Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements

BURRARD THERMAL

R. Glumac: Last Friday the Premier joined me in my constituency to go on a tour of the Burrard Thermal generating facility.

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

We were there to see how the future of these lands could change and be better utilized, how perhaps clean tech and clean energy companies could use these lands to advance their cutting-edge technologies, how the area could be potentially transformed to be a centre for world-leading innovation to address climate change. These are all possibilities.

Burrard Thermal was first opened in 1961 and operated for over 50 years as a fossil-fuel-burning power plant. When running at full capacity, it could generate enough electricity to power 10 percent of the entire province.

[10:05 a.m.]

In its final years, it operated strictly as a standby plant, providing emergency power and peaking power for a few days in the winter when demand was at its greatest.

The plant had undergone many environmental improvements over the years, including a $150 million upgrade to its catalytic converters to reduce nitrogen oxide production. Many stakeholders at the time opposed the closing of the plant, including prominent local environmentalist Elaine Golds, local politicians and outspoken former employees.

Certainly, the facility had value as an emergency backup plant located close to the source of the greatest electricity demand in the province, but the previous B.C. Liberal government was not interested in hearing about their opinions and shut down the facility in 2016. It was shut down in order to make a case for entering into expensive power purchase agreements with independent power producers.

In a recent government review on these purchase agreements, it states that: “B.C. Hydro was instructed” by the B.C. Liberals “to be self-sufficient and then to over-buy generating capacity and energy from independent power producers to ensure surplus insurance power was available and to make up for the firm energy that would be lost from Burrard Thermal.”

These purchases, the report estimates, cost British Columbians $16.2 billion over 20 years in overpayment for electricity. That’s overpayment. That’s a premium above the cost of electricity. It’s in the report — a premium that we each have to pay, every one of us, every person in this province. That’s the legacy of the previous government, and Burrard Thermal was part of that. That’s why it was closed. Once it was closed, the previous B.C. Liberal government had no plans for its future.

Deputy Speaker: Member, let’s keep the speeches non-partisan, please.

R. Glumac: As we stood on those grounds — it was a cold day, and the rain was coming down — we could see a better future, a brighter future. While the facility still operates as a synchronous condenser providing voltage regulation until at least 2025, a significant portion of the land is already vacant and unutilized and has many positive attributes. It would be very desirable to accompany wanting to advance innovation in clean technology — access to the electricity grid, for example; access to the water in the Burrard Inlet.

In my work as Parliamentary Secretary for Technology, I’ve come across many innovative clean tech and clean energy companies in this province doing cutting-edge work that could be instrumental in reversing climate change. Some of them need space to expand in order to advance these technologies. Some need industrial land, which can be hard to find. Burrard Thermal lands would be a great option for these companies.

It’s important to acknowledge the strength of our clean tech sector in B.C. We’re leading the world in many ways. We have nearly 300 clean tech companies in this province, employing 16,300 people. It’s growing every year — nearly 17 percent of that growth is during our term in government. These are companies that focus on everything from clean energy generation to building efficiency, to electricity transmission and storage.

Breakthroughs in this sector could have a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions around the world. I know, from the many conversations I’ve had locally, that there’s a strong desire to see Burrard Thermal lands be used for something that will bring good, future-looking jobs to the Tri-Cities, help to move us forward into the green economy and build back the $1.3 million tax base that was lost when the power plant was shut down.

I’m very excited about the opportunities we are creating under our CleanBC plan. The Burrard Thermal lands can make the Tri-Cities and B.C. a clean energy leader, and it’s time to unlock that potential.

[10:10 a.m.]

P. Milobar: It’s my pleasure to rise to the topic around Burrard Thermal. It’s interesting. It’s almost like Groundhog Day. The member that just spoke and myself had this similar exchange about Burrard Thermal almost a year ago, when you read through Hansard.

It’s interesting because that conversation was around IPPs and Burrard Thermal. Although I can totally appreciate and understand and get why the MLA for the area would be advocating for new uses for that land and wanting to see development happen on it — I think that’s an appropriate response for any MLA to take — I’m a little confused by the messaging around it.

On the one hand, the previous speaker is condemning IPPs — independent power production — and those things that come with it and, in the same breath, saying that they want to see green energy be created on the Burrard Thermal site, while still simultaneously criticizing the previous government for shutting down a fossil-fuel-burning energy production site on that site, while still saying: “But we need to attract more independent power production type companies to create green energy on that site.” So I apologize if I’m a little confused by the circuitous logic of the member’s piece here.

I would note that the $16 billion is out of a very….

Interjection.

Deputy Speaker: Member.

P. Milobar: Would the member prefer to have a few more minutes, Mr. Speaker?

Deputy Speaker: He’ll wait for his turn.

P. Milobar: I would point out, though, that the $16 billion the member refers to was referred to last year, as well, out of a very flawed and very partisan-created Zapped report around independent power production. Although that $16 billion is spread out over 20-plus years and includes many deals with Indigenous nations for their independent power productions that they created — which, in the spirit of UNDRIP, I would think would be celebrated by this government — I would point out that an extra $8.8 billion a year, every single year of extra taxation, is a little bit bigger of a burden on people than trying to create clean energy. That, I guess, is at its core.

I understand why the previous speaker would like to see green energy projects on a site that used to be a fossil-fuel-burning site. That’s understandable. But that comes, by the way the member was speaking, with government subsidies, with government help to some company going in there yet, at the same time, criticizing independent power production contracts with companies that were doing exactly that — trying to make sure that we could generate clean electrical power in this province to maximize that.

That is where there’s a contradiction with this presentation around Burrard Thermal. You cannot have it both ways. We are either recognizing that in the early days of green energy…. It still is early days in terms of getting it to a price point that works with what our cost structure for hydro is. The reason it works in other parts of the world is that what you pay for kilowatt hour of electricity is much more than you pay in British Columbia, so the technology and the business case for that technology starts to work, whereas in British Columbia, it doesn’t, which was why you need to start trying to have some incentives.

I do hope the member can clarify whether, indeed, he is now saying that independent power productions and green energy, especially on the Burrard Thermal site, should be receiving government subsidies or not, because there seems to be a contradiction of those statements.

I think it’s important that people understand that clarity from the member — as to what exactly they are advocating for. Given that there is nowhere near enough money going into CleanBC from the increased carbon taxation — the bulk is actually going into general revenue — and the tight budgets that we see, I’m not sure where the money is supposed to come from to actually help people be able to have that incentive to create green energy and IPP, as it were, on the site of Burrard Thermal, and create all those jobs in the member’s riding that he’s hoping to create — understandably so.

Hopefully, the member can shine some light on the extra $8.8 billion a year taxation that we’re seeing happening right now and where, exactly, the money would come from. Or is it just that certain IPP projects are worthy of taxpayer’s money, but not all? Is it that Indigenous projects are not worthy of the money, but others are? Those are the type of questions, I think, that we need to have some clarity around, because there seems to be very contradictory language coming out around Burrard Thermal and IPPs in particular.

[10:15 a.m.]

I look forward to hearing the response and to hearing any clarity or any certainty whatsoever as to what the new policy direction of the government is — if it is, indeed, to actually support and subsidize clean energy products or if it to beat up on them.

R. Glumac: Burrard Thermal could play a key role in addressing climate change through innovation and clean technology. Our global temperatures have already risen one degree above pre-industrial levels. Already we’re seeing devastating hurricanes, record droughts, massive forest fires. Events that should be happening every 500 years are happening every year. We’re seeing destruction of coral reefs and other ecosystems and the loss of iconic salmon runs, and we are only at one degree.

No one can deny that we’re on a dangerous path. How much hotter is it going to get — one degree, two degrees, three degrees? What does the future look like for our children? This trend will not reverse unless we take action.

We’re playing our part with CleanBC, but setting greenhouse gas reduction targets is just one part of the solution. The real transformational power of CleanBC is in how it can transform the entire economy to become an economy that embraces the future, rather than one that looks backwards. We don’t have to keep repeating the tired old narrative that addressing climate change has a negative impact on our economy; it is the economy. All around the world, governments, companies and people are looking for opportunities to reduce emissions and new innovations to help them to do that.

These innovations can be developed right here in B.C. We can lead the world in making the world a better place. CleanBC can provide the catalyst that will spur world-leading growth in the clean tech sector right here in British Columbia. Burrard Thermal lands are now available to help in that goal. These underutilized lands, with access to the province’s electricity grid, could be the place where a company develops a technology that could change the world right here in British Columbia, and the local community will benefit with good-paying jobs and an increase in property tax to offset local taxes. But the potential benefits could extend far beyond the local community.

I have two children that are growing up with an uncertain future. If I could snap my fingers and make the future safe for them, I would. We can’t just snap our fingers, but we can take full advantage of opportunities when they come up. Our government didn’t shut down Burrard Thermal. It’s there, and it can’t be reopened. We can utilize these lands to advance clean technology that could change the world. That is what we should do.

