No. 35 and 36 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Monday, November 21, 2011

Ten o’clock a.m.

Prayers by Ms. McIntyre.

The Hon. B. Barisoff (Speaker) tabled the Elections BC Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on Recommendations for Legislative Change, November 2011.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Order called for “Private Members’ Statements.”

23  By leave, Mr. Brar moved —

Be it resolved that this House views it as advisable to fast-track the elimination of the HST and re-implement the GST/PST system in order to bring economic stability to the province and assist small businesses in creating jobs in British Columbia.

A debate arose.

The debate continued.

On the motion of Mr. Les, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

And then the House adjourned at 11.54 a.m.

Monday, November 21, 2011  

One-Thirty o’clock p.m.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

Ms. McIntyre presented the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth Annual Report, 2010-11 for the Fourth Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament.

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave of the House, Ms. McIntyre moved that the report be adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Bill (No. 16) intituled Family Law Act was committed.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

And then the House adjourned at 6.26 p.m.

HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker

NOTICE OF BILLS

Tuesday, November 22

Ms. Mungall to introduce a Bill intituled Private Career and Training Institutions Amendment Act, 2011.

Wednesday, November 23

Mr. S. Simpson to introduce a Bill intituled Poverty Reduction Act, 2011.

Ms. Hammell to introduce a Bill intituled Access to Prostate Cancer Screening Act, 2011.

Mr. Rustad to introduce a Bill intituled Workers’ Dues Transparency and Rights Act.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Tuesday, November 22

24   Hon. M. Polak to move —

Be it resolved that, pursuant to section 38 of Chapter 2 of the Nisga’a Final Agreement, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia consents to the amendments to the Nisga’a Final Agreement set out in the attached Nisga’a Final Agreement Amending Agreement.

NISGA’A FINAL AGREEMENT

AMENDING AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDING AGREEMENT dated for reference and made

AMONG:

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA, as represented by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

(“Canada”)

AND

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, as represented by the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

(“British Columbia”)

AND

THE NISGA’A NATION, as represented by the Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive

(“Nisga’a Nation”)

WHEREAS:

A. On May 11, 2000 the Nisga’a Final Agreement came into effect;

B. The Parties wish the Nisga’a Final Agreement to be amended so as to alter the boundaries of Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a, also known as the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park (the “Park”), by removing certain lands from the Park and to specify the requirements for making alterations to the boundaries of the Park;

C. The Nisga’a Final Agreement provides for its amendment and specifies requirements for amendment of its provisions; and

D. The Parties have determined that the processes set out paragraphs 37, 38 and 40 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions apply to the Park Boundary Amendments.

NOW THEREFORE the Parties agree as follows:

PART I — DEFINITIONS

1. In this Amending Agreement:

a) “Nisga’a Final Agreement” means the Nisga’a Final Agreement among the Nisga’a Nation, Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada and Her Majesty the Queen in right of British Columbia, as it took effect on May 11, 2000;

b) “Appendix G-l” means the Appendix of that letter and number forming part of the Nisga’a Final Agreement;

c) “Appendix G-l Amendment” means the amendment to Appendix G-l set out in the Schedule to this Amending Agreement;

d) “Paragraph 104 Amendment” means the amendment to paragraph 104 of Chapter 3 — Lands set out in the Schedule to this Amending Agreement;

e) “Park Boundary Amendments” means the Appendix G-l Amendment and the Paragraph 104 Amendment; and

f) a reference to a Chapter by number or name is a reference to the Chapter of that number or name in the part of the Nisga’a Final Agreement containing the Preamble and Chapters 1 to 22.

2. Words and expressions appearing in this Amending Agreement that are not defined in this Amending Agreement but are defined in the Nisga’a Final Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Nisga’a Final Agreement.

PART II — AMENDMENT

3. On March 29, 2011, the elected members of Nisga’a Lisims Government adopted a resolution in accordance with paragraph 40 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions giving consent to an amendment to Appendix G-1 which is reflected in part of the Appendix G-1 Amendment.

