Weekly Richmond PRC information round-up 2024

Welcome to the 2024 edition of the Richmond PRC information round-up containing useful weekly news and announcements for low-income residents from service providers, various levels of government and our members. If you, or someone you know, would like to join the RPRC please browse our site for more information.

Monday September 23, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC). On Thursday, Sept 26, 2024 (6:15-8:30pm) there is a free event organized in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. Richmond Art Gallery, the City of Richmond, Richmond Public Library and Cinevolution Media Arts Society are screening the film “Wilfred Buck”. Please visit the Richmond Art Gallery’s event page to learn more and register in advance.

Highlights of this edition include: A Tentative agreement reached to end Metro Vancouver HandyDART strike and a policy analysis of the Fall Parliamentary session. CHIMO Community Services is also conducting a survey to reduce barriers for under-represented groups. Please scroll to our Government News heading near the bottom for more information.

This is our 19th Roundup for 2024. 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

->Announcements from Urban Bounty (Thanks to Urban Bounty)

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the RPRC, Urban Bounty. Urban Bounty’s mission, as stated on their website is: Engaging a resilient local food system through education, advocacy, and community-building initiatives. Learn more about the important work they do at: https://www.urbanbounty.ca.

-Join a wait list for a community garden plot here.

-Urban Bounty recently updated their resources section with information on gardening, soil and water practices, starting and planning your garden, seed saving, community food access, our newsletter archives and more! Click the resources tab on their website at urbanbounty.ca.

->Job Opportunity at RCFC (Thanks to Cory Tymich)

Hello friends, colleagues, and community partners of RCFC,

We have posted an essential position within our organization (please see the link at the bottom of this annoucement). We are looking for a unicorn who understands peer support, trauma-informed care, and wellness models and is passionate about creating and organizing opportunities for connection and recovery for the peer community. Please consider sharing this job posting with qualified colleagues, friends, or associates in your network who might be interested; please share it with them. We would greatly appreciate your support and assistance.

This job can also be applied for on Indeed: https://ca.indeed.com/job/peer-support-and-recreation-program-manager-e3c9e8d376a925de.

Housing News

->B.C. short-term rental restrictions reducing rents, saving tenants millions: study (Thanks to The Tyee)

Crackdowns on short-term rentals in British Columbia have effectively reduced rents by 5.7 per cent, saving tenants more than $600 million last year, says a report led by the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University.

Please read the rest of the article here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3wrx7y

->2,600 new homes to be sold at 60% market value in Vancouver (Thanks to CBC)

Province to kick in 40% of purchase price financing with buyers responsible for remainder. Can this model be scaled nationally?: https://tinyurl.com/mrx5jfjy

->B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value (Thanks to The Tyee)

An agreement between First Nations and the British Columbia government will see thousands of homes made available in Vancouver at 40-per-cent below cost.

Read more about the deal: https://tinyurl.com/2r6m3ka7

->More help coming for B.C. homeless camps, local communities (Thanks to Richmond News)

Heart and Hearth programs provide people with better access to support services, shelter and housing options.

Read about the requests: https://tinyurl.com/2px38udd

Food Security News

->Richmond Food Bank Society Open House (Thanks to RFBS)

Save the date! The Richmond Food Bank is hosting an Open House event on Friday, September 27th from 12pm-2pm. This event is a fantastic opportunity to engage with our community, celebrate new milestones, and learn more about our mission and impact. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.

Transportation News

->Metro Vancouver mayors launch campaign for more TransLink funding (Thanks to CBC News)

Service cuts looming says Mayors’ Council as it asks political parties for detailed funding model.

Please read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/bddwnvu9

->Tentative agreement reached to end Metro Vancouver HandyDART strike (Thanks to CTV News)

The union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver says a tentative agreement has been reached with the company that runs the door-to-door transit service, after an 18-day strike and months of bargaining.

More here: https://tinyurl.com/53uz3rdb

->B.C. communities support expanding free transit for all youth (Thanks to CBC News)

TransLink says suggested expansion could cost it $30 million in fare revenues annually.

Read about the benefits of free youth transit: https://tinyurl.com/5er75b66

->Richmond RCMP have noticed an increase in collisions in these areas (Thanks to Richmond RCMP on X, formerly Twitter)

Please click through to see the areas with higher frequency of collisions: https://tinyurl.com/2s4yepfr

->City of Delta has its own Vision Zero (Thanks to the Delta Optimist)

Years in the making, a formal Vision Zero Strategy for Delta has been endorsed by council.

Read about Delta’s journey to Vision Zero: https://tinyurl.com/yc2k8b6d

Health News

->Almost 250,000 B.C. patients matched with doctors through registry: province (Thanks to Richmond News)

The Health Connect registry for patients and a second one for physicians were launched in July 2023.

Read about the successes and shortfalls of Healthcare policy in BC, as well as both parties’ future plans: https://tinyurl.com/mry5axj5

Community Safety

->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

->With the Liberal-NDP agreement dead, what’s on the agenda for the fall parliamentary session? (Thanks to CCPA)

Things are unpredictable in Ottawa, and a Canadian federal election could be triggered at any time.

How will it affect key legislation?: https://tinyurl.com/4ydmdkkc

->Alternative federal budget 2025 (Thanks to CCPA)

A platform for the future, from the ground up.

Read the full AFB: https://tinyurl.com/44659ruk

->Richmond calling for volunteers to serve on city advisory committees (Thanks to Richmond News)

Those interested must submit an application alongside with their resume before Sept. 27.

Click here to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/3bzjv7yx

Monday September 9, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC). Once again, we would like to remind our readers that the 2024 Provincial Election is on Saturday October 19th. The RPRC encourages you to make sure you and your clients/ members are registered to vote, and to keep social justice issues in mind when you do so.

Upcoming significant days and and Local events: Sept 17th is the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. The Gateway Theatre in Richmond will host the annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Please see this Richmond News article to learn about how to join the celebration. Richmond Public Library is hosting their ongoing Indigenous Author Series from September 13-23, 2024, ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.Join RPL for a powerful series of events led by Indigenous authors and artists. They are offering writing and dance workshops, storytelling, author readings, and talks for children and adults. Registration and list of events are available here on RPL’s website.

Thursday, Sep 26, 2024 (6:15-8:30pm)—a free event organized in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Richmond Art Gallery, the City of Richmond, Richmond Public Library and Cinevolution Media Arts Society are screening the film “Wilfred Buck”. Please visit the Richmond Art Gallery’s event page to learn more and register in advance.

Stories for this edition include: the BC government rejects vacancy control, metro Vancouver’s HandyDart buses grind to a halt, and why B.C. trades workers are demanding nasal naloxone on construction sites. CHIMO Community Services is also conducting a survey to reduce barriers for under-represented groups. Please scroll to our Government News heading near the bottom for more information.

This is our 18th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Caregiver Education & Support Series (English) (Thanks to RCRG)

Are you a Family or Friend Caregiver? Presented by the Richmond Family & Friend Caregiver Hub, this free Education & Support Series is open to anyone who provides unpaid care to an older adult. During each two-hour session, we’ll share information and resources that will help you better manage your role as a caregiver. There will also be regular group discussions, where you can talk about your caregiving journey in a safe and supportive environment.

Date: Oct 7, 21, 28; Nov 4 & 18 ( Monday except Oct 14 & Nov 11)
Time: 2:00 -4:30pm
Venue: Richmond Public Library(100 – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond BC V6Y 1R8)

Language: English
Facilitator: Carol Dickson
Light refreshments provided

Registration Information 報名事項

• Participants number is limited, in accordance with current public health guidelines.
• Caregivers first, but care recipients are welcome and encouraged to attend together.
• To register, contact: 604-279-7099 or caregivernavigator@rcrg.org or visit the website.

->Festival Accessibility Research Project under Independent Living Canada (ILC) (Thanks to RCD)

Jhun Ramos of RCD is looking to host a group of 12-15 people who would like to participate in this research and we are providing $50 honorarium and it is 1 1/2 hours, in person.

The goal of this project is to bring together people with disabilities, and those who support us, to talk about barriers in Canadian outdoor, indoor, and online festivals and events. Share your experiences in a 90-minute focus group from July to September, and we will give you $50 RCD (Richmond Centre for Disability) cheque. We have limited spaces, so sign up early! The focus groups are part of Independent Living Canada’s Festival and Event Accessibility Research Project. Your input in a focus group will help make accessibility recommendations for Canadian festivals and events. They will also help inform future standards for Accessibility Standards Canada.

For more information, please contact Jhun Ramos:

Tel: 604.232.2404 Fax: 604.232.2415
Email: jhun@rcdrichmond.org
Website: www.rcdrichmond.org

->Strengthening Intercultural Dialogue – A Storytelling and Information Sharing Event (Thanks to Alan Hill)

Date: September 19, 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall (7700 Minoru Gate)

Be part of the solution! Are you interested in exploring multiculturalism, diversity, intersectionality, personal experiences of racism, practical solutions for addressing systemic racism, reconciliation, community building, and sense of belonging? Join us for a free public dialogue to share your personal stories, brainstorm community solutions, and engage with community leaders and members. The event will feature performance, breakout groups dialogues, and a panel of BIPOC community leaders discussing these issues from various perspectives.

5 main theme/issues we are exploring in the event:

Issues of multiculturalism, diversity, and intersectionality,
Experience of racism and identifying key learnings of tackling institutionalized racism in public life;
Reconciliation;
Building community capacity;
A sense of belonging

Register now: https://forms.gle/P3hm5dUrzNtMCfht5 For more information, please contact Alfreda Lam: alfreda.lam@rmcs.bc.ca.

Housing News

->BC government rejects vacancy control (Thanks to The Tyee)

Earlier this year, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon admitted that vacancy control protects vulnerable renters from British Columbia’s exploitive rental market. It was a low-key about-face from an NDP government that has repeatedly stated they are disappointed over 100,000 B.C. households at risk of homelessness by insisting that vacancy control measures are not in its housing policy tool box.

