Second Session, 42nd Parliament (2021)
OFFICIAL REPORT
OF DEBATES
(HANSARD)
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Morning Sitting
Issue No. 97
ISSN 1499-2175
The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.
The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.
CONTENTS
| Routine Business | |
Office of the Ombudsperson and Office of the Information and Privacy
Commissioner, joint report, Getting Ahead of the | |
| Orders of the Day | |
| Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room | |
| Proceedings in the Birch Room | |
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
The House met at 10:04 a.m.
[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]
Routine Business
Mr. Speaker: I invite Elder Butch Dick of Songhees Nation to lead the House in prayer and reflection.
B. Dick: [Lək̓ʷəŋin̓əŋ was spoken.]
Thank you very much for having me back again today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I think we’ve got a lot to be thankful for in the past year, and I would like to extend my gratitude to the front-line workers, the health care workers and all the people that work in grocery stores, which includes my family.
We’re very appreciative of all the things that all people have done, in particular this House, and how you’ve looked after the province and everyone in the province. In particular, I’d like to raise my hands to Minister Adrian Dix and, of course, Dr. Henry. Our community has been fairly lucky. We’ve stayed healthy, and that’s because of other people taking care of us.
I always welcome being able to come to this House. I want to thank the people that work in this House for being so accommodating and comforting. I always feel welcome when I come here, and that’s because of the staff that are in this House. I’d like to thank Karen from the Speaker’s office and everyone else.
I’d like to do a song before I leave today, and again, I want to raise my hands to each and everyone in this House. Thank you very much, and I’d like to do a song.
[Lək̓ʷəŋin̓əŋ was spoken and sung.]
Introductions by Members
K. Greene: Next week is my mom’s birthday. She taught me how to be strong, that normal is boring and how to make the best butter tarts in the world.
Many people say their mom knows everything. If you watch Jeopardy with her, you’d realize it’s true. She does know everything.
My mom is the very best grandma to her seven grandchildren. Will everyone please join me in wishing her a happy birthday.
M. Dykeman: I wanted to take a moment to wish two constituents and friends of mine in my riding a happy 15th anniversary. David Lyons-Black and Dale Lyons-Black are the first same-sex couple to be married in Langley all those years ago. I was wondering if the House could please join me in wishing them a very happy 15th anniversary.
My second introduction is for my daughter, Mac. In a few short days, she is going to be turning 16 years old. As we won’t be here next week for me to be able to wish her happy birthday in this House, I was wondering if the House could join me today in wishing her a very happy early birthday.
T. Halford: It gives me great pride to introduce Ms. Cutler’s class from White Rock Elementary, who are joining us virtually today. I want to thank all the kids in the class and Ms. Cutler for making the time to watch us in action.
I do want to single out one student in that class, and that is Benjamin, who is my son, and who’s also one of my best friends. Being over here, we haven’t been able to see each other as much as we’d like, but dad is excited to come home.
I’ll also point out that tonight for both of my sons, Benjamin and Nicholas, is their grad night. I won’t be joining them for that as well, but I just want to let them know dad is proud, and I look forward to a great weekend ahead.
A. Singh: Would the House please join me and my colleague from Richmond-Steveston in wishing a happy 103rd birthday to Shizuko Nishi. Born in Japan, moved to Steveston in 1937, last week she marked this amazing milestone with a family gathering in celebration at her current home in east Richmond. Please join us in wishing Shizuko a happy 103rd birthday.
Hon. M. Farnworth: Because it is the last day of session for the spring session, it’s my opportunity to thank those wonderful interns who’ve assisted our side of the House, and the opposition has interns that they also have assisting them. It’s my great pleasure to recognize and thank Kate Olivares, Gabriel Martz, Rachel McMillan, Kala Bryson and Arian Zand.
Would the House please thank our wonderful interns for everything they’ve done this session.
C. Oakes: I would humbly ask all of the members of the Legislature to join with me to acknowledge all of our post-secondary technical and skills graduates from across British Columbia, for each of us to share our profound respect for your perseverance during a very difficult time and to share our absolute confidence in each of you for what I know is going to be a successful future.
Would the House please help me and recognize all of our amazing graduates across British Columbia.
T. Shypitka: It appears I have something in common with the member from Langley East. I, as well, have a daughter that is turning 16 in one month from today exactly, actually. July 17, my daughter, Allie Shypitka, will be turning sweet 16.
I would just like to mention that, and if the House would just please join me in wishing her a happy birthday, it’d be great.
Statements
(Standing Order 25B)
LEGISLATIVE INTERNS
S. Bond: I rise today to recognize the hard work of five special members of this session’s B.C. Liberal caucus team — Moira Louw, Camille Haisell, Michael Kurliak, William Kelly and Gabrielle Parent. This impressive group are the B.C. legislative internship program placements in our caucus this year.
Over the course of this legislative session, they have become important members of our team. Today, on their final day with us, I want to take the time to thank them for contributing their ideas, sharing their insights and helping us serve British Columbians as the province’s official opposition.
I want to thank Gabrielle for all her work with the communications team, helping MLAs with scripts, speeches and making sure the work we do here in the House is shared with British Columbians. I want to thank William for helping film videos and producing social media content as we reach out online to people throughout the province. Your work made us better.
I want to thank Camille, who is passionate about a holistic approach to complex care housing, providing invaluable support to our research team during Mental Health and Addictions estimates and Housing estimates. I want to thank Michael, whose keen interest in economics and financial issues was obvious, and it was helpful as he pitched in on Jobs, Ministry and Finance estimates and proved that he has a drive to get things done.
I want to thank Moira for her impressive work ethic as she helped me personally and our research team in preparing for Seniors Services and Long-term Care estimates with her incredible knowledge from her time with the office of the B.C. seniors advocate.
On behalf of our entire caucus, I want to say it has been an absolute pleasure to get to know you. Amidst the difficulties and uncertainties brought on by the pandemic, I applaud you for your adaptability and your strength. Best of luck in your future endeavors. I know, without a doubt, that the future is bright for each of you. I can’t wait to see where the future takes you. A heartfelt thank you.
DON GILLESPIE
F. Donnelly: It’s with a heavy heart I rise to pay tribute to the life of Tri-Cities legend, Don Gillespie. Don dedicated his life to the protection and betterment of the environment. He spent almost 40 years in his retirement as a volunteer, preserving natural areas for others to explore and enjoy. He was literally a trail-blazer, making Burke Mountain accessible to hikers by clearing trails, brushing out old logging roads and opening up amazing views.
Today Burke Mountain is part of Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. The park’s most popular trails, the Woodland Walk, the Coquitlam Lake View Trail and portions of the Fool’s Gold trail, are all trails created by Don. As a tribute to his trail-blazing, one of the highest peaks was named after him, Mount Gillespie.Don and his good friend Doug Bennie created the popular Sheep Paddocks Trail along the Coquitlam River and Colony Farm Regional Park. He also built trails on Coquitlam’s Riverview lands.
Don had a contagious smile and was quick to tell a story. He was a mentor to many and a passionate advocate for nature. Don was a strong community leader who was determined to make things better for future generations. Donny, as I used to call him, was quick to remind you what needed to be done: “Don’t bother with any of those excuses. You better just quit talking and get to it.”
A longtime member of the Burke Mountain Naturalists, he and his wife, Norma, worked tirelessly for decades to designate and protect natural spaces in and around the Tri-Cities. He also volunteered with Friends of DeBoville Slough, Coquitlam RiverWatch, the Friends of Douglas Island, the Wilderness Committee, Riverview Horticultural Centre Society and Colony Farm Park Association.
Our entire community owes a debt of gratitude to Don for his great work and tremendous advocacy. On behalf of the Tri-City MLAs, our deepest condolences go to his loving wife, Norma, his five children, Michael, Donald, Christine, Ian and John, and his ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Donny will truly be missed but not forgotten.
Rest easy, my friend.
CHASE HAMPER FOOD BANK
T. Stone: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Throughout our province, there are communities we are all able to boast about, communities which, time and time again, punch above their weight with respect to the impact they have at the ground level in helping our province’s most vulnerable.
On the shores of the Little Shuswap, the village of Chase epitomizes heartwarming community spirit with unwavering support for the local food bank, known as the Chase Hamper.
Under the leadership of Maureen MacDonald, this organization, borne out of necessity in the early 1990s, is, indeed, a difference-maker and quite possibly a life-saver for many people who, through no fault of their own, require assistance to feed themselves and their families.
As every member of this chamber knows, this is no small task. Over the past year, largely because of the pandemic, the number of people receiving help at the Chase Hamper has increased fourfold from within the vast area that they serve, including Chase, neighbouring First Nations bands, Pritchard, Chase Creek, Turtle Valley, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay, Anglemont and Seymour Arm.
These challenges in difficult times have been met with vigor as the Chase Hamper’s volunteer base has also exploded to nearly 50 since the pandemic hit. Through it all, the Chase Hamper forges on with its “nothing will stop us” attitude. Chase is a small community of only 2,500 residents, but last December, through the generosity of area residents, the Hamper was able to restock its supplies with over 4,200 pounds of food donations.
This month Maureen MacDonald and her colleagues are busily making plans to resume a senior meals program in July, following the upgrade of the Chase Community Hall kitchen. They’ve also just launched an innovative partnership with the B.C. Farmers Market Association, which will see Hamper clients receive coupons for locally grown, fresh produce. The Chase Hamper is especially proud of the fact that they employ nine people with disabilities.
When the going gets tough, the tough, indeed, get going — something exemplified each and every day by the Chase Hamper and a very caring community.
LEGISLATIVE INTERNS
A. Mercier: A few months ago I had my first week here at the Legislature, on the precinct grounds. On my way to find my spacious and well-lit basement office underneath the library stacks, I got lost. I stumbled on a room full of wide-eyed and engaged young people — this year’s interns from the government caucus. I’ll confess that at first, I approached them with a sense of confidence. I thought they’d be excited to meet a new government MLA, a parliamentary secretary. I engaged with them, and we had a brief conversation.
My confidence quickly turned to surprise as I realized how accomplished they already are at such a young age and the big plans and ambitions that they have with their lives. That sense of surprise quickly turned into a dawning horror as I looked past them and I saw the whiteboard with photos of all the government caucus members and tallies next to them. I realized that what these kids were doing…. They had created an elaborate system for ranking government MLAs. If I’m not working for one of these kids in the near future, I definitely need them for job references.
I quickly tried to assert myself as the head of the pack and made stopping in to visit them on a weekly basis a part of my repertoire — and paying tribute with gifts. Now, I realized I can’t compete with the Vancouver Island MLAs. My colleagues from the Island have much greater access to the Legislature in these times, so I began making elaborate distractions so I could use a dry-erase marker to remove points from my colleagues — the Premier, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, the member for Parksville-Qualicum and others. So I hope I’ve ended up with a respectable tally at the end of the day.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson from this group, and that is: underneath every successful caucus is a basement filled with interns.
I just want to thank Arian Zand, Rachel McMillian, Kate Olivares, Kala Bryson and Gabriel “call me Ray-Ray” Martz.
