Hansard -- Thursday, February 12, 2004 a.m. -- Vol. 20, 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

Tributes		8487
	Lyle Wicks
	R. Hawes

Throne Speech Debate (continued)		8487
	H. Bloy
	Hon. C. Hansen
	Hon. S. Bond
	D. Hayer
	R. Masi
	Hon. S. Bond
	W. Cobb

R. Hawes: I rise today to mark the passing of Lyle Wicks, who was a member of this Legislature from 1952 to 1960 with the Social Credit Party. He served for the Dewdney riding, which is my constituency and which has since undergone some changes. Mr. Wicks served in several cabinet portfolios. He was the founding president of the Social Credit League. He was a member of the founding group for B.C. Ferry Authority and for the Public Utilities Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you send our condolences to the family. We all remember Mr. Wicks with the respect that he earned with his outstanding service.

H. Bloy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to continue and support the throne speech that was read the other day in the House — about the excitement that all British Columbians and many have expressed to me personally since the reading of the throne speech.

I will continue where I left off last evening, whereas the constituents of Burquitlam are very excited about another $120,000 grant being made available for health research at Simon Fraser University. Simon Fraser University has continued to receive more and more grants for research. They recently received another $1 million in grants. About 30 percent of all grants from this institution went to Simon Fraser University, and this money is leveraged over and over again.

Our government is working to develop devices and improve and expand ways that we can interact with computers and, in doing so, through the knowledge development fund grant to SFU. This will provide new learning and research opportunities for students in my riding, and the results of the research will benefit all British Columbians.

Our government has increased its budget for health care by $2 billion, ensuring that all British Columbians have access to a world-class health care system. Truly, this government is proving itself to be a leader in the country in regard to health care.

There is a shortage of nurses and doctors all over North America. We have some of the best nurses and doctors right here in British Columbia, and we have the highest-paid nurses and doctors right here in British Columbia serving our students. Since we've come to power, we have now created over 1,800 new seats for nurses, thanks to the Minister of Advanced Education.

Measures in health care, education and digital technology are helping us to meet our social responsibilities better than ever. The projected increase in jobs through the Olympics and from the private sector with companies such as eBay, which has moved into Burnaby and is opening up and providing over 800 new jobs in customer service…. These are for eBay clients around the world — in the United Kingdom, the U.S.A. and Australia.

These new jobs are also helping us meet our social responsibilities. We have a responsibility to help every British Columbian get a job so that they can support themselves and their families. This provides tax revenue and reduces dependency on the social safety nets, which allows us to meet our social responsibilities for those most in need.

Jobs are the best social program, as they provide money to the worker and tax revenue to the province. From the tax revenue we provide the necessary social programs. I am so proud to be part of this government, where we have made a commitment from day one that we will help those most in need first.

This government is meeting its responsibilities in terms of number of jobs it has been creating. Our government has created significant numbers of new jobs for the first time in a decade. After a decade of decline under the past government and with the troubles that we've had with the softwood lumber, since this government has come to power, we have created in excess of 150,000 new jobs in British Columbia — 150,000 people paying taxes; 150,000 people supporting their families and feeling better about themselves. The Premier and all of cabinet and government have to be congratulated on doing this work on behalf of all citizens of British Columbia.

Our government is working to take full advantage of the great opportunity that our upcoming Olympics holds for all British Columbians. We look forward to the detailed development plan scheduled to take place this spring. This will create advantages in tourism, trade and labour opportunities for all of us. In my own riding we're going to have the speed skating oval. The Olympic speed skating oval will be built atop Burnaby Mountain at Simon Fraser University. It will be the largest capital project in the Olympics. Also on top of Burnaby Mountain right now we're building 10,000 new homes over the next ten years. The first 700 have already been completed, and bidding is out for more.

This government is defending health care for our seniors and providing jobs and educational opportunities for our families. We are building an excellent legacy for the next generation of British Columbians.

Just before I close, I would like to talk about what has come to the cities of Burnaby and Coquitlam, of which my riding covers part. With my colleagues and I, we've been able to bring over $177 million in projects and grants to these cities. This is what good government is about. It's about being open, accountable and transparent. It's about working with social groups, working with businesses and working with the educational systems within our region to make it a better place to live.

Our government is not about headlines. Our government is not about the tactics of the member for Vancouver-Hastings, who now wants to talk about a new committee. She sits on the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. We had a meeting about groups. She never showed up. It was October 8. She never had a question. She didn't care. She only cares about a headline, and facts never get in the way of her stories. They're all wrong. I just wanted to point that out, Mr. Speaker.

I just want to state again that I'm proud to be part of this government. I fully support the Speech from the Throne and the Premier and our government.

In closing, I just want to read the last paragraph. Again, I would like to say that the throne speech is available on the government website, or if you'd like to drop by my office, it would be available. I'd like to quote: "This is more than an opportunity. It is our obligation to the seniors who built our province, to the families who strive to make it the best place it can be for their children and to the next generation who will carry new dreams for us all. Thank you."

Hon. C. Hansen: I would like to take this opportunity, in the few minutes I have as part of the throne speech reply, to talk about some of the future challenges in health care. That clearly is a huge subject, and it's one that could fill many hours of a speech — never mind the few minutes I have available to me today. I do want to touch on a few specific areas.

I'll first of all just talk about the budget in health care. We've gone up by $2 billion over the last three years, and we have cost pressures going up at the rate of 7 to 8 percent every single year. If we continue with the status quo, trying to do all things the way we've done them in the past, we would need an extra 7 to 8 percent. When you're talking about a budget of $10.7 billion a year, that's a lot of money.

At the same time, what we've seen over the last decade is economic growth rates in the range of 1 to 1½ percent under the previous government. We're starting to see those growth rates come up. We're starting to see growth rates that are going to be more in the range of, say, 3 percent, which is going to allow for a more sustainable health care system but clearly not the 7 to 8 percent growth that we're experiencing now.

We have to look not just at the rising cost of our existing health care structure but also at the changing demographics of British Columbia. You know, we've heard a lot about the aging baby-boomers. I'm one of them, and I've got lots of company, obviously, around this province. We're going to be hitting retirement age in the next few years.

Hon. C. Hansen: Okay, to the Minister of Advanced Education, some of us are older than she is. I'll admit that.

When we start hitting the retirement age, that's the age when we become bigger health care consumers and start absorbing more of that health care budget. We have to plan now to be ready for that.

An interesting question I would like to put to all of you is: what do you think is the fastest-growing age group in British Columbia today? I think a lot of people might say it's probably those in their fifties, reflecting the baby boom that happened in the 1950s and early 1960s. Actually, the fastest-growing age group in British Columbia today is those over the age of 90. In a couple of years I have no doubt that the fastest-growing age group is going to be those over the age of 100. That's excellent news for all of us who are looking forward to long and healthy lives, unless you are a Finance minister or a Health minister, because the average cost of providing public health care to those over the age of 90 is $20,800 a year and rising.

Clearly, we have some big challenges ahead of us. Today, for example, we have 188 seniors in this province for every 1,000 working British Columbians. If you fast-forward a few years to 2030, which isn't that far off, in the year 2030 we will have 433 seniors for every 1,000 working British Columbians.

My goal as Minister of Health Services in this province is not just to look down the road to next year and figure out how we meet our budget challenges, although those are huge and obviously a big priority. My goal is to make sure that we look further ahead, that we actually change the way health care is delivered in this province to meet the challenges of ten, 15 and 20 years from now. How do we do that? There are three things.

First of all, we have to manage down our cost. We have to find better ways of delivering patient care throughout this province so that we meet the needs of individual British Columbians. We don't simply pay more money for existing services. We find ways of paying less to deliver an equal quality of care to meet the needs of British Columbians.

The second area we have to pursue is strong economic growth. If we're going to sustain the growth pressures in health care down the road, we need strong economic growth. We need the kind of growth in employment rates that we've seen in this province as a direct result of the leadership of our Premier. We need the kind of new investments that we're starting to see come into this province because of the initiatives of this government. If we start to get growth rates in a sustainable way in the 3 percent range or above, that will go a long way to meeting those budget challenges we have in the future.

The third area we have to pursue in health care is prevention. How do we keep people out of hospitals? How do we prevent illness in the first place? By achieving those three initiatives, we will be able to attain a sustainable health care system to meet the needs of future generations in this province.

I want to dwell a lot in my remarks this morning on prevention, because I think it's something that's so vitally important to us — just to give you a few examples from a study that was done by the Centers for Disease Control in the United States recently around the importance of prevention and how prevention strategies can improve health and also save money in the health care system.

First example. If women between the ages of 50 and 69 have a mammogram every one to two years, not only does that reduce breast cancer mortality by 20 to 30 percent, but it would also result in saving the estimated $60,000 a year that it costs to treat each woman who has advanced breast cancer. If we look at HIV/AIDS, if each patient who is diagnosed with HIV or AIDS is given a combination of counselling, testing, referral and partner notification, then for every dollar we spend, we can save $20.

For every dollar we spend preventing tobacco use, we can save $19 that would be spent treating the consequences of smoking — everything from emphysema to lung cancer. If all women received adequate prenatal care, we could save approximately $14,700 for each low–birth weight birth that is prevented. If everyone wore a bicycle helmet while they're riding a bike, we would save the risk of head injury by approximately 85 percent. That would save about $37,000 for each head injury that was prevented. If you start looking at some of the new vaccine initiatives that we've embarked upon in this province in the last year, new vaccines for pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines cost $18 million a year. But that's going to save lives, and it's also going to result in a healthier population. We've also just recently extended the vaccination program for whooping cough in this province to make sure that it can be prevented in our society.

We want all British Columbians to take more responsibility for dealing with their own health care, because at the end of the day that's how we're going to have a sustainable health care system. One of the initiatives that this government has embarked on is chronic disease management. It's saying that when individuals have chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, depression, hepatitis C, diabetes and other debilitating diseases, by properly managing those illnesses in a primary care setting, we can keep people out of hospitals. We can save those very high health care costs that are incurred when someone has to go to an emergency room or be admitted to a hospital. By properly managing those chronic conditions, we can save the hospitalization of thousands of British Columbians.

Right now, today, about 50,000 British Columbians suffer from one or more chronic diseases. We recently commissioned a study that looked at the 126,000 British Columbians that are very high users of our health care system in this province. You think about that. Out of a province of 4.1 million people, there are 126,000 individuals that are the very high consumers of our health care system. About half of these high users are over the age of 60. This group saw three times as many different doctors as other users, and they visit their doctors five times the rate of other users. They accounted for more than 60 percent — six-zero — of all hospital days and almost a third of the total payments that were made to physicians by the Medical Services Plan. More than 80 percent of the high users had at least six different types of illnesses, and almost one-third of them had ten or more illnesses. Chronic diseases actually consume between 70 and 80 percent of all our health care costs. So it follows that the more we can do to better manage chronic conditions and chronic illness, we can provide better care, which is the most important part. But in addition, we can also save money for the health care system.

Another aspect of prevention and public health that I want to talk about is something that has been very topical around the world in the last 12 months, and that's infectious diseases. You know, on this next page I've got four initials on the top of the page. It's an acronym, and it's a term that 12 months ago today you'd never heard of. The word is SARS.

I have an e-mail which is an incredible piece of history. This e-mail is dated Thursday, February 20. We're just coming up on the one-year anniversary of this e-mail. It was sent at 4:11 p.m., and it was from Dr. Danuta Skowronski with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. I'll just read you one important line out of this e-mail. It's under the heading of "Advanced Surveillance in B.C." She writes: "Advanced surveillance for influenza-like illness is now requested with travel history elicited on all cases."

In this e-mail Dr. Skowronski sets out her real concerns about some of the stories that were coming out of Southeast Asia. Some of the reports were of a new influenza, or there was speculation it might be the avian flu, which is again very topical in the news in these last few weeks. But Dr. Skowronski sent that e-mail out on February 20 to what's referred to as the pandemic flu working group. As many of you will know, the federal government today released the pandemic flu strategy, which has been developed in collaboration with all of the provinces, including B.C. This e-mail was sent out to that working group.

Dr. Perry Kendall, who is our provincial health officer, was one of the recipients of that initial e-mail. Dr. Perry Kendall, on exactly the same day — Thursday, February 20, at 4:44 p.m….. We're talking half an hour later that the same e-mail was sent around to every public health officer in the province. His e-mail reads, "I have alerted all MHOs" — that's medical health officers — "to the avian flu," which is what many people speculated it might be…. "I have alerted all MHOs to the avian flu in China and asked them to

go themselves to higher alert and alert their laboratories and sentinel physician networks."

This e-mail was key to our response to the SARS outbreak that gripped the world less than a year ago. But the first cases that actually arrived in Canada were just a few weeks later. In fact, the first week of March was when the first case arrived in Canada, and it arrived not in Toronto, as many people in eastern Canada think, but in Vancouver. It was a direct result of those alerts that had been sent out by Doctors Kendall and Skowronski, which set the vigilance there that enabled British Columbia to manage that so well. The actual news reports started to emerge around the middle of March, around March 15. The first time that actual SARS — that term, severe acute respiratory syndrome — appeared in the media was on March 17.

It was a few months that were so tense. I will never forget that period in my responsibilities as Minister of Health Services. In the end, there were no deaths in B.C. We had four confirmed cases. If you look at the experience in Toronto where they had dozens of deaths and hundreds who were infected….

What was the difference? Well, there's lots of different reasons why B.C. was so successful in managing the SARS outbreak. One of them is that we have a very strong public health network in this province under the leadership of Dr. Perry Kendall. A second reason is that we have the only Centre for Disease Control in Canada. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is state of the art, and it was instrumental, with the work of Dr. Skowronski and others at the BCCDC, in tracking this illness, in anticipating it, in making sure that the science got done. The networks, the links to the academic research that was being done at our universities here in B.C. and being done at the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, and the links that were made to the lab in Winnipeg…. B.C. really managed that so effectively. We have excellent scientists in this province.

The other thing that was so vitally important is we had excellent communications. Part of that was facilitated by the fact that we have six health authorities in this province that work closely together. Everybody knows who they have to talk to when we get into a crisis like the SARS outbreak, and it was actually very, very effective.

One day that I will never forget in my life was last Easter Monday. The reason that day is etched in my memory is because it was the apex of the worldwide anxiety around SARS. That also, coincidentally, was the day that there was a small gap in the Premier's schedule, and we took advantage of that to provide him with a briefing on the SARS epidemic and what it could potentially mean for B.C. So Dr. Perry Kendall came over from Victoria to Vancouver. Dr. David Patrick from the Centre for Disease Control came into that briefing. It was supposed to last 45 minutes. We walked through some of the worst-case scenarios, like what happens if SARS actually gets worse. What happens if we have a whole outbreak of new cases in British Columbia, and what are the things, potentially, that we may have to do?

I'll tell you, as a Minister of Health Services, it was a difficult meeting because you realized the responsibilities that we had to take on. I must say I was incredibly proud of our Premier, because what I saw in that meeting was an individual who could demonstrate the leadership that would be necessary to get us through that kind of a crisis, even if it got ten times worse than it had at that particular stage.

It was an interesting meeting in that it was quite tense, obviously. I remember that at about the 45-minute mark, which was actually the allocated time, we started talking about something that had happened just one week earlier. That was the sequencing of the coronavirus that was done for the first time ever in the world in British Columbia at the Michael Smith Genome Centre.

All of us as British Columbians were so incredibly proud of the contribution that British Columbia made to that world crisis and that world concern that was there. I guess it was almost a point of sort of catching our breath after this very serious discussion we had had. You know, we were all collectively patting ourselves on the back as fellow British Columbians that this actually happened right here in the province. There was a little moment of silence, and it was actually our Premier who spoke up and said: "How do we build on that?"

