Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: R. Merrifield.

Introductions by Members

G. Lore: I have quite a few introductions to give today. Today is Trans Day of Visibility, and in the name of visibility, we have more than 35 members of the two-spirit, trans and non-binary community, as well as allies, joining us today. I really appreciate the opportunity to make a few introductions.

I’m going to start with Alyx, an incredible community organizer, parent and friend. They founded an organization that offers connection and support for gender-diverse kids and their families. They were recently awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Silver Medal for their master’s thesis on the importance of centring the voices of trans youth in their own care. Alex is joined by their wonderful partner, Amy, and their children, four-year-old Arden and four-month-old Juna.

A welcome, also, to Dr. Aaron Devor, who holds the Chair in Transgender Studies, the first research chair of its kind, and who also leads the Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria. Fun fact: the research chair was established by a generous donation from Lt. Col. Jennifer Pritzker, the world’s first trans billionaire.

Next, I’m thrilled to introduce seven-year-old Zoey, who is an adorable rascal and an avid reader and writer. She absolutely has something to say if you are stuck in a world that does not include her. She is here with her parents.

We’re lucky to have a few members of the public service here with us. Sofie Grahn is a senior policy analyst with the Ministry of Education. We have Liz Boychuk, who was recently on the subcommittee for EDI with B.C. prosecution service. Julian Paquette is with government communications.

I’d like to recognize Jade Ashbourne, who is a senior ministerial adviser to the Minister of Finance. Adam LynesFord is a senior ministerial adviser in Housing.

Joining us is also a group representing QMUNITY, including Anoop Gill, who is co-executive director of the organization, and Michael Robach, who has been instrumental in organizing events and opportunities to connect today.

Also joining us are Ali Blythe, Hannah Brown, Cameron Chevier, Sansal Gumuspala, Jamey Jesperson, Griffin Nesbitt, Eli Verdugo, Alivia Wong, Hope Warren, Wren Hawke Smith, Kai Jacobsen, Esther Suwannanon, Yahlnaaw and Ace Mann.

Lastly and importantly, it’s important for all allies to show up. So I’m so glad to have my daughter, Eve Lore, here, one of the littlest allies in this work.

Thank you for the chance to introduce these wonderful folks and the many others who are here.

M. Dykeman: I just wanted to take a moment to wish one of my constituents, who I know will be watching at home, a very happy birthday. This gentleman has let us know by email three times that it’s his birthday tomorrow, and I think that he’s going to be testing whether I remember that. So I figured I should get some evidence.

Could the House be join me in wishing David Lyons-Black a very happy birthday.

[10:10 a.m.]

S. Bond: Today I’d like to welcome two very special guests to the gallery, Kyle and Griffin Granger. Kyle is the husband of one of our exceptional research officers. We are very lucky to work with Jen Wizinsky every single day. She is bright, hard-working, and she’s fantastic at what she does.

Today we’re happy to welcome Kyle and Griffin. Griffin, who is just six years old, is their oldest child, and today is his first time watching question period in person.

I’m told that while Griffin is, of course, excited to be visiting here, his absolute favourite thing to do besides playing hockey is to explore the beach by their home looking for all kinds of creatures. And I should tell members he is very proud that he just lost his first tooth.

We are delighted and very happy to welcome to the House today Kyle and Griffin Granger. Please join me in making them feel very welcome.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I have a couple of introductions to do today. The first is that I want to wish a happy belated birthday to our emergency management B.C. communi­cations director, Jordan Turner, who does an amazing job for me and is here in the gallery watching things today, as opposed to being in my office.

I’d also like to make, for tomorrow, a happy April Fool’s Day birthday to my executive assistant, Melissa Meyer, who is also here today. She gave me a note of all the great things to say that she does, but time is short, so I will pass on that.

Finally, I would like to say a farewell to someone who has done an amazing job for me since I became Solicitor General in this ministry, and that is my communications director, Caroline McAndrews. She has done just a terrific and outstanding job. Caroline, I just want to thank you for all the work that you’ve done. I’m really sad that you’re leaving my office, but I know you’re going to do a great job in your next position.

Thank you, hon. Speaker. I’d just ask the House to wish happy birthday to my two staff and to thank Caroline McAndrews for the wonderful job that she’s been doing for me.

L. Doerkson: It’s certainly a pleasure this morning for me to be able to introduce a good friend of mine, Walt Cobb. He is a long-standing mayor of Williams Lake. He has sat on far too many boards and committees for me to list here today, but it’s safe to say that he’s done some incredible good for Cariboo-Chilcotin and specifically for Williams Lake. He’s done thousands of hours, and I mean that, of volunteer work and has likely cooked more pancakes than anybody in the chamber today. Please welcome to our chamber Mayor Walt Cobb and a past MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin.

Thank you for joining us today.

S. Furstenau: I’m really delighted to introduce Darya Kudruavtseva. She is in the gallery today. She’s here to shadow me. She was here a couple of weeks ago. She’s 15 years old, turning 16 next month. She’s a high school student at Claremont high in grade 11, and she’s doing a film project about women’s strength that she hopes to have screening in Sidney in May.

