Routine Business

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

Hon. A. Dix: This morning members on both sides of the House had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Biosimilars Canada, in particular their president, Jim Keon, who made an outstanding presentation. I’d like everyone in the House to make Mr. Keon and his team welcome.

Tributes

IAN CHRISTISON

E. Ross: I first met Ian Christison during the 2017 election campaign. He was the owner of Daybreak Farms in Terrace, which produces eggs for a large portion of northern B.C. He was one of the first enthusiastic supporters of my campaign, but he never talked politics. We talked more about common interests and our histories, and he turned out to be a very good friend.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Ian was suffering from a terminal disease, an illness, but he never even talked about that. It wasn’t until the later stages of this illness that I found out about it. He passed away this past year, and he is sorely missed by everybody that ever met him, because he was a kind soul.

His daughter Kieran is here today in the gallery, joining us today. Kieran now represents a third generation of egg producers. She’s representing Daybreak Farms, and more importantly, she’s continuing her father’s legacy. Would the House please welcome Kieran Christison to the House.

Introductions by Members

T. Redies: I have a number of introductions to make today. I don’t usually get so many people coming from my riding, so I’ll try and get through it as quickly as I can.

We have in the House today the Forte family: parents Sara and David Forte and their children Ruby, Rocco and Bruno. I want to really give a shout-out to Ruby, Rocco and Bruno because they were instrumental in helping make sure that the communities of Surrey and White Rock did amazingly well on the Coldest Night of the Year. We raised $106,000 as a community.

Rocco, particularly, did a lot of presentations at his school, Semiahmoo Trail. He raised $2,500 for the Coldest Night of the Year. So we either have a major philanthropist or marketer, or both, in our midst, but I want to really congratulate Rocco, Ruby and Bruno and the Forte family for raising their children to think about philanthropy at a very early age. Would the House please make them welcome.

I can’t see him yet, but I think he should be here at some point too. I’d like to introduce another constituent of mine, Josh Hornak, who is a fourth-year political science student at the University of Victoria. This is a very, very smart young man who is looking to pursue a career in law at some point, but I also think he may have a really bright future in politics. I wish the House would help make him welcome as well.

Hon. S. Robinson: I have some friends in the gallery with us today. The Judd family is here. We’ve got Ann and Stephen, who are some of the most fabulous parents I think I have ever met to the wonderful and fabulous Benjamin and Christopher. I have to say they’re my favourite gingers in the world. They fill a grandma-in-waiting’s heart when I see posts on Instagram or Facebook about what these children are doing and how they are grabbing life by the horns and living it to its fullest.

I’m not as fortunate as the member from the Shuswap. I’m not a grandmother yet. But I take great pride in watching how they grow and how my friends Ann and Steven are raising their boys. I’d like the House to please welcome them here in the Legislature.

J. Tegart: My guests Donna and Jim Walch from Clinton so enjoyed their visit yesterday that they’re back with us today. Today is their 60th wedding anniversary, and where else would you want to spend your anniversary but with all of us?

On behalf of the House, happy anniversary, and welcome back.

[10:10 a.m.]

S. Chandra Herbert: Well, if you believe my version of events, the date was yesterday. If you believe his version of events, the date is tomorrow. So I’ve decided to settle on today to wish a very happy anniversary to my husband, Romi. It’s been 19 great years since we first met, nine years since we got married, as when we met it wasn’t legal for us to get married.

I want to wish him an incredibly happy anniversary away from me. It’s the best thing — no, just kidding. It’ll be great to get home to be with him tonight and with our son. A very happy anniversary to my husband.

S. Furstenau: I’m delighted to introduce Ari Aubuchon, who’s up in the gallery today. Ari is a grade 11 student at Brentwood School, and he’s shadowing me today. He’s from San Francisco, but as his last name might give away, he has a grandfather from Quebec. He’s at Brentwood in his first year. Ari is an avid tennis player, and he’s had a longtime interest in politics. He’s in Mark Wismer’s politics class, and I’m delighted to have him here today. Will the House please make him feel welcome.

S. Bond: It’s not often that we get to welcome friends from Prince George, but when they’re here, we want to make sure they get a very warm welcome.

We’re delighted today to have here Sherry McKay and Larry Milley. I want the House to know that they’re the kinds of people that make Prince George a very special place. They give consistently of their time. They support the Royal Canadian Legion and veterans. Both of them were engaged in making sure that wildfire evacuees were cared for in our community. Larry, in particular, is an amazing cook and chef. I worked under his tutelage when we were serving meals to wildfire evacuees. He commanded the kitchen, let me tell you, and told us what to chop and how to get the job done.