“We are not contemplating vacancy controls,” Kahlon told the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September 2023. Please read the rest of the article here: https://tinyurl.com/4kffrkm4

>Six-storey supportive housing project in Richmond suspended (Thanks to Richmond News)

The Minister of Housing said they’re stepping back from the project for now. The RPRC has supported a permanent supportive housing site for years. Residents of the temporary housing on Alderbridge and on Smithe need somewhere to go after being stabilized and this would have been a solution.

This build would have been 90 studio units for these folks. Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/hv37cxcf

->B.C. Premier David Eby vows better public consultation on supportive housing projects (Thanks to Richmond News)

Improvement on B.C.’s healthcare, housing, education and climate change actions among NDP’s promises for upcoming election. See what the BC NDP promises: https://tinyurl.com/464ryyna

->Key Renter Supports Are Falling Short, Says BC Housing (Thanks to The Tyee)

Subsidies for seniors and low-income tenants are no longer enough, finds a review by the Crown corporation. Read about the BC Housing review: https://tinyurl.com/mry45rvh

->B.C. civic politicians want temporary shelters for asylum seekers (Thanks to Richmond News)

Local governments consider more than 200 resolutions at UBCM conference in Vancouver. Read about the requests: https://tinyurl.com/ymru8x6k

>BC Government to Partner with CAEH (Thanks to CAEH)

The B.C. Government is investing local level coordination to bolster their response to homelessness in communities across the province. Work with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) will help to support the Province’s efforts to improve service coordination and streamline the delivery of local supports to people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

We are thrilled to see the B.C. Government commit to supporting communities and working towards ending homelessness through the proven Built For Zero model.

Food Security News

->Richmond Food Bank Society Open House (Thanks to RFBS)

->Tackling food insecurity needs more than charity — governments must also act (Thanks to The Conversation)

As more households in Canada experience food insecurity, food banks and other organizations are struggling to meet demand for their services. See: https://tinyurl.com/ymw8nhkd

Transportation News

->Metro Vancouver’s HandyDart Buses Grind to a Halt (Thanks to The Tyee)

Stranded passengers, who support the strike, are calling on Transdev and TransLink to improve the service. Please read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/5t36ynsu

->AdvisoryHandyDART (Thanks to Translink)

In Effect 29-Aug-2024 1:31 pm — Until further notice: Most HandyDART trips are cancelled due to job action between Transdev and ATU. Trips for cancer, renal, or MS appointments will continue to operate, all other trips are cancelled.

Please visit translink.ca/stayinformed for more information or call 604.575.6600 for information about your specific trip.

Income Security

->Canadian governments need a new way to measure poverty (Thanks to Policy Options)

A new scale called the material deprivation index is better than the market-based measure when it comes to capturing the scope of poverty. Read how the new scale could help standards of living: https://tinyurl.com/4jwjr3mp

->Addressing the racism of the temporary foreign workers program (Thanks to Policy Note)

There is renewed attention on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in the wake of the recent damning report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery that calls the program “a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery.” Full article here: https://www.policynote.ca/tfwp/

Health News

->After UVic tragedy, 1,600 naloxone kits are available at B.C. post-secondary schools (Thanks to The Vancouver Sun)

Naloxone kits are now available in student buildings on university and college campuses, following the preventable death of a UVic student. Full story here: https://tinyurl.com/43vfdvw6

->As COVID Surges, the High Price of Viral Denial (Thanks to The Tyee)

Canada’s health system reels as 1,000 die weekly. Each infection carries serious risks. Where’s the prevention? Read more about the covid surge: https://tinyurl.com/4865dt6w

->A ‘Gut-Wrenching’ Snapshot of First Nations Health (Thanks to The Tyee)

Toxic drugs and COVID have hit communities hard. But there’s still hope, resilience and a path to improve things, say top doctors. Please see the rest of the article: https://tinyurl.com/y6bbpxzf

->Why B.C. trades workers are demanding nasal naloxone on construction sites (Thanks to The Vancouver Sun)

Grassroots group adds its voice to calls for simple, nasal spray naloxone on work sites to save the labourers most at risk of overdosing. Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/3ewbnkva

->Four people die in Richmond in July of toxic drugs (Thanks to Richmond News)

The death toll from toxic drugs in Richmond is 14 in 2024 so far. Full story here: https://tinyurl.com/37t3w4jp

Community Safety

->Together, let’s build awareness of the Racist Incident Helpline in communities throughout the province.

Our goal is to ensure that those who need and want help can easily
access safe support. Wherever they are.

Childcare

->More than 200 new child care spaces on Richmond school grounds, across city (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond School District now has seven purpose-built child care spaces for 220 children. Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/3a3ru2yr

Government News

->BC Benefits Calculator (Thanks to Kelly Greene, Richmond MLA)

We know it’s hard to be a parent and caregiver. The BC government aims to ease the pressure of everyday costs because everyone should be able to save more. To view and access these benefits, check out the BC Government Benefits Connector website here: gov.bc.ca/BCBenefitsConnector

Tuesday August 20, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC): The 2024 Provincial Election is only two months away. The RPRC encourages you to make sure you and your clients/ members are registered to vote, and to keep social justice issues in mind when you do so: https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/register-to-vote. Stories for this edition include: An article about RPRC’s RASC project to bring greater road sharing safety to Richmond, and the end of Richmond Sheraton employees long strike. CHIMO Community Services is also conducting a survey to reduce barriers for under-represented groups.

This is our 17th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond non-profit urges city prioritize pedestrian safety (Thanks Richmond News)

Pedestrian safety: The “Vision Zero” project is a Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition initiative, and we are urging the city to update its Official Community Plan to include a pedestrian safety strategy. For the past year, the project team, which consists of volunteers and consultants, conducted the second phase of their research on pedestrian safety while sharing advocacy updates with the community.

On July 8, 2024, the RASC team went to Richmond City Council to present our final report and two share two key recommendations: first to set a target in Richmond’s Official Community Plan that envisions zero pedestrian deaths in the future, and second, to enforce pedestrians’ right of way. City Council seemed receptive to consider our recommendations.

Read about the RPRC’s RASC Vision Zero project: https://tinyurl.com/yc59wav2

->Richmond Community Foundation – Ethel Tibbits Scholarship Intake Open!

The Ethel Tibbits Scholarship is awarded annually to Richmond women seeking to further their education and advance their career prospects, so they can better support their families. The scholarship can be used for both tuition and course materials, whether you’re participating in a training program, or taking classes to upgrade your skills or credentials. The final day to apply is September 27.

->Second Call: Youth Career Planning with WorkBC (Thanks to Alan Hill)

When: Saturday, August 24, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Daisy Shim (Career Advisor, WorkBC)
Method: In-person: #320-7000 Minoru Blvd Richmond
Via Zoom: link will be sent after registration

Housing News

->Tenant advocate decries ruling that let B.C. landlord hike rent 27% after rates rose (Thanks to Richmond News & Canadian Press)

Lawyer Rob Patterson says the phones at B.C.’s Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre never stop ringing — but he worries a decision allowing a landlord to impose a 27 per cent rent increase will fuel even more demand for its services.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/3e8fyz3v

->Here’s how much it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Metro Vancouver this August (Thanks to Richmond News)

Canada’s top five most expensive cities to rent in are all located in Metro Vancouver.

Read the short article: https://tinyurl.com/mt3zcrek

Food Security News

->How BC Quietly Pushed up the Cost of Milk (Thanks to The Tyee)

A recycling change added $22.9 million to people’s food costs. Did it change behaviour?

Read about the recycling charge: https://tinyurl.com/y8nwxn9b

Transportation News

->TransLink increasing bus service this fall on 47 routes (Thanks to CBC)

Changes to take effect Sept. 2. Richmond routes that will see changes are: 430, 410, 408, 403. Please see Translink’s page for details.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/4uc4nx6t

->Broke and broken: Report says Canada’s public transit in critical funding state (Thanks to Richmond News)

In late July, TransLink warned that it will have to make significant service cuts if its structural deficit isn’t solved.

Read about causes of the Translink deficit: https://tinyurl.com/3h9mknsf

Training & Employment News

->Richmond hotel workers secure 30% wage increase, end strike (Thanks to Richmond News)

Ratified union contract for Sheraton employees includes new health benefits and return-to-work bonuses.

Read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/5f6yxntr

Income Security

->Statistics Canada says median family after-tax income in 2022 down after inflation (Thanks to Richmond News)

Young people were the hardest hit.

Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/ynhs5e43

->Disability benefit clawback has B.C. woman on the brink of homelessness (Thanks to Richmond News)

Brenda Prince: “I’ve taken out payday loans against my disability in order to pay last month’s rent.”

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/5f6yxntr

Health News

->Letters: Why isn’t more money being put into Richmond addiction services? (Thanks to Richmond News)

A letter writer thinks it would be wiser to put money into helping people with substance-use issues than upgrading schools.

The full article is available here: https://tinyurl.com/39v7tpx8

->Assisted dying law faces constitutional challenge over exception for mental disorders (Thanks to CBC)

Liberal government has delayed a planned expansion of the assisted-dying regime to 2027.

Read more about the delay: https://tinyurl.com/3hn9bbey

->Most disabled Canadians won’t qualify for national dental care plan, advocates say (Thanks to CBC)

Critics say Ottawa shouldn’t use a tax credit to determine eligibility for disability support programs.

Learn more about how to participate: https://tinyurl.com/xxae4ntu

->The WHO has declared Mpox a ‘public health emergency of international concern.’ (Thanks to The Conversation)

Is it time to worry?

Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/msk86n3v

->Mpox (monkeypox) vaccinations (Thanks to VCH)

Vancouver Coastal Health has partnered with Health Initiative for Men (HIM) to provide pop-up Mpox vaccination clinics in the heart of Davie Village and multiple pride events. Our team of friendly and experienced nurses are ready to help you prepare for this season of sun and fun! Visit the HiM website for the full pop-up vaccine clinic schedule.

