Province Législature Session Type de discours Date du discours Locuteur Fonction du locuteur Parti politique Colombie-Britannique 37e 1re Discours du Trône 19 juin 2001 Garde Gardom Lieutenant-Gouverneur British Columbia Liberal Party Mr. Speaker, hon. members, it is a pleasure to address you on the opening of the first session of our thirty-seventh parliament and to welcome many new members to our Legislature. May I also join the many in congratulating you, Mr. Speaker, upon your election and assumption of office. I wish you every fulfilment with your duties and, of course, with as many nemine contradicentes as possible. Also, my thanks to you, Mr. Attorney, for your kind and thoughtful words. British Columbians have elected a new government to serve them and lead their province, and I wish also to express my appreciation to returning and new members as you take up your duties, which always will challenge and reward you as you serve the public. Our citizens are entitled to your best, and I'm confident you will meet their expectations. My government has made many commitments to British Columbians. It has said that over its term it will restore business confidence in British Columbia and attract new investment, that it will improve our education system and that it will protect the environment and make the processes of government more open, responsive and accountable. Also, it is committed to an aggressive 90-day agenda of change. No commitment, however, represents a greater challenge than the improvement of health care. Like other provinces, and indeed other countries, British Columbia faces the need to provide better patient care to meet the requirements of our growing and aging population. Properly targeted resources, a long-term health care plan, improved public services and better community and mental health care are all part of my government's agenda. These issues and more will be addressed in future legislative sessions. There is, however, a more urgent health care issue that is facing British Columbians and my government: the long labour relations dispute between the nurses' bargaining association and the Health Employers Association of B.C., which has brought British Columbia's health care system to a point of crisis. Patients requiring immediate care cannot get beds, and their treatment is deferred. An accumulating backlog of people requiring care will burden the system for many months to come. In recent weeks another dispute between the employers and the Health Sciences Association threatens additional delays and more backlogs. My government recognizes the issues that have led to these situations and believes they must be addressed. All British Columbians, including those who work in the health care system, want and demand a successful system. However, the underlying problems that have built up over many years cannot be addressed in weeks or even months, and a joint effort requiring the best of my government, our public servants, the health authorities, the health professionals and the health care unions will be required. Our citizens demand nothing less. In the short term, though, my government must address the immediate problem. Sending seriously ill patients to hospitals in Washington, while necessary, serves only to assist those in critical need. What British Columbians want to see is a full restoration of health services -- and now. My government intends to act decisively and will present legislation in this session to restore health services. In doing this it will provide time for the health unions and employers to explore solutions to the most pressing issues that are preventing agreement. My government regards the protection of services that are essential to the well-being of the people of British Columbia as a primary obligation, and British Columbians know there is a need for action. My government believes the calm of reason will allow it and us to move forward caring for patients while supporting health care professionals and that most British Columbians will understand the need for this action. I leave you, therefore, hon. members, to the important business of the session, confident that you will fulfil the heavy responsibilities to which British Columbians and the electorate have placed upon you.