Second Session, 42nd Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 54

THE HONOURABLE , SPEAKER

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

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

Second Session, 42nd Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan

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

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Ofcial Opposition...... Leader of the Tird Party ...... Deputy Speaker...... Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Norm Letnick Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel...... Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services...... Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees...... Jennifer Arril Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ...... Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst...... Karan Riarh Acting Sergeant-at-Arms...... Greg Nelson ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Alexis, Pam (BC NDP) ...... Abbotsford-Mission Abbotsford-Mission...... Anderson, Brittny (BC NDP) ...... Nelson-Creston Abbotsford South...... Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal Party)...... Penticton Abbotsford West...... Michael de Jong, QC Babchuk, Michele (BC NDP)...... North Island Boundary-Similkameen...... Bailey, Brenda (BC NDP)...... –False Creek Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Hon. Anne Kang Bains, Hon. Harry (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Burnaby-Edmonds...... Hon. Raj Chouhan Banman, Bruce (BC Liberal Party) ...... Abbotsford South Burnaby-Lougheed...... Hon. Katrina Chen Beare, Hon. Lisa (BC NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Burnaby North ...... Begg, Garry (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Guildford Cariboo-Chilcotin ...... Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...... Peace River South Cariboo North...... Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal Party)...... Prince George–Valemount Chilliwack ...... Brar, Jagrup (BC NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Chilliwack-Kent ...... Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal Party) ...... Surrey South Columbia River–Revelstoke ...... Chandra Herbert, Spencer (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–West End Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Chant, Susie (BC NDP) ...... North Vancouver–Seymour Coquitlam-Maillardville ...... Hon. Selina Robinson Chen, Hon. Katrina (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby-Lougheed Courtenay-Comox...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Chouhan, Hon. Raj (BC NDP)...... Burnaby-Edmonds Cowichan Valley ...... Sonia Furstenau Chow, Hon. George (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Fraserview Delta North...... Hon. Ravi Kahlon Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal Party)...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Delta South ...... Conroy, Hon. Katrine (BC NDP)...... Kootenay West Esquimalt-Metchosin ...... Hon. Mitzi Dean Coulter, Dan (BC NDP) ...... Chilliwack Fraser-Nicola ...... Cullen, Hon. Nathan (BC NDP) ...... Stikine Kamloops–North Tompson ...... Davies, Dan (BC Liberal Party)...... Peace River North Kamloops–South Tompson...... de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal Party)...... Abbotsford West – ...... Norm Letnick Dean, Hon. Mitzi (BC NDP) ...... Esquimalt-Metchosin Kelowna-Mission ...... Renee Merrifeld D’Eith, Bob (BC NDP) ...... Maple Ridge–Mission Kelowna West ...... Dix, Hon. Adrian (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kootenay East...... Doerkson, Lorne (BC Liberal Party) ...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Kootenay West...... Hon. Katrine Conroy Donnelly, Fin (BC NDP) ...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Langford–Juan de Fuca ...... Hon. John Horgan Dykeman, Megan (BC NDP)...... Langley East Langley ...... Eby, Hon. David, QC (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–Point Grey Langley East...... Elmore, Mable (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Kensington Maple Ridge–Mission...... Bob D’Eith Farnworth, Hon. Mike (BC NDP) ...... Port Coquitlam Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Hon. Lisa Beare Fleming, Hon. Rob (BC NDP) ...... Victoria–Swan Lake Mid Island–Pacifc Rim...... Hon. Josie Osborne Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ...... Cowichan Valley Nanaimo...... Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Glumac, Rick (BC NDP) ...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Greene, Kelly (BC NDP) ...... Richmond-Steveston Nechako Lakes...... Halford, Trevor (BC Liberal Party)...... Surrey–White Rock Nelson-Creston ...... Heyman, Hon. George (BC NDP) ...... Vancouver-Fairview New Westminster...... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Horgan, Hon. John (BC NDP) ...... Langford–Juan de Fuca North Coast ...... Kahlon, Hon. Ravi (BC NDP) ...... Delta North North Island...... Kang, Hon. Anne (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby–Deer Lake North Vancouver–Lonsdale...... Hon. Bowinn Ma Kirkpatrick, Karin (BC Liberal Party)...... West Vancouver–Capilano North Vancouver–Seymour...... Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal Party)...... Shuswap Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC Lee, Michael (BC Liberal Party)...... Vancouver-Langara Parksville-Qualicum...... Adam Walker Leonard, Ronna-Rae (BC NDP)...... Courtenay-Comox Peace River North ...... Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kelowna–Lake Country Peace River South ...... Lore, Grace (BC NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Penticton ...... Ma, Hon. Bowinn (BC NDP)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Port Coquitlam...... Hon. Mike Farnworth Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila (BC NDP)...... Nanaimo Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Mark, Hon. Melanie (BC NDP)...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Hon. Nicholas Simons Mercier, Andrew (BC NDP) ...... Langley Prince George–Mackenzie...... Merrifeld, Renee (BC Liberal Party)...... Kelowna-Mission Prince George–Valemount ...... Shirley Bond Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kamloops–North Tompson Richmond North Centre...... Morris, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...... Prince George–Mackenzie Richmond-Queensborough...... Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal Party)...... Cariboo North Richmond South Centre ...... Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)...... Saanich North and the Islands Richmond-Steveston ...... Osborne, Hon. Josie (BC NDP)...... Mid Island–Pacifc Rim Saanich North and the Islands ...... Paddon, Kelli (BC NDP) ...... Chilliwack-Kent Saanich South ...... Hon. Lana Popham Paton, Ian (BC Liberal Party) ...... Delta South Shuswap...... Popham, Hon. Lana (BC NDP)...... Saanich South Skeena...... Ralston, Hon. Bruce, QC (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Whalley Stikine...... Hon. Nathan Cullen Rankin, Hon. Murray, QC (BC NDP) ...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Surrey-Cloverdale ...... Rice, Jennifer (BC NDP) ...... North Coast Surrey-Fleetwood...... Jagrup Brar Robinson, Hon. Selina (BC NDP)...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Surrey–Green Timbers...... Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal Party)...... Skeena Surrey-Guildford...... Routledge, Janet (BC NDP) ...... Burnaby North Surrey-Newton...... Hon. Harry Bains Routley, Doug (BC NDP)...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Panorama ...... Russell, Roly (BC NDP)...... Boundary-Similkameen Surrey South ...... Rustad, John (BC Liberal Party)...... Nechako Lakes Surrey-Whalley ...... Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Sandhu, Harwinder (BC NDP) ...... Vernon-Monashee Surrey–White Rock ...... Sharma, Niki (BC NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Fairview...... Hon. George Heyman Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal Party)...... Kootenay East Vancouver–False Creek...... Simons, Hon. Nicholas (BC NDP)...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Fraserview...... Hon. George Chow Sims, Jinny (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Panorama Vancouver-Hastings ...... Singh, Aman (BC NDP) ...... Richmond-Queensborough Vancouver-Kensington...... Singh, Rachna (BC NDP)...... Surrey–Green Timbers Vancouver-Kingsway...... Hon. Adrian Dix Starchuk, Mike (BC NDP) ...... Surrey-Cloverdale Vancouver-Langara...... Michael Lee Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kelowna West Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Hon. Melanie Mark Stone, Todd (BC Liberal Party) ...... Kamloops–South Tompson Vancouver–Point Grey ...... Hon. David Eby, QC Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal Party) ...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver-Quilchena...... , QC Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal Party)...... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver–West End ...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Walker, Adam (BC NDP)...... Parksville-Qualicum Vernon-Monashee ...... Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal Party) ...... Richmond North Centre Victoria–Beacon Hill...... Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer (BC NDP) ...... New Westminster Victoria–Swan Lake...... Hon. Rob Fleming Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal Party)...... Vancouver-Quilchena West Vancouver–Capilano...... Yao, Henry (BC NDP) ...... Richmond South Centre West Vancouver–Sea to Sky......

Party Standings: BC NDP 57; BC Liberal Party 28; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Page

Routine Business

Tributes ...... 1303 Jack Planes Hon. J. Horgan

Introductions by Members...... 1303

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 1304 Video games industry B. Bailey Parking accessibility for disabled persons S. Cadieux Stanley Park S. Chandra Herbert Role of faith communities during COVID-19 R. Merrifeld Action on racism M. Elmore Impact of forestry practices on wildlife M. Morris

Oral Questions...... 1306 Budget provisions on Surrey hospital project and school portable use S. Bond Hon. J. Horgan Budget provisions for school districts J. Tegart Hon. S. Robinson Budget provisions on opioid crisis and access to safe supply S. Furstenau Hon. S. Malcolmson Budget provisions on COVID-19 and support for businesses and workers M. Bernier Hon. S. Robinson Budget provisions on economic recovery and jobs plan T. Stone Hon. S. Robinson Budget provisions and government plan for child care K. Kirkpatrick Hon. S. Robinson P. Milobar

Tabling Documents...... 1312 Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 247/2021, Attorney General

Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued) ...... 1312 M. Bernier S. Furstenau B. Bailey T. Stone A. Mercier

Committee of the Whole House...... 1333 Bill 3 — Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. H. Bains G. Kyllo A. Olsen

1303

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 that a former government gave to a very rich fellow at the time. We don’t need to get into that. Sufce it to say that Te House met at 1:33 p.m. Jack thought that was not a problem for him. Te animals, the lands, the waters, the air and the trees [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] were part of his heritage, the heritage of his people and the heritage of anyone who cared to come and live on Vancou- Routine Business ver Island. I am going to miss Jack Planes, and I know that many, Prayers and refections: D. Davies. many others will as well. I remember also the stories of his [1:35 p.m.] defance of those who would suggest that his rights did not exist and the title to the lands was something that was fab- Tributes ricated by lawyers. He stood defantly in front of DFO of- cials and sold crab that he’d pulled out of the Sooke Basin, JACK PLANES just of the point, because they were his crab and he could do whatever the darn well he wanted to do with them. He Hon. J. Horgan: It’s with great sadness that I advise the was arrested, and the issue was now part and parcel of the House that this past April 9, T’Sou-ke Nation Elder Jack lore of not just Jack Planes but of those Indigenous Peoples Planes passed away, leaving an enormous void in the lives who have lived on Vancouver Island and lived in British of not just the T’Sou-ke Nation but the people of the Sooke Columbia without ever ceding title to their lands. community and anyone who had the good fortune and Jack Planes was one of those people you are just so opportunity to come across Jack Planes during his 87 years blessed to meet. His son Gordie, now the Chief of the on this good earth. T’Sou-ke Nation, adopted much of the philosophy and Jack’s traditional name was KLON-USTH. He was born ethic that Jack brought to his life. Te solar array that is in 1933, and in 1934, at the frst All Sooke Day, he was now on all of the outbuildings on the T’Sou-ke reserve declared best baby. Tat wasn’t his frst crowning achieve- administration, the “Powering yourself” values that ment, nor was it the last for the Planes family, as his son Gordie Planes brings as Chief, were passed on to him by Johnny was also named best baby at All Sooke Day in his father, Jack. Te food security and food sustainability 1982. Jack was a loving father to ten, loving grandfather to initiatives that the T’Sou-ke Nation now promotes, under 22 and a mentor and friend to anyone who held the earth the leadership of Gordie Planes, were planted in his mind and all of its animals in high regard. and the minds of others by Jack. Jack was one of the frst people to come to my ofce An extraordinary individual, one that I will greatly miss. when I was elected in 2005. He and his brother Frank, who For those members of this House who did not have the joined him at that time, were quick to tell me what my opportunity to meet him, know, please, for this day that it responsibilities were as their representative in this House. would be a good thing for you to think about him and the He was quick to tell me what his rights were as a member extraordinary deeds that he was able to do while he was of the T’Sou-ke Nation and as someone who was genera- here and the extraordinary people he’s lef behind, with tions connected to the land that he called home. Jack was values that are rock solid, focused on valuing every piece someone who championed reconciliation long before gov- of life — animal, mineral and otherwise. ernments started talking about the importance of recon- Tat’s who Jack Planes was, and that’s who I’ll miss. ciliation. [1:40 p.m.] He volunteered for 25 years to be part of the Sooke volunteer fre department. He was always available to Introductions by Members those leaders in the community who needed advice on any subject that Jack cared to bring up. It was that approach S. Furstenau: I just want to take this opportunity to that Jack brought to almost everything that he did. He wish a very happy birthday to Cole Smith. was also a logger, a fsherman and a hunter. Although Jack Cole is my constituency assistant. He came to us a few leaves behind many trips that he would have liked to take, months ago and joined our team. We couldn’t be happier. he was also someone who was quick to say that the lands As B McKenzie, another of our amazing constituency as- were there for everyone. sistants, described Cole, he is an enlightened soul. He is One of the frst issues he wanted me to champion was incredibly self-aware, incredibly wise and very kind, and the erection of gates on logging roads in the Sooke Hills, we are so grateful to have him on our team and serving the just up in the territory of the T’Sou-ke Nation and part of constituents of Cowichan Valley. my constituency. Tese are characterized as private lands, Happy birthday, Cole. in fee-simple terms, lands that were ceded away from the T’Sou-ke Nation and the people of Vancouver Island that were here before colonization because of a railway grant 1304 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Statements parking spaces that are too narrow to accommodate a (Standing Order 25B) vehicle and a wheelchair, spaces without access aisles for vehicles with side ramps or the inappropriate placement VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY of sidewalk access ramps, rendering them useless. Add to that the times we see people misuse or fagrantly abuse the B. Bailey: Today is the UN-declared World Creativity right to park in these spots. I guarantee you, you wouldn’t and Innovation Day, and I would be remiss if I did not take believe the stories. Today I certainly wish we could have this opportunity to stand in this House and draw attention visual aids for our speeches in the Legislature. to the extraordinary creative economy, alive and well in Regardless of whether it’s the fully able person who uses B.C. We spoke last week about this during Creative Indus- grandma’s disability parking permit when she’s not with tries Week, so I’ll take a diferent angle and just speak them or the person who had knee injury and is still using about one aspect: games. an expired temporary placard or just the person that says, Humans love to play games. In almost every era of his- “I’ll only be here for a couple of minutes,” or the building tory, we fnd evidence of this. Archaeological digs fnd manager that thinks disability spaces are a good place to ancient Mesopotamian backgammon games from 5,000 put the dumpsters or the snow cleared from the rest of years ago. Much of today’s games happen online, and B.C. the lot, the callous disregard for legitimate users is plain is home to some of the best video game developers in the ofensive. Yes, it has even happened here at the Legislature, world. Some of the most creative people in British Colum- where there have been very few adjustments to disability bia work in this industry, so let me tell you about one of parking in the last 40 or more years. them: Eric Jordan. Extra-wide spaces and access aisles are essential for Eric is here in Victoria and owns Codename Entertain- people with mobility devices. As more and more people ment, a small business building video games, licensed in are needing parking placards for other reasons, like an the Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, universe. Eric has a inability to walk long distances, perhaps it’s time for a dis- BFA from UVic and has translated his mad creativity into cussion of a change — diferent-coloured placards and dif- an illustrious career in the tech sector. Prior to founding ferent designated spaces for diferent users, perhaps. Codename, Eric was a co-founder of PureEdge Solutions, [1:45 p.m.] a company he sold to no less than IBM. Eric’s creativity Here’s my PSA. If you see an abuse, report it. If you have and passion has led his studio’s games to being in the top a placard, but you don’t need an extra-wide spot because 1 percent of games on Steam. Now, to parlay this into lan- you don’t have a mobility device, park in the regular spot guage for people who aren’t familiar with video games, it’s beside. If you manage a parking lot, monitor and enforce like having your TV series being in the top 1 percent of it. And if you’re an elected ofcial, make sure the legisla- series viewed on Netfix. It’s a huge deal. tion and bylaws you oversee provide clear, consistent and Creativity drives economic growth. Tis UVic BFA has enforced standards. built and sold one business to IBM, and his second busi- For you, not fnding a parking space might be a little ness is a record-breaking video game studio employing inconvenient. But for a person who uses a mobility device, creatives right here in Victoria. not fnding an accessible space is access denied. Tere are nearly 7,000 creatives in this industry, work- ing in 200 studios across B.C., from Cloudhead Games in STANLEY PARK Parksville to the hundreds of studios clustered in Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver. S. Chandra Herbert: Folks that know me well will tell Please join me in celebrating this vibrant sector of our you that my favourite place to be, where I’m most relaxed, economy today on World Creativity and Innovation Day. is outdoors in nature, in the backwoods, in the back coun- try, hiking somewhere or camping by a lake or a river. But PARKING ACCESSIBILITY folks might not understand how I could live in and repres- FOR DISABLED PERSONS ent such an incredibly dense community like the West End — an urban jungle, so to speak. S. Cadieux: More than 50,000 British Columbians use Well, I will tell you the secret: Stanley Park. For many a form of wheeled mobility. Tis number appears to have of us in the West End, and for many constituents in Coal increased by 25 percent in a decade and is expected to Harbour as well, one of the biggest challenges during increase as our population continues to age. Wheelchair- COVID has been no backyards. Many of the buildings accessible parking is an essential piece of community don’t have outdoor spaces to really speak of, yet constitu- infrastructure for these people to be included and mobile ents are stacked on top of each other in little shoeboxes. in their communities. Where to go? Stanley Park and the beach. Anyone that depends on the designated disability park- I want to thank those who have worked so hard for so ing spaces could recount to you the copious times they’ve many years to take care of our park. Of course, there are encountered parking lots with too few designated spaces, controversies. Of course, there can be challenges. But that’s Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1305 only because we love it so much. It’s where we go to get while we sacrifce together, I thank you. I thank you for peace. It’s where we go to get freedom from others. It’s continuing to serve our communities in so many ways. where we go to fnd others and fnd connection, fnd con- [1:50 p.m.] nection with the earth, outside of the concrete world that I ofer you hope, for one day soon you will be able to we ofen live in. gather again in person. We're all in this together for a reas- I want to thank the Stanley Park Ecology Society, a on. group that has existed for now over 32 years, who I nor- mally would be out with on Earth Day tomorrow, pulling ACTION ON RACISM ivy, chopping blackberry, planting native species and try- ing to do our part to bring this place back to the natural M. Elmore: A recent report states that over 40 percent wonderland that the Musqueam, the Tsleil-Waututh and of Asian British Columbians have experienced racist ac- the Squamish lived on and took care of for so many years. tions over this past year. It has been along a continuum It’s an incredible place and one that I think really needs to of indirect-direct racial slurs — social media slurs, which remind us all of how we have to take care of those native also included targeting elected representatives; racist in- species and the wild places that they exist in, even if we cidents at work, school and the community; discrimina- face challenges like the coyotes that we’ve had to deal with tion; property damage; grafti; to assault. there recently. Eighty-seven percent think it’s getting worse. In the con- With that being said, I want to wish Stanley Park a hap- text of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is a rising py many, many more years to come, especially the ecology wave of racism targeting Asian, Indigenous, racialized and society, who take care of it and look afer it so well. people of colour across North America. Te Atlanta shoot- ing which targeted the killing of Asian women has struck a ROLE OF FAITH COMMUNITIES chord with women in B.C. and around the world. Women DURING COVID-19 face a double threat of racist and sexist violence. A high percentage of attacks in our province have been R. Merrifeld: Te pandemic has greatly afected our against our most vulnerable, our seniors. We know these society. I’m so moved by how we have all come together. attacks are rooted in systemic racism and structural dis- My daughter recently came home with a T-shirt that said: crimination. Te new resource entitled Challenging Racist “We are in this together for a reason.” It had this picture of British Columbia: 150 Years and Counting documents that a globe, symbolizing our interconnectedness. B.C. was founded on white supremacy and patriarchy at Tis year all of us have sacrifced, from distanced social the expense of the original inhabitants, our Indigenous relationships, families that have not been together in Peoples. months or modifying our entire lives to adjust how we live, Meeting these challenges, individuals and communities who we see, how we go to work. Truly, it has been a sac- are coming together. Tey are standing up, speaking out, rifce in order to keep each other safe. We celebrate our reporting acts of racism, organizing across B.C. Tey are front-line workers, protecting our lives with theirs. Tey’re actions all British Columbians can take. If it’s safe to do heroes. so, intervene against racist incidents, support those vic- But there are also some unsung heroes, those who si- timized and examine our internal biases, our internalized lently provide supports without acknowledgment and privilege. without requirement. I’m talking about our faith-based Now is the time to practise empowered citizenship a- communities. Tey continue to serve. Tese are the same cross diferences in communities. We need more men facilities, sanctuaries, tabernacles, mosques, temples, standing with women against violence, those with white gurdwaras — the same spaces — that normally house so skin privilege standing in solidarity with racialized and many and are sitting empty. It’s my delight today to Indigenous communities, rejecting toxic masculinity and acknowledge one of these facilities, just one example of undoing racist misogyny and hate from our minds and how so many faith communities in our midst continue to hearts. serve us during this pandemic. Let’s take our leadership from our elders and, in the Trinity Baptist Church has long been a venue, the largest words of Martin Luther King, come together to ensure all venue in my riding in Kelowna, where conferences and British Columbians can enjoy our beautiful province with large funerals as well as all of our high school graduations dignity. In his words, let us not be satisfed until “justice are held, in addition to their services. But right now it rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty serves as one of the region’s vaccination centres. Tey’ve stream.” transformed the area that normally has cinnamon buns, cofee and lunch on a Sunday into a space that delivers IMPACT OF FORESTRY PRACTICES thousands of vaccinations daily. ON WILDLIFE Tis is a difcult time for all religious communities. But M. Morris: In 1945, British Columbia adopted the sus- 1306 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 tainable yield forest harvesting strategy, focusing solely on lies on the priority list as the NDP continue to deal with growing and harvesting trees. Over these past 75 years, we Surrey. have harvested tens of millions of hectares of our forest, Can the Premier tell the people of Surrey, frst of all, why forever altering the landscape and unique biodiversity of there’s no money in the budget this year for that project, our great province. and why are there two diferent completion dates in the As we have expanded our populations and our impacts government’s own documents? on the land, we have also equally impacted nature and our environment. By clear-cutting millions of hectares of Hon. J. Horgan: I am delighted to talk to the Leader forest over the past 75 years, we have also displaced hun- of the Opposition about Surrey, something that they neg- dreds of species of wildlife, millions of birds, millions of lected when they were in government for some 16 years. ungulates, millions of every wild thing. Our activities have Of course, they didn’t neglect residents of Surrey when contributed in signifcant ways to a major ecological they put a toll bridge in the middle of the community and imbalance in our forests. said: “Only you will pay to cross this bridge.”Tat was their Te removal of natural forest cover impacts some spe- approach to people in Surrey — pay more, get less. We are cies of wildlife more than others. It makes it difcult to building a hospital in Surrey. It will have a cancer centre. impossible for ungulates to fnd shelter or to hide from I think the reason that the B.C. Liberals couldn’t fnd it in predators. It makes it easy for predators to see and hunt the budget…. their prey. Our once robust populations of ungulates have been decimated, almost eliminated in many regions, with Interjections. most mortality proven to be by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears and cougars. Predator populations have expanded Mr. Speaker: Members. Members will come to order. across the province. Te alterations to our landscape from decades of intense Hon. J. Horgan: Te only time a hospital in Surrey was human activity places the burden of responsibility on us mentioned in a B.C. Liberal budget was when they put a to get the balance right between human activity and biod- line item saying: “Tis is the land that we sold where the iversity. A small but important part of that balance in- hospital was supposed to be.” cludes predator and prey. I want to thank the hundreds of hunters and conserva- Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on tionists from across our great province who have written a supplemental. to me and every member of this House asking for our support in fnding this balance. We have leading wildlife Interjections. biologists, ecologists and scientists skilled and available to help us fnd that balance. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, come to order, I have experienced the gentleness of nature, but just please. as ofen I have witnessed the harsh realities of survival Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on a supplement- in nature, both eliciting deep emotional responses. I am, al. however, a conservationist, and reality and science must prevail for us to get the balance right. S. Bond: Let’s be clear. Maybe the Premier should [1:55 p.m.] get his facts straight. Afer years of NDP neglect, it was members on this side of the House that expanded Surrey Oral Questions Memorial and, in fact, the Guru Nanak emergency de- partment. It was this side of the House that built the Jim BUDGET PROVISIONS ON Pattison Outpatient Centre. Tis side actually delivered SURREY HOSPITAL PROJECT AND on its promises. SCHOOL PORTABLE USE Sadly, that’s not the only promise that the Premier has broken when it comes to Surrey. “We have to have a total S. Bond: Well, the Premier has developed a bit of a pat- removal of these portables over the next four years and tern. He makes an announcement, brags about it for a few start by reducing them by half in the frst two years.” Well, years and then fails to deliver it. Te people of Surrey were that was fve years ago. Let’s see what the Premier has man- promised a new hospital, but there are zero dollars in the aged to deliver. Guess what. Tat hasn’t happened. In fact, budget this year for that project. So they sneak the name the number of portables has actually increased by over 30 into the budget, and they just skip the details part. percent. Neither the throne speech nor the budget makes In fact, the NDP is so fuzzy on this project that they any reference to that promise. Once again, another prom- have two diferent completion dates ofered up in the ise made, bragged about and disappears. budget, which tells you pretty much where this project Can the Premier stand up today and explain to the par- ents, the teachers and the residents of Surrey what hap- Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1307

