Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Hon. D. Coulter.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

R. Merrifield: It’s my distinct honour today to welcome representatives from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies of British Columbia to our House.

As the voice for consulting engineering firms across our province, the ACEC-BC plays a critical role in ad­vancing the business interests of its members and fostering meaningful collaboration within the industry. Their advocacy for fair business practices and their efforts to elevate awareness of their industry’s significant contributions through innovative technical expertise are commendable.

It was a pleasure to have them host us for breakfast this morning, the B.C. United caucus, and join us in collaborative conversation and Q and A.

Would the House please join me in welcoming them here today.

Hon. D. Coulter: I’d like to join with the member for Kelowna-Mission in welcoming the ACEC of B.C. today to the Legislature. They are critical partners in moving forward our infrastructure projects across the province.

The executives from ACEC joining us today are Suzanne Powell — she’s from Thurber Engineering, and she’s the chair of ACEC-B.C.

Richard Bush — he’s the immediate past chair, ACEC-B.C.

Tim Stanley — he’s an immediate past chair with ACEC Canada, and he’s also a director with the ACEC-BC board.

Caroline Andrews, who is the president and CEO of ACEC-BC.

S. Bond: I’m really delighted today to welcome a number of members of the Medicines Access Coalition here to Victoria. A significant organization, 35 patient organizations in all, working to ensure that British Columbians have equitable access to medications here in the province.

I would like to welcome today Charles Aruliah from the Canadian Cancer Society.

Gail Attara from the Gastrointestinal Society.

Don Bindon from the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association.

Melanie Colter with the Canadian PKU and Allied Disorders.

Alanah Duffy from MS Canada.

Meghan Dunn, Larry Funnel and Alice Chandler from Osteoporosis Canada.

Joan King and Nafisa Merali from Diabetes Canada.

Alan Low, who is with MedAccess BC.

Jaymee Maaghop from the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.

Wendy Gerhart from Migraine Canada.

Antonella Scali from the Canadian Psoriasis Network.

I look forward to discussions with all of these incredible individuals and organizations later today.

I ask the House to make them most welcome.

Hon. A. Kang: In the gallery today is a good friend of mine, Trish Mandewo, president of the UBCM. She is here at the B.C. Legislature with her full team, UBCM executive team, as part of UBCM Advocacy Days, which take place from April 24 to 26.

During this time, the UBCM executive team will be meeting with ministers, parliamentary secretaries, caucus chairs and MLAs from all parties to raise awareness and to continue dialogue on the current key priorities identified by the whole UBCM membership. I look forward to having these discussions with the president.

Will the House please make her feel very welcome.

T. Halford: This week, I missed two important events back home. I want to congratulate the White Rock Ignite Dance team on their two gold medals yesterday at the Shine Mission Dance competition.

One of those dancers has a special place in my heart. That’s Alexandra Halford, who celebrated her tenth birthday.

[10:10 a.m.]

I want to wish her a happy birthday and say I’m not coming home with Taylor Swift tickets, but I am coming home today. I look forward to having a piece of cake with her at home.

Hon. R. Fleming: It’s my great pleasure to welcome back to this chamber the consul general of the Republic of Portugal, Mr. João Paulo Costa.

He’s no stranger to this place, but it’s certainly no accident that His Excellency is here today visiting us in this place, a democratic chamber, on April 25. We’re honoured to have his presence here today because, for Portuguese people in Canada and around the world, this is known as Freedom Day.

Today is a very special anniversary, and the celebrations will be loud and long on the streets of Portugal, because it is the 50th anniversary of what is known as the Carnation Revolution, which is a remarkable, if not well-understood in this part of the world, occurrence in history: a peaceful, popular uprising that took place on April 25, 1974, and toppled one of Europe’s last surviving World War II–era fascist dictatorships.

The carnation refers to the hundreds of thousands of ordinary Portuguese citizens who took to the streets that day in towns and cities across the country in support of the young officers’ rebellion. In Lisbon, a mass gathering near the flower market led to the spontaneous placement of flowers by citizens in the rifle barrels of troops and led them to withdraw their weapons, almost without a shot fired. This marked and secured the Salazar regime’s downfall.

Freedom Day celebrates the open, democratic, pluralist society that is essential for Portuguese identity today.

It celebrates things that we cherish here as Canadians, with other democratic countries — things like freedom of speech, freedom of association, the end of arbitrary detention, as well as Portugal’s success and prosperity from trade relations with the European Union and other countries.

Victoria has always been blessed with a large and vibrant Portuguese community. Obviously, the singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado, who is a global superstar, is best known from this community, but generations of Portuguese have contributed to building a better capital region.

I’d like to introduce not only His Excellency but a number of Portuguese-affiliated citizens here with us today — mechanical engineering professor Afzal Suleman, graduate student Shohreh Suleman, Ricardo Marques, Diogo Bravo, João Figueiras and Sarah Suleman.

I think in celebrating Portugal’s strong affinity to democracy, as Canadians, we can celebrate right alongside them at this particularly important time in history.

I would like to thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for participating in these celebrations in Burnaby. I know you were there with the Portuguese community last weekend.

Would the House please make His Excellency and our guests most welcome here today.

B. D’Eith: As Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film and on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, I wanted to welcome today members from the Union of B.C. Performers-ACTRA, who represent 8,600 British Columbians who work in the motion picture industry and are really the heart of the industry. During Creative Industries Week they’re here to meet with ministers, MLAs and Premiers.

In particular, we have Keith Martin Gordey, who’s the president; and then executive board member Shawn Macdonald; Aliza Vellani; Anisha Cheema; Fred Ewanuick; Lexa Doig; and then the executive administrative director, Karla Laird; the director of contracts, Lesley Brady; Angela Niu, who’s the manager of engagement; Tracy Ho and Michael Cheevers, who are industry relations officers.

Would the House please make them all very welcome.

Hon. M. Rankin: In the gallery today, joining us are Roz Seyednejad and Hamed Noori of an organization called SenseNet. They are joining us from North Vancouver and West Vancouver, respectively, to discuss intriguing fire suppression technology that they have developed. It was great to learn more about the future of fire-sensing technology from them and about the community partnerships that they are developing.

