[ Page 17 ]

The House met at 10:06 a.m.

Prayers.

E. Conroy: I move the following address be presented to his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: "We, her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, 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 the present session."

Hon. Speaker, I'm proud to move the Speech from the Throne. As British Columbians move forward into the next century, we are doing so with a government that won't be taking a me-too attitude toward the problems and opportunities faced by all provinces in Canada. Time and time again governments pay political lip service to their most important resources, their citizens. Our government, however, is not doing that. We're tackling the wants and needs of ordinary British Columbians head-on: protecting medicare and education, supporting tax cuts for the middle class, reducing debt, creating and protecting jobs, and responding to the priorities of British Columbians.

The opposition have cloned their ideas about government from the right-wing think tanks, which in turn were spawned by international capital. Well, hon. Speaker, the voters of British Columbia stopped the corporate agenda in its tracks. They said there is a better way. Ordinary British Columbians can share in the wealth of this province with adequate health care, education for their children and meaningful, well-remunerated jobs that will allow for full participation in the workings of our province. Our citizens would not buy into the opposition agenda of two-tier health care, two-tier education and jobs in a corporate-dominated province that pay $8 an hour with no benefits. They said clearly that British Columbia was not for sale: no privatization of our resources, no disenfranchisement by poverty.

As the sanity pendulum begins to swing away from the Fraser Institute agenda, which came alarmingly close to spending its way into power, people will look back at our government and this throne speech as an island of sanity and compassion in a sea of selfishness and greed. As I speak, our Premier and our Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are waging a battle with Ottawa to protect the jobs and communities of small fishers up and down our coast. The Liberal plan to devastate our coastal towns and concentrate the fishing industry is an agenda that the Liberals are forcibly pushing forward. They don't care about the people and the communities. They'll reward the large companies, which they want to deal with the resource because it's convenient and bureaucratically safe -- all this, of course, assuming that we aren't resource-poor because of Liberal mismanagement.

Our leaders say no: people and communities come first. This is what our New Democrat government was elected to do, and as the throne speech indicates, creating a meaningful, sustainable future for our citizens is what our government is all about. Hon. Speaker, the people spoke and the government listened.

Our Finance minister indicated, in delivering his budget, a budget that will freeze taxes and at the same time initiate a lower rate that will save the average B.C. family up to $500 per year. Total savings to taxpayers will be almost half a billion dollars annually by 1998-99.

Now, hon. Speaker, allow me to turn to my own constituency, Rossland-Trail, in the West Kootenay region of our province. Because of the efforts of our citizens and the initiatives of our government, opportunities have been placed in the hands of the people of the Kootenays, allowing them to become part of the solution, and they've responded.

The Columbia Basin Trust was formed during our last term. This has provided the people of the region with a feeling that government can and will right the wrongs of the past, and that government can and will allow the people of a region to decide what is in their future best interests. The Columbia Basin Trust will be the catalyst for hundreds of jobs and the door of opportunity for our youth, as the trust investments create more and more opportunities as the years go by -- or the Kootenays could have taken the opposition's option for the next century and privatized people's future.

Our government is not just talking; in the Kootenays it's taking action on education and youth employment initiatives. Our colleges have spaces to accommodate those who have the desire and qualifications for admission, and because of the financial initiatives of our government, students can do so in an atmosphere less complicated by concerns about oppressive debt.

The allied Hydro agreement will allow for the development of three power projects in my constituency, free from strikes and lockouts, while at the same time providing hundreds of good-paying local union jobs for our people. For every three tradespersons employed, one apprentice will also find employment. We will train our young people for the bright future ahead, even though major industrial employers resist providing these avenues of opportunity to our youth.

As a result of the initiatives by our government, we are adding value to our forest sector. Smaller mills are developing more products and employing more people as a result of the government's remanufacturing initiatives. The Premier's intention of tying jobs to resources is bearing fruit in my constituency. It's creating jobs and making for better utilization of the resource. Our sustainable forests are now being managed to create sustainable jobs for the people of the Kootenays. Then again, we could do as the opposition suggested and sell the people's forests -- our land -- to the major forest companies.

