2013 Legislative Session: First Session, 40th Parliament
HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

official report of

Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 1, Number 2

ISSN 0709-1281 (Print)
ISSN 1499-2175 (Online)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

The House met at 2:03 p.m.

[Madame Speaker in the chair.]

Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, I call on Rev. Tim Schindel of Leading Influence Ministries of Victoria to say prayers. Please rise.

T. Schindel: Our God in heaven, we thank you for the bounty and beauty of our great province and the many ways in which you have blessed us. We live in a majestic land that is rich in beauty, in natural resources and in the diversity of gifts, talents and abilities instilled in the many people who call British Columbia their home.

We pray today for those who have been chosen to lead our province, both in government and opposition, for the next four years. Give them strength to walk with integrity and honour. Help them to do what is right, to govern from a place of compassion and to walk with great humility before you and the people of British Columbia.

We pray for our Premier and her cabinet. We ask that you will help them set a course that is prudent, compassionate and courageous. Let your blessing and favour be on our province and those who will lead us forward. Amen.

Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor is in the precinct. Please remain seated while we await her arrival.

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Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor requested to attend the House, was admitted to the chamber and took her seat on the throne.

Madame Speaker: May it please Your Honour, the House of Assembly has elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If, in the performance of these duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault be imputed to me and not to the assembly whose servant I am and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to the Queen and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour's person at all seasonable times and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favourable interpretation.

Hon. S. Anton: Madame Speaker, I am commanded by Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor to declare to you that she freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Assembly to Her Majesty's person and government, and not doubting that their respective proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, she grants, and upon all occasions will recognize and allow, their constitutional privileges.

I am commanded also to assure you that the assembly shall have ready access to Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor upon all seasonable occasions and that their proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from her the most favourable construction.

Speech from the Throne

Hon. J. Guichon (Lieutenant-Governor): Fellow British Columbians, Members of the Legislative Assembly, since the chamber was last addressed from the throne, we have learned of the loss of some prominent, beloved British Columbians. They all contributed to making this province a better place to live, and I would like to acknowledge a few of them today.

We were saddened to hear about the recent passing of former Lieutenant-Governor Garde Gardom. His dedication to public service was an example for all of us.

We have also lost First Nations leaders and elders who inspired us all, such as Hereditary Chief and Judge Alfred Scow.

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We mourn the loss of former members of this Legislature, who all served their constituents with distinction: Larry Chalmers, Harold Long, Bill Reid and Graham Richard Lea.

We also recognize the passing of 30 public service employees.

Across this great province local leaders work tirelessly to make a difference close to home. These include community leaders, municipal politicians and community activists such as John Jeffery, Neville Cox, Art Phillips, Allan Sheridan Huddlestan, Bonnie Fournier, Frank Waring, Raymond White and Maureen Milgram Forrest.

We honour those veterans who risked their own lives to protect us: J.W. Bradley, Peter Bazowski, John Mills Calder and Peter G. Bunn.

We pause to remember those British Columbians whose success made a difference in people's lives, both at home and abroad: Hugh John Todd Young, Paul Heller, Bob Wright, David Wilson, Helen Beirnes, Tom Owen and Dr. Wesley Koczka.

We remember fondly those who made us cheer and represented British Columbia so well on the national and international stage: Leona Margaret Smith, Harold Nikirk, Shirley Firth, Alan Clapp and George Norris.

We also mourn those who were taken from us in tragic circumstances or far too soon: Xavier Pelletier and Anthony Sedlak.

Each has made contributions to this great province. As we mourn their loss, we will honour their memory by adding to their legacy.

I also want to recognize British Columbians and our friends from southern Alberta who are struggling with
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the floods and the recovery from the high water that has so significantly affected their lives. My thanks go out to the civic leaders, civil servants and members of the emergency services who have dealt with these crises with such dedication.

Fellow British Columbians, since I had the honour of last addressing you from this chair, citizens across our province have participated in an election. I want to thank all the men and women who put their names forward as candidates.

Whether you won or lost, by contributing to the democratic process, you made it stronger.

In the election British Columbians spoke clearly, and your voice was heard across the country. Today the government you have chosen begins the task of honouring the obligation and opportunity you have bestowed upon it.