I’d kindly like all members to please make them feel welcome.

[10:15 a.m.]

Tributes

SUSAN MAILE

C. Oakes: Our community has lost a very strong health advocate in our community. I’ve lost a dear friend and a mentor.

Susan Maile was an active volunteer for many organizations, including being a member of the G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for over 50 years. She was a key member in our community, starting local Meals on Wheels. She was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 1991 and received a B.C. Achievement Community Award in 2009.

Would the House kindly send their condolences to Dr. John Maile, Sue’s husband of 60 years, to their children Andrew, Nicholas and Stephen, and to their families.

Introductions by Members

Hon. B. Ma: I have the honour of making two introductions today.

The first is Ms. Veronica Knott, who is a graduate from my alma mater, the faculty of applied sciences at UBC. She is currently working as a mining engineer with Newmont Corp., providing technical expertise and program oversight of global mining technology solutions. She also serves as a member of the board for Engineers and Geo­scientists of B.C.

My second introduction today is Darryl Krakowka, mayor of the district of Tumbler Ridge, joining us here in the gallery today. Like many mayors last year, in 2023 — and, unfortunately, like many mayors will find themselves in 2024 — Mayor Krakowka found himself on the front lines of emergency response in his communities, managing evacuations and supporting community members from other parts, not just of our province but of other provinces as well.

It’s an incredibly challenging time for mayors and chairs in our rural and remote areas during the summer, especially with wildfire season starting up so early this year.

Would the House please join me in making both Veronica Knott and Darryl Krakowka feel very welcome — in particular, thanking the mayor for his leadership last year. Hopefully, it is not required in this year’s emergency season, but wishing the best for all of our communities in the Interior and the North.

N. Letnick: In the gallery today, I would like to welcome the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, which is in B.C. this week to discuss the importance of mental health counselling and the regulation of the profession.

April is Counselling and Psychotherapy Month, and this year’s focus is on environmental health. This focus directs our attention to the profound impacts of our rapidly changing climate on the well-being of Canadians, acknowledging the interconnectedness between environmental factors and psychological wellness.

Would the House please help me welcome president Carrie Foster, B.C. and Yukon director Michael Towers and B.C. chapter president Richard Tatomir.

M. Elmore: I have some very special guests here today in the Legislature from the municipality of Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines. That is also the hometown of my mother. I did not envision I would be actually welcoming friends from my mother’s hometown of Tuburan, Cebu.

We have the mayor of Tuburan, Cebu, Aljun Diamante; with his wife, Teresita Diamante; their daughter Jan Diamante; as well as attorneys Rheneir Mora and Manuel Gordon from the Gordon Mora Diamante law firm.

They are accompanied by Felix Majica and Jelinda Friend, members of the Cebuano Society of British Columbia here in Vancouver.

They are here to participate in the Lapu-Lapu Day block party. There we are — up there. They are bringing organic coffee, Tuburan 360. They have a vision for Tu­buran as an agricultural sector, all-organic, really lead­ing the country.

They’re here, so invite everybody. Come try some organic Tuburan coffee. Join the festivities. Everybody’s invited.

I ask everybody to please give them a very warm welcome.

E. Ross: There are two Kitimats in British Columbia. There’s a Haisla Nation Kitamaat, the original founders of Kitimat, but there’s also the district of Kitimat — different spellings. The district of Kitimat is an industrial town that was actually built and owned by Alcan, the aluminum smelter company, back in the 1950s.

[10:20 a.m.]

Following up on the Minister of Transportation’s introduction, I had no idea that April 25, 1974, was the carnation celebration of freedom. I had no idea. I grew up with Portuguese students and citizens in Kitimat. I played soccer with them. I played basketball with them. Now that they’re older, we’re playing golf together.

Anyway, the Portuguese community was a huge community in Kitimat. They helped build the town. They helped build the smelter. Now that population is thinning out because the younger generation is moving away.

The consul general…. I had dinner with him, João Paulo Costa, in Kitimat on April 13. I understand he is here today as well to visit the Legislature.

I would like to add my welcome to the Legislature to the consul general of Portugal.

R. Glumac: I would like to introduce one of my constituents that is here today from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Brandon Dyck.

Would the House please make him feel welcome.

I think I have another constituent here, but my glasses are not for distance. Is that Jeff up there?

Okay. Jeff McClellan, another constituent of mine.

Please, would the House make him feel welcome.

J. Sturdy: I have the pleasure today to make two introductions.

Firstly, in the gallery is my friend, Tim Stanley. Tim is here in his role as past chair of the ACEC-BC, but he’s also a constituent of West Vancouver–Sea to Sky as well as a long-serving and some would say long-suffering presi­dent of my B.C. United West Vancouver–Sea to Sky riding association. I’d like to publicly take this opportunity to thank him for his years and years of hard work, commitment and creativity.

Secondly, on the precinct is a class from Coast Mountain Academy, which is a university prep school for students from grade 10 through grade 12 located in Squamish. Coast Mountain Academy was founded with the goal of creating a culture of curiosity, compassion and inclusivity, while providing an education that’s relevant in our modern world. Coast Mountain Academy offers a rigorous academic program in the context of a well-rounded fine arts, athletics and outdoor education program.

I look forward to meeting with them this afternoon for a discussion about politics in British Columbia.

D. Davies: I do have a couple of folks in the chamber that I’d like to introduce, Sean and Katie Lloyd. I have tried to look everywhere. It’s like finding Waldo. I don’t know where they are, but they are in the chamber somewhere.

Sean, originally from Fort St. John, now lives in Salmon Arm, is down here picking his daughter, Katie, up, who is attending UVic.

Would the House please make them feel welcome.

K. Falcon: I seek leave to introduce a bill.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Please proceed.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL M212 — NAME AMENDMENT ACT, 2024

K. Falcon presented a bill intituled Name Amendment Act, 2024.

K. Falcon: This legislation would prevent those convicted of dangerous offences from legally changing their names.

British Columbians were horrified to learn last week that convicted child killer Allan Schoenborn was allowed to change his name. The government had every opportunity to prevent this monster’s application for a name change with provincial powers under the Name Act, but they chose to do nothing.

