The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Heather Maahs.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. Josie Osborne: I have two introductions to

Introductions by Members

Hon. Josie Osborne: I have two introductions to make this morning.

First of all, today is B.C. Care Providers Day, and I am delighted to see the B.C. Care Providers Association here with us in the gallery. Please welcome Marc Kinna, board president; Mary Polak, CEO; Lara Croll, senior director of policy; Tiffany Trownson, director of public affairs; and Erika Buban, the events and administrative coordinator.

And speaking of events, last night we had the B.C. Care Awards, and we have a number of the recipients in the gallery here with us today as well. Every day, of course, thousands of seniors care providers provide and support older adults in their homes, in community settings, in long-term care settings. Their work is absolutely essential to our health care system, and they have so much to be proud of. It was such a wonderful event last night to celebrate the contributions that care providers make here in British Columbia every day.

Would everybody please join me in welcoming them all to question period today.

May I make my second intro?

I am also very pleased to introduce Dr. Dale Clayton and Cheryl Davies, who are joining us in the House today. Dr. Clayton is a dedicated leader in diabetes care, and Cheryl Davies is the chief operating officer at B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, advancing care for women across our province. Their work reflects something very important, and that is access to the right treatment that saves and changes lives.

This Sunday, March 1, B.C.’s national PharmaCare plan launches full coverage for diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy. This is supporting nearly 570,000 people in British Columbia who are living with diabetes and 160,000 people who experience menopause. This removes cost barriers and improves quality of life.

Please join me in welcoming Cheryl and Dale to the House today.

Steve Morissette: I am proud to rise today to acknowledge a constituent of mine who is here with us in the chamber today. Linda Frew won a prestigious award last night at the B.C. Care Providers Association awards ceremony.

My apologies, Linda, that I couldn’t be there.

Linda Frew of Fruitvale was the recipient of the B.C. Care Provider of the Year Award for Assisted Living, in recognition of the leadership and kindness she exemplifies every day as a community manager at Castlewood Village in Castlegar.

Linda is known for creating a welcoming, inclusive community for everyone. Linda is innovative, developing an adult day program that blends clinical support for high-need seniors with community engagement to reduce stigma and strengthen community.

I would ask the House to join me in congratulating Linda for receiving this award and for everything she does to make every day a special day for seniors.

Brennan Day: I’d just like to join into the Minister of Health and the Kootenay-Monashee MLA’s acknowledgement of the B.C. Care Awards dinner last night, especially the most hilarious speech I’ve heard in a good long while from Linda Frew. If anybody here needs to hire a joke writer, I highly recommend her.

On that note, I would like to recognize all of the award winners: Nahin Ahmed, Linda Frew, Gloria Larson, Judy Calhoun, Graham Freeman, Christian Buns, Nancy Webb, Nitin Jain and Don Ho, as well as the B.C. Care Provider staff that are doing a fantastic job advocating for seniors across our province, especially the former Minister of Health, Mary Polak, and their amazing team led by Tiffany Trownson.

Would the House make them all feel very welcome?

Hon. Brenda Bailey: I just want to take a moment, if I could, to wish my mom a happy birthday — Rhonda Bailey of Nanaimo, B.C. We’re going to have a very B.C. birthday. She’s coming over to join me in Vancouver to see the Emily Carr exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery, 110 Emily Carrs on display. Can’t wait for it.

Happy birthday, Mom.

[10:10 a.m.]

Kristina Loewen: I just want to mention Gloria Larson from Kelowna, who won the B.C. caregiver award of the year. It was an honour to meet her last night at the awards ceremony, and her spirit, her personality, her character came through just in the conversations that I had.

Her 51 years of service is incredible, and I can see that she’s an exemplary

Larson from Kelowna, who won the B.C. caregiver award of the year. It was an honour to meet her last night at the award ceremony, and her spirit, her personality, her character came through just in the conversations that I had.

Her 51 years of service is incredible, and I can see that she’s an exemplary person.

So just help me in honouring her again today.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside: I also had a chance to join with colleagues and friends at the B.C. Care Awards celebration last night.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce and welcome Judy Calhoun to the House today. She was the recipient of the 2025 B.C. Care Providers Family Champion Award. I just have to say, anybody who has had a loved one in care — my mother lived her last time in long-term care — knows how important advocacy is and knows how important family and resident councils are to ensuring that there are connections, that there is compassion, that there’s a friendly voice of advice there for what is often a very difficult period for families and their loved ones.

Judy, thank you so much for the work that you do at Royal City Manor in my community of New Westminster. You have been active on the family resident council there for a long time and have cared for your family members there, as well as helped others’ families through difficult times. Thank you very much.

Would the House please join me in welcoming Judy to the House.

Statements

Rose Williams (Gud Takin Jaad)

Rob Botterell: It is with affection and sadness that I rise to wish farewell to our B.C. Green caucus team member, Gud Takin Jaad, Rose Williams.

Rose joined the caucus as a legislative intern and, thankfully, never left. As our social justice policy advisor, Rose has been a constant voice for those who are too often forgotten or overlooked. They have stood up for people across this province, and we are all the better for their work.

Rose is our resident baker and always made sure that we are well fed. We are privileged to have been part of Rose’s journey that is now taking her home to work for the Haida Nation. Our loss is their gain.

Thank you for everything, Gud Takin Jaad.

Tributes

Fred Luvisotto

George Anderson: I rise to honour the life of Fred Luvisotto, a beloved Nanaimo teacher, ballroom dancer, musician, volunteer and true Renaissance man.

For more than four decades, Fred shaped young lives in our classrooms, including mine, with lessons, patience, humour and a belief in just being a good person. For generations he was known as Mr. Luvy Groovy or Groovy Luvy. For over 60 years, he played the trumpet and was part of the Nanaimo Concert Band. He coached and volunteered with the Cavallotti Lodge where he held the position of vice president and president many times.

Nanaimo feels a little darker without Fred, but because of him, thousands of lives shine brighter. This is the mark of a life fully lived and that is the light he leaves with all of us.

I hope the whole House will join me in expressing our condolences to his wife Doris, daughters Carmella and Fernanda and all of his loved ones.

Introductions by Members

Sunita Dhir: I am proud to celebrate two constituents of mine, Al and Jenny Jina, who received the Ed Helfrich Long-Service Award last night at the B.C. Care Providers Association Care Awards ceremony.

Al and Jenny Jina live in Vancouver-Langara. More than three decades ago, Al and Jenny co-founded Park Place Seniors Living with a simple but powerful mission — to create homes where seniors feel valued, respected and truly at home. Together, Al and Jenny have built more than seniors residences. They have built communities.

I would ask the House to join me in congratulating Al and Jenny for receiving this award and welcome Al Jina to the House today.

[10:15 a.m.]

Á’a:líya Warbus: I would like to take a moment to introduce and thank some of the members from the B.C. Treaty Commission. We are able to spend some time there today and understand a little bit more about the process unfolding in British Columbia.

We’d like to welcome and thank Celeste Haldane, chief commissioner; George Abbott, commissioner; Mark Smith, general counsel, joining us in the House today; Sashia Leung, director of international relations and

and understand a little bit more about the treaty process unfolding in British Columbia.

