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Home , Andrew Mercier, Anne Kang, Bowinn Ma, Brenda Bailey, Brittny Anderson, Bruce Banman

First Session, 42nd Parliament

OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday, March 1, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Issue No. 16

THE HONOURABLE , SPEAKER

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

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

First Session, 42nd Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan

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

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

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

CONTENTS

Monday, March 1, 2021 Afernoon Sitting Page

Routine Business

Introductions by Members...... 337

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 337 Bill 7 — Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. D. Eby

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ...... 338 YWCA Metro Vancouver B. Bailey Angler’s Atlas and fshing derby event M. Morris Fundraising by Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation R. Glumac Front-line workers and RCMP in Cariboo-Chilcotin area L. Doerkson Surrey Fire Fighters Society school snack program M. Starchuk Chang Tseng T. Wat

Oral Questions...... 340 COVID-19 vaccination plan for seniors and small communities S. Bond Hon. J. Horgan COVID-19 vaccination plan for essential workers R. Merrifeld Hon. A. Dix COVID-19 impact and disaggregated data collection S. Furstenau Hon. A. Dix COVID-19 response for small businesses T. Stone Hon. R. Kahlon M. de Jong P. Milobar

Motions Without Notice...... 346 Membership change to Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act Membership change to Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act Hon. M. Farnworth

Tabling Documents...... 346 Ofce of the Auditor General, independent audit report, IT Asset Management in B.C. Government, November 2020 Ofce of the Auditor General, independent audit report, Management of Forest Service Roads, November 2020 Ofce of the Auditor General, independent audit report, Management of Medical Device Cybersecurity at the Provincial Health Services Authority, February 2021 Ofce of the Auditor General, independent audit report, Oversight of International Education Programs in Ofshore and Group 4 Schools, November 2020 Ofce of the Ombudsperson, annual report, 2019-20 Ofce of the Representative for Children and Youth, report, Detained: Rights of Children and Youth Under the Mental Health Act Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Ministerial Order M012/2021 and M013/2021, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Ministerial Order M480/2020, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 004/2021, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 061/2021, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 061/2021, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Tabling Documents (continued) Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 081/2021, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 083/2021, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 086/2021, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 655/2020, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 659/2020, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing Report pursuant to the COVID-19 Related Measures Act regarding Order-in-Council 698/2020, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing

Orders of the Day

Trone Speech Debate (continued) ...... 346 J. Brar H. Sandhu A. Mercier P. Alexis D. Coulter J. Routledge Hon. R. Fleming H. Yao B. Anderson Hon. S. Malcolmson Hon. J. Osborne Hon. M. Rankin 337

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 who are sitting here in the gallery. I think members will agree that we can’t do the jobs that we do without the love Te House met at 1:34 p.m. and support of these people in our lives. I hope the House will join me in welcoming them into the gallery and the [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Legislature today.

Routine Business M. Elmore: I’m very pleased to introduce RJ Aquino. RJ is a community leader. He’s a founding member of Introductions by Members Tulayan, which is an organization that bridges the Phil- ippines diaspora. Tey connect second- and third-gener- Mr. Speaker: Te member for Prince George– ation Filipino looking to reconnect with their Valemount. heritage, language and history. RJ is a founding member, also, of OneCity, the Vancouver municipal party, and he’s S. Bond: Tank you very much, hon. Speaker. It’s good currently the treasurer of Collingwood Neighbourhood to be back and great to see you in the chair. House. He’s just an all around terrifc and inspiring leader. Today I rise to introduce the amazing young people that I’d like to ask all members of the Legislature to please will be joining the B.C. Liberal caucus as part of the 2021 join me and to wish RJ a very happy 40th birthday. Legislative Assembly internship program. [1:35 p.m.] S. Furstenau: I’m delighted to join the other caucuses We’re delighted to welcome Camille Haisell, William in welcoming our legislative interns for this session. Kelly, Michael Kurliak, Moira Louw and Gabrielle Parent. Abby Koning has studied political science and human We know that over the next several months, they will get dimensions of climate change at the University of Vic- the very unique opportunity to work closely with the toria, and James Anderson studied political science at opposition communications and research staf. I can UBC. We are absolutely delighted to have them on assure you that they will learn valuable skills and some board. I warned them that the Green caucus is a little bit insight into how politics work behind the scenes and about like Hotel California. You might be able to check out, but the business that takes place in this House. you will never leave. I have every confdence that these young men and women are future leaders in our province, potentially in B. Bailey: I welcome people to join me in celebrating our country. We’re very excited. We look forward to work- my mother’s birthday. She’s watching today, and yesterday ing with them in the weeks and months ahead. was her birthday. Born in Kamloops but spent most of I know that members in the precinct will want to wel- her life in Nanaimo. I’m very proud of my mom. She took come these young men and women to the chamber today. her love of books and became a book publisher, running a small literary press, which she eventually owned, and Hon. M. Farnworth: I, too, want to rise in the chamber became a lecturer at Vancouver Island University. today and welcome the legislative interns who will be We lost my dad in 2012. Tey’d been married almost 50 working with the government caucus. As the member has years. My brother doesn’t live in Nanaimo, and I’m over indicated, many of them may well go on to careers in gov- in Vancouver. I haven’t seen her since August. I want to ernment. A number of interns in previous administrations commend her on staying strong and managing through in this House have, in fact, ended up sitting in this House, these very difcult times, as so many of our family mem- both in opposition and on the government side. So it’s a bers have done. She has built a wonderful community of really terrifc opportunity for them. friends to walk with and ensure that she keeps socializing I would like to welcome today Kate Olivares from in a safe way. Simon Fraser, whose degree is in political science and Eng- I congratulate you on that, Mom. We’ll see you soon. lish literature; Gabriel Martz from McGill University, a Happy birthday. degree in history; Rachel McMillan from the University [1:40 p.m.] of Victoria, political science degree, honours; Kala Bryson from UBC, degree in political science, honours; and Arian Introduction and Zand from UBC, political science, international relations First Reading of Bills and economics. Would the House please make these amazing young BILL 7 — TENANCY STATUTES people most welcome. AMENDMENT ACT, 2021

M. Babchuk: It’s my great pleasure today to introduce Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the you to my husband, Dan Babchuk, my brother-in-law Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Tenancy Statutes Stephan Babchuck and my good friend Catherine Ross, Amendment Act, 2021. 338 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021

Hon. D. Eby: I move the bill be introduced and read a orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of frst time now. the House afer today. I’m pleased to introduce the Tenancy Statutes Amend- ment Act, 2021. Tis bill contains proposed amendments Bill 7, Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2021, to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act and the Res- introduced, read a frst time and ordered to be placed on idential Tenancy Act. One of the amendments fulfls an orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of election promise set out in my mandate letter from the the House afer today. Premier to continue the freeze on rent increases for the remainder of 2021. Statements Te rest of the amendments are in response to recom- (Standing Order 25B) mendations by the Rental Housing Task Force. Te task force was created to advise government on how to improve YWCA METRO VANCOUVER security and fairness for renters and rental housing pro- viders throughout . Te fnal report, released B. Bailey: I speak to you today from the traditional in December 2018, contained 23 recommendations territory of the Coast Salish people: the Squamish, designed to ensure tenancy laws and processes refect fair Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. process as well as safe, secure and afordable housing for I rise in the House today for the frst time. I want to both renters and rental housing providers. thank the voters of Vancouver–False Creek for putting Te amendments include stopping renovictions by hav- their trust in me. Tank you to all who made this lifelong ing landlords apply to the residential tenancy branch prior goal a reality. to ending a tenancy for renovations; expanding the RTB’s Tere are literally thousands of outstanding not-for- ability to review director’s decisions and to initiate a review profts doing vital work in our province, including here on the director’s initiative; clarifying language around the in my riding of Vancouver–False Creek. I’d like to take Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act park rules; clari- a moment to highlight one of the longest-standing, the fying that the monetary limit for claims under the Small YWCA Metro Vancouver. Claims Act applies only to claims for debt or damages; [1:45 p.m.] clarifying when the director does not have jurisdiction Established in 1897, the YWCA’s vision is to achieve to resolve a dispute; clarifying the director’s authority to women’s equality, and its mission is to touch lives and compel records and information related to an investigation build better futures. Te YWCA serves women and their and providing regulation-making power to establish pro- families with 66 programs in 75 locations across the Lower cedures to object to a director’s demand for records; allow- Mainland. We know that women and new Canadians have ing the director to order a person to pay an administrative been disproportionately afected by the pandemic, and the penalty if the person commits fraud in a dispute resolution YWCA is there. proceeding or an administrative penalty investigation or I want to tell you a story about Nida. She’s given per- hearing or fails to comply with the demand for records; mission for me to share her story. Nida is a newcomer creating review consideration grounds that are specifc to to Canada and a mom who spent several years out of administrative penalties; ensuring that the director must the workforce. As a participant in the YWCA’s tech con- grant a monetary order for unpaid rent along with an nect, Nida was matched with a mentor, a senior sofware order of possession of a tenant dispute so notice to end developer at Amazon Web Services. tenancy for unpaid rent that is dismissed by the director Prior to enrolling in the tech connect program, Nida and the notice is upheld. was struggling with how to proceed with her job search. Minor changes to regulation-making power will ensure She had withdrawn from a PhD program at McGill Uni- that government can implement a process that will allow versity several years earlier, when she became pregnant, landlords to apply for an additional rent increase for capit- and had been out of the workforce for multiple years and al expenditure. was struggling to re-engage. I would like to take a moment to particularly thank the Nida’s mentor quickly identifed her skill set and member for Vancouver–West End, who chaired this com- provided her with clarity on what roles to target in her mittee, and also the member for Saanich North and the job search. Her mentor also let her know about Islands and the member for Courtenay-Comox, who are Microsof’s Leap program, an immersive six-to-eight- members of this committee as well. month program that provides professional women in technology the opportunity to re-enter the workforce Mr. Speaker: Te question is frst reading of the bill. afer an extended absence. Tech connect supported Nida through the application Motion approved. process by providing her mock interviews and coaching, and Nida’s eforts paid of. She joined Microsof as a pro- Hon. D. Eby: I move that the bill be placed on the ject manager this past fall. Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 339

ANGLER’S ATLAS exam and consultation spaces, and a new mental health AND FISHING DERBY EVENT interview space. [1:50 p.m.] M. Morris: Last fall, as we entered the dark days of Tis project was designed with the clinical team and winter, I happened to meet with Sean Simmons, a Prince the architects working closely together, ensuring that the George resident and owner of Angler’s Atlas and Gold- new emergency room will be state of the art. Emergency stream Publishing. Sean had formed the company in physician Dr. Mostrenko says: “Tis expansion will change Prince George back in 1999 and, over the years, expanded the way we deliver care to the Tri-Cities. I think it will it across Canada and into the United States. Sean is all make a huge diference in patient experience and the over- about freshwater fshing. His company now boasts more all health of our community.” than 80,000 topographical maps and depth charts of lakes I want to thank all the staf and volunteers at the Eagle in B.C. and across Canada. Ridge Hospital Foundation for their incredible eforts Our conversation led to the frst ice-fshing derby hos- to meet their fundraising goals during these challenging ted by northern MLAs from the Cariboo, central Interior, times. northern Interior and the Skeena. Te derby is supported I want to thank the community in the Tri-Cities. Each by an app developed by his company, called MyCatch, and every person that donated: thank you for your gener- where no matter what lake you fsh, you simply open the ous contribution to the hospital that we all love. app on your cell phone and take a picture of your fsh Tis expansion, adding to the new urgent primary care laying alongside a measuring device. Te app records the centre that’s being established in Port Moody, will ensure date, time and the place of the catch. Te experts working that people in need of urgent care will be well served for within the company can determine the length, down to many years to come. a millimetre, and the species of fsh caught. Fishers now have the option to catch and release fsh, if they prefer. FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND RCMP Once the fsher-person enters cell service, the inform- IN CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN AREA ation automatically downloads to the Angler’s Atlas data- base. And don’t worry. For those fsher-persons intent on L. Doerkson: Today I rise to lend my support to a group keeping their favourite locations secret, the locations of of men and women that put their lives at risk on a daily the fsh entered are not revealed. basis. Like all of our front-line workers, these people do Our Shake Of the Blues fshing derby commenced on not have the option of working from home. In Cariboo- February 13 and will conclude on March 7. Local busi- Chilcotin, where foods and fres create enough challenges nesses and sponsors from the Cariboo to Fort Nelson and without the pandemic, we are talking about a group of from Prince George to Terrace have generously sponsored people that run toward danger, while most of us would numerous prizes. As of a week ago, over 400 fsh have been rather run from it. entered from 48 diferent water bodies, representing 15 As a matter of fact, in recent years, we’re talking about a diferent species of freshwater fsh. group of highly dedicated professionals who stayed behind For anyone living in the northern Interior, enjoy our to protect our homes and our communities while most of outdoor spaces, shake of the blues, and enter the derby. us had the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality and gener- You could be a winner. osity of our neighbouring cities that gave us refuge during those challenging times. FUNDRAISING BY While we take great pride in our communities, sadly we EAGLE RIDGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION are experiencing a rise in property crime and other serious ofences. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of crimin- R. Glumac: I’d like to rise in the House today to recog- al activity is conducted by repeat ofenders that are well nize the great work of the Eagle Ridge Hospital Founda- known to our police department. tion in reaching its fundraising goal of $5 million to help Despite reoccurring release of so many prolifc ofend- expand the emergency room at Eagle Ridge Hospital in ers in our communities and the staggering amount of thef Port Moody. and property damage these individuals infict, our RCMP Originally built in 1988 to serve 20,000 patients, the ER detachments have remained undeterred. Tey continue to today sees more than 50,000 visits every year. Tis expan- deal with these individuals every day and, I must say, with sion, funded in cooperation with the B.C. government, the utmost support and accolades from the residents of the will see treatment spaces more than double, and overall Cariboo-Chilcotin. space will triple to 21,000 square feet. Tere will be new We have seen the courage of our nurses, paramedics, isolation rooms to support improved infection control and search and rescue, and many other front-line workers dur- new trauma resuscitation bays. Tere will be three waiting ing this pandemic, but in this instance, I wanted to take a areas, including family and child-centred spaces, private few minutes this afernoon to thank our RCMP members for all that they do. In Cariboo-Chilcotin, we have two of 340 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 the most committed leaders in Insp. Jef Pelley in Willi- the most versatile and prolifc leading actors, starring in ams Lake and Staf Sgt. Svend Nielsen in 100 Mile House. many movies in his golden days. He later became a flm Together they lead a very dynamic group of ofcers to pro- director and has been named the director of document- tect us daily. aries focusing on amazing stories. Chang later moved to I ask all of the members this afernoon to join me to Vancouver in the ’90s. I came to know him when he was a show our support and send well wishes to our RCMP program guest at my former workplace, CHMB AM 1320, members and police forces throughout the province. a multicultural radio station better known as Mainstream Broadcasting. SURREY FIRE FIGHTERS SOCIETY He was a man with a strong work ethic and passion SCHOOL SNACK PROGRAM who always helped and cared for his colleagues. Chang was always actively involved in community work in B.C. M. Starchuk: Te Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Soci- He participated in many charity events and helped raise ety is headquartered in my riding of Surrey-Cloverdale. funds for local charitable organizations and those in need I’m honoured today to stand in the House and speak about around the world. He was also the former president of the one of their many great programs. Vancouver Film and Television Artists Society, which has Te nutritional snack program began in 1997, when been involved in community work and promoting the loc- Jon Caviglia came up with an idea to help hungry chil- al flm and TV industry. dren in our schools. Back then, they started with just I would like to ofer my most sincere condolences to four schools. Twenty-four years later, Dan Kehler is his wife and family and pray that those who knew him leading the program, and it has grown to 119 schools. fnd comfort and strength in the love and support of Tese include 88 elementary schools, 19 secondary family and friends. schools and 12 alternative learning schools. In just my Chang Tseng was a titan of his industry, and his legacy riding of Surrey-Cloverdale, there are 12 elementary will live on here in Hollywood North. All who knew him schools, three secondary schools and one learning know that B.C. has lost a phenomenal community leader centre that beneft from this program. and a great man. Te nutritional snack program has spent nearly $1.5 million since its inception. Daily the program provides Oral Questions nutritional snacks, breakfast and lunch to approximately 2,500 hungry students. Te program also provides COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN fridges to eight high-needs schools for dairy and other FOR SENIORS AND SMALL COMMUNITIES perishables. Te pandemic has created obstacles to the program with S. Bond: Today British Columbians heard the much- regards to securing and delivering food supplies to the anticipated update on the vaccine rollout for our province. schools. Tis year the program expects to spend in excess I’m sure the Premier, like other MLAs in this Legislature, of $200,000. Learning can be a challenging experience for has heard from families across the province who are con- some students, but wondering where your next meal or cerned about how they will make sure that their frail eld- snack will come from makes learning even harder. erly family members are vaccinated. Tis is why I stand in the House today to say thank you No one underestimates the complexity, but I think many to those Surrey frefghters, current and retired members, people had anticipated that today’s announcement would who donate their of-duty time to deliver this program to answer more questions than it did. In fact, there continue the 119 schools in Surrey. to be gaps. Of particular concern has been how smaller or Tank you, thank you, thank you. more rural communities will ft into the plan. [1:55 p.m.] Just recently — in fact, less than a week ago — the may- or of Hope expressed some very signifcant concerns. Let CHANG TSENG me quote for the Premier what he wrote. Mayor Robb said: “We were told that the direction from the Ministry of T. Wat: I rise today to refect on and honour the life Health is not to have clinics in our community. Logistic- of Chang Tseng, a great artist and incredible member of ally how is this going to work? It makes no sense. We have our community and a man I had the honour of calling buildings available for clinics, like the ice arena, the curl- my friend. ing club and the legion. We can help with volunteers. We I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of my friend can marshal and train to vaccinate.” Chang Tseng, who passed away in late January. We have Could the Premier today, in light of the plan that was known each other since the ’90s, when he had already built announced this morning, explain to Mayor Robb and to a reputation as a passionate actor and flm director, both in the families in Hope and other small communities across B.C. and in Hong Kong. the province why there are no plans to hold clinics in small Chang started his acting career in 1951. He was one of communities like Hope? Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 341

Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the Leader of the Opposition close to home. So you can imagine how surprised the may- for her question. We were very pleased today to speak or was to hear that there was contemplation that seniors in about the move to phase 2 of our vaccination plan. Hope would actually be expected to travel to receive their Already, as the member will know, 275,000 British Colum- vaccinations. It’s contrary to all of the advice that has been bians have been immunized, with another 400,000 on the provided to families across the province. way. Less than a week ago this is what else Mayor Robb had Te plan is comprehensive. I know the Minister of to say: “Tis plan is wrong on so many levels and needs to Health, as question period unfolds, will be able to go spe- be rethought to include clinics in our communities. Smal- cifcally to how we’re going to manage smaller communit- ler towns and villages are under enough COVID stress ies. without adding another layer.” Te examples that you’ve cited are disconcerting to me. What I would ask the Premier to do today is to stand Tat’s certainly not the approach that Dr. Henry and Dr. up and guarantee that elderly residents in smaller towns, Ballem have been discussing with me. including Hope or other remote communities, will not be [2:00 p.m.] required to leave their communities to receive their vac- What, in fact, we’ve been talking about is calling on all cinations. of us in this place and municipal leaders and others — Rotarians, Lions Club, Kiwanis, everyone — in a national Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I thank the Leader of the Oppo- and a provincial, in our case, efort to make sure that the sition for the tone and the content of her question. most vulnerable, those who don’t have the necessary tech- I absolutely agree. We have spent just under 12 nological expertise…. Te member from Kamloops South months…. It will be next week that we announced our does. Make sure that we can get to those frail and vulner- pandemic response plan. A year that none of us had ever able people to the best of our ability. We can’t do it without anticipated. And it’s been challenging. We all know that. the support of community. People are tired. Tey’re afraid. Fatigue does not come I’m confdent that as question period goes by and the close to it. Exhaustion, exasperation and the anxiety that Minister of Health gets up and addresses that specifc the member talks about are genuine and real. Te mental question about Hope, it will give some comfort to the may- health challenges that have fowed from the pandemic are or. as graphic as the pandemic itself. I will say that in my own community, which is a suburb We have made it clear, through phase 1, in the north…. of Victoria…. Mayor Young has already committed the dry For example, in Takla Landing, as rural and remote a place foor at Eagle Ridge Centre. Tere are other large facilities — the member knows; she has been there, I’m sure — as in smaller and larger communities around B.C. that will be you can get to, vaccines came into the community. Our available. intent, through phase 1, was to go to those places that Municipal leaders want to help. Community leaders could not be easily accessible, and we’ve been relatively want to help. It’s that level of support and enthusiasm that, successful in that. In some 90 percent of long-term care I think, will get us through phase 2 and then, fnally, into facilities, residents and staf have been immunized. phase 3, when the general public will be accessing massive I have every expectation that the residents of Hope, par- immunization programs like we’ve never seen before. ticularly in phase 2, when we’ve got…. Tose born before Tere will be bumps along the way. Today was to 1931 will not have to travel to get immunized. announce the pending arrival of AstraZeneca. Having a Part of our success in phase 1, hon. Member, was the third tool in our toolkit is very, very helpful for the min- mobile teams that we had to go to communities. I have ister and for public health to ensure that those gaps that every expectation that that’s the case. I’m certain that the were in the system because we are dependent on ofshore Minister of Health will be up in a moment to give you supplies are less disconcerting at this point. more details. I’m confdent that the community of Hope will be [2:05 p.m.] addressed, as every other community in B.C. will. COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Ofcial Opposition on FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS a supplemental. R. Merrifeld: Front-line essential workers have been S. Bond: I appreciate the Premier’s answer to that ques- told that they will be prioritized for vaccination and had tion. I know that he knows how anxiety-ridden many fam- expected to receive details of that plan today, but there ilies have been — in particular, the frail elderly — across remains a complete lack of clarity and utter confusion on British Columbia. the order and criteria for vaccinating priority groups. I think one of the signifcant challenges is that for a year To the Premier, when will essential workers be told the now the frail elderly in our province have been told not to vaccine plan for them? leave their community, to stay local, to make sure they stay 342 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021

