Weekly newsletter from MLA Steve Morissette
By MLA Steve Morissette
I had a great time last weekend at Sunfest in Castlegar and at Cherryville Days. This year’s theme for Cherryville Days was motorcycles. Graduation season has begun in the Kootenays. Congratulations to all our graduates, especially to the young folk walking across the stage over the next week at Stanley Humphries Secondary, J Lloyd Crowe Secondary, Kootenay-Columbia Learning Centre, and Mt Sentinel Secondary Home | Mount Sentinel Secondary. I look forward to congratulating some of you in person next week at your graduation ceremonies. Have a safe and festive time celebrating!!! You deserve it!
Helping Kootenay small businesses grow with digital tools
More small businesses in the Kootenays will be better connected with local tech providers that can help them operate more efficiently, thanks to provincial support for the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology’s (KAST) TechEdge initiative. People in rural communities are working hard to build strong businesses, create jobs and support their local economies. By investing in initiatives like this, we’re helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access new technology that can save time, reduce costs and connect them with more customers. Through our Look West strategy, we’re supporting people to grow their businesses, create new opportunities close to home and build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.
Strengthening wildfire prevention, creating local jobs
With a new annual investment to fund forest enhancement projects throughout the province, people in British Columbia are benefiting from good-paying jobs and wildfire-resilient forests. Through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), the Province is committing $20 million per year over three years supporting First Nations, local governments, community forests, local forestry companies and community organizations. This investment funds projects that reduce wildfire risk, restore forest ecosystems and improve the long-term health and resilience of B.C.’s forests.
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth statement about the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for May 2026:
“As new and escalating tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, combined with the ongoing war in Iran, continue to raise costs and create uncertainty for people and economies around the world, British Columbia is building a stronger, more resilient economy. “Today’s Labour Force Survey shows that B.C. added 25,200 new jobs in May 2026, including 7,200 new jobs for youth, and the third straight monthly increase in construction and manufacturing – an increase of nearly 19,000 new jobs in those sectors over that time period. continue reading BC Gov News.
New drivers in B.C. can now take first knowledge test online
New drivers in B.C. can now take the knowledge test required for a Learner’s licence online, saving people a trip to an ICBC office and helping reduce wait times for other in-person appointments. By offering this test online, we’re giving new drivers more choice and convenience, especially people in rural and remote communities who used to have to commute far distances to take the test. This is part of our work to modernize ICBC services so they’re more convenient, accessible, and work better for everyone in British Columbia.
Improving roads across the province through resurfacing work
People travelling across BC, will benefit from safter, smoother roads as well advance highway and side-road resurfacing projects. This work will repair roads worn by traffic and weather, giving people smoother rides and safer driving conditions on key routes they rely on every day. These projects will extend pavement life and support reliable travel for people commuting, visiting family, and for moving goods across the province. Projects include Highway 3 Paulson Brake Check to Sheep Creek Chain Up and Robson side roads (30.2 kilometres).
Supporting B.C.’s future doctors through historic donation
A historic donation from the Stephens family, founders of Nature’s Path, Love Crunch and Que Pasa Mexican Foods, will enable the new Simon Fraser University (SFU) School of Medicine to better support students training to become B.C.’s future doctors. The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine will help train the next generation of doctors right here in B.C., which will mean more people can find a family doctor close to home. This new school is just one way our government is improving health care in British Columbia.
Renewed agreement between Province and Doctors of BC ratified
The B.C. government and Doctors of BC have ratified a renewed four-year Physician Main Agreement that will strengthen patient care and ensure doctors are supported while respecting the government’s bargaining mandate. Both parties approached these negotiations with a shared focus on strengthening health care for people in B.C. This agreement builds on our collaborative relationship with Doctors of BC and physicians, and reflects our common goal of improving patient care, while supporting the doctors who deliver it every day.
Sharing local farm harvests through coupon program
People in British Columbia will continue to have improved access to nutritious, locally grown foods through the B.C. Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program. Access to healthy food is one of the foundations of good health, and farmers’ markets are wonderful places where people can connect with local growers, support local businesses and enjoy the harvest of the season. The nutrition coupon program helps more people and families purchase fresh, local food at participating farmers’ markets, while supporting B.C. farmers and strengthening food security in communities throughout the province.
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.
Helpful resources:
- Visit the 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.
- Find mental health and substance-use supports: Helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
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