Contents

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Á’a:líya Warbus.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Linda Hepner: I would like to introduce to the House this morning the mayor of my city, Brenda Locke; as well as the city manager, Rob Costanzo; Harry Kooner, the chief of staff; the director of safety and security at the city, Brian Edwards; and long-standing executive assistant to the mayor Kristy Wawryk.

Please would the House welcome all of the Surrey delegation here today.

Hon. Brittny Anderson: I have a real introduction.

Before I start that, I know we’re not really supposed to comment on prayers and reflections, but often you look at me, and it makes me cry. And you’re right. I don’t understand how you vote all the time, but I respect you as a human, and that was so beautiful. I just want to thank you for being who you are. Let’s work together.

Why I’m really standing up here today, though, is there is a very special person that I want to wish a happy birthday to. She is the longest-serving female MLA from our caucus, our Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham. It’s her birthday today.

She is an incredible mentor, an incredible friend. She has farmers from all regions in B.C., including from our opposition, who absolutely love our Minister of Agriculture because she so believes in the work of farmers, communities and all of British Columbia.

Will the House please all wish Lana Popham a very happy birthday.

Thank you, Minister.

Some Hon. Members:

“Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, dear Lana,

Happy birthday to you.”

Hon. Josie Osborne: Today I am so pleased to welcome the board of directors and staff of the B.C. Association of Community Health Centres. They’re joining us here in the gallery.

This association represents community health centres across British Columbia — local, team-based care centres that play a vital role in our communities. They are centres that help people stay healthy, support seniors to live well, reduce emergency room visits and ensure that the most vulnerable members of our communities receive the care and support they need.

[10:10 a.m.]

We look forward to meeting with them later today.

Please will the House join me in warmly welcoming them.

Brennan Day: I just want to take a moment to introduce Paul Adams, the executive director for the Rural Health Network, as well as Jacqueline Podewils.

They’re here in the gallery today. They do amazing work representing the small rural communities that are underserved here in the province of B.C.

Please have the House make them feel welcome.

Sunita Dhir: I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to two of my family members. October 30 is a very special day for me. It’s my older son Arun Dhir’s birthday. Arun turns…. Oh, I am trying not to cry. Arun turns 32 today and is celebrating in Japan with his lovely wife Hiromi. He is the apple of my eye and my first blood relative in Canada. I am so proud of him, and yes, I still embarrass him by introducing him as my doctor-son.

And this Sunday, November 2, my wonderful sister Monika Dhir, also known as Mona, will also be celebrating her birthday. Monika is one of the kindest and most selfless people I know. The best daughter, the best mother and the best sister anyone can ask for. She should know today that the trash story that my brother and I have been telling her all her life is not true.

I hope everyone in this House will join me in wishing Arun and Monika very happy birthdays.

Rob Botterell: I am very pleased to introduce and recognize the amazing members of my constituency team — Patricia Pearson, Deborah Bowman and Julie Luna — who have worked tirelessly over the past year to support the residents of Saanich North and the Islands helping to remove barriers and ensure that everyone can access the services they need.

Deborah Bowman, who is also one of my constituents, joined our team after an impressive 22-year career in the public service before retiring in 2023 and was looking for something exciting to do.

Julie Luna has been with us since we opened our constituency office last December and has quickly become an essential part of our work.

Patricia Pearson, who sadly for us will be moving on to new ventures next month, has been with me since my campaign and has served as a strong advocate for constituents for the past 2½ years. I am deeply grateful for her dedication and all her contribution.

Also joining us in the gallery today is Adam Olsen, my predecessor as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, who has been a fabulous and wonderful mentor and is now director of intergovernmental relations for W̱JOȽEȽP First Nation.

I invite all members of the House to join me in extending a very warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all of them.

Hon. Jodie Wickens: I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to the person who made me a mom. Troy Wickens turns 20, and for the last 20 years, he’s graced this world with strength and determination.

I’m so incredibly proud to be your mom. I can’t wait to come home and celebrate with you. I love you, and I’ll see you soon.

Tony Luck: You know, with all the silly stuff that goes on in this House and everything, introduction time is an opportunity for us to see a lot of our personal sides here, and it’s really, really nice to see.

Having said that, I’d like to wish my beautiful wife a happy anniversary. It’s ten years today. Ten years ago I made the best decision in my life, to marry Wanda, so I really appreciate it.

Hon. Diana Gibson: In the gallery today, it’s my pleasure to welcome members of the government information management branch team. This group, as part of the ministry, supports all ministries with information records management and the broader public sector, including the Royal B.C. Museum.

Would the House please welcome Mario Miniaci, Mary LaBoucane, Elizabeth Vander Beesen, Terrell Les Strange and Bruce Schinkelwitz.

Thank you so much. Everybody, welcome them.

[10:15 a.m.]

Hon. Rick Glumac: Did you know it’s the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics?

So 2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, and in that context I would like to introduce Louise Turner, who is the CEO of the Quantum Algorithms Institute. I met with her yesterday, and she’s meeting with a number of us today.

Would the House please make her feel welcome.

Hon. Randene Neill: Further to the Minister of Health’s introduction, I just want to do a personal introduction to the executive director of the Pender Harbour Health Centre, which is my health centre and the health centre for about 4,000 residents of Pender Harbour. The heart and soul that goes into that place is absolutely extraordinary.

Nick Gaskin, thank you for being here today.

I would like to ask the House to give him a warm welcome.

Jeremy Valeriote: I would like to echo the introduction of the member for Courtenay-Comox for Paul Adams, the executive director of the B.C. Rural Health Network.

With Paul is Jacqueline Podewils, who is the founder of Housing is Healthcare. Born and raised in Kelowna, and has travelled here from Chicago to be with us, Jacqueline has been a champion for access to care in B.C. and creating awareness around the struggles people face in having to pay out of pocket to stay in Vancouver for many procedures. Her mom is a double lung transplant recipient whose lived experience moved Jacqueline to act.

I want to recognize Jacqueline’s work with the B.C. Rural Health Network on improving access to care for all residents in B.C., ensuring that our health system is accessible to all without financial or other barriers.

Will the House please make Jacqueline and Paul feel welcome.

Dana Lajeunesse: It’s no secret to anyone on the floor of this House that we could not do the work that we do without our incredible constituency advisers.

Joining us in the House today are two of my heroes, Aakriti Rai and Sarah Dinsdale.

I feel like I won the lottery twice when I found these two, and I just want to give them a warm House welcome.

Amshen / Joan Phillip: Since today is Non-profit Recognition Day, I’d like to recognize our friends from the non-profit sector that are with us today. We have representatives from across the province and representing all parts of the social sector services org joining us.

Thank you particularly to Zahra Esmail, Prairie Chiu and Tyler Arnold from Vantage Point for bringing you all here together.

Thank you so much for all you do.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside: I just also wanted to welcome the community health folks here today.

We also, as part of that team, have Zarghoona Wakil, who is the executive director of the Umbrella Multicultural Co-op in my community in New Westminster.

We just had a chance to celebrate their 15th anniversary recently. They provide incredible primary care to people in many, many different languages, reflecting the diversity of our community. They have a cultural health broker program that is extraordinary and nationally recognized. They provide mobile health services to temporary foreign workers who are working in our agricultural sector in the valley. They do just incredible work.

Thank you so much for your leadership, Zarghoona.

Rosalyn Bird: I am honoured to rise today to introduce one of my constituents from Prince George, which happens very rarely. Dr. Alex Aravind has been a distinguished professor of computer science at the University of Northern British Columbia, where his dedication to teaching and research has earned him countless awards from the university and nominations for prestigious national awards.