GREEN PARTY CAUCUS STAFF
S. Furstenau: It’s nice to see all the gratitude being expressed today in the House. It’s a great way to end our session. I love coming to work. Before all my esteemed colleagues in here take all the credit for the joy and purpose I find in my role, I’m going to put it on the record that it really is the amazing team of people in our caucus office who fill my days with happiness.
My colleague from Saanich North and the Islands and I could not possibly do the work we’ve been doing without all of the hard work from our crew in the B.C. Green caucus office. Judy Rendek keeps our schedules humming and flowing and manages all of our administrative tasks with an ease that is truly a wonder to behold. Sarah Miller and Hailey May go deep on our policy files, ensuring that we are, in fact, evidence based and fact driven in our work. Kaylea Kray-Domingo ensures that our connections to the outside world of this building enrich and inform the work we do inside.
JoJo Beattie and Federico Cerani are accomplished communication experts, making sure we’re telling the stories that matter to people. Federico also has a particular talent with memes, having brought us Gen Xers up to speed on this artful approach with a very informative PowerPoint a year ago explaining the difference between a meme — good — and an infographic — boring.
Abby Koning joined our small and mighty team as our intern this year. She has been an incredible addition to the crew. She has written statements, QP questions, estimates questions and introduced the daily wrap, which we shall be keeping — note to staff — capturing all of the action each day in an email to our caucus and constituency offices.
Abby has artfully and professionally managed our rather complicated estimates schedules, making sure that two MLAs are somehow in three Houses at all times with the right questions at the right time. We will deeply miss Abby. On behalf of our team, I want to express our sincere thanks for her excellent work and our very best wishes for her next adventure.
ACTION AGAINST RACISM AND HATE
A. Singh: At the close of this session, I’m reminded of our collective obligations as we head back to our respective homes. As I walked up towards what is truly a majestic building, adorned with stone and topped in teal domes, I was struck by the blanket of shoes and orange shirts that greeted me.
The last few weeks have been a particularly poignant reminder of how deep racism and white supremacy run in our society, the reminder from Kamloops of the harsh reality of colonialism and the numerous injustices, violence and genocide perpetrated on Indigenous people, in the past and still very much alive in the vestiges of colonialism today.
The rapid rise of racism. Even calling it a rise seems to me a misnomer, as that racism has always been there under the very thin veneer of respectability and tolerance. It is, in fact, one of the seminal founding concepts of this country and something that we need to fight and work against every day that we show up here.
The impact of COVID on laying bare the anti-Asian sentiment that lay just under that veneer, to the sickening rise of hate, white supremacy and Islamophobia, whose natural result we saw in the murder of the Afzaal family in London…. I spoke with members of the Muslim community. Two of the larger mosques are located in the constituency which I represent. That incident did not come as a shock to them. They did not have a “how could it happen here?” moment. They have seen the rise of hate, and this, as I said, is the natural result.
They reminded me that these actions don’t happen in a vacuum. They start with seemingly innocuous comments and attitudes; dog-whistling, often centred around the othering of racialized people; and targeting the most vulnerable — refugees, immigrants and immigration policies. We’ve all spoken about this hate and how it affects us or the ones we love — our grandchildren, spouses, friends.
As we step away from here, I hope that you will join me in looking within yourselves and make the space in your communities to listen to the stories and the words of the people affected, and that you’ll hear those words so that when we get back here, we can continue together to make the decisions that will take us to a better place and that allow us to confront the reality of the history of violence and genocide that is so much a part of this place.
Ministerial Statements
DEMOLITION OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
AT LOWER
POST
Hon. N. Cullen: As this session comes to an end, it is a time of reflection and gratitude for the incredible privilege we all share to serve this beautiful province to the best of our abilities. This has been a most challenging and painful time, as well, facing the dual epidemics of COVID and the opioid crisis, and the incredibly heart-wrenching discoveries of the 215 young bodies buried in unmarked graves in Kamloops.
On Monday, it is National Indigenous Peoples Day, of course. This year I will be driving the 14 hours from my home here in Smithers, on Wet’suwet’en Gidimt’en territory, up the road to Lower Post, in Kaska Dena territory. I’ll be joining the Premier, the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the Member of Parliament, Taylor Bachrach, at the invitation of the Kaska Dena. We will be there to witness a ceremony that should, in fact, have happened decades ago: the tearing down, the demolishing, of the residential school.
The Kaska were forced to enter this building for many, many years. As Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling said: “The Lower Post Residential School building has been a dark cloud over our people for far too long and stood in the centre of our community as a reminder of a very painful past.”
We are not just there to demolish that building, but we are there to build something new. With the support of the federal government and Minister of State Marc Miller, we are building a new building with the Kaska — a government building; a cultural, education and recreational centre for their people. As Taku River Tlingit spokesperson John Ward said: “I believe this event can lead the way for all of Canada, because all of Canada needs to heal.”
This has been a most difficult time for many, but as we emerge from this pandemic, we are filled with a sense of hope and gratitude. We, as a province and as a country, must face our past together, because perhaps together, we can heal.
P. Milobar: Thank you for the words from the minister of state as well.
Certainly, as we approach Indigenous day on Monday, and reflecting on the discovery in Kamloops of the 215 lost children, what it has done for us as a community, as a nation, in terms of a conversation around reconciliation and how serious it is that we all move forward in a good way and in a meaningful way…. Certainly, the events that have led to the Lower Post being able to find the support from governments, finally, federal and provincial, for the removal of their school, at their asking, is a very important step.
We all know that First Nations have a very complicated history with the residential school system, and I say that because there are some nations that have chosen not to remove their schools, so we cannot just assume that all schools need to be removed. But we need to be working in a much quicker fashion to support — across jurisdictions, federal and provincial — those nations that do choose to remove these buildings that have inflicted so much generational pain amongst their people.
It shouldn’t take decades to help facilitate and move forward with something like this. It shouldn’t take decades, frankly, to make sure there’s clean drinking water. If we are going to be truly, meaningfully engaging in reconciliation, we need to be taking the requests and the asks, moving forward, from these Indigenous nations quite seriously and actually find ways to action them.
The Lower Post removal is a good step in that direction, and it makes us all happy to know that that will finally happen at the direction of the leadership up in Lower Post. So thank you for this time, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to more meaningful, tangible actions towards reconciliation in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
A. Olsen: To my colleague from Richmond-Queensborough, HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM for your powerful words this morning.
Thank you to my colleagues the Minister of State for Lands and the Opposition House Leader for your words.
Over the next few days, my prayers will be with our relatives of the Kaska Dena, as they deconstruct the residential school that still stands in their community. This is an important part of the healing process for our northern relatives.
As British Columbians embrace a greater awareness and understanding of the despicable history of our colonial past, the stories of this provincial government, the stories of our federal government that created the laws and policy that provide the structure for the forced assimilation of Indigenous People…. Those laws and policies were created in the same way that we create the laws and policies in this chamber today.
We know that while the physical reminders of the history of residential schools can be removed by tearing down walls, the psychological and spiritual impacts are carried for a lifetime, and the trauma is passed from one generation to the next.
This provincial government must never forget the role that elected members, represented by the 87 of us that sit in these seats today, played in advancing these horrific policies. We have inherited those stories, and if we are to truly reconcile that history, we must change more than the language that we use. We must also change our actions.
The residential schools were established to remove the Indian in the child, to disrupt our beautiful cultures and to dispossess us from our lands. In many ways, this government is continuing that dispossession. The policies that removed Indigenous governance structures and the scattering of our ancestral remains and items of cultural significance were pivotal for Crown governments to gain control over those lands and resources. However, we can be different.
Investments in Indigenous language revitalization is an important start, not just for through three years but in perpetuity. I’ve repeatedly implored this government to do more than just a cursory program of $30,000 each year for communities wishing to bring their ancestral remains and items of cultural significance home from museums around the world. What has been done? Nothing.
Finally, the communities across the province are working to rebuild their houses of governance and culture, their houses of healing — healing from the scars that have been caused by this provincial government and our colleagues in the federal government. It’s totally unacceptable that when they seek the support of the provincial government, there’s nothing there for them. Indigenous Nations are turning to GoFundMe to pay for new long houses, for healing centres and schools. This is totally unacceptable.
This government must act with urgency in making all resources needed easily accessible for the revitalization of Indigenous languages and the repatriation of ancestral remains and items of cultural significance, healing centres and the homes of governance and decision-making.
Reconciliation means that this government must actively support the return of the cultures, the lands and the ways of living that were stripped away from Indigenous People in schools like the one that is to be deconstructed in Lower Post.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I raise my hands to the leaders of our Kaska Dena relatives for the important work that is about to take place. Our hearts, our thoughts and our feelings will be with you as you do this important work in your community.
HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM.
Oral Questions
GOVERNMENT ACTION ON OPIOID CRISIS
AND ACTIVATION OF
HEALTH COMMITTEE
S. Bond: Six a day. That’s how many people are dying from an overdose in British Columbia every single day. It’s a public health crisis that has deepened under this two-term government. Every month when the numbers come out, the response from the government is exactly the same: hopefully, it will get better next month. It’s not good enough, which is why both the official opposition and the Third Party have written to the Premier to say it is time to try a new approach, only to be rejected by this government multiple times.
Can the Premier tell us why it seems that he is the only leader in this Legislature who doesn’t support working together across political lines to battle this devastating crisis?
Hon. S. Malcolmson: Absolutely, every way that British Columbia can stand up and expand its response to saving lives in the increasingly accelerated drug toxicity tragedy that is hitting our province, in every way COVID has made it work…. In every way, we are stepping up our response, expanding safe supply, doubling the number of supervised consumption sites, doubling the number of youth treatment beds, adding nurse prescribers to medication-assisted treatment. All of this is based on informed, evidence-based advice that has been given to us by people working on the front lines.
May I take this chance, in particular, to give thanks to people working on the front lines of the overdose crisis and people working in health care? Fighting two public health emergencies is extremely hard.
As I’ve said to the members a number of times in question period, in estimates and in correspondence, I welcome their participation. It’s my intention to follow the very successful pattern laid down by the Health Minister to work directly together. It’s not necessary to establish a committee in order to lay down a very good example of cooperation across all party lines, and I look forward to that.
Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental.
S. Bond: The minister should actually correct the record. She said that they would use every single way. That’s actually not true. On one hand, the Premier’s office has seen a massive increase in his budget to deal with NDP caucus committees, yet he will not reactivate the Health Committee, because “committee work is onerous, it is time-consuming…. It takes work to read the reports, complete the reports, prepare the report.”
That is exactly the point. On this side of the Legislature, the opposition and the Third Party are prepared to do that work. We’ve offered not once but multiple times, and we have been rejected by this Premier.
Today is the last day that we are here in this place for four months. Six people a day are dying in this crisis, and the Premier of British Columbia stubbornly refuses to take an action that could make a substantive difference as every party in this House takes part in a discussion. Getting a briefing from a minister on one subject is simply not enough.
To the Premier again, can he stand up and tell us why he is the only leader in this chamber that is standing in the way of reactivating the Standing Committee on Health to deal with a devastating, ongoing, worsening crisis in British Columbia?
