Routine Business

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

Hon. A. Dix: On behalf of all members of the House, I think many of us are going to be joining representatives of the Alzheimer Society today over the lunch-hour. I wanted to introduce some of our guests here in the gallery.

[10:05 a.m.]

Maria Howard is the indefatigable CEO of the Alzheimer Society. Juan Rendon, Barbara Lindsay, Cathryn France, Dawn Wedman, Heather Cowie, Jennifer Stewart, Lauren Weisler and Laura Frisby all work for the Alzheimer Society or are board members. They’re here with some of the most important people that gladden their communities every day — advocates and volunteers with the society. Lynn Jackson; Mark Demers; Jim Mann; and Patrick Tham — who, I believe, is from Vancouver-Kensington; and Ellen Allen are all here.

I know we’re all going to enjoy meeting with all of these people over the lunch-hour, and I want everyone in the House to make them welcome today.

Hon. K. Conroy: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce these folks who are here in the House. They provide services that are very near and dear to my heart, because I used to do that in my former life.

Here from northern child development centres are Kerri Bassett from the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre in Smithers, Fiona Delorme from the Terrace Child Development Centre, Marianne Hemmy from the Kitimat Child Development Centre, Darrell Roze from the Prince George child development centre, Lynn Mathieson from Quesnel and District Child Development Centre and Tana Millner from the Child Development Centre Society of Fort St. John and District. With them is Margaret Warcup, who is a consultant for the northern CDCs. She’s also a really excellent member of our Provincial Child Care Council.

I was hoping to meet with them today, but I’m going to be doing estimates and won’t be able to, so they’re meeting with my staff. I’m really looking forward to hearing what their issues are and, hopefully, meeting with them very briefly. Would everybody please join me in making them very welcome.

D. Clovechok: It gives me a great deal of pleasure this morning to introduce a neighbour and a friend from the Columbia Valley, John Rouse. He’s a big community volunteer. Whether it’s at the chamber or you name it, that man is involved in it. Would the House please make John feel welcome here today.

I. Paton: Well, arguably, the finest fire department in British Columbia is the Delta fire department, Local 1763, and three of my good buddies are here today. They may be in the House, or they may be still at the Bard and Banker; I’m not sure. Mike McMillan, Ben Lewis, Jamie McGarva and Carson Isfeld are here today. They do a great job for us, keeping everybody safe and protected in my municipality of Delta. Make them feel welcome.

Mr. Speaker: Member, the correct pronunciation for Delta fire service is Abbotsford fire service.

Hon. R. Fleming: The correction is also that the Saanich and Victoria firefighters associations are, indeed, the province’s finest.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce an old friend and a wonderful teacher in school district 61 who is here today, Mr. Brian Bradley. He’s got a group of students with him from Victoria High School, western Canada’s oldest secondary school, an award-winning school with many innovative programs. One thing that is very impressive about Victoria High School is that they have the highest ratio of successful scholarship applications by any students in the district. It’s a testament to great teachers like Mr. Bradley and others in that school. I would ask the House to make him and all of these students welcome here today.

Hon. M. Mark: I’d like to acknowledge all of the organizers for the Leading Influence MLA Prayer Breakfast, where 37 MLAs attended this morning. There was a dynamic speaker, Scott Hagen, who blessed all of the MLAs for their service. I’d like to acknowledge how impactful this morning was for me and all of my MLA colleagues in these chambers. Would the House please welcome our delegation.

M. Bernier: I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of arm wrestling amongst MLAs later, on who’s got the best fire hall in the province. I think I can take the member from Delta South, on that one too. It’s obviously an honour for me. I don’t get to rise in the House very often to recognize people who make the long trek from the Peace country, specifically Dawson Creek, down to the House here to visit.

[10:10 a.m.]

I want to thank the firefighters from my communities in Peace River South for the amazing dedication that they have to our citizens. I wanted today to recognize, specifically, Marcel Capelle, Brad St. Germain and Rob Huttema, who took the long trek down here to support their colleagues, meet with members of the House and enjoy a couple of days here in Victoria with all of us. Please make them welcome here to Victoria.

Hon. D. Eby: I know I’m looking forward to that arm-wrestling competition.

The members of this House will know the priority that we place on Indigenous justice and our partnership with the Aboriginal Justice Council. Well, there are two members of the public service who are leading the work on the public service side that are here joining us today. The executive director of the Indigenous justice strategy, Colleen Spier, is here, as well as our manager of the Indigenous justice strategy, Beverley Salkus. Would the House please make them welcome.

