Hansard -- Thursday, February 13, 2003 a.m. -- Vol. 11, No. 3 (HTML)

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

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY



CONTENTS

	Routine Proceedings
		Page

Throne Speech Debate (continued)		4741
	P. Nettleton W. Cobb D. MacKay B. Lekstrom Hon. K. Falcon S. Brice Hon. M. Coell G. Trumper T. Christensen

Point of Privilege		4757
	Hon. G. Collins

P. Nettleton: What did the Speech from the Throne tell the people of British Columbia? In essence, it told them that the emperor has finally found his clothes, or someone has found them for him. His new wardrobe consists of compassion, consultation, partnership, openness, balance and reconciliation. Wow. Does this mean government has finally located its heart? Let's have a look. The throne speech talked about not leaving any regions of the province behind. It talked about not marginalizing any segment of society. The Speech from the Throne goes on about finding a balance between change and uncertainty for British Columbians. There's more. It states that the government will listen, learn and act accordingly, that in effect the earmuffs are finally gone.

What a transformation. Overnight this is a government that is now open to debate, dialogue and constructive criticism. Overnight this is a government that cares about those parts of B.C. geographically north of Hope. Overnight this is a government that feels for the disadvantaged of the province. This must be so, as it's all there in the throne speech.
Wow. I stand in awe before such new-found magnanimity, at this sudden moment of epiphany. According to this change of heart, my timing was sure off when I protested the breakup of B.C. Hydro. With hindsight, I should have waited until the throne speech. Had I waited, I'm certain that I would have been embraced and encouraged in my dissenting view as part of this government's new era of reconciliation policy announced in the throne speech. What a difference a day makes — or a night in Maui. Seriously, Mr. Premier, the handwriting is on the palm tree. Aloha. Goodbye.

           W. Cobb: We undertook a very ambitious plan when elected some 20 months ago. We began a process that will lead to economic renewal for British Columbians. We set out an agenda that said initiative and hard work would be rewarded. The throne speech delivered Tuesday by the Lieutenant-Governor made it clear that we are headed in the right direction and that, by working together, we can succeed.
           Before we look forward, I believe it's important to remember where we came from. We were elected with an overwhelming majority of British Columbians in order to make some much-needed changes. Change is not easy, and some oppose the new direction because it is not comfortable or familiar. From what I read into the throne speech…. Maybe I'm the eternal optimist, but I believe the course we charted is the right one and that the results are beginning to materialize. As well, the savings made from these changes have been reinvested in our education and health care system, and we have quit using our Visa to pay off our MasterCard. Anything worth doing is not necessarily easy, but we must proceed and continue to monitor the results and make changes where necessary. As stated in the throne speech, with change often comes errors. If and when those errors happen, we must remember: admit it, fix it and get on with it.
           For the Cariboo-Chilcotin and the Cariboo South riding, the throne speech indicated this is the year of the forest, and that will be a milestone in the future of British Columbia. Forestry is still the largest generator of wealth in the province, and we need to stop putting band-aids on a very badly injured industry and do major surgery.
           The commitment to eliminate waterbedding and allow for more access to timber by small operators will help boost the economy in my riding. We understand the pressures the forest sector is under, and we're ready to work together — workers, industries and communities — to make the needed changes.

           We must also keep in mind the economic and social implications for the producing regions of this industry, particularly the interior. If we want a strong economy, then we need a strong forest industry. If B.C. is to prosper in the long term, we must ensure that the industries in all regions of B.C. have the tools and the ability to prosper. The heartlands economic strategy will assist in doing that. For the first time in over a decade the provincial government is acknowledging the role the heartlands play in the development of B.C.
           It's no surprise to those of us who live in the Cariboo. We understand what we do, how hard we work and the wealth and resources that exist in our part of the province. The key to assessing the wealth is a transportation infrastructure that works. The Premier announced $362 million to rehabilitate the rural and remote road infrastructure, and that's welcome news. The investment of another $210 million in rural and resource roads is a strong sign that the north's voice is being heard in Victoria.
           B.C. Rail is a major player in the delivery of goods to the rest of the province, to the country and to the world. The past 15 years have not been kind to B.C. Rail as debt grew, service declined and the system was in danger of imploding. The future of the rail was a concern for many in my riding, which is why the Premier's announcement that B.C. Rail is not for sale will be welcome news.
           But it's not good enough to say we won't sell; there needs to be a plan. I have had many meetings on this topic with the minister and the Premier, and I am pleased we are coming up with an innovative approach. We're going to look for an investor, someone with the expertise to make the rail a success. B.C. Rail is a community asset, and municipal leaders will play a

role, through a new mayors' council, in determining how to proceed. We're going to listen to people who use and depend on the rail system, and that's the way it should be.
           Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear there will be a concerted effort to further connect with the other levels of government. We need those avenues broadened with the local governments, as they are the pulse of the economy and the province.
           As stated by the Premier many times, we are the heartlands, and we all know what happens when the heart is not strong. All the initiatives mentioned in the throne speech — the B.C. resort strategy, the transportation plan, the revitalized forest industry, to name a few — will strengthen the heartlands of B.C. Some of the other things we have done just recently are the energy policy, the working forest discussion paper, and the forest and range practices code. For the southern part of my riding it's the enthusiasm shown in the Hat Creek area with the development of the energy policy and the renewed interest in the methane gas development. This would be a huge infusion of activity and long-term benefit to Ashcroft and Cache Creek.
           We want to create jobs, and I am mystified that so many people are opposed to employment in the economic heartlands of this province. Prosperity and opportunity are endless, if we just open up the ability for the good people in this province to fulfil their dreams.
           I am encouraged and enthusiastically looking forward to a very productive and successful session.

D. MacKay: I am pleased to stand today and respond to the good news contained in the Speech from the Throne that was delivered by her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor on Tuesday, February 11, 2003. However, I would like to digress for a moment to respond quickly to the comments of the member for Vancouver-Hastings.
She admitted that the government to which she belonged, and which received such a resounding defeat during the last election, has learned from its mistakes. I should hope so. She also admits that governing is a difficult job. You know, I agree with her on that. That is probably the only thing on which we agree.

           The big difference between the NDP party and the B.C. Liberal Party is our philosophy on spending taxpayers' money and being accountable. The NDP think money is endless, and we need only to look at the doubling of the provincial debt under them in ten short years. I hate to think of where the province would be in the years ahead under the NDP government and the debt that they were incurring for the next generation.
           I'm proud to be part of a government that wants to bring spending under control. Already the previous government's spending habits have and will affect my grandchildren's earnings. They are the ones who will get the bill. We spend in excess of $3 billion a year to service the interest on the debt that was created by previous governments. Think of what we could do with that kind of money.
           Now I would like to look at the good news contained in the throne speech, but where do I start with so much good news? First of all, let's start with the announcement of a new heartlands economic strategy, a strategy that will bring together transportation, energy, forestry, tourism, agriculture and new technologies to create a powerful economic force.
           The opening up of our transportation infrastructure is key to the riding of Bulkley Valley–Stikine. The development of resource roads and major improvements to rural roads is vital. We have committed to spend $609 million over the next three years to upgrade and create new roads in Bulkley Valley–Stikine, and I'm excited about that because I've got some small communities….

           D. MacKay: All of it. I'm excited about the money that we're going to be spending on those roads because we've got small communities that are looking for access to larger communities, and I can think of Granisle. I met with the mayor of Granisle this morning. We have a small back road, a Forestry road, that would cut their driving time to Smithers in half if we could spend some money on the road and upgrade it for the residents there. I'm excited because there's going to be money available, and I'm going to work hard with the Minister of Transportation to see if I can get some of that money to upgrade that road for the village of Granisle.
           For years I've been after the province to give the state of Alaska, which borders my riding of Bulkley Valley–Stikine, access to the province of British Columbia, in particular Highway 37. I have here a letter that was written back in 1994 to the then NDP government asking for access to Highway 37 so they don't have to use their ferry system all the time. Well, once again, the Bradfield connector road is one road in particular that I am interested in pursuing with the state of Alaska and the Minister of Transportation to see if we can give them access to the province of British Columbia through that road. It will provide employment opportunities for the Tahltan natives that live up there. It will create tourism activity. It will provide easy access and cheaper access to move goods and people through the northern part of the province. With new roads, the Kemess mine connector road is another one that has been discussed and is moving through the process today.
           New roads will create new economic activity, new opportunities, new job opportunities and wealth for the people that live up there. With increased activity in mining exploration and the announcement of the Tulsequah Chief mine in the Atlin area, this news could not have come at a better time. I am pleased to be part of a government that issued the first permit for an operating mine in the province of British Columbia probably in the past ten years in my riding. The Tulsequah Chief mine got an operating permit from our government in early December, and I'm pleased about that.

