OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES - (HANSARD) Second Session, 42nd Parliament
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Second Session, 42nd Parliament
OFFICIAL REPORT
OF DEBATES
(HANSARD)
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Morning Sitting
Issue No. 139
THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER
ISSN 1499-2175PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
(Entered Confederation July 20, 1871)
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR
Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC
Second Session, 42nd Parliament
SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Honourable Raj Chouhan
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan
Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ...................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth
Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...........................................................................................................Hon. Anne Kang
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries......................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham
Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing .............................................................................................Hon. David Eby, QC
Minister of Children and Family Development .................................................................................................................... Hon. Mitzi Dean
Minister of State for Child Care...................................................................................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen
Minister of Citizens’ Services.....................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare
Minister of Education .................................................................................................................................................. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside
Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation ........................................................................................Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy............................................................................................. Hon. George Heyman
Minister of Finance .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson
Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy
Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations................................................................................. Hon. Nathan Cullen
Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.............................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation .......................................................................................... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC
Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation....................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Kahlon
Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow
Minister of Labour ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Harry Bains
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.............................................................................................................. Hon. Sheila Malcolmson
Minister of Municipal Affairs ............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Josie Osborne
Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction........................................................................................... Hon. Nicholas Simons
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport .................................................................................................................. Hon. Melanie Mark
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming
Minister of State for Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................... Hon. Bowinn Ma
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Leader of the Official Opposition...................................................................................................................................................Shirley Bond
Leader of the Third Party .......................................................................................................................................................... Sonia Furstenau
Deputy Speaker.......................................................................................................................................................... Spencer Chandra Herbert
Assistant Deputy Speaker..............................................................................................................................................................Norm Letnick
Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole .......................................................................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ........................................................................................................................................... Kate Ryan-Lloyd
Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.............................................................................................................................. Seunghee Suzie Seo
Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services........................................................................................................................... Artour Sogomonian
Clerk of Committees....................................................................................................................................................................... Jennifer Arril
Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..............................................................................................Susan Sourial
Committee Clerk ............................................................................................................................................................................... Karan Riarh
Sergeant-at-Arms ........................................................................................................................................................................... Ray RobitailleALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING
Alexis, Pam (BC NDP) ............................................................Abbotsford-Mission Abbotsford-Mission................................................................................. Pam Alexis
Anderson, Brittny (BC NDP) .........................................................Nelson-Creston Abbotsford South...............................................................................Bruce Banman
Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Penticton Abbotsford West...................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC
Babchuk, Michele (BC NDP)...............................................................North Island Boundary-Similkameen ........................................................................ Roly Russell
Bailey, Brenda (BC NDP) .................................................. Vancouver–False Creek Burnaby–Deer Lake....................................................................... Hon. Anne Kang
Bains, Hon. Harry (BC NDP)......................................................... Surrey-Newton Burnaby-Edmonds......................................................................Hon. Raj Chouhan
Banman, Bruce (BC Liberal Party) ............................................ Abbotsford South Burnaby-Lougheed .................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen
Beare, Hon. Lisa (BC NDP) ....................................... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Burnaby North ................................................................................. Janet Routledge
Begg, Garry (BC NDP).................................................................Surrey-Guildford Cariboo-Chilcotin ..........................................................................Lorne Doerkson
Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ...............................................Peace River South Cariboo North.................................................................................... Coralee Oakes
Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal Party).................................Prince George–Valemount Chilliwack ...............................................................................................Dan Coulter
Brar, Jagrup (BC NDP) ................................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Chilliwack-Kent .................................................................................... Kelli Paddon
Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal Party) ............................................. Surrey South Columbia River–Revelstoke ......................................................... Doug Clovechok
Chandra Herbert, Spencer (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–West End Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...............................................................Fin Donnelly
Chant, Susie (BC NDP) ..............................................North Vancouver–Seymour Coquitlam-Maillardville ...................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson
Chen, Hon. Katrina (BC NDP) ............................................... Burnaby-Lougheed Courtenay-Comox................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard
Chouhan, Hon. Raj (BC NDP) .................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Cowichan Valley ............................................................................. Sonia Furstenau
Chow, Hon. George (BC NDP) ..........................................Vancouver-Fraserview Delta North................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Kahlon
Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal Party)........................Columbia River–Revelstoke Delta South .................................................................................................. Ian Paton
Conroy, Hon. Katrine (BC NDP) ....................................................Kootenay West Esquimalt-Metchosin .................................................................... Hon. Mitzi Dean
Coulter, Dan (BC NDP) .......................................................................... Chilliwack Fraser-Nicola ......................................................................................... Jackie Tegart
Cullen, Hon. Nathan (BC NDP) ................................................................... Stikine Kamloops–North Thompson .............................................................Peter Milobar
Davies, Dan (BC Liberal Party)................................................. Peace River North Kamloops–South Thompson..................................................................Todd Stone
de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal Party)....................................Abbotsford West Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................................... Norm Letnick
Dean, Hon. Mitzi (BC NDP) ............................................... Esquimalt-Metchosin Kelowna-Mission ........................................................................... Renee Merrifield
D’Eith, Bob (BC NDP) ......................................................... Maple Ridge–Mission Kelowna West ..........................................................................................Ben Stewart
Dix, Hon. Adrian (BC NDP) ................................................ Vancouver-Kingsway Kootenay East.......................................................................................Tom Shypitka
Doerkson, Lorne (BC Liberal Party) ........................................Cariboo-Chilcotin Kootenay West........................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy
Donnelly, Fin (BC NDP) .......................................... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Langford–Juan de Fuca .............................................................. Hon. John Horgan
Dykeman, Megan (BC NDP)............................................................... Langley East Langley .............................................................................................Andrew Mercier
Eby, Hon. David, QC (BC NDP) ....................................... Vancouver–Point Grey Langley East....................................................................................Megan Dykeman
Elmore, Mable (BC NDP) ..................................................Vancouver-Kensington Maple Ridge–Mission.............................................................................. Bob D’Eith
Farnworth, Hon. Mike (BC NDP) .................................................Port Coquitlam Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows............................................................Hon. Lisa Beare
Fleming, Hon. Rob (BC NDP) ............................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Mid Island–Pacific Rim............................................................ Hon. Josie Osborne
Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) .............................................Cowichan Valley Nanaimo.............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson
Glumac, Rick (BC NDP) ..................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Nanaimo–North Cowichan ............................................................... Doug Routley
Greene, Kelly (BC NDP) ........................................................Richmond-Steveston Nechako Lakes........................................................................................ John Rustad
Halford, Trevor (BC Liberal Party) .........................................Surrey–White Rock Nelson-Creston ............................................................................. Brittny Anderson
Heyman, Hon. George (BC NDP) .........................................Vancouver-Fairview New Westminster.............................................................. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside
Horgan, Hon. John (BC NDP) ......................................... Langford–Juan de Fuca North Coast ........................................................................................... Jennifer Rice
Kahlon, Hon. Ravi (BC NDP) .............................................................. Delta North North Island................................................................................... Michele Babchuk
Kang, Hon. Anne (BC NDP) .................................................. Burnaby–Deer Lake North Vancouver–Lonsdale......................................................... Hon. Bowinn Ma
Kirkpatrick, Karin (BC Liberal Party) ........................West Vancouver–Capilano North Vancouver–Seymour................................................................... Susie Chant
Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal Party)....................................................................Shuswap Oak Bay–Gordon Head..................................................Hon. Murray Rankin, QC
Lee, Michael (BC Liberal Party) ..............................................Vancouver-Langara Parksville-Qualicum........................................................................... Adam Walker
Leonard, Ronna-Rae (BC NDP)............................................... Courtenay-Comox Peace River North ................................................................................... Dan Davies
Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal Party) .................................. Kelowna–Lake Country Peace River South ................................................................................ Mike Bernier
Lore, Grace (BC NDP)........................................................... Victoria–Beacon Hill Penticton ................................................................................................. Dan Ashton
Ma, Hon. Bowinn (BC NDP).....................................North Vancouver–Lonsdale Port Coquitlam...................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth
Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila (BC NDP)........................................................ Nanaimo Port Moody–Coquitlam....................................................................... Rick Glumac
