Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: S. Chant.

Introductions by Members

Hon. A. Kang: I would like to recognize that in the gallery today are the students of the BCFS. The British Columbia Federation of Students is a provincial alliance of more than 170,000 students at 15 universities, colleges and institutes in every part of B.C. Together they work to provide students with an effective and unified voice to advocate for better education.

I would like to recognize that in the crowd today we have Jenelle Davies, who’s the organizer for the BCFS; Tashia Kootenayoo, secretary-treasurer of the BCFS; Melissa Chirino, the chairperson; Phoebe Lo Patigdas, director and operations; Arielle Reid, researcher.

Michel Turcotte, from Camosun College.

Jennifer Gullins and Benjamin Harris from Okanagan College.

Damon Robison and Jasvir Singh from the College of New Caledonia.

Michael Gauld and Douglas Treloar from Douglas College.

Ishika Tripathi from Emily Carr.

Paula Zerpa, Cole Reinbold and Sydney Sullivan from Vancouver Island University.

Carissa Wilson from North Island Students Union.

Gabby Sarnoah and Stefan Nielsen, from Students Union of Vancouver Community College.

Steven von Cuevas from Northern British Columbia Graduate Students Society.

Stewart McGillivray and Nolan Nordwall from BCIT.

Ashley McDougall from University of the Fraser Valley.

Quin Cunningham from B. C. Federation of Students, Indigenous students representative, as well as from Camosun College.

Would the House please make them all feel very welcome.

[10:10 a.m.]

Hon. R. Kahlon: We have some amazing public servants here in the gallery today from JERI, from Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. I’d like to welcome Regan Macdonald, Theresa Wittstock, Robert Debiki, Chris Morash, Kevin Grout, Amara Wedel, Mica Munro, Shannon Lee, Jonathan Menold, Alison Macdonell and Chris Jones.

I’m hoping the House can please make these amazing public servants welcome today.

Hon. K. Chen: I want to take this opportunity to give my most sincere thanks to a close friend of mine, my EA, Amelia Hill — Mia, as many call her — who’s leaving our child care team as she’s got a dream job working for Rowing Canada, where she can highlight her passion for sports.

While I’m really happy for Mia’s new journey, I know I’m going to miss her a lot — her passion, her intelligence, her energy, her integrity and her kindness, as she’s really, really supported me, not just professionally but also personally, through some of the most challenging times in my life.

Thank you, Mia, for everything. I wish you all the best, and I also want to thank all the professional staff like Mia, who do so much for us MLAs and support the work we do every single day.

A. Olsen: I look up into the gallery and see a constituent of mine in the gallery today, sitting with our friend, Jason Goertzen. I’d like to ask that the House welcome Central Saanich lawyer and one-time Central Saanich council candidate Josh Steeper to the House today.

B. Banman: There is no doubt that those of us who choose public life find being under the microscope difficult. But by far, I think the toll is stronger on our families than it is on us, and without our families behind us, I don’t think many of us would be able to do this.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce my wife, sitting up in the gallery, Sharon. It’s her first time here. Would the House please make her feel very welcome and welcome her to this House.

Hon. K. Conroy: Today in the gallery we are joined by some incredible staff from the legislative team in the Ministry of Forests. We have Eloise Menzies, John Kang, Emily Summer, Yimmie Sonuga, Carrie-rae Pedersen, Erin McGinniss, Wendy Townsend, Ksenia Konwicki, Daniel Pagan and Elissa Whittington.

I want to thank them all for their creativity, passion and all the spirit they bring to their jobs every day trying to make life better for British Columbians.

I’m really indebted to all you do.

Hon. G. Chow: I’d also like to echo the Minister of State for Child Care in saying goodbye and wishing Amelia Hill, who was my CA back in 2018, all the best as she takes on a new task and new endeavours.

All the best to you, Amelia.

Hon. L. Beare: I rise today to introduce the UBC Thunderbirds rowing team. This past weekend, rowing teams from across North America travelled to Boston, Massachusetts, to compete in the world’s largest rowing regatta, the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. I’m proud to advise the entire House that our own T-Birds came home with two victories.

Placing first in the women’s lightweight fours categories were team members Angelina Stevenson, Meghan Camplin, Ehren Paterson, Mary Law and their cox, Carolyne You.

UBC also placed first in the men’s lightweight fours category: Christian Place, Nikolas Schramm, Johnathan McLeod, Emerson Crick and their cox, Clare Cunningham. They came within seconds of the course record, beating last year’s time by 43 seconds.

Please join me in congratulating the UBC Thunderbirds and their head coaches, Mike Pearce and Craig Pond, on their incredible success.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 37 — ENERGY STATUTES
AMENDMENT ACT, 2022

Hon. B. Ralston presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.

[10:15 a.m.]

Hon. B. Ralston: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 37, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2022. People in British Columbia want to fight climate change and better protect our environment while also supporting clean energy, jobs and economic growth.

This bill amends the Oil and Gas Activities Act and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act to support the implementation of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 and ensure energy resource development is regulated in a manner that benefits British Columbians.

The proposed amendments will bring important changes to how the energy industry is regulated, including how we regulate our growing hydrogen industry. Hydrogen is a critical source of alternate clean energy and will move us away from fossil fuels while supporting good-paying jobs.

This legislation builds on our work to develop a comprehensive hydrogen strategy and establish a B.C. hydrogen office and supports our plan to make this province a global hydrogen leader.

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

Motion approved.

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

Bill 37, Energy 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.

BILL 40 — PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
AMENDMENT ACT (No. 2), 2022

Hon. R. Fleming presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Passenger Transportation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2022.

