BC Today – Daily Report February 14, 2020

Quotation of the day

“If the police find that there is an activity that is in contravention of the law, I ​ expect the law to be fully enforced.”

With dozens of demonstrations planned outside government ministries and offices today, Public Safety Minister warns that unlawful activities will not be tolerated. ​ ​

Today in B.C.

On the schedule The house is adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, for the Family Day long weekend. Question period will take place in the morning.

Finance Minister will deliver the budget speech during the afternoon session. ​ ​

Thursday’s debates and proceedings Transportation and Infrastructure Minister introduced Bill 2, Motor Vehicle ​ ​ ​ ​ Amendment Act, which, if passed, will alter training requirements for various classes of driver’s

licences. The bill also makes “minor clarifications” to the act, including designating sheriff’s ​ ​ vehicles as emergency vehicles and clarifying residency requirements for B.C. driver’s licences.

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services tabled its report, Annual ​ Review of the Budgets of the Statutory Offices. ​

The Special Committee of Selection tabled its report, outlining the membership of house ​ ​ committees for this session.

At the legislature Health Minister welcomed representatives from Resident Doctors of B.C. and ​ ​ Genome BC to the house.

Provincial, federal officials to meet with Indigenous hereditary leaders to resolve pipeline protests as public service braces for demonstrations Premier , in a letter to Gitxsan Chief Norman Stephens, said he or a senior ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ minister from the government will meet Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs about the ongoing pipeline protests that have captured national attention in recent weeks.

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs and supporters blocked rail lines near New Hazelton for several days, ​ ​ disrupting commerce at the port at Prince Rupert, but said they would end their efforts once a ​ ​ meeting was agreed to.

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Scott Fraser said he’s more than willing to ​ ​ make the trip to meet with the chiefs.

“The discussion with Chief Stephens is that, with an agreement to this meeting, there will be a stand down on the blockade," Fraser said at a media availability. "That's heartening.” ​ ​

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office confirmed Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bennett will also attend the meeting. A date and venue have not yet been set. ​

Horgan and Trudeau spoke by phone about the situation on Thursday. ​ ​

Protesters will target dozens of government buildings throughout the Capital Regional District according to planning information posted online.

In a letter to all provincial public service employees, Don Wright, deputy minister to the premier ​ ​ and head of the public service, emphasized the situation is being monitored.

“It is important to note that we know very little about what is real and what is not real about the ​ group’s plans, and whether there may be other plans in development,” he said. “Nonetheless,

we need to be prepared for any eventuality. I want you all to know that the emotional and physical safety of public servants was our top priority as we prepared our plan on how to respond to this. We will not ask public servants to put themselves into any situation where they do not feel safe.”

Wright described the treatment of public service employees during Tuesday’s demonstration at the legislature as “reprehensible and unacceptable.”

“We have a very professional public service — they have dealt with protest before,” said Public ​ ​ Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. “There are plans that are in place. The public service is aware ​ ​ of that … they also liaise and work with police on what to do if situations arise.”

Keeping public employees safe is of “paramount concern,” he added.

“Let's be clear — we live in a democratic society and peaceful protest is allowed,” Farnworth ​ ​ told reporters. “That has included noisy protests out on sidewalks ... I've seen ... a constituency office where you have a peaceful sit in. But what is not acceptable are protests that intimidate people … what is not acceptable are protests that frighten people, and if people engage in activities that cross lines of what is the norm in our society, then there will be consequences.”

The Speaker’s office obtained an injunction to prevent any future protesters from “intimidating, molesting or interfering” with MLAs and others who work in the legislative precinct and from “blocking or physically obstructing” people from going about their business on the legislature grounds.

The injunction allows immediate enforcement by police once the injunction is posted.

The legislature remains closed to the public and Family Day celebrations planned for Monday have been cancelled.

