First Session, 42nd Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tursday, December 10, 2020 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 7

THE HONOURABLE , SPEAKER

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

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

First 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. 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...... 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)...... Vancouver–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 Kelowna–Lake Country ...... 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 (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 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

Tursday, December 10, 2020 Afernoon Sitting Page

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills ...... 133 Bill 3 — Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (continued) J. Sturdy G. Kyllo J. Tegart A. Olsen A. Wilkinson R. Merrifeld B. Stewart D. Davies B. Banman D. Ashton K. Kirkpatrick

133

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 doesn’t serve the people of British Columbia, the families and businesses around the province that are increasingly Te House met at 1:32 p.m. desperate for measures, supports and guidance that give them the confdence that this government has a plan and [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] is ready to act to help them through this devastating pan- demic and beyond. Orders of the Day Te bill before us will allow government to delay intro- ducing the next budget for months, from typically the end Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued second reading of February to the end of April. A full month into the new debate on Bill 3. fscal and two months afer what has been the practice for decades. Second Reading of Bills While it’s certainly easy to see how this bill will beneft government, it’s hard to see how it will beneft the people BILL 3 — FINANCE STATUTES of British Columbia or the organizations that serve them. AMENDMENT ACT, 2020 School districts around British Columbia, for example, (continued) will be at the point of needing to submit budgets to the ministry without knowing how much money they can ex- J. Sturdy: We were talking before the break about build- pect to receive. ing the economy, about having a plan and the concern I Health authorities, at the front line of the COVID pan- have about the fact that we don’t really seem to have a plan, demic, will be well into their next fscal in a year of crisis and the importance of the public sector and the invest- and pressure and demand and at a time when stability and ments that government has made recently — supported, certainty are incredibly important. Tey will have no idea I think, in large part, by both sides of the House — but how much money they will have to access, while they’re understanding that those services, be it in health care or already 8 percent into their annual spend. education, don’t come for free. Tis is also true for every ministry across government. As much as $6 billion would have already been spent in a [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] normal year, where budgets are made public in February. While they may not have been passed in advance of the People and businesses pay for those services through end of the fscal, it gives ministries guidance for what to their taxes. In order for this to be sustainable, to ensure expect. Tis is important, be it in the above-mentioned that we don’t go back to the days of consistently paying education and health care ministries, which comprise over operating costs with debt, we need healthy businesses that half of the provincial budget, but also in ministries which have the confdence to hire people, the confdence to rely on the summer season to get things accomplished. invest in equipment and facilities, the confdence that I think, for example, of the Ministry of Transportation investments in productivity will pay of. and Infrastructure and their need to act during a limited For that confdence to be solid, to allow people to plan building season, to action safety improvements during a for the future, it’s imperative that they understand where short construction window. Can contracts even be let or their government is going, because businesses are bufeted responded to in time for critical work to be done? Will by many things, I think, as we all understand, ofen outside contractors and bidders respond to this delay and that of their control, and COVID is obviously a dramatic much-shortened construction season? Will they even example of that. What businesses don’t need is to be respond, not knowing what jobs will be there? Will they, sideswiped by government. Tis is what concerns me perhaps, take other opportunities? about this bill. Te goal of this bill appears to be to further As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. delay laying out a plan, delay sharing intentions with If you don’t know what the budget looks like, you don’t people, delay letting people know the nature of the frame- know what projects are going to happen. work that they are going to be operating in. I think of B.C. Parks, a very important entity in West I really don’t see the need for this. Te previous Minister Vancouver–Sea to Sky. Tere are 17 provincial parks in the of Finance anticipated a need to defer submission of a riding, some of which are the busiest parks in British Col- budget in the years following a fall election. umbia. Tese parks are under enormous pressure to man- [1:35 p.m.] age visitation due not in the least to the fact that they’re Tis was canvassed extensively during last summer’s exceptional places but also to the fact of their proximity to session, and our critics understood the need and recom- Metro Vancouver. mended support for the measure, which was duly passed. Tese parks saw a budget cut last year. Will this again be So what has changed? Well, we have a new Finance the future of B.C. Parks? How can park managers plan to Minister. Perhaps she doesn’t expect to be up to speed at make badly needed improvements? Will they get another the same rate as her predecessor. Tis is unfortunate. It $2 million slashed from their budget in this coming year? 134 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020

How can they plan for that? What can the response be? port and certainty and a hope and desire to see beyond Well, I suppose they can limit access, limit services, limit what have been some of the most difcult times that maintenance or just close it down, like Jofre Lakes Provin- British Columbians have ever seen is what the people of cial Park, one of the most iconic areas in the Sea to Sky, one this province want and need. of the prettiest places in the province. It has been closed Now, I’ve been working with the hospitality and tourism for nine months. Te government messaging is that it will businesses in the Sea to Sky for years now. In fact, I have be closed for the foreseeable future, including this winter. certainly been involved in and owned one. We all under- If the B.C. Parks budget is cut again, it’s hard to imagine stand the cyclical nature of these businesses, and we are how B.C. Parks will react, although the proposal coming seeing unprecedented times. from government to date has been to start charging for day Whistler once saw huge fuctuations in the fow of trafc use in provincial parks. Tis has been foated as the future over the course of the year. High season and low season of Jofre. Given that there are many other busier parks made it very difcult to build capacity. Te resort would in British Columbia and, certainly, on the south coast, it be jam-packed and then empty. Stafng was incredibly dif- seems that this could be a plan for general implementa- fcult. Businesses desperately needed workers, and then tion, even while it’s hard to square with making life more overnight the resort emptied, and it was hard to carry afordable for British Columbians. those staf. Giving staf certainty and giving businesses cer- [1:40 p.m.] tainty is a prime driver for the resort and the region. It’s Regardless, even if they do plan on reopening Jofre good for staf. It’s good for owners, and it’s good for the Lakes Provincial Park, by the time the budget is presented guest experience. and passed this coming year, it’s hard to imagine how B.C. Years ago work began on flling up those of-seasons. Parks will have the time to action those needed improve- Conferences and events, Cornucopia, the Whistler Film ments, much less hiring and training parks staf, especially Festival in the fall and the World Ski and Snowboard the seasonal ones, which we understand have been woe- Festival in the spring. Tese type of events and others fully and inadequately trained to the point of WorkSafe flled up the of-season, which kind of transitioned into coming down hard on B.C. Parks with provincial orders. what we call the shoulder season. Over the years, that Tere’s a limited time in any season for ministries like shoulder season has shrunk and almost disappeared, up Parks to respond, and this bill will just ensure that they until this year. Especially with the recent travel restric- have less time, which does not set up anyone for success — tions, all bets are of. quite the contrary, in fact. Tis fall has been brutal. Hotels which would be run- From what we can see, this is a bill that will limit gov- ning over 50 percent or 70 percent are near empty. Res- ernment transparency and accountability, while also taurants that would have been able to carry a full com- delaying needed supports from getting into the hands of plement of staf through the fall and into the busy winter British Columbians. Christmas is coming, as we all know are empty and shutting down. Whether we’re going to — an unusual Christmas to be sure, one unlike any other. have a busy winter again is an open question. In fact, I It’s just a few weeks away. It’s a time that, typically, families think, increasingly, we’re skeptical that that will be the spend together in celebration. We know this year is going case. Tour operators are all but closed. Storefronts are to look very diferent. emptying. Independents are a vanishing breed, as the We’re all being asked to make sacrifces for the greater chains are the only ones with the capacity to survive, and good. What we are looking for out of government is con- even they are stretched. fdence. We are looking for certainty. We are looking to [1:45 p.m.] this government for a plan, for reassurance that we can Tese are the type of people that want and need sup- make these sacrifces and government will be ready to sup- port right now, and we want to do everything in our port us. Families and businesses need solutions and hope power to get those supports into the hands of these busi- and an understanding that we have a collective vision for nesses and people as soon as possible. It has been well how we’re going to respond and recover together. understood and talked about broadly that the tourism However, this Christmas the ofer of government is just and hospitality industry has been hammered over the to suggest that the people of B.C. hold on a couple extra last nine months, and the fact that government saw ft months. It will almost be summer before we know what to form a task force acknowledges that. Yet to date, they the budget is proposed to look like and what the plan this really haven’t done anything meaningful to support the government has for the people and businesses of British industry, beyond supporting marketing budgets. Tere’s Columbia. All that government has to ofer is delay. All nothing targeted to support tourism businesses, many of they have to ofer is that help is two months farther away. which are small operators who are desperate. Tis is bey- Honestly, that is not good enough. ond disappointing and reinforces the narrative that this Te ofcial opposition’s job is holding government government doesn’t have a plan. to account and to try and ensure that government is Tis has all been emphasized in the fnal report of the serving the interest of the people of this province. Sup- Tourism Task Force, which became publicly available yes- Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 135 terday. Given that the generation of the report was, in fact, of a fall election. One would hope that that was a coin- managed and written by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and cidence that such an amendment would be generated a Culture, with an assistant deputy minister who actually mere month before the Premier broke trust with his part- sat on the committee as an ex ofcio, it’s pretty rich that ners and called a snap election, which they claim was only the current minister claims she only knew yesterday of its decided on in September, although that assertion does recommendations. Tat does, in fact, stretch credibility. stretch credibility. Mr. Speaker, I will provide you with an excerpt from the [1:50 p.m.] executive summary of the task force report, and I hope the However, if we accept that this was simply coincidence minister fnds this instructive: and this wasn’t a duplicitous government scheming to “Te pandemic has lef the tourism industry in a precarious po- ditch their partners, it does reinforce the notion that there sition. Many businesses are now facing closure as reserve funds and hasn’t been and isn’t now a plan in place, given that they credit run out, and thousands of members of the workforce are un- got their wish, ditched their partner and then realized they employed. Funding is required NOW” — and that “now” is actu- ally in capital letters — “to ensure that there is a tourism industry needed more cover. for the workforce and the visitors to return to. During the summer, when they claimed to need extra “Our discussions with business owners and workers were pro- time to put forward a budget in the case of a fall election, ductive, but many are feeling desperate. A large number of tourism government made the case that a new government would operators and job holders have fallen through the cracks of previ- ous and current relief programs. People love the industry and want need to get up to speed and get a handle on the books. to build careers in tourism but are worried there won’t be work for It was the same argument that was used for changing the them when tourism recovers.” election date from spring until fall so the Auditor General’s Well, unfortunately, the best this government could do report would be available. with this bill that we are discussing today is to tell the tour- All of this may have merit if the government is changing ism and hospitality sector to “wait fve more months until out completely, but this is simply not the case today. In the budget is presented, and then we’ll see if there’s any- fact, we have essentially the same government that thing there for you.” I hope the task force comments don’t amended this legislation during the summer. Why do they prove to be prescient — that by the time there is recovery, now need more time? Why was it good enough then — the businesses will have disappeared and the jobs along and afer all, they did propose it and put forward the legis- with them. lation — but not good enough now? Could it be just We’re going to raise some additional important ques- simply poor planning? tions and concerns during this bill’s debate and the com- Te consequence is that by giving themselves a couple of mittee stage that follows, because it does come as some- extra months, much-needed pandemic supports and clar- thing of a package with the supplementary estimates that ity on where this government is going are further delayed, will follow and will allow the election payof cheque. But and the hardest-hit sectors continue to founder. we’re already beginning to see how things change. Tis is the only piece of legislation that this government To begin with, the government is asking for more is bringing forward in this short session. Tis is the reason money to increase the scope of the payment. Clearly, get- that government has called us back, to avoid accountabil- ting supports to as many people as needed is important, ity, to give themselves the authority through special war- but it’s becoming pretty clear that this was made up on rants to spend outside of legislative oversight, to spend the fy during the election, and it’s now being shown how billions of dollars without the House having a chance to poorly designed it is. debate and examine and hold them to account. Te idea that this election beneft cheque will go to Government claims they need somewhere between $1.3 people based on their income from 2019 is bizarre. Busi- and $1.7 billion to pay of their election gif. Quite a range. nesses had a good year in 2019. It wasn’t great, but it was But why do they now need $2 billion? Tat’s somewhere pretty good. Tis year is devastating, but that will not be around $300 million to $500 million, just spare change, considered in the provision of supports. Last year there not accounted for, spend it as you like. Just expected, so it were plenty of jobs. Tis year it’s a catastrophe. So those seems. who need it most likely won’t be eligible. Was that an ill- Tis government is manufacturing the authority to conceived notion, I ask you? Well, I would say it’s worse delay budgets and spend funds without legislative scrutiny than that. It’s perverse. and without oversight. Te idea that they can cloak the Looking specifcally at Bill 3 rather than the estimates — province’s fnances at a time when they should be striving as I mentioned, last summer the House amended this stat- to be as transparent as possible is disappointing. It should ute, already delaying the requirement to submit a budget be a red fag for the future. Transparency and accountabil- to the House by a full month. Tis change took place last ity are simply a slogan, or so it appears, and the Premier’s summer, for exactly the same reason they’re looking to comments about limiting the opposition’s access to free- change it again today. It was designed to give the Fin- dom-of-information requests just drives home the point. ance Minister more time to generate a budget in the case Disappointing, to say the least. Tis is a time when, if we were truly in this together, 136 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 the government would think it was time to share with the I ofen remind people that the ofce of the constituency House our collective fnancial circumstances and together of Shuswap is defnitely non-partisan. I care not for your put forward a plan for the future. But the reverse seems to political stripe. Our job is to serve all members of the be true. Tis bill seeks the opportunity to spend $2 billion Shuswap, and the work of Holly and Bonnie goes a long without saying what it’s for and then delay the inevitable way to helping us support the needs of Shuswap residents reckoning with an additional month. with many diverse issues, as we fnd especially in rural Should we be surprised that this government is twisting communities across the province. and turning and trying to hide its spending behind these Now, the reason that we’re here today speaking to this special warrants and not be accountable for the lack of a bill, the Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2020, cer- jobs plan or a vision for our economy, either during this tainly appears to be ill-conceived, as expressed by many pandemic or beyond it? Well, given that the Premier has of my colleagues that have spoken before me. Just the been talking about making life easier for the people of this fact that we are here in December session, I think, is province, it’s surprising that what we are doing is debating reason for concern. As we know, it was the current gov- a bill that doesn’t make life any better for those impacted ernment that, back in 2018, actually moved to put for- by this pandemic but does make life much easier for gov- ward an amendment to a bill to actually move the fxed ernment. election date legislation from the spring to the fall of Yes, this is disappointing. I look forward to committee 2021. Te scheduled election date that we had all anti- stage of this debate and supplementary estimates. cipated was October 16 of next year. It’s very unfortunate that in the midst of a pandemic, Deputy Speaker: I recognize the member for Shuswap. on the eve of a second wave of COVID infection rates surging across our province, the current government G. Kyllo: Tank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and wel- chose to cast aside the needs and the well-being and come to the chair and your new position. the interests of British Columbians for their own self- It gives me great pride to actually speak today to the serving political interests. Now, this may very well sound Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2020. Tis is my frst like sour grapes, but I truly believe that all members of opportunity to rise in the House since the 2020 election, this House — and especially our Premier — once they and I just wanted to give a few thank-yous to, frst of all, have the opportunity to form government, should be the hard-working men and women of the Shuswap that governing for all British Columbians. supported me for a third term. Te health and well-being of our residents, our citizens I want to thank you very much for continuing to put and our job-creating businesses should be put at the fore- your trust in me to help represent the interests of those of front. I think it goes without saying that the levels of you living and working in the Shuswap region. cooperation and collaboration that were actually achieved I also want to give a special thank-you to my lovely in the Legislative Assembly over this past year…. It was wife, Georgina, my lovely wife of 32 years, my high only back to March 23, I believe, when all parties came school sweetheart; and my four daughters, Sarah, Brit- together to put the needs and interests of British Columbi- tany, Angela and Samantha; and our eight wonderful ans at the forefront, to approve a $5 billion COVID spend- grandchildren, with No. 9 on the way. We do have anoth- ing plan, to give government the latitude so that they could er little boy on the way in February and are very much actually get on with business on tackling COVID, as well looking forward to his arrival. as seeing that the health and welfare of both our residents [1:55 p.m.] and our businesses were put at the forefront. Obviously, this COVID pandemic has been extremely Te collaboration was very efective, as we saw as we challenging for many families, including ours, as people moved into September of this year. Everybody was abso- feel a lot more isolated — my parents especially, Knut and lutely blindsided that the current government would cast Marianne Tomsen. My stepfather has COPD, so he’s been aside the needs of British Columbians for their own self- very concerned about COVID and the potential impact on serving political interests at a time when it was absolutely his health should he contract the virus. Tere are many imperative that all parties, all elected members, work people that we’re all connected with and that have found together collaboratively to help support our province in this year extremely challenging. getting through this most unprecedented COVID crisis. I also just want to give a special thank-you to Brian If you think about just the level of defcit that this gov- Cowan, my riding association president, who worked very ernment has taken on through this COVID period, ini- tirelessly on my last campaign, along with Linda Hawes, tially we were told, back in August, that it looked like about who also had a very supportive role — again, I’m just a $12 billion defcit. Not nine days later, the Minister of thanking them in their eforts to try and help me get elec- Finance came back to advise that, oh, the $12 billion had ted for this third term — and without saying, the hard now grown by a further $1 billion, to $13 billion. work of my constituency assistants, both Holly Cowan and [2:00 p.m.] Bonnie Gavin. Te work of our ofce is so very important. Now we have the Finance Statutes Amendment Act put Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 137 before this House late in December, which actually con- August, during the legislative session, the Minister of Fin- templates an