Third Session, 39th Parliament

official report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Afternoon Sitting Volume 20, Number 5

the honourable bill barisoff, speaker

ISSN 0709-1281 PROVINCE OF (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871)

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC

Third Session, 39th Parliament

SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Premier and President of the Executive Council...... Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of Agriculture...... Hon. Ben Stewart Attorney General and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation...... Hon. Barry Penner, QC Minister of Children and Family Development...... Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Citizens' Services...... Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Environment...... Hon. Murray Coell Minister of State for Climate Action...... Hon. John Yap Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Small Business and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Services...... Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands...... Hon. Pat Bell Minister of State for Mining...... Hon. Randy Hawes Minister of Labour...... Hon. Iain Black Minister of Natural Resource Operations and Minister of Energy...... Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing...... Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of State for Building Code Renewal...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Minister of Science and Universities and Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development...... Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Social Development...... Hon. Kevin Krueger Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat and Minister of Education...... Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure...... Hon. Shirley Bond

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Leader of the OfficialO pposition...... Dawn Black Deputy Speaker...... Linda Reid Assistant Deputy Speaker...... Claire Trevena Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole...... Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...... E. George MacMinn, OBC, QC Clerk Assistant...... Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk...... Ian D. Izard, QC Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees...... Craig H. James (on leave) Clerk Assistant and Acting Clerk of Committees...... Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms...... Gary Lenz ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING

Abbott, George (L)...... Shuswap Abbotsford-Mission...... Hon. Randy Hawes Austin, Robin (NDP)...... Skeena Abbotsford South...... John van Dongen Bains, Harry (NDP)...... Surrey-Newton Abbotsford West...... Michael de Jong, QC Barisoff, Hon. Bill (L)...... Penticton Alberni–Pacific Rim...... Scott Fraser Barnett, Donna (L)...... Cariboo-Chilcotin Boundary-Similkameen...... John Slater Bell, Hon. Pat (L)...... Prince George–Mackenzie Burnaby–Deer Lake...... Bennett, Bill (Ind.)...... Kootenay East Burnaby-Edmonds...... Raj Chouhan Black, Dawn (NDP)...... Burnaby-Lougheed...... Harry Bloy Black, Hon. Iain (L)...... Port Moody–Coquitlam Burnaby North...... Richard T. Lee Bloy, Harry (L)...... Burnaby-Lougheed Cariboo-Chilcotin...... Donna Barnett Bond, Hon. Shirley (L)...... Prince George–Valemount Cariboo North...... Bob Simpson Brar, Jagrup (NDP)...... Surrey-Fleetwood Chilliwack...... John Les Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (L)...... Surrey-Panorama Chilliwack-Hope...... Hon. Barry Penner, QC Campbell, Hon. Gordon (L)...... –Point Grey Columbia River–Revelstoke...... Norm Macdonald Cantelon, Ron (L)...... Parksville-Qualicum Comox Valley...... Don McRae Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP)...... Vancouver–West End Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...... Douglas Horne Chong, Hon. Ida (L)...... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Coquitlam-Maillardville...... Diane Thorne Chouhan, Raj (NDP)...... Burnaby-Edmonds Cowichan Valley...... Bill Routley Coell, Hon. Murray (L)...... Saanich North and the Islands Delta North...... Guy Gentner Coleman, Hon. Rich (L)...... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Delta South...... Vicki Huntington Conroy, Katrine (NDP)...... Kootenay West Esquimalt–Royal Roads...... Maurine Karagianis Coons, Gary (NDP)...... North Coast Fort Langley–Aldergrove...... Hon. Rich Coleman Corrigan, Kathy (NDP)...... Burnaby–Deer Lake Fraser-Nicola...... Harry Lali Dalton, Marc (L)...... Maple Ridge–Mission Juan de Fuca...... de Jong, Michael, QC (L)...... Abbotsford West Kamloops–North Thompson...... Dr. Terry Lake Dix, Adrian (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kingsway Kamloops–South Thompson...... Hon. Kevin Krueger Donaldson, Doug (NDP)...... Stikine Kelowna–Lake Country...... Norm Letnick Elmore, Mable (NDP)...... Vancouver-Kensington Kelowna-Mission...... Hon. Steve Thomson Falcon, Kevin (L)...... Surrey-Cloverdale Kootenay East...... Bill Bennett Farnworth, Mike (NDP)...... Port Coquitlam Kootenay West...... Katrine Conroy Fleming, Rob (NDP)...... Victoria–Swan Lake Langley...... Hon. Mary Polak Foster, Eric (L)...... Vernon-Monashee Maple Ridge–Mission...... Marc Dalton Fraser, Scott (NDP)...... Alberni–Pacific Rim Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...... Michael Sather Gentner, Guy (NDP)...... Delta North Nanaimo...... Leonard Krog Hammell, Sue (NDP)...... Surrey–Green Timbers Nanaimo–North Cowichan...... Doug Routley Hansen, Hon. Colin (L)...... Vancouver-Quilchena Nechako Lakes...... John Rustad Hawes, Hon. Randy (L)...... Abbotsford-Mission Nelson-Creston...... Hayer, Dave S. (L)...... Surrey-Tynehead New Westminster...... Dawn Black Heed, Kash (L)...... Vancouver-Fraserview North Coast...... Gary Coons Hogg, Gordon (L)...... Surrey–White Rock North Island...... Claire Trevena Horgan, John (NDP)...... Juan de Fuca North Vancouver–Lonsdale...... Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Horne, Douglas (L)...... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain North Vancouver–Seymour...... Jane Thornthwaite Howard, Rob (L)...... Richmond Centre Oak Bay–Gordon Head...... Hon. Ida Chong Huntington, Vicki (Ind.)...... Delta South Parksville-Qualicum...... Ron Cantelon James, Carole (NDP)...... Victoria–Beacon Hill Peace River North...... Pat Pimm Karagianis, Maurine (NDP)...... Esquimalt–Royal Roads Peace River South...... Blair Lekstrom Krog, Leonard (NDP)...... Nanaimo Penticton...... Hon. Bill Barisoff Krueger, Hon. Kevin (L)...... Kamloops–South Thompson Port Coquitlam...... Mike Farnworth Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP)...... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Port Moody–Coquitlam...... Hon. Iain Black Lake, Dr. Terry (L)...... Kamloops–North Thompson Powell River–Sunshine Coast...... Nicholas Simons Lali, Harry (NDP)...... Fraser-Nicola Prince George–Mackenzie...... Hon. Pat Bell Lee, Richard T. (L)...... Burnaby North Prince George–Valemount...... Hon. Shirley Bond Lekstrom, Blair (Ind.)...... Peace River South Richmond Centre...... Rob Howard Les, John (L)...... Chilliwack Richmond East...... Linda Reid Letnick, Norm (L)...... Kelowna–Lake Country Richmond-Steveston...... Hon. John Yap MacDiarmid, Hon. Dr. Margaret (L)...... Vancouver-Fairview Saanich North and the Islands...... Hon. Murray Coell Macdonald, Norm (NDP)...... Columbia River–Revelstoke Saanich South...... Lana Popham McIntyre, Joan (L)...... West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Shuswap...... George Abbott McNeil, Hon. Mary (L)...... Vancouver–False Creek Skeena...... Robin Austin McRae, Don (L)...... Comox Valley Stikine...... Doug Donaldson Mungall, Michelle (NDP)...... Nelson-Creston Surrey-Cloverdale...... Kevin Falcon Penner, Hon. Barry, QC (L)...... Chilliwack-Hope Surrey-Fleetwood...... Jagrup Brar Pimm, Pat (L)...... Peace River North Surrey–Green Timbers...... Sue Hammell Polak, Hon. Mary (L)...... Langley Surrey-Newton...... Harry Bains Popham, Lana (NDP)...... Saanich South Surrey-Panorama...... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Ralston, Bruce (NDP)...... Surrey-Whalley Surrey-Tynehead...... Dave S. Hayer Reid, Linda (L)...... Richmond East Surrey-Whalley...... Bruce Ralston Routley, Bill (NDP)...... Cowichan Valley Surrey–White Rock...... Gordon Hogg Routley, Doug (NDP)...... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Vancouver-Fairview...... Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Rustad, John (L)...... Nechako Lakes Vancouver–False Creek...... Hon. Mary McNeil Sather, Michael (NDP)...... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Vancouver-Fraserview...... Kash Heed Simons, Nicholas (NDP)...... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Hastings...... Shane Simpson Simpson, Bob (Ind.)...... Cariboo North Vancouver-Kensington...... Simpson, Shane (NDP)...... Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Kingsway...... Slater, John (L)...... Boundary-Similkameen Vancouver-Langara...... Dr. Moira Stilwell Stewart, Hon. Ben (L)...... Westside-Kelowna Vancouver–Mount Pleasant...... Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Stilwell, Dr. Moira (L)...... Vancouver-Langara Vancouver–Point Grey...... Hon. Gordon Campbell Sultan, Ralph (L)...... West Vancouver–Capilano Vancouver-Quilchena...... Hon. Colin Hansen Thomson, Hon. Steve (L)...... Kelowna-Mission Vancouver–West End...... Spencer Chandra Herbert Thorne, Diane (NDP)...... Coquitlam-Maillardville Vernon-Monashee...... Eric Foster Thornthwaite, Jane (L)...... North Vancouver–Seymour Victoria–Beacon Hill...... Trevena, Claire (NDP)...... North Island Victoria–Swan Lake...... Rob Fleming van Dongen, John (L)...... Abbotsford South West Vancouver–Capilano...... Ralph Sultan Yamamoto, Hon. Naomi (L)...... North Vancouver–Lonsdale West Vancouver–Sea to Sky...... Joan McIntyre Yap, Hon. John (L)...... Richmond-Steveston Westside-Kelowna...... Hon. Ben Stewart

Party Standings: Liberal 47; New Democratic 34; Independent 4

CONTENTS

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Afternoon Sitting

Page

Routine Business

Tributes...... 6309 Olympic athletes and volunteers Hon. C. Hansen

Introductions by Members...... 6309

Statements...... 6310 Organ donation K. Conroy

Introduction and First Reading of Bills...... 6310 Bill M201 — Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2011 D. Black

Statements (Standing Order 25B)...... 6310 Wildlife conservation efforts in Comox Valley D. McRae Alex Cuba D. Donaldson Volunteer activities of Peter Maarsman D. Hayer Government action on domestic violence K. Corrigan Olympic Games events and legacy in Richmond R. Howard Cultural events in north coast area G. Coons

Oral Questions...... 6313 Payment of legal fees in B.C. Rail court case D. Black Hon. C. Hansen Hon. R. Coleman L. Krog N. Macdonald R. Fleming S. Simpson Election campaign finance reporting in Vancouver-Fraserview K. Corrigan Funding for criminal justice system M. Mungall Hon. R. Coleman Hon. C. Hansen S. Chandra Herbert Surrey school district portable use and funding J. Brar Hon. M. MacDiarmid H. Bains

Tabling Documents...... 6317 Public Service Benefit Plan Act, 34th annual report, year ended March 31, 2010 Petitions...... 6317 D. Thorne J. Horgan N. Macdonald

Tabling Documents...... 6318 Guarantees and indemnities authorized and issued report, fiscal year ended March 31, 2010

Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued)...... 6318 B. Ralston Hon. K. Krueger D. Donaldson J. Les L. Popham Hon. P. Bell H. Bains Hon. S. Thomson D. Routley Hon. M. Polak C. Trevena Hon. R. Hawes M. Sather

Second Reading of Bills...... 6353 Bill 3 — Supply Act (No. 1), 2011 Hon. C. Hansen B. Ralston 6309

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2011 MacDonald, and she and I used to work together many years ago. I would ask the House to please make them The House met at 1:34 p.m. welcome.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.] C. James: I'd like to make an announcement during introductions that has been a long time coming. I want Routine Business to admit to this House first that I have been struggling with envy over the last six years as member after member Prayers. stood up to announce their grandchildren. The member for Chilliwack announced enough grandchildren for the Tributes entire House in the Legislature over the last six years. So I stand very proudly today to announce the birth of my OLYMPIC ATHLETES AND VOLUNTEERS first grandchild. On February 3 Charlie Deane Dunsmoor-Farley Hon. C. Hansen: I rise today to recognize that exactly James was born, nine pounds ten ounces. He has a lot one year ago today, February 16, 2010, Squamish resi- to live up to with that name. Someone told me it's too dent Maëlle Ricker became the first British Columbia big for a campaign sign, so perhaps that will be good. Olympian to win an Olympic medal on Canadian soil. He won't be going into politics. Evan and Bronwyn, his [1335] mom and dad, and big sister Hayden are doing wonder- I know everyone in this House is proud of the ac- fully, and I continue to be a proud grandma. complishments of British Columbia's Olympians and Paralympians. I am pleased to inform the House that Mr. Speaker: Not to be outdone and exercising the government will formally recognize these special Speaker privilege, on November 14, 2010, I was for- achievements. Seven proclamations will be made to tunate enough to have our third grandchild. Allison declare commemorative days in the names of British Elizabeth Barisoff was born in Penticton, the sister of Columbian athletes who won medals during the 2010 my granddaughter Kayla. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Athletes will be recognized on the one-year anniver- Hon. I. Black: Joining us in the gallery today is the sary of their medal-winning performance. An eighth president and CEO of WorkSafe B.C. I know that all proclamation will honour the volunteers who made the members in the House are very mindful of the work Olympics and Paralympics such a great success. that the men and women who comprise that excellent Proclaiming days in honour of our Olympic medal- organization do on a daily basis to help keep people in lists and volunteers is a small token of our appreciation British Columbia safe and get them home from work that we can show for everything they have done. Our safely. I ask all of the members of the House to make athletes have inspired a generation of youth to pursue Dave Anderson feel most welcome. their own dreams. Our famous blue-jacketed volunteers became the face of our nation. M. Sather: Joining us in the gallery today are 46 grade We begin by proclaiming today, February 16, 2011, 11 students from Westview Secondary School in Maple Maëlle Ricker Day, marking the one-year anniversary Ridge. They are here with their teacher Patrick Glover of her gold-medal victory in snowboard cross. I ask the and four other adults. I got the opportunity to meet House to join me in recognizing Maëlle and all British them earlier, and they enjoyed our fine precincts, as Columbia's Olympic and Paralympic medallists. they all came over on a volunteer basis. They stepped up to the plate, and they're here to learn about democracy. Introductions by Members Will the House please join me in welcoming them. [1340] D. Black: I'd like to take this opportunity to intro- duce Cody Walker, who is here with us in the gallery B. Simpson: It would be an understatement to say today. Cody is a student at the University of Victoria and that my life has changed somewhat since the last time has come to work with the official opposition caucus I stood up in this House. Some of it's good, and some through the University of Victoria's law co-op program. of it's sad. I'd like to ask everyone in the House to please make The good part: I want to introduce two new staff Cody welcome. members that have joined my team. Tracey Janes will be helping me with policy and research and Brian Kowalski L. Reid: I have the pleasure today of introducing a with outreach, and they're a great complement to my brand-new British Columbian. He is three months old. hard-working staff back in Quesnel. I ask the House to His name is Joseph Gered MacDonald. His mom is Bree please recognize them. 6310 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

On a more sombre note, I want to recognize the pass- Introduction and ing of my father, who loved this place. All of you were First Reading of Bills characters in his daily soap opera, as with my mom. Whenever they came here, they loved to meet all of the Bill M201 — Recall and Initiative famous people in the hallways and speak to you as if Amendment Act, 2011 they'd known you forever, and some of you experienced that. D. Black presented a bill intituled Recall and Initiative My dad passed away from pancreatic cancer December Amendment Act, 2011. 14. He passed away the way he wanted to. He maintained his dignity, and he did it with intestinal fortitude. I want D. Black: Mr. Speaker, I move that a bill entitled Recall to thank the staff at Kelowna General Hospital, who and Initiative Amendment Act, 2011, be introduced and were incredible for the few days that he spent there, and read a first time now. especially the staff at the hospice house in Kelowna be- cause they made it easy for all of us to say goodbye to Motion approved. him. I want to thank all of you who sent condolences and D. Black: This bill amends the Recall and Initiative Act to recognize my father today. to require an initiative vote be held within six months of the initiative petition and draft bill being referred to the J. Horgan: I want to recognize in the gallery two in- Chief Electoral Officer for an initiative vote. It addresses dividuals — one, Bernard von Schulmann, here from the concern that the time period between an expression of the capital region; and also, for aspiring leadership can- the will of the people being made through a successful in- didates on both sides of the House, his son Ben, who itiative petition and the actual initiative vote is too long. It has taken out a membership in a party that I will not also addresses the concern that such a time delay may cre- disclose. So keep your p's and q's on both sides of the ate uncertainty with respect to the province's economy. House. Would you please welcome Ben von Schulmann, Additionally, this bill allows an initiative vote to be a newly activated partisan of indeterminate nature. held within nine months of referral if that referral oc- curred before the coming into force of this act. This R. Austin: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a means this amendment would allow British Columbians dear friend visiting from Kitimat. Rob Goffinet is a now to have their say on the HST before the end of June. recently retired teacher, after having spent 35 years in The petition to scrap the HST was deemed to have that wonderful profession. I'd like the House to join me been successful in August 2010, but under the current in making him feel most welcome. rules, a final decision cannot be made until September 2011. The people of B.C. have made it clear that this is Statements too long, and they've made a compelling argument for an early vote. ORGAN DONATION Finally, after facing significant public backlash, every leadership candidate running to become Premier has K. Conroy: I, too, wanted to take the opportunity to committed to an early initiative vote. This bill estab- rise today, because it's actually the first timeI 've had the lishes the framework and paves the way for just that. opportunity, since I donated a kidney last May, to thank I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day all of you for all your warm wishes and support. It was for second reading at the next sitting after today. really overwhelming. Both Ed and I survived. Ed sur- [1345] vived remarkably well. I want to thank our friends and family for the support we had from them, as well as the Bill M201, Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2011, B.C. Transplant Society, Canadian Blood Services and introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on the team at VGH in Vancouver as well as the team at orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of Toronto General. the House after today. I want to ask you all to take the time to sign up to be an organ donor. It's really easy. You can get on the website, Statements transplant.bc.ca, and type in your CareCard number to (Standing Order 25B) find out if you are a donor. But if you're not, please regis- ter. It's a really easy thing to do. I'm testament to that. You WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EFFORTS don't have to wait until you're gone to pass on something IN COMOX VALLEY as valuable as the gift of life, and you can do it through donating blood. So please, all take the time to do it, and D. McRae: When you travel north on the Old Island thank you again for all of your warm wishes. Highway between Courtenay and Campbell River, you Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6311

pass by one of the most beautiful farms in British Alex has his own indie label, Caracol Records — Columbia. Shelter Point Farms is owned by longtime phone his home number in Smithers, and that's what Comox Valley farmers, the Evans family. On February 2 you get on the answering machine — and recorded his I had the pleasure of visiting their farm for a monumen- Grammy-nominated album right here in Victoria at tal announcement. Joby Baker's Tillicum studio. The farm has long been recognized for its tremen- I last saw Alex perform on a cold winter night in mid- dous value to migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. December in Smithers. It was magical — a small venue, The land provides valuable feeding opportunities and a building renovated by volunteers run by the Bulkley resting sites for water birds as they travel between their Valley Museum Society. Alex also honed his skills at northern breeding grounds and their southern win- other arts group venues in small towns in B.C. like the tering habitat. Kispiox Valley and in Smithers, at music festivals. TheE vans family has always been a great steward of the That is why funding to arts groups in small commun- land, but I'm pleased to say they've now partnered with ities is so important and why cutting it can rob the world Environment Canada, Ducks Unlimited and the Comox of the skills and talents of those living in rural B.C., let Valley regional district to ensure that the biological in- alone the lost economic and social benefits to those of tegrity of this valuable wildlife habitat is protected for us living in small communities. future generations. Through their combined efforts, a Alex is very dynamic on stage and delivers his power- conservation covenant is now on the farm, which will ful performances as part of a trio. It's his approach of ensure the continued production of its traditional agri- doing more with less. Doing more with less — now, that cultural crops and at the same time protect its value as has to be the rural, northern influence on his music. wildlife habitat. So congratulations, Alex. An amazing artistic achieve- Ducks Unlimited and the Comox Valley regional ment from what some call the Canadian backwoods. district also purchased 161 acres of woodland, wetland and river floodplain upstream of the Oyster River es- VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES OF tuary. This area is teeming with birds, bears, deer and PETER MAARSMAN rich fish habitat. This land has now been named Bear Creek Nature Park and will provide recreation and D. Hayer: I'm honoured to speak about the incredible public education opportunities for the residents. In value of volunteerism to our city of Surrey and the im- particular, it will allow the volunteer-led Oyster River portance it has to our entire province. Throughout B.C. Enhancement Society to continue work restoring sal- we have many not-for-profit organizations, such as the mon stocks in the river. Rotary, the Lions, the Kinsmen and a host of other non- Conservation of Bear Creek Nature Park and the Shelter profit societies who do amazing work for the betterment Point Farm has secured almost 520 acres of wetland, agri- of all of our citizens. Without their dedication and de- cultural and forested habitat through a combination votion to improve the life of all of us, British Columbia of donation, acquisition and conservation covenant. I would not be the special and spectacular place that we want to express my gratitude to the Evans family, Ducks all love. Unlimited and the CVRD for having the vision to make [1350] this happen. They have preserved this priceless jewel for But none of those great organizations would operate future generations of people and of wildlife. without the willing support of the individual members and volunteers, because volunteering is all about the ALEX CUBA giving of time, work and money to help others. One such individual in my city of Surrey is Peter D. Donaldson: One reviewer has said: "A Cuban im- Maarsman, helped greatly by his wife, Sally. Peter has lived migrant in the Canadian backwoods is the new and all his life in Surrey, volunteered with many non-profit unconventional face of Latin music." Well, I'm not sure societies and spent all his effort to make our community about describing Stikine or Smithers, in particular, as a better place to live, work and do business in. the Canadian backwoods, but Alex Cuba is definitely Peter is a governor and former president of the Surrey the new face of Latin music. Board of Trade and former executive director of the He won a Latin Grammy for best new artist in Las Surrey Crime Prevention Society. Under his leader- Vegas in November, and on Sunday night he was at the ship, the Crime Prevention Society grew from just one STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, nominated for a 2011 employee and a handful of members to a thriving organ- Grammy award in the best Latin pop album category. He ization that has eight staff, hundreds of volunteers and didn't win — this time — but as a reporter put it, "He hundreds of members. comes to the Grammy as a left-field nominee, an absolute He was also the president of the Green Timbers outsider," while the other artists in the same category are Heritage Society and through his efforts saw our gov- all on music label giants like Warner and Sony. ernment turn over a huge Green Timbers property to 6312 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

the city of Surrey for heritage and the community de- OLYMPIC GAMES EVENTS AND velopment project. Peter has also been named Surrey's LEGACY IN RICHMOND Citizen of the Year. I ask the House to join me in thanking this outstand- R. Howard: This week marks the one-year anniver- ing resident for all the hard work he has done to make sary for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where our community and our province the best place in which we all adopted the phrase: "Go, Canada, go!" The world to live, work and do business. came to British Columbia, and we gave them one of the most popular sports events of all time. Nowhere have GOVERNMENT ACTION ON the games left such a lasting legacy than in Richmond. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Two projects in particular I had the pleasure of being involved with from start to finish, from inception to up K. Corrigan: Between 2003 and 2008, 12 percent of and operating successfully: the Richmond Oval and the all homicides in British Columbia were related to do- Canada Line. mestic violence. Domestic violence cases constitute The Richmond Oval stands as a monument to B.C. the second-largest case type for Crown counsel after sports. With its majestic roof made from pine beetle impaired driving. The impact of domestic violence on wood, this breathtaking riverfront venue and its Spirit women is immeasurable, but even more immeasurable Square park offerR ichmond a place to come together, to is the toll that it takes upon the children who experience compete and get active. Whether it's the two Olympic- it as victims or as witnesses. sized ice rinks, the indoor soccer fields, personal training I'd like to take a moment to honour the memory of or meeting and events spaces, at the Richmond Oval, Christian Lee, who had turned just six when he, his there is something for everyone. mother and his grandparents were stabbed to death by [1355] his father. This tragedy is made even greater by the fact Then there's the Canada Line. Now almost two years that it may have been prevented by more coordination in operation, this rapid transit service has far exceeded between the justice, victim support and police services ridership expectations. Its popularity was already grow- ing when the Olympics arrived, and it soon became an systems. integral part of getting visitors and residents to the pa- Domestic violence not only puts children at risk of vilions and world-class sporting events. physical harm but also exposes them to the psycho- It's been a year since the world came to British logical trauma caused by witnessing violence. We need Columbia, a great opportunity to reflect on the legacy of strong, direct action to protect children from domestic the 2010 games, but it's also a chance to look to the fu- violence, but support for these children has been sadly ture — a new year to move forward, carrying the spirit lacking. of those 17 days in 2010, sharing and renewing our com- As the child and youth representative said in her re- mon bonds, enjoying the diversity in our communities port into the tragic loss of Christian Lee: "The child and the growth my riding now enjoys. The future has welfare, criminal justice and family justice systems never looked brighter. must all work together to provide effective support for victims and especially for children in these dangerous CULTURAL EVENTS IN NORTH COAST AREA and sometimes lethal situations. They are not working together now, and the need for change is urgent." G. Coons: The north coast of British Columbia is re- There simply hasn't been enough urgency in the- re nowned for its natural beauty, but the cultural diversity sponse to this report and in the response to the instances and beauty are equally impressive. Despite the economic of domestic violence that are reported in courthouses difficulties this region is facing, cultural celebrations and and police stations every day in communities all across collaborations are strong. this province. We need to do more on a policy level to In January Prince Rupert saw its first-ever Sugar Shack prevent these tragedies. Beyond that, we must change Festival. For four days the Association des francophones the behaviour of individuals and of society to make it et francophiles du Nord-Ouest hosted a film festival, clear that we are united in our demand that domes- brunch, live music and much more. tic violence will not be tolerated and that we will not Last week Prince Rupert had the pleasure of hosting let children become the collateral damage of domestic the 52nd All-Native Basketball Tournament. This an- violence. nual event brings in thousands of players, spectators Those of us who didn't knowC hristian have an added and vendors from First Nations communities through- responsibility to not only remember him but also to out British Columbia. Prince Rupert was bustling with continue to honour his memory through seeking posi- life and energy. The basketball skills were highly impres- tive change both within our institutions and within our sive, and the abundance of delicious fried bread, clam society. fritters and roe on kelp was remarkable. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6313

