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CONTENTS

Statement

Records of ombudsman and Agriculture committees. Mr. King –– 10

Routine proceedings

Throne speech debate

Mr. Davidson –– 10

Mr. Bawtree –– 15

The House met at 10:00 a.m.

Prayers.

MR. KEMPF: Mr. Speaker. With us in the Speaker's gallery this morning is Mr. Paul Bloomfield, who hails from Fort St. James in that great constituency of Omineca. Paul is the president of the Omineca constituency Social Credit Association. I'd like this House to make him welcome.

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Speaker, it's just 200 years ago this week that Captain James Cook sailed into the waters of Friendly Cove in Nootka Sound.

I would like to welcome to this chamber today four distinguished visitors who have an historic tie with the celebration of the Captain James Cook Bicentennial in British Columbia. They are from Middlesborough, Yorkshire, England, and later this year Middlesborough will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of their most famous son, Captain James Cook. It is the arrival on our shores 200 years ago of this same noted navigator and explorer which we in British Columbia are celebrating this year.

The visitors I wish to introduce arrived in British Columbia last night for a short visit, linking British Columbia and Middlesborough, both having such close connections with Captain Cook. His Worship Mayor R.I. Smith of Middlesborough, Mayoress Mrs. Doris Taylor, Councillor C.E. Shopland, and Mr. J.R. Foster, chief executive officer of Middlesborough, met with me a few moments ago and Mayor Smith presented me with an illuminated scroll. I accepted it on behalf of the citizens of British Columbia.

This scroll, Mr. Speaker, bears the text of a resolution passed by the borough council proclaiming the links between British Columbia and Middlesborough. The resolution says in part:

"Greetings and sincere good wishes in this auspicious year, 1978, which binds the inhabitants of both areas together by a common respect and affection for the illustrious memory of Captain James Cook, with whom both areas have a link of which we are proud and which they confidently and fervently trust will strengthen and perpetuate the ties which bind them for their mutual benefit."

The parchment bears the seal of Middlesborough and the signatures of the mayor, the chief executive officer and the borough secretary.

I would like to ask His Worship to convey the thanks of the government and people of British Columbia to the council and people of Middlesborough for their thoughtfulness, and we wish them well with their celebrations later in this year.

I would like to ask the members of this assembly to join me in extending a very warm welcome to British Columbia to our distinguished visitors, Mayor R. I. Smith, Mayoress Mrs. Doris Taylor, Councillor Shopland and Chief Executive Officer Foster of Middlesborough, England.

MR. BARRETT: Mr. Speaker, I wish to also extend our welcome as the official opposition. I want to also say that I hope that the group can spend a little longer in British Columbia than just a weekend. I also want to thank Mr. Shopland for his letter and I give him in return fraternal greetings. I hope that he can return to British Columbia in the fall when we have the international socialist convention at that time.

MR. COCKE: Mr. Speaker, it would seem to me it would hardly be a session if we did not acknowledge in our gallery once again, after many many years of faithful attendance, Mrs. Ruth Johnson. I'd like the House to welcome Mrs. Ruth Johnson.

MR. VEITCH: Mr. Speaker, seated in the gallery this afternoon is my wife, Sheila; Dr. Egon Nikolai and his wife, Fern; and I would also like to extend my congratulations to His Worship Mr. Smith, whom I met in Middlesborough last year and spent a few delightful days with.

MR. SHELFORD: Mr. Speaker, I would like the House to welcome Cliff and Ashley Perciviot from Terrace. I'd like to point out that Ashley has excellent taste;-, ;he nominated me at the last election.

MR. LOEWEN: Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to welcome again this morning good friends of most of the members of this House, Cliff and Alice Oswald, seated in the Speaker's gallery.

HON. MR. NIELSEN: Mr. Speaker, also seated in the Speaker's gallery this morning, I'd like the House to recognize the mayor of Richmond, Mayor Gil Blair; the administrator, Will Preston;and my wife, Jean.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to make a very brief statement.

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Leave granted.

MR. KING: Mr. Speaker, I have today filed with the Clerk two notices of motion pertaining to committees of this House, and 1 want to draw the attention of the members of the House to the fact that the agriculture committee and the select committee studying the ombudsman's office in the province of British Columbia died with the prorogation of the last session of the Legislature, as did all of the books, evidence and records and transcripts from those committees. The motion which has been filed today - and 1 suggest that should be dealt with expeditiously by this House - has for its effect the restructuring and the bringing forward of all those documents...

Interjection.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

MR KING: ... Mr. Speaker, to prevent the taxpayers of this province losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because of the bungling of this government that is out of control.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, order, please.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to that political poppycock and inform the hon. House leader of the official opposition that the committees will be functioning as he would anticipate and as the government intends to see that they will do. If he would also take a look at the motion concerning the agricultural committee, I think he will find it very informative.

Orders of the day.

