Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: T. Wat.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

E. Sturko: I’m pleased to introduce in the gallery today, although I don’t see them…. They might be behind me. If they are, maybe the other side could give them a wave. They are three groups of students from Hazelgrove Elementary School, home of the Hazelgrove Hurricanes. Go, Hurricanes! They are, of course, located in my riding of Surrey South.

Throughout the next hour, there will be three groups of 35 grade 5 students with their teachers, one of whom is AJ Dhaliwal, and several parent chaperones.

Would the House please join me in making them feel very welcome.

Hon. H. Bains: In the House today…. I’m so pleased to introduce them. These are about 30 members of the Service Employees International Union. They’re here to meet with MLAs.

When a number of them came and met with me yesterday, they educated me on the benefits of the card check or the single-step certification that we brought in. They mentioned how they benefited from the successorship.

I just want to say…. Please talk to them. These are the people who provide a very, very important service for all of us to enjoy, in every sector out there, especially in building maintenance.

I would say thank you very much for doing such an amazing job. Thank you to all of you for continuing to lobby and continuing to talk about the importance of protecting workers’ rights.

Please help me and give them a very warm welcome.

R. Merrifield: Well, I had shortened my introduction. After hearing the minister speak, I think I can elongate it a little bit.

I have the pleasure of welcoming a constituent from Kelowna. Carmen Rempel is in the House this morning.

She is absolutely a fierce advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness in Kelowna and is recognized for having that deep value. She’s a beacon of hope that change is possible, with her unwavering commitment and innovative approaches that have significantly shaped our community, making her this beacon of change. She serves on the mayor’s task force for crime reduction and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce board, all the while being the executive director for the Kelowna Gospel Mission.

Would the House please join me in welcoming Carmen this morning.

Hon. P. Alexis: Today is indeed a beautiful day. It’s also B.C. Dairy Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of dairy farmers, producers and processors in British Columbia.

These farmers have brought high-quality dairy products to B.C.’s kitchens for generations. Today they’ve brought delicious Rocky Point Ice Cream to the Legislature to share. So join me at noon.

There are approximately 424 family-run dairy farms in British Columbia. They produce 840 million litres of milk annually, supporting 12,500 jobs and contributing $1.225 billion to the provincial economy.

We’re honoured to have some of the people responsible for bringing dairy products to all of British Columbia, and delicious ice cream to Victoria, here with us today. It’s a pleasure to see the processors and the dairy farmers together.

From B.C. Dairy, please welcome Sarah Sache, John de Dood, June de Dood, Mark Van Klei, Dave Taylor, Brian Janzen, Henry Bremer and, of course, Jeremy Dunn.

From the Western Dairy Council, Dan Wong, Sarah Cotton and Travis Drew.

From Agropur, Tanveer Ahmed, Guillaume Bérubé and Natasha Mountain.

Thank you. See you at 12 o’clock for ice cream.

The Speaker: Ice cream will only be provided to those who will be nice and friendly.

[10:10 a.m.]

E. Ross: I have a very special constituent in the gallery today who is here to lobby me for extra time: my wife, Tracey.

We haven’t seen each other in the last few weeks. She’s actually the land manager for the Haisla Nation Council. She just got back from Dublin, where she represented the Haisla Nation in explaining the Aboriginal perspective on participating in environmental assessments, both the Canadian environmental assessment and the provincial environmental assessment, for the last 20 years.

Eight days in Dublin. She got back; I left. So this is the first time we’ve seen each other in two or three weeks. We’re going to try to spend some time together this weekend before I’ve got to come back down.

Would the House please welcome my wife, Tracey.

S. Chant: I’ve got two introductions that I’d just like to make, about two groups that are in Victoria today doing incredible meetings and deliberations.

The first is the B.C. Nurses Union, which I had the joy of visiting with this morning. As always, they’re working hard, with the government, to provide an environment that is safe and effective for nurses to work in and to pro­vide health care that is safe and effective for the people of B.C. to be part of.

Secondly, I had the opportunity to go and do an introduction at the Pan-Canadian Forum on Accessibility Stan­dards, which is being hosted right here in Victoria by RBC, of folks from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. They are hosting people from right across Canada — territories, provinces — and working on accessibility standards at the national level and the provincial level. This is work that is groundbreaking for both the provinces and, actually, Canada. Around the world, we’re doing work that is unique.

I just want to say thank you to those groups for their hard work. I’m hoping the chamber will make them feel that their work is appreciated.

Hon. A. Dix: Today, this week and through the weekend, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vancouver Whitecaps football team or soccer team — whatever you choose.

Today in the Legislature, we’re going to be recognizing their extraordinary history and contribution not just to Metro Vancouver but to the whole province of British Columbia. There will be a lunch held in the Hall of Honour; I invite members. I give special dispensation, as the Minister of Health, to have ice cream first, food second, to all members of the Legislature and everybody else.

At one o’clock, we’re going to have a short event cele­brating the team. Then after that, we’re going to have soccer clinics here on the front lawn of the Legislature, youth soccer involving elementary school students from George Jay Elementary and Cloverdale elementary and my colleagues the members for Victoria–Swan Lake and Victoria–​Beacon Hill. That is going to be exciting. It’s part of a community soccer program that has provided clinics to 15,000 young people in B.C., which the Vancouver Whitecaps has led.