Currently Vital Statistics, under the Ministry of Health, has complete authority to deny any change of name application that is “sought for an improper purpose or is on any other ground objectionable.” This government failed to use that to prevent Schoenborn’s name change.

Since British Columbians cannot rely on government to exercise their authority to prevent such unacceptable name changes for dangerous criminals like Schoenborn, this legislation will force government to reject them by default, automatically preventing those who have been designated as a dangerous or long-term offender under the Canadian Criminal Code from filing applications to change their name, instead relying on government discretion.

[10:25 a.m.]

This is not complicated. In fact, this bill is based substantially on existing legislation in Alberta and technically sound from a legislative drafting perspective, so there is no reason why this bill should not, and could not, be called for debate and passed immediately.

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

Motion approved.

The Speaker: Now, Member, because the House didn’t have the information in advance, in order to place this on orders of the day, the member would also seek another leave from the House.

K. Falcon: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would seek leave to put it on the order paper today.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Thank you. Please proceed.

K. Falcon: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the bill be placed on orders of the day for second reading after today.

Bill M212, Name Amendment Act, 2024, 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)

KELOWNA ROCKETS HOCKEY TEAM

R. Merrifield: Today I rise to speak about a subject that is very close to my heart, my Kelowna Rockets and their remarkable 2023-2024 season.

As a 20-year season ticket holder, my evenings have often been highlighted by the thrilling games and the vibrant community spirit that defines our Rockets team. This year, the Rockets demonstrated exceptional skill on the ice, making it into the second round of playoffs. They were defeated by Prince George. But I can take comfort in knowing that at least it’s on a friendly side of the aisle. And at least it wasn’t a building year like the Kamloops Blazers.

Now, I can talk about our outstanding scoring, skating and strategy, but our Rockets are so much more. The owners, the Hamilton family, ensure that the players and organization are relentless in their efforts to contribute positively, going beyond expectations.

This commitment to the community was vividly dem­onstrated by Ty Hurley, one of our Rockets players who performed a heroic act at one of the hotels by saving a man’s life. On December 7, 2023, while waiting in a hotel lobby, Hurley noticed a man struggling in the pool. He quickly intervened, pulling the man out and performing life-saving chest compressions until he revived. For his bravery, 19-year-old Hurley received the Silver Medal of Merit and the M.G. Griffiths Award at the 112th annual Commonwealth Awards for Honour and Rescue.

The Kelowna Rockets are amazing athletes, but this story shows what a source of immense local pride and inspiration they are to all of us, including our youth. They bring us together in ways that make us so proud to be a part of our great city.

Thank you to the Kelowna Rockets, the Hamiltons, the players and the staff not just for the great hockey this season but for being phenomenal community contributors.

And to all those diehard Rockets fans like I am, we will get that cup next year.

Go, Rockets, go.

CHILD CARE FACILITIES IN
CAMPBELL RIVER SCHOOLS

M. Babchuk: In my role as MLA for North Island, I constantly hear how life-changing it is for families to have access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care. That’s why, as the past chair of the school district 72 board of education, I am happy to stand today and talk about the fantastic made-in-school-district-72 initiative, in conjunction with CUPE 723.

Child care on school sites has been a topic in this district for many years, and I was excited to witness the opening of the first site at Ripple Rock Elementary on Friday, April 12. This is the first of seven before- and after-school care facilities that will be opened by September, providing 210 additional spaces for parents to access.

This just makes sense, that families have the convenience of child care and school all in one seamless place. A seamless drop-off on the way to work makes life so much easier for families and gives parents peace of mind that their children are in one place for the entire day.

In addition to benefits to families, the collaborative work between the school district and CUPE means that more educational assistants will have access to full-time employment close to home. They will no longer have to travel outside their community or look to work multiple jobs.

I would like to thank the people of school district 72, especially board chair Kat Eddy and vice-chair Craig Gillis for their leadership; superintendent Geoff Manning and Phil Cizmic, associate superintendent responsible for child care; along with a long list of professionals that made this come to fruition.

[10:30 a.m.]

Andrea Craddock, a long-time advocate for child care in our community and president of 723, not only understood the value of child care for families but also the opportunity for her members and for the community.

Thank you to the ministers of state, past and present, for seeing the value in this child care delivery model and the investment in child care on the north Island.

Congratulations to school district 72 and CUPE 723.

Partnership truly is the new leadership, Mr. Speaker.

NEW KIJHL MUSTANGS HOCKEY TEAM
IN WILLIAMS LAKE

L. Doerkson: I’m pleased to rise today and take a few minutes to speak about the beloved sport of hockey in Cariboo-Chilcotin as well today. There have been many greats that have come from our hockey programs — names like Carey Price and Rusty Patenaude but also Christina, Margatz, Gerrier, Williamson, Thomas, Zirak, Curly and Alexander. Frankly, far too many to list.

Today I want to share news of a new hockey team we have in Cariboo-Chilcotin. Hockey fans will now have twice the excitement in Williams Lake, as we have a new KIJHL hockey team, the Mustangs. This addition will help to strengthen the league and provide a natural rival for the 100 Mile Wranglers.

This coming season, the Wranglers will be led by coach Levi Stewart. He is a welcome addition to the club, and his experience will help these young players develop their skill.

The Mustangs will be coached by Tyrel Lucas, who is part of an amazing group of owners who are enthusiastic about hockey and the boost that it will give to the region. They bring decades of hockey experience at all levels and will help incorporate the team into our community.

The Mustangs is an iconic and historic hockey club in Williams Lake. Many of us recall numerous Mustangs alumni and look forward to cheering the players on and definitely welcoming everyone to the community.

The spring camps have been done, and the coaches are now working on their rosters. Young players from around the province have tried out and are waiting to see if they’ll be chosen to play.

We thank the new owners of the Williams Lake Mustangs for bringing their team to the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We welcome the new players, their families and all the fans. For years, the Cariboo-Chilcotin, of course, has supported our Wranglers. We will now have an amazing new team to cheer for.

I am sure that I will find myself incredibly conflicted every time these two teams play, but trust me when I say this, Mr. Speaker: I will be rooting for both of them.

