Fourth Session, 40th Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(HANSARD)

Monday, October 5, 2015 Morning Sitting Volume 29, Number 1

THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, 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

Fourth Session, 40th Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Premier and President of the Executive Council...... Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing...... Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation...... Hon. Minister of Advanced Education...... Hon. Minister of Agriculture...... Hon. Minister of Children and Family Development...... Hon. Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink...... Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education...... Hon. Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review...... Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment...... Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations...... Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Health...... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism...... Hon. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour...... Hon. Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch...... Hon. Minister of Justice...... Hon. Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation...... Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services...... Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon. Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Leader of the Official Opposition...... Deputy Speaker...... Richard T. Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole...... Pat Pimm Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk...... Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms...... Gary Lenz ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING

Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver-Fraserview Abbotsford-Mission...... Simon Gibson Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)...... Penticton Abbotsford South...... Dr. Darryl Plecas Austin, Robin (NDP)...... Skeena Abbotsford West...... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Bains, Harry (NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Alberni–Pacific Rim...... Scott Fraser Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Boundary-Similkameen...... Linda Larson Bennett, Hon. Bill (BC Liberal)...... Kootenay East Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Kathy Corrigan Bernier, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal)...... Peace River South Burnaby-Edmonds...... Raj Chouhan Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal)...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Burnaby-Lougheed...... Jane Jae Kyung Shin Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal)...... Prince George–Valemount Burnaby North...... Richard T. Lee Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal)...... Surrey-Cloverdale Cariboo-Chilcotin...... Donna Barnett Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP)...... Vancouver–West End Cariboo North...... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chouhan, Raj (NDP)...... Burnaby-Edmonds Chilliwack...... John Martin Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal)...... Westside-Kelowna Chilliwack-Hope...... Laurie Throness Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal)...... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Columbia River–Revelstoke...... Norm Macdonald Conroy, Katrine (NDP)...... Kootenay West Comox Valley...... Don McRae Corrigan, Kathy (NDP)...... Burnaby–Deer Lake Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Vacant Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal)...... Maple Ridge–Mission Coquitlam-Maillardville...... Darcy, Judy (NDP)...... New Westminster Cowichan Valley...... Bill Routley de Jong, Hon. Michael, QC (BC Liberal)...... Abbotsford West Delta North...... Wm. Scott Hamilton Dix, Adrian (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kingsway Delta South...... Vicki Huntington Donaldson, Doug (NDP)...... Stikine Esquimalt–Royal Roads...... Maurine Karagianis Eby, David (NDP)...... Vancouver–Point Grey Fort Langley–Aldergrove...... Hon. Rich Coleman Elmore, Mable (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kensington Fraser-Nicola...... Farnworth, Mike (NDP)...... Port Coquitlam Juan de Fuca...... John Horgan Fassbender, Hon. Peter (BC Liberal)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Kamloops–North Thompson...... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Fleming, Rob (NDP)...... Victoria–Swan Lake Kamloops–South Thompson...... Hon. Todd Stone Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)...... Vernon-Monashee Kelowna–Lake Country...... Hon. Norm Letnick Fraser, Scott (NDP)...... Alberni–Pacific Rim Kelowna-Mission...... Hon. Steve Thomson Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)...... Abbotsford-Mission Kootenay East...... Hon. Bill Bennett Hamilton, Wm. Scott (BC Liberal)...... Delta North Kootenay West...... Hammell, Sue (NDP)...... Surrey–Green Timbers Langley...... Hon. Mary Polak Heyman, George (NDP)...... Vancouver-Fairview Maple Ridge–Mission...... Marc Dalton Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal)...... Surrey–White Rock Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Dr. Doug Bing Holman, Gary (NDP)...... Saanich North and the Islands Nanaimo...... Leonard Eugene Krog Horgan, John (NDP)...... Juan de Fuca Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal)...... Surrey-Panorama Nechako Lakes...... Hon. John Rustad Huntington, Vicki (Ind.)...... Delta South Nelson-Creston...... Michelle Mungall James, Carole (NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill New Westminster...... Judy Darcy Karagianis, Maurine (NDP)...... Esquimalt–Royal Roads North Coast...... Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP)...... Nanaimo North Island...... Claire Trevena Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)...... Shuswap North Vancouver–Lonsdale...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–North Thompson North Vancouver–Seymour...... Jane Thornthwaite Larson, Linda (BC Liberal)...... Boundary-Similkameen Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Dr. Andrew Weaver Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal)...... Burnaby North Parksville-Qualicum...... Hon. Michelle Stilwell Letnick, Hon. Norm (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna–Lake Country Peace River North...... Pat Pimm Macdonald, Norm (NDP)...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Peace River South...... Hon. Mike Bernier McRae, Don (BC Liberal)...... Comox Valley Penticton...... Martin, John (BC Liberal)...... Chilliwack Port Coquitlam...... Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)...... Prince George–Mackenzie Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Linda Reimer Mungall, Michelle (NDP)...... Nelson-Creston Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal)...... Cariboo North Prince George–Mackenzie...... Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal)...... Peace River North Prince George–Valemount...... Hon. Shirley Bond Plecas, Dr. Darryl (BC Liberal)...... Abbotsford South Richmond Centre...... Hon. Teresa Wat Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal)...... Langley Richmond East...... Hon. Linda Reid Popham, Lana (NDP)...... Saanich South Richmond-Steveston...... John Yap Ralston, Bruce (NDP)...... Surrey-Whalley Saanich North and the Islands...... Gary Holman Reid, Hon. Linda (BC Liberal)...... Richmond East Saanich South...... Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal)...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Shuswap...... Greg Kyllo Rice, Jennifer (NDP)...... North Coast Skeena...... Robin Austin Robinson, Selina (NDP)...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Stikine...... Doug Donaldson Routley, Bill (NDP)...... Cowichan Valley Surrey-Cloverdale...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Routley, Doug (NDP)...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Fleetwood...... Hon. Peter Fassbender Rustad, Hon. John (BC Liberal)...... Nechako Lakes Surrey–Green Timbers...... Sue Hammell Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP)...... Burnaby-Lougheed Surrey-Newton...... Simons, Nicholas (NDP)...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Surrey-Panorama...... Marvin Hunt Simpson, Shane (NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Surrey-Tynehead...... Hon. Amrik Virk Stilwell, Hon. Michelle (BC Liberal)...... Parksville-Qualicum Surrey-Whalley...... Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver-Langara Surrey–White Rock...... Gordon Hogg Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–South Thompson Vancouver-Fairview...... Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver–False Creek...... Sam Sullivan Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver–False Creek Vancouver-Fraserview...... Hon. Suzanne Anton Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver-Hastings...... Shane Simpson Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal)...... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver-Kensington...... Thomson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver-Kingsway...... Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal)...... North Vancouver–Seymour Vancouver-Langara...... Dr. Moira Stilwell Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)...... Chilliwack-Hope Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Vacant Trevena, Claire (NDP)...... North Island Vancouver–Point Grey...... Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal)...... Surrey-Tynehead Vancouver-Quilchena...... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal)...... Richmond Centre Vancouver–West End...... Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.)...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Vernon-Monashee...... Eric Foster Wilkinson, Hon. Andrew (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver-Quilchena Victoria–Beacon Hill...... Carole James Yamamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Victoria–Swan Lake...... Yap, John (BC Liberal)...... Richmond-Steveston West Vancouver–Capilano...... Ralph Sultan Vacant...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain West Vancouver–Sea to Sky...... Vacant...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Westside-Kelowna...... Hon. Christy Clark

Party Standings: BC Liberal 48; New Democratic 33; Independent 2; Vacant 2

CONTENTS

Monday, October 5, 2015 Morning Sitting

Page

Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements...... 9375 Protecting B.C.’s children D. Donaldson M. Morris Benefits of B.C’s farmers L. Throness L. Popham Improving access to affordable housing D. Eby S. Sullivan Tech start-up successes S. Hamilton G. Heyman

Private Members’ Motions...... 9383 Motion 24 — Women’s access to medical treatment M. Karagianis J. Thornthwaite J. Darcy J. Tegart A. Dix G. Hogg S. Hammell L. Reimer G. Heyman D. McRae C. James

9375

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 Development, and a repurposed ministry, the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction, yet no retooled focus on no kids The House met at 10:02 a.m. dying in care. [1005] [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Remember, we had a Premier with five great goals. Well, what about a great goal of no kid dies in care? What Routine Business ever happened to families first? It makes a mockery of that slogan. Prayers. Lack of leadership by this government. The culture is defined by leadership — the culture in the ministry. Twice Orders of the Day recently it has been shown that the ministry has been defying court orders, in the J.P. case and the Justice Groves Private Members’ Statements decision. It makes it seem like the ministry is above the law and also makes front-line work more difficult. PROTECTING B.C.’S CHILDREN Are they supposed to obey the law or not? And with policy, in the case of Alex Gervais death, the minister said D. Donaldson: No child or youth should die or be staff were directed not to place young people from his abused in care while under the protection of the Ministry closed group home in hotels. It’s apparent the staff don’t of Children and Family Development. It’s as simple as listen to the minister. That’s a lack of leadership. That is a that, yet it’s happening far too often. The infuriating thing lack of confidence in the minister within her own ministry. is that these deaths and abuses are preventable and un- Recommendations not implemented. Almost three necessary. Lessons from past tragedies do not seem to be years ago, the children’s representative recommended learned in order to prevent current and future tragedies. there should be more residential care options for chil- No one in this chamber, both sides, wants that to hap- dren and youth who have complex needs that cannot pen — for kids to be dying while in care. Yet, it is sicken- be met in a traditional group home or foster care set- ing to hear that it is a complex ministry, seemingly as a ting. The recommendation was ignored, and now we’ve justification. I hope we don’t hear that again today from had the death of Alex Gervais, and we just learned about the other side during this debate. Alex Malamalatabua while in care — teens with complex I expect we’re going to hear from the other side about needs, who would have benefited from increased residen- numbers of kids in care declining. Apparently, the min- tial services, and both of them are now dead. istry has statistically decreased the numbers of kids in care, More than 50 percent of children and youth in care by 1,000 getting wiped off the rolls due to file duplication are aboriginal, yet a recommendation made two years or no longer in care, but not taken off the ministry’s list. ago to develop an explicit policy for negotiation of juris- dictional transfer over child welfare to First Nations has [R. Chouhan in the chair.] been ignored. That’s not leadership. And in the case of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, this government linked The children’s representative has some concerns about the continuation of ongoing funding for their child wel- that, like where they went and how they’re being taken fare programs with the chiefs’ approval of LNG-related care of now that they’re not on the list. It’s no wonder pipelines across their traditional aboriginal title lands. there are concerns, with this 1,000 getting wiped off the Using vulnerable First Nations children as bargaining list, with this government’s record of failed IT software chips does not build trust, does not build credibility and and lost data. But let’s just say that a reduction, if valid is not leadership. and with proper follow-up, is a good thing. A rapid response was promised by the minister in the We’re also likely to hear about increased social work- days after Paige’s story came to light in May — a rapid re- ers, and that is good too, although it falls far short of sponse team to help other youth like Paige in Vancouver’s BCGEU recommendations, and the number of cases per Downtown Eastside. It’s taken five months, and the rapid social worker is still unacceptable, according to experts. response team is still not fully in place. Only in the world Despite the decreases in numbers of children and of MCFD is five months considered a rapid response to youth in care and an increase in social workers, kids are children in crisis. That’s not leadership. still dying and being abused in care, just after leaving care Lack of resources — $100 million is lost in real dol- or just after aging out. It’s a matter of lack of focus, lack lars from 2008 to 2013 in the ministry. During the last of leadership and lack of resources. two years, more than $5 million was spent on the newly The lack of focus by this government. It’s been all LNG, created Auditor General for Local Government Office. all the time, for the last three years. It’s consumed the Think about how many specialized group homes that $5 bureaucracy, at the direction of the Premier. In that time, million could have supported for young people like Alex we’ve had a new ministry, the Ministry of Natural Gas Gervais. We have an under-resourced and overstretched 9376 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

