Province-wide vaccination registration and booking system is now open

Hi,

B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan continues to save lives and reduce the spread of COVID-19, making us all safer. So far, we have administered over 1 million vaccine doses to British Columbians, and appointment booking by age groups continues to be ahead of schedule. Everyone is on track to receive a vaccine by end of June.

The new province-wide registration and vaccination booking system is now active. Registering for your vaccine is easy.

This week, the Legislature resumed it’s spring session. Already this session, we’ve extended the business recovery grant program and last week brought in a new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant of up to $10,000 for businesses, like restaurants, pubs and fitness centres, impacted by the March 30 public health orders. We’ve extended the rent freeze for tenants, acted to prevent renovictions and made amendments to improve the oversight in the real estate market and financial services. It’s progress, but we still have much more to do.

March 18 marked one year since a state of emergency was declared in B.C. It was an important reminder of all that we have gone through as a province, and the work that is still ahead to build a recovery for everyone. We know that this pandemic has impacted people across our province in many different ways.

That’s why our government announced the expansion of the Launch Online Grant Program last month. These grants will allow small businesses to build or expand their e-commerce capacity to reach more customers, grow their business, and continue their post-pandemic recovery. This means more online stores, online bookings and local products delivered to more people throughout our province.

We also announced the largest-ever increase to income assistance, disability assistance, and the senior’s supplement. Among the many concrete benefits, those on income and disability assistance will receive an extra $175 each month – a permanent change that continues our government's poverty reduction strategy. Supporting British Columbians is key to a strong, sustainable economic recovery, and this is a major step in that direction.

During the pandemic, we’ve seen a rise in anti-Asian and anti-Indigenous racism, and a worldwide focus on anti-Black racism. It troubles me because it hurts everyone of us and our communities. Our government is committed to combating racism in all its forms, but we all must do more to address systemic discrimination and hatred in this province. In light of this commitment, our government announced a new anti-racism information campaign that encourages British Columbians to examine their own biases and start conversations. I encourage you to visit antiracist.gov.bc.ca and learn more.

As always, if you have questions or need any assistance with provincial COVID-19 supports, or any other provincial issue, please reach out to my office. We can be reached at 604-936-8709 or rick.glumac.mla@leg.bc.ca. 

Thanks, Rick

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Booking your vaccine appointment

The new province-wide registration and vaccination booking system is now active. Eligible British Columbians can register online using their Personal Health Number (PHN) and will receive a notification for when it's their turn to schedule a vaccination appointment. Registering for your vaccine is easy. Only register when it's your turn — everyone is on track to receive a vaccine by end of June.

Currently, people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, seniors born in 1966 or earlier (65+), and Indigenous people 18+ are encouraged to register and book now through one of three methods:

1. Online with your Personal Health Number (PHN) at https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca
2. By phone at 1-833-838-2323 (translators are available); or
3. In person at any Service BC office.

If you don’t have a Personal Health Number or internet access, you can register by calling 1-833-838-2323 or in-person at all Service BC offices.

Additional AstraZeneca doses have been distributed to pharmacies for people aged 55-65 years old. – including 36 pharmacies in the Tri-Cities. Find a pharmacy near you.

People aged 16-70 who are clinically extremely vulnerable due to existing medical conditions will have received a letter telling them how to book an appointment. Letters have been sent to the address on file associated with the individual’s Personal Health Number. Those who receive this invitation letter must bring it with them to their vaccination appointment. You can find more information and the list of conditions here. If you believe you should have received a letter but have not, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated.html or call 1-833-838-2323 to see if you are in fact pre-registered.

This month, front-line priority workers receive their first dose of vaccine. This includes first responders, K to 12 educational staff, child care staff, grocery store workers and more. You can see the full list here. People in these groups will get more information through their employers.

Increased COVID-19 restrictions in place until April 19

New and amended public health orders are in place until April 19 to stop the worrying trend of transmission throughout our province.

The new orders mean:

X Indoor dining at restaurants and pubs is suspended

√ Restaurant patios, take-out, and delivery are OK

X All adult group fitness classes are suspended

√ Individual fitness activities or one-on-one activities only

X Indoor religious services are on hold

√ Outdoor religious services are OK

X Whistler Blackcomb is closed

√ Stay home. Essential travel only

√ Work from home when possible

√ Only meet outdoors, with the same people and no more than ten

Remember: COVID-19 is still a risk for everyone in BC. Stay safe, stay local and stay outdoors with the same group of people. We must all do our part to keep each other safe. 

