Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Hon. A. Kang.

Introductions by Members

Hon. M. Dean: Today watching us are Jenny Fahy and Stirling Wakefield from Mayfield, in East Sussex, in England. From neighbouring Kent, the original, Russell Wakefield and his family — Ilze, Darens, Elina and Louise. I hope that the members will make very welcome my mom, two brothers and their family.

Hon. M. Rankin: I rise virtually in this House to introduce Chief Ron Sam of the Songhees First Nation and Chief Councillor Rob Thomas of Esquimalt First Nation and members of their respective nations.

The Lək̓ʷəŋin̓əŋ people are joined by members of neighbouring nations today, and they are currently en route by canoe to the Legislative Assembly. They arrive this afternoon to mark the 215th hour since the Legislature lowered its flag to half-mast in recognition of the lost children from the former Kamloops residential school.

Will the members of the House please join me in making them welcome today.

Statements

MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE

Hon. S. Robinson: I rise today to acknowledge that one of our colleagues, who has since retired from this House, MLA Diane Thorne, who used to represent Coquitlam-Maillardville…. Her husband passed away a number of weeks ago.

I would ask that the Speaker, on behalf of all of us here in the Legislature, please send our condolences.

Introductions by Members

T. Halford: Cannon Beach, Oregon, holds a special place in my heart for two reasons. One is because it was where Goonies was filmed. I don’t know if members of this House are familiar with Goonies, but yes. More importantly than that, it was the place where I married my best friend eight years ago today, Holly Unwin.

I just wanted to wish her a very happy anniversary. I’ve already done that this morning, and I will continue to do that throughout the day.

Interjections.

T. Halford: And an Elvis impersonator showed up to serenade her. Well, I’m not there, but I just wanted to wish my lovely wife a very, very happy anniversary.

[10:10 a.m.]

A. Olsen: Today I rise virtually to celebrate two birthdays, and as I get to know my colleague from Cowichan Valley, I find new and interesting ways that our lives have become intertwined with each other. As we work in this Legislature day-in and day-out, that’s one of the ways. But I think it’s important to acknowledge that my colleague is celebrating her birthday today, as is my father, Carl Olsen.

I’m not going to disclose any ages, any numbers today. We’ll just leave that to another time. I just want to say a very happy birthday to both my father, Carl, and to my friend and colleague from Cowichan Valley.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 14 — EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATORS ACT

Hon. M. Dean presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Early Childhood Educators Act.

Hon. M. Dean: I move that Bill 14 be introduced and read a first time now.

It’s my honour to introduce the Early Childhood Educators Act. The Early Childhood Educators Act is an im­portant part of our ongoing work to better support early childhood educators, and it lays the foundation for the work ahead. The act removes the regulation of ECEs and ECE assistants from the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and creates a new statute under the authority of the Minister Responsible for Child Care. By bringing these pieces together under a new stand-alone act, we’re making it clear how critical early childhood educators are to B.C. families and communities.

The new statute provides for the registration and oversight of early childhood educators and EC assistants, as well as the approval of post-secondary ECE programs through a public registry. This will help improve public confidence, because child care providers and parents can trust that the early childhood educators registered with the ECE registry meet a high-quality standard.

The act will help to reduce barriers to certifications for ECEs. The statute also gives the registrar authority to issue temporary certificates so internationally trained ECEs can work in their profession while getting certified here in B.C.

As we enter the fourth year of our ten-year child care plan, now is the time to make sure that the workforce be­hind the workforce and the heart of child care, B.C.’s early childhood educators, are well supported. The Early Childhood Educators Act is an important step in the right direction and will help ensure the profession continues to grow for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker: Members, the question is the first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

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

Bill 14, Early Childhood Educators Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

BILL 15 — EARLY LEARNING AND
CHILD CARE ACT

Hon. M. Dean presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Early Learning and Child Care Act.

Hon. M. Dean: I move that Bill 15 be introduced and read a first time now.

It’s my honour to introduce the Early Learning and Child Care Act. The Early Learning and Child Care Act has been a long time coming and is an important step towards our goal of making inclusive, universal child care a reality in British Columbia. The new act combines and streamlines the existing Child Care B.C. Act and the Child Care Subsidy Act.

[10:15 a.m.]

The ELCC Act authorizes the use of child care grants to improve the inclusiveness of child care and support Indigenous-led child care. The act will also require the Minister of Children and Family Development to produce an annual report on the actions the province has taken to support inclusive, affordable, accessible, quality, universal child care; support the connection between child care and K-to-12 education and provide a smooth transition between the two; and collaborate with Indigenous Peoples on child care matters.

This coordinated cross-government reporting approach will help increase transparency and identify government’s actions towards implementing an inclusive universal child care system. The act will establish the authority for the ministry to enact new regulations in the future, including the ability to set limits on parent fees for child care to help keep costs down for families.

