unwillingness at the time, which hurt our economy legislative agenda, to speak of their vision of the province for decades, to be open to the world and open to immi- and where they thought it would go. gration. Th at has changed in our province, particularly [1700] since 1968. We didn't see that in this throne speech. We didn't see Th e development of a community that's dynamic and the key issues facing the province of British Columbia — open to the world, that sees people coming to the prov- issues around prosperity and productivity, of inequality ince — as my parents did, as many of our parents did or and sustainability in our economy — addressed in any ourselves did, many current members of the Legislature kind of comprehensive or coherent way, in my view. did — as not a disadvantage but an advantage, a force Th at is, I think, a diff erence between a government that for good in society, a force for economic growth and ad- is at the end of its mandate — not to use an expression vancement…. It's something that we have to continue to related to their throne speech, but it appears to have run nurture because it's a huge advantage for us. out of gas — and a government and, hopefully, an oppos- We're well situated on the coast of British Columbia, ition that is addressing the tough, diffi cult key issues of with access to the Asian markets. Governments of vari- our time, not looking forward with hope for miracles in ous stripes from 1972 on — Dave Barrett being the fi rst the future but addressing the issues that my constituents Premier to go to China — have successively pursued the face, the constituents and people across B.C. face right Pacifi c Rim, the Asia-Pacifi c as a goal of economic policy. here in the here and now. Diversity of trade and openness to that have been a goal Our economy has enormous reasons for success. My of successive governments. Th e Minister of Jobs has been constituency of Vancouver-Kingsway…. Th ink of this to China many times and worked on those issues just as in the context of the world. It's a constituency where 86 ministers have over time. percent of people are what they call in Statistics Canada This is another significant advantage for British jargon visible minorities. Of course, it's 86 percent nei- Columbia. Our land base and our resources also repre- ther visible nor minorities, in fact. Th irty-eight percent sent a signifi cant advantage for our province, one that we speak a Chinese language at home, and 48 percent of have to build on. We have to do a better job of upgrading people speak the English language at home. People from the resources we have here, processing the resources we the Philippines and Vietnam, people from Chile, people have here. Th is has always been a challenge. It's been a from all over the world have come together in a commun- challenge since this Legislature started. ity and work together. Th e fi rst debates of this Legislature in the fi rst decade I think British Columbia's openness to the idea of im- of the 20th century were about raw log exports, and the migration, of people coming together and living together McBride government of the time and the actions it took and working together in a community — something that have always been part of our debate here and issues that Albert Battistoni symbolized in himself, that our neigh- we have worked on over time. Some of the laws, in fact, bourhood house symbolizes for a broader community that were introduced at that time are still on the books and our province symbolizes — is one of our greatest today, sometimes not always enforced, but that's another strengths. We have, as a province, great strengths that go issue for another debate. beyond the partisan debate. [1705] I think one of the greatest differences in British We have, as a province, on top of all those things, the Columbia in the years following 1968 and before, the extraordinary people of our province, who off er so much greatest diff erences between British Columbia then and to the world in the way, I think, that we live together in now is an openness to immigration that is a change in our communities — not always perfectly, sometimes im- our province. We remember as a province…. We talked perfectly. Th e way we live together in a community, we about it, the member for North Vancouver–Lonsdale, I have enormous advantages as a province. We have things think, in a very moving presentation about what had hap- that we have pursued over time that have made this a pened during World War II, the internment of Japanese wonderful place to live — certainly it has been for me — Canadians in that time. for people across the province. One of things we pointed out and discussed in that de- So how do we deal with the challenges we face? I think bate was that in British Columbia aft er the war, because that we'd all acknowledge that the province faces real of what happened in this Legislature in large part, the challenges. Economic growth over that last decade has advocacy of this Legislature, Japanese Canadians born slowed as compared to previous decades. Th is is a chal- in British Columbia, living in British Columbia were lenge. Productivity over the last few years has trailed the not allowed to return to the coast until 1949, when in Canadian average, particularly in the 2005-2011 period other jurisdictions such as Washington State, a jurisdic- — about half of the Canadian average in terms of growth tion close to us with similar circumstances to us, people and labour productivity over that time. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12751

Th at's a signifi cant long-term challenge. As you see are crucial. Our fundamental responsibility, it seems to British Columbia dropping down the list of provinces in me, is to ensure that the land base that we inherited as terms of labour productivity, Canada itself is dropping a province, which has sustained so much wealth in our down the list in terms of productivity compared to other province, is passed on in good order to the next genera- countries in the world — a double problem for British tion. Th at responsibility is under pressure, and we've lost Columbia, I would suggest. ground in recent years, not gained ground. On top of those issues of productivity, we have an issue So what do we do? What do we focus on? I think that that's actually closely linked to it, which is that issues of there's a lot to say and a lot to do. Th is throne speech, inequality beset our province more than most provinces. unfortunately…. Th e fact of the matter is that we have the highest absolute I think of people I've met in my constituency who levels of inequality in British Columbia of any province work in the fi lm and television industry — one more ex- in Canada. Th e amount made by the bottom 20 percent ample of this — who, like many people…. Th ere was a as compared to the top 20 percent — that ratio is the rally of people in fi lm and television industry at North worst in the country. Vancouver studios in January, and 4,000 people attended Bottom 20 percent. Less than 5 percent of aft er-tax that rally. More people attended the rally than worked income, aft er the impact of the regressive tax system. in direct jobs in the industry when the previous govern- Bottom 20 percent — and there we're not talking about ment, an NDP government, brought in the tax credit sys- the very important issue of street homelessness. Th ere tem that's under discussion today. we're talking about a group in the economy that repre- [1710] sents 800,000 people, a very signifi cant group of people In fact, we've seen growth in that industry in the order who are clearly struggling in the economy, and those of 500 percent because those policies undertaken by the just above them, middle income people, who are facing NDP government were followed up by a Liberal govern- pressures and, in fact, have much more in common with ment and have been led with success. Th ose are middle- people of low income than they did a decade or two ago. class jobs, and they're important jobs, and they are not Th e inequality issue is a key question in our economy. mentioned in this throne speech. Th ey're not addressed What we know about what happens in our economy is in this throne speech. I think that's a problem. that people are seeing the means of what I would call the Th e government has narrowed the debate about our fu- predistribution of wealth taken away from them. It is ture to one project, natural gas, but I don't think you've much more diffi cult to get access to post-secondary edu- even done a good job with that. You have to. As the cation at the very time when all of us know, when the gov- Premier, I think, said yesterday, decisions we make now ernment's own information tells us, that 80 percent of the are important as to whether we'll be able to take advan- jobs of our future require post-secondary education, that tage of LNG development. But forgetting about issues of 44 percent of those jobs are about trades and training. climate change, forgetting about the impact of develop- At that very time, we've made it more difficult for ment on the government's own legally ordained targets, young people at the age of 18, when, by defi nition, their which they appear to have abandoned, the impact of in- income power is the worst. We're making the fact of what creased hydraulic fracturing on water resources in our income they have and income their parents have very im- province…. portant as to their ability to get those jobs. Th ese are issues we have to address now. Th ey're fun- If we know in an economy that the growth of technol- damental to the success of LNG. Th ey're not over here; ogy increases inequality for those who don't have control they're not on the side. Th ey should be part of this dis- over technology, don't have the same level of education, cussion and part of this plan so that we will be successful. the importance of education is greater now than it ever Th e government seems to not want to talk about that, to was. The importance of post-secondary education is talk about LNG and the decisions made by internation- greater now than it ever was. al investors and international markets, as if it's some- Th en we have the challenge — and nobody, I think, thing that they control, and not taking care of some of who lives in the interior of the province would be sur- the things that we do control that will be fundamental prised about us talking about it — of issues of sustain- to the success. ability and the environment. Th e idea that they're in So what do we think the government should focus on? some way disconnected, that we can have a discussion Well, in the last couple of years they tabled a budget, as just about natural gas without talking about the environ- you know, in February 2012-13, that cut support for post- ment, that we can have a discussion just about forestry secondary education by $70 million. It's in the budget. without talking about the environment at a time when Th ey did that. I mean, it seems strange that the govern- we have timber supply areas where most of the trees are ment is advertising on some of these questions now when dead and they're killed by the mountain pine beetle…. that's the approach they took at that time. Th at, we know, is related to climate change. Don Drummond, in his noted report on spending in Th ese issues of sustainability in our cities, in rural B.C., Ontario, said that the one thing you don't cut is skills 12752 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

