Top 10 Fast Links

Here are ten of the most common ways my office and staff can assist many of you in locating information on government services, find contact information, understand government policies or services, navigate through government bureaucracy and ensure due process is followed:

1.    If you are looking to start up a new business or trying to do business in the resource sector, you can be introduced to Front Counter BC see http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/ or you can be connected directly with someone who deals with your specific issue.  There is a link to BizPal http://www.bcbizpal.ca/  a program that asks you to answer a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business and provides you with a customized list of potential permits and licences from all levels of government that you may require to operate your business – on an anonymous basis.  

2.    If you are involved in a Non-Profit organization and looking to fund a program, you may be directed on how to access grants specific to your needs and how to apply for them.

3.    If you are a Senior constituent you may be helped with information on available programs such as:

a.     SAFER Program -  helps make rents affordable for BC seniors with low to moderate incomes. Provides monthly rent subsidy for eligible BC residents age 60 or over currently paying rent for their homes. http://www.bchousing.org/programs/SAFER  
b.    Old Age Supplement Program -  a monthly payment to seniors whose total income from federal pensions or other earned income falls below a level guaranteed by the province.    http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/mhr/ss.htm  
c.    MSP and Pharmacare Subsidies -  Assistance with the payment of premiums is available to Canadian citizens or holders of permanent resident status (landed immigrants) who have held that status and been resident in Canada for the past 12 consecutive months  http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/insurance/financial_assistance.html   In January 2010, the coverage for full premium assistance for MSP will be for income of less than $22,000 and there will be some premium assistance available up to income of $30,000.  Although the rates are based on income from 2 years prior, it is possible to have it based on your current income if you have experienced a drop in income of more than 10% - by contacting the office or MSP for assistance.   
Also check out the Senior’s Guide at http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/seniors/guide/other_services/seniors_line.htm for information on all services available through government.

4.    If you don’t have access to a computer or printer you may be helped with printing out forms or information you need on any government program by simply dropping by the office.
 
5.    If you want to help someone (or yourself even) to really celebrate a major milestone birthday or anniversary (75 years birthday or 25 years anniversary or over) you can get help ordering Congratulatory messages from major government representatives, including MLAs, Premier, and in some cases even the Prime Minister or the Queen.  Can also be done online at   http://www.protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/congrat/congrat.htm

6.    If you are a student and trying to fund your education, you may be directed to StudentAid BC http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/welcome.htm  for assistance and helped to navigate the various programs available to help you attain your goal.

7.    If you are wondering about  a long lost credit union account, unpaid wages, overpayment to debt collectors, as well as unclaimed proceeds from courts, tax offices and estates you can be helped to locate these through the BC Unclaimed Property Society http://www.bcunclaimedproperty.bc.ca/  

8.    If you know of someone under 19 who cannot participate in sports because of a lack of money, you may be helped with information on KidSports BC  http://www.kidsportcanada.ca   grant of up to $100 that can be used to pay for sport registration fees.

9.     If you have a concern about a medical service provided through the Health Authority you can be helped with information on how to have your concern addressed and by information on the Patient Care and Quality Review Board.    http://www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca/

10.    If you are you a laid off resource-sector worker looking to upgrade your skills or education you can be helped through the Community Development Trust Program – Tuition Assistance Program with up to $5,000 for tuition or books.     http://www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/tuition/index.htm