I will invite all of the members to look for that potential screening of Darya’s first — I expect — of many films. She’s applying to film schools in Canada and the U.S. She has absolutely found her passion, and I’m delighted to have her here today to shadow. We will be coming to see you, Mr. Speaker, and asking you about the mace.

A. Singh: Tomorrow, April 1, will be my father, Jagdish Singh’s, 81st birthday. Dad was born in 1941, in Chak 235, Lyalpur, Punjab, in what is now Pakistan. After the partition, at the age of six, he, along with over one million other refugees, fled on foot to a new life in India.

In his 20s, he moved to Bangkok and then Hong Kong, where he took on whatever employment he could — security guard jobs, an interpreter at the courts, and finally, a clerk at a travel agency before he went on to start his own travel and cargo agency.

I remember vividly going with him to work and sleeping under the stairs of a building where he worked as what they called a watchman. Simpler times. As Bob Dylan would say: “I wish, I wish, I wish in vain that we could simply sit in that room again.”

He eventually started his own small travel agency, Maharaja Travels, which grew to be wildly successful. He was known for his immense generosity in the Indian community in Hong Kong, and as a result, everybody called him Maharaja, which means emperor.

[10:15 a.m.]

He lives with me, and although much of him has been taken by Alzheimer’s, that kindness and that smile still shine just as strong as ever.

I ask this House to join me in wishing him a very happy and healthy birthday.

R. Merrifield: Every once in a while, you get to meet someone who absolutely changes your life. Jody Cleland is my constituency assistant, and she is certainly that person. She is extraordinary in how she serves the residents of Kelowna-Mission.

It really feels like I’ve known Jody for a lot longer than the year and a half that we’ve worked together. I actually met her husband, Jordan, first — Burma-Shaving during the campaign. He told me the story of how he had worked in politics and how he had campaigned for a leadership candidate in Alberta.

What I found particularly interesting in his story was that the other campaign at the time was run by his wife, Jody. Well, sure enough, the front page of a googled Edmonton Journal actually showed them back to back and told the story: a husband and a wife working as two campaign managers of opposing candidates. Well, the best man and the best woman won, because Jody’s candidate won in that race and went on to become Premier of Alberta, and Jody served as a ministerial assistant for many years.

Fast-forward to today. I pulled from a few emails that I’ve received about Jody. She’s called a miracle worker, tenacious, kind, responsive. She has listened to thousands of constituents and tried to help every last one of them. While speaking to one of them after Jody had worked with him, he referenced her as somewhat of a counsellor, as she had worked through the issues that he was facing.

She is loved by our seniors — as she will help them with access online or filling out forms — but, moreover, loved by our community. An example of that love: we’ve even had someone walk into the office with a tear-stained face because someone was finally able to help them. She is truly amazing. I am blessed to work alongside her in the constituency.

Today she is joined by her husband, Jordan, who was not the successful campaign manager in the leadership race, and her amazing future politician daughter, Grace.

Please, would the House join me in welcoming them.

Hon. K. Conroy: I’d like to introduce who’s joining us in the gallery today, Megan Hanacek. She is the CEO of the Private Forest Landowners Association. She’s also a registered professional forester and a registered professional biologist with over 20 years of experience in B.C. forest management, and she sits on our Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council.

An interesting fact about Megan for those of you who are fans of the TV show Alone. Megan survived in the Patagonia wilderness for 78 days before tapping out in the final episode of the History Channel’s hit reality TV show Alone. She was one of the longest-surviving Canadian cast members to be featured on Alone — someone you don’t want to mess with.

Great to have you here.

Can you all join in welcoming her.

S. Chandra Herbert: I wanted to join my colleagues in welcoming our guests here for Trans Day of Visibility. It’s incredible. You belong here. Some of you are friends that I’ve known for…. I guess it’s over 12 years ago when we first met, working to add gender identity and expression to the human rights code, so it’s so good to see you here today.

I want to make a special mention of QMUNITY. For those that don’t know, its location is in my constituency, 1170 Bute Street; however, they have a provincial mandate. If you need to up your queer competencies, learn how to be better employers or better representatives, learn to reflect the true diversity of your community or just update some terminology, they are a great resource. I can’t recommend them enough for your education and for the betterment of our province.

Thank you to all of our guests for being here today.

S. Chant: I’m very excited to welcome a couple of constituents from my riding, whom I don’t see very often here, which is very exciting to me. From North Vancouver–Seymour, I’d like to introduce Grace Smith, who works as a consultant with IBM, and Peter Smith, who is the principal engineer with Amazon. They are in the gallery today to watch us debate.

[10:20 a.m.]

T. Shypitka: If there’s one thing I learned a long time ago, when speaking about your spouse, it’s better to be proactive than reactive. My wife, Carrie, the love of my life, is going to have a birthday on Saturday. Unfortunately, I won’t be there, so I wanted to wish her a happy birthday. I won’t tell you, actually, how old she is, but I can say she’s a lot younger than me. That’s a good hint.

Anyways, would the House please recognize her birthday and celebrate with me.

R. Leonard: I’d like to introduce to the House Nina Usherwood and Rosalind Humphreys. This year they’re celebrating 20 years together with a renewal of their vows.

I’ve met them because they are very strong advocates in our community, and they’re very involved in issues around health and justice. It is a real demonstration of the strength of their relationship, that shines through in all that they do. More than you belong here, we are honoured to have them as part of Courtenay-Comox.

