News & Updates
Community Skate at the Mission Leisure Centre
The community came together for a memorable afternoon at the Mission Leisure Centre on Saturday, March 28, where residents of all ages enjoyed a free public skate.
Families, friends, and neighbours filled the ice from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether experienced skaters or first time visitors, everyone had the chance to take part, connect, and enjoy time together.
It was encouraging to see such a strong turnout, with many sharing laughter, conversation, and a simple moment of community. Events like this continue to highlight the strength of local connection and the value of creating spaces where people can gather and enjoy something together.
Thank you to everyone who came out and made the afternoon such a success.
Thank You to First Responders & Community
Following Mission Seniors Home Fire
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency crews, and community members who acted swiftly during the fire at a seniors home in Mission.
Because of your rapid response, residents were evacuated safely and cared for during a frightening and uncertain time. Moments like these remind us just how vital our emergency services are—and how strong our communities can be when people come together.
We are especially thinking of the seniors who were displaced, as well as their families. Thank you to everyone who stepped in to support them with care, compassion, and urgency.
We will continue to follow updates and stand with those affected as recovery efforts move forward.
Meeting with Mission Fire Rescue Following Carrington House Incident
On March 19, Trevor Halford, Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of BC, and I met with Larry Watkinson, along with members of the Mission Fire Rescue team, to review the events surrounding the fire at Chartwell Carrington House on March 9, 2026.
We are deeply grateful that no one was hurt. That outcome is a direct reflection of the professionalism, preparedness, and swift action of the firefighters and emergency personnel on scene.
Our conversation was both informative and encouraging. Chief Watkinson and his team walked us through the response, highlighting the coordination, training, and commitment that ensured residents were safely evacuated and cared for in a moment of real urgency.
What stood out most was their genuine appreciation for the community they serve. There is a clear sense of responsibility and pride in protecting the citizens of Mission, and that was evident in both their actions on March 9 and in our discussion afterward.
We want to thank Chief Watkinson and the entire Mission Fire Rescue team for their outstanding work and continued dedication. Their service does not go unnoticed, and our community is stronger and safer because of them.
Autism Town Halls & A Rally That Brought Families Together
Vancouver Rally – March 14, 2026
Numerous families, advocates, and community members gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on March 14 to speak out on proposed changes to autism funding.
Parents stood with signs, shared their experiences, and made one thing clear: stability matters. Many families have spent years building supports that are working for their children, and they are deeply concerned about what comes next.
This was not about opposing support for others. It was about asking why expanding access should come at the cost of disrupting care that is already making a difference.
The message from the ground was clear, focused, and urgent and it is being brought forward directly into the Legislature.
Autism Funding Town Halls (Zoom Sessions)
Across two virtual town halls, close to 500 people from across British Columbia came together to share their experiences, concerns, and questions about the proposed autism funding model.
Families spoke candidly about the uncertainty they are facing, the decisions they are being forced to make without clear information, and the risk of losing supports that have taken years to put in place.
Community professionals and service providers also joined the conversation, raising serious concerns about workforce capacity, implementation gaps, and whether the proposed system can realistically meet demand.
These sessions created space for honest dialogue, real stories, and meaningful input, ensuring that the voices of families and frontline professionals are directly informing the work being done in the Legislature.
The work is far from over. We will keep pushing forward alongside families, advocating for stability, clarity, and supports that truly meet the needs of children across British Columbia.
HOSPITAL CLOSURES
Last year, dozens of community members gathered outside Mission Memorial Hospital to call for action after repeated emergency room closures and to show their support for health-care workers struggling with chronic staff shortages.
The rally was organized by Opposition Conservative MLA Reann Gasper, who represents the Abbotsford–Mission electoral district. Speaking at the event, Gasper warned that the closures were not isolated incidents but part of a broader health-care crisis affecting communities across British Columbia.
“We are in a health-care crisis right across B.C.,” Gasper said at the time. “Mission may not be the worst-hit community, but these closures are deeply disruptive for the people who rely on this hospital.”
In 2024, Mission Memorial Hospital’s emergency department was closed six times, including a significant overnight closure on Nov. 9, when patients were diverted to other Lower Mainland hospitals from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning. On Halloween night, the ER was left without a single doctor on duty. These interruptions occurred despite the emergency department being designated as a 24-hour service.
Each closure forced residents to travel longer distances for urgent care, delayed treatment, and created uncertainty for families unsure where to turn in a medical emergency. “When an ER is closed, it sends a ripple of fear through the entire community,” Gasper said, noting the strain placed on both patients and neighbouring hospitals.
Across the province, emergency departments have faced repeated overnight closures and “temporary service interruptions” for years, with rural and smaller communities often bearing the brunt. While the provincial government and regional health authorities have launched recruitment and retention initiatives, closures have continued.
In response, Gasper wrote to the Minister of Health and Fraser Health leadership, calling for immediate staffing support and greater transparency around ER closures so communities are not left in the dark. The rally also included a petition urging the government to take concrete action to restore reliable emergency care in Mission.
PETITION TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
To the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, in Legislature Assembled:
The petition from residents of British Columbia, states that: Mission Memorial Hospital’s emergency department has experienced repeated overnight closures, six so far this year, resulting in residents losing reliable access to emergency medical care and placing additional strain on health-care workers and nearby hospitals. Residents have expressed concern about the impact of these recurring closures on patient safety, continuity of care, and the well-being of the frontline staff who continue to serve under significant pressure.
Your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House urge the Ministry of Health and Fraser Health Authority to take immediate steps to ensure consistent, uninterrupted emergency room service at Mission Memorial Hospital, including transparent public reporting on service stability and staffing levels, and recognizing the essential role of frontline health-care workers in maintaining emergency care.
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