As we start a new year, there are so many reasons for me, and for my family, to be thankful. Over the year, we’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with countless dedicated and gifted neighbours who make Vancouver Point Grey a wonderful place to live, work and play. For us 2018 was a year of change, with Cailey starting life as a resident doctor at a local hospital for the next two years, Ezra growing like a weed (and eating like a horse), and me settling into my new role as Attorney General. I hope your year has been as positive, challenging, and fun-filled as our year has been.
At work over the last year, your 17 month old government has been busy making life better for British Columbians. Here in our community, Hummingbird childcare at UBC was chosen as a pilot site for the universal childcare program, and at this and many other programs throughout the community hundreds of families took advantage of new provincial financial supports to help them pay for badly needed childcare. Desperately needed new daycare spaces are also being funded on our peninsula, supported by new provincial funding for hard costs of new daycare sites. Bayview Elementary’s long-awaited seismic upgrade is progressing, helping parents breathe a bit easier knowing that their children will be attending a modern, safe learning environment in the near future. Our schools across the constituency received additional funding for teacher supports and class size, making life a bit better for everyone involved in our education system.
This year, new funding began to flow to the Therapeutics Initiative, a project located at UBC that provides physicians with objective information about new drugs and their efficacy, saving the province millions in unnecessary prescriptions and saving thousands of British Columbians from unwanted side-effects of ineffective medications.
Seniorsawaiting hip or knee replacements got some good news, as did anyone waiting for MRI scanning, with additional resources in the form of operating room time and operating hours for scanners, being announced by the Ministry of Health. Those in residential care got welcome news that additional funding for basic care (like meeting minimum standards for baths and patient activities) was delivered this year.
If you’re concerned about human-caused climate change, as all of us should be, you may have seen the Minister of the Environment George Heyman’s announcement ofBC’s aggressive carbon pollution reduction plan, which maps out a road for us to hit our 2030 carbon pollution reduction targets through infrastructure improvement, electrification of the vehicle fleet in our province, and capture and use of methane emissions from landfills, among other initiatives.
For government as a whole, 2018brought the end to union and corporate campaign donations and strict limits on individual donations, strict new lobbyist reporting rules, and a referendum on how we send our MLAs to Victoria. What a change from just 18 months ago, when foreign-national companies and the world’s super wealthy could donate unlimited amounts to BC politicians!
We are closing in on some of the problems in our housing market. Two separate provincial reviews are taking place into money laundering policies and activities taking place in our housing market. Reforms to require declaration of the actual ownership of a home through a “beneficial ownership registry” will be introduced in 2019. A new speculation tax will identify individuals who own property but who don’t pay taxes here, and require them to pay taxes to contribute to local services. New information sharing agreements with Revenue Canada will help identify tax evaders and money launderers, especially in partnership with speculation tax and beneficial ownership registry data.
Add to this new legislation re-establishing the Human Rights Commission in BC, major reforms to ICBC that kick in on April 1, 2019 to turn that financial ship around, reforms to class actions that will help fund access to justice initiatives in the province, working with the Federal Government to improve enforcement of anti-money laundering laws in the province, and so much more…2018 was a very, very busy year and 2019 promises more to come.
Thank you very much for all of your support for me, and for my staff, over the last year. Your letters, messages, and, yes, shouts of support in the street, help all of us keep going to make life better for British Columbians.
I wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
Your neighbour,
David Eby
MLA, Vancouver Point Grey
Your MLA in the Community
Talking with Mr. Yuen's Law Students at
Lord Byng Secondary (upper L),
Carnarvon Elementary class visit (upper R),
Visiting Bayview to talk about how laws are made in BC with
Ms. Montagno and Mr. T. (lower L), and with UHill Secondary students for mock question period at UBC (thanks to the amazing team of Mr. Yetman and Prof. Max Cameron of the Centre for the Study Democracy)(Lower R)
Always a pleasure to attend the UBC Courtside Basketball Festival
Auctioning off the basket of local goodies to benefit the BC Foodbank at CBC with Aiza, Rosa, and Lili (as well as Gloria Macarenko and Lisa Christiansen!). Thanks so much to our awesome local small businesses for helping with this project, and Michele Barile of the WBBIA and Aila Karpio of PGBIA.
