Last Saturday, Dave and I went to see a Les Échoes du Pacifique concert in the historic Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Maillardville. This choir started in Maillardville but draws from all over the Lower Mainland.
It has been a week - and I am still thinking about those harmonies. 🎵
#mlajennb #choralmusic #maillardville #coquitlam #frenchculture
A monumental day for victims of intimate partner violence.
This week, the Supreme Court of Canada created a tort for intimate partner violence. A tort is a civil wrong that causes someone to suffer loss, harm, or injury. The primary goal of tort law is to compensate the victim, usually through financial damages, and to deter future harmful behavior.
This means that survivors can now sue their abusers for physical violence, isolating, manipulating, humiliating, controlling, surveying them, as well as economic abuse, and sexual coercion and intimidation.
Behind this decision are very real people who suffered the devastating impacts of intimate partner violence, and this new tort will make a meaningful difference for survivors as they seek justice from their abusers.
I applaud the bravery of the survivors who stepped forward to share their personal experiences and highlight how much damage these acts of balance truly cause people.
Thank you to the organizations and the people who intervened in this case, including our own British Columbia government.
Read Minister Sharma’s statement here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/33769
#mlajennb #genderequity #endintimatepartnerviolence #supportsurvivors #tortlaw
We are transforming our family law system to make it easier and safer for those experiencing family violence.
One of my proudest moments as Attorney General was launching the Family Law Centre in Surrey, a free #legal service for survivors of family violence who are unable to afford legal representation. I’m grateful for their work in making the #justice system a more compassionate place for survivors.
To find out if you are eligible for free legal services, you can call the Legal Aid BC Call Centre from anywhere in BC by phone at 604-408-2172 for the Greater Vancouver area, and 1-866-577-2525 for elsewhere in the province.
From her heartbeat to my own path forward, her love has been the constant.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mother and to all mothers who shape the world loudly or quietly.
#mlajennb #happymothersday #mothers #motherslove
Inspirational to start the day with educators, advocates and allies at the ConnectHer Conference at BCIT. The conference brings leaders together to discuss ways we can make trade training and the workforce more equitable for women and underrepresented groups.
Since forming Government, our BCNDP Government has made significant investments to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in apprenticeship training. Women’s apprenticeships have increased by 40%, with record numbers of secondary students considering careers in the trades.
Our Pay Equity Legislation is making a real difference in reducing the wage gap, which has dropped from 18.4% to 14.5% since its introduction in 2023.
Now more than ever before, we need everyone working together to build the infrastructure - schools, hospitals and supportive housing - that BC needs. If you are looking for a good job that will help support your family, I strongly encourage you to consider the opportunities available in a career in the trades.
#bccwitt #skilledtradesbc #womenintrades #connectherconference #mlajennb
Today, MLA @Jenn.Wick joined me at the @TriCitiesCoC in @CityofCoquitlam to recognize Emergency Preparedness Week 2026.
Great discussions on resilient infrastructure, sustainability, and how organizations can prepare for disasters - increasing the overall resilience of our communities in B.C.
So proud to join Health Minister @josie_osborne announcing major changes to expand what midwives can do for patients across our province. They are the heart of reproductive and pregnancy care in British Columbia.
BC midwives will soon be able to:
✍️ prescribe Mifegymiso for early medical abortions and miscarriage care
💊 prescribe medications for conditions like hypothyroidism
👩⚕️ provide more clinical ultrasound services
🩵 support more seamless care throughout pregnancy and postpartum
At a time when reproductive rights are being rolled back in parts of the United States, and when there are politicians here in Canada would gladly follow that path, British Columbia is moving in the opposite direction.
We are spending access to safe, confidential abortion, care.
We are trusting highly trained health professionals.
And we will always stand up for a woman’s right to choose.
Midwives already support nearly one and three births in British Columbia, including in rural, remote, and underserved communities where access to care can be hardest to find. Expanding their scope means more choice, more access, and more compassionate care closer to home.
#mlajennb #womenshealth #midwifery #reproductivecare #pregnancy
A year ago I rose to speak about National Child and Youth Mental Health Day in Canada and highlighted some of the great work being done in our communities and supports that young people can access.
With The Foundry recently opened in a physical space in the Tri-Cities and other ones across the province, combined with online supports, more is being done for youth mental health than ever.
#mlajennb #foundry #youthmentalhealth #mentalhealthishealth
At Gapyeong, the past speaks. Through Guy Black’s journey, we remember courage, sacrifice, and legacy.
#mlajennb #canadianheroes #neverforget #battleofgapyeong #canadianhistory
Photo credit: The Black family, Veterens Affairs Canada, @teritowner
Today, in the BC Legislature, I rose to remember and reaffirm our commitment to ending gender based violence.
On May 5th, we observe Red Dress Day to honour and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.
We know that Indigenous people face disproportionately high rates of violence rooted in systemic racism and gender based-discrimination. Red Dress Day reminds us that this violence is ongoing not historical.
In BC, action is underway through Safe and Supported: BC’s Gender Based Violence Action Plan, and in collaboration with the Government of Canada through the Canada-BC National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence. Together, we fund:
• Indigenous-led safety planning and culturally safe community responses
• Supporting the BC First Nations Council to advance the Indigenous Women’s Justice Plan
• Funding the First Peoples’ Cultural Council to strengthen cultural practices as prevention
Today, I call on all of us, to help create a world when Indigenous women, girls can live free from fear and harm.
Tiny fish, big impact. 🐟 💙 had an amazing time at the Fingerling Festival at Noons Creek Hatchery in Port Moody on Saturday - celebrating salmon, stewardship, and community by the creek.
#mlajennb #fingerlingfestival #noonscreek #tricitiesbc #salmonstewardship
Strong conversation this afternoon on seniors’ care in our communities.
Joined a thoughtful discussion hosted by Jennifer Blatherwick, alongside community partners like Garden of Compassion Society and United Way BC.
We talked about the real challenges seniors are facing today—and explored how smaller, community-based care models can better support dignity, independence, and culturally appropriate care.
These conversations matter. As our population ages, we need solutions that are not only practical, but truly reflect the needs of the people we serve.
#SeniorsCare #CommunityCare #Burnaby #Coquitlam #AgingWithDignity LocalLeadership StrongerCommunities