Today’s events

February 14 at 9 a.m. — Abbotsford ​ ​ Liberal MP Ron McKinnon (Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam) will join NDP MLA ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Surrey—Guildford), Independent MLA (Abbotsford South) and Abbotsford Mayor ​ ​ ​ ​ Henry Braun to celebrate the completion of the Mt. Lehman Road four-laning project at the ​ ​ Threshold Drive intersection.

February 14 at 10 a.m. — Abbotsford ​ ​ Health Minister Adrian Dix will make an announcement about increasing access to primary care ​ ​ for people in Abbotsford and the surrounding area at 2692 Clearbrook Road.

February 14 at 1 p.m. — Delta ​ ​

Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough, who ​ ​ represents Delta, will be joined by NDP MLA (Delta North) at 8100 Nordel Way for ​ ​ an announcement regarding the Highway 91/17 upgrade project.

February 14 at 1:30 p.m. — ​ ​ Health Minister Adrian Dix will be joined by NDP MLA (—Fraserview) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ and representatives from the BC Care Providers Association for an announcement about improving services for people in long-term care.

Weekend events

February 15 at 10 a.m. — Parksville ​ ​ The BC Green Party will hold a formation meeting for a Parksville—Qualicum riding association ​ at the Parksville Community Centre.

February 15 at 1:30 p.m. — Nanaimo ​ ​ The BC Green Party will hold a formation meeting for a Nanaimo riding association at the Beban Park Social Centre.

Topics of conversation

● “I fully support the right to protest,” Attorney General said in reaction to the ​ ​ occupation of his Point Grey constituency office by demonstrators opposed to the ​ Coastal GasLink pipeline. “But where that jeopardizes the safety of my staff or the security of the information we have about our constituents as we try to help them — ​ that’s not okay.”

● British Columbians are divided over the protests in support of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, according to a survey from Angus Reid. Nearly half say they oppose ​ ​ the disruptive demonstrations while 46 per cent support them, compared to 39 per cent of Canadians. Fifty-two per cent are in support of the Coastal GasLink pipeline while 43 per cent oppose the project. ○ Nationally, 39 per cent of respondents said they support Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and protestors in solidarity against the pipeline while 51 per cent say they support the CGL project. ○ The majority of Canadians surveyed (57 per cent) believe the pipeline will be delayed due to protests, but will still get built.

● Lower Mainland commuters who use the West Coast Express were out of luck yesterday as protesters blocked the Canadian Pacific Rail tracks over the Pitt River Bridge. Via Rail ​ ​ cancelled all passenger trips across the country due to widespread protest action, and CN Rail also cancelled some of its services.

Question period During Thursday’s question period, Liberal MLAs focused on the government’s response to demonstrations in support of the hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs that continue across the province.

‘Can the premier please get off his duff and do something?’ ● Liberal Leader accused Premier John Horgan of being passive in ​ ​ ​ ​ the face of widespread and disruptive protest action — even as Manitoba Premier Brian ​ Pallister sought an injunction to remove protesters blockading rail lines in his province. ​

● Horgan agreed that “the vast majority of British Columbians” (himself included) see the protests as “inappropriate … but we can't just say that that inappropriate behavior should be dealt with by force.” ○ The premier stressed a need for “cooperation ... consultation ... discussion so that we can all move forward together.”

● “It's not a matter of some police state where the dictator calls in the police to crack heads,” Wilkinson said. “This is a matter of using the vehicles of the courts to maintain the rule of law. Why won't this premier obtain injunctions to clear these protests like the premier of Manitoba?”

● Horgan insisted that law enforcement officials were adequately addressing the situations.

● Liberal Finance critic cited the rail blockade disrupting commerce at the ​ ​ Prince Rupert port. “There are 6,000 jobs at risk,” she said, calling on Horgan to take action.

● “This is an issue that's being addressed by CN,” Horgan said. “It's also being addressed by the prime minister and myself.”

