Working for You
in North Vancouver - Seymour
A list of everything we have accomplished in the riding since 2020
Protecting Affordable Rental Housing in North Vancouver
Susie Chant joined Minister Kahlon, Premier Eby, and Minister Ma to announce the acquisition and protection of 75 old rental units on the North Shore, ensuring over 150 people have secure homes and will not be demovicted. The units were bought with, and will be upkept through, the rental protection fund. Hiyam Housing, a non-profit society, will be the owners and managers of the units.
This announcement means that, since the establishment of the rental protection fund, over 1500 old rentals have been saved from demolition. This is one part, of many others, of the action that Susie and the BCNDP have been taking to improve affordable housing.
New Junction Community Centre to Help Addictions Treatment
Susie Chant joined Minister Whiteside and Ma to tour the brand new Junction Community Centre in North Vancouver. The centre is a part of the Road to Recovery Network. The Road to Recovery helps people dealing with addiction disorders in achieving recovery by meeting them where they are at and providing seamless care: from assessment, to treatment, to aftercare.
This program treated over 1500 people last year and the BCNDP are working on tripling it's capacity over the next three years. There is one centralized intake line, which can be called discreetly at 1-866-658-1221.
$500million Investment in North Shore Energy Infrastructure
Susie Chant joined Minister Osborne, Mayor Little, and the team from BC Hydro to announce major energy upgrades coming to the North Shore. As part of BC Hydro's 10 year capital plan, there will be over $500million invested in improving energy infrastructure on the North Shore and Sea-to-Sky Corridor. This will mainly be work in improving transmission, and efficiency shortages and will provide energy capacity for over 10,000 new homes.
Susie has met with numerous constituents who have expressed concerns about energy infrastructure on the North Shore. This is especially urgent, given the growing population in the community and growing demands for electric vehicles. Susie has brought these concerns forward to Minister Osborne's office, who used that information to help guide their processes in these plans.
Investing in Hydrogen Power and Creating Jobs in North Vancouver
Thanks to a $133million investment from the BC government, HTEC in North Vancouver will be undergoing a massive expansion to the H2 Gateway Project. This project will have the capacity to fuel up to 300 heavy duty vehicles with clean hydrogen fuel, and will create hundreds of new jobs.
Susie has long been a supporter of HTEC and their investments in North Vancouver and across the province. She has met with the HTEC team multiple times and brought cabinet ministers to visit the facility a few times.
Critical Food Infrastructure Funding for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Thanks to BC's Critical Food Infrastructure Grant, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation have created a community garden to support food security, health, and nutritional education within the Nation. The Tsleil-Waututh applied for the grant with a long term goal of being entirely self sufficient in food production and harvesting.
The Critical Food Infrastructure Grant is a program the BCNDP created to improve food security and reduce poverty in communities across the province. By creating more localized food production, communities like the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will be less vulnerable to external factors, like supply chain issues, for their food security.
Opening 90 Units of New Affordable Housing Near Phibbs Exchange
Susie Chant joined Minister Kahlon, Mayor Little, Councillor Back, Minister Ma, and Councillor Pope to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Salal Apartment near Phibbs Exchange. The apartment building will host 90 units of affordable rentals, with many rents geared to income, and a mix of 1, 2 and 3bdrm units. The apartments were funded with over $9million in funding through the Community Housing Fund. BC Housing will also be providing $415,000 in operating funds to allow the units to be maintained properly, and remain affordable.
North Vancouver is growing and young families want the opportunity to raise their children near their family members in the community where they grew up. This partnership is an example of all levels of government working together to create a more affordable B.C. By also being built near Phibbs Exchange, this project exemplifies the potential for building affordable, transit-oriented housing.
$4million to construct the long awaited Casano-Loutet Pedestrian Overpass
The long anticipated Casano-Loutet pedestrian overpass is finally coming thanks to a $4million investmend from the provincial government. This overpass will cross Highway 1, allowing commuters, especially students, to get to their destinations in a safe and healthy way. This will reduce the need for vehicle traffic within the North Shore, as this overpass will connect two areas of the community in a way that is faster than driving around.
Susie wrote a letter of support for the project and advocated to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to get this funding.
New Vision Zero Grants for North Vancouver via the Squamish Nation
North Vancouver pedestrians will benefit from safer streets with $30,000 in Vision Zero grants being given to the Squamish Nation. The grants will be for speed monitoring and installing 3 new lights for better visibility.
The last round of speed monitoring work done through these grants was just completed by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, who are using the data for a long term solution to making Dollarton Road safer for pedestrians.
Improving North Shore Transit
Translink will be getting a record $300million investment from the provincial government to increase transit service on in demand routes. For commuters in North Vancouver, this will mean an increase in service on peak hour buses like the 240, 222 and Marine Drive Rapidbus. The 240, specifically, is one of Susie's favourite buses to use to get to meetings and she is very excited to get more service on that route. This is part of Translink's 10 year plan, which will see the 240 and 222 turn into Bus Rapid Transit routes in the next couple of years. This will mean more service, more capacity, and less traffic.