training and post-secondary education in this economy the community in priority? Shouldn't we be supporting because young people have to get access to the skills they local farmers? Shouldn't we be advocating that people need for the jobs of the future. Th e one thing that the gov- in B.C. buy local, just like those students at Gladstone? ernment cut was just those programs. [1715] It seems to me that they're on the wrong path here, Shouldn't we, when the government in a throne speech that we have to focus on those issues. We have to dig in. talks about it, talk about our share of a local market, talk In Alberta they've gone on a diff erent path. Th ey didn't about tree fruit growers in the Okanagan and their share blow up their system in 2002. Th ey didn't eliminate com- of the local market as well? It's not just the idea of selling pulsory trades. Th ey didn't eliminate counsellors. Th ey cherries overseas but selling fruits and vegetables right didn't see completion rates drop like a stone in appren- here in British Columbia to consumers who are aching to ticeship programs in their province. We need, I think, to buy those fruits and vegetables in our province. Th ey're focus on this. Th is needs to be a provincial mission. ahead of the politicians on this issue. Th ey believe that Last year I met with over 200 business groups. Every buying local is important. single one of them talked about the skills shortage. Th e It's important that when we have resources in our government is simply out of step with this. Th is is some- province — and I've talked about the Richard McBride thing that is absolutely required for the government to government and the legislation brought in at that time do in this age — to make a singular focus now, and not — and that when we have processes like the TEAC pro- just now but in '14, '15, '16, '17 and '18 to ensure that cess that say that when there's demand for logs in British young people have access to middle-class jobs so that we Columbia that they be used in British Columbia, that we don't have circumstance where there are projects in our support the TEAC process. province and, as has been suggested, there's no one from When we set up a process, it's not to give exemptions, Canada and no one from B.C. who can take those jobs. as the government has done dozens and dozens of times, Th is is a future we have to avoid, because we have to but to ensure that when there are local manufacturers ensure that when there is development, people from B.C. who want access to logs in British Columbia, they have get those jobs. It will mean more jobs in small business. access to those logs. It means jobs. It means more people It'll mean more jobs in communities. It'll mean hope and working on shift . It means a healthier forest industry. aspiration and opportunity for young people. Don't you think that ought to be a priority? Instead, in Th at needs to be the focus of a throne speech. Th at the throne speech in the province of British Columbia, needs to be the focus of concerted action. It's not say- with the centrality of forestry in our communities…. ing, as the throne speech does, that when apprenticeship Th e throne speech in the province of British Columbia completion rates have been dropping like a stone, all of spends one sentence on forestry — one sentence on for- our policies have been successful — look at us — that estry that is supposed to defi ne the full strategy and the when there's a signifi cant skills shortage and we're out of full policy of a whole government, that is supposed to be step with other jurisdictions such as Alberta, all of our part of its vision on jobs and the economy and social pro- policies have been correct. grams. Th ey spend one sentence on forestry. I think that the government has to acknowledge that A sentence on agriculture. Nothing on fi lm and tele- they have let us down on this question and that we have vision. Little or any hope on issues such as high-tech and to start on a new path. Th at's why we believe that skills other issues, which are growing parts of the economy. No training should be a primary economic focus of a new mention of green jobs, which had repeatedly been part of government in British Columbia. the equation under the previous Premier. If we can acknowledge together that these are chal- In other words, what we have is a vision which I didn't lenging fi nancial times…. We have to ensure that when always agree with. I voted against those throne speeches government spends money, to the maximum extent pos- here in the Legislature. We have a move from a govern- sible it spends money in the communities, that when we ment that at least had a vision that people could agree have programs in British Columbia — outstanding pro- or disagree with to a government that has one propos- grams, in the past…. al, one idea — the exploitation of one resource, natural I think it's important to recognize this. I try to say this gas, at the expense of everything else. Surely, the people all the time. I think that governments to some degree of British Columbia deserve and should expect more change and to some degree change the policies as they than that. come in and, in some cases, build on policies brought in I think we have to acknowledge that we have to…. If by other governments. we're going to meet our responsibility — not just our legal The current government got rid of a Buy B.C. pro- obligation but our historic responsibility — to address gram that had been very successful, that focused on lo- issues of the environment, to address issues on the land, cal food. Most of the health authorities in our province to address issues of climate change, we have to come to have no plan to use local food. If government is spending the table on those issues as well. You can't just rewrite the money anyway, shouldn't the money they spend benefi t standards and get out of your obligations. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12753

You can get out of your legal obligations, I suppose, if tion now to get our house in order, and the government you have a majority in the Legislature and you've decid- hasn't done that. ed that climate change was a priority and it's no longer a Every taxpayer dollar is important. Th at's why we're priority. You can make that choice. But that historic obli- going to be proposing real changes in this legislative ses- gation to future generations — you don't get out of that. sion — changes that ensure that the partisan misuse of You don't get out of that. government advertising ends in British Columbia; as we We, I think, as a province need to do better. That have supported for years and the government did in- means, especially in urban areas, that we have to do a clude, to its credit, in the throne speech, the need for a better job on transportation. We have to do a better job seniors representative and a seniors advocate in British on housing. We have to do a better job on buildings. We Columbia; the idea that was supported by the Premier, have to do a better job of reducing emissions. when she ran for election in the by-election in Vancouver– If you're going to create the room for new industry, you Point Grey, that we need to ban cosmetic pesticides — better do the job on climate change. Th is is not news to an idea that we have introduced in legislation and will anybody, but it disappeared as part of the equation of the introduce again in legislation, to keep the pressure on a current government. government that used to put that in throne speeches and We've had a discussion on the carbon tax. We'll say left it out this time. that the government ran the last election, and one of the I think we're going to contribute to the debate. Our issues was the carbon tax. Th ey won the election, and approach is going to continue to be the same approach we have the carbon tax, which is going to continue to be throughout this session. When the government does in place now. But what is true, and I've said this before, things we agree with, we're going to unhesitatingly agree, is that not a penny of that carbon tax goes to any transit because I think people are tired of opposition for oppos- initiatives, supports infrastructure in rural communities. ition's sake. We're going to present a plan that addresses All of it was sent off in tax cuts. the issues that people care about in their communities We don't think that's a good idea. We think that in- over the coming months: on health care and education, of vestment in infrastructure is necessary, that connecting course; on issues addressing productivity and inequality; the carbon tax people pay with the real infrastructure of jobs and sustainability; of the future of our province. decisions the government takes — the tax people pay to I think a lot of people in our province are worried. transit, the tax people pay to ensure people in Sicamous They're worried that their children and their grand- have good clean water and aren't on boil-water advisories, children aren't going to see the opportunities they've and on and on…. had. It feels like I'm speaking in a TV ad. But I think Th e fact is that in the interior of B.C., municipal gov- that's a real worry, and it's an obligation as well — like ernments, local governments, local school districts oft en climate change, like inequality, like job creation, like tak- face much more signifi cant challenges and costs in terms ing care of the land, like supporting local communities. of energy. We have to ensure, whether it's a carbon trust It's an obligation on us as legislators to do, which is to that takes money out of the public sector and gives it to ensure that British Columbia and British Columbians big corporations and others, that we're investing in our have more opportunities in the next generation than our communities and that we're meeting our historic obliga- generation did. tion to the environment, our historic obligation on issues Th is is something, over various governments and over such as climate change. time, we've generally done in British Columbia. It's some- [1720] thing we have to do now. Finally, I'd say this. It's been four years of this govern- We need some change for the better. We need a gov- ment. Th e most signifi cant public policy achievement of ernment more connected to people — not a government the government they passed early, which was the HST. that's out of gas and grasping at straws but a government Th en, of course, they were forced to withdraw. It aff ected that's committed to real change to address the fundamen- every business in the province. It aff ected every individ- tal challenges facing our province. ual in the province. It had a negative eff ect. I understand the government doesn't want to cam- Hon. P. Bell: It's a pleasure to be able to respond to the paign on its record. But you have to view the whole econ- Speech from the Th rone. I will get to that in a few min- omy. It's small businesses and public services. It's forestry utes. But having just spent about 40 or so minutes listen- and mining. It's high-tech and green jobs. It's fi lm and ing to the Leader of the Opposition, there are a couple television, and LNG and energy jobs. It's forestry. Th ese of things that the Leader of the Opposition stated that are the jobs that sustain communities. don't square with the facts, and I think that we need to You've got to have a broader agenda than what we get those on the record very quickly in order to ensure see in a throne speech that is limiting us to one idea. that they are factual. Whether we think that idea will succeed to some extent, to a greater extent or a lesser extent, we have an obliga- Interjection. 12754 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Hon. P. Bell: Th e Opposition House Leader says: "Take do what we did. Do what we tell you to do now, because out an ad." Actually, he should probably talk to the mem- it's going to be all diff erent." History does not show that's ber for Fraser-Nicola about his advertising budget and been the case. spending. I think that would be the more appropriate But with that said, I do want to kind of get on to my key place to have that conversation. themes of my response to the throne speech. First of all, I You know, I heard the Leader of the Opposition say need to again thank my wife, Brenda, for her willingness a number of things. He certainly spoke about previous to allow me to do this job for almost 12 years now. It's Premiers of this province, Glen Clark and Dave Barrett, been one of those very diffi cult things, and I know that all as economic heroes of the NDP. I fi nd that very chal- of us in this House who have a partner or a spouse fi nd lenging, having lived through both of those leaders and it very, very challenging. It's diffi cult for our partner, our seeing what it did to the economy of British Columbia. spouse, to stay at home while we're faced with a day-to- [1725] day barrage of requests of our time, demands of our time. But one thing that really disturbs me is I heard the I think that without that kind of support that we all have, Leader of the Opposition say that, in fact, the economy it would be impossible for us to be here. had been better in the previous decade, referring to the Having looked back over 12 years, I think it's remark- 1990s, than it has been in this decade. Yet the facts abso- able to see the stability of relationships that the members lutely do not point to that. of the House have been able to maintain, given the nature In fact, in the 1990s the gross domestic product growth of the work that we do. Th ere have been a few separations in the province of British Columbia was 0.22 percent be- over time but not many. I think that, overall, the record hind the rest of Canada for the entire decade. In the fi rst has been pretty good on both sides of the House in terms decade of the 21st century the average GDP growth has of being able to maintain relationships with partners and been 0.47 percent ahead of the Canadian average, a clear spouses. Again to my wife, Brenda, I just can't even begin indicator that our province has performed exceptionally to thank her enough for her willingness to continue to well over the last ten years. allow me to do this job. A real GDP per capita during the 1990s was 0.65 per- I also was very, very pleased at the tail end of last ses- cent. During the 2000s, 1.2 percent — again, a clear indi- sion to be able to announce the birth of our grandson cator. Joey. He continues to do very well, almost nine months Earlier, in question period today I disclosed the infor- old. I got to go and see him in swimming lessons last mation that we've seen from Statistics Canada that sug- night, and he's progressing well, I can report — not quite gests the unemployment rate in Canada at the close of the doing the 100-metre breaststroke yet, but we're working NDP era in government was 7.2 percent for all of Canada. on that one. Lots of fun to be able to spend time with him. It's an interesting number because it's also 7.2 percent to- For me, that's really kind of driven me and motivated day. Th e diff erence is that in 2001 the unemployment rate me in a diff erent way, perhaps, than I've been in the past under the NDP government of the day was 0.5 percent — the knowledge that I do want to leave a legacy behind higher than the Canadian average. Today the unemploy- for my grandson and that that's an important element of ment rate is 0.5 percent below the Canadian average. All what we do here. It has caused me to think longer term as of those things concern me. opposed to shorter term. I will touch a bit more on that. Th en I heard the Leader of the Opposition talking in Of course, to my daughter Donna and her husband, very melodramatic terms about the need to have climate Matt, thank you very much for blessing us with this won- change added to the debate and particularly in the throne derful grandchild. We'll return him on a evening basis, speech. Th at, to me, is just absolutely shocking, because on a regular basis, when we're done with him for the day, it was that member — the record will show very clear- full of sugar and all those things that grandparents get to ly — that voted against the carbon tax. In fact, he voted do but parents don't. against every initiative that this government has brought Also, to my other daughter, Diana, and our other son, forward to promote the issue of climate change, to fi nd Doug — thanks for your ongoing support. ways to have meaningful impacts on reducing green- Th ey're all adults in their own right now and pursu- house gas emissions and to make the types of changes ing their own careers. It's just tremendous to see that as that have been promoted far and wide and heralded as a father, as parents. It's just wonderful. British Columbia leading the world. [1730] Th e member opposite voted against all of those, the Leader of the Opposition, and at the same time, today [L. Reid in the chair.] stands up and says that he's shocked that there was nothing included in the throne speech. I think that all of those In addition, I wanted to thank my constituency staff things point back to the theme of question period today, back in Prince George and Mackenzie for all of the work which was the saying — it appears amongst the oppos- that they do — Charlotte and Judy, along with Bev in ition, and the Leader of the Opposition, especially: "Don't Mackenzie. Th ey've just done a tremendous job over a Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12755