Hon. A. Dix: On January 19, the Premier, myself as delivered every day. If you’ll remember, and people who Minister of Health, Dr. Ballem and Dr. Henry released watched the presentation today will see the chart, we have a detailed vaccination plan for the province. So far, as consistently delivered vaccine as it has been received in the Premier has said, 275,000 immunizations have taken B.C., and we will continue to do so. Te issue as to when place, and they’ve taken place in exactly the areas we said people will be immunized at least in part depends on when they would take place, based on exactly the values and the we’ll get vaccine. criteria, the clinical criteria, that’s required. With respect to essential workers, we were clear on Our task is to protect those most vulnerable, and we January 19. It’s clearly stated in our presentation then and have done that — more than 90 percent of residents in today. As we receive other vaccines, we can use those to long-term care and assisted living, more than 90 percent of assist essential workers. We found out on Friday — on staf in long-term care, 46,000 health care workers, many Friday — that AstraZeneca was approved in Canada. We rural and remote Indigenous communities, etc. Tat was found out on the weekend that we would be receiving laid out specifcally, and it has been followed extraordinar- some AstraZeneca the week of March 8, and we will be ily well by all of the people working in public health. proceeding from there. Our strategy with respect to the Pfzer and Moderna I think that is the evidence-based, thoughtful way that vaccines, which worked very well in our elder populations, we have always proceeded in British Columbia. It’s why is to focus on an age-based approach. Why? Because these British Columbia has had, I think, such a successful are the people who are most vulnerable from COVID-19. record, especially of assisting the most vulnerable. Tis last Friday the , Health [2:10 p.m.] Canada, approved the AstraZeneca vaccine, which — they Tere have been signifcant losses. Tere’s enormous did it on Friday — as stated by Health Canada and as hope in this vaccination campaign. I think the present- stated in our plan on January 19, would be used to work ation by the Premier, Dr. Ballem and Dr. Henry today with essential workers in groups. We got approval last Fri- showed that British Columbia will continue to do what day. We understand now that the vaccine will arrive, we needs to be done to protect the most vulnerable frst and were informed on the weekend, starting the week of March to do it in an organized and serious way. 8, and we’ll be laying out a plan for that. It’s fairly straightforward. It was pretty clear on January COVID-19 IMPACT AND 19; it’s pretty clear today. Our core is to protect the most DISAGGREGATED DATA COLLECTION vulnerable people in society. Tat’s why we have an age- based approach. We’ll be using other vaccines, such as S. Furstenau: In the last year, nearly 80,000 British Col- AstraZeneca and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, to umbians have tested positive for COVID-19, and more address the issues involving essential workers. than 1,300 of them have died from the virus. We know their age and their gender. Tose who have died have been R. Merrifeld: I would disagree with the minister, predominantly seniors, more of them men than women, because it is not clear. but beyond that, we know little else about them. Tis pandemic has been with us for a year, and these Teir race, income, living conditions, access to medical workers expected clear answers and detailed information care and work environment are all relevant and important today. British Columbians on the front lines are stressed. factors not just because they provide more information Tey’re exhausted. Tey’re even traumatized. Te lack of about the patient but because each of these elements can answers just makes it worse. be deeply impacted by government policy. Yet of the 12 Teachers, daycare staf, dentists, agriculture workers, determinants of health, as defned by the Canadian gov- transit workers, frst responders — all these groups ernment, this government is only collecting COVID data deserve to know if they are considered essential and where about gender. they stand in the queue. As the B.C. Human Rights Commissioner has stated Can the Premier give a frm date when these groups will repeatedly, the COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating be told if they are prioritized or not? existing injustices, making it all the more “critical that the government of B.C. collect and analyze disaggreg- Hon. A. Dix: Well, with great respect, we have an ated data to identify inequalities and advance human enormous number of essential workers across B.C. We rights in this province.” have received vaccine, and the member knows, because My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier explain she and her colleagues received a detailed briefng this why his government has not made COVID data collection, morning, that we’ve given priority to the most vulnerable in order to understand and support the needs of diverse and to essential workers in health care. I don’t believe and British Columbians, a priority? I have not heard anyone argue with that. We’ve received a little over 300,000 doses of the vaccine, Hon. A. Dix: Well, the answer is that we have — every 275,000 of which have been delivered, and more are being case, every single case. Te member referred to the more Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 343 than 1,300 people who have passed away. Te member Hon. A. Dix: First of all, I would say, with respect to referred to the cases of COVID-19. Tese are analyzed on Indigenous people, First Nations people, across B.C., it’s a systematic basis and on an individual basis. Contact tra- been at the heart of our response, not since the vaccination cing occurs for all individuals. We focus on the cases and campaign began but from the beginning of the pandemic respond to it. — from January 2020 on, in fact. Te First Nations Health You see this in our immunization plan, which is Authority has been involved at every level, at all times. focused, in particular, on a number of groups. People in We have worked, I think, closely with Indigenous long-term care, who represent the majority of people who groups across the province, not just First Nations but, of have passed away, tragically, from COVID-19 in B.C…. course, Métis and Inuit groups as well. I think we’ve had Tat has been a priority. some real success there by focusing in on the problem, You see that in health policy: 95 percent of residents and working together and recognizing the vulnerability of 90 — I think a number higher than that — in terms of groups — especially in rural and remote communities but staf, more than 70,000 people and essential visitors. Tat also in urban communities — and working together to refects the data and our focus, which I think is unmatched address that. in Canada, on supporting Indigenous communities, on I think we’ve systematically been doing that, and you see supporting people living in congregate living and circum- that refected in our vaccination campaign as well. We’ve stances, of using what we know about the pandemic to used the tools that we have. We understand, and every- focus our vaccination campaigns. All of that is a demon- body understands, that those most vulnerable from COV- stration of our determination to do that. ID-19 are also most vulnerable for all other conditions, I would agree with the member that we need, as a soci- such as diabetes and others. ety and as a government, to do a better job of analyzing We have taken steps consistently in our testing pro- and developing and presenting racialized data. Tat is a grams, in our vaccination programs, in our programs commitment of the government and one that we will con- across the board to address those issues. I think the eforts tinue to proceed with in the months to come. by public health in this regard have been excellent. Tey can always improve. Tey can improve, they will improve, Mr. Speaker: Te Leader of the Tird Party on a supple- and they must improve. mental. I appreciate the comments of the hon. member. She’ll know, because we’ve talked about this on a number of S. Furstenau: I appreciate the minister’s response. occasions — and she’s made this case to me personally, However, the data collection beyond age and gender hasn’t repeatedly, during the pandemic — that we’re continuing really been made public or been used to explain how the to work and improve our response to the COVID-19 pan- government is informing their decisions. demic, particularly to the vulnerable. Tere is an important exception, however. B.C. does col- lect more health data on the experiences of Indigenous COVID-19 RESPONSE FOR British Columbians. During the pandemic, that data has SMALL BUSINESSES helped us make vital policy decisions, as outlined in today’s vaccine rollout briefng. T. Stone: One year into the pandemic, the NDP gov- Because the Ministry of Health has information that ernment has completely botched its only grant program indicates that Indigenous people face a disproportionate for small businesses. To make matters worse, internal gov- risk from COVID-19, both in terms of illness and fatalit- ernment documents show that in the six months that the ies, they were able to change the vaccine rollout strategy to small and medium-sized business recovery grant program refect that, saving precious lives in the process. has been in existence, this government has actually spent What I remain worried about, however, are the people more money administering the program than in the total who are being missed. As a U.S. director of public health dollar value of grants that have actually been pushed out told the New York Times in December: “When I look at the door. my data, the average age of death from COVID for a white Mr. Speaker, $31 million is earmarked for the adminis- person is 81, but for a Latinx, it’s 67. For a Black person, tration of this program, yet to this point, only $21 million it’s 72.” Tis has massive implications when designing an has actually reached those small businesses who desper- age-based vaccine rollout. Is the situation diferent in our ately need the help. province? Probably. Without the data, we don’t fully know, My question to the Premier would be this. Why is more and that’s a big gamble to take. money being spent on red tape in this grant program than My question is again to the Premier. Why is this govern- in the dollar value of the very supports that struggling ment limiting our province’s ability to respond to this pan- businesses and communities all over this province desper- demic and to build a more equitable future for B.C. by not ately need to survive? collecting this disaggregated race-based data? [2:15 p.m.] 344 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021

Hon. R. Kahlon: Tank you to the member for the of getting those funds immediately out to the small busi- question. nesses that need those dollars to make sure that they’re still We certainly know that there are some businesses in standing, on the other side of this pandemic? B.C. that are struggling. We also know some businesses are doing really well. So when we put our package together, as Hon. R. Kahlon: Again, I thank the member for the one of the most comprehensive packages across the coun- question. try — as the member who asked the question knows — we As I’ve mentioned many times, and I’ll continue to do wanted to ensure that all sectors saw the beneft. so, we have one of the most comprehensive support pro- What we have is tax credits for businesses that are either grams in all of Canada. A recent report just came out hiring or rehiring employees. PST waived for businesses that said B.C. had the highest per-capita direct contribu- buying manufacturing equipment. We’ve created a new tions to businesses and people than any other jurisdic- program, Launch Online, which helps businesses pivot to tion in Canada. having more online presence, to be able to set up their Te member mentions CFIB. I know that I have had a e-commerce to sell to greater markets. We also lowered chance to meet with CFIB. Tey also mentioned to us that liquor prices for restaurants, not on a temporary basis B.C. is the envy of Canada. Teir members across Canada but on a permanent basis. Te member will know that are looking to B.C. and saying: “How can we ensure that this was a request made to their government numerous our governments are doing similar things as B.C.?” times.We’ve taken action, thanks to the Solicitor General. Te member also failed to mention that surveys also Now the program has $45 million out this week. We’ve share that 70 percent of all businesses are relying on seen the applications continue to increase, week over government supports right now. We know the programs week. Since we made the changes, we’ve seen an over 80 that we’ve put in place are helping businesses, and we’re percent increase in applications. Tat means the changes going to continue to provide those supports as long as we’ve made were good. We can continue to consult with they need them. small businesses across the province. We’ve been nimble from the beginning. Te pandemic M. de Jong: Well, $21 million of $300 million is hardly has been changing along the way. So have we. We’re going the envy of the nation. to continue to do that and provide those supports to sup- Tese businesses have followed all of the rules, and port our businesses throughout B.C. they’re drowning. Tey’re drowning. Tey’ve been tread- ing water. Tey have been treading water, and they are Mr. Speaker: Te member for Kamloops–South exhausted. And what does the government do? Te gov- Tompson on a supplemental. ernment has pretended to create a lifeline for them. When these desperate businesses reach out to grab hold of that T. Stone: Let’s be clear. Tousands of businesses all over lifeline, the government snaps it away and waves a bunch this province are barely hanging on. Tey’re barely of paper in their face. hanging on in the member’s community, in my com- A drowning business doesn’t have time to design the munity and in every point in between. Te CFIB last week perfect website. A drowning business doesn’t have time to indicated that one of seven small businesses in British Col- design the perfect spring ad campaign. A drowning busi- umbia today are at risk of closing, and closing soon. Tat’s ness needs money to pay their employees, to pay their 25,000 small businesses that are at risk. More importantly, rent and to pay their suppliers. Why is the government they employ 300,000 British Columbians. spending more money on bureaucracy, on red tape, on [2:20 p.m.] paperwork than it’s actually contributing to the women Only in NDP-land does it make sense to put $300 mil- and men who run small business in B.C. and are desperate lion into a grant program for small business, only to then for assistance? make the eligibility criteria and the application process so complicated and so onerous that those very businesses Hon. R. Kahlon: Clearly, the member didn’t look up who need the help cannot access the funds there to sup- the program launch online. If he had, he would know that port them. we’re not requiring the businesses to build their websites Small business owners are tapped out. Tey’ve tapped themselves. We’re giving them up to $7,500 to bring in out their savings. Tey’ve run up their lines of credit. another company to do the work for them, up to $7,500 for Tey’ve used all the space they have on their credit cards. each business to hire a consultant to come in and do the Tey’re struggling, and they need this government to fx work for them. this botched program. We heard from businesses. Tey said that some of them To the Premier, why is $31 million being spent on red created websites, but they found that they weren’t tape to administer an application process, which is essen- adequate. So these dollars will be able to support them tially a four-box form…? Why is that much money being in getting the professional services that they need. We’re spent on what is essentially a box-ticking exercise instead Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 345 going to continue to provide those supports. Tey’re crit- Hon. R. Kahlon: Yeah, that’s right. He doesn’t use email. ically important supports. So I guess that’s why he doesn’t understand this program. Te amount of applications we’re seeing for that pro- Tis is exactly what businesses have been asking for, gram is through the roof. Businesses know they need to and this is what we’re delivering. Businesses want sup- pivot, and we’re here to support them while they do that. ports, and we’re going to continue to provide those sup- ports to them. Mr. Speaker: Te member for Abbotsford West on a supplemental. P. Milobar: What’s very clear is that we have a pro- gram…. On March 23 last year, $1.5 billion was unanim- M. de Jong: I wonder if the minister has read his own ously approved by this assembly. It took until September application form. Te government wants to know about for the $300 million program to even be identifed — right new e-commerce platforms, wants to know about advert- before the election, conveniently enough. ising to reach new markets. Tese businesses are drown- Here we are six months later, seven months later, and ing. I don’t know if the…. Tey’re drowning today. Tey’re we know that out of that $300 million program that was drowning today, and instead of actually throwing them a announced, only $21 million has been expended to the lifeline, the government is saying: “Well, what kind of new businesses in need. Yet $31.6 million has been expended in boat would you design sometime in the future?” the bureaucracy of it. Tey don’t have the time or the means to build the new I’ll read something to the minister. Tis is a real person, boat. Tey’re trying to keep the lights on; they’re trying to with a real livelihood at stake, whose real business is in keep their employees employed. And this minister and this really dire straits. Tis business has actually been closed government are throwing a bunch of paperwork at them by health order the whole time, because it’s a nightclub instead of the funds and the support they need to keep the in Kamloops. Here’s the quote from the owner: “Tis has lights on and keep people working in British Columbia. become very fatiguing. I’m not sure this grant is going to [2:25 p.m.] help any businesses when you put this much stress on the So $21 million out of $300 million. Te minister calls business owners.” Tis was an email from February 24. that a success, bureaucracy that is going to cost another Here’s another quote. “I’m sorry, but this is a complete $31 million. How does the minister defend spending $31 travesty: mandatory nightclub full closures since March 14 million on a program that thus far has only provided $21 of 2020. It’s almost one full year without any provincial million of support to the hard-working men and women assistance whatsoever. Ten when you do ofer something, who run B.C.’s small businesses? it’s unobtainable due to red tape.” Te minister and the Premier can spin all they want. Hon. R. Kahlon: Again the member failed to read Te reality is that businesses that need the help, that need through the program. He failed to understand that the the support — that have mortgaged everything to try to businesses don’t actually themselves have to create the stay open or to even have a physical building to go back online website. Tey don’t have to create their e-com- to when things reopen — are hurting, and this minister merce. would rather spend more money on administration and Te whole purpose of the fund is so that they can hire that red tape than actually putting the money out the door. a consultant to do the work. We’re not asking them and When will the Premier fx this mess, get the money in we’re not paying them to create their own website. We’re the hands of the businesses that need it and stop trying to not giving them money to set up their own e-commerce. defect everything, when it’s very clearly a program under We’re giving them money so they can hire a consultant to their purview that they have messed up so badly? do that work. Guess what. Every single chamber I met with said: “Tis Hon. R. Kahlon: I think the members are mixing up all is the program we need.” Every single association we met the programs. Let me highlight a little bit for them. with said: “We need more of these programs, not less.” So $3 billion we’ve spent to support our businesses through the pandemic. Early on, we cut property taxes, Interjections. we prohibited commercial evictions, and we forgave hydro bills. We worked with the federal government on our wage Mr. Speaker: Let’s hear the answer, please. subsidy and commercial rent program. We put tax credits in place for hiring and rehiring employees. We waived PST Hon. R. Kahlon: So I don’t understand what this mem- on manufactured goods. ber doesn’t understand about this program. We’ve created a launch online program. We’ve created agritech programs. We’ve created manufacturing pro- Interjection. grams. We’ve cut 25 percent from liquor pricing for res- taurants. Tat’s why the reports are saying that we have one of the most comprehensive support packages across the 346 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 country. We’re proud of that. And 98.7 percent of jobs have Eleven reports pursuant to the COVID-19 Related come back to B.C., to pre-pandemic levels. We’re going to Measures Act. continue to work to support our businesses. [2:30 p.m.] Orders of the Day

[End of question period.] Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued response to the Speech from the Trone. Motions Without Notice [N. Letnick in the chair.] MEMBERSHIP CHANGE TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE Trone Speech Debate ON REFORMING THE POLICE ACT (continued)

