Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements

A STRONGER B.C.

M. Dykeman: It’s a privilege to rise in the House today to talk about the path that we are on towards a stronger British Columbia.

These past few years have been so challenging, with fires, floods, heat domes and a pandemic, but despite all of that, a stronger British Columbia is being built. A stronger B.C. means economic opportunity for all, inclusive opportunities, while supporting sustainable growth and a resilient economy.

British Columbia is a beautiful province and has been an economic leader through the pandemic. Our stunning scenery, temperate climate and our geographic location as the westernmost province makes us a most desirable place to live, work, play and raise a family.

[J. Tegart in the chair.]

In the first nine months of 2021, nearly 85,000 people arrived in British Columbia from across Canada and around the world. This is the largest net migration in 28 years. With more than 1 million job openings forecasted over the next ten years, British Columbia needs to make sure that more people get the skills and supports they need to enter the workforce so that our province can keep pace with demand.

Two recent announcements by the government have demonstrated how our province is on the right path to realize the vision of a stronger, cleaner and more inclusive British Columbia, a province that offers opportunity for all, a place that provides opportunities for a strong economy for everyone.

The Stronger British Columbia economic plan and the InBC work together towards this vision, providing a road map for success. Stronger B.C. recognizes that people are B.C.’s most important asset. This plan was created after extensive consultation, and what came out of those conversations was that it was really important for British Columbians to see a long-term plan that recognizes that economic growth needs to be shared by all.

The Stronger B.C. plan takes a renewed approach to tackling issues while growing an inclusive economy. For instance, this plan takes an important step of measuring well-being indicators, like the amount of affordable housing and post-secondary seats, as opposed to only looking at the GDP. As we look to the future, we know that the world is rapidly changing and that we need to keep pace with that. Steps in this plan include closing the skills gap with a comprehensive strategy to make sure that British Columbians have the right skills and jobs for the future.

For example, creating new tech-relevant spaces in public post-secondary institutions and expanding student seats in high-opportunity sectors like health care, high tech, life sciences and agritech; building resilient communities with modern infrastructure, like key economic infrastructure — roads, bridges, transit — across British Columbia that have unfortunately been ignored too long by previous governments; by adding value and jobs in B.C.’s abundant natural resource sector and investing in new clean technologies; reducing barriers by investing in child care; and making sure everyone in every community has access to high-speed Internet.

The plan recognizes that we need a people-powered economy, supporting Indigenous post-secondary institutes and skills training, creating more graduate scholarships and internships for innovation, establishing a digital service hub so that British Columbians can more easily access education and training for in-demand jobs, expanding training for health care workers.

We saw during the pandemic how important it is to have those health care workers there, working hard every day. Investing in infrastructure that helps build tomorrow’s workforce, including a new world-class trades and technology complex on the BCIT campus, and expanding support programs to help workers and First Nations and communities through the economic transition.

I’m thrilled to see that the budget reflects that commitment, allocating to support the Stronger B.C. economic plan and its goals of inclusive, clean growth — building a better province for people and families. In building the Stronger B.C. plan, our government recognizes the importance that the private sector plays in the role of a strong economy, innovation and opportunity for all.

I’m thrilled to have a few minutes to talk about this part of the long-term vision, as Tuesday, March 8, is International Women’s Day, and InBC really embodies the commitment of a more inclusive economy. The InBC Investment Corp. is a $500 million strategic investment fund with a mandate to help promising companies grow, while generating returns that benefit all British Columbians. InBC is led by women in a male-dominated industry. They have a female board chair, CEO and CIO.

[10:10 a.m.]

Vancouver Tech Journal recently spoke about this, saying that InBC is one of the largest investment funds in Canada, shepherded by women in an industry dominated by men. They are striving for a triple bottom line, establishing B.C. as a globally competitive, low-carbon jurisdiction and promoting values that make life better for people in British Columbia, including job creation, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promoting diversity and inclusion, and achieving a financial return on investment.

The CIO, Leah Nguyen, recently announced — she’s starting effective April 4 — she will be leaving her current role as director at the Telus pollinator for good fund, and she also brings experience from her roles as a management consultant and project manager at Lululemon Athletica.

CEO Jill Earthy was brought in, in December 2021, and she says that InBC’s vision to create a world-class, sustainable and inclusive recovery for the province is inspiring. Her previous experience includes CEO of WeBC and chief growth officer from the FrontFundr. She was named one of Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 and a community champion by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

The nine-member board is led by Chair Christine Bergeron, who is the president and CEO of Vancity. This is a power board, coming together to create something fantastic for British Columbia.

The StrongerBC plan, coupled with InBC, recognizes the changing landscape of our economy, and consequently, the increase in demand for skilled workers to meet these demands for the jobs of tomorrow. I appreciate the forward-looking approach that these plans take, balancing supporting people, industry and our environment to lay out a road map to a cleaner, more inclusive and economically strong future for B.C.

As we come out of these past challenging few years, recognizing that there will no doubt be challenges ahead, I’m confident the future is bright for our province and for all British Columbians.

L. Doerkson: Thank you to the member opposite for her comments this morning. I’m sure that we can both agree wholeheartedly that we want to see our province thrive, that we want to see our economy strengthen and our people successful and cared for.

I’m sure it also may come as no surprise that we may have differing opinions on the path that we take to get there. The member opposite, for example, believes that the StrongerBC economic plan is the best route to get to where we need to go as a province, and I would respectfully disagree with that assertion.

There’s no doubt that there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to improve the lives of people in British Columbia. Right now British Columbia is facing an unprecedented affordability crisis. The cost of housing, gas and groceries is higher than ever. People are having difficulty finding good jobs or keeping their businesses open. Nearly half of the people say that they are $200 or less away from being able to pay their bills at the end of the month.

And what about natural disasters? As we experience the growing impacts of climate change, we see still worsening wildfire seasons, spring floods and other extreme weather events. How do we ensure that we are putting the right resources into preventing and preparing for these events so that we aren’t always left to deal with the long and difficult recovery periods on the other side?

A stronger B.C. will be one that doesn’t just respond more effectively to environmental crisis but actively listens to the voices on the ground when it comes to developing and implementing our prevention and miti­gation strategies.

A stronger B.C. is also a more connected B.C. We cannot forget the importance of not just Internet connectivity but also improving the transportation networks, especially when it comes to roadways and transit services in rural British Columbia. What this province really needs are steps forward and long-term plans that we are still not seeing.

First and foremost, we need a solid plan to address the rising cost of living, from housing to gas prices. This is not just an issue in the Lower Mainland but something that is impacting every single corner of this province, including my constituency of Cariboo-Chilcotin.

[10:15 a.m.]

We also need a plan to make B.C. the best place to do business in Canada, both by reducing red tape and increasing confidence. We need to become a competitive jurisdiction once again. We need to attract investment and grow our economy.

This will happen not just through cutting red tape, which is certainly vital, but also through the implementation of a plan for tax relief for struggling businesses, especially from the employer health tax and the property tax. After two long and difficult years, our businesses are finding it harder than ever to get by. We need to provide them with relief so that they can grow and thrive, creating good jobs and supporting our communities.

We are also witnessing the clear need for a comprehen­sive health human resources strategy to address our nurse, doctor and paramedic shortages throughout the province. Our health care system has been under incredible strain over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic turned an already stretched system into one that is now incredibly overwhelmed, and we need to be taking real steps to recruit, train and retain our health care professionals. This is about the health of our province, and we cannot say we are creating a stronger B.C. if ensuring access to reliable, quality health care is not part of our plan.

As we move out of this pandemic and forward as a province, we have to make sure that we know what issues matter most. We must pursue those solutions. British Columbians deserve to know that all of us in this chamber are committed to improving not only just B.C. as a whole but also the individual lives of everyday people. They need to see that we are prioritizing the issues that impact them every single day. Hopefully, this government chooses to make that a reality.

M. Dykeman: Thank you to the member opposite for their comments.

I’m just going to pick up where I left off, talking about the great new story of leadership and the fact that, as I mentioned, we are a day ahead of International Women’s Day.

Women like Leah Nguyen, Jill Earthy and Christine Bergeron are also part of a broader cultural shift in the way that we talk about gender in managing money. Women are underrepresented in professional investing. A 2019 study by the Knight Foundation revealed that women make up only 8 percent of professional investors. There’s a lack of racial diversity too.

Another interesting fact that I have read recently. The Starling Bank had analyzed 300 investing articles. The rhetoric for women: “Stop shopping so much.” For men: “Take risks.”

In these articles, women were defined as excessive spenders across 65 percent of the articles, and 71 percent of articles told women to save by couponing or bargain-hunting, which is really disappointing to see at this time. They advised women to limit, restrict and take better control of their shopping splurges. Men were encouraged to dare to invest and told that financial success would make them more of a man. This has the implicit assumption that women shop while men do stocks.

Seeing this shift and seeing this leadership within a plan, looking at a stronger British Columbia, recognizing that we need to have an inclusive province where we don’t have percentages — whether racial or gender or poverty — marginalized, looking at the whole picture is what will build our economy to be stronger in the future.

