Dear Friend,

Have you noticed the amazing artwork that has gone up on the corner of Granville and West Broadway at the new SkyTrain station? I had the honour of being a witness for the Blessing Ceremony of Sínulhḵay—the new sculpture at The Stories at South Granville. This beautiful piece was created by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation artist James Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry and Japanese-Trinidadian artist Lauren Brevner. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing some of their work in the past and am always in awe of their blending of styles and masterful use of light. I highly recommend checking it out – especially at night. Hats off to PCI and Translink for including this gorgeous public art addition in the building design. James and Lauren are extraordinary artists ,and their collaboration will inspire wonder and delight for decades to come.

Last night, I attended an AI Security Institute reception focused on how innovators, academics, and the tech sector can work together to advance AI research that both protects individuals and fosters economic prosperity. I met interesting folks from around the world who are working on the intersection of human rights and AI – a topic I am very interested in.

Speaking of AI… perhaps you are aware of the strategic Cabinet shuffle in government yesterday. I’m delighted to see that the Premier has appointed a Minister of State for AI and future technologies. He also moved one of his most experienced Ministers, Ravi Kahlon, into the Economic Development and Trade portfolio – an important shift given the emerging complexities of the US Trade relationship and the prescient need to drive economic growth. Minister Christine Boyle, a former city councilllor, moved into the Housing and Municipal Affairs file, while Minister Chandra Herbert, a skilled relationship builder, will now lead the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation file. You can see the full list of changes here.

I look forward to seeing you this summer! Back by popular demand – we’ll be having two “Coffee with Brenda” events on July 30^th – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Keep an eye out for full details in next week’s newsletter as well as on my social media.

What an exciting weekend we are heading into! Not only are the fireworks happening this weekend, but Folk Fest as well.  Tonight, I’m headed to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park. Traffic around the Celebration of Lights is going to be rough, so it’s a great weekend to wheel, walk or ride! Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope you get to enjoy it with loved ones – and as always, stay safe out there!

Cheers,
Brenda

With James Harry & Lauren Brevner

B.C. Arts Council Funds More Than 1,300 Artists

More than 1,300 artists and arts groups throughout British Columbia received more than $37 million in grants through the B.C. Arts Council (BCAC) in 2024, helping bring their work to life and strengthening community connections.

BCAC supports arts and culture throughout the province by funding artists and organizations. These public investments amplify the council’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and to building a more inclusive and diverse arts and culture sector.

New Mortgages Services Act

People buying a home will soon be better protected by new rules and regulations for the mortgage services industry.

The Mortgage Services Act and its newly approved regulations respond to recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia (the Cullen commission). The new act expands regulatory requirements and provides the BC Financial Services Authority (BSFSA) with enhanced tools to regulate the industry, such as tools to investigate, license and set standards of conduct.

This means homebuyers can be confident that they are getting fair, safe and transparent mortgage advice. The framework sets out more explicit requirements for mortgage brokers to provide homebuyers with honest, transparent advice so that they are not unknowingly entering into risky or unfair mortgage agreements. It also protects the housing market by deterring criminals from using real estate to launder money by increasing oversight, making suspicious transactions easier to detect and investigate. Brokers will also be required to follow tighter anti-money-laundering rules.

New mortgage services rules set out four categories of licensing:  

• dealing in mortgages;
• trading in mortgages;
• administering mortgages; and
• mortgage lending.

Heat Pump Rebates Now Available for Renters and Condo Owners

More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners.

More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners. The first phase of the program, available starting Tuesday, July 15, 2025, applies to suites in condo and apartment buildings that are six storeys and under, and are currently heated by electricity, such as electric baseboards. The program will be expanded in fall 2025 to include condos and apartments heated by fossil fuel (e.g., a gas-fired boiler).

Developing Child and Youth Well-Being Action Plan and Outcomes Framework

On the one-year anniversary of the release of the representative for children and youth’s (RCY) Don’t Look Away report, the Province is providing an update on its co-ordinated cross-government work across several ministries to better integrate social services and move to a more prevention-based model of support for children and youth.

The Province made eight key commitments and launched a cross-government deputy-minister project board to ensure a co-ordinated response to improving child and youth well-being in B.C. As part of this work, government is collaborating with Indigenous people and all partners to develop a child and youth well-being action plan and outcomes framework. This plan will serve as the cornerstone of the Province’s strategy to better aligning services across government, setting standards for child and youth well-being, preventing crises by prioritizing the most vulnerable and measuring the effectiveness of government programs in meeting core needs.

