Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: K. Paddon.

Introductions by Members

L. Doerkson: Today in the precinct, we have a large group of folks representing the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia. They’re going to get an opportunity to tour the precinct a little bit later today, but I’d like to welcome Gail Wallin, Nadia Chan, Dave Bennett, Kevin Boon, Harold Aljam, Brian Thomas, Dave Walkem, Scott Pearce and Steve Thomson, who many of you would know as a past MLA for Kelowna-Mission.

Welcome to the precinct, everybody. We really appre­ciate the work you do. It’s amazing. Thank you very much.

Hon. H. Bains: It gives me great honour and pleasure to introduce the executive council of the B.C. Federation of Labour. The B.C. Federation of Labour represents over half a million workers in this province, and they are engaged in every sector of our economy, made up of 50 affiliates, some 800 locals.

We are the envy of the world in British Columbia. More people are moving to British Columbia because they see hope and opportunities, and I think a lot of that has to do with the B.C. Federation of Labour, their members, day in and day out, helping not only their members but all workers to improve their benefits and working conditions and the health and safety of those workers.

I would ask everyone in this House to please give them a very, very warm welcome.

Thank you for all the work you do for all of us.

M. Dykeman: Joining us today in the gallery are approximately 30 Neighbourhood Houses from across British Columbia, members of the Association of Neighborhood Houses of British Columbia.

Neighbourhood Houses provide such important services and opportunities for people to connect in our communities and make a very big difference. They are non-profits. We’re very excited that they’re joining us this morning.

They were joining us downstairs in the dining room for a morning breakfast conversation, which was wonderful to have the opportunity to connect. I know many people had an opportunity, many of my colleagues, to connect with them this morning — the ones that are in their ridings.

I’m wondering if the House could please join me in making them feel very welcome today.

Hon. J. Osborne: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a delegation today from Clean Energy B.C., who join us in the gallery. This is an industry association that promotes the growth of B.C.’s clean energy industry and works in partnership with First Nations to advance and support their priorities in clean energy as well.

Joining us today are Kwatuuma, or Cole Sayers, from Clean Energy B.C.; Ina Gjoka from Innergex; Roslyn McMann from BluEarth Renewables; Danielle Van Huizen from Evolugen; Brian Yates from Stantec; Yuho Okada from the Barkley Project Group — he is the Clean Energy B.C. chair; Akira Yamamoto from TransAlta; Patrick Beatty from Invenergy; Carlie Smith from Boralex; and Stephen Rayner from Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

Would the House please make them feel welcome.

E. Sturko: Today we are joined by five brave women, part of a group of six women, each of them former or serving police officers who, on October 12 of this year, announced a proposed class action lawsuit for discrimination and harassment based on gender.

[10:10 a.m.]

They’ve now been joined by more than 60 other women from municipal forces across the province, and they’re here in the B.C. Legislature to raise awareness for the need for changes to our Police Act to serve victims better, who are the victims of gender-based harassment and discrimination.

Today joining us are Helen Irvine, Anja Bergler, Anne Piper, Lauren Phillips and another woman, whom I will not name, in respect of ongoing court proceedings. Also absent today, unable to join but an important member of the group, is Cary Ryan.

I thank you so much for being here, very much. I think it’s amazing that you’re here.

Will the House please make them feel welcome.

Hon. B. Bailey: I see that in the House today we have the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and their CEO, Bridgitte Anderson.

Boards of trade do so much for businesses across our province. I see the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is not only training people up on AI and bringing important speakers, but they also let us know what needs to happen and do a great job of lobbying.

Would everyone please join me in making Bridgitte Anderson most welcome.

B. D’Eith: I did want to echo the parliamentary secretary’s greeting for the Neighbourhood House folks who are here today, a gathering. They’ve been together 115 years; it’s amazing.

I just wanted to add to it a bit. We have two members of my community and dear friends, Christian Cowley and Gerry Pinel, here.

Christian is the executive director of the CEED Centre, which is a neighbourhood house, but it’s dedicated to the environment and development and sustainability. Christian is also an amazing advocate for housing, especially for those who are youth. He worked closely with Teesha Sharma, who, unfortunately, passed away at 27 years of age and was a fierce advocate for youth housing.

I’m so very pleased that, working together, we were able to announce the youth emergency shelter pilot for Maple Ridge. I know Teesha would have been very proud of us.

Then Gerry Pinel, who is VP of the CEED Centre and also an organizer of the Golden Ears Transition Initiative and GETI Fest, which is an amazing festival we have every year, and also an advocate for the tiny home movement.

Would the House please make them all very welcome.

S. Chandra Herbert: It’s great to see a friend in the House today. Siobhan Powlowski is the executive director of Gordon Neighborhood House.

I want to give a shout-out to the great work that she and the team at Gordon House do to build reconciliation in the West End, to take action to make young people feel safe and included, to build a new connections for recent immigrants, to make young parents feel welcome, for food security. There’s just so much that the Neighbourhood House movement does. I could go on all day. It’s wonderful to have her here in the House.