“EACH FOR EQUAL”

J. Tegart: This Sunday, March 8, is International Women’s Day, and this year the theme is “Each for equal.” The “Each for equal” campaign supports this simple message: individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions every day, all day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight biases, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender-equal world. Let’s all be each for equal. To me, this simple notion speaks volumes.

I know that the women in this room have faced all of these issues and challenges, but I also know that we are all in this together and that we are all role models. We are here together in 2020. Movements like Me Too and Time’s Up and the significant global rise in International Women’s Day activities in every corner of the world highlight changing attitudes and opinions. Maintaining the status quo is not good enough, so women and allies are standing together to create a better world.

However, there is still fear, prejudice and barriers to an equal world, but really, an equal world is an enabled world, a world where ceilings are shattered and where success for everyone is the goal. When women and girls are able to live a life on their terms and their virtues and are enabled by a society around them, there is no stopping them.

[10:20 a.m.]

A major issue that arises with any sort of social and cultural change towards a more inclusive society is a misunderstanding that in order for someone to rise, someone else needs to fall. The rise of women is not about the fall of men. That is an opinion of weakness and prejudice.

Equality is about strengthening bonds. It’s about changing dynamics and breathing life into a society that sees potential for what it is, regardless of gender. You see this in small measures: when more men are staying home with children while women return to the workforce; and more female leaders in an assortment of fields in business, science, politics, entertainment, trades and technology, entrepreneurship and countless other avenues.

The reality is that gender balance is not just a women’s issue. It is also an economic one. More opportunities and more equality are good for everyone and the economic success of the world. Collectively, everyone everywhere can strive for women’s equality and continue to make positive gains.

We here in this House are blessed to be surrounded by incredible women. My female colleagues on either side of the aisle are testaments to this point. Our experiences, triumphs, sometimes our failures and our successes have gotten us to this point.

I see our previous female Premier and the increasing number of women in high-level positions of government. I see female House Leaders of the Third Party and the official opposition. I see female staff in leadership roles everywhere in this building, from our communi­cations director and our new chief of staff to legislative assistants, researchers, communication officers, admin staff, political staffers, building staff, security, maintenance, dining room staff, the Clerk’s office and even members of the press gallery. There is no end to examples that I’m inspired by on a daily basis.

This House has not always been that way. But now, today in 2020, this is a space where women are celebrated. That is something that I’m truly proud that we can showcase to the rest of B.C. and the world. Stereotypes are being challenged, and the more diverse representation of women is more evident constantly in our society.

However, there is no doubt there is still continuing work to be done. That is why I’m happy that we here can continue to set that example. That being said, the work continues. Women are still subject to crippling cultural and societal expectations and constructs that keep them down, rather than allow them to thrive as all people should. I do hope that as attitudes change, this will be reflected in the workplace and the home.

Women are leaders, mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, friends and heroes. Let’s make sure that it is not just March 8 that we let the women in our lives know that. We are each equal, so let’s remind each other of that.

S. Malcolmson: Thanks to my colleague for the very positive and constructive intervention in the House. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the feminist movement, the labour movement and honour the work of people all over the world who have advanced women’s equality, fought sexism, fought gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence every day. A stronger and fairer and more inclusive province means a better life for everyone.

I’m reminded often, but especially on International Women’s Day, of the words of the late, great Rosemary Brown. She was a New Democrat. She was the first black woman elected to any legislature in the country. She’s got a lot of powerful quotes, but I love this one. She says “We must open the doors, and we must see to it that they remain open so that others may pass through.”

[10:25 a.m.]

I want to take my time here in the House to talk about who is passing through those open doors. I loved being here in the Legislature, back in the spring session, with Ella and Sophie one day, with Anneka and Charlotte another day, both young women, all in high school, who shadowed me through the day and got to meet the constituents that I was meeting with, got to be in on meetings, sitting in the gallery, seeing the behind-the-scenes look at how this place operates.

At the end of the day, all four of them said: “We now have had our eyes opened to the mechanics of governance. We can imagine ourselves now as a researcher or a Clerk or a House Leader or an analyst or a member of the Legislature or a Premier.”

I didn’t have that exposure when I was that age, and I’ve now been able to serve in three different levels of government. I can only imagine, though, with the early start that these young women are getting, how far they’re going to move and how they’re going to change the country.

Equal Voice had a fantastic program that I was part of in 2017 in the House of Commons, and young women who took their seat in the House of Commons did incredible things. I was blown away when Arezoo, who had worked very hard to get a place to be able to represent her riding spot, made the amazing choice to leave her seat empty to represent the women who are unable to participate in public life because of domestic violence and sexual harassment. It was a very powerful statement.

I was inspired, also, back in my own riding and constituency, in Nanaimo. Ruby Barclay is just a mind-blowing young leader. She is one of the people that went through Vancouver Island University’s tuition waiver program for youth who had had experience in the foster care system. She graduated from VIU because of that program. She is now a mentor and a navigator for others going through university and now also works with the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre — another amazing young woman leading right now and changing our province and our community.

I also, along the way, had an experience of about to go into the House of Commons and ask a question about lack of access to abortion services in Prince Edward Island. Two young women from the University of Toronto’s Women in House program said, “You need to rewrite that question to be more specific. You need to name PEI specifically. You need to talk about what it is,” because one of them had had experience in Prince Edward Island in that way.

They were then sitting in the gallery and able to watch me ask the Prime Minister the question that they had written. That will, I hope, get them to a place like this or to serve in whatever way that they choose to change the country.

Equal Voice Central Vancouver Island has just started a mentorship program, and 30 women in Nanaimo have volunteered to step up and allow young leaders, women leaders, to shadow them in their occupation. On Sunday, International Women’s Day, 1:30 at the Grand Hotel, people are invited, both young future leaders and mentors, to launch this incredible program.

When we get more women in these seats in decision-making powers, we know what difference and impact it has. We are investing, our government, in child care. We’ve increased the minimum wage. We’ve repaired contract flipping that led to the single greatest layoff in B.C.’s history of women — 9,000 people laid off. Paid leave for domestic violence. When women come into the House and make decisions — in our case, in a gender-balanced caucus — we change lives.

J. Tegart: Thank you to the member opposite.

As we continue this discussion, I’d like to talk about the wage gap. Last year an Angus Reid poll outlined that seven in ten Canadians support equal pay legislation. The poll outlined that, though more women than men think the gender pay gap is a serious issue, the majority of men and women would support an equal pay law that certifies companies provide equal pay for equal work. According to a 2017 Statistics Canada report on average hourly wages, women still only earn 87 cents for every dollar that a man earns.

[10:30 a.m.]

As I highlighted earlier, we have all had the opportunity to work with many talented and hard-working women, who make up 60 percent of our workforce. Unfortunately, there is still a wage gap between women and men. That needs to be addressed, and we’re at the level where we have the opportunity to do that.

Last year and the year before that my colleague from Surrey South introduced private members’ bills aimed at addressing just this issue. The Equal Pay Reporting Act was intended to start a conversation in the business community about how to achieve pay equity. The bill would have required businesses that employ 50 or more people to provide an annual breakdown of the mean and median regular pay and bonuses provided to all male and female employees. By publicly declaring this information, companies would be encouraged to improve pay equity and to correct this undeniably unfair practice.

In the spirit of International Women’s Day and the commitment to “Each for equal,” I hope that these are the types of measures that we here in this House can adopt to further progress change in our province and create a more equal playing field for the future female leaders.

To our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunties, moms and women mentors, we have an obligation to continue this work, each for equal.

CHILD POVERTY

M. Dean: I’m sure we can all agree that child poverty needs to be eliminated. We know from years of research that child poverty puts children at a disadvantage for the rest of their lives and has a detrimental impact society-wide. It won’t surprise anyone here that evidence demonstrates that growing inequality creates social failure for provinces.

In societies of high inequality, there are higher rates of illness — mental and physical — higher rates of violence, imprisonment, substance misuse and other social issues. Associated with these issues are poor educational performance, limited social mobility and lower life expectancy. Social cohesion decays in communities with high rates of child poverty. It is clearly an indicator of social health, which we need to monitor and we need to correct, if necessary.

What do we know about child poverty here in B.C.? There are half a million people living in poverty in our province, and that’s not acceptable for a province that’s as wealthy as ours is. B.C.’s child poverty rate, until recently, has for years been above the national average, with approximately 99,000 children living in poverty in B.C. For every year between 2000 and 2017, British Columbia has had a higher child poverty rate than Canada, based on the census family low-income measure after tax.

In 2017, about one-third of B.C.’s poor children were under the age of six. That was actually better than the Canadian average, but obviously we still need to make improvements. We must also remember that poverty rates are significantly higher for immigrant children, Indigenous children, racialized children, children with disabilities.

Children of lone parents are also overrepresented among the population of kids living in poverty. Children who live in single-parent families are more than three times more likely to live in poverty than children in two-parent families. This is exacerbated by the gender gap, as women-led lone-parent households earn about 72 percent of the median income for men-led lone-parent households, and we know the majority of single-parent households are led by women.

