Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Colombie-Britannique 26e 3e Discours du Trône 25 janvier 1962 Georges Pearkes Lieutenant-Gouverneur British Columbia Social Credit Party Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly: I bid you welcome to the Third Session of the Twenty-sixth Parliament of British Columbia. The past year has been a progressive and eventful one for our Province, and we have been pleased to welcome distinguished visitors from many lands. Foremost among these were Her Royal Highness The Princess Alexandra and the President of Iceland, Asgeir Asgeirsson. Our pleasure in welcoming new friends was tempered with sadness at the loss of distinguished citizens and public servants, including the Honourable Charles A. Banks, C.M.G., a former Lieutenant-Governor, and Dr. A. E. Grauer, Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. The year just concluded has been a memorable one in the advancement of my Government's programme for full and orderly development of the natural resources of British Columbia. This programme has been directed particularly towards the development of the hydro-electric power potential of two great river systems-the Peace and the Columbia. My Government's policy will continue in the future, as it has done in the past, to stress simultaneous development of the two rivers. In keeping with this policy, construction contracts have already been awarded for the Peace River project, and tenders for additional construction are now being called. Throughout 1961 my Government caused definitive engineering studies to be carried out at three damsites on the Columbia River, at a cost which will total approximately $6,000,000 by the end of the fiscal year. As a result of these studies, my Government will be in a position to proceed early this year with actual construction of the required dams, control structures, and other facilities required. Early ratification by the Parliament of Canada of the Columbia River Treaty, together with the completion of arrangements for purchase by the United States of the British Columbia share of new power generated in the United States, will enable my Government to call tenders for construction of the necessary works without delay. The resultant production of extremely low-cost power at site within British Columbia will be of immeasurable benefit to our people for generations to come, and in combination with speedy development of the Peace River will place British Columbia in an unrivalled position to furnish vast blocks of hydro-electric power to new industries within the Province. Matters relating to the management of the Province's water resources have greatly increased in number and scope during the past decade, not only with respect to the development of major rivers, but also in connection with the increased demands on available sources. My Government recognizes the fundamental importance of water resources in the attainment of our economic goals, and is concerned that all the related aspects of water management be consolidated in order to safeguard future developments based on water use. Technical officers of the Water Rights Branch have been advisers to my Government for many years, and the high professional status of the Branch is recognized throughout North America. Accordingly, you will be asked to consider legislation leading to the creation of a Department of Lands, Forests, and Water resources, in which the present Water Rights Branch will become the Department of Water Resources. My Government's policy on hydro-electric development will continue to be directed towards the extension of efficient electrical service to the greatest possible number of our citizens at the lowest possible cost. I am pleased that the benefits of this policy will be demonstrated this year in a very substantial reduction in the cost of electricity to consumers throughout all areas of the Province served by public power. To facilitate this reduction, which will take effect in April, and to improve even more the administrative efficiency of the Crown agencies concerned, my Government will introduce legislation to establish a British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority. This Authority will be assigned responsibility for the generation and distribution of all public power within the Province, for construction of a Provincial transmission grid, and for the consignment of power to a National grid when required. Close co-operation among jurisdictions concerned with rapid and orderly development of the Pacific Northwest is a major objective of my Government, which, in 1960, convened the first Alaska-Yukon-British Columbia Conference on Matters of Mutual Interest. The second meeting was held last summer at Juneau at the invitation of His Excellency William A. Egan, Governor of Alaska, and a third will be held at Whitehorse this year under the auspicies of Mr. F. H. Collins, Commissioner of the Yukon. The efficiency and growth of the ferry service inaugurated by my Government in 1960 has been a source of great satisfaction, not only to the people of the immediate areas served, but to all our citizens. Traffic between Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and Tsawwassen on the Mainland has been so great as to warrant the construction for this service of two more ships, which will be in operation shortly. In further recognition of its responsibility in this field, my Government last year acquired ferry operations which link Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay and also serve the Gulf Islands and the Sechelt Peninsula. The expanded system provides the final western link in the Trans-Canada Highway system, and it, too, will be strengthened by the construction of two new ships, for which contracts have already been awarded. The Pacific