Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Colombie-Britannique 29e 2e Discours du Trône 21 janvier 1971 John Robert Nicholson Lieutenant-Gouverneur British Columbia Social Credit Party Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly: I welcome you to the Second Session of the Twenty-ninth Parliament of British Columbia, confident that you will discharge your duties carefully and that lasting benefits will accrue for the benefit of all our people from your deliberations. We have already embarked upon the fitting commemoration of the centenary of our entry into Confederation. While that momentous change in our constitutional status occurred on July 20, 1871, may I recall to your attention that one hundred years ago yesterday the Legislative Council of the Colony of British Columbia, having endorsed the terms of union which had been revised by our delegates in consort with the Federal authorities, approved an Address to Her Majesty Queen Victoria expressing the desire of the Colony to join the Canadian Confederation. Pursuant to the provisions of the British Columbia Centennial '71 Celebrations Act, elaborate plans have been prepared for our commemoration of this significant event. Hundreds of our communities have completed or are in the process of completing permanent projects which will add appreciably to the facilities available to our people for their use and enjoyment. Already our calendar of events is full to overflowing, assuring our people ample opportunity to share to the full in this eventful commemoration. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously consented to visit with her people in British Columbia between May 3 and May 12, and by her presence to join with us in our celebrations. Her Majesty will be accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne. Centennial '71 promise to be a gala year in the life of this great Province. During the past year my Government welcomed ambassadors and distinguished visitors from many countries, evidence of the growing interest in our Province. This comes as no surprise when it is remembered that British Columbia in terms of population is the fastest-growing Province in Canada, having increased by one third in the last decade alone. It is predicted that early in the twenty-first century we will approach Ontario and Quebec in population alone. My Government continues to be concerned not only with the present and future prospects of our Province but also with the preservation of our historical heritage and traditions.. The Provincial Archives now occupies its splendid new facility in Heritage Court and, in consequence of its transfer, plans are in process for the expansion of the facilities and services of the Provincial Library. Development of both the Barkerville and Fort Steele Historic Parks goes on apace and, on the basis of attendance figures alone, ample proof is given of the interest and appreciation of the people of our Province. The restoration of Craigflower Manor, under a joint Federal-Provincial agreement, is now completed, and during our Centennial Year it will be officially opened. Under a similar agreement, the restoration of Fort St. James is under active planning, and this new historic park will officially be dedicated this year. During 1970, British Columbia experienced a difficult year for a variety of reasons. The many labour-management contracts coming under negotiation and the lockouts and strikes in both the Federal and Provincial jurisdictions seriously affected the economy of the Province. The policy of the Federal Government in relation to tight money and high interest rates, as well as increased prices, resulted in increased unemployment. The decision of the Federal Government to unpeg the Canadian dollar further compounded our problems, since we are necessarily dependent upon the export market. However, we enter the Centennial Year and the decade of the '70's with faith, courage and optimism. By its progressive policies, my Government will continue to seek to improve the quality of life of all citizens of this Province. The main and foremost policy of my Government is directed to the improvement of the total environment of its citizens to the end that they shall all enjoy the best ecological climate in the world. Already considerable advances have been made in pollution control. By statutory enactments last year, motor vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1971, and licensed in British Columbia, were required to conform with detailed standards of pollution control, and new industries established in this Province in 1971 were required to meet standards of industrial air-pollution control. Every effort is being made to speedily reduce the backlog of existing pollution control problems. A broad approach to the general matter of ecological balance of the environment has been made through the Land Use Committee, chaired by the Minister of Lands, Forests, and Water Resources, and comprised of the Ministers of Agriculture, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Municipal Affairs, and Recreation and Conservation. Arrangements are now being made to bring an even broader scope of opinion and advice to the vital question of environmental management in the Province by the inclusion on the Committee of the Minister of Health Services and Hospital Insurance. In consequence of legislation approved last year, better relationships now exist between landlords and tenants. I am pleased to report that the Age of Majority Act has met with general approval and is proving beneficial to the young people of this Province. At my Government's request, the end of juvenile age under the Federal Juvenile Delinquents Act was lowered from the l8th to the 17th birthday. A Judicial Council, under the chairmanship of Judge Cyril White, has been appointed under the Provincial Court Act. Improvements in the administration of justice will continue to be made through altered procedures and rules of practice designed to reduce delay and inconvenience. The Law Reform Commission has formulated a programme of study covering many fields of law. It is anticipated that the first product of its study will be presented to you for consideration. The forest resource industries of British Columbia did not experience their customary growth in several sectors in 1970. Present projections indicate that the timber cut is up only 3.2 per cent over 1969. By the end of 1970, lumber production was down 4.1 per cent over 1969. This is attributable in large part to depressed lumber markets at home and