An Hon. Member: Give it away.

E. Conroy: Give it away.

The economy of the Kootenays is evolving. Being a part of the province with the lowest per-capita debt and the highest credit rating in the country certainly helps. But current initiatives, such as the two-year tax holiday for small business, a freeze on ICBC rates, and a freeze for three years on taxes and for two years on tuition gives further opportunities to the Kootenays under the NDP.

Once again, this throne speech shows that our government cares about people. The Kootenays has been on the forefront of calling for a royal commission into the Workers Compensation Board. Since first being elected to this House, I've worked with my constituents to convince our government of the feelings of people about the dysfunctionality of the WCB. Again, our Premier listened, and I'm proud to say that a royal commission will be a reality -- an opportunity for 

[ Page 18 ]

injured and disabled workers throughout the province to once again have faith in a government that listens. The opposition said no to injured and disabled workers; they said no to a WCB royal commission.

[10:15]

On the mining and smelting side of our Kootenay economy, it was the New Democratic government who led the way in striking a business deal with Cominco to protect 2,500 jobs, and played a major role in making possible $350 million being invested in Cominco's operations in Trail. While the opposition was saying "Cut subsidies to business," our government is out doing business with business, creating opportunities and protecting jobs. Ralph Klein was prepared to go to war over 400 jobs at Canadian Airlines moving to Vancouver, yet the opposition in B.C. would sit back and watch 2,500 good-paying jobs evaporate in the Kootenays. Go figure.

As indicated by the Lieutenant-Governor, we listened and learned during the election campaign. The Premier said he would listen to British Columbians and act on their priorities. We heard the people's concerns about our provincial debt and are taking action to cut the cost of government and reduce the debt. We have a Premier who listens intently and acts decisively. This is what my constituents told me they expected from their leader. Once again, their leader has delivered.

As one of the most beautiful areas in the province, the West Kootenay jealously guards its environment. We have and will be experiencing firsthand the results of our government's firm but fair environmental standards. New regulations around pulp mills have miraculously changed Castlegar from a pulp mill town to a town that happens to have a pulp mill. Similarly, in Trail, our government's new standards will change it from a smelter town to a town that happens to have a smelter -- with, by the way, 2,000 good-paying jobs that the Liberals would not have protected. Environment and jobs can coexist. We are proving this in Rossland-Trail.

The throne speech demonstrates what our government hopes to achieve over the coming months. It speaks about a province ready to stand up to Ottawa and drag them kicking and screaming into the reality of what is British Columbia -- a reality that obviously points out that our federal government, while concentrating on one problem child in the Canadian family, is alienating the others. British Columbia is determined not to be tainted by this abuse and, with our Premier's leadership and determination, to emerge as a strong, functioning member of the Canadian family, despite the lack of skills of our parent government.

British Columbia is recognized as having the best environmental record in the country. Two hundred parks and wilderness areas ensure a legacy for our children. We can be extremely proud of achieving our conservation goals, while at the same time moving toward sustainability in what was heretofore described as a sunset industry.

Our citizens have spoken about crime, and again, our government has responded by giving the police and the justice system the tools they need to fight crime. Our consistent approach of firmness and fairness runs through every sector of our new executive council.

We are committed to working to settle land claims with B.C.'s first nations, paving the way for native opportunities and responsibilities, and new investment that is poised, ready and anxious to have land claims settled.

The Speech from the Throne talks about a bright and prosperous future for our citizens -- a future led by a government prepared to meet the challenges of that future and do what it takes to allow the power in British Columbia to remain in the hands of ordinary people. In the recent election, the people of British Columbia spoke, and we listened. British Columbia, under a New Democrat government, will clearly be the best province in the best country in the world in which to live.

The Speaker: Seconding the Address in Reply is the member for Comox Valley.

