Nos. 68 and 69 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Monday, May 26, 2025

Ten o’clock a.m.

Prayers and Reflections by Sunita Dhir.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Order called for “Private Members’ Statements.”

On the motion that Bill (No. M 204) intituled Perinatal and Postnatal Mental Health Strategy Act be concurred in, as amended, at report stage, a debate arose.

Bill (No. M 204) concurred in, as amended, at report stage, read a third time and passed.

On the motion that Bill (No. M 205) intituled Mental Health Amendment Act, 2025, be concurred in at report stage, a debate arose.

Bill (No. M 205) concurred in at report stage, as recommended by the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills that the Bill not proceed.

The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. M 210) intituled Korean Heritage Month Act.

Bill (No. M 210) read a second time and Ordered committed to the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills.

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. M 214) intituled Firefighters’ Health Act, a debate arose.

On the motion of Misty Van Popta, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

And then the House adjourned at 11.57 a.m.

Monday, May 26, 2025

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

The Hon. Niki Sharma (Attorney General and Deputy Premier) tabled the following documents:

Labour Relations Board Annual Report, 2024; and,

InBC Investment Corp. Annual Report, 2023/2024.

Amna Shah presented the Report of the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills for the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament (Fourth), May 26, 2025, regarding its reconsideration of Bill (No. M 202) intituled Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act.

The Committee reported Bill (No. M 202) complete with amendment.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

32  The Hon. Mike Farnworth moved —

That a Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Human Rights Code be appointed to review sections 47.01 to 47.24 of the Human Rights Code (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 210), pursuant to section 50.1 of the Act.

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Special Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House within one year of its appointment, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

That the Special Committee be composed of the following Members: Jennifer Blatherwick (Convener), Rohini Arora, Dana Lajeunesse, Scott McInnis and Teresa Wat.

Motion agreed to.

33  The Hon. Mike Farnworth moved —

That Nina Krieger replace Dana Lajeunesse as a member of the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills.

Motion agreed to.

34  The Hon. Mike Farnworth moved —

That Susie Chant replace Paul Choi as a member of the Special Committee to Review the Lobbyists Transparency Act.

Motion agreed to.

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A and Section C of Committee of the Whole.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Finance.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee — Section A)

Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act was again committed.

Misty Van Popta moved a proposed amendment to clause 3 of Bill (No. 15) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, she cast her vote in opposition to the amendment.

Clause 3 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

The Hon. Bowinn Ma (Minister of Infrastructure) moved a proposed amendment to clause 4 of Bill (No. 15) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, she cast her vote in opposition to the amendment.

On clause 4 of Bill (No. 15).

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee — Section C)

Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act was committed.

Jeremy Valeriote moved a proposed amendment to clause 1 of Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, she cast her vote in opposition to the amendment.

Clause 1 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

Jeremy Valeriote moved a proposed amendment to clause 2 of Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, he cast his vote in opposition to the amendment.

Clauses 2 through 4 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

Trevor Halford moved a proposed amendment to clause 5 of Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, he cast his vote in opposition to the amendment.

Clause 5 and clause 6 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

On clause 7 of Bill (No. 14).

Section C of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

Janet Routledge rose on a point of order regarding comments made by the Member for West Vancouver-Capilano during Oral Question Period.

The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.

And then the House adjourned at 8.54 p.m.

HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker

NOTICE OF BILLS

Wednesday, May 28

Rosalyn Bird to introduce a Bill intituled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2025.

Rosalyn Bird to introduce a Bill intituled Infant Amendment Act, 2025.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Wednesday, May 28

39  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That in addition to the terms of reference provided to the Special Committee to Appoint Statutory Officers by the Legislative Assembly on February 24, 2025, the Special Committee be further empowered to recommend to the Legislative Assembly the appointment of:

a. An individual to hold office as Merit Commissioner, pursuant to section 5.01 of the Public Service Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 385); and,

b. An individual to hold office as Ombudsperson, pursuant to section 2 of the Ombudsperson Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 340).

That the Special Committee report to the House on its recommendations as soon as possible, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

40  Rosalyn Bird to move —

That given the numbers of B.C. residents lost to the opioid crisis, that International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31st, be recognized in British Columbia by combining it with B.C. Prescription Drug Take Back Day, used to collect unused, expired or old prescription medicines and dispose of them properly.

41  Rosalyn Bird to move —

That Standing Order 47 (1) be amended by adding the underlined words:

Questions may be placed on the Order Paper seeking information from the Ministers of the Crown relating to public affairs; and from other Members relating to any Bill, motion, or other public matter connected with the business of the House, in which such Members may be concerned; but in putting any such question no argument or opinion is to be offered, nor any fact stated. And in answering such question the matter to which the same refers shall not be debated, and the substance of all replies made by Ministers of the Crown to questions put to them shall be in writing and handed to the Clerk of the House within 30 sitting days of them being placed on the Order Paper, and entered in the Journals of the Session.