While there’s more to do, the act will move British Columbia further along the path to inclusive universal child care, which will make a huge difference to B.C. families, our communities and our economy.

Mr. Speaker: Members, you heard the motion.

Motion approved.

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

Bill 15, Early Learning and Child Care Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

BILL M203 — EQUAL PAY
REPORTING ACT

S. Cadieux presented a bill intituled Equal Pay Reporting Act.

S. Cadieux: Our world has changed significantly over the past year. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for equal pay legislation. After waiting for government to act, I once again rise, for the fourth time, to take action and bring equal pay legislation to debate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the deep inequities within our system, and reminds us that until the gender pay gap is closed, true equity in our economy and our communities can’t be achieved. Monthly labour force survey results continue to demonstrate that women — and in particular, young women — have been more adversely impacted by pandemic job losses. That’s in addition to British Columbia recording the worst gender pay gap in Canada, at 18.6 percent.

It’s essential for them and all women in our province that we look forward to building a better, more equal economy for the future. We must act to ensure that the inequities of the past don’t continue.

The bill introduced today would require businesses of a prescribed size to report out on the pay gap they have between male and female employees — a change to previous versions of the bill, as government has refused to call previous versions on disagreement with the threshold at which businesses would become subject to the act. Today’s legislation leaves the threshold to be set by regulation, so I look forward to government calling the bill for debate.

Let’s finally get serious about working together on gender equity. There is ample time to get this legislation passed this legislative session. Let’s work together to get it done.

Mr. Speaker: Members, you heard the motion.

Motion approved.

S. Cadieux: I move the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Bill M203, Equal Pay Reporting Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

OCEAN PROTECTION
AND ROLE IN ECONOMY

J. Sturdy: Today marks the United Nations World Oceans Day. In a coastal province like British Columbia, we have a great deal to appreciate. Yet at the same time, we need to address some of the greatest threats against our ocean’s health.

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the planet, and we depend on it to produce at least 50 percent of the planet’s oxygen. As you may also understand, it’s a main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. We also depend on the ocean for our global economy, and the United Nations estimates that 40 million people will be employed in ocean-based industries by 2030.

However, with 90 percent of the big fish populations depleted and 50 percent of the coral reefs on their way to destruction, we are clearly not on a sustainable path. “The ocean: life and livelihoods” is the theme for World Oceans Day in 2021.

[10:20 a.m.]

While the coastline of British Columbia stretches 954 kilometres from the tip of southern Vancouver Island to the community of Stewart, it actually totals more than 25,000 kilometres when all of the island coastlines are included.

People work and live all over this coast, and we must acknowledge its importance as a significant part of our provincial economy. Our ocean-based industries account for $17 billion worth of economic activity annually and employ 170,000 British Columbians in coastal communities stretching from the Salish Sea right up to the Alaskan border. In 2019, total sales of primary seafood production in British Columbia amounted to $1.1 billion. But sustainability is the key, and given the size of the problem, it is complex.

Among other concerns, the future health of our oceans will be dependent on our global collective efforts to effectively manage onshore and offshore fisheries, prevent the introduction of plastics into the ocean environment and have a credible carbon plan. We must add our voice in support of United Nations sustainable objective 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources by 2030.

A big task, but it can be done.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF FILIPINO CANADIANS

N. Sharma: June is Filipino Heritage Month. It’s a time for us to celebrate one of the fastest-growing populations in our country. Within the last five years, the Philippines remains one of the top five sources of immigrants to my riding of Vancouver-Hastings, and I’m so proud to be their MLA and represent them.

Filipino Canadians are a prominent force in our pro­vince in cultural, social, artistic, economic and volunteer contributions to every part of our society. During this pandemic, we’ve seen their significant contributions to every sector, including child care and health care sectors, where many have been on the front lines keeping people safe and healthy. I want to thank all those front-line workers for all they have done to help us through this pandemic. Filipino Canadians continue to drive change as leaders in business, technology and advocacy work across the city, and our communities are enriched by their presence.

Unfortunately, Filipino Canadians have been on the receiving end of senseless acts of hate crimes that are on the rise in this city. In August 2020, a 61-year-old named MaryLou was shoved against her car outside a Vancouver supermarket by a stranger. Even more recently, in May of this year, a Filipino man was assaulted by a stranger who followed him off a bus. The perpetrator cut his eyebrow and destroyed his cell phone.

We must all stand in solidarity against these crimes. Nobody should feel unwelcome or unheard in B.C. or fear the threat of violence because of who they are.

This month and every month we look forward to connecting with and celebrating the Filipino community of Vancouver-Hastings and honouring them for all that they bring to our neighbourhood.

RESPONSE BY ROB AMSING
TO HOUSE FIRE IN CRANBROOK

T. Shypitka: June 7, 2019, started as an average late spring day in Cranbrook, B.C., but it wouldn’t end this way.

Rob Amsing was outside cutting a lawn when he smelled what he thought was garbage. When he looked down the block, he could see what appeared to be a house that was on fire. Indeed, the house at 325 5th Avenue and the home of Scott and Jerri-Pat Smith — which they occupied with Scott’s father, Gene, and their granddaughter Mariah — was going up in flames.

