Supporting Local Government As We Create More Housing 🏘️

Dear <<First Name>>,

I was honoured to attend the Tzu Chi Foundation's Annual Review Blessing with Premier David Eby and MLA Henry Yao. We were sincerely touched by their commitment, compassion, service to those in need globally, and to those in our local community. It was a joyous occasion filled with traditional festivities and goodwill. Grateful for the opportunity to join hands in ushering in the Year of the Dragon. Wishing everyone a prosperous, harmonious, and blessed year ahead!

January 15th was Black Excellence Day, where we recognize the outstanding Black communities that have made social, cultural and economic changes here in B.C. and in our city of Burnaby.

Recognizing these communities is one of our many steps to build a safer province. It’s important that we stand up against racism and discrimination, so that we can create an inclusive place for everyone.

Our Premier, David Eby, issued the following statement marking Black Excellence Day:

Black people and communities have helped shape the British Columbia of today. Yet, all too often, their achievements and struggles go unrecognized in history books and in the school curriculum.

Our government’s goal is to serve everyone in British Columbia equitably, which means reforming systems and structures that have meant Black, Indigenous and people of colour have not been able to benefit from or participate in government in a fair and equal way.

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

Support for local governments to deliver housing for people faster

The province is supporting local governments to build more housing for people faster with funding to help them meet new provincial legislative requirements.

Starting Jan. 18, 2024, the province will provide $51 million in grant-based funding from Budget 2023 to all municipalities, regional districts and the Islands Trust – a total of 188 local governments – in British Columbia.

Recognizing that local governments need immediate support to fulfil the requirements, the province is providing this funding up front to help them undertake the necessary work.

Better safety coming for people in supportive housing

Changes to the Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR) will provide increased safety for staff and tenants living in supportive housing.

These changes are being made to ensure the safety of everyone living in supportive housing, staffing these sites and the community at large.

The province is amending the Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR) under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) to clearly define supportive housing and exempt supportive-housing units from sections of the RTA that prohibit guest policies and wellness checks.

Premier announces new actions to build electricity system, create jobs

BC Hydro will embark on an unprecedented level of construction over the next 10 years, building out British Columbia’s electricity system to power a growing clean economy and communities, and create new jobs.

At the B.C. Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, Premier Eby announced a $36-billion investment for community and regional infrastructure projects that will deliver clean, affordable electricity to people and businesses in the future.

These new construction projects are projected to support 10,500 to 12,500 jobs on average annually and will increase and maintain BC Hydro’s capital investments as major projects like Site C are completed.

New changes will make family law work better for families

Changes which came into effect Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, will reduce some of the difficulties for families going through separation or divorce in B.C., including those with pets.

The changes coming into effect improve the process for determining ownership and possession of companion animals following a separation or divorce.

British Columbians will also have the opportunity to provide input into further changes to make family law work better for families.

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.

Were you forwarded this email?
Click here to subscribe to MLA Anne Kang's newsletter! We'll send you information about our community and let you know about events in the riding.