The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Ten o’clock a.m.
Prayers and Reflections by Ms. Stilwell.
On the motion of Ms. Isaacs, Bill (No. M 210) intituled High Dose Influenza Vaccine for Seniors Act, 2020 was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
On the motion of Mr. Throness, Bill (No. M 211) intituled Land Tax Deferment (Cultus Lake Park) Amendment Act, 2020 was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
Order called for “Members’ Statements.”
Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”
The Hon. L. Beare (Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture) tabled the B.C. Arts Council Annual Report, 2019/2020, and supplementary documents, B.C. Arts Council Assessors for 2019/20 and Awards Listing, 2019/20.
The Hon. A. Kang presented a petition to be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk.
Mr. Simons presented a petition to be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Order called for Committee of Supply.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.
(In Committee — Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Finance.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 11.59 a.m.
One-thirty o’clock p.m.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Order called for Committee of Supply.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.
(In Committee — Section B)
25. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $267,491,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Finance, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2021.
26. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $28,326,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Finance, Government Communications and Public Engagement, to 31st March, 2021.
27. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $54,381,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Finance, BC Public Service Agency, to 31st March, 2021.
28. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Finance, Benefits and Other Employment Costs, to 31st March, 2021.
44. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,196,835,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Management of Public Funds and Debt, Management of Public Funds and Debt, to 31st March, 2021.
45. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,066,042,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Contingencies (All Ministries) and New Programs, to 31st March, 2021.
46. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $2,789,336,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Capital Funding, to 31st March, 2021.
47. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Commissions on Collection of Public Funds, to 31st March, 2021.
48. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Allowances for Doubtful Revenue Accounts, to 31st March, 2021.
49. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,686,000,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Tax Transfers, to 31st March, 2021.
53. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,000,000,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Contingencies (All Ministries): Federal and Provincial Pandemic Support, to 31st March, 2021.
Section B of Committee of Supply reported the Resolutions and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Finance.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
1 Mr. Kyllo asked the Hon. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources the following questions: —
1. Can the Minister provide an update on the review of the Alouette Water Use Plan, and will the Minister commit to ensuring that B.C. Hydro protects smolt outmigration by preserving necessary water levels?
2. Does B.C. Hydro intend to join the Stave and Alouette Water Use Plans together, and can the Minister provide the analysis of doing so to the impacts of smolt outmigration for the Alouette River?
The Hon. B. Ralston (Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) replied as follows:
“Question:
“1. Can the Minister provide an update on the review of the Alouette Water Use Plan, and will the Minister commit to ensuring that B.C. Hydro protects smolt outmigration by preserving necessary water levels?
“Response:
“The Alouette and the Stave Falls-Ruskin Water Use Plan (WUP) Order reviews were underway when we all were faced with challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the uncertainties and quickly changing events related to the pandemic, B.C. Hydro decided to suspend all WUP Order Review engagement activities.
“As the province is now reopening, B.C. Hydro is reviewing the activities for the WUP Order Review this fall and preparing for virtual engagement on the remaining Alouette and the Stave Falls-Ruskin WUP Order Review activities.
“Protecting fish populations is a priority for B.C. Hydro and the province. B.C. Hydro supports the continuation of the annual spillway surface flows during the smolt outmigration period and other fisheries objectives, in accordance to the Water Use Plan and in consideration of yearly inflow uncertainties.
“Question:
“2. Does B.C. Hydro intend to join the Stave and Alouette Water Use Plans together, and can the Minister provide the analysis of doing so to the impacts of smolt outmigration for the Alouette River?
“Response:
“Yes, the Province has directed B.C. Hydro to merge the Alouette Water Use Plan with the Stave Falls-Ruskin Water Use Plan. The projects are already linked as an integrated operating system for generation, flood risk management, and environmental objectives. A merged plan should make inter-project relationships and objectives more apparent. The integrated WUP Order Review Report intends to examine and review the existing operating constraints, physical works and limitations, and monitoring programs for the three facilities, subject to Dam Safety criteria. A single combined WUP Order Review Report will be prepared and submitted to the Province for review. In the interim, B.C. Hydro has and continues to operate the Alouette, Stave, and Ruskin facilities as an integrated system and in compliance with the WUP Orders.
“Engagement with First Nations, local government, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and the public are an important part of the Order Review process. The latest information on the status of the Alouette WUP Order Review can be found on B.C. Hydro’s website: https://www.bchydro.com/toolbar/about/sustainability/conservation/water_use_planning/lower_mainland/alouette.html.”
And then the House adjourned at 6.30 p.m.
HON. DARRYL PLECAS, Speaker
Friday, August 14
14 Ms. Oakes to move —
Be it resolved that this House take into consideration the urgent needs of small- and medium-sized businesses in the economic recovery of the province in the wake of the pandemic.
15 Ms. Thornthwaite to move —
Be it resolved that this House acknowledge the need for on-site, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, mental health and addictions support to accompany any successful attempt to house people experiencing homelessness.
Monday, October 5
16 Mr. Stone to move —
Be it resolved that this House acknowledge that economic recovery must include affordable housing options for British Columbians.
Monday, October 5
4 Mr. Kyllo to ask the Hon. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources the following questions: —
1. Is the Site C project budget and schedule still the same as reported in Budget 2020?
2. Why hasn’t the BCUC received the December 2019 project status report from B.C. Hydro, and when will the report be submitted?
3. Given that river diversion must be completed in 2020, is Site C still on track to be completed in 2024?
4. With nearly 2 billion in projected cost overruns since that time, is Site C vulnerable to further overruns under this government?
5. As Site C dam contractors have reported delays in payment from the general contractor, will the Minister take action and ensure invoices are paid, and what powers will the Minister use to ensure that cash flows smoothly to local businesses?
6. What is being done to counteract rising B.C. Hydro rates due to declining industrial load within the scope of the Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources Ministry?
7. Will the Minister advocate deeper forestry assistance as a means to benefit B.C. Hydro ratepayers?
8. If BCH is able to attract new industrial load, how would eliminating the self-sufficiency requirement impact service reliability for customers with large loads that cannot withstand service interruptions? How is BCH mitigating this risk?
9. Is B.C. Hydro planning to add new charges to homeowners looking to install solar panels? Why does the Interim Report take such a negative view of customers generating their own renewable electricity?
10. Given reports from solar panel installation companies in the Okanagan that net metering application times have increased and are damaging to business, is the government intentionally slowing down net metering, or will it fix these application issues?
11. What would be the impact of B.C. Hydro adopting an internal carbon price on ratepayers?
12. In 2011, the Premier said that time of use billing had the “sole purpose to increase bills for regular families” (Globe and Mail, Sept 27, 2011). Does the Minister share that view today?
13. In the Phase II Interim Report, potential elimination of the two-tier system is discussed for industrial customers; is the Minster considering the same for residential customers?
14. As some people in colder parts of B.C. complain that the two-tier rate system is unfair to their region compared to the lower mainland, can the Minister comment on what geographic considerations are being considered for future rate design?
15. Are the clean energy requirements cited in the B.C. Hydro Phase II Review (“CleanBC’s actions will get British Columbia approximately 75% of the way to legislated 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets. Achieving the remaining 25%, and ultimately the 2040 and 2050 targets, will require additional clean energy”) consistent with B.C. Hydro’s reported energy surplus?
16. Will CleanBC energy requirements be considered in B.C. Hydro’s forthcoming IRP, and will the IRP provide a pathway to the 25% of the emissions reductions required for the Province to meet its targets?
17. Is B.C. Hydro involved in the design of the CleanBC program for industry? If so, what has been B.C. Hydro’s input regarding CleanBC Industrial Incentive Program benchmarks and thresholds?
18. Will the B.C. Hydro IRP consider the trade-offs between EITE incentives, electrification, and carbon leakage?
19. What Ministry policies are being undertaken to minimize carbon leakage generally?
20. Does EMPR have a quantifiable measure or heuristic for estimating carbon leakage from B.C. that it can provide?
21. Regarding the B.C. Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund, why was the 2500 kWh threshold chosen for the residential relief program?
22. How many B.C. Hydro customers are estimated to be ineligible for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, and is this cut off threshold fair to northern communities with colder climates?
23. Regarding the B.C. Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund, why was the decision made to exclude large and medium general service (LGS and MGS) categories from the COVID-19 relief programs at B.C. Hydro?
24. Given that dividing B.C. Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund along the service categories was a choice; why not categorize relief in a more flexible manner?
25. In choosing to exclude LGS customers from the B.C. Hydro COVID-19 Relief Fund, why did B.C. Hydro also maintain minimum service charges for businesses and non-profits such as curling rinks, which were subjected to these charges despite not being able to operate?
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