Welcome to the Cariboo-Chilcotin.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
AND CIVILITY IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE

R. Russell: I’m sure, as many of us in this place…. I really love getting the opportunity to go and meet with school groups, talk with the students, talk with the teachers and learn what’s on their mind. I appreciate their unfiltered, unbaggaged and beholden thoughts and questions.

I had the opportunity to visit Christina Lake Elemen­tary School students. Their top question, of course, was around Macey the cat and the introduction of Macey the cat.

The second most important part of their conversation was around the culture of this place. It was a fascinating conversation. They asked about what they see, which is question period, and if that represents how we engage with each other outside of that forum.

Fast-forward a week. I had the opportunity to meet with community leaders at the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments over the weekend. The number one liveliest debate resolution that they brought forward was around discourse and treating each other civilly and the interactions between the public as well as elected officials. I think it is fascinating, this convergence around what we see out in the public, around the challenge, the crisis, I would say, that we have around civil discourse and the decline in civility in interactions between people.

I think in this place…. It is fascinating, in the conversation with these grades 4 and 5, to say: “What is our obligation in this place, as leaders, as a group of people that are being watched around the province, to lead by example?” Maybe, perhaps, we should be operating a little more in this place as we would hope a grade 4 or 5 class would engage with each other.

[10:35 a.m.]

ACCESS TO SAFE WATER AND CLEAN AIR

S. Furstenau: Nearly 13 years ago we moved from Victoria to Shawnigan. Up until then, I’d had the privilege and the fortune to not have to think about drinking water. I had taken it for granted that I could turn a tap and safe water would come out.

My time in Shawnigan taught me to value water far more than I ever did before. Not only did our community fight to protect our drinking water, but I’ve also experienced what it’s like when a well goes dry and no water at all comes out. We can only survive without water for a matter of days.

Ten years ago I started thinking about air. We woke up one summer morning, and the sky was a deep orange. I put out a Facebook post. It said: “Orange sky by morning, climate change warning.” It was our first smoke-filled summer.

In the summer since then, I have found myself wondering if I can do the things that help me feel well, cycling or jogging or hiking, or if these activities will harm me because of the smoky pollution that will burn my throat and cause my lungs to tighten and ache. My kids have had to endure smoky skies for more than half of their summers. We had childhoods free of smoke, free of fires, free of heat domes.

The particulate matter in the air does more than irritate us. It kills. Air pollution is responsible for seven million deaths globally each year. The thing we depend on most for our survival, air, is increasingly causing us harm.

Take a breath, savour the feeling of full lungs, and then ask: how much effort should we be putting into making sure that our kids and their kids can know that they, too, will be able to breathe easy in the summers ahead?

ALISON O’TOOLE AND CONTRIBUTIONS
TO ARTS AND EDUCATION

J. Rice: I rise today to shine a light on my nominee for the 2024 B.C. Achievement Community Award, Alison O’Toole.

She is an extraordinary individual whose contributions have enriched the very essence of our community in Prince Rupert. In the next two weeks, on May 8, I’m happy to say that she will be formally recognized as a recipient of the award.

Alison O’Toole’s dedication to the arts and education has been nothing short of exceptional. For three decades, she has been a driving force behind our performing arts scene, captivating audiences with her annual theatre productions and fostering a sense of belonging among all who participate. Her tireless efforts have had a profound impact on the many lives she has touched and the countless hearts she has uplifted with her art.

Her dedication to fostering emotional intelligence, em­pathy and self-expression has not only enriched our community but has also empowered generations of students and adults to embrace their true selves and pursue their passions unapologetically.

Her recognition by the Association of B.C. Drama Educators as B.C.’s drama teacher of the year in 2021 is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire others to reach their full potential. But beyond the accolades, it is the lasting impact she has had on countless lives that truly defines her legacy.

Alison, we celebrate you not only as a deserving recipient of this award but also as a beacon of hope and unity in our community. Your passion, your dedication and your unwavering spirit serve as an inspiration to us all.

Please join me in congratulating Alison O’Toole, a true champion of the arts, a pillar of our community and a shining example of what it means to make a difference.

R. Parmar: Can I seek leave to make an introduction?

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

R. Parmar: I have two sets of introductions. I’ll be very brief. I know everyone is excited for question period.

I can’t be in here and not introduce my friend Kody Bell, who is very familiar to the people in this House.

Keep your phones away from Kody Bell. He is the Kodester.

He used to be my constituent. He used to be the constituent of my predecessor as well. He’s now the constituent of the MLA for Saanich South. So we had a long drive this morning, out to Saanich South, to pick him up. We stopped by Tim Hortons in hopes of getting some Smile Cookies. We’ve got to wait a week before they come out.

[10:40 a.m.]

Kody has been a good friend of mine and a good friend of former Premier John Horgan. It’s great to see him in this House. He reminded me that he’s famous. He’s in Richard Zussman’s book. Everyone should read it.

Would the House please join me in making Kody feel very welcome here today.

Mr. Speaker, while they’re not in the House and I know you won’t let me interrupt question period, the Ruth King Rockets are in the House here today with incredible staff, parent volunteers, Kelly — a grade 5 class just across the street from my community office in Langford.

Will the House please joyously make the Ruth King Rockets welcome in hopes that maybe they hear us in the hallways.

J. Rice: My sincere apologies. I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

J. Rice: This week while the Haida were here in the chambers and 100-and-some were up in the gallery, I had inadvertently made an error, so I’d like to just quickly take a moment to correct that error. Actually, the error happened when I was outside, but in introductions, I failed to make an introduction.

In Haida culture, you need to publicly right that wrong, and you also have to pay the recipients some money, which I will do for Lonnie Young, who is a Hereditary Chief in Kitagat, Gaahlaay.

As I said earlier in my introduction, I talked about the two dialects of Old Massett and Skidegate. With us, I failed to introduce both Hereditary Chiefs representing Old Massett and Skidegate.

I recognize Frank Collison, one of the main Hereditary Chiefs of Old Massett, Stithlda, his name, Frank Collison.

But my apology goes to Chief Lonnie Young Gaahlaay for failing to introduce him.

Lonnie, or Gaahlaay, I do intend to send you a card with money. Thank you.

