Newsletter from MLA/Minister Katrine Conroy
By Katrine Conroy
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who attended my retirement dinner earlier this week. The evening was truly special, and I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and well-wishes from so many friends, colleagues, and community members.
A special thank you to Premier David Eby for making the trip to the Kootenays to join in the celebration. Your presence, along with the support of everyone who came, has meant the world to me.
It has been an incredible honor to serve you all, and I am deeply grateful for the journey we’ve shared together.
Climate-related weather events have impacted farmers across our province in the last few years, including the tree fruit industry. From the winter freeze that severely damaged cherry and grape crops and completely wiped out some stone fruit crops like peaches, to the closure of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, it’s been a challenging and stressful few years for people in the tree fruit industry.
That’s why this week, Premier Eby and Minister Alexis announced both short-term supports, with more money going into farmers’ pockets through AgriStability payments, providing an estimated $15 million in immediate relief, as well as longer-term support with a new Climate Change Response Fund to help ensure we have a sustainable tree fruit sector in future years.
The new Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency program will also provide $5 million to help tree-fruit farmers buy equipment and make improvements that were not eligible under previous programs.
Additionally, we’re calling for the federal government to step up and support the sector in several ways, including improvements to the Business Risk Management Programs and better support for growers when they experience year-over-year catastrophic events.
We will continue to work closely with impacted tree fruit producers and farmers through an emergency table with leaders in the tree fruit sector to urgently work on solutions for the sector.
For specialized assistance, any producers in need and those looking for support call the AgriService BC line at 1-888-221-7141.
Cellphone restrictions in schools are coming this September. The new rules will:
- Reduce in-class distractions
- Help young people learn healthy habits around technology
- Support learning
- Support in-person socializing
Find out more about how School Districts are helping keep kids safe online:
Nearly 100 middle-income rental homes coming to Fernie, Nelson
Nearly 100 new rental homes are coming for middle-income individuals, couples and families in Nelson and Fernie through BC Builds housing projects. Working people like teachers, nurses and construction workers are the backbone of our local economies, and they’ve been squeezed by the current housing market. By tapping knowledge of local business needs, through the chamber, we’re responding to some of the identified housing challenges facing people in our communities.
New projects underway to clean up another 1,900 km of B.C. shoreline
People and wildlife in coastal communities of British Columbia will soon benefit from a cleaner coast because of new funding from the province. British Columbians and communities along our spectacular coastline want and deserve to enjoy an environment free of marine debris and plastic pollution. We are proud to support these innovative projects to reduce and collect plastic waste and create a cleaner, healthier shoreline.
