[ Page 7267 ]

CONTENTS

Throne Speech. Hon. Mr. Rogers –– 7267

An Act To Perpetuate A Parliamentary Right (Bill 1). Hon. Mr. Smith

Introduction and first reading –– 7272

Tabling Documents –– 7274

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1986

The House met at 2:04 p.m.

This being the first day of the fourth session of the thirty-third Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Robert Gordon Rogers, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, 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. R.G. ROGERS (Lieutenant-Governor): Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly, as we open this fourth session of the thirty-third parliament of British Columbia, I would like to extend to you and all British Columbians greetings on behalf of our Sovereign.

During your deliberations, I know that members of this assembly will continue to work diligently on behalf of all British Columbians, bearing in mind the priority of economic renewal as the basis of a better life for our people.

During the past year we grieved as a community over the loss of three British Columbians well respected by this assembly and by all the people of our province. Dr. Gordon Merritt Shrum was a visionary and a world-class achiever. His proud record of service to British Columbia and Canada — through Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and British Columbia Hydro — is well known. His many contributions to the development of our province will long be remembered. It is fitting to note that he was honoured with the Order of the British Empire in 1946 and the Order of Canada in 1967.

Chief Justice J.O. (Jack) Wilson was one of the most respected judges and chief justices in Canada. A recipient of the Order of Canada in 1978, his common touch married the formalities of the court with the pursuit of the law as the most human of experiences.

Dr. Norman MacKenzie touched and enriched the lives of thousands of young British Colombians. As president, he guided the expansion and fortunes of the University of British Columbia between 1944 and 1962. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1966, and in 1975 was honoured with the John E. Reid Medal by the Canadian Council on International Law.

We also mourn the loss of another distinguished Canadian with the passing, at age 81, of T.C. (Tommy) Douglas. All Canadians are aware of the contribution he made to our society and to the province of Saskatchewan and to the Parliament of Canada as a member from British Columbia.

As we remember these great Canadians, let us also pay tribute to two magnificent young British Columbians: Steve Fonyo, for his brave cross-Canada run last year to raise funds for cancer research, and Rick Hansen for his courage in undertaking an epic wheelchair journey around the world to raise funds for spinal cord research. Their efforts are an inspiration. They demonstrate vividly that a valiant spirit can overcome the most difficult physical handicaps.

During the past year British Columbia hosted a number of distinguished guests and visitors, among them Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan. The coming year promises to be equally memorable for the people of our province in greeting international guests who visit during Expo.

All British Colombians await with great pleasure the visit of their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, to open our World's Fair May 2. Those in the communities of Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Prince George look forward with particular eagerness to a personal visit from their Royal Highnesses.

Throughout the five-and-a-half-month World's Fair, British Columbia will host the leaders and representatives of many of the participating nations, including British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Ministers of Barbados and Sri Lanka, the Crown Prince of Norway, the President of Italy and many others. My government welcomes these visits and the many opportunities Expo affords our province to strengthen friendly relationships and economic ties with the international community.

Mr. Speaker, I'm going to break with tradition and ad lib to the throne speech. I'm probably out of order, but I was just informed prior to coming into the House that Expo today signed its fifty-fourth international participant, the country of Malaysia.

My government's goal is to create new employment opportunities for our people by controlling public sector costs so as to limit the tax burden on our people and industry, increase trade, diversify our economy, attract new investment and encourage new enterprises all across the province. My government's measures for economic renewal are bearing fruit, and British Columbians are seeing and being touched by steady progress and growth in our economy. Most important, I'm advised that unemployment is declining steadily, and employment is growing at a healthy pace. In this past month 50,000 more British Columbians were working than in February, 1985.

[2:15]

In the initial years of its present mandate my government sought and gained control of public sector costs. My government believes the family is the basic underpinning of our society, and by taking decisive action has averted the large-scale tax increases that have been implemented in some other jurisdictions. I'm advised that ordinary British Colombians retain the second-lowest personal income tax rates in Canada. My government has moved and will continue to move not only to retain this advantage for our families, but to further reduce taxes for business, small and large, in order to make British Columbia an even better place to do business and employ people.

I am advised that British Columbia's trade patterns have diversified significantly, with dependence on the United States lessening as markets have expanded in the Pacific Rim.

During this fourth session of the thirty-third parliament and in the remaining years of its mandate, my government will propose a number of measures to accelerate its long-term strategy, blending small and large projects to bring about enduring economic renewal in every sector of our economy. Through continued wage restraint my government will pursue, as its highest priorities, improved health and education services and the creation of jobs for those who are still unemployed. The international recession that struck in 1981 had its most severe impact on our country and province.