additional $2 billion in spending, taking us to ance actually put forward, in another previous bill, to actu- $15 billion. Te largest surplus that I believe the B.C. gov- ally extend the deadline for providing the budget to British ernment has ever received was actually in 2017. Tat was Columbians by 30 days in the instance of an election year. by the previous B.C. Liberal government. Tat was only If we think about this for a second, I can fully appreciate $2.7 billion. and understand that, should there be a change of gov- So if we think about that for a second, that the level ernment, there very well could be the need for an addi- of the defcit, the level of debt that government is going tional 30 days of time for a new government to get their into…. It’s going to be shouldered by our kids and our feet under themselves and to actually have a better under- grandchildren at unprecedented levels, at $15 billion. Over standing of the fscal picture of our province. six times the amount of the largest surplus that, I believe, Tat is not what happened. Te NDP returned them- has actually ever been recorded in the history of our selves to government. So even the 30-day extension, I province. Tese things are very concerning. You know, just think many could argue, is not necessary. Our Premier the fact that we are here now in December for a very himself shared with British Columbians that the election shortened session to debate only one piece of legislation, was not going to unduly delay the service of this great and that piece of legislation was something that was actu- province and the service of government. Well, we know ally an election promise by the current government. that that is categorically false. Te fall legislative session As much as I fully believe and fully support providing was cancelled. We lost two full months of time to debate necessary supports where they’re needed for all British new bills, new legislation that would actually be to the Columbians and for businesses, this is a little bit too little, beneft of all British Columbians. too late. An election was not required for this level of sup- [2:05 p.m.] port to be going out the door. Just earlier today a bill was tabled by my colleague for So why are we here? Was it truly in the best interests Surrey–White Rock to look at capping commissions for of British Columbians and businesses that are struggling restaurants. Now, the restaurant sector has been one of the to survive for us to be here and go through an election a hardest-hit sectors in the entire province. Te restaurant full year ahead of the scheduled election date? Or was it in industry has been asking since last spring for a measure order to avoid the hard work that was before us? to cap commissions — which currently are upwards of 30 For members that are listening at home, you may or may percent for many of the diferent online applications for not necessarily know that government typically sits for food services — at 15 percent to provide an opportunity about six months a year. We have a spring session, which for businesses, primarily the restaurant sector, to actually consumes the months of February, March, April and May, be competitive, to hang on. and in most years, a fall legislative session, which is the What has happened? We didn’t see any movement. months of October and November. So not only, by send- Interestingly enough, the Ontario government found time ing people to the polls, did we send the wrong message to and found need to support the restaurant sector and put British Columbians about COVID and the concerns that legislation in place last spring. Washington state, just south all British Columbians share; government also decided to of the border, also had the good interest to actually move postpone an eight-week legislative session, where many forward with the legislation in the summer to cap the actu- important pieces of legislation could have been put for- al commission rates for many of these online services — ward before the assembly, before British Columbians. again, to provide some form of relief and support for a sec- All members would have had an opportunity to actually tor that has been the hardest hit of most any sector in the move forward on legislation, bills, new laws that would entire province. actually be of beneft to businesses and all British Colum- But this government chose not to move forward with bians. But instead, that was all cast aside. Tat was punted any legislation that would actually be supportive of the res- — now we’re understanding — until the spring of next taurant sector in the fall of this year. And in this December year, not because it was in the best interest of British Col- session, not a hint, nothing forthcoming. So when we look umbians or that it was needed. Solely because the current at this bill that’s before us that’s looking at extending the government felt that they would put their own political provision of the budget update, not just by 30 days but by self-serving interests ahead of the rights and the needs and 60 days — an additional 30 days — I think we all have to the well-being of British Columbia residents. kind of question: when will we even be back in the Legis- One can’t think about that without actually being very lature? concerned about what this government stands for. Are Is government actually considering maybe postponing they in it for all British Columbians? Are they in it just for the sitting of the Legislature by a further two months to themselves? allow them to actually get their budget in order to present So let’s have a look just at some of the specifcs of the to British Columbians? If that’s the case, many of these bill. As my colleague the member for West Vancouver–Sea struggling small businesses that are looking for that lifeline to Sky recently shared, it was the fact that back in last 138 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 certainly are not going to get any support in the foresee- and the lack of attention to their needs, it’s nothing short able future from this government. of frightening. Other pieces of legislation that certainly could’ve been Now I spoke just about some of the supports that gov- looked at and brought forward — again, to help the tour- ernment could be undertaking in a fall legislative session, ism and the business sector in the province — would had they not cancelled it. But also, we have to have a look include additional reductions in red tape. at some of the other signifcant impacts that COVID has What about for the struggling forest sector? We’re one had, not just on our health care workers, our ambulance of the most cost-impacted, or highest-cost, jurisdictions attendants and paramedics, but also police services. When in North America for forestry. Te forest industry has we see high levels of unemployment, we see increased rates been asking for overhaul of the stumpage rates in our of crime. We see increased rates of domestic violence. We province, but again we’re not seeing anything as far as see increased rates of drug and alcohol dependency. Te any supports or proposed legislation from this govern- opioid crisis is ever-present. Upwards of fve individuals a ment. Te opportunity for moving forward with that day are dying in our province. legislation this past fall certainly was kicked down the Yes, the current government takes great solace in hav- road by this current government and their self-serving ing, for the frst time, a Minister of Mental Health and interests of going into an election and casting aside the Addictions. But when you actually dig below the surface collaboration and cooperation that had actually been and actually have a look at what has actually been done…. evidenced here in the Legislature. Do we see increasing supports for mental health in our We only have to hope, because government certainly province? No. Constituents in the Shuswap certainly are has been less than forthcoming on providing any inform- indicating something very diferent. ation to British Columbians on what supports are coming. When you have a look at a minister, with the sole Now, this may feel like a big bucket of cold water being responsibility for mental health and addictions, where is dumped on those of you that may be listening. But I’m the beneft? What are British Columbians seeing that’s extremely concerned about our province and the state of actually improving the quality of their life? Are they get- economic afairs. People are struggling. Te small business ting the supports that they need? Are they able to actually sector is hanging on by a thread. Tey need a lifeline from have a bed to go to or a treatment centre to check them- this government, and they’re not receiving it. selves into? I’m not seeing any increase at all. You know, for many of our small business owners…. I As much as the government may tout all of the work think many people may think of the big corporations and they’ve done around mental health and addictions, the have the thought: “Oh, they’ve got deep pockets; they can statistics tell a very, very diferent story. So again, when just dig a little deeper.” Te largest segment of our business there was an opportunity, during a fall legislative ses- sector, our economy in the province, is the small business sion, to move forward bills or laws that would provide sector. For many of these small mom-and-pop shops, fam- supports for those that are losing their lives at unpreced- ily-owned businesses, it’s not just their source of business ented rates, the current government decided it was time income; it’s also their personal income. It’s also their entire to go to the polls, not looking out for the best interests life savings, in many cases, and their retirement income. and the well-being of British Columbians but for their I was talking, back in the spring, to a couple in their own self-serving interests. early 60s. Tey built up their business over a number of We look at tackling crime. Crime rates are at an all-time years. Tey were looking forward to the opportunity of high. I’m hearing from members in the Shuswap com- one day actually selling their business, with the hopes that munity that crime rates are up signifcantly. Tey are they could have a decent retirement income to carry them struggling with increasing caseloads but not with in- through their retirement years. And not only are they creased budgets. struggling with not having the business income; their per- It was only a few short years ago that the current gov- sonal income has been impacted. ernment, through their ill-intentioned employer health [2:10 p.m.] tax, put a signifcant amount of additional wage burden For them, for many of the supports that have been made right on the backs of our RCMP forces across the province available, they found that they weren’t eligible. So not only and did not even make them whole by providing addition- have they lost their business income and their personal al funding. So these police forces across our province are income; they’re also hanging on, not sure that they’ll actu- having to do much, much more with fewer dollars. ally be able to continue to operate and potentially losing When we have a look at the opportunity of the $5 billion their business entirely, and with that, having their entire additional COVID recovery fund that was put forward by retirement savings absolutely wiped out. all parties of this Legislature last spring, where are the When you have conversations with people that have funds fowing to those services that actually require them worked hard to create jobs across our province, truly are the most, that most British Columbians rely on, on a daily job creators, and see the callousness of this government basis? I’m certainly not seeing them in the Shuswap, and that causes me a great deal of concern. Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 139

When we look to, again, the mean-spirited nature of this fnd ways of developing, to put these funds into the hands fall election, folks at Elections B.C. were also put at a signi- of those families that are most in need. fcant disadvantage. I know that many do not…. Te Finance Minister indicated that they will be using 2019 tax return data to determine who will be eligible Deputy Speaker: Sorry, Member, if I might just draw and who is not. It just seems absolutely ludicrous that we your attention to…. We’re speaking to Bill 3, the Finance would look to income levels of individuals in 2019 and Statutes Amendment Act. Tank you. use that as a litmus test, the measuring stick by which we [2:15 p.m.] would determine who’s eligible in 2020. COVID arrived on our doorsteps earlier this year. G. Kyllo: Tank you, Mr. Speaker. People that have been impacted by COVID will have had As we have a look at the Finance Statutes Amendment their incomes decimated in this current fscal. Tey are Act, basically, the purpose for it is to extend the budget going to be negatively impacted and not have the ability timeline. So I think it is absolutely prudent to bring to the to apply for these funds because they were gainfully fact that the only reason we are even having this bill pres- employed in 2019. If these funds truly were intended to be ented to us this week, in this legislative session, is because targeted to those that are most in need and most deserving of the fall election. Had we not had an election last fall, of some fnancial help with this government, just that cri- we would not be here today, and we would not be debat- teria alone makes this entire exercise absolutely ludicrous ing this specifc bill. So the relevance of the fall election is and very difcult for anyone to support. absolutely paramount, in my mind. I think that most British Columbians would agree that You know, what’s interesting…. And certainly don’t just those that are in need, need the supports. But that is not take my word for it, for those of you who might be listen- the way this bill is laid out. It will largely cut out and poten- ing from home. Even Vaughn Palmer, in a recent article, tially exclude many British Columbians that have had their was quoted by saying: “All teamwork and collaboration incomes negatively impacted this year from COVID came to an abrupt end when…” — the Premier — “called a because they actually were gainfully employed in the pre- snap election in September. He claimed it was necessary to vious fscal. Tat is just wrong. end ‘political bickering’ and ‘instability’ that was not evid- [2:20 p.m.] ent to anyone but himself.” Tese aren’t my words. Tese Now, when we have a look at the economic recovery are the words of Vaughn Palmer. plan — or, I would say, probably the lack thereof…. I was It goes on to say: “Tere followed fve weeks of cam- very fortunate, from 2013 to ’17, to serve as the parlia- paigning and another fve weeks when Horgan mostly mentary secretary to the then Minister of Jobs, Tourism, avoided the news media while working on a makeover of Skills Training and Labour and had responsibility for B.C.’s the cabinet and government.” jobs plan. It was a very focused initiative, and it was cer- So was that necessary, and is this bill necessary? I cer- tainly the focus of the previous B.C. Liberal government to tainly do not see the need. Tere are very important other focus on how we could grow the economy and create jobs pieces of legislation that we could be debating here in the across the province. House that would actually be of service and a beneft to With a strong economy, with more people employed, British Columbians. we would end up with more tax revenues ultimately com- I might also draw to the attention of viewers at home ing to government. With that, the government would have that members of the government side are not responding the necessary funds to meet all of the mounting challenges to this particular bill. So we must ask ourselves, if this and needs and support services that British Columbians was such important legislation, if government was whole- rely on. heartedly behind it, why would their members be choos- But what have we seen since this current government ing to sit in silence and actually not even respond to this came to power in 2017? Tere is no jobs plan. Te hope very important bill that is a focus of our attention here that we had back in the spring, when the current Premier today? appointed himself as the chair of the COVID Economic Now, with respect to the funding supports that need Recovery Task Force, has not really paid any dividends to go out, as I’ve mentioned earlier, I’m certainly in sup- for British Columbians. Te task force was meeting. Tey port of any supports that can go out to help British Col- pulled together, I believe, 20 diferent individuals from umbians that are struggling through this very unpreced- across the province to sit on the task force. But the single ented time. sector that was hit the absolute hardest from COVID, the But was this ill-conceived? Te Premier himself noted tourism sector, did not have any direct participation on the during the election that it wasn’t front and foremost in Economic Recovery Task Force. their election platform. It was something that they came You’ve got to just kind of shake your head and think up with on the fy. Well, apparently, in the last six, eight about that for a second. Te segment of the economy that weeks since the election, there’s been very little work done was hardest-hit from COVID did not have a seat directly to actually develop the means or mechanisms in order to at the table of the Economic Recovery Task Force. British 140 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020

Columbians sat and waited and waited and waited for any- people who provide that extra encouragement, the uncon- thing to come forward. What do we see in mid-Septem- ditional love and the support, even though the job ofen ber? Finally, a COVID recovery, only $300 million. Out of takes time away from those you love most. a potential $1.5 billion, about $300 million was identifed On those days, when you’ve been away on the road, on through this COVID recovery task force. the phone, in a meeting, at an event, you only have to look Not six days later, government decided to pull the pin into the eyes of the children to know why this work is so and call a snap election, double-crossing the agreement important and who you do this work for. It is to build a they had with their Green Party partners. So businesses better British Columbia for those future generations. were sitting and waiting. At a time when all shoulders I’d also like to thank my campaign team. When the needed to be at the wheel, everybody needed to be pulling Premier decided this snap election in the middle of a together for the support and beneft of all British Columbi- pandemic was a good idea, my team was there, ready ans, what happened? Government basically got shut down to do what needed to be done. Tey worked tirelessly for a full two-month period. under unusual circumstances to ensure that we were How does this tie back to this bill that we’re debating successful. COVID plans were in place. Te top priority today? Again, this is unnecessary. Tis was not needed. was to keep everyone safe and healthy, and we hit the Tere were many other pieces of legislation that would ground running. Tank you to each and every one of have been of signifcant beneft to all British Columbians you. You are the heart of an election team, and your sup- that we should have been working on. Here we have a gov- port means everything. To my constituency staf, Lori, ernment with no jobs plan, businesses that are struggling Melisa and Etelka, thank you for your commitment to to wait, business sectors and industry organizations that service to the constituents of Fraser-Nicola. have made recommendations to government on some very With that support and commitment from my family small, incremental measures that could be undertaken to and team, I fnd myself in this House, ready to join in the support them during this COVID pandemic, and what do debate today of Bill 3, the Finance Statutes Amendment we see? Sleight of hand by this government, kicking the Act, 2020. In the middle of a pandemic, when numbers can down the road. No time for you. are going up, when Dr. Bonnie Henry is asking citizens of But hey, we’ve got time to fulfl a political promise that British Columbia to limit their travel, when the message is was made to British Columbians just a short 60 days ago. stay home, this government decides that there is business So am I concerned? Absolutely. It’s not just for me. that is so critically important to the people of British Col- I’m fne. I’m worried about my kids and my grandkids umbia that they have to call back the Legislature. and the hard-working men and women of the Shuswap Bill 3 is the only bill the NDP government has tabled that are fnding themselves in unprecedented times, con- this session. Te government called back the House to deal cerned about health, concerned about job security, con- with this one bill. I don’t know about you, but my expect- cerned about how they are going to make it and survive ation of government priorities at this time is that the busi- until next spring. ness of the House would be focused on pandemic issues. With that, I will take my seat and look forward to fur- So let’s take a look at Bill 3. ther debate during committee stage. [N. Letnick in the chair.] Deputy Speaker: Recognizing the member for Fraser- Nicola. Let’s try to understand how it helps people during this pandemic. Let’s try and understand how it gives people J. Tegart: Tank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is good hope for the future. Let’s try and understand why it is so to see you in that chair, and congratulations. important to pass at this critical time, in the middle of I virtually rise in this House today to speak to Bill 3, an unprecedented pandemic. Tis government tables a bill Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2020. But before I speak that has nothing to do with COVID-19. You would’ve been to the bill, I, like others before me, would like to take a right to expect that the recalling of the Legislature would few minutes to thank the people who have been key to be focused on support for citizens of British Columbia me being here in this chamber today. I speak of those who have been most afected by this pandemic. I certainly I serve, the constituents of Fraser-Nicola. I’m honoured know that that was my expectation, but no. Not one single to be serving on their behalf in a third term. I take my hint in Bill 3 that we are in a pandemic. Not one single hint responsibilities very seriously, and I promise to do my best that people are losing their jobs. to ensure that their voices are heard in this House. [2:30 p.m.] [2:25 p.m.] Not one single hint that our seniors have been in lock- I would like to thank my family — my children, grand- down for ten long months, that families are not allowed children, siblings — who have been by my side through to see each other, that schools are open but staf and par- every one of my elections, supporting me and enabling ents are feeling unheard and ignored. Not one single hint me to do the work I am so passionate about. Tey are the in this bill that business communities are being gutted. Not Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 141 one single hint in this bill that non-profts who support would remind them that the education system has done an vulnerable populations cannot fundraise and are consider- incredible job during these very difcult times. ing whether or not they have a future. Not one single hint I’m hearing, as I’m sure government is hearing, from about front-line workers who are burnt out and stressed to parents, teachers, support staf, administrators and anyone the max. No, when you look at Bill 3, you wouldn’t know who is interested in education. Tey are expressing their that there’s a pandemic and that British Columbia’s num- concerns as they continue to keep our school doors open. bers are going through the roof. It is clear by this legislation, which does not once men- Let’s take a look at what Bill 3 is about, why Premier tion education, that this government fully intends to Horgan and his government had to deal with this bill ignore the calls by teachers and staf for greater support immediately, why it is so important to the lives of British and consultation in our education system. Te BCTF and