Dear Friend,

We're back with our Year in Review newsletter this week. Instead of focusing solely on the most recent events, I’d like to take a walk down memory lane and highlight some of the important work our government has done. With so much to cover, we've included links to allow you to read more about all the different issues.

Before diving into all the sections, I want to take a moment to reflect on the work I was able to accomplish as the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation (JEDI)—still the best acronym in government! During my time in this role, we focused on fostering economic growth, creating sustainable jobs, and positioning British Columbia as a leader in innovation. We made great strides in advancing the clean economy with new hydrogen projects and clean energy investments, which not only support B.C.'s environmental goals but also create jobs in the growing green sector. While I will miss this role, I am confident that Diana Gibson will do an amazing job, and I look forward to working with her.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t touch on the election and the change in ridings. I know some of you receiving this are from the old riding, and it's so nice to know you still find the information we share valuable. To those of you in my new riding of Vancouver-South Granville, I’m excited to continue serving you in both my capacity as MLA and my new role as Minister of Finance. I look forward to connecting with more constituents in the riding and helping folks learn how our team and I can best support you. Just a quick reminder that the MLA office handles issues specific to Vancouver-South Granville, so if you have a question regarding my ministry role, please reach out to the ministry directly. While the future may present challenges, I’m confident that together, we will overcome them.

I hope you enjoy the detailed look at all the areas our government has worked on for you over the past year.

All my best to you and yours,
Brenda

Year In Review 2024

Affordability

As many British Columbians continue to face increasing everyday costs, our government is actively working to address the affordability crisis. Some of our initiatives include increasing family benefit programs, increasing tax credits, tying rent increases to inflation and providing clean-energy rebates. We know that there is still more work to be done, and we remain committed to providing support for all British Columbians.

Highlights

BC Electricity affordability credit helped British Columbians save money
ICBC rebate and freezing car insurance rates
Expanding heat pump programs to save on home-energy costs
Increasing the minimum wage in BC 
Rebates for solar and batter storage systems
Boosted BC Family Benefit cheques
Tied rent increases to inflation
Increased the Climate Action Tax Credit for people
Supporting building retrofits to boost energy efficiency and cut costs

Housing

Through our Homes for People Action plan, our government is increasing the number of homes available for British Columbians so that they can live in communities they love. We introduced BC Builds, Building Permit Hub and made standardized designs available to help streamline and speed up homebuilding throughout the province. New policies such as the flipping tax aim to ensure homes are families not speculators, and new regulations for short-term rentals (STR). We also increased funding for rent-bank and put protections in place for renters and landlords, including a website to protect renters from bad-faith evictions.

Highlights

More support for local governments to deliver faster housing
Additional rent-bank funding to benefit more people
Delivering more lower-cost, middle-income rental homes faster 
More protections for renters, parents, landlords & families
Flipping tax means more homes for families instead of speculators
Expanding and improving the SAFER program
Introduced rules to rein in short term rentals to help with the lack of housing available
BC Builds adds more housing for middle-income people
New building permit hub to speed up homebuilding
Repurposing underused buildings into homes
Website to protect renters from bad-faith evictions

Education and Childcare

Since our government was elected in 2017, we have been prioritizing education and childcare with measures aimed at supporting students and families. Student safety is paramount which is why we increased funding for school upgrades and introduced access zones around schools. The much-anticipated Olympic Village School budget was finalized, and it will include a neighbourhood learning centre with childcare space and a rooftop play area. Additionally, we remain committed to making childcare more affordable for parents by expanding $10-a-Day ChildCareBC spaces from more than 15,000 to 20,000 by 2026, as well as providing more funding for the Early Childhood Education Education Support Fund. There are still challenges to overcome and we are focused on addressing these issues so more families can benefit.