I can remember that we were looking around the room at one another, sort of nodding our heads and saying that the Premier was right and that this was an incredible opportunity for British Columbia to give something to the world. First of all, at the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, one of the first things they did was that they patented the sequence. Many of you in this chamber will know that I am not a fan of the patenting of gene sequences, because they should be public property.

Guess what the scientists did after they filed for the patent on it. They put it on a website so that the information could be accessible to scientists around the world to build on the work that had been done here in British Columbia. It wasn't trying to profit from it. It was trying to say: "Let's make sure this stays in the public domain so that the entire world can benefit from that research."

When the Premier asked how we build on that initiative, what that then led to was a discussion. Since we have such excellent science in British Columbia — we've got the Centre for Disease Control, and we've got some of the best scientists in this province at our universities and at institutes such as the genomic centre — how do we start the process of developing the vaccine? It was out of that discussion that the Premier launched what is known as SAVI. That's the SARS Accelerated Vaccine Initiative. Today here we are, less than a year later, and British Columbia is the leader around the world in developing that vaccine for SARS. It is something I think all of us have reason to be proud of.

In September of last year we had the annual Health ministers' conference in Halifax that I attended, and at

that conference there was lots of discussion about the SARS outbreak. The federal government had commissioned a report by Dr. David Naylor, who is the dean of medicine at the University of Toronto, to look at the SARS crisis in Canada — how it was handled and what we can learn from it. At that Health ministers' conference in Halifax, one of the things that all health ministers in Canada endorsed unanimously is that we need to develop a national public health agency, and in doing so, we had to build on our existing strengths in Canada.

When Dr. Naylor's report came out a couple of weeks later, what he pointed to was 20 elements of what would constitute the ideal public health agency in Canada. It's not to say this is to be a building or that it's all to be located in one city, but it is to be a network of expertise in Canada that can provide that public health responsibility, similar to the Center for Disease Control that we know of in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves the United States.

What Dr. Naylor pointed out is that in British Columbia at our B.C. Centre for Disease Control, we already have and are providing 12 of the 20 elements that he felt were important for this new national agency. What we as a province are offering to Canada is that we will take our B.C. Centre for Disease Control and the 12 elements that we already have in place and make that a part of the national public health agency, allowing us to move forward so much faster to getting that infrastructure in place.

Vancouver is ideally located. Just recently, the United States Center for Disease Control set up an agreement with a university in Singapore for a centre for infectious diseases in Singapore to become part of a worldwide network. Well, think about it. You've got one centre in Singapore that's part of an international network. You've got another centre that is based out of Atlanta, Georgia, on the Atlantic seaboard, the American Center for Disease Control. If you think about this as a worldwide problem, Vancouver is ideally situated, because these kinds of outbreaks have to be managed so fast. There needs to be instant communication on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, as these kinds of outbreaks get managed. Vancouver is in an ideal position worldwide not only to provide an integral piece of this national network for Canada but to become part of an international network as well.

Today there was this announcement of the Canadian pandemic influenza plan. We are, obviously, expecting that these kinds of infectious diseases are going to become more prevalent in the years to come, and we need the ability to respond and to protect our populations. We are well on our way to doing that here in this province. It is a worldwide challenge, but B.C. is also a world leader. We are a world leader in research, we are a world leader in the rapid response that's necessary to make sure that we can care for patients in this province, and we are a world leader in prevention generally. By building on these strengths we have in this province, we can not only meet the challenges of the health care system of the future, but B.C. can make an enormous contribution to world science and world health.

Hon. S. Bond: I am delighted today to rise and speak in support of the Speech from the Throne that was delivered earlier this week.

The vision that is set out in the Speech from the Throne is good news for the residents of my community and of my riding, for northerners and indeed for all British Columbians. I am really proud of being part of a government that has had the courage to lay out a vision that strives for excellence and the conviction to stick with it.

As the theme of the throne speech emerged for us, it was exciting to hear the theme over and over again — bringing out the best. I think that as a government, under the leadership of our Premier, that is exactly what we've tried to do in each of our ridings and certainly across the province as a whole. The theme, again, said it's time for British Columbia to shine. We live in an amazing province that is on the brink of endless opportunities. It is our time to shine. It takes courage, it takes determination, and it takes leadership — that of the Premier and others in our government — as we lay out the groundwork for continued growth and achievement.

I want to just remind people of some of the things that framed the context for the delivery of the throne speech. It was a reminder of what this province has gone through over the last year in particular. It was poignant, as we discussed and as the throne speech pointed out, that British Columbians have had very difficult times this year.

I'm proud to be a member of a government that actually believes that working together, we can face those challenges no matter how difficult. We can stand together with an excellent leader, and we can make a difference for British Columbia.

Let's just look at some of the great news that British Columbia has had over the last year. B.C. currently leads the country in job creation, and unemployment is below the national level. B.C. created a thousand new jobs in January, building on the 83,400 jobs created in

2003. Total job creation in British Columbia since December of 2001 now stands at 159,900 jobs.

The value of building permits issued by B.C. municipalities was up by 13 percent in 2003 compared to the national increase of 7½ percent. The value of residential permits was up by 16.2 percent, almost double the national increase.

British Columbia was the only province in Canada where consumer confidence continued to rise at the end of last year. TD has forecast B.C. as having the second-highest GDP growth in the country in 2004.

More people are moving to British Columbia for the first time in six years. I can remember when our leader and Premier said to us that one of our goals is to bring people back to British Columbia, and the great news is that statistics are showing that they are coming home again. As was stated in the throne speech, in every area of public policy, important reforms have been made with one goal in mind: to bring out the best in British Columbia.

I think we can clearly see that there is a commitment to the people in the northern parts of this province in the Speech from the Throne. I am proud to represent the riding of Prince George–Mount Robson. Most recently, I was delighted to welcome two additional members of the northern caucus into cabinet: firstly, the member for Prince George North, my colleague and good friend, as the Minister of State for Mining; and also the member for Skeena, who is the Minister of State for Forestry Operations. What a great message that sent to the people in the northern part of this province. Their appointment and their relative portfolios showed the Premier's commitment to ensuring that the economic priorities of this province and the north are at the top of the agenda of this government.

Something that is incredibly important to those of us who live outside the lower mainland, a new rural health assistance plan, will be launched this year to help rural families who must travel to health centres for special care. That is proof that the government continues to listen to voices from the north. You can't imagine how important that is when you live in a community like Dunster or McBride or Valemount. When you have a child who is in need of special services, we need to be there as a government providing the kind of assistance those families in rural communities require.

Also important to us, new measures will be announced as mentioned in the throne speech to combat the mountain pine beetle. We have an epidemic on our hands. Hectare after hectare of trees infected and red, as the mountain pine beetle continues to eat its way through our part of the province. Recently, the Premier hosted a symposium in Quesnel, and industry leaders and representatives from all around the province came together to discuss potential solutions. It was good to see that the throne speech recognized that we need solutions to that problem and that those will be introduced in the coming year.

We will continue as a government to implement the forestry revitalization plan to provide renewed hope for those communities that depend on forestry. I can assure you that many in industry in Prince George–Mount Robson have suffered as a result of the difficulties experienced in the forest sector. But I want to tell you that the people of Prince George–Mount Robson are resilient, and they have continued to work against incredible odds. The other day it was really exciting to hear that one of those small companies, for the first time in years, is actually starting to show a profit because of some of the changes we've made. That to me is absolutely a demonstration that we are on the right track, and we simply have to keep working towards those kinds of solutions.

Important to us who live in the northern part of the province is the ability to bridge the digital divide. The throne speech promised that over 170 rural communities over the next two years will receive broadband access. That has huge impact for small communities.

Let me give you an example of the importance of expanding opportunities for people in the rural parts of this province. One of the villages in my constituency is McBride. I want to tell you that though they may be a rural community and they may be small in size, they are not small in terms of their thinking. They dream big dreams, and, in fact, technology has already played an incredible role in expanding opportunities for our students and for our communities.