K. Paddon: It was an honour to read from Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words this morning for our prayer and reflection. I want to just share with the House that Max Ransom, who’s a student at UVic, the author of the poem, is with us today. I am so grateful that he’s here.

Along with him is Dr. Lindsay Herriot. She was one of the two editors on this book. Also, the work around this book started in 2017 and is part of the Gender Generations Project, which is still going on and welcomed 70 youth last weekend to continue the space and the work.

I’m just so grateful to both of them. If the House would please join me in making them very welcome.

D. Routley: I’d like to join the member for Cariboo-Chilcotin in welcoming the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia and our former colleague Mr. Thomson.

Hello, Steve.

I encourage all the members to meet with the council if possible. Their work is so important to B.C. and made ever more important because of the pressures of climate change.

The Invasive Species Council of B.C. — it grows on you.

N. Letnick: Already mentioned twice, and I know it’s against the rules, but I’ll go for the third time to welcome Steve Thomson to the House. Not only was he a Speaker, as you are…. He didn’t last quite as long as you have, Mr. Speaker. I think eight days was the number, and it was a record. But at least when you look at the pictures in the hallway, he’s not the one that looks like he’s dead. That’s really important.

[10:15 a.m.]

Steve is my neighbour, a great MLA, a great minister of many things — including, of course, Forests. I really want to call attention to what happens after you retire from this place. Steve is now the chair of Meals on Wheels in Kelowna.

You can take the service out of someone, but you can’t take the service out of Steve Thomson. Please make him feel really welcome.

R. Parmar: It’s a pleasure to be able to join other colleagues in this House in welcoming members from the Neighbourhood House Society of B.C.

On behalf of the MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin, I’m pleased to welcome the executive director of the Esquimalt Neighborhood House Society, Mary Lynn McKenna.

On behalf of my colleague, the MLA for Victoria–​Beacon Hill, I had the honour of having breakfast with Kaye Kennish, the executive director of the James Bay Community Project.

Also, a real pleasure…. I can’t see them in the House, but I know they’re probably somewhere. Nicky Logins, who’s the executive director of the Sooke Family Resource Society, is retiring from her role in a few short weeks, after decades of service, serving the people of Sooke and the entire West Shore region for so many years. She’s going to be retiring to spend more time with her grandbaby and, I’m sure, doing lots of travelling, but I know she’s going to remain super involved in our community. I just want to thank her.

I hope the House will join me in welcoming all of them but also in giving a special shout-out to Nicky for all that she’s done for our community.

Hon. L. Popham: Good morning. Today I have 61 VIPs in the House, as we like to say, Vancouver Island people. These are 61 students from Pacific Christian School, who have joined us today in two separate groups.

I’d like to make them feel very welcome here.

Enjoy your stay.

J. Routledge: I’d like to introduce, in the House, Antonia Beck. She is the CEO of the Burnaby Neighbourhood House. She leads a team of people who build our community, who make sure people don’t fall through the cracks and who make everyone feel welcome and part of our community.

Please help me in welcoming Antonia Beck.

M. Lee: I’d like to also welcome all the executive directors of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of B.C. and, in particular, colleagues and friends of ours, including Joel Bronstein, the executive director of Little Mountain Neighbourhood House.

I grew up around the corner from Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. As many would know, they had a fire some months ago. They’ve had to reconstruct their operation, with friendship and support in the community, both from donors and supporters and from other partner organizations, like Marpole Neighbourhood House.

I’d also like to introduce Mimi Rennie and welcome her as the executive director for South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, a great example of leadership within the community. That organization does so much with seniors, in identifying some of the inequities that I’ve been speaking to in South Vancouver, in terms of community infrastructure. Mimi and her organization, of course, and her predecessor Zahra Esmail, were there to help restart the Marpole Neighbourhood House.

Again, I’d welcome and introduce Nilda Borrino, the executive director of Marpole Neighbourhood House, who’s done a lot of good work, including in their community garden and their work to shelter homeless individuals in our area of Marpole.

Would all members of this House please join me in welcoming Joel, Mimi and Nilda as well.

Hon. D. Coulter: I’d like to join the Minister of Labour in welcoming the delegation from the B.C. Federation of Labour. I saw one particular person in the hall room with the B.C. Fed, and that was Sean Parkinson, who is my old economics professor from UFV. Like any good economist, he’s become a union activist. He’s with the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators.

Would the House please welcome Sean.

[10:20 a.m.]

M. Elmore: I’m very pleased to join with a number of colleagues here in welcoming representatives from our neighbourhood houses across the province.

I join with the member for Vancouver-Langara in recognizing the executive director, Mimi Rennie, from South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, as well as Joel and many others who are here. They just do terrific work in our communities. We all know that. We’ve heard their message loud and clear, as well, in terms of, really, sustainable funding and ongoing core funding.

I appreciate the work they do. Welcome to everybody.

I ask our House, again, to give another very warm welcome to all our friends from the neighbourhood houses.

