. >>> Instructions by members. >>> thank you, honorable speaker and I'm glad we had the opportunity to do introductions the second time. I would feel really bad. It's my mother's birthday today so I want to wish my mom — hey, hey, hey. It's still her birthday today, so I haven't missed it. But I want to wish my mom a happy 81st birthday today, Maxine DaveYs. >>> Madam Clerk. >>> Introduction of bills. Voters of the day. >> Mr. Finance. >> [Applause.] >>> I move this house resolve itself into a committee to consider the supply to be granted to her majesty.
>> motion, all those in favor indicate aye. Opposed? Motion carried. >>> I have the honor to present a message to her under the lieutenant governor. >>> [indiscernible] estimates fiscal year ending March 31, 2003 and supplement fiscal year ended fiscal year March 2023. >>> I move the said message ask the estimates accompanying the same be referred to the committee of supply. >> Members you heard the motion, all those in favor indicate aye. Opposed? Motion carries. >>> I move seconded by the hon I can't believe premier British Columbia that we move the chair for the house of committee to go into supply.
I would like to begin today by acknowledging the indiginous people, the Musqueam and Squamish people where we are gathered. I also invite everyone to consider the 241st nations upon whose territories we call British Columbia. To all those joins us it like the extend a warm welcome. Today I'm honored to present budget 2022. A budget that keeps All moving Ford by holding steady to what we know to be true. That we are stronger together. Budget 2022 meets today's channels while always investing in a stronger British Columbia. It delivers action today with the plan for tomorrow. A plan that responds to the difficult days we find ourselves in. We feel the weight of two continuing health crises, the poison drug supply and the Covid-19 pandemic.
We reckon with the grief that indiginous communities have known for so long, that children were taken away from their families, sent to residential schools and never returned home. We witnessed the destructsive conventions of climate change as communities scorched by heat and wildfire faced flooding and mudslides only months later. These overlapping crises claimed lives and affect us all. To all those grieving, may your loved ones be for a blessing. And yet in these difficult days I am reminded of a story. It's a tale of an alleged elderly father who asks his sons to break a bundle of sticks.
Despite their best efforts they are unable to do so. However once the bundle is untied each stick is easily broken. And while this story hazzan sent root the message of strength and unity holds true today. Just like that bundle of sticks we are stronger together because Mr. Speaker it is when we are under pressure that we see who we truly are as people and as a province. British Columbians are caring. When a safe and effective vaccine became available, importance of us rolled U7 up sleeves to protect ourselves and others.
Health care workers like my friend Sharon came ovari fire department to help with the largest vaccination program many in our mystery. BBC now has one of the lowest per capita fatality rates from Covid-19 and one of the highest vaccination rates on the continent. British Columbians are compassionate. When our neighbors whether across the street or across the province needle a hand, we are there. The tools vary from sand bags to fire hoses and community kitchens, but we get the job done. And Mr. Speaker, British Columbianss are committed. Day after day those working on thes from of metro health and addictions fight a rising tide of need. And on the front line of the pandemic we see the commitment to have health care workers and hospitals, teachers in early childhood educators in classrooms, and clerks in grocery stores. My neighbor Carrie is a teacher and in the early days of the pandemic I would sometime bump into her as each of us working from home would go for a walk around the block and she told me how she was reaching out to students to see how they were doing but she would reach out to their parents.
Times and time again British Columbians have ten stepped up for one another is and our government is there for you. When channels threaten us as a province we must respond as a province. Some would choose differently. Some argue that reduced cut this government is the way the move for forward but that will not be our approach. Mr. Speaker instead of leaving people without support when times are tough, our government steps up. When and where we are needed. Hundreds of dollars went directly to million of people through the B.C. recovery effort to support economic recovery. Hundreds of millions in safe start funding helped communities maintain the services that people count on like public transit. And more than half a billion dollars supported the hardest hit small businesses and their staff.
BC has provided some of the highest supports for people and businesses per capita in Canada. Millions in funding provided a live line for more than 8,000 tourism businesses. And additional funding will provide support for nonprofits edge pacted by the pandemic as well as the arts, culture and music sector. This we're's budget will continue support for the tourism sector as it recovers with 25 million dollar ear mashed for them. Instead of accepting the status quo we are always looking for ways to make life better for people today. In some cases Mr. Speaker, that means righting past wrongs. Last summer we reversed a 20-year-old decision that ripped up the contracts of thousand offense health care workers primarily attack affecting women and people of color and today we are reversing cuts made two decades ago when the previous government slashed funding for sexual assault services to help pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. [Applause.] >>> Mr.
Speaker, I remember those cuts. I remember when they happened because I was working the women and the children that were months affected. And now Mr. Speaker we are making it right. Budget 2022 delivers 22 million-dollar to support survivors and resource stable funding for 50 sexual assault service centers here in British Columbia. [Applause.] >>> Mr. Speaker while some would choose to watch as ordinary British Columbians are left behind we are Wells Fargo working hashed to close gaps made worse by the pandemic. Workers in B.C. now have access to a minimum of five paid sick days year the most of any province in Canada. We also have the highest minimum wage of any province with a plan to tie future increases to the rate of inflation. These are choices. Choices that our government is proud to stand behind and they reflect the choices that have shaped this we're's budget. Budget 2022 continues our work to build a stronger British Columbia, economically, socially and environmentally. Despite a global pandemic, Mr. Speaker, B.C. remains strong on all three fronts.
Budget 2022 continues building on these strengths. B.C.'s economic recovery is leading the nation. Among provinces we are tied for the lowest unemployment rate and we have the fastest job growth since the start of the pandemic. [Applause.] >>> In fact, Mr. Speaker, more than 160,000 new jobs were created here last year. That includes important public services being delivered by more people like health care aids and teachers and includes thousands of now private sector jobs in communities around the province. To everyone who stepped up and kept our province strong, thank you. Across the province,B's recognized as great place the live and raise a family. Last year we saw the largest knelt migration of people from other provinces in almost three decades.
B.C. is also recognized as a great place to work and to invest. For just one example, mining exploration exceeded 600 million-dollar in 2021, Mr. Speaker this is the highest level in a decade. As part of budget 2022, we are supporting the continued growth of the mining sector with $18 million other three years. This new funding — the minister is happy. This new funding will keep B.C. mining it would forefront of sustainability, create jobs and advance reconciliation. Our province, Mr. Speaker is also home the a thriving life sciences sector. Consider the fact that B.C. scientists can companies were involved with almost every COVID-19 vaccine that reached the final stages of development. And we are continuing to expand the sector are almost 200 million dollar for genome B.C. and the Michael Smith health research foundation. This investment will support continued growth, creating new scientific discoveries and economic opportunities along the way. Here in pretty much Columbia, Mr. Speaker local talent is driving global innovation, we expect this to continue as our investment fund backsB businesses.
Good things are happening in our province and all signs point to a resilient post pandemic economy. This Mr. Speaker is where the stronger B.C. economic plan comes in. We are investing in today's tallable to meet the demands of tomorrow easy a high care low carbon economy. Within the next ten years, labor market forecasts estimate that B.C. will have more than 1 million job openings. Almost 80s percent of those jobs will require postsecondary education or training. Preparing B.C.'s workforce is a generation defining challenge. It's also an opportunity. Our storm warning B.C. economic plan commits to closing the skills gap. The skill trades are a very good example. We are supporting better paying more stable jobs for apprenticeships and trades workers through a new certification system. Budget 2022 advances these efforts with new training seatings and targeted programs for trades work, alook long with monitoring and compliance activities. Other high growth areas like health care and technology are the same ones our government has been focused on since 2017. We've already created 126 neatening spaces around the province and the British Columbia institute of technology.
Since 2017 we've had the fastest growing nursing workforce of any province. Our ongoing commitment to add 500 more nursing seats will continue this trend. These graduates are making an immediate difference. I think of PARPM at Douglass college and she told me how eager she has to bring her energy and skills to the job when she graduates this prim. She's really looking forward to being a nurse here in our communityies. As we create new opportunities, Mr. Speaker we are also breaking Dunbar why ares for underrecommended communities. This is part of our ongoing work to build a more inclusive economy. And we are starting to see the results. More women, youth and indiginous people are working now than before the pandemic. Thousands of indiginous learners are accessing new training opportunities for careers in early childhood education, health care and more. We are also mealing agreeing need for mid career transition supports. New microcredentials are helping thousands of people land secure jobs in established and emerging fields.
The mass timber is a great example. Graduates will find work on a wide rain of projects from new student howing to health care facilities. Programs like this one make sure that workers including those in B.C.'s forest sector are driving economic growth. Mr. Speaker forestry is and remain foundational to our province's economy. We are embarking on a new sustainable approach to protecting and managing B.C.'s forests. One that prioritizes value over volume. And one that pretties our old ergs and most at risk fortses for future generations. As we move forward with those over due changes our government will make sure that no one is left behind.
Budget 2022 delivers 185 million-dollars over three years to support affected forest workers and contract workers, industry, communities and first nations. For workers, this includes a bridging to retirement program creating new jobs for innovations like mass timber and connecting people with skills training. For communities this supports partnerships businesses or diverse local economies and the creation of job for new local infrastructure projects. Additional opportunities for communities of first nations will come with redistricted forest tone tenures. With I. This is just one example of how reconciliation is moving forward here in British Columbia. Now, this year's budget creates a new declaration act secretary I can't tell with 12 million dollar over the next three ye erst. And it's job is to ensure that legislation's consistent with is it United Nations declaration on the rights of indiginous people that everybody in this house supported and it's developed in consultation and cooperation with indiginous peoples.
Additionally budget 2022 continues the indiginous housing investments. We are and continue to be the only province building homes both on and off reserve for indiginous people. New funding for the head start program will more culturally based early learning opportunities and I think of a preschool where children are learning the language, they're playing in clan houses and they're taking part in healing circles. For indiginous communities through the the province programs like this one are benefiting the next generation. A strong economy creates meaningful opportunities for everyone, regardless of your age, your wage or your postal code.
And today's world closing the digital divide helps level the playing field. That is why connectivity has been a major priority for our government since day one. Record funneling is already bringing high-speed internet to 500 rural remote indiginous communities through the British Columbia. It's transformational work, it's happening right around the province and today two ship are making their way down the coast. They're laying fiber optic cable in southern Vancouver island. It's difficult work. At the end of January, the crew laid the fist 50-kilometers of cable just offshore. At each of its stops new opportunities will be unlocked for small coastal communities. And today Mr. Speaker, today we are taking another major step forward with budget 2022 our government's total investments in connectivity will reach half a billion dollars. [Applause.] >>> That means Mr. Speaker that another 280 communities will have high speed connection to today's digital economy and by 227 almost 800 communities will benefit from this province's investment this is connectivity. Just as we build new digital infrastructure we are also building new schools, new hospitals, and child care spaces. New transit, roads and bridges will keep people moving, keep goods flowing and keep our economy running.
Workers on their way on the Broadway subway project, and improvens along highway 14 on Vancouver island. Today we are taking our infrastructure plan to new heights. O record level $27.4 billion over the next three years. This includes funding to meet the sky train all the way to [indiscernible] applause. >>> It's in planning now and it is the first rapid travel ban sit expansion so you want of the Frazier in three decades. In addition to major transportation projects or expanded capital plan we'll build new schools, continue investments in post-secondary expansions and bring health care closer to home. The largest affordable housing investment in B.C.'s history is also part of our infrastructure plan. Mr. Speaker British Columbia is the place to be.
It is the first nine months of last year almost 85,000 people moved to our province, with the success however, comes additional pressure. On our housing market. And right now too many people are is it still struggling to find an affordable police station to rent. Mr. Speaker government has banned evictions and we've cracked down on speculation. During the pandemic with froze represent asks capped them permanently. More than 32,000 new affordable homes are already about this time or on their way. Thousands of new student housing bets are under construction and soon we'll be easing pressure on local housing markets. Last year Mr. Speaker, just last year more than 53,000 new homes were registered here in British Columbia and in the last five years we registered more rental homes than the previous 15 years combined.
[Applause.] >>> But we all know whether from the CMHC rental numbers released last week or the stories that we all hear from people around the province about the challenge of finding a home that they can afford that there is still much work to be done. Budget 2022 continues progress on our ten year building plan. Total investments in how housing and homelessness supports will reach more than one point to billion dollars a year for the next three years.
That's three times the level of funding in 2017. Last year we made $2 billion in low cost financing available through the housing HUD program. And we are already seeing results Mr. Speaker. More than 4400 housing hub homes are open or under way for middle income families. And now budget 2022 will add more staff to accelerate the housing hub projects because there's some demand. Similarly this year's budget adds $100 million to accelerate the community housing fund.
This would support the work of nonprofit partner to build even more mixed income rentals and to do it faster. Mr. Speaker the new sunrise center is a great example of a program in action. Three years I had the opportunity to celebrate with the community when we broke ground on these new homes. Today, today Mr. Speaker the first residence mostly low-income seniors take comfort in knowing their represents will always be capped at 30 percent of their income and the building, Mr. Speaker is right downtown just a short walk away from the pharmacy or grocery store making it very easy for seniors to use. The new homes provide an affordable future for British Columbians. Now, building the homes that people needs B.C.'s public strength. It's Al part of our work to build a healthier society in every sense of the word.
Bucket budget 2022 commits a total of $3.2 billion over three years to built an even stronger mental health care system. We are adding $300 million over three years the help with continuing evaluators to address wait lists for surgeries can scans. We're also committing $875 million in the next year to get more people immunizes and more PPE purchased and more people tested for Covid-19. The and almost 150 million-dollar will increase the number of paramedics, call takers and spasmers to speed up emergency response times. Budget 2022 continues our government's work to deliver better care in communities throughout B.C. The hospital projects are all moving ahead including a new state of the art cancer center. [Applause.] >>> And Mr. Speaker, more cancer care cancers have been planned. . [Applause.] this year's budget will continue to invest in urgent and appreciate centers, our goal is to nearly double the number of centers by 2025. The bring culturally safe care closer to home budget 2022 will add indiginous health care providers to local primary care teams.
We are continuing to work in partnership with the first nations health authority to create new first nations primary care centers throughout the province. Mr. Speaker we recognize that the pandemic has threat sevenned more than our physical health. It's taken a significant toll on our mental well-being. And tragically the poison drug crisis has only worsened. Our government is tackling this head on with is it largest investment in mental health and diction services in B.C.'s history. A new system of treatment and care being built. Five years, Mr. Speaker, one simply did not exist. Despite heroic evaluators from those working on and in this new system, this poison drug supply continues to claim lives and while it's hard to see fast the tragedy, Mr. Speakser, there are stories that do inspire hope. Stories like Daniel's. After years of homelessness and living with addiction he checked into a new treatment bed. He's now excited about the future can plans to take things one step at a time and his first step was a meaningful one.
For the first time in four years Daniel spent Christmas with his family. It's for it's for Daniel and so many overs that front line workers remain committed. So too does our government remain committed to this fight. We are taking angst by opening hundreds of treatment and river beds just like the one there by become the first province to apply for decriminalization and offer safe ply supply and by operating free and affordable counseling services in dozens of communities. For people living with a combination of addiction, severe mental health judiciary issues budget doo provide at pathway to hope.
New housing on the way for communities will be ex-stand arounded to another 20 sites throughout the province. >>> this first of its kind approach will help stop the cycle of evictions, emergency rooms and jails for hundreds of people with complex care needs. Mr. Speaker, it is often been said that while we are all in the same storm we are not in the same boat and the pandemic has only served to deep inpre-existing gaps in services and supports and we can see this playing out on streets across the country. A new approach is needed to shift from reactive to pro-active St. Louises for homelessness. This year's budget delivers with $633 million to tackle homelessness over the next three years. When Covid-19 first hit we acted fast to bring more than 3,000 people in off the street and into temporary shelters. And now we are working the make this move permanent by funding hundreds of new homes with supports and connecting people with spaces in newly finished buildings, to give people stability while new permanent homes are being built we are extending leases on temporary spaces and new sum let mes will help low-income people find how housing.
