Dear Delta,

As 2021 draws to an end, I wanted to share my reflections on what continue to be challenging times; what we have accomplished together; and my optimism for the future.

Let me begin by saying a heartfelt thank you to all of our dedicated health care workers who have continued to keep us safe through another year of COVID-19. I recognize and acknowledge your sacrifice.

To the families who have lost loved ones to this horrible pandemic, I offer my condolences.  To those of you who have been separated from loved ones for extended periods of time, I offer my appreciation for your patience and understanding. 

Unsurprisingly, the community of Delta has continued to step up. We honour these sacrifices by getting vaccinated and boosters. We take care of each other by social distancing, wearing masks, washing our hands, and keeping our contacts down.  We continue to shop local and volunteer safely.  Our business community continues to be amazing, as do our farmers. 

With Omicron numbers on the rise and more restrictions in place, the federal government has put in place additional business and worker support programs. Delta businesses impacted by local lockdowns are eligible for additional wage and rent subsidies. Delta workers are eligible for income support. I urge you to apply. We can help. There will also be specific support available for tourism and hospitality businesses, as well as businesses who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 

We are also providing ongoing support to families and businesses impacted by the 2021 wildfires and floods. Again, I’ll thank the Delta non-profits, first responders, businesses and farmers who stepped up to help their fellow British Columbians in these extraordinary times.

I am proud to have been involved in delivering these support measures, both in my role as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, and as a regional federal Cabinet Minister. I remain focused on ensuring that the needs and perspectives of both Delta and BC are top of mind as important decisions are made in Ottawa.

I am also proud that we have been able to move forward with some other very important work in government and in Parliament. We put in place laws to provide 10 paid sick days in federal workplaces and protect health care workers from harassment and intimidation.  We also banned the traumatic practice of conversion therapy; a law that local Delta LGBTQ2+ advocates have been calling for.

In 2022, childcare fees in BC will go down on average by 50% thanks to our national childcare investments. This will lead to $10/day childcare. I have heard from so many Delta families about the impact this will have on their lives.

I also recently received my mandate letter from the Prime Minister.  Amongst other things, I am tasked with addressing the ongoing labour shortages, modernizing the employment insurance system, improving the Temporary Foreign Working program, implementing the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and putting in place the Canada Disability Benefit.

With all of this as the backdrop, I hope you share my optimism about the future.  Despite the challenges we continue to face as a community and as a country, I am confident that the very things that make us Canadian are the things that will continue to get us through this – our compassion, our kindness, our sense of community, our resilience. 

There is most certainly a lot of work ahead, but I am not one to shy away from hard work. And neither is Delta.

On behalf of my family and Delta team, I wish you all a happy and safe 2022.

Carla