Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: G. Kyllo.

[10:05 a.m.]

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES
IN KOOTENAY EAST AREA AND
ANGEL FLIGHT SERVICE

T. Shypitka: As I’ve stated in this House on numerous occasions, access to health care in my riding of Kootenay East is difficult, to say the least. At one time, a simple two- to three-hour drive to Alberta has been eliminated as an option, and now costly and impractical options are to find your way over several mountain passes and 11-, 12-, 13-hour drive times, if you’re lucky.

But there is good news in this story. A service has been created that provides air transportation at no cost to patients requiring urgent care. Angel Flight East Kootenay was founded in 2019 by Brent Bidston, president and lead pilot. Together with his wife and partner, Janet Bidston, and fellow pilot, Todd Weselake, this small but mighty team of volunteers have helped over 120 patients from the East Kootenays access much-needed medical care in Kelowna since it was founded. Identifying a gap in services, Angel Flight has now grown from Kootenay East to the Nelson, Creston and Invermere areas.

Last Friday the director of the regional district of East Kootenay voted unanimously in favour to fund Angel Flight East Kootenay with a sustainable $500,000 pledge to greatly assist this game-changing not-for-profit organization. This money will greatly improve reliability and safety by purchasing a more capable aircraft, which will, hopefully, include twin engines with pressurized cabins and anti-icing capabilities. Improving reliability will give Angel Flight more options for patient transportation, including less cancellations due to volatile weather conditions and quicker delivery time.

That said, Kootenay East and other jurisdictions, like Columbia River–Revelstoke, still have a mountain to climb on getting access to health care without financial and geographical barriers. We need to do better to assure our citizens that they will not be forgotten in their greatest time of need.

I would like to thank and congratulate the team at Angel Flight East Kootenay for their accomplishments so far and their valued service.

I would also like to thank the directors of the East Kootenay regional district for their keen judgment in assisting Angel Flight and securing this now Kootenay amenity.

RESPONSE TO OVERDOSE DEATHS

A. Walker: This morning I would like to introduce to this House Stephen. As a teenager, Stephen enjoyed skateboarding and playing video games. He spent time at cadets, where he had fun, developed close friends and great memories, though as he grew older, he began experimenting with illicit drugs and eventually started to use regularly. Stephen was a good kid. As an adult, he found his passion for making jewelry, and he found stability in a supportive housing complex in Parksville. He wanted help, and he was making progress, but then the worst happened. Stephen died alone in his home. He was 33 years old. Several drugs were found in his system, including toxic levels of fentanyl.

His mother, Julia, through her grief and heartbreak, wants to be a voice for others. She wants to make sure that no other mother, father, partner or child experiences the unnecessary loss that she did. In December of last year alone, there were 154 illicit drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia, and Stephen was one of them.

I urge my colleagues to make sure that people in their communities are aware of local drug-checking services; of the Lifeguard app, where users will be automatically connected with emergency services in the event of an unexpected overdose; of the non-emergency health information available through 811, including how to access alternatives to the toxic drug supply; and, of course, recognizing your local mental health, substance use and treatment services.

We need to have open conversations about this. We need to eliminate the stigma associated with drug use, and we need to work together to save lives in all of our communities.

HOLLYBURN FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY

K. Kirkpatrick: Happy Thursday to everyone, although today marks the grim anniversary of the World Health Organization deeming the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. Our lives have changed significantly since that time, and non-profit heroes have stepped up to support those most impacted.

Over the last few months, I’ve had the great honour to get to know many more of the non-profit organizations in my riding of West Vancouver–Capilano and to see the great work that they do, supporting the North Shore residents.

[10:10 a.m.]

In mid-February, I had the pleasure of meeting with Joy Hayden and David Ayriss of the Hollyburn Family Services Society. This society’s focus is to put an end to social issues within the community, ensuring that families and children are safe from violence and receiving the tools and support required to lead a life free of violence and oppression. In 2020, the Hollyburn Family Services Society supported over 800 North Shore youth, seniors and families.

We have honoured women this week through International Women’s Day. We know that violence against women has escalated during this pandemic. I’d like to shine a light on Hollyburn’s victim support program, which has done extraordinary work supporting victims of domestic violence, sexualized assault and criminal harassment. Victim support workers are highly-trained in trauma-informed counselling.