Columbians. Bill 3 extends the deadline for presenting the parents have called for smaller class sizes and stricter mask provincial government budget and the main estimates for mandates to reduce COVID-19 risks in school. Yet there 30 days. It also allows for special warrants to be authorized is no mention anywhere in this legislation of extra PPE or for the beginning of the 2021 fscal year, meaning no legis- additional health and safety supports for our schools. lative approval will be required. Tis government is coming under fre for ignoring par- Now, don’t get me wrong. Tis bill is important — but ents’ calls for greater transparency in reporting. COVID only to the Premier and his government. It takes away data and outbreaks in schools are incredibly important to budget transparency at a time when the public is demand- know about for our parents. Tere is absolutely no men- ing and deserving of more accountability in spending. It tion in this bill, this very important bill. While we know allows absolute authority to delay the budget and spend that 560 or so schools have had exposures, this govern- funds without legislative scrutiny. ment has not been forthcoming in the amount of COV- Let me remind this House and the members opposite ID-19 transmissions that have occurred. Tis government that our job as MLAs is to ensure that taxpayers’ hard- is also facing criticism from teachers for leaving them out earned dollars are being spent appropriately. Te way we of the consultation process when deciding not to extend do that is through transparent processes that share the vis- the winter break to give students a chance to isolate at ion of government and the budget of government. home until case numbers decline. In my mind and in the minds of many members on this Parents and students are stressed. Teachers, adminis- side of the House, this bill undermines the integrity of a trators, support staf are stressed. Any discussion within transparent budgeting process and the accountability that the education system needs to be inclusive and transpar- comes with that process. Tis bill should concern every ent, and it needs to refect what is actually happening on citizen of British Columbia and every MLA in this Legis- the ground. Requests for hybrid learning have been lature. If government thinks this is such an important bill, ignored. Tis is a government that cut funds for distance I ask: why has not one MLA from the government side of learning in the quiet days of July 2020. this House stood up to explain, to convince, to debate Bill I want the Minister of Education and the Minister of 3? You ran for ofce. You ran to represent. It is time to Finance and the Premier to refect on the fact that we are stand up and be counted. one-third of the way through this school year. What we’re I want to speak to the bill and the changes being pro- hearing from the education system is incredible stress, posed from my role as opposition critic for Education. incredible fear that a child will be sick. We need to support Before I begin, I’d like to say congratulations to the new the people who are delivering education to our children in Minister of Education. I look forward to working with her, order to keep our schools open and a safe place for them and I also look forward to hearing her speak to this bill and to work and for children to learn. explain to us what efect it would have on her ministry and I ask the Finance Minister: explain to us what the ripple those within it. efect of a two-month delay in budget will be. I ask the [2:35 p.m.] Minister of Education: explain to us what the ripple efect In my past, I have served many years as a locally elected will be on education budgeting. school trustee. I am absolutely passionate about our edu- [2:40 p.m.] cation system, the focus on students and their learning School boards are committed to open and transparent outcomes. I’m also passionate about building trust in the processes. It might be something this government could education system. I believe that one of the building blocks learn from them. In order to have trust in their system, of trust is an open and transparent budgeting process. they go out to the public, and they consult. It builds con- I would like to ask both the Minister of Finance and the fdence in the system. It builds trust in the system. It builds Minister of Education: what modelling has government respect in the system. done to understand the efect of putting of tabling a pro- To see Bill 3 and what the government is trying to vincial budget 60 days? What efect will it have on all min- do here just absolutely amazes me. We have come a istries, but in particular on the Ministry of Education? I long way in transparency, and this is taking us back to the 1990s. With the new measures in Bill 3, what will 142 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 be the expectations of the Minister of Education from layed, continues to have conditions that most can’t apply an already overworked and overstressed system? More for and assumes that everyone has the ability and the infra- uncertainty. More work. No clear path to a budgeting structure to actually apply for them online. I would like to process that has worked very well for many, many years remind government that I have many places in my riding in public education. that are so rural they actually don’t have cell coverage, nev- Many of my colleagues have talked about situations in er mind Internet. their ridings, about what the impact of COVID is and A one-time payment is a one-time solution. It’s a band- their disappointment in what this bill isn’t. I share those aid — not that it won’t be welcomed, not that it won’t assist concerns. I’m hearing from businesses in my communities people. But what is your long-term plan? Where is the that don’t think they’re going to make it to Christmas. structure that we can all buy into, move it forward and be For those of you who are unaware of where the Fraser- committed to? Ten months in and no plan. Ten months Nicola riding is, we did the 2017 wildfres. We lived in, and businesses are closing their doors. Ten months in, through the 2018 wildfres. We’ve had foods. Now we and grandma hasn’t seen her grandchild or her daughter have COVID. Most of our businesses are small mom-and- or son. What we’re doing every day counts. Another day pop businesses. Most of my communities are rural and without a visit. Another day without a plan. Another day very small. I’m concerned about the sustainability of our without my doors open as a business. small communities as businesses board up their windows I’m telling you: every day counts, and you are right on because they cannot aford to pay their rent. the edge of too little, too late. When people think about As my colleague that spoke before me said, it is not just government, they want compassion, they want caring, their business income. It is their life. Many of our small and they want leadership. Tey want to know that you business owners keep their doors open because of their have the best interests of everyone in British Columbia. commitment to their staf. Tey understand that those Te people I’m talking to — that is not how they’re feel- staf members depend on their doors being open in order ing. If you’re hearing something diferent, then I would for them to be able to survive. Tey will ofen go without encourage you to actually stand up and participate in pay in order to keep their staf coming to work. this debate. I am hard-pressed to understand why any- Where is the compassion in this government that claims one would sit through this, during this incredibly to care about the working person? Where have you been? important time, and not say a word. We’ve been waiting since the spring for programs, for [2:50 p.m.] assistance, for a lifeline, particularly to our small busi- Te people of British Columbia elected each and every nesses. If you consult any more, there will be nothing to one of us, and they expect to hear from us. Stand up. Be consult about. Tey need your help. Tey’ve been willing counted. Be loud. Be the voice that they expected. to give you input. Tey need to be heard, and their ideas People in my riding are hurting. People in my riding need to be refected. are waiting for a lifeline from your government, and I’m [2:45 p.m.] telling you that we don’t have until afer Christmas to wait. Here we are, at the Legislature, in a session, in the We’re hurting, and we’re not the only ones. If you take the middle of a pandemic. And what are we talking about? time to talk to people in your ridings, they are hurting too. We’re talking about a bill that means nothing to people on Teir voice needs to be heard in this House, and you need the ground. It means nothing to people who are wonder- to step up and share your stories with all of us. ing how they’re going to buy presents for their children for Te only way we can get through this is by working Christmas. It means nothing to the business owner who together, even though I have a hard time with trust afer only has enough rent for December. the goodwill that was shared during COVID was used to I see no sign of hope. I see no sign of assistance. I see call a snap election. Tere are a great many new faces no compassion for the people who make British Colum- across the way. I think there is goodwill, and I’m certainly bia work. Tis government claims to have been support- hopeful to hear from each and every one of the members ing British Columbians every step of the way. Well, I would across the way on what’s happening in their riding and like to suggest to Premier Horgan and his government that how we can work together to move this through. you’re out of step with what’s happening on the ground But I’m telling you that Bill 3 is not the way to do it. I am in British Columbia. Where’s your COVID plan? Where’s extremely disappointed that this government thinks that your hope for the people who are most afected? Bill 3 — one bill, doesn’t mention pandemic anywhere — When I heard that one of the criteria for the assistance is the reason we all needed to come together. would be based on your tax return for 2019…. I want the Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak Finance Minister to tell me how that’s going to help my today. I think we are in unprecedented times. I encourage constituents, who were all working in 2019 and are now every member in this House to use their voice, and I think out of work for ten months. How is that going to help those it is so important that we do the business of the people of people on the ground in my communities? British Columbia in a respectful and in a sharing way. I am What little relief is being ofered continues to be de- Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 143 disappointed so far in the lack of participation. Tank you plan that should have been in place. In fact, British Colum- very much for the opportunity to speak today. bians, when they went to the polls back in October, were I would like to end by acknowledging all of the front- led to believe that there was a plan, that it was the perfect line workers who have been so critical during this pan- plan, that only one party could deliver that plan, and the demic. I understand how tired you are. I understand your request of British Columbians was to deliver the majority commitment to the work you do. I wish all of the families government so that that plan could get rolled out. across British Columbia a happy Christmas. You know, Indeed, the former Finance Minister was lef here to be there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not the caretaker of the business of this place while we were away, train. So stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for the out on the hustings, in the middle of a pandemic snap opportunity to speak today. election. Yet we come back here and fnd that now there’s this grant for an extension — this request for a delay that Deputy Speaker: Tank you to the member for Fraser- apparently nobody wants to talk about. I think that my col- Nicola. leagues in the ofcial opposition have articulated it clearly Just a reminder that the use of proper names for MLAs enough. I don’t need to emphasize it any further. is not the order of business. Te concern that I bring to this debate, the concern I’d like to, at this point…. Te Chair recognizes the that I think British Columbians need to consider for member for Vancouver-Quilchena. themselves, is that they were led to believe — we were led to believe — that in fact, there was a grand plan, a A. Wilkinson: Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the chance perfect plan, one that only one party could deliver, yet to speak, but was there an understanding that the member here we are needing a couple months more to be able to for Saanich North and the Islands would be going next. develop that plan. Under duress, right before the end of the year, right Deputy Speaker: Tank you to the member for Van- as British Columbians are trying to consider how they’re couver-Quilchena. going to be celebrating alone, we are now going to be If the member for Saanich North and the Islands wishes extending and delaying the delivery of that plan for British to speak now, the foor is yours. Columbians. I fnd that to be very troubling. It’s less what’s in this bill and more about the story that this bill is paint- A. Olsen: Tank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on ing for British Columbians, if you just kind of dig under assuming the big seat at the front of the House here. the surface. Just to let the member for Vancouver-Quilchena know, While we’re in this place right now…. Most of us are in I’m not going to be speaking for long, so perhaps he need our homes — living rooms, kitchens, home ofces — in not go too far away from his computer. this unique hybrid session at the beginning of December. I just wanted to take the opportunity to stand and While we’re in this place debating a delay — or at least, speak to Bill 3 and to just, I think, share some of my we’re debating the delay; members of government aren’t serious concerns that I have for this bill as well as for really debating this delay — to give the government more the content of this bill, or should I say the picture that space to do the work that it needs to do, British Columbi- this bill paints for British Columbians. And that is one of ans aren’t being aforded that same experience. For British a government that was simply not ready to govern, one Columbians, the bills are rolling in. Tey don’t get to just that earlier this fall…. call up the people who they owe money to and ask for an [2:55 p.m.] extra 30 or 60 days, to just say: “Well, we need more time. As we lef this place in the summer, the Premier pulled Tat plan that we told you we had didn’t really work. We the House down around him, took this House down, a need more time to be able to pay the bills.” House that was working in a minority situation, working What this comes down to for me is a question about collaboratively with one another, and the very premise of trust, a question about confdence. What message is this that election was based on this notion that it would be bet- sending to British Columbians? Afer the Premier stood ter for the government to go it alone, the government to in front of British Columbians over and over again do this alone. Also, British Columbians were told that in throughout the election campaign and said, “We’ve got fact the only way to govern through this pandemic was for this. Give us this responsibility. We accept this burden,” a majority government, for a strong majority government. now the very frst act is to say: “We’re not quite ready for British Columbians were led to believe that there was a it. We need you to give us more time. We need you to give plan in place to govern. us more space.” As we’re learning now, as Bill 3 is put in front of us, we [3:00 p.m.] fnd — and it’s some of the major concerns that I have for Tis is the very frst act, and this is eroding the trust that this — the government is now asking this House to give British Columbians will have in this institution. When we itself an extension — 30 days, 60 days — to give it the abil- stand up and say we’re ready and prepared to get some- ity to create the space that it needs, perhaps, to develop the 144 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 thing done, we should be ready and prepared to get some- HÍSW̱ ḴE SIÁM. Tank you. thing done. It’s really unfortunate. I have, and my colleague has, serious concerns about Deputy Speaker: Tank you to the member for Saanich the message that this sends about the preparedness of this North and the Islands. government, the trust that we can put in this government Just another reminder to members that we don’t use and the confdence that we can put in this government that proper names of MLAs in the House. they’re able to deliver on what they say they’re going to deliver on. A. Wilkinson: First of all, I should be giving recognition Big, grand promises were made for the last couple of to the three individuals who have taken on the role of months. In fact, British Columbians were told there will Speaker — obviously, the member for Burnaby-Edmonds be no delay to the services and to the program delivery as the Speaker himself, the member for Vancouver–West throughout this election. Tis election that we had last fall End as the Deputy Speaker and you as the Assistant wasn’t going to unnecessarily delay anything. Deputy Speaker. We thank you for taking on the task, and We learned through the election that in fact, it did we look forward to your wise and reasonable governance indeed delay the rollout of the $1.5 billion that we were of the House. sitting in this House giving the government the ability to Now, all of us owe many thanks to the volunteers and spend and that they didn’t spend right up until one week supporters who made our election possible, especially before that election. In fact, they used that $1.5 billion those who are newly elected to the House. We congratulate plan, or that $1.5 billion set of expenditures that they had every one of them, of course, for joining those of us who’ve organized throughout the summer, as basically their frst served in the House previously. campaign platform announcement at a local brewery here It’s an onerous task. It carries responsibilities, not just to in Victoria. the people who elected you in the riding but also to the Tey used the money that British Columbians were wider fve million people in British Columbia. We take on contributing to their own recovery and to their own suc- these roles because we seek to be part of the governance of cess for the political opportunities as a political campaign the province. Tose who are fortunate enough to be on the stop. It was egregious, and it took all summer to determine winning side in the election form government, and they how that money was going to be spent. choose the executive council. Ten, during the election, because we were in an elec- [3:05 p.m.] tion, British Columbians couldn’t get answers from their But the caucus on each side is critically important to government, businesses couldn’t get access to the funds provide guidance to members of the executive council and that they were promised from their government, and there to serve in this House as the wider conscience, as the were indeed delays. vehicle, as the conduit for ideas and information from the Now we’re learning the government is going to vote entire province of British Columbia to the governing exec- themselves another delay, further eroding the trust that utive council, commonly known as cabinet. British Columbians can have in their government. Tey We have to examine why we’re here today and why we’re stand up and say there’s going to be no delay, yet we are debating this bill. Te government was successful in the going to be four, six months down the road of delays. election. We all know that. Tey have formed a majority It’s this story, this picture that’s being painted here with government. With the majority comes an onerous obliga- this Bill 3, that is really troubling for me, that I have serious tion to use the majority wisely — not to use it in a self- concerns about, that our caucus has serious concerns serving manner, not to use it in a way that is going to be about. I needed to stand and put on the record the very onerous for the people of British Columbia but in a way serious concerns that we share about the message that this that serves the public interest of all of British Columbia. is sending in the very earliest days of this government Tat is the task this government must take on now. about their level of preparedness afer making bold prom- Yet we fnd ourselves summoned to Victoria, some of ises that they were ready and willing to accept the burden us doing it from our residences or ofces on this hybrid of this job on their own. mode, to debate a bill that is purely self-serving for this Well, British Columbians gave it to them, and now government. It has no beneft for the people of British Col- they’re seeing that the very frst bill, the very frst act that’s umbia whatsoever. Tere has been no efort whatsoever on put in front of us for debate, is one that says: “Well, actu- the part of the executive council to demonstrate why this ally, we weren’t quite ready. We’re not quite ready to deliver would help the people of British Columbia, and sadly, very like we promised we were, so now we need an extra num- sadly, we see the members opposite — the private mem- ber of days for that.” bers, the NDP caucus members — who are ashamed to With that, I’ll take my seat, but I want to express the stand up and speak to this bill. very serious concerns that I have about the message that Whether they’ve been told not to stand up or whether this is sending British Columbians. they simply feel that they are too intimidated to stand up Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 145 is an open question. But the fact remains that their inabil- [3:10 p.m.] ity to speak to this bill in any way whatsoever is a source of Tere was then a concerted efort, a major initiative, some shame to the rest of us, because we are summoned to to re-establish credibility with the Budget Transparency this chamber to serve the interests of the people of British and Accountability Act. It was a critical piece of legislation Columbia. We do not see that happening with this bill in that provided that the ofcials in the Ministry of Finance any way, by any member of the NDP caucus. would provide uniform, reliable reporting to everyone — Government is about building and earning trust. It’s to the citizens of B.C., to the institutions that lend us about maintaining the trust of the public. We saw that pri- money when we need it and to the Legislature of British or to the election, where our party decided, in March, that Columbia. It was part of an overall package — fxed elec- we would adopt the concept that we would fght the virus tion dates, fxed budget dates — taking away the arbitrary and not each other. decision-making power of the Premier of the day. We cooperated with this government for six solid What do we see this week? We see a return. We see a months. We did not carp on about testing rates. We did return to that high-handed, arrogant, self-serving beha- not get into debates about regional opening and closing. viour of NDP majority governments. We can only hope We did not go on about school closures and about the need that this is a fash in the pan, a spurt of bad judgment, a for disclosure of information in schools. Tat did not come small window of bad faith that is being exhibited by this up, because we decided that it was our responsibility to the executive council under this Premier. people of British Columbia to work with the government Accomplishing the credibility of things like fxed elec- for the betterment of the people of British Columbia dur- tion dates and fxed budgets with highly reliable budgetary ing this COVID pandemic. information is no small task. Yet we see it being slowly cor- We saw the Green Party do it in their own way. Tey roded and now accelerated by this government. had their confdence and supply agreement. Tat was their Tere are no initiatives on the table. We’re in the biggest way of cooperating with the NDP minority government to crisis since World War II in our province, yet we have