They are incredible people. We’re very honoured to have them here today. I’m glad they’re here, because it means they’re actually taking a few minutes for themselves instead of pouring themselves into our community as they always do. Please join me in making Sherry and Larry very welcome to the Legislature today.

Hon. K. Conroy: I don’t often get family in the House, so it gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce two of my nine grandchildren, fondly called No. 4 and No. 5. Ryen and Aydenn Batchelor are the daughter and son of my daughter Sasha.

I wanted to publicly thank them for the many, many hours they’ve helped granny in parades and campaigns, because as with anybody who has kids involved in a political life, these two have been involved since a very young age — Ryen is now 13, and Aydenn is 12 — and they have been helping me out. I think part of the way we, as politicians, get to be involved with our family is that they get to come and help us at events. I want to thank them, and I’m going pay them back by taking them for lunch today.

Please join me in making them welcome.

J. Yap: In the gallery this morning to observe proceedings is my constituency assistant, Paige Robertson. She’s been here in the gallery before, but she’s here today to join us for question period and to have lunch and some meetings.

Paige has been my constituency assistant since the very beginning, when I was first elected. She also served as CA to my predecessor, Geoff Plant. After all of these years of service, Paige has made the decision to spend more time with family and her grandchildren, to pursue her hobbies and to enjoy life. She will be retiring.

I don’t need to tell any member in this House of the importance of a great CA. I know all members probably value the contributions of their constituency assistants to their presence in their constituencies. For my part, Paige has been amazing as my voice, my presence, my support — and as the person that constituents know is a go-to person when I’m not there.

We will be missing her; constituents in Richmond-Steveston will be missing her. But I know that she’ll be going off into a new chapter of life, which we wish will be filled with happiness, good health and cheer.

[10:15 a.m.]

Hopefully — well, I’m quite confident — she’ll continue to be a presence in the Richmond and Steveston community and not be a stranger. Would the House please join me in saying a big thank-you for her years of public service as constituency assistant in Richmond-Steveston and wish her a happy retirement — Paige Robertson.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 20 — MEDICARE PROTECTION
AMENDMENT ACT, 2019

Hon. A. Dix presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Medicare Protection Amendment Act, 2019.

Hon. A. Dix: I move that the Medicare Protection Amendment Act, 2019, be introduced and read for a first time now.

MSP premiums will be eliminated on January 1, 2020. The elimination of MSP premiums is the largest middle-class tax cut in the history of British Columbia, saving up to $900 per individual and up to $1,800 for families every single year. It eliminates a regressive tax and makes life more affordable for people living in Prince George and Surrey, Terrace and Oliver, Vancouver and Revelstoke, Comox and Pitt Meadows, and everywhere else.

This bill marks one of the final steps for the elimination of MSP premiums. It removes the section relating to MSP premiums and premium assistance from the Medicare Protection Act. Bill 20 ensures that MSP beneficiaries are not required to pay any new premiums for periods of MSP enrolment after January 1, 2020. It also amends provisions that give authority to the Medical Services Commission, the nine-member board that manages MSP on behalf of the provincial government.

After years of MSP premium increases, our government is proud to be acting to end this regressive tax on behalf of individuals and families. The Premier said in the election campaign that we would eliminate MSP premiums, and the Minister of Finance and the government have delivered — promise made, promise kept. This makes life more affordable for middle-income families in particular. It’s good for the economy, for economic growth, for job creation everywhere in B.C.

I ask all members of the House to support Bill 20, and I’m honoured to move first reading.

Motion approved.

Hon. A. Dix: I move that Bill 20, Medicare Protection Amendment Act, be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 20, Medicare Protection 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.

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

GARDOM LAKE PARK SOCIETY

G. Kyllo: I rise today to pay tribute to a fantastic organization in my riding of Shuswap, the Gardom Lake Park Society. For more than two decades, this community association has done an amazing job of managing Gardom Lake Regional Park, located between Salmon Arm and Enderby.

This 40-acre family-friendly park is a gem of the community. It’s a popular fishing and recreational destination with visitors throughout the year. The Gardom Lake Park Society has not only successfully maintained the park, keeping it clean, tidy and welcoming; they’ve also made a significant number of improvements through the years.

It is responsible for making a number of significant infrastructure improvements, using yearly grants from the Columbia-Shuswap regional district. It has added new walking trails, stairs, picnic tables, benches, floats, a swimming platform, accessible washrooms, a diving platform and a wharf. Much of the work was completed by volunteers, which helped keep costs down. Unfortunately, while the society is eager to continue its great work, its future remains uncertain. The community association is currently awaiting information with regards to its ten-year renewal and is hoping for a positive outcome so that it can continue to serve our community.

