Third Session, 42nd Parliament

(2022) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 219

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Amanda Cootes

Hon. M. Farnworth

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 26 — Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2022

Hon. G. Heyman

Bill M212 — Emergency Program Amendment Act, 2022

T. Stone

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Summer events in West Kelowna

B. Stewart

Chilliwack Pride Society and scholarships for LGBTQ2S+ students

K. Paddon

Lake Windermere Ambassadors Society

D. Clovechok

Graduates of 2022 in Vernon-Monashee area

H. Sandhu

Restoration of Daajing Giids village name

A. Olsen

Pride and LGBTQ2S+ history

S. Chandra Herbert

Oral Questions

Death of child after hospital care and family access to information

K. Falcon

Hon. A. Dix

S. Bond

Flood and wildfire preparedness

S. Furstenau

Hon. K. Conroy

Government accountability and awareness of issues

S. Furstenau

Hon. M. Farnworth

Government action on issues in health care system

L. Doerkson

Hon. A. Dix

T. Shypitka

Proposed medical school at Simon Fraser University and museum replacement project

B. Banman

Hon. A. Dix

Death of community living client and prior access to supports

T. Halford

Hon. N. Simons

P. Milobar

Reports from Committees

Finance and Government Services Committee, interim

review, budgets of statutory officers, June 2022

J. Routledge

K. Kirkpatrick

Orders of the Day

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Office of the Premier (continued)

K. Falcon

Hon. J. Horgan

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (continued)

M. Morris

A. Olsen

Hon. M. Farnworth

S. Furstenau

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

The House met at 10:04 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: L. Doerkson.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. L. Popham: Well, back in 1984, a catchphrase began in the advertising world. That

phrase was: “Where’s the beef?” I can tell you that I’ve got an answer for

that today. It is out back behind the Legislature, because we are

celebrating B.C. Beef Day here.

June 2 is proclaimed B.C. Beef Day, and we have got some amazing

guests in the audience today.

In the chamber, we’ve got, from the B.C. Cattlemen’s, Werner Stump,

Kevin Boon, Brian Thomas, Rick Mumford, Karen McKean and Larry Rast. Then

from the B.C. Breeder and Feeder Association, we have Lindy Gilson and Ken

Fawcett.

I’d like to thank you for being here today in partnership with

organizations to help bring awareness to what the cattle industry does for

B.C., on so many levels, for the economy and for communities. We all know

that they also do a lot for our environment. Thank you for the work that

you’ve been doing on regenerative agriculture. We welcome you here, and our

tummies will thank you later too.

Hon. M. Dean: Today we’re joined in the gallery by some military members who

competed in the Invictus Games in April of 2022.

Marcy Lynn Dumonceaux is a chief petty officer second class, a

financial service administrator. She has been deployed in both the Middle

East and in Italy. She applied to the Invictus Games as a way to encourage

herself and others and to demonstrate that injuries do not define us. Marcy

competed in swimming, rowing and sitting volleyball.

Patrick Levis is a major, an infantry officer. He has served in many

locations, including Bosnia and Afghanistan. Sports and competitions have

always been part of his life and helped him to develop life skills such as

discipline, determination, devotion and concentration. Patrick competed in

wheelchair racing, hand cycling and wheelchair basketball.

Emilie Poulin is a corporal, a human resources administrator. She

joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a naval combat information operator and

now serves as a human resources administrator in the air force. For Emilie,

the Invictus Games symbolize never giving up on yourself. She applied to

compete to remind herself that despite the bad days, she can be proud of her

achievements. She competed in rowing, power lifting and sitting

volleyball.

Joining us, as well, in the gallery today is my amazing, wonderful

constituency assistant, Nubwa Wathanafa.

I also would like to give a shout-out today to the MLA for

Richmond-Queensborough. We wish you a speedy recovery, brother. The member

for Richmond-Steveston is bringing your Terry Fox T-shirt over to you very

soon.

Please welcome all of our guests in the gallery.

H. Yao: I would like to take a moment to welcome our constituency riding

association for Richmond South Centre. We have Gian Sihota, president; Pat

Morin, vice-president; William Li, outreach and communication coordinator.

Louise McManus and Kathy Kent are both members at large.

I believe every member and every colleague of mine can actually

testify to how much we rely upon our riding association’s leadership, their

support and their guidance — and, of course, their volunteerism — to help

carry us through difficult times and ensure we’re continuously educating our

communities on the importance of inclusivity, diversity and an economy that

benefits all British Columbians.

I would ask everybody to join me in welcoming them to this

chamber.

[10:10 a.m.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: I have three introductions I’d like to make today. Two of them are

from the communications branch of EMBC, and they’re here in the House with

us today. They are Aimee Harper, communications manager, and Krystal

Thomson, my communications director.

I’d ask the House to make them most welcome.

Tributes

AMANDA COOTES

Hon. M. Farnworth: The other introduction is someone very special who is leaving this

chamber and someone who is familiar to all of us, particularly those of

us who use the dining room. That is Amanda Cootes. She has been working

in the dining room, now, for the last nine years. She has the uncanny

ability to literally remember the name of every MLA the very first time

she meets them. She is moving on and leaving this place, and I know that

we will be wishing her well.

I will tell one anecdote that I know she will never forget and

that I will never forget. It was the day that she came out, and I had

ordered some yogurt. I’m eating it, and I’m going: “This is kind of

weird yogurt.” She said: “Oh my god, we’ve given you a bowl of sour

cream.”

Anyway, the very fact that she has that talent to remember every

name of a person she meets is an unbelievable political skill. With

that, she could easily get a place in this chamber.

Would the House please wish her well in her future endeavours and

thank her for the work that she’s done while she was here.

Introductions by Members

K. Falcon: We often say, as MLAs, that there are people behind the scenes that

make us look good and sound good as a result of the great work they do. This

year’s group of legislative interns is a great example of doing a

particularly remarkable job for those of us in the opposition.

As we close out this sitting, I would like to say goodbye to five

wonderful individuals on the opposition side who have been a pleasure to

work with, for all of us, over the last four months. I want to offer my

thanks to two outstanding communications interns, Margarita Simon and

Tiffany Lee, and also three of our research interns, who did an outstanding

job: Mary Heeg, Olivia Botelho and Mitchell Robinson.

Would the House please express their thanks.

Hon. H. Bains: I would like to welcome some very special people in this House today.

They are leaders of the trade union movement who work day and night not only

to improve the lives of working people and the members that they represent

but society as a whole, for all of us.

They are Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress; Orion

Irvine, Pacific director of the Canadian Labour Congress; Laird Cronk,

president of the B.C. Federation of Labour; Sussanne Skidmore,

secretary-treasurer of the B.C. Federation of Labour; Denise Moffatt,

director of the B.C. Federation of Labour; Karen Ranalletta, president of

CUPE B.C.; Steve Beasley, executive director of CUPE B.C.; Ann Lennarson,

regional director of CUPE B.C.; Laura Snow, president of the Compensation

Employees Union; Brian Cochrane, business manager of the International Union

of Operating Engineers; and Phil Klapwyk, business representative with the

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

I would ask the House to please extend our warm welcome to all of them

for doing such a great job for all of us British Columbians.

A. Olsen: Today I’ve got three very brief sets of introductions.

First, I’d like to introduce Brent Frain and Sonjia Grandahl, who are

in the legislative precinct today. They’re activists for people with

disabilities, specifically asking this government to restore the $300

emergency increase that came through the COVID-19 pandemic. Brent has been

very courageous in sharing his story with the media about the challenges

that are encountered by people with disabilities and the current system of

supports and the need for transformation. I ask the members of this House to

make them both very welcome.

Yesterday I introduced Jake Rees, from my constituency office. Today I

have two more members of my constituency office here to see the last

question period of this spring session.

[10:15 a.m.]

I’d like the House to make William Kelly and Laura Parker welcome.

Laura has been with my office, now, since the very beginning, in various

roles. Really, truly, I can come into this House for the spring and fall

sessions knowing that the administrative aspects of my office have been well

taken care of. I’m also very happy to have William advocating on behalf of

the constituents of Saanich North and the Islands. Could the House please

make them both very welcome.

Very much in line with the Leader of the Official Opposition, the B.C.

Green caucus is buoyed every year, in the spring session, by the legislative

interns that join our team. We had the opportunity to introduce both of them

at the beginning of this session. Really, truly, the work that the

two-member Third Party caucus does is supported, to a great extent, by our

legislative interns: G ud Takin Jaad, Rose Williams, and Jerram

Gawley.

Thank you so much for the work that you’ve done for us.

HÍSW̱ḴE SIÁM. Thank

you.

Hon. G. Heyman: Joining us today in the gallery to watch question period is the

administrative team from the Minister of Environment office, Emma Murray and

Caroline Hogg.

Since joining our office a few months ago, they’ve really been

exceptional. They keep the office and me on track. For any of the MLAs who

are trying to talk to me about a local issue, they make sure you get in to

see me. So I’m very happy they’re here today for, I believe, their first

question period.

Will the House make them very, very welcome.

Hon. A. Kang: For the very first time, I have my A-team with me, the team of

Advanced Education and Skills Training. I have this amazingly strong team,

and such a friendly team. I love coming to work every day.

Joining me in the gallery today are Eric Peters, my SMA, senior

ministerial adviser; Desmond Pollard, my MA; Jocelyn Fan, my executive

assistant; as well, amazing administrative coordinator Miranda Hansen; and

two really most outstanding administrative assistants, Ngaire Lord and

Taylor Cunningham. We are just like a family, and we celebrate many special

occasions together. With seven us in the office, we have cake at least seven

times a year.

Would the House make my team feel very welcome today.

