February 24, 2005
Response to the Budget
Budget Speech Debates

It's my great honour and privilege to respond to the historical budget speech delivered on February 15, 2005. Forty-five months ago the majority of British Columbians made a decision to choose a political party to form a government to carry out a plan to restore hope and prosperity in this province. We know the essential elements of this plan are getting our financial house in order while protecting funding for health care and education, and revitalizing the economy.

This plan is working, as our government has now delivered two balanced budgets in a row. The funding for the health care and education budgets has increased $1.8 billion over the last three years alone. Their share of the total provincial budget has steadily increased by 2 percent each year, from 62 percent in 2001 to 68 percent in 2004. This growth of the B.C. economy has been very notable over the last three years.

With almost 200,000 full-time jobs created since December 2001, we are leading the country in job creation. We are leading the country in housing starts. We are leading the country in the increase in value of building permits. We are leading the country in small business optimism.

The B.C. unemployment rate has dropped to a 23-year low. It's clear that the decade of decline is behind us and that we are stepping into a golden decade of prosperity and opportunity. When this government pays down the provincial debt by $1.7 billion this year, we know this government has kept its promise to reduce the debt when it has the ability to do so. This government is a responsible government. This government has the future of our children in mind.

I'm excited to see that this government has established five new goals in the throne speech. These goals are further stressed and expanded in the budget speech. I am not surprised by these emerging goals, as over the last three years many steps have been made towards these objectives by the efforts of the government caucus members, the ministers and the Premier.

Most importantly, these goals reflect the values of British Columbians, and these goals are what British Columbians want the government to reach and go beyond. I remember one of my high school teachers saying in our annual: "When you're setting a goal, aim high — but not too high." Looking at the track record of this government, I believe these goals are all achievable.

The first goal is to make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent. Student achievements in this province are improving steadily. The completion rate of high school education is higher than ever. Many students are winners in science, in mathematics contests and national scholarship competitions. In my riding of Burnaby North, 51 students from Burnaby North Secondary achieved the designation of advanced placement scholars in 2004, the most ever for one Canadian school.

The budget we are now discussing contains a large increase in the total spending in education, which includes spending in K-to-12, advanced education and skills training. Over the last four years, we saw the total spending in these sectors increase from $7.8 billion in the year 2000 to $8.3 billion in 2001, then to $8.4 billion in 2002 and $8.6 billion in 2003. Last year it was $9 billion. This budget has put the number up again to $9.8 billion by 2007. This represents a $2 billion increase, or 26 percent in annual spending, in seven years.

This budget allocates an additional $150 million for K-to-12 education, the largest funding in a decade. The financial supports for K-to-12 students have been increased over the last four years, while the enrolment continues to drop. The fact is that since 2000, we have had a reduction of 29,000 students in the public school system, yet there has been an increase of $863 to over $7,000 per student.

When the Minister of Education met with parents and teachers in Gilmore Community School in North Burnaby last month, the parents, teachers and students wished that more resources were available to fund school libraries, literacy programs, music and arts programs, and supports to the students with special needs.

With this budget, Burnaby school boards may now use the additional funding to improve all these areas. Over the past few years, school boards in British Columbia have had more flexibility to manage their finances as well as more freedom to develop innovative revenue sources. Many school boards have taken these advantages to generate more resources for their districts.

Our government has been a fiscally responsible government. When there are savings in the Ministry of Education, these funds are flowing back to the schools and the students. Last May, during a visit to Sperling Elementary School, I found out that a 1971 science textbook was still used in the class. I subsequently brought the issue of outdated textbooks to the attention of the Minister of Education and the Premier. In September of last year, voila — $10 million was allocated to new textbooks for the students.

In Burnaby, the number of K-to-12 students has not changed too much over the last few years. There was no school closure. In fact, new schools are being opened. This September a modern, brand-new secondary school will open its doors in southeast Burnaby. I am looking forward to having a new elementary school in the Brentwood Town Centre area. I believe it's now ranked second on the priority list in Burnaby.

Burnaby is home to two distinguished advanced education institutes, Simon Fraser University and BCIT. Since this government has committed to opening up 25,000 new post-secondary spaces in this province by 2010, we have seen substantial growth opportunities in these institutes. Some 1,145 and 1,115 new seats will be added to BCIT and SFU respectively.