Challenges in B.C. facing parents who are living in poverty are also compounded by the costs of housing and of child care. Too many families are stuck in a trap of being unable to work due to child care needs and not being able to enhance their careers and climb out of poverty. These trends indicate that there are structural issues that government can tackle and address.

For years, we heard the way out of poverty was a job, yet our economy has full employment and there are still people living in poverty. Almost 40 percent of people living in poverty are working. They have a paycheque coming in but still can’t make ends meet.

[10:35 a.m.]

I remember going to a conference many years ago, probably around 2010, of the Federation of Community Social Services of B.C., when I was an executive director of a local non-profit organization. We had a presentation from the organization First Call, and they emphasized that B.C. had the worst record on child poverty and had no poverty reduction strategy. They highlighted how they’d been monitoring this and how the situation for children in B.C. hadn’t changed in a decade and how they wanted to see more action and commitment, going forward.

As an immigrant, I was shocked by the statistics and how poorly children in B.C. were served to enable their families to get out of poverty.

A couple of years later we had the report that a quarter to a third of users of food banks were youth — again, a shocking statistic. That led to a few of us locally meeting to get together to try and tackle this issue, especially for youth in our community and in our education system.

Fast-forward. At least now we are seeing that parents are being helped to climb out of poverty, and we do have a provincial poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC. It sets targets, and it works across ministries to reduce poverty for all affected British Columbians. It delivers on affordable housing, supports for families and children and youth. It expands access to education and training, provides more opportunities for people, improves income supports and invests in social inclusion.

We have set a target to reduce child poverty by 50 percent by 2024, and this is being achieved through a number of initiatives that tackle inequality and poverty. For a start, let’s look at the housing crisis. British Columbia now has a 30-point housing plan that directly addresses the affordability crisis in our province. So 23,000 new, affordable homes are completed or underway throughout the province, and we’re taking action to make renting fairer for people in British Columbia.

B.C. parents now have a universal, affordable, high-quality early childhood education strategy. We’ve already created thousands of new spaces, and thousands of parents are accessing $10-a-day, or less, early childhood education. Nearly 27,000 families with incomes under $45,000 a year will eventually pay little or nothing for child care.

Over the last two years, we have incrementally raised the minimum wage, and this significantly supports women in the workforce. They are overrepresented in that population, as are visible minority groups, people with disabilities and new immigrants, for example. We’ve increased income and disability assistance rates twice. We’ve increased the earnings exemption for people living on social assistance or disability. We’ve eliminated MSP premiums.

The 2018 Canadian Income Survey demonstrates that TogetherBC, the province’s first poverty reduction strategy, is working. We set a target to reduce the overall poverty rate by 25 percent by 2024. B.C.’s overall poverty rate was 8.9 percent in 2018, compared to 12 percent in 2016. And B.C.’s child poverty rate declined to 6.9 percent in 2018, from 12 percent in 2016.

M. Hunt: I want to thank the member for Esquimalt-Metchosin for her statement. I certainly appreciate her heart and her message.

It goes without saying that all members of this House want to see the improvement of everyone here in the province of British Columbia. We all want to see a reduction in child poverty rates, and we all want to see people of this province given the chance to succeed. We would note that poverty rates are on the decline. This is good news, and it is a trend that we hope continues.

There is a lot to celebrate as poverty rates continue to drop. There are those who would claim that it is their drive towards affordability that has created this result. Well, it’s interesting that, at the same time, we have stated many times that affordability is somewhat of an amorphous term that is touted in this House on the backs of 23 new and increased taxes. It is not something that can be accurately claimed as a reality here in British Columbia. Life is not more affordable. And with poverty rate reductions, the idea that efforts by this government to achieve these rates is a bit misleading.

Deputy Speaker: Member, non-partisan.

M. Hunt: I’m trying to be.

Deputy Speaker: Yeah. Try a little harder.

M. Hunt: I’m working with the information that was given.

[10:40 a.m.]

I think it’s important for us to lend some light on the facts and the figures, not the rhetoric, so we can all understand the success that we’re facing. I’ll use exactly the same sources the member used in First Call B.C.

First Call B.C. said that the child poverty rate rose from 15.5 percent in 1989 to 25.3 percent in the year 2000. That’s during the 1990s — whoever was in government at that time. We saw, in fact, a 10 percent rise in the poverty rate, which then dropped to 19.8 percent in 2014. These are the stats that this statement was made on.

Then we changed how we calculate poverty, and we noticed that the general poverty reduction has, in fact…. The numbers have gone down from 2015 to ’18, with a decrease from 14.8 percent to 8.9. That is in the general poverty rate. That is a marked difference that shows a trend that is absolutely in the right direction, which is great news.

More importantly is that the child poverty rate has, in fact, as you mentioned at the very end, dropped from 12 to 6.9 percent in that same window, which is a reduction of 5 percentage points, or a reduction of more than 40 percent. That is incredible. It’s something that we should all hope continues to drop. The fact is that it has been consistently dropping since 2001, and 2018 is a continuation of that very trend.

The only issue, as was pointed out last week, is that TogetherBC is being credited for this, but TogetherBC actually wasn’t launched until March of 2019. So by rationally and correctly looking at the data, it’s very clear that these reductions are not a result of TogetherBC. These reductions really are an example of the continued legacy of a previous government, a government that lifted people out of poverty by a strong economy and a jobs plan that invested in British Columbia and brought people out of poverty. These reductions came off the heels of programs and focuses taken by that government.

I would also note that the biggest decrease actually happened as a result of the federal child tax benefit. It played the largest role in that entire reduction going down. As for TogetherBC’s poverty reduction plan, which wasn’t unveiled until 2019, for the member to claim that their plan somehow retroactively influenced 2018 is rather illogical.

It should be noted again by myself on behalf of my colleagues that we’re very encouraged to see the poverty rate continue to decline. Although we may differ on our interpretation of how and when these results came to fruition, we can all agree on one thing, and that is that these results are great for this province.

We look forward to seeing the results from the first year of this program when they’re unveiled later this fall. We will continue to stand up for measures that lift people out of poverty so that no child in B.C. will have to experience it.

Deputy Speaker: The Chair has provided lots of latitude with people make statements, but please do not try to cross the limit. The first hour is supposed to be non-partisan. Let’s keep it that way.

M. Dean: Thank you to the member for Surrey-Cloverdale for sharing our commitment to eliminating poverty and working hard to eradicate poverty.

This is something that we’ve been working on since 2017, for example, with our plan to tackle the crisis in housing, our rollout of universal child care and increasing assistance rates as well. This is something that’s been important to us and we’ve been working on since 2017, and now we can see that Statistics Canada data are confirming that our strategy is working to make life better for people. It’s really encouraging, and there is still more work to do as we roll out this strategy. Looking ahead we will have more initiatives that will further reduce inequality and support children living in poverty.

I want to just highlight, for example, the new B.C. child opportunity benefit. It’s going to come into effect from the first of October, 2020. It offers tax-free payments for families with children under and up to the age of 18. It will help families with basic necessities as well as create opportunities like sports and arts opportunities.

[10:45 a.m.]

For one child, a family will get up to $1,600 a year; three children, up to $3,400 a year. The highest benefits will go to the families most in need. So this will also lift thousands of children and their families out of poverty in British Columbia.

Combined with B.C.’s affordable child care benefit and the fee reduction initiative for licensed child care spaces, families with one child might save up to $20,000 a year. Families with two children could save up to $28,000 a year. These statistics are really encouraging and confirm we’re on the right path, and there is still more to do.

Over the next five years, we’re going to be working with all sectors, community organizations, business, labour, Indigenous people and all levels of government as critical partners in this work. We’ll be investing about $4 billion over the next three years.

Keep in mind that some of the initiatives are broadly accessible programs — child opportunity benefit, childcare B.C., affordable housing. All of these programs are helping many people lift themselves out of poverty. We can break the cycle of poverty and build a better B.C. for everyone.

I want to thank the Minister for Social Development and Poverty Reduction, who’s here in chambers today, for all of his work and everybody who has supported the poverty reduction strategy here in British Columbia. Together, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

R. Sultan: Canada’s first constitution, the British North America Act, declares our federation is to be built on a foundation of peace, order and good government. These words define parliament’s overarching jurisdiction.

Are the words relevant today? I say more than ever before, because our current provincial government, when faced with serious threats to stability, prosperity and civil society, shows scant regard for peace, order and good government.

In first-year constitutional law classrooms, the acronym used for peace, order and good government is POGG. They may now want to introduce a new acronym more accurately describing British Columbia today. That is CDNG, signifying contention, disorder and no government. Why is CDNG the de facto situation today?

Deputy Speaker: Member.

R. Sultan: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Deputy Speaker: The Chair has cautioned all members. We have to keep non-partisan — all statements, all comments. Thank you. Carry on.

R. Sultan: Thank you.

With respect to contention, we have many quarrelling factions. On one side: project proponents, elected First Nations and the majority of ordinary citizens. On the other side: Indigenous chieftains by divine right of birth, unelected; plus climate activists; plus project opponents; plus a political network foreign-funded.