Your new government is optimistic for the future, alive to the challenges of our times. But the global economy is fragile, and recovery has been slow. In British Columbia we must protect our economy and the jobs and citizens who depend on it.

Your government is already at work to meet these challenges with a bold plan — a bold plan for a bold province.

Your government will work to seize the economic opportunity of a lifetime presented to all of us by our surplus natural gas. It will begin to chart a course to a debt-free B.C., so the next generation will be able to make choices for themselves when it is their time to lead. It will protect the economy by controlling spending and balancing the budget.

Your new government will act on the mandate you have given it to keep B.C.'s economy strong so we can secure tomorrow together.

Strong economy. Fellow British Columbians, there are shared values that define us as British Columbians: giving our children greater opportunities than we had, caring for those who cared for us and leaving our province as magnificent and beautiful as we found it. Your government believes the best way to protect these values is by growing and strengthening our economy.

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Tomorrow your government will reintroduce balanced budget 2013. This will be the first of four consecutive balanced budgets in its mandate, and to ensure that future budgets are balanced, your government will toughen the balanced-budget law.

A strong economy also means low taxes for families and job creators. Your government will freeze personal tax and carbon tax rates for five years.

Controlling spending so that we can hold the line on taxes for families is one pillar to keep our economy strong. The other requires action to grow the economy.

Through the creation of a new Ministry of Natural Gas Development, your government will bring the liquefied natural gas opportunity home, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and leading to the establishment of the B.C. prosperity fund, which will be protected by law, to eliminate our debt. Your government will accelerate the B.C. jobs plan to drive growth, not just in the natural gas industry but across all of B.C.'s most competitive export sectors.

Your government will continue to improve efficiencies and timeliness of the permitting process, where backlogs will continue to be dramatically reduced.

Your government will launch a core review to make sure government is structured for success.

Your government will also drive growth in the clean energy sector and continue the development of Site C and other new sources of renewable energy to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for future generations.

In the area of technology and innovation your government is creating a new ministry to ensure we are doing all we can to grow this industry, as we said we would do in the B.C. jobs plan. More B.C. ideas need to move from lab to market. This means working with our post-secondary institutions to stay on the cutting edge of research and providing better support for the innovators who want to shape the economy of the future.

Growing our province's economy also depends on getting four fundamental things right: working in partnership with First Nations, making sure citizens have the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, infrastructure to get the goods created by industry and people to customers, and expanding markets in Asia.

Your government will continue ongoing efforts to secure non-treaty economic benefit agreements with First Nations and is committed to finalizing long-term treaties and partnerships, including additional revenue-sharing agreements, to seize economic development opportunities, particularly in the area of liquefied natural gas, which must, can and will create a legacy for all British Columbians, including those who were here first.

Preparing the workforce with skills that match current and future job opportunities where people live and in the communities they love is essential to ensuring that British Columbians are first in line for jobs. To continue equipping our institutions, set targets to match skills to jobs and ensure a seamless delivery of skills training from high school through to entry in the workforce, your government will develop a comprehensive ten-year skills-training plan.

Ensuring our products connect to markets and to each other is fundamental to economic growth. Your government will continue its historic investments in transportation infrastructure.

This year will see the completion of the South Fraser perimeter road. Several other major improvements will move forward, including the ongoing completion of Trans-Canada Highway four-laning program and the next phase of consultations to replace the George Massey Tunnel.
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Asia is the ancestral homeland of so many of our citizens. It is also the home of incredible opportunity for new investment that creates jobs here in British Columbia.

Your government will continue to knock down barriers and open doors in Asia and grow our trade surplus. This is why the provincial government is creating a new ministry uniquely focused on developing and executing the international trade strategy, with a particular focus on Asia. Your Premier will also continue to lead annual trade missions to Asia on behalf of all British Columbians.

Secure tomorrow. Fellow British Columbians, a strong economy makes it possible to afford the vital programs and services we need to care for each other; to educate our children; to keep B.C. a safe, just and clean place for everyone to live. A strong economy secures tomorrow.