42  Rosalyn Bird to move —

That a Special Committee to Review Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services be appointed to examine, inquire into, and make recommendations respecting:

a. the regulation of funeral services, including funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoria, to ensure that such services are provided to high professional and ethical standards, and that they uphold dignity and respect for the deceased;

b. requirements for licensing funeral service professionals, such as funeral directors, embalmers, and cemetery operators, with a view to ensuring adequate safeguards for transportation of the deceased and for provision of cremation, interment, and funeral services;

c. appropriate safeguards to respect cultural and religious burial customs in the provision of services for transportation of the deceased and for provision of cremation, interment, and funeral services; and,

d. consumer protections as it pertains to transparency in contracts and arrangements for cremation, interment, and funeral services,

with a view to improving the statutory framework provided through the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (S.B.C. 2004, c. 35).

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Special Committee considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House within one year of its appointment, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

That the Special Committee to Review Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services be composed of the following Members: Rosalyn Bird (Convener), Pete Davis, George Anderson, Susie Chant, Dana Lajeunesse and Rob Botterell.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Wednesday, May 28

6  Linda Hepner to ask the Hon. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs the following questions: —

1. Given the concerns by long-term tenants in communities like West Vancouver, would the Minister consider reviewing the policy on additional rent increases to ensure that once repair/renovation costs are recovered, the increases are then removed from base rent, providing long-term tenants with better protection from an indefinite rent hike?

2. Can the Minister provide evidence of a direct correlation that shows these stringent short-term rental policies have significantly increased long-term housing availability?

3. How does the government reconcile its stated support for small businesses with policies that disproportionately affect homeowners operating short-term rentals as a means of financial support — sometimes, in fact, ensuring those same homeowners can sustain their own housing within the B.C. marketplace?

4. Has the Ministry conducted a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the short-term rental regulations, considering both housing market impacts and potential losses in tourism revenue?

5. What measures are in place to assess and mitigate the unintended consequences of these regulations on the availability and affordability of tourist accommodations in high-demand areas?

6. Considering the aggressive enforcement tactics, including substantial fines and mandatory registration, how does the government address concerns regarding the erosion of private property rights?

7. What feedback mechanisms has the Ministry implemented to gather input from affected homeowners and tourism operators, and how has this feedback influenced policy adjustments?

8. Given BC Housing’s past challenges with project delivery, what specific steps are being taken to ensure BC Builds’ projects are delivered on time and on budget?

9. How does BC Builds differ from or improve upon previous programs like the HousingHub and other affordable housing initiatives?

10. Critics have noted HousingHub saw projects with unaffordable rents and even a project bankruptcy. In what ways does BCBuilds address those shortcomings, and can the Minister assure taxpayers that this program will not simply repeat past mistakes under a new name?

11. Specifically, what internal performance metrics does the Ministry use to measure success on the housing file?

12. Is the Ministry tracking homeownership rates, absolute housing prices or median rent as a percentage of household income, such as median rent for a two-bedroom apartment compared to median family income?

13. Can the Minister provide the current homeless count numbers for British Columbia and specifically how these numbers have changed since the government took office in 2017?

14. Does the Minister consider the increasing or decreasing number of homeless individuals a key benchmark for measuring policy success, and what explicit targets for reducing homelessness have been set internally?

15. Considering billions of taxpayer dollars invested into housing initiatives, why have annual homeless counts in many regions including metro Vancouver increased under this administration? Can the Minister explain the clear contradiction?

16. Why does the Minister not consider the elimination of the property transfer tax on new homebuyers?

17. The federal government committed to abolishing GST on new home sales. Why can’t the province make a similar commitment, at least for new homebuyers?

18. The government has consistently claimed affordability as a priority yet has presided over one of the sharpest rises in construction costs in provincial history. Can the Minister explain how driving up costs through excessive regulations aligns with any sensible definition of affordability?

19. ICBA represents the training ground for approximately 80 percent of B.C. construction apprentices. Can the Minister describe the nature and extent of the Ministry’s engagement with ICBA and explain how their insights have directly informed housing policies or labour initiatives?

20. Government’s stated objective is to double the number of Red Seal trade graduates. Given ICBA’s central role in trades training, through what specific agencies or mechanisms is the Ministry managing and supporting this ambitious training target, and why is ICBA not playing a more prominent, integrated role?

21. Will the Minister commit to establishing a formal, structured and ongoing consultation mechanism with industry experts — including organizations such as ICBA — to ensure the Ministry’s housing strategies are realistic, economically viable and directly informed by the practical realities faced by B.C.’s builders and developers?

22. Can the Minister confirm precisely how many HEARTH-designated housing units currently remain vacant due to delays in assessments, paperwork, eligibility confirmation or missing identification?

23. The Ministry has committed an additional $90 million to HEART and HEARTH. Can the Minister explicitly outline how many homeless individuals are expected to be supported with these new funds, and precisely what outcomes taxpayers can expect to see for this substantial investment?

24. Can the Minister make a firm commitment as to what constitutes success for this program by 2026?

25. From precisely which line items or budgetary allocations within the Ministry or others is this $90 million coming?

26. Can the Minister provide detailed financial transparency about the source of these funds?

27. Given reports of individuals repeatedly cycling from HEARTH designated units back into homelessness, which specific tracking mechanisms has the Ministry implemented to measure long-term housing stability outcomes for individuals placed through the program?

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