2023 was an exciting and successful year! With your support we accomplished a lot for Columbia River-Revelstoke.
Healthcare issues are the number one reason constituents contact my office. My November meeting with Alberta’s Minister of Health confirmed Alberta’s continued willingness to work with B.C. for transborder healthcare options. This is important for those who need treatment and live closer to Alberta than the Okanagan or the Lower Mainland. I will continue this work into 2024.
The RDEK Area F Director and I met with Health Minister Dix this spring resulting in $300,000 in funding for Angel Flight East Kootenay. This is a volunteer-based organization with volunteer pilots that transports patients from the Kootenays to Kelowna for medical treatments. This service helps to address a void in rural healthcare access. However, it is certainly not the solution to getting the resources and support that that my constituents need and deserve.
My office continues to hear from hard-working people who are having a difficult time making ends meet. BC United is forging a path to tackle the affordability crisis. We’ve proposed the removal of PST on gas and we and are committed to removing the carbon tax on home heating fuel as part of our affordability platform.
Thanks to the dedication of community stakeholder organizations, we finally secured funding for an overpass for the Big Horn Sheep at Radium. I hope to see construction start in the spring resulting in safer highways for travelers and wildlife alike.
Stewardship of our water is very important to my constituents. I have been engaged with Living Lakes Canada as they monitor water levels in our aquifers which have dropped over the last five years. This is one of many factors to consider as the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) is being re-negotiated. As the Shadow Minister for the CRT, I will keep tabs on the progress as the Treaty is modernized. There are new considerations being introduced that include collaboration with First Nations, the reintroduction of the salmon, and an increased ability for Canadian hydro dams to adjust their own operations in response to fluctuating conditions.
After the courthouse in Golden was destroyed by fire, I met with the B.C. Attorney General to ensure that the courthouse will be rebuilt in Golden. I look forward to the completion of this important regional amenity.
Completion of the Kicking Horse Highway Phase 4 Project was also important for our region. During its construction I successfully advocated for the Public Safety Minister to keep two RCMP traffic members in the area to address the increase of traffic on Highway 95. I also pushed for expediting some infrastructure timelines to accommodate the increased traffic.
I will continue to work for you on housing, affordability, and other important issues and look forward to 2024 with gratitude for my constituents. I will fight for the meaningful change that we all need. From my family to yours, I wish you a healthy and happy holiday season.