Today British Columbia leads the country for best health outcomes. Your government will work to maintain this by continuing to drive innovation and change across the system and keep spending focused on patients. Your government will deliver on an end-of-life care plan to double the number of hospice beds by 2020 so we can better care for those we love in their last days.

Your government will also work to better care for the well-being of our province's most vulnerable citizens. Significant reforms have been made at Community Living British Columbia. Your government will ensure they are fully implemented and benefiting the families who depend on us.

Your government will also act to implement the early-years strategy, announced in the previous budget and to be recommitted tomorrow in this House. And preparatory work will commence for the future implementation of the early childhood tax benefit, to help make life more affordable for young families.

Children and families need stability in their homes and in our schools. Continuous labour disruption does not help our children compete in the world, and it does not help our children learn. Your government will work to bring together teachers, parents and school boards to achieve long-term labour stability in our classrooms.

For parents and families, your government will bring in the $1,200 B.C. education and training grant for every child born after January 1, 2007, to help parents save for their children's post-secondary education. This money does not belong to government to spend at taxpayers' expense. It belongs to parents to save on behalf of their children.

A safe and just province is also central to preserving our quality of life. Your government will work to enhance public safety and security for all British Columbians and implement the domestic violence prevention strategy.

Your government will also maintain its leadership in the effort to stop bullying. A new on-line reporting tool and threat assessment guidelines for all school districts, backed by protocols and comprehensive training, set B.C. apart, and we must do more. Our province is a better place when children have the courage to stand up to bullying and when parents, teachers and friends stand strong with them.

Fellow British Columbians, your government is honoured by your choice and is committed to drive forward with passion and resolve so that British Columbians can prosper today and tomorrow.

This is an historic opportunity for our province. This can be the generation that strengthens the economy to secure tomorrow. This can be the generation that puts our province on the course towards a debt-free future. It is the greatest of gifts we can give to our children and to their children: the opportunity to be unburdened by the choices of generations before and free to make choices for theirs and generations ahead.

This is the opportunity and the obligation you have given your government. Let that work begin.

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To the Members of the Legislative Assembly: I congratulate each and every one of you for standing up and running for office. You and your families have already sacrificed much to be here, but on behalf of all British Columbians, I appeal to each and every one of you to continue to put the citizens you represent first and strive every day to make this wonderful province only more magnificent in every way possible.

I wish you all success in this first session of the 40th parliament of the province of British Columbia. "Splendor sine occasu" — "splendour without diminishment." Thank you. Merci. Hychka.

Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

[Madame Speaker in the chair.]

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

General Election Results

Clerk of the House:

June 5, 2013

Craig James
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Room 221
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4

Dear Craig James:

Please consider this letter a certified report — according to section 147 of the Election Act, RSBC 1996, chapter 106 — regarding the results of the 40th provincial general election.
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Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor dissolved the 39th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia via a proclamation issued on April 16. A general election was required to fill vacancies caused by the dissolution. Writs of election were issued on the morning of April 16 calling for a general election on May 14. The writs were returnable today, June 5.

The general election was held pursuant to the provisions of the Election Act.

A recount of candidate ballots was conducted by the district electoral officer for Saanich North and the Islands under section 136 of the Election Act.

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In addition, the district electoral officer for the electoral district of Coquitlam-Maillardville was required to apply for a judicial recount of the ballots in that district in accordance with section 139(5)(b) of the Election Act. The judicial recount began on June 4 and is currently underway.

I hereby certify that the following 84 members have been elected to represent their respective electoral districts as set out below.

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If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,
Keith Archer, PhD
Chief Electoral Officer
British Columbia

June 7, 2013

Craig James
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Room 221
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4

Dear Craig James:

As you know, a provincial general election was held on May 14.

The district electoral officer for the electoral district of Coquitlam-Maillardville was required to apply to the Supreme Court for a judicial recount of the ballots in the district in accordance with section 139(5)(b) of the Election Act. This resulted in a delay in returning the writ of election for this electoral district.

Mr. Justice Barry M. Davies conducted the judicial recount on June 4, 2013. Following the conclusion of the judicial recount, a two-day appeal period was observed, as required by section 144 of the act. The appeal period ended on June 7, with no application made for an appeal.

