Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued debate on the budget.

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Budget Debate

(continued)

D. Routley: I’ll continue my remarks that I began last evening shortly before the adjournment of the debate, and I’ll continue with the theme that brought me to that point.

It’s been, in my experience, 12 years sitting in the opposition benches, trying to make the previous government accountable that has led me, finally, to this place, where all of that hard work by all of the people who support us in community and in our constituencies has led us to government and to reading this first B.C. NDP budget that I am so very proud to stand and defend and endorse.

[2:35 p.m.]

There’s really nothing more prescriptive and descriptive of a government’s values and its principles than its budget. Its budget declares its priorities. Its budget declares the depth of its sympathy and empathy. And the budget may display the height of its arrogance — if we see the kinds of budgets that they did the 12 years that I sat in opposition.

Not only is the budget itself a description of principle, but it’s a challenge to British Columbians. It’s become a challenge — after 12 long years, in my experience. Sixteen years of neglect by the previous government. Sixteen years of continued and repeated deficits in classrooms, hospitals, care homes, lives of children in care — deficits that aren’t immediately switched on and off by a change in government, deficits that will take years and years to correct, deficits in classrooms, deficits in hospitals.

The members opposite can chuckle at that notion that what they’ve given us in reply to the budget really displays the fact that they haven’t yet embraced and accepted the reason that they were put back into opposition benches — that is that they had stopped listening to people, and they had stopped making people their priority.

I spoke yesterday about the generations of students that — I think that it’s three cohorts now — have passed through the K-12 system, as depleted as it became after the B.C. Liberals tore up contracts and took $200 million a year out of that system.

People became used to their government featuring tax breaks for the 2 percent, tax breaks for the richest people in the province and advantages to those who least needed them. They became used to paying for that through increased fees and decreased services.

It’s come to the point where people almost felt they had…. I feel people had forgotten that government could make different choices. I feel that people had come to the point where, after being told when the B.C. Liberals came to power that there was a deficit — that didn’t exist; in fact, they inherited a $2 billion surplus — and making massive cuts to all forms of supports for citizens of this province….

They were told that that had to be done because of austere reaction to bad economic times. Then times got better, and they were told: “Well, we can’t possibly afford to support education and child care and all the things that people need — families need — in support of their lives because times are good, and we wouldn’t want to change that.” Then a recession rolled around, and again, times were bad. “We wouldn’t want to challenge the fiscal strength of the province by answering the priorities of the people.” It was wrong all the way through. It was a choice, a priority, that that government made.

Now it’s clear, with this budget, that other choices could’ve been made. Other choices should’ve been made — choices that would have supported the thousands upon thousands of people in this province who are homeless. The face of homelessness changing to working families, young people and seniors…. All of that was unnecessary.

What we have now is a truly balanced budget. A budget that’s balanced fiscally, a budget that makes the burden of supporting our society more fairly distributed, and more fairly distributed towards those who can afford it rather than those who couldn’t afford it. But even so, I think that there have been statements made by opposition members in response to the budget that really do reflect exactly what their priorities and principles are.

One of the things that we’re, obviously, most proud of in this budget is the $1.3 billion investment in child care — the establishment of the beginning of the first universal public service that this province has seen in several generations. I’m so proud to be a part of bringing that to British Columbians.

The response from the official opposition spokesperson on Children and Family Development revealed exactly why this government had lost touch with people. Rather than answering the need of people, rather than providing support for child care that would then support an engagement of citizens and full participation in economy and community by everyone, they would prefer to disparage the notion of a universal child care program.

[2:40 p.m.]

The comments actually reflect the elitist favour that that government paid to its friends. The comment from that member is: “There could be some economic gain if those entering the workforce were high-income earners, but by definition, those who benefit from this subsidy are low-income earners.” Does that not crystallize the disconnect between that former government and the people of B.C. — that someone could think that subsidizing high-income earners was a higher priority for government than assisting struggling families in this province?

Why are those families low-income earners? Perhaps they’ve chosen to abandon a career because they really had no choice and couldn’t afford child care. Now, how would that be seen as fair, or positive for our economy? But somehow the official opposition spokesperson for Children and Families found it strange that this government would support working families.

He says: “I find it strange that the government…ignores the cries of an infant leaving its parent who has to go to work, and the sadness of a parent who would rather stay home with their new baby for a while.” That’s a sadly partisan and ideologically dismissive comment. It’s obviously rooted in a world view that doesn’t share the goodwill and benefits of our society with those who struggle or those who have ambition to be full participants of a society.

We are attempting to empower parents, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by a lack of child care support. When I was a stay-at-home parent with my daughter — I consider that the luckiest time of my life — it was all so very challenging. I had some support from child care programs and before-kindergarten programs, but it was very difficult. It makes it very difficult to continue a career or to strive for one’s dreams when the support for a family isn’t there. So I think it’s strange that he finds it strange that the government would offer support to families in that manner. I find it strange that anyone could question that as a motive.

The budget is a reflection of priorities. People became used to this mantra, “We couldn’t support the people because times are bad,” and then: “We can’t support the people because times are good, and we don’t want to upset the apple cart.”

I think they became so fatigued by a government that wasn’t listening, a government that for 16 years shut people out, a government that for 16 years explained to people why they couldn’t support them and why they would ladle fees on top of their already struggling families in order to balance a budget and in order to offer tax breaks for the wealthiest British Columbians. Those are poor priorities, in the minds of most British Columbians, and finally we’ve seen a correction.

This budget does so much to support my own constituency. The Nanaimo Regional Hospital gets an electric-system upgrade of $12.5 million. The South Island unit dose medication distribution renovation in various communities installs a pharmacy hub system to our facilities. The Nanaimo Regional Hospital also will see the purchase and installation of a second MRI unit. This is a $5.5 million investment that will increase the efficiency and the flow in the hospital.

The Nanaimo Habitat for Humanity affiliate is receiving $100,000 to complete the building of two four-bedroom houses which will provide two larger family houses as the second phase of their Vancouver Island Meadow Hill development. This is another piece of the spectrum of housing answers, and this government is finding a way to support those. In Nanaimo, we are also seeing new Aboriginal housing developments. The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Society is receiving $5 million for a 35-unit project in Nanaimo.

[2:45 p.m.]

In child care, we’ve received millions for new spaces on Gabriola Island, in the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

The Vancouver Island University — shared, in my constituency, with my neighbour to the north in Nanaimo — is receiving a health and science centre replacement. That’s a $41 million investment. Vancouver Island University is also expanding their marine, automotive and trades complex. That’s a $20 million investment. As you can see, the priorities of this government are also spelled out and symbolized by the choices that it makes.

We have seen years and years of costs for families rising — MSP premiums that were doubled, a 100 percent increase in MSP premiums in the first ten or 12 years of the former government’s record. We, on the other hand, have cut MSP premiums by 50 percent and will eliminate them altogether by January 1 of 2020. This will save families $1,800 a year. This is an example of us answering to British Columbians who have complained that they haven’t got the means to support their families or get ahead, no matter how hard they work, no matter how many jobs they have.

The government had forgotten that the fundamentals, the foundations, of a thriving society are at least contributed to by a government — if the government is activist enough in their lives to answer those calls. If the government simply abandons them and says, “You’re on your own. Sink or swim,” then we get what we had, and it’s unfortunate.

I’ve seen the members on the other side, how angry and upset they are. I think they had come to take for granted that they were the natural governors of this province because of their 16-year-long reign. I see them angry. They’re angry as wet wasps over there, just not comfortable with the place that they’ve been put in, and I understand that. But they’re going to have to turn back and re-examine and reconnect with the principles that British Columbians expect would guide their party.

This child care program that we’ve invested so heavily in and that we are placing so much hope in is a social service, but fundamentally, it’s a piece of economic infrastructure. In Quebec, after they invested in a child care program in their province, it was shown conclusively that they had the highest participation of women in the skilled trades. This is directly linked to their child care investments.

In an economy like ours, where a skills shortage and labour force recruitment and efficiency is one of the biggest challenges to our economy and to our businesses, child care is a fundamental investment. It will empower a huge cross-section of our labour force that should be able to participate, not simply on economic terms but as citizens in our province, not shuttered away and dismissed because of the cost of raising children. That is something that I’m very, very proud of.

When we look at small business, I think we all in the House acknowledge that small business is the backbone of our economy. Small businesses are the number one employment creators. It’s sad when we see this barrage from the official opposition, trying to frame and paint the budget as negative toward towards small business.

In fact, what the budget does is directly in support of small business. In the case of a 20 percent reduction in small business income tax rates — from 2.5 percent down to 2 percent — and phasing out the PST on hydro bills for small business, that is a huge advantage, and it will save small businesses very much. But it’s more than that. When I was in opposition, opposing the closure of some schools in my school district….

[2:50 p.m.]

There’s a very good friend of mine who owns a bicycle shop in the Cowichan Valley, actually the second-oldest bicycle shop west of the Mississippi. He’s a fantastic fellow. His name is William Arnold, a very good businessman and a very good contributor to the community.

He came and spoke at that meeting. He talked about the nonsense that he was seeing — the small schools closed not simply because of educational pedagogy that would say that it would be more efficient to offer programs in a bigger school. That’s an argument that I can support or at least engage with. But this was purely driven by funding considerations — cynical funding choices made by the previous government that basically condemned small schools no matter what level of support they had in their community.

My friend Will came to the meeting. He made one of the most sensible statements that I’ve ever heard since I became involved in politics. He stood up and said: “When I look for a new place, a new location for a bicycle shop, I don’t look for a community closing its elementary schools. I don’t look for a community that’s losing support in its hospitals and losing its child care spaces. Those are the things that fundamentally support a thriving small business economy in British Columbia — local economies.” He saw that.

It’s unfortunate that the members on the other side have such a simplistic view of competitiveness. They think that the only element or factor in the competitive equation is cost, particularly the cost of taxation, when everyone in small business — and everyone, I think, who cares to examine this subject — would recognize that competitiveness is an aggregate of a number of things. It’s an aggregate of a lower cost, a better product, an efficient workforce, and effective and productive employees. All of those things require investment, and most small business people recognize that. Also, I would argue at this point, so do large business people eventually come to realize that.

I would refer the members to one of their former colleagues, Iain Black, now the CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade, who gave this budget a B-plus. The Vancouver Board of Trade endorsed the child care program that we’re supporting, several years ago. Chambers of commerce throughout the province are coming out with positive statements about what we’ve done. I think that reflects something that is reassuring, and that is that the people of the province understand that their bottom line is more than simply a mathematical equation. They understand that the health and well-being of the province are defined by more than simply the GDP of the province. It’s defined by so much more.

These are essential investments, and I have framed them through the lens of economy. Obviously, it wasn’t the simple economy of poverty, the poor economy of poverty or the poor economy of neglect that brought us here. It’s more than that. It’s about principles.

We are elected to protect the people. We are elected to do the things for people that are in their public interest. That is not defined by contentment, by the most elite cross-section of this province. That is defined by the well-being of all of the people. My friend Rick Doman, who is the CEO of Western Forest Products, put it really well when he said: “If I were running a train, a railway, I wouldn’t pour all of my resources and wealth into the parlour car, into the best car. I would identify the cars that need the most attention and take care of them so that the whole train can run speedily and effectively.” Now, that makes a hell of a lot of sense to me. That speaks to the economic efficacy of taking care of people, but it is so much more than that.

[2:55 p.m.]

In a wealthy province like ours, in a province that has so many advantages, it is absolutely unconscionable, unacceptable and terrible that 700,000 people live below the poverty line. That is bad for our economy. But even if it weren’t, even if the other side were right…. They actually think that that’s good for the economy. Even if they were right, it would still be wrong, because it’s not fair.

I think we were elected here to make things fair. In a world that has scant fairness, that has offered so many advantages to a narrow few, I think it’s the job of government to correct that balance, to do what it can to help elevate those who have been left behind. Some of the waste…. I think of the potential in people that has been lost over the last 16 years, the great things that could have been done by people. Great economic things. Great social change that could have been supported by those people being engaged in the economy and society of our province. But they weren’t, because they had 16 years of neglect from that former government.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

D. Routley: Now, finally, they have a government that brings a truly balanced budget. Not simply robbing Crown corporations to make a phony balance or selling public properties at discount rates to their friends in order to balance a budget, but more than that. Balanced in the way it approaches people. Balanced in the way it approaches the environment. Balanced in the way it approaches the economy. Balanced in every way — in the ways that matter to people, in the ways that pay off for people, that improve their lives and reduce the costs that they face.

Those are the things that people want their government to care about. Those are the things that they had almost lost faith in. It makes me proud to stand and defend this budget.

J. Isaacs: Colleagues, I am honoured for the opportunity to speak with you today as the representative of the riding of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain and to offer my comments on Budget 2018. I understand the responsibility that has been entrusted to me to not only act on behalf of my constituents but also to act in the best interest of all British Columbians, and I do take that responsibility seriously.

I’m grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful and safe cities in the world, a city that embraces and welcomes diversity. Coquitlam is an active community where celebrations take place all through the seasons. You can enjoy the beautiful spring and autumn landscape Coquitlam offers, hike or bike the numerous trails, participate in the Coquitlam Crunch Challenge or simply take in a play or concert at Evergreen Cultural Centre.The vibrant downtown core boasts fantastic restaurants, eateries and pubs, as well as shops and services that promote economic development and growth and create local job opportunities.

Coquitlam has it all, including a world-class transportation system that sees over 30,000 riders a day. The Evergreen Line provides easy access to all the amenities and has itself become a signature piece of Coquitlam’s landscape, displaying beautiful hues of colour to light up the evening.

We are a diverse community of hard-working families, seniors, students, young families, new immigrants and entrepreneurs. Over the past few months, we’ve had many constituents from all walks of life visit our office to ask for assistance and help. From MSP applications to mental health and addiction issues, health care, senior issues, housing and daycare, we are there to help and support.

I am grateful that I have two amazing constituency assistants. Linda Matthews and Chantal Lee bring their impressive life experience and business skills to our office every day and work diligently on behalf of our constituents. They go above and beyond to serve Coquitlam–Burke Mountain constituents, and I want to thank them for their commitment and passion to serve. Their dedication and support mean a lot to me.

[3:00 p.m.]

I’d also like to thank my Victoria staff, Elishia, Justin and Dion, whose determination to make life a bit easier for me in Victoria has not gone unnoticed. I appreciate their support and hard work. It’s a pleasure to work with them every day. Of course, to my husband, Joe, and my two sons, I thank them for their continued encouragement and support also.

As a new MLA, I’ve had many conversations with parents, business owners and entrepreneurs, community leaders, advocates, industry, educators, health and medical professionals, and seniors. I appreciate the honest and frank discussions we have had and understand that the inherent complexity working through different challenges can be, at times, frustrating. I look forward to having more discussions.

As co–Health critic, I have heard from patients, advocates and family members who have been involved in one way or another in the health care system. With my focus on seniors, I understand the challenges that seniors and their families face; the trials and tribulations that go with finding the right care, the right changing care, as we need, as we change; and the care that every one of our seniors deserves. I was pleased when the previous government made commitments to increase investments for seniors. From my own experience with elderly parents, I know the challenges families face when parents are aging.

There is clearly a need to provide families with timely access to a model of care that works with and for families. And it is necessary that the continuum of care be first supported at the primary care level and that the care model continues to adapt and change and offer a range of care options that are flexible and provide for changing needs and requirements.

Seniors do better when they stay in their homes. They do better when they’re connected to family and friends and are socially engaged. Providing options for support for seniors and services will help seniors live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Doubling the home renovation tax credit and the introduction of a new respite tax were positive steps made by the previous government that financially help families who care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Affordability and transportation issues are as important to seniors and their caregivers as they are to millennials.

Health and seniors care should be a top priority as we care for those who built our province. Half of every dollar in our provincial budget currently goes to the cost of maintaining the health care system.

While the previous government more than doubled health care investment, which led to a 40 percent increase in surgeries — such as a 176 percent increase in knee replacements and over 50 percent of the 500,000 total annual surgeries that were never placed on a wait-list — that also led to $13 billion in capital investment, such as the Penticton Regional Hospital, and an increased amount of a half-a-billion investment a year in seniors care. But we know there’s still more to do.

Effective management of our health care budget will ultimately provide for the highest quality of patient care and the best health outcomes while also supporting health care professionals and seniors who are in residential care.

Expanding the scope of practice to include medical professionals that deliver modern health care, such as mobile health care, and changing the process for how we renew and deliver prescriptions will free up doctor office visits and emergency rooms. It can reduce waiting lists and provide access and opportunities to unserved areas.

As new medicines and new therapies become available, we need to find solutions for patients who need access to life-saving drugs, particularly for pharmaceuticals that are not approved under the B.C. Medical Services Plan. Supporting research and development is the best approach to provide education, prevention, treatment of chronic conditions, genetic diseases and pain management.

We cannot continue to fund an opioid epidemic without balancing out the root causes of mental health and addiction and recognizing that specialized care and ongoing support is essential to help people get on track and stay on track to live a productive and purposeful life. It’s time to modernize the delivery of health care and assure that mental health and addictions care receives the dedicated, wraparound care and support it requires.

[3:05 p.m.]

There is still a critical shortage of health care providers and professionals, with many in the health care sector retiring. Meeting the human resource targets that are needed to manage all of the aspects of their health care system will be a challenge all on its own.

These are just a few examples that emphasize the enormity of the challenges that we are faced with and how important it is that government have a plan in place that will meet the demands of change and the pressures of increasing financial burdens that consume nearly half of the annual budget.

I was glad to see the additional $548 million of spending for seniors over the next three years, and I commend the government for recognizing this much-needed contribution. This will build on the previous government’s announcement of $500 million in 2017. With many health care professionals retiring over the next five years, a solid recruitment and retention strategy to hire an additional 943,000 employees is going to be paramount in delivering services.

I want to assure that quality of care for seniors — that continuum of care that seniors deserve — remains focused and centred on patient-centred care. Quality of life is precious, and each of us deserves to be afforded a reasonable quality of life. It is something that every government should strive to provide for its citizens. This budget came up short and provided no assurance that there is a solid and secure plan in place that generates the necessary revenues to meet even the most minimum of revenue targets.

Increasing taxes, as this government has already done, to the tune of almost $8 billion in just seven months; increasing taxes at a rate of $1 billion a month; and creating new taxes and relying heavily on other streams of revenue, such as the federal government, to pay for infrastructure is not a plan.

There is a long list of new taxes — speculation tax on housing, increases to additional property transfer tax, increased school tax on residential properties over $3 million, carbon tax that is no longer revenue-neutral. We are all going to experience a price hike at the gas pump as well as at the grocery stores.