Oral Questions

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM
AND SUBSTANCE USE POLICIES

K. Falcon: Under this Premier’s reckless decriminalization experiment, we’ve seen record-breaking drug-related deaths and an explosion of violence.

In our hospitals, nurses are now compelled to hand out crack pipes and needles and even teach users how to inject drugs into their IV lines.

We have businesses profiteering from addiction, exploring business models for the commercialization of cocaine.

His public health officer is aggressively pushing to legalize hard drugs like methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl, treating them as casually as cannabis.

Secret government reports commissioned under this Premier’s watch look at market impacts and profiting off of legalization.

This radical Premier has consistently championed…

The Speaker: Member.

K. Falcon: …the legalization of dangerous drugs like meth and crack cocaine and driven us to this crisis. British Columbians are tired of this.

When will this Premier finally adopt B.C. United’s policy to end the NDP’s catastrophic decriminalization experiment?

The Speaker: Members must refrain from calling names and attaching labels when people are addressing each other.

Hon. D. Eby: Thank you to the member for the question on an issue that’s important to many British Columbians: on the one hand, the deaths of thousands of British Columbians and their families and their friends who are devastated by those deaths.

There are members in this chamber who have been directly and personally affected and British Columbians across the province who have been affected.

It was in the spirit of addressing this issue, I know, that at one point the Leader of the Opposition was proud of supporting a safe injection site in British Columbia — at the time, a significant thing. There was a lot of public anxiety about it, but it was to prevent deaths. It was to prevent the transmission of HIV and hepatitis.

There was an all-party committee where we sat together and heard from families struggling to get loved ones access to care, struggling to respond and asking for government to try different approaches to deal with this crisis. That’s why both sides of this House and the chiefs of police supported moving ahead with decriminalization.

[10:45 a.m.]

That doesn’t mean that we accept the disorder on the streets in our communities, people not feeling safe in parks and playgrounds and businesses in our province and hospitals. The Minister of Health is working with health officials right now to ensure that everybody is safe in our hospitals. We’re working with police and key stakeholders to make sure they have the tools they need to address public order issues in British Columbia.

The member says “BCUP policy.” Well, it depends on the day.

I’ll say this to the member. Our commitment is to British Columbians, to support those who are sick with addiction, to get them the help they need, to do our best to keep them alive and to ensure that their communities are safe right across the province.

The Speaker: Leader of the Official Opposition, supplemental.

K. Falcon: Once again, I’m sure the Premier doesn’t mean to mislead the House, but unfortunately, he’s giving information that….

He must know by now, because the record has been corrected multiple times, that when he tries to suggest that the official opposition ever supported decriminalization, he knows that’s wrong. In fact, we not only not supported it, but we made it very clear to this Premier and his reckless government approach to decriminalization that it wasn’t going to work.

In fact, it was this Premier and his government…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members.

K. Falcon: …that in 2020 had in their own election campaign promise that they were going to fast-track the decriminalization of drugs. Any claim that the all-party Health Committee played a role or endorsed the NDP’s effort to fast-track implementation of decriminalization is utterly false. The decisions were made before that committee was ever struck.

Only in the NDP’s British Columbia could you have a situation where you’ve got an 80-year-old patient lying next to someone smoking a crack pipe. But that’s the reality under this Premier and this NDP government. Despite record-breaking deaths and criminal activity…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

K. Falcon: …the Premier stubbornly defends his catastrophic decriminalization policy.

His push to expand these measures to full legalization of heroin, meth and fentanyl has deep roots. The Premier once wrote on Facebook….

Interjections.

K. Falcon: You might want to listen to this. I quote the Premier.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members, the Leader of the Official Opposition has the floor.

K. Falcon: The Premier once wrote on Facebook: “We’re in favour of the legalization and regulation of all currently illicit drugs.”

British Columbians have had enough.

After seeing the disastrous consequences of his policies, how can British Columbians trust a Premier who has long championed such extreme views to fix the disaster caused by his reckless and failed decriminalization experiment?

Hon. D. Eby: British Columbians are concerned about the deaths. They are concerned about making sure that people have a chance to stay alive to get into treatment. They want to make sure, as well, that their communities are safe.

These are perfectly reasonable and understandable concerns that are shared by everybody on this side of the House, and we will ensure we deliver those things to the extent we are able to do so with the powers that we have here in the Legislative Assembly. Those are our goals for a B.C. where we treat people with compassion and understanding and we also make sure that communities are safe.

Now, the member has his own revisionist history, but it was an all-party committee that came together and ratified….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, Members.

Members will be….

Enough, Members.

Hon. D. Eby: The current House Leader, who sits beside the Leader of the Opposition, stood in this place and said: “We support that. We support that report.”

Interjections.

Hon. D. Eby: It was the all-party committee.

Now, I understand that they don’t want to admit that. That’s okay. But for us in government, we have to work with the reality on the ground of making sure that people are supported in getting into treatment…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members will come to order, please.

Hon. D. Eby: …and that communities are safe. We’re going to continue to do that work for British Columbians.

Interjections.

[10:50 a.m.]

The Speaker: Members. Members.

Members on both sides, when a question is asked, we expect the other side to be quiet. And when the answer is provided, we have the same expectation from the other side. Please, let’s follow it.

R. Merrifield: People are not safe. British Columbians are exhausted. And they’re exhausted by this Premier’s extreme policies.

Despite the record level of drug-related deaths and crime, this Premier refuses to back down on decriminalizing hard drugs like meth, heroin and fentanyl. But perhaps he refuses to back down because deep down he actually wants to go further to full legalization. He told the media: “If you want to take your welfare check and spend the whole thing on crack, that’s your right.”

How can British Columbians trust a Premier who, despite the devastating consequences we see every day, refuses to back down and continues to push for the full legalization of hard drugs?

Hon. D. Eby: I’ve been clear, and I’ll say it again. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure people are able to access treatment, they’re able to stay alive to be able to access treatment…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. D. Eby: …and to make sure that our communities are safe. We’re going to continue to do that work.