Hon. R. Fleming: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce Bill 40, the Passenger Transportation Amendment Act, 2022. This bill continues our government’s work to support the modernization of the taxi and ride-hail industries in British Columbia. To this end, the bill contains a set of amendments to the Passenger Transportation Act. These changes focus on enhancing passenger safety and increasing accessibility for taxis and ride-hail vehicles.

This bill specifically will increase flexibility for the independent Passenger Transportation Board to exercise its oversight responsibilities of the industry. It supports the availability of accessible vehicles and services for passengers with disabilities, and it clarifies driver requirements in support of passenger safety by more efficiently and effectively preventing ineligible people from driving commercial vehicles.

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

Motion approved.

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

Bill 40, Passenger Transportation Amendment Act (No. 2), 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)

NORTHERN ROCKIES
HEALTH SERVICES PLAN

D. Davies: Today I’d like to talk about some great work that is happening in the Northern Rockies regional municipality, or commonly known as Fort Nelson.

The Northern Rockies has been committed to achieving equitable access to health services for all residents in the region for many years and is recognized as an exemplary municipality in terms of its ongoing advocacy, planning and sustainment of health services in the region. The municipality sees this as a foundation for a healthy, vibrant community, which has led to the creation of the Northern Rockies regional municipality community health plan steering committee.

In 2017, the Northern Rockies, the Fort Nelson First Nation, Northern Health and local care providers committed to working collaboratively to develop a community health plan with important consultation from residents, stakeholders and many others. The intention was to use the ideas of residents and health-related organizations, along with previous studies, to create an action plan that will lead to improved health services throughout the region.

The health plan was completed in 2018 with a focus on, but not limited to, increased efforts to recruit and retain health professionals, improve health care travel services, improve maternity care, increase visiting health services and virtual-based health care, improve local cancer care and improve mental health and substance use services.

[10:20 a.m.]

The Northern Rockies takes into consideration that in addition to community-level work, achieving equitable access to health services requires a focus on regional, provincial and across a network of agencies that deliver health care services to rural B.C. By working collaboratively with a variety of partners, the Northern Rockies will create a network of advocates, each aware of, supportive of and focused on the unique health care needs of the Northern Rockies residents.

I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the region and sincerely thank all of the members for their commitment to a healthy community.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND
PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL EVENTS

R. Singh: I remember rising in this chamber three years ago and speaking about how I had witnessed the increased enthusiasm around Diwali celebrations in our province.

These past few weeks I heard friends and acquaintances of different faiths and walks of life talk about their participation in Truth and Reconciliation Day and the many ways they celebrated Diwali. In the same breath, many of them shared their plans for Eid, Christmas and other holidays.

It is heartwarming to see people feel connected to their homelands. It made me realize the progress that we have made knitting so many different cultures into the fabric of our province. It makes me proud that the sacrifices of those before us have reaped rewards.

It is a privilege to witness British Columbians coming together to learn about and partake in these cultural events. It is a testament to our province and our people, who more than ever make a choice to understand more about their colleagues and neighbours and to participate in their celebrations.

I acknowledge that we have much more to do to build an inclusive British Columbia. I’m excited about our government’s dedication to anti-racism. The Anti-Racism Data Act gives me so much hope for the future and the province we want to build, where everyone feels welcome and has access to government services equitably.

I hope everyone will join me in acknowledging the progress that we have made in embracing our diversity and all our cultures. Let’s commit to upholding this progress and strive to make further advances.

ALS AWARENESS AND
ADVOCACY OF GREG GOWE

K. Kirkpatrick: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which you would know better as ALS, can affect anyone at any time, and there is currently no cure. The disease gradually paralyzes the body, and the brain loses the ability to communicate with the body’s muscles.

Over time, the symptoms get worse and eventually remove the ability for a person to breathe. ALS is fatal, and 80 percent of people who are diagnosed die within three years.

I first met my constituent Greg Gowe and his wife, Adrienne Molinski, in February of 2021. Along with my colleague from Prince George–Valemount and many others in this room, we learned from Greg about this terrible disease. Greg was married, with two young children, an active member of the community and a practising lawyer for almost 20 years when, at only 48, he found out he had the devastating news of being diagnosed, in May of 2019.

Now, not happy with the lack of supports for people with ALS, funding for ALS research and absence of clinical trials in B.C., Greg decided to take up the fight on top of his already personal fight. Greg joined others to found ALS Action Canada, a patient-led, non-profit organization with the purposes of securing funding for research to find a cure for ALS.

It’s positive news that the ALS Society of B.C. has now partnered with UBC to establish an endowed professorship which recognizes the importance of accelerating life-changing research for ALS patients.

Greg passed away this past September, surrounded by his family. He was 52 years old. There’s so much more to say about Greg. Thousands around the world read Greg’s final tweet.

I thought it was apt to end in Greg’s own words: “My fight with ALS has come to an end. Please don’t be sad. Life is beautiful. Live hard. Love those around you, and come together to #EndALS.”

[10:25 a.m.]

JOANNE FOOTE

B. D’Eith: Recently I attended the celebration of life of a dear friend, an incredible pillar of the Maple Ridge community, Joanne Foote. Many of the members in the House will know her because of her tireless advocacy, not only in Maple Ridge but across the province.

Joanne was a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation in Rama, Ontario, and she grew up in Sudbury, Ontario. She lived and worked for many years in Maple Ridge and had recently moved back to her home community in Ontario.

