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From YouTube: OCTOBER 25 2021 Question Period
Description
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
2nd Session
42nd Parliament
C
Thank
you,
mr
speaker.
The
lack
of
a
government
plan
to
administer
booster
shots
is
causing
increasing
anxiety
and
concern
across
the
province.
The
bc
assembly
of
first
nations,
the
wet
swetian
first
nation,
the
lake
babin
first
nation
all
are
calling
for
immediate
booster
shots
for
their
communities.
C
Tragically,
there
have
been
two
deaths
in
less
than
two
weeks
in
the
wet
suetan
community
and
six
deaths
among
the
lake
babin
nation,
which
is
under
a
state
of
emergency
regional
chief
of
the
bcafn
terry
tg.
Has
this
to
say,
and
I
quote
we
are
alarmed
and
are
are
urging
quick
action
as
the
situation
is
becoming
an
emergency.
C
It
has
now
been
approximately
seven
months
since
many
first
nations
in
bc
received
their
second
dose
end
quote
so.
Can
the
premier
tell
us
today
exactly
when
first
nations,
like
those
who
are
calling
out
to
the
government
as
a
state
of
emergency,
to
deliver
booster
shots?
When
exactly
will
that
happen.
D
D
Last
week
we
discussed
the
issue
in
long-term
care
and
assisted
living
happy
to
know
between
two
and
200
and
250
care.
Homes
have
been
completed
now
and
we
expect
most
care
homes
to
be
completed
next
week
with
refer
respect
to
other
people
in
the
community.
I
just
want
to
note
that
in
general
jurisdictions
who
have
looked
at
this
question
have
looked
six
to
eight
months
after
first
doses,
in
terms
of
when
a
possible
booster
shot
might
be
provided
in
bc.
D
Eight
months
ago
we
had
completed
about
sixty
eight
thousand
second
doses
six
months
ago
about
eighty
nine
thousand
and
to
date,
we've
done
about
eighty,
eight
thousand
booster
or
additional
third
doses
in
bc
tomorrow,
and
there
will
be
a
detailed
briefing
for
the
opposition
for
others
in
bc.
We're
writing
a
detailed
plan
for
everyone
in
bc.
D
What
they
can
expect
with
respect
to
booster
doses,
it
will
be
provided
by
myself,
dr
balum
and
dr
henry,
and
I
expect
those
questions
will
be
answered,
then,
in
addition
to
that,
northern
health
is
obviously
reaching
out
and
working
with
both
the
lake
babin
first
nation,
the
wet,
sweat
and
first
nation.
C
Well,
thank
you
very
much,
mr
speaker,
and
the
vast
majority
of
british
columbians
did
everything
they
were
asked
to
do
and
more
they
went
for
their
first
shot.
They
showed
up
for
their
second
shot
and
now
anxiety
is
increasing
about
their
booster
shot
and
in
fact,
we
saw
last
week
and
the
minister
can
list
the
numbers.
The
fact
of
the
matter
is
that
this
government
should
have
been
far
more
ready
to
deal
with
booster
shots,
particularly
for
frail
elderly
british
colombians
in
long-term
care.
British
columbia
is
lagging
against
behind
other
jurisdictions.
C
As
of
october
15
residents
in
yellowknife,
age,
60
and
up
have
been
able
to
receive
a
booster
shot
if
they
are
six
months
past.
Their
second
dose
third
doses
for
albertans
75
and
over
as
well
as
first
nations
65
and
over
are
also
available.
Starting
today
in
saskatchewan
people
who
are
50
plus
and
living
in
the
north
or
in
first
nations,
communities
will
be
eligible
for
a
booster.
C
B
D
Well,
thank
you
very
much,
honorable
speaker
and
again
to
the
member.
I
will
be
providing
detail
tomorrow.
We
started
our
booster
shop
program
in
the
middle
of
september
with
those
most
clinically
vulnerable.
First,
those
whose
affected
the
effect
of
the
first
and
second
shot
wasn't
complete
and
required
a
third
shot,
and
that
process
is
essentially
or
in
large
measure
done.
