Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Colombie-Britannique 28e 2e Discours du Trône 25 janvier 1968 Georges Pearkes Lieutenant-Gouverneur British Columbia Social Credit Party Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly: In opening the Second Session of the Twenty-eighth Parliament of British Columbia, I wish first to bid you welcome and to express my confidence that you will discharge your duties carefully and with wisdom for the lasting benefit of all our people. The celebration of the centenary of the Confederation of 1867 absorbed the attention of all Canadians during the past year, and the people of this Province joined wholeheartedly in the festivities. In consequence, our people have gained both a renewed sense of pride in the accomplishments of Canada's first century and a spirit of dedication to the task of bringing about even more dynamic development during our second hundred years. Having full confidence in the high destiny that awaits our great nation, my Government reaffirms its belief in the wisdom of the original decision that there should be a federal system of government embracing the whole of our country, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, from the United States border to the Arctic. My Government is convinced that the sucessful operation of a federal system must be predicated upon the recognition of several important principles. Paramount amongst these are unswerving loyalty to the Crown and belief in the equal and fair treatment of all citizens, irrespective of their racial origin, religion, or economic status. My Government pledges itself to play significant role in the developments that lie ahead. It is fully aware of the necessity for a strong federal government exercising exclusive jurisdiction in such areas of national concern as the regulation of banking, currency, the defence of the nation, and the conduct of external affairs, including in particular the right to negotiate treaties. At the same time it is equally aware of the need for strong provincial or regional governments to exercise wisely and fully their own powers in the fields of poverty and civil rights, education, health, social welfare, and natural resources. There are, in addition, areas of mutual concern and shared responsibility, such as trade and commerce, agriculture, labour relations, and highway development. A federal system under which the highest expectations of development may be attained will flourish and be strengthened if all levels of government, imbued with a spirit of understanding, pledge themselves to build, not necessarily in uniformity, a better life for all our people. Since we last met the Right Honourable Roland Michener was sworn in as Governor-General of Canada, succeeding that most distinguished Canadian, the late General Georges P. Vanier. While Governor-General Michener has not yet paid a visit to British Columbia in his official capacity, we look forward with pleasure to welcoming him and Mrs. Michener to our Province. With all Canadians, we mourn the recent death of the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, the first native-born Governor General of Canada. During his many official visits to British Columbia, Mr. Massey earned the respect, admiration, and friendship of thousands of our people, and his memory will be cherished. The Legislative Assembly has sustained a grievous loss in the death of Thomas Audley Bate on September 21, 1967. Mr. Bate, the second member for the Electoral District of Vancouver South, rendered great service to the Province during his terms of office. The Honourable Herbert William Davey, Chief Justice of British Columbia, was appointed Administrator of the Government of the Province on July 13, 1967. Mr. Davey, a member of the Court of Appeal, was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of British Columbia upon the retirement of the Honourable Henry Irvine Bird. The Honourable A. Bruce Robertson was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, and Mr. Arthur McClellan was appointed a Judge of the County Court of Vancouver and a Local Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia. I extend my congratulations to each of these gentlemen. On January 24, 1967, it was my privilege to open the First Session of this Parliament in the City of New Westminster on an historic day. That opening was but one of hundreds upon hundreds of events and celebrations which marked two consecutive Centennial Years in the history of this Province. British Columbia Day at Expo '67 in Montreal was held on Saturday, July 15, 1967. The Western Provinces Pavilion at Expo '67, in which my Government participated, was a show window for the West and won wide public acclaim. Two Centennial accomplishments of which British Columbia can be especially proud related to our senior and junior citizens, and were unique to this Province. The first was the presentation of pioneer medals to more than 12,000 men and women who were residents of Canada 75 years ago, and are now residents of British Columbia. The second was accomplished by the youth of British Columbia. This was known as Project 100, carried out by students o€ this Province on behalf of students in less fortunate countries of the Commonwealth. Our students raised funds to equip mobile classrooms for severals sister countries, thus helping cement Commonwealth ties and presenting an opportunity for youth to involve itself in a most successful projection of Canada's image. I wish to compliment my Government on making possible the payment of grants from the Centennial Cultural Fund, established last year for the purpose of improving the arts in the Province. This, too, will be a lasting tribute to the two Centenaries recently celebrated. For my part, in my extensive travels throughout the Province in the two Centennial