First Session, 42nd Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday, March 15, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 30

THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, 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. John Horgan Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...... Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries...... Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing ...... Hon. David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ...... Hon. Mitzi Dean Minister of State for Child Care...... Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services...... Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Education ...... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation ...... Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy...... Hon. George Heyman Minister of Finance ...... Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ...... Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations...... Hon. Nathan Cullen Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Afairs...... Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ...... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation...... Hon. Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Trade...... Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour ...... Hon. Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions...... Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Municipal Afairs ...... Hon. Josie Osborne Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ...... Hon. Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction...... Hon. Nicholas Simons Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ...... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of State for Infrastructure ...... Hon. Bowinn Ma

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

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

CONTENTS

Monday, March 15, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Page

Routine Business

Tributes ...... 715 Howe Lee T. Wat

Introductions by Members...... 715

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 716 Bill 11 — Court of Appeal Act Hon. D. Eby

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 716 Mining industry G. Begg T. Shypitka Community-supported agriculture and fsheries K. Greene West Vancouver Foundation and North Shore COVID-19 emergency response fund K. Kirkpatrick Social workers and COVID-19 response H. Yao Larry Shareski and Semiahmoo House Society T. Halford

Oral Questions...... 718 Opioid crisis and Carrier-Sekani addiction treatment facility S. Bond Hon. J. Horgan E. Ross Hon. S. Malcolmson Protection of old-growth forests A. Olsen Hon. K. Conroy Addiction services in Interior Health Authority and status of Pathways Centre T. Halford Hon. S. Malcolmson K. Kirkpatrick COVID-19 response for disability and income assistance recipients D. Davies Hon. J. Horgan

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills ...... 724 Bill 10 — Supply Act (No. 1), 2021 Hon. S. Robinson M. Bernier A. Singh K. Kirkpatrick M. Dykeman M. Morris Hon. N. Simons D. Davies A. Olsen B. Anderson E. Ross M. Elmore

715

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 celebrate and mark the revolution and independence day of Hungary. Te House met at 1:33 p.m. D. Davies: I Just want to give a quick introduction to a [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] couple of good friends of mine. Tey moved from Ontario. Tey moved to Fort St. John, and then most recently they Routine Business made the move down to the Island here, where the weather is a little bit milder than in Fort St. John. Hard to believe. Tributes Tey now live in Nanaimo, and they’re in the area today touring the legislative grounds — brought their family HOWE LEE down just to enjoy some of the weather. Jef and Maggie, their two children, Jillian and Taryn Beau — would the T. Wat: It is with sadness that I rise today to announce House please make them feel welcome. the passing of one of B.C.’s greatest Chinese-Canadian community leaders, Col. Howe Lee. Col. Howe Lee was the T. Shypitka: Today I’m energized. I’m enthused. I’m founder and president of the Chinese Canadian Military excited because it’s my favourite day here in the Legislature Museum, which tells the story of Chinese-Canadian veter- all year round. It’s because it’s Mining Day. We have a star- ans in both the First and Second World Wars. studded cast of mining representatives from across the As director of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater province hanging out in the virtual gallery today, spread- Vancouver, Howe promoted the contributions of the vet- ing the word on how foundational mining is to B.C.’s suc- erans in the Chinese community and in the community at cess in being global leaders in a low-carbon future. large. Howe also promoted the cause of veterans at the Asi- Today in the gallery, we have John Schadan, president an Heritage Month Society by inviting speakers and organ- of Conuma Coal Resources; John Davidson, with the Min- izing panel discussions. ing Suppliers Association of B.C.; Richard Prokopanko, [1:35 p.m.] from Rio Tinto; Nat Adams, with Newcrest Mining; Shar- He helped with the coordination of cadet programs, on Singh, partner with Bennett Jones; Kendra Johnston, promoted Veterans Week and Remembrance Day in public the president and CEO of AME; Kate Mueller, New Gold schools and planned and participated in the local Remem- Inc.; Ryan Todd, with Artemis Gold. I think I see Jason brance Day ceremony, and he provided key assistance to Jacob, president of the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines, the organizers of the revitalization project of the Vancou- hanging out as well. ver cenotaph, in Victory Square. Would the House welcome them and the tens of thou- On behalf of the Chinese-Canadian community and the sands of people in the province that make mining our riding of Richmond North Centre, I would like to extend foundational economic cornerstone here in B.C. my most sincere condolences to the Howe family and friends. He will be missed and remembered. M. Starchuk: Today I rise virtually in the House to wish my daughter, Shannon Starchuk, a happy birthday. What Introductions by Members makes this birthday a little bit more special is that she’s halfway through her second trimester, so she’s actually cel- M. Elmore: Today, March 15, is the National Day of ebrating her birthday for two. Would the House join me in Hungary, also known as the revolution and independence wishing my daughter, Shannon, happy birthday. day, and marks the anniversary of the start of the 1848 revolution against the Austrian Empire. C. Oakes: I’m delighted that it is UBC medicine I’m pleased to introduce very dear family friends, Les advocacy week this week. We’ve had the opportunity to and Yolanda Tarnai. Te signifcance of the celebration of meet with students from across British Columbia studying the National Day of Hungary was made clear to me when at UBC, the faculty of medicine. I had the opportunity to they recounted their experiences feeing Hungary during meet with them earlier today and will do so with some the 1956 uprising. meetings later today. I know that they are meeting with all Les had just graduated as an engineer student. Yolanda the members in this Legislature. Tey have four key asks was a very talented photographer. Tey escaped with little that they want government to move forward with. more than the clothes on their back and dreams and aspir- I just want to sincerely thank them for their thought- ations to settle and raise a family. Tey found their way to fulness, the information that they brought forward and for Canada, and their son and daughter followed in their fath- their personal stories. I just really want to thank each of er’s footsteps. Ray is an engineer. Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst them and encourage everyone to take the time to listen to completed her PhD in engineering. their requests. Would the House please make these medic- I’d ask all members of the Legislature here to join me al students feel very welcome. and everyone of Hungarian descent in British Columbia to [1:40 p.m.] 716 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

H. Yao: I would like to take a moment to introduce Motion approved. one of my constituents. Her name is Ann Orange, and she celebrates her 100th birthday today. I would ask Hon. D. Eby: I move the bill be placed on the orders the whole House to welcome her and wish her a happy of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the birthday with me. House afer today.

T. Halford: With great pride today, I’m able to introduce Bill 11, Court of Appeal Act, introduced, read a frst my support group, my family — my wife, Holly; my son time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for Nicolas; and my daughter, Alexandra — who are with me. second reading at the next sitting of the House afer today. I’d like the House to please make them welcome. I would also like to point out that when I lef this place Statements as a stafer a number of years ago, the best thing I lef with (Standing Order 25B) was my wife, whom I met in the building here. Again, I ask the House to please make them welcome today. MINING INDUSTRY

Introduction and G. Begg: It had its start in the mid-1800s with the coal First Reading of Bills mines here on Vancouver Island and the famous gold camps of the Cariboo. Today British Columbia has grown BILL 11 — COURT OF APPEAL ACT to become one of the world’s major mining regions. Indeed, we’re now one of the world’s most prolifc mining Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the regions, and we still have vast, untapped mineral reserves. Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Court of Appeal Act. British Columbia, in fact, is Canada’s largest exporter of coal, a leading producer of copper and only producer Hon. D. Eby: I move that the bill be introduced and of molybdenum. We also produce signifcant amounts of read a frst time now. gold, silver, lead and zinc and over 30 industrial minerals. I’m pleased to introduce the Court of Appeal Act. Tis We’re world renowned for our excellence in mining and bill repeals and replaces the existing Court of Appeal Act. mining-related felds due to our abundance of resources, Te Court of Appeal is the highest court in the province our strong labour force and our easy access to ports. of British Columbia. It hears appeals from the Supreme [1:45 p.m.] Court — and from the Provincial Court, on some criminal Te B.C. mining industry is a pillar of our economy matters — and reviews and hears appeals from some and is playing a key role in our province’s ongoing eco- administrative boards and tribunals. nomic recovery. In 2019, B.C. mining operations gen- Te Court of Appeal is constituted by the Court of erated $11.4 billion in gross revenues, employed 11,784 Appeal Act. Te most recent revision of the act occurred in workers, and made over $1 billion in payments to gov- 1996. Over the years, amendments have been made to the ernments. It accounts for approximately one-quarter of Court of Appeal Act, afecting its organization and usabil- all of B.C.’s exports. ity. Te act currently includes practice and procedural dir- Indigenous Nations shared directly in mineral tax rev- ections, which more appropriately belong in the rules of enues from mines operating within their traditional territ- the Court of Appeal. ories, with $98 million in mineral tax payments to 46 inde- Overall, the structure and content of the act do not pendent nations to date. In 2018, B.C.’s mines and smelt- refect modern legislation drafing standards. Importantly, ers spent $2.9 billion purchasing materials, goods and ser- the current legislation is difcult for readers to under- vices from more than 3,700 businesses located in 215 B.C. stand, particularly given the increased presence of self- municipalities, communities or Indigenous Nations. Tis represented litigants in civil appeals. Litigants who wish to includes $265 million in goods and services from 120 Indi- bring an appeal must refer to diferent resources: the act, genous-afliated suppliers. the rules, practice directions. Tis creates confusion, as we Today is Mining Day in British Columbia. I know that were advised through feedback received during the public all members, of all sides of the House, will join me in consultation stage of this project. celebrating the women and men, in this important and Tis bill is the frst step to consolidating and clarifying growing industry, for their valuable contributions to Brit- the act, while simplifying procedures to create efciencies. ish Columbia, Canada and the world. Developed with a user-centred approach, this bill will modernize the Court of Appeal Act and improve access to T. Shypitka: I want to thank the member before me justice for litigants in the B.C. Court of Appeal. for speaking to something that I get excited about, as in my introductions, as the critic for Energy, Mines and Low Mr. Speaker: Te question is frst reading of the bill. Carbon Innovation. Tis is indeed my favourite day of the year — Mining Day here in B.C. One of the cornerstones Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 717 of our provincial economy is, indeed, the mining industry. bad weather on the growing season, which helps farm- It employs over 30,000 British Columbians directly and ers’ long-term viability. hundreds of thousands more indirectly. In Richmond, the Sharing Farm ofers a CSA basket At the recent 2021 AME Roundup, the co-chairman and also works to grow fresh vegetables for the Richmond of Ivanhoe mines, Robert Friedland, made some interest- Food Bank. Sweet Digz Farm also ofers a CSA basket and ing comments. Mr. Friedland predicted that a phenomen- will have market vegetables for sale as well. FarmFolk City- on he described only as “revenge of the miners” would Folk have a really great website that you can use to fnd a come soon to British Columbia. Mining is seeing a big CSA farm near you, no matter where you are in B.C. comeback. Investment that once fed the industry is now [1:50 p.m.] back with determination. We also have the Kwantlen incubator farm project, I’ve heard some members in this House declare that which pairs new agriculture grads like Vida and Allen mining is a sunset industry. Tey say that the new tech Rose with a small parcel to start their agriculture business. economy will lead the charge. However, people are starting Kwantlen farm school and incubator farm produce can be to realize, like the member previous to me, that these dis- bought locally in Richmond. ruptive technologies rely heavily on metals and minerals. Other farmers in Richmond-Steveston are Bob Feath- At the risk of making a pun, Mr. Speaker, could it be cor- erstone, whose strawberry stand is legendary and eagerly rect to say that the nickel has fnally dropped? anticipated each year. Farmer Harold Steves sells heirloom If we are to invest in a green economy and electrifca- seeds at his farm gate, so we can grow plants specially bred tion, then before the end of the decade, some $100 trillion for the local conditions. Harold and his son Jerry also sell globally may be invested, and metals and minerals will be beef and pork grown on farms that use regenerative agri- at the centre of this shif. But we need to be competitive culture methods to build the soil and reduce GHGs. with the rest of the world on carbon leakage. Otherwise, We also need to support our local fshers. Some of these our competition could beneft those other jurisdictions — fshing families have been feeding Richmond for genera- which is rightfully ours. tions. You can fnd them at the docks in Steveston village, On this day, the mining world would like us to consider but purchases can also be made from Skipper Otto, a CSF, four main points: (1) a change to the carbon tax to level community-supported fshery. the playing feld for B.C. mines so that it protects both It’s so important to buy local, to support our local eco- the environment and jobs; (2) action to improve the clar- nomies, ensure food security and enjoy the delight of fresh ity, predictability and timeliness of B.C.’s regulatory frame- food in our community. work for B.C. mining; (3) sustainable and consistent fund- ing to earth sciences in order to advance knowledge, WEST VANCOUVER FOUNDATION inform responsible development, encourage investment AND NORTH SHORE COVID-19 and stimulate innovation; and (4) for government to assist EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND in reducing the stigma of mining and to see it as a respons- ible sunrise industry once again. K. Kirkpatrick: I acknowledge my riding of West Van- To the MABC, AME, Geoscience B.C., the B.C. Stone, couver–Capilano. It resides on the traditional lands of the Sand and Gravel Association, our chamber of mines and Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations. every person or company that relies on mining: have a Te West Vancouver Foundation has been making make happy Mining Day. an impact in our community and beyond since 1979 and is considered to be one of the 30 top community foundations COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED in Canada. It’s a leader in community-based philanthropy, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES working directly with families, individuals and other char- ities on the North Shore for maximum impact. In 2020, K. Greene: Spring is arriving here in Richmond. Daf- we saw an unprecedented year of need in our community. fodils are up, crocuses are blooming, and forsythia is Te foundation heeded the call, and, since April, has con- erupting in its annual show of yellow blooms. Farmers are tributed or distributed $750,000 to essential charities and already well underway for the coming year, and we can be initiatives throughout the North Shore through its COV- grateful for the excellent-quality local produce that sup- ID-19 response fund, as well as generous community ports our good health and food security. grants from the West Vancouver fund holders. If you haven’t heard about CSA baskets, CSA stands Trough the North Shore COVID-19 emergency for community-supported agriculture. Tey’re import- response, 35 grants were provided for services, which ant because they create connection within a community included meal programs for low-income and vulnerable and certainty for the producer. Certainty for farmers is seniors, crisis and counselling work and work support- so important, because it helps them gauge how much ing at-risk youth. Te foundation, through its leader- to plant and the price they’ll receive for their produce. ship, scholarship, community and microgrants, to name CSA baskets also help smooth out the efects of good or just a few, is working towards creating and sustaining 718 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 a healthy and vibrant West Vancouver and North Shore afer hours and days of being overworked, to serve Brit- community, where everyone is valued, contributes and ish Columbia. feels they belong. Recently I was honoured to attend, virtually of course, LARRY SHARESKI the foundation’s celebration for the responsive neigh- AND SEMIAHMOO HOUSE SOCIETY bourhood small grants program, which was started in 1999 to combat loneliness and social isolation by mak- T. Halford: Today I rise in the House to give thanks ing communities stronger, safer and more welcoming. to an integral, important part of our community in Sur- Te celebration is an opportunity to highlight and cel- rey–White Rock. Tat is Larry Shareski. Larry has ded- ebrate 25 projects that ran in a very challenging year icated over 40 years with the Semiahmoo House Society. and the incredible people in the community who came Larry was a board member for three unity organizations: together to tackle the extraordinary social isolation Semiahmoo House Society, Peninsula Estates Housing brought on by this pandemic. Society and the Semiahmoo Foundation. I’m incredibly honoured to work to support the founda- He was a part of some very big projects during his fve tion and all of their initiatives. I always close in these state- years on the board, including the creation of Chorus, ments by reminding everyone that non-profts rely on the inclusive apartments that were completed in 2016. Larry generous donations of people in their community. was a paid employee for UNITI, a partner of Semiah- moo Foundation. He asked that I include the part “paid” SOCIAL WORKERS AND COVID-19 RESPONSE in there. His position as ambassador was created to take advantage of his incredible gif of connecting people in H. Yao: I rise today to be able to speak about World the community. Social Work Day. I do want to acknowledge that I’m Larry is a celebrity in our community. During his time speaking from my riding, Richmond South Centre. It’s as UNITI ambassador, he volunteered at the Centennial on the Musqueam–Coast Salish territory. I thank them Arena with the Surrey Eagles. Furthermore, he dedicated for allowing us to live, work and play in the unceded tra- 13 years of his time to be a guest conductor at Southridge ditional territory. School. Many people in Surrey–White Rock know Larry Today I would like to talk about World Social Work Day, to be an all-around outstanding person. From those who which is actually March 16, 2021. I’m going to be bor- know him, I’ve been told that Larry has a very kind, gen- rowing a term, and if I do mispronounce it, I do ask for erous and spirited personality and has shown his dedica- everyone’s apologies. Te term is called ubuntu. Ubuntu tion to enacting the positive change through his 40 years means “I am because we are.” One more thing we ofen involvement with the organization. don’t understand is that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Te Semiahmoo House Society is a non-proft organ- it has altered our normality for society today. ization situated in my constituency of Surrey–White British Columbians, like many other citizens around the Rock. Its philosophy is to be commended. Te Semiah- world, cannot be coming together physically due to the moo House Society believes that people with disabilities pandemic. Also, we’re not able to hug, hold hands or con- should be valued and included fully in their communit- verse in close proximity. British Columbians innovatively ies, with the same rights and responsibilities of all people and resiliently found ways to stay connected. Despite the living in Canada. fact that we are a year into a pandemic, the majority of Larry is retiring from Semiahmoo House. I can say with British Columbians are still going strong in our compli- absolute certainty that our community is better of for ance with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s order. For that, I thank them Larry having served in it. I wish Larry a very happy retire- and thank everybody. ment. I hope that he stays active in the community. I hope We are also stronger because we’re stronger together. I see him at future Surrey Eagle hockey games coming up. However, the pandemic also amplifed many social service I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Larry challenges that we’re facing today: addictions, domestic for his service, and we wish you good luck in retirement. violence, mental health, youth at risk, racism, income inequality and much more. Social workers are ofen the Oral Questions ones who have to be on the front line to be taking on the frst services to serve British Columbians. OPIOID CRISIS AND CARRIER-SEKANI [1:55 p.m.] ADDICTION TREATMENT FACILITY Te pandemic has amplifed the challenge that we’re facing today. From fnding a shelter spot for domestic S. Bond: Mr. Speaker, 1,726 people died from an over- violence escapees to actually helping an individual with dose last year. Te toll of this crisis is disproportionately addiction fnd proper counselling services, we thank afecting First Nations people, who are almost six times them, all of the social workers, for taking the time, ofen more likely to die from an overdose than others in our province. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 719

Carrier-Sekani Family Services wants to build a med- of British Columbia and beyond. But what I am concerned ically based and culturally appropriate 60-bed facility to about is that there is a lack of action and support on behalf respond to this growing and devastating crisis. It seems of this government related to a very specifc project — unimaginable that the Premier and his government absolutely, desperately needed and brought forward by the wouldn’t do everything possible to ensure that this badly Carrier-Sekani Family Services group. needed facility moves forward. But a recent decision has Tis is what the letter from Chief Leween says: “Te made it virtually impossible for the project, as designed, to province stands in the way.” Te government didn’t just move forward. stand idly by while the ability to build this treatment facil- In a recent letter to the government, Carrier-Sekani ity was denied; they actually participated in the process. Family Services says: “We are in the midst of a tragedy for Page 5 of the decision to block the project is very clear: Indigenous health and well-being.” Chief Corinna Leween “Government staf submitted comments identifying con- has written to the Minister of Mental Health and Addic- cerns.” So 1,726 people died from an overdose in 2020, but tions: “Tis decision fails to uphold your government’s the only comments on record from this government are commitment to address the opioid crisis on an urgent not to support the project — a desperately needed 60-bed basis.” treatment facility. To the Premier, why has his government failed to sup- Will the Premier commit today to fnd a way to ensure port the creation of this 60-bed treatment facility, designed that the project moves forward so that the Carrier-Sekani to provide support to First Nations, who are signifcantly Family Services can provide desperately needed Indigen- impacted by the opioid crisis? ous health services?

Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for her question. Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I thank the member for her per- I share with her my sadness and disappointment at the sistence on this issue in her community. It afects not just escalating cost of overdose deaths here in British Colum- the people that she represents but all British Columbians. bia, not just in her community, but in fact, in every com- I have not seen the document that the member refers to. munity. I know the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions is at COVID-19 has made it even more difcult for us to deal the ready to answer subsequent questions from the oppo- with this scourge, this epidemic within our communities. sition. Sufce it to say, on my part, again I make the over- We fnd people are using by themselves because of the ture to the member, who I have worked together with since restrictions that are in place as a result of COVID. We’ve 2005, that I will be prepared to meet with her this afer- closed the borders with our federal partners, which has led noon to look at the details of this application, to see what to even more toxicity in the drug supply. Tat’s why we’re steps we can take to move this forward. looking at a range of options. If we are going to turn back the increase in opioid deaths [2:00 p.m.] which we’ve seen since the pandemic started, we’re going Certainly the option that the member raised, about to need to do it together. Members from the Tird Party making sure that there are treatment and other capacities have been talking about these issues, about stigma. We’ve within communities, is among our top priorities, but also been talking about this on all sides of the House for far dealing with the safe supply that’s required to make sure too long without the type of progress I know the minister that people are not losing their lives in isolation alone, wants to see in her community, on behalf of the Carrier- without a loved one nearby, without a friend to ofer a Sekani Family Services organization. But we could go to helping hand. every community of every member in this House and fnd Te member knows full well, from her time in gov- a similar challenge. ernment, there’s a multi-faceted approach to addressing I know and I appreciate that we don’t have enough time this issue — compounded, as I said, by COVID. But our in the day to go through the need. But we have to have the commitment and resolve is as strong as it has ever been. resolve to work collaboratively to get to the result that we I certainly will be prepared to work with the member all want, and that is a safe place for people to deal with the to talk to the community in Prince George, to fnd a challenges that they have and enough front-line workers in way forward. I’m not aware that the project has been place, trained here in British Columbia, to provide those stopped. I am aware that it has not yet begun. But I cer- services. tainly stand ready to work with her to get that objective People always help people. Programs need people. Facil- that both of us share. ities need people. We all want that same objective, and I’m confdent that if we work together, we can get that done. Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on a supplemental. E. Ross: Te time for working together and the time to look at the details has already passed. You’ve already S. Bond: I appreciate the Premier’s answer. I have no worked with the Carrier-Sekani Family Services in review- reason to doubt his sincerity and concern for the people ing this proposal. It’s a specifc proposal for a specifc issue, 720 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 yes. We’re in COVID. But I’m sure by now this House Mr. Speaker: Te member for Skeena on a supplemen- knows that the issues that First Nations face aren’t just tal. because of COVID. It just didn’t materialize over the last year. Tis has been going on for the last 40, 50 years. E. Ross: Well, that’s not what Chief Leween is saying Te time for talk is over. Te time to walk is now. We’ve in her letter. She says, part 5, the decision to block the got a specifc proposal asking for the NDP government to project is very clear: “Government staf submitted com- get out of the way and stop blocking this project. Tis is a ments identifying concerns.” She doesn’t make any dif- 60-bed treatment facility that is being blocked by the NDP ferentiation between any of the programs or the diferent government. ministries. She sees us as government. She sees us as a [2:05 p.m.] way — the government — to stop the blocking of this First Nations people represent just 3 percent of the pop- project. She wants to see the talking end. She wants to ulation but 16 percent of the overdose deaths. Chief see ministers stop referring to their briefng sheets. She Corinna Leween has said this: “Te steps taken by this wants to see the talk of reconciliation have some real government to address the opioid crisis are not enough, meaning in a time of crisis. and they exclude First Nations supporting and healing Not to say that the opioid deaths before COVID weren’t their own people.” a crisis. Te substance issues that First Nations faced — Will the Premier reverse this decision and let First and social issues faced — before COVID were a crisis. Nations build this treatment facility? Now it’s amplifed. Now it’s magnifed. And all we hear about is more talk, more review: “Let’s work together. But Hon. S. Malcolmson: Tat the overdose crisis has lost in the meantime, let’s block this 60-bed facility.” so many lives in British Columbia is a tragedy. Tat it has Every minister’s mandate letter says: “Reconciliation hit First Nations, Indigenous people, disproportionately is is…a shared responsibility for us all.” But these words are a tragedy. It’s an embarrassment for our country and work hollow when this government blocks Indigenous people that is long overdue, something that our government has from tackling issues in their own community — First taken up and is working in partnership with First Nations Nations that want to address their own issues on their own to overcome. terms. All they need is some partnership, and all they need We are counting on, as part of the provincial overdose is for government to get out of the way. And 16 percent of response and addictions treatment and recovery, work- overdose deaths were First Nations people. ing directly with First Nations Health Authority. To that My question is: where is the common sense in this end, we’ve got a $20 million commitment to two new decision? I just don’t get it. It’s time the Premier stopped and six replacement healing and treatment centres. We with empty words and actually did something. Will he were counting on the Carrier-Sekani proposal being one do it? of them. [2:10 p.m.] Last week, on the ninthth of March, I met with Chief Corinna Leween. I expressed to her that I shared abso- Hon. S. Malcolmson: I share the member’s dismay at lutely her disappointment that the Agricultural Land the decision that the Agricultural Land Commission made Commission, an independent body, had rejected the non- about uses of agricultural land, land in the ALR. I have giv- farm use on ALR land of the use that was proposed. Tat’s en my word, when I met last week with the chief of the an independent body. Tis is not an NDP government Carrier-Sekani First Nation, that I will do what I can. decision. Te NDP government decision was to fund the We are partners. We are investors in this addiction and treatment and recovery centres. Te Agricultural Land treatment and recovery healing centre. We were counting Commission made a diferent decision, believing that it is on them being able to proceed with its development. Te protecting farmland. independent Agricultural Land Commission made a But we’re not leaving that there. I’m working with my decision based on diferent criteria. I share the Chief’s dis- counterparts in cabinet. I’ve given my commitment to couragement. We met within days of me receiving the let- Chief Corinna Leween that we will pursue this further. ter. I will be in touch with her again as soon as I’ve been Our investment in Carrier-Sekani Family Services re- able to see how we can fnd a way forward. mains. We are highly reliant on them as a deliverer of ser- vices right now all across B.C.’s northwest. PROTECTION OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS We’re determined to continue to do the work with First Nations Health Authority and with Indigenous leadership A. Olsen: I heard the Minister of Forests’ response to to make sure that we’re designing treatment services to my colleague last week. Frankly, it was like Groundhog prevent and overcome the overdose crisis in a way that’s Day. If the Premier thinks British Columbians will accept designed by Indigenous people. We’ve got lots to learn his minister simply recycling the previous minister’s talk- from them. ing points from 2017 on old growth, he’s mistaken. Te Premier committed during the snap election to implement Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 721 all of the old-growth panel’s recommendations, including the ones that the forestry industry sees as the most valu- the panel’s call to immediately halt logging in the most able. Tey are the ones that they want access to. So while endangered old-growth forest ecosystems. we talk in this place, we log. And those trees are the ones As my colleague pointed out last week, we are now past that are falling frst. the six-month mark since government released the old- Tis government is getting a failing grade from the lack growth panel, and we are coming up on a year since the of action so far on old growth, from both environmental government received that report. However to date, we’ve groups that the minister talked about and conservation- seen almost zero action towards the Premier’s promises. ists. As experts have pointed out, the steps taken to date Te only step taken so far, a set of deferrals announced have been highly problematic, leaving out those monu- in September, include very little of the grandest, high-pro- mental trees and at-risk valleys. ductivity, old-growth stands at the heart of this debate. Te government has seriously exaggerated how much Tese are the monumental trees that tower high above old-growth forest they have actually protected. Scientists you, the majestic forests that provide homes for so many have run the numbers and have shown that this govern- species, including endangered species. ment has given interim protections to less than 1 percent My question is to the Minister of Forests, Lands and of the remaining high-productivity, big-tree stands lef in Natural Resource Operations. What immediate steps is she our province. So the clear-cutting is continuing in critical taking to fulfl the Premier’s response and halt logging in old-growth stands across British Columbia, right under our highest-risk, high-productivity old-growth forests? our noses, with the direct approval of this Premier and his minister. Hon. K. Conroy: I thank the member for the questions. [2:15 p.m.] We want old-growth forests to be appreciated by people My question again is to the Minister of Forests, Lands today and in the years to come. It’s also a priority for and Natural Resource Operations. When can we expect at our government to support good jobs for people in B.C.’s least interim protections for these rare ancient forests, or is forestry sector. Tat’s why our government asked an inde- the 1 percent all she’s protecting? pendent panel to advise us on how we could do better when it comes to protecting our old forests. Our govern- Hon. K. Conroy: Well, the member just…. His num- ment is dedicated to implementing the 14 recommenda- bers are inaccurate, so let’s just clarify a few things. tions to ensure a new holistic approach on how we man- In this province, there are 95 million hectares of land. age B.C.’s old-growth forests. Tat’s why as a frst step — Of that, 57 million hectares are forested. Of that 57 million just a frst step, Member — in September, we collaborated hectares, 13.7 million hectares is old-growth forest. And of with Indigenous governments and protected old growth in that, ten million hectares is protected. Tat leaves 3.7 mil- nine diferent areas across B.C. Tat was one of the recom- lion hectares that may be harvested. I didn’t say harvested mendations that the panel put forward. — may be harvested. Te very frst recommendation was to make sure that Also, there is the special tree regulation. So if someone we are working with Indigenous nations across the pro- goes into a stand and sees a special tree — the very tree vince, and that’s what we did. Tat’s our frst step. Tere is the member references — they are to protect that tree. Tat more action to come, and we will be doing this. We also includes over 1,000 to 1,500 trees in our province. brought in a special tree regulation, so 1,000 to 1,500 of We are committed to following the recommendations those special trees the member referenced will be protec- of the old-growth report. I want to thank Al Gorley and ted. Garry Merkel for the work they did — the very thoughtful We are moving ahead to protect old-growth forests in work they did as professional foresters. Garry is a member this province. We are moving away from the divisive of the Tahltan Nation. actions of the past government to make sure that we are We are moving forward to make sure that we have that working together. We are working with Indigenous government-to-government discussion with Indigenous nations. We are working with communities. We are work- nations. Tat’s one of the reasons we could defer those nine ing with corporations, with labour, with environmental areas with that critical old-growth forest in it, right of the organizations and communities that are dependent on the bat, because there were those discussions with the Indi- forest industry to ensure we can move forward in this genous nations that were afected. province. Tat is critically important to us. We are moving for- ward. We are making sure that we have the government- Mr. Speaker: Te member for Saanich North and the to-government discussions with the First Nations. We are Islands on a supplemental. looking at what other old-growth forests we can defer. We’re also working with the companies, with labour, with A. Olsen: Unfortunately, while the talking continues, environmental groups and with those communities that the logging continues. Tose trees, those monumental are dependent on old-growth forests in this province. trees, are the ones that are being cut frst because they are It is not either-or. It is making sure that we have a sus- 722 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 tainable, well-managed forest industry while also protect- when people are isolated, addictions are going up, and this ing old-growth forests. is just one more nail in the cofn.” We just heard the minister say: “It’s not my responsibil- ADDICTION SERVICES IN ity. It’s somebody else’s.” INTERIOR HEALTH AUTHORITY Again my question is to the Premier. AND STATUS OF PATHWAYS CENTRE Interjection. T. Halford: Te Premier stated today that every com- munity is facing a challenge on the fle of mental health T. Halford: Listen. Tat’s what she said. I didn’t say it. and addictions. He’s right. Pathways addiction recovery My question is to the Premier. Will he step in and centre has been a cornerstone of the Penticton community, restore the funding to the treatment centre? serving over 1,000 clients a year for 20 years. Two weeks ago the Premier and this government decided to end that Hon. S. Malcolmson: Where the B.C. Liberal govern- funding and put 1,000 people’s treatment at risk. At a time ment failed to invest in mental health and addictions treat- when overdose deaths are at an all-time high, it makes zero ment, our government is, and the health authorities are the sense for this Premier to be taking away a recovery option ones that deliver the service. for local communities. Here is some of what is newly available under our NDP My question is to the Premier. Will he commit today to government, with Interior Health, to help people with stop the closure of the Pathways treatment centre? mental health and addictions treatment. In Interior Health alone, this is what is new and available. We just this month Hon. S. Malcolmson: Because addictions counselling is added ten new government-funded youth treatment beds. such an important part of people’s path to treatment and Tey’ve come online. Tey’re helping people right now. recovery, the increase in investments of all sorts of sup- Also this month, fve new innovative, integrated treat- port for people in Interior Health is something that we ment teams are beginning to see clients throughout the have funded, as a government. Pathways has been a critic- southern Interior. Kamloops, Cranbrook, West Kelowna, al part of that. Tey’ve been providing service in Penticton Enderby and Salmon Arm areas all have these new teams for almost 20 years now — a very valued member of the that are helping people get addictions support, beating community. We’re really grateful for their work as a con- back stigma, that couldn’t get it before. tractee of Interior Health. We just opened a new urgent primary care centre in Interior Health tells us that they are now shifing their Penticton. It’s opening at the end of March. It will provide substance use counselling to a diferent form of…. Instead long-term primary care so people can get all their health of external contract, they’re bringing it in-house. Tey care needs, including mental health and addictions. It’s assure us that when the existing contract with Pathways particularly focused on specialized services. And there is ends on May 31, there will be no disruption in service for more. Tese are all things that our government is choosing people that are reliant on it. Tey say that this will bet- to fund, where the previous government did not. ter support people on the whole continuum of care — not just counselling, but treatment as well — and that it will K. Kirkpatrick: Pathways is low-barrier. It ofers a con- also help provide services more broadly in the whole South tinuum of care that can last years, as well as a drop-in Okanagan, not only in Penticton. centre. Anyone of the streets can come in to see them. Interior Health is, as all the health authorities are, mak- Tis is not the case in an urgent care centre. People in ing their own decisions about addictions, mental health Penticton will be losing access to these drop-in services, and health delivery. Tey start and stop contracts all the which Interior Health says will no longer be ofered. time. Tat this is coming in-house is hoped to bring more People needing treatment will be forced to wait in line at stability of care for the people that need it. the local clinic instead of receiving specialized services. Why is the Premier eliminating drop-in services for T. Halford: What’s clear to me today is that the minister those with mental health challenges? responsible for Mental Health and Addictions doesn’t have a lot of responsibility. It’s a fact. Hon. S. Malcolmson: When the existing external con- [2:20 p.m.] tract ends on May 31, Interior Health assures us there will Protesters gathered over the weekend to fght this Pre- be no disruption in continuity of care for people that need mier’s decision to close the Pathways treatment centre. it. We are adding a multitude of ways, more and more ser- Tey included people like Cyndy Ramsey, whose family vices, for people to be able to overcome stigma, to have member is among the thousands of clients who receive services that meet them where they are at. life-saving treatment from Pathways. She says: “I have to Tis is an unprecedented expansion in access to addic- question this decision now, during this time of COVID, tions treatment support, beyond anything British Colum- bia has ever seen, and the need is deeper than anything Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 723

British Columbia has ever seen. Te loss of life from the COVID-19 RESPONSE FOR DISABILITY overdose crisis has meant that we have accelerated British AND INCOME ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS Columbia’s response enormously. We have more than 200 government-funded treatment beds in Interior Health. D. Davies: Te pandemic has been a very stressful time We’ve added Foundry locations, peer-led for young people for British Columbians. As the Premier has pointed out: and young adults, in Kelowna and Penticton to support “It’s a pandemic, dude.” Well, in the middle of this pan- young people with mental health and addiction issues. demic, the Premier has heartlessly chosen to cut $300 a In every way, there are more services available and month from those who need it the most: people living with designed by people that need the services most. I am disabilities and low-income seniors. assured by Interior Health that there will not be any inter- It was the Premier who made this as complicated as pos- ruption to service for people in Penticton. sible for people to apply for the COVID beneft. It’s the Premier who is making them wait and stressing them out Mr. Speaker: Te member for West Vancouver–Capi- as he delays support. “I’m just one voice” doesn’t cut it. lano on a supplemental. Tese people deserve an honest answer from the Premi- er. In fact, this week there is a group of advocates that are K. Kirkpatrick: Having access to a drop-in centre and going to be hosting an online rally. being able to meet people where they’re at is such an Will the Premier restore the $300 that he cut from seni- important piece of supporting the mental health of our ors and those living with disabilities? communities. Te families who have benefted from Pathways dis- Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for the question. agree with this government. Julie Gaal says: “Interior He’s got the facts a little bit wrong. We didn’t cut the pro- Health will not be able to meet the same level of care that gram; we created the program. We put $300 in people’s Pathways does.” Kim Row says: “Te service that Pathways pockets. Afer a decade of no increases to income assist- provides is priceless. It is not a model that can be copied ance, what did we do? We increased income assistance. by…Interior Health.” Te emergency beneft that was to be for three months and [2:25 p.m.] then for six months went to be nine months. We made it Why is the Premier taking away a trusted local treat- $150, and we made it so easy for the $1,000 beneft that ment option, closing this treatment centre and reducing everybody got it automatically. services to those in need? So if the hon. member from way the heck over there wants to stand up and talk about the vulnerable in his Hon. S. Malcolmson: Te service that Pathways has community, do some history, man. You did nothing for a provide for almost 20 years in Penticton is appreciated. At decade. a contract level, Interior Health has decided not to renew the contract, which was known a couple months ago. Te [End of question period.] contract will run until the end of May. Interior Health says once the services are brought in-house and expan- Interjections. ded, it will represent an expansion of treatment services for people in the region. Mr. Speaker: Question period is over, Members. Te Frankly, it’s dangerous for the opposition to suggest that bell ends question period. there are not treatment options for people. Tey are expan- ded in every part of the province, more options for addic- Interjections. tions treatment and support and recovery than there have ever been before. Te need is deeper than it has been Mr. Speaker: All right. Calm down. Tat’s enough. before. Please, anybody that is watching, if you need support, Orders of the Day whether it’s virtual or in person, you can look at gov.bc.ca/ COVID19mentalhealthandaddictionsupports. Tere is a Hon. M. Farnworth: I call second reading, Bill 10, Sup- great range, much of it designed for people with lived and ply Act, 2021. living experience, so that we can, as the member says, meet people where they are at. [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] Information publicly made available from Interior Health says that on a medical basis, there is not going to be [2:30 p.m.] any reduction in care for people in need. Tere will be an expansion. I hope the member will get behind that mes- sage from our health authority and let people know that help is there for them. 724 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

Second Reading of Bills certainly seen the impacts of the pandemic here in British Columbia and around the nation and around the world. BILL 10 — SUPPLY ACT (No. 1), 2021 I’m very proud of the fact that our government has provided the most supports of any other government Deputy Speaker: Members, if I might ask, please take here in the nation to make sure that British Columbians your conversations out to the hallways or, even better, the can take care of their families and can take care of their open air — outside the buildings if you need to do that. loved ones, making sure that child care is there for those We will be proceeding with discussion of interim supply who are on the front lines, making sure that doctors and act 2021. nurses and lab techs can go to work to make sure that they’re able to take care of our loved ones who might Hon. S. Robinson: I move that Bill 10, the Supply Act be exposed to COVID or sick with COVID and making (No. 1), 2021, be read a second time now. sure that they are doing their jobs. We’re making sure Existing voted appropriations will expire on March 31, that their children are cared for. 2021. Bill 10 provides interim supply for ministry opera- We also want to make sure that those who are working tions and other appropriations for approximately the frst in long-term care, taking care of our seniors, who thank- three months of the 2021-2022 fscal year, until the fully now are vaccinated…. Tey still need care. We need 2021-22 estimates are presented and the House completes to make sure that they continue to be paid, continue to debate of the appropriations in those estimates. Interim operate and continue to take care of our seniors. supply for ministry operations and other appropriations We also need to make sure that those members that is required to ensure continuation of government services are living on the margins, whether they fnd themselves until the fnal supply bill comes into force. without a home, live with mental illness or addiction or Tis bill is diferent from interim supply bills that are live with a disability, continue to also receive the govern- usually presented to the House each year. Tis interim sup- ment benefts that they rely on in order to have a quality of ply bill is being presented before the main estimates have life that allows them to take care of themselves. been presented. Terefore, the calculation of the amounts [2:35 p.m.] required for government operations and services is based All of these things that we are able to provide, all of on the appropriations for the previous fscal year, as this is these things that we know, through COVID, just how considered a good approximation. much more precious it is…. Tis bill is about making sure Bill 10 also provides one-third of the combined voted that that can continue to happen. amounts in schedules C and D of the 2020-2021 estimates I know that the members are going to probably com- for disbursements related to capital expenditures, loans, plain about the fact that they haven’t seen the budget yet, investments and other fnancing requirements. Te one- which is coming on April 20. We have been in an unpre- third authorization provided for in relation to these dis- cedented time, and making sure that we take the time bursements is higher than the proportion authorized in to hear from the various constituent groups about what relation to ministry operations, as the disbursements their needs are, making sure that we have a budget that described in schedules C and D are not evenly distributed responds to those unique needs…. throughout the year. Terefore, the higher level of interim Dr. Henry has said…. Over the past year, she’s ofen supply is required to accommodate the payments that will referred to: “We’re all in the same storm, but we’re in dif- be made under these schedules. ferent boats.” It’s such an apt description. Making sure that Bill 10 also authorizes one-half of the disbursements we are connecting with all the various boats and under- referred to in schedule E of the 2020-2021 estimates. standing what their needs are so that we can have a budget Schedule E of the estimates outlines the revenue collec- that responds to their needs — that’s absolutely critical. ted on behalf of and transferred to specifc programs or Taking the time to make sure that we hear from the entities. Tere is no impact on the operating results, bor- tourism sector, hear from the manufacturing sector, hear rowing or debt resulting from the collection and transfer from people with disabilities, hear from front-line work- of this revenue. ers, hear from the whole range of diverse groups that Tese interim supply appropriations are based on the make up British Columbia, that make us so special, and accountabilities and allocations outlined in the 2020-2021 understand their unique needs, because they are in dif- estimates and will allow the government to remain funded ferent boats…. Tat’s what it means to be in diferent until the main estimates for 2021-2022 are presented and boats. Some are more stable in a storm. Tey’re more passed. Te fnal supply bill for the 2021-2022 fscal year fat-bottomed and can ride the waves more easily. will incorporate these amounts to ensure it refects the Tey’re more resilient. And others are certainly more sum of all voted appropriations to be given to government fragile and need a little bit more understanding and a in that fscal year. little bit more, perhaps, budget support in order to make Tis bill is about making sure that we can continue to it through this storm. Tat’s why we haven’t seen budget support British Columbians. As a government, we have estimates, as is normally the case. Tat is coming. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 725

