Contents

The House met at 10:04 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Susie Chant.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. Ravi Kahlon: Today I have the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from the Nepali-Canadian community to the Legislature in recognition of Nepali Heritage Day in British Columbia. I would like to thank and acknowledge members of the Nepal Cultural Society of British Columbia and the Nepali Heritage Day organizing committee for their leadership across our province.

Sitting in the gallery today, I want to recognize my dear friend from my community Raju Bhattarai, president of the NCSBC. We have Gaurav Subedi, secretary. We have Mr. Christopher Considine, who is the honorary consul general for Nepal in British Columbia, and we also have His Excellency Bharat Raj Paudyal, who is the Ambassador of Nepal to Canada.

This is a historic moment, as B.C. is the first jurisdiction in Canada to proclaim Nepali Heritage Day. I want to congratulate the Nepali community on this remarkable celebration as well as for the contributions they make to this province. I’m hoping everyone can join me in recognizing their commitment and service to the province.

Welcome.

Lynne Block: I would like to warmly recognize my CA Raquel Francis and her family in the gallery today. Raquel’s dedication, professionalism and steadfast support are truly exceptional.

I would also like to recognize my outstanding CA Ashten Young, who, beginning tomorrow, will be starting a year of maternity leave. Ashten is the epitome of grace, compassion and excellence in her role, and she will be deeply missed.

Will the House please welcome Raquel and her family and join me in wishing Ashten and her growing family every joy in this special new chapter.

Hon. Mike Farnworth: Yesterday the opposition introduced some very important people to this House, their interns. Today it is our turn to introduce some amazing young people, interns who’ve helped the government caucus in this last session. They’re amazing individuals who I know have learned a lot while they’re here, and I’m looking forward to knowing what they’re doing in the next stage of their careers.

I’d like, at this time, to introduce Keira Emes, Lauren Onderwater, Abedah Siddiqui, Adana Nduagu and Bethany Shymko.

Will the House please make these remarkable individuals welcome and thank them.

Jody Toor: On behalf of the Conservative caucus, we would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to our hard-working and dedicated executive assistants and legislative assistants.

Your tireless efforts are truly valued and appreciated. Thank you for everything that you guys do for each and every one of us and everything that you have done for us this session. Without you guys, we would be lost. Thank you so much for everything that you have done for everyone.

Hon. Brittny Anderson: As we all know, shift happens. There’s a big shift happening with the people that I’m working with today. Today is Evan Brown’s last day in the Legislature before he goes on paternity leave.

[10:10 a.m.]

His wife, Petra, and he will be welcoming a baby very soon, and I want everyone in this House to wish them all the best. I know they’re going to be absolutely incredible parents, and I look forward to welcoming Evan back after his paternity leave.

I’m really grateful that I get to continue to work with Anna Bundschuh, who has been my CA for the last five years and who is now coming into my role as MLA. She’s been in the Legislature for this past week, learning alongside Evan.

Can we please wish Evan and Petra all of the very best as they welcome a baby into this world.

Korky Neufeld: I would just like to ask some constituents in my riding to please stand. They’re good friends of my wife and myself — Grant and Judy Gaudet. They have served the community of Abbotsford for many, many years — volunteering, sitting on boards, committees, etc.

Would the House make them feel really welcome.

Janet Routledge: It is such a pleasure that I have today to welcome and introduce Keiran Ellis, the assistant to the Deputy Speaker and government caucus events coordinator, and Helena Keenliside, who is the government Whip’s assistant. They work behind the scenes to hold our caucus together. They do their work under unprecedented and unpredictable circumstances and make important last-minute decisions.

I really want them to know how much I, and we, appreciate their support, their commitment, their quick-wittedness, their kindness and their humour. They are a team, and they are part of a larger team.

Pete Davis: It’s an honour to be here. When I came here, I didn’t come alone. I had some regional association members that followed me to make sure I made it down and watched me walk into this House. I’d like to introduce to you our regional association president, Mr. Vince Miller; his beautiful wife, Kim; and our membership chair, Jo-Anne Takala.

Thank you guys so much for coming.

I also wanted to shout out to a couple others that were actually going to come, but they couldn’t make it — Darcy and Moe. They’re also part of our regional association — great supporters.

I wouldn’t be here without these people, so let’s welcome them to the House.

Susie Chant: I have two introductions for this morning, if you will bear with me.

To start out, I want to recognize Hannah Harris Hope for her exceptional contributions to our government caucus, constituency offices and the people of British Columbia. For the past 5½ years, Hannah has been a dedicated and deeply valued member of the B.C. NDP caucus team, bringing professionalism, kindness, compassion and an unwavering commitment to supporting both our constituency assistants and our ministries. Her work has touched countless people across this building and beyond.

I’ve known Hannah since I got here. I have enjoyed working together. She will do so much for so many.

Thank you very much, Hannah, for the work that you do.

She is going off to law school in the U.S. in the fall.

Well done on getting in and doing that. Maybe we’ll see you back, or maybe our trails will cross again. I certainly hope so.

A second introduction. Somewhere in this gallery, I hope, because my communication wasn’t so good this morning, is my husband. I love him dearly. He loves me dearly, which is very fortunate. We’ve been together for 41 years. He is the most remarkable fellow, who does the things that he does quietly, most of the time, and really, really effectively.

He fixes things for people who have disabilities, low and no vision. He’s your guy if you need something with Braille or that kind of stuff. He’s your guy. He’s the only guy in Canada now, and he also takes care of me so well.

I just want to say thank you to him and acknowledge him, and I’ll sit down now.

[10:15 a.m.]

Harman Bhangu: There are some hard-working young men in my riding right now that are training. They’re going to be doing two-a-days. Football season is around the corner. The Langley Rams’ season will be starting in the Canadian Junior Football League, led by head coach Kye Todhunter. And Dana Matheson has put together a really good program this year — really good coaching staff.

I want to wish them the best of luck in their upcoming season.

Amna Shah: I actually have two introductions, but I’ll do one at a time. I just want to welcome Priyanka Krishna and Jasmeen Jaswal to the chamber today. These two women are the future of our province, and I cannot stress how hard these young women work for our caucus and for our government and for our communities.

I thank you for your work, and welcome to the chamber.

I hope the House will join me in doing the same.

Lorne Doerkson: I’m excited to announce and welcome Michelle LaPlace. Now, this is a woman from Williams Lake, and she’s a powerful woman. This is the person that might phone to tell you that you are late for the airplane, so this is a very important person in our community. I’ve volunteered much with her, and I’m so glad that she’s here.

She’s joined by her friend Jillian Chaney, who grew up in Williams Lake and now resides in Victoria.

I’m excited to welcome them both here. We’re going to do a tour and have lunch, so I’m really excited about that.

Welcome to these two women.

Sunita Dhir: In the gallery today is my dear friend Raju Bhattrai. He is the president of Nepal Cultural Society of B.C. He’s here with his fellow Nepali Canadians to celebrate the historic Nepali Heritage Day proclamation event today.

Please welcome Raju and his friends in the House today.

Statements

Penticton-Summerland Area Fire
and Recognition of First Responders

Amelia Boultbee: Last night we had an unprecedented fire in Penticton-Summerland that resulted in the loss of 200 long-term-care beds and the evacuation of hundreds of people, and I’d like to rise just to, first and foremost, thank our brave first responders from the Penticton fire department and also the district of Summerland, who sent over eight of their fire trucks as well.

We’ve never seen a fire like this. The highway had to be shut down, and constituents were calling me from the roofs of their homes, with hoses, as burning embers flew for many city blocks.

I would also like to acknowledge the city of Penticton and local businesses and restaurants, which opened up their doors without a moment’s hesitation to take in displaced people in the middle of the night; and my constituency office staff, who got out of bed without being asked, to go and man emergency phones.

