Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 Announcement & Affordable Housing Units in Burnaby! 📢

Dear <<First Name>>,

I love Burnaby and it has been a place I call home for over 40 years. Burnaby Hospital has taken care of my family throughout all these years, including the birth of my two children. While Burnaby is one of the province's fastest-growing communities, our hospital has not undergone an upgrade for over four decades.

I am delighted to join Health Minister Adrian Dix, fellow Burnaby MLA's, and Burnaby Mayor's Office to announce the Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 Redevelopment project, which will build spacious, up-to-date, and safe healthcare facilities for the current and future populations in Burnaby.

Special thanks to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation, and Fraser Health for making this announcement possible.

Read more about the announcement: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0114-001452

I had the opportunity to visit the opening of the Susana Cogan Place, a 20-unit affordable housing project in Burnaby, with my colleagues MLA Raj Chouhan and Mayor Hurley. This is one of the many affordable housing units being built in our community.

We know more housing like this is needed to help people live affordably, which is why our BCNDP government will continue to work with all partners to boost the supply of affordable housing in Burnaby, lower mainland, and throughout the province.

New homes open for families, seniors in Burnaby (gov.bc.ca)

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

Province caps annual rent increase well below inflation

For the second consecutive year, B.C.’s maximum allowable rent increase is being set below the inflation rate. The maximum increase for 2024 will be 3.5%.

Across the country, costs have been increasing — especially for housing — at a rate that’s unsustainable for many people. We know that’s the case for both landlords and renters, and that’s why we’ve found a balance to protect renters while helping to keep rental units on the market.

Provincial Tuition Waiver Program expanded to former youth in care of all ages

People looking to enrol in post-secondary education, who are former youth in care, will benefit from an expansion of the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, which has launched for the fall semester.

This program has made a massive and positive impact on so many peoples’ lives to shape their future without barriers, financial burdens or worry. Expanding this program to all former youth in care will provide significant support to British Columbians to seize the opportunities in this changing economy while providing them with the skills and talent needed to build the lives they deserve.

Read more: https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2020-2024/2023PSFS0050-001455.htm

B.C. secures measures to ensure families feel safe accessing public spaces

To help ensure kids and families feel safe in their communities, the Province has received approval from the federal government to prohibit the possession of illegal drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.

Our government is committed to breaking down barriers and connecting people to the supports they need. We requested this amendment from Health Canada to ensure that families feel safe in their community while continuing to use every tool available to fight the toxic-drug crisis and save lives.

Effective Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, possession of illicit drugs within 15 metres of any play structure in a playground, a spray or wading pool, or a skate park will be prohibited.

Premier’s statement on launch of expert task force on emergencies

With the profound effects of climate change, this year’s unprecedented wildfire season has had a devastating impact on people in British Columbia. Hundreds have lost their homes, tens of thousands were forced to evacuate and two heroic young B.C. firefighters tragically lost their lives.

Our immediate focus remains on fighting wildfires as well as helping people and communities contend with the impacts of drought. Additionally, we must continually update and enhance our prevention and response measures to the near-constant series of emergencies we are facing as a result of climate change.

That’s why our government will be launching the expert task force on emergencies to determine how we can simultaneously better support those on the front lines and help apply the lessons we have learned in preparation for the next emergency.

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.