MR. DAVIDSON: Mr. Speaker, 1 take pleasure in presenting the following motion, a motion that is seconded by the hon. member for Shuswap (Mr. Bawtree) , that the following address be presented to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor:

We, Her Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of this present session.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of genuine pride and honour that I stand here today to move the Speech from the Throne. I express also at this time my gratification to the electorate of Delta for having chosen me to represent them in this House and allowing me the privilege of sitting with all hon. members who share as a common bond the obligation to serve the people of British Columbia.

May I also, Mr. Speaker, at this time extend to you my congratulations on your elevation to the position of Speaker of this assembly and also express my congratulations to the first member for Vancouver South (Mr. Rogers) on his election as Deputy Speaker. We are indeed fortunate to have two such dedicated and capable members in positions of authority and trust in this House.

To the former speaker, the member for North Peace River, may I express my respect for the very difficult decision he made, predicated solely on his determination to uphold the high office of Speaker of our provincial assembly, and in making a great personal sacrifice in ensuring that that high office be held in full esteem by all members of this House. Far from stepping down, Mr. Speaker, he indeed stands taller in the eyes of all British Columbians.

Mr. Speaker, we in the province of British Columbia are most fortunate people. We live in a province which offers great scope for individual achievement and promises a future destiny of greatness for our people. The past two and a half years have seen significant, positive and progressive changes to our economic well-being. Creation of new jobs, expansion of our exports, and new developments optimizing our raw materials and natural resources have all been heightened by new and positive economic factors in our province. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, our nation in general - and this province included - has been subjected to an unacceptably high unemployment rate. I wish to make it abundantly clear that individual members of this government, including this member, are equally as concerned about the number of unemployed in this province as is any member of this House. With the number of unemployed, particularly those recent graduates from our school system now into the job market, there is hardly anyone who is not in some way directly or indirectly affected in fully realizing the seriousness of the situation -my own daughter being no exception.

I firmly believe, Mr. Speaker, that those individuals who visited members of * the Legislature on Wednesday are -, fully aware of the very real concern and absolute priority that this government intends to give to the area of job creation. The specific thrust of the throne speech further evidences this fact.

But, Mr. Speaker, we would be less than honest with ourselves if we continued to dwell upon the negative aspect alone without looking on the positive side of the ledger. Consider

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for just a moment what this province has been able to achieve. At a time when Canada's unemployment rate has risen dramatically and new jobs are at a premium, the British Columbia rate declined, but most significantly almost 30,000 new jobs were created last year in this province. This figure accounts for slightly over 15 per cent of all jobs created in Canada while we have only 11 per cent of the Canadian total. There are now, Mr. Speaker, more than 1,075, 000 people Employed in this province, an all-time record high.

Consider as well that the province's gross domestic product increased 4.3 per cent, compared to a gain of 2.5 to 3 per cent for all of Canada. Consider too that total wages and salaries in British Columbia are up 12 per cent, compared to the national average of 10.4 percent. Consider as well that Vancouver, representing British Columbia in the most recent federal survey, experienced the smallest increase in the consumer price index.

Consider that investment in British Columbia increased an estimated 12.6 per cent in 1977 and investment in manufacturing rose 22 per cent to 23 per cent in real terms.

Mr. Speaker, when you add to these positive figures the activity in mineral exploration, mining production, petroleum exploration and oil and gas sales, and when we consider the new investment in the forest sector, we can indeed see that we have much to be thankful for, particularly when we consider what the other provinces of our nation are experiencing.

Mr. Speaker, we are living in changing times in a country with changing ideas. 'The very foundation of our nation - the unity of our nation - has been the subject of much discussion and debate, particularly in view of Premier Levesque's determination to remove the province of Quebec from the framework of confederation. It was therefore with pride in being a British Columbian that I followed the First Ministers' conference recently held in Ottawa at which our Premier spoke strongly and solidly in favour of national unity and, at the same time, addressed himself to the very serious economic problems that our country faces today.

Mr. Speaker, never in our history has a Premier from the province of British Columbia been received with such overwhelming, positive enthusiasm as was the Premier of this province at that Ottawa meeting. The national press recorded that this province, British Columbia, through its First Minister, presented by far the most thorough and comprehensive plan of all First Ministers present. They reported that this province had arrived with its homework done, its positions clearly documented and its alternatives precisely spelled out. Not only was British Columbia's determination to maintain a strong national stance evident, but a new economic strategy was proposed as a major step in restoring both the economic prosperity and the sense of national unity in this country. Clearly, the proposals submitted at that conference by the Premier of British Columbia must be initiated if Canadian unity and Canadian federalism are to be both strengthened and maintained.

The provinces of this nation must have more voice in the decision-making processes and in the control of their own destinies and the overall destiny of our nation. The need to modernize and update our Constitution is vital and the basic principles on which division of powers is currently based must be re~assessed in the light of retaining our national strength, and at the same time allowing for the development and direction of our varying, differing and unique regional areas. The regional aspect of our country's makeup must be taken into consideration if we are to develop a sound and lasting industrial base leaning towards a better and stronger economic Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as outlined in the throne speech, adequate opportunity will be provided to the members of this assembly to participate in a full-scale debate on the national unity issue so that the people of this province, through their elected representatives, will have an even greater opportunity to focus in detail on the future of British Columbia and the role it must play in maintaining our great nation.