Years, everywhere I went I sensed a feeling of pride in the Province and the Nation, evidenced by an enthusiastic participation in Centennial activities. Here, I wish to extend my thanks to the people of this Province who, by their fine contribution, made it such an outstanding success. Largely because of the historical significance of 1967, this Province was honoured with a number of royal visits, visits by various heads of state or their representatives, and visits by many other distinguished persons. Among those the Province was pleased to welcome were Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra and the Honourable Angus Ogilvy; His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia; Her Majesty the Queen of The Netherlands; Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Takamatsu of Japan; Their Royal Highnesses Princess Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark; His Royal Highness Crown Prince Harald of Norway; His Excellency the Vice-Preside of the Swiss Federal Council and Mrs. Spuhler; His Excellency the President of the Federal Executive Council of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; His Excellency the Vice-President of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China; His Excellency Andreas Maurer, Premier of the Province of Lower Austria; and the Honourable Alfons Goppel, Prime Minister of the Free State of Bavaria. Other distinguished visitors to the Province were His Serene Highness Prince Rainier of Monaco and his son Prince Albert; His Excellency General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, High Commissioner of India; His Excellency General Sun Yup Paik, Ambassador of Korea; His Excellency Osamu Itagaki, Ambassador of Japan; Captain T. Yamo, Training Ship " Nippon Maru ," and Captain S. Kodama, Training Ship " Kaimo Maru "; Rear-Admiral Seigabaro Hoshimo, Commander, Japanese Training Squadron; His Excellency L. S. B. Perera, High Commissioner of Ceylon; the Honourable H. Levity Stoutt, Chief Minister, British Virgin Islands; His Excellency M. Alessandro Farace di Villaforesta, Ambassador of Italy; His Excellency Gisen Sato, Governor of Osaka; His Excellency Per Lind, Ambassador of Sweden; His Excellency Dr. A. H. J. Lovink , Ambassador of The Netherlands; His Excellency Hans W. Gasser, Ambassador of Switzerland; His Excellency Constantino Ramos, Ambassador of Argentina; His Excellency Dr. Tode Curuvija, Ambassador of Yugoslavia; His Excellency Bogh Andersen, Ambassador of Denmark; His Excellency Torfinn Oftedal, Ambassador of Norway; and His Excellency Yu-Chi Hseuh, Ambassador of China. During the Session you will hear a more detailed report on these two exciting and productive years. They were not only years of celebrations both solemn and festive, but years in which more than 350 memorial projects paid honour to generations of the past and added much of value for those of the future. The report of Ray Agler Sargent, appointed a Commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act, to inquire into the extent and use of listening and recording devices for the purpose of invading the privacy of persons or organizations has been received and will be laid before you. I am advised by my Government that the Royal Commission appointed under the Public Inquiries Act to inquire into matters relating to automobile insurance rates continues to carry on its inquiry. During the present Session, my Government will ask you to consider many proposals for the further benefit of all our people. Foremost amongst these will be measures relating to housing, education, health and welfare services. The programmes to be placed before you will reflect the belief of my Government that policies for the extension of social services and policies for the encouragement of dynamic economic development are not rivals, but rather partners, each dependent upon the other. Accordingly, my Government's budgetary proposals will be designed to encourage the strong advance of our Province on all fronts, and will do so within the framework of policies to restrain inflation. The number of elderly people in our society is constantly increasing, and the need to provide adequate housing for many of them at low-cost rentals is recognized by both Government and various service organizations. During the past year, therefore, my Government committed itself to a record expenditure in the form of grants-in-aid for this purpose. You will be asked to approve an even greater expenditure during the coming year. Reflecting the widespread demand for modern education services, one in every four persons resident in this Province today is a direct beneficiary of our comprehensive educational system. More student are remaining longer in the secondary schools, and adults are returning in greater numbers to take advantage of the new opportunities presented at the post-secondary level. These growth trends augur well for the continued vitality of our people; they also foreshadow the continuing expansion of our educational services, and they reinforce the resolve of my Government to find still more effective ways of coping with upward-spiralling costs. The important role of the School Boards in the administration of the public-school system has long been recognized by my Government. Proposals to strengthen the financial viability of these authorities will be presented to you as amendments to the Public Schools Act. Much of the expansion in educational demands is occurring at the post-secondary level. Massive capital and operating grants by my Government have facilitated the unprecedented growth of a three public universities, and operating grants have been paid to the private university at Nelson. You will be asked to approve continued major assistance, to these institutions. The new vocational school at Terrace will be