The House met at 1:32 p.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Harwinder Sandhu: I want to wish my nephew Avinoor a very happy birthday. Avinoor turns 18 years old today, and he’s very close to me. When we’re driving or going for long trips, rather than listening to music I offer him, or some radio, he’s like, “No, Auntie, I want to listen to your conversations” — my life experiences. He is in grade 11, choosing his passion versus what B.C. needs and working to build his career right here in B.C. and in the Vernon area.

Would the House please join me to wish Avinoor a very happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Avinoor.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Ravi Kahlon: I call continued debate of the budget.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Budget Debate
(continued)

Deputy Speaker: We’ll call the House back to order here, and the Chair will recognize the member for Vernon-Lumby.

Harwinder Sandhu: Thank you, hon. Speaker, and congratulations. I haven’t had the opportunity since you have been in this role, so congratulations. It’s been great to see you here.

Before I would like to speak, I’m thrilled and honoured and excited to stand here as Vernon-Lumby MLA, and I would like to acknowledge that my constituency is located on the traditional Syilx territory of the Okanagan Indian Nations.

I rise today to speak in support of Budget 2025 because it focuses on protecting the services people in this beautiful province rely on, and it focuses on strengthening our economy and standing united in the face of economic threats from the tariffs.

[1:35 p.m.]

Our budget is a measured plan to protect jobs and the services people rely on, while preparing British Columbia’s economy to withstand the unpredictable impacts of unjustified tariffs.

It’s my first opportunity to speak, since I didn’t get the chance to respond to the throne speech, so I would like to take a couple minutes to recognize my constituency and people who are the reason that I’m standing here for my second term in this House.

Coming from a farmer family and then later working in health care as a registered nurse in this beautiful province and a patient care coordinator for over 20 years…. Having to go through many personal hardships after losing my dad and, later, my spouse to cancer…. Facing societal pressures, stigma, and others having to decide how my life will look and what I should do…. And quitting my job, sitting at home, having to pick up pieces to rebuild my life together and then entering politics to help people…. My journey was full of challenges, heartbreak, tears and standing up for my rights and, most importantly, for the rights of my two daughters.

It was not an easy journey, but I didn’t do it alone. I want to acknowledge that there are many incredible, kind, supportive and inspiring people, like my friends and coworkers, not only from Vernon-Lumby, but also a beautiful town called Terrace.

Later, wonderful people, of course, from the Okanagan who supported my daughters. People in Vernon welcomed the three of us with open arms. They have helped to start a new chapter of our life. My daughters, Manreet and Jasreen, gave me so much strength, purpose, courage and reason to live.

There were days I didn’t want to live. When I looked at those two little girls, that’s where I got my strength — and, of course, colleagues and friends who held me strong. So the reason I mention…. I want to give hope to many people who may be facing challenges. Today, or maybe these weeks, might be the toughest days of their life. I have had those days. It’s okay to share our struggles, and it’s okay to reach out for help. If I didn’t do that, our outcomes and story would have been different.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and thank all constituents of Vernon-Lumby for electing me to be their MLA. I am truly honoured, proud and excited to be your representative again. I do take this responsibility very sincerely. I thank all the voters for practising your democratic right, whether you voted for me or not. I’m an MLA for all of you, and I am committed to serve you with utmost integrity, compassion and care.

No campaign is ever possible without the volunteers, so I’m incredibly thankful to my volunteers and lots of young people who came to support and door-knock and, of course, voters and donors who have helped me to get elected for the second term by putting their trust and unwavering support behind me. I want to express my sincere gratitude. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my family, who have been here for me and, most importantly, my older daughter, who is 23 now. She is on her way to becoming a doctor, hopefully. Fingers crossed. She had her interviews done for the rural northern program.

She has wanted to help people since she was six years old, when she saw her dad being critically ill and given two months to live. During his two-and-a-half-year journey battling with cancer, that’s when she said: “Mom, that’s when I decided that I want to be like the people who are helping Dad and who are so kind.” I hope her dream will come true.

My younger daughter, who was a year and a half at the time of her dad’s diagnosis, is 18. She’s also working as a nursing unit assistant. She has a job at Kelowna General Hospital but now is filling in temporarily at the Vernon downtown clinic.

I’m so proud of my daughters and, of course, my nine-year-old son, who gets adored by his sisters and who gives me strength as well. It’s important to have the support of family and friends.

When I first ran for office, my son was only a few months old. Many people told me I should be staying home to raise my kids. I said: “Don’t you dare tell me. Us women, we know how much we can do, and we know how to, busy, get the job done. We’re the go-getters.”

I had to take this opportunity to thank my kids, my family and my mom, who’s been my rock. She has been with me at every step of my life.

[1:40 p.m.]

When I had to raise my daughters alone, there were no child care spaces available then and not even affordable…. If it wasn’t for my mom, I wouldn’t have been able to contribute to our health care system for two decades.

Thanks, Mom, for being there and for also telling others.

When society was setting some boundaries, it was my mom who spoke up. She said: “My daughter is not a rag doll.” After I became widowed at a very young age, she said: “She will decide what she wants to do with her life.” Those words, again, gave me strength.

And my dad, who could not be here, who I lost at a fairly young age…. My parents have helped me to be strong, independent, empowered and, most importantly, a kind and respectful human being.

My dad always taught me to never let others push you around, but fight back fiercely when others do try to oppress and bully.

The meaning of my middle name is Kaur, which I share with many Sikh girls around the world. It means lioness, and we are raised as warriors to stand against injustice, oppression, hatred, discrimination and to protect human rights, gender equality and to stand with the marginalized and vulnerable people in our life.

Now I will share why I want to speak in favour of this budget. It’s a measured plan. This is a very challenging time, as we all know. It is a time to deliver a significant budget addressing the uncertainty caused by news about tariffs, and it’s the news that nobody should be taking lightly. I can never justify anyone looking for an excuse for the Trump administration or him to justify these unjustified tariffs because I don’t think that person even cares for people around him. So it is about what is right, and we have done this work.

We’ve been the shining example of being good allies and a good neighbouring country. So it’s unfortunate. We can’t change that, but what we can change is how we stand in individual roles across the aisle to support the people who have elected us to represent them.

In my opinion, this budget carefully manages B.C.’s finances, makes investments in critical public services to meet growing demand by putting people first and supporting businesses as we build a stronger future.

The focus is growing the economy by helping people train for better jobs, getting major projects built and diversifying where we sell our goods. It also focuses on managing finances carefully to safeguard front-line services people depend on without hiking costs, improving health care and education by connecting more people to family doctors and building good neighbourhood schools for our school kids.

Coming from a health care background and being very passionate and having to go through those cuts, which impacted the loss of our loved one and many patients that I took care of, I know that we need to do everything possible within our abilities in a very non-partisan way to do anything to strengthen the health care and mental health care systems.

I’m happy that, if we look at the factual data, we are connecting more than 700 patients every day to the primary care network, whether it’s doctors or nurse practitioners. That’s definitely a significant improvement.

We understand the pressures of a growing population, but we will not slow down. We’ll continue to build on the progress we’ve built.

Of course, our budget focuses on continuing to deliver homes that people can afford. From child care fees to car insurance bills, I would like to mention that some of the investments have made a significant life-changing positive difference in people in now Vernon-Lumby, then known as Vernon-Monashee.

We’ve built, since 2017, more than 1,000 affordable homes, which I’m very proud of, barely in four to six years; whereas previously, in 16 years, there was probably 120 or 130 homes built, so 16 years versus four years and more than 1,000. That includes the first-ever seniors housing units, 20 units in Lumby, and the first-ever student housing at the Okanagan College in history in Vernon, with 100 beds open now.

I drive by. I see the lights are on, and I was there to do the ribbon cutting. Students were so grateful, sharing so many positive stories, how now they can get ahead when they have this affordable place to live.

[1:45 p.m.]

Not only that, we also built, not announced, homes in Salmon Arm. There are 60 units, as well as 350 approximately in Kelowna. Penticton will be getting the same, more than 100 units.

Those are a few investments, but also two units…. A second phase we opened at McCulloch Court in Vernon.

It is inspiring to hear from stories. There is a senior who came to door-knock and sign wave. She said: “Thank you. Well done,” under my post. Then she told me why she was there to support me.

She said:

“Thank you. Well done for accurate information. I was put on a wait list with primary care clinic, was given a name via IHA social worker and met with a nurse practitioner who is now my medical person — all this in December, the thrill of a lifetime. Giving my friend the same name, she called and got in right away. I used the walk-ins for several years, brought my records. A new doc was delighted.

“It was so stressful for me at 77 being renovicted, threatened with homelessness. Then god bless manager Lesley at McCulloch. I am in at 900, not 1,300. Bless the government that believes people should be paying one-third of their pension for rent. I was finally able to fix my teeth. I support the NDP with much gratitude.”

There are several other stories, but the reason I share that story, it highlights why we need to continue to invest in people, and this budget does focus on that.

Our budget includes that we’re building a stronger economy that works for all people — $172 million more over three years, including $30 million for integrated marketplace initiatives and $95 million for critical highway and bridge maintenance.

When we talk about highway and bridge maintenance, again, we have partisan opinions and differences, which I respect. But also let’s not forget that when Coquihalla Highway was broken during those slides and catastrophic events we had, it was built merely within 36 or 38 days. I had people from across the party lines say: “I am very impressed with your government.” And that was done in December, with windstorms.

How was that done? Because you need to support people who are working there. You need to pay their wages. If that means needing overtime, yes, but that has to be ready for people. That is one of the many testaments.

I struggle to understand, again, some members in the opposition. In the moment, they say we’re spending too much; the other moment, we’re not investing enough. It’s not my thoughts. It’s many people who are watching. They were respectfully asking: “What is going on in there?” I can only speak from my behalf, but I want to share that it could be causing confusion when we can’t make our mind. Do we want to support people or not?

This budget consistently focuses on the priorities. In this budget, we have $47 million for B.C. Transit services. Another positive thing we did was waiving the bus fare for kids under 12 years old.

Again, the focus is on strengthening health care services people rely on — $4.2 billion more over the three years, including $443 million to support primary care. I would like to say that while I do again appreciate, I’m very hopeful that we’ll continue to do what we want to achieve to strengthen the health care system.

In my riding alone, our government did create a UPCC, urgent and primary care centre, in 2019. Of course, with the population growth, need was there, so I was happy to advocate. Now we’re getting a second urgent and primary care centre as well. We already have established a primary care network, and they’re doing a phenomenal job. We have Foundry now, secured the funding for Foundry, to support youth mental health and, of course, toxic drug crisis. It is not lost on us, and every life lost is too many.

When we had our kids, we held them when they were born. No parent wants that future for their kids. No child even grows up thinking that: “That’s what my path is going to be.” It’s often those situations and circumstances that lead them there. But we need to work together to help them and destigmatize addictions and mental health.

[1:50 p.m.]

Therefore, in my community, under our government’s creating thousands of recovery beds, at Red Road Recovery, we’ve funded more than 30 beds which are saving lives, helping people. Of course, recovery beds at Bill’s Place…. I’m grateful for Turning Points Collaborative Society for doing great work. They have one of the best success rates. They even get calls from as far as New York, according to my recent tour. They’ve shared it over and over.

Again, we acknowledge the challenges, definitely. That’s why we need to continue to focus to deliver more and appreciate what’s being done right.

Working in Vernon Jubilee Hospital, I remember that for decades we were advocating for the new mental health facility, and I’m very happy and proud that our government did approve the business plan for 44…. A new expansion of the psych unit, with two pediatric beds. That’ll help, definitely.

Again, when we invest in health care, we need to have those workers, who are the backbone of the health care system. We’ve trained more than 8,000 care aides under the HCAP program. I was very happy to announce, with the Minister for Mental Health and Addictions towards the end of last term, that the HCAP program has now expanded to train more mental health and addiction workers. That will help to provide services and help with the workload.

Of course, we need to continue to do more. If we look at overall numbers with the colleges, registry for nurses has gone up. There are nurses I’m constantly in touch with, even in Alberta too. They are moving here because with their last contract, we’re the first province to accept the nurse-to-patient ratios.

When I was at the bargaining table, along with B.C. Nurses Union activists, we were laughed at by the governments of the day, then, that his is not possible. “Keep dreaming” were the words that were used. We are the first jurisdiction in Canada to accept it and second in North America, after California. California did it very successfully. I know that we need to work to train, hire, retrain staff. And that is where our health human resource strategy comes into effect. That focuses on those strategies: retention, training, retraining and recruiting more.

Of course, work is continued, but that helps us to get more nurses and doctors from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario. Those conversations can be seen openly on social media and whichever platform, but I believe in person-to-person conversations. So that’s reassuring as well. While we acknowledge the challenges, we will continue to do what we need to do.

In order to support, we’ve added seats. Some 602 seats for nursing and many others for other allied health care professionals, and of course, the rural and northern program for medical school, which my own daughter is hoping to get into as well. That’s what’s going to help.

Then for other…. We know there is a shortage in other labour sectors and skilled labour. The future-ready skills grant that our government provided offers up to 400 courses. That was the first time a grant…. That is helping many people who I talk to. It helps people doing courses in trades, education, child care, health care, tourism, business and several other areas of need. That is where I am very happy and happy to support this budget. I would like to see continue this work, on which I am sure that this budget does focus.

Yes, we have challenges, but when we have uncertain times, there are decisions. Do we make cuts, or do we be ready and be resilient and be prepared without cutting any services? That is why I’m proud of this budget. It focuses on keeping the services that we have and also earmarking some money to continue to fund those programs and services that people rely on and the services that save people’s lives.

Of course, we’ve tripled the number of nurse practitioners. It’s more than 1,000 now. We’ve matched more than 270,000 people with a family doctor or nurse practitioner since July 2023.

Also, many families came to work on my campaign. Two of them moved back to B.C. from Alberta, and they shared with me that they’d been waiting for a family doctor for 13 years and now they’ve got one.

[1:55 p.m.]

Another family of four said they got one. When they got the call, they were connected by the health registry. They said there were options of whether you want to have a doctor in Lumby or you want to have a doctor in Vernon. Lumby was available sooner, so they said: “Lumby we choose.”

When we come to talk about paramedics, we increased their budget in 2027 by 25 percent. I’m happy that Lumby, in my riding, we were one of the rural communities to get, under the alpha model, 8 FTEs and a 24-7 paramedic station.

Child care…. My community got more than 1,000 affordable $10-a-day child care spaces as well. A brand new child care centre that will be built in Lumby…. Two are already built and providing excellent child care in Vernon, third one in Coldstream, which was part of my riding during last term.

And of course, after-school child care services where there is…. A mom, Emily, she said: “I was paying more than $2,000, close to $3,000, and now I’m paying less than $300.” Now her spouse and they can work. There’s a teacher at high school when they go see high school kids. She moved from Alberta, and she was sharing with kids in a very non-partisan way.

When we were talking about how governments work and how investing in people is very important. I did not know, she shared her story, that before the child care was available, she and her husband had to work part-time and now they’re both working full-time, and they’re contributing to the economy. So that is how it’s all intertwined.

When we talk about agriculture sector as well, we know that that sector has been hit the hardest. I know, growing up in a farmer family…. As many of us people from North India, Punjab, we come from multiple generation of farmer families, and we know looking at the weather and sky…. You don’t know — you’re at the mercy of weather and climate — if your family will thrive or if it’ll be a challenging year. So that is why the focus, and I’m very happy to get the role as a Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture.

I want to touch some of the things that we recently announced: $10 million for the fruit tree farmers — as they had challenges for a couple of years — in addition to $5 million, which were recently given to support the tree fruit climate resiliency program. Since the devastating winter freeze a year ago and the closure of B.C. Tree Fruits Coop, we have been working with tree fruit growers on short- and long-term solutions.

In 2024 alone, we provided approximately $58 million in tree fruit production insurance claims and $24 million of the $70 million for enhanced replant program that is dedicated to the tree fruit sector; $15 million for the AgriStability enhancement program; and $5 million was for fruit climate resiliency. Of course, there is $100,000 for BCFGA to support their work on emergency tables to protect growers impacted by these challenging times.

We have supported the sector through fruit tree stabilization plan, perennial crop renewal program, Buy B.C. marketing activities, as well as sterile insect release program, and other ministry programs that support market development are increased.

We do acknowledge that there are still challenges and we need to do more. That is why the Premier’s created the task force table, which is people from the sector, experts and growers themselves, and they are going to help us guide how do we move forward for the long term.

Also there is a program: $100 million for the agriculture water infrastructure program. I was very happy to tour one of the farms in the Okanagan where they were showing the positive impacts. Having availability to those funding helped to shape how their crops are and how productive their farm is now.

Definitely more needs to be done.

There’s the forest sector. We acknowledge the looming uncertainty in forest sector. Many members probably don’t know that I lived in Mackenzie, and my late husband was born and raised in Mackenzie, worked in sawmills, and my father-in-law was a millwright there for many, many years. We know, in 2003, when mills shut down, we moved to Terrace. And then what happened? Mills shut down there too.

[2:00 p.m.]

Luckily it was my nursing job that helped me to support my family while my late husband went to college again, and he did his computer programming course. But then our future took a different turn.

Having to live through those, I know I want to see people in the forest sector that…. We see you. We know. I am very grateful to the Minister of Forests for his constant work and his recent meetings with one of the major employers, Tolko Industries, and Mr. Thorlakson, having to talk to them as well.

Last year, we announced the contribution of $8 million to the manufacturing fund to help Tolko Industries to expand its Heffley Creek operation and construct a new facility that will house the new Heffley Creek engineered wood division. This expansion will help maintain approximately 250 jobs at the Heffley Creek site and will create new jobs.

Of course, in order to find out firsthand — I’m very excited — the minister is coming to the region, and we will be on the ground talking to people to understand and to get their ideas as well.

We need to work together, and rather than blaming what happened and showing…. It’s very important we speak truth. For me, whatever I will share here and I ever share doesn’t have to be perfect; it has to be truthful. The other thing is, I don’t seek perfection. I seek genuine connection.

The reason for me being here…. Many of us sitting here weren’t even allowed to enter into this building. We didn’t even have the right to vote until 1947. So I don’t take this very lightly. This is like worship, to me, representing people.

Every morning, I remind myself that people, when they ticked beside my name…. How much trust did they put? Because some left their political parties that they followed for many, many decades. Some even worked for and were local EDA presidents of other parties. It’s up to us to maintain that trust and to maintain that integrity.

Again, talking about values, my parents always say that it doesn’t have to be perfect. You speak truth. Truth will always prevail. Spreading false information or political slogans may get us a win in that moment. But are we doing justice?

Again, I just want to say thanks to the amazing people of Vernon-Lumby for their resilience, for their trust, for their kindness and for showing a great community spirit, solidarity and support. I proudly speak to support this budget and continue to be your strong voice to make sure your priorities are taken care of and your needs are met.

Unity is far greater than division. We’re stronger together. And despite our differences, all of us have more in common than different. Let’s condemn the ones who are continuously trying to divide us, fearmongers who spread false information for their own gain and who attack and stigmatize the most vulnerable in our society.

I want to share a quote from Sikh teachings:

[A language other than English was spoken.] First, God created the light, then by his creative power he made moral beings. From one light the entire universe is held up. So who is good and who is bad?

We’re all equal, we’re all one, and let’s continue to stand strong in solidarity and support one another, especially local businesses, farmers, renters, the tourism sector and people who rely on our support and our trust. Support local, buy B.C., buy Canadian. The true north is strong and free. I am honoured to be here as Vernon-Lumby’s voice.

Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Member.

For continued budget debate, we’ll now recognize the member for Abbotsford West.

Korky Neufeld: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the honour to respond to the 2025 budget, and I also want to congratulate you on your appointment.

I’d like to, first of all, thank the city of Abbotsford and the riding of Abbotsford West residents for putting their trust in me to represent them here in the Legislature. I’m very honoured and privileged to do so.

I want to repeat a couple of things in my intro that I gave during my throne speech comments about Abbotsford and the valley.

[2:05 p.m.]

Abbotsford’s population growth is projected to be 250,000 by 2050. We are a rapidly growing region. This will require major infrastructure investment throughout our city. Sixty-four percent of our residents work in Abbotsford, but 36 percent rely on the transport corridor in the Fraser Valley east of the Port Mann Bridge.

I’m not sure if you’ve had the experience of navigating traffic gridlock on Highway 1. I would encourage the members who are in Metro Vancouver just to travel east of the Port Mann Bridge, because it’s a different world out there.

The Highway 1 corridor needs to be completed all the way to Yale Road. I know there are some improvements coming, but it stops short. It stops at Highway 11, Sumas Way, which is our major border crossing. Also, Highway 1 is the major transport for all the trucks. If they stop the expansion at Sumas Way, it will logjam everything in our city corridor past Mount Lehman, and that is unacceptable. It needs to go all the way to Yale Road West, but this budget failed to address that. That’s a concern for Abbotsford residents.

What is unique about our city is that it’s also boxed in by ALR lands; 78 percent of our land is in the ALR, which means very little land for housing, commercial and industrial use. Abbotsford has a major shortage of industrial lands.

What I would like to encourage, and I’d like to see…. This province needs to majorly reform the ALR, the agricultural land reserve. It was formed in 1973 with very few improvements that have been made since. Also, the ALC, the Agricultural Land Commission, is over 50 years old. B.C. has changed, and yet the ALR and ALC have seen little change.

The ALC needs equal representation from across the province. Sixty-five percent of dairy and eggs for the province comes from Abbotsford. I had the privilege of meeting with the B.C. Dairy Association here at the Legislature. Dairy farmers from B.C. contribute $1.2 billion in provincial GDP. They support over 12,500 jobs.