Hon. M. Farnworth: Notwithstanding Standing Order J. Brar: I’m pleased to continue my response to the 69(2), I seek leave to move two motions regarding substi- throne speech of 2020 from where I lef on December tutions on the Special Committee on Reforming the Police 14, 2020. To begin with, once again, let me make it abso- Act and the Special Committee to Review the Personal lutely clear that I feel proud to support the throne speech Information Protection Act. of 2020 delivered by our government on December 7, 2020, in this House. Leave granted. We are going through the worst pandemic in the history of our province, causing an unprecedented health and eco- Hon. M. Farnworth: I move: nomic crisis for the people of this province. Tis Speech [Tat the written agreement between the Government House from the Trone is focused on the immediate actions our Leader, the Ofcial , and the Tird Party government has taken to protect British Columbians’ House Leader, dated January 28, 2021, be ratifed to substitute health and livelihoods from the threat of COVID-19. Karin Kirkpatrick, MLA for Ian Paton, MLA as a Member on the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act for the First Ses- [2:35 p.m.] sion of the Forty-second Parliament.] No doubt our lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic. We have come a long way together, but we Motion approved. have further to go. We can get through this by looking out for each other, just like we have done before. MEMBERSHIP CHANGE When the pandemic hit our province last spring, we TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE [audio interrupted] we would be there for them for as long PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION ACT as it takes to recover. Tat promise stands. We will con- tinue to listen to public health ofcials, help those on the Hon. M. Farnworth: I move: front lines and support families and businesses. [Tat Kelly Greene, MLA be substituted for Rachna Singh, MLA as From the beginning of the pandemic, our government a Member of the Special Committee to Review the Personal Infor- has been there to support the people most in need and has mation Protection Act.] taken action to help hard-hit industries while we build a strong economic recovery for everyone. Motion approved. Our government is working to make life easier for families and businesses through the pandemic. We Tabling Documents launched a new B.C. recovery beneft, which was rolled out last year. Te B.C. recovery beneft is expected to Mr. Speaker: Members, I have the honour to present help approximately 90 percent of British Columbians the following reports. and to have spinof efects for businesses. It is $1,000 for From the Ofce of the Auditor General — IT Asset families with an income under $125,000. Families earn- Management in B.C. Government, Management of Forest ing up to $175,000 will qualify for the beneft on a slid- Service Roads, Management of Medical Device Cyberse- ing scale. It is $500 for single people earning less than curity at the Provincial Health Services Authority, Over- $62,500. Single people earning up to $87,500 will qualify sight of International Education Programs in Ofshore and for the beneft on a sliding scale. Group 4 Schools. We are building a recovery that includes everyone, not Te 2019-2020 Annual Report from the Ofce of the just those at the top. In addition to the B.C. recovery bene- Ombudsperson. ft, our government has taken swif actions to support Detained: Rights of Children and Youth Under the Mental people during this extremely difcult time, including the Health Act from the Ofce of the Representative for Chil- $150 monthly B.C. recovery supplement for people receiv- dren and Youth. ing income and disability assistance; the $300 per month Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 347 crisis supplement from April 1 to December 2020; the and seniors care to protect people and to fght COVID-19. B.C. emergency beneft for workers, which concluded on We are building a recovery that includes everyone, not just December 2, 2020; the one-time enhancement to the cli- those at the top. We have come a long way together, but mate action tax credit in July 2020, with a family of four there is more to do. Together, we will get through this. saving up to $564. We are extending the rent freeze to July I am proud to support this throne speech, Mr. Speaker. 10, 2021. Tanks for the opportunity today. Tese additional benefts build on our afordability action taken earlier, like eliminating MSP premiums, Deputy Speaker: Tank you, Member. landmark investments in child care and housing and, Te Chair recognizes the member for Vernon-Mon- just this fall, launching the B.C. child opportunity bene- ashee. ft for families with children under 18, which ofers up to $1,600 a year for a family’s frst child and more for each H. Sandhu: Tank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations child afer that. on your new role. Our government is also taking signifcant steps to assist I would like to begin my response to the throne speech hard-hit small and medium-sized businesses to get by acknowledging that I’m virtually joining this session through this tough time and try in the recovery with a from the unceded territory of the Okanagan Indian $345 million new grant program. Of the $345 million in Nations. I thank them for their stewardship of this land. small and medium-sized business grants, $100 million is I am a new MLA representing one of the most beautiful dedicated to relief funding for the tourism sector. Te constituencies, Vernon-Monashee. I would like to express province is also allocating $5 million to Indigenous Tour- my gratitude and thank the constituents of Vernon-Mon- ism B.C. to administer relief grant funding targeted for ashee for electing me to be your MLA. I am truly hon- Indigenous businesses. oured, proud and excited to be your representative. I take Te small and medium-sized business recovery grant my responsibilities sincerely. I thank all the voters for prac- program provides fully funded grants to B.C. businesses to tising your democratic right, regardless of who you voted ensure they have the support they need through the COV- for. Congratulations to all the members of this House on ID-19 pandemic. A $10,000 to $30,000 grant is available your election and re-election. to eligible small and medium-sized businesses impacted No campaign is ever possible without the volunteers. by COVID-19. An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is I am so thankful to my incredible team of volunteers, available to eligible tourism-related businesses. Applica- donors and supporters who have made our historic win tions for this program are open now, and the program runs possible with their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm. until March 31, 2021, or until the funds are fully allocated, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the previ- whichever comes frst. ous MLA, Mr. , for his service, and I thank our [2:40 p.m.] two other candidates. It takes lots of courage, passion and Since the pandemic, this province has invested over $10 commitment to step forward to run for ofce. billion in a COVID-19 response to protect people’s health I thank my family, including my wonderful husband, and livelihoods and to invest in stronger communities and Baljeet; my teenage daughter, Manreet, who is a second- a better future for everyone. Our COVID-19 response year science student at UBCO and wants to be a doctor to includes a further $1.6 billion investment in health care serve people in rural communities; my middle daughter, and mental health. Supports to build our improvements Jasreen, who can speak four languages since she was eight; and make sure critical public services are available when and my fve-year-old son, who gets adored by his sisters so people need them. much and is ready to start his kindergarten this year. My In communities throughout B.C., local government has kids have happily and proudly made many sacrifces and also stepped up eforts to keep people safe and to provide adjustments due to my busy schedule. shelter and housing, and the province is here to support I am profoundly grateful to my mom for being my rock, them. We will continue to be responsive to the needs of who stood by me during our good and tough times, who people, businesses and communities, to see them through taught me to fght for my rights and for the rights of others. the pandemic and into a strong economic recovery that My mom made sure my kids were taken care of when I supports all British Columbians. was busy with work and campaigning. She also made sure In the end, we give thanks to Dr. Bonnie Henry and the that hot meals were ready for me and for my family, despite Minister of Health for their exemplary leadership in man- having her own health issues and not being able to stand aging the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, and for extended periods. thanks to the people of B.C. for doing their part to fatten [2:45 p.m.] the curve. My mother and my late father instilled in me the values Working together, we can put this province on a better of respect, kindness, hard work, helping others and being path while protecting people’s health and for the fast the voice for the vulnerable people in our society. My par- recovery of our economy. We are investing in health care 348 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 ents have helped me to be a strong, independent and meet. Furthermore, nurses are trained to look at the empowered woman. patient as a whole. Tere are two incredible men in heaven who are watch- For example, when myself or my colleagues go to do ing over me today and have helped me tremendously to be wound care, we look at a patient’s diet, underlying medical who I am by giving me the purpose to always strive to do conditions, living arrangements, their mental and physical better and to be a passionate and caring human being. I am well-being and whether they need more supports. Nurses talking about my dad and my late husband, Sammy. always provide emotional support to patients and their I want to acknowledge our longtime volunteers, Mr. families. Even when patients pass away, community nurses Lorne Adamson and Mrs. Jane Adamson, who have been make condolence calls and even send cards to the families, volunteers for the last 42 years. Both Lorne and Jane connect them with grief counselling and many other volunteered doing door-knocking and various other roles resources as needed. Nurses work with patients from birth on many campaigns with their two babies, Kevin and to the end of their life and anything in between. Mary, who are adults now. Tis is a great and encouraging [2:50 p.m.] example of the true dedication, commitment and determ- Nurses work in nursing homes, community outreach ination to stand strong for the values we believe in. clinics, harm reduction centres, mental health, telehealth Tank you, Lorne and Jane, for years of your hard work and so much more. Tey work in public health, taking care and dedication. Finally, your sincere eforts, along with of newborns and teaching parents how to take care of new- many of our wonderful longtime volunteers and support- borns and toddlers. Nurses do outreach work in schools. ers from Vernon-Monashee, came to fruition. Tis is all part of preventative care. I’d also like to give kudos to our wonderful and hard- I worked as a proud registered nurse in rural areas, working staf at the Legislature, including my LA Pavan- acute care, surgical nursing, community nursing, palliative preet, for their tremendous help. I look forward to meeting care and, most recently, up until November 15, on a COV- you all in person. I would like to thank and proudly ID unit. Over the last 16 years, working with two diferent acknowledge my amazing and hard-working staf mem- health authorities and in various health care settings, along bers at our Vernon constituency ofce, Emily and Josh. with many of my colleagues, I have personally witnessed Josh and Emily worked tirelessly with so much passion and lived through the massive health care cuts, austerity to help people of Vernon-Monashee. Tank you, both, for and privatization from the B.C. Liberal government. your dedication and enthusiasm you show every day to My LPN colleagues and many hospital support staf in work for the betterment of people and our constituency. health care struggled fnancially due to the massive 10 per- I acknowledge and thank our front-line workers, cent wage rollback under the B.C. Liberal government. I including paramedics, doctors, nurses, therapists, care have witnessed my coworkers breaking down in tears and aides and many unsung heroes, our housekeeping staf, crumbling when they were constantly understafed and support staf from dietary, lab techs, imaging staf, porters, overworked. I was also one of them. Tat is before any administrative staf and many more. I would also like to mention of the violence nurses face in health care. Tere- extend my sincere appreciation to our essential workers in fore, I appreciate our government’s every sincere efort that retail, trucking, farming, trades, hospitality, small business has been made during the last 3½ years. and volunteers with non-proft organizations, also daycare One can blame, point fngers, fnd faults, nod heads, workers and our incredible teachers for continuing your wave their hands, criticize the eforts or even try to take work and dedication during these unprecedented times. credit for some of the things they want. Te reality is that I was so reassured that December’s throne speech was health care workers can tell frsthand when cuts are imple- focused on investing in people, their health and well- mented and when more services are being added because being, to promote the vital services we all rely on, such it makes an enormous diference in their working con- as health care and seniors care. Te throne speech also ditions, for their physical and mental health and, most focused on economic well-being and support for local importantly, for the quality of patient and seniors care. businesses and individual families. We still need many more nurses to fll the gaps that In December, I was surprised by the words from the were lef until 2017. Te member’s remarks were concern- member for Kelowna-Mission: “We need more health care ing to me and to many others, especially coming from our professionals that can advocate for patients and deliver health care critic. I would like to request that our govern- the absolute best care possible, not just more nurses.” Te ment continue with its progress in dealing with this chron- member also mentioned: “I don’t want an MRI. I don’t ic stafng shortage. want or need a new MRI.” I thank our government for hiring many more nurses in I would respectfully like to share my thoughts, as I come the mental health and substance use areas. Tis has been a from a health care background. I hope the member under- great resource to refer patients to highly dedicated teams. stands that nurses focus so much on preventative care. I am grateful to our government for giving us an MRI Nurses are the biggest advocates for their patients, and and urgent care centre in Vernon-Monashee. Prior to this, in fact, it’s one of their nursing standards that they must Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 349 we had to send patients to Kelowna, and they had to wait highest in the world, which clearly refects the lack of sup- for too long in order to get their MRI done. port towards these hard-working farmers. I would like We also had to book patient transfer teams, and most to ask all members of the House to please acknowledge of the time a nurse had to go with the patient. Ten we and support farmers in India for their democratic right of had to backfll that nurse, mostly on overtime. Imagine peaceful protest and to have their voices heard. Farmers the amount of money we had to spend on patient trans- all around the world deserve all the respect, support and portation, having extra staf or leaving existing staf work- advocacy we can ofer to them in order to promote food ing short when we were not able to backfll that shif. We security. were spending way too much money by doing so, and the Our government’s commitment to expand child care patients were sufering from long wait times, delayed dia- and early learning to create jobs, stimulate the economy gnoses and treatment. and make sure children can have the best possible start in Tis also had a major impact on patient care in Vernon life is a much-appreciated efort by many parents. Te nur- due to short-stafng when we were unable to backfll the turing care and investment in the early years of a child’s staf. Having MRIs widely available is a proactive life leaves a lasting and positive impact. Tis also enhances approach. their mental health from early on. Investing in children My mom had her MRI done recently. She only had to is investing in B.C.’s future. Our government’s announce- wait for eight days, and her appointment was at 7 p.m. My ment of opening new child care centres in Vernon and father-in-law had his knee replacement done in October, Coldstream is going to help many parents in Vernon- during COVID, and he didn’t have to wait for long. He Monashee. received exceptional care, which he’s so grateful for. Tis fall our government released a robust economic Improvements and investments in services like health recovery plan, which is already supporting businesses. care, mental health and seniors care are some of the best Tourism, farming and small businesses are some of the investments any government can make. Investments to major contributors to our economy in Vernon-Monashee. deliver better care for seniors and stability and safety for Steps taken by the government to support our businesses long-term care workers will hugely beneft my riding. We through property tax cuts, deferred tax payments, B.C. have many seniors who have worked hard all their lives. It Hydro rate relief, and small and medium-sized business is our turn now to give them the support and quality care recovery grants are much appreciated. I have had the they need and deserve. opportunity to meet many business owners, like Sue, in my We do have much more to do. I am confdent that hav- constituency, and they’re grateful for these initiatives. Sue ing a dedicated group of people in this House…. We’ll had asked me to thank our Premier and the government focus on working together, as all of us are here to serve our for these initiatives. constituents and make lives better. I am glad that our government’s recovery plan will be [2:55 p.m.] guided by our core principles, including climate action Te B.C. recovery beneft will help many families in and reconciliation with Indigenous people. I appreciate the many ways. When we go through fnancial hardship, every announcement to provide millions to child care providers, penny helps. I have personally talked to hundreds of school boards and health authorities to help them deliver people since the day of my election via emails, messages COVID-safe care and renovations to create more spaces. and phone calls. People are so grateful to receive the recov- Our government has delivered hundreds of afordable, ery beneft. People who I talk to are living on fxed income. supportive and accessible housing units in Vernon, and Some lost their jobs, some are on disability, and some are these have changed many people’s lives. I greatly appreciate unable to go to work due to compromised health and oth- the recent announcement of more afordable housing for er struggles. Vernon and area. Tis is going to beneft many more Farmers in my constituency also have had challenges. people by helping them to fnd a home. I thank our gov- Due to the labour shortages and with early snowfall in ernment for paying attention to this long-overlooked and October, they were not able to harvest all their crops. Tey ignored issue of afordable housing in Vernon-Monashee. lost their produce, and this was heartbreaking to witness. I I thank Dr. Bonnie Henry, our Health Minister and am pleased by our government’s announcement of a small their dedicated team for efectively dealing with this pan- farm business acceleration pilot program, ofering up to demic. I understand that many of the decisions they had $800,000. I am reassured that farmers in my constituency to make were not easy, but I also know that Dr. Henry and will beneft from this. I belong to a farmer family, and her team always have people’s best interests at heart. I have witnessed the hard work, sweat and tears farmers [3:00 p.m.] have to shed in order to bring food to our tables. Let’s continue doing our part, as we all have done the Talking about the farmers community in Vernon-Mon- last year, so we can overcome this crisis together. When ashee, I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge you’re upset about having to wear a mask or not being the unfairness and ongoing injustice farmers in India are able to have gatherings, please take a moment to think facing. Te suicide rate among farmers in India is the about our health care workers, who have to put on their 350 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 masks for extended shifs and for days in a row, along an area that has grown at an unprecedented rate. I think by with full-on PPE, including non-breathable gowns and the last census, Langley was growing at a rate of 16 percent. gloves. Please take a moment to think about vulnerable It has all of the pressures and all of the concerns of a com- seniors who are living in isolation for months, in the munity growing at that pace, from health care to childcare hopes of having this pandemic go away. Tink about the to infrastructure. thousands of people who have passed away due to COV- Part of the reason we were able to win in Langley and ID, and their loved ones. why folks in Langley were looking for change is that A couple of people have said to me that we have an they looked around and they saw what the government opioid crisis, and people are dying from heart attacks and was doing in the community. Tey saw the $29 million other chronic illnesses. Yes, I absolutely agree with you. that this government committed to upgrades at Lang- I can reassure you that our work and care have never ley Memorial Hospital. Tey saw the $25 million that stopped for people with addictions and to treat chronic ill- the government was funding in childcare. Tey heard nesses. It is reassuring, too, for me to know that our gov- the promise of the Sky Train, a promise we made in the ernment has made sincere eforts to address the opioid last election, which is a priority for this government and crisis by creating the frst-ever Mental Health and Addic- which we will deliver on. tions Ministry, by hiring many mental health and sub- I’d be remiss, as a Langley boy, if I moved on from stance use teams, creating harm reduction sites and out- speaking about Langley without mentioning that Langley reach clinics. right now is also home to the best craf beer in British Col- Much more work is underway. More recently additional umbia. Now, I’m amenable to persuasion, so if there’s any- funding was allocated to more treatment spaces to address one here or anyone in this House that thinks otherwise, addictions and mental health issues. We are getting eight you know, I’m open to be convinced, although I’d say that additional beds in Vernon-Monashee, at Bill’s Place, to I base my opinions on empirical evidence. help people in need. [3:05 p.m.] As a health care professional, I confdently share with I’d like to also just take a moment to thank my cam- you that we have never lessened our eforts towards the paign volunteers, the folks that helped turn Langley opioid crisis or to take care of patients with chronic ill- orange. Tere are too many to name. Te riding execut- nesses. We will continue to do more, and I am fully com- ive for the Langley NDP have been stalwarts that have mitted to continue my advocacy to address the need for been at this for 40 years. I’m thinking of Peter and Elean- more resources in Vernon-Monashee. At the end, I would or Holobof, of Vivian Henderson and of Lynn Cox- like to remind everyone what Dr. Henry says: “Tis is worth, who has moved on to the Interior. I’m also think- now, not forever. We are in this together, and we will get ing of all of the young crew, the new crew, that’s come through this.” along to help out: Joe, Kelly, Sarah. I would like to end my speech with my favourite quote My campaign manager Piotr Majkowski, my partner in from John Mark Green: “Everyone has a history. What you crime. Piotr frst came to British Columbia in 1991 as a do with it is up to you. Some repeat it. Some learn from it. Polish immigrant. He’s now a mental health nurse and a Te really special ones use it to help others.” college professor at Douglas College. He has done his best I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for doing for his family and for his community. I should mention your part, for making many sacrifces and adjustments in that Piotr and his mother Barbara and his sister Dorota your lives to deal with this pandemic. We have hope on the right now are mourning the loss of their father Ryszard. horizon, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope Tat is a loss that I feel deeply and that I know their family 2021 will be a kinder and better year for everyone. Stay feels deeply. I’d like to extend my greatest condolences to safe, and stay healthy. Tank you for giving me the oppor- the family in this time. tunity to speak. I’d also like to thank my parents. I was raised by an RCMP ofcer — a French Canadian from Quebec who A. Mercier: I’d like to start by taking a moment to thank learned English the hard way, went into Depot not speak- the people in Langley who elected me and sent me here ing a word of it — and a mother who was a nurse, whom to Victoria. You know, a decade ago, if you told me as a I have watched, my entire life, struggling with a disability Langley boy that I’d be coming to represent the people of that comes as a result of a workplace injury, and dealing Langley in Victoria as a member of the NDP, I don’t think with the Workers Compensation Board. I’ve seen the I would have believed you that I was running. impact through that. I was raised with the impact of the Te folks in Langley are hard-working folks. Tey’re the administrative state of my family life. nurses, the teachers, the long-term care aides, the truck Finally, moving on from family, I’d just like to mention drivers, the tradespeople and the grocery store clerks that my wife, Kate Makarow, who, on our frst date, asked me a keep this province going. question about B.C. politics and stuck around 30 minutes Langley is on the traditional territory of the Matsqui, into the answer, where I was thinking: “Okay, there might Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo-speaking peoples. It is be something serious here.” She’s since moved on to Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 351 become my fnancial agent, among many other things, and in this chamber, listening to the words of the Lieutenant- my partner in this life. She’s at home right now with our Governor talking about the toll of the coronavirus pan- 2½-year-old daughter, , who, I can tell you is, demic, I feel the full weight and the burden of the ofce unfortunately, much smarter than me already and smarter and the responsibility that comes with a chair in this than her father. Tat doesn’t bode well, necessarily. chamber. I’dalso like to mention my other family, Teamsters Local Tis is a sobering time. People are struggling. I’ve heard 213. I frst joined the Teamsters in 2010, as a commercial from folks countlessly in Langley since being elected, and delivery driver. I was given a master class in advocacy, I am proud to be part of a government that is ofering real humility and good representation by my business agent, solutions, like the economic recovery beneft or the small Mike Levinson. When I decided I wanted to go to law and medium business grant programs. Tere is a lot of school, the Teamsters took a chance on me. Walter Canta, work ahead to do. It is daunting. the secretary-treasurer; Ray Zigmont, the president; and We heard today from the Premier the good news on Tony Santavenere, the vice president, gave me a chance, vaccines and the vaccine rollout plan. We still need to and I’m eternally grateful for that. focus on our infrastructure and ensuring that we have I would like to mention, as well, my articling principal enough skilled tradespeople to get us through the recov- Casey McCabe. I have never seen any lawyer take as much ery. I am looking forward to having my part to play in meticulous care and preparation in argument and prepar- that role. ing for a case, no matter how small the stakes or how great I’d like to thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m looking forward the stakes, as Casey. I’m really a better man for having to being a member of this House. spent time with Casey, learning the trade. Of course, there are my good friends at the B.C. Building Trades and my P. Alexis: Before I begin, I’d like to acknowledge that I friend Brynn Bourke, who is there right now as the exec- come to you today from the unceded and ancestral ter- utive director. ritory of the Stó:lō people, including Kwantlen, Leq’á:mel, Perhaps most critically, the institution that shaped my Matsqui, Sumas and Sq’èwlets territories. world view and my political views, the University of the As the MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, I am honoured Fraser Valley. I was really fortunate at UFV to have two to rise, albeit virtually today, to give my support to the stellar professors, who couldn’t have been at diferent ends throne speech. I want to thank the people of Abbotsford- of the spectrum: Hamish Telford and Scott Fast. Hamish is Mission for entrusting me with the honour of this ofce at an age now where unfortunately he no longer gets to tell and the opportunity to serve such a vibrant, diverse and his students that he has colleagues in the Legislature. With hard-working constituency. From my time as city council- my friend the MLA for Chilliwack and myself, he now has lor and eventually mayor, I had the privilege to work up students in the Legislature. Of course, balancing out Ham- close every day with so many people committed to making ish’s analytical and objective perspective was Scott Fast’s a diference in their communities without attention, fan- 1960s American Marxist philosophy of life and world fare or even acknowledgment. view, which I think was a good mix in terms of my early Each of us lucky enough to be members of this Legis- education. lature have our journeys that guided us here. My own was I am honoured to have been appointed by the Premier not the most conventional and, like so many of our accom- to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary for Skills Training plishments, owes much to both hard work and good luck. and to work with the Minister of Advanced Education and Helping make both happen were so many people — par- Skills Training to restore our system of compulsory trades ents who encouraged me, friends who supported me, fam- in this province — a system that the B.C. Liberals gutted ily who loved me. I can’t possibly list all the names of those the last time that they were in power, destroying the trades who added their shoulder to the campaign wheel, but I training system in British Columbia. want to specifcally thank my campaign team and anyone [3:10 p.m.] who gave us their time, sent us an inspiring poem or a I am proud to build on the work done in our previous song — thanks, Dawn — shared a story, gave a few dollars. mandate by the former Minister of Advanced Education Tat really helped all of our eforts. and Skills Training, my friend the member for Vancouver– I also want to thank the many voters who took a chance Mount Pleasant. Tis is necessary work. We are currently on a new candidate and a new direction of leadership. Te the only province in Canada that lacks a system of com- passion, selfessness and commitment to community in pulsory trades certifcation. this constituency is inspiring. I’m so grateful to the mem- I am honoured as well to spend time on the other por- bers of our local executive, in particular the long-standing tion of my mandate, which is ensuring that there are eforts of local legend Bruce Edwards. enough trades and technology seats and early childhood I also want to acknowledge the volunteers who dedic- educator seats to meet the demands of our growing soci- ated their time and energy to the campaign and the elec- ety. tion. For some, this was one of many campaigns they have I’ll turn briefy to the throne speech. As a new member worked on over the years, although it’s fair to say this was 352 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 unlike any other campaign before. For others on the team, every day. Joining me on this side of the foor are more this was their frst time. I have been assured they found elected women than have ever served a government in our it educational, rewarding and, yes, even fun, despite the province, and I am proud to stand with them, shoulder to obvious challenges that we faced. shoulder, in the face of such history. Whatever brought us together — a desire for change, Abbotsford-Mission is a unique blend of rural and urb- a personal friendship, a passion for service — each and an, each existing alongside the famous . Te every one of them had to step bravely and passionately river has given so much to our community. Its banks ofer into the new normal of election work, and for that, I am rich, bountiful farmland. Te water has powered pulp forever grateful. mills and hydroelectric power, but perhaps most crucially [3:15 p.m.] is the fshing it has ofered — sturgeon, steelhead trout Tanks to the support of family and outstanding teach- and all fve species of Pacifc salmon, popular for local ers as a young person, I had long believed women could sports fsherman and also crucial to the way of life for First do anything they set their minds to. Unfortunately, both Nations people. More than a resource, the Fraser River is in university and in the working world, that belief soon a symbol of prosperity, opportunity and our connection to sufered. However, as women everywhere have gained nature. It does not divide the riding; it unites us. ground in politics and other vital leadership roles, that Te Fraser Valley is booming, owing to rapid growth can-do attitude and optimism returned. I stand here today of industry, prosperity and opportunity. One of the keys in this Legislature as the frst-ever woman elected to be the to this continued growth is the increasing trend of people MLA for Abbotsford-Mission. moving from urban centres to our more natural, beautiful I owe a great debt to those who came before me, the setting. Right now the area is famous for farmlands, agri- women who blazed the trails for equal pay, representation culture and food production. But construction, manufac- and opportunity. Teir work paved the way for what we turing, tourism, transportation, retail and the service today expect and, indeed, demand. Winning my election industries are all crucial, and the future looks to hold many was made easier by local women seeking ofce who came new avenues, including a possible agritech hub for the before me, women such as Joan MacLatchy, Heather Stew- province. But that future needs us to navigate our present art and Jenny Stevens. frst, and the challenges ahead are signifcant. Women have always been great infuencers in both my [3:20 p.m.] personal and professional life. I come from a very large COVID-19 has been a terrible blow to our riding, espe- family of mostly women, but I do want to acknowledge cially with regard to business, schools and education. my long-sufering brother. We were led by strong parents, While we have spoken quite a bit about the physical toll of including a mother who always maintained her dignity this pandemic and its economic impact, I worry that we’re and elegance, even while scrubbing the foors in rubber not fully acknowledging the coming wave of mental health gloves. From her I learned the value of hard work but also and long-term trauma that COVID-19 will leave behind, courage, grace and discipline. especially amongst our young people. We know that past research has found that women fare When I talk to students and other youth in the com- just as well as men when they decide to run for ofce, munity, it’s harrowing to consider how grim and pessim- but since fewer women enter political races in general, istic their world has become. Of all the hope we have seen they remain underrepresented. We also know that when lost, this one stings me the most. Tat’s why I want to women are successful in running for ofce, they inspire single out praise for a dynamic educator and administrat- other women to get involved. How many little girls watch- or in Mission, one who has worked tirelessly to promote ing Kamala Harris get sworn in as Vice-President now optimism, kindness and good cheer throughout all of this. might be thinking of getting into politics? So many of Rob Clark, principal of Silverdale Elementary, and rep- those young ones are counting on all of us to set high resented by the member for Maple Ridge–Mission, has standards of achievement and accountability and for my long been an inspiration to students, parents and col- fellow women in caucus to continue the work and to con- leagues. Trough social media, he has given his students tinue blazing that trail. unabashed praise and credit for so much of their good I also want to acknowledge my colleagues in the work. He recently tweeted a quote from Mr. Rogers: Fraser Valley caucus. It’s great to be part of this hard- “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the working, energetic and determined team, to see the rise news, my mother would say to me: ‘Look for the helpers.’” of progressive perspectives in our ridings and to give As a former educator, I’m proud and grateful for the help the valley representation and support during this crucial he and so many of our teachers have given us. time of its growth. Tis government is working hard to help all British Col- My decision to run for the Legislative Assembly of Brit- umbians and their families through the pandemic. We’re ish Columbia owed so much to the government’s commit- investing in health care and seniors care to protect people ment to women in politics and government, and I’m awed and fght COVID-19. We have an aggressive immuniza- by the talent and passion they bring to our diverse team tion plan, designed to help the most at risk amongst us Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 353 frst. We’ve ofered a recovery beneft to ofer real fnancial We’ve come a long way together in the past year, and help to British Columbians. We’ve created an economic sadly, there’s still much to do. But I have no doubt the recovery plan that ofers training, resources and support people of British Columbia will continue to rally, just as to workers and employers as we prepare ourselves for the I have no doubt the people of Abbotsford-Mission will post-pandemic economy. Tat plan will continue to yet again work together tirelessly and selfessly to see respond to the business owners and entrepreneurs who are us through to a post-pandemic province. It’s the people not sure what the future holds for their businesses. of British Columbia who deserve the most credit. Tey Our work will also support the eforts of the constitu- have faced this terrible time in our history with strength ents I hear from, who are still working hard, despite and patience, making countless sacrifces in fattening exhaustion — for example, teachers, nurses, restaurant the curve. staf, grocery store cashiers, front-line workers, police Families, workers, the faith community and more have ofcers and so many more. I want to thank our most rallied to get us to this point. We’re very close now, and I essential workers for their service in this most unpreced- have no doubt we will get through it as both a province ented of times. and a nation. Together we’re building a future for B.C. that In addition to working to overcome the impacts of includes everyone. Together we will get through this. COVID-19, there remain many crucial local issues that must be attended to in Abbotsford-Mission. Infrastructure D. Coulter: I’m not supposed to heckle my own caucus remains a key area as we continue to grow and expand at members, but I have to take issue with what the member an unprecedented pace. for Langley said about the best beer in the province. I think It’s no secret that the people of Mission and Abbotsford we all might have a gripe with him over that comment, yes. need an expanded Highway 1. It’s vital for the economy of I’dfrst like to begin by acknowledging that I’m speaking this riding and for families who live and work here. Right to you this afernoon from the territory of the Lək̓ ʷəŋin̓ əŋ- now a single accident on that strip of road can cause hours speaking peoples, the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. of commuter delay. Tat’s hours that people lose in seeing Tis is my frst chance to be able to thank the voters in their kids, having dinner with their loved ones or spending the community of Chilliwack, and I’m happy to do so. I’ve time with friends. For a booming Fraser Valley, it’s unac- been waiting for this moment. I’m awed by the amount of ceptable. Tat’s why I am delighted that the commitment trust that the voters of Chilliwack put in me. for the project has appeared in the minister’s mandate let- Like my friend from Langley, I did not think ten years ter, with the highway being expanded two kilometres east ago that you would have a B.C. NDP MLA in Chilliwack. of the Whatcom exit. I didn’t think it could happen, and now you have your frst Tat’s not just a commitment to needed infrastruc- B.C. NDP MLA in Chilliwack ever. Tat’s exciting for me, ture, however. It’s a commitment to the people of this just on that level — and on a personal level, of course, as riding that this government is listening to what matters well, because I get to sit in this chamber with all you lovely most to them. folks and participate in democracy here in the people’s As MLA, I will work tirelessly for the people of Abbots- House. So I’d just love to thank the voters for that. I’m still ford-Mission, not only regarding infrastructure but more: in awe of the voters and their trust in me. collaborating with the district of Mission to assist their I’dlove to thank my campaign team. My campaign man- waterfront development project; expanding health care ager, DJ Pohl, worked tirelessly on my campaign and had services, including new equipment and staf; raising faith when I had none, always buoying me to make that awareness of the pandemic’s mental health implications, next phone call, whether it be fundraising or to call a voter, especially as regards young people and students; increased and always keeping me going. DJ is a powerhouse. She funding for tourism; housing, especially for the vulnerable is the president of the Fraser Valley Labour Council. She populations and seniors; increasing Internet access for our owns an elected position with the Canadian Labour Con- rural constituents; and helping organize the COVID-19 gress. She’s active in her own union, the BCGEU, and she recovery and vaccine rollout for our communities. works a full-time job too. She did all that and managed my It’s going to be a massive community efort, one actively campaign, and she did not skimp on anything during my engaged with local grassroots organizations. I heard from campaign. our Rotarians today that they’ve already been contacted to We ran a full campaign in Chilliwack, and on a small assist with this, yet another example of how this govern- budget too. We did it, and we made it work. I don’t think I ment will continue to work hand in hand with the people would be elected today if it weren’t for my campaign man- it represents. ager DJ Pohl, so I’d just like to thank her deeply. [3:25 p.m.] I’d also like to thank Bryan McIver, who is possibly the I’m excited to be working with the appropriate ministers volunteer that did the most work on my campaign, oth- in addressing the needs of this community and looking er than DJ, because DJ was a volunteer as well. We’re all to open consultations on a wide range of issues afecting volunteers. Brian is an old-time organizer from way back. Abbotsford and Mission. 354 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021