pened to the promise he made four years ago about elim- What does this Premier do? He cuts $55 million from inating portables? the budgets of school boards. Can the Premier tell us whether custodians or learning Hon. J. Horgan: Was it four years ago? Was it fve years assistants will be fred because of his budget cuts? ago? Tey don’t really know. Tey don’t really care. Tey just want to make noise, not provide services for people. Hon. S. Robinson: Only the B.C. Liberals could look at an emergency boost in funding for school districts Interjections. during a pandemic and then call it a cut. Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? It’s because that’s all they know: to Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Members will come cut programs for children in our schools. Everything, to to order. You’re losing very precious time, Members. them, looks like a cut. We are putting more into the education system this Hon. J. Horgan: I was refecting that there are more year than we ever have before. Tere are more supports members in the Surrey caucus on this side of the House in the pandemic — for making sure that the schools are than there are members sitting on that side of the House clean, that our children are safe, that the teachers are safe right now. But that’s just an aside. and that all the staf, in school districts right around the Te fastest-growing region in the province — you know province, are safe. Tat has been a priority for our govern- this full well. More kids are coming into schools in Surrey ment from day one of this pandemic, and it’s continuing to than anywhere else in British Columbia. be a priority for us. What did the former government do between 2011 and 2016? Zero. A thousand new kids a year every year for fve Mr. Speaker: Te member for Fraser-Nicola on a sup- years. Not one portable was removed. Tey were stacking plemental. them up like cordwood. What did we do? We built 2,700 spaces. J. Tegart: Well, it seems that this government is predict- ing a return to normal — that in September, everything Interjections. will be magically better. Staf, teachers and parents want to know that schools will be safe. Tey want to know that PPE Mr. Speaker: Members. will be there, that staf resources will be there and that the government has their back. Hon. J. Horgan: We’ve worked with the school board. In school district 61, Victoria, they know that the Pre- We’ve worked with the city of Surrey to fast-track approval mier doesn’t. Trustees are looking at having to cut music processes. programs and youth and family counsellors. [2:00 p.m.] Again to the Premier, who is going to be given a pink We weren’t just taking money out of tolls. We were tak- slip in June in order to deal with these cuts? ing money and putting it into schools, putting it into better outcomes for kids. We are unapologetic about that, hon. Hon. S. Robinson: Well, Budget 2021 protects people’s Speaker. Again, the reason there are more Surrey members health and their livelihoods, and it builds on the resilience on this side of the House than there are members on that of British Columbians — the resilience that we have seen side today is because we are delivering on the promises for the last year. that we made. It has been absolutely amazing to see people take care of each other and to have a government that has been taking Interjections. care of British Columbians since this pandemic began. We did that in March. We’ve been doing that all last spring, all Mr. Speaker: Members, are we interested in asking last summer, all fall and right now in the spring, and we questions and in the answers? If we are, then we’ll contin- will as long as there is a pandemic to be dealt with. Tis ue. Otherwise, there’s no need to. government has people’s backs.

BUDGET PROVISIONS FOR BUDGET PROVISIONS ON OPIOID CRISIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ACCESS TO SAFE SUPPLY

J. Tegart: School boards have been warning this gov- S. Furstenau: Yesterday’s budget saw this government ernment that they face signifcant defcits without support. announce $330 million aimed at addressing the overdose Students and staf want to know that COVID safety stand- crisis. Treatment beds and supervised consumption sites ards will be maintained when school resumes in the fall. are long-term measures, but they do not immediately ad- Parents want to be assured that support for their children, dress our current reality. who may have fallen slightly behind, remains in place. Over 900 people have died since safe supply measures 1308 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 were promised by this government in September, and that increasingly toxic drug supply. We need proactive meas- number is only current to the end of February. Yet in ures that are combined with long-term solutions. this budget, we have seen no directive that government My question is again to the Minister of Mental Health is following up on that commitment to provide alternat- and Addictions. She says there will be funds in the budget. ives to an illicit and poisonous street supply. Experts and Can she provide specifc details about what we can expect drug user advocates are distraught that this government’s to see for funding regulated safe supply in this province budget has gone back on their promise to implement a reg- immediately? ulated, safe supply. My question, hon. Speaker, is to the Minister of Mental Hon. S. Malcolmson: Anybody that’s watching: I want Health and Addictions. Will her government immediately you to know that in addition to prescribed safer supply, fund a regulated, safe supply, in order to stop the unneces- our commitment, as exhibited in the budget, is half a bil- sary deaths of fve people a day in British Columbia? lion dollars of mental health and addictions support. It’s unprecedented in British Columbia’s history. Hon. S. Malcolmson: British Columbia is leading the On responding to the overdose crisis, it includes build- country in providing prescription alternatives. A safer ing new treatment beds. It includes standing up additional supply is something that we are leading the country on. supervised consumption sites. Across the continuum of [2:05 p.m.] care, we are working on every front and working hard. Tat there has been a 400 percent increase in the people Here are the specifcs on prescribed safer supply: $22.6 that have been prescribed a safe supply since the pandemic million over three years. It includes leveraging existing began has saved lives, yet the death toll has been terrible. programs and creating new programs to provide expanded Te announcement — ahead of the budget, the week regional access hubs, ongoing evaluation of implement- before the budget — of $45 million to continue to imple- ation and clinical impacts on the health and safety of ment the life-saving harm reduction and substance use patients, and development of clinical protocols and guid- supports, again, has saved lives during a terrible year of ance based on emerging evidence. loss of life. It’s something that we wanted to signal early, Again, to those who have been advocating and doing so that those on the front line were able to continue and the very hard work of developing protocols — the frst in expand on those new measures. Canada — I’ll be in touch with them in coming days about Tere are items in the budget for continuing to sep- the specifcs of how that budget commitment will be spent. arate people from the toxic drug supply, from the mass poisoning that’s happening across British Columbia. I BUDGET PROVISIONS ON COVID-19 AND can say with absolute confdence and convey to those SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND WORKERS who have been advocating for a continued expansion of safe supply that there is budget provision for them. I’ll be M. Bernier: Yesterday we saw a completely botched talking with stakeholders in the coming days about the budget put forward by the Premier. Tere are no real sup- continued expansion and the deepening commitment ports for businesses. No support for workers that are im- of our government to lead the country and to separate pacted by this pandemic. We’ve all heard the stories. It’s people from the toxic drug supply during a terrible pub- too bad the Premier is not listening to the people of British lic health emergency. Columbia right now. Look, it's cold comfort to the restaurant sector that was Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Tird Party on a supple- banking on new supports to make it through the COVID mental. restrictions. Despite this glaring oversight, the Premier is sitting on over $1 billion in unused COVID funds — $1 S. Furstenau: When asked yesterday about the absence billion he’s sitting on. of mention of safe supply in the budget, the Minister of Will the Premier direct that funding today to support Finance said this government is expanding treatment beds the businesses and workers that have been completely ig- and consumption sites, because “we know what works and nored in this budget? works so well.” [2:10 p.m.] Tis government also knows that regulated safe supply, accessible to people when they need it, is what has been Hon. S. Robinson: I’m happy to get up on my feet to committed to and what is needed right now to stop the talk about a fabulous budget that is here to support British deaths from the toxic drug supply. It isn’t an either-or. As a Columbians, protecting people’s health, protecting their continuum of care is set up, fve people are dying per day. livelihoods and building out and preparing for a recovery We need to couple long-term measures with immediate, that we know is coming. We know it’s coming because we regulated, safe supply that recognizes, now more than ever, have a vaccine rollout that is playing out, that is making a because of COVID-19, people are isolated and facing an diference for British Columbians. I want to remind everybody that we have been in this Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1309

pandemic for over a year, and we’ve always been there Mr. Speaker: Members. to support British Columbians. To date, we ofered, just to remind everyone…. A $1,000 worker beneft went to Hon. S. Robinson: …on the savings that are going 600,000 British Columbians whose jobs were impacted last to be going to businesses as a result of that investment. year. We were the only province to provide a rental sup- Again, we are continuing to listen to businesses. I know plement for those who had to pay rent and were worried that my colleague the Minister for Small Business has about it. been engaging with the businesses that are most im- pacted. We have been there. We have demonstrated our Interjections. commitment to the business community, to be there for them. We’re going to keep being there for them. Tat’s Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. our commitment to them.

Hon. S. Robinson: A recovery beneft was received by BUDGET PROVISIONS ON ECONOMIC over 2.5 million British Columbians. We’ve had business RECOVERY AND JOBS PLAN supports, the small and medium-sized business grant pro- gram, that are helping people, and those in the tourism T. Stone: Well, only in NDP-land would they celebrate industry are eligible for up to $45,000 to help make the dif- taking two years, essentially, to get critical supports out to ference, to help provide a bridge until better days ahead. businesses that are struggling, because that’s what’s going Tere’s absolutely a lot more in this budget. I know we’re to happen here. going to be getting more questions, and I look forward to Te dollars in the B.C. recovery grant and the circuit that coming up. breaker grant…. Tese were dollars that were approved over a year ago. Te programs were established just before Mr. Speaker: Te member for Peace River South on a the last election that the Premier felt necessary to call. supplemental. We’re sitting here today, and they’re so excited about their progress that they’ve had to push the program out by an M. Bernier: It would have been nice if the Finance Min- extra year, because they can’t fgure out how to get money ister actually talked about this budget. Everything she just out the door. talked about was last year — stuf that all three parties in It’s pathetic. Te Premier also failed…. this House worked together to try to help people in the COVID crisis. Again, the government failed to even get Interjections. that money out the door then. We’re talking about people who are in crisis now. Tey’re still in crisis because this Mr. Speaker: Members. Let’s not have side conversa- government failed to help them when this House worked tions, please. Let’s hear the question. together for that exact reason. Member. Te circuit breaker grant was originally supposed to support a three-week shutdown. Tat three weeks is actu- T. Stone: If the small business owners — those restaur- ally ending this week. Te shutdown now has been exten- ateurs, those in the service industry, those hospitality busi- ded for possibly two months, if not more — shutting down nesses, those tourism businesses, those hard-working Brit- businesses, putting more people out of work. ish Columbians around the province — could hear the Again the minister avoided, completely, the question. members opposite laughing today when we’re asking crit- Te minister, the Premier, are sitting on $1 billion of unal- ical questions about what this government is doing and located funding, which is 20 times what the circuit breaker what they’re not doing to support small business, I think grant is. Te Premier can fx that mistake today. they’d be pretty darn disappointed in their government. Will he direct that that $1 billion go out, increase the [2:15 p.m.] circuit breaker grant and make sure that money gets out Te Premier also ofered no hope and no vision for Brit- the door now to help people who are afected today? ish Columbians in their jobs in this budget. Tat being said, he has put a plan in front of British Columbians that Hon. S. Robinson: I’m very happy to get back on my grows the size of government massively. In fact, one can feet and talk about the $127 million that has gone out only be astounded when you look at the budget docu- through the small business recovery grants, up to $45,000, ments and you see on page 34, and you see it clearly indic- as well as the circuit breaker relief grant, up to $10,000. ated, that the government is basing its recovery on tax- Also, I’m very happy to talk about the PST on new equip- payer-funded public sector jobs, which have increased by ment machinery — waiving that — that’s in this budget 60,000 positions over the past year. You heard that right — and the impact… 60,000 positions in one year. Meanwhile, the private sec- tor is still trying to recover 43,000 jobs that are lost today Interjections. compared to one year ago. 1310 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

My question to the Premier is this. Will the Premier In addition to that, despite women and youth being immediately table in this House a private sector jobs plan? impacted most by this pandemic, the Premier has no jobs plan for them either. Tis is something that we’ve been Hon. S. Robinson: Well, it’s so interesting to listen to calling for, for months. the members of the other side sort of jump around with My question to the Premier is this. Will the Premier fx their anxiety and their stress. Because they seem to sort this mistake? Will he table both a private sector jobs plan of forget… and a jobs plan focused on youth and women?

Interjections. Hon. S. Robinson: Well, it’s interesting to listen to the members opposite talk with such disdain for teachers and Mr. Speaker: Members. I think the question was al- health care workers in our province. In fact… ready asked. Interjections. Hon. S. Robinson: …that it’s really important, I think, to listen to what others are saying. I want to note that…. Mr. Speaker: Members.

Interjections. Hon. S. Robinson: …one of their own….

Hon. S. Robinson: Precisely. I want to note that the Interjections. Surrey Board of Trade has said: “We were happy to hear that there are fnancial commitments in the service plan Mr. Speaker: Members. for trade and industry development, small business and Minister, just take a seat, please. economic development and the strategic investment fund Members, I understand heckling is more tempting, but called InBC.” Tis is from the Surrey Board of Trade. Tey heckling is not going to produce anything. Shall we call like what they heard. Tey value what they heard. this a heckling session, then, instead of question period? On the other hand, the members opposite…. Tey are Okay. Te minister will continue. just grasping at straws because they don’t like it that the business community is happy with what we are presenting Hon. S. Robinson: Tank you very much, Mr. Speaker. in our budget. It’s really, I guess, disappointing that we get heckled every time we try to answer a particular question. It’s very, very Mr. Speaker: Te member for Kamloops–South disappointing. Tompson on a supplemental. I want to point out that in this budget, you see tremend- ous…. T. Stone: Well, I’m not sure if the Minister of Finance could be more dismissive than that — more dismissive Interjections. of the thousands of British Columbians who are sitting at home today, wondering if they’re going to get called back Hon. S. Robinson: I’m happy to answer the questions. to work any time soon, wondering if they’re going to be Te question that I have is if they’re prepared to listen to able to pay their bills. the answer. In fact, 53 percent of British Columbians aren’t sure, [2:20 p.m.] or they’re $200 away from paying their bills at the end of In this budget, we are investing heavily in the youth of the month. And we hear today dismissive responses from British Columbia with co-op opportunities, with job train- the Minister of Finance about anxiety and stress. You’re ing, with upskilling opportunities — 30 micro-credential- darn right British Columbians have a lot of anxiety and ing programs. We know that youth have been hit hard in stress, because this government hasn’t stepped up to sup- this pandemic, and that’s why we are investing in them. port them. For women, we have tripled the child care budget since Now, the minister responsible for… we formed government. Tat’s the biggest diference for women. Interjections. BUDGET PROVISIONS AND Mr. Speaker: Members. GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR CHILD CARE Te member will continue. K. Kirkpatrick: Tis two-term government is abandon- T. Stone: …economic recovery actually got no new ing families and working mothers at an astonishing rate. funding in his budget in order to help businesses in need. In 2017, this Premier promised $10-a-day daycare, and Clearly, his ministry is not a priority for the Premier. this promise was the underpinning of the Childcare B.C. Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1311