While we are grateful that no one was seriously hurt or killed, we are devastated at the loss of residential property, the long-term-care beds and the Kampe property.

Introductions by Members

Linda Hepner: We have, today, visiting the precinct an international organization called, appropriately, the dispute resolution corporation. They represent the fruit and vegetable industry. It’s a member organization, and they have members all over Canada, the U.S., Mexico, South America and Europe.

I just want to give a very warm welcome to them as they tour the precinct. They are not yet in the gallery, but I hope that we can give them an international welcome to our House.

Lawrence Mok: It is my pleasure to introduce my three very longtime friends from Duncan who are visiting the Legislature for the first time. We have Lan and Rose and their son Ian. Lan is a retired schoolteacher, and Ian is still a high school teacher.

Will the House please join me in giving them a very warm welcome.

Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson: I’m so happy to see the MLA for Kootenay-Rockies back in the House.

And I want to send a special message to our MLAs for Victoria–Beacon Hill and Vancouver-Strathcona. We love you, we miss you, and we hope to see you back here in the fall session.

[10:20 a.m.]

Tony Luck: One of the great privileges we have as being members of this House is being able to stand and recognize friends and families for birthdays; anniversaries; and, today, graduations.

My wife and I have three daughters graduating from high school this year. We’re very proud of them — Emily Luck, Cadence Tyack and Kailey Ross.

Kailey has accepted a four-year division 1 softball scholarship at Stetson University in Florida, so we’re very proud of her. She’s worked very, very hard for that and we’re looking forward…. The last time I spoke to her, she wants to do medicine, hopefully become a doctor. So I said: “That’d be great. We need you in B.C. So you get that. That’d be fantastic.”

I’d also like to recognize our granddaughter Josephine Sheldon, who graduated last year. She’s been called on a mission from her church to go to Sapporo, Japan for 18 months. We’re really proud of her as well.

Thank you very much, everyone, for allowing me to introduce them, and we’re really proud of them as grandparents.

Darlene Rotchford: It’s kind of fitting at the last day of session that we all get kind of chirpy with each other, but there are some shared things within this House, and I have the privilege of sharing a birthday with someone on the opposition side tomorrow.

So I would actually like to wish the member for Richmond-Bridgeport, tomorrow, a very happy birthday.

Harman Bhangu: I have a friend here in the House today, Mauro Francis.

Would the House please make him feel welcome.

Hon. Jessie Sunner: I also would like to make a very special birthday wish to my father-in-law, Darshan. It’s his birthday today. He’s one of the loyal YouTube viewers that…. When there are 35 people watching, maybe, outside of this House, he’s one of them, along with his mom, Jackie.

I just want to wish you a very happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day.

If the House will please join me in wishing him a happy birthday.

Claire Rattée: I have a constituent in the gallery today, Ron Zuda, and his girlfriend, Sue, who lives here on the Island.

I would just ask that the House would make them feel welcome.

Dana Lajeunesse: I just want to take a moment to recognize a friend of mine and to thank her for keeping us hydrated for the last few months in the House — my friend and yours, Jeni Gunn, who’s standing just to the Speaker’s left right now. This is her last day with us in the House. She’s moving on to a full-time position as a safety officer in this building.

Thank you, Jeni.

Kiel Giddens: There are many graduations happening across the province in the next month here, but tomorrow will be the UNBC convocation, where I’ll be proud to witness hundreds of students cross the stage.

Among them will be one of my constituency advisers, Isabelle Saunders. I want to wish her congratulations on graduating from UNBC.

Congrats, Izzy.

Jeremy Valeriote: She’s been introduced to this House before, but would the House please give a warm welcome in the gallery to our B.C. Green Party leader, Emily Lowan.

Gavin Dew: I’d like to get an 11-day head start on wishing a very happy eighth birthday to my daughter Abigail Ariella Dew. I missed her French play this morning.

I’m sorry. I miss you. I love you. I’ll see you soon. Happy birthday.

Korky Neufeld: You know time flies when your youngest siblings turn 60. May 31 is my youngest twin siblings’, David and Betty’s, 60th birthday.

In advance, would the House help me congratulate them and wish them well.

Sheldon Clare: I would like to welcome executive director for the Conservative Party Angelo Isidorou and our other senior staff Philip Dippenaar, who are in the gallery today.

Would you please make them most welcome.

Trevor Halford: In the gallery today, we have some very special guests that I want to single out.

First is the press secretary to the Conservative Party of B.C., somebody who is very familiar in this hallway and has, I’m sure, many big things ahead of her. That is Francesca Guetchev.

[10:25 a.m.]

Francesca, thank you for joining us here today.

Also, our director of communications, Jarret Coels, is in the House today.

And our esteemed…. Somebody who has stepped in and done exemplary work, my chief of staff, Allie Blades. Allie is in the gallery today.

I want to thank you.

My colleagues did mention it. We have some very special guests from the party today — somebody who has been a backbone of this party, and I’m proud to, even more than that, call him a friend, and that’s Angelo Isidorou. Philip Dippenaar is here as well, and Jackie Prokopenko is here, and I want to thank them for being here with us today.

Sometime in the next few minutes, we will be graced by the presence of probably one of my biggest critics but one of my best friends — and she’d be horrified to hear that — my daughter, somebody who I’m immensely proud of, somebody who may be in this House one day, and that is Alexandra Halford.

I ask the House to please make them all welcome.

Hon. David Eby: Looking up in the gallery, I see a familiar and friendly face — a former MLA in this place, former Member of Parliament in Ottawa, representing Skeena and area. Nathan Cullen is joining us here.

I invite the House to welcome him back, please.

Wow. Didn’t get a huge round of applause there.

I thought people would be happier to see you, Nathan. I’m sorry about that. I’m glad to see you.

I also want to take a moment to recognize the Leader of the Opposition. It’s his last day here in service of this role. I mentioned it last night during estimates. I want to mention it in front of the entire House and those watching question period.

Leadership roles in politics are challenging at the best of times. These days, regardless of which party you serve in, the cost is often paid by family at home. It’s time away on the road. It is dedication to a lot of priorities that aren’t necessarily consistent with what you know you need to do for your family.

He has made a lot of sacrifices to serve in this role. He is the fourth leader of the official opposition that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed every moment, frankly, but I do respect that he has operated within a framework of accountability and integrity.

I want to thank him on behalf of the people of B.C. for fulfilling that important role during the time that he did.

Rohini Arora: I just want to take a moment to shout out all of the EAs and legislative assistants that support us — Dakota, Sushant, Saige, Brian, HK. We could not do what we do over in the east annex without their continued support with every single detail. I just want to give them a major shout-out.

Would the House please join me in welcoming and supporting them as they continue to do the work in the next session.

Ian Paton: Sorry, this is a little bit corny, but my mom watches question period every day from our farm in Delta. I never get to wish her a happy birthday because it’s always in August, on August 3. She’s going to be 99 years old this coming August 3. And up until five months ago, she was still volunteering every Friday at the Delta Hospital Auxiliary thrift shop.

So everybody say happy birthday to my mom.

Amna Shah: I am so pleased to introduce to the House a remarkable individual who’s in the gallery today. Her name is Carol Robitaille. Born in Saskatchewan, Carol was raised on her family farm just outside the small town of Leross, and from a young age, she demonstrated both an adventurous spirit and a deep commitment to serving her country, which would lead her to making history as a member of the first class of women admitted to Royal Roads Military College.

Carol went on to serve with distinction as an army logistics officer with 1 Service Battalion in the Canadian Forces, and it was during her service that Ray and Carol’s paths first crossed. They were married in 1990, and in 1996, she left the regular forces to begin a new chapter as a mother.

[10:30 a.m.]