We hear the term “trauma-informed” quite frequently, and the explanation of what it means is really quite simple. These trained counsellors approach their clients without judgment. The question is always, although not asked, “What happened to you?” rather than: “What did you do?” I don’t know that we can even begin to imagine the emotional and physical impact this kind of work happens on those who do it. Hollyburn is also a partner in the North Shore Integrated Domestic Violence Unit.

No one goes into the non-profit sector to get rich. They do the work because they know how important it is. As always, I want to remind everyone that non-profits rely on donations and supports from the communities they serve.

Thank you again to Hollyburn Family Services and its team of extraordinary staff and board.

WILLOW ROOM PROJECT FOR
WOMEN REPORTING VIOLENCE TO POLICE

K. Paddon: I recently had the opportunity to tour a unique space in our province called the Willow Room. The Willow Room was created through partnership between Ann Davis Transition Society, Wilma House, Pearl Renewal Society, Women of Stó:lō and the RCMP domestic violence unit, with the goal of ensuring that women who are reporting domestic, gender-based or sexual violence are heard, supported and not further victimized.

This space is specially designed to give women a warm, safe, supportive and non-institutional place to report to the RCMP. This 24-7 resource opened to serve our community in December 2020 with a focus on providing a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive environment for women to safely tell their stories when they are ready. Law enforcement plays a crucial role by using trauma-informed interview techniques and fostering trust.

Imagine you had to tell a stranger about the worst thing that ever happened to you — about the biggest hurt and the most devastating betrayal — in a strange place, in detail, repeatedly. Once you imagine it, you may understand why it is estimated that only about 10 percent of domestic sexual assault and gender-based violence is reported to police. You may understand that the most common reasons given for not reporting are the fear of not being believed, feelings of shame and embarrassment, lack of support or not knowing how to report.

So please know this. In Chilliwack-Kent, thanks to the hard work, partnerships and commitment of so many, you can file a report by calling the RCMP at 911 or the non-emergency line, and you can ask to make your report at the Willow Room at Ann Davis.

Please join me in thanking the Ann Davis Transition society, Wilma House, Pearl Renewal Society, Women of Stó:lō and the RCMP domestic violence unit for the initiative, the work and the partnerships that created this space for women.

ATTACKS ON WOMEN IN POLITICS

S. Furstenau: According to a 2016 study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 44 percent of female politicians report having received threats of death, rape, assault or abduction. Reflecting on International Women’s Day, these numbers are hard to bear. In the same year that the IPU study came out, British MP Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency. There have been many other prominent assassinations of female politicians.

Mexican mayor Gisela Mota, shot dead less than a day after she took office.

Somali lawmaker Saado Ali Warsame, killed in a drive-by shooting in Mogadishu.

Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh, killed at the age of 46.

Sitara Achakzai, shot dead outside her home in Af­ghan­istan.

Again in Afghanistan, Hanifa Safi, head of women’s affairs, killed by a car bomb.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated.

Aqila al-Hashimi, shot by six men near her home in Baghdad.

Galina Starovoitova, Russian democrat, attacked with a machine gun and pistol, killed instantly.

Perhaps most famously, in 1984, Indira Gandhi shot at home by members of her own security team.

[10:15 a.m.]

All of this happened before Donald Trump initiated the chant: “Lock her up.”

Consider that roughly eight in ten female politicians also indicated that they were survivors of psychological violence, hostile behaviour that causes fear or psychological harm. That’s eight in ten of us here.

I’m one of those eight. I know I’m not alone.

We do not have to feed the culture of violence towards each other, which disproportionately affects women. To achieve better outcomes, we must work across party lines to create a more welcoming environment so that women of colour, Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, cis and trans women will feel at ease in these halls that have for so long been dominated by white men.

COVID-19 RESPONSE BY
OKANAGAN SPIRITS CRAFT DISTILLERY

H. Sandhu: Today I’m rising in this House to acknowledge and appreciate one of our businesses for their contribution to our riding during the pandemic: Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, represented by Craft Distiller Guild of B.C., in Vernon and in Kelowna.

Their distilleries have played a crucial role to help flatten the COVID-19 curve by providing thousands of litres of free hand sanitizers to many health care workers, front-line workers, including homeless shelters, women’s shelters, public daycare staff, cashiers at grocery stores and in banks, postal workers and many more. This list grew over the months, and Craft Distiller Guild of B.C. and their hard-working staff selflessly kept their distillery’s operation open during the pandemic in order to help many of us and to meet the crucial demand for hand sanitizers and surface sanitizers.