G. Lore: I rise today to let the House know of an accomplishment of someone who

needs no introduction to this place. Carole James, former MLA for

Victoria–Beacon Hill, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister, will be

recognized with an honorary degree from the University of Victoria next

week.

I’ll be thrilled to join the convocation but wanted to offer an

opportunity for all members of this House to join me in congratulating

her.

Hon. J. Whiteside: I would like today to also introduce my team, who are joining us in

the House today. It is such a privilege to work in this House on behalf of

British Columbians, and we certainly don’t do it alone. We all have

wonderful staff who work to support us.

Today, for the first time, the whole team from Education is here:

Breanne Baxter and Leah Waters, who work in the administrative part of our

operation; Keefer Pelech, joining remotely, who is my executive assistant;

and Krystal Smith, Melanie Sanderson and Ian McMahon, who are excellent

ministerial advisers.

I would also like to give a big shout-out to the staff at home, in my

home constituency of New Westminster, who have really dealt with lots of

challenges, including a fire in our constituency office, which has put us

back to remote work.

Amy Ryder and Erica Schiefke-Williams, thank you so much for the

service and care that you provide to citizens in New Westminster. Thank you

to all.

Would the House please make my team very welcome.

Hon. B. Ralston: I’m asking the House today to recognize Maria Szabo for her public

service as she marks the end of her time here working at the

Legislature.

[10:20 a.m.]

She started as a volunteer in my Surrey constituency office, helping

to organize events even before she graduated from SFU in 2016. She brought

her considerable skills and insight to a series of jobs here: for the

Premier’s office; for my ministerial office; for the office of the former

minister, Michelle Mungall; for the Minister of Health, during the height of

the pandemic; and, most recently, for the government caucus. She’s leaving

on June 10 for a new assignment on the Lower Mainland, taking her closer to

her family and her hometown of Surrey.

Please join me in thanking Maria Szabo for her public service here in

the Legislature and in wishing her well in the next phase of her

life.

K. Greene: I want to recognize two constituents today, Wendy Forch and Clay

McGregor. They were married in 1972 at the Richmond Foursquare Church, and

this is their golden wedding anniversary.

Wendy and Clay met more than 50 years ago at Palmer Secondary — Wendy

was in grade 8; Clay was in grade 10 — and they married not long after high

school. They’ve got two wonderful children, Fraser and Jade. They’ve lived

in Richmond nearly their entire lives. They’ve seen a lot of change over

seven decades. As MLA for Richmond-Steveston, I’m so honoured to be able to

recognize these two wonderful citizens of B.C. and community members of

Steveston.

Please join me in wishing Clay and Wendy a very happy 50th wedding

anniversary.

J. Rice: I have a couple of introductions today. First of all, I want to

mention that we have some great…. Well, they’re good friends of mine, but

they’re also my constituents, showing from the Central Coast of our

province. It’s not often that folks from these rural remote, particularly

remote, communities get to the Legislature, so I’m really honoured to have

them here today.

On behalf of the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for

Housing, I’d like to welcome Chief Samuel Schooner from the Nuxalk First

Nation. I’d also like to welcome Chief Doug Neasloss from the

Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation. They live in Klemtu, on Central Coast, as

well.

Also, Jennifer Walkus, who is a councillor from the Wuikinuxv First

Nation. Many members might know this community as Rivers Inlet, where some

of the biggest salmon in the world can be found. I just also want to give a

shout-out to Jennifer and her colleagues, because they are part of the

first-ever all-female chief and council. These women, these strong leaders,

are really kicking something, serving their communities right

now.

Also, we have…. I’m not sure all who is here, but we do have some

guardian watchmen from the Central Coast here in the community. They were

part of a really significant signing yesterday with the Minister of

Environment, where these particular coastal guardian watchmen will now have

the same power and authority as a park ranger.

The guardian watchmen are the eyes and ears on the water, particularly

in the Central Coast, where we don’t have a big presence. They’ve been the

stewards of that territory for millennia. Finally, in this colonial

government, we’re recognizing their work in a much more significant

way.

I wanted to give a particular shout-out to one coastal guardian,

Victor Reece. He is from the Gitga’at territory, up north, closer to where I

live, but he has been living most of his life in Klemtu. He’s part of the

Kitasoo/Xai’xais coastal guardian watchmen. He has been a guardian watchman

for five years. Victor tells me that he enthusiastically watches question

period, and he’s here today for his first in-the-flesh observance of

question period.

Please make everyone that I’ve mentioned feel welcome.

H. Sandhu: I have two introductions to make today.

The first introduction is Brian Misko from House of Q in Vernon, who

is here in the precinct today.

House of Q started by using mom’s stockpot. They make award-winning

barbecue sauces and spices. Q is one of the most-ordered barbecue sauce and

rub companies around the world. They have won over 200 awards in 15

years.

I’m proud that Brian will be barbecuing for us today outside the

Legislature for B.C. Beef Day. I also encourage you all to please check

their website, houseofq.com.

[10:25 a.m.]

Brian Misko and his wife, Corinne, will be celebrating their 30th

wedding anniversary on June 6 as well. Would the House please join me to

thank Brian and welcome him here at the Legislature and also wish both Brian

and his wife a very happy wedding anniversary this week.

My second introduction. Today I’m thrilled to have my mom here in the

gallery. This is my mom’s first time being in Victoria. She has a water

phobia. She is always reluctant to take ferries, so we took a flight this

time. My mom has been a very big support, as I’ve mentioned previously,

along with my dad — and after becoming a single mom as well.

As every parent and all members of the House can relate, our parents

give us good values. One of the most important values I always try to

remember, and pass it on to my daughter, is…. Mom always reminds me to never

hate anybody or use the word “hate” in your life, if possible.

Mom always reminds us that “hate” is such a strong word and a terrible

feeling to carry around with us. Hate also leads to anger and then violence,

and unfortunately, we’ve seen the detrimental outcomes in the world. Mom

says: “Yes, you’re human. You can dislike or disagree with something. But as

a human carrying the hate feeling, it only destroys your soul. The other

person may not know we hate them.”

This may seem impossible to do, but I can say with full confidence

that if I try to think very hard, I do not hate anybody or cannot remember

hating anybody, and it’s the best feeling to live with. Just for these

reasons, I thought I’d mention this. This is something we need to discuss

more.

I’m blessed to have such a loving, caring, kind mom who always taught

me to put others and the less fortunate first and to do selfless service —

everything that she has done for me and the reason I’m standing

here.

Would the House please join me to make my mom feel very warmly

welcomed.

M. Dykeman: Before we come back to session, after we rise today, there is going to

be a birthday. As you know, because I’ve introduced them both in this House,

I have two children, and my daughter is a summer baby. My son and daughter

do compare notes, so if I haven’t wished her a happy birthday in the House,

as I wish my son, she would notice and would never let me forget

it.

She does watch question period regularly and has lots and lots of

commentary to me on all sorts of subjects and several opinions, so I know

she’ll be checking this out. She will be turning 17 this summer.

I was wondering if the House could please join me in wishing my

daughter, MacKenzie, a very happy birthday.

M. Babchuk: I am so happy to stand in this House today and introduce the two most

important men in my life: my husband, Dan, who is somewhere in here — I’m

not sure — who I’ve introduced before, and, for the first time in this

chamber, my father, Roy Campbell.

I’m certain that my dad never envisioned me in this role, but I

believe that I’m here because of his commitment to community, his generosity

and his willingness to lend a hand whenever, his philosophy around advocacy

and social justice and his unwavering dedication to family. I know that my

success today is directly a result of him.

Would this House please join me in welcoming my father and my husband

to the chamber today.

K. Paddon: Chilliwack Pride is here. Chilliwack Pride has organized several

hugely successful Pride celebrations, including the one last August that

welcomed thousands to celebrate Pride in Chilliwack, which is in my friend’s

area of Chilliwack as well.

Thank you very much to Teri Westerby, Sheralie Taylor, Aaron Pariseau,

Mallory Tomlinson and Margaret Reid for being here today for a very special

announcement — foreshadowing — and to celebrate our partnership while we

work together for Chilliwack and Chilliwack-Kent.

I know that other board members could not be here but are here in

spirit. That would be Jackie Oldhaver, Jason Stromberg, Megan Te Boekhorst

and Katie Bartel.

Would the House please join me in making Chilliwack Pride very welcome

in this chamber.

[10:30 a.m.]

Hon. A. Dix: Today is a really special day for me. My mom is in the Legislature.

She’s on that side, so she’s watching the opposition today. This is the

first time she’ll ever have seen me in question period. Of course, it’s

extremely moving to me, especially in light of the last couple of years, to

have her here today.

I wish everyone, of course, to wish her welcome.

She is joined by my brother Dylan, who is younger than me, smarter

than me, taller than me and, interestingly, not in politics. It’s great to

have Dylan here. I couldn’t be more proud, as his older brother, of

everything that he does.

Finally and most importantly, I want everyone in the House but the

Minister of Education to acknowledge my nephew Kieran, who is in the House

today, who is ten and a student at Norquay Elementary School. He and his

sister Emma are our stars, of course. So we’re very proud to have him here

today.

I want to also give a shout-out over the Internet to my wife, Renée

Sarojini Saklikar.

On behalf of all of you — because I know your families mean a lot to

you, especially in these times — to wish a warm welcome to three generations

of Dixes.

D. Ashton: I look forward to introducing all to some Trout Creek hospitality this

summer. Whether it’s yourself, Mr. Speaker, those in the Clerk’s department,

the sessional staff, Hansard, Protective Services or all my peers here in

the precinct, if you’re in the Okanagan, please call. Swing by for a glass

of liquid sunshine that we in the Okanagan have learned to bottle and pour

into a glass to share with friends. I look forward to seeing you

all.