I know that we’ve seen this shift everywhere. We’ve seen a change in the world. I’m immensely proud to be part of the first governing caucus in Canadian history to have a majority of women, and this chamber, on both sides of the House, has trailblazers. We have professors, women in STEM, lawyers, scientists, medical professors, farmers. We have people who have served in academia. We have people who have headed up not-for-profits.

This chamber and this government recognize that we have achieved this within this building. We need a StrongerBC plan that allows more people….

I know I stood on the shoulders of the women that came ahead of me, and we need to see that translated out into the population so that all people, like our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, have equal opportunity to lead a stronger, more resilient, more inclusive economy for British Columbia.

[10:20 a.m.]

ETHICAL LNG

E. Ross: The events happening in Europe are changing the world in real time. We’re experiencing the effects over here in B.C., because it’s undeniable that there is an energy crisis going on. It’s not due to a shortage of potential energy.

We, as British Columbians, need to help to bridge the gap that our international partners are currently facing. We know Vladimir Putin will continue to threaten and try to hold European democracies hostage by withholding energy supplies for years to come.

In B.C., we’re in a position to help address this. We recognize these projects take time, and we can’t do it overnight. But the current Russian threat isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We need to be ramping up our ability to export liquefied natural gas in a focused way and replace the energy that Europe was previously accessing and reduce their dependence on Russia’s energy.

British Columbia has a chance to be a world leader in helping bridge this energy gap. We have access to a transitional resource that will aid our international partners, but failure to act on this now could be an incredibly missed opportunity for our province and the success of our partners around the world.

It takes strong and resourceful leadership to support these projects, as elected First Nation leaders have done from all across B.C. since 2004. We must realize that British Columbia is limited in what we can do and what’s within our jurisdiction. Providing access to our energy supply, which we are blessed with, is one major thing that we can do that could make a considerable impact for decades to come.

When we consider taking action, talking about doing so is not enough. We all stand up and say that we support the incredibly brave people of Ukraine, but other free democratic countries are doing otherwise. British Columbians, including First Nations, are ready to provide much more than their sentiments and sympathy in condoning the current actions of Russia.

One obvious step we can take is the expansion of the export of our abundant LNG, a transitional energy source that can reduce Europe’s dependency on Russia. We know, as per signed agreements, B.C. First Nations already support energy projects, including oil, gas and renewables. However, we ask what the government is prepared to do to demonstrate that they will take active steps to support democracies and freedom.

The message we must send to Vladimir Putin isn’t going to be delivered with an empty vodka bottle. It’s going to be delivered with plentiful and clean LNG, which will ultimately reduce his capacity to intimidate democracies. The reality is that if B.C. doesn’t show leadership, we could be looking at more global consumption of coal instead of LNG as a cleaner, ethical transitional fuel.

Gas analysts from Wood Mackenzie say that as Russia disrupts the gas supply, competition for LNG from Europe would force countries like Japan and China to burn more coal and only further the climate emergency. We face a long-term challenge, and countries around the world are looking for a safe transitional fuel. Again, we know that Europe doesn’t want to get it from Russia. B.C. can be a leader in this transition by providing a secure source of clean and ethical LNG.

If the B.C. government wants to get serious about the grave situation facing Europe and the world, there are options at its disposal. Two major energy companies, BP and Shell, have already made the enormous decision to cancel energy investments with Russia — $3 billion alone for just two companies. This will add to the energy deficit that the globe is currently seeing.

Countries around the world are already taking active steps to address this threat, and they’re doing that by accelerating LNG development and production. The global liquefied natural gas industry is already close to producing its limits, and they can’t currently produce anymore. But here in B.C., we have a huge source of clean, safe, ethical LNG, clean LNG, which is still untapped. Even the United States declares that B.C. LNG is clean.

It’s a shame that B.C. has multiple projects on the books waiting for permits. It’s not one or two but seven LNG projects that are waiting for permits here in B.C., all at a time when countries around the world are crying out for a secure source of clean and ethical LNG as an alterna­tive to dirty coal. Nisg̱a’a LNG, Woodfibre LNG, Haisla Cedar LNG, Chevron’s KLNG, Skeena LNG, Totem LNG and Port Edward LNG are all waiting for permits.

[10:25 a.m.]

As you know, Madam Speaker, energy is a topic that is close to my heart, especially when talking about British Columbia, energy dependence and affordability. It’s why I got into politics in first place. As we’ve seen it play out here in B.C., LNG started in Kitimat with First Nations, which was an import facility in 2004 but was changed to an export terminal as new technology emerged across North America. This truly did have the potential to change everything in B.C.

This was especially true for our progressive First Nations who could see themselves being included in the B.C. economy for the first time. But first, government and First Nations had to learn how to work out our issues together, and from 2004 to 2017, we made incredible progress that’s still benefiting B.C. today. It was a great time, and those positive results are actually benefiting many British Columbians today.

I am urging this government to consider what more we can do as British Columbia to contribute to the prosperity and continuing success that LNG has afforded us within our own province and how we can support our global partners in this time of uncertainty and crisis.

R. Russell: To be honest, I’m astounded that the member, again, has mentioned the heart-wrenching situation in the Ukraine, and I’m absolutely disappointed in the use of a humanitarian catastrophe on the world stage as a rationale to play politics over caring for people.

The people of B.C. will not be hoodwinked into believing that somehow this egregious act that Putin has engaged in and initiated is a rationale to ignore our duty to our people for due process for investment, for permitting and for construction of projects like these. The current high price of LNG doesn’t excuse us from the need to move forward safely and transparently and retain our commitments to our climate action objectives.

Other than that, thank you to the member opposite for his statement and for the chance to respond. I’m pleased to know that we do share a common objective, being economic prosperity for rural British Columbia. However, where we differ, I believe, is that from what I hear from the opposition, their vision for economic prosperity differs rather dramatically on two fronts.

One, because it is limited to just that — financial prosperity at the expense of our social integrity, at the expense of our environmental health and, perhaps most importantly for the member opposite, for the expense of our long-term economic health. We care about sustainable employment, social cohesion and environmental functioning as well as revenue. These are not mutually exclusives, but it does take a little creative thought to get us there. And two, because it is built on a decades-, even centuries-old model of what economic development looks like, focused on chasing smokestacks.

Since the onset of the industrial age, communities have been regularly getting hoodwinked by this shortsighted vision, enticed by glossy sales campaigns that promise….

Deputy Speaker: Excuse me, Member. I’d ask you to withdraw the word “hoodwinked.” I ruled it out of order last week, and I would ask you to withdraw it at this time.

R. Russell: Even if, Madam Speaker, I’m referring to communities?

Deputy Speaker: I would ask you to withdraw the comment.

R. Russell: I will withdraw.

Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

I would remind members that this is the non-partisan part of the morning.

R. Russell: Thank you.

Our vision is broader than the narrow and short-term political wins. That’s why we have a strong commitment to climate action through our CleanBC Roadmap, a road map that, for the record, is expected to generate 18,000 direct and spinoff jobs, jobs with good return financially, socially and environmentally.

I would note that my part of the world is rural, rooted in resource extraction, mining, forestry, agriculture, and so on. Things like the high cost of fuel do hit us hard because driving almost anywhere means that we have to go up and over mountains to get to the services we need. But we’ve also seen very explicitly that the costs of inaction on climate are painful. The expense of ignoring climate action comes with enormous personal, social and financial costs that we are all struggling to shoulder. We are exhausted from the floods, fires, heat and droughts that are costing us too much.

The opportunity for financial wealth right now cannot come at the risk of having our communities wash down the river or burnt down again. So it is critical that, as has been said, we will not abandon our climate commitments, and we will not cut corners on the environmental assessments that protect people, land and water. These processes are in place for the sake of all of us, including our neighbours, communities and, indeed, our children’s children.

[10:30 a.m.]

The member for Skeena has previously discussed how he cares about sustainable employment and financial reconciliation. I’m pleased, since this is, again, something that we agree on. Where we differ, perhaps, is the time frame.

If we want forward-looking and effective economic independence for First Nations, if we want good jobs for our children’s children in a world that is safe and secure, then all indicators are that future LNG expansion isn’t the answer.

Look to exemplary First Nations action like what we’ve seen with the Osoyoos Indian Band. I’m sure you’ve heard stories of the good work that Chief Clarence Louie and his team are doing there, investing in tourism, agriculture, small business, forestry, cannabis, energy utilities. These are the kinds of projects that provide good and sustainable jobs, diversified and resilient revenue lines and economic independence, and they don’t destroy natural and social capital to create that wealth.

We should be talking about what the people of Kitimat or Lytton or Princeton or Okanagan Falls want to see their economy and their culture and their community look like in ten years or 20 years and be working towards that together.

The long-term forecasts from industry that I see for future LNG development don’t look particularly rosy. In contrast, I see our government’s investments into the actual human capital of our province as extremely promising, investments in the skills and structures to help individuals thrive in their rural communities for generations to come without huge environmental price tags. Clean tech, skills training, agriculture ingenuity, health care, bioeconomy — the list goes on.

E. Ross: It’s quite contradictory to hear the member’s statements, especially when you consider this NDP government got rid of the LNG tax.

Interjections.

E. Ross: His whole bloody speech was partisan. Excuse me.

Deputy Speaker: I would remind the member that this is the non-partisan part of the morning. Thank you.

