Helping people have their credentials recognized 🎓

Dear <<First Name>>,

I am excited to join the celebration with MLA Megan Dykeman, Mayor Eric Woodward and his Council for the Township of Langley announcement of three new ice arenas and two new dry floor arenas to meet the growing needs of the community.

This new arena complex is all about bringing people together in a place where they can be active, healthy, and connected to one another. Our loved ones can grow through physical activity, camaraderie, and friendly competition. It means a lot to witness the impact that the $1 Billion Growing Communities Fund is having in the Township of Langley.

Thank you to The Society To End Homelessness In Burnaby for hosting their annual Homelessness Action Week for 2023, giving vulnerable community members an opportunity to enjoy a pancake breakfast, a scrumptious burger, and receive helpful services such as flu/COVID shot from Fraser Health and more!

It’s always important during times where many Burnaby citizens are facing challenges, to help out, come together, and give back to our neighbours. I’m very grateful to have some incredible partners assist our government’s work in reducing and eventually eliminating homelessness and poverty, creating caring communities for everyone.

Here are some things I'd like to share with you from the past week:

Help fill gaps in BC government services. Take the BC Demographic Survey by Oct 15. Your answers will help us find inequities in the current services so that we can build a more inclusive place to live.

Take the survey now: https://antiracism.gov.bc.ca/BCDemographicSurvey

B.C. improving credential recognition for internationally trained professionals

People come from all over to live in B.C.,be a part of our communities and contribute to our province’s prosperity. Many people come here after having worked hard to gain credentials in their home countries, which aren’t always recognized in B.C.

When people’s credentials aren’t recognized, it is a barrier to getting the jobs that they have trained for and have experience in. It also means that many people who are willing and trained to serve in high-demand sectors get shut out and have difficulties building the lives they deserve. It’s past time to make changes to the credential recognition process to make sure qualified people can take on the jobs they want to work in where they are needed here in B.C.

This fall, we will be introducing legislation to help regulatory agencies improve their international credential recognition process, so it can become easier for people to use their skills to work in B.C., no matter where they were trained. This will benefit workers with qualifications from non-healthcare, high-demand sectors like lawyers, childcare workers, and scientists. This builds upon rounds of consultation we did with community members and stakeholders on how to improve international credential recognition, which we released a report on in July to share our findings and the recommendations we're taking action on.

Province supporting people by increasing climate action tax credit

High interest rates and global inflation are squeezing household budgets, and the province is determined to find ways to put more money into people’s bank accounts.

More than two million families and individuals will see more money in their bank accounts this week, thanks to the enhanced climate action tax credit.

As part of Budget 2023, the province raised income thresholds and increased the climate action tax credit to ensure B.C.’s clean transition remains affordable for more people.

Enhancements to the credit means a single person can now receive up to $447 per year, an increase of $250 from 2022.

New emergency management legislation, task force pave way for resilient communities

Communities throughout the province are dealing with the adverse effects of climate change, including more frequent and severe weather events that threaten homes, businesses and infrastructure.

People and communities in British Columbia will be better prepared for emergencies and disasters under the most comprehensive and progressive emergency management framework in Canada with the introduction of the emergency and disaster management act, and the launch of an expert task force on emergencies.

When passed, the new emergency and disaster management act will implement a more proactive approach to emergency management – with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction – to safeguard people and communities.

Complementing the legislation, the emergencies task force, made up of 14 experts in emergency and wildfire management, will begin work immediately and provide action-oriented recommendations on enhancing emergency preparedness and response in advance of the 2024 wildfire season.

New technologies reduce employment barriers for people with disabilities

People with disabilities will have better employment opportunities with personalized technologies funded through a $1-million grant to CanAssist, an organization based at the University of Victoria (UVic).

This grant complements WorkBC’s Assistive Technology Services, which provide supports to help people thrive in the workplace, including ergonomic and mobility supports, communication and hearing devices, as well as workplace and vehicle modifications.

Investing in projects like this is part of StrongerBC's Future Ready plan to make education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow and help businesses grow.

Here2Talk provides mental-health support for students this fall

Free mental-health supports are available 24 hours a day for B.C. post-secondary students who may be coping with anxiety, depression and other concerns.

Here2Talk is a virtual counselling service that provides immediate mental-health support to students via the Here2Talk app, over the phone or through online chat.

The service is available to all part-time and full-time students registered in a public or private B.C. college, university, institute or trades program, whether they are in Canada or abroad.

Upcoming events

I'm here for you

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any provincial issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you.

My office can be reached at (604) 775-0565 or Anne.Kang.MLA@leg.bc.ca.

Sincerely,

Anne Kang, MLA
Burnaby-Deer Lake

Provincial Government Resources

Visit gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated for your influenza and COVID-19 vaccination info
Call 811 for free-of-charge provincial health information and advice.
Call 211 for free, confidential, multilingual service that links people to resources for help.

Burnaby Family Doctor Resources

To find a family doctor, click here
To find a clinic, click here.
For non-emergency health information and advice, click here.

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