Highlights

More funding available for school improvements
Access zones around schools to protect students
Olympic Village School funding and Henry Hudson expansion
More childcare spaces throughout B.C.
Additional funding for early childhood educators (ECE)
Continuing to expand our $10-a-day child care
Student and family affordability fund

Mental Health

We are continuing to expand access to addiction and mental health treatment across the province to address the ongoing challenges posed by the toxic drug crisis and rising mental health issues. These initiatives include funding additional treatment and recovery beds, opening new centres that offer more integrated health services with a focus on early intervention, and launching a treatment access line. In addition, secure treatment facilities are being rolled out to support individuals facing concurrent mental health, addiction, and brain injury challenges. The government is also taking steps to improve support for workers in high-risk occupations by expanding workers' compensation coverage for psychological injuries.

Highlights

Expanding treatment options and recovery services for people with addictions
Investing more support in mental health for youth
Improved access to mental-health supports for more occupations
New addictions care model expanding
Opioid treatment access line provides same-day access to care
Launching secure care for people with brain injury, mental illness, severe addiction

Healthcare

We are building on our efforts to meet the growing demand for health-care services because British Columbians deserve high quality care. This year we became the first province in Canada to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. We are expanding our healthcare workforce by hiring more nurses and family doctors, and we have also announced the establishment of a new medical school at Simon Fraser University, focusing on family medicine. Additionally, we are investing in cancer care throughout the province by launching cervix self-screening program, expanding access to PET/CT scans and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy, and more funding for travel programs.

Highlights

New self-screening program will help detect cervical cancer sooner
Technology to enhance cancer diagnostics, research & care
Province takes action to fund IVF, support families
More MRI and CT scans than ever before
Province supports seniors living independent, healthy lives at home
Health Connect Registry has connected thousands of people to family doctors
Strengthening cancer care and expanding access
New medical school to deliver more family doctors
Hospital at Home program
New air ambulances for BC emergency health services
Expansion of gynecological cancer care
Expanding travel program to support more cancer patients
More nurses coming to BC

Indigenous Relations

Our government remains committed to advancing reconciliation by collaboratively working with Indigenous communities throughout the province. A historic agreement was signed this year that recognized Haida Aboriginal title which shifts ownership and jurisdiction of land from the crown to the Haida Nation. Funding is being directed to support First Nations Education Institutes and Indigenous-led solutions to violence, and increased resources for Indigenous women. Additionally, we removed barriers to First Nation land registration that were discriminatory, racist and time consuming. Indigenous families will benefit from expanded Aboriginal Head Start childcare program, helping to foster early learning and growth.

Highlights 

More cultural safety support for Indigenous peoples during emergencies
Community funding supports Indigenous-led solutions to violence
Supporting First Nations education institutes​​​​​​​
Haida Nation, B.C. recognize Haida Aboriginal title, a historic first in Canada​​​​​​​
Major barrier to First Nation land registration eliminated​​​​​​​
Community funding to support Indigenous women​​​​​​​
Indigenous families will benefit from more Aboriginal Head Start child care space
Creating stronger and more resilient forest and communities
Coastal First Nations and the Province renew commitment to work together

Economy

While Minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation (JEDI), my team and I led initiatives that spurred economic growth, focusing on diversifying our economy and creating or retaining well-paying jobs. We worked closely with multiple sectors, including life sciences, agriculture, health care, the tech sector, forestry, maritime, aviation, and more.

Key investments in clean energy and hydrogen projects are advancing efforts to reduce emissions and build a clean economy. At the same time, new funding for supercomputing infrastructure at B.C. universities is enhancing research and innovation. The establishment of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Centre of Excellence further empowers businesses to adopt sustainable practices, improving their global competitiveness.

The government also took significant steps to strengthen the forest-sector manufacturing industry, creating high-quality, sustainable jobs. New manufacturing initiatives in the Lower Mainland and the establishment of an agritech plant are central to B.C.'s industrial blueprint for the future. Additionally, targeted support for rural communities and coastal economies is driving economic diversification and resilience. Further investments in B.C.'s healthcare system, including the PHSA Integrated Marketplace, are enhancing efficiency and care delivery. Through these wide-ranging initiatives, B.C. is shaping a prosperous, resilient economy that balances growth with environmental responsibility, ensuring a strong foundation for the future.