Hon. S. Malcolmson: I know how much the Leader of the Official Opposition appreciated the approach of the Health Minister and Dr. Henry in working collaboratively through the early days and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
I know the Leader of the Opposition was very clear on the record in estimates last week how constructive and respectful…. I think all British Columbians saw all parties working together in a very clear way, so I’m appreciative to the members of the Green Party for accepting our invitation to work in this way. I look forward to the official opposition joining me in this fight in the manner that the Health Minister has telegraphed and successfully laid down.
In the meantime, I’ll let all members know that I continue to draw our basis for the tragic death toll and the need to save lives in our overdose response by working with British Columbia’s overdose emergency response centre, which is the umbrella over the community action teams that act in many of your communities. Those are people with lived and living experience and service providers. They directly feed into our province’s overdose response plan. And there are others. We are drawing our expertise from people on the front line, and that is informing our response across the full continuum.
There’s more for us to do, and we’re grateful to those on the front line, directing where we put our focus.
PREMIER’S OFFICE BUDGET
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS
M. de Jong: Apparently a good chunk of the 63 percent increase that the Premier has given his own office budget is supposed to be for intergovernmental relations. Is it money well spent? Well, four years on, we are no closer to a softwood lumber agreement, and American tariffs are poised to increase yet again.
In just a few weeks, the cruise ships will begin sailing right past B.C. ports, ports like Victoria, as a precursor to what may become a permanent state of affairs, where they no longer stop at those ports. Along the way, the only thing we’ve seen from the Premier is a genuine talent for belittling, for dismissing, for insulting the very people he needs to work with to resolve these issues.
My question is: is the Premier getting bad advice, or is he actually getting advice to behave more reasonably and responsibly and just ignoring that advice?
Hon. R. Fleming: The Premier has been advocating for British Columbia and for a pan-Canadian approach on port reopenings. He has worked with industry. He has worked with other Premiers of provinces. He has got provinces like Quebec, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia to come to a common position. That position is that the federal government needs to give the certainty to the industry to resume cruise ships. It’s critically important to our economy here on B.C.’s west coast.
But you know who the Premier takes advice from and has taken advice from throughout this pandemic? Public health officials, who have guided this province safely through a restart that British Columbians are just beginning to enjoy more and more with the reduction of health restrictions.
He has guided our economy to have the strongest recovery in the country — a 4½ percent growth rate increase projected for next year, a 4½ percent growth rate projected for the year after, a 99 percent recovery on jobs from pre-pandemic levels. That’s what the Premier has been doing. That’s what the Premier has been doing in conjunction with public health officials to keep British Columbians safe and to keep our economy strong and prosperous and positioned to rebound and build back better.
Mr. Speaker: The member for Abbotsford West, supplemental.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO
U.S. LEGISLATION ON
CRUISE
SHIP INDUSTRY
M. de Jong: Well, I don’t recall the Premier deeming the advice from those officials worthy when it came to selecting a time for an election in the middle of a pandemic.
Look, the Premier and the minister who just responded received, two days ago, this letter from the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance, who, now confronted by legislation in the U.S. that would make permanent changes that would no longer require those cruise ships to visit B.C. ports, is saying this: “We cannot make the same mistake and underestimate the threat this poses. We cannot be dismissive.”
They say this because the line from the Premier now is: “Don’t worry. Be happy. Places like Victoria are nice, and the cruise ships will come here anyways.”
Here’s what the industry says: “We know Victoria has something special to offer, but we also know Alaska is the draw for those who book a cruise. We know the cruise lines generate higher revenues during their time in Alaska ports than they do in Victoria. We know they often feel rushed from their Alaska destinations in order to get to Victoria for the necessary stop in a foreign port.” In short, what the Cruise Industry Alliance is saying is that if these cruise ships are no longer legally required to come to ports like Victoria, in many instances, they won’t.
When will the Premier move beyond his denial and wishful thinking and accept the fact that by refusing to engage with the Americans and with Ottawa in a proactive and productive way, he has allowed a situation to develop that has put thousands of tourism jobs at risk up and down the B.C. coast? What is he doing today to reverse the damage that his colossal mismanagement of this issue has caused?
Hon. M. Farnworth: I appreciate the concerns raised by the member opposite. The Premier’s been really clear. This is a federal issue. The government has been engaged with our colleagues in Ottawa on this issue. The Premier has talked with the cruise industry, with Ian Robertson here.
What we do hear from this opposition is that somehow this bill that has a sunset clause is going to result in the decimation of the cruise industry. Well, I will tell you something. Nothing could be further from the truth, because if they knew exactly how the cruise industry operates, they would know that they are already planning next year’s cruise destinations. And I can tell you, as someone who has taken more than the occasional cruise, that my mailbox right now is full of brochures for cruises up to Alaska. Guess what. Where are they departing from? Vancouver to Victoria and up the Inside Passage.
The cruise industry has confidence in British Columbia and Vancouver and Victoria, because their brochures that they’re sending out to customers all across this province and this country are booked for next year. There’s a world-first cruise taking place next year. Is it taking place out of Los Angeles? No. Is it taking place out of Seattle? No. It is taking place out of Vancouver. It is a world first: a pole-to-pole cruise, something no other cruise company has done.
They have confidence that the cruise industry is here in British Columbia to stay. We are working with the federal government to ensure it’s happening.
It’s a shame that they don’t have confidence in the communities of this province and the neighbourhoods of this province.
LONG-TERM COVID-19 CASES
AND SUPPORT FOR
PATIENTS
S. Furstenau: As we cruise into the last day of session here before a three-month summer break, we are, indeed, all collectively celebrating the declining COVID-19 deaths, the hospitalizations, the overall cases, after a period that has indelibly been marked by this disease. This summer will bring connections and opportunities that we have missed over the last 15 months and a slow transition to a new world.
While we celebrate these opportunities, for many British Columbians, the effects of COVID-19 have remained and may well be with them well into the future. A recent study published by FAIR Health found that close to 25 percent of those who contracted COVID-19 develop long-term symptoms. Over 145,000 British Columbians have contracted COVID-19 since February of last year, meaning that over 34,000 British Columbians may have or may develop long COVID. These people are struggling with increased fatigue, brain fog, nerve and muscle pain, high blood pressure and psychiatric issues.
My question is to the Minister of Health. We are all excited for brighter times, but COVID-19 remains a harsh reality for thousands of British Columbians. What steps is his ministry taking to provide long-term support for those with long COVID, and how will those supports be offered?
Hon. A. Dix: Thank you to the member for her question. She’s quite right that the evidence is that the situation around COVID-19 is improving in British Columbia, but prudence is required.
That’s why we’re moving step by step with respect to easing restrictions and will continue to provide the significant support from public health. She is also quite right that many people — particularly those who have been hospitalized, who represent about 5 percent of COVID-19 patients — that group of people is much more likely to be what are called long-haulers, who have long-term symptoms. Indeed, most of the studies related to long-haulers are related to this group of people.
It’s also true that COVID-19 — this is, of course, a new virus in the world — is having long-lasting effects. That’s why we are leading in terms of research in British Columbia, under the direction of Dr. Henry and teams throughout health authorities, in addressing these questions. We’ve added specialty clinics to support long-haulers, and we will continue to do so.
In addition to that, we are using the evidence from that to the biobank that’s established, for those who wish to participate and who are part of that, to continue to improve the care that we need to provide, and to continue, throughout our system of primary care, to provide support for people.
I absolutely agree with the hon. member that this is going to be a continuing and one of the lasting legacies over the next year — and years to come, perhaps — that we will need to address to support those who’ve faced the challenges of COVID-19. It gives me an opportunity, finally, to remind everybody of the need to get vaccinated.
Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Third Party on a supplemental.
COVID-19 REOPENING AND
GUIDANCE ON AEROSOL
TRANSMISSION
S. Furstenau: I thank the minister for his response and for the recognition that a lot of people are struggling enormously with the effects, the long-term effects, of this virus. I agree with the minister that thinking ahead is essential. Cases may be currently declining, but we know that COVID-19 adapts quickly and may present new challenges well into the future.
Today Dr. Gustafson indicated that public health officials are shifting away from emergency pandemic management towards communicable disease control, meaning less of an all-hands-on-deck approach and more long-term management. She said the response will change as they learn more about the virus’s behaviour and the level of immunity among the population over time.
This government was reluctant to admit that COVID-19 spreads through aerosol transmission. Now they appear to accept the fact, yet in businesses, workplaces and schools, we have not seen updated guidance to increase and adapt ventilation. We await the updated guidance for how contact tracing, ventilation, rapid responses in schools, COVID safety plans and public communications will change over the course of the coming months.
My question is to the Minister of Health. Can we expect that the updated guidance will recognize aerosol transmission of COVID and provide effective ways to keep people safe, particularly students and teachers who will be returning to school in the fall?
Hon. A. Dix: I think, on behalf of members of the Legislature, I want to thank everybody in the education system for their significant achievement — my colleague the Minister of Education, teachers, parents, support workers, education administrators and, of course, the students — for all they’ve done to make this the school year it has been in British Columbia: a school year like no other but a school year that, compared to other jurisdictions, has been fuller and more meaningful in the lives of young people. I think that’s an achievement that everyone in British Columbia can be proud of.
The member refers to reluctance. What we’ve done in B.C. is follow the guidance of public health. We have learned and adapted throughout this pandemic. One of the significant decisions in that respect, early on in the pandemic and then later on, was the important work of contact tracing and supporting of people who test positive for COVID-19. B.C. has led not just Canada but the world in the hiring, the resources we’ve put into this and the remarkable work done by people in contact tracing.
What we are doing every day is learning about COVID-19 — every single day. I think one of the reasons that Dr. Bonnie Henry is considered not just a good but a great public servant is because she learns. When things change, we adapt and we respond. We are going to continue to do that every step of the way, based on the evidence.
TAXATION OF COVID-19 SUPPORTS
M. Bernier: I don’t think anybody — I know on this side of the House — is surprised at all to have learned that the Premier has bungled yet another issue with the business support programs yet again.
We’ve received confirmation now, through a letter from the Finance Minister, that all COVID business supports are going to be taxed. This includes the PST rebate and the increased employment rebate. Only the NDP think it’s a good idea now to tax a tax rebate. That’s right. Let me say that again. We’re actually giving money to businesses who are desperately in need of help, and the NDP is now going to tax that.
My question is a very simple one to the Premier. Will the Premier reverse this decision and stop taxing the much-needed emergency COVID rebates that we are providing to businesses?
Hon. R. Kahlon: I appreciate the member raising this question. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve seen throughout this pandemic and, certainly, this session.
I appreciate the comments from all members of this House talking about what we’ve been able to accomplish. I think it’s important to take this moment to reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish here in this chamber in this session.
Of course….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker: Members, order. Members, a question was asked.
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker: Are we still asking a question, or are we waiting for an answer?
The minister will continue.
Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you, hon. Speaker.
The member will know that we are proud here in British Columbia. We have provided the highest per-capita supports for people and businesses in this entire country. So 99 percent pre-pandemic employment numbers. There’s so much that we can be proud of.
