Dear Friend,

With the new format of our newsletter, it’s been nearly a month since I have personally updated you on what I’ve been up to. Great to be with you again. How about those Jays? Never underestimate the power of the under dogs especially when they form a highly effective team. That was wonderful to witness, despite the outcome.

While I’ve mostly been in Victoria working on Ministry files, I have had the chance to come home on the weekends and attend events in the riding. 

I was recently able to attend the opening of the Maple Childcare centre at Henry Hudson Elementary. It’s such a beautiful space, clearly designed with care to create a welcoming environment. Your government has a vision of childcare being integrated into schools – utilizing an existing resource, creating a community hub and providing an easier and more seamless experience for kids and their families. It’s a vision of the future that is clearly on display at Maple Childcare!

I was also able to attend a wonderful Diwali event hosted at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, focused on celebrating light’s triumph over darkness. If you have not attended a Diwali event in the past make sure you do next year – they are such delightful and energetic events, and I find the hosts (I’ve attended many at many locations over the years) very welcoming to folks from all backgrounds. I enjoyed the great food and wonderful dancing and Diwali feels both joyful and profound. And of course, the more we learn about each other’s culture, the richer our lives become!

This week I stayed in the riding to attend the First Nations Leadership Gathering (FNLG). The Gathering is a partnership between the First Nations Leadership Council—comprised of the BC Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs—and the Cabinet of the Government of British Columbia. Attending by FN bands from all over BC, this is a unique event - the only event of it’s type in the world. Nations and Cabinet members meet “chief to chief” to tackle the tough issues as we continue our road to reconciliation. The gathering is designed to recognize, respect, and strengthen relationships, and to foster joint dialogue and collaboration through plenary sessions, discussions, and one-on-one meetings. It was a productive few days of meeting with several Nations and learning more about their specific priorities and concerns and move toward solutions.

Being in the city this week allowed for me to attend the launch of three incredible exhibits at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and I recommend you attending if you can. The curation is exceptional and draws largely from the VAG’s permanent collection, much of which is in storage. The first exhibit is “We who have known tides” and it seeks to understand what it means to exist at the edges of the Pacific Ocean. The second exhibit features Jim Lambie, who transforms everyday architectural spaces into immersive, energetic experiences through his vibrant vinyl tape installations. Lastly, Nan Goldin: Stendhal Syndrome explores the intimate and emotional force of Goldin’s photography through the moving-image format. Goldin is renowned for her slideshows, which were originally composed of 35mm slides on carousels set to music but are now presented as single-channel videos.

Next week brings Remembrance Day ceremonies and several meetings in Vancouver before I return to Victoria to continue working on the bills mentioned below.

Wishing you all the best until next month’s update.

Brenda

No Increase to ICBC Basic Rates Through Spring 2027

Drivers in British Columbia will continue to benefit from affordable and stable auto insurance costs with no increase to basic rates through to spring 2027, marking seven consecutive years without an increase.

After careful analysis of its finances, ICBC concluded that basic auto insurance rates do not require a change through to 2026-27 fiscal year, eliminating the need for an application to change rates with the B.C. Utilities Commission in 2025 and postponing any potential need for an application until late 2026. The introduction of Enhanced Care in 2021 marked a turning point for auto insurance in B.C. The care-based model led to an immediate reduction in basic insurance rates, saving the average customer $496, approximately 28% less than what they were paying.

Rental Report Shows Rent Prices Continue Drop

Rentals.ca released a report indicating that rental asking prices in British Columbia lead the country in declines, down 9.6% over the past two years and 5.8% in the past year alone. Vancouver reached a 43-month low in October 2025, falling 11.4% over the past three years and declining on an annual basis for a 23rd consecutive month.