child welfare system. In 2004-05, spending per capita on We were stoned. We had bottles thrown at us. We had children and youth and family services in B.C. was $360. everything imaginable happen to us to prevent us from By 2014, that number was $287. That’s a 20 percent de- taking those children and putting those children into safe crease when during the same period the consumer price custody to keep them from the continual abuse — sexual index rose by more than 17 percent. abuse and physical abuse — that they’d been subjected to. We have way too many front-line staff at MCFD who Unfortunately, because of the privacy act and a whole work in an environment of severe staff shortages and ex- bunch of restrictions on the police and the investigators cessive caseloads. It causes burnout and extreme stress at the time, we couldn’t tell the people in the community at a time when we need front-line staff to be at the top of why those children were being taken into custody. We their game. In his report on the Manitoba child welfare couldn’t tell them that it was for their protection that the system, the hon. Ted Hughes recommended reducing the police were there and the social workers were there. We workload of social workers to 20 cases a month. suffered through the abuse. Experts in the field say best practices are 16 to 17 a I sat down with the leaders in the community, and we month. In B.C., over 80 percent of MCFD social work- were able to negotiate some form of protection for the ers have caseloads of greater than 20 a month and nearly children as an interim measure until we could success- half have over 30 cases a month — 30 cases a month. And fully take them out of that environment. 45 percent of MCFD administrative service personnel You know, the public see these things going on. It’s a say they cover another worker’s job as well as their own. very emotional situation that the front-line social work- That’s not sufficiently resourced, and this is a budget- de ers are involved in when they get tied up in these kinds cision by this government. of things. Emotions sometimes overtake a sensible reac- Focus, leadership, resources — significant action is tion from the spectators, the people in the community, long overdue in all three areas. Otherwise, we will con- sometimes the members opposite, in view of these kinds tinue to see too many children dying and being abused of situations when they don’t understand all the facts. in care. I’ll now take my seat and look forward to the re- There is a difficult job out there. There is not one front- sponse by the government side. line social worker, there is not one member of this side [1010] of the House and, I’m presuming, the other side of the House that wants anything less than full protection for M. Morris: This is a topic that’s near and dear to every- the children to keep them in a safe environment for the body in this House — the protection of our children and rest of their lives and to make them become fruitful cit- the most vulnerable people in our society right across the izens of this province. But there are those impediments. province. As a father and a grandfather, it’s emphasized Can we say that there is not one more child going to to me on a very regular basis. But also, as a former po- die in this province, in this country, in this world as a re- lice officer who used to deal with tragic situations involv- sult of physical abuse or whatever the situation is? I wish ing children and vulnerable people in our society across we could say that, but unfortunately, we can’t, because British Columbia, it has more of an emphasis for me. there are too many unpredictable things up there. I hear the member opposite, but I also see the good But as a government, we’re doing everything that we work that’s being done out there by the front-line so- can to ensure that the front-line social workers…. There cial workers working in oftentimes very unpredictable are more on the road, as the member opposite eluded to. situations. There are more on the road today than there were a year A situation comes to mind for me. Many years ago, I ago. We’re going to have another 90 or so by January of was policing in a small community, and as was normal 2016 on the road to make sure that the vulnerable people, for all the communities I policed in, we worked hand in the children in our communities, are safe. hand with the front-line social workers. We worked hand We are doing everything we can. The ministry has had in hand with many people in the community who were excellent leadership, sustained leadership, for the past working for the protection of young children and the vul- three years in the ministry. That’s providing great guidance nerable people that we have. and great vision for that particular ministry so that we can A couple of social workers had come in from a com- continue to provide a very high level of protection for our munity into a remote community I was working at to children right across this province well into the future. seize three children that had been abused by their guard- Contrary to what the member opposite says, we do ian. The police had been conducting an investigation. care about children in this province, and we don’t want In fact, it was my investigation. I’d been conducting the to see one more child die. investigation for quite some time, and we felt that the protection of the children was paramount. We’d been D. Donaldson: Thank you to the member for Prince working with the social workers. George–Mackenzie for his comments. When we went to apprehend these children, the family I have no doubt that he, along with every member in had been able to garner the support of all the neighbours. this chamber, does not want to see kids in care dying, and Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9377

I also believe that he would agree that the complexity of a Columbians. I love to brag about my own riding of case is not to be used as an excuse for inaction. Chilliwack-Hope, so this gives me an opportunity to do [1015] that as well, how agriculture benefits my own constitu- Kids are still dying in care. The goal should be to have ents as well as all people in B.C. no children dying in care in this province. That would be In September, I was able to join the agricultural farm a great goal. That would be leadership. Instead, we have a tour. It’s an annual tour where a couple of busloads of minister who says tragedies happen. “From time to time, people travel around the riding, visiting cutting-edge there are tragic circumstances.” Well, the evidence for the farms and farm businesses in Chilliwack. This year past few months is that this is happening way too often. the farm tour was featured on the front page of the It’s not from time to time. Chilliwack Times, our local paper, and the headline said A Premier who says she sees eye to eye with the min- that gross farm receipts amount to $360 million per year ister…. Eye to eye on what? Eye to eye that the children’s in Chilliwack. That’s a lot of money. That’s a big economic representative was told Alex Gervais wasn’t living in a driver in Chilliwack. hotel long term, when he was — a hotel where he subse- There are 20,000 farms in B.C.; 939 of them are in quently fell to his death from his fourth-floor window? Chilliwack. It amounts to one in five jobs, about 4,000 Is that seeing eye to eye, Madam Premier? jobs in total, in the area. It’s a huge economic driver for A three-year-old recommendation to increase residen- my region. tial options for complex youth-in-care cases hasn’t been put Now, about half of the farms in my area are governed in place, and now Alex Gervais and Alex Malamalatabua under the supply management regime. It ensures that are dead? Is that seeing eye to eye, Premier? consumers have a high-quality product at a reasonable A court order was disobeyed by staff, and a young girl price while farmers have a stable income. Supply man- was returned to her abusive father, when she was then agement has been a pillar of support in my riding. We sexually abused, as found by Justice Walker in the J.P. have a very stable farming community, and I appreciate case? Is that seeing eye to eye, Madam Premier? that, and I support supply management. Then in another case, another court order was ig- People often compare the prices of dairy products in nored. A young girl was kept from her grandmother for Canada with those in the States. I would point out that 18 months, and Justice Groves had to threaten contempt under the farm bill, which is passed about every five years of court proceedings before MCFD complied? Is that see- in the United States, dairy products are subsidized direct- ing eye to eye, Madam Premier? ly by the taxpayer there. The latest farm bill, passed just When a youth in care turns 19, they are suddenly last year, in 2014, authorized almost $1 trillion over ten deemed okay and get fewer services and less support, years to go to agriculture, with a great deal going to dairy. as in the case with Paige, a young First Nations woman Now in Canada, dairy receives no government sub- who died of a drug overdose only 11 months after aging sidies whatsoever from the government. In fact, they’re out. Is that seeing eye to eye, Madam Premier? Creating not even eligible for Growing Forward 2, which is a suite of a rapid response team to support extremely vulnerable federal-provincial aid programs for other farmers across young people like Paige has taken five months to put in Canada. Our five supply-managed industries do not have place. Is that seeing eye to eye, Madam Premier? access to this. In fact, every country will protect its farm- The unexplained death of a 21-month-old, Isabella ing industry to make sure that they are not dependent on Wiens, while in care was only reviewed two years after the other countries for their basic food supplies, and Canada fact, despite evidence of body bruising and untreated heal- is no exception to this, and I think that’s just a great policy. ing fractures. Is that seeing eye to eye, Madam Premier? [1020] No. It appears what the Premier says is seeing eye to I would point out that this morning the federal gov- eye is more about protecting her minister instead of kids. ernment announced that it has signed a tentative Trans- What I call it is a lack of focus, a lack of leadership and Pacific Partnership deal. It appears from the deal that a lack of resources. And the children and youth die, and supply management will be preserved, with 100 percent the children and youth are abused, and what we need is financial compensation for any losses over a 15-year for it to stop. phase-in period. I’m cautiously optimistic about the deal. There are still a lot of details to examine. Our government Deputy Speaker: Members, we should be very, very will be doing that in the near future. careful. We should not be using any partisan language I want to move on to the B.C. jobs plan, which focuses when we are addressing any of the issues in the House. in part on agriculture. In 2011, our government intro- duced the plan, which focuses on eight main sectors. The BENEFITS OF B.C’S FARMERS opposition always accuses us of focusing only on LNG, but it’s absolutely untrue. L. Throness: I very much appreciate this opportun- Agriculture is one of the main pillars of our jobs plan. ity to talk about the benefits of B.C. farmers to all British It was the goal of the jobs plan to increase the value of 9378 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