There are going to be lots of people here, lots of Whitecaps legends and Canadian soccer legends. I want to introduce five people who will be in the Legislature today: Axel Schuster, the chief executive officer and sporting director, who is having a good year; Randee Hermus, the vice-president, ticketing sales and service; Jennifer Scott, the vice-president, community and social impact; and Whitecaps and Canadian soccer legend Carl Valentine, who is here.

Finally is a person who I think everybody who has grown up in B.C., like me, considers a hero of Canadian sport, because of his achievements as an athlete but, really, a hero because of the achievements in the whole community. Bob Lenarduzzi will be here today.

I hope the House wishes all of these outstanding athletes and community members welcome.

I. Paton: As a third-generation dairy farmer on our farm in Delta, I also would like to welcome here, I think, 13 members of the B.C. Dairy Association.

We had a great meeting yesterday, with our leader, with the Dairy Association, to talk about the incredible costs of production. It’s incredibly long, hard-working hours that dairy farmers put in, 365 days a year. Twice a day, sometimes three times a day, cows get milked. Whether you don’t feel well in the morning, the flu, a cold or maybe even a hangover, you’ve got to get up and milk those cows 365 days a year.

[10:15 a.m.]

The good news: we can talk about improving our processing in British Columbia with the announcement that Vitalus in Abbotsford is going to be taking on more milk for production. The Punjab Milk company in Surrey is also starting up a processing plant. So the future of dairy farming in British Columbia is looking better.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Welcome, all my good dairy farming friends from all over B.C.

S. Bond: Speaking of heroes, it has been said that not all superheroes wear capes. That would certainly be the description of the B.C. Nurses Union represen­tatives that are here in the precinct today and also the nurses who go to work every single day. Despite challenging situations, they are called to their profession. They provide care every single day.

We want to thank them for the work that they do and recognize the exceptional public servants that they are. As I said, they’re called to do their job, even in the most difficult circumstances. Certainly, on behalf of the official opposition, we are grateful.

We ask that they be very warmly welcomed here in the precinct today.

M. Dykeman: We have some super-special guests joining us in the gallery today: 16 youths who are Indigenous, racialized immigrants and refugee youth participants in a very special program that’s put on by the Vancouver Foundation, the Vancouver LEVEL youth policy program.

These youth are from all across British Columbia, and it’s their first in-person event, where they have come here to the Legislature to learn about Canadian government and Indigenous governance.

Joining us today up in the gallery we have Aurora Sam-Wilk, Ché Clearsky, Fatima Elmasry, Hope Alica, Juan Treviño, Katisha Paul, Khatira Daryabi, Loretta Jeff-Combs, Oceania Chee, Prisca Egbebiyi, Roberta Long­claws, Savannah Sutherland, Shelby-lynn Soney, Toluwanimi Okunola, Wenonah North Peigan, Sayano Izu, Debra Trask and Stewart Gonzalez.

They’re going to be joining us today to complement their learning in question period. Then we’ll have meetings in the precinct, and we’ll also be meeting with our Speaker.

I was wondering if everyone in the House could please make them feel very welcome today.

M. Elmore: I’d like to complement the introduction from the Minister of Labour for our 30 leaders here from the Service Employees International Union, Local 2. I’ve got a couple of constituents I’d like to give a very warm welcome to. We’ve got 30 leaders, leading in their communities, in their workplaces.

I want to appreciate you for the work that you do right across British Columbia, for your leadership here, delivering the message of the benefits of successorship, the impact of single-step certification and your advocacy around sectoral bargaining.

I want to give a special mention to my constituents. We’ve got Ariel Dela Riarte and Elsa Paulino, leaders in our community and this province. I’m so proud of the work that they do, really leading the country. Great to have you here. Keep up your good work, and keep pushing us to make those changes.

Thank you very much. Everybody, please give them a very warm welcome.

G. Kyllo: I have two sets of introductions today.

I wanted to welcome June and John de Dood, dairy farmers from the Shuswap region, to the House. They’re also joined by Henry Bremer. These folks provide a huge impact on the economic prosperity of the Shuswap, as well as feeding British Columbia. I want to make them very welcome here today.

Also, I’m joined in the House today by some friends from Sicamous, James and Laurie Weber. They’re joined by some friends that are visiting us all the way from Germany, Viktoria Heck and Josefine Thier. I just want to make them feel very welcome.

James has a couple of amazing sons, one that actually worked for me, Brandon, years ago and another gentleman who you may be familiar with: Shea Weber.

Anyhow, thank you very much for joining us here today.

[10:20 a.m.]

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

BILL M216 — WILDLIFE
AMENDMENT ACT (No. 2), 2024

T. Shypitka presented a bill intituled Wildlife Amend­ment Act (No. 2), 2024.

T. Shypitka: I move that a bill intituled Wildlife Amendment Act (No. 2), 2024, of which notice has been given on my name on the order paper, be introduced and now read a first time.

Throughout British Columbia, thousands of families rely on hunting, not only to feed themselves but to engage in social and cultural practices that keep them connected to the land base they love so dearly. This wide demographic of British Columbians knows firsthand how important science-based wildlife management is to ensure healthy wildlife populations. Proper decisions surrounding wildlife management ensure wildlife populations are sustainable for the future. It is critical that transparent decisions on regulations are solely based on what is best for the wildlife populations and can be supported by all.