long period of time — Charlotte for the full 12 years, Europe into the Asian marketplaces, into China and into Bev more recently and Judy in between those two places. India, in particular, but right across the Asian market- I couldn't do the work that I do here without their sup- places. port, and I very much appreciate that. It is astounding to see how rapidly this is taking place. On a more sad note — the passing of a couple of indi- When you travel through China, as I have done on a viduals that were very close to me. First of all, my mother- number of occasions, it's amazing to see the evolution in-law, Charlotte Lapp, passed away in November very, of their economy and the way that individuals change very suddenly. She was very much like a mother to me, through that process. It is a very organized and meth- since I lost my parents over 20 years ago, and will be odical economy in the way that they approach it. India missed. Th e music community in Prince George will miss is diff erent than that, but they are growing at an equally her deeply. She was a tremendous musician and artist in compelling rate that we need to continue to track and her own right. She mentored many, many individuals in make sure that we take full advantage of. the music community and particularly the young fi ddlers Change always creates opportunity. It also creates risk. in Prince George. I think that we need to try and capture that opportun- Her son is someone that has some notoriety here in ity. Th e thing that concerns me most about the notion of Victoria, Daniel Lapp. Many will know him as a regular change is how quickly we need to respond and react to fi ddler in various events in the Victoria and Vancouver the change that's taking place. areas. Australia, I think, has done this very, very well. In fact, It was a deep loss in our family. It's something that was if you look at the Australian economy through the early a very sad time, but we've struggled through. Her mem- and mid- and latter 2000s, what you'll see is they really ory is only just a push of the cassette deck away, and the were not hit by the economic challenges that the rest of music will ring through the halls again in the way that the world had in 2008. In fact, they successfully navigated it always did. their way through that period of time, and it was because Another loss that I had January 1, actually, was a very of the close linkages and the diverse trading relationships good friend of mine and a very good supporter, Tom that they have with the Asian marketplace. Michael. Tom was 90 years old and passed away down Most people think of Australia as much closer to China in Trail. He was a long-serving councillor in Mackenzie, than we are, and I suppose to southern China they are, British Columbia. but to northern and eastern China, in fact, they're real- He actually fl ew Spitfi res in World War II. In fact, he ly about the same distance as Canada. It takes about the was the fi rst British Columbian to fl y a Spitfi re and fl ew, same amount of time on an airplane, perhaps an hour less as I understand it, well over 60 diff erent missions until from Australia to Beijing than it does from Vancouver he was shot down and managed to struggle out and re- to Beijing, but clearly, there is a great opportunity for turn to England and then back to Canada. He returned us there. to the forest industry on Vancouver Island and ended up [1735] in Mackenzie in the mid-1970s to spend the rest of his So Australia is a country that we need to think about working career up there. and worry about. Th ey're in the foot race with us to cap- Tom just was a tremendous individual, a short man by ture the global opportunity that's represented in China stature but very tall in terms of wisdom. He was some- and in India. I think the United States is going to work one that oft en provided good advice to me individually very hard to revitalize their economy over the next num- and, I know, to many other people, including our previ- ber of years. I think they are also in the foot race. Th en ous Premier, who he would correspond with from time there are countries like Qatar, and there are other coun- to time. It was a sad passing in the sense that Tom was tries throughout the world, in South America and Africa, just such a fi xture for Mackenzie. In a small commun- that we need to be paying attention to, because this is a race ity like Mackenzie, just 4,000 or so people — a real loss that will not see a number of medals delivered at the end. but, again, something that we all have to move on from. I think there will largely only be one signifi cant medal Getting to the key themes of my remarks today on that will be off ered up. I would like for British Columbia reply to the Speech from the Th rone, I wrote down 11 to be the one that is the recipient of that medal, because I key elements that were important, I think, in the Speech think we're worthy of it, but also, because I think we can from the Th rone. fi ght hard enough to receive that reward. Th e fi rst one, really, is the notion that the world is Th e benefi t of that medal or that new relationship or changing out in front of us. Th at's just so important to trading relationship will carry on for many, many decades, contemplate and deal with because what we have known, far beyond the time — with the possible exception of the I believe, over the last ten or 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 years is member from the West End — our collective lives…. Th e not really relevant in today's world. Th ings have changed member in the West End just reached 30 years old now, so quickly, and it's because of the massive shift that we've which is a signifi cant milestone in anyone's life, so con- seen in the global economy from the United States and gratulations to him for that. 12756 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Interjection. anywhere from 15 percent to 20 percent — very positive numbers. We've continued to see that throughout the ski Hon. P. Bell: He's 32 this year. Holy cow, time fl ies season. So competing is absolutely key for us. when you're having fun. I was 43 when I entered this In the Speech from the Th rone, one of the elements House. Th at would make me 55 now. Actually, I guess I that didn't receive a huge amount of media play was the was 44, come to think of it, which will make me 56 shortly. notion of us establishing a new partnership between the In any event, the notion of us really building a future federal government, senior leaders in the business com- prosperity, well into the future, is critical. You only do munity, academia and the provincial government for cre- that by capturing the new opportunity that comes with ating a seamless opening into the Asian marketplace so the economic change. that when businesses come from Asia, we can host them Th e next word that I had written down in my com- in a way to make sure that we meet their expectations ments or thoughts was "discipline." It would be very easy and that we vie for their business. We know the world's to be undisciplined during this period of time. It would vying for their business. be very easy to be fractured, to chase too many targets I think this initiative is going to be absolutely key for and too many goals, to think that we can be the best in us in terms of driving that trading relationship forward the world at everything that we do when, in fact, there with China, with India, with other Asian countries to are many that are trying to be the best in many areas of make sure that we maximize the benefi ts of those invest- focus. It's not realistic in a small jurisdiction — 4½ mil- ments, both from the perspective of outbound trade and lion people, 4.4 million people — to try and be the best inbound investments. in every single area. [1740] What you need to have are trading relationships. You Th is is a very interesting idea. I just had the oppor- allow other countries and jurisdictions to compete in tunity, actually, to speak to the Canadian ambassador to areas where they can perform at a very high level. We China today at lunch. He noted that this was an interest- focus our eff orts in the areas that we can compete in, and ing initiative, from his perspective, that he thought we then if you do that, you trade with those partnerships and could really build on and develop. Th e federal govern- relationships in a way that will allow you to excel and ex- ment has shown some interest in working collaboratively ceed the expectations of your jurisdiction. with us, as has the B.C. Business Council, as has academia So discipline is absolutely critical. One of the things — to really build this notion of a single entry or a single that worries me, as a province, is: do we have the disci- window into the Asia-Pacifi c. pline that it's going to take to make sure that we can de- Th at's a key element, from the perspective of our over- liver on the dreams, the aspirations and the goals that we all strategy, and it's certainly something that I think needs have out in front of us? to have more focus in the weeks ahead. Certainly, I hope I've talked about the third word already: "compete." I to be able to bring some media attention and the public do think, very much, we are in a competition with many attention to that. other countries in the world. Part of my responsibility Obviously, the big item we've talked about was the no- is that of tourism. I oft en talk about the competition in tion of a new prosperity fund and the opportunities asso- tourism. ciated with the LNG business. One of the things I found Twenty years ago there were about ten or so countries interesting was that the criticism from the opposition, that controlled 80 percent of the total tourism market. from other individuals was largely that we were looking Today there's not a single country in the world that you too far into the future, that we were dealing in a time that could fi nd that doesn't list tourism out as one of their top was not practical, that was not realistic for us to achieve economic priorities. Th e new wilderness tourism experi- our goals and objectives. ences in Th ird World countries are dramatic, and they are I actually thought back to when W.A.C. Bennett intro- constantly trying to attract people into those experiences. duced the two-rivers strategy to the province back in the Our competition out there is far more aggressive than 1960s. I thought to myself: "I wonder if that's what people it's ever been. In order for us to be successful, we need to said about W.A.C. Bennett?" Although I was relatively be very focused on our competitive attributes or assets. young at the time, I do remember the dialogue, and I'm Th at's why we created a strategy or a plan, Gaining the sure that eventually the member for West Vancouver– Edge, that focuses on diff erent six areas where we think Capilano may even speak to the notion of the two-river we have a natural competitive advantage. It's starting to system, because he was not a young man even then. He's actually pay back signifi cant benefi ts. an older man now. What we saw, interestingly, this fall…. We went to the Th e vision that W.A.C. Bennett brought forward when Toronto ski show as a group of ski hills. As opposed to he introduced the notion of the two-river system and going individually to the Toronto ski show and having 12 building the very, very large dams created a tremendous or 13 diff erent booths, we went with one very large booth. amount of controversy in the province. What we saw was that early season bookings were up One of the things I always fi nd interesting is when you Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12757

