Dear Friend,

Wasn’t Pride fun? I had a great time at the Pride Parade on Sunday. I was also pleased to spend time with Phyllis Webstad, the founder and CEO of the Orange Shirt Society — a truly amazing person who took her own story of having her favourite shirt taken away from her at a Residential school into a nation-wide movement of change. Last year, Phyllis received the Order of British Columbia, and rightfully so! This year’s recipients were just announced – check out the extraordinary folks making the Province a better place here.

This week was busy with preparing and presenting the 2024–2025 Public Accounts — an annual report of the province’s revenues and expenses from the previous fiscal year. Although we ended with a lower deficit than expected, there is still lots of work to do. However, I’m pleased that our debt-to-GDP ratio remains one of the lowest in the country. If you would like more information on this, please check out my interview with Gloria Macarenko on CBC this morning.

This is the final weekly newsletter before our new format, where I will be transitioning to monthly updates. My team will be creating riding-specific news and event updates on a projected a bi-weekly basis. I hope the rest of the summer is safe and joyful for you and yours.

Brenda

Continued Funding for Community Adult Literacy Program

More communities in B.C. will have access to free adult literacy programs to improve basic writing, reading, math and digital skills, which will unlock new opportunities for people and help build a stronger, more resilient workforce.

The Province invests $3.4 million annually to support the Community Adult Literacy Program. This program plays an essential role in providing basic literacy to adults, families and Indigenous communities by helping people gain life skills, secure better jobs, access further education and participate more actively in their communities. In 2025-26, the Community Adult Literacy Program will support 96 literacy programs delivered by 67 providers in 204 B.C. communities, a 55% increase from 132 communities in 2024-25.

New Long-Term Care Home Coming Soon

Construction is underway on St. Vincent’s Heather, a new long-term care home that will increase access to care for seniors in the Lower Mainland.

St. Vincent’s Heather is a new 13-storey long-term care home that will include space for 240 residents and help meet the needs of local seniors. It will feature:

• Community living with personal space: 20 households on 10 floors will each support 12 residents in private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and shared living, dining, kitchen and laundry spaces.
• Support for people with dementia: The design and daily routines are based on a model that helps people with dementia stay active, social, and feel more at home.
• Onsite amenities: The centre includes a theatre, hair salon, library, café bistro, chapel, and rooms for physiotherapy and exercise.
• Culturally inclusive spaces: Indigenous-centred features include a sacred room for cultural and spiritual care, and a medicine garden with traditional healing plants.
• Connected to the community: The site will include a 37-space child care centre with an outdoor play area, a community centre, and a public plaza helping the neighbourhood stay connected.

Report Update on B.C.’s Primary Care System

As part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025, the Province and BC Green caucus have released the first of two reports outlining key findings from their assessment of B.C.’s primary care system.

This first report provides an overview of investments in B.C.’s primary care system since the launch of the Primary Care Strategy in 2018. It highlights significant actions taken to expand primary care capacity and accessibility. Since 2018, nearly 750,000 people in British Columbia have become newly attached to a primary care provider. As of June 2025, 76% of people in B.C. have a longitudinal primary care provider. A final report, focusing on an assessment of the barriers affecting the expansion and effectiveness of B.C.’s primary care system – particularly on community health centres – will be released publicly in fall 2025.

Congratulations to the Order of British Columbia Recipients

I would like to congratulate 2 extraordinary individuals, Dr. Mark Jaccard and Alan Twigg, CM, who have been appointed to the 2025 Order of British Columbia.

Dr. Mark Jaccard was appointed for his career contributions to global climate action through innovative energy and environment policy analysis, public engagement and pragmatic, science-based leadership.

Alan Twigg, CM, was appointed for his unparalleled contributions to B.C.’s literary landscape, championing writers, preserving stories and building the foundation of a thriving literary culture.

Their exceptional contributions to our province have made a lasting impact in B.C. and beyond.

Local Spotlight: KitsFest!

KitsFest is back and ready to celebrate arts and sports with games and activities for all! Join in games like spikeball, chess, water polo, basketball, volleyball and more (registration for games is recommended). Checkout live music, movie night, the Family Fun Zone, RBC Chill Zone, and much more!

As KitsFest celebrates their 17th anniversary, the RedZone Flag Football Championship is back on August 9 and 10 for games of touch football! With special guest appearances from the BC Lion and Seattle Seahawks. In addition to the championship matches, there will also be clinic and workshops led by football coaches so participants can refine their technique, learn strategies, and gain insight from the experts.

And don’t miss Vancouver’s own Gold Medallist Olympic breaker Phil ‘Wizard’ Kim, plus 8 of BC’s top breakdancers, at the Live BBoy Battle!

There are so many different activities and competitions, that athletes, and their fans, of all ages and abilities will be sure to find something to keep their hearts pounding, all weekend long! Checkout the full list of events and attractions.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

Canoe Cultures – Canoe Carving Demonstrations

• When:  Aug 8th to Aug 10th, 11AM - 6PM
• Where:  Ocean Artworks, Granville Island (1531 Johnston St.)
• Admission: Free

Canoe Cultures is a local community organization that celebrates resiliency by bringing forth the War Canoe as a vessel which carries gifts forward for future generations. 

Carvers from Squamish and Snuneymuxw First Nations honour the strong cultural connection the canoe has to the lands and the waters.  Carvers will be working on their newest design, a cedar strip 6-person war canoe. They will also be working on paddles and other associated artwork. The experience of crafting a dugout from a massive single red cedar log or red cedar strip is a rare opportunity as there are few canoe carvers left in Canada to pass the knowledge on to their communities.

As part of the Canoe Culture Program, Lead Carver Mike Billy Sr. addresses the cultural transmission of Indigenous knowledge from one generation to the next.

