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 Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
1998 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 36th Parliament

Speech from the Throne

The Honourable Garde B. Gardom
Lieutenant Governor
at the Opening of the
Third Session, Thirty-Sixth Parliament
of the
Province of British Columbia

March 26, 1998

 

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the Legislature

I am most pleased to welcome you to the opening of the Third Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament of British Columbia.

In the time since you last convened, our province has been saddened by the passing of former members of this assembly.

Ken Kiernan represented the constituency of Chilliwack through seven successive mandates beginning in 1952, and made a lasting contribution in a number of Cabinet responsibilities.

Margaret Frances Hobbs served as MLA for Revelstoke during 1962 and 1963.

Donald Smith served in local government and as MLA for Victoria City from 1956 to 1966.

And Anthony John Gargrave represented the constituency of Mackenzie from 1952 to 1966.

We lost others as well who enriched the life of our province.

British Columbians such as Nathan Nemetz, former Chief Justice of the B.C. Supreme Court and a long-time fighter for human rights. Doug Kerley, who worked tirelessly as B.C.'s Job Protection Commissioner to save the threatened jobs of thousands of working people. The remarkable Bill Reid, who enriched all humanity through the gift of his art.

And Dorothy Lam, loving wife of my predecessor, and a friend to many in this House, who served this province with dignity, grace and a quiet charm during her six years as Government House chatelaine.

British Columbians will long remember these men and women, and, of course, many other absent friends who added so much to our province.

We also take great pride in the internationally recognized achievements in the past year of other British Columbians.

Atom Egoyan, of Victoria, who confirmed his reputation as one of the world's great young film directors, winning the Grand Prix prize at the Cannes Film Festival and receiving two Academy Award nominations.

Sarah McLachlan, of Vancouver, who conceived the acclaimed Lilith Fair music festivals which fostered a sense of community and support among women across North America.

We have all been inspired by the athletic achievements of our 20 B.C. Olympians and three B.C. Paralympians, who represented our province and our country with distinction at the recent Nagano Games.

We especially salute B.C.'s individual champion, Ross Rebagliati of Whistler, winner of the Olympic Games' first-ever snowboarding gold medal.

Our province has entertained numerous distinguished guests during the past year.

Last November, we hosted 5,000 representatives of governments and businesses from the countries of the Asia Pacific. The APEC conference underlined British Columbia's pivotal role as Canada's gateway to the Pacific Rim.

Today we also welcome and offer our continuing best wishes to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who honour us with their visit to our province.

This past year saw the protection of the Northern Rockies wilderness. A historic land-use decision, it will ensure sustainable development and the protection of globally significant wildlife populations in an area larger than Nova Scotia.

It is a fitting gift from our province to the world as we approach the new millennium.

In recognition of the countdown to the year 2000, my government is encouraging British Columbians to carry out legacy projects that build and strengthen our communities and help to enrich the province's future. To that end, a minister responsible for planning B.C.'s millennium celebrations has been named, and our province's portion of the Trans Canada Trail designated as British Columbia's first millennium project.

Honourable Members, this year our province is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of our Parliament buildings and the first sitting of the Legislature within these walls.

Democracy and our province have grown and flourished together over the past century. We are now home to nearly four million people, and are known worldwide for our rich natural resources, environmental heritage, quality of life and respect for our multicultural diversity.

Our people share a vision of a province that is building, growing and creating opportunities for all British Columbians; a province that in the 21st century enjoys an economy as vibrant as its people; where everyone has the chance to succeed, where no one is left behind; and where our young people can look to a future second to none.

My government has made some progress in the last year toward achieving these goals.

We supported small business by continuing the income tax cut and the income tax holiday for eligible small businesses, reducing costs by $29 million last year.

Income taxes have been cut for B.C. families two years in a row. ICBC premiums, BC Hydro rates and tuition fees remained frozen. Lower- and modest-income families received the monthly BC Family Bonus cheque to help with the costs of raising their children.

These tax cuts and rate freezes saved the average B.C. family up to $700 last year.

Meanwhile, the education budget went up. Ten thousand new spaces opened in colleges and universities in the last two years alone.

The health care budget is up substantially. In fact, since 1991 British Columbia has increased health care funding by $1.8 billion, a record unmatched by any other province.