Joanne was an HEU member for 30 years, first getting involved in her local executive at Holyrood Manor in Maple Ridge. She served several terms on the provincial executive and was a member of the HEU’s Indigenous peoples standing committee. In 2016, Joanne was awarded the HEU Social Justice Award for her activism, and in 2017, she won the Grace Hartman Award, which is presented to a CUPE activist who embodies the qualities and legacy of CUPE’s first woman president.

Joanne was also involved with the Fraser River Indigenous Society and was part of the collaboration of signing the Aboriginal education enhancement agreement with the Maple Ridge school district.

Whether it was supporting the HEU members, advo­cating for Indigenous voices, mentoring and teaching others or just giving a helping hand, she was always first to step up and help. I know she helped on my campaigns and was never afraid to tell me what I needed to hear. Sometimes you come back from knocking on doors, and you’re tired, and she would just smile, and it would make everything better.

At her celebration of life, attendees were asked to bring and share a potluck, in true Joanne fashion. In her obituary, in lieu of donations, people were asked to make donations to the food bank.

She leaves behind a son, Cody, along with many friends and others whose lives she touched and changed forever. Joanne said she lived by the principle “We should always walk beside each other, not ahead and not behind.”

Let’s all walk beside each other and support one another, just as Joanne would.

She’ll be dearly missed.

AGRICULTURE AND
ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

S. Furstenau: Cammy Lockwood is a farmer in Cowichan and a friend, and she has written this statement, which I will read on her behalf:

“I am a quota-holding farmer on Vancouver Island. I am blessed to have a husband, three children, a dog, ten puppies, 15 cats, nine pigs, 400 broilers, 6,000 egg-laying hens and tens of thousands of food-producing plants. I carry the weight of my responsibilities. Each impacts the others. The health of my farm is directly linked to the health of my family. When I listen to the weather report, words like ‘unprecedented’ and ‘record-breaking’ are words that I hear weekly, and they have real-life consequences for me.

“This time last year the atmospheric river managed to completely sever the Lower Mainland. The area hit hardest by the floods produces 50 percent of B.C.’s food supply. Do you remember the empty grocery store shelves? I remember the conversations with my farming friends, the ones who lost their flocks, their barns, their herds, the ones who had to euthanize their livestock. Those conversations haunt me.

“As I reflect on this year, I ask myself: ‘What has my provincial government done about climate disasters?’ From my perspective, nothing. I’m sure your answer will touch on funding packages, grants to apply for, tax credits for electric car purchases. The truth is I don’t care, because none of those things addresses the problems. I want a future for my children.

“I ask you, again, to have the courage to be the leaders in climate policy, to stop giving my tax money to oil and gas companies and invest in people, in innovation and alternative energies. Remember the farmers when you eat and drink and when you make your decisions. We cannot produce food on a dying earth.”

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY

J. Sims: I think everyone in this room acknowledges that schools are the heart of our community. In our schools, our kids go in the morning and come home at night, from the age of four or five right up to the age of 18. In our schools, amazing things happen. Of course, they learn how to read, they learn how to write, they learn some math, they learn some history, but there are other amazing things they learn.

[10:30 a.m.]

They learn the value of working together, something that they can teach us. In our schools, they celebrate the diversity. They will celebrate Eid, they will celebrate Christmas, they will celebrate Vaisakhi, and they will celebrate Diwali, and they will embrace the diversity with a great deal of gusto and passion. We all can learn from that.

There are also other amazing things that happen in our schools. There are parents who come in and volunteer. There are coaches who come in after school, teachers who get there early in the morning and stay late after school finishes in order to coach as well. They do coaching in the area of theatre, arts, you name it.

But most of all in our schools, our kids model for us how important it is for us to get along with each other. We all talk about diversity a lot. But for me, diversity is not when we tolerate each other. Diversity is when we celebrate each other, celebrate our differences but also join in each other’s celebrations. Diwali here was a prime example. Eid is in our communities. I could list all of them.

I want to do a special shout-out to all the teachers who work with these amazing humans who are the leaders of the future — the EAs, the support staff.

Thank you for being the heart of our communities.

Ministerial Statements

WAR IN UKRAINE
AND UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

Hon. N. Cullen: I rise as we mark eight months since Vladimir Putin created his unprovoked and illegal war on the people of Ukraine and provide an update to this House and to the people of our province on our collective efforts to help those brave people.

Now, 7.7 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee. We supported the Canadian government’s creation of a special visa. More than 600,000 Ukrainians have applied, 312,318 have been approved entry to Canada, 105,651 have come to Canada, and 8,020 have arrived here in British Columbia. I’m very specific with those numbers because each one represents a person, each one represents a story, and each one represents an opportunity for hope in the face of so much aggression and despair.

British Columbians have opened up their hearts and their homes and rightfully expect us as a government and us as a legislature to provide help in every way that we can. We’ve partnered with the United Way to provide round-the-clock support. We’ve supported our settlement agencies, who are already stressed with their efforts, with $15 million, to increase their capacity from 17,000 people they can help a year to a little over 33,000 they can help, and provided support to our partners at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of B.C., who have been stalwart at every moment along the way.

Our province provides immediate access to the Medical Services Plan, 100 percent of eligible prescription costs, and we cover the cost, as well, of the federally required medical exam. B.C. provides immediate access for K-to-12 education and domestic tuition rates for anyone seeking education at college and university, and free employment services.

As a result, many Ukrainians are successfully settling into their new lives here in British Columbia. Yet tragically, this terrible war is not over. For those able to help, please visit our website, Welcoming Ukraine, to offer whatever you can.

