Premier John Horgan made a series of good news announcements at today's Union of BC Municipalities meeting in Vancouver.
Horgan outlined his plan to combat B.C.'s growing opiod crisis with a 322 million dollar community crisis innovation fund. "We are going to do everything we can to get fentanyl off the streets and I know I have uniform support across this room and across the province to make that happen."
The fund will provide regions hardest hit the resources to open treatment centres. The money will also go towards broader access to no-cost naloxone kits; support for those on the front lines and a public awareness campaign. The BC Coroners Service has reported 876 illegal drug overdose deaths in B.C. in 2017 to date, with fentanyl detected in 81% of cases.
The other big announcement zeroed in on affordable housing and homelessness. "We are announcing a plan to build 200 modular homes with 24/7 funding for the next 3 years."
The program will start with 600 in Vancouver; 150 in Surrey and more in Smithers. Horgan also called on any municipality that is interested in a modular solution to approach the government to join the program.
Horgan also indicated the province is contributing to a regional Metro Vancouver's bid to play host to Amazon's second headquarters, which could generate (U.S.) $5 billion in investment and create up to 50,000 jobs in B.C.
Langford has also indicated they are making a pitch to recruit the tech giant to Vancouver Island.
The Province is encouraging the submission of comprehensive bids that establish why B.C. has a competitive edge over other North American jurisdictions, and B.C. will consider supporting those bids.