But the dairy farmers — and I would say all farmers in B.C. — are in survival mode today. Costs keep rising, profits keep plummeting, and the bureaucracy is killing the industries. This budget failed the Abbotsford agricultural industry and the B.C. farmers who supply food on your and my kitchen tables each and every day.

I’m going to be asking a lot of questions in my response, and the reason is that I was hoping that the budget could answer some of these, but it fell short. So I would encourage the members across the aisle to send me their answers to these questions. Not only I want the answers. I think British Columbians require these answers as well.

Throwing money at things without measurements of how effective they are is reckless. And that’s why our debt per person is going from $17,000 to $21,000. By 2028, it’ll be $36,000 per person in British Columbia. British Columbians need answers to the questions. I will not be supporting this lack of budget.

I have here a pamphlet of responses to the budget from over 21 people from different sectors across this province. They all gave it a C-minus, and I’ll actually be dispersing some of their comments throughout my address.

While Budget 2025 is presented in response to significant global challenges, particularly the threat of unjustified tariffs, we must pause to critically assess the proposed measurements and their long-term implications. The responses from all sectors have given this budget a C-minus, and that’s a generous grade. The Independent Contractors and Business Association of B.C. raised the alarm over the B.C. budget, calling it, and I quote, “out of touch with the economic storm brewing.”

“A full-blown trade war with the United States will hammer B.C. exports, drive up costs for builders and put tens of thousands of jobs at risk. This government has spent years getting in the way of economic growth. The NDP has failed to course correct, leaving B.C. weaker and in serious trouble with limited ability to respond.” End quote.

While the government’s commitment to standing strong for B.C. and ensuring public services remain intact is commendable, there is a concern about the overreliance on the province’s resilience in the face of external economic pressures and colossal debt.

[2:10 p.m.]

Yes, B.C. has a diversified economy and abundant natural resources, but we must ask: are we truly prepared, and are we relying too heavily on outdated strategies and policies that will not provide the buffer that we need?

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation stated, and I quote: “This budget is a disaster for British Columbians, who are being abandoned by Premier Eby.”

The emphasis on protecting the essentials is vital, but the question remains: which essentials are being prioritized, and at what cost?

The budget mentions maintaining public service, but how will these services evolve to meet the growing needs of an aging population, rising mental health challenges and a rapidly changing workforce?

Additionally, while the government’s narrative focuses on resilience and a commitment to people, we must not overlook the systemic issues that still plague many communities across B.C. — resource-based communities, for instance, who are still grappling with economic volatility. Is this budget truly addressing the needs of those who remain vulnerable during times of economic instability, or is it merely presenting a shield for years of damaging policies?

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business stated this, and I quote: “The budget had no fiscal relief for small and medium-sized businesses. We needed targeted support. We needed tax relief.” End quote. They saw none of that.

Also, the emphasis on natural beauty and global markets as assets is undoubtedly important. But the conversation must expand beyond this. What concrete steps is this government taking to ensure that B.C.’s growth is economically sustainable? Fiona Famulak, a member of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce, stated regarding the budget, and I quote: “If businesses succeed, our economy will succeed, and then we will be able to generate revenue for government to pay for the essential services that we need. Pause. Today, we did not see that.” End quote.

While Budget 2025 rightly acknowledges the severity of external economic threats, it’s crucial that we critically examine whether it’s adequately addressing the broader systemic issues that are necessary for a truly resilient and sustainable future in British Columbia. While Budget 2025 represents a vision for strength, resilience and forward-thinking, it raises several critical questions about its practical applications and long-term sustainability.

The $4 billion set aside for contingencies to prepare for the unknown, including the impact of tariffs, reflects a prudent approach to economic uncertainty. However, we must ask: is this enough to truly buffer the province from the cascading effects of global disruptions, or does it merely serve as a temporary patch cover on systemic vulnerabilities caused by seven years of NDP failures? Contingencies alone are not a substitute for long-term strategic investment in diversifying our economy and fortifying our industries. We have seen none of that in the last seven years.

B.C. Chamber of Commerce also stated, and I quote: “Today’s budget is sobering for both business and British Columbians. It does not deliver the economic incentives, tax changes, programs or policy shifts that are required to kickstart our economy and which we have been advocating for long before this last election.” End quote. So this isn’t a new problem. It’s an old problem just being exacerbated by the tariffs that are potentially coming.

Moreover, the budget stresses improving health care, education and other core services without raising fees or costs. While the commitment to maintaining affordability is commendable, we must be cautious of how this ambition will be funded. Are we truly addressing the root causes of the pressures faced by these essential services? Or are we simply maintaining status quo without tackling the underlying issues, such as staffing shortages, aging infrastructure and increasing demands for services, etc.?

The B.C. Nurses Union remarked, and I quote, “We would have liked to have seen funding earmarked for nurse education seats in our post-secondary institutions across B.C.,” end quote. There were none. Not in this budget.

Furthermore, the budget’s focus on supporting business that generates jobs and economic activity is critical. But again, it’s important to ask: which businesses will truly benefit? Will the government prioritize small- and medium-sized enterprises, which are often the backbone of local communities? Or will large corporations continue to receive the bulk of the government’s support?

[2:15 p.m.]

You see, without a clear strategy to ensure it’s equitable and accessible, we risk perpetuating an economic environment where only a few benefit. The Surrey Board of Trade and South Surrey and White Rock Chamber said, and I quote, “We were hoping to see tangible investments to help businesses pivot in the face of tariffs implementation by the U.S., but they were absent from this budget,” end quote.

While the values of strength, tenacity, compassion and vision are noble, it remains to be seen how these values will be translated into actionable policies that address the growing challenge of inequity and affordability across the province. This Budget 2025 outlines an admirable set of principles and preparedness, but we must critically assess whether these strategies will effectively address the immediate and long-term challenges B.C. faces.

Even the Green Party stated, and I quote, “In this moment of deep uncertainty, we need government investment in systematic solutions, not another ICBC rebate cheque,” end quote.

The claim of a careful managing of finances in the face of global economic uncertainty is crucial. However, a temporary pause on hiring in the public service may only be a short-term solution. While it’s vital to curb unnecessary administrative costs, this strategy risks further understaffing essential services, which have already been stretched thin. Instead of simply reducing head count, we need a deeper, more strategic review of how services are delivered. Will this pause lead to delays in vital services, such as health care and education, or will it result in creative, effective solutions?

Well, the B.C. Teachers Federation says, and I quote, “No new spending in the budget for election promises that promised mental health counsellors in every school and educational assistance in every kindergarten-to-grade-3 classroom,” end quote.

Furthermore, the emphasis on diversifying the economy is essential in light of shifting global markets, yet the budget does not offer enough concrete details on how these goals will be achieved. Economic diversification requires more than just task forces and partnership. It requires targeted investment in emerging sectors. What specific measures are in place to ensure that these new areas will not only thrive, but also provide long-term job security and economic stability for all British Columbians? People will not come to this province to invest unless they are assured five, ten, 15 years down the road that their businesses will be able to survive, because it’s shifting.

Dan Baxter, regional director of Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, stated, and I quote, “It’s time for a course-correction, an honest conversation about government policies that make today’s fiscal challenges worse,” end quote.

The rhetoric around partnerships with First Nations, businesses, industry and labour is promising, but it’s just rhetoric. What guarantees do we have that these partnerships will lead to tangible, mutually beneficial outcomes? The Budget of 2025 presents a vision of careful economic stewardship — at least that’s what it says. It is essential that government commits to meaningful investment in sustainable, inclusive growth and ensures that cuts and pauses implemented today do not undermine the public services that British Columbians rely on every day.

Paul Finch, president of the B.C. General Employees Union said, and I quote, “B.C. needs an economic development plan,” end quote, which he did not see in this budget. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have asked it.

While Budget 2025 presents a number of commendable initiatives designed to support businesses and workers, particularly through programs like B.C. manufacturing jobs fund, the future-ready action plan and the integrated marketplace initiative, we must critically assess whether these efforts will lead to sustainable growth and widespread benefits for all British Columbians.

The focus on modernizing innovative businesses, especially through the B.C. manufacturing jobs fund, is a welcome step in addressing boom-and-bust cycles that have long affected resource-dependent communities. However, the program must be evaluated in terms of its long-term effectiveness. While a one-time infusion of funds may help certain industries weather immediate challenges, we need to consider whether these funds are creating lasting change or simply propping up industries that are not fully future-proofed. Are these programs encouraging businesses to transition to be more sustainable long-term business models, or are they just delaying the inevitable declines?

Additionally, the future-ready action plan focuses on providing people with the skills they need to thrive in an evolving economy. It’s undoubtedly important.

[2:20 p.m.]

However, let’s ask another question. Are these efforts adequately addressing the disparities in access to training and education across the province? Rural and remote communities, for example, often face significant barriers to accessing educational opportunities, and this gap could potentially limit the success of this program.

Moreover, is the skills development offer truly aligned with the most pressing needs of our rapidly changing economy, particularly in green energy, technology and other future-facing sectors? You see, without a clear alignment between educational offerings and market needs, these investments in human capital risk being misaligned with workforce demands of this present and of the future needs.

The integrated marketplace initiative is another laudable program, especially in its efforts to connect B.C. tech companies and real-world application and clients. The success story of Moment Energy is compelling, demonstrating how B.C. companies can innovate in energy storage and contribute to global sustainability goals.

However, we must critically evaluate the scalability of such initiatives. You see, while these programs have seen some success, how many companies like Moment Energy will be able to access the same level of support and successfully scale their innovations? Or is the government handpicking businesses that support it?

Additionally, while the emphasis on addressing key challenges such as health care, climate change and resource management is admirable, we need to question whether these programs are sufficiently inclusive of smaller tech companies and start-ups in underserved areas of our province. Is the support evenly distributed, or does it disproportionately benefit large tech hubs, like Vancouver, and NDP friends and funders?

The budget’s support for the film and video game industry through boosted tax credits is another notable step, given the success that these sectors have had in positioning B.C. as a global leader. Yet while these industries do provide significant economic benefits, including job creation and global exposure, we must ask whether the reliance on tax incentives is sustainable in the long term.

These incentives can attract investment, but they can also create an environment of dependence on government support. At what point does the government transition from being an enabler of growth to a crutch for industries that should be standing on their own? Additionally, we must consider whether these sectors are truly benefiting all areas of the province or are concentrated, again, in specific regions like Metro Vancouver, leaving other communities with fewer opportunities.

Furthermore, the focus on high-quality jobs is crucial, but there is little discussion about the working conditions within these sectors. For instance, while the film and creative industries are lauded for their success, workers in these industries often face precarious employment, long hours and underrepresentation in leadership positions. What is being done to ensure that workers in these booming sectors are also protected in terms of labour rights and career advancement?

You see, while these incentives collectively paint an optimistic picture of B.C.’s economic future, there is a larger question of whether they are addressing the root cause of economic inequality in this province. Can these programs truly create broad-based prosperity, or are they primarily focused on benefiting specific industries in urban centres?

The reality is that many communities in B.C. still face high rates of poverty, job insecurity and lack of access to critical services. Without more comprehensive measures to address these disparities, the benefits of the proposed programs may be limited to a select few rather than the province as a whole.

Budget 2025 outlines a series of promising initiatives to support business and workers, and the critical question remains: will these measures lead to sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits all British Columbians, or are they merely offering short-term fixes to deeper systemic issues? It is essential that we not only support innovation and job creation but also ensure that these benefits are equitably distributed and aligned with long-term needs for our communities, particularly those most vulnerable to economic instability.

Furthermore, while the budget’s focus on diversifying trade is a sound strategy, it’s critical that we ask: are we diversifying in ways that benefit B.C.’s economy and are sustainable in an inclusive manner? The emphasis on B.C.’s access to cutting-edge technology innovations, critical minerals and low-carbon products is important, but these claims must be backed by specific actions that address how the provincial economy will evolve to handle these markets.

Diversification cannot only be about selling more of the same resource-based products but rather about ensuring that B.C. is developing a high-tech clean energy sector that provides stable, high-quality jobs for the future.

[2:25 p.m.]

Again, what steps are being taken to ensure B.C. has the infrastructure, education system and workforce necessary to thrive in this new market? No plan in the budget.

We do not have a workforce because they are leaving our province in record numbers, and they’re not coming back.

While it’s clear that B.C. has enormous advantages in terms of its proximity to Asia and world-class ports, we must recognize that the province’s trade relationships are deeply tied to global supply chains that are increasingly vulnerable to disruption.

The $16 billion allocated to infrastructure improvement is undoubtedly a necessary investment in B.C.’s competitive edge. However, this is a band-aid solution if not paired with broader investments in resilient and sustainable infrastructure. For instance, how will the infrastructure plans ensure that we’re not simply increasing capacity for unsustainable resource extraction and transportation but rather for long-term, clean trade that it can adopt for future economic challenges?

While trade representatives have proven valuable in B.C.’s market reach, there is still a need to evaluate the inclusivity of these efforts. How accessible are these opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses across the province, particularly those in rural and remote areas?

It is essential that the benefits of expanding trade do not only accrue to large corporations or urban centres but are equitably distributed across the province. While the acceleration of natural resource projects and diversification of trade represent critical steps towards strengthening B.C.’s economy, these strategies must be carefully scrutinized to ensure they prioritize long-term sustainability, environmental stewardship and the equitable distribution of economic benefits.

B.C. can certainly be a global leader in innovation, trade and resource management, but this requires not just faster approvals or bigger projects. It requires a thoughtful, transparent approach to balancing growth with the well-being of the environment and communities that call this province home.

I would encourage those across the aisle to have meaningful discussions with different regions of the province because it’s a different world than the Lower Mainland. You need to hear the stories of people who are living in different regions of our province. It is completely different for them than in this cocoon here in the Lower Mainland.

After seven years of bureaucracy that stunted any growth, we would not be in this dire situation that we are in today…. The government is now forced to pivot without careful planning of the past.

Budget 2025 offers promising investments aimed at addressing critical issues in health care and education. We must scrutinize whether these efforts are truly enough to meet the demands of a rapidly growing and aging population. I’m 65. I want to be taken care of when I get older.

Whether they’re simply reactive or short-term solutions or long-standing challenges, eight years — eight long years to adjust this.

The health care commitment outlined in the budget, the $4.2 billion in additional funding over three years, is a significant increase. But it’s important to critically evaluate whether it’s sufficient to address the deep-rooted issues plaguing our health care system.

You know what? Throwing money at something doesn’t solve the problem. If I have a bucket with holes in it and I put water in it, it’s not going to remain. It keeps running out of the bottom. Just to throw money at it, without measurements to see how effective it is, is reckless. And that’s what we’ve seen.

Yes, increasing the number of family doctors and tripling the number of nurse practitioners is a positive step, but the question is: how will this increased capacity be distributed across the province?

Rural and remote communities have long struggled to attract health care professionals, and they may not benefit such as urban centres do. All the taxpayer dollars that have been poured into health care….

I want to ask this question to those who are watching. Can any British Columbian say that their services and wait times have gotten better? Are hospital closures less frequent? I don’t call them diversions. Let’s call it what it is: hospital closures.

Furthermore, while bringing internationally trained medical professionals into the fold is an important step toward tackling workforce shortages, this is not a quick fix.

British Columbia is the most challenging bureaucratic province in Canada for international or interprovincial credentialing. My daughter-in-law has been trying to get just from the States to B.C. It’s been a year, and she is a Canadian citizen. She actually was raised here in Victoria but was forced to go to the States for education, has got her six years of working as a pediatrician, wants to come back to B.C. Only what? Bureaucracy, bureaucracy, more bureaucracy, more bureaucracy.

[2:30 p.m.]

Integrating into the B.C. system, including navigating bureaucracy and red tape, cultural barriers and certification process, takes years. Moreover, expanding access to care through pharmacies for minor illnesses and increasing home and community care for seniors are both steps in the right direction, but they should not be viewed as substitutes for a fully functioning, accessible public health care system.

These initiatives are helpful, but they do not address the underlying issues: the systemic underfunding of core health care services, which has left hospitals and primary care clinics operating at full capacity and under immense strain.

Will this government admit that our health care system is broken and finally look at universal health care in other jurisdictions like Europe, look at some of those models with the same number of people delivering health care? Less money, less wait times, and it’s working for them. Why not adopt that?

The system is broken. Throwing money at it is not going to answer the problem. It’s not going to fix it.

I’ve got so much more. I’ve got 23 pages of stuff here which I’m not going to get to.

The vision for a prosperous, compassionate and resilient future is one we should all share. But while the aspirations are high, it is critical that this budget translates into tangible, actionable steps that generally address the root causes of the challenges British Columbians face today. And I would like to see measurables in there, because how do we know the money being invested is actually producing the results that we want?

It’s not enough to say we’ll meet the future together. We must ensure the policies in place are effective, sustainable and inclusive for all.

Not only have all sectors given this budget a C-minus, I must say it falls short in creating confidence.

To those who want to invest, to those who want to live, to those who want to play, to those who want to work in this province, one of the key things that motivated me to get involved and to step up was my kids. I was going to retire in 2026. I was going to hang out with my grandchildren and just have a great life. But guess what. They said to me: “I’m sorry, Dad. We might not be able to live in B.C. much longer.”

My parents gave me a British Columbia that I was proud to be part of. I can’t pass that on to my kids unless change happens. I’m here to make change. I want to get stuff done.

This budget is embarrassing and falls short in all categories. I will not be voting in favour of a budget that is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Deputy Speaker: Just a reminder that our electronic devices should be on silent this afternoon, out of respect for our speakers.

Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat: I would like to start by acknowledging the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples in the Songhees and SXIMEȽEȽ Nations upon whose territory we are gathered today.

Our budget is a measured plan to protect jobs, the services people rely on while preparing British Columbians’ economy to withstand the unpredictable impacts of unjustified tariffs. This is a very challenging time to deliver a budget, with significant uncertainties caused as the news about the tariffs changes daily.

While our economy is built to withstand Trump’s tariffs better than most other provinces, the impact will still be significant. This budget carefully manages B.C.’s finances and makes investments in critical public services to meet growing demands, putting people first and supporting businesses as we build a strong future.

In my riding in the Cowichan Valley, since the B.C. NDP was elected in 2017, they have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in my community. These investments include a new Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan, which will have 204 in-patient beds, up from 134, and will be tripling the size of its emergency room. It will include new operating rooms and a permanent MRI machine.

[2:35 p.m.]

The province is investing $1.1 billion into the $1.4 billion project expected to be completed in 2027. The new hospital will be three times larger than the existing facility while being 30 percent more energy-efficient — the first fully electric hospital in BC.

Another first: BCIB’s first project provides an Indigenous coach and cultural adviser on site to support workers and to guide the BCIB project team. Bubba Qwulshemut is a Red Seal plumber, respected Quw’utsun knowledge-sharer and BCIB’s workforce coach and cultural adviser on the Cowichan district hospital replacement project.

Bubba provides direct support to Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees, such as transitioning to work and supporting a career mentorship. On the job site, Bubba is making the on-site workers’ experience more culturally relevant and respectful by sharing cultural teachings, experiences and wisdom through the BCIB’s respectful on-site initiative training.

The other exciting one in Cowichan is the new Quw’utsun Secondary School in Duncan. The new seismically safe school has the capacity for 1,100 students, with the ability to expand to house 1,500 students, eliminating the need for portables. The project includes a new sports field and neighbouring Learning Centre. The province committed $83.8 million to the $86 million project.

The new school, which opened for students last month, has a design guided by Cowichan knowledge, ways of being and traditional architecture, with a wood-first design to create a warm, welcoming space, an entryway reinforcing local rivers, the Cowichan and Koksilah, abundant natural lighting and views.

This government committed to ongoing annual funding to the new Cowichan hospice, which offers support, information and companions to those living with advancing illnesses, family and friends, as well as those grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice care is available to clients in their homes and hospitals and Cowichan Hospice House. I know it was very helpful to my Aunt Lucy when she went through her cancer treatments.

In August last year, this government launched the funding in Hospital at Home project in Cowichan, where people are receiving safe and timely acute care from their own homes, through a newly expanded Hospital at Home program at the Cowichan District Hospital. Hospital at Home is an internationally recognized model that is both safe and effective, and it is designed to improve patient comfort, privacy and independence.

The team includes doctors, registered nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists, among others. Other specialists may be provided as needed, so care is tailored to the patients’ individual needs.

The list goes on.

Announced funding for a new urgent and primary care centre, which will open by the end of this year in Duncan.

Created 80 new publicly subsidized long-term-care homes, funded the creation of 100 new child care spaces, with more in the building phase, and our community received some of the first $10-a-day pilot spaces in this province.

Built hundreds of new affordable supportive housing that will be in Duncan, Chemainus and on Cowichan Tribes.

Funded the creation and ongoing operations of the women’s shelter in Duncan and upgraded the Lake Cowichan ambulance station with eight new full-time paramedics.

Funding the building of new playgrounds in the Cowichan school district, provided funding for the demolition of the old Crofton Elementary School, completed the restoration of Crofton Road promised by the previous government multiple times, and provided over a half a million of funding for the Chemainus River mapping work.

They also provided two grants totalling $1.5 million to the two flood mitigation projects of the Cowichan River and Canada Avenue flood gate.

Funding for 4.7 kilometres of trail restorations and resurfacing on the Cowichan Valley trail, which a lot of people in my area were really watching very closely due to it being damaged and whatnot. So it was very helpful, and grateful for them to have that restored.

[2:40 p.m.]

They’ve provided two grants totalling $2.8 million to Cowichan Tribes for the watershed restoration work and $282,433 for the Chemainus Road improvement project, passed legislation that established a new 140-hectare class A park near Koksilah River.

Close to $200,000 in funding to enhance emergency communications in our region.

