February Update from your Member of Parliament

February 28, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I hope this finds you and your families well.

I'd like to begin by saying how deeply saddened and horrified I am by the terrible attack that occurred in Tumbler Ridge on February 10th. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of the families of the victims, and the grief the entire community is suffering at this moment. My heart is with the families and friends of all those who lost their lives or suffered injuries. It is in such moments that our character as a nation is tested, and I am proud to live in a Canada where we all, regardless of political persuasion, hold our neighbours in their grief, and rally around our communities in moments of such profound suffering. Please keep the community of Tumbler Ridge in your thoughts and prayers.

It’s been a pleasure seeing so many of you at various events in Vancouver Quadra this past month, and a special thanks to everyone who took the time to attend events at my constituency office! There will be many more to come.

In Ottawa, our government continues to work hard to advance your priorities and build a stronger and more affordable Canada. The Budget Implementation Act has recently passed the House of Commons, and will soon cut taxes to help more than 22 million low-and modest-income Canadians afford day-to-day essentials, provide clean electricity tax credits to spur investments in our green economy, initiate Canada’s first comprehensive buy Canadian policy, ensuring public dollars are used to strengthen our supply chains and support homegrown innovation and guide a Trade Diversification Strategy that will double our non-U.S. exports over a decade, among many other measures.

Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, has received Royal Assent and will provide a one-time top-up payment to the GST credit, to be paid as early as possible this spring, equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit. This will deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to 12 million Canadians who currently receive the benefit.

Bill C-20, the Build Canada Homes Act, will soon go to committee for review. This legislation is a major milestone in the government’s plan to build homes faster and help ensure every Canadian has an affordable place to live. By leveraging public lands, deploying flexible financial tools, and acting as a catalyst for modern methods of construction, Build Canada Homes is driving a more productive and innovative homebuilding sector.

If you ever have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding my work in the House of Commons, please do not hesitate to contact my office. It continues to be a great honour and joy to serve as your representative in Parliament.

Warm regards,

Wade

Inaugural MP Breakfast Connections - Olympian, Educator and Author Valerie Jerome:

I was delighted to welcome Valerie Jerome as our guest speaker at my first MP Breakfast Connections event. Valerie is an Olympian, my former teacher, an environmental activist, and an award-winning author. In honour of Black History Month, Valerie spoke about her family's experiences as they transitioned to life on the West Coast.

Valerie’s story reflects a deep commitment to justice, community, and historical truth. From her participation in the 1960 Olympics in Rome to her work in classrooms and on international stages, she has dedicated her life to advocacy, athletics, and education. As Black History Month comes to an end, I hope we can all take time to continue recognizing the vital role Black Canadians have played in building our country over the years.

Thank you for everything, Valerie.

Lunar New Year Festivities:

This February, we welcomed the Year of the Horse, symbolizing energy, freedom, vitality, and progress. Starting on February 17th and lasting until the Lantern Festival on March 3rd, the Lunar New Year period is a time when many Asian families take to reset, reconnect, and celebrate with loved ones. It also marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle and is an important celebration observed by many communities here in Vancouver Quadra. We had an amazing time hosting a celebratory open house at the office last week, featuring cultural activities and live performances from the University Neighbourhoods Association Old Barn Community Centre Seniors Choir and local young talent playing the traditional Chinese zither.

On February 22nd, I joined fellow MPs, MLAs, ministers and city officials at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Classical Gardens to celebrate its 40th anniversary, as well as witnessing a traditional eye dotting ceremony and Dragon Dance performed by the Hon Hsing Athletic Club. Following this performance, we participated in the Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. It was lovely meeting some constituents along the way as I handed out red pockets, which are traditional gifts symbolizing good fortune and blessings.

Davis Cup Qualifiers: 

Always a joy to cheer on Team Canada, especially when my friend and colleague Minister Miller is in town! I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to attend the Davis Cup First-Round Qualifiers at the University of British Columbia, where Canada won a hard-fought match against Brazil. My congratulations to Cleeve Harper and Liam Draxl for their thrilling performance, and sincere thanks to Tennis Canada for making this possible.

New Horizons for Seniors Program Projects in Vancouver Quadra:

Our government will always work to empower seniors to thrive in their communities through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), which the Budget Implementation Act provides annual funding of $70 million. NHSP supports projects in local communities that improve the quality of life for seniors and promote their full participation in Canadian society. I’m happy to share that many local organizations in the riding have been chosen to participate in the program, including the University Neighbourhood Association, the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society, and the Musqueam Nation. I send my thanks to these organizations and all the others across our riding that carry out such amazing work for the members of our community.

Delivering Homes for British Columbians:

Build Canada Homes, in partnership with the Government of British Columbia, has launched a plan to develop 700 homes scheduled to begin construction within the year. We are also in talks with the province to collaborate on the development of at least 400 affordable rental homes. In total, this represents 1,100 new homes for the people of B.C.

Through this partnership, Build Canada Homes will contribute $170 million in capital costs, and the Province, through BC Housing, will contribute $640 million, covering both capital and operating costs.

Build Canada Homes is increasing the supply of affordable housing, scaling up construction, and modernizing one of Canada’s most significant industries. By prioritizing projects and partnerships that invest in using sustainable Canadian materials, strengthening Canadian supply chains, and creating good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process, Build Canada Homes is championing the federal government’s Buy Canadian strategy, while helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

The National Pharmacare Plan is Coming to BC:

Starting tomorrow, March 1st, B.C. residents will be eligible for the Government’s public coverage, providing universal access to contraceptive and diabetes medications, devices, and supplies at little to no cost. Our Pharmacare plan will support the reproductive freedom of more than 1.3 million British Columbians and ensure that nearly 550,000 British Columbians with diabetes can access essential medications, reducing their risk of serious health complications and improving their quality of life. For more information on the program, please click here.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. If anyone you know would like to receive these updates, please direct them to contact my office at [email protected].

Warmly,

Wade Grant, M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra