Vernon-Lumby MLA, Harwinder Sandhu, Premier David Eby, and Mayor Victor Cumming in Vernon (submitted photo)

By Liam Verster

Year End Review

Focus was on strengthening the region in 2025: MLA Sandhu

Dec 30, 2025 | 11:36 AM

The local Member of the Legislative Assembly said she worked hard to support the people and region she served in this past year.

Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby, said in a release that British Columbia, and Canada as a whole, faced economic pressures in 2025, though she remained committed to protecting essential services, supporting families, and making local investments with the goal of strengthening the region.

“People want to know that even when times are tough, their government remains committed to continue working hard to address these challenges and to deliver for people. That commitment has guided every decision we’ve made this year,” Sandhu stated.

“I am deeply honoured to serve Vernon–Lumby, and I remain unwaveringly committed to the people of this region. Supporting our community, local jobs, our economy, climate action, and our sovereignty is not just my responsibility — it is my promise. I work diligently alongside my team every day to be accessible and present for people, whether that’s through mobile offices, attending community events, or being available through my constituency office. Showing up matters.”

One of the key highlights for the local politician was supporting education and skills training with more than $1-million invested in new programs at Okanagan College, including the Hospitality and Culinary Essentials program that helps people on income assistance prepare for hospitality careers; more than $1-million in investments to local school food programs through the Feeding Futures Fund,; and a $260,000 investment through the Student and Family Affordability Fund to cover the costs of school supplies, fees, field trips, and other activities.

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“When times are challenging, investing in education is one of the smartest and most compassionate choices we can make,” Sandhu said.

“It strengthens our workforce and creates real opportunity for people and families.”

Another key focus for Sandhu this past year was housing and affordability.

She stated the province aimed to address the housing issue by opening 26 new affordable rental homes in Vernon through the Rental Protection Fund, and through partnering with the Okanagan Indian Band and the Vernon native Housing Society to open 35 on-reserve and 90 off-reserve homes. She said the province was also continuing to work through its 30-point housing plan that involved cracking down on short-term rentals, strengthening renter protections, and setting municipal housing targets.

“People are feeling the strain of housing costs,” Sandhu said.

“That’s why we’re increasing supply, protecting renters, and keeping affordability front and centre.”

The MLA said the B.C. Government aimed at addressing affordability through investments in the $10-a-day ChildCareBC prgram, which saw 36 new child care spaces converted in Vernon and 103 licensed child care spaces open at J.W. Inglis Elementary in Lumby. The statement from Sandhu said parents in the Vernon-Lumby region have saved a combined over $30-million under the program.

Sandhu said healthcare was another crucial issue her government aimed to address in the past year, noting that investments in 2025 supported the creation of a new youth-mental health space in Vernon; 61 publicly funded treatment beds across the Interior; the creation of a second Urgent Primary Care Centre in Vernon that was set to open in 2026; and expanding dialysis services in Vernon. She also said seniors in the region benefited from the completion of a 20 new independent living homes in Lumby, and 160 publicly funded new long-term beds at Creekside Landing in Vernon.

Other key work Sandhu highlighted from this past year included investing more than $100,000 in seven Vernon arts organizations, $160,000 to support 20 local festivals and events, and providing $570,000 for community sports organizations across Vernon-Lumby; investing $250,000 in crime-prevention and victim support initiatives in the North Okanagan; and strengthening flood protection, wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness through a $15-million investment for fire-mitigation work on the Aberdeen Plateau.

Sandhu also touted her role as a strong advocate and regional leader. The MLA said she brought several provincial ministers to Vernon, Coldstream and the surrounding communities to meet with local leaders, organizations, frontline workers and residents so they could learn first hand the issues and priorities for people in the North Okanagan and how those could be addressed.

The MLA added that she believed 2025 highlighted the need for steady leadership in the face of uncertain times.

“This wasn’t an easy year — for families, workers, or communities,” Sandhu said.

“But by staying focused on people, staying accessible, and planning for the long term, our government is strengthening communities today and laying a strong foundation for the future. I will continue to work tirelessly to deliver for the people I am honoured to serve.”