Dear Friend,

We are back in session and what a start to the session it has been. This is a non-partisan newsletter so I will decline commenting on the behaviour of the opposition parties, but please know that your government is standing up for the human rights of all British Columbians.

As we returned to session this week, we introduced several new pieces of Legislation. We also began a new video series, explaining new Bills they are introduced: what it is called, and what is the problem it is designed to fix. You can find these short explainers at the Government of BC Instagram or Facebook page. We are introducing 19 pieces of Legislation this term, which will address a range of issues from new rules on protecting kids from vaping to enhancing our intimate images law brought in last year, to making childcare available in elementary schools. Here are the Bills introduced this week:

·         Bill 17 Intimate Images Protection Statures Amendment Act, 2025

·         Bill 18 Sexual Violence Policy Act

·         Bill 19 School Amendment Act, 2025

·         Bill 20 Prompt Payment Act

·         Bill 21 Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (no.2) 2025

·         Bill 22 Statues Act

·         Bill 23 Regulations Act

·         Bill 24 Vaping Product Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act

·         Bill 25 Housing and Municipal Affairs Statues Amendment Act, 2025

·         Bill 26 Vancouver Charter Amendment Act, 2025

·         Bill 27 Misc Statues Amendment Act (no.2) 2025

·         Bill 28 Business Parcitces and Consumer Protection Amendment Act (no.2) 2025

·         Bill 29 Child, Family and Community Service Amendment Act, 2025

This week also saw a Government MLA introduce a motion to reject the homophobic, transphobic & anti-choice views of the Association for Reformed Political Actions (ARPA). I am pleased it passed.  Shortly after, the Fourth Party attempted to bring a forward a bill rooted in hate. Again, my colleagues and I stood firmly against it. Let me be very clear: Hate has no place in this province, and we will continue to stand up for human rights every single day.

This sitting of the Legislature is shaping up to be a busy one but we’re optimistic about getting a lot of important work done. Our focus for this fall is on leveraging B.C.’s strengths to be the economic engine of Canada, moving major projects forward, helping to create good family-supporting jobs, and strengthening the province's economy. In the context of huge economic headwinds from the disruption of global trade by the US Government, this work is both more difficult and profoundly more important. For anyone who doubts the impact tariffs are having on our economy, note that the US has added additional tariffs and duties onto BC’s forestry sector. As of October 14^th, the total of combined tariffs and softwood duties will equal approximately 45%. This is potentially devastating to many forestry companies and forestry communities. Our government will be there when needed.

I know many constituents will be impacted by the labour unrest in BC. I hold the file on labour contracts, and I’m sure you will have seen me in the media lately. It’s been so tough watching our friends and family in the BCGEU take strike action, and I have been the target of many, many protests. Please see my statement on the strike, below.

As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, I hope you have the chance to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on what you’re most grateful for. I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

All my best,

Brenda

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Last week I had the privilege of attending a breakfast hosted by the Arts Umbrella in honour of the Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There was a wonderful welcome song by Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis of the Squamish Nation and heard many wise words from Debra Sparrow of the Musqueum Nation. Many years ago, when I was first elected as MLA, Debra gifted me a beautiful blanket. It hung in my old constituency office, and my team is now working on displaying it in our new space.

Legislation Introduced to Allow School Districts to Provide Childcare

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, government tabled Bill 19, the school amendment act. If passed, this act will enable school districts to provide child care to children of all ages, including infants and toddlers. Districts also will be allowed to provide care during non-school days, such as professional development days, and winter, spring and summer breaks.

These changes could also improve the ability of school districts to support sustainable child care programs or expansions by ensuring districts can recover reasonable costs. School districts will work with local communities and First Nations to inform expansion planning and how best to meet community needs

Vancouver Residents to Vote on Future of Park Board

The Province has tabled legislation in response to a request by the City of Vancouver to dissolve the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The proposed amendments to the Vancouver Charter would give city council the authority to dissolve the park board if a majority of eligible voters approve through an assent vote.

It will be up to Vancouver city council to decide if and when it holds the assent vote and passes the bylaw. To strengthen protection for permanent parks, the legislation would require a unanimous vote of Vancouver council, along with an assent vote, for removing a permanent park designation. As requested by the city, permanent parkland being transferred to First Nations would be exempt from the assent vote.

