Fifh Session, 41st Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tursday, August 13, 2020 Morning Sitting Issue No. 357

THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER

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

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

Fifth Session, 41st Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ...... Hon. Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance...... Hon. Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training...... Hon. Minister of Agriculture...... Hon. Attorney General...... 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 Petroleum Resources ...... Hon. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy...... Hon. Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ...... Hon. Minister of Health ...... Hon. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ...... Hon. Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness...... Hon. Minister of State for Trade...... Hon. Minister of Labour ...... Hon. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions...... Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Afairs and Housing...... Hon. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ...... Hon. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction...... Hon. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture...... Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Ofcial Opposition...... Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Tird Party ...... Adam Olsen Deputy Speaker...... Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Simon Gibson Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel...... Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services...... Artour Sogomonian Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ...... Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst...... Jennifer Arril Senior Research Analyst...... Karan Riarh Acting Sergeant-at-Arms...... Greg Nelson ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal) ...... Penticton Abbotsford-Mission...... Simon Gibson Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Abbotsford South...... Hon. Darryl Plecas Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Abbotsford West...... Michael de Jong, QC Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP)...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Boundary-Similkameen...... Linda Larson Begg, Garry (NDP) ...... Surrey-Guildford Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Hon. Anne Kang Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) ...... Peace River South Burnaby-Edmonds...... Raj Chouhan Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)...... Prince George–Valemount Burnaby-Lougheed...... Hon. Katrina Chen Brar, Jagrup (NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Burnaby North ...... Janet Routledge Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)...... Surrey South Cariboo-Chilcotin ...... Donna Barnett Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ...... Vancouver–West End Cariboo North...... Coralee Oakes Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP)...... Burnaby-Lougheed Chilliwack ...... John Martin Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...... Burnaby-Edmonds Chilliwack-Kent ...... Laurie Troness Chow, Hon. George (NDP)...... Vancouver-Fraserview Columbia River–Revelstoke ...... Doug Clovechok Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal) ...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Joan Isaacs Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal) ...... Langley East Coquitlam-Maillardville ...... Hon. Selina Robinson Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)...... Kootenay West Courtenay-Comox...... Ronna-Rae Leonard Darcy, Hon. Judy (NDP) ...... New Westminster Cowichan Valley ...... Sonia Furstenau Davies, Dan (BC Liberal) ...... Peace River North Delta North...... de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford West Delta South ...... Ian Paton Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...... Esquimalt-Metchosin Esquimalt-Metchosin ...... D’Eith, Bob (NDP)...... Maple Ridge–Mission Fraser-Nicola ...... Jackie Tegart Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kamloops–North Tompson ...... Peter Milobar Donaldson, Hon. Doug (NDP)...... Stikine Kamloops–South Tompson...... Todd Stone Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP)...... Vancouver–Point Grey Kelowna–Lake Country ...... Norm Letnick Elmore, Mable (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kensington Kelowna-Mission ...... Steve Tomson Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP)...... Port Coquitlam Kelowna West ...... Ben Stewart Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP)...... Victoria–Swan Lake Kootenay East...... Tom Shypitka Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)...... Vernon-Monashee Kootenay West...... Hon. Katrine Conroy Fraser, Hon. Scott (NDP) ...... Mid Island–Pacifc Rim Langford–Juan de Fuca ...... Hon. John Horgan Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ...... Cowichan Valley Langley ...... Mary Polak Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ...... Abbotsford-Mission Langley East...... Rich Coleman Glumac, Rick (NDP)...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Maple Ridge–Mission...... Bob D’Eith Heyman, Hon. George (NDP)...... Vancouver-Fairview Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Hon. Lisa Beare Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...... Langford–Juan de Fuca Mid Island–Pacifc Rim...... Hon. Scott Fraser Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey-Cloverdale Nanaimo...... Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal) ...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Doug Routley James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Nechako Lakes...... John Rustad Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...... Richmond-Queensborough Nelson-Creston ...... Hon. Michelle Mungall Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)...... Delta North New Westminster...... Hon. Judy Darcy Kang, Hon. Anne (NDP)...... Burnaby–Deer Lake North Coast ...... Jennifer Rice Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)...... Shuswap North Island...... Hon. Claire Trevena Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) ...... Boundary-Similkameen North Vancouver–Lonsdale...... Lee, Michael (BC Liberal) ...... Vancouver-Langara North Vancouver–Seymour...... Jane Tornthwaite Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ...... Courtenay-Comox Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Dr. Andrew Weaver Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna–Lake Country Parksville-Qualicum...... Michelle Stilwell Ma, Bowinn (NDP)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Peace River North ...... Dan Davies Malcolmson, Sheila (NDP) ...... Nanaimo Peace River South ...... Mike Bernier Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Penticton ...... Dan Ashton Martin, John (BC Liberal)...... Chilliwack Port Coquitlam...... Hon. Mike Farnworth Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–North Tompson Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Rick Glumac Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ...... Prince George–Mackenzie Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP)...... Nelson-Creston Prince George–Mackenzie...... Mike Morris Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal) ...... Cariboo North Prince George–Valemount ...... Shirley Bond Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)...... Saanich North and the Islands Richmond North Centre...... Teresa Wat Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)...... Delta South Richmond-Queensborough...... Jas Johal Plecas, Hon. Darryl (Ind.)...... Abbotsford South Richmond South Centre ...... Linda Reid Polak, Mary (BC Liberal) ...... Langley Richmond-Steveston ...... John Yap Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)...... Saanich South Saanich North and the Islands ...... Adam Olsen Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) ...... Surrey-Whalley Saanich South ...... Hon. Lana Popham Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal) ...... Surrey–White Rock Shuswap...... Greg Kyllo Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond South Centre Skeena...... Ellis Ross Rice, Jennifer (NDP)...... North Coast Stikine...... Hon. Doug Donaldson Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Surrey-Cloverdale ...... Marvin Hunt Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)...... Skeena Surrey-Fleetwood...... Jagrup Brar Routledge, Janet (NDP)...... Burnaby North Surrey–Green Timbers...... Rachna Singh Routley, Doug (NDP) ...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Guildford...... Garry Begg Rustad, John (BC Liberal) ...... Nechako Lakes Surrey-Newton...... Hon. Harry Bains Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal) ...... Kootenay East Surrey-Panorama ...... Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Surrey South ...... Stephanie Cadieux Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Surrey-Whalley ...... Hon. Bruce Ralston Sims, Jinny (NDP)...... Surrey-Panorama Surrey–White Rock ...... Tracy Redies Singh, Rachna (NDP) ...... Surrey–Green Timbers Vancouver-Fairview...... Hon. George Heyman Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal) ...... Kelowna West Vancouver–False Creek...... Sam Sullivan Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)...... Parksville-Qualicum Vancouver-Fraserview...... Hon. George Chow Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)...... Kamloops–South Tompson Vancouver-Hastings ...... Hon. Shane Simpson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver-Kensington...... Mable Elmore Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver–False Creek Vancouver-Kingsway...... Hon. Adrian Dix Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver-Langara...... Michael Lee Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ...... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Hon. Melanie Mark Tomson, Steve (BC Liberal)...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver–Point Grey ...... Hon. David Eby, QC Tornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ...... North Vancouver–Seymour Vancouver-Quilchena...... Andrew Wilkinson, QC Troness, Laurie (BC Liberal) ...... Chilliwack-Kent Vancouver–West End ...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) ...... North Island Vernon-Monashee ...... Eric Foster Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal) ...... Richmond North Centre Victoria–Beacon Hill...... Hon. Carole James Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.)...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Victoria–Swan Lake...... Hon. Rob Fleming Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal)...... Vancouver-Quilchena West Vancouver–Capilano...... Ralph Sultan Yap, John (BC Liberal)...... Richmond-Steveston West Vancouver–Sea to Sky...... Jordan Sturdy

Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; Independent 2; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS

Tursday, August 13, 2020 Morning Sitting Page

Routine Business

Introductions by Members...... 12401

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 12401 Bill M210 — High Dose Infuenza Vaccine for Seniors Act, 2020 J. Isaacs Bill M211 — Land Tax Deferment (Cultus Lake Park) Amendment Act, 2020 L. Troness

Introductions by Members...... 12402

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 12402 Drifwood Valley Outftters and Takla First Nations youth training program M. Morris Nanaimo coal-mining history and South End Community Association D. Routley Simon Dufresne E. Foster Sunshine Coast ferry services during COVID-19 N. Simons Service of Legislature staf and members during COVID-19 S. Furstenau Sowaran Kaur Hoti J. Sims

Oral Questions...... 12405 Economic recovery plan A. Wilkinson Hon. J. Horgan Site C power project G. Kyllo Hon. B. Ralston Government response to COVID-19 A. Olsen Hon. J. Horgan Government plan for education system reopening D. Davies Hon. J. Horgan S. Bond Government action on homelessness and community safety T. Stone Hon. J. Darcy