plan. Ten he promised it again, and yesterday we saw his members of the other side who’ve fnally discovered that incompetence on full display. All that’s been referenced in child care is a necessity…. this budget is to convert more spaces that already exist into the pilot program. No new spaces. According to Sharon Interjections. Gregson from the $10-a-day daycare coalition, this budget did not “deliver the system B.C. families and educators Hon. S. Robinson: For years, they neglected child were promised in the recent election.” care in this province. Tey ignored the needs of families, Can the Premier tell parents, to whom he broke his they ignored the needs of women, and they ignored the word not once but twice, when universal child care will be needs of children. It took them four years to create as available to all British Columbians? many spaces as we created in our frst ten months in gov- ernment. Mr. Speaker: Minister of Finance. I’m happy to say that with this budget, we are helping almost 2,000 more families access supported child devel- Hon. S. Robinson: Tank you very much, Mr. Speaker. opment programs. Tat’s going to make a real diference for those families that have children with special needs in Interjections. the child care system. Tat’s going to make a diference for these families, because we care about families, we care Hon. S. Robinson: Tey start heckling before I even about children, and we want to make sure that it’s there for start answering. I mean, this is sort of getting a little bit…. women to work and contribute to the economy and parti- Maybe they’ll have the answer, or maybe they’d prefer to cipate in our economic recovery. hear it. [2:25 p.m.] Our budget more than doubles the number of $10-a-day prototype centres. You know what that means? Tat means P. Milobar: Well, it’s very interesting listening to the 4,000 more afordable spaces for families here in British avoidance of the questions today by the Minister of Fin- Columbia. ance. It’s interesting how the language has changed — how You know what else we’re doing with this budget? We they don’t really want to talk about universal $10-a-day are doubling the wage enhancement for early childhood daycare anymore. Tey don’t want to talk about numbers. educators to $4 an hour. Tat brings their minimum wage Tey talk about a doubling — a doubling of a failed target to $25 an hour — when we started in government, they already, that was only a few thousand spaces when it were barely making $15, $16 an hour — because we care should have been fully implemented by now, from a prom- about making sure that there’s quality, afordable and ise made twice by this Premier over the last four years. accessible child care for all British Columbians. Te NDP have only opened ten percent of the spaces they’ve promised. Tat means a doubling gets you to 20 Mr. Speaker: Te member for West Vancouver–Capi- percent of your promise afer fve years. It’s not good lano on a supplemental. enough. Tere’s still 80 percent of the public looking for the child care they were promised by this Premier not once K. Kirkpatrick: I fnd that an interesting answer, con- but twice. sidering the fee cap that was recently imposed on the child A couple of quotes. “Tis provincial budget does not care providers, which is one of the biggest things to push deliver on promises to child care.” Tat’s from Paul Ker- down ECE salaries. You’re going to have to make up for the shaw. “Today’s B.C. budget has thrown cold water on the $4 an hour. good child care news we heard from the federal govern- Te Premier made a promise of $250 million in new ment.” Tat’s from the Coalition of Child Care Advocates. spending on child care each year. He committed to a sep- “Finance Minister Robinson’s frst budget does not deliver arate capital program for daycares, and instead this Premi- the system B.C.’s families and educators were promised in er has delivered $233 million over three years — that’s $83 the recent election” — Coalition of Child Care Advocates. million, not $250 million. “B.C.’s government must now improve on its lacklustre Emily Gawlick is the executive director of the Early 2021 budget.” Tat’s from Sharon Gregson. And fnally: Childhood Educators of British Columbia. She says: “Te “B.C. shouldn’t wait for federal funds to arrive before mak- progress is so minimal, it does not meet the needs of fam- ing more signifcant improvements to child care in our ilies or educators as they try to recover from this pandem- province.” ic.” When will this Premier stand up and actually deliver on Can the Premier tell us why he has abandoned his com- his now twice-delivered promise in two diferent elections mitment and blown it for parents and families expecting and ensure residents of British Columbia they will have more? afordable, $10-a-day, fully accessible child care in British Columbia now, not another fve, six years from now? Hon. S. Robinson: It’s absolutely fascinating to listen to 1312 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, our government’s Childcare Tis House will be in recess for two minutes. Tank you, B.C. plan began with the historic $2 billion investment for Members. child care in the frst two years. And when you’re build- ing a system, it does take some time, for sure. Doubling…. Te House recessed from 2:28 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. And over 36,000… [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] Interjections. M. Bernier: Tank you, Chair. Sorry for the disruption Mr. Speaker: Members. that we had. It’s always unfortunate when you hear unpar- liamentary language in the House. You know, obviously in Hon. S. Robinson: …families now receive child care question period things can get a little heated, but it’s unfor- for $10 a day or less. We are doubling that. And I’m so tunate when people take it to a personal level. I appreciate glad that the member opposite mentioned that the fed- the recess, where I was just able to address an issue. eral government is fnally at the table, because you know As the designated speaker for the ofcial opposition what that means for us? It means that we’re going to be on Budget 2021, I am also really pleased to continue my able to move faster…. remarks from where I lef of yesterday. You know, I had a lot of time to go through the budget documents last night. Interjections. Unfortunately, as people can appreciate, in lockup yester- day we weren’t given all of the documents, so it took me Mr. Speaker: Members. until through the evening last night to dive into a little bit Members, we’ll come to order. more detail in this budget. I’m looking forward to not only covering of a few more Hon. S. Robinson: With the federal government that, things today, but also once we get to estimates. I know the just on Monday, announced that they are fnally parti- critics in the ofcial opposition are all lined up ready to cipating in child care, we’re going to be able to deliver ask lots of questions of the individual ministers, especially much faster. around a budget that has lef more questions, I would say, than answers. [End of question period.] We want to focus on the specifcs of the budget, but again, I want to just talk about a few themes that we saw in Tabling Documents this budget frst of all. Te number one thing is it’s devoid of any vision. It’s devoid of any plan. Right now what Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I have the honour to people are looking for in the province of British Columbia present a report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related is some hope. Tey wanted vision. Tey wanted something Measures Act. from government that would show them a pathway post- COVID. What is economic recovery going to look like in Orders of the Day the province of British Columbia? Unfortunately, what we’ve seen was kind of a status quo Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued debate on the budget, a few reannouncements, really no new spending. budget. More importantly, there was nothing, again, in there to show people that we are not only going to get through this Budget Debate pandemic in the short term, but we’re going to be able to (continued) survive and move forward in a prosperous way in British Columbia in the long term. M. Bernier: I know a lot of people are gathering up their Tere’s a lack of a jobs plan. Tere’s nothing really in this belongings and leaving right now. I appreciate that. budget that talks about growing the province, growing the economy, making sure that we’re helping employers out, [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] making sure that the job creators of the province are sup- ported and given some optimism that they should stay in Interjections. British Columbia, that they can survive through the pan- demic, but then for the long term, to make investments to M. Bernier: Sorry, I’m being heckled by the Premier. help grow the province back. I didn’t quite hear that, sir. Tat optimism is important. It’s not just about fashy Actually, can I call a two-minute recess, please? announcements. It’s not about just tabling a budget in the House like the government did yesterday. It’s about mes- Deputy Speaker: Yes, you may. saging a plan. It’s about showing where government’s in- Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1313 tentions are, where they want to go not only as a govern- look at the budget and the budget documents and the fore- ment, but where they want to see the province to go. casting that this government has done, they can say: “Look We saw very little of that in the throne speech, but be- at this pathway we’ve generated for optimism.” I’ll tell you tween the throne speech and the budget, almost every right now, every business that I’ve talked to that’s looked single time a minister in this House has been questioned at this budget…. Where is the optimism when you’re fore- about a problem, their answer was always: “Don’t worry. casting almost ten years of buying shovels to dig a hole for Wait for the budget.” So we waited for the budget. People a big defcit? Almost ten years of borrowing money. of British Columbia, and afected people because of the Te government, by their own admission in their own COVID pandemic, waited for the budget. How disap- budget documents, has said: “We don’t see this province pointing it was, afer all that wait. doing well for ten years. We don’t see us getting back As we know, the budget was delayed twice, so we know on track to revenue-generation and balanced budgets for the budget is now being just tabled yesterday, which is two almost ten years.” It’s in the government’s own documents. months later than normal. But afer all of that waiting, How does that instill confdence? afer all of the anticipation that people were told, “Don’t If I was a company that had any choice of where to in- worry. It’ll be taken care of in the budget,” now we’re hear- vest, with B.C. now being one of the highest tax jurisdic- ing from everybody in the public, from the stakeholders, tions in the country, and now a document that says, “But from people who were told to wait: “Well, that was cold don’t worry; we don’t see anything changing for ten years,” comfort. We waited, and all the promises that we were told I know where I’d be investing my money. Defnitely not to wait for didn’t materialize.” here. I hate to say that, because we know how great British [2:35 p.m.] Columbia has been and how great it could be, if only we What’s unfortunate about that is the government is con- show that plan for people to stay here. tinuing to hide behind the COVID pandemic. Every single Te government is touting all this spending they are answer in this House, every time this government is asked doing. Te spending is in government. It’s not to help a question, they say: “Hey, don’t you realize we’re in a pan- people that are sufering right now in the province. It’s to demic?” Of course, we realize we’re in a pandemic. Why do help government. You talk to anybody on the streets, and you think there are people who are asking for help? Why what is their biggest complaint, usually? It’s about govern- do you think there are employers right now that are strug- ment. It’s about government spending. It’s about govern- gling? Why do you think there are employees who are out ment priorities and not looking out for the people in Brit- of work, who are phoning all of our ofces saying: “I don’t ish Columbia. have a job. I can’t pay my bills.” Where’s the hope? I cannot believe that the NDP just tabled a document According to the government, it’s like: “Don’t worry. that verifes how people feel. Tis document proves them Wait for the budget.” Tere was nothing in there for them. right. When you look at that hole that is being dug, when Tere was nothing in this budget that would show some- you look at the provincial debt now going to be about $103 body, right now, who has been laid of or who has lost billion, of which $72 billion is taxpayer-supported debt, their job because of COVID, because of the downturn in rising by 13 percent a year to a staggering $127 billion — the province…. Tere is nothing in there that says: “Don’t staggering. worry. We’ve got your back. We’ll support you. We’re going [2:40 p.m.] to help you get through this. Don’t worry. When this is Tis is a number that this province has never, ever been over, here’s our plan for you and your family to prosper, to even close to before. By 2023, $127 billion in debt. stay in British Columbia, so employers can grow, so invest- Te concern now is B.C.’s credit rating. What will that ment can happen and people can get back to work.” mean? Even just recently Moody’s credit rating agency, Tat’s what people wanted to see in this budget. It’s not which as everybody in this House is aware of, is part of the in there. Great expectations but no delivery from the gov- rating for the province, said that the province’s credit rat- ernment. Again, it’s unfortunate when people are told just ing could be facing downward pressure if new direct and to wait and see. Now we’re seeing it in this budget, when indirect debt were to materially exceed the current projec- we talk about any support that may be there. tions, which it’s doing, coinciding with a loss in the fn- We talk about the $10-a-day child care — I’ll get into ancial management of this province. So even our credit it later — but: “Don’t worry. Wait, it might happen.” What rating agencies now are worried about the path that the about growing capital investment? “Don’t worry. Wait, it’ll province is taking, and they’re going to be watching with a happen some day.” What about people who are laid of close eye. right now and businesses that we’re all hearing about that Anybody who follows the fnances of the province are shuttering their doors and telling us that they might knows that if you lose even a notch in your credit rating, not be able to reopen? Tey need help now, but what are the number one thing that does is just increase the cost they being told by this government? “Wait.” to run government, taking more money out of taxpayers’ People can’t wait anymore. People need help now. A- pockets, taking more money out of programs to pay for gain, that road map to recovery is so important. When you 1314 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 debt repayment and interest. It does nothing to help worse. Prices to buy a home are at a record high. Te prices people. to rent any accommodations are at a record high. Based on the government’s own projections — again, Interestingly, this government, who used to chastise, out of the government’s own budget document — by who used to bang on the desks when they were on this side the end of this government’s second term, the NDP will of the House…. Any time we talked about the property have added the equivalent of $10,000 in additional debt transfer tax, they would talk about how horrible that was. for every single British Columbian — every single man, Yet how delighted they are now, in government, to real- woman and child. It equals $10,000 of extra debt for ize that almost $2 billion this year, the highest that I could them. I can tell you right now that I could go on the fnd, in property transfer tax is one of the things that is street and ask any single person about that $10,000, and helping government — one of the only areas where there they’ll say, “Give it to me. I don’t trust government. Give has actually been a revenue increase — on the backs of the me that $10,000. I know I can invest it. I know I can people in British Columbia, only further exaggerating and spend it a lot more wisely to help myself, my family, my exacerbating the challenges of home ownership. communities and the people around me than govern- A National Bank report estimates that it’ll take 34 years ment,” because we’ve seen how this is playing out in this — I think I mentioned this yesterday — to save up enough budget document. money for a down payment on a house, if you live in Van- Now, we know that’s fctitious, in a way. Government’s couver, for a typical Vancouver home — 34 years. So most not going to give everybody $10,000 and say: “Go ahead people, if they’re fortunate enough to be living in Van- and spend it.” Tat’s too bad, though. We’ve been actually couver right now and fortunate enough to have a job, will talking about government getting money out the door to be fling for their old age pension at the same time that people who need it now. We’ve approved COVID relief they’ve saved up enough money to maybe buy a home. funding to help the employers, to help our businesses, to Tat’s not the B.C. that most people want. help people who have lost their jobs. Te government has Te real estate association says that the average B.C. failed to get that out the door in any meaningful way to home price is up 20.4 percent, year over year, for March help people. 2021, while the supply of homes and sales are the lowest I was thinking about the budget last night. I was refect- since 2000, a 21-year low. Isn’t that interesting? Te prop- ing on the comments yesterday. I was refecting on the erty transfer tax is going up because house prices are going feedback that I was hearing. People were looking at: “What up, but houses aren’t being built. We’re talking about the is going to be in this budget to improve my life, to improve existing stock. my family’s life? We’re in a difcult time. What is in the We talk about supply and demand. Well, we know the budget?” And again, the answer has to be: not much. Tere demand is there. Government has said they would deal is not much in here. For the average person in the pro- with the supply, and they have failed to do that. Investors vince, Budget 2021 is actually not going to impact their have been given the cold shoulder by this government life, really, in any meaningful way. Tere’s hardly any new to develop multifamily dwelling units which would, in money. Tere are hardly any changes. essence, help solve a lot of this problem. What happened Te government can make a whole bunch of fashy to that promise of this government to work with local announcements. Tey can stand on the street corner with governments to try to eliminate a bunch of the red tape fanfare, saying what they’re going to do to get elected, to ensure that those that do want to invest have a clear which we’ve seen through two elections now. But they fail path to be able to get the shovels in the ground and build to follow through with almost every single promise that homes and accommodations to help families in British they have made, and the few that they have tried to tackle, Columbia? they have completely botched and not been able to follow You know, I mentioned renters. Renters are feeling the through with. squeeze right now. On average in Metro Vancouver, they’re Here’s a perfect example: afordability, housing aford- paying over $2,500 a year more than they used to, to rent. ability — one of the staples, one of the major pieces of When they were looking for help from this government, platform for the NDP government. “Elect us and we will the government said, “Don’t worry,” in the election cam- make life more afordable. We will help everybody get paign, twice. “We have a $400 rebate that’s going to be into a home. We will lower the prices of houses in the announced, and we will be helping you with that rent. Just Lower Mainland.” Well, guess what. Under the NDP’s ten- wait for the budget,” they were told. ure, every single year prices have gone up. Te thought of I challenge anybody to fnd the page — and point the ever owning a home for many people now is a dream. How page to me and prove me wrong — where it says that that sad is that? $400 renters rebate is coming or that it’s even identifed or [2:45 p.m.] that it’s even talked about anymore. It’s a great campaign Te government stands up constantly and says: “We are slogan for the NDP — like so many other things — to get going to tackle this problem.” Well, then tackle it. You’ve elected, but when the rubber hits the road, the heads go in had four or fve years to do something, and it’s only gotten the sand and they forget about the promises they’ve made. Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1315

Tat announcement, that promise — I’m interested to see of the House came together and acknowledged that, yes, if it’s going to be made again. It’s nowhere in this plan, we’re going to have to borrow up to $8 billion to get out nowhere in the budget. But when it comes to elections, the and help people. But that money didn’t all get out the door. fashy announcements seem to continue. People are still waiting. On top of that, in this budget, now What about job creation and economic recovery to try the NDP are sitting on $1.1 billion in unallocated recovery to help people, to try to help with that afordability and funding. get people working? Tere’s almost nothing in this budget We keep hearing that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, that we can point to that’s going to help people in need so why is the government waiting until the end of the pan- right now, immediately, today or for their prospects in the demic to ofer help? You don’t put money in the budget future. Tere’s no funding; there’s no comprehensive jobs to say: “We have unallocated COVID recovery funding plan. money that we’ll allocate, undefned, at a later date, unspe- [2:50 p.m.] cifed of when or how.” Does that mean government’s not It’s easy for governments to stand up and say: “Well, listening to the people who are speaking right now? Are we’re in the middle of a pandemic.” Tat seems to be their they not hearing the same things that we are? Are they not response for everything, but again, that’s cold comfort to reading all of the comments that are in social media, in all the people losing their jobs. If they lose a job but they print media, on the radio? People are talking and giving see that plan, there might be some hope. Tere might be and sharing their stories of how they’re struggling. some optimism. What we’re calling for is for government It’s a slap in the face when government stands up and to do that. says, “Don’t worry. We’ve got your back,” when in fact, Tey still have a chance. Government can do a jobs plan. all they have are their own backs, by padding unallocated Tey can put something forward to make sure that people money to sit in government. Nobody is going to pat the are not being lef behind. Tey might have to move away government on their backs for saving money right now for for a job, or even worse, sufer without one. We can’t ignore COVID recovery and leaving it in the government’s bank this issue. I’m not saying this on behalf of the opposition. accounts when it’s been allocated to help people. Tis is British Columbians talking. We can’t ignore this [2:55 p.m.] issue. Te government is hiding from it. I spoke a little bit yesterday about tourism and some Now, obviously, again, it’s a global pandemic. We know of the challenges. Te minister and the government are that people have lost their jobs. B.C. is not unique. Tis is trying to brag about the fact that they have allocated in happening in other provinces, in other countries as well. this budget — one of the few areas where there is new But if we want to be the leaders that we like to brag about, money — $120 million for tourism. But there’s a catch. All the way to do that is to show that we’re better, to show you small tourism providers: sorry, doesn’t look like it’s for that we can do better, to show people that B.C. is the right you. Te catch is it’s, again, unallocated, for major tourism place, that we can get things on track quickly, and we can operators, whatever that means. I don’t know. Is that the get people back to work to help our families. Science World? Is that the PNE? Right now, unfortunately, everybody has to remain dis- What does that do to help the downtown businesses that appointed in this budget, because it’s not in there. Te are sufering right now due to the fact that there are no only thing in this budget that is a jobs plan is the govern- cruise ships coming into the harbour? What does that do ment itself growing. Tis is the old playbook of the NDP: for our guide outftters who, for two years, have been told: “When in doubt, grow government.” As we heard earlier “Sorry, you can’t operate”? Te people from around the today, almost 60,000 new government jobs. I’m not speak- world that used to travel to beautiful British Columbia to ing against the 60,000 jobs. What I’m speaking against go hunting or fshing, “Sorry, you can’t come here right is the fact that government is not recognizing that there now,” but also: “Sorry, all you businesses that are afected are 40,000 people in the private sector that are unem- by that. You’re too small. You don’t qualify.” ployed, who have been given no hope or opportunity. Tey When we talk about tourism, we’re talking about bil- deserve just as much. lions of dollars of opportunity and revenue to the Tis shouldn’t be one or the other. Tis is about growing province, but we’re also talking about hundreds of thou- the province. Tis is about giving everybody an equal sands of people who rely on that for employment, for their opportunity. We’ve all, I’m sure, been getting calls to our livelihoods. How many people in this House, either them- ofces, of people telling us the terrible stories of losing selves or somebody in their family, worked in the hospital- their jobs, trying to put food on the table, trying to fgure ity and tourism sector to help put themselves through col- out how they can aford their next rent — their next mort- lege or university? How many people have that maybe as gage payment, if they’re lucky — their car payment, their a frst or second job even to help pay the bills? So for the cell bill, some of what people consider the staples of life government to say, “Don’t worry, there’s $120 million….” I and society right now. People are not able to aford them. regret to say again, like always, that there’s always a catch We need to be helping those people. to anything that this government announces. I thought we did that last year, when all three sides When we get to estimates, we’ll be asking the diferent 1316 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ministries that have received funding like this to be very we’ve heard right now is that they can apply for a grant and specifc. Because we have examples, especially being here then be told they don’t qualify. in Victoria, of small businesses, part of the tourism sector, Te tourism sector, like so many other areas, has been that are being negatively afected, that are basically being brought to its knees by the pandemic. To be told time and put out of work, who are sitting there waiting for help or at time again from this government, “Don’t worry. We’re here least the opportunity to get back. I think that’s the biggest to help you….” It is hollow words. catch in this. Now, if we want people to get back to work afer this Most entrepreneurial people out there, most small busi- pandemic, one of the biggest issues we’re going to have to nesses, are not looking for handouts. What they’re looking face is child care. We need to have access to quality and for is a chance to get back to work. Tey want that oppor- afordable child care. tunity and some sense of hope from this government. Tey For two elections now, for almost fve years, the Pre- all recognize we have to do our part right now, though, mier and this government has said: “Elect us, and we will because of COVID. No doubt. Tey all recognize that. bring in universal $10-a-day child care.” Tey didn’t say: Tere are those hardships. Any little bit of help for them “Elect us, and we’ll consider, at some future date, allow- obviously is needed. But the main thing they want to do is ing everybody in the province to have access.” I didn’t get back to what they know how to do. read that anywhere in their platform. It said: “Elect us, I am interested, though, on tourism again…. Te min- and this is what you will get.” ister and government touts the fact that they do consulta- People are staring at this government right now, once tion, that they put task forces together, to bring back spe- again, realizing hollow words out of the Premier’s mouth cifc, targeted recommendations from diferent sectors. — that the Premier will make announcements to say any- We’ve seen this in so many ministries under the NDP: thing to try to get elected and, again, hope people don’t “Don’t worry, we’re going to put a task force together to hold him accountable for those promises that he’s making. bring back recommendations of what we need to do to We’ve been standing in this House supporting the help that sector.” movement as well for afordable child care and quality Well, the tourism sector was given that opportunity. Te child care. When you hardly have any to begin with…. task force was created last year. Tat task force came back Te government in this budget says: “Look how great we and said: “We need $680 million around the province to are; we’re doubling it.” Well, when you’re doubling a small support us, to get us through the pandemic, to ensure we amount, you’re still lef with a small amount. You’re not lef can survive and be there for when the province reopens.” with 100 percent like the government promised. Like every single other recommendation from every I think that’s all people want from the government, is single task force, it seems, this government puts together: just to be truthful with what’s going to happen. It would “Tanks for your work. Tanks for your time. Tanks for have been a lot more prudent, I would argue, especially your opinion. We’re not listening to it. We’ve got our own since the minister even today said: “It’s a process, and a ideas.” So why does government waste people’s time? Why it’s difcult process, and it takes time.” Nowhere in the do they put these groups and task forces together if they’re NDP documents, nowhere even in any announcement that not going to genuinely listen to the recommendations and I’ve ever heard, does it say or the Premier say or the gov- the advice that they give? ernment or the minister say: “We are bringing in aford- [3:00 p.m.] able $10-a-day universal child care maybe sometime in the Te government tries to tout the small business recov- future. Please elect us.” Because that’s what they’ve done. ery grant to help the tourism sector. Only 8 percent of For the minister, even today, to acknowledge the federal tourism businesses in the Vancouver area and 12 percent government…. Isn’t it ironic that, once again, the B.C. provincewide reported even being able to access and qual- NDP provincial government will drag their feet long ify for that grant. Eight percent. enough until the issue becomes so difcult and so hard on Is that why the government is sitting on so much COV- people that the federal government has to come in and try ID money? Because they put in so much red tape — they to rescue the problem? make the qualifying abilities so hard — they can pat them- If you even listen to the federal government’s announce- selves on the back to say, “Don’t worry, we have money ment…. Te Minister of Finance said it’s going to be at available,” but not have a plan to get it out the door and least fve years before the federal government has even make it hard to get it out the door. brought it in. So put that on top of the fve years people If government wants us to support the budget, if they have already been waiting in B.C. Most children will be want us to support COVID recovery programs, we will do graduating high school and missed out on that entire that if they’re actually, genuinely going to follow through promise, missed out on all of that time, from what the Pre- with what they’re promising — to help people. Businesses mier announced. in the tourism sector now are going into their second sum- [3:05 p.m.] mer with no hope. I’m still waiting to hear something from Tey are going to be graduating high school when they the Minister of Tourism on what the plan is, because all Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1317 could have been people now taking advantage of $10-a- terday, referenced the George Massey Tunnel. How eager day universal child care. were the people of Richmond and Delta to fip open the Again, we’re not the only people. It’s not the opposition budget document to say: “Holy cow, the minister refer- saying: “Why didn’t you do this?” Tis is the people of Brit- enced the George Massey Tunnel replacement. Some- ish Columbia saying: “Why didn’t you do this?” Tese are thing’s happening”? So we looked through the budget doc- the families, the mothers and fathers, who have been beg- ument, and guess what we found. Nothing. Not a dollar. ging this government to fulfl their promise. Tese are the In fact, even worse. A footnote towards the end of the child care providers themselves and the educators that are budget document that references the long-awaited George saying: “Where’s the promise that you said you were going Massey Tunnel replacement, a little footnote at the very to deliver?” It’s not here. end, says, kind of like in a movie: “To be continued. Noth- Emily Gawlick, the executive director of Early Child- ing here to see. But don’t worry. We recognize it’s an issue, hood Educators of B.C., spoke of the commitments in the but we’re not dealing with it.” budget yesterday. She said: “Te progress is so minimal, it [3:10 p.m.] does not meet the needs of families or educators as they Tat’s the footnote that's in the budget document, the try to recover from the pandemic.” Te Coalition of Child government’s own document. How surprised were so Care Advocates of B.C. also said the Finance Minister’s many people that the minister would actually reference frst budget “does not deliver the system B.C. families and something that they’re going to do that’s not even in the educators were promised in the recent election.” document? Not a dollar being spent. Te government continues to make announcements. Just a reminder: if this government hadn’t cancelled the Tey continue to make promises. But their track record is project that was already funded — that was already started that they don’t deliver on them. People are starting to see — it would be open, I believe, next year. It would be a that. Again, it’s not just child care. It’s the homes for these moot point. Te people in Delta and Surrey and Richmond families and these children to live in. would have that new bridge that was being built to solve You know, I mentioned about the missing renters one of the largest bottlenecks, or parking lots, that this rebate, the skyrocketing housing prices. What’s the gov- province has. ernment doing to solve this? Tere’s nothing in the When you look at the capital again in this budget doc- budget to help this issue, afer four years of them prom- ument, there is nothing — no funding, no mention of a ising to deal with it. dollar amount this year — for the Richmond care tower, Tis budget actually shows that direct housing capital something that the NDP promised in this last election; funding is going to decline by 50 percent. It’s right in the something that every NDP MLA in Richmond still brags NDP’s own documents. Housing capital funding is going about. I’m waiting to see how they are now going to go to decline by 50 percent. Housing starts. Te government back to their constituents and say they failed, how they’re is acknowledging it in their own plans. Tey’re project- going to go to back to their constituents and say: “I know ing housing starts are going down. Tey’re set to decline. we promised it, but there’s not even a dollar in the budget Tere’s no action in the budget documents at all to tackle to deliver it.” or deal with the red tape, to get more houses built. Maybe Tere are no new schools being built up in Burke Moun- that’s why they’re forecasting that the housing starts are tain, although the stress is there, and new schools are going to go down. needed. New schools were built up in Burke Mountain Tere’s absolutely nothing in this budget that I could when we were in government. Burke Mountain continues fnd to give relief for strata owners facing insurance costs to grow, and they need more. Te Premier stood out there — they’re making it increasingly difcult to make ends and said: “Don’t worry. If we’re elected, you’re getting your meet — and to help those that are in strata situations. Tis new schools.” Nothing in the budget. was talked about last year. Te minister said: “Don’t worry. Te Premier announced: “Don’t worry, Surrey. If we’re I’ll deal with it. Don’t worry. Wait for our budget.” Again, elected, every portable will be gone in our frst four years.” I’m more than willing to be proven wrong if somebody Well guess what. Tat was last year. Tere are more port- can point to the page where it references strata owners and ables in Surrey now than there were before. We built some how we’re going to be helping them with their insurance massive, beautiful schools in Surrey when we were in gov- costs. ernment. Contrary to the NDP, who like to continue to When you talk about building, you know, we’re talking say: “Oh, you never….” about capital. We’re talking about money being spent. When you look at this budget, from the government’s cap- [Interruption.] ital spending, there are some really staggering numbers that need to be explained. Or should I say even the lack Well, that’s interesting. Siri just agreed with me. Siri just of staggering numbers in the budget that need to be ex- found on the web when the B.C. Liberals built schools in plained? Surrey. I guess I have to be careful when I mention Surrey Te minister, in her own Finance announcements yes- in the House now. 1318 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