This weekend on Haida Gwaii the village of Queen Hon. R. Coleman: This case was before the courts for Charlotte is hosting an agricultural strategy meeting seven years. to discuss food security, rising transportation costs and local food production and storage issues on the Interjections. islands. In the last week of February one of my favourite Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. events, Hobiyee, is happening in Kincolith — a tre- [1400] mendous new year's celebration for the Nisga'a and many other First Nations. It begins on the full moon Hon. R. Coleman: It was thoroughly investigated by in the month of February with the coming of the vital police. A mass amount of documentation was provided oolichan. I have the honour of drumming with the to the defence and to the court. A special prosecutor had Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Dancers from Prince Rupert conduct of the case and acted independently of govern- and look forward to partaking in the revelry in the vil- ment at all times. The results were that charges were laid lage of Gingolx. and two individuals pleaded guilty to committing crim- Today I've only highlighted a handful of the many inal breaches of trust. cultural festivities and events that are happening in the Those individuals also pleaded guilty to wrongfully region I represent. Despite the loss of employment and disclosing confidential information and providing - as growing challenges of living in rural communities, the sistance for which they received financial benefit. constituents in this region will not lose their identity or Regrettably, they put their personal gain ahead of the public interest. connections with each other and the land. In a statement of fact filed with the court at the conclu- sion of the case, the accused confirmed that they acted Oral Questions alone and were solely responsible for their criminal acts. The decision on the fate of the legal fees reimbursed by PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES the government was made by the Deputy Minister of IN B.C. RAIL COURT CASE Finance and supported by the Deputy Attorney General, who issued a public statement setting out the circum- D. Black: Yesterday's budget cut funds to Crown stances. These two senior public servants acted on their prosecutors by $6 million, the same amount of money own authority without any political direction, influence the government spent to cover the defence costs of two or approval. These issues have been extensively can- Liberal insiders convicted of corruption in the B.C. Rail vassed by the media and by the courts. trial. My question is to the Deputy Premier. Why did his Mr. Speaker: Member has a further supplemental. government bend the rules to cover the defence costs of Dave Basi and Bob Virk? D. Black: It's clear that the minister will not answer my questions. Maybe they will answer the questions Hon. C. Hansen: With regard to the budget for the posed by someone who wants the job to be leader of the Ministry of Attorney General, I can assure the Leader of Liberal Party. Here's the question: "Why did the Crown the Opposition that the same amount reflected in this offer the plea deal in the first place? Did they feel they budget was reflected in the fiscal plan last year. There is needed to throw in the $6 million in order to get the not anticipated to be any change to the deployment of accused to sign off?" That was a question from Christy prosecutors within the ministry. Clark last October — a good question. The balance of the question I will take on notice on British Columbians want to know why they were behalf of the Attorney General. fleeced out of $6 million. So to the Deputy Premier: would he now like to answer Ms. Clark's questions in Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition the Legislature? has a supplementary. Hon. R. Coleman: As I said in my earlier answer, a D. Black: The minister knows that the rules were special prosecutor had conduct of this case and acted in- broken. The government only covers defence costs in dependently of government at all times. I also told you the event of an acquittal, but two Liberal insiders were that the decision on the fate of the legal fees reimbursed given a last-minute sweetheart deal that cut short the by the government was made by the Deputy Minister of B.C. Rail corruption trial. Finance and supported by the Deputy Attorney General, So again to the Deputy Premier: why is there one set who issued a public statement setting out the circum- of rules for B.C. Liberals convicted of corruption and stances. Those two public servants acted on their authority another set of rules for everyone else? without any political direction, influence or approval. 6314 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

L. Krog: Of course, now that Ms. Clark is running to by the Deputy Attorney General, who issued a public be leader of the B.C. Liberals, she's running for cover statement setting out the circumstances. on the B.C. Rail deal. The former Attorney General and The members opposite should know that the poli- B.C. leadership hopeful had to apologize when he tried cies in which they were operating were policies that to pin the blame for this repugnant deal on the special operated in the 1990s as well as during the term of this prosecutor in the criminal justice branch. government. These two senior public servants acted on Here's another question from Christy Clark: "Did the their own authority without political direction, as they former Attorney General sign off on the agreement or should have, and without influence or approval. not?" Can the Deputy Premier answer that question? Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. Hon. R. Coleman: I will repeat for the member op- posite that the decision on the fate of the legal fees which N. Macdonald: This is the point. This is not how it were reimbursed by the government was made by the works. There was a conviction. Look at the contrast. Deputy Minister of Finance and supported by the Deputy Before anyone in this province can collect welfare, they Attorney General, who issued a public statement setting have to sell almost all of their assets. A single mother out the circumstances. These two senior public servants who is desperate has to sell almost everything that they acted on their authority without any political direction, own before this government will help them at all. But influence or approval. if you are a B.C. Liberal insider, this government will bend over backwards to help you, to the tune of $6 Mr. Speaker: Member has a supplemental. million. So the question is for this government. Why is there L. Krog: Look, here's what we know. Just as the B.C. a special set of rules for B.C. Liberals convicted of Rail corruption trial was about to hear from the for- corruption? mer Minister of Finance, the former Liberal Minister of Finance, a special deal was cooked up to end that Hon. R. Coleman: I do find it offensive that the trial. The former Attorney General said publicly that he member opposite is impugning the reputation of some signed off on the deal. That's what he told the public on professional public servants in the province of British October 18 last year. It was his final decision. Columbia. But I will tell you, hon. Member, that the de- Again to the Deputy Premier: so if it was his decision cision of the legal fees reimbursed by government…. to say…. The simple question is this: why on earth did the Attorney General cut that deal for B.C. Liberal insid- Interjections. ers who were convicted of corruption? Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. R. Coleman: Again to the member opposite: Minister, just take your seat. the decision on the fate of the legal fees reimbursed Continue, Minister. by government was made by the Deputy Minister of Finance and supported by the Deputy Attorney General, Hon. R. Coleman: Knowing the public servants who who issued a public statement setting out the circum- would have made this decision, I think it is improper to stances. Those two senior public servants acted on their impugn their reputations. own authority without any political direction, influence As I said, the decision on the fate of the legal fees or approval. reimbursed by government was made by the Deputy [1405] Minister of Finance and supported by the Deputy Attorney General, who issued a public statement setting N. Macdonald: If you are a non-political civil servant out the circumstances. These two public servants acted convicted of a crime related to your job, you can count on their own authority, which they have, without any on one thing. The government will come after you hard political direction, influence or approval. for your defence costs. It will be your house, your assets. Everything is on the table. But if you happen to be a B.C. R. Fleming: The people of British Columbia want an- Liberal insider with a politically embarrassing story to swers into this $6 million deal that shut down the case, tell, then things are completely different, aren't they? because the deal stinks. Dave Basi put up his house as collateral for his de- Let's look at it. It was an agreement that let one de- fence costs. Why did the government not collect? fendant walk. It let two plead guilty to corruption charges that carried sentences up to ten years in prison Hon. R. Coleman: As I said before, the decision on and put them under the mildest terms of house arrest. the fate of the legal fees reimbursed by government was It let them keep their houses when government had a made by the Deputy Minister of Finance and supported piece of paper saying: "Your legal bills are in exchange Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6315

for it being repaid if you're found guilty." All of that was To the members opposite I will repeat that the given away. decision on the fate of the legal fees reimbursed by gov- The question is to the Deputy Premier. Can he cite ernment was made by the Deputy Minister of Finance, one precedent anywhere where taxpayers have paid for supported by the Deputy Attorney General, who issued the legal fees of convicted criminals — in this case, B.C. a public statement setting out these circumstances. I Liberal political aides? One case? invite members to go and read the public statement if they wish. Hon. R. Coleman: As I said, the decision on the fate It wouldn't hurt you to do that. These two public ser- of the legal fees was handled. I know the members op- vants acted on their own authority without any political posite still want to see if they can impugn the reputation direction, influence or approval. of dedicated public servants. I have in my hand, which I'm glad to provide to the S. Simpson: The deputy ministers aren't in this House after question period, the statement by the Deputy House to answer for the conduct of this government. Attorney General, David Loukidelis, on the Basi-Virk This House Leader is answering, and he should pro- matter, dated October 20, 2010. vide some answers. The House Leader has mentioned [1410] the comments of the Deputy Attorney General. Let's I will read one paragraph to the members opposite. look at the comments of the Attorney General of the Maybe they can go look and read this statement that was day. made by the Deputy Attorney General. This is what it On October 21 he told Christy Clark's radio show: says. "They told me about the decision, and I agreed with it. I agreed with it then, and I agree with it now." He went Interjections. on, on January 7, to say this: "I was informed of the deci- sion. I have never shirked from my responsibility. I think Mr. Speaker: Continue, Minister. I held it this time to answer politically for it. I was the Attorney General." Hon. R. Coleman: If I have time, I'm happy to read Hon. Speaker, the Attorney General is not here. The the entire thing into the record. But in the second-to- House Leader is speaking for the government. Accept last paragraph, it states this: "No one outside the legal political responsibility. Tell us why you paid the $6 mil- services branch, myself and the Deputy Minister of lion to end that trial. Finance had any knowledge of this or involvement. For clarity, neither the special prosecutor nor the Attorney Hon. R. Coleman: The decision on the fate of the General had any knowledge of the matter and any in- legal fees, as I told the member opposite already, was volvement in this." made by the Deputy Minister of Finance and supported by the Deputy Attorney General, who issued a public Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. statement setting out those circumstances, which you are quite allowed to go look for. R. Fleming: The question is why the B.C. Liberals, I will reiterate that it was done under the same policy this government, violated longstanding indemnity that existed when the NDP government was in existence policy for the province of British Columbia when they in the 1990s. These two public servants acted on their covered the legal fees for now convicted criminals who own authority without any political influence or direc- came from their own party, who were political insiders tion or approval. with this government. Why did they give away $6 mil- lion for the taxpayer when they could have forced the Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. sale of the now convicted criminals' assets? [1415] To the Deputy Premier again. Maybe he'll get on his feet. Will he end the cover-up today and do, at a min- S. Simpson: No government before this one has ever imum, what some of his leadership candidates are calling paid out $6 million to pay the legal fees of convicted for and call for a public inquiry so that we can finally get criminals. This decision by theB .C. Liberal government to the truth of the matter in British Columbia? is unprecedented, and it's outrageous, and it in fact im- pugns the public trust of these democratic institutions Hon. R. Coleman: Deputy Attorney General of and of this place. That's the reality. this province David Loukidelis served this House as If this minister and this government have any con- Information and Privacy Commissioner with distinc- cern beyond their political survival, any concern for the tion over a number of years, and I believe his reputation integrity of elected officials, you'll call a full public in- is impeccable. He has written this letter on the 20th of quiry now. Get to the bottom of a political scandal and a October and outlined it. lousy payout. Do it now. 6316 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hon. R. Coleman: I invite you to go look at the Prince Rupert, thrown out in October 2010 — all be- October 20 letter, which I'm actually happy to photo- cause of court delays, delays due to this government's copy for every member opposite in the House, from underfunding of the judicial system. the Deputy Attorney General, David Loukidelis. I can After yesterday's budget, that underfunding continues. tell you that the two public servants acted on their Is this the standard that the Minister of Finance plans own authority without political direction, influence or to keep, or will he commit today to properly fund the approval. criminal justice system, clear up the backlog and get B.C. courts working again? ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE [1420] REPORTING IN VANCOUVER-FRASERVIEW Hon. R. Coleman: The Attorney General is not with K. Corrigan: A June 15, 2010, letter from Elections us today because he's at home expecting the birth of his B.C. sent to the Vancouver-Fraserview MLA, his finan- first child, so I will take that question on notice. cial agent and the B.C. Liberal Party says the campaign's financial report "did not completely and accurately Mr. Speaker: Does the member have a supplemental? disclose the information required by the Election Act. Specifically, it appears that not all election expenses and M. Mungall: I do, hon. Speaker. This is to the Minister contributions have been reported." of Finance. He, after all, does control the entire budget To the Deputy Premier: your government has known and presented it yesterday. Make no mistake. The justice about this letter and the forensic audit that prompted it system is being starved to death because of the decisions for eight months. Why has your government not taken and the presentation that he put forward yesterday. any action in an effort to avoid embarrassing this gov- In his dismissal of an impaired-driving charge be- ernment and degrading its integrity even further? cause of unacceptable delays in another case, a Provincial Court judge in Surrey said that the shortages are not due Mr. Speaker: Hon. Member, I'll rule the question out to the result of dramatic cuts but the result of attrition of order considering that it's dealing with a sitting mem- from the gradual budget reductions. Like I said, those ber that is before a special prosecutor. gradual budget reductions…. We saw them again yes- Do you have a different question, Member? terday in the budget speech. Will the Minister of Finance stand up to protect B.C. K. Corrigan: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I have a different citizens, ensure people's right to a trial and commit to question. getting our justice system back on track? I want to talk about the period before the suit was filed in the courts. My question for the Deputy Premier Hon. C. Hansen: I know that the Attorney General is: in the time period before this was filed, why did the would have a more fulsome response for the member, government not direct the member from…? but I can reassure the member that the budget that we have set out for the Ministry of Attorney General for the Mr. Speaker: Member. Member, I've ruled it out of three years of the fiscal plan startingA pril 1 is consistent order. It's dealing with a sitting member, and it's before with the same numbers that were tabled last year. a special prosecutor. Now, unless you have something new and a new line, we won't continue. S. Chandra Herbert: The B.C. justice system is in Continue, Member. crisis. Accused criminals are walking free because the B.C. Liberals have cut millions to courts, to prosecu- K. Corrigan: One final try. Does this government tions, to corrections. The Finance Minister's budget think that it is acceptable behaviour for anyone, let alone continues that. Accused crooks are getting let off scot- a member of their own government, to not file reports free, while their victims live with the crimes for the rest as required? of their lives. My question is for the Finance Minister and the FUNDING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Deputy Premier. When will the B.C. Liberals stop let- ting accused criminals get off scot-free and stand up for M. Mungall: Here's what's happening in B.C.'s judicial the justice system that we're sent here to protect? system today. An RCMP officer charged with dangerous and impaired driving in 2007 — well, that was thrown Hon. C. Hansen: As I indicated, the budget for the out in November 2010; two people charged with cocaine Ministry of Attorney General is going to be maintained, trafficking in Cranbrook, thrown out in May 2010; two as are virtually all of the ministries of government. They other charges of impaired driving in Surrey, thrown out will be stabilized for the third year of the plan and con- November 2010; another impaired driving charge in sistent with the three-year plan as we had set out last Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6317 year. The Ministry of Attorney General is involved with garten and another 18 classrooms for elementary school. a review of the justice system to find out how the jus- The work is ongoing. We are investing in Surrey. tice system can be improved to ensure that there is more timely access and to make sure that the appropriate ef- H. Bains: The minister knows that this is a pa- ficiencies are found. thetic explanation to a very serious situation in Surrey. They need action, not the lip service from this minis- SURREY SCHOOL DISTRICT ter that we've been getting for years now. Every new PORTABLE USE AND FUNDING portable that is springing up in the Surrey school dis- trict costs over $100,000. That money comes out of the J. Brar: Yesterday's budget was a huge disappoint- in-class learning of our students. Their education is ment for the people of Surrey, as there was no money compromised. to build new schools. The Surrey school district has This is a direct result of this government, because our grown by thousands of students since 2005. As a result, district is forced to take this money out of the classroom we have 292 portable classrooms in the Surrey school to pay for this government's failure to provide real class- district this year. rooms for our children. My question to the Minister of Education: does this To the minister, again: will you commit today and government ever plan to deal with the lack of school ensure that not a single dollar will come out of the space in the Surrey school district? If so, when? children's education in the classroom to pay for these portables? Hon. M. MacDiarmid: Thank you for the question. Certainly, on the several trips I've made to the Surrey Hon. M. MacDiarmid: Certainly, people on both school district, I have been well aware of the rapid sides of the House feel very passionately about the edu- growth in Surrey. It's clearly a wonderful part of the cation system. That is clear. province in which to live. This member is unfortunately misinformed. As we To be clear, we have invested in school space in Surrey have continued to work closely with the Surrey school — over $219 million in the last ten years. It's the most district, we have acknowledged that the portables…. that we've invested in any school district. Since 2005 They were previously paying for portable classrooms out we've created over 3,000 new spaces in schools in Surrey, of their budget. We have given them a capital grant of $2 and there are more being prepared, even as we speak, million toward their portable classrooms. We continue for full-day kindergarten. We're working on it, but we to have a good working relationship with the Surrey do recognize and acknowledge that this is our fastest- school district, which I greatly value. growing school district. [End of question period.] Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. Mr. Speaker: Minister of Community, Sport and J. Brar: Mr. Speaker, the minister is trying to dodge Cultural Development. I thought you had a report. my question, and the minister knows it very well. The reality is this. The Surrey school district did not get even Hon. S. Cadieux: Tomorrow. a penny of new capital funding for the last six years. No money in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. Tabling Documents [1425] My question, again to the Minister of Education: how Hon. M. McNeil: I'm pleased to rise in the House to- many years will it take for this government to figure out day to present the 34th annual report pursuant to the that Surrey is a growing district and that we need more Public Service Benefit Plan Act, year ended March 31, classrooms in the Surrey school district? 2010.

Hon. M. MacDiarmid: I will remind the member Petitions opposite of one of those uncomfortable truths, which is that back in 1998 there were 363 portable classrooms D. Thorne: I'd like to present a petition from 407 resi- in Surrey. Today there are approximately 250. The dents of British Columbia asking that fee increases to member opposite has actually been at the openings of residents of long-term residential care be stopped and schools that have happened in Surrey in the last num- that care remain equitable and affordable. ber of years. Clearly, we have work to do, but we have been building J. Horgan: I seek leave to table a petition. schools in Surrey. At the moment there is construction on 58 new classrooms in Surrey for full-day kinder- Mr. Speaker: Proceed. 6318 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