By June 2020, they had also covered all family doctors’ offices from Penticton to Revelstoke, the entire Nicola-Thompson region, as well as some hospitals. They also expanded to cover north, central and south Okanagan band offices and a growing list of care homes. Businesses like Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and other distilleries in B.C. deserve all the appreciation we can provide to them.

May I please ask members of this House to join me to share our great appreciation with everyone at the Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and other distillers for their great contribution and hard work during the most difficult times.

Ministerial Statements

ANNIVERSARY OF DECLARATION
OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Hon. J. Horgan: It is with some sadness that I rise today to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaration of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. In the weeks and months that followed that announcement, all of our lives were turned upside down. To date, 85,000 British Columbians have fallen sick from COVID-19, and almost 1,400 have lost their lives.

Today British Columbia joins with provinces and the federal government across the country in flying our flag at half-staff to acknowledge the loss of life as a result of the global pandemic. So much has been asked of British Columbians over the past 12 months as we fight COVID-19. Many people have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced. Small businesses have closed their doors to help protect customers and workers. Students have had their schooling interrupted.

Others, despite the risks, have kept doing important work. Some of those are on the front lines of our health care service, child care operators, and many, many others. Some have driven trucks to keep food on our shelves. Others have kept major infrastructure projects safely operating. Everyone has pitched in to practise social distancing, to keep our hands clean, to wear masks and do whatever we can as individuals to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.

Many people have faced loneliness. All of us have faced uncertainty. This experience has changed us all. The last year has been difficult, but it has also shown the best of British Columbia.

[10:20 a.m.]

Despite the strains and stresses, people have kept looking out for each other. I remember, as many will, standing on my porch at seven o’clock banging pots to give a little bit of hope and thanks to health care workers who were going, in the most uncertain of times, with potentially inferior protective equipment, into health care units to protect and work and save those who had been afflicted by COVID-19.

The challenges have been immense, not just in the health care sector but right across our economy. Despite these strains, people have been doing the right thing. With very few exceptions, we have avoided racism and division, and the past year has seen extraordinary cooperation in this House and across the country.

Now, with vaccines on the horizon, we have new hope. Every day people across the province will continue to work to fight the pandemic to protect themselves and their communities. Every vaccination makes all of us safer.

But we are far from out of the woods. We know that. We understand that, and we’ll continue to collaborate in this House, outside of this House and in our communities right across British Columbia to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives, to acknowledge and recognize the sacrifices people have made, to do our best to do what we can about the loneliness and the uncertainty that all of us are experiencing.

I believe, and I know you will agree, that although this has been a challenging year, the best of B.C. is ahead of us. If we continue to focus with uniform purpose on keeping ourselves and our communities safe, we will get out of this, and we will be able to recognize those who lost their lives, those who have made extraordinary sacrifices all for the betterment of British Columbia.

Today is a sad day but is also a day for hope and optimism. I believe that hope and optimism will get us through the next days, the next weeks and the next months as we prepare for a better British Columbia.

S. Bond: I want to thank the Premier for his comments, and today I want to bring some remarks on behalf of the official opposition.

Today we commemorate one year since the declaration of a global pandemic, after the unprecedented spread of COVID-19. Our flag flying at half-mast is a visible symbol of the impact of the last year on our province and our world.

Words can paint a very real picture of the past 12 months: epidemic, COVID-19, pandemic, social distancing, “Wash your hands,” Zoom calls, “You’re on mute,” Room Rater, loneliness, loss, separation, kindness and compassion — month after month after month. Somehow it feels so much longer than a year.

None of us in this chamber could have imagined the heart-wrenching scenes or the moments of great inspiration that we have seen over the past 52 weeks. Since the pandemic started in our province, we’ve experienced 85,000 cases of COVID-19, over 4,500 hospitalizations and nearly 1,400 deaths, each death heartbreaking for loved ones, for communities, for British Columbians, for all of us. We share that sorrow and loss — each case impacting individuals, their families, their colleagues and those who cared for them as well.

The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives — how we live, how we work, how we connect, how we care for one another. It has been devastating. Families have lost loved ones. There have been tragic outcomes in long-term care, job loss, businesses struggling to survive and a significant toll on people’s mental well-being.

But through it all, we have seen the strength and the determination of British Columbians, especially those who have carefully followed all the guidelines and have done everything they have been asked to do and more. The resilience of British Columbians has been nothing short of remarkable. They have been innovative, creative and persistent.

[10:25 a.m.]

