Newsletter from MLA Morissette
B.C. is an amazing place to call home. People come here to live, work, and raise a family because they know it’s one of the best places in the world to be. And British Columbians make it such a great place. But our way of life is being threatened by the trade war and tariffs threatening our economy.
As we celebrate the arrival of spring, we know British Columbians want to support local – they’re taking trips all over the province to visit family and enjoy new places they’ve never explored before, buying local food and supporting local businesses. The choices British Columbians are making every day are a strong show of support for local businesses, workers, and communities. People are doing their part, and we want to keep it going.
As a government and as your MLA, we’re working to support local spending public dollars partnering with Canadian companies, trading with Canadian businesses and other provincial governments, and investing our provincial funds in ways that deliver benefits for British Columbians. Every dollar we spend is focused on building a more secure, resilient economy and province for people in B.C.
This week, Premier Eby, Ministers, Brittny Anderson, Diana Gibson and Ravi Parmar visited Kootenay Monashee. Ministers Anderson and Gibson have Kootenay roots, but it was great to show the Premier and Minister Parmar why we love the Kootenays! We were able to highlight major employers such as ATCO, Kalesnikoff, Teck, and Celgar. Meet with local elected officials such as the Mayor and CAO of Trail, the Mayor of Fruitvale, some Regional Directors, and School Board Trustees. Highlight for Premier was Red Mountain Ski Resort, where we expect him to visit again with his family.
Our focus is on the prosperity of British Columbians. We’ll keep this focus as we move forward.
It was thrilling to tour the Waneta Dam power production with Premier David Eby, our Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Diana Gibson.
Forest Minister Parmar, staff, and I visited Scott and Rebecca Weatherford and staff at ATCO Wood products. Following the meeting, I gave Minister Parmar a tour of Fruitvale, showing off our new daycare, affordable housing, and little league park.
Minister Parmar also was able to get a tour of Kalesnikoff’s facilities and staff in both the mass timber and Castlegar facilities.
Mercer Celgar Limited will receive as much as $1.75 million to modernize its small-log line and install equipment capable of processing smaller-diameter logs and a wider range of low-grade fibre. This investment will help maximize the value of fibre inputs and secure more than 400 jobs at the facility, making it one of the largest employers in the region!!
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025JEDI0016-000360
Kootenay MLAs Steve Morissette and Brittny Anderson chatting with Ben and Ted Hall, who founded Spearhead and take pride in hiring highly skilled trades and employing more people per cubic metre of fibre because of prefab digital work.
It’s been an honour hosting Premier David Eby this week! We met with some local elected officials, industries and businesses. RED Mountain Resort was most definitely a highlight! Thanks to staff and everyone who made him feel welcomed.
Eagle Estates in Castlegar is open and has already started to welcome residents. This development brings more affordable homes to our community, along with access to the local, community-centered amenities everyone deserves. I am proud that our Government invested $1.3 million into this project and look forward to seeing more housing in our region! Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HMA0030-000366
Graduated licensing changes improve accessibility, safety
Our government has introduced legislation to improve graduated licensing programs to create a simpler, more accessible process for new drivers, while improving safety standards for motorcycle drivers. These changes are intended to improve road safety for new drivers and motorcyclists by ensuring they gain more on-road experience, and improve licensing accessibility by addressing barriers experienced by Indigenous and rural and remote communities. By removing unnecessary barriers for new drivers and strengthening safety measures for new riders, we’re making the licensing system more accessible while helping to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Increases in accident benefit health-care services rates
People in British Columbia recovering from vehicle accidents will see increased coverage amounts for many health-care practitioners as our government makes improvements to Enhanced Accident Benefits paid by Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC). The province will undertake a comprehensive and independent review of enhanced care in 2026 to ensure people are receiving the high-quality health care and supports they need when recovering from a vehicle crash. This increase is an interim measure to help address increased costs of health services.
Sick notes restriction will leave more time for patient care
Changes to the Employment Standards Act will leave health-care providers with more time to spend with patients by eliminating the need for workers to get sick notes for short-term absences from work. We’ve heard clearly from doctors around the province that unnecessary paperwork robs them of valuable time to see their patients. When you’re sick, the last thing you should have to do is go to your doctor or a medical clinic in order to get a piece of paper saying you’re sick.
Please join your community at our local National Day of Mourning ceremonies on Monday, April 28th, to remember those who have lost their lives on the job, and to renew our commitment to creating safer workplaces. Ceremonies will be held at the following locations in our region:
CASTLEGAR (hosted by West Kootenay Labour Council)
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Kinnaird Park
TRAIL (hosted by United Steelworkers USW Local 480)
Time: 3:45 pm
Location: Meet at Union Hall, 910 Portland St. March to ceremony at Worker’s Monument across from the Trail Memorial Centre.
For a complete list of gatherings throughout B.C., please click here: https://dayofmourning.bc.ca/
Tariff resource websites
For Business: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/for-bc-businesses/us-tariffs-bc/
For Citizens: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/tariffs
Federal Page: https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/campaigns/canada-us-engagemen
Did you know? When you buy from local farmers, producers and processors, you’re supporting a sustainable, thriving B.C. economy. Visit https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/ to find out how you can support B.C.’s food and beverage sector today! We work best when we work together, and times like these show how great we are at coming together to support each other.
If you have any questions or concerns about a 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 online at Steve.Morissette.MLA@leg.bc.ca or at (250) 304-2783.
Helpful resources:
- Visit the BC Benefits Connector at gov.bc.ca/BCBenefitsConnector to find benefits and savings for things like energy bills, transportation, education and training, and health care.
- Stay up to date with weather conditions and forecasts: Weather.gc.ca
- Find mental health and substance-use supports: Helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
- The United Way BC 211 Racist Incident Helpline is available by dialing (toll-free) 1 833 457-5463 (1 833 HLP-LINE). Learn more at https://racistincidenthelpline.ca/
- The Service BC Contact Centre can help you find what you need. Representatives are available by phone or email.
