Weekly newsletter from MLA Morissette
By Contributor
Across BC, access to primary healthcare is top of mind for many of us. I know many people in our community are still struggling to find a primary care practitioner nearby. But over the past few months, I also have heard more and more success stories from people who have become attached to a primary care practitioner and are seeing the benefits. There is certainly lots more work left to do, and we’re going to keep working to improve and expand our healthcare system, and make sure every British Columbian can get the care they need.
This week, we shared some of the positive news we’ve seen as a result of our work –in 2024, we connected almost 250,000 people to primary care providers that’s around 680 people getting matched every day! This marks the largest number of people getting attached to primary care since we launched the Health Connect Registry. We’ve also seen success from our actions to recruit and train more family doctors and nurse practitioners, with 1001 new family doctors in B.C. since the launch of our new payment model in 2023, and 178 new nurse practitioners registered in 2024 alone.
In light of the political situation to the south of us, more Americans than ever are considering moving to Canada. And we are taking action to attract doctors and other healthcare professionals from the U.S. and make sure their credentials are recognized so they can join us and fill in-demand roles in our health care system.
We’re working with the local certifying colleges to ensure U.S.-trained doctors can become licensed in B.C. without needing further exams or training, removing barriers in B.C. that have been similarly addressed in other provinces like Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. We’re also working to make it easier for U.S.-trained nurses to work in B.C., and speed up their timelines to getting licensed locally.
To help attract U.S. health professionals, we’re ramping up our targeted recruitment campaigns, similar to ones we’ve undertaken to attract medical professionals from the U.K. and Ireland. These campaigns highlight work in some of our most high-need roles, like cancer care, ERs, and in rural and remote community care.
Seeing the positive results that have come from our work, now is the time to keep this work going and keep taking innovative action to attract and retain healthcare professionals here in B.C., so people can access care here, and so medical professionals feel valued and supported in their work. I will continue to share our work and our results as we do this work.
If you or someone you know does not have a primary care practitioner, sign up to be matched to a family doctor or nurse practitioner through the BC Health Connect Registry at https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-connect-registry,or visit the registry site to learn more about how to update your file, if your health situation has changed, you have moved, or your contact information is changing.
For more than 110 years, the BC Lung Foundation has been a leader in the fight for healthy lungs and clean air.
Thank you to the BC Lung Foundation for educating us government MLAs about their invaluable work in lung disease and support! Left to right Steve Morissette Anne Kang Sunita Dhir Paul Choi
Great to sit down with representatives from BC’s Mortgage Brokers Association this week at the BC Legislature. Ensuring British Columbians have the access and tools they need to enter the housing market is a shared priority for our Government and the #MBABC. Thank you for your advocacy on this critical issue.
On Monday BCNDP MLA Joan Phillip rose to give a statement decrying “misinformation being spread by members of this house” and thanking those who spoke out against it.
Phillip’s speech was followed by lengthy applause and a standing ovation — including Rustad, house leader A’aliya Warbus, Peter Milobar and Elenore Sturko. Warbus, who is Indigenous, raised both hands to Phillip in a traditional gesture of acknowledgment.
Across the world, Hindus will be joyfully shouting “Holi Hai!” as they embrace this festival with laughter and celebration.
We take pride in being a country that celebrates diversity. As the colours of Holi brighten our surroundings, let them also serve as a symbol of the beautiful diversity that defines British Columbia.
May this festival remind us to stand for kindness, respect, and harmony—values that are at the heart of both Holi and our great province. Happy Holi to everyone!
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, and Minister responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, will host a virtual information session to provide an update about the status of the Columbia River Treaty modernization process and answer questions in light of new developments from the U.S.
The U.S. has paused negotiations with Canada on an amended Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. administration said it is conducting a broad review of its international engagement.
Dix will be joined by Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central, and Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay Monashee. B.C.’s lead on the Canadian Columbia River Treaty negotiation delegation will also be on hand to answer questions.
The session will take place from 6-7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Zoom and a recording will be available afterward. Questions can be sent in advance by Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca.
To register for the March 25 Zoom session, visit: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7sv70tIIRJWK1LCD51Mrig
Materials, recordings, surveys, and guidelines for written feedback about the AIP can be found on the B.C. Columbia River Treaty website: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/agreement-in-principle/
To keep up with the latest Columbia River Treaty news, subscribe to the newsletter at https://engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/sign-up/ or follow the Columbia River Treaty on Facebook.
More information including news release: BC Gov News
Premier’s statement on removing all U.S. alcohol from BCLIQUOR stores
We are taking this action in response to escalating threats from south of the border. While some of us may be disappointed at not being able to access some of our favourites, this is an excellent opportunity to sample Canadian products. We have heard the voices of people in British Columbia who are justifiably upset by American threats – and want to see us take this step.
New tools allow B.C. to rapidly respond to U.S. tariffs
Legislation has been introduced to strengthen B.C.’s ability to respond quickly to threats of tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States. In the face of escalating attacks on our sovereignty that have included threatening to erase the Canada-U.S. border and taking our water, we are not backing down. We are arming ourselves with the tools we need to respond swiftly, break down trade barriers within Canada and strengthen our economy.
New supports will strengthen community fire fighting capacity
During an emergency, people rely on volunteer firefighters and community fire crews to keep their loved ones and homes safe. By providing funding for equipment and training, we’re strengthening local firefighting capabilities so that people in rural and remote communities who depend on volunteer or partial volunteer fire departments are safer and better protected. Volunteer and composite fire departments are a cornerstone of our emergency response system, especially in rural and remote communities where they are often the first line of defence.
B.C. improving care for people with mental-health,substance-use challenges
The province is taking action to improve care for people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges, including brain injuries from toxic-drug poisonings, ensuring they have the right care to meet their needs. The needs of this vulnerable population have become more complex and further support is needed through involuntary care facilities and continued work with partners. We are also clarifying the act’s application to ensure consistency and to support a seamless system of mental-health and substance-use care that works for everyone, while keeping our communities safe.
Rent support for survivors of gender-based violence in British Columbia
The federal and provincial governments announced an enhancement to the Canada-BC Housing Benefit (CBCHB) that will provide additional support for survivors of gender-based violence. We’re matching the federal government’s investment of $37 million over four years. Supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including women, children and 2SLGBTQIA+ people experiencing or at risk of violence, is a priority of the provincial government.
Did you know? When you buy from local farmers, producers and processors, you’re supporting a sustainable, thriving B.C. economy. Visit https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/ to find out how you can support B.C.’s food and beverage sector today! We work best when we work together, and times like these show how great we are at coming together to support each other.
If you have any questions or concerns about a provincial issue or need assistance with a provincial body, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help. My office can be reached online at Steve.Morissette.MLA@leg.bc.ca or at (250) 304-2783.
Helpful resources:
- Visit the BC Benefits Connector at gov.bc.ca/BCBenefitsConnector to find benefits and savings for things like energy bills, transportation, education and training, and health care.
- Stay up to date with weather conditions and forecasts: Weather.gc.ca
- Find mental health and substance-use supports: Helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca
- The United Way BC 211 Racist Incident Helpline is available by dialing (toll-free) 1 833 457-5463 (1 833 HLP-LINE). Learn more at https://racistincidenthelpline.ca/
- The Service BC Contact Centre can help you find what you need. Representatives are available by phone or email.
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