Rob ran toward the smoke and went to the front door to see if anyone was inside. Rob could see a dog barking through the smoke and kicked open the front door to retrieve the dog. Once inside, Rob found a confused and disorientated Gene Smith, approximately 85 years old at the time and not aware that the house was on fire and not willing to leave. At that point, Rob was forced to take Gene out of the house. But in the meantime, the frightened dog ran back into the burning home.

Rob then made a second selfless decision to go back into the house and round up the dog and bring him out, but this time, the fire was very, very intense. Rob then made a third brave decision. He entered again to check and see if anyone else was in the home. By this time, flames were shooting across the ceiling. He later said that it was like a scene out of the movie Backdraft.

Finding no one else, he exited just in time, as there was a propane gas explosion on the back deck of the home, and the main floor of the house was levelled within minutes. Many valuables were lost that day, but if Rob Amsing had not forced his way into the home when he did, the unthinkable loss of a beloved family member and a family pet would surely have happened.

[10:25 a.m.]

It should be noted that if not for the fearless efforts of the Cranbrook Professional Fire Fighters Local 1253, the fire would’ve surely gone a lot further down the block, due to the fire’s intense heat and the very high winds that day.

Rob Amsing is a hero. Our community is grateful, and I am proud he is a constituent of Kootenay East.

CHILLIWACK VEDDER RIVER
CLEANUP SOCIETY

K. Paddon: It’s that time again, where I get to share just a little piece of the reason that I love my home of Chilliwack-Kent. Today I want to introduce you all to the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society.

The society was started by local anglers in 2002 to protect and care for the waterways we love so much. The society is entirely volunteer and engages in a range of activities, including adopt a river and two large-scale annual cleanups every year — in April on Earth Day and in September for B.C. Rivers Day.

I spoke with Nikki Rekman, the president of Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society, and she shared about the endless energy of the volunteers, specifically mentioning Ross Aikenhead, a director and a “relentless volunteer.” She also described partnerships throughout the community, with the city of Chilliwack, the Fraser Valley re­gional district, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and B.C. conservation officers, and a very valued friendship with Scott Verschuur, of Valley Waste and Recycling, who supports the important work by providing free bins and pickups.

What can the incredible anglers, volunteers and partners of our community accomplish when they combine their passion, energy and environmental stewardship? Well, since 2002, over 6,000 volunteers have given almost 27,000 hours of effort and have cleaned up over 129 metric tonnes of garbage from the Chilliwack River Valley and Vedder River riparian areas.

That’s a lot of garbage, most of which is the result of illegal dumping or irresponsible recreating. That brings me to the message they wanted to share. Please recreate responsibly. Take with you what you brought.

Would the House please join me on this World Oceans Day, which is perfect, to thank the incredible volunteers of the Chilliwack Vedder River Cleanup Society and all volunteers across British Columbia who care for our im­portant waterways.

PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION

I. Paton: Whether it’s the smell of mini-doughnuts, the sight of superdogs flying through an obstacle course or the unmistakable sound of the wooden roller coaster, Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition holds a special place in the hearts of most British Columbians.

It’s no different for me and my family. My grandfather John Paton began showing cattle and horses at the PNE in the 1930s, and I even have one of his first-place ribbons from 1938 on my lapel. My dad, Ian Paton Sr., also showed cattle at the PNE and was livestock superintendent of the PNE in the 1950s.

For many years, my brother Dave was the official livestock veterinarian at the PNE. As for me, I showed cattle at the PNE in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s through the 4-H program and beyond. I have also been a member of the PNE agriculture advisory committee where have I served for more than 30 years. I’m talking a lot about agriculture because while the PNE includes thrilling rides, midway games and tasty treats, it’s also a huge agriculture attraction each year for city dwellers and a highlight of the year for 4-H kids travelling to the big city from all parts of B.C. to participate in the PNE 4-H Week.

I’ve also had the opportunity for 35 years to serve as the auctioneer at the annual PNE 4-H auction. It’s a chance for city folks to see just how well farm animals are cared for and observe a livestock auction up close. Additionally, the 15-day summer fair typically attracts thousands of guests for its shows, exhibits, sporting events, amusement rides and concerts.

However, the fair was forced to cancel last year, which really hurt its bottom line and meant thousands of jobs lost, as the fair is B.C.’s largest employer for young people. The cancellation was a huge blow to the PNE, whose future remains in jeopardy after a year of financial loss. The 111-year-old exhibition is likely to lose nearly $15 million due to closures over the past year and is in desperate need of $8 million in financial aid to avoid shutting down.

The province must step up and save this iconic B.C. anchor attraction.

[10:30 a.m.]

