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From YouTube: MARCH 4 2020 Question Period
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
5th Session
41st Parliament
B
Thank
You.
Mr.
speaker,
we've
seen
the
rapid
progression
of
the
case
count
of
the
novel
coronavirus.
That's
been
now
labeled
as
covert
19
and
the
obvious
question
arises
is
the
preparation
level
in
our
society
in
our
government
for
a
potential
rapid
expansion.
In
the
case
count,
we've
seen
the
reports
up
most
recently
from
Washington
State,
where
the
death
count.
Unfortunately,
amongst
our
friends
and
neighbors
to
the
south,
is
now
210.
They've
recorded
a
total
of
28
confirmed
cases,
but
it's
widely
known
in
the
United
States.
B
The
testing
program
was
far
too
slow
to
get
going
and
the
actual
case
count
in
Washington
State
could
be
much
higher.
That
will
become
clear
in
the
weeks
to
come,
but
the
question
for
the
Minister
of
Health
is:
can
he
tell
us
what
the
plan
is
in
British
Columbia
in
the
event
that
our
case
count
rapidly
goes
into
the
thousands
Minister.
C
First
of
all,
I
want
to
acknowledge
the
role
played
by
all
members
of
the
House
in
supporting
public
health
during
this
time,
particularly
want
to
acknowledge
the
role
of
the
member
for
Kelowna,
Lake
Country.
Remember
the
Green
Party
House,
Health
critic
and
house
leader
for
their
role
and
the
leader
of
the
Opposition
and
many
others
who
have
spoken
out
publicly
against
fear
and
in
favor
of
science
and
Public
Health
responses.
I
think
that's
important.
We
are
stronger
together
and
I
want
to
express
that
appreciation.
C
We'll
know
that,
because
of
preparations
and
our
excellent
record
in
dealing
with
issues
such
as
SARS
in
the
past,
the
BC
Centre
for
Disease
Control
and
our
provincial
health
officer,
dr.
Bonnie
Henry,
and
at
my
Deputy
Minister
Stephen
Brown,
have
acted
from
the
beginning
ahead
of
many
other
jurisdictions.
For
example,
we
have
been
taking
action
from
the
beginning
before
there
was
even
a
case
identified
in
British
Columbia
to
test
people
so
we've
tested.
Now
we
had
test
says
that
the
last
time
we
announced,
which
was
Friday
the
numbers,
1425
samples
and
1012
people.
C
This
was
significantly
more
testing
more
than
twice
as
much
that
had
taken
place
in
the
entire
United
States
of
America.
This
is
our
our
plan,
which
is
to
contain
and
to
stand,
if
not
to
contain
to
slow
down
the
growth
of
the
virus
here
in
British
Columbia,
and
we
are
continued
to
energetically
pursue
that
plan.
But
clearly
we
will
need
to
prepare
for
other
plans.
C
This
is
important
and
again
it's
something
that
all
members
of
the
House
have
been
communicating
in
that
I'm.
Very,
very
appreciative
of
that
of
not
touching
our
face
of
when
you're
sick
stay
home
from
school,
from
work,
and
especially
from
visiting
friends
and
loved
ones
and
long-term
care
and
in
hospital.
B
Thank
you,
the
mr.
of
Health,
for
that
outline,
but
I
think
the
questions
actually
more
pointed
he
has
set
an
example
for
all
of
us
in
practical
personal
terms,
about
cleanliness
and
hygiene,
and
we
thank
him
for
that
advice.
The
BC
Centers
for
Disease
Control
was
remarkably
well
ahead
of
the
US
Centers
for
Disease
Control
in
test
capacity
and
surveillance
systems
for
new
cases,
but
the
question
remains
in
the
event
that
our
tastes
count
goes
sadly
from
half
a
dozen
to
5,000.
What
would
be
the
next
step
after
the
initial
containment
phase?
B
C
Minister
of
Health,
thank
you
so
when,
prior
to
in
January,
prior
to
the
any
cases
coming
to
British,
Columbia
and
D
coming
to
Canada,
we
set
up
an
emergency
response
team
co-chaired
by
dr.