Other than taking in more students, more and more choices will be available to the students as well. Yesterday, I was at the inauguration ceremony of a very innovative and unique cooperative venture featuring Simon Fraser University and Capilano College. They have established a master's program in international leadership. This new professional master's degree will prepare Canadians to work internationally in leadership positions in the private, non-profit or government sectors.

Indeed, education is the best mechanism that human beings have ever invented to equip themselves with knowledge about the local environment and the world. In the world today, the flow of financial capital and human capital is very fluid. With advanced communication technology, we are truly living in a global village.

In this intimate yet very competitive environment, there is a huge demand for professionals who are knowledgable in the geopolitics, geo-economy and geoculture of various regions of the world. British Columbia, as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific, will see more and more activities in international trade, tourism, education and cultural exchanges with Pacific Rim countries. Our education system must be flexible enough to seize the opportunities and overcome the challenges.

Our government is committed to helping students. It is great news that in this budget, $450 million will be provided for students' financial assistance, including loan reductions for students in need, debt relief, a loan forgiveness program and grants for students with disabilities. It may take a few years to nurture a tree, but it clearly and certainly takes much longer to nurture a child. I believe that education is a lifelong learning experience. When individuals participate in early childhood education, K-to-12, advanced education, continuing education or research and development, society benefits from their acquired knowledge.

Many children enjoy reading. Every year in September, the Burnaby Public Library has held an awards ceremony for children who have completed the summer reading program. The children and parents are so overwhelmingly enthusiastic about this event that there is usually a long lineup outdoors, rain or shine. When parents are reading to their children, not only do the children learn, but the parents learn as well.

Adults, especially new immigrants from other parts of the world, are eager to learn the English language. Professional immigrants are eager to practice their professions in this land. Entrepreneur immigrants are eager to establish their new businesses here. I am pleased to see that over $14 million in this budget is allocated to a B.C. Skills Connect for Immigrants program to help new British Columbians find work in their fields of expertise and to speed up the process of foreign credential recognition. This will ultimately improve the overall productivity of our economy.

Over the past few years, I have tried to take some steps of my own to help improve and promote our education and training systems. I organized education seminars to help parents. I organized round-table discussions with community leaders. I visited schools. I participated in the activities of schools, colleges, institutes, universities and aboriginal education centres.

I advocated for foreign credential recognition. I arranged meetings between professional organizations such as the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C., the Vancouver Regional Construction Association and SUCCESS. I've also had meetings with the Society of Internationally Trained Engineers of B.C., and tomorrow I am meeting the Canada-China Building Industry Society. I'll raise issues regarding seismic upgrades of schools and promote academic exchanges between education entities.

I've also met with a variety of different groups, including the B.C. Heritage Language Association, Northburn agency, the Burnaby Arts Council, the Royal Life Saving Society and Literacy B.C. I could go on, but I would like to talk about the second goal of the golden decade to come, which is to lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.

Let me start, first, by linking education to physical fitness. Yesterday I watched a presentation showing there's a strong correlation between physical activities and academic achievements, so achieving the second goal will help our first. It's obvious that one can avoid getting sick by prevention, and if we can do that, it will cost the health care system less overall.

I am glad to see that this budget allocates $100 million for public health initiatives, including Act Now B.C., which is a new health promotion and prevention program. It designates $50 million for regional sports facilities and $60 million for major post-secondary sports training facilities. It's also obvious that if one's disorder or disease can be cured earlier, it will cost the health care system less overall. I am pleased to see that $76 million is allocated for infant and early childhood vision, dental and hearing screening initiatives.

The biggest piece of the health care budget is for critical services, when our bodies need to be fixed and cared for. Health care budgets have been increased every year, although many British Columbians believe that they were cut. Under generally accepted accounting principles, the health care budgets have been increased from $9.5 billion in year 2000 to $11.8 billion in 2004. It is budgeted to be $12.6 billion this year, which is a 33 percent increase in five years.

The projected revenues from all provincial personal income tax are $5.2 billion; from PST, $4.1 billion; and from MSP premiums, $1.4 billion. These will not be enough to cover this health care budget, but as our own population is aging in larger proportion, the demand for health care services will continue to be challenging.

This budget clearly recognizes the need to improve access for critical services such as cancer care, cardiac care and joint replacements. I am particularly excited about an additional $77 million for recruitment, training and retention of nurses; the additional $200 million for better access to hip and knee replacement; the additional $100 million for B.C. Ambulance Service; and the additional $200 million to improve access to home care, residential care, palliative care and mental health and addiction services.

