New Democrat MLA Bruce Ralston recognized local Surrey manufacturers and employees for their contributions to B.C.’s fight against COVID-19 last week at a small event showcasing the successes, challenges, and opportunities of local PPE manufacturing.
Surrey Makes PPE is an initiative that helps Surrey manufacturers access the resources they need in order to shift their production to produce personal protective equipment, which can then be used to help people and businesses protect themselves against COVID-19.
Ralston, who is the MLA for Surrey-Whalley, said he is impressed by the many efforts made in Surrey to produce high standard N95 masks and protective medical equipment. “Surrey Makes PPE is an incredible example of local businesses and governments working together to contribute to our collective fight against COVID-19,” said Ralston. “Right here in Surrey, these businesses and workers have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic in order to produce the safety equipment we need in B.C. The fact that these groups are investing their skills, talent and resources into achieving this objective is truly inspirational.”
Ralston said he was pleased to see Surrey’s robust manufacturing sector join PPE production efforts so quickly, and said the City of Surrey should be commended for working quickly and effectively with local manufacturing partners during that early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ralston says groups like Strata Engineering, J N Alvit, Medisupplies, Eternity Medical Equipment and many others have been instrumental to Surrey’s shared efforts to produce PPE in B.C. Ralston also recognized Stephen Wu, Manager of Economic Development at the City of Surrey for his contributions in work to provide opportunities for manufacturers to work together throughout the pandemic.
In the Spring of 2020, the Province launched a province-wide COVID Supply Hub in order to connect needed medical supplies to health workers, and has assisted Surrey Makes PPE in its efforts to secure supplies and markets for their products to ensure British Columbians have access to PPE. The Province is also working closely with Surrey Makes PPE to support the group in developing their locally produced N95 mask.
The Provincial Supply Coordination Unit was established under the provincial state of emergency to support the Province’s response and recovery to COVID-19. The supply hub works in co-ordination with other provincial and federal initiatives to secure medical and other essential supplies to help people in B.C. access the PPE they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.