In the meantime, we need to make sure that the sup- appreciate how hard the public service worked to help us ports are there for people when they need it. We need all get through this last year. to make sure that we continue to pay our teachers, who Tis bill is about making sure that those people contin- are out there every day, making sure that our children ue to get paid, continue to do the important work that they are learning. We need to make sure that we continue to are doing right now during this pandemic. I want to pre- pay those conservation ofcers, especially, I would say…. face that by saying the important work that they’re going Te member from Port Moody was here earlier, and, cer- to have to keep doing. tainly, we’d been chatting about cougar sightings in his We are not through this pandemic. Yes, there’s light at community and making sure that conservation is there to the end of the tunnel. I see my colleagues across the way keep those folks safe. So there’s another…. with sort of a smile in their eyes, feeling the energy that we are getting there. We are getting closer. A year ago, we Interjection. did not anticipate that we would be vaccinating people now. Te talk at the time was it was going to be a couple Hon. S. Robinson: Oh, I see the member from Burke of years. Well, it’s a year. Tis is exciting, but we’re still in Mountain is here, and I know that the cougar was up in his that tunnel. riding as well. We know that there are parts of the economy that have Tis supply bill is about making sure that those people not yet been able to come back — particularly around that we count on, those people that we don’t ofen even tourism, for sure. But we also need to make sure that we’re think about in terms of, you know, how they are paid and ready for a recovery when we’re able to be out of this state how they come to be to take care of us, who’s responsible of emergency. for that…. Tis bill is about making sure that those people Te opportunities are there before us as well. It really is a can continue to do the important work that they do. I public service, doing a signifcant amount of work to help think it’s also important to mention to everyone here in the us all get through this last part of the pandemic and move House that this is normal, to do a supply bill, because we into the new phase once we all have herd immunity and ofen need more time to debate estimates. It goes well bey- are able to see the Emergency Management Act repealed ond March 31, which is year-end, and we bring forward so that we’re not in this state of emergency. supply bills every single year. Certainly — I’ve been here I look forward to that day. But for right now, I look for- since 2013 — every single year there’s a supply bill that’s ward to the debate in this House. With that, I look forward brought in that’s debated, that’s passed, while we continue to hearing what my colleagues have to say. to do the important work of going through estimates pro- cess and passing the budget so that we can continue to do M. Bernier: I appreciate that. I look forward to hearing the important work that British Columbians count on. everybody’s comments as well. But let me just start by I know that there is going to be ongoing debate about acknowledging a few things that the minister said. this, but I want to fnish of my comments, as part of the Tis is not normal. Now, there are a lot of things that second reading, about how outstanding the public service aren’t normal, as the minister highlighted, throughout the has been in terms of their work in helping us get through last year, when we talk about the pandemic and we talk this extraordinary year. about some of the things, programs, that government was I can remember, from my home ofce — which was trying to roll out. But what’s not normal is the process that my son’s old bedroom, transforming it into a livable work- this government is going through right now. space — talking with the public service a year ago, right I heard the minister stand up and say…. All of the through for months, just doing work from that space and great public sector workers out there, all of the great talking about how we were going to take care of British work that’s being done — that these funds that the gov- Columbians, how we were going to address — certainly, ernment is asking for are to go to help those people and as the previous Housing Minister — the concerns that the great work they’re doing. How do we know? Are we renters had, how we were going to address the concerns supposed to now just take government’s word for it yet that we had around people who were homeless, how we again? I’ll get into some of the things a little later on in were going to thin shelters, how we were going to fnd my speech of why this is not normal. Te process that more shelter space, how we were going to make sure that government is going through, the laws that they’re hav- health care could be delivered to those that were most on ing to basically change in order to go through putting a the margins, how we were going to do that recognition supply act forward as they are…. when we didn’t understand how COVID, frankly, was One of the things I’m hearing from people is that transmitted at the time and we knew we needed to act. they’re actually starting to get sick and tired of this gov- [2:40 p.m.] ernment using the pandemic as a shield for not doing It was the public service and the people on the front their job, for not following timelines, for not being lines and their collaboration, and, frankly, their late nights, accountable and transparent in the work that they are their weekend work…. I don’t think the public would fully doing, which is expected of them by the people of British 726 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

Columbia and of this House. People are getting frus- a situation that this government, on their track record in trated. Tey’re getting frustrated, defnitely, with the the past, is once again, in good faith, asking for trust — pandemic, but they’re frustrated with the government for us to give them now $13.4 billion, to be exact, with and the way they’re dealing with it. no accountability. Te minister says: “Don’t worry. Don’t Tis government has delayed quarterly reports. Tey’ve worry, this is normal.” delayed the budget. Te minister acknowledged that, but Well, actually, it’s not. I’ll explain some history on that that’s one of the reasons why we’re going to have to discuss in a moment. But she also said: “Don’t worry. You’ll see the this bill in further detail today. It’s because the budget has budget.” We’re being asked to spend $13.4 billion, again, been delayed, and this government has been unable to tell without knowing where a single dollar of that is going. It’s anybody where a dollar of it really is going. another case of: “Don’t worry. Just wait. Trust us.” Tis is another “trust us” exercise. We’ve seen how Because of what happened in the 1990s under an NDP that’s played out over the last three, four years with this government, there’s a reason why laws were changed in government not being able to fulfl the promises that the province of British Columbia. Laws around accountab- they have made to the electorate. Tis government is ility. Laws around transparency and around the fnancial having to bypass transparency laws in order to put the situations of how we report. We brought in the balanced- Supply Act forward. budget legislation. We brought in fxed budget dates. For [2:45 p.m.] that matter, we brought in fxed election dates, but we’ve Now, in some ways, this should be no surprise to this seen how this government fails to follow those rules as House or the general public if you think back now. It’s the well. We brought in the Economic Forecast Council to current Premier, his current chief of staf, the Health min- help guide the budgeting process. ister, and they were all around in the 1990s during the Because of all of those things, that’s why British Col- fudge-it budget era. So in some ways, it’s no surprise. umbia was considered a leader in Canada, a leader I know most people remember when the NDP Premier around transparency and accountability, a leader around needed to resign in disgrace because of the handling of fscal management. It’s because of those laws that were the fnancial situation under an NDP government. I know brought in to ensure that that information was shared in many people probably remember those TV cameras a timely way, in a legal way and in an appropriate way rolling and flming the RCMP raiding the Premier’s house for the people of British Columbia. Because at the end of to fnd documents while the now chief of staf in the Pre- the day, some people in this House, especially the NDP mier’s ofce looked on and watched all that take place. government, forget it’s the taxpayers of British Colum- I think we also remember the Minister of Health having bia’s money. It’s not theirs. Tey deserve to know where to resign his job in the Premier’s ofce for backdating that money is being spent. memos. So, yeah. Of course we’re fnding ourselves in the [2:50 p.m.] same situation with the same NDP government. You’d We’re back to the old playbook, 25 years later. A few think 20 years later, a few diferent faces, they would have new characters in the book. History is repeating itself learned. But we’re back in the same scenario of this gov- again. Te fear we have, and we are already starting to ernment not being able to handle the fnances of the see, is that because of this lack of accountability and province and now trying to use the pandemic as a situation transparency with this government, we’re also losing to hide behind for them failing to do the jobs that they credibility as a province in the fnancial world. Tey were elected to do. expect better. Te citizens expect better as well. Just You know, I look at this last year…. In good faith, I will because this government did it in the past doesn’t mean say that we had all three parties, all sides of this House who they have the right to do it again. understood that we were in the middle of a pandemic and As the minister said, it’s a normal process to bring in that extra supports would be needed to help people, espe- a supply bill. What she failed to mention is that every cially vulnerable people in the province, businesses that single time in the history of the province of British Col- were hurting, people who lost their jobs. Obviously, we umbia when a supply bill is brought to this House, it’s all understood, we all empathized, and we all realized that afer a budget. Tere’s a reference point. You can come we needed to do something as elected members of this forward and say: “We need $13.4 billion, and here’s our province to help those people. budget for the next fscal year. Tis is why we need this In good faith, we did that. We trusted this government. money, and this is where it’s going to be allotted to in the We took them at their word because, at that time as well, three-month transitional period while we go through an they were unable to put the documents in this House to estimates process.” say where all those dollars would be going. Even if they did In the past, that was normal. In the history of this in some situations, they failed to fulfl that promise to help province, that’s always the way it’s been done — until you people when we said that that money was going to go and have an NDP government. Ten, once again, the rules do just that. change to accommodate the fact that they were unable to In front of us today…. It is unfortunate when we’re in do their jobs. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 727

Te present situation of putting supply bills forward money is going, but in order to meet the criteria of law we afer a budget started in 1974. Tis isn’t back in the B.C. have to reference some budget, so let’s reference a budget Liberal era. It’s not in the original NDP era. Tis is 1974 from last March” — from pre-COVID, before any supports that this process started — to put a budget in front of were out to help people. Te law says they have to refer- the House, put a supply bill forward, to talk about the ence a budget. So yes, how convenient it is that they put in expenditures when you’re doing a Supply Act (No. 1). here for the purposes of this act the main estimates for the What’s interesting, again, is that laws were brought in previous fscal year, from the ffh session of the 41st par- to specifcally outline how the process should work in this liament. Tey’re to be read as if they are the estimates for chamber. Now, there have been times in the past where the ’21-22 fscal year. budgets were presented on the same day as the Supply Act, I look forward to every minister in government stand- or a few days later, maybe even a few weeks later. But in ing up and explaining, if they are getting any money, where every single case in the history that I could fnd, it was nev- that money is going. But more importantly, what I’m won- er, ever presented in this House before a budget. dering on behalf of the people of British Columbia, who When the minister stands here and says this is normal, fnd themselves still in the midst of a pandemic, who have that’s a facade. Tat is her trying to hide the fact that she been relying on some supports — those that have suc- was unable to — and this government was unable to — put ceeded, from this government, because as we all know, a budget forward in a timely manner based on the criteria they all haven’t…. Do those supports expire on April 1? laid out in the legislation that requires them to do so. According to what we have in front of us, it sure sounds Now, last week we passed and discussed a few bills in like they do. this House. In some of them, we talked about how simple If your small business recovery grant…. I know the gov- they were — not a lot of monetary change, just a few word- ernment tries to tout the fact that the applications are ings. Well, some of those were 175 sections long, hundreds extended. Tere is nowhere in this budget, though, that of pages long, took a lot of discussion and debate on the says there’s money there for you, sorry to say. In fact, it’s a minister’s side, on this side of the House. Yet we fnd in budget that’s referenced before those announcements were front of us today the NDP government asking for $13.4 even made, and that’s the budget that this government is billion, no strings attached, no idea where it’s going, on now referencing for the Supply Act. one piece of paper asking this House for it. Tat’s it. One Tere’s no $150. Of course, government has clawed back piece of paper. No idea what ministries — what they’re $150, but I guess maybe there’s no continuation of the receiving. No ideas what programs are going to be allotted $150 to help people on disability, people who have been funds. frustrated as heck from this government, waiting for their Now, we need to remember. We’re in a unique situation COVID recovery benefts. Te government tries to pat here. Tis NDP government, this Premier and minister, themselves on the back. Tey promised 3.7 million people last fall changed legislation again to allow them to pass that they would receive this by Christmas. We know that the budget late, but they’re bringing a budget forward in didn’t happen. Te government, in their own admission, an entirely new fscal year with a 20-day gap. It might not has said there are half a million people who have applied sound like a lot to some, but that means that we have a fsc- that still haven’t received those funds. We’re talking three al year ending. We have a three-week window with no idea months later. We have one million people who, for the what the budget is for the government, yet they say they most part, have just given up on this government and need money to continually pay the bills. haven’t even applied, which is unfortunate, because so [2:55 p.m.] many of those people need those funds. None of us on this side of the House are naive. We know Again, under this bill that we have in front of us…. that the government needs money. We’re not saying the I look forward to the minister standing up and saying government doesn’t need money to continue afer April if those funds are magically going to show up in their 1. We know that. It would be absurd to think otherwise. budget, because we don’t know. Tere is nothing in this bill What’s also absurd is to come in front of this House and that tells us where the money is going. ask for that money in good faith, with no explanation of Tat’s why we raised this. Tis is a frst. Tis is not nor- where it’s going to go. mal. Tis is a government who has been unable to meet What ‘s even more interesting — the minister acknow- their obligations as a government under legislation. Afer ledged it in her opening remarks, and it’s one of the few the budget last March, another $8 billion was added. We lines that’s in the bill — is the fact that they were unable have no idea, in detail, where that money has gone, how to put a budget forward in a timely manner before the end much is lef, if any is going to continue on. Again, the of the fscal year, like has always happened. But because of assumption is, as of April 1, there’s no money there. It that, they also have to, under the legislation for a supply might magically, hopefully, happen to show up in a budget act, reference last year’s budget. on April 20. But how do we know? We have a government now who is saying, “We aren’t [3:00 p.m.] able to put a budget forward. We can’t tell you where the Tis government’s ability to ask for people to trust them 728 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 is wearing thin. Tis House’s ability to continue to approve I mentioned the COVID recovery beneft, the small money to help people during a pandemic, which we all business benefts that were out there trying to help people. want to do…. We all recognize that, but it’s becoming I’m hoping some of those ministers responsible for those harder and harder. What’s more frustrating is when we fles will stand up and tell me I’m wrong — that they can fnally have those discussions and we think we have some point somewhere in a schedule, somewhere in a budget detail of where the fnances are going to go to help these that has not been presented to the foor of this House, to be people, it doesn’t show up. able to verify that I’m wrong, to be able to show the public Te minister says in her opening comments: “Well, you that, yes, money will be continuing on April 2 for anybody know, we’ve been hearing the tourism sector, we’ve been who applies for a grant, and: “Here’s the line item in my hearing about the people who are struggling, and we’ve budget to prove it.”If not, it’s another example of “just trust been hearing about the challenges in small business.” Are us,” and we’ve seen how that’s worked over the last couple you really? Are they listening? Because we actually of years, as this government has failed to roll out programs approved fnances in this House to go help those people in to help people. need. And the government sat on the money. Te government had no problem last Friday quietly, Tat’s frustration for so many people. Tat’s frustration towards the end of the day, announcing that on April 1 for the opposition who, in good faith, trusted this govern- there are going to be tax increases in certain areas, no ment. Now, once again, they’re asking us to do it again. Te problems with those press releases. I do fnd it interesting Premier even admitted that that budget that was presen- that this same government and Premier have no problem ted last March — a year ago now — was not really worth doing that. “We will announce….” Tey’ve found time to the paper it was written on. So why would they reference come up with all of the work needed to raise taxes but that same budget now to tell us where they’re going to be not enough time to put a budget forward for where those spending money? Tat’s a frustration for a lot of people. funds will be going or why they need it. Anybody who will be watching this, I think, would appre- Now, I can only expect that, on April 20, we’re going to ciate and understand, as well, that government has a job to be hearing of a massive fnancial hole that this government do, that government has a tough job to do. But it’s still their has dug. I also assume that this government and minis- job to do. ter are going to then, in turn, try to use the pandemic Tis government has had no problem during a pan- shield as the reason why. Unfortunately, the books don’t demic raising taxes. Tey have no problem trying to verify that. Tis government was already in a solid fscal get more money to come in, yet they’ve failed giving decline before COVID even started, and that was on top of out quarterly reports to say how much or where it’s increasing or bringing in over 20 new taxes to the province going. It’s unfortunate that we fnd ourselves in this situ- to increase revenues. Tat’s on top of increasing the carbon ation. Again, I want to say that we appreciate the fact tax and getting rid of the revenue-neutrality portion of it, that government needs to continue, that bills need to be to bring that into general revenues. paid. Nobody is arguing those points that the minister Tis government has had no problems fnding money brought forward this morning. through taxes out of the pockets of the people of British What my issue is — and what my challenge back to the Columbia. Where they have a problem is showing them government is — is the process. How can you stand up, as where they’re spending it aferwards and why they needed a government, and pat yourselves on the back about trans- that money and why they continue to go into debt at the parency and accountability when you’re breaking those same time. We’ve heard all the problems with the specula- exact same laws to put this bill on the foor? It is going to tion tax and that people are being targeted. Now, it’s mostly be the obligation, I hope, of the NDP members to explain British Columbians who are being targeted, as homeown- that during this debate. It’s one thing to stand up and say: ers. We have numerous examples that we’re going to bring “We need $13.4 billion to move government forward.” I’m forward during estimates to be able to get the Premier and looking forward to hearing government members stand the minister on the record of why these British Columbi- up and say, “Trust us” — again with no information. “I’m ans, who are not speculators, are being targeted now and willing to stand and support this bill as an NDP member, having to pay this extra money. not knowing a darn thing.” We’ve heard all the stories of businesses over the last If they do know something, well, there’s a travesty all in few years under an NDP government that have shut their itself, because they should be sharing it with this House. doors, prior to COVID — a lot of them because of an We will fnd ourselves right back in the 1990s fudge-it employers health tax, that burden that was now put onto budget era, if that’s the case. So government has a job to do, the employers who never had to pay that before. and so does opposition. Our job, on this bill specifcally, I hear chuckles. I’m looking forward to the members is to highlight and to call to the foor the fact that, once explaining to me how I’m wrong on that. Because I can again, the government is not living up to their roles and show the members hundreds of businesses that have been responsibilities around accountability for this province. shut down because they no longer could aford the em- [3:05 p.m.] ployers health tax, and people lost their jobs because of Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 729 this government. What’s unfortunate is I’m being heckled lows all the spiritualities, whether they’re religious spir- for that, which means they’re not even listening to those itualities or just spiritualities that come from thousands same businesses that are telling the stories, that have been of years. Christian spirituality has that same thing: render in the media, that have written to the ministers. Shame on unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render unto God what them for ignoring them. Shame on this government for is God’s, God being the embodiment of the people. Yours, the central concept of that is that — تیراں / not acknowledging that those taxes and those policies have ੧੩ ਤੇਰਾਂ impacts on people, on businesses, on livelihoods. everything is shared. It’s a people’s. Tat’s why I’m proud to Tat’s appalling that I would get heckled on that, as they stand on this side with a government that believes in that, pretend it doesn’t happen under their watch, when it does. that believes in the people and believes that we work for I challenge them to prove me wrong on that, that no busi- the people. ness was shut down. People lost their jobs because of that As has been mentioned again and again, this should not issue. be unusual, having an interim supply bill. Twenty days — I’m just going to end by again acknowledging that the really not that substantial. I’m going to read the Minister opposition understands the process of the fscal situation of Finance’s statement on the interim supply bill, right? It of this government and how bills need to be paid. Tat is kind of says it all, but I’ll go into more details aferwards, as not what we are challenging. We understand that. What well, because my friends on the other side may want them. we’re asking is why this government is asking for $13.4 bil- She states: “Twelve months ago, COVID-19 turned our lion. Tat’s all. Just show us where that money is going to lives upside down.” We all know that. We’re living in an go. unprecedented time, in a time that we all hope we’ll never [3:10 p.m.] have to go through again. “Since then, the province has What’s normal is that every other government in every invested over $10 billion in COVID-19 relief and recovery other year since the 1970s has followed a process of measures, contributing more per capita to businesses and accountability and transparency until the 1990s when that people than any other province.” changed. Laws had to come in afer an NDP government I’ll pause there. We’re talking about businesses and busi- to ensure that that process would continue on behalf of nesses closing down. Tis is a government that has this House and for the people in the province. How upset- brought British Columbia’s economy to a place where eco- ting it is to see this happening again under an NDP gov- nomists all over agree again and again, report afer report ernment, 25 years later — that once again the laws are — one of the best economies in the world, one of the best being broken to accommodate them. economies in Canada. Incredible credit ratings. Unpre- I look forward, again, to any government member cedented job numbers, even at the end of a pandemic or standing up and explaining where this money is going in towards the end of a pandemic. detail, because as I mentioned, the bill is one page. Tere’s [3:15 p.m.] no schedule attached, like there’s always been in history. If I continue to read: “Tese measures have focused on the government had put this on the foor, with a budget protecting people’s health” — something that everybody telling us where that money is going to go, that would have agrees on — “and livelihoods through supports for work- been normal. ers, businesses, communities, health care and other critical services. Next month” — about a month from now — A. Singh: I love it when my friends opposite have to “we’ll be introducing Budget 2021, which will continue to dig back 25 years, again and again, to fnd anything. Tey be responsive to the needs of people, businesses and com- forget that they destroyed ICBC. Tey raided cofers of munities to see them through the pandemic and into a Crown corporations to balance their budget. Tey’re the strong economic recovery that supports all British Colum- architects of a fnancial election campaign regime that was bians.” called the Wild West. Never mind the housing crisis. But Again, the key in all of this message, the key in the let’s forget that for now. concept here, is people. Tis is for them, for all of us. We’re going to talk about what the Minister of Finance Te interim supply legislation introduced today, a was talking about. When I came here and sat down simple piece of legislation, really, will provide bridge fund- today…. Actually, my friend from Richmond South Centre ing between the end of the fscal year on March 31 and the earlier talked about ubuntu — I to I in the we. I came here, last day of the spring session, when the provincial budget and I sat down today. As he mentioned that, I realized I’m is formally passed. What is it, 20 days? Introducing this sitting at seat 13. My spirituality is the Sikh spirituality. kind of interim supply legislation is common practice. It’s Te number 13 is really, really prominent and important in been done year afer year afer year. that spirituality because the Punjabi-Gurmukhi word for COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge. which also, coincidentally, happens While we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, our ,تیراں / is ੧੩ ਤੇਰਾਂ 13 to be the same word for “yours.” government will continue to ensure we keep people safe, Tere’s this whole concept in Sikh spirituality that fol- while creating the foundation for a sustainable recovery 730 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 for everyone. Tat should say it all, but I have 25 more businesses and the communities that they live in, to see minutes, so I’ll continue on. them through this pandemic and to, hopefully, build a It’s important that people, the businesses that they run strong economic recovery — again, that supports and and the communities that they’re part of know that sup- works for everybody, not just people at the top, not just a port is there, regardless of the timing of the budget. We’ve few but for everybody. come a long way together. It’s just over a year since this Tis budget, Budget 2021, will continue to focus on pandemic hit us, but the road to recovery is still ahead of keeping people safe throughout this pandemic. You know, us. Te vaccines are here now — right? — but we all know the path forward is not the same for everyone. It’s not the that economic recovery will take some time. same for all sectors of the economy, and we recognize that. Again, I’m proud to sit opposite the Minister of JERI Our support for investment, our support for people and there, who has done an incredible job during this time and our support for businesses should also recognize that. will continue to do so. I think my friend agrees. Tis last year has been so unusual, so unusual. Te amount of uncertainty that we have, what was going to Interjection. be impacted, what wasn’t going to be impacted — no one really knew what was happening. A. Singh: Good karma. [3:20 p.m.] As is common practice every year, the province passes Tis House came together, and I commend this House an interim supply bill to ensure current supports and for coming together for that. We invested with broad services can continue while a new budget is debated, tools to quickly provide support to as many people as thought out — a budget that, as the minister stated earli- possible. We continued through our pandemic response er, responds to the very needs of the people that we’re and recovery to identify those who were most afected. here for, that we’re elected to serve, not a budget that Now, as we’re a year into this, our support has become a comes from nowhere but a budget that responds to the lot more targeted to address the specifc needs of partic- needs of the people. ular groups and sectors. You need time to be able to do that. By moving the Much has been spoken this morning about mental budget to April, this gives us greater time to connect with health and addictions, and we recognize that. So our Min- businesses, to connect with those very people and develop ister of Mental Health and Addictions is working day in an efective, long-term strategy, a long-term plan, that and day out, focusing on that, focusing on providing the builds on the current supports that we’ve laid out. Tat’s tools and the resources that the great people that work in necessary during this time. We want to make sure that we that sector need. You’ll see this fexibility refected now in come out of this robust, we come out of this strong and we our day-to-day decisions, as you’ll see it refected in the come out of this united. budget as it comes up. Budget 2021 will continue to focus on keeping people Again, it’s not an unusual thing to have an interim sup- safe throughout the pandemic. We’ll do this with an eye ply bill. It happens year afer year afer year at the end of to how we position our province to seize the opportun- the fscal year to allow for a debate on robust estimates. ities that recovery will ofer. We don’t know what the It’s common practice to ensure that current supports and future holds. We want to be able to be fexible and to be services continue while the new budget is debated. As we able to seize on those opportunities and to move into the know, things get debated for quite some time, and the ’90s new world. get mentioned again and again because there is nothing What this essentially does is that it ensures that current else for them to mention. supports and services continue while the new budget is As in other years, the interim supply bill provides debated in the Legislature. In the meantime, every day temporary legal authority for the government to contin- we’re continuing to announce new and updated programs ue the programs and services into the new fscal year. and substantiate many previously announced supports Budget 2021 is an important part of a strong, long-term that are still continuing. In fact, a few weeks ago Minister — and that’s a key here: long-term — economic recov- Cullen, the minister across the way there, announced the ery. We’re nowhere out of this pandemic. It’s going to extension of the small business grants and loans and take a long time to get out of this. We’re going to need changed the criteria for that. Tat’s what we want to be. We all the supports and services that we need to get there to want to be a government that’s fexible, that listens to busi- make sure that British Columbians, the people that live nesses, listens to people and is able to respond to that. here, have those supports and services that they need for We’re helping people now. It’s not tomorrow; we’re help- success in a post-pandemic world. ing people now. Our $10 billion COVID-19 response is When you’re thinking long term, it’s really important protecting people’s health. It’s protecting their livelihoods, that you listen to the people that are going to be afected by and it’s investing in stronger communities and a brighter this, that you connect with those businesses, that you con- future for everybody. We’ll continue to be responsive to nect with the people out there to develop a program that’s those needs, to the needs of the people, to the needs of meaningful, a plan that takes into consideration the things Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 731 that you need for long-term planning and that builds on I’m really proud to stand here in British Columbia to say what’s already happened, builds on the current supports that this House has met that challenge incredibly well. We that already exist. live in a province that’s gifed. We have all of these people Again, the amount that’s required here is not in addition working together to help the people of British Columbia to Budget 2021. It’s a portion of Budget ’21’s total support. come out of this with the supports and the services that It’s a continuation of the programs and services during this they need. interim period. As in other years, this supply bill provides Tis is not an unusual tactic. Tis is not an unusual a temporary legal authority, as I stated earlier, for the gov- thing, an interim supply bill. Tis whole year has been ernment to continue the programs and services into the unusual, and this is but a small part of it. Tere’s nothing new fscal year. My friends have spoken this morning and unusual about having an interim supply bill to get through on many days in this House on all of the wonderful pro- those 20 days, to make sure that people have the supports grams that have come up in the last few months — indeed, and the services that they require, to make sure people in the last year. have the supports and the services that they need until the Now, my friends said: “Will services stop on April 1?” full budget is passed. Well, that’s the whole point of having an interim supply Again, almost astounded that we have to talk about this. bill, right? We’re confdent that this interim supply bill will It seems that it should not be that unusual. We should have enough funding to fund fully all of the programs that really carry on and get to so much of the other work that exist until the new budget is brought in, until it’s debated we need to do. and is passed. Our supports for British Columbians that are so neces- Deputy Speaker: Recognizing the member for West sary at this point, at this juncture in the pandemic — they Vancouver–Capilano. won’t be impacted. We want to make sure that people in British Columbia continue to get the amount of care and K. Kirkpatrick: Tank you Mr. Speaker. I was a bit the quality of care that they expect to get from this govern- scared to stand up that time. ment, and there are contingencies already built into this I look forward to continuing debate on the Supply Act supply bill, in case of an emergency. But British Columbi- before us today. I don’t recall ever having been asked to ans will continue to get the amount of support that they agree to provide funding with no transparency as to how have. something would be allocated, with no spending plan. While some StrongerBC programs are designed to end I’ve heard a lot of platitudes from the other side of the with the fscal year, we’re going to continue to support House, in terms of: “Why should we even be question- people’s lives and livelihoods through the pandemic. For ing this, because this government is doing so many good example, up to 3.7 million of British Columbians are eli- things?” But it’s our responsibility to question this. Tis gible for the B.C. recovery beneft. We all know about this, isn’t about all the programs and supporting good people in where individuals can apply and receive up to $500 and the community. Tis is about being accountable to British families up to $1,000. We recently announced $20 million Columbians. It’s about coming up with a clear, true, trans- in grants through a community economic recovery infra- parent plan so British Columbians know that their money structure program. We have the small business grant pro- is being managed well. gram that can supply up to $45,000 in grants for tour- Te Minister of Finance mentioned at the beginning ism-related businesses and $30,000 for non-tourism busi- as she spoke about this bill that we are in unprecedented nesses. times, and that is why we don’t have a budget yet: “We [3:25 p.m.] are in unprecedented times.” Well, we’re in unprecedented Tese are grants. Tese are not loans. We’re not infict- times, and never more have we needed a budget to be on ing more debt on people. People have enough debt at this time and as accurate as possible. point. We want to create the supports and services and ofer the services that are able to get people out of the pan- [N. Letnick in the chair.] demic and give them the resources so that they can dig themselves out of this collective hole that we’re all in right Tere are many non-proft boards out there in the com- now. munity who, I’m sure, have made sure that they’ve got Te development of our budget in 2021 includes look- budgets in place because they’re concerned and they’re ing at what we’ve done so far to ensure that the province’s worried and they’ve got to fgure out how they’re going supports and services are working for people, for busi- to be spending their money this year. Tere are organiza- nesses and for communities that they were created for, as tions, businesses — they have fduciary duty to make sure well as the supports that we’re going to need in the future. that they’ve got budgets in place and that they know how Of course, more details will come when we get closer to they’re going to be spending their money. So saying that the release of Budget 2021. these are unprecedented times, and that’s why we don’t Again, this has been a challenging year for all of us, and have a budget yet, makes no sense to me. 732 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

