Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: R. Merrifield.

Introductions by Members

Hon. N. Sharma: It’s my pleasure to welcome the team at the Indigenous justice secretariat that’s here with us today, somewhere. We have Colleen Spier, Irina Sladecek, Lisa Poeckert, John Nsabimana, Erna Mazer, Kaitlyn Jep­son, Lindsay Hack and Tom Daly.

I just want to appreciate all the work you do that’s really important and welcome you to the House.

Hon. A. Mercier: I’d just like to welcome to the gallery I think a group of probably the smartest kids in British Columbia, at least smarter than I am, the grade 12 students from Brookswood Secondary School, from Katie Glover’s political studies class. I believe there’s another class here as well.

I met with them a couple of weeks ago. Really bright. It’s very clear there are some future Langley MLAs in the mix. I’m hoping not for a couple of elections.

Will the House please make them feel welcome.

We’re going to be by your office after QP to say hi.

Hon. H. Bains: Members and staff from the Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers are here all week to meet with the ministers and MLAs to talk about issues that are really important to their 8,000 members.

[10:05 a.m.]

I had a very productive discussion with them yesterday. I’m really glad that their commitment to worker safety and making their working conditions better is unwavering. I was really impressed with their approach to this.

In the House today, they are here to watch question period.

Chris Wasilenchuk, CMAW president.

Mike Jensen, CMAW first vice-president.

Jan Morris, CMAW Local 2423 president.

Mark Miller, CMAW Local 2300 business rep.

Shawn Sly, CMAW Local 506 business rep.

Neil Niles, CMAW VP of underrepresented groups.

Ronette Paul, CMAW Local 1346 business rep.

Ron Kneller, CMAW Local 1998 business rep.

Andrew Brown, CMAW Local 2020 rep from the Vancouver Island–Sunshine Coast region.

Ron Harry, CMAW director of business development and external relations.

Please join with me and give them a very warm welcome.

I want to thank you personally for the work that you do to improve the lives and health and safety of the workers that you represent.

D. Routley: I have four guests today.tamanaw

The first two: Geoff Dawe is pulp and paper workers Canada Local 2 president, national vice-president and a power engineer, and he’s accompanied by Mike Hearsey, vice-president of Local 2. Both of these gentlemen are fully committed to the health and safety of their co-workers. I’m so impressed by the commitment they make to Crofton. The Crofton mill is in the midst of a transition to a more sustainable future. These two people, above that, are committed to the families I represent.

I would like to thank them for being here, and could the members please welcome them.

D. Clovechok: I’m absolutely thrilled today to introduce a friend of mine, who I haven’t seen in about 25 years, Sherri Clair, who was in the tourism business. I remember, as a younger man, Chateau Lake Louise and other hotels. She’s moved to Ottawa and now works for the Canadian Propane folks. Sherri Clair is actually an amazing tourism mentor for my daughter, too, who is now a CEO in tourism. So would the House make Sherri feel very welcome.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to give a shout-out this morning — I don’t think she’s here — to Kat Hartwig from Brisco. She’ll be a recipient of the 2023 community awards later on.

Hon. N. Cullen: I have a number of our team from Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship joining us here in Victoria today. From the WLRS team, which has just turned one year old, our ministry: Samantha Gysbers; Brenda Larkin, Jolene Shepherd, Crystal Nelligan, for­merly Philpott; Cindy Turner, Jaime Gabrielle, Ramona Braund, Allie Nurse, Erynn Neeson, Diana McNeill, Kerri Davis, Emily Stein and Trisha Ng.

They’re all from the WLRS Ministry, and they all represent the LUPPE division, otherwise affectionately known as “Loopy.” I’d like the House to make them feel very welcome. The Loopy division of WLRS, a different Loopy than other Loopys. They are an excellent team. They support us very well and keep our ministry on track.

Would the House please make them welcome.

D. Routley: The other two guests I have joining me today are my two CAs, Pam Cooling and Sarah Miller. I’d like the House to help make welcome the people who make the office run.

S. Furstenau: I have two guests in the gallery today. Isla Fordyce is a grade seven student at York House. She reached out to me two years ago, shortly after the election, and asked to do an interview. I obliged and invited her to come and shadow for the day, and here she is.

She’s the head of her student council, enjoys social studies, math, science, basketball and volleyball. Her team was the provincial champion team last year.

[10:10 a.m.]

Isla has brought a guest with her, her dad, Dr. Chris Fordyce. He’s the director of cardiac intensive care unit at Vancouver General Hospital and associate professor of cardiology at UBC.

Would the House please make Isla and Dr. Fordyce most welcome.

B. Banman: I have four guests that I would like to introduce today. I have Devin and Vanessa Campbell of the Abbotsford Flying Club. They have brought with them two very special guests all the way from Querétaro, Mexico: Danna and Anyah Rodriguez.