H. Yao: I want to take this opportunity to welcome, obviously, some of our friends from our labour movement. I want to echo my minister and my minister of state as well. But specifically, I want to say hi and welcome to Dal Benning from Richmond CUPE. People who see me will think I’m actually a big person. But if I ever shake hands with Dal, he will make sure he reminds me his palm is bigger than my palm. He will crush my hands if necessary.

I also want to take this opportunity to also welcome one of my constituents from the HEU, Betty, who’s over here as well. She’s an astronomical advocate. It’s hard to have a conversation with her without being influenced by her enthusiasm and her advocacy.

I just want to welcome them both and ask all the House to make sure they feel comfortable in being part of our House. Thank you so much.

S. Chant: I look around in the House, and I see a friend whom I’ve known since our children were small, but I also crossed trails with her once I was here. We both looked at each other in surprise.

She’s a member of our provincial accessibility committee and a member of our technical committee working on accessibility standards. She wears many hats. She’s here with the B.C. Federation of Labour as well, and she is a very marvelous advocate in the world that we all are a part of.

So I’d like to welcome Sheryl Burns to the House and hope that everybody will make her very welcome.

Mr. Speaker: Anyone else? Now is the chance.

Statements
(Standing Order 25B)

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES

M. Dykeman: Imagine a place where strangers become neighbours, and neighbours become friends, where communities grow stronger. That place is a neighbourhood house, which so many people see as their living room, their cozy campfire, their safe place.

Neighbourhood houses in British Columbia are like a second home for people to connect with friends and neighbours, where people can access daycare or take an exercise class or learn how to cook new recipes. Neighbourhood houses are also important places for newcomers to Canada, where they can learn through ESL and adult literacy classes.

In a world that sometimes seems to grow more disconnected by the day, neighbourhood house staff and volunteers take time with every participant to make connections. They get to know them by name, learn about their lives and even talk with them about their hopes and dreams.

British Columbians have lived through challenging times, and it is more important than ever to recognize the importance of connecting with others in a supportive environment. Neighbourhood houses represent diversity by providing services and activities that are sensitive to local cultures. All ages and nationalities come together at neighbourhood houses to make our communities strong and a diverse place to live, a place where we can celebrate our differences while remaining true to who we are, because there is room for everyone to contribute and shine.

I’m also happy to note that neighbourhood houses are non-profit organizations offering leadership and volunteer opportunities, so participants can engage while giving back to their communities. Volunteers help run a wide range of classes or assist seniors with day-to-day tasks, such as getting to appointments.

At the heart of every neighbourhood house are volunteers who are giving their time and energy to make sure people feel safe and included in the community. That’s why I would like to invite all members to join me and everyone in British Columbia to recognize the important work neighbourhood houses do and also recognize the representatives of so many neighbourhood houses who have joined us here today at the Legislature.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
IN KELOWNA

R. Merrifield: Well, I’m absolutely thrilled to talk about something that’s very close to my heart, the incredible business community of Kelowna, which was showcased brilliantly in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Business Excellence Awards this past week.

[10:25 a.m.]

First off, let me talk about Kelowna Pet Resort, the People’s Choice Business of the Year. Talk about a community favourite, especially for my two Bernese mountain dogs, Phoebe and Margaux.

Manchester Signs, Printing and Graphics is our beacon of business ethics. You guys truly set the standard. Then there’s CMHA Kelowna and district, our stars in the non-profit sector. Your work is nothing short of inspiring.

Arts, entertainment and tourism. Well, we’re definitely leading the way here in Kelowna. A huge shout out to the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Splash B.C. Water Parks.

Then there was Ashton Olsen of E-Kruise Solutions Ltd., our Young Entrepreneur of the Year. You are the future, and we’re so proud of you.

Innovation and sustainability. Well, Kelowna has it in spades. Hats off to EntheoMed and Fill, Kelowna’s refill store.

In agriculture and retail, there’s There and Back Again farms, and Peter’s Your Independent Grocer are showing us how it’s done with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Our small and mid-size business champs, Potentia HR and Secure-Rite Mobile Storage: they’re the backbone of our economy.

Then there’s AgriForest Bio-Technologies, our tech innovators, and BrainTrust Canada, making such a significant community impact. Simply incredible.

Sncewips Heritage Museum, our Indigenous Business of the Year, is your treasure trove of our rich cultural heri­tage.

Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing is showing the world what Kelowna can do in high-tech manufacturing.

And lastly, Sam Samaddar, our Business Leader of the Year, is a true leader and an inspiration to us all.

These businesses are the heartbeat of Kelowna. They’re not just driving our economic engine. They’re shaping the soul of our community. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability and social responsibility is something that we can all be incredibly proud of.

To all the winners and nominees: you make Kelowna shine. You’re not just making a difference in business. You’re making Kelowna a better place to live, work and dream.

INDIGENOUS DISABILITY
AWARENESS MONTH

J. Phillip: I rise today to honour the ninth anniversary of the Indigenous Disability Awareness Month in British Columbia.

The B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society was established in 2015 and is now recognized by hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada.