We’d like to welcome and thank Celeste Haldane, chief commissioner; George Abbott, commissioner; Mark Smith, general counsel, joining us in the House today; Sashia Leung, director of international relations and communications.

My dad, Steven Point, once held the position of chief commissioner with the BCTC. I know how hard the work is and the processes and the negotiations, so my hands go up to all of you for being here today. Thank you so much.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson: I have two introductions.

First, I invite the House to extend congratulations to the 81 workers at Social Development and Poverty Reduction and Community Living B.C. Last night at Government House, they were honoured for long service, 81 individuals collectively having contributed 2,470 years of work dedicated to serving the most vulnerable people in the province.

Will the House please extend their thanks to them.

Also, extend a welcome to Brent Frain and Sonia Grendel, in the gallery, self-advocates whose advice is continuing to help build a better system of care and income assistance program.

Will the House please extend congratulations and thanks to all those people.

Hon. Grace Lore: I see that we are joined by a grade 10 social studies class from Vic High. The students are here with their teacher, Mr. Dunstan. I understand that Mr. Dunstan encourages political engagement and welcomes debate and conversation in the class, like yourself, Mr. Speaker, though I suspect he has better behaved students.

I want to single out a particular student, Arden, who is an actor and musician, but really want to thank her for a moment of kindness I saw with my children in the difficult moments outside the Legislature at the vigil recognizing the loss in Tumbler Ridge. We all came together, but I just want to share that also some young people came together in that moment as well.

I look forward to connecting further with this class.

I always think it’s important for you to be here to watch this and for us to share with you, so thank you for joining us.

I hope the House will help me make them welcome.

George Anderson: I rise today to welcome a friend and constituent, Sarah Yeung, to the Legislature. Sarah works as a pharmacist at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as part of the care team that supports patients in getting the best care possible in our province, based on the fact it’s in Nanaimo. But she’s also the creator behind Nanaimo Noms, with a large following across multiple social media platforms. Sarah brings the audience along for culinary discoveries across Vancouver Island. While the Internet can sometimes lean towards negativity, Sarah’s pure joy of food and celebrating the chefs and creators who make it remind us that joy is shared and can be amplified.

I’m very excited to take her to lunch in the parliamentary dining hall later.

I ask that the whole House join me in making Sarah feel welcome.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

Bill 9 — Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Diana Gibson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor: a bill intituled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026.

Hon. Diana Gibson: I move that the bill be introduced and read for the first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce legislation to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. FOIPPA has two fundamental purposes. It protects people’s privacy, and it upholds the public’s right to access information held by public bodies. These principles are essential to public trust, transparency and accountability.

[10:20 a.m.]

The amendments before the House today are about ensuring this important legislation continues to work for people in British Columbia in a modern digital environment. These proposed changes will support more connected, people-centred government services while maintaining strong privacy protection. They will also introduce practical efficiencies to how freedom of information requests are processed, helping public bodies better manage growing volumes

people in British Columbia in a modern digital environment.

These proposed changes will support more connected, people-centred government services while maintaining strong privacy protection. They will also introduce practical efficiencies to how freedom-of-information requests are processed, helping public bodies better manage growing volumes and complexity without limiting people’s rights to access.

Many of the changes respond to recommendations made by the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s office and pass special committees to review FOIPPA. At their core, these amendments are about improving how people experience government, making services easier to access, reducing duplication and enabling more transparent, people-centred service delivery.

I look forward to discussing the bill further with members during the second reading.

The Speaker: The question is the first reading of Bill 9.

Motion approved.

Hon. Diana Gibson: I move the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Bill M233 — Human Rights Code Repeal Act

Tara Armstrong presented a bill intituled Human Rights Code Repeal Act.

Tara Armstrong: I move that a bill intituled Human Rights Code Repeal Act, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a first time now.

The purpose of this bill is to end the assault on freedom of speech by our Human Rights Tribunal. Last week, they fined Barry Neufeld three-quarters of a million dollars for refusing to believe that a man could become a woman, for his own personal opinions.

This bill will protect ordinary people with common beliefs from politically motivated financial attacks. The Human Rights Code Repeal Act is the only solution to this assault on our rights. This bill will protect the freedom of speech of Canadians. It will abolish the Human Rights Tribunal, a kangaroo court, and repeal the human rights code that the Left is using to punish and profit from anyone who doesn’t adopt their views.

The bill will terminate the position of a Human Rights Commissioner, who makes over $300,000 a year to police speech, and it will invalidate any outstanding orders made by the tribunal against Canadians like Mr. Neufeld.

Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of our democracy. The judgment last week was a wake-up call, and Canadians are demanding their freedoms back.

To the members in this House, this is our chance to answer their call. Therefore, I urge you to vote in favour of this bill.

The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill. Division has been called.

[10:25 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.]

The Speaker: Members, the question is first reading of the bill introduced by the member for Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream.

[10:35 a.m.]

Motion negatived on the following division: YEAS — 37, NAYS — 50. [See Votes and Proceedings.]

Members’ Statements

Westham Island and Bridge

Ian Paton: Well, where the heck is Westham Island? Well, it’s a remarkable and historic part of our province. Westham Island in Delta is located next door to Ladner Village, a small island best known for its agriculture and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

Its fertile soils have been farmed for generations, producing a diverse array of crops: potatoes, vegetables, berries, honey, hay, livestock and specialty produce. On just over 700 acres, farmers grow dozens of products, supplying markets, grocery stores, restaurants and residents across the Lower Mainland and beyond. While small in size, Westham Island packs a punch in agricultural output, producing more than 25 percent of B.C.’s seed potatoes.

At the heart of this productivity is the historic Westham Island Bridge. Built in 1909, this single-lane wooden swing bridge is more than infrastructure. It’s a lifeline connecting farmers and families to the Mainland, carrying harvest to processing, retail and export markets.

Over a month ago, the bridge was hit by a barge and badly damaged. TransLink is currently fixing it, but it’s closed to vehicles and pedestrians, forcing residents onto water taxis and barges for daily transportation.

This has been a profound hardship. Families are cut off from daily routines. Students face longer trips to school via water taxi. Farmers are scrambling to transport equipment, livestock and perishable crops by barge.

During this difficult time, Westham Island and Delta residents have shown remarkable resilience. Neighbours, farmers, volunteers and the city quickly mobilized to transport supplies, share resources and support one another, demonstrating the true solidarity and the community’s unwavering commitment to keeping this island connected and functioning. Through it all, Westham Island reminds us of the strength, perseverance and heart of rural communities.

This bridge is broken, but Westham Island’s rich agricultural heritage, its spirit of cooperation and the care it has received from the community are not. It makes this small island truly exceptional.

Rainbow Kitchen

Darlene Rotchford: Today I am honoured to highlight an extraordinary organization in my community of Esquimalt-Colwood that is changing lives every single day: the Rainbow Kitchen, located at 500 Admirals Road.

Rainbow Kitchen’s mission is simple yet profound: to provide food security and access to resources to all who walk through their doors through effective community partnerships, to feed bellies and feed souls in the community they serve. That is exactly what they do.

[10:40 a.m.]

