Lawrence Mok - MLA Maple Ridge East

It was great to see so many of you again at this year's Eid Al-Fitr event in Maple Ridge, celebrating the end of Ramadan. It was my pleasure to speak to you all about how events like these bring our community closer together.

This past weekend I had the honour to celebrate Vaisakhi with the community of Maple Ridge. Seeing so many familiar faces and meeting so many new ones is why events like these are always so special. The Sikh community always brings such richness with their festivals so thank you for welcoming me to this year's vaisakhi festival.

I have been made aware of the attempted robbery that took place Tuesday, April 7th at the Valley Fair Mall just down the road from my constituency office. This is another example in a long line of incidents in Maple Ridge where public safety is impacted in my community.

Since the NDP took power, public safety in BC has deteriorated to an untenable level. Let's put government resources towards making our streets safer rather than spending $165,000 on handing out coffee in Seattle.

Masked men attempt robbery at jewelry store in Maple Ridge mall - Maple Ridge News Ryan Jewellers has been targeted by thieves several times over the years

To all those who celebrate Easter, I wish you all a wonderful day with your friends and family. Happy Easter! He is risen.

Another Ridge Meadows Maternity Ward closure, this time from April 2nd - April 10th. I suppose this is Fraser Health's way of saying Happy Easter to the residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Since December 2025, my community has seen several closures of our maternity ward, leaving expecting mothers without local, timely care. Even more staggering is that in the last 44 days, 20 of those days have seen maternity ward closures.

When will this Government finally get serious about these closures and provide my community with tangible solutions and improvements?

Due to a temporary gap in obstetrician-gynecologist coverage at Ridge Meadows Hospital, a maternity diversion will be in place from Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 a.m. to Friday, April 10 at 8:00 a.m.

If you are in labour or have a pregnancy concern, please call the Maternity Unit first. Our staff will direct you to the appropriate hospital for care.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/cQYj50Yv2a8

Thank you to MLA Lawrence Mok - MLA Maple Ridge East and his team for taking the time to visit Friends In Need Food Bank today.

We appreciated the opportunity to share more about our programs, the growing need in our community, and the work being done to support individuals and families in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows 🍽️

Last week I had the privilege to meet with the Rotary Club of Meadow Ridge and talk to them about my role as an MLA and the work I am doing as their provincial representative.

It is always great to talk with people who are so deeply involved and committed to their communities through volunteering and sponsorships of programs, scholarships, and local events. It is people like them that truly enrich the lives of those who live in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Once again this government is failing expecting mothers in my community. From Wednesday, March 18th to Monday, March 23rd the Ridge Meadows Maternity Ward will be closed again and families needing its care will be diverted to other hospitals.

This is the second time this month that Fraser Health has announced these disruptions. Since December, my community and others have experienced a number of these diversions that put families in difficult situations. When will this NDP Government get serious about resolving this long standing issue in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows?

‘Crisis’ in maternity care continues at Ridge Meadows Hospital - Maple Ridge News Another maternity diversion from Maple Ridge facility starts Wednesday

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Caballero Sales & Service. They are a wonderful small business in Maple Ridge that provides installation, servicing, and preventative maintenance for automotive equipment. Founded in 2006, Liam and Stacey built their business on a passion for providing quality craftsmanship for the people of Maple Ridge and across the province.

It is always inspiring to see success stories like Liam and Stacey's. Small businesses like Caballero are the backbone of BC's economy, and this NDP government should be doing more to facilitate their success.

The first reading vote on MLA Tara Armstrong’s Human Rights Bill is not a vote to support the substance or intent of the legislation. Our party and caucus support human rights.

At first reading, MLAs do not see the bill’s contents until after it is introduced in the Legislative Assembly. Under our new leadership, caucus policy is to vote yes at first reading on all legislation. This includes bills presented by the government and all private members.

We want to see the bill. We want to have the ability to make our views known in the legislative assembly. This is how government is supposed to function.

In Ottawa, London, and in Alberta, the first reading of the bill does not get voted on. Second reading is the time to debate a bill’s contents. That is when MLAs can put their views, and any objections, on the public record.

This is when members have the chance to challenge each other’s ideas directly, no matter how offensive or objectionable they may be.

Playing political games at first reading undermines the Assembly’s core function and is undemocratic.

British Columbians deserve more than media clips and partisan social media attacks.

Our caucus believes these issues should be debated in the Legislative Assembly, on the record.

That’s what our communities elected us to do, and it is what the legislative assembly is for.

With the Ridge Meadows maternity ward closed from today until Monday, March 2nd, this will be the fifth time since December that Fraser Health has diverted expectant mothers to hospitals significantly further away.

What does it take for this government to realize that more needs to be done than just empty promises and half-baked solutions? Families in Maple Ridge and elsewhere shouldn't have to worry that their local maternity ward is closed to them when they need it the most.

https://mapleridgenews.com/2026/02/25/expectant-mothers-diverted-from-ridge-meadows-hospital-starting-thursday/

Expectant mothers diverted from Ridge Meadows Hospital starting Thursday - Maple Ridge News Fifth maternity diversion scheduled to end on March 2 at 8 a.m.

With the Ridge Meadows' maternity ward closing from today until monday, March 2nd, this will be the fifth time since December that Fraser Health is diverting expecting mothers to hospitals significantly further away.

What does it take for this government to realize that more needs to be done than just empty promises and half-baked solutions. Families in Maple Ridge and elsewhere shouldn't have to be worried that their local maternity ward is closed to them when they need it the most.

Expectant mothers diverted from Ridge Meadows Hospital starting Thursday - Maple Ridge News Fifth maternity diversion scheduled to end on March 2 at 8 a.m.