Nearly every family will get hit with a personal tax hike, which is going to cost families about $1,000 per year. If you are managing a household budget, you’d better be prepared to put away another $100 to $300 a month to pay for these increases.

If you’re a business owner, you will immediately be hit not only with continued MSP premiums for the next year, but you are now going to have to pay the new employer health tax. This tax is coming at the same time as a 34 percent wage hike to increase the minimum wage. This does not bode well for businesses that are already at thin margins, which took on business risks, faced market and seasonal economic cycles. Businesses will have to make difficult decisions in the coming weeks and months — decisions on whether they should hire additional people or lay people off to help manage the costs of running a business, decisions on what is a reasonable price point for their goods and services.

Everything is simply an exchange of goods and services for money. What is the appropriate price point? How much can be downloaded to consumers? And how much can the consumer absorb?

I received an email from my constituent Lisa, who employs 60 staff between her chain of Tri-Cities-based cafés and bakeries. As an inclusive employer, Lisa is proud to employ several staff on the autism spectrum. The new NDP employers health tax will cost Lisa $6,000 a year. I would like to quote what Lisa wrote to me: “This $6,000 may seem small, but it isn’t to a family-run business. We will be forced to re-evaluate employment of some of our team members.”

[3:10 p.m.]

This is serious. After building up three different locations, working so hard to market and expand her company, she may be forced to lay off some of her employees. Increasing prices is not an option. She needs to remain competitive. Lisa goes on to say: “We are not talking about CEOs with million-dollar salaries. We’re talking about families working seven days a week to put food on the table, pay their mortgage and, in this case, afford to pay for the therapy for our daughter who has autism.”

The health tax does not make life more affordable to small businesses and family-run businesses, it doesn’t make life more affordable for their customers, and it really doesn’t make life any more affordable for their staff.

Government has a responsibility to provide opportunities to all of its citizens and to expand economic development and infrastructure that create opportunities to advance education and skills training and lead to sustainable jobs and prosperity. Simply expanding services and programs and increasing expenses without balancing the repercussions of an inadequate revenue stream to meet those increased costs is, by definition, irresponsible.

Government needs a plan that will grow our economy by developing the gifts that the province of British Columbia was given — resource development, mining and energy, forestry, oil and gas and LNG. There was nothing in this budget that supports a plan to secure these vital revenue streams. We cannot grow our economy by stifling resource development and creating regulations that cripple innovation and diminish opportunities to participate in diverse market opportunities.

Businesses and industry alike face growing and financial pressures. Government needs to support and develop the new economy with technology and innovation but also needs to allow for transition, prepare for automation and disruptive technologies. Businesses that may contemplate a start-up in B.C. or who are already headquartered in B.C. will surely take a second look and consider whether their hard work and sweat equity will be eroded through these taxes.

There are neighbours to the east and to the south that offer a much better business climate with much more favourable taxes. We cannot grow our economy and provide jobs and opportunities by increasing taxes and placing an unfair tax burden on those who have worked hard, sacrificed time and family and taken on the financial and business risks. Governments also need to expand and diversify our markets to safeguard us from ups and downs of economic cycles.

We cannot grow our economy by creating debt that is kicked down the road only to land on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren. The consequences of this kind of mismanagement will clearly compromise future generations. Our economy is best supported when we welcome domestic and global entrepreneurs to our province and when our province provides an attractive environment for business to thrive in, reduces unnecessary regulation and policies and takes positive steps to diminish business risks.

While certainty cannot be guaranteed in any industry, governments have an obligation to encourage a healthy and stable economy on behalf of its citizens by enhancing relationships with neighbouring provinces and the rest of Canada, as well as the U.S. and other international countries.

The budget has not produced a healthy, stable environment that would attract business entrepreneurs. The promise of affordable housing fell short, with only 2,000 modular units scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018 rather than the 114,000 housing units promised over ten years. As the Leader of the Opposition noted, it will take this government 67 years to fulfil their promise at the current rate.

As it turns out, the number quoted in the budget even double-dips the housing units. So they’re double-dipping on the employer health tax, and they’re double-counting on their housing units.

[3:15 p.m.]

The speculation tax on out-of-province Canadians owning homes in B.C. is punishing families who own vacation homes in B.C. People who have owned property for ten, 20 and 30 years, enjoying wonderful summer vacations with families and friends, will now have to pay a speculation tax on top of the property taxes they already pay. This is nothing more than a tax grab that hits out-of-province fellow Canadians who own homes in selected parts of B.C.

The $10-a-day daycare plan has been downgraded to a mere slogan, as the Premier put it. It is great to see the government putting funds into child care, but they clearly never had any intention of implementing a $10-a-day system when they made their election promise. The $10-a-day slogan has turned into an undetermined ten-year plan.

The rental subsidy was an election promise that vanished under a cloud of disagreement from the Green Party. We agree with our Green colleagues that the rental subsidy was a bad idea. But it was a major election platform promise, and the NDP have completely reneged on it. No mention either of the completion grant for university students, a clear election promise.

Coquitlam–Burke Mountain is a growing community, and the lack of schools has been an issue for some time. During the last campaign, the NDP promised to fast-track schools and led parents to believe that if the NDP were elected, there would be more schools on Burke Mountain. This was another broken promise and a disappointment that this government and their budget did not deliver on.

Families are looking for housing affordability, daycare and making life more affordable. These are goals that everyone wants in place. But this budget will not achieve any one of these goals and, in fact, hurts the very businesses who provide the jobs. It hurts the staff who rely on wage increases and benefits when businesses do well and care for their employees. And it hurts economic development in almost every sector of the province. A tax-and-spend plan is no plan at all.

That is why I cannot support this budget — a long list of false promises, a massive cash grab on the backs of family-owned businesses and job creators and unrestrained spending increases that don’t come close to fulfilling the NDP platform.

Deputy Speaker: The member for Surrey–Green Timbers. [Applause.]

R. Singh: Thank you, friends. I’m so excited to share with you Budget 2018, a budget that works for you. We live in a province rich in people, resources, natural beauty and opportunities. That’s the reason I made this province my home 16 years ago when I came to B.C., along with my son and my husband. Although it is such a beautiful place, since then, what I’ve noticed is that people are struggling.

People are just falling behind, and there are not many opportunities for people to get ahead further. I saw families working harder than ever, and they can’t even get ahead. Young people starting out can’t find affordable housing, and seniors cannot get the services they rely on. It is high time that everyone in our province is part of our prosperity. We took the first steps in the Budget 2017 Update to carve a new path to shared prosperity in this province, and we have taken an even bigger step in Budget 2018.

What I’m very proud of in this budget is that people are at the centre of every choice made in this budget. Our government is working each and every day to make life more affordable, improve the services you can count on and build a strong, sustainable economy that supports jobs in every corner of the province.

[3:20 p.m.]

For too many parents, child care is nearly as expensive as housing and even harder to find. Being a mother myself and having raised two children, I know what a struggle it has been to find affordable child care for my children. I hear this from my constituents every day. A lot of women are struggling. They are having a hard time making a choice between working and taking care of their children.

Businesses also tells us that when parents can’t find child care, they lose a worker. They have told us that economic growth is being hampered and their labour supply is restricted. I remember having a meeting with the executive of the Surrey Board of Trade, along with my Surrey colleagues, and child care was one focus that they were reiterating. They were telling us the struggles that businesses are having because we don’t have a proper child care plan for families.

I’m so proud that Budget 2018 offers the largest investment in child care in B.C. history, with a $1 billion child care investment over three years to lower the costs for parents, increase the number of child care spaces and make sure those spaces meet the highest standards of quality and care.

The plan starts with a new affordable child care benefit starting in September. It will provide up to $1,250 each month per child. It will lower fees for an estimated 86,000 families per year by the end of 2020-21. Also, starting April 1 of this year, a child care fee reduction program will provide funding directly to licensed care providers. It will provide up to $350 a month for a child care space.

These fee reductions will benefit an estimated 50,000 families per year by 2020-21. Together this is the largest investment government has ever made to reduce child care fees in B.C. Last week I was at a non-profit agency in Surrey. It was Options child care resource and referral society. They were so glad about the investment that our government is putting into child care. They were talking about all of the families that they are talking to and who are going to benefit from all of these investments.

We have heard from parents that even if they could afford child care, there are not enough spaces. That’s why in Budget 2018 we are creating more than 22,000 new licensed child care spaces throughout the province. We will work with municipalities, school districts and not-for-profit operators to accelerate the creation of new spaces.

Our plan to build more child care spaces will mean a higher demand for early childhood educators. We will work with all of our partners to develop a comprehensive workforce development strategy that will examine ECE education, training and compensation. These commitments set us on the path to universal child care.

Now I want to talk about another key element in our budget, and that is our comprehensive housing plan. We all know that housing affordability affects us all, and for far too long, B.C.’s housing crisis was ignored. The result is that renters have seen vacancy rates drop while prices rise dramatically. Young adults attending schools haven’t had access to student housing. Young professionals are faced with moving out of their communities or the province, and seniors are struggling to meet rising housing costs on fixed incomes and are at risk of homelessness.

[3:25 p.m.]

This is one issue that comes up in my constituency over and over again. I have discussed this before too, but I have met so many people who have a dream to buy a home. But because of the rising housing costs, they are not able to fulfil that dream. So many of the people I know are living in basement suites, or they’re renting spaces, and it seems to them that their dream of owning a home is getting farther and farther away.

I’m so glad that our comprehensive housing plan is working to curb speculation, crack down on tax fraud, support renters and build the homes that people need. It starts with taking action to stabilize the market and curb demand. We will introduce a new annual speculation tax starting in B.C.’s urban areas. It will also tax foreign and domestic speculators. This tax will apply to property owners who don’t pay income tax here, people who leave units vacant, and satellite families — those households with high worldwide income that pay little income tax in B.C.

The other half of the affordability equation is the supply. With Budget 2018, we are going to help build the homes that people need. These homes will be a mix of housing for families, people with disabilities and seniors. They will range from supported social housing to market rental housing for people with moderate incomes. We will also make significant investments to preserve and protect our existing social housing for the people already living in them.

Our government is finally allowing colleges and universities to borrow and build much-needed student housing. Together we will help finance 5,000 new student housing units.

We can’t fix the housing crisis overnight. We know that, but we can act now and plan for the future. That’s why, in Budget 2018, the government has decided to invest more than $7 billion over the next ten years.

We know that housing affordability can hit renters the hardest, and many of our most vulnerable citizens are at risk. That’s why Budget 2018 is going to make improvements to two rental programs — RAP and SAFER. We are going to increase the benefits of RAP so that low-income families will see their average payment increase by approximately $800 per year. And seniors who receive SAFER will see their average payment increase by more than $930 per year. These important programs will help more than 35,000 households.

Another important thing that Budget 2018 covers is the elimination of MSP by 2020. We saw, in 2018, that the MSP has been reduced by half. Now Budget 2018 commits that it will be completely eliminating MSP premiums by January 1, 2020. That means that families will save $1,800 per year and individuals will save $900 per year. This, I would say, is in contrast to the previous government that was bent upon increasing MSP premiums and, also, was putting unfair taxes on people.

One example of that was the tolls that we had on the Golden Ears and Port Mann bridges. That, also, previously has been eliminated by our government.

Budget 2018 marks a new direction in our province. It puts us on the path where people are put at the centre of the government’s decisions. It also takes significant steps to help our businesses get the workforce they need by addressing child care and housing affordability. It also makes key enhancements to services that people count on. I believe that our people in British Columbia deserve services they can depend on. Whether that is ensuring health care for a loved one, securing education for their kids or keeping communities safe, people need access to quality services.

[3:30 p.m.]

That’s why we took immediate steps in Budget 2017. In Budget 2018, we are continuing to invest in the quality, reliable services that people need, like health care. We are investing in our hospitals because the government knows that investing in our hospitals is investing in the people we care about. We are making significant investments in health care, including $3.1 billion over three years in infrastructure investments.

Far too many British Columbians do not have a regular family doctor. That’s why Budget 2018 invests $150 million to assist those without a regular family doctor and to help them access team-based care. Also, our government is investing $105 million to expand PharmaCare coverage to 24,000 B.C. families. Drug prices have risen, and many British Columbians can’t afford to take their medications as prescribed. That’s why we are eliminating PharmaCare deductibles and keeping family maximums for low-income families. This will help people get the prescription medications they need but they are struggling to afford.

Education is another key area that has been neglected for far too long. We all know that investing in our children means investing in our future. That’s why, in Budget 2018, we are investing $2 billion over the fiscal plan to maintain, replace, renovate or expand schools across B.C., from Surrey to Prince George. We are hiring more teachers, bringing our total to about 3,700 new hires across the province to support our students. We are also providing additional funding to address enrolment growth. Our children deserve the best education from dedicated teachers and our teaching assistants.

Budget 2018 also supports our Indigenous peoples. Our government is committed to learning from and working with the Indigenous peoples as we chart a path towards reconciliation. Advancing reconciliation is about shared responsibility, and that’s why we will see support for Indigenous peoples throughout this budget, including $158 million over three years for housing; $30 million to continue the Indigenous skills training program; $16 million over two years for the First Nations Health Authority to support mental health and wellness; $6 million over three years for Aboriginal friendship centres; investments in the Head Start program, both on- and off-reserve, in partnership with the federal government; and the creation of a new Indigenous law program at the University of Victoria.

Budget 2018 also provides a historic and immediate $50 million investment for the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages in B.C. I think that is extremely important, because we know that every culture is dependent on the language. If we don’t boost the language, that culture dies. Our government takes that very, very seriously. Putting money into the languages, I’m so proud to say, is something we all feel so great about. Of the 34 First Nations languages in our province, eight are severely endangered, and 22 are nearly extinct. This funding will flow immediately, because there is no time to lose.

An area that I’m very, very passionate about is women who are fleeing domestic violence. For far too long, support for women who are survivors of violence has been lacking. In the fall, we invested $5 million to help expand vital services such as counselling, outreach and crisis support. In this budget, I’m so honoured that we are again standing with the survivors of violence with a commitment to ongoing funding of $18 million over three years to increase supports for them.

[3:35 p.m.]

As part of our comprehensive housing plan, we are also investing $141 million to support 1,500 new units for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. That, I feel so proud about, having worked in this field myself.

[L. Reid in the chair.]

Knowing that when women are fleeing domestic violence, the challenges they face when they are calling different crisis centres and when they don’t have a place to go to — how hard it is for those women — these investments will go a long way to help those vulnerable women.

We saw, in recent years, that cuts to legal aid and reductions in family law services have left people without legal representation for far too long. That’s why we are expanding legal aid, including Indigenous and family law services, with a $26 million investment over the fiscal plan. We are also investing $10 million over three years to fund new family dispute resolution services and increase digital access to justice services to better reach people all over the province.

In Budget 2018, there is support for people with disabilities. The transportation needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens have been ignored, dismissed, or worse, clawed back. That’s why we reversed the previous government’s decision to claw back bus passes for people receiving disability assistance. We are proud to invest $240 million over three years so that people with disabilities can travel more freely in our communities. Our action will help more than 100,000 people with disabilities connect with the services they depend on.

We are also making ferries more affordable. This is something that I know my parents would be very happy about. The ferry costs have skyrocketed, putting coastal communities at a disadvantage. That is costly and unfair. That’s why we are freezing ferry fares on all three major routes, rolling back fares on small routes by 15 percent and restoring the Monday-to-Thursday 100 percent fare discount rate for senior passengers.

Both my parents being seniors, this was something they were feeling personally hurt by. My son is studying at the University of Victoria, and many times my parents wanted to come over to Victoria and see him, but because of the ferry prices, they were not able to do that. But now, with ferry prices being restored again — with the 100 percent fare discount — I think they will get more opportunity to come and see their grandson.

Talking about seniors, we know that seniors deserve to live full lives without having to worry about the cost of housing or the quality of care in assisted-living facilities. That’s why we are investing $548 million over three years to improve support for our seniors, adding more specialized primary care services for seniors, helping seniors stay in their homes longer and improving the quality of care our seniors receive in residential care homes. And 22,000 low-income seniors will benefit from the investments in the rental assistance program known as SAFER.

I would now like to touch upon the investments in my own community of Surrey. With Budget 2018, we see a lot of investments in the health care sector. Fraser Valley cancer centre in Surrey is getting an expansion of acute care unit chemotherapy, which is about $8 million. Surrey Memorial Hospital’s in-patient psychiatric and seclusion room will get $460 million from this budget.

[3:40 p.m.]

B.C. Housing is providing $50 million in capital funding for 50 transitional beds and 50 shelter beds for men and women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This project is located at 14150 Green Timbers Way in Surrey. B.C. Housing is also providing capital funding to new Aboriginal housing developments through the provincial investment in affordable housing program. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Victoria is receiving $1.3 million for a 15-unit project in Surrey, and the Kekinow Native Housing Society is receiving $9.4 million for a 106-unit project in Surrey.

The province is also providing capital funding of approximately $30 million for three modular housing projects, totalling 160 supportive housing units, for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The modular housing will be located at three sites, including 106th and King George Boulevard, 135th and 105 Avenue, which is known as the tent city in Surrey. The third site will be confirmed at a later date. The new homes will be operated by the Lookout Housing and Health Society.

Our schools. As I mentioned, we have a big investment in education. But in Surrey, which is the fastest-growing community in B.C., we are getting a big expansion in education. We are getting a new secondary school, Grandview Heights secondary; a new elementary school to provide 605 student spaces, with Burke Road Elementary; another new elementary school, Regent Road Elementary, which will provide 655 student spaces; Salish Secondary, a new secondary school to provide 1,500 student spaces; Edgewood Drive elementary, a new elementary school to provide 655 student spaces.

For Pacific Heights Elementary, there is a 12-classroom addition to provide up to 300 more student spaces in Surrey. Bear Creek Elementary will get a seismic upgrade, same with the Mary Jane Shannon Elementary.

In post-secondary education, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Spruce Building replacement labs are worth $22 million in provincial funding in this Budget 2018. Simon Fraser University will get a sustainable energy and environment engineering building, which is worth $126 million — from our provincial government. That will go a long way, with both SFU and Kwantlen being such great institutions in my community of Surrey and getting this funding.

Thanks to our Minister of Advanced Education, too, for promoting this funding. Thank you so much, Minister.

Transportation is another key sector for which we are getting key funding. Surrey Central station, which is one of the big SkyTrain stations in Surrey, is going to get an upgrade. The project includes construction of a new north station house to improve accessibility, passenger amenities and capacity, which will cost $24 million, from which $7 million will be provincial funding.