ready to go into service this year, and plans for the remaining units in the chain of regional vocational schools at Kamloops and Victoria are well in hand. A college council has been appointed for the new regional college in the Prince George area, and similar action is expected for the projected regional college on Vancouver Island. My Government intends to allow plebiscites to be held for regional colleges on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet and in the Lower Fraser Valley region. To ensure that assistance is available in all parts of the Province to help students prepare themselves adequately, my Government will propose that a travelling youth counselling and career development service be added to the Department of Education. The potential role of educational television is also under continuing study. During the last Session, my Government indicated that it intended to examine the structure of the Mental Health Service Branch with a view to effecting a reorganization to meet the changing patterns of care for the mentally ill and retarded. This major reorganization is now under way; it will result in the Branch assuming increased responsibility for the over-all aspects of mental health planning in order to facilitate the decentralization and regionalization of mental health programmes throughout the Province. The Deputy Minister, with a staff of professional consultants, will be located in Victoria, and they will co-operate with local authorities, mental health professionals, universities, public and private agencies, as well as with other Government departments, in the development of community programmes. The reorganization will result in a much wider and broader involvement in all aspects of the mental health of the Province. You will be asked to approve certain legislation amendments pertaining to this concept. I am also pleased to report that the expansion of our mental health centre programme is proceeding very well, and centres are now established in Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Vernon, Trail, and Prince George. Other centres in Cranbrook, Courtenay, and Kamloops will be opened as quickly as professional personnel can be recruited, and you will be asked to support further expansion of this programme. The extension and improvement of preventive health services for our people continues, with new health centres nearing completion throughout the Province. The role of the public health nurse in the field of community mental health is growing in significance due to the co-ordinated efforts of the Health Branch and the Mental Health Services Branch. There has again been a notable increase in the amount of home care services available to patients being cared for in the community outside of the general hospitals. The home care programme was advanced during 1967 by establishing the service in 11 new districts. This service is now available to over 80 per cent of the population of the Province. The majority of patients in the home care programme are over 65 years of age, and consequently this type of work is closely associated with geriatric care. The comprehensive immunization programme remains available to all age groups, to provide a measure of protection against certain controllable diseases. The most noteworthy item of progress in the British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service for the current fiscal year was the establishment of regional hospital districts for financing hospital construction. In the largest district from standpoints of population and numbers of hospitals, the Fraser-Burrard Regional Hospital District, the ratepayers approved a 51-million-dollar by-law on October 4, 1967, by an overwhelming majority to authorize funds for 16 hospitals. To date, Government approval has also been given for money votes in seven other regional hospital districts for hospital projects involving a total cost of approximately 31 million dollars. It is estimated that in the current fiscal year 106 million dollars will be paid by the British Columbia Hospital Insurance Service to the hospitals of the Province, toward hospital expenses incurred by residents. This is the equivalent of $56 for each man, woman, and child living in British Columbia. British Columbia's vast programme of hospital construction continued at an accelerated pace. During 1967, new hospitals were opened at Duncan, Comox, and Summerland; additions and renovations were completed at Haney, Kamloops, Nanaimo, New Westminster (Saint Mary's), North Vancouver, Prince George, Murrayville, and Queen Charlotte City; and in intensive-care ward and other facilities were constructed for the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. As the year drew to a close, approximately 790 beds were under construction throughout the Province and over 2,200 beds were in the advanced stages of planning. I am pleased to note the continued success of the British Columbia Medical Plan, initiated in 1965 by my Government with the full co-operation of the medical profession. It has brought the benefits of prepayment to the aged, the ill, and persons of low income; as a result, over 95 per cent of our permanent population now enjoys the security of prepaid medical coverage. During the fiscal year ended last March 31st, more than 2 1/4 million services for covered persons were paid by the Provincial plan. My Government's provision of subsidies to ensure both low basic premiums and further assistance toward the premium payments of those of low income has resulted in the maintenance of these premiums at the original level, despite increasing costs of medical-care services and improved benefits. You will be asked at this Session to consider proposals for the improvement and extension of social welfare benefits. These proposals will further reflect policies