1998 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 36th Parliament
HANSARD


The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.


Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)


THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1998

Afternoon

Volume 8, Number 1


[ Page 6591 ]

The House met at 2:05 p.m.

This being the first day of the third session of the thirty-sixth Legislative Assembly of the province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Garde B. Gardom, 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. G. Gardom (Lieutenant-Governor): Madam Speaker and hon. members of the Legislature, I am most pleased to welcome you to the opening of the third session of the thirty-sixth parliament of our province.

In the time since you last convened, our province has been saddened by the passing of former members of the assembly. Ken Kiernan represented the constituency of Chilliwack through seven successive mandates, beginning in 1952, and made a lasting contribution in a number of cabinet responsibilities. Margaret Frances Hobbs was the MLA for Revelstoke during 1962 and 1963. Donald Smith served in local government and as an MLA for Victoria from 1956 to 1966. Anthony John Gargrave represented the constituency of Mackenzie from 1952 to 1966.

We lost others, as well, who enriched the life of our province: British Columbians such as Nathan Nemetz, former Chief Justice of the B.C. Supreme Court and longtime fighter for human rights; Doug Kerley, who worked tirelessly as B.C.'s job protection commissioner to save the threatened jobs of thousands of working people; the remarkable Bill Reid, who enriched all of humanity through the gift of art; and Dorothy Lam, the loving wife of my predecessor and friend to many in this House, who served this province with dignity, grace and quiet charm during her six years as Government House chatelaine. British Columbians will long remember these men and women and, of course, many other absent friends who added so much to our province.

We also take great pride in the internationally recognized achievements in the past year of other British Columbians: Atom Egoyan of Victoria, who confirmed his reputation as one of the world's great young film directors, winning the Grand Prix prize at the Cannes Film Festival and receiving two Academy Award nominations; Sarah McLachlan of Vancouver, who conceived the acclaimed Lilith Fair music festivals, which fostered a sense of community and support among women right across North America. And we've all been inspired by the athletic achievements of our 20 B.C. Olympians and three B.C. Paralympians who represented our province and our country with great distinction at the recent Games in Nagano. We especially salute B.C.'s individual champion, Ross Rebagliati of Whistler, the winner of the first-ever Olympic Games snowboarding gold medal.

Our province has entertained numerous distinguished guests during the past year. Last November we hosted 5,000 representatives of governments and businesses from the countries of Asia-Pacific. The APEC conference underlined British Columbia's pivotal role as Canada's gateway to the Pacific Rim.

Today we also welcome and offer our continuing best wishes to His Royal Highness Prince Charles, and his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, who honour us with a visit to our province. I think that if the weather in Whistler is anything like it is today, they're having a great ski -- and we hope they are.

In the past year we saw the protection of the northern Rockies wilderness, a historic land use decision which will ensure sustainable development and the protection of globally significant wildlife populations in an area larger than Nova Scotia. It is a fitting gift from our province to the world as we approach the new millennium.

In recognition of the countdown to the year 2000, my government is encouraging British Columbians to carry out legacy projects that build and strengthen our communities and help to enrich our province's future. To that end, a minister responsible for planning B.C.'s millennium celebrations has been named and our province's portion of the Trans Canada Trail designated as British Columbia's first millennium project.

Hon. members, this year B.C. is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of these parliament buildings and the first sitting of the Legislature within these walls. Democracy and our province have grown and flourished together over the past century. We are now home to nearly four million people and are known worldwide for our rich natural resources, environmental heritage, quality of life and respect for our multicultural diversity. Our people share a vision of a province that is building, growing and creating opportunities for all British Columbians, a province that in the twenty-first century enjoys an economy as vibrant as its people -- where everyone has the chance to succeed, where no one is left behind and where our young people can look to a future second to none.

[2:15]

My government has made some progress in the last year towards achieving these goals. We supported small business by continuing the income tax cut and the income tax holiday for eligible small businesses, reducing costs by $29 million last year. Income taxes have been cut for B.C. families two years in a row. ICBC premiums, B.C. Hydro rates and tuition fees remain frozen. Lower- and modest-income families received the monthly B.C. family bonus cheque to help with the costs of raising their children. These tax cuts and rate freezes saved the average B.C. family up to $700 last year.

