Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu is highlighting local projects, and the need for more of them, following the tabling of new legislation aimed at getting infrastructure projects off the ground faster.
In a statement issued Thursday, May 1, Sandhu said a lack of investment in critical infrastructure has for too long left B.C. communities behind.
"Since forming government in 2017, we’ve been working hard to change that by building new hospitals, schools, playgrounds, student housing and other vital public infrastructure to support healthy, growing communities," she said.
Sandhu highlighted new legislation introduced by the B.C. government this week which is aimed at getting projects built faster by streamlining permitting and expediting environmental assessments.
The province introduced the renewable energy projects (streamlined permitting) act to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, April 30. If passed, the act will expand the authority of the BC Energy Regulator to oversee renewable energy projects.
While renewable energy projects haven't been taken up in the Vernon area, Sandhu pointed to other examples of local projects that been finished or are being developed.
"Locally, we've seen new accessible playgrounds added to Mission Hill Elementary, Okanagan Landing Elementary and soon, Silver Star Elementary. We opened the first-ever student housing project and a child care centre at Okanagan College's Vernon Campus. We opened supportive housing units, like The Crossing, and homes for seniors in Vernon at McCulloch II and in Lumby at the soon-to-be-opened Cottonwood Place, just to name a few projects!" she said.
"Projects like these don’t just improve services, they also create good jobs, boost our local economies and strengthen the supports that people rely on every day."
Sandhu said the renewable energy projects act would foster collaboration between Indigenous partners, local governments, Crown corporations and industry, making it easier to deliver needed infrastructure.