Check eligibility, learn more, and register: https://tinyurl.com/3jej3ytu

Community Safety

->Poverty More than Doubles Your Likelihood of Dying from Heat (Thanks to The Tyee)

New research shows high temperatures disproportionately impact people on income assistance.

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/3p94u73y

->Richmond RCMP launches Autism Decal project to foster safer community interactions (Thanks to Richmond News)

The new initiative will alert police to the presence of neurodiverse individuals beforehand, ensuring more sensitive interactions

Read about the decals project: https://tinyurl.com/2p9kt8dj

Government News

->Chimo Crisis Line Equity & Access: Community Survey (Thanks to Donna Lee)

The goal of the survey is to hear from under-represented people about potential or existing barriers to crisis lines and what they would need to safely and effectively access crisis lines for themselves, or to support someone they are concerned about. We are particularly targeting people with barriers related to language and culture, as well as LGTBQ people, indigenous people, and people with diverse abilities.

The 21-question survey is available in 6 languages and can be accessed at these links:

English: https://bit.ly/4dePDC5
Arabic: https://bit.ly/3WLGNWD
Simplified Chinese: https://bit.ly/46sAslV
Farsi: https://bit.ly/3SsK22B
Spanish: https://bit.ly/3LL5pbt

Many thanks in advance for your help with this important step towards better understanding the barriers people are facing in accessing crisis lines, and how we can work towards greater equity and access.

Tuesday August 6, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC). We hope that you had an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather on the long weekend. A significant upcoming date is National Acadian Day, on August 15th. Later this month, the Richmond Maritime Festival will take place from August 24-25. Please see the official website to learn about the many activities and celebrations you can visit and enjoy.

Stories for this edition include: Three articles about supportive housing in Richmond, the largest public transit investment in Canadian history, and how BC’s Poverty Reduction Strategy falls short.

This is our 16th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Multicultural Community Services (Thanks to Alan Hill)

We send a warm & friendly welcome to the RPRC’s newest coalition member: Richmond Multicutural Community Services.

Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has a vision for a harmonious and inclusive society that values equality and diversity. RMCS is hosting two upcoming community events that are featured below:

->Youth Career Planning with WorkBC (Thanks to Alan Hill)

When: Saturday, August 24, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Daisy Shim (Career Advisor, WorkBC)
Method: In-person: #320-7000 Minoru Blvd Richmond
Via Zoom: link will be sent after registration

->RMCS Multicultural Bazaar (Thanks to Alan Hill)

Dates: August 9th and August 24th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Richmond Caring Place Parking Lot – 7000 Minoru Blvd., Richmond, V6Y 3Z5

Our Multicultural Bazaar provides local clients and the community with the opportunity to buy handmade products such as jewellery, stickers, keychains, and more! Alongside local vendors, we will have a pop-up thrift shop from our RMCS Thrift Store for our attendees to enjoy.

->Richmond Family Place: Pre-Natal Circles of Support (Thanks to Ruth Taverner)

Richmond Family Place is starting a new program!

A welcoming, inclusive & community-centred Pre-Natal Program for pregnant people. Learn and grow alongside a group of other pregnant individuals & families. Bring your questions, hear from professionals & meet new friends! This program will be held in Richmond.

For questions, please email: info@richmondfamilyplace.ca

->RCRG New Program: Social Prescribing (Thanks to RCRG)

Available to Richmond residents aged 60+ (and those as young as 55 who are living with a chronic health condition), Social Prescribing helps clients to explore and access a variety of community-based, non-medical support services.

So, how does Social Prescribing work? It all starts with Rojan Nasiri, our Community Connector. Seniors can be referred to Rojan by a healthcare professional, family member, or friend, or they can self-refer.

Rojan will then work with the client to develop a personalized health and wellness plan, based on goals the client has identified. While every plan will be different, they’ll all facilitate access to beneficial community-based services.

If you think Social Prescribing can help you or someone you care for, contact Rojan at 604-242-7444 or communityconnector@rcrg.org.

Housing News

->How modular housing could speed up construction of much-needed homes (Thanks to Richmond News & Canadian Press)

While some government initiatives are underway, industry insiders say much more is needed to create a foundation for the streamlined building technique to grow from its paltry two per cent of the market.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/ycxkmv2m

->Letters: Misinformation circulating in Richmond about homelessness (Thanks to Richmond News: Letters)

It is important to remind ourselves that being homeless is not a crime.

Read the letter: https://tinyurl.com/ycxsp9df

->Letters: Opposition to affordable housing ‘divisive political tactics’: Richmond councillor (Thanks to Richmond News)

Coun. Kash Heed is calling for council to be ‘responsible and compassionate’ towards marginalized people.

Read Coun. Kash Heed’s letter: https://tinyurl.com/bdrrf8nj

->Richmond group rallying to oppose 90-unit supportive housing (Richmond News)

A group is organizing to stop a BC Housing project in Richmond that would provide 90 units of permanent supportive housing.

See the full article: https://tinyurl.com/2uw3tyte

Food Security News

->Ugly Potato Day’ giveaway growing in popularity in Surrey, B.C. (Thanks to CBC News)

About 10,000 flocked to the Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds in Surrey on Saturday to pick up some free vegetables.

Read about how the event is spreading awareness of food security: https://tinyurl.com/mry6a9m5

Transportation News

->Richmond trains stop early in August due to Capstan construction (Thanks Richmond News)

The Canada Line will terminate at Bridgeport Station at 9:30 p.m. on most nights in August – starting this week – due to construction on the new Capstan Station.

Read about the service changes and construction: https://tinyurl.com/ysvxnk94

->Riders and Drivers Urge TransLink to Bring HandyDart In-House (Thanks to The Tyee)

The service faces escalating labour action amidst long waits for rides and increasing reliance on taxis to fill gaps.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/4akftd8k

Training & Employment News

->YVR food service workers vote overwhelmingly for contract with $25/h pay (Thanks to Richmond News)

Food service workers at 13 outlets at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have voted 93 per cent in favour of a deal that could see them earn $25 per hour and get health benefits.

Read the article here: https://tinyurl.com/yyfk379w

Health News

->One drug poisoning death in Richmond in June (Thanks to Richmond News)

After two months of no deaths from drug poisonings in Richmond, one person died of suspected toxic drugs in June, according to statistics released by the BC Coroners Service this week.

The full article is available here: https://tinyurl.com/bdhjkvxd

->Richmond Hospital redevelopment project advances (Thanks to VCH and BC Gov)

People in Richmond and surrounding areas are a step closer to a new acute-care tower following the release of candidates shortlisted to advance to the next stage of Phase 2 of the Richmond Hospital redevelopment project.

Read more about the RGH project: https://tinyurl.com/2twnh8ek

->Call for participation – virtual reality for mental health and substance use care (Thanks to VCH and PVN)

The BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) is seeking patient partners to participate in a Digital Innovation Project to identify leading-edge virtual and digital care innovations that will enhance the quality of care for clients in BCMHSUS clinical programs. Selected patient partners will try Virtual Reality technology and answer questions about their experience. Sessions will be held between July to October 2024. An honorarium of $25 per hour will be provided to participants.

Learn more about how to participate: https://tinyurl.com/5dbnbhv7

->Mpox (monkeypox) vaccinations (Thanks to VCH)

Vancouver Coastal Health has partnered with Health Initiative for Men (HIM) to provide pop-up Mpox vaccination clinics in the heart of Davie Village and multiple pride events.

Our team of friendly and experienced nurses are ready to help you prepare for this season of sun and fun! Visit the HiM website for the full pop-up vaccine clinic schedule.

Check eligibility, learn more, and register: https://tinyurl.com/3jej3ytu

Government News

->How BC’s New Poverty Reduction Strategy Falls Short (Thanks to The Tyee)

Good intentions aren’t enough to change life for poor British Columbians. We need a road map.

See what the BC PRC recommends: https://tinyurl.com/bdztdzdv

->Videos: Richmond MLAs weigh in (Thanks to Richmond News)

-Part 1: Richmond MLAs weigh in on housing, health care: watch here.

-Part 2: Richmond MLAs tackle education, toxic drug crisis: watch here.

Monday July 22nd, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC): just a reminder that Richmond’s second annual PRIDE Walk happens on Saturday, July 27th from 11am-12pm. Please see our Government News section for more information. Richmond Pride Week also begins next week (July 29-August 4).

Stories for this edition include: Why housing costs are so high, according to Patrick Condon, the largest public transit investment in Canadian history, and tick-spread illnesses on the rise in Canada. This is our 15th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Family Place Roots & Relationships (Thanks to Ruth Taverner)

Richmond Family Place invites you to our neighbourhood Roots & Relationships summer event. Engage in hands on outdoor activities and meet other families! All are welcome. No registration required. Dress for the mess and don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottle!

When: Saturday, July 27th 11am-2pm

Where: 8660 Ash Street, Richmond BC

For more information call 604.278.4336, or email info@richmondfamilyplace.ca.

->Richmond Centre for Disability Zoom Event & Watch Party (Thanks to Ella Huang)

The Richmond Centre for Disability and the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition are co-hosting a Zoom event to discuss the Canada Disability Benefit.

Canada Disability Benefit: Making it Fair Dialogue will have knowledgeable speakers to discuss and answer questions about the future of the Canada Disability Benefit.

5:00 pm PST, July 31, 2024, Wednesday
RSVP by July 30th by emailing cdb@rcdrichmond.org

The RCD will host an Event Watch Party at our centre on July 31, for people to watch the event together. We can ask questions via CHAT, assisted by staff members on-site. Watch Party will open at 4:30 p.m. at the RCD new location. Please RSVP as per above to ensure a spot at the RCD Watch Party, or call Sam at 604-232-2404. We hope to see you there!

