MLA: Rossland, Castlegar, Trail and more receive provincial housing funding
By Katrine Conroy
Cancer touches all of us, and in British Columbia, lung cancer stands out as one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, while also being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
With this in mind, in Rossland, Castlegar, TrailMay of 2022 the provincial government through BC Cancer launched the Lung Screening Program, providing access to eligible high-risk people at 36 sites provincewide, including Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, (Centre & Clinic Locations (bccancer.bc.ca)) to better detect lung cancer early. In it’s first year of operation, over 5,000 lung screening tests were completed.
Early detection means that we can help find the cancer in its early stages, when there are more treatment options and a better chance of success.
Lung screening is best for those who are at high-risk for lung cancer and who are not experiencing any symptoms, as usually lung cancer symptoms don’t appear until the disease is already at an advanced stage.
If you are between the ages of 55 and 74, currently smoke or have a history of smoking, we strongly encourage you to call the Lung Screening Program.
To see if screening is right for you, please call 1 (877) 717-5864 or visit www.screeningbc.ca/lung
B.C. launches concrete actions to keep kids safe, healthy
Kids live with different challenges today than they did a generation ago. Cellphones, the internet and social media present risks that can harm kids. The province is taking action to protect kids from the threats posed by online predators and the impacts of social media companies.
We know that many people in our region – myself and staff included – are concerned about the housing crisis we’re facing and the need for more housing that people can afford. Our government has recently taken significant action to speed up and increase the creation of housing, but this means changes are needed at the local level too. Our cities, villages, and regional districts have an important role to play to create safe, affordable housing now and into the future, and that’s why we’re supporting local governments and regional districts to implement housing changes and fulfill requirements of the new legislation.
In Kootenay West the following are receiving funding:
Castlegar – $189,154;
Fruitvale – $159,276;
Nakusp – $157,704;
New Denver – $152,296;
Rossland – $169,000;
Silverton – $150,953;
Slocan – $151,383;
Trail – $186,696;
Warfield – $158,161;
RDCK– $279,143;
RDKB – $144,392;
Local news release: https://bcndpcaucus.ca/…/ndp-mlas-say-funding-will…/
Province news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HOUS0006-000051
Enhanced wildland firefighter recruitment underway
The province is opening the door for more wildland firefighters with in-depth knowledge of local terrain to join the service. Climate change causes hotter and longer fire seasons, so the demand for skilled firefighters with local knowledge has never been higher. Aligned with feedback from the Premier’s expert task force on emergencies, the improvements to the BC Wildfire Service’s hiring process have resulted in more than 1,000 firefighter applicants, with another three months of hiring to go.
B.C., Canada help farmers, ranchers prepare for extreme weather
B.C. farmers and ranchers are being supported with a new round of funding to help prepare and protect their farms and animals from extreme-weather emergencies, ensuring people will continue to have access to local food in a changing climate. Through the Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture program, $2 million is available to support producers with projects that help prepare farms for wildfires, flooding and extreme heat. Funding for B.C. farm and ranch businesses opened Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with up to $50,000 available per applicant and per project category.
As part of B.C.’s modernization of emergency management legislation, the Province is creating new regulations for post-emergency financial assistance and local authority emergency management.
Engagement timeline: October 12 to January 31, 2024
https://engage.gov.bc.ca/emergencymanagementregulations
B.C. grows critical minerals sector, sustainable jobs
Phase 1 of a new made-in-B.C. Critical Mineral Strategy delivers key actions to build a clean economy by expanding the critical minerals sector in alignment with the standards of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The world needs a stable, free, democratic, high-standard producer of the metals and minerals needed to battle climate change. B.C.’s mining sector provides many of the building blocks of clean technologies that the province and the world need to fight climate change and build a clean economy.
My community office is open this Monday to Wednesday 10am – 3pm. To ensure Angelika or Sarah are available please contact in advance to set up an appointment. The office can be reached at 250-304-2783 or Katrine.Conroy.MLA@leg.bc.ca.
Helpful resources:
- Find mental health and substance-use supports: HelpStartsHere (gov.bc.ca)
- Find Youth drug prevention supports: Youth drug prevention (gov.bc.ca)
- If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.
- 8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia.
- For more information about lung cancer, visit: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/health-info/types-of-cancer/lung
- Stay up to date with weather conditions and forecasts: https://Weather.gc.ca