When we look at infrastructure, we also have to look at the inland ferries that carry a huge amount of traffic across François Lake. It carries approximately 600,000 people a year and a huge volume of wood that is being created today because of the infestation of the pine beetle. We created a lot of anxiety with the suggestion that we were going to be putting tolls on the inland ferries. I am pleased to be able to say today to the people of Bulkley Valley–Stikine, and in particular the people at Southside, that there will be no tolls imposed on the inland ferries. We are going to look at privatizing the ferry, and we are going to look at capacity issues to make sure that we can move the volume of wood across the lake.

           Regional transportation boards are also going to be something that we're looking at. Can you imagine? We're going to have people who live in the areas making decisions on where we should spend money to upgrade roads and build new roads. I'm excited about that, and I look forward as we move into that era.
           As I said, the Alaska connector road to the province is exciting. It will create tourism and new economic activity, and the movement of goods and people will follow new road construction. This is called infrastructure, and that's one of the commitments that was made in the New Era document.
           We as a government will ensure that British Columbia's airports become the regional and economic engines they should be. The small community of Atlin, up in the northwest part of this province, has a runway that is not paved, but it has lights on it. We keep that runway open year-round for the residents. We're already doing that, and our commitment is — from what I can see in the strategy — that we're going to continue to do that. We're going to make sure that these airports throughout the northern part of the province are up and running year-round.
           Can you imagine a small runway called Bob Quinn Airport, which is up in the middle of nowhere on Highway 37 near a place called Bell II? It's about 40 kilometres from Bell II. We're going to keep the Bob Quinn airstrip open. We contract with the highways to keep it open now because of the international tourism opportunities of Bell II. We have a world-class ski resort at Bell II, and the only way you can get there is by Highway 37, or you can fly in direct from Vancouver, which is being done now. These people come from Europe, and it's a very moving facility up there — great skiing.
           Something else in the throne speech dealt with the new energy policy. Do you know that at the present time the only power available to the northwest portion of the province is generated by diesel? No major developments can take place without a source of power. Power production is essential to development. I'm pleased to say that we've got two projects moving through the government today. One is the Iskut River project, or the Forest Kerr project, which is a run of the river. They're looking at diverting water from the Iskut canyon, running it through a tunnel three kilometres in length and putting the water back in downstream. That will produce 100 megawatts of power. That's exciting news, because it's going to extend the existing B.C. Hydro grid, which ends at Meziadin Junction. There will be hydroelectric power available for development 130 kilometres north of there.
           We're also looking at a cogeneration facility in the community of Houston to get rid of some of the wood waste — two great ideas to encourage more development.
           In Telkwa we're looking at coalfields. Telkwa is a small community 13 kilometres east of Smithers. New legislation will support opportunities for job creation in the coalbed methane field. At the present time a Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. pipeline goes right by Telkwa. That's a great opportunity, and I look forward to the coalbed methane gas if it's there in Telkwa.
           By 2010 we're looking at offshore oil and gas. We want to see that up and running, producing wealth and jobs for the people of the north.
           A new resort task force will also be established to ensure that the province's resort potential is fully realized and recognized around the world. We are fortunate in Smithers to have a developer who is interested in spending $250 million to develop Hudson Bay Mountain into a world-class ski resort. That means new investment dollars and the spinoffs. Who knows what's going to come from there? Once that ski hill development starts, as early as this spring, we should see some new opportunities in the valley. Tourism is going to flourish. It's great news for Bulkley Valley–Stikine.

           We are also going to create a working forest land base for forest companies, workers and communities. This is great news for communities in Bulkley Valley–Stikine because we all depend on the forest industry and the mining industry. We know all too well of the devastation and havoc created when the forest industry runs into problems. Amendments to the Coal Act, the Mineral Tenure Act, the Mines Act and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act will be streamlined to stimulate investment, and that is so much good news for Bulkley Valley–Stikine.
           Coalmines and mineral deposits. I talked about the Tulsequah Chief mine. We have Eskay Creek. Everybody would like to find an Eskay Creek mine with the wealth that mine has generated for the owners. Kemess and Kemess North. Kemess North has been doing some drilling up there. They're finding great results, and they have extended the life of that mine by ten or 20 years. Sustut copper is also a new mine that could be developed with new infrastructure roads. The list goes on and on.
           I happen to live in a pretty remote part of the province and represent communities in remote parts of the province. They all depend on the mining industry and

           D. MacKay: The heartlands of British Columbia.
           Pharmacare, as was stated by the Premier, increased 147 percent in the last ten years, and it was not sustainable the way it was going. Changes needed to be made. The Speech from the Throne speaks about a new Fair Pharmacare plan which will be introduced later in February. Some 280,000 low-income families will pay less than they do now. Now, for the first time, young families with lower incomes will be supported in their drug costs. The vast majority of B.C. families will pay the same or less than they do today for their prescription drugs.
           Earning exemptions for those with disabilities will rise again in the new fiscal year, about six weeks from now. That's great news because I've had to deal with some of those young people with disabilities who have earned beyond the $300 they were allowed and the problems that has created. I'm excited for them, and I think it gives them great opportunities to get out and be part of the workforce. We're going to increase that by $100.
           A dialogue on crime will bring together community leaders, MLAs and law enforcement experts to look at how best to deal with and combat crime. This is something that is very close to myself. I spent 28 years in the RCMP, so I'm concerned about crime and how we deal with crime and the sentencing that is taking place in this province. One just has to look at the drag-racing and the serious consequences, the home invasions that have been taking place in the lower mainland, serial killers, and swarmings that are taking place. I'm excited about society getting together with those that deal with crime to find ways to best work and bring some of those problems to an end.
           We're also looking at a new computer-based system to help police track information on criminals, suspects and sentencing conditions imposed by courts. That's a huge step forward. I look back to my early careers when CPIC, Canadian Police Information Centre, first started in British Columbia and the excitement when you could sit down at a computer and type in a licence plate number and find out if it was stolen or not — that quick. We're moving in great strides to help police combat crime. I look forward to that dialogue on crime with community leaders, and I hope to be part of that.
           Education is another area where we have committed to spend an additional $100 million over the next three years. We provided $50 million last year in addition to the budget. We provided $42 million this year, and we're going to commit to another $100 million over the next three years to provide education to our young people.
           The throne speech had a lot of good news in it, and I'm pleased to be part of the government that is embarking on those great new and innovative ways to make this province a better place for all the people of this province.

           B. Lekstrom: Once again, it's truly a privilege to be able to stand here today and offer my response to the Speech from the Throne, which took place earlier this week on Tuesday.
           The Speech from the Throne is about a vision for the coming year — a vision not just for government but a vision for British Columbians. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, this vision is an aggressive one, but a very positive one. Although it's positive and aggressive, it doesn't mean that there aren't challenges ahead of us as a government and as British Columbians, which we have to face head-on if we're going to continue the progressive action we're seeing in our province and the reinvestment coming back that's going to stimulate jobs and carry on and develop jobs for families — young and old alike — that can contribute to the economy and the economic well-being of this great province.
           The throne speech touched on a number of issues. I'm going to begin by talking about health and education. Health care is vital to the well-being of all British Columbians, but it's also a vital part when we look at new developments in our province. I come from Peace River South. My home is Dawson Creek. I can tell you that when people come to look at new investments not only in our area but throughout this province, they want to make sure that their employees are treated well and looked after. Health care is a vital, significant part of their determining factor in developing or not developing.
           Our Pharmacare program was in dire straits, not because of the drugs that were being supplied but because of the cost of those drugs and how we were funding it. It was growing at roughly 15 percent a year, something that was truly unsustainable in the economic times that British Columbia faced. I'm proud that the minister has been working on a plan that's going to see low-income families across this province be able to afford the drugs. I'm proud that people who have some challenges within their lives and are struggling will be looked after by the province of British Columbia and by the people who live here.
           At 15 percent a year, I think we all have to put our heads above the water and have a look and see what the facts are when it comes to dollars and cents. It wasn't sustainable. I can tell you that the minister has worked long and hard and that the government has been dealing with this issue. I'm proud that we're coming up with a new plan that will be unveiled in the near future. I think British Columbians should be proud as well, proud of the fact that they've got a government right now that's prepared to make the tough decisions so that we can have a brighter future not only for ourselves but for our children and the future generations of this province.
           Our colleges and universities. We've dealt with that. We're working together with the education sector in the K-to-12. As Chair of the Select Standing Commit-

