2014 Legislative Session: Third 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)

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Morning Sitting

Volume 16, Number 2

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014

The House met at 10:05 a.m.

[Madame Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

Hon. C. Clark: I am delighted today to introduce some very special guests who are on the floor of this chamber — some great British Columbians and great Canadians who remind us of how important it is to give: Rolly Fox, who is Terry Fox’s father; Fred Fox and Darrel Fox, Terry’s brothers; Judy Alder, his sister; and Mark Pettie, who’s a family friend who has always supported the work that they do.

Terry Fox was a young man who, in a uniquely Canadian way, led a life that reminded us of so many things and inspired so many people around the world. He possessed four traits that I admire greatly: he was determined, he was purposeful, he was hard-working, and he was a man of great principle and character. He was a young man who, despite his few years, showed us all in Canada how a fulfilling and meaningful life can be lived.

I hope the House will make the Fox family very welcome today.

M. Farnworth: It’s my pleasure to join with the Premier, from this side of the House, to also welcome Rolly Fox; Fred Fox; Darrel; his sister, Judy; and Mark Pettie.

As the MLA for Port Coquitlam and someone who’s known…. You know, at school at the same time as Fred and Terry; Mark Pettie I’ve known since junior high school. I’m the MLA in that community. I can tell you, to echo the words of the Premier, there’s something really special about representing the community where Terry Fox is from, a British Columbian and a Canadian hero and something that we in Port Coquitlam — and, I know, all of us — are immensely proud of. Welcome.

Rolly, as I joked with you earlier, when we ran in the Terry Fox Run that time and I accidently tripped you up — there’ll be no tripping you up today.

Hon. J. Rustad: The Tsilhqot’in people have taken a case forward in Canada and created what is a first in terms of aboriginal title within Canada. It’s a first in terms of how we view it, but of course they’ve recognized the traditional territory for thousands upon thousands of years. It’s with great pleasure today that I’d like to introduce to the House Chief Roger William, Chief Joe Alphonse and the legal counsel, Jay Nelson. Would the House please make them welcome.

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S. Robinson: I have two introductions I’d like to make.

I, too, would like to welcome the Fox family and, in particular, Mark Pettie. What I’d like the House to know is that I was on the initial organizing committee for the Coquitlam Terry Fox Run because the PoCo run was almost too large. I managed to twist this gentleman’s arm and bring him in and get him to take on the leadership, take on the helm of that run. He has tripled the number of people who come out, the number of volunteers and the amount of money that we raise. I think we need to congratulate and recognize the hard work of Mark Pettie as a volunteer in our communities.

Thank you, Mark.

I’d also like to ask the House to welcome my fabulously amazing, brilliant daughter, who is here today. Leya Robinson is up in the gallery. She graduated with her BSW. She’s doing a little bit of work here in the capital and sharing my apartment, which is always very interesting. They go, and then they come back, and I’m thrilled to have her come back. But she’s on her way to go and explore and do a little bit of travelling.

If the House could please welcome her. Hopefully, she’ll come back and we’ll reintroduce her again when she’s back safely from her travels in the spring.

L. Reimer: It’s my absolute honour today to introduce to you a group of people who have carried on Terry’s dream of finding a cure for cancer. Those are some Terry Fox Run organizers and volunteers. They are Courtney Hill, Jody Hill, Doug Lamb, Linda Johnstone, Rob Reid and Darren Wark. Would the House please make them welcome.

It’s also a pleasure for me to introduce today Mark Pettie’s wife, Tina Pettie. I want to thank her very much. Mark has been so involved in our community, and Tina has been such a great support to him. Would the House please make her welcome.

Also with us today are Mark’s aunt and uncle. Ron Sherwood — Ron was a councillor in Merritt for over 20 years and is currently living in Victoria — and his wife Joan are here. Would the House please make them welcome.

D. Eby: It’s a pleasure to introduce the former mayor of Victoria, David Turner, who’s here today. Also here are Hilary Marks, a social worker, and, somewhere in the precinct, Kym Hines. They are here to represent the Committee to End Homelessness. I’m looking forward to meeting with them later on today — it will be a pleasure — and thank them for their wonderful work in that group.

Hon. P. Fassbender: I’m not sure they’re in the House at the moment…. I would like to say that yesterday was a very tragic day in the country, as we all know. But I also had the honour to go to a very special event called We Day. I saw 20,000 young people celebrating the fact that
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they can make a difference in our communities, in our province and in our country, if not in the world.

I’d like the House to join me in thanking Lorne Segal, the chair of the We Day committee, the Kielburger brothers and the Save the Children Foundation for the great work that they’ve done, and all of the administrators, teachers and students that participated yesterday in that great event.

Hon. N. Yamamoto: In the House today I have a special group visiting from my riding — Mr. Smith’s grade 11 class from Bodwell High School. Bodwell High School is an international school in North Vancouver, and it has students from over 40 countries. In fact, joining Mr. Smith’s class today are students from ten different countries. Students in this chamber that are here today are representing countries like China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Mali, Turkey, Brazil and, of course, Canada.

It occurs to me that these students actually weren’t around when Terry Fox made us so proud to be Canadian. I would urge Mr. Smith and your class to look up Terry Fox and all he’s done to show that you can make a difference as well. Welcome to Victoria.

Would the House please make them feel welcome to the chamber.

[1015]

Tributes

GLENN IVENS

J. Horgan: I rise with sadness today to inform the House that my legislative assistant Leslie Ivens’s brother, Glenn Ivens, died suddenly last week and will be memorialized today at 11 o’clock. Glenn was an employee at the Victoria Times Colonist as an electrician for the past 20 years. He was a sportsman, an avid sports buff, but most importantly, he was a lacrosse player.

Glenn will be missed by Leslie, absolutely, and their family, but he will also be missed by the family at the Times Colonist. I know that in an era of constraining of media outlets, people being let go and less and less people to do more and more work, the Times Colonist family has lost a member today. I just wanted the House to be aware of that. Please join me in sending my condolences to Leslie and her family on the passing of Glenn Ivens.

Ministerial Statements

RECONCILIATION WITH
TSILHQOT’IN NATION

Hon. C. Clark: Thank you, Madame Speaker, fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly, guests and, of course, honoured chiefs of the Tsilhqot’in Nation who are here with us on the floor of the Legislature today.

We come together today to acknowledge and to explain the wrongs done by past governments to the Tsilhqot’in people. We come today to talk about how we must overcome them and how we must take a new path of mutual respect, and to begin the process of healing.

In the spring of 1864 the Tsilhqot’in people took action to defend their territory. It was a critical event in the conflict that we want to talk about today known as the Chilcotin War. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Tsilhqot’in lived on and cared for their homelands.

After the colony of British Columbia was established, Tsilhqot’in lands were declared open for access, without notice or without effort at diplomacy. Many newcomers made their way into the Interior. Some of those came into conflict with the Tsilhqot’in, and some brought with them an even greater danger. That was smallpox, which by some reliable historical accounts there is indication was spread intentionally.

Facing the risk of extinction and in response to a series of threats, the Tsilhqot’in convened a council to declare war. The Tsilhqot’in attacked the road crew near Bute Inlet, and over the ensuing days they removed all settlers from their lands. The Tsilhqot’in war party took refuge in their territory beyond the reach of the colonial militia, who had threatened the Tsilhqot’in people. That summer gold commissioner William Cox sent the Tsilhqot’in chiefs a sacred gift of tobacco and, with it, an invitation to discuss terms of peace.