Please let the House welcome them and help them celebrate 20 years together.

Hon. M. Dean: Today I’d like to just say a big thank you to Kirsten Lauvass. She’s been my communications director’s support for well over a year. It’s been really super to work with her, but she’s leaving tomorrow.

Would the House please express their appreciation for her service as well.

D. Coulter: I just realized it’s my baby brother’s birthday tomorrow. I didn’t get him a gift. He’s an actuary in Boston, and you’d never know he’s my baby brother. He looks much older than me. But he is very passionate about bouldering and sailing, and we’re very proud of him in my family.

Would the House please clap for my brother Christopher Coulter for his birthday tomorrow.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 17 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES
AMENDMENT ACT, 2022

Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.

Hon. D. Eby: I move the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce Bill 17, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022. This bill amends the following statutes: the Insurance (Vehicle) Act, the Ministry of Energy and Mines Act, the Offence Act. This bill also makes repeals and consequential amendments to other statutes.

I’ll be pleased to elaborate on the nature of these amendments during the second reading of this bill.

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

Motion approved.

Hon. D. Eby: I move the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Mr. Speaker: So that was the question.

Bill 17, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER
DAY OF VISIBILITY

T. Stone: Today marks the International Trans Day of Visibility, an annual celebration of trans pride and awareness. This day celebrates the members of the transgender, gender-diverse and two-spirit community, highlighting their contributions to society in addition to raising awareness of the unacceptable discrimination they continue to face worldwide.

It’s important that trans people are empowered to celebrate who they are and that we all voice solidarity with the trans community. We must recognize the pressure many trans and non-binary people face to conform and change, and acknowledge the courage it takes to live authentically.

[10:25 a.m.]

This day is about understanding how living openly as your true self is something that many of us take for granted. Often for trans people this is difficult and even dangerous. Increased positive visibility of trans people in our communities, media and public life brings awareness and changing attitudes, and this is key to securing their fundamental rights.

How can we in this House play a role? Well, one way is through the Creating Connections campaign which is once again being launched by the Rainbow Health Cooperative. It is designed as a pay-it-forward system where the organization drops off for each MLA a small package containing information on the transgender community and a trans flag. You’re encouraged to take this package and pass it on to a person in your constituency you would like to build a connection with.

This is a great opportunity to provide visibility to the transgender population, and I encourage every member of this House to participate in this campaign.

G. Lore: I, too, rise to recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility, and I stand as an ally with the honour of celebrating our peers, colleagues, friends and family.

Let me start with Jamie Lee Hamilton, an outspoken activist for sex workers and Indigenous women. In 1998, she dumped 67 pairs of stilettos in the front of city hall demanding attention for the dozens of sex workers who were missing in the Downtown Eastside. She was also the first youth in Canada to start medical transition and the first out trans candidate to seek public office.

Last year Blake Desjarlais became Canada’s first openly two-spirit Member of Parliament. Just last week Niis Mious, a Nisg̱a’a two-spirit person, was awarded the Medal of Good Citizenship for their work to create food security for Indigenous families based on cultural understanding, consistency and trust.

At the University of Victoria, Dr. Aaron Devor holds the world’s first Chair in Transgender Studies and set up the Transgender Archives. This year the archives celebrate their tenth anniversary, upholding a commitment to research and community-building for and by trans and non-binary, two-spirit and other gender-diverse people locally and globally. I encourage everyone to check out their community stories online to learn more.

I also want to encourage everyone to participate in #YouBelongHere, an advocacy campaign by QMUNITY, B.C.’s queer, trans and two-spirit resource centre.

I would also like to recognize all the peer supporters at Trans Care B.C. who help people access the gender-affirming health care they need and deserve.

I want to lift up B.C. lawyer Adrienne Smith, whose work and advocacy protects the human rights of trans people.

Two-spirit, trans and gender-diverse people are amazing. May we all learn something from their courage to be themselves.

As anti-trans laws that endanger trans people and trans families and deny health care for trans kids continue to be introduced and passed in other jurisdictions, we must recommit to work here in B.C. and beyond so that the need to be courageous is replaced with ease, love and celebration.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND
PACIFIC AUTISM FAMILY NETWORK

K. Kirkpatrick: This Saturday marks World Autism Day, and today I’m honoured to speak about the work of Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia and Sergio Cocchia, who dedi­cate much of their energy supporting families and autistic people.

As opposition critic for Ministry of Children and Family Development, I have learned a great deal about autism spectrum disorder, particularly in recent months since government announced the change to the autism funding model.

Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a developmental condition that impacts typical brain growth, affecting individuals very differently. Common characteristics include difficulty with communication, social interactions and repetitive patterns of behaviour. The word “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Each child is unique, and intensive treatment can have positive impact on autistic children.

Enter visionaries Wendy and Sergio, who, as parents of an autistic child, founded the Pacific Autism Family Network. Their first location, called GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub, opened its 60,000-square-foot facility in 2016, with a mandate to serve the lifespan needs of individuals and families affected by ASD.

When a diagnosis of families of autism is made, families often need help navigating therapies and supports to determine what is best for their own unique child. The Pacific Autism Family Network provides a reliable, one-stop-shop source of information and help.

[10:30 a.m.]

This includes assessment, therapy, education and support services and programs. There are clinics, classrooms, spaces for autism organizations, video conferencing and so much more.

In closing, I would like to thank and to celebrate my constituents Wendy and Sergio for their dedication to the autism community, their philanthropy and for creating such a meaningful organization to help those with autism have a happy, meaningful and rich life.

GOOD CITIZENSHIP MEDAL RECIPIENTS
CHRISTOPHER HORNER AND BEVERLY LORE

J. Rice: I’d like to recognize two Haida Gwaii heroes and recent Medal of Good Citizenship recipients.

gudangaay k’uuk ahl iiwaans, Christopher Horner, takes on many roles in his dedicated service to the community of Masset and surrounding communities. As the Elders Centre coordinator, he provides supports for Elders and adults with ability challenges while overseeing the food bank program for all communities on the north end of Graham Island. As pantry coordinator under the Local Food to School program, Christopher teaches life skills and incorporates client participation in greenhouse and community gardens. He’s also involved in the Warrior Program, where he facilitates mental health wellness programs for youth and adult men.

The Bayview Market has operated for more than 60 years as a local grocer in rural and remote Port Clements. Owner-operator Beverly Lore and the Bayview are icons of community spirit. Beverly sponsors community, sporting and church events and has helped purchase playground equipment for Port Clements children. At the peak of COVID-19, Bev and her family were providing free delivery service not just for Port Clements residents but to other communities up and down, all over Haida Gwaii.

There are no pharmacies in Port Clements, so the Bayview serves as a prescription pickup location. Prescriptions are delivered to the store, where they are held for residents to claim. This valuable community service allows vulnerable people to live in their home community longer.

In the very early days of COVID-19, Bev set up a handwashing station outside her store, complete with warm water. Her community spirit shone through this dark time as she provided lyrics for people to sing while they washed their hands.

The Medal of Good Citizenship celebrates British Columbians who have acted in a particularly generous, kind or selfless manner for the common good, without expectation of reward. Recipients Beverly Lore and Christopher Horner exemplify these qualities, and I want to thank them for their selfless service.

CANCER AWARENESS AND DAFFODIL MONTH

S. Furstenau: Cancer is a thief. It robs us of the people we love. It robs our health, our limbs, our dreams, our futures. Twenty years ago it robbed my family of two people, left us without the joy of being with them, of sharing with them. It robbed their grandchildren even the opportunity to meet and know them.

In April 2001, my father, Peter Furstenau, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The cancer moved so quickly, we didn’t have the chance to start potentially life-saving therapy. He died October 16 of that year, one week before his 62nd birthday. As we all tried to navigate through the deep fog of grief, cancer came again. My dad’s partner of over two decades — my stepmother, Patricia Lloyd — was diagnosed with large cell lung cancer in January 2002. Six months later, on June 7, she died. Pat’s daughter Jessie was 25.

Peter and Pat were vibrant, extraordinary, beloved, wonderful people. Both were working at Malaspina. Pat was a director of the library, overseeing the redesign, and dad was teaching statistics and psychology. His stats students were so grateful to him, they wrote him a song on the last day of class.

I miss them. I wish that they could have met their grandchildren, my children, Peter and Eleanor, and Jessie’s children, Avery and Smith. I wish I could seek their wise counsel, their support. I wish I could soak in their generous and abundant love.

[10:35 a.m.]

Tomorrow is the start of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Campaign for Cancer Awareness Month. Two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer. But the work of researchers is creating a bulwark against the thievery of cancer.

The Daffodil Campaign also supports the programs that provide comfort and connection to cancer patients and their loved ones.

I am so deeply grateful for the counselling that I was able to access through the B.C. Cancer Agency in the wake of the life-altering loss that I and my family experienced 20 years ago.

RAMADAN

A. Singh: Thank you to the Leader of the Third Party for her statement.

This weekend over two billion people in the world will begin the celebrations for Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. This includes many of my constituents in Richmond-Queensborough, including those that attend the Richmond Jamia Mosque and the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, who will, after two long years of the pandemic, be able to celebrate openly and safely with their community sisters and brothers.

Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to their higher power — to God — and to cultivating self-control, gratitude and compassion for those less fortunate.

Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation, with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Quran and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.

This year the month-long fast of Ramadan begins around April 2 or 3 and will end around May 1 or 2. Muslims fast from predawn to sunset. It’s a fast of between 11 and 16 hours, depending on the time of the year, for a period of 29 to 30 days. Ramadan is a time to train both physically and spiritually. This is time for self-reflection, spiritual improvement and as a means to grow as an empathetic member of society.

In addition to the personal aspects, Ramadan is also a highly social time, as Muslims invite each other to break their fast together and meet for prayers at the mosques. Many mosques hold daily community dinners, where Muslims can break their fast together.

Charity and social responsibility are also an integral part of Islam and are magnified during Ramadan. Many mosques host open houses for their friends and neighbours of other faiths to join them for the fast-breaking dinner, or Iftar, at the end of the fasting day.

I would ask that this Legislature join me in recognizing this special day and month for many of our fellow British Columbians.