Mark, Hon. Melanie (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Powell River–Sunshine Coast..............................................Hon. Nicholas Simons
Mercier, Andrew (BC NDP) ........................................................................ Langley Prince George–Mackenzie....................................................................Mike Morris
Merrifield, Renee (BC Liberal Party)......................................... Kelowna-Mission Prince George–Valemount .................................................................. Shirley Bond
Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal Party) .......................... Kamloops–North Thompson Richmond North Centre..........................................................................Teresa Wat
Morris, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ................................. Prince George–Mackenzie Richmond-Queensborough..................................................................Aman Singh
Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal Party).................................................. Cariboo North Richmond South Centre .......................................................................... Henry Yao
Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)............................ Saanich North and the Islands Richmond-Steveston ............................................................................ Kelly Greene
Osborne, Hon. Josie (BC NDP)........................................Mid Island–Pacific Rim Saanich North and the Islands .............................................................Adam Olsen
Paddon, Kelli (BC NDP) ................................................................Chilliwack-Kent Saanich South .............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham
Paton, Ian (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Delta South Shuswap...................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo
Popham, Hon. Lana (BC NDP)........................................................ Saanich South Skeena........................................................................................................... Ellis Ross
Ralston, Hon. Bruce, QC (BC NDP) .............................................Surrey-Whalley Stikine........................................................................................ Hon. Nathan Cullen
Rankin, Hon. Murray, QC (BC NDP) .............................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Surrey-Cloverdale .............................................................................. Mike Starchuk
Rice, Jennifer (BC NDP) ...................................................................... North Coast Surrey-Fleetwood.....................................................................................Jagrup Brar
Robinson, Hon. Selina (BC NDP)...................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Surrey–Green Timbers........................................................................Rachna Singh
Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal Party)......................................................................... Skeena Surrey-Guildford......................................................................................Garry Begg
Routledge, Janet (BC NDP) .............................................................Burnaby North Surrey-Newton ..............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains
Routley, Doug (BC NDP)........................................... Nanaimo–North Cowichan Surrey-Panorama ...................................................................................... Jinny Sims
Russell, Roly (BC NDP).................................................... Boundary-Similkameen Surrey South ................................................................................ Stephanie Cadieux
Rustad, John (BC Liberal Party)......................................................Nechako Lakes Surrey-Whalley ................................................................. Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC
Sandhu, Harwinder (BC NDP) .................................................Vernon-Monashee Surrey–White Rock .......................................................................... Trevor Halford
Sharma, Niki (BC NDP)..........................................................Vancouver-Hastings Vancouver-Fairview.............................................................. Hon. George Heyman
Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal Party) .................................................... Kootenay East Vancouver–False Creek...................................................................... Brenda Bailey
Simons, Hon. Nicholas (BC NDP)......................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Vancouver-Fraserview...............................................................Hon. George Chow
Sims, Jinny (BC NDP) ................................................................. Surrey-Panorama Vancouver-Hastings ..............................................................................Niki Sharma
Singh, Aman (BC NDP) .............................................Richmond-Queensborough Vancouver-Kensington....................................................................... Mable Elmore
Singh, Rachna (BC NDP)................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Vancouver-Kingsway..................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix
Starchuk, Mike (BC NDP) ......................................................... Surrey-Cloverdale Vancouver-Langara................................................................................ Michael Lee
Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal Party) ....................................................... Kelowna West Vancouver–Mount Pleasant..................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark
Stone, Todd (BC Liberal Party) ...............................Kamloops–South Thompson Vancouver–Point Grey ............................................................Hon. David Eby, QC
Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal Party) ............................. West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Vancouver-Quilchena........................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC
Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal Party)....................................................... Fraser-Nicola Vancouver–West End .....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert
Walker, Adam (BC NDP) ....................................................... Parksville-Qualicum Vernon-Monashee ..................................................................... Harwinder Sandhu
Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal Party) ....................................... Richmond North Centre Victoria–Beacon Hill............................................................................... Grace Lore
Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer (BC NDP) ......................................... New Westminster Victoria–Swan Lake.................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming
Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal Party)......................Vancouver-Quilchena West Vancouver–Capilano...........................................................Karin Kirkpatrick
Yao, Henry (BC NDP) ..................................................... Richmond South Centre West Vancouver–Sea to Sky................................................................Jordan Sturdy
Party Standings: BC NDP 57; BC Liberal Party 28; BC Green Party 2CONTENTS
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Morning Sitting
Page
Routine Business
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4379
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4379
Carmen Purdy
D. Clovechok
May Mah-Paulson
Hon. B. Ralston
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4379
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4379
Corinne Swystun
Hon. M. Farnworth
M. de Jong
Hon. D. Eby
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4381
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4381
Disaster relief by South Asian community in B.C.