[ Page 7268 ]

Individual British Columbians, our industrial sector and our business community endured difficult times as demand and prices for our products diminished. The worst of those times are behind us, and we can face the future with hope and confidence.

British Columbians are showing they can work together to build a new consensus and a stronger economy. While the challenge of economic diversification still remains, while we must maintain and intensify our efforts to create new employment for those of our people still jobless, there are clear signs that our economy is increasing in strength. I am advised that 1985 marked the second consecutive year of economic growth in our province and that the economy and employment will expand again this year.

The international recession has made it plain our economy is undergoing a fundamental restructuring, and my government has put in place a long-range plan to build a new British Columbia economy. Initiatives to lower the costs of business, to preserve existing jobs, to stimulate investment, renew our resources, diversify our economy and expand trade to create new jobs have been implemented, and indeed will be strengthened.

I am advised that as a result, British Columbia is seeing positive results. Bankruptcies have declined, new businesses incorporated, and retail sales and housing starts have increased significantly. Auto insurance rates have been reduced, ferry fares have been stabilized, and there is a new mood of consumer and business confidence growing across our province. My government will again reduce taxes in the second year of its three-year billion-dollar tax-cut program to lower the cost of doing business in British Columbia, attract new industry and encourage our private sector to grow and employ our people.

In the third session of the thirty-third parliament, you approved a Critical Industries Act. Since then, I am informed that the commissioner has assisted six forestry and mining firms and, as a result, more than 1,500 people throughout our province are working. My government's program of discount prices for surplus electricity has already assisted 14 companies to expand production and increase hiring. Additional efforts will be pursued in the coming year. My government has extended tax reductions to our small business sector, the source of many of our new jobs, and will provide additional relief in the second year of the $150 million program.

In the last session, you also gave approval to the Small Business Venture Capital Act. Seventeen venture capital corporations have raised to date approximately $13 million in equity capital to invest in small business in the coming year. My government will expand the range of eligible investments under the act to give additional momentum to the diversification of our economy, particularly in the information and knowledge sectors.

You have approved the British Columbia equity investment plan, another measure to enhance investment, strengthen the provincial economy and create jobs. My Minister of Finance will bring forward further details in the coming days.

I am advised there is a growing agreement among our people in the pursuit of two central priorities during the remaining years of my government's mandate. My government assigns the highest priority to continuing to invest in our economy and create employment opportunities for those still without work, rather than increasing income for those with jobs, and to investing the benefits of an expanded economy in improving the services which most directly affect our people health and education.

My government will develop new initiatives to encourage private sector economic activity and will pursue measures to improve the quality of health and education services. I am advised that several major allocations have already been made from the recently created fund for excellence in education. The three-year program will allocate $110 million in the first year, an increase of more than 6 percent over current spending, to improve the quality of education in our schools, colleges and universities. I am advised that funding levels for the second and third years of the fund will be brought forward by my Minister of Finance for consideration by members of this assembly.

While special initiatives will of necessity vary among schools, colleges, institutes and universities, the ultimate goal is identical: to provide our young people with the academic and technical training and education to allow them to take their place in the new economy that is developing in our province.

I am advised that enrolment in the colleges and institutes of our province will continue to increase, and that participation rates of interior students will continue to rise.

I am further advised that multi-year funding was requested by our post-secondary institutions and, once in place, will provide them with both stability and the ability to make longrange plans.

My Minister of Education will announce soon the formation of committees to review and modernize the School Act and to advise on both curriculum development and computer use in our schools. Working together with the school boards of this province, my minister's priority is to improve the quality of education in British Columbia within the taxpayers' ability to pay.

I am advised the establishment of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education will encourage increased cooperation and interchange among our educational institutions to the benefit of our people.

My government has identified a number of priority areas for special initiatives in our schools, colleges and universities. These include increased use of computers and language training in our schools, entrepreneurship training and business development centres in our colleges and institutes, and increased emphasis in our universities on biotechnology, Pacific Rim studies, computer systems, forestry research, international business and links with our vital and growing cultural industries. Institutions have been asked to consider these and other educational priorities, and my ministers will be consulting closely with them in developing specific proposals.

I am advised that in 1985 our three universities, the Open Learning Institute and the Knowledge Network joined together to form the Open University Consortium of British Columbia. This development greatly increases access to post-secondary education for persons living in remote and rural areas. In the coming session you will be asked to approve legislation creating the Open Learning Authority of British Columbia to plan, coordinate and direct all open learning in the province.