E. Ross: Okay. Well, can we look at the record, Madam Speaker, where LNG Canada got the biggest PST tax break in B.C. history? It’s the record. They got a carbon tax cap at $30 a tonne, and they don’t pay LNG tax.

If we’re not looking at expanding the LNG industry in B.C., why are these seven projects awaiting permits in British Columbia, including First Nation projects? Why can’t we be honest with them and just say there’s no appetite to expand LNG in B.C.? Otherwise, they’re spending incredible amounts of money and time, especially at a period when Europe is actually facing an energy crisis.

German residents are paying five times more for their energy price than they were last year and the year before. Germany is dependent on Russia, Russian energy, to the point now where they want to fast-track two LNG terminals to start accepting LNG from around the world. B.C. has an opportunity to address that. In fact, we can fast-track the full 26 million tonnes originally proposed by LNG Canada, but currently it’s only approved for six tonnes annually. Four trains of 26 million tonnes can help the energy crisis.

These points do not even begin to encompass the full scope and potential for this industry in B.C. and our global partners. This is an area that has always been dismissed previously by this NDP government, and now we find out that this government has no intention of expanding the LNG industry, based on the member’s comments. This goes back to a time when the Premier also said, in 2015: “I would stop spending all my time talking about an industry that’s going nowhere and instead look at those areas of the B.C. economy that are really thriving.”

Contrary to the opinion of members from across the aisle there, we need to realize that LNG is most definitely an industry that is full of potential and can make a real difference in the lives of Indigenous people, British Columbians and our partners across the globe. It is time to lead this industry forward and do our part in addressing the global energy crisis and stand up to Russia together. We know that this is an urgent matter. We also know LNG can be successful in bringing prosperous communities and fostering fuel efforts.

By the way, we are not all in this together currently. We are not standing with our allies in Europe if we continue to stop LNG projects here in B.C. We can be in all this together, but we’ve got to ramp up our LNG potential.

OUR FUTURE, TOGETHER

K. Greene: I recognize that I am speaking on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋin̓əŋ people — in particular, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

[10:35 a.m.]

There is a lot of grief in this world, and at times, it can be overwhelming. It seems as if time passes and new tragedies unfold, causing suffering and heartbreak for all those affected, and because we are all connected, we feel grief for those we have never met and will never meet.

Young people are acutely feeling this grief. The world is in turmoil, housing and employment can be challenging, and the biggest threat of all looms on the horizon — climate change. If we don’t act collectively and decisively, every place on earth will feel its devastating effects. No place will be spared.

The most recent IPCC report says that our window to save our future is nearly closed. The leading end of climate change is already here. In B.C., we faced multiple natural disasters, which were greatly amplified by the effects of climate change. Warmer air temperatures allow for atmospheric rivers that can carry devastating amounts of precipitation. Longer, drier and hotter summers have resulted in unprecedented forest fires and heat domes.

Catastrophic weather events are happening around the world. Those affected first and worst are always the most vulnerable, and that’s almost always women and children. I think that’s why we’re seeing young women and girls take their place at the front of climate movements worldwide, effectively organizing people in response to climate threats and catalyzing local action to address climate change.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” UN Women states: “With the latest data, we now understand the vital link between gender, social equity and climate change, and recognize that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, is out of reach.”

Working together, we can solve the problems of today with solutions that also make necessary strides towards a clean, green future that doesn’t leave anyone behind. That is important. A better future for all must mean a better future for all.

Here in B.C., we are a North American climate leader, fighting climate change through our CleanBC plan. Because we put people at the centre of everything that we do, our climate action doesn’t start and end in one ministry.

We’re planning for the jobs of the future and ensuring people get the skills they need to be successful and support their families. This means accelerating skills training opportunities for red seal automotive technicians to learn the skills needed to work on EVs, which is important because B.C. is a leader in the adoption of EVs. Just last year 13 percent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in B.C. were zero-emission.

We’re investing more than ever in expanding high-speed Internet to more rural, remote and First Nations communities in B.C. Access to high-speed Internet ensures that people are able to access better services and educational and economic opportunity. High-speed Internet helps diversify rural economies and provides a better quality of life for families.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is moving to a year-round service model that will incorporate prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Many of the communities that need year-round wildfire service are rural, so this will keep good jobs in local communities at the same time as addressing safety and climate needs.

Madam Speaker, as you can see, effective climate action requires all of us working together to make our world a better place to live. CleanBC and the Roadmap to 2030 set the sectoral targets that will keep us on track to reduce emissions and fight climate change.

We are fortunate to live here in B.C., which has unparalleled natural beauty. We care deeply about protecting our natural environment for generations to come and want our children to have a better life than we ourselves did.

In B.C., our climate action isn’t limited to our borders. When other jurisdictions see that we’re making real progress in the fight against climate change and that our economy is vibrant and inclusive at the same time, they’re going to copy our homework, which is great. It’s time for B.C. to lead, as we’ve already done with CleanBC, and continue to add to that solid foundation.

We are the envy of many places with our nearly 99 percent carbon-free electricity. Decarbonization by substituting fossil fuels with electricity is an opportunity for B.C. Businesses are adapting their processes and experimenting with solutions to reduce their climate impact. Our entrepreneurs are hard at work, bringing new technologies to market that can be used to reduce greenhouse gases and fossil fuel consumption here and in the rest of the world.

Most cities face three major sources of emissions: transportation, buildings and industry. We’re taking action to tackle all three in CleanBC. The result will be reduced emissions, good family-supporting jobs and more comfortable and more comfortable and equitable places to live.

[10:40 a.m.]

Existing building stock is not very energy efficient, so we’re providing grants and other incentives to adopt climate solutions like heat pumps. Decreasing our demand for fossil fuels creates independence for consumers against the fluctuation of fossil fuel commodity markets.

B.C.’s green electricity is abundant, and First Nations in B.C. are getting off of diesel generators, which are expen­sive and generate GHGs, and onto solar electricity. These projects are celebrated by First Nations as important milestones in their economic independence as well as ensuring the comfort of community members and protecting the environment.

Transportation is also a major source of carbon emissions, with the worst culprits being single-occupancy vehicles. That’s why it’s so important that active transportation and rapid transportation is included in every transportation upgrade like the Pattullo Bridge and Massey corridor, especially considering the longevity of the built environment.

Industry may have some of the hardest emissions to reduce. Transitioning to B.C.’s carbon-free electricity can present a challenge when the solution hasn’t been invented yet. To that end, the B.C. industry fund is an important part of the support offered to businesses to accelerate the transition from take-make-waste to a circular strategy.

There is no single solution to climate change. It requires us to act with urgency, intensity and empathy. Why empathy? Because we are all in this together. Our collective climate successes that leave no one behind will be our legacy.

M. Bernier: I want to thank the member for bringing this topic forward today: a future together. It’s an important topic.

I think one of the things we need to highlight when we talk about a future together is we’re not talking about…. Especially with climate change, there’s no bubble over just British Columbia. I think everybody can acknowledge that this is a global issue, and it needs a global solution.

For those that have been fortunate enough to travel around the world to different parts, they will see the difference between British Columbia and other parts of the world that are still burning fossil fuels, that are still trying to figure out how to get off of coal. In British Columbia, although we are doing an amazing job here and have been for over a decade, we want to continue being leaders in this file. There’s no argument with that.

I remember over ten years ago, I was fortunate enough to travel down into the United States to talk about the great leadership that British Columbia had at that time in the climate action file and to be able to talk about the work that we were doing as government over ten years ago. We were, at that time, already the envy of so many jurisdictions around North America, because people were trying to convert off of coal.

People were trying to convert to natural gas. They were looking at British Columbia and saying how fortunate we were to have 98 percent of our electric supply coming in from hydroelectricity, which is basically clean, green energy. So how fortunate are we already and have been for a long time here in British Columbia.

I think it’s important to highlight, again, the opportunities that we have in this province to help other jurisdictions in the world. We heard my colleague earlier talk about LNG exports and how we can help other jurisdictions. You look at China, which is building every week a new coal-fired power plant, and we can help them. Are we? No. But we can do better.

The member talked about the natural disasters. Those have hit so many of us hard. It’s important that we address the issues at a community level, at a provincial level and nationally. I remember, as a former mayor, some of the policies that we brought forward to make sure that we were helping our municipalities do our part. We need to continue encouraging our local governments to find ways that they can do their part to help in this climate challenge.

When you look at British Columbia right now, our future is going to be built on the next generation. I think we all know that. But our next generation is struggling right now with affordability. If we want to keep that generation here, if we want to keep them in British Columbia, we need to tackle more than just climate change. We need to tackle all of the affordability issues that are going to help the next generation, the new people that are going to build our province so they can stay in this province.

I do commend the member for bringing up a lot of the topics. I mean, we look at EV vehicles. I think that’s an important topic. But I also want to remind everybody in this House that the province is a large, diverse place and that to set a policy that might work for Richmond or for Vancouver might not work for a lot of parts of rural British Columbia. We need to remember that we have to be careful on the policies that we create, although everybody wants to do their job.

[10:45 a.m.]