Now, I have to tell you that when I met Danna at a local restaurant, she did not believe I was a politician. Well, I know some of you still don’t believe I’m a politician, but that’s another story. The reason for that, which I think will be poignant to all of us, is I did not have an armed security detail with me.

So I would like for the House to not only welcome them and show them great British Columbia hospitality but for all of us to be mindful of how very, very special this place called Canada and British Columbia is. Would you please give them a huge, warm welcome to the House.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL 28 — MOTOR VEHICLE
AMENDMENT ACT (No. 2), 2023

Hon. M. Farnworth presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2023.

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

I’m pleased to introduce Bill 28, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2023. This bill makes amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act, the Commercial Transport Act and the Insurance (Vehicle) Act to shift the obligation to license and insure a leased vehicle to the named lessee. The bill also makes consequential amendments to other acts because of this shift of legal obligations for leased vehicles.

Mr. Speaker: The question is the first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Farnworth: 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 28, Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2023, 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)

ROTARY CLUB OF
WEST VANCOUVER SUNRISE
AND RIDE FOR RESCUE FUNDRAISER

K. Kirkpatrick: Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise is an energetic service club consisting of committed individuals who make an impact not only in our community but globally. For over 32 years, this group of dedicated Rotarians has embarked on many projects which have truly made a difference. In fact, it was actually Rotary that initially piqued my interest in Canadian politics, as they sponsored me way back in high school to visit Parliament in Ottawa and meet the Prime Minister.

While Rotary Sunrise has generous sponsors and partners, they also fundraise for the projects they support. One of their signature community fundraisers is an event called the Rotary Ride for Rescue. This is a cycling event where participants ride up Cypress Mountain. How it works is that an individual or a team of cyclists registers their commitment to ride in the event. Then, in the weeks leading up to the ride, they gather donations from family, friends and community members in support of their efforts.

The ride starts at the corner of Cypress Bowl Road and Cypress Lane, where cyclists climb to an elevation of 900 metres and travel a distance of over 14 kilometres to the finish line at the Cypress Bowl Nordic ski area. There’s also a mountain bike route, as well as a virtual ride for those who want to partake at home. Guess which one I might be doing?

The event benefits, among other great causes, North Shore Rescue, hence the name of the event. North Shore Rescue relies on donations for things like critical ongoing member training and regular updating of equipment to help them with their important search and rescue work. They are very appreciative of the financial contributions Rotary Sunrise makes to their organization.

This year the ride takes place on June 10, marking the 12th anniversary of the event. And while I won’t be riding myself, I will be joining Rotary ride chair Karen Harrison at the beautiful Cyprus Pop-Up Village to congratulate participants on their successful quest up the mountain.

[10:15 a.m.]

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY SONG

A. Walker:  

Thank you, Speaker, my dear friend,
I hope you’ll hear me to the end.
I have this song for all to sing.
Now I hope you all will all join in.
Hey ho, the days are long.
The work is hard, but we have fun.
We do this work together, friends,
for the people of our province.
First on up and on my right,
with a name, they do unite.
They bang their desks; they toss a stone.
Before we know it, a half hour is gone.
Hey ho, the days are long.
The work is hard, but we have fun.
We do this work together, friends,
for the people of our province.
Next on up our friends with Green,
a hard-working bunch if ever I’ve seen.
Bear dens, lichens, Telus Health,
they just can’t make their minds up.
Hey ho, the days are long.
The work is hard, but we have fun.
We do this work together, friends,
for the people of our province.
And, of course, our single friend
who went to sit as independent.
He claims to lead a party.
He just needs one more friend.
Hey ho, the days are long.
The work is hard, but we have fun.
We do this work together, friends,
for the people of our province.
My orange-hued friends, a team so kind,
when criticized, we don’t mind.
We smile and say with words sincere:
“It’s 16 years that led us here.”
Hey ho, the days are long.
The work is hard, but we have fun.
We do this work together, friends,
for the people of our province.
It’s the honour of my lifetime
to serve with colleagues all so fine.
Though our views may sometimes clash,
that’s how the sausage is made.

KARIS SUPPORT SOCIETY

R. Merrifield: I have a little bit of a different approach this morning.

This winter, at Alli McNeill and former MLA John Weisbeck’s annual fundraiser, they brought together friends and family to raise money and awareness for the Karis Support Society. This is an easy one for me, as I’ve been in awe of the founders and the organization since its beginnings in 2006. This organization has been a beacon of hope for countless women, helping them transform their lives and emerge from the darkness of addiction, homelessness and mental health struggles.

The story of the Karis Support Society began in 2006, when a group of friends recognized the gaps in the services and resources for women struggling with addiction and homelessness. Moved by compassion and a deep sense of responsibility, these friends came together with the shared vision of creating an organization that could provide life-changing assistance to those in need. Over the years, their dedication, hard work and unrelenting commitment have laid the foundation for the incredible organization that the Karis Support Society is today.

