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Dear Neighbour,
September has been incredibly exciting, as I have been able to visit a lot of community members and organizations while we are still on break from the Legislature. Hearing about key issues directly from people who are most affected by them is essential to my job as your representative. It also just provides me some great opportunities to visit new areas of North Vancouver and learn about a lot of the exciting work on the ground that is happening here.
September has also be packed full with new updates of policy and legislation as we prepare to head back to Victoria. This month, we have announced new cost of living supports, massive new savings on childcare and a comprehensive plan to tackling some of our largest healthcare challenges. These are all exciting updates that I hope can provide some tangible relief to you and your families and friends.
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A brand new and incredibly comprehensive plan to tackling our biggest healthcare challenges was just announced!
Seeking improvements to healthcare was why I first decided to enter electoral politics. Working as a nurse, I was able to witness, first-hand, the challenges the system was facing. As a government caucus, we have been discussing those challenges regularly and pursuing solutions that we hope will be able to last for generations, making BC a leader in healthcare coverage and support. From new healthcare infrastructure, to the training and hiring of critical new staff, we have been working hard to build a robust and fullsome healthcare system. Today, Minister Dix and Minister Kang have announced some incredible updates to this plan that will provide some immediate, and many long term, benefits for all British Columbians. These updates include:
- 128 new medical school seats being added at UBC, including 88 new residencies
- expanding scope of practice for BC Pharmacists, including the ability to renew prescriptions, and to prescribe medicine for allergies, acne, contraception, indigestion and urinary tract infection by spring 2023
- expanding regulations for paramedics and first responders to provide a broader range of services in emergencies
- $1.5 million provided to SFU to complete their business case to set up a new school of medicine in Surrey
- hiring 250 new paramedics in rural and remote regions and transitioning more paramedics to full time positions
- releasing a details and focused Health Human Resources Strategy with 70 key actions that will be taken over the next 5 years.
With this strategy, on top of all the existing work we have already been doing, and with a new master plan for family doctors coming out soon, the future of healthcare is looking strong. You can read the details about this latest plan here.
If you have time, I would recommend giving the Health Human Resources Strategy a read here.
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One of the biggest bills many families face each month is childcare. We know that global inflation is driving up the cost of living, making things especially tough for families who are trying to afford childcare right now. That is why, with the support from the federal government and as part of our government's historic childcare commitment, our government is working to make childcare more affordable. Starting this December, participating licensed childcare centres will receive funding for children kindergarten age and younger. The funding is going directly to the service providers, so families will not need to apply to receive these discounts. This announcement is building on the further reduced fees as part of the province’s $2.7-billion investment in ChildCareBC since 2018, and is being funded through the five-year, $3.2-billion Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. When combined with past reductions at participating centres, that means that families could save up to $10,800 per year for each child. Our government is committed to ensuring every child has access to high-quality, affordable, accessible child care.
To learn more, click here.
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to reflect on the harm done from residential schools, honour the children who never returned home as well as the Survivors of residential schools and their families and communities.
Both the Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day take place on September 30th. Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis Webstad telling her story of being taken from her family at the age of six to attend residential school. She had been given an orange shirt to wear from her grandmother, but upon arriving was stripped of her clothing and was never allowed to wear her orange shirt again. The date of September 30th was chosen because it is the time of the year that children were taken from their families and forced into residential schools. More about Phyllis Webstab and Orange Shirt Day can be found here.
On September 30, we encourage everyone to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.
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On September 30th, 2022 between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, there will be a pilgrimage for the Survivors of residential schools. It will go from the former site of St. Paul’s Residential School, now the site of St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School, to Tsleil-Waututh Nation reserve in North Vancouver. The public is invited to create a wall of protection and line up on the sidewalks along Main Street/Cotton Drive at Park and Tilford or 3rd Street W. from St. Andrews Avenue. to Chesterfield Ave.
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Phyllis Webstad explains the story of her experience at Residential School and the origination of Orange Shirt Day in Canada.
