| I was honored to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to four very special constituents: Darlene Schultz, Ann Godderis, Gerry Rempel, and Jan Morton were all recognized for their exemplary service.
One hundred and fifty-five recipients throughout the province received this award, representing a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to British Columbia or a particular region or community in the province or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to B.C.
Congratulations to all! We so are blessed to have such fantastic people as part of our community.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients: BC Gov News
More student housing is complete at Selkirk College! There is now 150 beds NEW BEDS! The Province invested $35.6 million in this $37.7-million project, with the remaining funding being contributed by the college and Columbia Basin Trust.
This is terrific news, as it will allow more students to “live where they learn” and focus on their studies and life on campus instead of trying to find a place to live.
Communal kitchen spaces and laundry rooms on each level, as well as spaces for group projects, and private studying! There are accessible rooms, family rooms, and single rooms. The main level also has a large communal area with a pool table. Large screen TV and other amenities to ensure students can live comfortably.
Enhanced support available for intimate partner, sexual violence survivors
More survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence will soon have access to more accessible support and counseling services. $1 million is being provided to the Ending Violence Association of BC to make counseling more readily available to equity-deserving groups. This includes 2SLGBTQIA+, seniors, people with disabilities, and people in underserved rural and remote communities.
Further expansion of $10-a-day child care will benefit B.C. families
Starting on Oct. 1, 2024, applications will be accepted from child care providers to join the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, which will create more low-cost child care options for families throughout B.C. On average, families save approximately $920 a month per child with a $10-a-day space. All licensed child care providers are encouraged to apply for this program.
Yesterday the province announced an exciting development for the residents of Trail: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻!
The approval of the Lower Columbia Community Health Centre marks a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare services in City of Trail. As details regarding its location and services are finalized, residents can look forward to improved access to primary health care that meets their needs come 2025. We want BC to be a place where healthcare is always there when you need it! This is just one step in that direction.
Stay tuned for further announcements regarding this important development!
Learn more about the LCCHC https://kootenayclinics.org/
News article New health care centre approved for downtown Trail – Castlegar News
Better patient care, more nurses coming to B.C.
Patients will experience improved care and nurses will experience a stronger health-care system as the Province and BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) have now established nurse-to-patient ratios for the majority of hospital settings. Setting a minimum nurse staffing standard means more time to deliver the life-saving care. This is one of the actions we’re taking to recruit and retain nurses with better pay, safer working conditions and more training opportunities.
B.C. connecting thousands of people to family doctors quicker than ever
More than 248,000 people have been connected to a family doctor or nurse practitioner since the Health Connect Registry launched provincewide in July 2023. To meet growing demand for health-care services driven by B.C.’s aging and growing population, as well as a global shortage of care providers, we are investing in a multi-front approach that supports the people who need care and the health-care providers who offer it. We can’t afford to slash health-care budgets when we need to be hiring even more doctors and nurses so B.C. families get the care they need when they need it.
| B.C. supports people, boosts wildfire fight amid global challenges
B.C.’s First Quarterly Report shows the province supported growing communities while responding to a major wildfire season, high interest rates across the country and global economic challenges. Hiring new doctors, building new schools and hospitals, boosting wildfire response and training people for good jobs – these are the things that will keep B.C. growing and strong today, and for our kids and grandkids. We are building a stronger economy and working to bring that strength to everyone by supporting people, building the communities our growing population needs, attracting investment and training so people can access good-paying jobs.
Province commits to early pensions for wildfire fighters
B.C. is negotiating earlier pensions for wildland firefighters helping align their benefits with those of other public-safety occupations while they protect communities from increasingly challenging wildfire activity. Firefighters deserve fair pay and security in retirement, so they are treated with dignity – whether it’s at the end of a response call or the end of their careers. We need our firefighters more than ever. This represents our long-term recognition of the enduring importance of their work.