seen make it possible to govern British Columbia efectively. We no real initiatives to deal with it, other than deferring to can disagree about the contents of the CASA agreement, public health ofcials, which has generally been appropri- and we can disagree about the results, but the fact remains ate. But in terms of the function of the other 20 minis- that it was about building trust between the Greens and tries in this government, in terms of the function of this the NDP. House and in terms of the function of the economy of Brit- Sadly, we saw the trust that we had invested in the NDP ish Columbia, we see exactly that — nothing to show to minority government in September, and the trust that the the people of British Columbia. Green Party had invested in the NDP minority for three Tere has been no fscal update. Tere has been a secret- years, tossed to the wind in September. It was a complete ive approach to the fnances of this province, which is abrogation of the public trust in the middle of a pandemic completely inappropriate and has no real basis in necessity. which has threatened British Columbia and the rest of the It is simply politically expedient now that the NDP have a world in ways that have never been contemplated before. majority government. Tis was a start of a pathway to cynicism — a self- Te purpose of this bill? To delay introducing the next serving pathway, a pathway that means that the NDP have budget. Tere was already a month delay that the NDP now decided that they will serve their own interests. Te granted themselves last summer, and now we see that Legislature can be written of, basically, as a vehicle, they’re trying to extend it. Tis will mean that we have over because their own private members aren’t prepared to a year between the last budget in February of 2020 and the stand up and speak. It’s a muzzling of the democracy of next budget in the summer of 2021. It will limit govern- British Columbia that’s happening this week and next. We ment transparency. It will delay the needed supports going will do our part to fght it by standing up and speaking out to our sectors in the community and in our business proudly on behalf of the public interest of British Colum- sectors that are desperately in need of some government bians. guidance. Tat takes us, sadly, back to the last era of NDP majority Te people of British Columbia are entitled to know government, where the fnancial credibility of this what the plan is. Let’s not forget that last summer eco- province was torn to shreds — the fudge-it budgets, the nomic recovery plans were put out in Ontario, Manitoba, unreliable budget dates, the budgets that bore no correl- Saskatchewan and Alberta by mid-July. We still have noth- ation to actual government spending. Tis record was ing, nothing at all to guide the people of British Columbia refected in British Columbia’s bond ratings. It was refec- as to where their future lies. ted in British Columbia’s borrowing costs. It was refected We’ll fght the virus, but we’ll be holding this govern- in our credibility. It was also refected in our economic ment to account on how they fght the virus from now on performance, as British Columbia literally went from frst because we no longer trust this government at all. We will to last in Canada, with the highest marginal tax rates in the also have to be very scrupulous in examining the beha- country, by the time that the NDP were defeated in 2001. viour of this government on fnancial matters, given this 146 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 complete betrayal of the public trust that’s demonstrated is for. Government’s job is to assist businesses like this to in this piece of legislation. All we have so far from this weather the storm and to make sure they can return to government, in terms of that economic recovery, is some prosperity afer COVID. vague expectation it’ll happen next year. Tat does pre- Tere is a horizon now for COVID to come to an end, cious little, does nothing, for the tens of thousands of now that vaccines are being deployed. We all know it’s people who have lost their jobs. going to be a long journey, probably into August or Employment rates have recovered somewhat because, as September, before there’s any kind of return to normalcy. shown in the newspaper the other day, the person who It could be as long as a year from now, or even more, used to be a fight attendant on WestJet is now working at depending on the efcacy of the vaccine and the willing- Amazon or driving an Uber car. Tose are not things to be ness of people to take it. ashamed of. Tat’s good, hard work, but it doesn’t pay as Te point remains. We cannot just write of hundreds of much as their prior employment. thousands of people in the province of British Columbia COVID has knocked the stufng out of so many sectors by saying: “Too bad. Nothing could be done.” Many things in our economy: tourism, hospitality, airlines, restaurants. can be done. Many things were discussed during the elec- We all know the fate of these businesses that are struggling tion and were also raised by the Premier’s economic recov- to stay alive, struggling to keep credit, struggling to keep ery team, which was constituted last May. any employment at all going in their sectors. What are they In frustration, the three major agencies that were part of relying upon? Federal support programs. In the province that Premier’s team put out their own reports at the end of of British Columbia, there has been nothing under this July because they were getting no response from this NDP NDP, and there will be nothing under this NDP majority government. Tey have had no response since then. Te government until there’s a new budget. Tat now, appar- Business Council of British Columbia put out an extensive ently, is fve months away. report on July 29 which pointed out dozens of things that We are going to see a wave of bankruptcies roll through could be done, yet nothing has happened. our communities this winter. Tere’s an article that has Just a few examples. Accelerate private sector invest- come out in the Vancouver Sun this afernoon about the ment to kick-start the economic recovery. Extend tax west side of Vancouver. Te reporter, very appropriately, remittance deferrals for businesses signifcantly afected interviewed both me and the Attorney General, who rep- by the pandemic. Quickly fnd additional spaces for child resents Vancouver–Point Grey. care. Make B.C. a top tier location for investment in the [3:15 p.m.] forest sector. Introduce Nexus-style regulatory approval Te essence of the story is: what has happened that systems for qualifed operators. Protect the industrial land has generated waves of business closures down Broadway, base in Metro Vancouver. Support rapid re-skilling. Tat 10th Avenue, Dunbar Street and elsewhere, in one of the is critically important and needs to happen now. Address most prosperous parts of Canada? Why are all these busi- uncompetitive personal taxes. Boost investment to stra- nesses going broke? It’s a long story in terms of population tegic digital infrastructure. Encourage the growth of tech- change, online shopping, a change in the number of chil- nology-focused small and medium-sized frms. dren around and an older population group that purchases Te list goes on and on and on. Nothing has been done less as they build out their home life. by this NDP majority government — not even a signal that Property taxes are a major feature. We have put forward things will happen. Tat means that these organizations proposals repeatedly for split assessment on business taxes lose face. Why were they encouraged to participate and so that they’re not paying for the air space above their advise the Premier if he was just going to ignore them? It single-storey building. Tat has been ignored by this gov- was a stalling tactic. It was a way to buy time. It was a way ernment. to open a window for a snap election so this government Te thing that has turned the corner is COVID. It has could form its NDP majority. driven so much revenue out of those businesses that the Tink about it. What’s the goal of getting elected if community fabric is starting to unravel. Tere are numer- you’re not going to do anything? Te goal of elected ofce ous businesses going broke in my riding and the Attorney is to act in the public interest, to do things that are exciting, General’s riding as we speak. Storefronts shuttering, the to make British Columbia a better place for everyone, to brown paper going up behind the glass, and no sign of a put a smile on people’s faces. Why are we here for this two- return to employment. Tis is gutting the communities we week legislative sitting? None of that is happening. live in, in what, as I said, is one of the most prosperous What is happening is that the NDP majority are seem- corners of this country. ing to cement themselves into ofce in a condescending Tat tells us a lot about the lack of response from this and, essentially, abusive fashion to the democratic process government. Perhaps this government — in a kind of ruth- by dismantling the structure of what became the Budget less; hard-nosed; and, ironically, right-wing way — is say- Transparency and Accountability Act, by getting rid of ing: “Oh well, that’s Darwinism and business. Tese places fxed election dates, by getting rid of fxed budget dates. were designed to fail anyway.”Tat is not what government What does that do for the thousands upon thousands of Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 147 people who are looking forward to the bleakest Christmas Health spends close to $3 million an hour every day, every that they can remember? It does nothing for them except week, every month, all year. Tat goes into health services delay the prospect of hope. which are delivered in British Columbia to everyone. Te [3:20 p.m.] Ministry of Education spends about $30 million for every We also know that the government members on the instructional day in the classroom. All of those amounts other side — that is, the backbenchers, many of whom are preset and won’t be changing. Tose are the baseline are newly elected — have been cowed into silence. We expenditures of government, and those two ministries just have to look around the legislative chamber and see amount to more than half of government spending, just dozens and dozens of NDP members doing nothing. the two of them. Tey’ve been told they’re not to speak to this bill. What needs to be changed? What needs to be tweaked? Perhaps some of them even made their own decision What can’t be adjusted by the regular budget date? Te not to speak to this bill because they can recognize a power answer is the NDP simply want more power, more author- grab when they see it. Tey can recognize a misuse of the ity, more control, and the public interest and transparency democratic process. Tey must be saying to themselves on be damned. Tis is not the way a democracy should be the screen, in the chamber: “Why did I take this job on if functioning. it’s just to grab power and protect the few people on the Tis is not a new government. Tis government should executive council? Do I have no autonomy, no agency, no be in control of its budgetary circumstances and know ability to represent the public interest?” where it’s going. Either there is no plan, which appears to Do those NDP members have no ability whatsoever to be the case, since it’s now four months overdue, at least, stand up and make their own decisions? Perhaps they’ve and we still see nothing in terms of a plan for tourism, been cowed into silence in their caucus meeting, because for hospitality, for the restaurant trade…. Tese businesses this is part of the master plan to build out the power and are imploding, as I said earlier, yet what we see is nothing authority of this NDP majority and do exactly what they coming from Victoria in terms of any kind of credible plan did in the 1990s, which is protect their own interest at the until April. expense of the public interest. [3:25 p.m.] But think about this. Tis is no ordinary time. We’re in a It’ll be far too late then for thousands of family busi- pandemic. We as legislators have an overwhelming oblig- nesses, which will have failed by then. Tat is a huge and ation to the public good. Tat’s why we worked with the structural and fundamental abuse of the public trust. government for six months to try and make sure that we With a budget of $60 billion, this government should be were protecting the well-being of British Columbians dur- in a position to provide guidance to all those businesses as ing this dreadful epidemic. Tis bill does nothing for the to what they can expect so they can plan, so they can know people of British Columbia, yet we can see that the NDP where they’re going, so they can know if help is on the way are hoping that no one will notice. We’re in the middle of or if they should, perhaps, pack it in or at least fgure out the pandemic, and there’s a lot of news about the vaccine how much money they’re going to have to have to survive. coming out, and this bill will hopefully escape public Instead, there is nothing. notice. It will not escape public notice. We’re already get- Te tourism industry rightly asked for $600 million of ting the feedback on what a high-handed, arrogant, con- support back in the summer. What they got instead was a trolling government we now have sitting in Victoria under consultation process, and they are starving. We saw on the the NDP. news last night that the Capilano Suspension Bridge fully Tere’s the excuse that is being trotted out that the civil decorated itself for Christmas, fully employed all the stu- service couldn’t be ready in time afer an election to put dents and part-timers who were going to be working there together a budget on the normal schedule. I think I am over Christmas. Now they’re shut down. What can they the only person in this chamber who has served as both a expect from this government? Tey don’t know. Clearly deputy minister and as an elected member. I went through the answer is nothing. fve budget cycles as a deputy minister. Te deadline is Tis abuse of the public trust is fundamental. It comes mid-December for all submissions. Tose were prepared in terms of torn-up agreements like the CASA agreement months ago and would have been tweaked according to with the Green Party. It comes with the false hope that the election outcome. was given to the tourism sector earlier this year when But let’s remember that this is a continuation of an NDP they were engaging in their eforts to convince the govern- government, so very little in those budgets will have actu- ment to do something immediately for the summer tour- ally changed by now. Tere is simply no excuse whatsoever ism session, which was completely written of. Te lack of for delaying this budget date into April. It should be in the trust extends to election dates, which have now been twice middle of February, as it was required under the Budget changed, frst in the bill which gave the NDP an extra six Transparency and Accountability Act, which is now being months, till November 2021, and then in terms of the NDP gutted by the NDP in what is clearly a naked power grab. just calling a snap election in a power grab. Let’s look at the government budgets. Te Ministry of We now have budget dates being changed. All of this 148 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 is designed to retain and expand the power of the gov- In our society, which depends on trust, we cannot allow ernment of the day, the NDP majority that sits in the this government to unravel that public trust with this kind chamber today. Government requires trust. Te reason of completely unjustifed approach to changing budget Canada functions so well is that people respect the law. dates, to changing the approach to governance and to dis- Tey respect their hunting licence restrictions. Tey missing the public interest in favour of the interests of the respect the fshing limits. Tey respect the ways they’re NDP majority. It is time for this Legislature, this parlia- asked to behave and conduct themselves by the public ment, to start serving the public in the midst of the deepest health ofcials. Tis is a high-trust environment, which crisis it has faced since World War II. We implore this gov- is what makes it such a successful nation. Yet when we ernment to wake up and start to serve the public interest see the leadership of our nation, of our province, acting rather than their own. in a high-handed, self-serving way, it means that trust is With that, Mr. Speaker, I thank the House for the being abused. time I’ve been granted and thank you for indulging me We saw it even in the election campaign, where the without interruption. NDP sought to divide British Columbians into what was so crudely described as “us” and “them.” Te good people R. Merrifeld: When I was nine years old, I wanted a and the bad people. Discman. I loved to sing, and I had a little bit of a love afair with the New Kids on the Block. I could sing almost [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] every single song of theirs. With this new Discman, I could take my music wherever I wanted to. It was mobile. Tat does not build trust. Tat defnes the enemies of I also was quite the wizard on roller blades and wanted the government of the day, and that is wrong, because desperately to have my own pair. Imagine how far I could everyone in British Columbia has to feel that they are trus- go, how fast I could be, on my in-line skates, Discman in ted, that they are represented by their government and hand, and my amazing New Kids on the Block in my ear. I that they can trust the leadership in their society. When had to have it. But being only nine, I didn’t have the money we see the degradation of that trust in a bill like this in to get one, so I went to my parents and asked. a completely unnecessary legislative sitting that accom- You know what they told me? To build a budget and let plishes nothing for the people of British Columbia, that them know how I was going to make enough money to public trust fades away. aford it. Tey taught me the value of money and of having All of us have to remember constantly that we can only a plan. You know why? Well, because my parents — a pas- govern with the consent of the governed. We do that with tor and a teacher — were trying to raise a family of six, and elections. But they are not just a once-in-four-years win- they knew the value of money. Tey knew the value of dol- dow in public opinion. Tey are a crystallization of four lars. Tey knew that in order to have enough to take care years of acquired public trust and four years of consent of of our family’s needs, as well as have enough to take care the governed. You cannot just blow these things past the of those in need, they needed to make every dollar count. electorate and hope they won’t notice because there was a Tey taught me and my siblings fscal discipline. vaccine announcement yesterday. In the great recession of 2008 to 2010, my industry was It is not acceptable for this government to hide, to sup- decimated by the fnancial crisis. Suddenly, businesses all press the truth and to pretend to be transparent when in around me were faltering. As a young 20-something year fact this government is doing nothing more than leading old, it was really difcult to watch friends go bankrupt. the public down the path toward the kind of arrogant, You see, when people think of a business going bankrupt, high-handed, inept government that occurred under the they think: “Oh too bad, so sad, it’s a business.” But it’s last NDP majority government. not just a business. I watched as those businesses declared Te members elected to this House should be serving bankruptcy, as tens and hundreds of people went without with pride, and it’s hard to see how any of the private mem- paycheques. But also, I watched as marriages faltered, as bers on the government side, the backbenchers, can be homes were lost and as lives were decimated. proud of what’s going on in this Legislature in these two Rather than simply charging forward, I started to review weeks. It’s an attempt to suppress transparency, to avoid my business plan, the expectations of those around me. I the truth, to pretend that the civil service isn’t ready for a tried to talk to others, and I built a plan with a budget. budget and to fail in that duty that is owed to the public. Otherwise, I would have gone bankrupt as well. In this, I [3:30 p.m.] learned the value of resilience. It’s fair to say, and it goes without saying for the most When COVID frst hit, every organization that I was a part, that leadership is defned by the ability to govern part of went into overdrive: contingency plans, emergency fairly. High-handed behaviour, arrogance, is a sign of meetings, changing budgets day over day; not month over weakness. It is not a sign of strength. Sadly, in this frst sit- month, not year over year, not six months over six months ting of the Legislature since the election, we are seeing a — day over day. In this, I learned that in crisis you need government show its weakness. to expedite plans immediately. Tere is no time to waste, Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 149 and those hundreds, thousands and hundreds of thou- of solutions. One, maybe they have something to hide. sands who are relying on you need a plan. Two, maybe they don’t believe in accountability. Tree, Why do I share these stories? It certainly isn’t so you maybe they don’t know what’s going on. Four, maybe they can just all get to know me better. It is to show that the don’t know where the money is. Five, maybe they don’t best way to have a way forward is to have a plan and a want the British Columbians to know what they’re doing. budget. I learned that in the middle of crisis, you need all Six, maybe they don’t believe in democracy. Seven — well, the voices around the table, to see all of the angles and to we already know this one is true — they don’t want to work make decisions wisely. together. [3:35 p.m.] Tis is the longest — as you’ve heard from so many of Doesn’t the government want to have fscal discipline my colleagues — that B.C. has gone without a budget or and make every dollar count? Don’t they want to build a fscal update since the ’90s, when the NDP government a resilient province? Don’t they want to make decisions were last in power. Why? Why do boards, companies and wisely? Why are we stuck in planning exercises and, in six families produce budgets and fnancial plans? Well, they months of nothing, taking not just the normal amount of do so to get ahead. Tey do so to know where they’re time to make decisions, but asking for extra time? Tat is going. Tey do so to produce accountability. exactly the opposite of what should be done in a pandemic During a pandemic, how could any government want environment. to delay what will be the largest economic recovery plan Te Premier got up on Tuesday and declared that we needed in British Columbian history? Every organization I would work together. How disingenuous that the very frst know operates with a plan — a plan forward, a budget and bill afer this declaration was to not work together, because fnancial reporting. I don’t see any reason why the govern- that is exactly what this bill does. It makes sure that the ment cannot do the same. NDP government doesn’t have to work with us for another [3:40 p.m.] six months. I heard speeches from the government on light, on But that’s not where the lack of integrity ends. It’s not hope, on a way through, on a way forward. Where is that genuine to say that this is COVID relief and then base it now? Tis is no way to run a province. Tis is no way to on 2019 tax returns. How is it going to — and I quote from get through a pandemic. Te health crisis that Dr. Henry the Premier’s Twitter account — “those that need it the has gotten us through is only part of this crisis. most…”? How can it be called COVID relief? We didn’t If I could liken it to this: a funeral, a death of a loved have any efects of COVID in 2019. one. Tat frst, initial month is where everyone is around But not only will British Columbians not have money in and where you’re surrounded by loved ones and kind their bank accounts, as promised, before Christmas, but I words, etc. Afer that month is over, it simply becomes think that far more disturbing is that there is no plan for echoes in empty hallways where that loved one once was recovery afer Christmas. Tis COVID relief is supposed and remembrances on special days or holidays or celebra- to go to 3.7 million British Columbians, as we’ve heard. tions where their presence is lost. But we haven’t heard how many of that 3.7 million get a British Columbia is going through a traumatic time, and latte, or $10 or $50. We haven’t heard a statistic based on this is only the beginning. Tere are going to be other how many will actually receive the full value of the relief. echoes in our hallways. Tere’s going to be a crisis of jobs, How do I tell the person that lost their income, the especially low-income earners, women and minorities. family that doesn’t know how to pay rent — never mind Does postponing the budget help them? Christmas gifs — that this money isn’t coming? And Tere’s going to be a crisis of the economy. How does why? Because they worked so hard in 2019, before a pan- postponing the budget help this? Spoiler alert. It doesn’t. demic. How does postponing this budget help long-term-care People have lost their jobs. Restaurants are about to facilities and all of the seniors that live within them? It close. Businesses are on the brink. We have moms and doesn’t. How does it help us with our mental health and dads who don’t know where they’re going to pay rent from. addictions issues? It doesn’t. How does it help with hous- Te promise that this government has made is nothing ing? It doesn’t. more than smoke and mirrors, and the commitment to We have asked British Columbians to sacrifce so much, collaboration and the commitment to actually working to change their lives, their spending, their giving, their together is nothing more than empty words. habits, their relationships, their work lives, their clothes, One other thing that my parents taught me: talk is their futures. My email in-box, my phone and my texts cheap. Action is everything. So why wouldn’t a govern- are flled with people asking, “Is it real? Have we cancelled ment, the largest spending body in the province, want to Christmas?” to which I’m responding: “Yes, we have.” How have a budget when going through the largest global event can we, when we’re asking for so much from British Col- in history, afecting more British Columbians and more in umbians, not get it together as government to give them a the world than ever before? plan, an accounting of massive dollars spent and a plan of Well, I thought about this, and I came up with a couple how we’re going to move forward? 150 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020

Tis is not a new government. Tis is the same gov- the Interior Health Authority’s website, it says: “We are ernment with more power. And now they can do less of accountable to the public we serve.” Tat means: “We are a great job? One extension. Hmm. Okay. Two extensions. committed to informing you about how we plan to deliver What? Two extensions is the equivalent of two months, services to meet the needs of our communities, as well as which is 20 percent of the budget. It’s $12 billion. reporting on the services and resources” — also known as B.C. deserves better. B.C. deserves accountability. In money — “provided to meet those needs.” order to have that, we need to have transparency and We’re going to ask all of the agencies within a ministry reporting. to actually provide accountability. But they can’t, because Te Premier touted that this was going to be the most they don’t have the budget. Really. transparent government in history. In fact, he started Let’s take the act that they’re asking for an amendment working on this accountability crusade ten years ago, in to — the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. 2010. I’m going to quote him critiquing the government of Te member for Vancouver-Quilchena did an amazing that day by saying…. job of talking about the history of this act. And in doing “While we applaud these individuals for their contri- my own research, I don’t take this act lightly. It’s over 20 bution to public policy, we nonetheless believe that they years old, brought into being so that light could be shone should have conducted their deliberations in a manner on the fnancial accountability of government, so that we that is more transparent and documented,” Horgan wrote. wouldn’t have the inconsistencies that brought about “Tese are fundamental issues that have generated a great fudge-it budgets of the 1990s. deal of debate in British Columbia.” Here we are again wanting to change the fnancial Here’s the good part. “Amature and responsible govern- accountability of the government negatively in a time ment would see this as an opportunity to bring the mes- when organizations and families across B.C. are being sage to the people rather than to frame the message in a asked to tighten their belts, get more accurate, make bet- closed door session.” ter plans and operate to budgets just to survive through Andrew MacLeod, just two days ago, picked up on this this pandemic. and wrote, with the headline: “NDP Government Backs Government needs to lead. Government needs to plan. Of Pledge to Cut Government Secrecy.” “Parties favour Government needs to have budgets. Government needs to stronger access to information laws, says advocate, until create economic stimulus. Government needs to take care they win power.” of its citizens. Government needs to invest. All of this is Where are the promises of transparency now? Where is part of resilience. the accountability of government? It’s nowhere. I referenced Health. Te government has created an Health authorities. How are they supposed to plan, to amazing service plan for Health, but I ask you…. Objective create accountability, to have a forward-looking traject- 1.1: a primary care model that provides comprehensive, ory? We keep talking about the ministerial mandate let- coordinated and integrated team-based care. How is that ters, but this is only one part of the system. Each organ- going to be accomplished without a budget? It won’t be. ization within that ministry receives those mandate letters Objective 1.2: improved health outcomes and reduced and receives their own mandate letter. Ten the board hospitalizations for seniors. Oh, wait. No — not until May. signs of on that mandate letter. Improved health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations for [3:45 p.m.] those with mental health and substance abuse issues. No, Te executives work and build the workplans, and they no. You know what? Let’s table till May. need to know the budget. How can they know what they’re Timely access to appropriate surgical procedures. doing? How can they know where they’re going to go? It Again, let’s just wait until May. takes accountability away from the entire system. Can they Te vaccine is here this week. Tat is incredible. But just go back to government and ask for more money if we have a rough year ahead of us. Tis is far from over. they run out? Tis is how waste occurs and how we erode And as I described before, the echoes of the pandemic accountability. are yet to be felt. Tis bill has attached $2 billion to it. Let’s think about [3:50 p.m.] that number for a moment. Tat’s almost as much as the We have another year of waiting for life to return to entire Interior Health Authority budget for a full calendar some form of normal. We have another year, minimum, year. Tink about that — 800,000 residents of B.C. can get of trying to keep businesses alive. Families have another health care for $2.48 billion, almost the same amount as year of trying to make ends meet. We’ve got years of uncer- what’s being asked for in this bill. tainty ahead of us, yet we’re going to go for half of a year But every year the health authorities have boards that without a plan or a budget? sign on the line of the fnancial statements that are created “Trust us,” government says. Should we? Tey broke by the executives of the authorities and are audited by an their agreement with the Tird Party. Tey called an elec- arm’s-length accounting frm and then are published on tion a year before they had agreed to. Tey broke a collab- websites for all of us to read. You know why? Well, on Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 151 oration. And now they want us to agree to changing the delay is not about the people. Tis budget delay and this very act that keeps them accountable with a “trust us”? bill are just about a government that is either lacking com- Should we trust a government that hasn’t paid front- petence or just doesn’t want to play nice in the sandbox. line workers their pandemic pay since July? Should we But it’s really not about the people at all. trust a government that didn’t get the budgeted dollars out Tank you so much, Mr. Speaker, for your indulgence of the door this summer? Should we trust a government that time. betrayed the trust of a collaborative agreement of this very House in order for personal political gain? Deputy Speaker: Tank you, Member. Should we trust a government that told British Colum- Recognizing the member for Kelowna West. bians that the election wouldn’t change anything or delay anything? As we’ve heard, it delayed everything. B. Stewart: Tank you, Mr. Speaker, and congratula- Should we trust a government that told us that it was tions to yourself and your colleague on your recent going to be $500 or $1,000 a person but now it might be appointments, the member for Kelowna–Lake Country $10 or $5 or nothing or is based on last year’s hard work? being the assistant deputy. I know that you’ll be, I’m sure, Should we trust a government that doesn’t even know how sitting through much of this discussion. Hopefully, some much it’s going to cost? Estimates are $1.45 billion, but of this rubs of on the members that are watching from now $1.75 billion, but let’s ask for $2 billion just in case. your caucus. Tat’s an extra $300 million. I know that many of our members are certainly exer- We need answers now because we need hope now, not cised in their remarks in terms of how they feel about in six months. When our quality of life is down, when the government proposal on Bill 3 to come forward as if we are not with our family at Christmas, when our busi- this is simply an ability for the government to spend the nesses are about to be closed, we need hope now. Not in money that they promised during the pandemic elec- six months. Not when we’ve lost our job. Not when we’ve tion, of which…. I hate to say it, but I don’t think it’s missed our surgery time. Not when our housing afordab- really getting to the heart of the issue of where money ility has further eroded. Not when we’ve lost our mental needs to be delivered to people that have been impacted health or, worse yet, lost those we love to mental health during this crisis. issues. Not once we’ve lost our hope. As I look around British Columbia, and as I see reports Te social, economic and emotional echoes of this on the news and see many businesses boarded up…. Let pandemic have only started to be felt. Te whispers need alone the changes that they had to put up with until just and will become a movement, and the movement is a cry a few weeks ago…. Now they’ve been told that even the for help. Santa Claus promised to come to town and give restaurant industry, which bent over backwards due to the British Columbians a present. It was going to be just like isolation and all of the things that were necessary to just St. Nicholas, who would give gifs to everyone. But as try to keep a few of their staf operating, really has to be I look at this, it isn’t a present. Maybe you’ll get some- just households that can meet and come to a restaurant. thing, except you need to write Santa a letter to make I know that earlier today there was an introduction by sure you’re eligible for the gif that was really based on one of my colleagues about limiting the delivery costs for last year’s performance. simple things such as delivery of foods from restaurants. But here are the letters I’m getting: “I’m a teacher, and Tis is both so that it works both ways. Te restaurants can I’m scared to go to work. Please, please don’t have the possibly survive and get things out and make certain that kids come back right away, as many of them will still be the customers will continue to order. infectious from all of the holidays that I hear them speak- I think about the challenges that the government has ing about.” And another one: “Please help the restaurant faced in these past nine or ten months. I think that prob- industry. I have invested so much in my business, and now ably people have given them a lot of latitude. Our members in keeping people safe, but at only 50 percent capacity with have given a lot of latitude and support. 30 percent driver fees, I just can’t make ends meet. Please Immediately afer the declaration of the public health help us.” And another one: “I am a mom, and I want to emergency, we resumed sitting. We approved, in one day, work, but I can’t. My child can’t go to school because of all an unprecedented additional $5 billion for the government of the exposures, and now I can’t make money. But I did to be able to meet these obligations where they felt. In the last year. Will I qualify?” descriptions, there was some of that money for health care [3:55 p.m.] and contact tracing and, of course, there were all sorts of Santa isn’t coming to town. He’s not even half coming other anticipated costs. But a big part of that was also for to town. So really, this time, it isn’t a present. It really and people who had their businesses and who were counting truly is just a lump of coal, and this NDP government just on the fact that the government was going to try to fnd a told British Columbians that Santa isn’t real. way to help them out. Democracy is about the people and is for the people, Now, I know that a lot of things that have been done and I am a diehard believer in democracy. But this budget by the government have been essentially around people 152 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 that rent in homes or apartments — rental freezes — session. We talked…. We didn’t get any answers about and on many of the other fronts that were adjusted by how they were going to cope with COVID back in March government. But on the business side, there’s been very before we adjourned the House on March 6, and the fact little recognition of the fact that their costs…. Albeit that the minister was expected to give a better update on that there was an ability to defer taxes, I would say that her budget when we resumed estimates back in July and it’s been very little. August. Te fact is that they never gave any answers. I don’t think that people or members in the government Frankly, we had $1½ billion set from that March 23 really appreciate and understand how difcult it is to make emergency fund to help businesses get through this eco- ends meet in a business. I know from having a business. nomic recovery — the fact that the government held that I worked in a business. I created one. I have 200 or more money until the last possible minute to be able to come staf that work in the business I created. up with, kind of, not a very helpful economic recovery [4:00 p.m.] plan. I mean, frankly, they seem to have lef the business Without fnancial planning, it is very difcult for us to community, the people that are going to pay the taxes know with any certainty that we can meet our obligations, that are going to pay this money back, because we’re on whether it’s our new and increased cost as an employer borrowed time here…. with the employer health tax or whether it’s wages, the Let’s go back a little bit and down memory lane. In 2001, changes in all of the other myriad of taxes that have when the NDP government was tossed out, 77 seats to two, increased in the past just over three years. I mean, the they were running a $4 billion a year structural defcit in budget of February of 2017 was south of $48 billion. Tat’s operating. Tat means we had to borrow money to pay the cost of running government with all sorts of commit- back the extra money they were spending. It essentially led ments to increase benefts to the provincial taxpayers. I say to the fact that we had to cut services in order to be able that meaning everybody that lives in homes. to…. Either we increased taxes, which we had already seen Now, I’m not certain that it addressed everything. But during the ’90s, where the province had gone from frst if we look at what’s happened over the past three budgets, place to last place…. we’ve seen an over 30 percent increase, from $47.5 billion Te situation was that we ended up with a province that to over $60 billion in spending. We add into that the $15 was now classifed as a have-not province. We were getting billion that has been reported — but we haven’t seen any transfers from the federal government and the other have details — and that’s going to put an almost 80 percent provinces just because of the fact that we didn’t seem to be increase in the provincial budget since February of 2017. I able to get our fnancial house in order in comparison to mean, that number in itself is staggering. the rest of the country. We know these are unprecedented times. But I guess, [4:05 p.m.] really, at the end of the day, we delivered many budgets Tose defcits were fnally just retired, the structural within the period of time we were in government on the operating defcits, just as we moved the budget in Feb- basis that we were creating a budget that we could live ruary of 2017 — paid the last installment, according to within and very rarely were there circumstances…. In the former Finance Minister, on that defcit. Really, that 2008, with the fnancial meltdown, we still balanced the limits our ability to invest in all the things that this gov- budget on March 31 of 2010. It wasn’t a large surplus. But ernment wants to promise and is continuing to spend then we were faced with the fact that there are these delays, money on blindly. because income was delayed — and income tax that the I say that in my new role as Housing critic. Te amount government counts on. of money that has been put into projects without the Tere are all sorts of people in the Ministry of Finance, accountability that deserves to be accounted for, $125 mil- as our former minister outlined in his role as formerly the lion plus in purchasing motels and hotels to put shelters up Finance Minister, that spend an awful lot of time forward across the province, etc. Tey’re all sorts of homeless shel- forecasting and looking at the impacts of these things. ters that are important, but the bottom line is that they’re Well, can you imagine what it’s going to be like for a busi- going into these places and not even providing the wrap- ness fling its 2020 tax returns, and what, if any, taxes they around care. Tey’re not listening to council members and can let alone be obligated to pay? What do they have to pay communities that have plans, that want to work with the it with? In a lot of cases, they’ve been limping along with ministries involved. Tey want to make certain that their either loans or loan guarantees. plans are helpful in terms of making their community. Frankly, between both the federal and the provincial So there is all of this new debt that’s been taken on by governments, the programs for small business have been ministries such as Housing, and there needs to be some absolutely dismal. I think that when it comes to people checks and balances. We can’t do it all. We want to fnd in sectors like the tourism and hospitality industry, good value. I’m sure that the people at B.C. Housing no frankly, there just hasn’t been any commitment by this less want to fnd good value in terms of what the expendit- government. ures are that are being put out by government. I go back to the estimates of the minister in the last I have to say that I’m a little bit appalled about some Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 153 emergency shelters that went up just last January actually Frankly, the public has lost or forgotten about what that — that’s when they opened — in my riding. In a period all meant. You’ve already come back and said that you of just about 40 days, the shelter for about 40 people cost needed extra time. I concur with the member for Vancou- over $600,000 to operate on a temporary basis. I mean, it’s ver-Quilchena, who was talking about his fve years as a appalling to think that that’s seen as necessary and good deputy minister and how it took time to have everything value. I just think that we’ve got to come up with bet- prepared in December. I can honestly remember, as we ter taxpayer value when it comes to everything that we’re moved into the 2010 budget cycle and I was being asked, doing. as one of the ministers, to come back and fnd simply $100 We talk a lot about the extra spending. Tis government million in savings, just to be able to make certain that we’d has added 23 new or increased taxes since it took over, and balance the budget by the end of the year. it’s increased the spending, as I said, over 30 percent. With I mean, it was difcult, because everything was already the defcit we’re facing now, that actually adds up to an 80 happening, but we did it. We balanced the budget, and we percent increase. I mean, it’s unsustainable. It requires that made certain that we brought in the next budget, which we actually do have some plans. was a forecast defcit. But we ended up beating that and Part of what our job is in opposition is to ask the right bringing it back into a balanced budget, because we did the questions so that we can be efective opposition. Te col- right things to try to make certain that we’d carry people, laboration that was executed up until the pandemic elec- carry businesses along to where they were resilient and tion was where we could have easily worked together solvent. through committees in terms of how to invest that $1.5 We haven’t really seen anything. I mean, in the summer billion, but no, we were going to study it with some other session, we gave an extension already that was required. people that really don’t have the business experience to We also gave…. If the fact that there was an early election come up with recommendations, let alone a government for some reason…. It makes you wonder how much plan- that accepts the recommendations. ning goes into that. Well, I’m sure that there’s a bit of that. Te bottom line is that the collaboration that the mem- But at the end of the day, there hasn’t been a fnancial ber for Kelowna-Mission just mentioned, the promise that report for a long period. People are expecting…. What the Premier has made about how collaborative…. It has happened with those quarterly reports? Are they just sit- been collaborative. Our former Health critic bent over ting in draf form, sitting on the minister’s ofce desk? I’m backwards to make certain we supported this government sure that people in the Premier’s ofce well know where every step of the way. things are. And here we are today, and we’re looking at a piece of I mean, we’ve moved from the balanced budget back in legislation that frankly does four things that are funda- February to a defcit of about $5 billion and now increased mental to a democracy. I guess maybe that’s something to $15 billion. When is enough going to be enough? I guess that we’ll discuss a little bit later on, about whether that that’s the bottom line. You know, you can hide behind that, is important to the government, that they actually value but at the end of the day, there shouldn’t be a dollar spent democracy. without accountability behind that. Tey’re talking about eliminating or limiting budget I know that when it comes to estimates this year, we’re transparency. Te former Finance Minister from Ab- going to expect greater accountability. We’re not going to botsford West mentioned that the whole reason for that act get the dismissive answers that we got in some of the to come into place was because of the fact that we had a estimates last year by the former Minister of Tourism in situation previously — I’ll go into some detail on that — terms of not answering the questions that were being that really required that the public deserved to have the asked about how they were going to help the tourism insight. industry. What were they going to do with the money? Te media. What are they doing about