We're in for a pretty serious heat wave starting today and lasting until Tuesday. Please follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe this weekend
Thank you for visiting the website of Lana Popham, Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich South
Friday, June 25, 2021
We're in for a pretty serious heat wave starting today and lasting until Tuesday. Please follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe this weekend
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
2SLGBTQ+ people continue to face stigma and discrimination, and as a result face higher rates of violence, poverty, and mental health struggles. For people of colour in the community these issues can be even more complex and difficult. Nobody should ever be the target of violence or oppression because of who they love or who they are.
Our government continues to work hard to advance the rights and freedoms for all of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Here are examples of some of the actions we've taken so far:
- Flew the Trans flag at the BC legislature for the first time in history.
- Re-established BC’s human rights commission, which had been dismantled in 2002.
- Included ‘X’ as a third option in the gender field on government-issued ID, allowing us to more accurately represent the spectrum of gender identity.
- Moved to ensure that publicly funded, gender affirming lower surgeries are available in BC.
- Ensured that all 60 school districts are part of the BC SOGI Educator Network to help schools be more inclusive for students.
- Expanded coverage for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to ensure people at risk of contracting HIV in B.C. are benefiting from preventative treatment.
Friday, June 18, 2021
- Travel recreationally anywhere in B.C.
- Host outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people
- Hold indoor seated organized gatherings of up to 50 people
- Attend indoor faith gathering of up to 50 people, or 10% of a place of worship’s total capacity, whichever is greater
- Go to a movie theatre or live theatre
- Watch outdoor sports (maximum of 50 spectators)
- Stay later at a restaurant or bar, with liquor service extended until midnight
- Go to indoor fitness classes (low-intensity or high-intensity) with reduced capacity
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Since forming government, we’ve worked relentlessly to tackle the affordability crisis. For far too long, people have suffered from the years of neglect by the previous BC Liberal government. People in our province continue to struggle to find affordable homes. We are making good progress, but there is more to do.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
I’d like to provide an update on an
important development in Fairy Creek.
On Monday June 7th, the Pacheedaht,
Huu-ay-aht, and Ditidaht First Nations issued the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration,
taking back decision-making responsibilities over their traditional
territories. At the same time, these three nations asked our government to
defer old growth logging in the Fairy Creek Watershed and Central Walbran
areas, which are located within their territory.
I’m
pleased to report that our BC NDP government honours and has approved the
request to protect all of the old growth identified by the three First Nations,
including the Fairy Creek Watershed.
The protection of Fairy Creek is an important
step in protecting the old growth forests that we all love.
The over 2,000 hectares protected in Fairy
Creek and Central Walbran adds to the nearly 200,000 hectares our government
has already protected, including in Clayoquot Sound and the Skagit “Donut Hole”
in Manning Park. In total, we have now issued deferrals in 11 rare old growth
ecosystems left vulnerable by the BC Liberals.
But let’s be clear: while these are very
important first steps, we know there is a lot more work to do. That’s why our
government will announce more old growth protections this summer, following
ongoing consultations with Indigenous rights and title holders.
In recent weeks, I’ve been asked why
government didn’t act immediately to defer Fairy Creek. The answer is simple:
We were respecting the request from Pacheedaht First Nation not to interfere as
they developed a stewardship plan for their territories. The days of making
land management decisions without consulting Indigenous rights and title
holders is over.
All First Nations have the inherent right
of self-determination and are uniquely positioned to be stewards of their
territories. The outcome in Fairy Creek shows that when we put Indigenous
peoples at the center of land management in their territories, we can protect
old growth while advancing reconciliation.
Although some demonstrators have said they
intend to continue protesting, it’s important to recognize what the Pacheedaht,
Huu-ay-aht, and Ditidaht said on June 7:
“Third parties – whether they are companies,
organizations, other governments, or individuals – have no right to speak on
behalf of the Nations. Moreover, for third parties to be welcome in their ḥahahuułi
(traditional territories), they must respect their governance and stewardship,
sacred principles, and right to economically benefit from the resources within
the ḥahahuułi.”
Thank you for raising your voice on this
issue. British Columbians have cared about these forests for a long time, and
these last few weeks have shown that commitment is stronger than ever. These
forests are part of what makes our province a great place to live. They’re part
of who we are as British Columbians.
Protecting Fairy Creek is an important
step, but there’s a lot more work to do. I’ll keep you updated as we take additional
action to protect old growth forests for future generations.
Click here to
read the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration.
Click here to read more about our
government’s announcement today.
Sincerely,
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Today, Tuesday June 8th, is World Oceans Day!
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Since 2018, we’ve been regularly increasing the minimum wage, which was $11.35 an hour when this work began. Close to 400,000 people have benefited from these increases, the majority of whom are women, immigrants and youth – people who bear the brunt of low-wage labour.
Increasing the minimum wage is one way we are tackling inequality while making life more affordable. Another action we are taking is increasing the accessibility of child care.
For too long, parents in B.C. have struggled to find affordable child care, which disproportionately impacted women. As of this week, our government has funded nearly 26,000 new licensed child care spaces, exceeding our original goal. In just three years, we’ve funded more than twice as many spaces as the previous government did in an entire decade. This means more parents can afford to go back to work or school, knowing their kids are being cared for and nurtured.
When we lift up the most vulnerable, we are all better off. This pandemic has exacerbated many issues that British Columbians were already facing, from paying the bills to finding child care. We are committed to a recovery that benefits everyone in our province.
Speaking of benefits – have you applied for your BC Recovery Benefit yet? This is the one-time payment of up to $1000 for eligible families, or $500 for eligible individuals. Applications close on June 30th! Visit this page to apply. If you have already applied, you don’t need to apply again – visit this page if you have questions or haven’t received your benefit.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Happy B.C. Wild Salmon Day!