Also, the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, which is at the end of its service life, with a new four-lane structure, was just announced last week by the Premier. The cost is $1.377 million, inclusive of removal of the existing structure. The completion is expected by the end of 2023.

South of Fraser rapid transit early works include the widening of Bear Creek Bridge and utilities relocation, as well as upgrades to transit exchanges at future LRT stations. Also in Surrey, the provincial courthouse will be expanded. It’s a $34 million project, and it is also expected to be completed by 2018-19.

In closing, I would just say that I’m so proud of this budget, which is in contrast to the previous government’s commitments. While the services were deteriorating, the previous government was doubling MSP and was ignoring the fast-growing communities like Surrey, where students had to study in portables and the funding for special education was reduced.

[3:45 p.m.]

It is so good to see that this budget is keeping people as its focus. Budget 2018 puts people first. It makes a historic investment to take care of our children. It takes bold steps to tackle the housing crisis. It invests in a record level of infrastructure to create jobs and spur economic growth in every corner of the province. It adds value to our province and to our future as a progressive society.

The investments that we are making have been carefully considered with one thing in mind. That is that the actions we take today to build a better future for British Columbians start by putting people at the centre of the choices we make every day.

D. Davies: First of all, on behalf of my constituents of Peace River North…. I’ve been waiting for a little while here to make my comments on this budget debate. First of all, I want to take a moment to recognize my wife, Erin, and my children Hana and Noel, who have both graciously lent me to my riding, Peace River North, as well as to the people of British Columbia. Without them and their support, I would not be here today. I certainly want to send out a big thank-you to them.

I also want to send out a big thank-you to my constituency assistant Tamara Wilkinson, who is always very busy, always waiting to look after the needs of my constituents in my community. As well, I also want to recognize my newest constituency assistant — today was her first day on the job — Kim Eglinski. She is going to be serving the people of Fort Nelson in my newly opened office in Fort Nelson. A big shout-out to them. Of course, everybody in this place certainly works well and appreciates the work that our constituency assistants do.

I plan to give some thorough analysis in what is contained in this 2018 budget because there are lots of people in my riding who are asking questions about this budget and how it’s going to be affecting them. It’s been just a little more than a week now since the NDP government released their budget. We’ve had, now, a little bit of time to digest the details, and we are getting a little clearer picture of how this is going to impact British Columbians.

By any standard, the budget is a fairly important piece of legislation for the life of any government, and this one is no different. As we’ve heard often heard, as we hear from our parents, first impressions are very important. Certainly for a newly elected government, they are under a lot of pressure to satisfy high public expectations.

The NDP budget did start off fairly well, introducing some tax cuts. They adopted a number of tax cuts from the former B.C. Liberal government in 2017, including the 50 percent reduction on MSP premiums, the small business tax from 2.5 percent down to 2 percent, the elimination of PST on industry electricity. Unfortunately, those appear to be the last tax cuts that British Columbians will be seeing for a very long time.

When it was introduced by the B.C. Liberals in the 2017 budget, the 50 percent reduction in MSP premiums was supposed to represent a $1 billion tax break to both individuals and companies that paid the MSP on behalf of employees. But now the NDP wants that money back, because it is no longer a complete tax break or tax savings. Unfortunately, they have cooked up a new fandangled way to transfer these costs on to our private sector.

If anything, the 2018 budget did achieve an element of surprise. I’m sure that many of us, certainly on this side, have received a lot of phone calls from our business owners asking: what the heck? Just ask any small business owner in this province about the shock they did receive when they first heard about the NDP’s new employer health tax. Without any warning or, really, any public consultation, the Finance Minister developed this tax to hammer our private sector.

[3:50 p.m.]

In fact, on budget night, Iain Black, a very well-known person to everybody in this room, president of Vancouver Board of Trade, immediately responded by saying: “This is a hammer that came down, and we didn’t see it coming.” Now companies large and small from across this great province are starting to do the math and figure out that they are on the hook for a massive bill and a very threatening bill. We’re talking about $4.2 billion worth of revenue over the next four years. That’s a huge tax, just out of the blue.

The Finance Minister is trying to defend the employer health tax by setting a payroll threshold of $500,000. That means if your company is small enough, perhaps ten employees, the government is letting you off the hook. Well, a small shop, maybe like a plumbing shop…. I’m sure many of our communities have plumbing shops, or similar shops, with five plumbers and maybe a couple of staff people. They’re going to be nailed by this tax because they would have a $500,000 employment payroll. See, $500,000 in payroll isn’t really a lot. That affects many small business owners. It will be hammering hundreds and hundreds of small businesses across this province.

In fact, the Finance Minister says that 85 percent of businesses won’t pay a thing. Well, we have a hard time believing that, as $4.2 billion worth of tax revenue has to come from somewhere. It is really, though, I think just the remaining 15 percent of the companies that might not pay a thing.

It turns out that it’s not just the private sector, though, that is going to be footing the bill. Non-profit organizations, service organizations, social service organizations, even school boards and municipalities, already trying to manage tight budgets of their own, are going to be subject to this tax as well. In fact, yesterday during question period, I asked the Education Minister about how school boards in our province are going to cope with the millions of dollars of payroll tax that they didn’t see coming.

It’s one thing to increase the education budget, but it’s quite another to turn around and tax it all back. Ultimately, this is going to mean — it has to mean — there’s a lot less money that is going to be going into education — in fact, on top of what I can already see is no real new commitments to the education budget.

But that’s not the worst part. What the Finance Minister doesn’t want to tell you is this government intends to double-dip a new payroll tax. The employer health tax comes into effect in 2019, but the government will continue to charge the MSP premiums until 2020. So during that year of overlap, the government is going to be reaping a $1.8 billion windfall by double-dipping this MSP as well as collecting the health tax at the same time. That’s a pretty neat accounting trick, if you ask me.

I can assure you companies large and small don’t appreciate the double whammy. For example, again, a small business with an annual payroll of $1.5 million will be hit with the annual cost of $30,000 more in taxes. That is quite a tax hike, an unfair tax hike, to come out of nowhere to our businesses in British Columbia, and to lump the MSP premiums on top of that is just plain not fair.

The small business community is already being hit with a 34 percent increase in minimum wage over the next four years. In fact, here’s what Val Litwin of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, a well-known individual to everybody in this House, had to say. “When I look at the dogpile of increasing corporate taxes, increasing minimum wage, loss of neutrality around the carbon tax, and now we get to add a payroll tax, that is going to be leaving businesses by 2021 footing an almost $2 billion bill.”

Litwin goes on to add: “By the time we reach 2021, the business community is going to be picking up 70 percent of the tab. That is a lot. That is too much. The impacts are real, and I think it will stifle growth and investment in key sectors.”

There are plenty more tax increases that will stifle economic growth in this province, the very growth that we need to grow this province. The dramatic increase in carbon tax is going to hit the business community as hard as it will hit consumers.

[3:55 p.m.]

Last fall the NDP announced that it would be increasing the carbon tax and abandoning the very important principle of revenue neutrality. British Columbians are going to be getting hit with this increase in tax on April 1. This is not an April Fools’ joke. It’s a new tax coming to a wallet near you.

Under the B.C. Liberals, revenue neutrality meant that governments could not increase the carbon tax without a corresponding decrease in income tax or some other form of tax. It didn’t increase the overall burden on taxpayers, that is, until the NDP got a hold of the carbon tax last fall. The new government is going to be increasing the carbon tax by $5 a tonne each year for the next four consecutive years. That may not sound like very much, but considering what it’s going to cost you every time you fill up your gas tank….

In fact, prices at the pumps are going to go up about 8½ cents a litre for gasoline and more than ten cents a litre in diesel. This means consumers are going to be paying more than $5 extra in carbon tax every time they fill up and nearly $10 if you drive an SUV. I’m going to get to the little comments about electric cars and a cookie-cutter approach for transportation needs in this province.

This is what the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says….

Interjections.

D. Davies: Wait for it.

“If you have two vehicles in your family, this means the carbon tax is going to cost you about $360 a year just to drive your kids to school and get yourself to work or to the grocery store.” In Peace River North, this is much different, and this has a much larger….

Interjections.

D. Davies: It is not cheaper up there. The member across says gas is much cheaper, and we should all drive electric cars in Fort St. John.

Born and raised in Fort St. John, I would love the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head to come to Fort St. John today and ride a bicycle around the streets of…. I will pay for your flight to come up and ride your bicycle around Fort St. John. I better watch myself. He might join our Blizzard Bicycle Club that we have in Fort St. John, because they do ride their bikes year-round.

On a serious note and, of course, this is all seriousness, people in Fort St. John and the northeast corner will have a much larger impact when it comes to carbon tax. There are many people that drive 30, 40 and up to an hour just to drive their kids to school, to go get groceries, to attend classes.

I can speak from experience. I attended Northern Lights College, a fantastic college. I had the opportunity to meet the president last night. You know, a great college in Fort St. John. I got my associate of arts degree there, but I had to drive often to Dawson Creek just to get the courses that I could get. That’s 80 kilometres that I was driving three, four times a week to get the courses, in blinding snow. And I was not even thinking about riding my bicycle. We are just talking the price of gasoline and how it will affect our people that live in the interior of the province.

The carbon tax is also going to hit homeowners whether you’re using oil or natural gas. Again, in my riding and many ridings that are in the interior of the province…. I’ll tell you. This winter, we have been locked in at 20 to 30 degrees below zero pretty much since November. I don’t have a choice to turn off my natural gas. I need to heat my home. I have to heat my home. That is a fact. I’ll tell you. The fact is that it is going to hit me very hard, in my family and my residents’ families, to have this extra carbon tax that is no longer revenue neutral.

But that’s just on the consumer side. This government knows that it can rake in a lot of money on fuel and taxes to business. But like it or not, fuel is still a part…. And diesel is a big part of our economy, whether you are talking buses, transit buses or rural people that still rely on generators to get electricity. Tractors.

[4:00 p.m.]

Whenever the cost of this overhead increases in the private sector…. You know where that ends up, ladies and gentlemen? That ends up being taken out of the pockets of the consumer. It’s not enough that the NDP is just going to stick it to the people filling up at the gas pump. In the end, we are all going to be paying more for just the basic necessities that we need to get through our day-to-day lives.

It doesn’t stop there. Don’t take this wrong. I am not excited. But it doesn’t stop there. This government isn’t required to tell British Columbians how much money it’s raising by the carbon tax cash grab. It doesn’t even have to report where the money is going to be used, whether it’s going to fight climate change or pay for coffee. We don’t know where that’s going to go. All of this money is just going to magically flow into general revenue in the province. So that’s just two big tax increases.

Interjection.

D. Davies: The hon. member across the way can have her chance later on, but it’s my turn.

The surprise introduction of the employer health payroll tax, the NDP plan to raise carbon taxes for the next four years…. If this all sounds a little bit unfriendly to our consumers and the business community, well, you are right. It absolutely is.

Interjection.

D. Davies: You took the words right out of my mouth, hon. member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head.

It doesn’t end there. Let’s talk about real estate. If you read the Finance Minister’s budget speech, it sounds like the NDP is going to crack down with some fairly punitive measures. They have the average homeowner in British Columbia right in their sights.

However, market interventions can be a dangerous thing, especially with some measures that have never been used or tested before. Any market intervention could have some nasty unintended consequences. According to the Finance Minister, the new annual speculation tax will crack down on foreign and domestic speculators.

Now, there’s no mention exactly of what defines a foreign or domestic speculator. British Columbia shares a very long border with our closest neighbour, Alberta. I know this well because I represent a riding that has a huge border that I share with Alberta in the northwest. In fact, we even share the same time zone with our Alberta neighbours for half the year, just in case you didn’t know that.

It’s not uncommon for a lot of Alberta residents to buy a vacation property here in British Columbia where they can enjoy the mountains, the coast, the Okanagan and maybe even Fort St. John. Let’s look at the example here.

This is an example. Mark and Debra Hunter bought a rather modest vacation home on Pender Island for $211,000 in 2012.

Interjections.

D. Davies: Yes.

This is where I take offence. I’ve heard a couple of members across the way implying that we are protecting elitists. I’m sorry, but the Hunters are not elitists. They’re hard-working people making hard choices and buckling down. They’re investing in their children’s future. They’re investing in their future. Shame on you for calling us protecting elitists. I call that good old Canadian hard-work ethic.

The Hunters and their four children love their B.C. home, but now they’re facing a punitive tax. Currently, they pay $1,800 in property tax, but that’s going to balloon to nearly $9,000. According to Debra Hunter, they’ve enclosed…

Interjection.

D. Davies: Member, they bought it in 2012.

…the fine so that it creates financial hardships on any owner that isn’t a B.C. resident. By doing that, they’re forcing people to sell. So essentially, it’s the deportation policy of financially ruining people so that they have to sell their properties.

That begs the question: does a couple that owns a small cottage on a Gulf Island really constitute a foreign threat? Are Albertans really foreigners, let alone a threat? What about all the British Columbians working and making a living in the Alberta oil and gas industry, commuting back and forth between the two provinces? Are they foreigners? Don’t these people…? I assume these people would have rights under the Canadian constitution.

Now, we all know that this seven-month-old government is fairly scrappy — we’ve seen it in this budget and some of the comments — but we also know that they were quite quick to immerse British Columbia into a trade war.

[4:05 p.m.]

We’re heading to court over a constitutional challenge against Alberta and the federal government, but in terms of holiday properties, we are talking about a good chunk of the tourism sector that relies on these vacationers to come to British Columbia, live here and support our province, just like the Hunters. Well, they are here to support local businesses. They pay property taxes to the local government. They generally do boost our provincial economy. And now we’re treating them like foreign invaders. That is not the Canada that I know.

When the former B.C. Liberal government introduced a foreign buyer’s tax, it did have a measurable effect on house sales for the short term, but it did quickly rebound within a year. That pretty much indicates that the influence of out-of-country buyers is really quite limited. Now we’re demonizing other Canadians with homes here in B.C. that never were really part of the rental housing stock. You are not going to lower the real estate prices in Metro Vancouver by taxing the crap, or taxing the you-know-what, out of people that have a small little cottage on Pender Island.

Interjection.

D. Davies: I withdraw my comment.

Average homeowners in British Columbia are also rather taken aback by another recent comment by the Finance Minister. She stated that her intention is to deliberately drive down the value of homes.

Deliberately drive down the value of homes. For a lot of middle-class British Columbians, their house represents — like many people, probably, here in this House — a big chunk…. One of their most valuable assets that they have. We’re talking about people like myself, who have invested in a home which is part of…. Apparently, I am an elitist.

Their retirement plan depends on the value of their home. And for people that have just recently purchased a home, they could find themselves under water pretty fast. And by under water, we’re talking about owning a mortgage that exceeds the total value of your home.

Cameron Muir, the chief economist at the B.C. Real Estate Association, says:

“I can’t imagine a government telling homeowners who bought a home in the last year that we are purposefully trying to put you under water.”

Mr. Muir went on to say:

“I’m fully in favour of having prices grow at a much lower rate. Ideally, you would want home prices to grow at or near the price of inflation. Perhaps a little bit less, so incomes can catch up over time. If home prices were arbitrarily driven downward by a government policy, there are large consequences to that in the marketplace, including builders pulling back on production, so you’ll end up with another supply crunch down the road, as well as impact the overall economy.”

Here’s what the Bank of Canada has to say: “We calculated in 2016 that a 15 percent drop in housing prices would put one in eight mortgages in Greater Vancouver under water, with a 25 percent drop, leading to one in four mortgages in negative territory.”

We are talking about triggering — purposefully triggering — a recession. On purpose. It sounds absolutely like something out of a horror movie.

But the attack on homeowners doesn’t stop there. The Finance Minister has admitted that there are a couple of campaign promises that are just too expensive.

We’ve heard this already. I’m almost tired of saying it myself, and it’s not even my campaign promise — $10-a-day child care. While we don’t agree with it, there were lots of middle-class British Columbians that bought into that and believed that this $10-a-day day care promise would come to fruition. Now we’re being told that it was a campaign slogan, a theme, an idea, a thought. I don’t know. But it’s not going to happen. The actual promise of universal child care, though, is now off the table.

The same applies to the $400 rental rebate. Lots of people believed in these campaign promises. They were duped.

It sounds to me like the Finance Minister is still continuing to find ways to stick it to the homeowners in this province. Perhaps the best way we do that is to reduce the homeowner’s grant. This is what the Finance Minister had to say: “We’re actually going to look at that. In fact, it was one of the areas that came forward in the interim report from the MSP Task Force. One of the ideas that they had in looking at a fair tax system was perhaps looking at the homeowner’s grant.”

[4:10 p.m.]

I’m looking forward to their final report — to get a little more information and to be able to move along some of these conversations. But if you are a homeowner in this province, unfortunately, this government plans to tax you to the max, plans to tax you as much as they can.

Before I conclude, I want to comment on a couple of other points. One that really jumps out at me, and I look forward to talking and discussing this during our estimates coming up, is the absolute limited regard for rural British Columbia — very few things for rural B.C. It really, I think, unfortunately builds upon what we hear about this rural-urban divide which we’ve been hearing about over the past number of months.

There’s very little support for the forestry sector, the struggling forest industry in this province. I see firsthand, of course. I have a large area up in Fort Nelson that is currently struggling. There’s very little industry left there. There’s no forest industry remaining, and there’s just that much of a natural gas sector up there. There’s nothing in the budget to support our mining industry.

There is no real plan in the budget to grow the economy of British Columbia. There’s no plan to grow the economy of British Columbia. The traditional industries of British Columbia that built this province are being, I’m afraid, left out in the dark. They deserve greater attention from this government that expects them to pay more taxes.

Ultimately, this budget relies on three-year forecasts that rely on some fairly rosy economic assumptions. Economic rosy assumptions that…. I’m not sure if they’re going to come to fruition by some of the approaches that this current government has taken toward them, the uncertainty that this government has created in this province to welcome investment in our province. I really feel that that is at stake here. When we’re looking at a budget that is to support the people of this province, as well as to encourage this economic growth over here so that we’re not all on the hook to pay these taxes, I see there’s a big gap in the middle that’s missing. If we experience a downturn in the economy for any reason….

There are lots of reasons right now in the world why we could experience an economic downturn. We have a fairly unpredictable President in the United States. We have the NAFTA issues that are on the table right now. We have the softwood lumber agreement that is completely up in the air. When you start combining these and the anti-this, anti-that and anti-everything campaign and the support of…. I think it was called the BANANAs, the build absolutely nothing nowhere near nothing or….