As MLA for Shuswap, I’m among the many members of our community who support these great stewards of Gardom Lake. When an organization has worked so hard for decades to improve the park experience for locals and visitors alike, it’s important that the lines of communication remain open. It’s just a respectful thing to do.

[10:20 a.m.]

It’s my hope that the Gardom Lake community association will soon get the answer it seeks so that it can continue serving the community for many more years to come.

TRULSEN FAMILY

B. D’Eith: Sometimes in our position as MLAs, we have the privilege of meeting some families with extraordinary stories, and I believe the Trulsens are certainly one of these families. On October 4, 2018, Noah Trulsen passed away after a tragic accident while playing a men’s recreational hockey game. Noah, only 22, left behind two brothers — Nick, 25, and Matthew, 19 — and his father and mother, Rick and Lorraine. After his death, tributes poured in, including from his favourite player, Kevin Bieksa, and his favourite artist, Lights. A memorial scholarship was set up in his honour, which has grown to over $20,000, with contributions including the Ridge Meadows Flames Junior B team.

The Trulsen family is a very well-known hockey family in Maple Ridge, and I certainly remember the gentle giant Noah during his years that I coached hockey with the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association. In fact, Noah’s brothers are also hockey players, and Matthew Trulsen showed great courage by suiting up in net with the Junior B Mission City Outlaws just days after his older brother Noah passed away. Matthew played through the season despite the death of his older brother. Matthew, now playing for the Port Moody Panthers, was recently named the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s most inspirational player of the year. Well deserved.

Now, I met Lorraine, Noah’s mom, a few days ago to celebrate the official start of a new innovative child care investment for the Heritage Park Childcare Centre in Mission. While this was an incredible story for the community, I was greatly moved by Lorraine’s commitment as director to make this transformative child care project happen, even though all of the hard work required for this happened mere weeks after her son passed away. It took an amazing amount of commitment to the Mission families for Lorraine to make this program happen.

The Trulsen family, who went through a terrible loss, have shown amazing resilience and commitment to their communities and to the people who count on them in a very, very difficult period in their lives. To me, that is true heroism.

DEVJI FAMILY CONTRIBUTIONS TO
DEMENTIA CARE AND DELTA COMMUNITY

I. Paton: I’m continually impressed by the contributions of the many talented people in South Delta. For decades, Jane Devji and her husband, Amin, have enriched the lives of seniors and, in particular, those living with dementia.

Jane took a big risk after graduating from secondary school, leaving her small town in Mwanza, Tanzania, to study registered nursing at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She graduated in 1964 and found steady work in Nairobi. Due to tensions unfolding in nearby Uganda, the family immigrated to the U.K. and then to Canada. One year later, in 1976, Jane and her husband, Amin, purchased the Ladner Private Hospital.

Jane wasn’t satisfied with the facility as it stood and dedicated herself to renovating and enriching the space to provide the utmost care to all who lived there. That work continued in 2006 when they opened the Delta View Life Enrichment Centre, a 212-bed complex care facility in my little town of east Delta.

Jane is internationally regarded for her work to discard traditional physical restraints and prioritized freedom of movement for patients. She also premiered the “Hugs, not drugs” philosophy for dementia and residential care. The result is a holistic approach to care that benefits its recipients as well as society as a whole. A great measure of one’s success is to see their work emulated elsewhere, and Jane’s innovative strategies have been adopted by care homes across B.C.

Jane and Amin’s work has left a lasting mark on the city of Delta and the province. They embody the values of compassion, inclusion and innovation. Jane and Amin and their two sons, Aly and Salim, also stepped up as huge community supporters with endless annual celebrations at their facility for Christmas, Canada Day and community leaders luncheons. These folks are extremely proud Canadians.

On a closing note, as neighbours and good friends, the Devjis built their magnificent facility. In it, they built a spiritual quiet chapel, and they named it after my father, with his photo on the chapel door.

I ask all members of the House to join me and, indeed, everyone in Delta in wishing Jane and Amin Devji well in their retirement.

[10:25 a.m.]