He’s been doing campaigns for a long time now. He was a huge deal for her, and I’m very proud to be part of a gov- candidate himself in Kelowna at one time. He is a tireless ernment that is going to bring in universal child care. worker on the phone. He’s a great person to have the ear Te recovery beneft was also very important to her. of, because he has been doing organizing so long that he’s You know, $500 at Christmastime — or even afer just a wealth of knowledge. Christmas, $500 at any time — for her is a lot of money. I need to thank my fnancial agent, Mark Jackson. I am So she was quite excited about us doing the recovery not very good with books or dealing with Elections B.C., beneft, afer the election, when we had our frst session so he defnitely takes the sweat out of that work. I’m very, here. She was talking to me about the recovery beneft very happy that I had him. when I was talking to her. [3:30 p.m.] Besides the voters showing their trust in me, I’ve been Of course, I would be remiss if I did not thank my embraced by the community of Chilliwack since I’ve been lovely wife of eight years now. I’m really appreciative of the elected. Te small business community has totally patience she has shown me. She did not sign up for this; I embraced a B.C. NDP MLA, which is terrifc. I’ve been did. Tis was my dream. I can’t thank her enough for sup- working with them to help them apply for the small and porting me in that dream. She’s been very generous with medium business recovery beneft and, also, the launchon- her love in that fact. line.ca program so that they can set up online stores. I’d like to thank my parents. I wouldn’t be here if it wer- [3:35 p.m.] en’t for my parents, believe it or not. Tey were instru- And this one. Tis program dovetails nicely into my mental in me making it to the age of 46 and being able work as the Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility, and to speak in this House. I can honestly say I’ve had great that’s the work experience opportunity grant. We’re cur- parents and a great childhood, and I appreciate everything rently in the third launch of it. With this grant and with they’ve ever done for me. this new launch, non-profts and businesses can apply for I, of course, would like to thank my colleagues in the money to give work experience to folks with disabilities B.C. NDP caucus. I’ve never met a greater group of people or living with other barriers. Tat is really what building — very generous with their time and always willing to lend an inclusive recovery to COVID is all about. So I’m really a hand to a new MLA. I really, really appreciate that. excited about that. I’d like to thank the Premier for putting his trust in Chilliwack is a really diverse community. It has a lot of me and making me Parliamentary Secretary for Access- needs. We have a downtown core. Te opioid crisis has hit ibility. I can’t tell you how proud I am to have that title us very, very hard downtown, and during COVID, only and how excited I am to do the work that the Premier has more so. So I’m proud of our government for having the tasked me with. He’s tasked me with doing consultations frst Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. It’s some- on upcoming accessibility legislation that the Minister of thing that was dearly needed. Social Development and Poverty Reduction will be intro- We also have farms. We have everything from a down- ducing. I’m very excited to do that work. town core to farms. Coming up, we’re going to have As well, I will be working with the Attorney General and agritech grants, which can be so important to my constitu- Minister Responsible for Housing when we refresh, devel- ents, so important to farmers in my constituency — help op and change the building codes, which is coming up. them be more productive, give them some money so that I’m very excited to do that work. I really see that work as they can buy much-needed capital and continue to grow being part of our recovery. Having an inclusive recovery their businesses, their farms. and having accessibility worked in and at the centre of our I’d also like to, just for a moment, talk about long-term recovery I think…. I’m very excited about that prospect. care. I deal with a lot of people down in my constituency During the campaign, I heard many stories from people. ofce that have a variety of problems. It really connects me So I would just like to relay one. I know this woman, with what people are going through. Michelle. She works at an oil change place — actually, the Tere’s this man named Ray. He came down to my con- oil change place I love to go to. I’ve struck up many a con- stituency ofce; he was in distress. He lived with his part- versation with her over the years. What was important to ner for over 30 years. He lived with her in a home. She’s her during the campaign was child care. Child care was so since been put into long-term care and has dementia. He’s crucial to her because she’s a single mother, and child care having to deal with social workers, going back and forth, is so expensive. because he’s not allowed to visit her at this home. So my Even though our teachers shouldn’t be considered child ofce has worked with him to try and work with the social care — our schools aren’t daycares — a snow day during workers. He doesn’t quite understand the system, and my school is a really big burden on Michelle and her pocket- staf is helping him out. book. Either she has to take that day of from work or she Actually, maybe I should stop right there for a second has to pay for child care, which is almost more than what and thank my staf. I have been very, very lucky with the her wages for that day will be. Child care is going to be a folks I have hired. Caitlin Hickenbotham is just a power- house when it comes to constituency work. She’s teaching Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 355 me how to be an MLA, really. I don’t know how I would would be remiss of me not to remind all of us that the have done this if I had just hired someone without any single biggest threat to her people’s cultural survival is experience. So I’m very excited about having her. the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Tat will Recently, in the last three or four weeks, I hired another carry diluted bitumen 1,150 kilometres from the Alberta constituency assistant, Willow Reichelt, who is detail-ori- tar sands to the coast, right here in Burnaby, so it can be ented, loves being given a project and just running shipped ofshore by as many as 400 tankers per year, or through it. Where Caitlin is really, really good with case- more than a tanker a day, to be refned in another country work and outreach, Willow is terrifc with coming up with and sold back to us at a higher price. graphics or doing writing. She helps me with my social For the Coast Salish people, the TMX pipeline expan- media, etc. So that’s really good. sion is an existential threat, as it is for the more than For folks like Ray…. We’ve hired thousands of health 200,000 newcomers to their land like myself. Te federal care workers and contact tracers, which are really import- government of has recklessly invoked their ant. We need to get this pandemic under control so that constitutional authority to store 300,000 barrels of the folks can go back into long-term care homes and visit their most unstable and infammable type of oil in a tank farm loved ones. on the side of a mountain in the middle of an increasingly I also have a constituent that came and asked for a meet- dry forest in the middle of an earthquake zone. ing with me. His mother is in a care home, and he’s not Te question is not if there will be a catastrophic fre allowed to go visit her as well. on Burnaby Mountain. Rather, the question is: when will It is very, very hard on all of us when we can’t visit our there be a catastrophic fre on Burnaby Mountain, and will loved ones. Many of us weren’t able to visit with our fam- we be able to control it? ilies or friends over the holidays. It was hard on us, but I Te company that is building the pipeline tells us that think it’s harder if someone is in a care home and needs they have a state-of-the-art emergency plan and a help and you can’t go visit them. Obviously harder. So trained crew of frefghters, ready to jump into action if I’m really excited about the vaccine announcement today. the need arises. But here’s the hitch. Here’s the simple Really excited. Tere’s hope on the horizon. Someday soon fact that totally undermines the credibility of their we can all be sitting in here shoulder to shoulder. assurances. Tese frefghters are located in Kamloops, [3:40 p.m.] four hours away. One of the reasons I came here…. Well, no, it’s not. I According to Burnaby fre chief Chris Bowcock, who didn’t come here for this reason. But one of the perks, is himself a world-renowned expert on hydrocarbon fres, maybe, is banging on my desk and heckling maybe just frefghters would have ten minutes to evacuate the ele- a little. I’m somewhat excited about that. I’m thankful to mentary school next to the tank farm and stop the fre the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduc- from spreading to the other tanks, engulfng the forest and tion for giving me good tips in that regard. trapping the 30,000 people who live, work and study at Tat’s about it today. I think I’ve shot all of my arrows. SFU. Ten minutes. My quiver is empty, so I will leave it there. [3:45 p.m.] I’m proud that my government, the provincial govern- J. Routledge: It is my honour to have this opportunity ment of John Horgan, fought for the jurisdiction to protect to rise virtually to respond to the Speech from the our lives and livelihoods from the potentially devastating Trone. efects of this pipeline. We took the fght all the way to the May I begin by acknowledging that I’m speaking to you and were represented by one of from the traditional, unceded territory of the Coast Salish the best — some would say the best — lawyers in Canada. people: the Squamish, the Musqueam and the Tsleil-Wau- Sadly, the Supreme Court ruled that the government of tuth Nations. British Columbia does not have jurisdiction over an inter- provincial pipeline. [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] How did the former leader of the B.C. Liberal Party react to the Supreme Court decision, on behalf of his I also wish to acknowledge that I’m here as their unin- party? By stating that the B.C. government should throw vited guest, yet they continue to make me feel welcome in its support behind the pipeline project. If his party were their home. In fact, the last in-person meeting I had in my still in power, they would have willingly sacrifced the capacity as the MLA for Burnaby North before the pan- safety of the people of Burnaby to what the Prime Minister demic was with Chief Leah George-Wilson of the Tsleil- inexplicably and inaccurately calls national interests. Waututh Nation. Her people have kept this land and the Tat may be one of the reasons why the citizens of Burn- coastal waters beautiful, bountiful, natural and self-sus- aby not only returned all four B.C. NDP Burnaby MLAs taining for millennia. to the Legislature; they did so with massive majorities. I When I met with Chief Leah, we talked about the want to thank the voters of Burnaby North for their sup- impact of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. It port. I want them to know that I will continue to advocate 356 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 for them over the next four years. I will continue to remind the extra mile to provide timely information, to be a vir- the party of Justin Trudeau that they are unnecessarily put- tual shoulder to cry on, to tactfully correct misconcep- ting lives at stake, way out here in Burnaby. tions, to help stressed callers navigate the system and to I also sincerely thank my re-election campaign team. provide practical feedback to the system when it’s failing Tey ran a truly grassroots, multi-language campaign, those who need it the most. In many ways, constituency drawing on their experience and instincts as union and ofce staf are part of the glue that holds our community community organizers. Even during a pandemic, they together, and I thank them for their compassion, their found innovative and safe ways to involve a wide range moral compasses and their commitment to a cause big- of people and invite them to share in the collective sense ger than themselves. of victory. I am humbled that so many young people I identifed my staf as front-line workers. I also want worked hard to get me re-elected, including my own to thank all front-line workers — the people who have grandchildren. been putting their health on the line to keep the rest I would like to thank my family for their ongoing, of us healthy, safe, fed, sane, connected, validated, edu- enthusiastic and active support and encouragement. You cated and employed. Many of these jobs were under- may remember that since becoming an MLA in 2017, my appreciated, underpaid, undervalued prior to the pan- living arrangements have undergone a signifcant trans- demic. Many of these workers that we praise today were formation. My husband, Bill Brassington, and I renov- invisible and exploited. ated our home so that our son, Bill Jr.; his wife, Janey I’m proud to say that even before COVID arrived, our Lee; and their two children, Ty and Asia, could share our government was taking steps to minimize exploitation. home with us. Now, to be accurate, we didn’t actually do One of our frst acts as a new government was to start the renovations ourselves. We hired skilled tradespeople increasing the minimum wage. We amended the B.C. to do that. With their help, we are now a multigenera- labour code to make it easier for workers to protect their tional household. rights through unions. We are so fortunate that we were able to move back into When COVID arrived, our government took swif the house together just weeks before the pandemic was action to protect people. We took note of the alarmingly declared. My heart goes out to everyone who has been sep- high death rate in long-term care facilities. We discovered arated from their loved ones for almost a year now, and that low wages in that sector meant that employees were I grieve with those who lost someone to COVID-19. Tis working in multiple facilities, because if they didn’t, they past year has been hard on everyone, but it’s been harder wouldn’t be able to feed their families. We took immediate on some than others. action to contain the spread of COVID by topping up their I’m proud that in the management of COVID-19, in wages so workers could protect themselves, their patients, saving lives and livelihoods, B.C. is recognized as a North their families and their communities by afording to work American leader. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been vis- in just one facility. iting small businesses in my community, to make sure We secured large amounts of personal protective equip- they’re aware of the small business recovery grant, and I’m ment. We introduced strategic testing and contact tracing. so glad I did. In Burnaby, the new primary care network took the lead Te response was largely, largely positive. I did connect to support our most vulnerable neighbours. For example, with some small businesses who did not know about the we put in place a system to match seniors living alone with grant and now they do. I spoke to others who knew about younger, healthier volunteers who were willing to pick the grant but had some questions. Tis is important feed- up their groceries and prescriptions for them. We created back, and it will help us improve our systems and make food hubs that make weekly healthy food deliveries to vul- programs more accessible. nerable individuals and families who may have lost their I also want to thank the staf in my constituency ofce. incomes during COVID. Tey truly are front-line workers. Day in and day out for We created a network of fnancial supports to help a year they have been felding calls and emails from wor- people get through the pandemic, such as the $1,000 ried and deeply stressed constituents — constituents who emergency beneft, temporary rent relief, protection from worry they will never again get to hold their loved one who the threat of eviction and crisis supplements for people lives in long-term care, constituents who worry they will on disability and income assistance. To protect jobs, we’ve lose their homes if they can’t pay their rent or mortgages, helped businesses through property tax relief, deferred constituents who worry that they won’t be able to com- taxes and B.C. Hydro rate relief. Of course, there is the plete the education they’ve already gone into debt to pay small business grant that I mentioned earlier. for, constituents who have been laid of for the better part Saving lives and livelihoods during the pandemic has of a year and worry they won’t have a job to return to. come with a hefy price tag. We declared war on COV- [3:50 p.m.] ID-19, and we are winning that war, but wars cost money. Te staf in my community ofce, Perisa Chan, Jason Te provincial defcit may grow as much as $13.6 billion. Blackman and the recently retired Cate Jones, have gone Te neo-liberals amongst us are already fxating on that Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 357 number. Tey are already foreshadowing their intentions. I’m speaking from the traditional territories of the Brace yourself. Tey will be making the case for a return to Lək̓ ʷəŋin̓ əŋ people, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. austerity economics. Tey will invoke the defcit as a justi- It’s a particular pleasure to be able to speak, on behalf of fcation for cutting programs, laying of front-line workers my constituents in Victoria–Swan Lake, in support of the and starving vital services — again. throne speech. I want to begin, as other members have, by We’ve been here before. Austerity is magical thinking. giving some thanks and shout-outs to a number of people It’s about as efective a cure for economic resilience as around the constituency and, indeed, around the province inhaling bleach is for COVID-19. who have got us through difcult times. [3:55 p.m.] I want to thank, as other members customarily do…. As the returning MLA for Burnaby North, I feel an We all rely very heavily on our constituency assistants. overwhelming responsibility to expose the myth of aus- So I want to thank Sheridan Hawse and Noah Mitchell terity economics. I feel an overwhelming responsibility to for the incredible work they do to help my constituents remind the people of Burnaby North that it was the B.C. get connected to the government services that are Liberals who put our health care system on a starvation important to their lives. Tey do the difcult work of diet in the frst place, who shredded the social safety net- representing members in their absence, and they do it work in the frst place and made so many British Colum- with incredible skill, patience and aplomb. I thank bians disproportionately vulnerable to the pandemic. Sheridan and Noah again. I was re-elected because the people of Burnaby North I want to thank Elections B.C. as well. Of course, we had expect more from their government. Tey want a govern- an election in late 2020 that was done safely and that was ment that will proactively use its resources to invest in our done very well by Elections B.C. It meant that we had very communities and the people who live there — all people, skilled and thoughtful district returning ofcers in every not just those at the top. part of the province that helped conduct an election in all I was recently appointed the Chair of the Select Stand- 87 of our constituencies. ing Committee on Finance and Government Services. I [4:00 p.m.] thank the Premier for appointing me to that position. A My thanks would be extended, as well, to the candidates big part of our job is to conduct public consultation that who put themselves forward in that election, the local will inform the next budget — in this case, the 2022 political constituency associations of the various political budget. In appointing me to this position, the Premier parties, the independents, all of the volunteers and all must have known that my favourite campaign button those who participated in the election. simply says: “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” I think we all owe a debt of gratitude and thanks for Te Finance Committee provides us with an opportun- people’s collective eforts and engagement with our par- ity to bring voters and potential voters down from the liamentary democracy. It, I think, showed that no matter bleachers and onto the playing feld to be part of the what is thrown at us, be it in a global pandemic or other action. For me, politics is about the participation of the conditions, we have, through our own people, the strength people. I want to be part of setting a budget in which and resilience to do just about anything, including renew- people can see themselves, in which people can say: “Tat ing our parliament and conducting an election. was my idea,” or “Tat addressed the problem I had,” or Victoria–Swan Lake is a very interesting place, which “Tis will work for me; this will work for my community.” I’m privileged to represent. I don’t expect members to I think this is so important. know a lot about it. We all represent very diverse regions in I’d like to conclude by sharing with you an observation our province. In normal pre-pandemic times and afer the that was made to me by one of my constituents. I guess we pandemic, we’ll have the privilege of travelling this great must have been lamenting how long it takes to make pro- province again. found social change. She said: “Te race for social justice Swan Lake is an interesting constituency. It’s a very and social equality is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.” Ten diverse riding. It’s a younger riding, by the capital regional someone else who became part of the conversation said: district’s standards. Te last time a census came to my “Well, it’s not even a marathon. It’s a relay race.” Tat res- attention, from the federal government, I think 75 difer- onates with me as well. ent languages were spoken, other than English, as a frst Some day I’ll get to pass the baton. I know that there are language in the homes of my constituents. I think the a growing number of good, passionate, smart people who nationalities identifed, around the world, where people are willing to keep the race going. immigrated either recently or many generations ago…. Tank you so much. Something like 120 national backgrounds represented in Victoria–Swan Lake. Hon. R. Fleming: It’s great to be joining members of the It’s an incredibly diverse community and is represented House this afernoon. I’m honoured to be here today as the by two really good municipal governments as well. I want Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. to thank all those who work for the city of Victoria and the 358 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 district of Saanich. Of course, during the pandemic, loc- ernment has been there to support those most in need. al governments have had many front-line heroes who have We’ve taken action to support hard-hit industries. Mem- kept services running that are vital to the well-being of our bers will know that our COVID-19 response included a residents. further $1.6 billion investment in health care and men- Mine is a community — like, I think, other members’ tal health supports to build on our improvements and to as well — that enjoys getting together and celebrating, make sure that critical public services are always there and we’ve had to forgo a lot in order to honour the when people need them. health restrictions that have kept one another safe in our In communities throughout B.C., local governments communities. We get together at this time of year for an have stepped up their eforts to keep people safe and to extensive lunar new year. We’re proud of the second old- provide shelter and housing, and the province has been est Chinatown in North America here in the city of Vic- there to support them. toria. Te celebration is very public. Crowded celebra- Back in December, we delivered on our promise to open tions normally go on. applications for the B.C. recovery beneft. Up to 3.7 million Of course, every season is celebrated with sporting individuals and families, I’m proud to say, are eligible for events, cultural festivals, outdoor theatre and music con- a beneft that provides individuals up to $500 and families certs. All of those sorts of things happen in the fall, spring up to $1,000. Tat’s what help for those who need it most and summer. looks like, including people on income or disability assist- We had an update today on the progress of the vaccin- ance or those receiving the seniors supplement. Tat’s ation rollout in the province of British Columbia. As we what we provided at every stage of the pandemic thus far, look at the light at the end of the tunnel of the health emer- and that’s what we will provide going forward to the time gency that our province has been engaged in, along with when we table a new budget in this House. the rest of the world, it’s my hope that all of those celeb- People whose work was interrupted by COVID-19 rations, and that tradition of coming together and enjoy- were able to apply for a $1,000 B.C. emergency beneft. ing one another’s company, are something that, most of all, We were one of the frst provinces that introduced that. we can look forward to here in Victoria–Swan Lake and Over half a million British Columbians have received around our province. this tax-free payment. Let me turn my attention to the throne speech. Tis is In July 2020, eligible individuals and families received a document that outlines, really, the government’s vision, a special climate action tax credit payment, estimated at back when it was introduced in the late fall of 2020, of a $500 million, to help make life a bit more afordable for all recovery strategy, a recovery vision that works for every British Columbians. British Columbian. British Columbians have placed their We created programs to help low- and moderate- trust in our government to build back a stronger B.C., and income renters who had lost income as a result of COV- we take this responsibility seriously. ID-19. Tey got a little bit of peace of mind from our As we build our way out of this pandemic, our commit- government early in the pandemic with a rent support ment to create opportunities for Indigenous people to be program that existed between April and August of 2020, full partners in our work will be top of mind. I think all a time of perhaps the greatest uncertainty during the of us in this House believe that providing a clear and sus- entire pandemic. tainable path towards lasting reconciliation with Indigen- We have recently announced ICBC fee reductions, hun- ous peoples in the province of British Columbia is vitally dreds of millions of dollars of rebates, to make life more important. afordable for drivers and the costs that afect a family. Te throne speech also outlines a road map for B.C.’s I want to talk a little bit this afernoon, too, about the COVID-19 recovery, a plan that protects people’s health, transportation industry. We talk about front-line health frst and foremost, and their livelihoods, while supporting care heroes and front-line workers and their heroic businesses and communities. I’ll say a little bit more about eforts to step up and protect British Columbians. Tey that later on. With the introduction of existing and new go to work each and every day to help support their fel- vaccines, there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel. low citizens. British Columbians need our help to recover from the I want to give a shout-out to the front-line heroes in damage that the pandemic has caused. Te province’s the transportation sector. As members will recall, under roughly $10 billion of COVID-19 response does exactly the emergency orders, we had to include a number of that. It has protected people’s health and will continue to occupations, which were absolutely essential, to make do so. It has protected people’s livelihoods and will contin- sure that goods and services were able to be part of ue to do so. It invests in stronger communities and a bright reaching every community. future for our province as we recover from the economic We had to make sure that people’s mobility wasn’t costs of the pandemic. impacted by the pandemic. Tey still needed to get to work [4:05 p.m.] and make medical appointments and go about their daily Right from the beginning of the pandemic, our gov- lives under the new health restrictions. Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 359

Tat would have been impossible without transit oper- way. Tese include the Pattullo Bridge replacement pro- ators stepping up each day to drive our buses and work in ject. Signifcant in-river work has been done. We’ve the TransLink system and the 120 communities supported launched construction on the Broadway subway line, a by B.C. Transit. Tat would have been impossible without $2.83 billion project that will unlock incredible economic having taxi drivers and their feets available and on the opportunities in Metro Vancouver and for our province. roads for those that need to use their services. It would It includes the Highway 91/17 and Deltaport Way have been impossible without truckers and the trucking upgrade project and the Kicking Horse Canyon project, industry stepping up to make sure that goods moved into phase 4, underway in the province of British Columbia. every community, over highways, across every region of We also have the George Massey crossing and the Sur- British Columbia. rey-Langley SkyTrain under active project development Highway maintenance crews, of course, were deemed right now in British Columbia. Each of these projects essential from the very outset of this pandemic, and will make a signifcant impact on the provincial trans- they’ve been out there each and every day. In some parts portation network. of this province, we had what has turned out to be the Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has third most severe winter in the last three decades in our been an increased interest in walking and cycling and just province’s history. being active for the transportation and recreation of Brit- Te list goes on of essential workers in the transporta- ish Columbians. Trough the economic recovery plan, we tion sector. I wish I could thank them all. took the opportunity to advance a number of active trans- It even applies to the mechanics who kept our vehicles portation projects as a way to get money into the economy on the road and the roadbuilding industry. In British Col- and help local supply chains but also to build infrastruc- umbia, I think we can be especially proud that, in general, ture that supports active living. So $16.7 million in fund- we were able to manage any potential construction delays ing went towards 46 projects that focus on active trans- caused by the uncertainty of COVID-19 by establishing portation. safe work procedures with WorkSafe and the provincial Tese are safety projects. Tese are improvements that health ofce to make sure that roadbuilding projects in access provincial rights-of-way and help build stronger communities right around B.C. were not unnecessarily communities. Tey include things such as pathways, rail delayed and continued. trails, highway crossings, transit stop improvements and Tat wasn’t the case in every other province, where pro- shoulder widening for cyclists and pedestrians for their jects were, in many cases, suspended indefnitely. Our personal safety. roadbuilders and crews kept working throughout the pan- All of these projects, I am pleased to say, are either com- demic, and they’ve done so safely, with an excellent COV- pleted or on track for completion by the spring. We wanted ID safety record, which they can be justifably proud of. to make sure that those projects were designed, funded, A strong and sustainable transportation system is, obvi- tendered and delivered by March 31, and they are. Tis ously, critical to an economic recovery. A safe, reliable and investment also had the added beneft of creating over 300 afordable public transportation system is an integral part jobs around the province and helped stimulate local eco- of B.C.’s restart plan. nomies, including rural parts of the province. [4:10 p.m.] Connecting communities with safe, efcient, active Members will hopefully recall that in December, a transportation networks is the most afordable transport- couple months ago, our government was very proud to ation option, and it’s a foundational part of our govern- sign into action and issue funds to fow to our three major ment’s plan to build a better, cleaner province. Trough public transit authorities in the province, including B.C. B.C.’s economic recovery plan, we also invested $28 mil- Ferries, TransLink and B.C. Transit, our Crown corpora- lion in funding towards upgrading secondary, side and tion — a total of $1.044 billion, with our partners in the forest service roads while creating more good jobs in rural federal government, to make sure that service was avail- and remote areas. able and remained afordable for people in communities Te remote and rural communities program also right around British Columbia. received $20 million to fund more than 80 shovel-ready Tese are the critical services that people rely on. Tey projects that will make getting around in rural Indigenous must continue to be strong in order to get people where and non-Indigenous communities safer and easier. they need to go. We worked, as I said, with the government Roughly $8 million of this funding will go towards approx- of Canada to provide over $1 billion to help protect these imately 75 projects through the enhanced forest service municipal services that people rely on. I’m very proud to road maintenance program and will help upgrade forest say that during the pandemic, fare afordability was pro- service roads in various parts of our province. tected on all our public transit services across B.C. Both programs will revitalize community infrastruc- Despite the challenges presented in the last year, for the ture. Tey’ll enhance community connections between very frst time ever, the Ministry of Transportation and people and provide good jobs. Infrastructure has six concurrent major projects under- We invested, as well, $20 million to fund 60 projects 360 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 across B.C. that will help our highways adapt to the realit- of the future, which we knew were coming. We want to ies and the ravages of climate change and extreme weath- advance those educational training opportunities now so er events. We’ve all seen slides and other extraordinary that they’re there when the full economic recovery hap- weather-related events over the last decade as we adapt to pens. So $400 million invested in jobs and training-related climate change. Tese proactive projects will help protect supports, including creating thousands of new opportun- our infrastructure in communities and reduce the incid- ities in the health sector. ences of road washouts and slides. We’re also supporting restaurants and pubs with whole- We announced $100 million for a new COVID-19 com- sale liquor pricing, which has been something that the munity economic recovery infrastructure program. Tis industry has been very grateful to have received. program provides fully funded provincial grants to sup- Let me talk a little bit about health care and other critic- port economic resilience, tourism, heritage and urban and al services in our province. Our top priority, as I’ve said all rural economic development projects in communities along, has been protecting people’s health. Tat’s not going impacted by COVID-19. Perhaps members have been to change. Keeping people safe is, of course, the founda- pleased to see that these funds have been advanced tion for a steady and sustainable recovery without putting towards key recreation and heritage sites in the communit- all the progress that we’ve made at risk. ies that they represent. Over $1.6 billion on health and mental health care is [4:15 p.m.] helping address and prevent outbreaks in long-term care Let me talk a little bit about support for businesses, jobs by limiting workers to one facility and providing supports and training. We’re working to help businesses recover and for safer visits for families. A choice that other provinces grow from the impacts of COVID-19 right now, as we have didn’t make and one that has provided signifcant benefts done since the beginning of this pandemic. to the safety of residents and staf in long-term care facilit- We cut most commercial property tax bills by an aver- ies in every part of the province. age of 25 percent, which saved businesses, in aggregate, Tis investment is also helping to support culturally an estimated $714 million and helped them get through appropriate care in Indigenous, rural and remote com- the crisis. So $714 million in tax savings for businesses, of munities. It has helped secure personal protective equip- their municipal property tax bills. ment for our front-line workers to keep our health care We’ve encouraged businesses to hire with a 15 percent system safe throughout the pandemic. It has implemented tax credit on eligible new payroll from the third to fourth testing and robust contact tracing in every one of our quarter of 2020, an estimated $190 million of which is health authorities to keep people safe and get a handle on incentives for businesses to keep people working. any outbreaks that have occurred. It’s supporting youth We’ve helped businesses expand to become more pro- and Indigenous mental health, which is critically import- ductive with a PST rebate on select machinery and equip- ant during these uncertain times. ment investments made between September 2020 and We provided resources to help nearly 4,500 child care ongoing until September 2021, which is an estimated $470 providers. Imagine how many that is, divided by the 87 million beneft for businesses, nearly half a billion dollars. constituencies that we’re proud to represent. We helped We’ve also helped businesses’ cash fow by temporarily all 4,500 child care providers weather the challenges of postponing carbon tax rate increases and other Budget the pandemic and reopen safely when the time was right 2020 tax measures all the way through to April 2021, to do that. which produced an estimated savings for business of $268 We started and supported the safe restart of schools in million in additional business costs. September with nearly 2,000 new teachers and education Other members have talked about the forgiveness pro- workers, 25,000 hand sanitizer stations, a million and a gram that B.C. Hydro ofered between April and June, spe- half reusable masks and 65,000 new computer devices for cifcally for small businesses that had to suspend opera- students who can’t aford or do not have those kinds of tions because it was deemed unsafe to continue operating devices in their homes to learn from. under the new health regulations. Tose have saved busi- [4:20 p.m.] nesses, on average, about $500. Helping hard-hit small and I want to take this opportunity, as well, to give a very medium-sized businesses get through the tough times and hearty shout-out to all the teachers, education workers, thrive in the recovery with a $345 million new grant pro- principals, vice-principals, trustees, superintendents — gram. Tat’s the outlay by B.C. Hydro to help all of our all of them deserve our thanks and support — as well small businesses in the province of B.C. as early childhood educators for supporting families and Te province is also being proactive and strategic in supporting our communities by ofering education ser- allocating $5 million to Indigenous Tourism B.C. to vices to all British Columbians. Tat has been an unpre- administer relief grant funding targeted specifcally for cedented beneft for everybody, including the kids of Indigenous businesses. British Columbia. We’ve also taken the opportunity of the pandemic crisis It has got to be the single biggest mental health support to advance training goals for citizens to create the jobs we could have provided, to safely reopen schools. It breaks Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 361 my heart to see jurisdictions like California that have now help build back a stronger UVic. I see the then minister had schools closed for almost 12 months, with no contact responsible for advanced education is tuned into our pro- between educators and students, no face-to-face instruc- ceedings this afernoon, so I want to thank her for that. tion. Here in British Columbia, we were able to fgure out a I want to thank the Minister of Housing for completing way to do it early, to do it safely, and the benefts are there. a project called Spa’Qun House, at 900 Hillside Avenue, I’m sure that members hear that from families all the time that provides relief for Indigenous women feeing domest- in their constituencies. ic violence and struggling with addictions and mental Let me say a few concluding words. I completely sup- health issues. Tat’s a project that has subsequent projects port this throne speech, if that hasn’t been obvious up to that will layer on additional housing supports to help some this point. It’s a plan that will help lif us up out of this chal- of the most vulnerable people in my community. lenging time. It will see us forward into a strong econom- We have housing hub projects that the development ic recovery. We have a plan to build on B.C.’s strengths, community in greater Victoria has expressed tremendous to invest in stronger communities and to train people for interest in accessing, in terms of the low-interest loan pro- good careers now. gram to be able to build afordable below-market rental We have many of the same things going for us as a projects in my community. Long overdue. A huge gap that province that we had before the pandemic. We have a we had to live with as housing became less and less aford- skilled workforce. We have vast natural resources. We’re able over 16 years of the previous government. We now a gateway to Asia. We’ve seen during this pandemic the have projects that we had never seen before being built in importance of trade. Te Vancouver-Fraser Port Authority every part of my constituency and this region. reports that trade volumes are up at 105 percent of pre- [4:25 p.m.] pandemic levels. We’ve remained consistent, reliable Also, new child care centres that have been built prior exports and imports of goods and services for Canada and to the pandemic and built during the pandemic that I’m the continent through that infrastructure. tremendously proud of. A great partner in school district We’re still committed to unlocking the huge economic 61. Te new child care spaces fund that our government potential of reconciliation and tackling the climate crisis created was essential in creating new child care spaces to as we go forward. We’re ready to make great progress on relieve the long wait-lists that were a feature of this com- keeping life more afordable for people, building roads and munity for 15 long years. homes, opening new schools and child care spaces, the Doncaster Elementary is one of the great child care things that gave us a head start on a strong recovery. centres that has opened under our government since 2017. We have also got to be proud of all the small business Tillicum Elementary School has a robust new child care owners, all the communities that rallied together, worked centre on its school grounds. Saanich Neighbourhood with WorkSafe and the other agencies to reopen the eco- Place is going to be opening in June. I visited that con- nomy safely. It’s given us nine straight months of job struction site most recently in October, and it was great to growth. We’ve recovered 98.7 percent of pre-pandemic see progress on a new stand-alone child care centre just employment levels in this province. Our unemployment behind Pearkes arena in Saanich. level is well below the national average in the country. Also, just to see the progress on long-neglected areas of We’re the strongest of the four major provincial economies public safety, student safety and staf safety in the school in Canada, and that bodes well for the recovery going for- system. Te previous government shied away from some ward. of the most difcult projects that were on the inventory of I was pleased to see the Economic Forecast Council the seismic upgrades. Campuses like Victoria High School, the other day project that growth in 2021 is set to increase by oldest high school in western Canada, now has an active 4.7 percent. In 2022, it’s estimated to increase at a GDP construction site, a seismic upgrade — a signifcant and growth rate of 4.3 percent. Te stage is set for a strong complex project, but one that is well underway. It’s great recovery because we did so well under the pandemic, to see the jobs that have been provided for a very valuable under a challenging global situation that forced us to band legacy project. together under very difcult conditions. Braefoot Elementary. Teir seismic upgrade has already Let me say just personally how excited I am to be part of started and been completed. Kids are already studying in a a government that is building back a better B.C. I look for- safe school in my community from that project. Burnside ward to the new housing investments that layer onto the Elementary as well. Campus View Elementary, that seis- ones that have already been made in my constituency. mic project was initiated and has been completed very I’m so proud to have seen construction continue recently. throughout the pandemic on the UVic student housing In closing, I’djust like to thank all the members for hear- program, the most signifcant student housing program ing about the great riding of Victoria–Swan Lake. I know that has been undertaken in the last 16 years in British we’re all justifably proud of our constituents and the won- Columbia. Tose 800 units will be very valuable to the derful things that happen in our communities that make crowded rental housing market in my constituency and them special. We look forward to getting to the end of this 362 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 health crisis and seeing and hugging and holding hands was also watching my wife, who was bravely going through with our loved ones and gathering again. labour and for weeks had also experienced some unfore- We’re not there yet, but we have a lot to be thankful for, seen complications. We saw the front-line health workers including the incredible leadership of Dr. Bonnie Henry go from three to seven. Everybody was whispering. Every- and others in the provincial health ofce who have been body was talking. Everybody was working together, absolutely stoic, incredibly smart and strategic and very throwing ideas back and forth to fgure out what to do. competent and capable in leading our province through an Tat reminded me that British Columbians — espe- unprecedented global pandemic. cially families who are dealing with COVID, who have Life has not been easy. Let’s not make any mistakes family members experiencing COVID or sufering from about that. Many people have made tremendous sacrifces. the pandemic — have incredible pain, frustration and Tey’ve gone to work for incredibly long hours on the sufering they’re going through, a type of sorrow and, front lines. I have many friends who work in the health potentially sometimes, even momentary hopelessness care system who I want to personally thank. We can all they’re experiencing. think of individuals who have had very difcult circum- I want to thank Richmond Hospital especially, for send- stances where they have elderly family members in care ing a nurse to come to my side when they saw the shock and they’ve not been able to visit them in the way that they on my face. I was feeling powerless. I was feeling hopeless. would like in order to keep them safe. I was feeling: “I want to jump in, but I know that my We’ve all made sacrifces. We’ve all missed funerals for involvement will only make things worse.” Te mental people who have passed away. We’ve all postponed wed- health issues that British Columbians experienced during dings. We all missed celebrating signifcant milestones in this pandemic when they see their family and their loved our lives, anniversaries and all those sorts of things. But ones sufer…. I want to thank Richmond Hospital and the we’ve all done it because we’re in it together. We’ve believed nurse providing me comfort and the mental support, try- that from day one. ing to calm me down while we experienced a moment of We’ve listened to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s exhortation to be challenge and joy together. kind, to be safe and to be calm. We need to continue to Just like the birth of my daughter, British Columbia’s be that way for a little bit longer, because indeed, as we moment of hope is just right around the horizon, if you heard from the vaccination rollout this morning, we’re get- look at the fact that a vaccine is coming out. As long as ting there. We have reason to be hopeful, and we have a lot the supply continues, our provincial government is so of reasons to be thankful. brave and well coordinated in delivering our vaccines to the most vulnerable, based upon age, and looking afer H. Yao: Tank you for this opportunity to respond to everyone who is in need to ensure that we protect our the throne speech. I want to make it clear that I fully sup- vulnerable and that we increase the chances for families port the throne speech. to be together. Before I continue, I do want to acknowledge that I am I just want to say that I’m so proud to be part of a speaking to everyone from the unceded and traditional government that has not just looked at this pandemic, a territory of the Musqueam Coast Salish people. I thank unique and unforeseen challenge that we are dealing with, them for allowing us to play, live and work in their ances- from one single lens but has come up with a comprehens- tral lands. ive strategy of how we can help British Columbia recover. Looking at the COVID pandemic beneft, we’re provid- [N. Letnick in the chair.] ing $1,000 per family and $500 per individual. It might seem to be just a momentary relief for many families, but I I also want to take a moment, maybe a modifed version have spoken to many families and many individuals from of a moment of silence, for all the lives that have been lost Richmond South Centre riding, reminding me that it’s not and all the families who have been broken due to the pan- just simply momentary relief. It is an opportunity to take a demic and the toxic drug crisis. break from the continuous stress of the fnancial and emo- Te pandemic has been challenging, but for 2021, I want tional punishment presented by the pandemic. to start my response to the throne speech by sharing one I cannot say how proud I am that my government con- of the most proud moments of my life. Unfortunately, it’s tinues to realize that we need to get money into the hands even more exciting than the fact that I won the Richmond of British Columbians. I’m just so proud that we got it South Centre seat. It’s the birth of my daughter, Mackenzie in, in a most timely manner, and we’ll continue to ensure Yi Yao. She was born on February 8 of this year, 2021. I that British Columbians are given the opportunity to apply have never been a father before, so I could never compre- through the pandemic beneft process. hend exactly how joyful it was to able to witness the birth I want to take this moment to also encourage Richmond of my daughter. South Centre constituents, if you’re struggling in dealing [4:30 p.m.] with the pandemic application process, to please come to I want to take a step back, because during that evening, I our ofce. I almost feel comfortable speaking for all of my Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 363 colleagues from the NDP B.C. government caucus. If you a deep desire to see my newborn daughter. Tey would have any issue, if you’re in a riding, please bring your pan- love to grab a sleeping bag, lay it fat, and lie on it, 24 hours demic challenge to our ofces. We will help you to take and seven days a week in my house, so they can spend time care of the situation step by step. with my newborn daughter. But they can’t. I cannot ima- I do want to emphasize the fact that when I was talking gine how much more challenging it is for so many seniors about the small and medium-sized business recovery grant who are stuck in long-term-care homes waiting for a loved when I being interviewed by Fairchild, I couldn’t tell you one to visit, to have the opportunity to embrace and hug how proud I was to be able to pick up a phone and give one another. our minister a call. Our minister continues to reassure me We are all enduring this together, and we can do this that we are here for the long run, but the money is ear- day by day. Tanks to Dr. Bonnie Henry and the guidance marked for small and medium-sized businesses. We will from the Ministry of Health, the numbers are slowly in do whatever it takes to help our businesses overcome this decline. We’re fattening the curve. Te variant might challenging time. throw our plan of track for a moment. Our supply of vac- We also looked at health care providers that are chal- cine might not be as consistent as we would like. But Brit- lenged in dealing with the bare-bones fnancial situations ish Columbians, under the guidance of this government, that had been lef behind by the previous government. are moving through. We’re becoming stronger by the day. Our government, for the last 3½ years and continuing We will endure this pandemic together. to this point, has had to play major catch-up, but we do I do also want to take a moment to talk about a con- this catch-up game aggressively and with conviction. We versation I had with a local business owner. Actually, this brought in 7,000 additional staf for front-line health was during a live television interview. He was continuously workers and an additional 1,000 contact tracers to help sharing with us the pain, the frustration and the difculty us, scientifcally and individually, fnd out where cases are of continuing his business, moving onwards. We asked: arising and ensure that we catch the cases as they spread. “What else can we do as a government?” He responded: I could not be more proud of British Columbians “I’m so thankful that the government actually is going out and the people of Richmond South Centre for how the of their way to already put out a small and medium-sized majority of us did our best, and are doing our best still, business grant and allow us to fnd accountants or lawyers following Dr. Bonnie Henry’s order to ensure that we to help us compete our application process so that we can continue maintaining a safe distance as we endure this actually get a grant in a timely and efective manner.” challenging time. Te thing that we’re most excited about is that we have [4:35 p.m.] MLAs who are open to discussion, to have dialogues, so Te COVID-19 pandemic is unique, it’s complex, and we continuously understand, share and learn from our it’s harmful to all societies. It’s deep. Our government con- front-line workers and from the small and medium-sized tinues to come up with comprehensive ways to work with businesses in our ridings. Richmond South Centre is one scientifc strategies and to work with well-thought-out and of the densest and smallest ridings in British Columbia. A consultative strategies to ensure that we protect British lot of people are bundled together in a tiny ten-block rid- Columbia in a more comprehensive and in-depth manner ing, where we continuously try to fnd ways to revive our to ensure British Columbia will survive this pandemic. business, revive our economy. I also want to take a moment to thank Richmond South I do know that even the moment following the lunar Centre voters for trusting me to represent them. One of new year celebration, where I used to be able go table to the key things that many people are talking to us about…. table, sharing tea and saying hi to our friends, our families Tey say that if you look at Richmond, for a long time from our community, has been denied. But we’re thankful it has not seen a B.C. NDP MLA. Yet all of a sudden we to British Columbians for enduring this challenge. Every switched three ridings. Many people claimed that we per- day that we choose to say no to our desire to break the formed a miracle. rules, and every time that we say yes to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Well, I will say that Richmond residents, the people recommendations, we get to survive another day. of Richmond, are waking up to the reality that we need I also want to talk about a lot of our benefts, regarding a progressive government — a progressive government child care services that we added into it. Te B.C. gov- continuously putting people’s needs frst, from seismically ernment is determined to look afer British Columbia in a upgrading schools so that parents can drop of their kids comprehensive manner. We’re not just looking at diferent and walk away with a sense of comfort that their kids are little issues and demanding something happen right away. studying in a safe environment to the investment in health We are looking for ways to ensure British Columbia’s eco- care so that even when the next pandemic strikes again, nomy will be covered comprehensively, not just half, like our province will be far more ready than today. our small and medium-sized businesses recovering and I also want to talk about the many seniors who are suf- enduring the situation, but also allowing British Colum- fering during this pandemic time. If you don’t mind me bians and people from Richmond South Centre to have a sharing a personal story, my parents have a deep need and little extra money, like the $1,000 that has been given to 364 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 families and the $500 given to individuals to spend and to care and small and medium-sized businesses and to ensur- outlast this pandemic. ing we’re building up a skillful job trade and developing [4:40 p.m.] good jobs for British Columbia. Bear with me for a moment. I do also want to take a British Columbia, together, including our Richmond moment to talk about my conversation with Richmond South Centre riding, will survive this pandemic, but a schools, SD 38. I know that during this pandemic, many key factor is we need to work together. I thank every- people are talking about putting a face mask on or taking a one for putting their faith in our government as we are face mask of and whether schools should be shut down or continuously rolling out diferent kinds of comprehens- schools should be open. But for every conversation, there ive strategies to help all British Columbians survive this are multiple parties and multiple perspectives. pandemic. We’re thankful for every elected ofcial, and we’re thankful for all the community group members who come Deputy Speaker: Tank you, Member. together for dialogue. But I think the key thing we con- On behalf, if I may, of all members, congratulations on tinue to speak about is we need to combat miscommunic- being a father for the frst time. ation and misrepresentation. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a parent in a group meeting tell me H. Yao: Tank you. something that they heard from another elected ofcial which was 100 percent false. But it’s misguided them so Deputy Speaker: Te Chair recognizes the member for much they created fear within their heart, and they don’t Nelson-Creston. know what to do with their kids. I cannot say how much the schools have been working B. Anderson: Tank you very much, Speaker. with the Minister of Health to ensure we create a safe I am so honoured to rise and take my place here virtu- environment for students to socially interact with one ally as the MLA for Nelson-Creston. I’m very pleased to be another. For example, the Richmond school district has a speaking in support of the throne speech. transition program where students…. Every parent has the First, I’d like to thank everyone in Nelson-Creston for right to determine whether they want their kids to be in their trust. I am humbled by this opportunity to serve school or out of school. them as their representative. I spoke to many parents who pulled a student out of a I would like to thank the Premier for his throne speech. program for months on end and are now realizing their I greatly appreciate that we are focused on working hard to kids truly miss hanging out with their friends. Tey are make life better for people. showing behavioural concerns, behavioural issues, that a I would also like to thank all of the front-line workers in previous youth worker recognized are due to a lack of all of the sectors who have worked so hard during the pan- social connections. demic. I am so grateful to you. Our government is working hard to show we support Because this is my frst Speech from the Trone, I British Columbians through this crisis, and our ministries, wanted to take the opportunity to share a little bit more especially the Ministry of Education, are doing their best about my community with you. I fgured the best way to to utilize the scientifc knowledge to see how we can sup- do that was a road trip through the Kootenays, specifcally port our students and our families. my riding of Nelson-Creston. We understand many families have multigenerational [4:45 p.m.] members in the same household. Tat’s the reason why I’m going to pull up to pick you up in a Kootenay car- SD 38 was given an opportunity to provide a transitional share co-op EV. Tanks to Accelerate Kootenays, there are learning option. But we also understand that kids need lots of charging stations throughout the region, so we can their moments to spend in school and that the longer cruise in style with zero emissions. they’re out of school, the more emotional punishment We can’t have an epic Kootenay road trip without some they’re experiencing. We do encourage British Columbi- great tunes, and we have some amazing local talent. So ans to continuously fnd a way to walk through this dif- I’ll let you choose from Moontricks, who come from the cult, tough pandemic. north end of Kootenay Lake, to Allison Girvan and her I just want to take a moment to thank everybody from choir Corazón. We could choose Te Hillties, Erica Dee, Richmond South Centre — the voters, the volunteers and Velle. Or maybe you’re in the mood for a little BC/DC. the individuals who came to talk to us at a moment of We’ll start of at Yaqan Nukiy, where we meet with challenge to share their concerns, to share their views. I Louie. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll run into also want to thank my staf who are doing an incredible job Robert Louie Sr., an Elder and the last fuent speaker of answering many, many questions. the Lower Kootenay Band dialect. We are fortunate that I’m going back to the original point. I support the his stories and teachings will be preserved through a doc- throne speech because it demonstrates our government’s umentary that the Creston Valley Arts Council, with the commitment to investing in health care, education, child Yaqan Nukiy Heritage Society, is creating. We might want Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 365 to pick up one of his books at Legend Logos, the band wildlife management area, with 300 bird, close to 60 mam- store. While we’re there, we might also want to pick up mal, 17 fsh, six reptile and six amphibian species that have Chris Luke’s autobiography, Drags Grizzly. been recorded in this area alone. Plus, there are thousands Afer that, we pass the Yaqan Nukiy School, an inde- of invertebrate and plant species. We could paddle around. pendent, band-operated school on the Lower Kootenay We’ll bring our binoculars, our bug spray and our bear Band reserve which ofers students a unique, culturally spray, just in case. informed learning experience. From lessons in the Back in Creston, we’ll start heading up the east shore. Ktunaxa language to hands-on cultural activities like Now, if you get car-sick, this might not be the route for canoe-making, their school is at the forefront of cultural you, but if you like slow drives on winding roads along reconciliation and knowledge-sharing. Kootenay Lake, you will enjoy this scenic trip. Now let’s hop back into the EV. As we continue our As we head out of town, you’ll see a sawmill below the road trip, it is important to always remember that as we fats. Tat provides value-added wood products along with travel the Nelson-Creston riding, we are on the traditional, other companies in the area. unceded territory of the Ktunaxa, Syilx and Sinixt people, [4:50 p.m.] on these lands, where their people have lived for thou- Now we’re driving up the east shore of Kootenay Lake. sands of years. As settlers on this land, it is our respons- Kootenay Lake is the defning feature of my riding and its ibility to create meaningful reconciliation, as colonialism glacier-fed waters. As we drive down the lake, slow down, created genocide and severe intergenerational trauma. and don’t miss the Sirdar Pub. Wednesdays used to be Tese people are resilient. We must work with them, open-mic night, and many of the fruit pickers would be government to government, to begin the critically import- out there in the summer. ant work of DRIPA. I am so grateful that all these three Ten we go past Kuskonook, a former First Nations parties in the Legislature support this work. trading area. Ten it was a sternwheeler’s port that As we drive north, you’ll see the stunningly beautiful boomed during the 20th century. We’ll pass Boswell and Creston Valley. It contains rich soils and fat land, which then Lockhart Provincial Park, where we could put in our makes it great for farming. Creston is known for its cherry canoe or kayak. We could go fshing. We could go visit production. Soon the valley will be bursting with blos- the glass house, which is a structure that’s made almost soms. It also produces…. entirely out of formaldehyde bottles. It’s a really unique Actually, before we quite get to Creston, let’s pop over to place and one of my favourites to explore as a child. Lister and visit Kootenay Meadows Farm. Tey are a loc- Tere are going to be little beaches along our drive that al organic dairy that is run by the Harris family. Now, if we could stop at and take a cool dip if we wanted. Now, we you like happy cows frolicking in green pastures, with a have to stop at the Gray Creek Store. Whether you need a stunning backdrop of the Purcell Mountains range, you’re wood stove, wool pants, a great book or a specialty fasten- going to love this place and also the products that they er, they will probably have it. produce. Next we get to Crawford Bay. Tere’s a golf course, but It is a little early to go wine tasting at Skimmerhorn or this is an arts community, so we’re going to park the car. Baillie-Grohman wineries, but they both produce fantastic We’re going to get out. We’re able to walk, then, over to local wine. Barefoot Handweaving, Kootenay Forge or the North Let’s make a stop at the valley services to see if we can Woven Brooms, which actually made the brooms in the join the TAPS program and sit down and have a meal and Harry Potter series. So these are very special brooms. I have a conversation with some of the seniors that like to mean, we could hop on our brooms and zoom around the participate in this program. riding, but we’re going to get back in the EV. Tis is also Afer lunch, we’ll stroll down Canyon Street and check the place of Starbelly Jam. In the summer, families come out some of the shops. Before we head out of town, we’ll together. It’s a fantastic family-friendly musical, full of arts stop at one of the many fruit stands in Erikson, where and lots of diferent performers. we can grab an abundance of local fresh fruits and veget- Now, on our way to Riondel, we’re going to pass the ables. If the new food hub is open, which was recently ashram where we could take a yoga class or do some med- announced, we can pop in there and see how they’re sup- itation. In Riondel, there’s another golf course. Tis one’s a porting the local farmers by processing their produce and par 3, so it’s a little bit more my style. Tere’s also a great even their fruit waste to make things like fruit leather out little locally run campground that’s just on the waters of of unsellable cherries. Kootenay Lake. Let’s head to Yahk, where we’ll stop at the Yahk Soap and We’re going to head back to the ferry landing, but we’ll Candle Co. I’ll show you Yahk Provincial Park, which has probably want to stop in the Ladybug café to get a little camp spots right on the river. treat for our trip. Now, on the Kootenay Lake Ferry, we are We could go west, up and over the Kootenay Pass, but going to cross the lake over to Balfour. But right now we’re we’re going to head up the east shore today. First, we’re actually going to start constructing a new electric-ready going to take a little detour over to the Creston Valley ferry just on the shores of Kootenay Lake. So this is going 366 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 to be great. We’re going to have jobs from this, and this Tey are growing in a regenerative way and teaching will be fantastic once we’re able to actually get electricity people across North America what it means to be true to this area and travel that route without the GHG emis- stewards of the land in the farming context. sions. Actually, the photos on my wall here in my ofce Tere are also many people around this region, like were taken by Ursula Heller, who photographed the entire Sarah, like Nikola, like Karen, who are also working the process when the Osprey was being built in Nelson in 2002. land and farming the land in this area, preserving the Now we’re going to get out at Balfour. We’ve probably, forests and really providing for our community. on the ferry, taken some photos of the beautiful scenery. While we’re here, let’s hike up Jumbo. It should only take Te mountains are all around us. We’ve passed from the us about six hours or so, and we can revel in the marvel main lake into the west arm. We’ll stop at the Old World of this alpine hike. It’s absolutely stunning. Because of our Bakery — because why not? Maybe go say “hi” to Uncle government, this area is saved. Jumbo has been saved for Jack at the Balfour Superette. Tere’s another golf course. generations to come and enjoy this pristine habitat for all We’re going to start heading north. We’re going to go of the diferent types of fora and fauna. past Toad Rock Campground, a mecca for motorcycle Now we’ll head into Meadow Creek, check out the farm- enthusiasts. But we’re going to want to slow down. Tis is a ers market or maybe swing over to the Lardeau com- wicked, winding road, and to get past Cofee Creek, you’ve munity hall where they have bowling, a campground and got to be really careful. Sometimes even 30 feels a little bit sometimes great community events. We could also head fast on that road. up to the Lardeau spawning channel, where we can see We have Cody Caves, but we’re going to stop at Gerrard spawning. Tese are the biggest land trout in the Ainsworth Hot Springs, where we’re able to soak. We can world. Tey can get up to 40 pounds, so these are massive actually…. Tere are three pools. Tere’s the large pool, fsh. It’s just bubbling during spawning season. It’s an abso- and then there’s the pool with caves. You can actually, as lute marvel to see. you’re in the water, travel a small cave system. Ten when We also are able to see from there the Duncan dam, we’re feeling nice and warm, we’ll jump into the plunge which has yet to be electrifed. So I’m hopeful that in the pool before we head up to Kaslo. future, we’re also going to also see electrifcation of this Kaslo is a historic mining town and the hub of shipping dam, as it is a huge, huge reservoir of water. raw materials. We can see the S.S. sternwheeler. We Now we’ll drive back down to Nelson. It should take us might want to go to the Langham to see a theatrical pro- about two hours. On the way, we’re going to pop over to duction. And there’s a new library that’s hopefully going to Harrop-Proctor, where they have an amazing bakery and be built here soon in Kaslo. Te workers in those librar- usually a lineup to get their cinnamon buns. Before we get ies have been working tirelessly, particularly in small areas back on the ferry to head back, we can check out their where they might only have one or two staf and rely on farmers market, where they have a great variety of difer- volunteers, which has been hugely challenging during the ent artisanal and food products. When I was there, they pandemic. were serving soup. Te farmer there was giving out soup Now, Kaslo’s a beautiful spot, and a lot of people want but also selling his vegetables. Everything that was in that to be there. Tat means that there’s also a housing crisis. soup was grown on his land. Tere’s also an amazing man Tere’s a housing shortage. During the election, I spoke there that handmakes knives, so those are just an absolute with one young woman who had moved 12 times in the treat if you love to cook in the kitchen. last year to fnd suitable housing. We’ll swing by Six Mile Beach, a gorgeous but deadly Let’s walk downtown. We can grab a drink at the micro- tragic beach where people have been lost because of the brew pub, the Angry Hen. Kaslo is also home to Kaslo undercurrent. We’re working on signage as a community Jazz fest. In the summer, they have an amazing foating to make sure that everyone knows the risk so that they can stage. So people are able to come in with their boats, on enjoy that area safely. their kayaks or stand on the beach and dance together and Next we’re going to drive over BOB. Before you think listen to some amazing music. Tey also have May Days, that we’ve actually driven over a person, don’t worry. which happens over the May long weekend. Tere’s log- BOB’s okay. BOB is our Big Orange Bridge that spans the ging sports, which is my favourite, but also our artisans. It’s west arm of Kootenay Lake. But we’re not going to stop in just a really great time. Kaslo really knows how to throw a Nelson quite yet. We’re going to head straight south. We’ll great party. return to Nelson in a minute. [4:55 p.m.] On our way to Salmo, we’re going to pass a cottonwood, Now, let’s go up to the north end of Kootenay Lake. and as of today, the Cottonwood Preservation Society just We’re going to go past Lardeau, and then at Cooper Creek, announced that they have raised $400,000 in a span of just we’re going to turn into Argenta and Johnsons Landing. a little over two years to actually save this area. Cotton- Now, this is also a farming community. It’s also the most wood is a regional park. Adjacent to it land had been pur- rural area of my riding. We’re going to stop at Josh and chased and was about to be logged. Te community has Kelly’s farm. Tey are doing absolutely amazing things. Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 367 worked so, so hard to save Cottonwood, and I’m so grate- opened up its mass timber facility and launched a line of ful for everyone that has put efort into that. mass timber products. At Kalesnikof, they manage their We’ll keep going. We’re going to see the Nelson nordic entire timber supply chain all the way from seedlings to ski club that has amazing night skiing. We’re going to go the plants to the mass timber plant. Tey build-design at up to the Whitewater ski hill where some of those local this world-class facility. With this mass timber ofering, kids, at fve, six, seven years old, are just gunning down. they’re creating new highly skilled jobs, investing in tech- Tis is a really active community. Kids start skiing very, nology and supporting our community. very early. When I was a child, I remember that we had so Well, now we’re at the junction, and between here and much snow one year that they actually had to dig out the Nelson, it’s about a 15-minute drive, so we’re almost there. sides so that the chairlif could pass. As we drive along the Kootenay River, we’re frst going Now we’re in Ymir. Tis is home to the Tiny Lights to pass the Kootenay Canal generating station, then the music festival. Tis entire community gets transformed South Slocan generating station, then Lower Bonnington for a weekend where they’re able to listen to great music, generating station, then Upper Bonnington generating attend great workshops, and the community really comes station, Nelson Hydro and Corra Linn. Tese are all…. alive. It’s a great all-ages event. Plus, you cannot leave Ymir without going to the pub. Tis is, as one journalist Deputy Speaker: Member, just one moment, please. described it, “biker bar meets the Louvre” because of the We’ve lost your audio. incredible art collection that it houses. While we’re waiting, just a friendly reminder that we [5:00 p.m.] don’t use people’s names in the House. Now we’re going to arrive in Salmo. Tere we can stop Member for Nelson-Creston, we’ll reserve your time. and see the Salmo Penny, but we’re going to want to stop We’ll come back to you later when we have the technical at the Dragonfy Café because it has incredible art all over difculties sorted. the walls and sells great treats. Salmo is also known for its I see that the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions stone murals. Now, these were created decades ago, and is ready to go. So the Chair would recognize the Minister they’re absolutely beautiful around town on various dif- of Mental Health and Addictions. ferent buildings. Tey have like a miner’s touch to them. It would appear that the problem is in the chamber, Tey’re absolutely fantastic to see. because we can’t hear the Minister of Mental Health and Tere’s also the Salmo Library which has been working Addictions either. So we’ll take a short recess. Let’s call it so, so hard to keep their doors open and to keep con- ten minutes, and back at a quarter afer fve. necting with the community throughout this pandemic. I was speaking to the librarian, and the work that they’ve Te House recessed from 5:05 p.m. to 5:14 p.m. done has been absolutely incredible, but it’s been incred- ibly tricky for them during the pandemic. [N. Letnick in the chair.] While we’re in Salmo, we’ve got to go up to Shambhala. Shambhala is one of the largest electronic music festivals I Deputy Speaker: I’d like to apologize to the member think in the country. Shambhala is also known for…. What for Nelson-Creston for interrupting your frst Speech they do is do harm reduction to make sure that it is as from the Trone response. We’ll continue at this point safe for as many people as possible. So we can go during a and keep our fngers crossed that we’ll hear you when day. We’ll be in the river. Ten at nighttime, we’re going to you start speaking. dance at one of the several stages, listen to some fantastic Please go ahead. music as the laser beams hit the mountains and the sky. [5:15 p.m.] Now, before we leave, we can also head up to the Salmo ski hill, which has some great night skiing, as well as day B. Anderson: Tank you very much. Are you able to skiing, on the weekends. Tat’s a volunteer-run society, hear me? and they do an absolutely tremendous job. Now we’re going to actually, in this next section, dip Deputy Speaker: Yes, thank you. into Minister Conroy’s riding to head over the Bombi. If we weren’t driving our electric vehicle, we’d probably stop B. Anderson: Okay, great. at the Centex because that has the best gas prices in our At last, we arrive in Nelson. Te drive time to get us here region. Just a little helpful hint if you don’t happen to be in has been just under 500 kilometres. I hope you enjoyed the an EV. Kootenay trip. Now we get to stretch our legs a little. Now as we’re coming over the Bombi, we’re going to We’ll start at the Chamber of Commerce, which is in stop at the Kalesnikof mass timber facility. It has just been Railtown and is housed in a beautifully restored railway named B.C.’s lead exporter of manufactured products at station. Tis building is also home to KAST, the Kootenay the B.C. Export Awards, hosted by businesses in Vancou- Association of Science and Technology, which is doing ver. Te acknowledgment comes a year afer Kalesnikof fantastic things for our tech sector here in the Kootenays. 368 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021

