What it means to be a community

Hi, 

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who are doing your part. 

It is moving to see people pulling together at this time, and I recognize the sacrifices that you are all making to help flatten the curve. It’s moving because it’s something we do for each other, for our families and those we love, for our neighbours and those we’ve never met, but now might.

It’s what it means to be a community. It gives me hope for all the other challenges we face.

To the essential workers, who are not at home: workplace safety has taken on new meaning and new urgency. As essential workers, you are demonstrating great courage and dedication in doing your jobs during this challenging time.

You're making sure your neighbours can get food and access needed services. You're caring for people’s children, our seniors and the most vulnerable populations. You are caring for those of us who fall sick.

We see you. We applaud you. And our government is determined to keep you safe.

We are getting through this pandemic together. Following direction from Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team in public health, we are flattening the curve. And for that I thank you all.

I know that for many of you in our community these sacrifices mean you need assistance. You can find resources for COVID-19 provincial and federal benefits here.

If any of you need help during this pandemic, my staff and I are here for you. We will do our utmost to help you stay safe, connect you to supports and the information about them you need.  You can reach us at rick.glumac.mla@leg.bc.ca or (604) 936-8709.

As Dr. Bonny Henry says: be kind, be calm and be safe.

Thanks again, 

Rick

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B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers opens for applications tomorrow

Applications open for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers on May 1. The benefit will provide a tax-free, one time $1,000 payment for B.C. residents whose ability to work has been affected due to COVID-19.

Learn more about eligibility for the benefit and how to apply
 

Apps to keep you up to date on available supports, help with self-assessment for COVID-19 testing

Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 updates and resources with this helpful app available for both Apple and Android devices. You can download them here: https://bc.thrive.health/.

Or find out whether you should get tested for COVID-19 with B.C. Health's self-assessment web app: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19.
 

Increased testing for COVID-19 is now available

As the rate of new COVID-19 cases slows in our province, we’ve changed BC's testing strategy and opened up testing. Now people do not require a referral before visiting a COVID-19 testing site. Anyone with symptoms can now be assessed and tested, if necessary. Learn more
 

Supporting B.C. renters impacted by COVID-19

Are you a renter who has lost income because of COVID-19? The Province has a B.C. Temporary Rental Supplement. Learn about eligibility and how to apply here: bchousing.org/bctrs.

Small Business BC providing central support hub

If you’re a small business impacted by COVID-19, you can now get one-on-one support through the new B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service. Run by Small Business BC, it’s a central hub to connect businesses with the resources, and guidance necessary to navigate challenges from COVID-19. 

To find the right support to help your business and workers during this pandemic call 1-833-254-4357 or visit http://covid.smallbusinessbc.ca.
 

Rent bank will bridge short-term finances for tenants

Share Family and Community Services have launched a Rent Bank! The new program will make loans for available to Tri-Cities residents who have short-term financial issues that put their tenancy in jeopardy.

My thanks to Share Family and Community Services! They’ve worked hard to get this program up and running. Read more

Local students keeping our community connected

Thank you to local Gleneagle Secondary students for finding ways to bring our community together while we stay at home! Through their Viral.Cause initiative they are showing people in our community that even though we are physically separate from each other, we can find innovative ways to stay connected. Watch

Support for our seniors. How to get and give help

Are you a senior in the Tri-Cities needing help with groceries, your prescription or a check-in call? Do you want to help a senior?

Share Family and Community Services has been declared a COVID-19 response hub to help Tri-Cities seniors get groceries,  and other support during the pandemic. Services include phone and/or virtual check-ins, grocery shopping and delivery, meal preparation and delivery, prescription pickup and drop-off.

If you need help – or want to help – call 211 or visit BC211.ca to register. They’ll connect you with Share Family and Community Services. Read more

Matching essential workers with childcare spots

Are you a parent of children up to five years old who is an essential worker? Call or register online to get matched with childcare spots in here in our community. Learn more

Meeting to chat online and answer your questions

Thanks to everyone who joined me for a virtual cafe chat on April 2. During this challenging time as we increase our efforts to physically distance, we are still committed to bringing our community together. And thanks for all the questions.

Our community office staff are still available to assist you, but we are limiting in-person meetings. The best way to reach us is by email or by phone at 604-936-8709. Watch the chat
 

Recognizing the passion of our brightest tech minds

It was my pleasure to join Jill Tipping, Riaz Meghji, and Minister of Citizen Services Anne Kang to announce the BC Tech Association's 2020 Technology Impact Award Finalists. In this virtual event, we recognized the brightest and most passionate minds of tech sector.

View the full list of finalists

Supply Hub connecting businesses to frontline needs

Are you a business that can supply medical products and services to support B.C.'s COVID-19 response?  We need your help.

The Province has partnered with the Digital Technology Supercluster and the Business Council of British Columbia to create the COVID-19 Supply Hub, a made-in-B.C. online platform to co-ordinate, source and expedite medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for provincial health authorities to support front-line health workers fighting COVID-19.

Companies looking to offer support or supplies through the COVID-19 Supplier Hub can access it here: www.gov.bc.ca/supplyhub

Learn more

My office is here to help. Contact us.

When you contact my community office, my staff and I will do everything we can to assist. Your confidentiality is respected at all times. To give you a better idea of how we can help, please review the following information.

What my Community Office can help you with:

• Provide information on locating government services and contact information
• Assist in understanding government policies and services
• Assist in navigating through government bureaucracy
• Ensure due process is being followed
• Attend community events
• Accept practicum students
• Provide congratulatory and greeting messages
• Provide government documents, legislation discussion papers and other web-based forms if you don’t have internet access
• Resolve issues you may be having with provincial ministries or agencies. However, by law, there are some things we cannot help you with.

We can help you if:

• You are a resident of the Port Moody-Coquitlam riding; and,
• Your matter is with the provincial government.