This bill, if passed, would lay the groundwork for an independent funding model for wildlife and habitat management that is partially distanced from the government. This would ensure that decisions on regulations are in the best interest of wildlife populations in our province and that funding is dedicated only to wildlife and habitat conservation.

The funding model would be eligible to receive funding and revenue from the different levels of government, including municipal, provincial, federal and Indigenous. Here, 100 percent of contributions earned from the revenue of licences and fees associated from hunting and other forms of land use such as stakeholder groups, philanthropy and industry would be used only for wildlife and habitat management.

Effective wildlife legislation is necessary to preserve our wildlife populations and guarantees that regulations and restrictions accurately reflect the science. This bill repre­sents a foundational element that will allow for better data collection, mapping and identifying critical wildlife areas, among others. Such improvements, in turn, will lead to science-based decision-making to protect wildlife and habitat for generations to come.

This is the third time I’ve moved this bill, and with the growing threats of invasive species and chronic wasting disease, I ask the House from all sides to join me in support of this critical piece of legislation so we can get to work and protect and encourage the growth of the wildlife populations here in British Columbia.

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

Motion approved.

T. Shypitka: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Bill M216, Wildlife Amendment Act (No. 2), 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)

INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS DAY
AND SUPPORT FOR FIREFIGHTERS

S. Bond: May 4 is International Firefighters Day. It pro­vides us with the opportunity to reflect on the dedication and service of firefighters in our province and around the world. We also remember those firefighters who have paid the ultimate price and express our gratitude and support for those who continue to protect us every day.

Firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting people and property. Whether they are professional, volunteer, industrial or B.C. fire service firefighters, they are the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way so that we can be safe. They are the ones that run towards danger when we run in the opposite direction.

We know the job of a firefighter is so much more than responding to a fire call. WorkBC describes the duties of a firefighter this way: “Firefighters respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, various types of medical emergencies, bomb threats, wildfires, floods as well as other serious situations, incidents and emergencies.” We know that firefighters must be skilled, courageous and deeply committed to public service.

Firefighters are there for us at some of the most difficult times in our lives. We need to do our part to ensure that they have the support and resources they need, especially related to their physical and mental well-being. I am very proud that B.C. United supports immediate action on key priorities outlined by the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association.

The next time you hear a siren in your community, take the time to remember that someone needs help and that firefighters and first responders are on the way. Think about the risk they are taking and how much we want them to be safe in whatever situation they face.

As the very proud mother of a professional firefighter, that is my hope and my prayer every time I hear a siren.

[10:25 a.m.]

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH AND
HERITAGE SITES IN RICHMOND

K. Greene: May is Asian Heritage Month in B.C. and a wonderful time to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures and histories that make up the Asian-Canadian commun­ity in Richmond. Richmond is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and Richmond’s communities are well represented by people from many Asian ethnic backgrounds, notably from Hong Kong, China, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.

Starting in 1788, thousands of people from as many as 50 countries in Asia came to B.C. in search of new beginnings, safety and prosperity. They played a pivotal role in shaping much of this province’s culture, traditions and economy and giving B.C. world-famous landmarks like Vancouver’s Chinatown and Punjabi Market.

I would encourage people to visit Richmond’s heritage sites, like Britannia Heritage Shipyard, which offers an ex­cellent glimpse into the history we have in Steveston. Murakami House is the restored home of a Japanese-Canadian family of 12 who lived in it from 1929 to 1942, before being forcibly removed during internment. Otokichi Murakami was a boatbuilder and fisher, and Asayo worked in the canneries and seasonally on farms. Mura­kami House has many artifacts and stories for a visitor to learn more about this family.

The Chinese Bunkhouse, also at Britannia Heritage Shipyard, is the last surviving Chinese bunkhouse on the west coast. The two-storey building was where up to 100 Chinese men lived, ate and socialized in cramped quarters. The building hosts exhibits and stories about the experience of Chinese labourers in Steveston from the 1880s to the 1920s. It includes exhibits about the initial draw of the gold rush and railroad jobs, Chinese merchants, cannery jobs and discrimination.

Learning from our past, we must remember that our diversity is our strength, and we need to stand strong against discrimination.

Happy Asian Heritage Month.

BUDDHIST CULTURE DAY

T. Wat: This Sunday marks the second Buddhist Culture Day in our beautiful British Columbia, an occasion to honour the profound influence of Buddhism on both the cultural and spiritual fabric of B.C.

Buddhism’s teachings of mindfulness and compassion profoundly impact our communities, fostering peace and enhancing mutual understanding. Significant landmarks such as the International Buddhist Temple, Lingyen Moun­tain Temple, Buddha’s Light International Association and Thrangu Monastery in Richmond, alongside numerous other Buddhist establishments throughout B.C., epitomize these values. They serve as tranquil places for both reflection and connection.

Celebrations will take place this Sunday throughout the Lower Mainland, including the B.C. Buddhist Festival in Vancouver and the multicultural art and expo festival in Richmond. I will also be hosting a B.C. Buddhist Culture Day event in my constituency of Richmond North Centre, welcoming both Buddhist and non-Buddhist community members to celebrate this special occasion.

This year’s proclamation of Buddhist Culture Day has been further distinguished by the collaboration efforts in­volving our local governments. At my request on behalf of the Buddhist community, Mayor Ken Sim of the city of Vancouver and Mayor Malcolm Brodie of the city of Richmond have both graciously proclaimed the first Sunday of May as B.C. Buddhist Culture Day in their respective cities. This collective action enables people across the province and the Lower Mainland to join hands in a unified celebration of Buddhist teachings and their universal values of peace and kindness.