Starting in group homes, the society now runs a 37-bed, LEED certified building, where women and their children can come and heal. The society’s dedication to providing safe and stable housing is the cornerstone of its success. By offering a secure environment, the Karis Support Society helps to restore dignity and self worth to those that have been marginalized and forgotten. This foundation of stability is vital in allowing individuals to focus on personal growth, mental health and recovery.

The society’s efforts don’t end with housing. They recognize the importance of comprehensive support, which is why they provide access to essential services like counselling, life skills training and employment assistance. These programs foster a sense of community, belonging and empowerment, enabling individuals to rebuild their lives with renewed purpose and self confidence.

As I spoke with the co–executive directors, Deborah Klassen and Geri Pauls, about the work of Karis, my hope grew. This is a facility that relies on the private sector for funding and support. Yet in the face of adversity, they have demonstrated that it is possible to change lives, restore hope and create a lasting transformation.

[10:20 a.m.]

GEOFF DAWE

D. Routley: It was recently working with community members to generate support for the Crofton Mill in its efforts to transition to a more sustainable future that I got to know Geoff Dawe, local president of PPWC.

Geoff was born in Newfoundland in 1973. His dad tragically drowned on the Ocean Ranger February 15, 1982, 41 years ago this year. His dad was a man with a grade 9 education, who he says was thrown to the wolves and given zero safety or marine training, just handed a manual. Geoff was only eight years old; his brother only ten.

His mother put them, put Geoff, into army cadets to keep, as he says, her two feral boys in order. He was a cadet until he was 18. He knew union life was for him due to the strict discipline and order of how things are to be done, similar to his cadet life. Union activism forces you to be accountable to the people you represent.

Geoff tragically then lost his leg during a driving accident while he was working on offshore oil rigs. It took him over eight months to recover, and the family moved to Ladysmith at that time. His lovely wife, Erinn, rehabbed him by walking on the wonderful Holland Creek Trail in Ladysmith. They have two children: son Darcy in the military, playing Junior A hockey, who recently won silver at the Canadian Armed Forces nationals; daughter Sophie, a nursing student, skated with Skate Canada for years, now volunteers and coaches with the district of North Cowichan at Fuller Lake.

The entire family is dedicated to community. Without the Crofton Mill paying workers a good wage, none of this would be possible. The mill supports families, who in turn support communities. This, I think, I wanted to bring to the attention of members, because Geoff is a picture of why we do these things. It’s not about a mill. It’s about families like Geoff’s.

PAUL KERSHAW AND
COMMUNITY THEATRE IN CRANBROOK

T. Shypitka: Apparently, it appears there’s theatre in the air here in the Legislature. I’d like to thank the member for Parksville-Qualicum for that, which leads me to my two-minute statement.

I’d like to speak to the life and times of Paul Kershaw, or P.K. as he was affectionately known. P.K. was an educator, director, community leader, mentor and kind soul. A drama and stagecraft teacher for over 25 years at Mount Baker senior secondary school in Cranbrook, P.K. gave thousands of students the opportunity to push their own limits and discover themselves on stage and beyond.

His passion and love of theatre naturally led to his involvement in Cranbrook’s Community Theatre and Cranbrook Shakespeare society. He’s one of a handful of people behind the creation of the Key City Theatre, which for more than 30 years staged many of P.K.’s productions. His renowned productions of musical and elaborate sets are legendary and still talked about today. P.K.’s extra­ordinary talent breathed life into Cranbrook’s local theatre community and touched countless lives on stage, behind the scenes and in the audience.

He was named Cranbrook’s Citizen of the Year in 2002 for his contribution to theatre and performing arts. This quote from one of P.K.’s play productions, Man of La Mancha and the song entitled “The Impossible Dream” sums up P.K. beautifully. He was a robust, yet tender man, who dreamed “the impossible dream,” who fought “the unbeatable foe,” who bore “with unbearable sorrow” and who ran “where the brave dare not go.”

Accolades and tributes continue to pour in honouring his positive impact on so many people. P.K. will be missed, but his legacy will live on and off the stage. Paul sadly passed away April 13, 2023, at the age of 89 and is survived by Sara, his wife of 21 years, sons David and Mark, foster daughter Jani and by his siblings, John, Alan and Ruth.

Would this House please give the life and times of this well-loved man a theatrical ovation for this, his last curtain call. Bravo, bravo.

30th ANNUAL CONVERSATION ON
CHILLIWACK’S CHILDREN

K. Paddon: It is a pleasure to rise to do my favourite thing, which is to share with you all how fantastic people are in Chilliwack-Kent.