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, it is time that we as British Colombians, arid, indeed, as members of this Legislature, considered the positive aspects instead of constantly dealing in the negative. The economy of this province has been turned around, notwithstanding the overall Canadian and North American picture, and notwithstanding the devastating effects that the economic policies of the previous government had on the province during its dismal term in office.

Mr. Speaker, while the Minister of Tourism (Hon. Mrs. McCarthy) of this province launches the most aggressive marketing campaign in our province's history, to bring tourist dollars to our third-largest industry, while she travels throughout our own province initiating educational and promotional campaigns for our service industry and its employees, and while she engages in world-wide advertising to sell British Columbia, the single greatest contribution that members of that party can

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make is to ridicule Captain Cook in the most despicable manner possible. All that remarks, such as those attributed to the NDP member for New Westminster (Mr. Cocke) , can ever accomplish is to destroy the efforts of a great number of people who have gone to considerable effort and expense to bring tourist dollars into our province and create much-needed jobs in that major industry. Jobs, Mr. Member, jobs.

Mr. Speaker, $1.4 billion, tourist dollars, came into this province last year - an all-time record - a great deal of it directly attributable to the efforts of this government through its Tourism minister. The people of this province deserve better of an opposition that supposedly has as its main goal the interests of the people. In fact, Mr. Speaker, at almost every turn of the economic corner, members of the opposition are standing there shouting: "No, " or "It can't be done, " or "It shouldn't be done, " or "It's a shame." Even on power development, which could be one of our greatest exports, the NDP in this province says" "no, " while the NDP province of Saskatchewan says: "Yes, it's a good thing." But, Mr. Speaker, the NDP of British Columbia has been out of step with other provincial NDP governments and the national NDP on almost every other issue so that's not really surprising.

Those members refer constantly to this government as being a bottom-line government with little or no concern for people. Well, Mr. Speaker, let's look at the record and, at the same time, let's bear in mind that the record of this government is one of economic stability, balanced budgeting and overall financial restraint - three phrases that were never common to that administration.

We've made rental accommodation more financially possible for senior citizens. In the best year ever in this province, only 1,600 rental units were provided for senior citizens. But under the SAFER programme, since its inception, in excess of 17,000 people are in receipt of provincial assistance. There is strong evidence, Mr. Speaker, that this programme that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has initiated is an overwhelming success. In addition to the success it is enjoying here in British Columbia, it is now being looked at as a model for other provinces throughout our country.

We've also engaged in new hospital building programmes in excess of half a billion dollars.

All of these, Mr. Speaker, from SAFER through to Pharmacare, through to our hospitalization programmes, are clear demonstrations that this government does concern itself with people.

But the record of accomplishment does not end there. An auditor-general, a guardian of the taxpayers of this province, has been appointed. An ombudsman to deal with the bureaucracy will be appointed. Revenue sharing to municipalities comes on stream this year. Crown land is being put up for sale for residential use. The natural resource industry is once again on the move in British Columbia. Crown corporations will be made more accountable through the Crown corporation reporting committee now firmly in place - the first of its kind in the Canadian history. A highways programme, which that NDP government let deteriorate to the worst state in its history, is now underway in a major way with promises of even greater construction to come. An essential services Act to help prevent inconvenience both to the general public and to the employees of Crown corporations has been introduced, and an aggressive programme of serious economic development is now underway in this province.

Mr. Speaker, in my own riding of Delta, the British Columbia Development Corporation went to work in conjunction with my municipal council to take a 700-acre plot of land, which up until that time was a dead loss, and is turning it into one of the most beautiful industrial parks in the lower mainland. These industrial lots which are now being offered for sale have already attracted numerous new businesses. When you consider that these lots are selling for about half of current market value of other industrial estates, it can readily be seen that this will mean eventually a direct gain to Delta, and indeed the province, of some 3,000 new jobs. While hard negotiation went on both by the municipality and the Development Corporation, the end result was a successful melding of the requirements of both, and a development which is both economically feasible and aesthetically attractive - a far cry from the 700-acre sand heap which was left by the previous administration.

The aggressive marketing campaign which this government undertook through Europe and Japan was marked with meetings with the highest levels of industry. Those ongoing negotiations will reap many benefits and long-term jobs to the people of British Columbia. What a change, Mr. Speaker, from the members of the other side of the House who jaunted all over the world at government expense, studying the effects of socialism or playing rugby, and bringing back nothing of substance to the people of British Columbia.

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British Columbians have never in their history had a more dedicated cabinet, a more hard-working cabinet, nor a more effective cabinet in achieving positive results for the people of this province than they do at this very moment. It has been their collective efforts that have permitted the economy of this province to grow and prosper and to lead the country in virtually every segment of development, save that of Alberta. In the area of coal exploration alone, since February 10 of this year coal contracts for exploration have doubled from 600,000 to approximately 1.2 million - doubled, Mr. Speaker - all because of a change in government policy, a change that opposition would never condone or encourage, but a change that has made a difference and will make a difference in adding literally thousands of jobs to the British Columbia economy in that one industry alone.