Oral Questions

AFFORDABILITY ISSUES
AND REBATE FOR RENTERS

S. Bond: The Premier rose in the Legislature earlier this week and said: “I don’t understand this affordability stuff.” Well, that certainly explains a lot.

British Columbians are paying the highest gas taxes in North America, and they’re going up, with the Premier doing nothing. Housing prices are skyrocketing, but the Premier’s affordable home promise is going to take 100 years to complete. Rents have gone up 20 percent in Vancouver in the last six months alone, yet nothing has been done about his promise of a renters rebate.

While it’s clear — and the Premier admitted it here in the Legislature — that he doesn’t understand affordability, could he possibly tell us why he has failed to keep a five-year promise related to a renters rebate?

Hon. B. Ralston: It’s interesting to hear the members on the other side and their new-found concern for the struggles of ordinary people. When they sat over here, they gave tax breaks to the wealthiest 2 percent and made everyone else pay for it. MSP premiums doubled. ICBC car insurance rates went up over 30 percent.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. B. Ralston: Roads and bridges were tolled. Their government created the housing crisis by putting speculators and developers ahead of people. Here on this side, we’ve continued to reduce costs for people as we invest in the services that they count on.

Interjections.

[10:40 a.m.]

Mr. Speaker: Members, please come to order.

Hon. B. Ralston: The new ICBC rebate, thanks to our work to fix ICBC. The child opportunity benefit, up to $2,600 a year for a family with two children. Reduced child care costs. Lower car insurance. Ended MSP premiums. There are many more, but I’ll wait for the supplemental to list those.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, it’s a question period, not a comedy show. Let’s be quiet.

S. Bond: Well, apparently, while the minister yesterday missed the question by a mile, he’s no better today when he got up and was given a chance. He absolutely missed the entire point of the question for a second day in a row. Wow. Let’s try it again, and let’s hope this time we get somebody who actually understands the importance of the renters rebate to get up.

It’s easy for the Premier to actually stand in the House and say he doesn’t understand the affordability stuff. It’s even more so after he gave himself a $40,000 raise. But British Columbians struggling with higher gas prices, higher transit costs, higher grocery costs…. You know, to the members opposite, British Columbians do understand the affordability issue.

Jennifer Bradshaw of the volunteer advocacy group Abundant Housing Vancouver is clear that help for renters is needed now, as the market only gets worse. “Low-income renters should really have those sorts of supports, and that should have happened much more quickly.”

While the Premier may not understand affordability — he admitted it here in the Legislature — I think he should understand keeping his word to British Columbians.

It’s been five years. Where is the renters rebate?

Hon. D. Eby: I want to thank the Minister of Energy, who clearly saw my first reading speech and thought he would step in to assist. Obviously, not my best day in the Legislature. Let’s try to turn it around here.

The Minister of Finance is working on the renters rebate. That policy work continues. It’s an important issue. I thank the member for raising it. But it’s also important to recognize what we have done to keep rents down. One of the things we did was we got rid of the additional 2 percent that got charged every year to renters. That’s saving families thousands of dollars. But it’s important to recognize that those are families that are already in rental housing. There are a whole bunch of people who are looking for rental housing.

The member quoted Abundant Housing, and I agree with the advocates in that group that believe we need more housing. That’s why I’m really proud that in our first three years, our government registered more rental units for construction than the old government did in the previous decade.

More than 53,000 new homes were registered last year. That’s the highest ever since B.C. Housing started collecting data in 2002. And we turned 18,000 empty condos into rented homes, thanks to the speculation tax, which, by the way, they voted against and opposed.

TAX ON SALE OF USED CARS

P. Milobar: Despite the Premier’s elections promises of no new taxes, there are now three new taxes being brought in by the NDP this budget. No wonder he says he doesn’t understand this affordability stuff, because he also doesn’t understand how to keep a campaign promise.

The Premier is going to tell you now what your used car is worth. If you happen to get a good deal, well, too bad for you. The Premier is going to tax you on the higher amount that he feels your car is worth because, as some of his members have alluded to, apparently you’re a tax cheat if you find a good deal on a used car.

The budget document on page 91 was very clear that the people hurt by this change are “more likely to be low- and middle-income” people.

Again, why is the Premier going after low- and middle-income people who are just looking for a good deal on a safe used car?

[10:45 a.m.]

Hon. S. Robinson: Well, PST has always been payable on privately purchased new and used vehicles. That hasn’t changed. In fact, post HST, it was Kevin Falcon who chose to apply PST to used goods in this province. Yes, I have to inform the House of that truth.

However, I think it’s important to really understand…. I’m really pleased to hear that the member opposite actually read the budget document. But if he turns to page 159, he will see table A4.1, “Net provincial taxes since Budget 2016.” What do we find?

Well, what we find is that if your family net income is $30,000, back in 2016, you were paying $177 in taxes. Now, actually, it’s $1,442 back in your pocket, as a result of the decisions of this government.

If your family net income is $60,000, you used to pay $4,238 a year in taxes, in 2016. Now you’re paying $1,539.

Let’s take it up another notch. If your family net income is $100,000, you were paying $7,473 in 2016, and now you’re paying $5,658.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Kamloops–North Thompson, supplemental.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Let’s hear the question please, Members.