British Columbia is leading the way in recognizing, raising awareness and celebrating the contributions of Indigenous peoples with disabilities. Indigenous Disability Month is key to our journey towards reconciliation and ensures equality of rights, of access and opportunities for Indigenous peoples with disabilities.

I would like to thank BCANDS for being an essential partner in advocating for Indigenous people and improving the lives of Indigenous peoples for the past 30 years.

This month we celebrate many significant contributions that Indigenous people with disabilities have made in our province, including my sister, who is one of the most published writers in the country — Lee Maracle.

I would like to invite all members to join me in recognizing November as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month as we work towards a more inclusive and stronger British Columbia.

limləmt. huy ch q’u siem.

GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION AND
VIOLENCE IN POLICE FORCES
AND SUPPORT FOR FEMALE OFFICERS

E. Sturko: On October 12, six women, each of them former or serving police officers, announced a proposed class action lawsuit for discrimination and harassment based on gender. Since their announcement, more women from municipal forces across the province have indicated their interest in joining.

Police officers often confront fear in the line of duty during investigations and emergencies. Learning to act under extreme stress and fear is something that officers train for. It’s an expected part of the job. No officer would expect to confront fear inside their workplace. But for female municipal police officers who bring forward complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment or discrimination, this is the reality.

[10:30 a.m.]

Workplace complaints are sent to human resource departments in accordance with policy, but from there, they’re sent to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner. These issues get treated as complaints against police. Victims are not treated as victims. They become police witnesses. Their statements and participation become compulsory, subject to discipline. Often, officers are re-victimized under the duress of being charged themselves.

Those who I’ve spoken to who have been subjected to this process describe it as retraumatizing and stigmatizing. Former officers told me that the nature of the process itself prevented them from reporting serious assaults and sexual harassment at the hands of colleagues. No one should face these issues, not anywhere, and especially not in their work in a police department.

In this House, we have the opportunity to change the Police Act, to change the way that sexual and gender-based violence and harassment and discrimination are handled when the victim and perpetrator are both municipal police officers.

I want to thank these women who’ve come forward, and I wish them luck in pursuing their class action lawsuit.

Please know that even if you don’t achieve certification, you’ve made a difference. You’ve brought this issue forward to this House.

I hope that in this House we will do the work required to improve support for female police officers.

INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL

D. Routley: I rise to pay tribute to the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia.

Invasive species are a significant and growing threat to the B.C. economy. Natural resources important to First Nations are being impacted, and there’s a growing expectation that government will work with First Nations and adequately respond.

Invasive species policy and management are strategically addressed through a team government approach in the Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group. The Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group works closely with the Invasive Species Council of B.C., Indigenous communities, local government and others to provide input on policy to help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.

Existing and future threats are increasing with climate change. Wildfire and floods are putting the efforts of British Columbians at risk.

The Invasive Species Council of B.C. is a provincial non-profit that promotes collaboration and delivers initiatives and programs to reduce the threat of invasive species. Government annually provides funds to the Invasive Species Council of B.C. through a transfer agreement.

These moneys support various projects, such as social behavioural change programs like “Clean, drain, dry” your boat. They deliver invasive species training in specific sectors like forestry and Indigenous communities, agricultural producers and others. They hold an annual conference, and they manage inquiries and reports of invasive species across the province.

I think all the members will join me in thanking them for this important work in the economy, the environment and the cultural heritage of this province.

SAM SAMADDAR AND WORK WITH
KELOWNA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

B. Stewart: I rise to honour an exceptional individual whose unwavering dedication has propelled the Kelowna International Airport to unprecedented success, particularly in the times of diversity. This individual is none other than CEO Sam Samaddar, who was recognized on Friday as the Business Leader of the Year at Kelowna Chamber’s 36th annual Business and Community Excellence Awards gala.

In the face of unparalleled challenges in the aviation industry during the recent wildfires and the pandemic marked by travel restrictions, a demonstrable decline in tourism and an uncertain future, Sam and his team have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and determination. Their unwavering efforts resulted in the establishment and maintenance of direct flights to key destinations such as Toronto, Montreal and Seattle, breathing new life into business and tourism sectors.

The significance of Sam’s leadership becomes even more apparent when you consider that not every Canadian airport is fortunate enough to have municipal autonomy and authority and a management team that goes above and beyond, as Sam and his dedicated staff have consistently demonstrated.

It’s not just about managing an airport. It extends beyond that. It’s about recognizing the inherent business opportunities that arise from fostering connectivity. It’s about acknowledging the efforts of individuals like Sam that creates a ripple effect leading to the growth of our local economy and the overall achievement in our community.

[10:35 a.m.]

While Sam may be just one leader among many, his impact is immeasurable.

Today I express my gratitude for his steadfast leadership and commend the collective efforts of all of those who have contributed to making the Kelowna International Airport a symbol of resilience and success.

