Let's get Creative!

Dear <<First Name>>,

Like the force, creativity has the power to move us and shape the world. This week, we celebrated Creative Industries Week here in British Columbia. Throughout the week, I had a chance to speak with people from the music, book, TV and movie industries from across the province who joined us here at the Legislature.

The creative sector is so important to B.C. These industries not only employ nearly 120,000 people, but they also attract tourism and business to our province, boosting our local economies. Creative media also can be moving, inspirational, and is a powerful tool to create change -- our creators here in B.C. show some of the very best of this.

That’s why our government is providing an historic contribution of $42 million to support people and businesses working in film, music, publishing, and interactive digital media industries in BC. This is the largest-ever single investment to B.C.’s creative sector.

We also are providing targeted support to our magazine and book publishers with a $600,000 investment to support their immediate needs and those in the next few years.

As a musician, I am proud to recognize BC's dynamic creative industry and the incredible talent that drives it!

I attended the commemoration of Yom HaShoah -- Holocaust Memorial Day at the Legislature this week.

On this solemn day of Yom Hashoah, we remember the 6 million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust and honour the survivors who have courageously shared their stories of unimaginable suffering.

It remains our collective responsibility to ensure that future generations understand this horrific part of our history and that we commit, and recommit, to "Never Again".

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

New student housing under construction at BCIT

Construction is underway on a new 12-storey mass-timber building that will provide 470 students with affordable on-campus housing at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Burnaby campus.
Our government is taking action address the student housing shortage and we’re doing it at an incredibly fast pace, with over 7,766 new beds open or under way.

This mass timber building will ensure students have affordable housing options, while also reducing demand on the local rental market.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSFS0025-000528

New strategy positions B.C. as a global hub for life sciences

More innovative companies will have opportunities to grow and create high-paying jobs while advancing health and pandemic preparedness at home and internationally through a new made-in-B.C. Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy.

This new strategy will help address challenges like the current skills shortage and the need for additional wet lab space, purposefully preparing for the future and supporting B.C.’s businesses by improving our competitiveness.

B.C. is home to one of Canada’s fastest growing life sciences sectors, and this strategy will chart the path forward toward an inclusive, sustainable and innovative economy that works for everyone.
Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023JEDI0022-000540

BC seeks input from internationally trained professionals

Internationally trained professionals are invited to share their views on the foreign credential recognition process in B.C. and identify barriers that may be preventing them from fully participating in the labour market.

This survey is part of a wider engagement effort that will inform the development of legislation. Feedback gathered through an online survey will inform legislation to improve foreign credential recognition.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSFS0026-000558

Province takes action to protect supply of diabetes drug in BC

The Province is enacting a new regulation effective immediately to ensure that diabetes patients in B.C. do not experience a shortage of the diabetes drug semaglutide, known widely as Ozempic.

Through the new regulation, British Columbians, other Canadian citizens and permanent residents can buy Ozempic through B.C. pharmacies both in person and online.

Currently, the regulation includes semaglutide drugs, including Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, but other drugs can be added as needed to protect patients and ensure they continue to have regular access to and supply of the drug they need.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0046-000554

B.C., Metro Vancouver partner to develop thousands of new affordable homes

The Province, through BC Housing, and Metro Vancouver, through the Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation, are working collaboratively to build new affordable housing for people in the Metro Vancouver region.

BC Housing and Metro Vancouver have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will result in the construction of approximately 2,000 affordable homes over the next 10 years at priority sites identified by Metro Vancouver.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0030-000493

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
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