M. Hunt: Anywhere near anything.

D. Davies: Yeah, that one. It really put a huge concern for me as we move forward.

This is a tax-and-spend budget. Tax and spend. And when you only have that one piece of the formula, I think that we are in for a lot of trouble. We are going to be paying for this down the road, and I’m not sure if we are ever going to be able to come back from down the road that we’re going.

J. Routledge: I am so honoured and privileged to represent the people of Burnaby North. Burnaby North is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh people, and they are gracious hosts.

[4:15 p.m.]

Burnaby North is such a diverse community. Since I’ve been MLA, I’ve been welcomed to the Ismaili Centre, one of only five in the world. I’ve enjoyed the cultural experience at TaiwanFest, the Korean festival, African Arabic Muslim Festival, and I’ve met constituents at alun-alun, the Indonesian festival. I’ve celebrated lunar new year at many public and private events in my community, and one group of Chinese women even got me up line dancing with them.

Burnaby North is diverse in other ways as well. We are a community of renters and homeowners, young families and seniors, professionals, workers, students, artists, shopkeepers and people who are barely getting by. Almost every economic strata calls Burnaby North home.

Burnaby North is also home to cutting-edge industries, like D-Wave and Fortinet. Bridge Studios brings shows like Once Upon a Time into homes all around the world. One of the last remaining refineries in B.C. is located in Burnaby North and provides 40 percent of the gasoline to the Lower Mainland. BCIT offers innovative training for the jobs of the future, like specialist nurses. I even had the opportunity to see their patient simulation lab in action.

Burnaby North is a place of such natural beauty. The North Shore Mountains frame almost every view. Our community borders on the Burrard Inlet, and the Trans Canada Trail runs along our northern edge. Ours is an engaged community. The people of Burnaby North have educated themselves about the consequences of a bitumen spill on land or sea. The opposition calls them radical protesters. I call them neighbours, local shop owners, grandparents, homeowners, teachers, students, retirees, constituents.

I want to thank the people of Burnaby North for giving me the opportunity to represent them in this chamber. I want to thank the people who worked so hard to get me elected and create the kind of grassroots campaign that reflects our shared values and commitment to democracy and continues to inform my relationship with my constituents. I meet so many people when I’m out and about in Burnaby North who are still excited that, as they say, “we won,” and who share in that sense of victory.

I also want to thank the staff in my community office — Cate Jones, Perisa Chan and Nadja Komnenic. I thank you for creating the kind of environment where constituents feel welcome, heard and understood. I know that by the time many constituents find you, they are already at the end of their rope and frazzled. Yet you greet everyone with kindness, patience and good humour, and you find solutions to problems that seem insurmountable.

Constituents come to my office to talk to me about an amazing range of topics, and some of their stories are heartbreaking — the loss of a beloved son due to a drug overdose, the exhaustion of constantly advocating for a child with special needs, a painfully drawn-out, expensive divorce. Some visits are more upbeat, like the constituent who has a good job in the film industry that has an idea for ensuring that everyone in our community has local access to healthy, affordable food.

What every visit has in common is an expressed commitment to our community. So many times, constituents end their story by saying: “I’m here because I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what I went through.”

A large percentage of the population of Burnaby North self-identifies as Chinese. I know some of them struggle to articulate their concerns in English. I’m proud that my office offers service in Cantonese and Mandarin on Wednesdays.

I also want to thank the staff I work with here in Victoria, particularly Samantha Scott and Teresa Scambler. You give me sound advice. You help to make a newbie like me fit in and feel like I’m making a useful contribution.

[4:20 p.m.]

Now let me turn to the specifics of the budget. I’m proud to be part of a government that is brave and principled enough to produce such a bold, innovative, comprehensive plan. I’ve already heard from so many constituents who give this budget a thumbs-up. The local business community is part of that consensus. The Burnaby Board of Trade has publicly stated that it approves of our efforts to make housing and child care more affordable and accessible — issues they identify as being of importance to build business and the broader community.

The Burnaby Board of Trade also states that it’s pleased that Budget 2018 is balanced, with a projected surplus in spite of the projected $1 billion plus loss at ICBC, and that with Budget 2018, the operating debt is expected to be eliminated by the end of this fiscal year, for the first time in 40 years.

So many front-line service providers in Burnaby North, the ones that sometimes are all that stands between some families and financial or emotional ruin, tell me that this is the first time they’ve felt heard and listened to in 16 years. They like the direction this government is heading in Budget 2018.

I think I can safely say that affordable housing and child care are two of the most widely shared concerns in Burnaby North. I’m proud that Budget 2018 offers relief in both of these areas. In fact, in both areas, our plans and commitment are historic. Under Budget 2018, we are funding the creation of more than 22,000 new licensed child care spaces in B.C. — spaces that will be built over the coming years as we move towards a universal early child care and learning system in B.C.

I’d like to draw attention to a statement that was made by the member for Chilliwack-Kent. He says: “In their budget documents, the NDP refer repeatedly to the phrase ‘new licensed spaces.’ That carefully chosen phrase suggests to me that they are hoping for a certain number of unlicensed spaces to license, and they will claim that those are new spaces. If they do that, it will be a political fraud. It will be fake spaces, a sham, and we will call them on it.”

These will be new spaces. While we actively build, yes, we are also encouraging licence-not-required child care providers to become licensed, providing assistance through start-up grants and supports to obtain their ECE certification. These will be on top of the 22,000 new spaces. Once licensed, providers will also be eligible to receive operating funding from the province, increasing access to affordable, quality spaces, giving parents choices and helping women get back into the workforce.

With Budget 2018, we’re delivering immediate relief to tens of thousands of families and laying the foundation for a quality, universal child care system. Between birth and age six is the most crucial time for learning, and investing in the development of our children in these early years pays big dividends.

The Conference Board of Canada has said that there is close to $6 in economic benefits for every $1 spent on expanding early childhood education enrolment of children under five years of age. No one questions the value of public investment in our children through the K-to-12 school system.

Here in B.C., we are finally dedicated to creating a system of child care and early learning for our youngest children, based on early childhood educators. Research tells us that investments in licensed child care better support children’s early development while ensuring that children are in safe, quality early care and learning environments.

Budget 2018 invests $136 million, over three years, to enhance quality of care, including important new support for training and development, as well as a workforce development strategy.

[4:25 p.m.]

We are also investing $16 million in federal funding for bursaries and grants to support ECE certification and professional development. These steps will meet growing demand and quality standards for child care. We’ve heard overwhelming support for our child care plan from child care advocates, stakeholders and the business community since Budget 2018 was introduced.

The other area of Budget 2018 about which I’m getting the most positive feedback is our $30.6 billion comprehensive affordable housing plan. Let me just remind us about the highlights. This plan is creating a new speculation tax on those distorting the British Columbia housing market. The tax will target foreign and domestic speculators who don’t pay taxes here, including those who leave their units sitting vacant. This will include satellite families.

The plan increases and expands the foreign buyers tax so foreign buyers contribute more for the high quality of life they enjoy when they move to our province. It stabilizes the housing market by increasing the property transfer tax and the school tax on the wealthiest homeowners who buy or own homes valued at higher than $3 million. The plan involves taking action to reduce tax fraud and close loopholes, and we are strengthening tax administrators’ audit and enforcement powers to help close information gaps and ensure tax compliance.

Our housing plan includes actions to build the homes people need and improved security for renters, including investing more than $6 billion over ten years in affordable housing, including homes for growing families, for seniors, housing options for women and children fleeing violence, and student housing. This is the largest investment in housing in B.C.’s history.

We’re increasing rental assistance so that payments to low-income working families will increase by an average of $800 per year, and payments to seniors will increase by an average of $930 per year, helping over 35,000 households make their rent more affordable. We’ll be increasing supports for renters, strengthening rental laws, upgrading existing affordable housing and enhancing protections for owners of manufactured homes. We’ll be creating a new housing hub through B.C. Housing to build partnerships and affordable housing where people need them most.

Now, we know that there’s more to do to make life affordable for the average British Columbian and ensure that future generations flourish. But this is a start, and it signals a sea change in policy direction. I think this headline in the Globe and Mail sums it up pretty well. “B.C. NDP Ignores Elites and Tables Budget for Those Who Need Help.” As a young, stay-at-home mom in Burnaby North put it: “Best headline ever.” In the article itself, the columnist Gary Mason says:

“In the midst of his successful campaign to become leader of the B.C. Liberals, the current leader offered a blunt assessment of why his party was now sitting in opposition instead of on the government benches. ‘We were preaching at people from 30,000 feet, telling them about credit ratings, telling them about our debt-to-GDP ratio,’ he said of his party’s election campaign message. ‘The NDP, meantime, were in their living rooms offering them a cheaper way of life.’

“It was a pointed, but certainly deadly accurate, appraisal of the markedly different approaches the province’s two main political entities took into the last election. If nothing else, the result drove home the fact that after 16 long years in office, his party had lost touch with vast swaths of the electorate it was there to serve.”

[4:30 p.m.]

That was his assessment only a couple of months ago, and you’d expect it would inform his party’s reaction to Budget 2018 today. You’d expect the opposition’s response to our people-first budget would be at least measured or even break with same old, same old and give credit where credit is due. But no. One minute they say we are going too fast, and the next we are going too slow.

What we’re doing is cleaning up their mess. No one is buying the B.C. Liberal line. By continuing to attack Budget 2018, they just confirm that they have lost touch with people. Their trickle-down economics is a bankrupt theory, and their record speaks for itself. Under their watch, one out of five children now live in poverty, and the income gap between the top 1 percent and everyone else is bigger than it has been since the 1930s.

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Our budget makes different choices. Our budget supports ordinary people, consumers who spend in their community and support local business. This is a budget for the people. It reflects what people have been telling us are their priorities. Average British Columbians can find themselves in this budget. Not only does this budget directly address the problems that have been undermining the quality of life in this province; it was developed in direct consultation with ordinary people.

Today is the final day the public can provide input into framing the electoral reform referendum. It’s the next step in a process that will let people decide how to improve and modernize how we vote in B.C., and it’s not unrelated to the central planks in Budget 2018.

Recently I met a volunteer at a seniors residence in Burnaby North. She’s from Denmark, one of the most economically and socially developed countries in the world, where they vote by proportional representation. She told me that voter turnout is 75 percent or more because people know that their vote counts. Social and economic programs are stable, sophisticated and work for people. She says that because in Denmark there is a culture of cooperation across parties, it’s not winner-take-all like it is here. Parties have to work through their differences to stay in power, and it gives them the opportunity to build on and perfect social programs.

I entered politics to share power with those who have been left out for 16 years and to purposefully help rekindle their faith in the democratic process. This budget is an important step in that direction.

T. Wat: It’s a privilege to rise in this House to share my thoughts on this government’s first full budget. The budget is an incredibly important document. It lays out the spending priorities of government and the ways in which British Columbians will be affected by those decisions.

I will acknowledge that there are some welcome investments for individuals and families in our province, but in the week or so that has passed since the NDP delivered its budget, I’ve heard more concerns than cheers from folks in my community.

Before the last election, the NDP made many significant and specific promises that British Columbians were expecting them to fulfil. Sadly, they have been left disappointed. I’m talking about initiatives like $10-a-day child care, 114,000 units of affordable housing and a $400 renters rebate. The first two items have seen some investment but fall short of what was promised. That last item, a renters rebate…. Who knows where that has gone? Nobody seems to want to even talk about it anymore.

Those are just a few of the commitments that have not been fully seen through. That was a bit of a surprise to people who kept those promises in mind before casting their ballots.

[4:35 p.m.]

Speaking of surprises, I think there was no bigger surprise in this budget than the new employers health tax being introduced by this NDP government. In fact, the MSP moving to this employers health tax came as a nasty surprise, according to Jock Finlayson, the executive vice-president of the B.C. Business Council. He told the Vancouver Sun: “We’re not very happy with a new employer health tax because we weren’t expecting it.”

The Times Colonist said in an editorial today that this new employer health tax “will likely be worst for businesses such as restaurants and bars, which have lots of staff and low margins.” The editorial pointed out that the $500,000 threshold will catch many such enterprises.

The Times Colonist is very concerned about the devastating effect of the NDP’s employers health tax. Let me quote the last three paragraphs of the editorial to show how shortsighted this NDP government is in introducing this employers health tax. “A tax that cuts into already thin profits leaves employers of those workers with a dilemma: accept smaller returns, reduce staff or pass the cost to customers. None of those is appealing, and in competitive industries, passing the cost to customers might not be a realistic option. The government created a tax based on the size of a company’s payroll, not on its bottom line or its ability to pay. That will hurt businesses our economy needs.”

Let me repeat what the Times Colonist said, in conclusion, in case this government is not aware of it. “The government created a tax based on the size of a company’s payroll, not on its bottom line or its ability to pay. That will hurt businesses our economy needs.”

If it came as a surprise, one might assume that that’s because businesses were not consulted about it. I’m not sure why the government would launch such a massive attack on our valuable business community without any warning. Isn’t this NDP government aware that our business community is the one that creates stable and good jobs for British Columbia?

The Finance Minister refused to respond to questions raised by this side of the House on the devastating effect of this new employers health tax on the business community, which really provides the jobs to British Columbia. She didn’t want to concede that she has simply shifted the burden of eliminating MSP onto the business community. Already the new employers health tax has put a scare into businesses in my riding of Richmond North Centre, a thriving community. I recently received a letter from Flying Fresh Air Freight, which was formed as a low-cost, family-owned freight forwarder back in 1989. Flying Fresh and its employees have worked hard to grow the company into what it is today — one of the leading international and domestic freight forwarders at YVR.

Their success has spread beyond Richmond, with offices operating out of Toronto, Halifax and Edmonton as well. Flying Fresh employs 69 people nationwide, 48 of whom work in Richmond North Centre, in my riding. Unfortunately, they now find that their hard work and success have landed them in the top bracket of the government’s new employers health tax. With more than $2 million in wages during the 2017 fiscal year, Flying Fresh estimates it will be taxed more than $40,000 a year when the tax becomes fully implemented.

You know what that $40,000 could buy them instead? A new warehouse clerk. Another set of hands to help them continue to grow their business. Another British Columbian able to go to work every day and provide for their family. Flying Fresh says this new employers health tax effectively reduces the company’s ability to offer this new position. The company goes on to say that the scheduled increases to the minimum wage will only exacerbate the cost of this tax and further reduce the ability of a small business to expand and hire more employees.

It was a very thoughtful letter. I thank Flying Fresh for taking the time to explain to the NDP — through me, as their MLA — just how much damage this new tax will inflict on their company.

[4:40 p.m.]

Despite this and other cases being brought forward by the B.C. business community, the NDP is not having any of it. They continue to dismiss these concerns and seem to indicate that local family-owned businesses don’t understand how taxation works. Well, from the sounds of this letter, it sounds like Flying Fresh knows exactly how this is going to work — against them.

It’s not just business that will suffer at the hands of the NDP and their new employers health tax. Richmond school district 38 has also written to me to express their concerns. The board could be forced to make $2.2 million — yes, $2.2 million — in cuts to the classroom thanks to this new employers health tax. School boards across B.C. did not anticipate these additional costs. We have tried to ask the Education Minister whether there’s money in the budget for them to pay the new tax, but so far, he has refused to confirm how school boards are expected to cover these new massive tax increases.

This burden extends to community organizations as well. Julie Halfnights, president of the Thompson Community Association in Richmond, wrote to me and also shared her thoughts on CKNW radio last week. She says that her organization will have to find ways to make up at least $7,300 in their employers health tax — $7,300 — as well as increases to the minimum wage, which is usually paid to their youngest employees in entry-level positions. As a not-for-profit that adheres to the net-zero bottom line, that means they will impact their patrons. She says that the only way for the association to pay for this would be a rise in fitness fees and in pricing for children’s and seniors programs.

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, this government’s tax scheme is going to be widely felt, and not just by big business, as the Finance Minister likes to claim, but by school boards, by community groups and the people they serve.

Meanwhile, individuals in the community have also taken the time to express their views on this budget. Thomas Fung is a well-respected business person. He is the owner of Fairchild media, a national Chinese-language and TV and radio station, and Fairchild holdings. He’s also the owner of Aberdeen Centre mall, right in my riding of Richmond North Centre. So he’s well-connected to the many retailers trying their hardest to make a good living, along with their workers.

Mr. Fung has a lot of concern about the NDP’s new tax plan. Mr. Fung notes his disappointment that the NDP government will be “double-charging companies for both a payroll tax and existing MSP payments they may pay on behalf of employees.” Mr. Fung goes on to say: “The newly introduced payroll health tax, in addition to the recently announced minimum wage increase, is indeed a big hit to businesses under the current fragile economic situation.” He says: “Taking our group, for example, with 1,700-plus employees, the 1.95 percent health tax would translate to over $650,000 a year of additional employee benefit expenses.”

If Mr. Fung’s company is not able to recoup that from increased revenue, Mr. Fung says that the end result may mean cutting costs — hence, cutting staff overhead. By his simple math, that could mean a choice of cutting more than 20 jobs or an increase to retail prices, which directly affects general consumers, particularly those with fixed incomes.

The choices for B.C. business owners are indeed tough, and workers and consumers will feel it as well. In his letter to me, Mr. Fung also rightly notes that businesses are being hit with a pile of issues all at once. Mr. Fung says: “When I look at the pile of increasing corporate tax, increasing minimum wage, loss of neutrality around the carbon tax, and now we get to add a payroll tax, that’s going to be costing business by 2021 an almost $2 billion bill. The impacts are real, and I think it will stall growth and investment in key sectors.”

[4:45 p.m.]

I know that’s the sentiment that’s been echoed by others in the business community. The last bit of Mr. Fung’s quote there is really important. He’s concerned about stalling growth and investment. As the former Minister of International Trade, this really bothers me. I was proud to be part of a government that focused on bringing in revenue and encouraging jobs and growth, but this budget tells us that the NDP doesn’t have any ideas on how to bring these benefits to B.C. All they can do is to go back to their 1990s playbook and offer the same technique of tax and spend. That scares off investors, rather than attracting them.

That concern is certainly being shared by others. The Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations, CACA, vice-president Wei Ren Ming says: “The United States is open to attracting more investors, but British Columbia is going in just the opposite direction.” He expressed concern that this won’t benefit our provincial economy in the long run.

The alliance is also criticizing the NDP government for the lack of consultation on budget issues pertaining to the Chinese-Canadian community. The alliance president, Wong Den Xi, says: “That includes measures like the increase to the foreign buyer tax and the increase of the property transfer tax on the value of homes over $3 million.” This group also asserts that the province’s crackdown on real estate speculation won’t help the province attract investment.