listen to members of the opposition and when you listen of those things are constructed in a way that will yield to the public in general, that's all been forgotten. It's all long-term results. been forgotten that that was a very controversial strategy, [1745] because he built for the future. In fact, the cost of power I remember ten years ago our colleague, who is now at the time was very, very expensive. It was far more ex- the Minister of Finance, had a dream and vision. He was pensive than could be produced in other, less expensive then the Minister of Forests, and he said that, you know, means of electrical generation. we cannot continue to rely on the United States as the Yet W.A.C. Bennett had the vision to go out and chal- only place that will buy our lumber. At the time they were lenge those that didn't believe we should move forward buying 70 percent of our production in the United States. with a project of this nature in British Columbia and built What would happen, the now Minister of Finance and the two-river system. I think it was a tremendous initia- then Minister of Forests said, is that if we had a housing tive and is what has really set us up today for the future collapse in the United States — when they went from a in terms of power generation and the price of electricity. million and a half, two million, three million houses per We would not be endowed with very inexpensive year; up as high as two million at one point, down to half power if W.A.C. Bennett hadn't looked the naysayers in a million — we would lose our industry. the eye and said: "No, we're going to invest in the future So he went to China, against all odds. At the time, because this is important. We're going to invest in the everyone said, "You're never going to break into that future, and regardless of whether you think it's going market," and he said: "We need a long-term strategy." He to pay benefi ts today, just wait and see what happens 30 went over with a small amount of money and built the years from now." fi rst wood-frame demonstration project. It still stands I think this prosperity fund is exactly the same thing. today. I've had the opportunity to visit it on a number We need to be thinking out into the future. We can't be of occasions. thinking about today. Politicians are oft en accused of He looked at what all the challenges were with the in- thinking too short term. Th at's why we've laid out this vi- dustry over there — there was no building code, there sion for the province, this notion that 30 years from now was no one trained in how to build with wood, and there if we're smart about we manage our aff airs, if we resist the was no distribution network — and he built strategies temptation to put the money into incremental services that were long term in nature that allowed us to mitigate on a day-to-day basis right now, if we manage our aff airs those challenges that were out there. tightly and if we continue to focus on protecting our re- Today we're selling fi ve billion board feet of lumber sources, this can yield a long-term benefi t to the province. into the Chinese market. It represents about 30 percent Who knows what it could achieve for us? Th e oppor- of our total production. Th e United States is down to 40 tunities are endless. A hundred billion dollars could do percent of our production. But more importantly, lumber anything from removing the debt that we have in the is selling for $400 a thousand board feet, and people are province and eliminating PST to incremental spending working across the forest industry in British Columbia as around family aff ordability initiatives and seniors initia- a result of that. But that took ten years to make that happen. tives. It could be anything that you want. Ten years ago people said: "Oh, you better not do that. But the opportunity is only there if you have the disci- It's going to take too long. It'll never happen anyway. How pline today to say we're not going to spend that money could you possibly project out ten years?" If the minis- now. We're going to save it for the future. ter — today's Minister of Finance, then the Minister of I mentioned earlier that I have a grandson now — Joey. Forests — hadn't had that vision, it wouldn't have hap- For me, having a legacy like that for Joey, I think would pened today, and people would be out of work in the for- be a tremendous thing. For me, to have Joey, 30 years est industry today instead of working each and every day. from now — if I'm still around, if I'm fortunate enough to It takes that vision in order to really develop an econ- still be around — say to me, "Grandpa, I'm glad that you omy over a long term, and that's why I just think the guys established the prosperity fund because it's making notion of a prosperity fund is absolutely critical for us. a huge diff erence to our province now…." Or if I'm not We've seen what happened in Alberta with their heritage around, at least maybe he could think that I had a little fund — very positive for a long time. Now, unfortunately, bit of a role in establishing the prosperity fund and mov- Alberta has not maintained its spending discipline in a ing us forward. way that has allowed them to protect that heritage fund, Th at's what drives me on a day-to-day basis. Th at's and I think we need to learn from that as well. what gets me to think about a long-term vision. We have I think the notion of a fund that is protected over the a vision, with a plan. Th at's really what is critical to this. long term, an endowment type of fund, is probably the Th e jobs plan that we brought out about a year and a half right approach to take because then, in the event that you ago, give or take; our focus on the LNG business, with have a government at some point in time that is undisci- a very detailed strategy and plan; Gaining the Edge, our plined with their spending habits, they can't get at that tourism plan; forestry initiatives; mining initiatives — all money in a way to spend down the principal. Th ey can 12758 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

only spend the interest from that. But again, it's those We've got lots more work to do with women, with dis- sorts of things that I think are absolutely key. advantaged people, with other people that need to have Moving on from the prosperity fund, which I fi nd dif- the same opportunity. But again, the investments are fi cult because I think it's such an exciting opportunity out being made. We're growing the programs. Last year we in front of us, there are a couple of other key elements handed out over 8,000 credentials in the trades training before I close off my comments to the throne speech that program. I think are important. Members opposite oft en talk about not having suffi - Th e fi rst one is our skills-training plan. I've had the cient credentials being issued, and yet during the entire opportunity as minister responsible for skills training, 1990s it was commonplace to have 4,000, 3,000 or 2,000 which is focused largely on trades training, to infl uence credentials being issued in any year. Th e 8,759 that we the direction that we have in trades training for a couple did last year was a record — more than has ever been of years now, and I am proud of the results. issued — and all the next records are under our govern- If you go and talk to people like MaryAnne Arcand ment, so our skills training plan is sound. It's delivering in Prince George and ask her how it's going, she'll say results, and we need to make sure that we continue to that the new truck-driver training that we're doing in stay focused on it. Prince George is delivering real jobs to people who need Th e next element in the throne speech that I wanted them badly, and it's creating opportunities for people to touch on just briefl y was our plan for future energy. that they have never seen before. Disadvantaged people Th is includes Site C, in our opinion. Site C, although it's that have had long-term levels of unemployment, that controversial at times, is one of the most environment- have been unable to fi nd stable careers, are now work- ally green forms of electricity that we can create. It's taking in the truck-driving industry and having real family- ing the Peace River and making it double the width that supporting jobs as a result of it. it is today. It's not creating a big, new lake; it's just simply If you go and look at Camosun College, they'll tell you raising the river. But because it would be the third dam about the just under $30 million that we're investing at on the river system, it's a very effi cient use of power and Camosun College, building a world-class training facility creates a tremendous amount of power for a relatively for shipbuilding, making sure that they have the neces- small footprint on the entire site. sary tools and equipment and the type of facility that will B.C. Hydro is doing very good work consulting with ensure a long-term future for shipbuilding. First Nations, with local communities, making sure that If you go to Okanagan College and ask them at we are going through all of the processes necessary to Okanagan College…. I think it was $27 million that take local input into account as we do this work. But we're investing at Okanagan College in a brand-new new again, it's building for the future that's absolutely key, and trades-training building, brand-new facility. that's the theme of this government. If you go to Prince George, my home town, and talk Th ere are other elements — the small business pri- to the College of New Caledonia, where they had the orities, a seniors advocate, some very interesting ideas largest single investment in trades training in the his- around child care — that we're going to be talking about tory of the college…. Just tremendous new facilities — over the next number of weeks, which are all very, very new buildings, new facilities, new classrooms, all new important elements of our throne speech and of our gov- equipment that is world-leading in terms of training for ernment. But let me conclude with some remarks about trades training. the future. Today we have about 35,000 people in the apprentice- I'm excited about the future of British Columbia, but ship programs. I oft en hear from members opposite that I'm also nervous about it, because there are two visions we've cut our budgets, we've slashed our budgets and of the future of British Columbia. Th ere's a vision on this we've not delivered. And yet during the entire 1990s you side of the House that says we need to maintain a strong rarely saw over 20,000 or 23,000 or 24,000 apprentices at economic position, that we need to control spending any point in time in their trades-training system. We're and that we need to provide an attractive, competitive at 35,000 now or 37,000. So we are signifi cantly increas- environment for people to do business in. And there's a ing the number of people in trades training. vision on that side of the House that doesn't include any [1750] of those elements. What I'm most proud of is that a lot of that has come That worries me because just as during the 1990s from First Nations. Th e First Nations population in the people went to Alberta with their investments — they province of British Columbia is just under 5 percent went to other jurisdictions with their investments — — 4½ percent or so — and yet the population of First they'll do exactly the same thing if they aren't presented Nations in trades programs is at 9 percent. So again, I with the type of vision that says: "We want your business. think it's a real success story in terms of creating oppor- We want your business here in British Columbia, and if tunities for First Nations peoples across this province in you trust us with our decisions around how we want to trades training. grow this economy, we'll deliver for you in ways that you Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12759