RESPONSE TO COVID-19 BY
ADAM TURPIN AND SUSAN WALTER

F. Donnelly: I’m pleased to rise virtually today to recognize two residents of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain who are carrying out commendable activities to raise the spirits of their neighbours during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Adam Turpin has faithfully continued to sing his nightly rendition of O Canada in front of his home at 7 p.m. for the past 425 evenings in a row to honour front-line and health care workers for their efforts during this pandemic.

I joined Adam a few weeks ago to congratulate him on his 400th performance. Adam is a music teacher and professional singer. He says it brings him great joy to acknowledge front-line workers as he wants them to know their work is much appreciated. He also brings cheer to his neighbours and other visitors who enjoy his bass-baritone version of our national anthem.

Early in the pandemic, Susan Walter, another constituent of mine, thought she would be a good neighbour while making use of scraps of cloth she had accumulated over time. She started sewing face masks and has now given away over 1,400 of them, while collecting several thousand dollars in donations to support the work of her two favourite charities. Susan says her fingers are still limber after all the sewing, and the thrill she feels whenever someone stops at the wooden box in front of her house to pick up a mask or two has not diminished.

Members, I’m sure you all know someone like Adam or Susan in your ridings — unsung heroes. Please join me in acknowledging Adam Turpin and Susan Walter, two generous, community-minded individuals who are deeply committed to spreading warmth and happiness during these stressful COVID times.

Oral Questions

CHILD CARE PLAN

K. Kirkpatrick: We know women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Unemployment for young women is 11 percent higher. Women have dealt with the stress of juggling work and child care needs.

Four years ago, this Premier promised to: “Bring in $10-​a-day child care.” But he has failed miserably to do so. Instead of actual assistance today, parents get bungled and multiple misleading government news releases.

Can the Premier confirm that only 6,000 child care spaces have been opened to date by this second-term government?

Hon. K. Chen: For many, many years, British Columbian families have been struggling with a lack of affordable, high-quality early learning and child care opportunities. When we became government in 2017, we were faced with child care chaos and crisis, with the former B.C. Liberal government’s actions that caused families to struggle for many, many years.

We’ve started that journey to build and bring in a universal, high-quality, inclusive early learning and care system with over three dozen strategies, including the fastest space creation ever in B.C.’s history. To put that in perspective, we have created and supported the creation of spaces twice more than the former B.C. Liberal government has created in 16 long years.

Mr. Speaker: The member for West Vancouver–Capi­lano, supplemental.

K. Kirkpatrick: Well, interestingly enough, between 2005 and 2017, the B.C. Liberals created 39,959 spaces, which is, on average, 3,030 spaces per year. Let’s hope that the Premier’s NDP math isn’t being taught to our children.

In estimates, the minister was clear: “6,000 spaces have been opened.” The Premier told every family in British Columbia they would get $10-a-day child care. He has failed to deliver.

Will the Premier commit to stop with the talk, stop ma­king even more promises and announcements and actually deliver on the ones he’s already made to parents?

[10:35 a.m.]

Hon. K. Chen: The member opposite can throw out any information they want, but that’s incorrect. We have been accelerating the creation of spaces…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, come to order.

Hon. K. Chen: …and created twice more of the spaces in three years than the former B.C. Liberal government has created in 16 years together. We have been bringing affordability to tens of thousands of families.

Ninety percent of providers in this province are joining our fee reduction program to bring down the cost of child care up to $350 a month. When the former government actually took away child care subsidy from B.C. families, that caused families to face fee increases of $100, $200 per month. We are bringing $10-a-day and affordable child care to tens of thousands of families in British Columbia.

We are proud of the work that we do when the other side of the House voted against our Childcare B.C. plan every step of the way.

J. Tegart: We have a quote from the minister from est­imates last week: “About 6,000 spaces have been opened.” So which information is true?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. One member at a time.

J. Tegart: Is it the estimates, or is it the minister’s statements today, talking about throwing out numbers.

It happens all too frequently. The Premier makes a big promise, then botches it and hopes people forget. People like advocate Sharon Gregson haven’t forgotten: “It is not okay for the B.C. government to put forward a minuscule commitment compared to what they promised.”

Two elections in a row, Minister, the Premier made the promise of $10-a-day child care, and then he bungled it.

Can the Premier tell us why he has chosen to break his promise to parents not once but twice?

Hon. K. Chen: We need to remember where we came from. The former B.C. Liberal government has left a chaotic system that we have been trying to fix since 2017.

I am going to share this with the opposite member, that they need to face the reality, that it is since we became government, every single week, there are new child care spaces being created and being supporting families across B.C. communities. This is what a single parent, Sarah, has to say. If the opposite member doesn’t want to hear what parents are saying, then why are you asking the question, when you neglected the child care crisis for 16 years? Through the Chair, sorry.

