Dear Friend,

MLA Bailey is still away on trade missions but will be back with us next week. Unfortunately, she'll be missing Canada Day here but we've made sure to highlight lots of fun events in the riding. There's also lots of announcements from the government so we have a hefty newsletter ahead.

Our team will be co-hosting a booth at Khatsalano next weekend so our office will be closed on Monday (checking/responding to urgent e-mails) and Tuesday (Canada Day) so response times might be a little longer. 

Stay safe and cool this holiday weekend. 

The Vancouver South-Granville Team

With some of last year's new Canadian citizens

Canada Day Guide

Tuesday is Canada Day! A day to celebrate with friends and family & be reminded of the values that make our country and our province truly special.

While making plans for the Canada Day weekend, it’s also important to be prepared and stay safe as warm temperatures, dry conditions and wildfire risk continue in many parts of the province.

Remember to stay up to date on local fire bans and restrictions, and if your Canada Day includes a camping trip, please remember to plan ahead, carry safety gear, and follow all instructions from the local governments or First Nations in the area you are visiting.

Before you head out, check ahead for road closures, evacuation alerts, evacuation orders and any fire prohibitions in effect, which can be found at https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/dashboard. For road conditions and updates, please visit https://www.drivebc.ca/

If your plans for Canada Day are staying local, we’ve listed several events happening in our riding over the next few days.

 Events on Granville Island
False Creek Ferries Ballet

• When:  July 1^st 8:30AM
• Where: Public Market Courtyard or the Docks by Bridges Tap & Barrel

Official Canada Day Ceremony

• When:  July 1^st 1:00-2:00PM
• Where: Chain & Forge (1459 Anderson St. West)

Kids Market Canada Day Celebrations

• When:  July 1^st 11:00AM-5:00pm
• Where: Park Behind the Kids Market

Canada ‘Eh Show

• When: July 1^st 7:00PM – 8:30PM
• Where: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St.)
• Admission: From $13.50

Kitsilano Showboat Special Canada Day Events
Canada Day at Kitsilano Showboat

• When: July 1^st 2:30PM – 9:00PM
• Where: Kitsilano Showboat (2300 Cornwall Ave.)

Canada Place
Canada Together

• When: July 1^st 11:00AM – 6:00PM
• Where: Canada Place

Leg-in-Boot Square
Canada Day Walk and Roll

• When: July 1^st 2:00PM – 4:00PM
• Where: Plaza at Leg-in-Boot-Square

Museum of Vancouver
Scavenger Hunt at the Museum

• When: July 1^st 10:00AM – 5:00PM

• Where: Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St.)

B.C. Exemption Protects Full Disability Benefit

People receiving provincial income assistance in British Columbia who are also eligible to receive the new federal Canada Disability Benefit will keep the entire benefit, thanks to a B.C. exemption.

The first Canada Disability Benefit payments from the Government of Canada will begin in July 2025. The exemption applies to all recipients of income, disability and hardship assistance under the B.C. Employment and Assistance program. This means that any Canada Disability Benefit payment received from the federal government will not affect provincial income assistance payments. This exemption is part of the Province’s ongoing work to reduce poverty and improve the lives of people with disabilities. The Canada Disability Benefit is a federal initiative aimed at reducing poverty and supporting the financial security of Canadians with disabilities.

B.C. Strengthens Response to Repeat Violent Offenses

Police departments throughout B.C. will have access to more resources to combat repeat violent offending, ensuring they have the tools they need to help keep people, businesses and communities safe.

The Province is investing an additional $6 million in the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program, building on its success as a critical initiative that is helping police departments target repeat violent offenders and disrupt the cycle of crime.

Since the launch of SITE, the program has supported 148 police operations in 38 communities throughout British Columbia. SITE funding has facilitated 5,425 investigations of individuals, 177 of whom were supported by the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII). Police have recommended 2,676 charges resulting from SITE-funded operations, along with substantial seizures of various weapons, drugs and other items such as stolen merchandise and cash that was proceeds of crime.

StrongerBC Future Skills Grant Now Open

People hoping to build better careers will continue to have access to a popular grant program, as registration for StrongerBC future skills grant funded programming opens for the fall semester.

People living in British Columbia can continue to access grants for eligible short-term training programs at public post-secondary institutions, giving them more opportunities to gain new skills for in-demand jobs. The grant covers up to $3,500 and is open to B.C. residents over age 19. More than 300 programs are eligible for the grant at 24 public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C. The eligible programs address the province’s labour market needs and government priorities, including training opportunities in high-demand sectors, such as health care, construction and mining.

New BC Hydro Pilot Project to Cut Energy Costs 

In a Canadian first, the Province and BC Hydro have launched a pioneering pilot project in Vancouver that has the potential to set new standards for supporting growing housing priorities and densification in Canada.

Designed to support the transition from single-family homes to multi-unit residences, the initiative is exploring how full electrification – heating, cooling, EV charging and appliances – can be achieved without the need for more significant electrical service upgrades.