of decentralization, under which more responsibility will be assigned to local governments and more revenue will be made available to them. My Government is pleased to report that there has been an accelerated growth in the labour force, from an average of 565,000 in 1960 to approximately 762,000 in 1967, an increase of 35 per cent in seven years, and that incomes of wage-earners have also shown a steady increase. You will be asked to consider the workmen's compensation legislation which was introduced at the last Session and allowed to stand over until this meeting in order that all interested parties might consider it and make representations before it becomes law. Additional legislative proposals will be placed before you dealing with industrial relations. British Columbia's industrial community continued in 1967 to add to its already impressive stock of production facilities, with new and repair capital investment in all fields totalling over 2 1/2 billion dollars. The population of the Province rose by 3.9 per cent, the highest annual rate of increase in the nation and fully twice the national average. Early this year, our population will pass the 2 million mark. The gross Provincial product of British Columbia in 1967 is estimated at 6.8 billion dollars. Our exports are a very important factor in maintaining Canada's balance of payments and trade with other countries. British Columbia's per capita exports in 1967 were approximately $733, compared with $540 per capita for the rest of Canada. This impressive record of economic growth would not have been possible without my Government's long-range planning for and construction of power and port developments and east-west highways to stimulate competition among freight-carriers. It underlines further the wisdom of policies designed to keep our Province advancing on all fronts. Because our continued prosperity depends so greatly on world trade, I was particularly glad to note the success of a Fourth International Trade Fair held last year in Vancouver. This fair, which is sponsored by my Government, was the largest of its kind held in the western hemisphere in 1967. Encouraged by the buoyant economic climate of the Province as contrasted with unsettled conditions elsewhere in the world, large sums of investment capital continued to flow into British Columbia last year. As a result, thousands of new jobs have been created and significant growth has been achieved in secondary manufacturing. Mining in British Columbia continues to develop at a very high pace. During 1967, four new mines were opened and two others are making ready for production. Intense interest in deposits of coking coal is being shown by major Japanese steel-smelter operators, and considerable exploratory work is being done on known coal deposits in the East Kootenay are by four separate companies. Efforts to encourage a copper smelter in the Province were continued by my Government during 1967 in co-operation with the mining industry. Exploration and production of our oil and gas resources continued on an upward trend, resulting again in considerably higher revenues from royalties and general income from rentals and fees. Amendments to the Mineral Act will be proposed, and you will be asked to consider an Act which will create the mineral jade as the mineral emblem of our Province. My Government reports a sharp reduction in direct forest revenue for 1967. This was due in part to the high cost of fire suppression and to the prolonged work stoppage in the Southern Interior. It also reflected reduced stumpage, resulting from increased costs of operation. The forest industries experienced a wide variety of economic conditions during 1967. In the pulp and paper sector, there was evidence of the earlier prediction that there would be a temporary surplus in production and, as a result, there was some reduction in output. By contrast, a new plant came into production on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and construction is well advanced on a new unit in the East Kootenay region. At Prince George, the third pulp-mill for that region is being built according to schedule and should be ready to produce pulp this year. Initial feasibility studies have been completed for an additional four pulp complexes in the Central Interior, and construction may be expected in the near future. Log prices on the Coast and lumber prices in the Interior remained relatively stable. The long-term outlook is bright. Much of the required housing now in demand throughout North America and Europe will be built with British Columbia lumber, plywood, and shingles. The reforestation programme continued to expand, and two new major forest nurseries were formally opened as part of the general Centennial celebrations of the Province. It is anticipated that 29 million seedlings will be available for the 1967/68 planting season, and this will increase to 41 million trees for 1968/69. Almost 170 miles of mile-wide channels and harbours were cleared in the Peace River power reservoir by the Forest Service to allow for a continuous programme of timber salvage and clearing. Plans for the clearing of the Libby reservoir are being finalized. Legislation will be presented to allow the actual work to proceed. Water-based clearing and salvage behind the Duncan Dam will be continued this year and will proceed to completion. A co-ordinated, Province-wide flood-control plan was implemented to combat one of the most severe flood threats ever faced in British Columbia. More than 1 million dollars was spent on emergent work, with the final result that little damage was recorded. This threat was followed by one of the hottest, driest summers we have ever experienced, which gravely taxed the water resources of many areas and brought with it over 3,200 forest fires, which cost nearly 