Government should have anticipated the issue with the of corruption and secrecy that plagued them and nearly supply bill when they asked to delay the budget. Tis is not brought this province and its fnances to the brink. Tis is typical. We normally would have a budget. It still would history repeating itself, yet those of us on this side of the need to be debated, but we would have an idea of where House have had to listen to backbench NDPers repeatedly the money was going to be allocated. making accusations and irresponsible statements about To be clear, we want to make sure that the fnancial ob- our budgetary practices while in government, including ligations of the province are met. We don’t want to shut revenue transfer policies with ICBC — something that things down, but this is not the way to keep funds fowing. these backbenchers perhaps do not understand. Having a budget developed and presented in a timely man- Tese practices — as members opposite know full well ner is how we do this. As the minister said, a supply bill — were fully disclosed in our annual budgets and should just generally sail through with not much fanfare. quarterly reports and practices even utilized by the NDP It’s a basic function of the business of the House. governments of the 1990s. While the members opposite [3:30 p.m.] make accusations and irresponsible statements about these It is normally following due process, but it is not this revenue transfer policies, the facts are indisputable. time. It would generally just allow the government to con- Between 2012 and 2016, $514 million was transferred tinue to function and to serve its necessary purpose, but from ICBC to government to support critical government as we know all too well, this past year very few things are services such as health care and education. unfolding as they usually do. Meanwhile, between 2012 and 2016, a total of $1.5 bil- Tis supply act is very concerning, in that the govern- lion in capital and $300 million in income was transferred ment is asking the House for $13.4 billion without an from the optional side of ICBC to the basic side of ICBC, explanation as to how they want to spend it. Over the past all in an efort to keep rates as afordable as possible for three years, amidst two simultaneous health crises, we’ve British Columbians. Te members continue to make their watched as this government has returned to a pattern that irresponsible statements to the contrary, while at the same we’ve seen all too many times before. Under the cover of time their cabinet colleagues, bit by bit, dismantle the safe- COVID, this government is quietly and gradually undoing guards that our previous government brought in to ensure all of the safeguards that the previous government put in transparency. place to ensure transparency and responsibility around the [3:35 p.m.] budget in B.C. In light of all this, how can the NDP expect British To clarify, I guess I should not say “the previous govern- Columbians to trust a government that wants a blank ment.” I need to remind this government, as they like to cheque for $13 billion, without giving us any indication point blame at the previous government quite frequently, or any transparency around how they’re planning to that they are the previous government. Delaying budgets spend this money? We know where this kind of beha- and quarterly reports and expanding the use of special viour has lef us in the past. warrants are fnding a way to bypass transparency. Tis government has already given itself the authority Now, this government likes to walk down memory lane. to delay introducing next year’s budget by a month. Tat So it shouldn’t be surprising, given the fact that the current was in addition to the extra month they had already giv- Premier, his chief of staf and the Health minister were en themselves last summer. Tis is an issue for govern- all around for the notorious fudge-it budget years in the ment transparency, just like not sharing the terms of the 1990s. Tis was a time, as my colleague said earlier, when Telus contract. It is for just this reason that the B.C. Lib- the then NDP Premier resigned in disgrace. A scandal saw erals brought in the Budget Transparency and Account- the RCMP raid his house while our current Premier’s chief ability Act. of staf looked on. It was a time when the current Minister We don’t even know what the fnancial position of the of Health was forced to resign from his job in the Premier’s province is. Te budget should be setting the initial ofce for backdating a memo. expectations for near-term recovery, and we should now Tis kind of behaviour is the reason our previous gov- know the real trajectory of provincial debt before being ernment had to bring in the protections in the frst place, asked to spend more. Now, because of this government’s measures that this government is currently trying to cir- decision to delay the budget until April, British Columbi- cumvent with the bill before us today. What did our gov- ans are lef in the dark. ernment do when we were in ofce? We brought in bal- We know that the pandemic is certain to leave a much anced-budget legislation. We set fxed budget dates. We higher provincial debt-to-GDP ratio. We know this will be cemented the use of the Economic Forecast Council. Tese burdensome to manage. It’s even more reason that British are all steps that made British Columbia a leader in Columbians need to know where the money is going. I’m Canada for sound and transparent fscal management. trying to think of a comparison of this — an analogy to Tis was all necessary to correct the mistakes of the previ- show how it might work in another situation — but I’m ous NDP government. afraid I can’t, really. We can’t help but be reminded of the old NDP playbook I don’t think I ever could have gone to my board of dir- Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 733 ectors and said: “Hey, guys. I know you haven’t seen our spring of 2020, the members of this House unanimously fnancial statements for the end of the year, and I know and cooperatively approved $5 billion for COVID recov- we talked a little bit about the budget. Yeah, I know that’s ery aid. We worked cooperatively. We worked in the best already two months too late. But could you trust me, and interest of British Columbians, and we took this govern- could you provide the usual funds for the frst quarter? I’ll ment at its word when they said how they would use these get back to you on the details.” Well, I think I’d be looking funds. Our expectation was that it would get out the door, for a big fat no from my board if that was the question. and it would get out the door quickly to support British Te Financial Administration Act states: “A sum appro- Columbians. priated by a Supply Act must not be spent for any purpose Now, I don’t understand why this government took so other than those described in the estimates of revenue long and sat on that money for months, but then it coin- and expenditure….” Now, when that was written, that was cidentally became part of their election platform. When actually referring to the current incoming fscal year, not the NDP fnally announced the small and medium-sized last year’s fscal year. Under the Financial Administration business recovery grant, support was delayed in getting Act, it is legally required to present a budget frst, but the to people because of the snap election and because of the legislation that is before us today sets out a way to work constraints and difculty in applying for and qualifying around that requirement from the Financial Administra- for this money. In the more than six months since it was tion Act. announced and nearly a year afer it was approved, the As the member for Peace River South stated earlier, the government has still only been able to get $55 million out last time this government spent public funds without a of the $300 million set aside for these businesses in need. proper budget was, again, in the 1990s — a time which Tis means that they have only managed to get out 16 per- we, and most economists, will afectionately refer to as the cent of these funds to businesses. economic dark years for British Columbia. How can we trust a government that can’t even get $300 Tis government has also moved away from multi-year million in promised funds out the door to businesses in contracts to one-year contracts with social services pro- need when they’re coming to ask for approximately $13.4 viders. Tis was done several years ago. Te delayed billion, and now we don’t know what they’re asking for? budget has now put many non-proft service providers at In 2009, at the height of the economic crisis, when the risk, without a guarantee of their funding continuing for B.C. Liberals introduced a supply bill the day before the even another year. Tis has added stress and concern for budget and for the duration of the estimates, this Premier their staf and their boards of directors. How do we know said: “When I go home and someone in my constituency that these funds we’re talking about today are going to be says, ‘What are you spending it on?’ I’d rather not guess.” supporting these vital services in the communities? How Well, I must admit that all MLAs should be concerned do these non-proft organizations and service providers about that now. know that these funds will be supporting them? What do we tell our constituents when they ask what Te NDP cut $225 per month in the emergency relief we are spending this on? We have given this government support fund for children and youth with special needs ample opportunity to prove themselves in this last year, last September. I understand from families with children but they’ve only proved their own lack of fnancial acumen with autism that their annual autism funding is being and a vague grasp on economic principles. clawed back, although they can clearly demonstrate that Tis bill is just another reminder that this government is their children’s needs have increased during this pandem- failing to get relief to people. It speaks to them delaying the ic, making it even more important that they can aford the budget by months and leaving British Columbians without therapeutic and respite services they need in the coming additional relief as this pandemic drags on. British Col- months and years. Many of these families had to leave paid umbians need support. B.C. businesses need support. We work to stay home with their young person because they need a government that is open and honest and transpar- did not have that support. ent and manages its funds well and lets us know where [3:40 p.m.] everything is. We need a government that will do what it Now with this clawback of autism funding allowances, says it’s going to do. families who are disproportionately feeling the pain of the Now, we know that the bills need to get paid. We know pandemic are facing additional hardship. Will they be get- that the work of government needs to continue, but this ting any of this money? We want to know what the NDP is isn’t the right way to do it. It’s irresponsible. planning on doing with this money also because we have no confdence that they will spend this money well or that M. Dykeman: I appreciate the opportunity to rise vir- they will spend it in the way that they tell us they will. tually in this House to speak to this interim supply bill. We are concerned about this legislation, because in the Before proceeding, I’ll choose to ignore the barbed shot past year, the government requested money, and the mem- by the previous speaker, insinuating that we were unin- bers of this House agreed in good faith. Ten the NDP did formed backbenchers speaking to the bill. I assume that not spend the money how it had promised. Last March, in 734 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 those speaking notes were probably intended for some- porary legal authority for the government to continue the body who’s been elected longer than a few minutes. programs and services in a new fscal year. It’s because it’s [3:45 p.m.] important for people and businesses and communities to I myself wouldn’t have said that as a new member, espe- know that that support will be there, regardless of the tim- cially sitting in opposition. ing of the budget. It is a common practice for the province It’s been enlightening this afernoon listening to all of to pass an interim supply bill to ensure that those supports the members speak, in opposition, of their extensive and services can continue while the new budget is being experience governing through a pandemic. Oh, wait. Tat debated. As we mentioned, we’re looking at April 20. would be right. Absolutely nobody sitting here today has Tis has been a challenging time. An economic recovery previous experience governing through a pandemic. Tat’s is diferent than keeping status quo or looking at, say, good. We’re all starting from an even base, then, aren’t we. growing the economy under normal circumstances. Tese I agree that it’s unfortunate, as the member for Abbots- are unusual times. ford West had said earlier. People are sick of something, [3:50 p.m.] but they’re not sick of what he’s characterized. Tey’re sick I fnd it rather humorous in that you have the opposi- of the divisive politics. Tey are sick of revisionist history tion standing in the House discussing fnancial transpar- being constantly spewed in this House. Tey’re sick of ency when part of the role that this government has played hearing stories of the ’90s every time there’s a disagree- is to deal with the complete and utter apocalypse that ment. Tey are looking for people to actually govern. We ICBC was and the evisceration of an education system, saw that with the results of the last election. and we’re sitting here in this House today with the gov- Sorry. I was wrong. I misspoke. It was the member from ernment talking about transparency. Literally, giant sur- Peace River who was talking about how unfortunate things pluses were created and then moved into general spending were and people being upset. It was actually the member by just taking money out of Crown corporations. It was a for Abbotsford West — when the member was Finance rainy-day fund. No, that’s not transparent. Tat’s actually Minister, actually — who introduced interim supply bills the exact opposite. that totalled $65 billion over fve years. Tis is not a normal set of circumstances because, like We, right now, are not presenting anything diferently. I said, it’s a pandemic. Tere is a requirement now to We are presenting a bill which is an interim supply bill look and robustly consult with those afected to ensure for the upcoming fscal year of 2021 to 2022. It does not that the budget meets the needs coming out of this pan- impact the current fscal year. It is intended to allow pro- demic, moving towards a road to recovery, to an eco- grams to continue during a pandemic. We are attempting nomic recovery for our province that, as you can see, is to keep the programs that people are relying on moving doing quite well. forward during a pandemic. Tere are many groups that need further support, and Tese are unusual times. You’ve heard: “Tis or that those groups are receiving support and will continue to is unusual.” Tat’s right. Tat’s because we are literally in receive support. But the divisive politics in the House — unusual times. people see through that. Tey don’t fnd it to be endearing. Estimates debate will proceed afer the budget’s pres- It’s not helping, sitting there and rattling on the same ’90s ented in the Legislative Assembly on April 20. In past, line. Everybody has the same speaking points in the we’ve actually seen…. For instance, the B.C. Liberals House, going on about the ’90s. It’s doing exactly nothing. have actually passed interim supply bills that gave them- It’s doing zero. It’s not assisting. As opposition, there’s a selves fve months in 2009 and six months in 2005. We’re role to hold government accountable, but recycling the looking to April 20 because we, as a government, believe same divisive ’90s line shows exactly the issue. It’s not in the importance of consulting with organizations and bringing anything tangible to the table at all. people afected in order to have a budget that recognizes Moving the budget to April gives this government great- a signifcant shif. We have to be able to govern through er time to connect with businesses and people and develop a pandemic and fgure out what the needs are for people an efective, longer-term plan that builds on all of our cur- going in so that the budget presented actually meets rent supports. Budget ’21 will continue to focus on keeping people’s needs. people safe through the pandemic, which is the goal here Even though the budget is being tabled later than a reg- — to have a safe recovery. ular year, we’re actually not anticipating the fnal supply When you ask why something takes longer, well, all bill being delayed much further than usual. Te total of the restrictions in place — those have a real tangible amount being voted on, appropriated expenses, is $12.3 impact on things. It makes it harder to consult with people. billion. Te amount, like I said earlier, is not in addition to You know, there are less people at work. People are work- Budget 2021. It’s actually a portion of Budget 2021’s total, ing from home. Logistically, anybody from the outside allowing the continuation of programs and services in the looking in can see that there would be a slowdown in the interim period. way things usually were done. But the diference is that this As in other years, the interim supply bill provides tem- government will do it with an eye on how to position our Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 735 province to seize opportunities that recovery will ofer. So being steamrolled or being surprised. And our govern- instead of sitting there looking backwards in our rearview ment has worked closely…. mirror at the ’90s, we’re actually looking at how to move We’ve heard members opposite talk about concerns the province forward. with the school district. Well, I can assure you, as some- Budget 2021 will be focused on keeping people safe body who’s served as a trustee for a long time, I’m grateful and how to position the government, how to position the that this government is taking the time to properly consult province out of this into a strong economic recovery. And and support in doing what needs to be done, because I you know what? Te path forward is not going to be the have lived through the shocking surprises of not knowing same for all people or sectors of this economy. We need what’s going on with one-time or this funding or whatever. to recognize that and support investment that’s more tar- Our government is working very hard to ensure that geted, which means it’s going to be a really robust con- those that are afected have had the proper opportunity sultation. to be consulted. And those estimates are coming as soon At the start of the pandemic, with greater uncertainty as the budget is presented in the Legislative Assembly on about how the impacts would be felt, there was an April 20. Tis isn’t six or nine months. At the end of the investment in broad tools, and broad tools were able to day, the fnal supply bill shouldn’t be delayed much later quickly provide the support that was needed as quickly than usual, which is pretty impressive, considering that as possible. But going through and moving towards the we’re in a global pandemic. recovery portion, it’s important to identify those most Tis isn’t something that’s just afected B.C., and the afected. Support has to become more targeted because people of B.C. deserve to have a proper consultation to of that, to address those really specifc needs, groups refect the unusual times. Te province works very closely and sectors. I mean, if your history was just cutting with all of our government-funded agencies to ensure that everything and leaving it to starve, or just throwing it all they have information they need to plan and prepare for in a rainy-day fund and just pretending it’s a casino, it the upcoming fscal year, and that year is no diferent. Tis would be pretty easy, wouldn’t it? is meant to ensure that government-funded agencies have Tis government actually wants to target how there’s what they need in the interim. going to be a strong economic recovery in a way that Te current fscal year is not impacted. Tis is for the makes sense. It’s also an eye to understand that maintain- upcoming fscal year, 2021 to 2022. At the end of the day, ing fexibility must also be possible. we’re confdent that we have enough of an interim supply [3:55 p.m.] to fund all programs and services until Budget 2021. One of the things we’ve learned through the pandemic Further, one of the things that I do fnd, as I mentioned — because none of us have been through a pandemic earlier in my opening statement, is how this has become, before, though you wouldn’t know that today with the once again, a divisive conversation. Tis isn’t about trust. comments in the House — is we need to be able to respond Te members opposite sat there and said: “Oh, well, we’re to changing circumstances and support people and busi- expected to just trust this.” No. We’re sitting here with an nesses, because there will be a continuance of change. interim supply bill in front of the House in order to keep We’ve seen that. the province moving forward to ensure that we’re able to We saw, recently, Minister Kahlon announce the exten- navigate through a pandemic. sion of the small and medium-sized business grants to Tis has become, from members opposite, an exercise August 31 and adjust the requirement to show a revenue in looking back at history and rewriting it. Tat does not loss from 70 percent to 30 percent. Tat is an example of help. I agree. It’s unfortunate because, at the end of the being fexible and understanding that, as we receive more day, we need to work together to ensure that this province information — which is something, during a pandemic, comes out in the strongest way possible, that people feel that is ofen interrupted, the fow of information — we’re supported. Te programs are there to support them as we able to respond to that, because we have a clear focus of an go forward, with a budget being tabled on April 20. economic recovery. So we’re seeing that fexibility in day- With that, Mr. Speaker, I will conclude my remarks. to-day decisions, and that will be refected in the budget. [4:00 p.m.] As we’ve heard other speakers say, interim supply, well past the end of a fscal year, is in place to allow for a M. Morris: I listened to the member for Langley East proper and robust estimates debate. It’s a common prac- speaking about history and the past. Of course, that’s all tice. It ensures that the supports and services can continue I’ve heard from this government for the last four years, is while the new budget is debated in the Legislature. the history of the past 16 years or more. I think it’s great It’s important that we took the time to connect with to look back upon history from time to time to reacquaint businesses and people in order to develop meaningful and ourselves with how things work. I think future perform- longer-term plans. Tat’s something that needed to be ance could best be determined by past behaviour. done, and people appreciate that. Tey don’t appreciate What we’re seeing from this government now, with this particular bill, is reminiscent of the past behaviour 736 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 of the ’90s. I remember that back in the ’90s I was a make sure that the agencies have the resources that they senior police manager, administrator, and every spring need in order to get the job done. we would get our budgets. Tis would be 1996 through Unfortunately, the job hasn’t been done as smoothly to 2000. Within two or three months afer we got our and seamlessly as it should with respect to the amount of budgets, they were always cut. Repeatedly, every year, money that was allocated for many of the programs here. we’d lose 4 percent, 5 percent, 6 percent from our But we’ll see. We’ll see when the hood pops open on this budget, and that was a lot, trying to triage all the crim- budget, coming up in April. I look forward to that par- inal investigations that are out there. ticular date, just to see how much money we have spent. Tere were times that police cars had to be parked; I don’t think government even knows how much money when the vessels patrolling the 25,000 kilometres of they have spent. coastline that we have in British Columbia had to be [4:05 p.m.] docked; where vacancies weren’t flled and members Government has changed a couple of bills in the last ses- were overworked, taking stress leave of because of the sion of government — or in the last government, I guess job. Aircraf were parked, and we couldn’t aford to get — where they extended the period of time that quarterly around the province to do the work that we were sup- reports had to be submitted and the budget had to be sub- posed to do. As a result, a lot of things sufered through- mitted, and they kicked the can down the road. Of course, out the province here. we entered this term of government, and the budget was Te NDP government back in the ’90s — I do recall that kicked down into mid-April, towards the end of April. era quite well, where they used special warrants on a fairly We’re debating this particular bill here today without the regular basis — were very opaque, I guess, in the way they privilege of knowing what the estimates are for 2021-2022. administered the budgets of the province at that particular How do we know what to assess? How do we know time. It reminded me of…. It’s much the same as looking at that we can guarantee the people of British Columbia your chequing account. You don’t have any money in your that they’re getting value for the dollar? And big dollars, chequing account yet, but you expect [audio interrupted] you know: $13 billion now, of course, is just a portion of in the next weeks you might get paid, or not. what might be spent down the road. Tere’s a lot of work It takes me back to just a little situation there with my here to do. Normally, when a supply act is presented son one time. We were at a hardware store, and he saw before this House — in the experience that I’ve had in a bicycle that he wanted to get. We told him we couldn’t this House since I’ve been elected — it passes with very aford it right now and didn’t