Celebrating International Women's Day 🌺

Dear <<First Name>>,

I am happy to be part of the federal announcement of the significant funding for the replacement and upgrade of water mains in City of Prince Rupert with Jennifer Rice, Mayor Herb Pond, Taylor Bachrach, and Soraya Martinez Ferrada.

When I first met Mayor Herb Pond and his team back in December 2022, we saw firsthand the critical need for their community to have reliable water pipes and sewer systems to ensure their vibrancy and growth. Our provincial government took action by investing $65 million of critical community infrastructure funding announced in March 2023. this week’s announcement is the federal portion of $77.2 million through Disaster Mitigation and Adaption Fund (DMAF) funding.

I am proud of the cross-government partnership with the City of Prince Rupert and the federal government to make these water and sewer system upgrades a reality. Their community will have reliable drinking water and essential water services for generations.

As a parent myself, I know how important it is to have child care easily available and accessible for working families. Our BCNDP government has been adding more spaces, making child care more affordable, providing more benefits for ECEs, and much more.

In our community of Burnaby-Deer Lake, we have:

Invested over $46,000,000 in childcare programs since 2018.

Given back over $23,000,000 to parents since 2018.

On average, given 218 ECEs wage enhancements every month.

There’s more work to be done, and we will continue to work to help ease the pressure for families.

Today is also International Women's Day! I want to acknowledge all of the remarkable women, girls, non-binary, two-spirit, and transgender people I have the honour of working with, whether it’s in my community, in the legislature, or beyond.

This day is an opportunity to not only celebrate women’s achievements, but to also commit to making a world with true gender equality and rights. Take a moment to recognize and empower the incredible women in your life, and continue to accelerate the progress we’ve made.

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

More funding helps B.C. families with school expenses

Ensuring that students and families feel empowered and supported to participate equally in school activities is foundational.

We’re replenishing funding that helps families that need it most cover the extra costs of school activities or buying school supplies for their children.

The Student and Family Affordability Fund will ensure no student is left out because of costs.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ECC0013-000293

Changes aim to help people out of poverty

We know people are facing big challenges with inflation and high interest rates.

That’s why we’re setting new, ambitious poverty-reduction targets, to better help people get through tough times.

We’re also taking action to ease the pressure of everyday costs for people.

Youth benefit from significant increase in mental-health, addiction care

Young people are facing more stress and anxiety than ever due to the pandemic, the toxic drug crisis, climate emergencies and so much global uncertainty.

We’re expanding access to mental health and addictions care for children, young people and their families including investing in more early intervention and prevention services.

We’re adding Foundry centres in 10 additional communities across the province, so more young people can get the help they need, where and when they need it.

More B.C. firefighters will benefit from expanded psychological wellness program

Firefighters are there for us in the most trying times of our lives and it can take a toll on their own mental health.

It can be challenging for some first responders to take the time to focus on their own mental health.

We’re ensuring more first responders learn how to take care of their own mental health and build resiliency that will help them throughout their careers.

Province announces minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, retention and recruitment investments

We’re working hard to support and retain our nursing workforce, help nursing students start good careers, and recruit more nurses.

Nurses are an incredibly important part of our healthcare network, and we want them to feel supported at work.

Together with the BC Nurses Union, the Ministry of Health has established minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for six healthcare settings in acute care facilities.

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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