Bernier speaks on having Bill 36 reopened

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier, along with the BC Liberals, are calling on the provincial government to revisit discussions surrounding Bill 36.

The Health Professions and Occupations Act, better known as Bill 36, is meant to replace the current Health Professions Act. According to the explanatory notes found on the bill, the primary objectives are to “prioritize protection of the public and to facilitate good governance by regulators.” 

Bernier spoke in the Legislature on March 27th after the BC Liberals proposed a motion to reopen Bill 36 for debate. Bernier said how the NDP got Bill 36 voted through prevented the BC Liberals from doing their job as the opposition. 

“They bring forward this massive 645-section bill, Bill 36, and then shut down debate when we are actually trying to get to the point where we want to scrutinize and ask the tough questions of this government,” Bernier said. 

In a provincial release, Health Minister Adrian Dix said the bill includes “the most significant changes to oversight of regulated health professions in British Columbia’s history.”

Bernier said he had received “thousands” of letters and messages from members of his riding saying the bill was passed without due process. 

“I’ve received thousands of emails or Facebook messages of people who are not in support of Bill 36,” Bernier said.

“Which is why myself and Dan Davies voted against it to begin with.” 

The act was read for a third time in December 2022 and passed 46 to 25. According to the BC Legislature records, Bernier and several other BC Liberals voted against the bill, while  Davies abstained from the vote. 

The government did not ultimately pass the motion brought forward by the opposition, but Bernier hopes this pressure will convince the NDP government to take another look at the bill. 

“We’re really hoping that this pressure, not only from us but from the public as well, will force the government to re-look at this,” Bernier said. 

“We have an official opposition, myself being one of them. We should be entitled to represent our constituents in the ability to speak to and vote. Unfortunately, the NDP are not giving us that opportunity. They’re gonna do it behind closed doors, which is completely wrong, in my opinion.” 

The Health Professions and Occupations Act is one of the largest to hit the floor of the legislature and has brought on concern from across the board, including Peace River North MLA Dan Davies.

To read the Health Professions and Occupations Act, visit the Legislative Assembly of BC’s website.