All of this has been provided by our government. Over $200,000 in funding to support wildfire risk reduction work and emergency plans. There is so much more going on here, but just bear with me. It’s a long list, and this is only half of it.

Provided over a half a million of funding for a new outdoor pickleball complex. Announced $436,000 for the Cowichan River Rotary Park dike upgrade. Not to mention the province-wide work that people in our community have benefitted from, such as removal of the Medical Services Plan fees. Massively reducing child care fees for parents. Removing interest on student loans and creating needs-based grant programs.

Expanded the B.C. Rent Bank program to the entire province, including Cowichan. Expanded rental supplements for low-income families and seniors. Made post-secondary school free for those previously in care. Initiated the secondary suites incentive program. This is after seven years in government, and it’s not even a complete list of the community- or provincial-wide work investments.

It’s hard to find records going back to the early 2000s, but from 2001 to 2017, there were very few, if any, big investments in our community that came to mind. I remember promises of the new hospital, multiple election campaign promises to address Crofton roads and the closure of at least half a dozen schools. That the track record of the Right: big promises, but once they’re in, they start cutting funding and pushing projects down the road.

As much as the current Conservatives want to distance themselves from the former B.C. Liberals, their leader was not only part of the Liberal government during those years, but he was the cabinet minister actively involved in decision-making. It’s clear to me that our community is better supported under NDP government, building a strong economy that works for all British Columbians by helping people train for better jobs, getting major projects built and diversifying where we sell our goods.

With continued uncertainty of the U.S. tariff threats, British Columbians are increasingly concerned about the security of their jobs, the economy and the sustainability of their communities. This government has been working to attract increased investment, supporting resources and development, preparing and training a skilled workforce, mitigating against the impacts of climate change and enabling strong economy partnerships between First Nations businesses.

B.C. has been a leader in supporting a more diversified an inclusive economy where all British Columbians can thrive. The province has made investments that support industry by expanding permit approvals in mining and achieving efficiencies in other land-based permitted processes.

Through the B.C. manufacturing job fund, government is helping B.C. companies to modernize and innovate and grow into sustainable value-added business lines to make innovative uses of biomaterials.

The province has also made significant investments to help thousands of people get the skills they need to succeed in changing the economy and help close the skills gaps many businesses are facing. Since Budget 2023, the province has committed over $700 million to support the future-ready action plan to build a strong, secure and sustainable economy that works for everyone.

Recent investments also support government commitments under the Declaration Act action plan to address and recognize Indigenous peoples’ workforce priorities through expanding post-secondary training, labour and opportunities designed to boost the participation and employment security of Indigenous peoples across the B.C. economy.

[2:45 p.m.]

This government is improving health care and education by connecting more people to family doctors, building good neighbourhoods and schools for our kids. This government is committed to protecting the important health, education and social services that British Columbians rely on.

Budget 2025 provides nearly $7.7 billion more over three years to deliver services that are fundamental in supporting the long-term prosperity and quality of every life in British Columbia. This includes $4.2 billion for health services to continue to increase capacity across the health system, including expanding access to family doctors, seniors care, mental health and addiction supports, and primary and acute care services.

This budget also provides $370 million over three years to support kindergarten to grade 12 students in B.C. schools.

To continue to advance reconciliation, cultural revitalization provides $45 million over the next three years in new stable funding for the First Peoples Cultural Council to support First Nations–led language and cultural preservation initiatives.

There is also $3 billion more over the next three years for critical social services for children and youth who need supports, to address increased demands for income and disability assistance, and services delivered by Community Living B.C.

I want to touch on that it has not only affected us here in B.C. but also around the world. Not having somewhere safe and dry to sleep at night, let alone somewhere to live, is a brutal reality that a lot of people in our communities are struggling with — the housing crisis did not happen overnight. When this government took over, it was after 16 years of neglect, provincially, and 20 years of federal neglect, which pushed people to the brink of homelessness.

Once you lose your stability of having somewhere to call home, it is incredibly difficult to break the cycle. Adding the pressures of mental health care and addiction treatment, it becomes even harder. The problem is so deep-rooted that it’s going to take change at every level of our society to meaningfully address this crisis.

This is weighing on my mind right now. I know there are no easy answers, but it gives me hope when I see what’s possible with bold leadership and community support. I know this government is going to continue to work hard tackling these issues.

When I was on council, I was invited to join a tour of the tiny home temporary housing project in Duncan that provided shelter and support for 34 vulnerable residents. It is known as the Village, but the full name is: “It takes a village: housing the unsheltered population of the Cowichan Valley.” Operated under Lookout Housing and Health Society, the project is in partnership between the Cowichan Housing Association and B.C. Housing, made possible by a joint federal and provincial $2.5 million grant from the safe restart strengthening communities services program.

This is located on Trunk Road in Duncan. The project features 34 small units that are 17 feet long and 8 feet wide. Each one comes equipped with a single bed frame, mattress, wardrobe, bedside table, desk, two stools, baseboard heater and one electrical outlet. The prefab units are made of steel with durable rubber floors, so they’re mould-resistant and washable. They each have a small, covered entrance offering a bit of a patio seat and a storage space. Some residents have added potted plants and even hung hummingbird feeders.

The 34 units are divided into three sections, with each section sharing three washrooms, two with showers, in a raised trailer. While there’s some criticism of shared washrooms, it offers a lot more dignity and privacy than what most residents have had before — no access to washrooms or running water. The shared spaces help residents build relationships and a sense of community.

There is also a shared, covered, outdoor seating area for each of the three sections and a main staff trailer that serves as the check-in point. There are Lookout Housing staff members and/or security on site 24 hours a day.

[2:50 p.m.]

The goal is to offer residents a safe place to live as well as wraparound support services that they need. Multiple health care providers and community outreach partners visit the site daily to meet with residents and support their individual needs.

Before moving into the Village — someone said ten months into it — 23 percent of the residents had access to health care. When they moved in there, there was 100 percent coverage for their health care. From peer support to cultural programs, the range of programs being delivered is as diverse as the residents themselves. A recent survey showed that 100 percent of the residents feel the Village is culturally safe.

Residents have family members and guests to visit during the day, but no overnight visitors are permitted. All visitors and guests must check in at staff entrance first. Residents also have the option to say that they’re not home to maintain their privacy.

Breakfast and dinner are provided, while many local restaurants pitch in to deliver varieties of hot meals — we live in a really great area. That’s throughout the week. Supplementary food from the food bank is available between meals, and there are shared fridges for each of these three sections.

According to the RCMP, since the Village was established, things in the area were remarkably uneventful, and there has been a noticeable reduction in crime stats in this area. Of the 34 residents living on site, over three-quarters are now participating in regular training work programs like mobile peer cleanup crew. All the residents also assist in daily community cleanup in the immediate area surrounding the Village, as they are responsible for a 150-metre radius of the site.

The residents and staff have been working hard to build a good relationship with neighbours and businesses in the area, and the feedback has been positive. The model for this project is peer-designed, meaning people who have experienced homelessness have a direct hand in helping to shape through every step of that process.

This entire set-up of housing for 34 people cost $340,000. The model can easily be adapted, and each version is a tiny home village. This is Duncan’s second and has improved upon the last. The Village was originally going to include 100 units, but having fewer units has allowed the operators and residents to see how things would work on a smaller scale and adapt as needed. The organizations and stakeholders involved are still in the process of establishing this model as something that has a permanent place in the community.

While the future of this site is unclear, the benefits of using prefab units mean the entire operation can easily be picked up and moved to new locations as needed. Housing is a human right, and the downstream effects of homelessness are hurting our whole community.

A few key elements are required to make this equitable work: location and operation funding support, health care providers and community support, just to name a few. But based on what I’ve learned from the visit to the Village, it is totally doable, and it’s worth it. Huge thanks to the Lookout and the Village staff for the tour, and gratitude to everyone who had helped make the Village a home for 34 people in need.

This government is delivering homes for people that they can afford while keeping everyday low costs for child care fees to car insurance bills. B.C. is one of the most sought-after places to live in the world, but access to affordable housing continues to be a challenge for too many British Columbians. This government continues to take action to speed up the delivery of new homes by increasing the supply of middle-income housing, fighting speculation and helping those who need it the most.

Protecting, building and improving access to more rental homes and supports for renters remain the key priorities of this government. This government has taken action to end discriminatory age and rental restrictions in strata and made rental units available by restricting short-term rentals.

[2:55 p.m.]

BC Builds was introduced in Budget 2024 to speed up the development of new homes for middle-income working people throughout British Columbia. BC Builds uses government, community and non-profit-owned land, low-cost financing and grants to lower construction costs, speed up timelines and deliver more homes to middle-income British Columbians that they can afford.

Budget 2025 builds on this investment by providing $318 million more over the next three years. The funding is supported by continued access of up to $2 billion in provincial financing and an additional $2 billion in federal financing provided through the apartment construction loan program.

There are currently 17 projects represented, nearly 1,400 underway. Six projects are located across B.C. in communities such as Abbotsford, Cowichan Nation and Duncan, Fernie, Gibsons, Lake Babine First Nation, North Vancouver, Prince Rupert, SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation and Whistler. New funding will support more projects across B.C.

This government is investing $75 million more in 2025-26 and $150 million annually starting 2026-27, strengthening its rental supports for low-income families and seniors.

The rental assistance program provides eligibility to moderate-income working families with assistance to help with their monthly rental payments. To qualify, families must meet the before-tax household income threshold, have income at the same point as last year and have at least one dependent child. Budget 2025 will increase the income threshold from $40,000 to $60,000 and increase the average supplement for families receiving nearly 75 percent from around $400 to $700 per month.

I know I’m not going to get through everything here, so I’m going to jump to the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters program, which helps make rent affordable for B.C. seniors with low to moderate incomes. The program provides more monthly cash payments to subsidize rent for eligible B.C. residents who are aged 60 and over.

In April 2024, the government introduced preliminary enhancements to this program by expanding the income threshold from $33,000 to $37,240, increasing the rent ceiling to $931,000. Budget 2025 makes further eligibility changes that are estimated to benefit up to 1,600 more seniors by further increasing the income threshold to $40,000.

Enhancements to the program will also provide 30 percent more funding on average, with the average supplement increased from $261 to $337 per month. Overall, it is estimated that over 25,000 seniors will benefit from these enhancements.

Improving safety with new community safety initiatives by training more municipal police, making neighbourhoods and communities safer, this government is investing $325 million over three years to help improve community safety through various housing, public safety and justice programs and initiatives.

This includes $90 million more for HEART and HEARTH programs that provide a range of support services for people and shelter and housing options to help people move inside, resolving encampments in communities.

Funding of $325 million over three years will support community safety initiatives, including programs to address repeat offenders and strengthen intervention services and connect people to supports and treatments they need.

Through Budget 2025, the government is launching a new community safety targeted enforcement program to specifically target robberies, shoplifting, theft and property-related offences by providing police with enhanced tools and resources to curb these crimes.

[3:00 p.m.]

There is also new funding to improve capacity and access to justice, which includes new funding to courts, police, virtual bail and the B.C. Coroners Service, victim services, and to expand training capacity for police recruitments by 50 percent from 192 to 288 officers per year.

This government will continue to take action to provide a justice system that serves all British Columbians. Generally, women, Indigenous people and other marginalized groups face greater unmet legal needs. Women are generally more likely to experience family law issues, domestic and intimate partner violence and poverty, which often require services such as legal aid. To address this, government has been investing in legal aid, speeding up family dispute resolutions and expanding access to justice through vital services.

Budget 2025 continues to provide a new investment to keep people safe and communities strong by providing $235 million over the next three years to support various justice and public safety programs.

Building on B.C.’s critical infrastructure with investments in roads, bridges and transit to keep people and goods moving…. B.C. is building up the critical infrastructures we need to deliver and improve services in our communities across this province.

Budget 2025 provides $59.9 billion over three years for capital projects, including schools, hospitals, hydroelectricity projects and roads, bridges and transit that keep people and our economy moving. It is estimated that the projects will, directly and indirectly, create 180,000 jobs over the next three years, supporting the sustainability and clean, secure and strong economy.

Lawrence Mok: It is with profound gratitude and immense honour that I rise in this House today on behalf of my constituents of Maple Ridge and Mission to respond to the budget. This moment is not only a milestone of my political journey but also a reflection of the trust and faith that my community has placed in me.

Before I start my budget remarks, I would like to begin by thanking those who continue to support and encourage me. It is my first thing in politics, and with every day, I’m learning and striving to be a better advocate for my community. But through this, one thing remains clear: I’m truly blessed to have such a supportive team back home. Their unwavering support gives me the motivation to continue my work here, bringing forth the needs of Maple Ridge and Mission and doing all I can to make a difference in their lives.

First of all, I must thank all of my constituents in Maple Ridge and Mission who came out, even on such a stormy day, to cast a vote in our provincial election last October. As an immigrant, I understand the profound significance of exercising our civic duty. The ability to have a voice, be heard and contribute to the democratic process is something I hold dear, and I’m deeply grateful to my constituents for their active participation and for making their voices heard in such a meaningful way.

I’d also like to personally thank my wonderful campaign team, who have worked tirelessly during the campaign period. To Rick Cameron, Travis Trost, Penny Mok, Frederick Teo, Naomi Teo, Anthony Baldwin, Wes Dyck, Jack Armstrong, Brandon Bodnarchuk, Wendy Cook and many others who have volunteered their precious time: I’m so grateful to have your support, and I would not be standing here today in this wonderful House without all of you.

[3:05 p.m.]

To my dear family, my lovely wife, Penny, and my two incredible children, Lawson and Faith, I want to express my deepest gratitude. You have always stuck by my side and been the foundation that keeps me grounded. You are also the reason why I’m always smiling in this House. It is because of my family that I stand here today, confident in the work I’m doing and in the values that guide me.

My family’s journey to Canada began in 1988 when we left Singapore and settled here. We decided then that we would build our home in Maple Ridge. Why Maple Ridge, you may ask? Well, the simple answer back then was it was more affordable, and it was an easy place to find a church, to find a good community and build a home.

After living in Maple Ridge for almost 36 years now, it has become a city that we adore. From the moment we arrived, we embraced the opportunities that Maple Ridge had to offer and connected with people in my community who are now considered close friends. We love every square foot of this city, and I’m so honoured to now get to represent this same community who has loved us for almost four decades.

For those of you who do not know, one of my favourite activities to do in my spare time is to go for walks on river dikes. Some may wonder: “Lawrence, out of all the activities in this world you could enjoy, why do you choose walking on river dikes as your answer?” Well, for those who have been to Maple Ridge, the beautiful nature and scenery in my city speaks for itself.

Maple Ridge is home to the Golden Ears Provincial Park, one of British Columbia’s largest parks and an excellent example of our province’s coastal and western hemlock forests. In addition, Maple Ridge is home to many pristine lakes, including Pitt Lake, Rolley Lake and Whonnock Lake. In the summer, residents love to go swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, boating and fishing.

My favourite spot is walking and cycling on river dikes. Our river dikes stretch miles and miles and are situated beside the most breathtaking mountain views, with tall trees, glistening water and wildlife sounds all around. I must say, I do love the outdoor life in and around Maple Ridge.

Maple Ridge is not only a place of breathtaking natural beauty, but it is also home to a vibrant and diverse community of residents who are dedicated to building each other up. Over the years, I’ve been an active volunteer at the Maple Ridge Salvation Army church, and through this, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many inspiring people. I have seen firsthand their unwavering commitment to addressing social issues, supporting those in need and striving to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls this place home.

When I first moved here, Maple Ridge was a quiet town, a place where life moved at a slower pace. But over the past two decades, Maple Ridge and Mission have undergone a transformation. Both cities have been growing very rapidly, which has brought new opportunities but also resulted in the development of challenges such as homelessness, poverty, drugs and addiction, rising crime rates, health care shortages and a lack of recreational facilities or employment opportunities.

The reality is simple. Maple Ridge and Mission deserve much better. The people who live here, those who have lived here for years and also those who have just arrived, all deserve a place that offers the opportunities and supports to build a home.

[3:10 p.m.]

I am deeply committed to serving this community, and my goal is to represent the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people of Maple Ridge and Mission with all my heart.

Throughout my experiences learning and working in Canada, as well as in other parts of the world, I’ve had the privilege of gaining hands-on experience across a variety of industries, each of which shapes the way I approach challenges and opportunities in my role as an MLA.

Over the years, I have attended universities in Canada and the United States, earning nine degrees — two bachelor’s, four master’s, three doctorates — in diverse fields such as electrical engineering, business admin and Christian theology. These academic experiences provide me with a well-rounded understanding of the complexities affecting businesses, communities and individuals across different sectors.

As a registered applied science technologist, a registered engineer and a chartered manager, I have spent the last 35 years in the overhead bridge crane industry, where I’ve had the privilege of working with industries critical of British Columbia’s economy, including the forestry, mining, manufacturing, steel warehousing and food-processing industries.

B.C. prides itself on these resource-driven industries, and this unique opportunity allowed me to support these sectors through my work, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of overhead cranes and hoists in workplaces. Over the past 15 years, I have personally trained between 1,500 and 1,800 crane operators on how to operate the cranes and hoists safely in the above-mentioned industries.

As many of you know, safety is not just a priority; it is a fundamental value in B.C.’s workplace culture. Whether in forestry, mining or manufacturing, ensuring that workers return home safely to their families is of utmost importance.

I’ve also had the honour of teaching business management courses as a guest instructor in Canada, China and in North Africa, broadening my perspective on how different regions approach leadership, innovation and growth. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of serving part-time as a preacher in several local churches, which has instilled in me the importance of serving others with humility, integrity and a sense of purpose.

These experiences have all contributed to shaping my approach to politics here in British Columbia. I understand the value of education, training and skilled workforces in driving the success of our local industries. I also recognize the importance of community, safety and collaboration in those efforts at driving our province forward.

The work that we do in this province, whether it is in the forests, in the mines or within our communities, affects all of us. It is crucial that we prioritize the communities we serve and approach these issues with the same dedication to safety, understanding and empathy that I have practised throughout my professional career.

Being the representative for Maple Ridge and Mission is a great honour. I have had the opportunity to hear what my constituents want from the government over the campaign and the last few months since the election. My constituents have expressed increasing concerns about crime and social disorder in Maple Ridge and Mission. Issues related to homelessness, drugs and addiction and inadequate mental health support contribute to a growing sense of insecurity among community members.

[3:15 p.m.]

The government’s current strategies are failing to address these complex challenges effectively. Instead of vague commitments, we need concrete action to improve safety, support mental health initiatives and provide meaningful solutions to homelessness, drug trafficking and addiction.

An independent review of three supportive housing sites in Maple Ridge highlighted serious operational concerns, including safety and service delivery issues. This government must take accountability and ensure that these facilities are properly managed, providing real support to those in need while ensuring the safety of residents and the broader community.

Rapid population growth in Maple Ridge and Mission has also put immense strain on infrastructure. Roads are congested, schools are overcrowded. Essential services, like hospitals and emergency response teams, are stretched thin.

Additionally, interactions with city departments, such as obtaining permits, are slow and inefficient. Residents deserve better planning and governance to accommodate growth while maintaining liveability. These needs are not reflected in this failing budget.

In the 2025 budget, the government has committed $144 million for the replacement of Pitt Meadows Secondary School in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district. While this is a welcome investment, the government will not tell you that this project will not be completed until 2028. In the meantime, students continue to learn in overcrowded conditions, often in portables. We need a more immediate solution to ensure students receive a high-quality education in a safe and comfortable learning environment.

I’m honoured to be the opposition critic for skills training and international credentials. This is an important role that can be handled much more effectively. We need to help our province fill key jobs in major industries and essential government services. But when I look at this budget, I don’t see that plan. Instead, I see a government that does not understand business, workers or the economy.

Let’s talk about manufacturing. Manufacturing is a critical part of our province. Many people work in factories, support their families and help businesses grow. Yet in this budget, there’s almost no mention of manufacturing. It seems like the government assumes this sector will take care of itself. That’s not a responsible plan for the future.

Manufacturers are facing serious challenges. Costs are rising. Factories need better equipment and technology. They need workers, but they cannot find them. Businesses want to grow and create jobs, but they need support from the government. What does this budget offer? Almost nothing.

And where is the investment to modernize factories? Where is the support for new technology? Where is the plan to keep jobs in our province instead of losing them to other places? Nowhere to be found in this budget.

This failure does not just hurt business owners; it hurts workers. It hurts families. It hurts communities. When the government ignores manufacturing, we lose jobs, businesses shut down and our economy suffers.

But it is not only manufacturing that has been overlooked. Small businesses are also struggling. Many small business owners were hoping for relief in this budget. They need support to deal with rising costs, complicated regulations and worker shortages. They needed a government that would stand up for them and make it easier to succeed. Instead, they got almost nothing.

[3:20 p.m.]

The construction and trade industries in Maple Ridge and Mission and across the B.C. province are also facing severe labour shortages. Project delays and rising costs are hurting businesses and slowing down infrastructure development.

The B.C. NDP’s policies on credentialing and training have not effectively addressed this gap, leaving a shortage of millwrights, electricians, plumbers, welders, construction workers and many other essential workers. Without a steady pipeline of skilled labour, housing affordability worsens, infrastructure projects face setbacks and businesses in Maple Ridge and Mission continue to struggle to grow.

While funding allocations have increased slightly, SkilledTradesBC received $106.285 million in 2023, rising marginally to $106.522 million in 2025-26. This increase of only $237,000 represents a mere 0.22 percent rise. This is not enough to address the scale of the skilled labour shortage we are facing. The government must do more to ensure our workforce can meet the growing demands of our economy.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They are the coffee shops, the family-owned stores, the local services that keep our neighbourhoods strong. But what does this government offer them? More taxes, more regulations and more obstacles.