She has been an exceptional parent to their three children — Rachel, Anna and Thomas — while continuing to serve her country as a reserve officer in recruiting until her retirement in 2022. Throughout their life together, Carol has been at the heart of countless shared adventures, and she is an extraordinary partner; a dedicated public servant; and, above all, Ray’s very best friend.

Carol, on behalf of our colleagues here, I want to thank you for your service and your sacrifice to our country, including selflessly sharing your husband with us. Ray is responsible for some of the most positive transformations in this institution and in this province, and he is a true protector of democracy. I hope you will always be proud of that.

Will the House join me in making Carol feel very welcome here today.

The Speaker: Members, it’s the last day of school. Anyone else want to introduce anybody? Now’s your chance. Or we can introduce each other.

Thank you.

Introduction and
First Reading of Bills

M249 — Pharmaceutical Risk
Management and Accountability Act

Tara Armstrong presented a bill intituled Pharmaceutical Risk Management and Accountability Act.

Tara Armstrong: I move that a bill intituled the Pharmaceutical Risk Management and Accountability Act, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a first time now.

This bill is about big pharma. Large pharmaceutical corporations are distributing and profiting from drug products whose long-term safety and effectiveness is unknown or uncertain. This act will create a new class of experimental drugs that are subject to robust new risk management and accountability standards.

This new class of drugs will include COVID vaccines, harm reduction drugs, gender transition drugs and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs have been promoted for use by youth and other vulnerable populations despite uncertainty regarding long-term effects. In some cases, as with the COVID vaccines, pharmaceutical companies have signed agreements with the government to excuse themselves from financial liability.

This bill will change that. It will place the responsibility for safety and efficacy of drugs back onto the pharmaceutical giants themselves. Wholesalers will enter into new risk management agreements with the Minister of Health. These will require (1) a victims’ compensation program, (2) indemnities forcing pharmaceutical corporations to pay their fair share of health care costs and (3) strict monitoring and reporting disclosures.

The time has come for B.C. to make pharmaceutical giants pay for the risks and costs of their own drug products.

I commend this bill to the House.

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

Motion approved.

Tara Armstrong: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Members’ Statements

Fairmont Hot Springs Airport

Scott McInnis: I want to take a moment this morning to highlight something that is absolutely vital to our community in Columbia River–Revelstoke: the Fairmont Hot Springs Airport and the amazing volunteers which operate it.

This isn’t just a runway. It’s a lifeline. The airport plays a critical role in emergency response across the Columbia Valley. Whether it’s medevac flights transporting patients to urgent care, Angel Flights, firefighting aircraft responding to wildfires or search and rescue teams reaching those in danger, this airport saves lives.

It operates in all seasons, ensuring that, when minutes matter, help can arrive without delay. Its location is strategic. It provides access that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the region, cutting response times and improving outcomes for residents across the valley.

But what truly makes this airport exceptional is not just the infrastructure. It’s the people behind it. The Columbia Valley Airport Society is entirely volunteer run. Think about that. A group of dedicated local residents that gives their time, day in and day out, to keep this essential service operating.

[10:35 a.m.]

They fuel planes; maintain facilities; support pilots; and handle the countless small, often unseen tasks that keep everything running smoothly. These volunteers stretch every dollar, maximize limited resources and quietly ensure that this community asset continues to serve all of us.

Our community recognizes this importance. The overwhelming majority of residents view this airport as absolutely essential.

Today we thank you. Thank you to the volunteers. Thank you to those who support and advocate for this airport.

I encourage anybody who is able to come out to the society’s pancake breakfast and air show this year on September 12. They put on a great air show, and the flapjacks are top-notch. If you have an airplane, you can always fly in too.

Let’s continue to stand behind this incredible asset and the people who make this possible.

Khalsa Diwan Society of Vancouver
Sports Tournament

Sunita Dhir: On May 16 and 17, the Khalsa Diwan Society, Ross Street Temple, Vancouver, held the 58th annual sports tournament in the memory of Gadri Babai and Babbar Shaheed. Thousands of sports fans filled Memorial South Park as athletes competed in soccer; wrestling; tug-of-war; weightlifting; and kabaddi, the most beloved sport in Punjab.

Kabaddi is a fast-paced contact team sport, often described as a mix of wrestling, rugby and tag, where players try to tag opponents and make it back to their side without being tackled.

Players came from India, Pakistan, Toronto, the United States and all across B.C. The wrestling matches featured Olympic-level athletes, while the kabaddi semifinals and finals brought out some of the biggest and most enthusiastic crowds of the weekend.

The tournament was exceptionally organized by the Khalsa Diwan Society executives and the KDS sports committee, with strong support from volunteers, sponsors and community organizations.

Team Seva served langar to thousands of attendees and made sure everyone felt welcomed and cared for throughout the event.

A particularly touching moment was the tribute to the late past president, Mr. Kuldip Singh Thandi. I was honoured to join the community in observing a minute of silence and presenting a memorial certificate to Mr. Thandi’s family.

It was a true celebration of heritage, unity and community spirit. On behalf of this House, I congratulate the Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver, on the huge success of this tournament.

Service of Legislature Staff
and Message of Appreciation

Reann Gasper: I want to recognize and sincerely thank the many people who make the work of this Legislature possible each and every day.

To our Conservative caucus staff, our LAs, our EAs, communications team, research staff, our chief of staff: thank you for your professionalism, your dedication and countless hours of work behind the scenes.

Members may stand in this chamber, but none of us can do this work alone. Your preparation, advice, organization and steady support allow us to better represent our constituents and hold the government accountable on behalf of British Columbia.

I want to extend a special thanks to our CAs across this province. In many cases, they are the first voice people hear when they call for help and the first face they see when they walk into a constituency office.

I also want to express my appreciation to the many staff throughout this building who keep this Legislature functioning smoothly, professionally and respectfully every day.

To the Clerk’s office, community staff, legal and procedural teams, Hansard, IT and client services: thank you for the expertise and professionalism you bring to this institution.

To the chamber pages: thank you for your hard work, for your composure, your support of the daily work in this House.

To the security staff, the dining room staff, the maintenance crew, the cleaning staff: thank you for everything you do, often outside the spotlight, to ensure we remain safe, welcoming and operational each and every day.

[10:40 a.m.]

Public service is not carried out by elected officials alone. It depends on the hundreds of people who work diligently behind the scenes with patience and pride in their work.

On behalf of the official opposition Conservative caucus, I offer sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of you for your service in this institution and to the people of British Columbia.

Community Celebrations in
Kootenay-Monashee Area

Steve Morissette: We’re in the heart of spring celebration season across British Columbia. Communities large and small are gathering together to celebrate the places they call home.

In Kootenay-Monashee, I’ve recently had the pleasure of attending Silver City Days in Trail and Beaver Valley May Days in Fruitvale, and I’m looking forward to soon attending upcoming events like Sunfest in Castlegar, Montrose Family Day and Cherryville Days in beautiful little Cherryville.

These celebrations are deeply loved traditions in their communities. They bring people together through parades, food, friendly sports competitions, car shows, local vendors, live entertainment and rides for families and children. But more than any one event or activity, they create something even more important: a sense of belonging. They remind us to celebrate where we live, the people around us and the simple joy of coming together as neighbours and friends.

What many people may not see is the incredible amount of work behind the scenes. In so many communities, it is often a small group of dedicated volunteers carrying the load in planning, organizing, fundraising, setting up, hosting events and cleaning up long after everyone has gone home.

To every volunteer, organizer, service club member, sponsor and community champion helping make these celebrations possible: thank you. Your hard work strengthens community spirit and creates memories that families carry with them for years. These celebrations truly showcase the very best of British Columbia.