SAIL SENIORS WELLNESS
PROGRAM IN BURNABY

J. Routledge: Last week I stopped into the seniors wellness program at the Confederation Community Centre. It’s called SAIL. SAIL stands for Seniors Active in Living. It runs every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

I arrived in the middle of a flamenco class. That’s right, flamenco. A group of 20 seniors were sitting in a circle clapping and stomping to a rhythm set by the instructor and the music. This is very good for maintaining brain complexity, explained Lulu Chavez, the beloved SAIL coordinator. Another week the group activity might be tai chi or a presentation on independent living.

At the back of the room, five or six retired practitioners were offering gentle chair massage, working flexibility back into arthritic fingers and easing tense necks and shoulders. As one volunteer told me, many who come to SAIL are widowed and live alone. This is the only time they feel the touch of another human being. In fact, they told me about Doris, who is a vital part of the program because she gives free hugs.

I also dropped in to the blood pressure room, where retired Dr. Hidi and a team of retired nurses are on hand to monitor blood pressure. They ask questions like “Did you have breakfast today?” to ascertain if one is taking care of themselves. They keep report cards to track blood pressure, pulse and weight. They note what medication is being taken and if one is living alone. If they have concerns, they’ll encourage the senior to see their doctor. All of this is available for a suggested donation of $2.

SAIL has been running non-stop for more than 26 years, serving an average of 40 participants a week. I first became aware of SAIL in 2013, when funding was cut and the program was in danger of closing.

I thank Mulberry PARC and Burnaby Hospital Foundation for stepping in to keep it open, and I thank the coordinator, the city of Burnaby staff and the 25 volunteers who so generously share their time and expertise to keep our seniors healthy and active. SAIL is a vital part of our community.

OCEAN ACIDITY AND
EXTINCTION OF MARINE SPECIES

A. Weaver: Since the beginning of the Paleozoic, there have been six great extinctions. The first occurred 440 million years ago, and 80 to 85 percent of known marine species were wiped out. And 360 million years ago, 80 to 85 percent of known marine species were once more obliterated.

At the boundary of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic, 251 million years ago, 70 percent of all land species and 96 percent of all marine species were eradicated. At the boundary between the Jurassic and Triassic, some 200 million to 210 million years ago, 80 percent of marine species and many of the land vertebrates perished, including most amphibians.

In the fifth, known as the Cretaceous–Tertiary or K-T event, 75 percent of world species, including the dinosaurs, were wiped out.

The sixth and greatest extinction event in the history of the earth is occurring as I speak. This extinction event is unique in that it is a direct consequence of human activity.

In all cases, marine extinctions and increases in ocean acidity go hand in hand. Whether it be flood basalt eruptions spewing enormous quantities of carbon dioxide and sulfates into the atmosphere for hundreds of thousands of years, a global sulphate dust cloud formed when a meteor landed in a gypsum deposit in the Yucatán Peninsula or carbon dioxide released by humans in the combustion of fossil fuels, the effects are identical. Eventually the ocean, slowly but surely, draws down the resulting carbon dioxide levels or, more rapidly, the sulphur levels, increasing the acidity of the surface waters.

When ocean surface acidity increases, creatures find it more and more difficult to create their calcium carbonate shells. In fact, their shells start to dissolve.

It took at least two million years before coral started to reappear and about ten million years for their genetic diversity to become re-established after the K-T extinction event. Children born today will be the last generation to witness the majestic beauty of coral reef biodiversity, for the world’s coral reef systems are on the fast track to global extinction. We know that by the time the warming reaches 2 degrees later this century, 99 percent of all the world’s coral reef species will be extinct. You can take that one to the bank, hon. Speaker.

In the words of Greta Thunberg, “Our civilization is being sacrificed for the opportunity of a very small number of people to continue making enormous amounts of money. It is the sufferings of the many which pay for the luxuries of a few. You say you love your children above all else, yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes.”

[10:30 a.m.]

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

S. Chandra Herbert: Friends say that if they come for a visit, they always know they have to wear good shoes, as inevitably, I will want to take them on an incredibly long walk, in their words. I love being active, and I love getting out on foot or riding my bike. In high school, I was the team lead for our bike-to-work team, and I’ve tried to do the same here at the Legislature. I volunteered with the city’s bicycle advisory committee years later. Today I’m proud to be able to work with the Ministry of Transportation to advise them on the development of a new active transportation strategy for B.C., one long, long overdue.

We get the best ideas when our communities are involved. During the strategy creation, we’re asking communities: how important is active transportation in your community? What are the barriers to active transportation? What opportunities do you see to increase it? How can provinces, communities, organizations and individuals work together to advance active transportation throughout B.C.?

