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CONTENTS

Routine proceedings

Speech from the Throne — 1

An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right (Bill. 1) Hon. Mr. Gardom.

Introduction and first reading — 6

Presenting reports — 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979

The House met at 2 p.m.

This being the first day of the fourth session of the thirty-first Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Henry P. Bell-Irving, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, dated March 8,1979, hon. members took their seats.

Prayers.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House and being seated upon the throne, was pleased to deliver the following gracious speech.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

HON. MR. BELL-IRVING: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly:

It is with a sense of great pleasure and privilege that I have this opportunity to deliver the Speech from the Throne to the members of this assembly for the first time. In doing so, I am mindful of the dedicated service of those who have preceded me in performing this duty.

Therefore, hon. members, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor as representative of Her Majesty in the Province of British Columbia, the Hon. Walter Stewart Owen, who retired on May 18 last after five years of dedicated service.

I note with sadness the recent death of a man whose services to British Columbia were unique in the history of our province. William Andrew Cecil Bennett represented the electoral district of South Okanagan in this House for 30 years, and served an unprecedented 20 years as Premier of British Columbia through a period of growth and development never before seen.

We also mourn the passing of four other former members of this House: Roderick Charles MacDonald, who represented the electoral district of Dewdney from 1941 to 1952; Alexander Campbell Hope from Delta, who served from 1945 to 1952; Cecil Robert Bull, MIA for South Okanagan, who served from 1937 to 1941; and Dorothy Gretchen Steeves, former MLA for North Vancouver, who served from 1934 to 1945.

I also wish to note the death of Dr. Willard Ireland, former provincial librarian and archivist, who, through a long and distinguished career in the service of the government and people of this province, did so much to keep our past alive.

During the past year the province was honoured by the visit of many distinguished people, including His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, who participated in our Captain James Cook Bicentennial celebrations.

Among distinguished visitors to our province were Their Excellencies Governor-General and Mme. Leger and, more recently, our new Governor-General and his wife, Their Excellencies Edward R. Schreyer and Mrs. Schreyer.

In addition, 15 high commissioners and ambassadors paid official visits during the past year.

We wish to note the kind cooperation of the many nations of the world who helped us mark this commemoration of the visit to our shores by Captain Cook, a man considered by many to have been the greatest navigator and explorer the world has ever known.

I also wish to note the resignation of the former member for North Vancouver–Capilano, Gordon Gibson, and the former member for North Vancouver–Seymour, Jack Davis.

My government believes that the most important function of the Speech from the Throne is to establish the principles upon which the future actions of this Legislature will rest, so that the quality of life for the people of British Columbia will continue to improve and provide them with a more secure future.

My government also believes that the Speech from the Throne provides an opportunity to lay before the citizens of British Columbia an expression of the ideals and principles which my ministers seek to bring to the task of government.

During the first session of this thirty-first parliament, the Speech from the Throne emphasized the importance that my government places on the role of the individual in our society. During that session my government presented to you legislation based upon this important principle, and you will be asked to reinforce the commitment to that principle in the days and weeks ahead.

A basic principle which my government will place before this Legislature involves the rights which the individual ownership of the business and industry in British Columbia can give our people. Members of this assembly will be asked to confirm through legislation that this principle endures under the British Columbia Resources Investment Corporation Act.

For some time now my government has been expressing concern that the ownership and management of the rich resource potential of this nation has been falling into fewer and fewer hands. My government believes that there

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are many who have talked about the ownership of our resource corporations falling into fewer and fewer hands, but have done little or nothing about it.

Recognizing that there are those who would resolve this problem through government ownership, my government affirms that secondhand ownership does not permit individuals to have any of the options, privileges and responsibilities which individual ownership gives.

My government believes that the ultimate freedom and security of Canadians rest on the right and responsibility of individuals to guide their own destiny; the right of individual ownership should never be surrendered to government.

Legislation to be placed before you by my Attorney-General will provide the citizens of British Columbia with important new evidence that the commitment of this government to the individual will always have top priority. The members of this assembly will be asked to enshrine in legislation a bill of rights guaranteeing fundamental freedoms to all of our citizens.

You will be further asked to ensure that the rights of individuals whose lands, homes or businesses may be expropriated by public or private agencies are protected through the introduction of a "fair compensation" statute.