Bailey's Update on the BCGEU Strike

I know it is hard to go into the long weekend with job action still going on. Many folks we care about are on strike pay, and it is taking a toll. So too are businesses feeling the impact of not being able to replenish their alcohol and other items.

In negotiations with the BCGEU, We are trying to balance two things. First, is the goal to make sure workers receive a fair wage and good working conditions. Second, that we manage our deficit down so that the cost of borrowing doesn’t stop us from having room to take care of the things British Columbians need, like health care and schools. I do believe we can do both, and we have put forward an offer at 5% over two years that keeps these important Government workers protected from inflation. The offer also helps the lowest wage earners by increasing their wage by 6.25% over two years. We also protect their benefits and job protections. Currently the BCGEU is asking for 12% over two years – 8% in general wage increase and 4% in other asks. 12%, if carried across all the public sector, would cost Government more than 5 billion dollars and will add to our deficit.

The BCGEU has shared a few numbers that I don’t agree with. First, they have said that they are, on average, paid less than the average BC worker. But the way they compared this was apples to oranges. They compared the average salary of a BCGEU worker to the average of ALL BC workers – including Doctors and CEOs. A more apple to apple comparison is all hourly workers compared to the average BCGEU hourly wage. This comparison shows that the average BCGEU worker makes $6.28 more than the average hourly worker in BC. I don’t begrudge that – the work they do is important.

Second, the BCGEU says that they have not kept up to inflation. This is also not the case. In the last agreement in 2022, the BEGEU received 14.25% in total compensation, while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 13.90%. The offer we have on the table now is 5%, and the CPI over two years is expected to be is 4.7%.

The bottom line is that while we value and respect these workers, many of whom are our friends and family members, we have to find an agreement that is fair to both the BEGEU and all British Columbians – the folks who are both footing this bill and benefitting from the work of this important work force. I know many people are feeling the impact of this strike, and I want to get back to the bargaining table to find an agreement that balances being fair to these workers and to all BCers.

Strengthen Sexual Violence Policy for Post-Secondary Schools

The proposed sexual-violence policy act will help improve prevention of and responses to sexual violence in the public post-secondary sector. The act will strengthen consultation requirements, increase accountability and transparency in annual reports, reduce barriers for people when making formal allegations of sexual violence and help support institutions to develop policies that are guided by a trauma-informed approach. This will replace the existing Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act, and close gaps in the current framework and strengthen institutions’ responses to sexual violence.

Visit to Signals Creative Tech Expo

I attended the opening night for DIGIBc and VIFF’s collaboration, Signals 2025. It was an incredible celebration of innovation and creativity in B.C.’s digital arts sector. The showcase featured inspiring work across XR, VFX, video games, music, and Indigenous storytelling—all hosted at the Great Northern Way Centre for Digital Media campus. It was wonderful to reconnect with many familiar faces and to celebrate the talent that makes our creative tech industry thrive. A special highlight was connecting with powerhouse women in the sector, including matriarch creator Loretta Todd, Valerie Creighton from the CMF, and Prem Gill from Creative BC.

This weekend is the final weekend to attend this amazing exhibit. I encourage you to check it out!

New Training Programs for People With Barriers to Employment

With new funding, more people experiencing barriers to employment, such as Indigenous people, people on income assistance and those with complex needs, are training for in-demand jobs.

The Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement will support programs that will prepare people for in-demand jobs, such as construction workers, education assistants and hospitality workers, as well as heavy-equipment operators in forestry, civil infrastructure and excavation. The projects provide a combination of classroom training, work experience and followup support to help participants improve their employment skills and prepare them for in-demand jobs throughout B.C.

Amendments to the Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA)

The Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA) helps people who had their intimate images shared without their consent access the justice they need without going through lengthy or costly court processes. Through the IIPA, people can apply online to the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) to get their intimate images off the internet, stop their distribution and seek monetary compensation from the person, social media company or website that shared the image.

The attorney general has directed ministry staff to explore setting the maximum value at $75,000, though that amount will be determined through regulations later in the legislative process.

