VIEW FROM THE LEDGE: Newsletter from MLA Morissette
While people everywhere are feeling the squeeze of rising costs due to global inflation and the impact of tariffs, we want to help British Columbians keep more money in their pockets.
That’s why we’ve been taking action as a government to deliver savings. ICBC is once again providing rebates of $110 for drivers – you may have already received a cheque or auto-deposit! This means more money that can be put towards important expenses for people and their families.
For another year, ICBC rates will also remain frozen with no increases, keeping car insurance a stable expense for people to be able to expect and prepare for. These rates and rebates from ICBC mean on average, drivers are saving $2,000 thanks to our government’s work to ensure that ICBC profits go back to people, not government accounts.
To help out renters, we’re also enhancing the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, helping low-income and senior renters with the rising costs of living they’re facing. Since April 1, RAP and SAFER eligibility criteria has been expanded to benefit more than 30,000 households in B.C., with eligible recipients getting automatic increases in their benefits, and thousands more people and households newly eligible to receive support. If you think you or a loved one could benefit from these supports, look up eligibility at https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs
Just this week, we announced savings for people with low and moderate incomes to be able to purchase heat pumps, including for renters and people in multi-unit buildings. While we know more people are buying heat pumps, we know cost is still a barrier for people who would benefit from one. That’s why we’re investing to offer over 8,000 rebates on heat pumps to more British Columbians, and partnering with BC Hydro and Fortis BC to offer installations to low-income households and individuals. This means more people will have cheaper, more climate friendly heating in the winter and cooling in the summer to handle all the temperatures our province experiences. For more information about these rebates and how to apply, visit www.betterhomesbc.ca.
While people are struggling with costs, we’re working to put money back into British Columbians’ pockets. There’s still more to do, and we’ll keep taking action to do it.
Great news for our area! This labour dispute has impacted our area for a long time, so good that it is drawing to a close.
“I am pleased that the union, BCGEU Local 2009, and employer, Western Pacific Marine, are expected to resume full ferry service on Friday, April 11, 2025. The two sides have agreed to submit proposals to special mediator Vince Ready, who will issue binding recommendations on all remaining matters.
“I would like to thank Mr. Ready for his ongoing work on this incredibly important file.
“This is welcome news for residents who rely on the Kootenay Lake ferries. I want to recognize their patience and resilience during the service interruptions. I also want to acknowledge the strong advocacy of MLA Brittny Anderson and MLA Steve Morissette, who worked hard to represent the needs of their constituents.”
Recently the BC SPCA West Kootenay in Castlegar invited me to come for a visit to learn about their important work and tour the facility. Thank you to Danielle and Sue for showing me around.
It was also great to meet some of the animals, including Diesel, who is a very good boy and was getting ready to go to his new furever home!
To learn more about adoptions, donations, and much more, please visit their website: https://spca.bc.ca/
It was a pleasure to visit Selkirk College recently to connect with President Maggie Matear and VPs Lareena Rilkoff and Taya Whitehead. We discussed how Selkirk and other rural colleges are handling challenges and strengthening resilience. I look forward to continued conversations so that I can do whatever I can to support rural post-secondary education and the communities who depend on it.
I had a great meeting with the B.C. Construction Association this week. It was great to learn directly how we can help them with some challenges. For more information check out Home – BC Construction Association
Premier directs government to cancel American contracts wherever viable
As people are choosing to buy B.C. and buy Canadian, British Columbians expect their government to join them in choosing to avoid U.S. purchases wherever possible. The government has been directed to use its purchasing power to exclude American suppliers and support Canadian companies and trusted and reliable trading partners instead. Now is the time to continue to support B.C. and Canadian businesses, as well as find new markets and develop deeper bonds with countries other than the U.S. Our goal is to find every opportunity to stand with British Columbians, support Canadian jobs and build an economy where we stand on our own two feet.
B.C. strengthens supports, cuts wait times for landlords, renters
Landlords and renters will benefit from new measures that enhance supports, while disputes continue to be resolved quickly and fairly. Through our government’s investments in the Residential Tenancy Branch, we’ve reduced wait times for renters and landlords by an average of 70% since November 2022. We’re introducing more measures to ensure landlords and renters receive additional supports, can continue to build strong partnerships, and have confidence they’ll be able to get advice and resolve disputes in a timely manner, should issues ever arise.
Province takes action to improve wildfire resiliency, enhance forest stewardship
Our government is taking action to adapt B.C.’s forests to ensure long-term sustainability and good-paying jobs by enlisting BC Timber Sales (BCTS) to play a larger role in reducing wildfire risk and enhancing forest and community resilience through its operations. We stand with forestry workers, and this is just one of many actions we are taking to support the forestry industry as we get through this. BCTS has the expertise and the tools to play a bigger role in active forest management and addressing climate change, and British Columbians want to see that happen.
We are still accepting applications to become a member of the Provincial Accessibility Committee! If you’re dedicated to making B.C. more inclusive and accessible for everyone, there’s still time to apply to join the team that helps shape policies and standards to remove barriers for people with disabilities.
Deadline: April 21, 2025
Apply now at https://www.bcpublicsectorboardapplications.gov.bc.ca/…
A more inclusive and accessible B.C. for all is possible when we work together! Apply today or share this opportunity with someone who would be a great fit.
Committee is seeking input on Bill M 205, Mental Health Amendment Act, 2025.
British Columbians who wish to provide input on the bill must do so via the parliamentary committee consultation portal by 3:00 p.m. (Pacific) on April 22, 2025. Visit https://bcleg.ca/4kPrplL for details. Further information is available on the Committee’s website. If you have any questions about the work of the Committee or the information in this email, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or contact the Parliamentary Committees Office at PMBCommittee@leg.bc.ca or phone at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free in BC).
The Committee will be holding several in-person meetings throughout the province and expects to visit Nelson and Vernon. British Columbians wishing to present to the Committee are asked to complete a presentation request form by Friday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific). The presentation request form is available on the Parliamentary Committees Consultation Portal. The opportunity to provide written input to the Committee will also be available beginning in June.
If you have any questions about the Budget 2026 Consultation, or the Committee’s work please don’t hesitate to contact The Parliamentary Committees Office at FinanceCommittee@leg.bc.ca or phone at 250-356-2933 or 1-877-428-8337 (toll-free in BC).
Tariff resource websites
For Business: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/for-bc-businesses/us-tariffs-bc/
For Citizens: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/tariffs
Federal Page: https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/campaigns/canada-us-engagemen
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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