1992 Legislative Session: 1st Session, 35th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
No. 1
OF THE
Tuesday, March 17, 1992
Two o'clock p.m.
This being the first day of the first meeting of the Thirty-fifth Parliament or Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a Proclamation of the Honourable David C. Lam, Lieutenant Governor of the Province, dated the 25th day of February 1992, the members took their seats, after having taken the prescribed oath and having signed the Parliamentary Roll.
The Honourable David C. Lam, Lieutenant Governor of the Province, having entered the House, took his seat on the Throne.
The Hon. C. Gabelmann, Attorney General, said:
Members of the Legislative Assembly :
I am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor to announce that he does not see fit to declare the cause of his summoning you at this time and will not do so until you have chosen a Speaker to preside over your Honourable Body. His Honour the Lieutenant Governor hopes to be enabled to declare, during the afternoon, his reason for calling you together.
His Honour was then pleased to retire.
The Hon. G. Clark, addressing himself to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, moved, seconded by Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Weisgerber, that Joan Sawicki, Member for Burnaby-Willingdon Electoral District, do take the Speaker's Chair and preside over the meetings of this Assembly, and it was so Resolved.
Ian M. Horne, Q.C.
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
And thereupon she sat down in the Chair, and the mace was laid upon the table.
Prayers by Reverend Heather Lindstedt.
The letter of the Deputy Attorney General and the certificate of the Chief Electoral Officer of the result of the election of members to represent the respective electoral districts of the Province in the Legislative Assembly at the general election were read by E. George MacMinn, Q.C. Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
"Office of the Deputy Attorney General
"Victoria, B.C., November 12, 1991
"Ian M. Horne, Q.C.
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly"Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4
"Re: General Election, October 17, 1991
"Dear Sir -- His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, by his Proclamation issued on the 19th day of September 1991, was pleased to dissolve the Legislative Assembly of the Province, and it was necessary to hold elections to fill vacancies caused by such dissolution.
"The elections were duly held pursuant to the provisions of the Election Act.
"I transmit herewith a certificate of the Chief Electoral Officer setting forth the names of members who have been elected in the electoral district indicated on the enclosed certificate.
"Yours truly
"E. Robert A. Edwards
"Deputy Attorney General"(Enclosure)
"Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
"Victoria, B.C., November 12, 1991"E. Robert A. Edwards, Q.C.
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly"Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4
"Re: Provincial General Election -- 1991
"Dear Sir -- The Thirty-fourth Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia was dissolved on September 19, 1991, and Writs of Election were issued on that date calling for a general election. The Writs were returnable on or before November 12, 1991.
"October 4, 1991, was designated as the day for the nomination of candidates and October 17, 1991, was designated as Polling Day.
"A request was made under section 122 (1) (c) of the Election Act for a recheck of ballots in the Abbotsford Electoral District. The recheck was performed in conjunction with the final count.