4. The Nisga’a Nation will recommend to the elected members of Nisga’a Lisims Government that they adopt a resolution in accordance with paragraph 40 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions giving consent to the entirety of the Appendix G-1 Amendment and the Paragraph 104 Amendment.

5. British Columbia will recommend to the Legislature of British Columbia that it adopt a resolution giving consent to the Park Boundary Amendments in accordance with paragraph 38 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions.

6. Canada will recommend to the Governor in Council that it pass an order giving consent to the Park Boundary Amendments in accordance with paragraph 37 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions.

7. The Park Boundary Amendments will take effect in accordance with paragraph 41 of Chapter 2 — General Provisions.

PART III — GENERAL

8. This Amending Agreement may be executed in as many counterparts as may be necessary, and may be signed by facsimile or other means of electronic communication producing a printed copy, each of which so signed will be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts together will constitute one and the same instrument and each of which so executed will be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together will constitute one and the same instrument.

FOR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA, as represented by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development / POUR SA MAJESTÉ LA REINE DU CHEF DU CANADA, représentée par le ministre des Affaires indiennes et du Nord canadien : signed in the province of Ontario, this ___ day of _______, 2011 / signé dans la province de Ontario, ce ___ jour de _____, 2011.

The Honourable _____, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development / l’honorable _____, ministre des Affaires indiennes et du Nord canadien

Witnessed by / Témoin _____

FOR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, as represented by the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation / POUR SA MAJESTÉ LA REINE DU CHEF DE LA COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE, représentée par le ministre des Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation : signed in the province of British Columbia, this ___ day of _____, 2011 / signé dans la province de la Colombie Britannique, ce ___ jour de _____, 2011.

The Honourable _____, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation / l’honorable _____, ministre des Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Witnessed by / Témoin _____

FOR THE Nisga’a NATION, as represented by the Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive / LA NATION Nisga’a, représentée par l’exécutif du gouvernement Nisga’a Lisims : signed in the province of British Columbia, this ___day of _____, 2011 / signé dans la province de la Colombie Britannique, ce ___ jour de _____, 2011.

H. Mitchell Stevens, President / H. Mitchell Stevens, Président _____

Witnessed by / Témoin _____

Schedule

1. Paragraph 104 of Chapter 3 — Lands is deleted and the following substituted:

104. The boundaries of the Park are as set out in Appendix G-l, which may be amended by agreement of the Nisga’a Nation and British Columbia.

2. Appendix G-l is amended by deleting “The whole containing approximately 17,893 hectares.” and substituting the following:

except (1) the Nisga’a Highway No. 113 as shown on Plan 6 Tube 1870 deposited in the Crown Land Registry; (2) from the north boundary of Plan 6 Tube 1870 heading in a northerly direction to the middle thread of Jay Creek, a 20 metre wide area of land centred on Nisga’a Highway No. 113; (3) from the middle thread of Jay Creek heading in a northerly, westerly and easterly direction to the east and west boundaries of the park, a 25 metre wide strip of land centred on all branches of Nisga’a Highway No. 113; (4) all land on which a provincial public undertaking, as defined in the Transportation Act, related to Nisga’a Highway No. 113 is located; (5) Anlaw Road as shown on Plan 11 Tube 1711 deposited in the Crown Land Registry; (6) the New Aiyansh Village proposed south access road shown in Figure 4.1 of the October 2006 report titled “New Aiyansh Village Government, Proposed South Access Road, Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park — Boundary Adjustment Request”, on file 84220-25-0386 in BC Parks office in Victoria; and (7) all those parcels or tracts of Crown land, together with all that foreshore or land covered by water, contained within the following described boundaries and containing 10.5 hectares more or less:

commencing at the intersection of the northerly boundary of the park having a grid bearing of 63°00'00" and a length of 2.175 kilometres, and a line having a grid bearing of 159°46'28" through Zone 9 NAD 83 UTM coordinate N6106080.8m and E 503099.3m;