He is pioneering work in transformational FCFS mutual exclusion algorithms. Apparently there are actually people in the gallery that know what that means, so that’s awesome. He has been featured in most widely used computer science textbooks worldwide, inspiring students globally.

[10:20 a.m.]

On behalf of my constituents and this House, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Aravind’s remarkable contributions to education, innovation and our community.

Please join me in making him feel welcome.

Stephanie Higginson: I rise today for an introduction. In the House today, we have Jacquie Neligan, the executive director of Ladysmith Family and Friends, and members of the LaFF board of directors as well as her family.

LaFF provides inclusive, interactive opportunities for the development of children and families up to six years old in Ladysmith and the surrounding areas.

Jacquie is in the House today because she is the recipient of the King Charles Coronation Medal, which we will be presenting to her at 12:30 in the library rotunda — you’re all invited if you would like to come; along with the former MP from Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Lisa Marie Barron.

If you’re all free, I encourage you to come.

Would the House please help me make Jacquie and her friends feel very welcome here today.

Amna Shah: I am also pleased to rise to introduce and welcome the mayor of the glorious city of Surrey, Mayor Brenda Locke, along with staff in the gallery.

It was really lovely to spend some time, recently, celebrating the fruits of our collaboration through the opening of the Cloverdale Sport and Ice Complex. We all look forward, very much so, to continue collaborating to get some amazing projects done.

I welcome her to the House, and I request everyone else do the same.

Bruce Banman: On behalf of the Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities, I’d like to make a very special introduction. I’d like everyone in this House to be introduced to Jack, Jack O’Lantern.

For those of you…. And I’m sure the birthday girl and Minister of Agriculture would agree that some of best pumpkins that you need for your jack-o’-lantern are grown right in the Fraser Valley, the farmers of Sumas.

Please embrace them and make sure you get a jack-o’-lantern for yourself.

Thank you very much, and will the House please give Jack a warm welcome.

Hon. Brittny Anderson: When I saw the member for Abbotsford South wearing an orange tie, I thought: “Oh, maybe today he’s crossing the floor.” But I’m very pleased to welcome Jack and support our pumpkin farmers.

I do want to give a shout-out to Jacqueline and Paul from the Rural Health Network. We are meeting today.

We’ve had many conversations in the past that have been wonderful, and I am so excited for our meeting today

Thank you.

I know they’ve been welcomed already by the opposition and the Greens, but just everyone please give them a warm welcome. They do great work.

David Williams: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a friend and a guest in the gallery today, Mike Butler, chief executive officer of Coastal Gateway Port and Union Bay Industries.

Mike is leading an ambitious and forward-looking vision to strengthen British Columbia’s coastal trade infrastructure, expand port capacity and connect our province’s resource corridors to new global markets through innovative and sustainable port development.

Accompanying him today is Alana Barager.

I ask all members to please join me in welcoming Mike Butler and Alana to the Legislature.

Hon. Jessie Sunner: I rise today to wish my husband, Darcy, a happy anniversary.

We know that this place can be really tough. I think none of us really knew what we were getting into, but he was always a champion. I don’t even think he still knows what we’ve gotten ourselves into, but it’s always wonderful to go through this life together. He makes the hard days lighter, the good days brighter, and I’m so lucky to do this journey of life with him.

If everyone would wish us a happy anniversary.

Tributes

Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame
and Ted Greves

George Anderson: I rise to recognize a constituent of Nanaimo-Lantzville, Ted Greves. He is the former president of the Local 905 Professional Firefighters union, a former city councillor and regional district director.

[10:25 a.m.]

On November 1, 2025, he is being inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He was captain of the Owen Sound North Stars from 1976 to 1979, the Nanaimo Timbermen from 1981, the Victoria Payless Shamrocks in 1986, and in 1978, he was team captain for Canada and led Canada to victory over the United States of America to win gold for Canada at the World Lacrosse Championship in Manchester, England.

I hope the whole House would join me in congratulating Ted Greves.

Statements

B.C. Lions

Trevor Halford: I know everybody’s got Jays fever here — go, Cubs, go! — but I did want to remind everybody that the B.C. Lions are hosting their home playoff game on Saturday. Maybe I will run into the Minister of Forests there.

I just want to wish the Lions the best of luck on Saturday as they take on the Stamps.

Introductions by Members

Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat: I’m happy to introduce one of my constituents here — I just noticed her up there in the gallery — Mary Dolan.

Most of you would know her from her previous work of child care advocate, working at Growing Together care centre and also child care and family council of the Cowichan region and other communities.

Please help me in welcoming her here today.

Stephanie Higginson: October 30 is clearly an auspicious day, because I, too, became a mom on October 30 to my son Oliver, who is turning 18 today. If you are a rural family who’s into hunting and fishing, you know what a big day this is.

Oliver, you are kind, you are caring, and you are capable. I am so proud of you, and I can’t wait to see what adulthood brings.

Please help me wish Oliver a happy birthday.

Amshen / Joan Phillip: I just wanted to wish my daughter-in-law, Jennifer Adam Phillip, a very happy birthday today.

Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat: Everyone’s wishing their family members a happy birthday, which I would like to wish my father, who is turning 88 tomorrow, on Halloween Day. He lives in the Cowichan Valley, so he is one of my constituents. He is just such a busy man. He’s had a full life. He had 25 years at Duncan Paving. He was always proud of that.

He’d always take us children out to drive on the parking lots that he’d just paved, or roads, before we’d go out to the Dairy Queen ice cream, and say: “Look how beautiful this is.” And I’d be like: “Dad, can you just take us for ice cream, please?”

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

New Resident Health Cost
Recovery Act

Tara Armstrong presented a bill intituled New Resident Health Cost Recovery Act.

Tara Armstrong: I move that a bill entitled New Resident Health Cost Recovery Act, 2025, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read for a first time now.

British Columbia’s health care system is under tremendous strain. Last year alone British Columbia added more than 150,000 new residents, the fastest increase in over 60 years, and nearly all that growth came from international migration. Non-permanent residents now make up 7.3 percent of everyone who calls this province home. Emergency room waits are reaching 14 hours, and more than one million British Columbians are without a family doctor. That’s why I’m introducing the New Resident Health Cost Recovery Act, 2025.

This bill requires new residents who are not yet Canadian citizens or permanent residents to pay an annual health registration fee of $7,500 per person as a condition of coverage under the Medicare Protection Act. That amount reflects the average annual cost of publicly funded health care in B.C.

[10:30 a.m.]

The fee will be adjusted for inflation each year and will cease once the individual becomes a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. All revenues will go into a dedicated health cost recovery account, used only to administer the act and fund health services for new residents.

Most new arrivals, earning modest incomes as they get established, naturally contribute far less in taxes at first, yet their care is just as costly. This bill closes that gap fairly and transparently so that everyone who receives publicly funded health care also helps pay to keep it strong for the future.

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

Division has been called.

[10:35 a.m.]

Members, we are ready to begin the voting if we agree to waive the time.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill New Resident Health Cost Recovery Act.

[10:40 a.m.]