Henry
mr.
Brown.
Every
Health
Authority
now
has
an
Emergency,
Operations
Center,
specifically
devoted
to
addressing
this
question,
which
I
think
is
important,
because
there
are
challenges
at
every
level
and
as
we
ramp
up.
C
We
are
preparing,
of
course,
for
a
government-wide
response,
because
this
this
as
it
develops,
will
have
implications
for
all
parts
of
BC
life,
not
just
the
healthcare
system,
so
that
work
is
being
done.
We
intend
to
fully
brief
the
opposition
on
that
work
in
the
coming
days
and
the
Green
Party
in
the
coming
24
hours,
so
that
there
is
informed
as
anybody
here
in
the
legislature,
so
that
we
can
continue
to
work
together
to
respond
adequately
to
what
is
a
significant
international
health
issue.
C
I
want
to
say,
finally
to
our
friends
in
Washington,
State
and
I
know
that
the
the
leader
of
the
opposition
would
agree
to
that.
People
in
public
health
and
Washington
state
are
working
very
hard
and
are
doing
a
very
diligent
work.
It
is
absolutely
tragic.
This
is
the
Cova
19
hit,
especially
a
long-term
care
home
in
Washington
estates,
and
our
hearts
go
out
to
every
all
the
families
affected
and
to
the
people
working
so
hard
now
in
Washington
State
to
address
this
problem.
D
Thank
You
honorable
speaker
and
thank
you
to
the
Minister
for
his
answers
so
far.
If
we
can
get
some
clarity
on
one
point
through
the
minister
right
now,
we
are
in
a
containment
phase.
We
are
trying
to
contain
this.
Hopefully
Washington
State
is
able
to
do
the
same,
so
we
don't
have
to
have
the
the
impact
of
people
traveling
back
and
forth,
because
obviously
the
border
is
very
thin
between
US
and
Washington
State,
but
over
over
the
last
week
we
heard
the
federal
Health
Minister
patty.
D
Had
you
recommend
that
Canadians
stock
up
with
enough
supplies
for
a
week,
or
so
in
case
their
family
member,
contracted
the
corona
virus
and
to
remain
in
self
isolation
for
14
days?
She
said
it's
good
to
be
prepared
because
things
can
change
quickly.
Canada's,
chief
public
health
officer,
dr.
Theresa,
Tam,
echoed
that
message
on
Thursday
and
it
tweet
urging
Canadians
to
keep
extra
food
and
medication
on
hand
and
we've
seen
the
run
on
things
at
our
stores.
Just
what
we'd
like
to
get
some
clarity
from
the
government
and
the
minister?
D
C
C
I
think
the
key
in
this
time
is
to
be
prudent,
I,
don't
think,
there's
any
need
to
hoard
Goods
I,
don't
think,
there's
any
need
to
hoard
Goods,
but
just
like
if
someone
in
your
home
was
sick
with
the
flu
or
anything
else,
it's
important
to
have
food
and
medication
available,
especially
if
you
have
are
in
one
of
the
categories
that
has
more
serious
impact
of
kovin,
19
and
indeed
of
influenza
people,
for
example,
with
chronic
diseases.
People
who
are
more
elderly
be
more
prepared
for
what
might
happen.
C
That
is
true
in
all
circumstances,
but
I
think
it's
really
important
that
we
understand
that
we
are
so
far
in
British
Columbia.
The
risk
is
low
and
continues
to
be
low
and
that
we
continue
to
support
one
another
in
these
times
and
one
of
the
things
that
I
admire
most
about
what's
happened,
for
example
in
the
Chinese
Canadian
community
and
members,
including
the
leader.
The
opposition
and
spoken
of
this
is
the
willingness
of
people
to
help
each
other,
especially
in
self
isolation.
Their
groups,
that's
spontaneous.
They
were
created
to
support
one
another.
C
This
is
true,
I
know
in
the
Iranian
Canadian
community
as
well,
which
has
suffered
some
some
now
and
significantly
from
the
outbreak
in
British
Columbia.