What began in 2001 in a small Anglican Church hall on the border of Vic West and Esquimalt, serving tea, coffee and sandwiches one day a week, has grown into a cornerstone of food security in the capital regional district. In 2010 the Rainbow Kitchen was formally established, and then just

what they do. What began in 2001 in a small Anglican church hall on the border of Vic West and Esquimalt, serving tea, coffee and sandwiches one day a week, has grown into a cornerstone of food security in the capital district region.

In 2010, the Rainbow Kitchen was formally established, and then just two years later, it expanded and moved into its home on Admirals.

Today Rainbow Kitchen acts as a hub for food security programming across the region. They rescue more than 10,000 pounds of food every single month that otherwise would go in the trash, and they transform it into nourishment and dignity for our neighbours. They serve over 250,000 meals each year and welcome everyone: seniors, family, children and anyone who needs a meal.

Under the leadership of CEO Patrick Daroski, along with a dedicated team and over 200 volunteers committed who are collectively contributing hours annually, this organization delivers hope alongside their meals. Their impact is especially felt among children. Rainbow Kitchen operates school meal programs supporting five schools, providing over 6,000 meals each month to students in our community. That means thousands of children are better able to focus, learn and thrive because they are not distracted by hunger.

During the week they serve breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 and from 11:30 to one, no questions asked. Simple, free, to effect something powerful: dignity, compassion and community.

I want to extend my sincere thank you to Patrick and his team, donors and community partners for making this work possible. Your compassionate commitment embodies the very best of British Columbians.

District of Lillooet
and Emergency Health Services

Tony Luck: Today I rise to recognize the district of Lillooet, a historic, resilient and truly remarkable rural community in British Columbia.

Nestled along the Fraser River, surrounded by rugged mountains and wide-open skies, Lillooet is as beautiful as it is remote. Known as Mile Zero of the Cariboo gold rush and home to the proud and deeply rooted First Nations in the area, it is a community built on strength, history and neighbours who stand shoulder to shoulder in time of need. This is a tight-knit community in every sense of the word, but remoteness brings challenges.

Lillooet is approximately 2½ hours from the nearest tertiary hospital. When emergency services close, there is no nearby alternative, only distance, winding highways. The reality is that in an emergency, every minute matters.

Over the past year, the community has endured multiple emergency department closures. In any town, that would be difficult. In a rural community, this isolation is deeply concerning. Families were left uncertain in moments of crisis. First responders carried heavier burdens. Anxiety across the region was very real.

Yet, through it all, Mayor Laurie Hopfl and council remained steady. They did not inflame tension. They did not give up. They were respectful and persistently alongside Interior Health, physicians, provincial representatives, neighbouring communities and First Nation partners to find practical solutions to stabilize emergency services. Their leadership reflects what makes rural British Columbia strong, resilient, and collaborative and determined in their need for strength at this time.

Today, I ask the House to recognize Mayor Laurie Hopfl and the council of Lillooet for their steadfast advocacy and their unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of their residents.

Japanese Culture and Nikkei Place

Paul Choi: I rise today to recognize Japan’s National Foundation Day observed annually on February 11. Known in Japan as [a language other than English was spoken], this day reflects on the founding of the Japanese nation and the enduring continuity of its culture, tradition and institutions. It is a moment to celebrate national identity, resilience and unity.

As we reflect on National Foundation Day, we also note that His Majesty Emperor Noru Hito’s birthday was on February 23, a significant national occasion in Japan that symbolizes continuity and constitutional democracy.

Here in B.C., and especially in my riding of Burnaby South–Metrotown, we are proud of the vibrant Japanese-Canadian community that has shaped our province’s history for generations.

I would like to especially acknowledge the incredible work of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre. The Nikkei Centre is more than a cultural institution, it is a living testament to heritage, perseverance and reconciliation. It preserves the history of Japanese Canadians, including the painful chapters of internment during the Second World War, while celebrating the contributions of Japanese Canadians to our society today.

[10:45 a.m.]

I also want to invite members of this House and our community to join us on March 7 for an enchanting evening of the Nikkei Place Foundation Sakura Gala celebrating 25 years of Nikkei Place, a community built through the vision and dedication of Japanese Canadians, or nikkei, to preserve history, culture, and to provide compassionate care

and our community to join us on March 7 for an enchanting evening of the Nikkei Place foundation Sakura Gala, celebrating 25 years of Nikkei Place, a community built through the vision and dedication of Japanese Canadians, or nikkei, to preserve history, culture and to provide compassionate care for seniors.

This milestone is a powerful example of community leadership and intergenerational responsibility in action. Japan remains one of B.C.’s most important economic and strategic partners. In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, I’ve seen firsthand the strength of the B.C.–Japan relationship, from forestry to natural resources to technology, clean energy and cultural exchange.

May we continue to deepen these ties and celebrate the shared value of democracy, peace and mutual respect. Arigato gozaimasu. Thank you very much.

Canadian Athletes at 2026 Olympic
and Paralympic Winter Games

Jeremy Valeriote: The 2026 Winter Olympics have come to a close, and the Paralympics will open on March 6. Today I’d like to celebrate the grit, determination and excellence of our Olympians and Paralympians.

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky plays an outsized role in Canada’s success. Vancouver and Whistler 2010 facilities are the training ground for many of our athletes. In recent months, we watched athletes who live and train in Whistler represent Canada on the world stage, carrying the strength and support of the local community with them. They inspire us to dream big, train hard, overcome adversity and support our teammates.

They inspire me too. After watching the alpine skiing events, my daughters and I went for a few fast groomers, and I dreamed of what might have been for me and what could be for them. They are speed demons, and I’ve never been so proud.

Olympians also inspired me to sign up for the 40th annual legendary Peak to Valley race this Saturday. Over one vertical kilometre of thigh-burning fun. Please wish me luck.

Interjection.

Jeremy Valeriote: Maybe not standing.

In January, I had the pleasure of visiting Whistler Adaptive Sports at the Jeff Harbers Adaptive Sports Centre on Whistler Mountain. For over 20 years, executive director Sian Blyth and her team have helped disabled and neurodiverse folks access sport by breaking down the financial, physical and social barriers. They do this work year-round, facilitating skiing, hiking, paddling and biking.

Having the option to participate in sport is so important for building confidence, health and well-being and just plain fun. It was inspiring to witness this in action on this day, watching the skill required to manoeuvre a sit-ski in a blizzard, facilitated by the amazing work of the staff and volunteers. I’m always happy when I get to ski for work. It doesn’t happen often, but it sure makes the job much easier.

Behind every athlete there is a village — families, coaches and volunteers. Today we celebrate the athletes that represent us with pride and the village that made their successes possible. Thank you.

Heritage Week and Ladysmith
Historical Society Awards

Stephanie Higginson: Last week was Heritage Week in B.C. B.C. Heritage Week sets out to inspire people to connect with local heritage and to raise awareness of the many ways it shapes our communities, our identities and our daily lives.

The theme for 2026 is “Stir the Pot.” “Stir the Pot” has two important meanings. It recognizes the importance that food has in bringing us together, tying us to traditions and families and ancestors. But “Stir the Pot” also suggests advocacy. It’s a call to create space for dialogue and conversation.

This evening I am thrilled to be invited to attend the Ladysmith and District Historical Society’s seventh annual heritage awards. In Ladysmith, heritage is a key part of the community profile and economy, and much of the credit for showcasing the community’s history belongs to the volunteers of the Ladysmith and District Historical Society.