Tabling Documents...... 12411 B.C. Arts Council, annual report, 2019-20

Petitions ...... 12411 Hon. A. Kang N. Simons

Orders of the Day

Committee of Supply ...... 12411 Estimates: Ministry of Finance (continued) S. Bond Hon. C. James S. Cadieux

12401

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 deaths would have been preventable were a vaccine more readily available for our seniors. Te House met at 10:05 a.m. Many seniors who contract the fu sufer a decline in mobility. Te virus can severely impact both mental and [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] physical health, resulting in a loss of independence and a greater need for additional care. COVID-19 has shown the Routine Business world the devastating outcomes when an outbreak occurs in shared spaces like long-term-care homes. While there is Prayers and refections: M. Stilwell. currently no vaccination for COVID-19, a high dose infu- enza vaccine is available. Vaccination is the best way to Introductions by Members avoid the spread of this highly contagious viral infection. It’s the best way to reduce hospital visits and the high, high J. Rice: I was going to introduce Lu̓ á, my son, today, but cost to the medical system. he is a little bit cranky and taking his time getting here. I introduced my High Dose Infuenza Vaccine for Seni- ors Act in 2018 and again in 2019. I urge government to M. Stilwell: Joining us in the gallery today are some move forward with this legislation to protect our seniors special guests of mine. First is my son, Kai, who is here living in long-term-care homes. again just two weeks afer his 19th birthday. He did sur- vive the night out. Joining him today are close family Mr. Speaker: Te question is frst reading of the bill. friends, Isabelle Crepin and her son, Kai Lamb, who are visiting us for the next week. Tat’s right. We have Motion approved. double trouble with the two Kais. We’ll be out exploring [10:10 a.m.] beautiful British Columbia, showing them all the sights and sounds as tourists as we explore our own backyard J. Isaacs: I move that this bill be placed on the orders here on Vancouver Island. of the day for the second reading of the next sitting of the Would the House please make them feel very welcome. House afer today.

Introduction and Bill M210, High Dose Infuenza Vaccine for Seniors First Reading of Bills Act, 2020, introduced, read a frst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next BILL M210 — HIGH DOSE INFLUENZA sitting of the House afer today. VACCINE FOR SENIORS ACT, 2020 BILL M211 — LAND TAX DEFERMENT J. Isaacs presented a bill intituled High Dose Infuenza (CULTUS LAKE PARK) Vaccine for Seniors Act, 2020. AMENDMENT ACT, 2020

J. Isaacs: I move the bill intituled High Dose Infuenza L. Troness presented a bill intituled Land Tax Vaccine for Seniors Act, 2020, of which notice has been Deferment (Cultus Lake Park) Amendment Act, 2020. given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read for the frst time now. L. Troness: I move that a bill intituled Land Tax Defer- Over 2,000 deaths in in 2018. Tese deaths are ment (Cultus Lake Park) Amendment Act, 2020, of which not attributed to the number of loved ones that died of notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be drug overdoses. It’s not deaths related to car accidents nor introduced and now read a frst time. deaths related to COVID-19. Tese are the number of lives Cultus Lake Park Board was established in 1932 by a that were lost to infuenza-related deaths. unique act to this Legislature called the Cultus Lake Park Our immune system weakens as we age. Te older we Act. Residents of the park own their homes, but they lease get, the more likely our risk of contracting the fu their land from the park board, and for this reason, they increases. Tose who have compromised health conditions cannot defer their property taxes like other British Colum- or a compromised immune system, like heart and stroke, bian homeowners are able to do. Tis causes hardship for diabetes, kidney disease or lung conditions, are at a higher many long-term residents on fxed incomes in Cultus Lake risk of infuenza-related complications. Seniors are more as homeowners age and housing prices experience signi- likely to be hospitalized afer getting the fu, and for those fcant increases. It’s happening at a time when it’s more and who are hospitalized, over 65 percent had an underlying more important that we enable people to age in place and health condition, and nearly 85 percent of deaths were live independently. linked to those underlying risk factors. Many of these While the park board leases last for 21 years, they are perpetually renewed according to the terms of the lease, 12402 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020 providing ironclad assurance to the government that the Michael designed this three-year program to provide ministry will be able to collect those deferred taxes in the First Nations youth opportunities to learn life skills: how future, plus interest. Te taxpayer would not lose a penny to use a chainsaw; build, maintain cabins; feld dress from the enactment of this bill. Te bill would alter the wild game; trap fur-bearing animals; and provide excep- B.C. Land Tax Deferment Act to enable tax deferment to tional customer service to clients intent on experiencing take place for Cultus Lake residents. beautiful British Columbia’s outdoors in a safe and I would welcome the government bringing forward my secure environment. Signifcant in this program is the bill for debate or proposing its own so that my constituents cultural and traditional knowledge embedded in all in their unique situation can be treated like most other activities, creating a platform to share this rich heritage homeowners in B.C. with clients well into the future. [10:15 a.m.] Motion approved. While I speak, the current enrolment of students in this program are hiking and learning while on a month-long L. Troness: I move that the bill be placed on the orders wilderness excursion into the mountains in the central of the day for the next sitting of the House afer today. northwest part of our province. Support from the Wood Wheaton Supercentre in Prince George and the Guide Bill M211, Land Tax Deferment (Cultus Lake Park) Outftters Association of B.C. ensures that these students Amendment Act, 2020, introduced, read a frst time and are well equipped with top-of-the-line outdoor apparel ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second that will keep them dry, warm and comfortable through- reading at the next sitting of the House afer today. out their excursion. Tis is an exceptional initiative that will provide an Mr. Speaker: Before we begin the next matter, if we enduring employment legacy for Takla First Nations youth could go back to introductions for a second. to enter the tourism feld and ofer professional services to clients and to pass their skills on to other interested com- Introductions by Members munity members.

J. Rice: I’d like to introduce Lu̓ á Alan Rice, my son. Tis NANAIMO COAL-MINING HISTORY AND is his second visit to the B.C. Legislature. He just recently SOUTH END COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION turned eight months, and this week, while at the Legis- lature, he graduated from butt-scooching to mastering his D. Routley: I rise today to speak about Nanaimo. Its forward crawl. history reads the history of British Columbia, the history Would the House please make him feel welcome. of working people and the history of the labour move- ment. I’d like to speak briefy about one particular incid- Statements ent: 133 years ago on May 3, 1887, when 148 men who (Standing Order 25B) were working in a coal mine — the number one coal mine in Nanaimo — died in an explosion. Tat was a time when DRIFTWOOD VALLEY OUTFITTERS Nanaimo had little more than 2,000 people as a popula- AND TAKLA FIRST NATIONS tion, so it was a very signifcant blow to the community, YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAM and it is memorialized today. Te real subject of what I’m going to speak about is the M. Morris: Michael Schneider owns Drifwood Valley South End Community Association, formed in 1978, some Outftters and has been taking international clients out 91 years later, by some of the direct descendants, children into some of the most beautiful remote back country our and even some of the people who were present that day. province has to ofer for over 30 years. He operates within Tis group is a community group that is engaged and is the traditional territory of the Takla First Nations and propelling this community forward. works closely with Chief John Allen French and the Takla Just like the lives of working people, the lives of the community. South End have been challenged by the same factors: Over the past year, Michael has put together the Drif- uneven employment, uneven income and a lot of chal- wood outdoor guide and business apprenticeship program lenges. But it is the strength of the community that designed for Takla First Nations youth. He has combined brought people back to do a Miner’s Picnic that has gone learning opportunities and remote wilderness guiding, on for a quarter of a century, establish a food forest, estab- tourism and the business aspect of this sector. Working lish art cans — garbage cans that are artistic — and within the school district, he has been able to include reg- improve the community. Tey’re involved in community ular school curriculum into his program to give youth the engagement and consultation with the city. Tey have a opportunity to complete high school. great partnership with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Tey have contributed with a neighbourhood plan. Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12403