Currently, under the leadership of Rick Thompson, the principal of McBride Secondary School, the McBride Secondary School has the capability to teleconference. That's an amazing tool in rural British Columbia. In fact, just recently a teleconference was held between the northern health authority which allowed direct representation and participation from people in McBride. I know that Rick Thompson, who is also a counsellor, and Irene Rejman were actually able to present their views and concerns to the northern health authority in Prince George through the use of that facility. It also allows students in smaller communities to be able to take courses while being attached technologically to a larger school in a more urban setting.

I want to congratulate the work that's been done by McBride Secondary School under the leadership of Rick Thompson for helping us bridge the digital divide. But there is much work to be done.

One of the frustrations and concerns I feel for those people who live in my constituency is cell phone service, something that we certainly here in Victoria take for granted. I regularly see my colleagues with a cell phone attached to their ears. In the area where I live and in my constituency, it takes about three and a half hours to drive from one end of it to the other. There is limited, if any, cell phone coverage on some of the most difficult and challenging roads, in the winter in particular. We're going to continue to press and to look for those kinds of opportunities that we think should be equitable for those of us who choose to make northern and rural British Columbia our home.

The Speech from the Throne also outlines that our government will be building on the foundation that has been established in partnerships with first nations. This government has done a remarkable job as we've looked at the creation of agreements-in-principle across the province. I am extraordinarily proud of the fact that the Lheidli T'enneh, who reside within my constituency, were one of the first nations to sign an agreement-in-principle which will form the basis of their final treaty. In fact, it was the first agreement-in-principle that this government signed since taking office. I want to be very clear about this. That is in large part due to the outstanding leadership shown by Chief Barry Seymour and other leaders of the Lheidli-T'enneh. We know that it took courage, determination and an incredible amount of hard work to step forward to say: "We're prepared to sit down and talk to you. We want to do what's best for the Lheidli-T'enneh." I remember that historic day in Fort George Park, when the Premier, the Attorney General and Chief Seymour signed the agreement-in-principle — a historic day not just for British Columbia but certainly for the residents of Prince George–Mount Robson.

We also know that through our heartlands economic strategy, we will continue to see the heartland of this province regain its role as a key economic driver of B.C.'s economy. I look at the transportation plan we have put in place — $609 million over three years to provincial transportation needs, including $362 million for road improvements, $210 million for new rural resource roads and $37 million for oil and gas roads. My constituency has seen and will continue to see the benefit of this investment.

My constituents used to tease me that I always prefer to travel the road with a cup of coffee, and I can tell you there were times when I actually wasn't able to do that anymore because of the consistency of the roads at that particular time. I'm delighted to say I can actually now drive — not with coffee in my hand but certainly in the vehicle — for a much longer period of time because of the road improvements that we've seen. It's been fantastic, and I know that is going to continue throughout the next year.

I want to talk a little bit today about a new crossing on the upper Fraser River. For decades in my riding, highway traffic, pedestrians and CN Rail trains have had to share a single-lane trestle that spanned the river. We have committed to building a new bridge for public transport over the river. The previous government was apparently only interested in short-term solutions, so they continued to pump $500,000 a year into maintenance costs for the bridge. This type of planning will never be sustainable. Our government recognizes that investing in transportation infrastructure is critical to the economy of the north. In fact…. [Applause.]

I want you to know that was led by one of my northern colleagues who absolutely agrees — and one of my urban colleagues who has a good understanding of the needs of the north.

The revitalization of B.C. Rail will create an efficient and sustainable rail system with improved connections to the heart of North America and the Pacific Rim. These changes will help the north tap into new business and marketing opportunities. I don't want to underestimate the challenges that my constituents and people who have lived in Prince George, who have believed in the importance of a railway and have understood the legacy of B.C. Rail…. We understand how challenging it was for them during these discussions. But I want you to know that as a result of the revitalization and the partnership agreement, over a billion dollars of investment will create enormous opportunities for those of us who live in the north.

We have an opportunity to grow our economy, to bring increased opportunities to our communities and to allow the north to realize our own future. We have to remember that we made a promise to guarantee the right-of-way, the railbed and the track are legally enshrined under public ownership. That was so important to our constituents. We've maintained that promise. We also will ensure that while a new partner assumes operations of B.C. Rail, the B.C. Railway Company remains a provincially owned Crown corporation. This partnership will be a major source of economic development for the entire province, and it was referenced significantly in the throne speech.

In my community of Prince George, the benefits are huge. We will be the location of CN's new BC. north division office, finally bringing a regional rail office to Prince George. For years people have believed: why shouldn't the centre of the province, the hub of the transportation network, be the home of that office? We're going to see that realized through this partnership. We will also be the site of a new million-dollar state-of-the-art wheel shop. CN will perform all of its western Canadian work in Prince George.

Four million dollars will go towards the Prince George Airport Authority for terminal and runway improvements, making us a transportation hub in British Columbia and allowing tourists much easier access to our market. Think about it. We'll have international opportunities that simply don't exist anymore. I know that one of the first things that the authority, under the leadership of Steig Hoeg and Jim Blake, will be looking at is the expansion of customs and also the runway expansion. That will allow both tourist and cargo carriers of international sizes to land in Prince George. That is an enormous opportunity for us. Think about the potential as we begin to link to the port that will be in Prince Rupert. Communities like Valemount and McBride will be able to take an opportunity to look at increasing tourist opportunities for them as well.

Think about the possibility of new tourism and passenger rail services. That will help create hundreds of new jobs in tourism and hospitality. New tax revenue will help fund local services that are important to us as a community. And yes, the brand-new Chicago express will transport freight to one of our largest markets more quickly and more efficiently. That's good news across the north.

There's more good news: a new major expansion to the port of Prince Rupert. The Prince Rupert Port Authority is in the process of creating a new $9 million cruise ship dock to open in 2004. It is expected that within the next decade, increased economic activity from the cruise ship industry will create 1,000 jobs in Prince Rupert.

A reopening of the Dawson Creek–to-Hythe line to facilitate grain handling from the Peace region, and $15 million for a B.C. Rail–first nations benefits trust…. Think about that. First nations will have the opportunity make decisions about what's important to them. The mandate that's included there is to look at educational opportunities as well — things like skills training and apprenticeship.

Additionally, there's $135 million for a northern development initiatives process, $15 million of which will be dedicated to Prince George. I want to speak about that last point just for a minute, because it is very exciting — $135 million being returned to northerners to support economic development and investments in areas such as forestry, pine beetle recovery, transportation, tourism, mining, Olympic opportunity and small businesses. This fund is going to be administered by northerners. We're returning money and decision-making authority to those of us who live in the north.

Regional advisory committees for each of the four regions of the north will provide input on spending priorities. I know that my community is excited about being able to be directly involved in the decisions that will assist as we rebuild our economy.

Let's talk about Prince George–Mount Robson. Let's talk about Prince George. Prince George saw the value of construction increase by a further $12.2 million. Commercial construction is at the highest level it's been at for 20 years. A new mine operation, Kemess North, is being talked about being opened. Overall, mining is making a huge turnaround not only in this region but in our province as well. If you listened yesterday to the Minister of State for Mining, my colleague from Prince George North, we know that he is going to provide outstanding leadership in this area. It's an important portfolio, and one that absolutely should reside in the northern part of this province.

As we look all around us, there are exciting opportunities for those of us who live in the north. Prince George's unemployment rate has fallen significantly. At the beginning of 2003 it was at 14.6 percent; by the end of 2003 it dropped to under 10 percent. That's wonderful news. Is it enough? Absolutely not. As the Premier reminds us constantly, as ministers and as government our job is to focus on the rebuilding of the economy, and we're going to focus on jobs, jobs and more jobs. That's exactly what we intend to do.

Students from the UBC medical school will be arriving very shortly to attend the first cohort of 24 students that will attend their medical training program in Prince George. Recently it was a real pleasure to have eight students come to Prince George to, in essence, test out the technology, to check to see that the model that we've put in place will actually work.