The event will not only be an evening to honour those who work on the preservation of the town’s history but, adhering to the theme of “Stir the Pot”, will feature a traditional Stz’uminus meal prepared and served according to Coast Salish protocol.

This year four worthy recipients will be honoured with an award: Ladysmith Secondary School’s land and language program, which is an immersive cultural curriculum focused on Coast Salish language and culture through land-based experiential learning; Bruce Mason for his cultural contributions through the Ladysmith Little Theatre; Michael Dean for documenting local heritage through his art; and Michael Robinson for his heritage timeline in the Ladysmith and District Credit Union.

Thank you to the people of Ladysmith for growing and learning together, expanding their understanding of heritage beyond what was taught in school, and finding a way to weave together the ancient heritage of the lands that we live on with the important contributions that contemporary heritage plays on community.

[10:50 a.m.]

HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM to the Ladysmith and District Historical Society for their courage and grace. I would say that this year they’ve nailed the theme.

Oral Questions

[An Indigenous language was spoken] to the Ladysmith and District Historical Society for their courage and grace. I would say that this year they have nailed the theme.

Oral Questions

Mental Health Services
and Psychiatric Facilities

Claire Rattée: Ezra Cool was struck and killed by a semi-truck after he managed to somehow escape from 24-7 supervision at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. He was only 22 years old, and he voluntarily admitted himself to the hospital. He knew that he needed help. He underwent an assessment, and he was certified under the Mental Health Act.

Vernon’s hospital experienced mass resignations of psychiatrists that have negatively impacted patient oversight. Ezra did the right thing, and he asked for help, but this government system failed him. B.C. desperately needs a dedicated psychiatric hospital.

My question to the minister is, will she commit to building a psychiatric hospital in B.C. today?

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question and for speaking up about Ezra. This is an incredibly tragic incident, and I know upon hearing about this that every member of this House automatically would think of the friends and the family of Ezra and reflect on just how tragic this is.

This is an incident that’s being reviewed by the RCMP. As such, of course, I cannot speak to the specifics of the case. It’s really important that the critical incident review that’s being undertaken by Interior Health goes underway as it needs to and that the RCMP continues to do their investigation.

Of course, incidents like these speak to the need to continue to press and to continue to expand addictions treatment, mental health supports for people of all ages, in all communities large and small across B.C. This year’s budget commits new funds to do just that, and we’re going to continue this incredibly important work.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Claire Rattée: With respect to the minister, I wasn’t asking for specifics on the details of this case. I think we already understand pretty clearly what’s happened here overall. I was asking if she would commit today to building a psychiatric hospital in British Columbia, because that is desperately needed.

In the last year, our province has experienced an unprecedented number of tragic events where mental health was a central factor. Whether it’s Lapu-Lapu or Tumbler Ridge, when tragedy strikes, people expect a system strong enough to intervene before crisis turns fatal. This government’s system is not. Last year this government cut funding to Saplings Mental Health, eliminating immediate in-person psychiatric services for children across the Peace region.

To the minister, does she think, in her opinion, that the current level of in-person mental health and psychiatric supports for children and youth in this province is acceptable?

Hon. Josie Osborne: It’s incredibly important to acknowledge the pressures that young people are facing these days, whether it’s at home, in school — academic pressures, social media, bullying. Young people need effective relationships. They need safe places. They need access to mental health and substance use services to prevent small problems from beginning to steamroll and become larger, which is why our government has taken such a focus on providing mental health services for youth.

Building on a system that has been chronically underfunded, we have made concerted effort and put historic investments, including $500 million in Budget 2025, following on $1 billion in Budget 2023, continuing in this budget to protect these core services and to strengthen them, to make sure that students and youth have access to services like Foundry, like integrated child and youth care teams, PreVenture programming in schools, helping youth learn the skills to cope with the pressures they face to avoid these problems from becoming worse.

When we hear of tragic incidents like the member has raised, we know we have to double down. We have to keep doing this work so that our children are safe, so they have access to the services they need and be able to live healthy lives.

Investigation of Shootings
in Tumbler Ridge
and Call for Public Inquiry

Larry Neufeld: Tumbler Ridge — pain; loss; devastation; gut-wrenching, soul-tearing anguish. And it’s not the first community that has faced this in the last 12 months.

[10:55 a.m.]

My question to the Premier is, will he today commit to a public inquiry to gain every bit of information that is possible to try and prevent this from happening

the first community that has faced this in the last 12 months.

My question to the Premier is: will he today commit to a public inquiry to gain every bit of information that is possible to try and prevent this from happening to another community?

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

My commitment to British Columbians is clear, and I’m happy to make it on the record. There’s a police investigation underway. They’ll release what information they can at the conclusion of their investigation. The coroner is likely to play a significant role here. There may be a coroner’s inquest that will reveal additional information.

Whether it’s a coroner’s inquest or a public inquiry, we are committing, I am committing, on the record that we will use any tools available to ensure that all questions are answered about this tragedy, so, at a minimum, from the wreckage, we can say with confidence we’ve done everything possible to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Larry Neufeld: Thank you to the Premier for that answer.

I know that I have thanked the Premier personally. I have thanked the ministers personally that contributed to this, and I would like to publicly thank them again. I made it very clear at the time that politics was not welcome in that situation. In my time in this place of honour…. We’re all aware of some of the performative things that happen here but what happened in Tumbler was genuine, and I thank the individuals from across the aisle for doing that.

When I last stood and spoke in this place of honour about this unspeakable event, I recall very clearly having made the assertion that there were no words in the English language that would approach description of this event. An individual reached out to me, and I’m not going to disrespect the Korean community by trying to pronounce it, but I understand that there is a word in Korean that might come close. It’s not readily transferable or translatable to English, but what I understood from the description is that this Korean word represents the absolute black, inky depth of the centre of blackness, and yet it represents hope. That is what I have experienced in Tumbler Ridge over the last few weeks.

My question to the Premier is: could we please have a timeline on the information on the public inquiry or the coroner’s inquest?

Hon. David Eby: Thank you to the member for his comments.

The police investigation is ongoing. There’s not a defined timeline for when that will conclude. The public inquiry couldn’t start until that’s concluded anyway. The timeline of when we’ll be able to do this is defined by the police investigation and any associated criminal prosecutions that may come. I understand the police are investigating, for example, the origin of the guns that were used in this tragedy.

We support the police to take the steps necessary to do the work necessary to answer those questions and potentially through the criminal process. Immediately following that is when any public inquiries or inquests would take place.

Government Action on Drug
Toxicity Crisis and Safe Supply

Jeremy Valeriote: I just want to thank the member for Peace River South for his strength and courage over the last few weeks.

I’m asking this question in appreciation for our outgoing staff member Rose Williams who’s put her heart and soul and substantial intellect into this issue for at least the last four years.

Over the past two decades, we have seen the unregulated drug supply become more toxic, chaotic and deadly. In November, we saw the sharp rise of medetomidine in the unregulated opiate supply. This veterinary tranquilizer is one of many substances that can complicate overdose reversals. It has been found in over one-third of tested samples.

This past January 21 was the highest single-day record for drug poisoning calls in B.C.’s history and, in April, we will mark ten years of this public health emergency.