Housing News

-> A ‘hopeless’ feeling: Struggling seniors face sky-high rents and few, if any, options (Thanks to CBC)

Slightly more than 1/5th of Canada’s seniors who live in private dwellings are renters.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/3pjypkc5

->A Housing Hub That Brings History Forward with Heart (Thanks to The Tyee)

leləm̓, a master-planned village designed by Musqueam, carries forth the nation’s values of sustainability and stewardship in building community.

Read more about leləm̓: https://tinyurl.com/54x6ymmz

->Patrick Condon Says This Is Why Housing Costs Are So High (Thanks to The Tyee)

The UBC prof and Tyee contributor blames runaway land speculation and offers fixes in his new book ‘Broken City.’ A Tyee exchange.

See the full conversation here: https://tinyurl.com/3mey9rss

Food Security News

->What does regenerative farming mean at this Richmond farm? (Thanks to Richmond News)

“We’re not going for the 100-mile diet here. (It’s) the 100-foot diet,” says farm director.

Learn more about regnerative farming in Richmond: https://tinyurl.com/mry6a9m5

->Second Call: Brighter Days, Fuller Plates Summer Campaign (Thanks to Vivian at RFBS)

School-aged children make up 18% of the clients we serve at the Richmond Food Bank. During the summer months, many families with school-aged children who rely on our school meal and snack program, face uncertainty about their next meal.

When schools are in session, we coordinate the distribution of school meals and snacks to elementary and secondary schools in Richmond. However, when schools close for the summer, these essential resources disappear, leaving many families struggling to provide enough food for their growing children.

To read more about the campaign and how to help, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4b7hmnpe

Transportation News

->The largest public transit investment in Canadian history (Thanks to Office of the Prime Minister of Canada)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the launch of the Canada Public Transit Fund, a new $30 billion investment over the first ten years to expand public transit and make it more accessible across the country.

Read more about how the funding will be delivered: https://tinyurl.com/yseta3j2

->A ‘green new deal’ is Canada’s best hope of achieving a just carbon-zero transition (Thanks to The Conversation)

The idea of a “green new deal” has gained considerable ground in recent years.

Learn more about how Canada would benefit: https://tinyurl.com/2xfb4j2p

->HUB Cycling is looking for volunteers (Thanks to HUB)

Check out a number of ways to support HUB cycling and their community here.

Health News

->Tick-spread illnesses are on the rise in Canada. Are surveillance, awareness efforts keeping up? (Thanks to CBC)

Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus are all emerging health threats alongside Lyme disease.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/yhwpcbsx

Community Safety News

->Environmental groups condemn federal approval of Tilbury Marine Jetty (Thanks to The Delta Optimist)

Ecojustice and Stand.earth say the project further jeopardizes the province’s climate goals.

Read about the LNG project approved for Delta: https://tinyurl.com/fs6haf47

Childcare News

->Last chance to support Richmond back to school donation drive (Thanks to Richmond News)

Ikea Richmond will match retail value of donations with products that cost up to $5,000.

Learn more about the program: https://tinyurl.com/d9jtsdxt

Government News

->Third Call: Children and youth can swim, skate, golf, and work out with the $29 Summer Active Pass (Thanks to the City of Richmond)

Purchase a pass starting Tuesday, June 4 and use it June 8 through September 2

Click here for the full program page: https://tinyurl.com/52k3s9zc

->Second Call: Richmond’s second annual PRIDE Walk on Saturday, July 27th from 11am-12pm (Thanks to Karen Fisher Hagel and Kelly Greene)

The Pride Walk will take place along the Steveston boardwalk beginning in front of my office at Imperial Landing. Please join us and the Richmond 2SLGBTQIA+ community and friends.

Attendees are invited to RSVP on Eventbrite. If you or your organisation are interested in hosting a cheer station or community booth please contact us now by email Kelly.greene.mla@leg.bc.ca to reserve a space on the route!

Monday July 8, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

We hope this email finds you well and staying cool during this heat wave. Please see our Members News section to learn about the RPRC’s cooling station project, and check out Community Safety for an article about the current rise in temperatures. Our Government News Section at the bottom also has public Richmond resources for heat waves.

A significant date for next week is Ashura (July 16, at Sundown). Richmond’s second annual PRIDE Walk happens on Saturday, July 27th from 11am-12pm. Please see our Government News section for more information. And Richmond Pride Week also begins at the end of this month (July 29-August 4). Stories for this edition include: A B.C. seniors advocate seeking tenancy protection for residents of retirement homes, why the disability earnings cap is holding people back, and why BC’s Poverty Task Force says we need to repeal the MSP 3-month wait period for newcomers.

This is our 14th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->RPRC Richmond Support and Advocacy Committee to present at Richmond City Hall tonight, July 8th

The RPRC’s own Richmond Support and Advocacy Committee (or RASC) will present their report “Improving Pedestrian Safety in Richmond Using Vision Zero Strategies” for 2024 at City Hall tonight, along with two recommendations for road sharing. This presentation will be the culmination of a year of consultant and volunteer work that includes workshops, engaging with research, community presentations, and surveys.

To those of you who have supported and participated in our work, thank you so much!

See the City Council Agenda: https://tinyurl.com/yfsyw4k5

->Second Call: The RPRC will be hosting a Pop-Up Heat Relief Station (Thanks to Jimmy Ho)

The Pop-Up Heat Relief Station can be found at Minoru Centre for Active Living (Seniors Centre) in the Movement 1 Room, on the first floor —July 17th Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.

Please feel free to drop by and cool off!

->Richmond Centre for Disability Moving Update (Thanks to Ella Huang)

YES HOORAY !!! RCD is open now !!!

Click here to see our July activity calendar. Thank you for your understanding and support.

RCD new address: 968-5300 No. 3 Road, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond, BC V6X 2X9

Housing News

->B.C. seniors advocate seeks tenancy protection for residents of retirement homes (Thanks to Richmond News)

British Columbia’s seniors advocate has called for the enforcement of tenancy laws to protect retirement home residents who he said face illegal rent increases and evictions.

Dan Levitt said the province must ensure that the Residential Tenancy Branch enforces the law in retirement homes to make sure the annual allowable rent increase, set at 3.5 per cent in 2024, is followed. According to a report released by the Office of the Seniors Advocate Thursday, many seniors living in retirement homes are at “risk of eviction,” with landlords notifying them to pay increases in service costs or face the prospect of having to find another place to live.

Levitt also said many landlords are ignoring the limit on rent increases, resulting in seniors facing annual cost spikes of up to 24 per cent.

Read about tenancy challenges for Seniors: https://tinyurl.com/9wjup577

->Have-not neighbourhoods hurt by about-face on engaging with the community in urban planning (Thanks to The Conversation)

Community engagement became a formal requirement of planning in Canada via the neighbourhood improvement program of the 1970s.

That program required local governments to work together with residents to rehabilitate neighbourhoods in order to access federal funding. It was created in response to the phenomenon of residents protesting freeways and other unwanted neighbourhood changes. Ensuring neighbourhood input on the provision of services, infrastructure and amenities — schools, street-calming measures, bus stops, parks, shops and meeting places, for example — became core to urban planning.

Fast forward 50 years and federal, provincial and local governments in Canada have flipped the script on this logic. Community engagement in planning at the neighbourhood scale is considered a barrier.

Read about the challenges for South Vancouver: https://tinyurl.com/bdcc7mbt

->Affirming LGBTQ2S+ Children and Youth in Child Welfare: Key Challenges and Practice Opportunities (Thanks to Homeless Hub)

2SLGBTQ+ populations are overrepresented in the child welfare system. According to recent studies, 32 to 34% of children and youth in welfare systems identify as 2SLGBTQ+. However, this is likely an underrepresentation given that many 2SLGBTQ+ youth choose not to disclose their identity due to stigma, shame, or fear.

2SLGBTQ+ children and youth often enter child welfare through various pathways, marked by their higher rates of childhood trauma, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Additionally, they frequently face more rejection from their families than non-2SLGBTQ+ youth. A study of 3,508 community-based 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 14 to 18 across Canada and the U.S. found that 2SLGBTQ+ youth reported significant adverse childhood events (ACEs).

See the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2u796ybb

->Combining Schools and Services Gets Results (Thanks to Homeless Hub)

Upstream Canada is an innovative approach aimed at preventing youth homelessness and school disengagement by combining social services and schools. It is based on the idea that early intervention gives you the best chance of addressing issues before they worsen. But in order to intervene early, good screening tools are required to identify at-risk youth and refer them to services. Upstream Canada does this by means of universal screening for all students at participating schools.

Upstream Canada is already being implemented in select communities across the country, notably in Kelowna and Saint John’s The Canadian pilot program was inspired by a model developed in Geelong, Australia called the Community of Schools and Services (COSS) model, and a recent evaluation conducted in the state of New South Wales shows the positive effects such programs can have.

More about the Upstream program: https://tinyurl.com/pjaxx2ht

->Here’s how much it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Metro Vancouver this July (Thanks to Richmond News)

Vancouver ($3.97/sq. ft.) leads the region with cost per square foot, with Burnaby ($3.62/sq. ft.) and North Vancouver ($3.49/sq. ft.) trailing behind.

Burnaby was the fourth-priciest place to rent, with new listings for units averaging $2,477 a month, while Richmond rounded out the top five, with units averaging $2,459. For the second consecutive month, Surrey had the lowest average rent prices for unfurnished one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.

Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2the75ck

Food Security News

->Brighter Days, Fuller Plates Summer Campaign (Thanks to Vivian at RFBS)

To read more about the campaign and how to help, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4b7hmnpe

Transportation News

->More than 10 Richmond drivers fined for illegally driving in bus lanes (Thanks to Richmond News)

Metro Vancouver Transit Police handed more than 10 bus lane violation tickets to Richmond drivers in one day.