tee on Finance and Government Services, I had the opportunity to tour this province with a number of my colleagues from both parties. We heard loud and clear that education is of vital importance to the well-being of British Columbians and their children. I think it's fair to say that when we see what's taken place in the last number of days with the education system in the K-to-12, I think people should be proud of what the accomplishments of this government have been on behalf of the people of British Columbia and our children.
           Our forest industry, something that is the economic backbone of the province of British Columbia and for a long time has had a stranglehold on how they do business…. We began a process last year of making legislative changes. It's very clear that this year's legislative session is going to focus on more forestry issues. We're going to look at the tenure reform issues and try and put our competitive edge back to the top for our forest industry in British Columbia. They've struggled, but they've maintained the best they could. They've provided jobs for the men and women of this province so that they could go to work and provide for their families and take a paycheque home, so that they could help put their children through university or could help buy the hockey equipment that was needed.
           Unfortunately, as a result of what's taken place in the last ten years in our forest industry, many people don't have that opportunity anymore. I'm optimistic that we're going to bring those opportunities back by working in cooperation with the forest industry and the people of British Columbia so that we can once again be global leaders in the forest industry and something we should all be proud of.
           Far too often, I think, people want to dwell on the negative side of things. They want to look at how we operated our forests 20 years ago and focus on that and tell people around the world that that's what we're doing today. The facts are different, very different, today. We should all be proud of how we manage our forests. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I certainly am. I live in the northern part of this province. Forestry is a big generator of revenue not just for the people who live in the area that I represent but for all of British Columbia.

           The working forest land base, I think, is long overdue. It seems like a new idea, and it's a wonderful idea, and I agree, but it's long overdue. We dedicate land aside for parks — something we all enjoy. We get out. But the real backbone of our economy, as I indicated earlier, is the forest industry, and we've never dedicated the proper land amount to deal with that issue. We aren't talking about going and logging in our parks. We're talking about giving some security and certainty to our forest sector to know that the resources that are out there are accessible for them in a sustainable manner. That's what the working forest is all about. To think that it's a new idea really is, I guess, a bit of a shock. A working forest is what we've had all along. I don't think governments have had the courage in the past to stand up and dedicate it the way we have, and I'm proud to be part of that.
           The Canada–British Columbia partnerships we've talked about. Something which for many years the west has always felt is that we have to find a better way to deal with our federal government. I think we began that through the 2010 Olympics, through the convention centre and through partnerships we're working on in transportation. I think that can only be seen as a positive for British Columbia and for the government of Canada. I think there's a realization that the western part of our country, British Columbia in particular, contributes greatly to the economic well-being of our great country, Canada. It's nice to see that recognition starting to come back through the hard work of our Premier and our government in the cooperative effort we've seen put forward.
           First nations issues are something we hear talked about time and time again. It isn't new. It's been ongoing for many, many years. Hopefully, through hard work from both sides at that table, we'll be able to make some progress. There's so much uncertainty out there. I think both sides of this plan and this picture — whether it be first nations or governments, today or in the past — have done a poor job of communicating the reality and what really is taking place when it comes to treaty negotiations.
           I also had the privilege to sit on the Aboriginal Affairs Committee that toured this province, speaking about the referendum that was held in British Columbia. I can tell you, as an elected representative I learned a great deal, and I know that the people who attended the forums and read the summaries also would have learned a great deal.
           There were issues dealt with many years ago that were unfortunate. People today didn't make those decisions. But the people today and the government today are committed to trying to correct those wrongs that took place in the past and to do it in a cooperative manner that's balanced and treats people equally. We can't take one sector of society and put them above the other. We have to find a balance. We certainly raise our families to treat each other fairly, equally and with respect. That's what we expect together. If we come to the bargaining table to negotiate treaties in British Columbia and both sides come with a realistic expectation of what can and can't be accomplished, I think we'll do very well. I'm looking forward to the day when that comes — a day when people can look ahead at British Columbia and know they aren't just words spoken in this Legislative Assembly, but actions that are taken on behalf of the government and the people of British Columbia to create the treaties that are needed.
           We talk about certainty. Certainty is something we all need, not just first nations and not just government. British Columbians would like to see the certainty that's needed and required in negotiating treaties so that we can get on with developing a better province for all, not a better province for one over the other. I'm very, very excited to think that we're going to see that in this coming year. The throne speech touched on it

and made some very valuable points. Time is going to tell, but if you approach things with a positive attitude, Mr. Speaker, usually you'll have positive results.
Transportation is one of the key issues I've worked on, on behalf of the constituents of Peace River South and on behalf of the entire north and rural British Columbia. I'm very happy to hear that the throne speech has recognized the need for rural and northern infrastructure upgrades — something in the heartlands of British Columbia that's been long overlooked. We built our roads in Peace River South — many of them — 50, 60 or 70 years ago at a time when grain was being hauled by horse. After that, small trucks were hauling it. The forest industry and the mining were the same.
Today it's a completely different environment for agriculture, forestry, mining and our resource sector. Today our farmers are running B-trains in order to get their grain into the elevators to get it onto the rail to get it to market. Our roads are being hammered out. The problem is that for far too long, not enough money was injected to keep up the road bases. What takes place now is our bases are banged out so bad that, rather than just topping it up with new gravel and trying to groom a road, we're having to rebuild many of our roads from the ground up.

           B. Lekstrom: Go north, young man, go north. It's a beautiful area. I love our province, but I can tell you the home in which I live is, I believe, the most beautiful spot. But thank you for those kind words.
           Transportation is more than just roads, it's more than just gravel, and it's more than pavement. We need an integrated transportation system, which I know the minister is working on and our government is committed to — one that works together with our roads, our air, our rail, our water. We're working very hard on that, and I believe today the minister will be speaking on that issue over in Vancouver. It's something the Peace River area has brought to this Legislature time and time again. I'm not the first representative to stand here on behalf of Peace River South to talk about roads, the condition they're in and what it would mean to British Columbia if we spent the money that's needed to upgrade those roads so that we can continue the resource sector, to develop the money and the revenue that drive the entire province.
           This isn't about helping one area over the other. This is about building an entire province, and it begins by recognizing the needs of all areas of British Columbia. I can tell you that for an area in northern and rural British Columbia, which I represent and many of my colleagues at this table represent, we deal with issues, and our communities struggle along. We're close-knit out there, but our communities don't survive just within the municipal boundaries we have. We survive because of the rural areas that come in and do their commerce there. They bring their resources in to get on the rail, take to market. It's a cooperative effort.
           I can tell you, small-town British Columbia won't survive on its own without the lower mainland and the Island. It's a combined effort that we all want to make British Columbia a better place. I'm here to work to make Peace River South a better place in the context of making British Columbia a better place. There's no better place on Earth to live than British Columbia, and I can tell you there's probably no better place in the province to live than Peace River South, so I'll put that in there as well.
           Electoral reform is another issue. Many people have always talked about if there's a better way to elect our representatives to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. That question hasn't been answered. I'm proud that our government is initiating a process that's going to travel around this province, talk to British Columbians and investigate if there are better options out there. If there are different options or ones that should be looked at, there will be a referendum on May 17, 2005, so that the people of British Columbia can cast their ballot to see if there is a better way. I don't know if there is a better way. It's an issue that has to be looked at. I can tell you that each and every member in here, regardless of political party, takes this position seriously. They run for the position because they believe they have something to offer not just the people of the constituency they run for but the people of British Columbia, and their ideas will help to make a brighter future for our children, for ourselves and for the province in general.
           We talked about economic opportunities in the throne speech. Changes to small business venture capital will allow earlier seed money to be put forward — a challenge right now in today's environment — to help our businesses get off the ground.
           Opportunities for coalbed methane are something else. It's incredible. We have a vast resource out there that hasn't been tapped into. I know in the area of Peace River South, we have a couple of wells being drilled looking for coalbed methane. I'm very optimistic and excited about the potential. What's really exciting about this is that right now the northeast is really the driving factor in the oil and gas industry in British Columbia. The coalbed methane issue we're talking about in opening up the opportunities is going to be enjoyed by the entire province from the Peace area to the lower mainland, from the west to the east. It's exciting, and the potential is there.
           Offshore oil and gas — again, another committee I had the opportunity to tour this province with and speak to the communities. I can tell you, it's an exciting opportunity. Yes, there are opponents out there that think environmentally this can't be done. I can tell you, environmental sustainability is key to myself, and it's key to our government. You have a government in

British Columbia today that isn't going to forge ahead at all costs just to see that almighty dollar come in so that we can deliver services. We're going to forge ahead based on science, we're going to forge ahead based on our environmental sustainability, and we're going to do it in a cooperative effort with our first nations and with all British Columbians. I'm excited about the opportunity.