Oral Questions

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING
FOR CLEANBC PLAN

P. Milobar: We know, based on government’s own documents, that the NDP CleanBC scheme is a financial disaster that will be ripping $11,000 per year out of people’s household income by 2030. While half of British Columbians are $200 or less a month away from paying their bills and food bank usage is soaring, this government is recklessly funnelling untold dollars into the misleading CleanBC advertising.

Just one aspect of this advertising to consider: the government is spending $22,000 for mere 30-second TV ads during the Canucks games, multiple ads during every game. That’s $700 for every second spent on misleading CleanBC advertisements.

How can the Premier justify blowing $700 a second on CleanBC TV ads when countless people are hanging on by a thread, struggling to pay their own bills and needing to rely on food banks in B.C.?

Hon. G. Heyman: British Columbians have made it absolutely clear they’re deeply concerned about climate change, and they want to know what our government is doing about it. We are giving British Columbians that information because they are feeling the effects of climate change every time there’s extreme heat, every time people are evacuated from their communities due to wildfire, every time the agriculture industry is threatened by drought or by flooding.

We are taking action on climate change. We’re sharing what we’re doing with British Columbians. We’re building a strong plan, and we’ll continue to do that.

Mr. Speaker: Kamloops–North Thompson, supplemental.

P. Milobar: Well, the minister might want to watch his own commercials, because it certainly does not point out that CleanBC has missed every single climate target that it has set for itself over the last few years.

A simple fact is it has transformed into a cost B.C. plan. It’s costing more and achieving nothing. Yet this NDP government burns through $700 every second on a hockey game ad in a misleading campaign trying to change the narrative on its disastrous cost B.C. scheme.

In the time it takes the Canucks to have a power play, this government spends $90,000 on these ads alone. It’s no wonder that since 2018, the NDP has more than doubled their advertising budget.

As British Columbians suffer from the NPD’s middle-class squeeze, how much taxpayer money has the Premier squandered on not just the $700-a-second Canucks ads but the cost B.C. advertising overall?

Hon. G. Heyman: We’ve made tremendous progress in reducing emissions in British Columbia. We exceeded our target for the takeup of light-duty, zero-emission vehicles. We are supporting British Columbians to install heat pumps so they will both save money and be more comfortable. We are ahead of our methane emission reduction targets.

The only target that was missed was the 2020 target set by those people on that side of the House when they were on this side of the House and their emissions rose. Emissions have been going down steadily since 2017 in actual terms.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Hon. G. Heyman: Emissions have been going down since 2017 in absolute terms and even more on a per-capita basis. We’re staying the course because climate action is important to British Columbia, both for our security and economically.

T. Stone: Well, the reality is that this Premier isn’t just flooding TV advertising during Canucks games. His government is blitzing primetime media slots on radio and TV, spending millions of dollars on media markets promoting cost B.C. all across British Columbia.

[10:40 a.m.]

The Premier is doing it, all the while not owning up and being transparent about the massive negative impacts of cost B.C. on family incomes and thousands of jobs and, oh, by the way, that emissions are actually going up under this government.

Now, as the Premier doubles the government’s taxpayer-funded propaganda budget, NDP insiders are lining their pockets through the cost B.C. campaign. Let’s talk about the NOW Group. This is a group that is closely allied with the NDP and that has been reaping substantial fees for spearheading this expensive cost B.C. propaganda.

My question to the Premier is this. How can the Premier look British Columbia taxpayers in the eyes, people who are struggling, and defend prioritizing lucrative deals for high-priced NDP consultants over the economic well-being of British Columbia families who are set to lose $11,000 per family per year?

Hon. G. Heyman: The analysis is simply wrong. The analysis assumes that there was no climate action in British Columbia since 2017 or that there would be none. That would only have been true if those members had been on this side of the House, doing nothing.

Not only have we taken effective action to reduce emissions, and emissions have gone down, we have taken significant actions to make life cheaper for British Columbians in ways that the opposition has voted against every single time, whether it was ICBC rate reductions, eliminating MSP premiums…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Hon. G. Heyman: …supporting child care or the child family benefit increase. We are taking action to support families in B.C.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. G. Heyman: We are building a strong clean energy economy, because that’s where the world is going. That’s where we’re going, too. B.C. United and B.C. Conservatives would simply leave British Columbia behind.

Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader, supplemental.

T. Stone: Seven years in, and not a single emissions target has been met by this government.

I’ll tell you the difference between cost B.C. and the Vancouver Canucks. At least the Canucks are hitting their goals.

The NOW Group has been amassing millions from NDP government communication contracts…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

T. Stone: …and NDP caucus advertising.

The Premier’s appointment of Marie Della Mattia, former president of NOW communications, now, as deputy minister of government communications, has only increased the flow of taxpayer money for high-gloss cost B.C. propaganda. This blatant political payola is fuelling the $700-a-second cost B.C. advertising blitz during Canucks games, even as B.C. families grapple with the worst affordability in the entire country.

Why is the Premier funnelling taxpayer funds to his political cronies and splurging $700 a second on ads aimed at peddling a cost B.C. scheme, all the while not being straight up with British Columbians about the massive negative impacts of cost B.C. on family incomes and private sector jobs in every corner of British Columbia?