As we commemorate this day, I would like to thank Bai Gong International Buddhist Society for their support from day one of this initiative.

Let us all embrace and practise the values of kindness and unity that Buddhism promotes.

Happy and blessed B.C. Buddhist Day to all.

CLOVERDALE RODEO AND COUNTRY FAIR

M. Starchuk: The Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair weekend kicks off with a luncheon at the Stetson Bowl May 16, where folks get all gussied up for the best-dressed contest and help raise funds for the Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation.

The unofficial kickoff to the Cloverdale Rodeo is the Cloverdale Bed Races on the evening of May 16. The bed races, sponsored by the Cloverdale chamber of commerce and Cloverdale BIA, include the children’s bike parade and a skateboarding demonstration.

[10:30 a.m.]

The bed races include a high school men’s and women’s team, a mixed team and a best-dressed team. Two very auspicious trophies are given to the top women’s and top men’s categories that are referred to as the Chamber Pot and the Bed Pan. To quote the chamber executive director, Scott Wheatley, he says: “I would be proud to display them.”

The first rodeo was in 1945, and this year, like in other years, begins with a parade on Saturday morning, full of folks participating in the weekend of events. If you wonder what you’re going to do or see at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, they have five professional rodeo performances that bring competitors from all over North America, including the world-famous mutton-busting competition, where my six-year-old grandson will do his best to stay upright for eight seconds. There’s an Indigenous village, live music performances, 40-plus food trucks, 30-plus carnival rides and many other family events.

I am pleased to mention that the province, through its fairs, festivals and events fund, was able to provide nearly $140,000 to assist with this fantastic community event. I am sure the president, Kathy Sheppard, and the treasurer, Jen Temple, were pleased when they got this funding news.

To all that are here, come on out this May long weekend and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this rodeo event.

SALISH SEA

A. Olsen: The Salish Sea and archipelago of islands sprawling across the international boundary, the place I belong to, was once one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. It is home to the W̱SÁNEĆ emerging people and the SĆÁÁNEW̱, the hardest-working wild Pacific salmon, whose families have been connected from time immemorial.

ĆENŦEḴI, ĆENHENEN, ĆENŦÁWEN, ĆENQOLEW̱ — four of our 13 moons mark the return of our SĆÁÁNEW̱ relatives to their homelands.

SDȺY,ES, W̱ENÁ NEĆ, ṮEḴTEḴSEN, SḴŦAḴ, SMOQEĆ, among so many places in the Salish Sea where my ancestors practised the SX̱OLE, the reef net fishery. As my Elders remind me, it was our law. KELL̵OLEMEĆEN, the families of southern resident killer whales we fished alongside each summer. Brave Little Hunter, the baby orca whale, orphaned and trapped out on the west coast, reminds me of the public response to Tahlequah, our local KELL̵OLEMEĆEN relative that pushed her dead baby calf for 17 days, back in 2020.

The outdated murals here in the Rotunda celebrate the fishing industry. Now fishing is barely a pastime in our waters, destroyed by us in less than 100 years. Is it time for us to cover another mural in this place?

The Salish Sea is noisy now for terrestrial and marine mammal alike. Noise from air, marine, bureaucratic traffic increases. Marine policy and enforcement drone under layers of bureaucratic sediment and inertia. Federal, provincial, local, First Nations, international governments share responsibility, yet no one is responsible.

Now online, the Trans Mountain Pipeline pukes diluted bitumen into tankers transiting the Salish Sea. SMOQEĆ, Point Roberts, one of the most productive sockeye fisheries in the world — choked out by expanding container and coal ports.

Even though everyone has authority, nobody can do anything. But my duty to stand up for the Salish Sea never diminishes.

MOVING FORWARD FAMILY SERVICES
AND WORK BY GARY THANDI

J. Sims: I have known Gary Thandi for many years, and I have watched him dedicate himself to serving our community. Gary is a widowed father of two boys and identifies himself as a wounded healer.

He lost his spouse to frontal-temporal dementia. She was in her early 40s. I watched his struggle, and to me, he epitomizes human tenacity. He took the challenges that he faced, and he wanted to turn them into serving the community.

He, thus, recognizes the importance of accessible support, culturally sensitive and linguistically sensitive as well. His personal journey informs his commitment to serve. Gary holds both a bachelor and master’s of social work and has nearly 25 years of experience in the social work sector. Most of his professional life has been spent working within our diverse communities, helping to remove the stigmas attached to mental health and aiming to meet the often unique needs within these groups.

[10:35 a.m.]

In those 25 years, Gary observed that the resources in mental health and well-being available to these communities did not meet the demand for services. He also noted that practicum students in counselling, psychology and social work with mentorship support could help meet the needs of the community and bridge some of the gaps.

From those observations, Moving Forward Family Services was born. With a mission to empower underserved communities, Moving Forward is a non-profit which pro­vides low-barrier counselling and support services to residents of B.C. while mentoring and working with over 150 students on practicum.

Offering close to 3,000 hours of counselling each year, mentoring countless students, Gary Thandi has changed the lives of so many individuals. To me, he epitomizes the strength and the human tenacity and how that can drive you when you want to serve the community.