Motion negatived on the following division:

YEAS — 37
Wilson	Kindy	Milobar
Warbus	Banman	Wat
Kooner	Halford	Hartwell
L. Neufeld	Van Popta	Clare
K. Neufeld	Brodie	Armstrong
Bhangu	Paton	Gasper
Chan	Toor	Hepner
Rattée	Davis	McInnis
Bird	McCall	Stamer
Day	Tepper	Mok
Maahs	Kealy	Williams
Dhaliwal	Doerkson	Luck
	Block
NAYS — 48
Lore	G. Anderson	Blatherwick
Routledge	Chant	Toporowski
B. Anderson	Neill	Osborne
Brar	Krieger	Davidson
Parmar	Sunner	Beare
Chandra Herbert	Wickens	Kang
Sandhu	Begg	Higginson
Phillip	Lajeunesse	Choi
Rotchford	Elmore	Morissette
Popham	Dix	Sharma
Farnworth	Eby	Bailey
Kahlon	Greene	Whiteside
Boyle	Ma	Yung
Malcolmson	Gibson	Glumac
Arora	Shah	Chow
Dhir	Valeriote	Botterell

Bill M219 — Health Authorities
Amendment Act, 2025

Anna Kindy presented a bill intituled Health Authorities Amendment Act, 2025.

Anna Kindy: I move that a bill intituled Health Authorities Amendment Act, 2025, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read for the first time now.

Many people in British Columbia believe the health care system will be there for them and their loved ones if they fall critically ill. Unfortunately, in B.C., wait times to access timely health care are increasing, and some are dying waiting for care.

The Health Authority Amendment Act, 2025, would compel provincial health authorities to ensure that patients are informed whenever potentially life-saving treatment cannot be provided within the medically recommended time frame. Patients would then have the option to seek life-saving treatment outside B.C.

For example, if you require life-saving surgery within 28 days but the local health authority is booking you at 60 days out, the local health authority would have to inform the patient that they will not be treated within the necessary timeline.

It is important to note that this bill is not intended to criticize the diagnosing physician for their recommendations, since doctors should always be encouraged to inform patients of their honest opinion. The public deserves to make an informed decision with regard to their health and the potential need to seek care elsewhere.

We already know people are dying on wait-lists across B.C., but this bill would require a fully transparent, yearly reporting of the number of patients who died waiting for life-saving care. British Columbians deserve a health care system that is honest, transparent and accountable.

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

Motion approved.

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

Motion approved.

Members’ Statements

Rondriso Farms

Linda Hepner: As we celebrate the fall season and harvest, a time that anchors both Thanksgiving and Halloween, I’m proud to recognize one of Surrey–Serpentine River’s agricultural gems, Rondriso Farms.

This is the most important economic time of year for many in our farming community, and Rondriso Farms embodies the entrepreneurial energy that keeps local agriculture thriving. With deep roots in Surrey dating back to the ’50s, they have built lasting partnerships with neighbouring growers, dairy farmers, meat producers and specialty product producers, ensuring that families across our region have access to the freshest local produce.

Their showcase general store is a hub of community connection, where residents come not just to shop but to share stories, recipes and the spirit of the changing seasons.

[10:45 a.m.]

Of course, no fall would be complete without a visit to their enormous pumpkin patch, a true local tradition. Families come from near and far to enjoy hayrides, explore the fields and find that one special pumpkin to take home. Or you could be like me and take home five, all different sizes and amazing colours.

Through hard work, innovation and dedication to sustainable practices, the Tamis family — Arie, Sophie, Ron and Pam and their three sons, Caden, Mitchell and Luke — are a symbol of what makes Surrey’s agricultural community so special. They remind us that supporting local farms strengthens our economy and makes our communities special.

CFB Esquimalt and Service of
Armed Forces Members and Veterans

Darlene Rotchford: I’d like to begin by acknowledging that we’re gathered today on the traditional lands of the xʷsepsəm and Songhees Nations and thank them for the stewardship of our lands.

As the MLA of Esquimalt-Colwood and the government military liaison, I am deeply proud to represent a community with such a strong and enduring connection to the Canadian military.

Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt was actually established in 1855 by the Royal Navy and became the headquarters for the Pacific Station a decade later. It was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1910 and then became CFB Esquimalt in 1966. For 170 years, this base has been the heart of our nation’s defence, home to ships, submarines, aircraft and the dedicated personnel who operate on them.

Whether in the air, on the sea, under the waves or on the land, the members of our Canadian Armed Forces serve with courage and commitment. They do so knowing they will miss milestones, holidays and precious moments with family. They witness and carry experiences most of us cannot even imagine, yet they continue to serve without hesitation because they have sworn to protect this country and everyone who calls it home.

As we approach Remembrance Day, we pause to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to thank our veterans for their strength and service and to recognize those who are serving, especially the men and the women of CFB Esquimalt, for their daily dedication to peace and security. You cannot walk down the streets of Esquimalt without seeing someone in uniform or someone you’ve known in uniform.

Winston Churchill once said: “We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.” Today and every day we thank those who stand ready — past, present and future.

I know we have some members within this government and within our opposition who’ve served, and I’d like to make a special thank-you to them for not just serving before but then representing people today within the Legislature.

Williams Lake Stampede

Lorne Doerkson: It is with great pride that I rise in this House today to speak about an event that has been the beating heart of my community for nearly a century — the Williams Lake Stampede. For 97 years, this iconic celebration has drawn tens of thousands from across British Columbia, Canada and indeed the world to witness world-class rodeo action in the historic Williams Lake Stampede Park.

What truly makes this event exceptional isn’t the dust and the mud of the arena. It’s the people behind it. Hundreds of volunteers dedicate countless hours each year to create something extraordinary. A board of nearly 20 directors provides steadfast leadership, ensuring that every contract, every flag and every cheer in the grandstands comes together seamlessly for this Canada Day weekend spectacle.

The stampede is more than just a rodeo. It’s a reflection of who we are — resilient, proud and deeply connected to the land and to one another. It fuels our local economy, fills our hotels and campgrounds, and it showcases the incredible spirit of Cariboo-Chilcotin. It also honours the rich cultural traditions of our local First Nations, whose partnerships have made this event even stronger and more inclusive than ever before.

Each year, as I stand before more than 5,000 cheering spectators on Saturday afternoon to welcome them to Cariboo-Chilcotin, I’m reminded of just how important this event is to our region, how it brings us together year after year.

[10:50 a.m.]

It gives me tremendous joy to share that the Williams Lake Stampede has officially been named the best rodeo in Canada by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. I want to congratulate everyone that worked on the 97th annual Williams Lake Stampede.

I’d like to invite you all to the 98th annual Williams Lake Stampede.

Malahat Legion Branch 134
and Honouring Veterans

Dana Lajeunesse: As Remembrance Day approaches, I want to recognize and celebrate the profound contributions of the Royal Canadian Legion Malahat Branch 134. With over 400 members, this branch is not only a cornerstone of the community but also a vibrant gathering place for seniors and residents throughout the region.

At this time, I want to highlight the annual poppy campaign, running from October 31 to November 11. This tradition is more than a symbol. It is a lifeline that supports our veterans and their families as well as retired RCMP members. This year, legion volunteers devoted countless hours to the preparation of approximately 6,000 poppy envelopes for distribution, ensuring the community continues the tradition to show gratitude and remembrance.

On October 22, the legion held a remembrance service in Cobble Hill. The ceremony for the fallen was dedicated to honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Canadian soil in non-combat roles.

This year I look forward to attending the November 11 ceremony at the Cobble Hill Cenotaph where the community will once again come together to remember and reflect.

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with Legion President Isabelle Hammer, one of the many dedicated volunteers whose tireless efforts are the backbone of the legion’s success. Her work, along with that of so many others, has led to significant upgrades at the legion, such as the installation of new floors, a new bar, as well as a bustling kitchen that supports a variety of community events.

