Report on the Budget 2019 Consultation
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Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services REPORT ON THE BUDGET 2019 CONSULTATION NOVEMBER 2018 THIRD SESSION OF THE 41ST PARLIAMENT November 15, 2018 To the Honourable Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia Honourable Members: I have the honour to present herewith the First Report of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the Third Session of the 41st Parliament. The Report covers the work of the Committee in regard to the Budget 2019 Consultation, and was unanimously approved by the Committee. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Committee, Bob D’Eith, MLA Chair Table of Contents Composition of the Committee .............................................. i Terms of Reference .......................................................ii Foreword by the Committee ................................................1 Executive Summary .......................................................2 Advanced Education ......................................................8 Economic Development ..................................................15 Environment ...........................................................24 Fiscal Policy ............................................................29 Health Care ...........................................................35 Housing ..............................................................45 K-12 Education .........................................................51 Public Safety and Justice ..................................................58 Social Services ..........................................................63 Sport, Arts and Culture ..................................................69 Transportation and Transit .................................................73 Summary of Recommendations .............................................79 Appendix A: Survey Results ................................................89 Appendix B: Public Hearing Participants ......................................94 Appendix C: Written, Video and Audio Submissions .............................99 Appendix D: Survey Participants ...........................................102 Composition of the Committee Members Bob D’Eith, MLA Chair Maple Ridge-Mission Dan Ashton, MLA Deputy Chair Penticton Jagrup Brar, MLA Surrey-Fleetwood (to September 5, 2018) Stephanie Cadieux, MLA Surrey South Mitzi Dean, MLA Esquimalt-Metchosin Sonia Furstenau, MLA Cowichan Valley (from July 26, 2018) Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA Courtenay-Comox Peter Milobar, MLA Kamloops-North Thompson Tracy Redies, MLA Surrey-White Rock Nicholas Simons, MLA Powell River-Sunshine Coast (from September 5, 2018) Dr. Andrew Weaver, MLA Oak Bay-Gordon Head (to July 26, 2018) Committee Staff Jennifer Arril, Committee Clerk Karan Riarh, Committee Research Analyst Nicki Simpson and Willi Fahning, Committee Researchers REPORT ON THE BUDGET 2019 CONSULTATION i Terms of Reference On February 26, 2018, the Legislative Assembly agreed that the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered: 1. To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the budget consultation paper prepared by the Minister of Finance in accordance with section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, S.B.C. 2000, c.23 and, in particular, to: a. Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the committee considers appropriate; b. Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2017 on the results of those consultations; and 2. a. To consider and make recommendations on the annual reports, rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the following statutory officers: i. Auditor General ii. Chief Electoral Officer iii. Conflict of Interest Commissioner iv. Information and Privacy Commissioner v. Merit Commissioner vi. Ombudsperson vii. Police Complaint Commissioner viii. Representative for Children and Youth; and b. To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to other matters brought to the Committee’s attention by any of the Officers listed in 2 (a) above. 3. To be the Committee referred to in the sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2 and that the performance report in section 22 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, be referred to the Committee. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the Committee shall be empowered: a. to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; b. to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House; ii SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES c. to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and d. to retain personnel as required to assist the Committee, and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. REPORT ON THE BUDGET 2019 CONSULTATION iii Foreword by the Committee Every fall, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services receives valuable input from British Columbians on issues affecting them and what the priorities should be for the next provincial budget. This year, as we reflected on our consultation, we were struck by four key topics that emerged: reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; inequality; climate change; and the economy. These priorities shaped our deliberations and are reflected within many of our recommendations. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is a priority. We acknowledge the continued, structural impact of colonialism, including intergenerational trauma resulting from the residential school system. Taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation with Indigenous people is of utmost importance. A structural and systemic response across all policy areas is required, including resources to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Inequality of other types – income inequality, urban-rural inequality, intergenerational inequality, gender inequality – must also be addressed. We identified inequality as one of the biggest issues facing our province. In addition to the social, health and justice impacts of inequality, we also recognize it as a major driver of populism. Government should thoughtfully and carefully use resources and tools to build a more equal society. The prevalence of natural disasters has tested the resilience of British Columbians. Over the last several years, natural disasters have escalated in frequency and severity. The 2018 wildfire season surpassed 2017 to become the most devastating season on record. Floods, caused by heavy snowpacks, sudden downpours and unseasonably warm temperatures, have also impacted many communities. We as a Committee were deeply moved by the degree and scope of the impact of these natural disasters. Inextricably linked to natural disasters is climate change. We recognize that the province is faced with a number of environmental, economic, health and public safety challenges with respect to climate change. There is an urgent need to comprehensively address these real impacts and threats in the next and future budgets. In order to continue to build a strong province for all British Columbians, we must focus on continuing the process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, address the issues of inequality and climate change, and ensure we maintain a healthy and thriving economy that supports the people of BC. REPORT ON THE BUDGET 2019 CONSULTATION 1 Executive Summary On February 26, 2018, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia empowered the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (the “Committee”) to conduct public consultations on the next provincial budget. Between September 17 and October 15, 2018, British Columbians were invited to share their priorities and ideas on Budget 2019. During the consultation period, Committee Members heard 267 presentations at 14 public hearings in communities across the province, and received 253 written submissions and 473 online survey responses. The Committee greatly appreciates the detailed, thoughtful and passionate input they received, and thanks British Columbians for taking the time to participate. As they reviewed input during their deliberations, Committee Members reflected on the underlying challenges of climate change and inequality that need to be broadly and comprehensively addressed in the provincial budget. They also discussed the importance of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and pursuing a range of measures and investments in this area. The Committee further acknowledged the role of a strong economy that serves all British Columbians in addressing these important, shared challenges. This report outlines the Committee’s recommendations for the next provincial budget, and provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the priorities put forward by British Columbians during the consultation. The report is organized thematically and is presented in alphabetical order;