With respect to disorder — the second element — we have blockades in North America’s third-largest seaport, blockades of freight trains from coast to coast, blockades of commuter rail in Toronto and blockades of highways in Quebec, plus burning tires on the rail tracks. We have people trying to derail mile-long CN freight trains roaring by at 50 kilometres an hour. We prevent ordinary citizens from attending the Legislature. We see disorderly harassment of our Premier at his private home in Langford. Shameful.

With respect to no government, we ask the judiciary to issue injunctions against illegal acts. But when they’re granted and breached, we make no effort to enforce them. So they are meaningless. We are not a society of laws when government allows them to be routinely ignored without consequence.

Add it up — contention, disorder and no government. We are dangerously close to anarchy. How did this happen? Did concerned citizens living on Bowen Island suddenly write letters to the editor? Well, actually, no.

[10:50 a.m.]

This is a highly coordinated, professionally planned attack on our country, its transportation system, its provincial institutions of law and order and its economy. The hive has issued killer bees. It is an attempt to kill projects, wreck our international reputation as a haven for investment, destroy trust in one another and cause our partners to doubt our reliability.

This is not my personal impression. It is what the activists at the forefront have publicly proclaimed: “Shut down Canada.” That is what, to a surprising degree, they have accomplished in key areas from time to time.

Who could conceivably be motivated to shut down Canada? We try so hard to be nice to everyone. Well, we could start with the list of foreign-funded organizations pouring millions into the effort: the Sierra Club; West Coast Environmental Law, which, incredibly, has its home office at taxpayer-funded University of Victoria; the Western Canada Wilderness Committee; Leadnow; and Stand.earth. That list is a pretty good beginning.

This Legislature is in the front line. In years past, we have seen many demonstrations on the lawn of the Legislature. Think of the estimated 30,000 protesting Bill Bennett’s economic plans in 1983, for example. But this time is different. In Bennett’s day, the Legislature’s doors were never locked. Protesters did not wear face masks. Protesters did not bar MLAs, staff and visitors from entering the building. They did not spray-paint the walls of our Premier’s office, demanding that he quit. They did not build a bonfire on our front steps. They did not bloody the noses of bystanders. And security did not report significant foreign infiltration.

This is not a one-off event. This has been a rolling series of events across the country. It has all of the earmarks of a centrally planned project to harm our economy, alarm our partners, demoralize governments, set security forces back on their heels, do permanent damage to the goodwill and trust that we have in one another in Canada and alienate communities being used as pawns.

I would not rule out foreign influence. After all, who would have thought any outsider would dare try to influence American presidential elections? If there are those in this Legislature who find this all rather fun, they should step back and consider the permanent damage being done.

J. Routledge: Thank you to the member for West Vancouver–Capilano for his passionate reflections on good governance.

This is a timely topic. According to international organizations that monitor freedom around the world, democracy is in retreat around the world. Not surprisingly, the countries that continue to be ranked most democratic are the Scandinavian social democracies, while our powerful neighbour to the south is ranked far behind at 25. In fact, the United States has been designated a flawed democracy. We should be careful about what countries we choose as role models.

There is no better time but the present to reflect on what good governance looks like. There are eight characteristics. Good governments are participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follow the rule of law.

Let’s see how the government of British Columbia shapes up, starting with participation. Right now we are conducting 19 open and ongoing public consultations. An additional 29 consultations have been completed since we formed government. Whether they participate on line or by attending interactive meetings, British Columbians can be confident that their input will be considered by lawmakers. Good governance is consensus-oriented.

This is a minority government, the first in B.C. since 1953. Minority governments are notoriously short-lived, yet this one continues to survive. Why? Because we work collaboratively with our partners in the Third Party, honouring a relationship constructed on the principles of good faith and no surprises.

[10:55 a.m.]

As the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Head said at the time, this “government is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do politics differently in British Columbia.”

Good governance is accountable. The third bill that we introduced as a new government was the Election Amendment Act. We ended the Wild West of election financing. We made it illegal for corporations and unions to donate to political parties, and we put a cap on individual donations. Voters can be confident that government is accountable to them alone and not to some shadowy corporation buying guarantees that labour will be cheap and natural resources will be bottomless.

Good governance is transparent. This government is shining a light into the back rooms of government and business. We have new lobbying transparency regulations. The Land Owner Transparency Act requires that hidden ownership be disclosed. The Fuel Price Transparency Act forces oil and gas companies to turn over pricing and supply data.

Good governance is responsive. Our legislative agenda continues to be shaped by what we hear on the doorstep, on the phone and in the streets. That’s why we created a Minister of State for Child Care. That’s why we launched a ten-point plan to make housing more affordable. That’s why we took our fight to protect our coast all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Good governance is effective. Our implementation plans are starting to see results. Child poverty is finally in decline. Fewer people are dying from the opioid crisis, while at the same time, we have been balancing four budgets in a row.

Good governance is equitable and inclusive. Why is that important? Because when marginalized groups see their faces reflected in leadership roles, they are more likely to vote and more likely to run themselves. We make better policy when a diversity of experiences are heard around the table. Our cabinet is 50 percent women and come from a variety of backgrounds.

Finally, good government follows the rule of law. In other words, it is vigilant in ensuring that law enforcement is independent of politics. It refrains from using law enforcement to make inconveniences and embarrassments go away. Have you been following the latest political drama in Washington? The Department of Justice is in revolt. Many career personnel are resigning in protest. Why? Because political appointees are inserting themselves in a criminal case to get leniency for the pal of the president.

Let me conclude by again thanking the member for West Vancouver–Capilano for introducing such a timely topic for debate. Everyone should be asking these questions of themselves.

R. Sultan: I would like to commend the member for Burnaby North for her remarks. I find them encouraging, and a little bit of politics aside, I can virtually endorse every word she said. But Americans — and the member has referred to shenanigans in Washington — watch what’s going on upstairs in their attic very closely. We may not realize it, but they certainly pay attention.

[S. Gibson in the chair.]

Here’s what the influential Washington Post had to say a few days ago:

“Since much of the moral indignation fuelling the Canadian Indigenous rights movement is rooted in opposition to an enormous historical fact — the conquest of North America by non-Indigenous peoples — it’s easy for them to reach an equally enormous conclusion: the land should be given back.

“Taken literally, the idea is obviously impossible. Canada’s 35 million non-Indigenous citizens — the settler community in Indigenous rights parlance — cannot be patriated back to their historic homelands. But what if the Canadian settler state were dismantled instead…?

“There’s much to suggest this project of post-colonial dissolution is the path Canada is currently is on…. Revolutions rarely begin from a cold start; instead, they usually arise after piecemeal reforms fail to appease a group of critics, while still justifying their criticism.

[11:00 a.m.]

“…the Canadian state has embarked upon a remarkable social experiment of gradually devolving its responsibility to uphold the broad national interest — particularly the approval of economically critical natural resource projects — to anyone who claims to speak for Canada’s 1.7 million Indigenous residents.

“This is a risky and radical political idea, and it should be treated with the sort of skepticism all risky and radical ideas deserve. Absent any threat of genuinely revolutionary violence — which a few blockaded train tracks certainly do not represent — it should never be forgotten that the Canadian state is only as powerless as it chooses to be. Why has Canada chosen this?”

End of Washington Post commentary.

Well, let me speak for myself. I have no wish to be involved in a “remarkable social experiment,” and “risky and radical” ideas find little support in my community. We much prefer peace, order and good government. I take no comfort whatsoever but, rather, dismay in the Premier’s solution, duly recorded in Hansard last week: “Leave the kids to figure it out for themselves.”

Hon. S. Simpson: Hon. Speaker, I ask that the House consider proceeding with Motion 3, standing in the name of the member for Maple Ridge–Mission.

Deputy Speaker: Members, unanimous consent of the House is required to proceed with Motion 3, per the minister’s comments, without disturbing the priorities of the motions preceding it in the order paper.

Leave granted.

Private Members’ Motions

MOTION 3 — GOVERNMENT ACTION ON
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY

B. D’Eith: I move:

[Be it resolved that this House support the government’s actions taken to reduce economic inequality and increase affordability, thereby lifting people out of working poverty and lowering the number of people living paycheque to paycheque.]

When I started running as an MLA, I was shocked to hear that half a million people are living in poverty in British Columbia. That’s not acceptable in a province as wealthy as British Columbia. Poverty has actually become entrenched due to ignoring and underfunding of social priorities, and the lower- and middle-income people are also struggling, often living paycheque to paycheque. I heard this, this weekend, door-knocking. People are having a hard time living paycheque to paycheque.

Now, the previous B.C. Liberal government ignored concerns of British Columbians and left people behind. They cut taxes to the rich, their rich donors — cuts — and then ignored and underfunded the programs and services that people rely on. This led to B.C. having the second-worst poverty rate in Canada.

The B.C. Liberal way of approaching this is a job. You get a job, and that’s the way to get out of poverty. But if that’s the case, why do 40 percent of people living in poverty have jobs? They work so hard, but their pay­cheques don’t make ends meet. So many middle-income people are also having a hard time because of the cost of living in British Columbia. Now, the B.C. Liberals repeatedly rejected all calls for a comprehensive poverty reduction plan. Well, we have a poverty reduction plan now, and we have an act, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act. This act requires the government to reduce overall poverty rates by 25 percent and the child poverty rate by 50 percent by 2024.