We've
added
to
that
long-term
care
and
assisted
living.
D
Obviously-
and
that
is,
I
think,
by
the
end
of
this
week-
will
be
largely
completed
in
terms
of
eligible
third
dose
immunization,
amongst
that
group
of
people
and
we've
also
added
at
the
end
of
september,
100,
000,
clinically
vulnerable
people.
What
I'm
pointing
out
to
the
honorable
member
is
different
jurisdictions
did
have
different
approaches,
it's
true,
especially
with
first
and
second
doses,
so
some
jurisdictions
had
a
shorter
interval
between
first
and
second
doses,
and
that
affects
because
we
want
these
immunizations
to
be
effective,
and
we
want
to
follow
the
science
on
that.
D
As
I
noted
to
the
to
the
member
eight
months
ago,
it
was
about
sixty
five
thousand
six
months
ago
was
about
eighty
four
000
in
total.
British
columbians
have
received
both
doses,
so
we're
well
in
line
we're
preparing
it.
E
D
Of
health-
thank
you
very
much,
honourable
speaker
in
british
columbia
and
part
of
our
partnership
with
the
federal
government,
all
seniors
living
in
long-term
care
and
assisted
living
and
other
residents.
So
obviously
there
are
other
people
living
in
long-term
care
and
assisted
living
will
be
eligible
for
the
high-dose
flu
shot.
In
addition
to
that,
some
indigenous
seniors
will
be
eligible
under
certain
specific
circumstances.
We
have
dramatically
expanded
our
flu
shot
campaign
this
year.
For
the
first
time
ever
in
british
columbia.
It
will
be
free
for
everybody,
and
I
think
everybody
in
this
house
would
agree.
D
Two
years
ago,
we
ordered
about
1.5
million
flu
shots
this
year.
It's
2.4
million,
which
shows
the
expansion
of
that
campaign
and
at
the
heart
of
it
at
the
center
of
it
is
the
work
of
pharmacists
who
delivered
the
majority
for
the
first
time
of
flu
shots
last
year
and
will
deliver
the
vast
majority
this
year.
E
E
So
what
the
minister
has
just
said
to
us
is
that
those
independently
those
seniors
living
independently
are
not
going
to
be
getting
this
so
high-dose
flu
shots
provide
better
protection
and
our
seniors
deserve.
It
seniors
represent
about
15
percent
of
the
population,
mr
speaker,
yet
they
account
for
up
to
70
percent
of
the
flu
hospitalizations
and
90
of
those
deaths,
but
there's
not
that,
but
here's
what
happened
to
75
year
old
janice
newman
quote.
I
have
non-hodgkin's
lymphoma.
E
D
Honorable
speaker,
our
campaign
of
bc
is
goes
forward
with
obviously
with
my
support
and
our
effort
and
the
procurement,
a
very
significant
numbers
of
flu
vaccine,
an
unprecedented
amount
this
year
and
with
the
advice
of
public
health,
and
we
are
proceeding
with
that
this
year.
We
encourage
all
seniors,
especially
all
seniors,
to
get
their
flu
shot
as
soon
as
possible.
This
is
an
effective
campaign
and
it's
made
more
effective
when
more
people
take
part.
F
Mr
speaker,
in
british
columbia,
inequality
is
on
the
rise
not
talking
about
income
inequality,
which
is
a
huge
issue
unto
itself.
I'm
talking
about
wealth
inequality.
The
gap
is
visible
in
our
housing
market.
For
decades,
we've
treated
having
safe,
secure
housing
as
a
privilege,
not
as
a
right
as
a
result
of
the
commodification
of
housing.
F
This
government
has
been
reactive
by
investing
public
money
to
decrease
some
costs,
but
in
reality
we
can't
spend
enough
money
to
make
up
for
the
structural
changes
that
are
needed
to
combat
the
growing
wealth
inequality
that
the
status
quo
policy
protects
through.
Honourable
speaker
to
the
minister
of
finance.