To the Premier, when will you set politics aside, heed the chief coroner and provincial health officer’s evidence-based advice and lead us out of this emergency by supporting a regulated alternative to the toxic supply?

[11:00 a.m.]

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question. I also want to pass on my gratitude to Rose for the support that she’s provided in the previous agreement that we had with the B.C. Greens.

The member raises an incredibly serious issue, and of course with the tenth anniversary approaching of the toxic drug crisis, it’s an important time to reflect and to take stock and to remember all of the lives that have been

she has provided in the previous agreement that we had with the B.C. Greens.

The member raises an incredibly serious issue. Of course with the 10th anniversary approaching of the toxic drug crisis, it’s an important time to reflect and to take stock and to remember all of the lives that have been lost in this crisis and the people, the families and communities that have been impacted.

This government has been so focused on the work that has to be done to support people who are experiencing substance use and addictions issues, building out a full continuum of supports that recognizes each person is on their own journey and needs supports when they are ready and when they ask and that is there for them.

That is why we have been so focused on building out prevention and intervention, harm reduction services, treatment and recovery, aftercare — a seamless journey for people through Road to Recovery, first piloted in Vancouver, now being rolled out across the province.

As we see the toxic drug supply ever evolving and changing, it reminds us that we must stay on top of that and that we must provide the services for people to keep them alive, like naloxone, like opioid agonist therapies for people, like overdose prevention sites, the places where people can get connected and get access to the care.

With the introduction of contaminants like medetomidine making this even more unpredictable, I’ll use this opportunity to urge any British Columbian using unregulated drugs to do so using the LifeguardConnect app, using opioid prevention services and accessing the services so that we can help British Columbians overcome this terrible affliction.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Jeremy Valeriote: Despite report after report describing evidence-based solutions to this crisis and the supports that the minister has just described, it doesn’t feel like we have responded to this emergency. The only solution to an increasingly poisoned and chaotic supply is a regulated alternative.

Almost 20,000 people in this province have been killed by the poisoned, unregulated drug supply since 2016. This staggering loss of life is a direct result of this government’s policy choices.

At the start of this crisis, we said every drug death is a policy failure. A decade in, we have to change our language. Every drug death in B.C. is a policy choice.

To the Premier: when will you admit that we have failed British Columbians and need to change our approach?

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

We are going to continue with a focused, concerted effort using the investments and the funding that this government has put into building out a continuum of mental health crisis supports, addictions treatment, the help that people need.

This work isn’t going to end. We know that we have to continue to do this. Although we are encouraged to see the number of overdose deaths coming down, we know that we have to continue with all of the services that we’re providing, whether it’s the several thousand people who are using prescribed alternatives to protect them from a poisonous, unregulated drug supply, to keep people alive while we’re able to connect them to the care that they need….

We’re going to continue this work because we know that British Columbians’ lives depend upon it.

Responsibility for
Shootings in Tumbler Ridge

Tara Armstrong: This week, the Premier blamed the Tumbler Ridge horrific tragedy on OpenAI.

Well, AI didn’t immerse a 12-year-old in radical gender ideology in the classroom. He did.

AI didn’t release a dangerous and mentally ill man back into the community, despite every red flag available. He did.

AI didn’t return guns to a man who threatened to kill his family and try and burn down their home. He did. His government and his failed policies did.

My question to the Premier, whose job is it to protect B.C. families? It’s his job, isn’t it?

Hon. Lisa Beare: I have said continually to this member and to every person in this House that B.C. schools and B.C. communities need to remain safe. They need to remain welcoming for everyone.

[11:05 a.m.]

To use the horrible actions of one person to attack an entire group is simply unacceptable. This kind of rhetoric is dangerous. The fact that this member is using a tragedy like Tumbler Ridge…. To exploit this tragedy and use it to advance their personal political agenda is just appalling.

This member’s fixation on our

acceptable. This kind of rhetoric is dangerous, and the fact that this member is using a tragedy like Tumbler Ridge to exploit this tragedy and use it to advance their personal political agenda is just appalling. This member’s fixation on our most vulnerable population that is 400 percent more likely to commit self-harm and suicide is simply unacceptable, and the member should retract.

Honestly, MLAs are supposed to represent every single person in their community. This member is clearly unable to do that, and she should resign.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Tara Armstrong: This is what the NDP does. It’s classic. Every time they cause a disaster, they try to attack the people holding them accountable. They call you names. What was it today? Did I get “hateful bigot”? Probably. They try to manipulate you, to silence you. This is their move.

Well, I will not be manipulated. We will not be silenced. They will be eventually held accountable to the people of this province. Why? Because we must prevent the next disaster.

My question to the Premier: when will he stop trying to blame others for his own government’s failure to prevent this horrific tragedy from happening?

Hon. Lisa Beare: I want to be very clear to the member and to every person in this House that B.C.’s schools are safe, that we do everything we can to ensure that our schools and our communities are safe, welcoming places.

For the member to continually, continually create an unsafe environment for people in our communities, for people in our schools, is absolutely appalling. I want every single person in British Columbia to know that we in the B.C. NDP, our government, will stand against this kind of hate, will stand against this kind of intolerance. We will be the wall that shields the communities and shields our schools from this behaviour.

I want every person who is affected by this question to know that we see you, and we will protect you, and the member should retract.

Government Action on Organized
Crime and Illicit Drug Trade

Jordan Kealy: Currently we are seeing anarchy break out in Mexico because the cartels have solidified positions within that society, and Canadians are stranded there.

Right now British Columbians feel stranded as this government championed a failed drug exemption and lowered enforcement thresholds. It doesn’t matter where you live in B.C. We are seeing escalated organized crime activity, from shootings in Fort St. John to extortion in Surrey and a superlab in Falkland, all linked to the drug trade. Just last week, the RCMP intercepted 2,700 kilograms of meth hidden in fake canola jugs destined for Australia.

My question to the Premier is: how do British Columbians trust this government to find a solution to fix this when they are the ones who created these conditions in the first place?

Hon. Nina Krieger: Thank you to the member opposite for the questions. Gangs and organized crime are what are fueling the toxic drug crisis and violence in our communities. While we’re fighting the toxic drug crisis by building more treatment options, highlighted by the Minister of Health, we’re also going after criminals that are making and trafficking illegal drugs

This includes historic investment in policing in our communities, over $230 million to ensure that we have sufficient frontline officers in our communities. This includes $100 million annually towards Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, the CFSEU, the largest integrated policing unit in Canada.

[11:10 a.m.]

We also are going after organized crime in our own communities, going after three more Hell’s Angels clubhouses, taking away the proceeds of crime in initiatives such as civil forfeiture.

We will continue to go after organized crime in our province with all the tools available to us to ensure that our communities are kept safe.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Jordan Kealy: For thousands of years

initiative such as civil forfeiture. We will continue to go after organized crime in our province with all the tools available to us to ensure that our communities are kept safe.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Jordan Kealy: For thousands of years, the Ten Commandments have taught us simple truths for a civil society to operate off of and what our constitution was built on. Do not steal. Do not destroy thy neighbour. Do not profit from harm.

