MAPLE RIDGE – New Democrat MLAs Bob D’Eith and Lisa Beare say families who are struggling with expenses for school activities will be receiving more support from their school districts.

“As someone who has found so much joy in creating music throughout my life, I know how much school music programs can mean to a student,” says Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “This program makes it possible for more students in our community to play instruments without worrying about the cost, in addition to supporting other extracurricular activities.”

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District (42) is receiving $673,000 from the province to help schools provide support directly to families.

Funding will help pay for student necessities, such as school supplies, school fees and class trips, as well as additional costs associated with joining a school sports team or music program.

“As a former school board member, I know families who have struggled with the cost of putting their children in extra-curricular programming or sending them on school trips,” says Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple-Ridge-Pitt Meadows. “Through this funding, we are making sure that more kids can participate in these exciting programs and explore new opportunities that get them excited about learning.”

The support comes from the Student and Family Affordability Fund, which is being replenished with an additional $20 million this spring. More than $60 million has been provided to school districts provided through this program over the past two years.

This is on top of the largest investment in school food programs in the province’s history. The Feeding Futures Fund has dedicated $214 million over three years to create and expand local school food programs.

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District received $1,900,067 from the province for food programs during this school year.

Learn More:

Student and Family Affordability Fund: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ECC0013-000293

Feeding Futures Fund: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ECC0020-000424