Chief Klatsassin and his men accepted this truce. They rode into the camp to negotiate peace, and then in an unexpected act of betrayal they were arrested, imprisoned and tried for murder. On October 26 five chiefs were hanged: Head War Chief Klatsassin, Chief Biyil, Chief Tilaghed, Chief Taqed and Chief Chayses. Their bodies are all buried in the city of Quesnel.

The following summer Chief Ahan sought to pay reparations to compensate for any harm caused to innocents in the events of the Chilcotin War. He was also hanged. He is buried in New Westminster.

Today we acknowledge that these chiefs were not criminals and that they were not outlaws. They were warriors, they were leaders, and they were engaged in a territorial dispute to defend their lands and their peoples. Their descendants continue to reside on and care for those territories, and they do it with the same commitment to their lands and their culture that their forebears showed. The Tsilhqot’in continue to assert their right and their responsibility to govern those lands. Despite every success that they have had, the pain of 1864 has never receded.

Madame Speaker, I stand here today in this Legislature, 150 years later, to say that the province of British Columbia is profoundly sorry for the wrongful arrest, trial and hanging of the six chiefs and for the many wrongs inflicted by past governments.

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To the extent that it falls within the power of the province of British Columbia, we confirm without reservation that these six Tsilhqot’in chiefs are fully exonerated of any crime or wrongdoing. The Tsilhqot’in people rightly regard these chiefs as heroes of their people.

Today we offer this apology, an historic day 150 years later, in the presence of two of the six chiefs who have fought so hard to ensure that their territories and their people are recognized by the laws of this land. I know that this Legislature — I hope that this Legislature — will join me in supporting this redress that we offer today.

J. Horgan: It is an honour and a privilege to stand and respond to the ministerial statement from the Premier in the presence of Chief William and Chief Alphonse, here today to observe the apology just offered and wholeheartedly and unanimously supported by this side of the House.

The story of the relationship between First Nations and colonial settlers in this province is not a short one, nor is it a sweet one. Throughout British Columbia, First Nations people remember the loss of land and possessions, and the deceit of colonial governments to achieve their will. They are reminded, as the Premier said, of smallpox brought by settlers, killing tens of thousands and extinguishing individuals, families and communities in its wake.

All of this forms the backdrop, as the Premier said, to the attack on settlers in Bute Inlet in 1864, the arrest of the Tsilhqot’in chiefs — invited to talk peace but again deceived by colonial governments, tried and subsequently hanged in Quesnel and later in New Westminster.

The words from those trials ring in the ears, I know, of Chief Alphonse and Chief William. But I remind the House that the last words of one of the chiefs were: “We came for war, not for murder.” To have the exoneration announced today by the Premier is, I believe, an appropriate step for this Legislature but not the first step and certainly — I’m hopeful — not the last. The process of recognition and reconciliation for the history we share with the Tsilhqot’in people is going to continue.

In the decades between 1864 and 1893 I know there was little hope for the statement that was made by the Premier here today. But in 1993 then Attorney General Colin Gabelmann apologized on behalf of the government and the people of British Columbia in a press release. It was done in a press release because at that time we felt — and I look over at the Attorney General and other Attorneys General that have been in this place — there was a fear within government that if you did the right thing, there may be consequences.

I’m hoping today — as we stand in this place and apologize, doing the right thing — that the consequence will be a genuine start to reconciliation with the Tsilhqot’in people.

After the apology by press release by Colin Gabelmann, it was another six years before a plaque to recognize the wrongful hangings of the Tsilhqot’in chiefs was placed in Quesnel. We will be there, I believe — the Premier and I, Chief William and Chief Alphonse — this weekend to formally recognize, again, the exoneration of today.

These steps by legislators and on behalf of all of the people of British Columbia will, I believe, begin the new, bright, positive future that was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court this summer with the recognition, the absolute recognition, of aboriginal title for the Tsilhqot’in people and will lead to a development of a relationship that will not disappear the past but will allow us to rejoice in our common future.

I thank the Premier for bringing this forward. I thank the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, the Attorney General and all members of this House for showing the respect that Chief William and Chief Alphonse deserve on this day, not just for themselves but for those who came before them.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL M203 — TERRY FOX DAY ACT

L. Reimer presented a bill intituled Terry Fox Day Act.

L. Reimer: I move that a bill entitled Terry Fox Day Act, of which notice has been given on the order paper, be introduced and now read for the first time.

Motion approved.

L. Reimer: This bill declares that the second Sunday after Labour Day be Terry Fox day, to coincide with Terry Fox Runs across the province.

[1025]

September marks the month when Terry received the tragic news that cut his Marathon of Hope short. September marks the month when Terry told the country that we will have to start to run to continue his dreams of finding a cure for cancer. This was his great legacy. The Terry Fox Run, which is held in cities and schools across Canada and around the world, brings millions of participants — students and people of all ages — together to celebrate his life, his dream, and to bring awareness and funding for cancer research.

To date more than $650 million has been raised. Thanks to Terry, we now know much more about cancer and the treatment of it. This bill is so deserved. It honours a great man whose combination of strength, passion, idealism and sheer guts led to the impossible notion that he would run across Canada on one good leg and a prosthesis, the equivalent of a marathon a day.

I remember Terry Fox from my days at Simon Fraser University. I remember Terry training around the Academic
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Quadrangle. He ran around and around and around the AQ, and we others heard the click of his prosthesis, wondering what he was training for.

Terry taught us to be better, to reach higher and to imagine things we could do that we never thought possible, making him Canada’s greatest national hero. In the member’s riding of Port Coquitlam he was a hometown hero.

This legislation will provide an opportunity to the government to recognize Terry Fox as a symbol for all British Columbians — of hope, courage and determination in the fight against cancer. It’s also an opportunity for the government to carry on Terry’s dream and to celebrate his living legacy.

I want to thank the Premier for her steadfast support and encouragement of this bill, the Terry Fox and family friend Mark Pettie for approaching me on this and the Fox family for their steadfast determination in carrying on Terry’s dream and for being with us here today.

I ask for your support, Madame Speaker, and 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 M203, Terry Fox Day Act, 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.

BILL 5 — CONTAINER TRUCKING ACT

Hon. T. Stone presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Container Trucking Act.

Hon. T. Stone: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. T. Stone: I am pleased to introduce Bill 5, the Container Trucking Act. This legislation is being tabled today as part of the coordinated action that the province is taking with the government of Canada and Port Metro Vancouver to bring long-term labour stability and reliability to the port of Vancouver.

Now, Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest port and one of the busiest in North America. It is vital to our provincial economy, and it’s vital that we take steps to change the current system that has led to repeated disruptions at the port.

Introducing this legislation today is necessary to create the conditions for Port Metro Vancouver to increase its competitiveness and strengthen its position as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. It will also ensure fair compensation for truckers in this very important economic sector.

The introduction of this act is timely, given the recent release of a report, with recommendations, submitted by veteran mediators Vince Ready and Corinn Bell after several months’ worth of consultation about how to improve the sector with the federal and provincial governments, the ports and the trucking industry all working together.