The original budget for the small and medium-sized business recovery grant program was $300 million. We expect to be over $530 million in direct grants to businesses throughout this province. That doesn’t even mention a whole host of other things that we were able to accomplish. Hon. Speaker, $1.3 billion….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker: Members. The members will come to order.
The minister will continue.
Hon. R. Kahlon: The House Leader for the opposition has questions. He can ask the next question.
What I want to highlight is that we have the highest per-capita supports….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker: Minister.
Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you, hon. Speaker. They seem excited today about the last day.
We know that the work is going to continue. Even after today, we’re going to continue to work with businesses. We’re going to continue to work with people. We’re going to continue to work with the non-profit sector to provide them the supports they need. Overwhelmingly, we’re getting positive reviews, and that work will continue as the pandemic moves on.
Mr. Speaker: The member for Peace River South on a supplemental.
M. Bernier: The NDP get into government, and they raise taxes on businesses. Then they try to pat themselves on the back, saying, “We’re going to give some of it back,” during a global pandemic, in a tax rebate, only to turn around and tax it and take money away again and claw it back from businesses.
These businesses have had to fight for supports. I’ll maybe use the Premier’s own words. “We’re in a global pandemic, dude.” We need to help them, not tax them further.
It’s not just small businesses. It’s child care centres as well. The emergency child care centre funding will now be taxed by this Premier and this government, meaning parents are going to be forced to pay for that. Child care centres are going to be having money clawed back through taxes after this government tries to pat themselves on the back for helping them.
Will the Premier stop the clawback to child care centres and reverse his decision on this emergency funding?
Hon. R. Kahlon: Again, I will remind the members across the way that we have provided the highest per-capita supports for people and businesses in this country. Over and over again, it’s recognized that because of our….
Interjections.
Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you, hon. Speaker.
Again, the highest per-capita supports for people and businesses in this country. That’s reflected in….
Interjections.
Mr. Speaker: Members, you asked the question. Now let the minister answer that.
Minister.
Hon. R. Kahlon: I appreciate, hon. Speaker, that all this good news is hard for them to hear. I appreciate that hearing overwhelmingly from all the stakeholders on how pleased they are, all the supports we’ve been putting in place….
The list is massive this session. A recovery benefit that helped people paid $1.3 billion in direct supports. We had $1,000 work benefit that was provided to 600,000 British Columbians. Two ICBC rebates to drivers across this province. That’s on top of the $400 average that they’re all saving on insurance.
Overwhelmingly, we’re getting positive responses on all the financial supports that we’ve provided. They know that. They can’t quote a single stakeholder that will say otherwise.
RESIDENTIAL ADDICTION TREATMENT
SERVICES FOR
GIRLS
T. Halford: This government has no plan for dealing with this deadly opioid crisis. Young people are paying a high price; young people are dying. When they seek help, the Premier and this government are clearly not there for them.
The family of two 17-year-old girls is trying to get them into residential treatment. These girls are willing to go, and they need to go to a centre without boys. There’s one government-funded centre with four beds. It’s in Victoria. These beds are reserved for youth, 16 to 24, who are pregnant or have children. There is a private facility, but it gets zero funding from this government.
The families have asked the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions for help. They’ve been met with silence. Will this Premier do the right thing and help get these young women into treatment?
Hon. S. Malcolmson: I applaud all young people, anybody across British Columbia, struggling with addictions and mental health challenges, that steps forward and asks for help. This is exactly the system of care that we are trying to build — unattended work for a very long time — work that is articulated in our long-term plan, Pathway to Hope, which we have been building out every year since this ministry was created. This year’s budget commitment is half a billion dollars — a historic investment in building up that system of care — and we are not all the way there yet.
I disagree with the member’s characterization on these particular files. We’ve been working very hard — my ministry has. I can’t speak to the specifics of them, because this is a matter of direct care and privacy. But I will say that there are 14 publicly funded beds at Westminster House.
The system of care that we’ve been building up…. We are doubling youth treatment beds. Six of them have already been opened on Vancouver Island. We have identified that gender-specific care is a challenge. That is something that we are working to address, with health care providers and the health authorities, through the historic funding to expand bed-based addictions treatment.
The advocacy of the families is important, and we are working hard on it.
Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey–White Rock on a supplemental.
T. Halford: These girls don’t need applause from the minister. They need help from this minister and this Premier, and they haven’t shown up. This minister is in charge of a ministry that actually does not run the ministerial programs that she continues to reference. Her ministry is the smallest in government. It is smaller than the Office of the Premier, which has increased by $5.7 million. That is enough for 20 additional treatment beds.
Dr. Mark Tyndall, a professor at UBC School of Population and Public Health, says: “When you look into this ministry, I mean, it’s basically just a front. There’s no power. There’s no decision-making. They take quite a junior minister and make her kind of stand there and answer questions. But she has no budget and no power.” Those are very harsh words.
Now we’ve got a ministry that’s been labelled the ministry of air. We’ve got a Minister of Mental Health and Addictions who has openly admitted that she has not met with all the heads of the health authorities. How is this acceptable? It is not acceptable. Six people are dying a day. We need this government to take control and take control now. It has failed to do that, time and time again.
My question is to the Premier. Will he do the right thing and make sure that these girls do not fall victim to an inadequate system that continues to fail British Columbians, young people and families, day after day?
Hon. S. Malcolmson: I could not disagree more with the way that the member has characterized our government’s commitment and my ministry’s commitment to this work. We direct the budgets. We make the Treasury Board submissions. It was our ministry’s work and my work as minister that got a historic half-billion-dollar investment in mental health and addictions care through this budget cycle. Already, across all ministries, $2.7 billion a year is dedicated.
If the member would propose that we build a parallel system of health care delivery and artificially amputate mental health and addictions care from the health care delivery system, he is wrong and is not getting his advice from the people on the front line. I direct the health authorities. I’ve met with every health authority. My ministry talks almost daily with every health authority, all of them across British Columbia, about how to get the best care.
The member’s party dedicated only 25 percent, in October’s election, towards this cause. I do take my guidance from the families and the people working on the front lines. We do have more to do, but I’ll take no lessons from the member opposite, given his party’s failure to build the system of care we so badly need now.
[End of question period.]
Tabling Documents
Mr. Speaker: Members, I have the honour of presenting a joint special report from the Ombudsperson and the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Getting Ahead of the Curve: Meeting the Challenges to Privacy and Fairness Arising from the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector.
Petitions
S. Furstenau: I rise to table a petition signed by 30,000 British Columbians, who are asking for this government to protect remaining old growth and implement all the recommendations of the old growth strategic review panel. I will be electronically transmitting the petition to the Clerk’s office.
Orders of the Day
Hon. M. Farnworth: In this chamber, I call the estimates for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. They will be doing a vote. When that is done, it will be followed by the estimates for the Premier’s office, which are continuing.
In the Douglas Fir Room, I will be calling continued estimates debate of the Ministry of Health.
In Section C, the Birch Room, I call continued debate on the estimates for the Ministry of Transportation.
Committee of Supply
ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF
CHILDREN AND
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
(continued)
The House in Committee of Supply (Section B); N. Letnick in the chair.
The committee met at 11:08 a.m.
Vote 20: ministry operations, $2,392,755,000 — approved.
ESTIMATES: OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
(continued)
On Vote 11: Office of the Premier, $14,678,000 (continued).
S. Bond: Because we have such a truncated period of time, I’m going to move immediately to questions. I’m certainly hoping that the Premier will be respectful of the shortened time we have, and, hopefully, we’ll get some succinct answers.
I’d like to pick up where we left off yesterday, in terms of the Premier’s decision to call an early election. We walked through some of the criteria that led to that decision. We looked at the fact that polling had been done. A program had been created called StrongerBC. We looked at all of the factors that led to the calling of a snap election during a pandemic.
The Premier also, at that time, cited another reason. It was the failure to pass Bill 22, the Mental Health Amendment Act, 2020. He used that as a reason for calling the election. I’d like to ask the Premier directly if he remains committed to the legislation that families are asking for to protect youth.
The Chair: Just a reminder to staff: you need your masks, please.
Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the Leader of the Official Opposition for the question and, also, to her and the Opposition House Leader for the latitude that has being granted to me to participate in other events this afternoon.
I would say that we did canvass this yesterday. It was canvassed also last September and October, throughout the campaign — my rationale, my motivation, for asking the people what they thought. With respect to the substance of Bill 22, I remain committed to that. I’ve made that a priority for the minister responsible. She is consulting widely to try and resolve the issues that were raised at the time by some members in the community. But I’m committed to the legislation, and I’m hopeful it will have unanimous support when it returns.
S. Bond: We’re going to explore for a few minutes, shortly, the work that has or hasn’t been done by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and by the minister. It was a year ago in June 2020 that the government introduced Bill 22. The government has had many months to address the concerns that were raised about the bill and to reintroduce it.
This is a crisis. In question period today, we discussed the fact that six British Columbians a day are dying. This is the Premier that stubbornly refuses to actually accept the offer in multiple letters to a correspondence unit that apparently has received millions more dollars to operate.
I would point out to the Premier, I have written to him multiple times and not once, about this issue, have I received a personal response from him about something that is critical to me and to British Columbians.
This is a crisis, and we need urgent action. Can the Premier explain exactly why youth stabilization care legislation has not been introduced this session?
Hon. J. Horgan: The youth stabilization act was tabled; was not likely to pass, based on comments by the Third Party.
We have endeavoured over the past number of months to engage with those stakeholders that expressed concerns about the substance of the bill. I’m confident. I’ve been receiving an enormous amount of support, correspondence from families, who share, I believe, the same view that the Leader of the Opposition and I do — that we need to take every step possible to protect people and do what we can to ensure that those that are at risk have the supports that they need.
S. Bond: The Premier did note the Third Party, but as the Premier well knows, there was a broad range of groups that raised concerns over a year ago. This was one of the reasons the Premier said he called a snap election. So when the legislation was paused a year ago, the government said they would…. “We’ll take this time” — this time — “to talk to more people.”
Can the Premier outline exactly what consultation has occurred over the last year?
Hon. J. Horgan: We have been engaged informally in discussions with stakeholders — those in favour and those opposed. Formal discussions will begin in earnest, I believe, in the next number of weeks.
We’re committed to bringing the legislation back to this House, where there can be a full and frank discussion. Again, I’m hopeful. I believe, based on the comments from the Leader of the Opposition today, that subject to no significant material changes in the principles that were in Bill 22, we will have a good discussion. We’ll get back to where we want to be.
But we are focusing on the voluntary treatment options that were raised at that time. I know that the Leader of the Opposition will have had similar discussions to those that I’ve had with parents who have lost young ones to overdose deaths, and their concern that that not be in vain, and that something be done by government to address that.
We felt that Bill 22 was a step in the right direction. Others in this place did not. But I’m hopeful that in due course, we will be able to bring that back, have the discussion and get the outcome that I believe that she and I share.
S. Bond: The Premier felt that the changes to this bill were so important that he used it as part of his rationale to call a snap election during a pandemic.
The Premier’s words today, “engaged informally” and that “formal engagement will take place….” The Premier knows exactly what that means, and he should be honest with British Columbians. That means they haven’t begun the consultation process that they said they would.