           We talk about needing more money for health care. We talk about needing more money for education and social programs, and it seems at times that when we find some new, innovative ways to generate that revenue for British Columbia in a sustainable manner, somebody wants to stand up and put a halt to it. You can't have it both ways. We have to develop our resources. We have to develop them in a sustainable manner, and when we do that, we will generate the revenue needed to develop the other sectors of our province — mainly being health care, social services, transportation, our social programs and so on. The list is endless. We have 28 ministries that we deal with here.
           I left what I consider to be probably the most important part of the throne speech for myself to the last, and that's the heartlands economic strategy. The heartlands are part of the area of the province that I come from, northern British Columbia, a part of the province that I think has generated great wealth for this province over the years, has put it down to Victoria and has helped generate what we have today. It's helped generate our education system. It's helped pay for our health system. It has helped pay for all of the programs I touched on earlier. But just as the west has felt left out from our government of Canada for many years, the north and rural British Columbia have felt left out from the province of British Columbia. I can tell you that that's changing, and I'm proud to be part of a government that has a Premier who recognizes that and that my colleagues recognize that.
           The heartlands economic strategy is….

           I bring to this House the best that I can in representing the people I represent. It doesn't mean I get my way all the time. It doesn't mean I don't get my way either. I can tell you that I'm proud of my colleagues, because I know they're listening and I know they're understanding, so I thank you for that.
           The heartlands economic strategy is about tourism. It's about transportation opportunities, agriculture, mining, forestry, energy, and offshore oil and gas. It's about economic development initiatives that we're going to see and that we're going to work together on with our communities in northern and rural British Columbia. It seems, having my involvement in my previous life as the mayor of Dawson Creek, that we all have economic development strategies. I think probably one of the most unfortunate things I've seen is that we don't seem to pull those strategies together with our neighbours to see, if we build on this, whether it will help them and vice versa.
           I see that what we're going to do in British Columbia with our heartlands economic strategy is be able to pull everybody together to build a better British Columbia, and that's our goal. That's the goal of any government that's here.
           Unfortunately, I would have to say that the previous government…. When we look at the financial situation that we inherited as a government, I will be kind, and I'll say that they had bigger hearts than they had bank accounts. They delivered program after program after program, right or wrong, without the money to fund those. As difficult as it is and as difficult as the decisions we have to make in this Legislative Assembly are, we're making the right decisions.
           I will not stand here and make decisions that will have people pat me on the back because I'm giving out money that I don't have or that I'm making decisions that my children are going to have to pay for. I guess the integrity and the issue of thinking that we can continue to give, give, give when we don't have the money to pay for it is unacceptable — unacceptable to me, unacceptable to the people I represent and, when you look at the last election, obviously unacceptable to the people of British Columbia.
           Our government has made some very tough choices. The throne speech that we heard on Tuesday of this week relates back to a brighter future for British Columbia, and that's where we're headed. As an elected politician in the province of British Columbia, I often look to the people of British Columbia, and I always tell them: "If you're going to bring a problem, bring a solution as a starting point." I don't expect everybody to agree with every decision we make, but if they have a better idea, bring it to the table. I know that I, along with my colleagues, am prepared to listen.
           It's just like when I bring an issue to the House. Sometimes it's dealt with. Other times it's just not workable. That's the similar situation that all British Columbians face when they bring an issue to their MLA.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I just want to leave British Columbians with one thought. We've delivered a throne speech that's very positive. It's very aggressive, and it's very optimistic for the province of British Columbia. I think that if all British Columbians get behind this and work with the government, we'll see great results. A positive attitude will breed positive results. A negative attitude will breed negative results. I'm here to tell you today that I bring a positive attitude to this, knowing the challenges that we face ahead of us. Together we will build a better British Columbia.

Hon. K. Falcon: It is a pleasure to follow the member for Peace River South. He paints quite an enticing picture of living in Peace River South. I must say it's probably the second-best place in the province to live, right behind the beautiful community of Cloverdale,

which I encourage all of you to visit — the heart of the lower mainland, I might add.
The throne speech that the Lieutenant-Governor gave this week sets forward our government's vision for the upcoming year, and it's a continuation of a vision that is anchored in some principles and some policies that will have our government continue to focus on three very critical areas.
Of course, the economy. The linchpin of everything that we're trying to do is the economy, because again, without that strengthened economy, without a growing economy, we're not going to be able to afford a first-class health care and education system, something that is so important to us. We've made great progress to date. In the past 20 months, when you think about the scope and scale of the change that we've introduced in this province, it is truly breathtaking. I think back to our first day in office when I stood here and proudly voted for the 25 percent personal income tax cut that critics out there are still suggesting wasn't a good idea, though I note with interest that none of them are offering to give back their tax cut.

           Hon. K. Falcon: They have not sent it back. Imagine that. Even the leader and the member for Vancouver-Hastings, a champion of the critics of the tax cut, has yet to offer to give back that tax cut.
           It's not just the 25 percent tax cut but the 17 different tax relief measures that we introduced: the elimination of the corporate capital tax, the important changes that we've introduced to the Employment Standards Act, the Labour Code by our very, very good Minister of Labour who introduced the all-important concept of flexibility to make sure our workplaces reflected the reality of the twenty-first century, and the changes that we're making to reduce red tape in this province. I am so proud to be able to head up that particular initiative, because so far in the province we have reduced almost 10 percent of the regulatory burden — well on our way to achieving our one-third target within our first three years.
           That, again, is going to release the initiative across this province to make sure that government is not shackling small business people across this province. It will help to open up not just the lower mainland but the hinterland, the heartlands, to make sure they have all the opportunities too. We will do it while protecting our important values of the environment, of public health and public safety. That will always be forefront in our minds as we're doing this.
           It's working. I can tell you that in the community of Cloverdale, which is in the great community of Surrey, things are working. Our economy is doing extremely well in Surrey. We're blessed that we're led by a mayor, Doug McCallum, and a council that have a vision for our community — a vision predicated on the principles of free enterprise — that is very consistent with what we're trying to do provincially. That has been very positive.
           I want to talk briefly about some of the key things that were identified in the throne speech, which are so important to the residents not just of Cloverdale but right across the province. One of them, of course, is health care. Through the leadership of our Premier…. Our Premier went back with the first ministers and worked to get additional dollars out of the federal government so that we will get $500 million in new money to invest into the health system here in British Columbia. While that is still only a 16-cent contribution that the federal government makes, it's an improvement. We committed, as the Premier committed, that every single penny of that will go into our health budget. That is on top of the increase of $1.1 billion that this government put into health care in the last 12 months. Probably only in this province could you have people out there still talking about health care cuts when we've actually increased the budget by $1.1 billion — an amazing thing.

           Pharmacare. I am extremely proud of the Fair Pharmacare program we're bringing in. I get it that for a lot of folks out there, any change is scary. It makes them nervous. But when we have a Pharmacare program growing in costs at 14 percent a year — the member for Peace River South correctly pointed out that's 147 percent, I believe he said, in the last decade — that is totally unsustainable. We have a responsibility to make sure that our Pharmacare program is fair. Under the changes we've made, 280,000 low-income families will pay less. That is a fair Pharmacare program. Those folks that earn more will pay proportionately more. That has been a foundation of our income tax system for as long as I can remember, and that is the foundation of the changes we're making to Pharmacare.
           I am also proud of the changes we as a government, led by the leadership of our Minister of Health, have made to health care to reduce the conglomeration of 53 different boards, agencies and regional health councils that the previous government put in. We've reduced it to six, and for the first time, for as long as anybody in this House can remember, we will actually have a Ministry of Health that comes in on budget. Imagine that in the province of British Columbia.
           So we're moving in the right direction. In my riding I was pleased to work with seniors in the great work that the minister responsible for seniors is doing in our government. I was pleased — along with the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services — to announce in South Surrey that the Crescent Housing Society expanded their important low-income seniors housing by another 111 units. I was pleased that the government was able to contribute $600,000 to help kick-start that very important expansion that will benefit seniors in the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale.
           I want to talk about education for a moment. Surrey, I remind members of this House, has the largest school district in the province. It is a school district that I am so proud of. We have a school board led by a chair, Mary Polak, who is doing an outstanding job in

the community of Surrey. We've got a superintendent, Dr. Fred Renihan, who is providing the kind of leadership that every school district should be looking at.
           For years Surrey has had to deal with the challenge of a growing population. Many of our school boards across the province are having to deal with another challenge, and that's the challenge of a shrinking student population. Both of these create their own sets of challenges, and we as a government are trying to come to terms with it. But I want to say this: even in Surrey with our growing school district, we still face pressures.
           In my own riding we had two schools that the district was considering closing. One was the East Kensington Elementary, and the other one was Kensington Prairie Elementary — two rural schools. One of them, East Kensington Elementary, had fewer than 50 students, yet it's an important school. It's a heritage school that's been there for 100 years. I was pleased to work with the parents, to work with the school board and to work with Dr. Renihan, our superintendent. Together we came up with commonsense solutions to make sure those schools could stay open while still addressing the very legitimate concerns the school board has to make sure it can run the school district in Surrey as efficiently as possible, work with the parents to try and increase the enrolment of those schools by advertising more widely to let parents see the value of putting their kids into rural schools. They have done that successfully, and those schools will remain open. That's the value of cooperation.
           That's why the $50 million grant the Premier and the Minister of Education announced earlier this week is going to be hugely important. That means an additional $5.2 million for the district of Surrey. Last night our Premier announced that we as a government will be contributing an additional $100 million over the next three years to the education system. That's hugely important not only for the Surrey school district but for all of the districts across this province.

It is important as we go through this to recognize that it doesn't mean school boards will not be left with challenges. One thing I've learned in government, people, is that no matter how much money you spend, there will always be financial pressures. It's important that all of us at every level of government recognize we are all dealing with taxpayers' hard-earned money, and we have to do everything we can to ensure we spend that money as efficiently and carefully as we possibly can.
I want to talk about transportation for a moment. The Premier's address last night talked extensively about the vision we have for British Columbia to reinvest in the transportation infrastructure of this province, because nothing we do in this province will work successfully unless we have a thriving transportation sector.

           In Surrey we announced $26 million in border improvements that are going to be hugely important in my riding, which of course represents the Douglas border crossing, one of the key north-south border crossings in our riding. That will ensure that we have widened access to the border crossing, four lanes where we have a dedicated truck lane and a dedicated nexus lane. That will free up the traffic flow for the commuter traffic that's trying to move south and head north. That's going to be hugely important. I'm working very hard for my constituents to address the widening of Highway 10, which has been identified by our chamber of commerce under the leadership of Bill Reid as a huge priority in the community of Surrey-Cloverdale. I'm working to make sure that can form part of the transportation initiatives we're going to be undertaking.
           Finally, I want to talk briefly about the heartland of this province. Although I am from Cloverdale which, though it may be the heartland of the lower mainland, is not necessarily the heartland the province…. But the heartland of the province is critical. I want to say this to the constituents of Surrey-Cloverdale and, frankly, to all those folks that live in the lower mainland. It is important that we all remember that the wealth we enjoy in the lower mainland, and the lifestyle that we are able to enjoy in the lower mainland, is largely because of the resources and the work of those folks from the heartlands of British Columbia. We have to recognize how important it is that we open up the mining, the forestry, and the oil and gas sectors so that we can have thriving, growing communities throughout this province and throughout the northern rural parts of this province — the heartlands of this province as we have correctly identified it. That is going to be hugely important to strengthen not just the heartlands, but by strengthening the heartland of this province, it strengthens the entire province.
           In conclusion, let me just say this to the residents of Surrey-Cloverdale, the riding that I am so proud to represent, and to all the folks right across this great province. The changes we are making, though they are difficult, are the right changes, and they're working. It's evidenced by the fact that we have had in British Columbia the second-largest rate of job growth in the country — over 80,000 new jobs created; record home sales; record home starts, up 27 percent year over year. We're starting to see the benefits that come when you have a tax and regulatory regime that reflects a competitive environment that we're trying to build in British Columbia.
           It is a pleasure to say that our throne speech continues to set us on a course that will see British Columbia finally, after a decade of decline, rise to where it should be — leading this great country, not following it, and providing the leadership that British Columbia has historically had so that we can benefit all British Columbians not just in Surrey-Cloverdale but right across the province.

S. Brice: It is indeed my pleasure to stand in this chamber this morning with an air of incredible positive response as member after member rises to point out the

wonderful benefits announced in this throne speech. I, too, am glad to add my comments.
           I'm mindful as I do so of the hundreds of people who have stood in this chamber before me, fulfilling this profound privilege. It's a privilege to represent my community of Saanich South and my constituents and to reflect on the vision and the detail of that speech delivered by Her Honour in this chamber.
           I know my constituents have heard a message of a vision for British Columbia with a government prepared to support all of the families in this great province. All British Columbians — the men, the women and the children — are supported in this speech wherever they live throughout the vast and magnificent province of British Columbia.
           There is particular acknowledgment of the need to strengthen the communities that form the many towns and cities outside of the densely populated areas of British Columbia, outside of greater Victoria, outside of greater Vancouver. The term "the heartlands" is used to describe these communities, and this phrase captures the value that we place on the contribution made by the people who work in the industries that generate the wealth that enables us as government to provide the programs so important to ensuring a healthy, well-educated and safe society.

           These have been particularly anxious times for the families whose livelihood and security are dependent on the forest industry. Our heritage is tied to the wealth created in a vibrant forest economy. Those of us who have had the privilege to have lived our entire lives in this province have benefited from our childhood through to our adulthood from the incredible wealth that has been generated through the forest industry. But over recent years several factors have converged, resulting in the closure of mines and towns and mills struggling to maintain their viability.
           The Speech from the Throne promises an elevated effort to make the essential changes to forest policy that will provide the very best opportunity for the industry to be competitive again, to secure markets and to provide valuable revenues to government. Legislation will be introduced that will provide for a working forest. This will bring certainty to forest-reliant communities and the men and women who work in our forests. Our government will fulfil promises to reform the tenure system and to move toward market-based stumpage.
           I had the privilege of travelling around the province with a committee of fellow MLAs as we discussed forest industry issues last spring. I became even more mindful of the critical value of getting our forest industry re-energized, and these reforms will mean change to a system that has served British Columbia in the past but is no longer relevant in the global market of 2003. Adjustments are critical to ensure that the forest industry has a vibrant, sustainable future and continues to be the major source of government revenue.
           This revenue stream is critical to ensure that we have the funds to provide the best health and education programs possible for the people of B.C. Because of its importance to the welfare of all British Columbians, because of the importance of the forest industry and its value to all of the citizens of British Columbia for that matter, every community in our province is a forest-dependent community. Saanich South is a forest-dependent community. Every community in this province thrives as the heartlands thrive, so let's get on with it.
           In every corner of our province, we all want the same things for our families. We want high employment, affordable housing, access to good health care services, opportunities for our young people to be educated and a culture of respect for each other. Our government is committed to working to ensure that those dreams and expectations are realized. In doing so, there has been considerable change, and in many instances folks have been asked to make adjustments that have not always been easy. It's darn hard to see facilities close despite increased spending in health care and education. However, these changes have provided a base that will ensure sustainability.
           The throne speech lays out how we will now build on this base to provide better services while maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility. For instance, consumers can now look forward to protection from political interference in the rates set by ICBC, B.C. Ferries and B.C. Hydro. The rates charged by these publicly owned corporations will be regulated by independent bodies to ensure that the corporations are financially sustainable, but the public is protected from artificially established tariffs. This is good news for both commercial and private customers, because it should avoid wild fluctuations that are difficult to budget for.

In our community, tourism is so critical to our economy, and any adjustments to ferry services are looked at in the tourist industry to ensure that we have a predictable service for people coming to our community and that the rates can be budgeted for. Stability is important to all of the communities on Vancouver Island, and a ferry service is critical to that.
The next phase of revitalizing B.C.'s economy as outlined in the Speech from the Throne is possible because of government planning and the hard work of a dedicated, professional public service. All of the existing programs and indeed the exciting directions outlined in the throne speech are delivered by the incredible people who have chosen to make their careers in the public domain. Be it teachers who patiently guide our children through the intricacies of learning to read, nurses whose healing touch supports our seniors at a time of illness, foresters whose professional knowledge and ethics protect our valuable resource or clerical staff who patiently respond to the public's demands, these are the people who are the face of government services. To them, we say thank you from the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians that they serve, because without their hard work and dedication, all of the programs that we debate in this chamber are simply on paper. They breathe life into the programs that we pre-

pare and provide for all of our citizens in British Columbia.
           The year ahead holds much promise, and one of the most thrilling dates will be July 2 when the IOC announces the successful city to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Vancouver-Whistler bid is a strong contender, and if we are chosen to host the games, this will be a fabulous opportunity for our province. There will be significant economic activity in the period leading up to the games including hundreds of thousands of worker hours, on construction and preparation, employing British Columbians.
           While the financial impacts are many, the real legacy of the games is the magic that will be felt by our communities as we tap into the generous volunteer spirit of the people of our province. Those of us who live in greater Victoria know better than most just what hosting a huge international event does for a community. We hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and we welcomed thousands of visitors to our city. The volunteers and the residents at large burst with pride at the amazing results of our efforts. For sure, leading up to the event, there were the usual naysayers, the gloom and doom crowd. But by the time Her Majesty arrived at the opening ceremonies, even the grumblers acknowledged that this was definitely good for our city. There were tangible benefits left after the games such as student housing at UVic and the Commonwealth Centre in my riding of Saanich South. But the biggest benefit was the sense of pride that we all felt in achieving our goal.
           This is what lies ahead for British Columbians when, hopefully, we are successful in winning the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic bid. We owe it to this generation. We owe it to the children who will reap the benefits of heightened focus on fitness, competition and a sense of optimism.

