Newsletter from MLA Steve Morrisette
By MLA Steve Morissette
I kicked off 2026 by visiting local shops and meeting with business owners throughout our communities. We’re fortunate to have such a diverse range of businesses offering excellent products and services. Thank you to all the shops that welcomed us in and took the time to share about their work and the challenges they’re facing. Supporting local businesses is essential to keeping our communities vibrant and strong!
You can find posts highlighting each shop on my Facebook page, which you can follow here.
In honour of Family Literacy Week, I’ve had the chance to stop by many of our local libraries. Several branches are currently undergoing renovations, supported in part by enhancement grants from the Province and the Columbia Basin Trust. Our libraries offer so much to the community every week; tech support, Chess Club, Books and Babies, crafting sessions, workshops, and more. They are a great hub! Be sure to visit your local library and see what’s happening!
Rossland sure knows how to throw a winter party! Last weekend, I attended Canada’s oldest winter carnival, now celebrating its 128th year in the heart of Rossland, BC. Founded by Olaus Jeldness in 1898, this long-standing tradition continues to bring incredible energy to the community. I checked out the rail jam on a downtown street, enjoyed live music, great food, ice sculptures, local markets, arts displays, the iconic Sonny Samuelson homemade bobsled race, luge lessons at Red Mountain, to name a few.
Did you know Trail and Rossland are the host cities for the 2026 BC Winter Games? You can get involved!
We want you! Calling all community champions!
The BC Winter Games are looking for volunteers near and far to help bring the excitement to life! Join the fun and help support young athletes reach their dreams from Feb 25-Mar 1.
Sign up now https://bcgames.net/trailross2026wn/VolunteerModule/register.aspx
#trailrossland2026 #frommetalstomedals #bcwintergames #volunteer #southkootenay
I really enjoyed attending the Natural Resource Forum in Prince George last week. I had the opportunity to sit in on engaging sessions covering Forestry, Mining, and Indigenous rights. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues, and collaborate with my fellow MLAs. There’s so much to learn when we’re willing to listen to one another, and this forum was a great reminder of that. I hope to be back again next year! A big thank‑you to all the organizers for putting together such an excellent event.
Improving access to addictions care in B.C.
More people in B.C. can now get timely, personalized addictions care as government expands Access Central, a phone line that provides a single point of entry to connect people to certified health providers, and comprehensive, people-centred care. Recovery isn’t straightforward, which is why we’re taking action to strengthen addictions care across B.C. We’re building a full continuum of addictions care, from early intervention to treatment, recovery and aftercare.
As we all know, the toxic drug crisis has caused incredible harm to individuals, families, and communities across our province, with many people tragically losing their lives.
Three years ago, we began a decriminalization pilot project that was intended to make it easier for people who struggle with addiction to come forward to receive the care they need. Unfortunately, this pilot has not delivered the outcomes we were hoping for. That’s why our province, after much care and review, has decided not to continue with the renewal of this exemption.
We understand that addiction is a health issue, not a criminal justice matter, and we will not stop taking action towards this crisis, and working to save people’s lives. We are going to continue to strengthen approaches that help people find the care they need, when they need it. We announced that Access Central, a clinical phone line that connects people to addictions care, has expanded from Greater Vancouver to now also serve the Interior, Fraser, and Island Health Authorities.
Access Central services are available seven days a week at:
- Fraser Health: 1-833-866-6478 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Interior Health 1-866-777-1103 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Island Health: 1-888-885-8824 from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 1-866-658-1221 from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
You can also get information about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C. at any time by visiting https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/
Launching mental-health screening tool to support people in crisis
When someone is in crisis, being met with understanding and compassion can make a big difference. HealthIM is a collaborative and co-ordinated approach that helps police officers work with health-care professionals to make assessments and respond faster with more information to better support a person in need. This innovative tool will save lives and is an important step to building a more compassionate, responsive and integrated mental-health and substance-use care system.
Minister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot program
The decriminalization pilot project was intended to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to come forward for help. However, it has not delivered the outcomes we hoped for and we will not be requesting renewal of the exemption. This does not mean the work stops. We remain focused on strengthening the approaches that are most effective in helping people access timely, appropriate supports, and seeking new ways to combat this crisis.
Supporting B.C.’s food security with new technology, training
A new smart-farming project in Delta is helping strengthen food security for British Columbians, while two new training programs will ensure more people have the necessary skills to succeed in the growing agritech sector. With a changing climate and uncertainty from the U.S., it’s critical that two of British Columbia’s greatest strengths, technology and agriculture, come together to ensure British Columbians can rely on healthy food grown here at home. Through our Look West plan, we are connecting innovators with industry partners to turn made-in-B.C. ideas into real-world solutions that create jobs and drive our economy forward in a sustainable future.
Keeping BC Parks sustainable, affordable, well maintained
In response to record visitation, escalating operating costs and the growing impacts of extreme weather, BC Parks is introducing a new camping surcharge for people living outside of B.C. and updating camping fees for the first time since 2016. By renewing the parks and recreation system, we are creating a more sustainable operating model that strengthens stewardship and long-term protections of the natural spaces people cherish.
Canada’s western, northern regions to develop a shared critical minerals strategy
Western Canada’s provinces and territories have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which aims to unlock Canada’s potential as a global leader in critical minerals by leveraging regional strengths and aligning infrastructure investments. Western Canada is rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earths, which are crucial for clean energy, advanced technology and defence applications. There’s a generational opportunity beneath our feet. Together, we can advance a robust critical mineral value chain in Western and Northern Canada that accesses new export markets, increases trade opportunities, creates jobs and brings in investment across the region.
Strengthening provincial response to extortion violence
In response to extortion shootings and gang violence, the Province is expanding the Provincial Forensic Firearms Lab, which plays a crucial role in supporting police investigations related to organized crime, gangs and gun-related violence. We are ensuring that police have the tools, resources and intelligence support they need to hold these offenders accountable. These extortion attempts are creating real fear for families and businesses in BC and across Canada. This is deeply concerning and we are taking this very seriously.
Minister’s statement on January 2026 rental report
On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, Rentals.ca released a report indicating that rental asking prices in British Columbia for apartments continue to lead the country in declines, down 12.1% in the past three years. Since 2017, our government has worked to strengthen protections for renters, crack down on speculation and implement changes to help build more rental homes across B.C. These efforts are showing results, and according to the latest data from Rentals.ca, our actions are paying off.
Stay informed and safe this season:
Visit PreparedBC.ca/SevereWeather for tips and resources
Check road conditions before heading out at https://www.drivebc.ca/
For weather alerts, visit https://weather.gc.ca/
For emergency updates, visit https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
If you have any questions or concerns about a provincial issue or need assistance with a provincial body, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help. My office can be reached online at Steve.Morissette.MLA@leg.bc.ca or at (250) 304-2783.
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