Climate Action Responsibility
and Optimism

Jeremy Valeriote: Last day of spring session, as we’re all aware, and I am looking forward to summer in — non-partisanly, of course — the most beautiful part of our province, West Vancouver–Sea to Sky. In a province full of natural beauty and wonder, the Coast Mountain peaks, the tidewater of Átl’ka7tsem — Howe Sound — the crystal-clear lakes and the glacier-fed streams and rivers move me, occasionally even to tears. As my friend Kevin Hodder is fond of saying to his kids and anyone who will listen: “Look at where we live.”

Being surrounded by this natural beauty and in awe of the kindness and the can-do spirit of the people of West Vancouver–Sea to Sky makes it easy for me to remain a climate optimist. I know that we can find the inspiration, the tools, the solutions and the courage to make the shift we need to secure the continued prosperity of our species on this, our one and only home planet.

It was a joy to attend David Suzuki’s 90th birthday party last weekend, and I thank the Minister of Housing and member for Vancouver-Little Mountain for her reflection on his and Tara Cullis’s declaration of interdependence earlier this week. I’d also like to read some of those words into the record here.

“Our science has brought pain as well as joy. Our comfort is paid for by the suffering of millions. We are learning from our mistakes. We are mourning our vanished kin, and we now build a new politics of hope. We are one brief generation in the long march of time. The future is not ours to erase. So where knowledge is limited, we will remember all those who will walk after us and err on the side of caution.”

As I rise in this House for the last time this session, I resolve to maintain my optimism over the summer break, to find allies to build community, to protect and care for this home we all share.

I hope all my fellow members will do the same, and I wish you all a happy, positive and optimistic summer.

Graduates of 2026 in
Vernon-Lumby Area

Harwinder Sandhu: As we are welcoming grad season, I would like to acknowledge the graduating class of 2026. Your graduation is more than just a ceremony. It is a celebration of your journey, your resilience and the incredible future that lies ahead.

[10:45 a.m.]

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduates of W.L. Seaton, Charles Bloom, Clarence Fulton, Vernon Secondary, Vernon Christian School, Kalamalka Secondary, the Montessori program, Okanagan College, UBCO and grads across our province, along with their families, teachers, staff and friends who supported you at every step of the way.

Each of you has faced challenges, uncertainty and moments where the road ahead may not have seemed clear, but you kept going. You learned. You grew. You proved that you are stronger than you realize.

As you walk across the stage, remember this. Never let anyone else define what you’re capable of. Do not allow others to limit your dreams, your voice, your future. You have the ability, the talent and the potential to become who you want and to do what you want to do.

Some of you will continue your education. Some will begin careers, travel, learn trades or discover an entirely new path. No matter where life takes you, believe in yourself and trust the person you’re becoming.

You are the future of our communities, the future of the Okanagan and the future of this province. The world needs your ideas, your compassion, your leadership and your courage. So dream big and bold, work hard and lift others up. Along the way, be kind and accepting, and never forget how far you have already come. Most importantly, be proud of yourself, because we certainly are.

To the graduating class of 2026, I wish you nothing but success, happiness and fulfilment in the year ahead. Keep shining. Congratulations, all the best, and thank you.

Oral Questions

The Speaker: Members, before we start, all electronics are to be turned off — everybody. Thank you.

Impact of DRIPA and Gitxaała
Court Case on Crown Corporations

Steve Kooner: Do you want to know how bad it is right now? No wonder the government didn’t tell us what cases are being amended by the Gitxaała decision. It’s because it’s embarrassing.

Yesterday the Premier had a fleeting moment of transparency when he admitted that this government’s enhanced care no-fault is under threat under DRIPA — ICBC. Are you kidding me?

To the Attorney General: what other Crown corporations have now ended up in court because of DRIPA?

Hon. David Eby: From the beginning, the official opposition parties, whatever the name, have stood against our reforms to ICBC.

ICBC was out of control. It was losing billions of dollars a year. The previous government had listed the URL icbc.com for sale to try to hide some of the losses. That was their solution to what was happening at ICBC.

We took that precious Crown corporation that was meant to deliver affordable car insurance to British Columbians, which was instead losing billions of dollars and threatening a 33 percent price increase, and we reformed it. They opposed it every step of the way. Now that Crown corporation not only breaks even; it provides return to the government of British Columbia and, by extension, B.C. taxpayers and delivers some of the lowest car insurance rates and best benefits in car insurance in British Columbia.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. David Eby: The member now wants to drag this in to the Declaration Act discussion.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. David Eby: If he was transparent…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh.

Hon. David Eby: …he would have said that the Civil Resolution Tribunal was clear in dismissing the argument. The enhanced care model is not under threat, despite the member’s assertions, except for the possibility that if the Conservatives ever ended up on this side of the House, they would undo it.

The member is saying: “Job number one.” They cannot wait to return us to what Alberta is facing.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Hon. David Eby: Out-of-control insurance premiums, denials of claims, losses for British Columbians. If you want to pay more for car insurance, then I would encourage you to vote Conservative.

[10:50 a.m.]

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Member, supplemental.

Steve Kooner: That was a non-answer. We were talking about DRIPA and the Gitxaała decision. How many Crown corporations are now affected by the Gitxaała decision and DRIPA? The Premier went on a rant and started talking about ICBC. ICBC is affected. I asked the question: how many Crown corporations are affected?

So I’ll try a different minister. Let’s try the Minister of Energy. How many Crown corporations are affected through the Gitxaała decision and DRIPA?

Hon. Adrian Dix: As I try to do as often as possible, I think I can follow the logic and the force of the answer the Premier gave — that the threat to B.C. Hydro and the threat to ratepayers is over there. It’s over there.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh. Members. Order.

Minister will continue.

Hon. Adrian Dix: As members of the House will know….

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh, Member.

Hon. Adrian Dix: It’s hard to be in the top five leadership candidates. But I would say that.…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh. Members.

Hon. Adrian Dix: If members will remember, in the years leading into 2017, in 2001, ICBC rates went up 54 percent above the rate of inflation.

Hon. Adrian Dix: Then under our current government…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh. Members, wait for your turn.

Hon. Adrian Dix: …they’ve gone down 12 percent against the rate of inflation.

It’s the same point. The people who are opposed to Crown corporations in B.C. are on the other side of the House. The people who are opposed to building the province are on the other side of the House. The people who are against the North Coast transmission line are on the other side of the House.

We’re going to continue to build B.C. and B.C. Hydro, and we’re going to do it working with First Nations.

Natural Gas Royalties
and LNG Development Policies

Kiel Giddens: The CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce recently said: “B.C.’s government wants to hike natural gas royalties at a time where there are several LNG projects in the process of review for final investment approval. This royalty grab puts those projects at risk of stalling at a time when the world needs Canada’s LNG.”

This government actually stood on stage this week with a federal minister and an LNG proponent claiming to be pro-LNG, but they’re only chasing away investment potential. The NDP are increasing royalties, potentially from 5 percent to as high as 35 percent in some cases.

Will the minister stand up for B.C. LNG today and end their new royalty structure?

Hon. Adrian Dix: They footnoted that with the head of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Since then, since that unfortunate intervention which was completely wrong was made, LNG Canada has announced hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. Yesterday Ksi Lisims LNG announced its third major off-take agreement.

The royalty question has been before British Columbia since 2022. We’re going to be changing the regime on January 1. We’re working with the industry to do that. I’ve been talking about that in speeches to the board of trade, the business council, multiple chambers of commerce.

This question raises an important philosophical question, which I will ponder all summer. I’ll ponder it all summer. If a tree fell in the forest and there were 40 Conservative MLAs around, would any of them hear anything?

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Kiel Giddens: Well, the reality is that we have no final investment decision yet, and the only question mark is the fact that we have an NDP government.

[10:55 a.m.]

In April, the U.S. just added their ninth LNG facility in production, and they’re adding 45 billion cubic feet a day in natural gas pipeline capacity in the next two years.