Not everybody is fortunate enough to be driving around a Mercedes G-Class. Some people are fortunate enough that they have a job up north where they have to actually drive a large pickup truck. We cannot start putting policies in, as grandiose as it might sound, that everybody is going to be in an electric vehicle. Do we want to encourage it? Absolutely. But to mandate it as a necessity will be impossible for most people in this province.

Our future together means understanding the people of British Columbia, understanding our geographical differences and having a government that’s willing to acknowledge that and have policies that recognize that. We cannot have a cookie-cutter approach on issues that affect everybody differently.

Although I do want to say that our future together…. I would hope it’s very, very bright, as long as we recognize the challenges that are in front of us around affordability, around industry and around climate change.

I appreciate the member bringing this topic forward, but I also want to acknowledge that it’s a large issue, a global issue. Are we going to do our part? Absolutely. But we can’t have our heads in the sand and not recognize that this is a larger issue that needs to be addressed.

K. Greene: The old ways of doing business are undergoing remarkable transformation. Business analysts expect that public companies will soon be required to disclose climate risks of their businesses on regular report filings. Investors and stakeholders are demanding credible plans to achieve net-zero emissions.

Globally, there is a massive shift of capital from traditional industries that rely on the take-make-waste linear system of production to businesses that are pursuing a circular economic strategy. Instead of being stranded in the past and suffering the bumps and bruises of being dragged into the new economy, we are choosing to boldly go into the future and seize the opportunity offered by sustainable economic growth. Every British Columbian will benefit from an economy and society that is resilient, equitable and green.

We know that B.C. is spectacularly beautiful and that we are caretakers responsible for ensuring that future generations see the same spectacular, mist-shrouded peaks and valleys that we do. B.C. is also a place filled with brilliant and innovative people who are tackling the climate crisis by creating solutions that give us opportunity and hope. Our clean and tech sectors have a global reputation, and of the 13 Canadian companies that made the most recent Global Cleantech 100 list, more than half are headquartered in B.C.

One of those is Burnaby-based Svante, which is working with Lafarge Cement in Richmond to develop a carbon-capture system that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The system will capture and purify the cement flue gas and reuse it. It’s just one example of how tackling the climate crisis drives innovation and new opportunities for people in the clean economy.

In the zero-emissions vehicle sector, B.C. leads in North America in electric vehicle uptake. We’re now well beyond the targets in CleanBC and on the path to 90 percent of all new sales being zero emissions by 2030. B.C.’s electric vehicle sector is delivering jobs and significant economic opportunities, with nearly 275 companies and organizations in B.C. working on all aspects of the EV sector. These companies employ about 6,300 people and generate more than $1 billion in economic output.

We all recognize that we need to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our emissions and moving to cleaner technologies. The good news is that this transition will mean substantial new jobs for people in our communities. So 2050 feels like it’s a long way away, but it’s only 28 years away. In less time than I’ve been alive, we must meet the challenge of our time and build an inclusive economy and a society that is resilient and sustainable.

As the saying goes, the only constant in life is change. There is tremendous opportunity for us to seize in this time of change. Working together, British Columbians can accomplish anything. Our future together is bright.

[10:50 a.m.]

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

C. Oakes: I’m grateful to have the opportunity to rise in this House today to discuss the need for equal pay in British Columbia.

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, and this is a time to celebrate women’s and girls’ achievements in British Columbia and around the world, and for all of us to unite in our progress towards gender equality. Whether it be in the workplace, in schools, communities, women play a vital role in shaping our province, and they deserve respect and equal opportunity.

It is truly remarkable the impacts that women have made in our province in the face of systemic gender issues. Women in our province continue to fight discrimination and challenging stereotypes while paving the way for future generations of female leaders.

While we reflect on the important contributions women have made, there is something that we all must do and not celebrate, and that is the undeniable, unfair practice of unequal pay. B.C. has the largest pay gap in Canada and is one of only four provinces without pay equity legislation in Canada. Women in British Columbia make, on average, 18.6 percent less than men. This means that for every hour that a woman works in British Columbia, she earns $5.90 less than a man would. This is on average.

We must also consider the intersectional experiences of women in the workforce. Indigenous, racialized and newcomer women and women with disabilities experience an even greater pay gap.

This pay gap has persisted despite the incredible educational achievements of women in this province. According to Statistics Canada, women in British Columbia now surpass men in obtaining post-secondary degrees. Of post-secondary graduates in 2019, 56.4 percent were female. Fields of study like health, education, social and behavioural sciences and law saw a large majority of female students. More than 40,000 bright and ambitious women graduate with post-secondary degrees yearly.

Despite this, women continue to be underrepresented and underpaid. Women who receive bachelor degrees in British Columbia earn, on average, $62,000 annually. Men with bachelor degrees, on the other hand, earn on average $86,000 annually.

As the official opposition critic for Advanced Education, I’d like to highlight how the pay gap is reflected in our post-secondary institutions. Women represent only 32.6 percent of the faculty in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions. Again, this is despite women having the majority representation among the enrolled students.

Within tenured faculty positions, men disproportionately hold the coveted positions of full professor, while women often hold assistant and associate professor positions. Female professors make, at best, 95 percent of what male professors do. This is a pay gap that cannot be explained by age and rank alone and exists even at the highest level of full professor.

We all know this pay gap exists, because the data exists. Salary disclosure was legislated for public sector wages in 1996, and since then, the pay gap has narrowed by 30 to 40 percent. We still have more work to do, and there are many things that we need to do to address support for women in the workforce, but this narrowing of the pay gap would not have been possible without pay transparency. It is now time to bring pay transparency to all sectors and industries. If we do not know the extent of pay inequality, we cannot begin bridging this gap.

Moms at Work is a Canadian organization that advo­cates for women in the workforce. They launched an online job board that requires all job postings to fully disclose the salary range for the position. Allison Venditti, the founder of Moms at Work, said: “We’ve been talking about the wage gap since forever and a day, and this is one of the fastest ways to help to fix that.”

International Women’s Day is an important time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of women, but we must strive for gender equality every day. Five times my colleague the member for Surrey South has introduced the Equal Pay Reporting Act in this Legislature to bring pay transparency to British Columbia. This act would require businesses to report out the pay gap between male and female employees.

[10:55 a.m.]

Last year the government of Canada passed the Pay Equity Act. It is now required for federally regulated workplaces with more than 100 employees to publicly disclose wage gap data for women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. As one of the only provinces left without pay equity legislation, I would like to see this House come together and take collective action.

If the pandemic has shown us anything over the past two years, it is the deep inequalities within our society and our economy. The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women, and the challenges that previously existed for women have only been exacerbated. We know that women have played leading roles in the efforts against COVID-19.

I hope that we can emerge from the pandemic with a more equal society and an economy that celebrates and respects the contributions of women in this province. Women deserve better. It’s clearer than ever that we must take action now, and that starts with closing the pay gap.

R. Singh: I would really like to thank the member for Cariboo North for bringing such an important topic. For more than a century, people have been celebrating women in the world on March 8. It is my deep honour to celebrate the many women, girls, two-spirit people and non-binary people in our province.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to cele­brate how far we have come in our fight for gender equity. Gender stereotypes are being challenged, and diverse representation of women is more evident. Investments in child care are helping parents, especially women, build a good life and grow their careers. But today is also an opportunity to reflect on how much more work we need to do.

I agree with the member that COVID has shown us how women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, but there is also no doubt that Indigenous, Black and racialized women bear a greater brunt of systemic racism. We have seen different examples. Just a few weeks ago a brown woman gave birth in the lobby of Surrey Memorial Hospital after being denied care three times. I say that it is completely unacceptable.

Indigenous women make up one of the largest prison populations in Canada. Visibly Muslim women are far more likely to experience hate than their counterparts. We know Indigenous and racialized experience unequal access or poorer outcomes when they or their family members access government services like health care, justice, policing and other services. More often than not, we expect the same women to teach us and lead the way without any compensation or credit. This is unacceptable, and we need to change that.

I want to take a moment to thank BIPOC women, girls, two-spirit people and non-binary folks for their unwavering labour for gender equity. Over the last year, I’ve met so many of these incredible folks who work day and night pushing for this change. They are passionate, and I am inspired to see them take their space and demand better from people in this chamber.

Every time I meet these women and girls, I think about my daughter’s future, and I’m reminded of this short poem by Punjabi poet Rupi Kaur: “I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me, thinking: ‘What can I do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther?’”

I’m so proud to say that our government is putting historic investments into child care — I know my esteemed colleague the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill will talk more about this — into the transition house. We know that women are…. Especially over the pandemic, we have seen gender violence increasing. Historic investments and especially, really proud to say, the investments that are being made into the sexual assault services that were cut before…. We are making it right by putting those very, very important investments.

[11:00 a.m.]

I’m also very proud to say that our government will be introducing anti-racism data legislation this spring to address systemic and institutionalized racism. Together, we will use the opportunities before us to advance equity and everyone’s right to live free from discrimination and violence.

C. Oakes: I just truly want to thank the member for her words.

For all of the members of this House, I know that we’re all tireless supporters of trying to create change for the future and for our daughters. You’ll certainly have my support on the legislation to end discrimination, because I think that it’s critically important that we do that.