In the meantime, one alliance member noted the province did not provide details on when a $10-a-day child care would be implemented. I think we are all wondering about that. Staying with the issue of child care, some additional concerns were raised by a constituent who wrote to my office. She worries that this government has missed a big piece of the puzzle by insisting all resources be aimed at licensed spaces, licensing education and licensed care.

She points out that licensed spaces are not the only way to deliver quality child care. Registered but not licensed child care facilities, often called day homes, provide care in unique situations — for example, to children whose parents do shift work. She notes that her own daughter is an air traffic controller who works shifts. Parents often turn to day homes, as well, because their children do not thrive in large group child care or because they have special needs. Running a day home also serves as an alternative source of income for families where working outside the home is not viable.

This constituent notes that while there are areas where day homes can register, there are far too many unregistered, unlicensed day homes with no connection to support inspection and registration. She feels that we should be expanding support networks for registered day homes, while creating provincial standards for registration and for the necessary education for day home providers, attracting suitable day homes and educating families about the options.

My constituent is worried that this government’s plan leaves many current day home providers out of the picture and, in some cases, out of work. I found this constituent’s remarks to be very thoughtful. She reminds us that every child is different and every family is unique. Perhaps there are ways that we can tailor care to better suit their diverse needs.

On the topic of meeting our community’s needs, I want to focus on some of the projects that my constituents have been keeping an eye on for some time now. One of my biggest priorities since being elected in 2013 has been advocating for a new acute care tower for Richmond Hospital. As Richmond’s population continues to both age and grow, the strain placed on Richmond Hospital has only increased. We have the fastest-growing seniors population in B.C., in fact. Truly, our entire community of Richmond is behind this project.

The Richmond Hospital Foundation has been so successful in raising awareness of the need for a new tower and, most importantly, has rallied our generous community behind its fundraising endeavours. I can’t say enough good things about this group and its hard-working staff and volunteers.

[4:50 p.m.]

The Richmond chamber has also been vocal in its support for the tower. Recently they launched a campaign that saw 47 Richmond businesses, employing more than 8,000 people, add their voices to the cause. The chamber reports Richmond Hospital currently serves more than 218,000 local residents, more than 100,000 Richmond-based employees, and a number of visitors coming through Vancouver International Airport, as well as our neighbours in south Delta and South Vancouver.

At the same time, three city councillors launched an on-line petition in November of last year to show the government the strong community support for replacing this aging but crucial building. Prior to the budget speech, the petition boasted some 1,840 signatures. In the hours after the budget was presented, that number steadily climbed, from 2,066 to 2,079, in a matter of seconds while this very speech was being prepared. At last check, the on-line petition stood at 2,134 signatures, and it just keeps growing.

As the House may recall, the Richmond Hospital Foundation has raised nearly $27 million to replace the hospital tower. Nearly half of this funding is contingent on a commitment of funding by the province and a 2020 construction start date. With so much hanging in the balance, Richmondites have asked time and time again for a strong, clear funding commitment from this government.

In an interview with Sing-Tao Daily news following the announcement of the budget, I pressed the government again to move this project forward. A few days later the Premier told Sing-Tao that the acute care tower is the government’s priority and part of its capital spending plan. It is certainly my hope that this is not yet another broken promise and that we can achieve this new tower for the people of Richmond and for those who require medical attention while using the airport.

Moving on, I would like to discuss another critical piece of infrastructure that’s aging, unsafe and in need of repair or replacement. That’s the George Massey Tunnel. The daily congestion in and around this tunnel is widely known as B.C.’s worst bottleneck. The situation is only getting worse. Like the Richmond Hospital, the Massey Tunnel is seismically unsafe — and 80,000 commuters use this tunnel every single day. The tunnel, as it currently stands, is not just an issue of traffic and daily inconvenience but one of public safety.

Our former government had intended to replace the 59-year-old tunnel with a ten-lane bridge. Numerous meetings, consultations and studies all determined that this would be the best option, yet this plan was put on hold while the new government hires another consultant to revisit the same issue again, costing taxpayers another $1 million — another $1 million being wasted.

Now, the exclusion of the Massey Tunnel from the budget speech did not go unnoticed. Again, my constituents are waiting on firm commitments, but more specifically, firm actions. They want to know that the government is listening. Sadly, they may be out of luck on this front. This budget did commit to a new Pattullo Bridge, and I’m not going to stand here and say that’s not a worthy project. But while the government says the Pattullo Bridge has five years of safe traffic left on it, the Massey Tunnel is unsafe now.

It’s hard to comprehend why this government is taking on the more than $1.3 billion cost of the project all on its own. Maybe it’s being done without federal help because tensions with Ottawa are strained right now.

[4:55 p.m.]

The very reason…. The very unnecessary trade war with Alberta over a pipeline that already received federal approval certainly did not help. The whole needless event raised the eyebrows of potential investors yet again, I have no doubt.

This government should be building confidence in British Columbia and promoting as many advantages to the world instead of working to erode our competitive edge and discourage investment and growth, thereby reducing job prospects for British Columbians. It is a concern that has been echoed by many experts since the budget was delivered and also echoed by many average British Columbians. And as I have outlined in my response, it’s being raised by hard-working men and women in my community of Richmond North Centre.

I hope this government will re-examine its tax-and-spend agenda, which will impact business, our economy, our citizens and our communities in the countless ways that I have highlighted here today, with the help of my valued constituents.

J. Rice: As the MLA for North Coast and the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness, I’m excited to share with you Budget 2018, a budget that works for all British Columbians. It’s been seven months since we were sworn in as a new government, and in that time, we have been working hard to give British Columbians what they deserve: a province and a government that works for them.

We live in a province rich in people, resources, natural beauty and opportunities, yet many of those opportunities have become further and further out of reach for the majority of people. Families are working harder than ever and can’t get ahead, young people starting out can’t find affordable housing, and seniors can’t get the services they rely on.

One thing is clear in all of this: it’s time for a different approach. For far too long, British Columbians have been treated as an afterthought by the B.C. Liberal government — that is, unless you were one of their wealthy and well-connected friends. Cuts to services; growing unaffordability; hammering teachers, students and public education, skyrocketing fees for ferries, hydro and medical care. All the while, giving tax cuts to the rich left the majority of people behind. After 16 years of B.C. Liberal neglect, British Columbians finally have a budget that is not only balanced but a budget that puts them first.

While the B.C. Liberals ignored the housing crisis, we have taken bold action to begin tackling the housing crisis. The 30-point plan laid out in our budget outlines our commitment to the largest investment in housing in the history of our province: building almost 34,000 units across the province, including mixed-income social housing; new beds for students at colleges and universities; and dedicated spaces for people who are homeless.

While the previous government said no to people in need of child care, Budget 2018 offers the largest investment in child care in B.C. history, with a $1 billion child care investment over three years. This will dramatically lower costs for parents, increase the number of child care spaces and make sure that those spaces meet quality care standards.

After years of B.C. Liberals giving favours to their rich and well-connected friends, Budget 2018 works for all British Columbians, because that is what the B.C. NDP represents and that is what our government was elected to do. People are at the centre of every choice we have made in this budget. Your government should be working each and every day to make life more affordable, to improve the services you count on and to build a strong sustainable economy that supports jobs in every corner of this province. We’re charting a path to a more affordable, balanced and hopeful vision for B.C.

Experts agree that strong and stable economic growth is forecast in our future. In fact, B.C. continues to outperform economic expectations. In January, 2.49 million people had jobs, a near record level. We continue to have the lowest unemployment rate across Canada. B.C. housing starts increased by 4.4 percent in 2017, translating into over 43,000 units, which is the highest annual level ever recorded. And we’re the only province with the triple-A credit rating from each of the international credit rating agencies.

[5:00 p.m.]

Due to poor choices and neglect at ICBC and the unprecedented wildfire costs this past year, we face projected losses totalling nearly $2 billion. These losses put real pressures on the government’s fiscal plan, and we had to make some tough choices. But we managed to construct a budget that is fiscally prudent while meeting the needs of British Columbians.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members, the member for North Coast has the floor.

Continue, please.

J. Rice: We have taken historic steps to build a made-in-B.C. child care plan and tackle housing affordability. Budget 2018 is balanced, with a projected surplus of $219 million. Our debt remains affordable, and we’ve incorporated robust forecast allowances and contingencies to ensure that we will not be put into deficit. These numbers mean that we can look ahead and feel confident in the stable, steady economic growth of our province.

All of our work in government is framed by our relationship with Indigenous peoples. Government realizes that addressing reconciliation is of utmost importance. We have committed to fully adopting and implementing the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Throughout our budget, there is support for Indigenous people all over the province. Budget 2018 invests more than $200 million in Aboriginal housing, Aboriginal child care, Aboriginal skills training and Aboriginal friendship centres. We are also committing $50 million this fiscal year to support the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages in B.C.

Rose, a Nisga’a elder, has called my office on more than one occasion to discuss the need for the Crown to help Indigenous communities restore Indigenous languages lost through colonization and residential schools. She’s expressed her sadness, as an elder, that the language may be lost forever if more is not done to help. After spending time at Hobiyee just last weekend and watching generations pass on traditional knowledge of song, culture and dance, I am so proud to be part of a government that has heard Rose’s call and is spending $50 million over the next three years to revitalize Indigenous languages in British Columbia.

Of the 34 First Nation languages in our province, eight are severely endangered and 22 are nearly extinct, which is why we will begin funding these programs immediately. There is no time to lose. Our government is committed to learning from and working with Indigenous peoples as we build a path towards reconciliation.

For too many parents, child care is nearly as expensive as housing and even harder to find, and businesses tell us that when parents can’t find child care, they lose a worker. They have told us that economic growth is being hampered and their labour supply is restricted. The B.C. Business Council, B.C. Federation of Labour, chambers of commerce, Vancouver Board of Trade and municipalities across B.C. have urged the province to improve access to affordable child care.

We need to heed the ever-expanding body of research showing us that public spending on child care is a wise social and economic investment. When I was a Prince Rupert city councillor in about 2011 and attending a forum at UBCM, a presenter questioned the audience in attendance. He wondered what we thought was the one biggest policy change that could be made that would impact the maximum number of people in making their life more affordable. In other words, in an age of growing inequality where those with means are getting wealthier and the have-nots are getting poorer, what was the one thing society could do to level the playing field for the most number of people?

Attendees shouted out ideas like free tuition and better old age security, but the answer surprised me and surprised others. It was universal child care. Affordable and accessible child care was the one policy change we could put in place that would support the most number of people, according to UBC public policy researcher Paul Kershaw.

In this budget, the first full budget of the B.C. NDP, we understand that, and as many as 86,000 British Columbians will be eligible for an affordable child care benefit. Our government has announced the allocation of 72 new child care spaces on the north and central coasts and Haida Gwaii. My office received a call from an excited parent who called to apply for one of these spaces the day after we made this announcement — excited at the prospect of new child care spaces. I know Natasha and other parents are excited for a record $1 billion investment in child care.

[5:05 p.m.]

I’m proud to say that Budget 2018 marks the beginning of a made-in-B.C. universal child care plan. We are building a quality child care system that is affordable and accessible, delivering the kind of care our kids deserve, where parents need it and at a price they can afford. Budget 2018 offers the largest investment in child care in B.C. history with this $1 billion child care investment over three years. It will lower costs for parents, increase the number of child care spaces and make sure those spaces meet the highest standards for quality care.

The plan starts with a new affordable child care benefit starting in September which will provide up to $1,250 each month per child. It is estimated that this benefit will lower the cost of child care for 86,000 families per year by the end of 2021. Also, starting April 1 of this year, a child care fee reduction program will provide funding directly to licensed care providers. This program will provide up to $350 a month for each child care space. These fee reductions will benefit an estimated 50,000 families per year by 2021.

Together, this is the largest investment government has made to reduce child care fees in British Columbia. The combination of increasing access and lowering costs is part of our government’s commitment to making life more affordable.

Parents have told us that even if they could afford child care, there aren’t enough available spaces. That’s why we’re creating more than 22,000 new licensed child care spaces throughout the province. We will be working with municipalities, school districts and not-for-profit operators to accelerate the creation of new spaces. Because family-based care is a choice made by many parents, we will also provide incentives to unlicensed family care providers to become licensed.

Our plan to build more child care spaces will mean a higher demand for early childhood educators, and we will work with all our partners to develop a comprehensive workforce development strategy in order to examine the ECE’s education, training and compensation. These commitments set us on the path to universal child care, and they represent real, transformational change in our society.

Another priority our government is tackling in this budget is housing affordability, an issue that affects us all. For too long, B.C.’s housing crisis was ignored. This resulted in a drop in vacancy rates and a dramatic increase in prices. This has meant that young adults attending school haven’t had access to student or affordable housing. Young professionals have had to move out of their communities or the province altogether, and seniors struggling to meet rising housing costs on fixed incomes have been at an increasing risk of homelessness.

People have clearly been hurt by the housing crisis. B.C. businesses and our economy are feeling the effects as well. Three out of five Vancouver Board of Trade members cite housing unaffordability as a barrier to recruiting and retaining employees.

People want government to take action. That is why we’re setting out a 30-point plan that commits to long-term solutions. Our comprehensive housing plan is working to curb speculation, crack down on tax fraud, support renters and build the homes people need.

My office has fielded many calls from upset families and individuals dealing with MSP costs. The regressive MSP tax hurt working families trying to make ends meet. The B.C. Liberals punished people by hiking regressive and unfair MSP premiums, doubling them over the past 16 years of their tenure. We have taken direct action to address that by cutting MSP fees in half this year and completely eliminating them by January 1, 2020. This will save families up to $1,800 a year.

Now, Larry came into my office late in 2017 with concerns that rising costs like hydro and food were making it difficult for him and his wife to pay for their medications. He was happy to learn about the monthly deductible payment, but even with lowered prescription costs, it would still be difficult to make ends meet with a fixed income.

The new Fair PharmaCare plan will reduce premiums for people like Larry earning under $45,000 per year. For families earning less than 30,000 a year, premiums will be eliminated. Our government recognizes that people shouldn’t be choosing between eating and taking their medications.

Tony is a young Indigenous man who frequents my Prince Rupert office to have coffee with my two staff. They’re all about the same age. He’s spoken openly about his struggles with mental illness, even a stay in a hospital for observation.

[5:10 p.m.]

Our government recognizes the need to help individuals like Tony, so I support our $16 million investment over two years to assist the First Nations Health Authority to provide mental health and wellness support.

We’re also taking action to stabilize the housing market and curb demand. We will introduce a new annual speculation tax, starting in B.C.’s urban areas, which will tax foreign and domestic speculators. This tax will apply to property owners who don’t pay income tax here — people who leave units vacant and satellite families, those households with high worldwide income that pay little income tax in B.C.

We’re going to help build the homes that people need. We’re going to build homes with a mix of housing for families, people with disabilities and seniors. They will range from supported social housing to market rental housing for people with moderate incomes. We will also make significant investments to preserve and protect our existing social housing for the people already living in them.

Our government is finally allowing colleges and universities to borrow to build much-needed student housing. Together, we will help finance 5,000 new student-housing beds.

We can’t fix the housing crisis overnight, but we can act now and plan for the future. That’s why we will invest more than $7 billion over the next ten years. Our investment will support almost 34,000 units of affordable rental, supportive and student housing. This will be the largest investment in housing in the history of our province. We are charting a path to help build 114,000 affordable housing units.

This can only be done by building partnerships. In my own hometown of Prince Rupert, we’re providing capital funding of approximately $3.6 million for a 44-unit modular housing project for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Prince Rupert. This project could not come to fruition without the support and the partnership of the city of Prince Rupert.

We’re also creating a new housing hub office at B.C. Housing to bring everyone together to facilitate the building of affordable homes. It will develop partnerships to find, use or redevelop available land in communities hardest hit by the housing crisis. This new housing hub underlines the importance of partnerships and the coordinated effort it will take to address housing affordability.

We know housing affordability can hit renters the hardest, and many of our most vulnerable citizens are at risk. People who rent their homes deserve to be able to plan for the future.

Laurie is a Wet’suwet’en woman who has come to my office to ask for assistance with housing. She lives in one of the many homes in Prince Rupert that was built in the early to mid-20th century. She’s on a waiting list with M’akola Housing, and while she waits, she’s left to pay high hydro bills from a home that needs extensive updating and renovations.

Our government’s investment of $158 million to partner with housing societies and First Nations to build and to support 1,750 new housing units will benefit women like Laurie who feel trapped due to a lack of affordable housing options.

We put forward many ideas during the election on how to increase supports for renters, including improvements to tenancy law, boosting housing supply, closing loopholes. A renters rebate and other ideas have come forward, including reviewing the homeowner grant to improve fairness and provide support to renters.

We are continuing our work on options to support renters. As a first step, we’re going to make improvements to our two rental support programs — the RAP, or our rental assistance program; and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, also known as SAFER.

We’re going to increase the benefits of the RAP so low-income families will see their average payment increase by approximately $800 a year. Seniors who receive SAFER will see their average payment increase by more than $930 per year. These important program changes will help more than 35,000 households.

In September, we also increased funding to the residential tenancy branch, and we’ll be taking next steps to strengthen protections for renters and manufactured home owners who are at the risk of losing their home. We are taking the actions of our government to give British Columbians greater choice in finding housing near where they work and go to school.

[5:15 p.m.]

People want a tax system that is fair. That’s why in September’s budget update we cut MSP premiums in half as of January 1, and we reduced the small business tax and cut PST on electricity for businesses.

Budget 2018 includes another big change to improve fairness. We are eliminating all MSP premiums effective January 1, 2020. This means that families will save up to $1,800 per year and individuals will save up to $900 per year. It will help make our tax system more progressive.

Now, it goes without saying that eliminating the MSP also eliminates a large portion of government’s revenues. We’re making sure we can continue to deliver the services people count on and maintain fiscal responsibility. That is why we will replace MSP revenue with an employer health tax, similar to what other provinces are already doing.

The tax will be levied on large businesses in B.C. that are benefiting the most from the elimination of MSP, and it will be the lowest payroll tax in Canada. Small businesses with payrolls less than half a million dollars annually will not pay any payroll tax, businesses with payrolls between half a million and $1.5 million will pay a lower portion, and only businesses with a payroll over $1.5 million will pay the full rate of 1.95 percent. The revenues raised will be invested in people and the services they count on.

Budget 2018 marks a new direction in our province. It puts us on a path where people are put at the centre of government’s decisions. We are taking significant steps to help our businesses get the workforce they need by addressing child care and housing affordability issues.

