February 18, 2002
Response to the Speech from the Throne
Throne Speech Debates
R. Lee: It is indeed a privilege for me to address this assembly to respond to the Speech from the Throne. The throne speech was delivered on February 12, on the opening of a new session of the parliament. February 12 of this year is also the lunar new year, the beginning of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. I wish that the Year of the Horse will bring prosperity and hope to all British Columbians through our hard work, determination and perseverance. The horse is also a symbol of health. As the Chinese saying goes, long ma jing shen. I wish all British Columbians to be as active and as good-spirited as the dragons and the horses.
In the throne speech the hon. Lieutenant-Governor paid tribute to the many British Columbians who have left their mark on our province and have recently passed away. A few distinguished British Columbians also came to my mind. I will only mention one here.
On January 4 of this year the first Chinese Canadian Member of Parliament, Mr. Douglas Jung, passed away. Mr. Jung was a veteran, a lawyer, a politician, a diplomat and a well-respected community leader. He was a native of Victoria and was named after Douglas Street, just outside the parliament buildings. After the Second World War the contributions of Chinese Canadians were recognized, and the right to participate in the political process, including the right to vote and the right to seek public office, was finally equal to their fellow Canadians. Mr. Jung played an important role to inspire Chinese Canadians to run for public office.
It has been a privilege for me to serve the people of Burnaby North for the past eight months. I value this opportunity very much.
My constituency office organizes a monthly community forum in Burnaby North. Many of my constituents have attended these community forums. It's my belief that the monthly community forum is a good channel for the public to tell me what their concerns are and how the government can effectively deliver its services. So far we have had six forums and two open houses. I'm committed to continue these channels of communication, in addition to meeting with the individual constituents and gathering information and suggestions from the public by letters and e-mails. Participation is the keystone of democracy, making sure that good ideas are given the chance to be implemented as government policy.
Last spring British Columbians indeed gave a strong mandate to this government to change the system so that government can be run more effectively and efficiently. This government has since fulfilled its 90-day commitments. The most significant of these commitments was to introduce a cut in personal income taxes. Now British Columbia has the lowest personal income tax in Canada for people in the lowest two tax brackets and the second-lowest personal income tax for those in the higher tax brackets. This reform is necessary to give B.C. a competitive edge in retaining skilled workers and professionals to work in this beautiful province.
Over the past few months British Columbians have been faced with many challenges: the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S., the aftermath of September 11, the contract negotiation with health care employees, the bus drivers' strike, the job action of teachers. Many challenges are still to come. Many of these challenges will reduce revenues and will increase expenditures to the government.
As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, the provincial debt has doubled over the past ten years, and spending pressures are tremendous, especially in health care and education. The government entrusted by the taxpayers must get its financial house in order, following the vision of the election platform, following the blueprint outlined in the throne speech and following the detailed programs being released tomorrow. This government is going to make changes which will fundamentally reduce the size and scope of government. It will cultivate an environment where the private sector can take the lead to invest in the future of this province.
I strongly agree that this government's priorities are to revitalize the economy as quickly as possible, to restore sound fiscal management, and to put patients, students and those most in need first. When the government stops doing what it should not be doing and releases the power of creativity and motivation of British Columbians, our economy will become more competitive, diversified and attractive to investment. This province, with its vast natural and human capital, will be well positioned to become the leader of economic growth in the world.
I am glad that this government is taking steps to generate public-private partnerships in transportation and highways, information technology, housing, land and resource management, health support services and facilities, and also education infrastructure.
In the last ten years B.C. has been in last place in Canada in terms of private sector investment, due to high taxes and regulatory burdens. In fact, many large companies moved their headquarters from B.C. to other provinces. As well, many small businesses relocated to the U.S. or other provinces. We must change this situation so that we have a net gain of business instead of a net loss.
It's always a challenge to facilitate communication in such a large province as British Columbia. It's interesting to know that the area of British Columbia is 947,800 square kilometres, which is larger than the combined areas of the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. Our transportation and highway systems, as well as the information highway, need expansions and upgrades in order to serve our population better. Cooperation with other levels of government and the private sector must be explored in order to minimize the capital requirements of the provincial treasury.
I am pleased to hear that this government is moving forward to increase 5,000 intermediate and long-term care beds in the next five years. As more and more of our population goes into retirement, the need of housing for seniors will definitely increase. By making available more long-term beds with public-private partnerships, we can alleviate pressures in the health care sector.
B.C. is well positioned to explore the energy industries. We have rich resources of oil and gas, hydro power and coalbed methane, not to mention the leading-edge fuel cell and bio-oil technologies being developed in B.C.
Futurist Arthur Clarke once predicted that in 2050 the world may have only one currency, which will be in the energy unit of kilowatts. The success of a nation would depend very much on how much energy it could produce. Building an infrastructure of an environmentally friendly energy production and distribution system can lead to long-term, sustainable economic growth in B.C.
As we are all aware, the health care expenditures in 2001-02 have increased by $1.1 billion over the fiscal year of 2000-01 - an annual increase of 13 percent, which is clearly not sustainable. Studies of the effects of public-private partnerships in health care, support services and facilities must be conducted in order to fund the most effective and efficient delivery model. The government must look for ways to reduce waiting lists for critical operations by proper resource allocations so that the patients can get the necessary treatment.
Education plays an important role in the new era of British Columbia. In this century the success of a nation depends on how well the people are adapting to the world of changes. Government must facilitate more choices and flexibility to provide learning opportunities to learners of all ages. As a member of the legislative committee on education, I am honoured to be part of the team that is going to submit its recommendations to the Legislature on how to better serve our learners of this province. I'm delighted to hear that Simon Fraser University will assume responsibility for Tech B.C. students and assets, allowing students to graduate with a degree from SFU.
I feel relieved that the government will bring in new legislation to strengthen drinking water and groundwater protection. It will be allocating more resources to the monitoring of drinking water quality. Clean air and water go a long way to protect the health of British Columbians.
Our Premier and the cabinet are committed to restoring sound fiscal management in government, and I have confidence in them. In the throne speech the government reiterates that it will not break its trust with the people. Spending will be reduced in areas other than health care and education. The budget will be balanced in 2004-05, as our economy recovers. I believe that the economy will start to recover soon, as interest rates are low and the housing market has seen a substantial increase in activities over the past eight months. And 27,000 jobs were created last month in British Columbia.
In reducing expenditures, I believe that effort has been made to mitigate the impact on women, seniors, children and the most vulnerable. As a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Government Operations, as well as sitting in the meetings of some of those other GCCs, I'm aware of some of the tough decisions. The throne speech confirms that funding will be protected for vital services such as transition houses for women. It has been announced that funding for community schools and hot lunch programs will be kept.
Fees are exempted for eye examinations for seniors and children. The senior bus pass program was reinstated, and seniors under Pharmacare premium assistance will have their prescription spending capped at $200 per year.
Medical Services Plan premiums for low-income earners are protected. In fact, approximately 230,000 lower-income British Columbians will actually see their premiums decrease.
When government is going ahead with its reforms, there will be short-term pains. There will be some mistakes made along the way, along the decision process or in the implementation stages. However, if we can work together towards the overall goal, I am confident that B.C. will soon be entering a new era of long-term prosperity.
British Columbia became a have-not province for the fiscal year 1999-2000. The government must put its financial house in order and revitalize the economy. Only when we eliminate the structural deficit and lead in economic growth again will British Columbians be able to stand proud of this resourceful and beautiful land among their fellow Canadians. I'm hopeful that by April 2005 we'll have achieved this goal.