To the members on the other side, just to refresh their memories, the Leader of the Opposition, September 23, 2023, Today in B.C. podcast: “Some of the chiefs of police were supportive of decriminalization. What they were supportive of is not charging people for small amounts of drugs, and I agree with that.”

The member for Surrey South, February 27, 2023: “The minister talked about decriminalization, and it has been made clear that all parties had supported decriminalization.”

Member for Surrey South again, March 3, 2023…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members.

Members will come to order, please.

Member for Surrey South….

Hon. D. Eby: …CBC: “I don’t want to come across as not in favour, because through the Select Standing Committee on Health, we have supported. The NDP will try to tell you that we are backtracking on decrim, which is not the case. We’re not backtracking on decrim. We’re not backtracking on the need for harm reduction. Does it mean that our party doesn’t support decrim or harm reduction? Absolutely not. We do. With our whole hearts, we want to save people.”

Interjections.

The Speaker: The member for Kelowna-Mission has a supplemental.

The member for Kelowna-Mission has the floor.

Members. Members.

R. Merrifield: If the Premier is so convinced that we support decriminalization over here on this side, I would welcome a vote in which we can all stand and actually be noted.

What I didn’t hear from the Premier’s response just now, was actually that he wasn’t marching us full headstrong into legalization of all hard drugs. Despite the escalating chaos, the government’s public health officer aims to expand and fully legalize hard drugs like meth, crack cocaine, fentanyl, akin to the cannabis legalization. The government conceded it commissioned Dr. Caulkins to evaluate expanding this disastrous drug policy but continues to withhold the secret report, even hiding behind a non-disclosure agreement. Surprise, surprise.

British Columbians are demanding that this government adopt B.C. United’s policy to end the Premier’s reckless and failed decriminalization experiment, yet behind closed doors, the NDP is doubling down to legalize and profit from meth, cocaine and fentanyl.

Will the Premier release Dr. Caulkins’ secret report today and assure British Columbians that not another cent of taxpayer money will be wasted on expanding their failed experiment to decriminalize dangerous hard drugs?

Interjection.

[10:55 a.m.]

The Speaker: Members, the question has already been asked. Please wait for your turns.

Hon. D. Eby: The member knows what she’s saying is not true. She knows that because I can read the quotes from the member who’s sitting literally beside her.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member, there is no need for interjections, please.

Member for Surrey South. This is the second time I’m warning the member for Surrey South.

Please. The Premier has the floor.

Hon. D. Eby: “Does it mean that our party doesn’t support decrim or harm reduction? Absolutely not. We do. With our whole hearts, we want to save people.”

Interjection.

Hon. D. Eby: Oh, it’s the Leader of the Opposition, in that case. So that’s just one member.

How about the Leader of the Opposition?

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, Members.

Members, calm down. Please, let’s wait for the answer. If the answer is not acceptable, sure, you can ask a next question.

Members, no arguments.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Member for Kamloops–North Thompson, no arguments, please.

Hon. D. Eby: I just don’t know exactly which quote of the leader is accurate. March 13 in Chinese social media: “I have never supported decriminalization.” September 23, 2023, Today in B.C.podcast: “Some of the chiefs of police were supportive of decriminalization. What they were supportive of is not charging people for small amounts of drugs, and I agree with that.”

It’s hard to understand the BCUP policy because it changes week to week to week. If the member wants to be quoted accurately, I’m happy to do that.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

The House Leader, Third Party, has the floor now.

Members, later on we will be complaining that not enough time was given to the opposition for questions, so let’s please keep that in mind.

STATUS AND INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
OF CONSERVATION OFFICER SERVICE

A. Olsen: Today I ask my question on behalf of nature and more than 600 bears and their orphan cubs.

The B.C. conservation officer service is essentially the Environment Minister’s own little army. It’s a heavily armed service of special provincial constables with unlimited appointments, no constabulary independence, no arms-length oversight. Unlike other constables, under section 106 of the Environmental Management Act, the B.C. conservation officer service is “under the direction of that minister.”

As I learned from the Environment Minister’s colleague this week, the only way for the conservation service to have basic independence, the basic independence and arms-length oversight that British Columbians expect from people with those unlimited appointments, is for the Environment Minister to ask.

In my response today, will he turn to his colleague and ask that the B.C. conservation service be designated a police or law enforcement service effective immediately?

Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you to the member for the question.

Notwithstanding the fact that characterizing the women and men who work in the conservation officer service, protecting communities, valued by communities, protecting wildlife and generally ensuring that activities around the interface between humans and animals and the safety of animals and nature against poachers and others, are dedicated; they’re the furthest thing possible from a private army directed by a minister.

There is a chain of command in the conservation officer service.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member.

Hon. G. Heyman: The Solicitor General and I have had many conversations around the appropriate oversight and phasing different bodies into the Police Act since a decision of the courts affirmed that the conservation officer service was, in fact, in certain circumstances, a special constabulary.

What I will tell you is that the conservation officer service supports the implementation of third-party oversight as a tool to enhance transparency and public trust. We are working on that.

[11:00 a.m.]

We currently also have measures in place that provide for oversight and response to complaints. We have a new position, the inspector of provincial standards, to monitor and provide oversight of complaints. We are working with other bodies. We developing a response to the public that wants to see oversight.

The member can shake his head, as he often does when I provide factual answers, but they are the facts.

The Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

A. Olsen: The minister knows where the chain of command ends, and it’s at his feet. That’s where the chain of command ends. It’s unique for people with these unlimited appointments to be under the direction of a minister. In fact, all we need to do is go back to the bill debate this week for the Minister of Public Safety to admit that he doesn’t have the same powers over people with these unlimited appointments as the Minister of Environment does.

So I am shaking my head for good reason, because the people that he characterized, good people, in the B.C. conservation service, don’t have the basic level of safety and security that their colleagues who are working for municipal police services have. We expect that. That’s the confidence that we can have in our police services when we give them these powers.

That’s the expectation that the people that they work alongside…. The RCMP officers, the municipal police services expect that the people working alongside them have the same oversight. That doesn’t exist in this province, and it was a basic admission from the Minister of Public Safety earlier this week.

I wonder why it is that the Minister of Environment wouldn’t want the people who investigate crimes against nature to have independence in those investigations. When was the last time that we saw, in this province, an environmental investigation lead to charges of any level of seriousness? I wonder why that’s the case.