Small business owners are already facing enormous challenges. Prices are rising. Interest rates are making it harder to secure loans. Finding workers is becoming more difficult. And now, instead of relief, the government has given them a budget that ignores their needs.

We needed to see lower taxes for small businesses. We needed fewer regulations to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. We needed a clear plan to address the labour shortage so businesses can find the workers they need. But once again, this NDP government has done almost nothing.

Let’s talk about the labour shortage. It is one of the biggest challenges our economy faces today. Businesses are struggling to find workers. Hospitals need more doctors, specialists and nurses. Construction sites need skilled tradespeople. Yet many professionals are unable to work because of government barriers.

We need better training programs. We need to help people develop skills that match the jobs available. We need to make it easier for skilled workers from other countries to have their credentials quickly recognized so that they can start work sooner. Right now, many talented professionals are here but are unable to work in their fields, as testified by one of the opposite members yesterday, due to excessive bureaucracy and outdated regulations. Instead of streamlining this process, the government makes it even more difficult.

This budget should have included a clear plan for credential recognition. We need a system that fast-tracks the accreditation of skilled workers in critical fields such as health care, engineering and the trades. The government should work closely with professional regulatory bodies to establish standardized, transparent and fair evaluation processes. Language and bridging programs should also be expanded to help workers integrate quickly.

If we want to address labour shortages and strengthen our economy, we must break down these barriers and welcome skilled professionals into the workforce sooner. The government had a chance to move this forward in the budget, but once again, they failed to act in a timely manner.

[3:25 p.m.]

We need stronger partnerships between businesses, schools and training programs. We need more apprenticeship opportunities. We need a long-term plan to ensure our workforce is ready for the jobs of the future. But once again, this budget fails to deliver.

The message from this budget is clear: if you are a manufacturer, a small business owner or a worker looking for opportunity, you are not a priority. This government is not focused on your success. But we in the opposition refuse to accept this. We believe in a province where manufacturing thrives, where small businesses succeed and where every worker, whether born here or newly arrived, has the opportunity to build a better life here in B.C.

We need true leadership that understands the value of businesses and workers. We need good policies that put people first. And most importantly, we need a government that listens to the people and makes our economy strong.

This budget was a missed opportunity. We can and must do better with our creativity and determination. The people of this province deserve better now and not five years later or ten years later.

Hon. George Chow: It’s an honour to rise today to speak in support of the budget. And before I do that, as this is my first opportunity to address the House this session, I would like to thank the voters of Vancouver-Fraserview for electing me as their MLA. I would like to thank my family, my friends, my constituency executives, my campaign team and all the volunteers for their support in the election and throughout the years.

Vancouver-Fraserview is located at the southeast corner of the city, bordering the city of Burnaby and the Fraser River — hence, the name Fraserview. My riding is predominantly residential with an incredibly diverse population, which also has the highest number of seniors living in the city of Vancouver.

I’m very proud to represent the residents of Vancouver-Fraserview, especially at this time, as a member of this government that is committed to standing strong for British Columbians and Canadians, supporting people and B.C. businesses and protecting public services.

[Mable Elmore in the chair.]

Last Tuesday, the Finance Minister delivered a budget that puts people at the heart of our response to the unjustified new tariffs introduced by the United States. Budget 2025 prepares us to navigate the tariffs so we can put people first and protect businesses as we build a stronger, more self-sufficient future for British Columbians. To tackle this uncertainty, Budget 2025 outlines multiple measures to bolster our economy.

Our government is improving health care and education by connecting more people to family doctors and building schools for our children; improving public safety with new community safety initiatives and more training for municipal police; and building up B.C.’s critical infrastructure with investments in roads, bridges and transit that keep people and goods moving.

Our government is committed to delivering for British Columbians. Since 2017, we have created an additional 250,000 jobs in communities across the province, with wages growing faster than inflation. And we are bringing down costs by cutting fees for child care by more than half and keeping ICBC insurance and electricity rates less than half what Albertans pay.

[3:30 p.m.]

Our government is also tackling the housing crisis, delivering 90,000 more homes now, with an estimated 300,000 more on the way over the next 10 years.

B.C.’s economy is built to withstand the economic threat of tariffs better than most other provinces. We’re one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in Canada, and British Columbia is in a stronger, more diversified position than other provinces when it comes to trade.

We know the impact of the tariffs will be severe, but we are forging ahead on diversifying our trade partners and working to fund markets for B.C. products. We’re also strengthening our provincial economy by speeding up permitting and reducing trade barriers between provinces. We’re accelerating 18 major resource projects that are ready to move forward and that are worth $20 billion and are expected to create approximately 8,000 jobs during construction across B.C.

Budget 2025 also provides $30 million more to the integrated marketplace initiative to support the development of made-in-B.C. technology and to support efforts to find new trading partners abroad.

The budget also includes a strong capital infrastructure investment plan. In Budget 2025, capital spending on schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, hydroelectric projects and other infrastructure around B.C. is expected to directly and indirectly create 180,000 jobs over the next three years.

Most of all, in the face of the tariff threat, B.C. has our greatest resource: our British Columbians. British Columbians are hard-working, resilient and proud Canadians, and we will get through this the same way we always have, by working, looking out for each other and building together.

As the MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview, I’m especially proud of what we are doing locally and collectively to make life better for residents. We are working to tackle the housing issue. Since 2017, six cost-effective housing programs have come online in Vancouver-Fraserview. That means 750 new homes have been built for people, with even more on the way.

The newest housing project in my riding is the new Sawmill Crescent project. Our housing action plan takes on speculators and will create 300,000 more middle-class homes in the next decade.

We’re also working together when it comes to getting people the services and health care they need. As government, we are hiring doctors now to provide immediate support and training more to meet future needs. In closing, I’m also pleased to see in Budget 2025 that an additional…. This includes 900 internationally trained doctors, family doctors and specialists who have been licensed to practise here in the past year — and more to come, as our Health Minister has just announced today, this afternoon, a new initiative to attract more doctors and health care workers to this province.

Recently, I had the privilege of touring the urgent primary care centre in my riding on Victoria Drive. I was very impressed with the facility and the staff. Aside from being treated for urgent medical needs, residents can register for help with connecting them to a family doctor.

We’re building the $2.3 billion Burnaby hospital development project, next door to my riding, that when completed in 2026, will add more than 100 beds, two new patient care towers with new units, an operating room, a bigger emergency department and a new cancer treatment centre.

[3:35 p.m.]

This is, indeed, very good news, especially important in my riding, as we have a high population of seniors and a growing population in the River District, which is south of Marine Drive, where many residential towers are being built.

I was also pleased to see in Budget 2025 that an additional 1,600 seniors will receive rental support through the Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters, or SAFER, program. The average supplements are growing by 30 percent, and this is the second increase to funding for SAFER recipients in the past year.

We are investing in building stronger communities through the growing community fund that was distributed to all B.C. municipalities. Thanks to the Vancouver park board, this fund is helping our community to renovate and improve Ross Park, which is located a few blocks from the Khalsa Diwan Society on Ross Street. The renovated park will have a new spray park for the children and a new field house for all users. This will be a most wonderful project for the neighbourhood, and I can’t wait for when it is completed.

Finally, I’m honoured to have been reappointed as Minister of Citizens’ Services. The work done by the Ministry of Citizens’ Services impacts the daily lives of British Columbians, from expanding high-speed Internet access to remote communities, to the important work of our anti-racism data committee and our dedicated ministry staff providing people access to over 300 government services through Service B.C.

About connectivity. As you know, rural Internet connectivity is a major priority for a government. As minister, I have had the honour to announce the completion of several key connectivity projects, providing high-speed Internet access to people in rural and remote communities, including several Indigenous communities, like Lax Kw’alaams, Haida Gwaii, Nuxalk Nation and lekw’emin.

Everyone in British Columbia needs access to high-speed Internet services to participate fully in today’s economy. That’s why bringing high-speed Internet services to people, no matter where they live, is a priority for this government. B.C. stretches far and wide, with rugged terrain that can be challenging for connectivity. In recent years, extreme climate emergencies have posed serious risks to people and connectivity infrastructure. With strong collaboration with federal, municipal and First Nation governments, as well as Internet service providers, we haves made strong progress.

In 2017, we estimated that only 57 percent of homes in rural areas of B.C. and 66 percent of homes on First Nation reserves in B.C. had access to high-speed Internet. As of January this year, approximately 74 percent — that is from 57 percent to 74 percent now — of rural homes and over 80 percent of homes on First Nations reserves now have access to the high-speed Internet.

In August 2024, the province renewed its reconciliation agreement with Coastal First Nations by signing the Coastal First Nations and B.C. regional accord. A key element of the agreement includes enhancing connectivity within the territories of the coast’s First Nations to support economic revitalization, integrated stewardship, human well-being and so much more.

High-speed Internet opens doors to a world of unique opportunities such as jobs that support local initiatives, like the guardian watchmen program; interactive learning programs for kids with the connected North program in Lax Kw’alaams, Hartley Bay, Haida Gwaii and Bella Bella. Connectivity also supports and enhances cultural revitalization efforts like language preservation programs and delivers innovative health solutions to more remote communities like the new remote ultrasound project in Skidegate.

The Rogers-UBC teleoperation remote ultrasound project is a game changer. Using Rogers 5G technology, health care professionals can now reach patients in areas that previously lacked essential services.

[3:40 p.m.]

During a visit to UBC in January this year, I saw firsthand how this collaboration between Rogers, UBC and the local community is helping bridge the health care gap and provide people in Haida Gwaii with the care they need. Communities can only move forward with these digital opportunities when Internet service is available, but more importantly, is of high quality and reliable.

Our work together is complex and requires extensive collaboration, negotiation and hard work. But it is worth it. The Rural B.C. Connectivity Benefits Study published this past July predicts our investment of $289 million in 132 connectivity projects will generate more than eight times the return. That means it could generate $2½ billion in economic impact in both the short and long run. This works out to be almost $14,000 for every person who gets connected to high-speed Internet.

Our government is not just investing in expanding broadband infrastructure in B.C. We are also investing in expanding highway cellular connectivity to improve public safety by having better access to emergency service. To date, work has been completed or is underway to bring new cell service along 440 kilometres of highways.

I’m particularly proud of progress made to expand cellular service on Highway 16, between Smithers and Prince Rupert, in partnership with Rogers. Nine towers are now in service along the highway, providing critical 5G coverage and 911 access over 166 kilometres between Prince Rupert and Smithers. The remaining towers are expected to be erected this year.

The provision of cell service along Highway 16 acts on a key recommendation from the Highway of Tears Symposium and provides travellers, especially women and girls, a vital lifeline in times of emergency.

But connecting people to high-speed Internet is just one part of what we do at the Ministry of Citizens’ Services. My ministry is also responsible for the Anti-Racism Data Act. Anti-racism is a core value of government and permeates its work, ministry and members. The struggle to create an even more equitable British Columbia is a shared responsibility, and we’re working hard to keep advancing it.

That’s why my ministry has championed the initiative by continuing its work under the Anti-Racism Data Act to identify the barriers experienced by Indigenous and racialized people in accessing government services.

The Anti-Racism Data Act became law in 2022 to help us identify and dismantle systemic racism so that we can deliver better services for everyone in B.C. In May, we released initial research findings from three priority areas identified by the anti-racism data committee and Indigenous peoples as well as a progress report on the Anti-Racism Data Act.

The initial research findings, using data from the BC Demographic Survey and other sources, indicate that systemic barriers exist for Indigenous and racialized individuals in the public service, including underrepresentation as employees, particularly in management and executive roles; that racialized students in our schools tended to be less likely to receive special needs designations than the average student in the K-to-12 system; and that Indigenous people may be disproportionately affected by ailments including diabetes, asthma and mood and anxiety disorders.

Our government is working to address these challenges by improving hiring practices and workplace culture within the B.C. public service, working to ensure the people who are shaping and delivering public services reflect the diversity of B.C.’s population, increasing support and opportunity for Indigenous and racialized people to succeed in their careers, making sure all students receive the support they need and strengthening health care services to improve outcomes. Creating more inclusive and equitable public service is just one way we’re working to improve services for people.

[3:45 p.m.]

As you know, we have Service B.C. offices throughout B.C., but we are also making services more accessible and convenient by bringing them directly to people in their home community with a new Service B.C. mobile service centre.

Last year, the ministry launched a new van, a one-stop shop for over 300 government services. Since launching, the Service B.C. mobile service centre has attended 132 events, serving nearly 16,000 people.

This Service B.C. van is also a critical asset to support people in terms of extreme need when they are impacted by natural disasters, such as wildfires or flooding. The van provides supports at evacuation centres, to assist people, recover or reissue their important personal documents and IDs, as well as critical disaster-related supports.

In this past summer alone, the Service B.C. van helped people across many communities, including Cache Creek, Salmon Arm, Scotch Creek, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Hope, Vernon, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Penticton.

In closing, in British Columbia, our greatest strength is the people who live here. Our government is committing to making life better for all British Columbians no matter where they live. We will remain optimistic and determined. The challenges are real, but so is our commitment to put people first and overcome the challenges together. I will keep working hard and continue to listen to people from all corners of the province to deliver on the priorities that matters most.

Trevor Halford: It’s always an honour to get up in this House and speak. On the budget today, I don’t think my remarks are going to be shocking. They’ll be pointed, they’ll be reflective, and I hope that they will be viewed as constructive. We’ll see.

Somebody way more important than me once said that eventually you run out of other people’s money. We’ve done that to the tune of 11 billion times. Historic deficits now.

It’s important that we note that that deficit…. Those are based on numbers before the writ was even dropped in the presidential election. The budget that was tabled didn’t contain anything on tariffs. It actually was dealing with the mess that we were into just prior to the writ being dropped in this province.

I think we all saw those storm clouds coming. Now it’s not just storm clouds; we are in a very, very bad storm, given what we are seeing south of the border and the changing landscape that seems to be changing not just daily but hourly now. I think that it has become quite evident that we as a province, that this government, failed in every measure to prepare us for the hardships that we are in today. That’s a pretty sobering fact.

I’ve heard the other speakers talk about small business. I’m going to start with small business because it’s the lifeblood of my community, Surrey–White Rock. It’s how food was put on the table in my house. My parents both owned small businesses. My mom still does. She’s actually going to be retiring at the end of the month, so a shout-out to my mom at the curling rink that’s got her café going on there.

I can tell you that the last — it wasn’t just the last four years — number of years have been a struggle, not just for the restaurant industry. It has been a big struggle for them because this is a government that has continued to move the goalposts on the food and beverage industry, almost on any small business industry. I’m going to get to that in a second. It has been a struggle.

I think it’s been a challenge for every sector, but in small business, where I reside, is that…. In my area, small business represents 97 percent of the businesses in my constituency.

[3:50 p.m.]

The challenge we’ve seen in the last almost eight years is that with this government, there seems to be a theme where we get big business, whether it’s London Drugs moving or other places…. Big business becomes small business, and then small business — well, they go out of business.

There’s a reason for that, right? If you ask them why they’re closing up, they may give you one specific reason. Maybe increased taxation. Maybe lack of support for their windows getting smashed and not being able to deal with the bureaucracy nightmare it is to get some of the programs the government has offered. But it’s not the one, two or three things that’ll kill this business. It’s the 1,000th thing that’ll kill them. It’s the layering of bureaucracy, time and time again. And we get that. We get that.

It’s even trying to access basic programs. The government went and did a big press conference on vandalism, smashed windows and things like that, a noble effort. I heard from so many businesses that just said it’s impossible to access. “We can’t get the money out.” And then the government admitted: “Yeah, we can’t get the money out the door.”

So you dangle this carrot in front of businesses when they’re at their most vulnerable, and you make them work so hard for it to the point that they just give up. They say: “We’ll pay for it ourselves. We’ll pay the deductible ourselves, but we just can’t manage this bureaucracy. I’m the staff here. I can’t keep going.” That’s a really, really tough spot.

I think that businesses…. They want to know, at the end of the day, that you have their back. I think one of the challenges is that this government has talked about the increased employment that we’ve seen year over year. But in the sectors that we’re talking about, the small businesses in my area, that’s not there. We’ve seen a decrease.

If you go down Marine Drive, go down Johnston Road, go down 152nd, the number of “For lease” signs you see up is absolutely staggering. It’s pretty humbling. That’s happening in every riding. You see it everywhere.

People are really, really making the decision now whether or not this is a place that we can do business. And you saw…. It was read off here, and I’m not going to keep going through it again, because people will keep doing it. It’s not a bad thing. But you saw the report cards that we were getting from the chambers. They weren’t good. They were failing grades. If my kid came home with that report card, I’d be pretty concerned. But this is a report card of a government that’s racked up an $11 billion credit card tab. That’s done in the context of pre-tariffs.

Now, I think one of the challenges that we see is…. I’m going to talk about health care, because I think that health care is vitally important. I think we’re failing almost on every measure.

In question period today, it’s…. You would think with the amount of staff that they’ve hired in the last little bit that they’d have better answers, but we’re not there yet. The minister refers to the second tower at Surrey Memorial that the former minister and the Premier proudly stood up and announced when they were on full-on panic mode because the doctors, the nurses, every front-line worker had said: “Enough.” And they’re still saying: “Enough.”

So what did they do? They gathered up all the cameras. They got a platform. They got a podium, and they said: “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re building another tower. We’ll talk to you in a month, after the election. Let us get through the election. We’ll talk to you then. We’re going to build a second tower for Surrey.”

My colleague pointed that out today. It’s not there. It’s MIA. This is where there’s a credibility issue here. You go to the front-line workers, the people that are putting it every day, the people that are putting in 12-hour shifts in emergency room, and then Fraser Health is going to them and saying: “Please don’t go home. We need you to stay, or else we’re going to have to shut down the emergency room.” And you’re going to them and saying: “We have your back. Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to build a second tower. We don’t have a business plan for it, but we’re going to do it. Trust us.”

[3:55 p.m.]

That second tower ain’t in the budget. The business plan ain’t in the budget. There is no mention of that second tower whatsoever. Again, overpromise, underdeliver. It’s consistent.

In my community, I’ve got Peace Arch Hospital, a hospital I had my kids at and I was born at. It’s a great hospital. It’s stretched. It’s at its limit. It’s past its breaking point. It had diversion after diversion in the summer.

One of the challenges on that, I’ll point out for a second, is that this government, this health authority, had to go kicking and screaming to actually tell people in my riding and my neighbouring ridings that it was on diversion, because they didn’t want to do it. What they said was: “Okay, well, it’s not a diversion; it’s a partial diversion.”

What’s a partial diversion?

“Well, a partial diversion is, basically, if you really need help, we’ll try and figure it out with a nurse on staff. But we’re going to send you to Langley. Probably we can’t send you to Surrey Memorial, because they’ve got an 18-hour wait, and maybe Royal Columbian. Well, we’ll figure it out.” They don’t want to even communicate that.

When I talked today about the challenges of Fraser Health, that’s a big reason for that. I’ll get back to that in a second.

So Peace Arch Hospital. One of the big things that they’ve been championing is an ICU. One of the reasons why I think it’s really important that Peace Arch Hospital gets a new ICU is because I know that we talk a lot about the Cloverdale hospital and the great things that’s going to happen at Cloverdale hospital. Here’s the problem with Cloverdale hospital: Cloverdale hospital doesn’t have an ICU. They don’t have a maternity ward either.

You know, if you talk to a doctor and they tell you that if you have a heart attack on, let’s say, 176 and Highway 10 — okay, whatever there — or you get into a car accident and you have internal bleeding, anything like that, you’re going to be about a block and a half away from the Cloverdale hospital. You think that’s a good thing. Here’s the problem: that ambulance ain’t taking you to Cloverdale hospital. They won’t; they can’t.

It’s not going to be staffed appropriately for it. It won’t have the equipment for it. It won’t have the resources for it. It’s a triage place. It has an emergency department, but no ICU. So where are you going to go?

If you have a heart attack, well then you should be going to Surrey Memorial, right? You go to Surrey Memorial Hospital, off the King George Highway. No, you’re not going to go there either, because this government has chosen not to fund cardiac care there. So Surrey Memorial’s out.

So now you’re going across the bridge, and you’re going into Royal Columbian. That’s three hospitals within about a three-kilometre radius that you’re passing by, because this government has chosen to underfund Surrey and the Fraser Valley. It’s not just me saying this. The mayor has said it. Stakeholders said it. But most importantly, the people that matter — well, the voters have said it, in Surrey for sure — the front-line workers have said it over and over again. It can’t continue like this.

I don’t know who’s listening. I’m listening. This side’s listening, okay? I don’t think anybody else is listening, because here are the challenges. When you meet with them and you say: “Okay, just stop, stop. We’re going to do a second tower, and then we’re going to meet with you after, and we’ll do your contract. We’ll get it all done, but just please let us do our job and go to the polls.” Overpromise; underdeliver.

I talked about the ICU at Peace Arch Hospital. We’re getting a new ICU, right? Forty million dollars, new ICU at Peace Arch Hospital. The one right now, it’s almost held together with duct tape, and you’ve got to move the beds around, and it’s not a good setup.

[4:00 p.m.]

Here’s the hook, though, with the ICU: out of that $40 million, $37 million of it is coming from the Hospital Foundation. We actually don’t even have a firm commitment on the $3 million that the province is apparently committing.

For an area like mine that is growing by the thousands every month…. We have an ICU, and this province puts in maybe $3 million, and the community puts in the other $37 million. Man, if there’s a ribbon cutting for that, really think twice before you show up. That’s a pretty damning indictment.

We talk about the fact that…. I mentioned it today. We talk about transparency and the importance of having trust in the system. I think this budget really reflected a lack of that.