I wanted to share a small story with the House that was sent to me recently. When the Kozakov family left their home in Ukraine, a harrowing escape from war just eight months ago, they had no idea that they would end up in a small town in B.C.’s interior. Viacheslav and his wife, Okesandra, arrived in the South Cariboo with their two young daughters, Diana and Anastasia, who is six. A welder by trade, Viacheslav found a job in 100 Mile House, and the girls have started school at Horse Lake Elementary.

Okesandra is due to give birth to their third child, a boy, any day now. Just like the South Cariboo has welcomed the Kozakov family, so too do I urge British Columbians to follow suit in every way that we can.

[10:35 a.m.]

British Columbia and Canada have never regretted any efforts we’ve made to settle people fleeing violence and war, and that is certainly the case here. We stand in solidarity and support of the brave people of Ukraine and will continue to offer the support of this government and this House for as long as this terrible war lasts.

T. Stone: I am pleased to stand today and to speak to this ministerial statement on behalf of the official opposition.

When I last stood in this House to deliver a ministerial statement response to the situation in Ukraine, things were, indeed, dire. Russia had only just begun its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We were all fearing for friends, for loved ones, for democracy and, indeed, for the Ukrainian people. War crimes and atrocities were taking place.

Well, much has changed in the past eight months. We’re all so very proud to say that the brave and tenacious Ukrainians have pushed back in a way not seen since David and Goliath. We’re proud to say that so much of this beautiful country, so many towns and villages at one point attacked and occupied by Russian forces, are now back securely in Ukrainian hands, far from today’s front lines.

We’re also proud that British Columbians have stepped up to provide assistance to so many Ukrainians in so many ways. Individuals and communities throughout our province have stepped up to volunteer and to help. This is in communities everywhere in this province of ours, including in my community of Kamloops, which at least 100 Ukrainian refugees now call home — like Anna, who fled Kherson, one of the most hotly contested regions and where fighting continues to this day.

She left after Russian troops began the relentless and horrific bombardment of her city. Anna said she initially contemplated staying in Ukraine with her mother and grandmother. But because of her four-year-old daughter, she decided to leave after the fighting started and after Russia began targeting the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Anna and her daughter drove for three days across the country, fearing for their lives, passing villages and cities that had been attacked but eventually making it to safety in Poland, where she could stay temporarily with a friend.

Anna’s story is like so many, so many Ukrainians driven from their homes by Russia’s senseless aggression, their territorial ambition, their efforts to terrorize and murder as many innocent Ukrainian civilians as possible — bombing hospitals and schools, attacking playgrounds and train stations, destroying apartment buildings and power stations. Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its people knows no limits. It’s brutal, and it’s truly despicable.

But indeed, against that backdrop, there is much goodness. We see that here in Canada and here in British Columbia. I want to thank the Kamloops Immigrant Services and our community as a whole for stepping up and for being so helpful and welcoming to those who had no choice but to leave their country.

To those who remain in Ukraine: you’re still very much on our minds. You’re in our thoughts and in our prayers. We continue to stand with you and condemn, in no uncertain terms, this unprovoked Russian invasion and the horrific crimes against the Ukrainian people that have followed day after day.

We continue to push our federal and provincial governments, and support the efforts of the federal and provincial governments, to do all that we can, not just to help the people of Ukraine but also to help our allies in Europe, who are facing a long, cold winter ahead, as an energy crisis looms without Russian oil and gas.

This is a time when we must stand in solidarity against unchecked militarism and violations of the peaceful international orders that so many have fought and died to secure and a time to support all those who are making great sacrifices by standing resolutely with Ukraine.

While much has changed since that initial invasion, much has also stayed the same. So I will conclude today with the same words that I left with this House just 24 hours after the invasion eight months ago. There has to be hope. We have to strive towards that hopeful future. Our collective actions during this crisis will define what that message will be to younger generations — to our kids, to our grandkids — and to everyone who lives in Ukraine or any country facing threats to their sovereignty.

Today we stand proudly with peace-loving people around the world, with freedom and democracies. Today we all stand with Ukraine.

[10:40 a.m.]

S. Furstenau: Eight months ago members of this House rose and spoke to the invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russia. As we gathered that day in February, lines of cars were fleeing Ukraine for the border, families were sheltering in bomb shelters, villages were suddenly coordinating local acts of self-defence. The entire world was watching as Russia invaded a democratic country.

In the months since, we have seen tragedy, the siege of Mariupol, reports of gender-based violence, fear of the coming winter and failed crops. We have also seen the awe-inspiring mettle of the Ukrainian people. Their fortitude in the face of such violence, in the face of such a powerful enemy, is extraordinary to witness.

Eight months have passed, and the war is ongoing. Millions of Ukrainians have fled in search of safety, and many of them have come here to a country with deep familial ties to their own. Ukrainian families are now staying across our provinces, including in Duncan, Kelowna, Prince George, Kamloops, Coquitlam. They came in search of safety and community, and I am proud that British Columbians and this government are working to provide them with the supports and services they need.

In February, I spoke to the importance of community, of collective care. Our community — whether global, provincial or as local as our own neighbourhoods — is our raison d’être. It is why we are here serving the public. Community is the source of resiliency and hope.

While what continues to unfold in Ukraine is a great crime and a tragedy, the communities that have come together in the face of such adversity give me hope, hope for peace and hope for a future rooted in democracy, trust and care.

Oral Questions

CRIME IN COMMUNITIES AND
ACTION ON COMMUNITY SAFETY

T. Stone: Well, as the NDP continues to delay, British Columbians continue to be randomly attacked and vio­lently assaulted in communities all across this province.