Every member in this House has witnessed countless acts of kindness and compassion. I know that because my family experienced them personally. I love the phrase that was shared so often during the pandemic: “And the world came together as the people stayed apart.” British Columbians did come together, and none more heroically than our front-line workers. They are grocery clerks and truck drivers, transit workers, care aides, nurses and doctors, firefighters, paramedics, teachers, police officers, child care workers. The list goes on.

They went to work so that we could stay home, and we are so grateful. Who will ever forget, as the Premier referenced, the nightly scene of people banging pots and pans on their balconies, at the end of their driveways and in the parking lots of health care facilities?

Here in the Legislature, we must also recognize the tireless efforts of Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team — also the Minister of Health and the Health Ministry team — for their non-stop efforts to deal with the pandemic.

Today we look back at a year that was like none other, and we look forward with cautious optimism and with a hope that, not long from now, we will be able to be together again with our families, in communities, and with an even greater sense of pride for this incredible place we call home and the amazing people who live here. While we may disagree about many things in this House, I know we can all agree that British Columbians came together as the people stayed apart.

We are proud, we are grateful, and we are hopeful that the kindness, care and compassion that British Columbians demonstrated will be a lasting legacy of our pandemic experience. That would make this year memorable for all the right reasons.

S. Furstenau: Thank you to the Premier and the Leader of the Official Opposition for their heartfelt and inspiring words as we mark this day of observance. A year ago today COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, and our lives were changed in ways that we could have never imagined.

Acknowledging the people we’ve lost further allows us to heal, although I know that that process, for many, is only just beginning. Being unable to gather to grieve this year is a staggeringly cruel element of this pandemic. Today I hold everyone who has passed and all who have lost loved ones in my heart.

I’d also like to acknowledge those who have survived COVID-19 but are struggling with long-term symptoms. We will strive to better protect and support you every day.

Soon, I hope, we will once again be able to gather safely, embrace, share a meal and follow the customs, religious practices and ceremonies that have guided us through tragedies for generations. It has been a horrible, horrible year. But we are finding our way through, thanks to the continued dedication and service of front-line workers: health care providers, teachers, first responders, janitorial staff, grocery store workers, those who care for our elders and children, the people who feed us, the people who ensure essential goods and services are getting to where they need to be, transit workers.

After all we’ve been through, our world will be forever changed. We have learned unequivocally that everything is interconnected, that nothing matters more than the health and well-being of the people we love and that we are all willing to make incredible sacrifices to protect people we have never met. I have a glimmer of hope that some of the changes we will carry forward will make our province and our world a kinder, healthier, more just and caring place.

Mr. Speaker: Let’s have a moment of silence in the memory of all those who have passed due to COVID-19 and to pray for the loved ones and the families.

[The House observed a moment of silence.]

Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Members.

[10:30 a.m.]

Oral Questions

COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN
APPROACH AND PRIORITIES

S. Bond: The Premier spoke eloquently in his remarks just moments ago about the arrival of vaccines in British Columbia and the hope that it brings. We certainly agree with that.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived in British Columbia, and we all know that it comes with an expiry date. British Columbians are still waiting for details about how exactly that vaccine will be used.

We have raised this question before and have asked that the Premier provide clarity on the order and the criteria for vaccinating priority groups. I know that members in this House and, certainly, members in the opposition have heard from workers, from teachers, from child care workers, from public transit workers and, of course, from first responders.

I would once again ask the Premier today — I know he’s aware that AstraZeneca comes with an expiry date — if the Premier could share with us and, specifically, with those critical front-line workers the plan for the use of AstraZeneca.

Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. It is absolutely true that the first round of AstraZeneca does have a best before date of April 2. Dr. Henry and her team and Dr. Ballem and the immunization team are looking carefully at where we can best deploy that precious resource to meet the needs of front-line workers and a whole host of others.

The member talked about a range of workers who are concerned about their place in the queue. I have to say…. I’m sure that the members in this House have received the same amount of correspondence that I have from firefighters, nurses, nurse practitioners and paramedics — the range of front-line workers. The list is long. The mail is about two and a half inches thick.

Every argument is a valid argument. Every one is carefully considered by the public health office. Dr. Henry will be deploying the resource as she best sees fit to contain outbreaks. We’ve heard, of course, and you know, that there will be a blanket immunization process underway in Prince Rupert, Port Ed and Haida Gwaii. There are examples like that across the province.

I expect further questions on this. I’ll leave it to the Minister of Health to go into more precision on how Dr. Henry plans to deploy this.