Anyway, we can’t sell that we have got this exceptional framework in this province…

The Speaker: Question, Member.

A. Olsen: …gloating that we have world-class resource extraction standards, if our nature cops are the enforcement puppets of the cabinet minister.

The Speaker: Question, Member.

A. Olsen: My question to the Minister of Environment: will he turn to his colleague the Minister of Public Safety and ask him today, right now in front of the people of British Columbia, to designate the B.C. conservation officer service as a police or law enforcement service effective immediately?

Hon. G. Heyman: It is sad that the member opposite, the House Leader for the Third Party, simply can’t hear or comprehend the answers that are given.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Let the minister….

Members. Members, we are wasting time in question period. Please.

The minister will conclude.

Hon. G. Heyman: I have never said I don’t support independent oversight. In fact, I do.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member. Member.

Hon. G. Heyman: In fact, the conservation officer service has adopted the practice of hiring an external lawyer to conduct investigations into any alleged serious misconduct complaints.

We will continue to look at new measures and are currently looking at new measures to ensure that the public can have trust that their complaints are handled independently with integrity and transparently.

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM

B. Banman: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting a different result. That is exactly what this B.C. NDP government is doing with their radical and experimental decriminalization of hard drugs.

Decriminalization was introduced by the B.C. NDP and supported by B.C. United, who voted in favour of it.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh.

Interjections.

B. Banman: I would remind this House….

[The Speaker rose.]

The Speaker: Members.

[The Speaker resumed their seat.]

The Speaker: The member will continue.

B. Banman: I would remind this House of when the member from South Thompson stood up and yelled, “Of course, we support decriminalization,” and he got a standing ovation from that team when he did it.

[11:05 a.m.]

B.C. has set a record of 2,511 suspected illicit drug deaths since 2023, despite the NDP decriminalization pilot. Jurisdictions like Oregon are now reversing their decriminalization programs because they have figured it out. Decriminalization does not work. When this NDP Premier inevitably decides…

The Speaker: Question, Member.

B. Banman: …to reverse decriminalization or, better yet, when he gets his best buddy Trudeau…

The Speaker: Let’s have a question, Member.

B. Banman: …to pull the plug in exchange for keeping the Liberal NDP carbon tax, will this NDP Premier commit to compensating the families of the victims who died as a result of his radical experiment, or will he try to sweep it under the rug?

Hon. J. Whiteside: The member opposite is right that we lost 2,539 British Columbians last year to an unprecedented public health emergency. In fact, we have just acknowledged and commemorated the eighth anniversary of the toxic drug crisis, a crisis that not only British Columbians are grappling with but every single jurisdiction across the country, across the continent — communities who are in the grips of a fentanyl crisis, an illicit drug supply that is poisoned, that is contaminated with high concentrations of vicious drugs that are killing people.

That is the context in which we are working to bring every single tool we can to support people who are struggling with addictions, to keep them alive so we can connect them to care, to support their families, to build out those pathways, to support our health care workers who are in the trenches day after day trying to match and keep up with the viciousness of organized crime and predatory drug dealers who are doing this to our communities.

We are going to continue to do that work. We are going to continue to use every single tool that we can to protect our communities.

The Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

B. Banman: The biggest drug dealers in this province are now this government.

The Speaker: Member.

B. Banman: There is no justification…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Member will withdraw that comment, please.

B. Banman: I withdraw it, Mr. Speaker.

There is no justification for keeping a policy that has endangered so many British Columbians. This is dogma, not science. I truly hope the Premier would reverse course on his radical policy instead of doubling down.

The commonsense approach of the Conservative Party of B.C. is to prioritize prevention and recovery so we can get people back to living healthy lives. But it sounds like the Conservatives will have to wait to introduce commonsense policies after we form government in October.

In the meantime…

The Speaker: Question, Member. Question.

B. Banman: …I will ask the question again. Will this NDP government compensate families of victims who have died as a result of this radical experiment of decriminalizing drugs?

Hon. J. Whiteside: This is indeed a very, very serious question, very serious for the people who are watching, potentially, these proceedings. It’s very serious for people who maybe don’t know where to turn for help if they’re struggling with an addiction, where they need to reach out and get care.

I want people to know, I want British Columbians to know we are doing everything that we can to make access possible to connect them to care, that there are places where they can reach out and get help.

This is a terrible scourge that we are experiencing. Our neighbours next door in Alberta saw a 17 percent increase in mortality last year. Saskatchewan, a devastating increase in mortality there.

We know that it is absolutely critical that we work across the whole continuum, that we make those investments in treatment. We have made unprecedented investments to stand up treatment beds, to stand up access. We’re going to continue to do that work with our partners.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ANTISEMITISM
AND RESPONSE TO ISSUES

S. Robinson: On Monday, the Premier extended a Pass­over greeting, noting the dramatic rise in antisemitism. Yet his touted responses — Holocaust education, anti-racism funding and a racist incident hotline — are all long-standing initiatives that have been years in the making.

[11:10 a.m.]

We have a community under attack, and the only thing new that government can muster is financial help to hire additional security. These measures do not address the immediate and escalating threats facing the Jewish community today. I know that the Premier and the Attorney General spoke with the special envoy for Holocaust remembrance and antisemitism just yesterday.

I want to know: when will the Premier finally take the rise of antisemitism seriously, put a real, actual plan together that specifically targets and combats antisemitism in our schools, in our post-secondary institutions and in the public service?

Hon. R. Kahlon: The member knows we take racism very seriously. I’ve shared with the member, in the multiple times the member has raised questions around this, the list of things we’ve done. I won’t repeat them again.

I can share with the member that on April 17, we pro­vided $200,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. I think it’s important to note that these dollars are called for by the community.

Jason Murray, who is the chair of the community security advisory committee for the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, said: “This announcement will help provide relief to our organizations to provide services to children, seniors, families and the most vulnerable people in our community.”

The work we’re doing continues. We continue to engage with the community.

The Premier and the Attorney General also just met last week with the special envoy for preserving Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism. It was im­portant to note that the special envoy said: “B.C. is leading the country in doing innovative work — work on reporting hate crimes, work on tackling the scourge of hate and antisemitism.”