Celebrating Diwali at the Kits Community Centre. Thank you to Mital for organizing such a beautiful event!
Welcoming new chief judge of BC, Melissa Gillespie in December at BC Law Courts. AG David Eby alongside Chief Sheriff Paul Corrado and members of BC Sheriff Services.
Meeting with Attorneys General from across Canada. Looking forward to working together with others on issues such as opioid class action and money laundering.
Thanks to the Creative Neighbours and the endless artistic and organizational energy of Joanne Brown and Mary Bennett. Lovely holiday reception with artists and community volunteers. There's still some time to come by and see the Gift of Art exhibition before it is gone!
Thanks to Michelle Barile of the WBBIA and our local dentists for contributing so much toothpaste (and other toiletries) to our collection for the Kits Community Centre Shower Program.
Thanks to Arman, Emily, Aiza, and Lili for decorating our community office, and to Rosa R. for the gift of her time, on holiday break from Cambridge University and back to pitch in here at 2909.
Free Renters' Rights Workshop at Kitsilano Community Centre January 28, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) Workshop
Are you a renter interested in up to date information regarding the legal protection of residential tenants? Are you looking for information, education, support and research on residential tenancy matters? Join a free legal education workshop for tenants and advocates hosted by MLA David Eby and TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre). We will be discussing: how to protect yourself; your rights and responsibilities; security deposits; illegal entry; repairs and evictions; and allowable rent increase.
Free Community Gaming GrantsWorkshop at Kitsilano Community Centre, February 9th from 10:00am-1:00pm
Staff from the Community Gaming Grant branch in Victoria will provide an information presentation and workshop on the Community Gaming Grant program and the new $5 million Capital Project Grant program. The Community Gaming Grant program provides $140 million per year to eligible not-for-profit organizations to deliver community programming. The program funds organizations across multiple sectors including environment, arts and culture, public safety, sports, PACs, service clubs, and human and social service. The session will be beneficial for both first time applicants and returning applicants. The session will include information on organization eligibility, program eligibility, and common application challenges. This is a great opportunity to talk directly to a representative from the Community Gaming Grant branch to address your organization’s challenges and explore new funding options. For more information on Community Gaming Grants, visit http://gov.bc.ca/gaminggrants
Upcoming Events at
West Point Grey Community Centre – 4397 West 2nd Ave
Winter registration has begun at West Point Grey Community Centre. Located right near Jericho Beach, you will find quality arts, culture and recreation activities for the whole family at affordable prices. Make 2019 the year to have new experiences!
Pottery and Wine Night (19+ years)
Try your hand at the pottery wheel and create a piece of art you can use in your kitchen. Clay, tools, appetizers and wine are provided! No pottery experience required, just a great attitude to learn and clothes that can get dirty.
When: Friday, Feb 1, 6-9pm
Where: Aberthau Mansion, 4397 West 2nd Ave
Learn more: westpointgrey.org – 604.257.8140 – wpgcc@vancouver.ca
Wine and Paint Night (19+ Yrs)
Discover the beauty of your creative expression in this social, wine and painting evening with instructor, Davide. Canvas, paints, brushes, appetizers and wine will be provided. No painting experience required.
When: Saturday, Feb 9, 7-9pm
Where: West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 West 2nd Ave
Learn more: westpointgrey.org – 604.257.8140 – wpgcc@vancouver.ca
Family Day at West Point Grey
This Family Day, take part in a morning Zumba class for all ages, followed by entertainment, games, face painting, a bouncy castle, playtime equipment for children and families and class demonstrations for adults and seniors. Plus free admission to the Fitness Centre!