E. Sturko: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Please proceed.

Introductions by Members

E. Sturko: Thank you to my colleagues for allowing me to do this again, because now I’ve heard that we have the elementary school students…. They just left. Oh my goodness.

Interjections.

E. Sturko: They are in the precinct, yes. Again, I was going to want to make sure that we welcomed the students from Hazelgrove Elementary. They just left. I’m sure another group will be back. Would the House please join me in making them feel welcome again.

T. Wat: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

T. Wat: I see my young constituency assistant, William Tu, is up there in the public area watching the question period that’s going to unfold.

Enjoy it.

Oral Questions

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM
AND ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

K. Falcon: Another day of carnage in communities as a direct result of this Premier’s legalization of the open use of crack cocaine, meth and fentanyl in our parks, playgrounds, beaches and even hospitals. Not only has the federal government not granted the Premier’s request for partial decriminalization, but front-line police are now calling for this disastrous decriminalization experiment to be completely scrapped.

Jeff Swann from the National Police Federation warns: “Just making a modification to this policy will not work. It needs to be collapsed to protect the public, to protect neighbourhoods and police officers across the province.”

Will the Premier finally listen to our front-line police and adopt B.C. United’s bill introduced yesterday to scrap his failed decriminalization policy entirely, and if not, why not?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I appreciate the question from the member. To remind the member, this is a health issue; it’s not a criminal issue.

This morning, the chief of police of the city of Victoria said that the changes that were introduced on Friday were very important in terms of dealing with the challenges that his officers are facing on a day-to-day basis. The changes were made by consulting and working with police to ensure that they have the tools that they need to deal with open drug use.

Those are the issues that have been identified by the public, by communities. That’s why we put in place Bill 34. That’s before the courts. But the fact that that is taking far too long in order for us to deal with those concerns is why those changes were made. We are giving the police the tools that they have asked for to keep communities and the public safe.

K. Falcon: I have news for the Solicitor General: no changes have been made. There has not been any change made whatsoever, except for this Premier and this floun­dering government sending a letter to the federal government saying: “Please bail us out of our own stupid de­criminalization experiment.” That’s the only thing that’s happened. This Premier’s decrim deception has not ended the crime, the chaos and the social disorder that his radical policies have caused.

[10:40 a.m.]

Front-line officers and the police union say only a total repeal of this disastrous policy will stop the ongoing daily carnage and that the damage control from this Premier will only make things worse. The union warns: “Police officers are going to be left facing increased criticism, and citizens are going to become more frustrated with this failed policy.”

Again to the Premier, when will this soft-on-crime Premier finally listen to front-line police and adopt B.C. United’s bill, introduced yesterday, to end this failed de­criminalization experiment?

Hon. M. Farnworth: Again, I appreciate question from the member.

When it comes to a deception, really, the only deception that’s been going on is the positions that have been taken by the opposition. When you have the Leader of the Opposition standing up and saying that some of the chiefs of police were supportive of decriminalization and what they were supportive of is not charging people for small amounts of drugs, I agree with that. Those are the words of the Leader of the Opposition.

When other members of the opposition are saying: “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.” That’s been their position. It changes…. When, as I like to remind the members of the House, the two members down there change their position, so do the opposition.

The reality is this. We work with police on a day-to-day basis to make sure that they’ve got the tools that they need. This is a health issue, not a criminal issue. This is about dealing with open, public drug use of illegal substances. Those are the changes that we have been putting in place. Those are the changes we are working with Ottawa on.

We know that people are concerned about public drug use and it taking place in the open. We also know that people are concerned about those who use in the privacy of their own home. Those members over there know that, too often, those are people who work on our resource projects, that work on our pipelines, that work in the forest industry…. The organizations that represent them have been concerned about getting them the treatment that they need.

The work that we are doing ensures that that can be done, that they do not have to worry about being arrested or criminalized.

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM
AND IMPACT ON FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES

E. Ross: The NDP Premier’s decriminalization policy has not only normalized drug use but also introduced so-called safe supply drugs into our communities, where they are addicting our youth.

This week a doctor reported a devastating 22 percent increase in youth deaths involving these government-supplied drugs. Our First Nations communities are suffering every day under this policy.

My question is to the Premier. How much longer must First Nations suffer under this Premier’s dangerous experiments with our kids’ lives?

Hon. J. Whiteside: Thank you to the member for raising what I know is a very important issue for every single member in this House and across British Columbia, and that is the safety and the health and well-being of children and youth in our communities.

I want communities and British Columbians to rest assured that the primary work of our government is to make the investments and the supports that children and youth need. We are working upstream. We’ve increased Foundry centres. We’ve just made an announcement last week about a significant expansion to integrated child and youth teams working out of our schools and with our child and youth mental health system.

We are, thankfully, not seeing, according to McCreary, a report that came out recently, an increase in youth being attracted to opioids. That’s why we’re running a social media campaign to talk to youth directly about the dangers of the illicit drug supply. We really, really want youth and their families to know how dangerous the illicit drug supply is right now. We’re going to continue to do that work. We know how important it is to be reaching to youth.

[10:45 a.m.]

The Speaker: Member for Skeena, supplemental.

E. Ross: Everybody in this place knows that our Indigenous communities are disproportionately suffering in this drug crisis. It is killing Aboriginal youth at a rate six times higher than the provincial average, and it’s made worse by NDP government policies that create more addiction.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member will continue.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members, please.