E. Gillespie: It is with great pride and great pleasure that I rise in this chamber today to second the motion of my hon. colleague from Rossland-Trail. I am grateful for this honour given me by my caucus colleagues -- to second this motion -- and for my first speech as an elected member of this assembly.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege to stand in this assembly representing the people of the Comox Valley. Let me first congratulate you on your election to your esteemed and often trying position. I for one will endeavour to make your work go as smoothly as possible.

It is both an honour and a challenge to serve my constituency, third in a line of New Democratic women who have made tremendous contributions to and sacrifices for their community. Karen Sanford, for 14 years in government and in opposition, lived her dedication to the people of her constituency. Her service to her community continues unabated today -- an inspiration to those who follow. My most recent predecessor, Margaret Lord, brought with her to this assembly a refreshing idealism and a passion for environmental protection. The people of the Comox Valley have appreciated and benefited from her dedication, celebrating recently a number of newly protected areas, including Seal Bay Park -- a jewel for which they have been fighting for over 20 years. It is in this tradition of service, of listening to and working with the people of the Comox Valley constituency, that I come to this assembly with enthusiasm and idealism.

The throne speech establishes a direction which I support with great enthusiasm: the protection of health care and education, creation and protection of jobs, a guarantee for youth and the reduction of debt. These are the concerns I heard from my constituents during the past election. These are the concerns upon which we must act.

The Comox Valley constituency extends from Mud Bay through to Willow Point in the south end of Campbell River. It comprises some dozen communities, including two islands: Denman and Hornby. This is one of the first regions in British Columbia to be permanently settled by Europeans -- people who came to live in the beautiful Comox Valley and to make a living from its bountiful natural resources through farming, fishing, logging and mining.

These resource-based industries continue to be central to our economy today. But the Comox Valley of the 1990s boasts the most diversified economy of any community on Vancouver Island. The growing sectors of tourism, aquaculture, arts and culture, retail-wholesale and government services, including health and education, ensure a broad economic base on which to continue to build a strong and vibrant community.

Natural attractions, lifestyle and cost of living all contribute to this being one of the fastest-growing constituencies in the province. This growth represents challenges which will be met in part with the assistance of planning tools developed by this government in its past term: a growth management strategy, an official community plan and a municipal governance structure which will be determined by the people of the 

[ Page 19 ]

Comox Valley. It is imperative that these planning tools be in place, accompanying the arrival of the long-awaited inland Island Highway.

Employment is a challenge which has been exacerbated by rapid growth. It is simply not good enough to accept the business view of the world of work, where workers must be expected to be entrepreneurs creating their own work, expecting no security -- no job. I assure you that the people of the Comox Valley applaud and welcome this government's commitment to the jobs and timber accord and a greatly expanded value-added industry. These will create new and sustainable family-supporting jobs in the Comox Valley. Nothing can provide the kind of dignity to individuals, security to families and hope for communities that decent jobs do. Similarly, initiatives proposed in the throne speech to preserve our Pacific salmon heritage and ensure the viability of the Pacific salmon industry are welcomed by the people of the Comox Valley. Both sport and commercial fishing are vital to the soul and economy of the Comox Valley. Ours is a very creative community. These initiatives, coupled with the community economic development strategies generated by groups within this constituency, point to a more secure future for working people.

Rapid growth such as we experience in the Comox Valley presents us with environmental challenges as well. This government has a laudable record of achievements in environmental protection. Yet there remains a requirement for constant vigilance to preserve that which is protected and to enhance and recover that which has been degraded. Here I wish to acknowledge particularly the work of scores of volunteers: members of our community who work to revitalize and enhance salmon-bearing streams, volunteers who monitor stream and foreshore water quality, and those who work with waterfront communities to provide education about and monitoring of liquid waste disposal. These volunteers are helping to make all of us more aware of our impact on and our ability to effect a positive change in our local environment. These measures are necessary in order to ensure the sustainability of our fishing and aquaculture industries.