           In the year ahead the very serious issue of crime and solutions to prevent violence will be examined in the provincial dialogue on crime. Citizens of all ages need to feel safe in their homes, schools and communities. Some regions of the province have been receiving particular attention in the media as a result of some high-profile criminal acts. However, no community is immune, and the goal of the dialogue on crime will bring together elected officials, law enforcement experts and others interested in ensuring that we find ways to give all our residents the comfort and confidence that they are safe in their communities.
           The throne speech lays out an ambitious agenda which will ensure that we maintain our commitment to renewing health care, education and social services all within a fiscally responsible framework. Our government has maintained health care as our number one priority. What does that mean? It means that despite the financial challenges and our determination to provide a balanced budget, we have increased health spending by more than a billion dollars. Despite this increase in spending, there remain challenges to keep the system sustainable.
           With certain programs such as Pharmacare increasing by more than 14 percent a year, government is working to ensure that the precious dollars are allocated to those most in need. To this end, the throne speech announced the implementation of a fair Pharmacare program based on the ability to pay. The public, aware that these changes are about to be made, have quite naturally been anxious. Many of my constituents have spoken to me about their worry regarding the prospect of having to pay more for their prescriptions. This issue is of particular concern to seniors, who tend to be the group most reliant on prescription drugs to maintain their health and well-being. However, many low-income families with children requiring expensive medications are also in need of assistance.
           Ironically, more than a decade ago the previous administration set out a group of non-partisan, interested experts to look at how Pharmacare should be funded. They came back to that former administration and suggested that an income-tested program for Pharmacare was the fair way to go. That administration did not have the strength of conviction to do what was right in order to implement it. This government will be doing that, and that is good for all British Columbians. The throne speech announced the Fair Pharmacare plan. The vast majority of British Columbians will pay the same or less than they do today under the current plan. We all await details of this new plan, which will be announced by the Minister of Health.
           The families I represent in Saanich South should know that this Speech from the Throne touches on the issues that are important to their well-being. In the weeks and months ahead there will be legislation introduced and debated in this chamber which will ensure that the vision outlined in the speech will be translated into sound and sustainable public policy.
           Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to respond to the Speech from the Throne.

Hon. M. Coell: A year ago I rose in this House on a similar occasion to reflect on government's priorities and to talk about the direction the Ministry of Human Resources was taking. A year ago our economy was still reeling from the effects of September 11, 2001, and the general North American economic malaise. The growth in our economy had been the smallest in ten years. Our trade deficit had worsened. The value of our exports was down. The forest industry was coping with softwood difficulties. The mining sector was struggling, and tourism had taken a tumble.

A year ago my ministry had just completed its core services review and was looking for better ways to assist British Columbians in need and to assist to do our part in revitalizing the economy. We were beginning to talk about a major strategic shift — a shift away from a culture of entitlement towards a culture of employment and self-reliance. We were talking about a new emphasis on job training and job placement. We

were focusing resources on British Columbians who were most in need and on rebuilding the income assistance system so that it would be sustainable and would be there in the future for all British Columbians in need.
           A year ago I acknowledged the critics who said that it would be a tough job, and I acknowledged that it would be more difficult in a struggling economy at that time. But you may recall, Mr. Speaker, that I also said there were good reasons for our efforts to start then. We wanted to position our clients to take full advantage of the economic recovery we knew would come. We didn't want them to miss the opportunities that economic expansion would bring. We were confident in British Columbia that we would create jobs. We wanted our employable clients to shift their focus away from welfare towards work.
           A year later we can see the results: 81,000 jobs created in British Columbia in 2002; an average weekly wage increase of more than 5 percent since December of 2001 — the highest in Canada; a drop in the income assistance caseload of 22 percent since our government took office; 66,000 fewer British Columbians dependent on income assistance. Our exit surveys show that more than two-thirds of those people who leave income assistance do so because they have a job, a good job that on average is paying three times what they were getting on income assistance. That's the difference a year can make in the province of British Columbia. That's the difference between an approach of a handout and our hand up to employment and self-reliance.
           The important decisions that our government made a year ago were needed. I'm honoured to be working with all the staff of the Ministry of Human Resources whose commitment to this province and the people they serve is evident every day.
           We have continued to invest $300 million in employment programs that lead to jobs, to greater independence and to a higher standard of living for thousands of British Columbians. We passed employment and assistance legislation that modernized, streamlined and refocused B.C.'s income assistance system to emphasize employment for those who can work and on continuing assistance for those who are not able. We made employment plans mandatory for most clients so that we can direct ministry resources towards assisting people to find sustainable employment or to get the skills they need to succeed in today's British Columbia workplace.
           We placed time limits on income assistance to discourage employable people from returning to welfare as a way of life. We introduced a two-year financial independence test so that young people are now encouraged to seek work before turning to taxpayers' money. Equally important, we have increased our support for people with disabilities, spending $80 million more last year for a total of $449 million. Today my ministry is providing assistance to more people with disabilities than ever before. Since this government came into office, the disability caseload has risen by 7 percent. That means that more than 62,000 British Columbians are receiving some form of disability assistance. Persons with disabilities receive the highest level of assistance in this province and the third-highest level in Canada.

           Since September 30 my ministry has received more than 4,600 new applications for persons-with-a-disability designation. The reason for the increase in new applications is the fact that we have created new employment and assistance legislation that meets the distinct needs of people with disabilities. We extended our definition to include people with mental illness. We are now focusing on a person's ability to carry out normal daily living activities, not just a medical diagnosis. This brings our legislation more in line with the other Canadian provinces and goes well beyond what previous governments had done. We want to ensure that assistance is available for those most in need, including those with mental illness.
           Our government is committed to greater independence for people with disabilities, including security of income, enhanced well-being and full participation in the community. We have translated this commitment into real programs and real support for our province's most-in-need citizens. We have increased funding for employment programs for persons with disabilities by $7.25 million, an increase of more than 50 percent over last year. Our new $20 million employment strategy for persons with disabilities includes a range of employment and pre-employment programs. We established a ministers council which brings together public and private sector leaders to explore ways of removing the barriers to people with disabilities. The council recently had its inaugural meeting, and I am excited by the enthusiasm and drive of its members and what they're bringing to the table.
           Last year the government raised the earning exemption for persons with disabilities from $200 to $300. This year we will raise the exemption by another $100 to $400. These exemptions are designed to encourage people with disabilities who are able to work to maintain their skills, participate in the workplace the best they can and have some greater financial independence.
           People with disabilities have told me that they want to work, and they need a chance to work. Sometimes, though, their disabilities interfere with their finding full-time employment. They may only be able to work occasionally or part-time. By offering this higher exemption, we are responding to the specific needs of these individuals and assisting them to participate in the workforce as fully as they can.
           Participating in the workforce is a goal in itself. It enhances employment activities and overall quality of life. In addition to income, working gives people a sense of confidence, accomplishment and purpose and, as well, a stronger sense of community involvement. We will continue to work with the community, with clients and with all members of this House to open up new ways to help British Columbians reach their full potential.

           I have spoken of some of the ways that my ministry is touching the lives of thousands of people in this province. I am also proud that this ministry is now more efficient, more effective and more accountable to taxpayers thanks to our commitment to sound fiscal management. We have never lost sight of the fact that we are managing public dollars, and we have a responsibility to ensure that those dollars are spent wisely and for those most in need. The success of our program changes and the drop in our caseload have led to a projected underexpenditure of $164 million. This keeps us on track with our three-year budget obligation while protecting those most in need.
           With regard to the government's overall commitment to reducing regulation and red tape, my ministry has reduced its regulatory requirement by 30 percent, well ahead of our three-year goal. Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor spoke of opening up our province and modernizing critical public services to put the interests of people first. The Ministry of Human Resources has already made bold steps to that end.
           It has been a year of change. It has been a year of progress. The signs are clear that the choices we made were the right ones. More British Columbians have left welfare for work. More people with disabilities are seeing new opportunities for greater independence. More families and more children are seeing a brighter future ahead.