Let us extend our gratitude to all the members, volunteers and supporters of the Royal Canadian Legion Malahat Branch 134 for their unwavering commitment to honouring our veterans and enhancing community.

Lest we forget.

Constituency Offices
and Staff Appreciation

Rob Botterell: This morning I want to celebrate an essential branch of B.C.’s government, the humble constituency office. Constituency offices connect British Columbians to their government. They uphold and prioritize public interest. With every case, they not only help individuals; they build trust.

I’m extremely lucky to have an experienced constituency staff who serve Saanich North and the Islands. Their service to the public gives us all a good name. They help mothers reconnect with their children. They help persons with disabilities stay in their homes. They help seniors access essential medical care through MSP and PharmaCare coverage. They advocate for local improvements that enhance safety for all.

Constituency staff hear stories day in, day out from people falling through the gaps in government services. With compassion and patience, all of our constituency staff navigate difficult situations and layers of government bureaucracy to offer a listening ear, address individual issues and advocate for systemic policy change. Like social workers, they carry a heavy caseload of heart-wrenching stories. Too often their safety is threatened. It’s not easy work, but it is so valued.

Today I hope you’ll join me in celebrating all constituency assistants and particularly those from Saanich North and the Islands, who are in the chamber today.

Halloween and Cultural
Celebrations Honouring the Dead

Amshen / Joan Phillip: I rise today on the second-spookiest day of the year, the day before Halloween. I thought about dressing up as Ronald Reagan or Nixon, but they’re not so scary anymore.

Now, I’m proud of the work we do in this building, but I won’t lie to you. I’m so excited to get back to the constituency, where I can dress up with my office and hand out treats to our kids in the area.

[10:55 a.m.]

For kids and adults, it’s a time to be creative and silly. Halloween is more than just a fun day. Beneath the costumes, the mask, the face paint, it connects people around the world with those who came before us.

In many Asian communities, like Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Hungry Ghost Festival marks a moment when the spirits of the departed return to visit the living. Families offer fruit and wine, light incense and carry photos of the loved ones they miss.

Closer to home, səlilwətaɬ holds a deep connection to the land, water and the spirit world. As Uncle Leonard George said: “I believe in the spirit in me, in the ones I love and the spirit of Mother Earth.” Ceremony, connection and spirit are all sacred. Honouring the dead is a year-round practice rooted in a deep love of the land and the people.

These celebrations show us that none of us are truly gone as long as we keep each other’s memories alive. While we’re having fun, let’s also reflect on the universal experience of remembering those who came before us. Across cultures and generations, honouring the dead is a way of honouring life itself.

Huy ch q’u siem.

Hon. Lana Popham: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Hon. Lana Popham: I’ve got some wonderful guests in the gallery this morning. I have a number of grade 4 and 5 students from Cordova Bay Elementary in Saanich South. They’re joined by Ms. Norris, Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson.

Thank you for visiting, and welcome to the Legislature.

Ministerial Statements

Remembrance Day

Hon. David Eby: This Remembrance Day takes place in an exceptional global moment. I think that all Canadians and all British Columbians feel an increased sense of insecurity about the rising drumbeat of war around the world, the threat of global bullies ignoring international law and their obligations, and the rapid armament of countries around the world in response.

This insecurity globally is coupled with a new realization in Canada, which is that we cannot and should not be as dependent on the United States as we have been in the past. We have to stand on our own two feet.

This realization certainly brings advantages for British Columbia, whether it’s our shipbuilding industry, our proud shipbuilders at Seaspan bidding for a contract to build new corvettes for the Canadian Navy; whether it’s the ship maintenance yards on the west coast vying for maintenance contracts related to new submarines; or whether it’s the North Coast transmission line feeding electricity up to the Yukon to support Arctic sovereignty efforts.

It’s important, though, to recognize that these advantages, this incredible cutting-edge equipment and these opportunities for British Columbia are nothing without the remarkable men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who will be operating them, who will make their benefits realized for all Canadians. That work does come at a cost.

Our oldest at our house, Ezra, has always had a great fascination with the military and an interest in military service. This is unusual at our house. As first-time parents, we were very reluctant to give water guns to our son to avoid glamorizing what is a very serious thing. Yet, at the splash pad, Ezra would wander around other families asking them for their water guns. So finally, we became one of the greatest armouries of the splash pad. He wore us down.

But his interest in the military, his interest in service forced us to reckon as a family: what would that mean for us, and who ultimately makes these sacrifices for our countries? The men and women who step forward, who spend their weekends and evenings as reservists away from friends and family. The people who serve full-time in the Armed Forces, who say that they’re willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Those who are injured.

It made us think about their families, too, about their loved ones, about the husbands, the wives, the children, the moms and dads at home worrying about those who are overseas, sometimes for months at a time.

[11:00 a.m.]

When we wear the poppy this year, it brings a special importance and resonance for all Canadians as we reflect on our own security here at home and the profound gratitude that we have for these individuals who step forward to make this sacrifice and their families and their friends who support them in this crucially important work.

We put on the poppy, and we also reach out and provide that support, that pat on the back, that thank-you to everybody who makes it possible for our country to be safe, strong and free.

Lest we forget.

Rosalyn Bird: I rise today on behalf of the official opposition to thank the Premier for his words in reflection.

I, too, join all members of this House in solemn recognition of Remembrance Day. It is a day of tremendous importance. It holds deep meaning for so many Canadians and, particularly, for those of us who have worn the uniform.

As I stand here, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a democratic country where our voices are heard, our rights are protected and our differences are celebrated. These cherished freedoms did not come easily. They were earned through sacrifice, courage and unwavering duty by the men and women of the Canadian Forces at home and abroad, past and present.

Over 1½ million Canadians have served in conflicts, from the First World War to Afghanistan. It is vital that we remember those lost in battle, for every name etched in stone represents a life dedicated to a cause greater than oneself.

For those of us who have served, Remembrance Day is not merely a ceremony or a moment of silence. It is a personal reflection, a day when faces and names come to mind, when the weight of memory presses close. We remember not only those that gave their lives but those who returned home changed, carrying the unseen burdens of service and sacrifice.

Wearing the red poppy inspired by Flanders fields represents not only bloodshed by countless heroes. It represents a promise — a promise to never forget, to never take for granted the peace and security that others fought to preserve. It is also a reminder of our continuing responsibility to support our veterans and their families, not just in words but in meaningful action.

As we approach November 11, communities across British Columbia will gather in legions, schools, town squares and at local cenotaphs. The sound of the “Last Post” will echo in the crisp morning air, and for two minutes, we will stand together alongside veterans, Armed Forces members, merchant marines and RCMP members who have and continue to serve our country so courageously. In silent gratitude, we will be united across generations and beliefs.

As we bow our heads in silence, let us also lift our hearts in gratitude, as it is our responsibility to ensure the values they fought for — a commitment to justice, freedom and equality — continue to flourish in every corner of our communities, province and nation. Together let us pledge to actively protect our democracy and to live in a manner that respects their sacrifice. Let us showcase the compassion they demonstrated in the face of adversity by treating one another with kindness and respect, as it is the best tribute we can offer to safeguard the very freedoms they fought to give us.

But remembrance must live beyond a single day. It must guide the decisions we make here in this chamber. Whether it’s ensuring veterans have timely access to health care, mental health supports or the dignity of stable housing, we must continue to honour their sacrifice by how we care for them when they have returned home.