Mr. Justice Barry M. Davies has since issued a certificate of the results of the judicial recount to the district electoral officer. The district electoral officer for Coquitlam-Maillardville has now returned the writ and signed certificate of election to my office.

In accordance with section 147(2) of the Election Act, I hereby certify the election of B.C. NDP candidate Selina Mae Robinson as the member to represent the electoral district of Coquitlam-Maillardville in the Legislative Assembly.

Sincerely,
Keith Archer, PhD
Chief Electoral Officer
British Columbia
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June 11, 2013

Hon. Bill Barisoff
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Room 207
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X4

Hand-Delivered

Dear Speaker:

I write to formally resign my seat as MLA, Westside-Kelowna, effective immediately.

I consider it a privilege and honour to have served in the Legislature since May 2009 and will forever be grateful for the confidence placed in me by my constituents, the camaraderie of my elected colleagues, the spirited debate both inside and outside the chamber and the unwavering support of my family in affording me the luxury of pursuing a lifelong ambition.

I wish you and the hon. members from both sides of the House many years of health and happiness.

Yours very truly,
Ben Stewart
MLA, Westside-Kelowna

Hon. S. Anton: Madame Speaker, I move that the certificates of the Chief Electoral Officer of the results of the election of members be entered upon the Journals of the House.

Motion approved.

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Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 1 — AN ACT TO ENSURE
THE SUPREMACY OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. S. Anton presented a bill intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament.

Hon. S. Anton: I move that Bill 1, intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, be introduced and now read a first time.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Anton: The introduction of this bill prior to consideration of the throne speech expresses the established right of parliament, through its elected members, to deliberate independently of the Sovereign. As such, it is an important part of our parliamentary democratic process. It's a right that was first asserted by the Parliament at Westminster in the year 1603, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Madame Speaker, I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 1, An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY SPEAKER

Hon. M. de Jong: I move, seconded by the member for Juan de Fuca, that Douglas Horne, the member for Coquitlam–Burke Mountain electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

APPOINTMENT OF
ASSISTANT DEPUTY SPEAKER

J. Horgan: I move, seconded by the member for Abbotsford West electoral district, that Raj Chouhan, member for Burnaby-Edmonds electoral district, be appointed Assistant Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIR,
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Hon. M. de Jong: I move, seconded by the member for Juan de Fuca electoral district, that Marc Dalton, the member for Maple Ridge–Mission, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

PRINTING OF Votes and Proceedings

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

Motion approved.

APPOINTMENT OF
SELECT STANDING COMMITTEES

Hon. R. Coleman: I move:

[That the Select Standing Committees of this House, for the present Session, be appointed for following purposes:

1. Aboriginal Affairs;

2. Education;

3. Finance and Government Services;

4. Health;

5. Public Accounts;

6. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills;
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7. Crown Corporations;

8. Children and Youth;

and further that a Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives be appointed for the present Parliament,
which said Committees shall severally be empowered to examine and enquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers, and records, and that a Special Committee be appointed to prepare and report with all convenient speed lists of members to compose the above Select Standing Committees of this House under Standing Order 68 (1), the Committee to be composed of the Hon. M. de Jong, (Convener), Eric Foster, Scott Hamilton, Linda Reimer, Jackie Tegart, John Horgan, Sue Hammell, Maurine Karagianis, and Shane Simpson.]

Motion approved.

Motions Without Notice

LEGISLATIVE SITTING HOURS

Hon. M. de Jong: Madame Speaker, by leave, I move:

[That effective immediately, the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia be amended as follows for the duration of the First Session of the Fortieth Parliament, which commenced June 26, 2013:

1. That Standing Order 2(1) is deleted and the following substituted:

Sittings

Daily sittings.

2. (1) The time for the ordinary meeting of the House shall, unless otherwise ordered, be as follows:

2. That Standing Order 3 be deleted and the following substituted:

Hour of interruption.

3. If at the hour of 6:30 p.m. on any Monday and Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, the business of the day is not concluded and no other hour has been agreed on for the next sitting, the Speaker shall leave the Chair:

subject to the provisions of Standing Order 2(2)(b).]

Leave granted.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. de Jong moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Madame Speaker: The House stands adjourned until ten o'clock tomorrow morning.

The House adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

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