Hon. G. Heyman: You know, 15 years ago the then B.C. Liberal Party believed that climate change was real and that we should do something about it. They introduced a carbon tax. The leader of BCU said it was one of the proudest moments that he had in government.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Hon. G. Heyman: It is very unfortunate that the official opposition and the Conservative Party would have British Columbians believe that climate change doesn’t matter.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members will come to order now.

Members, please.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member, the minister has the floor.

Hon. G. Heyman: We know that if they were on this side of the House, they would rip up the plan and do nothing.

[10:45 a.m.]

It would cost B.C. businesses and individuals hugely. It would make communities insecure, and it would leave British Columbia behind in the kind of clean energy investments that we saw just last week with an investment in E-One Moli and the creation of over 400 jobs in Maple Ridge.

That’s what we’re doing on this side of the House. That’s what we’re going to keep doing on this side of the House, and that’s what British Columbians expect and want.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, as I reminded yesterday, let’s hear the question, and please let’s hear the answer as well, okay.

CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM AND
CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
MINISTRY ACCOUNTABILITY

A. Olsen: Yesterday my colleague asked about the lack of accountability and oversight in the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Child welfare workers in this province have extraordinary powers to remove children from their families. Based on an allegation, they can walk into anyone’s house and decide to remove children. This B.C. NDP government doesn’t even require the MCFD social workers to be regulated under the College of Social Workers, protecting the families, protecting the social workers.

British Columbians have reason to be deeply concerned. The public needs to have trust in the system, and the minister and the senior staff continue to fail us. We spend $135,000 per child per year in care. Poverty is a primary driver of children being removed from their families.

Wouldn’t it be more compassionate and make more economic sense to spend the money on keeping children in their homes with their families and diverting these funds to the families in need?

Hon. A. Dix: This will give me an opportunity to respond to the questions raised by the Leader of the Green Party yesterday, as well, that were referenced in the member’s question.

As the member will know, changes were made to raise standards in 2019. All people working for the ministry are expected to live up and work to the highest standards as public servants and under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

In addition to that, the members will know…. I know this is an issue of particular interest to the Leader of the Green Party, because she has raised it with me in the past: the regulation of social workers in British Columbia. I’d say that there is a broad engagement going on right now around the oversight of all social workers in British Columbia. That included over 200 participants in 32 sessions, with 1,700 survey responses. We should expect a response and information about that early in the new year from the Minister of Children and Families.

On the issues raised by the members around those questions of qualifications, of social workers and of colleges, part of how we’re responding to that is reaching out and talking to the community of social workers.

Mr. Speaker: Member, supplemental.

A. Olsen: I appreciate the minister’s response, but in the response, there is an expectation that social workers meet standards, paraphrasing what the minister just said.

However, by the own audits of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, by the constant reports from the Representative for Children and Youth, we’re not meeting those standards. We haven’t been meeting those standards for five, six, seven — for decades.

Rather than creating layers of transparency and accountability, this government has failed to give social workers, and families that are impacted by the decisions that social workers make, a basic level of protection.

In what other industry in this province would we put the care of our children, the care of our people, the care of our seniors…? Without a regulated industry, only the most vulnerable children in our province get that kind of special treatment. It’s not a kind of special treatment that we need to be celebrating in this House.

You know, when a social worker walks into a family’s house, they’re given basically one tool: to remove the child. Yet we know that $135,000 is invested in each child per year of care.

[10:50 a.m.]

When is this government going to provide child welfare workers with a more diverse set of tools so they can actually support the families that are in need?

Hon. A. Dix: Well, I would argue that we are doing that, and we must do that. The very significant investments and supports provided in the system, the profound and historic work that is being done and must continue to be done with Indigenous communities show that.

I think in this process, and these are issues…. I’m very respectful of the questions provided, because these are issues….

The member will know that social workers are, obviously, important workers in health authorities as well as in the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The expectation of high standards of front-line workers, all front-line workers, whether they’re social workers or not, is an expectation.

We have to do exactly the kinds of things the member is talking about. We also have to engage with our community of workers to make sure that they have the skills necessary to do the work. That’s what this process is about. I think it’s what the process that we’re engaging in right now is about.

I expect that there’ll be a role for members of the Legislature. I will endeavour to ensure that the member and his colleague are kept fully informed about what happens. I know that the Minister of Children and Families will do so as well.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON
DRUG TOXICITY CRISIS AND
MANAGEMENT OF SAFE SUPPLY

B. Banman: Dr. Anna Kindy, the Conservative Party of British Columbia’s candidate for North Island, recently told me about a patient she saw at her clinic in Campbell River. This patient was a teenager in high school, who is, to this very day, addicted to safe supply drugs — drugs, I would remind everyone in this House, that this NDP government is buying from its former provincial health officer. The kids call them dillies.

Dr. Kindy asked this teenager how many of his fellow students were addicted to these deadly safe supply drugs. He told her: “At least 30.”