A couple of weeks ago we saw the dismissal or the departure of CEO Victoria Lee. We haven’t had any comment from the minister on severance, if that was budgeted or anything like that. But you would think — in the importance of a growing region, of where we are and where we represent — that this government would want to have leadership in place at the Fraser Health Authority that was actually working in good faith with the front-line workers. We don’t have that.

That’s not a personal shot or a vendetta or anything against that. It’s the fact that I’m getting phone calls. I know my colleague from Surrey-Cloverdale is getting phone calls. We’re all getting phone calls saying: “We have a lack of trust in leadership.”

At a political level, we get that. We understand that, and we expect that — no matter what side of the House — sometimes. But they’re fundamentally saying: “We don’t trust the leadership at Fraser Health.” And they come with examples on why they don’t. I’ve given a few of them today.

That, to me, is a red flag. And it’s one, I think, if this government wants to build any credibility back in the health care system, especially in the areas that we represent…. You probably want to act on that one pretty quick, because from what I heard from the minister today, she doesn’t have a lot of confidence in them either.

Again, the minister has gotten up in previous question periods, and we’ve talked about the budget and lack of it, whether it’s a second tower or whether it’s including a maternity ward in Cloverdale or an ICU, which they’re not going to be doing….

The Minister keeps talking about a two-tier health care system. I find it interesting because we’ve had a two-tier health care system under this government for a long time, in many different ways. We are sending patients down to Bellingham for cancer care. That is a fact. People are accessing private care through the public system because of the backlogs. That is a fact. That is happening right now.

The other reason we have a two-tier health care system right now…. It’s called a plane ticket. Simple. People every day are choosing to leave this country, leave this province and get the care they need.

That is not a shot at the health care workers. That’s a shot at this government. But just be transparent about it. When we get up and we talk about the budget and the lack of resources for the health care system, and we immediately get, “Well, you want to do a two-tier health care system…” You’re already doing it. They’re already doing it. Just be transparent about it.

You look at the other challenges we have, and the Premier gets up, and he says: “Well, we’ve got to roll up our sleeves. We’ve got to fight these tariffs. We’ve got to do whatever we can. We’re going to speed everything up. We’ve got to do this. We’ve got to support our ag sector. We’ve got to support this and that….”

Highway 1. If this Premier was serious about supporting our ag sector, then Highway 1 would have been done two years ago when it was supposed to be done. Nothing in this budget for Highway 1. One of the most important transportation corridors for commercial traffic in western Canada, underfunded, behind schedule by years and clearly not a priority.

[4:05 p.m.]

Again, then you stand up now and say: “No, no, no, this is a priority.” Well, it should be done.

The other issue. How many commercial trucks…?

What time is it? I always do this.

Interjection.

Trevor Halford: It’s four o’clock. So how many commercial trucks do we think, right now, are stuck in gridlock at the Massey Tunnel? A lot. A lot.

Here’s the other problem. I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer in my whole speech, but it’s kind of going that way. I’ll tell you this: that you should have had a bridge open two years ago. Two years ago that bridge would have been open, those commercial trucks wouldn’t be stuck in traffic right now — idling, by the way, if anybody from the environment side is paying attention.

It would have been designed for rapid transit, too. Rapid transit could have eventually come out to South Surrey. That can’t happen.

And then we talk about an $11 billion deficit of other people’s money spent. Let’s talk about the $100 million that they just scrapped because they know better. “No, no, no. We don’t want a bridge. We want a tunnel — or maybe we want a tunnel. We don’t know. We’ll figure it out.”

But the $100 million that’s already been spent on preload? Forget about it. “We’re going to move on. We’re going to do something different.” Gone. Think about what that $100 million would have meant to the Surrey school district and what we talked about today.

So when we talk about…. The Minister of Transportation got up and applauded the SkyTrain extension: “This thing is great.” I think it would have been great if it was built on time and on budget. It’s over 50 percent over budget right now. Years delayed.

I challenge anybody that’s speaking after me to get up and name one project that this government has done that has been on time and on budget — one.

Now, the Premier stands up, and he says, “Families, we’ve got to do more. This is a time we’ve got to bind together.”

Walk the walk, right? Families, right now, have to balance their budgets, so they go without food. They miss their mortgage payments. They have to pull their kids out of sports. Those are the choices families are making every day at their dinner tables.

At the cabinet table, it’s a much different conversation, right? It’s: “What do we need to do to make sure that we look like we’re doing something, but we also need to make sure we’re taking care of each other? We’ve got to make sure that our priority…. We’re going to have nine political staff under the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, a little hiring freeze. We’re going to cut the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Forests, or we’re going to increase the Premier’s Office budget.”

Those are the conversations happening at the cabinet table. Those aren’t the conversations happening at the kitchen table. It’s like: “Can we afford to put Stephen in hockey this year? Because I’m probably going to lose my job.”

We can talk about tariffs, because that’s happening a lot right now, but the problem with that is: those conversations were happening before. They were happening last year, the year before that and the year before that. It’s just getting worse, right?

When we talk about kids…. We’ll talk about education. I had a chance to meet with my colleagues at Surrey school district. It was a pretty sobering meeting. There is nobody that should be shocked that Surrey is a growing municipality — by the thousands. What they should be shocked at is how unprepared this government is to serve the children of that city. Shameful.

So what choices are being made right now? Band programs getting cut. StrongStart getting cut. Buses for children with disabilities cut. South Surrey-White Rock Learning Centre cut.

Do you know the leasing cost of that South Surrey-White Rock Learning Centre? Under $200,000 a year. It served 140 kids, all kids that, for reasons of their own, weren’t fitting into the mainstream schools but found a home at this learning centre.

[4:10 p.m.]

Now this minister is banking on the fact that they’re just going to go back into mainstream schools and they’ll find a modified program for each kid. It’s not going to work.

I met with a young girl that said she had been in 30 different foster homes. That was the best home she ever had, she said. And they’re going to shut the doors in June.

For a Premier that got up and said, after October 19, that he had heard voters and he was going to do things differently…. Two weeks later he gives a $270,000 severance package to a guy that served under two years. And now we’re closing the doors on a learning centre. We’re telling kids in band: “No more.” We’re telling kids with disabilities: “Sorry the bus isn’t going to show up.”

And when you look at portables…. We’ve got more portables than we ever had before. And here’s the worst thing about it: a lot of those portables right now don’t even have kids in them. They’re sitting on playgrounds and fields. But the school district can’t move them because it’s $160,000 each time you move one of those portables, and that comes out of their capital budget — a budget that they are short $5 billion on right now to do what they need to do to keep up with the pace and the growth of the city of Surrey. Not good. Not good at all. It’s really bad to be this unprepared.

I think one of the challenges, as I heard the previous speaker — and it was in good faith that he said it — talk about the 18 projects that this government is going to get behind. I think it was in excess of $20 billion. Here’s why this is the problem with the budget, too: the Premier’s increased his office; the Ministry of Environment has decreased their office. So unless the people in the Premier’s office are now doing environmental assessments, which I don’t really think they are…. I think they’re writing news releases and obviously not QP answers, but they’re doing other things.

The challenge with that is we’re saying we’re going to do all these projects, but we’re not going to staff the office appropriately. Are you serious? Not all those projects are wind farms. And by the way, on the wind farms, I hope they staff the AG’s office properly because a lot of those projects are going to end up in court because they’re not doing the proper consultation that’s needed. That’s going to be a big challenge.

Ministry of Forests, same thing. Our forest sector has been devastated, and it’s going to get worse from what we’re seeing. And the fact of the matter is another decrease in that budget as well.

I think this is why British Columbians are having a hard time grappling with some of the things the Premier is saying. Right? We have big challenges in front of us. Hiring more and more communications officers ain’t going to fix it. More political staff ain’t going to fix it. Golden parachutes to top advisers ain’t going to fix it. Trust, transparency will fix it. That’ll help. That’ll be a start. The signature promise of this Premier was a $1,000 grocery rebate. Now in the budget we’re talking about a $110 ICBC cheque. That’s not what was talked about in the campaign.

They can say, “Well, the landscape has changed with tariffs,” again. This was all based before that. This whole budget was based before that. Just because you talk about tariffs in a throne speech and press conferences…. They’re not adding up in the numbers that were put forward in the budget. It’s not there. I think that that’s why British Columbians are struggling with this government.

A lot of times, they’re saying the right things. They’re saying: “Here’s what we’re going to do. We are going to work with doctors in good faith. We are going to build a second tower in Surrey. We are going to complete the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension. We’re going to eventually get down to the Massey.”

[4:15 p.m.]

But the problem is we’re not building. And when we are, it’s coming at a substantial price because, at some point, if you fail the plan, you plan to fail. And that’s what this government does on every big project.

The Cowichan Hospital. Per bed, it’s one of the most expensive hospitals in Canada, in Cowichan. Love Cowichan, but per bed, because of the mishandling and the government continuing to champion CBAs…. That’s not just government money, right?

When we talk about the deficit, that’s $11 billion racked up. I think it’d be different if people could say: “Well, I can see the level of service has improved. I can see dramatic transportation improvements. Health care system is humming. Education is great. We’re getting it all. It’s getting done.” It’s not. It’s failing every….

One person on the other side, stand up and tell me where this government is actually executing in a way that is providing good service to British Columbians. It’s not there. That’s the biggest challenge. That’s why we have a credibility problem here. So again, it’s no surprise. It’s not a budget I’m going to support because I actually don’t think it supports British Columbians in the way that they need it. I don’t. I don’t.

I think that when you’re talking about things like involuntary care…. You campaign on that. You campaign on getting tough on repeat offenders. And then you fail in every metric to deliver it in a fiscal way. I don’t think it’s done in good faith.

So with that, I’ll take my seat. I’m thankful for the opportunity to speak to the budget.

Hon. Terry Yung: Well, good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to rise in this House and speak to Budget 2025. I want to start by thanking the Minister of Finance and her staff. It’s no small task to put together a budget, the time and effort it took. This budget is a plan to protect jobs and services so the people of British Columbia can rely on it while facing challenges and unpredictable tariffs. We also have to grow our economy to be self-reliant so we can achieve a stronger future.

But before I start on community safety and integrated services and public safety, I want to do a bit of a reflection. Not so long ago people like myself and my colleagues from Maple Ridge East or Richmond Centre were not afforded the right to vote or the right to participate in a democratic election, nor would I be having a seat at this table, have a voice to be heard. I want to thank everybody here that we believe in progress, we believe in inclusion, we believe this province is better off because we have a diverse group of people with different voices and opinions.

We may not agree at times, but we should never marginalize and victimize and vilify other people who are different than we are. And I firmly believe in that.

Interjection.

Hon. Terry Yung: Thank you.

I spent a long career as a police officer in Vancouver, as some of you might know. I also want to take this time to recognize some other members of this Legislature who spent dedicated services protecting the citizens of this province. In no particular order — she was just here — the member for Surrey-Cloverdale, the member for Surrey-Panorama, the member for Surrey-Guildford, the member for West Kelowna–Peachland, myself and my friend here for Burnaby South–Metrotown. Between the six of us, we have over 120 years of law enforcement services in this province.

Even though policing might not be popular at times…. During the pandemic — a sad story or a less happy story — I was in line at a coffee shop, and some person came up to myself and two uniformed members and said: “I hope you don’t get to go home today and something bad happens to you.”

[4:20 p.m.]

It’s not one of the warmer moments in my life. It makes it more difficult the next morning for me to get up, away from my family and loved ones, to protect perfect strangers, to bring calmness to chaos and to want to be part of an effort that makes us safer. It’s certainly not an easy job. I’m reminded….

Every morning, I walk to the Legislature from my place, and I walk through the memorials of first responders — fire department personnel, law enforcement officers, search and rescue. I read some of the names along the way when I’m not too late, and I stop and pause.

These are family members of people who cherish them, and there’s no greater love than giving up one’s life for another person’s life. I just want to recognize all the first responders in this House. Thank you.

I understand. You know what? I live in Vancouver. I get it. People don’t feel as safe as they should be. I can give you numbers all day and say that stranger attacks in my home riding or my city of Vancouver have gone down, but when people don’t feel safe, they’re not safe.

There’s much work to be done, but to have any meaningful impact, we need to have a coordinated effort from government, from law enforcement agencies, from mental health and addiction services, supportive housing and more. We cannot simply arrest our way out of social disorder. It’s not a crime to be poor; it’s not a crime to be homeless. We have to target the criminal behaviours that are associated with some of the public disorder.

I understand that. For many years, I showed up when things were not going well. I showed up when people were at their worst. The job is not easy. It has certainly become increasingly harder. But it’s no reason why we have to let up.

We have to have a joint approach with the community. There would be no community safety without the community being consulted and listened to.

That goes with the focus on the outcomes. It includes the vital input of community-based organizations, getting people connected to the services and support they so need. At this time of uncertainty and change that we face, it’s more important than ever that we bring balance back to our neighbourhoods, our communities.

As I said during the campaign…. It’s not just a campaign slogan. It’s pretty obvious when I knock on thousands of doors that people want to feel safe. While you tell them that, it’s not good enough. We have to actually listen to people, understand what the concerns are and actively tailor our responses to make them feel safer — not just the numbers. Those speak for themselves.

Also, this work requires me to work with other ministries to bring together meaningful partnerships for people struggling with mental health, addiction, brain injury — concurrent treatment for mental health and drug addiction, not just one or the other — with the service interventions they need and then put them into complex housing.

There’s no point having a great program like the Red Fish, with an eight-month time frame and over 85 percent success rate, and then put them back into an SRO. We need to put them in meaningful housing so they can reintegrate and be a part of society.

I walked the beat in the Downtown Eastside for 3½ years. I watched people die in front of me. I watched a pretty sad lack of humanity in the poorest postal code in the country, across from West Vancouver, who are almost the opposite. And I asked myself: “Why do we allow that to happen? Does it get better? Do people deserve to live in the Downtown Eastside? Do they deserve to be on the streets, and the life expectancy they tolerate? Is that tolerable for us? Is that okay, just because they’re less fortunate?”

I hear people say: “If you’re not a millionaire, you don’t work hard enough.” It may be true, but it’s not always true. I know that many people, many families, work two or three jobs, and they’re struggling to make ends meet.

I think we’re here to make sure this budget looks after people who need help, not just the people who don’t really need us. Of course we have to appeal to everybody and look after everyone but especially people who are in need of secure care, not able to make informed decisions.

Living on the streets for another six months, two years, is not helpful. I know that because I’ve seen it. They’re not taking their medication. They continue to be a danger to themselves and others. Under the Mental Health Act, we need to get them the help they so badly need.

[4:25 p.m.]

One of the biggest disadvantages they have…. I knew them by their first names, which street corner they are on, because I walked the beat for three years. They were once somebody’s parents, sons and daughters, nephews, relatives, friends.

But the one thing in common is that a lot of people gave up on them. They were disconnected. Nobody cared. So how do we get that back? Get them back into society, get them to meaningful treatment, so they can get back on their feet and not live on the streets?

I can guarantee you…. I volunteer for Covenant House Vancouver as a board member, and their fundraiser is Sleep Out. I can guarantee you that in the wintertime, in Vancouver, you would not enjoy sleeping out on the concrete for a night.

Can you imagine you do that for five, six, ten years while simultaneously suffering from mental health and drug addiction? People are just afraid of you. You’re invisible. Is that the best way to help the most vulnerable people in our society? I don’t think so. I was there. They become almost non-human beings. Their families gave up on them. Nobody would want to talk to them. They survived in SROs, which is an inhumane and unproductive way to house people.

I see my friend for Surrey-Cloverdale is back. I just missed recognising you for your service as a law enforcement officer. Thank you. It’s not always popular.

The challenges we face are not unique to Vancouver, Surrey, urban centres or rural centres. It’s quite universal to a lot of places. That’s why I talk to business communities, residents, downtown associations, public safety advocates like Save Our Streets and key partners to come up with practical, community-driven initiatives. One size doesn’t fit all. As a long-term police officer, I can tell you that the police don’t have all the answers or all the resources. We need to work closely with the people in the community who are experiencing the chaos.

In this budget, to be specific, we are investing $67 million for the next three years on programs such as repeat offenders violence intervention programs, because one big thing I always see is the repeat offenders. A small percentage of these criminals victimize the rest of us on a daily, weekly basis.

I’m as much outraged as you are that they’re walking the streets before the victims get released from the hospital. I don’t think that’s what we want. I certainly don’t think that’s going to necessarily make us safer, because I’ve been there. I was someone to lock them up in the morning and sometimes see them back way too soon.

The second part of that is the CSTEP program and SITE programs. The CSTEP program I’ll go into a little more. The SITE program is called a specialized investigative targeted fund. I know in my home agency until…. I was actually part of the senior leadership team of the Vancouver police department until last year. So when I say “we,” I use it loosely. Now it’s not we.

They were the recipients of over $3 million in this program to target repeat offenders and shoplifters and people that actually repeatedly make businesses untenable in the areas. Of course, the new program, which is called CSTEP…. We like acronyms. It’s called community safety and targeted enforcement team.

This is a brand-new program that we’re funding, supporting, to specifically target robbery, shoplifting, theft and property-related crimes so people can actually make a living in small or big businesses, because people should not be afraid to go to their place of employment.

Also, I was on the board of governors for the Justice Institute of B.C. Some of you might not know that’s the institution that trains all non-RCMP officers, all municipal police officers, in the province of B.C. We are actually investing in 98 or 96 — over 90, anyway — additional spaces every year to train additional police officers to make sure agencies like Vancouver, Surrey and other police agencies have the staff they need to do the jobs they do.

There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re minus six on your deployment for the weekend. You have to do 12 people’s job when you only have six of you. That goes to officer safety, fatigue and burnout. You really don’t want people to do that day in and day out.

[4:30 p.m.]

Also, we look at body-worn cameras. People say: “Why do the police have that?” My last assignment at VPD was with the professional standards section. We have to hold accountable people that are given so much public trust. They need to be held accountable for their actions to preserve the public trust.

So as part of alignment with the national body-worn camera program, we are investing in body-worn cameras to not only protect the public but protect officers from unsubstantiated allegations, because it will take months to actually get to the bottom of that. With body-worn tape, you can get to the facts pretty quickly.

Now I don’t know how many people here have phoned 911 before, but we need a reliable 911 system when you phone, not only for police, but for fire or for ambulance. We are investing $1.5 million on an independent review into the operational efficiency, sustainability and governance structure for the future of 911 services in B.C., better known as E-Comm Emergency Communications, because we need to ensure that everybody in this province can count on an accessible and reliable 911 system when they need it.

As I said before, the repeat violent offending intervention initiative…. So far, they bring together police, prosecutors and probation officers to identify and intervene in cases of repeat violent offenders as early as possible and connect them to services and also stop this cycle of crime. If you’re not going to get better, then you should be accountable for your actions.

So far, 400 individuals in this province are being monitored, and it’s a great success. We’re going to try to expand that program and make sure it works. Also, it will keep violent offenders off our streets when they’re not improving, they’re not abiding by their court-imposed bail conditions, and that’s really important.

The other one is called SITE, special investigation and targeted enforcement team, which I alluded to earlier on today. So far, 51 projects have been approved, including Vancouver police that have Project Barcode and other projects that identify prolific property crime thefts, and also the retail side of the property crime that’s stolen. Somebody has to buy it. We’re targeting people who are trafficking in stolen properties as well. We’re happy to say that SITE remains available for police departments in this proposed budget.

We’re also focusing on safe community situation tables across the province. There are 36 tables in place right now. We’re going to expand it to 46. They connect people with complex challenges to housing, treatment and support they need to provide help. They can prevent further harms like eviction. When you become homeless, you’re ten times more likely to be a victim of crime, because you don’t know where to go — survival crime and toxic drug poisoning.

One of my personal stories…. One of my most effective campaign volunteers during the campaign is currently in his second-year master’s program at SFU. He said that when he was 14, he got kicked out by his parents; he lived on the street. If Covenant House had not intervened and given him a home and treatment program, he would not be alive today.

It gives me great pleasure to know that non-government, non-profit organizations, such as Covenant House Vancouver, which only have small amount of funding from the government, are making an actual impact on young people’s lives. If you can save somebody in their teenage years from harm or self-harm or from addiction, from a life of crime, that’s invaluable.

I have good friends at Vancouver police that started off Odd Squad Productions. They advocate harm reduction for people who are teenagers or students to get away from a life of addiction. So that’s important.

[4:35 p.m.]

Another part I always talk about: Yeah, the police are doing their job, but they’re walking around free. They don’t respect their bail conditions. I can tell you right now, I spent many, many night shifts at four o’clock in the morning after I arrested somebody and typed bail conditions, why this person should not be out tomorrow morning at seven o’clock — 15 to 20 pages — records of all the stuff that’s happened in the past, likely to reoffend, the random disrespect for bail conditions in the past, why this person should be locked up.

Now, when they do get bail conditions, I think we should utilize better technology, like GPS trackers, ankle bracelets, so they don’t contravene their curfew. They’re at home. They don’t contravene the area restriction or contact. They cannot go back to the crime scene of where they robbed somebody yesterday because they’re not allowed to go there. By just being found in proximity, they will get their bail revoked. I think you should utilize technology to do a better accounting of people out there roaming our streets while waiting for court disposition.

Also, innovation. I mean, I believe in crime and punishment, but there’s also the fact that we need to help people get off the cycle of crime. I did my undergrad studies in the state of California, and that state sometimes spent more money on prisons than education. I don’t think that’s the best combination. I think education is very key, very important.