J. Horgan: On September 19 Tribal Chief Liz Logan of each of the fiscal years 2011-2012 through to 2013-14 the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, along with a number of to help achieve operating and debt level targets. These other chiefs from the Peace country as well as the prov- allowances are intended to help recognize uncertainty ince of Alberta, attended the Legislature to declare their in revenue forecasts, commodity prices and global eco- opposition to the Site C dam on the Peace River. nomic recovery generally." I was presented, on behalf of the Leader of the So in perhaps less formal language, though a forecast Opposition, a petition in a birchbark, which is the trad- allowance is there, it's added as part of the nominal ex- itional vessel for removing information from one level penditure to the bottom line as a cushion against certain of government to another. I ask to seek this as a petition unpredictable things that may happen. In particu- signed by five First Nations opposing the Site C dam. lar, he does reference uncertainty in revenue forecasts, [1430] fluctuations in global commodity prices, and asa resource-driven economy in many respects as a prov- N. Macdonald: I present a petition today signed by ince, our provincial revenue is subject to those kinds of over 600 residents of Golden and area, calling for a fluctuations.A lso, he refers to global economic recovery. moratorium on the private river diversion project on So that figure is set out over the next three years. Ventego and Cupola creeks near Golden. [1435] In addition, the budget also contains what are called Tabling Documents contingencies, and that is for, again, a different kind of unforeseen expense that may arise during the course of Hon. C. Hansen: I rise pursuant to the Financial the budget year. In this budget there's a provision for Administration Act to table the guarantees and indem- $600 million in this budget year, $450 million in each nities report. of the two subsequent years of the three-year fiscal plan. Adding that up for this year, you have $600 million in Orders of the Day contingency and a $350 million forecast allowance. That's $950 million, just $50 million short of a billion, Hon. R. Coleman: I call budget debate. For the mem- obviously. bers' information, the budget debate will continue this By anyone's standards, it's a lot of money. TheF inance afternoon until 6 p.m., at which time we will move into Minister has explained that as, in addition to the words second reading of Supply Act (No. 1). of the deputy minister, wanting to guard against unfore- seen fluctuations in the global economy, resource prices, Budget Debate revenue forecasts being off. (continued) That's put in the budget there, as theF inance Minister said, to provide what he has described as flexibility so B. Ralston: Perhaps if I might wait a moment until that the incoming Liberal leader, the new leader, would members head about their business. have the opportunity to spend as he or she saw fit ac- cording to the personal agenda that they are developing [L. Reid in the chair.] now or may reveal after they win the Liberal Party leadership convention. I'll continue. I want to make a few further remarks So this all seems, I suppose, somewhat reasonable — about the budget. They will be somewhat briefer than particularly, I suppose, if you're a B.C. Liberal. The new I have made in previous years, given that the content of leader is going to be given an opportunity to have a stack this budget was close to nil. The Finance Minister set of cash to dispense, perhaps in a pre-election flurry, per- expectations very low. He basically promised very little, haps over the course of the next year or two as we look if not nothing, and I think that is one promise in this at the now scheduled election in 2013. budget that he did deliver on — very little in the budget But I view this new-found affection for forecast allow- at all. ances with some skepticism. When I look back at the But there are some telltale signs of what I would re- budget which was tabled back on February 17, 2009…. gard as classic B.C. Liberal fiscal policy in action. I'm This was, of course, prior to the last election, and the thinking in particular of the forecast allowances that are government had a very different political agenda. included in this budget and the contingency. Those are This budget is driven by a political agenda to give the fairly arcane financial terms, but in the preface to the incoming leader a stack of cash to spend as he or she budget signed by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. sees fit. The budget back then had a different political Whitmarsh, he explains what forecast allowances are. agenda. It was designed to get through an election, and I'm going to read from the statement at the begin- it was designed in the economic circumstances in which ning of the budget document signed by Mr. Whitmarsh: we found ourselves then to minimize, to absolutely "Forecast allowances of $350 million are included in minimize, the deficit. Notoriously — and I think this Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6319 will be one of the outgoing Premier's epitaphs — he pre- Clearly, by juxtaposing those two uses of the forecast dicted, he guaranteed, a $495 million deficit maximum. allowance now and when the incoming leader needs a He stressed that. I'm quoting him. He made that com- stack or a whack of cash to spend on a spending spree ment on a radio station — $495 million maximum. when he or she comes to power — and back in 2009, in Of course, we know that that wasn't accurate, and the a downturn when you wanted to reduce the size of the Public Accounts Committee has confirmed that. That deficit and you didn't need it…. A very cynical, deliber- budget has now passed through all the phases of approval ate, calculated manipulation of the fiscal process — not and spending and came out at just short of $1.8 billion as with the best interests of the citizens of British Columbia a deficit — strikingly off, perhaps by design. Certainly, in mind, not with an eye to good fiscal management, it's the firm view of many people I talked to over the last but with an eye to the main chance of the B.C. Liberals. 18 months or so that that was deliberately so. But in any That's what that was all about in doing that. event, that was what was promised then. Yes, while the deputy minister there said: "Well, we're But did the government feel the obligation to have going to use the contingency vote to manage these un- this cushion in the biggest economic downturn in the certainties…." Again, very difficult economic times. So last 60 years? Wouldn't it be responsible as financial was the contingency allocated more than it is this budget- managers to put a forecast allowance into the February ary cycle? One would expect that in 2009 — you have no 2009 budget when you were in that kind of financial tur- forecast allowance, and you're managing only through moil? Certainly, a bit different from now as we begin contingencies — you'd set aside more money, certainly to recover from the recession, although there are some more money than you would in 2011. Wouldn't that troubling signs in parts of the economy, particularly the seem reasonable? unemployment numbers. I'm sure most people who thought about it would But wouldn't it have made sense? If what Mr. expect that the risks on the downside to contingencies Whitmarsh says on behalf of the Finance Minister in were greater in 2009 than they are in 2011. But when February 2011 is valid, wouldn't it be even more valid you examine the two budgets, the amount of contin- in February 2009? You'd need a forecast allowance for gency set aside in this budgetary cycle, in this fiscal year, those uncertainty-in-revenue forecasts. February 2009, is $200 million more than it was in 2009 — $200 million I think most people would agree, was more uncertain more — once again demonstrating the cynical nature of than revenue forecasts are today. the budgetary process. Fluctuations in commodity prices. Certainly, we're For the B.C. Liberals it's not about fiscal probity. It's always vulnerable to that, but there was a very sharp not about good management. It's about the main polit- downturn in GDP, the world economy, the Canadian ical chance of manipulating the fiscal process in order economy and, of course, the British Columbia economy. to give them the maximum political benefit, and that's a The reference to the global economic recovery — again, very, very clear demonstration of that. very prudent. It would have been very prudent to have a There's no other rational explanation for it. So $600 forecast allowance. million in contingencies in this year and $400 million [1440] in the 2009 budget, again because the Finance Minister But the political agenda back at that time didn't dic- wanted to reduce the deficit, and a contingency counts tate it, because what the Finance Minister's job was, was against the deficit and would have added to it. So you to shorten up, to reduce, to make it as plausible as he keep it as small as you can, get rid of the forecast allow- could and as small a deficit as possible. So there was no ance and reduce your deficit as much as you can. need for forecast allowances back then. Never mind on the revenue side where revenue was In fact, here's what the former Deputy Minister of overstated in a number of departments, a number of rev- Finance and secretary to Treasury Board said in the same enue streams, in 2009. That's a separate issue but equally statement that he wrote at the front of the February 17, part of the same effort to come up with the fictional $495 2009, budget: "Unlike recent years, there are no forecast million maximum. allowances included in the fiscal plan, and government So this budget sets aside that amount of money, $950 will be managing risks to the fiscal plan through expendi- million in discretionary spending, unallocated discre- ture management and use of the contingency vote." tionary spending. The combination of those two will be Never mind the downturn. Never mind the economic used by the incoming B.C. Liberal leader and Premier to uncertainty. Never mind the prudent practice that the spend according to their own personal agenda. B.C. Liberals urged beginning back in 2001 of forecast [1445] allowances and in the fiscal review that was done after the 2001 election. The report there called for forecast al- An Hon. Member: Slush fund. lowances equal to 4.5 percent of the total budget. Not 1 percent, not a half percent. Zero percent in the middle B. Ralston: Well, some may call it a slush fund. I of the biggest economic downturn. don't think the Finance Minister has used that term, 6320 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

but I expect there might be some people who may these fees. It's a uniquely B.C. Liberal fiscal solution — a choose to characterize it in that way. Certainly, I'll user fee on individual families rather than using the tax leave that to other people to decide. system in a fairer way. The government also, in the same spirit of trying, Certainly, the B.C. Liberals like to trumpet the fact, attempting to rebuild trust…. One can regard this ma- and we've heard it in the budget speech, about reduc- nipulation of the fiscal process that I just spoke of as a tions in personal income tax. But you have to offset that further demonstration of why people don't and shouldn't against what the reality is in terms of things like the and won't trust B.C. Liberal budgets ever again in the medical services premiums, which are unique to British future, in my view. Certainly, they shouldn't trust this Columbia according to page 88, table A2, and are rising one, given what the motivation is in setting aside this all the time. money. [1450] The government also likes to talk about…. We've heard Much has been spoken of yesterday and today about in the Finance Minister's budget speech him heading the $6 million in legal fees that was forgiven by repre- back, I suppose, hand in hand with the Premier as they sentatives of the government. It would seem that there's look back to those halcyon days in 2001 when they first an offsetting reduction in Crown prosecutorial services. came into power, and they began to repeat some of the I don't think that's deliberate. That's simply an illustra- political myths that they have lived by over the last ten tive contrast. B.C. Liberals chose to forgive $6 million years. Some of those are captured in the budget speech, in legal fees to two convicted B.C. Liberal political as- and indeed, some of those are reflected in the budget. sistants who worked here in this building prior to their Let's look at medical services premiums. What has arrest — to forgive them that money. happened over the ten years that the B.C. Liberals have Yet when it comes to the prosecution service, which is been in power…. If you look at the budget, medical ser- facing extreme challenges…. One thinks of the compli- vices premiums are projected to year-end this fiscal year cated nature of prosecutions in contemporary criminal to be $1.798 billion — roughly $1.8 billion — and in the law, whether they are drug conspiracy trials, whether budget for the coming year projected to be $1.945 bil- they are the complicated gang prosecutions requir- lion. So that's close to $2 billion, a major funding source ing volumes and volumes — I suppose now disclosed for the government. on disk — thousands and thousands of pages of disclo- British Columbians will be paying more, 70 percent sure requiring complicated legal judgments, vast legal more, in this fiscal year than they did in 2002, and med- experience and a work ethic and determination to see ical services premium fees will continue increasing next those kinds of prosecutions through faced by very ex- year as well. They increased 6 percent on January 1, and perienced defence counsel. they will increase again next January 1. According to the These are the kinds of prosecutions that the public is budget document, a two-income family of four earning demanding. The police are gathering the evidence and $60,000 would pay $1,452 a year in medical services concluding cases and presenting them to the prosecution premiums. services expecting that they will go forward to trial. Yet That is a substantial burden on families. Like many of when we see this kind of budgetary reduction, one won- the changes that the B.C. Liberals have brought in, they ders about the commitment of the B.C. Liberals to the prefer — rather than graduated income tax, in the sense prosecution service of the province, notwithstanding some that it recognizes income equality and attempts to com- of the political rhetoric that we hear from time to time on pensate through the tax system for it — user fees that fall that side of the House and from individual ministers. across the board on everyone with a few exemptions at The document or the reference that I'm looking at is the very bottom of the income scale. on page 49. The voted appropriation for the prosecution A two-income family of four earning $60,000…. That services is on page 49 of the Estimates document. The would be solidly within or very close to the median voted appropriation last year, $112.6 million. The esti- income in the province, and I think one would not re- mates include the number $106,856,000, hence the close gard those people as particularly rich or anything above to $6 million reduction that was spoken of. average income. So that's a pretty representative figure This is documented, notwithstanding the contrary — $1,452 in MSP premiums a year. view perhaps expressed by the Minister of Finance a lit- This decision that the B.C. Liberals have undertaken tle bit earlier here. This is documented. This is in the is unique in Canada. If you look at page 88, table A2 — hard-copy document in the estimates. That's what gov- it's an interprovincial comparison of tax rates — there's ernment runs on, and indeed, we'll be speaking about a line item: "Health care premiums a month, individ- interim supply. This is the document that will guide ually and family." If you look across at the comparison to the operations of government in this service as well any other province, there's a figure forB ritish Columbia, as the rest of government when the interim supply bill but from Alberta, Saskatchewan and straight across to is passed. So it is reality, and that speaks to the lack of Newfoundland, there is no other province that charges commitment and to the misplaced priorities. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6321

If, as B.C. Liberal leadership candidates say, we've lost understand this issue; they just recite the cliché. They're our way — that people don't trust us; that we really, since undeterred by the facts, as they are in so many other the HST debacle, have to rebuild the confidence and the matters, particularly fiscal matters. The myth is more trust of people in British Columbia — this is no clearer important than reality, the fiction more important than illustration that there's a very, very high mountain to fact, the fantasy more important than what is really hap- climb, maybe even higher than some of the highest pening in the fiscal life of the province. peaks in the world — the Mount Everest, I suppose, of I want to conclude on this. Regrettably, I have to bring credibility. This government has a long, long hike, a long, this up, since the Finance Minister revived this old fic- long way to go. tion as well. The Premier, on his way out the door, seems I don't want to speak at too great a length, but the to want to waft back in a nostalgic way to the kind of minister, in his remarks in his budget speech, reverted political rhetoric that served him well, perhaps, in 2001 back to some of the political rhetoric that we've heard but that everyone recognizes was just political oppor- too many times in this chamber and, I suppose, outside. tunism of the time and had no basis in reality. It's been, I suppose, the rallying cry, the leitmotif, of the When the NDP government was defeated and the B.C. Liberals. One of them is that under the NDP it's al- Liberals came to power, they had a problem in the fis- leged that British Columbia became a have-not province. cal reality of the province in that the deficit, or surplus, What the reference is here…. that was left actually turned out to be the biggest surplus [1455] in the history of the province to that time, in the last fiscal year of the B.C. New Democrats in government — Interjection. $1.198 billion. Faced with this problem, with the reality of a sur- B. Ralston: Just wait for it, Minister. Just wait for it. plus, the biggest surplus in the history of the province, What exactly it is…. They're talking about equal- they set out to manufacture this so-called fiscal struc- ization payments. Equalization payments are a fiscal tural deficit. This is revived again as a technique by the agreement, an arrangement between the federal govern- Finance Minister. ment and the provinces. There's a formula by which for [1500] certain indices the federal government pays money to Rather than acknowledge there was a surplus, what equalize fiscal opportunity throughout the federation. they did is they projected a deficit three years forward, cre- Indeed, it's one of the features of the constitution. So the ated a notional budget three years out, reduced revenue minister referred to that in his budget speech and re- and increased expenditure and came up with a structural peated the myth that's there as well. deficit of close to $5 billion.C omplete, utter rubbish — a I'm going to continue as the designated speaker just fantasy. But it served their political interests. slightly longer. I'm verging on a conclusion, but I do Rather than be repentant or even slightly apologetic want to make this point here. as he heads for the exit, the Premier seems insistent The NDP, as government, received a single equaliza- on repeating this myth. Maybe he actually believes it. I tion transfer, in the 1999-2000 fiscal year, of $125 million. don't know. It doesn't really matter, because it's simply In contrast, the B.C. Liberals have received five such pay- not the case. It served the political ends of the govern- ments, a total of $2.4 billion during their time in office: ment back in those heady days of 2001, but the political $158 million in 2001-2002, $543 million in 2002-2003, reality is elsewhere. $979 million in 2004-2005, $590 million in 2005-2006 I want to end on that note of caution. When one and $459 million in 2006-2007. examines…. We heard from the member for West So have-not province — $125 million for the New Vancouver–Capilano an attempt, perhaps a little bit Democrats, one single payment; B.C. Liberals, $2.4 more sophisticated and less crude than many of his col- billion — yet we've heard this myth reiterated by the leagues, to fashion the same sort of argument but with Finance Minister again in his budget speech. One col- an equal lack of success. umnist called this a version of the creation myth of the When one compares the economic growth record of B.C. Liberals. It's clearly fictional. No shred of evidence the NDP government over its decade, growth was at 3 supports it. So $125 million to $2.4 billion. If any gov- percent on average; for B.C. Liberals over their ten years ernment made British Columbia a have-not province, as and the tenure of this Premier, it's close to 2.4 percent. they wish, it's that government over there. They took $2.4 Clearly, on those kinds of basic economic indices, the billion in equalization payments. So that's one myth. economic record of the government is not something that's really worth being very proud of. It's a mediocre Interjections. record at best, but that won't stop, perhaps, the next speaker from wanting to trumpet it. B. Ralston: They laugh and guffaw because they don't In conclusion, if you really want to have a good look at know any better. I mean, really, they don't. They don't the reality of the record, economic and fiscal and social, 6322 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

of the B.C. Liberals, look at the Progress Board report, to $119,000 each in income, and Canada seeing British the most recent report. Middling results. Columbia as the lowest-taxed jurisdiction in the G7. Our Paul Willcocks wrote a piece for many of the news- initiatives to bust red tape have resulted in a 42 percent papers around the province. He looks at the Progress reduction in the red tape that was ensnaring job creators Board, which is a board created by the B.C. Liberals, and and therefore preventing jobs in British Columbia. he gives a tip of the hat to them for that. But by their Our Premier's leadership on interprovincial trade and own measures on income growth, on many of the eco- employment issues has broken down the barriers across nomic…. On exports per capita, I think he said that this the country. On that and many other issues he is seen as province was ninth out of ten provinces. No change over a pan-Canadian leader. the ten years. Our government's initiatives, led by the Premier, on So on key economic indices, the record is mediocre, First Nations relations have led to a genuine new re- and I commend that to B.C. Liberals who want to exam- lationship, have led to modern-day treaties, terrific ine the reality of the B.C. economic record. In preferring successes, many economic development agreements, fantasy, they seem much closer to Mr. Vander Zalm than much progress in improving the lives of First Nations perhaps they'd really care to admit. and their communities. With that, I conclude my remarks. I expect we'll be This Premier's leadership and our government's hard back to debate the real budget, because the real budget work and leadership on opening up Asia-Pacific mar- is somewhere under one of those balls somewhere. The kets are paying off huge dividends for British Columbia. sleight of hand goes on, and we'll be back to debate an- For the first time late last year exports of our lumber other budget another day. But for now those are my to Asia exceeded exports of our lumber to the United remarks. States, and it's looking like they may forever now. We have a huge market there. TheC hinese people really like Hon. K. Krueger: That was an entertaining bit ofN DP dealing with us. There's a tremendously healthy rela- revisionism there. I well remember the sad and dismal tionship between them and their vast market and this decade of the '90s, when British Columbia's biggest and government. by far most valuable export was our young people, who That wasn't the case before we were government. In went to Alberta and places further away because there fact, British Columbia was at odds with its neighbours to were no opportunities here. the south, to the north, to the east. Pretty much, a fight Thank goodness my children didn't have to do that, was picked with anyone that the former NDP Premiers because we were elected with our current Premier. We thought might make them look like populists — even were able to follow through on our principles, establish a with Ottawa. That was a very unhealthy situation that's very sound fiscal plan that still earns us a triple-A credit totally changed. rating every year from people who certainly don't buy Our Premier has built tremendous friendships and the kind of NDP revisionism that we just heard. relationships with Prime Ministers of both stripes, with This is a very unique week, as we all know. We're saying other Premiers, with the government of the states around goodbye to two leaders, one on each side of the House. us and, indeed, with the American government itself. Apparently, that hasn't happened in at least a hundred There was a farewell tribute to him fromB ill Clinton that years in this place. It is a sad occasion, certainly for this was played on video at the Vancouver Board of Trade's side of the House, and when I say that, I refer to sadness farewell luncheon for him recently. about both leaders. Whether it's forestry, mining, energy or transpor- [1505] tation, this province is showing leadership that is During the Minister of Finance's budget speech, I was remarkable to people all around North America and struck by the accomplishments of this Premier — the all around the world. There's no greater example of that things that he has delivered for my children and for all than this province's success and, to be upfront about it, the children of British Columbia and for their children. this government's success and our Premier's success in I have seven grandchildren now. It was wonderful to partnering with VANOC and all the other partners to hear the former Leader of the Opposition announce her stage the most successful Winter Olympics in history. first grandchild today. They bring so much joy to your Our Premier retires leaving gigantic shoes to fill, and life, and they make you realize how important the things we're very grateful for everything that he's done for all we do here are to the success of successive generations. British Columbians, including those on the other side Because of the accomplishments of our Premier, who is of the House and their families. All of this was accom- retiring, and the team that he built — our team — British plished during our decade thus far of being government Columbia is a leader in Canada again, a leader in North in British Columbia, even though our decade began America and, in many ways, a leader in the world. with the nightmare of 9/11 and the economic repercus- Our tax-cutting principles have workers in British sions of that all around the world and certainly across Columbia paying the lowest income tax in Canada up Canada, impacting British Columbia as well. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6323

Our first decade in government is ending with the last By the end of this budget cycle we will be spending several years in a gigantic global recession — the worst almost that amount, $18.5 billion, on health care alone. we've ever seen in our lifetimes, most of us. One of our That could not have been done by the New Democratic members actually remembers the great depression of Party or their government, because they weren't able to the 1930s, but most of us didn't experience that. grow the economy. They shrank the economy. In spite of all those difficulties — 9/11 at the beginning You can't afford those levels of health care…. British and a worldwide recession at the end — we have man- Columbia could not deliver those health care services aged to deliver massive improvements in infrastructure with that track record. We're doing well over double — health infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, the best that the NDP ever did funding health care. education infrastructure. The debt that is incurred to They shrank the economy, and we've proven that in build that type of infrastructure is no different than the tough economic times, we can grow the economy very debt people incur on their homes when they buy them substantially. They shrank the economy in excellent eco- or build them, their businesses when they buy them or nomic times. build them. We believe, on this side of the House, in British [1510] Columbians. We believe in their energy, their creativity, It is not unhealthy debt as long as the borrower — in their intelligence, their decision-making abilities, their this case, the province — can afford it, and we can afford goodness, and we let them thrive by keeping their earn- it. We've seen tremendous increases in revenues over ings in their own pockets, in their own bank accounts, the years that the B.C. Liberals have been government and making spending decisions that turn out to be smart and this Premier has been our Premier. Without them, spending decisions. we would never have been able to afford the levels that The people who see what the British Columbian con- we're spending on health care, education, social services. sumers want, create new businesses, create new jobs. I'll talk more about those things shortly, but the differ- That's how it works, and we always thought it would. ence that those investments have made is phenomenal. That was our theory. We put it into practice, and it works Everyone talks about the Canada Line. People from — largest income tax cut in British Columbia's history around the world talk about it. We were able to pay for on our first day in office and many subsequently. that. Some of it is borrowed money. But we were hoping The NDP actually shrank British Columbians' dispos- for — and I think the target was — 100,000 riders within able income during their decade. In a whole decade there three years. We hit that within three months, and dur- was no advance on British Columbians' average dispos- ing the Olympics we learned that we could actually carry able income. The numbers are in the budget speech. We 200,000 riders on the Canada Line. It's going to be there have grown it even in these very, very tough times. Our forever. Right from the airport, walk out of the terminal principles are solid, and on them we've based a fiscal straight onto the Canada Line. plan that has been proven to work, continues to work. It's a beautiful piece of infrastructure, and of course, We've pursued that plan with faithfulness and good infrastructure has been built all over the province. The stewardship under the leadership of our Premier, who is Kicking Horse Canyon bridge — an absolute marvel. retiring. But the team is strong, and the team continues. Sea-to-Sky Highway — fantastic improvements there. When people say that they don't see enough new in the Improvements all around the province. throne speech, in the budget, it's a wonder to me why The universities. We're so proud of Thompson Rivers they would want any different results. University in Kamloops. It has changed the nature of our We had a president of the Kamloops Blazers hockey community. We're a university town now, tremendously team in Kamloops, where I live. We're tremendously diversified, and people feel really good about that. We proud of our hockey team, and we won two Memorial have 1,400 international students right now studying at Cups back to back. After that he said that it was time for a Thompson Rivers University. They bring in huge - eco new direction, and he fired the general manager and the nomic activity for us. coach. The Blazers haven't won a Memorial Cup since. I was looking back at the last budget of the NDP [1515] government of the 1990s, and I see that they budgeted Why would anyone ever choose to change this winning $8.269 billion for health care. We're going to be way over formula and pursue what we had in the '90s, marching double that at the end of this three-year rolling budget backward into the '90s? Not very likely, I wouldn't think. that we've brought out — way over double. We're a team that stays together, and frankly, I was really Yet the former critic for the opposition is perpetually saddened by what happened to the former Leader of criticizing our government, as if we do not spend enough the Opposition, the brutal way that she was treated, the money on health care. We'd like to spend more, and we awful events of late 2010. We took no joy in that. That continually do spend more. The total budget for theN DP's was an awful thing to see. last year when they were government in the sad decade of Our team stays together and never stops working. the '90s, the year 2000 to 2001, was $22.3 billion. We have MLAs who care about British Columbians as 6324 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

individuals, and that is very well demonstrated in the housed as of January; Kelowna, 247; Vancouver, 2,082; Ministry of Social Development — many, many unique Surrey, 374; Prince George, 298. The homelessness inter- and wonderful programs. vention program was nominated for a 2010 Premier's A program where our civil servants go out and meet Award in the category of organizational excellence and homeless people, befriend them, learn why they're partnership — and rightfully so. homeless, help them find homes, and add the services that help them ladder into much happier lives. Interjection. Community Living B.C. — a marvellous organiza- tion dealing with the most vulnerable adults in British Hon. K. Krueger: Madam Speaker, I think it would Columbia. Our employment programs that help people absolutely shock the people of Powell River–Sunshine move…. Coast if they could see the behaviour of their member in this House right now and very often.A nd he wants to be Interjection. a leader. He thinks he could be Premier. I'd like to talk a little bit more about Community Deputy Speaker: Excuse me, Member. Living B.C. Their operating budget in 2011-12, which includes operating contributions for the province, is set Interjection. at $701 million. That includes revenues — an increase of $8.9 million over 2010-11 beyond what it receives from Deputy Speaker: Exactly, and you're also inappropri- the province — such as interest income. Total provincial ate. contributions increased by $13 million for 2011-12. There are actually 13,291 British Columbians receiv- Hon. K. Krueger: Perhaps he's looking for a fight, as ing support from CLBC through a network of 3,200 he was with one of his colleagues when they were going contracted service providers. The government commit- through that terrible time of beating up on their leader. ted $23.2 million over three years to Community Living It'd behoove him to listen — listen and learn. B.C. For the personalized supports initiative, which Our employment programs are successfully bringing provides support to adults diagnosed with fetal alcohol people off of the welfare rolls and into full employment. spectrum disorder or pervasive development disorder, They start at an average wage of $14.30 an hour. We're otherwise known as autism. tremendously proud of those. There's much innovation [1520] in the Ministry of Social Development, including the We are leaders again in delivering these programs. new integrated case management system that's being We are the first jurisdiction in Canada to offer targeted carefully implemented with the guidance and assistance supports to adults with FASD, who face significant chal- and constant feedback of our employees. lenges in daily living. I was at the opening of Yew House There is tremendous personalization of our service to in Vancouver last week, a brand-new group home — ab- the people who need it, the most vulnerable citizens in solutely beautiful — a public-private partnership, which British Columbia. I went to visit the Downtown Eastside the folks on the other side of this House tend to deride. offices of the ministry first, in getting to know the staff, The five young adults who will be living happy lives in and I thought that there might be a morale problem that home think public-private partnerships are great. there. It was quite the opposite. Those people have some The private partner paid the entire cost of the capital so of the highest satisfaction scores in government because that our money for CLBC can be spent on providing the they're tremendously proud of these programs they're services. delivering and the very personalized way that they de- liver them. Interjection. I wanted to talk for a moment about the homeless- ness intervention project that I mentioned earlier. Over Hon. K. Krueger: Once again, the member for Powell 3,809 people have been housed since this project was River–Sunshine Coast heckles that. He ought to tour launched, and the majority remain stably housed. It's Yew House. He would be ashamed of himself, I think. a unique program that considers each person compas- The employment programs that I discussed earlier sionately as an individual and connects them with the are one of our top priorities as government, assisting as services that they need the most. The project takes the many unemployed British Columbians as possible to get housing-first approach, but housing is just one part of back to work as quickly as possible. In 2011-12 we will be the solution. We are also making sure that people have investing $341.2 million in these employment services. the skills and resources to remain in housing and to lead The province will not receive any federal stimulus fund- healthier, more independent lives. ing in 2011-12, although they have been very generous Recent community highlights. In Victoria there are and helpful partners. We're tremendously proud of our currently 806 formerly homeless people who have been relationship with them. It's tremendously productive for Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6325