Industry has warned this government that increasing royalties would see more producers take product from Alberta. This is on top of the government’s disastrous CleanBC policies. There’s an industrial carbon tax, of course, and an emissions cap that is really a production cap.

This Minister of Energy may as well be on Premier Smith’s payroll.

Will he commit today to scrapping the production cap and this new uncompetitive royalty scheme, yes or no?

Hon. Adrian Dix: Well, of course, I’m not on the payroll, but I think the opposition member just made an application.

It is impossible to ignore the facts to that degree. There were zero — you can’t get to minus one — LNG projects in B.C. when John Horgan became Premier of B.C. I’m so proud that there’s a dam named after him. Under Premier Horgan’s leadership and then under the current Premier’s leadership, there are now six projects. We are shipping LNG to Asia right now. The Haisla First Nation and their Cedar project is going ahead with the support of the government.

We are going to be — British Columbia, compared to the countries of the world — sixth in the world by 2030 in LNG production, fourth by 2035.

The only people who are talking down B.C. are on the other side of the House. They talk down B.C. every day because they think that’s in their partisan interest.

People in B.C. don’t believe that. They’re for B.C. They’re for success in B.C., and so are we.

Wildfire Preparedness and Response

Rob Botterell: Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures above normal for May through to the end of July, while some climatologists say we could be in for a super El Niño this year — a weather event that brings much warmer temperatures and, with it, drought.

At the same time, that side of the House has only provided limited top-up funding for the FireSmart program, one of the main ways that local governments and First Nations engage in proactive wildfire prevention. Without further funding, this program is anticipated to run out of money after this season.

To the Premier: municipalities and First Nations are worried about the long-term future of this program. Can you guarantee that this essential program will not be cut?

Hon. Ravi Parmar: I’m very pleased to be able to report to the member opposite that in Budget 2026, we recognized the importance of this program and invested an additional $15 million in supporting communities in wildfire suppression across the province.

The member is absolutely right. This is a challenging period in British Columbia with droughts. We are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. What gives me hope is the incredible work that local governments and communities of all sizes are doing on the ground. What also gives me hope is the incredible wildland firefighters that we have here in British Columbia.

Let’s not forget that it was this government, in a previous budget, that made the serious investment to take the B.C. wildfire service from a seasonal organization to an all year round organization.

Wildland firefighters in every corner of this province are protecting our province. And not only that, but they’re protecting this country and protecting other countries as well. When people in California needed help, British Columbia was there. When Canadians needed help, British Columbia’s wildfire service was there. Just a few months ago, when our friends in Australia needed help, British Columbia was there.

British Columbia will always be there to help our neighbours in need.

The Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

Rob Botterell: FireSmart funding is only part of the solution. In one month, it will be the five-year anniversary of the village of Lytton burning down. That community is finally being rebuilt after significant delays and challenges.

A recent report from the Office of the Auditor General found that both the village and the province lack the legal framework, staffing capacity and recovery systems needed to respond to a fire disaster of this scale.

[11:00 a.m.]

As we’ve heard this morning, the 2026 fire season is already underway. The risk of another community burning to the ground is only increasing, and this requires all hands on deck from government.

To the Premier: what further improvements are planned to ensure that communities large and small are better able to respond to the climate-driven fire disasters this summer and beyond?

Hon. Ravi Parmar: As I noted in my previous response, it was this government that made the strategic decision to make the B.C. wildfire service a year-round organization. This year was another record-breaking year — 2,400 individuals, 2,400 British Columbians, who put their names forward, wanting to participate as wildland firefighters.

But let’s not stop there. In addition, we invested an additional $14 million in resources to be able to help ensure that those wildland firefighters have the best tools possible. We are working with incredible aviation companies like Coulson, like Conair in Abbotsford.

Let’s also recognize that because of the leadership of our government, the leadership of our Premier, we saw the federal government announce hundreds of millions of dollars in aviation contracts, all of which are based in British Columbia. It is going to produce good-paying, family-supporting jobs.

The member is absolutely right. I think communities are doing the work on the ground through our FireSmart programming. We’re going to be there alongside them to support them in the months ahead.

Enforcement of Laws on
Illicit Drug Use in Public Spaces

Tara Armstrong: Last week the owner of Evil Genius Tattoo shop in Kelowna went viral after posting a video about his exasperation with having spent years sweeping up needles, crack pipes and human feces from his business premises.

Business owners are tired of being demonized for protecting their customers and staff from criminal drug use. He’s had enough of this lawlessness. I think we all have.

My question is for the Premier. When will he finally put criminals in prisons and addicts into treatment, instead of forcing small business owners to do his government’s dirty work?

Hon. Nina Krieger: My thanks to the member opposite for the question. We know that businesses are the backbones of communities in our province. Business owners, workers and community members need to feel safe.

That’s why we have been responding to municipal leaders, to business owners and police in standing up programs that they have been asking for. These include programs such as SITE, the special investigation and targeted enforcement program, that allows police to apply for funding to invest in specialized equipment, funding for overtime work and to really ensure that they have the tools to go after repeat violent offenders and also street disorder crimes in our communities.

These investments are having a result, including in Kelowna. Kelowna applied for SITE funding and conducted a seven-month investigation that led to 121 arrests, 163 charges, 456 new police files and the seizure of significant drugs and weapons. This speaks to the results of the programs. We are taking action to ensure that they continue to support communities and support police in targeting these criminals and to keep communities safe.

The Speaker: Member has a supplemental.

Government Policy on
Supervised Consumption Sites

Tara Armstrong: Small business owners have had enough, because successive governments have turned our downtowns into drug havens, with deadly consequences.

When Vancouver opened the first drug consumption site in 2003, the number of drug deaths provincewide was 190. But after 23 years of Liberal and NDP enablement, we now have 58 drug consumption sites, and annual drug deaths have increased by nearly ten times — ten times. What they’re doing is not working. Just yesterday, the government cancelled plans for a 59th site in Vancouver.

My question is: when will they close the other 58?

[11:05 a.m.]

Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question and really raising the issue that overdose prevention services, safe consumption sites, are a critical part of the continuum of saving lives and connecting people to the care that they need, in a time when the toxic drug crisis is ever-evolving, ever-changing, the supply itself becoming more poisonous and more dangerous.

We have seen over 6½ million visits to supervised consumption and overdose prevention services throughout British Columbia. We know that almost 33,000 drug poisoning events have been attended, death events averted and reversed.

That is saving lives. That is putting people first. That is helping to provide the safe spaces that connect them to the care. That is the work that this government is committed to doing. That is the work that we will continue to do as we build out prevention, treatment and recovery and attack this toxic drug crisis on all pillars of the approach that is needed to save these lives and to reduce deaths.

Penticton-Summerland Area Fire and
Availability of Long-Term-Care Beds

Amelia Boultbee: Last night, 200 long-term-care beds were lost in my community of Penticton-Summerland. Even before the loss of these 200 beds, the wait-list for seniors to receive this care was hundreds of people long. On a weekly basis, I receive calls from seniors telling me that they cannot access regular bathing, regular meals or medical care and spend unnecessary time in emergency rooms.

To the Minister of Health: what emergency powers does the province have to address the critical shortfall of seniors care in Penticton-Summerland?

Hon. Bowinn Ma: What happened last night was, as the member correctly described in her introductory remarks, devastating.

It was devastating to the families that had to be evacuated from their homes because of their proximity to this massive fire. It is devastating to the families who were looking forward to this project being completed on time, in 2028, so that their loved ones could occupy some of the spaces that it would provide. It’s devastating to the project teams that worked so hard to get that project to where it was.

I’m incredibly grateful to the emergency responders. I understand that the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness has activated emergency support services for those members of the community who were displaced.

