THE BC NDP on Saturday sent a letter committing, if re-elected, to provide the necessary funding to the Surrey Urban Mission so that it can continue delivering the services people need. Through their programs to provide shelter, meals, and access to basic needs like showers and washrooms to vulnerable people in Surrey, the Urban Mission organization serves the entire community.
“Services provided by the Surrey Urban Mission are often the first step to help people get the support they need to find permanent housing and get access to life changing services,” said Amna Shah, BC NDP candidate for Surrey City Centre. “We will continue to work with partners to ensure that people have access to the support they need to be healthy and safe as we take action to build the homes people need.”
She said: “Everyone in our community deserves support. As we take action to deliver the homes people need to move inside, the BC NDP wants to ensure everyone has access to the support they need including showers, meals, and laundry services. It’s why the BC NDP is making sure that the Surrey Urban Mission can keep its services running.”
Jack O’Halloran, CEO of the Surrey Urban Mission, said: “I’m extremely appreciative of the help and support that the BC NDP has provided. People experiencing homelessness rely on the services we offer, and being given the opportunity to keep providing these services is critical to keep people safe and healthy and support the whole community.”
LATER, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad said that the Conservatives are committed to ensuring that no food bank or community kitchen will have to shut down. He promised that, under his leadership, reliable, ongoing funding would be secured to keep these vital services operating, and he emphasized the need for support for Community Connections Workers, who provide critical on-the-ground assistance to those in need.
“We will not allow these essential services to fail. The Conservatives are committed to delivering the financial support required to ensure food banks and community kitchens across the province can continue their invaluable work, and we will provide the stable, ongoing funding needed to keep them running,” Rustad stated.