We understand there’s fear in the community. We’re committed to continue to work with the community to ensure that people feel safe in our communities. This is something we’re committed to. This is not something that we just started doing. This is work that we’ve been doing since 2017, since we formed government.

M. Lee: When the member for Coquitlam-Maillardville stands up in this House, as she did to remark upon the Passover statement yesterday in two-minute statements, you need to hear her. All members of this House need to hear her. She has taken the step to step off and resign from the cabinet. She has taken the step to resign from the government caucus, and she’s now on this side of the House asking some very important questions on behalf of not just the Jewish community but all communities concerned about civil society.

When we have any person in this province who has to live in fear from being targeted on our streets, in our communities, on university and college campuses for who they are…. All we hear from this government, from this Premier and this Attorney General, who don’t have the common decency to stand up in this House to address the serious questions that the member for Coquitlam-Maillardville has been asking…. It has been over six months.

The fact that the Premier and Attorney General have now reached out to the special envoy to deal with antisemitism in Canada…. The member for Coquitlam-Maillardville has been speaking with that special envoy on a weekly basis since November, and that member had been leading the charge to address antisemitism on university and college campuses with other Ministers of Education across Canada.

The Speaker: Question, Member.

M. Lee: And this Premier chose to sack her. What kind of action is that?

The Speaker: Question, Member.

M. Lee: Mr. Speaker, we have a community under attack, and all the government can muster is financial help to hire additional security from that attack. This Premier’s dismissive approach to evident antisemitism with this government and caucus, as called on…

The Speaker: Does the member have a question?

M. Lee: …by the member for Coquitlam-Maillardville, has deeply eroded public trust. Immediate steps should include adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism into law and taking concrete action now to stamp out antisemitism in our province, which is so pervasive.

The Speaker: The member will ask a question.

M. Lee: But any steps, first and foremost, must be an independent and transparent inquiry into antisemitism within his NDP party…

The Speaker: Member.

M. Lee: …and within caucus and the cabinet. That is crucial.

The Speaker: Question, Member.

M. Lee: Will the Premier commit to these immediate and necessary actions today?

[11:15 a.m.]

Hon. R. Kahlon: I want to start by saying I respect the work the member for Coquitlam-Maillardville did around addressing antisemitism. I respect the work that she did standing up to anti-LGBTQ hate in her community. The member knows that. I’ve said it publicly. I’ve said it on numerous occasions.

The member asked questions, and I shared the things we were doing, significant things. The special envoy said that we’ve made significant steps. We know there’s more work to do.

With all due respect to the member across the way, I will not be taking lessons from him on how to address anti-racism or antisemitism. I will not.

Interjection.

Hon. R. Kahlon: I can get to you too.

The Speaker: Member.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Shhh, Members.

Hon. R. Kahlon: This is a party that, when they had the opportunity when they were on this side, do you know what they did? They created a quick-win document, which said: “You know what? How can we take political advantage of people’s struggles?” That’s what these guys did.

When we brought people….

Interjections.

Hon. R. Kahlon: This is important, hon. Speaker.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members, let the minister conclude, please.

Interjection.

The Speaker: That’s enough, Member.

Hon. R. Kahlon: When we brought people who have faced racism in our communities to the chamber when we introduced the anti-racism legislation…. The person who just spoke, the critic — do you know what he called it in the Legislature? He said it’s a stunt.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh.

Hon. R. Kahlon: He called it a stunt.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Let me just end with this. If the members want to hear the answer.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members will come to order now. Members, shhh.

Members, please, let’s be quiet for a minute.

Hon. R. Kahlon: Let me end with this. We take antisemitism, any form of hate against anyone very seriously. We constantly are pushing back against that. I’ve listed a whole host of things that we’ve done since the vicious attacks on October 17.

We are committed to continue to work to make sure people feel safe in this community. If the member has suggestions, I’m always happy to hear her suggestions.

[End of question period.]

Points of Order

T. Stone: I just want to take this opportunity, post–question period, to move a point of order. While we completely understand and appreciate that there can be rhetorical flourish and rhetoric in question period, it is also important that the exchange that we have in this place be factual and that it be truthful.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Please continue. You have the floor.

T. Stone: During question period, the member for Abbotsford South made a very clear statement that was completely untrue, where he said that there was a vote held on decriminalization and that the official opposition voted in favour of that vote.

There has never been a vote on decriminalization. There­fore, the official opposition has not voted on that matter at all. If there was a vote, we would vote no. We have said that over and over.

We told this government decriminalization wouldn’t work. The only party that was committed to decriminalization was the NDP. They had it in their platform in 2020.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

T. Stone: It was the NDP government that actually sought the exemption from Health Canada in the first place before the provincial Health Committee had actually held a single meeting. There were no votes on this matter whatsoever.

Therefore, if truth actually matters to the member for Abbotsford South, I would ask that the member resume his place in this chamber and that he retract his comments that he made earlier today.

E. Sturko: I, too, rise on a point of order. I think that it probably wasn’t intentional. I think that context does matter when speaking about quotes.

Interjection.

[11:20 a.m.]

The Speaker: The member has the floor.

E. Sturko: It’s important to note that while there were initially talks and discussions about decriminalization, and I was encouraged in listening even to words from this government about decriminalization, there were assurances that guardrails would be put in place.

I think it’s important to note that, looking at the context of how those guardrails were ignored and how time and again we have now heard evidence from police and other experts come forward about the fact that more and more safety issues have been brought up…. I think that it is quite misleading to use quotes from me that came at a time when we were all under the belief that this government would uphold the guardrails that it has failed to do.

The Speaker: Members, the Chair would like to point out that the points of order are noted for the record as points of clarification under Standing Order 42(1).

I want to say thank you to both members for speaking up. Thank you so much.

Petitions

H. Yao: I rise to present a petition to the House with 64 signatures for parents seeking help preserving the UTP allowance, known as the transition program for gifted students.

The Speaker: Thank you. One more?

H. Yao: I rise to present a petition to the House with 9,894 signatures regarding a request for a substance pre­vention education program in B.C.