When: Monday, Feb 18, 9:30am-2:30pm
Where: West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 West 2nd Ave
Learn more: westpointgrey.org – 604.257.8140 – wpgcc@vancouver.ca
Licensed Preschool at Aberthau Open House
Find out everything you need to know about the West Point Grey CC Licensed Preschool for children in the age groups: 30 months, 3 years old and 4 years old. Meet the preschool teachers, learn about the curriculum and ask any question.
When: Thursday, Feb 28, 4:30-6:30pm
Where: West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 West 2nd Ave
Learn more: westpointgrey.org – 604.257.8140 – wpgcc@vancouver.ca
Enjoyed my dialogue with Global Shapers and under-30 leaders in Vancouver about money laundering and the opioid crisis in BC, at SFU Wosk Centre, thanks to SFU Public Square, Global Shapers, and Jude & Robin of Cobalt Consulting. Thanks to Uytae Lee of About Here for filming the event (click image to connect to video).
In order to participate in the public input process on a range of important issues facing our province, visit the Engage BC webpage on a regular basis. Please see below for consultation on money laundering in real estate, as well as tip portal directed to investigator Dr. Peter German.
1. Engagement on Money Laundering (Ministry of Finance)
This engagement is an opportunity for British Columbians to share their concerns about money laundering in the B.C. real estate market, and to offer recommendations to B.C.’s Expert Panel on Money Laundering.
The Expert Panel was appointed following the release of two independent reports that found evidence that B.C.’s housing market may be vulnerable to criminals looking to launder money.
As part of their review of the issue, the Expert Panel on Money Laundering wants to hear from members of the public.
The public are invited to participate until Thursday January 31, 2019 at 4 p.m. by:
If using email, submissions should be provided in Word or PDF format and should not exceed five pages. Participants are encouraged to review the Terms of Reference prior to providing a response. The Expert Panel may also meet in person with individuals or groups who wish to disclose firsthand knowledge of money laundering in B.C.
The Expert Panel may also choose to follow up with individuals or groups that contact them about specific instances of money laundering in B.C.’s real estate sector.
This public engagement and the work being completed by the Expert Panel on Money Laundering is part of government’s Homes for BC: A 30-Point Plan for Housing Affordability in British Columbia that includes measures to stop fraudulent activity that is distorting B.C.’s housing market.
The Expert Panel will consider the feedback received through this engagement as they develop their recommendations and final report to government.
This work will help ensure that the people who live in our communities and work here are able to find affordable housing.
2. Money Laundering Tip Portal (Ministry of the Attorney General)
In June 2018, the Attorney General released the Peter German report on anti-money laundering in Lower Mainland casinos. The Attorney General has asked Peter German to conduct a second review following up on his initial findings.
This tip portal is a secure way for British Columbians to share any information they believe may be relevant to Dr. German’s review into whether there is evidence of money laundering in B.C. real estate, luxury car sales and horse racing.
If Dr. German identifies inadequately addressed issues of money laundering, he is to inquire into the nature, extent and history of these issues and deliver findings to government.
Submissions will be reviewed by the ministry and shared with Dr. German as appropriate. He will be able to consider the information submitted in his review and it may help inform the findings of his final report, which will be submitted to government in March 2019.
Submit your feedback online anonymously through the feedback form until 4 pm on January 31, 2019.
Office Hours
We are open by appointment from 9:00-5:00, Monday through Friday, but we request that walk-in appointments stop by to meet with Nic, Dulcy & Thea between 1:00-4:30 Tuesday through Friday. As always, if you want to meet with David for a 15 minute appointment, please email at david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca and we will find a window for you when he is home from Victoria and in our constituency office.
Due to our high volume of calls from around the province, we may miss your call when you contact our office. Please leave a message and indicate that you are a resident of Vancouver-Pt. Grey or email us at david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca indicating the same. We do want to hear from you!
In need of immediate assistance? Service BC (www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca), toll-free at 1-800-663-7867 can connect you to the appropriate government ministry.