agricultural revenue from $12 billion to $14 billion by and the people that are growing and involved in agricul- 2017 — a very transparent goal. Now, how are we doing ture in his riding. I know he’s very proud of them. that? There was an update last year. We set 49 targets to It gives me great hope when I bring up a topic and talk grow our agrifood sector; 44 of them have now been met. about the need for more support for agriculture, espe- There are lots of examples I could point to. Export cially in his constituency, that he would see it to support examples — our agrifood exports to China amounted my viewpoint. I think that everybody in this House has to $234 million in 2013. It was up 38 percent. Pink sal- become more and more aware of agriculture and the im- mon was up 85 percent, and so on. I could go on and list portance of farmers in British Columbia. things. We are on track to meeting our goal of increas- But I have to point out, in a non-partisan way, that ing provincewide revenue for agriculture to $14 billion everybody eats. When we talk about our support for agri- by 2017. That would be a great achievement on behalf of culture and we talk about policies that are put in place all British Columbians. and we don’t talk about a long-term sustainable agricul- Now I want to talk for a moment about buying local. ture plan, then we’re not doing everything we can to sup- We’ve been talking about export. What about buying local? port farmers in British Columbia. I talk about the need I like to eat bananas and pineapples and other exotic for a long-term plan in regards to climate change and foods, and I’m sure we all do. But I also like to buy local our plan for resilience. I’m not the only one who talks wherever possible, and the very best way to do that is to like that. The B.C. Agriculture Council also talks about make sure that our local produce is of highest quality and not having a long-term plan. of the best price. Our government has come up with a [1025] very sensible plan to make that happen. Altogether we’ve The member has many amazing things going on in his invested $6 million so far — $2 million in this budget riding, including what used to be a very successful hazel- alone — for our buy-local program. Its goal is to build nut-growing sector. This member knows very well that local markets for B.C. producers. the hazelnut growers have been asking for some support My colleague from Chilliwack and I learned of a good — a change in policies for replant money — just in order example of how it works by visiting an agrifood plant in to kind of modernize what they’re trying to do and be my riding called Johnston Packers. It’s just one of many reborn into a market that is questing for more and more hidden gems. There are many hidden gems in my rid- hazelnuts around the world. ing that are really quite significant businesses. Johnston When we support things like agriculture, it doesn’t Packers has 120 employees. It does mostly pork. stop at the farmer. What we do is we incent value-added As we sat down with them, we found out more about markets to burgeon. them. It depends on local farmers for its product, and it One thing that the hazelnut growers used to have that received $95,000 under the buy-local program for two they no longer have is processing facilities. We are down different projects. Here’s how just one of them will work. to one, and possibly that one is even going out of business. Johnston acts as sort of a regional supplier to retailers When we have value-added with our primary products and wholesalers in the area for meat products. If we can in this province, then we all win. help Johnston gets its product into more stores, it’s going Now there’s another issue that’s going on in the prov- to have a knock-on effect of helping farmers throughout ince, and this is due to very short-term planning by the the Lower Mainland produce more for the local market. B.C. Liberals — that is, our decisions around land use So $63,000 of that grant will go to build brand loyal- policy and allowing licensed producers to set up shop ty through advertising, through in-store promotions, in different municipalities. The government opened that through cooking classes that they hold. If Johnston up and pushed the responsibility for decision-making Packers can raise the awareness of British Columbians on licensed producers of medical cannabis onto muni- that their product is of superior quality and get them to cipalities, and basically we’ve washed our hands of any buy more, it will make them better able to compete on land use decisions. price, which will be a virtuous cycle where everyone will What has that done to our municipalities? Our muni- prosper, including the initial producer, including the pro- cipalities are now grappling with a very interesting situa- cessor and including the B.C. consumer. tion, and it’s not about cannabis. It’s not about marijuana. We’re making, together, agriculture a win-win-win It’s specifically about land use. proposition for all British Columbians. These are just When we allow licensed producers to set up shop in some of the benefits of agriculture, of the B.C. farmer. B.C., they’re trying to get approved by Health Canada. Health Canada requires that a building be built if you’re L. Popham: It’s always such a pleasure to rise in this going to be producing medical cannabis. A building must House on a Monday morning and talk about agriculture. be built on the site where it’s located, and in this case It’s one of my favourite topics. Also, one of my favourite we’re allowing it in the agricultural land reserve. things to do is to debate the member from Chilliwack on Once that building is built and Health Canada looks agriculture. I know he’s very proud of his constituency at it, they can then approve or not approve a licence for Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9379

a production. Most of these licences are not approved. Columbians, and it’s one all members of this House, I do What we’ve done is set up another thin edge of the wedge believe, ought to wholeheartedly support. in the agricultural land reserve. These buildings are not getting approved. They’re not being used for med- IMPROVING ACCESS TO ical cannabis production, yet they’re sitting vacant. So AFFORDABLE HOUSING we are having now…. I can give you an example from Maple Ridge. D. Eby: They say that repeating the same activity and Maple Ridge is one of the municipalities that decided expecting a different result the second time is the defin- to embrace the government’s policy on medical canna- ition of stupidity. While I have little doubt that I’m re- bis facilities on ALR land and not prohibit them in their peating myself here today in asking the government to own local bylaws. Now they have, at this point, I think, put forward a plan for affordable housing — a plan that 17 applications on ALR land. The residents there are very they’re actually going to follow, with metrics that they’re concerned about well water usage and all the things that going to measure to see improvement in affordable hous- go along with brand-new types of growing. ing — I’m hopeful that rather than seeing the same re- Now, I know the member who represents Chilliwack…. sult, we may actually see a response from the government, Chilliwack is also starting to grapple with the implica- some words promising action this time. tions of this sort of land use policy. It’s in my viewpoint The reason I say that is that the Finance Minister has that, if we really are going to embrace farming and we’re been in the media. He’s saying that he might shift the going to embrace farmers and the value of agriculture, property transfer tax, that there’s a higher tax on luxury we have to look at it in a long-term way. homes above a certain value and that he might invest the It doesn’t help our farmers. It doesn’t help our produc- proceeds of that tax shift into affordable housing. tion levels if we’re pushing responsibility onto local gov- I’d like to use this opportunity of the motion to raise to ernment to make land use decisions that will possibly the government’s attention that they’ve made this kind of erode our agricultural land reserve. Without the agri- promise before. Now, the last time that the government cultural land reserve, we might as well not have farmers. promised to use the proceeds from a new policy and in- vest that into affordable housing was when they decided L. Throness: I always appreciate the concern of the to sell social housing units across the province — in fact, member for Saanich South for agriculture in B.C. and the entire portfolio of social housing held by the prov- particularly for hazelnuts, which is a concern in her rid- ince — to non-profit organizations. They expect that the ing as well as mine. It’s a great niche crop. proceeds of that sale will bring in about half a billion dol- Perhaps she’s not aware that the hazelnut growers held lars to the province. a meeting a few weeks ago, and there were apparently 70 Now, this government promised repeatedly that they producers and potential producers at that meeting. There would use the proceeds from this sale — half a billion was enormous interest in the possibilities for hazelnuts dollars — to build new social and affordable housing in the future. Perhaps, at $12 a tree, it’s really quite an across the province. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. inexpensive crop to plant. It remains to be seen how the The proceeds from this sale went into general revenue government could help the hazelnut growers. Of course, and essentially displaced money that was already ear- I remain open to what they have to say. marked to be spent on maintaining existing affordable I wanted to end by pointing out a little bit more about housing across the province. our Buy Local program. We’ve supported about 40 cam- The B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association came for- paigns to support B.C. foods so far in our program, with ward. They brought forward concerns about this flip-flop companies, large and small, reporting increases. I just on the promise to invest in affordable housing. They said: wanted to give a few examples. “We had understood that the funds generated through the The B.C. Food Processors Association reported sales non-profit asset transfer program” — that’s a euphemism of B.C. products increased by $5 million during just the for selling social housing — “would be new funds to in- first four months of their project. vest in provincial affordable housing initiatives, which [1030] would have been a much-needed cash infusion during Cherries — 17,000 additional cartons of cherries were times of austerity. It was surprising to learn that so far, sold over three weeks in 2013, compared to the same per- the income from the sales of Crown property is being iod in 2012, even though there was a smaller crop. Finally, used to fund previously announced commitments, with the entire crop of the new Salish and Aurora Golden Gala no new money for housing.” apples sold, with successful introduction in four of B.C.’s That’s half a billion dollars that was promised to go into largest food retail chains. new money for affordable housing during a crisis in this We’re helping our agrifood businesses both inter- province that instead is going into general revenue. What nationally and locally. That’s a solid game plan. It’s going is the government doing with their general revenue? Well, to work for B.C. farmers, it’s going to work for all British in part, they’re funding a 2 percent tax cut for the richest 9380 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

