Dear Friend,

This week, our government advanced two very important pieces of legislation: Bill 14 and Bill 15. In light of U.S. tariffs and continued global economic uncertainty, we are more focused than ever on getting things built—big things. Province-building things.

I want to cede space to Minister Bowinn Ma, who explains the need for Bill 15 below:

“New and expanded schools, hospitals, and other health care facilities are critical for growing communities. That’s why our government is implementing the single largest and most ambitious capital infrastructure plan in B.C. history.

We currently have 226 major school projects, more than three dozen major hospital and health care projects, and over 10,700 student housing beds completed or underway across the province.

Despite these efforts, an exploding population in recent years means that even record-breaking financial investments aren’t enough to keep pace with the growing needs of British Columbians. We need to find ways to do this faster, better, and more economically. That’s why my new Ministry of Infrastructure was created, and why I tabled Bill 15: the Infrastructure Projects Act, last week.

Through our experience with past projects, we’ve seen how critically important community infrastructure can sometimes be unnecessarily delayed by bureaucracy and red tape.

Take, for example, a fully funded elementary school that couldn’t break ground for two years because it was waiting for a permit review. Or a provincially funded student housing project that was held up for over a year due to a procedural step that was practically unnecessary but bureaucratically required.

To be clear, permitting processes are important—they protect public health and safety, the environment, and ensure projects are built right. But when public projects are delayed in ways that don’t add value, that’s a problem.

Delayed infrastructure means communities wait longer for the services they need, and project escalation costs ultimately fall to taxpayers. That’s not good enough—and it needs to change.

That’s where the Infrastructure Projects Act comes in. It targets redundancies and overlapping red tape that can ensnare critical community projects—without lowering environmental standards or compromising our obligations to First Nations. The Act gives our ministry new tools to move public projects forward when they get stuck, ensuring taxpayer dollars are put to work efficiently.

There's more to do to deliver the infrastructure people need in our growing communities, and this is an important step forward. Now, let’s get those schools, hospitals, and other vital facilities built!”

Some of you have come to know Vancouver South Granville constituency advisors Meagan, Kathleen, and Celine. They do a great job connecting with your emails, invitations, phone calls, and in-person visits. This week, the team came over to Victoria for additional training—and joined us in the Legislature for Question Period on Tuesday. Understanding how “the sausage is made” helps them in their work and supports our ultimate goal: serving you well.

This morning, I had the privilege of speaking at the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics' Business for Social Good Summit 2025. The focus was on AI and how we can best harness its potential. I spoke about the risks of bias at scale being embedded through non-transparent datasets, and about the role of AI in government. I also shared my thoughts on the future of work, and the importance of unions continuing to advocate for protections of images, voices, and more. It was an important and fast-evolving conversation, and I appreciated the opportunity to contribute.

As we head into the long weekend, I want to remind everyone to stay safe. While we’re seeing some of our trademark liquid sunshine, the fire risk remains high. If you're out camping, please pay close attention to any fire bans or restrictions. Learning that over 80% of wildfires are human-caused reminds us that we can make a big difference through our actions.

Let’s all do our part to keep B.C. beautiful.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Brenda

Celine, Meagan, myself & Kathleen at their training conference in Victoria

After the keynote, I had a lovely Q&A session with Elicia Salzberg - Senior Associate Dean of Students at UBC Sauder School of Business

More than 1,200 U.S. Health Professionals Interested in Working in B.C.

New streamlined credential recognition means nurses from the United States can now work in B.C. much quicker, with registrations taking only a few days, compared to the previous average as long as four months. Applications from U.S. trained nurses have increased by 172% since the recognition launch. Nurses can now apply directly to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives without first going through a third-party assessment organization.

573 physicians, 413 nurses, 133 nurse practitioners and 39 allied health professionals have expressed interested to come work in the province. In early June, the Province will be launching a targeted U.S. marketing campaign in parts of the country with the highest interest in moving to B.C., including the states of Washington and Oregon, and select cities in California.

Premier’s Statement on Moose Hide Campaign Day

Moose Hide Campaign Day brings together hundreds of thousands of people to fast, participate in walks and events, and pin small squares of moose hide to their lapels to show their commitment to condemning violence against women, children, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.

More than a decade ago, the Moose Hide Campaign started in B.C. as an Indigenous-led grassroots effort to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and children. It has since grown to a nationwide movement and has been a powerful force for positive change.

Our government is proud to support the campaign as part of our ongoing work to end gender-based violence and work toward true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous people. This work includes partnering with Indigenous people to increase safety and supports for survivors, uplift Indigenous-led approaches and break the cycle of violence through prevention, healing and accountability. Together, we have made significant progress, but we need to do more.

Violence against women and children remains a persistent yet preventable problem throughout the country, and Indigenous women continue to experience violence at a higher rate than non-Indigenous women. We all have a responsibility to take a stand against violence and help create safe homes, workplaces and communities. Together, we can end the cycle of violence and create a brighter future for all.

New Suicide-Risk-Reduction Framework

In partnership with the Province, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) led the development of a suicide-risk-reduction framework to support health-care organizations in improving care provided to people at risk for suicide. It will apply to patients who are 18 and older and are accessing mental-health or substance use care in hospital emergency departments, acute psychiatry or medical inpatient units or outpatient mental-health services.

Through an early, consistent, and systematic process, the framework offers guidance to enhance the detection of individuals at risk for suicide. It also provides suggestions that can help eliminate bias and barriers to care, including stigma and experiences of discrimination or Indigenous-specific racism. It will include best practices to maximize the patient’s safety during and after their care. With a tailored care plan, evidence-based treatment, effective transition to community care, and follow up and monitoring post-discharge, better outcomes can be achieved.