It also houses our visitors centre and Railtown Cofee. frequent conversations with them as I am experiencing We’ll take a stroll down Baker Street. We’ll pass cafés, cur- this new journey. ated stores selling everything from secondhand clothes, Now I want to introduce you to my mother-in-law, beautiful boots and children’s toys to all the gear you need Marian. You know what they say about mothers-in-law. I for your outdoor adventure. have the best one. I always tell her I won the mother-in- Your tummy will rumble as we pass restaurants serving law lottery. She’s with Keith, Julie, Matt, Logan and Avery. everything from vegan desserts to authentic Tai cuisine [5:20 p.m.] to in-house smoked meat. As we’re waiting for the light to Ten there are my Nelson cousins, the Tielkers, but change, something is going to catch your eye — a beau- also all of my other cousins, aunts and uncles who’ve been tiful or thought-provoking mural. In fact, Nelson’s mural really supportive in this process; then Jack and Anka, with fest has helped to decorate the back alleys and boring walls Mike, Melissa, Sasha and the kids. Next are some of my throughout our city. You can actually do a tour of mural dearest friends: Hailey, Hayley, Clarissa, Becca, Mira, fest to check out all the amazing murals. Megan, Kelly and Naomi. We pass the Capitol Teatre, which houses local talent Now I get to introduce you to the team I am so grateful and international acts alike. As a teenager, I participated for. Tese people worked tirelessly on my election. Te frst in one of their summer youth theatrical productions of person is a name you’re going to recognize. It’s Michelle “Grease Lightning.” It was led by Geof and Allison. Nel- Mungall — she sat in the Legislature for 12 years before son’s Tom Middleditch was actually one of the greasers, I had this opportunity that I have today — her husband, and now he works in L.A., in Hollywood. Zak, and, since this is the future, both their little kiddos. As we’re heading down to the water, we’re going to see a I want to introduce you to my great team of volunteers. new housing project that I got a tour of today. It is going to Danika Sky Hammond and Quinn MacTavish, you help part of our housing crisis. Nelson has a zero percent worked so incredibly hard during the election process, vacancy rate, but B.C. Housing is helping to build three and it was an absolute thrill to work with both of you. large-scale housing units in this city. We are so grateful to And to Sean, Tessa, Mike, Keith, Ian, Laurie, Judy and see these projects. It’s going to help a lot of people, includ- Jack, Brenda, Jen, Justine, Emmerson and his sister Beat- ing single people, families and seniors. rix, Jesse, Ursula and Barry, Shirley and Ms. Day, who was Now we’re at the pier, which is going to be completely actually one of my teachers. redone. We’ve just received money for this project. About I want to introduce you to a few more hundred people $1 million is going to go into this space, and it’s going to who were instrumental in getting me elected. I wish I had completely transform this part of our waterfront. more time to thank everyone who volunteered, who were From the pier, we’re going to hop on the trolley. Tat’s validators for me and who donated to my campaign. Tat right, Nelson has a streetcar, and it’s going to take us along list is just too long, but I do want to say a huge thank-you the waterfront and drop us of down at Lakeside Park. for all of your support. Lakeside Park has the best beach in town, and on Saturday It’s the Kootenays. We eat some wonderful food, we mornings, it feels like most kids in the entire area are play- dance to some great live music, and we make these ing soccer on the felds. memories together. Now, this will be a reality when we’re Now, if you’re a mountain biker, there are tons of local thriving post-COVID. We are resilient, and this throne trails to check out in the Nelson area. Te Nelson Cycling speech is going to help get us there. Club has worked really hard to make these trails for the In closing, it is an absolute honour to serve you, Nelson- community. Who knows? You might even run into Kurt Creston. I hope that from my speech today, it is clear how Sorge on one of the many trails. in love I am with this riding. I am so grateful to be your Now we have arrived at the Rotary Lakeside shelter, representative. where I am throwing a big afernoon barbecue, the thank- When things get back to normal, come visit us. It is a you party that I never got to have to celebrate all of the truly amazing place, and this was just the top of the ice- people who worked so hard on the election. berg. I’m going to take you to introduce a few folks. Te frst people I’m going to introduce you to are my family: my Hon. S. Malcolmson: Mr. Speaker, I’m honoured to parents, Deb and Terry — you’re going to love them; my be joining you in the Legislature today from the Snun- partner, Paul; and our dog Stella. Next is my little brother, eymuxw First Nation territory, where I am honoured to Sanden. He hates it when I refer to him as my little brother, serve. as he is much bigger than me now, but you’ve got to keep a Since day one, New Democrats have been committed healthy dose of sibling rivalry alive. to improving the services that people count on. We are a Now, since this is my dream, I’m going to introduce people-powered movement, and I am honoured to be sit- you to both of my grandmothers, coming from White- ting in this chamber because of the work of people that horse and coming in from Saskatchewan. Tese are both sacrifced a lot, volunteered a lot and gave me a lot of extremely strong women. I’m so grateful that I get to have advice along the way. Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 369