● Liberal ICBC critic Jas Johal picked up the thread. “What we have witnessed over the ​ ​ last few days is not some spontaneous uprising but a well-funded and coordinated national strategy to shut down vital infrastructure and inconvenience the public,” he said, calling on Horgan to “bring back the rule of law.”

Dealing with skyrocketing strata insurance premiums ● Liberal Municipal Affairs critic asked Housing Minister ​ ​ ​ what the government plans to do about “massive spikes in insurance premiums and deductibles” for strata corporations — increases ranging from 50 to 400 per cent.

● Finance Minister Carole James rose to respond. “Certainly, we're very concerned about ​ ​ the impact of the insurance increase for strata owners but also for tenants, because

many tenants rent through stratas, and we're worried that those costs will be passed on to them,” she said. ○ The government is engaging with stakeholders, including strata corporations and insurance companies, to explore “options that are available to be able to ease the pressure.”

● “I think it's a bit rich that the minister of finance is deflecting the importance of this issue to virtually half of the people that live in Metro Vancouver,” Liberal Mental Health and Addictions critic Jane Thornthwaite shot back. “You talk all you want about affordability. ​ ​ Having insurance rates doubling in one year is actually the opposite of affordability.”

Missing CGL environmental report ● Green Party house leader asked Environment Minister George ​ ​ ​ Heyman about the status of “a key environmental assessment report that is necessary ​ for construction to proceed in the Morice River Technical Boundary Area.” ○ She wanted to know whether the government made an effort to get Coastal GasLink to hold off on its injunction and allow “more engagement with Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, particularly since the missing report meant that no construction could take part in the Morice River area anyway?”

● Heyman said the Morice River Technical Boundary Area is only a small part of the land covered by Coastal GasLink’s injunction against the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and their supporters who have blocked access to the company’s work site. ○ The company is allowed to begin work in other areas where reporting requirements have been met.

Funding announcements

● The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is providing $900,000 to ​ ​ the Homelessness Services Association of BC and BC Housing to complete 16 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ community counts in March and April in order to get a better understanding of ​ homelessness in the province. Two communities — Cranbrook and Port Alberni — will ​ ​ ​ ​ pilot extended, multi-day counts to provide information on people who may be missed in a one-day count. ○ The ministry also plans to work with Indigenous partners to highlight Indigenous perspectives of homelessness and develop effective strategies to address homlessness among Indigenous peoples.

Lobbyist registrations If you are looking for further information on any lobbying registry, it is all public and easily searchable here. ​ ​

Consultants who registered as lobbyists from February 7, 2020 – February 13, 2020

● Jeffrey Ferrier, National Public Relations ​ o Clients: Bombardier Inc. ​

● Nicola Hill, Earnscliffe Strategy Group ​ ​ o Clients: BC Public Library Partners ​

● Katie Grandis, Nicola Hill, Earnscliffe Strategy Group ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Nature United ​

● Lorne Valensky, Strategieswest Consulting Group ​ ​ o Clients: Canadian Sport Institute Pacific ​

● Danielle Bourgeois, Ascent Public Affairs ​ ​ o Clients: DigiBC, Science World ​

● , Barkley Group Consulting Ltd. ​ ​ o Clients: City of Terrace ​

● Jaskaran Sandhu, Crestview Strategy ​ ​ o Clients: Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium ​

● Michael Alvan Bailey, Western Policy Consultants Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Richmond Steel Recycling Limited ​

● Esmahan Razavi, Stephen Howard, Strategies 360 Canada ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Neural Claim System Inc ​

● Matt Williamson, Global Public Affairs ​ ​ o Clients: Suncor Energy Inc. ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from February 7, 2020 – February 13, 2020

● Confederation of University Faculty Associations of ● British Columbia Chiropractic Association. ● Tides Canada Initiatives Society ● Association for Mineral Exploration ● LNG Canada Development Inc. ● Federation of Independent School Associations in BC ● British Columbia Dental Hygienists' Association ● GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. ● British Columbia Radiological Society ● BC Government and Service Employees' Union