B. D’Eith: We normally don’t go into June, so in all the time I’ve been here, I

haven’t had a chance to wish three birthdays in my family. My youngest son,

Cam, will turn…. It’s 22. There are five of them. So 22. He will be

representing B.C. at the North by Northeast Festival with his band Bookclub

this month. I’m really proud of him.

Amy, who I’ve mentioned before, has just started full-time

firefighting at Maple Ridge fire. She’s turning 23.

Of course, my amazing wife, Kim, who works in health care at

Footbridge orthopedic surgery out of St. Paul’s Hospital. I, like

everybody…. We wouldn’t be here without our partners and people who support

us. I just love her very much and want to wish her a very happy birthday in

June.

Thank you so much, everybody.

M. Starchuk: Joining us today in the House are a comic strip artist and his mom.

Seth Corbett, better known as Stick Guy, is here with his mother, Rachel,

who is better known as Stick Guy’s mom. I reached out to the Stick Guy after

seeing his works in the 2020 Surrey Library’s adult writing contest under

the category of comics.

I assume everyone in the House has drawn a stick figure. The

difference between Stick Guy and us is the humour that goes with it. I’m

going to ask everyone here to use your imagination and think about the first

drawing that I ever saw of Seth’s. Remember, all the people in the comic are

stick people. The comic depicts a street portrait artist with two stick

people holding portraits that the artist has done, with the caption: “Ooh,

wow. You really captured me.”

Would everyone in the House today join me in welcoming Rachel Corbett

and her wonderful and talented son Seth Corbett to the chamber

today.

D. Davies: First, I would like to welcome Brent and Sonjia into the House today.

Good to see you again.

I’d also like to welcome…. We’ve talked about families and people that

are there to support us. I do want to welcome my son and daughter here

today, who are joining us in the House, Hana and Noel Davies.

I also want to welcome Toby Kaiser, who comes all the way from

Landsberg am Lech, just outside of Munich, who has become a very close

family friend who’s been living with us now for the last couple of

months.

Welcome, Toby.

Would the House please make them all feel very welcome.

[10:35 a.m.]

M. Elmore: I’d like to echo the introduction from the member for Richmond South

Centre to someone who’s been a friend and a colleague and a mentor to me. I

wouldn’t be here without his help, support and guidance and leadership. That

is my friend Gian Sihota here from Richmond.

We worked together as transit operators when I was with Coast Mountain

Bus Company. When I first became a shop steward, he helped me, assisted me

and supported me in my involvement in the union. His commitment to social

justice and human rights is something that inspires me, and I just want to

recognize him, thank him for his dedication.

I just ask everybody to also give him an extra warm welcome here

today.

T. Stone: Out of respect for the standing orders with respect to introductions,

I’m going to be brief and introduce someone who is here in the chamber

today. I have two constituents, Bob Miller and Doug Haughton, who are

ranchers from Kamloops. They’re here for B.C. Beef Day.

Welcome to the building, gentlemen.

D. Routley: I thought I’d wait till the end, because mine’s kind of long.

Actually, it’s short, just like the person I’m introducing — I’m sorry, Pam

— plus her baby. She really is short.

Pam Cooling is my CA. She is the perfect mix of down-to-earth

straightforwardness when she deals with me that never strays — well, usually

doesn’t stray — across the line of sarcasm. Remember, she’s trying to

support me.

When she deals with constituents and their problems, she is smart,

intuitive, strong, empathetic, generous, and she is patient, particularly

with me. She is a political organizer and public servant extraordinaire, as

is her mom, Karen Cooling, whom many of you know.

Really, the treat is for me to be able to stand here today, simply

stand here today, and introduce her daughter Ruth Eleanor Florence Robinson,

who was born May 3, 2021, and joins this line of incredibly strong and

dedicated women. I thank her for being here and for everything she does for

our constituents.

Mr. Speaker: Given this is the last day of our session, I would also like to

recognize my team. That’s all of you.

I also want to thank my staff in the Speaker’s office: Karen Armstrong

— we call her the dean of the office; Sharon Walia; Amber Keane; Jason

Blackman; and Lynn Hardy — all of them.

Thank you very much for all of the work you do to help us every

day.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL 26 — ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

AMENDMENT ACT,

Hon. G. Heyman presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Environmental Management Amendment

Act, 2022.

Hon. G. Heyman: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time

now.

This bill contains amendments to the Environmental Management Act.

The purpose of the proposed amendments is to correct an unintended

omission of a subsection reference that occurred when the act was

amended in 2019.

Amendments made in 2019 to

part 9 of EMA, Bill 17, added a number

of investigative tools from the Criminal Code of Canada, including

orders, warrants and authorizations. Inadvertently, a subsection

reference was omitted, the effect being that conservation officers no

longer had authority to detain, in specific circumstances, seized items

for up to 12 months. In addition, the authority of the chief

conservation officer to withhold things seized in the circumstances just

described, when those things are a pollutant or an environmental hazard,

were no longer available.

The change is a minor amendment which would restore the two

authorities described above and create a significant efficiency for both

conservation officers and the courts.

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

Motion approved.

[10:40 a.m.]

Hon. G. Heyman: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second

reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 26, Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2022, introduced,

read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second

reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

BILL M212 — EMERGENCY PROGRAM

AMENDMENT ACT,

T. Stone presented a bill intituled Emergency Program Amendment Act,

T. Stone: I move that the bill intituled the Emergency Program Amendment

Act, 2022, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper,

be introduced and read a first time now.

While we hope to never relive the extreme climate events of 2021,

the reality is that these occurrences are becoming more frequent, with

increasingly devastating consequences. This is leading to increased

costs for disaster victims and the inability to access insurance in

high-risk areas.

The purpose of disaster financial assistance is to help

individuals who are unable to purchase insurance coverage.

Unfortunately, the program has remained largely unchanged over the last

50 years, and it’s failing to fulfil its intended purpose in a world

experiencing climate change. There is a desperate need to update the DFA

program to proactively address these new challenges, fill gaps and

address the continued downward spiral of increasing insurance costs and

shrinking coverage.

This bill calls on government to take measures that will address

emerging issues and better protect homeowners and small businesses,

including streamlining and simplifying the DFA claim process; setting

and defining an affordability metric for the DFA’s reasonably and

readily available insurance criteria; expanding the scope of DFA to

address issues pertaining to micro-pockets of the province where no

insurance coverage is available for a given disaster event; extending

the application deadline to 120 days from the current 60 days from the

date DFA was authorized; extending the appeal process to address

applications rejected due to missing information; removing an exclusion

that will not grant DFA support for costs related to any contents

located in basements, crawl spaces or similar low-lying storage areas,

unless these areas are being used as essential living areas for

homeowners; and developing a government grant program for homeowners in

high-risk areas to help offset the high cost of insurance and

incentivize individuals to purchase it.

I urge the government to consider changing the regulations and to

close existing gaps in DFA eligibility in high-risk areas. With another

wildfire season upon us, it’s imperative that the government act

quickly.

Mr. Speaker: The question is the first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

T. Stone: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second

reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M212, Emergency Program Amendment Act, 2022, introduced, read a

first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading

at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

SUMMER EVENTS IN WEST KELOWNA

B. Stewart: While I’m a firm believer that there is no better place to be than

in West Kelowna at any time of year, it is particularly true in the

summertime. The beautiful scenery, warm weather, friendly community and

outdoor recreation opportunities make West Kelowna the perfect place to

live or visit during the summer months. In addition to visiting wineries

or spending time on the lake, people in the community also have the

opportunity to enjoy and take

part in numerous events throughout the

season, many of which are starting up again for the first time in many

years.

The Hungry Hungry Half marathon is back for its seventh year this

Saturday, June 4, with five-kilometre, ten-kilometre and 21-kilometre

races taking place, as well as a one-kilometre kids race. Funds raised

at this event will go to the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Over the past

six years, the event has raised over $47,000 for this vital

organization.

One of the things I love to take

part in is…. Music in the Park

will be back on Fridays. That’s free music in the park from July 15 to

September 2, with performances by incredible artists like Ben Klick,

Jackson Hollow and the Westbank Country Opry.

July will also feature the return of Westside Daze, a weekend

event that brings the whole community together. Over three days, people

can come and enjoy everything from live performances to a midway,

parade, fireworks and even a pancake breakfast. It will be a wonderful

event for the whole family and a joyful return to normal after a few

challenging years.

Whether you live in West Kelowna or just find yourself passing

through, come and enjoy everything the community has to offer. I hope to

see you there.

CHILLIWACK PRIDE SOCIETY AND

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LGBTQ2S+

STUDENTS

K. Paddon: A year ago today, during Pride Month, I spoke of how Pride is

blooming in Chilliwack-Kent. I’m especially honoured today that I get to

speak during Pride Month again, while joining us in the gallery we have

several board members of the Chilliwack Pride Society, because we have

an exciting announcement to share.

Beginning this year, in partnership with Chilliwack Pride, I am

happy to announce that we are co-funding three new scholarships,

available to 2SLGBTQ+ community members residing in Chilliwack and

Kent.

[10:45 a.m.]

Chilliwack Pride president Teri Westerby said it best when he

described the importance of our partnership in this work:

“Education is the cornerstone of our society. The Chilliwack Pride

Society believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their

dreams and have access to a post-secondary education. The LGBTQ2S+

community faces incredible educational barriers. Many folks are not

accepted at home or among their peers, whether it’s because of their

gender identity or because of who they love. With these scholarships, we

hope to lessen the financial barriers of our community to access their

post-secondary education and, ultimately, their dreams.”

I couldn’t agree more. That’s why there is no age restriction, and

these scholarships are open to any post-secondary program. We funded two

scholarships to be available for students living in Chilliwack or Kent

who identify as LGBTQ+, and the third scholarship is available for an

Indigenous student who identifies as two-spirit.

Starting today, until September 2, submissions can be made by

video, written, audio — anything that tells us about you. You can find

out more and submit online at chilliwackpridescholarship.com, by

emailing my office or even dropping it off at our table at Chilliwack

Pride on August 21. It is exciting to watch as Pride grows across our

community and to see new things develop, new opportunities take

shape.

Thank you for the time to share this great news.

LAKE WINDERMERE AMBASSADORS SOCIETY

D. Clovechok: Today I would like to recognize one of the many organizations

along the Columbia River system who are committed to maintaining the

social, environmental and economic benefits of Lake Windermere near the

headwaters of the Columbia River.

The Lake Windermere Ambassadors are a society formed by a group of

concerned citizens from a diverse background, including members of the

Shuswap Indian Band and the ?Akisq’nuk First Nation, all interested in

directing water, monitoring and stewardship of Lake

Windermere.

Located in the Columbia Valley, Lake Windermere is, technically, a

widening of the Columbia River just south of Invermere and north of the

headwater community of Canal Flats, all in my riding of Columbia

River–Revelstoke.

The ambassadors strive to support recreational and traditional

uses of the lake, high fish and wildlife values, economic prosperity and

serve as resource for projects benefiting the ecological health of the

lake. They also closely work with an amazing group of people, Living

Lakes Canada, which is also headquartered in Invermere.

The ambassadors are active in conducting such things as water

monitoring and community outreach to realize the vision of healthy

waters for healthy communities. The board of directors of the society

have been designated the lake management committee by two local

governments: the regional district of East Kootenay and the district of

Invermere.

The ambassadors provide advisory and non-regulatory commentary

regarding proposed zoning alterations or applications for changes on the

foreshore environment surrounding Lake Windermere. They provide public

education to the community about the Lake Windermere management plan and

specific recommendations, including safe and responsible boating

practices, zoning regulations and the overall lake health.

This year they’re working on the shoreline tenure holders and the

property owners to implement the Green Shores program, an initiative

that provides science-based tools and practices to help people restore

the shoreline, ecosystem and functions.

Without water, there is no life. I want to thank the so many

dedicated volunteers that work with the Lake Windermere Ambassadors to

ensure that our lake water system remains healthy for those here today

and for those who are yet to come.

GRADUATES OF 2022 IN

VERNON-MONASHEE

AREA

H. Sandhu: Today I rise in this House to extend my best wishes and

congratulations to the 2022 grads from Vernon-Monashee, their families

and their amazing teachers. Next week, on June 10, the first of our grad

classes from Kalamalka Secondary will celebrate, and those from Charles

Bloom, Clarence Fulton, W.L. Seaton, Vernon Christian School and Vernon

Secondary School will follow throughout June.

Dear grads, as you cross the stage this year, I hope you

understand the diploma you receive represents more than 12 years of

formal education. It represents the challenges you faced, the

relationships you built, the skills you honed and the memories you made.

Your efforts are an investment in yourself and your future. I hope you

all remember this feeling of accomplishment in your upcoming ceremony

and for the rest of your life. Let this feeling be a light to guide you

when things get difficult. You can do anything you set your mind

to.

[10:50 a.m.]

This graduation season, I hope you take a moment to reflect on

those that helped you to get you to where you are — your families,

friends, guidance counsellors, coaches and, of course, your

teachers.

The teachers in this province have been a strong symbol of

strength these past two years. They have shown their strength,

compassion, resiliency, patience, creativity, flexibility and ability to

adapt to anything that came in their way. I ask you to all reflect on

and show your gratitude to your teachers’ contribution in your success.

I hope your teachers’ display of dedication inspires you as you face

challenges in the future.

You are our future and hope. It is a big world out there. Go out

and seize it, and do not let anything stop you from pursuing your

goals.

Please join me to commemorate this very important milestone

achieved by Vernon-Monashee’s class of 2022 and all the grads across the

province.

RESTORATION OF

DAAJING GIIDS VILLAGE

NAME

A. Olsen: This statement was written by G ud Takin Jaad, B.C. Green

caucus intern and proud Haida.

In 2019, the Skidegate Haida immersion program submitted a request

to the Queen Charlotte city council to change the municipality’s name

back to the traditional village site. After over three years, on May 16,

the council voted unanimously to give the colonial name, Queen Charlotte

city, back to the Crown. The municipality, just south of Skidegate, is

reclaiming the traditional village name, Daajing Giids.

Our people have endured centuries of colonization, forced

resettlement, disease, the stealing of our ancestors and children and

attempted destruction of our culture. Yet still we survived. A

population of 30,000 was decimated by smallpox to a mere 600 Haida, yet

we survived.

The changing of a name may not seem significant. After all, it’s

only a few words. But to the First Peoples of this land, it means

everything. It shows that, despite the acts to diminish us, we are still

strong. We are still here, and our place names deserve to reflect

that.

Indigenous place names are so important for everyone in

reconnecting with the land upon which we live. Our culture is the

language, is the land, is the water, is the people. For our places to

reflect traditional names that are so deeply tied to the culture and so

deeply linked with the livelihoods we have been living since time

immemorial is not something insignificant.

I celebrate the reclamation of Daajing Giids. I celebrate the

community and the people on Haida Gwaii that worked so hard to get to

this point, and I want to celebrate all nations and communities that

seek to reclaim their traditional place names, that continue to fight

back against the centuries of colonization we were forced to

endure.

We’re still here. We’re still strong. We are Haida.

HÍSW̱ḴE , G ud

Takin Jaad.

PRIDE AND LGBTQ2S+ HISTORY

S. Chandra Herbert: I think it’s important we understand our history so we know how to

build a better future. I speak for those that come after us.

Many have said it’s Pride Month in B.C, but I need to set the

record straight or, should I say, gayly forward. Pride Month. People

talk about it because of Stonewall in New York City, but I think we need

to acknowledge that in this province, in this place, 2SLGBTQ+ people

have a history that goes back millennia.

It wasn’t until colonialism that the hate that many people have

been led to feel started to fester in communities because of the advent

of the church targeting First Nations Indigenous communities, where

being two-spirit, in many communities, was just a matter of course.

Gender was not as we were forced to understand it, and we’re slowly

peeling that back now.

Let’s make that point first. Pride did not start, LGBT folks did

not start with Trudeau in 1969 or any of those kinds of things we are

told. It was here long before.

In B.C., we have heroes. I won’t name them because, really, they

didn’t do this for themselves. They did this for everyone so that others

wouldn’t have to feel the torment and the hatred, the loss, that they

themselves felt.

[10:55 a.m.]

In 1958, we had some of our first protests outside of courthouses,

where individuals held up signs saying, “I am a human being,” because

they were treated like they were animals.

In 1971, in August…. I say August because it’s not June. August is

when so much of our LGBTQ2S+ history takes place in terms of activism,

of turning back the tides. We had rallies. We had protests. Indeed,

August has continued to be at that forefront.

I’ve run out of time because the history is long and the history

is vast of people standing up when hate was breathing down their necks.

They did it not to be named and to be known but to be loved, to feel

love so that others could feel love for being who they are in a

community, in a real community of love and acceptance.

Happy Pride in June. Happy Pride in July. Happy Pride in August.

Happy Pride every day of the year, because everybody should feel loved

every day of the year.

Oral Questions

DEATH OF CHILD AFTER HOSPITAL CARE

AND FAMILY ACCESS TO

INFORMATION

K. Falcon: All week we have been raising concerns about the crisis in health

care and the impact it’s having on people right across this

province.

Five months ago Cinzia Rossi rushed her eight-year-old son, Jaxon,

to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital. Young Jaxon was screaming in pain,

with violent headaches and violently throwing up. But instead of getting

the care he needed, Jaxon was discharged with some Advil, and his

parents were told to come back the next day if it got worse. Tragically,

things did get worse. Young Jaxon died the next day at B.C.

Children’s.

My question is to the Premier. What does the Premier have to say

to the Rossi family and to so many others who aren’t getting the health

care they need due to our understaffed hospitals that are overwhelmed

with patients?

Hon. A. Dix: The loss of a child in these circumstances, the loss of a child in

any circumstances, is tragic. In these circumstances, of course, we

can’t speak to the specific case. It would be totally, I think,

inappropriate for me to speak to that in this House. Our hearts go out

to everyone involved — especially the family but, of course, to

everybody involved. Everybody would be gutted by the circumstances.

Surely, everybody in this House is gutted by these

circumstances.

In general, decisions about what actions to be taken are led by

emergency room staff, particularly doctors. They make decisions and

assessments, and they consult with families about a course of action.

That’s in general.

In this case, the executive director of Abbotsford Regional

General Hospital and the staff medical director met with the family this

week. Supports are going out to the family. There is a review going on,

an independent review of the case, by the patient care quality council,

which is the appropriate place for these issues to be assessed and for

recommendations to be made.

That’s the process that is going on. Our hearts go out to

everybody involved.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Official Opposition, supplemental.

K. Falcon: The problem is that this situation has been compounded by the lack

of transparency from this government. The minister just said, and Fraser

Health concurs, that they’re refusing to speak to the specifics of

Jaxon’s care, claiming that they’re unable to do so, even though they’ve

got the written consent of the parents to do so.

Now, according to the Privacy Commissioner of B.C., this position

taken by the government is just wrong. Michael McEvoy says: “A public

body might have other reasons for not wanting to release the

information, but privacy won’t be one of them.”