TRANSIT AND COMMUTING COSTS

P. Milobar: If you happen to be in those income brackets and live in the Finance Minister’s riding, you’re paying an extra $4,500 a year to rent because you can’t afford to purchase either. That’s under this government’s watch that that’s happened.

It makes no sense that a Premier who “doesn’t understand this affordability stuff” gets to decide what a good deal on a used car is. It’s not just used cars, though. The cost of transit is scheduled to go up. The cost of getting from Surrey to Vancouver is rising to $185 a month. The cost of gas is still the highest in North America. In fact, these rising commuting costs are a direct result of the Premier removing the revenue neutrality to the carbon tax.

How much longer is it going to be for commuters — whether it’s a car, bus or SkyTrain — to see some actual real help in this affordability crisis from this government?

Hon. S. Robinson: No doubt it continues to be challenging for British Columbians during these very challenging times coming off of COVID, and certainly what we see happening in Ukraine has added increased pressures for sure.

I think it’s really important to recognize, if we hadn’t taken the actions that we’ve been taking over the last five years, just how much harder it would be for British Columbians. Remember tolls? They’re gone now. They’re gone. MSP premiums. They’re gone as well. Thanks to the work of my colleagues on either side of me, ICBC now not only is in the black but we’re giving rebate cheques to drivers.

Free transit for children under the age of 12. If I might read into the record that what means…. For a whole lot of families, the family vehicle is the bus. It is the bus. We’ve heard from Bikram, who lives in Vancouver with two children. This is what Bikram had to say about what it means to them to have free transit for their children.

“For a working family like ours, free transit for kids under 12 is such a big help. This year we would have spent around $1,400 on transit passes for our two young sons. We can certainly put those savings to good use. We rely heavily on public transit in our day-to-day lives. We use public transit to visit our families and take the kids to the various activities, like skating, swimming, soccer and Kumon. Both our children will absolutely benefit from free transit, and so will our family.”

[10:50 a.m.]

CONSULTATION ON SPRAYING OF
GLYPHOSATE ON FIRST NATIONS LANDS

A. Olsen: Yesterday we celebrated the tabling of the Declaration Act action plan. We’ve repeatedly committed to repairing the legacies of colonialism, to upholding Indigenous rights, including their rights to their territories — rights to fish, hunt, gather medicines and foods unencumbered.

This week Angelina Hopkins Rose from St’át’imc Nation was in the news. Hopkins Rose is calling on the government to pause a proposed land management plan to spray glyphosate and other poisons in the unceded territories of the Stó:lō the St’át’imc, the Nlaka’pamux, Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Hopkins Rose’s activism has been successful. This weekend my constituency office — actually, our constituency offices — received over 2,000 emails on the issue.

The management plan in question takes effect tomorrow and will have these carcinogenic chemicals sprayed broadly across their land — lands where Indigenous peoples regularly harvest berries and other traditional plants and medicines. Hopkins Rose is saying there was not nearly enough consultation with Indigenous peoples on this management plan.

My question is to the Minister of Forests. In keeping with our commitments under the Declaration Act, will the minister pause the spraying of glyphosate set to begin tomorrow, and order a consultation with Indigenous peoples that have been affected by this?

Hon. K. Conroy: I thank the member for the question.

I’ve done a lot of research on this. We’ve also been…. There are questions about glyphosate use in forestry, and the effects of glyphosate on human health have been really extensively reviewed by international regulatory agencies, including Health Canada, with the conclusion being that exposure to glyphosate does not pose a carcinogenic or general toxic risk to humans. It remains an important tool for establishing conifer or conifer-deciduous mixed stands and ensuring future timber supplies.

That said, the use of this herbicide in B.C.’s forest sector has declined significantly in recent years, as foresters use a variety of approaches to manage competing vegetation, including manual, mechanical, burning, biological and herbicides. The glyphosate use in forestry has to comply with B.C.’s Integrated Pest Management Act, and steps have to be taken to minimize impacts on environment, including in fish-bearing streams.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Saanich North and the Islands, supplemental.

A. Olsen: My question was about whether or not engagement with Indigenous nations, as we celebrated — quite intensely celebrated — yesterday…. Allowing non-members onto the floor of this Legislature to speak is a substantial thing.

According to the plan, B.C. Timber Sales will be permitted to spray. Whether they’re spraying less now than they have in the past makes little difference. The fact of the matter is that they’re going to be allowed to spray glyphosate and other poisons for the next five years.

These poisons will be used to kill salal, mushrooms, Indian hellebore and berries — thimbleberry, raspberry, salmonberry, red elderberry, huckleberry, blueberry, ocean spray. These are all species that are unwanted, apparently. Unwanted by whom? I don’t think they’re unwanted by the bears, but they’re certainly not unwanted by Indigenous people, who have been picking and harvesting these as staple food sources for thousands of years.

Ocean spray, as an example of the connection that I want to make here…. Ocean spray, as my uncle J,SIṈTEN talks about, is the sign of Saanich summer. When the ocean spray starts to bloom, and we can smell that beautiful scent throughout our territories, we know it’s time to go out and engage our fishing in the summer in the Gulf Islands.

These are species that are unwanted, yet Indigenous people have been using them, species such as ocean spray, to be able to understand how to live properly in our territories. These will just be wiped out with the spraying of glyphosate.