Meanwhile, the education budget went up. Ten thousand new spaces opened in colleges and universities in the last two years alone.

The health care budget is up substantially. In fact, since 1991 British Columbia has increased health care spending by $1.8 billion, a record unmatched by any other province. And as these investments have been made, the province's deficit has been reduced from $2 billion in 1992 to $185 million this year.

Yet to continue moving forward as a province, we must also overcome new challenges. In common with governments across Canada, we must deal with the dramatic transformation of the world economy, the rapid growth of new technologies, and social changes that affect every community. And we face challenges that have a unique impact on British Columbia. The current downturn in the economies of our Asian trading partners -- where our province exports more than a third of our products -- has clear consequences for our 

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economy and for the government revenues that fund education and fund health care. Likewise, our forest sector is going through tough times.

The task we face is to take our economy into the twenty-first century, renewing it where we can and changing it where we must, in the interest of all British Columbians. These challenges call for a renewed commitment on the part of government to listen to British Columbians and to respond to their priorities, if we are to keep B.C. the best place in the world in which to live.

British Columbians have made it clear they want government to focus on building the economy. They want government and the province's economic leaders to work together to encourage investment, ensure decent-paying jobs and create opportunities for all British Columbians. They want more support for education and training, to equip young British Columbians and working people with the skills to prosper in our changing economy. And they want government to continue building on the strengths that make our economy and society successful: universal public health care, a quality public education system and high environmental standards.

My government is determined to respond to these challenges by taking the necessary steps to build a strong and competitive economy. This requires a positive climate for business investment.

Most urgently, my government is committed to strengthening our province's position in the global economy in ways that will benefit all British Columbians. Only a strong investment climate will ensure new employment opportunities, economic security for our communities and a confident future for our children.

To that end, my government has been working with business, labour and community leaders to identify the measures needed to make British Columbia more competitive and bring new investment and jobs to our province and people. In the coming weeks my government will announce new initiatives and supporting legislation to promote economic growth. These measures will include tax reductions for industry, small business and individual British Columbians to stimulate the economy.

Above all, to generate new economic activity, we must actively market our province's strengths: our rich resource base, modern infrastructure, skilled workforce, strategic location, environmental heritage and high quality of life. My government will work aggressively to promote all these advantages by building on recent trade missions and discussions with potential investors in Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, India and the United States.

Under the Power for Jobs plan my government will work to ensure that low-cost hydroelectric power is used to provide strong incentives for energy-intensive industries to invest in British Columbia.

In the aluminum industry, feasibility studies are already underway for new investments with the potential to produce thousands of new jobs as B.C.'s production capacity expands. My government will also support major new investments that will bring new jobs and investment to the lower mainland, including new and expanded trade and convention facilities in Vancouver, plus a potential major new leisure and entertainment centre that would be home to the Pacific National Exhibition. Each of these projects promises more than half a billion dollars in economic benefits, as well as significant numbers of new jobs.

In the forest sector, major steps have been taken to restore our province's competitive advantages, create new jobs and renew our forest resource. But we can and must do more. In consultation with industry, government is finalizing a reduction in stumpage charges that will provide cost relief to producers throughout B.C. My government is proceeding with discussions with partners to the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement, to ensure that this reduction respects that agreement.

Under the jobs and timber accord, my government continues to direct talks between the primary and value-added sectors to substantially increase the wood supply to B.C.'s secondary wood manufacturers. This represents a 70 percent increase in the supply of wood to B.C.'s secondary wood-manufacturing industry -- a key step towards thousands of new jobs in this sector. Moreover, the Ministry of Forests will make every effort to ensure that value-added manufacturers receive all available timber through the small business forest enterprise program.

Underlining the jobs and timber accord's commitment to community economic stability, my government has received a significant response to the community tenure pilot program. Municipalities, regional districts and first nations all stand to gain under this program by localizing tenure control.

My government also continues to respond through Forest Renewal B.C. to the critical needs of our forest communities and industries. In the days ahead, Forest Renewal B.C. will announce its fourth business plan. And for the second year in a row, the investment level will be significantly greater than the original planned annual investment.