people in this province. Imagine that. Breaking a promise $3 million, above $2 million? Why do I have the feeling — to use money from selling social housing, to put the that I’ll be up here again saying the same thing? I hope money into general revenue, and funding from general that that’s not the case. I thank you for this opportunity revenue a 2 percent tax cut for the richest people in the to raise this issue with the government today. province. Doesn’t that reflect the priorities of this gov- ernment just perfectly? S. Sullivan: I thank the member from Point Grey for It was several months ago now that I visited the tent his comments. He started off by giving a quote. I believe city in Maple Ridge as well as residents who live near that he was trying to quote Albert Einstein. I believe he mis- tent city and a local business that was suffering signifi- quoted him as well. There was the issue of stupidity. I cant losses as a result of the tent city located outside their think Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity front door. At that time, the members for Maple Ridge is doing something over and over again and expecting were missing in action and so was their government, for the same result,” if I might helpfully correct the member. the entire summer. They waited until the dying days of I do also suggest what he may be doing is very much August to announce that they were going to fund a tem- what Albert Einstein cautioned against. I did detect in his porary shelter — not a permanent housing solution but statements at least two things he said. One was that taxing a temporary shelter — in a Sleep Country Canada store. the rich, taxing those with high income, is the way to solve Thank goodness that during the summer, the city took our problems and also that foreigners — perhaps foreign the initiative to hire outreach workers to house some of investment, people who are different from us — investing these people, that neighbours took the initiative to run in housing might be the cause of unaffordable housing. garden hoses from their backyard to make sure people May I address those two points? First of all, Vancouver didn’t suffer from heatstroke and end up in emergency in particular has seen extreme difficulty in housing af- rooms — and a government with half a billion dollars fordability. It’s very corrosive. It harms investment. It in proceeds from selling social housing took months to harms the economy. We have actually seen, in Vancouver, pony up half a million dollars for a temporary shelter. housing prices rising dramatically since the 1970s. Any [1035] university student, and now even high school students Up the road in Abbotsford, the city faces a tent city who are learning more about economics, would tell you without end; in Terrace, a record number of homeless that the issue of price is a function of supply and demand. people counted by volunteers. It’s no wonder that this What the city has done in the past — certainly, the city province, despite repeated requests, refuses to count the of Vancouver when there was a lot of foreign investment number of street homeless people in the province. The looking for a place to land — was supplied a lot of land, a results surely would not be flattering. lot of buildable property. We look at the Concord Pacific We do have some metrics, though. The B.C. Non-Profit areas. We look at the Marathon property, now called Housing Association says that in Kelowna, Penticton, Coal Harbour. A lot of the foreign investment was able Chilliwack, Whistler, Squamish, Nanaimo and Victoria, to be put into new housing that benefited the citizens of one in four households pays more than half of their in- Vancouver and all the citizens of British Columbia. come for rent. The rest of the province isn’t much bet- This is the kind of investment that economists love ter, with one in five households paying more than half of because, when foreign investors put money into new their income for rent. housing, they can’t actually take the housing away. That If ever there was a time for the government to follow housing there is a long-term benefit for all of the citizens. through with their promises on investing new money in [1040] affordable housing, now is the time. But instead of using What we’ve seen since the 1970s is a supply problem. the real money on hand from the sales of social housing The cities have downzoned — a lot of the city. For in- to house people across the province, they’re plugging it stance, the West End was completely downzoned. Yet back into general revenue. And they have to be dragged we saw in the 1960s, with the construction of West End to the table during a crisis for a temporary shelter in Towers, rents dropped dramatically. We see that the laws Maple Ridge. of supply and demand do work, and if you allow more Today’s motion — an opportunity to urge this govern- supply, you will get lower prices. ment to step up and to keep their commitment if, in fact, Unfortunately, the provincial government does not they do plan on dealing with the property transfer tax in control supply. The supply is controlled by the cities, and this way, because the track record of this government in the cities have to find a way to overcome local opposition promising to invest the proceeds of these kinds of actions and allow for more supply of housing. That was the best in affordable housing is not good. way to reduce the price of housing. We are going to have I worry about what we’ll see in the Finance Minister’s to somehow overcome the resistance that has been insti- budget, the 2016 budget coming forward, with more tutionalized in city governments since the 1970s. proceeds from more sales of social housing and, poten- We know that there are different ways to increase sup- tially, with proceeds from taxes on houses — what, above ply. There is sprawl. We could continue to sprawl out Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9381

into the furthest reaches of the area. For example, Metro study by Demographia, to be the most expensive city in Vancouver loses eight square feet per second every work- the world when compared to incomes. He said Vancouver ing day to sprawl, new housing being built. was “actually pretty affordable.” This is the definition of What this does is it causes problems for local en- out of touch. vironment and the global environment. There was a What does the Premier tell people to do in Metro study recently done that shows that people that live in Vancouver? “Move to Fort St. John.” Fort St. John head- the downtown of Vancouver create 1½ tonnes of green- line, Alaska Highway News, September 14, just a couple house gas per person. Those in the inner suburbs create of weeks ago: “Peace Region Among the Worst in Canada 3 tonnes per person and those further out in Vancouver When It Comes to Housing Affordability.” create six tonnes per person. [1045] Four times as much greenhouse gas is created by sprawl. The city of Fort St. John puts on their website that one In Toronto, they note that someone who lives in Whitby, of the reasons they can’t recruit doctors to Fort St. John in the farthest suburbs, will create ten times as much is housing affordability issues. Doctors can’t afford to live greenhouse gas as those who live in the downtown core. in Fort St. John, in the city the Premier is touting as the We have to find a way to increase the supply of hous- remedy to affordability. ing and do that in an environmentally sustainable way. This government needs to wake up to the reality of the We know that when you build more single family homes, crisis. They have to acknowledge that there’s an afford- it takes 35 times as much land to do so as it would in a able housing crisis first of all, and then they have to own higher density area. that they have a role to play in ameliorating that. As long I would offer those comments to the member. as they have somebody else to blame, we’re not going to see any progress on this issue. D. Eby: I thank the member for his correction on the definition of “stupidity.” I’m sure that he knows more TECH START-UP SUCCESSES about this area than I do, and I thank him for that. I think one of the core issues that this government has S. Hamilton: British Columbia is well known for its is…. In order to respond to a crisis of affordable housing, resource-based economy and for good reason. Our trad- you have to understand that you have a problem. You can itional industries — logging, mining, fishing and agricul- hear in the member’s response, first of all, that he doesn’t ture — continue to be important sectors of our economy, respond to the issues I raised. But secondly, he doesn’t but they no longer represent the majority of jobs in our even recognize — and neither does this government — province. that there’s an issue of affordable housing that they have Advances in technology, coupled with the fact that a role to play in. British Columbia is one of the most connected provinces, He says it’s the city’s fault: “If the city would just step….” with high-speed internet, is generating a technological He represents one of the densest neighbourhoods in the revolution that’s establishing B.C. as a hub for high-tech world, beside another neighbourhood, the West End, with start-ups. As a matter of fact, the tech sector employs ap- incredible density and vacancies of less than 1 percent. proximately 4½ percent of B.C.’s workforce. That repre- What does our Housing Minister say? Don’t worry sents nearly 87,000 jobs. about what the member says. What does his Housing It contributes 6½ percent of provincial GDP, and that Minister say about the crisis of homelessness, about number is rising. That’s $23.3 billion in revenue this year the crisis of rental affordability across the province? He alone and a 5.2 percent increase over last year. Best of all, says: “We live in the jurisdiction with the most success- B.C.’s technology sector not only contributes to the prov- ful housing strategy in North American history.” It would incial economy in terms of jobs and economic output; it be funny if it wasn’t so tragic for the families involved. also delivers indirect benefit across all economic sectors. Consider buying housing. Get out of the of the rent I can tell you that this government is working very race. Rental less than 1 percent? Why don’t you just buy closely with the industry to foster even more growth. a condo? Greater Vancouver houses average over $1 mil- That’s why I’m drawing your attention to high-tech, by lion a piece, up 173 percent since 2005. A house? The en- bringing forth the following private member’s statement titled millennials who want to live in houses — maybe entitled “Tech Start-up Success in British Columbia.” they should try living in a condo. We want a diverse economy for a host of reasons. The Well, sure. Put your new family into a bachelor or a one main reason is because a diverse economy makes us re- bedroom, because if you want two or three bedrooms, it silient to economic turmoil all around the world, includ- starts at $450,000. Combine that with child care costs — ing places as close to us as Alberta. But a diverse economy totally unrealistic for many, many people to live in Metro also gives people more career options than ever existed Vancouver. before. As a father, I can attest to that fact, because my Here’s what the minister said about the cost of hous- daughter Paige works for one of them. ing in Vancouver, which was found, by an international Immersive Media is a start-up success story that 9382 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

began right here in British Columbia. Headquartered in In this rather misguided attempt to declare class war- Kelowna, Immersive Media is a digital imaging company fare and destroy the economy, the NDP is demonstrating that specializes in spherical immersive video. Founded once again that they have no clue how an economy works. in 1994, Immersive Media produced the world’s first full- We’re not talking about people with private jets and lim- motion, immersive video movie. In 2004, Immersive ousines. We’re talking about people sometimes working Media lodged the Dodeca System, the first spherical cam- out of their basements with nothing but a dream and idea. era that was all digital. I’d like to ask the members opposite if they support If you’re having trouble imagining what this com- NDP leader Thomas Mulcair’s plan to derail the high- pany does, maybe you’re more familiar with something tech industry. known as Google Street View. In 2006, they sent a fleet of Volkswagen Beetles, equipped with their camera sys- G. Heyman: It gives me great pleasure to respond to tems, to collect video of major streets in cities within the member for Delta North, particularly because I ap- the United States and Canada. IMC then introduced the pear to have significantly more information than he does. street view concept to Google, featuring its first 35 cities. But first of all, let me say that it’s a pleasure to hear the This was viewed by more than 75 million people in the members of the government, finally, as they have over first four days. Not bad for a little start-up company from the last few months, pivot from the LNG industry, which Kelowna. Although Google eventually went with its own has yet to produce any firm investment or commitment system, IMC has continued to grow and grow. Immersive to create jobs in British Columbia, and to start talking Media’s cameras were mounted on police cars guarding about the benefits of a diversified economy. the presidential motorcade of George W. Bush at the 2005 I’ve spoken in this House many times over my two inaugural parade. IMC cameras were also used for the years here about the importance of the tech sector and 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama. the fact that it is a sector with tremendous potential for Immersive Media now focuses on three markets: situa- growth, if only there were some targeted policies from the tional awareness; GIS mapping; and advertising for such government of British Columbia to help them grow even brands as Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Red Bull, Armani faster than they have been on their own. Also, the sector Jeans, the NBA, NBC Sports, Adidas and MTV. provides many more jobs than all of the resource indus- As a matter of fact, my daughter recently attended tries combined — notwithstanding the fact that, having the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. worked in resource industries most of my younger years, Immersive Media delivered another major first there. I recognize their importance to B.C. and their import- Fans were transported to the red carpet through an in- ance to people in rural communities that work in them. novative 360-degree, virtual-reality live-streaming view Let me briefly respond to the member for Delta North. by simply downloading the im360 app. He apparently missed the comments from the federal According to MTV Connected Content senior vice- leader of the NDP that were received extremely well by president Colin Helms: “Virtual reality is changing the the tech sector, including by Ryan Holmes, the CEO of way people see the world, and we’re excited to bring this Hootsuite, that expressly said that stock options used innovative storytelling tool to the VMA red carpet ahead as part of promoting the high-tech sector would not be of this year’s show. We’re excited to build on MTV’s long- part of a federal NDP government’s plan. He made a standing history of digital innovation as one of the first clear statement to that effect, and it has been recognized networks to ever fully integrate a live virtual reality ex- and appreciated by Ryan Holmes and others in the tech perience to give viewers a carpet-side seat.” All this from sector, so I invite the member to do a bit more research. a small start-up company in Kelowna. I was a little surprised that the member for Delta But success stories like this don’t happen by accident. North didn’t talk about the recent activities in tech start- Many start-up companies will tell you that the first years up week, where the B.C. Innovation Council and New of development don’t pay very well. In fact, they’ll tell you Ventures B.C. kicked it off by awarding over $300,000 in that the only way to attract talent is to provide employees cash and prizes to Vancouver’s top tech ventures. There with stock options. They put faith in their technological were many winners, but the top winners were Edvisor.io, innovations, hoping that one day they’ll see the big break. an on-line management system for education agencies; [1050] Change Heroes; as well as Ziva Dynamics. These are but The problem is that there are people who want to de- three of the many companies that are making a go of it in liberately stand in the way of technological innovation the tech sector. They’re being creative. They’re doing their and prevent start-ups from succeeding in the first place. best to attract investment and venture capital. Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair has announced that The venture acceleration program has many centres the NDP government would close tax loopholes on stock around British Columbia. I’ve visited many of them. options which help the wealthiest Canadians — “loop- They guide, coach and help grow early-stage technology holes that I will close and redirect the money, dollar for entrepreneurs. They focus on accelerating the commer- dollar, to reducing income inequality in this country.” cialization of technology. These include, among others, Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9383