can only dream of." of this wonderful notion and wonderful vision that gov- Th ere is a future for British Columbia, but it's in the ernment members and the minister are talking about it hands of the government on this side of the House. is that we don't even have the liquid natural gas plants up and running yet. C. Trevena: It's a privilege to stand up in this House So we have this 30-year plan. People are worried about again. It's been almost nine months since we've had the a fi ve-year plan or a ten-year plan. We have a 30-year plan opportunity to represent our constituents. where there is actually no foundation to create the fund Before I go too much into my response to the throne that is going to pay for all these things that will be won- speech, I would like to pick up on a couple of comments derful, will get rid of the sales tax, will fund the seniors that the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training advocate, will do this, that and the other. has just raised, one of which is casting back once again I think that, as I say, this is not visionary. It's pure about 20 years ago and rewriting history for what hap- desperation. It is a fantasy created just in the vain hope pened in that period. that the government will be able to sell it to the voters of Th e minister mentions whether people went to Alberta. British Columbia. I'm sure we're going to see more public If he comes again to Campbell River — which he has been money — our money, taxpayers' money — going on ads. doing quite regularly because we have one iteration of the We've already seen all the ads so far. We had a debate jobs plan occurring in Campbell River, a pilot project — earlier on today in question period about the cost of the he would fi nd that many people from Campbell River ads, where they're going and the politicization of these are actually now working in Alberta. Th ey're working in ads, which is really off ensive to people in my community. the tar sands because they cannot fi nd work in B.C. Th ey We're soon, I'm sure, going to be seeing ads about this are being driven out of their communities to fi nd work whole prosperity plan — more government funding, because there is nothing here. more of our money going into that to tell people what a Th e minister also talked about apprenticeships and how wonderful idea it is, when it's not going to exist for years. the apprenticeship program is working very well. I was at Madam Speaker, we haven't been in this place for nine an announcement the other day at North Island College months, which I think is a great sadness. I know that you for some equipment that had been given. Suddenly, just a yourself respect this place — a very proud democratic in- couple of months before an election North Island College stitution, the parliamentary system that we have — like gets some equipment in the welding program — really myself. It is something that I believe you treasure. good equipment, really wanted it. But in talking to the I fi nd the fact that we are just coming back now for apprentices who were there, they are really distressed what everybody is assuming is going to be a limited time, about how their programs are being gutted. possibly just fi ve weeks — which will be 19 days of sitting [1755] between last May and the election — particularly trouble- Th ey want to do a full apprenticeship, but it's not like some, because there is a place for us in this Legislature it used to be ten, 15 or 20 years ago. Th ey are not getting to work on people's behalf — not to just pontifi cate, not full apprenticeships, and they're extremely concerned just to stand and make speeches, but to actually work on about what this means for their future. Th eir future is people's behalf. the future of all of us in B.C. We have heard a couple of members earlier — my col- Now, the minister talked about a vision and the im- league from Columbia River–Revelstoke, the member for portance of a vision for the province, and we quite agree. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain — talking about how im- I think there is no question that we all want to have a portant it is to work in a collegial way on the committee solid, fi rm economic foundation on which to build our system. We haven't seen many committees work very well vision. Th e government's vision, however, I think, really in this place, and I think there is a real opportunity for us is built on desperation. to move on and work as legislators, to get together in a We listened to the throne speech yesterday talking collegial way, on committees. Th is has been seen to work. about the whole plan for the prosperity fund. I fi nd it very I have the privilege of being the Deputy Chair of the interesting that the minister, who does quite a lot of talk- Children and Youth Committee, and we have very active ing on behalf of the government, talks about the notion meetings. We work very collegially together and can get of a prosperity fund, which does, if you start parsing the things done. language…. A notion is…. How serious is it going to be? Th ere are real benefi ts of working in this Legislature Is there going to be one, or is it just a notional fund that that aren't just the question periods, aren't just standing we're going to have here? up and making speeches, but really getting the work of Th e notional fund, the notional prosperity fund based the people of B.C. done. on liquid natural gas, is a 30-year plan. So we're not go- While we don't sit, while we are not here, we are, I ing to get any money for many years, maybe not the think, adding to the cynicism of the people of B.C. whole of the next government and possibly into the gov- about what politics is, what politicians do and why we ernment aft er that. But what seems to be forgotten in all are elected. I think that is particularly troubling. I think 12760 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

it is something that we really do need to think about as these things in the throne speech. Th ere's no mention of we go towards an election. We are all representatives of some of the essential aspects of life in my constituency, our communities and have to think very seriously about a rural and urban constituency. Th ere's no mention of what that means. things that really matter to people in my constituency in I have just been preparing my thoughts for this throne this throne speech. speech, the response to the throne speech, which I think We have seen advertising coming out. We've seen a in many ways can be pretty wide open. Really, all we have huge amount of advertising — $16.4 million is what we from the throne speech to talk about is the prosperity heard today as the cost of the advertising — to "decrease fund, which isn't going to come into existence for a while. the credibility gap of the government." I think if there [1800] was substance in this throne speech, if there was a real I've been going back through my notebooks over the vision for the next few weeks of this Legislature and a vi- last few months. When I go out and talk to people and lis- sion to the future, that would decrease the credibility gap. ten to people, I take notes just to remind myself. It's very But when we have a throne speech where the prime interesting — some of the images that it brought back. economic driver of this province for generations, forestry, For instance, I was in Port Hardy a few months ago, gets one sentence and that one sentence is about export- talking to teachers — young teachers, elementary school ing logs, that provides no vision for people. It provides teachers — who ended up, in this meeting, in tears be- no vision for the people across B.C., and it defi nitely pro- cause they were not getting the support they needed to vides no vision for the people in my constituency. ensure that the kids in their classroom were able to get a My constituency has traditionally been a forest-based good quality of education. community, a forest-based economy. We have a huge Th ese were young teachers who are passionate about number of forestry-dependent jobs and, yes, guys who their profession and really wanted to get engaged. Th ey work in the bush. No question about that. We do have had parents coming in to off er teaching assistant support, people logging, and logging is very active. You can count off ering support for other children in the classroom. Th ey the trucks going down-Island, and they're going down- had some special needs children in the classroom with Island because there aren't any mills in the community. the high fl yers — those ones who were going to get by Th ere is the Port Alice Specialty Cellulose mill, which is — and the teachers were really worried about sort of the not a sawmill, is not a pulp mill. plodders, the ones who may need a bit of extra assistance. We have no mills, so the logs that we are seeing in our Th ese young teachers were really engaged, desperate. community go down-Island. People are watching, eff ect- Another conversation I had was with some people ively, their jobs being shipped out of their communities, from the Ministry of Children and Families, who were and this throne speech doesn't address that. Th is throne exceedingly worried about the wait-list for children and speech allows people to pack up their bags and go and youth with mental health problems and the fact that we work in Alberta, because that's where the jobs are. have too few staff and too many kids who are suicidal, [1805] who are severely depressed, who have serious problems, The minister talks about the different statistics of who aren't seeing the counsellors they need. who's got the most jobs and everything. What he fails to There's a rural community where there is concern acknowledge under this jobs plan — as I say, Campbell about access to the ambulance service. Th e changes in River is a pilot for the jobs plan — is that we are actually ambulance call-out have meant that they are not able to losing jobs. Under this jobs plan, B.C. is actually losing get their own ambulance used in a crisis — instead, be- jobs. It's quite extraordinary. Th e level of incompetence cause the service is being centralized, they're getting an is amazing. Th at you can set up a whole plan to create ambulance from a diff erent community coming in — and employment…. the real fear of what that is going to mean. We had a jobs fair in Campbell River the other day. All Many notes are from communities about our ferries it seemed to be was local businesses all gathering together, and what has been happening on the ferry system. literally under the banner of the jobs plan, and that was In the fall we had a consultation process about our ferry it. Th ere were lots of fl ags around, lots of banners around, system. We had, going from community to community, but not really any creating of jobs, not really creating of a group of people — a hired consulting company and a energy in the community. couple of people from the Ministry of Transportation and People expect more, and they really deserve more. I a couple of people from B.C. Ferries — coming to coast- think this is one of the huge problems — that the gov- al communities to talk about ferries and, essentially, pit- ernment that has been in power since 2001, the last 12 ting one community against another and one ferry route years, has gotten to the level of arrogance, a level of self- against another. "Which one would you cut?" People in congratulatory views of itself, that it cannot see what is our communities did see through that pretty quickly. really needed in B.C. It cannot see the need in this prov- Th ere is no mention — this is why I say it's rather a ince. It cannot see the problems that really…. It cannot wide-ranging response to the throne speech — of any of see what is happening for families in the province. Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12761

It talks about liquid natural gas and the prosperity ed into our highway system so that people who live in fund. It talks about…. One sentence on forestry and one ferry-dependent communities — all ferry-dependent sentence on agriculture, and it misses other economic communities, whether they be Campbell River, Nanaimo, drivers like tourism and so on. Victoria, Quadra Island, Alert Bay or Malcolm Island…. It doesn't see the pain that people are facing. It doesn't It didn't recognize that we need these as part of our high- see the teachers who are crying or the families that lit- ways. erally can't put food on the table or the seniors who, when Nor did it give any scope for debating the absolutely you go and talk to them and say, "How is it for you?" they essential part of cost of living for everyone who lives on say: "It's hard. If it wasn't for the thrift store, I wouldn't the islands — whether it's on the big island, in Campbell have clothes, and if it wasn't for the food bank, I wouldn't River or other communities of the big island, or on small- have food." Th ey're sitting there trying to keep it together er islands — and that is the cost of the ferries. but are devastated that life has got to this. Now, it's interesting. We talk about highways, and the Th at is not refl ected in this throne speech. Th e throne transportation section of this throne speech talked about speech is one of arrogance, I would say. It is one of neg- all the wonderful investments going to highways — four- ligence. It ignores the huge inequalities that exist in this laning this road and four-laning that road, building a province. bridge here and building a tunnel there. Th ere is no question that we have big problems in B.C. We had, recently, the building of the Port Mann Bridge. I'm not being negative. Th ere are big problems. I think Th e Port Mann Bridge costs — with, I believe, a little you just go and talk to families. See how they're coping. card that you can use — $3 to go approximately two kilo- Go and talk to those families who are holding down metres for a car and driver and however many passen- two or three low-wage jobs just to pay the rent, just to gers are in your car. pay the hydro, just to get food on the table. Talk to the Now, to go from Campbell River to Quadra Island, kids who are actually going out to work to help the fam- which is about the same distance — a bit less; it's about ilies make ends meet. We have big problems, and they're 1.8 kilometres — costs $30 for just one car and one driv- not going to be addressed by this government through er, no passengers. Th at's not counting the passengers. this throne speech and this government's 30-year plan. Th at's our toll, around $3 being the toll on the Port Mann In my own community we have a lot of hope. Th ere Bridge. Where's the equality in that? Where is the com- are big projects that are going to be coming to Campbell mon sense in that? Th at is not healthy for an economy River. People are thinking that things are going to get to survive. It is not healthy for a community to survive. better. People want things to get better. Th ey want the To allow communities to survive, you've got to make communities to thrive. But they also want some sort of sure that the infrastructure is there and that the infra- assistance. structure works. And the infrastructure is, if you are I'll just cite one example. I mentioned that one of the tolled on it, which we are on our ferries and which we ac- big gaps in this throne speech was ferries — nothing cept on our ferries…. Like on some bridges, you're going mentioned about ferries. to be tolled, and maybe on some tunnels there may be a I represent, as I've mentioned many times before, a toll. But a $30 toll, compared to a $3 toll? forestry community — and nothing about forestry. I also It really is unacceptable, and it is killing island com- represent many ferry-dependent communities. In fact, munities. It's killing island communities in families leav- anyone who represents anyone on the Island represents ing. It is killing island communities who want to build ferry-dependent communities because, in essence, we business, because it drives tourists away. Tourists can't af- all rely on the ferries because we are an island, and we're ford to come to any of the islands. I was talking to some separate from the Mainland. Flying is a luxury. tourist operators last summer who said that when people So we had a consultation about ferries. If I might just found out the cost of the ferries…. When they wanted to quote from some of the notes on this, the Port Hardy bring their car up and bring their boat up, they just said: mayor described the consultation material as provocative "We won't come." and unhelpful because it doesn't recognize the realities By ignoring something as simple as the ferries in this of living and working in ferry-dependent communities. throne speech and by refusing to address the problem, It doesn't recognize the fact that the ferries are highways. this government has, I think, just closed its door on is- Ferries — basically, they're highways. Th ey're highway land communities. It has just said: "You're not import- vehicles. Th ey're not anything smart. Th ey're not cruise ant to us. You may be a rural community, you may be ships. Th ese are our roads. out there, and you are not important to us. We don't [1810] care about your highway. We care about the highways in Th e consultation didn't allow for real debate about what the Lower Mainland. We care about some of the Interior we need to do about our ferries. It didn't allow for real de- highways and Trans-Canada. But your highways and bate about the structure of our ferries and ensuring that your highway boats? Forget it. Your economies? Forget it." they become part of our highway system and are integrat- Th is is an essential part of our communities that has 12762 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