The Comox Valley is one of the fastest-growing school districts in British Columbia. We welcome the commitment to increased funding for schools, and we look forward to the opportunity to be a demonstration district, implementing changes in services to children and youth as recommended by the Gove inquiry. We look forward to a continuing commitment to construct much needed schools for our rapidly expanding school population.

This government's Guarantee for Youth will be extremely important to the young people I represent. The Comox Valley has an unemployment and underemployment level that is among the highest in the province. Among young people, that level can be as high as 25 percent. We know that the inability to find decent, sustainable work by age 25 has a lifetime effect on young people, severely inhibiting their ability to ever find sustaining work.

Educational and skills training opportunities available through North Island College, including the new campus being built on the Beaverlodge lands in Campbell River, will help to prepare our young people for opportunities in the workplace. Job initiatives tied to the stewardship of our natural resources will expand the employment opportunities available to our young people. This is an area of deep concern to the young people of the Comox Valley -- one that will challenge our creativity and spirit but one that we must address with diligence and enthusiasm.

Mr. Speaker, I have saved my greatest passion to last, and that is my complete dedication to the preservation and enhancement of our health care system and the principles of medicare. British Columbia is being watched by citizens all across our great country. We are bucking the trend to slash health, education and social service spending. We are standing up to a federal government and challenging it to support what is truly at the heart of our Confederation: universal health, education and social service programs. These are a vital part of what we claim as our Canadian identity, and never have we been in more danger of losing them. The conservative agenda is to make Canada into a mini-version of contemporary America, where individualism replaces collectivism. But as Canadians, we pride ourselves on collectivism and egalitarianism. After all, tolerance, civility, caring and sharing are pretty admirable traits.

Our medicare system is one which demonstrates the principles of egalitarianism and collectivism. We must not let this slip away through lack of vigilance or will. The throne speech reaffirms our commitment to our health care system. The principles of medicare are enshrined in law. These actions I celebrate and commit to protecting.

British Columbians have expressed their confidence in the vision of this government. The throne speech presented in this assembly on Tuesday sets out a bold direction. It addresses the concerns of the people of my riding and of British Columbia. I look forward to working diligently and enthusiastically with all members of this assembly to achieve that vision during this session of British Columbia's thirty-sixth parliament.

Hon. Speaker, I now move adjournment of this debate until later today.

E. Gillespie moved adjournment of the debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. A. Petter presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 1996.

[10:30]

Hon. A. Petter: Hon. Speaker, this supply bill is introduced to provide supply for the continuation of government programs until the government's estimates for 1996-97 have been debated and voted upon in this assembly. The bill will provide for interim supply for the initial five months of the 1996-97 fiscal year. This will allow time for debate and to pass the estimates, as the special warrants approved effective April 1, 1996, and April 30, 1996, were for three months' spending. Interim supply is required because spending authority will run out by this weekend. Therefore, in moving introduction and first reading of this bill, Mr. Speaker, I ask that it be considered as urgent under standing order 81, and be permitted to advance through all stages this day. Mr. Speaker, I move first reading.

The Speaker: We'll deal first with the question of first reading.

Motion approved.

[ Page 20 ]

The Speaker: I will ask members to please stay in their seats for just a moment while the bill is circulated.

I call the House to order again. Members will recognize that standing order 81 is invoked only in urgent or extraordinary circumstances. I want, for the benefit of new members, to simply outline why it is that this particular measure does indeed qualify under standing order 81. Rather than belabour that point, I will simply refer you all to standing order 81 and pages 129 and 130 of MacMinn's Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia. The case is indeed very clear. There is a long and established precedent in British Columbia for dealing with interim supply by invoking standing order 81. The motion is therefore in order.

Hon. A. Petter: I move that the bill be now read a second time and that debate be adjourned until later today.

Motion approved.

Hon. J. MacPhail moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 10:36 a.m.

Copyright © 1996: Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada