The B.C. NDP government, led by new Premier David Eby, has laid out its plans for the coming session of the B.C. legislature on Monday.
Below is the full text of the Throne Speech, delivered by B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin on Feb. 6, 2023.I would like to start by acknowledging the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, upon whose territories we are gathered today – and to thank them for sharing these lands in peace and friendship.Outlining your government's plans to tackle big challenges and build a stronger, more secure future for everyone who calls this beautiful province home.
From the arts world, we mourn dancer Bebe Eversfield, conductor Bramwell Tovey, composer Joseph Koo, actor Pat John, singer Susan Jacks, artist Rodney Graham, gallery owner Thor Froslev, guitarists Ziggy Sigmund and Jerry Doucette, as well as Oscar winning documentary filmmaker John Zaritsky. While we can't control global forces, we can take steps to protect people and build the more secure future for our province that we all want.
As we emerge from the pandemic, we face big choices to ensure security for you and your family in the face of likely economic storms. Because we are a province that thrives on export and international relationships, this year's surplus won't be there next year.It will put this year's surplus to work for people – to support them now and for the long term.By growing our health care workforce to cut wait times and give more people access to a family doctor.By giving record support to cities and regions, rural and urban, that have grown quickly.
It will ensure we build the hospitals, schools, childcare centres, roads, and public transit that make us stronger.And it will help people train for the jobs of the future, while helping businesses find the talent they need to grow.By far the biggest source of anxiety for people right now is the rising cost of living.Global inflation and the long lasting impacts of the pandemic are only making it harder – at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and when looking for housing.
And this fall, the significant child care savings your government delivered for children who are kindergarten age and younger will be extended to parents with school age kids.To truly feel secure, working people must also be paid and treated fairly on the job. In this spring session, your government will continue to put honest people who play by the rules first.A critical tool to shine a light on the gender pay gap and move closer to equal pay for equal work.
The loss of existing buildings and an overall lack of supply can't meet the needs of our growing population. In the months ahead, your government will make major new investments to increase housing and services near public transit hubs around the province.In the Fall session – after working with local governments, homebuilders and communities – new laws will be introduced to turn that strategy into new affordable homes.More homes and support for people with the greatest need.Another top concern for British Columbians is making sure health care is there when they need it.
Investing in new hospitals, a new medical school at SFU, and expanded medical school at UBC, and a new deal that will help more people find a family doctor. It's the product of more than a decade of cuts to supports and services in B.C. and chronic underinvestment in housing.It's the product of a toxic drug supply that hurts even more people than it kills, leaving them with serious brain injuries and struggling in our streets.
It is expanding mental health crisis response teams into more communities, so people in crisis get help from mental health experts, and so police are freed up to focus on crime. With similar strategies to move from decampments to decent homes in communities around the province grappling with this issue.SUPPORTING STRONG AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIESPeople are choosing to move to British Columbia in record numbers from across the country and around the world, for the stability and opportunity we offer in this province.
Progress will continue on the Broadway Subway project in Vancouver and the Surrey to Langley Skytrain, the first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years.Roads, bridges and childcare centres will be built and maintained in every part of the province – to support parents and families that commute to work and want to spend more time at home.
And legislation will be introduced in this session to address the malicious and exploitative non consensual sharing of intimate images.Foundational to all of your government's work is partnership with Indigenous Peoples.Starting in 2017, we have worked in collaboration to bring transformational changes to B.C.'s laws, structures, and policies.
Like in N'quatqua, where families are moving into new affordable rental homes in the community's first new housing development in more than a decade. By breaking the cycle of jail and release and addressing the poverty, trauma and health issues that brought the person to the justice system in the first place.
We will ensure this future through the ongoing implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It will expand our low cost, clean energy potential through electrical generation and the promise of hydrogen.This means British Columbians will continue to be able to access safe, affordable electricity even as global fuel prices rise.
By promoting innovation, it will increase efficiency in food production through the use of new technologies and investments such as the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation in the Fraser Valley. International accounting firm KPMG surveyed the heads of the largest companies in the world and here's what they told them:
Last year, B.C. eliminated the largest subsidy for oil and gas companies to give British Columbians a fair return and allow us to reinvest in our priorities.
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