To my family and friends, all of my girlfriends, who I built on school property, which is a particularly nice twin- miss when I’m away doing this work, and my amazing ning of services. Altogether 1,017 new licensed child care spouse, Howard, I’m very grateful. spaces have been funded in these communities since July I recognize my privilege in being a member of this 2018. chamber. Coming from that people-powered election, Tose are just some of the supports and services that people-powered movement, I am so proud of the work I’ve seen come to Nanaimo in the past year. I am very that our government has been able to do to invest in encouraged that the throne speech sets out our commit- people and to serve people across the province and in my ment to deepen that investment and make further progress community of Nanaimo. in these important areas. Following from the Speech from the Trone in Decem- Tere is more work to do. Te pandemic has revealed ber, I’m going to talk about the impact that our NDP gov- the depth of the need, the toll that the virus has taken ernment has had in Nanaimo, in particular, and B.C.-wide on people’s physical and mental health emergencies. It has and the actions that we’ve taken to expand access to men- especially had that hard, hard impact on people that have tal health and addiction supports. been marginalized. As the Premier stated in the throne And 2020 was such a hard year. It’s still hard. We speech, there’s no question that we’re up against two par- acknowledge, with compassion, those who have fallen to allel public health emergencies, both COVID-19 and the COVID-19 — the impact on their families, the impact on overdose crisis. their caregivers — and all of the essential workers that I give my deepest thanks to the front-line workers, the have worked tremendously and in an exceptional way to families and the peers responding to overdoses and caring keep others safe from harm. for loved ones during the pandemic. Tey’re our heroes, It has strengthened our resolve to invest more deeply in and our province is immensely grateful for their compas- people. Te pandemic has revealed the work that we were sion under immense strain. able to do before the pandemic, which put us in a little bit To work so hard to save lives and then, in this year, stronger a position to fend of the worst of the pandem- in particular, to experience such a setback is particularly ic’s impacts, but absolutely revealed how much more there tragic. In 2020, 1,716 people lost their lives to overdose. is to do and how strong our resolve is to do that work. Tis overwhelming loss of life is felt deeply in every com- We are going to continue to work hard to make life better munity, and we mourn with the families, friends, co-work- for people in Nanaimo and across the province by invest- ers and teammates of those who are grieving an unbear- ing in the things that impact everyday lives, like education, ably tragic loss. health care, housing and child care. One of the most insidious things about the pandemic [5:25 p.m.] has been the disruption, because of border closures, in Last year alone in Nanaimo, we invested a total of $18.8 the supply chain for illicit drugs. Tat has led to dramat- million for seismic upgrades at Cilaire and Pleasant Valley ically more toxic drugs on our streets. Add to that the elementary schools. Tat is creating another 500 seismic- stigma that drives people to use drugs alone and, on top of ally safe seats in Nanaimo schools. that, physical distancing requirements at supervised con- We opened B.C.’s frst nurse practitioner clinic. On Fri- sumption sites and other public services that might other- day, I got to talk with one of the founders about the fant- wise save people, prevent people from overdosing, and you astic team-based medicine that nurse practitioners and have a recipe for a terrible surge in overdose deaths. Tra- their partners in medicine are doing. We’re very grateful gically, that is exactly what happened. for their service, and we know how deep is the need for My friend and predecessor, Minister , made people to be attached to a primary care provider to help great progress in building a system of care where there was them to navigate health care services in our province. none in 2017, when we formed government. In 2019, those Te city and B.C. Housing announced a memorandum actions did bring overdose deaths down for the frst time of understanding to implement the next tranche of 300 since 2012. supportive housing and afordable housing units in COVID-19 has represented a terrible setback and a ter- Nanaimo. Altogether our count for Nanaimo is close to rible surge. To have the highest number of overdose deaths 900 afordable housing homes. Many of them have been ever in the year 2020 is very tough, on top of the loss of life moved into already. Many of them are under construction from COVID-19. It has afrmed, again, how much further and in development. So we do have a few more years ahead we have to go in fghting the overdose crisis. of us. Te joy of seeing people move into those homes, In my community, I’ve seen a really very terrible where homelessness and real challenges in housing aford- alignment of both untreated mental health and addic- ability have been such a challenge for people in our com- tions. I know it’s the case across the province. We’ve also munity…. seen great collaboration on the front line, and that gives We also celebrated the investment in 536 new child pause for hope. care spaces in the Nanaimo and Ladysmith region, along [5:30 p.m.] with school district 68. A great number of those are to be My mandate letter spells out clear direction of the work 370 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 the Premier has asked me to do: fnding new ways to living experience with drug consumption, and also hear- separate people from the toxic drug supply, building new ing from prescribers, B.C. announced that we would build treatment and recovery beds for people in need, moving on that risk mitigation guidance to help expand access to forward on decriminalization as a way to combat stigma, safer pharmaceutical alternatives, also known as safe sup- and doing all of this while building a culturally safe and ply, and the types of medications that can be prescribed evidence-based system to address untreated mental health to help people break their reliance on toxic, unpredictable, and addictions issues. illicit street drugs. We are committed to doing more. We are committed As the most recent Coroners Service report shows, we to helping people out because we know, just as there are need to reach many more people to separate them from many paths into addiction, so are there many paths out. the toxic drug supply and stabilize them and prevent over- People need options. People are at the heart of all the work doses so that they can conceivably be in a position to move we are doing. into other forms of treatment and care. Tat is why Brit- Recently I took a virtual tour with the Overdose Preven- ish Columbia is training registered nurses and registered tion Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. I met psychiatric nurses to prescribe these medications: to reach Sam there, a 29-year-old supervisor, who is himself in more people and to increase B.C.’s health system capacity. recovery and is helping other people. Tis is the frst of its kind in Canada. We’re also breaking new ground on increasing access to [S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.] safer pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs and work- ing to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit He sees about 100 people a day who drop by for food, drugs in order to reduce stigma and demolish barriers to services, drug supplies, support, all as a way to prevent access to that health care, which addiction support is. harm. His words really moved me when he said: “You [5:35 p.m.] know, a lot of people really just want a friendly voice and We know that this crisis also has led to immense pres- someone to talk to.” Behind every overdose statistic really sure on many people and has increased mental health is a person with a story. challenges for people in British Columbia, particularly Addiction is a condition, a health condition. It is not a those with pre-existing mental health challenges. We know choice. Whether people have a skin cancer scare, an emer- that the demand for services is up and that people are ging heart problem, an addiction or a mental health chal- reaching out for help, so we continue to build on the sup- lenge, anxiety, whatever it is, they deserve access to treat- ports that we have created so that everybody can get the ment. Tey deserve access to barrier-free health care. We help they need. are working as quickly as possible to that end, to patch So far, in 2021 alone, our government has announced holes in the system while also building something better. funding for nearly 100 seats at four public post-secondary Separating people from the toxic street drug supply is institutions to train more community health workers. the frst step to saving lives. Today 23,000 people are Pretty much our greatest need is just more people to do receiving medications to treat opioid use disorder. Tat’s the work on the front line. Also, 53 grants in every health more than ever before. authority to support and ensure ongoing bed-based treat- Our government has committed over $25 million to ment and recovery services. mental health and addictions supports and services in Tird, the frst cohort of registered nurses is on track response to the pandemic — almost $10.5 million into to begin prescribing medication for treatment of opioid overdose prevention, including new sites and staf; use disorder. Tis is going to have a particular beneft nearly $8 million to create or enhance online mental in rural areas. Fourth, more than 100 new publicly fun- health supports, an unprecedented expansion in the ded treatment and recovery beds in 14 organizations. province’s history; $2.5 million for substance use sup- Finally, funding boosts for six community organizations portive recovery operators to help them, in particular, providing mental health and substance use services and with modifying their operations in light of pressures support programs through community gaming grants. from the pandemic; and more than $4 million in one- Tat’s just in 2021 alone. time economic recovery funding to support people We want people to reach out for help. Tere is help struggling through the pandemic. available at a call or a click. If you or someone you love Te risk mitigation guidance that we introduced in is having suicidal thoughts, you can please ask them to March, just two weeks afer the global pandemic was call 1-800-SUICIDE and get confdential support on the declared, is the frst of its kind in Canada. It is proven to be phone. a life-saving action, resulting in a 319 percent increase in People can also go to gov.bc.ca/covid-19 or call 811 to the number of people receiving medication-assisted treat- get connected to our new and expanded services, such as ment. Tat was just between the months of March and no-cost or low-cost mental health and addictions coun- September. selling. Tat’s now available virtually. Also, Foundry ser- In September, with input from people with lived and vices for youth and young adults are available online. Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 371