In that reflection, I would kindly, humbly ask all members of this House to please consider the legislation that we brought forward and that my colleague, the member for Surrey South, has introduced — around the equal-pay reporting. Please, Members, consider the facts. I had the opportunity, over the last week, to tour a lot of post-secondary institutions, and it still exists. We know that; we’ve lived that. As women, we’ve all been in situations where we’ve seen inequal pay.

I think this is one step that we can take as the House, joined together, to bring this piece of legislation forward. I think it is critically important, because when we measure it, it provides the ability for us to make change. I hope, in good faith, that members of this House will consider that important piece of legislation that the member for Surrey South has introduced. I do think transparency in British Columbia will help move that dial for all of our daughters and girls in British Columbia and make a considerable difference. I think it’s critically important.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

I would also like to note that over the past two years, women have faced greater job losses. This is particularly due to the fact that women predominantly work in industries most affected by pandemic closures and earning losses, such as hospitality, food services, retail, education, health care, social assistance.

We know that we’re also facing a labour shortage in this province. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 59 percent of small businesses have reported that they just cannot find enough staff.

As women enter back into the workforce following the pandemic, let’s make sure that they have access to equal pay. Let’s make sure that they have all of the opportunities that we would hope…. Why we come together in this House is to make sure that for the next generation — that mountain that the member talked about — all of the future has the opportunities.

I’m so proud of all of the incredible women who have pursued higher education in this province, but we’re just not seeing their educational successes reflected among the higher-level occupations and careers. Female representation in leadership roles is still limited, and this government’s efforts to close the gap does not ensure that equal success of women exists across the economy.

If we want to keep talented female employees in the workforce, we must address the barriers, and that starts with pay equity. We cannot expect them to enter or re-enter the workforce and simply accept lesser pay.

Please, Members, call the bill.

Hon. S. Malcolmson: Hon. Speaker, I ask that the House consider proceeding with Motion 5 standing in the name of the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill.

Deputy Speaker: Unanimous consent is required to proceed to Motion 5 without disturbing the priorities of the motions preceding it on the order paper. If any member is opposed to this request for leave, please indicate now.

Leave granted.

Deputy Speaker: The member for Victoria–Beacon Hill to move the motion.

Private Members’ Motions

MOTION 5 — INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S
DAY AND FREEDOM FROM
GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION

G. Lore: I’m so pleased to move the motion:

[Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.]

Every day on this job I think about the work left for us to do to move us towards true gender equity. Today I also want to celebrate. I want to lift up the work happening in our communities and the progress we’ve made on the rights of women and girls. I want to start with something I’m incredibly proud of: funding for sexual assault response services in 2020 and 2021, for a total of $20 million.

[11:05 a.m.]

In North Vancouver, this means a new Indigenous victim services worker to provide cultural relevant emergency response. In Kamloops, support for survivors accessing medical care and options for forensic exams is now 24-7. In Port Alberni, there’s a brand-new sexual assault response team. In Burns Lake, a coordinated response to sexual assault is provided by the nation. Incredible advocates and experts are showing up for survivors in their community in the way that they need it.

Let me also be clear that when the Liberals were in power they funded tax cuts that benefited the wealthiest, by cutting 100 percent of the funding to women’s centres — centres that were a lifeline for women, especially in rural areas, centres that provided crisis counselling and connections to safety for survivors — 100 percent of the funding gone, under the members opposite, with their new leader at the table.

At the time, a group made a submission to the United Nations that the B.C. Liberals were failing to fulfil their obligations under the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Members opposite might want to paint this as ancient history, but volunteers and advocates have been grinding away, trying to continue to care for survivors to respond to and prevent violence ever since. I know; I was one of them.

The cost of sexual assault to a survivor is about $122,000 — counselling, injury, lost opportunities — yet, under Kevin Falcon, it was bake sales for survivors, for essential services, and tax cuts for those earning the most. After 20 years, enough is enough. We are standing up for and showing up for survivors. In this budget, we are funding these services like the essential services that they are. Support accessing health care, justice, wellness — these cannot rely on unpredictable and insufficient grants. Dedicated and predictable funding — that’s our record.

I also want to talk about women’s economic independence and their leadership and contributions. Women now make up nearly half of public sector boards. Lucky us. We need their expertise and skills. Women make up seven of the nine board positions at InBC, and their chief investment officer and CEO are also women, helping grow B.C. companies with an eye to a triple bottom line. Yet I know that women in our province still earn less than men, a gender wage gap that is fundamentally also racialized, larger for Indigenous women, larger for those living with disabilities and for newcomers in our community.

We have work to do; we aren’t waiting to act. Pay transparency is part of my mandate letter, and I’m thrilled to work on it with the Minister of Labour. At the same time, we got rid of the training wage and the server wage, something designed by the other side that kept women’s wages down. We are bringing back essential health care workers into our public system, undoing the other side’s privatization and erosion of wages and security for jobs disproportionately held by racialized women.

We’ve dedicated resources to increasing opportunities in trades and tech and more, to say nothing of our child care investments and, of course, the ECE wage supplement, addressing the gender gap and properly compensating those who look after our kids.

While the new leader of the Liberal Party was in power, sections of the B.C. human rights code that prohibited paying women less were repealed, to say nothing of the impact of their tax cuts — tax cuts that widened real income gaps. In 2001, men were four times more likely to be benefiting from the biggest tax cuts than women were. To be fair, they may not have noticed. They literally deleted any reference to using a gendered lens to understand policy.

We’ve ensured that gender-based analysis plus is central to all the work we’re doing, including submissions to cabinet and training for intersectional, gendered analysis in the public service. Every day I work with my colleagues in every single ministry to move us forward to equity, to safety, to opportunity, every day — so much so that, I think, one lovingly called me relentless.

Yes, I support this motion. Because it often needs to be explicitly said, I stand here to say trans women are, unequivocally, women.

S. Bond: I can’t begin to tell you how surprised I am by the approach the member chose to take when we’re talking about the role of women.

[11:10 a.m.]

I would just like to make it clear to the member opposite that our government actually provided $70 million every single year in prevention and intervention services for victims of domestic violence and other crimes. So to suggest that we did nothing is completely inaccurate.

I’d also like to say to the member that the more often they mention the new leader of our party’s name…. I would like to remind the member that he is a loving dad to two small daughters. He works for foundations across British Columbia, including the Streetohome Foundation supporting people who are homeless in British Columbia. Maybe they’d want to present a more appropriate picture. Sadly, no. This member decided to continue to look backwards when what they actually have the opportunity to do today is call a bill that we have tabled numerous times in this Legislature.

Let’s be clear. Despite the progress that we have made toward gender equality over the last 30 years — including increasing social equity, higher rates of reporting sexual assault and other forms of violence — sexism, discrimination and gender-based violence remain far too prevalent in our world. It continues to exist here in Canada and in British Columbia.

Women in Canada still make less money than men on average. B.C., under this government’s watch, remains the worst gender pay gap in Canada, with women in our province making an average of 20 percent less an hour than men.

In 2018, almost one in three women — 32 percent — 15 years of age and older felt unsafe or uncomfortable as a result of unwanted sexual behaviour they experienced. Women continue to experience intimate partner violence at far higher rates than men, with almost eight in ten victims of police-reported intimate partner violence being female.

In our conversations about gender equality, we also have to recognize that all women do not experience gender-based violence and discrimination at the same rate. Indigenous women and girls face increased vulnerability to gender-based violence as a result of specific barriers to safety. They report experiencing violence at a rate 2.7 times higher than non-Indigenous women and girls. Persons with disabilities are also at a higher risk of facing sexual violence and deal with additional challenges due to stereotyping and discrimination.

These are staggering and upsetting statistics. They clearly demonstrate the continued need for action from all of us who work in this chamber and in our daily lives to further equality and fight sexism, misogyny and discrimination in all of its forms.

This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. It not only speaks to the many outright examples of misogyny and violence against women — the things that we immediately think of when considering gender equality in our world — but also the less obvious stereotypes and unconscious biases that continue to have damaging effects on women.

A poll in 2020 found that 20 percent of B.C. women who were surveyed reported being the subject of sexist jokes, 20 percent reported being treated unfairly in the workplace, and 17 percent reported being mocked or ridiculed. Why? Because of their gender. More than one in ten felt they lost a potential employment opportunity only because they are women.

Additional responsibility falls on decision-makers and leaders, and that includes the current government. Promises have been made to take active steps that would bring much-needed change, including affordable $10-a-day daycare, free contraceptives and making sure people can afford to buy a home or rent. All of those things make a difference. Legislation like my colleague the member for Surrey South has introduced numerous times in this House, only to be continually ignored by this government….

Together we must break down these barriers so that all women have the chance to reach their full potential. Knowing that bias exists simply isn’t enough. All of us need to take specific actions to break the bias and level the playing field. That includes that when you make a promise, you need to keep it, especially when it comes to the promises this government has made related to affordability and making sure there’s affordable childcare. The list goes on.

[11:15 a.m.]

J. Brar: I am pleased to support the motion introduced by the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill: “…that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.”

This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The International Women’s Day 2022 campaign theme is #BreakTheBias, because women continue to face gender-based bias, violence and discrimination.