G
You
very
much,
mr
speaker,
and
I
want
to
express
gratitude
to
the
member
for
for
the
question,
because
I
I
too,
I
am
concerned.
I
think
everybody
here
in
this
house
is
concerned
about
the
challenges
that
british
columbians
have
certainly
been
telling
us
for
some
time
about
affordability
and
about
what
it
means
to
them
to
be
able
to
have
a
family,
raise
a
family
and
age
with
dignity
here
in
this
province,
and
that's
why
we've
taken
over
the
last
four
years
significant
steps
to
address
that
it's.
Why?
G
Honourable
speaker,
we
addressed
the
from
a
housing
perspective.
That's
why
we
brought
in
a
speculation
vacancy
tax.
It's
why
we
brought
in
the
largest
investment
in
housing
in
in
this
province's
history.
It's
why,
honorable
speaker,
we
remove
tolls
on
bridges
so
that
there's
more
money
in
people's
pockets.
It's
why?
Mr
speaker,
it's
why?
G
Mr
speaker,
we
undertook
you
know
a
wholesale
revamp
of
icbc
to
make
sure
that
again
we
can
put
money
back
into
people's
pockets,
because
that's
really
critical
to
british
columbians
we're
going
to
keep
doing
that
work
because
we
know
how
important
it
is
to
british
columbians.
F
Thank
you,
mr
speaker,
from
what
I'm
hearing
from
my
constituents
and
many
british
colombians
is
that,
while
the
minister
is
able
to
provide
examples
of
what's
happening,
the
actual
structural
changes
that
are
needed
are
not
happening
quickly
enough.
In
order
to
make
life
actually
more
affordable,
we
can
talk
about
life
being
more
affordable,
but
its
life
and
affordability
is
still
out
of
reach.
For
many
british
columbians
entire
generations
of
people
cannot
afford
to
live
in
the
communities
that
they
work
in.
F
As
a
result,
the
business
and
service
service
providers
that
they
work
for
are
chronically
understaffed.
The
housing
market
is
detached
from
the
economic
reality
of
most
british
colombians,
except
for
those
who've
been
able
to
accumulate
wealth
over
decades.
The
cost
of
child
care
is
making
having
children
more
difficult.
The
cost
of
transportation
and
food
are
also
increasing.
F
We
achieved
our
legislative
poverty
reductions,
largely
because
of
actions
the
federal
government
took.
We
need
structural
changes
across
a
number
of
ministries,
but
it
starts
with
the
budget
from
the
minister
of
finance.
She
must
remove
a
reliance
on
revenue
on
re,
real
estate
transaction,
ensure
public
money
is
only
financing.
True,
non-market
housing
solutions
and
coordinate
with
their
colleagues
to
ensure
restrictive
community
planning
and
zoning
does
not
further
entrench
wealth.
Inequality
in
housing
to
the
minister
of
finance
generations
of
british
columbia
need
this
government
to
take
the
bold
progressive
measures
we're
seeing
other
jurisdictions
take.
G
You
very
much,
mr
speaker.
Well,
I
think
the
members
opposite
seem
to
forget
about
a
whole
list
of
other
actions
that
this
government
has
taken
and
continues
to
take
by
eliminating
msp
by
by
again
putting
money
back
in
people's
pocket
by
starting
the
largest
social
program
in
in
decades
and
decades,
with
a
child
care
plan.
G
G
The
largest
increase
in
social
assistance
rates
to
honorable
speaker
has
made
a
difference
for
those
who
are
at
the
bottom,
those
who
have
been
struggling
so
hard.
Honorable
speaker,
we
also
have
the
child
opportunity
benefit,
mr
speaker,
again,
putting
about
a
hundred
thirty
dollars
up
to,
I
think,
in
people's
pockets
that
really
make
a
difference
in
their
ability
to
care
for
their
families.
We
know
that
there's
more
work
to
do.
H
Thank
you,
mr
speaker.
The
patchwork
education
vaccine
guidelines
unveiled
by
the
premier
late
last
friday
night
are
nothing
short
of
ridiculous.
