NDP MLA Brenda Bailey says strengthened recovery funding will help support local artists and organizations in Vancouver

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New Democrat MLA Brenda Bailey says strengthened support from the BC New Democrat government will help local artists and art organizations in Vancouver recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“The arts and artists play an integral role in strengthening vibrant communities, encouraging creativity and building local economies” said Brenda Bailey, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. “Our government is committed to continuing to support them as we move along the path of recovery so their work can have an impact and enrich people’s lives for years to come.”

Two hundred and seventy-five artists and organizations in Vancouver will be benefitting from this recovery funding, including:

  • Arts Club Theatre Company
  • Arts Umbrella
  • Ballet BC
  • Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
  • Cultch
  • Vancouver Art Gallery
  • Vancouver International Film Festival
  • Vancouver Opera
  • Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

This funding to local artists and organizations comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council. The BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to over 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. These grants recognize the impact the pandemic has had on sector organizations. Grants will range from $15,000 to $60,000. Additionally, BC Arts Council will direct $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program.  Arts Impact Grants enables applicants to prioritize what activity or activities will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice and/or community.

This grant program signals a new focus on flexibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity in how the BC Arts Council supports arts and culture organizations. Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate and/or offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations. 

Learn More: 

To learn more about these grants and see the provincewide list of recipients, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/26517

Meeting with local restaurants

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Restaurants play a big role in our neighbourhood—we do have over 4000 in Vancouver-False Creek. These businesses provide jobs to thousands of people and contribute to Vancouver’s economy. The pandemic has been hard on many restaurants, with provincial health orders meaning that restaurants have had to continually adapt and adjust the way they operate.

With the proof of vaccination PHO having come into effect on September 13, restaurants have once again had to acclimatise to a new way of conducting business. As per the health order, people are required to produce proof of vaccination in order to access restaurants and bars (among other businesses and event spaces). As of 27 September, the only accepted form of proof is the BC Vaccine Card, which can be accessed here.

MLA Bailey has been meeting with local restaurant owners and hearing about their concerns. Many business owners have expressed their desire to continue providing quality services while prioritising people’s safety— for both workers and customers alike.
Restaurant owners, as well as other business owners, are encouraged to contact the Vancouver-False Creek Community office with any questions or concerns they may have regarding health orders or mandates that could possibly affect their businesses.

Bringing Healthcare support workers back into the fold

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By Brenda Bailey, MLA

Growing up in Nanaimo, I was close to both of my Grandmothers. Both have been widowed while very young, and both were single moms. My Grandma Laura worked in a union job at the Nanaimo General Hospital as a cleaner. She cleaned the Emergency department. Her job must have been brutally tough. She developed a hunch on her back, which she told me was from scrubbing floors on her hands and knees. And she was paid for her hard work. She was able to provide and retired with a pension.

In 2003 the Liberals privatized this cleaning and housekeeping serves. Did this save the health care sector money? No. The amount private health billed the health care sector for this work in fact increased once these services were no longer in house. The workers are paid very poorly, there is high turnover, and the work, anecdotally, is of lesser quality. This is how privatization extracts value – rather than adds value – to the health care system.

Under Minister Dix’s leadership, the health care sector is bringing these jobs back into the fold. I am so proud to be part of a government that is making this important change and restoring dignity to hard work. My Grandma Laura would be proud.

B.C. Residential Schools Response Funding and First Nations Liaisons

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Sites across the province still hold unanswered questions and terrible pain for survivors, families and communities, and our government is committed to supporting First Nations-led action to find answers and healing.

The B.C. Residential Schools Response is making available $12 million in urgent funds to First Nations and Tribal Councils that have former Indian Residential schools or Indian Hospital sites in or near their communities.

We are honoured to welcome two outstanding leaders – Charlene Belleau and Lydia Hwitsum – who will serve as the Province’s new First Nations liaisons to aid response efforts.

Biographies of First Nations liaisons

Charlene Belleau

Charlene Belleau is a catalyst for change in her home community of Esk’etemc First Nation and has served in senior leadership and advocacy roles at the local, provincial and national level. An advocate for improved health and social programs, a supporter of residential school survivors and their families, and a leader in the campaign to end violence against Indigenous women and girls, she is dedicated to community healing and to building respectful relationships. Belleau is the former Chief of Esk’etemc First Nation and former chair of the First Nations Health Council.

Lydia Hwitsum

Lydia Hwitsum is a citizen of the Cowichan Nation on Vancouver Island where she previously served four two-year terms as the elected Chief of the Cowichan Tribes. She has advocated for Indigenous and human rights locally, nationally and internationally. Hwitsum has more than 20 years of experience in leadership and advocacy positions at the local, national and international level. She has previously held board positions on the Royal Roads University Board of Governors, the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, the BC Land Title and Survey Authority, the BC Capacity Initiative Council and the Tele’ethw Aboriginal Capital Corporation. She is also former Chair of the First Nations Health Authority. Hwitsum was elected in June 2019 to a second term and serves on the First Nations Summit Political Executive.

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021IRR0035-001399

Anchor Attractions Grants

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We are lucky to have so many amazing anchor attractions and tourism operators here in False Creek. Not only do they offer exciting experiences, they also draw visitors from around the world and employ thousands of people in our community.

Several of our tourism gems have suffered serious setbacks during this past year. The B.C. government’s anchor attractions grants will help anchor attractions and tour bus companies in Vancouver recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vancouver-False Creek attractions receiving the grant include:

  • The Arts Club of Vancouver Theatre Society
  • Bard on the Beach
  • Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society
  • HR MacMillan Space Centre
  • Science World
  • Vancouver Art Gallery

Learn more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TACS0054-001440

True or False Creek Walking Game

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The True or False Creek Walking Game is an interactive learning experience that’s aimed at getting folks walking around the community and learning about what makes False Creek so special.

The game covers the past, present and future of False Creek, with a strong focus on sustainability and how we can all play our part in protecting our community. If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to explore our beautiful community, this game offers a great family-friendly activity right here in our very own backyard.

What’s really remarkable is that it was developed by a local community member, Alexa Bailey, who was only 14 when she came up with the concept. Well done on the wonderful game, Alexa!

Covering 3 kilometres, from False Creek Community Centre to Science world, the game is unlocked by a QR code that can be found here.

To learn more, visit: https://falsecreekcc.ca/true-or-false-creek-walking-game/