While we're on the subject of coal revenues, it's long past time when we must analyse the opposition's constant referral to the fact that this government collects a royalty of only $1.50 per ton on coal, as this figure is most misleading. The facts of the matter are that in addition to the $1.50 per long ton, the province collects approximately $2 on mining tax. $2.25 from the provincial corporate income tax, 12~-a-ton provincial capital tax, 46~-a-ton property tax, 30~-a--ton from sales tax, as well as an additional 6U-a-ton from provincial personal income tax.

When federal taxes are included, and comparison between this province and Alberta is made, which that member loves to do when he quotes $1.50 for ours and $10 for theirs, the fact of the matter is very simply this: the total in British Columbia is roughly $10.15, as opposed to the $10.98 a ton price in Alberta, a far cry from the $1.50 that the Leader of the Opposition keeps using.

This money comes back to the people of British Columbia in the forms of revenue for services to people and at the same time provides sufficient incentive for industry and jobs to be both attracted to and retained within our province.

Mr. Speaker, it would be impossible at this time not to mention that last year the province received $197 million just for the right to drill for gas and oil, exclusive of any royalty upon finding any gas or oil. Compare this to the maximum $26 million for the highest year that the NDP was in office and you can readily see what the philosophy of socialism robbed from the people of this province.

Mr. Speaker, the opposition members, particularly the first member for Vancouver Centre (Mr. Lauk) .... I'm really sorry he's not in his seat, because I have been looking forward to this for some time. Maybe you could go and get him, Mr. Member. He has gone out of his way crossing all.boundaries of reason and rational argument in attempts to discredit this government. Consider statements of that NDP member on February 1 of last year %ten he said, referring to the Grizzly Valley pipeline: "Mr. Speaker, that pipeline is never going to be built."

His hair was on fire and he was .... (Laughter.) "That pipeline is never going to be built. It's nothing but a stock manipulation, pure and simple. It's a hoax on the people of British Columbia." Well, Mr. Speaker, if there was a hoax on the people of British Columbia, it was when that member was a minister of the Crown.

And what are the facts today? Construction costs of the Grizzly Valley project are today valued at around $130 million. There are currently approximately 400 people employed on the project. Ultimately there will be over 1,000 and the gas fields will produce almost two trillion cubic feet based on estimates of right now. That's 400 per cent more than estimated by the NDP member, the first member for Vancouver East (Mr. Macdonald) , and this appears to be only a start. That's not bad for a pipeline that was never going to be built and was a hoax on the province of British Columbia.

Like everything else those members have conjured up in this House, their arguments were based on flim-flam, wild charges of no substance and little or no regard for the damage they were doing to the province of British Columbia. It's a sad commentary that certain members have on the one hand so little regard for the economy of this province and on the other hand hold themselves up and pass themselves off as those who would give us the answers to the unemployment problem. Mr. Speaker, it becomes clear to every thinking person in this province that had it not been for the change in government in 1975, this province would be in a state of total economic collapse, new investment would have dried up, unemployment would be of unparalleled magnitude and the former Premier would be running back and forth to Saudi Arabia trying to float another bond issue to shore up provincial revenues which would long ago been far outstripped by his extravagance.

Mr. Speaker, clearly this throne, speech addresses itself to the serious unemployment problems facing us. Clearly, too, it marks a path towards that recovery and clearly it is

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most specific in its approach. The answer to the unemployment problem lies not totally in government intervention but in the area of the private sector. Clearly, this government's determination to encourage the private sector is the only real and lasting answer. interestingly enough, the same realization has come to the Prime Minister of Canada; the same comments have been on occasion echoed by Mr. Broadbent, the national leader of the NDP; and it has long been a policy of the federal Conservative party.

Initially a $20 million fund for low-interest loans to businesses wishing to modernize, expand or establish manufacturing or processing facilities is to be established. The jointly funded industrial development subsidy agreement of $110 million will also be used to foster the development of small- and medium-sized industries within our province.

This, coupled with the determination to clean the bureaucratic nightmare of existing regulations which is virtually choking business in this province and this country, will provide a new incentive for business in British Columbia and foster a new climate of government and private sector co-operation. Mr. Speaker, the current multiplicity, duplication and even triplication of regulations are in many cases forcing businessmen to the very brink of frustration. This one thrust alone will certainly be among the most welcome by the business community.

But for the immediate future, the ongoing highways construction programme, the northern road construction, new health and court facilities throughout the province, the youth employment programme, the Ministry of Labour's apprenticeship programme, the soon-to-be-announced assistance programme for exploration and development of new mines, the funding for small airport upgrading facilities, the mammoth construction programmes for both educational facilities and hospitals, the promise of increased tourism -

all should have positive effects in immediate job-creation opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, there is one more. Because of the tremendous number of young people finding themselves in a difficult position to purchase their first home, the Ministry of Housing will be making an announcement of significantly increased financial assistance for first-time homeowners, primarily young people who because of the inflationary trend have been unable to participate in ownership within their own province. Of interest to them will be the fact that strata-title homes, condominiums, mobile homes, single-family dwellings, either new or previously owned, will all qualify under this programme. It is my belief, Mr. Speaker, that this particular programme itself should have a dramatic effect in increasing housing starts throughout the province and give that industry an opportunity to put many of its people to work in all building trades and home construction.