VIATeC and Tectoria here in Victoria, VentureLabs and ideas in the marketplace. This government has ex- and Wavefront in Metro Vancouver, and the fabulous panded the tax credit budget for its venture capital pro- Accelerate Okanagan Technology Association and the gram from $12 million to $33 million annually. I guess Kelowna Innovation Centre. that’s not enough, but businesses can now access up to It’s also worth noting that Vancouver and B.C., ac- $110 million in venture capital. B.C.’s venture capital tax cording to the Conference Board of Canada and many credit programs have helped raise more than $88 million articles, are not doing as well as they might. B.C. still, as in venture capital for over 230 businesses in 2014 alone, many people point out in rating systems, has multiple Ds and over $435 million over the past five years. in the rating scale, two of them in research and develop- B.C. is taking steps to foster innovation through com- ment categories, because we simply are not doing enough. prehensive B.C. technology strategies which will build This government is not doing enough to help the sector on existing strengths and create new opportunities. As grow by filling the gaps that will enable them to grow part of the strategy, our government is taking steps to re- more jobs and an even higher percentage of the GDP. inforce its innovation performance with initiatives that [1055] build on existing strengths. That includes empowering Experts say that globally we are slipping due to a lack local businesses to improve their export capacity. of investment. I’ve raised in this chamber and in esti- I just don’t see why the NDP wants to tax the blood, mates many times about the failure of this government sweat and inspiration that comes from high-tech entre- to meaningfully address the request of the tech sector to preneurs who assume all of that risk. It’s beyond me why show a commitment to early-stage venture capital and the federal NDP leader believes that stock options bene- help attract it by leveraging private sector investment. We fit only the wealthiest Canadians. simply don’t have enough in B.C. That’s why the Global By the way, I, too, have a quote from Ryan Holmes, the Startup Ecosystem Ranking placed Vancouver as 18th. founder and CEO of Hootsuite. The quote I have speaks That’s a drop from ninth over three years, and they said a little bit differently, as compared to what the member funding is the biggest single issue. opposite had to say. His quote goes on to say: “It is one B.C. lacks in graduating students with the necessary of our most important recruiting tools.” That is in refer- skills in engineering, science and math. These are the ence to stock options. “By putting taxation on this, they kinds of degrees that are needed in the tech sector, and it’s are going to hobble the potential of start-ups to incentiv- a reflection of the failure, overall, of our post-secondary ize and to recruit employees. They will hurt small busi- sector to actually meet the needs of growing industries. ness and innovative businesses.” Let me simply close by saying that the B.C. Technology With that, I’ll conclude my remarks. Industry Association has said we have the ability to double the percentage of GDP from 8 to 16 percent by Hon. J. Rustad: I call Motion 24. 2020 as well as add an additional 31,000 jobs over the projected growth line if we simply give the sector the Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, unanimous consent support it needs and attract venture capital. of the House is required to proceed with Motion 24 with- With that, I will take my seat. out disturbing the priorities of the motions preceding it on the order paper. S. Hamilton: I thank the member for Vancouver- Fairview for his comments. I think if there is one thing Leave granted. we both have in the front of our minds and we under- stand is important, it’s how we try to grow the economy Private Members’ Motions in terms of the investment that we make in the high-tech sector. I’m not quite certain that I received the answer MOTION 24 — WOMEN’S to the question I was looking for. I did mention about ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT the success stories that I talked about a little earlier with Immersive Media. They don’t happen by accident. They M. Karagianis: I’m very happy this morning to rise in come through determination, the hard work of their the House and move this motion: founders and a few employees who put faith in the future. [Be it resolved that this House supports women’s unhindered ac- The member opposite spoke about us, this government, cess to medical treatment.] not doing enough for the high-tech sector. I’m not quite I’m hoping that all members of the House will find sure what his definition of “enough” is. Let me tell you their way to support this. On the surface, it would cer- what we have been doing on behalf of the high-tech sec- tainly appear to be kind a motherhood–apple pie kind of tor in this province. We provide the right environment issue. But the reality is that in the 21st century women are and the right conditions for high techs to flourish. still finding inexplicable barriers to accessing a variety of As an example, venture capital. It’s a critical build- health care services. ing block — we know that — to stimulate innovation [1100] 9384 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

[R. Lee in the chair.] In the last 40-day period, during the summer, there were 55 calls to the RCMP about clashes with this group, I think an earmark of this is that we mark, this year, between community members and the pro-choice group the 20th anniversary of the legislation that was passed by that were protesting or demonstrating there. It’s inexplic- the B.C. NDP in 1995 to protect women accessing health able to me why the government has not taken some services, very specifically abortions, by creating a bubble moves to resolve this. zone. In June of 1995, the NDP government passed the When I met with the previous Health Minister and Access to Abortion Services Act, which provides a zone laid out what was happening in the area, she said to me: of protection from harassment to abortion providers and “Was anybody shot? Has anybody been shot in this area?” women seeking abortion services. Those are the points If that is the criteria that the government expects before that I’d like to speak to this morning. they will listen to the community and the cries and calls Today women are still being challenged and harassed, for help from the municipality and the health authority, in the 21st century, trying to access these and other I think that is very disturbing. health services. I want to speak specifically about an ex- What is it that the government is finding as a barrier perience that we’re having in my community, where one and stands in their way? There is no financial cost to them of the half-dozen clinics in British Columbia exists. In the increasing the bubble zone. There is certainly no polit- community of View Royal, the Victoria women’s clinic ical cost to them increasing the bubble zone. So what is provides a variety of services. One of the most notable, the barrier? It is inexplicable to me. It’s wrong. We need of course, is Pap tests. to change this. We shouldn’t wait for someone to have Anyone who is experiencing the current lack of family experienced physical violence. Women should have free doctors in the province will know that it is very difficult and easy access to these health services without intimi- to find a family doctor. If you are a young woman who dation. If it means expanding the bubble, it seems a small wants to access a yearly Pap test, it’s very difficult without price to pay to keep any kind of further abuse from hap- a family doctor. You either go into a walk-in clinic, pick pening to these women. a number and wait to see who is going to do this rather [1105] private and intimate examination for you, or else you seek alternatives. In this case, the women’s clinic provides Pap J. Thornthwaite: Our government recognizes that a tests, which I think is an important role that they play. In healthy life for women involves physical, mental and so- addition, they provide birth control. They also do abor- cial well-being. And according to a recent report from tions. And for terminated pregnancies — miscarriages the provincial health officer, women in B.C. are among — they are also a primary source of support and med- the healthiest in the country. ical attention. Through our ongoing women’s health strategy, we have Currently there is an anti-abortion group that conducts achieved some of the best cancer outcomes in Canada, 40 days of protests here and elsewhere around North are protecting young women from up to 70 percent of America. They very specifically target the clinic in my cervical cancers and are protecting women aged 50 and community, though. There are, of course, a group of pro- older from colon cancer in our colon screening pro- choice women who come out to demonstrate against this. gram. B.C. women have the best survival outcomes for This has created a huge clash in my community that is on- breast cancer in Canada, due in part to the B.C. Cancer going. The very aggressive nature of the 40 Days protest- Agency’s comprehensive screening program, which also ors creates a very intimidating and harassed environment. includes mobile mammography vehicles that tour more I have received numerous requests, over and over than 120 rural communities. again, from the community to step in and try and provide In Canada and in British Columbia, abortions are legal, some help with this. Community members are intimidat- safe, confidential and covered through the B.C. Medical ed in their ability to get back and forth to the clinic, even Services Plan. In B.C., the decision to terminate a preg- throughout the course of doing their daily business in the nancy is up to the woman involved, in consultation with neighbourhood — getting to the bus. We have a woman her doctor. Abortion services are covered by the Medical who feels so deeply threatened and intimidated by this…. Services Plan and can be performed in a clinic or a hos- She’s living in very-low-cost housing. She’s on a limited pital setting. Women have access to abortion services income, and she has now found herself having to move. before 20-weeks’ gestation throughout British Columbia. The community has gathered together: the munici- After 16 weeks, an abortion can only be done in a hospi- pality, Vancouver Island Health Authority, my office. We tal, and after 20 weeks, the service is limited to a smaller have all written to the government, asking if they could number of facilities. expand the bubble zone that currently exists there. If you The Ministry of Health and health authorities are com- knew the geography and location, an expanded bubble mitted to ensuring everyone needing to access health zone would make it more difficult for these harassing services can do so safely and also respect their privacy. events to take place. That’s why the Access to Abortion Services Act legislates Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9385

