No. 3 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Prayers and Reflections by the Hon. Bowinn Ma.

The Hon. Niki Sharma (Attorney General and Deputy Premier) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:

Leonard Marchand
Administrator

The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 2) intituled Acting Conflict of Interest Commissioner Continuation Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Vancouver Law Courts,

February 17, 2025.

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Bill Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

The Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson (Minister of Environment and Parks) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:

Leonard Marchand
Administrator

The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 3) intituled Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2025, and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Vancouver Law Courts,

February 17, 2025.

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Bill 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.”

Elenore Sturko rose on a point of order regarding remarks made by the Hon. David Eby (Premier) during Oral Question Period.

The Hon. Raj Chouhan (Speaker) tabled the following documents:

Auditor General Report, Annual Follow-up Report: Status of Performance Audit Recommendations (2019–2022), May 2024;

Auditor General Annual Report, 2023/24, June 2024;

Auditor General Interim Report on the Examination of MNP’s Administration of the Advanced Research and Commercialization Grant Program, June 2024;

Auditor General Report, Final Report on the Examination of MNP’s Administration of the Advanced Research and Commercialization Grant Program, August 2024;

Conflict of Interest Commissioner Annual Report, 2023;

Elections BC Annual Report, 2023/24 and Service Plan, 2024/25–2026/27;

Elections BC, Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the 2022 General Local Elections, October 15, 2022;

Human Rights Commissioner, Spreading our Wings, Annual Report, 2023/24 and Service Plan, 2024/25–2026/27;

Merit Commissioner Annual Report, Upholding Fair Hiring in the BC Public Service, 2023/2024;

Merit Commissioner Report, Merit Performance Audit Report, 2023/24, December 2024;

Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner Annual Report, 2023/24;

Ombudsperson Annual Report, 2023–2024;

Ombudsperson Public Interest Disclosure Act Special Report No. 1, Hire Power: The Appointment of Ineligible Candidates to the Temporary Assignments in the Public Service, June 2024;

Ombudsperson Special Report No. 57, Under Inspection: The Hiatus in BC Correctional Centre Inspections, July 2024;

Ombudsperson Special Report No. 58, Short Changed: Ensuring Federal Benefits Paid to the Province Reach Caregivers of Children with Disabilities, January 2025;

Registrar of Lobbyists, Determination Decision 24-02, AbCellera Biologics Inc., Designated Filer: Carl Hansen, June 27, 2024;

Registrar of Lobbyists, Determination Decision 24-04, BC Chamber of Commerce, Designated Filer: Fiona Famulak, December 11, 2024;

Representative for Children and Youth Annual Report, 2023/2024 and Service Plan, 2024/25 to 2026/27, Amplifying Voices for Change;

Representative for Children and Youth Report, Don’t Look Away: How One Boy’s Story has the Power to Shift a System of Care for Children and Youth, July 2024;

Representative for Children and Youth Report, Don’t Look Away: How One Boy’s Story has the Power to Shift a System of Care for Children and Youth, July 2024 (revised);

Representative for Children and Youth Report, No Time to Wait: A Review of MCFD’s Child Welfare Workforce, Part One, July 2024;

Representative for Children and Youth Report, No Time to Wait: A Review of MCFD’s Child Welfare Workforce, Part Two, February 2025; and,

Representative for Children and Youth Report, Too Many Left Behind: Ensuring Children and Youth with Disabilities Thrive, January 2025.

The Hon. Mike Farnworth presented the Report of the Special Committee of Selection for the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament (First), February 19, 2025.

“Parliament Buildings,
February 19, 2025

To the Honourable Legislative Assembly of the

Province of British Columbia

Honourable Members:

The Special Committee of Selection appointed on February 18, 2025, to prepare and report lists of Members to compose the Select Standing Committees of this House met on February 19, 2025, and recommends the following lists of Members to compose the Select Standing Committees for the present Session, with the exception of the Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives and the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills as the lists of Members to compose those Committees are recommended for the remainder of the present Parliament:

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs — Susie Chant (Convener), Rob Botterell, Sunita Dhir, Stephanie Higginson, Scott McInnis, Amshen / Joan Phillip, Donegal Wilson.

Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food — Jennifer Blatherwick (Convener), George Anderson, Rohini Arora, Jordan Kealy, Dana Lajeunesse, Jeremy Valeriote, David Williams.

Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth — Rohini Arora (Convener), Amelia Boultbee, Paul Choi, Heather Maahs, Amshen / Joan Phillip.

Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations — Jessie Sunner (Convener), Brent Chapman, Sunita Dhir, Steve Kooner, Nina Krieger, Dana Lajeunesse, Jeremy Valeriote.

Select Standing Committee on Education — Stephanie Higginson (Convener), Lynne Block, Susie Chant, Korky Neufeld, Harwinder Sandhu, Qwulti’stunaat / Debra Toporowski, Jeremy Valeriote.

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services — Paul Choi (Convener), Jennifer Blatherwick, Sunita Dhir, Claire Rattée, Harwinder Sandhu, Elenore Sturko, Bryan Tepper.

Select Standing Committee on Health — Harwinder Sandhu (Convener), Jennifer Blatherwick, Brennan Day, Stephanie Higginson, Anna Kindy, Nina Krieger, Jeremy Valeriote.

Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives — Nina Krieger (Convener), Rob Botterell, Susie Chant, Pete Davis, Sunita Dhir, Kristina Loewen, Steve Morissette.

Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct and Standing Orders — Nina Krieger (Convener), Rob Botterell, Susie Chant, Sunita Dhir, Tony Luck, Steve Morissette, Teresa Wat.

Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills — Amna Shah (Convener), Hon Chan, Mable Elmore, Trevor Halford, Dana Lajeunesse, Jessie Sunner, Jeremy Valeriote.

Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts — Peter Milobar (Convener), Tara Armstrong, Mable Elmore, Kiel Giddens, Stephanie Higginson, Nina Krieger, Dana Lajeunesse.

Hon. Mike Farnworth
Chair and Government House Leader”

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave, the Hon. Mike Farnworth moved that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

The Hon. Niki Sharma (Attorney General and Deputy Premier) tabled the following documents:

Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Annual Report, 2023–2024; and,

British Columbia Ferry Commission Annual Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2024.

The Hon. George Chow (Minister of Citizens’ Services) tabled the Annual Report of the Chief Records Officer, 2023/24.

The Hon. Randene Neill (Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship) tabled the Provincial Health Officer’s Drinking Water Report, Annual Report of Activities under the Drinking Water Protection Act in BC, 2022 to 2023.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Susie Chant moved, seconded by Amna Shah —

We, His Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious Speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present Session.

A debate arose.

The debate continued.

On the motion of Brennan Day, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

By notice from the Members, Raj Chouhan and Sunita Dhir exchanged places on the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

By notice from the Members, Jennifer Blatherwick and Amshen / Joan Phillip exchanged places on the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

By notice from the Members, Paul Choi and Darlene Rotchford exchanged places on the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

By notice from the Members, Kiel Giddens and Macklin McCall exchanged places on the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

The Hon. Raj Chouhan (Speaker) was removed from the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

The following reports were received by the Office of the Clerk during adjournment/dissolution:

Budget 2024, Economic and Fiscal Update, Fall 2024;

Budget 2024 First Quarterly Report, September 2024;

Civil Resolution Tribunal Annual Report, 2023/2024;

Crown Agency Annual Service Plan Reports, 2023/24: BC Assessment Authority; BC Council for International Education; BC Energy Regulator; BC Family Maintenance Agency; BC Financial Services Authority; BC Games Society; BC Housing Management Commission; BC Hydro and Power Authority; BC Infrastructure Benefits; BC Pavilion Corporation; BC Transit; British Columbia Lottery Corporation; British Columbia Securities Commission; Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Power Corporation; Community Living BC; Destination BC; First Peoples’ Cultural Council; Forest Enhancement Society of BC; Forestry Innovation Investment; InBC Investment Corp.; Infrastructure BC; Innovate BC; Insurance Corporation of British Columbia; Knowledge Network Corporation; Legal Aid BC; BC Liquor Distribution Branch; Royal BC Museum; SkilledTradesBC; Transportation Investment Corporation;

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Annual Report, 2023–2024;

Environmental Emergency Program Report to Legislature, 2023/2024;

ICBC Fairness Officer Annual Report, 2023/24;

List of Organizations that have been exempted from section 16 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act;

Ministerial Accountability Report, 2023/24;

Ministry Annual Service Plan Reports, 2023/24: Office of the Premier; Ministry of Agriculture and Food; Ministry of Attorney General; Ministry of Children and Family Development; Ministry of Citizens’ Services; Ministry of Education and Child Care; Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness; Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Forests; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Housing; Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation; Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions; Ministry of Municipal Affairs; Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills; Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General; Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction; Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship;

Ministry of Health, Major Capital Project Plan: Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 and BC Cancer Centre, May 2024;

Ministry of Health, Major Capital Project Plan: New Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre;

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Major Capital Project Plan: Camosun College — Student Housing, Lansdowne Campus;

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Major Capital Project Plan: Capilano University — Squamish Student Housing Purchase;

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Major Capital Project Plan: Simon Fraser University — Student Housing and Child Care Project, Burnaby Campus;

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Major Capital Project Plan: University of British Columbia—Student Housing Project, Point-Grey Vancouver Campus;

Province of British Columbia Strategic Plan Annual Report, 2023–24;

Public Accounts, 2023/24;

Public Accounts, 2023/24, Consolidated Revenue Fund Detailed Schedules of Payments for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024;

Public Accounts, 2023/24, Consolidated Revenue Fund Supplementary Schedules for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024;

Public Accounts, 2023/24, Revision for Consolidated Revenue Fund Supplementary Schedules for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024;

Revised BC Hydro and Power Authority 2023/24 Annual Service Plan Report, Revised August 30, 2024;

Revised BC Liquor Distribution Branch 2023/24 Annual Service Plan Report, Revised August 2024;

Speculation and Vacancy Tax Annual Report, 2022 Tax Year; and,

Summary of Ministerial Accountability for Operating Expenses (for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2024), Revised Schedule F, No. 1, February 1, 2025.