this? Are they Tere is a tool that’s there that hasn’t…. It could have actually looking at this? Maybe they don’t have the qual- been used for this spend that they wanted to make. Tey ifcations. Maybe they don’t understand how to read the could have just used special warrants and made an excep- budget without titillating details that maybe are one-liners. tion, without having to call the House back during this But I think that there is enough expertise out there and pandemic, especially during the lockdown. We have the experience from some of them to really drill down into public health ofcer saying: “Stay in your bubble unless this. it’s essential work.” I know that this is essential work, and What happened in the 1990s? Are we looking at repeat- we’re working hybrid legislative sessions. But still, some of ing that? Is that where we want to go? Is that what people you are in the House, having to face one another in the in the media want to be reporting about? Some of the hallways and work with the staf there. things that took place — the scandals and the silliness and I think the situation is that in Bill 3, what I see is an the things that…. Frankly, that’s the reason that the Budget awful lot of latitude. Tat gives the government, really, Transparency and Accountability Act was brought in. spending authority — not unlimited — through the cal- [4:10 p.m.] culation and formula that they’ve described, up to a third 154 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 of operating and capital expenditures, up to a third of the that it could be scrutinized by the provincial govern- previous year’s approved capital expenditures for all of the ment and clawed back. things, including debt and other debt servicing, to be able Of course, we’ve seen, recently, other things that are to operate. So does that actually mean that we’re kind of being added. In this bill, there are all sorts of increased looking at really delaying past April? Is that a possibil- regulations that, to me, are making things way more com- ity? I mean, with the majority that the government enjoys, plicated. Tey’re creating red tape that is difcult to justify maybe the fact is we’re not [audio interrupted] on the path because it increases costs both at the municipal level, as where we were back in the ’90s. well as at the provincial level, with the so-called grant One of the other things that’s in here — and it strikes me administrator. I think that when I read these increased as being kind of unusual that it would be in this bill, for regulations…. its intended purpose — is about the homeowner’s grant. I It talks about regulations in section 22: do have to wonder about the homeowner’s grant, because “(a) respecting applications for grants and the information, au- there’s an obsession by the government that home owner- thorizations and verifcations that must be supplied in support of ship, for some reason, has become something for only the an application; (b) respecting the approval or disapproval of ap- plications for grants; (c) respecting reports in relation to grants ap- most wealthy. Or it’s people that have come here with per- proved by the grant administrator and in relation to real property haps illicit funds, or they’re hiding things, etc. We’ve seen taxes; (d) respecting the application or payment of, or other deal- that with the introduction of things like the speculation ings with, grants or amounts or equivalent to grants; (e) respecting tax. I mean, the purpose of it, as claimed, was that where any other matters for which regulations are contemplated by sec- tions 20 and 21.” communities had less than a 2 percent vacancy rate, there would be a speculation tax to open up and create more I see that this is kind of more of the regulations that available space. this government has anchored itself in. It believes in an [4:15 p.m.] approach that is increased regulation, top down, we know Well, we know that in some communities — I know best. Te bottom line is that it’s excluding municipalities, I’m in one of them — they’ve demonstrated that they’ve and frankly, even since this bill was introduced the other increased the supply. Te vacancy rate is well below 2 per- day, I’ve talked to the city. Te city tells me that they’re cent now, and the fact is that they continue to build, and at already having problems currently because of the fact that an astronomical rate, more rental accommodation. Tere there has been this overlap. Last year, there was the inclu- are still no answers. sion or having to have a social insurance number before In the recently adjusted and accelerated UCBM meet- you could do this. It went online. It precluded people in ings…. It was one of the meetings where the former Fin- rural British Columbia that don’t have access to the Inter- ance Minister was unable to attend as previously sched- net. Tey either have to drive into a Service B.C. ofce…. uled, and accelerated, as I said. Te situation is that there’s You can imagine how difcult that’s been this year, no answer for the city of West Kelowna on their request with COVID and all the regulations and which ofces…. about this money, other than the fact that the deputy min- Service Canada shut down. Service B.C. stayed open. ister, who now is in the Premier’s ofce, said: “We’ve alloc- I think that the situation is that just by putting these ated. We’ve decided that we’re going to spend that money things online doesn’t mean everybody has access. What on infrastructure for housing in your community.” Tat about the seniors that don’t have the computer literacy wasn’t the deal at the start. to understand and navigate all of these regulations? Te mayors had their meetings. Te whole idea was Frankly, as they get older, they come in expecting to fnd that when they met with the former Finance Minister, it somebody to help them. was to make certain that there were some guidelines and In talking to the fnancial administrator here at the city certainty around that. She did, with the Greens’ support, today, they’re telling me that they now have this two-way agree to having those annual meetings. But frankly, they’ve conversation with the province before they can actually been really…. What we heard in September, before the administer the homeowners’ grant, and then they actually snap election, the COVID snap election, was that they have to go back. Tey can’t accept the payment until were not able to tell us that information at the time. everything, all the utilities, are settled and they get the I do want to kind of go back to…. Tis appears to me green light from the province. Te process currently is far to be a transfer of responsibility, an increase in red tape, from seamless. What I see in this bill is increased regula- an increase in bureaucracy. Local governments have tion, more Big Brother. been collecting the information and the forms, subject [4:20 p.m.] to audit, for homeowners’ grants, for as long as home- Frankly, I wonder if the situation…. Maybe I should owners’ grants have been around. Te increase, in terms speculate. Maybe this is the end of the homeowner of the rural homeowner grant, the seniors grant, the vet- grant. We’re going to see a reduction. We’re going to erans grant, the persons-with-disabilities grant…. All of end the rural homeowner grant. We’re going to end the that documentation has always been subject to the fact homeowner grant, or we’re going to cut down, because we need that money. “You’re a homeowner. You don’t Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 155 deserve to have those grants.” Maybe that’s part of the plan. We’ve ofered to help. We’ve been collaborative. We span of control that people are looking at in government have lots of people that bring diferent diverse back- or contemplating in government. grounds, etc. I’m sure that a committee could look at some On November 30, we had the B.C. Land Owner Trans- of these things on economic rebuilding and helping both parency Act go into place. It is all about the narrative the people that work for businesses and businesses. We that the people that have properties in British Columbia could be collaborating on that, but I don’t think that’s what are somehow…. Tey’ve acquired it through illicit means. we’re seeing here. Tey’re not to be trusted. Tat’s what it is. We’re seeing a way of hiding. “We’ll go back into the I know that the government will say: “Well, we want to cabinet ofces, and we’ll do what we think is necessary. We bring in accountability.” Well, let’s go back to Bill 3. We’re know better.” talking about accountability here. Anyways, I want to conclude my remarks by thanking Let’s go back in the history of where the Budget Trans- everybody that is working in the buildings. I know that the parency and Accountability Act came in. Let’s go back to people that are in government, who are expected to deliver the very frst years of when the NDP or the CCF members all this information, are loyal, hard-working and really do were sworn into government, back in the Barrett admin- want to do the right thing. istration. We had the little problem in Nanaimo, the [4:25 p.m.] Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society, with 64 I’m sure that they’re just as frustrated by the fact that charges being levelled against the former Finance Minister. this kind of shortcut or U-turn, or whatever, is some- Te fact is that this whole transparency was not something thing that I’m sure many of the deputy ministers or that was particularly common. people in the Ministry of Finance are not particularly I have to say that when I look at where we seem to be happy about. Tey’re accustomed to working under going…. We saw the continuation of that particular mem- these deadlines. Te province and the public expect ber and his role in government back in the early ’70s right accountability, and that’s what we’re asking for as ofcial into the 1990s, with the last Premier, who was unceremo- members of the opposition. niously charged with essentially giving a gaming licence and a casino licence to somebody that was accused of get- Deputy Speaker: Recognizing the member for Peace ting it not through the process that was up there in March River North. of ’99. I think that when it comes to those types of…. Tose are D. Davies: Tank you, hon. Speaker. I’ll join in with two of many diferent, I would say, incidents that the gov- everybody else and congratulate yourself, as well as our ernment should be careful of. Te bottom line is that if you colleagues and the Speaker, as well, on your election to tread on that whole business of transparency and account- these great positions. It is appreciated. I’m, again, sure ability with the public trust, you will end up losing their you will do an incredible job and appreciate the work confdence, and that will be the end of the people’s trust in that you do. what you’re bringing into government. As this is my frst real speaking engagement since the I think that, as mentioned earlier, this bill really looks election, I’d frst of all just like to take a moment to do a like another naked power grab. I just don’t understand it. few thank-yous. First of all, the voters of Peace River North I can’t comprehend how it is the fact that we can do this. for their confdence and for placing their confdence and We don’t want to be accountable. Te bottom line is that trust in me to be their representative in Victoria. Again, the people that are the golden goose, if you want to say, are not a job that any of us take lightly and all of us take with the ones that are being penalized because they can’t actu- enormous pride in our own respective areas. ally get the information. I’dalso like to thank my family for allowing me to do the We’ve heard about all the people, the organizations that people’s work here. All of us have family that we lean on, will be impacted if there’s a delay in terms of the budget. and I certainly want to thank my wife, Erin, and my two I just don’t see that there’s the necessity to do that. I think children, Hana and Noel, for ofen seeing me absent, out the situation really is that people, taxpayers, have got and about, doing what I need to be doing. I’m sitting here accustomed to the fact that once per year there’s a throne tonight in my constituency ofce debating something. speech and there’s a budget brought out. If we go back to Well, I’ll get on to that here shortly. the 1990s, where it was at the whim of the government I’d like to thank some of my campaign team for their when they were going to do things and hide behind incredible hard work: Tom Whitton, Sean Blankenship, whatever it was that they felt was kind of their slogan, Justin Jones, Donna Greenway, Matt Gray, Chuck Fowler, whether it was fast ferries or something else like that…. Marco Schwab, Ben Wall, Michael Modesti and many oth- Te situation is that the government needs to have trans- ers that stepped up. All of us here in this House had teams parency and accountability. Tat’s what the Budget Trans- that work with us. We understand the value that they give, parency and Accountability Act is meant to bring. and I would certainly like to extend my deep, heartfelt I think that this clearly shows that there really isn’t a 156 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 thanks to all of them that helped me get here to be their keys. Unfortunately, looking at Bill 3, in the short session representative for Peace River North. of just two weeks that we are here in December, I think I’d certainly be remiss if I didn’t include my constitu- you’ve got the wrong set of keys. Rest assured members, ency assistants. Again, I know I’m speaking to the con- ladies and gentlemen of the public, that this bill, Bill 3, is verted here, other than the ones maybe listening online not a bill that will beneft the residents of British Colum- that aren’t a member. Our constituency assistants do bia. It will not. Tis is a bill that will only beneft govern- incredible work for the constituents in my riding and all ment. It will only beneft government by allowing more the ridings across the province. I want to thank Tamara time for them to operate under a veil of darkness. Wilkinson and Kim Eglinski, both who do an incredible In fact, since the election and the swearing in of the amount of work for the constituents here in Peace River new cabinet, the narrative of this government is: “We need and the northern Rockies. to have a short session to pass COVID-19 relief. We’ve Glad to rise here today and continue discussion around got work to do. Let’s get healthy.” I’ll read just — I mean, Bill 3, the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, I think a bill it doesn’t take very long. A quick search on any search that we will look back on — I would say many years from engine and you can fnd article afer article that talks now, but maybe not so many years from now. And maybe about…. I’ll read this one by Tom Fletcher. Te Premier some of the folks across the aisle will also be looking back has scheduled a short session “to begin December 7, the on it and saying: “What were we thinking?” main business being to get spending authorization for his I’d like to paint a little picture of the past, though, promise for a round of pandemic relief payments.” to kind of set up where we’re going. Being elected in Borrowing the $1.4 billion to pay most households the 2017, sitting in the Legislature this past year, things were $1,000 to a family and $500 to an individual, a promise going well. We had a functional minority government, made by the Premier in the recent election campaign. the Green Party, with the CASA agreement, working “Payments would be then added” — and this is just a bit with the NDP. Tings were going well. It was functional. more of the commentary by the writer of this piece — We were managing the pandemic. We were managing “to B.C.’s ballooning defcit, forecast to be headed towards the business of the province of British Columbia, mak- $12.8 billion for the fscal year that ends March 2021.” ing sure that things that needed to be done were being It’s funny. You know, sometimes when you print of done. I believe, and I know the Green Party also believe, these web-related news articles, they’ll do a little related that things were going well. story. Right in the middle of this one — “B.C. records deadliest day of pandemic,” on November 18. I think my [N. Letnick in the chair.] colleague from Abbotsford yesterday made this parallel. I think a lot of these numbers of cases have come from this Tere’s a lot of stuf to do in the middle of this pan- reckless election that we’ve had, allowing and demonstrat- demic, from the medical aspect, dealing with the virus ing to British Columbians that we can let our guard down. itself and keeping our province moving forward. Tat was, I think that is something that we will look back on, and unfortunately, until the Premier had to, I guess, create a it will be something that the government will have to be story to fulfl a power and a desire to form a majority gov- responsible for. ernment. To do that, he needed a story. Te easiest one was We all came here — at least we in the opposition — with that there was dissension between the NDP and the Green the understanding that we would be debating questions, Party. Te NDP needed a mandate. Tey needed the full and tough questions. I mean, we are opposition. Tat is set of keys to the province to lead British Columbians out our role as opposition, to debate bills, hold government of the pandemic. to account, and we would be asking questions around the [4:30 p.m.] COVID-19 beneft. We heard that, whether you follow the government’s Well, the surprise we got a couple days ago when Bill 3 Twitter, the Premier’s Twitter account or just read in the was presented in the House…. Bill 3, the Finance Statutes newspaper. It was in there regularly, especially in the early Amendment Act…. Te Budget Transparency and Ac- days of the election and leading up to the election. countability Act. I was surprised. I know many of my col- Te NDP needed a mandate to lead British Columbia leagues were also surprised. Tis bill actually has very little out of this pandemic. Tey could only do it with a to do with the COVID beneft and more to do with being majority, which I fnd is quite interesting, as the NDP non-transparent and not accountable to British Columbi- being proponents of proportional representation. Again, ans. Tat is a problem. a sense of hypocrisy coming through, as now they must [4:35 p.m.] have a complete majority to move forward — so inter- Te bill before us isn’t really about people. In fact this esting point there. beneft, the $1,000 and the $500, could have actually been Well now, Mr. Premier and the NDP now have the keys done without a session. Government had the ability to do to the province. British Columbians are waiting for your that without even calling all of the MLAs into session, guidance. Tey’re waiting for your leadership to use those Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 157 many there in Victoria, many of us home. Tey could have don’t think government wants B to know what is going done it without this. on. Tat is why there is this push to move the budget What the government is really asking, and asking of — two months now — beyond what would normally be British Columbians, is that they be given the oppor- accepted. Not only are they asking that, but we’ve also tunity to delay the budget to the end of April. Tis is had the ask…. afer we’ve already — and my colleagues have already Te quarterly update. I know this has been talked…. I talked about this, and I sat in the House when this was don’t want to belabour this question, but it is absolutely done — indulged the previous Finance Minister, who shocking when we have a government that is, frst of all, had already asked and been given 30 additional days, asking: “Hey, we want to push out the budget a couple of an extra month, following the unlikely event of an elec- months now, but we also don’t want to let the residents tion. Te unlikely event. In other circumstances, when know how bad things are with the government’s fnances.” you hear the words “in the unlikely event,” you don’t Tis is what the quarterly updates are. expect that event. I think we knew that the writing was We’ve always had quarterly updates. It’s normal — well, on the wall. But we did indulge, and the House approved at least since the 1990s. I don’t want to…. Sixteen years…. a 30-day extension to the budget. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the 1990s…. We’ve had quar- So here we are, in opposition, debating this. “Debate”— terly updates since our party came into government in I say that kind of tongue-in-cheek. We have yet to see any- 2001. Tat shows British Columbians a level of transpar- body from across the aisles, the fgurative and not so fgur- ency. Good news or bad news, it is the right of British Col- ative aisles, stand up and actually debate this. Tis debate is umbians to understand the state of afairs in the province’s a one-sided debate. Opposition is taking all the wind here fnances. on this. I would really like to see some of the NDP mem- I just did a little search on the good old Google. Every bers stand up and maybe chime in their thoughts on this other province has delivered upon their quarterly update debate, which is really just a big long story that’s being car- — even Saskatchewan, just before they went into their ried on by a number of us opposition MLAs. election; November, Ontario; September, Manitoba; Al- Anyways, here we are debating this. I want to focus berta just did theirs; and so on, and so on. I’m speechless as on, well, just the title of this bill. I alluded to it a minute to why the province of British Columbia, under the NDP ago — the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. government, is not doing a quarterly update. I want to Let’s look at a little defnition, because I think government know, because not only am I an MLA, but I’m also a resid- has misconstrued the defnitions of “transparency” and ent and a taxpaying resident. I think it is my right, as a res- “accountability.” Again, I encourage you to look them up. ident of this fne province, to understand the state of afairs Tis is from Webster’s. Transparency is “operating in and the fnances in this province. such a way that is easy for others to see what actions are So I’m a little upset; actually, I’m a lot upset. I’m a lot performed. Transparency implies openness, communica- upset that this quarterly update is not coming. I’m a lot tion and accountability.” It refers to “accessibility of know- upset that we’re debating pushing the budget out again. ledge, technology and other resources; the transparency I’ve worked a lot, and I still work, in the non-proft sector. of action; the permeability of organizational structures; I’ve worked in many of those organizations that rely on and the inclusiveness of participation.” Well, I guess we do government funding to deliver the services that we, now have an opportunity to participate here in this one-sided more than ever, are going to be relying on having them debate. deliver to the residents of British Columbia. Tere are a lot Let’s look now at the accountability piece. Remember, of people out there that are needing these services more it’s the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. than we ever have before. Tese organizations are going to Here’s accountability, because I think government may be relying on a timely budget, not a budget that’s pushing have misconstrued what that means with this bill, so this a couple more months. is a lesson for government. You know, I worked in my former critic role, talking “Accountability. In ethics and governance, accountability is an- to school districts around the province. I think my col- swerability, blameworthiness” — I like that word — “liability and league earlier — the new critic — also had talked about the expectation of account giving. that. It’s basically speaking around…. School districts “In governance, accountability has expanded beyond the basic defnition of being called into account for one’s actions. It is rely a lot on having…. Tey’re already struggling, trying frequently described as an account-giving relationship between in- to get their budgets all lined up and getting things dividuals. A is accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B delivered to students as needed. Tey’re