We were all
horrified to learn this recent news. Please see the following statement from
Premier John Horgan about the burial site at the former Kamloops Indian
Residential School:
“I am horrified
and heartbroken to learn that the burial site of 215 children has been
confirmed on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. I
honour Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc as they grapple with this burden from a dark
chapter of Canadian history and uphold their commitment to complete this
investigation over the coming weeks – bringing to light the full truth of this
loss.
“Each child has
been forever taken from a family and a community that loved them. This is a
tragedy of unimaginable proportions. And it is a stark example of the violence
the Canadian residential school system inflicted upon Indigenous peoples and
how the consequences of these atrocities continue to this day.
“The Tk’emlúps
te Secwépemc people have said they are the caretakers of these children, as
some would have been brought to the residential school from neighbouring
Nations. My thoughts are with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and all who mourn, as
they enact their cultural protocols to notify First Nations communities whose
children were sent to this school.”
Support
services are available for those affected by this news:
A National
Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for
former Residential School students and those affected. Access emotional and
crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1 866
925-4419.
Within B.C.,
the KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific
crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free from
anywhere in British Columbia. The KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free
at 1 800 588-8717. Alternatively, call direct into the Youth Line at 250
723-2040 or the Adult Line at 250 723-4050, or online: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/”
You can also
view the statement here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021PREM0039-001034?fbclid=IwAR1m4eYKZqBgF91FiLB5EXLkZBAWO19UnBDTxBg_pswO6aRsl4MFx0Rzd5Y
Thank you for visiting the website of Lana Popham, Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich South
Friday, May 28, 2021
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Today our government announced BC’s four-step restart plan.
Implementing this plan will not be like flipping a switch. Rather, it will be a gradual and careful reopening that continues to put science and the advice of health experts first.
Now, with more than 60% of adults vaccinated with their first dose and COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations steadily declining, British Columbia is ready to move forward with our cautious first step for a careful and safe restart. The four-step plan was designed based on data and guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Dr. Bonnie Henry. Progressing through these steps will be measured by the number of adults vaccinated, COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths, while also considering clusters and outbreaks. While there are approximate reopening dates, the plan will be guided by data, not dates, and we will not proceed to the next step until it is safe to do so.
As of today, we are in Step 1. That means:
- Maximum of five visitors or one household allowed for indoor personal gatherings
- Maximum of 10 people for outdoor personal gatherings
- Maximum of 50 people for seated outdoor organized events with safety protocols
- Recreational travel only within your travel region
- Indoor and outdoor dining for up to six people with safety protocols
- Resuming outdoor sports with no spectators, and low-intensity fitness activities with safety protocols
- Starting the gradual return to offices
- Provincewide mask mandate, business safety protocols and physical distancing measures remain in place
- The return of indoor in-person faith-based gatherings with reduced capacity
Sincerely,
Friday, May 21, 2021
Our province is
home to some of the world’s finest tourist attractions. Whether it’s the
Butchart Gardens, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or the MacMillan Space
Centre, these attractions have been vital to our economy, and have given
us many cherished memories. But we know they are among the businesses hit
hardest by this pandemic, and our government is committed to supporting this
crucial industry.
Recently, our
government announced that $50 million is on the way to support B.C.’s major
tourist attractions. The BC Major Anchor Attractions Program offers up to $1
million per attraction through one-time grants. Businesses can apply until June
7th, with the funds coming in July. We’re taking strong action to ensure these
treasured attractions can continue to draw people to B.C., enrich our local
experiences and keep people employed.
This funding
will help these crucial businesses survive, and I look forward to the day they
are able to welcome everyone back with open arms.
You can learn
more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TACS0036-000947
Sincerely,
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Our government is building the next phase of our restart plan, a careful step-by-step approach which will allow us to do more as it becomes safe to do so. This approach has helped us keep a lot of businesses operating safely this past year and avoid larger shutdowns. We are working with businesses on their reopening needs and will have more to share on the next steps after the May long-weekend.
