Greg Kyllo, MLA
Shuswap Report PROUDLY SERVING SHUSWAP CONSTITUENTS
www.GregKylloMLA.ca
JUNE 2015
Hummingbird Creek Bridge - Completion May 2015
Improving the safety on our region’s highways is one of my major goals Sicamous residents have been asking for changes at the intersection of Highway 97A and Main Street – and our government is answering the call.
It was a proud occasion on June 15 when I joined my colleague Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, for the announcement of construction of a roundabout and other safety improvements at this busy intersection.
The total project cost is estimated at $7 million and is solely funded by the provincial government. It is a major goal of mine to see our region’s highways become as safe as they possibly can be.
A detailed design is being finalized to include feedback from an open house held in midMay. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2016 and be completed that summer with several improvements being made.
I am proud that we have seen significant improvements to both Highway 1 and Highway 97. The Malakwa Bridge replacement and four-laning project east of Sicamous is underway, and the new bridge on Highway 97A over Hummingbird Creek is completed, improving safety for motorists and protecting the highway during times of high creek flows.
In addition to the roundabout, there will be improved lighting at the intersection; improvements to the alignment of Paradise Avenue at Highway 97A; and upgrades for pedestrian and cycling traffic including sidewalks, crosswalks with refuge islands, and bicycle lanes.
B.C. on the Move, our government’s 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network, will see about $2.5 billion invested in B.C.’s transportation network over the next three years – and a fair portion of that will be spent on projects in the Shuswap.
www.GregKylloMLA.ca
Malakwa Bridge and Four-laning Project - Underway
Greg.Kyllo.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Sicamous Main Street / Hwy.97A Roundabout - Plan
Salmon River Bridge / TC Highway - Design Stage
@kyllogreg
Shuswap Report
www.GregKylloMLA.ca
JUNE 2015
Honoured and proud to represent the Shuswap
Getting down to business in my first weeks as a newly elected MLA. The local office was undergoing renovations, but there was no time to waste in meeting with constituents and getting a handle on my new responsibilities. It’s hard to believe, but May 14th was the midway mark of our government’s fouryear term and my second anniversary as your MLA. I am truly honoured and proud to serve as MLA for Shuswap, and to work on your behalf to address any interests or concerns you may have. The number and variety of questions and concerns that are canvassed through our local Constituency Office is truly remarkable, and I am always eager to share any insight I may have and as appropriate, to advocate on your behalf. People in the Shuswap have good reason to be having fun and feeling a sense of optimism, and I am pleased to share with you some of our government’s local accomplishments over the past two years, as well as some exciting developments to come. While it has been a challenging year around the world with falling oil prices having an impact on our economy here at home, news for our region’s economy has been generally positive. Our citizens and businesses have always been resilient and resourceful – that’s part
of what makes the Shuswap such a special place. Our government recently unveiled its third consecutive balanced budget – a record that no other province can match. Balanced budgets help to maintain our triple-A credit rating, which affords us one of the lowest interest rates in Canada. To put this in perspective, if we had the credit rating of the province of Ontario, our cost of borrowing would be an additional $2 billion per year, approximately the amount we spend annually on our entire advanced education system. I encourage you to go to bcbudget.ca for more details. Finally, I want to recognize the great support I receive from my constituency assistant Holly Cowan, who helps area residents with their B.C. governmentrelated questions and concerns. I look forward to seeing you in the Shuswap. Sincerely,
GREG KYLLO, MLA for Shuswap
Premier Christy Clark: April 1 a day to remember in the Shuswap The Premier again showed her fondness for the area when we visited Canoe Forest Products to examine its new $14-million lathe line and later surprised diners by dropping in to the Shuswap Pie Company to chat with surprised guests. She also wowed two capacity crowds – at a Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce luncheon and an evening dinner at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort. It was her fifth visit to the riding since becoming Premier in 2011 and it’s safe to say Premier Clark has spent more time in the Shuswap than all previous premiers combined. We look forward to her next visit.