In addition, the Administration Act, Testator's and Family Maintenance Act and the Wills Act will be amended to ensure that the principles of equality and fair distribution of assets of deceased persons are parallel to the concepts introduced and passed in the Family Relations Act last year.

I am pleased to note that all of these measures will add to our system of laws for the protection of individual rights. I am also pleased to be advised that our system of laws for the protection of the individual from unnecessary regulation will be vastly improved by the introduction of the Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act.

To ensure that the auto insurance industry in this province cannot discriminate with respect to rates on the basis of age, sex, marital status or geographic location, this Legislature will be asked to consider rights for the motoring public of British Columbia. My government believes that youth should carry no penalty and that all drivers in British Columbia should have their individual rights protected by applying the principle that good drivers should not be penalized because of age, sex, marital status or geographic location.

During the course of this mandate, my government has sought to achieve a record of accountability to its citizens through the introduction of measures which are more comprehensively developed than in any other Canadian province. A series of initiatives has been introduced by my government — not the least of which was the appointment of an Auditor-General, honouring a commitment made by my government upon taking office.

The statute providing for a special committee of this Legislature under the Crown Corporation Reporting Act provides individuals with the added security of knowing that Crown corporations are also accountable through their Legislature. I am advised that this new measure of accountability — a first in Canada — has aroused great interest in other parliaments. In addition, I am pleased to note that an all-party committee met and has a recommendation to this Legislature for the appointment of an ombudsman, honouring yet another commitment of this government on taking office late in 1975.

My government's recommendation that the citizens of British Columbia should have an ongoing review of the actual financial performance of the province by issuing quarterly financial reports represents, I am sure, a welcome change from previous practices.

To further advance the principle of the accountability under which my government will continue to function, members of this assembly will be asked to endorse transferring the regulatory jurisdiction over B.C. Telephone Company from the federal government to the province.

My government believes that the principles of accountability and sound financial management are the essential foundation for creating individual security and individual opportunity for the citizens of British Columbia.

Because my government believes that individual security starts in the home, it is fitting that this year was proclaimed to be "The Year of the Child and the Family" in British Columbia. My government will announce new programs for children and families to be introduced by my social service ministries of Health, Education, Science and Technology, Human Resources, and Attorney-General.

My Minister of Human Resources will greatly expand services to handicapped children. The family services aspect of that ministry will also be strengthened through actions you will be asked to take.

Many of my government's major social policy initiatives have occurred in the Ministry of Health. During the past 12 months of operation, for example, more than 40,000 persons have benefited from the long-term care program launched by my government just over one year

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ago.

I am pleased to know that the children's care hospital, initiated by this government, is under construction in Vancouver. It is regarded by many experts to be the finest facility of its kind in North America.

Through the introduction of the Universal Pharmacare Program my government ended the discrimination whereby only certain groups and individuals had protection from the high cost of prescription drugs.

My government believes that while we already enjoy a reputation for providing the best and most responsible health care system in Canada, yet another new initiative should be placed before you. A new, comprehensive denticare program will give individuals in British Columbia a measure of protection from the high costs associated with basic dental care. It is a priority of my government to keep British Columbia in the forefront of providing responsible health care for all its citizens.

My government considers the family home to be the cornerstone of family life in British Columbia. My Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing will place before you a home ownership policy involving, among other initiatives, the release of Crown land by the introduction of a simplified application process. My minister also advises me that as part of this new policy, the $1,000 Home Purchase Assistance Act for first-time home buyers implemented in 1978 will be expanded. These new measures will supplement existing programs, such as the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters program (SAFER), which seek to give our people individual solutions rather than institutional solutions to the provision of shelter.

My government believes top priority should be given to ensuring that the young people of this province have the security which will come from improved educational opportunities.

My government further believes that it must provide our young people with programs designed to improve job training.

My Minister of Education, Science and Technology will double the value of grade 12 scholarships to encourage excellence in academic effort.

This fall, this ministry will also have in place a special program for gifted children and a new program designed for children with learning difficulties.

My Minister of Education, Science and Technology wilt also advance a program for sports bursaries in our universities in order to promote excellence in physical achievement in competitive fields.

In cooperation with the Ministries of Tourism and Small Business Development, Forests, and Agriculture, the Ministry of Labour will ask you to provide funds for a private sector youth job program.

At the last First Ministers' Conference on the economy, all premiers endorsed the concept that the private sector is the "engine" which drives our economy — a principle which my government has clearly enunciated since taking office in 1975. I was pleased to be advised that major growth in the British Columbia economy, much of which is the result of forward thrusts in the private sector, is still outpacing the real growth in the economy of Canada as a whole.

My government will continue to tackle the problems of job creation being experienced across the western world. It was gratifying to be advised that an additional 98,000 British Columbians have found a place in the workforce in the three years since 1975.

To further encourage the expansion of the British Columbia economy and create job opportunities for the individual, you will have a number of major initiatives placed before you during the course of this session. My government has been concerned about the negative impact of excessive regulation and red tape on private initiative, investment and employment.

Conflict and lack of coordination between governments and their agencies have resulted in a serious burden of cost which has damaged the productivity of our national economy, costing jobs and frustrating the kind of initiative which built this country.

Accordingly, my government has established a new Ministry of Deregulation, the first of its kind in Canada. This ministry will introduce at this session, legislation which will bring under one authority the responsibility for coordinating codes, standards and inspection services relating to the construction, use and occupancy of buildings and structures. Furthermore, this ministry in cooperation with other ministries, will comb the legislation and regulations now in effect to ensure the removal of barriers to initiative proposed by British Columbian citizens.

My government informs me that it intends to use the newly structured Ministry of Tourism and Small Business Development as a major tool for building the already high job-creating capacity of British Columbia. My government is aware that from 1961 to 1971 approximately 51 percent of all jobs created by the private sector came from the growth of small business and that from 1971 to 1978 the percentage has risen to 67 percent. Therefore major new initiatives will be introduced to make British Columbia increasingly attractive as a location for individual enterprise.

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Low interest loans for development projects which show positive economic returns to the province, regardless of the geographic location of the individual enterprise involved, will be introduced.

All incentive programs to business will be consolidated by the Ministry of Tourism and Small Business Development through the adoption of a one-stop service concept.

My government will propose measures to encourage those individual citizens of British Columbia to invest in British Columbia companies.

The new Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources intends to follow up on the coal policy papers of 1977 by establishing a comprehensive energy policy for the province of British Columbia. My government believes that more jobs can be created in British Columbia through significant improvement to the management of range lands within the province. My Ministries of Agriculture and Forests have, therefore, been asked to significantly expand range improvement work in the interior of British Columbia.

In addition, my Ministry of Agriculture will be asking members of this assembly to support programs which will include expanding efforts designed to increase employment in the food processing industry, aiding development of new crops and food products and the market promotion of fish and shellfish products in cooperation with my Ministry of Environment.

During the course of the last three years my government has successfully negotiated over $300 million in federal-provincial agreements for economic development. This very significant transfer of federal funds was highlighted in 1978 by the signing of a $50 million travel industry development agreement — a first of its type in Canada. Again, this agreement, along with the others already signed, will ensure the development of the infrastructure needed in many parts of the province, generating large-scale private sector investment.

The Minister of Economic Development will continue to pursue the further transfer of federal funding to support enterprises which will make significant contributions to the job-generating capacity of the province.

The construction of a $25 million trade and convention centre on the Vancouver waterfront remains a priority of my government. This facility will be the first of its magnitude in Canada and will give this province the opportunity for first-class display of our trade capabilities, particularly with our Pacific Rim trading partners.

My government's commitment to the British Columbia Railway will continue to ensure that the proven job-generating capacity of this transportation link will serve the needs of British Columbia.

Indicative of the increase in British Columbia's rail activity is the fact that a record figure of close to 155,000 car loadings was recorded for 1978. The impact on the British Columbia economy of this railway can be significantly illustrated by the fact that the B.C. Railway went from an operating loss of $21 million in 1976 to an operating profit of $3.3 million in 1978.

The British Columbia Development Corporation will continue to be used by my government as a major catalyst for development in the province. Last year, through the low-interest loan assistance program, British Columbia manufacturing firms received loans totalling over $4 million and nearly 1,200 new jobs were created.

The massive Duke Point project in Nanaimo is another example of federal-provincial joint funding. This will result in the direct creation of a further 1,100 new jobs.

Trade missions mounted by the Ministry of Economic Development during 1978 have resulted in firm additional export sales of $45 million, or the equivalent of 1,500 new jobs.

My Minister of Transportation, Communications and Highways advises me that the construction of two new ferries and the stretching of three others will generate in total a payroll of $40 million, representing approximately three million man-hours of additional employment. This new initiative by my ministry will not only create employment, but will ensure that a pool of important skills is kept in British Columbia.

My Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing, in addition to asking you to approve the use of Crown land for residential purposes, advises me that Crown land could also satisfy the land requirements for some recreational, commercial, agricultural and industrial enterprises which will add to our capacity to create jobs.

My government believes that through the intelligent and optimum use of this Crown land, no corporate user of Crown land will seek to destroy the environment which shareholders in such corporations would wish to protect as individuals.

My Minister of Environment (Hon. Mr. Mair) holds firmly to the view that we can and must have a sound economy — but it must not be at the expense of our environment and the traditional recreational opportunities British Columbians have as a birthright.

He will be recommending to the government a wildlife management program, which will ensure that our unique numbers and varieties of wild-

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life are preserved and enhanced for the enjoyment of future generations. I am also pleased to note that my Minister of Environment signed, on behalf of my government, the salmonid enhancement agreement with the federal government, thus covering substantial joint efforts toward the goal of doubling our salmonid population in British Columbia.

My government believes that environmental management is good business and can be a prime creator of jobs. Following upon the joint federal-provincial study of the Okanagan water basin, recommendations in regard to the management of this important water resource will have the consideration of our Ministry of Environment. The elimination of sewage outfalls in the Okanagan Lake area will create new opportunities for enterprise in the tourist and agricultural sectors of that region's economy. My Ministry of Environment will also open up new opportunities for business with initiatives designed to improve the recovery of materials from waste.

I have found the report made to me by my Minister of Forests most encouraging. New forestry programs will ensure that generations of British Columbians yet to come will have security of employment in British Columbia's number one industry. These programs are typified by the intensified tree planting and forest management which utilizes revenue surplus, to maintain a viable forest industry in British Columbia.

The health of the forest industry is also noted in the fact that, between 1972 and 1975, capital investment in the forest industry was declining. In 1975, capital investment in our number one industry stood at $562 million. In the years since, this capital investment jumped significantly to $720 million in 1976; to $851 million in 1977; and to $934 million in 1978. In addition, the members of this Legislature will take satisfaction from the fact that recently announced capital expansion program of major forest companies now total over $1.2 billion. I am sure it will also gratify the members of this assembly to know that during the year 1978, forest revenues reached an all-time high.

I was also pleased to learn in the report from my minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources that the value of mineral production in British Columbia during 1978 reached an all-time record of $1.9 billion.

While commenting upon the significance of the growing importance of the forest and mineral resources to the economy of British Columbia, my government has asked me to state certain fundamental principles which this Legislature will be asked to endorse with respect to the resource policies of this province. Members of this Legislature, I am sure, will not wish to forget that previous Legislatures have, on behalf of the citizens of British Columbia, retained nearly 95 percent of our forest, mineral, petroleum and water resources in the name of the Crown-Provincial.

My government believes that the natural resources of British Columbia can serve a national purpose on behalf of all Canadians. My government, however, perceives that it has an historic and fundamental responsibility to ensure that, while serving a national purpose, there is no need to transfer or sell out the management of the revenue-generating capacity of these resources to any centralized federal authority.

My Minister of Municipal Affairs reports to me that high on the agenda for review will be the Municipal Act, which has not been substantially revised since 1957.

My Minister of Deregulation, in cooperating with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, is conducting a review of all regulations and procedures governing land use to remove unnecessary overlaps among the agencies involved and streamline access to decision making for all citizens.

My government believes that the people of Canada should recognize the facts of history which have brought this great nation to where it is today. We are the sons and daughters of many races and cultures. Contributions made to Canada by the people who have come from many lands are no more in evidence than they are here in British Columbia.

My First Minister advises me that in early April this government will host a conference designed to provide all our citizens with the opportunity to contribute toward the multiculturism policy of the Province of British Columbia.

During the past year my government, along with the other provincial governments, has been involved in a number of constitutional conferences. On behalf of the people of British Columbia, my government has placed before the people of Canada important thoughts which it believes represent the thinking of the vast majority of British Columbians.