British Columbians, including for these most vulnerable constantly hear from people — who have had very, very people. serious health issues — that they don't feel there's any Over 26,000 clients receive services through the prov- way they could have been treated better than our health incially funded employment programs each year. Since care system treats them. 2001 these programs have been successful in placing Our education system famously is delivering some of more than 73,000 British Columbians in jobs. In 2010 the best results in the world. the average wage paid to people placed into a job dir- [1525] ectly through the B.C. employment program was $14.30 You contrast all of that with the terrible condition of an hour. British Columbia, its economy and its services in the We inherited employment and training programs NDP years. There was not a single seniors extended care from the federal government two years ago. They ar- or intermediate care bed built in the entire Thompson rived with more than 300 contracts delivered from 223 health region — not one bed. We've built brand-new fa- separate locations. So for two years we've consulted on cilities up and down the valleys, and people love them. developing a new employment centre model that deliv- They constantly tell me how great they are. ers all employment and training programs under one The NDP had a leader of a different stripe, the Leader roof. of the Opposition who recently resigned, very differ- It's our goal and our intention that no one will be left ent from the people of the '90s. She was trying to bring behind as we move toward a new one-stop shopping about change, and then the wolves pulled her down. model. When it's fully operational by spring of next year, They were clamouring for a new leader that they would unemployed British Columbians, including minorities elect by one member, one vote. and immigrants, entering an employment centre will Our party has just completely walked away from that have access to a full range of employment services re- system because we think a leader should be elected to gardless of where they live. a party the same way a Premier is elected in British I mentioned the integrated case management system. Columbia. That's by 85 constituencies, each of whom Again, this is a very forward-thinking decision. This gets to send an equal representative down to govern- project is going to enable much smoother service deliv- ment. It's a progressive change. It's the opposite of what ery across ministries to our clients. the member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant was agitat- Income assistance, its programs and the way they ing for and, apparently, has pulled off. work have changed a whole lot since 2001. The number During that black time, the current leader of the NDP, of people dependent on income assistance has dropped the current Leader of the Opposition, said this: "Some of by nearly 70,000 clients. That was the situation in 2010 — these people, I think, live in a parallel universe." That's 70,000 fewer clients than when we became government. the member for New Westminster, on December 3, 2010, At the same time, hundreds of thousands of new jobs talking about the people on those benches, about half of have been created, and our employment programs are them at least. She said, "Some of these people, I think, making sure that people are placed in those. live in a parallel universe," and that's what they want to In 1995, under the previous NDP government, 9.7 take British Columbia back to, marching backwards into percent of the population was on income assistance — the '90s. I think it was shameful the way that leader was almost one in ten people, 9.7 percent. There had been treated. I feel really badly for her. some improvement. By 2000 it was 6.2 percent. Today it Now from the dark decade of the '90s they have two is 3.9 percent of the population on income assistance in former chiefs of staff and two former cabinet ministers. this deep worldwide recession — 3.9 percent, less than They call them theirA -team. Well, they only call three of half the NDP's rate in 1995 and a 37 percent drop since them their A-team. That is just bizarre to most people. the year 2000. They are the same people with the same approaches and So we're pretty pleased with those results. Those are the same words as in the 1990s, the same theories. I feel just some examples of our results, as you know, Madam certain, and I think most people do, that they would de- Speaker. liver the same results. The Conference Board of Canada repeatedly rates There was also a quote, the same day, the same radio British Columbia the best health care deliverer by results show, from the member for Port Coquitlam. He said: measurement in Canada. "What's important is recognizing what the goal is. That's We have, as the Finance Minister mentioned, the winning an election in 2013." But why would anyone lowest cancer and heart death rates. When I was in op- want to win an election with the same people, the same position in the sad '90s, people would come into my ideas and the same attitudes and words that delivered constituency office in tears because their loved ones the sad results of the '90s? Winning is not a good thing were diagnosed with cancer and couldn't get in for if that's going to be the result for British Columbia. treatment. Their loved ones would be diagnosed need- What could the NDP possibly do differently for British ing heart surgery and couldn't get in for surgery. Now I Columbia than what they did before? How sadly their 6326 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

performance and results stack up to what this Premier Today in this initial response to the budget — in the and this government have delivered. limited amount of time that we both agreed on, on both We continue with this budget to build on our good sides of the Legislature, to discuss this budget in — I'm work and the good work of British Columbians. We will going to shine some light on decisions that this gov- keep British Columbia a world leader. We are emerging ernment has made. That's what we need to talk about from a deficit situation faster than we thought we could, — decisions they've made that have negative impacts and it's because of discipline, hard work and a team on our ability to generate revenues as well as provide that never quits working, a team that sticks together, a services. team of people that really, genuinely cares about British Let's take a look at one such decision. Now, it wasn't Columbians and shows it every day in our words, our too long ago that a fair-minded person would look at actions and our results. all the evidence and take the conclusion that a decision was made to implement the HST before the last election. [H. Bloy in the chair.] Regardless of whether that was the case or not, another decision was made by the entire caucus two months I want to pay tribute to both outgoing leaders and es- later, including all the five leadership candidates on that pecially, of course, our own — a Premier whose shoes side, to pass the HST — to put it before the Legislature will be very hard to fill, a Premier who leaves a tremen- and pass it, to support it without any consultation. dous legacy. The people are talking about it all around So regardless of what you think the merits of the HST the province in voices of sadness, because nobody can re- might be, over 700,000 people in the province signed place a man like that. We wish him all the very best in his the initiative in opposition to it. Now we have that suc- private life. He said recently he got to babysit for the first cessful initiative campaign and now, in this budget year, time. He's experiencing some of those joys with grand- a referendum. kids. The former Leader of the Opposition will as well. What's the cost of that referendum in this year's We wish her Godspeed. We wish him Godspeed. budget? Because of their decision not to be forthright I thank you — Mr. Speaker, welcome to the chair — and their determination to implement the HST before for this opportunity to address the House. Clearly, I any consultation, it's going to cost in this budget year support the budget. I think it is an excellent budget. I $29½ million — all because of their decision not to be am tremendously proud of our progress in the finances forthright. So there's $29½ million. Keep that number of British Columbia. in your head. There's another choice this government made. They D. Donaldson: Thank you for this opportunity to made a decision to spend $6 million to pay the legal speak to the budget. That's what I'll be doing, unlike costs of two Liberal insiders at the centre of the B.C. Rail the member that preceded me. I'll be using most of my trial. Where else could that money have been spent? time to address the budget, as we're supposed to be do- Well, it just so happens that when the budget was an- ing in this chamber — the budget that was presented nounced yesterday, funding for Crown prosecutors was yesterday. cut by $6 million — $6 million in a payout to Liberal in- This budget is a disappointment, and let me explain siders, a $6 million cut. why. The budget has been typified by the Minister of Finance and others on the other side of this Legislature Interjections. as a placeholder or a status quo budget. That's a disservice, hon. Speaker. It's a disservice to the people both rurally D. Donaldson: "Money in, money out," as one of my and in urban centres who are struggling economically. colleagues says. [1530] Now that means fewer cases will be brought to trial It demonstrates that this government is out of touch and will contribute to longer delays in those cases that with the people in the province. People are struggling. are chosen to go ahead. I can tell you that there are very They can't wait months for a new budget to be intro- many frustrations in small communities in B.C. con- duced by a new leader on that side of the Legislature. cerned about crime, especially drug dealers. They need action now to address the issues. There are The RCMP will do their best to collect the evidence, very serious issues in people's lives. This is a $41 billion but whether Crown prosecutors will be able to pro- budget we're talking about. It's serious business, and ceed with the case is hampered by cutbacks announced people are struggling. yesterday. That's a disgrace, and that $6 million could Yet we have the Minister of Finance quoted in the have been spent elsewhere. It was spent bailing out for- newspaper yesterday, telling reporters that this budget mer aides to this Liberal regime — a very sad state of could be passed into law. So this is the budget we're affairs. talking about. It could be the budget that people in this So there's $29½ million and $6 million. We're up province have to live with, and it's a disappointment. to $35½ million that could have been spent elsewhere Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6327

in this budget and that's been poorly decided upon by species at risk, fish and mining resources — cut by more this government. than $5 million, here in the ministry where staff are al- I'm going to talk about areas where that money could ready stretched so thin, as the former Minister of Energy, have been spent to generate more revenues for the prov- Mines and Petroleum Resources pointed out. ince in ministries that deal with natural resource issues. What was needed was an increase, not a cut. I agree That's not just me pointing this out. with the president of the Mining Association of B.C. I have a quote here from the president and CEO of the That is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Mining Association of B.C. He presented before the Select Another area where spending money will increase Standing Committee on Finance in the fall. He said: "We the ability to generate future revenues is First Nations do feel that you're at risk of cutting off your nose to spite consultation. your face by making these kinds of cuts to the very minis- tries that are there to help the economy grow." Interjection. He went on to say: "It's for the government to figure out, but we have recognized now that really, frankly, Deputy Speaker: Member. the cuts have gone too far." That's from someone in the Please continue. know — the president and CEO, Pierre Gratton, of the Mining Association of B.C. D. Donaldson: I'll give you a very current example [1535] of First Nations consultation. This is over the northern Now, who else is in the know? Well, let's look at the transmission line and the Gitanyow First Nation. Over former minister of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and 40 percent of that line will traverse the territories of the Petroleum Resources. In October what did he say? He Gitanyow First Nation. The decision is imminent.N ext said that the biggest challenge for the resource minis- week we expect the provincial Minister of Environment tries right now is money. and the federal Minister of the Environment to an- "The fundamental problem facing the natural resource nounce their decisions on the northern transmission ministries is they're underfunded. We work the heck out line. of them"— the employees, that is — "and we don't have But unnecessary delays could occur because of bun- enough funds within the ministries to get the permits gling by this government, and part of that can be blamed out the door, to develop the policy to deal with stake- on a lack of adequate resources to the last two ministries holders, to do the work that actually leads to the majority I've mentioned. For example, we have a letter here from of the revenue that comes in to government." That's the the Gitanyow First Nation to the president and CEO of former cabinet minister on that side of the floor. B.C. Hydro, dated February 3. How did this budget address these very real concerns It says: "We" — meaning the Gitanyow First Nation from the industry, concerns from within the cabinet on — "are in complete disagreement with the B.C. environ- that side? Well, let's take a look at the new ministry that mental assessment office conclusion that the Crown was announced by the Premier in his last days before re- has satisfactorily discharged its duty to consult and signing, the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations. accommodate Gitanyow aboriginal title and rights in Oh, and by the way, I should remind those present connection with the proposed project." in the House today of what the former Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources actually had Interjection. to say about this reorganization around the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations. He said that it came D. Donaldson: I hear some noise coming from the with no consultation among cabinet and caucus. "It's my other side, from the Minister of Social Development. understanding that the process has been continuing for He previously was referencing a colleague of mine about eight months. They've been working on this without the his behaviour, and I think if anybody has something to involvement of elected people" — without the involve- be ashamed of, it's the minister who's chirping up right ment of elected people. now, when he had to apologize publicly for making in- Well, here we are with the Ministry of Natural Resource appropriate comments about guns and having people Operations. What happened in yesterday's budget? Well, in sights. He had to publicly apologize. That's shameful under that ministry there's something called provincial behaviour, and he's the one who needs to correct his be- operations. It deals with things like the analysis, admin- haviour and be ashamed of what he's done. istration and stewardship of items like Crown-owned Going back to the Gitanyow First Nation — and I'm subsurface resources and water use regulation — cut by using this as an example to talk about the budget docu- more than $3 million. ment — they spent seven years and four court cases to How about regional operations budget line? It deals come up with an agreement with the government on a with things like research, protection, monitoring, re- joint land use plan. porting related to forests, range, water, soil, biodiversity, [1540] 6328 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

It was a compromise, but the hereditary chiefs agreed budget — absolutely no support for farmers and farms on it, and negotiators from the Ministry of Aboriginal in this province. Relations and Reconciliation agreed. That was in mid- The Ministry of Energy — over a $4 million cut to September. The EAO, the environmental assessment electricity and alternative energy, alternative energy office, refused to take this joint land use plan into con- development advancing the leading energy technolo- sideration in making its recommendations about the gies. This is the responsibility of that section of that northern transmission line. budget, and they were cut $4 million. I thought alterna- Here's a letter that the Gitanyow wrote to the Minister tive energy was a priority of this government, a priority of Environment and the Minister of Forests, Mines and to generate revenues and their priority around climate Lands on January 21, where they said: "The EAO is not action. That's a heck of a funny way to show your sup- prepared to incorporate the joint land use plan recom- port for one of your priorities — cutting support by $4 mendations into their report." In fact, they are asking million. both ministers to suspend any kind of decision on the Most disturbing, though, is the $34 million cut in northern transmission line until they can have a meet- student aid and a failure to invest in training and col- ing, and if they can't do that, then to put off the decision leges. How are we supposed to ensure that the people of until a meeting can be arranged. this province, the young people, are the ones who bene- They've not got any response to this letter, and that fit most from the development that occurs in their own was January 21 — no response from the Minister of backyards? Environment; no response from the Minister of Forests, I'll give you an example, a shameful example. We in the Mines and Lands. This could lead to unnecessary delays northwest are on the cusp of a development boom that in the northern transmission line approval process. could generate revenues for the entire province. Dease So what was the response from this government yes- Lake in the middle of that boom has lost their campus terday in the budget to a very, very important topic that provides training opportunities to the youth and around development in this province and revenue gen- to the people in that area. They cannot get operational eration? A million fewer dollars in the negotiations and funds from the ministry of advanced education to pro- implementation section of the Ministry of Aboriginal vide training opportunities for people to take advantage Relations and Reconciliation — a million fewer dollars. of the mining opportunities that will occur in that area, So $800,000 less in the strategic initiatives section of and the minister of advanced education has known that that same ministry that deals with supporting and en- since April. That is a shameful record. hancing the new relationship — can you imagine that? [1545] — and a decrease in the environmental assessment office These decisions that I've talked about have prevented budget under the Ministry of Environment. the government from investing in these areas that I've How on earth are we going to move ahead with that mentioned. They're cutting off their nose to spite their kind of approach by this government? Again, it's cutting face. off your nose to spite your face. Instead of choosing to spend the money, they chose The list goes on about bad decisions in this budget. to hide the fact that they were going to implement the A $21 million cut in the forest stewardship resources HST, a $29½ million decision; they spent $6 million on item in the Ministry of Forests responsible for things the legal costs of convicted criminals; and this is the like silviculture investments, forest health and forest in- most shocking part, they have put away an unallocated ventory. What kind of commitment is that to the future? amount of money in this budget — a record unallocated What kind of commitment is that to the future revenues amount, $600 million — in a contingency fund, which that drive this province? is $150 million more than predicted, and $350 million The Ministry ofA griculture — cuts to the Agricultural in a forecast allowance. Almost a billion dollars not tied Land Commission budget when the Attorney General's to any ministry, not tied to any program and not tied to office has said that they already don't have the tools to any service. fulfil their mandate around the agricultural land reserve. What for? Why did they put away $950 million in We have many competing interests around the agri- unallocated revenues? Well, to quote the Minister of cultural land reserve. I know members on both sides Finance in yesterday's paper: "We have tried to maintain consistently are getting serious concerns expressed to as much flexibility as possible to allow the new Premier them in their offices about that. We need better support and executive council at that time to set a new course in the Agricultural Land Commission to deal with com- and new directions." So this government is holding back peting land uses. almost a billion dollars for whatever the new Premier There's been an overall decrease in the Ministry of wants to support as pet projects. Agriculture budget. That's just not a sector you can start Meanwhile, what's happening in the different ridings up overnight. It takes years to build a successful farm, and constituencies in this province? Well, I can tell you. and again, a 25 percent cut in 2009 in this ministry's Seniors are wondering how to pay for increased care Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6329

costs. Residential care facilities are struggling with staff But I think it is worth noting that he has been that shortages. Seniors in rural areas like mine are forced to steady hand on the tiller through that last 2½ years as travel five hours to access driving test services. the entire world, almost, has gone through these excruci- Rural elementary schools are shutting down. atingly difficult financial circumstances, which we have Librarians were cut. School completion rates for ab- weathered here in British Columbia not without diffi- original students are 49 percent, 30 points lower than culty but, in many respects, in much better form than non-aboriginals. And we still rank the worst in the most other jurisdictions, including those in Canada and country when it comes to child poverty. the United States. I think that does bear underlining. You know, when I think back on setting aside $950 I'm not going to take too much time this afternoon, million that could have been spent on those kinds of because I know that I have colleagues who wish to ad- issues, those kinds of concerns, those kinds of services, dress some remarks as well. Let's just look at the facts I think of Bill Nannings, who just last month I visited in that are laid out in the budget. Let's look at the facts as the Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton. we find them around the province of British Columbia He waited seven days with a collapsed lung and the today, as we are starting now to come out of this eco- prospect of rapid deterioration in a hospital bed in nomic downturn. Hazelton waiting for a bed to become available so that he We find, for example, that in 2010 we actually cre- could see a thoracic specialist at St. Paul's in Vancouver. ated an additional 45,200 jobs in the province of British He was on a wait-list called a bed list, with a collapsed Columbia. Where other jurisdictions are still seeing lung, while this government decided to set aside al- their unemployment rates going up and, in some cases most a billion dollars so that a new Premier could have — the United States, for example — approaching 10 per- flexibility. cent unemployment, we've had a 2 percent increase in Those are bad decisions — not the kinds of decisions employed people in British Columbia. That is part of people in B.C. support, not the kinds I can support. It the story that we've been telling since 2001. We have shows that this government is out of touch with the 360,000 more jobs in British Columbia today than we everyday lives of people in this province, and that is very did ten years ago. sad. We on this side of the House tend to talk an awful lot about jobs, because a job is really a pretty import- J. Les: It's a delight to rise this afternoon after hav- ant part of a strong and cohesive social policy. Without ing listened to the comments of my friend opposite, to a job, lots of people, frankly, don't have too many pros- which I listened carefully. Actually, over the last several pects. So it's important to keep focused on making sure years he and I have travelled around the province a fair that the economic climate continues to produce good, bit as members of the legislative Finance Committee, strong, family-supporting jobs in the province of British and we've had a great time doing that, I must say. Columbia. There are many things, I suspect, on which we do not Speaking of family-supporting jobs, it's also worth- agree, but we've had a lot of fun meeting various people while, I think, to point out that the average hourly wage around the province and visiting various communities. in British Columbia last year went up to $23.12 an hour. I think our relationship has certainly been a good one. That too was up 2.3 percent over the year previous. However, we find ourselves…. However, it is the same as saying "but…." Interjection. By the way, I heard several references already to the outgoing Leader of the Opposition and the outgoing J. Les: My friend opposite says thanks to the unions Premier and the commendable work that they have for that. However that may be, it is nonetheless an aver- done on behalf of British Columbians. age increase of 2.3 percent by wage earners in British [1550] Columbia in this last year, as we were coming out of that Forgive me if I add one more person to the list of economic recession. That too,I think, is indicative of the people who I think should be commended. Over the last strength of the economic recovery that's starting to take 2½ to three years we have undergone some of the most hold in the province of British Columbia. challenging financial circumstances in a generation, and On top of that, another important measurement that we have been served, I believe, incredibly well by our we have out there is consumer confidence. Confident Minister of Finance. consumers are consumers that have a job and consumers that spend and support businesses in their communities. Interjection. Consumers in British Columbia are the second most confident in all of Canada, which I think is a pretty out- J. Les: No, there is no rumour at all that he is retiring standing fact to keep in mind as well. or not running. I hope he stays around for many years On top of that, we are a government…. I must point to come. this out again because I think British Columbians need 6330 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

to understand what differentiates members on the gov- we are now selling into China, which is a direct result of ernment side from members on the opposition side, and initiatives undertaken by our government. it is simply this: we believe in low taxes and restrained There is,I think, no doubt that as we go forward, there spending. is going to be an insatiable demand, almost, in China Now, members opposite, in a variety of forums, make and other Asian countries for B.C. lumber. Again, that it very clear that they wish to see increased taxation competitive environment that we've established and and more spending. The member for Stikine, who was that strong focus on the Pacific Rim economies is really on his feet just before me, made it very clear that we're starting to come into its own. not spending enough. The member for Vancouver- It's interesting to focus on export markets and those Kingsway, who is running to be the leader of the New kinds of things, but a major percentage of our economy Democratic Party, has made it very clear that we need is small business — mom-and-pop operations, perhaps more taxation. people with five or ten employees. We have a great many [1555] of those around the province, and they too have bene- I think it's important that British Columbians keep fited from the taxation policies of our government. that in mind — that we have been very busy on behalf Next year we will have a small business tax rate of of British Columbians, lowering taxation since 2001. zero in the province of British Columbia. We will out- The average British Columbian has seen their income compete the rest of the country in terms of our small tax drop by some 37 percent, which I'm sure they very business tax. I know that small business owners and much appreciate. Our philosophy is that a hard-earned operators across the province are very appreciative of dollar is better in the pocket of the taxpayer than in the the fact that for them, as well, we have set up a great, pocket of government. competitive environment where they can keep their dol- Today in British Columbia hard-working taxpay- lars in their pockets, grow their businesses and provide ers pay the lowest taxes on the first $118,000 of income more jobs for other British Columbians. compared to any other Canadian. That is a fact that is Now, there's another very important debate going on starting to become pretty well noticed and is going to across the province. I do want to touch on that briefly, make our economy more competitive in comparison to and that has to do with the HST. There is no question all of the other Canadian provinces, the United States that this budget that was presented yesterday is prem- and many of the other G7, G8 or G20 countries — how- ised on the HST, as implemented, going forward. ever many Gs there are today. We are in a very good, [1600] competitive position to thrive and to grow this economy With every fibre in my body, I sincerely hope that it in the future. does remain in place going forward. It is, quite simply, When we look at how well our province is doing, of the best economic policy for our province. course we also have to look at exports. We are a province Now, there's been a great deal of debate. A lot of it that does a lot of exporting — forest products, minerals. is politically inspired. Very little of it has been eco- Last year B.C. exports increased by 15 percent over 2009 nomically inspired. It's probably futile, but it would be — again, a pretty good indicator of the fact that we're interesting if the members opposite would drop the pol- coming out of the recession and that British Columbia itical rhetoric and actually focus on what the economic is participating fully in that economic recovery, to the facts are. extent that it's going on, on a global basis. I do not believe for a minute that members of the New I must say, as well, that our efforts over the preced- Democratic Party actually have an ideological disagree- ing years to make sure that we're fully able to take ment with the harmonized sales tax. I don't think so. It advantage of that economic growth that's going on is simply convenient politically for them to oppose the in China, in Korea, in India, is really starting to show implementation of the HST. I think we need to recog- some benefits. nize that and put that on the record, because that's the If we had maintained our traditional strong and al- way it is. most exclusive linkages with the American economy, our There are other Labour governments, socialist gov- economic performance today wouldn't be doing as well ernments, NDP governments around the world that are as it is. But the fact is that we have those strong and grow- quite happily carrying on with a value-added tax or an ing economic bridges in place with Asia. I think we are HST. No problem at all. As a matter of fact, the NDP well positioned to participate in that economic growth government in the province of Nova Scotia recently in- that's been going on in that part of the world. creased their harmonized sales tax from 13 percent to 15 Forestry product exports, for example, have grown percent. I didn't hear Jack Layton comment about that. 21 percent in the year past to $8.6 billion. Members in I didn't hear the opposition Finance critic comment this House, I'm sure, are fully aware of the mills that are about that. opening up across the province, almost entirely due to I guess it's okay if the NDP government in Nova the phenomenal increases in the amount of lumber that Scotia does that, but if we're talking about implementing Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6331