We are in contact with the service delivery provider. It’s being built by a private sector partner, Kaigo Senior Living, and they have already activated their insurance policy for this event.

I understand that the member and members of the community will be very eager to understand what the impact of this fire will be on the completion date of the project. It’s still too early to tell, but we’ll make sure that we provide updates to the member as soon as they’re available.

The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Amelia Boultbee: Penticton-Summerland has one of the oldest demographics in British Columbia, which is already growing.

Given the acute shortage of long-term-care beds, where seniors are frequently relocated far from friends and family, stuck in hospital hallways and dying alone in poor conditions, will the Minister of Health or of Infrastructure commit today to fast-tracking long-term-care beds in Penticton-Summerland?

Hon. Bowinn Ma: We’re committed to ensuring that this project gets built. The extent of the damage so far is unknown. We do know that the fire is out, but the site itself is currently unstable. So there’s still more work to be done to understand fully what was done.

This project was about six months into its construction, and they had just started framing. So the good news is it wasn’t nearing completion. It was more on the front-end, early stages of the work.

We will be working with Kaigo Senior Living to understand what the impact will be on this project, and we look forward to having it continue, again, as quickly as possible.

Amy Woodland Elementary
School Replacement

Pete Davis: The gym at Amy Woodland Elementary School burned down in 2024. This school means a lot to me. I attended this school from grade 1 to grade 7.

After the fire, the Minister of Infrastructure promised this community a replacement school, stating: “I am pleased to confirm that there was funding in the Budget 2025 for the replacement of Amy Woodland Elementary.”

[11:10 a.m.]

Well, here we are, two years later. More than 250 students remain displaced. Families are frustrated, and there is no clear timeline for construction or reopening.

To the minister: when will these children finally be able to return to Amy Woodland Elementary?

Hon. Bowinn Ma: Thank you to the member, again, for raising yet another example of how structural fires are devastating aspects of our public services. We have seen so many fires at schools, and every single one has had an impact on the students, on the staff, on the teachers, on the community.

I’m happy to provide the member with a direct update following this question period, maybe some more information that would be more helpful to this specific situation.

Crime in Communities
and Handling by Justice System

Lorne Doerkson: Last week an RCMP officer in Williams Lake responded to a complaint of an axe-wielding individual. The suspect violently resisted arrest, struck the officer in the head with two large rocks concealed in a hoodie. A justice of the peace that does not live in our community saw fit to release this prolific offender six hours after being arrested.

A frustrated city council is now taking action because this government simply won’t. It has unanimously voted a motion to contemplate shutting down the RCMP detachment’s jail.

Why has this government allowed our streets to get to such a point that we are forced to make decisions like this on our city councils?

Hon. Niki Sharma: Clearly, that’s a disturbing case. It’s one of the reasons that we’ve been so strong on calling for bail reform across this country. B.C. has led the way to ensure that our Criminal Code across this country has the right tools necessary to keep prolific offenders off the streets, to keep them from harming people and keep them from reoffending.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members.

Hon. Niki Sharma: I was recently at the Senate to advocate for the quick passing of Bill C-14. We want to see that become law. It gives our system really strong tools that were asked for by cities across this province to me — to advocate for clear tools around those people that are committing repeat offences over and over again, that need to be stopped.

The tools that will be in that, hopefully, law of the land will help our courts make sure that communities are safe and those people are kept off the streets. It needs to pass as quickly as possible.

Funding for Services to
Children and Families

Reann Gasper: This government slashed the B.C. family residence program, cut access to autism funding for 10,000 children, suspended $10-a-day daycare for three years. When families lose access to care, that is not a cut, no matter what the minister calls it.

Why are children and families suffering for this government’s failures?

Hon. Jodie Wickens: I have spoken to the member opposite several times about our change and our redesign to make our services for children and families fairer and stronger. There are no changes happening over this year to individualized autism funding. We are investing 475 million new dollars to provide more services for children and youth with disabilities.

I’ll say that the status quo is easy. Making changes, changing the structure of things, changing eligibility is not easy, but it’s what a responsible government does.

It is not easy to stand in this House as a parent of a child with autism, as someone who has worked with dozens of families. I have sat on the living room floor and provided therapy to children who cannot talk, to children who have self-injurious behaviour, to children who cannot eat.

Under the new system, those children will receive more funding and more support. That side of the House wants to reverse that decision. That is shameful.

[11:15 a.m.]

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister.

Hon. Jodie Wickens: We know that because on April 2, the Leader of the Opposition…

The Speaker: Thank you.

Hon. Jodie Wickens: … and members of the Conservative Party brought families here. They brought private, for-profit providers here, and they said they would reverse our decision.

I want to know what they’re going to tell families who have children with Down syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder…

The Speaker: Thank you.

Hon. Jodie Wickens: …who are going to receive more funding and more support.

Children with autism under our new system…

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister.

Hon. Jodie Wickens: …are receiving more funding. We are building a stronger, fairer system for the future, and I am proud of that.

Government Handling of Issues

Trevor Halford: I want to answer the minister’s question really quickly, if I can.

You know what we would tell those families? We would tell those families that we stand by them, whether their children have autism, whether their children have Down syndrome. We would stand beside individualized funding, which is something that that minister did and now has turned her back on. It’s something that that Premier did and turned his back on. We would stand with them, and we would not strip them of their rights and their funding that they fought years to deserve. Absolutely despicable.

What’s worse is that we have never had a government in this province, never had a Premier in this province that has overpromised and underdelivered as the one that we currently have sitting in this House — $1,000 grocery rebate promised, cancelled; failed drug decriminalization and rampant crime; an extortion crisis growing daily; 1.3 million British Columbians without a family doctor; MRI wait times have doubled; maternity wards, emergency rooms closed across our province.

Not only that, if you want answers on DRIPA, you’ve got to wait six months. If you want to know what the cost of FIFA is, you’ve got to wait until the day after session, on a Friday, when the Premier finds it convenient for him because he knows it’s not going to be good.

The Speaker: Question, Member.

Trevor Halford: My question is a difficult one, but I think it’s an important one. I think a lot of British Columbians are asking it, and I think the Premier needs to answer it.

The Premier is very quick to blame everybody. He’ll blame Trump. He’ll blame global conflicts. He’ll blame his other cabinet ministers. He’ll blame everybody. But the one person he won’t blame is himself.

The Speaker: Question, Member.

Trevor Halford: The Premier knows that British Columbians are suffering right now. He knows that our health care system has never been worse.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Member will ask a question.

Trevor Halford: Well, you know what? If the Minister of Jobs wants the Leader of the Opposition’s desk, we’ll save it right here for him. He can have it. We’ll make that happen. A few leaders might be having their last day in this House today.

The Speaker: Question.

Trevor Halford: My question to the Premier is this. Will he stand up and will he finally accept responsibility for the mess that he’s made in this province — whether it’s health care; whether it’s DRIPA; whether it’s trying to bounce it out of the backs of our seniors, making them pay more?

The Speaker: Thank you, Member.

Trevor Halford: Will this Premier stand up and actually, once, take responsibility?

Interjections.

The Speaker: Thank you, Members.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, these desks cost lots of money. Be careful.

Hon. David Eby: I thank all members of the House and the Leader of the Opposition for what has been a very interesting and productive session.

Let’s start with what matters to British Columbians — housing, for example. Commitment to British Columbians to deliver more affordable rents — rents are coming down faster in British Columbia than anywhere else in Canada. It is because we prioritize building more rental housing, and we address speculation and issues like Airbnb.

[11:20 a.m.]

Now, the opposition, of course, has committed to British Columbians that if they are elected, they will welcome speculators back into the housing market. And their rents are going to go up because they will be competing with unregulated Airbnb.

Let’s talk about health care. More than 700….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Members.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members will come to order now, please.