At this point, Mr. Speaker, I would like to compliment the Minister of Health on the totally and revolutionary new approach he is taking in the area of heroin addiction. While many questions remain unanswered, the very fact that this programme canes to grips with a situation which is presently totally out of control in this province does more than pay lip service; it sets out a totally new course of action in a programme that is capturing the attention of authorities throughout the world.

It was my pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to present this programme to the Delta municipal council with the result that at the conclusion of the presentation, the Delta council unanimously expressed support for the programme. Nb one area in the criminal activity section is so influenced as that of narcotics, with cost to the community in terms of apprehension, detention and criminal activity being astronomical, nor has any way yet been devised to measure the personal and social anguish associated with heroin addiction.

Mr. Speaker, this government's positive record of accomplishment more than speaks for itself. In two and a half years the economy of the province of British Columbia has been turned from one of deficit financing to one of a balanced budget, as will be revealed shortly. At the same time, services to people have been broadened, health services have been increased and new approaches in areas such as drug addiction are underway. Our gross provincial product is substantially above the Canadian average, more people are working than ever before in our province's history and the future for almost all of us appears in a positive light.

While there are many real problems, unemployment being prime among them, we have much to be thankful for. The future bodes well for British Columbia and for her people. The opportunities for our people have never looked brighter. We are going to grow, we are going to develop and we are going to expand. But, Mr. Speaker, there is no such thing as a free ride. For those of us who are willing to accept the challenge and are prepared to pay some small sacrifice, there is almost unlimited opportunity - and these individuals are by far representative of the majority of our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I have the great privilege to

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represent a riding which consists of as great cross-section of individuals as is found anywhere in this province. I have come to know these people well and to respect and admire them. They neither expect nor want handouts. They expect and demand honest government, fair representation and an opportunity to practise their job or profession to the best of their ability. Regardless of how they voted in the last election, they now look to this government to help them fulfil their goals. We shall not let them down.

The constituency of Delta, which is made up of the municipality of Delta, approximately one-third of Surrey and the city of White Rock, is the most populous provincial riding in Canada.

Among other things we look forward to redistribution, so that our area may have increased representation here in Victoria. I share with Mayor Vogel of Surrey, Mayor MacDonald of White Rock and Mayor Goode of Delta these very same concerns.

We also share a concern for an additional crossing of the Fraser River, which is long overdue. On behalf of my people, I wish to express my concern about the burgeoning extravagances of the Greater Vancouver Regional District organization, and the spiralling increase in budgeting that that organization has undertaken. The regional district growth has, in many ways, been as inhibiting as any bureaucratic infrastructure at any other level of government.

I look forward to the Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister's approach to this problem, and I also look forward to his undertaking a centralization of transit services and transit authorities, which, while they may still fall within several ministries, will soon come under a single roof.

Mr. Speaker, considering the positive record of this government over the past two and a half years, and examining particularly the job-creation thrust of the throne speech, I am confident that the people of British Columbia will join with us in sharing a spirit which is more than simply cautious optimism, and will congratulate this government not only for its past performance, but for its future direction as outlined in this most comprehensive 1978 throne speech of this, the third session of the 31st Parliament of the Province of British Columbia.

MR. BAWTREE: First of all, Mr. Speaker, if I might be allowed, I would like to introduce to the House my wife, who is sitting in the Speaker's gallery, and Yx. and Mrs. Jack Heale, who are sitting with her in the Speaker's gallery; I would ask the House to make then welcome.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you for your election to the honourable and responsible office you now hold. I know you will serve this House with distinction, and I just want to let you know, Mr. Speaker, that your presence and wise counsel will be missed on the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture.

Congratulations also to the first member for Vancouver South (Mr. Rogers) for his election to the position of Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is with considerable pride that I stand in this House this morning, representing the Shuswap constituency. I feel singularly honoured to be able to take my place in this debate and second the motion so ably moved by my colleague, the hon. member for Delta (Mr. Davidson) . His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has outlined a programme for the coming year that addresses itself to alleviating the many problems that beset this province, many problems, Mr. Speaker, that are not of our making. Actions, and lack of action, far from the boundaries of this province are having a detrimental impact on our citizens, and they require our most serious attention.

His Honour spoke of the past record of the people of this province in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve a quality of life of which we can all be justly proud. It would appear that one of the challenges facing our citizens is how to live with success, rather than with adversity. The very successes that this province and this country have achieved have also been responsible for creating many of the problems which this government's new programmes must, and will, alleviate.

Mr. Speaker, many of the new programmes for British Columbia were outlined in the speech yesterday. However, one of the most significant and far-reaching events occurred not yesterday, not last week, but some time ago, when our Premier, at the First Ministers' conference in Ottawa, presented the British Columbia position towards an economic strategy for Canada. I know that all citizens of this province felt, as I did, a great sense of pride as we watched our province, led by our Premier, present, and have accepted by all first ministers, the necessary measures that will lead to the reduction and eventual elimination of the most serious problems of our country: unemployment and inflation. I say 11 eventual elimination" because I believe most sincerely that our people have the stamina and persistence to achieve any goals they set, as

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long as we have able leaders who can give encouragement and direction.