a ten-metre access zone around abortion clinics, so that Imagine her being told that she will have to pay out patients can access these services without interference. of pocket for a hospital delivery. So she opts for a home We recognize that in some cases, clinics and patients birth with a midwife who’s willing to help even though may still feel uncomfortable with the presence of pro- this woman doesn’t have insurance coverage, and she testors, even outside the ten-metre access zone. However, prays that she will have an uncomplicated delivery. we have to respect people’s rights to protest their opin- Imagine her being in labour for 20 long hours. Exhausted ions and carry out peaceful protest, as guaranteed in the and frightened as she was, the fear of being taken by Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In Victoria, ambulance to a hospital was never far from her mind, be- the View Royal women’s clinic often does experience cause she wouldn’t have been able to afford to pay for it. protests, especially during the 40 Days for Life campaign, Her baby was in fact born without complications, but and Island Health is committed to supporting the clinic imagine the feeling of terror that descended upon her a in any measures it needs to take to ensure its staff and week later when she began to hemorrhage uncontrollably. clients feel safe. She was too frightened to call 911. Fortunately, her mid- PharmaCare also covers the following contraceptive wife was able to help her. methods: oral contraceptives, hormonal injectables and But there are many women like Elena or Habiba or the Mirena intrauterine device. For families with net in- Carmelita who have no one to turn to for help and where come of $15,000 or less, Fair PharmaCare does not re- the outcome is very, very serious. If they don’t get help quire a deductible. Families pay 30 percent of the cost of early on when they need it the most, the cost to their pharmaceutical products, up to a maximum family value health, to their children’s health can be enormous, and of between $25 and $300. In 2014, among B.C. women the cost to the health care system goes up, not down. 15 to 44 years of age receiving income assistance or with As British Columbians, as Canadians, we find it im- family incomes under $15,000 who filled a prescription possible to imagine that that situation exists here in this for a contraceptive, 82 percent filled a prescription for province. We are, many of us, immigrants — or des- an oral contraceptive, 13 percent for Depo-Provera and cended from immigrants — who came to this place to 8 percent for the Mirena intrauterine device. find safety and refuge, to build a better life for our fam- Also, the B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre ilies, to contribute to the economy. is an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, Our hearts were broken when we saw the image of and it’s the only facility in B.C. devoted primarily to four-year-old Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi washed up on a women, newborns and families. Through their research beach in Turkey, and now we see pregnant women and arm, the Women’s Health Research Institute, they create children fleeing terror and war and persecution and cry- new knowledge to inform and transform women’s health ing out for our help. By the tens of thousands, British and health care. Columbians have opened up their wallets and their Women’s health goes beyond hospital care. B.C. places of worship and their homes to support people in Women’s Hospital meets this challenge by contributing need. They want to know that the B.C. government is to a range of public education activities on topics such truly committed also to being there to support women as breastfeeding, breast health and osteoporosis; partner- and children and families in their time of need. ing with aboriginal women to support health programs Sadly, the federal government cut support for refugees in their communities; as well as leading and contribut- in 2012. But while six other provinces have stepped up, ing to policy development, service planning and clinical stepped into the void to ensure that refugees have the guidelines in maternity and specialized women’s health. health support that they need, the government of British They deliver more than 60,000 clinics annually, from Columbia has not. Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba pregnancy diagnostic services to breast health imaging and others have all stepped up to say it is unacceptable care and osteoporosis, incontinence care to compre- that vulnerable women like Carmelita and Habiba and hensive reproduction medicine for pregnancy loss and Elena and others like them are denied health coverage pelvic pain, HIV care to abortion and reproductive edu- that they need so that they and their children can be cation services. We have a comprehensive program for healthy and safe. women’s health. Three weeks ago, the Premier held a press conference to say that British Columbia was going to do its part to J. Darcy: Imagine a young woman in her 20s, about support refugees, but when she was asked if that meant to give birth to her first child. Imagine that she has re- that B.C. would step up, as six other provinces have done, cently arrived in British Columbia. Imagine that she is a to ensure that refugee women like these and other refu- refugee. Call her Elena or Habiba or Carmelita. She has gee claimants would have health coverage, she would not no money. She has no health insurance. She has fled to make a clear commitment. Canada from a country where she and her future child I know that immigrant services organizations have would not have been safe. strongly urged this government to make that commit- [1110] ment, a humanitarian approach that has overwhelming 9386 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

support from British Columbians. I know that doctors B.C. Cancer Agency’s screening mammography program, and nurse practitioners and midwives and other health established in 1988, was the first organized population- care providers who serve refugee women have urged based screening program in Canada for the early detec- this government to make that commitment. They have tion of breast cancer. spoken out eloquently and passionately about our obli- Mammograms help find cancer in its earliest stages, gation to care for the most vulnerable women who come when there are more treatment options and a better to our shores and for their newborn children. chance for successful treatment. Similar to other cancer They’ve also demonstrated, in very clear financial screening programs on healthy citizens, there is no sig- terms, how much higher the costs will be if we do not nificant wait time for the initial screening test provided provide the prenatal care, the delivery support and the by the patient’s GP or a B.C. Cancer Agency technologist. postnatal care that these women need. There are 37 mammography screening centres across We have so many wonderful and dedicated health care the province and three mobile vans that visit more than professionals who go above and beyond every single day, 120 smaller B.C. communities, including many First who dig into their own pockets and, through their own Nations communities. The number of First Nations networks, try and support pregnant refugee women at communities the mobile vans visited nearly doubled in the few clinics that do serve them. But they cannot do 2012-2013. it alone. They need support from this government, and In the spring of 2013, the B.C. Cancer Agency screen- they need it now. ing mammography program visited 11 First Nations Today is the first day of a Week of Reckoning organized communities over two weeks. The technologists were by the Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care. They are call- warmly received in those communities and reported that ing on the B.C. government today to step up and provide the women they visited told them: “By the program visit- health coverage for the most vulnerable of refugees. For ing us, we see how valuable it is.” the sake of Elena, for the sake of Carmelita and Habiba B.C.’s first new digital mobile mammography vehicle and others like them, I would strongly urge this govern- was unveiled by the Health Minister in February 2015. ment to heed their call. The mobile coach is the first of three screening mam- [1115] mography program vehicles in the province to transi- tion to digital mammography, with the other two coaches J. Tegart: On behalf of my constituents, and especially planned for replacement in early 2016. The mobile unit my female constituents, in Fraser-Nicola, I’m pleased to annually visits the Gulf Islands; central Vancouver Island, add my voice to this debate. Our government is extremely including Tofino and Ucluelet; north Vancouver Island, proud of our record and our support for women’s access including Port Hardy and Port McNeill; as well as Bella to medical treatment and health care. As a woman who Bella and Bella Coola. lives in and represents a rural riding, I can say with cer- The transition from analog to digital is part of B.C.’s tainty that females do not have to live in Vancouver or provincial breast health strategy and allows for greater Victoria to receive quality health care. efficiency in the sharing of images. In addition, technol- Now nearing its third anniversary, the B.C. Cancer ogists will be able to see the images right away to ensure Agency Centre for the North provides cancer care ser- image quality, rather than waiting for the films to be de- vices in partnership with Northern Health Authority. veloped when they return to their reporting centre. Located in Prince George, adjacent to the University The Ministry of Health has provided $940,000 for the Hospital of Northern B.C., the Centre for the North digital mobile mammography coach, and the Canadian meets the needs of the residents of northern B.C. and Breast Cancer Foundation and Shoppers Drug Mart have provides a full range of cancer control services. provided additional support through sponsorship. For The centre offers radiation therapy, systemic ther- remote communities, that mobile coach is a godsend, and apy and a full range of supportive services, reducing for those who can’t go to the mobile coach, assisted travel the amount of travel that patients and families have to support is provided for eligible women in the community undertake when facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment. to attend either the nearest fixed centre or a mobile stop. Combining the closer-to-home strategy with the north- [1120] ern way of caring helps all members of the team work towards the goal of patient-centred care when providing A. Dix: I’m proud to speak on the motion by the mem- and transitioning services. ber for Esquimalt–Royal Roads: “Be it resolved that this Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diag- House supports women’s unhindered access to medical nosed in Canadian women, but B.C. women have the best treatment.” survival outcomes for breast cancer in Canada, due in I think that often on this question, the issues are two- part to the B.C. Cancer Agency’s comprehensive screen- fold. One is to ensure that women have the right to have ing program, which also involves mobile mammography access without impediment to medical treatment that is vehicles that tour more than 120 rural communities. The available to them. The second question is: what happens Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9387 when such treatment is not available to them, as is the clinic” — from her ruling on the appeal. In other words, case in many parts of British Columbia, especially rural these options are available to use the legislation as it was British Columbia? intended to protect women without unnecessarily im- In the early 1990s, the hon. Speaker and members of peding the right to protest. It can happen, I suggest, in this House will recall, there was a very significant and greater Victoria and should happen. problematic situation with respect to access to abortion This is a necessary balancing of the rights. It’s neces- in British Columbia. At that time, there was intense pro- sary, in my view, to protect the rights of women and the test outside the relatively small number of clinics that broader community. What the member from Esquimalt were available to women to access their needed medical is suggesting today is that this is a law that worked. It was procedure. supported by members on both sides of the House, in- The government faced a very difficult problem, which cluding the Opposition spokesperson — the Speaker of was to balance rights — to balance the absolute right of the House, the member for Richmond East at the time — doctors to have security of the person, the absolute right and members on both sides of the House. of women to have access, without being fettered, to med- It worked, and it is, I think, incumbent on the govern- ical services that were legal in Canada, on the one hand, ment to use that piece of legislation to ensure the broader and the right of others to protest. There’s a lot of cynicism stability of the community and the rights of women. It today, I think, about the ability of government to address is as necessary now to do that as it was in 1991 and 1992 these kinds of problems. and 1993 and 1994. That is, I think, what the member Yet the government of the day, and a very courage- from Esquimalt is suggesting her in this debate. ous Health Minister and former member of this House She has made representations to successive Health named Paul Ramsey, came forward, with lots of assist- ministers on the question. We are hopeful that this de- ance from members of this House at the time — I think bate will shine a sufficient light on the question that those of the Hon. Penny Priddy, the member for Surrey–Green Health ministers will respond with the intent of the legis- Timbers and others — to come forth with legislation that lation supported by both parties in the House at the time was sometimes called bubble-zone legislation. and use the Access to Abortion Services Act, the bubble- It was the Access to Abortion Services Act. The intent zone legislation, to protect women here in Victoria and of that was to diffuse the situation — in fact, to create a across B.C. zone around such clinics where women were safe, with- [1125] out, frankly, taking away people’s right in the general population and outside of those clinics to protest on the G. Hogg: I rise to respond to the motion by the mem- question. ber for Esquimalt–Royal Roads that reads: “Be it resolved What has happened since? Well, two significant things that this House supports women’s unhindered access to have happened since. Anyone who remembers that time medical treatment.” knows that that legislation, which was very difficult to In her opening comments, she talked about it be- do and required an act of courage by the Health Minister ing perhaps motherhood. I certainly concur that when and the government, has made the situation better. That we talk of phraseology such as that, it is a motherhood situation where people’s health was at risk, where there issue with respect to the principles of our society, as we was the potential for violence and there was violence, has wish to reflect those and provide some balance with re- been, to a significant extent, reduced by that legislation spect to that. working effectively. The member for Vancouver-Kingsway made reference That legislation was also, it should be noted, sus- to a number of issues that happened through the 1990s. I tained by the courts. In other words, it was challenged remember my days as a local politician and a mayor when on Charter grounds, and it was sustained because the we had societies running each of our hospitals and they legislative intent was right and because the government were taken over, in many cases, by pro-life groups that found the balance necessary to balance off the rights on were challenging the operation. Particularly, they were both sides. It was an enormous and significant success interested in ensuring that there were no abortions tak- and has been used effectively by government to protect ing place, in many instances. women, service providers and the broader community. I give credit to the NDP government of the day that I note, considering the comments of my colleague developed health authorities and put health authorities from Esquimalt, that one of the key questions addressed in place so that we could be much more principled and by the courts was the size of the zone. In this case, there’s reflect society’s values, as we saw them, as a province. I a significant request to have the size for the zone appro- think that we’ve had the opportunity to continue to do priate to the circumstance. that in so many ways as we move forward. What did Madam Justice Ryan rule on this question? The member for Vancouver-Kingsway also made refer- She found that the zones in question could be “reason- ence to it being two parts — the principles and then the ably tailored to the location and circumstances of the delivery of those principles, the actualization of those 9388 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