Hon. H. Bains
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4381
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4381
Corinne Swystun
S. Furstenau
Kelly Dukeshire
S. Furstenau
Heidi Reid
Hon. J. Osborne
Susan Vasilev
B. D’Eith
Roseanne Moran
B. D’Eith
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4382
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4383
Carmen Purdy
T. Shypitka
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4383
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4384
Courtenay-Comox constituents
R. Leonard
Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4384
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4385
Shirley Bond
P. Milobar
Hon. M. Farnworth
S. FurstenauIntroductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4386
Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4386
Greg Nelson
Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 4386
International Day For the Elimination of Violence Against Women
S. Cadieux
Seva and contributions of Sikh community
J. Sims
Hanukkah
S. Bond
Fraser Valley flooding and recovery
P. Alexis
Climate change and grief
S. Furstenau
2022 B.C. Winter Games in Vernon
H. Sandhu
Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 4388
Forest policy changes and socioeconomic analysis of impacts
J. Rustad
Hon. K. Conroy
M. de Jong
Affordable housing and government revenues from housing sector
S. Furstenau
Hon. D. Eby
Government consultation on freedom-of-information legislation
T. Stone
Hon. L. Beare
Child care plan
K. Kirkpatrick
Hon. M. Dean
Government response to severe weather events and call for all-party committee
S. Bond
Hon. M. Farnworth
Collaborative action on issues in B.C.
S. Bond
Hon. M. Farnworth
Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 4394
Civil resolution tribunal, annual report, 2020-21
Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4394
J. Rustad
Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 4394
Parliamentary calendar, 2022
Orders of the Day4379
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2021 MAY MAH-PAULSON
The House met at 10:04 a.m. Hon. B. Ralston: I rise today to recognize the accom-
plishments of Assistant Deputy Minister May Mah-
[Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Paulson in the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Car-
bon Innovation during her 13 years of public service
Routine Business and to offer my sincere congratulations on her upcoming
retirement.
Prayers and reflections: G. Kyllo. Since joining British Columbia’s public service, May has
[10:05 a.m.] helped guide our natural resource sector and has inspired
many of our current and future leaders. She held signi-
Introductions by Members ficant statutory decision–making authorities, including as
the province’s 21st chief gold commissioner, one of the
Hon. D. Eby: Joining us today in the gallery are Duncan province’s oldest-standing offices that dates back over a
Watts-Grant and Melodie Corbett, two longtime volun- century and a half.
teers in Vancouver–Point Grey. Duncan is the president of Following some time as a chief negotiator in the Min-
my constituency association. I very much appreciate their istry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, we were
work, and I’m glad to see them visiting Victoria. fortunate to have May return to our ministry. This is a
Will the House please join me in making them feel wel- challenging file. I think everyone recognizes that. But May
come. has always been able to find a balance that continues to
this day.
Tributes In her current role, she was able to advance the Fuel
Price Transparency Act, launch a major program to sup-
CARMEN PURDY port the restoration of dormant oil and gas sites, initiate a
review of our royalty system and successfully lead her divi-
D. Clovechok: I wish I could make an introduction sion through what has been one of the most challenging
today, but it’s my sad honour to announce that a man times of our generation.
from the Kootenays of great integrity, energy and honesty I wish May all the best for a wonderful retirement. We
passed away yesterday. will all miss her dearly.
Carmen Purdy is a legend in our region. He was my I ask the House to join me in offering her those congrat-
friend, and he was my mentor. He was, without question, ulations on her years of public service.
a champion both in the Kootenay region and in B.C. for
wildlife. You name it: elk, deer, moose, Rocky Mountain Introductions by Members
bighorn sheep and mountain goats. There was little Car-
men did not know about the wildlife, by nature. He was a T. Stone: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to welcome
fervent conservationist and a master hunter. Carmen loved to the chamber here today a couple of individuals who
them all with a personal passion second to none and spent work with a company that does a lot of work with the B.C.
his whole life advocating for wildlife. government. I’m pleased to welcome Taylor Davis, who is
He was a co-founder of Habitat Conservation Trust a lidar application specialist, and David Mostyn, who is the
Fund, he was the founding director of Nature Trust of B.C., manager of aerial operations.
and he created the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund. Terra Remote is the company that they work for. It’s
Mr. Speaker, man, could that guy tell stories. Whether a B.C.-based company. It’s located right here in Victoria.
it was up in a deer camp in the middle of nowhere, up in They specialize in lidar mapping. Terra Remote has extens-
the bush or in Tim Hortons, his stories were stark, they ive experience in a wide range of other services.
were vivid, and they mesmerized. It was a tribute to what I’m really, really pleased to welcome them here in the
his life was and the adventures that he actually enjoyed precincts today, and I would ask everyone in the chamber
throughout his life. to join me in doing so.