I want to assure the member, all members of the House and, indeed, all British Columbians that we are going to use what is now a precious resource, which is coming in increasing abundance, that is fundamentally important to us getting out of this. We’re going to deploy that resource as we see best fit to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s what Dr. Henry has made abundantly clear through her regular briefings, and that’s our commitment today.

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

S. Bond: I appreciate the Premier’s response. I think British Columbians and, certainly, members on this side of the House do have some very specific questions about the timelines for providing the information.

We all recognize that the pandemic…. In fact, we just talked about that in very poignant terms. We recognize the year that it has been for British Columbia and the world. The pandemic has been here for a year. We have celebrated and honoured and respected front-line workers. When we think about that group….

The Premier is accurate. There is a long list: teachers, first responders, dentists, agricultural workers, transit workers. These groups are waiting. They have been patient, resilient and hard-working. They deserve to know where they fit on the priority list. We know that it’s important. They’re critical front-line workers, and they are facing risks every single day.

With the deadline that is attached to AstraZeneca, could the Premier at least indicate the prioritization, which workers can expect to get a vaccination, and when?

Hon. J. Horgan: Again, Dr. Henry is the expert in this area. She is working with the immunization team to make sure that we don’t leave one drop of vaccine underutilized over the next number of weeks and months.

I want to pause, though, and speak a little bit more comprehensively on the context for the member’s question. We’ve all agreed and acknowledged that there is no shortage of people deserving of immediate immunization. But our challenge is not with this federal government, not even with the last federal government. Successive federal governments going back 25 years let our ability to immunize ourselves atrophy.

[10:35 a.m.]

I’m not blaming anyone when I say that. I’m just stating the facts. Our ability to do what other jurisdictions are doing has been compromised. We now acknowledge that, and thank goodness, the life sciences sector here in British Columbia is well placed to lead the renewal of that ability here in B.C.

Having said all of that, we’re dependent on offshore supplies. We saw a very disappointing drop in delivery in early February that took a little bit of the wind out of all of our sails. We were absolutely enthusiastic about the prospect of mass immunization, starting with the most vulnerable, making sure that we could target the populations that the member and I agree are critical to the well-being of our communities.

Again, with a limited supply, we’re leaving it up to Dr. Henry to give us the advice that we believe will best allow us to meet the needs of everyone. Every vaccination delivered makes us a little bit safer, whether we’re front-line workers, whether we’re elected representatives, whether we’re family members in the various component parts of our beautiful province.

I again will allow the Minister of Health, I’m sure, in subsequent questions, to get into more precision on this.

I thank the member for her question. I want to acknowledge, as she has, that we need to make sure we’re speaking with one voice coming out of this. I know the two of us will keep doing that.

COVID-19 VACCINE BOOKING SYSTEM

R. Merrifield: As mentioned, we have a limited and sporadic supply. As the AstraZeneca vaccine arrives and larger and larger numbers of British Columbians need to be booked for appointments, we only have one health authority in this province with an online system.

This is the most important public health effort in our lifetime, but this government has failed to create an online registration option despite having a year to get ready.

To the Premier, why is there no universal online booking system?

Hon. A. Dix: Thank you to the hon. member for her question.

I want to express my appreciation to the Leader of the Opposition, to the former Leader of the Opposition, the member for Vancouver-Quilchena, the Health critic, the former Health critic, the member for Kelowna–Lake Country and the leader of the Green Party for all of their questions but also their support and contribution and acts of personal generosity over the past year, which I deeply appreciate.

With respect to the booking system for COVID-19 vaccinations, as members will know, starting at noon today, we are advancing to the next group of British Columbians in our age-based effort — those born in 1936 or before, between the ages of 85 to 89. Over the last number of days, as of nine o’clock today, 41,661 people have booked their appointments.

I want to acknowledge the excellent work, in the last number of days, of Telus and of the health authorities in improving systems and responses to people such that in health authorities today there is a one-minute wait time, on average, this morning for calls that we’ve received. So all of that is good.

As you know, for the 75-to-79 category, starting with that, and then, after that, in the pandemic…. There will also be, in addition to call centres, an online platform at that time. This was part of the presentation that was made to the opposition and everyone else a week ago last Monday, and we should see that soon.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Kelowna-Mission on a supplemental.

R. Merrifield: Thanks for that answer. Based on that, we only have about 7.4 million more bookings to go.

The province of Quebec opened online registrations over two weeks ago. They registered 100,000 people on day 1.

Laurie Dahlgren is one of thousands of frustrated British Columbians. She says: “They’ve known this has been coming for a long time. They’ve had plenty of time to get ready, and it’s unacceptable…. It should be online right now…. It just doesn’t make any sense, in this day and age, that they couldn’t get with the program.”