           G. Trumper: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to the throne speech today, which was presented by Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor on Tuesday.
           When I was elected to the Legislature, I was elected to help change the direction of the province, which had become a have-not province, to one of prosperity where the economy would be working on all cylinders, which would enable everyone who wished it to be employed, to be able to own their homes and to be able to bring up their families.
           I'm a Canadian by choice, and I chose to live in the area that I live in some few years ago, where I brought up my family. I live in probably one of the most beautiful parts of British Columbia — on Vancouver Island — and my constituency runs from the east coast, which includes Qualicum and Bowser, right across the centre of the Island to Port Alberni and out to Long Beach, the west coast, Hot Springs Cove and Bamfield.
           It is a very different riding in that it has very distinctive issues with it, but it has a huge opportunity in tourism. I think we all are aware of the opportunities in Qualicum on the east coast. The Alberni Valley has been known as the unknown secret, and we have great opportunities to improve our tourism in the Alberni Valley. Then you go out to the west coast, where we all know a million tourists go every year to visit Long Beach.
           We need to have a province that is prosperous again, that will enable us to provide health care for all and the best education for our children now and in the future and, at the same time, that will provide the social network for those most in need, those who are unable to look after themselves. At the same time we have had to deal with diminished resources, and it hasn't been an easy task. To make some of the changes necessary, we have had to make some difficult decisions.
           As we listened to the throne speech this week, I believe we have turned that corner. By making those difficult decisions and looking carefully at the services we provide and how we provide those services, we have been able to provide efficiencies and make sure the dollars go to the people who need them — to the students in the schools, to the patients in the hospitals and to those less fortunate than ourselves who need help.
           The region I represent is a complex one. On the east coast Qualicum Beach has the highest age percentage in a community in the country. That poses issues in health care, where the demand is ever increasing. These are challenging times in health care. Over 40 percent of our budget is spent on health care, but change does have to take place to ensure we have a sustainable system for the future.
           The new vision for independent living is so appropriate for the Qualicum area, where there are people who find they're not able to live alone in their homes any longer but would like to be able to stay in their communities with the help they require. They will be able to do that. More money is being put into the ambulance service, which will provide better service for this area. And there is a great deal of work being done now on how to provide an innovative primary care facility that will meet the needs of the residents now and into the future.
           I am encouraged as I move across my constituency to see that under the guidance of the Vancouver Island health authority, there is now a neurological centre in Victoria that enables patients who used to travel to Vancouver to now go to Victoria. I know, specifically for a constituent of mine in the Alberni Valley, that it has been a huge advantage for them.
           Our services to patients at the West Coast General Hospital have been maintained, and we have been able to attract a new surgeon to the valley. Services are also being maintained in Tofino hospital, which has a huge number of visitors in the summer to deal with that more than triples the population they have in the winter.
           I have also talked to many people concerned about Pharmacare, and the throne speech addressed that issue. It will be fair to all, and for the first time it will include families with children who are on limited incomes.

The other issue in health care is that for central Vancouver Island and north Vancouver Island, we now have $9 million put toward mental health care. Anyone who has a relative or a friend who has had mental illness knows how difficult it is for that individual and for the families. It is great and encouraging to see that many of the issues that have had to be dealt with in

Victoria will now be able to be dealt with much nearer to their homes than central Vancouver Island.
           In my constituency the engine to the economy is the forest industry, and the forest industry is the engine to the economy in British Columbia. The region I live in knows only too well what happens when the engine is in low gear. In the past decade so many jobs have been lost due to land decisions — where no jobs were going to be lost — changing markets and, more recently, the softwood lumber dispute. Communities such as Ucluelet literally shut down, and they have all been working hard to revitalize their economy. I know that all will work together to revitalize the heartland of our province.
           With a new direction in forestry this year, yes, there will be changes. The status quo cannot continue. But I want everyone to know we have the best forest practices in the world. Never forget that. I am pleased that there will be a $275 million fund in transformation funds to help with the changes for communities and those who work in the forest industry.
           The people who live in the heartland of this province are hard-working people and have a pride in what they do, and it has been tough. We have initiatives developing and new economic partnerships with first nations. The Alberni Valley took the initiative some years ago to pursue a smelter project when no one in government was helping. The community worked hard on this project and ought to be commended on their tenacity with the ups and downs of this proposal.
           On the west coast the first nations are in partnership with an aquaculture company, and everyone knows they work very carefully watching the environmental impact. Aquaculture is the main employer of the Tofino economy, and I challenge people to take a tour of a site. They will come away, as I did, with a very different view than the misinformation that is presently circulating around the province.
           The transportation commitment will be part of that revitalization of the heartland of the province. Transportation corridors are so important to a vibrant economy. Many years ago I sat on a transportation committee for Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast to look at the issues that were present at that time. Today many of those issues are still present. There is our highway, Highway 4 to the west coast, which has to have improvements. As you go out to the west coast on a two-lane highway and go round the blind corners, huge trucks that are going out take up the whole of the road. I sometimes shudder to think, with the tourists who don't know the road very well, what will happen when they meet on a corner. There have to be improvements.
           There are three airports in the area: Qualicum, Port Alberni and Tofino. Both the Tofino and Alberni airports need improvements that will bring more economic diversification to the region. The Alberni Valley also has a deep-sea harbour able to take the large Panamax ships. What an opportunity for the area to be able to service offshore oil and gas when exploration begins. We all want it to be environmentally safe, and we want it to be part of the engine that drives the economy.

           We also have an aggregate site that is being developed in the Alberni Inlet, which will provide jobs including first nations. I know there have been people on the west coast who have looked at ways and means of trying to improve the highway, which is the only highway and road out to the west coast. They have tossed around many ideas such as tolls, such as other means. I know they will certainly support the fact that we will have an increase in the tax on gasoline, which will go directly towards transportation costs. I know they will be looking forward to being part of the decision-making and part of an enabling to improve that highway and possibly airports out in this particular region. This can only increase the economy and improve the economy in the region.
           As a school trustee some years ago, I have watched the school districts and been appalled at the continued erosion of control that school boards have had to deal with over the years. It is very encouraging to see that school boards once again are being given the ability to manage the education in their district and to include parents and teachers in the decision-making. Change is always challenging, but I know that all those involved in the decision-making have the best interests of the students at heart. With declining enrolment in our districts, there are tough decisions to be made. The government, through the legislative Education Committee which travelled the province, heard many of those concerns, and to their budgets — to the school boards — have been added, over and above their budgets this year, over $85 million. Now we know, and I've heard from the Premier, that there will be $100 million for school boards to direct where they deem it best for their students over the next three years.
           I want to point out that it isn't easy to close schools, and it isn't easy to close the small rural schools, but surely it is better to spend the money on the students and their education rather than heating bills and janitorial services in a half-empty school.
           Children are our most valuable asset, and we have many children who do not have the best start in life. I know in my own community that I live in, we have a very high percentage of children who live in income-assisted families. In our region we have some innovative programs for both preschool and school-aged children, and we do know that many of these children who come from homes on income assistance do know that they have a tougher time in school. Many families are single parents who have to have day care. Last year we launched the new child care operating funding program, which increases the number of child care facilities eligible to receive operating funding support. Now we have an increase in access to child care subsidies for low-income B.C. families. This is excellent news for those parents who need that help.
           The throne speech reflects how the ministers involved with children have worked hard to improve services provided to children, and we now have the

funding for the school-based programs, which are a wonderful addition for so many children who need the help.
I am particularly pleased to hear the statement of respect for and reconciliation with first nations and a commitment to revenue-sharing. I have worked with first nations on many issues, and I'm pleased to be asked to help them move some of their projects forward, which will benefit all of us. I look forward to moving towards treaty solutions under the guidance of the Attorney General.
The B.C. heartlands economic strategy will open up new opportunities for the region and the community by developing and implementing plans for infrastructure, human capital and marketing across the province. I look forward to the Olympic Games in 2010, which will be an incredible example to our young people to work towards achieving their dreams and seeing the results of their hard work. Today I know we have many concerns about the health of our young people and their physical activity. This is an opportunity for them to be able to participate and look forward to seeing the results of many, many talented people. I know that my constituents will look forward to working with the government as we continue to improve the economy and give pride back to the people in British Columbia, so that we can once again make British Columbia the best province in which to live and enable us to lead Canada by becoming number one again.

