Supporting Tourism in BC & Burnaby Youth Week

Dear <<First Name>>,

I am so proud of Burnaby Hospital Foundation and the work they do to support and build our beloved Burnaby Hospital. This week, I had the pleasure of hosting Bill and John McCarthy to talk about the Re-development Capital Campaign, the importance of our local community hospital, and the role it plays in our community. I am honoured to be gifted with the “golden shovel."

Burnaby Hospital holds a special place in my heart as it has been there for my family in times of need, and I'm grateful to be part of such a meaningful cause. My deepest gratitude to Bill McCarthy, the Campaign Chair, for your continued support to our beloved community.

This past weekend, I attended the Surrey Vaisakhi nagar Kirtan, the largest Vaisakhi festival in North America. There was much excitement all around celebrating this wonderful occasion. I heard that it was attended by 700,000 people this year!

Thank you to everyone who made this possible: volunteers, the incredible parade, festival booths, those who shared food and drinks, and especially volunteers who helped clean up at the end.

I’m proud to recognize that BC is home to one of the largest Sikh populations outside of India. The Sikhs’ participation in our community has helped shape our province into what it is today. This event not only gave rise to the Sikh community as we know it today, but also symbolizes the values of equality, freedom, and justice that are at the core of Sikhism.

I love the meaning behind Vaisakhi: the founding of the Khalsa. The Khalsa are the Sikhs who have accepted the Sikh initiation and commit to live their lives in the spirit of service to all, with equality and compassion. Let’s continue to embody this service with heart as we continue to work through our own individual challenges.

Happy Vaisakhi, everyone!

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

Province expands support for tourism, Science World

As we look to rebuild our economy, it's important not to forget those hit hardest by the pandemic. The B.C. tourism industry has been struggling for three years, but we're doing something about it!

I am proud to announce that $30 million in one-time grants are available for tourism infrastructure and experiences in B.C. Additionally, our #BCNDP government is providing $20 million to help Science World with crucial repairs. Let's continue supporting our local businesses and attractions!

Disaster mitigation will make communities safer

Communities throughout B.C. are better able to withstand floodwaters with the completion of 24 flood-mitigation, risk and hazard assessment projects as part of a joint B.C.-Canada funding program.

The projects are valued at nearly $11 million and are part of the National Disaster Mitigation Program, which cost-shares expenses between the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

By partnering with the federal government, we are maximizing funding and supporting communities in their work to become more resilient and better prepared to face damaging floods in the future.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023EMCR0021-000598

B.C. invests in a better future for plastics

Preventing plastic waste, reducing emissions, and creating clean-tech jobs are just a few benefits of the 14 new projects under the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund, as well as a boost of more than double the previous funding for further projects.

The province is providing more than $8 million to recipients through two funding streams: reducing plastic waste through reuse, or increasing the use of post-consumer recycled plastic through processing and manufacturing.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0027-000570

B.C. food security strengthened as Province helps food processors expand

A new food processing growth fund of as much as $20 million will help B.C. food- and beverage-processing businesses increase productivity, economic opportunities and competitiveness, while strengthening food security for British Columbians.

The fund will support upgrades to established businesses, such as new or expanded production and storage facilities, upgraded technology, new product development and commercialization, and specialized training and hiring.

This helps to keep these businesses in B.C., ensuring the province’s largest manufacturing sector continues to evolve and grow.

Read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023AF0025-000588

Funding supports tech-skills training for under-represented British Columbians

A more diverse technology sector is the result of a successful start to the Innovator Skills Initiative program, providing tech companies with funding to hire and develop talent, including those from under-represented groups.

The province is investing an additional $5 million in the Innovator Skills Initiative, creating a more inclusive economy.

The initial program resulted in 70% of participants being offered jobs after placement, and 100% of them choosing employment, starting a new business or returning to post-secondary studies.

For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023JEDI0025-000589

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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