Last December my government began working with oil and gas producers to identify ways to generate more investment and job opportunities in their industry. Currently the oil and gas industry provides almost 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in B.C., and an independent review has shown that B.C. is well positioned to build upon the strong growth experienced by this sector in recent years.

In consultation with first nations and local government, this joint industry-government initiative will seek concrete short- and long-term solutions that will improve our competitive position as a producing province and help to make British Columbia one of the most attractive sites for energy investment in North America.

As well, through the new Ministry of Energy and Mines, my government is working with the mining industry to support new and existing operations in the province. Work continues towards finalizing the mineral exploration code and developing other initiatives to overcome barriers to growth and investment in this key sector of our economy.

Our tourism industry is a cornerstone of the economy in every region of the province. In 1996 alone, it generated a record $8.3 billion in revenues -- revenues which are increasing twice as fast as Canada's as a whole -- and employed one in eight British Columbians.

To further encourage this vital industry and ensure that it remains competitive in the global marketplace, my government has established Tourism British Columbia as an industry-led Crown corporation. During the coming months, Tourism B.C. will carry out aggressive marketing in the United States and other key markets.

During this session, you will consider legislation that provides further incentives for growth and increased employment in one of B.C.'s most promising economic sectors: the film and television industry. Last year it generated a record $630 million in direct spending to our economy. My govern-

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ment will continue to work with the industry to ensure that B.C. remains Canada's most attractive movie location.

My government will take further measures to ensure a future for the Pacific salmon and to renew fisheries throughout the province. To that end my government has created a new Ministry of Fisheries as a focus for action, to protect fish, ensure stable fisheries jobs and communities, plus secure a strong voice for British Columbia as to how their fisheries are managed.

Further steps will be taken to move forward a renewed Pacific Salmon Treaty. The future of B.C. coastal communities and many of our salmon runs requires we not rest until a fair treaty is gained.

As well, the newly established Fisheries Renewal B.C. will make its initial funding investments in programs to protect fish habitat, enhance fish stocks and create new jobs in value-added and diversified fisheries.

In addition to working with specific sectors to encourage new investments, my government will also bring together local business, labour and community leaders, and young people to craft a common vision and strategy for regions throughout our province.

Last October the Premier's Summit on Northern Jobs and Development was held in Prince George. As recommended by a post-summit advisory committee, you will be asked to approve legislation establishing an office of the northern commissioner, reporting to our new Minister Responsible for Northern Development. This office will be an advocate for northern economic development and will facilitate new investments in the north. The Premier's northern summit will also serve as the model for further consultation in other regions of British Columbia, beginning in Kamloops with the southern interior region in late May.

My government will take further steps to strengthen and improve British Columbia's infrastructure, to support present needs and anticipate future growth. More than $1 billion will be invested this year to build schools, hospitals and highways in regions throughout our province. Notably, my government will pursue a major new initiative to rehabilitate roads in northern B.C., to help industry move goods more efficiently, stimulate job creation and contribute to the overall prosperity of the north.

Construction will also start on a $1.1 billion light rapid transit line from Coquitlam to the University of British Columbia, which will ease traffic congestion and pollution and generate new jobs and investment the entire length of the line.

My government will continue to work with the business community to identify potential business opportunities and explore ways and means to maximize private sector investment in these exciting projects.

As well, the first B.C.-built fast ferry will be launched this year.

You'll also be asked to approve legislation to put in place a milestone agreement that establishes local responsibility for transportation within the greater Vancouver regional district. This agreement will meet the transportation needs of the people of greater Vancouver and provide the means to improve public transit and use of regional roadways.

These major infrastructure initiatives aim at putting all the pieces of a twenty-first century transportation network together in a way that continues to contribute to economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts.

However, new growth and lasting prosperity can only occur in a climate of confidence and certainty. This, in turn, depends on mutual respect and trust between all those who share this land and its resources. The province is actively engaged in negotiating agreements-in-principle with 31 first nations and will continue to work with them and other parties to expedite and streamline treaty and pre-treaty processes. Most urgently, my government will give high priority to concluding a final agreement with the Nisga'a people to bring economic and social stability to that area of the north coast.