an HST, the lowest HST in all of Canada, right here in only here in the province of British Columbia but across British Columbia, well, that's politically inconvenient, Canada and around the world, this truly is a beacon of I guess, for the members opposite. Therefore, they're light that I think a lot of others envy. bound to oppose it. With that, Mr. Speaker, I thank you. Later this year British Columbians will actually be asked in a referendum whether or not to carry on with J. Brar: I seek leave to make an introduction. the HST or to return to the provincial sales tax. It's actually an extremely important question for British Deputy Speaker: Proceed. Columbians. It is not a political question for them. It is an economic question and a fiscal policy question. It's Introductions by Members all about: how will our economy do best? Under which tax regime will we have more jobs? Under which tax J. Brar: We have a very special guest today visiting system will we have more investment in the province of us here in Victoria. We have Sarabjit Romana. She is a British Columbia? doctor, one of the first Chinese medical practitioners Those are the questions thatI hope and expect British from the Indo-Canadian community. She represents Columbians will be asking themselves. When they do the Indo-Canadian community, Chinese and, of course, and when they look at the evidence and they listen to British Columbians, and she is here with us today. Many the experts — not to me, not to the members oppos- members will know that her husband, Jasbir Romana, is ite…. When they listen to people who don't have an axe one of the hosts on one of the radio programs, Sher-E- to grind, they will have to come to the conclusion, I feel Punjab, and he conducts talk shows with all of us from very strongly, that the HST, as inept as the implementa- time to time. With her is her daughter, Ekum Romana. tion was, is actually the best way forward. She's also visiting with us today. This is not a flippant exercise that we will be going They have three special guests who are visiting us through later on this year. This is going to be a serious from Sydney, Australia. Dave Mani is there, his wife moment, where British Columbians are going to play, Anita Mani is there, and their beautiful son Arnaf Mani individually and collectively, a very large role in shaping is there. I would like to ask the House to please make our economic future. It's something that I think com- them feel welcome. pletely transcends the usual partisan political debate that goes on in here. I would hope that we can bring Debate Continued that discussion to an economic and financial discussion, rather than playing political games with the economic L. Popham: It's a pleasure to be back in this House future of this province. and to have the opportunity to respond to the budget I think our children and our grandchildren deserve speech. I have been allotted just minutes to speak, and I a lot better than having a question like that decided on have to be honest that I take strong exception to having who is going to best obtain a little political advantage in that little time. My constituents deserve more time to be the short term out of this exercise. represented in this House. Saanich South deserves more I'm not going to carry on too much longer. Obviously, than 15 minutes in 256 days. I strongly support this budget. It sets the correct tone for As MLAs, we were elected as legislators, and I believe the times. We would all like to tax even less. We would this government has denied us our democratic duty. We all like to have more to spend, but we have come through were elected to be legislators, and by refusing to let the some extremely difficult times. With this budget in place, House sit for 256 days, this government is undermining I think we are going to be well situated to take advantage our democratic tradition. of the growing world markets. There are many things we are concerned about in We're going to be able to take advantage of bringing Saanich South, and I have only been allocated enough more jobs to British Columbia, to give ourselves the time to touch a few of them. Food security and climate broadest economic base possible, with all of the resources change are just two of the topics we need to be addressed we have, with all of the human resources as well, and being more seriously at the provincial level. able to take advantage of all of the new education oppor- As New Democrats, we believe that a strong cli- tunities, particularly in the post-secondary sector, that we mate change action plan involves becoming more have made available over the last number of years. self-sufficient with our food production in British [1605] Columbia. This idea of greater self-sufficiency is widely I think we are looking at a very bright future here in accepted, but it needs provincial support to be success- the province of British Columbia. There is never a state ful. In fact, you have a 2007 study on one of your dusty of perfection. There are always more challenges. Of that shelves called the B.C. self-sufficiency report. The mes- there is no question, but with the circumstances that sage is clear. We are not currently producing enough we've had to deal with and where we're at today, not food in this province. 6332 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Being the Agriculture critic, I will respond to the The fact is that nobody supports this government's lack disappointing lack of support for agriculture in this of foresight and lack of vision for our agricultural fu- budget. The B.C. agricultural community is made up ture. Unless you properly fund this ministry, you have of diverse, resilient and amazing British Columbians. no business making statements about preparing us for They are farmers, they are agriculture supporters, and our future. Without a strong agriculture sector, we are they are people who care about sustainable food sys- ill-prepared for what our future will bring. tems in B.C. The agriculture sector needs to be tended like a crop. It's people like Harold Steves in Richmond, who has Neglect one year will bring failure for years to come. The fought his whole life to protect agriculture, and it's Dan support this sector deserves is like nutrients, making it Jason from Saltspring Island, who speaks out on the im- healthy and allowing it to grow so it can be depended on portance of local seed production. It's Donna Passmore as an economic driver in our province. in Langley, who is an activist for farmland. She knows Why is it so easily neglected? Making shortsighted that the highest and best use for the ALR is not a giant decisions has long-term consequences, and these are overpass for single-occupancy vehicles. consequences that affect our communities — all of our It's Dirk Becker, whose passion for farming in communities in this House. This is especially true for Lantzville is contagious, but he has to fight to farm. It's rural areas. For example, by bringing in a new set of Joe Sardinha from Kelowna, who is fighting to keep the meat-processing regulations, you have put small and B.C. apple growers' heads above water. His pleas for sup- medium processors out of business. port fall on the deaf ears of this Liberal government. These processors and producers are an asset to our It's Lin Steedman and Oliver Egan from Windermere, province, and they have been abandoned by the B.C. who are two young farmers trying to make a go of it be- Liberals. By driving these producers out of business, cause they believe in sustainable farming, but as new there is a domino effect. The demand for local meat is farmers, their access to farmland is almost out of reach. reduced, local economies feel the loss, infrastructure for [1610] processing is lost, and skill sets are lost. All of that means It's Dan del Villano, a local beekeeper fighting to save that our resilience and food security are in jeopardy. our honeybees on Vancouver Island, but he has run up This scenario is not easy to turn around. You can't against foolhardy policy changes by this government. It's replace those things easily. The slow and tedious reac- Ken Hueston in Colwood, who sets up the Island Chefs tion by this government to fix this mistake is taking too Collaborative, making a connection between farmers and long, and it's becoming too complicated. The longer it restaurants, to try and keep our farmers in business. takes, the more likely we will become more dependent It's Nathalie and David Chambers of Madrona Farm on out-of-province meat products, the more chance we in Saanich, who have spent years farming and providing will move into a mass-produced and centralized food local food to our community, at the same time fight- system. None of this makes for a brighter future or a ing just to stay on their land. It's Dave Fernie of Rodear stronger province. Meats in Big Lake, who struggles every day to stay in I see that in this budget the Agricultural Land business because of the meat regulation debacle that this Commission has lost 5 percent of its annual allotment. government is responsible for. It's Rochelle Eisen, who This comes at a time when the Auditor General has pub- worked for years as B.C.'s only organic extension officer, lished a report telling us that the ALC is underfunded and a position recently cut by this government. unable to fulfil its mandate. This mandate is to protect the It's all those farmers and food producers who have agricultural land reserve and to promote agriculture. walked away from agriculture because they just can't It comes at a time when the chair of the Agricultural make a living. That's the constituency who I'm re- Land Commission submitted a business plan asking the sponding on behalf of today. Let me tell you. I'm sure ministry for support. It comes at a time when a Treasury they would all agree that the status quo is not good Board request has been made, due to desperate times. enough. Again we see a drop in support for agriculture, How much clearer does it need to be? Do you need more and in B.C. that has been the norm for seven years, so than an independent study by the Auditor General or status quo it is. a request and a business plan from the chair of the The Finance Minister waxed on about how the B.C. ALC or a Treasury Board request that demonstrates an Liberals have helped pave the way for a brighter future. emergency? Let me ask you this: what does B.C. agriculture look like [1615] to you in our future? We all know this is not something How about the wisdom from our people in British you take seriously, and the people of B.C. will not stand Columbia? What will it take to get support for agricul- for this kind of apathy. ture? As I travel around the province, I can't tell you how The ALC needs to be funded. Instead, the budget many times I have heard that the Agriculture Ministry drops by 5 percent. Since 2009 this government has is being referred to as the incredible shrinking ministry. hacked a half-million dollars out of the ALC budget. The Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6333

ALR has overwhelming support in British Columbia. It side, with new leaders likely to be appointed in the next is one of the best land use tools we have ever had. Not number of months — in our case a little sooner, in the funding the commission adequately is shortsighted, and opposition's case a little bit further out. it's irresponsible. I would like to reflect on the leadership of the member This budget puts aside a contingency fund, something for Vancouver–Point Grey, the Premier of the province for the future. I believe that the best contingency plan for the last ten years, and on what's been accomplished for B.C. includes a healthy, producing and growing agri- across British Columbia, particularly focusing on north- culture sector, and that's a smart investment. ern British Columbia. This budget is a good reflection of how the government The Premier always had a strong vision for northern values agriculture in this province. Even one of your British Columbia and was certain that a strong British own leadership candidates recognizes this. He is willing Columbia was based on a foundation of strong natural to commit $15 million. He notes that this $15 million resource sectors — forest industry, mining industry, is the first step towards meeting your own agricultural agriculture industry and energy industry — all creat- plan. There is enormous deficit where agriculture sup- ing value for our communities and ensuring that we port is concerned. But where was this member's concern had the level of resources necessary to continue to pro- over the past seven years? Where was his voice then? vide the social services that are so important to British The point is this. Nobody is being fooled. Your own Columbians. people are asking you for support. We're asking you for With that in mind, he made several key decisions, support, and the people who value B.C. food are asking starting in the very first early days of office and moving for support. through the past ten years. I have assembled a bit of a It's time to move over and allow the New Democrats top ten of items that I believe the Premier left as a true to govern. We will protect B.C. agriculture. We're com- legacy for northern British Columbia — certainly with a mitted to that. bent, perhaps, towards Prince George, the constituency This government has had its chance, and it has failed. where I share the representation responsibilities with my This government seems to believe it can't afford to sup- colleague from Prince George–Valemount. port B.C. agriculture. Well, in reality, B.C. agriculture [1620] can't afford this government any longer. One of the very first things that the Premier did — in In case there's any mistake, I do not support this fact, it was in the election of 2001 — was announce the budget. intent to move forward on a northern medical program, an opportunity to train physicians in the north for the K. Conroy: I seek leave to make an introduction. north at the University of Northern British Columbia. What a tremendous success this has been. It was Introductions by Members implemented at the time by the Minister of Advanced Education, who happens to be my colleague from Prince K. Conroy: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to George–Valemount, and the program was delivered in a introduce Colin Cameron and Scott Anderson, who way that has truly changed the face of medical services are teachers at the Pacific Torah Institute in Vancouver. in northern British Columbia. With Colin and Scott today are 16 young men who are To date there have been a total of 32 physicians enter in grades 10 and 11, and I'm looking forward to meet- over the last few years, and there have been 70 graduates ing them later and touring them around the Legislature. of the program. In each and every year, as we move for- Would you all please join me in making them welcome. ward, we continue to supply northern British Columbia with physicians. In small communities across northern Debate Continued British Columbia this has made a huge difference. Candidates are selected very specifically for qualities Hon. P. Bell: I'm pleased to respond to the budget. that would indicate their likelihood to want to practise I'd like to start out, though, by acknowledging the in smaller rural communities. I've gotten to know many member for Victoria–Beacon Hill, who has served in of the students over the years at different convocations the role of Leader of the Opposition for the last six years and opportunities to meet them, and it has been very, and, I think, has worked hard, always acknowledging very interesting to see the success of this program. It and recognizing that every member of this House is fo- really has changed the face of health care in northern cused on creating a better British Columbia. I wish that British Columbia and will remain a true legacy of the she is able to spend her time — continue to spend it — Premier. productively. But I do want to acknowledge and thank The second project that I'd like to talk about is the her for the work that she did over the last six years. Northern Development Initiative Trust. This has been We're going through a very interesting period of time an incredibly successful program. Originally, $135 in this House, on both the opposition and government million was provided to the Northern Development 6334 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Initiative Trust. It represents an area approximately longest indoor track, I understand, in western Canada from Lillooet north in British Columbia, the area pre- — as well as many high-performance coaching facilities viously served by B.C. Rail, and has really provided for that are located inside this particular facility. local decision-making by locally elected officials and ap- [1625] pointed representatives on the board of the Northern I'm very pleased to be able to report that at UNBC Development Initiative Trust. both men's and women's basketball teams have taken Through various other contributions, the federal and full advantage of this particular facility, raising the provincial governments have topped that up, to a total championship banner for the men's team last year and of $185 million, and just under $100 million worth having a very, very good season again for both teams of projects have been delivered through the Northern this year. So clearly, this investment has paid off. Development Initiative Trust so far. What makes it particularly unique is that it was a But listen to this. This is the most important part of partnership, with both the city of Prince George and this. Despite the fact that there has been $100 million UNBC coming together to agree on the location of the worth of projects approved, there is still almost $180 facility and the joint use of the facility. It is open to the million left in the account of theN orthern Development public and is certainly something that has provided for Initiative Trust. tremendous athletic opportunities and something that It truly is a legacy for the decades to come. It has we look forward to into the future. given northern representatives, locally elected officials Number 5 is the Cariboo connector, and what an ex- at the municipal level, an opportunity to move forward citing project this has been. I have to say that there are on major development and infrastructure projects — days during the summer months where I find it par- things like the Port of Prince Rupert, the Prince George ticularly awkward. Instead of taking 2½ hours to get Airport, as well as many, many small opportunities — from Prince George to Williams Lake, it sometimes and created incremental capacity in little communities takes three or even four hours to get to Williams Lake. like Mackenzie and McBride, Valemount, Vanderhoof, You have to add to your schedule, because there's been Fort St. James to ensure they do have a long-term viable so much construction going on through the Cariboo future. connector, particularly the last couple of years, that it The third item that I'd like to talk about is the Port of certainly has extended our travel time. Prince Rupert, and what a tremendous success this has been. To convert that port to a container port, 500,000 [C. Trevena in the chair.] TEUs per year, with the potential to expand upwards of 2.5 million TEUs, has created the capacity necessary for Once that road is paved and in wonderful shape, as it us to link into China, Japan, Korea and the remainder of is this winter…. It truly does accelerate the driving time the key Asian trading countries for us. and the safety of that particular corridor. I know that It was a $30 million initial investment of the province when I talk to constituents up and down the Cariboo, of British Columbia. It levered a total investment of $170 they all remark on the pace at which this project is mov- million, and what success we have seen as a result of that. ing ahead. Originally, there was a commitment of $200 We are seeing lumber flowing at record levels each and million over the first five years. That was significantly every month into the Asian marketplace and pulp go- exceeded. Just under $250 million was invested. ing into the Asian marketplace at increasing levels. That If you look through the Cariboo and northern British would not have been possible without the Port of Prince Columbia, the Premier has seen fit to invest over $2 bil- Rupert. We would have had some success but nowhere lion in that region since 2001. I know my colleague from near the level we have been able to achieve. Kamloops is probably jealous, because Prince George I think, looking into the future, we may look back at has done reasonably well, but I would strongly argue the Port of Prince Rupert as the answer to the softwood that he could put together a list of the top ten items for lumber challenges that we've had with the U.S., creating the Kamloops region that would rival the list for north- that new opportunity to move our lumber products into ern British Columbia. the Asian marketplace and no longer being as reliant on Coming in at No. 6 is the Prince George Airport. An the United States as the sole purchaser of our lumber interesting little tidbit of information for you. There products. are a total of 11 runways in North America where the Moving onto item No. 4, the 2010 Winter Olympics space shuttle can land. Prince George is one of those. So were clearly an exciting time for us. The Olympic legacy should there be a problem with other locations where in Prince George was the Charles Jago Northern Sport the space shuttle would like to land as they were coming Centre, and what a legacy that has been. This was a $30.75 in, although I guess they're not really using them any- million investment. It's a 13,000-square-metre facility. more…. If they took one of them back out for a spin, There are two large indoor soccer fields, three basketball then they'd actually be able to land that space shuttle in courts and a 200-metre elevated running track — the an emergency situation. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6335

But what is much better news about the Prince George twice the width of what it is today. Yet it produces over Airport is the private sector investment that we're seeing 800 megawatts of clean, green electricity and has the in the logistics park at the Prince George Airport. It will potential to make sure that we are energy self-sufficient become one of the largest light industrial parks in west- well into the future. This project is billions of dollars. It ern Canada — in fact, perhaps in all of Canada. is likely a ten-year construction job with thousands of The new Boundary Road extension that's moving people working through that period of time, and it will forward is going to enable that sort of economic oppor- sustain our future. tunity, and we see a day in the not so distant future when Sometimes it takes someone with a strong vision to there are many, many 747s landing and taking off from move forward on difficult decisions and awkward de- Prince George each day, servicing the Asian and the east- cisions like this one. This one, in my view, although ern seaboard of the United States markets and acting as perhaps controversial at times, will be a true legacy for a refuelling and logistics centre — so a very exciting new the Premier and his ten years in office, and one that I opportunity with many, many hundreds of jobs. think we all support. No list would be complete, coming in at No. 7, with- Coming in as the final of my top ten items and leg- out mentioning both of the post-secondary institutions acies during the Premier's ten years…. Again, this one in Prince George, the College of New Caledonia and the is not built yet. Well, I shouldn't say that. It's under con- University of Northern British Columbia. I already men- struction — two-thirds built perhaps now. It is the $100 tioned, of course, the northern medical program, which million northern cancer centre in Prince George. was absolutely critical, but nursing seats have increased You know, Madam Speaker, there were lots of nay- by 780 percent since 2001. sayers. There were lots of people that said that Prince UNBC received the No. 1 ranking from Maclean's George didn't need a cancer centre, that it shouldn't be magazine. They tied as the most sustainable university built in Prince George, that we didn't need the cancer in North America for their sustainability practices, and centre outside of the large cancer centres in the Lower the college continues to grow and expand programming Mainland and Kelowna, but the Premier had that vision. for First Nations and particularly focusing on trades. He wanted to have that built in Prince George. It was We have two wonderful institutions that have received important for northern residents to be served well, to be tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars of invest- served by a unique facility like this. He did believe in the ment over the last ten years, and this is a true legacy of capacity of northern British Columbia to find ways to the Premier's commitment to post-secondary education staff that facility, to make sure that we had the technical and ensuring that we have a vibrant future for all of our expertise necessary. children. Although it will open when he is no longer Premier On the health care front, coming in at No. 8, is a ser- of this province, it is my hope that those that are re- ies of projects at the Prince George Regional Hospital, sponsible for the opening ceremonies invite him and now called the University Hospital of Northern British acknowledge him for his leadership. Columbia, including the Maternal Centre of Excellence, To wrap things up, I could very easily have done 20-, the pediatric wing and the Gateway seniors facility — 30- or 100-item legacies that were left behind by the being just three of those projects, and many, many more Premier of this province from his ten years of leader- that I could talk about. ship. Although he has not always been popular and we We feel very well-served on the health care front in have oftentimes found ourselves defending difficult- de northern British Columbia, and the capacity that has cisions, I do believe that ten, 15 and 20 years from now been built in health care certainly is a true legacy of the — I actually sense that it's already happening now, at Premier and his leadership. least in northern British Columbia — people will look We're just down to two last items before I will yield my back and say that this was an incredible decade. It was a spot on the floor. I'm sure we'll hear much more good decade of a man with vision who believed in the north news from the opposition. They'll probably go through and believed that we could accomplish anything that we a list of the top ten things that have been accomplished wanted to accomplish. in their ridings, I suspect. It reminds me of one of his favourite sayings: [1630] "Anything that you can do or think you can do, begin it. Now, this may or may not be one of those items that are Boldness has power, genius and magic in it." cherished by opposition members, but I certainly do think that this will be a true legacy. Although not built yet, I'm H. Bains: It is my pleasure to stand here once again speaking of the Site C dam. I think this has tremendous on behalf of my constituents to speak about issues that potential to provide very, very efficient green energy. they have brought to my attention. They expect me to There has been much written about this project, much bring them here and discuss them, to bring them to the work done on this project. It is really just a widening of attention of the government and have some resolution the river. It takes the Peace River and widens it to about to them. 6336 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I stand here deeply disappointed that after about nine Education is one area that you cannot take lightly, months — 256 days — away from this place, we are that should not be subject to the budget manipula- called back for four days. Four days to do the serious tions we see by this government. Time gone for those business of the people. If that's not the disappointment students who are in our schools right now is time gone. of a decade, in my mind, I don't know what is. It actually This is a lost opportunity forever. Money that you save makes people angry in my constituency that this gov- or any dollar that you do not spend that is needed to ernment has the courage to call us back for four days to be spent for the education of children…. You'll pay talk about all those important issues that they waited for dearly for years to come if you neglect our students nine months to talk about in this House. at this point. [1635] This just shows how wrong their priorities are.I t's not That's not happening, andI say that that is a shameful, that the money isn't there. Money is there. But it is being shameful record of this government. The people of this spent on their pet projects. They can find half a billion province will remember when they go to the polls how dollars to put a roof over B.C. Place, but they cannot this government operates, shies away from talking about find a single dollar to put a roof over children who need those issues that are important to our people and refuses real classrooms in Surrey. That is the shameful record of to talk about or acknowledge those serious issues that this government, and people will remember for a long, face our communities all across this province. long time. Having said that, I'm also disappointed in the budget Now, if you move onto the other areas in the gov- that was brought in the other day. We have, like I said, erning of this province, we have seen families burdened issues. Issues that should have been addressed in the with extra costs. With the HST, families are now paying budget are basically glossed over as if nothing is hap- an average of $521 more per year. This is a continued pening in the province out there, as if those issues are trend of tax shift from corporations onto the individuals not important. The only important thing to this Liberal and families. government is electing their leader. They know that you [1640] could go on and elect and go through the leadership Madam Speaker, this is not what I say here. You don't campaign. You will elect your leader. But that shouldn't have to believe me or anybody else here, but this is be at the expense of all those important issues that they where I will quote what was in one of the local news- waited for nine months to discuss in this House. papers. The Times Colonist said this: "Despite inflation So I'll talk about some of the issues that should have and economic growth, corporations are paying about $1 been brought in here, that should have been debated billion less in readily attributable taxes than they were and passed, to deal with those issues. Since taking office in 2001" — $1 billion less. In contrast, the families and in 2001, this Liberal government has left the education individuals are paying $8 billion more since 2001. That system in complete shambles. They have closed 191 is a tax shift of over $9 billion onto the working families schools across the province and left more than 15,000 from corporations. classrooms overcrowded. On top of this, they have also No wonder families are saying to me, and I'm sure downloaded many costs onto the backs of the local they are telling every member on that side of this House, school boards, forcing layoffs of teachers and cuts to the that they are working harder, they're working longer, but necessary programs. they are falling behind. Those are the real facts. That's Surrey has been hit particularly hard, being one of the what's happening to them out there, and they feel it in only growing — and, I might say, the fastest-growing — their everyday lives. communities in the province, where we have seen over On top of those extra costs associated with this regres- 2,500 new students entering our schools since 2005 and sive HST that has been brought in, this government has 2006, but not a single dollar has been provided to our also chosen to increase MSP premiums. They have been Surrey school board to add a single classroom to accom- steadily increasing over the last few years. As of January modate those students. 1, 2011, we will be paying nearly 70 percent higher in This year alone…. I brought this up before. My col- MSP premiums than we did in 2001. leagues from Surrey have brought this up here before, Currently British Columbia is home to the lowest and the members on that side also have been apprised minimum wage in the country. Over the last ten years by the school board officials and by their constitu- they have failed to help the province's lowest-paid work- ents that 1,300 new students entered this year alone. ers. Sitting at $8 an hour, it's not unusual for people to That's the size of one secondary school or two or take two or three jobs just to pay the bills. three elementary schools that we could accommo- They have failed British Columbians on the transit. date this year with the new students coming on board. Despite repeated promises to provide adequate fund- But 2,500 since 2005-2006 — no wonder we have 292 ing to TransLink in order to ensure construction of the portables right now springing up every day around Evergreen line, they have fallen short again. Surrey is hit our school yards. hard again here. The city alone is 500 buses short and Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6337