This is what Sarah, a single parent, has to say: “The new affordable child care benefit has been tremendous help to my family. As a single mom, this financial support has been instrumental in giving me the opportunity to go back to school to retrain for a new profession.”

That was not available when the other side of the House were in government. We have been bringing down the cost of child care to tens of thousands of families. We are creating new child care spaces across B.C. communities every single week. We are supporting early childhood educators with the wage enhancement. This year, September, early childhood educators will get a $4 an hour wage enhancement, when the other side of the House — when they were in government — they took wage top-ups from early childhood educators.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Who’s asking a question, please? Can we have one member asking a question, or everybody wants to ask questions?

J. Tegart: Well, to the minister, the numbers you are throwing out — a child care space every week is 52 spaces. Last week it was, in estimates, about 6,000 spaces have been opened, and that’s a direct quote from the minister. So what is it, minister?

Despite the Premier’s clear promise four years ago, the minister confirmed in estimates that there is no plan in place for universal $10-a-day child care: “Different funding models are definitely being taken into consideration.”

This Premier has gone from universal $10-a-day daycare to prototype sites to some alternative plan. Can the Premier tell us exactly what this alternative funding plan is?

Hon. K. Chen: I really want to take this opportunity to thank all the child care providers, early childhood educators, advocates who have been working with us, together, to make sure we can create an early learning and care system for B.C. families.

[10:40 a.m.]

We need to learn how to bring down the cost of child care. The other side of the House, when they were in government, ignored the crisis. We have a fee reduction program that’s bringing down the cost of child care up to $350 a month, with 90 percent of providers joining this program.

We also have the affordable child care benefit….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Minister, continue.

Hon. K. Chen: We also have the affordable child care benefit. That brings $10-a-day child care to tens of thousands of families along with the prototype site. So many families have benefited from our program, and we have the space creation that’s the fastest in B.C.’s history.

If the members opposite want to hear what the community is saying, this is a quote from the city of Prince George. Chris Bone, the city of Prince George social planner manager, is saying: “At the time when the former Liberal government…. There wasn’t enough money av­ailable to help create spaces that were required for child care. But the environment is very different in 2019, because, thankfully, we now know there is funding available to help create the spaces.”

And those are the actions our government has been taking, when you ignored the crisis for 16 years.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, you’re wasting your precious time.

Leader of the Third Party.

COVID-19 REOPENING AND
ROLE OF VACCINE PLAN AND VARIANTS

S. Furstenau: As low case numbers hold steady and more British Columbians get their first dose of the COVID vaccine, it has been a sigh of relief after almost a year and a half of severe stress. We have a lot of reasons to be cautiously optimistic.

Yet once again, we can see trends elsewhere. In the U.K., due to the delta variant, the seven-day rolling average of cases has doubled from 2,400 on May 28 to 5,000 on June 7. Yesterday, Dr. Gustafson said that the delta variant of COVID-19 is still relatively uncommon, with just over 500 cases identified in B.C.

In the Peel region of Ontario, however, they are just a couple of weeks away before the variant takes hold, ac­cording to their medical officer of health, Dr. Loh. In Nova Scotia, chief medical officer Dr. Strang says while the province is “at the tail end of the third wave, the delta variant, first identified in India, is something to be concerned about.”

The emerging information, Dr. Strang says about the delta variant: “…shows it is more easily transmitted and not as well protected against by one dose of the vaccine. This is further evidence to how we need to remain cautious until the majority of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated.” In a few short weeks, Canada-wide travel may be on the table, including to regions with high transmission of the delta variant.

My question is to the Minister of Health. How is his government managing the risk that the delta variant poses to the many British Columbians with only one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Hon. A. Dix: Thank you to the member for her question. What, I think, the evidence suggests is that we have to continue to pursue our immunization campaign with the kind of speed we’ve been engaged in, in the last month. For example, last week — 380,000 new doses administered in our province, significantly more. As of the end of the week, 98 percent of the Pfizer vaccine that we had received from the federal government was in people’s arms, which I think is an extraordinary achievement.

It’s also the reason why we have taken a step-by-step plan to limiting or easing restrictions in British Columbia, such that the step 2 will not occur before June 15, and the step 3, under any circumstances, won’t occur before July 1. A step-by-step, prudent approach.

In addition — and this is a concern, as the member suggests, with other jurisdictions that may have lower levels, ultimately, of immunization, such as some areas of the United States and less testing for variants of concern, less whole genome sequencing than is done in British Columbia — the best way, as Dr. Gustafson said yesterday, for us to prevent against these variants is to continue with first-dose and second-dose immunization.

[10:45 a.m.]

That’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to take a step-by-step approach to the easing of restrictions, considering every day the circumstances on hospitalizations, on critical care, on cases and on vaccination.

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

COVID-19 REOPENING
AND USE OF RAPID TESTING

S. Furstenau: Thank you to the minister for the res­ponse. Yes, vaccinations and the immunization program, as we can see, are moving us in the right direction. How­ever, the emerging variants of concern remain a problem in many places in Canada and the world.