Tis is a great group chaired by Sydney Robertson with Most of our medical specialists live and work in North members Sandy McLelan, Starr Faux, Blake McGufe, Vancouver or Vancouver, making it necessary for residents Kathryn-Jane Hazel, Elody Bothers, Petra Sochor and to travel on one of the particularly busy ferries. Michelle Crowley, among others. It’s a really fantastic In phase 1 of the pandemic, when sailings were cut dra- group that speaks today to the same fbre and character matically, the province ordered that residents and essen- that was present in Nanaimo those 133 years ago. tial goods would be given priority loading. When travel picked up, B.C. Ferries hadn’t had enough time to hire SIMON DUFRESNE and train their regular contingent of summer workers, so we were lef with busier ferries and fewer sailings. People E. Foster: It gives me great pleasure to speak in the going to their rescheduled surgeries or pre-surgery con- House about a constituent of mine from Vernon, Simon sultations with specialists were missing their ferries. Te Dufresne. To say Simon is an overachiever would be an company’s own complicated medical-assured loading pro- understatement. gram, with its restrictive eligibility requirements, couldn’t Just a few of his accomplishments. In high school, he meet our community’s needs. was on the roll of distinction every year and won the Tat’s why I was pleased when the province made a community service award several times. He was a charter medical-travel order that states quite clearly that a med- member and president of the Vernon Leo Club. Te Leos ical professional’s letter — along with a regular travel are the youth wing of the international Lions Association. assistance, or TAP, form — will get a person, travelling He won the Leo Award of Honour, Leo president’s 100 per- for medical reasons, on a ferry if they arrive 30 minutes cent certifcate and Leo of the Year and was the frst Leo ahead of time. Gone was the requirement that the travel ever to be asked to sit on the district governor’s cabinet. had to be urgent or that waiting at the terminal would As a member of the 63rd Kalamalka Royal Canadian have to cause risk to health. Gone, too, is the burden Sea Cadets, Simon was awarded the Lord Strathcona on B.C. Ferries in trying to determine who qualifes medal, the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet medal of excel- and who doesn’t. Medical priority is determined at the lence, the Navy League medal of excellence, the service discretion of the professional medical practitioner, to and citizenship award, service achievement award, top ensure that people travelling for medical reasons will get marksman leadership award and sea cadet of the year. He to and from their destinations. was one of 50 cadets across Canada awarded a deployment I’d like to thank the province and B.C. Ferries for on a tall ship through the Gulf Islands. He was awarded acknowledging the unique circumstances facing residents the silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which was presen- of ferry-reliant communities, and I look forward to work- ted here in Victoria at Government House by the Lieuten- ing on fnding better long-term solutions to residents’ ant-Governor. needs. All of those took place while Simon was in high school. Afer graduating from high school, Simon enrolled in the SERVICE OF LEGISLATURE STAFF culinary arts program at Okanagan College, where he AND MEMBERS DURING COVID-19 graduated at the top of his class. Simon was chosen to go with one of his instructors and another student to the fve- S. Furstenau: It has been a remarkable achievement, star Hotel Belvedere in Riccione, Italy to cook a traditional this historic hybrid legislative session. While most people Canadian dinner for the guests. see only us, the members of the House, the reality is that Most recently, Simon was presented with one of the Sto- there are hundreds who’ve made this possible. Te Clerk ber Family Foundation Trades Awards, an award based on and all of her staf in her ofce are unrelenting in their in-class performance, academic achievement and recom- commitment, and their professionalism, grace and good mendations from instructors. humour abound as they’ve guided us through this whole [10:20 a.m.] new landscape. Tis would be an impressive resume for a 40-year-old. Hansard and the IT crew, henceforth to be known as What makes it more impressive is Simon turned 19 on the the miracle workers of the B.C. Legislature, have set a very 30th of May this year. high bar for the rest of Canada to aspire to. While we were Congratulations, Simon, on all you’ve achieved. It’s an mostly working from home in April and May, they were honour to call you my friend. working here, laying the foundation for this precedent-set- ting parliamentary session. SUNSHINE COAST FERRY SERVICES Te Sergeants-at-Arms have protected us in ways that DURING COVID-19 none of us could have imagined before 2020. Tey have been modelling Dr. Henry’s mantra of staying calm and N. Simons: Tere are over 50,000 residents of the Sun- being kind, even before she’d started ofering her daily shine Coast. We have hospitals, we have doctors’ ofces guidance to all of us. and health clinics, and we are the home to many seniors. Te dining room staf have maintained their sunny dis- 12404 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020 position while fguring out how to keep all of us fed. Te moving into a house where her uncle and my dad, who maintenance and cleaning staf have gone above and bey- were there before us, had to show her how to use the ond to keep us as safe as we possibly can be. Te librarians amenities in the house. How quickly she adjusted. have continued to provide answers to all of the questions In the ’90s, she moved to B.C. But before moving to — and the reading material that has helped carry us B.C., while she was in England — she had four kids from through these strange times. India, and then two were born in England — raising six Ministry staf and legislative drafers, tasked with what kids on one income was not easy. She went out, and she got must have seemed like the impossible, have kept the gov- a job. She worked in the health care system. She started of ernment’s agenda moving forward, even when much of working as a housekeeper, and before we knew it, with her the world seemed to be at a full stop. Constituency ofce dedication to work, she picked up the language, and there staf around the province have found ways to continue to she was working in the maternity ward very, very quickly serve citizens, and the caucus staf have made our work and where she stayed until she retired. and eforts in here possible. Te ministerial assistants have Her love always was her house, her family. Her love was been the pillars the ministers can count on. her garden. In England they had victory gardens, and my All of us have done our best to rise to this occasion, mom applied for one of those. None of us could under- but I think it’s important to acknowledge and recognize stand when she was going to have time to work on her that the ministers and the Premier, who are bearing the allotment, but she did. She would go to work, do all the burden and responsibilities of steering the ship that is our housework, and still go take a 20-minute walk to go to the province in the midst of a global pandemic, have risen very allotment and work there, and she loved that. high. For a moment, let’s consider the weight that they are She loved fowers. I wear this scarf in her honour today carrying and its toll on them and their families, and let us because when this was gifed to me, I walked in to visit remember to be grateful for their service. her, and she looked at this scarf, and she said: “You need If I may just take this opportunity to thank my colleague to wear colour and fowers more ofen.” Life is very, very the member for Saanich North and the Islands for his short. She had many challenges, but the amazing thing calm, kind, compassionate and wise leadership over the with my mom is that she never saw the challenge; she saw last eight months. It’s been a true gif to work alongside the opportunities. For her, the cup was always half-full. him. I’m deeply grateful to be his colleague and his friend. Even when I would say to her all the terrible things that were happening, she would say: “Don’t think about that. SOWARAN KAUR HOTI Tink about the positive things.” She had six kids, as I mentioned; 14 grandkids; and 11 J. Sims: I rise today to celebrate the life of a constituent great-grandkids — my little Alliya, my great-granddaugh- of mine who also happened to be my mom, Sowaran Kaur ter, is her only great-great-granddaughter; and she is sur- Hoti, who died at the age of 95 on the sixth of April. vived by them. For my mom, we were not just her fam- [10:25 a.m.] ily, not just us. It was the six kids that my aunt, the one She was born in a small — tiny, I would say — village in who passed away in ’75, had. I can say that except for the Punjab, in Gurre, and born with the last name Nahall. the last three years, there wasn’t a wedding, there wasn’t Her nankay, her maternal village, her mom’s village, was an anniversary, there wasn’t an engagement, there wasn’t Takkarki. Te name Binning will always, always, have a a party that was held in England, the United States or in special place in her heart, because for my mom, the Nahall Canada that she would miss, because she felt it was her family and the Binning family were always paramount. responsibility, being the oldest, to always be there. Tey were what made her world rock, and when one of She was Bibi to everybody. My kids ask me sometimes: them moved into the house or came to visit her, she would “What does the word bibi mean?” I said: “I don’t know.” just light up. Because at one stage my mom was called Bibi by her broth- She was the oldest of fve kids — one sister and three ers and her sisters-in-law, I started to call her Bibi. Ten brothers. She lost her sister back in ’75 due to cancer. Her my kids called her Bibi — and the grandkids, everybody. two brothers also passed away, and she is survived by her Even in the nursing home, for the last year, she was Bibi youngest brother, who lives in San Francisco. She married there too, to all the staf. my father, Bikrama Singh Hoti, and moved to the village of A big, big thank-you to the staf at Laurel Place, who Pabma, also in the Punjab — which, when I was younger, provided awesome, awesome care for her. seemed like a thousand miles away but, when I went back, Mom, your love, your tenacity, your resilience and your is only a few kilometres away. willingness to take an opportunity are inside each and In 1962, with four kids under the age of ten in tow, every one of us. Tank you. We love you. she moved to England. I am in awe of the challenges that [10:30 a.m.] she faced, arriving in England in the month of October — rainy, miserable, dark, cold; moving to a totally diferent environment where she didn’t speak the language and Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12405