Already we’ve met with people who care about safe streets, accessible paths, physical health, fighting climate change and reducing emissions, people who want to cut congestion, folks who just enjoy the power of their own body to get around. Whether it’s cycling, skateboarding, rolling a wheelchair, walking, pushing a stroller, jogging, skiing or snowshoeing to work — I met a fellow in Prince George who told me about it — I’m only just starting to work on the many ways that British Columbians are getting active to get where they need to go.

Consultations have been held throughout the province, and over the next three months, we’re meeting with local governments, Indigenous leadership, transportation engineers — more and more. But really, it’s the people of B.C. who will find a way to make active transportation more possible. So if you’re interested and if you have ideas, go to engage.gov.bc.ca/activetransportation or email activetransportation@gov.bc.ca to share your words.

Talk to your MLAs. Cycle into their offices and tell them: “We need to make cycling, walking and all the other means of active transportation safer.” Because people want to be active when they get around, and too often, they just feel it’s not quite safe enough to do so. So let’s get at it. Let’s get active.

Oral Questions

RELOCATION OF LAND TITLE RECORDS
AND FIRST NATIONS CONSULTATION

T. Stone: The Kamloops land titles office supports one-quarter of the province — a huge land mass from Hope to the Alberta border, Williams Lake to the U.S. border. Now, $1.7 million was spent recently to upgrade that office by installing state-of-the-art climate control technology and security to best protect these historical records in Kamloops. Despite that, the NDP government is allowing these historic paper-based records to be relocated from Kamloops to Victoria. Everyone impacted by this decision has been blindsided, most notably First Nations.

My question to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is this. Why is the minister allowing these critical historical records to be moved when there’s been no engagement, no consultation and, especially, none of the above with First Nations?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, I think the member needs a little bit of education around the Land Title and Survey Authority offices. The Land Title and Survey Authority offices work and operate independently of government as a publicly accountable statutory corporation.

In fact, the land title office — those services used to be part of government up until the last government privatized these functions. So the member is incorrect in asserting that this government has the authority to dictate to the Land Title and Survey Authority offices how they operate. It was set up as an independent authority by the previous government.

Now, the member knows that the Land Title and Survey Authority offices have written to him, have explained this through their operations. They’ll be moving the hard-copy historical records to a vault in Victoria that is better equipped to conserve them in a climate-controlled environment.

[10:35 a.m.]

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

T. Stone: Like the climate-controlled environment that the government spent $1.7 million on in the Kamloops office? A good spot to protect those records.

Mr. Speaker, the relocation of these critical, original, paper-based records will result in direct and indirect job losses in Kamloops. But what’s most unacceptable about this decision is that there hasn’t been any engagement with First Nations, and First Nations are furious with this minister’s arrogance and his failure to consult.

Now let me just, for the purposes of the House….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

T. Stone: Here’s what Chief Judy Wilson of the Neskonlith te Secwépemc Nation had to say about this decision: “Arbitrarily removing and relocating important historic records that bear weight on and inform land title, specific and comprehensive claims research is detrimental. With no consultation or dialogue with First Nations, this move by your government will create injurious barriers to accessing justice and to the reconciliation B.C. purportedly holds in such high regard.”

Again to the minister responsible, what does the minister have to say in response to Chief Wilson, and will the minister commit today to reversing this decision?

Hon. D. Donaldson: If the member over there hadn’t been part of a government that privatized these services, we’d have much more control over them.

I’d say to the member: look in the mirror first before you ask questions like that around First Nations.

Interjections.

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

Hon. D. Donaldson: Now in addition, hon. Speaker, the LTSA — the Land, Title and Survey Authority — wrote to the member from Kamloops and the other member from Kamloops on March 19 stating that there are no changes in planned jobs to Kamloops. The member brought that up in his question.

It is irresponsible for the member to fearmonger amongst staff from the LTSA that there will be job losses. Can you imagine what that feels like when the member from Kamloops and the other member from Kamloops go to the media and go to other people within Kamloops to fearmonger that jobs will be lost? They received a letter March 19 from the LTSA saying that there would be no job losses, so to fearmonger is a shameful, shameful behaviour.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

The member for Kamloops–South Thompson on a second supplemental.

T. Stone: It’s shameful that the minister would suggest that anyone on this side of the House, let alone the chiefs around British Columbia, would be fearmongering on this particular issue.

Now, the facts are very, very clear. One, these records belong to the province of British Columbia. Two, the Land Title Act deems the minister that I have been posing these questions to as the minister responsible. Three — news flash — First Nations want to deal on a government-to-government basis in this province.