Again to the Premier, why is there no online system now?

Hon. A. Dix: In the first phase of the pandemic, public health organized 1,390 clinics across B.C., delivering full immunizations in long-term care and assisted living, to many front-line health care workers, of course, and to many other vulnerable people, including people in rural and remote Indigenous communities.

[10:40 a.m.]

As vaccine came, that vaccine was delivered into people’s arms in an efficient way, representing, I think, an extraordinary collective effort by everybody in public health care, and that is what we’re continuing to do.

The main limitation, as the member will know and as the Premier noted, is the amount of vaccine we have. We have organized, based on very important principles. Those principles, most importantly, are to protect those who have the highest vulnerability to COVID-19 first.

That’s the reason we started with long-term care. We’ve seen the effectiveness of the vaccine in that venue, and now we’re working through, based on age, the general population. We’ll also be using the AstraZeneca resource we have received. As the Leader of the Opposition noted, 68,000 doses of AstraZeneca have now arrived. We’ll be receiving, in late April, a further 136,000 and, in late May, a further 68,000 doses of AstraZeneca.

The priority right now, as the Premier has said and as Dr. Henry has said, is dealing with outbreaks and exposures, in workplaces right now in the most high-risk industries, to COVID-19. That is happening now and will happen with the first doses of COVID-19, 41,000 of which, of the 68,000, will expire on April 2. That is the approach being taken there. Then next week we’ll be presenting the plan for the following 204,000 doses in the next two rounds.

This effort, I think — the immunization effort in B.C. — has been highly organized. We organized and delivered vaccine to long-term care before other jurisdictions, including some of the ones mentioned by the hon. member. I think the team who is leading this immunization campaign in public health is doing an exceptional job.

PANEL REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
ON PROTECTION OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS

S. Furstenau: Today marks six months since the NDP government released the old growth strategic review panel report — although, to be clear, this government has had the report nearly a year. They received it in April 2020, but chose not to share it with the public until September. The report called for a paradigm shift in our approach to forestry in British Columbia, especially our ongoing gross mismanagement of old growth.

One of the key recommendations is to immediately defer logging of the most at-risk old growth to prevent loss of rare ecosystems. The report specified that this must happen within six months. Here we are, and this government still has not taken any meaningful action to protect these forests. Instead, we are losing critical old-growth stands, as the old strategy of talk and log continues.

My question, hon. Speaker, is to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations. It has now been six months since government released this report, and many months into her tenure as minister. Where is the action that was promised to protect our most endangered old-growth forests?

Hon. K. Conroy: I thank the Leader of the Third Party for this question. It’s important to remember that for too long, there has been a divisive and patchwork approach to how old-growth forests are managed in our province. Those who are calling for a return to the status quo are putting B.C.’s majestic old growth and vital biodiversity at risk, and those who are calling for an immediate moratorium are ignoring the needs of thousands of workers and families in forest-dependent communities right across our province.

We want old-growth forests to be appreciated by people today and in the years to come. It’s also a priority for our government to support good jobs for people in B.C.’s forestry sector. That’s why our government asked the independent panel to advise us on how we can do better when it comes to protecting our old-growth forests. Our government is dedicated to implementing the recommendations to ensure new, holistic approaches to how we manage B.C.’s old-growth forests.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Third Party on a supplemental.

S. Furstenau: Let’s just go through that answer a little bit. A divisive and patchwork response is actually resulting in particularly divisive and patchwork old-growth forests that are left in this province and which are diminishing by the day. The minister talks about an immediate moratorium, which is not what the panel recommended. They recommended six months of work with a deadline for deferral, and when the minister said she asked the panel to advise, that is exactly what they’ve done.

What I pointed out in my question, hon. Speaker, is that the government has not responded to that advice that was given — and that promise that was made by the Premier during the September election campaign — that all recommendations of that panel’s report would be followed by this government.

[10:45 a.m.]

A necessary first step is the immediate interim protection across B.C. to create some breathing room and protect what we have left.

My question, again, is to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations. We can’t afford years of delay on this anymore. When will she fulfil the promise that was made to implement the old-growth panel recommendations, beginning with immediate interim protections in our high-risk, old-growth forest?

Hon. K. Conroy: I’d like to correct some inaccuracies from the member. We have taken some important first steps when it comes to taking action to protect old growth and implement the recommendations from the report.

