Above, please find the latest update on the vaccine rollout. This week Phase three has been launched and you will be able to find more information on the link above.
If you wish to sign up for our emails – please email us at bruce.ralston.mla@leg.bc.ca
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TACS0023-000526
For Immediate Release
2021TACS0023-000526
March 24, 2021
Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
NEWS RELEASE
Sustaining arts and culture organizations
VICTORIA – Arts and culture organizations are getting an extra boost to help keep the sector resilient as B.C.’s economy works to recover from the pandemic.
“I know how difficult this past year has been for artists, without being able to connect with people in our communities,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Our government is working with arts leaders and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer to plan a safe return, because we know how important art is for our mental health and well-being. In the meantime, we are stepping up and providing an additional $16 million in supports to people, arts organizations and venues.”
To help arts and culture organizations stay resilient, the B.C. government is providing:
* $14 million in new one-time supplements to 588 arts and culture organizations; and
* an additional $2 million to help 47 organizations improve their existing spaces.
Arts and culture groups like Ballet BC will be able to use their supplement to pay for operating costs, such as rent and utilities and maintaining people’s jobs.
“This is incredible news for companies like us who haven’t been able to perform to live audiences since March of 2020,” said John Clark, executive director, Ballet BC. “This supplement will help cover our lost revenue and help keep artists and staff members employed while we work together on a plan to reopen safely. I greatly appreciate the B.C. government for making arts and culture a priority.”
This funding for the supplements is through StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan. Combined with the $21 million already announced in September 2020, this brings the total amount of targeted recovery funding for the arts and culture sector to $35 million. The government has also doubled arts infrastructure funding this year, with $2 million distributed to 50 arts and culture organizations in January 2021.
“Our government has supported arts and culture since day one,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. “We invested in the BC Arts Council, bringing its budget to a record high, and when the pandemic hit, we were the first province to provide targeted funding to the arts. I’m so proud we are able to provide even more support to help arts and culture groups get through the next few months. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the sector.”
The BC Arts Council will administer both the supplement and the arts infrastructure grants. Organizations will start to receive their supplements in the coming weeks. This announcement is part of B.C.’s $10-billion COVID-19 response, which includes StrongerBC – a plan that protects people’s health and livelihoods, while supporting businesses and communities.
Learn More:
See a full list of supplement recipients: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/funding/recipients/
See a full list of arts infrastructure grant recipients: http://news.gov.bc.ca/files/3-24-21_TACS.pdf
StrongerBC: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/
Follow BC Arts Council on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCArtsCouncil
Or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil
For a French translation, visit: http://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TACS0023-000526#translations
Contact:
Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-4309
Province celebrates B.C.’s champions of anti-racism | BC Gov News
More than 70 people and organizations have been recognized for their efforts to tackle discrimination and foster diversity at this year’s virtual B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards.
“Our government stands alongside the many British Columbians who are fighting against racism and making our province more welcoming and inclusive for everyone,” said Premier John Horgan. “Together, we stand united against racism and committed to the work that must be done to dismantle the systemic discrimination that is still a lived reality for too many people in B.C.”
The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are held annually to honour British Columbians for their leadership in promoting multiculturalism and addressing racism.
“We give thanks to every nominee for their incredible work to stand up to racism and champion diversity and understanding across our province,” said Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary of Anti-Racism Initiatives. “Now more than ever, we must shine a light on racism and address the uncomfortable truth that it exists in B.C. It is only by working together that we can make a lasting change so our future generations are free of hatred and discrimination.”
At a virtual award ceremony on March 21, 2021, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, five British Columbians received awards in three categories, including:
The recipient of the Emerging Leader Award receives a $5,000 grant to be donated to an organization of their choice. This year, the grant will go to the Chinese Taoism Kuan-Kung Association in Canada.
“It is crucial to acknowledge, celebrate and support those dedicated activists and grassroots organizations who are working tirelessly to break barriers and bring us closer to equity,” said Amir Bajehkian, member of the provincial Multicultural Advisory Council. “These efforts are often thankless and out of the spotlight. Nonetheless, they are not just there as favours to marginalized people. All of us are better off when everyone can reach their full potential and fully participate in the affairs of our communities.”
Quick Facts:
Learn More:
For more information and to view the awards ceremony, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=12upWhBpaoI
For more information about Resilience BC, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/multiculturalism-anti-racism/anti-racism/resiliencebc
If you are the victim of a hate crime, find support online: https://hatecrimesinbc.resiliencebcnetwork.ca/
While the province gradually re-opens, the government wants to hear about your experiences and how COVID-19 has affected you.
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey
SURREY – New Democrat MLAs in Surrey are welcoming BC government supports aimed at keeping seasonal farm workers, and all agriculture workers, safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To protect farmers and farm workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Agriculture has outlined a series of requirements for all farms, including those that employ seasonal labour and Temporary Foreign Workers.
All temporary foreign workers (TFWs) arriving in British Columbia for seasonal farm work will be required to self-isolate in government-managed accommodations for 14 days prior to being transported to farms throughout B.C. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers are also being asked to take a number of preventative measures to keep their employees safe. These measures include:
Providing employee training in a familiar language explaining safety measures and protocols, physical distancing, hygiene, and monitoring and reporting illness
Ensuring employees maintain physical distancing of at least two metres while working or at rest on a farm, in accommodation, or transport, or use physical barriers such as plexiglass or face coverings if distancing can not be maintained.
Educating employees on measures to prevent infection and transmission in their personal and on-farm actions, including hand-washing, and equipment use and disinfection.
Providing daily safety briefings, and display posters and printed reminders in conspicuous locations with information about preventing infection and transmission.
In addition to asking employers to take preventative measures to ensure workplace safety, AgSafe BC has developed templates to assist agricultural employers in building their Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Programs in order to keep workers safe during COVID-19.
Learn more: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/covid-19-response
“Here in Surrey, and across the province, seasonal workers and temporary foreign workers are an important part of our communities,” said Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “By following the advice of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and by helping employers do the same, we are working to help people in B.C. stay safe and healthy on the job.”