As these investments have been made, the province's deficit has been reduced from $2 billion in 1992 to $185 million this year.

Yet to continue moving forward as a province, we must overcome new challenges.

In common with governments across Canada, we must deal with the dramatic transformation of the world economy, the rapid growth of new technologies, and social changes that affect every community.

And we face challenges that have a unique impact on British Columbia.

The current downturn in the economies of our Asian trading partners — where our province exports more than one-third of our products — has clear consequences for our economy and for the government revenues that fund education and health care. Likewise, our forest sector is going through tough times.

The task we face is to take our economy into the 21st century — renewing it where we can, and changing it where we must, in the interest of all British Columbians.

These challenges call for a renewed commitment on the part of government to listen to British Columbians — and to respond to their priorities — if we are to keep B.C. the best place in the world in which to live.

British Columbians have made it clear they want government to focus on building the economy.

They want government and the province's economic leaders to work together to encourage investment, ensure decent-paying jobs, and create opportunities for all British Columbians.

They want more support for education and training, to equip young British Columbians and working people with the skills to prosper in our changing economy.

And they want government to continue building on the strengths that make our economy and society successful: universal public health care, a quality public education system, and high environmental standards.

My government is determined to respond to these challenges by taking the necessary steps to build a strong and competitive economy. This requires a positive climate for business investment.

 

Jobs and Investment

Most urgently, my government is committed to strengthening our province's position in the global economy in ways that benefit all British Columbians. Only a strong investment climate will ensure new employment opportunities, economic security for communities, and a confident future for our children.

To that end, my government has been working with business, labour and community leaders to identify the measures needed to make British Columbia more competitive and bring new investment and jobs to our province and people.

In the coming weeks, my government will announce new initiatives and supporting legislation to promote economic growth. These measures will include tax reductions for industry, small business and individual British Columbians to stimulate the economy.

 
Major New Investments

Above all, to generate new economic activity we must actively market our province's strengths: our rich resource base, modern infrastructure, skilled workforce, strategic location, environmental heritage, and high quality of life.

My government will aggressively promote all these advantages by building on recent trade missions and discussions with potential investors in Latin America, the Asia Pacific, India and the United States.

Under the Power for Jobs plan, my government will work to ensure that low-cost hydroelectric power is used to provide strong incentives for energy-intensive industries to invest in British Columbia.

In the aluminum industry, feasibility studies are already underway for new investments with the potential to produce thousands of new jobs as B.C.'s production capacity expands

My government will also support major new investments that will bring new jobs and investment to the Lower Mainland, including new and expanded trade and convention facilities in Vancouver and a potential major new leisure entertainment centre that would be home to the Pacific National Exhibition.

Each of these projects promises more than half a billion dollars in economic benefits as well as significant numbers of new jobs.

 
Forestry

In the forest sector, major steps have been taken to restore our province's competitive advantage, create new jobs, and renew our forest resource. But we can and must do more.

In consultation with industry, government is finalizing a reduction in stumpage charges that will provide cost relief to producers throughout B.C. My government is proceeding with discussions with the partners to the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement to ensure this reduction respects that agreement.

Under the Jobs and Timber Accord, my government continues to direct talks between the primary and value-added sectors to substantially increase the wood supply to B.C.'s secondary wood manufacturers. This represents a 70 per cent increase in the supply of wood to B.C.'s secondary wood manufacturing industry — a key step towards thousands of new jobs in the sector.

Moreover the Ministry of Forests will make every effort to ensure that value-added manufacturers receive all available timber through the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program.

Underlining the Jobs and Timber Accord's commitment to community economic stability, my government has received significant response to the community tenure pilot program. Municipalities, regional districts and First Nations all stand to gain under this program by localizing tenure control.

My government also continues to respond to the critical needs of our forest communities and industry through Forest Renewal BC. In the days ahead, Forest Renewal BC will announce its fourth business plan. And, for the second year in a row, the investment level will be significantly greater than the original planned annual investment.

 
Oil and Gas

Last December, my government began working with oil and gas producers to identify ways to generate more investment and job opportunities in their industry. Currently, the oil and gas industry provides almost 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in B.C., and an independent review has shown B.C. is well-positioned to build upon the strong growth experienced by the sector in recent years.