been ignored in the speech. Forestry has been ignored. ed. It shocked people right across the province — a boy Our land base is being ignored. Our ferries are being ig- who, by the time he was 11, was tasered by the police. He nored. has severe special needs and no skilled support. He has We've been talking earlier about climate change been in care homes where there have been nice people, and whether climate change was in this throne speech. maybe, looking aft er him but no specialized support, Climate change wasn't in the throne speech, and neither which he needs. was anything about the environment. Yet that wasn't raised in the throne speech — the I know that the Ministry of Environment has received needs of that boy and the other maybe 30 or so children letters from right across my constituency, in the north who have what's described as complex needs, multiple part of the constituency, about a lack of conservation of- needs, high special needs. Th ere's nothing in the throne fi cers. We have bears. We have cougars. We have wolves. speech for a child like that. A 30-year plan that may or We have a lot of interaction with wildlife. Th e nearest may not come to fruition is not what that child needs. conservation offi ce is about 350 kilometres away. Th ey Th at child needs something now, and that's not in this say: "Oh, you can call out the RCMP." Th at isn't a solution. throne speech. Recently there was a report saying that the sports fi sh- Talking to social workers, they say that children with ery, which is about 50 percent of the value of fi sheries in signifi cant mental health and behavioural challenges are B.C…. Aquaculture and commercial fi sheries are about routinely placed in a hotel room with one or two child 50 percent, sports fi shing about 50 percent. Nothing here care workers because there is nothing in the system for about environment. Nothing here about our rivers, main- them. Th at wasn't addressed in the throne speech. taining the health of our rivers. I think that is a condemnation of this government — Nothing about our land base. Nothing that's really go- that they cannot address these real, fundamental needs ing to make sure that we have a future on our land base. for our children in their plan for the future. Th eir plan Th at would be a prosperity fund. Invest in our land base. for the future doesn't include those children, and I think Aft er all the cuts we've seen for all the years, let's put some that is a tragedy. money back into it. Th at would be investing in the future. Nor did the throne speech address the complete mis- [1815] management of a computer system — I mean, absolute Th at would be a good 30-year plan, but so much of it incompetence in bringing in a computer system, in- has been torn out that I think the government is just ter- vesting $200 million in a computer system. It's a failure rifi ed of fi nding out what's really happening out there. that…. We're seeing time and time again and hearing re- Th ere is no oversight. Logging companies, forestry ports of how poorly it is working, how unsuited it is to companies, can do what they want because there is no child protection. oversight. If you talk to any member of the Forest Service, So badly rolled out is it that there is now a freeze on they will tell you that very sadly — that there is very, very taking it to the next stage. It's not going to be used in little left . other parts of the Ministry of Children and Families just If this throne speech is sort of the semi–election platform yet because there are such big problems. for the government, I think that they have very little to Th ere are 19,000 cases that they have to check to see…. stand on. If it's the history that they're going through, I Th at means 19,000 children and families that have to be think, also, they have very little to stand on. Th ere is so examined to see whether the information is right. Social little here for communities and, as I say, particularly for workers are just waiting with fear that this system will rural communities. leave a child falling through the cracks. So $200 million I'm going to shift briefl y for my remaining few minutes spent on this. to talk about my critic area. While there is nothing here [1820] for my constituency in this throne speech, maybe we'll No reference to that in the throne speech, no reference see lots in the budget. I very much doubt it. to how we are going to address something as simple as But while there's nothing here for my constituency in looking aft er data and ensuring that we get the proper this throne speech, I would have hoped that there would supports there for kids. A computer system may not seem be something for my critic area. I'm the shadow to the like a proper support, but you need to keep records, and Minister of Children and Family Development. It is, I you do need to be able to access fi les. believe, one of the most important, if not the most im- No answers in this throne speech for the many, many portant, of the ministries because this is the ministry that workers who are daily trying to tackle that, and no an- really looks aft er our most vulnerable resource and our swers for the many, many families who are caught with- precious resource — our children. in the system. No answer for those who are worrying Now, last week there was a horrifying report that came whether they will actually fi nd all the information they out about a child who was within the system, known need in that system in a short time. since birth in the system. He had been fostered, had Th e system is a debacle. A visionary throne speech been in foster care, and had been abused and neglect- would have admitted that something had gone wrong Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12763