Yesterday we learned of a horrific, random attack where a man threw coffee on a mother and her baby in a stroller, in downtown Victoria, a very short walking distance from this Legislature. But instead of taking action to keep British Columbians safe, the Attorney General says: “Random attacks are a fact of life.”

Can the Attorney General imagine looking into the eyes of this mother…? Against the backdrop of her being assaulted and her baby being assaulted, can the Attorney General imagine saying to this woman that what happened to her and her child is just a fact of life?

Hon. M. Rankin: The story, of course, is well known to many in our community. It is horrific; it is unacceptable. It’s frustrating to all of us that these attacks still occur in a civilized society. We are taking the steps needed to address this issue on an urgent basis. We do not know, however, the facts of this particular incident, but we do know that steps must be taken and will be taken.

Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader, supplemental.

T. Stone: The reality is that that has been the message from this Attorney General for weeks and weeks. He keeps saying, “We’re going to take action. We’re going to review. We’re going to consider. We’re going to have a meeting. We’re going to review again,” and British Columbians continue to be subjected to these random, violent attacks — four a day in Vancouver alone. They’re taking place in Prince George, in Kamloops, in Nanaimo and steps away from this Legislature.

These are terrifying attacks that are leaving British Columbians not just traumatized but wondering when their government will actually follow through with real action to keep them safe, attacks like a young woman hit with a steel pipe, a baby in a stroller attacked with a glass bottle and, as I mention now, another mother and her baby attacked steps away from the Legislature.

[10:45 a.m.]

Just this week in Nanaimo, a prolific offender with an extensive criminal history hit a man in the head with a pipe in a completely unprovoked and violent attack. Yesterday Victoria’s police chief said: “The level of violence we’re seeing on our streets is second to none.”

My question is to the Attorney General again. How many more British Columbians need to be randomly attacked before this NDP government will prioritize the right of people to be safe in their communities over the rights of prolific offenders to reoffend?

Hon. M. Rankin: There must be consequences for criminal acts. We do not know, however, in the circumstances of the case to which the member refers, whether this indeed was an issue of a prolific offender or repeat offender.

We are going to bring back, as we’ve announced, the prolific offender program, which the last government cut and which had a 40 percent a year recidivism reduction. We think that will make a difference.

We also believe that we not only have to be tough on crime, but we have to be tough on the causes of crime. That requires enormous social investments, investments this government has made and will continue to make, investments in wraparound housing for complex care, for which we are housing 500 people and spending $164 million in the last budget.

One of the key recommendations of the LePard-Butler report was the need to extend our peer-assisted care teams — people with, themselves, involvement in mental health issues or drug abuse in the past who are there to assist the police in ensuring that our streets are safe. We’re rolling out those programs across the province. In addition, I’ve talked of the community transition teams, where people who leave our penal institutions are given support for not just 30 days but now for 90 days and not just five of those facilities but every single one in British Columbia.

These changes require enormous investments. I am not sure if the people of British Columbia think that if this party across the way were in government, they would make the kinds of investments we are in light of their massive cuts to social programs when they were on this side of the House.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON REPEAT
OFFENDERS AND CRIME IN COMMUNITIES

E. Sturko: I’m very glad the Attorney General brought up the LePard report. The problem is that this government isn’t enforcing the law, and criminals know it.

This week the NDP’s handpicked expert, Doug LePard, contradicted the NDP’s false claim that B.C. is the same as everywhere else. He told a public panel that unlike every other province, where they’re back to pre-pandemic levels, there’s been a 40 percent decrease in the number of people in jail in B.C. because of this government’s policy not to remand violent prolific offenders.

LePard even said: “When we suggested being more assertive and seeking detention for offenders who breached their conditions over and over and over again, I have to say we got push-back on that.”

My question is: when will the NDP scrap the incoming soft-on-crime Premier’s catch-and-release system and start keeping violent prolific offenders in jail?

Hon. M. Rankin: There are always differences in trends between jurisdictions, but I have heard loud and clear from all the provinces that they’re facing the same issue of repeat offenders.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, please.

Hon. M. Rankin: I spoke earlier this week with the Ontario public safety minister, the Hon. Michael Kerzner, and compared notes with him about the issues he’s facing in the city of Toronto.

[10:50 a.m.]

They have a different charging standard, as the hon. member may be aware. They are facing, notwithstanding the difference in charging standard, where the police charge rather than Crown counsel making the final decision…. They are facing precisely the same issues as we are. That is why this national challenge has to be addressed, not just by the provinces in conjunction with the municipalities, as we’re doing, but also with the federal government.

I’m working hard to work with our federal colleagues in order to see that they come to the table and make reforms they need to make as well. I believe the House and the people of British Columbia would expect an all-hands-on-deck approach involving every level of government, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Surrey South, supplemental.

E. Sturko: I guess we have the Attorney General contradicting their own expert once again. Time after time this government fails to ensure that prosecutors use every tool under the law to seek detention of violent prolific offenders.

Justin Collins, a prolific offender with over 421 police files, released with the agreement of Crown prosecutors on charges that included assaulting a police officer. Mohammed Majidpour, a prolific offender with 30 convictions for assault and assault with a weapon, released and reoffends just two hours later. And Tyler Newton, a convicted killer with 51 convictions, released with the agreement of Crown prosecutors this last weekend.

For over six months, we have called on the NDP to issue a directive to Crown prosecutors that puts the rights of the community to feel safe ahead of criminals’ rights to reoffend.

How many more violent prolific offenders will be released onto our streets before this NDP government takes action?