have enough money in the little debate. Tere’s not much to say about it. Everything bank, and he said: “Well, just write a cheque.” Tat’s what is laid out in the fnancial reports that we have for the this government is doing, just dropping a warrant here and upcoming budget. there, just to throw a few more bucks out there. We’ve had two health crises over the past couple of Tey’ve had ample time to address the budgetary issues years, where the opioid crisis has taken a number of lives, not only for ’20-21, which they haven’t done, but for unfortunately, throughout the province here, and we have ’21-22, which is the current budget. I correct the member COVID. Millions and billions of dollars have been spent for Langley East, when she was talking about the budget and have been allocated to various programs in the for 2020-2021. Tere was no budget for 2020-2021. Being province here, but we still see the death rate and the opioid a law enforcement ofcer for the majority of my career…. crisis increasing dramatically throughout the province. Everything that we do needs to be anchored in legislation. Nothing has been done in that regard. It needs to be anchored in law. Tat’s what I fnd problem- Te police resources haven’t been increased to address atic with this particular bill. those kinds of issues. Our mental health workers haven’t Section 23 of the Financial Administration Act states: seen increases, or the treatment facilities. We haven’t seen “A sum appropriated by a Supply Act must not be spent an increase in the treatment facilities, to any signifcant for any purpose other than those described in the estim- degree, that will start addressing those particular types of ates of revenue and expenditure….” Te last opportunity issues. Te government has been slow in addressing some we had to look at the blue books, the estimates, was in of the programs that they’ve had under development and ’19 and ’19-20. A long time ago in the way the world has developed in the last two months, getting the cash out. gone, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since Only about $55 million, out of a total of $300 million that particular time. It has no reference to what we’re that had been budgeted for these various programs in the doing here today. province, has been allocated so far. COVID has impacted the province signifcantly. Te One of the problematic areas that I’ve seen throughout member for Langley East and some of the other members the last several months here, in getting the money out and have stated that we’ve never had to operate in a pandemic addressing the issues that the people who really need the like this before. It produces some signifcant challenges for money need to see it, was the snap election that was called. people in government, people in the government agen- We had a Premier that called a snap election. cies, to ensure that the services are provided there. We just He had been given $5 billion. Te House was in perfect Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 737 harmony early on in the last government, in that session, by now. It’s refective of a large budget coming down to the in ensuring there were adequate resources out there for the pike in April. people of British Columbia as a result of COVID. People How are we going to pay that budget of? I think what were losing their jobs; businesses were shut down. Tere we’re doing is we’re subjecting two or three generations were a lot of restrictions in place, and folks needed that of British Columbians to pay that of, moving forward, money right away. Lo and behold, we had an election that here. Tey have no input into how that money is spent. was called. Tat slowed the process down — and stopped We’ve been asking, now for months, for this government to the process, in many cases — there for a number of weeks, provide us some reference, some idea of how they’re going a number of months. to be spending the money, how they’re going to be spend- Looking back to the 1990s — I recall that era very well, ing the funds. We’ve been met with a blank stare. We’ve like I said — there were a number of things that were been met with accusations that all we’re doing is talking changed when the B.C. Liberals got into government in about history. 2001. Yeah, I’m going back to a history lesson here, for the Talk about history. Look at the money that was spent member for Langley East. back in the 1990s. We look at the way it was spent. We When the B.C. Liberals came into government in 2001, look at the obscurity of how they spent money back in the there were a number of changes that were made so that 1990s. So I think we should have been a little bit more governments couldn’t take advantage of budgetary issues confdent in the transparency act that was passed before like that. Tey couldn’t take advantage of the special war- — and the measures that were brought into place by our rants in order to increase their cash fow. We brought in government back in the early 2000s — to hold this gov- the balanced-budget legislation. We fxed budget dates. We ernment steadfast in their approach to budgeting so that cemented the use of the Economic Forecast Council — it remained as transparent as it was before. It’s becoming which, I think, was one of the highlights of that particular more obscure. It’s fading of into a cloud. Nobody knows era. what is going on. [4:10 p.m.] Te Finance Minister and all the ministers during We made B.C. a leader in Canada for transparent fscal estimates will certainly be taken to task on how their management. It was all done to correct the mistakes of the budgets are going to be spent. I’m just curious, though — previous NDP government of the 1990s. We’ve seen the because we’ve gone so long in this province without any gradual dismantling of that legislation over the past num- kind of a budget — as to what instructions the minis- ber of years, a couple of years. I think British Columbians tries have received from government. How much can they should be concerned about that. spend? Have they been told to maintain the status quo? When we see this budget showing up — whenever it Have they been told to cut back by 5 percent or 10 percent, does, if it shows up, like we’re expecting it to show up — on or some percentage amount from what their 2019-2020 April 20, I hope that it’s refective of good monetary prac- budget may have been at that particular time? tices. I hope it’s refective of good use of the large amounts I think the minister had better be prepared to answer of money that this House has approved for the previous questions like that when we pop the hood open on this government and over the past few months for the people particular issue here. Tere’s a lot of work that needs to be of British Columbia to ensure that they get the services done to reinstil the confdence in British Columbians that that they need to help them through the pandemic. their tax money is being spent wisely. Our tourism sector is sufering signifcantly. Tere are [4:15 p.m.] many restaurants that are shutting down. Tere are trans- Te businesses that have been hurt so much…. Is there portation companies — our buses, coaches for the high- [audio interrupted] of confdence they’ll have that they’re ways. Tere are some signifcant dollars that these indus- not going to get taxed unnecessarily to try and dig out tries are going to have to be paying out here over the next of the hole that this government is creating — if they are few months and weeks as the pandemic, hopefully, starts creating one? We don’t know, because we haven’t seen the subsiding and people start travelling around the province budget. We don’t know exactly what those numbers are. a little bit more. Are those programs going to be in place Tere is a signifcant amount of work ahead for every- to help them out? We don’t know. body here. We are going to be bringing up the past beha- Te budget, the $13.4 billion that this current govern- viour of this particular government, because many of the ment is requesting with…. It’s a one-page document. It’s players that are in key positions right now were in pretty quite phenomenal, frankly, to my way of thinking, to see substantial positions back in the 1990s with the previous somebody ask for permission, on a one-page document, to government. Teir practices could very well indicate the spend that kind of money without any supporting docu- direction that this government is taking for the 2021-2022 mentation to that at all. Tere are a lot of people that are budget year. worried out there. We have an economic recovery strategy Tis is a signifcant issue for all British Columbians. that somebody had better be putting their attentions to in I hope they’re going to pay attention to the hole that is the not too distant future. Tey should have been doing it being dug here, fnancially, by this government, without 738 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 any transparency, without any explanation to the people being the constant requires government to be nimble. I of British Columbia about how they’re going to be looked think what we’ve seen refected in our approach is that afer, now and in the future. ability to adapt to the changing conditions of our economy, I look forward to further discussion on this as we pro- the changing conditions of our social lives, of our com- gress through the discussion on this bill. munity lives. Te work that we’re doing to ensure that we have a long-term plan for British Columbians is going to Hon. N. Simons: It’s a pleasure to have this opportun- be one that is based in solid foundation and solid under- ity to rise in the House and speak to the interim supply standing of the needs of our business community, the bill. It’s not always the one that gets the most attention needs of our communities, all sectors of our communities. from our colleagues, but it’s a fairly regular occurrence Budget 2021 will obviously continue to focus on keep- in this Legislature that we ensure that the funds needed ing people safe through this pandemic and to seize all to run our programs and services don’t stop while we’re opportunities that exist to ensure that not only do we waiting for the budget. Obviously, this has happened recover with strength but that we build resilience for practically every year, so I’m pleased to be able to say unforeseen events that might face our province in the that the good work of our province, the good work of future. Te lessons that we learn as government, the les- our government, will be able to continue unabated as we sons that we learn as a province, I think are lessons that debate this legislation. all representatives from all sides of the House are best to Just to refer back to the member for Prince George– heed and consider. We don’t always have all the answers. Mackenzie, I don’t mind if he wants to give us some history Sometimes we need to be assertive and confdent in the lessons from his perspective. I can go back and do current approaches that we take. events and talk about the impact we still feel from his gov- I think that the member for Prince George–Mackenzie, ernment’s years of neglect and years of turning their back or the member for Surrey South, the members in the on people in our society that really needed the attention of opposition — their responsibility is to hold us to account. the government, something that they didn’t always get. It’s an important role for the opposition. I believe quite If he wants to bring up past history, that’s his job. Tat’s strongly that government will be able to not just justify his job as an opposition member. I don’t think I spent 12 and explain but demonstrate that the approach that we’ve years in opposition talking about anything…. I was prob- taken to this pandemic, as we begin to recover and ably focused on what government could have done bet- through the process of making our province more resilient ter, and now I have an opportunity to be among people — that we have, in fact, taken a good and strong road, one who have an opportunity to actually make things better for that is built on our capacity as a province. British Columbians. Te biggest obvious consideration that we face now is I think it’s, frst of all, important to know that this legis- the continued recovery. We’ve seen that British Columbi- lation will allow us to continue to do our good work for ans returned to close to our pre-pandemic employment businesses and individuals. We’re there for British Colum- levels. We are one of the strongest provincial economies in bians, regardless of the timing of the budget. I think those Canada, having created jobs in all of the last ten months in technicalities…. a row. Te labour force survey for February shows that we We have important programs and services to deliver, added 26,600 jobs, with the majority going to women. Tis especially considering the time we’re in. We’ve all come dropped our unemployment rate to just under 7 percent, through, and are continuing to trudge through, this pan- to 6.9 percent. In January, it was 8 percent. demic with a degree of resilience that I think can make I think it’s important to be not necessarily proud of us all proud to be British Columbians, regardless of what the recovery eforts but confdent and satisfed that British side of the House we sit on. I think that there has been Columbians are doing what they have to do. Tis isn’t a marked degree of mutual support for the policies and about cheering and winning and losing. Tis is about us the programs, recognizing the challenges that we face, collectively and steadfastly approaching the challenges recognizing that things are going to get better and recog- with confdence and with strength and with intelligence, nizing that until they do, government has to be there for with good deliberation and careful deliberation. everyone. [4:25 p.m.] [4:20 p.m.] As much as the opposition would politicize some It’s common practice, in fact, that governments or aspects of our recovery, I think our approach as govern- provinces pass interim supply to ensure that we can con- ment is to remain steadfast, remain focused on our goals tinue to do what we’ve started. I obviously support this — the goals that we share with British Columbians, the legislation. In the interim, we have an opportunity to goals that we share as a government caucus. Tat’s to help ensure that we adapt to the changing economic circum- people in their difcult times and help people become as stances that we face. resilient and as prosperous as we [audio interrupted]. Tere’s one thing that has been constant throughout this Employment in some parts of the province is actually pandemic, and that is the changes that we’ve seen. Change above pre-pandemic levels. Some of the rural part and Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 739 some of our more northerly and rural communities have the cuts that occurred in all sectors, even in forestry — recovered well. But obviously, when talking about where we’re still recovering from the crass and ill-advised tax cuts we’ve had successes, we don’t deny that there continue to that occurred in early 2000s, if you talk history, if you want be challenges. We will continue to address the challenges, to talk about the impact of historical decision-making. and we will continue to try to fnd solutions where we I can point to a few people on that side of the House haven’t found the success we want as a province. who were there, who were sitting at the table, who are I don’t expect our focus and our determination to wane. mentioned in George Abbott’s book Big Promises, Small Tis is a long-term recovery efort that is rooted in a place Government. Tat is a compendium of decisions that were where I think we can proudly say that we have been suc- made by the previous government. Tat is a historical cessful in negotiating to where we have arrived so far. In account of the poor and ill-advised policy-making that some parts of our province, where tourism is a mainstay of took place prior to the New Democrats earning govern- the economy, the challenges remain. We continue to seek ment in 2017. out the best way to ensure that government policy does Te mistakes that were made…. I wouldn’t call them everything it can to support our economic recovery. We do mistakes. Te deliberate eforts to reduce government to that together by operating and by sharing ideas and by act- the point that it was not as efective as it should have ing on some of the ideas that are presented to us. been in addressing the challenges that we face. I could not Te pandemic has obviously afected everyone, and imagine a government preoccupied with their well-con- some businesses more than others. I’m quite confdent, nected friends managing a crisis that afects everybody. even as we toss political grenades at each other, that in fact So I’m relieved at the fact that we do have a government we do all have the same goal in mind. Tat’s to ensure that concerned about people, about how children are doing in our province recovers with strength and recovers with the school, how families are doing. We have a focus on ensur- optimism that we had been feeling before the pandemic ing that parents have access to child care. hit. Many of the worst ofences, I would suggest, that oc- We should remember that the general approach of our curred during the previous government were well docu- government is somewhat diferent from the previous Lib- mented and even well-pointed-out at the time that they eral government, insofar as our primary focus has always were ill-advised. Yet, three years afer inheriting what was been on people, the people in our communities through- pretty much a gutted system, our province has shown itself out the province — all people, not just the well-connected to be resilient, and our government has shown itself to be people who benefted from the vast majority of the Lib- not just capable but wise decision-makers who have been erals’ policies and programs and tax schemes and regula- able to help us navigate these difcult times. tions. It’s confdence, and it’s assuredness that, if we focus on In fact, we are still, I would say, feeling the efects of the best interests of children and families, that means we’re a government that was fairly focused on one thing only. focusing on the best interests of our economy. It’s children, Tat was the populist idea that governments don’t need to families, people in our communities that need to be sup- be there for people. Tey just need to set policies that are ported at home so that they can ensure that they can con- good for their connected, wealthy friends. Really, what this tinue to run businesses, continue to work in our various challenge to the province has shown us, I think with clar- sectors. ity, is that it would have been even better if we had had I think one thing that demonstrates the province’s some foresight as a province to ensure that we were able to approach is that our economy has managed to stay as act- meet the challenges that uncertainty and unknown events ive as possible during these challenges. You look at other might present. Clearly, the government’s response in terms jurisdictions where people are talking about going back to of health care was one that was making up for problems school. Tey’re talking about going back to work. Tey’re created by the previous government. talking about industries and sectors reopening. What we’re [4:30 p.m.] doing, I think, can be characterized more as reaccelerating. It’s not a blame game. It’s just a historical fact that our Very little was shut down completely. Te balance that our health care system sufered from the kind of lack of invest- public health ofcials and our government found, I think, ment that characterized some of the sectors in health. has served our province well and continues to serve our We’ve fxed some of those problems already, and we will province well. Te budget that’s forthcoming this spring continue to correct some of the policy impacts over the will continue on that path. previous government. [4:35 p.m.] Clearly, investing in British Columbians is how we’re [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] going to get through this. Investing in supports for busi- nesses — small, medium and large — is going to be how Te social service sector entirely…. I mean, you can we get through this. Investing in families and children, in almost say that, as a whole — since the eforts to cut communities — that’s how we’re getting through this. And budgets to Children and Families, Social Development, infrastructure. All the things that help to create jobs, help 740 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 to create confdence, help to create the conditions for oth- and the next one, which is to be formally passed, obviously, ers to start or continue or thrive in their own businesses. this spring. I see it as an important and commonly used We are obviously going to be recovering together as fast tool to continue to be able to pay for those programs and as we can, but with the knowledge that some things will services. I look forward to the questions that opposition take time. We’re not going to see all of the employment members will have. I hope to be able to provide them with fgures recover as well as they have so far. In some parts all the answers they ask of me. of our economy, there will be continued struggles. I think I’m happy to support Bill 10, interim supply bill. the best approach is one that carries on the successes that With that, I will look forward to the comments of my we’ve managed to achieve to this point. colleagues — I believe, the member for Vancouver- I’m looking forward to any further debate on this. Te Quilchena. suggestion that we’re going to be asked questions in estim- ates…. Tat’s no surprise there. Tat’s our responsibility D. Davies: Not quite Vancouver-Quilchena, but close — as members of executive council. I’ve been on the other on the opposite side of the province. side in estimates asking questions of budgets, sometimes I look forward to continuing the debate on this ambigu- fnding answers to be unconvincing, other times being sat- ous supply act that is before us today, Bill 10, which is isfed with the responses provided. All members of the extremely void of anything as to where the $13.4 billion is opposition should be prepared to ask questions in estim- going. In fact, and I know my colleague held this up earlier, ates, to ask us about our budgets, and we should be pre- it is a one-page bill — two, if you include the cover page. pared to provide answers. Tat’s how our system works. Now, normally this would be routine, but as we have I’m confdent that my colleagues and I are making heard numerous times, we are in everything but routine decisions that are in the best interest of British Columbi- right now. ans. I look forward to making more decisions that are in Foundationally, we can always look back on these sup- the best interest of British Columbians. Tat’s just what ply bills, looking back on a previous budget. Tis is now we do. As the opposition will try to fnd evidence to sup- presented on the budget that would have been presented port their theories, I think we can simply point to the in, let’s say — in normal times — February, just last month. communities that we serve and say that our community We can always look back at that and say: “All right. Here’s members are excited about the future. We’re confdent the budget that you presented. Here’s where the gaps are about the future. flling in.” And we can move on. As the vaccinations and immunizations occur through- Of course, we don’t have that pleasure this time. Tat’s out the province, the plan is in place. It’s been in place what makes it ambiguous, cryptic, dark, obscure and since the beginning of the pandemic. It’s being rolled out vague. I like putting words through the thesaurus, and that in a way that should inspire confdence or satisfaction that one fts just perfectly. the approach that we’ve taken has been a deliberate one, a It is something that really stood out to me. Te member conscious one, and one that ultimately protects the health for Richmond-Queensborough mentioned it in his com- and well-being of our communities. ments just a couple of speakers ago — that it’s only 20 Clearly, there’s been a lot of sadness through the last days; it’s not really substantial. Well, I don’t know; $13.4 year — sadness and frustration and an impatience that I billion on a hope and a prayer and not really tied to any- believe is one that we all share, an impatience with the thing scares me. We also heard the member for Langley hope that the condition that we’re living in now improves. East mention something similar as well: “Oh, it’s just going I think it gives us also a realization of the importance of to get us through here the next little while.” the social aspect of our beings. And we get that. We understand that that is the inten- I really do anticipate that the plans that our province tion of this bill. But it’s this big long process that we’ve has, the plans that we have collectively as a province, with gone through that does not make sense. Tying this to the the government that we have now, will serve us well. budget in 2020 doesn’t make sense. We’ve heard the Premi- People will look to our province for ideas not on just how er. We’ve heard the former Finance Minister already state we’ve gotten to this point but in our recovery as well. that the 2020 budget was not really worth the paper it was [4:40 p.m.] written on because we entered into a pandemic. Unfor- Next month Budget 2021 will continue to pursue the tunately, we fast-forward into where the budget has been same kinds of programs and policies that have gotten now postponed until April, six or seven weeks past nor- to us, that have helped people and businesses and com- mal. It ties into some really poor planning on behalf of the munities through the difcult times. I think a strong government, in my opinion. recovery is ahead of us. We’ve seen evidence of it hap- Yes, I get that we have never — I know it was mentioned pening already with the job numbers, with the school — been through a pandemic. But there is still a reasonable attendance numbers. amount of trust in a government that they should be able Te interim supply legislation which we’re debating to plan and get their ducks in a row. today is simply the bridge between the previous budget [4:45 p.m.] Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 741