So
I
think
it
speaks
well,
but
I
want
to
express
my
appreciation
to
the
people
of
BC
for
their
response
to
date
and
I.
Think
I
think
we
have
to
continue
to
be
prudent
to
be
prudent
when
we
make
decisions
to
travel,
to
be
prepared,
but
to
be
serene
in
our
approach
so
that
we
support
one
another
when
we
need
to
be
supportive.
D
You,
honorable
speaker
and
I
bring
up
the
question,
because
not
only
is
the
federal
government
saying
one
thing:
we
got
leaders
from
across
the
country
seeing
all
kinds
of
things
we
have
all
kinds
of
experts
with
differences
of
opinion.
You
look
at
Christine
Elliot.
The
Health
Minister
for
Ontario
said
that
she
believes,
stockpiling
is
unnecessary
and
people
should
continue
to
go
about
their
lives
while
being
cautious.
D
So
it's
very
similar
to
what
the
Minister
of
Health
for
BC
has
said
so
obviously
juxtaposed
to
what
the
Canadian
Health
Minister
has
said,
people
have
to
use
their
common
sense,
given
the
current
situation.
I
think
is
probably
the
best
thing
so
to
the
minister,
and
we
only
have
one
more
question
on
this.
So
I'll
save
some
of
these
other
ones
for
hopefully
never
because
the
virus
will
go
away.
D
They
have
the
virus,
so
if
the
minister
could
outline
what
people
can
do
cross
British
Columbia,
especially
up
in
the
north,
who
are
farther
away
from
services
and
people
down
in
the
Lower
Mainland
to
ensure
that
we
manage
this
outbreak
and
contain
this
outbreak
as
much
as
possible.
So
it
doesn't
become
a
goal
of
stopping
the
spread
versus
stopping
the
content.
Stopping
the
outbreak
itself,
Minister.
C
Of
Health,
thank
you
very
much.
All
of
the
regional
health
authorities
have
emergency
operation
centers.
Now
people
in
all
of
the
regional
health
authorities
are
being
tested
and
the
threshold
for
tests
is
lower
than
than
other
jurisdictions,
but
there
is
a
threshold
and
we
believe
we
have
with
that.
Medical
professionals
are
making
the
right
decisions
about
when
people
should
be
tested
and
how
they
should
be
tested.
C
In
the
last
couple
of
weeks,
we've
changed
our
testing
regimen,
so
the
people
that
are
tested
for
influenza
are
also
tested
for
kovat,
19
I
think
that's
important
and
we
are
preparing
in
every
single
Health
Authority.
As
you
know,
two
health
authorities
today
have
no
cases
of
kovat
19.
One
of
those
is
the
northern
Health
Authority
and
we
hope
that
continues
and
the
other
is
the
island
is
Island
health,
but
all
of
our
health
authorities
are
preparing
equally
and
fully
evolved,
including
the
First
Nations
Health
Authority,
whose
activities
are
fully
integrated
with
ours.
C
With
respect
to
the
Government
of
Canada,
I
would
say
this
that
they
have
been
working
very
hard
and
in
touch
with
us
on
a
regular
basis.
The
Minister
of
Finance
Federal
Minister
of
Finance
mr.
Morneau
met
with
provincial
finance
ministers
on
some
aspects
of
this
issue
today
and
other
issues.
The
federal
Health
Minister
has
consistently
reached
out
and
done
that
and
what
we're
trying
to
be
as
I
think
supportive
of
this.
C
There
will
be
lots
of
occasions
to
discuss
what
which
each
of
us
might
say
or
do
better
later,
but
right
now
we're
working
closely
with
the
federal
government
with
the
Washington
state
government
and
other
jurisdictions.
If
there's
anything
about
it,
including
the
seven
cases
that
came
from
travel
to
Iran
tells
us
is
that
this
is
an
evolving
situation
and
that
what
happens
at
one
place
in
the
world
can
profoundly
affect
us
here.