We’ll have more to say about Carmen in the next ses-
sion. For now, I’d ask that this House simply pay tribute to Tributes
this great British Columbian, husband, father, grandfather
and friend to so many. CORINNE SWYSTUN
Carmen, you were one of a kind. Heaven just became a
more colourful place. Hon. M. Farnworth: It’s a pleasure today, and a sadness,
to rise to talk about a very important individual in the life
of this building and the work that we do, because she is
retiring after an incredible career.4380 British Columbia Debates Thursday, November 25, 2021
[10:10 a.m.] attended, any minister who has tried to shepherd through
Legislation does not just happen. It has to be drafted; a piece of legislation, anyone that sat on a legislative review
it has to be checked; it has to be written. The person in committee that had to read through, line by line….
charge of that is the chief legislative counsel of the govern- She performed the original 3P function, or at least it
ment of British Columbia. required that, right? Precision in the language, because
Today is Corinne Swystun’s last day in that position. they are the laws. They are the laws that we challenge cit-
She’s retiring after 26 years of service in the office of legis- izens to live by. Persistence in saying to ministers in gov-
lative counsel in the Ministry of Attorney General. Cor- ernments: “I know you want to do it this way, but you can’t.
inne joined the office of legislative counsel in September It doesn’t work. You’ll create a mess.” And the patience to
1995 after clerking at the Supreme Court of British Colum- wait out those ministers and governments until her skill,
bia and articling for the legal services and criminal justice her knowledge and her advice would prevail.
branches of the Ministry of Attorney General. [10:15 a.m.]
She spent time from 2005 to 2006 in Dublin as consult- It has been a remarkable career. She has defined the
ant Parliamentary Counsel to the government of Ireland. standard by which we measure public servants. The faith-
Corinne was appointed chief legislative counsel of the gov- fulness of her service to governments, irrespective of their
ernment of British Columbia in August 2011. In recogni- political stripe. The best possible advice she and her team
tion of her exceptionalism in the legal profession, Corinne could render, always delivered in a friendly, professional,
was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2016. sometimes tight-lipped way but always worth listening to
In her years of public law service, Corinne has been act- and listened to for good reason.
ive in the professional development of public sector law- She once sent me a note. I hope that she won’t be offen-
yers and senior government staff in Canada and abroad, ded as she now embarks upon this new chapter in her life.
both as a member of a number of professional develop- It related to a sad time in her life, both of her parents hav-
ment committees and a presenter and instructor of legal ing passed away in recent years. She was commenting on
and legislative seminars, workshops and training sessions. her father, and she said: “He gave me the mantra by which
This speaks to how incredibly respected Corinne is I choose to live my life, which is: stay busy, stay challenged,
amongst her peers. and stay joyful.”
She has been instrumental in assisting a number of She has done that for 27 years in the service of British
governments in British Columbia fulfil their legislative Columbians. I have no doubt that she will, in the years
agendas, providing guidance and advice that has been ahead, in whatever endeavour she chooses to pursue,
most valued and appreciated. I know that the member stay busy. She will stay challenged, and she will certainly
from Abbotsford will have a few words to say as well, stay joyful.
because that’s how remarkable Corinne’s career has Corinne, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause.]
been. It has spanned governments since 1995. Without
her expertise and the work of the people behind her, we Hon. D. Eby: I beg forgiveness from the House and
would not be able to do our jobs. from Corinne for this, but as minister responsible, I did
I will wait for the member’s comments. Then I think we want to be unnecessarily duplicative and run on longer in
can give her the respect and applause that she deserves for a way that could have been more concise.
an incredible career and wish her well in her retirement Working with Corinne and understanding her passion
and the next chapter of her life. for the law and for language…. I have a bit of a background
in technical writing, which I understand is a bit like saying
M. de Jong: Thanks to my friend, the Government to Elon Musk that you’re into model rockets. As a new
House Leader. Attorney General, Corinne walked me through what her
We would all be hard-pressed to think of a task more role is, what her team’s role is and the preparatory work
challenging and more important than the one performed that goes into all of the legislative packages. To see her
over these many years by Corinne. The present Attorney enthusiasm for it….
General will, I am sure, testify to that effect, and anyone I also had the opportunity to work with her in her advo-
who has been involved in roles on legislative review coun- cacy for the modernization of this office around bringing
cils for the present government or governments of the past technology. We did some great work together on that. I am
would be able to speak glowingly of the professionalism so, so appreciative personally for her assistance to me as
and the incredible attention to detail. Attorney General in this province.
