Welcome to the Richmond PRC information round-up for 2026, which contains useful weekly news and announcements for low-income residents from community service providers, all levels of government and our members. If you, or someone you know, would like to join the RPRC please visit the Contact Us section to learn more. Also have a look at our previous editions to catch up on anything you might have missed.
Tuesday March 10, 2026
Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):
We’d like to begin with a friendly reminder to please renew your RPRC membership by March 31st, and a big thank you to everyone who has already joined or renewed. The RPRC’s Seniors Housing project is featured in the latest COSCO (Council Of Senior Citizens’ Organizations) newsletter. Their newsletter also includes an article on Generation Squeeze and how the finalization of housing affects seniors and low income Canadians. Now that the majority of BC residents have endured our last daylight savings adjustment, we’d like to share some upcoming significant dates: March 17th is St Patrick’s day, March 19th is Eid Al-Fitr, and March 20th is Spring Equinox.
Highlights of this edition include:
Several free local tax clinics and info sessions (Member News & Income Security News), New six-storey affordable housing opens in Richmond (Housing News), and Health Research BC invests $6.3 million to strengthen seniors’ home and community care across British Columbia (Health News).
This is our 2nd Roundup for 2026. If you have some news, just send it to info@richmondprc.org or hello@richmondprc.org and we will endeavour to spread the word among our members and associates.
Member News
->The Heart of Richmond Get Lucky Raffle (Thanks to Heart of Richmond)
The Heart of Richmond is having a 50/50 Get Lucky Raffle for the Month of March
Draw: Monday March 23rd @ 11am
Purchase up till midnight Sunday March 22nd
Don’t miss out!
Please check out the Heart of Richmond’s event calendar to see their upcoming events and programs.
->Urban Bounty Workshops & Events for Spring 2026 (Thanks to Urban Bounty)
->Events in April at Hamilton garden
To sign up for Urban Bounty’s April events, please click here.
->CBC Takes You Behind the Scenes of Our Grocery Shopping Program (Thanks to RCRG)
Leading up to the festivities of Lunar New Year, CBC covered one of our grocery shopping sessions with volunteers helping Seniors. Watch it on YouTube!
->Richmond Centre for Disability 2026 Income Tax Filing Service (Thanks to RCD)
RCD, along with The Chinese Community Library Services Association, St Alban’s Anglican Church, and Familogue Richmond Service Centre are offering free tax clinics. Trained Volunteers can help you complete your 2025 income tax return for free.
Help is available to anyone who has a modest income and a simple tax situation.
- When: March 23rd, 27th, and April 7th. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Where: Familogue Richmond Service Centre (#5530 President Plaza, 8181 Cambie Rd)
- To sign up call: Sam / Chris 604‐232‐2404 or Email: taxfiling@rcdrichmond.org
Please Note:
• On‐site processing only
• After tax filing done, a copy of submission report will be provided.
Income Assistance
– Information on program, qualification and application process.
Learn more: https://fsgv.ca/event/pop-up-tax-clinic-new-west-march/
Housing News
->Photos: New six-storey affordable housing opens in Richmond (Thanks to Richmond News)
Housing options range from junior one-bedroom to three-bedroom units. Read more.
->Youth Homelessness Prevention Toolkit for Communities (Thanks to Homeless Hub)
Practical tools for communities to strengthen their homelessness plans by implementing coordinated, data-driven, and cost-effective youth homelessness prevention policies and programs. Access the toolkit.
->Update on B.C.’s Property Tax Deferment Program (Thanks to Seniors Advocate BC)
The Province has announced changes to the Property Tax Deferment (PTD) Program starting in 2026. The new rules apply only if a homeowner chooses to defer their property taxes in 2026 or later years.
->Housing Resource: BC Rent Bank
As a renter in British Columbia, you face some of the highest rental rates and one of the lowest vacancy rates in Canada. When an unforeseen crisis arises, you may find yourself having to choose between paying your rent, putting food on the table, or keeping the lights on.
More information: https://bcrentbank.ca/
Food Security News
->Canada’s Food Price Report and analysis of food unaffordability in BC (Thanks to BCPRC)
The federal government will launch the new Canadian Groceries and Essentials Benefit, including an increase to the GST credit, which returns a portion of the federal sales tax to Canadians with lower incomes. Read the report, and see the analysis.
->Food Security Resources
No or Low Cost Community Meals and Food Programs
This document highlights a range of community resources available to individuals and families living in Richmond who are experiencing food insecurity. Services include take-out and sit-down meals, as well as food hampers with delivery and pick-up options available. The No or Low Cost Community Meals and Food Program is regularly updated to have the most current information available.