7 million dollars for direct suppression. I am gratified to learn that, despite the extremely hazardous conditions, the forest-land area destroyed was much smaller than the average of past years. My Government is continuing to pursue vigorously its programme for the abatement of pollution in all its forms. You will be asked to consider amendments to further strengthen and expand the present Act. I am happy to learn that seven new Provincial parks were opened in 1967 as part of my Government's continuing programme to keep British Columbia in the forefront of the field of public recreation. Despite closures caused by the forest fire hazard, approximately 6 million people visited Provincial Parks during the year. You will be asked to consider legislation to establish the Creston Waterfowl Sanctuary as a perpetual trust to assure a continuity of management that will permit this area to develop into one of the outstanding conservation projects on this continent. Amendments will be placed before you to facilitate better organization and continuity in the big-game guiding industry, so that further improvement may be made in the management of this natural resource. With the establishment of a full-fleged Department of Travel Industry, my Government is developing a team of specialists to deal with the organization and promotion of this important industry. In addition, the Provincial Tourist Advisory Council, established three years ago to serve as the consulting and co-ordinating body between industry and government, is now most effectively performing this function. My Government reports that excellent progress is being made on major highway projects throughout the Province. This year the Yellowhead route from Kamloops to the Alberta border will be completed, and all contracts will either be completed or under construction on the Northern Trans-Provincial Highway extending eastward from Prince George to Alberta. Considerable major work is being undertaken in connection with, and as a result of, construction of the Columbia River power projects, and on the Trans-Canada Highway construction will start soon on the Agassiz-Haig link in the Fraser Valley. Major crossings of the Fraser River will start this year at Mission City and in the Richmond-Vancouver area. Plans for extension of the highway system at the north end of Vancouver Island are in progress. You will be asked at this Session to consider legislation authorizing my Government to contribute toward the cost of a new crossing of the First Narrows at Vancouver. I am gratified to learn that the volume of traffic on vessels of the British Columbia Ferry Authority increased again last year. Since the commencement of service in 1960, this rapidly developing marine highway system has already carried well in excess of 20 million passengers. Last year's continued increase was accomplished despite the unfortunate stranding on Haddington Reef in early August of the " Queen of Prince Rupert," forcing her removal from service. As a result, the Authority lost approximately half its projected revenue on this route. Officers and men on the ship and the shore staff functioned in a highly proficient manner after the accident occurred, and many letters of commendation were received from passengers who were aboard. Year-round service to Northern British Columbia will begin again on March 28th from Kelsey Bay. The Ferry Authority has rendered great service to the people of this Province and to our visitors as an extension of the highway system. Last year the total investment in its facilities was returned by my Government, and you will be asked at the present Session to further integrate its operations by authorizing its transfer to Her Majesty in the right of the Province. My Government reports that agriculture has completed a year which will result in a further improvement of farm cash returns, with the final figure likely to approach 200 million dollars for the first time. A new programme of milk analysis over a five-year period has been introduced which, it is expected, will have far-reaching effects on the future of the dairy industry. The joint Federal-Provincial crop insurance programme has completed its first year of operation in the tree-fruit area and is being extended to the berry, grape, and cereal-grain crops in specified areas of the Province for the 1968 crop year. In all except the cereals, the British Columbia programmes are the first in Canada, and in the case of berry crops the insurance scheme is believed to be the first offered anywhere in the world. Our farm business-management programme is being extended to cover horticultural and poultry-industry segments on a fee-for-service basis. My Government expects to take steps during the year to bring in regulations to assist in the control of sales of veterinary drugs under the authority of the Pharmacy Act. The first rural development area under the joint Federal-Provincial ARDA agreement has been established in the Bulkley rural area, covering the area from the region of Burns Lake to Cedarvale. The British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority is pressing forward with the greatest plant-expansion programme in its history in order to supply the increasing demand for electric power. Power to meet the growing demand in British Columbia will soon be available from the Peace River project. I am gratified to report that this programme is proceeding on schedule in preparation for impoundment of water from the 1968 spring run-off. The 600-foot earth-fill dam was completed and dedicated to the service of the people of British Columbia at a colourful ceremony on September 12, 1967. It was my privilege and personal pleasure to name the dam in honour of Prime Minister W. A. C. Bennett, whose vision and confidence in the future of British Columbia made this