But to get back to that…. Te Premier stood on a corner down. Te Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions with all the fanfare, with all the ribbons and balloons, with stayed fat. Te Premier’s ofce went up, though. the critic at the time for Education, with some families, Te Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions still and said: “Don’t worry. We’re getting rid of every portable only has a $13 million budget — $13 million. I know in Surrey.” Tey are still there. Tere’s no new school — we’re going to ask questions again this year specifcally nothing in the budget for the Olympic Village, one that’s around that. Where does that $13 million go? How many been promised for, I think, four or fve years now by this staf work in the ministry? Does most of that go to fund government. the ministry? How much of that actually goes out the One thing I did fnd interesting, though, in the budget. door to help people? Although there are hardly any schools being built around In past years, when we’ve asked this government, the the province, interestingly, ones that kind of weren’t prom- Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has always had ised but are being built are two new schools in the Premi- to defer those answers to the Minister of Health, because er’s riding. Tat’s in the budget — two new schools in the it’s the Minister of Health that actually follows through Premier’s riding. and deals with a lot of these issues. So again, it might be Now, I’m not going to take away from the fact…. As really fashy to have a person designated with a title, but the former Minister of Education, I know well how that we haven’t seen any success with that. If it’s not working, area is growing as well. Tey need help. Tey need more maybe they need to remove that ministry. Put that $13 schools. I’m excited to see those ones being built. But it million back into the Ministry of Health, if that’s where it shouldn’t be a competition of whoever the Premier is and came from, or at least add it in there, and specifcally tar- whichever the Premier’s riding is, is the one that gets the get where that money is going to go out the door. schools. It should be going equally to those in need around With that money, it’s over three years. It’s a start. I will the province. acknowledge that. But the challenge with that is we don’t Te minister and the Surrey MLAs continue to brag a- have just one jurisdiction. We don’t just have one city or bout a Surrey hospital, which, for the most part, is also a community. We don’t just have one set of the population footnote this year, because there’s not one dollar. Tere’s that is struggling with mental health and addictions. Tis nothing in the budget, nothing at all, this year for a hos- is a provincewide issue. pital in Surrey. Tey can stand up and say: “Don’t worry; I hear the — I probably could say — horror stories you’re getting one.” But getting one when? Tey can’t even from our front-line workers, from the frefghters in my get the date right in their own document. community and up in Fort St. John, the Dawson Creek [3:15 p.m.] area, who have told me the devastating circumstances You might be getting one in six years. You might be get- where they’ve had to respond to a young person, in their ting one in seven years. It’s all notional. It doesn’t actually home alone, who has accidentally overdosed and died say specifcally: “Dollars attached. Tis is when it’s going because of their addiction to opioids. How are we help- to start, and this is what you’re going to get.” It’s another ing those people? Where are the supports when they fashy announcement with no dollars this year put towards need it, before the tragedy? it. It’s only notional in the capital plan. And even in the So $500 million over three years, just to put that in document, when it has the paragraph talking about the perspective — and it’s in the government’s own docu- Surrey hospital, it says that they’re only going to be able ments — creates only 195 new treatment beds. Not to to build 168 beds, when and if the hospital is built — 168 single out the Chair, but I know in his area, in Vancou- beds. Tat’s a far, far cry, and far below capacity, from what ver, 195 beds are a drop in the bucket for what’s needed is needed right now in the fastest-growing city in British right now to help people. Columbia. [3:20 p.m.] One of the things that government announced in the Is it a start? Absolutely. But how do we disperse that? budget that I will carefully acknowledge — because it’s How do we deal with it on a provincial scale? a start, and that’s why I say “carefully acknowledge” — We look at downtown Vancouver and the thousands of as a step in the right direction is $500 million over three people who are looking for help right now or who are years. Tat’s $500 million to help the Ministry of Health, struggling right now. One hundred and ninety-fve new I should quantify. beds — yes, it’s a start. But we have almost 200 communit- It’s not the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions ies in British Columbia. So 195 beds — how is that going but $500 million going into the Ministry of Health to help to be split up? How’s that going to make sure that a place in the crisis that we have in mental health and addictions like Dawson Creek or Prince George, Prince Rupert…. and the opioid crisis. Te Minister of Mental Health and Tis isn’t a metropolitan issue. Tis isn’t a downtown issue. Addictions’ budget is fat. She saw zero increase in her Tis is a provincial issue. budget. Te Premier’s ofce, though, mind you, went up We see it, and we hear about it all around the province. by 30 percent — his budget. A lot of other budgets went Our challenge is going to be, to the government on this part…. Yes, it’s a start, but where do we go from here? And Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1319 with this start, what are the outcomes? What do we plan through to the next week, to hopefully keep their employ- on doing that’s actually going to make lives better, to actu- ees on the payroll. ally help people? People expect a big vision, big ideas. Tey were not According to the ministry service plan, 21,000 addition- expecting, I would argue, ten years of defcits and borrow- al people have been diagnosed with opioid-use disorders ing that this budget put forward. Again, it’s not too late, so since November of 2017 — 21,000 people diagnosed. Only we implore this government to do better. If they can’t do it 5,000 people, though, have received recent treatment, so in their budget, then they can at least do it properly for the 21,000 people, new people, and only 5,000 have been people of British Columbia. Tey need help. People need helped. Tat right there should show people the challenge help, and they need optimism. Tey need a clear vision, a — not only that we’re facing as a government but as a soci- clear path of how we’re going to get through this pandemic ety — that we need to address. and then how we are going to survive as a society and eco- At the end of the day, we just expected more from this nomy for the years afer that. budget. We didn’t expect a status quo. Te government It’s unfortunate that this budget did not highlight hardly has made all these promises and none of them are being any of that for the people in the time when they need it delivered in the budget. I want to kind of end how I star- most. It’s unfortunate that I have to say again that this is ted, by saying we need to — by we, I mean all of us in this probably one of the worst budgets that I’ve ever seen and, House — do our jobs to help the people of British Colum- unfortunately, at one of the worst times in provincial his- bia, to set the path for a strong future, to show that there’s tory. Tis could have been the time for government to do optimism, to show that there’s a plan, to make sure people the right thing, for government to shine, for government know that they’ve chosen the best province in Canada to to do what people needed, not abandon them. live in, because it is. With that, I look forward to getting into the estimates But it’s our job to continue proving that to them. It’s our portion of the debate. It’s very important that we ask the job to continue showing them that they made the right critical questions of each minister, to see where the money choice to be here. It’s our job to prove to them that they is going, where the help will be for the people in the need to stay here because it will be a bright future for them province. I look forward to hearing the other speakers in here in the province, that we do have their backs, that we this House as well, especially the members of the gov- do have a vision and do have a plan. It’s not in this docu- ernment, who know, if they have read the budget, that ment, but it’s not too late. Tis is just one budget. But it’s everything I’ve said today is factual, because it’s reading not everything. right out of their own document. It’ll be interesting to see Tere is still time for each minister, each ministry, the how they try to contradict that in their speeches, when Premier and the Minister of Finance to do the right thing. they get up. Tey have time to put a plan forward. Tey have time I’m looking forward to hearing all of those comments, to not just say something but do something. Tat’s what Mr. Speaker. With that, I just want to thank you and the people want to see. Tey don’t want to see a government House for their time. abandoning promises. Tey want to see a government making promises and then fulflling those promises. Tat’s S. Furstenau: I’m grateful for the opportunity to take a government people can be proud of, not one that they my place, to respond to this year’s budget. would shy away from. I recognize that budget days tend to be celebratory af- Whether it’s helping the afordability, helping renters, airs for governments, an opportunity to put forth their helping people in Surrey that have been asking for it, there agendas and point out key investments that refect their is still time. It’s not in the budget, but this government can commitment to particular goals and policies, to fulfl cam- still do better. paign promises, to generate hope and excitement for the I want to acknowledge, again, that this is a budget dur- year ahead. But it is hard right now to feel particularly cel- ing a pandemic time. Nobody is arguing that. We under- ebratory. stand the stresses of running a defcit. We understand the need for borrowing money to help people now. Our only [N. Letnick in the chair.] ask is if government’s going to be doing that, then do it. Get that help out the door. Get it out to people who need it We are reeling from the ongoing risk to our health and now. the tragic loss of lives to COVID-19. Our hospitals are be- [3:25 p.m.] ing stretched to the limit. Health care workers, exhausted We should not be seeing cuts to school districts. We from 13 months of a pandemic that has become its most shouldn’t be seeing cuts to health authorities. We shouldn’t ferocious in this brutal third wave, are pleading with us be seeing a 30 percent increase in the Premier’s budget, in to do all we can to prevent infections from rising. Young his own personal ofce, while everywhere else people are people are struggling with separation from friends and hurting and trying to just fgure out how they can make it family, spending the last year having to manage loss of income, loss of opportunities and loss of the kinds of 1320 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 experiences — attending university in person, travelling, trust — specifcally, the growing belief that other members of one’s meeting new people — that all of us took for granted as community are fundamentally diferent from one’s self. “Declining trust is not exclusive to individuals but extends to part of our lives. people’s faith in institutions. In a research paper exploring the im- A year into this pandemic, with what appears to be pact of inequality on values and attitudes, social scientist Frederic widespread acknowledgment that it has laid bare the deep L. Pryor found that people in less equal countries had less interest and structural inequalities in our society, the rich have got- in politics, less confdence in their sitting parliament and ofen be- moaned a societal lack of respect for authority.” ten richer. Tose with the lowest-paying jobs, the highest risks and the most marginalized communities have borne Addressing inequality can’t be something that we app- the hugest costs of this pandemic — loss of jobs and in- roach with disparate policies and investment. It needs to come, loss of health, loss of lives. be the lens that we apply to all of government policy, legis- [3:30 p.m.] lation and budgeting. We need to relentlessly ask the ques- COVID didn’t just expose inequality in our world; it tion: does this move us to become a more or a less equal deepened it. We can see it right in the budget documents. society? We need to make the decision that we need to be “Te B.C. unemployment rate averaged 8.9 percent in a more equal society. 2020 and 7.5 percent year-to-date to February 2021, up [3:35 p.m.] from 4.9 percent in the frst months of 2020.” Tere has At the same time, over the course of this last year, we been some recovery, but as of February 2021, “there were have seen the relentless ravaging brought on by climate still 15,100 fewer people employed than in February 2020.” change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. In addition, we see in the budget that “the share of unem- It has been yet another year of records. From the state of ployed people that have been without work for 27 weeks or the climate 2021 report, there are many sobering statistics. more was 33 percent in February 2021, its highest reading Record CO2 levels, hitting 417 parts per million last May. in 36 years.” In February 2020, to compare, it was 12.8 per- Te past decade was the hottest on record. Te year 2020 cent. Tis is a deepening of entrenched poverty for more was more than 1.2 degrees hotter than the average year in people in British Columbia. the 19th century. In Europe, it was the hottest year ever, At the same time, revenues from property transfer taxes while globally, 2020 tied with 2016 as the warmest. were signifcantly higher than expected due to a housing Te exceptionally warm temperatures triggered the market that saw rising prices and sales at a rate that have largest wildfres ever recorded in the U.S. states of Califor- lef many who are looking for homes unable to even get nia and Colorado and the Black Summer of fres in east- a bid in before the house is sold. Tose with wealth and ern Australia. In June 2020, the temperature reached 38 assets saw their wealth, for the most part, increase — and degrees Celsius in eastern Siberia, the hottest ever recor- in some cases increase dramatically — in the past year. ded in the Arctic Circle. Te Arctic is heating twice as Tose without signifcant wealth and assets, for the most quickly as the rest of the world, and as less ice makes it part, saw their incomes decline and the opportunity to through the warm summer months, we lose its refective enter the housing market become even more out of reach. protection. In its place, large areas of open, dark water Inequality, already a signifcant problem before COV- absorb more heat, fuelling global warming further. ID-19, has become worse. Tere have been many studies “Globally, forest areas continue to decline,” says Bon- on the efects of inequality in societies, and the fndings nie Waring, senior lecturer at the Grantham Institute, are consistent and stark. From inomics.com, an economics noting that there are big regional diferences. “Protect- research site, we get a summary of some of the societal ing existing forests,” she tells us, “is even more important impacts of inequality: “Research by sociologists Marii than planting new ones. Every time an ecosystem is dis- Paskov and Caroline Dewilde has shown that living in turbed, you see carbon lost.” unequal societies fundamentally changes the way that Te World Economic Forum’s report on the risks of people interact with those living around them and, more biodiversity loss states: broadly, how they perceive their community. Most notably, “All species, including humans, depend for their survival on the intersocietal solidarity — that is, the willingness of indi- delicate balance of life in nature. Yet biodiversity — the diversity within species, between species and within ecosystems — is declin- viduals to try and improve the living conditions of other ing faster than it has at any other time in human history. Te cur- members of their community — sufers.” rent rate of extinction is tens to hundreds of times higher than the Tey go on: average over the past ten million years, and it is accelerating. Al- though the world’s 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01 percent of “As the collective traits of generosity and compassion reduce, all living creatures, humanity has already caused the loss of 83 per- the social cohesion is damaged. Te slippery slope is then further cent of all wild mammals and half of plants.” greased. Te same study shows that declining solidarity is quickly refected in dwindling public support for government-led redistri- As reported in Forbes magazine, the World Economic bution which, for communities facing high levels of inequality, is Forum does not mince words when it comes to the eco- exactly what is most needed. nomic risks of climate change. “‘Climate change, to which “Economist Henrik Jordhal has looked further, linking greater social distance not just to estrangement but to higher levels of mis- no one is immune, continues to be a catastrophic risk. Although lockdowns worldwide caused global emissions Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1321 to fall in the frst half of 2020, evidence from the 2008- clusion; B.C.’s housing market; the outlook for immigra- 2009 fnancial crisis warns that emissions could bounce tion and trade; and uncertainty in the global economic back. A shif towards greener economies cannot be outlook.” delayed until the shocks of the pandemic subside.’ Climate Issues surrounding climate change and issues around action failure is the most impactful and second most likely equity and inclusion — the two greatest challenges that we long-term risk identifed in the report.” collectively face in our world and in B.C., and what our Te advice that the report ofers: “As governments, busi- economic council has to say is that there are issues. nesses and societies begin to emerge from the pandemic, Yesterday, when we responded to the budget by indic- they must now urgently shape new economic and social ating that we believe that this government has missed a systems that improve our collective resilience and capacity pivotal moment to pair our recovery from COVID-19 with to respond to shocks while reducing inequality, improving a transformative plan for this province that would ensure health and protecting the planet.” a green and just future for British Columbia, it was an Tat’s the World Economic Forum. Let’s compare this to expression of our dashed hopes that this government the summary report of B.C.’s Economic Forecast Council would seize this historic moment that we are in and truly that was released in yesterday’s budget. In the summary of set our province on a course that our grandchildren could the report from our Economic Forecast Council, climate thank us for. But this is not what was delivered yesterday. is mentioned once, in the same sentence as LNG: “Other As so many others have also expressed, this was essentially topics discussed by the council included the general resili- a status quo budget, afer what has been the least status ence of LNG development and other capital projects des- quo year that any of us have experienced in our lifetimes. pite minor pandemic-related delays; recent strength in the What’s our common agenda? What’s the story of where natural resources sector, particularly forestry; and issues we’re going as a province? Where is the unifying sense of surrounding climate change.” what we’re trying to achieve together? Compare this to the [3:40 p.m.] United States budget, with an ambitious climate action and LNG, the natural resources sector and “issues surround- a commitment to economic transformation and innova- ing climate change.” Tat’s the extent of the consideration tion at its centre, or to New Zealand, with health and well- that we get to see in the budget from the advice given being as the organizing principle for budget decisions. to the minister and her staf from the economic council. [3:45 p.m.] Tat’s the extent that they thought needed to be given to We are still operating without a cohesive purpose for climate change, which is the greatest risk to future genera- how we spend money and what overarching outcomes we tions. are trying to achieve in this province. Right now, around What about the housing crisis? From the same sum- the world, other jurisdictions are recognizing that redu- mary report: “Looking ahead, renewed international mi- cing inequality, addressing the climate crisis and building gration afer a pandemic-induced lull is expected to help a clean economy are not just nice to have. Tey are imper- support B.C.’s housing market.” Tere’s a worry that the atives. Tey need to be at the centre of our recovery from out-of-control housing prices that are blocking more this pandemic. and more people in this province out of the potential of To achieve this, it starts with how we measure success. home ownership is not recognized as a problem in this We need to start measuring our economy holistically and summary. get serious about reducing inequality and reducing the What about inequality? What did our Economic Fore- share of our economy that harms well-being, like an out- cast Council have to say about inequality? Nothing. Not a of-control housing market. word. In fact, and let’s sit with this for a moment, the word I remain troubled by this government’s continued sole “inequality” does not appear once, not once in this entire reliance on narrow economic indicators, like GDP growth, budget document. Not once. that don’t truly capture the health of the economy or how All of the sufering, all of the sacrifces of this last year, well it is serving the people of this province. Our contin- all that we’ve seen and learned about how deeply rooted ued reliance on GDP ignores and papers over an uneven inequality and racism are in our province, our country and and unstable economic foundation that actually harms our world….We have a budget from what is supposed to people, partly driven as it is by the afordability crisis, be a progressive, social democratic government, and there household debt, and unsustainable resource extraction. is not a single mention of inequality. Under the confdence and supply agreement, we worked Just to be fair, I also looked for the word “equity.” Just closely with the NDP, including with some extremely ded- like climate change, equity got passing mention in the icated and motivated public servants, to develop a suite summary of the economic council’s discussions. “Key top- of genuine progress indicators for B.C. I’m disappointed ics of discussion included the varied impacts of COV- that the work that we started together doesn’t seem to have ID-19 pandemic across industries and GBA+ identity come to anything with this new majority government. factors; government policies to support the economy while It is crucial that we start to measure the health of our maintaining fscal discipline; issues around equity and in- economy diferently if we’re going to start making diferent 1322 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 decisions that support the health and well-being of people deal with systemic issues. It is no doubt a positive step and if we’re going to build an economy that is inclusive and that, for the frst time in many years, we are seeing a sig- sustainable. nifcant increase to income and disability assistance in One place in this budget where we can see the problem this province. However, while these increases are wel- clearly is with housing. Growth in housing sales and prices come, they still leave people receiving supports well be- drove revenue gains to government, partly helping to low the poverty line. reduce our projected defcit. On the surface, and because Tis budget also ignores many of the evidence-based of how we measure our economy, this looks like a positive. recommendations that were made last year by the basic But we know that the housing afordability crisis is dam- income expert panel to transform our social safety net and aging communities and leaving young British Columbians implement targeted basic income for people with disabil- in extremely precarious and stressful situations. British ities, women feeing violence and youth aging out of care. Columbians have lived with a growing afordability crisis Tis government promised to “fx the cracks” in our seni- for years. Tey know that growth driven by an out-of-con- ors care system, yet in this budget, we only see $68 million, trol housing market actually makes life harder. B.C.’s eco- over three years, targeted towards hiring additional staf. nomy continues to rely far too much on real estate to drive Tis pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to sup- revenues. port our seniors, and this budget missed an opportunity We need to change the way we assess the health of the to take even initial steps to increase the quality of care economy if we’re going to address the structural inequalit- provided and enhance oversight for the long-term-care ies that are built into it and that are being exacerbated by sector. It’s unfortunate we did not see a commitment from the rising housing costs and prices. While I welcome the this government to take the steps recommended by seniors enhanced investment into the housing hub, and into build- advocate Isobel Mackenzie to improve transparency and ing missing middle supply, we cannot get ourselves out of oversight of public funds that go to for-proft seniors care this problem by expanding supply alone. in British Columbia and to ensure that the requirements I think it’s disappointing and frankly dangerous for the are being met in every seniors care home in this province. health of society that neither this budget nor the recent One of the most profoundly disappointing aspects of federal budget take any action to cool the housing market this budget is the area of natural resource management and reduce the afordability crisis gripping cities across and, specifcally, forestry. It gives me no joy to say that B.C. Tis is an extremely troubling omission, not only for this budget seems to confrm what many have been con- young people who cannot aford to buy or rent a decent cerned about, that the NDP’s promises to do things difer- home for themselves, but for the health and long-term sus- ently on the environment, on land use, on forestry and on tainability of the economy and local communities. old-growth protection are, indeed, empty words and that I welcome investments to youth mental health care, but there’s no intention to back them up with real action that we need to provide all British Columbians with the care would elicit any change on our landscape. they need to live healthy and fulflling lives. It’s time to Te Premier promised, during the recent election, to do treat mental health like a right and fully incorporate it into things diferently on old growth and to implement all of our health care system. Providing proactive, accessible and the old-growth review panel’s recommendations, includ- regulated mental health services is an important step in ing an immediate halt to logging in B.C.’s most at-risk old- addressing inequality in this province, as well as address- growth forests within six months, and a new science-based ing many other crises we see. approach to forest management that prioritizes biod- [3:50 p.m.] iversity and proactive, adequately funded, local and pro- Te budget fails to expand a regulated safe supply to vincial transition plans. As the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs combat the toll that the toxic, illicit drugs are taking on and conservation groups made extremely clear, a shif people, which this very government promised to do less away from old-growth logging simply cannot happen than a year ago. Five British Columbians are dying every without adequate funding, including conservation fnan- day from bad drug policy. Tat is unacceptable. Without cing and funding for Indigenous-led protected areas. immediate solutions like safe supply available, people will With this budget, the government has shown they have die before they can access any treatment beds or super- no intention of changing the status quo of old-growth log- vised consumption sites. ging in any meaningful way. Te minister, when pressed We cannot address this crisis without addressing mental on how they would fund enhanced old-growth protection, health. In light of increasing deaths from a toxic supply said it would come from within FLNRORD’s budget. But and increasing demand for emergency psychiatric ser- the forestry budget is being slashed by $41 million this vices, we must be proactive in supporting British Colum- year and $30 million next year. bians. Tat care should start by ensuring that everyone As Andrea Inness, from the Ancient Forest Alliance, who needs mental health care can access it. said: “Te B.C. government has missed a critical oppor- On issues like seniors care and reducing poverty, we tunity to show British Columbians that it’s serious about see some good steps but still a lacking commitment to its old-growth commitments. Despite promising a com- Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1323 plete paradigm shif in the way B.C.’s forests are managed, this kind of activity just carries on. Te rules aren’t the NDP government’s 2021 budget is beref of meaningful enforced, because there aren’t enough people to enforce solutions to make it happen.” those rules. [3:55 p.m.] What we see in this budget is a shrug, a decrease in She asks: “How does the province expect to protect funds to ensure that what happens on B.C.’s land base actu- ancient forest ecosystems, support communities and over- ally just follows the basic rules that exist. haul its forest management regime with less funding than In the areas of climate and innovation, this budget it had before?” makes some solid investments, including investments in I expect we will see more of the same: the loss of these the clean tech sector and the new strategic innovation irreplaceable ecosystems, and the reliance on a short-term fund, and funding to continue CleanBC. and fundamentally unsustainable source of jobs and rev- I was glad to see this budget follow through on the com- enues for local communities. Tis lack of funding partic- mitment to create a $500 million strategic investment fund ularly stings, because it means that B.C. risks forgoing the for B.C. A fund like this is something that we’ve been call- opportunity to partner with the federal government and ing for, for years. Tis type of fund could go a signifcant leverage matching federal funds to protect these ecosys- way to supporting the growth of B.C.’s tech start-ups, by tems. funding for the programs and supports necessary to scale. Te federal government has committed billions of dol- We still need to see more details about how this fund’s lars to protect endangered ecosystems and to support Indi- mandate exists and how it will be deployed. If it's used genous-protected and conserved areas. I cannot under- strategically to support innovation and the scaling up of stand the possibility that this government would poten- companies aligned with ambitious environmental and tially walk away and leave hundreds of millions of federal social goals, it could be a signifcant positive for our eco- dollars on the table. nomy. Tose are big ifs. We will really want to see details Tis is part of the broader trend of reduced investment about how to ensure that that happens. in land use and natural resource management. Te pro- [4:00 p.m.] portion of the budget spent on natural resource manage- Tis budget makes modest increases to continue to im- ment has declined steadily, year by year, regardless of who plement CleanBC. I welcome the investment into zero- has been in power. While the total B.C. budget has gone emission vehicles, steps towards enhancing the electrifca- up, the amount we spend on managing our natural re- tion of our transportation sector and the investment into sources and our lands has declined. Tis is in the face of a energy efciency in communities. However, with this biodiversity and climate crisis, and more complex land use budget, government is not rising to the challenge of the decisions and processes than we’ve ever had before. climate crisis with the funding and ambition that are re- It is no wonder we are seeing declines in species and quired. erosion of critical habitats, because we don’t commit the As Clean Energy Canada has said in its response to this necessary funding to manage our lands and our resources budget: sustainably. “As countries around the world ratchet up their climate ambi- I’ll add to this, and I expect that this is an experience tions, climate action and economic action are increasingly one and for most of the MLAs who represent rural and semi-rural the same. Canada’s largest trading partners, like the U.S. and the EU, have recognized the huge economic opportunity in transition- ridings. People are dismayed that they see activities on ing to a net-zero world, as did the federal government’s budget the land base that clearly contradict regulations and rules, released yesterday. We would have liked to see greater recognition whether it’s the destruction of riparian areas, whether it of this net-zero opportunity in B.C.’s economic plan.” is mining without a permit, whether it is dumping of soil Even the government’s language of a “greener” recovery, illegally, whether it is destruction of habitat, whether it’s not a green recovery, makes this lack of ambition very activities on ALR land that are not allowed. All of those are clear. We can and we must do so much more to tackle the happening in my riding. defning challenge of our time and seize the opportunity When the citizens turn to government to enforce the that is presented if we truly transition our economy. regulations, to enforce the rules, what they hear more In conclusion, there’s been a lot of commentary com- ofen than not is: “We simply don’t have the staf to ensure paring COVID and the varying responses to it from gov- that there’s compliance of these regulations. Tere’s noth- ernments around the world to the similar threat that cli- ing we can do.” mate change poses and the similar varying responses that In one case, there is a community in the Cowichan Val- we see. COVID is a much more immediate threat. Yet so ley where there has been mining operations for over a many governments have found it difcult to shif away decade, ofen without any permitting at all. Rocks have from the status quo in response to this very new, very dif- fown into people’s yards. Groundwater has been afected. ferent threat of a virus. Yet despite relentless eforts of a community association, At the same time, there have been countries, and prov- and I think I probably have well over a dozen of my own inces here in Canada, that responded decisively and agg- missives to government and conversations with ofcials, 1324 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ressively to COVID: New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, have posted record sales in 2020, and their revenues con- South Korea and, here, the Maritimes. Tese governments tinue to grow in 2021. I refer to much of the tech sector, decided that the risk of COVID was a risk they did not the housing sector and those who have had a successful want to mitigate; it was a risk they wanted to eliminate. pivot to online sales. As Prime Minister Ardern said: “Aiming for zero doesn’t For those who have not, and specifcally those who mean that it is a guaranteed success, but it does mean that work in the live entertainment, restaurant and tourism a lot fewer people will get ill or die.” sectors, this budget has a number of measures to contin- We now look with envy at these countries where gather- ue to support these important businesses. Budget 2021 ings happen, families come together, and ironically, return funds ongoing business supports initiated through the to the actual status quo was achieved much more quickly StrongerBC economic recovery plan, to help B.C. busi- than for those of us in places where mitigation was chosen nesses through the pandemic and to help them prepare over elimination. Tese countries have also had much less for recovery. negative impact to their economies, which rebounded Ongoing business supports include: $140 million for more quickly and are now enjoying the benefts of almost the StrongerBC increased employment incentive tax cred- full economic activity. it; $195 million to continue funding the small and medi- Tis teaches us a valuable lesson. It’s hard to make dif- um-sized business recovery grant program; the ongoing cult choices in response to risks that lie in the future, risks PST exemption on capital investments and select equip- that are not right in front of us. Yet as governments and ment and machinery to help businesses pivot or upgrade; decision-makers, this is exactly what is required of us. Tak- $45 million to Launch Online, connecting businesses with ing a passive and reactive approach to risks and threats B.C. technology companies to create or improve their e- that we know are coming is not what the people who we commerce and provide digital marketing and training to serve need us to do. Tey need us to identify the measures help businesses boost their online sales. that need to be taken so that there is the least harm from Tis program has been wildly successful and consist- these risks and these threats. ently oversubscribed. We’ve needed to extend it. It was ori- While we continue to navigate the very real and very ginally for $12 million. Part of this program, up to 30 per- present risk of COVID-19, we must absolutely look at the cent of the funds, will be reserved for Black-, Indigenous- horizon and recognize that growing inequality and accel- and people of colour–owned businesses, and that’s a big erating climate change are going to create more upheaval, deal and supports these businesses in my riding. more sufering and more loss. We have to be relentlessly Nerissa Allen, who’s the president of the Black Business willing to learn and, perhaps most importantly, acknow- Association of B.C., says: “Te pandemic has impacted so ledge and learn from our mistakes. It’s what’s needed most many people throughout B.C., and it has also dispropor- from those of us who occupy the seats in this House. tionately impacted people and communities of colour. I [4:05 p.m.] am pleased to see funding set aside for the Black, Indi- Tere will be much more to look at with this budget. We genous and people of colour business community.” Tis look forward to the estimates process. I thank you for my change, combined with opening the grant program to ser- opportunity to respond. vice-based businesses, will give business owners and entre- preneurs the opportunity to access funds that will help B. Bailey: I rise today to speak to the 2021 budget and to revive their businesses. speak about what’s in this budget to help the people of my Te funds must be used to hire B.C.-based companies riding, Vancouver–False Creek. Tis is a large document. to develop the online store or online booking system, Its hef and depth speak to the large number of measures it and many of these businesses also rely on tech that is contains to support the people of this province, as we con- built right here in my riding. Tis is an in-depth, trans- tinue to battle our way out of this pandemic and into the formative program for small and medium businesses future. It would be impossible to speak to all of the meas- and is having real impact. ures that are included, so I’ll prioritize what I think are the Tere’s a bit of a joke going around online that you may most pressing items to the folks in my riding. have seen. It has got three diferent options: “Check the I’ll look at the impacts of this budget on businesses, on box next to the driver of the digital transformation in your families and youth, the Indigenous community members, business. Box 1, your chief technology ofcer, or CTO. seniors and vulnerable Vancouverites. I’ll look specifcally Box 2, your CEO. Box 3, COVID-19.” at some of the issues most pressing in my riding and dis- [4:10 p.m.] cuss how this budget supports addressing these issues spe- Underneath this joke is the truth that a large number cifcally: the opioid and poisoned illicit drug crisis, health of businesses had actually lef money on the table because and post-pandemic recovery. they didn’t have the funds or time, or perhaps the know- COVID-19 has of course had a huge impact on busi- how, to make it a priority to transition into e-commerce nesses in the riding of Vancouver–False Creek, but the and online business. Tis fund and the ensuring trans- impact has been anything but uniform. Some businesses Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1325 formation will serve these businesses well long afer the Tis government has worked closely with the arts sector pandemic is behind us. to develop targeted recovery funding and has already in- Other business supports include $10 million to increase vested $22.5 million, through Amplify B.C., to support value-added manufacturing in B.C. by supporting SMEs B.C.’s music industry over the next three years, and $35 to make their products more accessible to customers and million to support arts and culture organizations. Budget an additional $6 million in grants for businesses to help 2021 builds on these investments by doubling the budget strengthen B.C.’s supply chain. An average 25 percent re- for the arts infrastructure program, which will provide $6 duction in commercial property taxes is also part of the million in capital improvement grants to support arts and work that we’ve been doing for businesses. culture organization recovery. Tourism and hospitality. As we all know, this sector has As we all know, this pandemic has been quite ruthless, been hit particularly hard, and the opportunity to pivot actually, on the restaurant sector. It’s been awe-inspiring to to digital sales is less than for many other businesses, for watch these intrepid entrepreneurs respond and pivot to obvious reasons. Budget 2021 continues to support these each presenting challenge. I was once married to a restaur- sectors. Te riding of Vancouver–False Creek has some of ateur and brewery owner, with nearly 500 employees, and B.C.’s most-treasured tourism destinations, including Sci- I know this sector well. ence World. Tis budget includes $100 million to sup- [4:15 p.m.] port tourism recovery, including support for major anchor I know how hard these employees work, how demand- attractions that help make B.C. such a valued and unique ing and unforgiving customers can be. I know how every destination. economic uptick and downtick has immediate impact on I have to share that throughout my kids’ childhood, we business. We made it through SARS. Times were glorious had a membership to Science World. We spent a lot of time during the Olympics. Vancouver’s housing crisis made it there. I just can’t overstate how important I think it is to hard to fnd employees when times were good. Ten the connect children to science and to nature. We spent hours pandemic. Imagine being a restaurateur in Gastown and watching the well-designed public science shows, the kids losing the cruise ship business and tourism and events throwing their hands up in the air hoping to be chosen as and locals. Tere are so few folks working downtown right volunteers to help out on stage. Te kids enjoyed the many now. So many people are working from home. travelling exhibits, including the giant LEGO exhibits and Te whole business model has been challenged. Busi- that really gross one about travelling inside the human nesses are pivoting and pivoting and pivoting again. Take- body, and — please excuse me, Mr. Speaker; I’ll say a word out, selling alcohol with orders, delivery, plexiglass and not commonly said in these chambers — fart jokes in our limited inside dining, patios only. It’s been beyond dif- household were the result for many, many days. fcult. Tis government heard from the restaurant sector IMAX delighted us with movies about the building of that getting rid of retail pricing of alcohol and moving the pyramids and understanding ice and climate change — to wholesale pricing would make a signifcant diference. and, more recently, the Great Bear Rainforest. Even afer Tis government adopted a temporary wholesale pricing the kids were grown, honestly, I kept going. I went to the strategy then made it permanent. Tis is huge. Pixar exhibit twice with girlfriends who also worked in Government is supporting the restaurant and hospital- the creative tech sector. Of course, I’ve enjoyed many fun- ity industry in the current short-term circuit breaker by draisers held at Science World, including Scotch-tasting providing more than $50 million in non-repayable grants events and the science of mixology. to an estimated 1,400 businesses. We’ve issued a 15 percent Te value of this incredible attraction to the people of cap on delivery services to stop them from gouging the the riding is immeasurable, as I know it is to the people of sector, taking money directly from the bottom line. We’ve British Columbia and our guests from all over the world. hired hundreds of tourism and hospitality staf laid of Tey’ll be back. Tis budget helps ensure that our world- during the pandemic to support the B.C. immunization class city and our attractions will be ready for them. In plan as non-clinical staf, and these employees will be able addition to the $70 million in tourism relief and recovery to return to the sector. Tese businesses can also apply to measures in Budget 2020, Budget 2021 adds an additional the small and medium business grant, whose funding is $20 million for community destination grants exactly for extended in Budget 2021. that purpose. Tere are multiple aspects of Budget 2021 that beneft I’dlike to speak now a little bit about the arts and culture families living in the riding of Vancouver–False Creek. sector. Vancouver–False Creek is blessed with a vibrant Let’s start with child care. Te pandemic has shone a light arts and culture scene. Granville Island is home to a large on the fact that access to afordable, quality and inclusive number of theatres, including the new site of Arts child care is not simply good social policy; it’s absolutely Umbrella, the Arts Council of B.C., the Arts Club Teatre, vital to B.C.’s economy. When, during the frst part of the Boca del Lupo, Carousel Teatre for youth, Ruby Slippers pandemic, schools closed and traditional supports were Production, the fringe festival, Vancouver TeatreSports not available, families struggled. Tey struggled to manage and more. the demands of work, many getting used to working from 1326 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 home and new realities, raising children while working in ent careers and to access them without having to lay down the same space. It’s incredibly difcult. a commitment for four years. With the wage disparity that still far too ofen exists, It’s an interesting model also because you can build on it was ofen women who dropped out of the workforce, top of it. You can train, go to the workforce, come back and compelled to put aside their careers or employment to train and so on, and it provides a lot of opportunities and care for their family’s children. Tis government has fexibility. It’s a really, really interesting model that I’m so made historic investments in the frst three years of happy we’re moving towards. Childcare B.C., our ten-year plan to deliver universal Te budget also includes $45 million for youth employ- child care to B.C. families. ment initiatives, creating 5,000 jobs when combined with Improving access to child care supports our economic Stronger B.C. economic recovery investments, and there is recovery by creating more opportunities for parents, par- improvement of mental health supports in schools, which ticularly women, to go back to work or school and gives we all know is so important. Tere’s also funding to kids the best possible start. Early childhood educators are address racism and reconciliation so that the next genera- receiving higher wages through our wage enhancement tion can develop the support they need to thrive. And spe- program, and we’re investing in bursaries and education cifc to the riding of Vancouver–False Creek but serving opportunities to recruit more people into this rewarding youth across the region, B.C. Housing is providing capital and in-demand career. funding of $5 million to Covenant House Vancouver — Over 35,000 children have received child care for $10 a to the expansion — to assist vulnerable homeless youth. day since launch. Now thousands more families will bene- Te funding will augment $10 million raised privately and ft from low-cost child care, as Budget 2021 will increase enable a new building at 530 Drake Street, the frst phase $10-a-day sites across our province. More than 2,000 fam- of Covenant House’s capital expansion project. ilies in the province will have access to programs that im- Covenant House acquired the land and building site prove inclusion in day-to-day activities for children with formerly occupied by the Immigrant Services Society of support needs, and $20 million will support additional B.C. with the help of an interest-free loan from B.C. Hous- health and safety grants to child care providers to ensure ing. Once complete, the building will accommodate ad- centres remain safe, through increased cleaning supplies, ministrative spaces, 28 temporary crisis beds and a drop- personal protective equipment or space improvements. in health care centre. [4:20 p.m.] Tere are supports for Indigenous community mem- We have also made public transportation free for chil- bers. In Budget 2021, we see continued action and com- dren. Over 340,000 B.C. children under 12 will ride public mitment to the shared journey of reconciliation, including transportation for free in time for classes this September. $17 million to partner with Indigenous communities and For families in the TransLink area, this is a potential sav- organizations, to expand access to skills training and the ings of $672 a year for each child, or $400 per year in B.C. addition of $60 million to the base annual funding to the Transit areas. Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Tis Youth are not forgotten in this budget. We are investing is dedicated funding to support Indigenous negotiations in new training and employment opportunities for youth, and engagement on legislation, policy and programming. including funding to support post-secondary education, Tere is $45 million to support culturally safe health including new spaces to build training capacity in the services and more Indigenous liaisons in each regional health care sector. Tere is $32 million to continue train- health authority, including ours, to improve health access ing launched through the Stronger B.C. economic recov- and services for Indigenous people. Tere is $14 million ery plan, including $5 million to expand micro-credential for the First Nations Health Authority to deliver targeted training for people looking to retrain or pursue new mental health and addictions services to Indigenous careers. Tere is $10 million for work-integrated learning peoples, and there are 400 more spaces in the Aboriginal opportunities and short-term skills training. Head Start program that provides culturally relevant child Tese are both programs that I’m personally crazy care for Indigenous families. Tere is funding to partner about. I think that it can be really difcult to commit to a with hundreds of Indigenous communities and organiz- four-year degree, and because I’ve worked in the tech sec- ations, including those in Vancouver–False Creek, to tor, I’ve seen people step back and be worried they might expand access to skills training and programs. not be ready to join that sector. Ofen we think about a [4:25 p.m.] computer science degree as being this huge barrier, and Tere are specifc funding pots allotted to those who we’ve taught people to be afraid of math. But if you can are most in need, including low-income seniors, adults take some micro-credential training in coding and fnd with developmental disabilities, and support for children out what you think about it and whether it’s something in care. Low-income seniors in the riding will beneft from you’re good at, it reduces that barrier, and I think it’s a huge the doubling of the seniors supplement. A $175-a-month opportunity for people to explore opportunities in difer- increase to income and disability assistance builds on two previous increases, for a total increase of $325 a month Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1327 since 2017 for people receiving assistance — a 53 percent for Indigenous, rural, remote communities is $900 million increase since this government came to power. in funding. It helps keep seniors safe by supporting long- Tere is additional funding to support children in care term care and assisted-living facilities, including screening who have alternative health care arrangements as well as staf and additional PPE. additional supports for programs that support children Tis budget helps support seniors with daily living by with disabilities or mental health needs. Community Liv- increasing care aides and community providers. It helps ing B.C. will receive new funding to provide supports and seniors manage moderate to high complex needs with services to over 24,000 adults with developmental disabil- dignity at home through the home health monitoring ities and their families. program. Now I’d like to speak about mental health and addic- [4:30 p.m.] tions. Te opioid and poisoned illicit-drug crisis has had a We took action when health ofcials found people in particularly brutal impact on the community members of long-term care and assisted living were particularly vul- Vancouver–False Creek. Tis is the largest mental health nerable during this pandemic. Since the start of the pan- investment made in B.C. history in this budget. Budget demic, B.C. has provided $345 million for the LTC sector. 2021 will continue the expansion of mental health and substance use supports to better connect people to cultur- [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] ally safe and efective care — $500 million in new funding over the fscal plan to expand mental health and addictions Te frst year of Budget 2021 adds another $258 million services. I’m going to say that again — $500 million. to help keep long-term-care centres safe by providing We’re building a better network of mental health sup- additional supports for health care workers to maintain ports for youth — $97 million there — including mental the single-site health facility order that’s been so important health programs in schools and expanding the number of and continued screening of staf at all LTC and assisted- integrated child and youth teams from fve to 20 teams living facilities. across B.C. by 2023-24. Tere is support for more school Te health care access program provides training and and community-based multidisciplinary mental health hiring of up to 3,000 health care aides. Tat’s $585 million and substance use services. Support and expansion of the over three years. Tere’s a continuation to renew and ex- Foundry centres is incredibly important. pand long-term-care facilities. Over 20 projects in plan- We’re also expanding the First Nations Health Author- ning are expected to create over 1,500 new beds and re- ity’s ability to deliver mental health and addictions services place approximately 2,850. to Indigenous Peoples — $14 million — and 195 new sub- Skipping ahead a couple of pages. In regards to com- stance use treatment and recovery beds throughout the plex care housing, the budget provides ongoing and new province to help more people get on the path to recovery. supports for people living with the most complex mental Tere is $61 million to improve access and quality of men- health and addictions issues. Te Ministry of Mental tal health services, including expanding eating disorder Health and Addictions is leading a broader framework care and to provide better access to suicide prevention ser- for complex care housing and support programs. Tat vices and early psychosis intervention and detection. implementation is to be supported by the pandemic Earlier this week, I rose in this chamber and spoke recovery contingencies. To meet the demand for cancer about the opioid and toxic drug supply crisis in my riding. care, PharmaCare and MSP services, there is $300 mil- I am profoundly grateful to see $330 million, over the fscal lion over three years. plan, to provide a full spectrum of substance use treatment Budget 2021 focuses on expanding team-based and ur- and recovery services, including $152 million for opioid gent primary care centres that provide faster access to doc- treatment. tors and to nurses and nurse practitioners. Tis is funded Tis is huge — 195 new substance use treatment and at $253 million over three years. Te UPCC in Vancou- recovery beds in communities throughout the province to ver–False Creek has been drawn on extensively through help more people get on the path to recovery. Te impact the pandemic, and it’s worth its weight in gold. this funding will have on my riding is immeasurable, and Tis budget is addressing systemic racism through I personally thank the Minister of Mental Health and training, education, and hiring practices to respond to the Addictions on behalf of the many, many constituents in In Plain Sight report regarding the experience of Indigen- Vancouver–False Creek who are impacted daily by this ous people in the health care system in British Columbia. interminable, horrible crisis. Tis money represents lives Tat’s funded at $45 million over three years. saved. Just to comment generally, I was really happy to hear Te pandemic has shone an even brighter light on the this morning on CBC that the Bank of Canada has kept its importance of health services, of course. Our budget con- key interest rate at 0.25 percent. It’s raised predictions for tinues to protect people’s health and safety with $4 billion economic growth this year to 6.5 percent. Tat’s up from in new investments over the next three years. Vaccina- an earlier forecast of 4 percent. Tat’s really good news. tions, contact tracing, more capacity at CDC and access Tey expect that consumer spending will return to pre- 1328 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

