2014 Legislative Session: Second 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)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Afternoon Sitting
Volume 5, Number 1
ISSN 0709-1281 (Print)
ISSN 1499-2175 (Online)
CONTENTS | |
Page | |
Speech from the Throne |
1191 |
Introduction and First Reading of Bills | 1195 |
Bill 1 — An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament | |
Hon. S. Anton | |
Appointment of Deputy Speaker |
1195 |
|
1195 |
Appointment of Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole |
1195 |
Printing of Votes and Proceedings |
1195 |
Appointment of Select Standing Committees |
1195 |
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014
The House met at 2:05 p.m.
[Madame Speaker in the chair.]
This being the first day of the second session of the 40th Legislative Assembly of the province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Judith Guichon, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, hon. members took their seats.
Madame Speaker: Allow me to welcome all guests to British Columbia's House today, and allow me to call on the bishop-elect of the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia, the Very Reverend Dr. Logan McMenamie, dean of Columbia and rector of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, to say prayers.
L. McMenamie: We recognize, as we gather here today, that we come from a variety of faith traditions. Within our own tradition, let us prepare our hearts for prayers and listen to the words of the Prophet Micah: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?"
Creator, today as we meet in this place, we recognize that we meet on the traditional lands of the First Peoples. We give thanks for their hospitality and welcome.
We thank you for this good land in which we live; for the mountains and ocean; for the rivers and streams; for the ancient rocks and trees; for the cry of the eagle, the raven and the call of the gull; for the elk, the bear and the orca; for the produce of this land; for the people of this land, diverse and creative, gifted by you for our life together.
We thank you that you have called us into leadership in this province and have charged us with the care of this land and its people. We ask for your blessing upon this chamber and those who shall meet here and govern. You have called each one and placed them here for a time such as this. You have given them your wisdom, and you know each one's heart.
Allow them, in the governance of this province, always to seek justice and the way of peace. Allow them to listen and engage in conversation in a manner that shows your gentle spirit in their lives. Allow all who speak and lead in this place to follow and show forth in their character your way of compassion.
May the Creator bless this place where you shall meet to take counsel. May the Creator bless this time you offer to one another and to the work of this province. May the Creator bless the conversations you will have with one another and that you serve here in this place. And may the Creator bless each one of you in your calling to leadership within this province.
These prayers we offer up to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor is in the precinct. Please remain seated while we await her arrival.
Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor requested to attend the House, was admitted to the chamber and was pleased to deliver the following gracious speech from the throne.
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. From different backgrounds, different parts of the province and different walks of life, their contributions were as diverse as the province they helped to build. They all helped make British Columbia a better place to live. I want to acknowledge some of them today.
Last year British Columbians mourned the passing of Nelson Mandela, who inspired people around the world and across this province.
We lost former members of the Legislature Harry De Jong, Agnes Kripps, Newell Morrison and former Member of Parliament George Whittaker.
Members of this House suffered personal loss: Jack Barnett, husband of MLA Donna Barnett; Ken Dix, father of the Leader of the Opposition; and Rosa Coleman, mother of Minister Coleman.
We lost First Nations leaders who led their communities and inspired all British Columbians: Gene Rheaume, Dr. Alfred Joseph, Chief John McIntyre, Chief Bruce Point, Chief Joe Mitchell and Chief Ernie Campbell.
People across British Columbia mourn the passing of those who served us all, as activists; journalists; and municipal, community and labour leaders — people like Order of British Columbia recipients Tim Jones and Jack Munro or lesser-known citizens like Muriel Dove, who received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal at the age of 97 for a lifetime of quiet, selfless service to others.
We also pause to remember 34 public service employees who have passed away since we last met in June.
We pause to reflect on veterans, law enforcement officers and firefighters who risked their lives for this country and the safety of our communities — veterans like Tom Cove, who ran the poppy drive for 25 years; or Gim Wong, who in 1943 at the age of 22 was the youngest commissioned officer from the Chinese-Canadian community; or police officers like Louis Beglaw, who died on duty in West Vancouver; and Terry Albrecht, who blazed a trail for female officers in her profession.
We take a moment to think of the families of the Canadian Forces members deployed abroad today.
We are saddened by the loss of British Columbians who died under tragic circumstances — Naguib Damji and Julie Paskall.