On June 27, 11 Richmond drivers received a fine of $109 each for illegally driving in the bus lane at the Steveston Highway on and off-ramp to Highway 99 southbound. These tickets were issued by transit police’s Targeted Mobile Enforcement Team (TMET) as part of a four-day bus lane project where officers focused on motorists improperly using bus lanes to bypass traffic congestion.

Read more about the outcome of the bus lane project: https://tinyurl.com/5e6jawpv

->Welcome to Bike to Shop: Your Guide to Shopping by Bike! (Thanks to HUB)

This August, immerse yourself in the joy and convenience of shopping by bike with Bike to Shop, a Metro Vancouver-wide initiative presented by HUB Cycling. Whether you’re a seasoned bike commuter or new to cycling, we’re here to make shopping by bike easy and fun!

HUB’s Bike to Shop will have a celebration station at Steveston Farmer and Artisan’s Market Sunday, August 20 from 10:30AM to 3:30PM. Take selfies, enter to win prizes.

Learn more: https://bikehub.ca/biketoshop

Training/ Employment News

->B.C.’s job market slumps with 10K positions lost in June (Thanks to Richmond News)

B.C.’s losing streak continues with another consecutive month of job losses.

West Coast employment fell by 9,700 positions in June, according to Statistics Canada data released on Friday. Of those losses, 3,100 were full-time positions. Unemployment fell by 0.4 percentage points to 5.2 per cent, indicating more British Columbians are leaving the workforce altogether. Despite the overall losses, B.C.’s wholesale and retail trade sector got a big boost (+14,000 jobs), as did construction (+6,900 jobs). But the tech sector took a huge hit, shedding 15,400 jobs. Health care saw 6,400 jobs lost.

Read more about the BC and Federal job market losses: https://tinyurl.com/nhjd3xzp

->Canada’s Broken Promises to Migrant Care Workers (Thanks to Policy Note)

On June 3, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced new migrant care worker pilot programs, which take important steps to address some of the concerns raised by workers and advocates. Unfortunately, Canada has a long track record of broken promises to migrant care workers and it is not clear how the new pilot programs would accomplish what they set out to do when previous rounds of pilots did not.

When the federal Home Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs were launched in 2019, they were supposed to provide a “clear, direct pathway to permanent residence”. Unfortunately, the pilot programs that ended on June 17, 2024 have largely not delivered on their promises, failing thousands of migrant care workers and their families in the process.

Learn more about how Canada is failing its migrant care workers: https://tinyurl.com/4hdw52d7

->Richmond mental health non-profit hopes to expand work program for members (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond-based Pathways Clubhouse is hoping more employers can join its work program that benefits individuals recovering from mental illnesses. Pathways started the transitional employment (TE) program 25 years ago to offer members opportunities to rejoin the workforce in a low-barrier setting.

“There are no resumes or interviews, and members are trained by Pathways staff,” explained Pathways program manager Michael Tibbles. “We also pre-screen members to ensure a good fit with the role.”

Members are paid at least the minimum wage and Pathways staff are available to fill in for the members to ensure all shifts are covered.

Read more about the TE program: https://tinyurl.com/5xm5bbwj

Income Security News

->Why the Disability Earnings Cap Is Holding People Back (Thanks to The Tyee)

Workers with disabilities aren’t earning a living wage in BC. What’s at stake, and how to turn it around. One in four people in B.C. lives with a disability. Most people accessing social assistance in B.C. also receive disability assistance.

Disability Alliance BC is a provincial non-profit that supports people with all types of disabilities to live with dignity and independence, and as full and equal participants in the community. Its mandate as an organization is now more timely than ever. People with disabilities face higher poverty rates and worse housing outcomes and incur higher and additional expenses for basic needs of daily living than non-disabled people.

Please see the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/452jcj2a

->B.C. ship and dock foremen issue 72-hour strike notice to employer (Thanks to Richmond News)

A union representing ship and dock foremen in British Columbia has issued 72-hour strike notice against their employer.

The BC Maritime Employers Association says ILWU Local 514 has served a notice of intended strike action against DP World Canada that will begin on Monday at 4:30 p.m. The association says ILWU Local 514 served the notice despite the Canada Industrial Relations Board commencing hearings this week to address complaints between it and the union. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said in a statement last month that 99 per cent of the nearly 600 longshore foremen who voted were against a “final offer” from the employers association.

Full story here: https://tinyurl.com/5a3cj874

->Employees walk off the job at popular B.C. resort (Thanks to Richmond News)

Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa employees have walked off the job as part of a three-day strike action.

On Friday, 230 union workers from the popular B.C. resort set up picket lines at 7 a.m. during a busy summer weekend. UNITE HERE Local 40 says the strike action comes after bargaining broke on Thursday afternoon with little progress. Workers are striking for fair wages and a reversal of concessions made during the pandemic, according to the union.

Union spokesperson Michelle Travis says the strike results from years of pent-up frustration. She’s hopeful it will send a strong message to the employer.

Read the complete story: https://tinyurl.com/bdzdsews

->The ‘tax-free trap’: How a simple phrase skews Canadians’ savings choices (Thanks to The Conversation)

While a rose by any other name may smell as sweet, Shakespeare’s famous maxim does not hold up when talking about tax-sheltered savings plans. Our new research finds that people are more likely to choose a plan that has the words “tax-free” in the title, regardless of the details in fine print. Canada has two main tax-sheltered savings plans that encourage people to put money away for retirement and other expenses. Since being introduced in 2009, the tax-free savings account (TFSA) has become far more popular than the registered retirement savings plan (RRSP).

In our paper in the Canadian Tax Journal, we show that preference for TFSAs may be due, in part, to a psychological bias for the phrase “tax-free.”

Full article available here: https://tinyurl.com/yc6njzjr

Health News

->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. Learn more about the app here.

For additional resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->Repeal the MSP 3-Month Wait Period, says BC’s Period Poverty Task Force (Thanks to BC Health Coalition)

In March 2024, BC’s Period Poverty Task Force submitted its final report to the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The report proposes sustainable approaches to period poverty in BC. One notable short-term recommendation is to abolish the Medical Services Plan (MSP) 3-month wait period for all refugees, international students, newcomer immigrants, and seasonal migrant workers. This policy has a wide range of consequences for both those affected and the provincial health system overall.

Read about the negative consequences of the wait period for everyone: https://tinyurl.com/3uwaah5m

->Making visible the invisible: Supporting long COVID patients and the people caring for them (Thanks to The Conversation)

We are living through a mass-disabling event: Over 200 million people worldwide have long COVID. In Canada, one in nine people have experienced long COVID symptoms, and this is likely an underestimate.

Occurring weeks to months after a COVID-19 infection, this multi-system chronic illness has led to what some have called “the shadow pandemic.” Although millions are navigating this new illness, four years into the pandemic both patients and their caregivers continue to face challenges accessing the information and care they need. Most Canadians have had COVID, and at least one in five have been infected more than once. These trends are troubling because evidence suggests that the risk of acquiring long COVID increases with reinfection.

See the full story: https://tinyurl.com/5n6pbyx4

->B.C. COVID hospitalizations at highest level since January (Thanks to CTV Vancouver)

It may not be on most people’s minds, but COVID-19 is on the rise again in B.C.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control released its monthly data on the disease Thursday, showing 204 test-positive patients in provincial hospitals. It’s only the second time all year that the hospitalized population has risen above 200, and the first time since early January. The hospital census is more than double what it was at this time last year, when the BCCDC’s July update showed just 96 COVID patients receiving hospital care.

Please see the rest of the story here: https://tinyurl.com/55ss8j83

Community Safety News

->Warnings expand as heat wave settles over B.C., with weekend temperatures set to rise (Thanks to Richmond News)

A heat wave has settled over much of British Columbia with Environment Canada issuing warnings in more than two dozen regions about soaring temperatures that could reach into the 40s and continue next week.

The weather agency late Friday expanded the warnings to encompass 26 regions, including a broad swath of the southern Interior, such as Lytton, where the daytime high is forecast to hit 41 C by Tuesday. In other parts of the province, the hottest temperatures are expected to arrive on Sunday.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/mu34xh72

Government News

->Second Call: Heat Safety & Air Quality (Thanks to the City of Richmond)

Although warm and sunny weather is a treat, hot temperatures come with certain risks. The City of Richmond encourages everyone to be safe in the heat and stay informed about heat-related health risks. Remember: Everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses.

The City of Richmond has a comprehensive Heat and Poor Air Quality Emergency Operations Plan. This plan is aligned with the BC Heat Alert and Response System (HARS) to allow for a robust and flexible response to enhance public safety during extreme heat. Keep households safe and get prepared by creating an extreme heat emergency plan. Follow the extreme heat safety tips in the section below and refer to this map of water fountains, places to stay cool and misting stations around the city.

See the City’s page here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxp6sum

->Second Call: Children and youth can swim, skate, golf, and work out with the $29 Summer Active Pass (Thanks to the City of Richmond)

Purchase a pass starting Tuesday, June 4 and use it June 8 through September 2.

Click here for the full program page: https://tinyurl.com/52k3s9zc

->Richmond’s second annual PRIDE Walk on Saturday, July 27th from 11am-12pm (Thanks to Karen Fisher Hagel and Kelly Greene)

The Pride Walk will take place along the Steveston boardwalk beginning in front of my office at Imperial Landing. Please join us and the Richmond 2SLGBTQIA+ community and friends.

Monday June 24, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

As we come to the closing of National Indigenous Heritage Month and National Pride Month, significant dates for next week (June 29th-July 6th) are Canada Day and Muharram. I would also like to take a moment to thank the readers (especially Carol) who were kind enough to point out the issue we had last edition with unlinked urls. We will strive to do better in the future, and truly appreciate all of your engagement.

Stories for this edition include: Good Morning Richmond: A Photographic Fundraising effort for the RPRC, The BC Government’s Affordability Battle, and insights into the Justice of Taxing Capital Gains in Canada.