61
school
boards
are
faced
with
a
17-step
process,
including
61
different
legal
reviews.
You
can
barely
get
two
lawyers
to
agree,
let
alone
61
legal
opinions
for
school
districts.
H
I
We
are
working
with
our
partners
to
ensure
that
they
are
supported
in
assessing
the
impact
of
such
potential
policies
that
they're
gathering
the
data
so
that
they
can
understand
what
the
potential
impacts
are,
and
they
are
supported
in
this
process
by
bcpc
by
the
ministry
of
education.
We
have
a
provincial
framework
that
is
going
to
support
boards
in
moving
forward,
and
I
am
so
proud
of
the
work
that
that
boards
are
doing
and
that
we
are
going
to
continue
to
support.
Thank
you.
H
H
I
Thank
you,
honorable
speaker,
and
I
you
know
I
I
mean
one
thing
I
will
say
is
that
I
do
believe
that
everyone
in
this
house
shares
a
concern
for
what
is
happening
in
our
education
system
with
respect
to
to
covet
and
and
kids,
and
I
want
to
say
this
is
the
third
school
year
that
educators,
our
our
board,
trustees,
district
and
school
leadership
have
been
grappling
with
covid
and
boards
are
supported
in
the
work
that
they
are
doing
right
now
by
the
bc
public
school
employers
association.
I
They
are
supported
by
the
ministry
of
education
and
they
are
grappling
with
the
diversity
of
opinions
that
they
are
receiving
from
their
communities
on
what
is
a
very
serious
and
complex
issue
that
deserves
the
level
of
attention
it
is
receiving
by
boards
in
support
being
supported
by
our
by
our
provincial
framework.
So
that's
the
work.
We're
going
to
continue
to
do
to
make
sure
we
can
keep
schools
open,
keep
them
safe,
keep
kids
accessing
in-person
learning.
Thank
you.
J
J
61
school
boards
61
school
boards
against
each
other
and
it's
children,
teachers
and
staff
who
are
going
to
pay
the
price
and
the
minister
of
finance
can
laugh
all
she
wants.
But
it
is
going
to
take
months
and
months
for
parents
and
students
and
staff
to
get
directions
in
the
north.
People
are
making
death
threats,
and
this
premier
and
this
minister
are
throwing
school
trustees
to
the
wolves.
I
Thank
you
honorable
speaker,
I
have
to
say
it
has.
It
has
not
been
my
experience
that
boards
are
actually
against
each
other.
On
this
point,
I've
had
considerable
opportunity
to
meet
with
board
chairs
to
meet
with
district
with
district
leadership
over
the
last
two
weeks,
and
my
experience
is
that
there
is
actually
a
high
degree
of
collaboration
and
a
strong
will
to
cooperate.
D
J
Thank
you,
mr
speaker.
Just
over
a
year
ago,
the
premier
said-
and
I
quote,
safe
operation
of
our
schools-
is
not
the
responsibility
of
the
premier
and
quote:
that's
pretty
telling.
Well,
it's
unacceptable
for
the
premier
to
be
missing
in
action
when
our
student
safety
is
on
the
line
and
for
the
minister's
clarification,
we're
already
hearing
mixed
opinions
in
surrey,
they've
issued
a
statement
doubting
the
value
of
a
mandate.
Other
districts
are
saying
it's
a
possibility,
and
other
districts
have
said
they
have
no
plans
to
do
this.
I
Thank
you,
honorable
honorable
speaker,
and
I
I
will
say
again
that
the
work
that
boards
are
doing
is
is
extremely
important,
with
respect
to
the
the
the
consultation
that
they
are
engaging
in
with
their
communities
with
their
employee
groups
with
first
nations
in
their
communities,
and
the
situation
they
are
dealing
with
is
different
from
from
community
to
community.
I
But
this
work
is
imp.
Is
it
is
critical
that
this
work
is
done
in
collaboration
with
communities
in
the
context
of
of
a
provincial
framework
that
respects
the
role
and
the
authority
of
school
boards
to
make
decisions
for
their
communities?