Each has made contributions to this great province. As we mourn their loss, we will honour their memory by adding to their legacy.
Fellow British Columbians, many of these men and women made contributions in a different time. The postwar world they created was democratic, safe and prosperous. That was a generation ago. We have to have the courage to confront the reality of our own times.
For almost 40 years western economies have been growing by, perhaps, 2 or 3 percent per year or less. Western governments face a stark choice — to manage decline and spend themselves into bankruptcy or find new ways to grow the economy. Too often, leaders have said they were in favour of economic development but put off making decisions. Too often, leaders have exchanged purpose for process. Growing the economy, economic development, means getting to yes.
To follow through on economic development, you need a plan. The plan must have at its centre British Columbians from all walks of life — those raising young families or just starting post-secondary education, newcomers to our province, British Columbians who have lived and made contributions here and First Nations, who have lived here for millennia.
Economic development is about creating more opportunities for everyone, lifting people out of poverty and allowing all citizens to reach their enormous potential. Building on the B.C. jobs plan, your government's plan to grow the economy has five points: first, to control spending and remain committed to fiscal responsibility; second, to open new markets and attract new investment; third, to leverage our existing strengths; fourth, to realize the incredible opportunity of LNG; and fifth, to prepare British Columbians to be first in line for job opportunities through skills training.
The first step is controlling spending and keeping government small. British Columbians have to prioritize, make choices and balance their own budgets. They expect no less from their government. In June, I called the House back immediately after the provincial election. The members debated and passed the balanced budget.
Controlling spending also means cost certainty and labour stability for taxpayers. This government has reached four labour agreements. Once ratified, these would cover almost a third of the public sector.
I want to thank everyone involved in this process, including the negotiators and labour leaders. Because of your efforts, British Columbians know that government spending will not spiral out of control. And because of you, union members have a direct financial stake in growing the economy. Your government will continue to negotiate with unions for longer-term labour peace across all other public sectors.
Fiscal responsibility is the foundation upon which we build our future. The next step is attracting new investors and opening up new markets. Doing that creates jobs here at home.
For Canada's Pacific Gateway, the future lies in trade with the growing economies of Asia, and in November the Premier led her fourth international trade mission. The team was truly Team British Columbia, as it included leaders from every sector and region of our province, municipal and regional governments, trade unions, business, education and First Nations.
The hard work is paying off. Last year British Columbia broke a record for lumber exports to China. This happened because of the joint efforts of industry and the provincial government to solidify trade relationships. This model is a blueprint for success we will follow with the mining and the agricultural industries.
British Columbia also became the first foreign government to issue bonds in the China RMB market — a vote of confidence that will not soon be forgotten by our partners in the world's fastest-growing economy, a vote of confidence that will pay dividends with trade and jobs here in British Columbia.
One of the hallmarks of your government has been its determination to eliminate unnecessary and duplicate regulations in government. In ten years this has resulted in cutting over 150,000 regulations and unnecessary red tape. The core review, which is already underway, will identify further steps to make sure your government is efficient and structured for success.
In British Columbia economic development has traditionally been led by the hard-working men and women in small communities in our resource industries. Because of our resource industries, B.C. outperforms expectations. When our resource industry thrives, all British Columbians benefit right across the province.
Forestry and mining alone employ more than 86,000 British Columbians and generate billions of dollars in economic activity and revenue. Your government can and will do more. Under the B.C. jobs plan, this government is committed to enabling the opening of another six mines and expanding nine more by 2015. Two new mines are open, including the first metals mine in a decade. Major expansions have been approved for another six.
Technology is already B.C.'s third-largest industry, with major hubs in Victoria, Vancouver and Kelowna. British Columbia has a thriving technology ecosystem today with a potential to become an international leader. In health care, the sector will improve patient care and health outcomes and reduce costs. In natural resource development, the sector will improve safety and productivity. In education, it will allow us to build a personalized education for every single student.
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Your government has established a ministry tasked specifically with growing the technology industry and ensuring we train the talent to meet its needs.
Across the Pacific a remarkable transformation is taking place. By 2020 the middle class in Asian countries is forecasted to triple to 1.7 billion people. This transformation has already started to create a corresponding demand for energy — cleaner, safer energy. By 2030 LNG demand is projected to increase 2½ times.