As a veteran myself, I know firsthand that the call to serve never truly leaves you. It becomes part of who you are, a sense of duty, of loyalty to something greater than oneself. That spirit continues in our communities today, where veterans contribute quietly, volunteering, mentoring, leading still and serving in countless ways.

[11:05 a.m.]

As we remember, let us also renew our personal commitment to peace, to compassion, to gratitude. Let us teach our children and our youth not only the history of war but the values of courage, resilience and hope that define those who served.

To the families that have lost loved ones, to the veterans who carry the weight of remembrance each day: we thank you. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them.

Some Hon. Members: We shall remember them.

Jeremy Valeriote: Thank you to the Premier and the member for Prince George–Valemount for their heartfelt words.

In advance of Remembrance Day, I also rise to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who serve to defend peace, democracy and our rights. We must reflect this November not only on their bravery but on the lessons their service teaches us today.

War was born from division, hatred and the collapse of trust in each other and in our communities. As the Premier mentioned, all over the world, we are seeing a rise in worrisome signs — disinformation, polarization, mistrust and a deterioration of good governance. The very foundations of society our veterans fought to protect.

We must all work together to strengthen our ties to community, family and to each other and ensure no one feels left behind.

Remembrance Day is not only about honouring sacrifice but remembering and upholding the values they fought for — democracy, compassion and unity. We must remember the mistakes of the past to avoid making them in the present and in the future.

Lest we forget.

Dallas Brodie: Freedom needs to be fought for, and we all stand here today as products of the ultimate sacrifice that the best of Canadian society made on our behalf. When threats came to our civilization and our freedoms in World War I and World War II and other conflicts, our people, including countless young men just old enough to vote and some not yet old enough, ran toward the threat.

Their sense of duty and the strong instinct to stand up for the moral right in the face of evil and totalitarianism drove them to fight and even die on the battlefield for Canada and a free Western world. These brave Canadians are the reason why we remember names like Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach and Passchendaele, despite most of us having never set foot in those places.

Although this House will not be sitting on Remembrance Day, these words I am speaking now will be the sentiments in my heart on November 11.

In fact, we should all stop throughout the year in our own time to remember the sacrifices made by past generations, sacrifices almost none of us in this room could possibly imagine or comprehend. Their example should be our model to follow.

In everything we do every day, we need to remember that our freedoms were purchased by the blood of the many who did not come home from distant battlefields and vast open seas.

Lest we forget.

The Speaker: Members, let’s have a moment of silence for remembering all those who sacrificed for us, today and tomorrow and every day.

[The House observed a moment of silence.]

Oral Questions

Obstetric and Gynecological
Services and Government
Action on Issues

Anna Kindy: Last night it was reported that one of four ob-gyns resigned from Ridge Meadows Hospital. This happened in the Minister of Education’s riding on the heel of the mass resignation of seven Kamloops ob-gyns and an open letter from 130 obstetricians and gynecologists condemning this province for using temporary physicians.

[11:10 a.m.]

Dr. Charlene Lui, president of Doctors of B.C., warns that the province doesn’t have a plan and that using temporary physicians will only continue “to destabilize the system.”

Can the minister please tell us how many other hospitals across B.C. are at risk of ob-gyn shortages or mass resignations?

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question.

First of all, I just want to address the issues in Ridge Meadows and say that it is stressful. It creates anxiety for expectant mothers and for families who are anticipating the birth of their child. To know at this time that there is a possibility of interruption of services is a tough thing to take. I do want to thank the team at Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows for the service that they are providing to people.

The member talks about the short-term actions that we have to take and that health authorities continue to focus on to provide what we all have as a common goal, which is stable maternity services for women and families across British Columbia. Those short-term actions are essential to make sure that the care is there and can be delivered.

It also speaks to why we have to continue the work that we are doing in the creation of a new medical school here in British Columbia to train the next generation of doctors, to reach out to jurisdictions like California, Washington and Oregon to invite physicians to move here to British Columbia to practise in our universal public health care system. That is the long-term work that has to happen to provide those stable services.

It is work that our government is entirely focused on, and we are not going to stop until we are able to see those stable services in place. We are going to continue to work with physicians, hear them, listen to the Doctors of B.C. and create the situation where the provision of care is there for people when they need it and where they need it.

Anna Kindy: I have been a practising physician for almost 40 years, and I have done deliveries without ob-gyn backup. I will tell you. It can be pretty scary. The resignation of ob-gyn is having a domino effect. I have never seen in all my career, almost 40 years, the system being so fragile. Departments are running at full capacity, with one body away from closing. We warned this wave was coming, and it’s here.

The minister did not answer my question. Women across B.C. want to know how many hospitals across B.C. are at risk of ob-gyn shortage or mass resignation.

Give us a number.

Hon. Josie Osborne: The member refers to what is happening in Kamloops, where seven ob-gyns have tendered their resignation letter but continue to sit at the table with Interior Health as Interior Health listens to their concerns and does the work with them to hear those, to create what we all need and expect, and that is stable maternity services, not just in Kamloops but across the province.

The situation in Ridge Meadows is different, with one ob-gyn leaving and others making their decisions. It is not a mass resignation. I want to be really clear about that.

The member speaks to the need to continue to double down on the work that has to be done, training new family physicians, some of whom will choose maternity specialties, who support women with low-risk pregnancies; the work to attract and train new specialists, new ob-gyns, who will move to British Columbia and will train in British Columbia to practise these services here. That work is absolutely essential.

Yet members of the opposition opposed our idea to recruit into the U.S. and to ask American physicians to move to British Columbia to practise. And that is happening. American physicians are moving here. They are….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members, wait for your turn.

Members. Members. Shhh, Members.

Minister.

Hon. Josie Osborne: We are going to continue the work of training, of recruiting, of hiring, of streamlining credentialing for those physicians who are coming here from other jurisdictions, continuing to work with physicians, hear their concerns and take the short-term and long-term actions that are necessary to build out a stable system of care for British Columbians who expect it, who deserve it.

[11:15 a.m.]

Funding for
Residential Care Facilities

Brennan Day: The only thing this government is continuing is managing the decline of our fragile health care system. This government certainly supports your efforts to recruit from the United States, but we would like you to put some focus on retention as well.

The Speaker: Through the Chair, Member.

Brennan Day: There are 24 hours left, and as recently as yesterday, the minister has repeatedly acknowledged this government does not fully understand the impact to the cuts to long-term care and assisted living across this province.

Will the minister commit today, again, to stop these cuts and put seniors first, yes or no?

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you for the opportunity once again to talk about how important it is to provide safe and secure care for seniors in this province, why this government has invested millions and millions of dollars into building and renewing long-term-care homes in this province.

We canvassed this heavily yesterday, and I know that the members of this House understand that the winding down of a temporary stabilization program that was brought in is a measure that we have taken while we work with operators to understand the particular challenges that they are facing. But in the meantime, we are making up for years of neglect into long-term care.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Come to order, please.

Shhh. Members.

Hon. Josie Osborne: For example, in the constituency of Courtenay-Comox, in the member’s own riding, 156 new beds were completed and opened in July 2024. Just a couple of years before that, 104 beds completed in 2022, in the member’s own riding.

These are the beds that are needed to provide that safe, secure care for the people that we love. This is work that this government is deeply committed to. We have a proven track record of investments in new beds, safe, secure care for the people that we love.

The Speaker: Member has a supplemental.

Brennan Day: The minister mentions new beds in my riding. A hundred of those beds are at risk of closure through these cuts.

If this minister is reaching into the Wayback Machine, she should look at the person sitting in front of her.