They
are
being
supported
in
this
work
by
our
provincial
guidelines
through
our
provincial
framework,
and
we
are
working
closely
collaboratively
with
all
of
our
education
partners,
as
we
have
done
to
continue
to
achieve
the
remarkable
work
that
has
been
achieved
in
our
education.
B
A
A
K
K
And
thank
you
for
being
such
a
great
partner
to
work
with
in
advanced
education.
The
past
year.
The
past
two
years
has
been
really
difficult
for
students
in
in
universities
and
colleges,
and
I
first
and
foremost
want
to
say
thank
you
to
all
the
students
for
being
very
resilient
as
well.
Thank
you
so
much
to
all
the
faculty
and
staff
and
all
the
presidents
for
working
with
our
health
authorities.
K
Through
you,
honor
speaker,
post
secondary
institutions
are
independent
organizations
autonomous
of
government
which
will
implement
their
own
protocols
following
the
public
health
office
guidelines,
but
also,
I
am
very
proud
to
know
that
most
recently,
most
post-secondary
institutions
have
reported
that
90
of
their
students
and
faculties
are
vaccinated.
So
we
know.
A
Thank
you
very
much,
mr
speaker,
and
and
thank
you
to
the
minister,
but
to
be
clear.
This
patrick
system
is
simply
not
working.
People
are
able
to
walk
onto
a
campus,
attend
a
class
with
up
to
300
people
and
there's
no
enforcement
in
place.
You
can
go
online
and
click.
A
little
button
said
yep,
I'm
vaccinated,
but
they're
not
checking,
there's
no
proof
of
vaccination
and
further
there
is
no
rapid
testing
available.
A
We
can
provide
some
considerable
results
today.
Will
the
minister
stand
up
today
provide
rapid
testing
across
the
province
and
colleges?
Will
the
minister
stand
up
and
provide
the
additional
resources
that
many
institutions
across
this
province,
like
the
university
of
northern
british
columbia,
the
college
of
new
caledonia
when
you
look
at
communities
that
are
so
impacted
right
now,
with
with
some
of
the
restrictions
that
are
being
put
in
place
in
northern
british
columbia
that
simply
do
not
have
access
to
additional
resources?
The
minister
could
stand
in
this
house
today.
A
K
When
I
visited
campuses
on
colleges,
institutes
and
universities,
they
were
very
excited
to
return
back
to
campus,
not
only
that
professors
are
very
excited
to
have
students
in
their
classrooms.
Vaccination
rates
on
our
campuses
are
90
percent.
We
have
our
baseline.
We
have
our
our
institute's
a
safe
support,
return
to
in-person
learning
campus
with
our
masks
in
classrooms,
as
well
as
bc
vaccination
cars
on
campus
to
ensure
that
students
in
restaurants
in
our
pubs,
indicative
events
are
safe
and
students
are
excited.
They
want
to
be
back.
They're
excited
to
be
back.
L
L
D
D
Our
our
experts,
the
provincial
health
office
and
the
bccdc
members
will
also
know
that
take-home
tests,
rapid
tests,
which
will
have
real
utility
for
children,
will
soon
be
available
in
significantly
wider
numbers
in
bc
and,
as
dr
henry
has
said,
and
as
I've
said,
we'll
provide
another
option,
especially
for
parents
who
are
in
a
circumstance
where
their
child
has
some
mild
illness
to
be
able
to
provide
such
tests.
D
Those
those
tests,
especially
the
roche
tests,
which
are
available
in
sufficient
quantities
to
make
that
happen,
will
be
available
soon,
and
I
think
I
think
that
would
be
very
much
part
of
our
response
on
culvert
19.
But
I
just
say
finally,
and
in
a
general
sense,
honorable
speaker
that
what
we're
going
to
see
in
the
coming
month,
we
believe
is
a
real
advance,
a
real
advance
and
safety
in
schools.
That
is
the
expansion
of
immunization
to
children,
five
to
eleven
and
our
task.