LNG is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create 100,000 new jobs throughout British Columbia and a prosperity fund to eliminate the provincial debt. It is also the greatest single step we can take to fight climate change.
The People's Republic of China accounts for fully one-quarter of the world's carbon emissions. This is chiefly because they rely on coal to generate power. By switching even a small percentage of that to the world's cleanest-burning non-renewable resource, China could reduce emissions by over 90 megatons per year. This is more than our total provincial emissions in a year and a half.
Natural gas is the world's cleanest non-renewable fuel, which would make an appreciable difference in the global fight to cut emissions. This government is taking steps to realize this opportunity. Agreements have been reached for the two parcels at Grassy Point with Aurora LNG and Woodside, respectively.
This government is taking steps towards establishing the LNG Buy B.C. initiative to match B.C. businesses, small and large, with LNG investors and projects. This year this government will lay out an overall framework for LNG that includes taxation, environmental actions — to help make B.C.'s LNG industry the cleanest in the world — and First Nations benefits.
As thousands of new jobs come on the horizon, injecting new revenues into communities, we also have a great responsibility: ensuring that First Nations are full participants and beneficiaries of the new economic growth. Some of our First Nations communities have been left out of economic growth for too long.
We must be the generation that not only puts British Columbia on a path to new economic growth but also ensures that First Nations are an integral part of that growth. This will help them become the self-sustaining communities their leaders envision — healthy, safe, wealthy communities where every child gets a great education; communities where every child has an equal opportunity for a prosperous future.
B.C.'s greatest strength has always been its citizens. We have shown the world there truly is strength in diversity. This is particularly important to remember in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident. In the 100 years since, the South Asian community has made significant contributions to this province — one of our cornerstone communities.
We also have to make amends for the discriminatory policies of the past. In this session the government will introduce a motion to formally apologize for the historical wrongs done to the Chinese community. We cannot undo these wrongs, but we have to acknowledge them, confront them and learn from them.
To make sure British Columbians are ready to be first in line for the job opportunities that are coming, the government continues to engage private sector businesses, private sector labour unions and educational institutions on skills training. In B.C. we launched the skills and training plan to ensure just that.
While LNG presents British Columbia with a unique opportunity and a unique challenge, skills training is a Canadian issue. As a nation, we need to do a better job of preparing the next generation for the jobs that will meet them.
In British Columbia we are looking at both a wave of retirement and new economic growth across the province, driven by surging natural resource industries. We have the opportunity and the challenge of a million job openings over the next decade. We need to improve the number and quality of trades and technical graduates.
This spring your government will seek to connect British Columbians with opportunities through a ten-year skills-training action plan for youth and older workers seeking to retrain.
British Columbians can look forward to enhancements to the Industry Training Authority, as well as the re-engineering of our secondary and post-secondary institutions, to ensure our students have the skills for the jobs of the future, because British Columbia needs each and every one of you — those about to enter the workforce, those already in the workforce who need to upgrade skills and those who have never been in the workforce, including and especially the disabled, single parents and First Nations.
As British Columbia grows, so does our capacity to ensure the highest quality of life for British Columbians we can afford. The only path to a secure tomorrow lies in a strong economy. That starts with having the physical infrastructure in place. Over the past 13 years our province has seen the biggest-ever improvements in transportation infrastructure. Important investments have been made in our road infrastructure, our bridges, ports and airports.
This has created more convenience for British Columbians, whether they are travelling, commuting or getting their goods to market. It has also enabled economic growth and the new jobs that come with it.
Over the coming year your government will develop a new ten-year transportation plan that will identify the areas of greatest need for investment as we move into the next decade.
While the investment necessary for infrastructure may
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command the most attention, social infrastructure is no less important. It is a growing economy which enables your government to continue to make investment in the services that British Columbians depend on.
B.C. health care is already one of the most efficient in the country. We have the second-lowest cost per capita and deliver the best outcomes, bar none. To ensure our health care remains the best in Canada, we must continue to innovate. We must find new ways to invest every health dollar to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
Thanks to students, educators and parents, British Columbia's public education system continues to rank among the highest in the world. Our children must have the best chance possible to realize their full potential, so your government will continue to work toward creating a personalized education plan for every student and an agreement to ensure a decade of labour peace in our classrooms.
