Dear Friend,

We’ve officially wrapped the Spring Session at the BC Legislature. It’s been a very busy session, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.

We remain laser-focused on protecting people in this province and building an economy that can withstand external threats — including those posed by President Trump and his trade war. His continued reference to “the 51^st state” threatens both our sovereignty and our economy, and British Columbia is responding with strength, independence, and clarity of purpose.

Our government has introduced new legislation to break down interprovincial trade barriers and prioritize Canadian goods. We’re also preparing to defend ourselves in strategic, targeted ways if Trump’s actions begin to harm BC families and workers. As part of that response, we’ve removed all U.S.-made liquor from BC Liquor Stores and eliminated Tesla charging products from CleanBC and BC Hydro rebate programs. We won’t subsidize companies that may act against our interests.

We’re accelerating major infrastructure and energy projects to create good-paying jobs and deliver results faster. Permitting times for large projects — including mining — have been significantly reduced; in mining alone, timelines are down 37%. Since 2017, we’ve launched 226 school construction projects and 30 hospital and healthcare builds. Projects like the Broadway Subway and Surrey SkyTrain are moving forward, and BC Hydro rates remain among the lowest in North America — well below inflation — even as we expand renewable energy production.

We’ve also made significant progress in strengthening our healthcare system. Over the past two years, we’ve hired 1,000 new family doctors, opened new hospitals in Terrace and Fort St. James, and passed legislation eliminating unnecessary sick notes to free up doctors’ time. A new medical school at Simon Fraser University — the first in Western Canada in more than 50 years — is on the way, and we’ve added 128 new medical school seats at UBC. Meanwhile, more than 1,200 nurses and health professionals from the United States have expressed interest in moving to BC, and we’ve cut their registration time from four months to just days.

At the same time, we’re delivering real relief to families. In April, for the tenth straight month, rents in BC declined — thanks to our Speculation Tax, new housing construction, and short-term rental restrictions. We’ve cut child care fees in half, from $47 to just $19 a day on average. Prescription contraception is now free, and we’ve increased access to treatment beds by 45% since 2021. While drivers in Alberta are facing soaring insurance premiums, we’ve kept ICBC basic rates flat — saving BC drivers around $500 a year.

In an uncertain world, British Columbia is standing strong — investing in healthcare, growing the economy, reducing costs for families, and holding the line against external threats. And we’re doing all of this with a continued commitment to reconciliation and sustainability – guiding principals even as we accelerate our economic growth.

During this final week, we welcomed a couple of special guests to the Legislature. TELUS Kits for Kids made their annual visit, and I was able to help stuff some of the 20,000 backpacks they’ll be distributing to school-aged kids across BC. My colleagues and I packed about 900 of those backpacks right at the Legislature. For the past 20 years, TELUS has provided essential school supplies to children in need across Canada — it’s an incredible initiative I’m proud to support.

We also hosted EV car dealers at the Legislature. As you know, I’m a big fan of electric vehicles and had the chance to see some of these impressive models at the Vancouver Auto Show earlier this year. I’m glad my colleagues got to check them out as well.

This summer, I look forward to connecting with more community members at local events, in my (almost finished) office, and around the province.

All my best,

Brenda

Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program

Businesses in British Columbia will be better protected against property crimes with the launch of a new public-safety initiative focused on addressing street disorder and non-violent offences.

The new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement (C-STEP) program will boost police efforts tackling public-safety challenges that are affecting businesses and communities. Through C-STEP, police can strengthen operations that address street crimes, such as robbery, shoplifting, theft and property damage, and the associated impacts on public safety, community well-being and the growth of B.C.’s economy.

In addition to enforcement, C-STEP will also support police initiatives to develop co-ordinated operational plans that unite law enforcement, businesses, outreach teams and social services to deliver a strategic, preventive approach to tackling street disorder.

Funding provided through C-STEP can also support proactive patrols and increased police presence to improve physical and social conditions of public spaces by addressing disruptive or unlawful behaviours, such as open drug use or trafficking, disturbances, obstruction, indecent acts and/or public intoxication.

Mining Investments Will Combine Economic Growth, Reconciliation and Conservation

Premier David Eby outlined an approach to mining development in the northwest that combines economic growth, reconciliation and conservation to realize an opportunity for tens of billions of dollars in investment and thousands of good paying jobs to support families throughout the province.

