Josie Osborne

Congratulations to both the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations (KCFN) and the Strathcona Regional District as KCFN becomes the first Vancouver Island First Nation to join the regional district. This is an important milestone for reconciliation and for good governance in BC. Joining the regional district gives KCFN an opportunity to access the critical services that matter to community members. KCFN will bring valuable perspectives and a strong voice to the Strathc...ona Regional District. Learn more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/24223 Photos: K. Head

Whole-community vaccination clinics are coming to Hornby and Denman Islands! Denman clinics will begin the week of April 28 and Hornby clinics will begin the week of May 3. These clinics are meant for permanent residents. People with properties or second homes on Denman and Hornby that would have to travel there to be vaccinated should not book into these clinics. Please remember now is NOT the time for non-essential travel. ... To book, please visit gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated. If you are unable to book online you may book by phone by calling 1-833-838-2323. If you have questions about the COVID-19 whole community approach, please visit islandhealth.ca/whole-community-vaccine. Please share this information with anyone you know who lives on Hornby and Denman Islands!

Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin opens the 2nd session of the 42nd Parliament of BC and reads the speech from the throne.

Calling youth from Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and Sunshine Coast! Are you a youth/young adult in the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities region who wants to take action on climate change? Join the Youth Climate Forum on April 17th! REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-climate-forum-tickets-145... The Youth Climate Forum is organized by the Vancouver Island Climate Leadership Committee (VICC-CLP), a group of mayors, councillors, and local government representatives working to build a climate leadership plan. The aim of the forum is to contribute to an overarching climate change and resiliency plan across the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities region. This online event will allow youth and young adults- between the ages of 13-26 -to collaborate on visions, goals, and actions for the region. Key topics include equity and social justice, strategies for successful climate action, net-zero buildings, food security and much more! Youth will be able to participate in action-oriented workshops, hear from inspiring local speakers, and connect with other youth leaders! QUESTIONS? Please follow this link to learn more about VICC-CLP https://www.viccclp.com/ Follow the forum on Instagram at www.instagram.com/youthclimateforum/ Have any additional questions? Send a dm on instagram or email [email protected]. PLEASE SHARE! #climateaction #collectiveaction #youth

I'm seeking a part-time constituency assistant to join our team! You can view the job posting and learn more here: https://bit.ly/3wLl0iA Although our constituency office, located in Port Alberni, remains closed to the public for now due to COVID-19, I am looking forward to opening it again as soon as it is safe to do so. We remain accessible via e-mail and telephone, and we've also been using online meeting software (like MS Teams and Zoom) to remain engaged with local res...idents, businesses and organizations. As many of you know, I've taken over our former MLA Scott Fraser's office on Johnston Ave in Port Alberni. Right now, we're undertaking renovations that will help us to serve people safely. And before you might ask - yes, that includes changing the sign out front! In the meantime, you can reach me and my staff by e-mail at [email protected], or telephone 250-720-4515. Our renovations include changing telephone systems so please bear with us as we navigate a few technological changes we may face with our phone system.

For Mid Island-Pacific Rim constituents who live in the Oceanside area, several local pharmacies are offering the COVID-19 AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine to those ages 55-65 (inclusive) AS VACCINE IS AVAILABLE. We know that not everyone in this age group will be able to access this opportunity, so please understand that Island Health, the Province, and pharmacies are doing their best to get vaccines into as many arms as possible - but be advised you may need to continue to wa...it as the age-based mass vaccination system approaches your age (please register here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated.html) As you navigate the calling and online systems, we know it can be frustrating as slots fill up quickly, and are dependent on supply. Please be patient with the pharmacists & staff who are trying their best to serve as many people as possible, and note you may need to try several times before you can book your appointment. Remember too that a family member can make a booking on your behalf, so long as they have all the relevant information including your Personal Health Number. Please use the links below to learn more: General information about pharmacies participating: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-//vaccination-locations Parksville Pharmasave online booking: https://parksvillepharmasave.com/covid19/ Phone: (250) 951-0227 Parksville Shoppers Drug Mart Phone: (250) 248-3611 Qualicum Beach Medicine Shoppe Phone (250) 752-6691 Questions about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine? Get reliable, accurate information from trusted sources: http://www.bccdc.ca//covid-19-vaccine/vaccines-for-covid-19