COVID spending within a year. Tey expect to see infa- I’m going to talk about a number of these areas in more tion back at its 2 percent target, happening later next year. detail in my comments here today. Tis is incredibly promising, and we should all take Needless to say, housing afordability…. Prices are con- heart noting that the macroeconomic indicators for eco- tinuing to go up. Supply is going down. Housing starts are nomic growth are high. It is in this light that we have a going down. Rents are going up. Tere’s no help in sight. budget that is a defcit budget with a 30 percent debt-to- Tis is happening all over the province. GDP ratio and a $9.7 billion defcit. But this is not wild Child care. While there’s a fair bit of tinkering around spending. Tis is a reasoned, well-thought-out approach, the edges, there certainly has been no signifcant progress, balancing the needs to support British Columbians with no meaningful progress, on the government’s commit- wise and considered counsel on what B.C. can absorb ment to $10-a-day daycare. going forward towards a balanced budget. Mental health, addiction and recovery. I think we all Following Budget 2021, we’ll see reductions in defcit acknowledge that an important frst step was taken in this spending year-over-year, until we again reach a balanced budget on the treatment and recovery side of the equation. budget, estimated to be seven to nine years from now. However, 195 beds and $133 million over a three-year per- It’s for these reasons that I support this budget. I want to iod for the entire province is not good enough. So when I thank the minister, her hard-working team, the Treasury say it’s a good step, it’s a very good, tiny, little, baby step. Board, the Treasury Board staf and the cabinet for their We need to see more happen there. diligence and hard work on behalf of the people of Van- Tere's nothing in this budget to help thousands of couver–False Creek. small businesses, with the exception of some additional funding for the tourism sector, but we’ll come back and T. Stone: I appreciate taking my place in the debate on talk about that in a moment. Tere’s no private-sector jobs Budget 2021. plan, as I mentioned, and as I mentioned, there’s no vision [4:35 p.m.] for economic recovery post-pandemic. Before I get into my comments, however, I want to As the world recovers, it is going to become an increas- acknowledge the comments just made by the member for ingly competitive place. It is going to be increasingly im- Vancouver–False Creek. Her frst response to a provincial portant that this province be ready to compete on that budget and I think she did great. Certainly, as a fellow world stage, that this province be ready to re-engage in the techie, I look forward to engaging with her. world economy. I think that it’s wonderful to have more people in this Where is the plan to attract that investment in this chamber that are from the tech sector and that understand budget? I don’t see one. Where’s the plan in this budget the tech sector and the potential that it really provides for to create the conditions for robust private-sector growth? communities right across the province. I think the work I don’t see that in this budget. Where is the focus on un- that the member did with Silicon Sisters was admirable. leashing the opportunity for each and every British Col- So again, welcome to the chamber, and I look forward to umbian to pursue their dreams, to take risks, to do what working with you. they need and want to do to advance themselves, to im- Te budget came at an interesting time — I’m not prove their lot in life and their family’s lot in life? I don’t going to get into it being two months late and this and see that in this budget. that; I think that’s been canvassed extensively — insofar Te Premier and the government have made a clear as a pandemic that we have all been struggling to deal choice. Tere is a signifcant emphasis in this budget on with in our own way, in our communities and with our growing the size of government — a massive expansion families and loved ones. Tere has been lots of pain. of government. Tere has been lots of loss. Tere has been lots of strug- [4:40 p.m.] gle, both from a health perspective and also from an eco- Tere has been a decision made by this Premier and this nomic and fnancial perspective. government to oversee a massive expansion in the public I think that British Columbians were really looking for debt with no plan to pay that back anytime soon. To think hope. Tey were looking for a vision, a vision for a long- that we’re going to see approximately $27 billion worth of term, sustainable economic recovery in this province and defcits over a four-year period, including the fscal year better days ahead. Well, they didn’t get that in this budget. that’s just ended. It would appear that what British Columbians did get Looking at the fact that taxpayer-supported debt is in this budget is essentially a refection of a government projected to more than double — I said that correctly, that has been in power now for a full term and is into its double — from about $44.5 billion pre-pandemic to second term. Despite making a number of very important, $92.7 billion post-pandemic, an 108 percent increase very critical commitments, particularly around afordabil- over this three-year fscal plan…. To look in the budget ity a number of years ago, it would appear that the govern- book and realize that the total provincial debt is set to ment has abandoned those promises around afordability. increase to $127 billion, three years out, from about $70 billion pre-pandemic, and then, to hear the government Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1329 say that it doesn’t have any plan to focus on how we baked into those 60,000 new jobs, those 60,000 new public bring that back into balance…. sector jobs, are 55,000 unionized British Columbians. Fair Tere’s no specifc timeline. Te Finance Minister has enough. Tere are lots of hard-working people in the pub- said that it’s likely that it will take seven, eight, nine years. lic sector — a tremendous number of hard-working, ded- Economists and the banks and others have said that it’s icated professionals in the public sector. But 60,000 more? likely to take longer than that, unless there is a clear plan. It’s not sustainable. We don’t see that in this budget. But it does speak to the NDP’s agenda. It does speak Te NDP love to talk about jobs recovery. Te Jobs Min- to their priorities. I mean, this is fundamentally a group ister has made an art form of patting himself on the back of people, a government — well-intentioned — that and patting the government on the back. Every other day believes that big government is the answer to all of our of the week, we hear it: “British Columbia has recovered problems and challenges. Tat government knows best. virtually every job that was lost pre-pandemic.” We hear Tat government will take care of that for you. Govern- that every other day of the week. ment is on it. It’s that old joke, when you get that knock Mr. Speaker, you know and I know that the devil is at the door, and you answer it, and the person at the always in the details. What the Jobs Minister, the Pre- door says to you: “Hey, good news. I’m from the govern- mier and the government don’t want to tell British Col- ment, and I’m here to help you.” umbians, don’t want to focus attention on, don’t want to While 60,000 public sector positions have been added to shine a bright light on is that the jobs recovery in this government — government has grown by 60,000 positions province is built on an extremely shaky foundation of — as I said earlier, in that same time period, 43,000 private massive reliance on part-time jobs having replaced full- sector jobs have been lost. I would surmise, and I would time jobs and, as I said earlier, this huge expansion in argue, that there cannot be a durable, long-term, sustain- the size of government. able economic recovery without the private sector leading Let’s dive into those numbers. Tese are the numbers the way. We don’t see that in this budget. that are actually in the government’s budget book. Tis is Let’s talk about women and youth. I think we all can not me making this up, or estimating. Once a month, as agree, in this chamber, that women and youth have been the Jobs Minister does, I put our response to the monthly disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. Again, the jobs numbers that come out from Stats Canada. But these jobs numbers bear that out. In fact, young women are are British Columbia’s numbers that are in the budget the most unemployed demographic in British Columbia book. today, at about 13 percent. Where’s the plan to get women Over the past year, British Columbia has, to this point, back into the workforce? Where’s the plan to get young to March…. Full-time jobs are still down about 43,000 British Columbians back into the workforce? from pre-pandemic levels — 43,000 fewer full-time jobs. Tere is no plan for that. All we have is a Premier who Te Jobs Minister talks about all of these jobs that have wags his fnger every now and then, assessing blame, ask- been created. Well, yeah, a lot of them are part-time. Most ing — urging, imploring — young people not to blow it for of them are part-time: 59,000 more part-time jobs today. the rest of us in this pandemic. I’ll tell you something: that It’s no wonder that so many British Columbians feel so 18- to 39-year-old demographic is carrying a massive load, stretched. It’s no wonder that 53 percent of British Colum- a disproportionate load, through this pandemic. bians in a recent survey said that they’re about $200 away I couldn’t help but think about this recently. On a per- from not being able to pay their monthly fees. sonal note, one of my daughters had major surgery Now, when we look at the public sector and the private recently at Children’s Hospital. It’s every parent’s worst sector, the jobs in those two sectors, this massive expan- thing to go through, when your child goes through those sion in government equates to an additional 60,000 more doors, and they disappear, and the surgery goes on for sev- public sector jobs today compared to one year ago — en hours. It was supposed to be fve. But we knew that 60,000. Tese are not all contact tracers. Tese are not all she was in good hands — great hands, the best hands that nurses and teachers. We don’t quibble at all with those pos- there are in British Columbia. We were there for almost a itions. Tese are a few jobs here and a few jobs there, and week afer the surgery. So we got to know a lot of the health a few more here and a few more there, multiplied by 100 care professionals in that hospital, the nurses in particular. times whatever in each ministry. Tere wasn’t a single nurse over the age of 39. Tey were Tis is signifcant growth in government: 60,000 more all in their mid- to late 20s, early 30s — every single one public sector jobs. Tat’s up from 430,000 total jobs to of them. All of the people that work over at the Ronald 490,000 jobs, a 14 percent increase in one year. Tis is all McDonald House, another outstanding facility that we’re happening under the shadow of the pandemic that we’re blessed to have in this province — not a single person in. there that was volunteering when we were there…. Most [4:45 p.m.] of the staf that we met there were under the age of 39. Te government doesn’t want to talk about it, and I don’t My point is that we have to be careful about assessing blame them for not wanting to talk about it. Of course, blame, about pointing fngers, even if it’s not intentional 1330 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