In one of the programs, the Guthrie program in the Nanaimo Correctional Centre, in partnership with the John Howard Society of Victoria, the people living in the corrections institution hold themselves accountable. They model behaviour and learn social, emotional skills so when they get out, they can reintegrate into society. That’s important. Also, it fosters a sense of community, that they belong.

I can tell you we’re not that different. I’m an immigrant. Some 30 years ago I chose to make this province my home. I remember when I came to the airport, I was late for my connecting flight, and one of the officers for customs said: “These people can’t wait to come to our country.”

Now, I thought maybe this was a different type of welcoming in Canada, but I’m proud to say that as a long-serving police officer, recognized for my volunteer work with the Medal of Good Citizenship, I earned my place to belong to a province that I hope I made slightly better along the way.

I think many people will do the same thing, given the opportunities. We all want a place to belong to, our voices to be heard, the ability to make a difference. I think that’s the only reason…. That’s the reason I’m here. You know, I like pounding on the table, but that’s not what I signed up for.

At the end of the day, you know what? We can’t agree on everything, absolutely. But I urge you to help me, work together, to make our streets safer, because I think we can all benefit from that. You know where to find me, and I know what it takes, having a front-line officer to know the challenges facing us.

Also, then, the other part is, we have victim services. We’re increasing our support for victims of crime, making sure they’re supported through continued funding. We’re allocating $15 million in new funding to provide assistance to victim services for victims and immediate family members and witnesses coping with the impacts of violent crime.

Prior to being a police officer in Vancouver PD, I was a volunteer for the victim services. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than to tell the family members that their loved one is not coming home, either by way of accident or by violent act. You don’t ever forget things like that. I think if we can save one person from being a victim of violent crime, that’s time well spent.

I also want to…. Many people helped me get to be where I am today. Yaletown was not an easy riding. The odds were against us.

I want to thank, first of all, my spouse. My wife is my strongest advocate for all the years. I would not be standing here today…. I hope she’s watching. Way smarter than I am, and she has also served as a municipal politician for the last ten years. I am inspired by how hard-working people are in different levels of government, sometimes with very little support. The fact that they are all united by their quest to make this place a better city, province or country.

[4:40 p.m.]

My hat’s off to her because I get inspired by her dedication, by her 12-hour days, which is almost the same as ours, and the fact that it’s a thankless job. Because obviously, sometimes we can’t be all things to all people. We can’t fix everything tomorrow. I can’t promise you there will be no crime in six months. You and I both know that’s not going to happen, but we can make crime a lesser concern for many of us. That’s time well spent.

Yaletown is an urban hub, home of Rogers Arena, B.C. Place and the home of the Vancouver Canucks. I think it’s a cultural hub of restaurants, concerts, and it’s a place worth fighting for, to keep it safe.

Also, many people I came across on doorsteps touched base on housing and affordability. They want to be able to live and play in the city they work in, instead of commuting for six hours or three hours or whatever that be, and to raise a family and work and secure a long-term future. I don’t think anybody here would disagree on any of that. There’s certainly no argument from me.

The future. What does the future look like? I mean, interesting to see.

Just a little bit more about my background. It’s not very exciting, but I spent time with the Vancouver police department. I left on the senior leadership team. At one time, I was the officer in charge of the diversity, community and Indigenous relations section. I learned a lot about reconciliation, about being resilient.

I was on the national committee on hate crimes during the height of the pandemic, and I had the sad experience to see a victim, in his 90s, walking from a seniors home in Chinatown. People went up to him and told him to go back to effing China and broke his hip. When you’re in your 90s, your hip being broken and being told to go back to your country is just wrong. And I had to go tell his son that his dad was not coming home for days.

Those are things that drive me, why I’m here. I also understand government cannot be all the answers. They can’t fix everything for us. I was actively involved in NGOs and non-government agencies. I was the longest serving chair for SUCCESS on the board. It became one of the largest social service agencies in the country, from 52 years ago, from a small three-person office in Chinatown. Very proud of what we were able to accomplish in terms of housing, seniors care and settlement services.

Actually, a former member for Langara…. When he first came here, his father was a client of SUCCESS. He later on became a vice-chair of the board, and he said: “I want to give back to an organization that took a chance on my parents when they were just cleaning washrooms and had no way to get a better future in this country.”

I was on Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Mentoring our youth is extremely important when they don’t have a father figure in the families. I was chair of the Vancouver Classical Chinese Garden. It’s important to maintain heritage, the Chinatown storytelling centre, because Chinatown was not built as a tourist attraction. It was built by exclusion. So it’s important that we understand that fabric of the Chinese identity. It’s the actual fabric of Canadian identity and what we are about.

Also, I was happy to serve on the board of governors of the Justice Institute of B.C., making sure we progress and offer the best training for our police officers out there. And today I’m happy that during my time at SUCCESS, I doubled their operational budget. We have well over a thousand units of affordable housing so people can afford to live.

Many, many people in non-profit organizations, staff or board members, continue to drive change and keep our community safe, so my hat’s off to them.

Oh, my time is up. I was hoping that… Well, first of all, I’m glad I found my desk, because I was told I can’t go speak somewhere else. A lot to learn.

I think at the end of day, what’s attracted me to politics — not the online hate and all the people telling you what a bad person you are — is that I get to ensure that no one gets left behind. At the end of day, we have an obligation in this country to help people, regardless of where they’re from and what they’re about, what they look like.

[4:45 p.m.]

I know the challenges we’re facing now are mental health struggles, toxic drug addiction, poverty. They become more difficult to address. But I know the people who choose to call this province home are resilient. They’re hard-working. They believe that this province could be a better place for all of us. That’s why I chose to stay here, and I chose to make this my home, and I’m proud.

Instead of saying, “These people can’t wait to come here,” when I come home now to Vancouver after a trip, people say: “Welcome home.” Now, it may not mean much to you. It means a lot to me, because you know what? Not that long ago, people didn’t think I actually belong here. I think it’s important for us not to forget that, because if we do, it’s not a welcoming place for many of us.

So I want to thank everyone. I want to thank everyone not to pound on the table and throw things at me during my speech.

I completely agree that more has to be done in terms of secure care and other projects we’re going to roll out in the near future. But we need to have real solutions. As I heard from everybody here, we have to build a good life, a safer community.

My door is always open to work with all of you, and I mean that sincerely. So thank you very much for your time.

Tony Luck: It’s a real privilege to be here in the House today, and it’s an honour to be here speaking to the House as well. It’s been a long journey, so I’m feeling very, very honoured to be doing that.

Throughout my service at the municipal level, I have had the opportunity to understand the true weight and honour it is to be an elected official, and I’m happy to continue my service in this place, in this House, both for the people of my riding and for all of British Columbians.

Throughout the years, I have been dedicated to effective municipal governance and community service. This service, I believe, has given me a unique outlook on the issues that British Columbians face today. And I find it striking that many of these issues were not mentioned in the throne speech or the budget speech, and I hope to take this opportunity to address them here myself.

But first, I would be remiss if I did not take a few moments to thank the whole cast of characters that were behind me to get me to where I am today.

To my children — keep count — Cory, Kevin, Karlene, Kerri, Grant, Jenny, Michael, Amanda and Holly. If you’re counting right, that would be nine children. Now I have to be honest, my wife and I…. It’s our second marriages, so some are hers, and some are mine, but none of our own. They’re everything to me, and that’s why I’m here today to work to build a better British Columbia. I’ve appreciated their love and support and all the things that they’ve ever done for me. They’re good kids.

I will spare, however, some time in naming my 24, plus one, grandchildren. We have 24 grandchildren and another one on the way, so we’re very proud of them as well. We’re very excited to have those children. We love them, we appreciate them, and it’s so fun to get together with them.

But of course, the person that makes all this possible is my wife, Wanda. I think I’ve introduced her before and mentioned her before, but I just want to thank her for putting up with me and being the foundation of everything I have accomplished and everything that will come next for the two of us. I would not want to be on the wild ride with anybody else but Wanda. She’s been my rock, as I mentioned before, and my stability. Thank you.

To my campaign team and many volunteers — we’ve all thanked our teams because none of us would be here without those teams. They’ve worked so hard for us, been dedicated and have knocked on doors, put up signs, organized meetings and taken their time out of their busy lives to help us get here. They shared our vision and our hopes and our dreams that we have as well.

I promise that I’ll work tirelessly every day, as I’m here to work for them as well. Thank you. You are the core of this movement, and you are the future of this province as well. As I’ve always said, every time I meet with my candidates, it’s not me; I’m just one wheel in the cog. And I’ve appreciated everything that they’ve done for us.

[4:50 p.m.]

And of course, to the amazing people of Fraser-Nicola who put their faith in me to represent them here — having the opportunity to meet so many of you during our campaigning at your doors, at the debates, at the meetings, at the trade shows, wherever we were — thank you for putting your trust and faith in me as your elected representative to serve you here in the House, this amazing House, and to be able to do the things that you would wish me to do, moving forward.

I’m already finding out, obviously, as most of us are, how much they are depending on it, just by the amount of emails we get on a regular basis.

Just to give you a little bit of history about me, I was born in Vancouver in 1955, which means I recently celebrated my 70th birthday. Some people say: “You don’t look 70, Tony.” I’m glad. That’s good. I still have a little bit of youth in me.

I was born in Vancouver. I was raised in Richmond, raised my family in Abbotsford, became an empty-nester in Mission and thought we were going to retire in Merritt. Eight years ago we moved to Merritt. We thought we were going to have a nice, comfortable retirement there, but that did not happen. Some people found out I had been on council before in Mission and asked me to run for council in Merritt, which I did. Long story short, here I am today.

For those here and those listening around the province that have had the immense pleasure to spend time in my riding, I would like to talk to all of you a bit about my marvelous riding.

As I was around there campaigning and everything, I told them how proud I will be to represent our riding, the riding of Fraser-Nicola.

Fraser-Nicola is not just a collection of towns and communities. It is a region shaped by a deep connection to its rugged landscape, rich Indigenous culture and heritage, and a legacy of resilience in the face of economic and environmental challenges.

Spanning from the wetlands of the Lower Mainland to the canyonlands of the Fraser River, to the grasslands of Nicola Valley, this area has been home to generations of hard-working individuals who have built industries, developed communities and preserved cultural traditions. Our history is marked by the pioneering spirit of those who’ve carved out their livelihoods in farming, in forestry and in mining, and by the enduring strength of Indigenous communities who have called this land home for millennia.

Fraser-Nicola’s unique geography, ranging from the lush valleys to mountainous terrain, has not only shaped its industries but also the character of its people, who embody perseverance, self-reliance and an unwavering commitment to their communities. It is where generations have worked that land, built industries, raised families — and the values of hard work, resilience and community spirit.

The people understand the value of a hard-earned dollar in this community, in this area. It’s rural. The pride of building something from the ground up and the importance of looking out for their neighbours is key and very important to these people. From Hope to Merritt, from Lillooet to Logan Lake, every part of this region has a story to tell — stories of perseverance in the face of challenges, of rebuilding after disasters and of seizing new opportunities with determination.

We are a region that has most recently endured wildfires and floods, one right after another. It almost seemed relentless and didn’t seem to want to end. Yet we have always come together, showed the true meaning of resilience. We don’t just rebuild; we come back stronger.

The heart of Fraser Valley lies in its people: the farmers and ranchers who work from dawn until dusk, ensuring British Columbians have access to fresh, high-quality food; the forestry workers, mill operators and truck drivers who power an industry that has shaped our province’s economy for generations; entrepreneurs and small business owners who take risks, invest in their communities and create opportunities for the next generation.

Fraser-Nicola is a region defined by its industrious spirit and deep-rooted connection to British Columbia’s economic and cultural heritage. It is a place where people don’t just work. They create, innovate and contribute to the prosperity of the entire province.

If you’re on the prairies, you’d probably call it the breadbasket, but this area here and other areas of British Columbia are the industrial might that fuels our economies and pays for our schools, our hospitals and all the social services that we get to have in this wonderful province.

Our communities take pride in producing the essentials that fuel British Columbia, whether it’s food from our farms, lumber from our forests or the minerals extracted from our lands.

Agriculture is the backbone of many economies within Fraser-Nicola.

I just want to bring attention to one major farm that we have. Fraser-Nicola is the home of Douglas Lake Cattle Ranch. I don’t know if too many of you have heard of that ranch, but it is the largest working cattle ranch in Canada, with over 8,000 head of cattle that wander the prairie and the grasslands of the Fraser. It is an iconic institution of Nicola Valley. If you ever have the chance to come up there, I will arrange a tour for you.

[4:55 p.m.]

From the fertile lands of the Fraser Valley to the ranches and the farms that dot the Nicola region, our farmers and producers work tirelessly to feed British Columbians. This region supplies dairy, fruits, vegetables and livestock, ensuring that fresh local food is available around the province. The Fraser Valley part of our riding is the primary dairy producer region, accounting for almost 76 percent of B.C.’s milk production.

Forestry has long been a pillar of Fraser-Nicola’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs in the past and entire communities. Sustainable forestry practices ensure that our natural resources are used responsibly, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

Mills and logging operations have, until recently, been an essential part of the life here, providing stable employment and a strong foundation for local businesses. Unfortunately, with the lack of access to fibre and changing market conditions, Merritt has seen five of its six mills in the last number of years close. That puts people out of work and reduces the tax base, and our economy, a small-town economy, struggles because it has been so reliant on those tax dollars.

Mining is another key industry, contributing valuable resources to British Columbia’s infrastructure and energy sectors. The region has a rich history of mining, with operations that provide jobs and revenue while implementing modern practices to protect our environment.

We’re excited about this government’s announcement that it’s going to be releasing some permits for doing some more mining, and they’re bringing back jobs to areas like Nicola Valley that need those jobs, those good, high-paying jobs that continue to power those small communities, communities that, until recently, have been dropping in population.

Many of them continue to do so, but as we prosper and grow those communities, we see a large influx of people that are cashing out in the Lower Mainland and having the opportunity to come to places like Merritt and join that community.

It’s a hard thing to do sometimes. I never changed my phone number when I went to Merritt, and I’m still called a 604, if you know what I mean. I don’t think you become a true Merrittonian, for example, until you’ve been there for a generation. But that’s okay. I’ve been embraced. We love it, and we contribute.

With breathtaking landscapes, outdoor recreation and a strong Indigenous heritage, visitors from across Canada and beyond come to experience the beauty and culture of our region. Small businesses thrive in this environment, offering unique hospitality and services. I invite everyone to come visit these landscapes and enjoy our little corner of heaven.

Whether it’s industry, agriculture or tourism, Fraser-Nicola remains a place of opportunity, hard work and community pride.

We are also home to vibrant Indigenous communities. Those cultures and traditions have been woven into the fabric of this region for thousands of years. Their leadership and stewardship, economic development and cultural preservation enriches the communities we share. Within our riding sit several First Nation communities, each holding onto their vibrant traditions, filled with incredible people who are committed to their beliefs and aspirations.

I have deep admiration and appreciation for the work that all these communities have achieved for their people. I hope to continue working closely with all native bands in the Fraser-Nicola and do what I can to advance reconciliation for these people and all the Indigenous peoples across British Columbia.

Fraser-Nicola is a region of opportunity, but it is not without its challenges. Infrastructure gaps, access to essential service and economic uncertainty have made it clear that we must fight for our share. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that we can all work together. We have talked about that a number of times in this House, and it is important that we do this.

As a former boss of mine used to say: “It’s time for us to put our big-boy pants on and get to work.” But if history has taught us anything, it’s that when we work together, there is no challenge too great and no obstacle we cannot overcome.

I now want to speak to an issue that is near and dear to my heart. One of the reasons I got into this thing…. I mentioned all my children and my grandchildren. It was them that really drove me back to going into politics and kind of coming out of retirement. We weren’t really in it yet, but we moved along. It has truly impacted the lives of so many people I love.

In 2021, a wildfire in Lytton engulfed the community — many of you have heard of that — destroying much of the infrastructure and causing two civilian fatalities, and left many residents displaced and missing.

[5:00 p.m.]

Not only did it devastate 90 percent of the village, but it also forced multiple Indigenous communities to evacuate. Almost all homes in the village were lost. And while some houses across the highway survived the fire, they had no power, no water, no sewage service, as concerns over the contamination of the village’s watershed posed a dangerous risk of toxic exposure.

There is nothing in this budget that appears directly allocated to the continued rebuilding of this community. It is imperative that we get this community rebuilt as quickly as possible. They need the funding. They need the work to be done. Along with some other challenges there as well that are slowing down that progress…. We need to make this a priority. We cannot have people displaced out of their communities for any length of time. They lose that cohesion and that reason to exist. It’s very, very important that we do that.

In addition to residential areas, Lytton’s tourism industry was also devastated, with beloved landmarks — such as the post office, ambulance station, RCMP detachment, the local elementary school and village offices, and the Chinese History Museum and its 1,600 priceless artifacts and library archives — tragically lost.

That was the first building to be restored, and it is now, I believe, open. If anybody would like to visit, it would be a great opportunity to go up to Lytton. Have a look at what the kind of devastation a wildfire like that can do and visit the Chinese Museum there.

The impact of this tragedy was felt so deeply by individuals and family that call Lytton home, as well as other surrounding communities. Almost four years later Lytton has still not been rebuilt. Almost four years later and the government still continues to drag its feet funding the rebuilding of this community.

Another sensitive topic with immense consequences on my personal community of Merritt is the inadequacy of the government to provide the necessary health care that we need to keep our emergency room open. The horrible mess of ER closures around the province that this government clearly cannot solve is incredibly alarming, especially for rural communities with less hospital access.

Two weekends ago in our community, a fireman ran into issues with smoke inhalation and dehydration. There was a stubborn structural fire. They had 23 firefighters there. This one had some smoke inhalation and dehydration and had to be rushed up to the Nicola Valley Hospital ER. Guess what? It was closed.

Here we are. We have an emergency services individual that needed service immediately, that had been injured in a fire, but the hospital was closed. They had to pack him up and drive him over an hour to the Kamloops hospital to receive the treatment that he needed.

That does not seem right in a province like this in the 21st century, that even our emergency services people would have to be inconvenienced by having to go to Kamloops to get the service they need.

What does that say about our health care system when those serving in our own emergency services have to be driven an extra hour and a half just to ensure that they are able to receive urgent medical care?

On top of that, when our paramedics and ambulance drivers are taking them out of town, other emergency services, such as the firefighters who are already over-taxed…. These small communities here don’t have full-time firefighters. They have paid on-call firefighters that are called in to help out where they can. Other emergency services have to come out and help.

The Nicola Valley Hospital serves a regional population of over 15,000 people. This is now an extra 15,000 potential patients that must drive over an hour to Kelowna or Kamloops just to receive urgent care, further stretching hospital resources in those regions that they’re dumped into.

When the ER in Lillooet closes, those residents have to travel up to two and a half hours or maybe more, depending on road conditions and weather conditions.

This is not acceptable in the 21st century in British Columbia. We used to pride ourselves on having one of the best medical systems in the world. I don’t think that’s true anymore. We do not, and then metrics all prove that as well. It’s a shame that it’s been allowed to deteriorate to that point.

The consequences of the NDP’s failure to provide an adequate health care service in British Columbia is deeply concerning. It is not secret that the closure of emergency rooms, particularly in more rural areas such as Merritt and Lillooet, compromise the well-being of residents and puts tremendous strains on medical professionals and emergency services.

[5:05 p.m.]

This incident with the firefighter in Merritt is a clear example of exactly how dire the situation is and has become, where those who are on the front lines of emergency responses are still left waiting for the critical treatment they need, and they’re unable to help the people that really need it as well.

This lack of accessible health care is more than just an inconvenience. It’s literally a matter of life and death for those in the regions we care so deeply about. The need for urgent government action is clearer than ever before. Actually, it has been clearer than ever before for years upon years.

Our community of Fraser-Nicola deserves so much better and not only Nicola Valley. There’s Lillooet, there’s Linton, Spences Bridge and Ashcroft and Cache Creek and all through that area. There are so many smaller communities that deserve better. They work hard for this province, and they deserve better.

Our community of Fraser-Nicola deserves much better, and I want to be able to reassure them that this government is working on improving health care access. But I simply can’t. I want to reinsure that a reliable and accessible health care system is available when they need it, where they need it.

I stand before this assembly deeply concerned about the direction of our province’s fiscal policies as outlined in Budget 2025. While the government touts significant investments in health care and in housing and infrastructure, a closer examination reveals a pattern of mismanagement, misplaced priorities and a lack of tangible support for the communities that need it the most, especially rural British Columbia.

The government likes to tout how good our economic numbers are here in the province, but I remember a colleague that sat in this House a couple of decades ago. He had a couple of axioms. One of them was that if you think the people in charge know what they’re doing, you make a great mistake. The second one was: you don’t have to be a ten, as you can be a three if everybody else is a two.

The economic measures across Canada are not great. We have been exposed. We’ve been complacent. We need to change the way we do things in the province and in the country, as a matter of fact

I stand before this assembly concerned about the direction of our province’s fiscal policy. We need to take a closer look and examine some of the things that are going on with this budget.

The government claims to allocate $15.5 billion over three years for new, upgraded health care facilities, including acute care, long-term care and cancer care centres. However, these figures are a bit misleading. Many of those projects have been announced multiple times before, without actual progress.

For instance, the new Surrey hospital and the B.C. cancer centre, first announced in 2024, remain in the planning stages with no clear timeline for completion. This pattern of reannouncement without action raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to improving health care and health care infrastructure.

The housing crisis in our province has reached unprecedented levels, yet the government’s response is woefully inadequate. The budget allocates $2.8 billion over three years for housing projects, but this falls short of addressing the urgent need for affordable housing.

If the Minister for Housing had waved the magic wand like he thinks he’d done, I would think by now that we would be on track to a lot more housing in the province. But I think these last numbers prove that housing starts have actually gone down. That’s not a good thing to be seeing here in the province right now.