Hon. G. Heyman: It’s an honour today to introduce six students from the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University who are working on files like species at risk, the state of environmental reporting, climate risk management and executive operations. They’re on placement with the ministry currently. Their names are Lydia Lobbezoo, Erin Franz, Yashar Ghajar, Jasmine Taulu, Julie Galloway and Jill Westby. Joining them are ministry staff, some of whom are supervising these placements: Celine Davis, Meg Sullivan, Kate Craig, Kira Stevenson, Dominique Sigg, Elena Merritt, Andy Teucher and Rebecca Westley. Would the members please join me in making all of them very, very welcome.

J. Isaacs: I would also like to echo the Minister of Health’s comments in welcoming a very special group to the Legislature here this morning. The Alzheimer Society, the board members and all the volunteers, are incredible advocates and passionately care for our individuals and families who are facing Alzheimer’s and dementia care diagnoses.

I look forward to the annual dementia luncheon today at the Legislature and hearing the Voices in Motion choir and ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the Alzheimer Society for all the work they do and welcoming them here today.

D. Davies: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a couple of our local firefighters. From Local 2143, we have Chris Austin joining us today, Aaron Tjepkema and Stephen Beard. As we’re on the “Who’s got the best fire department,” I just want to do a little throw-out to Stephen Beard. He owns Fort St. John’s first craft brewery, so that’s got to count for something to make it a good fire department.

I also want to introduce and recognize Tana Millner, who is down from Fort St. John with the Child Development Centre. I’m looking forward to meeting with her and her colleagues today.

S. Furstenau: I’m absolutely delighted to introduce Anastasia Lapatina. She’s up in the gallery right now. She’s a grade 12 student at Brentwood College in Mill Bay, and she’s here to shadow me today. I’ve been invited to speak in her teacher Mark Wismer’s class a couple of times, and both times that I was there, Anastasia stood out as incredibly engaged, interested. She came prepared with amazing questions and insights. It’s a real delight to have her here today. Would the House please make her feel most welcome.

B. Ma: I’m looking very much forward to meeting firefighters from the North Shore this afternoon. We have Tyler Lentsch and Jeremy Brodtrick from the city of North Vancouver firefighters and Ryan Stewart, Mark Dear and Trevor Edmonds from the district of North Vancouver firefighters who will be joining us in the precinct. Would the members please join me making them feel very welcome.

B. Stewart: It gives me great pleasure to introduce the new mayor of West Kelowna, who’s in the precinct today with his wife, Laurel Milsom. Gord and Laurel have travelled down here for the Fallen Firefighter Memorial yesterday for the loss of one of West Kelowna’s finest firefighters, Capt. Troy Russell, and his family being celebrated. I know that his colleagues are in the precinct, as well, today — Trevor Bredin, Nathan Pike and others that I’m going to be meeting with later on this morning.

More importantly, Mayor Milsom is here on his first visit to talk about well-balanced change, which was his campaign theme. I think that really we should talk about…. “Landslide Milsom” is really the term that we should be using, because Gord topped the polls and was swept in with three new councillors in the city of West Kelowna, who are really looking to how to change the discussions with government.

[10:15 a.m.]

We had an excellent meeting with the Minister of Health yesterday, and we look forward to meeting with Minister Robinson and Minister Farnworth on two other pressing matters here in the precinct.

Please welcome Mayor Milsom, his wife, Laurel, and the firefighters from West Kelowna.

B. D’Eith: I’m sure we were all extremely moved yesterday by the memorial service that the firefighters put on. When those bagpipes started up, I think there wasn’t a dry eye in the entire backlot. It was an amazing tribute.

I’d like to welcome today to the precinct some Maple Ridge firefighters and others firefighters: Chris McKee, Adam Seward, Jordan Delmonico and Craig Davis. Will the House please make them very welcome.

T. Shypitka: Well, it appears I’m going last here. I’ll set the record straight on who has the greatest firefighters local. That is 1253 and 2827 in Kootenay East.

It gives me great honour to introduce some friends of mine from Kootenay East that are here in the gallery today. One of the 15 fallen firefighters that were so respectfully recognized yesterday here outside the Legislature has direct ties to my riding. Today the widow of Don King, Ms. Trudy King, is here, supported by her son, Todd King. Along with them are the members of the great firefighters Local 1253: Greg Green, Paul Relkoff, Dan MacKinnon, Murray Robert­son and, from the Fernie Local 2827, Brett Uphill. Would the House please make them feel welcome.

J. Isaacs: I’d also like to welcome a mayor from close to the Tri-Cities but a next-door riding: the mayor of Belcarra, Neil Belenkie. Please make him feel welcome.

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

JEAN MUIR AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS

C. Oakes: This Friday, March 8, marks International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is “Balance for better.” But it is more than just a day of recognizing gender equality. It is a campaign every day to act on achieving balance — balance in our boardrooms, in elected office and especially in the small business sector.