— especially when we are in a situation like a pandemic, — not saying that that shouldn’t happen. But what about where we really, truly should be in this all together. So I all the operators out there? What about all the men and take my hat of and I thank, from the bottom of my heart, women that have small businesses in the tourism sector the exceptional care that my daughter received and that we that are trying to make ends meet? Tey’ve had no rev- received at Children’s Hospital recently and, in particular, enue for a year. those nurses on the sixth foor that just gave everything We come out of the frst wave, and everybody was feel- they could to make sure that my daughter had everything ing, “Okay. Maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” that she needed. and then bam. We go into the second wave. Te tourism [4:50 p.m.] sector gets shut down again. Tey didn’t really get Tey’re struggling to pay their rent. Tey’re struggling reopened, frankly. Ten everyone is hopeful: “Okay, we’re with transportation costs. Tey’re struggling, in several coming out of the second wave.” And then bam. We get hit cases, with child care costs. Tey’re struggling as much as, again with a third wave. Where is government support for if not more than, many British Columbians much older the 190,000 people in this sector? Te business recovery than they are. Tey deserve to have a government that has grant has no new money and no top-up in this budget. a focused plan, that has their lives and their futures in Now, I kind of understand, because this program has mind. I don’t see that in this budget. been an unmitigated disaster in terms of its implementa- Of course, we know that tourism, accommodation and tion. It is farcical that this government, a year and a few food services sectors have been just hammered. Tat sec- months into this pandemic…. On a program that was tor is still down about 25,000 jobs since February 2020. All launched last September, with funding that was approved we’ve had are botched NDP programs to try and support unanimously in this Legislature in March of 2020, it is these businesses. I’ll talk about that more in a moment. absolutely inexcusable that today not every single penny of Te last piece about jobs…. Again, it’s something that that funding is already out the door to support small busi- the Jobs Minister, the Premier or the government doesn’t nesses that need the help. But I’ll give the government a ever highlight or want to talk about. It’s called hidden little bit of credit here. unemployment, which is a key component of the jobs pic- At least there’s an honest admission, if not a publicly ture that StatsCan puts out once a month with the rest of advertised one, in the budget on this, of just how inept the jobs numbers. Tey say: “Here’s the standard unem- they have been with the recovery grant. Tey have recog- ployment rate.” For March, it was 6.9 percent in British nized that. Small businesses are having so much trouble Columbia. accessing the recovery grant that the NDP has decided to When you actually layer, on top of the people that are stretch the program out for an extra year — which means unemployed, all of the people that have given up look- that $195 million of the $345 million might not actually be ing for work, and then you layer, on top of that, all of out the door for another year. the people that maybe have been able to go back to their [4:55 p.m.] jobs but are working part-time now, whereas they had a Now, how does this not make folks on the other side, in full-time job previously — or they’re a shif worker and government, realize that there are a lot of people that need they’re getting half the number of shifs that they used to the support? Tere are better ways to push these dollars get — British Columbia’s hidden unemployment rate is out the door, and it needs to happen. almost 11 percent. Te government then makes a big deal about their e- Tere’s a lot of people hurting in this province right now. commerce grant. Well, you know what? Tat will help a Tey might show up as back at work and back in their job, few businesses, but the vast majority of businesses that but let’s pay attention to what each individual story actu- could’ve used the help could have used the e-commerce ally is. Are they getting the shifs that they need? Are they grant last year, when they were forced to transition to getting the hours that they need in order to make ends online sales — or the circuit breaker grant. Again, the Jobs meet, in order to pay their bills? Or are they part of the 53 Minister, the chief marketing ofcer of the government, percent of British Columbians that are $200 away from not announces with great fanfare this circuit breaker and cre- being able to pay their monthly bills? ates the impression that businesses will get a one-time With respect to economic recovery, small businesses $10,000 grant, except in the fne print — no, no, no, no, no have been hit hardest during this pandemic. Tere’s no — the average grant is going to be $5,000 or less. question about that. I think we all get that. I mentioned If you’re a restaurant and you got hit with a lack of earlier…. Nothing in this budget to support small busi- advanced notice, this last time around, that you had to nesses — except for $120 million for the tourism sector. It shut down or at least revert 100 percent to delivery and is too little, too late. It’s a fraction of the $680 million that patio sales, takeout, no in-room dining anymore, you’ve the sector said — many, many months ago — they actually likely spent thousands of dollars on food that was per- needed in order to survive. ishable, that you couldn’t sell, that just added more insult Certainly, we welcome that some of this funding goes to injury. Tat happened to all kinds of restaurants. Tat to major anchor attractions and community destinations $5,000 might cover that bill for a few of them. It certainly Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1331 doesn’t cover their payroll costs and other lost costs. It’s a lot of small businesses, medium-sized businesses. No relief drop in the bucket. whatsoever for that. Te Jobs Minister makes a big deal all the time about So much more I would love to touch on in this budget. how British Columbia is number one in its support. Not Only a few more things that I have time for, unfortunately. for small business, it’s not. British Columbia is actually in In housing, as I said earlier, supply is down, prices are eighth place out of all the provinces, in terms of direct up. Prices are up in my hometown too — Kamloops, 16 grants and relief for small businesses. Newfoundland has percent year-to-date over the 2020 numbers. Tere are invested $740 per capita in supporting their businesses bidding wars, multiple ofers over asking price. Many deals through this pandemic; Ontario, $507 per capita; Alberta, are getting done in a matter of hours in a single day. $483 per capita. I won’t read all of the provinces ahead of I get all kinds of letters and emails and phone calls from, British Columbia, but British Columbia is at $196, per cap- particularly, young people that are trying to get into the ita, of support for small businesses. market — never thought in their wildest dreams that they Te minister stands in this House, and he stands in front wouldn’t be able to do so in Kamloops. But housing prices of the cameras — wherever he can fnd one out in the are out of control there. Tey’re out of control in most province — and looks into these cameras and looks into parts of this province, and this government, which was people’s eyes and tells a completely opposite story from elected in large part on addressing housing afordability, is what’s actually happening. “I guess if I say it enough, if I failing miserably on this account. Tey need to do better. repeat it enough, then it must be true.” Te NDP’s promise of $10-a-day child care — nowhere Perhaps galling more than anything is that the govern- to be found in here. Tere’s little tiny baby steps, as I said ment is sitting on a billion dollars in this budget, $1.1 bil- earlier. Just 75 net new $10-a-day prototype sites will be lion, that’s reserved for “unanticipated urgent health or added under this budget, which is about 3,750 spaces. We recovery measures” contingency. I’ve got a news fash for heard today from the Finance Minister: “We’re doubling the government. Tere are a heck of a lot of people that the number of spaces that we have funded over the last need the help today. I don’t think that anyone needs to sit four years.” You’re doubling it from a couple thousand to a around and wait, for the anticipation, to suddenly mani- couple thousand more. fest a whole bunch of need for individuals and businesses. Ten the government has made some pretty regressive It’s there. Why is the government not pushing these dollars changes in the child care sector, with an obvious agenda to out the door? Maybe it’s because they’re pretty darn bad, drive private sector operators out of the business — out of pretty inept, at actually doing so. Tey need to get those the child care sector — again, because big government is dollars out. best. Let’s have the government do everything for us. But Tere was no help in this budget for small businesses this was another issue that the government said: “We will that are facing skyrocketing property taxes — the split solve this — the challenge of inaccessible and unafordable assessment issue that we’ve been talking about for four child care in British Columbia. We’ll do it.” Tat was four years now. I’ve introduced a private member’s bill that to fve years ago. Nowhere near delivering on the promise. would create a new commercial property sub-class that Mental health addictions and recovery. Like I said, I’m would help reduce the property tax burden for small busi- very much willing to say that the $500 million investment nesses. It would also exempt them from having to pay the over three years is a step forward. It’s a baby step forward. speculation tax, the ridiculous application of speculation But 195 recovery beds — treatment beds — in a three- tax to vacant residential land, which includes the air space year period, across the entire province of British Colum- over the heads of businesses. It’s nonsensical. bia? We’ve got to be able to do better than that. Tere We’ve proposed a solution to deal with it. We were told is a moment in history here, that if we choose to write in this House by the Finance Minister, who was then the the chapter together….Tere is all-party unanimity in this Housing Minister: “Don’t worry. A solution is coming.” chamber, as far as I can tell, for a big, bold mental health Te Attorney General, the Minister Responsible for Hous- addiction and recovery investment in this province, and ing, in his usual dismissive tone just the other day said to 195 beds over three years doesn’t cut it. me, in response to a question in this place: “Te member I fnd it interesting that health authorities are having for Kamloops–South Tompson is getting a bit bent out of their budgets cut by $1.1 billion. School districts are hav- shape here. He should just be patient, because we’re work- ing their budgets cut by $53 million. It’s just inexplicable, ing on something.” Well, it’s been four years, and there’s particularly looking at the months ahead and coming out a simple solution to this. Tere was no extension of com- of a pandemic. mercial property tax, the commercial property tax exemp- A couple things that are Kamloops-specifc in the min- tion for small business. No relief from the employer health ute and a half I have lef — no mention, whatsoever, of the tax. cancer centre promise in this budget. Te Premier came [5:00 p.m.] up to Kamloops in October during the election. He came Te government is going to collect $6 billion over the for one reason and one reason only, and that was to tell next three years on the backs of business, on the backs of a the people of Kamloops: “If you re-elect me, I will deliver a 1332 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 cancer centre in Kamloops within four years.” Not a single we’re managing the health care system and we’re rolling dollar earmarked for that in this budget. out a mass vaccination program the likes of which this I have been in cabinet. I have been in government. country has never seen before logistically or operationally, I know how this works. I know how capital planning we’re also executing one of the most signifcant business works. Tere is no possible way now, because of the turnarounds in a corporation — probably in the insurance time that the Premier and the NDP have wasted, that market, period. that cancer centre commitment is going to be fulflled in Tat’s with ICBC. Afer the things the opposition, when Kamloops. Tis will be the second time — the second they were in government, did to that corporation, we’re time — that Kamloopsians will look at each other and putting it on a sound footing. Tat gives this province and go: “Are you kidding me? We were promised a cancer this budget a sound footing to move forward on as we centre. Te NDP are reneging on it?” move through this pandemic and as we move past it. Te sense of betrayal is palpable in Kamloops. Te MLA We’ve seen what that old approach to budgeting looks for Kamloops–North Tompson and I are going to contin- like. We’ve seen the B.C. Liberal approach, the so-called ue to fght tooth and nail to make sure that the Premier free enterprise coalition. I call them the Wild West coali- does good on his commitment to that cancer centre. tion. We’ve seen what it looks like when the Wild West We need more school capital in Kamloops as well. Our coalition was in power. Tey balanced the budget by schools are bursting. Tis budget doesn’t cut it. Te gov- reaching into the pockets of families, with MSP, with ernment has got to do better. ICBC, with hydro rates. Tey rolled over moneys from I thank you for allowing me to participate in today’s Crown corporations into general revenue to cover up tax debate. cuts for their friends. [5:05 p.m.] Further to that, they engaged in stunts and tricks like the fre sale of land. We heard from the Premier today, A. Mercier: It is an honour to stand up here today in talking about the sale of the land set aside for the new this House and to talk about Budget 2021. I just want to Cloverdale hospital, the new Surrey hospital. Tat set that start by acknowledging my friend the Minister of Fin- project back and delayed that project and delayed neces- ance and the tremendous job that she has done and all of sary services for people in Surrey and for people in my the staf in the Ministry of Finance and the tremendous area and in my constituency of Langley. job they’ve done in what has been a very difcult time. It doesn’t surprise me, in some ways, that we’re seeing Tat’s building on the good, strong foundation that the this level of outrage from the opposition and that we’re previous Minister for Finance, Carole James, has built seeing this level of disbelief from the Wild West coali- and the credibility that she’s built for the province of tion, because they weren’t able to do it when they were British Columbia fscally. in government. We’ve heard a lot of things so far in this debate, and I It really is the result of a tremendous efort on the part anticipate that over the next coming days, we’re going to of the Minister of Finance and on the professional civil hear a lot of other very loud and sometimes outrageous service. I mean, they’ve been running full tilt to get the statements coming from the members of the opposition B.C. recovery beneft program up and all manner of pro- that are really, in some ways, quite shocking. grams up and going and creating new ones out of the air We heard the member for Peace River South today say while also engaging in a budgetary process to keep the that we’re creating too many jobs, that we’re creating ships running. 60,000 public sector jobs on top of all the job creation Just noting the hour, I reserve my right to continue we’ve done in the private sector of the economy. We’ve speaking, but I’d like to move adjournment of the debate. secured investment in LNG Canada, which is up in the member’s region and area up north. We’re creating a lot A. Mercier moved adjournment of debate. of good jobs for British Columbians. We are going to get through this pandemic, and we are going to get through Motion approved. this pandemic stronger than we were before. Tis approach to budgeting, which has been brought Hon. L. Beare: I call Committee of the Whole, Bill 3. into question by the opposition, the approach that we have to budgeting, which is called sound fscal management, Deputy Speaker: We’ll just take a short two-minute seems to be a revelation for them. We’ve even heard the recess, if that’s okay, Members. member for Peace River South ask to see a jobs plan because he wants to know how we’re doing it. Because of Te House recessed from 5:10 p.m. to 5:13 p.m. the 16 years of B.C. Liberal bungling that we had in this province, it’s just incredible to them that things can be managed so well. But you can see that in the middle of a pandemic, when Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1333