Tere’s a new 24-7 mental health service for post-sec- I have the distinct honour of also following the footsteps ondary students. Tat was really spawned by a tragedy at of an incredible person, the previous MLA for my riding, Vancouver Island University, and it’s a credit to the stu- Scott Fraser. His mentorship and leadership is something dent union movement that that 24-7 counselling support that I have learned from and taken heart from in these for post-secondary students is now available across the years and in coming to make this decision. province, thanks to the prior Minister of Advanced Educa- As is the tradition with a frst speech, it is time for tion. me to honour the people who have helped get me to the Tere’s a new mental health assessment tool used by place where I am today. Tat begins, working backwards thousands of British Columbians. Tere’s also a new online in time, with the incredible team of people who supported hub and virtual peer support for health care workers. me during my campaign and my campaign manager, Kelly Tat’s being run by the Canadian Mental Health Associ- Newhook; the campaign staf I had, Jolleen Dick and ation, B.C. Also, a new online psychological support ser- Andrea MacDonald, two incredible women that live in vice, thanks to the B.C. Psychological Association. Port Alberni and understand the riding, who know the Our government is committed to expanding access to issues and who were there to help me all along the way; in afordable and accessible mental health care. Afer so addition to my fnancial agent, Paul Rokeby-Tomas, who many years where there really wasn’t a system of care in also taught me an incredible amount as we moved through place, we’re continuing to build that mental health and the campaign. addictions system that people need. Many of these sup- It was my frst real campaign experience. Tat’s quite an ports have capacity to take on more patients and provide incredible thing to do when you’ve made the decision to the level of care needed. So if you need help, please reach step up and run for provincial ofce. Te volunteers are out for help. really what make it work in a campaign, as any person who Tere is more to do. Te Premier has tasked me, as the has run before and all members of this House understand. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, with expand- Te tremendous work and efort that they put into what ing access to the mental health and addictions services that they do to support you as a candidate is really an expres- people need. We are going to continue to build a mental sion of the values of the people of my riding and the people health and addictions system where access to care does not of British Columbia. depend on the size of your bank account. I was fortunate enough to have my parents as volun- Our government is here to support all British Columbi- teers, for anybody who knows my parents — again, not ans, not just those at the top. As the Premier has said, we having known a political future was here for me, knowing pledge to be there for British Columbians for the long haul. that my parents would step up and help out on the cam- We will continue to move forward together. paign and being constituents of mine as well. I’m also for- tunate enough to have four parents, which is not some- Deputy Speaker: Recognizing the Minister of Municip- thing that everybody can say. I want to thank them, and al Afairs. I want to thank my sibling, my younger brother, and his family for all the support that they gave me throughout the Hon. J. Osborne: Tank you very much, hon. Speaker. campaign as well. Nice to see you in the chair. Friends from Whitehorse to White Rock or from Tofno It’s a distinct pleasure to rise for the frst time in the to were all part of supporting me in who I am. But House and make my frst speech. what I want to talk about a little bit is really what brought I feel welcome to be here in the territory of the me into politics in the frst place and the incredible sup- Lək̓ ʷəŋin̓ əŋ-speaking peoples, although I have been raised port of the Nuu-chah-nulth people, who have helped make in Coast Salish territory and spent almost half of my life in me the person that I am today and, again, whose lives and Nuu-chah-nulth territory. teachings, for me, are what brought me to this party, what It’s an incredible honour to take this seat and to be able brought me to this service. to rise in the House today and speak to the throne speech. Although I began my career as a marine biologist, not Politics is not something that I had seen in my life. It knowing, again, that this would lead to a career in polit- wasn’t a career path I had chosen for myself. Yet this is ics, it turns out that working in Nuu-chah-nulth com- really about people and serving people, and the choice to munities all up and down the west coast of Vancouver run for this party and to serve in this government really Island was really about relationships with people and comes from a place of wanting to do everything I can to being in service to people. My ability to communicate, to help make people’s lives better. Indeed, that is what the talk and to relate is what helped make me successful. In throne speech is all about. It’s an honour to come and turn, their ability to teach me and help me see the world speak to the throne speech and ofer my support for so in a very diferent way, in a whole new way, in fact, was many of the elements that are in it. like going back to university all over again and begin- [5:40 p.m.] ning to see things with new eyes. Understanding the importance of teachings, of leader- 372 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 ship, of family — these are things that have been brought ments are on the front lines of COVID-19…. Tis govern- to me. I want to mention the names in this House of some ment has been there to support them from the start. incredible Elders and people, some of whom are no longer Some of the things that this government has done that with us, and have their names read into the record. I think I’m so proud of, and that we’re going to continue to do, is of men like Nelson Keitlah, the late Chief Bert Mack. I we support local governments, including allowing muni- think of leaders who are in my community still today, cipalities and local governments, regional districts, to bor- like Chief Moses Martin, Levi Martin, Greg Louie and the row money from their reserves as they face the cash fow women who have mentored and helped me become the issues that they had. person I am, like Chief Anne Mack, Judith Sayers and Let me pause and just refect again on my own experi- Debra Foxcrof. Tese are incredible women and, again, ence being a mayor at the time. Having just fnished our have helped make me the person that I am today. 2020 budget planning, we’d established our fve-year fn- I served as the mayor of Tofno for almost eight years. ancial plan, so proud of the work we put into it with our Again, not a career that I had seen for myself but knowing community, having the best public engagement we’d ever what importance leadership brings to a community and seen. Te pandemic hit, and everything changed. how being a caretaker…. Again, teachings that I learned We weren’t sure if people would be able to pay their from Nuu-chah-nulth people as I spent those 20 years in property taxes on time. We weren’t sure if we were going Tofno and understanding how leadership and caretaking, to be able to deliver those core services that people depend bringing a community along, is sometimes a very positive on: drinking water, wastewater, keeping roads in good thing and sometimes not. shape and helping with the municipal waste system. In times of stress and uncertainty, people come together. Understanding that this was a struggle — that our muni- Tey need each other, and they look to their leaders for cipality had to completely up-end and redo the budget — strength and for compassion. Indeed, that is what the I know exactly what it’s been like for local governments COVID-19 pandemic has brought to us. It has changed across British Columbia to go through that. everything. In my community, I saw incredible, When this government came in and listened and Min- extraordinary eforts. People came together in service, in ister Robinson came back and worked with her colleagues, friendship, in help and in companionship to help each oth- some of whom are now my colleagues, to be able to make er get through it. these changes…. Reducing the provincial school tax by [5:45 p.m.] $720 million in 2020, delaying the remittance of provincial It was no easy thing to be the mayor of a community property taxes until the end of 2020, allowing local gov- that is so dependent on tourism and to understand that ernments to carry operating borrowing for an additional the efects of this pandemic were going to destroy the year — these are the kinds of things that made it possible very economy that we survive on — coming to the real- for a local government, even a small local government like ization, bringing together people, business leaders, com- the district of Tofno, to be able to continue to operate, to munity leaders, to say: “What are we going to do?” be able to continue to deliver the services that we know We made the very, very difcult decision to be the frst our residents were depending on. community in British Columbia, in fact, to ask visitors not Some of the things that this government has also done to come — to not come to a community where they take are investing in infrastructure and economic recovery so much from the natural environment, from being able to through programs like the community economic recovery walk on the beaches and walk in forests and revitalize and infrastructure program. Let me pause here and talk a little get back in touch with themselves, to put their technology bit more about the so-called CERIP program and what it’s down and to understand what it is about life that is so spe- been able to do. Tis program recognizes that people are cial, to say: “No, please don’t come.” our province’s economy and that when people are working, Ten to watch businesses lay of hundreds of people — our economy works too. people who didn’t know how they would pay their next As part of this government’s recovery plan, the province month’s rent, people who weren’t sure how they were going has invested up to $100 million in infrastructure grants for to put food on the table, people who weren’t sure how they shovel-worthy projects through the community econom- were going to support the employees that depended on ic recovery infrastructure program. Tis includes funding them…. Incredibly gut-wrenching times. for projects that improve community economic resilience, Ten I saw what this government did. As a community that develop tourism infrastructure to help communities leader at that time, Minister Selina Robinson, then the attract visitors, that support unique heritage infrastructure Minister of Municipal Afairs and Housing, began the very and support economic recovery for rural communities — difcult task of calling all mayors and leaders in British projects that create and restore jobs within B.C.’s hard- Columbia to talk to us, to listen and to hear what our needs est-hit regions, job sectors and populations and starting are. Tat is why it was so important that this government’s with those people that have been afected by the pandem- frst steps that we took, acknowledging that local govern- ic, impacted by the pandemic. Tese projects build on the government’s goal of leav- Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 373 ing no one behind as we advance jobs and economic a First Nation, for them to be able to do what they need to development across the province while building do, sustaining their people, supporting their people. stronger, more resilient communities that attract and Cumberland lake waterfront, the park in Cumberland. retain residents and businesses. Again, speaking to the mayor, Leslie Baird, of Cumberland [5:50 p.m.] and hearing in her voice the excitement of being able to do Let me tell you about a few of these projects that we’ve something that they had long wanted to do. been able to invest in, in my riding of Mid Island–Pacifc Let me pause and talk a little bit about Hornby Island Rim. Tis begins with investing in projects for local gov- and the Hornby Island Arts Council and their years-long ernments and for First Nations and for non-proft organiz- vision of building an art centre on the island to celebrate ations. the many, many talented artists that live on and call For example, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation being able Hornby Island their home. I visited the future site of the to invest in much-needed improvements to the Big Tree Hornby Island arts centre, and I was toured around by two Trail on Meares Island — an iconic trail, an incredible very passionate women. Tey started of by taking me into thing to visit, an incredible introduction into the wonders a trailer — yeah, a trailer — where they housed their small that are Clayoquot Sound and knowing that for years and gallery. Tey were proud to show me the paintings. Tey years, this First Nation has struggled to put together the rolled out the plans for their new art centre. Tey told me resources to be able to improve the boardwalk, to build a about how much money they had managed to raise, but better dock, to provide access for the 700,000 visitors that they didn’t quite have it all. come to Tofno and to Clayoquot Sound every single year Tey took me outside, and they took me into the forest. — is nothing short of amazing. Tey had me close my eyes, and they had me imagine Being able to be on a Zoom call with the elected chief what it would be like to have this world-class art centre on and council as the news was revealed that this investment Hornby Island, where they would have the space to archive was going to be made in their asset was an incredible material, to display the works of diferent artists, to have an experience. And seeing the look on people’s faces is what outdoor conversation pit, a place where people could come makes this job so worthwhile. together in dialogue and celebrate community. I was on a Zoom call with the mayor of Port Alberni, Tis government was able, through the CERIP program, Sharie Minions, and we talked. Although we were there to invest $500,000 into this art centre. Once again, what to talk about some very, very serious issues in their com- an incredible thing. Tis is about economic recovery and munity, mainly to do with pandemic impacts and recov- infrastructure stimulus. Tis is about giving communities ery, she could not help but start of that meeting by talk- hope. Tis is about celebrating what it is to be in com- ing about the Port Alberni train station and the CERIP munity in one of the most difcult times that we have lived funds that they had received. Her eyes lit up as she through. described what an impact this was going to make in her Let me talk about child care — again, something that community. is outlined in the throne speech and something that we We know that infrastructure isn’t always the sexiest need to celebrate the achievements of this government in thing. We know how important it is for local governments as well. Grandma Marg’s Clubhouse. Grandma Marg is an to have in order to deliver those core services for their incredible woman. She’s lived in Tofno for some years, and people. But knowing that this train station was going to get she is so dedicated to serving the families and the children an upgrade and renovations and turned into an asset that of Tofno. this community can put to work, something that they can [5:55 p.m.] be proud of, and to see the hope in her eyes and hear it She operates at hours that many child care providers do in her voice — that is what these kinds of investments are not operate. She’s incredibly fexible. She is much loved in about. the community. She was chosen as a prototype site for the Te Ditidaht First Nation. More marine access revitaliz- universal child care program in the last mandate, bringing ation — an incredible territory — bumping up their docks the costs down to just $200 a month per child for families and the trails that go to the docks and all of the assets that in Tofno. support the many visitors that come to visit the West Coast Afer some months of this program, I went to visit Trail and to visit Ditidaht territory. Grandma Marg. I asked her how it was turning out. What A campground expansion in Huu-ay-aht First Nation, was she seeing in the families and the children that were Pachena Bay — one of the jewels of the west coast of Van- coming? What diference had it made in people’s lives? couver Island. An incredible beach at the head of a small I thought she would tell me that the parents were telling inlet that creates the kinds of gentle waves that all kids like her that it was great to have a little extra for rent, that they to go paddling in. No surfng at that particular beach, I were able to maybe take a holiday, that they were able to don’t think. But this campground expansion — again, an buy a little extra clothing for their kids. I thought these economic activity, an investment, a revenue generator for were the kinds of answers that she would give me. But no. What she said was: “I noticed that the quality of food in 374 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 the children’s lunches and dinners had gone way up.” Te very strong relationship between community health care children were bringing more nutritious food with them to and business success. An incredible thing to watch. the daycare. I know that businesses in Tofno are not alone. I know What an incredible thing that this program has done. that businesses and chambers of commerce across B.C. Tis is just one small part of what it’s like to be a part of have been walking the talk as they do everything they a government that recognizes just how critical child care can to support businesses. Seeing what this government is to families, that has made record investments in child has been able to do to help reduce taxes, to help increase care, that has made progress on afordability for families, investments in businesses and to help businesses survive is that has created new spaces and that has improved wages something I’m incredibly proud of. for educators. Tat’s why I’m proud to be a part of this gov- [6:00 p.m.] ernment. Te confdence and trust that has been placed in me by Let’s talk a little bit about education and the extraordin- my appointment as the Minister of Municipal Afairs is no ary investments that are being made in education. Once small thing. I am so committed to doing everything that I again, let’s go back to Hornby Island, where I had the will be able to do, over the coming months and years, to opportunity to tour the new school site afer the tragic fre support local governments in their eforts to provide ser- that burned down the Hornby Island Community School, vices to their constituents, their members, their residents, a centre of this community, a place that was not just a their businesses. school. It’s the only indoor recreation space on Hornby COVID-19 has challenged all of us. We are worried. Island. It is a place where the naturalist society stored their People are worried about their health, about their live- materials, where all kinds of diferent community groups lihoods and about what comes next. But this is a gov- came together to celebrate. So not just for children, not just ernment that is working so hard for people, working so for education but for an entire community. hard to make good changes in people’s lives, to support When that school burned down, the community of them, to build back better, to build stronger, more resili- Hornby Island did not know what would happen next. But ent communities. this government stepped up and immediately brought in We know that recovery isn’t going to happen overnight, an interim solution and then invested $10.4 million in a but this government is so invested in continuing the good new 95-seat school. work. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it. How wonderful to tour with some of the parents, with the builder and with the community members and listen Hon. M. Rankin: It’s a real honour to rise and reply to to the pride in their voices as they explained to me what the Speech from the Trone and to say a few things. a diference this was making in their community and how It’s a very hard act to follow, you’ll understand, Mr. well they had been able to work with the school district, Speaker, afer we’ve been treated to the travelogue in Nel- with the builder and with other community organizations son-Creston and hearing from the Minister of Municipal so that they could adapt the design to serve their needs. Afairs about her spectacular part of the province as well. Tat’s what listening to communities is all about. Tat’s I do want to say, as the new member for Oak Bay–Gordon why I’m proud to be a part of this government. Head, that I honestly believe that those constituencies in I want to turn to the extraordinary eforts that busi- British Columbia are no more attractive than Oak Bay– nesses have made throughout the pandemic. Again, in my Gordon Head. Tose who live there would agree. own community, it was devastating to see the impacts I see you, Mr. Speaker, nodding in agreement vigor- of the pandemic. Businesses had to lay of people, were ously, for which I’m grateful. uncertain when revenues would return and didn’t know I thought I would divide my remarks into three separate what would happen next. Tere was a feeling of uncer- categories. First, as my colleagues have done before me, to tainty and anxiety that I think we can all relate to. say a few things, as this is my frst opportunity to rise as a Tey immediately got to work. Tey learned what they member, about the constituency, the election and how we needed to do. Tey implemented the protocols that they got here. Secondly, to talk about the enormous challenges needed to do, the new cleaning methods. Tey put up that we’re facing in British Columbia today and the way plexiglass. Tey moved some of their businesses online. our government has responded to date. Ten thirdly — I Restaurants adapted for takeout. It was incredible to see would be remiss in not noting that I have the enormous the response that they had. Te opportunity to pivot their privilege and honour of serving as the Minister of Indigen- businesses is something that we are celebrating and that we ous Relations and Reconciliation — to talk about some of are helping these businesses do to this day. the things that are unique to that portfolio as part of the Watching hotel rooms step up and provide isolation recovery that we are, of course, all going through together. rooms for staf or for First Nations members that may fnd On the frst part, I think I would like to say that I’m hon- themselves in the position of needing to be self-isolating, oured that the people of Oak Bay–Gordon Head put their watching the business community come together with the trust in me. It’s been 29 years since people put an X beside local hospital in Tofno, I learned so much more about the a New Democrat’s name in our riding. To get over half of Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 375 the vote this time is a tribute, I think, to the Premier and throughout this entire journey that I’m now embarked the team that led us here in 2017 and forward. Tey did upon. remarkable work that we’re all the benefciaries of. I know I also want to say that I have the beneft of two remark- that I’m the benefciary of that, having been elected follow- able Indigenous leaders. Although not resident in Oak ing the good work of that team. Bay–Gordon Head, their traditional territory includes Oak It has been a remarkable election campaign like no oth- Bay–Gordon Head. Of course, I’m thinking of Chief Ron er. For us not to be able to do what we do so frequently Sam of the Songhees Nation and Chief Rob Tomas of the — namely, knocking on thousands of doors — was a real Esquimalt Nation. I’ve learned a great deal from them over challenge. We rose to the occasion, as other, of course, the years. members of this place did. We reached out and met the In particular, many of the historic landmarks of the people in a diferent way — virtually, on the telephone and Songhees people come to mind in our territory. Willows the like — and, as a consequence of doing that, I think per- Beach, a former community of the Songhees Nations, and suaded them that they were in good hands with the Premi- other parts of the riding in which their presence is known er and the team. to this day. Tey have been very, very helpful to me over Tey had seen balanced budgets year afer year afer the years as well, and we have much work to do together year before these extraordinary times led us to have to seek going forward. a mandate in which, of course, a balanced budget was not I wanted to now say a few things about the special times possible any longer. Expenditures and investments in the that we are living through right now. I want to say that future were what would be required, and that is, of course, we have, as others have noted, two pandemics. We have exactly what this government is doing at the moment. the pandemic that we all are part of, the COVID-19 pan- I want to say, as I begin, that I owe a special thanks to my demic. We also have that hidden pandemic of opioid abuse spouse, Linda Hannah, and to my two sons and their part- and addiction. So many people have died in recent times ners: Benjamin and his partner, Alejandra Vargas Garcia, in your community, Mr. Speaker, and, of course, all who live in Washington, D.C., and my son Mark with his throughout our wonderful province. None of us have partner Kendra Reno, who live here in Victoria. Without escaped that scourge. None of us have not been afected, their support, I would not have been able to do what I did. directly or indirectly, by those issues. I’m eternally grateful to them. Homelessness, of course. I need to say that in the city of To my campaign manager, Ryan Mullins, and his Victoria…. I pause to note that despite the title of my rid- remarkable work in producing videos and in supporting ing, I represent aspects of three separate municipalities. All me in so many ways, I’m deeply, deeply grateful. Finally, of Oak Bay but also Gordon Head, which is in the muni- to my ofcial agent, Bruce Kilpatrick. Difcult times. Tey cipality of Saanich, and a part of Victoria. I should say that, rose to the occasion remarkably efectively. in particular, in Victoria, there has been a serious homeless [6:05 p.m.] problem. We’ve all seen aspects of that as we go through I want to say a little bit more about my predecessor, Dr. our parks and the like. . It is something that many British Col- I want to pay a particular tribute to my colleague the umbians, when they see the hurly-burly of debate in this Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing place, don’t understand. Mr. Speaker, I know you do, and for some of the remarkable work he’s done in my com- I know other colleagues do. Regardless of party, we come munity of Victoria. Te number of hotels that have been together to look afer our constituencies. acquired. Te enormous work to try to assist the city and I am deeply grateful to Dr. Weaver for bringing to my partners in the private sector and non-profts to come attention issues in the riding, as he did so efectively dur- together and to create a lasting solution to homelessness. ing the campaign, and for helping me understand the rid- He has done that. ing better. Although I served for 7½ years as the federal I’m confdent that by the end of March, we’re going to member, I never did serve in parts of the riding which, of see the kind of change in our community that will be vis- course, are diferent at the provincial level. I got to know ible as some of the scourge of homelessness is addressed Gordon Head, for example, which I had not had the priv- head-on, as he has done so efectively on our behalf. I pay ilege of representing before. tribute to him for that success. I took over the ofce that Dr. Weaver had lef me, which, People are concerned about it. Tey’re concerned about in turn, had been gifed to him, if you will, by , the efect in downtown Victoria. Tey’re concerned about the B.C. Liberal who preceded him and served for so many our business community. Of course, they’re concerned years in Oak Bay–Gordon Head. Both of them were so about the plight of the people who are sufering. Imagine, gracious and so helpful to me as I began this journey as in the winter, the kinds of difculties people have having their successor representative in Oak Bay–Gordon Head. to be outside. It’s unthinkable, in a province and a country I just want to, if I may, through you, Mr. Speaker, pay as rich as ours, that that can still be a fact of life, but we see tribute to them for their generosity and great assistance it with our very eyes every day. Te changes that this government is making to improve 376 British Columbia Debates Monday, March 1, 2021 the lives of so many diferent facets of our community — the largest immunization rollout in the history of our need to be applauded. province. [6:10 p.m.] Our government brought in a recovery program with [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] benefts of $1,000 for families under $125,000 in family earnings and a sliding scale, up to $170,000, of benefts I am so pleased with the thought that’s gone into for people who needed it immediately afer the pandemic. this. I’m so impressed, as so many British Columbians…. Individuals who earned up to $62,000 would receive a Indeed, I would say all British Columbians, but that’s $500 cheque and those, on a sliding scale, with incomes up never possible in a democracy. Certainly, so many of us to $87,000. are so impressed by the work of Dr. Bonnie Henry and Te Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innov- of the Minister of Health, and of course, today we see the ation has helped small and medium-sized businesses. I enormous work that Dr. Ballem is doing in leading the especially note, in passing, the tourism sector — deeply, immunization charge. deeply afected in Victoria. So many people in my com- Tis is going to be one of the great postwar success stor- munity are small business owners who have an interest in ies, as people get vaccinated, as people’s lives change for the tourism sector. Te work that he has done in making the better. Someone said that we see light at the end of the funds available to that sector has been something I’ve tunnel, but we had no idea it would be such a long tunnel. heard at the door. I’ve heard from people, on the phone Here we are a year later, still dealing with that tunnel, but and elsewhere in the community over the last while, a deep I think we all see the light a lot better than we did a few gratitude for the practical diference that this government short months ago. has made in their lives. I said that the third area I wanted to touch on was my We’ve never done this before; we’re trying to do our work as the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Recon- best. We don’t get it right every time on the frst occa- ciliation. It’s such an honour to be serving in that capacity sion, but this minister demonstrated his willingness to at this time. I wasn’t here in the House when the Declara- listen, to alter the program and adapt the program as it tion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was passed, was discussed and as that need became apparent. Tat unanimously, in this place a little over a year ago. I think is one of the things that I think we particularly should it’s already something that people in the rest of the country salute this government for doing, for adaptation as are looking at, acknowledging the enormous leadership it required. Tere’s no playbook for dealing with a once-in- took to get us to that place. Te fact that that bill was a-generation pandemic. passed unanimously is something that I always talk about. Today we have another bill that will afect and help [6:15 p.m.] so many people. We have a housing crisis. I mentioned Tis is a government initiative, yes, it must be said, but homelessness, but we have a housing crisis for people who the fact that every single member of this place stood and can’t aford to fnd a place to rent and to pay for the rent. agreed with that bill is something that is to the everlasting So Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to you as the member credit of this province and its people, that from every part for Vancouver–West End — and, of course, to the Attorney of this province, their representatives saw that this was the General and Minister Responsible for Housing — because right thing to do as we addressed the legacy of colonialism, Bill 7 got frst reading today. the legacy of residential schools and so many of the harms It should be seen — I think properly — as part of an that have occurred in our past. We’re committed to trying economic recovery package, because it freezes rents until to address those difculties and to move forward together December 31, as you well know. Tereafer, rent increases in a better way. are tagged to the cost of living, to infation. To me, that is I feel grateful to have the opportunity to succeed Scott exactly what we should do as we let people get out of this Fraser, my predecessor as minister, and to try to put meat pandemic and have a place to live. on the bones of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigen- Moreover, stopping illegal renovictions is something ous Peoples Act. Tat is, of course, what we are doing. We that is a feature of that. I know that you, Mr. Speaker, have are talking of reconciliation in action. I know, Mr. Speak- been involved in the Rental Housing Task Force, and this er, that you’ll be aware of the long-term agreement to share bill will address so many of the very practical, positive 7 percent of the Lottery Corp’s net income to provide $3 changes that will make it possible for people to aford to billion over the next 25 years in revenue-sharing. Tat is live in our community. Tat is something that needs to reconciliation in action. be saluted. Tat’s part of an economic recovery package, Te First Nations justice strategy was signed by the B.C. properly defned. First Nations Justice Council to improve First Nations Of course, today was a special day for so many, because experience with the justice system. Tat is reconciliation in today we rolled out the immunization plan for phase 2. action. Expansion of Indigenous courts is something that More than 400,000 people in British Columbia will be is reconciliation in action. I could go on in so many difer- immunized from March to early April in this province ent circles where we are entering into new kinds of agree- Monday, March 1, 2021 British Columbia Debates 377 ments with Indigenous peoples, not just modern treaties a responsible government when it chose to balance the but also reconciliation agreements of diferent kinds so budget in each of those years. But then, of course, the pan- that we can achieve agreements on the terms that those demic. Everyone understands we need to move in a difer- Indigenous governing bodies wish us to do. I think that is ent way to change our circumstances. going to make such a diference. Te fact that this government puts people frst, the fact I was surprised, I admit, to learn, when I was elected, that this government understands that the people are the that we also, as a province, have put houses on Indian economy, and the fact that we are working together across reserves. Who would have thought that a province would all party lines to make a diference to the people of British do that, given that’s such an obviously federal responsibil- Columbia — to their lives, to their environment, to their ity? But it was the right thing to do. Tere was a need there, communities, to their families — is what brings us all and this government stepped up and did it, irrespective in this place together, regardless of political afliation, to of constitutional lines between the federal and provincial work for the people of British Columbia. I’m very proud to governments. be part of a government that is doing just that. Tere has also been an historic investment in rural Internet service, $50 million to expand high-speed Inter- Hon. M. Farnworth: Noting the hour, I move the House net services for people living in rural communities, Indi- do now…. genous and non-Indigenous alike. Better drinking water on Indian reserves and in remote Interjection. Indigenous communities is another one of the key responsibilities that I have. I’m hoping to work with my Hon. M. Rankin: I would ask, therefore, Mr. Speaker, to federal counterpart, the Minister of Indigenous Services, move adjournment of the debate. to make a diference in that context as well. As a former professor at the law Hon. M. Rankin moved adjournment of debate. faculty, I must say I’m particularly happy that the frst place in the world where we have an Indigenous law and Motion approved. common law program, where students can graduate in four years knowing about both legal traditions, happened Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. right here in this city, in this province, with help of this provincial government. Tat is a forward-thinking Motion approved. advancement that will, I think, improve the lives of Indi- genous and non-Indigenous communities alike. Mr. Speaker: Tis House stands adjourned until 10 a.m. It’s been an honour to stand and respond to the Speech tomorrow morning. from the Trone. I’m pleased that there has been such pro- gress made since 2017 in this province. I’m pleased that Te House adjourned at 6:20 p.m. the government managed to invest in people’s lives. Tat is what this government is doing. It showed itself to be

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