Hon. David Eby: More than 700 health care workers from the United States applied to and received jobs here in British Columbia in a recruitment campaign, probably the singularly most effective recruitment campaign…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, shhh.

Hon. David Eby: …for health care workers in Canadian history, and the opposition opposes it.

Why do they want to come here? We prioritize science. We prioritize a public health care system.

Let’s talk about jobs. The second-fastest-growing economy in Canada…

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members.

Hon. David Eby: …and $88 billion in major projects, opposed by the members opposite.

The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Let’s conclude.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh.

Hon. David Eby: Even members that would directly benefit from projects like the North Coast transmission line….

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, have the courtesy to hear.

Hon. David Eby: Electrifying projects in her own constituency, the member for Skeena opposing it….

They oppose the jobs. They oppose the homes. They oppose the health care. In this very question period, their own commitment to increase hydro rates and insurance for British Columbians…. I hope British Columbians are listening carefully.

Interjections.

Hon. David Eby: Ten more to go.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members, this is not a place to protest. This is a place to ask questions and answers, please.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside: I have the honour to table the 2025 annual report and 2026-2028 service plan for WorkSafeBC.

Petitions

Scott McInnis: I rise to present a petition on behalf of 1,500 individuals who are vehemently opposed to the deactivation of the Incomappleux Forest Service Road.

Ward Stamer: I’m presenting a petition from 36 workers at the Stella-Jones pole facility in New Westminster with a request for the Forests Minister to do his job and contact his federal counterpart to expedite the use of DCOI so these workers don’t lose their jobs.

Tabling Documents

Hon. Nina Krieger: I have the honour to present the gaming policy and enforcement branch annual report for the period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

[11:25 a.m.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth: In this chamber, I call Committee of Supply, estimates of the Office of the Premier.

The House in Committee, Section B.

The committee met at 11:26 a.m.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Office of the Premier
(continued)

The Chair: Members, we’ll call the chamber back to order.

On Vote 11: Office of the Premier, $15,334,000 (continued).

Kiel Giddens: I appreciate the Leader of the Opposition allowing me to enter into the debate with the estimates for the Premier’s office.

I’d like to follow up on a question that I brought up in question period today on B.C.’s LNG sector. This is an absolutely critical time in the life cycle of projects in British Columbia. There is a real risk that we could have a final investment decision on projects pass us by unless we get the policy structure correct.

I will reference this with the fact that I worked in the LNG sector for 12 years. I worked to get the LNG Canada project across the finish line and then worked through construction to build this project safely, providing thousands of jobs for British Columbians and supporting the long-term revenue potential of this province.

We’ve moved our cyclical natural gas industry to be, essentially, more akin to industrial royalty revenues because we have stable need for natural gas to fill the Coastal GasLink pipeline project. All of that does rely on an upstream sector that is going to be competitive. In fact, one of the bright spots in the government’s revenue projections, certainly, was natural gas royalty revenues. The government seems to be tinkering with this at a time that is critical for these final investment decisions to be made.

I can recall that prior to 2018, most of the work was already completed on the project, but by the time this government came into office…. I was part of that work. I was part of the engagement with communities, the regulatory process and establishing the conditions that made that project successful. We can’t put that at risk by changes in policies. The government is already risking significant question marks on the project.

When I worked on the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, we, of course, had significant risk of protest, but that also translated into something much greater than that. It ended up being a…. We had, actually, an axe attack and an act of sabotage on that project that was significantly damaging. It cost tens of millions of dollars. More importantly, it terrorized workers, and it was meant to create terror and can only be described as an act of domestic terrorism.

There have been no arrests in that attack on workers. The RCMP have done an investigation, but the proof of the Crown has made it too difficult for them to actually make arrests in that.

[11:30 a.m.]

That is a question mark. Industry, before they are making a final investment decision, will be asking: why didn’t the government actually prosecute anyone in that case? When you add that to the question mark now being added to a royalty structure that the government will be changing….

I’m going to reference that the veteran journalist Vaughn Palmer was on CKNW yesterday. He said: “I gather Mitsubishi has seen these numbers initially. This is all leaking out from behind the non-disclosure agreements. They’re going to wait a minute. I’m not sure they’re going to recommend phase 2 in this.”

So here we are. We have a government that is, again, relying on non-disclosure agreements to try to bury the truth, because it’s one of the most secretive governments in Canada. But here they are actually risking a final investment decision on LNG Canada, on Ksi Lisims LNG and potentially more.

So I’m going to ask the Premier a very simple question. We need to develop our upstream LNG resources. Are the new royalty regime and royalty curves as competitive as Alberta and other jurisdictions B.C. is competing with for new investment, or will we be left on the sidelines when investors move elsewhere?

[11:35 a.m.]

Hon. David Eby: Well, let’s start with what the member and I have in common. We share an understanding that British Columbia has to be competitive, including with Alberta, both in the upstream and generally. That is certainly a focus of our government and the royalty work.

Where we part ways, I guess — it appears — is that he sees what he continually calls risks to projects. He has raised a concern about a criminal case from several years ago. I’m happy to look into it for the member. If it’s as he describes, I certainly share his concern. But often we have to look into these things to understand a little bit more about them. I’m happy to share what I can about that specific case.

He suggests that British Columbia’s royalty regime work is putting the sector at risk, and not only that; he implies that the government has not been competitive with Alberta. I am happy to put his concerns to rest. There has been a 21 percent increase in natural gas production in the province over the last three years.

I want to note the difference between the member and me on this point. He, in question period, cited an output-based pricing system, the carbon tax, where we are taxing industrial-level polluters to encourage them to reduce that carbon pollution, so they pay less tax if they reduce their pollution. The member is not in favour of that. He sees that as something the government should not be doing.

I disagree with him about that. That money supports public services in British Columbia and also reduces carbon pollution, which we think we should take on as an obligation in this province, especially as a major oil and gas producer.

[11:40 a.m.]

The second piece that he did not mention, but I imagine he would have added to his list that is different between us and Alberta is that we have a much higher standard around preventing methane leaks. Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas. It is cited as driving a lot of the warming that we’re seeing. Reducing those leaks is important.

It puts an additional cost on industry to do so. We’ve been working with industry to do that, and we’ve reduced methane leaks by 50 percent.

Another piece that it appears the member and I are on a different page about is that there needs to be a fair return to British Columbians for industrial activity in the province. Competitiveness is an interest of the government — it’s a priority — and so is a fair return to British Columbians, which is why we have been doing this royalty work. It wasn’t just for something to do. It was to make sure that British Columbians see a return from our publicly owned resource.

The member has indicated very clearly that he’s concerned about that. Well, we should have that debate.

The previous royalty system, including outdated programs like the deep-well royalty program, didn’t align with where we are today or fair value for British Columbians. We did a review in 2021. There was a new royalty framework announced in 2022. We’ve been working with industry, and we have implementation of the new system on track for January 1, 2027.

The goals are clear: a fair return for British Columbians while doing our part to drive down carbon pollution and ensure our product is competitive, not just on price but on being the lowest-carbon LNG in the world. So when countries like Germany that have strong climate ambitions are looking for a supplier of LNG, they turn to British Columbia, because we help them meet their climate goals.

The work is continuing. But the member suggests, completely incorrectly, that this royalty work is jeopardizing investments. It’s just the opposite. Since we announced this work, we’ve seen major commitments on massive projects. We saw the $10 billion commitment in the off-take agreement to Ksi Lisims LNG from Germany. I stood with LNG Canada and with the federal Minister of Energy to announce that LNG Canada was putting hundreds of millions of dollars — that was just May 14 — into advance works for phase 2 of LNG Canada.