This pilot project is Canada’s first to demonstrate:

• all-suite electrification in a multi-unit residential building without requiring a significant service upgrade;
• a smart panel integration with advanced thermostats for greater suite-level energy control; and
• management of multiple non-EV electrical loads, such as hot water, ranges and dryers, through a single smart panel.

Traditionally, densifying from single-family homes to duplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes has required significant electrical upgrades. This project explores a better path: the smart panel dynamically manages load at the suite level, helping avoid over-capacity while unlocking significant savings. The project is a scalable model for retrofitting and densification that could save thousands of dollars in infrastructure costs per project.

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: SkyeWalker (or Skye for short)

Skye is a 10.5-year-old Pyrador (a Labrador/Great Pyrenees mix). One of her favourite spots in the riding is Granville Island—especially when her humans share the last bite of their bagel.

Although she’s part Lab, she won’t take treats from just anyone. As an older pup, she prefers lying down and quietly observing the fun rather than partaking in it.

Her quirkiest trait? When she wants something, she does little “air snaps.” They’re not quite barks, but just enough to get her humans’ attention. And if that doesn’t work, she adds a bit of a whine to really drive the point home.

Most people comment on her eyes—and how they seem to stare into your soul.

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 

Public Input on the Labour Relations Code Review Panel

The report and recommendations of the 2024 Labour Relations Code Review Panel are now posted publicly for review and feedback.

The review panel’s report has been posted on the govTogetherBC website where people can share their views on how B.C.’s labour relations laws should be updated to meet the needs of today’s workplaces.

Interested parties can provide feedback by email to: LRCReview@gov.bc.ca  until 4:30pm on September 19, 2025. Your input will be considered alongside the panel’s report and recommendations. The Ministry of Labour will consider this feedback to determine next steps on the panel’s recommendations.

More Operating Rooms Coming to Vancouver General Hospital

New operating rooms at Vancouver General Hospital will provide people in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia with better access to faster, high-quality surgical care.

Construction has begun on 15 new operating rooms and one hybrid operating room upgrade as part of Phase 2 of the operating-room expansion at Vancouver General Hospital. New operating rooms at Vancouver General Hospital will provide people in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia with better access to faster, high-quality surgical care.

New Extortion Awareness Campaign

In response to a rise in extortion threats against members of the South Asian community, BC Crime Stoppers is launching a digital media campaign to raise awareness and encourage reporting of extortion activity.

The 60-day extortion awareness campaign is launching Thursday, June 26, 2025, and shares important information about recognizing and reporting extortion threats, helping individuals, business owners and families stay safe and informed. The campaign was developed in consultation with individuals with deep knowledge of extortion, experience in policing and lived experience within the South Asian community. The goal is encouraging people to report extortion threats to help police stop those responsible.

Historic Partnership Unites BC for FIFA World Cup 26

Poster designed by Jamin Zuroski and is available for purchase here

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver have signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to work together as partners to host FIFA World Cup 26 matches in Vancouver.

This landmark agreement reflects a shared commitment to deliver a world-class event that honours Indigenous rights, advances reconciliation through collaboration on FIFA World Cup 26, and brings lasting benefits to people throughout British Columbia

Shop Local  Farmer's Markets

Exciting news! Starting next week, all Vancouver Farmers’ Market locations will be open for the summer. With seven locations across the city on different days and times, you’re sure to find one that fits your schedule and grocery needs.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

Bend & Flow Community Yoga

• When: June 29  from 10am to 11am
• 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. No sign-up required, just show up.

Art Car: Live Drawing

• Art Car: Live Drawing

• When: June 29 from 4pm to 8pm
• Where: South Granville Plaza East (Granville and W 14th Ave)
• Admission: Free

A car becomes a canvas for local artists from Young Guns Studio. Come by and see art come alive.

The Mousetrap - Arts Club Theatre

• When: June 26 – Aug 10, various times
• Where: Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnson St)
• Admission: from $39

On a dark and wintry night, seven strangers are snowed in at a remote English guesthouse while news spreads of a murder in London. The sudden arrival of a police sergeant throws the guests in a panic: the killer is in their midst! The game is now afoot as the sergeant begins to uncover the unsavoury secrets of the visitors. Which one is the murderer? Who will be the next target? For over 70 years, the longest-running play in history has kept audiences guessing. Can you solve this world-famous mystery?

Throw a Boat Down - Floating Festival Jericho Beach

• When: June 27 from 6:30pm to 9pm
• Where: Jericho Beach
• Admission: various

Join a paddle-powered, on the water festival at Jericho Beach! Grab your paddle board, kayak, inflatable boat or canoe and float up to the tall ship stage, or spread your blanket on the beach to enjoy an evening of great music.  Proceeds support Indigenous Nations to protect coastal ecosystems for future generations.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

• When: Now - July 1st 
• Where: Various Locations throughout 
• Admission: Various

The 40th Anniversary edition of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival will offer 160 events (free and ticketed) over the next 12 days! Additionally, downtown patios, clubs, and gallery venues will feature various live jazz performances throughout the 12 days of the Festival. All events are rain or shine.

Click below for a full lineup of events and tickets and happy listening!