[2:30]

The Supreme Court of Canada, in its recent decision in Delgamuukw, has now challenged British Columbia first nations and the government of Canada in a clear and distinct way. The only path to justice for first nations and certainty for the economy is through negotiated treaties. My government will therefore do everything in its power to secure a full and final treaty with the Nisga'a tribal council in the coming year.

The other vital ingredient in a healthy economy is a safe, healthy and productive workplace. To that end, my government will introduce new occupational health and safety legislation based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Workers Compensation. And my government will take further steps to improve labour-management relations in British Columbia through revisions to the Labour Relations Code, as recommended by two recent review panels.

Of all the strategic investments we can make in the future of our province, the most important by far are the opportunities we provide for young people. This is why my government has placed education and training at the centre of our plan to build a strong, competitive and modern economy. Our public education system holds the key to our children's success. It's fundamental to our quality of life. Beyond this, by ensuring a high-skill, high-wage economy, it's also critical to the success of our economic agenda and our competitiveness as a province.

We must take action now to ensure that British Columbia's schools continue to be among the best anywhere. The coming budget will therefore provide resources not only to further cover enrolment growth and inflation but also to better equip teachers to teach and students to learn. To that end, my government will work with those who collectively embody our education system -- teachers, trustees and parents -- to identify the means of ensuring that every dollar possible reaches the classroom and to do what can be done to reduce class sizes, starting with the primary grades.

As part of the most ambitious and forward-looking commitment to improve education of any province in Canada, substantial new resources will be directed toward hiring 400 new teachers and nearly 300 teaching aides, support teachers and librarians, and also toward accelerating capital investment to build more classrooms.

We will also renew the focus on the basics, with a goal of ensuring that every student gets a strong start by learning to read and write by the end of grade 3. In addition, resources will be provided to create a provincewide electronic network of learning resources, including steps to link students at all levels to the Internet by the year 2000.

New initiatives will also be undertaken to make our schools safe and violence-free.

If young people are to participate fully in today's changing society, our commitment to education and training beyond grade 12 must be equally strong. Over the past two years, my 

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government has frozen post-secondary tuition, increased financial assistance and created 10,000 new spaces at B.C. colleges and universities. Yet more needs to be done. Too many young people still encounter barriers to continuing education, to rewarding work -- or to any work at all.

This year tuition fees will be frozen for a third year in a row, benefiting more than 150,000 students at B.C.'s 28 colleges, institutes and universities. Under its Youth Options B.C. initiative, my government is committed to creating new opportunities that make beginning or continuing post-secondary education easier and more affordable.

To make post-secondary education more accessible, young people from our province will be given the opportunity to earn tuition credits while working on community service projects. This will be a cooperative effort by government and business, where B.C. communities invest in youth and youth invest in themselves.

Also, my government's goal is to further reduce tuition fees. It will work with students and parents to identify ways to make post-secondary education in B.C. more affordable and more accessible.

New funding will be provided to expand access to post-secondary education for young people by opening another 2,900 spaces. Funding for B.C. student assistance, already the most comprehensive in Canada, will receive a 14 percent lift. This increase will provide a cost-of-living adjustment for every one of the more than 50,000 students already receiving financial aid and will make grants and loans available for an additional 5,000 students.

My government also recognizes the challenges young adults face in finding employment for the first time and gaining the experience to qualify for the work they want. My government will increase funding for youth employment programs and provide more opportunities for young people to access job and training programs.

Youth Options B.C. will be unmatched in Canada in ensuring that B.C. youth have every option for a job and ultimately for a rewarding career. In all, my government has a goal to provide training and jobs for more than 17,000 youth across B.C. Under Youth Options B.C., more summer jobs for students will be available. Youth will be provided with more opportunities for a first job in science and technology and work protecting the environment, among a host of other programs.

As well, to further demonstrate our commitment to youth, environmental protection and job creation, young people from across B.C. will be the driving force in an ambitious new program to build 1,500 campsites by the end of next year, with more to come in the future. These new campsites will provide an opportunity for more B.C. families to enjoy the outdoors and their newly expanded parks system.

In addition to a renewed effort in these key priorities of jobs, investment, education and training, my government's commitment to the public services and standards vital to the unsurpassed quality of life we enjoy in B.C. remains solid. My government will continue to protect medicare, strengthen the delivery of health and social services across the province, and ensure that health care is there when people need it.