In the Canadian General Social Survey, in 2014, women were more than seven times more likely to report sexual assault than men. Over 50 percent of women in B.C. have experienced physical and sexual violence since the age of 16. That is more than 1 million women in our province. In B.C., there are over 1,000 physical or sexual assaults against women every week. The list goes on.

I’m a bit surprised to listen to the members from the other side and their interest in women’s equality. For 16 years B.C. Liberals cut programs and services designed to help women facing gender-based bias, violence and discrimination. They scrapped pay equity legislation and the Human Rights Tribunal and eliminated the Ministry of Women’s Equality. B.C. Liberals cut welfare rates for single moms and made them go back to work when their kids turned three. They eliminated funding for B.C.’s 37 women’s centres dedicated to help rape and domestic violence victims, and the list goes on.

The B.C. Liberals’ cuts to these programs, combined with a couple of years of pandemic, have impacted the lives of women in B.C. really hard. Women were disproportionately affected by the economic challenges of the pandemic.

Our government is fixing the damage done by the B.C. Liberals. Our ongoing recovery from the pandemic and climate-related disasters must be rooted in equity, where opportunities are available to all people regardless of their gender, ethnicity or other parts of their identity. We are opening doors for women to pursue their dreams and bring down barriers for women in trades, technology and other non-traditional roles with employment and skilled training programs.

More women than ever will have a safe place to go as we move forward with major investments in transition homes for women and children fleeing violence — new, affordable homes in every part of the province. We are moving forward with plans to introduce pay transparency legislation, a first in B.C. Our Budget 2022 is supporting survival of sexual assault by providing core funding for more than 50 sexual assault service centres, undoing cuts that were made to these services by B.C. Liberals in 2002.

Our government is fully committed to providing affordable, accessible, quality child care to ensure that families, especially women, can participate in the workforce. Since 2018, government has funded more than 26,000 new licensed child care spaces, the fastest space creation in B.C.’s history. In addition, we are delivering 30,000 new spaces for children under the age of six within five years and 40,000 within seven years under the new agreement with the federal government. Budget 2022 brings B.C. closer than ever to government’s planned $10-a-day child care.

We are investing $3.2 billion in this budget cycle to improve wages, working conditions, job security and stability for thousands of service workers, the majority of whom are racialized women. Together we will use the opportunity before us to advance equality and everyone’s right to live free from discrimination and violence to build a better future for women, girls, two-spirit and non-binary people in British Columbia. Therefore, I fully support this motion.

[11:20 a.m.]

M. Lee: I, too, wish to join this discussion of some sort this morning relating to marking and celebrating International Women’s Day, which is intended, of course, to celebrate all the incredible women and gender-diverse people around the world, including in this wonderful province of ours. So certainly I rise to support the motion that reaffirms the commitment of this House to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence and discrimination.

Only in this chamber, on the day before we celebrate International Women’s Day, do the members opposite decide to use this for political purposes, to grandstand about what has happened under their watch or not happened. That’s not what this is about. We’re talking about gender-based bias and discrimination, the equal pay reporting legislation, the private member’s bill that the member for Surrey South has brought in this House, on this floor, repeatedly, session after session after session.

I’m faced here by the members opposite pontificating about how they believe in the equal rights of women in our province, yet they’ve denied bringing that bill on the floor of this House repeatedly.

The member for Cariboo North has spent ten minutes in this House talking about the importance of that bill, and on this day, the day before the recognition of women’s equality and bias and discrimination, the members from the other side have the gall to talk about politics. We’ve been looking at British Columbia being one of the few remaining provinces in this country not to have this equal pay reporting mechanism. We need greater transparency, but we know, of course, that we cannot expect that from the members opposite. They don’t believe in transparency.

Transparency provides the light to understand the discrepancy between what men and women are paid in this province. It has been a 75 percent gap, 25 percent. It’s 75 cents on the dollar that women are being paid for every dollar that a man earns in this province. We know that women should not be undervalued.

Interjections.

Deputy Speaker: Members.

Member.

M. Lee: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Their skills should not be underutilized.

When I look at…. In my days of law, for example, for ten years, we’ve been looking at greater transparency around public company boardrooms. We encourage women to be part of those boardrooms. We know that over ten years, the reporting that has come out — even this year — has indicated that it has now actually increased, that transparency does matter, that shedding the light on the discrepancy between what women are paid in this province versus men is very important.

We have an opportunity to do that. So we need this government to call the bill that the member for Surrey South has put on the floor of this House. I hope that with all of the pontification we’re hearing this morning, all of the virtue signalling and all of that that we hear, this government will actually stand by its comments and actually do something about this. It’s far time that that occurs.

We have a role to play. It’s not just the women in this House; it’s the men in this House. Under this Premier of this province, we know what he’s said in the past. We don’t have to repeat that all here in this chamber right now. But the fact of the matter is that if he believes in the equality of women in this province, he will ensure that the House Leader for the government calls that bill in this session, because this is the time to be doing that. We know that we have to look at the future of women.

When I was visiting at the University of British Columbia campus with the member for Cariboo North and with other members of our caucus, even this last week, we know that women on that campus….

[11:25 a.m.]

As we talk about ensuring that we bridge the science gap and ensure that young women are coming into the science and technology field, what future do they have when they still face a gap in pay? So I hope that this government will call that bill.

H. Yao: I rise today to support the motion presented by the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill: “Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.”

International Women’s Day marks a call for action and a need to advocate for women’s equality. I’d like to start by sharing one of my personal experiences.

While working as a youth worker, I had an interesting learning opportunity with my previous manager. I watched her going over pages and pages of stock photos as she was trying to design a youth leadership program brochure. She asked for my opinion, and due to my life experience, I made a few suggestions that were quickly rejected by her. Confused and intrigued, I asked her what exactly she was looking for. She enlightened me by explaining her perspective.

According to her, youth often have an easier time imagining themselves in various leadership opportunities when the examples of leadership profiles reflects diverse characteristics in youth, characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, style and interest. When they can see themselves in opportunities suggested by us, they are more likely to believe in the possibilities.

Women make up more than 50 percent of our government MLAs, and, in addition, almost 50 percent of government ministers are women. When young women and girls look at our government, they see leadership which reflects them. It helps them to envision the future, where they can serve in fulfilling a leadership role in the government. When my daughter gets older, I, too, hope she will find inspiration to imagine the future filled with opportunities, successes and all possibilities. I, like many fathers around the world, will fight with every ounce of my strength to raise my daughter in a fair, safe and nurturing environment so they can pursue their dreams and happiness.

Unfortunately, the pandemic exposed some of the disadvantages experienced by women and children in our society, and there was a significant increase in gender-based violence during the crisis. Indigenous women, women of colour, immigrant women and women with disabilities have disproportionately experienced gender-based harassment, violence and discrimination. That’s why, in Budget 2022, the provincial government is supporting survivors by providing core funding to more than 50 sexual assault service centres that provide critical crisis response, cancelling the mechanism to refer to the police and child protection services.

Women are also disproportionately affected by economic challenges and carrying out fair expectation for domestic responsibilities and caregiving. Our government’s investment in child care will help parents, especially women, in building good lives for their family while pursuing their careers. We’re committing to deliver 30,000 new spaces for children under the age of six within five years and 40,000 within seven years. And we’re creating more before- and after-school spaces and reduce fees for full-day infant and toddler care by 50 percent, to an average of $20 a day by the end of 2022.

We are also opening doors for women to pursue their dreams and bringing down barriers for women in trades, tech and other non-traditional roles with employment and skills-training initiatives. Budget 2022 invests $3.2 billion in additional funding over the fiscal plan to improve health care services people rely on, including by improving wages, working conditions, job security and stability for thousands of supportive service workers — of whom the majority are racialized women.

We’re moving forward with plans to introduce pay transparency legislation, a first in B.C. Investing in women is vital to end poverty, boost economic growth, strengthen equity, equality and fairness, and truly tapping into the unutilized, full potential of British Columbians. When we promote true equality, including equal pay for equal work, we all stand to benefit.

I also want to encourage all men to rally together and support mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins, families, friends and fellow Canadians who identify themselves as female. Toxic masculinity can rob our loved ones of happiness. It can further harm us by denying our right for self-acceptance and genuine relationships. Toxic masculinity breeds harmful expectations and limits realization of everyone’s capacity to love.

[11:30 a.m.]

Therefore, let us learn, listen and understand the challenges faced by women and girls today so we can offer our allyship according to their perspectives and leadership.

Let us cure the toxic masculinity of society by supporting women’s and girls’ rights for self-determination. Together, we can have healthier relationships, families, communities and economic recovery.

G. Kyllo: Today it’s truly an honour to rise and speak to this very important motion: “Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.”

This is an issue that we should all care deeply about, not only because of the women in our lives. I certainly have a significant number of women who have had a significant impact in my life. I have got four amazing, strong, caring and compassionate daughters. I’ve got six granddaughters. If we all think even just about our mothers and our grandmothers and the very important role that they’ve all played in our lives, the very least we can do is show them the respect and bring forward the piece of legislation, the private member’s bill that the member for Surrey South brought forward with respect to equal-pay legislation.