thence northeasterly along the said northerly boundary of the park 40.28 metres;

thence on a grid bearing of 159°46'28" a distance of 169.1 metres;

thence on a grid bearing of 69°46'28" a distance of 12.0 metres;

thence on a grid bearing of 159°46'28" a distance of 897 metres more or less to the intersection with a portion of the southerly boundary of the park;

thence southwesterly along the portion of the southerly boundary to a line drawn parallel to and perpendicularly distant 104 metres from the last described line bearing 159°46'28";

thence on a grid bearing of 339°46'28" a distance of 889 metres more or less to a point lying on a grid bearing of 249°46'28" from the southerly limit of the 169.1 metre boundary described above;

thence on a grid bearing of 69°46'28" a distance of 22.0 metres;

thence on a grid bearing of 339°46'28" a distance of 161 metres more or less to the northerly boundary of the park;

thence on a grid bearing of 63°00'00" and along the northerly boundary of the park a distance of 30.2 metres more or less to the point of commencement;

The whole containing approximately 17,781 hectares.

25  Ms. Stilwell to move —

Be it resolved that this House recognize the importance of three criteria in protecting young brains: removing a child or youth athlete from play if a concussion is suspected; ensuring the child or youth does not return to play until he or she has received medical clearance; and, providing education on sport-related concussions to athletes, coaches and parents.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Tuesday, November 22

4  Mr. Fraser to ask the Hon. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations the following questions: —

1. Why did the Liberal government issue a cutting permit on District Lot 33 near Nanoose on Vancouver Island despite being aware that District Lot 33 is mature Coastal Douglas Fir (the most endangered ecosystem in Canada) and home to the most endangered species by area in the Province.

2. Why did the Liberal government ignore the 2006 Madrone Report and subsequent Forest Practices Board reports which confirmed the ecological diversity and sensitivity of District Lot 33 and that harvesting “is not consistent with a vision of overall ecosystem integrity”?

3. The Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation began logging activities on District Lot 33 putting them at odds with residents and local governments and raising the potential for local conflict. Will the Minister of Natural Resource Operations use his authority to end this conflict, to correct a very flawed and damaging decision to issue permit to log District Lot 33, to set aside District Lot 33 as required to protect biologic communities considered globally critically imperiled and red-listed, and to compensate the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation for costs and any loss of revenue?

5  Ms. Kwan to ask the Hon. Minister of Social Development the following questions: —

1. Is the Minister aware that PEERS is the only organization that provides support to sex trade workers that want to exit the sex industry?

2. Does the Minister agree that PEERS Vancouver Resource Society is an important organization for sex workers looking to exit the sex trade?

3. Does the Minister know that PEERS Vancouver is a small organization that offers a highly specialized but necessary service to a sector of our community?

4. Will the Minister acknowledge that it is not the case that PEERS did not choose to participate as the Minister suggests, but rather, the redesign procurement eliminated PEERS’ participation as the process was aimed at large agencies?

5. Will the Minister acknowledge that while everyone wants to see increased efficiencies in our system, we must not do it at the expense of losing the very services to those that depend on them because if you do, it’s not called being efficient, you are just letting people fall through the cracks?

6. Will the Minister recognize that the big box approach to employment services for complex populations does not work and ensure that PEERS continue to have the necessary funds to help sex workers exit the sex trade?

7. Is the Minister aware that over the last 10 years, PEERS Vancouver Resource Society has helped hundreds of clients exit the sex trade and transition into healthier and safer lifestyles?

8. Is the Minister aware that their public education, prevention and peer support programming has facilitated long term life changes for people involved in the sex trade?

9. Given that we are in the middle of the missing and murdered women’s inquiry and now this government is forcing PEERS to close its doors, can the Minister explain how this will help survival sex trade workers exit the sex industry?

10. Is the Minister aware that Peers is not alone in facing imminent closure and that Pathways Information Centre, based in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, a key community hub where local residents can connect with key services such as job related education, life skills counselling, and job search support is also facing imminent closure?