Te minister said that this is routine. With that in mind, when we need it. Where does it stop? Normally we have a we can’t all say that everything is routine right now. But supply act. We’re not in normal times. we’re here to talk about this bill and how the NDP really “Let’s just do it.” I don’t think there’s logic in that argu- just want to whisk this through with limited debate. I think ment. It’s the government coming to us in this room, to that’s why we’re all standing here debating this, because it British Columbians, saying: “Just trust us. Trust us, and is a signifcant amount of money with zero direction on we’ll make it work.” I’d like to say I have all the confdence where it is going. in the world to believe that, but I don’t. I don’t think we I’ll maybe put this into listening context for all those should all just fall in line on this legislation and “yea, all thousands of viewers that are at home watching this debate opposed, carry on.” We have to ask some serious ques- and trying to fgure out why we’re debating this. tions, and we will get deeper into this during the com- I’m going to put it into a little story here, which I think mittee stage. I think British Columbians, especially in the ties it in quite well. I have two kids. I have a teenage daugh- not-for-proft sector, are going to be asking many of these ter. She’s going to be buying a vehicle here pretty soon. She questions as well. comes to me and says: “Dad, I need 300 bucks, 400 bucks.” [4:50 p.m.] All right, a teenager — that’s probably not extreme. We have no idea of what this $13.4 billion is connected But I’m not just going to hand over the $300, $400, $500. to, as we have years and years before us. It’s a bill that is I’m not just going to hand that over. I turn to my child, and connected to a budget that we’re debating, a bill that is I say: “Hey, tell me. What are you going to be spending this connected to a budget that we will be going into commit- money on? Are you looking at starting a small little busi- tee stage, dissecting and asking questions on, on behalf ness on the side? Are you just putting this towards a car, of British Columbians — not a bill that is attached to maybe a sporting event, even something like a concert?” I a budget that a kindergartener could have presented last think that gets you on a nosebleed ticket now — $300. “But year, because it was really not worth the paper it was writ- I want to know what you are spending this money on.” ten on. Tings had changed that much because of the pan- You wait a minute, and you look. You wait for this story demic. and this response, and there’s a blank look on your teen- We have numerous examples of why people are not ager’s face: “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m going to trusting this government, moving forward. “Trust” is an spend it on. Not really sure how I’m going to spend it. I important word. We ourselves and the Tird Party had know I need it.” Tat’s kind of where I put this as. trust in the government that there was a level of coopera- Now, we’re talking $13.4 billion. Te public has really tion here early last year on working toward what was best no idea. Te last speaker, the Minister of Social Develop- for British Columbia. We saw how that turned out: the $5 ment: “Tis is just to bridge last budget to get us through billion recovery program. this next budget.” Well, it really isn’t. It’s actually starting in Government said, “Trust us to use it,” and we British the middle of the water and hoping the bridge goes some- Columbians expected that it would be used the right way where. and would support the people that needed it the most, I don’t think that that is what British Columbians want. through probably the most difcult time for many British Tey want to know where their money is being spent. Tey Columbians. It was done because British Columbians want to know that there is transparency on their tax dol- needed it. I don’t know if you remember a little election lars that are being spent. I think British Columbians, once that happened back in October, but that’s where the major- this starts rolling out and people are talking about this, are ity of that money went. Campaign promises to bolster: going to feel like they’re in the dark, not knowing where “Vote for us, and look what you can get fve or 5½ months this money is going. later.” By then it was too late for a lot of people. I don’t want to go talk about the past and bring up the We’ve seen the government say: “Trust us on the small 1990s. I know the other members have. I found it quite and medium-sized business recovery grant.”Tere is a sec- funny. Langley East and even the Minister of Social Devel- tor that needs help. “Trust us. We will help you.” Well, I opment and Poverty Reduction also mentioned how the give that an F-minus, because most of that money still has other side is being partisan as they turned right around not gone out the door to support businesses. In fact, $55 and brought in all their partisan points. million out of $300 million has gone out the door. But: We do have a job to do here as opposition. Tat is our “Trust us. We know what to do. We will spend the money. sole role as opposition — to be critical of government We can do this.” legislation, to be critical of the government’s actions. I How? How can we trust a government that can’t man- appreciate the minister did mention that he appreciates age $300 million, in almost a year, to get it out to busi- what I appreciate. Tat’s why we’re here talking today on ness? How can we trust them to blindly spend $13.4 bil- this bill. Government should not just be able to willy- lion? Tat’s the issue that we’re facing. We’ve given the nilly change things around. We’ve seen this already — the other side a whole year to prove…. Well, we’ve given fxed elections. We’ve seen that. Yeah, well, that’s only good since 2017 for this government to really prove them- selves. We’ve seen a lot of things being proved, but 742 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 they’ve not been successes. We’ve seen a lot of incompet- vices and supports that British Columbians need. Many of ence being proved, and this is what worries us: a blank them, these organizations, have budget cycles that tie into cheque — really, a blank cheque — for $13.4 billion. the provincial budget cycles. Tey’re struggling to fnd out: Well, we don’t know where it’s going to go. “How do we ft into the province’s budget cycle? How do Tis bill is just another reminder, I guess, of failing to we ft into this Bill 10?” How much of that money…? Is it a get the relief out to people, the people that need it. Delay- percentage? What does that look like for the not-for-proft ing the budget till April is leaving many British Colum- sector that delivers these programs? bians without the benefts that they need. Just before me, WorkBC Employment Services delivered almost $30 we had the Minister of Social Development and Poverty million last year to help British Columbians who are Reduction on. It’s convenient that I’m following him, desperate to fnd new work. Where do they stand in because I can point out some of the things that I thought I regards to this? might have heard him speak about in his remarks. We are in unusual times. Nobody argues that. We are [4:55 p.m.] arguing the point that government did not think this Tis Tursday we have a group of advocates that were through when they delivered this Bill 10. I don’t think gov- initially going to be on the front lawn, advocating for the ernment thought it through when they were looking at $300 to be reinstated for income and disability assistance delaying the budget initially, which has put us into this to seniors. Te $300 clawback. Te Premier is on the precarious position that we’re in right now today, debating record saying that he supports it. Is that part of this? I this supply bill. thought maybe the minister might have alluded to that. [5:00 p.m.] Even with just the budget being delayed upwards of two I do look forward to diving a little bit deeper into this months, I had non-proft groups reaching out to me stat- during committee stage. I know that there will be lots of ing their concerns about if the money would be there. We questions. Tere’ll be lots of specifc questions to all the could go back to them if we had a budget that was pres- diferent organizations, all the diferent ministries that do ented in February. We would’ve been maybe debating the tie into where these moneys go. I’m looking forward to budget. Tere might’ve been some people talking about it, digging into that. including government MLAs. We would have been talk- Tat being said, thank you for the time, Mr. Speaker. ing about this budget and saying: “Yeah, there is money for…. Te Premier had promised that he agrees with the A. Olsen: Tank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity $300 supplement. Tat’s in the budget.”Or the supports for to speak to Bill 10, the Supply Act. I’m glad that a little Community Living B.C. that are required. Or the many, more humility has crept into the debate than was hap- many thousands of not-for-proft groups around the pening earlier. province of British Columbia that provide social service I think it’s important that we not forget that we’re actu- supports. ally having a debate here and that the debate that we’re We could go to them and say: “It is in the budget. It having here is framed in the context of billions and billions was put in the budget in February, these moneys. We’re of public funds being spent and that has little or nothing going to be asking questions during estimates.” Tat we to do with the parties that are represented in this House. could give them, but we can’t give them that right now. It has everything to do with whom we serve in this place. We have no idea how much money is going to be sup- We serve the people of British Columbia, and it’s import- porting these social development programs, none what- ant, when we’re having the debate about billions of dollars, soever. And to say: “Well, we have this money that’s that it be in the context of those people that we serve. going to be passed here….” I want to start my comments on Bill 10 with the ac- Tis one page on $13.4 billion refers back to the 2020 knowledgment, as many speakers have stood and stated at budget, which isn’t reasonable to be referring back to. the outset of their comments, that there is a supply act, and Maybe the government should have thought about that interim supply happens every year. It’s a standard part of before they delayed the budget. In fact, they should have the spring session. As other members have noted, it’s to maybe thought about it a bit more. We might not have ensure that there’s the ongoing funding of programs that been here debating this bill. In fact, we would not have allows for the time between one budget to the next. been here debating this bill had things been routine and What’s unfortunate about the debate that I’ve heard normal. And I mean routine and normal in regards to a unfolding here in this chamber today is that the whole budget being presented in February, when it should have story is not necessarily being told. While members of the been presented. government would like us to just stop on the point that this Community Living B.C. We’ve talked a lot about them. happens every year, it’s important to acknowledge the fact Tey provide an incredible amount of support across the that what’s happening in this supply act doesn’t happen province — $1 billion to deliver programs. Where does every year. What’s happening in this supply act is unique. that money come in? Again, we don’t have anything to ref- Tere’s lots of excuse-making. We’ve heard lots of excuses erence it to. Tese programs are vital. Tese are vital ser- for why this is the case, but let’s just be honest about the Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 743 fact that this supply act is unique — as unique as the times, nothing to see here. We’re doing what we’ve always done.” as many people have pointed out. Except that in the very language of the act, they’re saying: Te government hasn’t presented a budget and estim- “No, we’re not doing what we’ve always done. We’re doing ates to this House. As other members have pointed out, something diferent.” there is little ability between now and when they do…. I think what the people of B.C. want is for their govern- Tey want us to pass this act now. In fact, they need this ment to tell them what they’re doing, to be honest about House to pass the act now to allow for the funding of the that, and then to do it. Tis Supply Act is out of context. administration of government. But there’s little transpar- Te Supply Act should be tied contextually to the current ency and accountability. So the members of the opposition year’s budget. Tat’s not what’s happening. So I look for- should very much be concerned about that fact. It’s not a ward to future members standing up and acknowledging minor fact. the fact that yes, there is a Supply Act every year and that Essentially, this is an advance on a budget that we have yes, this year it is diferent, because it is, in fact and in real- not seen. Tat is the main distinction between what’s hap- ity, diferent than previous years. pening here today, in this debate and in this request from Te government has framed this unfortunate delay the government, and what has happened in previous years largely as they’ve been framing everything in their delays: and the previous requests of previous governments. Essen- due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Now, I was here at tially, this House today is being asked for $13-plus billion, the beginning. I was here a year ago. I was one of the ten which is a lot of money. Tey’re asking for our support of members that sat in this place and approved the $5 billion that without the information that governments normally and the $1.5 billion recovery fund. It was a day like none have when they’re making the determination that they will other, probably, in this chamber. “Surreal” was the word support a supply act. that I was looking for. I would say that it marked, I think, [5:05 p.m.] the beginning of the change of how this place operates. Tis is particularly problematic because last year’s Last year I spent most of my time working from my budget, the budget that they’re using to provide the con- patio. I never thought that — whether legislating from the text for this…. Because there is no budget to provide any chamber or constituency work or whatever — I’d spend so context to their request, they’re tying this to the previous much time on my patio as an elected member. So there year’s budget. What’s problematic about that is that the is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tre- previous year’s budget is irrelevant. It’s pre-COVID. A lot mendous impact on governing in this province, and there’s has happened since then, as many speakers have said. no doubt that the administration of our government, the We’re being asked, the people of B.C., represented by staf and the public servants, have done a tremendous job the members in this place…. No matter what party you’re to negotiate the really incredible challenges. However, part from — as the people of B.C. ofen hear, whether you’re of what we’ve seen here is a really troubling trend of a on this side of the House or the other side of the House — reduction in transparency and accountability of this gov- the reality of the matter is that the representatives of this ernment. House are being asked to spend $13 billion without the [5:10 p.m.] context that’s normally in place. I think that that’s import- We did, in that time a year ago, come together in a cross- ant to point out. partisan way — again, only refected in the very substant- As is said in this bill, the bill has to circumvent the ive challenge that we faced. We came together. Tere was Financial Administration Act. In section 1 of the act, very little defnition between this side of the House and part 2 says, “For the purposes of this Act, the main that side of the House. I think that was what kind of caught Estimates for the previous fscal year ought to be read as me of guard in the tone of the beginning of this debate if they were the main Estimates for the fscal year ending around this. Te fact is that we have seen in very recent March 31, 2022.” times a time in which all members of this place have come Section 3, “Despite section 2 of the Financial Adminis- together to support British Columbians. tration Act” — despite section 2 of the Financial Admin- So $1.5 billion was approved for pandemic recovery, istration Act — “a reference in section 23 of that Act is to and that was by all parties in the House. It, unfortunately, be read in relation to this Act as a reference to the main ended up being a campaign fund. Because all through Estimates for the previous fscal year.” So while members the summer that money was being consulted on. We’ve of government stand up in this debate and suggest nothing have heard member afer member afer member stand up is diferent, that this is what we do all of the time, are there and say that the government supports consultation and any diferences? Yes. Tere are diferences. engagement and asking. Well, we saw that all through the Indeed, every time we’ve been told and every time we summer. Ten on the eve of the election, $11.5 billion will be told, “We’re just doing what we’re doing, folks; we’ve worth of programs put in front of British Columbians as if always done it….” Except that we’re not. Maybe the people it were magic. of B.C. should think about that, when their government Yet it was months previous I was sitting in this seat right can stand up, member afer member, to say: “Don’t worry; over here when we approved that budget. Te government 744 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 chose to delay this budget until April. Te 2021-22 budget April. Ten, as well, to give themselves enhanced ability to was a choice by the government to delay that budget. Nor- use special warrants. Essentially, the ability to just spend mally, we would have the budget in front of us right now money unchecked when the Legislature is not in session. at the same time as we would be debating this Supply Act. Tis is part of this contextual narrative that is playing We would be able to take a look at it, and we’d say: “Okay, out, a government that wants the ability to just call money we see the budget in front of us. We recognize the imper- and spend it without the associated transparency and ative of government continuing to deliver programs, as the accountability that is required when we’re actually paying members have talked about. Based on the fact that all the respect to the people who pay the taxes and need the ser- documentation is in front of us, based on the fact that gov- vices that government provides. ernment has followed its due process. Based on the fact Tis whole year, as I said, has been unusual. On that I that it’s in alignment with the Financial Administration can agree with my colleagues. It’s been an unusual year. Act, let’s proceed.” But let’s not forget: 2017 was an unusual year as well. So Usually, this process happens very quickly. Very few 2017 saw us go into an election. It was unusual because debates at the Supply Act. But the government also chose a Green won in Saanich North and the Islands. But more to trigger that snap election back in the fall, in the than that, it was unusual because we got into a minority middle of a pandemic. Tat was a choice of this govern- government situation, where, with the B.C. Greens and the ment to delay and to put that in the middle of a budget B.C. NDP and the B.C. Liberals, there was no majority process that was actually moved up into the summer. government in this province. Te budget consultation was moved up into the summer It’s important to point this out. Te B.C. NDP gov- to give the government more time to consult, more space ernment, in a confdence and supply agreement with between that budget consultation. Recognizing that it the B.C. Greens, put together two budgets in that odd was going to be unlike any other year, they moved the year, in that challenging time. I know it was challenging, budget process in advance. because I was a part of those negotiations. Tere was Tey were probably more prepared and had more time nothing easy about that time. for the 2021-22 budget, in terms of that consultation pro- In fact, as many people were saying, that was the least cess, than any government has been in maybe a decade or stable our government has ever been. As it turns out, it longer than that, except for the fact that they then decided, was pretty stable for 3½ years. But it was the least stable. the Premier decided, to throw an election in the middle Everybody was taking bets on when the government was of it. Tat election has had — despite how many people in going to fall. Somehow the Minister of Finance and this this House would like the public to believe otherwise — government delivered a September budget update and widespread disruptive impacts on our society. We’ve heard started the process and fnished the process for Budget about it over and over and over again. Program spending 2018 in February of 2018. that didn’t get out the door. Critical changes to programs For all of these delays that have been argued necessary that couldn’t be made to make sure that they worked prop- due to COVID, because of a unique situation, it’s erly when they frst failed. Small to medium-sized business important to point out that we’re not that foreign to programs are an example of that. unique situations. Yes, they’re diferent. Yes, a global We’ve seen the numbers in the modelling and then in pandemic and a minority government are diferent. the numbers on the graphs of COVID cases escalating rap- However, I would suggest that we’ve experienced so few idly during the election. We were told: “Not going to hap- minority governments in the recent, modern history of pen; don’t worry about it. It’s going to be just an incon- this province that actually the situation that we faced in sequential election.” With deep, deep, deep consequences. 2017 was traumatic for this institution. It was dramatic- We saw that Peter Milburn’s report on Site C was actually ally diferent from what we’ve seen. ready in October, but it wasn’t delivered until Christmas Here we are now. We’ve got a situation in which we’ve because, as he said, there was no government to give it to delayed this budget, or we’ve been told that we need to when it was ready. We were told that these kinds of delays delay this budget because of COVID. Te reality is that were not going to happen. But instead, they did. we’re delaying this budget because of an election that was To make up for the snap election, the government called. Claims that we can’t get the budget together, yet brought us back in December. Tey brought us back under this same government got two budgets together in one the auspices that we were going to be approving the grant year. We have examples of where the government is able to to support British Columbians, the $1,000 election prom- deliver a budget under duress, and in this situation, in this ise to all British Columbians. case, they’ve chosen not to. [5:15 p.m.] Tey claim that this is about consultation, and more Ten we also saw a bill, at that time, that would give consultation. Te reality is, of course, that that consulta- the government the ability to do a few things. First, to tion happened a long time ago. Te government has gone delay the budget by over two months so that it didn’t have through that process. Te committee that is charged with to come in February, so it’s going to come now in late that has done the work. Tis government, prior to the elec- Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 745 tion, was more ready for budget ’21-22 than they were pre- worry about it. It’s just 20 days — just 20 days. What’s 20 viously, because that process was sped up. days?” It’s a lot when you’re talking about $13.5 billion. Tis isn’t a new government. Tis is the same Premier. Most British Columbians will look at this and see a bald Te majority of the cabinet is in place. Tis isn’t a new MLA splitting hairs, probably. budget. Tis is not a new budget from a new government. Tis is a new budget from a government that largely has Interjection. had its hand on the tiller for the last 3½ years. Te delay — let’s just be honest — is because of an election. It’s because A. Olsen: Yeah, there’s been a few, but I’ll just speak for of the timing of the election and that decision that was myself. However, is this bald MLA splitting hairs because made by the Premier. he has so few hairs to split? No. No, it’s because the pro- [5:20 p.m.] cesses that we’ve set up in this place for accountability and Like I said previously, response to COVID-19 was for budgeting measures are well-established, and they’re delayed because of it. Support for small and medium busi- there for a reason. Tey’re there to protect the interest nesses delayed because of it. Support for the tourism and of the public that we raise that money from. If those are hospitality industry delayed because of it. Budget fouted, if those are set aside, if those are easily put aside, 2021-2022 delayed. then what certainty do those people have? My fnal bits of comments here on this. I would just like We must hold government accountable, and we must to point out the process. Process is important. In this bill, hold up the processes that are in place to protect the public this Supply Act, the government is fouting important pro- interest. If we’re not doing that and the government basic- cesses. My job — as has been mentioned previously — as a ally has this laissez faire approach about it, which is just: member of the opposition is to hold government account- “Whatever; it’s just 20 days. What’s 20 days really…?” It’s able. It’s to demand transparency when the government is nothing, in the grand scheme of things. using its power to ignore due process and the impacts that But it is important. Te reason we need to protect those come from that. Tere are real consequences. processes is because other businesses, non-profts, other To my colleagues who want to just stand and suggest, organizations have created their processes to match ours. “Don’t worry,” or “Tis is diferent,” there are enough [5:25 p.m.] impacts on our society caused by COVID-19 already. Te When we do that, the delays that were caused back in last thing that people of British Columbia need is their the fall by decisions that were made by the governing party government also throwing wrenches into the spokes at the here throw all of those planning processes into chaos. You same time, which is what’s happened over the last number can imagine the people who have to manage the other of months. budgets that are contingent on this budget — what they Tere’s one member who stood up and said he’s astoun- must be thinking right now — as they’re hearing govern- ded that we must talk about this bill. I would just sug- ment members go: “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s just 20 gest…. I ask the question: should this House just give the days. You guys just hang in there a little bit.” Te people government, then, $13 billion to spend without debate? who are working — just hang in. You might have a job; Tat doesn’t sound like the democracy that we have set up you might not. Twenty days. It’s nothing, really. Except it here. Tat doesn’t sound like how this place is supposed to is something. It does mean something, and it means some- work. thing for a reason. I know the government would like to not have the Te reason we have these processes is so that other accountability and transparency, and their actions recently groups and organizations can align their processes so have shown that they’re trying to achieve that. Tey might, that in the end, we can have certainty. What the chaos in fact, use their majority of votes in this place, if they can of the election was called…. People say: “Oh, it’s just convince their own members to just go along with it to get the Greens standing up because he was the one that was that power. But that doesn’t mean that it’s right and that burnt.” No. Te certainty that’s created by this place fl- they should have it. ters down through our society, and other people and Tere is a great deal of difculty to hold government other organizations, non-profts, businesses, need us to accountable when there’s nothing for us in the opposition stick to our processes and not fout them and then, when to point to and say…. We can’t point to the budget from we do, minimize that. the last time and say: “Oh, well, the context of this Supply I’d just like to close by saying that this has been an Act is from this budget over here.” Tat’s not the way it unusual and a challenging time for this institution, should work, arguing that 20 days is 20 days, or 15 days incredibly so. We’ve seen, as members, the impact on or ten days. As the Premier has said and a member has this institution. But I also want to point out that this has raised, the Premier said previously that one day is too been incredibly challenging not just for us but for every- many. Well, apparently that’s changed. I think it’s the lais- body in our society, for everybody in our communities sez faire approach to some of the debate here, like: “Don’t that we represent. So the chaos that’s been created by an election, the chaos 746 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 that’s been created by delaying the budget…. It is just refected on what is important and what jobs are of value. wrong for us to stand up in this House and minimize it I think we found out, all of a sudden, that it’s incred- like it is of little consequence, because the consequences ibly valuable to have your grocery stores open. Te work and the ramifcations are very large. We do ourselves in of people in long-term-care homes, whether they are the this institution a great discredit when we make the debate nursing staf or the cleaners — that is incredibly important about us and our political parties, when we make it about work in order to keep our loved ones safe. what they did in the 90s and what they did…. I can’t wait We’ve watched how people have come together as a till we talk about the 80s and the 70s in this place. community, and we’ve watched how businesses have What we need to be focused on is the job that we have at pivoted. I felt incredibly grateful to see how our businesses hand right now, which is Budget ’21-22 and, on the oppo- were able to pivot extremely quickly. Some of the busi- sition benches, holding government accountable for that. nesses have been hurting. My region is a tourism region. Unfortunately, what we have here in front of us is we have We have businesses that have had to shut down. Baldface a supply act that is pointing and created a context that just is a big draw for this region, but they have not been able doesn’t exist. For me, that’s very troubling. to operate this year because they weren’t going to be able With that, I will take my seat. I thank Mr. Speaker for to operate in a safe manner. Tey haven’t been able to be the opportunity to speak to Bill 10. I really hope that as we open this year, and that has impacts, of course, on the res- move forward in the coming budget cycles, we can once taurant and retail sector. again — in light of the fact that we’re dealing with a global We are seeing, of course, people turning outwards. pandemic — create that certainty that the people of Brit- Some people are turning inwards, but some people are ish Columbia, the organizations that rely on us to have that turning outwards. Tey’re exploring our local area more. certainty…. Tat they can once again rely on their govern- We’ve seen more people. We’ve seen more bike sales. We’ve ment to create that certainty for them so that then they can seen more ski sales. We’ve seen more cross-country ski do the important work that they need to do on behalf of sales. People are really trying to enjoy the environment their constituencies. in which they live. Tey’re also turning to support their With that, thank you. HÍSW̱ ḴE SIÁM. neighbours. We’ve watched incredible groups that come together with neighbours to try to support each other dur- B. Anderson: First, I would just like to say that I would ing these extremely challenging times. like to speak in support of the bill. I just feel very grateful when I look around the world I’m speaking in support of the bill from the unceded tra- and even look across Canada and see what we’ve been able ditional territory of the Ktunaxa, the Sinixt and the Syilx. to do, collectively, as British Columbians, over this past I’m just grateful that I’m able to live in this beautiful land, year. Now that we’re seeing, really, that light at the end and I appreciate the First Nations and the work that we’re of the tunnel, I’ve been more and more hopeful. As we’re doing towards reconciliation, because it’s a really import- seeing that we’ve had a day with no deaths, fnally, from ant process that we need to all take part in. COVID-19, that’s a bright light. We’re seeing that more Tis year [audio interrupted] is almost exactly a year and more of our grandparents are able to get vaccinated. that our lives have changed dramatically, and they changed Our health care workers and our essential service workers very quickly. We went from knowing there was maybe are getting vaccinated. something coming to all of a sudden things changing Afer what felt like a very, very long time for me, we’re drastically. Kids were taken out of schools. Businesses had able to get together in groups, outside, of less than ten to close down. A lot of us thought: “Okay, maybe this people. I know that a lot of people are going to really bene- will be two weeks. Ten we’ll be able to fgure it out.” Of ft and that their mental health is going to be able to beneft course, people with experience, like Dr. Bonnie Henry…. because of that. She knew what we were in for, for the long haul. Now, what this interim supply agreement provides…. [5:30 p.m.] Of course, we do it every year, but we’re hearing that this I was personally worried that we weren’t going to see a year is diferent. Well, we know why it’s diferent. Tis isn’t vaccine for maybe two years or longer. But now, as we’re a surprise. What this is going to be able to do is provide actually rolling out the vaccine at an accelerated pace than the funding for the services like health care, like education we had anticipated, now that we do have the vaccines — services that we all depend on as British Columbians, available for British Columbians, I just feel extremely for the interim. It’s just an interim. Tat’s the portion of the grateful to all of the people that have been working so hard budget we will…. Tat is for the 2021 budget, and that’s to get us through this year — all of the essential workers. going to be coming up around the corner here. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the great things that we’re [N. Letnick in the chair.] going to be able to deliver in this budget for people. I know, in my riding, we’re fnally seeing money that’s I think this year it was a really important time that we going into afordable housing for people. We’re in a region where we’re in a real crisis. People are not able to fnd Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 747 housing. Tese are people with good jobs, with kids in model slightly, and they’re planning for the future. I’m just schools, who are contributing to the community, but the so grateful for those businesses and for the ingenuity that housing stock is just not available and just not there. we have in our communities across this province. I was able to go with Jenny Robinson two weeks ago Kalesnikof is a great example of a business that has — it’s Hall Street Place — and toured this beautiful new been in our community for four generations. Tey’re able building that’s going to be housing for people within our to operate from seedlings. Tey’re actually the ones that community. To see this critical work…. We’ve needed this are reforesting the area, but then they’re able to also har- type of housing for a decade, and now we’re seeing these vest that timber. Tey have their mass timber facility. three large facilities that are being built for housing in our Tey’re able to create these mass timber structures, which community. are using our local wood. It has a lower carbon footprint [5:35 p.m.] than if we would be building with concrete. It’s absolutely We’re seeing more and more investments in health care. beautiful, and it’s going to be used in a building, hopefully, I think that during the pandemic we’ve all really realized here in Nelson, which is going to be the library, but also in how fortunate we are to live in a country and in a society buildings throughout the province. that has public health care. Seeing more investments into Tose are the types of investments that we’re seeing here public health care and into mental health services and sup- in British Columbia and that are really creating value- port, I think, is incredibly important. added for our province, which are also really good jobs. We’re also seeing agricultural supports. I know that Cre- Tese jobs are really important for us to continue as we ston is absolutely thrilled to see that the food hub is going move through the pandemic and into recovery. to be developed this year. Tis was a project that Tanya I just wanted to say, again, that I’m in support of this bill, Wall had been working on for about ten years — to get the and I wanted to thank the Speaker for this opportunity. food hub located in the Creston Valley. What this is going to do: farmers are actually going to be able to process their E. Ross: It’s good to be back in the House. It’s quite food and have value-added foods with this food hub. odd, though, because there’s nobody here. Nice to see One of the things that we deal with, most years, is a the staf, nice to see the Speaker, a couple of my col- cherry cull. Tese cherries, generally because of weather, leagues, even my colleagues across the way there — nice are not actually sellable on the market. Te cherries would to see you guys. Well, it’s nice to be back, but very odd, have to be brought to the landfll and managed that way. especially as what I refer to now as being a sophomore Now the town and the regional district are building a com- in this place. I’m not a rookie anymore. Tere’s still more posting facility. But what’s even better than composting to learn in terms of the process, but I do appreciate the those cherries is that those cherries are now…. Tey’re governance system here in B.C. perfectly good cherries; they’re just not perfectly good to [5:40 p.m.] sell. Tey’re going be made into fruit leather, a value-added What we’re debating here is Bill 10, Supply Act, 2021. piece of food to help feed British Columbia. Apart from the speeches saying that we don’t want to get Tese are just some of the really exciting programs and partisan and make political statements, and then going services that been part of this last budget and that we’re into a partisan speech ragging on each other, we’re not going to be seeing here in the future with our funding doing anybody the beneft of understanding what we’re model. With this interim supply agreement, it’s important talking about here today. we provide that bridge until we’re able to look at and We’re talking about $13.4 billion of B.C. taxpayers’ debate this next budget together and move forward as Brit- money, and government wants us to believe that this is just ish Columbians. routine. Well, I am a sophomore — I’m not a rookie any- I just have a lot of hope. I’m very grateful for the trust more — but I do know this is not routine. Even where I that the province put in our provincial government, come from, back in my chief and council days, this was not because they know how important it is to fnally be seeing routine. Council was never given hundreds of millions of more investments in education, in health care, in seniors dollars with no justifcation. We had to present a budget. care and in mental health supports. As we move forward, We had to debate the budget. it’s going to be absolutely critical to our recovery that we Now mind you, it’s not like this, not like what we do are supporting businesses. here. In fact, I take it back, in terms of why I joined the What we’ve been able to do this year…. Everything is B.C. Liberals in the frst place. I think it’s well known that unprecedented, but this is the frst time that businesses I joined because I wanted to help B.C. get LNG of the have been able to apply for grants. With these grants, we’re ground. I was tired of the opposition to LNG. I was tired going to be able to see businesses make it through the of the rhetoric, and I thought I could help. Ten I get in hardest part of this pandemic. I believe that with some here. We win the election in 2017, but we lose govern- of the lessons that they’ve learned, they’re going to be ment. Which is fne; that’s the way the system works. But stronger because of it. Tat’s what I’m hearing. Some of the underlying reason I wanted to come here was because them have been able to go online or change their service 748 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021