In consultation with First Nations and local government, this joint industry-government initiative will seek concrete short- and long-term solutions that will improve our competitive position as a producing province and help to make British Columbia one of the most attractive sites for energy investment in North America.

 
Mining

As well, through the new Ministry of Energy and Mines, my government is working with the mining industry to support new and existing operations in the province.

Work continues toward finalizing the Mineral Exploration Code and developing other initiatives to overcome barriers to growth and investment in this key sector of our economy.

 
Tourism

Our tourism industry is a cornerstone of the economy in every region of our province. In 1996 alone, it generated a record $8.3 billion in revenues — revenues which are increasing twice as fast as Canada's as a whole — and employed one in eight British Columbians.

To further encourage this vital industry and ensure it remains competitive in the global marketplace, my government has established Tourism British Columbia as an industry-led Crown corporation. During the coming months, Tourism B.C. will carry out aggressive marketing in the United States and other key markets.

 
Film

During this session you will consider legislation that provides further incentives for growth and increased employment in one of British Columbia's most promising economic sectors, the film and television industry. Last year, they generated a record $630 million in direct spending to our economy. My government will continue to work with the industry to ensure that B.C. remains Canada's most attractive movie location.

 
Fisheries

My government will take further measures to ensure a future for the Pacific salmon and renew fisheries throughout the province.

To that end, my government has created a new Ministry of Fisheries as a focus for action to protect fish, ensure stable fisheries jobs and communities, plus secure a strong voice for British Columbians in how their fisheries are managed.

Further steps will be taken to move forward a renewed Pacific Salmon Treaty. The future of B.C. coastal communities, and many of our salmon runs, requires we not rest until a fair treaty is gained.

As well, the newly established Fisheries Renewal BC will make its initial funding investments in programs to protect fish habitat, enhance fish stocks, and create new jobs in value-added and diversified fisheries.

 
Regional Development

In addition to working with specific sectors to encourage new investments, my government will also bring together local business, labour and community leaders and young people to craft a common vision and strategy for regions throughout our province.

Last October, the Premier's Summit on Northern Jobs and Development was held in Prince George. As recommended by a post-Summit advisory committee, you will be asked to approve legislation establishing an Office of the Northern Commissioner, reporting to our new minister responsible for northern development. This office will be an advocate for northern economic development and facilitate new investments in the North.

The Premier's Northern Summit will also serve as a model for further consultation in other regions of British Columbia, beginning in Kamloops with the Southern Interior region in late May.

 
Infrastructure

My government will take further steps to strengthen and improve British Columbia's infrastructure to support present needs and anticipate future growth.

More than $1 billion will be invested this year to build schools, hospitals and highways in regions throughout the province.

Notably, my government will pursue a major new initiative to rehabilitate roads in northern B.C. to help industry move goods more efficiently, stimulate job creation and contribute to the overall prosperity of the North.

Construction will also start on a $1.1-billion light rapid transit line from Coquitlam to the University of British Columbia which will ease traffic congestion and pollution, and generate new jobs and investment the entire length of the line. My government will continue work with the business community to identify potential business opportunities and explore ways to maximize private sector investment in this exciting project.

As well, the first B.C.-built fast ferry will be launched this year.

You will also be asked to approve legislation to put in place a milestone agreement that establishes local responsibility for transportation within the Greater Vancouver Regional District. This agreement will meet the transportation needs of the people of Greater Vancouver and provide the means to improve public transit and use of regional roadways.

These major infrastructure initiatives aim at putting all the pieces of a 21st century transportation network together in a way that contributes to economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts.

 
Land Claims

However, new growth and lasting prosperity can only occur in a climate of confidence and certainty. This, in turn, depends on mutual respect and trust between all those who share this land and its resources.

The province is actively engaged in negotiating agreements-in-principle with 31 First Nations, and will continue to work with them and other parties to expedite and streamline treaty and pre-treaty processes.

Most urgently, my government will give high priority to concluding a final agreement with the Nisga'a people, to bring economic and social stability to this area of the north coast.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in its recent decision on Delgamuukw, has now challenged British Columbia, First Nations and the government of Canada in a clear and direct way. The only path to justice for First Nations, and certainty for the economy, is through negotiated treaties.