Oral Questions Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on a supplemental. ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN A. Wilkinson: Well, British Columbia is the third- A. Wilkinson: Five months ago, on March 23 of this largest province in Canada, with fve million people. Te year, the Premier announced that there would be an eco- three other large provinces all have announced economic nomic recovery plan put together by a group known as the recovery plans: Quebec on June 3, eight million people; Economic Recovery Task Force. Ontario, July 6, with 15 million people; and Alberta, June On July 29, the most prominent member of that task 29, with four million people. Somehow, British Columbia’s force, the B.C. Business Council, released their own plan lef out of the parade. out of frustration that there has been no work product to Another one of the members of the Premier’s eco- see from the Premier’s Economic Recovery Task Force. nomic recovery team, Bridgitte Anderson of the Van- What the head of the B.C. Business Council, Greg couver Board of Trade, had this to say: “We’ve known for D’Avignon, had to say was: “Te provincial government months that many businesses were sufering, and now has not had an economic recovery strategy. We’ve had we’re starting to see the true picture, and it is a ter- a health recovery strategy masking as an economic rible one. Tousands of businesses have ceased to exist.” strategy.” Te number provided by the Vancouver Board of Trade, Te obvious question to the Premier is: where’s the plan, backed up by B.C. Stats and Stats Canada, is that 14,000 Premier? businesses have permanently shut down in British Col- umbia since March 23. Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the Leader of the Opposition Premier, where is the plan? for his question. Certainly, we have been going through an extraordinary time here in British Columbia, an unpre- Hon. J. Horgan: Well, the plan has been evolving from cedented downturn in the economy and a closure of many the beginning. Again, I want to remind all members of sectors. this House that if the people of British Columbia are not But unlike other parts of the country, we were able to confdent to come out and participate in the economy, keep many components of our economy going and moving then they’re not going to see the success that we need here throughout the pandemic. We’re all very proud of the work in British Columbia. Tat’s why we focused on keeping our front-line workers did, whether they were in health people safe. Tat’s why we focused on making sure that care or whether they were keeping our supply chains those that were dislocated…. going, making sure that people could access their food. Tese were all imperative components of our recovery. Interjection. We started by focusing on keeping people safe. I know the member and I have disagreed on this, but we believe Hon. J. Horgan: Do you want to hear the answer, Mem- that without confdence in our public health, we will not ber? It’s clear that the ofcial opposition, this being the frst have confdence in our economy. time this week that the Leader of the Opposition has stood We’ve been making investments systematically over the in this place, are not necessarily interested in the answers past number of months with the advice and counsel of the that I want to give. But I will persist. I will persist to get Economic Recovery Task Force. I’m very confdent that through the challenges of only a dozen hecklers on the the $3.5 billion that we put into the economy over the peri- other side. od of a number of months and the now $2.5 billion that the [10:35 a.m.] Minister of Finance will be announcing more about in the Despite that, they don’t want to hear about $2.5 billion days ahead is the exact direction that the Economic Recov- worth of economic stimulus that will be coming from the ery Task Force wanted us to go in. Minister of Finance in the days ahead. We’ve been working Te member has mentioned one group, the Business with all British Columbians — not just the Economic Council, which represents the largest employers in the Recovery Task Force but all British Columbians — so that province. Te B.C. Chamber of Commerce was there, the we can continue to lead the country, as we were before the boards of trade from our two major cities, the Federation pandemic. of Labour, representatives of the not-for-proft sector, from the creative sector and also Indigenous people. Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on In addition to the task force, we invited all British Col- a second supplemental. umbians to participate, as I believe we should. We’re assembling all of that information, focusing on making A. Wilkinson: Well, I suppose it’s understandable that sure that people are safe in their communities and people the Premier is a bit irritable, because the people of British can productively get back into the economy. I believe we’ll Columbia are becoming very irritable with the lack of any see more fruit from that labour over the coming days. kind of plan coming from the provincial government. 12406 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020