Pet of the Week!

This summer we’re turning the spotlight on the beloved pets in our community with a brand-new feature: Pet of the Week! Each week, we’ll be featuring one of your adorable pets, whether they’re fluffy, feathery, or even a little scaly – because every kind of companion deserves their moment in the spotlight. Get ready for some serious cuteness!

This week’s feature furry friend is: Chingo

Chingo is a 3-year-old kitty - breed unknown but no less cute. Chingo can often be seen perusing the streets of York and Maple St. in Kitsilano, where she enjoys flirting, playing cute, and getting pets from passing pedestrians. Her favourite spot is perched on “her” fence beneath a magnolia tree, keeping a watchful eye on the street. Chingo’s go-to treat is Temptations, and while she doesn’t have one favourite human, she’s especially fond of Julie—or really, anyone who happens to be feeding her or playing with her at the moment. A loving and cuddly cat, Chingo adores human attention, though always on her own terms. She enjoys catching mice, sleeping, cuddling during TV time, and playing hide-and-seek on the stairs before bed.

If you would like to highlight your furry friend, please send a photo of your pet to: Brenda.Bailey.MLA@leg.bc.ca with the following information:

• Pet’s name
• Pet’s breed
• Pet’s age
• Favourite spot in the riding
• Favourite treat/snack
• Favourite human (if applicable)
• Any unique quirks or personality traits 

Certain Projects Will Be Protected From Development Cost Charges Increase

Government has made regulatory changes that protect homebuilders’ projects from increases in Metro Vancouver Regional District development cost charges, freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars in capital to invest in additional new homes.

Eligible projects now will be protected from increases to development cost charges for 24 months instead of the previous 12. This will help to ensure that homebuilders, future homebuyers, renters and tradespeople in Metro Vancouver will have more certainty that housing projects, which are planned or under construction, will continue to be built.

The change supports the Metro Vancouver Regional District’s eligibility for $250 million in federal infrastructure funding, while granting eligible homebuilders an extra year to access the lower development cost charge rates. Using federal funding in this way ensures that Metro Vancouver can continue to upgrade critical infrastructure without increasing costs for residents or future homebuyers.

Public Engagement on Infrastructure Projects Act Implementation

The B.C. government is seeking public input on the implementation of the Infrastructure Projects Act, which aims to speed up approvals for critical infrastructure. Passed in May 2025, the Act focuses on accelerating project timelines while maintaining high standards.

Over summer 2025, feedback is being gathered on:

• Criteria for Provincially Significant Projects – defining which projects can access streamlined approvals.
• Qualified Professional Certifications – developing a model to improve permitting efficiency while ensuring accountability.

Engagement opportunities include surveys, written submissions, meetings, and advisory groups. Input on the expedited environmental assessment process will begin in fall 2025.

Learn more or get involved: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure

Drought Risk Increased, Please Conserve Water

The Province is urging people in British Columbia to conserve water over the coming weeks as forecasts suggest much of the province will experience elevated drought conditions.

Voluntary reduction and water-conservation measures and changes in weather, including significant rainfall, can play a critical role in maintaining stream flows. In some B.C. communities, residential water use makes up as much as 70% of total use during the summer months, which is why even small changes at home can make a big difference. That might look like:

• watering your lawn less often
• using a broom instead of a hose
• turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes
• fixing leaky faucets

U.S. Recruitment Campaign Working, Healthcare Professionals Submit Job Applications

In just two months, B.C. has received almost 780 job applications from qualified health professionals across the United States, reflecting strong momentum from the Province’s co-ordinated U.S. recruitment campaign.

Building on this success, new strategies are underway to further attract internationally trained doctors.

Since the campaign began, more than 2,250 doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. This includes 827 physicians, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners and 256 allied health professionals. To further improve recruitment, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC) implemented bylaw changes on July 7, 2025, that benefit doctors trained outside of Canada. Since then, CPSBC has received 29 registration applications from U.S. doctors.

Look Up! Locally with the Celebration of Light

Photo credit: Adam Baird Celebration of Light 2024

This year the Celebration of Light fireworks, the world’s longest-running offshore fireworks competition, is hosting a lineup of all Canadian teams: Yukon (July 19); Quebec (July 23); and Nova Scotia (July 26).