Mr. Speaker, one year ago in this House the minister actually had this to say: “When it comes to First Nations consultation where my ministry has jurisdiction…embarking on deep consultation with First Nations.” And this minister has made an art form of talking about the importance of engagement and talking about the importance of consultation. Yet when it comes to this decision, to move these historical records, the minister has done exactly the opposite, and First Nations are rightfully outraged.

Talk about missing the mark. Millions of dollars wasted, jobs lost, historical documents at risk, but worst of all, a failure to engage with First Nations in British Columbia.

Again, I will ask the minister, one more time. Will the minister live up to his rhetoric about the importance of consulting with First Nations and actually do it, will he take responsibility for this mess, and will he immediately reverse this terrible decision?

[10:40 a.m.]

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, the crocodile tears coming from the members of the opposition are awfully hard to take. They privatize a service, and then they attack the service that they privatized. It’s quite unbelievable, quite two-faced.

Now, if the member had bothered to read the information that he and the other member from Kamloops received from the LTSA, he would know that the LTSA has stated that historic searches can still be conducted from Kamloops when the records are relocated to Victoria. The process would be the same as conducting an historic search from Kamloops today for a title in Victoria or New Westminster. Records can be ordered directly through the LTSA or via the scan-on-demand service.

The people of Kamloops…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Donaldson: …deserve better than the misinformation that’s being spread by the two members from Kamloops.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Getting back to question period, the member for Kamloops–North Thompson.

P. Milobar: With the handling of this file and others, I think it shouldn’t be called question period anymore. Maybe amateur hour would be a little more….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Thank you.

P. Milobar: If only the cabinet and the rest of the NDP had actually talked to their throne speech, they might have realized that there were words in there about the importance of UNDRIP. They seem to have totally ignored it. There’ve been absolutely no consultations with First Nations, and they are furious about this. The NDP can laugh it off all they want. They are being very dismissive to the chiefs in our area and over a quarter of this province, and that is totally unacceptable.

I have a letter here addressed to the minister from Chief Michael LeBourdais of the Whispering Pines–Clinton Indian band. It reads: “These records are as much our records as they are the Crown’s. This is a direct and material breach of your legal duty to consult and accommodate our interests in the records. We demand that any records be moved immediately, returned and the process of removal ceased.” And to the minister’s answer around electronic scans, this is what the Chief also had to say: “If copies are adequate, you keep the copies; we will keep the originals.”

Again, when will not only the minister start showing some respect for First Nations, but when will this Premier and the rest of the NDP cabinet start showing some respect towards First Nations, end all this users office and reverse this decision immediately?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, it’s a bit much to hear this newfound concern for First Nations from the opposition. For 16 years, they denied aboriginal title existed in B.C. So let’s….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

If I could just take a break and just pass notice to the children in the gallery: please do not try this at home. This is not acceptable behaviour anywhere.

Minister.

[10:45 a.m.]

Hon. D. Donaldson: For 16 years, they denied aboriginal title existed in this province. It took the Tsilhqot’in to go to court — fought by this government — to prove that aboriginal title exists on parcels of land in this country, in this province.

Let’s go through a little history. The LTSA is an arm’s-length body from government, formed by them in 2005. So the misinformation being spread by the two members from Kamloops is really a disservice to the people of Kamloops.

The member talks about Aboriginal interests. Well, he has no credibility — absolutely no credibility. He was spreading misinformation after he received the letter from the LTSA about job losses. That lack of credibility spreads to the question that he just asked.

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

P. Milobar: It’s so disappointing that the minister doesn’t even understand the legislation he’s responsible for. Talk about misleading. The legislation very clearly says that if there are no permanent records in the office, you cannot call yourself a land title office. Therefore, it is closing.

Let’s look at credibility here. I’ll stand on my track record of 18 years of working with these elected officials in my area, as an elected official myself.

Let’s hear from another chief from the area. Let’s hear from the Chief of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Rosanne Casimir, and what she has to say about this move. Maybe they just don’t understand their rights and title either, according to the minister. I quote: “There has been no consultation and no referral, not even a referral requesting our input.” It goes on to say: “What does that say about respectful relationships, reconciliation and working together?”

Before I ask the minister the question, I’ll remind him what he’s had to say about this. “Governments have a duty to ensure that First Nations consultation takes place” — the minister’s own words.

When will the minister actually do his job and start consulting with First Nations on something as fundamental as the records for their traditional and territorial areas?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, it’s a pity that the member does not do any research. If he had done some research, he would have been able to find…. I’m reading from information provided by the LTSA that’s publicly available. We acquired this from the LTSA, just the way the member could have if he had actually bothered to do some research. What they address under “rumours”: there will be no downsizing or permanently closing of the Kamloops office — directly in contradiction to what the member just said.