The legislation will bring into force rate regulation and compliance for the marine container trucking companies serving the port and, very importantly, will also establish a new independent container trucking commissioner. In addition to rate regulation, the commissioner will also assume responsibility for all truck licensing system licences, but not until planned licence reforms by the Port of Metro Vancouver, supported by the federal government, are completed. The commissioner will then administer all future truck licences.

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 5, Container Trucking Act, 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.

[1030]

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

ATTENTION DEFICIT
HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

J. Darcy: This month is ADHD Awareness Month, a time for all of us to pay attention to and support people living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When most people hear “ADHD,” they think of a child acting out in a restaurant or disrupting a classroom. They believe that ADHD is about misbehaving, when, in fact, it’s a complex neurological condition. We think it affects mainly children, but 60 percent of kids with ADHD carry it with them into adulthood. That’s one in every 25 British Columbians.

ADHD affects our children’s educational achievements, yet it can take 18 months to get a diagnosis, and only half of ADHD kids ever get treatment. There are virtually no supports for adults with ADHD, and B.C.’s adult ADHD clinic closed seven years ago.

ADHD costs our criminal justice system tens of millions of dollars, and it has a huge impact on our health budget, especially when it goes untreated. As my son, who has ADHD, said when I told him I was going to talk about ADHD in the House today: “Go for it, Mom, and tell them having ADHD isn’t much fun.” Now, there’s an understatement and an uncharacteristic one, I have to say, for my son.

Many people living with ADHD also live with severe anxiety disorder. Learning in a large classroom is very challenging for them. Many fall into substance abuse and self-medicate for their condition, and the stigma of having ADHD means they often don’t come out in the workplace to their employers or to their co-workers.
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But people with ADHD are also smart, intense, hard-working, creative and funny, and they have an enormous amount to contribute to our community and our economy if they can find jobs they can excel in and get the supports they need.

Today let’s all tell someone who has ADHD that we love and appreciate what they have to contribute, and let’s also tell them we’ll work with them to get the supports and the services that they need.

GLASS SPONGE REEFS
IN HOWE SOUND

J. Sturdy: It’s with pleasure today that I rise to talk about what I hope the House finds an interesting and unique subject matter. Howe Sound is a habitat for a species that, until recently, was thought to have become extinct over 60 million years ago. I’m of course talking about glass sponge bioherms, which were previously only known from their fossil records, and once formed enormous reefs, some of which were as large as 2,900 kilometres long.

Today in Howe Sound there remain pockets of these glass sponge reefs. While the glass reference refers to their fragility, there’s evidence that these sponges have been in Howe Sound and enduring 9,000 years. Interestingly, they do not require light but filter plankton and bacteria at an incredible rate of 900 times their volume of seawater each and every hour and act as habitat for many other species. Some scientists have referred to glass sponge reefs as Jurassic parks submerged.

These reefs are normally found only in very deep waters. However, one site in Howe Sound is different. Off Gambier Island near Halkett Bay these glass sponge reefs are found in a shallow 30 metres of water. The importance of this discovery is the fact that at Halkett the reef is accessible using traditional scuba methods. This site is the only known location in the world where scuba access is possible, creating a simpler opportunity for both scientific and public viewing.

I’d like to recognize the Vancouver Aquarium, the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of British Columbia, the Underwater Council of British Columbia and the Canadian Marine Environment Protection Society for putting forward a proposal to expand the provincial park protected area around Halkett Bay. It is important that we enter into an assessment of this proposal in order that we can ensure the protection of this important prehistoric international treasure.

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DIWALI

H. Bains: I’m always honoured — in fact, it pleases me to no end — to participate in festivities which reflect our diverse cultures in our province, and I am especially proud to share my own traditions with everyone. I feel privileged to live in a place where we not only value each other’s beliefs but join in celebration to honour them.

Diwali is known as the festival of lights and provides us important lessons from the past, such as celebrating the victory of virtue and truth over the dark forces of evil and ignorance.

While rooted in the culture of India, Diwali has become part of the diverse cultural fabric in British Columbia. On Diwali as the traditional oil lamps and fireworks illuminate the night, there’s a deeper message to be relayed. The theme of light celebrated on Diwali night is a symbol of good overcoming evil, truth and knowledge prevailing over ignorance and hope for the entire community and entire humanity.

The valuable lessons and wisdom symbolize the celebration the Diwali ensures — that the struggle against greed, cruelty and injustice in our society continues and enriches Canadian diversity.

Education has become an essential link for our younger generation to maintain and preserve our customs, culture and heritage. As we take part in each of these festivals and traditions, it gives a sense of pride in the makeup of our multicultural province.

I, along with members from Whalley and Green Timbers, are proud to announce that we are celebrating Diwali with fellow British Columbians on Sunday, October 26, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Grand Taj. I’m told that the member for New Westminster is celebrating Diwali for the first time, in her community office.

Finally, Madame Speaker, I stand here today and wish you and all of your families a happy, healthy and safe Diwali.

SEYMOUR SALMONID SOCIETY

J. Thornthwaite: It’s with great pleasure that I rise today in the House to talk about a North Shore organization that’s working hard to nurture and protect one of our province’s most valuable resources.

Since 1987 the Seymour Salmonid Society has released thousands of coho, steelhead, pink and chum salmon into the Seymour River each year to enhance local fish stocks. In addition to running the Seymour hatchery, the society has been instrumental in providing educational programs to elementary schoolchildren across the Lower Mainland.

These initiatives, such as the Gently down the Seymour program, provide a unique hands-on learning experience for students, teaching them the importance of habitat, ecology and conservation.

The organization has also been hard at work rehabilitating the Seymour estuary, and over the past few decades has created more than 40,000 square metres of new spawning and rearing habitat for young salmon.

Despite the vast improvements the organization has been able to make, the estuary’s deficient state is still hin-
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dering local salmon stocks. That’s why the society is partnering with Rivers Institute of BCIT, Metro Vancouver, the district of North Vancouver, the Squamish First Nation and the Pacific Salmon Foundation on a half-million-dollar mission to restore the estuary.

This restoration project began this summer with all partners working together to bring the estuary back to the pristine shape that it enjoyed more than 100 years ago. The Seymour River and estuary play a critical role in the life cycle of our salmon. Once the project is completed, the estuary will be able to support highly diverse wildlife and sustain larger salmon stocks.

I’d like to recognize the Seymour Salmonid Society and its more than 300 members and volunteers for their invaluable contribution to our community and for continuing to promote education and conservation.

I wish them all the best as they undertake this important restoration project and work to ensure the sustainability of our salmon stocks and habitats for future generations of British Columbians.

CYCLING ACTIVITIES IN NANAIMO AREA
AND WORK OF PETER McCAFFERY

D. Routley: One of the great privileges of being an MLA is that we get to work for, with and alongside the people who truly make things happen in our communities.

I can tell you that the cycling infrastructure of roads, bike lanes, paths as well as clubs, associations and organizers is far beyond what it was when I started cycling 35 years ago. None of that happened by mistake. It has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of many volunteers.

I would like to pay tribute to one of the best and most dedicated of them all, Peter McCaffery of Nanaimo. Peter McCaffery, a veteran of 40 years of international cycling officiating, is retiring from officiating on the international front after becoming one of Canada’s first officials to reach that level back in 1973.