and given a vision for what could go right for that min- and the ability to recover and react to circumstances istry and the Ministry of Children and Families. which are beyond the ability, sometimes, of any govern- Nor was there anything there for children and youth ment in the world. with mental health, as mentioned in my opening re- [1825] marks, opening parts of my speech — the conversation I have to especially thank the people in Westside- with people from the Ministry of Children and Family Kelowna for their patience. Th e fact that we have con- Development and with psychiatrists about wait-lists for tinued to invest, a massive amount of investment, in children and youth with mental health. health care. Now, the wait-lists for children and youth with men- Education. We have new schools being built in tal health come because the ministry is short-staff ed. Th e Kelowna-Mission, Westside-Kelowna. We have improve- social workers are overworked, and the resources are not ments and projects, and this is only one of the many areas. there — not just the resources for children with complex I know in many places in Surrey there are new schools needs but for kids who have some problems. Th ey are not being built. there. To compound it, there is a problem of numbers of However, I know that we can always do more. I think staff and a lack of staff that are working within the min- that is a criticism I've heard a lot today about. "Why aren't istry — a freeze, keeping numbers low to save money. you doing more?" And I think that the answer is: "Just Th is throne speech is, I think, a sad indictment of a add more money." government that has run out of steam. It has run out of Clearly, the people I represent in my constituency ex- gas. It has run out of ideas, forgetting its responsibility pect us to live within our means, whether they're seniors, that it is still the government and can make action at the families or youth. I think they all realize the value of a tax moment. dollar, and the fact is that their lives are getting tougher Yes, this province needs a vision. It needs its severe with the squeeze that everybody has faced. Th e reality is problems addressed, but it needs a vision that embraces they expect us to do the same thing. all communities, deals with the inequalities we have seen I want to also thank the people that I have the op- growing and growing over these last 12 years, looks at portunity to work with and for here in Victoria in the the fundamentals of our very rich province — our econ- Ministry of Citizens' Services — my staff , Terry Lalari, omy, our land base, our forest land base, our water base Cindy Flesh and Sarah Britton; as well as the deputy, — looks at our environment and our precious resource, Kim Henderson. our people, and invests in those, not in some pipe dream I am truly blessed having had the opportunity to work that may or may not come to fruition many years down in this ministry previously with some of the most cre- the road. ative minds, I think, in all of the government staff . Th ey I think this throne speech is a sad joke, and the people are constantly challenging themselves about fi nding new of British Columbia deserve a lot better. ways to innovate and to try to fi nd opportunities to be able to make those tax dollars stretch further and to con- Hon. B. Stewart: It is a pleasure to rise before this tinue to put out exceptional and really outstanding re- House. To members on both sides of the House, it's an sults. I'm really pleased to be working with them. honour to be here this evening to respond to the Speech On the home front I have two staff , Erica Macnab and from the Th rone, the fi ft h session of the 39th parliament. Cheryl Doll, who do an unbelievable job in keeping the I think that it's important to recognize we're all here, of home fi res burning. But more importantly, they do a course, for the last session of this particular parliament. great job in really dealing with some of the issues that all But it wouldn't be possible without the support of many of us talk about here every day — whether it's to deal with people. ICBC or WorkSafe or if it happens to be a social issue — First of all, I think about, in the past almost four years, and getting people to the help government provides. the constituents that I've had the opportunity to repre- Th at's one of the things that I think this government sent in Westside-Kelowna and the vast array of opportun- has provided a sound foundation for — really good pro- ities that they've given me to not only learn more about grams in all sorts of sectors, whether it happens to be a community that I grew up in and live there but, more health care, schools, education. importantly, to address specifi c issues in helping to make It's not perfect, but the reality is that we really are try- government work better for them, to be able to create ing to make improvements. I have to say that when it opportunities and to be able to create the certainty that I comes to a lot of the things that constituents come to my think they expect from government. particular offi ce for in my riding…. Th ey are oft en im- Certainly, getting elected in a period of such economic pressed by the fact that they can get these services from turbulence — the magnitude of the recession we faced the government. and the dramatic fashion we entered into the recession I also want to thank two other constituency assist- in the fall of '08 — left us with, I think, what is one of the ants that I deal with on a regular basis — one that's in legacies of this particular government: stability, vision Kelowna-Mission, Nan Pellatt, and Katja Maurmann, 12764 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013 who works in Kelowna–Lake Country. I have to really iliar. And the fact is that we already do a lot of trade there. talk about the group that is in the Okanagan, but more I only have to refer to the member for Prince George– closely in the Central Okanagan. I'm blessed to work Mackenzie, the Minister of Jobs and Skills Training, who with Norm Letnick, the Minister of Agriculture; and referenced the growth and the vision that the former Steve Th omson…. Forests Minister, the Minister of Finance, had in establishing links with China and how that has held us in good Interjection. stead in being able to maintain jobs. I know that many of those communities would have Hon. B. Stewart: I beg your pardon. I take that back, been worse off than what they were faced with when we Madam Speaker. opened up and we expanded trade by literally hundreds Th e Minister of Forests and Lands represents Kelowna- of percent with China over the last number of years. Mission, and the member for Kelowna–Lake Country is We maintained our relationship with Japan, opened up the Minister of Agriculture. Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and a lot of these places that, I also want to especially thank my family, who really frankly, are looking for wood products from compan- give the opportunity for me to be here, to be able to do ies that are here in British Columbia. Th ey're looking for what I believe is something that's really important in your our resources. community, to stand up for what you believe in, which Building relationships is really important for us, to I think every member in this House is here for. I think make certain that we maintain and sustain the economy it really is important that they give me the licence to be that we're trying to build here. Th is is not something able to come down and spend the time, weeks at a time, that you just go down and do one visit. I've been on the dealing with issues, both in the constituency as well as road for 25 years selling products, and I can tell you it in my ministry. takes visit aft er visit to build the relationships that you My daughter Llane and Jan have recently had a third need, to make certain that you have that trust and that addition to the already-growing Dobbener clan of girls. relationship. Ruby and Ginger were joined, on November 9, by Hazel, Th e other thing we talk about in the throne speech is another young girl. Kitson and Jennifer, who live in seizing the opportunity to develop natural gas products Penticton, continue to have great opportunities in that — in turn, creating tens of thousands of jobs for genera- community, and our son Patrick, who is working in the tions to come and generating two major revenue streams central Kelowna area. I have to give a great debt of grati- for the province of British Columbia. When I think about tude to all of them. this, I think about, you know, how oft en a lot of us take I wanted to talk about the throne speech and the things for granted. We take natural gas — we turn on our true crossroads we're at in history. Her Honour the stove; we turn on our furnace — and the fact that natur- Lieutenant-Governor's speech provided us with a much- al gas is there. But the reality is that there has been lots needed vision of where we're going for future generations. of exploration, lots of natural gas found all over North Th is speech acknowledges our government's eff orts America. Th e reality is that the market has reached a sat- to build a safe harbour to grow and protect jobs. Th is is uration point. on top of the already solid foundation we have worked But in other places where that opportunity hasn't really very hard — diligently — to build. It speaks to our gov- existed and they're using other methods of energy, such ernment's unwavering commitment to being disciplined as thermal coal and maybe nuclear power, these people in its spending, and we have committed to another bal- are looking for ways to clean up their environment. anced budget coming up next Tuesday, and it touches I heard a criticism about our environmental record. I on areas that I'm fi rmly committed to, as well as fi rmly honestly can't believe how you can't embrace the idea of familiar with. selling clean natural gas to countries that are spewing out

[1830] tonnes of CO2 emissions in terms of what the output is. It talks about a deepening and an opening up and an I don't think any one of us would be satisfi ed with that, expansion of trade ties with Asia. We heard a comment and I don't think they are. One of our key goals in try- in the throne speech: three billion people. How many ing to help other parts of the world reduce their carbon people are on the globe today? I think it's about seven emissions is by expanding that. billion people. Almost 40 percent are living in Asia, and It also creates opportunities. As a member of govern- that is a growing economy that cannot be ignored. ment…. I know many of you have had the chance to trav- Certainly, there was a growing and very large economy el in this province. I know the member for Stikine and to the south, which I think we are very familiar with. We other places like that — places that were literally decimat- have a lot of strong trading opportunities still with the ed not only by the recession but by years of not having United States, but I think the real future opportunities for the right opportunities — and I know how many people Canada and British Columbia depend on us opening up were looking for work in those communities. and having those linkages to Asia being strong and fam- But since the fi rst time, probably about 3½ years ago — Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12765

into Kitimat, Terrace and Prince Rupert — these places lion dollars to pop into the prosperity fund today. But it are literally on fi re with optimism, jobs, the revitalization is about a place for these revenue opportunities to go into at the Alcan plant, the fact that there are opportunities. I so that future generations know that the province has the mean, I lived in Kitimat in the '70s. Th e fact is that there opportunity to invest. We still have a legacy here that we were lots of jobs there, but slowly they became less rel- haven't dealt with, which is a debt that was left over from evant. Th ey became critical of the employers they had. a previous government. Th ey made it diffi cult. But they've had to see things dif- One of the things that we're also trying to do with LNG ferently. is to strengthen and build capacity with First Nations, I'd just give you an example. Recently I had a chance to who are really still struggling. I mean, sure, we embarked travel to the Caribbean. One of the comments I had was ten years ago on a new relationship and the idea that we from a lady in Grenada. She said: "You know, we used to were going to be able to help bring these opportunities think that all the tourists were rich. We've forsaken the to people that were in very remote areas, improve health fact that these were people that were coming there to care, education. Some of that requires revenue-sharing. spend their hard-earned dollars and invest in us." Th e fact is that these opportunities are only going to I think the fact is that the relationship has to be in bal- come as a result of collaboration between the energy ance when it comes to our relationship with industry, the companies, the government, First Nations and all of the citizens, all of the places that the resources come from people that are here in this House. So I think that the and the environment. Frankly, that's what's happening other outstanding part of the LNG opportunity that we in just one area. talk about in the throne speech is making the ongoing [1835] development of a skilled workforce a top priority. We have this other amazing opportunity that we're Th ese are just some of the measures in the highlights talking about with liquefi ed natural gas — being able in the throne speech that are putting us on the right track to take something, compress it through refrigeration, towards strengthening the economy, creating more jobs put it onto ships, knowing that it's safe and that we can and providing all British Columbians with a good stan- send it around the world. Th e fact is that there's very dard of living. low environmental risk from what we're talking about I know that the member for North Island previously here. We're not going to compromise our environment- talked about things in her community that were import- al standards. ant to her. Th ey're important to all of the colleagues that We have a Minister of Environment that I think is I sit with here. Th e fact is that we would like all of the re- probably one of the champions of what environmental sources to be able to end all of the issues that we have to protection should be. He's going to make certain that talk about here. But that probably is not going to happen. we don't have a second-class standard here in British We need to be realistic. Columbia. But I can tell you, we're going to do this Th e reality is that this government has built this foun- whether people want to come along, because this is some- dation that has increased investment in all of the social thing that is a generational opportunity. It isn't about 30 ministries, education and health care, and we get criti- years. cized for the fact it's not enough. Well, of course, it prob- I'll tell you one other thing: 25 years ago people were ably isn't enough if you happen to be an individual that's talking about free trade. Th ey talked about it decimating impacted in a way. But I can tell you that one of the things the entire province of British Columbia. In the indus- we're still facing — and it was mentioned in the throne try I happened to be in…. I was a farmer, and I was out speech — is that we have about $2.5 billion a year going there growing fruit for wineries where, really, they had out in interest costs. no future. Th ere was no plan, but everybody said 25 or Okay, now some of that's from infrastructure that has 26 years ago, when we were on the eve of free trade, that been built, and that's much-needed infrastructure. But essentially, it was a sunset industry. We were going to be a large part of that is the almost $40 billion that was left out of business, and frankly, we'd better fi nd something over as a debt that we had to take over from the former else to do. government. We're paying that down, but that's not the A handful of us stuck together. We created the B.C. future that we would be doing if we were mortgaging our Wine Institute. We created the VQA program. We struck homes, etc. We'd ideally like to have no mortgage, and a plan. We thought we had the exports, so we went we'd like to make certain that we have enough in our sav- around the world. What we learned was that we really ings account so that we can weather whatever next reces- didn't make as good a wine as we needed to make if we sion is going to come up. were going to export. Th at helped us improve things. But I think that the key thing when I talk about infra- you look at the opportunities, 25-plus years later. Th e fact structure investment…. You know, the Port Mann to is, it's continuing to grow. the Quadra Island example. I can't help but…. I'm not I think one of the things about the prosperity fund…. quite certain if that's a fair comparison. I realize that the Sure, it sounds like…. Sure, we'd like to have a few bil- residents of Quadra Island deserve regular ferry service. 12766 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