166 New Affordable Housing units coming to Lillooet Road
Through the Community Housing Fund, North Vancouver will be getting over 150 units of affordable housing coming soon. This is part of a provincial announcement of over 2000 units being created through the fund.
Susie has met with countless constituents on the issue of affordable housing and the need is clear. It is also clear that people want new housing that does not demovict and demolish existing affordable stock, and this project accomplishing just that by building on empty DNV owned land.
Expanding Emergency Support Services in North Vancouver
North Vancouver residents will get stronger supports in the event of a community wide emergency, thanks to $120,000 from the provincial government. This funding will be to train, retain and equip volunteers who can be dispatched within the community in case of emergencies.
Over the last 4 years, North Vancouver has received record funding for emergency services, evacuation planning, and emergency drills. Susie, as a nurse and former member of the naval reserves, lists emergency preparedness as one of her top priorities for the community.
86 units of affordable housing coming to the Delbrook Lands
Susie Chant joined Minister Kahlon, Mayor Little, and DNV council to break ground on the long anticipated DNV owned Delbrook Lands Project. The project comes thanks to a $15million investment from the BC Government, and will be managed by Hollyburn Society.
At least 50% of the units will be rent-geared-to-income, a model that has received a lot of support from constituents and being able to provide truly affordable housing for all.
$90,000 for Evacuation Route Planning on the North Shore
On top of a recent $73,000 funding boost for the North Van Emergency Operation Centre, North Vancouver residents can feel a safer in the event of an emergency due to a $90,000 grant that will help evacuation response plans. This funding will go towards updating the evacuation plan and practice training for first response teams.
This will build on the current plan which divides North Van based on population and geography to ensure in an emergency, everyone is able to safely evacuate without transportation bottlenecks.
65-unit Supportive Housing Complex Funded for North Van
The day after the province set set the housing targets, we have provided funding for a new complex care and supportive housing complex in North Van, on the 1200 block of Keith Road. If approved, this project will provide 60 supportive housing units, and 5 complex care beds, adding desperately needed housing for a very vulnerable population. It will be managed by Lu’ma Native Housing Society, and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Partnering with the Squamish Nation for Affordable Housing
Susie joined Minister Kahlon, Minister Wilkinson, Squamish Nation Councillor Wilson Williams, Donalene Rapada, and Elder Bob Baker, to announce over $15million from the Government of BC and the Government of Canada for Chenkw Em̓út. This project will provide 95 accessible and affordable housing units on the Capilano Reserve, a co-op grocery store, as well as improve the greenspace around the area. A shining example of governments working together to get much needed affordable housing built!
North Vancouver Housing Targets Set
The Ministry of Housing has released the housing targets for the 10 municipalities set out last spring. These numbers are based on data collected from many sources including StatsCanada, CMHC, the each municipalities housing needs reports. For North Vancouver District, we are requiring 2838 net new homes built in the next 5 years. The targets set are 75% of the highest estimate of how much housing is actually needed. This will come with funding for affordable housing and dedicated resources from the Province to achieve these goals and make North Van a more affordable place to live
Expanding Primary Care Options for North Vancouver Families
In time for families going back to school, our province has made it easier for everyone to get access to basic primary care. The role of pharmacists has been expanded in providing vaccinations, as well as diagnosis and prescriptions for common ailments. North Vancouver has also been benefiting from pilot programs where nurse practitioner have been operating like family doctors in some walk in clinics. To help recognize this much needed change, Susie went to the Lynn Valley Shoppers to get her vaccinations and chat with pharmacists.
Another Round of Scholarships for North Vancouver Students
To end the school year, Susie Chant celebrated another year of her "Explore Your Future" Scholarship. The scholarship has been running since she became MLA, and is given to a student from a North Vancouver - Seymour high school. The scholarship is chosen by teachers at the school for student that plans to attend post-secondary education and has used accommodations to complete their education. The scholarship meets the role of Susie as MLA and as Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility.
$800,000 for shoreline restoration projects at Whey-ah-Wichen
To help restore the natural ecosystem of the North Shore and the Burrard Inlet, our provincial government is providing $800,000 to the District of North Vancouver, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation for shoreline restoration. This project will enhance the natural beauty of the park, providing benefits to tourism, jobs, and the wildlife that calls the area home.
Enahancing Emergency Response on the North Shore
As part of a province-wide initiative to strength community preparedness and disaster response, North Vancouver District will be getting a $73,000 enhancement to their Emergency Operations Centre. Given the changing climate and growing risk of emergencies, this funding is very much needed. Susie continues to advocate for North Shore Emergency Response items, especially given our limiting natural geography.
Funding for North Shore Festivals
Bringing celebrations and fun to the North Shore is never a bad move. To help in the recovery from the pandemic, the BC Government is supporting festivals and fairs across the province, and the North Shore is getting a significant portion of this funding. In total, over 25 different events will be getting provincial support, most notably Squamish Nation’s 100th Amalgamation Anniversary Celebration, The Shipyard’s Festival, and the Vancouver International Mountain Film Fall Festival.