When governments blur legal boundaries and soften consequences, criminals do not retreat; they expand. My question to the Premier is that British Columbians want justice, and at one time, in the Bible, eye for an eye existed to deliver that justice. When is he going to restore law and order and justice in B.C.?

Hon. Niki Sharma: This government has been focused solely on increasing our public safety and making sure that our court system is functioning as it should. We’ve been leaders across this country in strengthening our criminal code to make sure that our laws and our bail laws and our laws around repeat offenders that are wreaking havoc on our communities are strong.

We have the strongest bail policy in the whole country, and Bill C-14, which has a lot of ideas straight from B.C. in it, has passed the House. I’m looking forward to that bill passing the Senate, and I call upon all those members of the Senate to make sure that they pass it quickly so we can have stronger Criminal Code laws across this province.

We’re going to keep at it. We’re going to keep being leaders across this country and strengthening our safety across the whole country.

Campbell River Hospital Capacity and
Provision of Long-Term-Care Beds

Anna Kindy: Campbell River Hospital has been running seriously over capacity for many years — a 95-bed hospital running at over 160 people. Our hospitals are filled with patients waiting for a long-term-care bed. That means seniors are stranded for months in a hospital bed or a stretcher.

I’d like to stop here for a minute, because question period seems to be a bit of theatre, and I want people to imagine what it’s like to be in an emergency department, in a stretcher waiting to be admitted. I want you guys to imagine what it’s like to be 22 years old, psychotic, waiting for six days in an emergency department. It’s unsafe to the patient, it’s unsafe to the staff, and this is happening everywhere in the province.

Psychiatric patients are waiting in every hospital for a bed. So those numbers that you’re quoting are meaningless if access isn’t improved. And you’ve had ten years to fix this. The reality is, on the ground, it’s getting worse.

The Premier himself came to my riding, promised a long-term-care bed, and now he’s cancelling that much-needed promise. That means seniors waiting in stretchers — and I want you to imagine that, stretchers — waiting in hospital for a proper long-term-care bed. So again, those platitudes are meaningless unless access is improved.

To the Premier, what does he have to say to the seniors in my riding who were promised a bed and deserve to be treated with respect and this issue that deserves to be treated with urgency?

Hon. Bowinn Ma: I want to thank the member opposite for bringing the human reality to the circumstances on the ground.

The member is absolutely correct that we need many more long-term-care beds. Over the last many years, our province has engaged in the largest investment program into health care capital in B.C. history. We have so far completed 16 long-term-care projects, opening over 1,600 long-term-care beds, and we have an additional six long-term-care beds underway, despite fiscal challenges here in this province.

But we also know that it is not enough, and that is why the work that we are doing right now, to take a pause and re-evaluate how we deliver long-term-care beds, is so incredibly important.

[11:15 a.m.]

When we have projects coming in at an estimated cost of $1.8 million a bed or more, we know that we will not be able to deliver at the scale that is required to actually serve communities. We need to be able to deliver at scale, and that is why the work that we’re doing right now to re-evaluate how we deliver those beds is so important.

will not be able to deliver at the scale that is required to actually serve communities. We need to be able to deliver at scale, and that is why the work that we’re doing right now to re-evaluate how we deliver those beds is so important.

Long-Term-Care Facility
Project in Delta

Ian Paton: This government is cancelling the long-awaited long-term-care project in my riding of Delta, which, by the way, is already in progress. The Beedie long-term care centre is a 200-bed facility that would have provided seniors in Delta with the beds they so desperately needed.

The Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation has done their part by raising $18 million for this project. In 2023, the current Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth said: “We’re making sure seniors in Delta have access to the right care and services in spaces designed for them close to their loved ones.” Seniors in Delta will no longer be getting the care and services promised to them.

Why did government promise this to Delta seniors only to leave them languishing in a 50-year-old facility that sits there now?

Hon. Bowinn Ma: This is another example of the incredibly important work that we have to do. We need to be able to deliver those long-term-care beds, and we need to be able to do so sustainably.

The member mentions an $18 million fundraising program. In that project, $18 million buys ten beds. When taxpayers and community donors are putting their hard-earned dollars towards these public infrastructure projects, they need to know that they’re actually able to deliver what the community needs.

We have two choices in the circumstance. We can charge ahead and continue to build projects regardless of the cost escalations, or we can take another look and actually make better decisions and take better approaches, more innovative approaches, to actually delivering those projects. That’s why we’re taking a pause. We’re taking a look at standardized design models. We’re taking a look at the opportunities that prefabricated builds and construction technologies can afford us so that we can actually deliver the projects that these communities need in a sustainable way.

Access to Emergency Health Services
in Boundary-Similkameen Area

Donegal Wilson: Saturday night, the Princeton emergency room was closed, which offers overnight virtual emergency room care. If this minister can’t keep a virtual emergency room open, I’ve lost a lot of hope for what we have for the future of British Columbia.

When will this government ensure reliable emergency care for my constituents in Boundary-Similkameen?

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question. Of course, we were all sorry to hear that the Princeton General Hospital was diverted for an evening. As we have addressed many times in the House, health authorities do everything they possibly can to prevent this from happening, taking steps right up to, sometimes, just hours before to deal with the staffing gaps — including ones that sometimes happen suddenly, as did in Princeton.

We know how important it is for people to be able to rely on emergency care, on emergency access. That’s why Interior Health has taken innovative steps in introducing virtual care into four different communities as a way of being able to provide physicians with the opportunity to sleep at night so that emergency nurses and other trained personnel are there to help people with the access of virtual technologies.

We’re going to continue to innovate, but what’s so vitally important is that we attract more physicians, that we train more physicians here in British Columbia, that we increase the number of nursing seats, as we have, so that we have the personnel in emergency rooms so that they stay open. We’re going to continue to take action, like speeding up the credentialing, like building a second medical school in Surrey, an opportunity that members of the opposition turned down.

Our work is working. We are seeing movement in the right direction, with the number of emergency room closures coming down. There’s a lot more to do. We have a plan, we’re addressing it, and we’re going to keep doing it.

Rural Retention Incentive for
Health Care Professionals

Scott McInnis: Here’s something that’s not working. For over a year, I’ve been asking when health care professionals in Cranbrook and Kimberley will receive the provincial rural retention incentive.

[11:20 a.m.]

Continuously, these health care professionals express extreme frustration at being excluded. Government has offered vague assurances of ongoing evaluations, with no further explanation as to what that criteria is.

incentive. Continuously, these health care professionals express extreme frustration at being excluded. Government has offered vague assurances of ongoing evaluations, with no further explanation as to what that criteria is for the PRRI.

My question to the Premier is a simple one. When will these hard-working individuals in rural B.C. get paid what they deserve?

Hon. David Eby: Thank you to the member for the question. I think it’s important to recognize the work that rural health care professionals do across this province to deliver care. They’re under a huge amount of strain, understaffed, not just in British Columbia but across Canada.

It’s hard to recruit and retain people in these positions, which is why health authorities and the Ministry of Health are evaluating the recruitment and retention bonuses and incentives that actually work. They have to actually work to deliver additional support. The number one retention initiative for people delivering rural care is that they have a team around them to support them so they can deliver the level of care that they want to deliver, and they’re not exhausted and stressed out. That’s what we’re working on.