Will the Premier direct the Health Minister to ensure the release

of all the details of what went horribly wrong in the tragic and

unnecessary death of Jaxon Rossi?

Hon. A. Dix: That is, of course, not what I said. I really think this

discussion requires solemnity. The circumstances of Jaxon’s death

require that from all of us.

[11:00 a.m.]

In this case, all information belongs to the family, and all

information will be provided to the family — not to the news media or to

others but to the family. It’s their information to do with as they see

fit.

As I understand it, the staff medical director met with the family

this week. They’ll be meeting with the family again. There’s a request

for information about the case. All of that information will be provided

to the family. Those are the circumstances in the case. That’s as it

should be. The member is a former Minister of Health, as is the Health

critic. They understand this. That information belongs to them, and it

will be provided to them.

S. Bond: We have an overwhelmed health care system that failed this family.

Health information belongs to the patient, not the government, and they

owe it to this family and all British Columbians to be fully transparent

about what happened. Parents have a right to know.

Cinzia Rossi says — not my words, the words of a grieving mother:

“I don’t understand why my son doesn’t deserve a voice. It’s outrageous.

It sickens me.”

Of course we treat this with solemnity. A young boy lost his life.

What these parents want this minister to do is to ensure that they

receive the information they are entitled to.

Fraser Health acknowledged that, until last month, they were even

unaware that Jaxon had died on December 28. This means there was a total

breakdown of communication between health authorities. That’s just a

symptom of what’s going on in our health care system.

To the minister, what went wrong, and what is he going to do to

ensure that it never happens to a family again in this

province?

Hon. A. Dix: I said it the previous time. I know it’s important that the

opposition ask questions. The family will have all the information —

full stop.

The family will have all the information. It belongs to them. Upon

their request, they will have it. That is my expec­tation, and

that is what will happen.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Prince George–Valemount, supplemental.

S. Bond: I can say this to the minister. No family should have to go to the

media to ask that information that they deserve, that belongs to them,

is given to them. When a tragedy happens, the onus should not be on a

grieving family to make sure that there is communication between health

authorities. That’s the minister’s job. It’s not their job to figure

out, after the loss of their child, how to initiate a review

process.

It has been five months. No action from the government. When the

family asked questions, they were stonewalled.

The question the family is asking is: how are they supposed to

trust this government? How are they supposed to get the information that

they deserve, when they have been the only ones looking for answers

about the loss of their son for the last five months?

Hon. A. Dix: One, there’s an independent review underway. It should be

independent, and it should be the right of every family to request such

a review. That’s a decision that we made as a Legislature, that I

support and that, I believe, members of the opposition

support.

Those reviews were brought in under a predecessor of mine as

Minister of Health, Mr. Abbott. I strongly support that process and that

independent review. Its indepen­dence is fundamental for patients

and for all staff in B.C. There are obviously circumstances here that

require and have led to this request for a review.

It’s ongoing, first of all. Second, with respect to information

regarding an individual’s health, that information belongs to the

patient. Fraser Health will be providing that information. The executive

director of Abbotsford Regional Hospital and the staff medical director

have met with the family. It’s certainly my expectation and my intent

that all information related to the case be shared with the family.

That’s an important distinction.

[11:05 a.m.]

Of course, we don’t debate the actions of medical professionals in

the Legislature, the specific actions they take in particular cases. Of

course we don’t, and members of the House will understand that. I think

they’ll also understand the absolute right of the family to that

information. It is my expectation that they’ll get it, and they

will.

FLOOD AND WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS

S. Furstenau: I think we’ve seen a pattern emerge in this government of becoming

very good at shielding itself from accountability, when the public needs

to know that they’re actually here to serve them.

News articles this week show how this province needs to do better

to prepare us for floods, fires and landslides. In a quick scan of what

we’re hearing in the media, the Vancouver Sun says: “More

Potentially Fatal Landslides, Severe Flooding Ahead Unless B.C. Enacts

Reforms.” CBC says: “Emergency Operations Centre Activated on B.C.’s

North Coast in Anticipation of Flooding.” And from the Vancouver

Sun earlier in May: “We’re Not Prepared When Extreme Wildfires,

Flooding Hit B.C.”

Allan Chapman, the former head of the river forecast centre, said

that the Premier “deflects accountability for failures within

government.” He said that the floods and landslides that we saw last

year were all foreseeable. They weren’t only tied to climate change.

According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, they were tied

to poor land management practices, like extensive logging and logging

roads in river valleys and on mountain slopes. He said that the

provincial government had all the information they needed to heed the

warnings to vulnerable communities and to plan ahead but that that’s not

what happened last year.

My question is to the Premier. What has he done differently this

year to prepare British Columbians for the disasters, exacerbated by

reckless land use practices, that we’re guaranteed to see?

Hon. K. Conroy: I thank the member for the question. I’m only too happy to talk

about everything that we have done to get ready for this

year.

As the member has said, it is an issue around climate change, but

there are issues around other things. We know that there are

opportunities to mitigate these situations.

For instance, the member referred to some of the articles and

referred to forest service roads. We are committed to improving the work

that needs to be done on forest service roads in this province. We’ve

actually created a new forest service road data system. This allows us

to track the road use permit users and also the maintainers on forest

service roads. It’s really important work that also needs to be done to

do the inspection on forest service roads.

We also made recent changes this last fall to the Forest and Range

Practices Act that give government greater management and greater

control over forest roads. It protects public safety as well as the

environment, which is critically important. We’re committed to ensuring

that forest service road networks remain safe.

At the same time we’ve also increased…. The member talked about

the river forecast centre team. We have, in line with our commitment to

climate preparedness and adaption, increased staffing levels at the

river forecast centre. We’ve added new employees to support river

modelling and forecasting, as well as recruiting for more employees to

come in. We also are bringing other new roles in, which has recently

been finalized, to focus on information technology and tech­nical

capacity. That will also be posted shortly.

We are committed to ensuring that we are prepared for the season,

regardless of what it brings, and we will do that.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Third Party, supplemental.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

AND AWARENESS OF

ISSUES

S. Furstenau: We sure hear a lot from this government about being committed to

something in the future, committed to things. “We did these inputs.” But

we don’t hear a lot about the outcomes.

This government has made gaslighting its organizing principle for

communications. What people need from this government is to recognize

the reality that they are experiencing — whether it’s people who can’t

get back to their town because it has burnt down and hasn’t been

rebuilt, farmers who can’t grow crops because their fields got flooded,

people who can’t afford basic necessities like food and rent or people

who can’t get their cancer test re­sults because they don’t have a

family doctor.

The Premier uses this government’s communication machine to pat

themselves on the back and take jabs at their opponents. Meanwhile, they

ignore looming crises. They’re out of touch with the reality that

British Colum­bians are experiencing.

[11:10 a.m.]

With a few notable exceptions — Minister of Agriculture, Minister

of Transportation, Minister of Child Care and the Attorney General —

what we have gotten over the course of budget estimates and question

periods in this session are message boxes that don’t acknowledge the

reality of what British Columbians are telling us.

They feel fear. They feel anxiety about the future. They feel

financial pressures. They are experiencing mental health and health

impacts. There is a broken trust with this government. The Premier

thinks that to recognize reality is to succumb to despair. But the truth

is that being honest is essential to providing hope for a more secure

future.

My question is to the Premier. Can he be honest about the state of

affairs in this province?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I think questioning the integrity of any member of this House,

particularly the Premier, through a rambling statement without a

question attached to it…. Quite frankly, I find it offensive.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, the Chair allowed the statement made by the

Leader of the Third Party. There was no question yet….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, let’s not cross the line.

Now let’s hear what the Government House Leader has to

say.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

I know the member said that there was no question, but there

definitely will be an answer. In this rambling statement, the member

sort of went over a whole series of issues, and I just want to set the

record straight.

It doesn’t matter what the issue is. Whether it is in education,

whether it is in health care, whether it is in transportation, whether

it is in forestry, whether it is in land use, this government is working

every single day to improve the lives of British Columbians. We have

been doing it with a budget that deals with issues around

affordability.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. M. Farnworth: It’s why there’s a rebate going out, as we speak, to millions of

policyholders.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members will come to order. Members.

Please continue.

Hon. M. Farnworth: Thank you, hon. Speaker.

This government’s job is being done every day by ensuring that the

priorities of British Columbians come first and foremost. That’s what we

will do. That’s why we’re over there. That’s what we will continue to do

for the next 2½ years of this session.

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON

ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE

SYSTEM

L. Doerkson: The government may not like to hear it, but there is a health care

crisis going on in every single corner of the province. They’ve shown

just exactly how completely disconnected they are from the reality of

health care in Cariboo-Chilcotin and rural British Columbia.

In recent weeks, we’ve had a 14-year-old unable to get an

ambulance for two hours after going into cardiac arrest — two hours.

Last week there were ten-hour waits in the emergency department in

Cariboo Memorial Hospital for multiple patients waiting all night for

care. This past month we saw a day that our hospital was staffed at 60

percent with a patient capacity of 175. The minister must recognize that

this is a crisis by every single measure.

When is this NDP government going to prioritize fixing the health

care crisis in this province instead of the Pre­mier’s $1 billion

vanity museum project?

Hon. A. Dix: Of course, the first visit I made as Minister of Health was to

Williams Lake, and it was during the wildfires, to meet with staff at

that hospital. What they said to me is that they’d been waiting years

for the major capital project in Williams Lake to be

undertaken.

Interjection.

[11:15 a.m.]

Hon. A. Dix: Well, the question, I believe, was about capital. That’s what I

heard.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Members, there will be a supplemental.