on tight times. about A’s past and future actions and decisions, to justify them, and Now we’re pushing that out two more months? I don’t to sufer punishment in the case of eventual misconduct.” know how school districts are going to be able to manage [4:40 p.m.] that. Post-secondary institutions are the same. Many Interesting. When I look at these two defnitions, A is organizations are the same. accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B about A’s I digressed there a little bit from my notes. At the end of past or future. Well, A in this case is government, and I the day, what this is really doing is delaying supports that 158 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 need to be delivered out to British Columbians. in a time What did the Premier say here in his report — the $1.4 when they need it the most. Christmas is just around the billion? Now I think they’re asking for $2 billion. Tat’s corner. I want to sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, another question, but I’m going to run out of time here. wish everybody an incredibly merry Christmas — it will Maybe one of my colleagues will ask about that. Well, they be a holiday season that’s going to be much diferent than already have. Where’s the rest of the money? Show me the we have seen ever, certainly, in a couple of generations — money. Where is the rest of the money going? Tat’s what and to thank British Columbians and Canadians for their British Columbians want to know. commitment to bend the curve in this pandemic. Talking about the recovery piece, the COVID relief…. [4:45 p.m.] My colleagues have done a great job at that, already bring- We’ve heard that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I ing this forward on this issue. even got a little bit of a jump in my step when I heard that [4:50 p.m.] the vaccine has been rolled out. It’s exciting. It’s a positive Folks up in Peace River North have been fairly busy piece of news that all of us need. Tat is our gif. We can’t until this year. Tings have slowed down. Ritchie Bros. necessarily be with a lot of our close family members, but Auctioneers in Grande Prairie just had the largest auction the gif that we did receive is that the end is in sight. in history: almost 4,000 pieces of equipment in that auc- Another gif which I think British Columbians were tion. I would guess probably a third of those pieces of hoping for is some clear direction on where the province equipment were from the northeast. Tat’s a lot of people is going in regard to managing this pandemic and man- that aren’t working right now. Tat’s a lot of people that aging British Columbia’s economy. Small businesses, have lost their jobs because of this pandemic in 2020. tourism — there isn’t an industry out there that isn’t Tey were working in 2019. So why in tarnations would struggling right now. the government want to use the 2019 tax return to base Tere was a plan presented. Tere was $1½ billion given this relief on? It makes absolutely no sense, and I hope it in our summer session. People are still kind of dismayed is something that the government will take into account, that there have been no real, solid commitments made in moving forward. that regard or moving forward. Of course, we had an elec- You know, I still chalk this up…. It’s a promise that they tion in the middle of that, which put everything on hold. really didn’t intend on keeping anyways. I think that’s why Ten we had almost another month afer the election. they’ve put a number of these caveats in place. No diferent We’ve been down for two months right now in British Col- than the $10-a-day daycare. It’s nowhere to be seen. Te umbia, when we could have been having a regular fall ses- $400 renters rebate — anybody seen that? No. Surrey port- sion in September or October, debating things that really ables being removed — another promise never delivered matter to British Columbians right now. Unfortunately, we on. And 114,000 housing units to be created. Hmm. How didn’t see that. purely aspirational. Here we are now, in this odd two-week session, debating No intentions, I don’t think, on delivering on these a bill that is basically asking the government to have no promises, just like I don’t think there’s any intention of accountability or transparency to the British Columbian getting this COVID payment out to — I think I heard people. It’s something I cannot support. What are you hid- one of the ministers say today — up to 90 percent of ing? Tat is my question. It’s a question that I’ve been British Columbians. Not in its present form. I don’t asked over and over again by many constituents, by busi- think that’s going to happen. ness owners, by people in industry: what is going on? You know, the hon. Premier has talked a lot about how I see my time is already winding down. As I mentioned, we need to be fghting this pandemic and we need to build when we were all called to this two-week session, we back economic recovery. He’s asking for British Columbi- fgured we’d be here debating a pandemic recovery piece. ans’ support to get us back on the right track. It’s very hard, I’ve just talked for 20-some-odd minutes, 23 minutes. I when you see what has been laid out in Bill 3, to really trust haven’t even talked about the recovery piece. All I’ve talked that the government is there for British Columbians and about is this veil of darkness that the government wants to there to get us back on the right track. Right now it does keep themselves in. Tat’s wrong. not look that way. Let’s talk about the relief piece, which, again, just a quick I’ll close my remarks here. Tere is light at the end of the search on either the Premier’s Twitter feed or any news tunnel. I truly believe that our summer…. I’m an optim- outlet…. Everybody is going to get a thousand bucks if ist. My milk glass is half full. I truly hope that our summer you’re a family, or you’re going to get $500 as an individual. coming up will be relatively normal. By the holiday season It’s pretty much the election promise — a honey trap, next year, we will look back on this time that we’re all in almost. Sounds really good when you say it like that. It gets right now as a horrible dream. everybody stuck in there. “Let’s put a little X beside that I truly want to thank all of the front-line workers. I $1,000. Boy, I can hardly wait to get that or my $500.” Ten know that many have not had days of or taken holidays you start reading the fne print there, and you realize it’s and are out there giving 150 percent every single day. not going to be that easy. It’s not going to be…. My deepest condolences to the families that have lost a Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 159 loved one over this pandemic. We will get out of this. We with those that missed a graduation, missed a wedding, or need to ensure that we stay together and we stay strong. missed a signifcant celebration of some kind. As I sit here Check in on family members. Check in on your friends. at home, like many of my colleagues that I see on Zoom, Tese are going to be hard times over the next couple of it’s bittersweet. months. Tese are going to be hard times over the next I would like to bring it…. I may be not be the only one couple of weeks. Tat is a present I’m sure anybody would to think of it, but it didn’t have to be this way. Had we appreciate — a phone call. “How are you doing?” I really waited till when the election was supposed to have been encourage everybody to reach out and tell others to reach called…. And there was no reason to call this election, out and check in with your friends and loved ones. because all the parties were working together. Tey were With that, I’ll take my place. Tank you very much working diligently together because, during a pandemic, for the time. I look forward to listening to my other col- that is what the people expect. I was proud of the job that leagues. was going on. Yes, they had their squabbles, but there was no reason to call this election when it happened. B. Banman: May I bring seasons greetings and merry Now, many of you may not know I’m also a doctor, doc- Christmas on behalf of Abbotsford South. tor of chiropractic. I took a little bit of epidemiology. I do [4:55 p.m.] not profess to be an epidemiologist. But as was mentioned I would like to clarify one thing. I guess my backdrop by more than one of my colleagues, it’s not a coincidence has confused a couple of people out there in Twitterville. that the numbers started to rise afer this election. I guess Whoville fnds almost anything to post on. We are [5:00 p.m.] not from the North Pole. Tis is just a backdrop, and I We got people to get together inadvertently. It’s not the am, in fact, from Abbotsford South. I have done my best, only reason, but I, in my heart, think that it was a contrib- however, to make sure that Santa knows, and I’ll try to uting factor. It was not intentional, but it could have been keep them of the naughty list for them. I’ll do my best. avoided. Tat being said, I’m here to speak on Bill 3. But before A pandemic, in my opinion, is not the time to shut I do that, I want to congratulate all of the new MLAs. I down government. It’s a time where we roll up our sleeves, also want to talk to not only the new MLAs, but also the we get to work and we do the job on hand together, united. seasoned MLAs, and I want to explain why I chose to run. We can have our squabbles, like a family, but we put our I think we have a lot in common that way. We chose to diferences aside, and we get the job done on behalf of run because we all have a desire to serve. We all want to those that we swore to serve. Sadly, that did not happen. do what’s best by our constituents — not just the ones who Sadly, this government chose to call an election in the voted for us but all of them. We all want to make life better middle of a pandemic, because their numbers were high. for every single British Columbian that we possibly can. Let’s be honest about it. In this season, the season of goodwill, I think it’s I’m a doctor. I follow trends, signs, symptoms. I look important for us to focus on that. Tis is a season of magic. at and I listen to the story that the patient tells me. I am It’s a season where anything is possible. Tis is a season, also the critic for Citizens’ Services, which deals with FOIs also, of joy. But magic, when I was young, was something and transparency. Tis Premier is on record saying that that I enjoyed doing, like many of us when we were young- the political party FOI requests are not important. Tat er. is one of the most troubling statements I have heard in a I just received some tragic news last night that a very long time. If it’s not important to the opposition, is it not dear friend in England tragically passed in a car accident, important to the press? Is it not important to individuals? and a magic deck of cards that I gave him is still in the It is a troubling trend, a trend of distrust. household. My heart, at this time of year, is a bit heavy. Trust was broken when the agreement between the Magic is a bit of sleight of hand. It involves some distrac- parties was ripped up. Trust, for me, has been broken tion and some tricks, sometimes some smoke and mirrors. when I hear these words — that FOIs are not important, But this season is magical itself. according to the most powerful person in British Colum- I’m also known for wearing ties that are of this season. bia. It’s troubling, it’s wrong, and it’s out of step. I will do Tis is not a prop. Tis is actually, in fact, my Grinch tie, what I can to ensure that I hold that account and I reverse which I coincidentally put on. I hope you don’t consider that trend, because the citizens deserve it. Above all else, that to be a prop. we need transparency in government, no matter who it is I want to talk, and I’d love to be happy to talk about this that’s at the helm. bill. Unfortunately, there’s not much to talk about. Tere’s For those of you who are new MLAs, I’d take a look at not much to it. this bill. For those of you that are seasoned: during the You know, a few weeks ago when we were in the height campaign, did you think that you would be forced to sit on of campaign…. I’m sure those that, in the height of a pan- your hands and then vote to cut those families with chil- demic and this magical time…. I think there are those dren with special needs? Is this what you stand for? Is this of us new MLAs right now that have a lot that we share what we stand for? Did you think that you would be vot- 160 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 ing on a bill that would slash those with disabilities by 50 tious about that. It is a cold, hard fact that many of the percent of what they got at a time when they need it most? most vulnerable people, because of the new restrictions, During a pandemic, did you think that when this Pre- do not have access to warmth at night because there are mier announced that everyone was going to get up to shelters that cannot house them anymore. $1,000 because of the pandemic, those that lost their jobs Is this what you want to vote for? Is this what you expect afer the pandemic, which had nothing to do with 2019, this side of the House to agree to? To turn our backs in the would fnd that they’re lef out in the cold? Tis truly is the wet and the cold to those who are most vulnerable? I don’t winter of despair for them. Tis is not a jolly nor merry think that’s what you want. I am begging you to rethink Christmas for them. this, to have a look at this. Tere’s enough within there that I know the intent was to make sure that those whose can see that this plan…. Tis ship no longer has a rudder. lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic, It’s headed in the wrong direction. those whose jobs have been lost…. Tey are predomin- Tis is the season of goodwill. Work with us. We’re antly women — women who are predominantly single not the enemy. We may be your adversaries at times, but mothers, who overwhelmingly have service industry jobs, we are not your enemy. We all want what is best for the who live on the poverty level. Tose are the statistics. We citizens of British Columbia. Tis bill does nothing. It all know it. We never intended to hurt those people, but does not achieve those goals, and by delaying this, dur- that’s exactly what this is going to do. ing the middle of a pandemic, almost six months will [5:05 p.m.] go by before government can do its business. Tat is not I qualify, if I choose, for this particular response and this good enough. Te people of this province deserve more. particular $1,000 upgrade. I have no intention of apply- Tey deserve more at any time, any other time, but espe- ing for it, because I will leave that to someone who truly cially during a pandemic. It’s heartless. It’s cruel, be it does need it. I don’t. I have a roof over my head. I eat three unintentional or not. meals a day if I wish, and life is okay. I’m not rich. I’m not [5:10 p.m.] poor. But I have not gone hungry, and that puts me better I was elected, I think as we all are, to want to do right than most of the world. by the citizens of this province. It is time for the Premier Tis bill that is now here, that I have heard nothing on to put away the sleight of hand, the smoke and mirrors, from the opposition…. For those of you that are new, is and to stop the bad magic and turn on the good. At this this what you expected, to sit there and say nothing? I time of year, we need to pull together. We need to be in think not. Small businesses are lef out in the cold. I have a the same boat, moving in the same direction. Tis bill few small businesses in Abbotsford. does none of that. A name I shall leave alone, because I don’t want to Speak up, my colleagues. Let’s hear what you have to embarrass them — they mortgaged their house to open say about this. You have a right to be heard within this up their dream restaurant just before the pandemic. Tey House, albeit virtually or inside the House itself. You will don’t know if they’re going to be able to hang on. A cycling have to answer to your citizens. Do you want to explain spin shop is worried that they can’t even apply for any why you said nothing as mothers could not buy their chil- subsidies because that’s been cut of afer the good doctor dren Christmas gifs? To heck with a $5 latte. Tey’re wor- decided that this was too high of a risk. I’m not criticizing ried about feeding their children come Christmastime. the good doctor. Is this what we are? Is this what we’ve become? We Where’s the help for these businesses? Tere is no have become so jaded, so partisan that we allow our egos plan. Tere is no economic recovery whatsoever. So the to get in the way of doing what’s right? We will have very intention of what I believe this bill wanted to do has to answer to the citizens on why we sat and did noth- failed miserably. It is not going to do what was the ori- ing, why we forced people to go to an election during a ginal intention. pandemic, why we allowed mothers and children to go For the Finance Minister to say not only that she needs without at this time of year. more time, but to make and mock about a $5 latte, was Santa isn’t coming this year for many. Tey’ll be lucky inappropriate. It was insulting, and she needs to apologize. to eat, this time of year. Sometimes the toughest and most She can do better. I worked alongside her. She also knows difcult thing to do is to admit that we messed up, we that extending this budget to April will drastically upset made a mistake. “Tis is not what we wanted. Tis is not school boards and municipal governments. Tey have to what we intended.”Tis bill does not serve the needs of our have a plan and have to have a budget. It is inexcusable. most vulnerable in society. If I was in her place, I would suggest strongly that she I can tell by the looks on your faces that you know what put this massive majority to work. Many hands make light I’m saying is the truth. You know what I’m saying is right. work. How many have been asked to help? Tis can be If this was your mother, if this was your sister, would you done if they want to. Tey just would rather not. Tey be able to look at them and say: “I did my best”? I don’t would rather hide in the darkness of winter. Tey would think we can. Tis bill falls short. rather leave people out in the cold. I am not being face- Ten special warrants were brought up by my very Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 161 seasoned colleague of Abbotsford West. Special warrants this. You know I speak the truth. Te games need to be put are only to be used in very special times. It’s a way to aside. Tey sincerely do. Listen to us. Debate with us. Let’s, hide from transparency. Tis is not the time for lack of together, fnd solutions to this. transparency. If anything, this is the time for increased Tis is worse than not having a solution at all. Hiding in transparency. the dark, staying silent as the cold winds blow. I beg of you, Tis is a time where we need to work together as a team. on behalf…. Put our own stuf aside. Tere are those out We’ll have our diferences. We’ll have our fghts. But at the there in the middle of this pandemic that are doing their end of the day, if we don’t work together as a team, those part. Tey are not getting together for Christmas. Tey’re who need us the most will go without. Tis will become doing their bit. Tey’re doing what’s asked of them. Are we the winter of discontent. doing what’s asked of us? I don’t think we are, if this is how I am sure that when this was called, the Health Minister this is going to start. was known to say that we will be having an election during [5:20 p.m.] a pandemic now or a pandemic a year from now. I would I want to respect all of my colleagues in this House. We like to think that the Health Minister did not know that all signed up to do what’s right by those that voted for us a vaccine was this fast around the corner, because nor- and those that live in our ridings. So I would say to you: mally it takes much longer. But a vaccine is here, thank- “Let’s get together, let’s get to work, let’s roll up our sleeves, fully. Tankfully, it’s here, and hopefully, we will be out of and let’s make the citizens of this province proud. Together this pandemic soon. we can get through this.” [5:15 p.m.] We’ve heard Dr. Henry talk about it. Be safe. Be kind. But now is not the time for pettiness. Now’s the time, Where’s the kindness in this? Where’s the safety? I encour- more than ever, that we need to be transparent, where we age you to seriously do some soul-searching as to whether need to work together and where we need to say: “Stop. or not this hits the mark or even comes close. Tis did not achieve the goal. It misses the mark.” To sit To those with families that have disabilities, to those there in silence? I’m sorry. It lacks courage, and I fnd it that have children that have learning disabilities, is this shameful, especially during the Christmas season, the sea- what you thought you were signing up for, a 50 percent son of goodwill and the season, supposedly, of peace. reduction here, not helping those that lost their jobs, that Tis is not a merry Christmas. Tis is not where the lost loved ones, that are having to care for their parents Grinch’s heart becomes three times too large. Tis is a bit- because they were scared of them being in a home? I re- ter, cold, heartless bill that does nothing for those that ceived that call. need it the most, for those that have lost their jobs. I don’t Te vaccine is on the way. Let’s work together, let’s be know how it went wrong. It doesn’t matter how it went kind, and let’s be collaborative. wrong, how it missed the mark. But tomorrow, or Monday, I hope, moving forward, that this does not set the tone there is time to fx this. But you need to speak up. for the next four years, because right now this bill reeks If you won’t speak up in this House, where we’re sup- of partisanship. Te Premier, the Health Minister and the posed to have full debate, I beg of you to speak up in Finance Minister have some explaining to do, as do the caucus. It is your duty to serve the people of this province, rest of us if we don’t improve upon this bill that sits before your constituents. Tonight, before you put your head down this House. in your warm bed, with a belly full of food, have a good I may be new, but I think those of us who are new expec- look in the mirror and ask yourself: “Would my parents ted a little more. My heart is heavy today, not just because I be proud of me right now?” You know what the answer is lost a very dear friend but because I don’t see a lot of hope going to be. this Christmas with this bill. I see no hard work in the days Ask yourself: “Can I do better? Can we work collabor- ahead. I see hiding, and I see a lack of transparency. We atively together? Is the opposite side of the House bring- need to do better than this. ing a few faws that we had not considered?” I sit around a municipal table. In addition to that — during a pandemic, Deputy Speaker: I thank the member for Abbotsford I will add — there are going to be many byelections that South and recognize the member for Penticton. will cost cities across this province moneys that need not have been spent, based on the timing of this election. Cit- D. Ashton: Tank you, hon. Speaker. First of all, my best ies are struggling under the burden. School districts are wishes and congratulations to you as the Assistant Deputy struggling under the burden of how to get through this Speaker to the Deputy Speaker and to our new Speaker. pandemic. I look forward, over the next period of time, to working If this is what the 42nd Legislature is doing to start of collaboratively with you, and I know that the three of you with, with this kind of pathetic partisan politics, where will do the incredible job that is demanded of you in the we can’t talk to one another, where we can’t listen to one people’s House in Victoria. So once again, congratulations. another, help us all. Help us all. Where is the decency? If I can take a moment, I would like to thank the indi- Tose that depend on us deserve a heck of a lot better than viduals that have allowed me to come back to Victoria, 162 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 albeit by Zoom tonight. I would like to say thank you to today I am stepping forward to make a few comments each and every one of them in