Many successful, hard-working entrepreneurs are, in fact, women — entrepreneurs like Jean Muir. Jean is a World War II veteran and has been a businesswoman all her life, all the while raising seven children. She is a proud grandmother, a great-grandmother. In fact, from the comments I received from the community, Jean has been a mom to so many people in our community. Jean is deeply loved.

Jean has run a number of businesses in Quesnel, including the Casbar Drive-In, the Carib theatre and went on to open up Jean’s lunch bar and later Jean’s Catering. Even in her 90s, Jean continues to run a successful home-based business. She is an amazing Avon representative.

Jean is one of those incredible community pioneers who always gives back, whether it’s championing our local youth or fundraising for cancer or palliative care. So many community members have shared such lovely stories of the impact that Jean makes in our community. I’d like to share one.

Pam Devereux shared this with me — that Jean is a rock star. She always goes above and beyond. She doesn’t have an off switch. In fact, she is still doing the Women’s Fall Challenge 5k.

Jean embodies entrepreneurship. She works hard. She is tenacious. She never gives up. She provides an excellent product. She excels at customer service and in treating employees like family. When we invest in women, when we invest in entrepreneurs, we build stronger communities.

[10:20 a.m.]

COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES WORKERS

M. Elmore: I rise today to talk about the important work done every day in B.C. by community social services workers. The month of March has been proclaimed as Community Social Services Awareness Month to recognize the supports and services that these dedicated workers provide to build safe, healthy and caring communities.

Community social services workers provide services to some of the most vulnerable people in our province. They support women, children, youth and families, including persons with developmental disabilities and special needs. They also serve families and women in transition housing and those who access sexual assault centres and immigration services.

These workers provide critical supports in our communities, helping end violence, working on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis and reaching out to those who experience homelessness. They provide services that improve the quality of life in our communities and make life better for the people in British Columbia.

Community social services workers have been an important voice in the work to develop B.C.’s first poverty reduction strategy. They share their unique and complex experiences, along with their important thoughts on how to better support vulnerable people in B.C.

Through the poverty reduction strategy consultations, I’ve met some of the most compassionate and committed workers who’ve made an incredible impact in the lives of people in our province. As community builders and advocates, I know that community social services workers will continue to amplify the voices of those who too often go unheard.

I would like to invite all members to join me and all British Columbians in recognizing March as Community Social Services Awareness Month.

DEMENTIA

J. Isaacs: Imagine working hard all your life, spending your working years in the trades as a carpenter, a painter or maybe even a bricklayer. Whether working on the job or around the house, you love to work with your hands. Perhaps you were an accountant, a school teacher or worked in the non-profit sector.

Regardless of the career path taken, you are driven to serve people. As a family person, you saw your children take their first steps, a first job, a significant other and perhaps saw them experience the joy of being a new parent. Despite the aches and pains that come with aging, it’s a good time in your life, and there is much to look forward to. But you notice things are changing.

Peter noticed that things were changing for him. His memory was suffering. He was misplacing items and forgetting how to do familiar tasks. At the age of only 53, Peter’s symptoms were attributed to too much stress and the possibility that he could be depressed. Peter was tested and eventually diagnosed with young-onset dementia.

When Bill was diagnosed at age 78, his biggest fear was losing his independence and no longer being able to drive.

A dementia diagnosis is an earth-shattering event. It impacts memory, language use, judgment, and there can be changes in behaviour and personality. The stigma of this disease often isolates patients, and many people feel lost or like the rug has been swept out from underneath them.

Since 1978, the Canadian Alzheimer Society has been dedicated to providing help through services like First Link, where patients receive support, referrals to local health care providers, community services and opportunities to meet people who are also coming to terms with their new lives.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the society, the boards and volunteers for their significant contributions that support families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses.

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF B.C.

A. Kang: It gives me great pleasure to speak about Alzheimer Society of B.C. and the wonderful work that they are doing to create a dementia-friendly province.

In B.C., there are an estimated 70,000 people who are diagnosed with dementia. Dementia doesn’t just affect the person who is diagnosed with the debilitating disease but, even more so, his or her family members.

The Alzheimer Society provides support, information and education to family members, friends and also the community. Unfortunately, stigma is still a major issue for people living with dementia, trying to live their lives with dignity in the face of disease that, over time, relentlessly and progressively destroys the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a joking matter. Yet jokes about having Alzheimer’s have become commonplace. Forget a few things and you have a name for forgetfulness — Alzheimer’s.

[10:25 a.m.]