But I think I know enough islanders, and I think they of services such as health care and education and for eco- moved to islands because they wanted to have the life- nomic opportunities. Today 93 percent of the population style. If they were going to commute or do something in British Columbia has broadband connectivity. When else, maybe they needed to think about living in the we started in 2001, we had 80 percent. We've increased community where their work is. Th e Port Mann is a link connectivity 13 percent, and that is no feat. between where a lot of people live and where they work Th e member for Columbia River–Revelstoke lives in in the Lower Mainland. We can't ignore the 2½ million a particularly mountainous area. It is not a case of just people there. sticking up one or two cell phone towers or putting fi bre [1840] through the mountains, etc. Look at the investment that the government has com- Th e reality is that we are undertaking a very signifi - mitted to or are already building — the Canada Line, the cant broadband initiative. In the coming month or so Evergreen line that's under construction and yet-to-be- we're going to be announcing a successful proponent constructed other links. Rapid transit, in my community to help add about another 3 percent of connectivity in and Kelowna-Mission and Kelowna–Lake Country, is a the province of British Columbia, making it so that the foundational thing. We don't get to the Canada Line on people that are in the most remote areas will be able to the basis of the fact that we have a population of, maybe, access satellite broadband. I'm proud we're going to be 200,000 people. But we will get there one day. able to do that. I think that this throne speech is really about trying to Th at doesn't close the entire gap. But the other thing get a budget and a vision together that continue on the that's been signifi cant is the arrangement we have with foundation that we have tried to build here within the Telus, under the new services agreement we have with government in British Columbia in the last 12 years. I them, and the fact that we are going to be able to close also think that the throne speech has properly captured that gap so that by 2021 — we give you our commitment the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead of us. — we will have every British Columbian have broadband As we move into the new session, I feel that it is par- connectivity available to them. ticularly exciting, as an opportunity, to be the Minister Connecting communities has been essential for the of Citizens' Services, and I'm appreciative of that honour. delivery of the services that I mentioned at Service B.C. Providing the best possible services for the citizens and all of the ministries in government, whether you of British Columbia is the primary focus of our min- need them to improve access to health care, education, istry. Th at means that if you happen to be in Hazelton, economic opportunities. I think what we're showing is Terrace, in the northeast, etc., or in the southeast of the that this has been thoughtful investment in NetWork B.C. province, we need to make certain that you get the same Closing the gap in rural and remote communities services that we expect here in Victoria, in Vancouver or is a challenge. I mentioned the mountains, the terrain in the Okanagan. and the size of the province. NetWork B.C. works most Providing the best possible services for the citizens is with these communities, all levels of government and the primary focus of our ministry. We do everything that the Internet service providers to facilitate and coordin- underpins and supports the hard work of government. ate broadband connectivity for citizens of this province. Th is broad mandate means that we have many opportun- British Columbia has gained international recognition ities to support the leadership and the direction outlined for its innovative approach to this challenge. Th at's some- in the recent Speech from the Th rone. thing that we're all proud of. I mentioned the hard-working civil servants in [1845] Citizens' Services, and I mentioned the innovation and Many British Columbians excel in the fi eld of infor- the things they've brought to the table. mation technology, a skill that is becoming more and Th is throne speech has emphasized the government's more valuable for this government and for the Ministry dedication to strengthening economic prosperity for of Citizens' Services in particular. People who are skilled First Nations. One of the important ways we are doing in information technology have helped this ministry earn this is by supporting First Nations in their eff orts to close the recognition as a leader in fi nding ways to use tech- the gap that exists between the aboriginal people and the nology to work smarter. rest of the province when it comes to broadband Internet Th is is the foundation that this government has looked connectivity. at in terms of trying to look at the government service in Today there are 170 of 203 First Nations in the prov- how we can deliver the services that British Columbians ince of British Columbia that have broadband connectiv- require through innovative ways and not necessarily just ity. Now, it has happened in a few short years that we've pouring more money into it. increased that connectivity by about 35 First Nations. Th e use of better technology has improved government NetWork B.C. will continue to support First Nations as services and contributed literally millions and millions they continue to connect the remaining First Nations. of dollars in savings to the provincial treasury. Th rough Connecting communities is essential for the delivery our Government 2.0 strategy, we have been giving people Wednesday, February 13, 2013 British Columbia Debates 12767

a way to more directly participate in and use the infor- found its Napa. Th at was the headline on the front cover mation and resources of government to make their lives of an issue not that long ago. It's framed in our.… better. I think, really, that you have to imagine that we've got Th is throne speech emphasized the importance of cre- people talking about British Columbia — the wines that ating a skilled workforce. Whether it is the civil service we produce, the experience that we have, the pristine jobs I referenced in the information technology or nurs- environment that they can come and be here in and va- es or welders, we need to continue to create training op- cation, etc., from all over the world. It's not just Alberta, portunities and incentives for young British Columbians. not just Washington State. A lot of visitors are coming In my hometown of Kelowna, for example, Okanagan here for those benefi ts, so we need those skills. We need College off ers a range of trades and technologies and aca- them soon. demic programs. Th ey operate with a provincial operat- I know that I have lots more to say, but I'm just won- ing grant from this government of $44.5 million in their dering.… 2012-2013 operating year for 4,833 students studying for certifi cates, diplomas, associate degrees and applied Interjection. bachelor degrees. I think it's worth mentioning that Okanagan College is Hon. B. Stewart: You want me to keep going — right? one of the province's fi rst locations to learn a skilled trade, — and talk about the opportunities for Fraser-Nicola. established in 1965 under then Premier W.A.C. Bennett. Well, I have to tell you I visited one of your local constituents who is invested in Lillooet, of all places, and making [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] fabulous product — a new opportunity for the member for Fraser-Nicola. This government is also investing $62.8 million in [1850] the 2012-2013 year for 6,923 student spaces at UBC I just want to make certain that I don't forget to men- Okanagan, where students can take a wide range of tion agrifoods. Another point raised in the Speech from disciplines. the Th rone that resonates with me as somebody that's a Th e need for skilled tradespeople has also presented it- founder of a winery is the growth of the province's agri- self in my own industry. I spoke a few minutes ago about cultural industry. People are quick to kind of dismiss and the opportunity that was created when free trade hap- say that we're missing opportunities, but I can tell you pened. Nobody had a plan that we needed winemakers, many examples in British Columbia, as I just mentioned. cellar hands, viticulturists, people that understood how I'm really proud of the government's initiative to grow to sell, market, distribute. It was a new experience, and and diversify agriculture, resulting in record seafood as I mentioned, just being an orchardist and farmer, it exports to China in 2011 and a 300 percent increase in presented an immense challenge. B.C. wine exports since 2008 — 300 percent. Th at's a lot I have to say I'm thrilled to see the fact that Okanagan of wine, and it's a lot of grapes. If it keeps growing like College's president, Jim Hamilton, and others within the that, we'll be planting a lot more grapes in other parts of leadership of those two institutions in the Okanagan are the province. directly getting involved in the skills shortage that we Agrifoods are a great opportunity for British Columbia, have right in our own industry. Here we are. We've been again in the Asian marketplace, around beef, seafood and working with them, but the reality is we need to take it even fresh products like blueberries and cherries. I had to that next level. a chance, as the former Minister of Agriculture, to meet It is a competitive world out there when it comes to with a gentleman that has his two sons working with the future of agricultural beverage types of products like him in blueberries outside of Abbotsford. Mr. Rajinder what I produced in the business I was in previously. I Lally — I believe that's his name — exports blueberries think that one of the things we really need to celebrate to Florida. He starts shipping in July. Starting in July two is the fact that we have created all sorts of opportunities semis a day leave Abbotsford and head down to Florida. for young people in our own area, which has traditionally He's built a business that most people would be enviable been an area where they would take skills and perhaps, to have any part in. sometimes, go elsewhere. The David Geen family in the Okanagan have built Look at all the jobs that we've created in hospitality, an entire cherry-packing facility, which rivals many of accommodation, tourism. The fact that we're having the Okanagan packing houses, in just the last few years, people not just…. We talk about staycations. We've got packing cherries and shipping them out of the airport in people coming…. Kelowna, fl ying them to Japan and other markets around I was reading the headline from the Wine Spectator of the world where they demand the best quality. Th e technol- about 15 years ago. It was the fi rst article on Quails Gate ogy that we have developed in terms of the products that that I was kind of mentioned in, in terms of the recogni- we produce has been developed at Summerland research tion. But what it talked about was.... It said Canada had station and has been able to help improve our ability to sell 12768 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 13, 2013

products around the world. highest priorities as Minister of Citizens' Services and MLA Th ere are many more points in the throne speech that for Westside-Kelowna is to listen to the citizens of British I wish I had time to address, but I do think the following Columbia. I look forward to the year ahead, the future deserve mention as important measures in securing the opportunities and the accomplishments we will reach. future for B.C. families: continued investment in health care and innovation in health care, as exemplifi ed by the Hon. B. Stewart moved adjournment of debate. establishment of a school of traditional Chinese medicine; improving access to quality early childhood services, to Motion approved. aff ordable child care; bringing in measures to help families of young children save for post-secondary education — I Hon. I. Chong moved adjournment of the House. have fi rsthand experience when I have my daughter, who's got three kids and is trying to work at the same time; I Motion approved. know how diffi cult it is to not have some of the child care support that we're going to be hopefully off ering — and Mr. Speaker: Th is House stands adjourned until 10 maintaining labour peace in our schools so that our young a.m. tomorrow morning. children can continue without further disruption. I'm proud to be a part of this government. One of my Th e House adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Hansard Reporting Services

Director Robert Sutherland

Manager of Reporting Services Christine Fedoruk

Editorial Team Leaders Laurel Bernard, Janet Brazier, Robyn Swanson

Technical Operations Offi cers Pamela Holmes, Emily Jacques, Dan Kerr

Indexers Shannon Ash, Julie McClung, Robin Rohrmoser

Researchers Jaime Apolonio, Glenn Wigmore

Editors Kim Christie, Aaron Ellingsen, Deirdre Gotto, Jane Grainger, Betsy Gray, Iris Gray, Linda Guy, Barb Horricks, Bill Hrick, Paula Lee, Donna McCloskey, Bob McIntosh, Anne Maclean, Constance Maskery, Jill Milkert, Lind Miller, Lou Mitchell, Karol Morris, Dorothy Pearson, Erik Pedersen, Janet Pink, Amy Reiswig, Heather Warren, Arlene Wells, Anita Willis

Published by British Columbia Hansard Services, and printed under the authority of the Speaker.

Printing Agent Crown Publications, Queen's Printer for British Columbia 563 Superior St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V7 www.crownpub.bc.ca

Daily and annual Hansard subscription information is available from Crown Publications.

www.leg.bc.ca

Hansard Services publishes transcripts both in print and on the Internet. Chamber debates are broadcast on television and webcast on the Internet. Question Period podcasts are available on the Internet.