Also, the TogetherBC program brings together investments across the government. This is continuing the work that was started right away in 2017 to reduce overall poverty in the province to meet these targets. Now, this work is a substantial piece of work, and it outlines what the province has done and what the province is going to be doing to reduce poverty.

We have increased assistance rates by $1,800 a year. We’ve increased the earnings exemptions. We’ve enhanced education and training options. On the homelessness front…. We’re seeing this at home in Maple Ridge. We had over 100 units of social housing built, and we were able to resolve a long-standing tent city. That not only helped those people get the help they needed, but it also really helped the community. It’s very important work. Social assistance caseloads are being reduced because funding is being put in. The minimum wage is now $13.85, and it will go up to $15.20 by June of 2021.

[11:05 a.m.]

Now, of 400,000 people working on minimum wage, 1,500 of these people are working below the poverty line. This will help lift those people. It is working.

The Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, in quoting the 2018 Canadian income survey…. B.C.’s overall poverty rate was 8.9 percent in 2018 compared to 12 percent in 2016, while B.C.’s child poverty rate declined to 6.9 percent in 2018 from 12 percent in 2016. I’m pleased to see the Statistics Canada data confirming that our poverty reduction strategy is working to make life better for people, but there’s a lot more work to do.

We also have to look at low- and middle-income people, because they are struggling in this province. What did our government do? One of the first things was to get unfair tolls off the bridges. It’s making a huge impact in my community on the Golden Ears Bridge. Eliminating MSP premiums — that’s the single biggest tax cut in a generation for people. In fact, people are paying less tax in middle income and low income than they were under the B.C. Liberals.

Game-changer. The B.C. child opportunity benefit that’s coming out October 20 will help 300,000 families do better, and it’s going to help kids right up to the age of 18. Of course, child care — it’s transformational. We have a couple of prototype sites in Mission and Maple Ridge: the Heritage Park Childcare Centre. Parents are paying no more than $200 a month. This is an amazing benefit for people.

The housing crisis — a 30-point housing plan. We’re building housing in Mission with the seniors housing. We just opened a Lookout low-income housing in Mission. I’m really excited about that. Students are so excited about the elimination of interest on student loans and, of course, the new needs-based student grants.

I want to say that our province is on a better path today and is a place where everyone counts, and we’re implementing a clear path to tackle poverty, making life better for British Columbians and reducing their costs.

S. Bond: I want to thank the member opposite for giving us the opportunity to talk about what his government said they would do and what they’re actually doing. There has been a lot going on in British Columbia, and perhaps he thinks British Columbians haven’t been paying attention to the budget that was tabled and the impacts that it will have on them, but he would be wrong about that.

Just over two years ago, this member and his colleagues made promises to British Columbians. In fact, there were glossy brochures and banners with words like “affordability” and a whole lot of promises. Promises for a universal $10-a-day daycare program that has not and will not happen. Renters were promised relief with a $400 grant. That has now disappeared, apparently because the Green Party members didn’t like it. So another broken promise.

At the same time, this is a government that has loaded on 23 new or increased taxes in their short time in office — four alone in this budget. In fact, if you do the math, without the revenue from these taxes and significant cuts to ministries and important programs, there would be no surplus. Yet this government continues to ramp up the debt load for the province and for families. To quote a recent media story: “Families are being clobbered with new taxes, and the government is still racking up more debt.”

The thing I find most astonishing is that this member and government fail on a daily basis, including in the remarks made today, to make the connection between increased taxes, their broken promises, out-of-control spending, program cuts, a softening global economy and the impact that all of this has on British Columbians. It is creating a growing lack of affordability. The situation is made even more acute by the absence of any semblance of an economic or job creation strategy or a plan to diversify the economy.

[11:10 a.m.]

Here’s what we know. There is little incentive for B.C.’s tech sector and no attention paid to manufacturing and the service industries. Small businesses are burdened with taxes and regulation. Little or nothing to support the natural resource sector. MSP premiums, to correct the member opposite, were replaced with another tax: the employer health tax, which transfers costs to consumers and small businesses. The list goes on.

What does this all add up to? Taxes are up. Small business confidence is down, exports are down, consumer spending is flat, and housing supply is down. In fact, just recently we learned that there is a 60 percent drop in new condo and townhouse units coming to the market, and highrise construction has dropped by a whopping 76 percent. The government is behind on their promised housing units. In fact, it will take more than 98 years at this rate to complete that promise. Believe me, British Columbians are not holding their breath on another broken promise.

It’s time this member and his government made the connection between the choices they have made…. And make no mistake about it; it is about choices. As a result of the choices this government has made, there is growing financial pressure on families and job creators in our province. Here’s the key question: are British Columbians better off today than they were 2½ years ago? The simple answer is no, they aren’t. [Applause.] So good clapping on the “no, they aren’t” question.

The only revenue generation plan that this government has is the back pockets of taxpayers. Every day we learn more about some of the hidden gems in the budget, and all of them impact British Columbians. Believe me, I’m sure people are aware of the sugary-beverage tax, the Netflix tax. But do you know the government is now doing a survey to see if you’re willing to pay a tax on your hiking boots, your mountain bike or your outdoor equipment?

This government just keeps on reaching into the pockets of British Columbians and then stands, in this House and outside, to try and convince you that things are more affordable. I’m sorry. It just doesn’t add up. Talking about affordability and doing something about it are two completely different things. What we see here on a daily basis is a government that is all about talk, with no action when it comes to affordability. I can tell you this: British Columbians deserve much better.

M. Elmore: I’m very pleased to rise and speak in favour of the motion moved by my colleague from Maple Ridge–Mission: “Be it resolved that this House support the government’s actions taken to reduce economic inequality and increase affordability, thereby lifting people out of working poverty and lowering the number of people living paycheque to paycheque.”

We know — and I think British Columbians share the sentiment — that it’s unacceptable that we have half a million people living in poverty in our province. How did we get here? It didn’t happen overnight or over one year. It happened over many years, the result of having social priorities ignored and underfunded. The previous government chose to ignore the concerns of British Columbians and left people behind. They left the majority of people behind and gave tax cuts to their rich donors.

We’ve heard that — and as well, in remarks from the other side — their plan to address poverty was for folks to get a job, but that flies in the face of that our economy was running at full employment. There are still people living in poverty, and now we know that almost 40 percent of people living in poverty today are working and that some have more than one job. It’s been years of ignoring and underfunding the programs that people rely on that has led to B.C. having the second-worst poverty rate in Canada.

We know that the previous government had the worst overall poverty in Canada for 13 years, the worst rate of child poverty in Canada for a decade, the highest income inequality, with many working families living in poverty. The previous government, as well, left B.C. being the only province with no provincewide poverty reduction plan.

When our government came in, we made a commitment to bring in a poverty reduction plan. We held consultations across the province with people living in poverty — with lived experience, really — as the key contributors, hearing their experiences. Our government is committed to making life more affordable for everyone in this province, not just those on the top.

[11:15 a.m.]

We know that our plan — TogetherBC, the province’s first poverty reduction strategy — is working. Our government is making decisions to invest in people. We’re rebuilding social programs. We know that thousands of people have moved into new affordable housing, right across the province. Their daycare costs are reduced, MSP premiums eliminated, and the minimum wage is going up. This is taking us in the right direction, but there’s more to do. We not only have a plan; it’s legislated. We have legislated targets to reduce the overall poverty rate by 25 percent and the child poverty rate by 50 percent. We are making progress towards that.

What are the steps that we have taken? We’re not just talking about it. We’ve increased income and disability assistance rates. We are building new affordable homes. We are taking action to make renting fair for people. We know that we have this year the B.C. opportunity benefit coming into effect in October, expected to help 290,000 families. We’ve eliminated MSP premiums and are increasing the minimum wage.

We hear from the other side. They complain about tax hikes, money coming out of the pockets of families. They’re correct. It’s an increased tax rate on the top 1 percent. You know, the government is saying that the top 1 percent can pay a little bit more, and we’re going to support those British Columbians who need the most help. That’s a fact.

Is life more affordable? Go out and ask British Columbians. Are they paying MSP premiums? No. Do they have to pay tolls on bridges? No. Do more families have access to dental care and Pharmacare? Yes. Do students have to pay loan interest on their loans? No. Do they have to pay tuition for adult basic education, English language learning? No. Is there a new access grant for students to be able to pursue their education? Yes.

These are questions that when you ask, those are the answers that you’ll hear from British Columbians. We know that we can’t do this alone. It’s not only in the purview of the provincial government. We need to partner with our federal government, municipalities, the business community, communities and organizations right throughout British Columbia.

We know that British Columbians share the desire to reduce inequality. This is not the society we want to live in. Our government, the B.C. NDP, is committed towards investing in people, ensuring that life is more affordable, that there are opportunities for all British Columbians — not just those at the top 1 percent, the top donors to the B.C. Liberals, which the previous government had really put as their priority. We are making investments in people to bring down poverty in British Columbia.