Specifically today, what I want to share is something that happened last Friday, April 28. Over 30 organizations were represented in Tzeachten Hall in Chilliwack-Kent for the 30th Annual Conversation on Chilliwack’s Children. This conference is put on by the Chilliwack Child and Youth Committee, and the title this year was “Together we can.” The theme was collaboration: its strengths, its stories, its challenges and its opportunities.

[10:25 a.m.]

It was an honour to be in the room with so many skilled, passionate and dedicated advocates and service providers — too many for me to name; I’m not going to make Hansard do it today — and it was also an honour to serve as a keynote speaker.

The day was made up of some incredible comments and some amazing activities. We started off with a welcome from Chief Derek Epp, followed by welcomes from Wanda Smith, director of operations for MCFD, and Kate Healey, executive director for Chilliwack Community Services, who serve as co-chairs for Chilliwack Child and Youth. There was another keynote, by Martha Dow from University of the Fraser Valley, the director of community health and social innovation hub, or CHASI.

The activities included “Every door is the right door,” which was a simulation activity for all of the attendants, and the community collaboration panel.

I want to thank all of the volunteers and the whole team, all of the sponsors who made this possible. It really took so many people. This created an environment of collaboration for everybody in attendance. Indeed, I have no doubt that, truly, “Together we can.” In Chilliwack and Chilliwack-Kent, the conversations and the work done last Friday were just one piece of the passion and dedication that I see every day when I get to work in that community.

Oral Questions

SURREY SCHOOL DISTRICT PORTABLE USE

E. Sturko: Last night the lack of new schools and increasing numbers of portables came up on notice in Surrey city council, because the community is very concerned with the crisis situation in school district 36. They’re concerned that it will impede the city’s ability to build new homes and to help tackle the housing affordability crisis.

The Premier’s spectacular failure to deliver for Surrey parents has left 10,000 students to languish in portables. In fact, families in Surrey are now getting the opposite of what the NDP promised. There isn’t even room for more portables on school grounds. The NDP promised portable-free schools by 2020, but instead, they’ve given Surrey the absurdity of double-decker portables.

A simple question for the Premier: will the NDP ever keep their promise to eliminate Surrey portables, and if so, when?

Hon. R. Kahlon: I really appreciate the new-found interest from the opposition on education funding and investments in schools. I really appreciate it. It certainly wasn’t the case when they were on this side of the House. It was not the case, but I appreciate that time in opposition….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Hon. R. Kahlon: I appreciate that time in opposition has changed their views on investments in education and in schools.

Now, the member asked the question, and the member wasn’t here, but many of her colleagues were. She’ll know that when the Leader of the Opposition was the Minister of Finance, he gave zeros for four years, as Minister of Finance, for budgets for capital for schools in Surrey — zero.

The last four years….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh, Members.

Members. Members will come to order.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: That’s enough, Members.

Members will come to order, please.

Hon. R. Kahlon: I appreciate the other former Minister of Finance saying: “It was only two years under him. It was two years under me.” I appreciate him highlighting that he was part of this challenge as well.

When we formed government, there were 8,000 student seats that were needed in Surrey. In the last four years of their government, there were actually zero schools being built in Surrey.

[10:30 a.m.]

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh, Members.

Let’s hear the answer, please. You can respond to that later. Let’s hear the answer first.

Please continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

I think it’s important to note that we have a Supreme Court decision that came down because of the rights that they stripped away from teachers. That came in, which meant we needed more additional seats above and beyond what we had already projected that we needed — the shortfall.

We also have seen 250,000 people come to British Columbia, and many of those people are coming to Surrey. So we acknowledge that the demand is there and is growing, and we welcome people all across British Columbia.

But 10,000 seats is what we’re delivering as a government — 10,000 seats in the city of Surrey, not in the province, the city of Surrey.

In fact, the member asked questions, and she knows that there is a brand-new elementary school that we’ve announced that’s coming in her community as well.

Significant investments are being made, and we’re going to continue to make more investments.

Mr. Speaker: Okay. Surrey South, supplemental.

E. Sturko: Well, unlike the current government, which actually cut funding to learners with disabilities like dyslexia, I can assure you that the budget actually went up overall under the previous government. In fact…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

E. Sturko: …I’d also like to remind the government that actually….

Interjections.

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

Please continue.

E. Sturko: In fact, the previous government started six new schools and eight additions and opened 6,700 new seats. And while the NDP continue to make excuses for double-decker portables, we actually cut the number of portables by 100 from what this NDP government had left in the 1990s, and we built, of course, new schools like Grandview Heights and the Salish Secondary.

The NDP promises “a total removal of these portables over the course….”

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

E. Sturko: They don’t like the facts, but this is a direct quote: “…a total removal of these portables over the course of the next four years.”

I’m sorry if it hurts your feelings, but it was a clear promise and timeline. Yet, as with other issues, a huge chasm between the Premier’s rhetoric and their terrible results — results that include $17.5 million that the school district has now been forced to pay for portables that were supposed to be eliminated. And now double-decker portables.

