Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀

Dear <<First Name>>,

Today, I am at the City of Prince Rupert as the Minister of Municipal Affairs to join Premier David Eby in announcing $65 million in provincial funding towards the replacement of critical sections of Prince Rupert’s aging water distribution system. This funding will ensure reliable and resilient water service for people and industry in the community.

When I first met with Mayor Herb Pond and the Council back in December, we discussed the impact of this project and the need for cross-government cooperation. I’m proud to have Mayor Pond and the Council here today, as we celebrate the results of this continued collaboration. Thank you to PS Jennifer Rice for being such a strong community advocate!

Together, we can support the health and safety of our communities and ensure you have access to the services you rely on.

News Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28396

This Tuesday, I had a wonderful time celebrating National Day at the Consul General of Ireland’s reception for Irish Heritage Month. Thank you for the invitation and I hope today is an extra lucky day for everyone! Have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!

Last week, I attended a special event at the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver. The Ismaili Muslim community marked a special milestone, as they commemorated the 50^thanniversary of the significant presence of Ismailis in Canada. This anniversary was shared with Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC), who also marked their 50^th year as an organization welcoming and empowering newcomers to this province.

Community highlight: Ismaili Muslim Centre, Vancouver

Burnaby is home to the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver. The site in Burnaby was acquired in 1979, for it was here that the first Ismaili congregation was established in Canada. In August 1985, His Highness the Aga Khan, spiritual leader for the community, opened the first Ismaili Centre in North America. Since its opening, the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver has hosted a wide range of events, opening its doors to government officials, prominent academics, leaders of many communities, and the wider public.

The Ismaili community has been very active in Burnaby in giving of their time and knowledge through Ismaili CIVIC. They supported park clean-ups, collected food for food banks, sewed face masks for front-line workers at the start of the pandemic, and collected school supplies for underprivileged families to name a few. Ismaili CIVIC is a global programme under which the Shia Ismaili Muslim community across the world has united around its centuries-old tradition of serving humanity by rendering voluntary service to improve the quality of life of the communities in which they live.

Regardless of faith, gender and background, the Ismaili Muslim community has established itself across Canada, many of whom call Burnaby home. As a vital contributor to the economic, social and cultural fabric of this country, they have strengthened and reinforced this nation’s pluralist ethic, and have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of the citizens amongst whom they live - here, and around the world.

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

B.C. supports stable, expanded transit services in Metro Vancouver

The Province is taking action to address TransLink’s urgent financial needs to protect transit service levels and investment plans, while providing reliable, affordable public transit that connects people to jobs, schools and essential services.

B.C.'s $479-million contribution will keep fares stable, support public transit infrastructure and services, avoid service cuts, continue providing free public transit for kids 12 and younger, and enable transit expansion plans needed to respond to growing communities.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023MOTI0018-000335

More funding will improve schools for students

Students throughout B.C. will soon be learning in safer, improved schools now that more funding is available to school districts. The Province is providing $261.1 million in 2023-24 for school maintenance projects, including $41 million to upgrade HVAC systems at 101 schools throughout B.C. As part of the school maintenance funding, $13 million will go toward the purchase of at least 67 new school buses.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ECC0015-000328

Support to host sport events will benefit B.C. athletes, tourism

As a recreational athlete and sports team coach in my teaching years, I have seen firsthand the benefits of sports to the social and mental well-being of people, especially children. I recognize that sports bring our communities together and create a sense of belonging. This is why our government is investing in sports because it not only supports our athletes, it builds a more diverse community.

I am happy to announce that our #BCNDP government is funding $1 million for 140 sports events throughout the province. This funding not only enables our athletes to compete at home, it will also bring thousands of visitors to our beautiful British Columbia each year.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023TACS0007-000302

Provincial health officer’s, minister’s statement about spring COVID-19 boosters

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement about spring COVID-19 boosters

People at high risk of severe illnesses, as well as people 60 and older, or Indigenous people 50 and older, who have not previously contracted COVID-19 are eligible for a spring booster.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0019-000307

Enhanced training will create safe and inclusive workplaces

Employers will have access to more free online resources helping them build and maintain psychologically safe and healthy workplaces thanks to a $700,000 provincial grant to the B.C. division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA-BC).

The grant will also expand the hub’s training and coaching program to include personalized guidance on workplace psychological health and safety best practices.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023SDPR0012-000300

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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