Funding Opening Soon for Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Projects

More than 100 Indigenous-led projects are underway in communities throughout B.C., helping to strengthen local food security and food sovereignty with another round of funding set to open.

In 2023, the New Relationship Trust (NRT) launched the $30-milllion Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program and is supporting both on-reserve and off-reserve projects, such as revitalizing food harvesting and Indigenous agro-ecosystems, expanding production capacity, boosting local food processing and distribution, and growing commercial value-added enterprises.

The New Relationship Trust, an independent, Indigenous-led non-profit organization, administers the program and works with Indigenous entrepreneurs, communities and businesses to identify and respond to their needs and empower them.

New Provincial Forest Advisory Council

Under the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025, the B.C. government and BC Green caucus have established the Provincial Forest Advisory Council. The council will provide recommendations to government to ensure there are clear and measurable outcomes that support healthy forests, healthy ecosystems and a healthy forestry sector.

The council will consult with industry partners, such as the Provincial Forestry Forum and ecological, environmental and biodiversity experts, to engage the public for feedback and honour commitments to work in partnership with First Nations. This community-driven approach will ensure the review is inclusive and focused on land-base certainty and sustainability.

Celebrate a Longstanding Local Business

Parise and Joel Siegel 

This long weekend, celebrate Jospeh Siegel’s 89th birthday, and his creation, Siegel’s Bagels, 35th anniversary by indulging in Kitsilano’s very own wood-fired, Montreal-style bagels!

When Joseph Spiegel first moved here from Montreal, he used to fill his suitcases with bagels because he thought the only varieties he could find here were “more like a bread with a hole in it”. Fortunately, things have changed since then, but when he started up Vancouver was so unfamiliar with the chewier and denser style bagel that Siegel had to request a permit and bring in a mason from Montreal to build the required wood-burning oven, as nobody locally had the expertise.

So round out your weekend by trying on of the 14 different varieties of bagels they make fresh every day, and count yourself lucky you don’t have to worry about poppyseeds in your suitcase, just to enjoy them! 

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

The Rogue Folk Club Presents Gordie Tentrees with Jaxon Haldane

• When: May 16th 8PM
• Where: Mel Lehan Hall (3214 West 10th Ave.)
• Admission:  $35 at the door, $15 to watch online

"Organic & holistic folk, this is the wild sound of freedom and the freedom to fly" - Midwest Record

2023 International Acoustic Music Award (IAMA) winners Gordie Tentrees (Yukon) and Jaxon Haldane (Manitoba) met in 2005 at the Fred Eaglesmith Picnic in Ontario and swapped records before hitting the road with disparate musical aspirations.

Gordie & Jaxon recently recorded a new duo record in Nashville TN with Australian Nashville based acclaimed producer Nash Chambers (Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Archie Roach) which featured Shawn Fichter (drums) - Peter Frampton, Tim McGraw, Steve Mackey (bass) - Dolly Parton, Wallflowers and special guests Trey Hensley (Grammy Nominee & IBMA Guitar player of the year) and Charlie McCoy (harmonica) Elvis, Bob Dylan.

Meeting By Katherine Gauthier

• When: May 16th to June 7th
• Where: Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave.)
• Admission:  Varies

Welcome to Co-Dependents and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. In an empty church activity room, five people share their stories and try to connect in the face of stigma, intersecting trauma, and wildly disparate experiences. When a participant expresses an unanticipated desire, the group must evaluate the limits of their tolerance, trust, and acceptance.

The second act of each performance will be a Talk Forward: a facilitated discussion with a featured guest speaker. This is not an auxiliary event. It’s built into the experience of the show. We begin with a brief interview, followed by discussion, allowing the audience to share insights, questions and even debate.

*The recommended age for this show is 19+

West Side Story at the Granville Island Stage

• When: Now to May 24th
• Where: Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St.)
• Admission:  Varies

From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents' book remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Vancouver All British Car Show at VanDusen Garden

• When: May 17th 10AM – 4:30PM
• Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens (5251 Oak St.)
• Admission: Varies

Welcome to the 2025 Vancouver All British Car Show! Join us at the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Garden for a day filled with classic British cars, friendly enthusiasts, and a vibrant atmosphere. Whether you're a die-hard fan or appreciate the elegance of British automotive design, this event is perfect for you. Come admire a wide array of stunning vehicles, chat with fellow car lovers, and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the garden.

Food Truck vendors, plus the popular on-site Carriage Trade Tea House, serving High Tea. Musical entertainment by the Little Mountain Brass Band, featuring Definitely Not The Beatles (DNTB) with frontman and collector car enthusiast Randy Cunningham, also known as John Lennon, will return to rev up the sixties vibe and entertain the lunchtime crowds. Period dress is encouraged, and the band will award prizes to the best-dressed individuals.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Tea Festival: Tea For All

• When: May 17th 10AM – 5PM
• Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St.)
• Admission: $15 ($12 if you bring your own tea cup!)

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden has long been a cultural hub, fostering the sharing of diverse cultures. The Garden Tea Festival is a key project to serve this purpose, as tea holds significant cultural importance in many countries.

The upcoming Garden Tea Festival aims to create a space where tea enthusiasts can come together to learn, connect and immerse themselves in the rich traditions and cultures of tea at an authentic Chinese garden. With the theme Tea for All, this tea festival will be accessible, educational, and fun!

Engine 374 Celebration at The Roundhouse

• When: May 18th 12PM – 3PM
• Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, Turntable Plaza (181 Roundhouse Mews)
• Admission: Free

Engine 374 pulled into the Vancouver terminal for the first time 134 years ago, becoming the first passenger train to arrive on the West Coast. Join community members and Engine 374 as she makes her annual trip out onto the Roundhouse Turntable, and celebrate with free birthday cake, fun family activities, speeches, and a live band.