We all need to do our part

The magnitude of impact of COVID-19 on British Columbians cannot be overstated. It is by working together and supporting each other, that we will get through this. 

And we all need to do our part. This is not only about protecting yourself, but protecting your family and our whole community.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important to wash your hands  frequently with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds, avoid touching your face and maintain a physical distance of 1-2 metres from others. Stay home if you are sick or at high risk for serious illness. Your employer must waive the requirement for doctors notes or testing for people to stay home. If you are coming home from travelling abroad, you must self-isolate for 14 days.

Our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix have been giving a clear message: we are in this together. It is extremely important for everyone follow their public health orders to protect British Columbians and slow the transmission of COVID-19.

It's extremely important all British Columbians abide by the ordered restrictions on travel, mass gatherings and operations of bars and clubs, and the social distancing requirements including in restaurants.

This is how we will “flatten the curve" and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. It is how we'll protect our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

Look out for your neighbours. Buy only what you need for the week. Our food supply chains are secure, by panic-buying it makes it harder for those in need to find essential goods. Check on those who are self-isolating and seniors before you go to the store and see if they need help with groceries. But keep them and yourself protected by maintaining social distance.

To quote Dr. Bonnie Henry, “This is our time to be kind. To be calm. And to be safe.” Our community is strong and we are kind. It's by working together and supporting each other, we will get through this.

Thanks, Rick

COVID-19 Resources

Help flatten the curve by checking your symptoms online at: https://covid19.thrive.health.

If you or a family member have symptoms or need medical advice, call 811. If you have a fever, a new cough or difficulty breathing call for guidance.

If you or a family member have COVID-19 or influenza-like symptoms, you can access an appointment for a virtual visit with a local family physician, thru the Fraser Northwest Primary Care Network at: https://www.divisionsbc.ca/fraser-northwest/influenza-symptom-testing-center#appointment. If required, you will be assessed in person.

For up-to-date non-health information, including the latest travel restrictions and provincial and federal programs, call 1-888-COVID-19 (1-888-268-4319). They can provide information in more than 100 languages. You can also text a new help line for assistance: 604-630-0300.
Or visit: gov.bc.ca/covid19

For the most up-to-date health information on the COVID-19 outbreak follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on twitter at @CDCofBC or visit: www.bccdc.ca

The latest orders and directives from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics

Information FAQs from the BC Centre for Disease Control in Farsi, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi are available here: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/translated-content
 

Current information as of March 21, 2020:

A Public Health Emergency has been declared, effective March 17, 2020.
A Provincial State of Emergency has declared, effective March 18, 2020.

• Scheduled elective surgeries and procedures are being postponed.
• Long-term care facilities are restricting visitors to essential visits only.
• Choose virtual health care services whenever available, physicians will be compensated.
• Physician notes will NOT be required for prescription refills by pharmacists. 
• Employers must waive the requirement for doctors notes or testing for people to stay home.
   
• All casinos and liquor-primary establishments (bars and clubs) must close.
• Restaurants and cafes must move to take-out and delivery service only, or close.
• All personal services (salons, spas, massage, tattoo) must close.
• Dentists should provide emergency services only.
• WorkSafeBC resources available for employers and workers here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates
• Businesses must maintain social distancing orders and should implement enhanced cleaning, or close.
• In-class instruction is suspended at all K-12 schools.
• Daycares can continue to operate to support essential workers. All parents who can, should care for their children at home. This makes it easier for providers to follow enhanced preventative health measures.
• Enhanced funding is available for child care providers that stay open and that close. Providers receiving enhanced funding cannot charge parent fees for any periods of closure or for vacant spaces and must reserve spaces for families.
   
• TransLink: Rear door, fare-free boarding on all buses. Those with accessibility needs can still load at front.
• BC Ferries passengers may stay inside their vehicles the entire trip. Food and retail services on board have been reduced.
   
•  BC Housing and it’s partners have implemented a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent for tenants in subsidized and affordable housing.
   
• Canadians currently abroad are strongly advised to return to Canada now while they are still able. All travelling Canadians requiring assistance should call 1-613-996-8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca.
• Entry into Canada will be denied to all non-essential travellers who are not Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents and their immediate family. US citizens are no longer be exempt.
• Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be actively refused boarding onto aircraft, including Canadians.
• Overseas international flights entering Canada will be restricted to YVR, YYZ, YUL, YYC only.
• Everyone entering the country must self-isolate for fourteen days.
• The B.C. government is waiving the Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage wait period for people moving back to B.C. from COVID-19 impacted areas. In addition, the B.C. government is planning to provide health coverage to British Columbians who are out of province and unable to return.

COVID-19 Financial Supports

On Wednesday morning, the Federal Government  announced their package of financial supports to help Canadians through the COViD-19 outbreak. Here are the details:

• One-week waiting period for Employment Insurance benefits has been waived. Call 1-833-381-2725.
• Emergency Care Benefit for workers, including the self-employed, who do not qualify for paid sick leave or EI and have to stay home. (Effective April 2020)
• Emergency Support Benefit for workers not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment, including self-employed people. (Effective April 2020)
• Tax return filing due date is deferred to June 1. Payments owed are deferred until after August 31
• Wage subsidy for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and charities to prevent worker lay-offs.
• Six-month interest-free moratorium on repayment of Canada Student Loans. (Effective April 2020)
• Boost to GST-credit and Canada Child Benefit payments to low-income individuals and families. (Effective May 2020)
• $5000 emergency loan available to Canadians travelling abroad through Global Affairs Canada. Call 1-613-996-8885 or email sos@international.gc.ca.

Read More: Canada’s COVID-19 Support for Canadians and Businesses
 

More supports are coming! Our government will be announcing additional supports for British Columbians in the coming days.

Norouzetan Pirouz!

Partnering to build affordable housing for Coquitlam

Premier Horgan and I visited this 75-unit project under construction in Coquitlam last month, which is part of the innovative HousingHub program our government created in 2018.

There's much more work to do, but HousingHub alone has more than 2,800 homes completed or underway for middle-income British Columbians. Learn more

Listening to better support the arts in our community

Thank you to all our local artists and art lovers who joined our Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare and myself for a community roundtable about the investments we have made in the arts across BC. We had a great discussion that helped to inform the Ministry's ongoing work to support the creative sector.  Artists are essential to nurturing our vibrant and inclusive community. Learn more

A sneak peak at the Burquitlam Bike Parkade

At the beginning of March, I had the opportunity to grab a sneak peek at the soon to be open bike parkade at Burquitlam with Premier Horgan! There are about 45 spaces at each location, enhanced security, and repair stands with air pumps. They're part of our work with TransLink to add secure, indoor bicycle parking at six locations around Metro Vancouver. All are expected to be completed by the end of March. Learn more

We're playing our part with CleanBC, but setting greenhouse gas reduction targets is just one part of the solution. Burrard Thermal could play a key role in addressing climate change through innovation and clean technology. Our government didn't shut down Burrard Thermal. It's there, and it can't be reopened. It's time to utilize these lands to advance clean technology that could change the world. Watch

Supporting Terry Fox for the $5 bill redesign

Terry Fox inspired a generation and was a true Canadian Hero. I agree with many here in the Tri-Cities that he would be a great choice for the next $5 bill, that’s why I’ve submitted  a motion to the Legislature to support the nomination of Terry Fox to be the face of Canada’s new redesigned five-dollar bill.

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.