My question is to the Minister of Forests. Does the minister believe that the rights of Indigenous peoples to harvest traditional plants are outweighed by the ministry’s interests to maximize harvest volumes by the spraying of glyphosate?

Hon. K. Conroy: I respect the member asking the question and his considerable knowledge on Indigenous peoples’ culture. I respect that there have been changes in this Legislature.

[10:55 a.m.]

We are working with Indigenous people. In fact, under the B.C. Integrated Pest Management Act and the B.C. Integrated Pest Management Regulation, the use of herbicide and products in forestry for vegetation and invasive plant control requires authorization by way of registering a pest management plan, which requires First Nations and public consultation — but First Nations consultation. That is something that we take seriously.

Every year a notice of intent has to be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, with detailed treatment maps. Again, that consultation with First Nation is required.

There has also been new technique on using superior orchard seed, improved nursery techniques, fast-growing seedlings and well-timed planting so that we can improve plantation survival in areas of high vegetative competition. That’s reducing the amount of herbicide used for plantation management.

I visited the plantation, the centre, in Vernon recently and saw the work that was being done on this, the considerable work being done to try to improve the seeds that we are using right across the province to ensure that we can use less herbicide when it comes to making sure that we are investing in our forests. But also, it’s very critical that they also consult with Indigenous nations, which is part of what the act is about.

PROPERTY TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
AND SPLIT ASSESSMENT PROPOSAL

T. Stone: The Premier says he just doesn’t understand “this affordability stuff.” But I’ll tell you this: many small businesses in this province understand the affordability crisis. The NDP have failed to act on the skyrocketing property taxes on unused airspace over the heads of small businesses, and this is forcing many of these small businesses to either raise prices or to shut down for good.

That’s hurting popular restaurants like Red Burrito on Lonsdale Avenue, which is closing down after a decade and a half of being in business. They closed because they were faced with steadily rising costs and a shocking 15 percent increase in their lease costs, driven entirely by property taxes.

Now, the Minister of Finance could act to protect local businesses and the people who enjoy them by enacting split assessment.

The question to the Minister of Finance is this: how many businesses will close down or raise their prices before the NDP take action and throw a lifeline to these struggling small businesses?

Hon. S. Robinson: We’ve certainly, through the pandemic, witnessed the challenges of many small businesses. That’s why our government has been there right from the beginning, making sure there were supports available to small businesses, making sure that they had the ability to keep their doors open. Many of them have been certainly challenged by a whole range of challenges as a result of COVID — everything from accessing labour, dealing with the changing requirements that were recommended by the provincial health officer.

I have to say that with the supports we’ve provided, many businesses have been able to keep their doors open. We recognize that it continues to be a challenge, and that’s why we’re going to keep being there for business.

That’s why we continue to have a pandemic and recovery contingency available for this next budget, because we know that we’re not through this yet and that we need to continue to be there for businesses and for people and for communities.

Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader, supplemental.

T. Stone: Well, this is nothing new to this minister. This issue was first brought to her attention nearly five years ago as the issue was building, and it’s gotten worse and worse and worse. We’re talking about a lot of small businesses that have been struggling because of skyrocketing property taxes on the unused airspace over their heads. It’s happening in communities all over the province, including in the Finance Minister’s community of Coquitlam.

The good news is that the work is already done. The working group consisting of a whole bunch of local governments, the UBCM, the chamber of commerce, CFIB, have all come together, and they proposed this split assessment solution as an optional tool that local governments could use. Many of them have said they would use it.

What did the Finance Minister do when she was the Housing Minister back in 2020? She brought in a permissive tax exemption tool. Do you know how many local governments…? She said this would be the silver bullet that would provide a tool for local governments. Do you know how many local governments have used this tool in the last two years? Zero. Not a single one. They continue to call for the split assessment tool.

[11:00 a.m.]

I’ve introduced a private member’s bill. It’s sitting on the order paper. I’ve introduced it five times now.

Fraser Young of Lift Breakfast Bakery in North Vancouver says costs are forcing him to raise prices on his customers. “Everything is up. Nothing is down.” Everyone but the minister — business groups, local governments, the UBCM — agrees on this split assessment solution. It’s all drafted. It’s all ready to go. Businesses are being caught with these massive increases in the unused airspace over their heads.

Will the minister either embrace the bill that’s on the order paper or write her own bill, implement a split assessment tool so local governments can do what they want to do, and that’s provide much-needed support for struggling small businesses in their communities?

Hon. S. Robinson: We know that many small businesses that pay property taxes under their commercial lease are struggling when there are unexpected spikes in their taxes. We also certainly heard from UBCM, which was very divided. They were very divided on the member’s proposal. In fact, Cariboo regional district, Whistler, Lantzville — they were against it. So for the member to suggest that the UBCM supports it is actually not quite accurate.

Now, we did take a look….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Members, let’s listen to the answer.

Hon. S. Robinson: Clearly, they’re not interested in what we’ve done, Mr. Speaker, because they keep heckling me. But if they’re interested in hearing what I have to say, I’m pleased to stand on my feet and continue with my response.

We did take a look at the member’s private member’s bill. It is too broad. It does not take into account the significant consequences to the entire tax system, and it is not going to give the small businesses the tax break that they need.

That work is being undertaken as we speak. We continue…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. S. Robinson: …to consult with local governments.

