Newsletter from MLA Morissette
By Contributor
Last week my staff attended the 3rd third-annual West Kootenay Homelessness Response Summit in Nelson. The previous Summits were in Castlegar and Trail. This year the title was Cultivating Change: Planting Seeds of Action and Growing Together. 2025 West Kootenay Homelessness Response Summit | Selkirk College highlighted how our West Kootenay region is facing a pressing challenge: a rise in homelessness fuelled by colliding crises, including housing shortages, the toxic drug crisis, the rising cost of living and extreme weather events. Addressing homelessness is complex, with many diverse factors contributing to the issue. This underscores the need for innovative and collaborative regional actions.
Photos are of our Kootenay Monashee Service providers who presented at the Summit. Sheila Adcock From Career Development Society in Trail, Mary Davies from Trail Community Action Team, Reidun Rosi, ED of Castlegar Community Services, Sandy McCreight From IRIS and Tammy Hunter a local Community Integration Specialist from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction,
Resources including videos and links to findings please go here Bridging Rural Homelessness and Well-being | Selkirk College
More, better home-care supports coming for B.C. seniors
Seniors in B.C. will have better supports to age at home in their community with expanded and improved services as part of a five-year agreement with United Way BC for popular programs, such as Better at Home.
Michael McKnight, president and CEO, United Way BC –
“As the population of older adults in B.C. continues to grow, this powerful investment by the Province helps seniors remain active, connected and engaged in their communities. This stable funding is critical for United Way BC to expand and deliver the vital services that empower seniors to live dignified, independent lives in their own homes, and we’re proud to be a trusted partner in the work.”
Congratulations to the expansion communities for community connector positions in Castlegar (Castlegar Community Services), Slocan (W.E. Graham Community Services Society) and Trail, (Trail Family and Individual Resource Centre Society).
Great news for seniors in Slocan! WE Graham Community Service Society will be part of a $304 million expansion to community seniors services across BC. They will be delivering the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS) to help seniors live healthier and more connected lives.
Helping seniors to stay in their homes and the communities they love is one of the best ways we can support their health and well-being. I’m so glad that Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society will be part of a expansion to community seniors services across BC. They will be delivering Family and Friend Caregiver Supports and have a paid Community Connector to get seniors supports.
A valuable and great weekend in Kimberley at the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government annual meeting. It was great to connect with many old friends and colleagues. Photo of me with Mayor of Trail Colleen Jones and Councillor Bev Benson.
Download the AGM Agenda and Resolutions Workbook here.
Last Tuesday was a great day in the Legislature for “Science meets Parliament day”. I met with three scientists, which was so interesting! Zachary, a researcher at UBC, creates light-emitting materials for electronics, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries. Robert, from UBC Okanagan, is developing improved photocatalytic systems to go beyond photovoltaic solar cells and fully harness solar energy for a sustainable society. Michael from SFU works on Quantum phenomena like entanglement, which is beyond me!
Last week the official premiere a docuseries that the Knowledge Network filmed a during the 2023 wildfire season here in BC, following our BCWS firefighters on the front lines.
Alongside their work, it also features the stories of families affected by wildfire, including residents of Lytton; we see BCWS tech and equipment; and we are confronted up-close the reality of wildfires and wildfire fighting. The level of access granted to the filmmakers was unprecedented – this is footage the likes of which we haven’t seen before.
This is an important made-in-BC series featuring our incredible BCWS team. Here is the link to the series: Wildfire| Knowledge.ca. You can also find the preview here and share the Preview at this link https://www.knowledge.ca/program/wildfire/preview.
Province moving forward on short-term rental rules
Our government is providing an update on short-term rental registration (STR) numbers and deadlines ahead of the one-year anniversary of new restrictions to crack down on illegal listings and open up more long-term homes for people. The Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs is moving to have the timeline extended for when platforms are legally required to validate provincial registration numbers and automatically remove illegal listings.
Since the legislation was introduced to restrict short-term rentals, asking rates for long-term rentals are down 6.1% throughout B.C.
Increased BC Parks licence plate sales support more, better parks programs
Sales of the BC Parks licence plates continue to grow, helping to protect unique species and ecosystems, and improving visitors’ experiences in provincial parks. Everyone who has bought BC Parks licence plates is supporting a more sustainable future by contributing to the protection and preservation of unique species and sensitive ecosystems, as well as supporting First Nations to share their cultures and histories. The licence-plate sales generated approximately $11 million in net revenue, supporting more than 250 projects and programs in parks throughout B.C.
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.