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New combination bivalent COVID-19 vaccine now available
At the beginning of the month, we began rolling out a new combination bivalent vaccine. This new vaccine offers enhanced protection against COVID-19 by targeting the original virus strain, as well as Omicron subvariants. This vaccine is available to all adults over the age of 18, and youth from 12 to 17 years who are at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
We are encouraging people to book their vaccination appointment as soon as they receive an invitation to book their fall booster dose. Invitations are being sent to people who received their vaccine at least six months ago, and are being distributed in priority order based on age and risk factors.
Free flu vaccine
Next week, people in long-term care and assisted-living facilities, along with others at risk, will be eligible to receive their influenza vaccine. The influenza campaign will launch the week of October 11th, and vaccines will be available in participating pharmacies and health authority clinics across the province. Public health officials continue to recommend the influenza vaccine for everyone in BC older than six months and offer it for free.
Additionally, for the first time, all seniors 65+ can get a free enhanced influenza vaccine this year. Enhanced influenza vaccines give seniors better protection against influenza than standard-dose vaccines by stimulating a stronger immune response. This helps compensate for the natural weakening of their immune system that comes with age.
Eligible people can get their COVID-19 fall booster and influenza vaccine at the same time. People will be able to book their influenza vaccine through the provincial Get Vaccinated system, just like when booking a COVID-19 vaccine.
To find a flu vaccine clinic, click here.
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Rick Mercer: Rick's Rant - Flu Shot
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New Cost of Living Supports
Global inflation has hit our local community, and our government is working hard to support BC residents. We are helping people by boosting the BC Child Benefit and Climate Action Tax Credit, capping the 2023 rent increases at 2 percent, supporting families with back-to-school expenses, and making progress on a BC Hydro rebate for the costly winter season. Learn more about it here, and to find out more supports that may be available to you and your family click here.
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The Terry Fox Run
It is hard to believe that this year was the 42nd annual Terry Fox run. What a great and humble man that created a run that has raised so much money to help find treatments and work on a cure for cancer.
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Rudy Kovach House
I toured the beautiful Rudy Kovach house here in North Vancouver. It was designed by the architect Ron Thom in the West Coast Modern style and is one of the most intact and well maintained heritage homes I have seen. Truly a treat to the eye and a jewel on the North Shore. Thank you Michael for allowing me to see your home!
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B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students
More students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high school and post-secondary credits toward careers in early childhood education with the introduction of 30 new dual-credit programs at school districts throughout BC. Find out more here.
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Adult Upgrading
It is free for adults to upgrade and complete their high school education in BC.
For a list of educational facilities that provide courses in adult basic education, please click here. It is never too late to learn!
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Full stop to period costs for students
Menstrual products are easily available and free in BC public schools for whoever needs them. Period.
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If you have questions or need any assistance with provincial supports, please reach out. My office can be contacted at 604-983-9859 or by emailing us at susie.chant.mla@leg.bc.ca. We look forward to assisting you.
Take care,
Susie
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Chat with Chant
Wednesday, October 12th, from 11 AM till Noon at the Parkgate Library
Please come join Terry Beech and myself at Parkgate Library for a chat about your concerns. It is always great to meet up and talk!
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Congratulatory messages
I would be honoured to send a congratulatory message for anyone 75 years of age or better, and for 25 years or more anniversaries. Requests can be made up to 12 months in advance of the date and up to 12 months past the date for messages from myself, the Premier, and from other officials. You can find out more about these messages here.
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Office Hours
Our office is open from 10 till 5 PM on Monday and Friday, and from 9 AM till 5 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The office is closed for lunch from noon till 1 PM.
Due to the nature of our work, sometimes we may be closed for meetings, or we may be out of office to attend events, so it is best to call ahead. Our phone number is 604 983 9859.
We are located at 217 - 1233 Lynn Valley Road, (the same complex at the Lynn Valley library) and we are located above the Vancity Credit Union.
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