Hon. M. Rankin: These acts of violence are obviously unacceptable to all of us, and those who commit them must face consequences. I’ve said that we have been examining the issue of directives, and we’ll continue to examine the issue as well.

As I indicated to the House last week, I’ve received legal advice that the directive….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, please.

Minister, continue.

Hon. M. Rankin: I have received legal advice that one option that was suggested by the hon. opposition member for Abbotsford West was not in compliance with the Criminal Code. It doesn’t mean we’re not looking at the issue, but we cannot and will not issue a directive that is contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada or the Charter of Rights.

That is why we’re working to secure, as I’ve said in this House, a national commitment to take the concrete actions we need to address the unintended consequences of the bail reform initiative. We’re going to continue, at the same time, to strengthen enforcement along the lines of the programs that I’ve discussed earlier, which require massive investments in social capital, which we are doing.

EDUCATION FUNDING AND IMPACT OF
INFLATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT COSTS

A. Olsen: We know, and we’ve heard from all of our constituents, how inflation is impacting individuals, but it’s also impacting our public education system. School districts are challenged in addressing unfunded inflationary pressures.

For many years, the funding rates have been adjusted for the cost of the collective agreements. That means that all the other inflationary costs go unfunded. That includes exempt staff, benefit cost escalation and service and supply inflation. The conservative cost of inflationary pressure in one school district in my riding is $1.2 million this year. What does that mean? Well, it means tough decisions for the incoming school board trustees — potentially less support staff, less resources for students with high needs, less arts.

In districts where stable or declining enrolment exists, they simply cannot absorb these inflationary pressures year after year. Every dollar of unfunded inflationary pressures in the school district is a dollar not spent on a vulnerable child.

To the Minister of Education, it might be that the ministry just doesn’t know the increasingly unsustainable difference between the increased rates of funding and increased costs to school districts. It could be as simple as the ministry doesn’t know the extent of the gap. The school districts do, though.

Will the minister commit to undertaking a full review and fund the gaps that are identified?

[10:55 a.m.]

Hon. S. Robinson: I know that the member is well aware that bargaining has been undertaken now with all of our public service sector, and that’s, certainly, part of the conversation — the shared recovery mandate that we have set in motion. We engage regularly with all of our partners around how these global inflationary pressures are affecting service delivery.

I also want to point out, and the member might not be aware, that this past summer, recognizing some of the significant challenges that families were experiencing and that put pressure on schools, we allocated $60 million so that school districts had additional resources to help families with food programs and to help with expenses like school supplies.

I know that school districts right around the province were very relieved to receive these additional funds, recognizing the additional pressures that families are under and that schools were under as a result of global inflation.

Mr. Speaker: Third Party House Leader, supplemental.

A. Olsen: My question is not about the collective bargaining process that is underway. I understand that it’s underway. That’s not what my question is about. My question is not about a food program in schools. I think the school districts appreciate that.

My question is about the unfunded inflationary pressures that school districts across the province — specifically, those school districts that are not experiencing high growth in their in their communities — are facing due to the fact that this government continues to only fund the increases that are agreed through collective bargaining and not the increases for exempt staff, say, for an example, or for the benefits, for an example, or for the cost of everything that a school district needs to supply their schools with so that our children can get a quality public education.

If you consider inflation, the funding for our public schools hasn’t gone up at all. The percentage of GDP we put into our public schools has declined dramatically over decades and is well behind other provinces. I’ve heard stories of schools overrun with rats and of children with disabilities told to stay home because there’s just no support for them. Meanwhile, we’re struggling with a massive teacher shortage.

The BCTF president has been pretty clear why we can’t retain teachers — the high cost of living, inflation, the fact that B.C. teacher salaries are the second lowest in Canada. Teachers can’t afford to work here. Staffing shortages are so severe that in some districts, they’re advertising for uncertified teachers.

To the Minister of Education, the minister’s mandate letter promises quality public education and more investment, but our kids keep getting shortchanged by this B.C. NDP government. Why isn’t this government funding public education like it’s a priority?

Hon. S. Robinson: Children are our most precious resource, and that’s why, from 2017 to 2021, we’ve had the fastest rate of investment in K to 12 in this province’s history. That’s why we haven’t been investing in public education…. It’s why….

The member says this isn’t about bargaining, and it is about bargaining. His examples were about bargaining. That is why we have a shared recovery mandate. It’s also why we have been funding playgrounds, because we recognize how important they are to the education system and parents were tired of having to fundraise for playgrounds. That’s why we are funding development of playgrounds. That’s why we’re fully funding school busses and energy costs and a new Indigenous student supplement.

We’re going to continue investing in our children, because that’s the most precious resource we have.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE ACTION POLICIES
ON AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

J. Rustad: It’s a pleasure to have an opportunity to ask a question today, especially in the light of the shenanigans that the B.C. Liberals undertook last Thursday to try and prevent me from speaking. I understand why they’re concerned, as they have refused to speak up to defend B.C.’s agriculture sector.

Tuesday was Agriculture Day in B.C., and both sides of the Legislature spoke eloquently about the importance of our ag sector. But Canada is proposing a 30 percent reduction in nitrogen-based fertilizer and to reduce emissions from cattle by 30 percent by 2030. This has the potential to devastate B.C.’s agriculture sector.

To the Minister of Agriculture, can the ministry provide this Legislature any analysis on the impacts of those policies on the B.C. agriculture sector?

Hon. L. Popham: Thank you to the member for the great question. We were to sit down this week to have a meeting, but it was rescheduled. I look forward to continuing our discussions at lunch next week.

[11:00 a.m.]