And then the House adjourned at 6.51 p.m.

HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Monday, February 24

1 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That a Special Committee to Review the Public Interest Disclosure Act be appointed to review the Public Interest Disclosure Act (S.B.C. 2018, c. 22), pursuant to section 50 of the Act.

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Special Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House by February 19, 2026, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

That the Special Committee be composed of the following Members: Darlene Rotchford (Convener), Rosalyn Bird, Jennifer Blatherwick, Dana Lajeunesse and Lawrence Mok.

2 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered to exercise oversight of each of the following statutory officers: Auditor General, Chief Electoral Officer, Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Human Rights Commissioner, Information and Privacy Commissioner and Registrar of Lobbyists, Merit Commissioner, Ombudsperson, Police Complaint Commissioner, and Representative for Children and Youth. This includes:

a. considering and making recommendations on the annual reports, rolling three-year service plans, budgets, and any other matters respecting the effective and efficient administration of each statutory office;

b. inquiring into and making recommendations with respect to other matters brought to the Committee’s attention by a statutory officer; and,

c. considering and making decisions regarding the terms and conditions of employment of each statutory officer arising as a request of a statutory officer during their term of appointment.

That the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in sections 6, 7, 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) and that the report in section 22 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) be referred to the Committee.

That the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in sections 47.02 and 47.03 of the Human Rights Code (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 210).

That the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in section 3 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act (S.B.C. 2000, c. 23).

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

That the Committee report to the House as soon as possible, and that during a period of adjournment, the Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

3 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That a Special Committee to Appoint Statutory Officers be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly the appointment of:

a. an individual to hold office as Auditor General, pursuant to section 2 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2);

b. an individual to hold office as Chief Electoral Officer, pursuant to section 4 of the Election Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 106); and,

c. an individual to hold office as Conflict of Interest Commissioner, pursuant to section 14 of the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 287).

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

d. retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House on each of its recommendations as soon as possible, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

That the Special Committee be composed of the following Members: Janet Routledge (Convener), Harman Bhangu, Linda Hepner, Stephanie Higginson and Qwulti’stunaat / Debra Toporowski.

4 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That all reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia transmitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts. For greater certainty, the following exceptions are provided:

a. the report referred to in section 22 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) shall be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services; and,

b. reports of the Auditor General respecting the Legislative Assembly prepared under the provisions of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 258) shall be referred to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee.

That the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be the Committee referred to in sections 10 and 14 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2).

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be empowered to:

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

d. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

5 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills be empowered to consider:

1. Public Bills in the Hands of a Private Member committed to the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 84A and within 30 sitting days of a Bill’s committal:

a. report each such Bill back to the House with or without amendment; or,

b. recommend back to the House that any such Bill not proceed further.

2. Private Bills referred to the Committee pursuant to Standing Order 105 and to report to the House on any such Bill as soon as possible.

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills be empowered to:

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

6 The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth be empowered to foster greater awareness and understanding among legislators and the public of the B.C. child welfare system, including the specific needs of Indigenous children, youth, families and communities, and in particular to:

a. receive and review the annual service plan from the Representative for Children and Youth (the “Representative”) that includes a statement of goals and identifies specific objectives and performance measures that will be required to exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties of the Representative during the fiscal year;

b. be the Committee to which the Representative reports, at least annually;

c. refer to the Representative for investigation the critical injury or death of a child;

d. receive and consider all reports and plans transmitted by the Representative to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; and,

e. undertake, pursuant to section 30 (1) of the Representative for Children and Youth Act (S.B.C. 2006, c. 29), a comprehensive review of the Act or portions of the Act at least once every five years, but by no later than April 1, 2027, to determine whether the functions of the Representative described in section 6 are still required to ensure that the needs of children and young adults as defined in that section are met.

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth be empowered to:

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Committee.

7 Jennifer Blatherwick to move —

That this House condemns President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs as wrong and unjustified measures aimed at threatening Canadian sovereignty and endorses the nationally-coordinated “Team Canada” plan to respond with proportionate retaliatory action if necessary, including strategically targeting industries and regions such as products from Republican states, to maximize pressure to deter President Trump from implementing or continuing tariffs.

1st Session, 43rd Parliament (2025)

No. 3 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

NOTICE OF MOTIONS