S. Cadieux: I’m pleased to speak on behalf of this motion. But I do find it troubling that the members of the opposition — at least the last member — continue to state fake facts in relation to the history. The reality is that there are three provinces and territories within the country that don’t have poverty plans. That’s just a fact.

It’s also true that B.C. didn’t have the highest rate of child poverty for the last number of years. It was middle of the pack. Was it too high? Absolutely. I, along with all of the speakers who’ve come before me, will recognize and do recognize the importance of reducing inequality, increasing affordability and lifting people out of poverty.

When my colleagues and I were in government, we worked hard to make sure that this was a reality. As such, it’s difficult to see the government taking action for work that wasn’t theirs. The government claimed last week that TogetherBC — their poverty reduction plan, which was tabled in March of 2019 — affected 2018 incomes. It certainly makes me wonder about the government’s understanding of time, of the economy and of the cause-and-effect relationships of decisions that are made.

Last week government was very busy patting themselves on the back for their achievements, but in reality, child poverty rates have been consistently dropping since 2011, when we were on the opposite side. With the exception of a blip after the recession in 2008 — in fact, during our whole time in government — we reduced the poverty rate by 53 percent from the height left to us by the last NDP government of 24 percent — lifting approximately 29,000 children out of poverty during that time.

The declines in child poverty between 2011 and 2016 were largely the result of a strong economy and a plan to get people into better-paying, family-supporting jobs. But I think it’s important to recognize the considerable role that the federal child care benefit has played in the latest decline in rates.

[11:20 a.m.]

The child tax benefit came into effect in 2016, when the federal Liberal government took office. We were aware this change would significantly increase rates. I’m aware of this because I was the minister responsible for six years. I followed it incredibly closely. The new federal child benefit was expected to lift 16,000 children out of poverty in 2017. I think we’re seeing the effects of that with the report laid before us last week.

Now, I should be clear that no matter who is responsible, we can all celebrate fewer people living in poverty. It’s the kind of change we want to see. It’s a hugely important part of being an elected official. Our social welfare system was good when it was designed many decades ago, but over time, it’s been asked to do things it wasn’t intended to do. The rules have been twisted and duct-taped to adapt to a changing world and changing needs, and we have to recognize that now it’s kind of broken. It traps people in poverty. It prevents them from overcoming their circumstances. It fails to be the safety net it was intended to be.

I think it needs a rethink and a redesign, and that’s why I championed the single-parent employment initiative when I was in government. The purpose was to remove the barriers that were keeping single parents on income and disability assistance, providing them with the training that they needed to secure long-term employment. It was working. In 2017, 4,500 people had participated and had access to good employment that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. It’s the kind of change we want to see in society — people that can support themselves and people given the opportunity to succeed.

Unfortunately, I do fear we may not continue to see this, because while well-intended, I am certain the efforts of this government and their choices are crippling our economy. Housing starts are slowing by 22 percent. B.C. has lost 3,200 jobs in the last eight months. It’s a clear downward trend. Retail sales are virtually flat. Business investment is slowing. The most recent stats on income data, the same that show the improvement in child poverty, also show that median incomes across the province have dropped for the first time since the recession of 2008.

I just want to state that I really hope that that trend does not continue. I do hope that as government has, with the poverty reduction plan, set a target to reduce poverty by 50 percent by 2024…. I hope they succeed. I do find it fascinating, though, that their target had almost been 50 percent met by the time they took office in 2017, through that 2016 blip thanks to the federal tax benefit. In fact, their target now will see a slower rate of decline than in any year under the B.C. Liberals.

Numbers are fascinating. I know the NDP is not good with numbers, but the reality is that 50 percent fewer kids are in poverty thanks to our 16 years in government. The rate went from 24 to 12.8. That’s 0.7 percent a year. The NDP plan will see 50 percent fewer over eight years — rate going from 12.8 to 6, or 6.25 percent per year. That’s even with the gimme of including that entire federal benefit.

Let’s not make this a partisan issue like they did for their 16 years in opposition, suggesting how awful we were, doing nothing, while reducing the rate by 50 percent. Numbers don’t lie, and we actually reduced that rate faster than they’re targeting. We all care about this issue, and I truly believe that.

J. Brar: I’m really pleased to rise in this House today to support the motion introduced by the member for Maple Ridge–Mission, focused on our commitment to reducing economic inequality and increasing affordability.

The sad reality is that there are half a million people living in poverty in our province. It’s hard for people to imagine that in a province as wealthy as ours, we had 170,000 children living in poverty in 2014. It’s hard for me to believe that over 100,000 British Columbians used food banks in 2016, and almost one-third of those using food banks were children. That is not acceptable for a province as wealthy as ours.

[11:25 a.m.]

Poverty has become deeply entrenched in our province because of the bad choices made by the B.C. Liberals. I know they don’t want to accept that, but that’s the reality. The previous government chose to ignore the concerns of British Columbians and left people behind, while at the same time, they gave the biggest tax breaks to their rich friends. So greed remained, basically, the driving force of their policy for 16 years.

For 16 years, we heard from the other side that the only way out of poverty was a job. That’s it. That was their belief then, and that is their belief even today. They don’t believe at all that the state has any responsibility to address inequality and poverty. Rather than developing such a plan to reduce poverty, they did the opposite. When the B.C. Liberals first came into power in 2001, they implemented a series of cuts to programs and services available to individuals and families living in poverty. As a result, poverty rates skyrocketed.

Now, these are the effects. B.C. had the worst rate of overall poverty in Canada for 13 years. B.C. had the worst rate of child poverty in Canada for nearly a decade. Under the B.C. Liberals, this province had the highest inequality in the country. B.C. was the only province with no provincewide poverty reduction plan, and more than four in ten British Columbians were living paycheque to paycheque. That was a reality, and clearly, their approach didn’t work during the 16 years they were in power.

In fact, the situation became bad to worse under them, due to their bad choices. We have a wealthy province, and we can do better. I think the people of British Columbia want us to do better. Our government is committed to making life more affordable for everyone in this province, not just the people at the top.

We are taking real actions to reduce poverty. We have developed a poverty reduction plan called TogetherBC, with clear targets and clear timelines. As my friend said, the TogetherBC word came, actually, the very first day we came into power. That was absent for 16 years when they were in power. We set a target to reduce the overall poverty rates by 25 percent and the child poverty rate by at least 50 percent by 2024, based on 2016 data.

We have eliminated MSP premiums. This will save individuals up to $900 a year and families up to $1,800 a year. Our government is implementing the new B.C. child opportunity benefit. Starting October 1, a family with children under 18 will receive up to $1,600 for the first child, up to $2,600 for families with two children and up to $3,400 for a family with three children.

We have also launched the Childcare B.C. program to bring affordable, accessible and quality child care to B.C. families. In less than two years, the government has funded more than 10,400 new child care spaces in the province.

I’m proud to say that our government has increased assistance rates — which the other side never did — by $1,800 a year and increased earnings exemptions so that people can keep more of the money they earn.

In just two years, we have 17,000 new affordable homes either built or underway in nearly 19 communities throughout B.C.

I fully support the motion introduced by my colleague, and I hope the members on the other side will also support the motion.

D. Davies: I rise in this House today to speak on this motion that this House support the government’s actions taken to reduce economic inequality and increase affordability.

My goal, as I’m sure every member of this Legislature, is to promote exactly what is being suggested here, but this motion raises many questions. Living paycheque to paycheque is the sad reality right now for far too many British Columbians. I would not be standing in this House today if I did not truly want to see a provincial government that creates a more affordable province for everyone.

I live in a riding that represents a lot of people that used to call Newfoundland their home. One phrase that often comes to mind when someone is blown away by a comment or hears something ridiculous is: “Lord tunderin’ Jesus ‘b’y.” That is exactly what I think when I see this motion that has come out this morning.

[11:30 a.m.]

What I have seen over my last three years as the representative of Peace River North is the exact opposite of affordability. It’s been anything but. Life is less affordable than it has ever been. Even more of my constituents and British Columbians are facing the harsh reality right now of living paycheque to paycheque. Since my time in office, I have seen the cost of basic amenities go even higher as the years go on, while many of the promises to reduce poverty and to make life more affordable have completely fallen by the wayside.

Taxes are up for businesses and families. Gas prices have gone up. The carbon tax is up 35 percent in the last couple of years. Home prices are up. The cost of insurance for homes and vehicles is up. The average cost of rent is up. Infrastructure projects are drastically over budget. The debt-to-revenue ratio is up. Job losses have been on the rise for the last seven months You’re even getting taxed on your Netflix and other streaming devices. They’re reaching into your pocket deeper and deeper, taxing your Diet Coke. I mean, it’s got to stop.

The saddest thing that is going up again under this government is that British Columbians are living cheque to cheque. One-quarter of British Columbians now say their debt situation is worse than it was five years ago, up 7 percent. So 46 percent of British Columbians are living $200 away or less from insolvency, 26 percent say that they already cannot meet their monthly bills, and only 12 percent of families in urban areas like Vancouver can afford to own a home — the worst in the country.

