YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Reflecting on the New Year

As we roll up our sleeves here in government to get working on tackling the challenges of 2023, I’d like to reflect on some of what we accomplished in 2022 to make life better for British Columbians, and to pave the way for this New Year.

Even as we enjoyed a more ‘normal’ year where we could do more travelling, working, and visiting with family, the effects of COVID-19 were still being felt in 2022, including in our healthcare system. Communities, families, and healthcare professionals also continued to face the challenges and grief of the toxic drug crisis. And here in the Fraser Valley, many farms, homes and businesses were still rebuilding from the floods and landslides that devastated the region in 2021.

Throughout 2022, your provincial government worked hard to ease the pressure on our healthcare system. We introduced a new payment model for family doctors to attract and retain more physicians, and we made it easier for internationally trained doctors to work here. We also made changes to allow pharmacists to renew and prescribe more medication, reducing wait times in clinics. In 2023, strengthening the healthcare system will continue to be a priority for our government.

Here in the Valley, we expanded our capacity to care for our family, friends and neighbours with mental health and addictions issues, by opening a new Foundry youth centre in Langley and announcing complex care housing coming to Chilliwack and Maple Ridge. Beginning on January 31, 2023, decriminalization of people who use drugs will make a huge difference in combatting the toxic drug crisis by reducing stigma and allowing resources to be focused on those selling toxic drugs to British Columbians.