E
E
Others,
one
family
just
filed
a
class
action
lawsuit
against
another
retirement
concepts
facility,
citing
negligence,
emotional
and
physical
injuries
in
wrongful
death
retirement
concepts
is
the
largest
provider
of
long
term
care
in
British
Columbia,
and
it's
owned
by
state
Oh
back
to
Chinese
insurance
company
foreign
owned
for-profit
company
is
repeatedly
providing
wholly
and
adequate
care
to
our
seniors.
We
are
seeing
a
clear
pattern
here.
Mr.
speaker,
it's
not
enough
to
intervene
in
just
the
most
egregious
cases
or
to
react
whistleblowers.
E
It
seems
that
for-profit
care
homes
are
allowed
to
repeatedly
put
profit
margins
ahead
of
care.
My
question
is
to
the
Minister
of
Health
beyond
simply
responding
to
these
situations
when
they
come
to
light
how's,
the
Minister
holding
this
company
accountable
and
ensuring
that
our
elders
are
not
facing
inadequate
care
and
neglect.
Minister.
C
C
What
has
happened
at
retirement
concepts
in
comas
in
Nanaimo,
in
Victoria
and
now
in
Summerland
is
a
serious
situation
that
comes
through
a
very
formal
process
led
by
medical
officers
of
Health.
That
process
and
taking
over
a
facility
has
happened
seven
times
since
1990.
Six
of
those
are
by
retirement
concepts,
it's
very
important
not
to
suggest
that
other
care
providers
are
in
the
same
boat.
This
is,
in
this
case
a
retirement
concepts
problem
and
we
need
to
address
it
and
they
need
to
address
it.
C
Last
week
they
were
called
to
a
meeting,
including
the
new
parent
company
called
da
da
JA.
That
was
called
to
a
meeting
with
the
Deputy
Minister
of
Health.
We've
clearly
laid
out
our
expectations
that
this
situation
cannot
continue.
Our
administrators
are
doing
I,
think
an
excellent
job
in
bringing
these
facilities
up
to
standard
and
I
think
we
have
to
continue
to
do
that
work.
It
is
unacceptable
that
the
government
of
British
Columbia
is
running
531.
C
E
Thank
You
mr.
speaker,
and
to
be
very
clear.
This
question
is
about
retirement
concepts
and
retirement
concepts
alone
and
I'm
glad
to
hear
the
response
from
the
minister
I'm
glad
to
hear
that
his
staff
is
taking
action
and
I
and
I'm
really
concerned
about
the
situation
that
exists.
There
are
still
a
number
of
rooms
that
are
controlled
by
this
company
and
you
know
I
think
that
the
concern
continues
to
arise
and
knowing
that
there
are
seniors
that
are
still
under
the
care
of
this
company.
E
C
Of
Health
well,
the
takeover
of
retirement
concepts
occurred
in
2016.
The
review
of
such
takeovers
is
made
by
investment.
Canada
concerns
were
expressed,
certainly
by
me
and
other
British
Columbians
about
that
takeover
at
that
time.
But
the
federal
government
approved
the
takeover
I,
don't
want
anyone
at
retirement
concepts
or
anyone
else
to
think
people
are
going
to
take
this
responsibility
away
from
them.
F
Thank
You
mr.
speaker
well
last
fall.
Gordon
Bowman
of
Marple
physiotherapy
clinic
came
here
to
the
legislature
because
he
was
worried
about
the
significant
pressure
on
small
businesses
that
were
caused
by
dramatically
increased
property
taxes.
Here's
what
the
minister
of
housing
said
to
Gordon
and
the
other
businesses
that
were
here
in
the
legislature
that
day
and
I
quote
I
want
to
say
to
all
of
the
business
owners
that
are
here.
We
have
been
listening,
we
are
taking
action
and
we
will
be
ready
for
the
2020
tax
year.
End
quote,
but
the
minister
hasn't
delivered.
G
Thank
you
very
much
mr.
speaker.
Well,
my
words
are
true.
Today,
as
they
were
back,
then
small
businesses,
nonprofits
and
arts
and
cultural
organizations
have
been
hurting
for
a
significant
amount
of
time
and
we
vowed
to
take
action,
and
we
did.