While an immediately response is vital we must also shift our attention upstream toward prevention. The late Catlin Mcpar Lynn was a fierce advocate on youth homelessness. She also became a friend and adviser to this government can to me. As Katherine described it forester care is a super highway to homelessness and she called on government to be part of the solution. And our government is listening to people like Katherine and things are going to change, Mr. Speaker. Today we're make good on our promise to support all youth who are aging out of care. Budget 2022 provides more income supports and new earning exceptions and host of housing, health and life skill supports for children aging our care until the age of 27. [Applause.] >>> >>> The bottom line is this, Mr.
Speaker as a mom I know the responsibility that I have to Michelle did not end on their 19th birthdays and neither does government's responsibility. Mr. Speakser government's responsibility to youth doesn't just apply to utility aging our care. Giving every child the best possible start is key to strengthening the special fabric. As we continue to grow we are continuing investments to match. Budget 2022 commits an additional $664 million over three years to respond to increases enrollment. Work also continues on state of the art classrooms around the province, this past year 20 new or alived schools opened in communities like Courtney, Smithers and Suri and more schools are under construction now.
Many will include child care spaces which has good news for families. Parents know there will always be a space fir their child in public school and we are working hard to bring the same certainty to child care. With thisser years budget we are 'em belling child care within the men industry of education. This is all pan our government's work to establish child care as a core service that's available to any family that wants it when they need it as a price they can afford.
Already Mr. Speaker, thousands of families are paying less for child care than when we first formed government. We funded over 26,000 spaces surpassing our original target. Taken together this work has establishedB as a national leader on child care and I would meant when the federal government came to the table, it meant that we were ready Mr. Speaker a historic agreement is now in place that brings B.C. closer than ever to $10 a day child care. Within seven years another 40,000 spaces will be funded in partnership with the federal government and by the end of the year parent fies for children aged five and under will drop by an average of 50 percent. Displeasure Mr. Speaker this is a huge win for families and one that our government has pushed for since day one. Budget 2022 takes another big step forward on making child care more affordable for families. We are going to lower the average fees for preschool and before and after school care to less than $20 a day for the 23 –/24 school year.
Mr. Speaker as child care becomes a core service for families we must also train more skilled professionals. Already we have doubled the number of early childhood educator seats and nowed budget 2022 there add hundreds of new seats to train more. This year's bullet will also extend the wage enhancements to more child care patrol professional. It will answer calls from parent asks helping with the Oregon behind the scenes work.
Mr. Speaker, the last year ha a powerful reminder of how closely connected people's health and well-being are Ec that of our natural environment. In this year's budget consultations I heart a united message from British Columbians. Action is needed now to fight climate change and to protect people and communities from the effects of climate related disasters. Budget 2022 will help keep people safe today while billion a better more climate resilient British Columbia for generationings to come. Three years ago our golf introduced clean B.C. when the strong ergs climate plans in North America. We accelerated the fight against climate change. Today an diligence once billion dollars for clean B.C. will help us reach a low carbon future faster. [Applause.]. >>> this year's budget strengthens the cleanB program for industry to help decarbonize our economy and we are building a new clean industry tax rebate for rem and commercial buildings and while most people want to make the right choice by the environment it isn't always the most affordable option and we are working hard to change that.
Budget too will remove the PFC from all electric heat pumps so that these roe knews will offset the cost of new incentives to make heat pumps more affordable for homeowners in rural and northern British Columbia. Electric vehicles are another example of how we're making climate smart decisions more affordable. B.C. leads north America in the transition to electric vehicles. To build on this momentum bigot 2022 will continue the popular go electric program and to make U.C.V more affordable we are going to remove the PST. This year's budget also launches a clean transportation action plan and continues growing provinces network of bind lane asks multi-Ewing pathways. We are also expanding exceptions to the motor fuel tax and to include hydrogen powered vehicles. This will benefit companies like B.C. based hydro energy as it works to transition heavy duty vehicles to hydrogen power.