Already, British Columbia invests more dollars per person toward looking after the health of our citizens than any province in Canada. As a result of a further $228 million increase this year, B.C. also provides the highest physician fees in Canada and spends more per capita on hospitals than any other province -- a clear statement that my government is delivering on its commitment to protect medicare.

Action is already underway on key health priorities, including a new provincial mental health plan, the launch of a comprehensive continuing-care strategy to meet the needs of the elderly and an aggressive strategy to help protect children from tobacco addiction.

Significant new resources will be provided for child protection programs to address current workload pressures and improve service delivery. As well, new standards, training and other improvements will be introduced to support the work of provincial staff and others responsible for the care and protection of children.

Also, there will be further expansion in the network of residential services that provide safe places for women and children fleeing violence. Government will work with a broad coalition of partners on a provincewide strategy to prevent violence against women before it happens.

My government will also pursue new initiatives focusing on younger women's issues and the challenges of balancing work and family.

British Columbians share a commitment to safe, secure communities. My government will continue to take action to ensure that public safety is paramount. Our province leads Canada with innovative programs to support young people in addressing their community safety needs, and further progress will be made on early intervention and youth crime prevention.

A new task force will combat auto crime by bringing increased policy resources to tackle the criminal activity underlying vehicle theft. The task force will augment tough road-safety initiatives introduced in the past year. And we will continue to urge the federal government to establish a sex- and violent-offender registry, to raise the age of consent from 14 to 16 and to develop a national drug strategy.

British Columbians place great value on our environmental heritage. Major steps have been taken over the past six years to ensure that the diverse, healthy environment we enjoy today remains undiminished for future generations of British Columbians -- including the creation of more than 250 new parks since 1991.

During this session, legislation will be tabled to ensure the sustainable long-term management of the northern Rockies wilderness. Later this year my government will receive the report of the B.C. Parks Legacy panel, which will recommend the vision that British Columbians have for the future management of their parks. And my government will continue to build on British Columbia's record as a world leader in environmental protection by implementing further initiatives to protect water and air quality in local communities and new opportunities for stewardship by the private sector, local communities and young people.

In building a dynamic economy and livable communities, both government and industry share a responsibility to protect the rights and interests of British Columbians as consumers. In particular, my government recognizes the recent widespread concern about defects in residential construction, most notably in some condominium developments, which have caused severe financial hardship for many families.

To address this serious issue, my government will introduce a strategy to promote quality standards within the homebuilding industry. This initiative will focus on multifamily properties as a first priority, through the introduction of 

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mandatory new home warranty legislation during the current session. The goal of the strategy is to balance the legitimate concerns of homeowners with the need to preserve housing affordability and the competitive position of our residential construction industry.

British Columbians feel passionately about what it means to be a Canadian and about their desire to build a strong and united nation. Last September Canada's Premiers met in Calgary, and they reached a framework for unity. My government took that Calgary declaration to the people in an unprecedented consultative approach. British Columbians have spoken clearly, and we will introduce for your consideration a resolution that formalizes the views of the people of this province that were heard by the all-party panel.

Hon. members, these are the plans of a government that is working hard to listen to the people of this province and ensure that its actions reflect their priorities. In recent weeks, major steps have been taken to make it easier for British Columbians to express their views directly to government and get timely answers to their concerns and questions.

In turn, my government has made its priorities and commitment clear. With the help of the members of this assembly, it will now move forward on these priorities: new jobs and investment in a strong economy, greater support for education and training for young people, and a future of opportunity for all British Columbians.

[2:45]

To be successful in achieving our goals as a province, we must work together. We all have to take our share of the responsibility to address our province's economic challenges and build opportunities for the future. British Columbians expect it, and our children deserve nothing less.

I leave you now, hon. members, to the business of this session with full confidence that you will favourably discharge your duties and responsibilities.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor retired from the chamber.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

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

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO ENSURE
THE SUPREMACY OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. U. Dosanjh presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament.