Hon. A. Dix: The question was about capital priorities. The first meeting I

had, and the first project approved at concept plan, was the Cariboo

Memorial Hospital. The first project approved at business plan, after

years of wait, was the Cariboo Memorial Hospital. And the Cariboo

Memorial Hospital project is going forward and being built.

I think that’s an important thing for people in Williams Lake.

That is what health care workers and nurses and doctors said to me when

I first went there.

Over the last two years and four months now, we’ve been in the

midst of the global public health emergency that is the COVID-19

pandemic and the public health emergency that is the overdose crisis,

which affect, of course, people in the member’s community and everywhere

else in B.C. That’s why, in this time, we’ve given such priority to

health care, and 30,000 more people are working in health care today

than two years ago — 30,000 more. We know that, because we count

them.

They can repeat inaccurate information all they like, but we

actually count the number of people that are working in health care, and

it’s 30,000 more.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, shhh.

Hon. A. Dix: The challenge and the continuing challenge of the pandemic mean

that we have to continue to do more. And we are. So 604 new nursing

spaces, new nursing spaces in regions of the province, 6,500 new people

supporting long-term care and supports for people around the

province.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over. The COVID-19 pandemic is not

over, and it affects Interior Health more than any other health

authority, as the member will know. We’re going to continue to do the

work, continue to make the investments at Cariboo Memorial Hospital and

everywhere else.

T. Shypitka: In my riding, the Elkford hospital has been closed, until further

notice, since last September — going on a year now — forcing people to

drive an hour or two to get to an emergency department.

Meanwhile, at the regional hospital, Dr. Kari Nishi, from

Cranbrook, says: “We are in crisis. It is getting worse and worse,

including in the East Kootenays. The ship has already hit the iceberg.

It is sinking, and the ship is creaking. It feels like we are

rearranging the deck chairs as the ship is about to split in half.”

Instead of doing something, the Premier is fiddling while the ship is

sinking.

Why won’t the Premier cancel his $1 billion vanity museum project

and take action to fix this crisis?

Hon. A. Dix: The member will know, in his constituency and everywhere else, the

challenges that the health care system has taken on over the last two

years. He’ll know….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: The yelling from the Leader of the Opposition after the second

sentence, I think, reflects the seriousness with which he takes the

issue.

In any event, for 2½ years, health care workers have given

everything and have achieved extraordinary things, including in Interior

Health, in the most difficult of circumstances.

For example, in March of 2020, significant surgeries were

cancelled or delayed in B.C. We made up…. And 99 percent of them were

completed. We completed more surgeries in the last year, during a

pandemic, than at any time in the last health care system, including in

the last couple of weeks.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: We are continuing to support health care everywhere in British

Columbia. They can continue to yell, but the investment in rural health

care, the investment and support for health care workers, the addition

of health care workers, the raising of long-term-care

standards….

All of these things have taken place during a pandemic, and we’re

going to continue to do this work on behalf of the people of

B.C.

[11:20 a.m.]

PROPOSED MEDICAL SCHOOL AT

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

AND MUSEUM REPLACEMENT PROJECT

B. Banman: Tanya is a health care worker in Abbotsford, and she says: “I’m

48. I don’t have a family doctor. I have aging parents who need more

personalized care with their health complications. I have a son in

university who desperately wants to be a doctor, but the lack of

available seats in medical school make it near impossible for him to get

in.”

Unfortunately for Tanya and her family, rather than deal with the

current health care crisis, the Premier chooses to build a $1 billion

vanity museum project instead of the promised second medical school in

Surrey.

Question. Why is the Premier’s $1 billion vanity project more

important than a second medical school?

Hon. A. Dix: When I became Minister of Health, I looked at the situation in the

emergency department at Abbotsford Regional general hospital, a hospital

that had only recently been built, by the way. The emergency room was

such a problem that we had to rebuild it a few years later. We had to

rebuild it.

You know what, hon. Speaker? Concept plan, business plan, project

complete — in Abbotsford, in his constituency.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, order.

Hon. A. Dix: I assume that the members opposite are yelling in favour of such a

successful project. One to 12, across the front bench, projects in their

riding that are underway or being completed — one through 12. I’ll save

the members the time of listing them off. They’re in their ridings. They

know what they are.

With respect, in addition, for health care workers in Abbotsford

and everywhere else who had their work contracted out by the previous

government, their pensions taken away by the previous government, we are

bringing those contracts back.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Thank you, Minister.

Hon. A. Dix: To wrap up, 11 years ago — it was actually 13 years ago, come to

think of it — the previous government set standards for long-term care

for staffing. They set standards for long-term care for

staffing.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. A. Dix: When I became Minister of Health, 90 percent of care homes didn’t

meet the standards. What have we done? We’ve brought the standards up.

That’s what you do when you take action.

DEATH OF COMMUNITY LIVING CLIENT

AND PRIOR ACCESS TO

SUPPORTS

T. Halford: The Premier has prioritized a $1 billion vanity project in his own

riding, but he is failing to deliver critical support. Reports have

confirmed that the victim of a tragic homicide last week in Sooke was a

client of Community Living B.C. Jamie Joe was in his mid-20s and living

in a home-share situation as part of a CLBC program.

According to Karin McKenzie, who looked after Joe for the last six

years, Jamie and his companion were both refused supports they needed

from that ministry. “They both aged out. The supports dropped off, and

everybody pointed the finger at everybody else and said: ‘It’s your

job.’ Had either one of them gotten the supports they deserved, they

wouldn’t have been in this situation.”

Despite repeated attempts by Jamie’s caregiver to seek further

support for him in the months leading up to his homicide, she was fired,

in her words, “for causing too much trouble.”

[11:25 a.m.]

Can the minister responsible stand up and explain why his ministry

failed time and time again to give this individual the supports they

needed that could potentially have saved this man’s life?

Hon. N. Simons: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. My first

thought is, obviously, to express my condolences for all those who’ve

been impacted by this tragedy.

As the member well knows, the current situation is under active

investigation. It would be absolutely inappropriate of me to make

further comment, other than to say that every situation that comes

across my desk is an opportunity to learn and address issues. But as

it’s under investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to speak

about this specific incident.

P. Milobar: This is a very serious situation. Unfortunately…

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Please continue.

P. Milobar: …based on previous actions by this minister, many that seek help

from CLBC don’t have a lot of faith in the ministry and the minister

right now.

The question was fairly straightforward. Why did the minister not

take appropriate actions before the death? Not about the investigation

now. Why were there not proper steps being taken before the death, by

the ministry that he is directly responsible for, to prevent this

unnecessary death from happening in the first place?

Hon. N. Simons: Thank you for the question.

As I mentioned, this is an active investigation. It’s

inappropriate for me to comment about it.

I would point out that Community Living B.C. provides support to

thousands of British Columbians. Community Living B.C. addresses issues

as they arise, and since this is an investigation that is currently

active, the member well knows that it would be inappropriate for me to

comment any further.

[End of question period.]

Reports from Committees

FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT

SERVICES

COMMITTEE

J. Routledge: I have the honour to present the first report of the Select

Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the third

session of the 42nd parliament titled Interim Report of Statutory

Officers .

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

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s have some quiet, please.

Motion approved.

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

report.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Please continue.

J. Routledge: I move that the report be adopted. In doing so, I would like to

make some brief comments.

This report summarizes the committee’s discussions with the

province’s nine statutory offices at the spring update meetings. These

meetings are part of the committee’s process for ongoing engagement with

each office and provide an opportunity for committee members to receive

financial and operational updates from each office.

The committee appreciates the presentations provided by each

office and their continued efforts to find operational efficiencies and

internal savings at a time of unprecedented financial pressures.

Committee members also appreciate how the offices are using experiences

from the pandemic to adapt their offices to become more effective and

responsive.

On behalf of the committee and all members of the Legislative

Assembly, I extend our appreciation to all statutory officers and their

staff for the important work they undertake in support of Members of the

Legislative Assembly and British Columbians.

I would like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation to staff

in the Parliamentary Committees Office for their support during this

process. Thank you to Jennifer Arril, Ron Wall, Natalie Beaton, Mary

Newell and Emma Curtis.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all committee

members — especially the Deputy Chair, the member for West

Vancouver–Capilano — for their support and diligent work on this

committee.

[11:30 a.m.]

K. Kirkpatrick: I’d first like to recognize the parliamentary committee staff for

the work they do. It is no easy task to take all of the information that

is presented to the committee and synthesize it down into a clear,

concise report, which they have done masterfully.

I’d also like to express my appreciation to the statutory officers

for taking the time to prepare for and meet with the committee. Each

report to the committee was well thought out, clear and supportive of

the information that the committee needs to meet its duty for proper

oversight. As a new member of this committee, the reports from the

statutory offices were extremely helpful for me to understand the great

breadth and depth of the work of these independent offices.

A final note of appreciation to the committee Chair, from Burnaby

North — if I just said your constituency wrong, I apologize — for her

leadership and to my fellow committee members.

Mr. Speaker: The question is adoption of the report.

Motion approved.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: In this chamber, I call the esti­mates for the Office of the

Premier.

In

Section A, the Douglas Fir Room, I call the continued estimates debate

for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Committee of Supply

ESTIMATES: OFFICE OF THE

PREMIER

(continued)

The House in Committee of Supply (Section B);

S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.

The committee met at 11:33 a.m.

On Vote 11: Office of the Premier, $14,692,000

(continued) .

K. Falcon: Premier, today I would like to canvass the spiralling rates of

crime in communities throughout the province of British Columbia. It has

gotten to a point where, as the Premier would well know, the B.C. Urban

Mayors Caucus felt the need to write to the ministers responsible to

point out the fact that things are getting so bad, there has been a 75

percent increase in the rate of no-charge assessments.