Employment and Training News
->Spring Forward: 2026 Inclusive Hiring Fair (Thanks to RPL and WorkBC)
Looking for new opportunities, a career change, or searching for your first job? This in-person hiring event is the perfect place to start. Meet employers from a wide range of industries, build connections, and take steps towards achieving your career goals.
- Wednesday, March 11
- 12:00 – 4:00pm
- Brighouse Library
Please register before attending.
Transportation News
->Resource for transit: TransLink alerts
Health News
->Enhancing drug coverage for people in BC (Thanks to VCH)
National Pharmacare Plan will benefit hundreds of thousands of people. Learn more.
->Richmond interactive map shows AED locations throughout the city (Thanks to Richmond News)
BC Emergency Health Services is asking the public to be aware of where AEDs are installed in the event of a cardiac emergency. Full story.
Interactive map: https://www.richmond.ca/services/public-safety/aed.htm
->Health Research BC invests $6.3 million to strengthen seniors’ home and community care across British Columbia (Thanks VCH)
Health Research BC is investing $6.3 million over three years to advance research that will help seniors age comfortably at home, stay connected, and live healthier, more independent lives. Read more here.
->Health Resource: Healthcare in Richmond
The above resource link has information such as where to go to get care; find a family physician (FP) or nurse practitioner (NP); mental health and substance use support; and community support.
Please scroll the entire page as there is lots of information from Richmond Division of Family Practice (RDFP) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Check the embedded links for the topics of interest.
->Key supports (In memory of the April 26/25 Car Attack)
- Victim Services: call or text 1-800-563-0808
- BC Crisis Line: 310-6789
- Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-784-2433
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Chimo Crisis Line: 604-279-7070 and live chat.
->Safe Consumption Resources
People who use drugs are urged to take advantage of available supports to keep themselves safe. Please do not use drugs alone.
Sign up for Toxic Drug and Health Alerts by texting the word JOIN to 253787 (ALERTS).
Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.
Download the Lifeguard App
Launched in 2020, and designed to combat the toxic drug crisis and save lives, it functions as a valuable harm reduction tool, providing timely and potentially life-saving support to individuals at risk of opioid overdose.
For additional resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com
Income Security News
->Free Tax clinic at CHIMO in Richmond BC (Thanks to CHIMO)
Chimo Community Services offers a free, volunteer-run tax clinic that helps low-income individuals and families file their income tax returns safely, accurately, and on time. Our friendly volunteers are here to make the process simple and stress-free, ensuring you receive the benefits and credits you’re entitled to.
The tax clinic will be open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, from March 9 to April 24, 2026.
->Newcomers to Canada: Preparing for Your 2026 Tax Returns (in Mandarin) 新移民须知: 2025年个人所得税申报准备 （国语）(hybrid in-person)
Canadian Income Tax Regulations and Credits
Personal Income Tax Filing Procedure
How to Declare Foreign Assets
Resident or Non-Resident for Tax Purposes
What’s New for 2026
加拿大税务条例及税务优惠
个人所得税报税须知
如何申报海外资产
如何定义税务居民及非税居民
2025个人所得税新变化
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026
- 10:00AM– 12:00PM
- Brighouse Library
->Say it ain’t sew: B.C. to end PST exemption for yarn, other materials used to make or mend clothing (Thanks to CBC News)
PST exemption for clothing patterns, yarn, natural fibres, synthetic thread, fabric to end Oct. 1.
Community Safety News
->UBC study highlights how wildfires could affect drinking water across B.C.
(Thanks to CTV News)
A new study out of UBC is looking at how wildfire contaminants seep into rivers and lakes, impacting drinking water in some communities. Read more.
->Community Safety Resource:
Racist Incident Helpline 1-833-457-5463 (1-833-HLP-LINE) offers trauma-informed support to people who have experienced or witnessed an act of racism in British Columbia. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (PT), in over 240 languages. Visit: racistincidenthelpline.ca.
Our goal is to ensure that those who need and want help can easily access safe support. Wherever they are.
Government News
->Province, Cowichan begin negotiations over Aboriginal title in Richmond (Thanks to Richmond News)
A UBC adjunct professor is calling for “Canadian values” of inclusion, tolerance, grace, diplomacy and cooperation in negotiations. See the article.
->Community Services Pop Up (Thanks to RPL)
On the second Thursday of each month, community members are invited to pop by the Brighouse Library from 3:00 to 5:00pm to connect with community based services in a safe and welcoming space.
- Thursday, March 12, 2025
- 3:00PM– 5:00PM
- Brighouse Library
No Registration necessary! More info.
Tuesday February 10, 2026
Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC): We’re happy to be back after our extended winter break. The RPRC is proud to share its report Keeping Seniors Housed in Richmond written by Athena Estremadura and supported by the Richmond Advocacy and Support Committee research volunteers. If you haven’t yet had an opportunity, please give it a read on our website here.