There are many more items in our budget that I won’t have time to expand on today, but they include measures to improve access to team-based care for people who do not have a family doctor. There are provisions which help seniors live at home longer and access the quality staff they need in residential care.

We are committing to improve access to justice through increased funding to family justice centres, legal aid and reduced court delays. We’re freezing or lowering ferry fares. We are also increasing grants for the arts and the creative economy, investing in our agriculture and agrifood sectors and helping people access education and skills training. All of these investments are underpinned by a belief that investments in people and communities are investments in a strong economy. Economic growth depends on investments like these at the community level. The key to sustaining that growth is people.

We’re also making capital investments in order to foster the growth of a strong, sustainable economy. Capital spending in Budget 2018 is expected to total $26.2 billion over the next three years, of which $15.8 billion is for taxpayer-supported capital investments. The capital plan addresses key service and infrastructure priorities across the province and is built on the basis of affordable debt levels. Provincial capital investments are made through school districts, health authorities, post-secondary institutions, Crown agencies and ministries.

Now, all of us who call B.C. our home will remember 2017 as the year when scientific predictions about climate change became painfully apparent. Just over 14 months ago, the sudden onset of warm weather, combined with a record snowpack, unleashed some of the worst and most widespread flooding in the province’s entire history.

Hard on the heels of a disastrous spring freshet came months of drought, and with it, the most prolonged wildfire season in B.C.’s recorded history. As the summer wore on, wildfires scorched an area four times the size of Prince Edward Island and forced 65,000 people from their homes. The declaration of emergency lasted 70 days.

Hon. Speaker and fellow MLAs, who among us would now deny the realities of climate change? Who among you would deny the fact that as a government of this beautiful province, we need to act now?

In addition to our further investment of $72 million over three years to help communities better prepare for and respond to wildfires, and to provide further wildfire recovery support, I am pleased to highlight that Budget 2018 also includes an uplift of $1 million for emergency management B.C., the agency responsible for coordinating emergency prevention, mitigation, response and recovery.

[5:20 p.m.]

Although small, the budget lift is designed to enable emergency management B.C. to better maintain day-to-day non-emergency responsibilities such as prevention, planning and corporate initiatives while under emergency evacuation as well as enhance emergency coordination services. This is just one of the many initiatives that this government is implementing to enable British Columbians to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Scientists tell us that we’re unlikely to halt climate change, but we certainly can become more resilient in the face of what will indeed become the new normal.

I’m proud to say that this budget balances fiscal prudence with British Columbians’ priorities — above all, putting people first. We’re making historic investments in the future of our children by prioritizing child care. Budget 2018 takes bold steps to tackle the housing crisis, invest in record levels of infrastructure to create jobs and spur economic growth in every corner of our province, and it adds value to our province and to our future as a progressive society.

The investments we’re making have been carefully considered with one thing in mind. What can we do to build a better future for all British Columbians? It is my belief, through this historic budget, that our government has charted a more affordable, balanced and hopeful vision for our province.

D. Clovechok: I’m honoured to rise here today to speak to the recent budget that was delivered in this House.

Every time I have the privilege to rise here in this House, I have, at the forefront of my thoughts, the amazing people of Columbia River–Revelstoke. It is a riding of immense geography that includes four mountain ranges, the headwaters of the mighty Columbia River and an overall landscape that is incredibly awe-inspiring. It’s the home of a recent movie that just came out — and you may have seen it, Mr. Speaker — called The Mountain Between Us. So if you want to really see what that scenery looks like, watch it with your wife or your husband. It’s a great movie to watch — filmed right in the Columbia Valley.

On a good driving day, it takes me a little over five hours to drive from the city of Kimberley in the south country, up through the ranching and farming communities throughout the Columbia Valley, passing through Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, through the town of Golden and ending up in the city of Revelstoke.

Columbia River–Revelstoke is populated with hard-working mountain people who believe that it’s the best place in the world to raise their families and, in time, to just enjoy their surroundings and activities in their retirement. We are people who drive trucks. We hunt, fish, ski, golf, sled, hike, pick wild berries, quad, water ski and partake in so many other activities that are part of our culture. We are proud British Columbians, and we are proud Canadians with strong, traditional values. I am profoundly blessed to live there and represent the people that I call my neighbours.

I also want to recognize my family, who are all so supportive of me doing this important work and accepting the time away from them that this job requires. They are amazing, and I’m blessed by them.

I want to thank my volunteers, who are in the hundreds, for all that they do. I wish I could name each of them, but I don’t have time here today to do that. I know you’d like to hear them.

I also want to recognize and thank my colleagues, my constituency assistants, for helping take care of business, as always. Rachel Loganberg, in our Kimberley office, and Stacey Brensrud, in our Revelstoke office, are absolutely incredible, and I am, again, blessed to have them standing with me, serving the people of Columbia River–Revelstoke. They are in our offices every day, while I fulfil my duties here in this House.

Also high on my appreciation list are all the staff who help me daily in this building — David, my LA; Adam; Jas; Tyler; Heather; Justin; Carlie. If I’ve forgotten anybody, please forgive me.

I thank all the men and women in this House who assist us every day. Your attention to detail and service is greatly appreciated. Thank you for always filling up the water. We need it.

That said, let’s wade into this budget. People, including members on the other side of this House, tell me I’m a positive guy. I’ve done my very best….

[5:25 p.m.]

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: Settle down. Settle down.

I’ve done my very best to find something positive to say about this budget, but it was tough.

I have found something positive, and this is serious business. I appreciate the jocularity from the sides, but let’s get serious again here. I am encouraged when I see, in this budget, support for Indigenous peoples. I have witnessed the positive outcomes in the impacts of Aboriginal friendship centres. So I am very pleased to see funding here.

Also found in the budget are dollars for new Indigenous law programs, support for reconciliation work, Indigenous housing and skills-training programs. All of this is very good, and I’m supportive of it.

[L. Reid in the chair.]

Providing funding for the teaching of traditional Indigenous languages, in my humble opinion, is a paramount step in the right direction. I have personally seen the cultural power that comes from the learning of the Blackfoot language at Red Crow College in Alberta and the Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana. In Blackfoot we say ííkssoka’piiwa, which means: “It’s very good.”

For me, the most important aspect of this budget is how it affects and applies to my riding. So with the positive that I just had, unfortunately I’m going to have to start to wade into some of the things that aren’t so positive. Let’s look at a few of their headliners, starting with: “Building homes people need and security and safety for renters.”

As is the case in so many places in British Columbia, affordable housing is a huge issue in Columbia River–Revelstoke — affordable housing that people can either buy or rent. In the NDP election campaign, they promised $400 per person in rental assistance to British Columbians. Well, that sounded pretty darned good to a lot of folks where I live. As a matter of fact, people have told me that this issue alone garnered enough influence to sway them to vote for the NDP.

The reality? A promise broken. This rebate actually has not even been mentioned since the election. It does not sound like security or honesty to me.

In their budget, they talk about the largest housing investment in the history of British Columbia. But talk is cheap. Hang on. The fine folks who are across the aisle promised 114,000 affordable homes in their campaign, yet their performance to date is absolutely abysmal.

Well, here’s the real news, as opposed to their fake news. The 1,700 units that they are promising to build were funded by, yes, the previous government. They talk about 2,000 modular units as if this is something brand-new. The previous government did 1,300 of them — that was us, by the way — in small communities for seniors across B.C. So, yes, there should be no reason why they would not want to continue this.

It’s interesting that the minister responsible for this file actually no longer references the 114,000-unit promise, and they’ve only been able to deliver 2,000. You wonder why that is, why they’ve completely neglected that number. This isn’t boding well for the “largest investment in affordable housing in B.C.’s history” claim. That’s what it is — a claim.

[5:30 p.m.]

So as the budget…. We’re seeing that they’ve scrapped their initial 114,000 and gone with 33,700 units — and this is the kicker — over ten years. No mention of that in their election campaign — over ten years. They’re assuming they’re going to be here in ten years as government. Good luck with that.

For $6.2 billion over ten years…. What they failed to mention is that 4,900 of those units — nearly 15 percent — were already started, and funded, by members on this side of the House. Members on that side of the House haven’t even put in 10 percent of the funding for these projects, but they’re claiming 100 percent of the credit. Honest? Is that honest? Well, I’ll let B.C. decide that.

Looking at their ten-year projection, there’s absolutely no chance of them ever achieving their goals. No chance. Now, I recognize that this is a complicated issue and a complicated process. But as it stands, the grandiose claim is shaping up to be yet again another promise that they cannot deliver.

Let’s talk about another headliner — and these are their words: solutions for child care. It’s a big deal where I live, child care — a big deal. So let’s go back to the scene of the crime, Election 2017, and here we’ll find another broken promise. They promised $855 million over three years for a $10-a-day child care program — promised. Underscore that word, “promised.” Election campaign.

Well, they didn’t tell us that their promise needed the federal government to step up with 150 million bucks, meaning the province had to come up with $705 million, with no clear direction — no clear direction — as to how, or where that money would come from. Oh, unless it’s from the $2.8 billion surplus that this side left behind.

The Premier has since come out against this lofty child care goal by simply calling it a branding exercise. Well, where I come from, branding refers to cattle. A branding exercise, not an actual promise — a promise that was made by this Premier during the election.

Again, does this government over on that side believe that the people of British Columbia, who may have cast a ballot in my riding for them based upon their promise of inexpensive daycare, will now forget that shallow promise? Will they think that it’s okay that they’ve been duped yet again by the NDP? I’m betting not. I’m betting not.

Next headliner. I got a lot of headliners. Economic activity for people in a sustainable, diverse economy. Looking at this budget, it’s hard for me to even speak those words, but I’m going to. Well, this is so vague that it’s hard to know where to start.

Their rhetoric expounds economic opportunity for every British Columbian. Yes, a chicken in every pot. A chicken in every pot. I remember learning something about that in my first year of university about Marxism. A chicken in every pot. Yet there is nothing in this budget that clearly outlines an economic plan. There is nothing about revenue generation but everything about spending. They pick fights with other provinces and the federal government and tell everybody that it’s okay for British Columbians to do that.

[5:35 p.m.]

The speculation tax in this budget pits Canadians against Canadians. They bring in minimum wage promises with no regard to small business — without consulting small business — which are the backbone of this province and the backbone of my riding. This action will result in the loss of jobs and, sadly, where I live, likely the loss of businesses. The arbitrary change of Family Day — no consultation — will have an enormous impact, in a negative way, on people where I live.

They talk about a growing economy in this budget, yet there’s little or no mention of an oil and gas sector, which is a revenue generator and a job creator. Where I live, we’ve got mining. My colleague to the south has got lots of mining. No mention of mining in this budget. A revenue and job creator where we live.

Virtually nothing to do with tourism, which is critical to my riding. Nothing to do with tourism. Very, very little on agriculture. And then there’s virtually nothing about wildlife management, which is not a crisis just for the East Kootenays and Columbia River–Revelstoke; it’s a crisis for British Columbia — and virtually nothing in this budget to address it. I’ll come back to that one in a little while.

It makes me wonder why these are not there and question if they’re even close to being a priority. I sure hope so, because these sectors pay for things they want to spend money on. Without these sectors, B.C. doesn’t work.

They say: “We must ensure rural and remote communities are part of B.C.’s bright economic future.” Yeah. But — yeah, I’ve got to give you the but — that would require these members to understand that rural B.C. is actually the heart of this province’s economy. They don’t get that. But there’s a lot that they don’t get.

If members on that side of the House continue on the path of economic attacks on rural British Columbia, there will be no economic future for anybody. Success for businesses in my riding becomes infinitely harder when factoring in the NDP’s new — and this a big word in their budget: tax. Tax, tax, tax, spend, spend, spend.

A new employers health tax. While they claim — and it’s a claim; they do a lot of claiming — it won’t affect small business, we have heard in this House this past week from countless businesses across British Columbia that they’re going to be paying thousands in extra taxes thanks to the NDP’s double-dipping policies. The health tax.

Again no way of stimulating an economy. No plan of attracting new businesses or, for that matter, maintaining existing businesses. No business plan. All the while, souring our relationship with neighbouring provinces and the rest of Canada. When did the B.C. NDP decide that they didn’t want to be Canadians anymore?

In what reality does this government think that businesses are going to be able to absorb these new taxes? Members on this side of the House proposed a plan to have cut 50 percent MSP premiums long before this budget, and we did so without placing the burden of it on British Columbian businesses. When they talk about the reduction of the MSP by 50 percent, they should be looking at us and saying thank you. Thank you. And you’re welcome.

[5:40 p.m.]

The Minister of Finance has repeatedly claimed that the savings from having MSP will balance things out, but they are willfully obtuse to the fact that they’re still charging businesses twice. Yes, double-dippers. I talked about this in question period the other day and got no answer from the minister. One business in my riding is going to have to pay an additional $22,000 in 2019 because of this tax. Another just yesterday told me that they’re going to have to close on Mondays to stay under the threshold. That doesn’t sound like economic success to me.

Yep, sure sounds like this government wants to create a strong economy. I don’t think so. My constituents don’t think so.

Others members have mentioned local businesses having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars more. It’s not just people from my riding; it’s people from across British Columbia, including businesses here in the Lower Mainland.

This is not how we treat businesses in this province. These businesses are only guilty of trying to provide jobs, opportunities and hope for their employees and a good living for their families.

I throw caution to the members opposite in their determined journey into the abyss by reminding them of what Margaret Thatcher once said: “The problem with socialism is you eventually run out of other people’s money.” Take that to heart.

If the NDP continues on this track, and if history is any indicator, businesses in our province are in for hard times. It’s interesting, because you hear people, in my riding, who were in business in the ’90s, going: “Oh my god. Back to the future. We’ve seen this, and it didn’t play out well. Bad B movie.” Does this government or the Minister of Finance, who is so focused on urban B.C., not understand the concept of cause and effect?

Yes, another tax they call the speculation tax. If I look at this budget…. I certainly don’t want to be a judging guy, but the NDP are not systemic thinkers. They do not understand the word “forecast.” That’s a business term.

This tax-and-spend budget is a ready-fire-aim process that has created multiple economic tsunamis, already, in our province — especially in rural British Columbia. They don’t get that.

Well, let me help them with that. Their anti-Canadian tax is already having negative impacts on businesses and families that I represent — true story. A $10 million project in my constituency is potentially on hold right now because of that tax.

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: We can talk, Member, afterwards.

A small developer in Dutch Creek — I’ll use his name — Al Aitken’s business will have the potential to fail because of what they are doing. They are penalizing Canadians just to grab additional tax dollars. Does this sound like the mantra they want us to believe? “A B.C. for everyone.” I don’t think so. My constituents don’t think so.

Despite their claims, none of this is making B.C. more affordable if you’re just getting businesses to shoulder your costs. Ultimately, the NDP policies are forcing business owners to jack up prices, transferring costs onto everybody else.

As Justin Atterbury — I used him as an example in the House just the other day in question period — says: “You can only charge so much for a pizza, and then people aren’t going to pay for it, and they’re going to leave.” You can only raise your prices so much — the only other option that you have — or, worse, you’re going to have to lay off employees, making cuts to MSP completely, completely pointless.

Thus far, members on that side of the House have been completely dismissive of family owned and operated businesses and their needs. As a matter of fact, when these things were tabled here in this House, they laughed at it over there. They actually laughed.

[5:45 p.m.]

I could go on, but as the member for Shuswap put it in this House just the other day…. Explaining how economics work to the NDP and why this is such a bad thing for British Columbia’s business climate is like “trying to explain thunder to a goat.” They just don’t get it. You just don’t get it.

Let’s talk a little bit about transportation. Judging from this budget, the NDP just don’t recognize or understand or refuse to or are unable to understand the challenges that the Interior faces around transportation. They found plenty of money…

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: …truckloads of money, for the Pattullo Bridge replacement and other urban pet projects. There was….

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: Oh, I’m coming to it.

There are absolutely no words at all in the budget speech about the Trans-Canada Highway from Field to Sicamous — not a word.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, the Chair will hear the man who has the floor.

D. Clovechok: This winter, which is still winter where I live…. My office continues to receive numerous emails and calls from angry and distraught constituents in Revelstoke asking me why this government over here — minority government, I might add — hasn’t done anything to improve Highway 1…

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: No, it doesn’t hurt at all.

…or, more importantly, the Three Valley Gap. The current Premier, in estimates, told me that he would make this a personal issue. He used the word “expedite.” He used the word “accelerate.” Nothing’s happened. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Zero. Not so personal.

My riding has and continues to see multiple accidents and many fatalities due to highway road conditions through the Rogers Pass and the Three Valley Gap area. The RCMP and first responders have done an absolutely exceptional job this winter, and it’s been an exceptional winter snow event this year in that area. But they’ve done an exceptional job in reacting to those incidents and dealing with those incidents — as well as the staff of MOTI, which were well trained under the tutelage of the previous minister.

I thank them so much, but some long-term change needs to happen. I want to thank publicly, today in this House, the people of Revelstoke for their strength and goodwill when it comes to this issue. There is no other city in the province of British Columbia that has to put up with what they have to put up with, on a weekly basis, with this situation with the Trans-Canada Highway and Three Valley Gap.

Frankly, they’ve had it. They’ve just had it. Businesses can’t move their products because of traffic jams on the highway. Drivers face gridlock and potential injuries. First responders can’t get to homes. All the while, this government rests on their laurels and claims to be expediting highway improvements. Accelerating highway improvements.

Interjections.

D. Clovechok: Laurels. Pay attention.

But their timelines beg to differ….

Interjection.

D. Clovechok: You’re having your 20-minute nap this afternoon.

From what I’m seeing, their claim that they’re accelerating the process simply isn’t fact. It’s not factual. Nearly a year later…. We’re coming up to the election, nearly a year later. They’re in the exact same state as when they became what they are today. Nothing has happened, and that is unacceptable.

Let’s talk about wildlife management. Where I live in Columbia River–Revelstoke and my colleague in Kootenay East, it’s a big deal. It’s a big issue. The budget the NDP have tabled outlines a total of $14 million for wildlife management over the next three years. One million bucks this year, a couple of million bucks next year, and whatever is left over, coming up the next year, if it’s still there. It’s not enough. One million bucks to start this process — not enough. Not even close.

[5:50 p.m.]

Some money is better than no money, I guess, but there’s absolutely zero conversation, no talk, on how they plan to use this money. There’s no call for scientific or data-driven studies, no plan to manage species — not to mention that the funding that was proposed even comes close, again, to what it is needed.

