By Linda Larson

MLA, Boundary-Similkameen

As we move into the end of another year, 44 bills have passed through the Legislature in Victoria.

Some of them generate more citizen interest than others. The Tobacco Control Amendment Act changed the availability of flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettes to youth. The Electoral Districts Act will affect the boundaries of this riding for the 2017 election by adding Princeton, and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act creates more transparency and fairness for all seeking local government positions.

The changes to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act has enhanced the experience our local wineries can offer their customers and made access to B.C. wine, beer and spirits easier at farmers markets, etc.

There are always bugs to be worked out with new legislation, but the ultimate goal is to improve it. Some of the acts are housekeeping ones where old legislation is revisited and revised, and many are new. To see all the legislation for 2015, please go to the legislative assembly website at www.leg.bc.ca.

The communities and businesses in the riding continue to be recognized on many fronts. The B.C. Destination Marketing Organization Professional Excellence Award was presented to the Destination Osoyoos Development Society for the great job they have done marketing Osoyoos to the rest of the world.

Keremeos was one of only four communities in the province to receive a FortisBC Community Giving Grant for LED lighting for the village walking trail.

Money for programs related to environmental stewardship have also been received by the Osoyoos Desert Society, the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO), the Christina Lake Community Resource Stewardship Centre and the Boundary Invasive Species Society for the good work they do.

Funds have also been distributed to several schools in the riding to do much-needed upgrades.

As always, regardless of the season people continue to raise funds and hold events to help those in need in our area. I recently attended a Habitat for Humanity event in Greenwood to help raise money to build a home for one of the families in Westbridge. This event was attended by close to 200 people and raised $10,000 for this worthy cause.

The Desert Valley Hospice Society held its annual wine and cheese social and auction at the Frank Venables Atrium. Thanks to Janet Shaw for her leadership and hard work in raising the profile of Hospice and all the wonderful volunteers who help the people of the South Okanagan in their time of need.

The Desert Sun Resource Centre holds an annual fundraising event for the women’s shelter and just completed a very successful “Empty Bowl” event in Osoyoos. A sold-out crowd enjoyed gourmet soups prepared by a dozen of the valley’s chefs served in a beautiful pottery bowl made by the Osoyoos Potters (with a little help from an Oliver potter) which we then were able to take home as a gift. A unique experience for all.

Thank you to all who took time to send in thoughtful and innovative ideas on managing the sensitive environment of the South Okanagan through the website and in emails and letters. This was not a poll. A small focus group will only review and summarize all the comments and suggestions; they will not be making recommendations.

With the help of ministry staff they will pass on their findings to Environment Minister Mary Polak. I am hopeful that in January the minister will be able to move forward on some common areas of interest and support.

I want to thank a very special group of volunteers who keep my Food for Thought Muffin Program at South Okanagan Secondary School alive and well in my absence. Muffin bakers Christina Ruddiman, Irene Covey and Pam Dunn, who also, with her husband Lawrence, are the friendly faces at the school twice a week. Thanks also to the Kiwanis Club of Oliver, Buy Low Foods and the BC Tree Fruits Co-op who continue to donate money and goods to this program.

The Christmas season is nearly upon us once again. On behalf of the staff in the Oliver office, Colleen and Patt, and myself and my husband Larry, I hope you all enjoy time with friends and family and take a moment to share with someone less fortunate. Join staff and I for Christmas goodies at our open house on Dec. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 6369 Main St., in Oliver