I know that more and better services will be provided by Burnaby Hospital. My constituents will benefit, as well, from the additional $465 million for Pharmacare and $100 million for health research in the long term, but we must do more to promote healthy living and physical fitness as preventive measures. That's why I joined the B.C. Table Tennis Association and the Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Association. I encourage my children to swim and to play sports, and I encourage students in Burnaby by attending events like the annual Royal Canadian Legion 148 track and field meet.

I support the 2009 World Police and Fire Games, the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games and the Spirit of B.C. community sports. Last year I co-chaired the first-ever volunteer fair in Burnaby, and I was pleased to see that organizations like the B.C. Special Olympics Society, Burnaby Mountain Mantas Summer Swim Club, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, Race Event Volunteers of Vancouver and Burnaby Coalition to Prevent Falls, etc., are promoting their organizations and recruiting volunteers.

The third goal set for this golden decade is to build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk and seniors. This budget spells out the need for the government to protect and improve the quality of life for British Columbians most in need. Indeed, with the power of a strong economy, more resources can be directed to social services.

I know that organizations in my region like the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, the Down Syndrome Research Foundation and the Neil Squire Foundation are particularly pleased with the addition of $194 million to increase income assistance for persons with disabilities by $70 per month, the largest increase in B.C. history; the additional $91 million for adult community living services; and the additional $134 million to enhance services to children and youth with special needs.

The United Way, the Salvation Army, the Seniors Well Aware Program, the North Burnaby Retired Society, Burnaby Hospice Society, Burnaby Seniors Outreach Service Society and Burnaby Meals on Wheels must be happy with the additional $36 million for social housing, etc.

I am sure the Burnaby Family Life Institute, Marguerite Dixon Transition House, South Burnaby Neighbourhood House and the Charlford House Society for Women are looking forward to seeing the additional $37 million for transition homes, outreach programs and related services for women and children fleeing domestic violence; the additional $15 million for family law initiatives designed to balance the needs of citizens with the capacity of the legal system; the additional $26 million to support prevention and out-of-care options to keep children safe within their families and communities; and the additional $5 million to make more families eligible for child care subsidies. Over the past three years, I've attended many functions and fundraising events organized by these organizations, which are providing excellent services to their clients.

Many of the organizations in our society depend on volunteers to operate. Associations like Volunteer Burnaby, the Burnaby Hospital auxiliary, Scouts Canada, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, etc., are providing many valuable services to our youth, seniors and patients. Our society is indeed indebted to many volunteers.

I would like to take a look at the fourth goal of the golden decade for British Columbians, which is to lead the world in sustainable environmental management with the best air and water quality and the best fisheries management, bar none.

The air and water we take in every day are critical to a healthy life. Our province is famous for its beauty, clean air and the water. We must try our best to preserve the natural environment of British Columbia, and this budget put forward an additional $150 million to preserve and protect our environment. The creation of a new $80 million B.C. community water improvement program will benefit us and our next generations with safe and reliable drinking water and better wastewater management.

Additional resources in contaminated sites cleanup, increased capacity in the environmental assessment office and establishment of the B.C. conservation corps, with up to 150 members and the addition of up to 15 new park rangers and conservation officers, will certainly improve environmental protection. I am still thrilled by the availability of funding for the Capital Hill sanitary sewer extension project in Burnaby North by the three levels of government. This would certainly improve the environment in the Burnaby North area.

Our fifth goal of the golden decade is to create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Our government has been successful in the last three years in doing that, and if there's no interruption in government policies, this goal is readily achievable — no question about it.

With more jobs available in British Columbia, more people are working, and the average unemployment rate is dropping further. One consequence of this is that people from other provinces and immigrants from other countries are moving to this province. We saw eBay move into Burnaby two years ago, and just last month HSBC established another branch of its technology centre in Burnaby North, employing more than 240 people.

We can see that in this province, we are leading the country in retail, in wholesale, in building permits issued, small business optimism and employment growth. However, we must keep the momentum of the economy going by investing in infrastructure. Otherwise, the inefficiency in the transportation system will create a bottleneck of growth.

I support the addition of $777 million for economic development. I am pleased to see that issues, including the small business corporate income tax threshold, the mountain pine beetle and the forest fires, oil and gas and the mining sector, tourism and the Pacific gateway initiative are all being addressed in this budget, and I am looking forward to entering the golden decade with my fellow British Columbians.