You know, I'm going to take just a minute to brag a little bit about this project because it was an idea that started in Prince George. It was a groundswell. It was people coming together and saying: "We need to do something in Prince George to address the medical concerns that we have. We can't recruit physicians fast enough, and we can't retain the ones we have. What are we going to do?" Thousands of people came together and said: "We need to make a difference in the way we manage medical services and provision in the province."

I was so delighted that one of the very first things the now Premier of this province promised was the fact that we would help realize that dream when we became government. He said that, and it's exactly what we've done. In September of this year, 24 medical students will begin their program at the University of Northern British Columbia and at the University of Victoria. That is a phenomenal opportunity for students. It was a significant commitment made by the Premier and delivered on, and we're looking forward to seeing those students begin their program in September.

Most recently, the Minister of Health Services and I were very lucky. He has contributed enormously to the success of this program. You should know it is a program that is not just being looked at around this province, but in fact we're being watched by North America. It made me a little bit nervous when we were at UBC and the leaders of the program there were telling us, in fact, that it could be quite unique and that we're being watched by the world in terms of the success of this program. The Minister of Health Services and I were actually at UBC on site, and there were eight students at the University of Northern British Columbia. With the use of technology, we were actually able to speak to one another to see the demonstration of how a lecture would work connecting three campuses around the province. It was exciting, it was fantastic for us, and it was really quite a landmark day in the way we train people in the province of British Columbia.

The good news is that the eight students who went to the UVic campus and the eight students who went to the University of Northern British Columbia for what they call their prototypical week, which is not even easy to pronounce much less understand…. As we understand it, it was an enormous success. The technology worked very well, and the program went very well.

I want to pay tribute, as well, today to the physicians in our community who have gone through very challenging circumstances and continue to work hard on behalf of the patients that they serve in the northern part of the province. They have stepped up to the plate, and they have supported the northern medical program. It is with a continued partnership and a contin-

ued positive working relationship with the physicians, with the University of Northern British Columbia and with government that we will make this program a success. We know the world is watching. We intend for this to be an incredibly successful program, and I want to thank the physicians in particular for the great work they've done on this project.

I would be absolutely remiss if I did not recognize the president of the University of Northern British Columbia, Dr. Charles Jago, who throughout this process has been a leader. He has been a leader in the north. He has brought together groups of people.

When you want to fast-track a project, there are some things you insist on. The building program has to be on time and has to be on budget, because in September, 24 students are coming whether we're ready or not. I am delighted to tell you that not only is the project on time, but it is on budget.

Construction of the $12 million health sciences centre at the University of Northern British Columbia is on schedule, with a third of the construction complete. The $9.5 million building contract was awarded to Wayne Watson Construction of Prince George last summer, creating almost 100 jobs as we build that facility at the University of Northern British Columbia. I look forward to giving you updates in terms of the program as we move throughout the next year.

The level of energy and support throughout the north committed to the northern medical program has been inspiring. This is a great reason to look forward with anticipation to the results in the next year. The northern medical program is just one example of what we can achieve together as a province and how innovative thinking and partnership can benefit us all. Again, it is the leadership of a Premier that sees possibilities and allows people to dream big dreams, step up to the plate, look at innovation and say we're going to be leaders in British Columbia, we're going to step forward, and we're going to try some new programs. I am delighted we have that kind of leadership in this government.

I want you to know the Robson Valley is one of the true gems of this province. It is a place where people are resilient. They work hard every day, and they are proud of what they do. They are proud of living in the rural part of this province. Our region is brimming with possibility, and the people living there certainly have the strength of character to see their dreams through to fruition. I believe that the people of the Robson Valley represent much of the theme of the throne speech: bringing out the best in British Columbia.

A deal was recently announced in Valemount, one of the communities in my riding, between the B.C. government and Canoe Mountain Resort. This project is expected and estimated at $100 million of investment. It's expected to include two golf courses, 650 housing and hotel units, a community ski hill and a gondola at the top of Canoe Mountain when it is completed in ten years. I've had the pleasure of having many of my colleagues come and visit us in Valemount and help us work through the process that saw this dream come to realization with the signing of that first step. This development has the potential to create over 165 jobs and generate millions of dollars of investment in tourism. The Robson Valley is also perfectly situated to take advantage of other up-and-coming industries.

Green power. I was so pleased to have the Minister of Energy and Mines come to the Robson Valley with me in October, where we were able to meet with independent power producers that are selling electricity directly onto the B.C. Hydro grid. We are currently exploring ways in the Robson Valley to utilize independent power projects so power can be restored to localized areas if they get cut off from the main grid, like we saw last August.

You see, while we weren't impacted directly by the fires — the absolutely devastating impact of the fires last summer — my constituency actually found that power was cut off for weeks to the areas where people live. Once again, under the leadership of our mayor of McBride, Mike Frazier, and the councillors, people that work together there, the mayor of Valemount…. They also worked together. It was difficult for them to deal with those circumstances. As they said to me at the time and they continue to say to me today: "The first and foremost priority was the safety and well-being of those people directly impacted by the fire, but don't underestimate the challenges we faced as a constituency without power. It meant our industry was shut down. It meant hotels and motels were closed — significant challenge." Again, they stood together, they were resilient, and they found solutions and provided suggestions to a number of organizations to make it work.

I'm pleased to say that the Speech from the Throne outlined that 50 percent of all new power produced for B.C. Hydro will be generated from clean alternative energy sources. That is great news for the Robson Valley. I am so proud to represent an area that is constantly looking for made-at-home solutions and a region that is committed to moving forward in a positive direction.

Education is of extreme importance to those of us who live in Prince George–Mount Robson. I want to introduce you to two people in my constituency who have done an amazing job. You see, Valemount wants a new community school. They know these are challenging times, and they appreciate the direction of government as we look toward educational initiatives.

I'm going to break for a moment, and then I'm going to tell you about my two constituents I want you to meet, but I'd like to allow one of my colleagues the floor for an introduction.

D. Hayer: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to the throne speech. What we and all of British Columbia heard on Tuesday was a vision that will help families and communities throughout this province reach their full potential. It's a vision that will build on the foundation that all of us on the government side of this House have been striving for since we were elected in May 2001. This foundation is the basis upon which we will create our future prosperity, the basis on which we will develop the economic stability that will return this province to its number one position in this great country of ours.

All of British Columbia heard that we are now leading the nation in job creation. We have yet to feel the enormous impact that preparations for the 2010 Olympics will bring. We heard that our unemployment is now lower than the national rate. We heard that people are now moving back to British Columbia after a decade of them fleeing our province to jobs and prosperity in other parts of Canada. What this government has done over the past two and a half years has sent a clear signal to those who left that now is the time to return. Now is the time to come back home and enjoy the prosperity, hope and security that a strong, vibrant economy is starting to bring to families across this province. Because this government has held true to its promise to reduce regulation and red tape and create good business climate, we are now seeing investors return to this province. We are now seeing — and realizing — real estate values and investments skyrocket. It means people have confidence in this province once again.

Tuesday's throne speech laid out for everyone what we are going to do to continue with growth — that promise for prosperity, for economic stability and for family security. We heard that some 95,000 regulations have been eliminated and that this government will continue to slash red tape until we have reduced the regulation burden by at least one-third.

We heard the throne speech during the time that the 147 chambers of commerce throughout this province celebrated Chamber Week. They have a theme that signifies what the speech was all about. The theme, "British Columbia: celebrate the best," is what we want for everyone in this province. As a former president of Surrey Chamber of Commerce and past director of B.C. Chamber of Commerce, I know that all those chambers of commerce members, representing more than 25,000 businesses across B.C., were happy to hear this throne speech. It confirmed what we on the government side of this House have been saying all along: we are doing what we promised we would do. We truly are making this a better place to do business, and we will continue to do that because without a vibrant business community, without economic prosperity, we will not have jobs.