the communities that I so about the bill that is in front of us. I’m glad to see and proudly represent — Naramata, Penticton, Summerland, have watched, as many of you have over this period of Peachland and the rural areas in between. time, to see the diference of opinion that has been pres- I want to thank you for your trust in me. My promise ented. I am remiss in not being able to hear from the of- to each and every one of you, whether you voted for me cial government MLAs, and I really sincerely hope that or whether you didn’t vote for me or didn’t vote, is I’m in the future, before this bill comes to a vote, we can hear here, along with the incredible individuals that I work your ideas and hear why this is being brought forward at with in our ofces, temporary in Peachland and Sum- this specifc time. merland and Penticton, to help each and every one of You’ve heard from my peers directly about some of the you in any way we can. concerns that we have at this point in time of why this is I look forward to the opportunity of a good working coming forward and why there is a delay in a budget that is relationship with the new government. I look on screen not only required for the province within a specifed time and see many faces that I’ve had the honour and the — the extension that is being asked for — but is required opportunity to work with over the past couple of terms, by a lot of other people in the province. People have to and I see a whole bunch of new faces. make plans. Whether it’s a school board, whether it’s a [5:25 p.m.] municipality, whether it’s a business waiting to see what’s I look forward to that same opportunity of being able going to happen — new taxation, less taxation that’s com- to work in collaboration and cooperation with you for the ing forward — people need to know. People need to know beneft of each and every citizen in this incredible province more this year because of this darned pandemic that is that we all call home. I would say that we all have to really causing some grave concerns around the province. remember our place and our respect for those citizens and I look at the communities, again, that I represent and do the utmost possible for each and every one to ensure some that I don’t, the trials that people are going through that their lives are better in any way that we can make a at this point in time, just trying to survive. Unfortunately, diference. I’m quite sure that each and every one of us will I’m seeing more and more and more papered-up windows, do our best in trying to do that. and I’m seeing closed stores. I’m seeing restaurants that I would also like to thank those that were directly are operating at such a small capacity. I see families and involved in the last election, individuals that have been know families that are struggling on a continual basis, try- around me and been friends of mine for years that stepped ing to stay ahead of the curve in any way they can and try- forward and helped to ensure that the possibility of anoth- ing to do the things that the province and the good minis- er term was probable. Trough family, through friends, terial staf in the province and the good doctor that we’ve through individuals — I won’t mention names — that have heard so much about over the recent times are suggesting made a huge diference in the last three elections to ensure or demanding that be done. But they’re trying to survive. a success, I cannot thank you enough. I don’t want to see this continue. What we have to do I would also like to thank the individuals that stood is we have to step forward and do everything possible to up to run against me. You know, each and every one of ensure that these individuals, whether they’re employed, those individuals, in their own way, cared about the com- whether they’re unfortunately not employed or whether munities that they wanted to represent and bring forth they’re employers…. We have to step forward and help their ideas. It was an absolute honour to be able to work them in each and every way that we can. with you collaboratively in many of the opportunities that [5:30 p.m.] were given to speak publicly together. I really do want to In the last election…. It’s unfortunate. It’s one of the thank you for stepping forward, because the position that things that seems more and more prevalent these days, I’m fortunate enough to hold has made an incredible dif- that there are promises made and promises not being kept. ference in my life. One of the promises that we’re discussing today is a con- I know in the future that many of you may step forward tribution to families, of a relief of approximately $1,000, again. I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Because, mark depending upon levels of income for a family and up to my words, when the opportunity presents itself…. Unfor- $500 for single individuals. tunately, some of the people that I see on the screen right If and when this comes, probably it’s going to be too now haven’t had that opportunity, but when you frst walk late for many people, but it’s going to be something that into the people’s house with the 87-plus people that are in they are going to need, and it’s something that we need to there that are elected around the province and the incred- address as quickly as possible. But we want to ensure that ible staf that are there, you’re in awe of the opportunity while we do it, we’re not challenging the health of others in that is presented to yourself to make a diference to those the province, also, just because they don’t qualify, because people. I sincerely wish in the future that some of you will of — if I remember correctly — their income from 2019. be as successful and have that opportunity. Te pandemic has changed dramatically people’s own Ladies and gentlemen and my peers in the Legislature, fnancial ability and fnancial opportunities. We need to Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 163 consider everybody in this. I really, really hope that the that was made before, for that pandemic pay to each and government will take it under consideration that 2019 tax- every one of these individuals, comes forward before able income isn’t going to cut it for people that are so, so Christmas. You do have the opportunity. afected by this. Not to dwell on something, but there was another For each and every one of us, whether you’re new or old, promise about a rental subsidy of $400. Again, I will not we have our opportunity of salary. We have the opportun- belittle it, but I would just ask that the government and ity to maybe make sure that those in our families have a those responsible consider that promise again that was good Christmas this year. But there are so many people made and bring that in. It will go a long way for so, so I know…. Te noise that you hear, people’s nails sliding many people. Each and every one of us knows people that down the walls, is forthcoming. I just hope that each and are struggling. Tere are an awful lot of people out there every one of us ensures to remember that, especially at that a $400 rent subsidy at this point in time will make a Christmas time. huge diference. I would be remiss — and I’ll interrupt for half a second [5:35 p.m.] — that today is a very special day for many people in the To get on, I would just like to say that the support for world. I would take this opportunity to wish Hanukkah children and youth, as reported by the representative — if sameach and chag sameach to each and every one of those I remember correctly, it was called Lef Out — is urging celebrating tonight. I hope that you have the opportunity the province to reinstate supports. I would hope that that to be with your immediate family. transpires. It’s being seen, at this point in time, as a clawback for [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] those with disabilities, whether it was intentional or an unintentional consequence. Again, to the government, I do miss not being in Victoria tonight to help out in please reconsider that. Tere is a young gentleman that I lighting the menorah. I really hope that we do remember, know in Penticton that fghts against some of the disabilit- for those celebrating today, how special this is. If you do ies that he has on a continual basis. He’s in the community. come across somebody that is in celebration, please wish He’s active in the community, and he works whenever he them the best. can. He has phoned me on numerous occasions to say: One of the other things that has been brought forward “Listen, it’s not a lot of money to some, but it’s an awful lot is about the opportunity that was presented by the gov- of money to me.” ernment for pandemic pay for those out on the front So a direct request to the party of government. I will line. It is disturbing to me that this hasn’t been followed put it through yourself, Mr. Speaker, to the Premier of through completely. I have been not deluged, but I have the province. Please, please reconsider this. I can’t help had numerous, numerous calls from people. Some I but remember the cries of frustration that came, when know; others I don’t. I will qualify it that my mother is the party that I am involved in and the current govern- 96 years old, coming up in April, in a home, and the ment, when they were in opposition, about some of the people do their darndest to look afer her — not only issues that they felt were unjust, and the cries of indignity her, but all the other residents. Tey haven’t been able to were never stopped. It’s a shame, I would think very much receive their pandemic pay. a shame, that they would do the same. Sober second What I understand is that…. I will call them “facilities.” thought, I really think, needs to be taken on that. In these senior centres that are run by the various health I come from an area — as many of you know, the authorities — in my area, Interior Health — it’s my under- Okanagan — of incredible tourism at all times. It’s four standing that they’ve received their pandemic pay, where seasons here. It used to be peaches and beaches, as we those that work in a place where it is either for-proft or knew in Penticton, but it’s spread into the shoulder season. not-for-proft have not received it. Te wineries and the new cideries and the breweries have Tat pandemic pay means an awful lot to these indi- made a huge diference to the travelling public coming viduals. Many of them — I can speak from experience of through here. Te ski hills and the four season opportun- where my mom is — are being asked to run back-to-back ities that the Okanagan has presented to many. Wheth- shifs, literally working around the clock, because there’s er you’re from Alberta or whether you’re from the Lower no additional help. Working through their days of. Not Mainland or the north, there was a time when many, many being able to take holidays or having the holidays refused people congregated in the Okanagan for a vacation. because of the shortness of staf — not only because of the It didn’t happen as much this year, unfortunately, and pandemic that we’re facing but because of consequences of the tourism business is really, really struggling at this point them not being able to work, if they have a part-time job, in time. Again, I would ask the government to take a look at diferent homes to help those seniors and those loved at how they can help. How can you step forward and ones that need their assistance on a continual basis. ensure that these businesses survive? I would ask the government to not only consider what Unfortunately, it’s not just in the Okanagan. I take a you’re asking for in this bill, but let’s ensure that a promise look at Vancouver, one of the main cities, Victoria — you 164 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 know, if we walk up Government Street when we’re in Vic- or youth hockey or dance for the kids or whatever, those toria and take a look at the businesses that are struggling donations are still being requested by the organizations, along there. Tey base much of their income on tourism. although it’s a little bit slower right now because of some of Tourism is incredibly important for British Columbia, and the restrictions of the pandemic. It’s these individuals that again, I would just ask that you take a look at this and take are really going to make a diference in that community a look at how you as the government can step forward and atmosphere that each and every one of us experiences in make a diference. the communities that we live in. Along with tourism, restaurants. We all have our fa- Financial relief. I have talked about it a little bit here vourite restaurants that we used to attend on a regular tonight. Tere are many people that are not going to have a basis. To be frank, I don’t really remember. I’ve probably job in the new year. I can feel it. Maybe you don’t know, but only been out a few times since the pandemic, and they our family was involved in retail throughout the province. have been more of a necessity than anything else. I can literally walk into a retail store — my entire life has Tese individuals that I know…. Te neighbour right literally been based around retail — and feel the pulse of behind me owns an incredible restaurant in Penticton, that store. I can tell you that when I am out in the com- and, yes, they’ve been proactive in trying to do things. munity — in my community and in other communities in Tey actually moved their kitchen and their processing the area — as an older retailer, you do walk down the side facilities to the front because with the building that they streets and down Main Street and have a look in the stores have, the windows slide open. Tey’re able to serve the or stick your nose in just to see how things are going. public safer that way. Because of the requirements of seat- Boy, it’s going to be tough out there, folks. It’s going to ing, they can’t actually even really bring people into the be incredibly tough. Tis is probably going to be one of the restaurant anymore. So they’re doing their best with out- worst Christmas seasons for anybody in retail, and I can side tables and serving the public to pick up their meals say that it is only going to get worse in the new year. Tis to take home for their families. I have to say they’re being is the time when people stock up the accounts and squirrel quite proactive. that money away to carry them through January, Febru- But as we’ve heard today, there has been a note put for- ary and almost in March, before the trafc starts up again. ward by the Liberal Party to take a look at capping some Tat’s not happening this year. Tose big boxes or where of the delivery charges. We need to take a broad-spectrum the people are going online are making a diference, but a look at everything that’s happening. Again, I would ask the lot of those companies don’t make those contributions to government…. Tis might be something to consider that our community. might go a long way for those in the restaurant business. I would just ask you to think about that in the future, to I would ask also of the government, with Christmas think about it as government, if you can make a diference. being so close, that we consider those people that are I think there are many things that have been put forward locked in and shut in that don’t have the opportunity and today and that will be put forward in the next few days of don’t have families. I would ask my peers around the table, this discussion, where there are some good ideas. in the Legislature, to ensure that we do our best to be out Again, I would go through the Speaker and ask the Pre- and proactive to ensure that somehow those people are mier directly, and his staf: “Reconsider, sir. Reconsider recognized. some of the ideas that have been brought forward by some [5:40 p.m.] very learned people on this side of the House and that can One of my peers before had said a call can make all the make a diference. You are a party of the majority. You are diference from each and every one of us to people that a party that has the opportunity now to make a diference. we know that are maybe in a home or in the hospital or Make a diference in the right direction, because it is going those that are going to be spending Christmas by them- to be imperative.” selves because family can’t come home at Christmastime. My predecessor was here from Penticton. I will never Again, this is just something that can make a real difer- forget how he told me, having had the opportunity to ence in people’s lives: the support that we can do. work in Finance: “All of a sudden, the staf will come I would like to say that during the pandemic and right in. Two weeks ago or three weeks ago, they’d said before the election was called, I was proactive in advert- everything was fne, that everything was looking good. ising — because the newspapers were feeling the pinch — Well, all of a sudden, that big hole can appear, very about doing our best to shop locally, to remember those quickly, if it hasn’t already appeared.” Maybe that’s some merchants in the main street, the side streets and even in of the reason that we’re asking for the delay in here. But the malls, where there are not corporate chains in the mall. it will turn on a dime, and I would just suggest strongly I’ll even give it to the corporate chains, because they do that government has the opportunity now to step for- hire local people. If we do shop locally, it’s those individu- ward and try and make a diference to each and every als that work there or the store owners that make a difer- one of those individuals out there. ence in our communities. Please, to the Premier and the government of today: Whether they’re providing donations for youth soccer take some of the ideas of some of the people that have been Thursday, December 10, 2020 British Columbia Debates 165 speaking over the last day and will speak again going into going to be a sad time this Christmas with a lot of people next week. Take some of these ideas forward. Please take that are alone or are missing those loved ones, where they them forward, because there are some very good sugges- can’t see their loved ones because they’re in a home or, tions that will make a real diference to an individual. unfortunately, they passed this year. Let’s think about Before I close, I would ask the government to look at them. one more thing — I’m not sure where this is going: the To each and every one of you, I want to wish you a very homeowner grant is part of Bill 3. Again, with the short- merry Christmas. I look forward quickly to meeting you ness of cash available, I’ll make you a bet that there are on a personal one-to-one basis, with six feet between us at people that are going to be looking at deferring their tax- this point in time and a mask on. During the happy sea- ation on the property that they own personally, as a son, I would ask you to stay very, very healthy but to once homeowner. I’m not quite too sure what’s involved in this again, remember those less fortunate, because each and change of regulations, other than that it looks like they every one of us has the opportunity in our fscal position may be asking for more and more information. I hope that or fnancial capacity to probably make a diference during doesn’t slow the process down. this Christmas. Tank you very much. I look forward to [5:45 p.m.] some more comments on Bill 3. Have a good evening. Again, tread lightly on this. Tat homeowner’s grant saves a lot of people. It saves a lot of people when they K. Kirkpatrick: I’m glad to rise today for the opportun- get old, they’re close to retirement and they don’t have a ity to speak to a bill for the very frst time in this House. I lot of income. As one of my peers said: “What’s the mat- get to debate a bill that will have a substantive impact on ter with owning the home?” Tey’ve worked their whole British Columbians in the midst of this second and dan- life to have that asset, and that asset is, 99 percent of the gerous wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve never seen time, usually passed along to family. But there is going to a debate like this, because no one seems to be speaking on probably be trouble this year with it. Please do not make it the other side of the House. I don’t understand why anyone more onerous for people to have access to that opportun- from government hasn’t gotten up to speak to the merits of ity of deferral. this legislation. I hope that British Columbians will take heed that the I will start by saying that I don’t understand why we’re pandemic has caused a lot of things in the province to here. In this, the NDP’s frst piece of legislation in this be taken out of government’s hands, but the government session, I don’t see anything that deals with the issues has the opportunity to make a diference. Once again, to that real British Columbians are experiencing right now. each and every one of you that sit on the government side: Rather than coming here to look for ways to support please consider your actions and the opportunities that are small business, the hospitality sector, teachers, front-line presented to you in government. workers and the families of children and youth with spe- I personally look forward to working with each and cial needs, we’ve been called to Victoria because this every one of you. I look forward to the opportunity of NDP government does not appear to be able to account working again with my peers and yourselves in the Legis- for its fnances. lature that I had the experience to work in when I frst I want to talk about small businesses in my community. came there — the hall of the people, the government of the I’m going to share my own experience because it gives me people and the legislation of the people. I look forward to great empathy for what they’re going through today. I had meeting each and every one of you. my own small business in the late 1990s. I started it, and Once again, if you have a minute to thank those people I put everything I could into it. I took a mortgage on my on the front-line staf — whether it’s a grocery that you house — I actually get emotional when I start to talk about deal with all the time, whether it’s somebody in a bakery this — and 9/11 happened. I remember the day that the you deal with all the time, whether it’s just somebody in a phones stopped ringing, and I think about…. Tat was store — just appreciate the fact that those people are put- only a blip in the economy compared to what these poor ting themselves forward. small business people are dealing with right now. I cannot and will not be remiss in not saying the same [5:50 p.m.] about teachers. You know, those teachers are up front and We’re here to talk about pushing back a budget and not centre these days, trying to educate our children and oth- dealing with those dramatic issues that people running ers’ children and bring them forth in a world today which businesses are having today. It just doesn’t feel right to is going to be probably totally diferent than what you and me. Tis bill that you brought us is very concerning. From I have grown up in over the last…. Don’t forget them, what we can see, this is a bill that will limit transparency please, during this traditional holiday season. and accountability while delaying needed supports and Last but not least, before I wish a merry Christmas to money getting into the hands of British Columbians that all, please accept my — and I’m quite sure everybody in need it. the Legislature’s — condolences to those that have lost Te bill before us will efectively allow government to somebody to this terrible virus that we’re all facing. Tere’s delay introducing this next budget until the end of April 166 British Columbia Debates Thursday, December 10, 2020 of next year. Te NDP government already came to this Motion approved. House to ask for an amendment to delay this budget for 30 days, and now government returns to the House to ask for Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. yet another extension of 30 days. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: Noting the hour, Member. Mr. Speaker: Tis House stands adjourned until K. Kirkpatrick: I reserve my place to continue, and I December 14 at 10 a.m. move adjournment of the debate. Te House adjourned at 5:51 p.m. K. Kirkpatrick moved adjournment of debate. Hansard Services, Reporting and Publishing

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