Committee of the Whole House resentatives on that call. We met with about 20 key busi- ness and industry sector stakeholders, including Business BILL 3 — EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS Council of B.C., B.C. Chamber of Commerce, B.C. Hotel AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 Association, B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Associ- ation and others. Te House in Committee of the Whole on Bill 3; I participated in about four diferent consultations — S. Chandra Herbert in the chair. the meetings. We listened. Everyone agreed we need to make it as easy as possible for the workers to go get vaccin- Te committee met at 5:13 p.m. ated. Tere was no disagreement there. Many employers groups agreed that there should be paid time of. Tey’re On clause 1. okay with that, because many were already doing it. Tere were others who had concerns, and they wanted to make Hon. H. Bains: I’m here to answer any questions from sure that there are some limits put on, some guidelines put the opposition. on. Tere were others who completely opposed it. Looking at it overall, I would say that most supported G. Kyllo: I was wondering if the minister could just pro- paid time of, going through those consultations. We vide a bit of clarity, I guess, for the House with respect took into consideration, when we drafed this bill, the to the amount of consultation that was actually under- concerns that they raised — some of them — that there taken, specifcally with respect to this piece of legislation. should be some limits, some guidelines to be guided by. I’m just wondering if you could share with us, in detail, Tat’s why all those are refected in here. We believe it is the number of diferent organizations and industry groups the right thing to do. that were consulted as part of the background work prior to drafing this legislation. G. Kyllo: I’m just wondering. Can the minister pro- [5:15 p.m.] vide any additional context with respect to the level of consultation? Hon. H. Bains: I really want to thank the opposition. Te minister had indicated that he didn’t want to put Tank you very much for the question. I think we felt that any additional burden on the backs of employers that are the immunization plan is the key in order for us to get over already struggling during this really challenging time, this pandemic. Part of that would be the workers, who play through our COVID recovery. With respect to the level of a key role in moving our economy. Tey go to work every consultation, how was the determination…? How did the day, produce a product and then provide us the services ministry undertake and determine who was going to be that we need. consulted and who wasn’t? It was felt that there would be times where they may not I’m just wondering if there was any kind of broader pub- be able to go get vaccinated outside of their working hours. lic advertising or any opportunity to seek other input from We want to make it as easy as possible for all workers to other organizations that may not have otherwise actually go get vaccinated. Tat’s what employers want. Tat’s what been consulted on this legislation. we as a society want, because we want to make sure that [5:20 p.m.] at the end of the day, everyone is vaccinated as soon as possible. Tere was transmission at workplaces. Te soon- Hon. H. Bains: When originally the vaccination pro- er all workers are vaccinated, I think, the sooner we can gram started, it was age-based — those who are over 80 stop that transmission. and in long-term care, health care — and soon they were We did go out and consult with many. Normally, con- able to vaccinate that priority group. Now they were mov- sultation takes place. Tere’s a process out there. You send ing quickly towards the working-age population. So that’s people to consult diferent people, diferent stakeholders. when we realized that we needed to make sure that the I personally participated in these types of consultations people who are working…. Tey need to have an oppor- because I felt it was very, very important. On one hand, we tunity to go get vaccinated. Tat’s when we started con- want to make sure that all workers are given the opportun- sultations. ity to go get vaccinated without loss of pay. On the oth- I can tell the member there is an industry engagement er hand, we also recognize that the employers are going table that has been established. It has almost every busi- through tough times themselves, and we don’t want to ness — non-proft, labour and many others who could be continue to burden them with additional costs. on — in order to get their input and give them the inform- So we went, and we wanted to consult both the workers’ ation about what the governments are doing. Tat’s where representatives and the workers themselves — and the we started. other stakeholders, Indigenous groups and then the busi- So we did that. Ten all of the other groups that I just ness groups. We met with the labour organizations, B.C. mentioned, we reached out to them. I rely heavily on — Federation of Labour. Tey had a number of afliate rep- I normally do — my staf, who actually do this on an 1334 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 ongoing basis. So they reached out to all of those dif- We meet on a regular basis or as and when we need to ferent other groups in order to catch everyone that we sound of some ideas. could. But the urgency was that we wanted to move and make sure that the workers have the opportunity, now G. Kyllo: I just want to confrm: is that actually the that we’re moving into their age group, to go get vaccin- name of the organization? Is it called the industry engage- ated without a loss of pay. ment table, or is there another name associated with this Now, I must say — and I hope that the member would particular group of individuals? Just further to that, if the agree with me — that there are workers out there who are minister can just provide a bit of context as far as the on paycheque to paycheque. Tey can’t aford to take any frequency of the visits and specifcally how many members time of without pay, even to deal with as important an are on that committee and how many workers they repres- issue as to go get vaccinated. We want to make sure that ent in our province. they are not lef out, make sure that they are given the opportunity to go get vaccinated. [N. Letnick in the chair.] Tere are workers, we know, with more than one job. Tey have to in order to survive in a high cost of living. So Te Chair: Minster. we need to look at them. How do we make sure that every worker is vaccinated as soon as possible? Tat is good for Hon. H. Bains: Tank you, hon. Chair. Welcome to the the workers, their families and the communities that they chair. live in, and it’s good for the businesses. It's actually called the COVID-19 Industry Engage- Now businesses know that their workplaces are safe. Te ment Table. It was established by the government. Te risk of them shutting down or the cluster or outbreak is Minister of Jobs and Innovation is the one who chairs next to zero. Tey also now will win the confdence of their it, and I gave you the other two ministers who are on it, customers, who know that when we are dealing with this including myself. Tey meet on the call of the chair. Tey particular business, knowing that the workers are vaccin- have met, I’m advised, fve or six times already since they ated and they are a safe place to go and do business, they were established. will keep on coming back. I could give you a list — it’s a long one — of who’s on I think, keeping all that in mind, that it is a win-win-win that table. It’s Small Business B.C., Creative B.C., Innov- situation. Because at the end of the day, the whole purpose ate B.C., Destination B.C., WorkSafeBC, B.C. Ferries, B.C. behind all of this is to get over this pandemic as quickly as Hydro, B.C. Transit, TransLink, B.C. Pavilion Corp. From possible. Tis is the key to achieving that goal. the labour reps: B.C. Federation of Labour, Unifor. [5:25 p.m.] [5:30 p.m.] From the Indigenous, Black and people of colour: the G. Kyllo: Tank you very much for providing that con- B.C. Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Sum- text. Tere’s no question that our quickest path to recovery mit, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Ten you have is to achieve a high vaccination rate for workers across our the Alliance of B.C. Modern Treaty Nations, the First province. But specifcally back to the question on the con- Nations Major Projects Coalition and the Black Business sultation. Tat’s the area that I’m going to inquire a little bit Association of B.C. more on. Ten the regional-based representatives are Union of Te minister referenced an industry engagement table. B.C. Municipalities, Community Futures B.C., B.C. Eco- I’m not familiar with the name of that table. I’m just won- nomic Development Association and other key business dering if the minister could maybe just share with me what stakeholders, the B.C. Alliance for Arts and Culture, the the specifc name of that industry table is and specifcally Business Council of B.C., the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, who the members are of that particular engagement table. the Small Business Roundtable, the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia, the Canadian Federation of Hon. H. Bains: Te industry engagement table has been Independent Business, and the Canadian Manufacturers established for some time. It was established by the Pre- and Exporters B.C. mier. Minister Kahlon leads that. I’m on that committee, Te sector-specifc representatives: Burnaby Board of along with the Minister of Tourism. It is the table that we Trade, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Surrey Board reach out to, to talk about the ideas — what they are facing, of Trade, Building Supply Industry Association, B.C. Con- what their issues are and also what the government’s inten- struction Association, Independent Contractors and Busi- tions are in diferent places. nesses Association. I think it has almost every person that we could have Ten we go on to the Manufacturing Safety Alliance on the business side, the labour side, the non-proft and of B.C., Motion Picture Production Industry Association others. It’s a large…. I can’t have exact numbers, but of B.C., Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, B.C. there are dozens and dozens of members that are on that. Agriculture Council, B.C. Trucking Association, Beauty- Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1335

Council of western Canada, Building Owners and Man- ing: “Go ahead. We like it. We are already doing it anyway.” agers Association, the Canadian LNG Alliance. Others said: “Yes, we would follow it.” For example, the Member, I’ve got two more pages, if you want me to Surrey Board of Trade was right there, saying: “Tis is the continue on. I could go on. right idea.” I think other people gave us their input later. Tat’s how we did the consultation. Ten, in considering Interjection. the consultation, we came up with Bill 3.

Hon. H. Bains: Tat’s good enough, okay. Tank you G. Kyllo: Tis is a bit of a follow-up. I appreciate the very much. minister sharing so much information with respect to the consultation. I’m just wondering if the minister might be Te Chair: Te member for Shuswap. able to provide a bit of context. When he was meeting with the industry round table, was the intent to seek input and G. Kyllo: Welcome to the chair. concerns from the group? Te minister referenced that Tank you very much, Minister. It is a very exhaustive typically, ministers actually provide reports and report out list. I certainly appreciate your taking the time to read us to the group and then seek their input. through that exhaustive list of the diferent members of the I’m trying to understand if the concern was raised dur- committee. ing the meeting by the stakeholders bringing it to govern- Just with respect to process, I wonder if you could share ment looking for action, or if this was something that gov- for the House, just a little bit…. When you talk about con- ernment came and presented to the group and was look- sultation, was there a specifc meeting that was set up with ing for input on the bill that’s currently before us today. this COVID-19 Industry Engagement Table, with specifc It’s to get a bit of clarity as to whether this is something reference to discussing the potential of this legislation that that was government-driven, or if this was something that is before the House today? Or was this part of a broader was requested by the industry group that the minister ref- sweep of an agenda as part of that consultation? erenced. I’m just trying to get a better feel for the level of engage- ment, the level of input that was actually provided through Hon. H. Bains: March 29, as you know, is around the this table, or if the question of paid leave for folks that are same time that we brought in time of for vaccination getting vaccinations was more just a bit of a report out of without pay. Originally, that’s what we did, and I reported the consideration. Just how was the minister able to for- that to the group, that that’s what’s coming, because to mulate all the various inputs that must have come into that make it paid time of would require legislative changes. For process in order to land with the piece of legislation that is time of without pay, you could do it through regulatory before us today? changes. We did that, and we said: “Tis is what’s coming.” Also, Hon. H. Bains: At this industry engagement table, the we wanted to move forward to: “How do we make it easier other two ministers and I make reports to them. At this for workers who can’t aford to take time of?” Tere was one particular meeting, on March 29, I raised the issue that input coming to us from some groups already, urging us we are contemplating to make it easier for workers to go to do this. So I gave our intention at that meeting: “Tis is get vaccinated and, since the vaccination plan for B.C. is what we are doing through regulatory changes, and this is the key to overcoming the pandemic, that paid time of is where we would like to go. How do we make it easier for the one that we are considering. workers to go get vaccinated without a loss of pay?” Tat’s [5:35 p.m.] what we initiated. It’s so that every worker will have the opportunity to go Tat is a normal process. Any time government has get vaccinated and no one is lef behind who may feel that intentions on making certain legislative or regulatory they can’t aford to take time of. Ten we lef it with them. changes, you reach out to them. You say: “Tis is our in- We heard, right there, some responses, but we also lef tention in this area, and we are looking for input and your them with, “Give us the follow-up input,” and we received thoughts on this.” Tat’s what we did. a number of responses from them. [5:40 p.m.] Ten we had those four specifc sessions, as I said, that I was involved in — business, labour, Indigenous and the G. Kyllo: Tank you, Minister, for that additional clar- other, as I would call them, NGOs — those who deal with ity. people who are immigrants, probably recent immigrants, As a follow-up to that, in meeting with the industry and people of colour. group, was government…? Sorry, let me back up. Te min- We listened to all of those. We combined all of that and ister indicated that when he approached the group, there listened to what the responses were. What were some of was, I guess, a direction or an understanding or concern the limitations they wanted to see? What was some of the expressed by government, and they were seeking input opposition? Tere were some of the folks who were say- from the industry association. 1336 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Prior to that, was the minister receiving complaints or with respect to the potential for providing this bill that’s concerns from the general population about this concern? before us today? I’m just trying to understand where the concern for the If the minister can just clarify that the frst time con- paid leave came from and what problem was trying to sultation was undertaken with respect to this piece of be solved with respect to this particular legislation that is legislation was a mere three weeks ago? before us. [5:45 p.m.]

Hon. H. Bains: I don’t mind discussing this at length, Hon. H. Bains: Look, of course the pandemic hit us the consultation process, but I think we are on section 1, about March last year or thereabouts, in that area. But and the content of section 1 is the one that we should be the whole world was scrambling to fnd vaccinations, debating. develop vaccinations. It took a long time for our scient- But to answer the question from the member, the issue ists around the world to come up with a vaccination. was brought to our attention that we should be moving Ten once that was developed and approved by diferent in that particular area. We realized that there are workers authorities in diferent countries, including our country, who may not have the opportunity to go and get vaccin- we needed to have a vaccination plan. We depend on the ated because they may not get the leave. federal government for vaccination supply, and the fed- So the frst thing we did was make sure that they have eral government depends on other countries. I must say, leave that would be job-protected to go get vaccinated in we used to have a factory back east that produced vac- case they have to take time of during work. We could have cinations here in Canada, but the government of the day done it through regulatory changes, but we did have at sold it. Now we’re dependent on other countries to sup- least, I remember, one letter that came advocating that we ply us with vaccinations. should be moving into paid time of. Earlier this year, the vaccination plan was put together We raised this issue with this group at that particular for British Columbia based on what vaccination we were meeting, that we were moving through regulatory going to get, the number and who should be the priority. changes. Ten we wanted to know: what do you think Based on all of that, as I said earlier, the frst priority of giving people paid time of in order to go get vaccin- was our elders and then those who take care of them, the ated? Tere are concerns being raised that the workers long-term-care homes. Ten, as we were moving quickly may not be able to aford to. Ten, in that situation, they towards the working-age population, that’s when we star- may not go and get vaccinated if they know that they are ted to think about it. Tat’s when we started to get this con- going to lose money. versation going, that we needed to fnd a way to make it We were also hearing — it was in the media already — easier for working people to make sure that they get vac- that there were a number of large employers already saying cinated. In case they fail to go because they are afraid to that they were giving time of with pay to workers to go get lose pay, how do we help them? vaccinated because they realized it benefts the businesses I think the member can question the timing, but no as the workers are going to get vaccinated. one could expect how this COVID, this virus, is acting. Tat discussion was going on, so that was the frst time It changes every day. Our health care workers, our health we raised it with this group. Ten we moved on to make authorities, the government are all reacting, because no sure that we included others — those four diferent ses- one knows how this virus will be reacting today or tomor- sions we held with other groups — to make sure that we row compared to yesterday. got as much input from business, from labour, from non- I think we moved as quickly as possible and the con- profts, from Indigenous groups to guide us through what sultation took place as quickly as possible and we reached direction we should be going. out to as many people as possible because we want to act, we want to react, and we want to make sure that the people G. Kyllo: I’m just about fnished, I think, on the con- are given the opportunity when their turn comes. We want sultation piece. Just for clarity, the frst meeting when this to make sure that the workers get the opportunity to go get was canvassed with the industry table was March 29 of vaccinated. Tere shouldn’t be any barriers for them to go 2021. Is that correct? If the minister could just confrm, and do it. Tis is one way of removing those barriers. was it March 29 of this fscal 2021 that this initial consulta- tion was undertaken? G. Kyllo: Tis is a bit of a follow-up. I thank the minister for sharing that with us. A question, I guess, that immedi- Hon. H. Bains: Yes. ately comes to mind is that…. Te minister mentions that the creation of vaccines has taken a signifcant amount of G. Kyllo: Te pandemic was announced last year in time. If I have a look at the potential quick math on the February, March. Here we are a full year past, and that’s the number of — 2½ million or 2.6 million — British Colum- frst time that there’s been any consultation with industry bians that are working, if all of those workers were to actu- ally take advantage of this particular piece of legislation Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1337 that is before us today, the total cost to businesses could be entitled to only 15 minutes, or the employer would be upwards of $200 million to $300 million. It’s pretty signi- responsible only for 15 minutes, because they will be leav- fcant. ing 15 minutes before their shif ends. So that’s 15 minutes. Whether that’s going to be the uptake or not, I guess Tere could be another worker where the clinic hours we’re yet to see. I’m just wondering, if I could ask a further are such that by the time their shif is fnished, the clinic question of the minister: does the minister feel that the will not be open, or it may be that it takes an hour to travel. potential cost burden of $200 million to $300 million on Te member should know, because where he comes from, the backs of small businesses is deserving of more than in the rural communities, clinics may be in the next town three weeks of consultation? or a distance away. Tey need to travel. So it may take up [5:50 p.m.] to three hours for them to go and get vaccinated. You wait there for, I think, ten or 15 minutes — it requires you to Hon. H. Bains: Look, when this COVID hit us, every- wait — then come back and start your shif again. one was impacted. Businesses were impacted. Tere are Tose cases will be there, but I can tell you that the idea businesses that haven’t been opened yet. Tere are busi- here is helping the employer to make sure their employ- nesses that are not running at full capacity. Tere are busi- ees are vaccinated and giving them the opportunity to go. nesses that were closed and opened again. It wasn’t any- If there are barriers, we remove them. Tat’s why the gov- body’s fault. It’s the way that COVID acted. Te cost is ernment is coming in. Tat’s why we went out there and huge, of having the pandemic continue on. Of course there consulted with businesses. Tey gave us their concerns; we is a cost of having workers go and get vaccinated, with pay. considered those concerns. Tat’s why the bill is drafed But let me tell you: if we don’t have that, the cost will be the way it is. even more. Te beneft to the businesses, and to everybody else, G. Kyllo: Tank you to the minister for the additional could be in the billions, because as soon as we get over this information. I’m not challenging the merits, the validity or pandemic, this is investment. We are making investments the necessity for vaccinations. My questions largely have — both the government and businesses — every day, so been around the consultation, the amount of engagement that we could have a quick economic recovery. Member, that this government has undertaken, with diferent you would agree with me that the best thing that could industry organizations that will be incurring costs. How happen to all of us, especially to businesses, would be if signifcant those costs may be, we have yet to determine. we could get over this pandemic. Tat’s the best thing that [5:55 p.m.] could happen. If I may, just further to my previous question, can the Te way to do that is to have a successful vaccination minister advise, or share with this House, whether three plan. In order to do that, you need to remove all barriers weeks of consultation, in his mind, is adequate — if that is and to make sure that clinical hours are such that people an adequate amount of consultation for a bill that, poten- are able to go and get vaccinated at diferent hours, based tially, could put upwards of $200 million to $300 million on their needs, based on their shif schedules. in additional cost burden onto the backs of already strug- Ten also, there are people out there where the busi- gling small businesses? nesses are supporting their workers already. Tey are sup- porting them to go and get vaccinated, without loss of pay. Hon. H. Bains: You know, like I said before, this COV- Many of the collective agreements already have this kind ID, this virus, is acting very quickly. It doesn’t give you any of clause enshrined in their collective agreements. Many of warning, the way it’s going to react tomorrow. You react the businesses feel that we should be doing this, because accordingly. Our focus of the government has been the the best thing that could happen to them would be to health of our population and, at the same time, working have all their workers vaccinated as soon as possible, so we towards economic recovery. Part of all of that is having could have a quick economic recovery. a successful vaccination program. Vaccination program Imagine if a business had all their workers vaccinated. is moving very, very quickly — very, very efciently. I’m Te risk of them shutting down, or the opportunity to con- advised over 30 percent of the population now is vaccin- tinue to operate — just compare those two. If you have ated, and in a very short time, we should be moving to 60 four or fve members out of, say, 20 workers, who fail to go percent. and get vaccinated because they are not able to take time Here, we were talking about moving…. When the vac- of, for whatever reasons, that risks the entire operation. cination plan was implemented, they were moving now to Te cost would be huge, compared to the time it would the working-age population. So we needed to do the con- take for those four or fve to go and get vaccinated. sultation as quickly as possible, and that’s what we did. We Tat’s why we listened to the business group. Tat’s why reached out to as many businesses as possible. I read you I say: “Up to three hours.” It means that if your shif ends the list. Te member…. I asked him if I want to continue at 3:30 and your appointment is at 3:45, and it takes you on with the list. It’s a long list. Where I frst raised the issue, about half an hour to travel to the clinic, you would be a possibility of us taking this action…. Ten we reached 1338 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 out again, personally, to many of the groups that I men- led to believe, just in the exchange that I’ve just heard, that tioned before. these conversations were lef so late because this govern- Consultation took place. Te time constraint that we ment was caught of guard or was surprised by the vaccin- had, we had to do. Te move, we had to make as quickly ation program. as possible, because we were moving very quickly into the I just want to give the minister, I think, another oppor- working-age group and bigger population. tunity to respond to this. I get the sense — and I don’t want Let me say what the businesses actually have been say- British Columbians to have the sense, if it’s not true — that ing — about the consultation, about the issue on hand. I the resources and the infrastructure that needed to be put will read it to you. “Bringing in a paid leave for a set few in place to roll out a vaccination program, including the hours for staf to get a vaccination is an opportunity for types of conversations that the business community needs business to look at this as an investment in a future free to be able to accommodate, the request or what we’re ofer- of COVID-19, which will be good for their business and ing here in this Bill 3…. Indeed, we’ve been talking about their bottom line and ultimately economic recovery for all vaccinations for months in this province. I think perhaps industries,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of that might be what my colleague from Shuswap has been Trade. So businesses recognize…. getting at with respect to the consultation program. I understand the member is not opposing the intent and Perhaps the minister can alleviate for me any fear that the content of the bill, but the consultation. I think we have there might be around the fact that this vaccination pro- canvassed thoroughly — almost 45 minutes now, maybe gram wasn’t, indeed, surprising and that it was something longer — about the consultation, and I think I gave as that we, as a government, had been looking to and hoping openly information as I could. I think as a government, for as a way to alleviate the stress and tension that COV- because of the seriousness of the issue, we need to move ID-19 has created, and that the public health crisis that quickly, and we consult as many people as possible. I think we’re facing due to COVID-19 was always going to be we are in a good position to make the decision, listening assisted by a vaccination program. to those concerns that were raised by many people on the consultation panel. Tat’s what we did. Hon. H. Bains: I thank the member for the question. Look, I think what we’ve been canvassing here is, Mem- G. Kyllo: Tank you, Minister, for the additional con- ber…. Once we knew what the vaccination program looks text. If I might ask to the minister: can the minister just like — how they will be delivering vaccines to which confrm and clarify for this House, when was the reg- group, when and how — I think that’s when we realize that ulation amended for job-protected leave with respect to we need to deal with the working-age population, as they COVID-19 and attaining vaccinations? move quickly towards the working-age population. [6:00 p.m.] [6:05 p.m.] Again, the supply of vaccination wasn’t in our govern- Hon. H. Bains: April 1. ment’s hands. We depend on the federal government. Te plan has to be devised based on the information and the G. Kyllo: April 1 of 2021 — just of this current fscal? supply we receive from the federal government. Okay, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Ten we needed to look at the infrastructure. How do I believe my colleague, the Green Party member for we deliver, and who is going to deliver? Once all of that Saanich North and the Islands, has a few questions. was worked out, I think our intention was drawn to: how do we deal with the working age now as they’re moving A. Olsen: Tank you for this opportunity, and thank towards it? How do we help the workers who are working you to the minister for these responses. who may not be able to take time of outside of the work- It caught my attention, and I think it’s important that ing hours or who need to take longer to travel to the clinic? we just kind of pause here a little bit because over the Tat’s when we initially moved towards job-protected last year, this provincial government has been in regular leave, so that people can go get vaccinated and their job consultation and regular conversation with the business will be protected. Ten we moved to see: how do we pro- community and with employers across the province. tect workers if they’re not able to aford to take time of? Tere have been a number of industry panels that were How do we deal with that issue? Tat’s how we moved in led by the Premier. I sat in on those during the summer, steps, and that’s why we’re here with Bill 3. on some of them. I’m just a little troubled with the minister’s characteriz- A. Olsen: If I may continue, just a comment here. I ation that this vaccination program is surprising. Maybe think that it’s unfortunate that this is the characterization I’m using words that the minister didn’t use. However, of our vaccination program, frankly, because I think that that’s the impression that I’m lef. I’m lef that we get to over the last number of months, we have been very much March of 2021, afer a year of talking about the importance alive to the fact that we needed to put in place a robust of vaccinations to us getting past this pandemic. Yet I’m vaccination program. When we asked the questions of the Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1339