To drive B.C. becoming the economic engine of Canada’s new economy, the Province will support the strategy through a range of measures. In the coming weeks the province will provide additional details on how the plan will be executed, including:

• working to complete consent-based agreements with First Nations to provide predictability on processes for resource development;
• an inclusive expedited process to protect important lands and watersheds in partnership with First Nations that balances with development of this significant economic opportunity;
• investments in the social well-being and physical infrastructure northern communities need to thrive alongside new economic growth;
• working with other provinces and Ottawa to seek new trade agreements that prioritize B.C.’s minerals and metals;
• continuing government’s work to provide resources to speed up permitting while maintaining high environmental standards and B.C.’s commitment to reconciliation;
• Building out B.C.’s clean electricity grid, powering new mines and mine extensions, while ensuring B.C.’s mine industry is the cleanest in the world;
• providing certainty and timeliness for investors through future regulatory and infrastructure policy changes;
• aligning approval processes for projects of provincial or national significance with Ottawa so that there is one project, one review.

Housing Supply Act Delivers More Than 16,000 Homes

Housing targets have delivered 16,130 net new homes, built across the first 30 priority municipalities. In 2023, the Province implemented the Housing Supply Act, which enabled government to establish housing targets for communities based on areas of greatest need and highest projected growth. Achieving the targets within five years will help communities address projected population growth and local housing demands.

Building on the progress of the first 10 communities announced in 2024, which reported more than 8,300 homes built in their first year of targets, six-month progress reports from the second and third sets of priority communities show more than 7,800 net-new homes have been built. This shows strong local commitment to building the homes people need and planning for future growth aligned with the Province’s new housing policies.

Other communities are on track to meet their first-year targets with projects in the works. The Province will continue to support them as they accelerate approvals and meet the new provincial requirements, and will also monitor progress and consider next steps for municipalities that do not meet housing targets.

BC Parks Improves Accessibility Standards

Following the release of the BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion in March 2023, facilities such as washrooms, parking lots and access trails to park features have been upgraded to accessibility standards in many parks throughout the province. The upgrades are among several initiatives that help remove barriers that restrict people from accessing outdoor recreation.

BC Parks has been creating more accessible facilities for years and incorporates universal design standards into all new campground and recreation expansion projects, where possible. In 2024, accessibility upgrades were included in more than 25 projects. This year, more than 20 projects are underway that will improve park access for people with disabilities.

Minimum wage increases to $17.85 on June 1

B.C.’s Integrated Marketplace Continue to Help Businesses Scale Up

B.C. is investing $30 million over three years in the Integrated Marketplace program to help more technology companies scale up and bring more good-paying jobs to people in British Columbia.

Created to help local companies grow and showcase their technology in the province, the Integrated Marketplace program supports the adoption of B.C. solutions by companies located at strategic partner testbed locations. B.C. companies receive assistance and reduce the risks in adopting new technologies, boosting their productivity and competitiveness. Participating companies establish valuable Canadian references who support the companies’ ability to expand their business and grow into new markets.

Testbeds can be physical or conceptual locations where the Integrated Marketplace runs projects that use commercially ready products in real-world settings to confirm benefits and efficacy. Four testbeds have been announced: YVR, the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the provincial health testbed hosted by Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services.

Applications Open: Community Housing Fund

Non-profit and municipal housing providers can apply for more than $775 million in total funding to deliver more than 4,600 rental homes through the latest intake of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund. The Community Housing Fund (CHF) provides a combination of market rentals, rent-geared-to-income housing and deeply subsidized rental units.  

Funding is available to non-profit housing organizations, housing co-operatives, municipalities, First Nations and Indigenous-led housing societies. Information on the application process is available here:
https://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/page.aspx/en/rfp/request_browse_public

Requests for proposals will be accepted continuously, with appropriate deadlines for review of submissions.

Applications Open: French-Language Funding

Applications are being accepted for French-language funding to support projects that enhance services and promote linguistic vitality.

Administered by Francophone Affairs, the funding was announced in Budget 2018. Since then, $1.75 million has supported 32 projects in areas such as health, early learning and child care, violence prevention, historical preservation, access to French-language resources, support for young families, and strengthening African cultural foundation and heritage.

Information on the application process is available here: Provincial funding opportunities - Province of British Columbia

Non-profit organizations have until June 20, 2025, to submit their application.

Celebrate Local - Vancouver Central Public Library 30th Anniversary

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch. To celebrate, the library is hosting a special tour on Saturday that will showcase its unique features and highlight the many amazing resources available. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate everything that makes libraries such inspiring, inclusive, and essential places in our communities.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

Our Grandmother the Inlet

• When: Jun 1st 1PM 
• Where: Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St.)
• Admission:  $15 General Admission

A special screening of Our Grandmother the Inlet, followed by a presentation and discussion with directors Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos and Kayah George.