abroad, to strikes within the towing and forest industries; and to forest closures made necessary by extreme fire hazard. The 1970 fire season was in many respects the worst in history. The direct cost of fighting the 3,982 forest fires was close to 9 million dollars, but fortunately the acreage burned was less than the 10-year average. The slowdown in housing construction, general throughout North America, affected the output of related lumber products, but there are indications of a more buoyant market. Pulp and paper production ran about 5 per cent lower than the previous year, but again demand has almost overtaken capacity and with recent price increases the outlook has brightened. Our forest resource industries continue to attract vast sums of capital. Several new plants opened in 1970, others are in the construction stage, and existing plants are being extended. Our sustained-yield and close-utilization policies are being more widely enforced. My Government continues its efforts to plan and make available our water resources for social betterment and economic growth. The rehabilitation of irrigation and flood-control works continues under joint Federal-Provincial programmes. Work continues in the development of hydroelectric power on the Peace and Columbia Rivers. The continuing expansion predicted for British Columbia's economy presents a major challenge for the British Columbia Hydro and Power. A number of studies have been initiated to determine not only the most economical but also the most environmentally acceptable means of meeting the load growth. Protection of the natural environment has become one of the most important challenges of the decade, and British Columbia Hydro will continue to utilize sources of power which do not adversely affect the natural environment of our Province. It is fortunate that almost 90 per cent of the power produced by British Columbia Hydro in 1970 was generated at hydroelectric installations, the most pollution-free of all systems for supplying energy. The construction of Mica Dam, the last of the three Columbia River Treaty projects in British Columbia, is progressing favourably. Progress is also being made on the redevelopment of several existing generating stations. Further expansions of the Peace River generating facilities, which already provide more than 48 per cent of British Columbia Hydro's power, are planned for 1971 and 1972. Transmission and distribution facilities continued to expand during the past year, including extensions to a number of remote and sparsely populated areas. The latter were made economically possible by my Government's rural electrification annual grant to British Columbia Hydro. My Government is pleased to report that the mineral industry shows no sign of diminishing activity. During the year, eight different mining companies announced their intention to bring eight new metal mines into production, with a total rated treatment capacity in the order of 55,000 tons of ore per day. Activity in oil and gas exploration continued on a level similar to that in 1969. Although no new major fields of oil or natural gas were discovered during the year, developed reserves at the end of 1969 were 252,860,000 stock barrels of oil and 7.8 trillion standard cubic feet of residue gas. I am pleased to advise you that a new ARDA agreement has been signed with the Federal Government which extends to 1975 and raises the Federal contribution to two million dollars per year. The Canada Land Inventory programme continues; three areas of high priority have been completed and the scientific maps are of considerable benefit to the Land Use Committee. The Agricultural Aid to Developing Countries and World Disaster Fund continue to serve a useful purpose in meeting emergency situations as they occur around the world. It is hoped that their use may be extended to provide scholarships for persons to attend schools in underdeveloped regions and, to this end, discussions are proceeding with the Canadian International Development Agency. My Government continues to exert every effort to expand the international trade of this Province, an activity vital to the strengthening of our industrial base. Trade through customs ports set another new record during 1970. The Federal Government is being approached for increased development and incentive grants to foster industrial growth in all geographical areas, but particularly in the Interior and more northerly regions. We continue to press for the release of Federal funds for housing and the reduction in mortgage interest rates, which would have the effect of releasing larger sums from the private sector to enable persons with more modest incomes to own their own homes. You will recall that last year you were informed of plans for our participation in Expo '70 at Osaka, Japan. I am pleased to report that the British Columbia pavilion was an outstanding success. Rated among the top five foreign pavilions, over four thousand visitors per hour toured our building and approximately fourteen thousand were present for our daily film presentations. My Government will again sponsor the British Columbia International Trade Fair to be held at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in Vancouver from June 2 to 12 this year. My Government is conscious of its responsibility through the provisions of the Motor Carrier Act to provide the maximum protection for properly licensed carriers. Regulations relating to pipeline construction standards and aerial tramways will be revised to ensure greater safety. The railway from Cloverdale to Roberts Bank superport was completed in 1970, and the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority track age east of Cloverdale was upgraded. Concentrating on the development of our northern resources, the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in 1970 increased the tempo of new line construction and moved, in record volume, an ever-expanding variety of commodities. Despite the restraining effect of an unsettled economy, car loadings and revenues reached the highest levels in the railway's history. To move the vast natural resources of northern British Columbia to domestic and world markets, work was in progress during the past year on nearly 700 miles of new extensions. It is anticipated that both the extension from Fort St. James to Takla Lake and from Fort St. John to Fort Nelson will be opened for traffic during our Centennial '71 celebrations. Good progress has been made on the extension from Takla Lake to Dease Lake, which should be completed by 