Our RASC team has also been published in the BCPRC’s Zine Getting Around to Feed Ourselves Well. Please click here to explore the zine project and see what we created together. February is Black History month, to celebrate Black Canadians, check out some upcoming events. Next week is Lunar New Year. To welcome in the Year of the Horse, Richmond News compiled a list of local fun, public events.
The RPRC Board would also like to share: If you live in Richmond and would like to learn more about your local government, WTC is organizing a tour of Richmond City Hall on Thurs, Feb. 19th from 3:00 to 5:00pm. All are welcome! Space is limited, so reserve your spot. All registered attendees will be eligible for a $20 bursary. Application form to attend is here. We hope to see you there!
Highlights of this edition include: Why many B.C. seniors struggle with poverty and homelessness (Housing News), and Vancouver Coastal Health introducing Small Care Homes (Income Security News).
This is our 1st Roundup for 2026. If you have some news, just send it to info@richmondprc.org or hello@richmondprc.org and we will endeavour to spread the word among our members and associates.
Member News
->Richmond Food Bank Society: Coldest Night of the Year (Thanks to Vivian Chung)
Join Us for Coldest Night of the Year 2026.
We’re excited to share that the Richmond Food Bank is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)! This will be our first year participating as one of two Richmond charities in this nationwide event. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, with communities participating across the country!
Learn more here: https://rfbs.org/join-us-for-coldest-night-of-the-year-2026/
->Richmond Family Place: Circles of Support Pre Natal Program (Thanks to Rachel Gilder)
The 6-week program offers support for expecting families. Participants will join facilitators for a welcoming, inclusive & community-centred Pre-Natal Program.
The program focuses on strengthening expecting families’ communities and social networks before birth. Throughout the program families will learn and grow alongside a group of other pregnant individuals & families.
Email: Rachel@richmondfamilyplace.ca to learn more.
->Urban Bounty Workshops & Events for Spring 2026 (Thanks to Urban Bounty)
- Saturday March 28 from 10am-2pm
- Terra Nova Rural Park Farm Centre
- Admission by donation
- Click HERE to RSVP
Join us for a community seed swap, explore informational booths, enjoy fun children’s activities, and take part in educational workshops and talks led by local experts. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned seed saver, there’s something for everyone!
This event supports Urban Bounty’s Seed Security Program, helping grow a more resilient, local food network through our community Seed Library and seed-saving initiatives.
->Disability in the Non-Profit Space (Thanks to RCRG)
In this session, Kay Hacker – Volunteer Inclusion Program Coordinator from Community Volunteer Connections – will explain how different models of disability can reshape our thinking. They’ll provide tools to be more inclusive and considerate of people with disabilities and demonstrate how involving people with disabilities in your work can improve outcomes for everyone.
This workshop will take place online and consists of a short presentation, followed by a question and discussion time where you can ask Kay about how you can improve your volunteer spaces to include more people with disabilities.
- Cost Free! This workshop is open for RCRG Members only
- Date 23 Apr, 2026
- Time 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Register 30 Jan, 2026 – 23 Apr, 2026
->Richmond Centre for Disability (Thanks to RCD)
We have exciting news to share! After several years in Lansdowne Mall we are finally moving into our new permanent home. Our phone numbers remain the same and all programs, activities and the Accessible Parking Permit Program will now be located at our new place.
Office hours are 10:00am – 4:30pm
Effective March 1, 2026 our new address is:
#150 – 5520 McNaughton Rd.
Richmond, BC V6X 0X5
->RCD at Aberdeen Centre’s Lunar New Year Flower & Gift Fair!
We’ll be sharing festive spring couplets, charming trinkets, and sweet treats, all in support of our fundraising efforts.
Join us from February 13–16 and celebrate the Lunar New Year with joy, generosity, and good fortune!
->Free Tax Clinic (Thanks to FSGV)
This confidential service is part of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program—a partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency and community organizations that provide free tax clinics to low-income people and families. Tax filing is free for simple tax filing.
Please bring your T4 slips and other forms and statements to help with filing. Please note that we are unable to assist with and prepare tax filings for:
- Business or Rental Income
- Self-employment income over $1,000
- Interest or Capital Gains over $1,000
- Final Returns (for a deceased person)
On-site Service Canada
- Canadian Dental Care Plan – Information and Application/Attestation
- Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan
- Get a Social Insurance Number (birth certificate in most cases will be required)
- Receive an access code for My Service Canada
- General Government of Canada information
Income Assistance
- Information on program, qualification and application process.