One thing that British Columbia hasn’t done that other places have done is to lean into rapid testing. Yesterday in Nova Scotia, the Halifax news reported that the government in Nova Scotia is going to expand rapid testing. Again, this is a quote from the newspaper: “We’ve been working with employers and the federal government to pilot a workplace testing program across the province,” said the chief medical officer of health. “Almost 50 employers, as well as the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, have signed on. Dr. Strang says these employers will get free rapid point-of-care tests, as well as training and support to help them set up testing programs in their workplaces.”

As they went through the recent third wave, Nova Scotia has determined that they discovered 10 percent of asymptomatic cases of COVID through their use of rapid testing in that province.

My question is to the Minister of Health. We’ve learned a lot in the last 16 months about COVID-19. We’ve been able to look at other jurisdictions and how they’ve responded and what has been successful and not. As we enter into this phase of the pandemic, where we hope to see the cases reduced, will we be more assertively going for an elimination strategy that uses rapid testing in order to keep our cases low?

Hon. A. Dix: One thing that has worked in British Columbia — and we’ve seen it as other jurisdictions have reviewed what has happened, especially with respect to testing…. What we have done in British Columbia is have our provincial health officer and our medical health officers lead on the question of testing — to use the gold standard PCR testing principally and to incrementally use more rapid testing, which is what we’re doing right now.

We will continue to follow that advice from experts who are putting the resources and the means in the hands of experts to deal and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in British Columbia. I think that is and continues to be the right course.

Of course, the government and public health does not always get it right, but we have continued to adapt and put the resources in the hands of those that can make the best decisions for all of us. We’re going to continue to do that. There will be, and there will continue to be, as the technology improves, greater and greater use of rapid testing in British Columbia, as there are in other jurisdictions.

The decisions around what we should do in that regard will be led by public health, as they have been from the beginning of this pandemic.

GENDER WAGE GAP
AND PAY EQUITY LEGISLATION

S. Cadieux: B.C. has the dubious distinction of having the worst gender pay gap in Canada. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and this government’s failing child care promises, things aren’t looking a lot better.

The Premier could start by keeping his snap election promise to pass pay equity legislation, which has been introduced four times now by the official opposition.

Will the Premier keep his promise to voters on pay equity?

Hon. S. Robinson: I’m really pleased to get up on my feet and talk about equity. We just heard from the Minister of State for Child Care, who talked about a significant child care plan finally organizing for the lives of women, when so many of us have suffered and struggled to find child care, and we finally have a plan in place here.

That is the biggest social program we can do for equity for women in this province.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey South, supplemental.

S. Cadieux: Well, it’s disappointing that the minister is completely missing the point. This isn’t about child care. It isn’t about minimum wage. It’s about pay equity.

When I first proposed pay equity legislation, the Premier called it a “political stunt.” With the pandemic having delivered a crushing blow to gender equity, the Premier is still missing in action.

How much longer will it take the Premier…? Or will the Premier make women wait on pay equity? It’s a simple question.

[10:50 a.m.]

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, women are often the servers in the restaurant industry. I’m sure the member is well aware of that. I’m sure that there are many of us who have had that role.

We got rid of the server wage. If I recall, the other folks on the other side of the House thought that was perfectly acceptable. We’ve done more for women than the people on the other side of the House have ever done.

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
SERVICES FOR WOMEN

T. Halford: We know we’re in a crisis when it comes to addictions and mental health, and we know that the plan laid out by this government is simply not working. A report from the B.C. Women’s Health Foundation shows that over 40 percent of women in British Columbia don’t have access to the mental health they need during this pandemic — more than 40 percent. This government is failing women who need assistance.

My question to the Premier is a simple one. Will he pro­vide women with the help they need not based on their ability to pay but solely based on their need for treatment?

Hon. S. Malcolmson: At the foundation of our government’s work through this ministry — the first time that a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions has been established in Canada — is to build that system of care that did not exist when we formed government. We’ve been working hard every day to build up that continuum of care so that people can access both mental health and addiction services when and where they need it.

There is more to do, there is no doubt. But the progress that we have been able to make already, I imagine that the member opposite would be in support of. We’ve just put a historic half a billion dollars for mental health and addictions service, so that people can get care when and where they need it, into this year’s budget. There’s never been such a new infusion of investment in the province’s history.

I would imagine that the member would support the 100 new adult treatment beds that we’ve added this year already and our budget commitment to do another almost 200; our expansion — particularly during COVID, which has made everything worse, from the addictions crisis to mental health — for us to stand up new counselling grants; for us to put $25 million into the system in quick order, with the support from across the aisle, to stand up community counselling grants. Particularly focused on women are our new investments in eating disorders in every single health authority and working with non-profits on the front line.

There is more to do, but absolutely, we are working hard every day to build that system up despite the setback that the pandemic has posed.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey–White Rock on a supplemental.