has yet to see a promise to connect the town centres that three times by this government, and that hospital still make up the south of the Fraser. sits there with the emergency room not being built. Let's talk about the Evergreen line. This has been That's their record. People see it out there, and people promised for years, almost a decade now. So $400 mil- come and talk to us. They are tired of this government lion is not there. Even if TransLink can come up with the promising and not delivering — promising one thing $400 million to pay for their portion, which the mayors then doing something different. No wonder they will are right now saying there's no way they will agree to be kicked out. Soon they will go to the election. Soon raise property taxes to pay for that…. Even if TransLink people in this province will be given their opportunity is able to come up with that, and I don't know where to elect a new government. they're going to come up with this $400 million…. Even We could continue on. Our elders are also getting neg- if they do, they're still short $173 million, and no one has lected under this government. Changes to PharmaCare talked about where that money is going to come from. have meant that many seniors have to pay increased fees We're only talking about capital funding here. We for prescriptions, digging into their already-stretched- haven't even touched on the operation side of the thin budgets. Many of the drugs that they need aren't Evergreen line. Where is the money going to come from even covered under this new plan. Despite promises to to operate it once the Evergreen line is built? add 5,000 long-term-care beds, they decided to cut care As a result of mismanagement by this government beds. Senior care homes are moving towards privatized and the ministers that sat around that cabinet table, we models and reduced staff, ultimately leading to neglect have $20 million invested in a third SeaBus. That bus is of our elders. needed. It was put in service during the Olympics, and On top of all of this, this government is facing ser- it was proven that the service is needed for the third ious questions about transparency as a government. SeaBus. But it is sitting idly rusting out there, because With questions mounting surrounding the sale of the they have no more money to operate that third SeaBus B.C. Rail corporation, they are trying to stamp out any right now — none whatsoever. It's parked there. So $20 chance of an inquiry. The $6 million buyout of DaveB asi million is wasted, money that could have been used to and Bob Virk did little but add fuel to the rumours that improve the public transit in the Lower Mainland. the government officials could have been brought to the The other mismanagement, I can tell you…. Golden stand and answered some tough questions, that the B.C. Ears Bridge was built, and the contractors are guaranteed Liberal high officials could be brought in to answer some their money. They're laughing all the way to the bank of the real serious questions around that. every day at the expense of the taxpayers. So $71 mil- So I would say that the taxpayers have had enough lion will be paid to the contractors this year — taxpayers' of this government. The deception and overspending is money, through TransLink — because they cannot come not acceptable. People are saying: "How could this gov- up with the traffic flow that they anticipated would be ernment have their priorities so wrong that they could there, and they are guaranteed that traffic flow. have the regressive HST and spend half a billion dollars Such a miscalculation. How could that have happened? to put the roof on B.C. Place, but only two blocks away Such a prudent government sitting over there. They al- from B.C. Place people are forced to sleep under bridges?" ways pat themselves on the back. So $71 million that could That's the legacy of this government. That's the legacy. have been used to put more buses in south of the Fraser You want to talk about the forest industry, Madam and could have been used to pay partly for the Evergreen Speaker, the industry that I come from and that has been line that is not being built right now. Many people in that an economic benefit to most of the British Columbians, region are saying: "Nevergreen line." No wonder. a part of our history. What did this government do this [1645] year in this budget? Let's take a look. What have they The third SeaBus could have been put in service right done? The operating expenses for this ministry are re- now if that money was not going to these contract- constituted and fell by $29 million. This is a 9 percent ors. That's how mismanaged this government is. That's cut over the last years. how to waste taxpayers' dollars. That's just one of the In the last decade almost 1,006 positions, one-quar- examples. ter of the workforce, has been cut. That just shows that On top of all this, their failed legacy stretches over into this government is not serious about its forest industry health care. Over the last year they've forced needless de- at all. They have given up on the forest industry.I t used lays on British Columbians, allowing taxpayer-funded to be the stand-alone ministry at one time. Now it is MRI machines to sit idle, creating a year-and-a-half- lumped, and they call it the Ministry of Forest, Mines long wait-list. and Lands. The Surrey Memorial Hospital ER is well overdue. So this just shows their seriousness about turning this It was promised in 2005 that it would be built by 2010. industry around. No wonder we have had — what? — Now they are telling us it will not be built until 2014. 75 sawmills shut down under their watch. Some 75 shut That is, we went through the full cycle of three elections, down, and 20,000 workers have been laid off. 6338 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Interjection. Firstly, I really want to take the opportunity to ac- [1650] knowledge the continued support of my family in the work that we do. We don't often get a chance, probably H. Bains: The minister is talking about 23 reopened. not enough times, to be able to say that. To my wife, Okay, that still leaves 53 shut down, Minister. That's Brenda, and my children, I really want to thank them for not a record that you want to be proud of. their continued support and their sacrifice, particularly Let's talk a bit more about this government's forest over the last few months in terms of how much you've policy. When this government came to power in 2003 actually been able to be home and be with the family. So through the forest revitalization program with the I really thank them for their support. promise of $1 billion to be invested in B.C. sawmills, I also want to again acknowledge the great work that what happened? They gave everything that the industry our constituency office does in Kelowna-Mission with wanted. What they did, rather than investing here, was Nan and Rebecca. They have been tireless stalwarts that money was invested across the strait. on behalf of the community and the constituents of This minister and the minister previous to that were ap- Kelowna-Mission, and I couldn't do this job here with- plauding the industry at that time for taking the jobs over out their great support. I want to really acknowledge across the line. That's the shameful record of this minister that and thank them. and the minister prior to that and the entire Liberal gov- Also to thank again the continued support of the con- ernment. That's the legacy they're leaving behind. stituents and the residents of Kelowna-Mission. It's a The forest industry workers and the forest industry great place to live in this great province, and it's a great community where they live have had it with this gov- place to work. I'm very proud and honoured to be able ernment. They are looking for a new government, a to continue to represent that riding. government that actually will pay attention and bring I wanted to talk a little bit about some of the projects real changes to the forest industry so that people in and investments that have been made in our riding that those forestry-dependent communities and the forestry are the result of the sound fiscal financial management workers once again will feel proud to go back to work. that has been provided by this government and con- Once again those communities will thrive under this tinues to be provided in Budget 2011. government, the New Democrat government. They have Coming up in March, Tutt Street Place will open in given up on that government. They are waiting for the first my riding, in the Pandosy district. This is a $10.7 million opportunity to throw that bunch out, to bring in a new project which is providing 39 units of supportive hous- government, where seniors will be respected once again, ing for women in financial need. where youth will have hope and opportunity by reinvesting [1655] in post-secondary education and skills and training. I'm very proud to say that the province has invested Under that government, our workers will be re- $9.1 million in infrastructure funding through the spected at workplaces, their health and safety will be provincial homeless initiative. This initiative integrates protected; and business will be encouraged to invest in housing with support services in order to help people British Columbia to create jobs and, at the same time, to transition from temporary shelter into stable hous- respect our environment values, respect the workers ing, as well as help them to develop the skills they need and respect the community where they operate their to find employment. businesses. That's how this government under the New It's important, when we talk about these projects, to Democrat leadership will be providing government for recognize the contributions of our partners in all of these British Columbians. projects. The city of Kelowna has provided a land lease There is a hope. And I challenge those leadership reduction of $550,000 as well as nearly $300,000 in re- candidates out there. Soon you get an opportunity to be- duced municipal levies, and the Real Estate Foundation come leader out there. Call an election. Give the people of British Columbia provided a $100,000 grant. Of of British Columbia an opportunity to throw this bunch course, NOW Canada, New Opportunities for Women, out so that we can have a government that they will be who will operate Tutt Street Place, for their contribu- proud of once again. tion of more than $670,000 in cash equity, part of which was a donation of $50,000 from the Connection Drug Interjections. Rehabilitation Society…. I'm very proud of, and all the members on this side of Deputy Speaker: Might I ask all members to keep the House are very proud of the collaboration the prov- their voices down for their separate conversations. ince has in entering into these partnerships. I think one of the hallmarks of our approach is the partnerships that Hon. S. Thomson:I t's a real honour to be able to rise we've been able to develop locally and federally, with our today in the House to provide my support for Budget federal partners, in many of the investments we've made 2011. in our ridings. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6339

I'm also very proud to note that the funding for so- to many of the patients who have been through that. cial housing in this budget is $562 million, approximately You can't believe how much they value that service and four times as much as in 2001. The province continues how much it means to them to be able to do that, and in to invest in these initiatives, and it's a clear demonstra- many cases, to be out the next day and be able to be with tion of this government's commitment to help British their families and not have to travel out of the region to Columbia's most vulnerable citizens and to strengthen be able to get that service. our communities. I'm very, very proud that this new fa- [1700] cility will be opening its doors in my riding in March. Next year heart surgeries will be performed — an- I'm just as proud of other recent provincial investments other exciting development for our area. Heart patients in supportive housing in Kelowna — $4.8 million towards will receive needed care close to home without the added the construction of Willowbridge transitional housing, stress of travelling and being far from friends and family and I know my colleague for Westside-Kelowna was very at a time when they need them most. pleased to see that project open recently. I know my col- Again, there's a theme here, the major contributions league from Kelowna–Lake Country is very pleased to of our partners towards this investment: the Central see the investment of $7.3 million towards supportive Okanagan regional hospital district, who has put up $91 housing on Rutland Road in Kelowna–Lake Country, in million towards the heart and surgical centre; Graham the riding. Again, another very important initiative and Design-Build for the outstanding work that they're do- very important partnerships in our community. ing in the construction; but I think mostly a great thanks My colleague from Prince George talked about the to our doctors, our nurses, our staff atK elowna General many legacies and his top ten investments and initiatives Hospital for the tremendous work they continue to do for in his riding. We could have, probably, a very similar the residents every single day of the year but most par- number. In the time I probably won't be able to get to ticularly during this period of significant construction the top ten, but I do want to talk about a couple of other which is all around them; and also the neighbourhood very significant investments that are a result of the con- and the community around the hospital that have to put tinued investment by this government in the Okanagan up with this very, very significant construction period and in the region. over a number of years. I'm very proud of the work being done in the area I know that the contractors, the hospital and Interior of health services. Just last week, we were able to cele- Health have worked very closely in communicating brate a major milestone with the groundbreaking for with our neighbours, but we've had tremendous support the $47 million East Pandosy clinical support building. from the neighbourhood and community while this tre- [Applause.] mendous investment continues. I appreciate the support of my colleague from I also wanted to mention that it was great to hear to- Kelowna–Lake Country. He was there to be able to day the comments from the member for Cariboo North celebrate this major milestone with us. It was a great in terms of the service that he received, or that his father morning and a great step forward in all the work that's received, in Kelowna at the cancer centre and at the hos- being done at Kelowna General Hospital. pice house. This is just another indication of the kind of This will house lab and clinical support departments incredible work that our doctors, nurses and staff work- for the Interior heart and surgical centre and the Kelowna ing in these facilities and in our hospitals and centres General Hospital as a whole. This is a new 7,800-square- do every single day of the year. I will certainly take his foot building, which will be completed in the spring of comments back and make sure that they hear them, be- 2012 and will open early next summer. It's part of the cause sometimes we don't recognize enough the great great new chapter in Okanagan health care. work that they do. It's a vital component of the development of the $448 In addition to the clinical support building and million Interior heart and surgical centre, which will the heart centre, we're just a year away from opening see the creation of a permanent home for the cardiac Kelowna General's new centennial tower. This new pa- services program. It will also replace and upgrade oper- tient care tower will cover nearly 33,000 square metres ating rooms and support services at Kelowna General and include a new emergency department four times Hospital. We're very proud that for the first time, cardiac larger than the one we have right now. services are being made available outside of the Lower I'm proud to say that this government is producing a Mainland and Vancouver Island. major expansion of local health care capacity, capabil- Kelowna General has been performing angioplasties ities and quality. Kelowna General Hospital will never for about a year now. It's very heartwarming and grati- be the same again. It's going to be bigger and better, and fying, in a sense — especially since February is Heart all of us will benefit greatly because of these investments Month — to hear the stories of the people that have in the years to come — part of close to $1 billion invest- been able to have those angioplasties at home, close to ment in health care in our region, both in Kelowna and their families and right in the community. We've talked in Vernon. 6340 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

If we want to talk about legacies and what sound fis- program, Hosting B.C. I'm a proud supporter of that cal management and investment in infrastructure have program because of the wide range of sporting tourna- provided, there's no better example than the investment ments it supports. As well, the money that's invested in that we have in our health care services in the Okanagan these tournaments promotes local sport, tourism and region. This is servicing not just the Okanagan region the economy in our area. but all of British Columbia. Madam Speaker, I could go on with many other in- My colleague from Prince George also talked about vestments that have been made in our region — the the legacy of the Olympics. I'd just like to mention one university, Okanagan College, transportation, rapid outstanding event that recently took place in Kelowna, bus investments. As my colleague from Prince George which was our hosting of the International Children's listed, there were many, many investments that are the Games. These games were held from January 26 through hallmark of the last ten years of this government and to the 31st. It was the first time these winter games have of the investment that is being made in our commun- ever been held outside of Europe. ities as a result of the tremendous financial management It was a great honour to be able to host hundreds of and framework that we've been able to provide in this young athletes who participated, ranging in age from 12 province. to 15, as they competed in seven sports, including skiing, I'm Minister of Natural Resource Operations as well skating and hockey. I was very pleased that the prov- as Minister of Energy, so I just wanted to talk a little ince was able to provide support to these games, and bit while representing those two different ministries, the provincial support was gratefully appreciated and but recognizing that there's one clear theme. It relates to acknowledged. the budget and the focus on making sure that we have I think when you talk to the young kids there and see, the framework in place to generate the economic ac- as a follow-up to the excitement and everything around tivity and provide those important revenues from our the Winter Olympics, there's a very, very clear connec- resource sectors that contribute so importantly to the tion. I talked to young figure skaters from South Korea, critical services of health and education and social ser- young speed skaters from South Korea, young skiers vices in this province. from Switzerland. All of those young people who were Our government is making a focused effort on mak- in our community all look forward. Their goal was to ing it easier to invest and operate, which will create say: "One day I'd like to be on my country's Olympic more jobs and stronger rural communities and First team." Nations. Our identity as British Columbians, our econ- To have that legacy of what those Winter Games pro- omy and our way of life are tied to our natural resources. vided for B.C. and for Canada and for the world, to see Our natural resources help drive our economy, and our that translate down to these young children from all beautiful protected areas attract visitors from around over the world, was really something. the world. While in Kelowna these young athletes lived up to B.C.'s natural attributes generate significant wealth. the aim of the International Children's Games, which Whether it's forestry, clean energy, mining, agriculture was to increase understanding and friendship between or tourism, we have the potential to do much more. This students from different countries and to promote the government is committed to realizing that potential Olympic ideal. while maintaining stringent environmental standards [1705] and safeguarding our extensive and beautiful protected The success of these games was a result of the vision areas. and the hard work of the organizing committee and the I admit that sometimes that can be a difficult bal- provincial and municipal governments and community ancing act. There are often growing and conflicting sponsors and partners who also played a very, very im- demands on our local land base, and there's a growing portant role. demand to use Crown land for recreational purpose, But I think the biggest thanks in our community has for protected areas, for community needs, for resource to go to the enthusiastic volunteers. Close to a thousand development. citizens of Kelowna worked at venues and opened their British Columbians need to trust that the government homes to visiting athletes as host families. The hospi- is balancing the needs of industry, First Nations, com- tality they showed will be remembered by the athletes, munity and the environment. They need to know that their coaches and their family members for years to we'll make decisions in the public interest and in a man- come, and I'm sure many of them will be making return ner that is fair, timely and well informed. visits to British Columbia and to the Okanagan in years Investors and businesses expect the same. They have to come. told us that uncertainty over access to land was one of They've come and gone, but Kelowna is still on the the biggest barriers to development, and they've told us sporting map. We have many more tournaments coming of their frustration with multiple processes. There were up, many of them supported by the provincial hosting nine different agencies and 40 different statutes- gov Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6341

erning more than 1,200 different types of authorizations. In B.C. demand for electricity is expected to grow by as This has resulted in multiple government reviews and much as 40 percent over the next 20 years, and a similar duplicated work, often resulting in higher costs, uncer- trend is expected worldwide. Due to growing consumer tainty, delayed decisions and reduced investment. and political demand across the world, renewable re- We knew we needed to coordinate our processes and sources will continue to displace non-renewable energy. do things smarter and faster, while still maintaining our Even with non-renewables, as global natural gas re- strict environmental standards and upholding our duty serves continue to expand, we expect gas will further to consult and accommodate First Nations. displace more carbon-intensive fuels like coal and oil. So how will we accomplish this? We've focused on the It's clear there's no better place in the world. Nobody is process around one project, one process, and sometimes as well positioned as British Columbia to take advantage the biggest challenges require the simplest of approaches. of these global trends. We have world-class natural gas One project, one process is a simple concept, a single reserves. Northeast B.C.'s potential for shale gas is stag- framework for making land use decisions. The approach gering. The Horn River basin alone could account for will significantly improve timelines, reduce costs and between 500 and 1,000 trillion cubic feet of natural gas help make better decisions for industry, communities, in the ground. To put this in context, the United States First Nations and the environment. consumes about 23 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per Timely, predictable approvals will get suitable projects year. off the planning paper and into communities that need With this potential, it is expected that B.C. could tri- them faster, creating jobs and building the communities ple its natural gas production in the next decade. We're and capacity in First Nations, and ensuring the import- equally blessed with enormous untapped renewable ant revenues for our critical services. energy potential, including wind, tide, solar, geothermal, A couple of years ago we began to work closely with run-of-river and biomass. the industry to develop this approach, and we have The key to all of this and realizing all of this poten- many models that are now starting to be implemented. tial is to ensure that we have the policy and regulatory We have the one project, one process for a clean energy framework in place that promotes investment. Budget business improvement plan, and we're now imple- 2011 provides that foundation — a competitive tax menting that plan. policy and competitive regulatory policy and tax meas- [1710] ures, including the harmonized sales tax that stimulates We're currently testing a single-tenure contract for investment in our forest industry, in our energy sector, projects. This will replace multiple tenures and make in our mining sector and in our agriculture sector. I also many other process improvements. While the concept know that the small businesses in my riding are pleased is simple, it requires significant coordination and effort to see the continued commitment to reduce the small by resource ministries to make it all work. That is the business tax rate to zero by 2012. focus of the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations Budget 2011 contains the strong record of fiscal and the important work of the linkages between Natural management, and I am pleased to be able to have par- Resource Operations and the work of the environ- ticipated today to provide my support and endorsement ment and land use committee and the line resource of Budget 2011. ministries. It brings together all of our natural resource operations D. Routley: I'd like to start, as others have started, into one ministry, and the agencies and authorizations. by thanking people who are very important to me — By bringing these key functions together, it will allow firstly, my lovely partner, Leanne; my two stepchildren, us to extend the one project, one process concept much Brooklynne Baird and Matthew Baird; and my lovely faster. daughter, 15-year-old Madeline Routley. I was a stay-at- As an additional benefit,N atural Resource Operations home dad with Maddie, and members in the House will is regionally dispersed with operational staff living and forgive me for saying that those were the best days of working in the communities throughout B.C., and that my life. Even though these are such stellar experiences, will help us make decisions that better reflect and re- those memories are dear to me, and I think any father spond to local community needs. While we still have a who has the chance to stay at home with their young way to go before the concept is fully implemented, we children will derive the kind of great benefit that I have are well on our way to making better, more coordinated had by caring for a child. and timely decisions. It's important to keep working I'd also like to thank the constituents of Nanaimo– on this because we know the status quo was holding us North Cowichan for entrusting me to bring their views back. and their issues to this House. This is their House, and We also have tremendous opportunities on the energy we are meant to reflect their values and their lives in the front. We need to attract more investment as we see ma- way we conduct ourselves here. jor long-term strategic opportunity for British Columbia. [1715] 6342 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I'd also like to thank my bicycle. I love my bicycle, and They care about their environment. They expect this my bicycle has given me back the same kind of consider- government to reflect that consideration in a budget ation. You know, when we cycle, we often struggle up that doesn't cut from silviculture and planting like this hills, but we can struggle even when we're not going up budget does, that recognizes that forest health is in an a hill. I'd refer all the members to the highway. When extremely vulnerable state. Yet this government con- you're driving down the highway, look at cyclists going tinues to cut away at the services, the ministry, the forest in either direction. services that would measure and report to them about In one direction the cyclists will be on a flat road. the health of their forests. The cyclists will be smiling and carrying along like The leadership candidates for theB .C. Liberal Party have it's no problem. There's no struggle here. Then in the done nothing to address those values. They seek to lead a other direction there's a grimace and a struggle ob- tired government that has run out of ideas, best exempli- vious in the face of the cyclists. They struggle and go fied by the vapid vacancy of value in this budget. much slower than the other ones on the other side of This government does have a history, and it's long now. the road, even though it's a flat road. That's because It started so poorly, didn't it? A promise not to sell B.C. one is being blown along by the wind, and the other is Rail. I've got a B.C. Rail jacket, actually. It's really…. fighting the wind. It's that way in our communities. So many people that An Hon. Member: Don't sell it. we see struggle, struggle against unseen forces and un- seen challenges. That doesn't make the measure of that D. Routley: Yeah, I won't sell it. Contrary to rumour, challenge any less than a huge hill. It's a wind; we can't I didn't buy it on eBay; I leased it for 999 years. But that see it. We can judge that struggle, but we can't measure was after they'd stripped all the safety markings off of it, it unless we experience it. so it was really not at the same value it was before. I think this government is without the experience This is the government that promised not to sell B.C. of the struggles of British Columbians. I think this Rail and then did so in the most scandal-ridden trans- government forgets that people struggle. I think this action in the history of this province, perhaps of this government forgets that we are meant to serve those, es- country. This is the government that paid $6 million to pecially those who struggle. shut down the trial that would have given the people You see, Madam Speaker, that's a value statement. of B.C., who we seek to represent, a view of what really That was cleverly, or somewhat cleverly, wrapped up in happened. an analogy. It's a value statement, just like a budget is a [1720] value statement, and the people of B.C. expect their gov- How did they do that? They spent $6 million of taxpay- ernment to use its budget, their budget, as a vehicle to ers' money to shut it down, to pay the legal costs of the express their values. two defendants who pled guilty to corruption, Liberal This budget fails, as other B.C. Liberal budgets have insiders — an unprecedented act. And even more un- failed the people of B.C., in reflecting the values, in re- precedented: the absolute insult to British Columbians flecting the struggles, in reflecting the issues thatB ritish that they should cut $6 million after that from Crown Columbians care about. prosecutors — the same amount. This government British Columbians care about children, yet we've knows no shame. seen the report from the Representative for Children The HEU contracts that were torn up. That was an- and Youth condemn this government's failure to pro- other promise — previous budgets, previous failures to vide services to struggling and vulnerable children. represent the values that British Columbians expect us This budget and B.C.'s values should be about educa- to uphold. That resulted in millions upon millions of tion, yet there's nothing for the people in my constituency dollars of costs to this province, and British Columbians who struggle to keep schools open, who struggle to are still paying through a lack of services, deficits in keep services for their children with special needs, who their classrooms, deficits in their hospitals, deficits in struggle with class sizes that are enormously out of pro- their communities. portion — children who struggle with the deficits that The HST — an absolute about-face from truth. You this government truly creates. When they have so many know what I would tell Maddie as she was growing up special needs kids with so little support, teachers are about what an about-face from truth really means? It's struggling to meet that challenge. a simple word with three letters that I'm not allowed British Columbians care about their neighbours. They to say here, but that's what they did. They told British care about the housing. They care about the poverty Columbians that they wouldn't impose it, and then they issues that are growing in this province, the gaps that did. They say it's revenue-neutral. Well, it may be neu- are growing, the divisions that this government has cre- tral to them. In fact, it's not. We're paying for it. ated. This budget has done absolutely nothing to address But it's certainly not revenue-neutral to the fam- those growing divides in our province. ilies and the small businesses that have had $2 billion Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6343