Chris Cooper, the CEO of LNG Canada, said the following: “Phase 1 moved forward because governments, Indigenous partners, local communities and investors aligned around both the importance of the project and the path to deliver it.” That was our government too. “Today’s cooperation announcement signals that same shared confidence — confidence in the opportunity before us and confidence in our ability to deliver our proposed phase 2 expansion responsibly and successfully together.”

I’m certainly proud to read the headline in Business in Vancouver: “B.C. Among Top Economic Drivers for Canada in 2025.” The province reports a 2 percent real GDP growth last year. The first sentence of the article: “Oil and gas extraction as well as mining and quarrying were among the top contributors to B.C.’s economic growth in 2025.”

I’ll run the member through, although I can only assume that the member is familiar with what’s happening in the sector: LNG Canada phase 2, expecting a final investment decision by the end of the year; Cedar LNG, under construction, operations expected to begin in late 2028; Woodfibre LNG, under construction, operations expected to commence in 2027; Ksi Lisims LNG, a final investment decision expected mid- to late 2026; and the NEBC connector, which is under construction, 250 jobs during construction. Construction began in July 2025 with an expected in-service date of 2027.

The North Coast transmission line — now, this is a line that feeds mines, feeds communities, opens up significant portions of improved quality of life and industrial investment in the entire northwest, which the member and his colleagues oppose. Decarbonizing and reducing carbon from LNG facilities is part of the objective of this line. The member, for some reason, doesn’t want to see that done. Some 1,600 jobs will be involved in building that out, not to mention the quality-of-life improvements for northern communities.

I think, though, very specifically, to put the member’s anxiety to rest.… At the end of April — this was after the royalty discussion — Shell agreed to purchase ARC Resources in the Montney Basin for $22 billion. According to Bloomberg, that is Shell’s largest acquisition since 2015.

[11:45 a.m.]

That is a big multinational company. They can operate anywhere in the world. They chose to invest in British Columbia to the tune of $22 billion, fully knowing the royalty discussion that was underway. I hope that puts the member’s anxieties to rest.

We believe strongly in the opportunity presented to the economy by LNG, but we also believe strongly that it has to be done responsibly, keeping in mind the impacts on climate and with a fair return to British Columbians. That is the work that we are proud to be doing.

Kiel Giddens: Thank you to the Premier for the response.

I think we can agree that I, obviously, want to see these LNG projects move forward, and I’m glad that the Premier has found religion on LNG and realizes the significant benefits. But as a reminder, this government is the same government that introduced, in 2023, the energy action framework, which was meant to actually limit our future potential with LNG production. By 2030, any new proposals have to be required to be electric drive only. That limits the potential there.

Obviously, we’ve already talked about the carbon tax portion. What was also included was a regulatory emissions cap, which is essentially a production cap on the sector. When Alberta doesn’t have that, that puts B.C. at a competitive disadvantage. On top of that, now we’re adding in layers of royalty changes and capital in the Montney Basin, which actually goes from, of course, prolific reserves in British Columbia.

We are so fortunate to have that resource here in our province, but that also extends to Alberta. Their recent resource assessment of natural gas shows 130 trillion cubic feet of gas in Alberta as well. B.C. has significant reserves, but so does Alberta.

A lot of what we’ve seen in the industry is, of course…. I’m proud that LNG Canada moved forward. I’m very proud that Cedar LNG is Indigenous-led. It was the people like Ellis Ross, Crystal Smith, Dale Bumstead in Dawson Creek and many others who were the champions of getting LNG Canada and these projects across the line. But that capital is still fleeting.

As I said in question period, the United States just added their ninth LNG facility in production, and they’re, in the next two years, adding 45 billion cubic feet per day in natural gas capacity. So there is a race for capital. These final investment decisions have not happened yet. We need to do everything in our power to make sure that that happens at this time.

The reality is that the majority of the jobs, the investment and the long-term revenues associated with LNG are actually from the upstream component. The off-take agreements are one thing, but there needs to be agreements with the producers, as well, to make sure that that is in place.

FIDs are compromised by uncertainty in the province of B.C. There’s uncertainty from the way DRIPA has been handled. There’s uncertainty from — I mentioned — the security concerns. Now there are concerns with the long-term royalty structure.

I want to go back to the history between British Columbia and Alberta. There has been a competitive environment in the royalty structure. Back in 2007, the Ed Stelmach government in Alberta introduced a royalty review panel that significantly changed their structure. What did that do? It actually led to a flight of capital into B.C. and massive investment. We ate Alberta’s lunch in that time.

So that could happen in reverse. What that could potentially do would mean that we are choked for permits in northeast B.C. because of DRIPA-related concerns. We are choked for permits for other concerns.

[11:50 a.m.]

Adding royalty costs to that already high cost of permitting that we have could mean that there will be significant Alberta gas coming into not only the Coastal GasLink pipeline but also, potentially, the Westcoast system and other pipelines as well.

We’ll probably have to get to this after lunch, but a question to the Premier. Can the Premier guarantee that it will be B.C. natural gas in LNG exports, yes or no?

[11:55 a.m.]

Hon. David Eby: The member says that he, obviously, favours these projects. Yet at the same time, he and his opposition colleagues are opposing essential infrastructure that helps deliver these and drive cost efficiencies, like the North Coast transmission line. They’re going to vote against a budget that trains up British Columbians to be able to take the jobs that these projects create. They’ve already done so. So the member will forgive me if it’s not obvious — his support for British Columbians getting jobs for the sector.

I do understand that the member has a perspective about how British Columbia should be operating. That perspective is that we should be following the Trump model out of the United States. I just fundamentally disagree with that.

Our competitive advantage is not in reducing our standards to zero, not in handing over to industry whatever they would like. It’s working cooperatively with industry to ensure a fair share for British Columbians, employment for British Columbians. We are driving down carbon pollution, and we are able to look our international partners in the eye and say we have the lowest-carbon LNG in the world, which gives us a competitive advantage when we’re selling to countries like Germany.

The member is not in favour of that. Would Germany have bought from us if we’d followed the member’s advice? I wonder.

The member heard and disregarded a 21 percent increase in the sector in the last three years. He heard and disregarded the multi-billion-dollar investment by Shell in the upstream following the royalty discussion. He says now: can I guarantee that it will only be B.C. gas in the pipelines in British Columbia?

Well, the reality is that right now there’s Alberta gas and B.C. gas that passes through our province to sell to the United States, to go to LNG Canada. It is an example of how we work with Alberta. We face competitive tensions with Alberta, absolutely, but the suggestions that the member has made are not grounded in the reality of what’s actually happening in the sector.

The member made a number of comments about permitting times. The team has been working to gather those. The permitting times were from BCER. The preliminary ones I have…. The median permitting time was 190 days in 2023. Industry raised concerns with us about that, understandably. In 2025, we’d driven that down to 110 days, and we continue to do work to reduce permitting time. So the member’s fears on that, perhaps, can be put to rest as well.

Certainly, there’s a balance in industrial development. How we do it in the province, how we ensure British Columbians benefit from it — we are doing that work with industry.

I think the member is mistaken in his implication that industry wants to have very low standards. In fact, according to Shell’s CEO, Wael Sawan…. He said: “This establishes Canada as a heartland for Shell, while furthering our strategy to deliver more value with less emissions.”

We are partners in this work. Reducing our standards to zero will not get us where we need to get in terms of our competitive advantage in the world.

I’ll note the six LNG facilities in production, under construction or reaching final investment decision in the next year. The 20 percent increase in the upstream and massive investments in the upstream, from companies like Shell, should put to rest all of the member’s stated concerns.

With that, I move that the committee rise, report progress and ask to leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:59 a.m.

The House resumed at 11:59 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Lorne Doerkson: Committee of Supply, Section B, reports progress on the estimates of the Office of the Premier and asks leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

Hon. Brenda Bailey moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 11:59 a.m.