The Lieutenant-Governor was very clear when she delivered the very powerful news that British Columbia now leads in national job creation. I know that we have already slashed an enormous volume of red tape, and so I know that the chambers of commerce across this province will welcome the news in the speech that even more legislation will be introduced this year to continue the process to further eliminate unnecessary red tape. Yet while we will be slashing regulation and red tape, at the same time we will be strengthening and improving consumer protection. Although we are increasing the opportunity for competitiveness and competition, improving job creation and ensuring a smooth road toward economic prosperity, the customers — the consumers — will not be left out of this equation. Protections will be introduced and in place to ensure that everyone benefits from the growth and the security that will come as a result of this government's promise to improve our lifestyle and security in this province.

While we are bringing out the best in the economy, I was extremely pleased to hear we will also be bringing about the best in transportation development. While the B.C. Rail agreement figured powerfully in the speech, and its spinoffs that will create economic opportunity in the heartlands of this province, I know that the transportation improvements in my riding of Surrey-Tynehead will be prominent on this government agenda over the next year and the rest of the term of office of this government.

There are many improvements being considered — some already in planning stages, some in the works — that directly affect my riding, the fastest-growing riding in the province. In fact, Surrey-Tynehead has a dubious honour of being home to the biggest traffic bottleneck in the province, the Port Mann Bridge. Because of our great and rapid growth, there are a number of other transportation infrastructure projects that need to be completed over time so that my constituents can get to and from work, home to their families, to events and to shopping in the riding in a timely fashion instead of spending hours stuck in traffic.

I know the Minister of Transportation is aware of the issues that challenge my constituents, for he represents a constituency immediately to the south of mine. I know he knows — as did the previous minister, who did a good job for my constituents right away — that improvements are needed at 152nd Street, 156th Street, 160th Street, 168th Street and 176th Street interchanges on Highway 1 and also the two new interchanges on 156th Street and 168th Street over Highway 1, to say nothing of the widening of Fraser Highway and the freeway from Vancouver to Langley.

The minister also knows the necessity of twinning the Port Mann Bridge, of the new Fraser River crossing between Port Kells in my riding and Maple Ridge, and of completing the South Fraser perimeter road. I know this is a long wish list. My constituents know all of these improvements won't be done overnight, but I know — and I want this House to know — they are encouraged that this government is considering all these things. It has included them in long-range plans. What all this means is that there will be jobs — many, many more new jobs created — and what the throne speech so clearly said is that our young people will be a part of this job creation.

As announced in this throne speech, another $313 million will be going directly into the K-to-12 education system — dollars that will continue to put our students first. The throne speech didn't stop there. We have mandated to commit to increase student spaces by 25,000 in post-secondary institutions by 2010. I would like to thank the Minister of Advanced Education and the Premier for this promise. As a former governor of Kwantlen University College, that statement made me very proud.

Our commitment to higher education doesn't stop there. The government will also lower the admission requirement to permit those with an average grade of 75 percent to gain access to our universities. That was particularly good news and certainly gives encouragement to the hard-working students, because now they know if they work hard, the opportunity for an advanced education is in their reach. It also sends a very clear message — in fact, the entire throne speech has sent a clear message — that we in the government have been listening to what people said, what they wanted. We have done it, and we will continue to do that.

You know, Mr. Speaker, as a member of the government Finance Committee and on other occasions, for my own education, I have travelled to most communities in the province over the past two years. I have spoken to people from tiny villages to large interior cities. They have told me what they thought and what they wanted for their children, for their family security and for their future. Every time they told me something, I learned and I shared with my caucus colleagues. I can tell you that what we have in the throne speech represents much of what I heard.

I was truly pleased to hear of the commitment of Premier Gordon Campbell to establish a Premier's round table on family issues. Bringing out the best in social responsibility is important to all of us. I know that this action alone will be welcome in communities throughout the province, because wherever I went throughout the north, the Cariboo, the Kootenays, the north coast and Vancouver Island, people told me their concerns were centred on their jobs and the well-being of their families today and in the future.

With this vision for British Columbia, we are putting their words into action. We are now truly moving along a path that will see not only today's workers but our future workers and our future leaders achieve the success they strive for, but we need to take care of those who brought us this far. B.C. 's seniors built this province and made this province what it is today. This government is committed to taking care of our seniors. We will look at new strategies to increase the supply of seniors housing, options for independent living and expansion of home care services.

I was impressed on Tuesday, and I am impressed today. I heard the commitment that we will be protecting our environment and our wilderness even further by placing many of our current protected areas under permanent park status for the future enjoyment of all British Columbians. This will be a huge benefit not only to future generations but to today's fast-growing ecotourism industry. As well, the speech contained a commitment to green energy supplies, encouraging businesses to begin to explore and utilize British Columbia's vast and largely untapped clean and renewable energy sources.

At the same time as our government moves toward increased protection of unique and precious wilderness of Super, Natural British Columbia and encouraging renewable energy sources, we are already creating unprecedented opportunities in the mining and forestry resource sectors. In fact, only a few weeks ago our Premier assured these industries full input at the cabinet table by naming two new ministers of state who will be solely responsible for ensuring these industries have the ear of the government in development and job creation. In other words, what the speech has done is confirm this government's commitment to the creation of the firm financial footing this province requires to succeed not only in Canada but throughout the world.

This speech commits the government to better, more accessible education for our young people, to the development of our resource industries, to the expansion of our northern economy, to the protection of our precious natural wonders and to economic security. This speech brings economic certainty. It offers land use stability, and it commits to sharing our resources with the first nations on a fair and equal basis.

In closing, I just want to say that the vision contained within this throne speech is exciting, and as we begin to count down to the 2010 Olympics, the excitement, the enthusiasm and the sense of well-being by everyone in this province will only continue to grow stronger and stronger in every sense.

V. Roddick: On behalf of the MLA for Saanich South, I would like to welcome to the House 35 grade 4 students attended by Ms. D. Huston from Pacific Christian School. Will the House please make them all very welcome.

R. Masi: Just before I begin, I would like to congratulate the Deputy Speaker on his reappointment. It is always good to see the Deputy Speaker in the chair.

There is no question that the task of government in today's world is not an easy one. As the world grows smaller and societies become more complex, the stresses and strains on government become more severe. In this age of instant communication, decision-making time is compressed, and society — especially North American society — demands instant solutions to problems. Yet at the same time society demands to

be part of the solution process, thereby creating a somewhat paradoxical situation for governance today.

Governments, before being elected, outline goals and objectives to the voting public and, following elections, work towards implementation of these objectives. The present government, in my opinion, has done a remarkable job in following through and completing the vast majority of the promises outlined in the New Era document and should be very proud of it.

At times difficult decisions have been taken, but we as citizens understand that if our financial house is not in order, we cannot continue to support and expand the vital health, social and educational programs which are the essential responsibilities of good government.

Provincial governments do not exist in a vacuum. We are subject to the economic vagaries of the world. When the economic health of the U.S. declines, this has a direct effect on the economic growth of British Columbia. When interest rates fluctuate, there is a direct effect on our debt servicing. We are not alone in our economic battles.

Consequently, the press of a provincial government must be to stimulate economic growth by both internal and external means. To this end, our government has moved boldly forward on many fronts by establishing trade missions and specific ministries in order to stimulate economic growth. Examples are small business and economic development, forest management and mining.

In British Columbia today the economic indicators continue to be positive as the economic turnaround continues. The Conference Board of Canada showed B.C. as the only province in Canada where consumer confidence continues to grow. A record $24.2 billion was invested in residential real estate, up 22.6 percent from 2002. The Toronto-Dominion Bank forecasts that British Columbia will have the second-highest GDP of all ten provinces in 2004. The value of building permits increased by 15 percent, almost double the national average of 8.2 percent. Residential permits increased 18.2 percent, more than double the national average. British Columbia experienced a net inflow of 2,614 people — the first time in six years. British Columbia created 77 new jobs in 2003, over twice the national average.

New housing starts are up 22 percent in 2003 over last year. The Economic Forecast Council is expecting British Columbia to see stronger growth in 2004 and beyond.

The port of Vancouver shipments — a very important component — are at record levels, with China the number one source of inbound container traffic. The number of small businesses in British Columbia increased by 3.1 percent following three years of decline, and these are only some of the positive economic indicators we are at last experiencing in British Columbia.