[1040]

Peter has officiated races all over the world, including across Canada, the United States, as well as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Peter is quoted by Nanaimo reporter Ross Armour as saying: “Cycling has been my addiction.” Well, having known Peter as I have, that is a true understatement. Now 75, Peter has been the president of the Nanaimo-based Mid Island Velo Association, MIVA, since it was founded back in 2010. Starting with a few time trials in 2005, MIVA now runs over 50 events a year.

MIVA’S board of directors are currently up for re-election, but McCaffery has told his colleagues he will not be standing as president anymore. But his work on the cycling front is far from over. Peter is hard at work organizing, lobbying Nanaimo city council and fundraising to build a velodrome in Nanaimo.

He is dedicated to helping provide equipment and opportunities in cycling for kids in Nanaimo, throughout B.C. and across the world. Peter says he will also continue to time-trial at local events.

From all of us, especially those of us on two wheels, thank you, Peter McCaffery. Keep on spinning, buddy.

DIWALI

S. Hamilton: I’d like to rise in the House today and echo many of the comments that were made by my good friend the member for Surrey-Newton. Today and over the next coming days people all over the world will be celebrating Diwali. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by people of South Asian origin in British Columbia and throughout the world.

Diwali signifies different things to different British Columbians. In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama’s return from 14 years of exile and his subsequent coronation as king. In Gujarat the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king. In Bengal it’s associated with the goddess Kali.

The Sikh community also celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas, in the memory of the Sikh Guru Hargobind’s contribution in the release of 52 Indian kings from the prison of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

One thing that unites communities together during this time is what Diwali teaches us: to end the ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away the darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge, thus the term “festival of lights.”

Diwali also teaches us to uphold the true values of life. The festival is truly people-oriented, where differences are forgotten, and family and friends join together to celebrate Diwali. Diwali also brings together varying cultures and customs, making Diwali a happy occasion for all British Columbians. Throughout the world many businesses, communities, organizations, societies, gurdwaras, temples and many other groups come together to celebrate.

Madame Speaker, in light of recent events weighing heavily on our minds, I ask all members in this House and all British Columbians to celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas and to remember that good will triumph over evil.

Oral Questions

STATUS OF TEMPORARY FOREIGN
WORKERS AND USE IN LNG DEVELOPMENT

J. Horgan: Yesterday in this House the Premier told British Columbians that our proud history of immigration and nation-building was akin to the temporary foreign worker program. The Premier said that temporary
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foreign workers had a path to citizenship, and they had access to employment standards rights that regular immigrants and citizens do.

The Premier knows that she has access to public servants that know immigration policies. They understand the history of this proud country. She knows that the blurring of the lines that she did yesterday was absolutely inappropriate.

When the Premier went to Ottawa to lobby for support for the mining industry, she came back with a commitment for more temporary foreign workers for HD Mining. When the Premier spoke to the Vancouver Board of Trade about the LNG opportunity we have in British Columbia, she talked about changing the name of the program.

My question to the Premier is this. Why is she so bent on having temporary foreign workers build the LNG industry in British Columbia?

Hon. C. Clark: Well, yesterday the Leader of the Opposition stood up and voted with the Green Party to stop the LNG industry from coming to British Columbia. He stood up to stop those jobs being created for the people of British Columbia. Our policy is very clear. We intend to create an LNG industry in our province.

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We have moved environmental legislation to ensure that it’s the cleanest in the world. We have moved tax legislation to ensure that it’s amongst the most competitive in the world. We are working very hard to create this opportunity for over 100,000 new jobs in our province — jobs for which, by the way, British Columbians will be first in line.

The member opposite and the member from Surrey who yesterday stood up and criticized an educational agreement that we’d made with people in India and with the Chief Minister of Punjab should remember that temporary foreign workers and foreigners from all over the world have, for over 200 years, sought to make their fortune, create a prosperous future for their children.

We support people coming to this country and continuing to immigrate, continuing to find their future and continuing to find ways to become citizens and help us to build this great country.

Madame Speaker: Thank you, Premier.

J. Horgan: Perhaps the Premier might want to take a look at the standing orders and how we do business in this Legislature. If she spent a bit more time here, she’d understand the difference between a hoist motion and voting on the main bill, but I’ll leave that to her. I’ll also remind her….

Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Members.

Please continue.

J. Horgan: I’ll also remind the Premier that when the Oil and Gas Commission was established in the 1990s by the NDP government, the B.C. Liberals voted against that. If they didn’t want an Oil and Gas Commission, we wouldn’t have an LNG opportunity today.

If the Premier doesn’t understand the difference between a hoist motion and a vote on a bill, maybe that explains why she doesn’t understand the difference between genuine immigration policies and temporary foreign worker plans.

My question to the Premier is: why would she blur…?

Interjections.

J. Horgan: Hon. Speaker, I can’t hear myself. I know the Premier can’t.

Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Order.

J. Horgan: But I guess that it doesn’t matter, because she’s not going to answer the question anyway.

Interjection.

J. Horgan: If gas man can sit down just for a minute, I’ll put the question to the Premier.

Why does she insist on blurring the lines between the proud traditions in this country of inviting people from around the world to build this province, to build communities and put that beside a program that is designed to bring cheap labour here on temporary permits with not a path to citizenship but a one-way ticket home whenever the boss says so?

Hon. C. Clark: I’m always happy to answer questions when there is one, and I’ll do my best in this case. The member opposite says that he doesn’t want to stop the LNG industry. He just wants to hoist it for six months. This is after, for months and months, saying that we’re not going fast enough. “The government needs to do more. The government is too slow.”

Now he says he wants to stop the industry for six months — six months, perhaps, because so many members of his caucus have already said that they want to stop extracting it. They’ve said they want a moratorium on our continuing to build the industry, that they don’t like any of the work that we’re doing on any of these fronts to enable this industry.

The fact is this. It’s going to create 100,000 new jobs in British Columbia. British Columbians will be first in line for those jobs. We’re going to make sure that they
[ Page 4866 ]
are through the ten-year skills-training plan that we have painstakingly worked to create to ensure that they have the skills needed to take advantage of those opportunities. It’s going to help us to pay off our debt, it’s going to put British Columbians to work, and it’s going to help us to fight climate change all around the world. I say we shouldn’t stop it. We shouldn’t hoist it. We should move ahead.

[1050]

J. Horgan: When the federal Conservative minister responsible for immigration said that the temporary foreign worker program was treating temporary workers as “quasi-indentured servants,” what was the response from the government of British Columbia? It was: “Why don’t we just change the name? Let’s have a photo opportunity. We’ll slap on a new sign and call it something different.”

This country, this province, has a proud tradition of immigration, a proud tradition of inviting the world to come here and build a better place for their family. My father came here under an immigration program. Families in this room came here under an immigration program, not temporary foreign permits.

The Premier has cut a deal with the proponents to allow them to build their projects with cheap labour that they can send home when they want to, rather than providing jobs for British Columbians first.

Will the Premier commit today to only bring in temporary foreign workers if absolutely necessary? And rather than that, why not go to Ottawa and encourage immigration programs that bring people here on a path to citizenship so that they can continue to prosper as everyone in this room and everyone else in this province wants to do?

