Newsletter from MLA Morissette
By MLA Steve Morissette
The Legislative Assembly’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services wants to hear from British Columbians during its upcoming consultation on Budget 2027.The Committee is accepting registration for public hearings until April 10 at 2 p.m. (Pacific). To participate and for details on the consultation, visit la-bc.ca/consultations or contact the Parliamentary Committees Office by email at FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca or by phone at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free in BC).
MLAs say recruitment campaign bringing over 80 health care workers to Interior Health
We’re focused on showing that B.C. is an attractive place to work, through universal health care, inclusive workplaces, and faster credential recognition. In Interior Health, we have recruited over 80 health care workers from the USA including 26 physicians, 43 nurses and 4 Nurse Practitioners, with more to come!! Our Health Connect Registry waitlist is going down, more and more people are being attached. We’ll only see that attachment happening quicker as the year progresses and more professionals come to our region.
Enhanced coverage in B.C. supports more people with diabetes
People in B.C. have access to expanded coverage of diabetes-related supplies and devices with help from federal National Pharmacare funding. At the start of the month, we announced that people in B.C. would no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for some diabetes medications. Building from that, and as part of National Pharmacare in B.C., we are expanding coverages so people living with diabetes have greater access to care at less cost.
Readying B.C. to deliver more homes for people in communities
Providing communities new tools to reduce upfront costs for homebuilders and allowing communities to be eligible for federal infrastructure funding is the goal as the Province introduces legislative amendments to help get more homes built quicker. People need more homes they can afford, and lowering the upfront costs of building helps make that happen, and limits on when communities can reduce development charges make it harder to move important housing projects forward. These changes will help local governments be eligible for more federal funding and support homebuilders so more homes and community infrastructure can get underway sooner.
Improving conduct standards for local governments
Our government is introducing legislation to strengthen conduct standards for local elected officials so people throughout B.C. can count on local governments that work respectfully and focus on serving people. Every community benefits from local leadership that is accountable and focused on priorities that matter to people. Establishing a mandatory code of conduct and a transparent process to address conduct issues will provide clarity and predictability for councils and boards across B.C.
Building volunteer fire department capacity
The Province is investing nearly $4 million to equip and train volunteer and composite fire departments, strengthening emergency response and keeping people in communities throughout B.C. safer. Including $11,910 to Castlegar for Firefighter training and personal protective equipment and $480,000 to Central Kootenay Regional District for Breathing-apparatus, fire-equipment and firefighter training. Volunteer firefighters show up when it matters most, and this funding equips them to respond faster and more effectively. Every community faces different risks and these projects will allow local fire departments to invest in the specific training and equipment they need to keep both responders and residents safe.
Strengthening conservation, stewardship at BC Parks with licence plate program
As the BC Parks Licence Plate Program nears its 10th anniversary, British Columbians are showing strong support for provincial parks, with sales of the specialty licence plates now reaching more than 630,000 since the program began in 2017. Through the licence plate program, we’re investing directly in the care of our parks and protected areas and enhancing the visitor experience. From April 2024 until March 2025, more than $10 million was invested into more than 220 meaningful projects and programs in parks throughout B.C.
Launching new training projects for people facing barriers to employment
More people are training for in-demand jobs through new labour market training projects launched in British Columbia. We want people to have the support they need to find in-demand jobs and build stronger futures for themselves and their families. We are funding more training to help people gain the practical skills and work experience they need to move toward good-paying jobs, while supporting local communities.
Stay informed and safe this season:
Visit PreparedBC.ca/SevereWeather for tips and resources
Check road conditions before heading out at https://www.drivebc.ca/
For weather alerts, visit https://weather.gc.ca/
For emergency updates, visit https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
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/