And while the fight against climate change continues recent disasters show that we must strengthen our defenses at home. Mr. Speakser while we've all experienced the realities of climate change this Ian help but think of the indiginous people in valley, farmsers and residents of Princeton and Lynnton. We are going to get through this together. This year's butt delivers more than $2.1 billion to help us prepare for, respond to and recover from floods, heat waves and wildfires. It begins with $1.5 billion to support people in communities with flood recovery. A total of $400 million will cover known costs for removing debris to providing financial assistance for hard hit people, businesses and communities. And an additional 1.1 billion is earmarked to support additional recovery costs in the months ahead Mr.
Speaker, the government of Canada has been a steadfast partner through these difficult times and allocated $5 billion in federal assistant will help backstop B.C. agency flood recovery evidents. The largest financial recovery package ever for B.C. farm earls is on the way. Mr. Speaker there is a long road ahead and rebuilding what we have lost is only part of the job. We must act now to protect people people in communities against future climate disasters. This this will hope power loaning emergency service asks operation centers, map floodplains, support flood risk assessments and more. And even with strong preventive action British Columbia must be ready to protect people, property and communities from climate disasters. Many moments of crisis the B.C.
Wildfire service and emergency managementB have been unweavering in their response. We owe them our thanks and so much more. Budget 2022 admits $145 million over three years to increase staff at both agencies agencies and move toward a more pro-active approach. For ENBC this 15 as stronger response to emergencies and coordination with community asks first nations can for the B.C. wildfire service this mark as transition toward year around firefighting and risk mitigation. To support these efforts budget 2022 delivers nearly $200 million to support wildfire prevention activities.
This includes 90 million dollars in new if you woulding to help more communities par it is pate in programs like fire smart. When the wildfire threatened the community of Logan lake we saw what it meant to be a fire smart community. Taken together the measures will help British Columbia substantiate strong in the face of a disaster. And while extreme weather events get the most attention, we know that even a gradual feints ever tents of a changing climate can have from the kind of food we grow to the design of our sewers and roads we must be prepared for chain. This is whereB's climate preparedness and adaptation strategy comes into play. Budget 2022 will begin implementing the strategy province wide with 83 million-dollars.
So what does that look like on the ground, Mr. Speaker? It looks like more state of the art climate monitoring stations along B.C.'s rivers and lakes and shorelines. We need to start collecting the best data possible. It looks like a new heat framework that will bolter predict where and when heat waves will hit and how web help the most victim vulnerable. And finally, it means strengthening our partnership with local governments and indiginous communities to work together to understand, monitor, manage and reduce climate risks and while the fight against climate change continues, we can and we will ensure that we are ready to protect people and communities.
Mr. Speaker, we have all learned a great deal over the last two years. And through each challenge we have seen time and time again that we are stop stronger together. There is a long road ahead and as we all rebuild and repair the damage left by these difficult times, if patience wanes or hope waivers, remember that you are not alone in this. You have another 5 million or so people ready to lend a hand,. Just as the bundle of sticks would not break neither will we and Mr. Speaker, while we all know what we're fighting against be it Covid-19, climate change or poison drug supply we cannot lose site sight of what and what we are fighting for.
For first days of kindergarten and graduations. For people taking they're brave fist step on their path to hope. For dismiss small businesses to bank on growth. For communities built to withstand any storm and for health care workers, the child care professionals and the teachers and bus drivers who got us through these last two years, we will reach those better days ahead by continuing to build on today's strengths can together, together we will discover the opportunities that tomorrow holds. Thank you. [Applause.] >>> >>> thank you Mr. Speaker and now for something completely different. I would like to thank you for this time to make some initial comments on behalf of the official opposition and I will be our designate speaker but I will provide a few comments today just to give a quick overview of what we have seen in the budget over the [indiscernible]