Hon. U. Dosanjh: The purpose of introducing this bill prior to consideration of the throne speech is to express the established right of parliament, through its elected members, to deliberate independently of the Sovereign. This right was first asserted by the Parliament of Westminster in 1603, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Bill 1 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. J. MacPhail: I move, seconded by the member for Vancouver-Little Mountain, that Bill Hartley, member for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

Hon. J. MacPhail: I move, seconded by the member for Vancouver-Little Mountain, that Erda Walsh, member for Kootenay electoral district, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

Hon. U. Dosanjh: I move that the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker, and that she do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as she shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

Hon. G. Clark: I move that the select standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

1. Aboriginal Affairs; 2. Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations; 3. Education, Culture and Multiculturalism; 4. Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology; 5. Environment and Tourism; 6. Finance and Government Services; 7. Health and Social Services; 8. Agriculture and Fisheries; 9. Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; 10. Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing; 11. Women's Equality; 12. Public Accounts; 13. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; 14. 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. J. MacPhail, convener; Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh; Messrs. Janssen and Orcherton; Ms. Smallwood and Ms. Gillespie; Messrs. Farrell-Collins, Gingell and Hogg; and Ms. Whittred.

G. Campbell: Hon. Speaker, every year when we have the throne speech, the Premier introduces these committees. They have now grown to 14. It's important to note that these committees are actually brought forward, and I think the public should know that they are encouraged to participate. Unfortunately, many of these committees have not met once in the time that I have been in this Legislature.

Health care in the province of British Columbia is in a state of disarray. The auditor general has pointed out the 

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problems we have. Nurses, doctors, health employees, patients and people in communities would like to come and speak to the Legislature about what's happening to our health care system.

In education, we have teachers that are working without textbooks and we have parents that can't get the education that their students and their kids deserve.

Hon. Speaker, these are critical, critical issues. When we establish these committees in this House, every member of this committee stands ready to serve in them. It is important that the Premier undertake that he will appoint some of these critical committees to act this year, so we can hear from the public.

Two years ago, in the wake of the B.C. Hydro scandal, the Premier appointed a Crown Corporations Committee, which he announced to everyone in British Columbia would meet so that we could get to the bottom of what had taken place. We now have a fast ferry scandal that is brewing and that is costing the people of this province millions of dollars, which in fact is a disgrace.

My question and the question of all the people of British Columbia is: will the Premier assure us today that in fact these committees will meet, that people will be included in the public process and that the Crown Corporations Committee in particular will be charged with investigating the scandal of incompetence that we're seeing with the fast ferry program of the B.C. Ferry Corporation?

Hon. J. MacPhail: In support of the motion and in reply to the opposition leader, let me just make a couple of points. The amount of time spent on committee work by the legislators of this House is unprecedented in any parliament in the history of British Columbia. The work of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Forests Committee, the Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct and Standing Orders Committee -- it's unprecedented. I would also say that now, for the first time, there is the practice of Public Accounts sitting outside of session and having done excellent work -- all at the suggestion of the opposition party, to which this government readily agreed.

I might say that the opposition leader speaks a little bit out of both sides of his mouth. When we actually suggested that we would go out to the public and talk about the Calgary declaration, I recall the opposition leader saying, "It's ridiculous that politicians do that," and in fact he had to be forced to assign members to go out and actually talk to the public on that particular committee.

Once again this government will deliver, as it has in the past, the most open and inclusive parliamentary committee sessions ever.

G. Farrell-Collins: What is unprecedented in the province of British Columbia is a government that spews as much stuff as this government does and delivers absolutely nothing.

The day the Premier was sworn in as Premier for the very first time, he made a promise to the people of British Columbia that the scandal at B.C. Hydro would never happen again in any other Crown corporation. He promised the people of British Columbia that he was going to create a Crown corporations committee that was going to have a chance to look at all Crown corporations, that was going to examine them year in and year out to make sure that the waste of money, the incompetence that we see right now under his guidance in the fast ferry program, would never happen again.

The Premier made a promise the day he was sworn in as Premier. He doesn't have much time left to implement it. It is time that the Premier lived up to one of his commitments, one of his promises. Strike the Crown Corporations Committee, and call an investigation and an inquiry into the incompetence that he's overseeing in the fast ferry project.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order, please. Hon. members, I call the House to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order!

Hon. members, you have heard the motion. I'll put the question.

Motion approved.

Hon. J. MacPhail moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 2:58 p.m.


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