My Minister of Labour has appointed a Youth Advisory Council to establish an open dialogue with young British Columbians, and a number of initiatives have already been

[ Page 7269 ]

taken. My government will give full consideration to student priorities, such as the council's recommendation for subsidized transit fares, in allocating education funds.

My government will provide increased travel funds to assist students all across our province to visit Expo and benefit from its vast education potential.

My government is committed to the maintenance and expansion of the best possible system of health care for our people and will pursue measures to add new dimensions of quality to our already excellent system. New hospital beds have been opened, waiting-lists shortened, and it is expected that the number of kidney transplants will triple to about 100 a year with the formation of the B.C. Transplant Society. The feasibility of heart and liver transplants will be assessed as well.

I am advised that my government will shortly announce a major long-term initiative to improve further health and hospital care programs. This initiative will cover a wide range of health issues and involve the consideration of a number of advanced treatments to utilize the latest technological advances in medicine, such as the recently introduced technology for non-surgical treatment of kidney stones.

My government continues to allocate about one in three of the taxpayers' dollars to health care, and my minister will invite those in the health sector to assist in identifying priorities for new services.

My Minister of International Trade and Investment is seeking new investment and additional customers for our products in the Pacific Rim, the United States and the European Economic Community. I am advised that in its first full year of operation the ministry has carried out 60 trade missions and has given support to more than 500 British Columbia companies under various export assistance programs.

Investment promotion activities have involved an extensive series of presentations around the world, and specific efforts have identified investments such as the new Louisiana-Pacific waferboard plant to be built in Dawson Creek. I am advised that although investments will be smaller in dollar terms than in the past, they will be more numerous and add to the diversity of the economy.

In the coming year there will be considerable focus on developing closer relationships between our universities' research facilities and the private sector, and on the establishment of centres of excellence in fields such as computer systems, forestry research, international business, Pacific Rim studies, biotechnology and those disciplines contributing to our important cultural sector.

I am advised that my government will continue to support efforts to expand trade with our country's most important trading partner, the United States, and to increase trade on a multilateral basis. My government believes that expanded trade will benefit both British Columbia and Canada, and welcomes the federal government's commitment to work closely with the provinces in the negotiation process.

My government places great emphasis on attracting business visitors during Expo. With more than 32,000 of the world's top business leaders and investors invited to attend the world's fair, my government will ensure that they are made fully aware of the great potential of its municipal partners all across our province.

I am informed that 124 local governments have signed or are poised to sign agreements with my government under the Provincial-Municipal Partnership Act, allowing both levels of government to offer significant taxation and other incentives to new and expanded business operations. In keeping with this very successful program, my government will again this year work closely with local governments across our province to stimulate new economic activity and create employment. In addition to his ongoing services to local government, my Minister of Municipal Affairs will provide continuing support for local economic development strategies and the development of comprehensive economic plans.

My government recognizes the value of the contribution that our province's 144 municipalities are making in helping to bring about economic renewal, and wishes to congratulate both Colwood and Metchosin, which enjoyed their inaugural years in 1985.

[2:30]

1 am informed that in the past year we have witnessed some major achievements in the continuing development of our province's transportation systems. Work is close to completion on the Coquihalla Highway and the new Annacis bridge across the Fraser River, and the first phase of SkyTrain, our modern rapid transit system, is fully operational and serving commuters between New Westminster and Vancouver. My government's pride in these three major feats of engineering is matched only by our pride in British Columbia and the British Columbia workers who brought them in on time and on budget.

While efforts toward economic diversification will be accelerated, mining and forestry will continue to be the backbone of the provincial economy, and my government is committed to making them even stronger. I am advised that in the coming year funding under the forest resources development agreement will be nearly doubled, to improve our important forest resource and to strengthen its employment capability. This funding reflects my government's determination to sustain and increase the resource. While basic reforestation will be increased, my government will be introducing for your approval innovative vehicles to increase British Columbia's commitment to and provide stability for silviculture projects, so as to maximize employment opportunities and the returns from our most fundamental resource.

My government is determined to ensure that our industry retains its traditional access to the United States market, and will work closely with the industry and the government of Canada on this important issue.

I'm gratified to report that my government, in partnership with the government of Canada and the Council of Forest Industries, recently renewed for five years a program to expand overseas markets for British Columbia wood products. With more than 1,700 timber sale licences currently held, my government expects the small business enterprise program to continue to grow.

