Dear Friend,

Only three weeks remain until the end of the Spring Legislative session. It’s hard to believe we’re so close to wrapping up this sitting, opening up more time in South Granville and in the province. The final push is a heavy one, with a lot left to accomplish. Most notably, I’ll be finalizing the budget estimates process addressing all questions posed by the opposition—a process I expect will take around 30 hours over multiple sittings. The House now sits until 9 p.m. each night, and we have opened up “parallel sessions” using two additional “houses” to move the work forward. The days are long but it’s necessary to complete the important work we’ve been tasked with. This work is all public and televised, should you wish to follow along via Hansard BC.  

I also wanted to take a moment to talk about a bill in front of the House right now. Bill 15, also known as the Infrastructure Bill, has led to some confusion and I’d like to help allay any concerns. This legislation supports our government’s efforts to deliver major infrastructure projects in B.C. by speeding up permitting and approvals—so we can get shovels in the ground faster, deliver core public services, grow the economy, and create jobs. People in British Columbia need schools, hospitals, and other key infrastructure in their communities to build a good life.

The legislation prioritizes and accelerates provincial permitting by developing a qualified professionals reliance framework and enables an expedited environmental assessment process, allowing designated projects to be reviewed more quickly without compromising B.C.’s high environmental standards. It also establishes a framework for alternative permit authorizations through an agreement-seeking approach with local governments, helping get construction started faster for designated projects.

Importantly, the legislation enshrines the authority of the new Ministry of Infrastructure into law, empowering it to fulfill responsibilities such as policy development, project planning and prioritization, land acquisition, and procurement for vertical provincial projects. It also enables the Ministry to collaborate with school districts, health authorities, and post-secondary institutions to deliver projects on their behalf. This includes bundling multiple projects into a single procurement or purchasing components for several projects at once—ensuring efficient and cost-effective delivery.

All of this work helps support B.C.’s economy and ensures we continue to build the public infrastructure—like schools and hospitals—that people rely on.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, my staff and I are here to support you.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brenda

New Clean Power Action Plan

The Province, in partnership with BC Hydro, is launching The Clean Power Action Plan to harness British Columbia’s clean-electricity advantage, driving economic growth and transformative change, strengthening energy security and advancing climate action.

The plan has five transformative initiatives:

1. Launch a second call for power by partnering with First Nations and independent power producers – enough to power 500,000 new homes
2. Open up the opportunity to explore B.C.’s power potential through a request for expressions of interest exploring capacity and firm
3. Usher in an expanded era of energy efficiency by partnering with innovators to deliver market-ready demand-side management technologies
4. Invest more than $12 million from the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy Fund
5. Streamline connections to B.C.’s grid

More Childcare Spaces Coming to Downtown Vancouver

Families and children in Vancouver are benefiting from more licensed child care spaces, providing more options in the downtown core.

First Baptist Church of Vancouver received more than $464,000 through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund to create 37 child care spaces. The centre is part of a larger restoration and seismic upgrade of the church. The new licensed child care spaces will include 12 spaces for children younger than 36 months and 25 spaces for children 30 months to school age.

Supporting Climate-Related Emergency Projects

To better protect people and communities throughout B.C. from the increasing threat of natural and climate-related emergencies, the Province is providing more than $40 million for 61 projects.

The Province is supporting First Nations and local governments with projects that address natural and climate-driven hazards, such as floods, drought, extreme temperatures, earthquakes and landslides. Approximately $21 million is being provided from the new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program in addition to almost $20 million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF).

Premises ID Now Available for Livestock

With wildfire season fast approaching, B.C. ranchers and farmers are encouraged to register the location of their livestock to protect their animals during emergencies.

Premises ID is mandatory in British Columbia. Registration is free and confidential. The program helps link livestock and poultry to the geographic areas where they are kept. It’s a key component of B.C.’s animal traceability system, which contributes to ensuring stable, local meat supply chains and market access for livestock producers throughout the province. This information helps emergency responders reach animals faster so they can quickly prioritize assistance during evacuations or animal disease outbreaks.

CleanBC Review

The Province is launching an independent review of CleanBC programs to ensure they are effectively reducing emissions, while making life more affordable and supporting a strong economy. The review will help ensure the CleanBC plan reflects current realities and keeps the province on course toward net-zero emissions by 2050. The review will be led by independent climate policy experts, who will assess how well existing programs and policies are working, examine B.C.’s climate targets and recommend improvements.

Nisg̱a’a, B.C., Canada Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Nisg̱a’a Treaty

The Nisg̱a’a Nation and the governments of Canada and British Columbia are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement (the Nisg̱a’a Treaty) as a major milestone on the path of reconciliation. A landmark in the relationship between the parties, the Nisg̱a’a Treaty marked the end of a 113-year journey and the first steps toward a brighter future in a new direction. It is the first treaty in British Columbia to provide constitutional certainty in respect of an Indigenous people’s Section 35 right to self-government.