It was also decided at this conference that government must play a lesser role in deciding where each individual person's earnings are to be spent. Governments have been taking an ever-increasing share of people's incomes and any change in this direction can only have a beneficial impact upon each individual and the economy as a whole.

It was also agreed at this conference that the private sector, the free-enterprise sector, must be unshackled so it could take its proper role once again in providing jobs for our people. Much of this government's programme is devoted to that very cause, expanding the private sector and encouraging it to provide the jobs so our people can feel confident and have a desire to invest in this province once again.

This province has, over the last year, a very good record of creating jobs - much better than Canada as a whole - and with this credible start on which to build, the new thrust of our government programmes will undoubtedly create even more job opportunities for our people. We will produce even more jobs, Mr. Speaker, than we did last year, in 1977, when B.C. created 15 per cent of all the new jobs in Canada. It is my belief that the necessary environment for job creation has been lacking in this province over the last number of years and the action of this government in bringing forth programmes to improve the agricultural, forest and tourist industries will give encouragement to all sectors of our economy.

I am particularly pleased to see that the contributions made to our provincial economy by agriculture are recognized and programmes will be expanded to ensure further opportunities in British Columbia for this most important industry.

In this province, and indeed right across Canada, the examination of each ministry in order to eliminate all redundant boards, agencies, commissions and the proliferation of regulations that serve only to block progress will be most %welcomed.

M~st people will applaud the principle of zero-based or performance budgeting and the people of this province will likewise approve the same principle and scrutiny being applied to government regulations and bureaucracy. It is always wise, Mr. Speaker, to stand back and take a fresh look at our actions to see if the original intent is still being carried out. After all, Mr. Speaker, we had regulations -I'm sure we did - to regulate the strength of the leather buggy whips, but we really don't need them in today's economy when they are now made out of nylon or some other synthetic material.

Government deregulations, along with more streamlined and functional procedures, will make it possible for the private sector to carry out its function of creating jobs and improving the standard of living for all of us in this province. Where is the criticism of excessive bureaucracy levelled more vociferously than at some of our regional districts. Regional districts must accept their share of responsibility for the lack of jobs in many areas of this province. Some of these regional districts have been singled out as the main stumbling block in the path of investment and development which will lead to job creation. The study into regional districts presently being conducted all around this province hopefully will identify the problem areas and suggest solutions so our people will feel encouraged to invest in this province.

In British Columbia particularly, we have over the years surrounded ourselves with bureaucratic regulations that have stifled investment and caused many millions of dollars to flow out of this province so that today Canadians represent a very significant part of the investment community in the U.S. This Canadian investment is creating jobs in the U.S. rather than in our country at a time when more investment is urgently needed. The throne speech yesterday will help to reduce the flow of funds from this province and keep more jobs in British Columbia.

I submit, Mr. Speaker, that the present depressed value of the Canadian dollar is to a significant degree a result of the inability of our people to find their way through the bureaucratic jungles of all levels of government. They therefore have taken their dollars to those areas where investment is not discouraged by unnecessary restrictions.

The job-creation record of this government, although not as good as we would like, is still an enviable one when compared to Canada. But probably the most gratifying accomplishments of this government have been in the area of fulfilling social needs for our citizens. Shelter aid for elderly renters, or the SAFER programme as it is commonly called, is an outstanding example of the ~ay the concerns that this government has for elderly people is being transformed into positive action. The number of recipients of this programme now exceeds 17,000, and this means that 17,000 senior citizens in this province have been assisted in a tangible way to remain in familiar surroundings where they feel most

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comfortable. This programme is probably one of the most cost-effective programmes of its kind anywhere as the dollars are going directly to those in need rather than into expensive monuments of brick and steel.

Another programme which will be of benefit to all our people no matter -what their age is the long-tem care programme. The Ministries of Health and Human Resources are to be congratulated for the fact that they have between them introduced programmes that will alleviate financial hardship and suffering for those in need of any level of health care. We now have in this province comprehensive programmes that will provide many levels of care in the individual's home as well as in the institutional setting. This programme will provide for a more equitable homemaker service as well as home-nursing care. At the institutional level, our government's programmes will provide more effectual personal and intermediate care as well as the more traditional acute- and extended-care services.

I would like at this time to talk about the Shuswap constituency and the needs and aspirations of the people I am so proud to represent. The forest industry is still the greatest wealth-producing industry in my riding, and the people most directly involved have expressed their concerns about many aspects of this most important industry.

I was heartened yesterday to hear that a major programme of intensive forest management involving the private and public sectors of our economy will be started in order to ensure that our forests continue to be a major source of new and lasting jobs for British Columbians. We have not always recognized that w who are living and working today have a responsibility to hand. on a healthy forest resource to future generations, although most if not all of the mountains in the interior have much more tree cover. I repeat that, Mr. Speaker: the mountains of the interior have much more tree cover today than when I was a boy and a very considerable amount more than when my forebears first arrived in the Okanagan Valley.