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My government believes that after 100 years of experience with Confederation it is time to review the mechanism of federalism, having regard for the realities of Canada today. In this connection my government, on behalf of the people of British Columbia, has said there is a need to make the federal system of government work better for the benefit of all regions of Canada.

My government will fight for fair representation on the central institutions of Canada so that our voice can be heard, so that we can make a contribution to strengthening Canada.

On behalf of the citizens of British Columbia, my First Minister has strongly opposed those who have a design for dismembering this great country. Members of this assembly have already in hand documents which set forth the British Columbia design to maintain the unity of this country from sea to sea.

On behalf of the citizens of British Columbia, my government will continue to support the Canadian fact with all its will.

Many of my ministers, of course, will be bringing before you measures for the improvement of the statute law within the province of British Columbia, not so much in the spirit of making more laws, but in the spirit of correcting deficiencies in our existing laws.

Honourable members, my government recognizes that you will have placed before you a large number of ideas, legislative and budgetary proposals in consideration of both this address and in the consideration of the budget to follow. However, I give into your capable hands these matters in the fullest confidence that you will approach with diligence all the tasks placed before you.

I pray that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations.

Mr. Speaker, honourable members, I leave you now to discharge your legislative duties.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes I have obtained a copy of His Hon. the Lieutenant-Governor's speech.

AN ACT TO PERPETUATE
A PARLIAMENTARY RIGHT

Hon. Mr. Gardom presents a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right.

Bill I introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the

House after today.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor be taken into consideration at the next sitting of the House and that this order have precedence over all other business, except introduction of bills, until disposed of.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. CURTIS: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker, and that he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that the select standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

1. on Standing Orders and Private Bills;
2. on Public Accounts and Economic Affairs;
3. on Agriculture;
4. on Municipal Affairs and Housing;
5. on Labour and Justice;
6. on Health, Education and Human Resources;
7. on Transportation and Communications;
8. on Environment and Resources; 

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Revelstoke-Slocan, that Charles Stephen Rogers, Esquire, member for Vancouver South electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I move that on

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each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this session there will be two distinct sittings on each day, one from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and one from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.; and on each Friday there will be one sitting from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. unless otherwise ordered.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I move that report No. 9 of the Select Standing Committee on Standing Orders and Private Bills adopted by this House on February 27, 1973, relating to oral questions, be adopted by this House for the present session.

Motion approved.

Presenting reports.

The following papers were presented:

By Hon. Mr. Curtis:

The twenty-third annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Members of the Legislative Assembly Superannuation Act for the year ended March 31, 1978.

The forty-third annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Public Service Superannuation Act for the year ended March 31, 1978.

The thirty-ninth annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Municipal Superannuation Act for the year ended December 31, 1977.

The tenth annual report of the business done in pursuance of the College Pension Act, year ended August 31, 1978.

The thirty-seventh annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Teachers' Pensions Act for the year ended December 31, 1977.

The second annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Public Service Benefit Plans Art for the year ended March 31, 1978.

The public service adjudication board annual report for 1978.

The report of the First Citizens Fund advisory committee allocations for the period January 1,1978, to December 31,1978.

By Hon. Mr. Gardom:

The seventh annual report of the Criminal Inquiries Compensation Act of British Columbia.

Two reports of the Law Reform Commission of British Columbia: the report on the Replevin Act, and the report on the Attachment of Debts Act.

By Hon. Mr. Wolfe:

The Public Accounts of British Columbia for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1978.

The returns submitted in accordance with section 46(2) of the Revenue Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1960.

Refunds and remissions made under section 46(1) of the Revenue Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1960, during the calendar year 1978.

Returns submitted in accordance with section 85(4) of the Taxation Act.

Remissions and refunds made under authority of section 85(1), (2) and (3) of the Taxation Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1960 during the calendar year 1978.

Annual report of the British Columbia Assessment Authority for the year ended December 31, 1977.

Annual report of the Purchasing Commission, January 1,1978, to December 31, 1978.

Statement of unclaimed money deposits under authority of Unclaimed Money Deposits Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1960, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1978.

Annual return for the calendar year 1978, submitted in accordance with section 53 of the Administration Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1960.

Hon. Mr. Gardom moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 2:51 p.m.