The lack of a coherent strategy to collaborate with local governments and streamline the approval process has resulted in delays and increased costs, exacerbating the housing shortage. Furthermore, the government’s continued taxes and regulation and red tape has made private builders and developers avoid investing in British Columbia. They are leaving the province, and they are going to other jurisdictions that are a lot more friendly, a lot more viable to build in.

This has resulted in declining housing starts, creating a gap that this British Columbia government now has to fill with taxpayer-funded funds. So instead of businesses building housing with their private capital, the B.C. government, with all its inefficiencies, has decided to plug the gap. It is estimated today that almost 35 percent of the costs and regulations of a new home in British Columbia are due to government regulations in one form or another.

[5:10 p.m.]

Our province’s infrastructure is in dire need of modernization, yet the budget neglects critical projects that would enhance connectivity and economic growth. The much-needed replacement of the George Massey Tunnel, a vital artery for commuters and trade, has been delayed repeatedly. This project’s completion is essential for reducing congestion and supporting economic activity in the region. Additionally, rural communities continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, hindering the development and access to essential services.

The government’s fiscal irresponsibility is evident in the escalating debt levels projected in this budget. With operating deficits expected to persist over the next three years, there is a lack of a clear plan to return to balanced budget. Budgets do not “balance themselves,” to quote somebody. This approach not only burdens future generations but also limits our capacity to respond to unforeseen economic challenge. The absence of a comprehensive debt management strategy is a glaring oversight that jeopardizes the province’s fiscal stability. I’ll explain as we go through.

Furthermore, the deficit is expected to grow even further if this government follows through on their election promise of eliminating the B.C. carbon tax if the federal government removes the requirement. While eliminating this tax may finally prove some financial relief on households, it’ll add a $3 billion funding hole in the provincial budget that has yet to be accounted for. Is the entire $4 billion contingency budget going to be consumed by this $3 billion carbon tax shortfall?

Without a plan to replace this lost revenue, the government spending commitments on infrastructure, health care and essential service will be increasingly difficult to fund, and they’ll have to look at continued borrowing. This fiscal management is not only reckless but also unsustainable.

At a time when inflationary pressures continue to erode household incomes and raise the cost of living, British Columbians deserve a government that exercises prudence and responsibility. Instead, we see a budget that continues to expand this debt without a concentrated plan to find a way to repay that debt. Rather than burdening future generations with unsustainable debt, we must take immediate action to rein in spending, prioritize core government functions and foster private sector growth.

I believe it was Herbert Hoover who said once: “Blessed are the children for they shall inherit the national debt.” Is this the legacy that this House wants to leave our children? I talked, in the early days, of my children, my nine children and 24-plus grandchildren. Is this the legacy? I know many of you across the floor, as well, have children here. Is this the legacy that we want to be proud of in five or ten or 15 years? I don’t think it is. We do not want to leave this legacy for our children.

The government needs a comprehensive strategy that will not only address our fiscal challenges but also ensure that we do not leave our children and our grandchildren and future generations with the consequences of this debt.

Contrast all of this with conservative-led provinces like Ontario and Alberta where governments have focused on reducing red tape, lowering taxes and attracting investment. These provinces have demonstrated that sound fiscal policy leads to economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. British Columbia, however, is veering in the wrong direction and jeopardizing its ability to remain competitive in an increasingly globalized economy.

Let me give you an example. Every month British Columbians are paying over $400 million in interest on our provincial debt. That is money that does not go towards building roads or building health care or supporting struggling communities. It is money that goes directly to the creditors, to the bondholders, lining the pockets of investors rather than serving the people of British Columbia.

To put this in more perspective, four communities in the Okanagan region right now are facing failing water systems, systems that need to be repaired as quickly as possible. They’re not large communities, so they can’t afford the kind of money that they need to fix those water systems. We’re looking at $20 million to $50 million to fix those. One month’s worth of interest payments on our debt could easily cover the cost of those four communities. That’s one month. Then we’ve got the next month to build some hospitals or do some other things in.

This is the fallacy of running up debt, because you have interest payments. It must stop, and it needs to be reined in. Yet rather than investing in health care and safety in our communities, this government continues to allow debt to spiral out of control. The problem is only getting worse. This government continues to increase spending without any plan to balance the budget. That must be a short-term goal, not a long-term goal. It must be a short-term.

[5:15 p.m.]

A responsible government would recognize that money spent on debt interest is money taken away from schools and hospitals, as I’ve mentioned. Instead of allowing the interest payments to consume an ever-growing share of the budget, we should be working towards paying down that debt as quickly as possible.

We need leadership that understands the importance of financial stewardship in this province and is willing to make the tough choices. I know, we don’t like to do that sometimes, but for the benefit of all of us in British Columbia, we need to start making some tough choices, especially around the financing piece. It is time for this government to take accountability and start treating taxpayer money with the respect it deserves. The consequences of this reckless fiscal policy will not just be felt today, they will create a burden for British Columbians well into the future.

I see that I’m almost out of time, so I need to speed up a little bit.

A government that truly cares about the future of British Columbians would take action today to rein in spending, control borrowing and focus on sustainable growth. We need leadership that understands that every dollar spent must be accounted for, that taxpayers’ money must be treated with respect.

As I stand before this assembly today, I am filled with an immense sense of duty, responsibility and hope. The challenges facing our province are vast, but so too is the resolve within the people of not only Fraser-Nicola but also British Columbia.

We can do it. We just need to put our shoulder to the wheel and we can work hard to do the things that we need to do in this province to bring back the economic might of our province and help the people, help the next generation, help our children and grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the time today and allowing me to speak in the House.

Janet Routledge: I rise today to speak in favour of Budget 2025, Standing Strong for B.C.

I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered today on the unceded and traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən people, the Songhees and SXIMEȽEȽ Nations.

I would also like to acknowledge that I live on the ancestral lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh- and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking peoples.

I thank all of these First Nations for being guardians of these lands and waters since time immemorial, and I thank them for making me feel welcome in their home.

I’ve come to appreciate that when I make a land acknowledgment, I am also acknowledging that the rest of us, and I mean all of the rest of us, are newcomers to what we now call Canada. It doesn’t matter when our families moved here, be it 200 years ago or two years ago. It doesn’t matter where in the world our people came from or why they moved to Canada, be it fleeing from somewhere or fleeing to somewhere. We are all newcomers. This is something we have in common, and we and our families all deserve to thrive, to feel safe and to feel like we belong.

It’s important to me that I acknowledge this. I grew up in Ontario in a working-class subdivision. We were all white. I mean, we were all white. Be it through Sunday school, history class or family stories, we were socialized to believe that our ancestors came to what was then an empty, undeveloped land and deserved to own it and dominate it, because they were the ones that added value to the land.

My generation was taught that the First Peoples were lucky that our people moved here, that our ancestors were saving them. I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to unlearn that. Facing up to the intergenerational trauma of residential schools is a big part of my re-education.

Moving to a community like Burnaby North has helped me relearn my place in Canadian society. More than 60 percent of the people who live in Burnaby North identify as not being white. More than 40 percent were born outside Canada. More than 30 percent speak non-English languages in their homes. More than 120 different languages are spoken in Burnaby.

Burnaby is uniquely diverse, not only in terms of heritage and culture but also in terms of daily circumstances and future prospects. Burnaby is home to some of the wealthiest people in our province, as well as some of those living in the deepest poverty, and they live in neighbourhoods adjacent to each other.

[5:20 p.m.]

I am honoured that such a diverse population trusted me enough to send me to Victoria in three consecutive elections to represent their interests. I thank them for that trust.

I also want to thank my team, who have worked so hard with me over the years to earn that trust. When I say my team, I mean the staff in my community office: currently, Kyle Kattler, Nyiri Karakas, Perisa Chan, Kathleen Serrano, Kayla Charchuk and most recently, Rory Knowler. I mean my campaign team, led in the recent election by my campaign manager, Andrew Christie.

I mean the executive members, past and present, of the Burnaby North electoral district association. Burnaby North B.C. NDP held its annual general meeting last Sunday, where we elected a new executive: Ezra Bloom, Rory Knowler, Murphy O’Day, Manesh Trivedi, Kristin Schneider, Mona Chan, Bridget Barker, Dennis Hanson, Diana Hall, Kyle Kattler, Corey Keffler, Victor Feinberg, Jordan Roper and Marco Propocini.

They are an impressive collection of seasoned community activists and enthusiastic new recruits. Together, they speak multiple languages, identify with a variety of cultures and life experiences, and share a wide range of skills and interests.

When I say “my team,” I also mean a growing army of volunteers, and I mean my family, for whom politics has been a family affair. I have a button that says, “Politics is not a spectator sport,” and I am guided by that belief that politics is not a spectator sport.

My team are the people who have and continue to help me to encourage the electorate to come down out of the bleachers and onto the playing field to actively participate in democracy. I believe Budget 2025 is framed in such a way as to create space for their participation in the democratic process.

I am uplifted by the number of constituents who seek me out to share their insights and innovative ideas, like Jack Rowan and Alastair Gregor from the Food Charity Association of Canada, based in Burnaby. They came to me with a bold urban-farming vision for building community-based greenhouses with an educational component for local schools.

Their first project is already underway in Burnaby. In addition, they are collaborating with Food Banks B.C. to establish a similar community greenhouse complex in every B.C. municipality, helping to lower grocery costs for local families. This sustainable initiative not only produces large amounts of fresh, healthy food for those in need; it also provides valuable skills training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Jack and Alastair’s vision of intensified urban farming could also help protect our economy and keep food prices down if our supply chains are ever cut again, be it by natural disasters as they were in 2021, or by political hostility — two possibilities that seemed unthinkable even ten years ago.

Another constituent who wanted to help us create a more people-centred economy is Liz Samowo. She teaches in the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and has faced her own challenges finding child care. She shared with me her model for centralized child care enrolment that would reduce parental stress and help the government better identify where in the province the most immediate shortage of child care spaces is, so that we could respond faster.

There’s Carol Borghesi, a recently retired telecommunications expert, who developed a model that will help address volume bottlenecks in our health care system, and Maxine Law, a local optometrist, who spelled out for me how a fairly small adjustment in her profession’s scope of practice could reduce the workload of family doctors and the number of hospital procedures.

These are just a few examples of constituents who are engaging actively in the democratic process, who are answering the call to strengthen the B.C. economy, make it more self-sufficient and put the needs of people first. I find their enthusiasm and confidence in the democratic process reassuring and infectious.

[5:25 p.m.]

The motion picture industry has been a powerful economic driver in Burnaby, creating job opportunities and contributing to what is a world-renowned production destination. Right now it is going through a recalibration, and Budget 2025 confirms our government’s continued commitment to the film industry and the good family-supporting jobs it supports.

Crystal Braunwarth is IATSE 891’s business representative, a proud resident of North Burnaby and one of more than 700 IATSE workers that call Burnaby home. Crystal was instrumental in bargaining a new collective agreement for her members in British Columbia, and they ratified it last week. This historic agreement includes language around AI, reflecting our commitment to a human-centred approach to technological advancements while protecting workers’ rights. It also includes record monetary gains, skill-based training initiatives and language focused on addressing systemic inequity in the industry.

I consider constituents part of my team, too. Or perhaps, to be more accurate, I consider myself part of their team. I’m very proud of the work our team has been doing together in Burnaby North.

During the pandemic, when COVID forced all of us to isolate from each other, separating us from each other, robbing some of their livelihood while causing others, like health care workers, to work exhaustingly long hours, a team of volunteers helped me stay connected with Burnaby North residents and connect those residents with each other. They phoned hundreds of them on my behalf. They told them that their MLA wanted to know how they were coping during the pandemic.

These volunteers were helping me take the pulse of the community at a critical point in time. The team would check in together regularly by Zoom and compare notes. We would identify patterns and trends developing in the community. The most profound trend we identified was the number of people who answered the phone, thanked the volunteer for the call, reassured them that they were doing okay but wanted to know how others were doing, and asked how they could help. Within a week, we were creating another layer of volunteers.

The people of Burnaby North began leaving donated food on their doorsteps for our volunteers to collect and drop off at the North Burnaby Neighbourhood House, to be distributed to those who were struggling. My husband and I became volunteers who regularly delivered food hampers to households throughout North Burnaby.

I will never forget the story that one of our volunteers shared. They happened to have phoned a long-term-care worker who had just gotten home from a 16-hour shift. She insisted on going back out to stand in a long line at Costco so that she could purchase non-perishables that she could leave on her doorstep for someone else to deliver to the food bank. Then she worked another long shift at the care facility.

The pandemic demonstrated the willingness of our community and the lengths they were prepared to go, to protect each other, to protect and support total strangers, if given the opportunity. If Donald Trump tries to deliver on his threat to cripple our economy and annex Canada as the 51st state, we will give the people of Burnaby North another opportunity to stick up for each other.

I have more to say about the ways we are engaging the people of Burnaby North, but first, I want to take a few minutes to talk about why public engagement is so important in the context of Budget 2025 and Donald Trump’s designs on Canada.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

This is not the first existential crisis that British Columbians have faced together on our watch. There was the COVID pandemic, then the heat dome, followed by an atmospheric river that created floods and landslides and cut off the Lower Mainland from the rest of the world, and the record-breaking wildfires that consumed huge swaths of our land mass, threatened cities and towns, compromising air quality and our ability to breathe, even in the Lower Mainland — year after year.

[5:30 p.m.]

This current threat to our sovereignty is not the first time our very existence has been put to the test by outside forces not of our making and out of our control. In fact, almost every year since we formed government in 2017, we have been confronted with historically unprecedented crises that threatened lives and livelihoods. And every time our government has chosen to initiate programs to save lives and livelihoods.

And yes, these government responses cost money, lots and lots of money, and contributed to the deficit. The pandemic cost over $5 billion in 2021. The wildfires cost us an extra $280 million in ‘22-23 and an extra $891 million in ‘23-24.

So what would you have had us do instead? Surely the members opposite are not suggesting that saving money is more important than saving lives and livelihoods. Our government has always put people first and will always do so.

I know that some British Columbians are perplexed by Budget 2025. They are used to budgets that identify and lock in specific cost initiatives. They were looking for specific line items that address the priorities they know to be essential. But Budget 2025 is not a traditional budget. Given the fundamental economic uncertainties we are facing, it can’t be a traditional budget. It can’t be as prescriptive as budgets we are familiar with.

Built into Budget 2025 is the flexibility to respond to the moving targets with which President Trump is tormenting us. Budget 2025 allows us to be nimble and creative in the face of uncertainty. And it leaves room for all British Columbians to be players, to play a role in crafting a new economy that is more self-sufficient and puts people first in ways that were once unimaginable.

Since the pandemic, my team has continued to engage the people of Burnaby North. We call what we do listening campaigns. I recall one young volunteer who, when asked at a volunteer training what motivated him to become part of a listening campaign, replied: “I want to learn how to talk to strangers.” The willingness and ability to talk to strangers is medicine.

The Surgeon General of the United States recently produced a report that identified loneliness as, as serious a health risk as being a smoker. The Vancouver Foundation has produced a report that concludes that those who live in highrises are the loneliest people in the Lower Mainland. Now, that seems contradictory, but some of my constituents who live in highrises tell me that locked-off floors and the culture of not talking to others and avoiding eye contact on the elevators contributes to a sense of social isolation.

Many of the seniors who died during the heat dome a few years ago were living alone in highrises, without anyone checking on them. And that’s why many of my constituents who live in highrises have joined my team so we can work together to create what we are calling vertical neighbourhoods.

They want to create organic opportunities for their neighbours to come together, to get to know each other — opportunities like creating a community garden or installing a playground for the children, turning common space into a library or a workshop where residents can come together to repair things. There is talk of organizing block parties next summer in the green spaces to which multiple highrises have access.

Think of the opportunities these initiatives will create for our neighbours living in isolation to be part of a movement to stand up to Trump’s threats, to experience the feeling of being part of something bigger than themselves.

[5:35 p.m.]

Hats Off Day has become an increasingly important way to engage the people of Burnaby North. Every year on the first Sunday in June, Hastings Street in Burnaby Heights is closed to traffic between Boundary Road and Gamma Avenue.

It’s a street party organized by the Heights Merchants Association. As many as 80,000 people stroll down Hastings Street to sample treats from local restaurants, listen to music, play games, win prizes, maybe even sit in a fire truck.

My community office happens to be located right in the heart of Hats Off. We participate every year. Our themed hat–making table is a big hit with the kids. We also engage with the people who stop by our table to pick up material, ask questions, seek advice and give advice. We’ve started to invite the public to take a survey and tell us what they think about hot topics, share their priorities and give me feedback about provincial government policies.

The first couple of years we used a survey developed by the Clerk’s office for the legislative Finance and Government Services committee. That committee uses that survey to inform the development of the next provincial budget.

But we now, in Burnaby North, have a very active seniors council and youth council. Last year both these councils developed their own surveys that reflected the perspectives of their own demographic. They ventured out into the crowd to engage with their demographic and used the results to inform their work.

As a result, the seniors council invited Dan Levitt, the seniors advocate, to their January meeting in my boardroom. The room was packed, and lots more people signed up to join the seniors council.

One of the most memorable moments at that meeting was when Dan asked the group if they knew where the Children’s Hospital was. The answer was kind of: “Well, duh, of course.” Then he asked them: “So where’s the seniors hospital?” Of course, their answer was: “Well, there isn’t one.” But they got his point. So don’t be surprised if seniors start organizing and lobbying for medical facilities devoted to the specific needs of seniors.

In 2023, about 39 percent of the B.C. population were 50 years or older. That’s more than 2.1 million residents, and the number is growing. Almost 47 percent of these B.C. residents 50 years and older have two or more chronic diseases. And 80 percent of people 75 and older have at least two chronic diseases, and about 22 percent of B.C. residents 50 years and older have five or more chronic diseases.

My experience with Burnaby Hospital…. I’m not even going to go into that in detail, but I had a heartbreaking experience last fall. That experience brought me face to face with the direct link between the fact that our population is aging and the crisis in our health care system

I’m proud that our government has demonstrated its commitment to address the health care crisis. Since 2023, we’ve added more than 800 family doctors, tripled the number of nurse practitioners and hired 6,500 more nurses. We’ve connected almost a quarter of a million people to a family doctor. That is an unprecedented and significant increase.

Budget 2025 commits us to hire even more health care workers. But in the face of the senior tsunami, now is the time to seriously consider a fundamental paradigm shift if we are to overcome the crisis in health care, if we are to ensure that every patient and potential patient gets the care they need, when they need it, with the dignity they deserve and the promise of the best outcome possible.

Do we also need to develop a new model of health care? What if we were to create medical facilities devoted to the unique needs of seniors? Would it take pressure off our hospitals and primary care clinics, reduce wait times and significantly reduce costs?

That’s a tall order. But we’ve been telling each other that Trump’s declared economic war on Canada might create opportunities for innovations that once may have seemed like pipe dreams, like breaking down interprovincial trade barriers and investing in local agriculture. Maybe this pending crisis will give us all permission to think outside the box in the same way that the warfare state my parents experienced in the 1940s helped to create the preconditions for the welfare state that followed it and created increased and shared prosperity for all.

[5:40 p.m.]

Thinking outside of the box, here’s another thing that happened before we could get COVID under control, when we were all still in lockdown. As the MLA for Burnaby North, I was invited to participate in weekly Zoom meetings with the Burnaby Division of Family Practice, other MLAs, Fraser Health, the city and a number of front-line social service organizations, like the neighbourhood house, MOSAIC, Burnaby Family Life, the Society to End Homelessness.

Community leaders and front-line health care services brought concerns, solved problems, divvied up tasks, shifted priorities and tried to anticipate the greatest needs — to save lives, keep people safe, fed and connected during an unprecedented time of crisis.

At the same time, I was hearing about this new thing called primary care networks. Now I knew about primary care clinics, but I wasn’t sure at that point where primary care networks fit in. So I asked the Burnaby Division of Family Practice, and they said: “Well, these meetings — this is the primary care network. You’re actually part of it.” It came to be called the Burnaby model. In Burnaby, the primary care network is tripartite, led jointly by the Division of Family Practice, Fraser Health and the community, as represented by the Burnaby Interagency Council.

In their own words: “The goal of the Burnaby model is to become an integrated system that will deliver a full scope of health and well-being supports to everyone in the community in the method, time and place that best suits their needs. This system will be built on a foundation of collective responsibility and focus on the critical upstream indicators, the social determinants of health, that are understood to directly determine health outcomes and overall sense of health and well-being.”

The positive impact of this evolving system will be huge and multifaceted. A stronger, more connected, more resilient community significantly reduced utilization of health resources, including emergency services, hospital stays and primary and urgent care, and a population that is better equipped and supported to thrive in place. These expected results are based on what has already been seen in Burnaby through its integrated effort to date and what has been realized in other jurisdictions.

The Burnaby primary care network projects that this model can reduce the number of family practice appointments by 42 percent in the general population and by 50 in frequent users. It could reduce trips to emergency by 23 percent in the general population and by as much as 66 percent in frequent users. They project that the return on investment would be $4.13 for every dollar invested in this model of health care.

I see I’m running out of time, so I’d like to conclude by saying a few words about our government’s track record as managers of the public purse.

It’s been troubling to hear members of the opposition describe our track record as vacuous, reckless spending, spending that’s spiralling out of control. Listening to these repeated characterizations motivated me to do some fact-checking, and with the help of the Legislative Library, here is some of what I discovered.