Maybe we joke about Alzheimer’s because we know enough to fear losing our minds. So please, when you forget where you put your keys or where you last left your reading glasses, feel free to joke about your fuzzy memory, your busy brain or even the fact that you might be tired or showing signs of age. But please don’t turn that into Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is not a joking matter.

Support for people and families affected by Alzheimer’s is important, and that is why the Ministry of Health is working together in partnership with Alzheimer Society of B.C. to provide a resourceful program called First Link to provide for people affected with Alzheimer’s and people affected by dementia. First Link health line is available in 83 communities throughout the province to help create awareness of dementia.

I would like to invite everyone to participate in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s on Sunday, May 5, in various communities across B.C. Together we can build a more dementia-friendly province.

PATRICK MICHELL AND KANAKA BAR
INDIAN BAND CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT

J. Tegart: I’m so proud to rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Chief Patrick Michell of the Kanaka Bar Indian Band, for being honoured with Clean Energy B.C.’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is well deserved, as Chief Patrick has worked hard to provide power as well as economic opportunities for his community through an independent power project near Lytton.

In the past 36 years, the band has partnered with Innergex Renewable Energy to develop the Kwoiek Creek hydroelectric project, which generates electricity without using a dam by diverting 7.2 kilometres of river water through a powerhouse on First Nations land.

The project is 50 percent owned by the band and offers tremendous benefits to the community. Not only do they enjoy a reliable source of power but also long-term employment opportunities, tax revenue and 14 percent annual return on investment, among other benefits. Approximately 40 percent of workers during construction came from First Nations communities, with more young people graduating, developing skills in trades and supporting their families through good-paying jobs.

It’s worth noting that the clean power industry in B.C. has attracted more than $8.6 billion in investment and established valuable partnerships with local communities and First Nations. Projects like this one and numerous others show the value of clean tech companies partnering with local communities and First Nations.

I ask all members in this House to join me in congratulating Chief Patrick Michell for the leadership he has shown for the benefit of his community.

SOCIAL WORKERS

N. Simons: I’m pleased to be able to stand here today and talk about Social Worker Week, which is next week when we’re not here. It’s an opportunity today to thank social workers for everything that they do in circumstances that would challenge many of us, giving hope to people who have lost theirs, giving voice to people who have none and advocating for people who may have nobody on their side.

Social workers work in hospitals to help people in their grief or through major changes in their lives. They work in the community living sector, supporting individuals to live fully in their communities. They counsel those who are struggling to find their way through complex circumstances, be it in custody settings, educational institutions or in long-term-care facilities.

I know that in this place we often hear reference to “the hardest job in public service,” or we hear people say they’d never want to be a social worker, especially in child protection. But what we don’t hear, in this place or other places in our province, is the wonderful stories of success, of achievement, of connections social workers have made that have resulted in lives lived better.

There are rarely headlines that read “Victim of Crime Recovers Quickly” or “Social Worker Lessens Grief” or “Child Ends up Okay.” We usually hear when things go wrong, and in those cases, it’s almost always about working conditions, complexity of caseloads, individuals acting unpredictably and, of course, poverty and government austerity.

[10:30 a.m.]

Nothing is more satisfying to social workers than hearing one of their kids, as we call them, say they were glad that you were in their life, when they tell you their relationship with their mom or dad is good now or when they say they’re going to be better parents than their own were — and they say it without a tinge of anger, regret or judgment.

Social workers are key members of our community. They don’t sing their own praises. They are at their best when those around them are not. So thank you to social workers.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 11 — CIVIL FORFEITURE
AMENDMENT ACT, 2019

Hon. M. Farnworth presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act, 2019.

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

I am pleased to introduce Bill 11, the Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act, 2019. This bill proposes a series of amendments to the Civil Forfeiture Act to enhance the civil forfeiture office’s ability to target the tools of the drug trade and gang violence and to trace, preserve and forfeit the proceeds of crime.

The bill proposes a collection of rebuttable evidentiary presumptions which will apply in situations commonly associated with drug trafficking and organized crime. These presumptions will make the forfeiture process more efficient and cost-effective while maintaining the fairness of the process under the supervision of the B.C. Supreme Court. As a result of these efficiencies, it is anticipated that more funds will be available to fund community crime prevention initiatives across the province.

The bill also establishes new tools for the civil forfeiture office to employ in its efforts to trace, preserve and forfeit the proceeds of crime. These tools will be of great assistance in ensuring profits from drug trafficking and money laundering are captured and reinvested in crime prevention projects in B.C.