I actually tried to form my own chief and council on the In the, I’d say, 16 years that I was chief and council, I same structure that I saw here. came across a lot of politics that talked about transparency, It’s a great structure. I come from a chief and council accountability. Especially in election time. It always came where there are no checks and balances like what you have out. It was a platform for many, many people that wanted here. We do have fnancial by-laws. We do have fnancial to be chief and council, but in public meetings, when I policies. We have all kinds of rules for how we run our sys- asked them what that meant, I couldn’t get a clear answer. tem. But we don’t maintain it. I think I approved four dog As usual, I went to fnd out my own answer. I couldn’t by-laws as chief councillor in my time as chief and council. fnd an answer that couldn’t ft the context of what we were Here, you have the continuity and the corporate memory doing. And there is diferent context. Tere are municip- to keep B.C. going. Tis is a really good governance struc- al councils, regional councils, us here as the Legislature ture that actually puts democracy in action. in the province of B.C. Tere are federal governments. Tis institution represents how we hold government Tere is diferent context on how you carry out transpar- accountable on behalf of our constituents, no matter where ency, accountability. But there is no reason to hide fnan- we’re from. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Terrace, cial statements. Tere is no reason to hide fnancial projec- Quilchena or my past colleague’s riding, Michelle Stilwell, tions or expenditures. Tat’s what the Legislature is for. from Parksville-Qualicum. I said I’d give her a shout-out. I’ve got to go back and tell my constituents in Skeena, Tere it is. who actually re-elected me: “I have no idea what the Te fundamentals of governance, I know, go beyond government is going to spend $13.4 billion on. I don’t the fnancial accountability that we’re talking about here. have a clue. I’m sorry. I can tell you they talk about Really, what we’re talking about is fnancial account- Agricultural support, afordable housing, but they’re not ability without this spin, without the partisan attacks. going to prove it.” Because once you start to undermine democratic prin- And this would be so simple. In the four years that I’ve ciples, where is your province heading? Where is your been here, we’ve done this every single year at budget time. governance heading? And to be honest, I know a lot of MLAs in this House It should be troubling for the people of B.C. to know haven’t paid much attention to it, because normally, it’s that the B.C. government is asking for $13.4 billion, but routine. We know the government has got to keep the they are not giving any justifcation. Tis is what we’re lights on while we sit in here and debate the full budget. debating today, for all those millions of people watching at We know it’s routine. We know you’ve got to pay those home. Tat’s the supply bill. And the supply bill is a normal health care workers. We know you’ve got to pay the teach- part of the business. I understand that. But normally what ers. We know you’ve got to keep this ship running. happens, and I’ve heard this repeated many, many times So what’s the problem? Why is it not detailed, even in here, is that, frst, you present your overall budget. Tat’s general, in terms of the numbers, in terms of the categor- what you present. Every government has done this. ies? And just to cite the party line, no matter what party Once you present that budget, then we set it up for you’re in, and say, “Just trust us,” you’re not doing any ser- debate. But government needs a chunk of change to keep vice to your constituents who voted you in, who wanted the programs running in B.C. Tat’s what they need, so you to represent their interests as taxpayers. they present a supply act. Te Supply Act outlines where I know I’ve been called a rogue at times. I know I’ve the government is going to spend the $13.4 billion. been described as a person who goes my own way. But I Tere’s nothing here. We’re not debating a budget. We’re do have a deep loyalty to constituents. I do have a deep not debating a supply act. I’m not sure what we’re debating loyalty to B.C. And I have a love for governance — true other than the $13.4 billion that the government doesn’t governance — complete with transparency, accountability. want to justify. Tey don’t want to explain it. Today, for some reason, we’re talking about bypassing it. [5:45 p.m.] Doesn’t that scare anybody, especially the rookie MLAs? I just heard the previous speaker talk about how it’s Four years ago I probably wouldn’t have known what going to be great to get more afordable housing, agricul- was going on here — because of the politics, because of tural support, mental health support, health care and edu- the spinning, I wouldn’t have known. I would have asked cation. Okay, where is it? I don’t see it. Transparency and my colleagues: “What is my true job here as an MLA? accountability can’t just be words. Is it to my party? Is it to the Legislature? Or is it to the Te processes that were set up in this Legislature were people of B.C.?” not for us as MLAs. It was not for the government. It In this case here, I’d say that we’re failing the people of was for the people to have the trust in a system that their B.C. It might be minor to you, but that’s a slippery slope. representatives knew full well what was being done with I learned this principle as chief councillor when our very their tax dollars. Tey knew full well where the province frst steps came into the economic development world, the was heading in terms of direction, because most of the resource world, and millions of dollars were starting to direction is actually funded by the dollars that come come into my community. from B.C. citizens. [5:50 p.m.] Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 749