We know this virus can surge quickly. That’s why, like every decision in this pandemic, we will move forward step by step based on Dr. Henry’s advice. Our top priority remains keeping people and families safe.
The pandemic has been hard on so many people, businesses, and communities and while cases are still too high and we’re not through it yet, there are reasons to be optimistic.
We asked people to limit their contacts with coworkers, friends, and family to bend the curve back down – and British Columbians stepped up and pulled together. It’s working. As a result of our efforts, cases are going down and so are hospitalizations.
At the same time more and more people are getting vaccinated - more than 50% of BC’s eligible population have received their first dose.
We’re all looking forward to better days. We’re not there yet, but we get closer everyday.
Sincerely,
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Over the past few weeks, we have
all felt some relief as our most vulnerable—our grandparents,
parents, and loved ones—received their vaccines. Recently, there was more
good news: we’re expecting to receive over one million doses of
the Pfizer vaccine this month, speeding up our rollout!
With these new vaccines coming, it’s more important than ever for all British Columbians aged 18+ to register through B.C.’s Get Vaccinated system. This way, you will get an email or text notification prompting you to book an appointment when it is your turn. You will only need to register once. Anyone who is not yet registered can do so in one of three ways:
- Online at: gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated
- By phone between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Pacific time), toll-free, at 1-833 838-2323
In person at your nearest Service BC location
People 30+ can expect to start receiving email or text notifications
to book their vaccine appointment, along with Indigenous people 18+ and people
who are clinically extremely vulnerable. As well, pregnant British
Columbians 16+ are now eligible to receive their vaccine as a
priority population. After registering, people who are pregnant can book
their vaccine by calling 1-833-838-2323 and identifying as being
pregnant. For more information, please visit this page.
The Pfizer vaccine has now been approved by Health Canada for kids
12-17, and we’ll be integrating them into our age-based vaccine rollout. As more people become eligible and more vaccines are
approved, we will continue to update our provincewide program.
To date, more than 50% of eligible British Columbians have received
their first dose of the vaccine, with that number increasing every day. At
this crucial time in the pandemic, I strongly urge everyone who is eligible
to register and get vaccinated as soon they are able. Being immunized
is the best way to protect ourselves and our communities and to put
this pandemic behind us. Thank you for continuing your
efforts to keep each other safe.
COVID Resources:
- For medical info,
visit covid-19.bccdc.ca or call 811
- For vaccination
info, visit this page.
- For the BC Recovery
Benefit, visit gov.bc.ca/recoverybenefit or call 1-833-882-0020
- For financial supports
for people and businesses, visit this page.
- For PHO orders
and guidance, visit this page.
- For seniors
looking for additional support, or for those looking to support seniors,
call 2-1-1 or visit bc211.ca
- For virtual mental health resources, click here.
As always, if you have questions or need any
assistance with vaccination information, provincial COVID-19 supports, or any
other provincial issue, please reach out. My office can be reached at 250-479-4154 or Lana.Popham.MLA@leg.bc.ca.
Sincerely,
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Last Spring, my office published a restaurant guide for eateries in Saanich South. The guide was
delivered to almost 22,000 households to encourage folks to support our local restaurant industry that
is suffering heavily because of the pandemic.
Now, we’re distributing our Saanich South Restaurant and Eatery Menu 2.0 with updated contact info
and including new restaurants!
Special thanks to everyone who did take-out and pick-up last Spring. We know the drill my friends, let’s
come together once again to show these important businesses lots of love!
Every bit helps!
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Exciting news for Elk Lake and Beaver Lake!
Our government is partnering with the Capital Regional
District and moving ahead with a new oxygenation system. In recent years, both
lakes regularly suffered from blue-green algae blooms, which produce toxins
harmful to humans and pets when ingested and can lead to lethal liver damage in
dogs.
The new system will help reduce these cyanobacteria blooms and improve the health of fish, water quality, and habitats in the lakes and downstream. Our efforts to improve the lakes’ health and function follow through on commitments to step up protection of fish habitats.
Moving forward our lakes will be safe and enjoyable for
everyone from local families and freshwater fishers, to triathletes and rowers
- now and for generations to come.
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