"I hereby certify that the following members have been elected to represent their respective electoral districts as set out hereunder:
Abbotsford Harry De Jong Alberni Gerard A. Janssen Bulkley Valley-Stikine Jackie Pement Burnaby-Edmonds Fred G. Randall Burnaby North Barry Jones Burnaby-Willingdon Joan Sawicki Cariboo North Frank Garden Cariboo South David Zirnhelt Chilliwack Robert Chisholm Columbia River-Revelstoke Jim Doyle Comox Valley Margaret Lord Coquitlam-Maillardville John M. Cashore Cowichan-Ladysmith Jan Pullinger Delta North Norm Lortie Delta South Fred Gingell Esquimalt-Metchosin Moe Sihota Fort Langley-Aldergrove Gary Farrell-Collins Kamloops Arthur L. Charbonneau Kamloops-North Thompson Frederick H. Jackson Kootenay Anne Edwards Langley Lynn Stephens Malahat-Juan de Fuca Rick F. G. Kasper Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Bill Hartley Matsqui Peter A. Dueck Mission-Kent Dennis Streifel Nanaimo Dale Lovick Nelson-Creston Corky Evans New Westminster Anita Hagen North Coast A. Dan Miller North Island Colin S. Gabelmann North Vancouver-Lonsdale David D. Schreck North Vancouver-Seymour Daniel Jarvis Oak Bay-Gordon Head Elizabeth Cull Okanagan-Boundary N. L. (Bill) Barlee Okanagan East Judi K. Tyabji Okanagan-Penticton Jim Beattie Okanagan-Vernon Lyall Hanson Okanagan West Clifford J. Serwa Parksville-Qualicum Leonard Krog Peace River North Richard Neufeld Peace River South Jack S. Weisgerber Port Coquitlam Michael C. Farnworth Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain Barbara E. Copping Powell River-Sunshine Coast Gordon F. Wilson Prince George-Mount Robson Lois R. Boone Prince George North Paul Ramsey Prince George-Omineca Len Fox Richmond Centre Douglas Symons Richmond East Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston Allan Warnke Rossland-Trail Ed Conroy Saanich North and the Islands Clive Tanner Saanich South Andrew Petter Shuswap Shannon O'Neill Skeena Helmut Giesbrecht Surrey-Cloverdale Ken Jones Surrey-Green Timbers Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton Penny Priddy Surrey-Whalley Joan K. Smallwood Surrey-White Rock Wilf Hurd Vancouver-Burrard Emery O. Barnes Vancouver-Fraserview Bernie Simpson Vancouver-Hastings Joy K. MacPhail Vancouver-Kensington Ujjal Dosanjh Vancouver-Kingsway Glen Clark Vancouver-Langara Val J. Anderson Vancouver-Little Mountain Tom Perry Vancouver-Mount Pleasant Mike Harcourt Vancouver-Point Grey Darlene R. Marzari Vancouver-Quilchena Art Cowie Victoria-Beacon Hill Gretchen Brewin Victoria-Hillside Robin Blencoe West Vancouver-Capilano Jeremy Dalton West Vancouver-Garibaldi David J. Mitchell Yale-Lillooet Harry S. Lali "Yours very truly
"Robert A. Patterson
"Chief Electoral Officer"
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor again entered the House and took his seat on the Throne. The Speaker, standing on His Honour's right, then spoke to the following effect:
May it please Your Honour:
The House of Assembly has elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfill the important duties thus assigned to me. If, in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault be imputed to me, and not to the Assembly, whose servant I am, and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to the Queen and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have the freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour's person at all seasonable times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favourable interpretation.
The Hon. C. Gabelmann then said:
Madam Speaker:
I am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Assembly to Her Majesty's person and Government, and not doubting that their respective proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, he grants, and upon all occasions will recognize and allow, their constitutional privileges. I am commanded also to assure you that the Assembly shall have ready access to His Honour the Lieutenant Governor upon all seasonable occasions, and that their proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to open the Session by the following gracious Speech:
Madame Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen:
I extend greetings on behalf of our Sovereign, Her Majesty the Queen, on the opening of this First Session of the Thirty-fifth Parliament of British Columbia.
I invite all of you to join me in wishing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second well as we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of her accession to the Throne.
Last October the people of British Columbia exercised their democratic right in electing a new Government and Official Opposition. I would like to congratulate all members of the new Assembly, and to welcome those forty- eight sitting as Members of the Legislature for the first time. I trust that each of you stands ready to serve and act in the best interests of the people of our Province.
Since last meeting, we have been saddened by the passing of two former Members of this Legislature, Grace MacInnis and William Murray. Grace MacInnis, whose remarkable career included her election as the first woman Member of Parliament from British Columbia, represented Vancouver-Burrard in this House from 1941 to 1945, and Vancouver Kingsway in the House of Commons from 1965 to 1974. She was also a Member of the Order of British Columbia. William Murray was first elected to represent Prince Rupert in 1956 and proudly served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1964 to 1972.
Our Province has entertained numerous distinguished guests over the past year. Just recently we were honoured by a visit from His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Among the other dignitaries visiting our province were President Roh, of the Republic of Korea; Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; and President G”ncz, of the Republic of Hungary. The government was also pleased to receive many diplomatic representatives accredited to Canada.