I thought I would take a moment, in reflecting with all I know the member for Abbotsford West…. It sounds
of us on her remarkable career, to share a little bit about like he had a similar experience. The member from Prince
the person that I came to know — the woman of strong George probably had a similar experience. Anyone who
prairie stock who maintained an affection for that area served in this role. But I couldn’t let the moment go by
and for her family, with whom she remained very close. without just expressing my personal appreciation for her
It revealed itself in the nature of her work. Anyone that efforts to train me as an Attorney General.Thursday, November 25, 2021 British Columbia Debates 4381
Thank you very much, Corinne. Our hands are up to you.
Introductions by Members Introductions by Members
J. Sims: It’s my pleasure today to welcome Cindy Dalg- J. Tegart: It is a pleasure, I’m sure, for the whole House
lish. She’s a constituent from Surrey-Panorama. I first met to see a former MLA here — a great friend, Carole James.
Cindy in 2017 during my first election campaign, and she I would suggest, Carole, as a great friend…. I told a sec-
was a tireless volunteer during that time. Then she became ret yesterday. You might want to go and watch my two
my very first CA and helped to set up the office and get it minutes.
going before she moved on to more adventuresome stuff. Please welcome Carole to the House.
She is a passionate advocate for education, especially in her
fight for kids with diverse needs. Tributes
Please, help me welcome my friend Cindy Dalglish to
the House. CORINNE SWYSTUN
Tributes S. Furstenau: On behalf of the B.C. Green caucus, we
also want to extend our thanks and gratitude to Corinne
DISASTER RELIEF BY Swystun.
SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY IN B.C. The Attorney General’s decision to allow access to legis-
lative drafters by opposition parties I think was a wise one.
Hon. H. Bains: I'd like to take this opportunity to talk We have certainly taken advantage of that and have been
about yet another example of British Columbians’ gen- very grateful for Corinne and her team’s efforts and help in
erosity, how they come through and band together to working on legislative drafts and amendments.
help those in need. In particular, I want to talk about A huge thank you from the B.C. Green caucus as well.
the South Asian community as part of British Columbia.
Any time there is a natural disaster or humanity is suf- KELLY DUKESHIRE
fering anywhere in the world, they come through, right
here in our home country, in our home province in Brit- S. Furstenau: There is another member of this legislat-
ish Columbia. ive team who we won’t see when we come back in Febru-
I want to talk about last week. RedFM held a radiothon ary, if we come back in February, and that’s Kelly Duke-
to help those who are suffering as a result of the floods in shire, a member of the Legislative Assembly Protective
the Fraser Valley and other places. In one day, callers gave Services team. All of you know Kelly. He is very tall, very
more than what their capacity is, in many instances. At friendly, very smiley, wonderful and, as the Minister of
the end of the day, over $900,000 was collected and raised Health is pointing out, a wonderful basketball player.
for the people, to help those who are a victim of floods — I don’t know if everybody knows this, but Kelly played
$900,000. for UVic varsity basketball in the 1980s. He was on the
[10:20 a.m.] team that went to the national championships five times
On top of that, the same radiothon raised over $200,000 and won four of those five games. He is inducted into the
to help Surrey Memorial Hospital. So $1.1 million in one UVic Sports Hall of Fame. He was named all-star sever-
day. al times in his career as a basketball player, and he never
This is in addition to all of the gurdwaras and individu- missed a game.
als. They’re hiring and renting helicopters. They’re willing I think that’s what we’ve seen from Kelly here. In the
to come and help the government and work with the gov- time that I’ve known him, he is always here, always pres-
ernment to help those who are in need — in food prepar- ent, always smiling and always so wonderful to interact
ation and anything else that they could do. with. I will miss him greatly. However, our chief of staff,
I couldn’t be prouder to belong to that community. I Maeve Maguire, who also played varsity basketball at the
couldn’t be prouder to call myself a British Columbian, University of Alberta, is conspiring to keep Kelly around in
especially during these tough days and difficult days that some intramural basketball fun. So let’s all encourage him
many of us are going through. to come back and to shoot some hoops.
I just want to say that our hearts and sympathies are
with those who are suffering right now. I also want to send HEIDI REID
them a message.
British Columbians have your back. They are there for Hon. J. Osborne: I have the honour today to introduce
you. Yes, more needs to be done. the amazing Heidi Reid. Heidi is the administrative co-
Please join with me to thank RedFM and thank the ordinator in my office, but this is only her last stop on a
community for coming through yet again. long and remarkable career with government and in the4382 British Columbia Debates Thursday, November 25, 2021
B.C. Legislature. Today is Heidi’s last session day, because Thanks, Susan.
she’ll be retiring on December 17.