The government has moved boldly forward with a vision of long-term prosperity and security for British Columbians. The Speech from the Throne continues to build on our positive agenda. However, it will take time to meet the ever-demanding requirements of the three large spending areas of government: health, education and human resources. We should always remember as a government that it is the prime responsibility of provincial governments to meet the essential needs of each citizen relative to these health, education and social services.

To date, the government has instituted significant changes in the field of education. One in particular, the newly projected and promising graduation program, is well underway, and students entering grade 10 in September 2004 will begin the 2004 graduation program. Full marks go to the ministry for the inclusion of the planning 10 course and the expectations of the graduation portfolio.

However, given the acute problem of childhood obesity and the proliferation of sedentary activities for young people, the case for inclusion of required physical education courses for grade 11s and 12s should still be re-examined. Physical education is far more than running around a gym. Effective PE includes individualized training programs, healthy eating habits, leadership training, teamwork and an appreciation of how to succeed in our complex social structure.

I believe very strongly that the Ministry of Education could examine the concept of a gradual implementation of required PE in grade 11 for a period of time and then, if it is successful, eventually move it on to include the grade 12s.

Education has always had its share of problems, solutions, experts, detractors and defenders. It is time in British Columbia for everyone to pull together. We cannot continue to afford the luxury of continuing disputes. It is time for the government to lead by presenting new solutions and new approaches. It is time for the teachers union to open up its collective mind and become part of the solution. It is time for the trustees to take a fresh approach to the governance and organizational structures of their districts. It is not time to be bogged down in squabbles about who controls the College of Teachers — the union or the government. Perhaps the real question is: is there even a need for a college of teachers?

Is it not time to assess and then re-evaluate the governance structure of school districts? In British Columbia today almost every large school district operates on a 1930s industrial model. Is it not time to flatten out these structures, lower bureaucratic costs and project more funding directly to the schools?

This is not a new concept. Major corporations have been demonstrating success at this for at least 20 to 25 years. School districts such as Seattle, Washington; Edmonton; Houston, Texas; and New York district 2 have experienced great success both in low-income and in middle-class schools. These models of school-based funding, or sometimes called school-based manage-

ment, can do much to restore the vitality and the motivation of teachers, school administrators, parents and the community at large, thereby having a positive effect on the education of our children, which of course is the prime purpose of the education system. I challenge the teachers union and the trustees of this province to work together toward the implementation of this exciting reform.

In addition to reforming the delivery system for K-to-12 education, it is time to examine the question — and I think very carefully — of community input. We know the Ministry of Education has established committees of parents in an advisory capacity in all the schools of our province. This is a good first step. However, many of the concerns and problems that the public associates with schools are essentially community-based. Consequently, the solutions lie with the community as a whole and not just in the schools. However, the schools could be the catalyst for community involvement.

In this respect, I believe strongly that it is time to re-examine — we had this at one time in British Columbia — the whole concept of community schools. Many educators and most of the public have a vague concept of community schools, largely associating community schools only with extended facility use. It also was unfortunate that the previous government shifted the funding over to the children and families ministry, which projected the idea that community schools were simply a social service centre, therefore shifting the focus of community schools away from education.

Community schools should begin with a properly constituted community school council which represents all the facets of the community, including parents, teachers, recreation workers, police, public health nurses, social workers, church workers, business people, unions, and you name it. This council is the sounding board and the vehicle for the interaction of these groups which represent what takes place, what really takes place in the community. From this council springs the need for cooperative use of facilities, which we've heard lots of — the 12-month use of buildings, the interaction of business and human resource expertise, and the delivery of people services.

There has been much discussion about bullying and violence with our youth. Where better to deal with those types of problems than at a community school advisory council level where all the resources of the community could pull together?

Community schools are not expensive. On the contrary, they are an effective, efficient use of public funds and facilities. I strongly believe that we are long overdue for a radical reform both in our delivery system and in our governance model. I propose — and I hope someone takes this seriously — that the government, the teachers union, the school trustees and the parent groups examine closely the two concepts of (1) school-based funding and (2) community schools, with a view to an immediate implementation.

On a local note in Delta, I'm always happy to witness the recent accomplishments in our education system, in particular the successful literacy programs in my constituency of Delta North. We know that reading provides a foundation for a healthy society, and with our Premier emphasizing the literacy program, we can ensure that our children develop strong literacy skills.

In addition to the very successful literacy program in Delta, there are positive increases recently recorded there in student achievement. I'm very, very proud of the teachers, students, administrators and school trustees in Delta for working hard. I understand that there are two schools in Delta — Pebble Hill and Heath Elementary — that have received $3,000 grants for outstanding student achievement and for improving student literacy.

Turning to another topic…. In the field of health care, all the provinces right across Canada are facing extremely difficult times. Our Canadian medicare system is a fine concept, one of the best in the world, but it is stretched to its financial limit. I believe strongly that it is time for both our federal and provincial governments to take a hard look at a more flexible system.

The essential problem in health services is not the level of expertise or the level of care. It is the ability to access that care. We must be able to shorten the lineups, and this may mean that ultimately the public would have the option of personally paying for some health services. As in education, we need to look at different models of delivery, ways to develop cost-effective care right in our communities.

We know emergency services are under extreme pressure in lower mainland hospitals. Surrey Memorial is a prime example of this type of pressure. Some months ago the Fraser health authority identified North Delta as a site for the construction of a community health centre. This type of health centre would provide primary care to individuals as well as physiotherapy, counselling and the like.

Up and down what is known as the Scott Road corridor, we have 50,000 people in North Delta and a further 50,000 on the Surrey side who would directly benefit from this type of facility. A community health centre would not only greatly improve the delivery of quality health care to these 100,000 people but would alleviate the pressure on the emergency ward at Surrey Memorial, which is currently ranked the busiest emergency ward in the province. This is an example of the innovative thinking we need if we are to ensure the long-term viability of our health care system.

The progress towards electoral reform moves constantly forward with the establishment of the Citizens' Assembly. I know this initiative has ushered in a new hope for the citizens of British Columbia. The independent non-partisan assembly of 160 randomly selected members of the general public has been granted a first-ever chance to review the current electoral system. The panel will learn about and study many electoral systems around the world, including the current system in British Columbia. If the panel recommends that the province adopt a new system, then a referen-

dum question will be drafted and presented to all the voters in the 2005 provincial election.

I cannot emphasize enough the valuable contributions made by many people to bring about this truly remarkable undertaking in democratic reform. However, two people do stand out: first, Gordon Gibson, for his lucid, comprehensive articles and his clear, concise public statements on the need for electoral reform; and second, Nick Loenen, a driving force for Fair Voting B.C. and author of the book Citizenship and Democracy: A Case for Proportional Representation. Both have done outstanding jobs in bringing the process to this stage. The Citizens' Assembly is in place and functioning. The Citizens' Assembly will provide a framework for electoral reform to help ensure that the will of the people is best reflected in the election of their representatives to this Legislature.

The task of the assembly is complex and difficult. How do you balance citizen participation with effective government? What system can guarantee both representation and effective government? In any event, these problems will be pondered over for many hours by the members of the assembly chaired by the most able Jack Blaney, and we wish them well. Whether the final outcome is change or no change, there should be an appreciation for the confidence and the courage of this government, led by the Premier and the Attorney General, demonstrated by both following through with the promise of electoral reform and entrusting the people of this province.

Advanced education is not immune to the financial stresses we face both as a province and as a nation. Post-secondary institutions, in order to meet rising costs, have had to raise student fees to the Canadian average. However, access is still the main problem, with extremely high academic averages required to enter university. I look forward to the 25,000 new spaces promised by 2010.

Towards alleviating the access problems, university colleges are also helping and are rapidly enlarging their degree-granting programs with the support of the Ministry of Advanced Education. I would like to commend the university colleges of British Columbia for their initiative and energy in presenting to our students unique and valuable opportunities not only in the academic fields but also in the very vital area of skills and training. The Minister of Advanced Education is to be commended for her initiatives in the South Fraser area, which includes my constituency of Delta North.