Our Grandmother the Inlet is a short poetic documentary featuring Kayah George and her grandmother Ta7a, daughter of the late Chief Dan George, who performed the famous lament to Canada on its 100th anniversary. The film is a reciprocal love letter to the Inlet portraying Kayah's connection to the water, which in the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, is considered to be their oldest grandmother and place of creation.

Vessi 500 Dragon Boat Championship

• When: May 31st 9AM – 5PM
• Where: False Creek, Milton Wong Plaza (1650 Manitoba St.)
• Admission:  Free!

Vessi 500 Championship, one of the province’s largest dragon boat races, returns to False Creek. There will be four categories of races throughout the family-friendly event, as well as a Vessi pavilion and partner tents, a dragon boat-painting experience, and more.

In line with their overall work to celebrate local, this year they’re excited to launch more activities for everyone to enjoy at the Vessi 500 Championship between races! Visit Milton Wong Plaza North for family activities, live local music, and exciting cultural presentations like lion dances. All programming is free and runs from 11:00 AM-4:30 PM.

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

• When: May 30th to Jun 22nd  
• Where: Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St.)
• Admission:  Varies

A powerful political figure, Sir Robert Chiltern, M.P., is threatened with destruction by a secret past. Lady Chiltern believes that her husband is a paragon of morality and virtue until she finds out about his secret past and blackmail is threatened. Wilde at his wittiest best.

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

• When: Now - June 1st
• Where: Granville Island (Various Locations)
• Admission: Varies

The longest-running professional performing arts festival for young audiences and the first of its kind in North America and Europe, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival presents the world’s finest music, theatre, dance, puppetry, acrobatics and storytelling, as well as creative arts activities for the entire family. Families come from near and far to experience this extraordinary annual arts festival created specifically for children and families. They are dedicated to providing creative, diverse programming that engages and delights our young audience.

The VICFS artistic vision is to create a resonant, diverse, exuberant and profoundly meaningful celebration of the arts for young people through contemporary, multi-disciplinary work that personifies artistic excellence. Their multi-disciplinary approach combines numerous artistic disciplines including theatre, dance, music, circus, media arts, site-specific work and visual arts. Their inclusive programming is culturally diverse and representative of regional, national and international artists.

So come on down to Granville Island to see what VICFS has to offer for the final weekend of the year!

Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey

• When: May 30th to Jun 1st
• Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Floral Hall (5251 Oak St.)
• Admission: Varies

Fleurs de Villes are thrilled to return to Vancouver this spring for the Canadian premiere of Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey, a spectacular fresh floral celebration inspired by the famed period drama, created by Vancouver’s talented floral artists.

Join them at VanDusen Botanical Garden and step into the world of Downton Abbey. Be transported to early 20th-century England, where the aristocratic Crawley family and their devoted staff navigate a rapidly changing era.

This immersive experience will feature a curated collection of one-of-a-kind fresh floral mannequins inspired by the series’ unforgettable characters and iconic period fashion. From Lady Mary’s sophisticated beaded gowns and statement hats, to the impeccably tailored uniforms of the household staff, each floral masterpiece will bring Downton Abbey’s timeless style and compelling narratives to life.

Watch floral demonstrations, visit the weekend flower market, capture your experience at the gardens and receive a printed photograph at the photobooth. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite mannequin for a chance to win a $1,500 shopping spree and a beautiful $250 floral bouquet.

City Opera Vancouver Presents Sophia’s Forest

• When: May 30th to Jun 1st
• Where: SFU Centre for the Arts (149 W Hastings St.)
• Admission: Varies

Sophia’s Forest is a groundbreaking chamber opera by composer Lembit Beecher and Canadian librettist Hannah Moscovitch, that delves deep into the inner life of a young immigrant girl, Sophia, as she navigates the haunting memories of a childhood scarred by civil war. This poignant opera captures her emotional journey with striking intimacy and raw power, blending traditional operatic storytelling with cutting-edge innovation.

What sets Sophia’s Forest apart is its multi-disciplinary approach. It merges live performances with contemporary technology, including a mesmerizing mechanical sound sculpture that becomes an integral part of the narrative, interacting with the singers and musicians. The fusion of acoustic and electronic soundscapes offers a profound exploration of memory, trauma, and healing, creating an immersive experience that resonates long after the final note.

Lauded by The New York Times for its stirring emotional impact, Sophia’s Forest promises to take audiences on a transformative journey, where the lines between past and present, reality and memory, blur into an evocative, deeply human story.