It was my great pleasure to participate in the second investiture of the Order of British Columbia, which took place at Government House last June. Seventeen outstanding British Columbians were recognized for their efforts and contributions toward the betterment of our Province.
Madame Speaker and Honourable Members, when this government sought its mandate from the people of British Columbia, it promised no miracles. It committed that it would do no more than British Columbians could afford and would manage our province's finances openly and responsibly.
In the coming weeks, this Assembly will be asked to consider the government's revenue and expenditure intentions. The many difficult choices that will face all Members reflect the reality lived daily by all British Columbians.
We will all be asked to carry our fair share of the work as we confront the challenges of our fiscal situation, and build on our strengths as a people and the opportunities of our strong trading economy.
This government has now begun within the financial limitations imposed upon it to take action on the priorities it laid before British Columbians five months ago.
Ensuring Open Government
When the Cabinet was sworn in last November, I reminded its Members they must begin by restoring the confidence of the people of British Columbia in their government. Steps have already been taken to earn that trust. There will be new initiatives during this session to ensure that government is open and honest.
For the first time in British Columbia, public access to many previously restricted government documents will be clearly defined through a new Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. This legislation will ensure new openness and greater accountability by government to the people of British Columbia, while protecting individual privacy. We will devote significant government resources to making it work, starting with the better management of government records.
In keeping with this commitment to openness, this government began its mandate by providing the Opposition and the media with briefings on the state of our Province's finances, and by promptly releasing the Public Accounts for the previous fiscal year rather than waiting for the spring legislative sitting.
As a further step toward honest accounting, this government commissioned a comprehensive and independent financial review so that all taxpayers would have a clear and factual picture of their government's bank account. The findings of this review were recently shared with the people of British Columbia.
In addition to underlining the need to be open and responsible about our Province's finances, this independent review confirmed the existence of over 12,000 men and women not included in the official government employee count. We have appointed a commission of inquiry to propose steps for treating these employees fairly while ensuring taxpayers get value for their money.
The people of British Columbia rightfully expect the highest standard of ethics from the Cabinet and all Members of the Legislative Assembly. This government will introduce amendments during this session to strengthen the Members' Conflict of Interest Act, as a first step toward establishing the toughest and fairest law of its kind in Canada.
We will also establish an independent mechanism for reviewing salaries, benefits, pensions and severance for MLAs. I am confident that Members of this House will be pleased to devolve this responsibility at a time when so many people are being asked to limit their own expectations.
Open government also demands that people be included in decision- making, especially when it affects their economic well-being. Since the start of the year, the new Commission on Resources and Environment has been given the important task of building a comprehensive land use strategy for our province through an open planning process. Public discussion is also underway on provincial strategies for economic development, including the coal industry and labour relations.
We will also take positive steps to more effectively include all Members of the Legislature in decision-making. We will seek to expand the roles of Committees of this House in areas such as the consideration of legislation, the government's spending estimates, and the recall and initiative measures mandated in the October 17th referendum vote.
There is no better example of a non-partisan, consultative approach than the work already undertaken by this new Legislative Assembly through the establishment in January of an all-party Committee on the Constitution. Of the many important tasks before us, few can be more critical than to make our contribution to a strong, united Canada by giving the people of British Columbia a voice in the future of our country.
The principle of open government will also apply to the office and role of the Premier. The Premier will take further action to ensure that the people of British Columbia have access to their leadership and opportunities to express their concerns directly.
In keeping with this approach, business, labour, and other concerned groups will be invited to participate during mid-June in the Premier's Summit on Trade and Economic Opportunity. Those who attend this working session will take part in open discussion and frank sharing of views, including those of this government, on ways British Columbia can realize its full potential in the world economy.
This government also recognizes the need for greater public scrutiny, and recourse for individuals, when they believe their government has let them down. Even the best efforts toward openness and equity can prove imperfect. In that regard, I am sure all Members of the House join me in commending Stephen Owen for the respect and trust his office and staff have earned over the past five years. It is now time to expand the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. This government will broaden that mandate, to ensure the public has recourse from unfair arbitrary action by municipalities, regional districts, school boards, universities and hospitals.