As has been spoken about here in the House, it is extremely important that we shed a light on the inequity of pay, the disparity in pay between women and men in our lives and our workforce that are actually doing the same job. This is extremely important. It’s very disappointing to hear members of the government side of the House not only taking the time and the delay in bringing forward this important piece of legislation but also with some of their commentary around the disrespect for B.C. Liberal members and the work that has been done previously in supporting women in this province.

By 2017, government had already committed more than $70 million per year in the prevention and intervention of services and programs that benefit victims of domestic violence and other crimes. This included supports to more than 160 police-based and community-based victim services programs and around 250 programs that provide counselling and outreach services to women fleeing violence in their relationships and children who witness abuse.

All members of this House are concerned and show their support for women, but unfortunately, it’s the members of the government that are trying to play politics and trying to cast aspersions about the work that members of this Legislature have actually done over a significant number of years. Now, it’s important to respect that we care about all people. They deserve basic human rights, equal opportunity, equal treatment and respect. Whether it is in our households, our workplaces or our communities, it’s incumbent on all of us to not only celebrate the women in our lives but to take some time to reflect on how we can make their lives better and on how we treat each other.

I look around this room, and I see all of the accomplished women before me. That is great to see. Encouraging. In the nearly ten years that I’ve served as an MLA, it’s been normal to see this many women in the chamber, but as we know, that has not always been the case. In my career in business before I entered the world of politics, I was also inspired by the many women and staff, some of them my own family members, that I had the privilege of working with.

It’s one thing to get women to the table. We also need to reflect on how we support them and how we make them feel once they work alongside us. Are we paying them the same as their male counterparts in similar positions? Are we empowering them to create a safe space for them to share their ideas and opinions? Are we open to receiving and acting on those ideas and opinions? Are we acknowledging the reality that women continue to disproportionately feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic from job losses to juggling work and child care duties, to additional caregiving responsibilities, and are we doing anything about it?

This is where we as provincial representatives can do some work. The official opposition continues to press government for a jobs plan that focuses on some of the key groups, including women who have suffered pandemic job losses, particularly full-time jobs and reduced shifts. We also continue to urge the government to make good on its child care commitments to families. The $10-a-day child care was a promise, and that’s what should be delivered upon.

[11:35 a.m.]

Right now the infants whose care was supposed to cost $10 a day in this government’s first year of office are gearing up for kindergarten now. It’s been five years. Not only is this timeline off target, but the government is now talking about an average of $20 a day, not $10. Parents are left confused and disappointed — that is, if they can find a daycare spot at all.

What about pay equity? We have a straightforward private member’s bill that’s been put forward a number of times by my colleague the member for Surrey South, yet there’s been no desire by this government to even call the bill for debate, much less take any action on this important issue.

Hon. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the good idea from the member for Surrey South. I encourage members to bring it forward for debate in this legislative session.

Deputy Speaker: Just a reminder that we’re not to use electronic devices when we are holding possession of the floor, Member. Thank you.

B. Bailey: I rise to speak to the motion: “Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.”

Like so many British Columbians from all walks of life and ethnicities, I spent much of my weekend at peace rallies in support of the people of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has drawn much attention, but let us not forget that war has, in fact, been on the increase worldwide since the end of World War II.

Today more than half of the world’s women and children are living in countries experiencing active conflict. The international community cannot continue to ignore their plight, says Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, co-author of an examination of the human cost of modern warfare published in The Lancet in 2020. According to her work, in 2019 there were 54 state-based armed conflicts that had lasted 20 years or more.

Those who study war have devoted much work to a gendered analysis of the effects of conflict, and while it is of course true that in taking up arms, men bear the brunt of war, it is also true that war has a unique and horrific effect on women and children too. Existing inequalities are magnified and social networks break down, making women more vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation.

Feminist scholars point to a gender division of war. Research by Mary Caprioli demonstrates that domestic gender equality is associated with more peaceful state behaviour, both internationally and domestically. Valerie Hudson and others advance a women-and-peace thesis, arguing that societies that experience higher levels of gender-based violence within households are more likely to engage in violent group interactions. The researchers identified a strong link between women’s physical security and measures of state peacefulness.

Reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender bias, violence and discrimination is not only a call to action for peace within our homes, our communities, our cities and our province but within our nations as well. In modern Ukraine, women have made great strides in society and have been essential to sustaining democracy there, not just through their military service but in politics as well. According to an article by Lauren Leader, women held 21 percent of the seats in the Ukrainian Parliament after the most recent elections, and according to the Global Gender Gap Report, the country has made huge strides towards closing an array of gender gaps in recent years.

Ukraine stands in sharp contrast with Russia under Putin. He has steadily rolled back women’s rights there, restricting women from working in more than 450 professions and rolling back protections for victims of domestic violence.

Since the invasion, untold numbers of Ukrainian women from all walks of life have stepped forward and volunteered to serve on the front lines, and Ukrainian women are already showing the difference they make in terms of both might and morale. Women on the front lines, both in and out of uniform, have confronted Russian soldiers, forcing them to call their mothers and explain why they are fighting.

These simple acts of humanizing conflict, involving mothers, may prove profoundly valuable to the war effort. Some Russian mothers on the other end of the phone are imploring their sons to walk away, which could weaken Russian military resolve.

Research indicates that worldwide, where women have played a central role in the fight of democracy over tyranny, democracy has been more likely to prevail. While the outcomes of the war in Ukraine are unknown, there is no lack of certainty of the courage and commitment of Ukrainian women to democracy and peace.

[11:40 a.m.]

This International Women’s Day, please join me in learning more about our sisters living in conflict: in the civil wars in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen; in the terrorist insurgencies in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Congo, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria and Tanzania; in the drug wars in Colombia and Mexico; in the political unrest in Iraq; in the ethnic violence in South Sudan; in the Ukraine; and in all other places facing conflict.

T. Wat: I’m honoured to stand and speak on the motion, but before I go on my prepared remarks, I really have to join all the colleagues on this side of the House to call on this government.

If they are really sincere in their motion today — “Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination” — why is this government not presenting, not bringing, the private member’s bill introduced by the member for Surrey South so many times for the debate?

Instead, I am truly disappointed that on the eve of International Women’s Day, a woman member from this House used the opportunity to be so political. I fail to understand that. I’m so ashamed of it.

It always breaks my heart to hear how many of the women here today have faced barriers, discrimination and fear in their journey to where they are today, simply because of their gender. I would like to use my time today to share my own experiences. My own journey here hasn’t been easy.

As a young woman growing up in Hong Kong, who went abroad to earn a higher education, I do remember how many times I felt like an outsider in a world that tried to convince me more than once that higher education, the working world and even politics were no place for a Chinese woman.

Women of all backgrounds continue to face these challenges in the workplace every day but continue to carry out the incredible work they do to support our people and communities — especially our health care and front-line workers. That’s the day that we should recognize their contribution, not politicking.

When my mother was diagnosed with COVID a few weeks ago, it was thanks to the incredible staff of nurses and caretakers at the SUCCESS Simon Lee long-term-care centre in Vancouver’s Chinatown that she recovered after only a few days. Nobody talks about this.

I’m always so inspired by my own daughter, who, like so many women, has worked tirelessly to support her family and raise two sons — soon to be three — while pursuing a career in the tourism industry. I was glad to find out, over the weekend, that my third grandchild is a girl — welcoming another woman to this world. [Applause.] Thank you.

Women face challenges in the workplace every day. But the thing that pains me the most is reflecting on the fact that the challenges for women don’t end in school or the workplace or even in this Legislature. In fact, they are only the beginning.

Every day women are reminded of how unsafe and unwelcoming the world can be towards them. Women make up a disproportionate number of assaults in B.C., largely because of the perception that we are more vulnerable and easier to prey on. Women live with the fear of walking alone or walking in strange places, which men simply don’t experience. I have the same kind of fear when I walk in Chinatown every week, when I go to visit my mom.

[11:45 a.m.]

I stand in this House and tell this story of woman who lives in Terra Nova, in my riding of Richmond North Centre. For almost two years, Koszima Mair has been living in fear of a random stalker who, despite being jailed and ordered to steer clear, just keeps coming back to haunt her. The last 22 months have taken their toll on Mair, who says she has no choice now but to leave my riding and the city that she loves.

Mounties in Richmond are investigating after a 13-year-old girl was approached by a suspicious man who offered her a ride and money in Steveston last Wednesday.

I see I’m running out of time.

I want to emphasize, once again, that the NDP is providing $22 million over three years for victims of sexual assault, but this action builds on the work of our previous government, which provided $17 million per year in prevention and intervention services for victims of domestic violence and other crimes.

M. Starchuk: International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also calls to action for accelerating women’s equality.

International Women’s Day occurred well over a century ago, with the first International Women’s Day gathering in 1911 supported by over one million people. Today International Women’s Day belongs to all groups, collectively, everywhere.

International Women’s Day is not country-, group- or organization-specific. International Women’s Day sees a number of exciting and important missions aimed at raising greater awareness about the issues impacting women’s equality, taking a stance to call out inequality while working to forge positive action, highlighting and applauding where important gains are being made, and celebrating women’s achievements and accomplishments.