Highlights

New Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Centre of Excellence
Clean and Competitive: A blueprint for BC’s industrial future
New funding for supercomputers at BC universities 
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) integrated marketplace
New manufacturing jobs coming to Lower Mainland
New clean energy project to create sustainable jobs
New hydrogen project will create jobs, advance clean economy and reduce emissions
Partnering with YVR to support jobs & fight pollution
High quality jobs in cutting-edge bioprinted tissue therapeutics

Environment

Our government is continuing to take steps to address environmental challenges with targeted investments and initiatives. We are investing in local climate-action projects and clean technologies that help reduce emissions. We have secured over 300 hectares of land to protect old-growth forests and fines for wildlife protection are being increased to enforce stronger safeguards. We introduced a new coastal marine strategy that aims to enhance the resilience of coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Highlights

More funding available for local climate-action projects
Supporting projects that reduce emissions through clean technology 
Investments in B.C.'s electricity system
BC company developing energy efficient smart windows
More than 300 hectares of land secured to conserve old growth
Increasing fines to strengthen wildlife protection 
New B.C. coastal marine strategy supports resilient communities, economies and ecosystems
Continuing to reduce harmful methane emissions

Public Safety

We know that safety is a top concern for all British Columbians. With this in mind, the government has implemented a range of initiatives to enhance public safety, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen community resilience. To safeguard children, new online protections have been introduced, along with measures to restrict cellphone use in schools and hold social media companies accountable for mental health harms. Support for survivors of gender-based violence has expanded, including services to remove intimate images and increased funding for domestic violence units. The province has also strengthened police resources and intervention strategies to combat gang violence and online child exploitation.

Addressing the overdose crisis, B.C. is improving emergency response on campuses, banning drug use in public spaces, and expanding access to addiction treatment. Legislative changes, such as amendments to the Name Act and new corporate liability laws, reinforce the province’s commitment to safety, accountability, and community well-being.

Highlights

B.C. launches concrete actions to keep kids safe, healthy
New services help people protect their intimate images
Holding companies accountable​​​​​​​
More support for women and children facing domestic violence​​​​​​​
B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces
Government takes action to tackle gang violence​​​​​​​
Advancing community safety
Improving emergency response and overdose prevention on B.C. campuses 
New funding strengthens police work that combats online child exploitation
Changes to Name Act help keep people safe
More supports for intimate partner and sexual violence survivors

Community Initiatives

We are continuing our commitment to enhancing community well-being by introducing new initiatives and funding programs. A new Mobile Service BC Centre will increase access to services and seniors aging at home will benefit from virtual services. We are also prioritizing inclusivity and equity with anti-racism legislation, funding for anti-racism projects and a new toll-free help line for racist incidents. To tackle pressing challenges, new funding will address food insecurity, support seniors aging at home with virtual services, and provide relief for people affected by wildfires. These efforts come together to create a more inclusive, supportive, and resilient community for everyone.

Highlights

More support for BC fairs, festivals and events
New mobile Service BC centre
Funding for over 60 anti-racism projects
Expanding newcomer-services program
Funding supports francophone initiatives in B.C.
Anti-Racism legislation to address barriers for Indigenous & racialized people
New toll-free racist incident helpline
New support for people affected by wildfires
Community adult literacy programs
Helping people out of poverty
BC supports seniors aging at home with new virtual service
New Francophone child care resource and referral
More funding to tackle food insecurity 
More funding available for local climate-action projects

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2025! I am looking forward to continue working hard for British Columbians.

 As always, if you have any questions or concerns about any provincial matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my Office at Brenda.Bailey.MLA@leg.bc.ca or call at (604) 775-2601.