Teir lack of confdence has a good basis in the inaction of Hydro that both the project construction schedule and this Premier. cost were at signifcant risk? Te Premier said, on March 23: “We’re putting together a task force so that we can indeed lay out, with confdence, Hon. B. Ralston: It is useful to review the opposition’s to the public that there’s a plan.” Tat was fve months ago, record, when they were in government, on Site C. Tey Premier. Te rest of the world is already moving ahead. started the project without proper oversight and without Te Premier seems to lay his hopes on a health recovery a credible budget. Tey rushed through the approval of plan. Tat’s not going to do it, Premier. Health is one of the design, which included signifcant geological risks. I’m 20 ministries in your government. Te other 19 have roles sure they will remember the two tension cracks that to play. Tey’ve got to be out there, establishing consumer occurred under their government, which led the B.C. confdence, telling people that it’s okay to participate in life Hydro to announce an increase in cost and construction again, saving thousands more businesses from insolvency time in November of 2017. in the next six weeks. Our government asked the B.C. Utilities Commission to Te obvious question, Premier, is: is there any plan at review the project, and they found that it was already over all, or have you been dithering for fve months while other budget and behind schedule. Let me quote from the 2017 organizations release plans behind your back? B.C. utilities review. Te BCUC is “not persuaded” that the Site C project “will remain on schedule for a November Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I thank the Leader of the Oppo- 2024 in-service date.” sition for his participation this week in question period. [10:40 a.m.] We have been working diligently with every sector to Tat’s the record of the previous government, and that’s ensure that we can have a secure restart of the economy, the factual record that’s before the public at this time. focusing on people, focusing on making sure that people in every corner of the province have confdence so they G. Kyllo: Well, the B.C. Utilities Commission actually can go back into the economy. I can say that when the informed government that they had choices, and it was members of the Economic Recovery Task Force, myself, this government that made the decision to continue con- the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Jobs, Eco- struction. It was also this government that put in place the nomic Development and Competitiveness were meeting oversight board that reported directly to Treasury Board. weekly, we were talking about how we could kick-start the On May 9, 2019, the member for Nelson-Creston said Site economy by providing confdence. C reports “are reviewed and approved by the public assur- Tat confdence does not come from hectoring from ance board…which is accountable to government and the opposition. It comes from the cooperation that existed reports regularly to Treasury Board.” until just recently between all of us in this House, with What is the minister saying now? Tat B.C. Hydro has one common purpose to lif all British Columbians up, been concealing information, has kept him in the dark? focusing on people, making sure that every corner of the Tat he was not aware of the scheduling and construction province, every element of the economy, was fring on all cost risks at Site C until this presser just a few weeks ago? cylinders. Or is the minister and his government saying that they Tat’s what we’ve been working on. Tat’s what the Min- have let the project run adrif and have not been asking ister of Finance has been doing, and every other minister appropriate questions? of this government, with great success. A question to the Minister of Energy. Why should Brit- ish Columbians have any confdence in this government’s SITE C POWER PROJECT ability to manage a project that was on time and on budget when they took over responsibility? G. Kyllo: Now, Site C is the largest capital project that the current government is undertaking in our province Hon. B. Ralston: Te previous government recklessly — a ten-year construction schedule — and therefore pushed Site C past the point of no return. Indeed, the then deserving of signifcant attention and oversight. Premier said: “I will get it past the point of no return.” Only a few weeks ago the Minister of Energy and Mines Tey refused to let the independent energy watchdog, the announced serious concerns around the construction of B.C. Utilities Commission, review the project. Tey signed the Site C dam project. Now, the former minister, the of on a design that included known geological risks. Tey member for Nelson-Creston, had confrmed in June 2017 spent billions of dollars without proper oversight in their that Site C was “on time and on budget.” Now we see the eforts to push this project past the point of no return. current minister attempting to shif the blame to the pan- Our government has been clear. Site C is not a project demic, even though the report from B.C. Hydro covers a we would have started, but we weren’t willing to ask British period largely before COVID-19 arrived. Columbians to take on $4 million in debt with nothing To the Energy Minister, when exactly — and details in return. Because of the choices made by the old gov- matter here — was the Energy Minister informed by B.C. ernment, there were cost pressures on the project in sum- Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12407 mer 2017, but we had been managing them. We are now legislators and as individuals, about the consequences of facing geological risks in the design that the old govern- COVID-19 and a global pandemic. We are a small, open ment approved. economy. We depend on trade. We depend on other juris- It’s important to remember that the project was on dictions being as robust as ourselves. Of course, in a global schedule prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, pandemic, that is absolutely not the case. B.C. Hydro signifcantly scaled down the project and We’ve learned a great deal, and we’ve taken several steps focused only on essential work and meeting critical mile- that I believe will put us in good stead going into the stones. Tis was done in line with advice from the provin- fall. Firstly, we’ve worked with the federal government to cial health ofcer to ensure the safety of workers and loc- ensure that our borders can be closed until such time as al communities. Tanks to this approach, we are on track our neighbours and those who want to come to British to achieve river diversion, a key step in constructing the Columbia have a similar positive outcome with respect to project, this fall. B.C. Hydro is in the process of safely scal- cases, with respect to hospitalizations and so on. ing construction activities back up in line with advice from We worked with the federal government to establish a public ofcials. national sick leave program, which will, as we go into the I’ve been clear. I’m concerned with the reports that the fall and into the traditional fu season, be in a position member mentions that B.C. Hydro recently fled with the to ensure that workers will not put their colleagues and Utilities Commission. B.C. Hydro has initiated a re- their customers at risk by going to work when they’re sick. baselining process of the Site C project to review the cost Tey’ll be able to stay at home with some economic cer- and time required to complete the project. I’ve also tainty that they won’t be penalized for that. brought on Mr. Peter Milburn, a former deputy minister, We’ve worked on ensuring that PPEs are in place — as a special adviser. Mr. Milburn will play an important signifcant amounts, not just for those in the health care role in examining the project. He will provide me and sector but in every sector, including education. Although our government with independent advice and a fresh per- there has been a lot of discussion this week about the edu- spective. cation restart that will be beginning in September…. In my conversations with regular families, they understand the GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO COVID-19 challenges we’re facing. You articulated them very well in your question. A. Olsen: We hoped that the fall would mark the begin- I think all of us, at the end of the day, understand that ning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health these are extraordinary times. Tat requires fexibility. It ofcials and British Columbians, though, are wary of the requires cooperation. By and large, for the most part, all possibility of a second wave. Just yesterday we had an of us in this place have been cooperating with a common announcement of 85 new cases. Tat’s the third-highest, purpose in mind. Tat is, to support our neighbours, to single-day jump since the beginning of the pandemic. support our constituents, to lif ourselves up so that we can Tere’s growing tension in our province around kids come out of this stronger than we went in. going back to school, our loved ones in care homes, the What does the fall hold? Hon. Member, if you had an fall fu season, individuals’ fnancial security and, as well, answer to that, we would probably be moving a lot faster stalled sectors of our economy. Tere are fears that we than we are right now. might be facing a second lockdown and another round of social distancing measures. Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Tird Party on a supple- In March, all parties in this House got together to unan- mental. imously approve a $5 billion fscal package to address the immediate health challenges as well as to seed an econom- A. Olsen: Tank you to the Premier for his response. ic recovery. However, we’re seeing the impact of the lock- Troughout this session, the B.C. Green caucus has used down, particularly on the mental health and well-being of question period as an avenue to propose and bring into the British Columbians. public discourse various ideas, programs and projects that My question is for the Premier. Few people could have could beneft British Columbians. predicted this pandemic and the impacts we’ve experi- We’ve asked for greater transparency and accountability enced. As we go into the fall with the uncertainty and the in our senior care homes to protect some of our most vul- real possibility of a second wave, what will his government nerable citizens. We’ve advocated for a 12-month project do diferently if we’re forced to bring back more severe to ofer mental health support under MSP to help British social distancing protocols? Columbians with this overwhelming health crisis. We’ve [10:45 a.m.] pushed for additional support for child care centres and before- and afer-school care programs so parents can go Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the interim leader of the Green back to work without worrying about the safety of their Party for the question. children. We have learned a great deal, as British Columbians, as In the passing weeks, we’ve seen some of the challenges 12408 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020 of partisan politics. Te Premier referred to it earlier in his el. Well, then maybe more students would be in the responses. We’ve also seen the power of working togeth- hybrid model afer all. er. We remain committed to collaborative, evidence-based I bet the Minister of Education is wishing he’d actually governance. released the plan on the 29th. All of the posturing from My question is again to the Premier. If a second lock- the minister won’t change the fact that parents still have no down occurs, what specifc changes has his government idea what is going to be happening in September. People made to ensure our systems and structures are better able are looking for leadership. to protect the mental health and well-being of British Col- My question to the Minister of Education is: does he umbians? really believe that waiting to tell parents until August 26 is fair to them or their families? Hon. J. Horgan: I can say that the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has opened 143 treatment beds Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member from Fort St. John since the beginning of the pandemic. We’ve put in place for his question. Again, I want to unpack the question and more counselling services for British Columbians. We’re the accusations and the vitriol and come back to the key working diligently to make sure that the well-being of Brit- question. Te key issue.… ish Columbians, whether it be…. Teir physical health, their mental health and their economic health are high Interjections. priorities for us. People are the economy, and without all people working in tandem to lif us all up, we’re going to Mr. Speaker: Members, Members. be falling behind. I do know that as we go to the fall, the Minister of Hon. J. Horgan: Te key issue for parents, the key Health and public health ofcials, led by Dr. Bonnie issue for teachers, the key issue for people in the K-to-12 Henry…. We meet regularly. We discuss trends. We look system is making sure that it will work. Tere are as at other jurisdictions. We look at other approaches from many ideas for what will work as there are people, and people in other parts of the world. How are they address- the best way to come to consensus is to listen, to be fex- ing these issues? We take advice from the Green Party. We ible, and that’s what the Minister of Education has been take advice, in some cases, from the ofcial opposition. We doing. He’s been listening to teachers. He’s been listen- most assuredly listen to people. ing to parents. He’s been listening to the people of Fort Tat brings us back to the K-to-12 restart. We know that St. John and fnding out that what they need is not the school is fundamentally important to our young ones. It’s same as the people in Parksville. absolutely critical. Now we have to fnd a way to contin- Tat’s what collaboration is all about — working togeth- ue to provide that service for children and for families in er to create plans that are individually focused on success a way that is safe. Tat requires cooperation. Tat requires for students and comfort for families. Tat’s what we’re listening to everybody — school districts, teachers, parents doing. I thought you’d be on board with that. and kids. Tat’s what we’ve been doing, and I think that’s the best Mr. Speaker: Te member for Peace River North on a way forward, hon. Member. Continued cooperation and supplemental. collaboration are what British Columbians want, and that’s what we intend to do. D. Davies: I thank the Premier for whatever that was. [10:50 a.m.] Parents want a plan. Parents need a plan. Tey need to know what their children are going to be doing in the fall, GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR if they need to fnd care for them. Work schedules for fam- EDUCATION SYSTEM REOPENING ilies need to be sorted out. A plan. We’ve had fve months. Te minister has said D. Davies: I’d like to thank the Premier for that segue this over and over again, that he has been planning the into my question on plans, which we seem to be lacking return to school since schools were suspended in March. endlessly. Well, we did not get anything on July 29. Te Minister of Education has had fve months to plan I’m going to quote one family here. You’re right, Pre- for back to school. But so far, he has only made it worse mier. I’ve talked to many, many families, and I know that for parents. He has made it worse for teachers. He has they’ve reached out to the minister as well. made it worse for school districts. He has made it worse “Both my husband and I are facing unprecedented work for children. schedules in September, and now I not only deal with my First, there would be a plan, one plan. Ten there work; I have four kids at home, one with autism. My chil- are 60 plans. All of the students would be in class on dren are in grades 2, 4, 5 and 7. I am not a teacher, and September 8. Well then, maybe not. Tere’d be a hybrid I have no child care for our kids.” Tis is one message model. Ten, in rare cases, there might be a hybrid mod- that echoes so many concerned, scared families across the Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12409

