CHILLIWACK – New Democrat MLAs Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon say families who are struggling with expenses for school activities will be receiving more support from their school districts.

“Kids thrive when they are supported,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack. “This funding will allow more youth to participate in extra-curriculars that can be so important in shaping who we are later in life.”

The Chilliwack School District (33) is receiving $345,000 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.

“Kids should never be denied the opportunity to explore their passions, whether inside the classroom or outside of it,” says Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “With the support of this funding, more students in Chilliwack-Kent are going to be able to try new things, get active, and get creative, without families having to worry about what it will cost.”

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.

Learn More:

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

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