There is still much that can and should be done to increase the productivity of our forest land. With the removal of large areas of forest land base for hydro reservoirs, wildlife reserves, wilderness areas and provincial parks, there is an even greater need to improve our forest management and our tree-growing capabilities.

The alienation of forest land for single use has a very great impact on forest industry jobs and revenue for the people of my area and for the province. it is estimated that the total park and other reserves in the Nelson and Kamloops forest districts alone total over 1.5 million acres; that is approximately 600,000 hectares, Mr. Speaker, for those of you who prefer to use the new measurements. This alienation removes 306,000 cunits from the annual cut, and this volume represents the loss of approximately 4,000 jobs in the Nelson and Kamloops forest districts alone - just two forest districts that provide forest industry jobs for people in the Shuswap constituency.

There are some things we can do to make up this lost volume, and I suggest a multiple rather than a single-use concept should be practised in future planning. This would be of help to the cattle industry as well, as it also is suffering under the single-use concept of our resources. I would suggest that the reforestation programme in the Shuswap should be expanded and that private industry be made responsible for carrying out these programmes. This is a responsibility that the forest companies in my area would welcome, and one they will carry out well and most responsibly.

It is the general feeling in my area, Mr. Speaker, that too much money is wasted on ineffectual programmes funded under the federal government's many, many make-work programmes. Much of this money could, I believe, be better used to employ our young people in tree-thinning operations, trail-building or brush control, to mention just a few of the possibilities where the energies of our young people could be employed so they could make a contribution to our major provincial industry.

Another of the major industries in the Shuswap is the tourist industry. I am sure everyone knows that the Shuswap area is the centre of the tourist industry in British Columbia.

AN HON. MEMBER: No!

MR. BAWTREE: But the Shuswap is the centre of the B.C. tourist industry. It's an obvious truth, Mr. Speaker; but if you'll allow a commercial, I just wanted to repeat it for everyone's benefit.

The campsite and motel industries in several areas of the province are having problems which require our serious consideration in order to allow them to continue so they may serve the visiting tourists. the problem is the high assessments imposed on land and facilities which are only in demand to serve the public for a short portion of the year. Many of our campsite and motel operations only operate for about three or four months.

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We have already recognized the fact that in some industries which require a lot of land, such as agriculture, that assessment based on the market value is inequitable. We have agreed that, because land has other than just strictly agricultural values, We cannot reasonably expect it to carry these additional values for assessment purposes. I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that we- must recognize that enterprises in the tourist industry cannot have an assessment based on present-day real estate values either. Land traditionally has been used as a hedge against inflation, or as an investment that will retain its value similarly to the way gold or old masters are used.

The recent slide in the value of our currency has increased the dollar value of land many times over, so w- now see farmland, or recreational land, with a useful or operating value of $500 an acre selling for eight to 10 times this amount. I would suggest that the land and facilities that serve the tourist industry be assessed only at their values for this purpose. taking into consideration the length of the season they can operate, rather than at their subdivision value. I further suggest, Mr. Speaker, that a high penalty on capital gains or some other method of recapturing taxes be imposed, if the land changes to another use.

At the present time we are rapidly losing the campsites on the Shuswap lake system because the owners cannot compete with the subsidized government-run sites. It may not be generally recognized that some campsites pay taxes which exceed $1 for every occupancy day. The government pays no taxes and in most campsites provides a heavy subsidy amounting to several dollars for every occupancy day. My suggestions, if carried out, would help to equalize the opportunities so that private operators may be able to compete more effectively. It is my belief that we must take some further action soon to encourage the campsite and summer tourist operators to remain in business or vie will be unable to accommodate the tourists in the years to come.

In this regard I would suggest that group tours are one facet of the tourist industry which has not been encouraged to date in the Shuswap area. Group tours, as everyone knows, are growing in popularity in most of the world. The Shuswap area has many natural attractions which could be made available to provide for the enjoyment of the travelling public. 1 ask you, Mr. Speaker: what could be more enjoyable than travelling up the Shuswap Lake on a paddle-wheeler and stopping at the north end for a day or two to enjoy the fishing, hiking or just loafing on the beach? We guarantee to get everyone back safely.

The group tour business has great potential and will create many job opportunities and bring greater prosperity to the Shuswap - if we make the land and other resources available. We have scenery and water sports potential that is unmatched anywhere in the world. I am certain that industry and the people in the area, with government encouragement, will provide the service and create the jobs that go along with it. In this regard I am encouraged by the federal government's decision to build a new wharf at Sicamous and another one at Seymour Arm which will provide the facilities that are the necessary first steps and the stimulus for private industry to supply a worthwhile service so that people from all over the world can enjoy our beautiful area.