I will ask again because the question really wasn’t answered: has the Premier utterly abandoned his promise to eliminate portables in Surrey and, if not, what are the revised timelines?

Hon. R. Kahlon: I do find it interesting that the opposition puts the newest member up to ask questions, because the rest of them that were here know what their history and their record of this place is.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, cut it down, please. Both sides, take a deep breath. Take a deep breath.

I can see everybody. You don’t have to tell me. Okay?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh.

The Minister will continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: I appear to have hit a soft spot there.

I will say the member mentioned a couple of things. I think it’s important for the member to know — perhaps she can talk to the colleagues around — that they actually cut adult basic education when they were in government. They actually made cuts to it. I appreciate the member wasn’t here for that, but her colleagues around her can tell her.

Not only are we investing in schools….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. We are wasting time here, guys.

Please continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Not only are we already investing 10,000 new seats, above the 8,000 also for growth; we know there needs to be more. But it’s not just the structures that we need. We also need to invest in the class­rooms, in our educators.

[10:35 a.m.]

A 24 percent increase in funding per student since we formed government — 24 percent increase. We value the education system. We value the structures. But we also value, very importantly, the teachers, the educators in the classrooms. That’s why we make the investments we have been making. We’re going to continue to invest in Surrey and communities around the province.

K. Kirkpatrick: Well, although the minister likes to avoid the actual question, I will bring it back to the completely failed promise by the NDP to eliminate portables. Now you would expect the Premier and his government to display at least some embarrassment for so brazenly betraying their promises to families.

It’s not just Surrey getting the NDP’s double-decker portables. Here’s what Sooke school board’s chair Ravi Parmar says: “One of the things that we have to do in the absence of new school builds is to add portables. The province is not able to fund at the pace of growth that we’re seeing in the Sooke school district.” Apparently, this NDP candidate hasn’t received the message guide yet, which is strange, as his political staffer works just down the hallway.

So why has the Premier consistently failed to fulfil the NDP promises to families and force communities to resort to desperate measures like double-decker portables?

Hon. R. Kahlon: It’s interesting that they mentioned the chair of the Sooke school board. He got into politics because of the cuts that these members over here made when they were in government. He was a high school student who just didn’t accept the cuts that were being made.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. R. Kahlon: He said he found it was unacceptable, and coming out of high school, he decided he was going to run to be on the school board to make a difference in his community.

Brand-new investments in that community. In fact, I had a chance to visit some of the schools that are brand-new, opening up in those communities, seeing the teachers that are being hired.

Now, the member also asked about Surrey and said I didn’t answer the question, so I’ll answer it this way: Salish Secondary, brand-new 1,500 seats in Surrey, open; Woodward Hill Elementary, additional 195 seats….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Panorama Park, additional 200 seats.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Let’s listen to this, please. Members.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Grandview Heights Secondary, additional brand-new 1,500 seats; Maddaugh Elementary, 605 seats; Sullivan Elementary. I’m not even halfway through the list, and that’s what’s already opened.

We have brand-new investments that are happening to open additional seats, and not only investments in the classrooms, but investments in the teachers and the re­sources in the classrooms.

Mr. Speaker: Member for West Vancouver–Capilano, supplemental.

K. Kirkpatrick: I’d like to thank the minister for reading off the list of all of the schools started by the B.C. Liberal government.

Results are what matter. And from Surrey to Langford, this Premier is failing miserably to provide the schools that students desperately need. The crowding and proliferation of portables is forcing schools to stack students in double-decker portables.

Here’s more from Ravi Parmar: “The province doesn’t provide the funding at the pace we need. Happy Valley is jammed-packed. We’ve added as many portables as we can.” Jam-packed with portables isn’t exactly a great campaign slogan from the Premier’s hand-picked candidate.

Why is the Premier failing families in Surrey, the Sooke school district and right across this province, reaching a point where students are being crammed into double-decker portables?

Hon. R. Kahlon: You know what, I appreciate the opposition now not being in favour of portables. They will remember there was a Minister of Education that sat…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. R. Kahlon: …within them, Minister Fassbender, who, on record multiple times, said there’s nothing wrong with portables on several occasions.

[10:40 a.m.]

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, it’s your question period.

The minister will continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you so much, hon. Speaker.

You know, I’ve already started a list of all the schools that we’ve opened. Brand-new….

Interjections.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Yeah. Zero capital funding, and they say they started schools.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, a question was asked. Let’s listen to the answer now.

Members.

Please continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Hon. Speaker, I can share with the members that we have not only the 10,000 that I’ve already committed to, which I’ve already said; we’re also opening Ta’talu Elementary School in the member’s riding that asked the question.