Meanwhile, ungulate numbers are dropping dramatically. Steelhead numbers — and we’ve heard it from the members over there — are absolutely abysmal in this province. They’re actually on the verge of extinction. And there’s no solution. There is not even a shred of a plan or the beginnings of a solution from the NDP. They don’t know how to plan. They just know how to spend.

This is a far cry from the $5 million that the members on this side of the House were going to immediately put into wildlife management. The key word there is strategy. Under our strategy, the money from trapping and tags would have gone directly back into developing a science of species, based on helping manage populations, ensuring that B.C. and all of its wildlife remains intact.

Under the B.C. Liberals, there was logic and a local perspective for that funding. We’ve seen the exact opposite from this government, which banned the grizzly trophy hunt outright. This decision was not based on science. It was not based on an understanding of the need for predator management — no understanding at all.

Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Member.

Interjections.

D. Clovechok: I can go on forever. As such, I will not be supporting this bill.

Hon. G. Chow: It is my pleasure to rise today to speak in support of the 2018 budget, which charts a new path to assure prosperity, putting people first and making life more affordable for British Columbians.

Budget 2018 balances the needs of the people of B.C. with fiscal prudence and strategic investment. Our economic outlook looks bright. The GDP growth in B.C. is the highest among all the provinces. The value of B.C.’s goods exports grew 13 percent in 2017 compared to 2016. And we are the only province rated triple A by each of the international credit rating agencies. This is very good news for B.C.

Unlike what the previous member was talking about, confidence is up in B.C., and employment is up as well. Our government is supporting strategic investments that will give everyone the opportunity to be part of this prosperity. We’re investing in housing, child care, skills training and education. These are the supports people need to nurture innovation, develop talent and foster the entrepreneurial spirit. They are the foundation of a prosperous economy.

As minister of state, my job is to work with my colleague the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology and to generate trade and investment in the province and to build a strong, sustainable, innovative economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy or the well-connected.

For my part, this will include working across ministry and with the federal government to ensure B.C.’s interests are protected and advanced in trade negotiations and disputes; working with the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to advocate for a fair deal with B.C. in softwood lumber negotiations with the United States and working with that ministry to expand efforts to market innovative manufactured wood products to world markets; working with the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture to ensure that the B.C. tourism sector is represented on trade missions; and working with the Minister of Agriculture to advance B.C. food and agriculture exports, especially to growing markets in the Asia-Pacific.

This is the framework on which the 2018 budget rests. These commitments will guide my work as Minister of State for Trade and our government’s mandate to build a better B.C. for the people of our province.

[5:55 p.m.]

The overall outlook for B.C.’s economy calls for strong, stable economic growth. It is encouraging to see B.C.’s goods exports increase substantially, from $39 billion in 2016 to $44 billion in 2017. This is almost a 13 percent increase.

One of the important mechanisms we have to facilitate trade and investment is our extensive network of trade and investment reps in countries around the world. This network connects B.C. businesses with new markets and trade opportunities and promotes British Columbia as a stable and attractive destination for investment. B.C. currently has trade and investment representatives in Japan, South Korea, India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Europe and the United States. These are local experts with a finger on the pulse of business opportunity and culture in their regions, who work hard to attract investment and trade to our province.

My ministry’s budget provides about $12 million this fiscal year to continue to support the operation of these offices and our Asian trade strategy. In Budget 2018, there’s an increase of $500,000 to support an increased presence in the United States for trade and investment reps. These full-time reps in San Francisco, L.A. and Seattle will raise B.C.’s profile in B.C.’s growing tech sector as well as the film and television industry, aerospace and marine technologies, agrifoods, natural resources and other sectors.

Through the expanded trade and investment reps, the province will focus on increasing marketing and brand awareness of B.C.’s advantages in order to attract U.S. and international companies to relocate or expand their North American footprints to B.C. This increase, combined with an increase of $800,000 last year, provides an additional $1.3 million a year for the province’s trade and investment presence in the U.S.

About once every year, our trade and investment representatives come to B.C. to meet with economic development stakeholders to learn firsthand about new investment and trade opportunities. It also gives the representatives a chance to tell our government and B.C. businesses about new opportunity in the ever-changing global markets they have firsthand knowledge of. They also lead buyer investment missions to B.C., which is an important function of our ministry.

We know how effective this kind of outreach can be in building relationships and identifying opportunity for B.C. businesses. In January, I accompanied the Premier, the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture to China, South Korea and Japan. They are, respectively, our second-, third- and fourth-largest trading partners after the U.S.

We went on this mission because we know that to ensure continued economic growth, we must strengthen relationships with government and business leaders in these important countries to lay the foundation for future opportunity for B.C. businesses. We met with many different companies representing a range of key sectors — forestry, energy and mining, transportation, technology, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and agrifoods, to name just a few.

In Guangdong province, the most populous and largest province in China by GDP, we participated in a round table to discuss ways to move forward on an MOU on climate change and low-carbon development that was signed in 2015. We held a policy workshop with China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Forestry Innovation Investment, as well as Canada Wood China in order to promote the use of more B.C. wood products in housing and commercial buildings. This included lumber and engineered wood products as well as the promotion of our expertise in wood technology and how B.C. wood can help China meet its climate goals.

Our visit to the Canada Village in South Korea, a housing development near Seoul, also demonstrated a growing interest in using B.C. wood for construction.

[6:00 p.m.]

In Tokyo, Japan, a global culinary capital, we saw a tremendous opportunity to continue to build our trade and investment relationship, particularly in the agrifood sector. I was fortunate to have met with Santouka, a Japanese restaurant chain that has just established two restaurants in Vancouver and has plans for more. We thank them for contributing to B.C.’s growing food and hospitality sector.

Of course, everywhere we went, we energetically promoted B.C. wine, something we’ll continue to do for our wine and agrifood sector worldwide. B.C. is one of the most diverse food-producing regions of North America. We produce more than 200 different agriculture commodities and are industrial leaders in sustainable produce-growing technologies.

In 2017, B.C. exported more than $4.2 billion in agricultural products and food. Budget 2018 provides a $29 million increase over three years in the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget — among other things, to expand local marketing efforts and improve brand recognition of B.C. products overseas. I’m sure the Minister of Agriculture will expand on that.

With additional support for trade and investment reps, members of the B.C. agrifood sector participated in food and seafood expos all over the world, including the Seafood Expo Asia and Fruit Logistica in Europe and Asia. This promotion, of course, includes protecting and supporting our wine industry, which employs about 12,000 people and has an economic impact of $2.8 billion annually in our province.

In 2016, B.C. wine exports increased 4 percent to almost $10 million and shipped to 17 international markets. The top markets for our export for B.C. wine were China that took up 54 percent, Taiwan, 23 percent, and the U.S., 11 percent. Declaring April B.C. Wine Month is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of helping our wine industry. The government is also increasing opportunity to have B.C. wines in local B.C. liquor stores, including local wines from small and medium producers that are not typically available outside of the wineries.

Funding is also being made available for the Buy B.C. Eat Drink Local program and to support the marketing of B.C. VQA wines to new international markets. Another priority for our ministry is investment in Budget 2018 for the creation of a centre for new commerce in order to enhance settlement programs that support immigrants and refugees. Our government made this investment of up to $5.7 million a priority in order to improve labour market outcomes for immigrants and newcomers and to provide more vulnerable newcomers with access to the support they need to help them succeed.

The expansion of these supports will include an increase to the B.C. settlement and integration services program in our ministry, which includes support for refugee claimants as well, and a career path for skilled immigrants, which helps newcomers to find employment in their field of training.

For small business, we are cutting the small business tax rate by 20 percent and eliminating the PST on electricity by April 1, 2019, which will translate into savings of more than $150 million annually for small business. We will soon establish the small business task force, which will help us understand the needs of small business in every part of the province so we can create the best policy to help them thrive.

Of course, we’re also looking outward. We want to support businesses, small, medium and large, so they can take advantage of growing export opportunities around the world. We’re expanding the export navigator pilot program, which helps small businesses to become export-ready by identifying new market opportunities, determining export readiness and the necessary steps prior to entering new markets, and supporting small businesses through logistics and custom certification and other requirements.

[6:05 p.m.]

For example, Kaslo Sourdough is a family-owned West Kootenay business that has produced sourdough breads for decades. The export navigator program helped them become export-ready, and they have now begun making small shipments of their new sourdough pasta product to two new overseas markets, which are the U.S. and China. Just a few weeks ago this company was one of the 11 organizations that received funding through the federal-provincial-territorial Growing Forward 2 framework, which is a framework that helps businesses in B.C. develop new market opportunity. Now they are researching the health benefits for their new lines of pasta.

Before I acknowledge other ministry roles in support of our government’s 2018 budget, I would like to talk about technology and the crucial role it plays in our economy. To that end, our ministry has just filled the post of an innovation commissioner, whose mandate is to support B.C.’s growing technology sector. Mr. Alan Winter, the new commissioner, is a veteran in this sector. He will be an advocate and ambassador on behalf of B.C.’s innovation and technology sector in Ottawa and abroad.

An increase of $600,000 will fund a full year’s operation for the innovation commissioner’s office, which will facilitate national and cross-border innovation and partnership to enable growth and job creation across B.C. He will be involved in initiatives such as the Cascadia Innovation Corridor partnership with Washington State, and will maximize our strength as a collaborative cross-border tech-maker region.

Budget 2018 also provides $200,000 to support a new emerging economy task force that will keep B.C. at the leading edge of a rapidly evolving competitive landscape. The task force will examine the current state of the economy, address the changing nature of business over the next ten to 25 years, and propose creative options to ensure government policies are innovative and cutting edge.

Earlier I talked about the trade mission to Asia and some of the important policy and promotion events we led in China and Korea, including a wood product policy workshop with China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. There’s no question our province has made great strides in bringing more B.C. wood to Asian markets. Market development efforts began in 2003. Today, China is B.C.’s second-largest market for forest products. In 2017, the value of wood products and pulp and paper export to China was nearly $3.8 billion.

With the ongoing disputes with the U.S., such as the softwood lumber dispute, it’s more important than ever to diversify. That’s why our government is providing $500,000 to increase transfer to the Forestry Innovation Investment, a Crown corporation that works tirelessly to position B.C. as a leading supplier of world-class and environmentally friendly forest products and technology.

This increase, combined with the budget lift received in Budget 2016 and an increase last year of $750,000, will provide total increased funding of $5 million over three years to support marketing efforts of B.C. forest products in countries like India. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. With limited domestic supply, India represents a critical, growing market for B.C. wood producers.

These are just some of the many ways our government is working to grow the economy and create good jobs for the people of B.C. However, good jobs must be aligned with access to housing, and it is clear that affordable housing is a critical issue in this province. It is an issue that has been building for many years, and one that the old government did not adequately address.

The result is that renters have seen vacancy rates drop while prices rise dramatically. The results are sobering. Young adults are struggling for access to affordable housing. Seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to meet rising housing costs. Families are finding home ownership out of reach.

[6:10 p.m.]

Our government has come up with a comprehensive plan for a fairer housing market. Budget 2018 introduced a new speculation tax to stem back the speculation that’s distorting our housing market. We will increase and expand the foreign buyer tax. We’re also taking legislative steps to counter tax fraud and money laundering, by requiring developers to collect and provide comprehensive information about presales in condo contract assignments. We will combat hidden ownership and strengthen provincial auditing and enforcement powers.

On the demand side, we will invest more than $6.6 billion over ten years in affordable housing and housing supports, including homes for seniors and for women and children fleeing violence, as well as student housing and homes for growing families. This is the largest investment in housing in B.C.’s history.

For renters, we’re increasing rental assistance to help over 35,000 households make their rents more affordable. This includes improvements to our two rental support programs: the rental assistance program, known as RAP, and Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters, or SAFER. Seniors who receive SAFER will see their average payment increase by more than $930 per year, while low-income families will see their average rental assistance program payment increase by approximately $800 per year.

We are also providing capital funding of $83 million for four new housing projects in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, for about 450 units of affordable rental housing for low- to moderate-income households. These are just a few examples from the comprehensive 30-point plan laid out in Budget 2018.

Of course, we know that for too many parents, the cost of child care can be nearly as expensive as housing. It’s not just families recognizing the need for a quality child care system. It’s important to understand that child care is not just a social issue. It’s also an economic one. Businesses are also impacted by the challenges of attracting and retaining employees in a climate where child care is hard to find. The B.C. Business Council, B.C. Federation of Labour, chambers of commerce, Vancouver Board of Trade and municipalities across B.C. have all urged the province to improve access to affordable child care.

Budget 2018 does more than provide new funding for families across the province. It marks the beginning of a made-in-B.C. universal child care plan. Our government is investing $1 billion over three years to lower costs for parents and increase the number of child care spaces, while also making sure those spaces meet the highest standard for quality care.

A new affordable child care benefit will provide up to 86,000 families across B.C. with up to $1,250 per month in child care cost relief by 2020, and the new child care fee reduction program will benefit up to 50,000 families. Our universal child care strategy is guided by three principles: quality, access and affordability.

I’ve talked about how we are working to address rising housing costs and how we are going to raise benefits under Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters, or SAFER, by an average of more than $930. I would like to talk about a few more ways that we are supporting seniors in B.C. and the programs and services they rely on.

Part of the housing plan will include building the homes that people need, including housing for seniors, and we’re investing $548 million over three years to hire qualified support staff and improve the quality of life for seniors in residential care. That’s good news for my riding, Vancouver-Fraserview, because my riding has the highest population of seniors in the city of Vancouver.

[6:15 p.m.]

On health care, effective January 1, 2020, we’re eliminating Medical Service Plan, MSP, premiums. This will make a huge difference in the lives of seniors on fixed incomes, as well as other British Columbians. MSP premiums disproportionately impact low-income and middle-income earners. B.C. is the only province in Canada that levies MSP premiums.

Budget 2018 also includes building more hospitals, as well as upgrading health facilities, medical equipment and information management technology systems; improving access to team-based care for people who do not have a family doctor; and expanding coverage for 240,000 B.C. families through a $105 million investment in the Fair PharmaCare program.

I would also like to point out…. The member from Richmond North Centre has talked about how, since her election in 2013, she has been working on getting a new hospital facility in Richmond. But the fact is that the only hospital work that has been done in Richmond since the late 1990s was done by the NDP government. Since then, for the last 16 years, no work has been done in Richmond. That’s why we’re in the situation where the people of Richmond are clamouring for a new hospital in Richmond.

Funding to restore investment in education includes a $680 million increase for B.C.’s kindergarten-to-grade-12 education system over three years, including $521 million to improve classroom supports for children for up to 3,500 new teaching positions. We know that investment in our children’s education is our most powerful investment in the future. This will bring the total new teachers added, under the classroom enhancement fund, to 3,700.

We reversed a decision made by the old government and have eliminated tuition fees for English language learning and adult basic education. This will give more people access to the skills and education they need to improve their lives. We’re also investing in the schools themselves. We’re investing an additional $2 billion, over three years, to help maintain, replace, renovate or expand schools all across the province.

In closing, I just want to say that in January, I was in Prince George at the annual B.C. Natural Resources Forum with the Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. We talked with many stakeholders about the emerging economy task force, the new innovation commissioner, the small business task force and other ways in which our government is working to help B.C. business grow.

I talked to a stakeholder who was excited about the work our ministry is doing to support businesses and create good-paying jobs. I talked about how we are helping to attract trade and investment to the Interior and northern B.C. — such as Sumitomo Corporation’s recent 48 percent purchase of Pacific BioEnergy Corporation’s wood pellet plant in Prince George and DP World Canada’s Fairview terminal expansion, which will boost shipping capacity by over 50 percent with a $200 million investment in Prince Rupert.

Just last week, at a federal event in Prince George announcing Prince George’s being designated as a foreign trade zone point, I talked about how we are partnering with the federal government and municipalities to provide workshops to help businesses learn about opportunities related to the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which will provide British Columbian businesses with access to 500 million consumers, including duty-free access for forestry and wood products and new markets for agriculture and agrifood products, fish and seafood. These events are solid reminders of the work we do in support of the people who work for the crucial economic health of this province.

Our government is building a strong, sustainable economy, while charting the path to a more affordable future for British Columbia. In Prince George and in every corner of the province, our government is building our economy and creating jobs for British Columbians through some of the largest capital investments in the history of B.C., through skills training and education, continued investment in our green-tech and clean-tech sector as well as our traditional industries, like forestry and energy.

[6:20 p.m.]

Budget 2018 balances fiscal prudence with British Columbia’s priorities. It invests in record-level infrastructure to create jobs and spur economic growth in every corner of our province. It supports new commerce in our province and supports expansion of markets abroad. We understand the importance of economic diversification, supporting innovation, low-carbon development and technology as well as the traditional industries we all rely on.

I’m proud to support Budget 2018 and proud to be part of a government that’s putting people first to build a better B.C.

M. Stilwell: It’s my honour to be here today to speak to Budget 2018.

As always, I’ll take a moment to recognize some of those important people in my life who make it all possible for me to serve here in Victoria. The number one, my biggest fan, my most favourite person in the whole world, who I know has tuned in to witness me give my budget response: Mark, my amazing husband of over 20 years now — hard to believe. My son, Kai, is at home eagerly waiting to watch mom on TV as well.

Of course, our assistants in our constituency offices — Krista, Tamie and Shayne — who do the work in the community. They are my face in the community and make it possible to serve the people in the constituency of Parksville-Qualicum the best we can. And, of course, the staff here in Victoria, who make it all possible and make it all come together. I thank everyone for supporting the job we do here in Victoria.

I recognize that balancing a budget is hard, and I think that this government is figuring out just how hard it is. Following, especially, in the footsteps of five consecutive balanced budgets, it’s a lot of pressure. Many promises were made in the election, and big promises, by the NDP. Now, to put it bluntly, taxes are going up and British Columbians are going to be the ones paying to fulfil those promises.

I know it’s been said before, but I want to make sure we reiterate it here today, because it truly is shocking to me. Since taking office just nine months ago, the NDP have increased taxes by $8 billion — billion — with a $5.5 billion tax increase in this budget alone. The 11 percent increase in personal income taxes means that the average British Columbian family will pay an extra $1,000 every year. It’s an interesting tactic for a government that says they are here to make life more affordable for British Columbians.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There are things in the budget that I agree with, that I’m supportive of — things like housing investments and education, things associated with child care. But it’s the means that we use to get there that are also critically important and fundamentally important to me. It’s important to recognize where the wealth in our province is generated, and that’s by the hard-working people of British Columbia, across this province, in the public sector, in the private sector, in the non-profits.

