By Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart

Lots in store for Fraser-Nicola in 2019

Jan 24, 2019 | 2:38 PM

WITH A NEW YEAR COMES the opportunity to reflect on all that’s been happening in the riding of Fraser-Nicola, and refresh my list of priorities to address the evolving needs of my constituents.

I’m proud of some of the local infrastructure improvements we have seen in the riding over the past several months. There are a number of local projects in Fraser-Nicola that my constituents and I have lobbied for, that have spanned months and even years. The 10 Mile Slide transportation project is progressing nicely, 40 new affordable housing units are coming to Merritt, and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology’s new Centre of Excellence in Sustainability is offering students some wonderful new amenities.

On the health care front, the entire community of Merritt is looking forward to the new emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre. While already operating, there remains some construction still underway before its official grand opening. This project was planned and approved by our former BC Liberal government and will be a huge asset to the community.

Ashcroft, however, is still without 24/7 emergency service which is an enormous concern. A lack of staff continues to be a huge hurdle to overcome, especially the shortage of doctors which is a problem in a number of B.C. communities. In 2019, I will continue to highlight the importance of attracting and retaining qualified medical professionals to our communities, pressing the government to offer the incentives needed to not only bring these workers here, but keep them here.

A shortage of home care staff and paramedics is another concern, particularly for our local seniors. Seniors are also noting a shortage of affordable, independent and assisted living facilities. Many have also approached our office with questions about Pharmacare coverage, which can be complicated to understand. Others are raising concerns about dental, hearing and vision care services that are not provided under MSP.

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Transport to medical appointments is another key issue, and Greyhound’s elimination of service throughout British Columbia has been devastating to our rural communities. It’s not uncommon for local patients to have to travel to bigger centres to access the medical care they need, and that bus service was vital to many people.

Our caucus was disappointed by the inaction of B.C.’s Transportation Minister, who waited until it was too late to work out a solution. Now we’re stuck waiting for private operators to fill the void. Restoring bus service to rural areas is definitely among my top priorities for 2019. No one should be left in the lurch, unable to access the services they require to remain in good health.

Housing will continue to be a big focus as well for me this year. The communities of Clinton, Lillooet, Lytton, Ashcroft, Merritt, Hope and Yale have all identified a need. Everyone deserves a safe, warm place to live and I will continue to help bolster community efforts to create new units.

Supports like the ones I’ve outlined can only be strengthened when our economy is running smoothly. There are some bright spots on the horizon for Fraser-Nicola, including some new developments at Ashcroft Terminal. Last May a $28 million upgrade to the facility was announced, with Transport Canada providing a grant for up to $9.2 million of that cost through the National Trade Corridors Fund. I’m looking forward to hosting an information session for elected officials throughout the region this March, to outline the many benefits of this project including the creation of more than 250 jobs during construction.

One of the initiatives my constituents might be less aware of is my work with our BC Liberals’ Steelhead Caucus. My colleagues and I set this group up because we’re concerned with preserving our steelhead populations, an issue of particular concern in the Interior. I’m proud to co-chair it along with my colleague from West Vancouver-Capilano, MLA Ralph Sultan.

MLA Sultan and I were pleased to meet with federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Jonathan Wilkinson recently to discuss how we might work together on this file, and build on some of the initiatives undertaken by our former BC Liberal government. Those measures included funding to remove a large rock in the Coquihalla River that was preventing steelhead from reaching spawning beds, as well as funding to remove a blockage in the Seymour River. It’s my hope the current provincial government takes an interest in this important local concern as well.

2019 is shaping up to be another busy year in the large, diverse riding of Fraser-Nicola. I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in any way I can, and strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and all levels of government to achieve these big goals for our community.