Member has the floor. Continue.

E. Ross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s made worse by NDP government policies that create more addiction.

Two months ago police seized 3,500 hydromorphone pills in a First Nations community of only 600 people. Two years after the start of this so-called safe supply program, youth deaths involving these government drugs increased by 22 percent.

When will the Premier end his disastrous policies of decriminalization and of so-called safe government-supplied drugs?

Hon. J. Whiteside: I think it’s important to note that what is devastating communities is an illicit drug supply that has concentrations of fentanyl that are off the charts, that has contaminants that do terrible things to people’s bodies.

Indeed, there is no question that vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. That’s why we’re working directly with First Nations, directly with provincial leaders, with the First Nations Health Authority…

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. J. Whiteside: …to stand up services dedicated to Indigenous youth. We just supported the opening of Orca Lelum in Lantzville a couple of weeks ago, which is a first-of-its-kind facility in British Columbia dedicated to caring for Indigenous youth. We have a $171 million investment in working with nations to stand up Indigenous-led treatment and recovery.

That is the work that is so important for us to do in communities on the ground and in partnership.

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF NURSES
AND USE OF PRIVATE AGENCIES

A. Olsen: Relying on private nursing agencies is costing British Columbians and contributing to worsening health outcomes. Spending on agency nursing has steadily in­creased — 2018, $8.7 million; 2019, $19.9 million; and in 2029, that ballooned to $64 million. Those agencies charge a premium and pocket the profit. Meanwhile, the nurses they work alongside are working for lower pay and increasingly unsafe working conditions.

Why are the B.C. taxpayers paying for corporate profits and nursing in the public health care setting? It is unnecessary and leads to worse health outcomes. We need to break this unsustainable cycle. We need to improve conditions for public nurses. We need public money to support front-line health care workers instead of corporate profits.

My question is to the Minister of Health. Will he commit to ending reliance on agency nurses in British Columbia?

Hon. A. Dix: More than a year ago now, we froze our agency nursing contracts. We’re currently renegotiating those contracts. We will have new contracts in place on May 31, which will have very significant limits on agency nurses.

That said, when we need nurses in the community, and we’ve had this discussion the last few days, we take steps to get nurses in the community. What have we done? We’ve brought in a world-leading nurse ratio program with the BCNU to recruit and make this the best place in the world to be a nurse. We’ve dramatically increased the number of nursing spaces across British Columbia — 604 spaces. We had a record year of new nurses in B.C. last year. We’re continuing at every level — internationally educated nurses, a 50 percent increase in the employed student nursing program.

In short, we are doing the work necessary to recruit, retain and attract new nurses in B.C. That’s critical work for our health care system. We’re continuing to do that because…. The key part of our work with the BCNU was to address this very issue of agency nursing, to do it together by making this a better place to be a nurse and making it a better deal to be a nurse in the public health care system.

[10:50 a.m.]

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

FUNDING FOR STUDENT NURSES

A. Olsen: I thank the minister for the response.

While our failing health care system is increasingly propped up by more expensive agency nurses, and we just heard the minister is moving away from them, student nurses are struggling. Student nurses work hundreds of hours in unpaid practicums through the employed student nursing program. They have to pay to work. They have to pay for parking, if they can find it at all. They have to pay for application and licensing fees.

Why is anybody paying for parking at hospitals?

Anyway, when those nursing students graduate, they’re often deployed into units with the highest staffing challenges and thrown into incredibly challenging conditions, despite instructions to health authorities to implement greater restrictions for the new grad program.

My question again is to the Minister of Health. Beyond student loan forgiveness, how is the minister compensating student nurses for the hundreds of free hours that they are serving our communities?

Hon. A. Dix: When we had this discussion in estimates, we’d go through the very significant supports we are putting in place for student nurses, including new seats and other supports.

One of the main ways we are doing that, though, is dramatically increasing the employed student nursing program, which is absolutely a paid program — 1,300 to 2,000 spaces, and they are full. That is part of a continuing effort to support nursing in our province, to support nurses in our province.

When you ask what are we doing for student nurses, that’s exactly what we should be doing, which is significantly expanding opportunities through the employed student nursing program to do that. That was part of work we did with the B.C. Nurses Union, with the Nurses Bargaining Association and with the community of nurses in B.C., including the universities.

I think it’s an important step worthy of support by everybody in the House.

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION PROGRAM
AND SAFE SUPPLY INITIATIVE

B. Banman: The B.C. coroners report reveals that since the introduction of safe supply, 11 children — 11 — have died from overdoses in British Columbia. That’s 11 families that have lost a daughter or a son, 11 sets of parents, 22 sets of grandparents who are left twisting in the wind, wondering why their government used their own tax money to subsidize powerful recreational drugs that killed their children. The death of each of these children has created a hole in a mother’s heart that will never be filled.

My question to this NDP Premier: how many more children need to die before this Premier admits that his safe supply is not safe, it’s killing children, and it must be repealed?

Hon. J. Whiteside: Thank you to the member for raising what is a very serious and distressing issue, which I know all members of this House feel deeply and strongly about as advocates for their communities. I just want to express our collective grief and compassion to families who are dealing with the loss of loved ones.