The treaty has opened the door for joint economic initiatives in the responsible, sustainable development of the Nisg̱a’a Nation’s natural resources — benefitting Nisg̱a’a citizens as well as their fellow British Columbians and Canadians. Treaty relationships between partners are a critically important pathway to meaningful reconciliation. They help support strong, healthy, thriving communities that benefit people today and for generations to come. An outstanding example of modern treaty relationships, the Nisg̱a’a Treaty is studied internationally as a model of hope, trust and government-to-government co-operation.

Shop Local - BC Farmer's Markets

A great way to Buy BC is by shopping at your local farmers' markets! With the change in season, even more markets are open. See below for a list of locations

Riley Park Farmers' Market – Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM
50 E. 30th Avenue & Ontario Street (Riley Park)

Trout Lake Farmers' Market – Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM
Lakewood Dr. and E 13th Ave. (John Hendry Park)

West End Farmers' Market – Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM
1100 Comox St., between Bute and Thurlow

Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market – Sundays, 10 AM to 2 PM
8th Ave. and Guelph St. (Dude Chilling Park)

Kitsilano Farmers' Market – Sundays, 10 AM to 2 PM
Larch St. and W 10th Ave. (Kitsilano Community Centre)

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

World Deaf Hockey Championships

• When: May 9th to May 17th
• Where: Father David Bauer Arena, UBC (6066 Thunderbird Blvd.)
• Admission:  Varies, free for youth 13 and under

In a groundbreaking move, Canada is hosting the 4th World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship at the UBC campus in Vancouver. The team in charge is working really hard to make sure this event is a big hit, bringing deaf athletes from all over the world to show off their skills.

Canada is putting a lot of effort into making sure everything goes smoothly, and everyone – the players, fans, and deaf community worldwide – is getting excited! Canada is making sure that everyone, no matter their abilities, can be a part of the fun. They want this event to be a memorable experience for everyone involved.

It's going to be a big celebration of talent, sportsmanship, and togetherness in the deaf ice hockey community!  This prestigious event brings together the world's top deaf hockey talent for an unforgettable competition.

'I Fear Love' by Katie Voravong

• When: May 9th 7PM and May 10th 7PM
• Where: The Revue Stage on Granville Island (1601 Johnston St.)
• Admission: $22

I Fear Love (Winner of the Artistic Risk Award, Vancouver Fringe 2024) is a game show, live comedy, memoir medley written and performed by Katie Voravong.

“The show where I wear my heart on my sleeve. Watch me take it, eat it and break it on stage. It might even skip a beat.”

Casey and Diana

• When: April 26th, 8PM
• Where: Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave.)
• Admission: $25 ($20 budget tickets)

Oh Pray Tell, led by Shayna Jones, Sally Titasey and Betty Stupple, weaves elements of folk storytelling, spoken word and performance art into three-part, soulful harmonies and lays them down over pulsing rhythms. Based on Sinixt Territory, their live performance takes witnesses on a transformative musical journey as they seamlessly transition between genres, merging tradition and innovation.

Mothers’ Day Market – Junction Public Market

• When: May 10th 12PM – 5PM, May 11th 12PM – 5PM
• Where: Granville Square (200 Granville St., between Canada Place & Waterfront Station)
• Admission: Free entry, workshop price varies (registration required for workshops)

Join us Saturday May 10 & Sunday May 11 from noon – 5:00pm, presented by The View Winery.

Local Vendors Painting Workshops, hosted by Art Spot Tarot Readings Chocolate Tasting Workshops, hosted by Living Lotus Chocolate Selfie Opportunities Live Entertainment

Magic in the Moonlight Market

• When: May 9th 5PM - 10PM, May 10th 11AM - 5PM
• Where: Roedde House Museum (1415 Barclay St.)
• Admission:  $5, at the door

Join us on May 9th and 10th for Magic in the Moonlight Market 2025 – a unique market in our 1893 Victorian House Museum!

We have an amazing group of local vendors this year with art, antiques, jewelry and much more available. A tarot reader will also be on site offering readings on both days!

Accessibility: Roedde House has a wheelchair accessible entrance through its side kitchen door (facing the gazebo). Please alert staff and we will guide you to this entrance. Washrooms are on the main floor and includes a wheelchair accessible washroom. Stairs are required to reach the second floor.

Getting to the Museum: Limited street parking is available on Robson and in the West End. For public transit, the closest skytrain station is: Burrard. We are on the #5 Robson bus route.

Lapu Lapu BBQ and Potluck Fundraiser

• When: May 10th 1PM
• Where: Quinit Boxing East Vancouver (1351Grant St.)
• Admission: By donation

Join Quinit Boxing this Sat May 10th as the East Van and Filipino communities show our love to the victims of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. All monies raised will be donated to the Filipino BC Kapwa fund. 

Thank you to all participating businesses, we are overwhelmed by your support. Our community thanks you deeply. Raffle tickets for $5 and 5 tickets for $20. Submit for any prize. Link for virtual tickets, for those who cannot attend in person, can be found here (Lapu Lapu Fundraiser Tickets).

Come stop by for Filipino BBQ and Lechon. Hot dogs (donated by Sysco Canada ) also available! Grab a seat and watch some classic Manny Pacquiao fights! There will be music as well. At 2pm Mendoza Boxing Club and Sport Arnis BC will be doing an Arnis demonstration.