We
worked
with
a
number
of
local
governments
in
Metro
region
to
look
at
what
a
permanent
fix
would
look
like
and
in
May
we
were
presented
with
a
range
of
ideas.
G
We
explored
them
over
the
summer
honourable
speaker
to
take
a
look
at
what
would
be
what
would
work
for
2020
and
in
looking
at
those
ideas
that
would
that
are
absolutely
worthwhile
exploring
and
doing
some
policy
work
on.
It
came
really
clear
to
us,
honourable
speaker,
that
it
wouldn't
wouldn't
work
for
2020.
There
was
still
a
significant
amount
of
work
that
needed
to
be
done,
so
we
brought
in
an
interim
program
that
would
provide
the
relief
that
those
businesses
are
desperately
needing.
Honourable
speaker,.
F
Thank
you
very
much
and
the
minister
knows
full
well
what
the
reaction
to
the
so-called
action
that
she
took
has
been.
In
fact,
this
Minister
made
a
promise.
She
made
a
promise
to
Gordon
and
two
other
small
business
owners
across
the
Lower
Mainland.
She
said
they
would
get
relief
this
year
and
she
simply
hasn't
delivered,
and
it's
not
the
opposition.
Just
the
members
on
this
side
of
the
house
that
are
saying
that
it
is
mayor's
from
across
the
Lower
Mainland.
F
In
fact,
she
knows
that
11
mayor's
have
written
to
this
Minister
this
week
and
to
tell
her
that
her
plan
is
simply
unworkable.
Here's
what
Coquitlam,
Mayor,
Richard
Stewart,
says
and
I
quote
it's
not
that
we're
not
going
to
do
it.
It's
that
we
just
can't
and
quote.
Will
the
Minister
admit
that
her
plan
is
a
mistake
and
that
it
doesn't
work
for
anyone.
G
You
very
much
mr.
speaker.
Well,
it
became
really
clear
to
us
that
doing
nothing
or
doing
something
was
was
really
the
choice
that
was
before
us,
honourable
speaker,
and
so
we
did
do
something
for
2020.
We
brought
in
we've
brought
in
some
legislation.
That,
of
course,
will
be
a
four
municipalities.
In
fact,
honorable
speaker,
in
developing
the
interim
solution,
we
were
working
with
municipalities.
They
were
helping
to
give
us
some
feedback
about
how
to
best
proceed.
We
made
sure
that
we
were
hearing
their
concerns.
G
In
fact,
honorable
speaker,
some
of
the
feedback
they
gave
to
us
said
having
a
March
31st
deadline
to
pass
this
bah
a
bylaw
was
not
reasonable,
so
we
changed
it
based
on
their
feedback.
Honorable
speaker
staff
have
already
been
in
contact
with
a
number
of
municipalities
interested
in
using
this
tool
and
I
and
and
honorable
speaker.
There
is
work
for
municipalities,
I
I,
understand
that
I
actually
understand
that
and
we're
there
to
support
them.
Honorable
speaker,
we
have
staff
committed
to
working
with
them.
G
We
have
BC
assessment
available
to
generate
the
kind
of
data
that
they
need
in
order
to
make
the
decision
we've.
Given
them
advance
notice
of
this
legislation,
this
is
an
opportunity
for
municipalities
to
work
with
the
provincial
government
in
order
again
to
give
relief
to
the
businesses
and
to
the
nonprofits
in
their
communities.
It
has
been
an
issue
for
well
over
a
decade,
honourable
speaker
and
I'm,
very
proud
of
the
fact
that
we
got
to
work
right
away
and
we're
continuing
to
deliver
for
those
businesses
and
those
nonprofits.
H
This
issue
is
just
another
NDP
broken
promise,
also
sitting
in
the
gallery
to
hear
directly
from
the
Minister
last
fall
right
here
in
the
legislature
was
dr.:
Jionni
Jionni
pasado
he's
the
owner
of
Grandville
dental
Wellness
Group,
and
he
was
reeling
from
a
60%
increase
in
his
taxes.