The new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant will provide up to $10,000 in one-time funding for businesses impacted by the March 30th public health orders. The grant can be used to cover expenses like rent, utilities, or food loss. Eligible businesses include: Restaurants, pubs and bars Coffee shops, cafes and cafeterias... Breweries, wineries and tasting rooms Pilates and yoga (Hatha) studios Barre studios Gyms offering indoor low intensity group exercise classes Lounges and nightclubs Applications open the week of April 12. Know an impacted business in your community? Let them know! gov.bc.ca/business-relief

Mid Island-Pacific Rim residents! Starting today, there are THREE ways you can register for your vaccination! ONLINE 24/7: Pre-register online at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated.html. Have your personal health number ready & a pen/paper to record your confirmation #! If you are not eligible to book right away, you will be contacted later to book your appointment once your age cohort is eligible. You will be able to book right away if you are born in 1950 or earlier... (71+) or Indigenous and 18 years or older, or are clinically extremely vulnerable. TELEPHONE: 1-833-838-2323 seven days a week, 7 am to 7 pm (PDT). VISIT a Service BC Centre in or near our riding: Ucluelet (5 - 1620 Peninsula Road) Port Alberni (4070 8th Avenue) Courtenay (2500 Cliffe Avenue) Nanaimo (460 Selby Street) * Check the hours, they often close at lunch: https://bit.ly/39Pd5qK IF you live in the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield, Hornby Island or Denman Island, a "whole-community" approach is being used. Please use the above methods to book your appointment or to book for someone on their behalf.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT from Island Health FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- April 1, 2021 With COVID-19 surging, now is not the time to travel or gather indoors....Continue reading

Today, I lift my hands in gratitude, honour and celebration to the five Maa-nulth First Nations -- Ucluelet, Toquaht, Uchucklesaht, Ka:'yu:'k'th'/Che:k'tles7et'h, and Huu-ay-aht. Ten years ago today, the Maa-nulth Nations embarked on a new phase of their histories as their modern-day treaty, 18 years in the making, came into effect. It's been a true privilege over the last 22 years to play a tiny part in supporting the treaty process (as a former staff member to the Nuu-chah...-nulth Tribal Council), to sit as Mayor of Tofino as governing and decision-making equals with Maa-nulth Nation representatives at the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and now to uphold these relationships as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of BC and a Minister of the Crown. You can read the statement by Hon. Murray Rankin, today's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021IRR0005-000614 Photo: Then B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and then Aboriginal Relations Minister Mike de Jong greeted the five Maa-nulth First Nations Chiefs at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, B.C on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 (Adrian Lam / THE CANADIAN PRESS).

So happy to to share the news from Island Health that COVID-19 immunization clinics in Tofino and Ucluelet are scheduled for the week of April 12th (for those aged 18+). All residents of Tofino and Ucluelet (aged 18+) can book now by calling 1-833-348-4787. Appointments are necessary. Please note that on Good Friday and Easter Monday, call centre hours will be reduced to 9am-5pm. Please share this information with your neighbours, friends and contacts!

A three-week "circuit breaker" begins now to bend the curve & protect people. It's time to really dig in and do our part to protect others! Take-out or outdoor patio dining only - with only your immediate family or household bubble. Support your local restos if you can! No indoor adult group fitness activities - gyms and fitness centres are restricted to on-eon-one training or activity only.... No skiing at Whistler-Blackcomb. Non-essential travel must be avoided. If you have travelled outside your health region (say, for Spring Break) and anyone in your family develops any signs of illness, stay home from school, work and daycare and call to get tested. The previously announced variance for indoor religious services has been suspended - only outdoor worship services. under the current variance order can proceed, as per: https://bit.ly/3cyMRKX Work at home if you can. Masks encouraged for all students down to Grade 4. READ MORE: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021PREM0023-000578 #staysafe #circuitbreaker #bekind #becalm