province. Whether it’s child care or afer school or return- has failed so miserably to have a coherent plan for a safe ing to work, why is the minister, why is this government, return to school? leaving it until August 26 to get a plan out to families? Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for her question. Mr. Speaker: Members, before we get to the answer, Again, I will repeat what we’ve been saying for a number I just might say that, of course, this line of questioning of weeks now. Tere is apprehension within the com- is particularly important to parents around the province, munity. Tere is concern within parent communities, so it will be important that we have every opportunity within the education sector about how we will proceed in a to clearly hear the question and clearly hear the answer. global pandemic. Sometimes I think you forget about that, Tank you. hon. Members. We are in a global pandemic where cir- cumstances are changing by the day. Hon. J. Horgan: With respect to the family that the I know with absolute certainty, even though there’s anxi- hon. member cites, I absolutely understand the anxiety ety in the community, the vast majority of parents under- and apprehension that that family and countless families stand that we will have to work together with teachers, across British Columbia are feeling. Te start of the school with child care providers, with others in the community to year in a normal year is apprehensive for many families. make sure that we can deliver this vitally important ser- Te challenges that the member outlined exist in a pan- vice. Tat’s what we’ve been focused on. By and large, we’ve demic and outside of a pandemic. Te challenge, of course, had cooperation and collaboration throughout this House will not be resolved with accusations and criticism. It will to do that. Today’s not one of those days. be resolved with cooperation and collaboration, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Mr. Speaker: Te member for Prince George– Now, I appreciate that the Leader of the Opposition Valemount on a supplemental. would want us to table a plan so that he could immediately criticize it. We have been working with the people who S. Bond: Well, the Premier, I am positive, and the min- deliver education in British Columbia, the vice-principals, ister have heard from parents all across British Columbia. the principals, the school trustees — the duly elected To suggest that there is a plan that is comprehensive and school trustees who want to have input into how services understandable is simply not true. are delivered in their community. Te families that are Parents understand the need for students to return to concerned about their children want to know that every- class, and so does the opposition. Tey also understand one is behind them, and that’s what we’re doing. the need for everyone to stay safe when doing so, and so Te Minister of Education has been focusing on bring- does the opposition. What they don’t understand and it’s ing people together, fnding the best way forward, to have our job to bring to this House is why the minister had fve a mix of in-class and virtual education for the hundreds months to plan, he ran a trial in June, and he still is only of thousands of students in British Columbia. Tat is not fguring out the basics. good enough for the ofcial opposition, because they’ve Will all students have access to a hybrid model? Why got nothing else to do but complain. did the minister cut $12 million out of distance learning [10:55 a.m.] for the fall? Why can’t he tell students the day that school will start? Tat’s what parents are asking, and frankly, to S. Bond: It doesn’t matter how much the Premier stands the Premier, they expect answers. and attempts to bluster and create an answer today. Our Te minister’s inability to plan has lef parents in a lurch. job is to bring the concerns of parents to the Legislature, So to the Premier, who just yesterday said, “At the end of and that’s exactly what we are doing today. Tey are real, the day, the decisions rest with me and my government,” and they are signifcant concerns. this mess is on his shoulders. Parents have been counting down the days on their Can he actually stand up today and tell parents that calendars to the beginning of school. Well, apparently he thinks it’s fair that they’re going to have to wait until the Minister of Education hasn’t been. Parents know that August 26 to reveal details about a return to school? September is coming, and they’ve tried to start their planning. Tey’ve looked for child care. Tey’re trying to Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I thank the member for her arrange afer-school care. Tey’re talking to their bosses question. about what a return to work would look like. Te key to Listen, we all understand the importance of education all of that is knowing that their children would be back to our kids, to our communities, to our economy. We all in class. But instead of putting parents at ease, the min- understand that we’re in a global pandemic. At least, I ister has actually made it worse. Every day something thought we all understood that. We all understand that we changes. need to ensure that parents, trustees, administrators and, How does the minister expect parents to plan when he most importantly, teachers and other support staf within the school community are all on the same page. 12410 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020

Tese are disparate people. I appreciate that the oppos- For Rob and his neighbours, the situation in Coquitlam is ition didn’t pay a lot of attention to education, other than getting worse and worse by the day. through the courts, over their time in government, but To the Minister of Housing, it’s time to stop blaming we’re trying to bring everyone together to have a genuine others. It’s time to step down from the high horse and discussion about how best to deliver services in com- actually be accountable for the decisions and the actions munities. Tat’s what we’ve been doing — the only juris- that she is making and that the government is making on diction in North America that had kids back in classrooms this fle. in June so that we could shape out where we’re going to go When will the minister provide the 24-7 on-site sup- in September. Tat puts us light years ahead of every other ports so desperately needed to help our vulnerable and jurisdiction in the country. at-risk citizens get better, and when will she, when will [11:00 a.m.] the Premier, when will this government start listening to I don’t know if you’ve been paying any attention, hon. small businesses and communities who are being negat- Members, but just to the south of us there is absolute ively afected by this government’s actions on this fle? chaos when it comes to delivering education services in the United States. Here in British Columbia, we continue Hon. J. Darcy: Tank you to the member opposite for to work every day with the providers of education, the kids the question. Members opposite have been raising these who need it and the parents who are waiting for it. Tat’s issues about homelessness and the overdose crisis over the the appropriate way forward. I thought you would see that. last number of weeks. I don’t need to speak on the Min- ister of Housing’s behalf, but I think every member of GOVERNMENT ACTION ON this House knows that this government has made histor- HOMELESSNESS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY ic investments in ending homelessness and in building the supports that people need who are struggling with mental T. Stone: For months now, we’ve been highlighting in health and addictions. this House and outside this House how much worse home- It is absolutely true…. lessness has been getting in communities right across Brit- ish Columbia. Small businesses being broken into daily. Interjections. Small businesses worrying about the safety of their employees and their customers. People having to step over Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, if you could kindly other people on sidewalks. Parents worrying about fnding respect the minister’s opportunity to respond. Tank you. needles in playgrounds. Property damage and crime is get- ting worse and worse under this government’s watch. Hon. J. Darcy: It is absolutely true that many of the Now, this is happening right here in Victoria. Just steps people who are homeless and that we have been working from this Legislature in Beacon Hill Park is an encamp- to house are struggling with mental health and addictions. ment, which is getting worse and worse by the day. It is in Te Leader of the Opposition, in his heckling earlier, said: the heart of the Minister of Finance’s riding. She has the “No plan for the overdose crisis either, hon. Speaker.” ability to do something about it, and she’s choosing not to Well, let me be very clear. We know that the spike in do anything about it. overdoses…. We know the overdose deaths were going Just a further few blocks away, in downtown Victoria, down under the previous government’s watch. Tey were there is a rapidly deteriorating situation because of the going up. Beginning in 2012, the numbers went up for fve government disaster which they call the hotel acquisition years. Te next year, they went up, and then under our program. It’s been a disaster. People are running around watch, we began to bring them down. with machetes, businesses being broken into, personal Hon. Speaker, I want to read you a quote. safety being threatened. Presumably, the Premier and a whole truckload of cabinet ministers and NDP MLAs Interjections. drive right through this area every single day, and they choose not to do anything about it. Mr. Speaker: Members. Of course, this is happening, we know as well, in the Minister of Housing’s own riding in Coquitlam. Te prob- Hon. J. Darcy: I’d like to read a quote. lem there is getting worse and worse by the day. Now: “We are tax-paying citizens trying to raise a family and being Interjections. held hostage in our own community. Tis is not what a young child needs to be experiencing. Something needs to Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. be done to protect the community.” Tose are the words Minister. of Rob Lewis, who lives just down the street from an NDP hotel that’s warehousing homeless people in Coquitlam. Hon. J. Darcy: I want to read a quote: “Tere’s no ques- tion that during COVID, in particular, the illicit drug sup- Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12411 ply has become increasingly dangerous, because what is Orders of the Day actually in these drugs, what they’re laced with, you just really don’t know. COVID has just introduced a tremend- Hon. M. Farnworth: In this chamber, I call continued ous amount of additional uncertainty. We’re hearing that estimates debate, Ministry of Finance. from front-line workers. We’re hearing that from law enforcement. I do believe that that’s factually accurate.” Committee of Supply Tat’s not a quote from me. Tat’s a quote from the member for Kamloops–South Tompson to the media in ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF FINANCE his community within the last couple of days. (continued) [11:05 a.m.] Since COVID-19 hit, we have been working at break- Te House in Committee of Supply (Section B); neck speed. We are the only province that has been R. Chouhan in the chair. responding across the continuum with harm reduction, with access to safe supplies of prescription alternatives to Te committee met at 11:10 a.m. separate people from the poisoned drug supply and also with treatment beds — with the recent announcements, On Vote 25: ministry operations, $267,491,000 150 adult treatment beds. Today the biggest investment (continued). ever in youth treatment beds in the history of this province — 123 new beds on top of 20 new ones in Chilliwack. S. Bond: Good morning, hon. Chair. Tank you for Under that government’s watch, youth treatment beds the opportunity to continue in the estimates process. We actually went down the same year a public health emer- appreciate it. Tank you to the minister for the work that gency was declared. Tis is something we need to be work- was accomplished yesterday. ing on together. Let’s bring the same non-partisan spirit to Again, we have provided her and her team with a bit solving the overdose crisis and the homelessness crisis as of a road map. Just to recap, we’ve had some discussion we have done in keeping each other safe and caring for one about the general budget questions. Yesterday near the another through COVID-19. end of the day we moved into a section that we want to spend some time on — looking at the supplementary [End of question period.] estimates, the COVID-19 action plan, the $5 billion. So let’s start there again. Tabling Documents I’m going to repeat the question for the minister that I presented late yesterday. She was going to do some work Hon. L. Beare: I have the honour to table the 2019-2020 on trying to break out the numbers. I think British Colum- report for the B.C. Arts Council and its supporting docu- bians and members of the opposition, people in the Legis- mentation to you. lature, probably even members on the government bench, need some clarity about the spending and the notional Petitions allocations. In question period today, for example, we heard the Pre- Hon. A. Kang: I rise virtually today in the House to mier repeat over and over: $2.5 billion. Well, the minis- present a petition to the Minister of Health on behalf of my ter, in her public statements around pandemic spending, constituents in Burnaby–Deer Lake regarding the mod- talked about $2.8 billion for people, $2.2 billion for busi- ernization of traditional Chinese medicine practitioner nesses. Yesterday we asked the question about the original and acupuncturist regulations. conversation that the minister had about the $1.5 billion I’ll be forwarding this petition to the Clerk’s ofce. economic recovery fund — and $700 million, we think, Tere are more than 800 signatures, and the petitioners trying to get to the $2.2 billion total. But to be clear, to the from the B.C. Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine minister, there is a signifcant lack of clarity about the split and Acupuncture Practitioners are still in the process of of the funding, where it’s going and how much is being gathering more signatures. allocated to what. Let’s start there. Te funding for businesses originally N. Simons: I’m presenting a petition from residents of included $1.5 billion and $700 million, but we now know the Sunshine Coast calling for improvements to the ferry the property tax cut is outside of the $5 billion allotment. service between Langdale and Horseshoe Bay, including Let’s start with that. Can the minister please outline for us hourly sailings, more boats, faster boats, resident priority, and clarify some of the discrepancies with the numbers, medical priority and a redesigned reservation system. including, perhaps, the number the Premier was using today, which was $2.5 billion? We have no idea what that referenced. [11:15 a.m.] 12412 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020

