Debra Toporowski

Wear red today to support Team Canada!

Canada takes on Qatar today at BC Place in Vancouver at 3:00 p.m., and it’s an exciting moment for soccer fans across British Columbia.

Sports have a powerful way of bringing people and communities together. Whether you’re watching from the stands, gathering with friends and family, or cheering from home, let’s celebrate the pride, energy and community spirit this match brings.

Hosting this international soccer tournament is also a major opportunity for B.C., with more than one million new visitors expected, over $1 billion in revenue, and 18,000 jobs supported by 2031.

Let’s wear red and cheer loud for Canada!

Families across Cowichan Valley are feeling the impact of rising costs.

That’s why we’re investing in school food programs—helping ease pressure on parents while making sure students have access to nutritious meals at school. Through Feeding Futures and the National School Food Program, local districts can tailor support to meet community needs and reach students who need it most.

Team Canada hits the pitch in Vancouver this Thursday! ⚽
Wherever you’re cheering from, let’s wear red on June 18 and show our support.

Team Canada takes the pitch in Vancouver this Thursday. ⚽

Wherever you’re watching - let’s wear red on June 18 and show the world we're behind our team.

Our coastal waters are part of who we are here on Vancouver Island.

They feed families, support local jobs, sustain salmon and shellfish, and connect communities across generations.

That is why I am glad to see more than $2.5 million being invested this year in coastal marine stewardship projects across B.C., including important work led by First Nations and community partners here on the Island.

These projects include shoreline restoration near Brentwood Bay, marine cleanup work, shellfish health testing, kelp monitoring training across Vancouver Island, and Indigenous led stewardship that supports healthy waters, traditional food systems, and more resilient coastlines.

I am especially encouraged to see local Nations and organizations leading this work. From Tsawout, Tsartlip, Songhees, Esquimalt, Malahat, Pacheedaht, Stz’uminus and others, this is stewardship rooted in place, knowledge, responsibility, and care for future generations.

Healthy oceans mean healthy communities. They support food security, climate resilience, local economies, culture, and biodiversity.

These projects include shoreline restoration near Brentwood Bay, marine cleanup work, shellfish health testing, kelp monitoring training across Vancouver Island, and Indigenous-led stewardship that supports healthy waters, traditional food systems, and more resilient coastlines.

I’m proud to share that 20 organizations in Cowichan Valley are receiving a total of $835,700 through the Community Gaming Grants Program for Human and Social Services.

This funding will support important local services that people count on every day, including mental health supports, child care, seniors’ services, education, and programs for people with disabilities.

Non-profit Across B.C., more than $56 million in funding is being provided to 1,225 organizations this year, helping build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Thank you to every organization in Cowichan Valley for the care, support, and connection you bring to our communities every day.

Learn more here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/documents-forms/information-forms-resources

Canadian Mental Health Association: Cowichan Valley Branch

🌾What an incredible opportunity! 🌾
Get in contact with our local WorkBC team in Duncan for more information. Contact details below!

You can be a Farmer too! 👩🏽‍🌾

See poster for details and contact information!

People in the Cowichan Valley are fortunate to have so many dedicated organizations working every day to support justice, reduce crime, address harm, and create healing in our communities.

I am grateful to share that eight local projects in the Cowichan Valley are receiving a total of $404,297 through our government’s Civil Forfeiture Grant Program.

This includes:

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association, $24,390 for the Hooves, Hearts, and Drumbeats program

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, $140,000 for the Raven’s Nest Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Ts’ewulhtun Health Center, Cowichan Tribes, $39,995 for healing through cultural supports

Across BC, our government is providing $8.23 million to support 173 community-led projects focused on crime prevention, Indigenous healing, restorative justice, gender-based and domestic violence prevention, child and youth supports, and addressing hate crimes.

This funding comes from the seized proceeds of unlawful activity and redirects those funds back into making our communities safer.

Thank you to the local organizations doing this important work in the Cowichan Valley. Your leadership, care, and commitment make a real difference.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the new Quw’utsun Valley Hospital / Quw’utsun Hulitun ew’t hw, and it was incredibly moving to see the progress being made on this historic project for the Cowichan Valley.

Construction is now 90 percent complete, with the hospital expected to open to patients in mid 2027. This new 204 bed hospital will be more than three times larger than the current Cowichan District Hospital and will bring expanded emergency care, more operating rooms, increased diagnostic capacity, dedicated mental health and substance use supports, culturally safe spaces, and free parking for patients and families.

This is more than a hospital. It is an investment in health, healing, and care close to home for generations to come.

I am grateful to the workers, health care teams, Island Health, the Cowichan District Hospital Nuts’a’maat Alliance, Indigenous partners, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation, and everyone helping bring this vision to life.

Even BC Conservative MLAs don't think you should vote for Kerry-Lynne Findlay and her Trump-style politics.

She attacked the wife and children of Conservative MLA Peter Milobar just because they're Indigenous. And instead of apologizing, she doubled down.

She's the most extreme and divisive leader of a major party in BC’s history. No wonder the pro-Trump MLAs are all behind her.