Yesterday the minister brushed this off, saying it’s only 6 percent of long-term-care beds. Well, that 6 percent is 850 grandparents who could be pushed into hallway care or onto the streets. This may be the largest cut to seniors care in British Columbia’s history.

We’re down to 24 hours. Will this minister stop these cuts today, or will MLAs be fielding calls tomorrow from concerned families asking where their loved ones are supposed to go?

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh, Member for Abbotsford South.

Hon. Josie Osborne: We continue to meet with operators to discuss their particular situations. We understand that transitions are a difficult time, and that’s why it is so important to hear from them. That is why we met yesterday with the B.C. Care Providers Association to hear directly from them about their insights and the information that they have to share with me and with the ministry.

Health authorities continue to work with operators. Not one person is going to be kicked out of their bed, of their home tomorrow. For anyone on the opposite side to infer that is absolutely wrong.

We are going to continue the work to address the root causes of what these facilities are facing in terms of being able to recruit and retain health care assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, all of the dedicated people that make these facilities what they are and who care for our grandparents, for our parents.

This is the work that we have to continue to do. We are deeply committed to working with every single operator, every single facility that comes forward. That work will not stop.

[11:20 a.m.]

Government Advertising Spending
and Role of Local Media and Journalism

Jeremy Valeriote: The Premier has said that local news outlets are “treasures to local communities.” In the spring, in this House, the member for Nanaimo-Lantzville lamented their slow deterioration.

I concur. Locally based media and local news are essential to community cohesion and a healthy democracy. In this time of instability, trustworthy journalism is more important than ever.

This week in our caucus, we’ve been talking about integrity, but in this government’s urgent pleas to buy B.C., they may have forgotten to look at their own spending. It’s estimated that the province spends the vast majority of its advertising budget with American tech giants like Meta and Google.

Meanwhile, in Ontario, the province mandated that its Crown agencies allocate at least 25 percent of their advertising dollars to local news outlets. If we can copy Ontario’s anti-tariff ad campaign, surely we can follow their lead on this.

My question is for the Premier. Will his government commit today to spending at least half of its advertising budget with B.C.-based news media?

Hon. David Eby: Thank you to the member for the question.

Following the actions of the U.S. president, we issued a number of directions to Crown corporations and to government as a whole, including to remove U.S. liquor from the shelves, to prioritize contracting and purchasing from trade allies and from Canadian companies and B.C. companies first and to make sure that that applied across the board, including to advertising.

We have worked closely with the advertising sector related to local media. They’ve been reaching out to us to say that government advertising should be focused on local media, and we are ensuring that we are meeting those obligations. I’m happy to brief the member on the numbers so that he has the information that we have about how we spend to support local media.

We’re getting the message out to British Columbians about flu vaccines, about wildfires and other crucial information that they need to have.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Jeremy Valeriote: I thank the Premier for his answer.

When a road is washed out by an atmospheric river or a wildfire forces communities to evacuate, the people of B.C. deserve a reliable source of local, trustworthy information.

In the modern age, people turn to a variety of sources. Government should advertise on all of them. By advertising almost exclusively in foreign-owned social media, a significant portion of our population isn’t receiving the message.

This isn’t about propping up a failing industry or spending new money. This is about shopping local and supporting integral institutions instead of parasitic corporations.

The Premier’s NDP counterpart in Manitoba convened an all-party committee to explore the future of journalism. Will the Premier do the same?

Hon. David Eby: This is the first I’ve heard of the initiative of the remarkable and talented Premier of Manitoba. I am happy to engage with him and the member on these discussions.

I think it is crucial that media is supported across Canada as a verifiable source of information for Canadians, and I am happy to engage in those conversations.

Government Policies on Forest
Industry and Annual Allowable Cut

Tara Armstrong: Without logs, forestry dies, like a restaurant with no food. Forestry was the backbone of our province for decades, providing jobs, infrastructure, revenue and helping build small towns across B.C.

Today the industry is in ruins. The cause? A steady decline in the allowable cut.

Powerful U.S.-funded environmentalists have weaponized our love of nature, using endangered species laws, so-called old-growth protection and climate scams like carbon credits to lock up productive forest land. Simultaneously, Indigenous tribal Chiefs and reconciliation industry lawyers leverage spurious sovereignty claims to engage in lawsuits or blockades which restrict access to public forests, as we saw with Fairy Creek.

My question to the Minister of Forests is this. Will you take even one small step to reduce the control that the environmental and reconciliation lobbies have over your ministry?

Hon. Ravi Parmar: I’m very proud to be the Minister of Forests and to be able to work with the entire forest sector, which includes environmental organizations and First Nations, to really look at the path forward.

We are facing dire circumstances in forestry right now because of the challenging circumstances we’re facing with Donald Trump’s attack on our forest sector. This requires us to be able to look at the future of forestry.

[11:25 a.m.]

I want to acknowledge the member’s comments about forestry being the bedrock industry for the province of British Columbia. I feel very strongly, as does the Premier and those members on this side of the House, that forestry will continue to be that strong, sustainable sector that produces and creates good-paying jobs in every corner of this province.

Unlike the member opposite, we are not going to pit First Nations against government. Unlike the member opposite, we are not going to cut down more old-growth trees and go back to 1950s-style clear-cutting efforts.

What we are going to do is lay the path forward that ensures that we can have a strong, sustainable sector, that ensures that we are stewarding our lands and protecting our communities from wildfires and ensuring that we are creating prosperity in every corner of this province.

The Speaker: The member has supplemental.

Tara Armstrong: You know, it’s a funny thing. Donald Trump can’t destroy our forestry industry because the Premier already has. In fact, he’s beaten it to death. This government has destroyed this once mighty industry.

It’s so bad that paper mills in Port Alberni are importing fibre from, you guessed it, the United States. In the name of reconciliation, this government is refusing to issue cutting permits necessary to keep mills open. While B.C.’s allowable cuts decline, our neighbours over in Alberta have increased theirs by close to 50 percent over the past couple of decades.

My question: will the minister commit to increasing the allowable cut?

Hon. Ravi Parmar: Forestry 101, I think, is an important thing for all members of the House. The government does not increase the annual allowable cut. The independent chief forester sets the annual allowable cut.

What I will do is work across government with all of my colleagues, the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the Minister of Environment, to ensure that we can move forward on a major project that the Premier has set. That is to ensure that we can have a strong, sustainable forest sector that produces a harvest that creates jobs and prosperity in every corner of this province.

We are doing that on the coast, where we have seen a significant reduction of raw logs leaving our communities and jobs leaving our communities. As an example, when we took government, over six million cubic metres worth of logs were leaving our province every single year. That’s enough logs to build over 100,000 homes. Those numbers have gone down considerably since we took office.

Another example. In the Interior, we are investing in value-added manufacturing. In my colleague from Castlegar’s riding, we have a first-of-its-kind mass timber modular housing facility, the first of its kind in North America, here in British Columbia.

These are the steps that we’re taking to ensure that we can have a strong, sustainable forest sector, and we won’t apologize for the work that we’re doing. We’ll bring First Nations and bring industry all to the same table to build that path forward.

Government Hiring of Consultants

Claire Rattée: This Premier has so little faith in his ministers’ ability to do their jobs that he has hired Michael Bryant, Penny Ballem, Doug White, Larry Campbell, Nathan Allen, George Heyman, Daniel Vigo and Charlie Demers — over $2 million in consultants in one year.

I wonder if that’s why this government is cutting long-term-care funding.