Hon. C. Clark: I detect a note of defensiveness in the member’s line of questioning today. Perhaps he’s defensive about the fact that his members yesterday attacked an agreement with the Chief Minister of Punjab to exchange educational resources with a community that sorely needs it.

Perhaps he’s embarrassed about quoting folks who are talking about temporary foreign workers as though they have no path to citizenship. In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, for example, they have more than 50 percent in one case and 60 percent in the other of workers who come over as temporary foreign workers and have found a path to citizenship.

Here in British Columbia his brothers and sisters in the union movement say: “If they’re wise, governments, businesses and unions will continue to support the judicious use of skilled foreign workers to fill temporary skills gaps in the Canadian economy.”

The member should be honest about this. The member is playing to the basest possible politics you can imagine. The member should be also honest in standing up and admitting that what he wants to do is stop the LNG industry from beginning. Here on this side of the House we believe in jobs, we believe in good jobs, we believe in fighting climate change, and we believe in paying off the provincial debt for our children so that they can have a better future.

H. Bains: Yesterday the Premier accused a member of this House of hostility towards temporary foreign workers. We have thousands of temporary foreign workers in British Columbia, from the fast-food industry to mining. This Premier has done nothing to protect them from exploitation and abuse. That’s hostility, Premier. That’s hostility.

The Premier knows that British Columbians are proud of the role that immigrants played to build this province and this country. I’m an immigrant. When I came to this country, I knew I would be a citizen. I came as an immigrant and became a citizen, and I had full access to rights and programs. Like others, I worked hard, but I did not have to hand my passport to my employer. I knew that the rest of my workdays would not be spent in a camp.

If this Premier wants to build our province and help people build their lives, why is she promoting a program that treats workers like quasi-indentured servants? Why would she let LNG proponents avoid the cost of training and hiring B.C. workers first?

[1055]

Hon. C. Clark: We have done something as a government that I’m not aware any government has done in the history of British Columbia, and that is to painstakingly work through to predict the needs of the economy, to work with the private sector — whether that’s mining, whether that’s forestry, natural gas, agriculture, technology — to understand what their needs are going to be and then work backward to re-engineer our post-secondary and our secondary system to ensure that British Columbians have the skills that they need to be able to take advantage of those jobs.

It’s hard work. It’s detailed work. But it’s work worth doing because we need to make sure that British Columbians are first in line for all of those jobs.

Equally, though, we know that in peaks in construction there will be temporary jobs where temporary workers are required. The union movement in British Columbia has sat down around the table with us and said they understand the need for that in order to create those jobs for everyone here in British Columbia. We are going to continue to do that.

We hope that when they find their way here as workers, many of them…

Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Members.
[ Page 4867 ]

Hon. C. Clark: …as they have in other provinces across the country and in this province as well, will find their way on a path to citizenship so that they can, just like all of our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents — and, in some cases, members themselves — find themselves Canadians working together on this great project to build the greatest country in the world.

J. Kwan: Surely the Premier knows that when a temporary foreign worker comes here, they don’t get to bring their families here. They don’t get to build their lives with their families here. Immigrants — there’s no question — treasure the opportunity to build their families here, to make British Columbia their new home. Surely the Premier notices that there is a significant difference between the status that’s been given to immigrants versus that of temporary foreign workers.

The Premier knows the history. I know she knows the history of the workers that toiled in the dangerous conditions that helped to build this nation and connect this nation in infrastructure projects from coast to coast to coast. The very same workers were subjected to untold suffering. They were exploited, and they were mistreated. They had no opportunity to build what we all want: families in this community. They were left, instead, to wait for generations for an apology.

If the Premier has learned the mistakes of the past, as she has claimed, why is she supporting a program that treats workers like indentured servants and that will allow the LNG proponents to avoid training and hiring B.C. workers?

Hon. C. Clark: Every worker in this province and every worker in this country, no matter where they come from, no matter what their status, deserves and should enjoy exactly the same protections as every Canadian. We want to make sure that we can be able to create these jobs in the province. That’s why we are protecting the rights of British Columbians to be first in line for those jobs.

The only way that we can do that is to make sure that British Columbians have the skills that they need to be able to fill those jobs. If British Columbians don’t have the skills and they haven’t been endowed by our post-secondary and our secondary systems, we will not have succeeded. Those jobs will be created, and British Columbians won’t be able to take them.

That’s the reason we created a ten-year skills-training plan, the most comprehensive plan that any government has created for education, as far as I know, in the history of the province. We are going to continue on that very detailed work. But as I said, and as the members of the unions who’ve been working with us on this recognize, in order to bring the jobs to British Columbia, for some of the temporary jobs, some temporary workers will be required to fill them.

[1100]

It is my hope that, just like has happened for generations in this country, just like has happened for many of the mothers and fathers and grandparents of the individuals in this room today, many of them, when they come here at first temporarily, decide they want to stay, get shoulder to shoulder with all of those of us who are blessed enough to be born here and work together to continue to build this great country.

SEDIMENT CONTROL PROGRAM FOR
LOWER FRASER RIVER

V. Huntington: Many members in this chamber attended a recent meeting at the Surrey Board of Trade where we reviewed a report on the economic importance of the Lower Fraser River. We learned that the economic output of the Lower Fraser is equivalent in both tonnage and jobs to Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway. This economic engine is dependent on continued safe navigation, and safe navigation is absolutely dependent on dredging.

I am most grateful that previous Ministers of Transportation were successful and that B.C. contributed to the cost of dredging secondary channels in Ladner and Richmond. While that work is underway, the fact is the value of the Fraser River to B.C.’s economy demands ongoing sediment control.

I’m asking if the Minister of Transportation will ask his staff to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the Lower Fraser River in a determined effort to create an ongoing maintenance dredging program.

Hon. T. Stone: I thank the member for Delta South for the question. Indeed, local residents and businesses have told us that silt buildup on the Fraser River side channels and in Steveston Harbour is a problem. We have listened, and we’ve responded by developing a collaborative dredging program. This is a program that involves the province, the port of Metro Vancouver, Delta, Richmond and the federal government. Total funding for this program is in the range of $10 million.

This dredging plan is ongoing. In fact, just yesterday dredging of the Sea Reach Channel started. This dredging is expected to take between two to three weeks. I can tell that dredging of these side channels actually commenced on January 27, 2014, through to the freshet. Then it commenced again in July of 2014. Dredging the channels will indeed assure safe navigation for fishing, commercial and recreational vessels and provide better access to waterfront businesses.

Madame Speaker: The member for Delta South on a supplemental.

MANAGEMENT AGENCY FOR FRASER RIVER

V. Huntington: I’d just like to emphasize that this is not an ongoing dredging program. This is a one-off, and
[ Page 4868 ]
what I’m asking the minister to do is discuss this with the other stakeholders on the river in order to create an ongoing dredging program.

However, we know that the Fraser River is a jurisdictional nightmare. The report to the region’s chamber and boards reminds us that the elimination of the Fraser River estuary management program had the single largest “negative impact on the integrated management of the Lower Fraser River.” The report stated that FREMP was seen around the world as one of the most effective models “for integrating the management of human and natural activities.” It urgently recommends the creation of a new multi-jurisdictional agency able to develop a long-term management plan for the Lower Fraser River.