I have tried hard through this question period to pretend like everything is normal, but this has been a very abnormal day in the province of British Columbia. It has been a long time in this House since people’s basic human rights to not be discriminated against in applying for a job or getting a home or accessing services were put up for debate.

Now, the member who advanced her private member’s bill said that that private member’s bill was about repealing the human rights code. There’s not a member in this place that doesn’t understand what that means. The human rights code protects people on the basis of race, protects women from discrimination, protects people with disabilities to be able to access services.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Members, the Premier has the floor.

Hon. David Eby: This has been a matter of consensus among political parties in this place for generations. To see the Conservatives stand up and vote to debate whether or not immigrants, people who are Asian, South Asian….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members. Shhh, Members. The Chair….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Please take your seats. Thank you.

Interjections.

[The Speaker rose.]

The Speaker: Members. Members.

Premier, you want to conclude, please?

[The Speaker resumed their seat.]

Hon. David Eby: When we were in opposition, the Minister of Energy brought forward a private member’s bill as well, to repeal more than 160 racist laws that said South Asian people, people who are Chinese, Indigenous people, didn’t have the same rights as everyone else. Now we see the opposition standing to repeal something else.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. David Eby: Standing to repeal something else, repeal the basic human rights of British Columbians. I find that disgraceful, and I think the Conservatives owe British Columbians an apology. Human rights are not up for debate.

[End of question period.]

Interjections.

The Speaker: Question period is over, Members.

[11:25 a.m.]

Petitions

Á’a:líya Warbus: I’m pleased to table a petition asking for an increase to the person with disability shelter allowance so it reflects current rental market conditions to support disabled people to live with dignity.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth: I call

person with disability shelter allowance so it reflects current rental market conditions to support disabled people to live with dignity.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth: Just before I call budget debate, I’d like to remind the House…. I know some people sometimes do forget that the budget bill and the bills that follow, Bills 2, 3, and 4, supply bills, are confidence matters of this House. I just want to make that clear.

With that, I call continued debate on the budget.

Budget Debate
(continued)

Trevor Halford: With great honour and great privilege, today I take my spot to rise to respond to the budget.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Before I do that…. Obviously, the last two weeks in our province, or a few weeks, have been like no other, in a very unimaginable way. They have transformed our province in a very unimaginable way. Obviously, I’m referencing what happened in Tumbler Ridge.

The remarks that were made in this House today by my colleague, I think, are vitally important. But more important than that, the actions shown by my colleague and by other colleagues that are in this House, whether it’s the Premier, whether it’s the Solicitor General, whether it’s the Leader of the Third Party…. I want to thank them for the work that they’ve put in, for putting the community on their shoulders at an unprecedented time.

It’s an experience that I hope we never go through together, but the unification was something I think we can take hope in. The fact that we actually got to bear witness to a Prime Minister and a leader of the opposition, federally, that I saw working together to help a father who had lost a child and help him find a way forward. That’s an image that will stick with me forever.

We’ve canvassed some very serious issues in this House today and the days prior, and I think none of those issues are more important than mental health and the supports. I represent a riding that I can drive within about five minutes. There are some ridings in this House that are bigger geographically than the country of Denmark. But those ridings matter. They’re vitally important.

My riding in Surrey and other members’ ridings in Vancouver are lacking supports when it comes to mental health. Severe supports. Now, can you imagine what my colleagues, and on both sides of the House, are experiencing in those lacks of services.

I had one parent that I met with when I was up north that said they had to drive their child 5½ hours for their psychiatric appointments that they had to do once a week, that they were wait-listed for. Five and a half hours they drive to get those appointments in Prince George, but they do it because they understand how critical that is to their child and as a parent.

We’ve heard stories here where emergency room shut down in rural communities, where a parent has to put their child in the back of a car and drive hours to just access basic health care.

[11:30 a.m.]

Never in this province has health care been in such dire shape. It’s not as a result of the health care workers that are working every day on our front lines and doing their level best — we know that — but it is the failure of this government, the failure of this government’s leadership where they cannot protect our basic access to health care.

No matter where you live — no matter if it’s in Surrey, Vancouver, Prince George, Kitimat

the failure of this government, the failure of this government’s leadership where they cannot protect our basic access to health care.

No matter where you live — no matter if it’s in Surrey, Vancouver, Prince George, Kitimat, Fort St. John — it doesn’t matter. Our health care system has crumbled, and this government knows that. But what they don’t know is that the public are suffering every day, languishing in hallway beds not for hours but for days. That’s their record.

I represent a riding that is predominantly seniors. I’m proud of that. Our province was built on those people. They’re our volunteers. They’re the ones that show up every single day. I don’t think any budget in the history of this province has shortchanged seniors more than this one.

Targeting basic cable. Most seniors have basic cable. Most seniors have a land line. But to try and balance the incompetence of fiscal management on our most vulnerable citizens…. That, to me, is an absolute embarrassment, and this government should be ashamed of itself by trying to get away with it.

You would think that with a record deficit level…. The fact is that I think we actually spend $24 million a day on servicing that. You would think that with all the government credit cards maxed out, our services would be at an impeccable level. Every government service is producing some of the worst results that we’ve ever seen in this province’s history — full stop. Whether it’s health care and the wait times, the emergency room shutdowns, the fact that the maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital….

[The Speaker in the chair.]

The Speaker: Member, pursuant to Standing Order 45A, schedule 2, subsection 3, the debate must conclude during this morning’s sitting. So I ask the member to take his seat now, and the Minister of Finance will make the closing remarks.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Throughout this budget debate, we’ve heard several members opposite say that it feels like we’re debating two different budgets. On that point, at least, they’re right.

On the one hand, there’s the budget that we delivered, a serious budget for serious times. A budget grounded in the reality that British Columbians are living every day — global economic instability, lower revenues, higher demand for public services, rising costs and a rapidly aging population. A time when families are working harder than ever and still not feeling like they’re getting ahead.

This budget does not look away from those realities. We look it in the eye, and we’re responding by grounding Budget 2026 in our social democratic values. That we protect the most vulnerable. That quality public education is the foundation of a free and democratic society. That health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for those with income or influence. That when taxes must rise, those at the top should contribute a little bit more. And that investing in economic development today is how we build the British Columbia that will lead the country in economic growth.

This is the budget before the House. And then there is this other budget, the one invented by the Conservatives. While we have delivered one of the most serious budgets in recent history, their response has been anything but serious.

[11:35 a.m.]

Frankly, it’s not surprising. Half of them are auditioning to lead their party. It’s silly season in this Legislature.

On this side of the House, we are making hard choices. On that side, they are making easy accusations. They demand

Frankly, it’s not surprising. It’s not surprising. Half of them are auditioning to lead their party. It’s silly season in this Legislature.

On this side of the House, we are making hard choices. On that side, they are making easy accusations. They demand less spending and more spending. They demand a smaller deficit while calling for expanded services everywhere we go. Spend less; spend more. Have health care and education take the brunt; expand health care and education.

They want less spending and more services, deeper cuts and bigger programs, a smaller deficit and a longer wish list. You cannot govern by contradiction.

The reason this debate feels so disjointed is because we’re debating two different things. We’re debating the real budget introduced on February 17, while the Conservatives debate a fictional version designed to scare people straight out of the Conservative playbook of fear. Serious times….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Minister has the floor. Please, let’s conclude, because we don’t have much time left. Minister will continue.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Serious times require serious budgets, not press releases disguised as policy.

Let’s do some fact-checking, shall we? Let’s talk about income taxes. The MLA from Kamloops made assertions that were false and misleading, telling minimum wage earners they would see a tax increase because tax brackets were frozen. That is false. In Budget 2026, we increased the B.C. tax reduction credit so that people who can least afford pressure pay less, not more. As a result, minimum wage earners will pay less provincial income tax in 2026.

In fact, 40 percent of British Columbians will see a tax cut.

Let’s be clear. British Columbia has the lowest personal income tax rate for individuals earning less than $149,000 — lower than Alberta, lower than Ontario, the lowest in the country.

When members tell minimum wage earners that they are paying more tax when they are paying less, that’s not an error. That’s a choice — scare people for votes, mislead working families. This is not fiscal responsibility. It’s MAGA-style politics right here in B.C.

Let’s talk about forestry and emergency management. The MLA for Kamloops Centre, joined by the MLA for Fraser-Nicola, claimed that there was a $400 million cut to the forestry budget. This claim is inaccurate and misleading, and you know it.

The year-to-year variance….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, please.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: The year-to-year variance reflects statutory wildfire spending, which rises and falls with the severity of the wildfire season. That’s how every budget works. A wildfire response is not a cut. It’s a reality of governing in British Columbia.

The same applies to emergency management and climate readiness. Despite inaccurate claims made by the MLA from Prince George, suggesting these variances represent abandonment of forestry workers and communities either reflects a misunderstanding of statutory spending or a deliberate attempt to mislead.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: While they spread fear, Budget 2026….

The Speaker: Minister, the minister has to be careful in her comments, please.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Budget 2026 includes an additional $50 million to support forestry workers and their families.

If the members from Kamloops Centre, Fraser-Nicola or Prince George are still confused about statutory spending, I’m happy to explain it offline. But let’s be honest, they’re not confused. They’re misleading. It’s not a bug. It’s a feature.

Public safety. On public safety, the MLA for Kelowna-Mission stated that funding is down. That too is misleading. The year-to-year variance….

[11:40 a.m.]

This budget includes savings from ministry reorganization and expenditure management, but it increases funding for policing, victim services and corrections, including $139 million for community-specific supports to address repeat violent offenders and chronic property crime.

Front-line funding is going up. We’re putting resources on the front lines and cutting back administrative costs. The government funds the

corrections, including $139 million for community-specific supports to address repeat violent offenders and chronic property crime.

Front-line funding is going up. We’re putting resources on the front lines and cutting back administrative costs. The government funds the front lines. This is not talking points.

Let’s talk about property tax deferment. Some of the rhetoric we’ve heard from the members opposite on property tax deferment goes beyond misleading. It’s irresponsible. Let me be absolutely clear. Nothing in these changes increases seniors’ monthly expenses. There are no monthly payments under this program. There never have been. Telling seniors their monthly costs are going up when there are no monthly payments is not just wrong; it’s worrisome. Repayments occur only when a home is sold or ownership changes.

What we ended was a loophole that allowed wealthy investors to borrow at below market rates, subsidized by seniors, renters and working families. Protecting an investor loophole by frightening seniors is not fiscal conservatism.

Housing. We were told, including by the MLA for Delta South, that this government prefers photo ops to building homes. Let’s look at the facts. Housing investments in Budget 2026 are nearly five times larger than under the former government. Since 2017, more than 95,000 homes have been delivered or are underway — five times the investment, 95,000 homes. Those are facts.

We have restricted short-term rentals. We’ve implemented the foreign buyer tax. We’ve strengthened the speculation and vacancy tax. We’ve capped rent increases. We’ve introduced the renters tax credit.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: Let me be clear. British Columbians do not need lectures on housing from the very people who caused the housing crisis.

Let’s talk about economic growth. The MLA for Kelowna-Mission also attacked the new $400 million strategic investment fund, calling it government control. That characterization is false. This fund ensures that British Columbians can compete with jurisdictions around Canada and around the world to actively partner and grow strategic industries and protect economic sovereignty.

Investing in B.C.’s economy is not government control; it’s economic leadership. Jurisdictions around the world have funds like this to partner in investment opportunities, and this member, who claims to be pro-innovation, wants B.C. to compete with our hands tied behind our backs.

Let’s look at who’s in favour of this fund.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: The Council of Canadian Innovators welcomed this investment. B.C. Tech welcomed this investment. Even BCBC welcomed this investment. The member for Kelowna-Mission has shown his true nature when he chooses opposing government over what he well knows is the right thing for innovation. That says a lot. Add that to the long list of contradictions.

We are living through global uncertainty, volatile markets…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: …rising costs and serious fiscal pressure. Some members opposite, including the MLA for Fraser-Nicola, told us to cut health care and education to balance the budget. Others, including MLA from Boundary-Similkameen and the MLA from West Vancouver, demanded expanded services in those very same areas. They want austerity, and they want more spending. You can’t have it both ways.

Budget 2026 takes the responsible path between these two extremes. This is not the time for reckless austerity. It is not the time for flashy expansion. It’s the time for steady hands.

The Speaker: Just one minute. Please conclude.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: On this side of the House, our priorities are clear: protect core public services people rely on, keep B.C. among the lowest taxed provinces for working in middle class families, reduce the deficit responsibly over time without breaking what works. The choice is simple: steady hands in difficult times, or reckless contradictions from a party who has no idea who they are.

[11:45 a.m.]

The Speaker: Thank you, Members. Members, it’s unparliamentary to suggest that a member has

The Speaker: Members, it’s unparliamentary to suggest that a member has deliberately misled the House. I ask the minister to withdraw.

Hon. Brenda Bailey: I withdraw.

The Speaker: Thank you.

Members, it is 11:45 now.

Question of Privilege
(Reservation of Right)

Peter Milobar: Given the litany of statements the minister made there, I reserve my right of privilege, and I would encourage every member that was named in that diatribe to do the same thing at this moment.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Kiel Giddens: I reserve my right on a matter of privilege.

Tony Luck: I reserve my right for privilege.

Gavin Dew: I reserve my right of privilege.

Interjections.

The Speaker: It’s okay. Members, we will deal with that later.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh.

Lynne Block: I reserve my right of privilege.

The Speaker: Thank you very much.

Members, now, pursuant to Standing Order 45A, schedule 2(iii), the Chair must now put the question.

The question before the House is that the Speaker do now leave the Chair for the House to go into Committee of Supply.

Division has been called.

[11:50 a.m.]

The Speaker: Members. Can I ask all the members online to make sure your cameras are on, please. Thank you. And also stay unmuted.

Seems like everyone is in the House. Should we waive the time or wait for another two minutes?

[11:55 a.m.]

Motion approved on the following division: YEAS — 46, NAYS — 46. [See Votes and Proceedings.]

The Speaker: Members, the votes being equal, the Chair must make a casting vote. The motion is a confidence matter, and confidence of the House should not be decided at the sole vote of the Chair. Therefore, the Chair votes in favour of the motion, and the motion, therefore, is carried.

[12:00 p.m.]

Hon. Mike Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

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 12:00 p.m.