As far as the relationship with First Nations, we’ve just signed an historic agreement with the Secwépemc last week. The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation did that. I also want to point out that under the previous government, the local First Nations started legal court action to prove Aboriginal title. That was the legacy of that government.

RIDE-SHARING SERVICES AND RESPONSE
TO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Olsen: Over the past eight months, I’ve worked closely with eight of my colleagues from this House. We spent an incredible amount of time together on a committee to hear witnesses and to debate amongst ourselves the recommendations that we brought forward earlier this week. They’re strong recommendations. They could bring ride-hailing to British Columbia. They show that a committee system where politicians cooperate can actually work. But then the minister, after less than 45 minutes, categorically dismissed the recommendations that were put forward on licensing.

As the member for Surrey South put it on social media, we had 45 minutes of hope on ride-hailing, and then the minister spoke. This is not the action of someone who has taken the time to carefully consider the constructed recommendations, informed by expert testimony — a task that we were given as a committee. It’s not the action of someone who is open to hearing a discussion about the best way to achieve a safe regime. Forty-five minutes is not enough time to put together the communications notes on a decision that was made well in advance.

[10:50 a.m.]

I worked with the minister on this important bill, so I’m asking the Minister of Transportation: was there any point to the work that our committee did on hearing from experts on how to ensure safety and on what licensing made sense, or had she made her decision before the committee had even started meeting?

Hon. C. Trevena: I’d like to thank the member for his question. I’d also like to thank the member for his hard work on this file. He has been a leader on this. There’s no question.

When we brought legislation to this House — which the opposition, when they were in government, failed to do — we were able to work with the Third Party to make sure that there’s going to be flexibility as we bring app-based ride-hailing into this province. I thank the member for the amendment that he brought to the floor of the House for that legislation. It will help.

The committee had a very important role to play. I followed the hearings closely. There’s no question. I also heard from hundreds of British Columbians and stakeholders throughout the province. As the member knows, the report indicates there were a number of experts who spoke to the committee and advocated for the class 4 licence. We were listening to this as the committee was having its hearings. I think everyone knows that we have Hansard. We can follow the committee as it is having its hearings.

Among them, there was a number of communities that said they wanted to keep the class 4 licence. The seniors advocate wanted to keep the class 4 licence. The Vancouver police department wanted to keep the class 4 licence. If I might just quote, the Vancouver police department said: “I think you’re inviting people to be on the road more, which is what we’re doing by allowing them to be a TNS driver. We do need to ensure that the people that do that are the best drivers, people with a limited number of violations, people who have gone the extra step to take the extra road test so we can be sure that they are a good driver.”

Safety remains paramount to this government. We are bringing app-based ride-hailing to B.C. this year.

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

RIDE-SHARING SERVICES
AND DRIVER LICENSING

A. Olsen: It was the job of that committee to hear the testimony and to provide feedback and recommendations based on that, to have that discussion, to analyze that work. But this is actually not a debate about safety. Every member of this House is committed to ensuring a safe regime is in place that ride-hailing must operate within.

What concerns me is that what the minister is proposing may very well be a structural barrier that will prevent ride-hailing from coming to British Columbia. The committee has heard again and again that we can achieve high safety standards in British Columbia, the high safety standards British Columbians demand, without using a class 4 licence. A class 4 licence is just one tool.

Instead we should establish limits on the vehicles that can be used. We could require drivers to have perfect driving records. We could enforce limits on the age of drivers. We could do all of these things that set a clear set of standards that ensures only drivers that have no history or a likelihood of accidents can be ride-hailing drivers. There are a lot of options. So let’s do away with the notion that this has anything to do with safety.

I want a safe regime as much as the minister. I don’t think that that has to come at the cost of ride-hailing to British Columbia.

My question is for the Minister of Transportation. There is nothing in a class 4 licence that can’t be accomplished through other means. Why is the door closed on this decision? Why is the only pathway for the minister one that may present an unsurpassable barrier for ride-hailing companies in British Columbia?

Hon. C. Trevena: We are not alone in having a class 4 licence for app-based ride-hailing. We see it work in Alberta. We see it in New York City. We see it in Chicago. It has a higher level. Ontario is looking at a higher level after accidents. Safety has to be number one.

[10:55 a.m.]

Class 4 allows people to have an extra driving test. It allows medical checks to make sure that you are physically able to drive and that there are no risks. It makes sure that you have the mechanical availability…. Mr. Speaker, it adds that extra level of safety.