Thirty. As a grandfather, I worry that my own grandson will be peer-pressured into trying these safe supply drugs one day. He’s almost 12 now, and I know he has lots of support at home. But this is the reality of what’s happening in our schools under this NDP government.

To the Premier, my question is: as a father, what age does he think is appropriate for children to encounter these drugs in our streets or school system, and if, God forbid, his own child became addicted to these drugs, would he encourage them to keep using safe supply, or would he get them into a rehabilitation program?

Hon. J. Whiteside: I’ll thank the member for raising what I know is a concern for everyone in this House, for everyone across our health care system, for front-line care providers, with respect to the challenges for children and youth, with respect to mental health and substance use issues in these times.

I would say, when it comes to how we are addressing a public health emergency that has taken the lives of over 13,100 people so far since it was declared in 2016, over 1,800 British Columbians so far this year, that we have to work across the entire continuum. We have to work very hard to ensure that we are keeping people alive while we are connecting them to care and support.

With respect to what are some very challenging circumstances on the ground in Campbell River — and I’ve had a chance to go to Campbell River and meet with care providers, meet with doctors — I am so grateful for the work that our public health officers are doing in that part of the Island, what front-line doctors and nurses are doing to support individuals who are struggling with substance use.

I would say, though, however, the member is just wrong with respect to what he is suggesting as fact with respect to sources of drugs. I mean it’s just wrong that there is a connection to Fair Pharma here.

Mr. Speaker: Member, supplemental.

B. Banman: You know we are all parents, grandparents and mentors here. If any of those in our charge became addicted to drugs, safe supply or not, I am certain that each member here would do everything that they could to get that child or young person into a rehabilitation program.

[10:55 a.m.]

The reality is that working-class British Columbians, the ones whose children are most likely to be targeted by predatory dealers and safe supply pushers, wait months to get their kids into treatment. Make no mistake. Children die waiting for access to those beds and facilities.

For example, Greg Sword in Port Coquitlam, whose daughter Kamilah was told by a drug counsellor that she could keep using marijuana to deal with her anxiety at the age of 13 and died from an overdose of NDP safe supply drugs at the age of 14….

The drugs that killed Kamilah were bought for addicts by the NDP, all paid for with money taken from hard-working B.C. taxpayers.

My question to the Premier: how many more parents like Greg Sword will have to bury their teenage children because of this NDP’s failed safe supply policy?

Hon. J. Whiteside: There is no one in this House, no one in any of our communities that wants to see youth struggling with addiction, struggling with mental health issues. That is why we are working so hard across our health care system with experts, with our colleagues in Education and Child Care, with our colleagues in MCFD to ensure that we have the kinds of systems in place and pathways to care for youth to support them when they are experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

It’s why we’ve spent so much investing in upstream supports, massively expanding access to primary and mental health care through our Foundry system, which is low-barrier care for youth aged 12 to 24. It’s why we’re working with Education to build integrated child and youth mental health teams that go to where kids are at and wrap services around them so that we can ensure that we are building the pathways to care that youth need in order to provide the support.

We will continue to do that work across government, with a whole-of-government approach.

CLEANBC PLAN AND ECONOMY

M. de Jong: Not only are the Premier and the government embarking upon a climate plan that is failing to deliver on emissions targets; there is now a growing list of reputable analysts who, relying on the government’s own methodology, are predicting economic disaster that will follow from this plan.

Ken Peacock isn’t just the senior economist for the B.C. Business Council. He’s also a long-standing member of this government’s Economic Forecast Council. The Premier and the Environment Minister are doing everything they can to discredit him and his analysis — we just heard it again from the minister earlier today — which is based exclusively on material produced by the government.

That modelling says that this cost B.C. plan will lead to the B.C. economy shrinking by upwards of $28 billion in the next six years, and the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

My question to the Premier is: why is he so intent on hiding the truth about the devastating impact this cost B.C. plan will have for families in B.C.?

Hon. G. Heyman: The truth about devastating impacts to B.C. is this. In 2021, extreme weather cost the B.C. economy $17 billion — in that year alone. This past year the costs of wildfire fighting were over $1 billion — in this year alone. People are losing homes. People are losing businesses. People are losing a sense of security.

Contrary to what the member opposite claims, our plan is reducing emissions steadily. We expect it to reduce emissions more as the programs we put into place take root. That’s what British Columbians need.

[11:00 a.m.]

An analysis that is taken out of context, that assumes that somehow, magically, BCU was still in power and did nothing about climate change, as they had for the previous six years, and therefore…. It’s apple to orange.

We have built a strong economy in B.C. It’s the strongest in Canada. We’re going to continue our work.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Abbotsford West, supplemental.

M. de Jong: Well, not surprisingly, Mr. Peacock has been listening carefully to what the minister and the government have had to say. Yesterday he wrote to the minister. In his six-page letter, he dissects what the minister has been attempting to do in dismissing his own government’s finding. He dissects it point by point.

Page 3 of the letter…. The minister stands up, he has repeatedly in this House, and says: “Well, look, there are going to be all these new economic opportunities that are going to be sufficient to offset the loss of $28 billion.”