In discussing the tourist industry, Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to forget that one of British Columbia's greatest assets is her multitude of recreational lakes. it is imperative that we keep these lakes in a healthy state, free from weeds that detract from their enjoyment for recreational use. It is essential, in my view, that we make every effort to eliminate the water-milfoil [illegible] in the Okanagan Lake chain. Many of my friends in the Shuswap and Okanagan areas who belong to the SPEC organization have assured me that they approve of the Minister of the Environment's (Hon. Mr. Nielsen's) efforts to clean up the lakes and will support using 2, 4-D over large areas for this purpose.

I cannot leave the tourist industry without expressing the gratitude of the people in my constituency - and, I'm sure, of all the citizens of this province - to the hon. Minister of Travel Industry (Hon. Mr s . McCarthy) for her magnificent contribution and untiring efforts to the tourist industry over the last two years.

The growth we have seen to date will, I am certain, be overshadowed by an increasing number of tourists this year and I am certain it is very gratifying to the minister and all those wishing to see an increase in the industry on Vancouver Island to note that over the last Easter weekend there was an increase of about 9,000 vehicles and 27,000 passengers over the previous year at that same holiday weekend. This represents a 25 per cent increase and can be attributed to a large extent to the hon. minister's efforts.

Another programme recently announced by the Minister of Energy, Transport and Communication, which will be of assistance to my constituency, is the programme to update

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second-level airports in this province. this programme will benefit the Salmon Arm and Enderby areas particularly as they are not presently served by any regular local air service and have no paved air strip. the Salmon Arm air strip, which has a 3,500-foot gravel surface, has been constructed by local, municipal and volunteer labour. The minister's new programme will allow this much-needed air strip to be brought up to full Ministry of Transport standards.

I will not comment at this time, Mr. Speaker, about the highway programme except to say that it too is an important ingredient in our overall programme to accommodate tourists. The great highway programme undertaken last year, which will be continued during the present year, is the largest in our history and was of significant benefit to the tourists and appreciated by everyone who drives to work or just travels around this beautiful province. The present minister's policies are in great contrast to another minister we had under the previous government whose attitude was to shut his eyes to the potholes and tell the Americans to go home and not clutter up his highways. It is not much wonder that the tourist industry in all this province got in very serious difficulties with an attitude such as that by a minister of the Crown.

The opening speech yesterday was a responsible speech, one which did not promise a pie in the sky or irresponsible giveaways of the taxpayers' money as we experienced a few years ago with the previous administration. This speech outlined some responsible, positive and possible solutions to our many difficult problems. The primary issue of job creation is to be tackled on many fronts, from new government construction and encouragement for private homeownership to eliminating excessive regulations. The last government discouraged private homeownership and added immeasurably to unnecessary regulations. They spent the taxpayers' money irresponsibly and gave only promises in return.

This government, Mr. Speaker, will be seen by historians as one that gave the people reality, gave them the opportunity and the encouragement to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It is one that I am very happy and proud to be associated with.

The year 1978 is a year for celebrations in British Columbia as we honour the visit to Vancouver Island of Captain Cook some 200 years ago. I would be remiss if I closed without extending a warm invitation to you, Mr. Speaker, and to all hon. members to visit the Shuswap constituency and join with other British Columbians in this year of celebration. There are many areas in this province which have an interesting and exciting history, and the Shuswap area is no exception.

Mr. and Mrs. Heale, whom I introduced to you this morning, are still living in a house on the banks of the Shuswap River built by a Mr. A.L. Fortune near the site where the Red Star steamboat landed back in the days when Enderby was head of navigation. Most people probably do not realize this, but Enderby also had the distinction of exporting the first shipment of flour from anywhere in Canada to Japan, from the flour mill that used to be located in that city. I would invite you to come and visit the O'Keefe Ranch, the oldest cattle ranch in B.C., which is presently operated by a local society and open so that all the public can enjoy it. Come and visit Armstrong. That was the city that had to be moved several miles because the railway located its lines in a different spot than had been expected. Come and visit our own ranch along the Shuswap Valley. My forebears, who also had the name of Cook, arrived before the Shuswap and Okanagan Railway was built from Sicamous; to Enderby and who had to travel by steamer to the head of navigation. The house that my wife and I live in was built by my grandparents on an area cleared with oxen.

This is a year of celebration, Mr. Speaker. As we look back on the hardships that our first settlers endured, we can only conclude that we have a very bright future indeed. We have a great deal to celebrate in this province. I have a great deal to be thankful for.

Mr. King moves adjournment of the debate.

Motion approved.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, before we hear the filing of reports or hear the motion of adjournment, there is a matter that we wish to care for and it is the distribution of the report of public accounts which is normally done on this day. Is it agreed that we distribute them between these two motions? Agreed.

Hon. Y.W. Phillips submits statements on the British Columbia Railway ending December 31,1977.

Hon. Mr. Curtis files the annual report of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for the year ending December 31,1977.

MR. COCKE: Mr. Speaker, I take it that the

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electricians and people in charge of our facility are still working on the sound system. It doesn't sound exactly....

MR. SPEAKER: May I report that we have inquired into the matter in the early hours of my occupancy of this office, and they have assured me that within a few days they can bring it back to normal standard. I am thankful to the members for putting up with it the way it is.

Hon. Mr. Gardom moves adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 11:31 a.m.