Progress of Bills in the Legislature This Fall

I hope everyone had a good October. I’ve been working steadily on helping move the bills that were introduced at the beginning of the fall sitting, and the following have now passed:

• Bill 17 Intimate Images Protection Statures Amendment Act, 2025
• Bill 18 Sexual Violence Policy Act
• Bill 19 School Amendment Act, 2025
• Bill 27 Misc Statues Amendment Act (no.2) 2025

We’re continuing to move forward with the following bills as well and have added two more to the agenda:

• Bill 20 Prompt Payment Act
• Bill 21 Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (no.2) 2025
• Bill 22 Statues Act
• Bill 23 Regulations Act

• Bill 24 Vaping Product Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act
• Bill 25 Housing and Municipal Affairs Statues Amendment Act, 2025

• Bill 26 Vancouver Charter Amendment Act, 2025
• Bill 28 Business Practices and Consumer Protection Amendment Act (no.2) 2025
• Bill 29 Child, Family and Community Service Amendment Act, 2025

• Bill 30 Employment Standards (Serious Illness or Injury Leave) Amendment Act, 2025
• Bill 31 Energy Statutes Amendment, 2025

If you’d like more details about these bills, I encourage you to visit: Progress of Bills | Legislative Assembly of BC.

More Winter Shelter Spaces Coming to BC

The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces in 58 communities throughout B.C. this winter. These include permanent, temporary and extreme-weather response (EWR) shelters, as well as Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) shelter spaces:

• 4,158 permanent shelter spaces
• 1,154 temporary shelter spaces (will operate from Nov 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 or April 30, 2026 based on community needs)
• 771 extreme weather response shelters (activated from Oct 15, 2025 until April 15, 2026
• 403 HEARTH shelter spaces

Additional shelter spaces are expected to open through the winter season as BC Housing works with municipalities to identify locations and finalize shelter plans.

New Early Resolution Process for Family Law-Matters

The Early Resolution Process (ERP) is now available in Provincial Court family registries in Pemberton, Richmond, Sechelt, North Vancouver and Vancouver (Robson Square). The process is a free service that applies to family-law matters, such as parenting arrangements, contact, child and spousal support, and companion animals. It is designed to reduce conflict, resolve disputes out of court and develop plans in the best interests of children. 

Services provided through the ERP include screening for family violence, identification of legal and non-legal needs, referrals to community organizations, assistance resolving disputes out-of-court through consensual dispute resolution, and support preparing for next steps, including court processes.

Amendments to Streamline Approval Processes

The Province is making 187 amendments to 38 regulations across 10 ministries to reduce red tape, improve permitting timelines and make government services more efficient and accessible.

By streamlining approval processes, such as removing construction permit requirements for very small private water systems, simplifying the level of authority needed for special-use forestry permits, and eliminating outdated provisions related to soil relocation and open burning activities, the Province is making it easier to do business in B.C.

Two New Resources Will Help Communities Better Prepare for Climate Risks

More resources are now available to help communities better prepare for emergencies and keep people safer from the risks associated with natural hazards and a changing climate.

Two new resources, the British Columbia Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment (DCRRA), and the B.C. Hazard Insights Tool (HIT), give local governments, First Nations, emergency-management specialists and provincial ministries access to risk information that can help them make better decisions in disaster preparedness and mitigation.

DCRRA provides information on 6 hazards: river and stream flooding, coastal flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, drought and water scarcity, earthquake. HIT will allow disaster-management planners and specialists to explore the potential of hazards on their communities, economy and environment, and use the information to reduce risk.

Applications Open for 2027 BC Legislative Internship Program Application

The B.C. Legislative Internship Program (BCLIP) is a six-month program that gives post-secondary graduates exposure to public policy-making and legislative processes in British Columbia. Reporting to the Parliamentary Education Officer, the B.C. Legislative Intern provides research, analysis, and communications support during their placements in a provincial ministry or statutory office and in an officially recognized political party caucus. Interns are also responsible for one or more educational projects during the program, including project management, research, and analysis, designing, and writing communication materials, and developing and implementing educational events.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a B.C. resident;
• hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status; and,
• have completed or be in the process of completing a first Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a Canadian university (all degree requirements must have been completed within the immediate two-year period prior to the start of the program in January).

Deadline to apply: January 31, 2026

Remembrance Day Events

Remembrance Day at Victory Square
Location: Victory Square (200 W Hastings St, Vancouver)
Date: November 11, 2025 at 10:30am
Details: Beginning in 1924, the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Victory Square is the oldest continuing annual ceremony in Vancouver. Reflecting respect and remembrance of sacrifices in the services of Canada – past and present.