To the member’s question, we did have B.C. Ag Days here in the Legislature this week. I know farmers are dealing with a variety of challenges, whether it’s global inflation affecting the cost of doing business or the impacts of climate change. We’re all concerned about emissions and the impacts that it’s having on our changing climate and the ways that farmers are being affected. But I can also tell the member that there has been some miscommunication around the statement that he made.

I was in the room in Saskatoon at the FPT meeting this summer, where we discussed this very issue. I can tell you it was very clear to me, and it’s my understanding that it’s not a 30 percent reduction in fertilizers. It’s a 30 percent reduction in the emissions from fertilizers. That changes things quite a lot. Unfortunately, the narrative continued, and the reason why it’s so unfortunate is it has put a lot of pressure and a lot of stress on our farmers, so I’m really happy to have the opportunity to clear that up for them.

I also wanted to add that along with this voluntary policy from the federal government, it comes with some really interesting opportunities for us here in British Columbia. We’ve got incredible agritech companies that are working with farmers to create products and technology to help farmers be more successful and also to add more tools to the toolbox when they’re fighting the issues of climate change.

I look forward to discussing some of those initiatives with the member later next week.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Nechako Lakes, supple­mental.

J. Rustad: I want to thank the minister for her response.

Well, the paper that the federal government put out is pretty clear in terms of the deductions, but this policy is not just about Canada. It has been done in other jurisdictions. The reduction of nitrogen-based fertilizer in cattle emissions has been implemented in Sri Lanka, and in the first year, it contributed to a 30 percent reduction in rice fields and an 18 percent reduction in the primary export crop, which is key. This has led to food shortages and civil unrest.

In the Netherlands, the proposal has caused massive protests that have spread throughout Europe. Their governments predict that the policy means the elimination of about 20 percent of the farms and a 30 percent reduction in beef production. This will negatively contribute to the global food shortages where some 345 million people are facing severe food insecurity.

To the minister, has B.C. submitted a response to the federal government, and if so, will she table that response from the Legislature today?

Hon. L. Popham: Thanks again for the question. No, I have not made a submission to the federal government, because I was in the room when the discussion was happening. It was very clear that the reduction was on emissions from fertilizers and not on the nitrogen fertilizers themselves.

Again, there was a discussion paper that the federal government put out. The discussion paper closed off at the end of August. There is a lot of input that’s coming in from farmers who are very concerned about this issue, but because I was in the room and I heard what the federal minister said, I feel confident that we won’t see us going down that path.

I’d like to say that this brings opportunities for us. Farmers are looking for opportunities to have more tools in their toolbox to fight climate change and to be part of the solution. There’s an amazing Vancouver-based company called Lucent BioSciences. They’re creating a fertilizer product that uses food waste along with conventional fertilizers to try and improve soil health as well as reduce emissions. We’re seeing some really interesting results there.

I look forward to speaking further with the member next week, but his concerns have been heard.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND
EXECUTIVES IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

L. Doerkson: While our health care system collapses, a bloated NDP bureaucracy continues to cash six-figure paycheques. Let’s look at Island Health, just one of six health authorities that report to this Health Minister.

[11:05 a.m.]

Thirteen members of an executive team, plus another 51 executive directors — 51 executive directors. There is even a vice-president of communications, plus four executive directors of communications, including the former NDP director of caucus communications.

This former NDP staffer is now the executive director of brand and digital communications. Why on earth does the health system need executives for a brand? Well, the truth is the brand isn’t doing so hot right now. Not when one in five people don’t have a family doctor.

Can the minister explain why cushy bureaucratic appointments are more important than helping the one in five people in British Columbia that don’t have a doctor?

Hon. A. Dix: British Columbia has led Canada in hiring registered nurses since I became Minister of Health. We were tenth in Canada when I took over.

With respect to executives, the member refers to the vice-president of communications of the Vancouver Island Health Authority. That person is Jamie Braman. It was Jamie Braman when I was named Minister of Health. It’s Jamie Braman today. Mr. Braman, as members of the House will know, on the opposition side, was a former Liberal ministerial assistant, who I think has done excellent work for us. It demonstrates our approach.

With respect to the comments made by the member and the Opposition House Leader in the House a couple of days ago, we have reduced the administrative burden as a share of health system expenditures from the time when the Liberals were in office. We reduced it. This by the independent measurement the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and our own.

When you look at….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: They talked about the vice-presidents and how much were they were paid. The information they’ve provided, I’m sure inadvertently, was entirely incorrect — entirely incorrect that they provided.

In fact, we have added six vice-presidents for Indigenous health, an initiative supported by the opposition, as I understand it, and supported by the people of B.C. Otherwise, the net number of vice-presidents is one less than it was in the previous B.C. Liberal government.

So reduced the administrative burden….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s…. Members. Members. Members.

Hon. A. Dix: Reduced the administrative burden and kept people in place regardless of their partisan affiliation when they do a good job.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Members, let’s hear the next question.

K. Kirkpatrick: Well, the minister might want to check the websites of all of the health authorities where all of their executives are listed, and compensation. There are org charts, pictures, which may be helpful for him.

We have 64 VPs in health authorities in British Columbia. Well, in Alberta, with a very similar population, there are nine. So we have to look at how we are managing the administrative costs of our health services budget here.

Now, in Vancouver Coastal, there are 17 senior executives, including a vice-president who made $463,000 last year. This bloated NDP bureaucracy has done nothing for patient care. When a woman was left to die unattended in a closet of a Lions Gate emergency room, this minister claimed that she received “substantial care.” Apparently this minister’s definition of substantial care is the family finding their loved one dead in a closet.