But Mr. Peacock says to the minister yesterday: “We have been unable to find support for these statements in the methodology report.” That’s the minister’s methodology report. Nowhere does the minister’s methodology report suggest that uncertainty about the future energy economy should be taken to mean that there are large, unambiguously positive economic gains for B.C. that are missing from the modelling and can be assumed to negate its findings.

It appears this NDP government has rediscovered the lost NDP art of injecting optimism into economic forecasts when they don’t like what the real numbers say.

The minister just last week in this House said, and I think he just said it again a moment ago: “The comparison in the CleanBC documents were of the CleanBC plan against no climate plan whatsoever, which is what existed in 2017.”

The problem with the minister’s statement is it’s not true. It’s not, not true because I say so; it’s not, not true because Ken Peacock says so. It’s not true because in the minister’s own methodology, they list 14 initiatives that were in place in 2017 when the government changed.

Government is doing everything it can to dismiss and discredit this report. They’re spending millions of dollars on advertising to discredit this analysis and this report. There is a $28 billion gap between what this minister is saying and what a long-standing, respected member of the government’s own Economic Forecast Council is saying.

My question is to the Finance Minister: who’s right?

Hon. G. Heyman: The members opposite, unfortunately, think that the time for climate action isn’t here and that it’s not happening in B.C. and that it’s not happening around the globe. But in fact, the exact opposite is happening.

The United States Inflation Reduction Act is injecting $3 trillion in investment in renewable energy and renewable energy technologies. British Columbia is positioning itself to be a leader in both those fields and to take advantage of those investments.

We’ve seen E-One Moli — 450 permanent jobs, over $1 billion invested.

Here are the facts that the members opposite don’t like, the economic facts about our record in government: our GDP growth since 2017 is the highest in Canada among large provinces, and our unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada.

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING
FOR CLEANBC PLAN

S. Bond: Well, one fact we know that is absolutely clear is that under this Premier’s watch, British Columbia has become the most unaffordable jurisdiction in the country, bar none.

That is this minister’s record. He can stand in this Legislature day after day and dismiss and try to discredit experts. But let’s be clear: they are using this government’s own documents.

In fact, the minister’s arguments make zero sense. By any single measure, this plan will cost B.C. And what will it cost B.C.? Well, in fact, B.C. families will get $11,000 cut from their household income every single year.

[11:05 a.m.]

The minister smiles and thinks that’s funny. It’s not to families in British Columbia who are making a decision about whether to feed their kids or fill their gas tanks. That’s this government’s record.

With income plunging for families, essential services at risk, will the Premier do the right thing: stop blowing millions of dollars on misleading ads that are going to cost British Columbians? Will he do the right thing and, for once, start protecting the livelihoods of British Columbia’s families?

Hon. R. Kahlon: We’ve had a long exchange for the last couple of days. But what’s troubling about this entire exchange, hon. Speaker, is the trend we’ve seen throughout this session. What we’ve seen throughout this session is a complete flip-flop…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Hon. R. Kahlon: …every single time.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. He hasn’t even started yet, Members.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Wait, Members.

Hon. R. Kahlon: We have seen so many flip-flops. It’s unbelievable.

First, they support the Surrey police transition. Then the B.C. Conservative Party says: “We’re against it.” They switched their position.

We bring in short term….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh. Shhh, Members. Members.

Please continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: We bring in legislation to get more housing back in the housing market. They support it. The B.C. Conservatives go the other way. Then they switch their tune.

When we talked about harm reduction, they said they supported it. The B.C. Conservatives switched their position. They switched their position.

Now a party….

Interjections.

[Mr. Speaker rose.]

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. It’s almost over. Just a few more seconds.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Take it easy, almost over. Let him answer.

The minister has the floor.

[Mr. Speaker resumed his seat.]

The minister will continue.

Hon. R. Kahlon: The party that founded the carbon tax, the party that’s decided that they want to be leaders on climate action, now, because of the B.C. Conservatives, are completely switching.

What’s clear to us is they will say anything to get elected next election. They have no principles. They have no values. They believe in nothing but trying to win the election.

We’re going to continue to fight against that every single day, hon. Speaker.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

Mr. Speaker: Members, I have the honour of tabling the Auditor General’s Annual Report 2022-23; and the Ombudsperson’s report No Notice, No Benefit: How Retroactive Changes to the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers Resulted in Unfairness.

A. Walker: I seek leave to move a motion that upholds democracy in B.C. and ensures every member of this assembly has an equal voice and can participate in all motions before this House.

Mr. Speaker: Member, do you want to read the motion?

A. Walker: Certainly.

By leave, I move that the sessional order adopted by the House on October 5, 2023, enabling certain proceedings of the House be undertaken in three sections be discharged.

Leave not granted.

Mr. Speaker: Sorry, Member. It has to be unanimous.

Question of Privilege
(Reservation of Right)

Hon. G. Heyman: I rise to reserve my right to raise a point of personal privilege.