The Minister of Environment and I have just found out that it is actually the Minister of Natural Resources who is responsible for FREMP. I’m asking if the minister will ask his staff to coordinate discussions to replace FREMP with a vitally needed new agency that can collaborate on the long-term management of the Lower Fraser River.

Hon. S. Thomson: I thank the member opposite for the question and the reference to the program. The program was an important program in helping coordinate actions and collaborative actions and work of agencies. Evolving mandates of particularly the federal agencies have resulted in needing to look at a new model.

[1105]

There are well-established collaborative and referral communication processes amongst agencies. Our ministry now continues to lead that process. We meet regularly in looking at those established communication channels, making sure that they continue.

It was viewed that the specifics of the agency were not required in order to continue to do that. That decision was made to not maintain the agency. But the processes that had been developed continue, and our ministry continues to take that lead role in ensuring that the good work done and the collaborative approaches that had been in place under that structure are continued.

SEISMIC UPGRADES FOR SCHOOLS

R. Fleming: While the Premier was campaigning in 2013, she stood in front of a school, and she said, “Nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe” — again, saying all the right things.

The problem for parents, students and school districts is that they can’t take her at her word. Last week we found out that seismic upgrading for a number of B.C. schools, which was promised to be done last year, has not even started. Only three out of the ten high-risk schools from the Premier’s list announced on that photo op day have begun construction, and the schools slated for next year are stalled as well.

My question is to the Premier. When is she going to do what she promised in that pre-election photo op and make these schools safe for our kids?

Hon. P. Fassbender: I’m going to help the member opposite with the real facts of the situation. With regard to the ten schools, three are already under construction. Two districts have submitted their project reports to the ministry. Four have not yet submitted their paperwork to us so that we can start on the project. One project is no longer needed, and the member might like to know this. The school has been closed.

Again, I think the member would like to perhaps look at the facts. When this program was first announced, it was a $600 million project. Today this government has committed up to $2.2 billion.

Madame Speaker: Victoria–Swan Lake on a supplemental.

R. Fleming: This is the minister who has announced five different timelines for the same program. If words from this government made our kids safer, things would be fine, but that is not the case. The delays are costing our schools and our school districts every year.

All the way back in 2003 — this is how long this file goes back — the Premier, who was then the Education Minister, knew what parents wanted to hear then as well. She said: “Seismic mitigation is my paramount concern.” She put out a list of high-risk schools to be upgraded in that year. But she didn’t deliver. Today, more than a decade later, six schools from the 2003 list haven’t even been upgraded, and these high-risk schools are not even scheduled for upgrading in the next few years.

The Premier didn’t do what she said she would do in 2003. She hasn’t followed through on what she said just before the election in 2013. My question is to her again. How many years will B.C. kids have to go to a school that won’t withstand a major earthquake before the Premier gets around to keeping her promises?

[1110]

Hon. P. Fassbender: Madame Speaker, I appreciate the question, but again the facts get distorted by the member opposite. Let me again make it very clear. As of September 2014 this government has committed and spent $1.1 billion to seismically upgrade 143 schools in this province.

I’m clear that the members opposite want this government to rush out and spend money willy-nilly without any plan. But I will say this. Our seismic upgrade program is recognized as an award-winning program around the world by experts, because we do the due diligence to make sure that the schools are safe and that they’re done properly. We’ve committed the resources to make sure that happens.
[ Page 4869 ]

INFRASTRUCTURE IN BURNABY AND
SEISMIC UPGRADE FOR
MONTECITO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

J. Shin: Burnaby-Lougheed, my community, isn’t the only but is one of many across this province that are continuing to struggle with legitimate concerns for their deteriorating and aging infrastructure. The Minister of Health has seen the state of our hospital. The Minister of Advanced Education has seen that Simon Fraser University is literally crumbling with leaks and moulds.

Our constituents still continue to brave those conditions. Yet the Premier…. The one promise that she made before the election last year was that there would be a seismic upgrade to one of our schools, a high-risk school in Burnaby-Lougheed, Montecito Elementary. We are now heading to 2015 with no funding that’s approved by the ministry.

Would the Premier please explain when the families in Burnaby will see the promised construction start to take place in Montecito Elementary?

Hon. P. Fassbender: I mentioned already in this House that the program we have for seismic upgrades requires three things. One, it requires a commitment to funding. The government has made that. Two, it requires the cooperation of the local school districts to submit project reports, which are then reviewed by our ministry with them and the geotechnical scientists and UBC to make sure that the project definition meets the real needs so that the money spent will actually provide the safety.

Madame Speaker, I say to any member of this House that has a school that needs to be upgraded that we are working with your districts. We are working with UBC, and they will be done when those project reports are submitted and have been validated as being appropriate.

SEISMIC UPGRADES FOR SURREY SCHOOLS

S. Hammell: The Premier is obviously very good at figuring out what people want to hear. In 2003 the Premier promised Surrey parents that David Brankin Elementary School, Prince Charles Elementary School and Queen Elizabeth Secondary School would get seismic upgrades. Eleven years later — 11 years later — and the Premier still hasn’t delivered on that promise.

To the Premier, through the Chair: Premier, if you are not willing to keep your word when the lives of children are on the line, how can anyone trust you when you say anything?

[1115]

Hon. P. Fassbender: I find it interesting that the member opposite…. When their government was in power, the only seismic project that they brought forward was a liquor warehouse. Let me remind the member opposite that since 2001, this government has invested more than $290 million in the city of Surrey. That was for 49 capital and seismic projects and 12 site acquisitions.

I will say this: we are committed to the communities and the safety of children, and we are working with school districts. One of the most cooperative is Surrey school district, and we are moving ahead on new projects and those projects that need upgrading.

[End of question period.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: Madame Speaker, continued debate on the throne speech.

[D. Horne in the chair.]

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. C. Oakes: I’m delighted this morning to speak in support of the throne speech from the perspective as the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and as the MLA for Cariboo North.

First and foremost, of course, I would like to thank the constituents of Cariboo North. I’d like to thank April Webb and Kiley Sales, our amazing CAs, and their families for their tremendous commitment to our communities. I would like to thank Jordan and Cam and Yvette, Angella and Anthony in our office in Victoria for their tremendous work. And if I may, I’d like to thank my family.

We all know that our families, when they’re back home in our communities, often get the gauge of a lot of questions that we ourselves cannot answer. I can assure you that since I’ve become an MLA, my dad’s time at Tim Hortons is no longer the same, as people come up and ask questions and want to forward things on to myself. For that, for our families, I just tremendously want to thank them all for their tremendous support.

I would like to, if I may, take a moment to talk a little bit about the community of Likely — and for the residents. This past summer has been tremendously difficult for the residents of Likely and for the communities surrounding Likely. I would like to applaud the resilience of all the communities, coming together and supporting Likely residents. It’s been a very difficult time.

What I can tell you that is critically important is that we ensure, to support the communities around Likely and in Likely, that accurate information is critically important. Oftentimes in the House it is our job to raise questions. It’s our job to ensure that things are happening. It’s also critically important to always remember that it affects people’s lives in communities.

[1120]

The Cariboo is a spectacular place to visit, and for us who call it home, we are incredibly proud. It is a region of 7,000 lakes. The area that I represent is 33,000 square kilometres — the size of most small countries in Europe.