Overall, this bill aims to make British Columbians safer by strengthening our ability to forfeit the tools and profits of organized crime and drug trafficking.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 11, Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act, 2019, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Oral Questions

SPECULATION AND VACANCY TAX
EXEMPTIONS FOR CABINS

A. Wilkinson: Walter Mechler is a 93-year-old retired engineer. He’s with us here today. In 1972, he purchased land on the outskirts of the village of Belcarra. Over time, he designed and built a cabin on a rocky outcrop. He built the cabin himself. Due to his wife’s health in recent years, Walter hasn’t been able to live there all summer anymore, but he does get there regularly with his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

This isn’t a vacant property. Walter is certainly not a speculator, and the property can’t be rented.

The question goes to the Minister of Housing. Walter is here today. Can she answer him directly? Why does she consider him a speculator?

Hon. C. James: As the member knows, and as I’ve answered before in this House, I can’t comment on specific tax cases. That’s information that needs to be provided through the tax department.

Certainly, when we take a look at the speculation tax, as we know in this House, 99 percent of British Columbians will not pay the speculation tax. As we know again, in this House, there’s a reason we’re dealing with the speculation and vacancy tax. We’re dealing with it because that side left us with a housing crisis right here in British Columbia.

The member will know we know there are specific circumstances. That’s why there are exemptions in place and a whole number of reasons. There are exemptions, as well, for people who have cabins or people who have summer homes. They get a $400,000 exemption if they’re British Columbians, which will help individuals as well.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental.

[10:35 a.m.]

A. Wilkinson: That answer was just as vacuous as this help line that Walter was asked to call. We’re hearing regular stories of people spending two hours on the speculation tax help line and getting no answers because the staff simply don’t know the rules, so they leave people in a void.

Nancy Strain is here. She has a family cabin in Belcarra built by her father in 1963. It’s uninsulated. It cannot be rented. Nancy has no intention of selling this family cabin that has been in her family for generations now. It was passed on to her by her father. Most importantly, Nancy is a widow. She is on a fixed income of $22,000 a year — period. She has now been given a speculation tax bill of $5,000 a year. The obvious question is: is this the speculator the minister is after? Is this the demon who refuses to rent out her property? Is this the target of this tax? When Nancy phones the help line, she gets nothing in the way of answers.

Can this minister explain — preferably the Housing Minister, since it’s nearby to her riding…? Can somebody on the government side explain why Nancy is obliged to spend a quarter of her income to pay a tax that has nothing to do with speculation, nothing to do with her property and that she finds oppressive?

Hon. C. James: I think the member of the opposition made it clear what he thinks about people who are struggling in British Columbia in his comments last week.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, it will be good if the gallery can hear the response.

Hon. C. James: There’s an entire generation of young people who have been left without the opportunity to be able to buy a home or think of having a second home.

We have put in place exemptions — again, a $400,000 exemption for individual homes. I think it’s important to take a look: the property values in Belcarra jumped in 2016 to 2017, just in one year alone, by a 47 percent increase in the value of homes.

We will have the opportunity again, as individuals come forward with their questions, to take a look at the list of exemptions and provide that support.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a second supplemental.

A. Wilkinson: Well, these answers are reminiscent of the second and third calls to the speculation tax dial-in number that was provided and that is utterly useless. It has led fleets of seniors into the unknown, wondering whether they’re going to be exempted or not because they can’t get an answer from this minister. Here in the House, these people have journeyed here from the Mainland, and what they get is political cheap shots rather than answers from this minister.

On March 26 of 2018, the Finance Minister said: “People in smaller communities, those with cottages…will not pay this tax.” Well, apparently she’s had a change of heart, because in the gallery here we have Walter; we have Nancy; we have Charline Robson and Sy Rogers. Each of these people owns a family cabin, each is being accused of being a speculator, and none of them can get answers from the minister’s hotline.

These are not speculators; these are seniors. These are people on fixed incomes. These are people who are looking for answers from this minister. This minister broke her promise to exempt cottages of this sort and has denied them any kind of answer to their queries.

The question goes directly to the Finance Minister. The Housing Minister didn’t want anything to do with this, so she has passed the hot potato to the Finance Minister. What is this government doing, taxing these seniors on these cabins which cannot be rented under any circumstances?

Hon. C. James: I’ll say again that people in British Columbia who own a second home do have the opportunity to get a $400,000 credit on the value of their home. That’s to ensure that truly rural cabins are exempt. They won’t be paying when they’re looking at $400,000. We know, again, that 99 percent of British Columbians will not pay the tax.

[10:40 a.m.]

I do want to take issue with the member’s comments about the hard-working staff who are on the lines taking in the calls. The vast majority of individuals have put in their spec tax forms and vacancy forms through electronic means. For those who have phoned in, they’ve been doing an incredible job. The staff are working very hard.