Grandview
Location: Grandview Memorial Park Cenotaph (1657 Charles St, Vancouver)
Date: November 11, 2025 at 10:00am
Details:  All are invited to attend the service at the cenotaph to honour our veterans. After the service, we will be marching down Commercial Drive to Legion 179 (at 6th and Commercial Drive).

Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
Location: Seaforth Armoury, Parade Square (1650 Burrard St, Vancouver)
Date: November 11, 2024 doors at 10:00am, service at 10:50am
Details: This tradition and ceremony is led by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association Chaplain, Reverend Paul Richards, who will officiate. The Association invites the public to join the Seaforth Highlanders at the Armoury as we pay respect for those serving and having served in the armed forces and honouring the memory of those who have fallen. 

Remembrance Day at UBC
Location: War Memorial Gym (6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver)
Date: November 11, 2024 doors at 10:00am, ceremony at 10:45am
Details:  Since the opening of the War Memorial Gym in 1951, The University of British Columbia has held a ceremony commemorating November 11. This year, 2025 will mark seventy-five years that The University of British Columbia has hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony. This special ceremony is an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the on and off-campus community to honour and remember all those who served in times of war, military conflict and peace. This year’s ceremony will include participation and recognition of UBC’s Vancouver campus and will feature short readings and remarks from special guests.

Events in Vancouver-South Granville

Jade Music Fest

Date: November 7th to 8th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  Various venues on Granville Island
Tickets: Free and ticketed events

Jade Music Fest is an annual music event which aims to create visible stages and bridges for underrepresented Chinese-language artists who have a desire to perform and write songs in the languages connected with their heritage. Its goal is to make Vancouver the North American hub for Chinese-language music through the elevation of IBPOC artists in BC.

Heart of the City Festival

Date:  November 7th to 8th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  Various venues in Downtown Vancouver
Tickets: Most festival events are free, some may require tickets or reservations

Make sure to catch the last weekend of the 22nd annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival! This Festival season, they reflect on what it means to live with dignity — on unceded land and with each other.

Architecture & Design Film Festival Vancouver 25

Date:  November 7th to 9th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  VIFF Centre (1181 Seymour St.)
Tickets: Varies

The Architecture & Design Film Festival, celebrates the unique creative spirit that drives architecture and design. With a curated selection of films, events and panel discussions, ADFF creates an opportunity to entertain, engage and educate all types of people who are excited about architecture and design.

Curious Cats Theatre Collective Presents the Best Restaurant in The World. Ever.

Date:  November 7th to 16th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St.)
Tickets: Varies

As the Chef and Owner of the best restaurant in the world, ever, Joe should be on top of his game. Instead, he leads a troubled and haunted life.   A fateful string of events leads Joe, his staff, and clientele, into a night filled with love, loss and an unforgettable dining experience.  A touching Comedy/Drama that will inspire you to take a new look at the world around you.

Tech Talks – Canadian Abilities Foundation

Date:  November 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  Online
Tickets: Free (registration required)

Tech Talks is here to help you build confidence using technology, whether you’re exploring social media, managing your online banking, or simply staying in touch with family and friends. They’re education sessions provide opportunities to learn more about staying safe and aging well.

Shakespeare in Love: The Play

Date:  November 13th to 15th, 2025
Time: Varies
Location:  Performance Works, Granville Island (1218 Cartwright St.)
Tickets: Varies

Welcome to the what if world of passionate young poet and player William Shakespeare. Lee Hall’s stage adaptation of the Academy Award®-winning 1998 film, written by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, imagines the life and love of the world’s most famous playwright near the beginning of his career.

Seniors Social: Holiday Afternoon Tea

Date: Friday, November 21st, 2025
Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm
Location:  False Creek Community Centre, Granville Island (1318 Cartwright St.)
Tickets: $6 (registration required)

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with old friends and new friends. Youth Volunteers will be serving a small plate of petite bites with your choice of coffee or tea. Entertainment will include live music, group carols and a holiday craft station.