Amending Meeting Rules for Local and Indigenous Governments

Amendments proposed for the Community Charter and Vancouver Charter which will allow local governments to hold closed meetings when discussing culturally sensitive and confidential information shared by First Nations, and require meetings to be closed during negotiations with First Nations or other local governments. Currently, local governments can only close meetings for a limited set of reasons that do not include First Nation relations. Local governments can vote or pass resolutions in closed meetings, but all bylaws must be adopted in open meetings.

Legislation Introduced to Hold Vape Manufacturers Accountable

A new proposed law will hold vaping product manufacturers and wholesalers accountable for deceptive practices that prioritize profit over people.

If passed, the vaping product damages and health care costs recovery act, introduced on Oct. 8, 2025, will enable British Columbia to take legal action against companies that cause public harm through misleading promotion of vaping products. This law ensures B.C. can seek to recover public health costs where appropriate.

Strengthening Safety Planning to Protect Children

The Province is strengthening safety planning, helping families stay connected, while mitigating safety concerns for children and youth.

Safety plan agreements are voluntary, short-term agreements that are developed in collaboration with parents for the care of the child or youth. These agreements mitigate safety concerns in a way that supports the child or youth to remain safely with their parent, or with a trusted adult (as arranged by their parent), while awaiting the outcome of a child-protection assessment or investigation, or decision on a court order.

Legislation Introduced to Protect From Credit Card Fraud

B.C. consumers will benefit from stronger tools to protect against credit-related fraud and to support confident financial decision-making, with the introduction of the second phase of amendments to modernize consumer protection laws.

If passed, the new amendments will:

• help consumers access their credit report and score monthly for free and set up security alerts and credit freezes free of charge, providing more people with control of their critical financial information;
• create new rules for credit-reporting agencies and credit-repair businesses to ensure their services are being delivered to consumers accurately and transparently; and
• create new roadblocks to help protect against identity and credit fraud, making it harder for fraudsters to open credit card accounts or take out loans.

Public Input on Firefighters’ Health Act

The Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills, is requesting public input on Bill M 214, Firefighters’ Health Act.

Submissions can be made through the parliamentary committee consultation portal. The deadline to submit is by 3:00 p.m. (Pacific) on October 21, 2025.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

Vancouver International Film Festival

Date: October 10th to 12th, 2025

Time: Varies

Location:  Multiple venues across Vancouver

Tickets: Varies

The annual Vancouver International Film Festival showcases exceptional cinema in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It’s their last weekend of the year, so don’t miss out!

Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival

Date:  Friday, October 10th, 2025, to Sunday, October 12th, 2025

Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm (Fri), 12:00pm - 8:00pm (Sat), 12:00pm – 6:00pm (Sun)

Location: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews)

Tickets: Free

The Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival showcases the work of visual artists and performers outside of mainstream art institutions. They strive to provide a platform for these artists to share their unique perspectives and artistic visions with the community.

VanDusen Botanical Garden Harvest Days

Date: Saturdays and Sundays until October 19, 2025, and Monday, October 13, 2025

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Location:  VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St.)

Tickets: Varies

Celebrate the fall season with the return of Harvest Days at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Their veggie garden and maze area will be transformed for autumn, featuring fun photo areas, seasonal activities and entertainment, tasty treats, and more.

Girls to the Power of Math

Date:  Wednesdays, starting October 15, 2025, until December 10, 2025

Time: 3:45pm – 4:45pm

Location: Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (2305 W 7th Ave.)

Tickets: Free (registration required)

Girls to the Power of Math (G^M) is a FREE after-school program for elementary school girls and gender diverse youth to boost their confidence in math through fun games and mentors.

Note: Monday sessions are now full, and Wednesday’s sessions start date is now October 15th, 2025.

Diwali in Kitsilano

Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025

Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm (open house), 5:00pm – 8:00pm (dinner and dance)

Location:  Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (2305 W 7th Ave.)

Tickets: $21 (free for guests 5 & under)

Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu celebration of light at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House. Activities include a Bollywood workshop with "Bollywood Star" Karima Essa, henna designs, diya crafts, and delicious Indian cuisine as well as a special dance performance from some neighbours!