great project possible. It is confidently expected that much-needed Peace power will be available in the fall of 1968. I am pleased to report that progress on the Columbia River Treaty projects is equally encouraging. Duncan Dam was declared operational at the end of July, almost a year ahead of schedule. The project was dedicated on August 17th by the Prime Minister at an impressive ceremony of international significance. Good progress has been made on the Arrow Dam, and it is now scheduled to become operational several months ahead of the stipulated date of April 1, 1969. The Mica project is progressing satisfactorily, and early in November, 1967, the Columbia River was diverted through two 45-foot-diameter tunnels in preparation for construction of the dam, which will rise 800 feet above bedrock. On September 6, 1967, a 136.3-million-dollar contract was awarded for construction of the dam, discharge works, and the intakes for future power development. This contract is believed to be the largest single construction contract ever awarded in Canada. Mica Dam is scheduled to become operational in the spring of 1973. Expenditures to date on the Columbia River Treaty projects include substantial expenditures for reimbursement and resettlement of persons, organizations, and businesses likely to be affected by the reservoir development. Roads, new communities, and projects for the protection of fish and wildlife are included. To meet immediate demands for power, a fourth 150,000-kilowatt unit was placed in service at the Burrard Thermal Generating Plant in the late summer of 1967. A fifth unit is scheduled to be installed this year. Work is continuing on a three-stage programme to provide large blocks of power to Vancouver Island through a high-voltage direct-current submarine cable connection from the British Columbia mainland. Additional transmission and substation facilities were provided throughout the Authority's service area, and a number of communities were connected to the Provincial integrated power system for the first time in 1967. On April 1st the Authority completed the purchase of the electrical-distribution and customer-service facilities in Kitimat from the Aluminum Company of Canada Limited. This system now serves 2,600 customers of electricity. Kitimat, along with Prince Rupert and the Skeena and Bulkley Valleys, will ultimately be tied in with the integrated Province-wide system, which will ensure adequate power for continued growth and expansion in the area. As a result of my Government's assistance, B.C. Hydro developed an expanded rural electrification programme which brought the benefits of electricity to many remote communities, farms, and ranches during the past year. During the nine-month period beginning April 1st, 216 miles of electrical distribution-line were constructed under the programme. Increased customer and gas sales are reported in the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria. A new general rate for gas service in Greater Victoria was introduced in April, 1967, and resulted in customer savings ranging up to 35 per cent. Although the historic downward trend in rider patronage appears to have been halted, the Authority's urban transit system has continued to experience heavy operating losses. These have been aggravated by the cost of providing new equipment and service facilities, including the $750,000 Kensington Transit Centre opened last year in Burnaby. The effect of this situation on other operations of the Authority is a matter of concern to my Government, and, as a result, you will be asked at this Session to consider certain correctives. It is expected that power demands in the Authority's service area will increase at the rate of about 9 per cent annually over the next decade. Therefore, the present generating capacity of 2.2 million kilowatts must be increased to about 5.4 million kilowatts by 1978. The forward surge in operations of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway was sustained throughout 1967, with carloadings and revenues soaring to the highest levels recorded in the company's 55-year history. During 1967 the railway acquired additional rolling-stock, improved its tackage, and improved its shop facilities. In mid-October the first traffic moved over the railway's most recent extension, linking Odell (30 miles north of Prince George) to Fort St.James. This 78-mile extension is the first leg of the projected Takla Lake extension, which will continue on from Fort St. James to Takla Lake, an additional 80 miles to the north-west. Survey work is in progress on this section of the line. My Government, recognizing problems connected with urban development, initiated, in co-operation with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, a project for the Centennial Year to up-grade municipal administration machinery for the decade of the seventies. This co-operative study project, named "Preparing Machinery for the Seventies," will cause to be laid before you certain revisions to the Municipal Act. You will also be asked to consider legislation which will seek to preserve the scenic beauty of the countryside paralleling our highway system. Legislation to increase pubic revenue from our natural resources will be placed before you. My Government recognizes and pays tribute to the men and women of the public service of our Province for their faithful and loyal service. The Public Accounts and the reports of the departments of my Government will be laid before you, and you will be asked to grant to Her Majesty the ways and means of supply. To these and all other matters which may come before you, I ask your most careful attention, praying that Divine Providence may guide you. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, I leave you now to the discharge of your legislative duties.