The only things that are going down are all the wrong things. Housing starts are down. The same with our unemployment rate. The GDP growth rate — down. Small business confidence in B.C. exports — down. The provincial surplus has been squandered away until our province now sits on the verge of deficit.

How can this government expect this House to stand with any actions or promises when so many have failed to come to fruition? Where is the $400 renters rebate, the $10-a-day daycare? Broken promises, just like the portables in Surrey. Where are the promised 114,000 homes, the relief on the crippling tax rates on small business? None.

I can’t help but note the irony of the motion, because this government has actively blocked so many proposed actions intended to reduce economic inequality and poverty. When small businesses asked for a solution to the ever-rising tax rates that they’re enduring, members of this side of the House offered them one in the form of a private member’s bill, the Assessment (Split Assessment Classification) Amendment Act, 2019. These solutions were offered in time to relieve small businesses for the 2019 tax season. But it was this very same government that stonewalled the bill and offered nothing in return.

Now they have offered a solution that we’re hearing from business associations, municipal governments and stakeholders is not the solution that they need. We’re seeing the very same in addressing strata insurance corporations across the province. Stakeholders like the Condominium Home Owners Association have approached this government for a solution as insurance costs continue to go through the roof with skyrocketing increases, premiums, deductibles and monthly fees.

In fact, we just recently introduced another private member’s bill as a solution to this problem, designed in consultation with stakeholders. Has this bill been called for debate? No, it has not. Instead, we’re standing here, talking about supporting the government’s actions to relieve a crisis like this one without ever hearing what those actions are.

Finally, and most worrisome, this government has no plan to grow the economy. There is no support for forestry, oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and these are the industries that truly provide for all of us in this province. Good-paying family jobs.

While it is still my mission every day, and as an MLA in my community, to promote actions that will reduce inequality, I cannot put my faith in this government at all. British Columbians have been let down far too many times by this NDP government.

J. Rice: It’s not acceptable for a province as wealthy as ours to have half a million people living in poverty. These aren’t just numbers in a report or the numbers on my page, but we’re talking about half a million real people’s lives. Poverty has become deeply entrenched in our province, and it’s the result of having social priorities ignored and underfunded.

[11:35 a.m.]

The previous government chose to ignore the concerns of British Columbians and left people behind while giving tax cuts to their rich donor friends. Now, I have nothing against rich people, but I don’t support giving them tax breaks while the rest of British Columbians struggle to put food on their table or to pay for their prescriptions.

For years, we heard that the only way out of poverty was a job. Yet our economy has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, and we have the fastest-growing economy. There are still people living in poverty. Almost 40 percent of people living in poverty today are working, and many are working more than one job. They’re working two and three jobs. The paycheque is coming in, but they’re still not making ends meet.

Years of underfunding programs that people rely on have led to having B.C. have the second-worst poverty rate in the country. But things are improving under this new government. This government is committed to making life more affordable for everyone in this province, not just those at the top.

The 2018 Canadian income survey demonstrates that TogetherBC, which is the province’s first poverty reduction strategy, is working. Our government is choosing to invest in people. We are getting rid of mean-spirited policies that keep people trapped on social assistance and trapped in poverty, like forcing senior citizens on assistance to apply for their CPP early, something that reduces their lifetime pension benefits.

Our province is on a much better path today, a place where everyone counts. We have already taken action to rebuild our social programs, and people are seeing a difference. Over the last year, thousands of people have moved into new affordable homes and had their daycare costs reduced, their MSP premiums eliminated and their minimum wage, if they’re on minimum wage, go up.

Two local examples I’d like to provide. An elderly gentleman came into my office last year. He was so stressed because the government was not taking money out of his bank account. Now, how funny does that sound? He was so anxious, because normally his PharmaCare premiums that would come out of his account were not coming out. He actually had money in his bank account, and he was so worried that, one day, the government was going to claw that money back.

After taking some time to work out his personal situation, we discovered that he no longer had to pay PharmaCare premiums. He was ecstatic when he left my office. He was hugging my staff because he no longer had to pay. He no longer had to make the choices between prescriptions and food on his table.

Another woman in my office, Mary, was in a market rental. We sat down with her and worked with her to realize that she qualified for the SAFER program. That’s the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters. She’s now saving $200 a month — $200 a month that she can pay for food, pay for other expenses that she was going without.

Here are some recent examples of what we’re doing to tackle poverty and help make life more affordable for people from our recent budget. We eliminated the regressive MSP premiums. As of this year, individuals no longer pay MSP premiums. This will save individuals up to $900 a year and families up to $1,800 a year. These regressive flat-rate premiums have been replaced with the employer health tax, which collects more from those who earn more, who make more.

A new personal income tax rate for incomes above $220,000, effective January 1. A new top personal income tax bracket. Income exceeding $220,000 a year will now be taxed at a rate of 20.5 percent versus the previous rate of 16.8 percent. This change will affect the highest-income 1 percent of British Columbians, half of which are millionaires.

The B.C. child opportunity benefit. This budget implements the new B.C. child opportunity benefit starting October 1 of this year. This will provide a monthly tax-free payment to support nearly 300,000 families. Families with children under 18 will receive up to $1,600 for the first child, up to $2,600 for families with two children and up to $3,400 for families with three children.

[11:40 a.m.]

J. Thornthwaite: It gives me great pleasure to speak to this motion in support of recognizing that affordability and economic inequality are major issues in this province that require immediate action.

Affordability continues to be a major concern across the province, and sadly, people have seen little to no relief from this government. Right now almost half of British Columbians are $200 or less away from insolvency — up since last year. Over a quarter of British Columbians say they cannot even meet their monthly bills. Another quarter say their debt situation is worse than it was five years ago.

With statistics like this, we have to ask: what has this government done to address the crisis? Let’s look at what the government said they would do to help British Columbians get ahead. In terms of housing affordability, the government promised struggling families they would build 114,000 housing units. They also promised a $400 annual renters rebate.

Today it is clear that their goal to build 114,000 units in the span of ten years isn’t going to happen. With only 2,430 units built as of their latest report, it will take nearly a century to complete their lofty goal. People don’t have 98 years to wait for the NDP to deliver on their commitments. Housing developments are projected to drop by 22 percent this year alone. When fewer homes are built, housing becomes more expensive, and that is exactly what’s happening today.

As for the NDP’s campaign promise to introduce a renters rebate, it is nowhere to be seen in Budget 2020 — a mere campaign slogan. Instead, since the NDP took office, the average Vancouver renter is now paying over $2,000 per month. Rental affordability is not an issue exclusive to Metro Vancouver or Victoria. People across this entire province are paying more as rents skyrocket under this government.

Then there are the skyrocketing strata insurance fees. We’ve seen no relief from this government, and they’ve even ignored the bill that our side produced that just might be a start to fix it. Housing is just one of many examples illustrating the lack of affordability and economic equality experienced by people in this province.

The NDP’s employer health replacement tax has shifted the financial burden to businesses, municipalities, school districts and non-profits. People aren’t actually benefiting from this. The average restaurant owner will tell you that they are paying an extra $2,500 per month in EHT. This is causing small businesses, the job generators in this province, to lay off staff, charge more for their products or just downright close. How does this help lift people out of poverty?

Another alleged priority for this government was to put families first. Take the infamous $10-a-day daycare, for example. We can now see this is just another broken promise. By 2020, under this government, households will be paying almost $4,700 more in taxes per year. This is simply unaffordable. Every day life continues to get more expensive.

Under this government, average ICBC premiums have gone up from $1,500 to $1,900. These increases make it harder for people to stop living paycheque to paycheque. With 23 new or increased taxes, four of which were introduced in this year’s budget, money is being taken out of the pockets of hard-working British Columbians.

Despite the increase in revenue, no relief was felt by the people of this province. They are barely balancing the budget on the backs of British Columbians. Make no mistake: under this government, life continues to become less affordable. If you don’t believe me, check out Rob Shaw today in the Vancouver Sun.

This side of the House firmly believes that an economic blueprint is needed to create more opportunities for all of B.C., rather than this ineffective tax-and-spend approach this government has taken. With rents on the rise, ICBC’s rates sky-high, unemployment and job losses up, housing developments stalled and taxes increased, people are left wondering how long they will have to wait for the government’s promise of affordability to become a reality. I’m not holding my breath.

R. Singh: It gives me so much pleasure to speak to this motion today, and I’m really thankful to my colleague the member for Maple Ridge–Mission for bringing this motion. This is something very important, and this is something that I hear in my community every day.

[11:45 a.m.]

I want to tell you that when I was running for election in 2017 and I was going out in my community talking to people, the one thing that resonated at almost every doorstep that I went to was affordability. People were being left behind. People were feeling that…. They were all working people. They were earning. They were getting their paycheques, but they were living paycheque to paycheque. They were working poor. They just could not manage to afford the things that matter most to them.