Semiahmoo Trail Elementary is getting an expansion. Kwantlen Park Secondary is getting an expansion. K.B. Woodward Elementary is getting an expansion. Sno­komish Elementary, a brand-new elementary school coming. Tamanawis Secondary is getting an expansion. Guildford Park Secondary, expansion. Fleetwood Park Secondary, expansion. Clayton Heights Secondary is getting an expansion. Forsyth Road Elementary is getting an expansion.

I’m going to catch my breath because there’s more. Site secured for Darts Hill Elementary, because, you know, we have to buy land because the opposition sold the land to private developers.

We’ve also secured a site for a new….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Let the minister finish, please.

Please conclude.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

We’ve secured sites for Darts Hill Elementary School and also a site secured for Redwood Heights Elementary. We’re making significant investments, not only in our schools, not only in our educators, but we’re also making investments to buy land so that we can have the schools and the infrastructure that we need.

SAFETY OF CHILDREN
IN GOVERNMENT CARE

S. Furstenau: Today in the Tyee, Katie Hyslop has an article summarizing the Representative for Children and Youth’s report on why youth are fleeing the child welfare system in this province. Hundreds of youth and children are missing every single month from the child welfare system in B.C. The reality is that government creates the conditions that lead to so many children becoming lost, going missing or disappearing from care.

After the tragic death of Traevon Chalifoux-Desjarlais, the minister and her ministry said they were making changes to improve in-care services, calling the changes “transformational.” But we’ve heard this for decades. There have been reports on the failures of the B.C. child welfare system for decades. The reports have been saying the same things for decades. It doesn’t matter what government is there. The protection is of the system and not of the children in that system. We have to have a government that has the courage to stand up for the children and not the system.

My question is to the Minister of Children and Families. How can the government ensure the safety and well-being of children that it is supposed to be caring for when they don’t know where those children are?

Hon. M. Dean: Thank you to the member for the question. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of the children and youth who are in our care. When a child or youth is missing, immediate steps are taken. We want to make sure that they receive the same response as any caring parent. I can tell you that our front-line staff immediately take steps to locate those children and youth and to make sure that they are kept in a safe home as well.

We have been making changes to the in-care system. We know, and the representative has reminded us, that there is a lack of a sense of belonging for children and youth who are in the care system. So we’ve taken steps to make sure that children and youth are connected to their family, to their community and to their culture.

We’re taking steps to change the system to make sure that when children and youth, if they do have to come into care — that their needs are met and that their placement, their home and their carers are there to meet their needs.

[10:45 a.m.]

The other thing we have done is we have passed legislation. We have changed policy. We have taken action in order to try and keep children and youth safely with their families and actually prevent them from coming into the care system at all, because we know that for children and youth, their outcomes are going to be so much better, and children and youth will be able to thrive.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Third Party, supplemental.

S. Furstenau: The minister started with exactly the same statement that was sent to Katie Hyslop in the Tyee: “Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of children and youth who are in our care.” Yet the data, the evidence, the reality for so many of these children demonstrates that is not the outcome that is happening. Over nine months in 2022, an average of 432 children went missing each month. Four children died.

The report from the Representative for Children and Youth states: “A lack of action by authorities has resulted in the child welfare system continuing to function as a pipeline to child exploitation, sex trafficking and mur­dered and missing Indigenous women and girls.”

It’s time for us to stop with the talking points, to stop with the endless efforts to protect this system. The system is failing. It’s built on a system that was designed to remove Indigenous children from their families. That is the foundation of this system. It continues to work in this way. There is a multilevel failure.

I think it would be really important for every member of this House and for the public to know that for each child in care, this government budgets $135,000 per year per child. If we want to keep children with their families, let’s take a significant portion of that and provide it to the families so that they can meet the needs of their children.

It’s $135,000 per child per year. A lot of that is going to for-profit group homes where nobody can tell you where those children are.

Mr. Speaker: Question, Member?

S. Furstenau: My question to the Minister of Children and Families: how can she reconcile the lack of safety in government care for children and youth when safety is used to justify the reason for removing children from their parents in the first place?

Hon. M. Dean: Thank you to the member for the question. When any child or youth is injured or there’s a death, it’s a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to anybody connected with those children and youth. When a child or youth from care is missing, every step is taken to locate that child or youth and to make sure that they are in a safe home and that they have the supports and services that they need.

I appreciate the report from the representative. We’re taking the recommendations very seriously, and we will be responding to them very quickly, in collaboration with our staff, with partner agencies, with Indigenous service providers as well.

We have made some progress. Here in chambers just last November, we passed really significant legislation to support Indigenous jurisdiction, because we know that Indigenous children and youth have been overrepresented in the system for far too long.

We’re absolutely committed to changing that and to working with Indigenous nations and communities so that children and youth are able to stay connected to their family, to their community and to their culture. We have a lot more work to do, and I’m absolutely committed to doing it.