Important enough to trigger a snap election. Families devastated across British Columbia. And yes, we’ve heard those stories. We’ve heard them. We want to help. We want to actually work on these issues together. So far the answer to that is a no, I would assume. Of course, as I’ve pointed out, I haven’t received a letter to that effect.
In estimates this month, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions said that the consultations have not even started. Not my words. The minister’s words. Important enough to trigger an election. Telling families we’re going to get there; we’re going to bring it back. And the minister admitted — after an arduous process, I might add — that consultations have not even started.
This is a crisis. It has been a year. Can the Premier explain today why none of the consultation promised over one year ago has even started? That’s with groups like the independent Representative for Children and Youth, the chief coroner, First Nations. The list is long. Can the Premier explain how he broke the promise to begin consultation and bring that bill back to the Legislature?
Hon. J. Horgan: The member will know that we have been busy on this side providing more services over the past 12 months: a new 20-youth-bed treatment centre in Chilliwack; a 75-bed wellness centre at Royal Columbian Hospital; low- and no-cost mental health and addictions counselling available virtually throughout the pandemic; B.C.’s first Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care Response Centre in Surrey; a doubling of youth treatment beds, 123 in total — that’s 100 adult beds across the province; the Foundry system, which was initiated by the previous government and expanded by this government. We’ve done a lot over the past short while, and there’s much more to do.
I don’t think we have a significant disagreement on this question. I do know that there were a range of issues that were going through my mind in the summer and fall of 2020. This was certainly one. It was a catalyst, to be sure.
The work with Indigenous Peoples has certainly been ongoing through the Ministry of Children and Family Development, through the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, as well as outreach to those independent officers of the Legislature for guidance and counsel. Families, of course, have written to me in large numbers supporting the direction, I think, that both the Leader of the Opposition and I want to pursue.
S. Bond: Well, thank you to the Premier for that answer. I’m not even really sure how to proceed when the Premier made a promise on an issue that is part of responding to a crisis in British Columbia, where six people a day are dying.
He had a minister that stood up and admitted that despite her Premier’s commitment to consultation on a critical matter…. She finally admitted consultation hasn’t even started.
That wasn’t all the minister said. For all the talk of wanting to work together, work across the aisle, that we all agree, and the opposition raises these issues, here’s what the minister said during estimates debate: “…I will not be telling the member when I plan to finish consultations or when I plan to introduce legislation.”
Can the Premier fill in the blanks for the public and for the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Third Party, families in British Columbia? When will consultation start?
Hon. J. Horgan: We have been engaged in discussions with the First Nations Health Council. They have explicitly said they’re not yet ready to proceed. I think that it would be a surprise to no one that the events unfolding in Tk’emlúps and Secwépemc territory has focused attention in other directions in that community.
I also know that the Leader of the Third Party has agreed to sit with the minister and review the state of play and take advice and counsel from that side of the House here. I would hope that the official opposition would join in that. I believe that would be a precursor to the type of collaboration that we all want to see. That was certainly the intention when I asked the minister to respond to the correspondence from the Leader of the Opposition.
S. Bond: Important enough to be part of the rationale for calling a snap election in the middle of a pandemic: “We have to consult. We need to fix this. We need to respond.” Families are sending their concerns to the Premier in large numbers, and the minister says consultation hasn’t yet begun. Not only that. “I don’t plan to tell you when it’s going to start.”
Again during the estimates debate, the minister said: “I am very happy to talk with the member about the programs that we are standing up. None of them are legislative.” Can the Premier explain why his own minister responsible for this issue, presumably for the consultation on this bill, presumably for responding after this was, again, another reason that this Premier called a snap election…?
How does his own minister not even consider stabilization as legislation? That is an important piece of the work that this minister and ministry should be doing. The quote is: “None of them are legislative.” I would love to hear the Premier’s explanation for that answer.
Hon. J. Horgan: Well, I did just inventory a range of initiatives that have been underway just in the past short while — more treatment beds, wellness centres, mental health, substance urgent response teams — none of which required legislative change. So it’s completely consistent with what the minister said.
Bill 22 was carefully considered by this side of the House. The former minister did go through extensive consultation. We felt that we were on the right track. But the earnestness of the opposition at the time, particularly coming from the Third Party, based on leadership groups across the province as well as some of the organizations and individuals that the opposition leader just referenced, made it imperative that we pause on that statutory process.
But that did not delay or slow one bit the delivery of services and ensuring that we had in place the appropriate processes to protect vulnerable populations, whether they be youth or adults.
S. Bond: The Premier said, on Bill 22 a year ago, that “we’ll take the time to talk to more people.” It’s clear that has not been done.
It was so important to put a pause on the bill. It was reflected in the Premier’s decision. He made those comments — not me or not us — that that was one of the reasons he called a snap election, just like so many other things. “I’m going to do things differently,” said the Premier. “I’m going to work across political lines. I’m going to create $10-a-day daycare.” The list goes on.
We’re in the middle of an opioid crisis, where six people a day are dying, and words matter. Families believed the Premier when he said: “We will consult. We’ll take a year.” I certainly hope that one of the outcomes of this discussion is that this Premier sits down and has a conversation with his minister, because let’s look at what else she said in estimates. This isn’t about let’s just talk about the minister. It’s about promises made to British Columbians — a risky pandemic election based, apparently, on the need to deal with this bill.
When our critic for Mental Health and Addictions, who…. I very much appreciate the work that he has done. When the minister was pressed about her lack of action and lack of consultation on youth stabilization care legislation, her response was: “I will simply say that I have made a decision about priority actions within my ministry that I believe…our budget well articulates. I will say again that the priority decision that I made was based on what I was hearing personally from people on the front line.”
Well, maybe the minister should have listened more carefully to what the Premier told British Columbians before he called a snap election. He put this bill on pause, with a promise to British Columbians that he would consult. That was a year ago. Now we have a minister saying: “I’ve made up my mind about what the priorities are.”
So maybe the Premier could get up again and make sure that British Columbians and people in this Legislature and all of the parties that had concerns and families who are concerned…. If the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has chosen her priorities, perhaps the Premier today could articulate for British Columbians where this bill is. He should stand up and make sure that British Columbians know that he meant what he said, because apparently the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has set her own priorities.
Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I believe that the actions on this side of the House have been completely consistent. We’re delivering services without the requirement for statutory change. That’s the position of the government, and we are committed to bringing the legislation back.
Independent officers will be consulted. The experts in the field are ready to go in July. As I said, the First Nations Health Council is not yet prepared to have these discussions. When they are, hopefully before too long, we’ll get underway there.
I am very confident, and I can give the assurances today to the Leader of the Opposition, that a variation on Bill 22 will be back before this House for careful consideration. I’m confident, based on what I’m hearing from the leader, that her caucus will be united in supporting it.
S. Bond: What the Premier can be confident of is that the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Third Party have offered to work in a transparent, public way — not with a briefing behind closed doors on one issue — about an overdose crisis in British Columbia that’s claiming six lives a day.
There isn’t consistency, and the Premier knows it. The minister said consultation hasn’t started. The Premier said a year ago that it would start. The minister says she has set priorities. Apparently, one of them doesn’t include moving expeditiously on something the Premier promised British Columbians and used as his rationale — one of the issues he raised — for calling a snap election.
This isn’t just about consultation on legislation. Let’s look at another example. Words matter. Most of the mental health addictions and overdose programs in British Columbia run through the five regional health authorities. Yet despite being the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions for over six months, this is what the minister was forced to admit the other day: “I have not met with all of the CEOs of the health authorities yet.”
Does the Premier think it is acceptable that during a crisis of this magnitude, which continues to get worse…? Every month the numbers are worse than they were last year. Does he think it is acceptable that the minister he tasked with this responsibility has yet to even meet with the people responsible for programs in regional health authorities across British Columbia?
Hon. J. Horgan: Well, the minister and this government are committed to delivering services. I’m absolutely confident that the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions is discharging her responsibilities, because it’s evident in the creation of more treatment beds. It’s evident in the urgent response centre that was established. It’s evident in the virtual programs that we put in place through the pandemic.
The challenge that I think the opposition has is that for 16 years, they didn’t address mental health and addictions questions to the extent that we have in the short time we’ve been here. I appreciate very much that they want to now get on board, and I welcome that. I encourage the Leader of the Opposition to follow the lead of the Leader of the Third Party. Let’s have the minister and the two leaders sit down and figure out where there’s an opportunity for collaboration, and let’s get going on that.
Hyperbole on all sides is not what the public wants. What they want is the delivery of services. We’ve been doing that, as the minister said — services that don’t require statutory change.
The challenges of the bill that was brought forward were made abundantly clear by a range of individuals, including independent officers and Indigenous leadership. We’re going to focus on that. We’re going to get that done. But there has been no shortage of other tasks at hand that also have an impact on mental health and wellness. That has been a priority coming out of the pandemic as well. We all know the anxiety that people are feeling in their own homes and in their own communities. Imagine that across five-million-plus people in this province.
We have a health challenge, of course, when it comes to opioid addictions. We’ve been working to try and destigmatize, to try and ensure that we are legalizing modest possession for personal use so that we do not have people characterized as criminals because they have an addiction to opioids. These are basic steps forward. We require, in that instance, support from the federal government, and we’ll continue to work on that.
There’s a whole host of other initiatives that are underway. Prescription alternatives, for example, again have been expanded significantly under our government, and we’re going to continue to do that. We have a toxic drug supply. Legislation will not amend the toxic drug supply.
What we need to do is make sure that the services that do exist are funded appropriately. As we expand those services, as was contemplated under the act, Bill 22, we’ll get to that place where we have unanimity around the table, including those who were opposed in the summer of 2020, to get the bill passed. I’m counting on support from the opposition to do that.
S. Bond: Well, I take it that the Premier is not overly concerned, then, that the minister, who needs to be working, on a regular basis, with people who work on the ground, in every corner of this province, who deal with addictions and overdose programs across this province…. He hasn’t heard from his minister. I think, in fact, the comment was: “Well, it’s hands-off. I don’t tell them what to do.” It’s not about that, and the Premier knows it.
We also know that the Premier’s characterization of the past track record of the government is also not accurate. Work was done, significant work, often led by Dr. Perry Kendall and others who cared about this issue, passionately. It is not a partisan issue.
It is an issue of a Premier who said he was going to do something and hasn’t done it. There can be all kinds of excuses proffered, but the fact of the matter was that he said a year ago that consultation would take place. Families have been crying out for an opportunity to see work done on this piece of legislation. The minister says: “Oh, not my priority. I’m doing this, this and this.”
Let’s talk about the size of the ministry itself. We know that over the last number of days I’ve canvassed, in the Legislature, the Premier’s office budget: this year alone, $3.3 million. Let’s compare that to the increase for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions — which, I would remind the Premier, is the smallest ministry in government. The increase was 0.18 percent. The Premier can’t stand today and argue that it’s an effective ministry, getting all kinds of work done, when the minister has made it clear that she doesn’t manage and run the programs.
