Premier Horgan wants B.C. residents to come to Interior for cherry season this summer

Since it is unlikely international tourist travel will be allowed any time soon, B.C. Premier John Horgan is encouraging residents to travel closer to home, including to the southern Interior.

“We’re asking Destination B.C. to focus on encouraging British Columbians to stay home and go to those places they haven’t been to for awhile, or perhaps never been to,” Horgan said during a press briefing today, May 27.

“If you haven’t been to Barkerville, it’s a good idea. Quesnel would love to see you on the way. Going to the Interior and enjoying the cherry season is something I would very much like to do. There’s a whole bunch of things that we can do right here in British Columbia.”

The premier said it is not likely that the 14-day quarantine period for people arriving in B.C. from other countries will end any time soon and he’s not going to waive that requirement just to get Vancouver named as a hub city when the NHL season resumes in mid-July.

But Horgan pointed out, that’s eight weeks away which can be a very long time during the COVID-19 pandemic so he’s still talking to the NHL and is encouraging them to present a plan for resuming the season that will include Vancouver.

During the briefing he announced that B.C.’s state of emergency will be extended two more weeks. That will take it to 12 weeks “with no end in sight,” making it the longest state of emergency in B.C.’s history, eclipsing the 2017 forest fire season.

He also announced the legislature will resume sitting on June 22 with some members attending remotely but there will be full debates and votes.

“I want to acknowledge and thank members of the legislature from all political parties for the focus that we’ve all had to ensure British Columbians we're at the front of our agenda,” he said. “Partisanship has left the building. It may well be returning in June.. Although I would like to continue it on as long as possible, I’ll understand if a partisan rock or two is thrown in the weeks ahead.”

Horgan announced a new urgent primary care centre in B.C. It’s not in West Kelowna, which has been lobbying hard for such a centre, but in Surrey.

He also said he is making progress convincing other provinces to lobby the federal government for a sick leave program so people don’t have to go to work sick.