The show is free to attend, from any viewing location around English Bay, with various venues offering reserved seating and services.

Canada’s iconic Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Airforce’s 431 Air Demonstration Squadron return as a featured attraction, July 19 and 23. The Celebration of Light will also have an electric drone show. Each night at approximately 10:00pm, attendees will see this exciting element of the event, just prior to the fireworks.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

South Granville Silent Book Club

• When: Jul 19th 2PM - 4:30PM
• Where:  South Granville Plaza West (Granville St and W 13th Ave.)
• Admission: Free!

An introvert's happy hour! Book lovers settle in to share an hour of silent reading with optional socializing after.

The Pup-Up Brunch

• When: Jul 19th 9AM - noon
• Where: Feast & Fallow (305 W 41st Ave.)
• Admission: Free (registration required)

*Everything served at Feast & Fallow and by Root & Tail are plant-based, but sure to please even meat-eaters' palates, humans and dogs alike!

What you're bringing:

Your dog (and optional BYO dog bowl!) An appetite.  Readiness to meet other cute pups and have a waggingly good time!

Bringing together dogs and brunch (i.e. your Saturday favorites) - Root & Tail is coming to Feast & Fallow for a Pup-up Event! Featuring a brunch buffet table for dogs and delicious brunch for dog parents, your dog will get to taste test Root & Tail delicious fresh dog food topped with fresh ingredients while you enjoy your own Saturday brunch (with an oat matcha latte perhaps?). Plus - they're bringing surprise gift bags and treats for your pups, so come hungry and ready to have fun!

What they're bringing:

Surprise treats and gifts.  Dog's Brunch Buffet Table with Root & Tail foods for testing. A chance to grab fresh food bags from Root & Tail. Delicious brunch and coffee offerings from Feast & Fallow

Dance Dance Dance: Free Pop-Up Dance Classes

• When: Jul 18th to Aug 15th, Fridays starting at 6:30PM 
• Where: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (650 Hamilton St.)
• Admission:  Free

From Latin dance styles to swing dance and voguing, join us for an eclectic mix of FREE dance classes – no experience required! Each event includes a free dance lesson followed by an evening of social dancing as the sun sets on the plaza named šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn at 650 Hamilton Street.

Jul 18: House Dance Class with Sharon Lee Jul 25: Salsa Class presented in partnership with DanceHouse Aug 1: Vogue Class & Mini Ball with Van Vogue Jam Aug 8: Hustle Class with Hustle at RS Aug 15: Swing Class with Dusty Flowerpot

All Over the Map 2025

• When: Jul 20th 1PM and 3PM
• Where:  Picnic Pavillion, Granville Island (267 Old Bridge Walk)
• Admission: Free

New Works proudly presents All Over the Map 2025, a free series of outdoor dance and music performances taking place on Granville Island this summer! This season we are proud to feature eight artists and groups over four performances which will take over the Granville Island Picnic Pavilion on Sunday, July 20, and Sunday, August 17, 2025.

Performances will take place at 1pm and 3pm, and audiences of all ages are welcome. Artists include Vidya Kotamraju, Shay Dior and Maiden China, Salomé Nieto of Kokoro Dance, Ry and Reed Jackson, Sudhesna Mohapatra, Judith Colibri, Punit, Ysadora Dias.

Bend & Flow Community Yoga

• When: Jul 20th 10AM
• Where: VSB Park (Fir St. and W 10th Ave.)
• Admission: Free

A free community yoga series at the VSB Park offering feel-good movement and fresh air, open to all levels and led by local instructors. Bi-weekly from June to August.

Eastside Arts Festival

• When: Jul 18th to 27th
• Where: Multiple venues across Eastside Arts District and Maclean Park 
• Admission:  Varies

The 5th annual Eastside Arts Festival celebrates the diversity of performing and visual arts in Vancouver’s Eastside. This innovative festival offers art workshops, live music performances, a beer garden, public art activations, an art shop and many more opportunities for art lovers of all age and abilities to experience!

Happening from Friday July 18th to Sunday, July 27th, attendees will discover the diversity of the Eastside Arts District through affordable ticketed art workshops and performances at pop-up locations such as breweries, studios and performance venues.