I am advised that British Columbia's mining industry, which was hit hard by the international recession, produced mineral products worth $3.5 billion in 1985. World markets are expected to show modest improvement this year, with further improvements anticipated for 1987 and beyond.

Although market conditions remain highly competitive, the efforts of our producers to reduce costs and improve productivity, together with the outstanding cooperation of working people and a more optimistic market outlook, suggest the industry will see some growth in strength. A number of projects are under or near construction, and my government is assisting in a number of ways. Funding is being

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provided for road and infrastructure studies for the Mount Klappan anthracite development in the northwest and the Mascot project at Hedley.

While recovery in our basic resource industries has been gradual, the tourism industry continues a gratifying pattern of strong growth, reinforcing its increasingly important role as an employer in our economy. I am advised that revenues in 1985 increased to $2.5 billion from $2.3 billion the year before, and the number of visitors to our province grew from 12.2 million to 12.6 million over the same period. Visitors from the United States increased by more than 8 percent, the best record in Canada.

The overall outlook for tourism in British Columbia is excellent in both the near term and the long term. With our world exposition on the horizon, and pre-sales of 10 million of Expo's forecast of 13.75 million visits confirmed, my government is pleased to note that tourism will generate $3 billion in gross revenues. During the coming year my government will undertake a range of programs to enhance this valuable sector of our economy.

Through Conventions B.C., my government will pursue a coordinated approach to gain an important share of national and international convention business. This will also ensure that all areas of the province can take full advantage of their varied scenery and attractions in obtaining a fair share of convention business.

My government will also expand its Partners in Tourism program, which has resulted in a six-fold increase in tourism advertising in two years. I am advised that other programs, such as Superhost and the development of tourism information centres and improved highway signage, will also receive priority attention.

My government will continue its efforts to develop further the film production industry in British Columbia, building upon the technical expertise of our people, competitive rates and unparalleled scenery. In the past year $70 million was spent by producers, making 1985 the largest year by far for film-making in British Columbia.

Work is continuing on the development of a major movie studio, in order to enhance British Columbia's growing reputation as a good location for filming and open up additional employment opportunities for the skilled craftsmen and professionals who work in the industry.

My Provincial Secretary and Minister of Government Services will pursue measures to enhance the cultural sector through a new partnership in the arts which will assist communities throughout the province to reach their full potential in cultural development. I am advised that this initiative will assist our arts organizations to become a dynamic economic force and make cultural events a significant part of an integrated tourism strategy. The development of centres of excellence in the arts will link our universities and cultural industries, thus enhancing our tourism opportunities.

I am further advised the B.C. Festival of the Arts will take place this year in Prince George and will be highlighted by a visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

My government is pleased to note that the Provincial Museum in Victoria, which welcomes about one and a half million visitors each year, is this year celebrating its centennial. I am advised this historic year will be highlighted by travelling exhibits and speaking tours, and the opening of a dramatic new section which features marine exhibits.

The process of diversifying our economy and enhancing the role of the service sector as an employer in our economy is gaining momentum.

In my last message, I advised you of my government's efforts to establish Vancouver as an international financial centre to take advantage of the city's strategic placement between New York and the nations of the Pacific Rim. My government was pleased with the federal government's recent announcement designating Vancouver and Montreal as international banking centres and will intensify its efforts in the coming years to strengthen the entire financial sector, which plays a vital role in British Columbia's economy. An advisory committee will be named by my government to assist in developing the opportunities and meeting the challenges provided by the designation of Vancouver as an international financial centre.

In my last message I also advised you of my government's efforts to have Ottawa put in place special tax incentives on the east and west coasts to complement provincial measures to attract job-creating investment. Although these incentives have been conferred on Atlantic Canada, they have not yet been extended to the west coast. Fully mindful of the new consensus that has developed in our province on the need for such tax incentives, my government will redouble its efforts to gain this important stimulus in building a new British Columbia economy, confident of the unity of purpose of all British Columbians in this regard.

In the last session you enacted the Securities Act, the Small Business Venture Capital Act and the Equity Investment Plan Act. I am advised that these initiatives will, when taken together, give a significant boost to the financial sector in our province.

The establishment of Vancouver as a commercial arbitration centre, to capitalize on the growing opportunities in international trade, is a parallel initiative to strengthen the city's role as a major service centre for commerce, strongly complemented by programs at our universities and colleges.

In areas of provincial jurisdiction I am advised that my Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs will consult with British Columbians on improving reporting to depositors and investors, improved monitoring systems and ways to minimize risk to depositors.