Learn more: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19restrictions

On track for strongest economic recovery in Canada

I spoke in the Legislature about our government’s investments in infrastructure projects across our province. Because of this, we’re well on our way to the strongest economic recovery in Canada. Here’s some of the work we’ve been doing:

√ High Speed Internet Investments

√ Student Housing

√ Upgrading Neighbourhood Parks

√ Erosion Mitigation Projects

√ Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

√ Highway Investments

And there are many, many more. Watch

We know how to create art here in Port Moody! 

My congratulations to Port Moody's Sara Graham for being selected to create the iconic artwork at the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Ontario. It’s another huge achievement for the City of the Arts. Watch

West Coast Express trains to get $21 million upgrade

The trains on TransLink’s West Coast Express will undergo a $21 million retrofit to extend their lifespan and reduce their emissions.

The project includes refurbishing the engines of six of the seven locomotives to extend their lifespan by a projected 15 years. In addition, all head end power units, which provide heat and lighting to the passenger cars, will be replaced to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and allow operation of longer trains.

Our government is continuing to invest in transportation projects that create jobs, give people more options to get to where they need to go. We’re making it easier for people out of their cars and onto public, low-carbon commuter trains. Read more in the Daily Hive

Watch my updates on the spring Legislative session

We've made some BIG changes in the last month, extending the Business recovery grant program, bringing forward legislation preventing renovictions, and extending rent freeze to benefit tenants. We are also ensuring that people are at the centre of local politics, and we’ve made amendments to improve oversight for real estate, and financial services. Watch

As well , I've given updates on ongoing vaccination plans, and my work as the Premier's liaison to Washington State. Watch

Follow me on Facebook for more updates when the session resumes next week!

B.C.'s high-tech opportunities: From Shrek 2 to Seattle on a High-Speed Train

I also had the pleasure of a (virtual) sit down with reporter Sandy Lee from Korea Daily. We talked about the opportunities high-speed rail and a super-charged regional hub to grow B.C.'s high-tech industry. You can read the interview here in both English and Korean.

səmiq̓wəʔelə: the Riverview Lands renamed

I’m proud to see the Riverview Lands being renamed to səmiq̓wəʔelə (pronounced Suh-MEE-kwuh-EL-uh) in honour of the Kwikwetlem First Nation’s ties to the land. I encourage all that are interested to engage with the site's master planning phase in 2021.  Learn more

B.C. first province to set sectoral emission targets across the economy

We're taking action on climate change by setting sectoral greenhouse gas targets. B.C. is the first province in Canada to set targets for emissions across the economy. Targets for 2030 are a percentage reduction from 2007 sector emissions. B.C.'s new targets include:

• Transportation : a 27-32% reduction
• Industry: a 38-43% reduction
• Oil and Gas: a 33-38% reduction
• Buildings and communities: a 59-64%

To support people working in B.C. industry to meet these targets, we're investing in industry and clean tech innovation, and more projects to reduce emissions. Learn more

Largest-ever permanent increase to income, disability assistance rates

COVID-19 has been challenging for everyone — especially for British Columbians already relying on assistance to make ends meet. Starting April, more than 300,000 British Columbians will see the largest-ever permanent increase to their income and disability rates, including the first increase to the senior’s supplement since it was introduced in 1987.

Details include:

• $175 per month increase for people on income assistance and disability assistance
• Up to $99.30 per month for seniors receiving the senior's supplement
• $115 per month allowance for people on income assistance living in special care facilities

Learn more

Relief funding for hard-hit businesses

The new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant will provide businesses impacted by the March 30 public health orders with up to $10,000 in one-time funding to help with expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance and utilities. The grant can also help cover unexpected costs that resulted from the restrictions, such as the purchase of perishable goods.
Learn more

Launch Online program for small, medium-sized businesses expanded

New funding and expanded eligibility for the Launch Online grant will help thousands more small and medium-sized B.C. business owners sell their goods and services online. Details include:

1. Grants of up to $7,500 to develop or enhance an online store or online booking system. 
2. Service-oriented businesses like hair salons and tourist operators are now eligible
3. 30% of funds are reserved for Indigenous, BIPOC, and rural businesses.

Apply now: https://launchonline.ca/

Mental Health supports are available

It's okay to not feel okay after something traumatic has happened in your community. Virtual services are available for community members who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or otherwise troubled. Learn more

We all have a part to play in tackling racism

In B.C., we've seen a rise in racism across the province — anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 700% in Vancouver (in 2020 alone) and we know there is systemic racism in our health system and that it impacts Indigenous peoples’ health.

We all have to tackle systemic racism and hatred in our province. That means more than being "not racist". We have work at becoming anti-racists — and it starts with recognizing racist ideas and prejudices we hold and confronting them.

Let's all commit to reflecting and educating ourselves on the actions we need to take to transform B.C. into an anti-racist province, where everyone gets the respect they deserve. Learn more about what you can do to become an anti-racist at: https://antiracist.gov.bc.ca