I could not continue without recognition of some important women in my life. Without a doubt, my mother gets the number one billing. She raised me alone in my teenage years, and I’m sure my life would be different if it wasn’t for her. Four years ago, she gave me a lesson in happiness, and she can take some of the credit right now for that smile or smirk that’s on my face.

My daughter is one of those strong-willed people on the planet who didn’t just stop at go and collect $200. She is forward-thinking, with her family and career as priorities in a well-balanced life. We know there are challenges in raising a family, and there isn’t one book just to teach us how to be a great parent. I’m sure if Shannon had the time, she could write a great bestseller called “Parenting 101”.

My partner is one of the highest-ranking firefighters in the province of B.C. Sandra’s rank of deputy fire chief — which, by the way, is two more gold stripes than I was ever able to achieve — is doing this, and it shows that her drive, dedication and ambition in a male-dominated profession is top of the pile. She gets similar credit right now, as my mother did, for the smirk or the smile I have on my face.

When my daughter was in grade 12, there was a work-and-learn program in the high schools. Imagine the conversations when she realized that she was making less than some of those who were already receiving minimum wage. She was doing the same job as some of her co-workers, but she was getting the training wage the government created. I’m pleased that government eliminated the discriminatory wage category, which affected many women. I’m also happy, when speaking to the minimum wage, that B.C. has raised their minimum wage, making it the second highest in the country.

This year there will be a focused engagement by the province in order to deliver a multi-year, cross-sector gender-based-violence action plan that will build on the initiatives underway and support the development of cross-government actions to address gender-based violence. This action plan will serve as a road map to guide the government’s approach to addressing gender-based violence in a way that’s comprehensive and effective. This action plan includes minimum standards for sexual assault response; more training for police, Crown counsel and justices; and establishing core funding for sexual assault services.

The 2022-23 budget announced new annual and predictable funding for community-based sexual assault response services. This will provide victim-centred, trauma-​informed support to help survivors of sexual assault on the long road to healing.

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society in Surrey is developing It Happens Here Too, a coordinated culturally responsive emergency sexual assault service for recent newcomers project.

[11:50 a.m.]

This new sexual assault response service will provide a coordinated cultural response emergency sexual assault service hub for recent newcomer survivors of any immigration group in Surrey to prevent retraumatization and foster increased reporting in post-traumatic growth for their successful settlement and journey in Canada. Services to be provided include case management of coordination of services for survivors and information sharing, cross-training of project partners, community outreach, protocol development and third-party reporting, and a web portal for survivors to access in a virtual, multilingual service hub.

I often reflect on the words of John Lennon: “Imagine all the people.” Imagine a gender-equal world. Imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, a world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively, we can all — and when I say all, that is everyone here — break the bias.

R. Merrifield: How do you build this world, a world free of gender-based bias, violence and discrimination?

I’m proud to sit among my B.C. Liberal colleagues, who together had one of the highest numbers of ministers who were females and highest level of diversity at that time; who also created the single-parent employment initiative and got over 3,000 single parents back to work; who also created the Premier’s Women’s Economic Council, a council of women who put a diversity lens on each and every policy that came through this House; and who inspired the next generations with We For She. Even now I am so proud to sit on this side of the House, because even now in opposition, we are bringing forward bills that will help to advance women.

How do you build this world? You empower women. The famous American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, said: “Women really do build society. They build not only themselves but a whole community.” But we have work to do, because women and women entrepreneurs have fallen behind under this NDP government. Allow me to explain.

When I was the Canadian delegate to the United Nations in 2015, it was a privilege to meet with delegations from all over the world and hear firsthand their needs in helping female entrepreneurs in their communities. Hearing about countries where women couldn’t walk on roads unaccompanied or where women still could not own property was almost surreal. When I speak of property, I’m talking about rickshaws to get their goods to market, not ranches.

Then I thought about Canada and how far we’ve come. Back in the late 1940s, my grandmother lost her farm because she couldn’t get a loan after her husband died. Despite having six kids and running the farm successfully for two years while her husband’s illness took his life, she ended up having to leave the farm and move into town to take a job working in a retirement home to support her kids.

Fast-forward to the year before I was born, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was enacted in the mid-’70s in the U.S., which made it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or age.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Canada took a bit longer to have anything in law and waited until the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into being in 1982 to ratify the same type of equity. But I still could not have the companies I have today without those laws.

Is there still bias? Absolutely. Allow me to explain. Women-owned companies and private technology companies led by women are more capital efficient, achieving 35 percent higher returns on investment and, when venture-backed, 12 percent higher revenue than start-ups run by men. Another study of over 350 start-ups determined that businesses founded by women deliver higher revenue — more than twice as much per dollar invested — than those founded by men, making women-owned companies better investments for financial backers.

Here’s where we see the bias. Despite these incredible statistics, women-owned start-ups are still approved for fewer loans applied for, have less venture capital, less access to professional networks and mentorship, and still fight cultural stereotypes.

[11:55 a.m.]

We have a long way to go, and COVID-19 just gave us farther. Why? Because women entrepreneurs were hit harder than their male counterparts by COVID-19. They exited their businesses and workplaces in greater numbers and had to lay off more staff, losing momentum.

This NDP government failed women entrepreneurs, as they qualified less for financial helps, despite the previous statistics that I gave. This House needs to stand up and continue the work of empowering women entrepreneurs.

We need to fund in greater number, through grant and loan models, and make it more attractive for venture capitalists to fund women-owned start-ups. We also need to continue to change societal norms through affordable and accessible child care education opportunities, free contraception and fertility treatments, as they all aid in gender equality. All of these have been promises broken by this NDP government.

Yes, we celebrate International Women’s Day because of brave women that stood up in 1908 and the women that stood up in the ’70s to continue fighting. Despite how far we have come, when I marched in 2019 in New York City, I still felt like I was marching for every young woman that was going to come behind me.

I know that there is so much more work to be done. I know my grandmother, if she were alive today, would be proud. But she would also tell me to keep going until we are all equal.

J. Routledge: I rise to speak in favour of the motion: “Be it resolved that this House honour International Women’s Day by reaffirming our commitment to building a world free of gender-based bias, violence, and discrimination.” While I want to thank previous speakers for celebrating our hard-won victories, clearly we all agree that there’s much more that needs to be done to close the equity gap.

I want to expand on one particular path to equality, and that’s the presence of women in political decision-making bodies. I’m going to make the case that to redress long-standing gender inequities and injustices, the voices, experiences and expertise of women must be central to political decision-making and women must be present as decision-makers in our political institutions. Or to put it another way, if you’re not at the table, then you’re probably on the menu.

Are women sufficiently present in our political institutions? Well, let’s take a look, starting with the House of Commons in Ottawa. The population of Canada is a little more than 50 percent women, so if women were represented equally in the House of Commons, we would expect half of the MPs to be women. Currently, only 30.5 percent of those seats are held by women, and Canada ranks only 52nd in the world when it comes to equitable representation in our political institutions.

What about B.C.? The population of B.C. is also a little more than 50 percent women, so we would expect that 50 percent of the seats in this chamber would be held by women. A record 37 women were elected in the most recent election; 42.5 percent of the seats in the B.C. Legislature are currently held by women, the most women and the largest percentage of women elected in B.C. history.

I want to point out that 29 of the 37 of those women elected ran as B.C. NDP candidates. In fact, women hold the majority of seats in our caucus. For the first time ever in North America, there are more women than men in the governing caucus.

Now, how did that happen? Not by chance. Our party has an equity mandate that specifies that when a B.C. NDP woman MLA chooses not to run for re-election, only another woman can run in her place.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, please.

J. Routledge: Our party’s women and gender rights committee works with constituency associations between elections to recruit and support women candidates. We fundraise to help women candidates pay for child care, campaign clothing and other necessities that level the playing field.

Equality isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about the experience. As one woman colleague put it: “Just because we’re in the majority now, that doesn’t make us equal.”

[12:00 p.m.]

To achieve substantive gender equality in the Legislature, we must take a hard look at our customs, traditions, structures and procedures and ask if they are unwelcoming to women and other outsiders, undervalue our contributions and make it unnecessarily hard to do our jobs.

I’m the chair of the British Columbia branch of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. CWP develops and implements programs to encourage and support more women to run for office, to identify the barriers that discourage us from running and to recommend ways to overcome those barriers. Our secretariat in London, England, has prepared a set of gender-sensitizing guidelines, standards and a checklist for parliamentary change. Some parliaments in other countries have already conducted gender audits, made changes and are increasing the participation of women as a result.

I’m proud to say that in 2020, the B.C. Legislature conducted the first step in a gender audit, and now four other jurisdictions in Canada are following suit. The next step is to conduct a more in-depth investigation. It will ask questions such as: are there unwritten traditions, norms, codes and rituals that would exclude outsiders? Are children welcome and cared for? Are parents able to participate virtually or by proxy? Does the definition of “unparliamentary language” explicitly include sexism and gendered bullying? Are women represented in parliamentary leadership bodies? And so on.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is a growing body of research that shows that a culture of heckling tends to drive out women parliamentarians.

In conclusion, women on both sides of the aisle in this chamber have a history of working together to promote gender equality. I hope we can continue to work together to make this institution more welcoming to women.

J. Routledge moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Malcolmson moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

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

The House adjourned at 12:02 p.m.