The past year was highly significant for the oil and gas industry in the province. The Western Accord has deregulated crude oil prices and eliminated virtually the last vestiges of the national energy program.

You enacted measures in 1985 to establish a market-oriented regime for both domestic and export natural gas sales and established a royalty system that is responsive to the fluctuations of the marketplace. The subsequent agreement on natural gas marketing and pricing set a competitive floor price for our gas exports and opened up new avenues for our gas producers to tap new markets in the United States and eastern Canada.

I am also advised that you approved attractive incentives to encourage oil exploration and development resulting in new major exploration activity and increased revenues to government as a result of record bonus bids by industry.

While current instability in global oil prices could have far-reaching implications, my government anticipates that oil and natural gas activity will remain at a substantial level and continue to contribute significantly to provincial revenues.

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My government will assist in efforts to extend natural gas service into rural areas of the province, and efforts will continue to have the federal government fulfill its commitment for the Vancouver Island natural gas pipeline.

In the years that lie ahead, the Pacific Northwest and California will assume growing importance as markets for our natural gas and hydroelectricity. British Columbia has earned nearly $300 million in the past year from electricity exports and is actively considering ways to expand the scope of its export activity.

My government is working to accelerate construction of the Site C dam project on the Peace River, and appreciates the cooperation of the federal government in removing obstacles in the United States. I am advised that if British Columbia can secure a fair price and guaranteed long-term access to the California market, construction of this major project will be accelerated, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs for British Columbia workers.

With completion of a federal-provincial environmental review, my government looks forward to an early resolution of jurisdiction over offshore resources.

My Minister of Intergovernmental Relations will continue in the coming year to seek broad support for the entrenchment of property rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In the area of federal-provincial relations, a spirit of constructive cooperation and consultation has benefited both British Columbians and all other Canadians. I am pleased to advise this assembly that our province will be proud to host the next in a series of annual conferences of first ministers, to be held in Vancouver in late November. The conference will take place a week before Grey Cup, which this year and next will be held in Vancouver.

My government is pleased to note that issues of concern to women will be the first item on the agenda, and will be pursuing a number of measures to advance the economic equality of women.

Discussions are proceeding with Ottawa and the Sechelt Indians to implement local self-government on band lands. You will be asked to approve measures complementing federal legislation. My government is anxiously awaiting a clarification of federal land claims policy and has asked to be provided with full details of all outstanding claims in the province. My first minister has asked to meet the Prime Minister on these matters.

My government's efforts to foster economic renewal and employment opportunities for our people have been greatly assisted by the much improved state of industrial relations in British Columbia. I am pleased to note the working time lost last year through industrial disputes was the lowest in 20 years. To enhance this new climate of cooperation, my Minister of Labour intends to pursue a preventive mediation program to assist employers and workers to reach contract settlements without resorting to work stoppages.

Provincial wage settlements reflect market realism and public sector wage restraint, and you will be asked to approve measures to improve the Compensation Stabilization Act.

[2:45]

During the past year significant improvements were made in the areas of workers' compensation, including an increase in the maximum levels of earnings on which benefits are paid, and these improvements reflect continued progress in the Workers' Compensation Board's financial position. I am advised that the board's unfunded liability was reduced by more than $200 million in 1984 and also fell dramatically last year. In spending plans to be tabled by my Minister of Finance, you will be asked to provide funding to expedite appeals of Workers' Compensation Board decisions.

In the coming session you will be asked to approve additional measures to bring provincial statutes into conformity with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

My government is concerned about increasing reports of spousal assault and child sexual abuse. My Attorney-General will consider strengthened measures in these areas. Victims of spousal assault, child sexual abuse and other crimes will be assisted through the court system to ensure that prosecutions proceed in a necessary and appropriate fashion. My Minister of Human Resources will be deeply involved in these initiatives, and I am advised that increased emphasis on child protection has resulted from the appointment of a full-time superintendent of family and child services.

I am advised by my Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing that housing starts increased by 11 percent in 1985 and will increase again in 1986. My minister will undertake initiatives to ensure that social housing dollars are spent on those most in need and will work to finalize an agreement with Ottawa in this regard.

This year will mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the provincial park system, and I am informed that plans are underway to enhance the role of the parks as a major generator of tourism dollars. Attendance at provincial parks reached 16 million in 1985, and the number is expected to increase significantly in 1986.