Many of you know Heidi. She’s been working in this Mr. Speaker: Opposition House Leader.
building for almost 30 years. She knows every system,
every process and, I think, every person in this building. B. D’Eith: Hon. Speaker, I’ve got a second one, if that’s
Heidi is known to be direct and determined when she okay.
needs to solve a problem, but Heidi is also known for her
very huge heart. She’s always ready to help people when Mr. Speaker: Sorry, continue.
they need it.
[10:25 a.m.] ROSEANNE MORAN
In 1986, she had her first job with Elections B.C., and in
1990, she moved over to government. She was truly sold B. D’Eith: The second part of this is Roseanne Moran.
on working in the B.C. Legislature when she began work- Roseanne, too, has had a long history with our caucus.
ing for former minister Art Charbonneau. Art was one of She worked as a ministerial assistant with us in the
the many ministers and MLAs that she supported, and as 1990s. This time around, Roseanne has been with the
has already been noted, one of those former ministers has caucus for ten years with a couple years break in be-
joined her in the gallery today — Carole James. tween, and she has been the executive director, both in
Carole and Heidi worked together for over a decade. opposition and in government.
Carole asked to be with Heidi on her last day in the House In fact, she returned to us to help to set up the govern-
and declined the option that former MLAs have of sitting ment in 2017, with the intention to stay for a few days.
on the floor with all of us. Well, four years later, she is still here, but we finally….
For me, as a new MLA and a new minister, I have so We’re trying desperately to hang on, but it’s not working.
appreciated working with Heidi. Besides her service to the In between working with our caucus and government,
people of British Columbia, Heidi also has a daughter, a Roseanne worked with many organizations to make the
son and four wonderful grandsons, and she’ll also have a world a better place and has a long track record of advo-
new puppy joining her family soon. cacy and activism. I’ve got to say that she will be retiring,
I am incredibly grateful to Heidi for all of her years of and we’re going to miss her. Personally, as the caucus chair
service, as I know that you all are too. Please, join me in over the last year, Roseanne has been absolutely stellar in
welcoming and thanking Heidi Reid. very, very difficult circumstances.
We’re going to really miss her on the music nights too. I
SUSAN VASILEV don’t know how we’re going to replace her. She’s an amaz-
ing singer, songwriter and guitarist, an amazingly talented
B. D’Eith: Today in the gallery, we have Joanna Groves, person and a great friend.
the B.C. NDP caucus operations director, Roseanne Mor- Please, if we could give a big round of applause for
an, our executive director, and Susan Vasilev, our internal Roseanne and all the work she has done.
communications manager. We really, as a caucus, appreci-
ate all the work they’ve done, especially over the last year, Introductions by Members
with COVID and all of the things that have happened.
I wanted to say a few words about Susan, as she’s head- P. Milobar: It gives me pleasure to rise today at the end
ing off to retirement soon. Today marks the end of her of the session to have a few thank-yous.
last legislative sitting. Susan is our longest-serving caucus First and foremost, the Clerk’s office. As a House Leader,
staffer, having started in 1992. She was working in the they’re an invaluable resource to me to make sure we are
news department of CKDA radio here in Victoria where always following procedure, whether I like it or not.
she met MLA Gordon Hanson, who recruited her to work I’ll let the Government House Leader…. Don’t worry,
with the NDP caucus. there are no emergency debate motions today.
Since that time, with a few little interruptions, Susan has Also the Sergeant-at-Arms and their team, making
been with us, helping generations of MLAs and staff to sure we're safe and secure. Certainly, that was on full dis-
succeed as a legislative assistant, communications assist- play last night. I want to thank them on behalf of the
ant, ministerial assistant and, in her last few years with us, official opposition.
managing internal communications and, particularly, giv- [10:30 a.m.]
ing huge support to our constituency assistants. All of the chamber staff as well. They do great work for
We will miss her energy, her knowledge, her skills, her us. We couldn’t do our jobs without them as an assembly
fabulous sense of humour and her willingness to roll up as a whole, but certainly, as a smaller opposition, we rely
her sleeves and really pitch in when she was needed. on all of the supports and help that this building brings.