Putting People First
This government has made its priorities clear. We will carry out our commitment to economic prosperity and diversity as the best way to help pay for British Columbia's quality social, health and educational programs.
While we start from a position of confidence in the immense potential of our province, we also acknowledge the challenge posed by the deficit inherited by this government. As reported by the independent financial review, the provincial deficit for 1991/92 is expected to reach two-and- one-half billion dollars. If spending and revenue patterns are not changed, the deficit is likely to increase by an additional three hundred million dollars in the coming fiscal year.
The federal government's monetary policy, together with the offloading of its deficit onto the provinces, has also cost British Columbia dearly, resulting in 15,000 lost jobs and adding to our own deficit. At the First Ministers' Conference last month, the Premier made it clear that British Columbia is strongly critical of these policies.
The Premier also emphasized that we intend to take the lead in Canada, not only by good fiscal management at home but also by taking action to position our province in the long term for a strong economic future in global trade markets. The Premier has travelled to the Pacific Rim, New York and Europe to deliver that message to the international investment and trading community. The Premier has also taken responsibility for leading the First Ministers' future discussions on international trade. He will also stress these priorities when British Columbia hosts the meeting of Western Canada's Premiers in May.
This government will work to ensure the widest possible participation in the growth of British Columbia by people in all economic sectors and regions of the province.
We have helped establish the Working Opportunity Fund to encourage investment of employee funds in B.C.-owned businesses throughout our province. Following on this initiative, we will enter into a new venture capital partnership to encourage targeted investments that will diversify local economies.
This government has shown faith in our agriculture sector and the Okanagan region by making a major investment in the future of the tree fruit industry that includes replanting of new varieties, biological pest control, and market research and development.
We have taken a strong position both nationally and internationally in support of supply management, in recognition of its vital importance to the viability of agriculture in our Province.
This government will help protect the interests of British Columbians who make their living from the West Coast fishery by increasing our involvement in the management of that resource.
We also believe government can make a strong contribution to economic opportunity in the course of doing the people's business.
We have negotiated a pilot project with the federal government to establish a new Canada-British Columbia procurement agreement which gives British Columbia a fair share of federal procurement.
The Purchasing Commission will escalate efforts to ensure British Columbia suppliers, particularly smaller ones, compete successfully for a greater portion of the goods and services purchased by government, and give priority to those goods and services that help meet environmental objectives.
Included in the mandate of the Cabinet Committee on Crown Corporations, established in December, is recognition that Crown Corporations can generate greater wealth and economic development for our provincial economy.
This government will create jobs in local and regional economies while making new capital investments in schools and health care. This will begin to move children out of school portables and bring health care closer to home.
We are concerned that every job loss is a family tragedy. This government will work to address the problems of resource communities, and those facing major adjustments to their local economies. We will reinforce the role of the Job Protection Commissioner, who has been working diligently with businesses and other stakeholders in restructuring rather than simply closing operations. Some 2,300 jobs have been maintained in this way during the course of operations.
This government will work to achieve balanced, sustainable growth for all of British Columbia's communities. We will place special emphasis on the role of small businesses as generators of employment and diversity in our economy.
The Business Information Centre Program will continue to ensure local access to important information on starting a business, on marketing goods and services, on government programs and regulations, and on expansion strategy for existing small business.
British Columbia will continue to press the federal government to finance the operating costs of the TRIUMF-KAON Project, a national science facility in British Columbia, toward which the Province has offered to contribute one-third of the capital costs.
This government will prepare a new Ministry of Tourism Act following consultation with the tourism industry, communities and regions on how best to maximize the social and economic benefits of tourism throughout our Province.
The continued success of our tourism industry depends on a high level of professionalism and service. The Ministry of Tourism will release a "Blueprint for Action on Education and Training" in recognition of the need to encourage worker training within the industry.
As part of the commitment to skills development, we will seek the cooperation of labour and business in advising on labour market and labour force adjustment programs.