My government will therefore do everything in its power to secure a full and final treaty with the Nisga'a Tribal Council in the coming year.

 
Safe Workplace

The other vital ingredient in a healthy economy is a safe, healthy and productive workplace.

To that end, my government will introduce new occupational health and safety legislation, based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Workers' Compensation.

And my government will take further steps to improve labour-management relations in British Columbia through revisions to the Labour Relations Code as recommended by two recent review panels.

 

Education and Youth

Of all the strategic investments we can make in the future of our province, the most important by far is the opportunities we provide for young people.

This is why my government has placed education and training at the centre of our plan to build a strong, competitive and modern economy.

Our public education system holds the key to our children's success. It is fundamental to our quality of life. Beyond this, by ensuring a high-skill, high-wage economy, it is also critical to the success of our economic agenda and our competitiveness as a province.

We must take action now to ensure British Columbia's schools continue to be among the best anywhere.

The coming budget will therefore provide resources not only to cover further enrolment growth and inflation, but also to better equip teachers to teach, and students to learn.

To that end, my government will work with those who collectively embody our education system — teachers, trustees, and parents — to identify the means of ensuring that every dollar possible reaches the classroom, and to do what can be done to reduce class sizes, starting with the primary grades.

As part of the most ambitious and forward-looking commitment to improve education of any province in Canada, substantial new resources will be directed toward hiring 400 new teachers and nearly 300 teaching aides, support teachers and librarians, and toward accelerating capital investment to build more classrooms.

We will also renew the focus on the basics, with a goal of ensuring every student gets a strong start by learning to read and to write by the end of Grade Three.

In addition, resources will be provided to create a provincewide electronic network of learning resources, including steps to link students at all levels to the Internet by the year 2000.

New initiatives will also be undertaken to make our schools safe and violence-free.

 
Post-secondary

If young people are to participate fully in today's changing society, our commitment to education and training beyond Grade 12 must be equally strong.

Over the past two years, my government has frozen post-secondary tuition, increased financial assistance and created 10,000 new spaces at B.C. colleges and universities.

Yet more needs to be done. Too many young people still encounter barriers to continuing education, to rewarding work, or for any work at all.

This year, tuition fees will be frozen for a third year in a row, benefiting more than 150,000 students at B.C.'s 28 colleges, institutes and universities.

Under its Youth Options B.C. initiative, my government is committed to creating new opportunities that make beginning or continuing post-secondary education easier and more affordable.

To make post-secondary education more accessible, young people from across our province will be given the opportunity to earn tuition credits while working on community service projects. This will be a co-operative effort by government and business where B.C. communities invest in youth and youth invest in themselves.

Also, my government's goal is to further reduce tuition fees. It will work with students and parents to identify ways to make post-secondary education in B.C. more affordable and accessible.

New funding will be provided to expand access to post-secondary education for young people by opening another 2,900 new spaces.

And funding for B.C. student assistance — already the most comprehensive in Canada — will receive a 14 per cent lift.

This increase will provide a cost of living adjustment for every one of the more than 50,000 students already receiving financial aid, and will make grants and loans available for an additional 5,000 students.

My government also recognizes the challenges young adults face in finding employment for the first time and gaining the experience to qualify for the work they want.

My government will increase funding for youth employment programs and provide more opportunities for young people to access job and training programs.

Youth Options B.C. will be unmatched in Canada to ensure that B.C. youth have every option for a job, and ultimately, for a rewarding career. In all, my government has a goal to provide training and jobs for more than 17,000 youth across B.C.

Under Youth Options B.C., more summer jobs for students will be available. Youth will be provided with more opportunities for a first job in science and technology, and work protecting the environment, among a host of other programs.

As well, to further demonstrate our commitment to youth, environmental protection and job creation, young people from across B.C. will be the driving force in an ambitious new program to build 1,500 campsites by the end of next year, with more to come in the future. These new campsites will provide an opportunity for more B.C. families to enjoy the outdoors and their newly expanded parks system.