principles, the practices that we put in place with respect terms of some of the service delivery models, despite the to those services. Certainly, that is the challenge, I think great progress that we’ve made. — that we support the principles, the values and the de- [1130] cisions that have been reinforced by legislation and by While the principle of uninhibited access, I think, is court proceedings regarding that. clearly one that we all support in this House, being able to I have the privilege of chairing the project committee work at ensuring that we’re able to address that with the for Vancouver’s B.C. Children’s and Women’s Hospital services necessary continues to be the challenge. and the redevelopment, looking at the issues there and, certainly, listening to the very professional and caring Deputy Speaker: I recognize the member for Surrey– staff members there talking about the issues that are tak- Green Timbers. ing place and managed through Women’s Hospital. I’m buoyed each time that I attend one of those meetings and S. Hammell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good to see hear how they’re facing those challenges and about the you in the chair. compassion and the caring they have in attempting to I’m delighted to join the debate. I look at the motion provide as broad a base of services as they possibly can to brought forward by the member for Esquimalt–Royal all people in this province — in particular, their focus be- Roads. Just to clarify it, we are debating: “Be it resolved ing on women and the specialization that they take there. that this House supports women’s unhindered access to The rebuild is some $678 million. It sees a new and ex- medical treatment.” panded neonatal intensive care unit, a pediatric intensive In listening to the House debate this morning, this is care unit, high-risk birthing areas. Particularly, there is a very wide-ranging debate, but it also is a debate with a the development of single-parent and family rooms and very specific ask. That ask is to expand the bubble zone areas to sit in. It gives a chance for them to receive more in areas where it has been deemed necessary due to pro- personalized service, which is not something that we’ve tests and to harassment of people seeking this legitimate been able to see in a number of our hospitals. medical procedure. The procedure is guaranteed as part Certainly, as we’re moving forward, looking at this of our health care system. It is a system that does guar- type of change I think is a very positive initiative with re- antee right to unhindered access. spect to how we provide, how we interact and how these I want to go back and focus again on the debate around professionals interact, particularly with women who are the bubble zone. It was, as some of my colleagues have coming with particular challenges that are not being ad- mentioned, in 1995 that the New Democratic Party gov- dressed perhaps in local communities as well as we might ernment introduced the Access to Abortion Services Act all hope they would be. But certainly, the specialization and established the bubble zones. The act was also known of Children’s and Women’s Hospital provides a paragon affectionately as the bubble-zone act and was created to of expertise that is spreading throughout the province in ensure freedom from anti-choice protestors around lo- oh so many ways. cations where abortions were performed. There are also challenges in terms of being able to find Those bubble zones and the current bubble zones now, enough family doctors to facilitate, to arrange and to de- in most circumstances, provided safety for women choos- liver services throughout the province. Certainly, we’ve ing abortion services and for their health care providers. worked hard at trying to increase the number of doctors This act, in 1995 — and I remember it well — was and the availability of those throughout the province, very, very controversial on both sides of the House. It having more than doubled the number of graduates that was certainly not unanimously supported. It was quite we have, looking at them coming from around the prov- high energy in terms of the reaction to the legislation. In ince in different fashions and different ways. fact, all members did not vote on it, and some members We’re particularly looking at nurse practitioners and did vote against it. their participation with respect to the delivery of those The purpose of the legislation was to not only provide services and being able to assist in the delivery of com- freedom of access to this necessary medical service but mon based services that follow the principles that the also around offices of doctors who performed abortion member for Esquimalt–Royal Roads presented. services and residences of physicians and other service I think we would all agree that we want unhindered ac- providers. The bubble-zone act actually prohibited a cess for all people to the medical services that are needed person who was within an access zone from engaging in in our society. Clearly, there have been some lags with things like sidewalk interference, protesting, physically respect to that, if we go back historically in terms of the interfering, or intimidating a service provider, a doctor services provided to women. I’m confident that we’re or a patient who was entering the medical service pro- catching up on that. I’m confident that the process that vider’s facility. is being outlined in terms of the principle is endorsed The expansion of the act was in part motivated by an and has been supported in both legislation and through attempt to take Dr. Romalis’s life — an abortion provider the court proceedings. However, we need to catch up in in Vancouver. A person had been killed in the States by Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9389

a sniper, and Dr. Romalis was shot at in his home while Gala Foundation, pledged $500,000 through the Fraser eating breakfast — therefore, the need to provide a bub- Valley Health Care Foundation to provide medical equip- ble zone around the provider’s home. ment and furnishings. This act was challenged twice in the B.C. Supreme The new Abbotsford Breast Health Centre, located in Court and in the B.C. Court of Appeal. the clinic, is where people self-refer for breast exams. A [1135] triple assessment service is provided, including medic- The act was deliberately broken or challenged by al imaging plus a physical exam and a biopsy. Patients two men who entered the access zone surrounding who have been diagnosed with breast cancer will receive Everywoman’s health clinic in Vancouver. One man held follow-up treatment and counselling in the centre. up two signs, and the other held up a large cross. They The clinic is decidedly non-clinical with a welcome and went inside the bubble zone to intimidate and harass relaxing atmosphere. It’s reflected in the warmth of the people who were not only patients but the staff of the fa- decor and the gentle process by which patients will be cility. The men were arrested, charged and convicted of helped through their journey. The clinic is a perfect ex- unlawful behaviour within the clinic’s access zone. To this ample of government’s focus on providing patients with day, that legislation stands and is a testament to time in access to compassionate and timely care as close to their terms of protecting medical services. home communities as possible. B.C. women have the best survival outcomes for breast L. Reimer: I’m quite pleased that the opposition has cancer in Canada due in part to the B.C. Cancer Agency’s chosen to highlight women’s access to medical treatment comprehensive screening program. In 2014-15, the pro- with this morning’s motion, because we have a number gram performed 260,016 screening examinations, and as of success stories to tell. In fact, British Columbia is a of December 2014, 52.5 percent of women aged 50 to 69 leading jurisdiction not only in Canada but in the world. years in B.C. had mammograms in the previous 30 months. As a matter of fact, the Conference Board of Canada Our government has given $4.5 million in funding ranked B.C. in 2015 as third in the world for health per- since 2005 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s formance following only Switzerland and Sweden. That Go Have One campaign to increase participation in not only means we were the only province in Canada mammography screening. to receive a grade of A; it also means that we beat out I encourage all women to go have one. If you haven’t, other countries like Australia, Norway, France, Finland, call 1-888-gohave1. Mammograms help find cancer in Austria and Denmark. its earliest stages when there are more treatment options That’s right. While many analysts look to the Nordic and a better chance for successful treatment. countries as international models of health care, now Before I conclude, while this motion pertains to a they are looking to British Columbia. For good reason woman’s access to medical treatment, I should add that too. This government recognizes that a healthy life for men should also be aware that breast cancer is not ex- women involves physical, mental and social well-being. clusive only to women. Regular checkups are the best According to a recent report from the provincial health defence for anyone, a man or a woman. officer, women in B.C. are among the healthiest in the [1140] country. Through our ongoing women’s health strategy, we have achieved some of the best breast cancer out- G. Heyman: It’s been 27 years since the Supreme Court comes in Canada, are protecting young women from of Canada established a women’s right to access abortion up to 70 percent of cervical cancers and are protecting services in Canada. A couple of years after I was elected women aged 50 and older from colon cancer with our to this place, I attended a showing of a film called After colon screening program. Tiller that was held as a benefit for the Elizabeth Bagshaw B.C. women have the best survival outcomes for breast Women’s Clinic in Vancouver-Fairview. The person who cancer in Canada due in part to the B.C. Cancer Agency’s introduced that film was Dr. Garson Romalis. He talked comprehensive screening program. This also includes about the impact on doctors throughout the United mobile mammography vehicles that tour more than 120 States following the murder of Dr. Tiller in Wichita. He rural communities. talked about the importance of women having unfettered As you may be aware, October is Breast Cancer access to abortion. Awareness Month. And to coincide, the Abbotsford I think people in this House will know that in Breast Health Centre officially opened on October 2. November 1994, Dr. Garson Romalis was shot. He was To make this happen, the John Laing Infrastructure shot while he was in his kitchen in his home. He was fund donated space for the centre, which was valued at subsequently stabbed in the year 2001 in the parking $1.8 million. This was previously retail space in the lobby lot of his own practice. Following the second attack, Dr. of the hospital for the Abbotsford Breast Health Centre. Romalis, a brave and courageous man who has since In addition, Fraser Health contributed more than $1 mil- passed of natural causes, maintained only his position as lion to renovate the area. Another partner, the Crystal medical director of the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic. 9390 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