Together with these initiatives, we will ensure that our Province protects and maintains its most important investment: its people. This government believes that a sound economy is inseparable from social equity.
We have already raised the minimum wage and provided better resources to immigrant settlement organizations which meet the special needs of new Canadians settling in British Columbia.
This government regards it as a duty and priority to maintain the social safety net, especially where it involves children and families. The federal government's failure to shoulder its responsibility in this area will require increased expenditures as more families and children seek Guaranteed Available Income for Need support.
We will make changes required to improve GAIN programs in light of continued Canada Assistance Plan restrictions and arbitrary changes by the federal government to unemployment insurance. Regulations will be amended to reduce financial disincentives for income recipients to participate in the workforce. We will also be a partner in a federal government project to help single parents make the transition from GAIN to employment.
A community panel, appointed last November to carry out a comprehensive public review of family and child services, will report to the Minister of Social Services in the fall of 1992 in preparation for the tabling of new legislation in the spring of 1993. The members of this panel represent diverse backgrounds, including social services professionals, visible minorities and people with disabilities. A similar process is being pursued in cooperation with the Aboriginal community.
In the coming year, this government will increase the resources devoted to family support services. In addition, we will propose legislative amendments to provide additional options for families, social workers and the court system in child protection matters.
In recognition of the difficult transition faced by older children under permanent guardianship, we will also introduce amendments to allow young people to receive care and support for up to twenty-four months after their eighteenth birthday, if they are enrolled in an educational or training program.
This government will help relieve the shortage of affordable housing by requiring local governments to ensure affordable, rental and special needs housing are provided for in their official community plans. We will improve the government's ability to respond to and resolve tenancy disputes, while initiating a campaign to better inform landlords and tenants of their rights and obligations.
Legal aid expenditures have more than doubled since last year, yet some clients still have difficulty finding a lawyer to take their case. We are determined to improve legal aid services at lower cost.
Putting people first also demands that we take positive steps towards achieving women's equality, while dealing forthrightly with the consequences of gender inequality.
This government is proud that seven of its portfolios are held by women, the highest representation in British Columbia's history. But we are far from satisfied. We will take every opportunity, as membership of each government board is changed, to improve the balance of gender representation in these public bodies.
Since the government assumed office, the Minister of Women's Equality has provided community groups with more than $500,000 for support programs for victims of abuse and assault, public awareness, health care, and pre- employment training.
The Limitation Act will be amended to exempt cases of abuse from the normal two-year limit for reporting personal injury, in recognition of the long-term traumatic effect of these crimes which often prevents plaintiffs from taking action in the required time-frame.
This government has also provided stabilization funding for 28 community women's centres across the province, and will commit over one million dollars to support their operations in the coming fiscal year.
This government respects a woman's right to make her own choice, and will take positive steps to improve access to abortion services in British Columbia.
We will ask all parties in this Assembly to help end the discriminatory wage gap between men and women in the workplace by considering legislation that sets a framework for pay equity in the public sector.
We will work to improve child care programs, particularly for low income parents. Our Province must move ahead in this area despite the federal government's abrogation of an eight-year-old promise of a national child care program.
To reinforce these measures, legislation will be introduced to establish Canada's first stand-alone Ministry of Women's Equality.
Providing Government That is Fair and Balanced
This government will work to give the people of British Columbia fair and balanced government. During this session we will take action to restore equity in labour relations, taxation, human rights, and the government's relations with Aboriginal people.
In February, this government began work on a process to establish an industrial policy institute. This institute will provide a common base of information to enable labour, business and government to reach consensus on those strategies which will maximize economic opportunities for the people of British Columbia.
A review of the Industrial Relations Act is being carried out, with the goal of establishing fair labour laws this Session, to balance the interests of business and the rights of working people.
We will restore the right of free collective bargaining in the public sector by repealing the Compensation Fairness Act, and will review the Employment Standards Act to ensure working men and women are treated fairly in all areas of the workforce.