Great Eastern Railway, which has been directly responsible for much of the development of Central and Northern British Columbia, continued in 1961 to generate increased revenues. During my official visit to the Cariboo and Peace River Districts last year, I was tremendously impressed with the buoyant activity in these areas, and I was pleased also to observe the efficiency and public spirit of all those connected with the railway. My Government has informed me that mining development in British Columbia reached an all-time peak during 1961; four substantial properties moved into production, and many other properties are undergoing intensive examination. A milestone in the utilization of British Columbia resources for the benefit of our own citizens was the completion last year of the Western Pacific Products and Crude Oil Pipeline from the People Rivers area to Kamloops. As a result of this project, motorists and industries in the major markets of the Province soon will be using gasoline and allied products refined in British Columbia from British Columbia crude oil. Royalties from the production of this crude oil, together with proceeds from the sale of rights and leases purchased for the most extensive exploration programme in the history of the Province, will markedly increase public revenues during the years ahead. Last year I informed members of steps taken by my Government to encourage the establishment of a basic iron and steel industry within the Province. I am pleased to advise you now that, as a result of these steps, some 34,000 tons of British Columbia iron ore were converted to pig iron during 1961. A pleasing ancillary result of the construction of new pipe-lines during 1961 was an increase of 35 per cent over the previous year in the number of applications for Crown lands to be used for agricultural purposes in the Peace River District. This interest was spurred by the construction of pipe-line access roads, and is an example of the indirect benefits conferred on all sections of the economy by almost every new industrial development. In the field of agriculture, the Rural Youth Development Programme inaugurated by my Government last year has been well received, and I am gratified to note the extent of financial and technical assistance made available to farmers through provisions of the Farmers' Land-cleering Assistance Act. Approximately 30 per cent of all farmers and ranchers in British Columbia have benefited from this programme, which has resulted in the clearing and development of 140,000 acres of land. You will be asked to authorize further expenditures in order that this valuable work may be continued. Despite severe fire losses and increased competition on world markets, the harvest from our forests kept pace in 19¢1 with that of preceding years, and the forest access road programme was accelerated. Representatives of my Government participated in the "Resources for To-morrow" Conference on the administration of our nation's renewable resources, and full co-operation will continue to be extended both to the Government of Canada and to all Provinces engaged in this important work. The second British Columbia International Trade Fair, organized by my Government with the assistance of leading business concerns and public-spirited citizens, was held last May. Its success has prompted my Government to undertake the organization of a third Trade Fair, to be held in the spring of 1964. As a further stimulus to the expansion of British Columbia's export trade, my Government will join this year with the lumber industry in receiving a representative trading group from member countries of the European Common Market area. Official representation of our Province in strategic areas outside our boundaries was reinforced last year with the opening of British Columbia House at San Francisco. Following the pattern established by British Columbia House at London, this new office is undertaking vigorous promotion of investment, trade, and tourism. I am gratified to note the great degree of harmony which prevailed throughout the Province last year in the field of industrial relations, as exemplified by the conclusion of all major collective agreements without resort to strikes or lockouts. A further noteworthy example of this spirit of co-operation was the conclusion in 1961 of arrangements whereby twenty-seven building-trades unions formed the Hydro Council of British Columbia to represent all workmen who will be employed on the vast Peace River power project; this constructive step may well serve as a model for labour-management co-operation for similar large projects in the future. My Government has given careful consideration to representations made by individual workmen and by organizations with respect to the Workmen's Compensation Act, and will appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into this important legislation and its administration. You will be asked to consider at this Session measures designed to better ensure the payment of wages of employees. I am pleased to note the excellent progress made by my Government during the past year in its Province-wide programme of highway construction, and to learn that the spectacular new Rogers Pass route of a Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden will be opened this summer. During 1961 major bridges were completed ax Kamloops, Trail, and Revel-stoke; the four-lane Deas Island Throughway will be completed this year to the United States border; work is progressing we11 on the multi-million-dollar Port Mann Bridge, which will form part of the 75-mile freeway between West Vancouver and Chilliwack; contracts have been let for the reconstruction of the Vancouver Island highway extending north from Campbell River to Kelsey Bay. My Government is pursuing vigorously