Susan, we wish you all the best and send you off with Internally a big shout-out to all of our caucus staff, who
much love for a well-earned retirement. do great work for us. We’re kind of like the three bears ofThursday, November 25, 2021 British Columbia Debates 4383
caucuses. There’s the two-member, us and then the gov- terment of the Kootenays. In short, he was loved, he was
ernment side. So we’re right in that sweet-spot middle. It disliked, and he didn’t care.
makes us very efficient. We have staff that all have to chip I will miss many passionate conversations with Carmen.
in and do whatever is called upon them. Our caucus staff I wish his wife, Carol, his three children, Jodie, James and
just provide wonderful support to us. Especially, a special Curt, and his many friends across the province the sin-
shout-out to the kids in the basement, because I know they cerest condolences and sympathies to a great, great Koot-
love it when they’re called that in this chamber. enay man.
Finally, of course, our legislative assistants within this May he rest in peace.
building. We couldn’t do what we do without them. I know
that my legislative assistant is sitting in the chamber today, Introductions by Members
Shala Robins, who is perhaps the most patient of all of
them. Not to single anyone out, in particular, but she is Hon. N. Simons: It’s a pleasure for me to introduce five
here. She does not only have to tolerate me as a legislative members of my staff. I’d like to thank them, and others
assistant, but she also has to tolerate the Leader of the might want to congratulate them, for working with me for
Opposition as a legislative assistant. just over a year. I’d like to particularly point out Valerie
Thank you to all of our staff for all the great work that McKnight, administrative coordinator; Nina Karimi, min-
they do. isterial adviser; Ebony Rindahl, administrative assistant;
Anne Vavrik, executive assistant; and Alisma Perry, senior
K. Greene: I have four introductions to give today. Be- administrative adviser. They are in the House today.
fore anybody is alarmed, there is a reason that I bundled Welcome them to the House. Please offer your congrat-
them in. It’s my family’s birthday in November. It’s a very ulations and thanks to them for me.
exciting opportunity to have a lot of cake in one month.
To my kids, William, Matilda, Sullivan, I love you so A. Olsen: I’m going to do my best to not reintroduce
very much, and I’m sending hugs. everybody that’s already been introduced today. What I am
To my husband, Trevor, who carries so much when I’m going to do is reintroduce people that my colleague and
away, I’m very grateful. friend the Leader of the Third Party introduced yesterday.
We thought they were here yesterday, but no, indeed, they
Tributes are here today. My apologies for the time that we wasted
yesterday.
CARMEN PURDY [10:35 a.m.]
We’d just like to introduce some friends and supporters:
T. Shypitka: As we heard yesterday, Kootenay East and, Gail Star; Brian Charlton; Martin Graham Golder; Mi-
indeed, the province of B.C. lost a great soul. chael Madrone; Peter Spindloe; Rafe Sunshine — who I
Carmen Purdy was a special person that had the uncan- knew when I was in school; it’s a long time ago now; Anke
ny ability to recall historical references and stories of the Van Leeuwen; Pam and Richard Demontigny; Pat Nichols;
southeastern part of our beautiful province. He was a big Dev Percey; Nick Dickinson-Wilde; Mark Neufeld, Water-
wildlife enthusiast and steward of the land, as he helped fall Good; Vaalea Darke; Derek Pinto.
create the habitat conservation fund in 1981, which in Welcome to the chamber today. Unfortunately, the din-
part helps restore habitat and feed starving elk during very ing room is booked, and we’ll have to find another time for
harsh winters. lunch.
He sat on the board of B.C. Nature Trust for 20 years, Could the House please make them feel welcome.
among other conservation organizations, to being a mem-
ber of the regional Agricultural Land Commission panel. S. Bond: Well, all of us recognize that forestry is a critic-
His hard work led to obtaining tens of thousands of acres al part of B.C.’s economy. We have a number of guests who
throughout the east and west Kootenays in the name of are here today, and they are concerned about the future of
conservation of wildlife and habitat security. He was a the industry.
president of the East Kootenay Wildlife Association for ten I want to ask the House to make welcome Henrie Ma-
years, as well as being involved with Scouts Canada as a chielsen from Campbell River. Henrie works for a support
Scouts and Cubs leader. business whose clientele is 85 percent forestry-related.
Carmen was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Hannah Tucker is from the Comox Valley. Hannah is 19
Jubilee Medal. He was actually awarded that medal by his years old and is a first-year student attending the coastal
longtime friend and confidant and former MLA, Bill Ben- forestry technology diploma program.
nett. Lastly is Tamara Meggitt, from the Comox Valley. Tam-
Carmen was controversial and didn’t always agree with ara is the co-founder of Loonies for Loggers, which did
the status quo or government of the day. He ruffled feath- food drives and delivered food to 23 communities and
ers, stirred the pot and charted his own course for the bet- thousands of people during a labour dispute in 2019-2020.You can also read