We have to remember that it’s the drivers who want to be safe, the passengers who want to be safe and every other road user we want to be safe. If somebody is earning their income by driving a vehicle, carrying passengers, we want to make sure that we have a safe regime.

I’ve got to ask everyone in this House….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. C. Trevena: I have to ask everyone in this House: would you allow your 15-year-old daughter to go in a car where you did not trust that driver to be safe? We’ve got to make sure safety is paramount, and that’s why we’re sticking with a class 4.

RELOCATION OF LAND TITLE RECORDS
AND FIRST NATIONS CONSULTATION

M. Polak: I will note first of all that the Minister of Forests thankfully did correct himself and say that the land titles office is an arm’s-length agency, but it is an agency of government.

It sounds as though he has not spoken with the chiefs. What I would like to clarify…. I think I heard this from the minister, but perhaps he could stand here and be clear: is it the minister’s view that the Crown has no obligation to consult on this matter?

Hon. D. Donaldson: The Land Title and Survey Authority was set up by the previous government in 2005, at arm’s length to government. We have the ability to appoint board members on to that authority. We don’t have the ability to appoint all the board members. It’s an independent organization, so they operate under an operating agreement. But they’re arm’s length and have the ability to make decisions, as it was set up by the previous government.

Mr. Speaker: The House Leader for the Opposition on a supplemental.

M. Polak: The question I’m asking, while it has great significance, is actually a fairly simple question. It’s actually a fairly simple question that the minister has chosen not to answer, but I think it’s one he needs to.

Is it his position…? He’s obviously been briefed on the matter. He’s aware of the matter. He must have a position. Is it the minister’s position — is it his view — that the Crown has no obligation to consult on this matter?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, this is not a question of whether the Crown has an obligation. This is an independent authority set up by the previous government. But yes, we’ll look into whether the Land Title and Survey Authority should be consulting on this matter.

M. de Jong: The minister has had a lot to say in the past about both the Crown’s obligation to consult and his desire to fulfil that obligation.

The question is a simple one. In this instance, involving a Crown agency, is it his view that the Crown has an obligation to consult for a change of this sort, and is it his argument that the Crown has discharged that obligation?

Hon. D. Donaldson: I said I would look into it, and that’s what I’ll do.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Abbotsford West on a supplemental.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Member for Abbotsford West, proceed, when you feel it’s right to do so.

M. de Jong: The minister just spent 28 minutes ridiculing and lecturing people for raising a legitimate question, lecturing and ridiculing chiefs who have posed the question and a concern about whether or not the government and the minister are discharging their obligations. In the 29th minute, he says: “I’ll look into it.”

[11:00 a.m.]

The question is very straightforward. Surely almost two years into assuming his duties, the minister is in a position to understand and answer conclusively whether or not, with regard to a change of this sort involving a Crown agency, there is an obligation by the Crown to consult. Has he fulfilled that obligation?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, I did not ridicule chiefs. That’s a mischaracterization. What ridicules chiefs is denying…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Donaldson: …Aboriginal title, spending millions of dollars fighting the Tsilhqot’in in courts, which these members did while they were in government. What also ridicules chiefs is…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Donaldson: …holding a celebration…. What also ridicules chiefs….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Donaldson: Maybe they just don’t want to hear the answer. Thank you, hon. Speaker.

What also ridicules chiefs is a decision by the former leader to hold a yoga session on National Aboriginal Day. There’s another example of ridiculing chiefs.

The actual Land Title and Survey Authority was set up by the previous government. The membership and responsibilities were enacted through legislation by the previous side. We’ll be taking a look. I already said we’ll look to whether there are obligations to consult by this independent authority.

E. Ross: It’s very misleading to say that this side of the House didn’t have respect for Aboriginal consultations and accommodations when over 500 agreements were signed with First Nations in the last 16 years. LNG would not have been possible without some of these agreements. It was done on the principle of consultation and accommodation that’s rooted in rights and title case law.

My question to the minister is: if there is some question of whether or not there is a responsibility of the arm’s-length entity that took these records out of the location and brought them to Victoria, did the Crown delegate this responsibility, and if so, if the Crown did delegate, did at least the minister make notice to the First Nation in question of this delegation of responsibility on the rights of First Nations people?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, the previous government privatized this function, set up the LTSA. They should know better than anybody the legislation that’s involved. What we’ll do is look into the matter.

I want to say that in the 20 months that we’ve been in government, we’ve done more than they did in 16 years to defend the rights of Aboriginal people in this province.

[End of question period.]