Celebrating Small Business Week!🙌

Dear <<First Name>>,

This week is Small Business Week, recognizing the incredible work and dedication of entrepreneurs and small businesses here in BC. I always support small businesses whether they’re in Burnaby or beyond, as it helps their business thrive, connects communities, and keeps our economy strong!

To celebrate this week, I have highlighted some of my favourite local restaurants that I visit regularly. Find out more on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnneKangMLA/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekangmla/. Don't forget to like and follow me on social media for more updates!

Yesterday morning, I joined Minister Sean Fraser and Mayor Tim McGonigle to announce a joint $10.1 M investment towards the final phase of the Town of Lake Cowichan wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

The Cowichan River is a Canadian heritage river, and it’s important to do our part to protect and to honour the designation. This project signifies our commitment to continue bringing infrastructure up to modern health and safety standards so there is a safe environment for all of us.

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

Legislation introduced to rein in short-term rentals, deliver more homes for people

Turning short-term rentals into homes for people is at the core of newly introduced legislation to regulate the rapidly expanding short-term rental market.

B.C.’s short-term rental market is now at an all-time high, diverting thousands of long-term rental homes onto the short-term market and creating serious challenges

The legislation focuses on three areas, including increasing fines and strengthening tools for local governments, returning more short-term rentals to long-term homes and establishing provincial rules and enforcement.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0060-001598

First Nations, stakeholders, BC Hydro Task Force shaping B.C.’s clean-power future

The province and BC Hydro are working with First Nations, clean-energy companies and the BC Hydro Task Force to design and advance BC Hydro’s call for power in spring 2024.

Over the past several months, BC Hydro has engaged with First Nations partners and industry stakeholders on the key elements of the call for power.

During late fall and early winter, BC Hydro will continue to seek input from First Nations partners and industry stakeholders about the call for power procurement process and parameters, including requirements for First Nations economic participation, and what the terms and conditions of electricity purchase agreements will look like between BC Hydro and the successful proponents.

New funding supports innovation, healthier lives

New funding for research infrastructure at B.C. universities is supporting innovative projects, like helping children in pain receive the safest, most effective pain management possible.

Through another round of BCKDF funding, the Government of B.C. is providing $2.5 million to support infrastructure for 16 research projects at five universities.

By investing in research infrastructure projects, the B.C. government is continuing to support post-secondary institutions to move toward an innovative, sustainable and inclusive future.

PEERS creates pathways to employment

More than 300 British Columbians will benefit from an investment in a program that opens alternate routes to employment for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This innovative project will provide crucial skills training and support to hundreds of British Columbians facing barriers to employment, empowering them to better participate and succeed in B.C.’s growing workforce.

An investment of nearly $3.7 million from the Government of Canada and its Skills for Success program is helping to make the Pathways to Engagement and Employment Readiness (PEERS) program, and the service it provides, possible.

B.C. takes action to reduce impacts of climate-related disasters

The province is taking action to reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters on people by ensuring critical disaster risk information is available to support community resilience, planning and decision-making.

Climate-related emergencies, such as wildfires, floods, drought and extreme temperatures disproportionately affect equity-deserving people, including Indigenous people, people with disabilities, seniors and people who are insecurely housed.

To better protect people in B.C., the Province is providing $2.9 million to four organizations to embark on climate and disaster risk-reduction projects.

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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