This was the result of 16 years of neglect that government. The priorities of the previous government were not bringing or lifting people up. They were trying to help the people at the top, but the people at the bottom or in the middle were being left behind. This is something that we all, when we formed the government…. All my caucus members advocated for this thing, and that was affordability and making an equal and just society that we all deserve, that we all believed in.

The first thing we started…. And I am so proud of the fact. One of the first decisions that our government made after becoming the government was the elimination of the Port Mann Bridge tolls, which we did. That was the unfair toll that was put on people who were across the Fraser River — people who were living in Surrey, people who were living in Maple Ridge or people living in Abbotsford or in Mission. Those were the people who had to pay this toll. This is what we had promised them, and we fulfilled our promise.

Then another thing — I hear about this in my community every day — is elimination of the MSP premiums. British Columbia was the only province that had to pay. British Columbians had to pay this unfair tax. We started the process by making the MSP premiums…. We reduced them to half in 2019, and in 2020, starting January 1, they are fully eliminated. I can see the results of that.

I want to tell a very short story. I go and shop at my local markets. There’s a local meat market that I go to very often. The people working there, most of them, are new immigrants working at minimum wage. One of those persons who was working there came up to me when I was visiting, and he thanked me and our government for bringing this, the extra $1,800 that his family will get with this elimination.

Talking about the minimum wage, that is something that our government has also done. We know that living on the west coast…. It is one of the most expensive provinces, with housing costs which are going up — that, also, thanks to my colleagues on the opposite side, who did not do anything to curtail that. We brought the minimum wage up.

I remember when we were running for election, when the talk about the minimum wage came, I heard from the members opposite, or the people who were running for the B.C. Liberals, talking about how only students work at minimum wage. That was the thing that they were trying to spread — that it is just a very small number that are working at minimum wage. But I think they were so disengaged with the reality of British Columbians, where more than 50 percent of people getting the minimum wage are working families. That’s why it was so important.

I’m so glad about the work that our Minister of Labour has done. By 2021, we will raise the minimum wage to $15.20.

The things that came up in this budget…. I really want to commend the efforts that we’re making every day to bring people up, whether that is elimination of the interest on the….

Interjections.

R. Singh: Students loans. Thanks for that.

Also now the new B.C. access grant that we have just announced in our budget. We made a formal announcement this last Friday. I know a lot of families…. We know that education is a great equalizer, and we want the students to get that benefit. But we know that a lot of students were not able to access post-secondary education because of the barriers put on by the high tuition fees.

I know my time is almost up, but I really want to tell you that the efforts made by us to make life affordable will go a long way to create a better B.C.

[11:50 a.m.]

J. Rustad: Here’s a number to start with: a 43 percent increase in child poverty. That was the record of the NDP in the 1990s. It took a long and hard effort by the B.C. Liberals to bring that rate down to levels that were not seen since the early 1980s. That is what we did to this province by focusing on making sure that families could have a job and making sure that we had an economy that could support people.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

I want to start with another saying as well. You can’t tax your way to prosperity. That certainly seems to be the approach that this government is taking in terms of adding 23 new or increased taxes. The other piece of this, quite frankly, which is most disturbing when you look at this budget that was brought in and all the reductions across so many ministries, reductions in services and the things that are not funded…. They’re learning the hard way that eventually you run out of other people’s money.

When you look at this motion coming forward, everybody wants to see life more affordable and improved for people. But what I see from this government, particularly in my riding, is something very different.

Go to the people who have lost their jobs in the forest sector and say that you’re making their life more affordable. Go to the people who were on strike for eight months with no help and no support from this government — that had to go to those food banks to be able to live and had to have the good people step up for Loonies for Loggers to be able to have food on the table and be able to actually provide something for their children at Christmas — and tell them how you’re making life more affordable for them and how you’re improving their quality of life.

Go to the people in Chetwynd, whose forest land base has now been gutted — by this government in agreement — who are about to lose their jobs with a mill closure, and tell them how you’re making life more affordable.

In my riding, a young entrepreneur…. He’s got four trucks, hiring people for logging and gravelling and other types of other activities. He’s finding it incredibly difficult now to hire a new driver. Why? Because the changes at ICBC have dramatically increased his rates. How’s that making life more affordable for a young individual who’s now trying to go out and become a driver and get into the business when they can’t find jobs because the rates and the costs have gone up absolutely through the roof?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

J. Rustad: It is absolutely crazy that this government thinks that is somehow a way to be able to get to prosperity.

Interjection.

J. Rustad: When you look…. The member who moves this motion said that we created that. No, we didn’t create that, Member. I tell you what. These increases….

Mr. Speaker: Member. Member, you’re out of order.

The member for Nechako Lakes.

J. Rustad: Thank you, Hon. Chair. I do hope to be able to participate in this budget, but obviously, I’m hitting a nerve to the people on that side when you talk about what’s actually happening on the ground as opposed to this fairy tale that the NDP keep on pushing out there.

They talk about the reduction recently, and by 2018. None of that had anything to do with their poverty plans — nothing. Their poverty plan didn’t even come in until 2019. It all had to do with the economic foundation that was laid that helped to make those improvements in our society in British Columbia.

That speaks, I think, to the last point I really want to touch on — what’s happening with B.C.’s economy. When you look at every statistic, B.C.’s economy is going down. What is that going to do to poverty rates in this province? What is that going to do to families that are struggling, when unemployment rates start going up? And they are going up. They’ve lost jobs in this province for the last eight months, and those numbers are only going to get worse in the coming months ahead.

Is it a social safety net that’s going to help those people? It is going to be important, because there won’t be anywhere else to go. But it’s the job that helped to lift them up and helped to bring them out of poverty. It’s the job that helped to be able to provide for their families. I can tell you this: it is the job and the economy that are going to give government the ability to have taxes to help people. You can’t just keep adding taxes on and not pay attention to the very economic engine that helps to fuel the revenues that government needs to spend.

[11:55 a.m.]

This is where this government just does not get it. They don’t understand the basics, the fundamentals, of how an economy works. They don’t understand the fundamentals of how people get engaged in the economy and work and employ to be able support their families. That’s why, quite frankly, it’s disappointing to see a motion like this come forward without understanding of those basic realities.

J. Sims: It’s my pleasure today to rise and speak in support of the motion from my colleague, the member for Maple Ridge–Mission.

I’m reminded today…. As I look at this motion, which talks about how many British Columbians are living from paycheque to paycheque…. Listening to my colleagues from across the way, you would think that all happened over the last few years. They want to kind of wash their hands of what happened during 16 long years while they were in government.

I’m reminded of a quote that I’ve often used. We judge our society, or we should, by how well we look after our young, our seniors, our sick and those who cannot look after themselves. I can tell you that for 16 years, people sitting opposite failed every single one of those markers.

I start looking at what happened in education alone — all the cuts to public education when the collective agreements were stripped and vulnerable students with special needs lost the supports they needed. Four thousand teachers lost their jobs the following year. That obviously did not improve income equality or improve the poverty level for those in British Columbia.

I remember the HEU and the legislation that was targeted at health care workers. Men and women, who were working hard day and night and making a decent wage, losing those contracts, losing those conditions they had for work and going back to working at next to minimum wages. That is what increased the income inequality even further. What happened while they sat in government was that the gap between the rich and poor grew, and the income inequality got greater than it was before.

I could go on. As a teacher, I can tell you that during those years…. I wasn’t in the classroom myself. But I did hear from teacher after teacher how more and more kids were coming to school hungry. Do you know what the response from that side was? It was easier for children to go to work. So we dropped the child working age, as if that was going to increase or reduce child poverty.

I am not going to take any lessons from people on the other side when it comes to addressing income equality or addressing child poverty. There is no reason why a country like Canada should have child poverty. Not only are children poor right across the board, but I will say that in our Aboriginal communities, we have even greater issues of children living in poverty, and we have lots of work to be done.

How do we break that poverty cycle? This should really be a non-partisan issue, because we know that when we break the poverty cycle, it’s good for the economy. It saves us money in health care. It bodes each and every one of us to work together to get rid or to reduce poverty as fast as we can.

When you lift people out of poverty, everybody gains. When people can have decent-paying jobs that support their families, they pay taxes, they go out and buy goods. That’s what’s good for the economy. Keeping people…. Suppressing, which is what the other side did, the minimum wage year after year was not the way to address or break the poverty cycle.

I am proud of the steps this government has taken. One of the earlier steps we took was to look at the social assistance rates and also the rate given to people with special needs. But there was something else. We also took off all tuition for children in care.

If you really want to start addressing poverty, we should be taking a look at what we are doing in education. We now made…. Student loans are interest free.

[12:00 p.m.]

Now, with the introduction of the new grants in the 2020 budget, we are taking steps towards breaking that poverty cycle that we so need to do. But it’s not just that. It’s addressing minimum wage as well, which the Labour Minister has done. It’s not as much as we need to do. We need to do more. We do not need to have the working poor. Everyone who gets up in the morning, goes to work and puts in a hard day’s work has a right to shelter, to food and to a decent lifestyle.

B. D’Eith moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Simpson moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon.

The House adjourned at 12:01 p.m.