The independent panel recommended we involve Indigenous governments and organizations within the first six months of releasing the report. We have done that and continue to engage with Indigenous governments and organizations on this.

The panel also recommended we take immediate action to protect ecosystems at very high risk. We have also done that. For example, over 170,000 hectares of old growth in the Clayoquot Sound. About 1,000 hectares of old growth in Stockdale Creek. Almost 10,000 hectares in upper Southgate River. This coastal rainforest is home to wildlife and multiple species of salmon. And that is just to name a few.

We’ve also initiated action on two other recommendations aimed at improving public information and compliance. And while we have taken these important first steps, as recommended by the panel, within six months, we know there is much more work to do. We are dedicated to continuing in this important work with government-to-government discussions with Indigenous leaders, talking to our partners in labour, industry, environmental organizations and communities.

We have taken those first initial steps. There is more to do, and we are committed to following the recommendations of the old-growth report.

BUDGET PROCESS
AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING

M. Bernier: The Premier is asking this House to approve another $13 billion without telling anyone how it will be spent, in defiance of the Financial Administration Act.

The last time we approved $1.5 billion without knowing how it would be spent, the Premier used that to craft his own election platform and then never even got that money out the door. We’ve seen nothing but a botched small business recovery grant, delayed COVID rebate program and little in the way of any accountability from this government.

How can the Premier rightly ask for another mystery fund of $13 billion when we have no idea how that money is going to be spent?

Hon. S. Robinson: Let’s be really clear. We are in a pandemic. We’ve been here for a year. Everyone here in this House has acknowledged how important it is to support people. We’ve been here in this very hybrid style of doing the people’s work and recognizing how important it is to support people. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing this entire year. I want to thank the members opposite for their collaboration.

We are still in the pandemic. We’re going to continue to support people here in British Columbia. We’re going to continue to support businesses in British Columbia because that’s what they need from their government.

M. Bernier: Let’s be clear. The last time we’ve seen this type of disregard for provincial financial rules was in the 1990s, when the NDP government presented the infamous fudge-it budget.

The Premier should know this all too well. He was working in the Ministry of Finance at that time. The now Health Minister was the principal secretary for NDP Glen Clark, Premier at the time. And this Premier’s chief of staff was also working back then in Glen Clark’s office. Seems the same players are back on the field, and history is now repeating itself.

Will the Premier admit he’s in violation of the purpose of the Financial Administration Act by asking for another $13 billion without even showing anybody how that money is going to be spent?

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, back in the ’90s, I was raising some small babies. It was a very busy time for me, so I don’t know what the member is referring to. I wasn’t here in this place.

[10:50 a.m.]

Again, I want to be very clear. We have been in a pandemic. Every one here stood in this place today acknowledging how difficult it has been for so many, the sacrifices people have made, those who have been going to work to make sure that we were healthy.

The demand on government has been to be there for people. We have been there for people. We will continue to be there for people, because that’s the kind of government we are.

T. Stone: Well, the Premier has, indeed, bungled his COVID recovery rebate. He has completely botched the small business recovery grant program. He has delayed the budget and quarterly reports, blaming that on an election which he called.

Now he doesn’t seem to care about B.C.’s budget transparency laws.

My question is this. How are we supposed to give the Premier a blank cheque for $13 billion with no budget and no spending plan?

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, the members opposite will know full well that we do interim supply every single spring. Given the state of affairs around this pandemic, it’s absolutely critical that we continue to do the work that British Columbians depend on us for, which is to be there for them, to make sure that those supports are there.

In fact, the member opposite mentioned the B.C. recovery benefit. Well, I’m very happy to rise in this House and point out that 2.3 million people have received a recovery benefit. They have received a recovery benefit. That amounts to well over $1 billion, and not only that, that’s $1 billion that’s going into the local economies.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the answer, please.

Hon. S. Robinson: I want to tell members a story about what it really means for communities around this province. I heard from someone, a friend of mine whose mother is 75 years old and was anxious about going online. She went online. She got her recovery benefit within three or four days, and then she did a Zoom call with two of her elderly friends.

They were making plans about where they were going to go in their community to spend the recovery benefit, because that money is circulating in communities. It’s making a difference for British Columbian businesses. It’s making a difference for British Columbian communities, and it is helping to take care of all of us through this pandemic.

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

T. Stone: Well, the Premier has delayed the budget. He’s delayed the quarterly reports. He’s expanded the use of special warrants. He hasn’t released the Telus contract, which we’ve been calling for all week. He hid a critical long-term-care report during the recent provincial election, and now the Premier wants to spend $13 billion without a budget and no spending plan, no details.