           T. Christensen: It's indeed a privilege to rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan-Vernon and respond to the throne speech. The throne speech sets out a progressive and ambitious path for the government of British Columbia. It's been interesting to watch the coverage since the throne speech was delivered on Tuesday and see what some of the pundits say about it and what it signals. Certainly, there's been a suggestion, at least, that it signals a new direction for the government.
           When I listened to the throne speech, and I looked back at the work we've been doing over the last 21 months and the work that was done prior to the last election that formed the basis of the new-era platform in the last campaign in May of 2001, I saw that the throne speech and the points made in the throne speech and the direction set out in the throne speech were very consistent with what this government and the members of this government have been talking about ever since they were, in fact, in opposition. That is creating and fulfilling a vision for hope, prosperity and opportunity in every single part of this province. Those are goals we've been working on for the last 21 months. Certainly, the throne speech sets out how those goals will continue to be pursued.
           In fact, we've dealt with some very big challenges, and that's required some difficult decisions. There are those who have said we've moved too fast. There are those who have said we've moved too slowly. I've certainly learned that it doesn't matter much what you do. There are going to be those that agree and those that disagree. What's important, I feel, is that we've tried to take a thoughtful approach to the challenges facing the province with a view to making the changes necessary to have efficient and effective government and to bring our vision of hope, opportunity and prosperity to reality in every single part of this province.
           The throne speech speaks to many of the needs and opportunities for my constituents in Okanagan-Vernon. The government has indicated its commitment to opening up new worlds of possibility through improvements to our broad education system. In my view, there is no more important public service that government is involved in delivering than education. Certainly, in the emerging knowledge economy and the direction the world is going, I think every member of this House can agree that education is a critical component in ensuring that the people of our province are prepared for the future.
           It is also the best way we can address in the long term many of the challenges we often are forced to try and address in the short term — whether those are challenges around health care and the need to use our education system in one way or another to promote better, healthier lifestyles; or whether those are policies that attempt to assist those who are most vulnerable in our communities, those who have difficulty finding or maintaining employment. Our education system provides a foundation on which we can address all those challenges in the long term.
           As an MLA and a resident of school district 22, I felt very fortunate over the last number of months to have the opportunity to work with a group of school trustees, administrative staff and educators who are dedicated to the progress of our community's children. School district 22's administration and trustees have shown they're prepared to be innovative and flexible to meet the needs of students.
           I'm looking forward this year to the completion of a long overdue renovation and improvement to Charles Bloom Secondary School in Lumbythat has proceeded because of the school board being creative in how to fund the project, as well as the Ministry of Education being flexible to see that the project would proceed. It's a good example of a school district and the provincial government working together to focus on students.

I don't think there's likely anybody in the House or any member of this Legislature who won't be pleased that more funding is going to be provided to our education system and that the funding is going to be provided without strings to school districts so that they can focus those resources on student needs. The government's made a number of steps in its first 21 months in office to try and ensure that we give school districts autonomy so that they can focus their resources where those resources rightly should be focused, and that is on students.
One of the things we've done is try and encourage or enable parents to be effective volunteers in our school system. In 2001 we did pass Bill 8 to encourage

and support the ability of parents to volunteer in their children's schools.
           In my own district I've heard increasingly over the last number of months from parents who are concerned that perhaps they are not being given the opportunities they need or desire to volunteer at the level they would like. I look forward over the next number of months to working with parents in my district, to working with the school district trustees and administration and to working with the Minister of Education to see that we ensure that the intent of Bill 8 is being accomplished in all school districts in the province, but in particular to meet the needs of students in my district to have their parents integrally involved in their education.
           At the post-secondary level I'm fortunate, as well, to live in a constituency that has a college campus, the Kalamalka campus of Okanagan University College. Again, it is providing great service to the people of Vernon and area. Just recently I was fortunate enough to attend the opening of a new continuing education wing at the Kalamalka campus. That project was fulfilled by virtue of the creativity and innovation of the administration of the campus and a new approach from Victoria to focus on how to make a project move forward rather than trying to fit it into a nice, tight bureaucratic box that the provincial government would somehow find funding for. Just recently we were able to open the new continuing ed wing at the Kalamalka campus, and that will go a long way to allowing that campus to better meet the community's continuing education needs.
           I was pleased to hear in the throne speech that the government is committed to introducing B.C. regional innovation chairs and has committed $7.5 million towards that commitment. As members from the Okanagan will know, OUC has an emerging research expertise. In fact, they are doing an increasing amount of research at the various campuses and over the last 18 months have attracted more than $2.5 million in research grants from a variety of sources.
           Many in the Okanagan have identified the need to expand research opportunities to meet the needs of students in the Okanagan and to realize the corresponding economic development benefits that a research focus can bring to a region. That is certainly a challenge moving forward, and there are lots of different ideas out there as to how that might be accomplished. I again look forward to working with my constituents and others who are interested in post-secondary education in the Okanagan Valley, in all parts of the valley, to ensure that we move forward in a manner that meets the needs of the various communities in the Okanagan and ensures that the potential of the people in the Okanagan is realized through effective post-secondary institutions.
           The throne speech also spoke of opening up new hope for sustainable, accessible health care. I don't think anybody in this House would disagree that health care is an area of great challenges. It is an area of great interest, obviously, to all citizens of the province, and it is something that requires considerable work and considerable creativity to try to meet the needs of patients throughout the province in a manner that is sustainable for government. Notwithstanding an over $1.1 billion increase in funding to health care in this last budget year, those challenges still remain, and there's not a member in this House that isn't contacted on a relatively frequent basis by constituents who have one or another concern about accessing various health care services.
           The government is setting out a strategy and is following a strategy to meet those challenges. The human resource strategy in particular has made considerable gains in ensuring that we're going to be able to attract the physicians we need, the nurses we need and the other health care professionals we need to meet patient needs. It doesn't matter, quite frankly, what you do in a health care system. At the end of the day it comes down to having the health care professionals that actually see, diagnose and treat the patients and ensure that the patients get the care they need.

           We've made considerable progress, as well, in looking at various seniors housing options and certainly groups. There has been a new facility open in Vernon through assisted living with the cooperation of the IHA and B.C. Housing, and there are additional groups in Vernon as well as groups in Lumby looking at potential projects to meet our seniors housing and care needs. I certainly look forward over the next number of months to working with them.
           I was very pleased, too, that the throne speech indicated the development of a new Fair Pharmacare plan. All of us have heard considerable interest around the issue of Pharmacare over the last number of months, so I'm looking forward to that plan being unveiled. I am particularly pleased that what has been indicated is that Pharmacare is going to be a more fair plan. It's going to focus resources on those most in need and ensure that somewhere in the neighbourhood of 280,000 low-income families in this province are able to access Pharmacare coverage that previously was not available.
           When we look at the challenges we face in addressing a number of areas of policy, but in particular health care, we need to ensure that the dollars the provincial government and all levels of government are able to dedicate to a particular policy challenge are directed to those most in need. It shouldn't be done on the basis of artificial parameters such as age but should be done based on where the need is greatest.
           I think we can also agree that you can't approach health care from the standpoint of not changing anything. Certainly, changes in anything can often be difficult for people, but if we are to reach the goal of obtaining a health care system that meets the needs of patients throughout this province regardless of their age, regardless of their income, we are going to need to make changes. We are going to need to make those in a strategic manner and be patient in reaching those goals. As long as we focus on patients and their needs,

then we can be assured that we are moving in the right direction.
Noting the time, I would move adjournment of debate and reserve the right to continue when we reconvene.

           Hon. G. Collins: I rise to add my comments to the matter raised by the member for Vancouver-Hastings on May 30, 2002. As the Speaker as well as the public and all the members of this House knew, the process for the review of the police complaint commission process itself was very open and very public. I assume that's because the members of the committee felt it was necessary to ensure the confidence of the public in the review process.
           On the day the commissioner announced his resignation, the Chair and the committee once again allowed the media into the committee, and the Chair was
asked to respond to the resignation of the commissioner. He did so, as have other members of other committees upon the hearings of other committees in the past. At the time, May 27, the committee had not yet considered a report. The report was written and approved over the next few days. That report was then tabled in the House.
           The member for Vancouver-Hastings said in her presentation: "Common practice would dictate that I, as a member of the House, have a right of privilege to expect that such reports not be disclosed until tabled in the House." The fact, Mr. Speaker, is that there was no report on May 27; therefore the member could not possibly have released details of a report that simply did not exist. Therefore, I put that there is no basis for the claim from the member for Vancouver-Hastings.

Deputy Speaker: Thank you, minister. This matter is under advisement by the Speaker.

In addition to providing transcripts on the Internet, Hansard Services publishes transcripts in print and broadcasts Chamber debates on television.