New facilities at Maplewood Flats
Thanks to a $217,000 investment from our government, Maplewood Flats will be getting new facilities for people to enjoy, learn from, and work in. These include two outdoor classrooms and work spaces, six interpretive panels, a Coast Salish Demonstration Garden, a harvest table, an innovation studio, and updates to signage to deliver programming. Susie is a constant supporter of the mud flats, having brought Minister Heyman to visit in Spring of 2023, and delivering a statement in the Legislature about all the important work the Wild Bird Trust, who manages the space, do.
Funding for Seymour River Flood Mitigation efforts
With increased flooding across the province, our government is investing in flood mitigation projects. North Vancouver - Seymour has two major rivers running through the community, which may be at risk if there is unseasonably high rainfall. To ensure these risks are address, we are providing $125,000 to the District of North Vancouver to conduct flood risk assessment on the upper Seymour River. The work may one day be very instrumental in protecting people and property.
Preserving affordable housing on the North Shore
Thanks to significant advocacy from Susie Chant, the province of BC, under a new mandate from the Ministry of Housing, invested in preserving existing affordable housing in North Vancouver. With a $731,000 investment, the Atrium Seniors Co-op, run by Parkgate Housing Society, will be able to finish work on their roof and ensure the housing is still standing for decades to come.
Vision Zero Grants for North Vancouver
Thanks to continued advocacy for safer streets from Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma, the province of BC is giving $40,000 to projects in North Vancouver to create a network of 30km/h zones, and provide speed readers. Done in partnership with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the City of North Vancouver.
$29,000,000 for North Shore Municipalities
Through advocacy and funding requests made by MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma, the 3 North Shore Municipalities will be receiving $29,000,000 as part of the Growing Communities Fund, to invest in infrastructure and support residents.
20 New Rehabilitation Assistant Seats at Capilano University
As BC continues to improve health care staffing levels, training opportunities are increased at local institutions. In North Vancouver - Seymour, Capilano University will be seeing some of the benefits of this, with 20 new seats in the Rehabilitation Assistant Program.
Longhouse Plan coming to Say-Nuth-Khaw-Yum Provincial Park
Susie Chant's has been working since she got elected to get the Tsleil-Waututh Nation funding for Say-Nuth-Khaw-Yum Park up Indian Arm. Thanks to her efforts, Minister George Heyman and Minister Murray Rankin announced $260,000 for a technical feasibility study for a traditional longhouse in the park, marking an important first step for the park, the Tsleil-Waututh, and park users across the province.
More $10-a-day Childcare for North Vancouver
As BC continues to expand and increase its Affordable Child Care Plan, the residents of North Vancouver continue to benefit. As of January 1st, 2023, there have been eleven $10-a-day childcare sites added on the North Shore, and 4 specifically in North Vancouver - Seymour.
Millions of Dollars in funding for North Vancouver Libraries
The BC government continues to invest in libraries as a place of learning, community development and to support local economies. Thanks to advocacy from MLAs Susie Chant and Bowinn Ma, North Vancouver libraries have received over $1million in new funding to help them create more digital resources and expand services.
Safer Crosswalks in North Vancouver - Seymour
After hearing from many constituents on the need for safer crosswalks by highway intersections, Susie Chant went to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to advocate for the prioritization of work. We are proud to say that this has worked, and the Ministry has completed a safer crosswalk with pedestrian lights on the Lynn Valley Rd offramp on William Ave. The Ministry has also put money in Budget 2023 for a similar intersection to be built across Lynn Valley Road, where the on-ramp to the westbound highway traffic is.
Student Housing coming to Capilano University
Thanks to $41.5million from the Provincial Government, Capilano University will be getting its first on-campus housing. This historic investment will add 362 new units of student housing to the North Shore, helping to alleviate housing pressures from incoming students, and provide affordable and secure options for students.
New Acute Care Tower coming to Lions Gate Hospital
To improve health care on the North Shore, a new $310million Acute Care Tower is being constructed. The new tower will have 84 rooms, and 108 beds, all with in-suite washrooms. This new model will significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission in acute care settings, and be fitted with top of the line equipment.
$500,000 for a Pedestrian Bridge at Thomas Creek
People in North Vancouver - Seymour will be able to get across their community a little easier thanks to $500,000 in funding and work by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to build a new pedestrian bridge across Thomas Creek.
The bridge will be able to handle all forms of active transportation across the creek, and will connect the Ravenswood community with the rest of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. This is one part of Tsleil-Waututh's work to build a stronger transportation network for the community.
50 New Affordable Rental Homes for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
The BC Government has been the first and, so far, only provincial government to fund on-reserve housing in partnership with Indigenous governments. Thanks to this policy and funding from BC Housing, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will see the creation of 50 new affordable rentals for their members.
New, modern and safe Phibbs Exchange coming
A new $32million Phibbs Exchange is projected to be complete in 2024. The new transit hub will have a larger capacity for transit expansion, better lighting and more modern and safe facilities.