The MLAs also know that in fact, we’ve been doing calls, again, through our office and supporting MLAs as well. We have the opportunity to deal with individual calls for individuals who have concerns.

J. Thornthwaite: Barbara Howard was a truly incredible British Columbian. She was both the first black female athlete to compete for Canada on the world stage and the first visible minority to be hired as an educator with the Vancouver school board. A remarkable pioneer, Barbara was inducted into the Burnaby, British Columbian and Canadian sports halls of fame.

Barbara passed away two years ago and left her small Belcarra cabin as a legacy to her extended family. Her niece Charline is retired with a limited, fixed income, and she can’t afford to pay this uncaring minister’s punitive tax. Charline is here right now.

Can the minister tell her why she wants to punish her with this tax?

Hon. C. James: Thank you for the opportunity. Again, when we take a look at the speculation and vacancy tax, there’s a reason that this tax is coming into place, Member. There’s a reason, because people in British Columbia can’t afford to live and work in the same community. There are individuals who have been living in their cars. There are seniors who have not been able to find places to live. So yes, we are looking at making sure we try and address the housing crisis.

We will look at individual circumstances. That’s why we put a list of exemptions in place to be able to address those circumstances. Individual British Columbians receive the $400,000 credits on the first amount of the value of their house that they don’t have to pay the speculation tax on, to ensure that we exempt those truly rural cabins.

That’s the reason that this tax is in place. It’s because of the housing crisis and the need to address that for British Columbians.

J. Thornthwaite: This is what Charline wrote: “Our family spent many years at the cabin thanks to Barbara’s hard work and caring. I am now retired, a senior and cannot think how I will be able to afford this tax. I’m not an investment owner. I do not want to sell. I only want to continue the legacy that my aunt left our family.”

A question to the minister: why has this uncaring minister denied an exemption for Charline and the other residents of Belcarra?

Hon. C. James: Again, as the members know, I’m not going to give individual tax advice in the Legislature. That’s not appropriate. If individuals don’t feel they’ve had their questions answered, we have an opportunity to be able to answer those questions. I am more than happy to ensure that we get the officials to be able to answer those questions that the individuals may have.

Are we going to continue, as a government, to address the crisis that was left? Yes, we are. Do we have a big job ahead of us? Yes, we do, considering the mess that was left after 16 years by the other side.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF
TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE
AND PROTECTION OF SALISH SEA

A. Olsen: Today I wear this forget-me-not in memory of my late grandmother Phyllis Snobelen.

This weekend I was on Pender Island. On the sunniest weekend so far, about 100 Pender Islanders gathered to discuss the National Energy Board approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline project.

The game changer in this reconsideration hearing is the NEB finally admitting that the pipeline project will result in significant adverse impacts on the orcas and their cultural relationship with Indigenous people, increased greenhouse gas emissions and the potential threat of a diluted bitumen spill in the Salish Sea.

[10:45 a.m.]

I have constituents on all sides of this issue. The NEB’s hearing, frankly, has let us all down. This is about trust in government — trust that government is putting the public interest in safe communities, healthy environments and robust economics first. As the Environment Minister rightly pointed out, the NEB did not add any binding conditions to their approval, making their conditions almost meaningless. The B.C. government has opposed this development and has promised to use every tool available to halt its progress.

My question is to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. What further steps is his government going to take to protect B.C.’s coast?

Hon. G. Heyman: I thank the member for the question. I know the member, the member’s party, our caucus and thousands of British Columbians share a deep concern about the potential impacts of a diluted bitumen spill, whether it’s on land or whether it’s from tankers in the ocean, and remain opposed to this project. We share that view.

We share the view of the member’s constituents who have concern. That’s why, hon. Speaker, we have continued consistently to oppose this project, to say it’s bad for British Columbia. That’s why we made submissions to the National Energy Board hearings that focused on the complete inadequacy of the proponent, and now the federal government as proponent, to demonstrate that they had either the capacity or the plans to respond effectively to a diluted bitumen spill.

We made a presentation to the National Energy Board and said that the project should be rejected for that reason, as well as other reasons that the member has raised. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that British Columbians’ interests, the environment, the coast and tens of thousands of jobs are protected.

Mr. Speaker: Saanich North and the Islands on a supplemental.

A. Olsen: As the representative of Saanich North and the Islands, I represent the geographical heart of the Salish Sea. It’s a vibrant, culturally diverse, environmentally sensitive and economic powerhouse in our region. The most dangerous part of the marine shipping route in the Salish Sea is the 90-degree turn at Boundary Pass in Haro Strait. The result is that my riding, Pender Island, all of the southern Gulf Islands and the Saanich Peninsula are the most vulnerable to an oil spill.