Now, 0.18 percent was the increase in the budget for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. I would appreciate the Premier standing up and explaining for us the process that went into deciding that his office would get $3.3 million and that a ministry that is tasked with important, critical work — like trying to figure out how we’re going to deal with six people a day dying in our province — gets 0.18 percent. Could the Premier explain for us the process and the absolutely shocking difference in budget increases?
Hon. J. Horgan: Again, as an experienced member of this place and an experienced member of cabinet, the opposition leader will know that the delivery of services is the responsibility of health authorities.
We have increased, in Budget 2021, the delivery of services for mental health and addictions by over $500 million. This is part of a $1.2 billion investment, over the past number of years, in the various foundations of the Pathway to Hope, allowing real progress on true systems of care that offer coordinated services for mental health and substance use, as well as accelerating the response to the overdose emergency. There’s a litany of other initiatives that are contained in that.
The office budget for the ministry is not the delivery of services. That’s the model that we set up, and it’s working effectively.
S. Bond: I think there’s a lot of debate, and rightly so, about whether or not the ministry is working properly. I think that having a Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is important, but what’s even more important is what gets done.
On one hand, we have the Premier outlining that this ministry doesn’t look after service delivery — in fact, it’s the health authorities — only to discover that the person sitting in the office with the title minister hasn’t even talked to the health authorities that deliver that service.
The Premier can shake his head, but the minister actually said she hasn’t spoken to them. So the fact of the….
Interjection.
S. Bond: Well, the Premier can stand up and….
Interjection.
The Chair: Please, through the Chair. Thank you.
S. Bond: The Premier can stand up and correct the record. His minister said that she had not spoken directly to the regional health authorities that deliver service. I would suggest that it’s probably important that the person who is sitting in the office with the title actually lines up with the people delivering the services on the ground.
The Premier must feel some degree of concern. This is a ministry that recently has been titled the ministry of air. I don’t say that in a flippant or casual way. I actually care that something gets done.
We have a crisis that continues to deepen under this Premier’s leadership. It’s not just us — the Premier can shake his head — or the media saying that this is a ministry of air. Let’s look at what Professor Tyndall at the UBC School of Population and Public Health had to say. This should concern the Premier. He should want to walk out of this chamber today and fix this.
Here’s the quote: “When you look into this ministry…. I mean, it’s basically just a front. There’s no power. There’s no decision-making. They take quite a junior minister” — remember that these are not my words — “and make her kind of stand there and answer questions. But she has no budget and no power.”
Will the Premier agree today that there needs to be additional work to ensure that the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is leading, aligned, engaged in and dealing with this crisis with people on the ground who deliver those services? Will he at least admit that there is room for improvement and that he is committed to doing that?
Hon. J. Horgan: Again, for those who are just turning in, British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in the country to dedicate an individual at the cabinet table to ensure that we were focusing on this issue. It’s been duplicated in Ontario, with an associate minister. Again, as with the model here, they took the template.
The health authorities deliver the services. They have always delivered the services. To create a parallel process of service delivery would have been counterproductive.
The objectives that we set out here are starting to be duplicated in Ontario. Just recently Manitoba has also followed suit by putting in place a minister responsible for mental health and addictions with a model similar to what we have here.
The health authorities have the expertise. The minister is engaging with the health authorities on the delivery of those services. That’s how it happens. It goes through the authorities, as it should. I’m confident that there’s always room for improvement in everything we do.
I would suggest there’s also room for improvement in the estimates process, whereby we focus on the budget estimates for the various components of government rather than drive-by issues that were raised in question period on one day and that had a full and frank canvassing by the ministers responsible for the files, full and frank discussions for the people responsible.
I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I know we have much, much more work to do, and so do British Columbians. The best way to do that is to start by collaborating. The overture has been made. The overture has been made to the Leader of the Opposition and to the Third Party. The Third Party has agreed.
Let’s sit down. Let’s figure out where we go together. That’s the commitment that I think I would like to hear from the other side right now.
The Chair: We still have five more minutes.
S. Bond: That is an absolutely unbelievable answer. “Let’s sit down and collaborate — like to hear about it, like to talk about it.” How about the Premier walk back to his office and ask his recently multi-million-dollar correspondence branch how many letters that I and the Leader of the Third Party have sent this Premier offering to work together in a non-partisan way?
For this Premier to suggest that issues raised in estimates are drive-by issues, shame on him. Today the drive-by issue of the day, according to the Premier, is talking about, with seriousness, how we improve the services coming out of the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. That hasn’t been only my concern, and the Premier knows it. We have heard it from across British Columbia.
I take the Premier’s words seriously. I look forward to a response to my request and the Leader of the Third Party’s request to stand up the Health Committee, to stand up the Aboriginal Affairs Committee, because if he means what he said in this Legislature today and before, that is exactly what he would do this afternoon.
Hon. J. Horgan: In this year’s budget, $500 million more for mental health and addictions — $500 million more. Twenty new treatment beds in Chilliwack. Seventy-five wellness beds at Royal Columbian. Low-cost and, in some instances, no-cost mental health and addictions counselling available virtually. B.C.’s first stand-alone ministry focused on making sure that every single day there’s someone at the cabinet table addressing these issues.
Interjections.
The Chair: Premier, one moment please.
We’ll have order. Thank you.
Go ahead.
Hon. J. Horgan: I appreciate that we’re running short on time, hon. Chair, and I appreciate the interventions by all members of the House during this budget debate. But at this point, if there are no further questions, I move the committee….
The Chair: Thank you, Premier. There’s actually a vote that I have to do beforehand.
Are there any further questions from the opposition? Leader of the Official Opposition, do you have a question?
S. Bond: I would like today, first of all, to thank the staff that have supported the Premier in his estimates. We know very well how hard the public service works in British Columbia.
I would like to suggest to the Premier that characterizing an estimates process that brings issues that are sincerely brought, that matter to British Columbians should hardly be characterized as drive-by issues, and I personally find that offensive.
With that, though, hon. Chair, my last question is simply: will the Premier today commit to activating the Standing Committee on Health and the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs to allow for there to be work done in a way that is transparent, that is public, that serves the benefit of the public good?
I would remind the Premier that in his mandate letter to every single minister in government, he said he would take good policy ideas, and he encouraged his ministers to do the same. I would suggest there’s an easy way to do that, and that is through the standing committee process.
Hon. J. Horgan: I also want to thank members for participating and the staff, as always, for support.
I just will also highlight that we had an anomaly yesterday because of the three-House system, where the accountable Minister of Health was on his feet and a member was asking the very same questions of that minister that were being asked in here of the budget estimates for the Premier. That’s the context with which I made the comment that the member took such umbrage with.
I do believe, firmly, that the best way for us to provide services to British Columbians, as they expect us to do, is to collaborate. That’s why the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has reached out, at my request, to the leaders of both parties to sit down and to figure out where we go together.
That appears to be inadequate for the Leader of the Official Opposition. It seemed to be appropriate in the mind of the Leader of the Third Party. I would suggest that the best way to get to the outcomes that the leader wants is to sit down and talk about it, and the minister is waiting for that overture.
The Chair: Thank you, colleagues, for the order, as we ended this debate.
Vote 11: Office of the Premier, $14,678,000 — approved.
Hon. J. Horgan: I move that the committee rise and report resolution and completion on the estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development and, further, report resolution and completion on the estimates of the Office of the Premier and ask leave to sit again.
Motion approved.
The committee rose at 11:55 a.m.
The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair.
Committee of Supply (Section B), having reported resolutions, was granted leave to sit again.
Committee of Supply (Section C), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again.
Committee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again.
Hon. K. Conroy moved adjournment of the House.
Motion approved.
Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. this afternoon.
The House adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE
DOUGLAS FIR ROOM
Committee of Supply
ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF HEALTH
(continued)
The House in Committee of Supply (Section A); R. Leonard in the chair.
The committee met at 11:19 a.m.
On Vote 32: ministry operations, $23,725,698,000 (continued).
A. Olsen: I’d like to first very briefly just acknowledge the herculean task that has been put in front of the Minister of Health over the last number of months with respect to the health crisis, the concurrent health crises that we faced. I just wanted to acknowledge and recognize that and recognize the skill and the work that he’s done and how the minister has navigated these very difficult times. It’s been a very challenging task, and I just want to raise my hands up to you, Minister. Thank you.
I’d like to start with a question around In Plain Sight, the report that was commissioned, or the investigation that was commissioned. There are many, many questions. We’ve got very limited time, so I’m going to be moving through three or four questions here quickly before turning the floor over to my colleague.
But I’d just like to ask the minister. I recognize that there’s a considerable amount of work being done in the ministry and that there are Indigenous leaders that have been put in place to help navigate that within the ministry.
I’m just wondering if…. In recognition of the fact that dealing with and addressing systemic racism doesn’t fall only on the shoulders of the staff within the Ministry of Health, the Indigenous leaders that are in place to deal with this, from the minister’s perspective, how can he and we as MLAs and, indeed, all of public service assist those Indigenous leaders that have been put in place to ensure the outcomes that we are all hoping for from the In Plain Sight report are fully realized?
Hon. A. Dix: I appreciate the comments of the hon. member.
I want to express my appreciation to the leader of the Green Party and the hon. member. Members of the public may not know that the hon. member, in his community, has played a significant role. He will know the person who’s been put in charge of the In Plain Sight recommendations, Associate Deputy Minister Dawn Thomas, who is also essentially on leave from her position as vice-president in the Vancouver Island Health Authority. The work that they did together in the Saanich community is work that’s seen, and is seen these days, as a significant advancement. That’s because of the commitment, of course, of First Nations in this region. But I also want to specifically appreciate the work that the member has done.
What I might do is just in general say how we’re responding to the report, because this is ongoing. I think we use the term “emergency” quite a bit these days in reference to the overdose crisis, of course, public health emergency and the COVID-19 public health emergency.
But the reason we did In Plain Sight in the middle of a pandemic was because it was needed. I think it’s a blueprint, a road map to make progress. I don’t think that Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond or anyone else thinks that it fully answers every question. But in a short period of time — the assignment in late June — a report that was comprehensive and thoughtful was tabled November 30. That is some of the most outstanding report work that we’ve ever seen, given the subject matter and the quality of the report.
So it’s my task, in part, as Minister of Health to play my role in it. I want to say that I invite the member to take part, and there will be many occasions to do so.
On the day the report was tabled, of course, we appointed Dawn Thomas, as I noted, as per recommendation 13 of the report. She’s created a team of experts around her in implementing all 24 recommendations. The In Plain Sight task team is now up and running. It involves and includes Indigenous regional representations, co-chaired by Métis, First Nations and government representatives.
Of course, many partners wanted to be part of the task team. Ordinarily, I say: “Well, we want a few people.” But in fact, in this case, we needed it to be broad, and it is.
Working with the health standards association, we’re developing a new accreditation standard. We’re looking at Indigenous representation on the complaint process. Each health authority is putting in place its own plans. Some are quite well advanced, helped and directed by the fact that each health authority now has two Indigenous representatives nominated to it.