It actually isn’t five years. It’s actually two years. It has been two years during a pandemic that we’ve continued to do the work. We have dedicated staff who are continuing to work with local governments, with the UBCM, to make sure that we find the right path to make sure that it works appropriately, the way it’s intended.

CHILD CARE FEES AND SUBSIDIES
FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

R. Merrifield: Just like renters, commuters and small businesses, parents and child care providers are also finding out that the Premier doesn’t understand the affordability stuff.

Jennifer Ratcliffe is the owner of Pebble Lane Early Learning in Surrey. She says: “Promises and agreements are not kept. Most recently the 2022-23 funding for many daycare owners has been delayed. The funding directly affects staff, families and, most of all, the children. How can we continue to depend on a government that chooses to ignore the owners and make light of our parents’ concerns?”

Tomorrow is April 1. Will the minister stop making excuses and deliver the funding?

Hon. K. Chen: I thank the opposition member for the question.

I reiterated this yesterday. No timeline has been missed. We’ve been working hard with providers to make sure we can continue to pass on savings to families and parents and ensure stability for providers too.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform the member opposite that yesterday staff has looked into all the cases that the members opposite have raised in question period. We learned that three of the providers have received approval or temporary approval between March 23 and March 28. Another provider has received confirmation on March 29, the day after they completed their application. The remaining provider was contacted on March 24, and until now, staff has not received a response.

We share the same goal of ensuring providers are receiving the support they need to pass on savings to parents. We want to work with providers to make sure savings are passed on to providers. If the opposition member has any cases or scenarios, again, I encourage the opposition to work with us to bring forward the cases so we can look into them and make sure that providers will get the savings and that parents will have the stability.

[11:05 a.m.]

To date, my understanding is that all completed appli­cations have received approvals, and all the remaining ones are either receiving temporary approval or have been contacted by staff. We are committed to continue to work with parents, as we have been, and providers to ensure that we can pass on savings to parents. I hope the opposition member can work with us and bring forward the cases that you’re raising instead of creating unnecessary fear and division among parents and providers.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO
AFFORDABILITY ISSUES

M. de Jong: I got a call yesterday from a constituent. He’s one of these constituents — I think we probably all have them — who actually watches question period. He doesn’t get to watch it live. He watches the late-night version of question period.

Here’s what he said to me. He said:

“It’s the applause. It’s the applause that I hear from the government that drives me crazy, because it feels like they’re mocking me. I don’t understand why they’re applauding. Are they applauding the fact that yesterday, when I went to fill up my car, it cost me $60 more than it used to, and that’s going to translate into $2,000 more per year? Are they applauding the fact that my wife, who relies on a transit pass, is now going to have to pay more, and that’s going to cost us hundreds of dollars a year?

“Are they applauding the fact that the used car we were hoping to buy is now going to cost more because of tax policies introduced by this government? Are they applauding the fact that the shopping cart full of groceries that used to cost us $250 now costs us over $400? Or maybe they’re applauding the fact that our rent” — his and his wife’s rent — “has gone up over $3,300 per year.”

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, please.

M. de Jong: Are they applauding the fact that despite the ending of COVID-related restrictions, for all of the reasons, and more, that he just alluded to, they won’t be going on a vacation? They’re not going anywhere this year. That’s what he said.

He said: “When I hear them applaud, it feels like they’re mocking me.” He said this. “You don’t actually have to be on the Academy Awards to be publicly slapped in the face when you hear the government applaud.”

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

M. de Jong: Would the Premier…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Question, please.

M. de Jong: …explain to my constituent, and the millions of British Columbians who are facing the same challenges, why he and his colleagues applaud their absolute refusal and inability to address, in a meaningful way, the crisis of affordability facing so many British Columbians?

Hon. S. Robinson: I appreciate hearing the member’s commentary about the challenges that some British Columbians are indeed facing. I think it’s really important to recognize that there have been some significant changes that we have made over these last five years. That has made a difference in people’s lives.

When you take a look at the fact that if you’re a family earning $80,000 of family net income, your taxes back in 2016 were $5,637 and now they’re $3,342, that’s a signifi­cant difference.

I also think that over the last five years, if we hadn’t made the changes that we have made, people would still be paying MSP premiums. They would be paying sky-high ICBC bills. They would be paying interest on their student loans. We got rid of interest on student loans.

[11:10 a.m.]

They would be getting paid one of the lowest minimum wages in Canada. That’s no longer the case, because they’re getting the highest minimum wages right now. That makes a difference for British Columbians. The average B.C. family would also be paying $1,000 a year more on rent, if we hadn’t taken the measures that this government took over the last number of years.

Finally, I think it’s interesting that when we formed government and the commitment was to fix ICBC and there was a lot of work to do to fix that dumpster fire, Mr. Falcon, the Leader of the Opposition, thought that the ICBC rebates were stupid, little cheques.

Well, those stupid, little cheques are paying the bills for British Columbians. We’re going to keep working every day to address affordability for British Columbians. That’s what we have been doing since we formed government in 2017.

[End of question period.]

Question of Privilege
(Reservation of Right)

A. Olsen: I rise to reserve my right to raise a question of privilege relating to the Minister of Forests’ comments about glyphosate.