The year ahead promises to be an exciting one for our province s agriculture and food sector, whose strength lies in its diversity. The important food production industry will be spotlighted during Food Pacific '86, an international trade show to be held in early autumn at B.C. Place Stadium. Estimates are that net farm income will climb by 14 percent in 1986, to more than $183 million.

My government is assisting B.C. food processors to take full advantage of the demand by hotels and restaurants for high quality products. B.C. producers' share of this market increased by 10 percent in 1985 and is expected to grow significantly in 1986. I am advised the emerging aquaculture industry is making remarkable progress in British Columbia, and has the potential to grow from its current $3 million to $150 million in annual sales by 1995. My Minister of Agriculture will strengthen support in the areas of fish health, marketing and quality control.

In its efforts to further diversify the economy, my government is committed to additional support for our province's small business sector, where many of our new jobs are being created. I am advised the British Columbia Purchasing Commission will expand its efforts to make business aware of opportunities to supply the public sector, including hospitals, schools, municipalities and Crown corporations. A computerized network is being developed to inform public bodies of potential British Columbia suppliers in order to bring about expansion of production and new jobs for our people.

My Minister of Industry and Small Business Development is taking a lead role in the provision of entrepreneurial programs and advisory and information services. My government will strengthen its programs to further the growth of

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small business in the province's manufacturing and processing sectors as well as the aquaculture industry.

I am advised that in addition to major transportation projects, such as the opening of the Annacis Island Bridge and the Hope-to-Merritt section of the Coquihalla Highway, my Minister of Transportation and Highways intends to continue improving our highway network across the province. Work will continue on the Merritt-to-Kamloops section of the Coquihalla, and in the coming year will commence on the Okanagan connector. In the spending plans to be tabled by my Minister of Finance, you will be asked to approve a major program for small bridge replacement throughout the province. You will also be asked to approve funds for increased ferry service during Expo.

My government will intensify its efforts to improve safety conditions for the public. The drive towards safety has seen a continuing decline in fatalities on our highways, and my minister's efforts, in tandem with those of the Attorney-General, are geared towards further reductions in accidents and injuries.

My government believes environmental enhancement is fully consistent with economic renewal and will assist in the development of an internationally competitive digital mapping industry. The Okanagan basin will receive special funding as an environmentally sensitive area to help control sewage discharge into area lakes. My Minister of Environment will prepare a management plan for the Cowichan estuary in order to balance economic opportunities with conservation. My government recently signed an agreement with Washington state to work on acid rain control, and has made available more than $2 million from the provincial habitat conservation fund to enhance British Columbia's wildlife and fresh water fisheries.

My government recently received the recommendations of the special advisory committee on wilderness preservation and will give full consideration to the views of the public in seeking a balance between resource extraction and conservation. My Minister of Environment will support the Fraser River flood control program, reconstruction of the Zosel Dam and a variety of diking projects elsewhere in the province to reduce the potential of flood damage.

My government wishes to recognize and pay tribute to the thousands of British Colombians who again this year are making a major contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of our province. The recent Winter Games in Terrace owe their tremendous success to the dedication and willingness of more than 2,500 volunteers who stepped forward to give freely of their time and their talents. My government is confident that this fine tradition of community involvement will again be demonstrated during the Summer Games to be held in Cranbrook and at the 1987 Winter Games in Fernie.

While British Columbians are playing an integral part in our province's Games, volunteers are also active on a year-round basis in our hospitals, schools and many other organizations, and my government is most appreciative of their efforts.

My government recognizes the significant contributions of our ethnic and cultural communities in enhancing our province's diverse heritage. My Minister responsible for cultural heritage will undertake a number of initiatives designed to enhance this vital component of British Columbia's social fabric.

Honourable Members, it is time for you to begin this new session. You will be asked to approve measures to maintain the highest possible standards on the part of all members of this assembly, and others, in conducting public business. Your actions and your decisions, as you debate and weigh the measures that will be brought before this assembly, will be crucial to a continuation of economic renewal for our province. My government believes we have weathered the worst of the recent difficult economic times and that by working together we can make 1986 a pivotal year in the fortunes of our people and this great province.

I pray that Divine Providence guide and assist you in your deliberations.

In the name of our Sovereign, I thank you.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained copies of His Honour's speech, which I will now distribute to the members. During this brief period, there may be members who wish to absent themselves from the chamber. If they do, this is possibly the opportunity for such.

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO PERPETUATE
A PARLIAMENTARY RIGHT

HON. MR. SMITH: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to carry out the traditional introduction of Bill 1, entitled An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right. The purpose for introducing this bill now is that four centuries of parliamentary democratic tradition are enacted here by ensuring the precedence of the people's business through this assembly over that of the business of the Sovereign.