Hon. C. James: I believe, because it’s the way the mem- obviously, needs arise and as we get the additional dollars bers had outlined the process…. Tey want to walk out the door around the $1.5 billion as well. through and look at the supplementary 1 and then supple- mentary 2, which is the federal money. S. Bond: I appreciate the numbers that the minister has Te member mentioned the additional $2 billion. Te shared. Let’s just start with her last comment, that there discussion around the additional $2 billion will come in may…. To be clear, I think it is important…. Te minister the second discussion. If we can just right now focus on has been very good about recognizing the other parties in the $5 billion and the frst supplementary vote, and then the House who made the $5 billion allocation possible. All focus on the second, I think it just makes the numbers a of us recognized that government needed to move quickly bit clearer, if that’s fne with the member. I can talk about and that government needed to provide additional sup- the second vote if the member wishes, but I think that’s the ports for businesses and for British Columbians who were way the members outlined it for us. impacted by COVID. All of us agreed on that. I think When the plan was originally announced on March 23, that was an important part of getting down to business, in we put together…. As the member will know well, and this essence, and trying to fgure out how those supports are was part of the discussion in the Legislature…. As I said at being put in place. the very start of our estimates discussion, it’s extraordinary While I appreciate what the minister has just listed for times, knowing that we would need to put together sup- us, we’re interested in as many specifc details as possible. ports. I’ve expressed my appreciation to the ofcial oppo- We were clear about that in our agreement to support the sition — to the Tird Party, as well — for coming togeth- $5 billion plan — that we needed to make sure people er in those extraordinary times, recognizing that we didn’t knew exactly how that money was going to be spent. Even have specifc programs at that point, that we were looking afer the minister’s last answer, I’m not sure that we have a at a need and that we all wanted to come together in the specifc sense of the spending. Legislature to be able to address that need. Let’s start with her last comment, at the last answer, that Te member is quite right. Te initial estimates talked shifs may occur. Is the minister committed, and the gov- about $2.8 billion for individuals and $2.2 billion for busi- ernment, to working within the announcement that was nesses — of the $5 billion. Tat was the rough allocation, made — $2.8 billion for people, $2.2 billion for businesses? again, that we put together as a notional allocation, given Is the shif that she’s referencing talking about being within the fact that we were then going to look at where the pro- that envelope — for, in the case of business, $2.2 billion grams and services were needed. We’ve continued to alloc- — or looking at, perhaps, a shif less for business, more ate expenditures based on need, based on critical services, for people? Ultimately, we know that supporting business based on the fnancial supports that need to be there and actually helps support people with jobs and all of those based on economic recovery. As the needs arise, additional things as well. But maybe the minister could just describe dollars get allocated and additional dollars and expendit- what she meant by “there may be more shifs.” ures will go out. [11:25 a.m.] Just to give the members the specifcs around the num- bers and the expenditure allocations that are in place right Hon. C. James: I want to start with the discussion now — again, based on the $5 billion — it’s $3.115 billion around the $5 billion and the conversation the member for individuals and $1.885 billion for businesses. Tat just raised around accountability, because I think it’s a includes the $1.5 billion that’s put aside for economic really critical piece. It’s a critical piece for the public, and recovery. it’s a critical piece for all of us in this Legislature who came In addition to that, there are tax measures of approxim- together to approve the $5 billion. ately $1.35 billion that have been introduced in this time As I said at the time that we were having the debate period — again, a request that came forward from a num- around the $5 billion, it was important to recognize that ber of businesses and organizations. We were able to look this would be a contingency vote. We would be account- at adding those additional dollars: $543 million for indi- able for those dollars — accountable to the public, ulti- viduals and $803 million for businesses. mately, as it’s none of our money. Tese are the public’s [11:20 a.m.] dollars. Tat’s important. Ten, fnally, there were some additional revenue meas- Tat has continued as programs have been developed. ures that total about $37 million that have also been intro- Again, they’re posted on the website. Te information is duced, $5.5 million for individuals and $31.5 million for available. businesses. I also think it’s important because not everyone will Again, as the pandemic continues…. I know the mem- have taken a look at the July economic statement that we ber knows this, but I want to emphasize again that as fur- put out. In fact, we updated the $5 billion spend in the July ther needs come forward, as further shifs happen, per- economic statement. We did provide further information, haps, in the pandemic, and as we’re continuing to go into again, to the public in that announcement and updated the the economic recovery, there could be additional shifs as, fact that the $5 billion had expanded to $6.3 billion. We Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12413 talked about that in the July statement. We also included, ing a sustainable economy and jobs — which obviously in fact, a list of approved amounts and the notional alloca- focuses on business. tions that we’ve made for businesses and individuals. Tat [11:35 a.m.] was actually released as part of that. Te member will know the values that we’re utilizing to We have, in fact, continued the accountability that I look at proposals as they come forward, to make sure that think the member and I would completely agree is critical they focus on jobs, to make sure they focus on the hard- through this process. Tat was updated, in fact, in July — est-hit sectors, because, again, we have to remember that past March. COVID has not been an equal opportunity, so to speak, I think it’s also really critical to recognize — and this is pandemic. It has been a pandemic that has harder hit hos- part of the unprecedented times that we’re in — that we pitality, tourism, youth, women. are not through the pandemic. We are not through, as we Again, we’re taking a look, through economic recovery, know when we look at numbers, when we look at people at how the proposals that come forward address that piece. talking about a second wave and when we look at talking We’re also taking a look, as the member has heard me talk about the preparation for the regular fu season that occurs about previously, at the values that matter to the people of in British Columbia. We have a long way to go. We are only this province — reconciliation, equity — and making sure partway through this year. that everyone has an opportunity to be able to succeed in We have put notional allocations in for programs and the economy. Te announcement, obviously, is not out yet, services, as we should, to be fscally responsible, to make but there are a number of diferent ways and tools the gov- sure that we’re being responsive. But we also know that ernment has to be able to address that. there are immediate needs that will arise and that we are Te member asked about the $1.5 billion. Will that be going to have to look at those immediate needs. spent specifcally on businesses? I think we have to We are still, as I said, dealing with the pandemic. I think remember that we have lots of levers, as government. it’s just important, as we go through this process, to rec- Tere will be tax pieces, not necessarily a spending piece. ognize that, yes — I couldn’t agree more. In fact, we have Tere will be a tax piece, a revenue piece, that could come been accountable, as I said, bringing forward updates in into play, as we’re looking at this. July. We’ll continue to bring forward those updates. One of the areas…. I won’t second-guess, but I can cer- I think it’s really important to recognize, when I talk tainly assure the members — and I think it will be no about meeting the needs of people and businesses and talk surprise — that a large portion of the focus in a lot of about the fact that things may shif, numbers may shif, the presentations that have come forward to us has been depending on those needs, additional supports have to be around training and retraining opportunities for people. put in place and the spending allocations based on the Tat’s something that benefts both people and businesses. actual needs that are out there. I think we also, just to come back, again, to the num- [11:30 a.m.] bers…. We have to remember that, in fact, there’s already more than $1.5 billion spent on businesses with the num- S. Bond: Tank you to the minister. I certainly, to a large bers we already have. As I already read out to the member part, agree with what the minister said. We will continue — the $1.8 billion for businesses. In addition to that, the to fnd ways to try to not only support the idea of transpar- $803 million in tax approaches that have benefted busi- ency, but to make sure that that continues to happen. nesses. Again, it comes back to the range of levers. Te minister is correct. Tere have been various I’m not going to second-guess what the specifcs will updates. Obviously, right now the public is more worried be, but just as we’ve done with our July update, where about how they’re going to get through their day and how we updated the numbers, where we updated the notional they get their kids to school. You know, we have these allocations, that will occur again afer the recovery plan questions, but I think we have to put it in the context of comes out in September. Tat will give us more details and families and what they’re actually trying to manage. more specifcs to be able to look at the allocations. As, I think, a fairly straightforward question, I hope…. A reminder that we are not through the pandemic, and We’re still sorting out what the $2.2 billion in business sup- we are not through the fscal year. I expect that there could ports looks like. I understand the need for shifs and being be further items that come forward over the next while. responsive. Perhaps the minister can tell us today or con- frm that the $1.5 billion recovery plan…. All of that $1.5 S. Cadieux: Te minister’s answers are very interesting. billion — will that go to support businesses? I do appreciate that this is a difcult time. As my col- league said, there will be some shifing of spending. Some Hon. C. James: I just want to recognize the approach things that were proposed…. Certainly, the value of the that we’re taking through the economic recovery, because rent relief program, when announced, was signifcantly there’s no question that jobs are the primary focus of the higher than the actuals. Numbers have shifed around, economic recovery. Obviously, that’s a key place — build- and additional supports have been added, where needed. I understand that. 12414 British Columbia Debates Thursday, August 13, 2020

