Weekly newsletter from MLA/Minister Katrine Conroy
This year, the Province is investing $11 million through the BC Air Access Program to support 26 upgrades at two dozen airports throughout British Columbia including the airports in City of Trail and City of Castlegar!
Projects include:
- Castlegar – $1.6 million to rehabilitate the aviation apron
- Trail – $19,747 to cut tops off trees around the airport for safety
News release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024MOTI0043-000452
To find out more about the BC Air Access Program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/…/aviation-infrastructure-funding
Renters in our community can face challenges in finding a good place to live. While most landlords do play by the rules, many tenants still face issues with bad-faith evictions and unfair rent increases. Our government is taking action to protect renters and landlords with stronger rules to ensure the law is respected by everyone.
If a landlord wants to evict a tenant to occupy a unit for personal use, they will soon have to go through a standardized application process and must occupy the unit for at least a year. The new requirements will reduce bad-faith evictions, giving renters more peace of mind and security. The new requirements will also remove the ability for landlords to evict tenants for personal use of units in purpose-built rental buildings with 5 or more units.
No one should have to worry about losing their home just because they want their family to grow. We are supporting growing families by eliminating the ability for landlords to increase rent if a child under the age of 19 joins a household.
We’re also speeding up wait times at the Residential Tenancy Branch, so tenants and landlords can have issues resolved sooner.
These new changes are all in addition to the other bold actions our government is taking to get more homes built faster, increase affordability, and create a fair housing market. This includes:
- Introducing a home-flipping tax to reduce housing speculation
- Allowing municipalities to increase affordable housing requirements for new developments
- Getting more affordable homes built through huge investments in BC Builds, and
- Investing in BC’s rental protection fund to preserve our affordable rental housing stock
People doing anti-racism work given more resources to fight hate
Racism is not something that any one person or group can fight alone. We need to all stand together as a community to stand against racial discrimination. That’s why more than 60 organizations (including one in Castlegar!) have received funding to support projects designed to counter racism and promote inclusivity throughout the province. Congratulations to SQx Danza!
B.C. takes action with new wildfire training and education centre, first of its kind in North America
Last summer, British Columbians endured the worst wildfire season our province has ever seen. By establishing the first-of-its-kind wildfire training and education centre in North America, we are preparing our future wildfire professionals for the critical work of protecting our forests, our communities and our families in a rapidly changing climate. Our government is taking action to ensure we are better prepared for future climate emergencies, and that starts by developing and supporting our teams of first responders.
Expanded eligibility, new supports available for current, former youth in care
Many young people continue to receive help and financial support from their families after they turn 19 and it’s our responsibility to provide this same support to youth as they leave care. New income supports and expanding eligibility means even more young people will have access to continuous support as they begin their journey into adulthood. That’s why more than 9,000 current and former youth in care will have access to essential financial, housing, educational, medical and cultural supports.
Climate action tax credit helps people with everyday costs
Across the province, people are seeing devastating wildfires and severe drought, and this coming summer could be the worst ever. Putting a price on pollution is about fighting climate change, and to ensure it’s fair, we’re providing support to most middle- and low-income families through the climate action tax credit. We will keep taking action to help with cost-of-living pressures by delivering middle-income housing, reducing child care and ICBC costs, and boosting tax credit and benefits.