We will implement a fair wage policy for all public sector capital construction, which includes a requirement for a certificate of apprenticeship or qualification, and a proper ratio of apprentices to supervising tradespersons. This policy will place all contractors on an equal footing to compete on management ability and expertise, and promote stability and quality in the construction industry.
British Columbia's tax system must also be made fair. This government has inherited a fiscal problem of major dimensions, which must be dealt with through a balance of reduced growth in spending and higher revenues. Action to address our fiscal imbalance must result in a fair distribution of the tax burden.
We will amend the Municipal Act and Assessment Act to stabilize property taxation through periods of rapidly changing real estate values.
This government is also firm in its determination to ensure fair treatment of all residents of our province in a way that reflects the diversity of our society and respect for human rights.
We recognize Aboriginal title and the inherent rights of Aboriginal people to self-government. An agreement to establish a new Treaty Commission has been negotiated, and we are pleased it has received the approval of this government and the First Nations Summit Chiefs.
This government is committed to negotiation to settle issues with Aboriginal people. We are working to support initiatives to encourage self- sufficiency in Aboriginal communities while developing joint stewardship arrangements with First Nations to provide for cooperation on the management of resources prior to treaty negotiations. The third party consultation process is being strengthened to ensure all interests are heard and considered.
This government will introduce proposed new heritage conservation legislation designed to protect and enhance British Columbia's unique culture and heritage. We are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal peoples participate fully in the development of this legislation.
We will introduce legislative changes to expand the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of age and, for the first time, on the basis of family status and sexual orientation. Other amendments will enable class action complaints to deal with systemic discrimination issues, and remove the limit on general damages payable to those whose human rights have been violated.
We will work to improve employment equity in the public sector, focusing on better opportunities for women, aboriginal people, visible minorities and the disabled.
Building Our Children's Future
This government's vision for the future extends well beyond its term of office. The agenda includes new measures for ensuring a healthy and secure future for our children.
Schools and communities will be encouraged to participate fully in the development and implementation of the Year 2000 initiative, to ensure that all young people in British Columbia achieve personal excellence and are equipped to meet the challenges of the next century.
We have already made changes to education funding for the 1992/93 school year. These improvements include funding adjustments for inflation and increased enrolment, and additional funding for new computers and for school districts experiencing rapid growth.
We have also provided ongoing funding for the continuation of school meal programs to ensure a healthy learning environment for our children. These programs will be carried out in consultation with parents, school staff, and local communities.
This government will take action to reduce financial barriers to post- secondary education while reviewing other access questions and reporting back to this Assembly on ways to improve student financial assistance.
This Session will see the sod-turning for the beginning of construction of the University of Northern British Columbia. We will also recognize the achievement of two full years of academic study, and improve program transferability, by introducing legislation that allows universities and colleges to award Associate Degrees in either Arts or Sciences.
This government will also use every opportunity to encourage educational programs and community initiatives which promote better health, and health awareness, among people of all ages.
A pilot AIDS education research program, introduced in November, is testing the effectiveness of advanced learning technology in helping young people deal maturely with this disease and the associated risks.
Fifty-five communities across the province are undertaking local preventive health projects with the assistance of the Healthy Community Initiative Fund, and the British Columbia Health Research Foundation is supporting community health promotion projects for women and children.
The findings of the Royal Commission on Health Care and Costs represent an opportunity for all British Columbians to focus on health care reforms to preserve and enhance what we enjoy today. This government will prepare its response to the Commission's report by fall 1992, after ensuring that the public have every opportunity to make their views heard.
It will not only be incumbent upon this government, but on British Columbia's health care professions and institutions to show greater accountability and more efficient management in the delivery of health care services.
We will introduce a new Medical and Health Care Services Act to improve management of the health care system. This legislation will place particular emphasis on access to care, spending smarter, and greater flexibility in options for laboratory services.
This government will invest our health care dollars more wisely, to minimize the long-term social and economic costs of health problems. We will therefore place increased emphasis on preventive programs, and devote more resources to community care, mental health services, home care and immunization.