SHUSWAP CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: Suite 202A - 371 Alexander Street, NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N7
Shuswap Report
www.GregKylloMLA.ca
JUNE 2015
Making a difference
$2.4 million in community gaming grants
Receiving the B.C. Kidney Advocacy Award at its AGM in Vancouver on May 2.
Shuswap Rotary is hoping to put more seniors on local buses. The evening club set aside funds to buy one-year passes for local seniors to help them get out and about within the community. The club is grateful for Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo’s help in dealing with some administrative issues. “We owe him thanks for his contribution in smoothing the way to make this all happen.” - Doug Leatherdale. Since becoming your MLA in May 2013, our riding has received in excess of $2.4 million from the Community Gaming Grants program. Budgets are tight for all of our charities and non-profits, and I know these grants help to support them in the great work they do in our communities. Community Gaming Grants help nonprofit organizations around the Shuswap and B.C. deliver programs that benefit citizens and their communities. Organizations in the Arts and Culture, Sport, Public Safety, Environment and Health and Human Services sectors may apply online. Please contact my office for any assistance you may need.
PHONE: 250.833.7414
Grants awarded in the past year include... • Interior Provincial Exhibition Assoc. $100,000; • Shuswap Youth Soccer Assoc. - $66,000; • Salmon Arm Folk Music Society - $55,000; • Shuswap Family Resource Centre $50,000; • Notch Hill Town Hall Assoc. - $40,000; • O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society- $20,000; • Shuswap Minor Football Association -$11,900; • Armstrong and District Curling Club -$10,000
FAX: 250.833.7422
Organ donor registration made easier One of my proudest accomplishments as your MLA has been to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation. I was able to advance this initiative to my government colleagues, and today any British Columbian can register for organ donation at any Service BC location – helping to increase organ donor registration rates across B.C., ultimately helping to save the lives of those in need of an organ transplant. As a result of my efforts, the Canadian Kidney Foundation’s B.C. and Yukon branch honoured me with its B.C. Kidney Advocacy Award at its AGM in Vancouver on May 2. You may be wondering how I came to be so involved in organ donation. 27 years ago, my former high school PE teacher and basketball and rugby coach, Tony Beeftink, was informed by his doctor that his heart was weakened by a virus and he had only six months to live. Tony was just 37 years old at the time with a loving wife – Alana, and three beautiful young children. Fortunately, Tony received a call from the hospital and he became B.C.’s second successful recipient of a donated heart – saving the life of a husband, father and a brilliant and dedicated teacher and coach. Tony has always said: “If you could be a recipient – you CAN be a donor.”
HOURS: Monday - Thursday, 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Shuswap Report
www.GregKylloMLA.ca
JUNE 2015
Meeting constituents, learning about their businesses and facilities; responding to constituents’ requests; participating in parades and public events; awarding grants on behalf of the government.
Transitioning into life as a Government official I am truly enjoying my role as Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan, to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism, Skills Training and Labour – the Hon. Shirley Bond. I am largely responsible for the BC Jobs Plan, B.C.’s strategic plan for growing the provincial economy and creating family-supporting jobs all across B.C. My role as Parliamentary Secretary provides me the opportunity to work collaboratively with the large majority of cabinet ministers whose ministries include an economic portfolio. I enjoyed participating on the Cabinet Committee on Core Review and the
Parliamentary Committee to hire the next Auditor General for B.C. The work of these committees has now concluded.
busy and find myself in Vancouver most weeks when the Legislature is not in session.
Work continues with the Cabinet Committees of Treasury Board and Strong Economy, and the Parliamentary Committees of Public Accounts. In addition, the Premier appointed me in January to her Priorities and Planning Cabinet Committee, joining eight cabinet ministers to discuss matters of significant provincial importance.
I am extremely grateful for the support my family has extended to me during the past two years as an MLA. My wife Georgina has been very supportive of the hours required for me to be away from home. We have also seen a tremendous change in family members, as we have welcomed three beautiful baby grand-daughters in the past year.
Between my role as Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan and significant committee work, I am staying extremely
I look forward to the coming years as Shuswap MLA and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
SHUSWAP CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: Suite 202A - 371 Alexander Street, NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N7