National policies are designed to serve all Canadians. While their full impact unfolds over time, these policies are making positive differences in every city, such as Richmond.
The federal government is working with the Province of British Columbia and the City of Richmond to maximize impacts of federal affordability initiatives within the city.
As Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, Wilson Miao is focused on addressing the specific priorities of Richmond residents, such as maximizing the impacts of federal affordability initiatives within the city.
Providing affordable child care
The $10-a-day child care program is a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system designed to bring financial support for parents. Through the program, parents in B.C. can save up to $6,600 and ensure their children have the resources they need to succeed.
In Richmond, there are currently over 800 spots in child care centres that are $10-a-day.
Miao aims to continue to work with partners to create more $10- a-day child care spaces for parents in Richmond, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
"Affordable child care is a game-changer for families in Richmond," says Miao. "It allows parents to pursue their careers knowing their children are in good hands, which is crucial in a community like ours where the cost of living is a significant concern."
Expanding dental care coverage
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is aimed to provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians. This federal initiative has helped over 70,000 residents across B.C. receive oral health care, ensuring that uninsured residents can receive the care they need without the financial strain.
"Oral health care is health care. It is closely linked to the well-being of all Canadians," Miao shares. "By making dental care more accessible, we are helping uninsured Canadians in Richmond to gain access to dental care for their overall health and quality of life."
Building more homes
Through the National Housing Strategy, the Federal Government introduced its plan to build nearly 4 million new homes across Canada.
In Richmond, the Federal Government is providing over $35 million through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to fast-track more than 1,000 housing units over the next 3 years and build over 3,100 homes over the next decade. This federal funding was provided on top of the $9.1 million under the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) City Stream, dedicated to an affordable rental housing development for residents in need of safe and secure housing.
“Building more homes and building them faster is a priority of our government,” says Miao. “Housing takes a collective effort, and we will continue to work with partners to meet the growing need for housing.”
Supporting youth through work opportunities
The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) federal program provides funding to help employers create summer employment opportunities for youth. The program both helps young Canadians to gain professional work experience and improves access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers.
"Supporting our youth is essential for the future of Richmond," says Miao. "The Canada Summer Jobs program helps our young Canadians gain the skills and experience they need to succeed, while creating more jobs for businesses in Richmond."
Supporting senior wellness
For many seniors in Richmond, living on a fixed income means that every dollar counts.
The enhancement of Old Age Security (OAS) benefits, along with the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), provide additional financial support and community engagement opportunities. These programs, along with other federal incentives support senior communities and increase their social inclusion, bring positive impacts to their well-being.
"Our seniors are the backbone of Richmond," says Miao. "These programs offer the support they need to ensure quality living and to stay engaged in our community."
Connecting with the community
Beyond implementing these important policies, Miao is dedicated to staying connected with the Richmond community.
Over the summer, Miao hosted an open house at his Richmond Centre constituency office, where he met with locals and listened to their feedback. His ongoing commitment to community dialogue ensures that the voices of Richmond residents are heard at the national level in Ottawa.
In his personal time, Miao enjoys connecting with the community in a different way through volunteering and cooking. As a self-taught enthusiast, he loves preparing meals for friends and families, particularly sourcing ingredients from local Richmond stores in support of the local economy.
Building a better Richmond together
While the national policies are making positive differences, Miao understands that there is always more work to be done. The Member of Parliament remains committed to working with all levels of government, as well as with community partners and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation, to continue delivering results that matter to Richmond.
“While progress has been made, there is still much to be done, and these steps forward will help build a brighter future in Richmond,” says Miao. “Together, we can build a better community for everyone.”
For more information, visit WilsonMiaoMP.ca