For the benefit of viewers, that means that the government is

making the decision not to charge individuals that have been arrested

for criminal activity of one form or another. There’s been a 26 percent

decrease in the number of accused being approved to go to

court.

Now, it is in that context that we also should know that in the

city of Vancouver alone, for example, there are literally thousands of

abandoned calls. People are calling the police for help, and they’re not

able to actually get through. In 2021, there were 88,000 calls to the

Vancouver Police Department that were just abandoned. And 18,680 calls

to the VPD were abandoned by callers in the first three months of this

year. That represents over 40 percent of all the calls.

Now, we also know that, in Vancouver, every day there are four

cases of unprovoked attacks on individuals by complete strangers. That

is a striking number. I want that to settle in. That is almost 120

people every month being attacked.

[11:35 a.m.]

Just yesterday in East Vancouver, we saw a senior citizen attacked

by an individual with a machete and a knife. That individual repeatedly

stabbed the senior and then tried to steal a motorized vehicle. We’ve

seen innocent victims almost daily that are stabbed, punched, sexually

assaulted by complete strangers across this province.

My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier direct the

Attorney General to stop this catch-and-release program that they’ve got

that allows repeat prolific offenders back onto the streets to attack

people and property all over again, often in the same day?

Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for his question.

At the outset, I want to acknowledge, also, a sense of concern in

our major urban centres, but not just in our urban centres. Indeed,

across rural British Columbia as well. But the data does not confirm

that crime rates are up. In fact, it confirms that crime rates are

down.

That’s cold comfort to those who are seeing, on their evening

news, violent attacks or even attacks of colleagues that are with us

here today, unprovoked and seemingly random. But the charge standards in

British Columbia are unchanged from 2017.

Government does not prosecute people. The Crown prosecutor’s

office does. If the opposition is suggesting that government should

intervene in prosecutions and sentencing, they should say so

directly.

[11:40 a.m.]

With respect to the data, overall in Vancouver, the crime rate in

2012 was 74.6 per 1,000, and in 2021, it was 58.5. That’s a decline in

the crime rate. With respect to violent crime, 10.2 per 1,000 in 2012;

8.46 in 2021.

I met with Deputy Chief Howard Chow and representatives of the

business community and other community activists in the Downtown

Eastside and Chinatown over the weekend and heard, very clearly, that as

the pandemic eases and more people are in the streets — more folks

shopping, doing commerce, engaging with friends — a sense of more

security is starting to emerge. But absolutely, the sentiment in the

public is dire.

The member referred to a letter from the urban mayors group. We

asked for that letter. We encouraged them to write it. We’ve been

working collaboratively — the Attorney General and the Solicitor General

— with major urban mayors to ensure that we can do everything we can to

reduce incidences of violent of crime. But I remind the member that the

prolific offender management program, which was designed to reduce

repeat offences, was cut by the former government.

We’re building back up programs to protect citizens. We’re

building back up programs to ensure that the laws of Canada are

enforced. But if the member is suggesting that government should

intervene in prosecutions, I reject that.

K. Falcon: That’s a typical do-nothing answer from a Premier that is

obviously so disconnected. He doesn’t understand what’s happening on the

streets of cities right across this province. It is chaos. It is chaos,

and for you to stand here and pretend that you’re doing such a great job

and that crime stats are down…. Maybe they’re down because 40 percent of

the calls to the VPD aren’t even getting answered. Could that have

something to do with it?

Now, I can tell you they’re not down. They’re up. It’s no

surprise. We’ve got an Attorney General that’s completely fumbled the

housing file. Now he’s totally fumbling the criminal file. I mean, this

is unbelievable. In that letter that the mayors wrote, just for the

Premier’s record, 40 individuals in Vancouver have been involved in

6,385 negative interactions with the police — 40. In Kelowna, 15

individuals in over 1,039 negative interactions with the

police.

It’s the catch-and-release policy of your government that’s

allowing this to happen.

The Chair: Member. Member.

K. Falcon: I’m not surprised, through the Chair….

The Chair: Member. Member. No, Member, please.

Interjection.

The Chair: I’ve asked you repeatedly, through this time — through the

Chair. I understand that passions get the better of all of us, but

I’m asking you to please recognize the Standing Order 36.

K. Falcon: Through the Chair to the Premier, this situation is getting worse

in every community. A catch-and-release program that allows repeat

prolific offenders to be out in the community, often in the same day, as

a result of lack of action from this Attorney General and this

government, is creating chaos.

I’m glad that he referenced Chinatown, because the Premier should

know that there’s been a 425 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crime

incidents just in the last two years. An 84 percent increase in graffiti

citywide — over 300 percent in Chinatown alone. That poor community is

under assault. Every day, in the news, we’re seeing this happen. To hear

answers like that, that try to pretend that actually, things are getting

better, when every single person out there knows that it’s getting

worse, is just another example of failed leadership.

Again, will you direct the Attorney General to get this chaotic

situation under control now — not years from now, not more studies but

now?

[11:45 a.m.]

Hon. J. Horgan: Again, with respect to anti-racism initiatives, this government

has been very active. I acknowledge at the outset that with the advent

of COVID-19, we saw an increase in race-based violence. That is

abhorrent to all of us. Communities have stood up together to say no to

hate, to say no to racism.

Despite that, aberrant behaviour continues to exist. We’re doing

our level best to manage that. We brought back the Human Rights

Commissioner, which was a program that was eliminated by the former

government. We brought in Resilience B.C. to ensure that anti-racism

activity could be part and parcel of our multicultural outreach and

engagement.

We are a diverse and dynamic community, but it’s not enough to say

we are a community populated by citizens from around the world. We have

to also say we’re a community populated by citizens from around the

world and First Peoples, who are focused on the safety and well-being of

everyone.

Is the hate crime bar too high? Perhaps so. Again, those are

issues for engagement in this place and with the federal government.

Race-based data collection was something that’s been asked of us, and

we’ve delivered. We’ve done the first review of the Police Act in over

50 years to ensure that we can address a range of issues, particularly

how people of colour engage with law enforcement.

On challenges in the city of Vancouver, that’s a municipal police

force. I know that the member is aware of that. He represents a

community from Vancouver. We stand ready to work with municipal agencies

as well as others across the province to do what we can to build up

infrastructure and resources to ensure that public safety is the highest

priority.

Again, the data is compelling. The images are abhorrent. I’m not

disagreeing with the member, but I think that we also have to

collectively look at where we are, where we were and where we are going,

starting by doing away with a program that was designed at managing

prolific offenders. That’s the record of the former government, not the

record of this government.

K. Falcon: I can tell you that while I was in government, never did I see the

kind of stories we see on a repeated daily basis in almost every part of

this province that we’re seeing right now. That goes right to the heart

of the dissonance with this Premier and this government, their total

disconnect from what’s actually happening out in the real world

there.

Just today, even now, a woman, Melanie Nagy from Vancouver,

tweeted out: “I love my city, but yesterday I didn’t like it. While

walking, a total stranger spat in my face. It got in my hair and

possibly in my eye. It also got on my clothes. It was unprovoked and

random.”

Now, that’s not going to show up in any crime stats. I can tell

you that. Not everyone is reporting these incidents that are happening

to them every day, Premier. I’ve got news for you and the Attorney

General. This is happening every day.

Now, the more serious ones, like we saw yesterday with a machete

and knife attack on perfect strangers…. Yes, that makes the media. But

every single day there are people being assaulted, punched, stabbed,

attacked.

He stands there and tries to say that the numbers are actually

getting better. “Yeah, we’re doing a great job.” Pat yourself on the

back. I just find it so frustrating when there’s such a disconnect

between what people are really experiencing.

[11:50 a.m.]

Now, I’ll quote from the chief of police, Adam Palmer, in

Vancouver on April 28, 2022: “Nobody’s in charge of the grand picture,

particularly troubled neighbourhoods in our city, like the Downtown

Eastside, Gastown, Chinatown. Who’s bringing that all together? It’s too

disjointed.”

That is a cry for help. That’s where we need leadership, and we’re

not getting it. Frankly, I think it’s not because they don’t mean well,

because I think you do. I just don’t think you folks know how to get

things done, and it’s frustrating, because individuals are paying the

price.

My question to the Premier is…. Let’s put aside the stats.

Frankly, I could quote a whole bunch of them here that are directly in

opposition to what the Premier is saying in this House in terms of how

things are getting better. I can absolutely do that.

In fact, I may take a moment to do it just in another community.

Just in a small…. Surrey South, just in the first quarter of 2022. It’s

an identifiable period. It’s just in the last few months. What did we

see? A 40 percent increase in property crime. Bail violations in South

Surrey were up 45 percent. Criminal mischief, up 71 percent. Break and

enters, up 68 percent. Vehicle theft, up 52 percent. Thefts from

vehicles, up 41 percent. Criminal disturbances, up 41

percent.

Now, that is not going in the right direction. Folks in South

Surrey and in Vancouver and in Prince George and in Terrace and in

Prince Rupert and in communities right across this province know what’s

happening every day, and it is not getting better.

Again, to the Premier: will you direct the Attorney General to do

his job and not stand back and say, “We can’t do anything,” and actually

deal with this issue now?

[11:55 a.m.]

Hon. J. Horgan: The Leader of the Opposition is quite right. We have seen an

increase in mental health issues that are largely falling to public

safety officials to address. That’s the result of decades, going back

decades, of indifference to mental health challenges in

communities.

We are taking steps by establishing the first-ever Ministry of

Mental Health and Addictions to get into the right direction. We’re

building out complex care, working collaboratively with municipalities.