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM
AND REGULATION OF ILLICIT
DRUG USE IN PUBLIC SPACES

L. Doerkson: I’m glad we’re talking about the safety of children today because every day in British Columbia, parents fear their children will encounter needles in parks and playgrounds due to the Premier’s reckless decision to permit the open use of dangerous drugs like crystal meth, crack cocaine and fentanyl.

What the public doesn’t understand is why — why having a beer in a public park is strictly regulated and there are no restrictions or bans on using drugs like crystal meth, crack cocaine and fentanyl. Frankly, it’s absurd that we’re even having this debate.

Will the Premier implement a provincial ban on the public use of drugs like crystal meth, crack cocaine and fentanyl? Yes or no.

Hon. J. Whiteside: Thank you to the member for the question, which relates to the pilot project of decriminalization of drugs, which, of course, is in the context, in our province, of an unrelenting toxic drug crisis, which is the leading cause of unnatural death in our province.

[10:50 a.m.]

That is why we have taken these steps and answered a call from police, from front-line care providers, from public health, from municipalities to remove the fear and stigma for people who are dealing with problematic substance use and to decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs so we are better positioned to connect those individuals to care and support.

Municipalities, through the UBCM, have been a part of our core planning table, working with all of our partners on developing the application for exemption. They continue to be very much part of monitoring and overseeing the implementation of this, and they will work very closely, as they have been doing, with their public health officers to assess the impact of this on the ground.

We will continue to work with them to respond to any concerns that may arise, as we have been doing through­out. I’m very grateful for the collaboration of municipalities on this serious public health matter.

Mr. Speaker: Member, supplemental.

L. Doerkson: Well, the minister suggested removing fear. You’ve created it in our communities, and that answer is not good enough for the parents that are very fearful.

Let’s take Campbell River as an example of what this Premier, through his total absence of leadership, is forcing municipalities to do — municipalities that are simply trying to keep their children safe. Back in January, they passed a bylaw to provide law enforcement with the tools to address open drug use in public areas.

However, confronted with provincial opposition and a lawsuit from the Premier’s Pivot Legal Society, they had to repeal it. They’ve tried again, only to face another setback this week, to have delay again due to the intervention from this minister.

No one should have to worry about their children being exposed to drugs in parks and playgrounds and other public spaces. Why is the Premier not demonstrating any leadership and taking action at the provincial level to ban the public use of dangerous drugs like crystal meth, crack cocaine and fentanyl?

Hon. J. Whiteside: With all due respect, the member has some facts quite wrong, with respect to….

Interjection.

Hon. J. Whiteside: Yeah, indeed.

I’ll explain, first of all, by saying this project is one tool that was identified by the select standing committee to which all parties in this House, with the exception….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Members, no interruptions, please.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Thank you.

Hon. J. Whiteside: It’s a really unprecedented understanding, non-partisan understanding, of the crisis impacting our province with respect to the toxic drug crisis. So I’m grateful that we’re at a place where we’re all working together to try to turn the dial on this unrelenting crisis.

Let me just say about Campbell River…. I’ve been to Campbell River. I’ve toured Campbell River. I have met with service providers. I’ve met with homeless people. I’ve met with doctors, with physicians, with nurses who work day in and day out to provide care for people who are homeless, for people who have addictions, for people who are struggling. That work….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. J. Whiteside: That is profound work that is unfolding in a community on the Island that has just about the highest mortality rate from this crisis of any other community on Vancouver Island. I know that municipal council is concerned about that. I know that municipal council is working with their medical health officer.

I’m looking forward to meeting in person with representatives from Campbell River to talk about how we work together to engage not just the municipality but the First Nations implicated in this crisis in Campbell River as well, to try to better support the situation on the ground.

That council knows full well that they are working with their medical health officer under the law, under the Public Health Act, which requires municipalities to work with their medical health officers on matters of public health. That’s what they’re doing. We’re working through a process, and we’ll continue to do that work with them.

[10:55 a.m.]

P. Milobar: Well, I think it’s very important that if the minister wants accuracy, let’s get some actual accuracy going on this.

On page 48 of the committee report, it says very clearly that they, as in all of the committee, agree that there must, not may, be consideration of local needs and circumstances during the implementation of decriminalization. In this regard, members supported continuing consultation and support for municipalities.

The simple fact is that support doesn’t exist. The consultation hasn’t existed to the level municipalities want. We’re getting continued mixed messages from this government. This minister says it’s health related and has to have approval through health boards. The Minister of Municipal Affairs says: “Local governments are elected by their constituents and their community. They know what is best for their communities.”

We can’t get a straight answer out of this government. They keep talking about everything other than open drug use in parks and playgrounds and things like crack and fentanyl and heroin. What the public wants, and mayors in Kelowna, New Westminster and other mayors and councils around this province, is a simple provincewide ban around parks and playgrounds, and this government is refusing to allow that to happen.