1974. The extension and improvement of the highway system of this Province continues to be a prime concern to my Government. A start has been made on the new 80-mile highway linking Kelsey Bay with Beaver Cove on northern Vancouver Island, and the first portion of the Cowichan Valley road was opened last fall. Good progress has been made on widening of the Patricia Bay Highway from Victoria to Swartz Bay to four lanes, and the first contracts have been called for the reconstruction of the Trans-Canada Highway between Horseshoe Bay and Taylor Way in West Vancouver to full four-lane, freeway standards. Among other projects either completed or nearly completed were a 12-mile section on the Yellowhead Route near Prince Rupert and 26 miles on the Cariboo Highway. Work continues on the extension of the Lougheed Highway east of Agassiz and widening it in the Haney area. Despite the delays arising from the construction industry dispute, progress is being made on two major bridges over the Fraser River--at Knight Road in Vancouver and at Mission. My Government is pleased to report that traffic on all 12 routes of the British Columbia Ferries Division increased during the past year. The second "stretch" ferry, Queen of Victoria was brought into service last year. To cope with increased traffic, necessary alterations to terminals are continuing. During the past decade it became obvious to my Government that there would be a great demand in modern society for technically trained people, and that facilities should be constructed in which students could obtain the type of training of benefit to themselves and to the communities in which they live. It becomes increasingly more apparent that, in order to obtain employment in the resource-based industries of our Province, workmen would require special skills and expert training. My Government, therefore, embarked on an ambitious programme of diversifying our post-secondary education facilities. During the past year, the wisdom of this policy was proven by the large number of students who received their training in our vocational schools and colleges and who, in consequence, are now qualified to take their place in the industrial development of our Province. During the course of this past year over 36,000 students received training in the nine vocational schools located throughout the Province. During, 1970, vocational schools were officially opened at Victoria and Terrace. Financed by Federal and Provincial funds, these two schools alone cost over nine million dollars and annually enrol about 3,000 students. The new vocational school at Kamloops is proceeding on schedule and should be operational this year. A vocational school in the Chilliwack area has been approved and it is hoped construction will start this year. Great progress has also been made in the development of colleges by College Councils with the co-operation of school boards throughout the Province. Cariboo College, near Kamloops, and Douglas College, in the Lower Fraser Valley, were opened during 1970 and Vancouver City College moved to its new eight million-dollar Langara campus. Approval has been given to the Greater Victoria School Board to operate a new college to serve students from the southern part of Vancouver Island, commencing in September of this year. Whereas, a short five years ago, only 2,500 students were enrolled in one college, I am pleased to be able to report that this year 12,000 students were enrolled in eight colleges. It is the policy of my Government that these post-secondary facilities shall be so located that students desiring to obtain higher education may take their initial two-year academic programmes or vocational training close to home. My Government is not unmindful of the need for continuing support for our universities. All three of our public universities are contributing to the welfare of the citizens of the Province. While great progress has taken place in the post-secondary field of education, the public school system continues to grow at a rapid pace. Over half a million students are now enrolled in our public schools. During 1970 over 800 classrooms were added, and an additional 890 new classrooms are projected to be built this year. Under the leadership provided by the Library Development Commission, a five-year plan for public library development is being finalized. A new formula for grants-in-aid is now in effect which substantially increases the financial assistance given to individual small libraries. I am pleased to be able to report that there is growing acceptance of the principle of regional library service. My Government pursues a sound, modern system of personnel administration for the public service. It is deeply conscious of the high quality of its Civil Service and is appreciative of its loyal support. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Civil Service Superannuation Act, the Municipal Superannuation Act, the Teachers' Pensions Act, and the School District and Regional Colleges (Pensions) Act. During the past year, some 350 tasks were carried out by Civil Defence, many of which were in direct aid in emergencies involving the safety of human life and in support of local authorities in civil emergency situations. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Provincial Elections Act. My Government continues to improve the building facilities for public service through the Province. The Government Building and Law Courts at Duncan are completed, and one at Williams Lake will soon be opened. Planning continues for buildings in several centres throughout the Province. Extensive renovations to the Vancouver Law Courts have been carried out as part of a continuing programme to increase court facilities. Service facilities for the Department of Highways have been completed at Quesnel, Williams Lake, Salmon Arm, and 100 Mile House. A new fish hatchery is being designed for Abbotsford. British Columbia at mid-July, 1970, led all Canada in the increase in its labour force, rising by 6.4 per cent, continuing a trend throughout the decade of the '60's. During that period, our labour force rose by 55.2 per cent, compared to increases of 19.8 per cent in the Atlantic Provinces, of 29.0 per cent in Quebec, of 31.7 per cent in Ontario, and of 24.2 per cent in the Prairie Provinces. Of equal significance is the fact that, during the same decade, British Columbia increased the number of its labour force gainfully employed more rapidly than elsewhere in Canada. In the Atlantic Provinces the increase was 23.8 per cent; in Quebec, 30.7 per