Minister of Health around that vaccination program, we mention, no consultation with industry organizations. were assured that British Columbia does vaccinations very Ten we actually rejoined this Legislature back on March well and that we were prepared and ready to roll out a 1 of this year, and still no legislation. robust vaccination program. In the entire month of March, still no consultation with I recognize that the Minister of Labour is only one part business organizations. I think the minister had indic- of that program and, in all likelihood, not the person that ated…. I believe it was on March 29. Tat was the frst time leads the vaccination program. But as the Minister of they actually canvassed the idea of paid leave. Again, this Labour, there is a responsibility on behalf of the businesses particular legislation could put upwards of $200 million to and the workers in our province. $300 million of additional cost burden onto the backs of What I’ve learned here today about the vaccination pro- employers across this province. What do we see from this gram was that all of the months that we could be building administration, from this government? Jamming in three those robust vaccination programs and taking a look at all weeks of consultation, at the last minute, in order to put of the diferent variables that are in that program, includ- this bill before us today. ing when we’re going to get vaccines and, perhaps, when Tis bill could have easily…. Te consultation could those vaccines might be delayed, what are the contingency have been done easily last summer. Te bill could have plans in that? It just really feels like we’re careening from been brought forward last fall, in the fall legislative session. one moment to the next, without a coordinated plan. Tere certainly was ample opportunity in the month of What was learned today, in the minister’s response here, December, when we met for a few weeks here in the Legis- was that the vaccination program was to deliver to 80-plus, lature, but again, no reference to this particular bill. to seniors and Elders in our community frst. Ten we all Even at the start of this session, again, this bill did not of a sudden realized that workers were going to have to get come forward. Here we are, on the 21st of April, looking at vaccinated, so we’ve now taken the steps in March for a a piece of legislation, again, that puts a signifcant cost bur- bill that is being brought before us in April that could have den on the backs of businesses, with very little consulta- very easily, had the legwork been done last fall, been sor- tion. I’m very concerned by that, but I will move on. I’ve ted out and done in the December session with the other got a number of questions, and I know that we’ve probably bills that were there. talked a little bit — enough, maybe — about the consulta- Tis is not a difcult bill to write for the drafers. Nor tion piece. is it controversial. I’m using this opportunity to highlight Why was this bill now only introduced, a year into the a concern that I have about the vaccination program over- plan of the vaccine rollout? Does the fact that other jur- all, not a concern that I have with this bill necessarily. I isdictions across Canada, that they have actually recently think that this is a necessary measure that we need to take. adopted similar legislation…? Is that what the impetus was I appreciate the opportunity to raise these concerns before for the government to respond, or was there some other the House today. I recognize the minister’s role in this is plan or direction from government that was undertaken just part of it. months prior to now, that actually directed this bill that’s I just hope that the government can hear the concerns before us today? that are being raised here and hopefully we can take a more proactive approach in the future that includes online Hon. H. Bains: I think we’ve canvassed this thing long registration platforms and things that could have been enough. I gave the reasons how, when we thought about developed also last fall and last summer, as we were pre- moving in this direction. Many of the questions were paring and planning for a vaccination program. raised. “Why not last year? Why not last fall? Why not such-and-such a time?” I wish the member could have G. Kyllo: Tank you very much to the member for picked up a phone and phoned me last February, January Saanich North and the Islands for his interjection with and said: “COVID is going to hit us, and be prepared.” respect to Bill 3. Somebody else could have predicted the way that COVID Te member certainly raises an area of concern that was going to work and impact all of us. I have. A robust vaccination program would include not Or they could predict what particular day the vaccine just the receipt of the vaccines here in British Columbia will be available. As they say, hindsight is 20-20. We can and the administration of those, but a robust plan would all talk about “Could have, should have, when.” But I think also give consideration to job-protected leave, the poten- the fact is that when the vaccination program that was put tial implications that Bill 3 has before us for paid leave for in place…. I might add, it is robust, one of the best vaccin- workers obtaining those vaccinations. ation plans that you could fnd anywhere in any jurisdic- [6:10 p.m.] tion, and it’s very efciently done here, in British Colum- Although the pandemic has been upon us for over 13 bia, delivered. As soon as we get the vaccination, it is put months now, if we go back to last year, the months of in people’s arms. March and April and May and June, we heard nothing. [6:15 p.m.] July, August, September, October, the fall session…. No I think we should all be proud of the work that our 1340 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 front-line workers, the health care authorities and others and the title. So he can ask any questions on anything to are doing in order to have everyone vaccinated who has do other than commencement or the title. their turn. Yes, the turn came to the working-age groups. Tat’s when we started to put a system in place — how Hon. H. Bains: Clause 1 only talks about leave…. are we going to deal with that group in the event that they don’t have time of, in the event that many of them cannot Te Chair: Let me say it again. He can ask any ques- aford to take time of without pay? tions he wishes on the entire bill except for commence- Other jurisdictions…. Saskatchewan, I think days ago, ment or the title. came up with the same idea, but they have a diferent approach. Tey said three hours and only one dose. We’re Hon. H. Bains: I hear you. I’m going over to where that saying up to three hours. My understanding is Alberta just particular issue is talked about. followed us now, today or yesterday. Tey will be moving To answer the member’s question, that clause talks in the direction that we’re moving. about a maximum of up to three hours of leave for each I think people are moving as quickly as possible, know- dose. ing how this virus moves and changes every day. I think [6:20 p.m.] this is one area that we thought that we need to fx, and that’s why the bill is here. G. Kyllo: I appreciate that for each leave request, it’s to a My suggestion to you, Mr. Chair, is that we have done maximum of three hours. Is there a limit to the number of enough on consultation, but there is the content. Section 1 leave requests that an employee can make? is what we should be talking about. If there are any ques- tions on section 1, I’m prepared to answer. Hon. H. Bains: Right now we know that it is contem- plated that there will be two doses that the provincial G. Kyllo: Tere was no surprise that we would require health ofcer has decided. Right now that’s what we vaccines, and there certainly was no surprise that workers are looking at. I’m not sure if the provincial ofcer is would be looking for job protection in order to go and get going to change that, but considering what the provin- that very important vaccination, and, as well, that some cial health ofcer’s position is, two doses — that’s what’s employees may be looking for the potential of paid leave. contemplated in this bill. Tat’s not the question. Te question and the concern that I have — and the member for Saanich North and G. Kyllo: I appreciate the answer from the minister, and the Islands — is the fact that we have a government that I’m certainly not trying to be cute. I do appreciate that the seems to be reactive and not proactive. British Columbians vaccines that are available are either a single dose or two are looking for a government that is going to be thought- doses. But this bill, to my understanding, does not give any ful, proactive, forward-looking, forward-thinking. But to limitation on the number of leave requests that an employ- wait until the absolute last minute, which is largely what ee can make for vaccination. has been done, undertaken by this government…. To jam Currently, with a number of the diferent vaccines, the consultation through over a mere three-week peri- there’s a maximum of two doses, I believe, that’s available. od…. Again, consultation on a bill that potentially could But this particular piece of legislation doesn’t limit it. If put hundreds of millions of dollars of cost on the backs of there was another vaccine that was implemented six employers. It’s grossly inadequate. months from now that might be fve doses, this would still I think it’s absolutely appropriate that we have taken the apply in each of those fve instances. time we have to talk about the inadequate consultation Tis bill does not limit the number of doses employees that was undertaken with respect to the preparation of can actually request, or the number of opportunities or this particular bill. If the minister can just clarify: how times they can request leave. I guess there’s an under- many times is an individual allowed to actually obtain standing or anticipation that there’s only two, but this leave under this bill? piece of legislation does not limit the number of times an employee would actually be able to make application Hon. H. Bains: Just on procedure. Tat is later on in the for the paid leave under this legislation. If the minister section — how many times. Section 1 basically talks about can just clarify that for me. that the worker is entitled to paid leave. If there are any questions on that? Hon. H. Bains: Right now we’re talking about vaccine If the member feels that section 1 is passed, then I can to deal with COVID. Right now the information, by vac- certainly move to section 2. cine suppliers and the doctors, is that they need two doses. So that’s what we contemplated in this. Once the COVID is Te Chair: Just to clarify, Minister, there are three over, the emergency is over, then this bill may be repealed. clauses to the bill — clause 1, clause 2 is commencement, Tis is not going to move over to deal with some fu shots Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1341 or some other virus we may get hit with two years down before us. Te community knew what the facts were. Based the road. on those facts, we came up with this bill. [6:25 p.m.] I think right now we’re talking about COVID and two G. Kyllo: My memory is maybe not as good as it used to doses. But if the medical community decided the COVID be as I’m getting a little bit older, but I certainly recall con- is changing, the virus is changing, and you may need a versations in the medical community around the poten- third dose, this will cover it. But right now that’s not the tial need for a booster shot within the last couple, three case. Te case is, right now, everyone has been advised that months, which would have predated the consultation that two doses are needed, so this will cover those two doses. was undertaken on this particular bill. Te minister has provided some clarity to this House G. Kyllo: Tanks to the minister for his response. with respect to this piece of legislation, indicating that, in I know it’s hard to predict what may or may not happen. most instances, there will be an opportunity for employees I could also see the potential where an employee may to seek paid leave two times. I’m assuming that’s two times decide that they want to get vaccinated with diferent vac- per year. cines. But currently, under this legislation, there is no lim- [6:30 p.m.] itation. If it was three or fve or ten, in every instance, the However, with the fact that the bill does not provide any employee would be entitled to leave under this piece of annual limitation and the fact that the medical community legislation. was already engaged in fairly lengthy discussion around Maybe the minister could just provide some clarity — the potential need for maybe a booster, which would then that this bill does not restrict or limit the number of times increase the number of times that employees could make an employee can access paid leave under this bill. application under this bill from two times to three…. Tat’s a 50 percent increase in the cost to businesses. Tat’s Hon. H. Bains: I do not believe that the worker will very concerning. decide: “Well, I’ve got two doses of this, and I’m going to If the conversation around the potential for a third shot go and get another vaccine dose.” Workers don’t decide was not part of the consultation with industry groups…. that. Individuals don’t decide that. It is the medical com- An industry group might be having a look and having the munity who will decide if they are given one dose, now consultation indicating: “Well, if it’s only two times, times they need a second dose. So those two doses will be three hours maximum, that’s six hours per employee. At covered. an average cost, say, of $25 an hour, that’s $150. Maybe I Correct. Technically speaking, if it is felt by the medical can stomach that.” But if there’s a booster, and now there’s community that a third dose is needed, that would be a third dose, well that’s $225. Tat’s a signifcant increase covered. Tere is no limit when it comes to COVID-rel- in cost. ated vaccines. So that’s what we have in the bill. I think it’s defnitely important, and related specifcally to this bill, with respect to what the context of the con- G. Kyllo: I did say that I was going to move away from sultation was with the industry organizations. As the min- the consultation piece, but I’m just wondering if the min- ister has clarifed — and please, Minister, correct me if I ister could maybe provide some clarity. misinterpret it — my understanding is that the consulta- During the consultation with industry organizations, tion only contemplated the opportunity for employees to I’m assuming that was all predicated by the anticipation access the paid leave under this bill two times per year. But that an employee seeking paid leave under this piece of we are now in a conversation where there is potential for legislation would be entitled to two opportunities for paid three or who knows how many additional times. leave. Te minister has now just indicated that there is I think that really is important, as we have a look at the always the potential for a third dose being required. potential cost. In my opening comments, I indicated that I’m just wondering. When the consultation was under- the potential cost of this bill, with 2.5 million to 2.6 mil- taken with the industry organization, was it just the two lion workers in the province, could be upwards of $200 doses that were given consideration, or the two opportun- million to $300 million. Well, you add another 25 percent ities for paid leave, or was there consideration of a third or or 50 percent or 100 percent on to that, and pretty soon, maybe even a fourth? Obviously, the more times workers we’re potentially getting into the $300 million, $400 mil- seek leave under this piece of legislation has an increased lion, $500 million cost. cost. Again, this is three weeks of consultation. Tat’s all we If you could provide any clarity on the level of conver- had. Tree weeks of consultation. I certainly didn’t see any sation and consultation that was undertaken with industry open calls for opportunities for business to actually weigh organizations. in and add their voice to the conversation. Te minister has shared with us the consultation that was undertaken Hon. H. Bains: Look, we did not consult on hypothet- with diferent industry organizations. He quotes a com- ical situations. We consulted based on the facts that were ment by the Surrey Board of Trade. But we have not been 1342 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 shared — this House and our opposition certainly has not fact that there may be the potential for a booster, which been shared — with the level of detail of consultation, the could be a 50 percent increase in the number of times that number of comments that actually came in. employees could actually access the paid leave under this Again, it comes down to: what was the clarity provided bill that’s before us. Excuse me for being concerned. to these industry and trade organizations at the time that We have a government that is supposed to be providing they were being sought out for their input? Can the min- leadership, being forward-looking. Tey’ve had a year. At ister clarify whether there was consideration for a third or the onset of COVID, I would have certainly assumed that fourth potential dose, on an annualized basis, when the the Premier would have identifed a task force to have a consideration of this bill was put before the industry trade look at what recovery looks like. We knew that there would organizations in seeking their input? be vaccination programs. We knew that there would be workers seeking job protection for leave for COVID or for Hon. H. Bains: I think I answered both of those ques- obtaining a vaccine. We certainly could’ve contemplated tions. First of all, I want to clarify. It’s not two times per — because it’s certainly included in lots of collective agree- year, as the member may have mentioned. It’s two doses ments, as the minister has shared with us today — the for COVID-19. Two doses were contemplated. Tose opportunity for paid leave in order to get that vaccination. were the facts given to us by the medical community. Yet here we are, on April 21, afer a mere three weeks Everyone — businesses, us — knew that they were talk- of consultation on this particular bill. It’s been thrown ing about two doses. together. Te consultation that was undertaken did not If, later on, they decided that the virus is moving in a even provide the fulsome cost implications that are con- diferent direction and they need a third one, this will cov- templated here. Tere’s no annual cap, whether it’s two or er it. It is still the COVID-19 virus we are talking about. three or four. I certainly don’t know. But I think that Brit- You come up with a bill that is fexible in order to deal with ish Columbians and business owners that are going to be a situation that may arise. But you can’t build the legisla- shouldering the cost associated with the paid leave set out tion based on hypothetical questions — what may or may in this bill…. Tey need to have that certainty. Tis bill not happen; if this happened, what about that? does not provide that. [6:35 p.m.] Would the minister give consideration to putting an You consider all diferent scenarios. But based on the annual cap of no more than two doses, or two opportun- information we had at that time, it was clearly communic- ities for employees to access the paid leave under this par- ated to the public, to the businesses and to everybody, that ticular piece of legislation, per calendar year? there is a need for two doses. Tat’s how we did the con- [6:40 p.m.] sultation. Tat’s where the community was. But if there’s a third one, that is decided — not by me, not by the member Hon. H. Bains: I’m amazed at the amount of political or anybody else…. If the medical community decides, Dr. statements that are being made here rather than dealing Bonnie Henry decides, that we need to give a third dose, with the bill on hand. then they will be covered. Te bill is very clear that if a worker needs time of to go get vaccinated, they will not lose their pay and they G. Kyllo: Te minister’s comments are somewhat con- would be given that time, up to three hours per dose. cerning. If I correctly heard the minister, he indicated that Tat’s very clear. We’re dealing with the COVID emer- there was a need for the legislation to be fexible. I don’t gency. We need to move on because workers, right now, know that any of us want our laws to be fexible. Te laws need to go and get vaccinated. in this province and bills that are contemplated here need If you want to debate about the government’s role in to be factual, fnite and consistent, without fexibility. last year and three years before that, we can do that. Tere It’s just very concerning, standing here as a business is plenty of opportunity during the question period or owner and thinking about the number of businesses that outside, inside of this House. But right now we’re talking I’ve spoken to in my riding of Shuswap over the last year, about dealing with one area of vaccination delivery. Tat with the struggles, the challenges that they have with is the working people who actually are out there risking meeting payroll, with meeting all of the demands of keep- their own health and their families’ health. Tese are the ing their businesses running with reduced commerce and people that I’m sure the member and everybody else were with the diferent shutdowns that are impacting diferent applauding with pots and pans outside, every seven sectors, specifcally the tourism sector that has been just o’clock. Tese are the people we’re talking about. absolutely decimated the last year. I think businesses want Many of them are low-paid workers, women, Indigen- to have certainty. ous women. We heard from those groups that they are dis- What this bill provides is, certainly, a lack of clarity. proportionately impacted more than other groups. Tese Te consultation that was undertaken by this government, are the people who don’t have the opportunity to go and in a rushed and ramshod way over the last three weeks, get vaccinated without loss of pay. Tat’s what we are talk- didn’t even contemplate, as the minister has clarifed, the ing about — trying to deal with that situation. Wednesday, April 21, 2021 British Columbia Debates 1343

Here, I’ve heard, in almost two hours now, more politic- are less than $200 away from being insolvent and not actu- al speeches than actually talking about how we help those ally meeting their fnancial obligations. I think the other workers to go get vaccinated. How do we get over the pan- piece of that…. Tis is where it’s important that we fnd demic? Tat’s the best thing that could happen to busi- balance. nesses, as the member had talked about the concerns of I’m supportive of the bill, for the most part. I think there businesses. Tat’s what they want. Get over with this pan- are some challenges within it, and that’s why we’re here demic as soon as possible. Get their economic recovery today. Tat’s why there’s an opportunity to have these con- going again. Get back to some normal again. Tis is part of versations in the House, to canvass questions of govern- that. ment and to try and understand what actually directed I’m prepared to sit here and listen to this if that’s the them in the creation of the legislation. way the member wants to go, but that isn’t serving any- Back to the challenge that many workers have with body any good. We need to provide the protection to the working from paycheque to paycheque. Many business workers that they need so that businesses are beneftting owners are in the same boat. Many businesses are under because their workers are vaccinated and their workplaces water. We’ve had a signifcant number of business closures. are safe — that their customers have confdence that these We have lots of uncertainty with the current lockdown are the businesses who cater, because they are safe places measures that now, we understand, are running towards to go and cater. the end of May. Many businesses are also challenged with It’s the right thing to do — a win-win-win situation. I meeting payroll. think only the opposition would fnd some holes in having I had an elderly couple speak to me about six months a robust and efcient vaccination program that is the envy ago. Tey shared with me the fact that for them, with of other jurisdictions. Mr. Speaker, 30 percent of the popu- the impacts of COVID, they didn’t just lose their business lation are already vaccinated, and soon we will be moving income, they lost their personal income. Teir entire to 60 percent. Soon we will have everyone covered. I think retirement savings was invested in their small business. this is one area. Te hope was that at one point in time they’ll be able to I hope that we can move on and get support from the sell their business, and that would provide them fnan- opposition so that the workers who cannot aford to go cial freedom. Tat, in essence, would’ve been their retire- get vaccinated go get vaccinated. Others who can go out- ment allowance. But not only have they lost their business side of their working hours are already doing it. Tere are income; they’ve lost their personal income. Tey poten- employers who are already allowing their workers to go get tially may lose their business, in which their entire plans vaccinated during the working hours without loss of pay. for their retirement will be wiped out. Tat’s what I want to say. It is very clear. Te bill is very I certainly understand the challenges individuals have clear. It is that they would be given up to three hours per and workers have, but there’s also a need to provide those dose without loss of pay. necessary supports and to be considerate and thoughtful with respect to the impacts of legislation and the impact G. Kyllo: What I think I heard was that there was not a that it has on businesses and business owners. We know willingness to consider an annualized cap or limitation of that in order to have a job, there needs to be a business the number of times that employees can actually seek paid there — a business owner that’s willing to take the risk, to leave under this particular legislation. Maybe if the min- put the time and energy in, to put a second mortgage on ister would just be kind enough to provide clarity for this their house, to invest their capital and their time and their House on whether he would consider the undertaking of equity in order to create that very important family-sup- putting an annualized cap or a limit per calendar year on porting job. But I don’t see that balance with respect to this the number of times that workers could actually seek paid piece of legislation. leave under this bill. I certainly understand the position of workers that don’t want to be negatively impacted and shouldn’t actually have Hon. H. Bains: With all due respect, the answer is no. their paycheque diminished just because they’re going to [6:45 p.m.] go out and get vaccinated. But there’s a lack of balance I think that the bill is very sufciently drafed. It is here. Now, further to that, in providing that balance, has clearly stated that workers will be entitled to up to three this current government given consideration to providing hours time to go get vaccinated without loss of pay, and fnancial support to businesses to compensate them for the they will be entitled to that time per dose. So I respectfully costs that are going to be associated with this piece of legis- have to say no. lation?

G. Kyllo: Te minister, earlier on in one of his res- Hon. H. Bains: I think the member can canvass the ponses, shared with this House that many employees are minister responsible. Tere are all kinds of programs avail- living paycheque to paycheque. I believe I saw a stat re- able to businesses to help through COVID, but right now, I cently that indicated that 53 percent of British Columbians 1344 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 21, 2021 think the bill is before us. I think that’s what we would like on what’s an appropriate amount of time? If there is a to debate. vaccination centre that’s available fve minutes down the road, is ten minutes, half an hour, one hour, three hours…? G. Kyllo: We heard earlier today — I believe the ques- Who makes the determination on what is suitable or an tion was canvassed in question period — that the govern- adequate or appropriate amount of time for an individual ment is currently sitting on a billion dollars, a $1 billion to leave work, get vaccinated and come back? slush fund that was established and set aside to provide with COVID recovery — $1 billion. Government certainly Te Chair: Minister of Labour, afer you answer the has the funds and ability to provide relief for businesses, question, I would entertain a motion, if you would care but what I’m hearing from the minister is that there is no to do so. consideration for any type of a tax credit. [6:50 p.m.] Hon. H. Bains: It is a labour relation issue. I think We just have to look south of the border. I believe the employer and employee can work those details out President Biden recently announced a signifcant tax themselves. I think most of them will determine that. If credit, specifcally to top up and provide cost remedi- it’s a ten-minute drive, then they will be reasonable to ation for businesses, specifcally with respect to provid- look at that. If it’s a one-hour drive, they will look at that. ing paid leave for workers to get vaccinated. So other Both employer and employee will know the situation. administrations have undertaken tax credits for busi- Every situation is diferent, so I will leave it up to them, nesses to ofset the fnancial burden that they will be because they’re the best people who would be making incurring with respect to the potential for this bill com- those decisions. ing into force and efect. Mr. Chair, I move that the committee rise, report pro- Government, certainly, has the fnancial resources at gress and ask leave to sit again. their disposal. As we know, over $5 billion in COVID re- covery relief was actually approved by this Legislature last Motion approved. year. Many of those dollars did not go out the door, despite what, I think, the understanding and belief of members of Te committee rose at 6:53 p.m. the opposition were at that time. It’s very disheartening to hear that the Minister of Labour did not give consideration Te House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. or that government, apparently, has not given any consid- eration to providing any tax relief with respect to ofsetting Te Committee of the Whole, having reported the cost, the signifcant cost burden, that’s going to be put progress, was granted leave to sit again. on the backs of businesses with respect to this particular piece of legislation. Hon. H. Bains moved adjournment of the House. One further question. I see we are getting toward the end of the day. I’m quite looking forward to carrying on, Motion approved. maybe as early as tomorrow, with some of these questions. But if the minister can just provide some clarity: how is Mr. Speaker: Tis House now stands adjourned until 10 the length of time, or the length of leave, determined by an a.m. tomorrow morning. employer? As the minister has indicated, this piece of legislation Te House adjourned at 6:54 p.m. provides up to three hours. Who makes the determination Hansard Services, Reporting and Publishing

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