In
just
three
years,
the
minister
told
dr.
pisano
and
I
quote
the
minister:
we've
heard
you
loud
and
clear
and
there
will
be
a
tax
fix
for
the
2020
tax
year.
Unquote.
G
G
You
very
much
mr.
speaker
again,
it
will
receive
Royal
Assent
shortly
and
they
will
be
law
it'll,
be
an
opportunity
for
local
governments
to
deliver
with
us
with
this
tool
to
the
businesses
in
their
community
cuz.
You
know
what
on
him
speaker.
Local
governments
have
been
saying
for
some
time
that
these
businesses
are
stretched
that
they're
challenged.
They
know
their
communities
really
well,
they
know
which
businesses
need
it,
and
now
they
have
the
ability
to
identify
those
businesses.
G
They
have
the
identity,
ability
to
identify
those
cultural
groups
so
that
they
can
get
to
work
so
that
we
can
continue
to
work
together
to
deliver
for
the
people
of
this
province
for
the
business
people
and
the
nonprofits
in
the
arts
and
cultural
sector,
because
they
deserve
that.
Honorable
speaker.
H
You,
mr.
speaker,
this
is
just
part
of
the
pattern
of
the
NDP
they're,
just
not
listening
to
the
experts.
There
are
10
Metro
mayors,
10
Metro
mayors,
including
the
City
of
North
Vancouver,
plus
the
UBC
M
president,
have
who
have
rejected
her
plan,
including
the
mayor
of
her
own
community,
the
mayor
of
Coquitlam
and
I
quote.
We
have
some
small
businesses
that
are
really
hurting
and
I
would
do
anything
to
help
them,
but
this
is
really
really
unworkable.
That's
what
the
mayor
of
Coquitlam
said
about
this
ministers
bill.
G
You
very
much
mr.
speaker,
while
the
mayor's
proposal
is
on
the
table
for
a
permanent
fix
it
is.
We
are
considering
it
but,
like
I
said,
honourable
speaker,
when
it
was
presented
to
us
in
May,
we
looked
at
it
over
the
summer
and
the
analysis
demonstrated
that
it
wouldn't
be
available
for
2020.
So
honorable
speaker,
that
left
us
with
a
choice
continue
to
do
the
work,
the
important
work
and
we're
committed
to
continuing
to
do
that.
But
what
it
meant,
honourable
speaker,
is
that
it
would
not
be
ready
for
2020.
G
I
Thank
You
mr.
speaker.
Well,
the
problem
is
the
mayors
of
Metro
Vancouver
sent
a
letter
to
the
to
the
Minister
just
the
other
day
and
in
it
10
Metro
mayors,
plus
the
UBC
M
presidents,
say
very
very
clearly
that
the
solution
the
Minister
has
brought
forward
is
unworkable
and
these
municipalities
have
no
intentions
whatsoever
of
using
it.
That's
that's
the
bottom
line,
mr.
speaker
and
in
fact,
in
in
two
and
a
half
years,
the
NDP
have
perfected
the
art
of
putting
together
reviews
and
consultations.
I
I
Did
it
with
the
with
the
caribou
file,
they
did
it,
they
did
it
with
the
implementation
of
the
employers,
health
tax
and
now
they're
doing
it
again.
Mr.
speaker,
they're
doing
it
again
here
by
refusing
to
implement
the
the
proposed
solution.
The
priority
solution
of
the
intergovernmental
working
group
in
the
Metro
mayor's
in
Vancouver,
the
mayor's
want
split
assessment
classification
and
their
letter.
They
actually
say
and
I
quote
struggling
businesses
and
organizations
will
end
up
paying
higher
taxes
and
cook.
That's
in
reference
to
the
ministers
solution.
G
Investing
in
transit
infrastructure-
and
they
finally
are
recognizing
that
they
have
a
role
to
play
in
the
regional
transportation
network.
Honourable
Speaker
I
find
it
actually
very
enlightening
and
I'm
thrilled
I'm
thrilled
to
hear
that
they're
finally
listening
to
mayors,
because
they
certainly
ignored
them
when
they
were
on
this
side
of
the
house.