I went to report to all my community members in Ter- history. Te NDP government and the Green Party really race, Kitimat, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and every mes- wanted it so badly. Tey throw this information out there sage I got back was: “We trust you.” I pleaded with them. I to the B.C. citizens, but they can’t explain it. Tey can’t begged them. I told them in public: “Please don’t trust me. describe it. Tat is scary, till you start to add this all up, and Verify what I’m telling you. Ask me questions. Ask me the you’re starting to see a government that actually just wants tough questions. Write to me. Tis is your money. Tis is free rein on the fnances of British Columbia. your future. I do appreciate the trust, but I’m not going to What do they do when the opposition does their job? I, be here forever.” as an opposition member, have a job to do. I have to ques- Te problem I had as chief and council…. I did not have tion government and try to hold them accountable, which the continuity or the corporate memory to leave behind is not going to be easy because the NDP government have me when I lef. I tried as much as I could to build that — what? — 50 seats. I can yell, scream. I can debate all I structure, to duplicate what I saw here in the B.C. Legis- want. But they’re still going to push this through, because lature, but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have enough time. they have the votes. But at least I get my concerns on the You’ve got the structure. B.C.’s citizens and taxpayers, record. I understand that’s the way the system works. you have the structure, the continuity, the corporate What doesn’t help, though, is all the spinning. We do memory. You also have the principles of transparency and our job and just say: “Could you at least give us some num- accountability built into this place. And now we’re talking bers where that money’s going to go?” And somehow, the about throwing it all away. NDP government turns around and says: “Well, it’s unfor- Tis might be minor. But in the grand scheme of things, tunate that you don’t support front-line workers.” if this keeps going the way it’s going, this is not going to [5:55 p.m.] be a very good province to live in, if you can’t trust your Tat’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re trying to government. I do question how this government actually hold government responsible for $13.4 billion, and we’ve doesn’t like the principles of transparency and accountab- got nothing to go on. We don’t even have the context of a ility. full budget. We don’t know what happened with the rest of I frst saw it from my own eyes when we were debating the money that we gave to the government that we actu- the LNG Canada agreement that the B.C. government had ally — everybody — approved in this House because of the negotiated with LNG Canada. With all the tax breaks — COVID crisis. the carbon tax, the PST break…. Tey got rid of the LNG I’ve heard the criticism. I’ve read the criticism of my tax break, which is kind of funny. Te NDP are always colleague from Vancouver-Quilchena — that he didn’t do claiming that the Liberals only appeal to the elite and the enough to criticize government, that he didn’t hold them rich people of B.C., yet they give the biggest tax breaks to accountable enough for COVID. But it was under his one of the biggest projects in B.C. Tat, to me, wasn’t look- recommendation that I decided: “Yes, I’m going to listen to ing out for the little guy. my leader and just say yes. I’ve got to put down my polit- Anyway, that’s the frst time that I saw the NDP gov- ical ammunition, and I’ve got to vote in favour of what the ernment actually try to override the principle of trans- government is proposing.” parency and accountability — when they tried to slip Given what we were going through back then, I’d prob- in a clause that said no longer would major agreements ably do it again, because we have never seen anything like have to be brought to this Legislature. Tankfully, we this in our lifetime. Te last time when we saw some- beat the NDP government on the vote. Tankfully, the thing on a worldwide scale was probably World War II. In Green Party, just before the vote, lef the room, and we fact, in ten years, we’ll all be asking ourselves, hopefully: won that vote. I don’t think British Columbians under- “Where were you when the COVID crisis happened?” It’s stand the bullet that they dodged when you’re talking historic. I don’t blame my party. I don’t blame my leader about a government that negotiates a $40 billion agree- for us agreeing to work together with the government, ment, gives all kinds of tax breaks, and they did not want because at the time, it was the right thing to do. to bring it to this Legislature. Tis is not the right thing to do right here: what we’re Tere are more projects coming down the pike. Chev- doing right here, right now. We’ve had enough time to ron has still got to come through — another multi-billion- assess the damage done by COVID, not only to our eco- dollar project. Nisga’a has just recently announced that nomy but to our society. We know that people are sufering they’re putting their multi-billion-dollar project back on in care homes and dying. We know there are certain ethnic the table again. I think the citizens of B.C. have a right minorities that are sufering more than others, certain age to see what their government is negotiating when they’re groups that are sufering more than others. We know how talking about multi-billion-dollar projects and the tax hard it is now to roll out a vaccine plan. We know it. Te breaks that come out of it. government can’t keep hiding behind that excuse. Tat was the frst time I saw this NDP government try Tere are a lot of smart people in the Legislature that to thumb its nose at transparency and accountability. Te know how to govern. Tey know how to budget. So to other one was proportional representation — just recent come to the Legislature and just say, “Give us a blank 750 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 cheque for $13.4 billion, and don’t worry about it. Some- and not with the idea of eroding democratic principles, how we’ll be accountable for the future.” Te government especially in this place here, in the Legislature. hasn’t been accountable for the last batch of money we approved. In this case, I know that the NDP government is M. Elmore: I’m very pleased to rise and speak in favour going to spin this. I’ve heard a few speeches on it already. of the second reading for Bill 10, the interim supply bill, I do know that we have to do more, as the Legislature, to and to take my place. combat what’s happening with COVID. We’ve got a future We know that the interim supply bill has been intro- to build, but we can’t start building that future by under- duced to bridge the gap between funding between the mining the principles of democracy. We can’t do it. Where end of the fscal year, March 31, and the last day of is it going to end? A government that has no accountability the spring session, when the provincial budget is form- or responsibility to the citizens is not a democracy. I know ally passed. As my colleagues who have spoken…. Cer- that there are other forms of leadership around the world tainly the interim supply legislation is common practice that actually dictate from the top down, with none of the in British Columbia each spring. democratic principles that we’re employing here today. But What is uncommon is that we’re late. It’s later than usual this is Canada; this is B.C. because we fnd ourselves in these unprecedented times, If the people don’t understand or appreciate the prin- in terms of just recently marking the one-year anniversary ciples of what happens in this House, I can understand of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has turned our that. Tere are probably four people watching us today. But lives upside down in British Columbia, across Canada and for MLAs in this House: you understand. I can’t think for around the world. To respond to that…. I want to speak a minute that there’s one person in this House, 87 MLAs, a little bit about that and then get into some of the points that doesn’t understand the principles of democracy and further. Our government has invested over $10 billion in what our job is here today. COVID-19 relief and recovery measures. Really as a For the record, I do support the government doing more response to…. We’re on record as contributing more per to address COVID coming out of this. I do support that. capita to businesses and people than any other province. Without a doubt, I do support the idea of making sure that I’m proud to say that while the challenges of COVID-19 the lights are lef on until the full budget is presented and have been unprecedented — it has taken a terrible toll in then voted on and approved. But I don’t support the gov- terms of people who have passed away, who have gotten ernment just giving out one piece of paper, saying: “Give sick, been hospitalized, have ongoing health issues and us $13.4 billion, and we’re not going to tell you how we’re challenges — I think British Columbians should also be going to spend it.” I don’t support that; I can’t. thanked in terms of the response to COVID-19. Tat’s not what the people of Skeena elected me for. I want to recognize the leadership of our provincial Tey wanted me to come down here and understand the health ofcer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and all staf who’ve process, then go back and report. Normally, I don’t even worked on the bill, and really all members in the House, report on supply acts. I don’t report that, because I under- yourself included there, Mr. Speaker, as your role as the stand it’s the normal course of what we do down here. Health critic, playing a leading role. I think that leaders Tere’s nothing really extravagant or controversial in sup- across British Columbia stepping up and answering the ply acts. We’ve done four of them, together in this House call and British Columbians taking the recommendations since I’ve been here. I’ve never reported once to my con- from the health ofcer put British Columbia in the place stituents, because it’s normal, routine business. of not having to bring in as many restrictive measures that [6:00 p.m.] we’ve seen, certainly across Canada, in response to con- Tis today, Bill 10, Supply Act, 2021, is not routine busi- taining the spread of the virus. ness. You’ve given us nothing to debate, except for the idea We’ve been able to keep our construction industry run- that you’re trying to override the principles of governance. ning and working and supporting businesses to operate As for the rest of the partisan speeches I’ve heard, I’ve safely. We’ve been able to see restaurants and other busi- heard NDP MLAs talk about the B.C. Liberals in terms nesses operate, even though they have faced unpreceden- of ICBC, the revenues. I’ve heard B.C. Liberal MLAs talk ted challenges. about Bingogate. I’ve heard of the fudge-it budget of the [6:05 p.m.] ’90s. I’ve heard all that, and there’s more. But as we go back We know that COVID-19 has disproportionately and forth and throw these backhanded insults at each oth- impacted diferent sectors of the economy. But I think that er, we’re not doing B.C. any services here, just by insult- British Columbians coming together has really played an ing each other and dragging up the past and pointing out important role. which government was bad back in the day. Tat’s not why Besides the challenge, I just want to speak a little bit B.C.’ers sent us here. about the difculty in communities, the nature of many Today more than ever, B.C. wants to see the Legislature experiencing isolation and loneliness. Really we’ve seen — lead B.C. out of the pandemic. Te future could look I’ve seen, certainly — the response of community indi- bright in fve, 10, 20, 30 years, but not with these politics, viduals really stepping out, reaching out and wanting to Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 751 assist members who are in need. We’ve really seen that increased their wealth, where did it come from? Well, as well. We’ve seen British Columbians right across the workers lost $3.7 trillion. So that’s just a very stark pic- province step up and assist to support seniors, to deliver ture in terms of, on a global scale, the impact and the food and care baskets to seniors and to others who have deepening of inequality. difculty getting out, to really assist and support folks. When we look at the interim bill, the previous budget Besides the health pandemic of COVID-19, British Col- that was tabled and, as well, the budget that’s coming next umbia also…. We’re facing the dual pandemic of the month, measures that our government will take will look opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19, at ensuring that, at the centre, British Columbians’ health resulting in an increased toxic drug supply because of the is protected and that British Columbians are supported restrictions of goods crossing the border and with indi- and that, moving forward, we ensure that these fault lines viduals being isolated, many using in isolation and dying of inequality do not tear our province apart, that resources from overdose. Tose dual challenges have really presen- that we invest to support British Columbians to move for- ted us with incredible challenges. ward as we come out of the pandemic put British Colum- Te interim supply bill…. To respond the COVID-19 bians on an equal footing, moving forward with a society relief, we’ve made really record, unprecedented invest- and with a province that doesn’t leave people behind. ments in British Columbia. When we talk about British It talks about and prioritizes our collective future Columbia in the context of Canada but also British Col- together. It’s an approach…. I’m proud of the commitment umbia in the context of the world, because it is a global and the investments that our government has put — over pandemic, we know that the global crisis, as well in British $10 billion now. It’s really been addressing the inequality, Columbia, has really laid bare a number of fault lines. putting at the centre, ensuring we address that there is Inequality, those who face multiple barriers — race, equality from a perspective of anti-racism, recognizing a gender, class, other institutionalized barriers — ofen face decolonial view, reconciliation with Indigenous people. a disproportionate impact in terms of death, hospitaliz- Te increase we’ve seen globally, the rise in the right wing ations, being on the front lines as essential workers and and white supremacy — that these issues are front and really bearing the brunt in terms of COVID-19. Certainly, centre. we’ve seen that in British Columbia. We identify them, we take them on, and we invest in Te other aspect that’s important for us in British Col- British Columbians. We invest in programs. We invest in umbia to realize, and that I think people around the world our public services that are really a collective asset, if you are coming to value, is that we really see the importance will, for British Columbians. I think that, certainly, we and the value of our public health care system, which has know the history of public health care in Canada with the protected British Columbians. father of health care, Tommy Douglas — the value that Certainly, our government’s commitment to invest in Canadians hold for health care. health care and taking the health of British Columbians as I think that British Columbians and Canadians and the most important principle in terms of how we prioritize people around the world are recognizing the importance our spending measures, putting resources in place…. Tat not only of public health care; the importance of public has been key — to put the health, the welfare, the safety services that support people, the importance of measures of British Columbians at the centre of all our considera- that are put in place to support workers and to support tions. Te health of British Columbians really is the found- those who are at the margins and that look to level the ation in terms of the recovery of our economy. It’s the basis playing feld. in terms of being able to move forward and recover. Tat Tis experience and this priority on our moving for- has really been…. It’s a stark, I think, illumination for us ward collectively, together, and looking out for each oth- in British Columbia, to take stock and to value our public er…. I think, when we look at British Columbia and how health care system and the importance of that. we have been able, so far, to come through COVID-19, Another feature that has been really brought to the fore that’s something that stands out for me — neighbours that is the importance of, when we see that these fault lines I’ve talked to, business owners, people in non-profts, right of inequality have really been exposed in the global pan- across the spectrum. It’s appealing to that higher moral demic…. I want to read a statistic I came across to really or ethical ground to think, of course, of ourselves but for show just the stark contrast and contextualize the invest- your neighbour and for people down the street, for those ments that our government has made in terms of support- less able, who have less access to resources — that they ing people and businesses here in British Columbia. should be supported. Certainly, that really is articulated, [6:10 p.m.] and British Columbians…. We understand that more than Around the world, in the last year, we’re marking the ever before. one-year anniversary of the pandemic, and there is a It’s not easy, and certainly there are challenges ahead, shocking illustration in terms of when we see those but I think that those are some important key components. exacerbated fault lines of inequality. Globally in 2020, When we look at the pandemic, it’s really shown that billionaires increased their wealth by $3.9 trillion. If they investments in health care prevent the spread of disease 752 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 15, 2021 and provide care for our family members when we need deserve. Tat was one clear area, in terms of investments in it the most. Contrasted to the record of the previous B.C. long-term care and moving forward and looking forward. Liberal government…. Just a contrast — that prioritizing We know that we’ve heard some discussion about the tax cuts for the wealthy would mean less money for ser- record of the previous B.C. Liberal government during vices like health care. 2001, and that’s looking in the rearview mirror. Tose pro- [6:15 p.m.] grams of austerity, cutting of public services, cutting taxes So those are two clear paths, I would say. We’ve heard for the rich and those at the top — I think that’s where that some discussion and debate on looking back and analyz- belongs, in the rearview mirror. ing the record of the previous government, the previous Looking forward, we know that the challenges in terms B.C. Liberal government and where we are now, in the of our recovery won’t happen overnight but by focusing on midst of COVID-19 and moving forward. people and public services, providing opportunities, train- I think the path is very uncertain, but I have a lot of ing opportunities as well as in the long-term-care sector. faith and hope in British Columbians, and I believe in the We’ve made a commitment to provide training opportun- resilience of British Columbians. I think, looking forward, ities and hiring additional staf to work in the sector. Tat’s in terms of the supply bill and the budget that we will a key commitment that not only improves service for seni- be debating next month…. Te importance of our gov- ors but provides opportunities as well. ernment focusing on investing in health care, investing in [6:20 p.m.] people, building and strengthening public services, tak- We know that moving forward, there are a lot of chal- ing a view around prioritizing an anti-racist and intersec- lenges, but our government continues to be focused on tionality view with respect to public policy, protecting the looking out for people, working for British Columbians, environment — these are the key foundations. Tese are providing support and also ensuring that we build and the key values, I think, shared by British Columbians. strengthen public services. We know, as well, that essential workers, ofen on the We’ve provided, as well, a number of supports for our front lines — they came to the fore, hailed as heroes — are recovery, our B.C. recovery. We know the B.C. recovery also in difcult times, underpaid, overworked. beneft helps families make ends meet with payments up to $1,000, direct investments to support families. Small [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] and medium businesses are eligible to receive grants up to $30,000 and up to $45,000 for tourism businesses — the I want to talk a little bit about the long-term-care sec- incredibly hard-hit tourism and hospitality sector — really tor and the contrast between where we’ve come from, to keep people working. As well, additional supports to the experience in COVID-19 and where we’re going. We help thousands of people upskill or re-skill and fnd in- know that COVID-19 has challenged all of us — the demand jobs. Continue to improve fairness at ICBC and experience, for example, in our long-term-care system, make life more afordable. Tere will be cheques coming which had been dismantled under the previous gov- back to British Columbians for a rebate in terms of turning ernment. Wages had been…. Tere was a race to the things around at ICBC. Bringing in transparency in real bottom, contracting out. Contractors were rewarded for estate to protect people and tackle fraud and, also, recently lowering wages. We know that that really undermines taking action to stop gun violence. service provision to seniors. Tese are some of the initiatives that our government When the COVID-19 pandemic came, our government, has undertaken to support British Columbians and really the Minister of Health, took decisive action to ensure that invest in people. Tese are the key cornerstones in terms of there was protection in place for seniors in long-term care. moving forward. Where do we want to go? Where do Brit- What were some of the initiatives and commitments? ish Columbians want to go? We have big challenges. Raising wages for workers in the system, predominantly I haven’t spoken about what we’ve seen, as well, in women, racialized women, raising wages in the sector. terms of just this rise in anti-Asian racism that has really Bringing in the single-site notice, where workers could increased sevenfold. Tese are the reported instances work at one site for full-time hours. Tat created a levelling of anti-Asian racism. It’s characterized as anti-Asian of and standardization in ensuring that adequate care racism, but it’s basically people who are darker-skinned, could be provided to seniors in the pandemic. racialized, have been…. Te impact…. I have had so We know that it was diferent with the restrictions in many reports into my ofce — on the street, people terms of visitors to seniors, the restriction of folks who being assaulted, verbally accosted. Really, this has come could visit seniors. Te measures that were put in place out and really highlighted the need to tackle racism. and the investments to rebuild those services in long-term I am very pleased about the commitment of our gov- care for seniors — a commitment in the billions of dollars ernment to take that on and to move forward around — go towards improving quality of service, improving the addressing systemic and institutionalized racism in our working conditions and wages of workers, and rebuilding province. We have a long history of that. Our govern- that service and restoring that trust that our seniors ment is taking decisive steps which…. Monday, March 15, 2021 British Columbia Debates 753

It goes hand in hand, in terms of how we recover, how nity. Tat’s a future that all of us can be proud of. So thank British Columbians, as a province, recover, how we ensure you very much for the opportunity to speak. that as the vaccination program continues to gain steam, people are protected, that their health is protected and M. Elmore moved adjournment of debate. that that’s the basis for our economy recovering. But hand in hand and key is the important commitment around Motion approved. addressing this scourge of anti-Asian racism, the need to recommit to Indigenous reconciliation. Tese are key and Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. central in terms of moving forward. I’m very pleased to speak in favour of second reading for Motion approved. Bill 10. I look forward to — we have the budget that will be coming next month — talking about the continued com- Mr. Speaker: Tis House stands adjourned until 10 a.m. mitment of our government to ensure that British Colum- tomorrow morning. bians are kept safe, that there are equal opportunities for all British Columbians, that people and businesses are sup- Te House adjourned at 6:25 p.m. ported and that we take steps to move forward to build a province where we can live in safety with respect and dig-

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