Parents simply want their eight-year-old to go play on a slide without needing the eight-year-old to be the drug intervention prevention officer for someone OD’ing with open drug use around that slide. That’s what they want. They understand that Crab Park will not be enforced, that the tent encampment there will still see drug use in that park. But they want the tool to be able to try to enforce and move people along, help them get treatment when they are causing a problem around slides, around swings, around water parks.

When will this soft-on-crime Premier listen to the communities instead of the Pivot Legal Society and actually bring in a provincewide ban on the open use of fentanyl, crack, heroin and other hard drugs around our kids’ playgrounds and beaches?

Hon. J. Whiteside: Thank you to the member for the question. I would suggest, though, that the confusion, perhaps, is on that side of the House. The confusion is not with municipalities.

Municipalities understand full well what their obligations are under the Public Health Act, and they routinely engage with health authorities and public health officials with respect to public health matters. This is no different, and there is nothing in decriminalization that restricts the tools that municipalities have. In fact, we are having ongoing discussions with municipalities in that regard.

You know, the member raised the issue with respect to the to the Health Canada requirements for the decriminalization pilot project. I will just note that Health Canada approved the exemption based on the submission that was made and approved this pilot project, having reviewed all of the actions that have been taken under all of the points, all of the requirements that they placed.

In regard to alternative measures and being able to direct individuals to health and social services supports, we have those supports in place. We have staff in place in order to direct and support individuals to access…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members.

Hon. J. Whiteside: …health care supports. We have on­going consultation…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Let the minister conclude, please.

Hon. J. Whiteside: …with all of our partners, including municipalities. We have an unprecedented $1 billion investment in this budget, which follows on unprecedented investments in mental health and substance use in previous budgets, to build out our system of treatment and care. I could go on and on and on and would be happy to review that list with members.

More importantly, I think this is a time when we have an unrelenting crisis that impacts our communities in so many different and complicated ways. We need to work together. We really need to work together to change the dial on this issue.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

Mr. Speaker: I have the honour of tabling the Auditor General’s report Fraud Risk and Financial Statements: B.C. Public Sector, Part 2.

[11:00 a.m.]

Reports from Committees

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

P. Milobar: I have the honour to present the first report of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts for the fourth session of the 42nd parliament, titled Summary of Activities 2022-23.

I move that the report be taken as read and received.

Motion approved.

P. Milobar: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Please proceed.

P. Milobar: In moving the adoption of the report, I would like to make some brief comments.

In reviewing the Auditor General’s report…. The Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts engages in im­portant discussions about how government is managing its services, programs, responsibilities and resources and areas where this work can be improved. This report summarizes the committee’s work from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, including its examination of 11 performance audits and information reports on a variety of topics, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, fraud risk management, cybersecurity, transportation and mines.

The committee also reviewed the Auditor General’s report on the financial audit work for the fiscal year 2021-2022 and approved the financial statement audit coverage plan for auditing the provincial summary financial statements over the next three years. To further promote this ongoing accountability and the improvement of public sector administration, the committee also followed up with 15 audited organizations to seek additional information regarding their progress in implementing the audit report recommendations.

On behalf of the committee members, I would like to thank the Auditor General, Michael Pickup, and his staff for the important work that they do, as well as the comptroller general, Carl Fischer, and the many more senior public servants who appeared before the committee.

I would also like to thank the Clerk’s office for all of their support throughout and Hansard as well, of course.

I’d also like to express my appreciation to all the committee members, including the Deputy Chair, the member for North Coast, for their hard work and collaboration.

J. Rice: I, too, would like to acknowledge all committee members, including the Chair, the member for Kamloops–​North Thompson, for their collaborative spirit and contributions to this committee.

As a new member of the Public Accounts Committee, having joined at the beginning of this year, I’m impressed by the work we have accomplished. During my short time as Deputy Chair, the committee considered reports related to mental health and substance use services for Indigenous people in B.C. correctional centres, the monitoring of COVID-19 vaccination coverage as well as the Auditor General’s financial audit work. I look forward to continuing the work of the committee in promoting public sector oversight and accountability in the province in this next fiscal year.

I would like to echo the Chair’s appreciation for the Office of the Auditor General, the office of the comptroller general and the numerous senior public servants who took time to appear before the committee. I would also like to extend a thank-you to the staff from the Parliamentary Committees Office, Hansard and those who helped with the committee work.

Mr. Speaker: The question is the adoption of the report.

Motion approved.

J. Rice: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

J. Rice: I would just like to welcome, who I believe…. My glasses aren’t strong enough. Michael Jensen is a well-known union activist in my community. He is here from the Construction Maintenance And Allied Workers union.

Please make him feel welcome if he hasn’t left yet.