Expanding the Speculation Tax to Bring More Homes to People in B.C. 🏘️

Dear <<First Name>>,

It’s so great to see BNH North House/BNH South House CEO Antonia Beck at the Legislature on Tuesday morning as part of the Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC breakfast.

Neighbourhood houses throughout our communities offer a huge array of programs, services and initiatives to everyone, helping people to thrive at every life stage. Thank you for all that you do and servicing with heart.

I had great engagements with Health Sciences Association of British Columbia this week at the Legislature. Thank you for your strong advocacy and sharing your personal stories.

Did you know that HSA represents more than 20,000 health care and social services professionals in hospitals, community health settings, child development centres, transition houses, and other community agencies across B.C.?

Together, we will move health care forward so your loved ones get the best care when they are under the weather.

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

Speculation tax expanding to new communities to deliver more homes for people

The province is taking action to fight real estate speculation and turn more empty units into homes for people by expanding the speculation and vacancy tax to 13 new municipalities.

Expanding the speculation tax is part of B.C.’s Homes for People plan that includes actions to fight speculation, deliver more homes within reach for people, and speed up delivery of new homes.

The speculation and vacancy tax will be applied to municipalities including Vernon, Coldstream, Penticton, Summerland, Lake Country, Peachland, Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Salmon Arm and Kamloops for the 2024 tax year.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023FIN0065-001819

Legislative changes will bring fairness to app-based gig workers

App-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers will soon have better working conditions, thanks to new legislation that was introduced.

The changes address the priority concerns workers have raised such as low and unpredictable wages, being cut off from the job without warning and a lack of workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job.

The changes support the needs of workers while preserving the jobs and services this sector provides. B.C. will be one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to address the vulnerabilities faced by these workers.

Province supports people in B.C. during winter conditions

Winter is coming and the province is helping ensure people in B.C. are prepared for the arrival of colder temperatures and other winter hazards with new cold-weather response funding and preparedness resources.

Winter weather can be especially unpredictable and dangerous in B.C. and the cold and snow are challenging for many people. To help people prepare and stay safe through the winter.

The province has released a new cold-weather preparedness guide, as well as new funding for cold-weather preparedness.

Public engagement begins for new South Asian Canadian museum

A new website will provide British Columbians with opportunities to share their vision for a new museum to highlight the history, culture and contributions to B.C. from Canadians of diverse South Asian heritages.

Public input, especially from South Asian communities, is vital to moving forward on this first-of-its-kind museum. This website will provide a platform for everyone involved to be heard and will help bring together a shared vision that reflects the needs and aspirations of South Asian communities in B.C.

The public engagement process will provide multiple and different opportunities for participation informed by Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and the ministerial advisory committee.

Parliamentary secretary's statement on Multiculturalism Week

Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, has released the following statement in celebration of Multiculturalism Week, Nov. 19-25, 2023:

“In the third week of November, people throughout British Columbia celebrate Multiculturalism Week. This is a chance for us to come together and recognize the diverse cultures that have contributed to making B.C. the vibrant community it is today.

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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