For communities to succeed, they must be safe. Growth can be rough around the edges, bringing new problems, especially for smaller communities. While crime rates have fallen over the past number of years, the number of British Columbians who are victims of crime, especially violent crime, remains too high.
Last year the member for Abbotsford South was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to lead a blue-ribbon panel on reducing crime and its cost to our province.
Over the past year government has taken significant action on domestic violence and on missing and murdered women. That's why this year we will introduce a long-term comprehensive strategy to move towards a violence-free B.C. and ensure women, including aboriginal and vulnerable women, have the supports they need to help prevent violence, to escape from violent situations and to recover if they have been victims of crime.
As well, our ERASE strategy has made B.C. a national leader in bullying prevention, and several provinces have reached out to learn from us. ERASE will continue to remain a dynamic and cutting-edge strategy to help ensure our schools and communities are safe and caring places.
Responding to challenges as they emerge and improving quality of life for British Columbians means making sure government policies reflect the reality of the times. It means making commonsense changes to antiquated rules to reflect the way British Columbians actually live.
After hearing from over 76,000 British Columbians about modernizing B.C.'s liquor laws, your government will enact the changes that you have suggested. In this coming session legislation will be passed to reform liquor policy to give consumers greater convenience, protect health and safety and give business new opportunities to grow. From vineyards in the Okanagan to craft breweries on Vancouver Island to small businesses across our province, modern rules will set the table to grow our economy and create jobs.
As well, British Columbians have had no meaningful legislative reform to protect our precious groundwater supply for more than a century. After four years of detailed consultations with British Columbians, your government is ready to introduce a new water sustainability act to help ensure that our water stays healthy and secure for future generations.
We were among the first jurisdictions in the world to account for the real cost of carbon with a carbon tax. Last year the governments of California, Oregon and Washington states followed our lead and signed the Pacific coast action plan. Working collaboratively, we will help them develop or improve carbon-pricing programs, merge standards on low-carbon fuels and work together to embrace clean energy.
And this government will continue to stand up for British Columbians with our five conditions for any new or expanded heavy-oil pipeline. It is an articulation of the way we do business in B.C. — responsibly.
Those are the challenges of our time, and as one great leader once said, we choose to do this not because it will be easy but because it is hard, because it will "serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone and one which we intend to win." John F. Kennedy said those words more than 50 years ago.
The central challenge facing that generation was different. They lived in a period of incredible growth. They could afford to go to the moon. The challenge facing our generation may be less dramatic, but it is no less important.
Finding new ways to create new opportunities, care for those who need it and protect our environment. To maintain the institutions set by our parents and grandparents. To grasp the opportunity for economic growth. To give our children the chance to succeed and surpass us as each generation should.
In 2013 British Columbians looked to the future and gave a mandate to your government, a mandate that they expect the government to fulfil — a better future, a brighter future, a more prosperous and greener future. A strong economy. A secure tomorrow. It is your government's task to deliver.
Members of the Legislative Assembly, what you do here is so important. As I travel the province, I remind leaders and students that our communities must be built on the strong foundation of three Rs: respect, relationship and responsibility. We must nurture respectful relationships with one another and with the land that sustains us, and we must be responsible and leave our community, our province, our land in better condition for those that follow.
Splendor sine occasu. Splendour without diminishment.
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We thank members of the Legislature and your families for the sacrifices you make, some of you for many years, in order to work on behalf of the people of the province and the Crown. We in British Columbia are richer for your service and dedication.
I wish you all success in this second session of the 40th parliament of the province of British Columbia.
Thank you.
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.
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.
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 electoral district, that Douglas Horne, 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, member for Maple Ridge–Mission electoral district, 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 the hon. 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. C. Clark: I move that the select standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:
1. Aboriginal Affairs;
2. Education;
3. Finance and Government Services;
4. Health;
5. Public Accounts;
6. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills;
7. Crown Corporations;
8. Children and Youth;
which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House and to report
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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. Mike de Jong, convener; Eric Foster; Scott Hamilton; Linda Reimer; Jackie Tegart; John Horgan; Sue Hammell; Maurine Karagianis; and Shane Simpson.
Motion approved.
Hon. M. de Jong moved adjournment of the House.
Motion approved.
Madame Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.
The House adjourned at 2:46 p.m.
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