its programme for the provision of new recreational facilities and the improvement of existing installations. Attendance in Provincial parks reached its highest level last year when 3,500,000 guests registered at camp and picnic sites. More than 1,000 acres of land were donated to the Crown for park purposes, and fifteen new Class "A" parks were added to the system. The largest double-chair lift on the North American Continent was constructed on Tod Mountain near Kamloops, and similar projects to be undertaken in other winter sports areas will add greatly to the recreational opportunities of our people. I am advised that the value to the Provinc of the tourist industry reached a record $115,000,000 in 1961, and my Government's programme of regional matching grants to stimulate local interest in tourism will be continued and expanded. My Government has appointed Dr. H. F. Angus as a sole Commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act to inquire into the provisions for the conservation of fish in relation to the operation of the British Columbia Power Commission's plant on the Puntledge River. The excellent public health services provided by my Government have been extended to new areas of the Province, and support of local facilities for home care and community rehabilitation will be continued. Tenders will be called shortly for a new surgical hospital at Essondale, where construction is already under way on an industrial-therapy building, in keeping with the progressive expansion and improvement of mental-health services. Progress has also been recorded in the development of a modern health facility at Victoria which will reflect the latest concept in its range of services. During the past year new general hospitals were completed at Terrace, North Vancouver, and Dawson Creek; eight major projects are now under way, and another thirty hospitals, to provide in all nearly 1,800 new beds, are being planned. My Government will continue to provide generous financial assistance in all fields of education. You will be asked to authorize substantial increases in grants to the University of British Columbia, to the University of Victoria, and to school districts throughout the Province. Further extension of facilities for technical and vocational education will be undertaken in co-operation with the Government of Canada. Detailed planning for an Institute of Technology is proceeding, and new facilities for vocational education will be provided at Vancouver, Prince George, Nanaimo, Nelson, and Kelowna. Further amendments to the Public Schools Act, in keeping with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Education, will be placed before you. Additional services to co-ordinate adult education in non-vocational fields will be provided, and my Government will continue its pioneering work introduced last year in the provision of courses leading to high-school graduation for adults whose formal education has been interrupted. A science building will be constructed at the University of Victoria, and the first stage of the College of Education building at the University of British Columbia will be completed in 1962. I am pleased to learn that my Government has authorized the construction of a teaching and research hospital at the University of British Columbia. This hospital will be one of the most advanced diagnostic, treatment, and teaching centres in North America. You will be asked to authorize expenditures leading to the establishment of a Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia. The provision of improved facilities at Oakalla Prison Farm will be undertaken by my Government, and the appropriate planning is now under way. My Government will seek your approval for revision to the Magistrates' Courts of British Columbia. A draft proposal for the amendment of the British North America Act will be placed before the members of this Legislature for information and study. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Municipal Act which will assist in the improvement of municipal administration. You will be asked to consider an expansion of my Government's worth-while participation in the provision of low-rental housing for elderly citizens. You will be asked, too, to consider the provision of assistance towards the construction of recreational centres for senior citizens. During the past year my Government has continued its programme of restoration of historic sites and the acquisition of historic objects. Your approval of continued support both for this programme and for the observance of the centenary of historic Barkerville will be sought. Legislation will be placed before you in keeping with my Government's desire to assure, on behalf of all citizens of the Province, an appropriate observance in 1967 of the centenary of Confederation in Canada. My Government is most pleased to act as host for the third Premiers' Conference early in August of this year. The first conference was convened in 1960 in the ancient City of Quebec, and the second, last year, in Charlottetown on beautiful Prince Edward Island. Both of these cities have deep historical associations with the formation of our Canadian Confederation, and we are happy to welcome the Provincial Premiers to our capital city in the year of its centennial celebrations. The Public Accounts and the reports of the departments of my Government will be laid before you. Measures designed to meet both current requirements and those of the continued economic growth of our Province are embodied in the ways and means of supply to be granted to Her Majesty during the ensuing year. Honourable Members, I leave you now to the discharge of your legislative duties. I am confident that your deliberations, guided by Divine Providence, will be in the best interests of all our citizens.