cent; in Ontario, 33.2 per cent; in the Prairie Provinces, 24.0 per cent; but in our Province the increase was 57.2 per cent. Although my Government found it necessary to invoke the final and binding provisions of the Mediation Commission Act in a few instances, it is convinced that free collective bargaining is the best means of achieving peaceful and harmonious relations. Nevertheless, in cases where the public interest and welfare are seriously affected, that interest must be paramount and take precedence over the desires of any particular segment of the population. I am pleased to report that, effective the first of this year, the maximum wage on which Workmen's Compensation payments are based was raised from $6,600 to $7,600. In consequence, the monthly compensation for work-caused injuries has risen from $412.50 to $475.00, the highest in Canada. Disability pensions and compensation payments for time lost through industrial injuries have likewise been increased. The Workmen's Compensation Board of British Columbia will be sponsoring the largest joint Management-Labour Safety Conference ever held in Canada in June of this year in Vancouver. More than 1,000 delegates are expected to attend. My Government congratulates both labour and management for demonstrating this spirit of co-operation and dedication in seeking means to reduce the incidence of death and injury in industry throughout the Province. As part of its programme to celebrate the centenary of the entry of British Columbia into Confederation, the Workmen's Compensation Board will also be co-operating with the Council of the Order of St. John in hosting the world's largest international First Aid Competition. First aid teams from all 10 provinces and the two northern territories will compete, along with teams from a number of American states and Mexico. This competition will assist in maintaining the high standards of efficiency in industrial first aid for which this Province is so well known. Along with the Provincial Senior First Aid Championships, boys and girls from all regions of the Province will be competing in the junior events of this Centennial project. My Government is anxious that municipal by-laws and regulations serve the purpose of facilitating expansion of residential housing programmes. You will be asked to approve the standardization and co-ordination of-housing regulations. My Government is co-operating in the purchase of land and the development of a Botanical Garden in Vancouver, which will be of great significance to the Province and Canada's third largest city. The continued rapid growth of the visitor industry has materially benefited the economy of this Province. The dollar value of this industry has passed the 470-million mark, having doubled in less than six years, and further expansion of all types of facilities is being encouraged. You will be asked to consider measures to enhance the protection of rare and endangered wildlife species and to improve the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat generally. Further control over the recreational use of firearms and all terrain vehicles will be recommended for your consideration. In 1970 the extension of community programmes in the field of mental health was furthered with the opening of two new mental health centres at Nelson and Terrace, bringing to 17 the number of such centres in British Columbia. Approximately 19,000 patients were cared for by mental health facilities, an increase of 19 per cent over 1969. Most of this increase was in out-patient care. The final phases of construction of the 300-bed Glendale Hospital, Victoria, are proceeding on schedule and will be operational early this year. Renovation and planning programmes continue at Skeenaview Hospital, Tertace; at Riverview Hospital; at the Woodlands School; and at the Tranquille School. Actions taken by the Public Health Services have increased further the protection of the public against disease and other disabling conditions. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Health Act to authorize new Communicable Disease Regulations, to permit charges for services provided by Health Services laboratories, to provide for the appointment of medical health officers for the Province as a whole rather than for the presently defined geographic areas, and to permit regional districts to appoint representatives to union boards of health. Amendments to the Marriage Act will also be presented to you. To permit the transfer of community-care facilities from the Department of Rehabilitation and Social Improvement to the Department of Health Services and Hospital Insurance, amendments to the Community Care Facilities Act will also be placed before you. Inflation, high unemployment, and the migration of individuals and families to British Columbia in search of employment and a better life were three socioeconomic factors which contributed to sharply rising demands for social services and income maintenance to persons in need. My Government, fully cognizant of these facts, took appropriate action. Social Allowance rates were increased, as were earning exemptions for mothers with dependent children, handicapped family heads, employable persons making continued and continuing efforts to find full-time employment, and persons receiving Disabled Persons' Allowances. Boarding and nursing homes' rates for indigents were increased twice in 1970. The allowable income for persons receiving Supplementary Social Allowance to Old Age Security was also adjusted. I am pleased to be able to report that amendments to the Protection of Children Act are working well and have resulted in more effective use of public and private child-care facilities and improvement of services to children. During the past year, administrative changes providing programme, fiscal and operational controls were instituted. To ensure the best service possible to our senior citizens, the administration of Supplementary Social Allowance to Old Age Security was decentralized to local offices. The Provincial Alliance of Businessmen became a branch of the Department of Rehabilitation and Social Improvement, ensuring co-ordination of services, financial eligibility and job-finding sections of the Department. The Public Accounts and reports of the Departments of my Government will be presented to you, and estimates for the ensuing year will be submitted. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, I now leave you and trust that in your deliberations the guidance of Divine Providence will attend you in your labours.