Te minister’s answers today are actually making the I think the minister can understand. We’re not trying situation much more cloudy, in terms of where the $5 bil- to criticize that the minister is having to make changes or lion has been spent, than they are providing clarity. So I’m adjust allocations. We’re not criticizing what, necessarily, going to go back for a minute. the money is being spent on; we’re just trying to get clarity Te minister, in her answers, referenced that $1.885 bil- and keep track of where the $5 billion is going. lion of the $5 billion is earmarked for businesses. A simple I understand that a number of the pots won’t yet be question. Let’s break that down. Te minister, in providing spent, because the minister is planning and allocating, that number, said that that includes the $1.5 billion in eco- notionally, for the potential for a second wave in the fall, nomic recovery dollars, which leaves us $385 million. in both critical services and fnancial supports. I recognize Can the minister please explain what the $385 million that, and I recognize that the minister is hedging her bets contains? I assume that includes the $120 million out- on the $1.5 billion for economic recovery with her com- lined in table 3 — $79 million for the commercial rent ments that, although jobs are the primary focus, that they assistance program and $40 million in emergency fnan- might need to spend on people. cial relief for organizations. But where is the other, then, I think the minister can understand. We are trying to get $165 million? If the minister could please clarify what’s clarity here, not just for ourselves as critics, understand- in that $385 million. ing where the money is being spent and how the money [11:40 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.] is being spent that we cooperatively agreed needed to be spent to support both people and businesses. We have yet Hon. C. James: I understand the member and the focus to see the economic recovery plan that the province is on the…. I hear some frustration as well. I think it’s just…. going to bring forward for that $1.5 billion. Te $1.5 bil- It is no question, as I talked about the unprecedented lion that is down from the $2.2 billion promised for busi- times. It is no question, as well, when we are building ness, initially. in allocations. I think that’s the most important piece to Understandably, the business sector, largely, is going to remember in all of this. We are talking about allocations want to know and understand that government is going that have been put into the $5 billion, allocations that we to be there for them, too, through this. Tey’ve been told expect need to be there. I think the member recognized that that’s the case. Tey’ve been told the economic recov- and acknowledged at the beginning that there will be shifs ery fund is there for that purpose. Tat’s the reason that in those allocations, depending on need. the group was put together, to help advise government on Te member is right quite. Te $1.885 billion — to what was needed for businesses to get through this, for us break that down, the $1.5 billion for recovery, as we’ve to prevent additional closures of businesses, which means talked about, and then the member asked for some specif- the loss of more jobs on a permanent basis. ics around the $385 million in that area and fnancial sup- [11:50 a.m.] ports. So $254 million of that has been allocated for child Te minister is now talking about the fact that her gov- care providers, for businesses to ensure those spaces. Te ernment is going to want to look at the hardest-hit sectors. member will know we provided funding for child cares to I think that’s a legitimate focus and focus on their values. be able to hold onto those spaces so that the child care Tose are all things that I think have to go into any spaces are there for workers when they go back to work. decision — a focus on youth and women and these sort of It’s a key part of our restart and a key part of, obviously, things in the recovery process. But then she also goes on to economic recovery as well. hedge her bets and suggest that there are other levers for And $79 million is notionally allocated on the com- government to use to support business — tax pieces and mercial rental assistance program that’s in place. Ten revenue measures. there’s a $50 million allocation for a number of other Tey still afect the government’s budget. Tey still groups and organizations and businesses that have come afect the bottom line. If the minister is suggesting that forward. At this point…. Again we expect that there will she’s going to need to spend less than the $1.5 billion in be others utilizing this area, but so far it has supported economic recovery supporting business, instead needing the agriculture sector, animal care sector, park operators to pull in new measures outside of what’s proposed in and tourism. Tat provides the member with the $385 the pandemic contingencies, then that is going to have million allocation. an impact on the budget and put the government in fur- ther defcit. S. Cadieux: I think that difers from the table, in that the I’m trying to understand where things are going. I’m table says $40 million for the emergency fnancial relief for trying to understand what’s going to be available to the organizations, not $50 million. Te $254 million for child business sector. Tey’re waiting. Tey put out a proposal, care, I understand that comes up, up above. Again, that a recovery plan, that outlined all sorts of things that number is slightly diferent because from the table…. So needed to be done. We’re going to go into more detail on we’re spending more on child care than was anticipated, by that as well. $4 million at this stage. Tis is about accountability, Minister. Te commentary Thursday, August 13, 2020 British Columbia Debates 12415 that’s being provided doesn’t give a lot of confdence that reports come out. We’re more than happy to sit down and the minister is committed to that economic recovery go through where the changes occurred, why the changes where business is concerned. occurred, where the notional numbers are and where the I’m going to come back to the economic recovery. I’m allocations have gone. Tat’s important to do. As I said, it going to move on with my question here for the minister, will be a public reporting out as well, through Q1, around just to get a little more clarity on the other allocations. Te the actual expenditures. minister said that notional allocations have been set aside Yes, there will be shifs. Tere’s no question. Tat’s inside the health and mental health section, the fnancial important, as I said, to be able to meet the needs. supports — so the emergency benefts — section and the Te member also said that there may be spending in crisis supplement section. other areas. Yes. I’ve talked about the other levers that gov- Can the minister tell us, to date, what has been spent in ernment has, the other tools that we have. Whether it’s those sections, therefore telling us what is notionally still through the tax system or otherwise, there may be addi- available should that be required in the fall? tional pieces that we can look at as government to, again, [11:55 a.m.] provide relief for businesses and to provide support to individuals. Hon. C. James: I want to start of with the discussion Again, we’re, obviously, accountable. All of those get around the member asking about specifc numbers and reported out, as we go forward, with the regular reporting why numbers change. Te member is quite right. Tese time periods. So more than happy to provide, as I said, numbers are going to change. Te member recognized that ongoing support and ongoing briefngs as the specifcs herself in this discussion — that we have put together come out in each of those Q numbers. notional allocations. I see the Speaker noting the time, giving me the eye Te member talked about hedging bets, putting num- from the corner. Noting the time, I ask that the committee bers in to hedge bets. It doesn’t have anything to do with rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again. hedging bets. It has to do with meeting the needs of the people and the businesses of British Columbia. It has to Motion approved. do with making sure that we can be responsive, that we can address the crisis that is here and the issues that are Te committee rose at 11:58 a.m. arising. We are fully accountable for the spending of those dol- Te House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. lars, both through this process and through the Q1 report that will come out. Tat’s where the member will get the Committee of Supply (Section B), having reported specifc expenditures that have occurred on each specifc progress, was granted leave to sit again. line. Again, these are allocations that we’ve talked about. We put out the allocations in the July estimates as well. Hon. C. James moved adjournment of the House. Te specifcs around what has been spent thus far occurs in each individual ministry. Again, we need to Motion approved. make sure that those numbers are accurate. Tey will come out in the Q1 — that will happen in September — Mr. Speaker: Tis House stands adjourned until 1:30 around how far along we are in those actual expenditures. this afernoon. We, again, will be fully accountable. As I’ve done and as I’ll continue to do, I’m happy to Te House adjourned at 11:59 a.m. provide ongoing briefngs for the members, if they wish, to be able to know where things are coming once these

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