I talk to a lot of parents. I talk to a lot of family members who have lost people in their families and in their circles to the toxic drug crisis. The extreme toxicity of the illicit drug supply, the concentrations of synthetic opioids like fentanyl that are off the charts, the perverse contaminants that are in the illicit drug supply are indeed very dangerous to our communities.

This is why we do the work that we do with our health system, with all of our partners, to turn the dial on this crisis. There is nothing more important than ensuring that our kids are safe. That’s why we are doing the work with schools, with our health system, to make sure that kids have access to the supports that they need.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

B. Banman: Seven people are dying in British Columbia every single day from drug overdoses. This NDP government’s pro-drug-use policies, both safe supply and decriminalization, have killed thousands of British Columbians since they were introduced by this NDP Premier.

[10:55 a.m.]

Instead of trying to get people well, the NDP is opening taxpayer-funded drug use sites in family neighbourhoods like the one that was proposed in Richmond. These sites, where people are using drugs like fentanyl, which causes permanent brain damage…. People who use these drugs regularly can never truly recover.

My question to this NDP Premier: how many treatment beds could have been paid for with taxpayer money that was used to buy safe supply drugs that killed B.C. children? How many people could we have otherwise saved with the money that was used to buy drugs that killed British Columbians?

Hon. J. Whiteside: Just to be very clear about the nature of this crisis, it is the toxic illicit drug supply that is killing British Columbians, that is killing Canadians right across the country. We are not the only jurisdiction. We are not the only province that is experiencing the scourge of an illicit toxic drug crisis. They are experiencing it next door in Alberta, where they saw a 17 percent increase in mortality last year, over a 20 percent increase in Saskatchewan.

This is a serious public health emergency. It is a very serious issue. We are going to continue to work across the continuum, to work to keep people alive so that we can connect them to the care and supports that they need.

I have to say that overdose prevention sites have saved in excess of 8,000 lives in British Columbia. I think British Columbians and the loved ones of those individuals think that it was very much worth saving each and every one of those lives. Our government is committed to doing every­thing that we can — everything that we can — to ensure that we protect our communities, protect people, provide them access to the care that they need…

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member.

Hon. J. Whiteside: …and that we keep them alive to connect them to care.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. J. Whiteside: That’s 8,000 lives that were worth saving.

CARDIAC CARE FOR PATIENTS AT
NANAIMO REGIONAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

A. Walker: For British Columbia’s oldest residents, the No. 1 cause of premature death, by far, is heart disease. Yet in our community, with the oldest population in the country, we still have no heart catheterization facilities at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. It’s the only community of our size that doesn’t have this critical health facility.

This is about priorities. South of the Malahat, there are 22 cardiologists, where north of the Malahat, we have two. Government is funding two new heart cath labs in Surrey, but for our community, we have none. This is a government that is prioritizing a $600 million sporting event over the health and the wellness of people who live north of the Malahat.

The Health Minister has a plan to help patients that need cancer care in our region. He has already delivered results for patients needing intensive care, but he has no plan for patients to deliver better health care for heart care.

To the minister, who is avoiding the question about heart catheterization facilities in Nanaimo, what is his plan to deliver better heart health care for the people of my community?

Hon. A. Dix: Well, the member will know that there are few communities in Canada that are receiving and will be receiving the level of capital investment that we’re delivering to Nanaimo for critical priorities. The member talked about that. Cancer was a generational priority. In Nanaimo, we’re building a new cancer centre. The ICU is really a generational fight by the whole community, the ICU and the HAU.

He knows, significantly with respect to long-term care, the gap that exists and why we’re doing it. He was part of our discussions on that very project at a previous time.

With respect to cardiac care, there is a significant provincial recruitment program in place to support Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to deliver the care now. Clearly, Nanaimo is going to need more investment over time, and we absolutely intend to provide it.

When we talked about cardiac catheterization, I don’t know when he says there’s no community his size. There are five sites in the entire province now — five. Not 50, five. We are expanding that to Surrey, and that’s the right decision for that community, given the growing size of that population and the needs of that population.

We are going to continue to work to improve cardiac care in Nanaimo. It is a critical priority for Island Health, a critical priority for the Provincial Health Services Authority, and that is to ensure that there are adequate staff to support patients that need care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

[11:00 a.m.]

The Speaker: Parksville-Qualicum, supplemental.

A. Walker: The challenge in staffing a cardiology de­partment at NRGH is that without the facilities, it’s very difficult to keep the staff. That’s why we’ve seen the constant churn of staff there. North of the Malahat we have 450,000 residents that don’t have direct access to heart catheterization facilities. In 2006, a review by the Ottawa Health Institute found that one out of every 30 patients at that hospital died unnecessarily, requiring heart care.

In 2010, an Island Health report identified the need for a dedicated cardiac unit, and the local government has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to make this happen. The clinical benchmark for care is 90 minutes, yet I’m repeatedly hearing from patients that are getting six, seven, eight hours before receiving care. Some of them are even being turned away from the hospital.

The question again is: what is the plan for NRGH heart facilities?

Hon. A. Dix: The plan is to significantly improve care and services in Nanaimo. The plan, as part of our provincial health human resources plan, is to have more doctors. We are doing that in the community. More nurses — we are doing that in the community. More health sciences professionals.

