August 2025 Newsletter
- Jan 15
- 4 min read
Happy August!
I hope you are having a great summer, and are looking forward to the BC Day long weekend. To keep fire and heat safe, there are tips in this newsletter to help out and ensure that everyone has a sun and fun filled weekend.
There is an exciting addition of a 9 classroom annex for Richmond students at Tomsett Elementary under construction! The crew is working hard to meet their completion deadline for September 2025.
Canada Day in the Village was a blast! My amazing volunteers handed out over10,000 lollipops to kids of all ages along the parade route! Let's offer our gratitude to all the staff and volunteers who make our Canada Day in Steveston so special.
Thank you to all the wonderful Richmond community members who we had the chance to welcome at the Richmond Pride Walk. It was excellent to see the support there is in our community!
3rd Annual Richmond Pride Walk!
Thank you to everyone who came to the 3rd Annual Richmond Pride Walk! We had over 500 wonderful community members join us to celebrate the diversity, love and inclusion of Richmond.
As we see 2SLGBTQIA+ rights coming under attack in other jurisdictions, it’s important to make it clear that hate has no place in Richmond! Everyone deserves the freedom to love who they love and be their authentic selves, without fear or discrimination.
We are currently petitioning to install a rainbow crosswalk on No.1 and Bayview in Steveston Village, and please stop by our office at 115-4011 Bayview Street or email us at Kelly.Greene.MLA@leg.bc.ca if you want to sign to support this project.
Check out this Richmond News article about the event: Petition at Steveston Pride Walk calls for rainbow crosswalk - Richmond News
Be Prepared, Stay Safe this B.C. Day Long Weekend
As the B.C. Day long weekend approaches, people are encouraged to stay informed about wildfire conditions, be prepared and plan travel.
Warming summer temperatures and ongoing drought mean much of British Columbia is at heightened risk of wildfire, even after recent cooler temperatures and rain. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has forecasted hot temperatures this week in B.C., with heat warnings currently in place for parts of the province. People are encouraged to prepare for hot summer weather.
Open burning, including Category 2 and Category 3 fires, is now prohibited or restricted in many areas. People should check local restrictions before burning and, in areas where campfires are permitted, follow safe practices.
Reporting new fires promptly is crucial. Approximately 40% of new fires are reported by the public. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open-burning breach, call 1800 663-5555 (toll-free) or dial *5555 on a cellphone. You can also use the B.C. Wildfire Service mobile app to submit photos and location details, and to check up-to-date wildfire maps, road alerts and weather forecasts.
Cervical Cancer Screening is Easier than Ever
Cervical cancer is preventable, and now screening is easier than ever. If you're 25-69 with a cervix, order a free HPV test kit to use at home.
No appointment, no clinic, just a quick test that could help eliminate cervical cancer in BC.
Visit: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/Screening/Cervix for more information or to request a free test kit.
Classrooms Under Construction- In Richmond!
In BC, construction is underway at seven schools, creating nearly 1,500 additional student spaces to support rapidly growing communities.
One of these communities is Richmond, BC!
This project represents an important investment in the future of our communities. I am so excited to see Tomsett Elementary start construction, as well as the other projects underway across Richmond, like the Diefenbaker Elementary school replacement. When we strengthen our schools, we strengthen our neighbourhoods, support working families and create lasting opportunities for the next generation.
The project for Tomsett elementary will add 225 seats. Since 2017, the Province has invested more than $6 billion in school construction and renovation, creating nearly 43,000 new student spaces and more than 39,000 seismically safe seats in B.C. schools.
As the province grows, government is committed to working with both school districts and municipalities to provide all students with safe, modern and inspiring places to learn.
Summer Reading Club- Not Too Late to Enter!
Check out Richmond Public Library’s Summer Reading Club!
Record your reading progress, and you can participate online or in-person for digital badges or stickers. There are weekly prize draws in August, and the opportunity to write a book review.
Additionally, there are free programs at all the branches across Richmond, from learning how to code to Pokemon training, they’ve got it all!
Visit any library branch in Richmond to pick up the summer reading booklet, or register online at: https://app.bcsrc.ca/.
If there are any suggestions on what our office can do to better promote provincial services to underserved communities and promote health services to those who may face barriers to services, please do reach out to our office. We are a community together. We want to hear from you.
Know a Chinese speaker who wants to read government news more easily? Refer them to the official BC government Weibo - @卑诗省府GovernmentofBC 的个人主页 - 微博 (weibo.com)
For general BC vaccination info, visit this page.
To read and better prepare for household safety, visit PreparedBC webpage.
Comments