Can the minister tell the nurses at Lions Gate Hospital, and the families of those who have died in this health care crisis, why he employs 64 vice-presidents and can’t ensure that there’s access to basic health care in this province?

Hon. A. Dix: I think the facts are the facts. The Canadian Institute for Health Information measures administration as a burden on the health care system. The Canadian average is 4.4 percent. We’re at 3.3 percent, which is 25 percent lower. But we want to continue to ensure that administrative savings are there.

[11:10 a.m.]

I want to say that I think our health care teams, including the presidents of our health authorities, who often receive very significant criticism but have worked with a dedication that is extraordinary, deserve a degree of respect in this Legislature.

In the Northern Health Authority, Cathy Ulrich, who’s our outstanding president and CEO, has reduced administrative expenses as a share of the budget from 10.1 percent to 8.8 percent — 10.1 percent the last year of the Liberal government, 8.8 percent this past year during a pandemic.

What we’re saying is…. We’ve reduced administration. The reason she’s done that is her focus — and our focus in the North, in the Interior, in Vancouver Coastal and everywhere — on ensuring we hire front-line staff to provide services for people. There are significant challenges in two public health emergencies, but our health authority CEOs have reduced administration costs as a share of the budget from the time when the Liberals were in office.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and according to the facts, this suggestion that there are hundreds of people earning over $400,000 a year is inaccurate. The opposition knows it. How you do it, if you want to do an average, is…. You take the total amount of compensation, and you divide it by the total number of vice-presidents. It’s not that hard.

I would say, with great respect, that our health care teams have done a good job. Can we reduce administration costs further? Yes, we can, and we’re going to continue to strive to do that. We have done that, as compared to their record in government.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ISSUES
IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
AND ROLE OF HEALTH MINISTER

S. Bond: Again, we have an example of NDP math by this minister. It’s exactly what he’s….

Interjections.

S. Bond: While the members on the other side of the House might think it’s funny, British Columbians do not think it’s funny that there are 64 vice-presidents. If the minister doesn’t want to check it out…. Go to the website. You know what? There are names and photographs and positions, and there are 64 vice-presidents.

This minister has actually, during the time of his watch, spent an extra $1.3 billion on health administration. The minister can hold up his hands and complain all he wants.

He wants to talk about measurement? Here’s the measurement that British Columbians care about. One in five people in this province can’t get a family doctor. British Columbians are scared to death that they’re going to sit on a waiting list of a specialist, that they’re going to be one of the people who face a tsunami of late-stage cancer cases. And what does this minister do? He gets up and defends the spending, additional spending, of $1 billion on administration in British Columbia. British Columbians are tired of that.

Let’s hear what Gerry had to say.

Interjection.

S. Bond: Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker: We’ll get the question.

Continue, please.

S. Bond: Here’s what Gerry had to say to the minister: “I just went through a personal 19-hour-long ordeal in the ER in New West, seeking urgent medical attention. It was an awful experience among many others there in the ER left waiting.” That’s the legacy of this minister and this government.

Administrative costs. Excuses in this Legislature day after day after day. We raise cases about people who have lost their lives, people who can’t get a doctor, people who are terrified about their future under the health care system that this minister is in charge of. It’s long past time for change, and frankly, that change starts at the top.

Will the minister do the right thing, listen to British Columbians and resign?

Hon. A. Dix: I am proud of the work our health care teams and….

Interjection.

Hon. A. Dix: You know, hon. Speaker, one word of heckle and they stop over there; and then one sentence of response, and there’s heckling?

[11:15 a.m.]

I take these issues very seriously. The member doesn’t have to tell me anything about what goes on in the emergency room at….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, please. Members.

Hon. A. Dix: If the member would allow me to speak…. He doesn’t have to tell me anything about Royal Colum­bian Hospital or its emergency room. I’ve spent lots of time there, and I’ve spent lots of time there recently. So I don’t need those lessons.

I understand how hard our teams are working and the struggles people face. That’s why I and, I think, our whole health care team work so hard to deliver services, to add services in communities in her own health authority.

We’ve gone from spending 10.3 percent of every dollar on administration, on her government’s watch, when she sat there at the executive council, to 8.8 percent, and that’s because of the work of people such as Cathy Ulrich. What that means is more health care dollars providing care to people in primary care and in long-term care and in surgeries.

We’ve added, in her health authority…. We’ve more than doubled the number of MRIs per capita in her health authority. We’ve added 17 new MRI machines. We’ve added, on an annual basis, 120,000 more exams. We’ve done a record number of surgeries in September, in a pandemic, here in the hospital. We reduced wait-lists, in a pandemic, for surgeries in B.C. Our focus is service for patients on the ground.

Ninety percent of care homes didn’t meet standards…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: …under the previous government. We changed that. That’s care for seniors in long-term care.

The facts are the facts. The facts from the Canadian Institute for Health Information….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members, it’s almost over. Stay quiet.

Hon. A. Dix: They can try and shout down the facts.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member.

Hon. A. Dix: They can try and shout down the facts. They keep shouting, yelling about sort of unsubstantiated statements that aren’t true.

The Opposition House Leader goes on CKNW radio and says there are 64 health authority vice-presidents making more than $400,000 a year. That’s not true. It’s not true.

The average salary is…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, please be quiet.

Hon. A. Dix: …dramatically less than that, and that is a matter of public record.

All I would say is this. CIHI says administration costs are going down as a share of our budget. The facts say they’re going down as a share of the budget. The reason why is…. We want, to the maximum extent possible, every dollar to go into patient care, and that’s what we are working to do.

[End of question period.]