Hi there,

The last few months have been busy ones at the legislature and we’ve been working hard to make a real difference for people across the province. Here are just some of the big announcements from this spring:

On June 1st, we increased the minimum wage to $15.65 – the highest in Canada. This will help B.C.’s lowest paid workers and benefit the entire province. Having a fair minimum wage is vital for building a strong economy.

We took steps to fix the outdated oil and gas royalty system by eliminating the largest fossil fuel subsidy in B.C. Eliminating this subsidy means that we can invest in priorities like bringing down costs and tackling carbon pollution.

On May 7th, we marked the second anniversary of our commitment to deliver surgeries postponed by the pandemic and we achieved a significant milestone. Through the dedicated efforts of B.C.’s healthcare workers we completed 337,000 surgeries in a single year - the most surgeries ever completed in a single year in B.C.

We introduced the historic Anti-Racism Data Act to allow government to better meet the needs of Indigenous, Black and racialized British Columbians. This Act will help us to identify where inequities exist in government programs and services so that changes can be made to ensure everyone is receiving safe and equitable treatment.

Last Fall, B.C. applied for an exemption from Health Canada to remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. Earlier this week, Health Canada approved B.C.’s application – a first in Canada. This means as of Jan. 31, 2023, adults in B.C. will no longer be arrested or charged for possessing small amounts of certain illicit drugs for personal use in an amount equal to or under 2.5g. Instead, police will offer information on available health and social supports and will help with referrals when requested.

Substance use and addiction is a health care issue, not a criminal one. By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we can help reduce the shame and fear that prevents them from accessing treatment and support.

This spring, we also delivered a historic Action Plan that includes 89 tangible actions that government will take to advance reconciliation in areas including education, the legal system, in childcare and in natural resource management. Examples include: recruiting more Indigenous teachers, addressing over representation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in the justice system, reducing the number of children and youth in care, and revitalizing wild salmon populations. The action plan will drive real change in government’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples in B.C.

There is always much more to do and we will keep building on these achievements and finding new opportunities to create a stronger British Columbia for everyone.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about a provincial issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you. My office can be reached at 604-936-8709 or rick.glumac.mla@leg.bc.ca

Thanks, Rick      
 

Helpful resources:      

• For medical info on COVID-19: covid-19.bccdc.ca or call 811.
• To find supports for those affected by floods: https://www.gov.bc.ca/FloodResponse
• For vaccination info and the BC vaccine card, visit this page.
• To find mental health and substance-use supports, visit wellbeing.gov.bc.ca.

New extreme heat alert and response system

It's important that people have the tools they need to stay safe in extreme heat events. 

The new BC Heat Alert and Response System will send alerts directly to people's phones for extreme heat emergencies, making sure British Columbians can take the necessary measures to stay cool and safe. It will also inform local authorities when to take appropriate actions based on their individual heat plans and processes.

Learn more

Building playgrounds for kids to laugh, play and grow

Through the Playground Equipment Program, our government has built over 200 school playgrounds province-wide since 2018.

I toured four schools in our community which have received new playgrounds from this program.

Children living active, engaged lifestyles is something I care deeply about, and I’m very excited to support new spaces for kids to laugh, play and grow.

Watch

Minimum wage increased to $15.65/hr on June 1

A fair minimum wage helps to lift people out of poverty and make life more affordable. That's why we're tying general minimum wage increases to inflation. B.C. now has the highest minimum wage of any province in Canada – effective June 1st it's $15.65/hour. 

Learn more

Port Moody youth art exhibit shows True Colours

Thank you to the PoMoArts’ youth committee for organizing True Colours, a youth pride artists exhibition, and for the invitation to speak at their family pride day event on Saturday.

Inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and two spirit people – and for their families and friends – is something we build together.

True Colours runs until June 26 | Watch

Eliminating the largest fossil fuel subsidy in B.C.

For decades, a broken system of fossil-fuel subsidies has failed to align with our climate and clean energy goals, or make sure people can fully benefit from these resources. That’s why we’re eliminating the largest fossil-fuel subsidy in B.C., and modernizing our outdated oil and gas royalty system. This will help us to keep investing in people's priorities, like improving services, bringing down costs and tackling carbon pollution. 

Learn more

Better rebates for installing EV chargers

Affordable, accessible infrastructure is an important step in helping people make the switch to electric vehicles. People, businesses and municipalities in B.C. can now get more money back when they buy and install EV charging stations under the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate program.

Workplaces and residents living in condos or apartments can get a rebate for a Level 2 charging station of up to 75% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $5,000. 

Learn more

Help shape BC Budget 2023, government priorities

This is your chance to help shape the next provincial budget and set government priorities.

The Finance Committee’s BC Budget 2023 consultation is open! Read the Budget Consultation Paper and share your ideas and priorities for the next provincial budget: https://bcleg.ca/FGSbudget

Identifying gaps in B.C.'s consumer protections

Do you have an experience to share about an online purchase? Problems getting a refund? Have you used a credit counselling service? Have you considered using products that promise to improve, monitor, or protect your credit? 

Help the Province identify gaps in B.C.'s consumer protection laws! Your experience can make a valuable impact on consumer protection in B.C. Tell us your story.

Preventing single-use and plastic waste in B.C.

More than 80% of items collected from beach cleanups in B.C. are single-use and disposable items. Let’s work together to change that. Here’s your chance to weigh in on how we can prevent this problem: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/plastics/

My office is here to help. Contact us.

When you contact my community office, my staff and I will do everything we can to assist. Your confidentiality is respected at all times. To give you a better idea of how we can help, please review the following information:

What my Community Office can help you with:

• Providing information on locating government services and contact information
• Assisting in understanding government policies and services
• Assisting in navigating through government bureaucracy
• Ensuring due process is being followed
• Attending community events
• Accepting practicum students
• Providing congratulatory and greeting messages
• Providing government documents, legislation discussion papers and other web-based forms if you don’t have internet access
• Assisting with issues you may be having with provincial ministries or agencies. However, by law, there are some things we cannot help you with.

We can help you if:

• You are a resident of the Port Moody - Coquitlam riding; and,
• Your matter is with the provincial government.