Live Artist Demonstration - Eleanor Hannan

• When: Aug 9th, 1PM – 4PM
• Where: Craft Council of BC, Granville Island (1386 Cartwright St.)
• Admission:  Free

The Craft Council of BC is excited to announce the return of their live artist demonstrations this summer, right outside their shop and gallery on Granville Island!

This week’s artist is Eleanor Hannan, who has been involved in the textile arts field including embroidery for most of her life in some way or another, even as she is also a painter and drawer, this informs her textile work. She thinks in cloth and thread combinations as they relate to drawing. Recently Eleanor has been developing techniques in textile narratives that allow for a dimensional surface that enhances the viewers experience of the stories she is telling. She is also trying out unexpected compositional elements including speech bubbles.

Join CCBC to watch professional artists bring their creative process to life in real time. Discover the inspiration, techniques, and stories behind their unique craft practices, while seeing how your favourite handmade pieces come to be. They can't wait to see you there!

Astro Arts Festival

• When: Aug 8th to Aug 10th
• Where: Astro Club Campus (165 W 4th Ave.)
• Admission:  Free

A new festival is aiming to recapture some of what was lost when the Vancouver Mural Festival shuttered, while also creating something new.

The Astro Arts Festival will have its inaugural event from Aug. 8 to 10, 2025, in Mount Pleasant. The fest will feature more than 35 experimental murals, graffiti, and street art painted live through the weekend; there will also be food trucks, DJ sets, beer gardens, and more art.

It's all taking place at the Astro Club, a creative space and arts collective, based at 165 W 4th Ave. Part of the festival will see six large-scale murals created, making a huge mural wrap.

There will also be an exhibition featuring more than 100 local artists curated by Douglas Coupland, Pablo Zamudio, and Astro Arts' Drew Young.

All events, including the Alley Jam, Artists Market, Mural Wrap, and Open studios are free, with raffle ticket sales and VIP packages available for purchase.

Chinese Unicorn Dance Workshop + Hakka Summer Rising with Kirin Rising

• When: Aug 10th 2PM – 4PM  
• Where:  Chinatown Memorial Plaza (137 Keefer St.)
• Admission: Free (registration required)

Have you ever seen the Hakka kirin dance 客家舞麒麟? The kirin 麒麟, or Chinese unicorn, is one of the four sacred animals in Chinese mythology, alongside the dragon, phoenix, and turtle. Led by Hakka youth from Kirin Rising 麒麟革命 of Vancouver's Chinatown, this is a rare opportunity to witness and participate in a kirin dance workshop to learn more about the centuries old tradition, a deeply significant cultural symbol for the Hakka people 客家 ("guest family").

Despite the enduring historical oppression and genocidal violence towards the Hakka people, particularly from the Cantonese in Guangdong’s Sze Yup 四邑 region where many in Vancouver Chinatown trace their roots, the kirin dance continues to embody Hakka resilience and pride.

Event Amenities: Light snacks and beverages will be provided throughout the event.

Things to bring: Water to stay hydrated Athletic wear and comfortable clothing

African Descent Festival 2025 at English Bay Beach

• When: Aug 9th to Aug 10th
• Where: English Bay Beach (1795 Beach St.)
• Admission: Varies

The African Decent Festival is a FREE and inclusive community event – welcoming immigrants, refugees, people of African descent, and the general public. The festival is the only event of its kind that offers a wide-ranging opportunities for the presentation and enjoyment of Afro-Canadian artistic expression.

As Vancouver's African Descent Festival celebrates its 11th year, one of the city's most beloved citizens is being put in the spotlight as well, Joe Fortes!

A prominent figure in Vancouver's earliest days, not for business or politics, but as the lifeguard at English Bay Beach, Joe Fortes saved lives and taught thousands how to swim. He was so popular that when Vancouver celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1986, Fortes, who passed away in 1922, was voted Citizen of the Century. This year's two-day festival takes place on Aug. 9 and 10 at the beach where Fortes lived, worked and taught.

The festival will feature live music, including Sunday headliner Awilo Longomba and former Urban Boyz member Safi Madiba on Saturday.

Along with the live music and party on the beach, there will be an artisan market, food vendors and a fashion show.

Land & Love Pride Market

• When: Aug 16th 11AM – 6PM
• Where: Museum of Vancouver
• Admission: Free

This market will take place in the Museum of Vancouver’s upper lobby for a day celebrating Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer and/or LGBTQA+ artists. Discover amazing art, crafts and goodies from talented local makers who are here to share their creations with you.

Come shop, connect and soak up the joyful vibes—everyone is welcome! Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, meeting local artists or just popping by to show your support!

Admission to the Market is free, however regular admission rates apply if you want to visit the galleries (self-identified Indigenous visitors are always welcome free of charge). Don’t miss your chance to celebrate Pride, community and culture all in one place!

Kites for Peace – 80th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War

• When: Aug 17th 11AM – 3PM
• Where: Sunset Beach Park (1204 Beach Ave.)
• Admission: Free

In 2025, Veterans Affairs Canada and our partners are marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

After the war in Europe was over on 8 May 1945, the Allies began to concentrate their military power in Asia and the Pacific. More than 10,000 Canadians contributed on land, in the air, and at sea in the various theatres of the region. After a grueling six years of war, 15 August 1945, now known as V-J Day, marked the end of the war in the Pacific and the official end of the Second World War.

Veterans Affairs Canada will host a commemorative event at Sunset Beach to mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of the Second World War, culminating in a unique “Kites for Peace” activity. The event will include local historian speakers, live musical performances and exhibitors showcasing diversity, Canadian multiculturalism, and Canada’s military contributions, with a specific focus on the end of the Second World War. There will also be a kite decorating workshop and a chance for participants to fly their “Kites for Peace.”