Updates from Finance Minister/MLA Katrine Conroy
By Katrine Conroy
Dear Neighbours, Friends and Community Members,
As we welcome the new year, I hope you all enjoyed a happy and restful holiday, and your 2023 is off to a good start.
As your BC government, we’re continuing to tackle the issues affecting British Columbians most. Alongside our new Premier, David Eby, we’re working hard on issues like affordability, housing, community safety, and healthcare for British Columbians.
Just this week, we’ve announced almost 1400 new $10-a-day childcare spaces across B.C., British Columbians received their increased affordability credit and families will be receiving their increased BC Family Benefit later this month. We also instituted new protections for people buying homes in B.C., creating a three-day protection period for people putting offers on homes. This is just the start of our work this year to continue to serve the needs of families across the province and make life better for British Columbians.
My community office is open Monday to Thursday 10-3pm. Please call or email in advance to let Angelika and Sarah know when you are planning to come in so they can be ready in advance to assist you. If you have any questions or concerns about any provincial issue, or need assistance with a provincial body, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help. My office can be reached at 250-304-2783 or Katrine.Conroy.MLA@leg.bc.ca.
Happy 2023!
Katrine Conroy
MLA Kootenay West
Newsletter HIghlights:
An essential service’: BC says $10-a-day child care to reach more parents in 2023
More families in B.C. will now save thousands of dollars per year as over 1,375 child care spaces joined the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program this month. Spaces in the $10-a-day program reduce the average cost of child care from $1,000 a month to $200 a month, saving families an average of $800 a month per child. More spaces will be added during the coming weeks to meet the goal of 12,500 spaces by February 2023.
Labour Force Survey – BC Gov News
As British Columbians navigated new global challenges throughout 2022, last year’s job numbers show that we’re stronger when we work together. We defied the odds and added 62,900 new jobs in 2022 while our unemployment remains near all-time historic lows at 4.2%.
People shouldn’t have to choose between going to work sick or losing wages. Don’t forget – most workers in BC have access to a minimum of 5 paid sick days per year – whether working part- or full-time. Learn more: gov.bc.ca/PaidSickLeave
Camping reservations for B.C. Parks now open | CBC News
It’s time to get out the calendar & start planning camping trips in our beautiful provincial parks. Many of BC Parks’ campsites are now open for reservations for 2023. You can book a campsite site up to four months ahead of your arrival date.
Increased funding for Human Rights Tribunal will make justice more accessible
Nobody should be forced to live with intolerance and bigotry. People bringing forward human rights claims will now have better access to justice through increased funding for the BC Human Rights Tribunal. By supporting faster access to justice at the tribunal, we’re helping people across the province get the justice they deserve.
PharmaCare expands diabetes, heart failure, blood clot drugs coverage
Thousands of people in B.C. will benefit from BC PharmaCare’s expanded coverage of medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, heart failure and blood clots. Effective Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, drug coverage for two medications, dapagliflozin and apixaban will be expanded from limited coverage to regular benefit. At the same time, two other medications namely, empagliflozin and semaglutide will have their limited coverage criteria expanded. These changes will ensure that coverage is aligned with clinical evidence and will improve patient access to appropriate medications.
Helpful resources:
- Find out about COVID-19 vaccines and the enhanced booster: gov.bc.ca/covid19vaccine
- Book your flu shot or find a drop-in flu shot clinic near you: gov.bc.ca/fluvaccine
- Find mental health and substance-use supports: wellbeing.gov.bc.ca
- Learn how to prepare for potential flooding: preparedbc.ca/floods