According to Statistics Canada, the lowest quintile, the poorest people in British Columbia, held 5.8 percent of total wealth in 2016, when the B.C. Liberals were still in power. But by 2022, under our government, it had risen to 13.2 percent. Also according to Stats Canada, the unemployment rate is lower today, at 5.8 percent, than it was at 6.5 percent when we took power. And it remains lower than the national average.

Why would that be? In large part, because of actions we’ve taken, like introducing affordable child care so that women could return to the workforce and contribute to the family income. Continuing to raise the minimum wage, which is now the highest of all provinces and tied to the inflation rate. Through changes to the labour code, like card check, we made it easier to join a union, and the rate of unionization is higher today than it was when we formed government. The GDP has risen steadily since 2017, except for a dip due to the pandemic, but it bounced back.

[5:45 p.m.]

Speaking of the pandemic, it cost us $5 billion and created a deficit, which subsequent crises beyond our control, like flooding and wildfires, added to. But in spite of this, Stats Canada concludes that British Columbia had the strongest employment recovery in Canada.

I want to conclude by thanking the Minister of Finance and her team for their bravery, for making hard choices, for finding a balance between grappling with a significantly large deficit and the need to invest in people, the need to invest in diversification. This anchors us in our values as British Columbians, and it puts people first.

Heather Maahs: I’m going to dispense with the formalities and just jump right in speaking to the budget, since I’ve already introduced myself and my family, etc. I rise today on behalf of the people of Chilliwack North to deliver a stark and unflinching response to this NDP government’s 2025 budget.

This budget is a failure for public safety and economic stability in our community. It is a failure for the families and businesses terrorized by a spike in violent crime in our streets. It is a failure for the parents grieving children lost to deadly fentanyl on our downtown sidewalks. It is a failure for the Stó’oló people who were promised a healing facility that never materialized. It is a failure for our hard-working farmers and farm families who see their livelihoods ignored and undermined.

In short, Budget 2025 has failed Chilliwack North at every turn, and I am here to hold this government to account for these failures.

This government had a choice. With economic uncertainty on the horizon, with crises raging in our streets and on our farms, the Eby NDP government could have chosen to invest in community safety…

Deputy Speaker: Member, just a reminder that we don’t use names of any of the members here.

Heather Maahs: I’m sorry. Thank you.

The government could have chosen to invest in community safety, in health, in recovery and in the industries that sustain us. Instead, they chose to pat themselves on the back and hold steady on a course that is devastating our community. Well, holding steady is not good enough when Chilliwack is facing a storm of crime, addiction and economic neglect. We needed action and vision. We got denial and complacency.

Today I will highlight five critical failures of this budget that are hurting the people of Chilliwack North. An explosion of crime in our community, and no support in the budget to stop it. A worsening overdose epidemic in downtown Chilliwack. A broken promise to the Stó’oló: no mental health and recovery facility as promised. The safe supply fentanyl policy fuelling a crisis in First Nations communities. Neglect of agriculture, abandoning the economic backbone of Chilliwack.

These are not just talking points. They are life-and-death issues for my constituents. Let me address each in turn and make it clear how this budget fails to deliver what Chilliwack North desperately needed.

Skyrocketing crime in Chilliwack. No real action from the NDP. Chilliwack is under siege from crime, and this community’s budget offers nothing new to protect the community. In 2023, our city earned an unwelcome notoriety. Chilliwack has now one of the worst crime rates in all of Canada.

According to Statistics Canada, our crime severity index — the measure of crime, volume and severity — surged by 24 percent in a single year, giving Chilliwack the second worst crime severity of any metropolitan city in the country. The overall crime rate in our community spiked by over 17 percent the previous year — the highest jump in Canada.

[5:50 p.m.]

This is not merely a slight uptick. It is a sharp and alarming increase that every citizen of Chilliwack can feel. We have gone from a city where people felt reasonably safe to one where many are now afraid to walk downtown after dark or open their shops in the morning.

Most tragically, violent crime has escalated to levels we have never seen before. There were six homicides in Chilliwack last year, double the number from the year before. That gives our community the third-highest murder rate in Canada, behind only Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

Let that sink in. A growing city like Chilliwack, still viewed by some in Victoria as a small town, now ranks among the most violent communities in this country by murder rate. Each one of those murders is a person lost, a life cut short by violence, a family shattered by grief.

Beyond these worst crimes, property crime has been rampant as well. I heard this at practically every door that I knocked at — a break-in, thefts, vandalism. Ask any small business owner in downtown Chilliwack about the nightly ordeal of shuttering their storefront, hoping it isn’t smashed or ransacked in the morning. Many have installed bars on their windows, and security cameras, effectively turning their shops into fortresses just to survive.

Residents wake up to the news of yet another car stolen, another home broken into, another act of senseless destruction.

Why is this happening? In part, it’s the result of a cascading social breakdown that this government has allowed to fester. We have had homeless encampments like the notorious camp near Island 22, just down the road from me, spawning hundreds of police files and spreading crime throughout our area. The RCMP cleared that camp after far too long, but the underlying issues remain. Addiction and mental illness on our streets feed disorder and lawlessness. Repeat offenders cycle in and out of custody.

What has been the provincial government’s response to this crime wave? Platitudes and finger-pointing. The city of Chilliwack and our local RCMP detachment have been pleading for more resources, for specialized units, for support to deal with prolific offenders.

We even have our mayor and council launching programs like Car 67, pairing police with mental health nurses, and asking for an assertive community treatment team to help get a handle on crime and mental health crises. But the mayor himself noted, despite years of advocating, that Chilliwack still doesn’t have an ACT team, something many other B.C. cities our size have. In other words, the province has been absent, missing in action, while Chilliwack begged for help.

This budget was an opportunity to change that. It could have delivered funding for more police officers on the ground in communities like Chilliwack, where the caseload is overwhelming. It could have expanded programs proven to work, like ACT, or increased support for addiction treatment to reduce crime. It could have provided money to tackle repeat offenders and tighten up enforcement on property crime. It did none of those things.

Instead, we see this government congratulating itself on adding resources every year as crime skyrockets. The people of Chilliwack don’t want to hear empty reassurances that crime fluctuates. They now want to see a plan to bring crime down, and that plan is nowhere in this budget.

Public safety is a core responsibility of any government. If our citizens are not safe, if seniors are scared to go for an evening walk, if parents are worried when their kids go to the park, and if shop owners can’t earn a living because their store keeps getting looted, then the government has failed at the most basic level.

[5:55 p.m.]

By that measure, this NDP budget is a colossal failure for public safety in Chilliwack North. It ignores the reality on our streets, and it leaves our local law enforcement stretched so thin. It offers no comfort or confidence to my constituents that next year it will be any better than the last horrific year of the crime we’ve just endured. I implore the government to wake up to what is happening outside this bubble of Victoria, beautiful Victoria.

In Chilliwack, crime is not an abstract statistic. It is at our doorstep. And this budget’s silence on resources for fighting crime is truly deafening. Chilliwack needed a lifeline, and instead we got a shrug. Overdose deaths are soaring in downtown Chilliwack, and this crisis is ignored. As if the surge in crime were not enough, Chilliwack is also grappling with the deadly fallout of the toxic drug epidemic, which has hit our downtown core with a vengeance.

The very same streets where businesses are closing early due to crime on the streets are the streets where too many of our fellow citizens are collapsing from fentanyl overdoses. The overdose crisis is the twin city of the crime wave, and this budget leaves her neglected.

Last year was the deadliest year ever for recorded drug overdoses in British Columbia. Our community felt that pain directly. A staggering 2,511 British Columbians lost their lives to poisoned drugs in 2023, the highest number ever.

Of those, Chilliwack mourned 60 lives cut short. Sixty sons or daughters, friends, neighbours from our city who died in an alley, a park or even their own homes because of toxic fentanyl and opioids. That is 60 funerals, 60 families in grief, in a single year, in what is essentially a mid-sized city.

Our overdose death rate in Chilliwack is 54.6 per 100,000, far above the already terrible provincial average of 45.7. Think about that. People in Chilliwack are dying of overdoses at a higher rate than all of B.C., which in and of itself is at record levels.

Downtown Chilliwack has become an epicentre of this tragedy, with paramedics responding to overdose calls on an almost daily basis, sometimes finding the same individual needing revival multiple times a week. Businesses in the downtown area routinely must clear needles and debris from their doorways each morning. Library staff and transit drivers have had to become first responders, trained to administer naloxone, because they so often encounter people in the throes of overdose on library steps or in the bus exchange.

This is the horrifying new normal in my city. Yet where is the urgency from this government? Where is the funding in this budget to dramatically scale up addiction treatment, detox beds and recovery programs in Chilliwack and the eastern Fraser Valley? I looked for it, and I found nothing beyond the same tired talking points and incremental pilot projects.

While overdose calls spiked 25 percent in the province last year, and every community in the Fraser Valley region struggled with this crisis, the government continued to tout its historic investments in new beds that somehow never seem to be available to the people who need them in my riding.

The harsh reality is that if an addict in Chilliwack today reaches out for help, genuinely wants to get off the street and into treatment, there is likely no bed available for them when they need it. The wait-lists are long, and many give up a waiting before a spot opens.

[6:00 p.m.]

Every day that someone who is addicted to fentanyl can’t get into treatment is a day their life is at risk of ending with the next dose. How can we accept this?

This budget poured $4.2 billion over three years into health, mental health and addictions, according to the Finance Minister’s own highlights. That sounds impressive, but when you break it down, where is that money going? A huge chunk is swallowed by massive hospital projects in big cities, new towers in Surrey, Vancouver, Kamloops that have yet to be delivered upon.

The budget boasts of funding new treatment beds in some regions, but I see no line item for a comprehensive treatment centre in Chilliwack, and certainly nothing specifically for the Stó:lō or Indigenous-led services in our area.

The sad truth is that this budget continues the NDP’s pattern of throwing money at the opioid crisis in ways that do not actually reach the people on the ground fast enough, if at all. We don’t need more glossy strategies and press releases from the bloated comms team in the Premier’s office. We need detox beds now, we need long-term treatment beds now, and we need supportive recovery housing now.

One would think that with 2,500 deaths in a year, the government’s hair would be on fire to stop this carnage. Instead, we have a bureaucracy patting itself on the back for incremental progress while our community graveyards fill up.

I cannot and I will not accept this slow pace. The people dying in Chilliwack aren’t statistics. They are our neighbours. They were beloved members of families. Many were First Nations. Many were barely adults. Some were middle-aged tradespeople who got hooked on painkillers — of all walks of life.

Our province has effectively abandoned them to safe supply. Safe supply: policies and sites to inject or inhale drugs without equally massive investments in treatment to get them off drugs. Harm reduction without a clear path to recovery is just harm maintenance. It’s not enough.

Downtown Chilliwack should not be an open scene of human suffering, where the only plan is to hand out naloxone and hope for the best. Yet that’s what it feels like. I speak to firefighters and paramedics who are utterly exhausted and demoralized from reviving the same people over and over. Those front-line heroes are doing their part. This budget does not do ours as legislators.

We need bold action in this budget to turn the tide of the overdose crisis. Instead, we got more of the status quo, and in Chilliwack the status quo is killing us. Broken promises to the Stó:lō people, no treatment facility, no support. I know I’ve said that before, but I’m just highlighting it again.

The failures of this budget are, perhaps, most painfully evident in how it treats Indigenous people in my region, particularly the Stó:lō First Nations people of the Fraser Valley. The Stó:lō are the people of the river, the first people of Chilliwack and its surroundings. They have been on this land for millennia, and they have suffered disproportionately in both the crime wave and the overdose crisis that I have described.

Instead of meaningful help, they have received broken promises from the NDP government. During the past election campaigns and announcements, the NDP held out hope to the Stó:lō community that a culturally appropriate mental health and addictions recovery centre would be built to serve Indigenous people in our area. This was not just a casual comment. It was a promise, an understanding that at long last the Stó:lō would have their own dedicated facility to help those struggling with addiction, trauma and mental illness.

Such a facility would be a game-changer. It would combine traditional healing with modern treatment, allow people to recover closer to home and family, and to do so in an environment that respects their culture and identity. But where is it?

[6:05 p.m.]

Years have passed and that treatment facility exists only in words and press releases, not in reality. The budget we debate contains no funding to fulfill that promise. The Stó:lō people and all Indigenous people in Chilliwack have effectively been stood up and ignored.

This failure is unforgivable, because Indigenous communities are in dire need of addiction services. The toxic drug crisis is hammering First Nations people at a shocking rate. The First Nations Health Authority reports that First Nations individuals in B.C. are dying from overdoses at 6.1 times the rate of other residents.

Despite making up only 3.4 percent of B.C.’s population, First Nations accounted for 17.8 percent of all overdose deaths in 2023. Let that sink in. Six times more likely to die and a vastly disproportionate share of deaths. This is a full-blown emergency in Indigenous communities.

Just a few months ago, several First Nations on Vancouver Island declared a state of emergency over the drug deaths, pleading for detox and treatment resources, because they were attending funerals two to three times a week for their loved ones lost to addiction.

This is the horrifying reality First Nations are living, including my Stó:lō riding. So when the government promised a Stó:lō recovery centre, hopes were raised. The Elders, the mothers, the fathers, the youth — all were looking for that beacon of hope, a place they could send their son or daughter instead of a jail cell or a distant facility hundreds of kilometres away. Yet all we have seen is delays, silence and nothing in the budget to indicate it will ever happen. It is as if the NDP hoped the Stó:lō people would just forget.

Well, they have not forgotten. Nor have I. What does it say about this government’s commitment to reconciliation and to addressing the opioid crisis that they cannot deliver a vital project that they themselves promised?

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls on governments to provide culturally appropriate health services to Indigenous people. Here was a chance to do exactly that: to empower the Stó:lō to help their own people heal.

Instead, the Stó:lō have been left to pick up the pieces on their own. They have their health agency working hard. They have dedicated people trying to weave together whatever treatment options exist, often having to send members to facilities far from home. But without provincial support, it’s an uphill battle.

Let me be clear: the safe supply policy championed by this government does nothing to heal Indigenous addicts. Simply supplying a safer drug or a substitute opioid does not address the deep intergenerational trauma, the loss of culture, the disconnection from land and community that often underlie addiction in First Nations populations.

The Stó:lō and other First Nations know what their people need — holistic treatment centres, land-based healing programs and true aftercare — to support people in recovery. These require funding, political will and partnership, all of which are glaringly absent in this budget. The government will spend millions on public relations campaigns about decolonizing health care or implementing buzzwords, but when it comes to actually building a bricks-and-mortar treatment lodge for an Indigenous community in need, there’s no money and there’s no urgency.

This is a moral failure of the highest order. How many more First Nations lives must be lost before this government realizes that their approach is not working?

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and First Nations leaders have cried out for better resources and a rethink of the current strategy that has left Indigenous people dying at six times the rate of everyone else. We, the opposition, have called for a public inquiry into the safe supply and broader response to the drug crisis to truly examine what is working and what is not. But the Premier and his ministers refuse, content to stay their course even as the Indigenous bodies pile up and the promised solutions never arrive.

[6:10 p.m.]

The people of Chilliwack North, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, deserve better than these broken promises.

I want to address directly the NDP’s so-called safe supply approach, because it ties into everything I’ve discussed: crime, overdoses and the particularly devastating impact on First Nations. This government has leaned heavily on the idea that giving drug users pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs will reduce deaths and misery. In practice, however, we have seen a very different story unfold, one that this budget and this government refuse to confront.

After eight years of a declared public health emergency for overdose deaths, after pioneering safe injection sites, distributing naloxone, decriminalizing possession of drugs and now handing out prescription opioids, what has happened? Over 14,500 British Columbians have died from toxic drugs in those eight years. Last year was the worst one yet. The death rate among women has nearly doubled since 2020. Fentanyl, the very drug that safe supply was meant to counter, was found in 82 percent of deaths.

The carnage has not abated. By some measure, it has worsened, and the burden of this failed experiment is falling hardest on communities like mine and Indigenous people. In theory, safe supply was supposed to prevent people from consuming deadly fentanyl by offering them things like pharmaceutical-grade heroin substitutes or hydromorphone. But on the streets of Chilliwack, that theory breaks down.

We’ve heard reports and seen evidence elsewhere in B.C. of these so-called safe supply pills being diverted and resold on the black market, often to teenagers and new users, essentially seeding more addiction. Meanwhile, those with the most severe addictions often seek fentanyl because it’s more potent. A few pills from a clinic won’t satisfy their dependency.

At best, safe supply might keep a fraction from dying today, though deaths are still at record highs. But at worst, it may be enabling more drug use and delaying the real solution: treatment and recovery.

Consider how this plays out in First Nations communities. Indigenous leaders have not been unanimous cheerleaders of safe supply. Many are deeply concerned. They see the high death rates, the grief consuming their communities. They are begging for detox centres, not for more opioids to be handed out.

Our First Nations citizens are statistically more likely to be in vulnerable housing or on the streets, where these drugs are circulated, and they are being killed in appalling numbers. This is a flashing red alarm. It tells us that whatever we are doing now is failing Indigenous people catastrophically, and safe supply is part of the current approach.

Yet in this budget and in this government’s speeches, you’d think that we were on track, if only we stayed the course. The Premier would rather accuse us, the opposition, of aligning with foreign politicians than face the fact that his policies are not working here at home.

We in the B.C. Conservative caucus have called for a public inquiry into the safe supply program to get to the bottom of its impacts, positive or negative, using real evidence. The government’s response? Scorn, dismissal and political attacks. They are allergic to accountability on this front. They don’t want the public to hear stories of families who say safe supply has enabled their loved one to continue using. They don’t want to discuss the nexus between rampant availability of drugs and the crime that accompanies it: theft and violence driven by drug cravings.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

I see my time is just about up, so I’ll say that Chilliwack is blessed with some of the richest farmland in Canada. We are a proud farming community, from dairy and poultry farms to berry fields, vegetable growers to floriculture, nurseries and agritourism. Agriculture comprises roughly 30 percent of Chilliwack’s total economic activity, and about two-thirds of our land base is agriculture.

[6:15 p.m.]

I’ll leave you on the more pleasant note that Chilliwack is a lovely, thriving community, but it needs help and it needs some work. And this government cannot continue to ignore, in our budget especially, the needs of Chilliwack North and the Stó:lō Indigenous people that live there as well.

Nina Krieger: I’m grateful to be here on the territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples. As the MLA for Victoria–Swan Lake, I’m fortunate to live and work on this beautiful land. My thanks to the Songhees and SXIMEȽEȽ First Nations, who have stewarded this land since time immemorial.

In reflecting on my responsibilities as a member of this Legislature, I believe that at the heart of it all is the need to listen deeply and compassionately to the people we represent and to translate people’s experiences and insights into meaningful actions in service of the common good.

This is why I’m pleased to support Budget 2025, which foregrounds the government’s people-centred vision to this province. The budget reflects a commitment to meeting the challenges of our moment head-on and to building a more prosperous, healthy and equitable society for all British Columbians.

While acknowledging the many challenges we face, our government is leveraging B.C.’s advantages, first and foremost of which is our people, to build an even better province for all who call it home. I’m honoured to play a role in this project, and I thank the voters of Victoria–Swan Lake for their trust and support.

Victoria–Swan Lake is best defined by its people, by their diversity and community-mindedness. The people that live in the wonderful neighbourhoods of Victoria and Saanich that make up my riding are hard-working and caring. They want good lives for their own families and also for their neighbours and those that are the most vulnerable in our society.

On the campaign trail and in my outreach and engagement work since the election, I heard about the things that matter most to the residents of Victoria–Swan Lake. I heard about the importance of affordable homes, quality health care, excellent schools, safe communities and strong supports that are there for people when they need these.

I met many residents — health care professionals, teachers and others — with long memories, memories of when the Leader of the Opposition was in government, a time when government ripped up workers’ contracts, underinvested in schools and health care and neglected the need for child care and skills training for jobs.

People expressed such appreciation for the tremendous record of the B.C. NDP government, which since 2017 — and thanks in no small part to the steadfast work of my predecessor, former MLA and minister Rob Fleming — has made life better for the people of my riding. Today, thanks to this government, thousands of people in the capital region who are starting careers and struggling with costs are enjoying new housing units, and seniors are living in their homes with dignity.

Today, thanks to this government, more Victoria and Saanich families than ever are saving $900 a month on the cost of raising a young child and accessing $10-a-day daycare spaces.

Today thousands of people now have a family doctor thanks to Island Health, who just in the last few months hired more than 175 new GPs. Today residents of Burnside Gorge are accessing a new urgent and primary care centre, while residents of Cedar Hill are receiving team-based primary care at a new community health centre at Luther Court.

Today students are enjoying a newly expanded and seismically upgraded Victoria High School and are looking forward to a brand-new Cedar Hill Middle School thanks to significant investments by this province. And soon students at the University of Victoria and Camosun’s Lansdowne campus will live and study in 1,300 new units of student housing.

Commuters will soon save 25 minutes each way each day thanks to a transit-oriented development above the new Uptown transit exchange and bus rapid transit to the West Shore.

[6:20 p.m.]

Today our community in Victoria–Swan Lake is better than it has ever been because we have a government that puts people first. We have much to be proud of, and there is so much more work to do. This work is being shaped by a dynamic new reality that few of us could have foreseen last fall.

The Trump tariffs and the President’s repeated threats on Canadian sovereignty have fundamentally altered our course as a country and as a province. The roller-coaster of unjustified tariffs…. In recent days alone, tariffs have been threatened, confirmed, delayed, promised, increased and so on. I had to add another word to my speech when I read this morning’s news. This dynamic is a betrayal to the historic bond between our countries.

Noting the hour, I wish to reserve my place to continue next time and move adjournment of the debate.

Nina Krieger moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1:30 tomorrow.

The House adjourned at 6:21 p.m.