This government will save taxpayer dollars, while increasing air ambulance capacity, by rationalizing the operations of Government Air Services. The fleet will be downsized, and a third full-time aircraft assigned to the life-saving task of emergency evacuation. Better management and cross-government coordination will enhance the Service's emergency response capability and gain value for money through improved aircraft utilization.
Long surgery and treatment waiting lists are unacceptable. We will undertake an independent audit of waiting lists to investigate the causes of delays and recommend action to reduce waiting times.
We will also respond to overcrowding in emergency wards through a special management review team, to assist hospitals in delivering the best possible level of patient care within their budgets.
In this session, we will introduce legislation to provide better protection for public health by increasing the inspection powers of health officials, establishing in law a Health Surveillance Registry, and allowing the delegation of inspection and other powers to municipalities.
Consistent with the Seaton report, new legislative amendments will make tobacco products less accessible and less attractive to children and youth.
Our children's future and our economic well-being depend on a healthy and sustainable environment. That is the central message of the Globe ^92 environmental conference and trade fair being hosted by British Columbia in Vancouver this week. We will vigorously pursue additional efforts to ensure British Columbia continues to host this important series of international biennial events, and to advance our province's leadership in the development of environmental technologies.
Children in schools across the province are learning to be responsible stewards of the environment through the Eco Education Program, launched in November. This program will operate in the context of a comprehensive environmental education strategy being developed by the ministries of Education and Environment, Lands and Parks.
A process of public consultation toward the complete reform and renewal of the Province's environmental legislation will be carried out over the coming months, leading to the introduction, in future sittings of the House, of new legislation for wildlife, fisheries and their habitat; water management; and environmental protection. During this session, a new Environmental Assessment Act will be introduced, to ensure that decisions on resource development projects are reviewed under provincial law.
This government has already demonstrated its commitment to the control of industrial pollution, by introducing the toughest regulation in Canada for discharges of chlorinated compounds from pulp mills. In this session we will introduce legislation to strengthen the standards for regulation and clean-up of contaminated sites, through application of the polluter-pay principle.
We will amend the Waste Management Act to encourage waste reduction, re-use and recycling. We will use procurement policies to stimulate markets for recycled products. We will also introduce measures to strengthen the ability of the Greater Vancouver Regional District to administer and enforce its delegated responsibilities for air management in the Lower Mainland.
Steps will be taken toward rescinding the privatization of environmental laboratory services which provide quality control for monitored data from waste discharge sources.
We will continue to support environmental industries and improved waste management by introducing a comprehensive beverage container strategy, by encouraging municipal waste reduction and recycling programs, and by promoting private recycling initiatives for tires, batteries, used oils and plastics.
Public consultation on a comprehensive clean air strategy for British Columbia will begin with the release of a discussion paper which addresses regional, national and global issues in this area.
This government has established a new Commission on Resources and Environment to help move beyond valley-by-valley conflicts throughout British Columbia. We are taking a new approach to land use planning and decision making, a new direction aimed at protecting our environmental heritage and bringing stability to communities that depend on our forests.
The integrity and openness brought to this process by the Commissioner will help us better develop a comprehensive land use strategy for our province. To establish the best possible climate for the new Commission to begin its work, this government has taken difficult decisions in a number of areas of the province. Timber harvesting will be shifted in some areas, in order to retain land use options while also maintaining forest jobs.
Our forests continue to be crucial to the jobs and livelihood of people throughout our Province. This government recognizes British Columbia must do a better job than it has in the past to ensure that forestry practices are economically and ecologically sustainable, and that we receive the fullest possible value from the use of this resource.
Recent reductions in allowable cuts, public consultation on a new forests practices code and old growth forests, and last month's forest industry trade mission to develop markets in the Pacific Rim, will promote better stewardship and obtain greater benefits for this generation and those that come after us.
Legislation will be introduced in this Session to reduce the risk of revenue loss by improving controls over the marking, scaling, and movement of logs. Other amendments to the Forests Act will strengthen the enforcement of reforestation obligations, and ensure more consistent and fair determination of allowable cuts and administration of major tenures. The efficiency of the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program will be improved.
