Mitzi Dean
104-1497 Admirals Road V9A 2P8 Victoria, BC, Canada

Great to see the roll out is ahead of schedule! Make sure that you, your family and friends are registered!

Racism and hate are hurting people in our communities. It’s time to build a stronger province, based on a foundation of diversity and mutual respect #AntiRacismAwarenessWeek Speak up, it’s the right thing to do. https://antiracist.gov.bc.ca/reminders/reminder-3/ #ANTIRACISTBC

I was so inspired by the 2021 Child Care Awards of Excellence winners! Thank you to all the award recipients for sharing your stories & words of wisdom! And thank you to Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed for hosting this incredible event! #ChildcareBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYqcEUNmgS4

During #AntiRacismAwarenessWeek -May 23-29 - we encourage everyone to think about how to be anti-racist, challenge our biases and build a stronger province on a foundation of diversity and mutual respect . https://news.gov.bc.ca/24515 Learn more about anti-racism and how to practice it at: https://antiracist.gov.bc.ca/

As more and more people get vaccinated, our COVID-19 cases are going down. It's now safe to lift some public health restrictions and move into Step 1 of BC's Restart. Let's keep following PHO guidance and support each other to get vaccinated. https://gov.bc.ca/restartBC

Today our government took action so workers can stay home when they are sick, both during the pandemic and afterward. This is especially important for young people are are more likely to work in the service industry. No worker should be forced to choose between staying home when sick or getting paid. We are supporting workers who cannot afford to lose wages while also protecting workplaces and businesses in our communities. Also starting next year, paid sick leave will be a permanent protection for workers in #BC. Our made-in-BC paid sick leave will support workers to stay home when they are sick, both during the pandemic and every year after.

Today on #childandyouthmentalhealthday with Foundry and Sheila Malcolmson, MLA we announced that youth, caregivers in every BC community will have quicker, easier access to #mentalhealth and #substanceuse services with the launch of the Foundry BC app and additional virtual supports. This app was created for youth by youth and it gives them the opportunity to connect with their peers in a safe and supportive way. There are no referrals required, and services are free and conf...idential. You can downlead the app through the Apple Store, Google Play store or on desktop through a web portal. https://news.gov.bc.ca/24395

I wish I could attend this event tonight, it should be a very interesting and exciting opportunity to hear from local novelist Esi Edugyan! Esi Edugyan will speak about her work and research as it relates to her book, Washington Black, with the opportunity to take a deep dive into the themes of her work during the conversation portion of the event with Royal Roads President Philip Steenkamp. https://www.facebook.com/events/4053122151446388

#RedDressDay is a day we remember, honour and mourn those missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls & gender diverse people who have been lost and survived colonial violence. We are working towards true reconciliation so that these tragedies can be stopped. #MMIWG2S #MMIWG

Today on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, British Columbians join people around the world to commemorate the six million Jews, and millions of other people, who were murdered during the Holocaust. The horrors of the Holocaust remind us of what happens when we remain silent or indifferent in the face of hate. Today, when we say ‘never again,’ we must follow this promise with action. Jewish communities around the world still face threats of violence, discrimination and... rising anti-Semitism today. We’re seeing it in our communities with anti-Semitic and anti-black graffiti sprayings targeting our neighbours in the Westshore. I stand together with other leaders in our community in denouncing all forms of racism and intolerance. Racist incidents like these are a reminder of why our government launched the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, where communities can access information, supports, anti-racist education, and report hate crimes. For more information, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//multicult/anti-racism/resiliencebc I stand with Premier John Horgan when he recommits our government to the work of upholding the human rights of every person in British Columbia and to the work of building a better, safer and more inclusive province for everyone.

I am thrilled to announce a notice of posting for the new Advisory Council on Children and Youth with Support Needs, to help transform the system & ensure families are at the centre of those changes. Expressions of interest are being accepted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 24, 2021. We’re looking for a broad range of backgrounds in service provision, advocacy, labour, community and business environments related to children and youth with diverse abilities and support needs. Most import...antly, we must listen to the voices and experience of the families we’re trying to help. I want to hear directly from those who are or will be affected by the updated framework. That means the council will include youth, families, Elders and caregivers representing Indigenous families, diverse ethnicities and areas of the province who are willing to share their thoughts, opinions and experiences as we work together to finalize a CYSN Service Framework. If you’d like to take part, visit: https://www.bcpublicsectorboardapplications.gov.bc.ca/s/Nops

Building child care spaces on school grounds is good for kids and parents! Soon families in #Abbotsford will be able to drop-off their kids for child care + school at the new Eagle Mountain Elementary. It’s all part of our #ChildcareBC plan & making sure kids have quality early learning experiences. https://news.gov.bc.ca/23651

ICYMI: @BCGovNews put BC kids and youth first by investing $830,000+ in funding for 6 nonprofit organizations to deliver mental health, substance use and well-being programs. We know this is a trying time for kids, youth and families and as the pandemic continues to change the way we live our lives. I’m heartened to see more programs available to help during these unprecedented times. To watch the announcement, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch

The Province just announced BC's COVID-19 Immunization plan. We know you must have questions, here are some answers to the most asked Q's: https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/posts/4228797610471832