Province launches secure care for people with brain injury, mental illness, severe addiction
The province is taking action to make sure people with long-term concurrent mental-health and addiction challenges get secure and dignified care by opening highly secure facilities for people under the Mental Health Act throughout the province, as well as secure treatment within BC Corrections. We’re going to respond to people struggling like any family member would. We are taking action to get them the care they need to keep them safe, and in doing so, keep our communities safe, too. It’s clear we must do more to provide effective care, while continuing to work with our partners to tackle the deadly poisoned-drug supply and bring an end to this suffering.
Sustainable forest-sector manufacturing jobs coming
New support for forest-sector manufacturers throughout the province will create jobs, strengthen local economies and promote the transition to high-value, made-in-B.C. forestry products. The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is working with forestry companies throughout our province to create new jobs and highly sought-after engineered wood products. Helping manufacturers expand their operations to create more made-in-B.C. products is what the BCMJF is all about.
New manufacturing jobs coming to the Kootenays
New support for manufacturing businesses in the Kootenays will create jobs, promote the development of made-in-B.C. products, and strengthen local economies and communities. Local manufacturers are looking to grow their business and bring sustainable jobs to their communities for the long term. By partnering with home-grown B.C. companies, we’re able to help them meet their goals and enhance their operations while fostering economic growth.
Government provides more support for B.C. tree fruit growers
The province is working collaboratively with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) to provide help to tree-fruit growers who were affected by the recent closure and application for creditor protection by the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. Our priority from the beginning has been working with growers to ensure they are receiving as many of the services the co-op provided as possible, including food-safety certification, access to storage and bins, and connecting with packing houses. We are monitoring the court process closely and will continue to support growers in finding alternative arrangements for their harvest.
B.C. cuts harmful methane emissions from oil and gas sector
The province is building on the progress it has made to cut harmful methane emissions by strengthening its regulations for the oil and gas sector. British Columbians are on the front lines of climate change, facing wildfire, drought, floods and extreme temperatures, and seeing the impacts on their communities. By strengthening B.C.’s methane regulations on the oil and gas industry, we can drive world-leading innovation while making our economy cleaner.
B.C. improving community resilience through climate adaptation
To better protect people and improve community defenses against climate change, the province is providing funding to communities across British Columbia for disaster risk resilience and climate-adaptation projects.
Through disaster mitigation funding, our government is committed to helping communities become more resilient by empowering local governments to adapt to the changing climate and better protect themselves and their residents against future climate challenges. Climate change is no longer a future concern, it’s happening now and we’re seeing its impact all over British Columbia
B.C. funding new ways to reduce plastic waste in communities
More B.C. businesses and organizations are receiving funding to provide innovative solutions to recycle and reuse plastic while supporting jobs for people throughout British Columbia. The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund is an important part of the Province’s goal of reducing plastic waste for a cleaner, healthier future. This funding will strengthen local economies while protecting the environment, supporting 32 projects and creating more than 100 new jobs throughout the province.
Retrofitting buildings will save people money on energy bills
The province has launched a new program to support whole-building retrofits for apartments, condominums and co-ops, helping make homes more comfortable and reducing energy bills. From record wildfires to historic droughts, British Columbians are seeing the impacts of climate change on their communities and they’re ready to switch from fossil fuels to clean energy. We are working with BC Hydro to support apartments, condos and co-ops with the upfront costs of completing whole-building retrofits, from highly efficient heat pumps to better windows and ventilation that will make homes more comfortable, more efficient, and will save on energy bills.
I would like to take the opportunity to let you know about MLA Office support through the Fall.
As you are likely aware, there will be an election on October 19th, and I will be retiring. When the election is called (when “the writ is dropped”) on September 21st, the work at the community constituency office will be suspended. During this time, constituents requiring assistance can contact ServiceBC to be directed to the Ministry or agency that can best assist them.
It will likely take several weeks after the new MLA is elected to re-hire staff and establish their new office.
Helpful resources:
- 8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line in British Columbia.
- 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. They provide information and referrals to various community, government, and social services.
- 9-8-8 If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Suicide Crisis Helpline
- Visit the brand-new BC Benefits Connector at gov.bc.ca/BCBenefitsConnector to find benefits and savings for things like energy bills, transportation, education and training, and health care.
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