Critically important to that is the work of perfusionists. We addressed that issue with specific action yesterday. All of those actions are part of the effort to ensure that people in Nanaimo get the cardiac care they need and deserve. We are investing in Nanaimo, and we will be investing more.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ISSUES
IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

T. Stone: Under this NDP Premier, health care in British Columbia has hit rock bottom. Illicit drug use, drug trafficking and violence are rampant within our hospitals across this province. Emergency rooms, when they’re not closed, are overcrowded. We have cancer patients being shipped to private hospitals in the United States because they can’t get the cancer care that they need right here in British Columbia.

Now, the official NDP response to rampant meth smok­ing in hospitals was: “It’s no big deal. Just a poorly worded memo.” Of course, the official NDP response, just days ago, to cockroaches crawling on walls and on linens and, yes, on patients in the Saanich Hospital: “Don’t worry. They’re German cockroaches, and they don’t bite” — as if the breed of cockroach makes infestations in British Columbia’s hospitals any less disturbing.

This is the result of seven years of disastrous NDP health care mismanagement.

When is this Premier going to do the right thing and fire this incompetent Health Minister?

Hon. A. Dix: I just want to say I know that when members of the opposition put forward inaccurate information, sometimes your advisers move on and focus on other things. What happened in Saanich Hospital… The Leader of the Opposition was Minister of Health, he knows that from time to time there were infestations in his time. I could review all of those. I don’t think I will.

I’ll say that what happened at Saanich Hospital, on April 17, was that an infestation was discovered, and it was immediately responded to by pest control. That’s what you would do in any circumstances. That’s the protocol, and that’s what you do.

With respect, to nursing, for example, what we’ve done in British Columbia is put…. I think you saw, if you were being briefed by the BCNU this week, that ratios save lives.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member for Surrey South.

Hon. A. Dix: We are leading the world in the development of nurse ratios in B.C. That contrasts because our record is leading Canada in recruiting new nurses. That’s our record.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members, the Minister of Health has the floor, please.

Hon. A. Dix: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

With respect to nursing, we have led Canada in the recruitment of new registered nurses since I’ve been Minister of Health. We are continuing to engage in that work, with a record year last year.

This contrast…. The Opposition House Leader may not have been there; I don’t know. In 2009, Minister of Health was the Leader of the Opposition, 42,122 registered nur­ses. By 2011, when he left, it was 40,149, the only time in B.C. history where we lost nurses, and it was the same for registered psychiatric nurses.

[11:05 a.m.]

Hon. A. Dix: There’s a net loss in…. There’s an actual numerical loss in licensed practitioner nurses.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: A generation, frankly, lost, so we are going to continue our efforts to recruit doctors, to add doctors, add nurses…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: …and add health care workers across British Columbia.

The Speaker: Member for Vancouver-Langara.

Interjection.

The Speaker: The member for Vancouver-Langara has the floor.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ANTISEMITISM
AND RESPONSE TO ISSUES

M. Lee: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a very disturbing pattern of hate against Jewish students in our universities, as antisemitic encampments have spread from UBC to the University of Victoria to Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo.

Charlotte Kates, arrested for hate speech that praised the October 7 massacre of Jews by Hamas, is supporting these encampments on behalf of Samidoun. Samidoun has received government funding but has strong connections to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the PFLP, a listed terrorist entity in Canada.

While McGill University has requested police assistance to protect student safety, this Premier has done nothing to keep students safe.

Given the spread of antisemitic encampments across British Columbia, why has there been no action similar to that taken in other provinces to protect students from radical activists who openly praise Hamas?

Hon. L. Beare: I want to be very clear for the member and everyone listening that celebrating murder and sexual violence is completely unacceptable, and it’s extremely disappointing to see individuals use such tragedies as this to promote hate. University campuses have historically been places of free speech, and they continue to be so — places where people can freely debate ideas.

Now, that being said, campuses also have to be places of safety for all students, faculty and staff, including Jewish faculty, students and staff.

Our government and all the post-secondary universities and colleges across the province….

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member, please let her answer the question.

Hon. L. Beare: Thank you, Speaker.

This is a very important question. I want to give a very important message to the opposition who asked the question, because hate of any kind is not tolerated on campuses. Hate of any kind is not tolerated by our government.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. It’s not necessary to comment on every step of the way. It’s okay. We are almost done.

The minister will conclude.

Hon. L. Beare: Thank you, Speaker.

Universities, colleges and institutes across the province do have the policies and tools in place to allow for a peaceful protest while also ensuring everyone on campus is safe. I expect all the institutes to find that balance. Thank you.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

The Speaker: Members, I have the honour of tabling the Annual Report and Service Plan 2023-2024 for the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Annual Report and Service Plan 2023-2024 for the registrar of lobbyists.

G. Kyllo: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Please proceed.

Introductions by Members

G. Kyllo: I’m just very happy to see a good friend of mine, Greg McCune, the current candidate for B.C. United as the next MLA for Salmon Arm–Shuswap. Would the House please welcome Mr. McCune.

K. Falcon: I seek leave to present a petition.

The Speaker: Please proceed.

Petitions

K. Falcon: Bill 47, which the opposition supports in principle, unfortunately allows no opportunity for local residents or their mayor to make any reasonable changes to protect long-established neighbourhoods.

It’s in this regard, I present a petition from 356 concerned residents in the Brentwood Park community asking for an exemption from the indiscriminate application of Bill 47 on their unique and long-established community — a community, by the way, it’s important to note, that has been supportive of density in the neighbouring Brentwood area.

[11:10 a.m.]