Bill 1, An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right, 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.

[3:00]

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings of the 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, Private Bills and Members' Services;

(2) On Public Accounts and Economic Affairs;

(3) On Agriculture;

(4) On Municipal Affairs and Housing;

(5) On Labour and Justice;

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(6) On Health, Education and Human Resources;

(7) On Transportation and Communications;

(8) On Environment and Resources;

(9) On Crown Corporations; which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records; and that a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the above select standing committees of this House under standing order 68(1), the committee to be composed of Hon. G.B. Gardom, Hon. J.A. Nielsen, Hon. R.G. Fraser, Mrs. Johnston, Messrs. Mowat and Reid, and Ms. Sanford and Messrs. Howard and Hanson.

MR. SPEAKER: On the motion, the Leader of the Opposition.

MR. SKELLY: Mr. Speaker, I would like to move, seconded by my colleague for Skeena (Mr. Howard), that the motion be amended by adding " (10) On Regional Job Creation."

I'm not sure if nodding means that the motion is in order, but....

MR. SPEAKER: Proceed, hon. member.

MR. SKELLY: Mr. Speaker, the reason I move this motion is as a test of the Premier's good will and good faith. I've noticed lately, as have other members and other people in the public, that some new words and phrases have been creeping into the Premier's speeches recently that indicate that the Premier has an economic plan, words that suggest a new concern about unemployment and about government services — words like "consensus" and "consultation," which suggest a new interest in bringing people together to analyze problems, develop solutions and to work on implementation of these solutions.

Mr. Speaker, we in the opposition know that words are the easy part. Any poll can tell you what words to use.

Interjections.

MR. SKELLY: And of course, Mr. Speaker, it's a test of our good faith as well.

Any poll can tell you what words to use and what words evoke a positive political response, but what we would like to see on the part of this Premier is some action toward economic planning in order to reduce unemployment throughout British Columbia.

Interjections.

MR. SKELLY: That's one action I agreed on, Mr. Speaker. I think his promotion was well deserved.

Mr. Speaker, we would like to see some real effort at consultation and the development of a consensus around regional economic planning and job creation, and that's why we've proposed this amendment. The last unemployment statistics showed that 198,000 people were out of work in February. That's 13.8 percent in actual terms. Unemployment statistics don't even begin to tell the real human dimensions of this problem: the loss of pride that men and women feel when they have lost their jobs and incomes, in many cases their homes and assets built up over a lifetime of work; and the embarrassment and humiliation that people feel when they are forced to accept welfare and charity after a lifetime of hard work in this province.

There's no question that employment statistics have been improved, but as the B.C. Central Credit Union pointed out in its January special report, most of the new jobs are in low-paying and part-time work. According to the B.C. Central report, there has been a net increase of 15,000 jobs in British Columbia over the last five years, but this figure bides the fact that....

AN HON. MEMBER: Are you reading that?

MR. SKELLY: People all over the province are reading this in the B.C. Central Credit Union report.

The 15,000 net jobs figure hides the fact that 34,000 of the new jobs are part-time, low-paying work, while the number of full-time jobs in British Columbia has actually declined by 19,000. The sectors hardest hit by the full-time job losses have been in mining and forestry, and in these areas the government has done very little to encourage new growth of full-time jobs.

Mr. Speaker, my motion to establish an additional committee will give members an opportunity to analyze the problems of the resource industry, identify solutions, and propose remedies which will give some hope to miners and forestry workers for full-time employment again. Loggers and miners are tired of words and tired of political confrontation. They're tired of being portrayed as villains in conflicts generated between environmentalists and Indians in this province. They simply want to use their skills, Mr. Speaker, in the best interests of all British Columbians.

Mr. Premier, if you're serious about your concern for jobs, then I ask you to support this motion. Set up this committee and put it to work as soon as possible.

Another matter that prompted this motion, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that British Columbia has now been divided into two provinces. One part, Vancouver and the lower mainland, is receiving vast infusions of provincial capital and stimulative investment around Expo 86. As a result unemployment in those areas has dropped below 12 percent — at least for the next six months. But outside the lower mainland there is only one region where unemployment has fallen below 15 percent. This government is spending the resources of this province on one six-month project in the lower mainland, while they're treating the rest of British Columbia as a region of sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that if there is any real economic recovery in the province, even temporary recovery, it should be shared by all British Columbians in all regions of the province, including the lower mainland.

We hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier will agree to this amendment and give this committee an opportunity to travel to every region of the province to consult with all sectors of our society and to develop a consensus — the kind of consensus that the Premier talks about — around economic planning and job creation which will stimulate economic recovery in all regions of British Columbia: in the north, in the interior, in the Kootenays — which now have a higher unemployment rate than Newfoundland — and on Vancouver Island.

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Finally, Mr. Speaker, we're concerned that the government has no concrete vision of the future. There appears to be nothing substantial on the drawing-board after Expo that can even begin to deal with the problem of unemployment, and the problem that Mr. Matkin describes as the post-Expo recession. Working people in British Columbia are fearful of the future. They're fearful for themselves and for their children, and they would like to end the uncertainty of the past five years.

This motion is an attempt to take the Premier at his word. Is he serious about consultation? Is he serious about economic diversification and planning? Is he serious about job creation? Is he serious about developing an economic plan for the future of this province? If he is serious, Mr. Speaker, then we would expect him and the government to support this amendment and put this committee to work.

Over the last decade, with one or two exceptions, the select standing committees of this Legislature have not been put to work by this government. Yet these committees are the eyes and ears of the Legislature. Without these committees the Legislature cannot go out to the people of British Columbia to find out what their concerns are. These are the kinds of committees that get members working together to develop solutions to the problems that this province is experiencing.

As I said, without working committees this Legislature and this government are deaf and blind. They cannot hear the words of the people. We're asking the Premier to be serious. We're asking the Premier to accept this amendment and to put this committee to work so that we can get down to the service of working people in the province of British Columbia.

HON. MR. BENNETT: The Leader of the Opposition talks about cooperation and moderation — and I agree with that — consultation, temperate language. Certainly today he talks about more talk. I wonder if the Leader of the Opposition, in proposing this committee, clearly heard His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor outline programs that have taken place last year — municipal-provincial partnerships, which do provide for governments at the local level to use initiatives to develop and attract industries and jobs to their areas. That is already happening.

You cannot play off one part of this province against the other. Every British Columbian wants to see every other part of British Columbia do well. It's easy to tell the people in one part of this province you're against the Coquihalla, in another part of the province to tell them that Expo is a circus, in another part of the province to promise them highways that cannot be extended to others. But in this assembly and in this government's programs as outlined by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, every single program and opportunity that the Leader of the Opposition wants to talk about, and wants to send members of his party travelling around at public expense to talk about, a plan of action will be put before this Legislature. Because he's right: the people want action. They don't want words.

This amendment would be a delaying tactic on investment and jobs, and therefore I reject it. The Leader of the Opposition said it himself: the people don't want words; they want action; they want jobs. And this is what this Legislature will do. They know that the members of this Legislature, who are the eyes and the ears of the Legislature, as the Leader of the Opposition has said, have not been away. They've been out listening to the people, and now they've been called back to work. The people do not want to pay them to travel again and again. They've got the message from the people. They're here to work. The Leader of the Opposition wants us to spend tax money so his members can travel once again around the province.

Mr. Speaker, we reject the amendment.

[3:15]

Amendment negatived on the following division:

YEAS — 21

NAYS — 34

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Howard), that William Bruce Strachan, Esq., Member for Prince George South electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I move, again seconded by the hon. member for Skeena, that Angus Ree, Esq., member for North Vancouver–Capilano electoral district, be appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I would advise the House that pursuant to standing order 2 (2), the House shall meet at 2 p.m. precisely tomorrow.

Hon. Mrs. McCarthy tabled the forty-fourth annual report of the Pension (Teachers) Act for the year ended December 31, 1984; the forty-sixth annual report of the Pension (Municipal) Act for the year ended December 31, 1984; and the ninth annual report of the Public Service Benefit Plan Act for the year ended March 31, 1985.

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Hon. Mr. Smith tabled annual reports of the Legal Services Society of British Columbia, the British Columbia Board of Parole, the Law Reform Commission of British Columbia, the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the fourteenth annual report of the Criminal Injury Compensation Act.

Hon. Mr. Brummet tabled the annual report of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for the year 1984.

Hon. Mr. Gardom tabled the annual report of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, before moving the final motion in this afternoon's proceedings, I would like, on behalf of all members on both sides of this House, to pay most cordial recognition to all the guests and visitors who have joined us on this really lovely springtime afternoon in Victoria and witnessed our deliberations today. We welcome you. We hope you will join us again, and in the not too distant future.

Mr. Gardom moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 3:22 p.m.