The initiative that the Attorney General started with mayors from urban

centres is the focus of that. That is leadership, in my

opinion.

We’re going further than that. The minister has appointed Doug

LePard and Dr. Amanda Butler to look at the repeat offenders issues.

Again, the standard of charges is unchanged. There has been no change.

Maybe we need to do something about that. That’s why we looked at the

Police Act. That’s why we’ve asked LePard and Butler to engage and give

ideas back to government.

With respect to community issues in Vancouver, we have been

working collaboratively with municipal officials to ensure that we’re

doing everything we can. As I said earlier, I did meet with Deputy Chief

Howard Chow just last week to go over the range of initiatives that are

underway at the municipal level and how we can weave those in with the

work that we’re doing at the provincial level.

Standing down homelessness camps. Those, again, were a residual

effect of the former government not building enough rental-purpose

housing, not building enough social housing. We’ve turned that around,

and I believe we’re making good progress. Have we got more to do? Of

course we do. Is this patting people on the back? No, it’s not. It’s

talking about challenges the government faced when we came to this side

of the House in 2017 and the steps we’ve been taking methodically,

thoughtfully, to address them.

The work on the Police Act, for example, is an opportunity to

assist public safety officials, to ensure that they have the tools they

need to address people who have mental health challenges. I don’t

believe that people who attack someone with a machete in broad daylight

are all there. They need more than just law enforcement. They need

assistance. They need help. They need medical intervention. We need to

marry those two together — public safety and the delivery of mental

health services. That’s exactly what we’re doing.

Noting the time, I move the committee rise, report progress and

ask leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:58 a.m.

The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair.

Committee of Supply (Section B), having reported progress, was

granted leave to sit again.

Committee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was

granted leave to sit again.

Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

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

The House adjourned at 11:59 a.m.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE

DOUGLAS FIR ROOM

Committee of Supply

ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF

PUBLIC SAFETY

AND SOLICITOR GENERAL

(continued)

The House in Committee of Supply (Section A); B. Bailey in the

chair.

The committee met at 11:34 a.m.

On Vote 41: ministry operations, $942,252,000

(continued) .

The Chair: Good morning, everyone. We’re meeting today to continue

consideration of the estimates of the Ministry of Public Safety and

Solicitor General.

[11:35 a.m.]

M. Morris: As a previous arrangement, we’ve got the Green Party that will

take the next 30 minutes of this process here.

A. Olsen: Thank you for the opportunity to ask a few questions

here.

I’ll just open with a question that the minister and I have been

engaging on by letter. I just wanted to make sure that we can get this

question on the record, with respect to ICBC rates. I know that people

can FOI the letters, and they can see the responses. The minister can….

I can see in his face that he knows this is coming.

Anyway, according to ICBC’s basic insurance information-sharing

reports, it appears that B.C.’s urban areas are treated differently than

rural areas. Since the first year of available data in 2001, the reports

reveal a large disparity between those areas in premiums paid when

compared to the cost of claims. The disparity amounts to hundreds of

dollars per vehicle that’s insured. In recent years, urban drivers have

actually had their insurance subsidized by the rest of B.C., while the

rest of B.C. has continued to overpay.

ICBC’s response has been that rate fairness is a priority, yet

they and the B.C. government have long been aware of the inequity that

exists. In fact, in this government’s directives during the 2018 ICBC

rate design process, inequality wasn’t just acknowledged; it was

intentionally extended for at least ten more years.

Some drivers, such as those in communities that I represent in the

southern Gulf Islands, are being doubly exploited, as they’ve been

overpaying and are now seeing annual increases in their territorial

rates because they’re connected to communities here in the greater

Victoria area.

When the government knew that customers in some parts of B.C. were

getting far less value from their vehicle insurance due to the ICBC rate

design, why didn’t they just fix it so that everyone everywhere in B.C.

receives fair value?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I thank the member for the question.

There are 14 rate territories in British Columbia. In determining

the factors that go into them, there’s a whole range of…. It’s the

vehicles, types of vehicles. It’s the rate of accidents. All of those

things go into determining what that rate structure is.

I know what the member has raised is in terms of the basic, but

what you also have to do is look at the overall total package. So it’s

the basic and the optional as well.

What you’ll find is that in Saltspring — I know that’s the area of

particular interest — they have amongst the lowest rates altogether

anywhere in the province. On top of that, the Utilities Commission

reviews the rates as they’re set. If the member wants, I can give him an

illustration of how that works for a typical vehicle that he might find

in his constituency — in particular, on Saltspring.

[11:40 a.m.]

S. Furstenau: I’m going to ask a few questions about ICBC and the changes that

were made to the no-fault model. Just as a starting place, in 2020, when

I asked the then minister about protections for cyclists, pedestrians,

non-motorized-vehicle users of the road…. I was assured at the time, in

estimates, that the no-fault insurance would indeed provide protection

and coverage to cyclists and to pedestrians.

I’m sure that the minister and the staff are very familiar with

the case of Ben Bolliger. It’s been in the news. His case really does

highlight some gaps that exist in the ICBC structure. He was on a

bicycle hit by a vehicle.

What’s interesting is that when he did an FOI of the materials

related to his case, because he was given a bill for repair damages to a

vehicle that had run a stop sign and hit him, the ICBC claims adjuster

ruled initially that the driver was 100 percent at fault, based on how

serious the injuries were. This was also corroborated by witnesses,

although it’s the understanding that there was only one witness

contacted.

Then this ruling of 100 percent fault of the driver was overruled

by a manager in November, saying that the injuries are substantial.

There’s no dashcam footage, and therefore, it was determined to be

50-50. I know that this has been resolved, but this points to some

procedural issues that I think the public needs to know are going to be

addressed. Despite the relatively clear finding in the case of Ben

Bolliger, that the driver was 100 percent at fault, it was overturned

because there was no dashcam video.

My first question is: is dashcam video evidence, or video evidence

generally, the standard of proof that’s required in the case of

accidents?

Hon. M. Farnworth: No, it’s not.

S. Furstenau: That’s good to know.

Other jurisdictions in Canada have switched the onus in the case

of a crash between a motor vehicle and an active transport user to be on

the motor vehicle to prove that they’re not at fault. I think this is

particularly important to vulnerable road users who, in the case of an

accident, are quite a bit more likely to be severely injured and,

therefore, unable to collect evidence, gather witnesses, etc.

Is B.C. considering a similar transition of onus to the driver of

a vehicle in the case of an accident between a vehicle and a vulnerable

road user or pedestrian or cyclist? Is B.C. considering a transition of

onus in order to better protect the vulnerable road users?

Hon. M. Farnworth: I’ll make the following response to the member’s question in this

way.

The initial accident took place. There was a decision made. It was

reviewed by the more senior manager, who made a different decision.

Further information came through, and the original decision was made.

There were procedures and policies in place that were in place and

followed and resulted in, ultimately, the right decision being

made.

[11:45 a.m.]

That being said, at the time, I said we needed to go out and

review what had happened, and came back and said to make clear that

here’s how the procedures will be going to ensure the right decision and

that this does not happen again.

It’s in specific cases where fault is not…. Where there is

insufficient evidence, it is not the fault on the cyclist or the

pedestrian. In those situations, it is the vehicle, but it is not a

blanket: “Every time there’s an accident….” If there’s a witness, for

example, or there’s evidence that says the fault was on the pedestrian,

for example, that would still be the case.

Let’s say I just walked out. I didn’t look; I just walked out into

the path of an oncoming car. I am at fault for doing that without

looking. But in the case of…. At that stop sign, and it’s the driver’s

fault, then obviously, they are the ones who are at fault. That’s why we

changed the policies, to make sure that there’s no ambiguity. They are

reviewed now by a group, a committee — not just by a single adjuster but

by more than one adjuster — to ensure that a full determination is

made.

S. Furstenau: Thanks to the minister for that. I’m glad to hear that the

minister has moved forward with making sure that there’s a review of

this.

Clearly, the case with Ben Bolliger really highlights some of the

concerns that were expressed, particularly by cyclist advocacy groups,

that with the movement to the no-fault insurance, there is this

additional and heightened risk for cyclists. Ben’s case is one that

shows that it took a lot to get to a resolution that, as the minister

says, was the right one. He notes, because of the FOI’d materials,

repeated attempts by ICBC to close the injury portion of his claim at a

time when he was still accessing physio twice a month. He had pretty

significant injuries to his hand and arm.

The efforts to close the claim were unsuccessful, as a manager

noted that Ben still required an X-ray and a CT scan, but it highlights

what seems to be a resistance to support a cyclist. That resistance to

support and care of injured, vulnerable road users, again, is something

that was really highlighted as a concern and what I had spent time on in

2020, in estimates with the former minister, to make sure that this

wasn’t going to be the outcome for cyclists and pedestrians in

B.C.

The ICBC website states: “Cyclists and pedestrians don’t need to

purchase ICBC insurance to be eligible to receive care and recovery

benefits if they are injured in a crash with a vehicle.” It also states

that non-drivers “have access to the same full range of care and

recovery benefits as drivers.”

Given that there is a pretty significant difference in

vulnerability between a person inside a vehicle getting into a crash

versus a person on foot or on a bicycle that doesn’t have the protection

of a vehicle and air bags around them, does the minister think that it’s

fair that cyclists and vulnerable road users get the same benefits as

drivers?

Hon. M. Farnworth: The benefits that a cyclist or a pedestrian would receive — I’m

not talking about a motorist — are not limited. They are for as long as

they need them. They are substantially better than under the old system,

so that they get the care. It’s not a question of wanting to shut

treatment down or anything like that at all. They continue to get the

care that they need for as long as they need that.

With that, I move that the committee rise, report progress and

seek leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:50 a.m.

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