G
Honourable
speaker,
in
fact,
on
speaker,
we've
been
working
with
the
mayors
and
we
have
been
working
with
them
on
a
schedule
and
we're
going
to
continue
honourable
speaker,
because
that's
how
we
will
work
and
continue
to
work
with
them
on
the
permanent
solution.
The
idea
is
a
worthwhile
idea,
honourable
speaker,
of
the
split
assessment.
It
would
be
impossible.
G
Honorable
speaker,
it
would
be
impossible
to
implement
it
in
time
for
2014
this
was,
and
so
honorable
speaker,
we
are,
we
developed
an
interim
solution.
It's
a
solution
that
I
do
know
and
I
do
appreciate,
is
going
to
take
a
bit
of
work
for
local
governments.
We've
drafted
a
model
by
law.
For
them,
we
have
BC
Assessment
at
the
ready
to
generate
the
the
data
that
they
need,
because
we
know
that
that's
important
in
terms
of
the
decision-making
that
they
have
to
do.
G
Bc
Assessment,
is
certainly
you
know
answering
any
calls
that
they
have
they're
doing
they're
answering
questions
that
they
have
about
how
to
move
forward
we're
also
an
up
speaker.
We
put
together
a
whole
handbook
on
how
to
use
this
interim
solution.
It's
a
real
opportunity
for
local
governments
and
the
provincial
government
to
work
together
to
make
sure
that
businesses
and
land
and
nonprofits
and
art
and
cultural
organisations
have
the
relief
that
they
need.
I
I
But
the
letter
which,
by
the
way
is
dated
February
27
so
literally
just
a
few
days
ago,
says
and
I
quote,
while
the
interim
solution
put
forward
by
the
province
may
satisfy
the
desire
to
put
a
mechanism
in
place
for
the
2020
tax
year.
The
undersigned
mayor's
do
not
support
the
interim
permissive
property
tax
exemption
legislation.
Further,
we
respectfully
request
that
the
province
continue
to
work
with
the
intergovernmental
working
group
on
implementing
split
assessment
through
a
new
commercial
subclass
and
quote
mr.
speaker,
because
this
Minister
has
failed
to
act.
I
Countless
countless
small
businesses
have
had
to
close
their
doors
across
Metro,
Vancouver
and,
sadly,
more
are
making
that
painful
decision
as
we
speak
after
35
years
in
business
bishops,
restaurants
in
Vancouver
just
announced
that
it's
closing
soon.
Why?
Because
of
soaring
costs,
including
property
taxes
above
their
heads
owner
and
legendary
chef,
John
Bishop,
says
and
I
quote,
I
don't
want
to
retire,
but
I
don't
want
to
get
to
the
point
where
I
would
have
to
declare
bankruptcy
and
quote
so.
The
question
is:
is
this
mr.
I
G
You
thank
you
very.
Thank
you
very
much.
Mr.
speaker,
my
father
is
a
small
business
owner,
honorable,
speaker
and
I
do
understand
how
tough
things
can
be
for
small
businesses
and
for
the
families
that
are
supported
by
the
small
business
and
I
do
understand
honorable
speaker,
the
hardships
of
being
under
a
triple
net
lease
and
having
the
burden
of
skyrocketing
property
taxes.
But
I
also
need
to
remind
all
the
members
of
this
house
that
this
has
been
going
on
for
well.
G
G
Seems
that
they
have
lots
to
say,
honourable
speaker,
but
their
time
at
the
microphone
is
over.
Honourable
speaker,
I've
explained
in
this
house
how
it
came
to
be
that
we
needed
to
do
the
interim
solution
in
order
to
have
something
available
for
those
businesses
that
have
been
struggling.
Because,
honourable
speaker,
this
isn't
about
the
members
opposite,
and
it's
not
about
us
and
it's
not
about
local
governments.
Honourable
speaker,
they
continue
to
be
very
chippy.
I
think
I'll
just
sit
down
because
clearly,
I
can't
even
I
can't
even
hear
myself
speak
on
her.