ItB次元官网网址檚 no surprise that transportation is a hot topic for the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 newest MLA, Mitzi Dean.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to continue advocating for our communities for a solution to the congestion,B次元官网网址� Dean said, adding traffic problems impact all areas of residentsB次元官网网址� lives, from their commute to the amount of time they can spend with family.
Dean was elected as an NDP candidate in the Esquimalt-Metchosin riding. She took the leap into politics after serving as the executive director of the Pacific Centre Family Services Association in Colwood. The Gazette caught up with her after the NDP presented their financial plan for the province.
B次元官网网址淲e are strategic in the measures weB次元官网网址檙e putting in,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淐ollaboration is the best way forward in serving people.B次元官网网址�
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The update to the provincial budget that Finance Minister Carole James announced last week was the first financial plan Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 minority government has presented. Highlights include promises to build thousands of rental units and housing for the homeless.
The West Shore is no exception to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 housing problems and itB次元官网网址檚 something Dean is all too aware of. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the skyrocketing costs of housing,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚ncreasing the capacity in housing stock and increasing affordable housing is really important B次元官网网址� Being able to live and look after your family is critical.B次元官网网址�
Besides increasing housing options for all members of society, Dean noted the new government is working hard to address gaps in mental health and addiction programs B次元官网网址� something that is having an huge impact on communities across the province and not just the West Shore.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 children that have been falling through the gaps for years.B次元官网网址� With wait lists for programs and services that can be months or even years, Dean said itB次元官网网址檚 a problem thatB次元官网网址檚 not isolated to Vancouver Island. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 something weB次元官网网址檝e been hearing across the province,B次元官网网址� she added.
But while there is no easy fix, Dean noted the government is working hard to collaborate with stakeholders and individuals on the ground to help implement programs and services that can help address the overdose crisis in the province.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of different dimensions to the intervention we need,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that needs to also include prevention.
Noticeably absent from the update was the NDPB次元官网网址檚 campaign promise of $10-a-day daycare, something that had some voters and advocates concerned, despite JamesB次元官网网址� promise that it would be coming at a later date.
Dean reiterated the promise. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still committed to that B次元官网网址� what we need is more time,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淲e want to be able to put our best plan forward.B次元官网网址�
The NDP plans to present its first full budget in February, and Dean expects daycare will be included in that budget. She noted some other items under consideration include housing subsidies, a fair wage commission and a plan to end MSP premiums.
DeanB次元官网网址檚 constituency office at Admirals Walk is expected to have a soft opening in the coming weeks with a grand opening next month.