T. Halford: Given this minister’s past performance in last week’s estimates, I was hopeful, optimistic, that she would not continue to politicize — incorrectly, I might add — such an important file such as mental health and addictions. But she continues to amaze.

What I will point out from the study: two-thirds of women that are essential workers are experiencing worry, anxiety or stress, and two in five are experiencing depression. And 63 percent of younger women reported feeling worry, anxiety or stress. Indigenous women and those from a minority community were more inclined to rate their emotional health poorly.

Again to the Premier, will he do the right thing and ensure the services are provided and that no one has to choose between feeding their families, paying their rent or getting the support they desperately need?

Hon. S. Malcolmson: In every way, despite the setback of the pandemic and the huge surge of stress that people are under…. Everybody’s mental health is worse. The toxic illicit drug supply is more poisonous. More people are dying every day. It is a tragedy, and one that we have tried to stand up new resources every day in order to meet.

But keep in mind, while fighting two public health em­ergencies, we’ve been building up a system of care: ex­panding Foundry; enhancing suicide prevention in post-secondary institutions; standing up 24-7 access to counselling — no-cost and low-cost counselling across the province, virtual counselling available in every region; 80 new seats to train new mental health workers.

[10:55 a.m.]

In every aspect of the health care system, we are building in new supports for people. There is more to do, no doubt. But if the member is going to make comments about my performance in estimates last week, for him to spend three days with the minister and not ask a single question about Pathway to Hope, not a single question about the service plan that we’re required to file associated with the budget…. If he wanted to ask questions about the system of care that we’re building up, he had three days to do it and failed to.

D. Davies: The minister keeps talking around the issues, which isn’t what women and those suffering with mental health issues need right now. They need the minister to listen and to act.

More than 40 percent of women reported not having access to the mental health supports that they need. Getting help requires a referral from a doctor, which can take months, or private counselling, which isn’t covered by the province.

Will the Premier commit to actually investing…?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Let’s listen to the question, please.

D. Davies: Will the Premier commit to actually investing in a seamless mental health and addictions system that ensures people get the help that they need when they need it?

Hon. S. Malcolmson: That is exactly the system that we are working hard every day to build, one that did not exist before, one that we are investing in, in unprecedented ways through our budget.

Here are some of the tools that we’ve already added to the mental health, addictions and health care system that, despite the setback that the pandemic has posed, are already creating more access for people, regardless of their pocketbook.

We are embedding mental health care services in a team-based approach across the province, to have already opened at 23 new urgent primary care centres. That is same-day access.

We have opened B.C.’s first mental health and addictions substance use urgent response in Surrey, opened the 75-bed new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre at Royal Columbian last August, provided $15 million to 49 community organizations to provide no-cost and low-cost counselling and $2.4 million to 20 other organizations to expand counselling virtually and in person.

We’re helping to train 100 South Asian youth ambassadors to be able to help get the word out to people and remove the stigma about asking for help. We’ve expanded Foundry Virtual and now funded a new Foundry app so people can engage in an online system — again, no cost — built for and by young people.

The list goes on. There is so much more for us to do, but in every way, there is more support available for people who are in need. We urge anybody who’s struggling under the mental health impacts of COVID to ask for the help that they need, and we will get that to them.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Peace River North on a supplemental.

D. Davies: The results, though, aren’t there for everyone to see. The minister continues to speak off of her stale speaking notes, day after day, with no end in sight, and the crisis continues to worsen.

The reality is, particularly women…. They are not getting the help that they need. Racialized women face even more challenges.

Interjections.

D. Davies: And I will.

Michaella Shannon…

Interjections.

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

D. Davies: …with the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour says: “For a racialized person….”

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Members will come to order. Members. Both sides.

D. Davies: I’ll read a quote, again, from Michaella Shannon with the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour. She says: “For a racialized person to be able to speak to a therapist from a racialized background, someone who understands the negative and traumatic effects of racism from their own personal experience, makes a massive positive impact in the success of their treatment.”

The Premier’s in charge. His budget is bigger than the Mental Health and Addictions budget. Will he take leadership, break down the barriers and get these women the help that they need?

[11:00 a.m.]

Hon. S. Malcolmson: Anybody that is struggling with mental health challenges — lots of people are — and addictions, as well, please go to our website. At gov.bc.ca/covid19mentalhealthsupports, you’ll see a whole list of translated services…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members on the opposition bench, please come to order.

The minister will continue.

Hon. S. Malcolmson: …that are being stood up by fantastic community organizations — multiple languages.

Please. We want people to reach out. If the member has got a particular constituent that he wants me to talk with, I’m very happy to learn more.

I’ll also note that $2.7 billion is spent every year on mental health and addictions, I’m sure the member would be glad to know — not inside a new ministry but integrated across government, through the Health Ministry, through Education, through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. That’s the way we’re going to tackle this terrible mental health and addictions crisis.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON WOMEN’S ISSUES

P. Milobar: Well, let’s be clear. This is a minister that’s a minister on paper only. By the answers in estimates last week, it made it very clear that every other minister is actually responsible for approving funding and programming or not. It seems that day in, day out in this House, when we bring forward questions….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, come to order, please.

Opposition House Leader, continue.

P. Milobar: It seems every day in this House when we bring forward questions and concerns from our constituents and people across this province, this government gets very, very amazed that we would have the audacity to remind them of their own promises and their own commitments, and refuses to actually acknowledge or answer based on those.

Today we asked very simple questions, straightforward questions, about their twice-promised $10-a-day universal child care. We asked the minister about her own statements in estimates, only a week ago, that only 6,000 spaces were created under this government’s watch. Instead, this minister has the audacity to stand in this House today and try to give a completely different answer.

We ask questions and try to get a bill called on pay equity that this government has promised, in elections, to bring forward. If they don’t want to debate our bill, where is the government’s bill after 4½ years, after two elections? Instead, the Minister of Finance gives a very dismissive question that ranges around everything and anything to do but pay equity. Then we get into mental health supports for women, who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Again, the Premier is in charge of all of this. The Premier has made promises, in two elections, on all of this. When will the Premier start to deliver even one of these things?

The Premier has also said that he’s all in favour of a good idea, no matter what side of the House it comes from. When is the Premier going to live up to even one of his commitments in this House? When is the Premier, at a minimum, going to start bringing forward the supports that the women that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID desperately need for their mental health supports, moving forward?

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, I find it very interesting that on the other side of the House, the members opposite suddenly have a new-found interest in women.

I recall when they were in government, they actually eliminated the Women’s Ministry. They eliminated it — gone, just gone. They did nothing to advance pay equity when they were in government. They absolutely ignored the rising costs of child care. They even brought in legislation, in 2002, that led to the largest layoff of women in this province’s history. These were racialized women.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. S. Robinson: They slashed legal aid services. That affected women so significantly. They even deducted child care support payments for women on disability. They refused to protect jobs of people fleeing domestic violence, and of course, they refused to increase the minimum wage. Now, there is a lot of work for us to do to make up for last time.

[11:05 a.m.]

We have a significant investment in child care, the big­gest investment in child care in B.C.’s history, that is actively going on — thousands and thousands of spaces. We’re building housing for women fleeing violence — again, thousands and thousands of spaces. We have a parliamentary secretary who is dedicated, absolutely dedicated, to making sure that all ministries are addressing women’s issues. We have representation on this side of the House. I can’t wait till all of my colleagues are here. On this side of the House, we have more women than the opposition has for all of their members. I can’t wait to show everybody.

[End of question period.]

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Question period is over, Members.

Speaker’s Statement

RULES FOR DEBATE ON
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS AND
REFERENCE TO OTHER MEMBERS

Mr. Speaker: During Monday morning’s sitting, the Chair issued several cautions to members participating in debate on the private member’s motion under consideration by the House. Throughout the debate, several members of the official opposition caucus spoke about the conduct of the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing and used debate on the motion under consideration by the House to bring accusations against the Attorney General.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker, who was in the Chair, brought members’ attention three times to standing order 40(2), which states: “No Member shall use offensive words against any Member of this House.”

As I indicated I would do at the conclusion of Monday morning’s sitting, I have reviewed the transcript of the proceedings and wish to provide further direction to all members.

Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, fifth edition, page 151, states that in making remarks in the House, members should bear in mind the following: “Members cannot quote another Member’s words to avoid offending Standing Order 40; a Member cannot do indirectly what the Member is unable to do directly…. The conduct of a Member cannot be canvassed in debate, nor can charges of personal character be made, except by a substantive motion, for which notice is required.”

Erskine May, the procedural authority of the United Kingdom Parliament, 25th edition, pages 496-497, states: “The general requirements of moderation in parliamentary language…are viewed as particularly important when Members are speaking of other Members, not because other Members require specific protection, but in order to preserve the character of parliamentary debate.”

Furthermore, in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Erskine May, 25th edition, page 497, states: “The Speaker has ruled that a Member who intends to mention another Member’s name in the Chamber in a form which amounts to personal reflection — but which is short of the kind which anyway would require a substantive motion — should, unless the other Member is present, inform the other Member in advance, in a timely and reasonable manner.”

The same principle has been upheld in our own House, as reflected on page 160 of Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, fifth edition.

Given the nature of the comments made during the course of Monday’s debate and the consideration that I have outlined, this was done in a manner that I deem to be conclusively unparliamentary.

Furthermore, I believe it to be a misuse of the intent of private members’ motions, which afford private members with an opportunity, every Monday morning, to express their views on issues of importance to them and not to make direct, indirect or veiled remarks about other members of the House.

In future debate, I ask members to be mindful of the guidance that the Chair has provided. Thank you.