of responsibility for paying the taxes for this province are we faced with yet again? Transgression and a failure on their shoulders and off of the biggest corporations to meet our primary goal — that is, to reflect the values in this province — the corporations who pay for this of our citizens. government, the corporations who used to be expected A divided province, diminished environment, poor to be decent partners and to provide jobs in exchange forest health, farmlands in decline, water put under threat, for harvesting our resources, the same corporations student debt climbing, arts and culture being cut. who were granted freedom by this government to ex- First Nations treaties. Is there anything in this budget port those resources in raw form without benefit to this that can help our First Nations brothers and sisters seek province — while those small businesses who do pro- remedy and repair for past injustice, one of the great vide employment, who do provide the ingenuity and bragging points of this government? Not a penny to engine of employment that this province needs, are address the increased need and the failure of the treaty forced to take that burden up. system so far. Our schools, our hospitals, our families, our en- As I started, I will close, with statements of value, and vironments — those are the things that the B.C. Liberal back to my bicycle. I love my bicycle. In bicycle racing candidates refuse to speak about. It's laughable to see everyone works together. Everyone works together. It Christy Clark, with her role in B.C. Rail, come swooping doesn't matter which team you're on. You take your in like a falcon falling from the sky with no feathers, to turn at the front. I've used this metaphor before, but I lecture to the province like a priest with no abbot, lec- said, "Take your turn at the front, breaking wind," and ture to the young and the old alike. It's unfortunate. that really didn't communicate the message quite as well as…. But everyone takes their turn sheltering the others Deputy Speaker: Member, be careful about how from the wind, and we get to the finish line together, you're approaching your argument. faster. That's a value statement. It's a value this government D. Routley: Of course. has failed to do. We are meant to ride at the front and Yet through all of that arrogance, British Columbians shelter people from that wind, that struggle, and get yet again are disappointed by a budget that fails to reflect to the finish line together, with British Columbians their values. We see a province where our core indus- intact. try is in a decline never seen before, our forest industry. British Columbians expect their budget and their During a housing boom in the United States we lost tens government to reflect empathy. The government failed. of thousands of jobs. Now seeking to recover, people Inclusion — this government has failed. Recognition, seek retraining, seek to upgrade their skills, yet B.C. stu- First Nations — failure by the B.C. Liberals. Empower- dents have the largest debt west of the Maritimes of any ment — they have failed to empower the people of students, yet this government in this budget cuts $34 B.C. million from student aid. These are the progressive values and the reflection of My critic area is Citizens' Services, and that includes our people that this budget should have represented to the Public Service Agency — cut by 14 percent in this them. It would be a reflection of them, but instead, it's a budget. The chief information officer, at a time when reflection on a bad dream. It's time to wake up. It's time we have B.C. Rail and HST and all the controversy over to dismiss this government, put it out of our misery and access to information — cut by 15.9 percent. This is at elect a progressive NDP government that will put the a time when this government seeks to expand its inte- values of British Columbians first and foremost every grated case management and other data-sharing systems single day — not just four out of 256 but every day. and proposals that have been questioned by the chief in- formation officer that pose a serious threat and risk to Hon. M. Polak: As my colleagues have done, I also the privacy of citizens. want to offer some thanks to the people that support me After the Wainwright scandal, after the Play Now B.C. in my work, here in Victoria and throughout the prov- scandal they cut to the information officer, cut to the ince, as a minister. logistics and business services system that's responsible First and foremost, my father, Peter Inkman, and my for FOI — cut by 4.46 percent. This is the value and pri- daughter Miriam Polak. Both of them spend a lot of time ority reflected by this government. This is the lack of wondering where on earth I am. It is their great patience consideration for our duty to reflect the values of our and support that helps me to do the work that I do. constituents, to act in the public interest, a government I also want to give a special thank-you to Keeley condemned repeatedly by its own Auditor General for Cavanagh and Cathy Gibbs, the two ladies that work failing the public interest. in my office in Langley. They do a tremendous job sup- [1725] porting our constituents in Langley and helping them, This is unbelievable, Madam Speaker. We come here, often through the maze of government services, in get- we expect to do the good work of the province, and what ting them the support that they need. 6344 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Here in Victoria that thank-you extends to Debbie I also want to speak a bit about housing. Much is said Maclean, Barinder Bhullar, Linsey Cole and Gail in this House about the need to support those who are Hudspeth. They do a wonderful job of making sure that at risk of being homeless and those who are homeless. their minister knows where she's supposed to be, gets a Our record here again is very, very strong. Last year the wonderful decaf coffee in the morning whenever she ar- province invested $562 million in housing and support rives. More importantly, they just keep me on track with programs. That's four times what was spent in 2001. all the work that this ministry entails. Since 2001 our province has invested more than $2 bil- I want to speak, first of all, about the accomplishments lion in housing support programs, and as a result of that of our government over the last number of years and then targeted investment, we've built more than 15,000 new talk a little bit not only about the accomplishments in affordable housing units. Another 4,200 are currently our Ministry of Children and Family Development that I planned or under construction all across the province. think are of most importance but also what we can look Clearly, this is about what we believe as B.C. Liberals to going forward with what I think is a hopeful future. and as a B.C. Liberal government. It's about building a From the very beginning, in 2001, we have believed strong economy to support the most vulnerable. that building a strong economy was the way that you can One of the places where we have had the greatest de- support our most vulnerable. That continues as we look gree of success — in fact, more success than any other at the many accomplishments that have been in place, province around Canada — is in the area of child poverty. going on from 2001 till now. In fact, our rates of child poverty in British Columbia [1730] have fallen faster than any other province in Canada, 46 Taking a look at our own ministry, we have a $1.3 percent since 2003. billion budget, and 93 percent of that goes directly to support clients in communities. More than a billion Interjection. dollars has been invested in programs and services in 2011-12. That's a budget that does recognize the need for Hon. M. Polak: Madam Speaker, if the members op- us as a society to support our most vulnerable. posite want to say that it's nonsense, they need to take In terms of child care spaces, another place where that up with Statistics Canada. They can take it up with we truly believe we need to be investing, and investing First Call, because it was in their report as well. It's an more all the time, 97,000 licensed child care spaces are unfortunate fact that they don't wish to acknowledge. currently funded in communities around the province. But there is a historic reference from the past, a time Since 2001 the capital funding that we've provided has when a then NDP Minister of Social Development did created more than 6,500 new licensed child care spaces. acknowledge the challenges that the NDP had with re- That's not to mention the others that are supported spect to supporting those with low and modest incomes. through child care subsidy. This is a quote from then Social Development Minister In terms of the annual investment in child care sub- in December of 1999. He said: "We have sidies, including those that support special needs for just lost it with people that are living paycheque to pay- low- and moderate-income families, the total is $154 cheque. People are just not getting ahead in life, and they million. The subsidy program now supports about are blaming us for it." 50,000 individual children each year. On average, those We inherited a shameful record in terms of job cre- families are receiving a subsidy that amounts to about ation. We inherited a society where if you were a child $5,400 per child — again, key supports to make sure in British Columbia, you had a one-in-ten chance of that families with low and moderate incomes are not left living in a family that was on welfare. If you were a behind and are able to take part in the workforce and single mother, six out of ten of you were living on wel- ensure that they can support their own families. fare. I'm proud that today we have fewer children who are in poverty, fewer children who are living on wel- [L. Reid in the chair.] fare, and we know that we can continue to see those rates drop. As you well know, the province this year introduced Certainly this budget addresses child poverty through the first phase of full-day kindergarten in September, our continued commitments to child care support, with more than half of the province's kindergarten child care subsidies, early learning programs and sup- students beginning this year. The remaining will be be- port for aboriginal children, but we have to remember ginning in September 2011. While full-day kindergarten that this truly is a collective issue. It's not only cross- was not aimed specifically at easing access to child care, ministry; it's cross-society. Nobody wants to see any that certainly is one of the positive benefits that has re- child living in poverty, and clearly, there's more work to sulted. It's truly positive. It's serving to free up child do to address this challenge, but we absolutely take the care spaces for families. Again, that goes to supporting issue very seriously. those that we believe need that extra support. [1735] Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6345

It's because of the targeted investments we've made ments established since 2005: Haida child and family that we've seen that child poverty rate drop so substan- services on Haida Gwaii — that was in June of 2006; the tially in British Columbia, faster than any other province. Desniqi child and family services in Williams Lake in It's because of child care support, child care subsidies, June of 2005; Surrounded by Cedar, south Vancouver support for aboriginal children, affordable housing, Island, May 2005; and 'Namgis child and family services rental supplements, reduced MSP premiums for low- in Alert Bay, January 2005. income families, the lowest personal provincial income The term "delegated aboriginal agencies" doesn't tell taxes in Canada and an annual HST credit of $230 per a person very much. What it means, though, to First family member. That's benefiting more than 1.1 million Nations is that it's the beginning of First Nations having low- and modest-income British Columbians. the right to jurisdiction over their children and families, The truth is that you need to have a strong economy and thus, to the services that support their children. It's a in order to support those most vulnerable. We've proven beginning that is about to take us very, very far, Madam that by taking that approach, by targeted investments Speaker, if we are willing to continue the partnership that allow us to lower the cost of living for families, that we have in allowing First Nations to be the leaders lower their taxes and increase the support they have to for a change instead of us telling them what to do. get ahead, we can see poverty rates drop. We will con- In January 2008 — another just huge success — tinue to see them drop in British Columbia, and we will MCFD signed an adoption-enabling agreement with lead Canada, as we have done, in dropping those child the Cowichan Tribes First Nation. I'm proud to say that poverty rates. made them the first aboriginal delegated agency in B.C., I mentioned that I wanted to talk about some of the and only the second in Canada, to have full adoption accomplishments in the ministry that I believe are per- delegation giving them back their inherent right to plan haps the most important and the most overarching adoption for their own children. changes that have taken place in government in many, I had the privilege of attending one of the ceremon- many years. I speak now of the services and supports ies during which they celebrated the placement of nine that we provide to aboriginal people, aboriginal chil- aboriginal children. It truly was just such a moving and dren and families — the work that we are doing together heartwarming event. Words would be difficult to find to with them. describe it, but it is truly about these people being able This year there has been an increase of $3 million to take back what is theirs. to enhance direct supports to aboriginal children and [1740] families. It would be easy for members of this House or In July 2008 the Interim First Nations Child and members of the public to think: "Well, that's just another Family Wellness Council was established at the second $3 million to fund a few more programs." The reality, Indigenous Child at the Centre Forum. In March of though, is that what has been taking place in our work 2010 that interim designation was lifted.N ow we have a with aboriginal children and families since about 2006 permanent council in place. That council is guided by a has been an absolute sea change. commitment to work together on child and family well- We've gone from a situation where there was little ness issues, and they set out the fundamental principles trust, where there was very great difficulty in seeing any and goals that are shared by B.C.'s First Nations. advancements for aboriginal people, and we've instead The example that I want to provide to you that I am come to a place now where there are a hundred differ- most proud of is what happened in the summer of 2010 ent First Nations with whom we are dealing directly and in the Stikine. But I would be remiss if I only spoke of where we are starting to see the fruits of those efforts. I the event in the summer. want to just describe to the House a few very specific The event in the summer was possible because three examples of success that not that many years ago, only a First Nations who had traditionally battled each other on few short years ago, we would have believed would have very many fronts and even today continue to have some been impossible to achieve. disagreements in other areas decided that their families Before I describe those, I want to just say a word of and their children were important enough that they deep gratitude to my deputy minister, Lesley du Toit. She could put those disagreements aside and work with their leads a very difficult ministry, andI am so proud to have communities and their elders in a very, very lengthy and had the opportunity to work with somebody who is so very community-based process in the Stikine that in- well skilled and knowledgable in the field of supporting volved the Kaska, the Tahltan and the Taku River Tlingit indigenous families and communities. What I am about First Nations. to describe are things that I truly believe would have had I'm proud to say that as a result of the work of those little chance of success were it not for her leadership in three First Nations together, in the summer of 2010 we the ministry. signed the first child and family wellness agreement Firstly, there are currently 22 delegated aboriginal in history that demonstrates the partnership between agencies in British Columbia with four agency agree- the Kaska, the Tahltan and the Taku River Tlingit First 6346 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Nations. That is something that would have been -un It speaks to a whole array of values that are supported heard of only a few short years ago. by the same ideal. That is that when we give British There was a time inB ritish Columbia where, in particu- Columbians a chance to manage their lives, to make their lar in the Ministry of Children and Family Development, choices, to manage their money, British Columbians First Nations were not thought of as being competent to are strong, British Columbians are proud, and British look after their own children. In fact, sadly, during the Columbians have the wherewithal to do whatever it is 1990s under the NDP, child apprehensions increased by we see in front of us as a province, to take hold of the about 66 percent, and a very, very huge portion of that opportunities that were presented to us through things were aboriginal children being taken out of their homes. like the Olympics. It's a sad, sad legacy, and I am so proud to say that it is We know that the best thing we can do is get out of finally turning around. the way of families. Let them be supported to make their I want to share with this House some of the comments own choices, their own decisions. It is certainly even of the leaders with whom we've been working. It's not for more true as we work with First Nations families. But us to say that what is happening is successful; truly, it is it is a principle that overrides everything we do as we to hear from the leaders of First Nations communities. recognize that building a strong economy, creating jobs, I want to begin by sharing what Chief Maureen giving those opportunities to families is truly the way Chapman shared with us, from Stó:lô. It is really the over- that British Columbia will continue to move forward arching principle that guides us. She cautioned: "When this and continue to be strong in the coming decade. work becomes about you — your job, your inconvenience or your discomfort — it is no longer about the children. C. Trevena: I, too, would like to do as others have The children must always be at the centre of everything done — recognize that it's great to be back in this place the Creator sent us to do." With that work in mind, here is doing our job representing our constituents, and I what we have heard from First Nations leaders with whom would also like to thank the staff whoI work with in my we have been dealing over these last few years. constituency, who make things really happen in the con- This, first of all, is from Annita McPhee from the stituency. I think they often go unnoticed. Tahltan Central Council. She's the chair of that council. So I would like to thank very much Lynne Stone, She says: "The government is acknowledging respect for Sandra Doran and Norm Prince, my constituency as- our families and First Nation values. Not long ago we sistants in Campbell River and in Port Hardy, and my didn't have a choice in how we were able to take care of assistant here in Victoria, Teresa Scambler, and without our families. We watched as children were apprehended question, the person who makes everything happen in and sent to residential schools. Now we have the sup- my life, my husband, Michael McIvor. port to raise our children in safe homes." I did hear one of the members — I think the member From the Tahltan Band, Chief Rick McLean: "When for Kamloops–North Thompson — thanking his dog. our three nations got together to address our challenges, My dog Molly would like it if I thanked her, but I'm not the possibility of positive change in our families and going to go that far. communities was realized. With the help of our com- We were challenged earlier by one of the members munities, the ministry and front-line workers, we are opposite to put together a list of great things that have going to see our children raised with traditional sup- been happening, to look at the legacies that have been ports. This is the first step on a long journey ahead to happening over the last ten years since we have seen the healing and healthy communities." Liberal government. I think it goes without saying that From the Taku River Tlingit, their spokesperson John the view of our legacy will be very different on this side Ward: "I am thankful the government of B.C. saw the of the House than on the other side of the House. potential in what it is we are trying to do." I have to start by responding to not just the budget, From Daylu Dena Council, Chief Walter Carlick: "For which I think it goes without saying I will not be sup- the first time ever, the government has asked us how we porting, but by responding to the Minister of Children are going to deal with our children and families. They've and Family Development, who ended her speech, a very asked us for our advice and listened to our voices." thoughtful speech about the work that her ministry has The investment that we are making in our ministry been doing, with the concept of giving people more choice, to redirect funding to the priorities of aboriginal chil- that this government has given people more choice. dren and families is one that we are not only exceedingly There really seems to be a disconnect and a continued proud of, but we are humbled to be able to play a small disconnect. I've raised it in the past, and I raise it again part in assisting these First Nations as they lead their now. Before going through my top ten list, I would like communities and as they take on the jurisdiction that to talk a bit about this disconnect. inherently has always been theirs, to look after their own The concept of choice is very good if you have the children and families. money to support your lifestyle, if you aren't feeling op- [1745] pressed by circumstance, and I think that many of the Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6347

people whom the minister is talking about don't really Number 2 would be education, and I'm going to have a choice. wrap two parts of education. I know we do try to keep Over the last ten years they've seen the cost of many K-to-12 and post-secondary separate, but I'm going to things that were covered before go up. They've seen MSP touch on both parts there. Education. I received in my premiums going up, they've seen fees go up, and they've office today a letter from one of the school districts in seen B.C. Hydro costs go up. my constituency, school district 84. It's addressed to the At the same time they have seen their disposable in- minister — I'm not sure whether she's received it yet — come go down. I have many times talked to people who talking about how in the school system these days the are holding down one, two, three minimum-wage jobs teachers have to be social workers, how the needs are so to try and get by. Three jobs to get by. desperate in rural communities that teachers are doing One woman who came into my office not long ago — everything. it was heartrending. She does hold down three jobs. She The underfunding. The per-pupil formula does not has a disabled son, she can't get supports, and she came work for rural education. It may be very great to say to my office and said: "Help me." We know the system that we've got extra money for every student, but it that is in place now after ten years, and we know that does not work where you have a diminishing number there is really no help for this woman and her disabled of students in rural areas and you have no options. The son. parents don't have a choice to say: "Oh well, I'll send She's doing her best, but she has no choice. She really my kid to another school." There are no other schools. has no choice. That is the sad reality of so many people They're already being bused to schools. That is the re- in B.C. at the moment. ality that has to be dealt with, and that is one of the The challenge for the ten legacies, the legacies of this failings under point 2. budget, the legacies of the last ten years, in what is — I Second one under point 2 is post-secondary. We're think people are sort of talking about — no longer the seeing under this budget that there is a $34 million status quo budget that was presented yesterday. It is very cut to student aid and that there's no money going in much the lame-duck budget. It's the placeholder budget. for training or colleges. We have the whole renewal It's the budget that gives whoever does come in from the of the political system in B.C. at the moment, and five remaining leadership candidates andL iberal Party a I've challenged candidates to look at post-secondary bit of money to play with, and it gives people in B.C. not education. much for the coming months. I would like people to be very brave and to say that [1750] people who want to go to post-secondary don't have to There is, as one of my colleagues has said, a slush fund, pay for it. If they make a commitment to work in B.C. and for everyone else, there is the wondering of how cuts for a few years, they don't have to pay for it. can actually be a status quo. How can you cut things and I've got to say it works in other jurisdictions. It has still keep a status quo? It really is an anomaly. worked in the past. I benefited from that in Britain. I My ten areas where I think that the government has was extraordinarily lucky that I didn't have to pay for some answers in their legacy, where there has been ser- my post-secondary education. You can see the advan- ious damage…. I'm going to start with the one that is tages of not paying for post-secondary in the investment boasted so often by this government, and that's health. it makes to people in the future, that they no longer There is no question that health care in this province…. have to worry about debt and going into their adult life We are very lucky that we live in a developed world worrying about that. where we can have access to health care. But that access Number 3 in my list is poverty. It has to be poverty. to health care depends on where you live, and the qual- The fact is that there is extra money going in- forin ity of that access to health care depends on where you come assistance, so much so that it's quite clear that this live. government is expecting more people to need income You're not particularly lucky if you're living in a place assistance in the coming years. where, because you can't get the staff, your emergency This is again an indictment of a government that talks room closes down every other day. That's the reality about choice, a government that talks about helping in rural areas — that you don't actually get equality of people — that they are expecting more people to get to health care. That isn't addressed in this budget. Nor is a desperate situation where they need income assistance. the reality that in the cuts to services, we as individuals Poverty. I could talk for hours about poverty, about so- are paying more in the flat tax of MSP. cial injustice that has come through the last ten years as It's going up again every year. That was introduced a legacy. last year. We are paying 70 percent more in MSP pre- I don't have much time. We are trying to make sure miums now than we did in 2002. It's going up another that many people can talk about this because one of the 6 percent. So we're paying for our health care in what further things I have to talk about is the accountability should be a public health care system. that we are only back for four days. We are here to do the 6348 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

people's business, and we are rushing through it in four cuts mean that corporations can invest in the economy." days so an internal political party issue can be dealt with. Well, it's very interesting, if you look at the figures, that Yes, it's very important that we have fair elections within cutting corporate taxes allows about 20 cents growth our party systems, but we can still be here deliberating, from every dollar cut. If you spent on infrastructure, discussing important issues. you make $1.50 for every dollar spent. Now, I am not [1755] an economist, but that does seem to indicate to me that Number 4 on my list: forestry. I come from a forest- you would be better off spending on infrastructure than dependent community, and yet we have seen a massive cut cutting corporate taxes. in forest stewardship, a massive cut in the Forest Service. It also, apparently…. This is what economists say. In the last decade there has been a quarter of the Forest Both StatsCan and the federal government economists Service staff that has disappeared. Forest Service staff is say that if you invest in supports for unemployment responsible for about 94 percent of our land base, of our and those on a low income and put money into housing, Crown land, and yet we've seen the axe come down. you're getting $1.40 back for every dollar spent. Now What do we see in this budget? We see more cuts. We again, if you estimate 20 cents growth for every dollar see cuts to stewardship. We see cuts to tree planting. We in a tax cut for the corporations, $1.40 if you invest in see cuts to essential parts of keeping a healthy forest. This people or $1.50 if you invest in infrastructure…. is the government whose legacy, the Premier's legacy, Number 9 — ferries. No mention here of ferries. was supposed to be on climate change, was supposed to Our ferry system — been privatized. Our highways, be on the environment, and yet we see continuing cuts highways for people who live on the Island — been pri- to the service. vatized. We're going to see a 100 percent increase in the Continuing on in the environment, point 5 — parks. cost of our ferries, but it's okay. The head of the ferry The parks budget is now, under this budget, about the corporation does earn a million dollars, and he is very same as the public affairs bureau. We love our parks. I comfortable. The people who are living on the islands mean, I think people have seen the sticker: "B.C. Parks. I and trying to make their lives work on the islands are camp. I vote." We all love our parks. It's the centenary of terrified by this and what this is going to mean when B.C. Parks. Strathcona Provincial Park is in my constitu- they're already seeing, as I mentioned earlier, MSP pay- ency, large parts of it — 100 years old. And yet we have ments, HST and other costs. seen cuts to the parks service down to the level of the [1800] public affairs bureau. It's absurd. The final area, which I did want to touch on — No. Continuing with the environment. I think I am now on 10. After ten years, No. 10 is accountability. This was point 6 — briefly, rushing through them.E nvironmental supposed to be a transparent accountable government. sustainability — cut by 5 percent. Parks I've just men- Open cabinet meetings. Everything was going to be tioned. Climate action secretariat — this was a good one. open. We were going to hear a lot. This was a legacy one.C ut 11 percent. Compared to 2008 We have heard a number of times, today and since — 66 percent. It's a brave new world when we're going we've been back, about what has happened to B.C. Rail into the very dangerous area of climate change. This was and the accountability there: $6 million paid to two something that B.C. could have led the way with, but it's people who were Liberal government insiders to end a been neglected. That is the real legacy. trial. We never found out what really happened. That is Cuts in the environmental assessment office. Cuts not accountability. Nor is it accountability for us to be throughout. It is no longer a serious dealing with the back just for four days. environment. We all know we work hard in our constituencies. We Point 7 was climate change. This is how it's done with all thank our constituency staff. We have a lot to do. I this government. Climate change is now secondary to have a very large rural area. I love being in my con- the environment. Climate change is no longer being stituency. But my job…. I was elected to come here and taken seriously. represent the people of the North Island. I was elected Number 8. Now, this is a bit about accountability. This to be their voice. is a bit about transparency. This government has, again, I can go off and talk to people as much as I want, but cut corporate taxes. It's very interesting. This deter- they expect me to come here and argue their case. They mination that while we cut everything that services the expect me to stand up here and say that they have no communities, that services what people need, services choice, that this government has not given them a choice. health care, education, the environment, social services Instead, we are here, we're going to be discussing the — areas where we desperately need money going in…. budget, we're discussing the way that we can carry on They're cut, and so are corporate taxes, so the friends of paying for government while we're not here, and we'll the government also get bonuses. go away. We'll let the government side elect the Premier- The argument we hear back — it's a bit like choice designate, and hopefully, we'll be back then, but we don't — is that: "Well, it's really good because corporate tax know. That is unconscionable. Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6349