This government will work with other Canadian provinces to reverse the recent United States decision to impose a countervailing duty on B.C. softwood lumber exports to the U.S. This interim tariff threatens our wood processing industries and the livelihood of the people who work in them. This American tariff is unfair and cannot be justified.
The people of British Columbia will be asked for their views on our Province's energy future. A British Columbia Energy Council will be established to advise government on the development of a comprehensive, long-term energy plan for the province. One of the first tasks of the Council will be to examine the issue of power exports.
Our children's future depends on the wise stewardship of all the resources they will inherit. The moratorium on bulk exports of our Province's fresh water was extended in December to allow sufficient time for public input on proposed policies. Action has also been taken to renew our commitment to preserving British Columbia's farmland. While recognizing the economic and recreational importance of golf courses to residents and visitors to our Province, we must maintain an adequate level of fertile land to produce food for present and future generations.
Madame Speaker and Honourable Members:
This government now seeks the help of all British Columbians and the Members of this Assembly to carry out these priorities of a fair, open and balanced government, a strengthened economy and social safety net for the people of our Province, and a healthy and secure future for our children.
I leave you now to the business of this Session, with full confidence that you will favourably discharge your duties and responsibilities.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.
The Speaker reported that, in order to prevent mistakes, she had obtained a copy of His Honour's Speech.
On the motion of the Hon. C. Gabelmann, Bill (No. 1) intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
The Hon. M. F. Harcourt (Premier) moved that the Select Standing Committees of this House, for the present Session, be appointed for the following purposes:
1. Aboriginal Affairs;
2. Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations;
3. Education, Culture and Multiculturalism;
4. Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology;
5. Environment and Tourism;
6. Finance, Crown Corporations and Government Services;
7. Health and Social Services;
8. Agriculture and Fisheries;
9. Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;
10. Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing;
11. Women's Equality;
12. Public Accounts;
13. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; and that Standing Order 68 (1) is hereby amended to so reflect, which said Committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records, and that a Special Committee be appointed to prepare and report with all convenient speed lists of members to compose the above Select Standing Committees of this House under Standing Order 68 (1), the Committee to be composed of the Hon. G. Clark (Convener), the Hon. P. Priddy, the Hon. M. Sihota, Mr. Janssen, Mmes. MacPhail and Pullinger, Messrs. Schreck, K. Jones, Farrell-Collins, Mitchell and Hanson.
(a) the social and economic interests and aspirations of British Columbians and other Canadians within the federation; and
(b) the form of federation that can most effectively meet the social and economic aspirations of British Columbians and all Canadians; and to report from time to time its observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records.
The said Committee may review and report on proposals for constitutional change brought forward within British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada.
The said Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered:
(a) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;
(b) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;
(c) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;
(d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee; and
(e) to release any reports during a period when the Legislative Assembly is adjourned or prorogued by depositing a copy with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and, upon the resumption of the sittings of the House, a Co-chairperson of the Committee shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly; the said Committee to be composed of the Hon. M. Sihota, Ms. Brewin, Messrs. Dosanjh, Doyle and Giesbrecht, Ms. Hammell, Mr. Lovick (Co-chair), Mmes. MacPhail (Co-chair) and O'Neill, Messrs. Farrell-Collins (Deputy Co-chair), Mitchell, Neufeld and Serwa, Ms. Stephens and Mr. Warnke.
(a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;
(b) to sit
(i) during any period in which the House is adjourned and during any sitting of the House, and
(ii) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and shall report to the House on the matter referred to it during this Session, or following any adjournment of the House, or at the next following Session, as the case may be.
The said Special Committee to be composed of Ms. Pullinger (Convener), Messrs. Farnworth and Lovick, Mmes. O'Neill and Pement, Messrs. Ramsay, Streifel, Cowie, Hanson, Mitchell and Symons.
The Hon. G. Clark advised that, pursuant to Standing Order 2 (2), the House will sit on Wednesday.
And then the House adjourned at 3.52 p.m.
JOAN SAWICKI, Speaker
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Thursday Next
Mr. Mitchell to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to Elect the Speaker by Closed Ballot.
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