This is our 13th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Good Morning, Richmond: New exhibition celebrates local photographers (Thanks to De Whalen and Richmond News)

For the past four years, the News has been publishing works by local photographers in our daily Good Morning, Richmond! feature and weekly Monday gallery. After profiling some of the regular contributors in 2022 and 2023, the News has decided to hold a photo exhibit to further highlight the talents of these photographers.

Starting May 31, photos of Richmond by talented local photographers will be on display at Richmond Cultural Centre’s Upper Rotunda Gallery. The exhibition will be held from May 31 to June 28 at the Richmond Cultural Centre at 7700 Minoru Gate.

Each photo is beautiful, local, and ready to hang for $150 apiece. All proceeds will benefit local charity Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition

Please see the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2n9s37zw

Good Morning Richmond photo exhibit 2024

->Richmond Centre for Disability Moving Update (Thanks to Ella Huang)

We’re truly sorry that the RCD Office isn’t quite ready to open to the public still. Currently we only host activities over Zoom; and it looks like July is a more realistic time to have physical access to our facility. Click here to see our July activity calendar.

To make up for the loss of activity time in June, we’ll offer all June activities and classes in July again, and hopefully we can do that in-person in the new facility. We’ll update you as soon as we can. Call us at 604-232-2404 before you come to our new office. We apologize for any inconvenience caused! Thank you for your understanding and support.

RCD new address: 968-5300 No. 3 Road, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond, BC V6X 2X9

Housing News

->The BC Government’s Critical Affordability Battle (Thanks to The Tyee)

When the new advocate for B.C. seniors, Dan Levitt, toured the province in his first few months on the job, the message was clear — everything has become expensive.

“The overwhelming issue for seniors in B.C. is affordability,” Levitt wrote in “Ageing Matters: What We Heard from B.C. Seniors,” released in early June. “They are simply unable to absorb increased costs for rent, groceries, transportation, property taxes, home support, personal care and other services needed as we age.”

Read about the battle for affordability here: https://tinyurl.com/36md25bv

->Over a quarter of Vancouver renters spend over 50% of their income on housing (Thanks to Vancouver Is Awesome)

New data shows that over a quarter of tenants in Vancouver spend more than half their income on monthly rent.

Royal LePage’s 2024 Canadian Renters Report shows that 27 per cent of Vancouver’s renters spend over half of their income on rent, well above the national average of 16 per cent. A third of Canadians live in rental accommodations but that figure has been gradually rising in recent years.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/ynmdxhb5

->Richmond city council supports home ownership, not rental, in single-family areas (Thanks to Richmond News)

This was the debate at Richmond city council on Monday as they look to implement provincial legislation that could significantly densify single-family neighbourhoods. City staff was recommending new pre-zoning of single-family lots “restrict tenure of additional dwelling units to rental,” something that would align with Richmond’s “objectives to build more rental housing.”

Coun. Alexa Loo, however, brought forward an amendment to allow stratification. If stratified, a property owner could then sell off the extra units they build.

See the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/mr23y4jn

->Affordable housing complex in Steveston gets $6.7 million for upgrades (Thanks to Richmond News)

A wood-framed affordable housing complex in Steveston is going green with major upgrades.

Metro Vancouver approved a construction contract contract with Signia Construction Ltd. back in April for up to $6,762,920 for Minato West at 4151 Regent St. The project, aiming to reduce emissions and improve tenant comfort, received funding of $1.1 million from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The complex was built in 1977 and consists of two three-level apartment buildings and 80 townhouses, offering a total of 110 suites.

More about the upgrades: https://tinyurl.com/2s38suhd

Food Security News

->Richmond Food Bank Society Summer Distribution Hours (Thanks to Vivian at RFBS)

Please be aware that we will be switching to summer distribution hours for the months of July and August. Beginning July 3rd, 2024, grocery distributions at the Cedarbridge location (our main location) will run from 10am-1pm. All distribution times at the offsite depots will remain the same.

To read the announcement, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/58rv7y6b

->Pop-up markets boosted health in East Richmond, says report (Thanks to Richmond News)

A research study in the Hamilton neighbourhood found that better access to fresh produce improved the physical and mental health of local residents.

Pop-up markets were held in Hamilton in 2022 and 2023, offering fresh produce every Saturday to community members. The market initiative also included the Market Greens RX Program, a research study that subsidized produce purchases over 15 weeks for people with diet-related health challenges and limited food budgets.

Full story available here: https://tinyurl.com/4vj9k6su

->Richmond’s Sharing Farm makes first large donation of the year to food bank (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond’s Sharing Farm Society made its first produce donation for the season. The local farm, located in Terra Nova, has been providing access to healthy produce through sustainable farming since 2002. Every year, they harvest and donate much of their fresh produce to the Richmond Food Bank.

This year, the first batch of produce to make its way from the farm to the food bank was 70 pounds of bok choy. Leslie Williams, executive director of Sharing Farm Society, described the farm’s season as “shaping up” despite a wet spring that delayed their planting.

Read the rest of the story: https://tinyurl.com/2p8zpa37

Transportation News

-> RPRC Richmond Support and Advocacy Committee to present at Richmond City Hall July 8th

The RPRC’s own Richmond Support and Advocacy Committee or RASC will present their Vision Zero Road Sharing report for 2024 and present at City Hall in two weeks.

This presentation will be the culmination of a year of consultant and volunteer work that includes workshops, engaging with research, community presentations, and surveys.

To those of you who have supported and participated in our work, thank you so much!

Income Security News

->One more time, for the people in the back row: Capital gains is about tax justice (Thanks to CCPA Insights)

All work income is taxed at 100 per cent, why do capital gains get special treatment? A new Angus Reid poll shows that half of the Canadians they surveyed oppose the federal government’s move to change the capital gains inclusion rate from 50 to 66.6 per cent for every dollar someone makes above $250,000 in annual profits.

Unsurprisingly, opposition to the tax increase is highest among high-income earners. And that’s for a reason: They’re the ones most likely to have to pay that tax!

“The vast majority of Canadians are not making over $250,000 per year in capital gains alone. In fact, only 0.13 per cent of Canadians are. Most Canadians make capital gains below $250,000 in a year and/or capital gains at that level would be generated by the sale of their principal residence, which isn’t taxed at all.”—CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald.

To read more or donate: https://tinyurl.com/2vzms8r

->One sent to hospital after multi-vehicle incident at Richmond hotel on strike (Thanks to Richmond News)

One person was sent to the hospital following an incident involving a shuttle van and two other vehicles at the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond.

In a media release issued June 20, UNITE HERE Local 40 said an Ace Charters Vancouver shuttle van had allegedly “lurched suddenly through the bushes behind the hotel, crashed into a second vehicle, and careened across Lysander Lane until it hit a third car parked at a nearby charging station.”

The union represents striking workers who walked off the job at the Radisson Blu three years ago after the hotel terminated 143 long-term staff. Two striking hotel room attendants were injured while avoiding the vehicles, added UNITE HERE Local 40.

Full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4dtbrwxn

->Immigrant women hit hardest by low wages at YVR, says union (Thanks to Richmond News)

A union representing hospitality workers in B.C. has issued a report calling for better wage policies at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). According to the report published Tuesday by Unite Here Local 40, a union representing food service workers at YVR, the average wage for YVR food and beverage workers is $18.27. In 2023, the living wage for Metro Vancouver was $25.68 per hour.

The report included data collected from online and in-person surveys of 139 airport concession workers conducted in January and February this year, as well as employment data covering about 500 concession workers who are union members.

Read the complete story: https://www.richmond-news.com/local-business/immigrant-women-hit-hardest-by-low-wages-at-yvr-says-union-9101130

->Richmond hotel workers to mark one year on strike (Thanks to Richmond News)

It’s been one year since employees at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond city centre walked off the job to demand fair wages. Unite Here Local 40, the union representing striking workers, announced a rally outside the Sheraton at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14 to mark the anniversary.

“One day longer, one day stronger!” reads the union’s post on social media platform X.

Workers at the hotel on Westminster Highway and Minoru Boulevard went on strike on June 14, 2023 to demand better pay and working conditions.

More about the anniversary of the strike: https://tinyurl.com/27zzvcwa

->Nurses rally in Vancouver to demand safer working conditions (Thanks to Vancouver City News)

Hundreds of nurses from across B.C. gathered in downtown Vancouver Thursday to protest unsafe working conditions in healthcare facilities across the province. The rally comes after a survey revealed a high number of violent incidents ranging from verbal to physical abuse, and exposure to illicit drugs while on the job.

The BC Nurses’ Union says it recently became the first jurisdiction within Canada to negotiate minimum nurse-to-patient ratios with its provincial government. BC Nurses’ Union president Adriane Gear says the ratios will help ensure that nurses aren’t overworked, saying that’s just one of the conditions that make their jobs harder and drive nurses away. Gear said Statistics Canada reported over 5,000 nurse vacancies currently in B.C.

See the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/3hrhyn2d

Health News

->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.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.

For additional resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->Health Coalition joins labour and patients groups calling for Senate to pass pharmacare bill (Thanks to Canadian Health Coalition)

This week the Canadian Health Coalition, Canadian Labour Congress, and Heart & Stroke held a press conference in Parliament calling on the Senate to pass Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act.

Our message was, “Canadians can’t wait any longer for pharmacare. It’s this bill, or nothing at all… so pass Bill C-64 before the summer break, without amendments.”

What follows is the video of the press conference and news release from the Canadian Labour Congress.

See the full story: https://tinyurl.com/fz9z3k7d

->Health minister asks Senate to speed up so pharmacare can be launched by spring (Thanks to CTV Health)

The federal health minister has asked the Senate to move as quickly as possible to pass the government’s pharmacare legislation so that Canadians can start accessing medications by next spring, he told reporters Wednesday.

A pharmacare bill drafted by the Liberals and the NDP made its way through the House of Commons in June, but still needs to be studied by the Senate. The plan is to make birth control and diabetes medication available to anyone with a prescription and a health card as part of a universal, single-payer program.