I would like to take a moment to thank my colleague the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin for being such a tremendous supporter of mine throughout this past summer. We are truly the Cariboo team to represent a very large area, to try and ensure that we are supporting all of the folks in the Cariboo and Likely to our best ability.

As the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, my job is to build strong communities in British Columbia. So I welcomed the opportunity, with the emphasis in the throne speech on economic development, to support jobs and business opportunities and to provide us the opportunity to invest in such critically important infrastructure investments, critically important opportunities around sports and arts and culture. I would like to take this time today to talk about some of those critical pieces that I’m so incredibly proud of.

I would, also, like to take a moment, if I may, to thank and recognize all the public servants in British Columbia for their dedication and their professionalism. Last night I had the true honour to attend the long-term service awards. We have public servants that have been representing and supporting communities across British Columbia for some 25 and up to 50 years of public service in British Columbia. If I may, I just truly want to say thank you for their dedication and to take a moment to demonstrate my and all of our colleagues’ true, tremendous support of their tremendous efforts.

We often forget about the people behind the scenes that work so tirelessly to make sure that each of our ministries is successful. I can tell you that the amount of long hours that our public servants put in to ensure that the government runs smoothly is tremendous. Through their day-to-day work in local government, sport, art and culture, these employees support strong, vibrant communities throughout British Columbia.

My ministry works closely with British Columbia’s local governments — 162 municipalities and 27 regional districts. It’s interesting that there are so many of us in this House that have spent considerable amounts of time in local government and understand, at a grass-roots level, their significance to British Columbians.

Local governments strive to give their communities that competitive edge to attract new investment, businesses, residents and visitors. Economic growth is essential to creating and sustaining that competitive edge. We are working closely to support community economic success.

This year we signed the renewed gas tax agreement with the federal government and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. This renewed agreement will provide $2.76 billion to B.C. local governments to support infrastructure — to support water systems, to support local roads, to support airports, to support green energy and to support recreational facilities.

We worked closely with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities over this past year to advocate to the federal government for significant changes to the gas tax agreement to ensure that it was indexed, to ensure that it was streamlined, to ensure that it opened up new opportunities, such as recreational facilities, that we know are so critically important to our communities.

Yesterday we opened up the application process for the new small communities application of Build Canada with populations under 100,000. Communities can now apply to access funding for infrastructure projects — $327 million over the next ten years — as part of the new small communities fund. A focus on this round of intake will be critical infrastructure such as water, wastewater and storm drains — those pipes in the ground so critically important to ensuring that we create livable communities.

[1125]

We’re also helping local governments plan for their future needs. Providing future services in a cost-effective manner begins with good knowledge of current physical assets and future infrastructure needs. I am proud my ministry is partnering with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to fund a new $1.5 million asset management planning grant program. This program will allow local governments across British Columbia to access funding to develop and enhance their asset management practices.

There are some once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities on the horizon, and we are doing everything we can to be ready for them. One of those opportunities, of course, is the LNG sector. This sector alone has the potential to pour into our province billions in industrial investments over the next decade, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs for British Columbians.

The bigger picture is even more impressive. By 2022 we are looking at one million job openings in all sectors and in all parts of this tremendous province of British Columbia. That’s why our colleagues have developed the new B.C. skills-for-jobs blueprint to ensure that we are ready to provide the right workers with the right skills in the right place when opportunities come our way.

I can tell you that every one of my colleagues fully appreciates the vital role that local communities play in ensuring a strong economy and a secure future for British Columbians.

In my ministry we’re also working hard to ensure that local communities have the support and resources that they need to be ready for the best challenge to have, the challenge of economic growth. We’re committed to ensuring local service providers are prepared to meet infrastructure for health, safety and social service demands as they materialize for these economic opportunities.

For example, in the northwest my ministry is working closely on the ground with communities. In the spring I travelled to Terrace and had the pleasure of announcing
[ Page 4871 ]
up to $1 million in grants to support work underway in the northwest communities to upgrade community plans, bylaws, conduct studies to support sustainable growth and support asset management capacity-building.

We have also partnered with the Northern Development Initiative Trust to provide planning interns to help northwest communities undertake updates to their community plans. These are interesting partnerships made in the north, supporting UNBC students to gain valuable planning and economic development experience in communities in the north where later it can support succession planning in those communities.

In the spring I received my new mandate letter from the Premier. It includes direction to work closely with my colleague the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin, the Parliamentary Secretary to Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, to create and implement the rural dividend.

The concept of a dividend recognizes that when investments in our community yield results, we have to ensure that the communities are able to share those benefits. At the recent UBCM convention the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin announced the creation of a rural advisory council to help ensure that rural communities throughout British Columbia share in these economic opportunities.

This was a proud day for me, because I know how hard my colleague from Cariboo-Chilcotin has worked on behalf of all British Columbians.

The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development’s responsibilities also include supporting B.C.’s talented artists, dynamic art groups and vibrant cultural organizations in communities throughout the province, helping to create quality opportunities for British Columbians to enjoy and participate in sports and to support sports as an important part of the social and economic life in British Columbia communities.

Arts, culture and sports do so much to support the high quality of life in B.C.’s communities, large and small, urban and rural. They’re important economic engines helping to attract tourism revenues for local businesses and job opportunities for local residents.

This year the ministry is investing over $60 million in arts and culture, including a historic high level of funding of $24 million for the B.C. Arts Council. Last year the B.C. Arts Council approved 1,463 grants representing an amazing diversity of artists and cultural organizations in every region of the province.

[1130]

Hon. Speaker, let me provide you with a few examples of the programs supported by the B.C. Arts Council. The B.C. Arts Council provides $10.6 million in professional operating assistance to support art galleries, theatres, museums and cultural service organizations throughout British Columbia — organizations like the Alberni Museum, the Vancouver opera association, the Penticton Museum and Archives and the Burnaby Art Gallery, to name a few.

Another $1.7 million is invested in creative youth initiatives. This program provides support to local arts and cultural organizations to offer activities which help young people get involved in the arts. A portion of this funding also helps the First Peoples Cultural Council provide workshops and mentorships for aboriginal youth in the arts.

The B.C. Arts Council also provides $1.5 million for an arts-in-education program. This program supports artists in residencies and touring projects in B.C. schools, which connects students directly with professional artists. Another investment that was made is $1.5 million to support individual arts awards and professional development. This recognized high-achieving artists for new projects in creating writing, media arts, visual arts and professional development — all key to growing a strong economy.

Last year over 100 awards, some up to $25,000, helped B.C. artists stay at the top of their field through professional development and new creative projects to reach expanding markets. The B.C. Arts Council also provides $1.25 million for early career development for young British Columbians to help build successful careers in arts and the creative economy. The program funds co-op placements, internships, residencies and mentorships that help young British Columbians gain work experience and make contacts in the arts and cultural sector.

Since 2013 the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has provided 78 grants, totalling $2.5 million, as part of the B.C. Creative Spaces program. This program was developed to help arts and cultural organizations improve their physical facilities. This also included friendship centres. It included art galleries. It was a very great program to see rolled out, and I’m always delighted when we have the opportunity, as much as possible, to go out and visit and see the dynamic work that individuals can do in their communities.