So my question, again, to the Premier: why is he, bit by bit, manipulating B.C.’s budget process, and why does he no longer care about B.C.’s budget transparency laws?

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, I think British Columbians know exactly how much this government cares about them. That’s why we have been delivering for them. That’s why we have recovery benefits. That’s why we have business recovery opportunities. It is why we are making sure that we have robust plans in place to get the vaccinations into people’s arms. British Columbians know very much how much their government cares about them.

M. de Jong: Well, as we’ve heard, there is another anniversary taking place this spring. It was 25 years ago that the most notorious example of budgetary manipulation and chicanery took place — the NDP fudge-it budget.

The Finance Minister says, “ancient history,” except it was the history of the Premier. It was the history of the Health Minister, the history of the Premier’s chief of staff. Hey, the band’s back together again.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the question.

M. de Jong: The Budgetary Blues Brothers are back on the road, and they’re playing the same playlist. You know, over the last three years….

Interjections.

[10:55 a.m.]

M. de Jong: You can always tell when the government is uncomfortable, can’t you, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker: Member, continue.

M. de Jong: Over the last three years, this Premier and this government have steadily dismantled the very statutory safeguards that were put in place after the fudge-it budget to guard against budgetary chicanery. And now, led by the same people that were involved in that, they are seeking spending authority for $13 billion without a single line describing what that money will be spent for.

Not only have they not provided a budget for the coming fiscal year, and here’s the really fascinating part; they have tied spending for the next three months to — get this — the budget that was presented 13 months ago, which the Premier himself acknowledged wasn’t accurate three weeks after it was presented.

How can British Columbians have any confidence whatsoever in a government that is ignoring the legal requirements of responsible budgeting and basing its spending plans on a budget that the Premier himself acknowledged was out of date days after it was presented in this House 13 months ago?

Hon. S. Robinson: Certainly, the member is trying to spin a narrative that is so far from reality that I think British Columbians should be embarrassed at the official opposition.

There is a pandemic still, hon. Member. We just spoke about that today, recognizing the sacrifices and the challenges that so many British Columbians have endured for 12 months — the sacrifices that they have made by going to work, by taking care of our children, by caring for our aging parents, by making sure there are groceries there for us when we need them.

Just as everybody else has really been challenged to accommodate this change, there have been some changes, as a result of the pandemic, here before this House. We are in an unprecedented time. There’s a tremendous amount of work that needs to go into making sure that British Columbians continue to get the supports that they need.

That’s why we’re delivering the budget on April 20, hon. Member. You will see a budget that will detail exactly how we will move forward, continuing to protect British Columbians, and build a road for economic recovery.

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

M. de Jong: What is clear and becomes increasingly more clear every day is that this government, this Premier and apparently this Finance Minister are incapable of abiding by the basic legal requirements of budgeting that, by the way, earned this province the reputation as a leader in Canada — not a leader, the leader — for transparent and responsible budgeting. Talk about fiscal sleight of hand.

I’m waiting for the minister to tell me what part of what I’m about to say is inaccurate. The Premier and the Finance Minister are actually asking the House to agree to this. They are asking the House to agree that last year’s year pre-pandemic budget will be deemed to be this year’s budget. They will deem it to be this year’s budget so that they can spend $13 billion. Now, if anything I have just said is inaccurate, the minister can stand up and rebut it.

The NDP must be the only government in the entire world using a pre-pandemic 2020 budget as the basis for spending authority over a year later, in the midst of a pandemic-plagued economy.

[11:00 a.m.]

This is my question. Why is the NDP consistently incapable of following the basic rules around responsible and transparent budgeting, and why does the Premier believe that his government should be given permission to spend $13 billion on the basis of absolutely zero in the way of description and by tying that spending to a budget that he himself acknowledged was out of date days after it was tabled 13 months ago??

Hon. S. Robinson: The member opposite mentions transparency. Well, I seem to recall that there was an ICBC document, and pages got torn out. Wasn’t that when they were on this side of the House? There’s something about that. So I don’t think that the folks over on the other side can say much about transparency.

What British Columbians need to know is that we have demonstrated our commitment as a government to be there for them. We have brought in supports; we’ve brought in services. We have been taking care of businesses and people — their health care needs. We have been there for them. We’re going to continue to be there for them. I’m very proud of what our government has done and what we’re going to keep doing.

[End of question period.]