It’s important to recognize that it’s the people who take the risks, with the intention of making it on their own and to help B.C. become the best place in Canada to start a business, to raise a family. Those are the business owners and the operators and the people who put everything on the line to keep the market competitive, to provide new levels of service to the people of British Columbia. From small start-ups to medium-sized businesses, business owners and their employees keep this province going. They’re the ones who provide those good-paying, family-supporting jobs in every city, every town, every village throughout British Columbia.

The best way for businesses to thrive is when government gets out of the way and allows business owners to do what they do best — work hard and remain competitive. We’ve seen what happens when business succeeds. Families have the means then to help provide opportunities for their children. Jobs are created so graduates can stay in their hometown instead of moving away to the city to work. When the market is competitive, investment is attractive. The numbers are there to prove this. B.C. has consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada for years.

[6:25 p.m.]

We, of course, don’t want to see any of this change, but we’ve also seen the high burden taxes put on business, and we know that taxation has a trickle-down effect. Piling on more taxes and more regulation simply chokes out business, and when business dies, it takes with it the jobs, the family-supporting income and the supports for people who rely on them. You simply can’t claim to want to build a strong economy and then take action to hurt the very foundation of what helps build that economy.

The NDP may be looking at how much money these new taxes will bring into government coffers in the short term, but I’m confident it won’t be long before we see the inevitable. Business will move. Job creation will slow. Opportunities will float away into much more attractive shores. And then what? What will we be left with?

Let’s talk about some of the positive things that I agree with in the budget. I support the arts lift. As a supporter of arts and the opposition critic for Tourism, Arts and Culture, I’m glad to see a $15 million investment in the Arts Council. I support the addition of support for former youth in care, including free tuition and the enhancements of the AYA program. I also support a new partnership with B.C. Housing to build new, affordable homes for those who need it most.

In general terms, the entire investment in child care and early learning is a good thing. Small and medium-size businesses in B.C. are contending with rising rates of attrition due, in part, to limited daycare options for their employees. So I agree with some of the steps that the government is taking to change loopholes and to help support child care. The difference is that what they promised isn’t what people are getting. We heard $10-a-day daycare. We heard it over and over again. That was the slogan, and now we understand that that is exactly what it is — simply a slogan. People are not going to be seeing $10-a-day daycare. It is now a ten-year plan for daycare.

I don’t see a budget here that makes life more affordable for British Columbians, as the NDP would like you to believe — not if you’re one of those small business owners or entrepreneurs who take risks by building businesses and employing others, not if you’re a hard-working man or woman in the resource sector and not if your job depends on interprovincial or international trade. What this government is failing to realize is that hard-working British Columbians drive our economy — not big government. It’s British Columbians alone who generate economic growth that allows us to invest in those social services that we all enjoy — not big government.

You simply can’t tax your way into a balanced budget. You need to have a plan on how to grow and how to sustain an economy. I fear this government’s plans, however, might be well-intentioned; they won’t be sustainable.

One of the biggest things is the health care payroll tax. You know, I like that they’re adopting some of our B.C. Liberal ideas, phasing out MSP premiums. I just don’t like how they disguise it with this massive, high tax increase and grab on businesses. Not only that, but they’re going to be double-dipping into those businesses. The businesses are going to be paying 50 percent of the MSP premiums as well as the health care payroll tax for a year.

That brings a lot of money into government to line the coffers to help pay for all the promises that they’ve made. But what does that do for the people on the ground, those businesses that are driving our economy, that grow our economy? They’re not going to be able to pay these extra amounts that the NDP are using. It’s a $2 billion windfall for them. Sadly, the impact is going to be felt around this province from businesses across the board.

Speaking of double-dipping, I’ve also heard a lot of concerns from many of my constituents that the speculation tax wasn’t actually that well-thought-out. Do we need measures to curb the speculation problem in cities like Vancouver and Victoria? Absolutely. Are there issues with foreign owners who buy homes and leave them sitting empty, with hopes that they increase in value and, especially, blocking opportunities for British Columbians to find affordable homes? Absolutely. But does this mean that government needs to punish other British Columbians or other Canadians who have properties in this province? Absolutely not.

[6:30 p.m.]

Many people in my community have bought properties with plans to retire in Parksville-Qualicum. It is the most beautiful place to retire. It is the retirement mecca of British Columbia. People had bought homes years and years ago — 12 years ago, 15 years ago. They use it as their vacation spot. They bring their family here every summer and throughout their spring breaks and during Christmas. They enjoy their home that they purchased with their hard-earned money, with the plan that eventually, one day, they will retire there.

They come to our community, and they spend money in the local economy. They shop at our grocery stores. They eat in our restaurants. They have golf memberships at the golf courses. Money is being brought into our community, revenue that we need. Now those people are being punished simply because they don’t live in British Columbia.

They are still Canadians. There is no true border in that statement. They are Canadians, and they shouldn’t be punished for the joy and the pleasure of living in Parksville-Qualicum or anywhere else in this province, whether it’s Kelowna and Kamloops and the other more beautiful places to vacation and retire to.

It’s certainly something that this NDP government has not thought through and needs to take a very close look at. There are many, many people — the many emails that I have gotten in the last several days since the budget came out — who are truly concerned about their investment they made years ago, with a long-term plan that suddenly is slipping away from them because there is no way they will be able to pay the extra $10,000, $20,000 from this speculation tax.

I wish I had run out of taxes to talk about. I can’t forget to talk about the carbon tax, which was also announced in the budget with the update as well. The carbon tax will no longer be revenue neutral, adding it to the long list of increases that the NDP has introduced within the first nine months of being in power.

This year it will no longer be a requirement to report to British Columbians about how that revenue is being spent. Where is it going? What is it purchasing? What are we doing with it? No worries. People of British Columbia apparently don’t need to know. While they’re paying more for heating their homes or filling their cars with gas, British Columbians won’t know where the extra money is going and how it’s being distributed by government.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

The impact of this tax will be felt by every British Columbian. Transportation costs are going to increase, from the truck driver that delivers the food to the grocery store to the school bus that takes your children to school or the vehicle that you take to work every single day.

I’m not sure how the correlation hasn’t been made by this government that when the businesses experience the rising cost of overhead, like increased fuel costs, that expense will eventually trickle down and be passed on to consumers. That’s the everyday British Columbian, the people that government says they’re working for.

But don’t worry. As they say: “Help is on the way.” This is what they say is help. I’m truly not sure I want them ever helping me. It doesn’t sound like a big helping hand up when they’re just taxing and penalizing me. When the NDP want to talk about affordability, they better stop to think about all the consequences that British Columbians will be facing when they are paying for things like a compounded carbon tax for the foreseeable future.

Just for a minute, I want to go back and talk about child care, as the Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth. I think the NDP seems to be of the mindset that quality child care is simply based on that slogan I mentioned earlier, to convince the voters to believe in their campaign promises.

I agree that more needs to be done to support parents and to ensure that our kids are receiving the best quality care while moms and dads are at work or at school. That’s why we, as a B.C. Liberal government, had promised 13,000 new child care spaces by 2020. Five thousand of them would have been created in 2017 alone.

There are many, many other things we can talk about. We can talk about children who are waiting for their forever homes, who are waiting to be with that forever family. Yet there was no mention in this budget of adoption. The hundreds of kids who are waiting for adoption — no support for them. The RCY actually expressed concern about the lack of this government’s actions in regards to adoption.

[6:35 p.m.]

In contrast, the B.C. Liberal budget saw a $145 million investment to support some of B.C.’s most vulnerable children. We didn’t overpromise. We didn’t use a slogan. Voters expected a $10-a-day daycare plan, and we see that’s a broken promise. We see that those things are not coming to fruition. It’s hard to take this government’s promises seriously once you dig into the details or, truly, the lack of details that we see on what, really, the plan is for spending.

I’ll talk briefly just on seniors, to reach out on some of the things again. I’m supportive of the increase to Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters. I think that’s a good investment. The funding increase for PharmaCare is also good news, especially for the seniors in my community. In Parksville-Qualicum, 47 percent are over the age of 65, and I’d say another half of those are over the age of 55. So it’s a welcome thing for Parksville-Qualicum.

Parksville-Qualicum is also a centre of tourism. That is the core of our economy in Parksville-Qualicum, and I can’t waste an opportunity to talk about tourism, especially in my critic portfolio as well. The tourism industry supports 130,000 jobs in this province and is one of the most important contributors to our economy. In a few short months, the industry has seen a rapidly increasing and escalating minimum wage at an unprecedented rate, with little or no consultation or time to properly transition.

This government also decided to change Family Day on a whim, completely disregarding all of the economic benefits that having an extra holiday brings to the tourism operators and their employees. Now they’re also being hit with the payroll tax. It’s a hard hit, especially for the smaller, family-owned businesses that rely on seasonal revenues.

In closing, I just want to reiterate that the most important takeaway from this budget for the government who claims that they want to make life more affordable for British Columbians…. They’ve used their first budget in 16 years to bring in $5.5 billion in tax increases. Family-owned businesses are going to suffer. School boards are going to suffer. Non-profits are going to suffer. Employees are going to suffer. Job hunters are going to suffer. Our competitive advantage is going to slip away.

Hang on to your wallets. There’s no real plan to grow the economy. There is no real strategy to increase revenues. The NDP have not fully thought through the implications of their tax-and-spend budget. We will be paying for their promises for years down the road, and the impacts will be far-reaching and long-lasting. You can guarantee it. For those reasons, I will not be supporting this budget. My constituents and the people of British Columbia deserve better.

Hon. M. Mungall: I am so absolutely pleased to be able to rise in support of the budget delivered just a couple of weeks ago by the Minister of Finance. It is a wonderful budget that reflects so many of the values, so much of the need that I have seen, not just in the communities that I represent around the beautiful Kootenay Lake and the Central Kootenays but around all of British Columbia.

It’s not surprising that after 16 years of neglect by the former B.C. Liberal government, British Columbians were yearning for a government that was going to put their needs first and foremost, rather than the needs of their rich friends.

What were those needs? Well, we have an affordable housing crisis in this province. It is at crisis levels. It’s the number one topic of conversation amongst my peer group. You go to any dinner party, any function at all. What are we talking about? We’re talking about housing prices. We’re talking about rental prices. We’re talking about how difficult it is to actually save up for down payments. This is the topic of conversation for pretty much anybody under the age of 45. I used to say under 40. I used to say under 35. As I age, I put that five years on a little bit at the end. This is one of our number one concerns.

[6:40 p.m.]

Then, on top of that, what are my friends talking about? What are the people that live in my constituency talking about? They’re talking about access to affordable child care. They saw nothing, for 16 years, from the previous government. Pardon me. They did see something. They saw cuts to child care.

I remember the rallies in my riding in 2001 and 2002 after cuts to child care were taking place. Families back then were concerned about how on earth they were going to make sure that they would be able to go to work and make sure that their kids would be taken care of in a quality, affordable environment — that they could trust the care that they were in.

Of course, what happened…. As time progressed, wait-lists grew. People could not afford the cost of child care, and they had to adjust. That left a lot of people in what has grown to not just be an affordable housing crisis but an affordability crisis overall around the province. That is part of the 16-year legacy of the B.C. Liberals. We’ve come in and, in less than a year, have addressed those very issues with this budget.

Interjections.

Hon. M. Mungall: I just heard a comment about how we have — this government has — 20 consultations underway. Let me take a moment just to address that, if I may.

The idea of talking to British Columbians being seen as a bad idea by the B.C. Liberals comes as no surprise to anybody in British Columbia. If they had taken a moment in one of their last budgets to actually talk to people with disabilities, they would have known that taking bus passes away was one of the most ridiculous, poor, wrong, immoral decisions that they could have ever made.

Talking to citizens is about democracy. So sorry you guys don’t like that concept. We, over here, are proud to be consulting with British Columbians. We are proud to be engaging them in their democracy. We are proud to be engaging them in government process, because at the end of the day, this government belongs to British Columbians. That’s why British Columbians are thrilled with this budget — not just in my riding. I have been receiving tons of emails and correspondence. People are stopping me in the streets back home, telling me how proud they are.

When I called child care advocates, who have been advocating for universal child care for decades…. In fact, if we want to actually just acknowledge the history on advocacy around a universal child care program, the first time that concept ever showed up in a government document was 1970. It was the Royal Commission on the Status of Women. It was a recommendation from that royal commission in 1970 — before I was even born, before my parents were even married. The advocacy for that program started back in the ’60s.

Fifty years later, British Columbians are going to see a universal child care program because of this budget and this government. I’m only sad that it took so, so long for that to happen.

The housing…. I’m going to come back to child care, because there are so many good things to say about that, but I want to start acknowledging that the housing investment that this government is making is the largest in this province’s history. We’re going to build 34,000 units across the province. It’s going to include mixed-income social housing and new beds for students at colleges and universities.

I can tell you right now that for Selkirk College in the West Kootenays, the demand for student housing has done nothing but increase year over year over year. As we grow our international student population, they are struggling to find housing in the community because they cannot get housing on campus. That we are making that type of investment is going to have such positive impacts for Canadian students as well as international students.

[6:45 p.m.]

We also have units dedicated for people who are homeless, who have been struggling and living on the streets and who have been experiencing what can be some of the roughest conditions in a lifetime. We are going to support them to move into housing, because the best way to end homelessness is to provide housing.

Of course, the issue around housing does not just start and end with new units. Of course, we need those, but the issue around housing encompasses the demand side as well. We know that part of the reason that we have an affordability crisis in this province is as a result of some of the speculation that has been going on with our housing market.

People from other parts of the world — not just other parts of the world, actually; people here as well, but primarily people from other parts of the world — have been dropping their wealth into housing here and driving up prices. Now, this doesn’t just happen in the Lower Mainland. It happens throughout B.C., particularly in the most notable regions, and that’s exactly why we’re going to be extending the foreign buyers tax to the Fraser Valley, to the Central Okanagan, Nanaimo and the capital regional districts.

Now, this is very good for my community — even though it doesn’t fall into this particular regional approach to the foreign buyers tax. Because there’s a ripple effect. As prices increase in other parts of the province, people leave those parts — people leave Vancouver, for example — and they look for more affordable places to live, in other parts of B.C. Nelson is one of those communities that attracts a lot of people fleeing the expensive cost of housing in the Lower Mainland.

When that happens, it also drives up the cost of housing in our area. You have that ripple effect then affect Salmo, Kaslo, as well as Creston, as well as even smaller communities like Meadow Creek. This is the reality of how the affordable housing crisis that has its epicentre in Vancouver actually extends to everywhere else in the province.

Recognizing that, we are actually increasing the foreign buyers tax to 20 percent. We are also going to be applying a tax that will be applied to property owners who don’t pay income tax here in British Columbia so that we are ensuring that housing in B.C., first and foremost, is providing roofs over the heads of British Columbians; so we can address the issue of the affordability so that my peers, when we’re at dinner parties….

This isn’t just in Nelson. I know this is in every community across British Columbia. When we’re talking about what’s affecting us most in life, which is those housing costs, we’re actually able to talk about affording a house. We’re actually able to talk about buying our first homes, making sure that we have the same opportunities as our parents had when it comes to being able to own our own asset, to own our own home. That is a dream that should not be out of reach of British Columbians and, certainly, it will be less so out of reach because of this government’s actions.

I also want to pay a quick note before I move on to another part of this wonderful budget. A lot of people in my community — seniors, young families — have been struggling with that ever-increasing rent. And that’s exactly why we have increased benefits to the RAP program — so that low-income families will see their average payment increase by approximately $800 a year. And seniors who receive SAFER will see their average payment increase by more than $930 a year.

That’s going to be very, very important for my region, particularly since, when you look at some of the lowest-income communities in B.C., you’re going to find them in Nelson-Creston. So this is a very important budget and a very important lift for people in my riding.

I talked about child care. Let me come back to it for just a moment, because, like housing, this is another historic investment. This is another historic investment for B.C. We are investing the largest number of dollars into child care than any other government before us in British Columbia.

[6:50 p.m.]

What is that going to mean? Well, for 86,000 British Columbians, they’re going to be eligible for our affordable child care benefit, and that’s going to reduce child care fees by $1,250 a month. For a lot of people in my constituency, they’re not going to pay anything for their child care. The families that I spoke to, the people who were part of the stroller brigade during the election, the families all around the region — their response was actually tears of joy.

When I called the advocates in my riding to let them know of their success of advocacy after decades, you could just hear the pin drop on the other end of the phone. They just were so elated. They were so happy.

So while I hear criticisms from the opposition — that is their job, and I appreciate them fulfilling that duty — in terms of the overall rating of this child care program, it’s those types of reactions that tell me that we did the right thing, that this program and this budget are delivering exactly on the hopes and dreams of young families and long-standing advocates and that we are building something truly great, a true legacy for all British Columbians.

Interjection.

Hon. M. Mungall: Somebody just said “a true in-debt legacy.” Actually, this budget is completely balanced. I just want to take a moment to tell people watching at home that if you ever have a government that tells you that they can’t afford social programs and they can’t afford to put you first because they have to balance a budget, you tell them that they’re wrong, because we did it. We balanced the budget, and we put people first. Go figure. It is possible.

I want to talk about some of the items that you’ll find that show our commitment to building the economy. One of the things that was recently reported in November in the Mining Journal…. It ranked B.C. at the top of the world for investment. It identified us as the least risky place to invest in mining. It goes to show the new investments that we’ve seen in mining in just the last six months….

Coeur Mining’s purchase of JDS Silvertip. Centerra’s purchase of AuRico. Hudbay’s investment in Amarc. Volcan in Orca Quarry sand and gravel. Evrim Resource Corp.’s recent agreement with Antofagasta on its B.C. properties. Investors from around the world, mining companies from around the world, are ecstatic to be doing business in B.C.

When they see a government that is committed to reducing their electricity costs by taking PST off hydro, saving them millions of dollars, when they see a government that wants to make sure that the mining flow-through share tax program continues on so that we can ensure that we’re growing that exploration, they see a government who’s committed to that industry and seeing it thrive.

When they see a Mining Jobs Task Force…. We’re going to be working with the industry, employers, employees, First Nations, local governments and post-secondary institutions. And this terrible thing that I hear from the B.C. Liberals of consulting with British Columbians…. We’re actually going to engage them on how we can grow and make sure that this industry prospers. The mining industry is thrilled, and they are excited to be working with this government.

I am noting the hour, and as much as I would love to continue on — I could easily do so past the time because this is such an amazing budget and there are so many wonderful things to say about it — I will defer to our standing orders that have us leaving here at 7 p.m.

I will reserve my place in the debate and move adjournment of the debate.

Hon. M. Mungall moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

The House adjourned at 6:54 p.m.