MLA/Minister Katrine Conroy newsletter
By Katrine Conroy
Dear Neighbours, Friends and Community Members,
People from across the country and around the world are moving to B.C. because of our strong economy, high standard of living, and wealth of opportunity. B.C. is growing, and while this means great things for our province, it also means more pressure on our local infrastructure. Now is the time to make investments in things like rec centres, parks, water treatment plants, and other amenities for people so that we are ready for a vibrant future.
We’ve listened to local governments expressing their need for these investments. That’s why we announced a historic one-billion-dollar fund to support communities across B.C., with funds to be distributed to B.C.’s 188 municipalities and regional districts by the end of March 2023.
This investment builds on the existing infrastructure funding provided by this government and will enable B.C.’s 188 municipalities to prepare for future growth – building amenities for new home construction as well as spaces for people to gather and play. Learn more about it here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28220
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.
Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February every year; this Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 is about standing together against all forms of bullying, including transphobic and homophobic bullying, so that all students know they are valued in our schools. Every child deserves an education free from discrimination, bullying and violence. We’re working to build a safe school system where everyone can thrive. This year’s theme for Pink Shirt Day is “Belonging and Empowerment”.
Province invests in maternity care, expands UBC midwifery program
B.C. families will have improved access to maternity care as the Province increases seats in the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) midwifery program by more than 70%. The expansion at UBC adds 20 new seats to the program, bringing the total annual intake to 48, while supporting Indigenous learners in its admissions and teaching practices. Creating opportunities for people to become midwives in BC is part of the Province’s Health Human Resources Strategy, to recruit, train, and retain healthcare workers, to help make sure everyone in BC has the care they need.
BC takes action to reduce ER wait times for people in mental-health crisis.
BC is bringing into force changes to the Mental Health Act that have expanded authority for assessment from physicians to nurse practitioners, to assess patients for voluntary and involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act. These changes will reduce the pressure on emergency department physicians and nurses, and make sure that people in distress are able to get help faster. This is an important step in making sure that we are building an integrated system of care that works for everyone.
APRIL 4, 2023 – ZOOM MEETING REGISTER MARCH 13
90 minute Zoom meeting will explore your individual and collective vision for your community and the Basin through a guided conversation.
Half a century ago, the lives of people in the Columbia Basin changed forever when a series of dams altered their homes and landscapes. Columbia Basin Trust: A Story of People, Power and A Region United is the story of how they took their power back. ORDER A FREE BOOK
Stay informed on what is happening throughout this community engagement by signing up to the Our Trust, Our Future newsletter. SIGN UP HERE
Learn how the Trust came to be and hear from some of our founding directors. WATCH NOW
B.C. adds $180M to help communities prepare for natural disasters– CTV NEWS
Climate-related emergencies are becoming more frequent in B.C. We’re adding an additional $180 million to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to help communities prepare for these emergencies.
Climatereadybc.gov.bc.ca is our new one-stop-shop to help communities better prepare for future disasters and climate emergencies.
New food hub brings opportunities for farms, businesses
There will be more opportunities for farmers, and food and beverage producers and processors to grow their businesses while helping strengthen food security with the development of a new food hub in Summerland. In partnership with the District of Summerland and Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, the Province is investing $800,000 over two years in a new Okanagan Food and Innovation Hub in Summerland, and growing the Hub Network to 13 facilities throughout the province. Food hubs provide a commercial shared food-processing and innovation space that are helping increase the volume of food grown and processed locally, creating more demand for ingredients from local farmers and increasing the number of people employed locally by the food industry while addressing food safety and security issues.
BC modernizes oil, gas, energy regulator board
The Province is improving transparency in oversight and governance of the energy resource sector through a more modern, inclusive and larger board for its energy regulator. Key changes include requiring indigenous representation on the board, and an official name change from the BC Oil and Gas Commission to the British Columbia Energy Regulator, to better align the name with the expanded role of regulating the life cycle of energy industries in BC. These changes will ensure that the regulator board reflects the needs and values of BC’s modern energy industry.
Helpful resources:
< >Find out about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters: gov.bc.ca/covid19vaccineFind mental health and substance-use supports: wellbeing.gov.bc.caFind climate disaster support and resources: ClimateReadyBC (gov.bc.ca)