11. Is the Minister aware that many of the residents in the downtown eastside face a multitude of barriers such as poverty, mental and physical health, undiagnosed learning disabilities, addiction, lack of training and homelessness, and that Pathways’ service-delivery model recognizes these barriers and is able to offer services in a timely and accessible manner for its members while taking into consideration each individual’s unique needs and abilities?

12. Is the Minister aware that traditional models of employment services do not work for many of the residents in the DTES community and that under this one size fits all model, Pathways will close its door to its 14,000 members and some 200-250 people who use the service daily.

13. Does the Minister agree that this will not help the Premier’s jobs agenda and will the Minister correct this grave mistake and keep organizations like PEERS and Pathways open so that people with complex challenges do not fall through the cracks?

Wednesday, November 23

6  Mr. Bains to ask the Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure the following questions: —

Port Mann Bridge Traffic Counts:

1. Will the Government table the current traffic count projections for the new Port Mann Bridge?

2. Has there been any change to the traffic count projections for the new Port Mann Bridge over the past two years?

3. Does the Transportation Investment Corporation intend to publish annual traffic counts in its service plan and annual report?

Port Mann Bridge Tolls:

4. What is the current projection for the lifespan of the bridge?

5. Using current Transportation Investment Corporation projections, how much gross toll revenue is the Port Mann Bridge expected to collect over the next thirty-five years?

6. When will the Government, through the Transportation Investment Corporation, intend to publish its final tolling schedule for the new Port Mann Bridge?

7. When the Port Mann Bridge initially opens, how many lanes will be operational?

8. Will a full toll be assessed on users of the bridge prior to the completion of all bridge lanes?

9. What have been the results from the review of May 24, 2011, when the Minister said that the Transportation Investment Corporation was considering a change to its 48-hour pay policy on the Port Mann Bridge tolls?

10. At what stage is the Transportation Investment Corporation respecting the contract to manage and collect tolls?

Transportation Investment Corporation Accountability:

11. What financial reporting indicators will be included in the Transportation Investment Corporation’s annual financial report and service plan once the Port Mann Bridge is operational?

12. Upon commencement of tolling activities, will the Government (through the Transportation Investment Corporation) annually publish revenue collection?

13. Upon commencement of tolling activities, will the Government (through the Transportation Investment Corporation) annually publish the amount of outstanding debt that remains associated with the Port Mann Bridge in order to allow taxpayers to know how much residual debt exists on the project?

14. Will the Government commit to removing tolls from the Port Mann Bridge once the bridge has been fully paid for?

15. Will the Government publish an analysis outlining why the Transportation Investment Corporation chose to build one new bridge, instead of twinning the existing bridge?

16. Was there an independent analysis done on the decision to build one new bridge instead of twinning the existing bridge?

17. What proposals are being considered for the future use of the existing Port Mann Bridge?

Financing:

18. Will the Government release a detailed breakdown of the approximately $859 million that accounts for the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and financing of the Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 Project?

19. Will the Government release a detailed breakdown on the monies saved as a result of not choosing to build the project as a P3?

20. What roll has Macquarie Group had in the Port Mann Bridge Project?

21. Is there any private equity involved in the Port Mann Bridge Project?

Free Alternative:

22. Will the Pattullo Bridge remain as the free alternative to the Port Mann Bridge?

23. Has the Government done traffic projections to anticipate what increases in traffic will occur on the Patullo Bridge as a result of the tolling policy on the Port Mann Bridge?

24. Has the Government done traffic projections to anticipate what increases in traffic will occur on the South Fraser Perimeter Road and Alex Fraser Bridge as a result of the tolling policy on the Port Mann Bridge?

25. Has the Government done traffic projections to anticipate what increases in traffic will occur on the South Fraser Perimeter Road and Alex Fraser Bridge should the Patullo Bridge also be tolled?

Port Mann Bridge — Government Debt:

26. Will the Government intend to change its reporting practices with regards to the Transportation Investment Corporation after being cited by the Auditor General as failing to meet the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles criteria of a Government Business enterprise?