This NEB reconsideration hearing, frankly, was a sham from the beginning. The Prime Minister said, before this new review had even started, that “the pipeline will be built.” He had already decided the outcome.

B.C. needs to be in control of our own environmental assessment that is objective and evidence-based. It’s time to pull out of the equivalency agreement that we signed on to.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Will his government stand up for our coast? Will his government pull out of the equivalency agreement and conduct our own environmental assessment of the Trans Mountain pipeline?

Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you, again, to the member for the question and for pointing out some of the great difficulties that British Columbians have with seeing the recent review by the National Energy Board as being transparent, as being responsive to the very real concerns of British Columbians.

I share the member’s frustration. I share the frustration of the member’s constituents. But the fact remains that the Federal Court of Appeal asked the National Energy Board and the federal government to do additional studies. It did not strike down either the B.C. environmental assessment certificate that was granted under the previous government or parts of the existing National Energy Board certificate that were granted.

Therefore, that certificate stands, with its conditions. What we have done…. And I should point out that the equivalency agreement is essentially moot, because it only applies to future National Energy Board reviews, of which there will be none. But we have introduced regulations to ensure that we can protect B.C.’s environment from an oil spill — recovery plans, response plans. We have other regulations that we’re about to announce.

[10:50 a.m.]

We have taken a reference case to the B.C. Court of Appeal to ensure, and to assure British Columbians, that we are exercising every inch of our jurisdiction to protect jobs, the coast and the environment, unlike the members opposite.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO
SPECULATION AND VACANCY TAX CONCERNS
OF LOCAL OFFICIALS

S. Bond: Well, we know this: the speculation tax has been a mess since day one. The minister knows it, and she should fix it.

It’s bad enough that the concerns of seniors in Belcarra are falling on deaf ears, but the government continues to ignore mayors as well. We know that members on the government side of the House are hearing about this issue, and what have they said? Nothing. Not one peep. Their own MLA, the member for Port Moody–Coquitlam, in fact warned the mayor to be careful about his comments, or there could be consequences.

This is what Mayor Neil Belenkie says — not my words, but the mayor’s words: “My message to the government is that this tax is hitting people who aren’t speculators, and they can’t afford this devastating tax. But they refuse to listen and threaten to punish my community if I continue to raise concerns.”

The mayor is here in the gallery today. Will the Finance Minister take this opportunity to stand up and apologize for the treatment of the mayor and finally listen to his concerns?

Hon. C. James: I had the opportunity to meet with the mayor on Friday at the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. We had a conversation. This issue did not come up from the mayor.

I have to tell you that the mayor and the MLA for the area have raised their issues. We will have an opportunity, built into the legislation, to meet with all the mayors of all the communities, for them to bring forward their issues. I expect the mayor of Belcarra will bring forward his issues, as the other mayors will as well.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Prince George–Valemount on a supplemental.

S. Bond: Well, I think it’s cold comfort to mayors across British Columbia who have stood and expressed their concerns to this Finance Minister, all on deaf ears. According to Mayor Belenkie, the member for Port Moody–Coquitlam told him that he was risking the support his community currently receives from the province. He went on to threaten that the community’s relationship with the province would become much more difficult if Belcarra continued to protest.

Intimidation of locally elected officials is completely unacceptable. It’s time for this minister to stand up and apologize for her colleague’s appalling treatment of the mayor and the residents of Belcarra.

Hon. C. James: I’ve had the opportunity to speak to the mayors. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to the mayor of Belcarra as well, on Friday. We had the opportunity for him to present information. He knows that we will have an opportunity when we come together with the mayors in a formal meeting that will give them the opportunity to present their pieces.

I have to tell the other side and tell this member and the Leader of the Opposition and everyone on the other side that this government is going to continue to stand up for people who can’t afford housing in British Columbia, and we will not apologize for that.

We have a crisis in this province, a crisis that is impacting individuals and families and seniors and businesses that can’t recruit and retain employees in the best employment record in British Columbia, across the country, because they can’t afford housing.

Are we going to move on our 30-point plan? Yes, we are. We’re going to do everything we can to support families…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. C. James: …and individuals and seniors who can’t afford housing in our province.

I am sure there are people, as well, in Belcarra who have struggled because of the skyrocketing speculation going on in the province, that have seen a 47 percent increase in housing. That doesn’t help people who need to work and live in Belcarra either. That’s why we’re moving on our 30-point plan.

[10:55 a.m.]