During a public sector hiring freeze, how many more NDP friends and insiders will get six-figure contracts to try to shield this government from its own failures?

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

When we hire external people to come in and assist us, it’s because they have a unique skill set that positions them to do really important work.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: I’ll share with the member opposite a perfect example of that which she mentioned, which is George Heyman, someone who has been the head of the BCGEU and a member of government who provided very sage advice to me. This is a very unique skill set. Having people who have such important skill sets assist us is money well spent.

The Speaker: Member for Skeena, supplemental.

Government Hiring of Communications
Staff for Downtown Eastside Issues

Claire Rattée: I still think that the primary job of this government should be trying to make sure that we can keep long-term-care beds open.

[11:30 a.m.]

This Premier claimed he could fix the problems on the Downtown Eastside when he became Premier. It has been three years with absolutely no progress. Now he has hired another communications staffer, Nathan Allen, at $140,000, to do public relations for him on the Downtown Eastside. The Premier himself, the ministers or the parliamentary secretaries he appointed clearly couldn’t get the job done.

Again to the Premier, can he tell us how many NDP insiders it takes to fix the problems he created?

Hon. Christine Boyle: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Mr. Allen is returning to a position that he held a year ago. It’s a public engagement role that will focus on housing and bringing community voices together in the Downtown Eastside.

This government’s work in the Downtown Eastside is significant.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. Christine Boyle: Since 2023, we’ve opened 800 new and renovated spaces, with more than 900 more on the way. We continue to focus on results for people. That’s our work in the Downtown Eastside, seeing tangible results for the community there and far beyond.

We’re doing that work in ridings in communities all across this province, including many of the communities of members opposite, working with local leaders, working with community leaders to open winter shelters, to open supportive housing. We are focused on people, and we will continue to do that work.

Funding for Vancouver Island 911
Emergency Dispatch Services

Tony Luck: Earlier this year the government downloaded E-Comm 911 costs onto nine Vancouver Island ridings. Nine mayors called the downloading hugely unfair, untenable and poorly handled.

Why is this government hell-bent on making municipalities pay for its mistakes?

Hon. Nina Krieger: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

We have heard from municipalities about some of the challenges related to the increasing costs of emergency call services. We are about to release reports that will….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Please continue.

Hon. Nina Krieger: We will soon be releasing reports that the Premier….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. Nina Krieger: They are the aftermath of the Premier’s decision to call for a review of the E-Comm service, which provides invaluable emergency call services for municipalities across the province. We are committing to ensuring that we’re working with municipalities so that they can continue to deliver the core service, so that when people call 911, they receive the prompt service that they need.

We’ll continue to do that work with municipalities, and we’ll look forward to the continued conversation.

The Speaker: Member for Fraser-Nicola, supplemental.

Funding for Surrey
Primary Health Care Clinic

Tony Luck: Health care is crumbling, and cities are being forced to step up. Surrey is the latest city working to open their own primary care clinic to make up for the government’s health care incompetence. Surrey has half the family doctors of Vancouver and now is taking on the task of providing health care because this government will not.

Will this government fund the Surrey clinic, or will it leave the city of Surrey holding the bag yet again, yes or no?

Hon. Josie Osborne: It’s a real pleasure to have the mayor of Surrey here in the House today, and I want to compliment her and her council and the city for the work that they are doing.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. Josie Osborne: That is true partnership. Understanding health care and ensuring that your citizens can access it is fundamental to the economy of your city. It is fundamental to being able to attract new businesses, new investment, to invite newcomers to come and live in your community and see it thrive. So kudos to the city of Surrey.

It is an example of the way that our government is working with municipalities and local governments around the province. Whether it’s Sicamous, Creston or Cariboo, these are communities that are stepping up to the table and participating in recruiting physicians and health care workers to their communities.

[11:35 a.m.]

They know their communities best. That is why taking a Team B.C. approach to building out infrastructure, to attracting the health care workers who are going to be members of their communities, is a fantastic idea. I thank every single local government that is stepping up to do that work.

Tax Assessments for Pipeline
Companies and Impact on
Property Tax Revenues

Peter Milobar: That answer very clearly shows why cities are pleading with this government to stop the downloading, because they are counting on municipalities to continue to add provincial responsibilities under local taxpayers.

We have small businesses across this province begging for tax relief, especially property tax relief. We have sawmills and pulp mills around this province pleading for help from this government that has created the highest-cost forestry jurisdiction in North America with their NDP policies. We have a Premier that says he’s opposed to a northern pipeline because we need to maximize the value of the existing pipeline networks that we have in British Columbia.

Yet later this month the Minister of Finance is being asked to sign off on a 30 percent reduction of the assessed values of those existing pipelines in British Columbia. Pipelines are capped on the property tax rates they can pay, which means that’s a 30 percent tax holiday for those same pipeline companies the Premier says we have to maximize the value of.

Who will have to pick up that cost? The pulp mills, the sawmills and the small businesses that this Premier says they are standing up and fighting for.

The government has two simple solutions. They can either say they will reject the reduction, the 30 percent tax holiday for pipelines being suggested by B.C. Assessment, or they can increase the cap on the mill rates for class 2.

Which is this government prepared to do today?

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

First, I want to say that B.C. Assessment has been doing this evaluation-of-models work over a ten-year period. It has not yet come to my desk. I expect it to come to my desk in November.

But I’ll share with the member that I, too, feel concerned. I feel concerned any time there is a downloading of taxes onto small businesses and onto people, and I look forward to reviewing this report.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Budget Deficit and
Government Financial Management

Peter Milobar: It’s a pretty easy concept. Surely the minister must have been aware of it, because it has to be approved by the end of November, according to B.C. Assessment’s own presentations to local governments. So it’s shocking that the government doesn’t already have a position on whether or not they are going to take action. But it’s interesting, because it’s always tough to understand what exactly this government and this Finance Minister are doing.

On the first-quarter update, when concerns were raised about the sleight of hand happening with the tobacco settlement money in British Columbia, the minister assured everybody that it was standard accounting practices and that, in fact, the Auditor General would be quite happy with how B.C. was handling that sleight of hand, with booking 18 years worth of a settlement in one year to try to deflect and make their horrible record deficit look a little bit better than it actually is in real life.

Just the other day the Auditor General actually indicated that no, in fact, they’re not overly impressed with how this government chose to do the bookkeeping on the tobacco settlement.

Can the minister please explain the disconnect between the words she keeps trying to convey to the public about the fudge-it budget bookkeeping they continue to do to try to hide their record deficits and the language we’re hearing coming out of the Auditor General’s office?

Hon. David Eby: Let me be a member in this House who rises to thank the Attorney General and her team for closing off litigation that was started by an NDP government almost 20 years ago against the big tobacco companies — who lied about how tobacco was addictive, didn’t cause cancer, on and on — to hold them accountable for the harm that they caused in our province and to deliver literally billions of dollars to the province of British Columbia to help pay for the harm that they caused. Way to go.

Let me thank her and her team for holding…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Hon. David Eby: …opioid producers to account for the largest health care settlement in British Columbia history, bringing billions of dollars to provinces and territories across Canada…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. David Eby: …grappling with the opioid crisis that they caused.

Congratulations, Attorney General.

[11:40 a.m.]

Let me thank the Attorney General and her team for bringing forward legislation…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Members, shhh.

Hon. David Eby: …to hold the vaping companies to account for the vaping epidemic among our young people and the harm they are causing to youth across North America so they finally pay for the harm that they caused.

Interjections.

Hon. David Eby: Congratulations to the member.