What I would propose to the hon. member is that, because I think he can play a very important role on Vancouver Island as we work through our Island plan, we get together soon — with Dawn Thomas, with my deputy minister, Steve Brown, and the member. I’d be happy to do that to see how he can work into that process. It’s very important to me that I provide of course, direction and assistance and support and resources to that program, including the $45 million of new money we’re investing in cultural safety and humility over the next three years.
It’s also important that it not be my plan, because it’s not my plan. It’s our effort. I invite the hon. member to be part of that. I encourage him to come with us to see what role he’d like to play in all of that.
A. Olsen: I’ll cede the floor; my colleague has got a question.
I’d just like to say…. The key point that I’d like to raise is that this doesn’t fall entirely on the shoulders of the Indigenous leaders that you’ve put in this place — that every member of the public service and every member that represents the 87 seats of our governance and institution here plays a role. I’m definitely going to walk hand-in-hand with the minister on this, upon invitation. I think that the invitation goes out to the other 85 MLAs that represent the ridings as well. As well, the entire public service needs to make that work lighter for the Indigenous leaders that have been put in place. They’ve been given a very tough challenge.
I’ll cede the floor and then take the floor back when given the opportunity.
S. Furstenau: Welcome to the human pinball machine that my colleague from Saanich North and the Islands and I live in.
I’m going to start with capacity funding for community health networks. I’m sure the minister is very well aware of the excellent work that the nine community health networks on Vancouver Island do, covering all the regions from the north to the south.
The health networks have played a very key role, and I can speak to this personally in Cowichan, in working with local governments, Health, First Nations, community agencies, to speak with a collective voice on regional and local health issues by facilitating dialogue and understanding amongst citizens and stakeholders.
The community health networks’ facilitators are funded via Island Health, with a three-year service contract. Early in their development, some of the CHNs had access to seed funding or one-time grants that have supported them to operate in an advanced capacity. But with increasing community needs, particularly in the wake of COVID and the rising issues around mental health that we’re seeing, as well as rising operational costs and dwindling seed funding, the health networks are exploring opportunities to build on their base funding to support all aspects of community engagement activities and planning.
The ask that they have put forward is sustained funding of $40,000 per year, per network to provide the ability to carry out their very valuable work. This would be a total of $360,000 per year for Vancouver Island. Just very keen to hear the minister’s thoughts on that request from the community health networks.
Hon. A. Dix: As you know, the Vancouver Island Health Authority has created the Island Health community health networks. While they may have created them, it’s communities that sustain them through their work. Currently, as the member indicated, funding is provided through regional districts to support health networks across Island Health, but I’m interested in the member’s suggestion.
I know I’ve received requests from the community health networks. Those requests are not reflected in the budget that we’re passing this year, but they’re certainly something to consider. In addition, I note that the province provides $1 million in funds to the B.C. Healthy Communities society to support such activities, grants, workshops, webinars, training tools and resources to local government and Indigenous communities to enhance capacity and healthy community planning. That’s another way in which we support it, but certainly, I take the member’s comments as a representation. I’ll certainly review that request.
S. Furstenau: I’m going to stay in Cowichan a little bit here. We have some very specific needs in Cowichan that we’ve been hearing about from constituents and from health practitioners.
Specialized eye care in Duncan. We’ve received queries about this from the very beginning, 2017, but there is a very hard time for people to get access to retinal injections.
We also have a backlog — and I’m sure that this is replicated widely — for MRI capacity in Duncan. We have very limited programs and positions for psychiatrists in the Cowichan Valley.
I’m just wondering if the minister can speak to these needs that we are seeing in a community where I think the demographic trend is continually seeing the population get older and older and very much in need of these kinds of services.
Hon. A. Dix: I think one of the most important things that we can do and are doing is, of course, building a new Cowichan District Hospital. This is important, I think, for recruitment as well in the region. When you have outstanding health facilities…. Those are important for health professionals to want to come and to be in those hospitals, especially since such health facilities are available elsewhere. We’re building them all over the place. So that’s a significant and, I would say, massive investment.
But more immediately, I think the development of the Cowichan Valley PCN has been important. It was done in consultation with local divisions of family practice. That addresses in communities…. Those proposals originated in the community. Then they’re approved — significant funding, including 36 FTE primary care resources in the Cowichan Valley PCN. That’s a significant step that’s broader.
With respect to MRI and surgery and access to MRI and surgery, what’s happened on Vancouver Island is transformative, I would say. I received correspondence from the member about a particular case with respect to a hip and knee replacement, I think. It was a hip replacement, I’m thinking, of a constituent of hers.
On Vancouver Island, just to give a sense, the hip and knee cases waiting have been reduced, under the plan we put forward, from 2,900 to 1,600. That’s significant for people on Vancouver Island. The member will know we’ve gone from 174,000 MRIs across B.C. to 250,000 — even in the year of COVID — in the last few years. So wait times for MRIs on Vancouver Island…. Vancouver Island’s record on surgeries and MRIs is the best of all.
I’ll certainly look at the situation directly in Cowichan. But those services, more broadly, including cancer services and diagnostic services that have been brought to Victoria for the first time — those really provide better care.
There is a key aspect of our primary care networks. It is to provide not just physical health care but mental health care. Those investments are there, and the proposals from communities have consistently reflected that. It’s the reason we started….
It meant that it took a little longer, but we started with proposals from local divisions of family practice and communities in developing the PCNs. They reflect different interests, and you see varieties of them in rural and remote communities against urban communities. I’d be happy and I know the primary care staff would be happy to provide a detailed briefing on the progress of the primary care network, but I think it reflects the needs of the people in the community.
We need a health human resources plan in the province. Many of the services, in all areas…. It’s most, I think, acutely felt right now in mental health services, because historically that area has not been provided needed levels of service. We’ve seen very significant additions to that. I don’t want to get into the broad decisions about funding and mental health, but per-capita increases in mental health spending have increased 2½ times per year and outstripped the rest of the Health Ministry budget — as they should, given the circumstances.
Those challenges in terms of health human resources are going to continue to grow, particularly for people who work in mental health and addictions care, both at the level of psychiatrists but also across all of the professions and workers who work with people in mental health and addictions.
I think that what we’re doing in Cowichan is very exciting in the Cowichan Valley, especially in primary care. The advent of team-based care is very important. The addition of the hospital and all the other services we’re talking about is important. But we have to continue to add to those services, because the goal of having a hospital is not for people to be in hospital. The goal for a hospital is to be there if people need hospital care. The goal is to keep people well in their day-to-day existence. I think we do that by enhancing a primary care system that addresses physical and mental health, and that’s the intent of the primary care network.
S. Furstenau: Along that vein, the minister will know that we’ve been proposing to incorporate psychologists and, hopefully, eventually a wider range of mental health professionals and carers into our Medical Services Plan approach to medical care in B.C. Can the minister just speak to…? When he speaks about team-based care — recognizing that he’s just spoken to the need and recognition for mental health care to be part of that…. Can we see a growing number of these team-based care primary networks include psychologists, for example, that would be covered so that people can have that timely access to mental health care?
Hon. A. Dix: Certainly, in our primary care networks…. These initiatives come from the community, so you get a sense of who the partnership is in her areas — of course, Island Health, the Ministry of Health, the Cowichan Valley division of family practice, the First Nations Health Authority, Cowichan Tribes, numerous First Nations and the Cowichan Communities Health Network. Those groups have come together to sign together this effort to improve primary care.
Frequently this has been the case — for example, in Langford. It’s the case in the PCN in the Tri-Cities–New Westminster area. We’ve seen significant resources — in that case, directing resources to a non-profit to enhance counselling services because that was what came forward through the PCN process. The proposal came forward. That was our first one approved. That’s why I recognize it so much.
So I think there is an important opportunity to expand those services. I know that the member has a proposal around MSP. It’s a little different, I think, that proposal, than what we’re proposing in team-based care. We’re proposing building teams and communities that provide a whole range of health services. And to a degree…. And there is a big debate about MSP as the vehicle for that and fee-for-service as a vehicle for that. The fee-for-service system — people are often derisive of it because it’s the existing system. But it has served us well in many respects.
We have a fee-for-service system that we’re trying to develop with a fee-for-service system and a team-based care system that combines fee-for-service with people who are essentially paid on salary. That’s the challenge of primary care networks in many communities. You have a group of people who are paid for through fee-for-service and a group of people who are paid for through salary and providing other services.
But the effort to increase primary care resources for mental health on the ground is significant. I think it’s fully entrenched in our primary care network proposals. And I take seriously the proposal about MSP access for counselling. I take it seriously, but I see very significant investments happening in team-based primary care.
I’m not sure that expansion of the MSP system, given the nature of the MSP system, is where we’re likely to go. I’m not dismissive of it, but I don’t think that that’s where we’re likely to go. I think if we were to have it…. As we have more resources, we’re going to be continuing to expand what I think is a transformative model of care across the range of care, understanding that people with mental health issues have the same variety of issues — or not the same variety but as much a variety of issues — to deal with as people with physical health care, so we have a range of services for one, and we’ll have a range of services for the other.
S. Furstenau: I’ll do one quick follow-up and then pass it back to my colleague from Saanich North and the Islands.
Just on that, I think the vehicle for achieving the outcome I would leave to the experts, in a way. But I think the outcome, the goal, would be that somebody would be able to access mental health care — you know, a psychologist — in the same way that they can access a doctor if they have an injury or an illness and be able to not have the cost of that access be an impediment to being able to seek that care in a really timely way.
The proposal that we’ve put forward, working with the psychologists association, is really, absolutely incorporating the psychologists into the primary care network and having the psychologists be able to be part of whatever way that they are billing or being paid for by the health care system, as opposed to the patient seeking that mental health care having to pay for that up front, which is, as we know, a very significant impediment to a lot of people seeking particularly psychological care that can really benefit them with very few touches with that psychologist.
It’s that outcome — that those primary care networks really do have that stable access to psychologists and then ultimately to a variety of mental health care practitioners who can support people.
Hon. A. Dix: I’ll just say, in addition to that, that I think sometimes some of the changes that have been made as a result of COVID-19 and the development of virtual care are very helpful here as well, very helpful for people addressing mental health issues.
There’s a tendency, I think, for those of us — I’m not suggesting this is the case for the member — who come upon these issues for the first time, who don’t treat and support people with mental illness, to think, in our mind’s eye, what care is. A lot of care can be developed virtually through resources that are provided to people, as well as more direct care and then, of course, acute care. There’s a range of care that’s made available.
Some of the advances that have been made in recent times are important. Part of it, as well, I think, is the need, across the range of services, for doctors and nurses who are there in communities to be more equipped and better equipped to handle mental health and addiction issues. In British Columbia, there was an organization started in the 1990s, called MACU, at the University of British Columbia, which really works with primary care doctors across the province in advanced education. There’s an organization called CARMHA that works out of Simon Fraser University that does the same thing.
I think the whole system…. There’s a tendency to look at this in a block: “We’ve got to deal with it this way.” Actually, we have to deal with it comprehensively. That’s why team-based care is important. We also need our extended primary care operations to be able to respond to mental health issues better. That involves ongoing education and supports that are available to primary care doctors, to nurse practitioners, to nurses, to health sciences professionals and to others to help and support people where they are at that time.