T. Stone: Well, nice try at deflection, Minister. You have the power to act to address the issues that these seniors, four of whom are here today, are facing. Clearly, you’re opting not to address their situations.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

T. Stone: This isn’t the first time that the NDP government has been caught threatening mayors. It’s not the first time. Here’s what Langford’s mayor, Stew Young, had to say: “As a matter of fact, I got threatened. I talked to the minister’s senior aide, Rob Gillezeau, and he said, ‘If you put those letters on your council agenda, you will never get out of the speculation tax.’” That’s from the mayor of Langford, in the Premier’s own riding.

When will the minister tell her staff, when will she tell her fellow MLAs, when will she tell her fellow ministers to stop threatening mayors with retaliation when these mayors are simply standing up, showing guts, standing up for their communities, standing up for the citizens in their communities against this phony speculation tax?

Hon. C. James: In fact, the mayor of Langford did raise those issues. The issue was investigated. The two civil servants who were in that meeting attended it and said there were no inappropriate comments made, so in fact, that issue was looked at.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. C. James: It is very clear. We know from the 16 years of the other side’s record. We know from the reality of the housing crisis that this side would get rid of any measures to deal with affordable housing in British Columbia, because they showed them they didn’t care over the last 16 years.

We are going to continue to do everything we can to bring in affordable housing in British Columbia, to address supply and demand. We’re starting to see some cautious but positive signs when we take a look at affordable housing. We have more work to do, because you can’t undo 16 years in less than two years, but we are going to continue our work.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Kamloops–South Thompson on a supplemental.

T. Stone: I think we’ve hit a new low in this House. The Minister of Finance has basically just called out the mayors, suggesting that they aren’t telling the truth. We have two of those mayors in the House here today — the mayor of West Kelowna and the mayor of Belcarra — and this minister has just suggested that they’re not telling the truth. Well, shame on you, Madam Minister.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. Thank you.

T. Stone: The mayor of Langford was told in front of witnesses that his community would be included in the speculation tax if he continued to speak out publicly against it. And what did Stew Young, the mayor of Langford, do? He continued to do what he felt was the right thing, and he has continued to speak out against it. Then Langford found itself included in the speculation tax.

Now, mayors have the right. The mayors of this province have the right to speak out on behalf of their communities, and they should be able to do so without fear of retaliation from the provincial government.

For NDP MLAs and political staff to threaten the mayors and to say to the mayors and the people they represent that they’re going to be punished for speaking out against an unfair tax — well, that’s unacceptable, it’s unfair, and it’s vindictive.

[11:00 a.m.]

My question to the minister is this. When will the minister, again, tell her staff, tell her MLA colleagues, tell her fellow cabinet ministers to back off on the threats of intimidation towards mayors, and when will this minister show some competence, some compassion and some common sense towards British Columbians who have been unfairly targeted by this phony speculation tax, like the four seniors who are here today?

Hon. C. James: The mayors can speak out and have continued to speak out, Member, and I have continued to listen to the issues as recently as Friday.

Now, I understand from the other side that they’re not interested in hearing about people who are struggling to find housing. They’re not interested in hearing from people who spent 16 years trying to find housing in British Columbia. We are going to continue that work.

Are there opportunities for a deduction, for a credit for individuals who have cabins, truly rural cabins? Yes, $400,000 for those individuals. And there’s a long list of exemptions, because we recognize there are people who have unique circumstances. That’s why the speculation and vacancy tax has the deductions that are here. That’s why it has exemptions.

If anyone wants further questions, we have more opportunities to be able to answer those questions.

SPECULATION AND VACANCY TAX
IN BELCARRA

J. Johal: Now we know why mayors are being threatened by NDP political thugs. They don’t want the public to know about this story whatsoever. The residents of Belcarra are unfairly caught in the net of this….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

J. Johal: It fits. It fits.

Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question.

J. Johal: The residents of Belcarra have been unfairly caught in the net of this half-baked NDP speculation tax. Families who have had cabins for decades are facing stress and anxiety, and this minister doesn’t even care. Seniors like Walter, Nancy, Sy and Charline are on fixed incomes, and they’re clearly not speculators. They’ve sadly had to come here on their own today, because they are not getting proper representation from their local MLA.

Question to the Finance Minister: will Belcarra be exempted from the tax, and secondly, will the Finance Minister agree to meet the residents of Belcarra today?

Hon. C. James: There is the opportunity for mayors to be able to bring forward the unique circumstances in their community. I had an opportunity to meet with the mayor on Friday, who raised those concerns. They have the opportunity, just as all the other mayors do, to sit down. It’s written into the legislation. They’ll be able to bring forward their unique circumstances.

The other piece we’ll have by that point is data that the other side didn’t bother collecting, because they didn’t want to look at the speculation tax. We will have the information, we will bring it forward, and the mayors will have a chance to put their case forward.

[End of question period.]