Please see the rest of the story here: https://tinyurl.com/ytdzpdyz

->Richmond students, parents divided on proposed naloxone kits in schools (Thanks to Richmond News)

A discussion on having naloxone kits in schools – to reverse an opioid overdose – got heated at Wednesday’s Richmond school board meeting.

Parents, students and community members crowded the school district’s boardroom to listen to a discussion on whether naloxone kits should be included in all first aid kits and whether automated external defibrillators (AEDs) should be installed at all schools and district facilities.

Read about the debate: https://tinyurl.com/6wm87j2v

Community Safety News

->First Call: The RPRC will be hosting a Pop-Up Heat Relief Station (Thanks to Jimmy Ho)

The Pop-Up Heat Relief Station can be found at Minoru Centre for Active Living (Seniors Centre) in the Movement 1 Room, on the first floor —July 17th Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.

Please feel free to drop by and cool off!

Government News

->Heat Safety & Air Quality (Thanks to the City of Richmond)

Keep households safe and get prepared by creating an extreme heat emergency plan: Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide

Follow the extreme heat safety tips in the section below and refer to this map of water fountains, places to stay cool and misting stations around the City: Water Fountains and Places to Stay Cool in Richmond.

See the City’s page here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxp6sum

->Children and youth can swim, skate, golf, and work out with the $29 Summer Active Pass (Thanks to the City of Richmond)

Purchase a pass starting Tuesday, June 4 and use it June 8 through September 2.

Click here for the full program page: https://tinyurl.com/52k3s9zc

->City Requests Bill 44 Deadline Extension: The Province’s Bill 44 rezoning deadline is June 30 (Thanks to City of Richmond)

The City is concerned that the Provincial Government’s imposed approach for housing does not consider the infrastructure needs generated by increased density in single-family neighbourhoods. Upgrades to sewer and drainage infrastructure, a lack of parking space as well as the need for sidewalks and paths to support safe pedestrian access for transit are examples of needs Bill 44 has failed to consider. Significant concerns also exist about the negative impacts legislation such as Bill 44 can have on the historic character of communities like Steveston.

Council directed staff to reach out to the local MLAs to inform them of the extension application and rationale, and to request a meeting with the Provincial Minister of Housing, the Hon. Ravi Kahlon, to discuss the concerns.

The City’s full news release may found here: https://tinyurl.com/yc5wx8h7

Monday June 10, 2024

June is National Indigenous Heritage Month and National Pride Month. We’d like to encourage those of you who are able to check out the event list for Richmond’s National Indigenous Heritage Month. Pride Week in Richmond is July 29 to August 4, 2024, and we’ll update you when those events are announced. Significant dates for next week (June 16th-June 22nd) are Father’s Day, Eid Al-Adha, Juneteenth, and Summer Solstice.

Stories for this edition include: Special rent increases in BC, The Disability Alliance of BC updating their forms with new translations, and RPL’s Step Into Summer Program.

This is our 12th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Poverty Reduction AGM (Thanks to De Whalen)

On Thursday, June 6th, the RPRC held our AGM. In addition to covering our Annual Report for 2023, we hosted three educational guest speakers on the subject of Stigma and Substance Use.

Practice Initiatives Lead, Monica Sagastume, and Peer Educators Brandon Glasspool & Cathy Werts, discussed the implications of stigma on and how each of us can actively reduce the stigma experienced by persons who use substances. Brandon and Cathy shared their own experiences with stigma. They offered a resource from wecoss.ca with advice on how to reduce stigma around substance abuse through choosing less harmful language, especially by re-framing our vocabulary around people who use drugs.

->Richmond Centre for Disability Moving Update (Thanks to Ella Huang)

RCD new address, effective June 1, 2024, will be: 968-5300 No. 3 Road, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond, BC V6X 2X9

The good news is the RCD Office has finished the move. The not-so-good news is, due to unexpected circumstances, we are not ready to be open to the public yet. Nonetheless we shall continue our services with a temporary new approach – our staff team will answer phone calls during office hours, conduct most activities on Zoom and undertake virtual meetings. We shall also attend to Accessible Parking Permit applications and renewals with drop-in, email and fax.

Call us at 604-232-2404 before you come to our new office. We apologize that the office is not open to the public, but the entire staff team is present to offer assistance at the best of our abilities. We shall announce immediately when we can open to the public. Sorry for any inconvenience caused !

Thank you for your understanding and support.

->Third Call: Richmond Singers Benefit Concert for St. Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs (Thanks to Vivian Chung)

Enjoy the Richmond Singers Sing into Summer!

A Benefit Concert for St Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs

The RPRC works with St. Alban’s through a ‘sister table’ the Food Aid Delivery (FAD) Coalition. This fundraiser will enhance their outreach program feeding street-entrenched individuals in Richmond.

On June 16th, 3-5pm
At St. Alban’s Church
7260 St. Albans Road

Admission and further info: https://tinyurl.com/bzzb83hw

Richmond Singers Benefit Concert for St. Alban's outrach and advocacy programs

Housing News

->Does a BC Break for Landlords Go Too Far? (Thanks to The Tyee)

Fighting a rent increase for herself and neighbours through B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Branch has taken Nanaimo tenant and housing activist Dianne Varga years of effort, generated a pile of paper and, in her view, achieved nothing.

“I feel like tenants have been asked to do a dance with the RTB,” she said. “As lead tenant I’ve followed all the dance steps for two years, but it hasn’t mattered one iota.”

Such disputes have become common since the B.C. government introduced a policy five years ago allowing landlords to apply for extra rent increases to cover the costs of repairs or renovations. For eligible work, landlords can raise rents by up to three per cent each year for three years. The increases are on top of other increases allowed under B.C.’s rent controls and are permanent, continuing after the repairs are paid for.

Read about the special rent increases and their impacts here: https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/06/03/Does-BC-Break-Landlords-Go-Too-Far

->Hundreds more affordable homes coming to Metro Vancouver (Thanks to BC Gov News)

People will soon have access to hundreds more affordable homes in communities they love through a partnership between the Province and Metro Vancouver.

“Safe, secure and affordable housing lifts up families, communities and our entire province,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why our government is taking action with a clear plan that puts people who live and work in our communities ahead of speculators who just want to make a quick buck at the expense of hard-working people. By partnering with Metro Vancouver, we are helping thousands of people find homes they can actually afford, so they can build good lives in our growing communities.”

This is the second phase of a commitment between the Province, through BC Housing, and Metro Vancouver, through Metro Vancouver Housing, that will deliver approximately 670 below-market rental units.

Read the full announcement: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HOUS0028-000801

->Here’s how much it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Metro Vancouver this June (Thanks to Richmond News)

Metro Vancouver rent prices have increased slightly in June following a decrease in May. Richmond rounded out the top five expensive cities, with its units averaging $2,431 in June.

See the full article here: https://www.richmond-news.com/highlights/vancouver-rent-prices-june-2024-9040877

->Free upgrades for non-profit housing and Indigenous communities (Thanks to BC Hydro)

Help your tenants and members save on their energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes year ’round. Non-profit housing providers and Indigenous communities can get free, energy-saving upgrades for their housing units.

Resources and How to apply: https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates-programs/savings-based-on-income/non-profit-indigenous-housing-upgrades.html

->Considerations for Meaningful Collaboration: Highlights from a Conversation with Indigenous Elders (Thanks to Homeless Hub)

To commemorate Indigenous Heritage Month, Homeless Hub shares this information resource on who Elders are and their roles, as well as how to meaningfully engage with an Elder from the invitation to post-collaboration and sustaining the relationship.

See the resource: https://homelessnesslearninghub.ca/library/resources/considerations-for-meaningful-collaboration-highlights-from-aconversation-with-indigenous-elders/?utm_campaign=hh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

->Prevention Matters (Thanks to Homeless Hub & The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness)

Prevention Matters! is a COH online panel series that highlights groundbreaking homelessness prevention initiatives in Canada and beyond

Watch previous sessions and sign up for future ones here: https://preventhomelessness.ca/prevention-matters/?utm_campaign=hh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

Food Security News

->B.C. Farmers’ Markets Nutrition Coupon Program (Thanks to BC Farmers’ Market)

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP) is a healthy eating initiative that supports farmers’ markets and strengthens food security across British Columbia. Community partner organizations provide coupons to lower-income families, pregnant people and seniors. Coupons can be spent at all BCAFM member farmers’ markets that participate in the FMNCP, and can be used to purchase vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, dairy, herbs, vegetable & fruit plants, honey, meat and fish.

Households enrolled in the program may receive $27/week in coupons for up to 16 weeks. The amount and frequency and duration can vary according to each partner’s program guidelines and the length of the Farmer’s Market season in the community.

Coupons can be used at any participating BC Farmers’ Market from June 4th – December 18th. Not all BC Farmers Markets operate during that entire period.

To learn more, please click here: https://bcfarmersmarket.org/coupon-program/how-it-works

->Annual Richmond Oxfam fundraiser returns to tackle famine (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond’s oldest fundraising duo is back for another year to walk for an important cause. Oxfam Richmond Committee’s Orval Chapman and Carol Rennie are inviting community members to join them on Saturday, June 15 for a virtual walk-a-thon. Community members can walk, ride or run at their convenience in support of Oxfam’s Hunger and Famine fund.

Full story available here: https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/annual-richmond-oxfam-fundraiser-returns-to-tackle-famine-9029148

Transportation News

->Railway Greenway Lighting (Thanks to Let’s Talk Richmond)

The Richmond news has shows that there is some debate over the future of the Railway Greenway. There are arguments for preserving the habitats of wildlife, as well as for providing safer walking and riding conditions for humans.

We would like to learn about community preferences as they relate to the following topics:

How you use the Railway Greenway
Your level of support for installing lighting along the Railway Greenway between Westminster Highway and Garry Street
Issues you may have, if any, with the prospect of installing lighting along the Railway Greenway
Anything else you would like to tell us

Before providing input, please review the Background Information sheets and Lighting Strategies on this page to learn more.