Learn more here: https://fsgv.ca/event/pop-up-tax-clinic-new-west-march/
Housing News
->Why many B.C. seniors struggle with poverty and homelessness (Thanks to Richmond News)
Half of B.C. seniors live on an after-tax income of less than $35K per year. Read more here.
->Richmond city creates online affordable housing tool (Thanks to Richmond News)
The tool includes an interactive map with details about housing options. Read the full story here.
The link to the tool is not working from this Richmond News article, but you can access it, and the Richmond Affordable Housing guide, here.
->The numbers don’t lie: The housing crisis is not caused by a supply shortage (Thanks to CCPA)
Financialization, not demographics, caused the cost of housing to explode. Read the article here.
->Housing Resource: BC Rent Bank
As a renter in British Columbia, you face some of the highest rental rates and one of the lowest vacancy rates in Canada. When an unforeseen crisis arises, you may find yourself having to choose between paying your rent, putting food on the table, or keeping the lights on.
More information: https://bcrentbank.ca/
Food Security News
->GST credit top-up will ‘boost’ Canadian families most in need of help, PM says (Thanks to CBC News)
The federal government will launch the new Canadian Groceries and Essentials Benefit, including an increase to the GST credit, which returns a portion of the federal sales tax to Canadians with lower incomes. Learn more here.
Health News
->Vancouver Coastal Health introducing Small Care Homes (Thanks to VCH)
Small Care Homes are an evidence-based model of long-term care that emphasizes dignity, autonomy and personalized support, and offers a variety of benefits for individuals and staff as well as surrounding communities. Read more here.
->New Data: Seniors’ Population Increase Outpacing Long-Term Care (Thanks to Seniors’ Advocate of BC)
Data showing the slow pace of building new public long-term care beds and assisted living units in B.C. was released today by the Office of the Seniors Advocate. Read more here.
->Health Resource: Healthcare in Richmond
The above resource link has information such as where to go to get care; find a family physician (FP) or nurse practitioner (NP); mental health and substance use support; and community support.
Please scroll the entire page as there is lots of information from Richmond Division of Family Practice (RDFP) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Check the embedded links for the topics of interest.
->Key supports (In memory of the April 26/25 Car Attack)
Victim Services: call or text 1-800-563-0808
BC Crisis Line: 310-6789
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-784-2433
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Chimo Crisis Line: 604-279-7070 and live chat.
Education and Training News
->A BC Program Made Kindergarten Less Stressful. Now, It’s Ending (Thanks to The Tyee)
Parents advocate to keep a program that adds an early childhood educator to the classroom. Read more here.
Community Safety News
->Richmond ordered by privacy commissioner to remove high-res traffic cameras (Thanks to Richmond News)
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has ordered the city to delete all personal information it has gathered so far. Read more here.
->’Staggering’ disparity as Indigenous adults overrepresented in prisons by 10 times (Thanks to Richmond News)
Indigenous legal experts and advocates were not shocked by the findings, but say it shines a light on systemic issues that persist after centuries of colonization. Read the full story here.
->How Canada’s Labour Traffickers Trap Workers (Thanks to The Tyee)
Reports warn a growing number of foreign workers are being victimized. But criminal charges are rare. Read more here.
Child Care News
->Former cabinet ministers say B.C. has ‘stalled’ on $10-a-day child-care plan (Thanks to CBC News)
A former cabinet minister, who helped implement B.C.’s child care plan, 1 of 23 signatories on open letter to premier. Read the full story here.
Government News
->The City of Richmond’s Spring Program Guide – 55+ for 2026
3 Ways to Register for Programs:
- Phone – 604-276-4300 Phone and press “2” to speak to a Customer Service Agent. Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm
- Online – www.richmond.ca/register
- In-person – drop-in and register at any community facility
This spring guide as well as the winter guide which is for January – March programs, can be found online at https://richmond.ca/parks-recreation/about/seniors.htm
->The Human Library (Thanks to RPL)
Richmond Public Library is proud to host the Human Library on April 12 from 1:00-4:00pm.
During a Human Library event, readers will see a variety of available Book titles and will be able to select one to “borrow” for a 30-minute reading slot. Readers and Books will then have a conversation, either one-on-one or with a group of no more than three readers, where Books will introduce themselves, and readers will then have the opportunity to ask questions.
RPL is also accepting Human Library volunteers to be Books until March 8, 2026.
Please click here to learn more and apply.
->Community Services Pop Up (Thanks to RPL)
On the second Thursday of each month, community members are invited to pop by the Brighouse Library from 3:00 to 5:00pm to connect with community based services in a safe and welcoming space.
- Thursday, February 12, 2025
- 3:00PM– 5:00PM
- Brighouse Library
No Registration necessary! Learn more here.