If I’m presenting to my primary care doctor and I have issues that may be physical health issues or mental health issues, we have an obligation to ensure that those doctors are prepared for that, able to address that and deal with that. Overwhelmingly and significantly, they are. This evolution has taken place over 25 years. It’s where, I think, telehealth and other things can also support, on the ground, primary care doctors in, say, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof or Fort Nelson to provide for and support people who present with such issues — in their offices, typically. That’s what we need to do as well.
A. Olsen: Just a question about the Lady Minto Hospital emergency room extension project that is currently underway. I’ve written the minister on this. I believe the ministry is aware of my advocacy on this. Just very quickly, Lady Minto Hospital also serves as the de facto walk-in medical clinic for my constituents on Saltspring Island. In fact, Saltspring Island is the largest community without a walk-in medical clinic. There are 11,000 full-time residents. The population of Saltspring has quintupled since the current Lady Minto Hospital opened in 1958.
While Island Health acknowledges that there is need for improvements, they’ve entered into a memorandum of understanding with the hospital foundation to design and build a new emergency department. The foundation is responsible for 100 percent of the capital costs, and Island Health has agreed to 100 percent of the operating costs.
I think this will be an example of a community who is being overlooked by the Ministry of Health. I note the minister has made a lot of announcements for capital investments. I think that it’s been framed, unfortunately, that the community is all too happy to fundraise for this hospital expansion project, this emergency room expansion project, although I think that that’s the wrong frame. The reality is that this community is being forced to fundraise entirely for the capital costs of this project, unlike many communities across the province represented by members from all across the legislative chamber.
I’m just wondering if the minister and the ministry could contribute to the capital infrastructure improvements that are so greatly needed on Saltspring, not only for the emergency room but, as well, for the inevitability of a walk-in. They might not be going to an emergency room in an another community, but — because Saltspring don’t have that walk-in clinic or an urgent primary care centre — this hospital ends up being that service as well.
Hon. A. Dix: The Lady Minto Hospital expansion project has been approved and is proceeding. It is fantastic news. The member isn’t quite right. The foundation is contributing a portion. The capital regional hospital district is providing the balance of capital funding. We’re grateful to both. It’s exciting to see it go ahead.
Obviously, we’re supporting operating funding, which is, over time, the most significant part of the funding that Island Health has. This is just fantastic news. I would like to, at length, describe the deficiencies of the current ED, the emergency department, and all the things that are happening. I just want to thank the people of Saltspring Island for having been part of this. It’s going to improve care on Saltspring Island. It makes it easier, as we’ve said in the case of Cowichan, to recruit people. It’s going to make care better. I just couldn’t be more excited to say that it’s been approved and it’s proceeding.
And I’ll say to the member, if I could — because this is the last answer, I think, in this morning session; I’ve been given the note saying that I have to move the motion and everything else — that I think there’s something that he and I need to do together, because three-quarters of his constituency leads British Columbia in vaccinations.
He will know that the community health service area involving the other islands is at 88 percent. Sidney is at 87 percent. North Saanich is at 86 percent. Saltspring Island is not doing badly, but it’s at the provincial average. What I’d ask him to do is to continue to push immunization on Saltspring Island with us, because I think Saltspring Island can’t be left behind. The rest of his constituency is leading B.C. That average is not good enough for Saltspring Island, and we need to raise immunization levels there.
I look forward to working together with him to see that that happens. Perhaps we can have a little internal Saanich North and the Islands competition to see those immunization rates come up. It’s great news for everyone. I thank him for his support of the Lady Minto project, which is going to make health care better on Saltspring Island. I just can’t be more excited to speak about that project. I wish I had more time.
I move that the committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.
Motion approved.
The committee rose at 11:48 a.m.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE
BIRCH ROOM
Committee of Supply
ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF
TRANSPORTATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
(continued)
The House in Committee of Supply (Section C); D. Coulter in the chair.
The committee met at 11:18 a.m.
On Vote 43: ministry operations, $948,948,000 (continued).
M. Lee: I appreciate that we’re back for this final day of estimates process. To the minister and his team, thank you for their work in the last number of days to address the questions that the members of our opposition caucus as well as the Green Party — the Third Party — have had.
In terms of topics, we have four of my colleagues this morning. That follows the outline that we provided yesterday morning. At this point, I’d just like to invite the member for Kelowna-Mission.
R. Merrifield: Thank you so much to both the minister for hearing my question as well as to the critic for allowing me this time and space this morning.
It’s no secret that the Okanagan Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas in B.C., and since 2014, the Okanagan has actually grown over 2 percent per year. Additionally, Kelowna is the fastest-growing municipality in B.C. as well as the fourth in Canada.
Over the next 20 years, forecasted growth is for an additional 64,000 individuals into the city of Kelowna alone, never mind the Okanagan Valley.
Much of that growth is happening with younger populations, because the 25- to 40-year-olds are one of the highest and fastest-growing demographics. With this growth, regional transportation absolutely needs to be a priority.
There are previous provincial committees on regional aspects of transportation primarily on providing future corridors, other crossings and bypasses for transportation related to goods that need to actually go through the Okanagan rather than just simply being delivered to the Okanagan. Furthermore, there are actually opportunities for alternate forms of transportation that will require these vital corridors in the future.
Could the minister give an update on where these conversations are at, if active committees are taking place and on what will be done for the future on a regional aspect of the Okanagan Valley?
Hon. R. Fleming: Thank you to the member for the question and the preamble around the growth challenges that Kelowna and other parts of the Okanagan region are facing — and the opportunities that go with that.
Our ministry works quite closely with Municipal Affairs and cities like Kelowna and local governments throughout the region. In Kelowna, specifically, we’re working with them on what’s called integrated transportation and development services. So looking at shaping some of that growth, new housing starts, new commercial and businesses to enhance and maximize transit connections is really the idea behind that. Those are very positive, collaborative discussions between the province and local government.
By way of update as well, in terms of an overall vision for the region, the Central Okanagan integrated transportation strategy is nearing completion. This was the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure working with local governments and regional districts on a number of forward-looking regional priorities. That was, again, a very collaborative process between local government and our ministry. It started in late 2020, so done virtually in the middle of the pandemic. It’s completion is expected next year, in 2022. My understanding is that it’s substantially complete, but a technical review of some of the findings and aspirations that are in that strategy is part of the process. That’s the next phase of that process.
Essentially, we’re on the same page with local government in the region — that the ministry wants to not just be about building roads in cities like hers — looking at how we can expand active transportation, how we can expand public transit options in communities to reduce congestion and create a more livable Okanagan region.
The last thing I would say, too, is that B.C. Transit has expanded some intercity connections in the region. I’m sure the member is aware that prior to the pandemic, a service was initiated connecting, via B.C. Transit, Penticton and Kelowna. That was a twice-daily, round-trip service on weekdays. The current plan for B.C. Transit is to expand that starting in January 2022 to more frequent service and those kinds of connections.
Again, a number of communities, Vernon among them, have really good public transit systems. They need intercommunity connections, so that’s a new area of focus for B.C. Transit systems that are in her region.
R. Merrifield: Thank you to the minister for the answer. I look forward to seeing the report as it comes out in 2022 and hope that it will cover off many of the future transportation needs of the community.
Additionally, I also agree with the minister and would echo that the intercity connectedness is really the priority. That, within each of the city centres, there’s transit, and transit gets dealt with on an ongoing basis. But it’s really looking at the entirety of the Okanagan Valley and the region and how we connect together to really connect those services that are found within each of the communities.
With that, I will conclude my comments and my remarks and turn it over to the next colleague. Thank you so much for your time.
B. Stewart: To the minister and his staff: thanks very much for having the time to answer questions on an important area.
I really have three areas, and I know our time is limited. I wanted to speak to…. The first item is to do with the reopening in the interior of British Columbia, not just the Okanagan. It goes back to an announcement on May 17 done by the province and the federal government on an expansion and investment in avalanche control, more for the underserved areas.
But the question that the tourism industry continues to ask and wonder about is the choice of the current method — which is considered to be somewhat passive, using charges dropped by helicopters in the Coquihalla — versus some of the other corridors, such as the Three Valley Gap, that are using more modern technology — that is, recent developments.
I just wondered if the minister can comment if there are any planned upgrades for avalanche safety in the Coquihalla to improve the challenges when heavy snowfall events occur. I know it’s changed over the years, but tourism operators throughout the winter season are desperately wanting to make certain that best-available technology is being used.
Hon. R. Fleming: Thank you to the member for the question. He may be aware that the Auditor General of British Columbia recently concluded an audit report on avalanche control and the services provided by our ministry. The main conclusion was that avalanche control in the province of B.C. is managed very well.
Like all Auditor General reports, there were, of course, some recommendations around things for us to consider. They were thoughtful, good recommendations. We have accepted them all. We’re implementing a number of them and have implemented some already.
When it comes to the Coquihalla, we still use helicopter technology to drop explosive charges as a means of avalanche control. Over the last 20 years, there’s only been five extended closures that were due to weather conditions, where helicopters couldn’t get in to perform that service as a safety precaution. It’s very rare that we’re not able to perform that avalanche control service.
The member asked about new types of technology that are being deployed in the province for avalanche control. We are indeed investing in that. Three Valley Gap is a good example, where we’re using remote avalanche control towers. So instead of flying in, the control towers are preloaded and drop explosive devices to control avalanche risk.
We’ve also purchased, recently, radar avalanche technology, which I think was a $1.8 million investment for the installation. This is Highway 16, west of Terrace. What that does for us is give us data around accumulation and the risk of avalanche. It recommends controls or, in some cases, road closures as safety precautions. But that’s a new technology and a new, recent investment that our ministry’s made.
B. Stewart: Thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to question the minister on this. I appreciate that. So there is new technology that is being deployed, and obviously, I know the Coquihalla is one of the more complicated and challenging passes in British Columbia.
It’s safe to say that the minister is committed to continued investment in technology to reduce those closures — the extended ones. The closures extend beyond the five times when visibility is a problem for helicopters. It’s beyond that with the closure until it’s clear and slides have been removed.
I want to go to another matter. It’s one that I have continued to bring up. Back in 2018, the then Minister — Minister Trevena — and I spoke about an additional investment of $5.8 million on Westside Road. I just want to ask the minister if he could confirm that he’s aware of the lidar survey work that was done on that road in early 2010 that showed that Westside Road had a number of sections that did not meet the minimum specifications for a road of that nature and still remained to be unimproved.
Hon. R. Fleming: To the member’s question, Westside Road…. The investment since approximately 2014 has been about $40 million, including improvements that were made last year, which were around additional barriers that were installed and some other blasting work that occurred.
We recognize that there are narrow parts of the road that remain, but from the original identification of overall Westside Road improvements, the majority of them, and certainly the worst parts of that road, have now been fixed. In recognition that there are still some narrow parts of the road, the ministry, right now, is just monitoring their performance. But the investment that has been made has, obviously, improved the road significantly, and the work, even as recently as last year, was part of that overall road improvement.
With this piece of paper passed to me, I move that the committee rise and report progress and ask leave to sit again.
Motion approved.
The committee rose at 11:44 a.m.