I was very proud earlier this year to announce that our ministry is also providing $100,000 this year to fund a pilot partnership with DASH B.C. that will support youth in northern British Columbia whose communities are experiencing a period of economic transition. The program will encourage youth to participate in physical activities and express themselves creatively so that they can build the skill set that they need to develop resiliency and participate in healthy and connected communities.

Several of our colleagues had the opportunity this past year to visit some of these schools and to see the tremendous work that this program does. When a ten-year-old will stand up and talk about how life-changing a program is, whether it’s in arts or culture, and they’re able to publicly make a speech and talk about how impactful the program is, it means that we’re truly making a difference. It’s a great opportunity for us often to get out of this House
[ Page 4872 ]
and go out into communities and to see the results of the programs that we institute here in this House.

Another important area of our ministry invests in the support of strong, vibrant communities in the sports sector. We need a strong economy to ensure that we’re able to invest in important arts, sports and cultural programs.

[1135]

This year we are investing over $50 million in sport funding. This funding includes $28 million for community gaming grants; $21.6 million in direct transfers to the sports systems, which includes $11.11 million for participation programs; $7.3 million for high-performance sports; and $3.2 million for the B.C. Games, Hosting B.C. and other major events.

Let me highlight just a few of the important sports programs that I’m proud our ministry is able to support. For children and youth, our ministry supports a number of programs that help young people have opportunities to participate in sport. Since 2006 more than $3 million has been provided to KidSport British Columbia to help families defray the costs of registering their children in sport. KidSport helps more than 6,000 kids every year from every corner of this tremendous province.

We’ve invested more than $4 million in the B.C. sport participation program to offer free or subsidized sport programs in schools or community settings. We’ve doubled the number of spaces in the after-school sport and arts initiative, which eliminates barriers for participation for more kids in more than 150 schools throughout the province. There are now spaces in this life-changing program in more than 29 communities.

Through the sport participation bilateral agreement with the federal government, more than 20,000 coaching leaders have been trained in more than 125 communities across British Columbia, reaching 540,000 sport participants. We’re providing $680,000 for the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation, and Physical Activity Partners Council to invest in things like equipment, funds, camps and training.

Investment in sports supports local economies. When we have strong economies and we have investments in LNG, we can ensure that we invest in critically important programs like sports and arts and culture all across British Columbia.

Sports tourism is currently the fastest-growing sector of both the Canadian and British Columbia tourism industries. As the Minister of Sport, I want to make sure we capitalize fully on this growth and on the legacy of events such as the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to position B.C. as a leader in sport event hosting. B.C. currently hosts more than 100 national and international events across the province every year that bring residents together to celebrate and that draw visitors into communities, which boosts local economies.

Our annual hosting budget of $1 million provides funding to sporting event organizers to help foster economic, sport, social and community development. In fact, since the inception of the Hosting B.C. program in 2004, $4.6 million has been awarded to 596 events in more than 78 communities across British Columbia.

I was proud to recently announce that Hosting B.C. is providing funding to 36 sport events in 23 B.C. communities. These events will bring significant economic and social benefits to showcase local talent through sport and cultural festivals that include events like the 2014 Canadian women’s baseball nationals in Surrey, the U16 Can-Am Western Canadian Championships in alpine skiing in Penticton and a cycling event, TrackFest II, right here in Victoria.

We’re investing to bring large and mid-sized events to our province. For example, the B.C. government is investing $2 million to help the FIFA Women’s World Cup come to Vancouver next year. As one of the world’s largest and most prestigious sport events, the Women’s World Cup will once again put Vancouver and British Columbia in the international spotlight.

From coast to coast to coast, the Women’s World Cup will feature 52 matches, drawing 1.5 million spectators, and half a billion television viewers from around the world will be watching. It is estimated that this event will generate up to $52 million in economic activity throughout the province, including $37 million right here, across the water, in Vancouver.

We are proud to also support the 2015 Canada Winter Games that are coming to Prince George this winter. This event will draw athletes from across the country to the north, with an estimated economic impact of between $70 million and $90 million.

[1140]

Every year the government of British Columbia ensures that British Columbians share the benefit of gaming revenue. Early in 2012 our government increased the annual base budget for community gaming grants by $15 million. The government of British Columbia distributes $135 million annually in community gaming grants to benefit over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in the province.

[Madame Speaker in the chair.]

As a minister, I would like to encourage all community-based organizations to apply for community gaming grants that are available each year. I know the tremendous impact that community gaming grants, and the organizations that they support, make. Whether it’s a volunteer fire department, search and rescue, an animal shelter or an environmental group, community gaming grants make a tremendous impact in communities across British Columbia.

I’d like to encourage folks to check out our website, the Community, Sport and Cultural Development website, to find out what the next intake, the next round of community gaming grants is so that you can go out and support
[ Page 4873 ]
groups in your community.

Going back to the World Cup for just one moment, I strongly believe that events like this are going to be significant game changers when it comes to women in sport. I profoundly believe that when we have the opportunity to showcase British Columbia, when we have the opportunity to bring these tremendous athletes from around the world to come to our safe and tremendous province of British Columbia, our young girls will see the opportunity to feel they have the ability to go and follow their dreams and one day to strive to be the best that they can be and to enter into professional sports.

We desperately need a strong economy and the support of growing industries to ensure that we can make continued investments in the programs that I’ve mentioned here today, whether we are supporting the great work so that events happen in communities, whether we are supporting our arts groups or whether we are supporting our sports groups.

For example, we’re very proud of some of the infrastructure that has happened. As an MLA in the Cariboo, there is the Cariboo connector, which is a 440-kilometre portion of Highway 97. In phase 1 we’ve invested $240 million into improvements. In phase 2 we’ve had $200 million in improvements. That’s 1,000 jobs created.

When we have a strong economy, when we can grow that economy, when we can create the jobs that we know the LNG sector will do, we can ensure that we are investing in critical infrastructures such as the Trans-Canada Highway — $650 million committed to four-lane Kamloops to Alberta — to grow the economy, to ensure goods and services are met for all British Columbians so that we can ensure that our economy grows.

Since 2001 almost $700 million invested, and $2 billion of exports every year are expected from this kind of investment. When we grow the economy, when we support development, when we support the great work that the blueprint moves forward, we’re able to ensure that we have the critical investments in our community that I’ve outlined, for local governments, arts, sports and communities throughout British Columbia. We continue to make these important investments, working in partnerships with our stakeholders.

Looking at coming up shortly, I don’t know if everyone’s got their tickets for the Grey Cup, but that’s going to be a great celebration here in British Columbia. When I have the opportunities to see the tremendous application and bid of the Sevens rugby tournament and the true ability of British Columbians and Canadians to start moving these new sports so that we have the opportunities, I think it’s great.

[1145]

Together, as British Columbians, communities succeed when we work together.

Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, at this time we’re required to put the question.

[1150]

Hon. Members, the motion before you, put forward by the member for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky, seconded by the member for Shuswap, is: “We, Her Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present session.”

Motion approved on the following division:

Point of Privilege
(Reservation of Right)

Hon. M. de Jong: Madame Speaker, I seek to reserve the right to raise a matter of privilege.

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

Motion approved.

Madame Speaker: This House, at its rising, stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon.

The House adjourned at 11:54 a.m.

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