I love having a problem….

Interjections.

[The Speaker rose.]

The Speaker: Members will come to order. Members.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Member for Abbotsford South.

Members, the Premier has the floor. He will answer.

Shhh.

[The Speaker resumed their seat.]

Hon. David Eby: Sorry, kids.

I love having a problem of how to account for billions of dollars recovered from wrongdoers who hurt people in our province, who are going to keep doing it. And if it’s a problem of how to count the money, then bring it on.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

The Speaker: Hon. Members, I have the honour to table the Chief Electoral Officer report, October 19, 2024, Provincial General Election, Volume III, Recommendations for Legislative Change.

Reports from Committees

Statutory Officers
Appointment Committee

Janet Routledge: I have the honour to present the second report of the Special Committee to Appoint Statutory Officers.

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

Motion approved.

Janet Routledge: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Continue.

Janet Routledge: I move that the report be adopted, and in doing so, it is my pleasure to share some comments on my role as Chair of the committee.

This report contains the committee’s unanimous recommendation to appoint Jeffrey Schnoor as B.C.’s next Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Since our committee was struck in February, we conducted a rigorous and thorough recruitment process, during which we received 42 applications and interviewed six candidates. Throughout the process, we were particularly impressed by Mr. Schnoor.

Mr. Schnoor most recently served as Ethics Commissioner for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. In that role, he provided confidential advice to members, demonstrating a commitment to prompt and responsive service. Prior to this work, he held many senior positions in the Manitoba public service and has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and a commitment to honesty, integrity and diversity.

The committee recognizes the important work that the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner undertakes, and we are confident that Mr. Schnoor’s experience and new ideas will reinforce public confidence in B.C.’s elected representatives.

Would the House please join me in welcoming Mr. Schnoor, who is here in the gallery today.

On behalf of the committee and all Members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to thank Victoria Gray for her public service and dedication as Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the past six years and wish her well in her retirement. I would also like to recognize Ms. Gray’s service as acting commissioner until Mr. Schnoor’s term starts. Ms. Gray also joined us in the gallery today.

Finally, I would express my gratitude to the Deputy Chair — the member for Surrey–Serpentine River — and all committee members for their thoughtful contributions and the collaborative spirit that they brought to our work.

Linda Hepner: I would also like to extend my appreciation to all members of the committee, including the Chair, the member for Burnaby North.

As Ethics Commissioner of Manitoba, Jeffrey Schnoor has worked to increase the public’s understanding of his role and to promote transparency and accountability. Mr. Schnoor has accomplished this work by collaborating with the media and modernizing Manitoba’s disclosure processes.

[11:45 a.m.]

He brings an extensive legal background to the role, which includes work in private practice and experience in the public service as Deputy Minister of Justice in Manitoba and Deputy Attorney General of Manitoba.

The committee is confident that his experience, guiding values and strong leadership will be assets as he assumes his role of Conflict of Interest Commissioner in our province.

The Speaker: Members, the question is the adoption of the report.

Motion approved.

Motions Without Notice

Appointment of
Conflict of Interest Commissioner

Hon. David Eby: Thank you, Commissioner Gray, for your work.

Welcome, Mr. Schnoor.

By leave, I move:

[That the Legislative Assembly recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that Jeffrey Schnoor, K.C., be appointed as Conflict of Interest Commissioner pursuant to section 14 of the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 287), for a term of five years commencing on January 5, 2026.]

Motion approved.

The Speaker: Also on behalf of all the members, I would like to congratulate the newly appointed commissioner.

Thank you so much.

I also want to say thank you to the retiring commissioner, who has done such a wonderful job.

Thank you so much.

Reports from Committees

Statutory Officers
Appointment Committee

Janet Routledge: I have the honour to present the third report of the Special Committee to Appoint Statutory Officers.

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

Motion approved.

Janet Routledge: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Please continue.

Janet Routledge: I move that the report be adopted and, in doing so, it is my pleasure as Chair of the committee to share some remarks.

This report contains the committee’s unanimous recommendation to appoint Bridget Parrish as the next Auditor General of the province of British Columbia.

Since our committee was appointed, we conducted a rigorous and thorough recruitment process, during which we received 11 applications and interviewed five candidates. Throughout the process, we were particularly impressed by Ms. Parrish.

Ms. Parrish most recently served as acting Deputy Auditor General and equity, diversity and inclusion lead within the Office of the Auditor General. During her more than ten years with the office, she demonstrated a deep understanding of financial and performance audit processes, which positioned her to provide leadership on the office’s most challenging and complex audit files.

The committee valued Ms. Parrish’s perspectives and experience regarding the modernization of accounting and auditing processes to enhance audit delivery. As assistant Auditor General of quality management, she created and implemented innovative audit software, enhancing the quality and efficiency of the office’s work.

Ms. Parrish now regularly provides advice and guidance to other legislative audit offices as they seek to modernize their own tools.

During her tenure at the Office of the Auditor General, Ms. Parrish has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and a commitment to the values of credibility, integrity and transparency. The committee was impressed by her work and is confident that her experience, coupled with her innovative ideas and principled leadership, will be assets as she takes on the role of Auditor General.

Would the House please join me in welcoming her. She is here in the gallery with her family.

On behalf of the committee and all Members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to thank Michael Pickup for his public service and dedication as Auditor General.

I would also like to recognize Sheila Dodds for her work as acting Auditor General and her commitment to providing continuity for the office. Ms. Dodds also joins us in the gallery today.

[11:50 a.m.]

Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all committee members — especially the Deputy Chair, the member for Surrey–Serpentine River — for the thoughtful collaboration during our work.

Linda Hepner: I’d also like to thank the committee Chair, the member for Burnaby North, for the absolutely collaborative way in which she ran the meetings and in which we came to our decisions.

I’m excited to see that someone within the House or within the existing government has now assumed the role of Auditor General. Ms. Parrish developed strong relationships already within the department. I think it’s always great when you can see someone that can be promoted from within and that has done an outstanding job and work already within the administration. So I’m very happy to be part of the committee that can recommend Ms. Parrish for this role.

I’m recognizing the critical role that this Auditor General role plays. We’re confident that Ms. Parrish’s experience and her guiding values will reinforce the transparency and accountability and support the confidence and improvements in the public sector reporting programs and services.

Congratulations, Ms. Parrish.

The Speaker: Members, the question is adoption of the report.

Motion approved.

Janet Routledge: I ask leave of the House to move a motion appointing Bridget Parrish as Auditor General for the province of British Columbia.

Leave granted.

The Speaker: Please continue.

Motions Without Notice

Appointment of
Auditor General

Janet Routledge: I move:

[That the Legislative Assembly appoint Bridget Parrish as Auditor General, pursuant to section 2 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2), for a term of eight years, commencing on December 1, 2025.]

The Speaker: Members, the question is adoption of the motion.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: On behalf of all members, congratulations to our new Auditor General.

We are looking forward to working with you.

Tabling Documents

Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson: On behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Parks, I have the honour to present the environmental emergency branch’s report to the Legislature, which covers the accomplishments of the program over the previous fiscal year from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Division 2.1 of the Environmental Management Act, 2003, requires that the Minister of Environment and Parks provide an annual report to the Legislative Assembly that outlines the administration and operation of division 2.1 and the effectiveness of the spill response scheme under the division.

The report I present to you today provides an overview of the environmental emergency branch. The report also includes spill statistics, financials, three profiled emergency incidents, key initiatives, compliance, enforcement and training.

Hon. Mike Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 11:54 a.m.