Finally, the long-awaited Simon Fraser University Surrey campus is in place. This campus will fill a longstanding gap for a university presence in this region. In addition to Simon Fraser University, Kwantlen University College serves over 25,000 students who are involved in everything from university-level courses in the arts and commerce to horticulture, nursing and skills training. The broad range of programs ensures that local students receive the advanced education they need to succeed in today's world. We are fortunate that these two fine institutions are available to the many young people in the South Fraser region.

An additional challenge for the Minister of Advanced Education is the development of new structures and frameworks around which we can continue to upgrade our skills in the trade fields. Because of this need for continuing renewal of skills and the impending skills shortage, the Ministry of Advanced Education has acted to review and implement new delivery models for training and apprenticeship. A significant and positive change has been put forward to acknowledge that modular training and competency-based credentials which reflect the actual skills, knowledge and ability of participants are important steps to providing more flexibility for students while maintaining the quality training and credentials they need.

The issue of Burns Bog has been on the table now for many years. It was an issue when I was first elected in 1996, and I have worked with each minister who has had the responsibility for environment since that time, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so successfully. But each minister has, in most cases, moved the final solution for saving this ecological treasure a little closer.

With great pride I can now announce that with the commitment of the Premier and the consistent and energetic approach of the former Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection, we have finally accomplished our goal with a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of the bog. I congratulate all those who have pulled together to save this natural treasure: the Premier; the federal Minister of Environment, David Anderson; the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection; the Burns Bog Conservation Society; the GVRD; and the municipality of Delta. Future generations will thank you.

Turning to transportation, I would like to comment on the Gateway project, which is much on the minds of my constituents in North Delta. The Gateway project, which consists of the South and North Fraser perimeter roads, the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge and supplementary projects, has a completion goal of 2011. However, I would like to focus on immediate need and recommend that the South Fraser perimeter road be placed on a first-priority basis. The proposed highway has been talked about for a long time and with good reason. The purpose of this major highway is to expedite the movement of goods from the CN Rail terminal, Fraser Port, Roberts Bank, YVR, the Canada–U.S. border crossing and beyond. This is a vital link in our provincial transportation network.

Currently, the only truck route along the corridor is to utilize River Road, a road which was designed and built to handle primarily residential traffic along the shoreline of the Fraser River. Construction of the South Fraser perimeter road would alleviate the overwhelming pressure experienced by residents of over 2,000 trucks daily and at the same time would provide the heavy trucks with a dedicated route to move their goods quickly and efficiently. Completion of the South

Fraser perimeter road project would go a long way to greatly improving the total goods and services infrastructure and, in turn, increase the economic advantages not only for the region but for the province as a whole.

To end on a high note, I must comment on British Columbia winning the opportunity to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. What a chance to showcase British Columbia. What a job that the Premier did to win the Olympic bid. The Premier's foresight, enthusiasm, drive and ability to put a world-class team together was the key to winning the bid.

What great opportunities lie before us. First and foremost is the opportunity for British Columbia and Canadian athletes. Imagine the motivation and the excitement for young athletes and their coaches to strive to be the highest and the best. Think of the energy generated in all the communities of the province when local councils, chambers of commerce and Olympic committees begin to pull together to develop local projects — whether they are training facilities, business opportunities, tourism or construction. It is with great pride that we look forward to 2010, when the eyes of the world will be upon us.

The Speech from the Throne is a blueprint for our future. It sets out in bold detail the agenda that this government will be pursuing throughout the course of this legislative session and beyond. This throne speech is more than mere words. It is a statement, a commitment to the people of British Columbia that we will continue to keep our promises and strive to build a better province for all its citizens.

Deputy Speaker: With concluding remarks to the throne speech, the Minister of Advanced Education.

Hon. S. Bond: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me my last minute. I want to say that I will be continuing discussion of my constituents and my constituency in my response to the budget speech that will come ahead. The throne speech has laid out countless opportunities for us. I want you to know that in Prince George–Mount Robson, we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of those opportunities. I am excited about the vision laid out in the throne speech, and I know it will bring benefit not just to my constituents but to all of British Columbia.

W. Cobb: I know it's a little late in the season or the year to be doing this, but it's the first opportunity I've had in the House to do it. I hope everyone had a good holiday season, and I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2004.

The throne speech opened the fifth session of the thirty-seventh parliament. I will talk a bit about the theme of this session's speech: bringing out the best in B.C. and British Columbians. As this year unfolded, with fires, floods and drought, it did exactly that. It brought out the best in all British Columbians, and I want to once again thank those British Columbians for coming to the aid of their neighbours in a time of need.

As the throne speech suggested and our roads — particularly in the Cariboo — indicate, the transportation infrastructure was ignored for most of the nineties. We have a lot of catching up to do. It won't happen overnight, but we have begun that task. The partnership with CN and B.C. Rail, and the funds that partnership will generate, will help kick-start that process. Along with the expanding services to get our resources to market, the $138 million northern development initiative which this partnership will help produce will help rural communities leverage investment for economic development opportunities.

Over the last year I participated in three different task forces and/or committees, and I say that the optimism we saw from people looking towards a brighter future increased as that time went on. First was the mining task force chaired by my colleague from West Vancouver–Capilano. This industry is very appreciative of what we have already done to welcome them back to B.C. The legislation we will be introducing to reduce the unnecessary regulatory requirements placed on coal tenure administration by 29 percent, as well as the introduction of on-line transactions, will assist in clarifying mineral rights and allow for e-payment capabilities. Truly, this government is bringing technology to an industry that has suffered so much in the hands of the previous government. The job is not yet completed, but together we will continue to expand these resources.

The salvage logging committee is another committee, and that, chaired by our new Minister of State for Mining and MLA for Prince George North, was a huge success. The throne speech indicated we will quadruple the amount of timber available by direct awards. That is a bonus for the interior, particularly with the beetle infestation.

The northern interior was built and developed by small-scale entrepreneurs, whether it be agriculture, small business, placer miners or loggers, and this initiative will allow that to continue and expand as well as help us care for the pine beetle infestation problem. We must not forget that our forests are under attack and the beetle problem is ongoing. Our salvage loggers are on the front line doing the job that is going to make the difference in helping to drive the pine beetle out of our forests and keep our families at work.

Then there was the land use planning committee, chaired by a member of the northern caucus. Actually, I'm supposed to be in the committee meeting right now. Sorry, guys. I'll be there later.

The people we met on this tour were also optimistic on the future of B.C. Time and time again we were commended for taking the initiative to speed up the process and get things back on track. They stated often and from all regions of B.C. that we visited that they did not want to even consider going back to the past decade of decline and confrontation.

There were a number of other highlights in the throne speech, like health care, increased funding for education and a commitment to 25,000 new post-secondary education seats by 2010. My colleagues have addressed those and spoken eloquently on them, so I will not repeat them. I will only applaud them.

As we move toward 2010, there will be some huge opportunities available not only for the athletes but for our tourism development for the beautiful Cariboo region, and that is limitless. I am looking forward to

this spring, when the government will be co-hosting the Spirit of 2010 business summit. This summit will bring the ideas of our ridings to businesses and investors from all over the province. We will see detailed Olympic development strategies relating to tourism and labour supply strategies. This will mean jobs for the Cariboo, and I am looking forward to that.

What I want to close with is the economic indicators. Although the past almost three years have been plagued with a number of disasters, our economy is improving. Investment is up — mining, gas, oil and many new forestry expansion announcements — and employment is up. Small business starts are up. This sector accounts for 98 percent of all businesses in B.C., and 83 percent of those are fewer than five employees. Red tape has also been decreased so that we can get on with business. Without the business community, we will not have the resources or the funds for health care and education.

I guess the most pleasing indicators that things are getting better are the employment statistics put out by Stats Canada. The most profound indicators are that for the first time in six years, our migration of residents to B.C. has turned around and is now on the rise. People are now coming back home. Welcome back.

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