 

Protecting Services and Maintaining Standards

In addition to a renewed effort in these key priorities of jobs and investment, and education and training, my government's commitment to the public services and standards vital to the unsurpassed quality of life we enjoy in B.C. remains solid.

 
Health Care and Services to Families

My government will continue to protect medicare, strengthen the delivery of health and social services across the province, and ensure health care is there when people need it.

Already, British Columbia invests more dollars per person toward looking after the health of our citizens than any province in Canada. And as a result of a further $228 million increase this year, B.C. also provides the highest physician fees in Canada and spends more per capita on hospitals than any other province — a clear statement that my government is delivering on its commitment to protect medicare.

Action is already underway on key health priorities, including a new provincial mental health plan, the launch of a comprehensive continuing care strategy to meet the needs of the elderly, and an aggressive strategy to help protect children from tobacco addiction.

Significant new resources will be provided for child protection programs to address current workload pressures and improve service delivery. As well, new standards, training and other improvements will be introduced to support the work of provincial staff and others responsible for the care and protection of children.

Also, there will be further expansion in the network of residential services that provide safe places for women and children fleeing violence. And government will work with a broad coalition of partners on a provincewide strategy to prevent violence against women before it happens.

My government will also pursue new initiatives focusing on younger women's issues, and the challenges of balancing work and family.

 
Safer Communities

British Columbians share a commitment to safe, secure communities. My government will continue to take action to ensure public safety is paramount.

Our province leads Canada with innovative programs to support young people in addressing their community safety needs, and further progress will be made on early intervention and youth crime prevention.

A new task force will combat auto crime by bringing increased police resources to tackle the criminal activity underlying vehicle theft. The task force will augment tough road safety initiatives introduced in the past year.

And we will continue to urge the federal government to establish a sex and violent offender registry, to raise the age of consent from 14 to 16, and to develop a national drug strategy.

 
Environment

British Columbians place great value on our environmental heritage. Major steps have been taken over the past six years to ensure that the diverse, healthy environment we enjoy today remains undiminished for future generations of British Columbians — including the creation of more than 250 new parks since 1991.

During this session, legislation will be tabled to ensure the sustainable long-term management of the Northern Rockies wilderness.

Later this year, my government will receive the report of the BC Parks Legacy Panel, which will recommend the vision that British Columbians have for the future management of their parks.

And my government will continue to build on British Columbia's record as a world leader in environmental protection by implementing further initiatives to protect water and air quality in local communities, and new opportunities for stewardship by the private sector, local communities and young people.

 
Help for Consumers

In building a dynamic economy and liveable communities, both government and industry share a responsibility to protect the rights and interests of British Columbians as consumers.

In particular, my government recognizes the recent widespread concern about defects in residential construction, most notably in some condominium developments, which have caused severe financial hardship for many families.

To address this serious issue, my government will introduce a strategy to promote quality standards within the home building industry. This initiative will focus on multifamily properties as a first priority, through the introduction of mandatory new home warranty legislation during this session.

The goal of this strategy is to balance the legitimate concerns of homeowners with the need to preserve housing affordability and the competitive position of our residential construction industry.

 
The National Scene

British Columbians feel passionately about what it means to be Canadian and about their desire to build a strong and united nation.

Last September, Canada's premiers met in Calgary and reached a framework for unity. My government took that Calgary declaration to the people in an unprecedented consultation.

British Columbians have spoken clearly, and we will introduce for your consideration a resolution that formalizes the views of the people of this province that were heard by the all-party panel.

 

Conclusion

Honourable Members, these are the plans of a government that is working hard to listen to the people of this province, and ensure its actions reflect their priorities.

In recent weeks, major steps have been taken to make it easier for British Columbians to express their views directly to government and get timely answers to their concerns and questions.

In turn, my government has made its priorities and commitment clear.

With the help of the Members of this Assembly, it will now move forward on these priorities: new jobs and investment in a strong economy, greater support for education and training for young people, and a future of opportunity for all British Columbians.

To be successful in achieving our goals as a province, we must work together. We all have to take our share of the responsibility to address our province's economic challenges and build opportunities for our future. British Columbians expect it. Our children deserve nothing less.

I leave you now to the business of this Session, with full confidence that you will favourably discharge your duties and responsibilities.


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