While no one has been untouched by the pandemic, in my own personal journey with it from March until now, the hardest yet most hopeful and rewarding conversations and experiences have been with Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. As mayor of Tofino, I was engaged in weekly meetings with Nuu-chah-nulth leadership and sometimes this meant very difficult conversations that forced me to constantly check in with my priorities and commitments. I also witnessed the consistent and strong l...eadership provided by so many community leaders. I learned and drew strength, deepening my own convictions. Yesterday, I opened up Facebook to find a photo of NTC nurses headed to Ahousaht to deliver the first Covid-19 vaccines, then later more photos from others in Ahousaht. I find myself almost speechless and flooded with a sense of relief seeing these photos, reading the news articles, and hearing Chief Greg Louie’s calm voice on CBC radio this morning. My deepest gratitude to the amazing health care professionals who are delivering the vaccine, and to those involved in every step of the vaccines development and delivery. Kleco kleco. : Kelsey Meagan, Angela Sterritt, Molina Dick Read more: https://www.cbc.ca//first-nations-in-bc-among-first-to-get

People in long-term care and their families have made incredible sacrifices to keep each other and our communities safe. It's an incredible relief to see that the progress we are making together on vaccination is making it possible for us to begin visiting family members and friends who are living in long-term care. Beginning April 1, all people living in long-term care and assisted living facilities will be able to have regular visitors under eased restrictions, including: ...* removing the requirement for a single designated social visitor to allow for additional family and friends to visit long-term care and assisted living residents; * expanding the number of visitors so up to two visitors, plus a child, will be allowed to visit at a time, allowing people to connect in small groups; * changing the allowable location of visits so family and friends can visit in residents’ rooms without staff present; and * allowing physical touch between visitors and residents, provided appropriate infection prevention and control measures, like masks and hand hygiene, are in place. Please read more: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0022-000551

If you are a home owner, you'll soon receive your property assessment in the mail from BC Assessment. What's new this year is a centralized, online system for applying for the Home Owner Grant - which opens in May 2021. (A telephone line will also enable people without access to the internet or technology to apply.) Previously, home owners in municipalities applied directly to their municipality by filling out the slip at the bottom of the tax notice or applying online i...n the City of Port Alberni. With the Province taking on the administration of the HOG program, it will reduce the burden on municipalities so their staffs can better focus on their core work. Misplaced your assessment notice? Look up the details of your property here: https://www.bcassessment.ca Learn more about the Home Owner Grant thresholds for 2021 here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021FIN0001-000002 Learn more about the centralized HOG program here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//annual-property-t/home-owner-grant You are eligible for property tax deferment if you are 55 years or older or are financially supporting a dependent child. Learn more about the Property Tax Deferment program here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//pr/annual-property-tax/defer-taxes of Port Alberni from Re/Max Port Alberni

Six remote Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations are among the first Indigenous communities in BC to receive the Covid-19 vaccine - including Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Ahousaht First Nation here in our riding. This is very, very welcome news. BC plans to have about 150,000 British Columbians immunized by February, starting with those who need protection the most before moving on to wider distribution. More details about BC’s mass vaccination strategy will be released later this mont...h. There’s truly light at the end of the tunnel! But please, keep vigilant with distancing and hygiene efforts. We’re not out of the woods yet, and we’ve got to continue to do everything we can to keep our friends and neighbours safe. https://hashilthsa.com//remote-nuu-chah-nulth-nations-rece

It’s been a tough year for all of us, and this holiday season looks a little different than years past. On Christmas Eve, I’m grateful for the extraordinary patience and kindness that British Columbians have demonstrated, and I’m looking forward to the feeling of a fresh start in 2021. Let’s continue to stay connected while we have stay apart, and reflect on Santa’s journey tonight as a reminder of what ties us together while we cannot gather. ... From my home to yours, from my family to yours, from my community to yours, I wish you a peaceful and joyful Christmas.

Sexual violence disproportionately impacts women, girls and non-binary people, often with devastating and long-lasting effects. Ending violence, supporting safety and creating security are central to our work as government. So, taking action to meet ongoing needs such as medical services, counselling and support, our government provided $10 million to Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) to establish a grant program for emergency coordinated sexual assault response. Las...t week, EVA BC announced the recipients of the first round of grants for emergency sexual assault services around the province - including a grant to ACAWS - Alberni Community & Women's Services Society, right here in the heart of the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding. Thank you, EVA BC and ACAWS for your incredible work and dedication to sexual assault response - and to the coordination and support of the work of victim-serving and other anti-violence programs. from Alberni Valley News.