In talking to workers at the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic, women do not feel threatened, intimidated or harassed they talked about the effect, on both women and staff, when they’re seeking legal medical services. of that last attack on Dr. Romalis. The last attack on Dr. [1145] Romalis happened after the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic moved from a location where they were subject to regu- D. McRae: I wish to also thank the member for lar protests outside their doors. I’ll return to that in a Esquimalt–Royal Roads for bringing the issues of women’s moment. unhindered access to medical treatment to this Legislature. I simply want to quote from then Health Minister Paul I wish today to speak from the perspective as a son Ramsey when he introduced the Access to Abortion and a husband but, most importantly, as a father. I also Services Act in 1995. He said: “This bill ensures that want to preface my comments by saying that government women have access to reproductive health services in an work to date in health care is not complete. As new tech- atmosphere of privacy and dignity…. Abortion is a legal nologies, new treatments and resources are increased or medical service, and access to medical services is one of reallocated, we continue to do better for the residents of the foundations of medicare.” British Columbia. During that debate, the current Speaker of this British Columbians are in a very enviable position. Legislature said: “As I enter into the debate this mor- If you look at StatsCan, our life expectancy in British ning on Bill 48, I do so from a perspective of safety and Columbia is the highest in the nation — 81.7 years. Now security.” for men, we’re not doing our part. We’re only 80 on aver- Many services are provided at the Elizabeth Bagshaw age. But for females, our life expectancy is 84 years, the Clinic, and many women attend in addition to attending highest in Canada. In the last 80 years, we’ve increased for surgical abortions. They attend for routine ultrasound life expectancy for Canadians by over 20 years. We have evaluation. They attend for counselling and community given that much life to British Columbians because of referrals. They attend for birth control counselling and work that this government and other governments have prescriptions, including low-cost sales of contraception. done before us, and also for the citizens themselves. They attend for Pap tests. They attend for screening for For women and men, we are among the longest-lived sexually transmitted diseases and HIV testing. nations on the planet. By comparison, if you look to the But when the clinic itself was subject to regular harass- south, the United States, while we’re in the top 10, the ment outside the bubble zone, women were intimidated United States is No. 48. Why are we so long-lived? Well, from attending. Talking to Jill Doctoroff, the executive diet has a role to play; fitness levels, social activity, weight director of the clinic, she said that since they moved, loss are all important. But also, a vital component to long- there hadn’t been much protest at Elizabeth Bagshaw. But livedness is having a health care system that is both re- there’s still, in Everywoman’s Health Centre, which is just active to the needs of its clients and is accessible to those outside Vancouver-Fairview, a regular group protesting who need it. weekly, and they’ve been doing this for a very long time. Speaking as a father of two young children, I’m proud Protests have an intimidating effect on both staff and that our government recognizes that healthy life for women who seek to attend for the services. Women who women involves physical, mental and social well-being. call Elizabeth Bagshaw will often ask about whether there B.C, as we have all said in this chamber, is a very large are protestors outside when they’re making an appoint- province. While specialists, GPs, nurse practitioners and ment. They say they’re relieved when they find out that other health care professionals are working in commun- Elizabeth Bagshaw has moved into an office building with ities large and small across the province — they work many tenants, which means that they could be walking incredibly hard to provide the needed care locally — in for any service whatsoever. sometimes a greater level of care is needed. That’s why I’m The staff definitely feel safer in the new environment. pleased we have the B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health They felt very threatened, despite the fact they were in Centre. It does 60,000 clinic services yearly. an office building when Dr. Romalis was stabbed. That’s Now, as a parent, I hope not to attend it. I hope my why the board of Elizabeth Bagshaw made a conscious needs are (a) not necessary or that (b) my children’s decision to move to an office building that, in effect, did needs, when they do go, can be done locally. For example, not leave women or staff exposed to the intimidation of my young daughter Gracie, whom I’ve talked about in protests. this chamber, was born a little early. We expected her to It is important that women have unfettered access, be an August baby. She was a July baby. We didn’t have and that should include freedom from harassment and time to go to a bigger health facility. intimidation when they are going for medical services, The doctor said: “When the baby is born, you’re which may already be stressful enough. probably going to leave. You’re probably going to go It’s for that reason that I rise today to support this mo- to Vancouver, maybe Victoria, but because we’re so far tion and urge the government to consider the point be- through the pregnancy, you’re going to have to stay in hind the motion that the bubble zone be increased so the Comox Valley for the birth.” Well, we did. As a proud Monday, October 5, 2015 British Columbia Debates 9391

McRae, I’m pleased to say she’s tough as nails, and we Now, I think others have mentioned this, but I think didn’t have to go. We were able to stay in the Comox many people might think that this an issue of the past, Valley. But some people have to take their children to that women have unhindered access to medical treat- higher-level facilities. ment, that it shouldn’t be an issue — and why would we Another family member of mine was born at 2½ be talking about this issue today? Well, I want to take my pounds. When I first met her, she was the size of a kitten, few minutes to talk about some very specific areas where an eight-week-old kitten. Maybe 60 years ago she would women are having challenges and where we need to have not have lived. But because of our investments, because those issues addressed in British Columbia. of our skilled professionals, she’s an amazing 20-year-old You heard my colleague talk about the challenges in woman today. our area, in the greater Victoria area, when it comes to The Women’s Hospital and Health Centre continues to accessing abortion services for women in our community. do great work, saving young children, saving women, to We’re incredibly fortunate in this province to have bub- make sure we have long lives. Again, the work is not done. ble-zone legislation, as it is known — something that 20 I’m also pleased to note that there is $678 million reno- years ago was introduced, in June 1995, and supported vation for that facility going on right now. Why? It’s be- by a number of people in this Legislature from different cause we need to make sure that we have these supports. political sides. I’ve heard some of my colleagues on the B.C. has the second-lowest overall cancer incidence other side speak favourably about that legislation that rate and the lowest mortality rate in Canada. B.C. was introduced — a very brave and courageous act at the women have the best survival outcomes for breast can- time, in particular with the challenges that were going on. cer. Screening is available in 37 centres across the prov- You heard my colleague talk about Dr. Romalis and ince. We also have mobile vans, as mentioned earlier, that his entire life being changed because of the violence that visit 120 small communities across British Columbia, in- was going on during the time period. I certainly remem- cluding 35 First Nation communities. ber those days, of seeing the harassment, the violence, B.C. continues to provide HPV vaccine to school-age the tragic shootings and the kinds of challenges and dif- girls to provide, in seven out of ten cases, immunization ficulties that people were facing during that time period. for cervical cancers. I’m proud that the Ministry of Health, That legislation was created to ensure that women the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the and medical professionals were provided with the se- Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education work curity, the respect and the privacy that was due to them, together to coordinate and strengthen the health, social that they deserved. It was also put in place to continue and justice system of the province, as it responds to ha- to allow legitimate, peaceful protest — I think, as my rassment and violence against women and girls. colleague from Vancouver-Kingsway said, a very diffi- B.C. also has the most comprehensive health promo- cult challenge. We can’t underestimate the challenge of tion program in Canada, HealthyFamilies B.C. It helps a government bringing forward that kind of legislation families work in four areas: healthy eating, healthy life- — legislation that has survived the test of time, survived styles, resources for parents and fostering healthy com- the tests in the courts and survived its main intent, which munities. was to give a tool to be able to continue to allow women There is one other piece. I also want to make sure we access to medical procedures. reference that there is a social element, too, that we can do. I’d be remiss to not talk about the single-parent in- [Madame Speaker in the chair.] itiative that was introduced by the Minister of Social Development last spring. It has gone into production on But those challenges continue today. We’ve seen, as I September 1, and 16,000 parents across the province of said, right in this area, in the greater Victoria area, the British Columbia and 24,000 children are now eligible to difficulty of the bubble zone and the bubble zone not have supports through the single-parent initiative. For meeting the needs of the community. It has been pointed those who aren’t aware of it — sadly, I know there are still out that we, in fact, can adjust the bubble zone. It is sup- a few — it provides up to 12 months of funded training posed to be adjusted to meet the needs of the community. for jobs or paid work experience. When you take a look at a community coming for- This government works hard for women and children ward where the MLA, where the mayor, where commun- in this province. We continue to do so. I’m proud of the ity members have all come forward to say: “We need the work to date. Health Minister to pay attention to this. We need the ad- [1150] justments to be made to make sure that peaceful protest can happen but that women have access to the medical C. James: I’m pleased to rise in support of the mo- procedure….” Everyone has a right to free speech and tion introduced by my colleague from Esquimalt–Royal to peaceful protest, but everyone also has a responsibil- Roads: “Be it resolved that this House supports women’s ity to protest without violence and without harassment, unhindered access to medical treatment.” and that responsibility is not being followed right now. 9392 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 5, 2015

That responsibility is not being followed for women who get those prevention services, like Pap tests, which have are coming forward. been proven to reduce rates of cancer, to be able to catch I certainly encourage the Health Minister, and the cancer early. members on the other side who have also spoken in sup- Yet if you’re someone who doesn’t have a family doctor, port of this to encourage the Health Minister, to take a to be able to have to go to a walk-in clinic, to be able to look and see what services and supports can be provided wait in line, to find out that sometimes in walk-in clinics to the community. those Pap tests aren’t available…. That, again, isn’t pro- But that’s not the only area where there are challenges viding good-quality health care or prevention services for women to access services. The other area I just want that are necessary for women. to mention quickly is the area of maternity supports. In our province we have seen maternity supports removed C. James moved adjournment of debate. from hospitals in small rural communities across this province. We have seen women who, with high-risk preg- Motion approved. nancies, are having to travel to main centres and spend time, energy and resources and be away from their family Madame Speaker: Members, I’ll take a moment. I’ve during a difficult pregnancy just to be able to be there, reviewed the transcripts from this morning’s statements, to be able to get good supports that they need in the last and I can assure all members that it is possible to disagree month of their pregnancy. without resorting to personal attack. I would certainly When we talk about access to medical supports, it’s im- trust that that will be the demeanour in this chamber portant that we remember that there are still huge gaps next Monday. in our province where women are looking for those sup- ports. Certainly, I would think that good maternity ser- Hon. A. Wilkinson moved adjournment of the House. vices, good basic supports for women in communities, is something that most people would expect are there Motion approved. for women but, in fact, in many of our small commun- ities, aren’t. Madame Speaker: This House, at its rising, stands ad- One of the members also talked about the lack of ser- journed until 1:30 this afternoon. vices and supports for women who don’t have a family doctor. If you don’t have a family doctor, it’s very hard to The House adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Hansard Reporting Services

Director Robert Sutherland

Manager of Reporting Services Christine Fedoruk

Publishing Supervisor Laurel Bernard

Editorial Team Leaders Janet Brazier, Karol Morris, Robyn Swanson, Glenn Wigmore

Technical Operations Officers Pamela Holmes, Dan Kerr, Yvonne Mendel

Indexers Shannon Ash, Julie McClung, Robin Rohrmoser

Researchers Liz Belsten, Mike Beninger, Mary Beth Hall, David Mattison

Editors Kim Christie, Deirdre Gotto, Jane Grainger, Betsy Gray, Iris Gray, Linda Guy, Barb Horricks, Bill Hrick, Jessica Hutchings, Catherine Lang, Paula Lee, Donna McCloskey, Bob McIntosh, Anne Maclean, Jill Milkert, Lind Miller, Erik Pedersen, Janet Pink, Amy Reiswig, Murray Sinclair, Antoinette Warren, Heather Warren, Arlene Wells, Kim Westad

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

Printing Agent Crown Publications, Queen's Printer for British Columbia PO Box 9452 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V7 www.crownpub.bc.ca

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

www.leg.bc.ca

Access to on-line versions of the official report of debatesHansard ( ) and webcasts of proceedings is available on the Internet. Chamber debates are broadcast on television.