We have set terms of this Legislature: two months in budget, but it's borrowed money just the same. So the the fall, four months in the spring-summer. We should money was spent to create an artificial surplus or a lower be here. We should be here doing the people's work. We deficit to just pile the money on a previous year, and it should be here representing our constituents. We should was a trick that was used by the NDP government of that be here talking about issues that matter to people in our era to hide from the taxpayer the true facts — partly why constituencies and matter to people in B.C. it was always called the fudge-it budget. Those are my ten items that I think this government The member for Surrey-Whalley wanted to boast to- has left as a legacy. These are just touching the surface. day about a balanced budget in the year 2001, their last Each one deserves a lot more, and it deserves our be- year in power in this province, when they had delivered, ing here to discuss them and to try and find solutions in his words, "a balanced budget." together — not always in opposition. Let's try and find Now I want to quote. I noticed that the member did some solutions. We know that there are issues, that there quote from several opinion columnists — Paul Willcocks is common ground, but let's make this system work. At and others — so let me quote from one too. This would the moment, it's not working. be something from a Vaughn Palmer column. "TheN ew This budget is a sign of more failure by this govern- Democratic Party is resorting to an accounting change ment. Because of that, I will not be supporting this of more than $1 billion to deliver on the promise of a budget. balanced budget this spring." 's promise — right? The so-called balanced budget. Hon. R. Hawes: I rise today to speak in support of The change…. What happened was there was an ac- the budget, but I want to touch on some things re- counting change in the civil service pension plan, where garding mining in British Columbia. Before I do, I the plan was moved over to a trust. Through that ac- do have to make some comments about some com- counting change, there was a billion-dollar artificial ments that were made earlier today by the member for accounting surplus created — right? What they did was Surrey-Whalley. spent the money on increasing programs right before Several times this budget, which…. As everyone an election. knows, there's a leadership review going on, on both As the column says: "The New Democrats aren't sides of the House. There will be a new Premier; there thinking beyond the remaining two to three weeks of will be a new cabinet. This budget attempts to leave the run-up to the provincial election" — in 2001 — "be- as much flexibility as possible for the new govern- cause they can read the polls as well as anyone. They ment to look at programs to see which direction and aren't likely to be presiding over provincial finances past how the government will continue in the direction it's voting day. So this week's billion-dollar accounting swap been going. I think it's prudent to allow that kind of will be someone else's problem, not theirs." flexibility, and I don't think many people would argue It goes on to explain how, as events unfolded, there was with that. what we call the structural deficit — $1 million plus, he The critic for the NDP for Finance, the member for was estimating. It turned out to be more than $4 million, Surrey-Whalley, has referred to it as a slush fund. It's what the Finance critic for the NDP has called fiction. over $2 billion, he claims — or a billion dollars, or what- But frankly, that accounting change is what created a no- ever number he puts on it. "It's a slush fund," he says. tional budget, a surplus that really wasn't there. I just wanted to first talk about the word "hypocrisy." There was a deficit, and it was left for future govern- I'm going to go back to 1996. In 1996 the then NDP ments in a ploy by the NDP to try to win some voter government in British Columbia designed a scheme to favour or, at the very least, leave a wreck for the gov- kind of, I would suggest, hoodwink the public. It was ernment that they knew was going to take over. That's called warehouse borrowing. It was where the govern- according to Vaughn Palmer, and I happen to think that ment would borrow…. Here, I'll just quote from Russ he was absolutely bang on when he wrote that column. Francis, who wrote a column about it. "Warehouse bor- It's pretty obvious. rowing is a scheme in which the government borrows Here's what happened. When the pension fund money before it needs it as a hedge against rising inter- was changed, one of the things that was happening — est rates." through this accounting change, it was obvious — was Earlier in 1996, in March, the government borrows that the government had been putting too much into the a billion dollars to warehouse the money in case we pension fund. So with the changeover to the trust, less need it later, and that debt shows up in the books for the money goes into the pension fund. 1995-96 year. The $1 billion is gone — an accounting change — but [1805] there are a number of benefits that retired civil servants On March 31 a new year starts. Here's something get from their pension, based on whether or not there from May now. In May of 2006 the borrowed money are surpluses in the plan. But as everyone knows, the counts against last year's budget rather than this year's interest rates dropped. There was a little more difficulty 6350 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011 with investment income for the pension fund in subse- the application that was made with a replacement lake quent years after 2001, and many of their benefits were for Fish Lake, the conclusion was, from the physical taken away because they were contingent on surpluses environmental standpoint, exactly the same both prov- — surpluses that that government took away from the incially and federally — a devastation to that lake. The pension fund. lake would be there no more. I know that many of the retired pensioners at first The conclusions were the same on the physical thought it was this government that caused this prob- environment side, but on the other parts of an environ- lem. The truth is that if one were to go back and really mental process, the more fulsome parts, were looking at: examine the changes that that government made in the "Well, just a minute. We need to find some balance. What pension fund, they stripped retired workers of their are the economic conditions in that area? What are the pension rights in this province. I think that's absolutely social conditions in that area?" It came up in favour of appalling. And then for that member to stand up and say the mine — on our side. that this is a slush fund is even more appalling. That's The federal government process looks only at the what I call hypocrisy, the height of hypocrisy. physical side. It turned it down based on the physical Madam Speaker, this budget is extremely transpar- side of the decision. They didn't look at the economic ent. It shows the money that is there, the contingency side and the devastation that exists in that area because money that will be used by the next government to of a number of factors, including the pine beetle and the make choices. way that the First Nations really haven't had, probably [1810] for 200 years…. I would be the first to say that I don't They can reduce debt. They can reduce the surplus or think they've had a fair share of the bounty of this prov- the deficit. They can do all kinds of…. Or they can in- ince. That's happened all over the province. We're trying crease program spending. That's a choice that the new to build that fair share through revenue-sharing, which cabinet will make. But the money is there, very pru- is another thing I want to talk about quickly. dently and transparently. When a new mine opens in this province, we engage I'm quite proud of the way that this budget has been in revenue-sharing with the First Nation on whose ter- presented — in a very fair, straightforward and trans- ritory that mine is going to be built, whether it's a new parent way — as opposed to what happened under that mine or an expansion of an existing mine. government and what I'm sure will happen with that We have so far concluded three revenue-sharing government were they ever, ever, God forbid, to be given agreements that are going to pay tens of millions of dol- power again in this province. lars to the First Nations on whose territory those mines There have been some comments lately about mining exist. That would be for the New Afton mine, and there in British Columbia made by a number of the members are two bands there that are going to benefit; and on the opposite. I'll start, perhaps, with the member for Juan de Mount Milligan mine, where the McLeod Lake band will Fuca, who's looking to be the leader of the NDP party. benefit with tens of millions, probably over $30 million He's one of the aspirants to that position. He has talked over the life of the mine. Also through jobs and employ- about the environmental protection agency in British ment and training there are a lot more benefits that are Columbia and our process. He thinks that our process is going to accrue to the First Nations in those areas. not as stringent as it should be, that we should be look- The member for Stikine — I heard him the other day ing at the federal system. I'm wondering. What province on the radio claiming that we haven't had a mine for does he live in? years, that things are terrible and that we don't know what we're doing with mining. Well, I just want to give a Interjection. little list to that member. Elk Valley is in the middle of an expansion, Teck, for its coalmines. Highland Valley cop- Hon. R. Hawes: I notice the member for Stikine per is going to expand. Tulsequah Chief has now been talking about that we've gutted it. That's absolute rub- taken over and is going to reopen, and it will be a mine. bish. However, we do have one of the most robust Yellowjacket, Ruby Creek are in the approval process. environmental assessment processes in the country. That Copper Mountain is in construction and is going to member, the member for Juan de Fuca, has said about open very shortly, transforming Princeton. If you go to the Prosperity mine decision, in which the federal gov- visit Princeton, talk to the mayor there about the benefits ernment differed from the British Columbia decision, of that mine on that community. It's absolutely astound- that obviously their process must be more stringent. ing the change in outlook and the positive nature that The truth is that we have a completely rounded and Copper Mountain has had on Princeton. fulsome assessment process that considers more than [1815] just the physical environment. It also considers the eco- Red Chris is approved. It's going to be a major mine nomic environment. When you look at the economics on Highway 37, and the power line we're running up in that area and the offsets that were offered through Highway 37 is going to create more opportunities for Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6351

mines in that area. Endako is expanding — a major ex- 2000 in British Columbia was 44,717 individuals. At the pansion. New Afton, as I said, reopening — a major same time, total net in-migration for that period was mine employing hundreds of people. Mount Milligan, 189,414 people. So the overall positive balance of net a greenfield mine going to open in the Prince George in-migration was 144,697 folks, which averages out to area — a great project employing, right now, lots of First 14,469 people per year. Nations people in the construction of that mine. Now let's look at the current regime, 2001 to 2009, Prosperity mine was turned down. For 17 years where we have had total net in-migration of 60,287, ac- they've tried to open that mine. They were forced to cording to B.C. Stats, and total net out-migration of look at destroying a lake, eliminating Fish Lake, but now 11,473, for an overall positive balance of net in-migra- they're taking another look at how they can work with tion of 48,814, or an average of 5,423 per year. Madam First Nations, maybe do some redesign work. Speaker, if you compare the numbers, that's an average That will probably come back for reapplication. I'm of 5,423 people per year net in-migration during the hopeful, and certainly everyone on this side of the House Liberals' reign and 14,469 per year during the NDP's is hopeful, that we can come to an agreement with the reign. First Nations and with Ottawa and that that mine will go [1820] ahead and provide great prosperity for the whole area, Net in-migration under the NDP was 2½ times bet- including the families in Williams Lake that are devas- ter than it was under the Liberals so far. It's only getting tated at the loss of the forestry industry and the pine worse, of course, under the Liberals, and it obviously is beetle devastation in that area. It's really important to going to continue to get that way. They could only dream the families in Williams Lake. of having such good net in-migration, but nonetheless, I don't understand why the folks on that side of the fantasy continues. the House are so opposed to that project going ahead. Let's turn to economic growth. More fantasies. Back They're out there saying that this should be a dead deal, in the '90s, every year during the '90s, B.C. had positive that that mine should not proceed, and I think that's economic growth despite the deep recession that was absolutely wrong. Really, what they're doing is saying, faced in the early part of the decade, that hit the U.S. and "Let's turn our backs on the families of Williams Lake," Canada in 1991. In the last year, in fact, the economic and shame on the members on that side of the House growth under the NDP was 4.6 percent. for doing that. The decade of the 2000s, of course, we know is marked Mining in this province is alive, it's well, and it's grow- by a major commodity boom, having nothing to do with ing. As Pierre Gratton from the Mining Association of the Liberals, plus very generous equalization payments British Columbia says, we are in the middle of a min- from Ottawa. Global commodity prices in the '90s, on ing renaissance in British Columbia. When I talk to the the other hand, were in decline. Yet despite that, the mining industry as a whole, the first thing they say is, Liberals' best years of economic growth in 2005 and an- "Please, please do everything you can to make sure that other year — I'm not sure of the other year — were less the NDP never ever return," because as they left in the than the two best years under the NDP. '70s under an NDP government and left in the '90s under Overall economic growth for the NDP in the '90s was an NDP government, they would leave again if you on 3 percent, whereas for the Liberals, from 2001 to 2008, that side of the House ever took power again. So God it was 2.8 percent, and the economy then shrank 3.4 forbid. percent in 2009. It rebounded a bit last year in terms of Let's not allow that to happen. Let's make sure the percent growth. jobs in mining continue to grow, and let's not have our Now, the deficit. The member forA bbotsford-Mission families and our youth have to leave this province again, was talking about the deficit of the era. So, as they did before under that government's rule. you know, let's have a look at the deficit that occurred prior to the last election, and we learned about it after M. Sather: It's my pleasure to respond to budget 1.1, I the election. You will recall, of course, that the Premier guess, of 2011. It's always fun to follow the member for said during the election that the deficit would be $494 Abbotsford-Mission, who is pontificating about the '90s. million, maximum. So how did the Finance Minister get The Liberals are wont to do that. In fact, the Finance to that particular figure? Minister also made some comments about the '90s dur- Everyone will recall that the recession hit in the fall ing his delivery of the budget. One of the things they of 2008. The Premier, at the time, said that it was, you love to talk about is: "Oh, the people that were leaving know, terrible — worst since the '30s. So with that back- in droves, the workers that were leaving in droves from grounder, you would have thought that the Liberals British Columbia in the '90s." "Tens of thousands," the would have been pretty cautious. The tax revenues for Finance Minister said. 2008-09, for the fiscal year, totalled $17.5 billion. Well, actually, he is correct, if you check with B.C. Yet the next year, when we were right into the midst of Stats. In fact, total net out-migration between 1991 and the recession, the Finance Minister raised the tax revenue 6352 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

forecast to $18.5 billion, or a whole billion dollars more predicting that they're going to go up, and it's going to than it was in '08-09. He certainly knew by February of be mayhem. '09 that tax revenues were falling, yet he raised the pro- You know, all the time that the Liberals promulgated jected tax increases prior to the election. this P3 policy, it was like: "Oh, man, they're taking all the Actual revenues for '09-10 were only $16.4 billion, risk. The builder is taking all the risk. You don't have to $1.1 billion less than '08-09. So the $1.26 billion deficit worry." It reminded me of being on a Mexican beach, you that we have this year, according to the latest update, was know. The hat seller goes by and says: "Oh, cheap, cheap, over 2½ times larger than the government said it would almost free, almost free." Well, it hasn't been almost free. be. That, you know…. Any indiscretion, if it may have There's no free lunch out there, and this government is been, that Glen Clark committed with regard to budget putting British Columbians hugely at risk. is small compared to what we saw prior to the last elec- Just look at the Golden Ears Bridge, for example, tion in this province, and no apology forthcoming. which is a good bridge insofar as it stands. It takes you quickly from Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows over to the [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Langley side, notwithstanding some cracks that mys- teriously appeared shortly thereafter. But the fact of the Another thing that the Liberals love to talk about matter is that revenue on that bridge has fallen far short is: "Oh, you know, the NDP drove British Columbia of the contracted price we have to pay to the builder. into a have-not province." Well, they have got to look The bridge has only been open a year and eight months, at some of the evidence here. When you're getting the and we already owe the contractor $63.8 million for the equalization payments, you're considered a have-not shortfall — $63.8 million. So we're now 44 percent short province, and between 2001 and 2009 B.C. was a have- of the mark in terms of its paying for itself. not province six times, receiving a total of $2.4 billion in This bridge is not paying for itself. We're paying for it, equalization payments. and my constituents are paying double. First of all, they On the other hand, between 1991 and 2000, B.C. re- pay the toll — the only people in the province who have ceived only one equalization payment of $125 million. to pay the toll. If you go over and back every day to go So who is on the dole? Who has been on the dole? Check to work, it costs you about 700 bucks a year. Then, in it out, man. Check it out. addition, they have to pay out of their taxpayer pocket Let's look at the most ridiculous aspect of this for the fact that there are all kinds of overruns in terms government, the most troubling aspect of this govern- of the amount of money that we're not making on that ment's fiscal mismanagement. That's the debt in British bridge. That is, of course, in addition to the $5-million- Columbia, and this should truly give anyone cause for a-year subsidy it gets and the additional costs for the deep concern. acquisition of lands and so on. Let's hope it changes, but [1825] so far, it's another financial white elephant that this gov- With this budget, debt is projected to increase to ernment has put forward. $60.4 billion by 2013 — $60.4 billion. That's an 80 per- I don't have long to speak, but I just want to talk cent increase since 2006. Wow, an 80 percent increase to briefly about the tax cuts and the wealth inequality that $60.4 billion. According to the TD Bank, the taxpayer- have happened in this province. B.C. has among the supported debt-to-GDP ratio rose by a significant 2 highest income and wealth inequality in Canada. We percentage points to reach 15.5 percent in fiscal year have experienced high poverty and homelessness, even '09-10 and is expected to keep rising to 18 percent of during the boom, the commodity boom in 2006-2007, GDP by '11-12. and we do have the highest poverty rate in the country. The indicators are flying badly in the wrong direction, In 2008 one in seven B.C. workers earned less than $10 and the accumulation of debt is the most troubling. But an hour. that $60.4 billion is only half of the horror story that Personal income tax cuts have benefited high-income we're facing in this province, because there's another earners the most. If you earned $150,000 a year, the whole load of debt out there that is not counted on the tax cut was 4.6 percent of your income. If you earned books but is very much there. It's called the contractual $60,000 a year, it was 3.3 percent of your income, and obligations — in other words, the P3s. The public-private if you earned $30,000 a year, it was 2.4 percent of your partnerships, which this government has indulged in so income. The reality is that not only do the highest-in- frequently, are now, according to the public accounts of come earners benefit more in actual dollars, but they '09-10, at $55 billion. benefit more, relative to low-income earners. That's not We've got $60 billion plus $55 billion. That is $113 fair, Mr. Speaker. billion that this government is racking up in debt for [1830] this province, and that's going to affect every person Of British Columbian taxpayers, 4/10 of 1 percent in this province. God help us when the interest rates earn $250,000 a year or more — four out of a thousand. go up, because they are going to go up. Everybody is They receive 15.2 percent of the total tax-cut dollars. In Wednesday, February 16, 2011 British Columbia Debates 6353

contrast, the 60.8 percent of British Columbians who spending for what is described as 4/12 of the total amount earn less than $30,000 a year receive only 17.2 percent of the votes of the main estimates. In other words, it will of the pie. So 4/10 of 1 percent get 15 percent; 60 percent authorize expenditure according to the main estimates get 17.2 percent. until the end of July of this year. It leads to the kind of inequality that we're experien- Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules says that "interim cing in our province and the fact that we have so many supply provides the government with money to meet its problems with homelessness and on and on. obligations during the time before the main estimates I think that at this point, we're going to move on to are approved," and that's customary parliamentary the next order of business, so I will move adjournment practice throughout the history of this parliament and of the debate. others. What I think is significant here in this approval is M. Sather moved adjournment of debate. that although interim supply is approved by this bill, ap- proval of interim supply does not authorize spending Motion approved. by the government on new programs. It only authorizes spending in accordance with the main estimates. Hon. R. Coleman: I call second reading of Bill 3, inti- It's significant that in the main estimates under tuled Supply Act (No. 1). "Other Appropriations" at page 183, there's a summary there in Vote 45. The main estimates for the coming Second Reading of Bills year include a contingency of $600 million. That's the contingency that's been spoken of by the Minister of Bill 3 — SUPPLY ACT (no. 1), 2011 Finance in some of his earlier comments when introdu- cing the budget. Hon. C. Hansen: I move that Bill 3 be read a second Although the government doesn't have the authority time now. by the passage of this bill to spend on new programs, it Bill 3 will provide interim supply for the continuation has reserved to itself in the contingency, Vote 45, the of government programs until government's estimates sum of $600 million, and expenditure of that would be for the 2011-2012 fiscal year have been debated and authorized as a contingency. voted upon in this assembly. [1835] Interim supply is required because existing voted ap- Just for comparative purposes, in the estimates of propriations will expire on March 31, 2011, and it is last year the similar vote was $450 million. So this is unlikely that the 2011-2012 estimates will be debated a considerable expansion of that amount. Beauchesne and passed by that date. goes on to say that ordinarily "interim supply is nor- Both this government and the official opposition mally requested in the first supply period for the first are in transition to new leadership. The four months three months of a new fiscal year for all departments of interim supply provide time for orderly transition, of government." This request is for four months, enabling the new leaders to be in place during the de- which is a slightly longer period than is ordinarily the bate of the 2011-2012 estimates currently before this case. House. The only other comment that I would make is just The first section of the bill provides supply for the first that the Minister of Finance has referred to paragraph four months of the 2011-2012 fiscal year based on the 2 of the bill, which authorizes capital expenditures voted expenses as presented in the 2011-2012 estimates. and fully one-half of the capital expenditures. Given The second portion provides for 50 percent of the voted that in this climate in British Columbia, particularly financing transaction requirements set out in schedules in other parts of British Columbia, capital expendi- C and D of the 2011-2012 estimates. These disburse- tures, in particular construction, usually proceed at ments are not evenly distributed throughout the year. this time of year, in the spring, and are completed in The additional appropriation is required to accommo- the summer and early fall, that is a prudent measure date project timing. in order to get capital projects underway rather than The third section provides for revenue collected for delaying and niggling and being picky about that par- and transferred to other entities which appear in sched- ticular clause. ule E of the 2011-2012 estimates. As there is no impact The official opposition supports interim supply. on the surplus, borrowing or debt resulting from sched- Indeed, I think that's really the main purpose of being ule E financing transactions, 100 percent of the year's here this week, if I can put it that way — with all due requirements are being sought in this supply bill. respect to the Finance Minister and the budget that he's introduced — because that budget will likely be substan- B. Ralston: I want to speak briefly to Bill 3. The tially revised at some future date to be determined by Supply Act will authorize the government to continue the incoming Liberal leader. 6354 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, February 16, 2011

We are, therefore, by agreement with the govern- Hon. C. Hansen: I move that Bill 3 be referred to a ment, prepared to support interim supply. Obviously, Committee of the Whole House for consideration at the this will enable government to keep the government next sitting of the House after today. going, keep people paid, keep the hospitals open and all of the other things that the government services Bill 3, Supply Act (No. 1), 2011, read a second time and provide. Naturally, we here on this side are in support referred to a Committee of the Whole House for con- of that. With those brief comments, I would end my sideration at the next sitting of the House after today. remarks. Hon. R. Coleman moved adjournment of the House. Mr. Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier closes debate. Motion approved.

Hon. C. Hansen: I move second reading of Bill 3, the Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 10 Supply Act (No. 1), 2011. a.m. tomorrow morning.

Motion approved. The House adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Hansard Production

Acting Director Robert Sutherland

Post-Production Team Leader Christine Fedoruk

Editorial Team Leaders Laurel Bernard, Janet Brazier, Robyn Swanson

Technical Operations Officers Pamela Holmes, Emily Jacques, Dan Kerr

Indexers Shannon Ash, Julie McClung, Robin Rohrmoser

Researchers Jaime Apolonio, Mike Beninger, Morgan Lay

Editors Heather Bright, Deirdre Gotto, Jane Grainger, Betsy Gray, Iris Gray, Linda Guy, Barb Horricks, Bill Hrick, Paula Lee, Donna McCloskey, Bob McIntosh, Anne Maclean, Constance Maskery, Jill Milkert, Lind Miller, Lou Mitchell, Karol Morris, Dorothy Pearson, Erik Pedersen, Peggy Pedersen, Janet Pink, Amy Reiswig, Heather Warren, Arlene Wells, Glenn Wigmore

Published by British Columbia Hansard Services, and printed under the authority of the Speaker.

Printing Agent Crown Publications, Queen's Printer for British Columbia 563 Superior St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V7 www.crownpub.bc.ca

Daily and annual Hansard subscription information is available from Crown Publications.

www.leg.bc.ca

Access to on-line versions of the official report of debatesHansard ( ), webcasts of proceedings and podcasts of Question Period is available on the Internet. Chamber debates are broadcast on television.