Ways to participate

Attend one of our drop-in style open houses at Branscombe House (4900 Steveston Highway):
- Wednesday, June 5 from 5:00 to 7:00pm
- Saturday, June 22 from 9:00 to 11:00am
Complete the survey below by 11:59pm on Sunday, June 30, 2024

Feedback received will improve our understanding of community concerns, needs and desires, and help us deliver the best possible outcome for Richmond residents. It will be compiled anonymously and presented in a report to Council.

To learn more and take the survey, please click here: https://www.letstalkrichmond.ca/railwaylighting

->One of Metro Vancouver’s busiest SkyTrain stations reopening after 6-week closure. Here’s what to know (Thanks to Richmond News)

One of Metro Vancouver’s busiest SkyTrain stations will open to riders again on Sunday, June 9.

King George Station on the Expo Line will reopen to commuters following a six-week closure for repairs. TransLink says the upgrades allow the station to function as “efficiently and safely as possible.”

Read the rest of the story here: https://www.richmond-news.com/highlights/king-george-skytrain-station-surrey-vancouver-bc-reopening-june-2024-9009010

Income Security News

->Sheraton YVR strikers are fighting One Day Longer for a Living Wage! (Thanks to Unite Here)

Join our June 14 rally to mark 1 year on strike at a top convention hotel with high standards, but low wages!

SHAME on Sheraton YVR!

Friday, June 14th at 5 PM
7551 Westminster Hwy, Richmond

Health News

->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.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.

Learn more about the app here. For additional resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->Richmond Hospital project cost doubles to $1.9B (Thanks to Richmond News)

As the health authority puts out a request for qualifications to build the Yurkovich Tower at the Richmond Hospital, the cost of the entire project has ballooned from an estimated $860 million in 2020 to $1.959 billion.

The Ministry of Health said this is due to increased construction costs. The lion’s share of $1.89 billion will be paid by the provincial government with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) paying $30 million and the Richmond Hospital Foundation putting in $40 million.

Health Minister Adrian Dix was at the hospital on Tuesday, June 4 to announce the request for qualifications.

See the full story: https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/richmond-hospital-project-cost-doubles-to-19b-8981537

->182 people in B.C. died due to toxic drugs in April: coroner (Thanks to CBC BC)

As the public health emergency over toxic drugs in British Columbia entered its ninth year in April, 182 more people lost their lives to the crisis that month, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

The reported death toll since April 2016 is now more than 14,500. The number of deaths caused by to unregulated toxic drugs in April is down compared to the same month last year, when 239 people lost their lives, the coroner said, but added that the risks associated with drugs in B.C. remains high. The province said 763 people had died due to toxic drugs in the first four months of the year, averaging around six people every day.

Please see the rest of the story here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/toxic-drug-deaths-april-2024-1.7226990

->Children with special health needs are more likely to come from poorer neighbourhoods (Thanks to The Conversation)

Children’s health depends a great deal on where they live. Those who spend their early years in deprived neighbourhoods — measured using a combination of variables, including the percentage of residents with low income or education — are much more likely to have special health needs.

This can set them up for a lifetime of issues, such as being less likely to meet educational expectations in later grades and long-term mental and physical health problems. Having a health disorder in childhood often influences one’s entire trajectory of development, through adolescence and adulthood. This makes it all the more important that policymakers make sure robust resources are in place where they are needed most.

Full article here: https://theconversation.com/children-with-special-health-needs-are-more-likely-to-come-from-poorer-neighbourhoods-230076

->Free portable air conditioners (Thanks to BC Hyrdo)

If you live in an income-qualified household and/or have received a recommendation letter from your regional health authority’s Home Care Program you may be eligible for a free portable air conditioner (AC).

This program is available year-round. If you apply during the winter and fall, you’ll have your evaluation completed and receive your unit sooner than during warmer months. Homeowners can also choose to self-install their units, which may help in receiving a unit quicker, during the summer.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/residential/rebates-programs/savings-based-on-income/free-air-conditioner.html

->Disability Alliance BC Help Sheets Have Been Translated into Four Languages (Thanks to DABC)

In order to make our publications and resources available to more people, Disability Alliance BC has recently had many of our Help Sheets translated into four additional languages (Arabic, Persian, Punjabi and Spanish). Translation services are being carried out by MOSAIC, who is also our partner on our Accessibility for Newcomers project within our Advocacy Access program. Under this project, immigrants and refugees with disabilities have greater access in connecting with advocates for disability support services

These translations and English versions of the Help Sheets are located at the following link: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/publications/publications-bc-disability-benefits-help-sheets

Community Safety News

->Family phone plans hinder escape from domestic violence: Women’s Shelters Canada (Thanks to Richmond News)

VANCOUVER — Women’s Shelters Canada is calling on phone companies to adjust how they respond to those escaping from domestic violence, saying the costs of changing a phone number and difficulties leaving a shared plan are key barriers for victims.

The organization released a report Wednesday that looked into how Bell, Rogers and Telus reacted to a victim’s request for a changed plan, and it is now making recommendations for how they can improve service for these vulnerable people.

Rhiannon Wong, the group’s Tech Safety Canada project manager, said their report comes shortly after a national survey in April found that harassment was the most common form of “technology-facilitated gender-based violence.”

Click here to learn more: https://www.richmond-news.com/national-news/family-phone-plans-hinder-escape-from-domestic-violence-womens-shelters-canada-8986248

->BC’s Ballooning Backlog for Fixing Schools (Thanks to The Tyee)

Ramps built at the wrong elevation. New stairs that weren’t up to code.

“We’ve actually had a school where the lights have fallen down,” said Tammy Murphy, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 728, which represents Surrey school district support staff including tradespeople and custodians. It was outside contractors, not district staff, who were responsible for that work, Murphy said.

Due to a support staff shortage, thousands of backlogged work orders and the district’s habit of hiring outside contractors to fill the gap, deferred and shoddy maintenance is beginning to have a noticeable impact on school buildings, Murphy said.

Full article available here: https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/05/28/BC-Ballooning-Backlog-Fixing-Schools

Government News

->Step Into Summer with Richmond Public Library (Thanks to Scott Marsden)

Richmond Public Library is happy to offer our Step Into Summer programming mad up of a number of different outdoor activities and hosted by various program partners to get you ready and active in Richmond’s beautiful outdoors! These include:

-June 16: Parks Canada, Camping 101 and Animal Aware with Parks Canada
-June 17: Intro to Birdwatching with Birds Canada
-June 20: Intro to Hiking with SWIS
-July 17: Learn to Fish in BC with Fisheries Canada

We encourage all of you to register and come out to these fantastic outdoor events where we will also be promoting our Fishing, Hiking and Birdwatching Explorepacks that your can check out from the library. See you there!

Please click here to read more: https://tinyurl.com/2s3u7nvr

->Richmond community resources program extended until end of 2024 (Thanks to Richmond News)

A pilot program to connect Richmondites in need with community services has been extended until the end of the year.

The City of Richmond announced Wednesday that the Community Services Connectors program at Ironwood Library is being extended in response to “demonstrated benefit for residents seeking assistance.”

Every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., Richmond residents can visit Ironwood Library’s Living Room to receive one-on-one assistance from a community services connector while enjoying a drink and a snack.

Monday May 27, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

This week is National AccessAbility Week! Some local events hosted by the Richmond Centre for Disability are featured just below in our Members News section. Next week (June 3rd-June 9th) is BC Seniors Week. If you, or someone you know, is a Senior, please take a look at the City of Richmond’s programs. The city’s events focus on health, activity, and community participation. Stories for this edition include: The need for scaling up non-market housing in BC, a damning BC Food Banks Poverty Report, and an interview about how people with addictions conceive of their recovery.

This is our 11th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Centre for Disability Celebrates National AccessAbility Week (Thanks to Ella Huang)

“Accessibility is Within Reach” is our theme for this year’s National AccessAbility Week, from May 26 to June 1, 2024. Starting tomorrow May 28th, come join us on 3 on-line events to celebrate our ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible, and more inclusive Canada. The events will be broadcasted on the RCD YouTube Channel.

For more information, email Dave or call him at 604-232-2404

->Independent Living Across Canada Day (Thanks to Ella Huang)

See the incredible work being done by RCD, come together as a community, and celebrate the achievements of Independent Living Across Canada.

Inclusion starts here: RCD Channel will broadcast on Youtube, Monday, June 3rd, 2024 at 1pm.

->Second Call: Richmond Singers Benefit Concert for St. Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs (Thanks to Vivian Chung)

Enjoy the Richmond Singers Sing into Summer!

A Benefit Concert for St Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs

On June 16th, 3-5pm
At St. Alban’s Church
7260 St. Albans Road

Admission and further info: https://tinyurl.com/bzzb83hw

Richmond Singers Benefit Concert for St. Alban's outrach and advocacy programs

->Second Call: Walk of Ages 2024: Supporting homeless seniors one step at a time (Thanks to Seniors Services Society of BC)

Following up from our RPRC Members’ Network meeting many members are concerned about seniors housing or lack of it. This a happening all over BC. Seniors Services Society is hosting a walk in New Westminster on June 9th to raise funds for their programs. They work with RPRC member Richmond Cares Richmond Gives to provide seniors housing services.

If you would like to sign up for the RPRC team to walk for seniors on June 9th, please email info@richmondprc.org.

Seniors Services Society of BC invites you to participate in its inaugural Walk of Ages!

A powerful symbol of unity and compassion, the Walk of Ages is an opportunity for individuals of all ages to come together, walk alongside their loved ones, and raise awareness and funds for seniors who face poverty, homelessness, elder abuse and isolation.

You may also register for the walk on this page: https://tinyurl.com/2bhnbxpw

Housing News

->Housing Supply and Affordability (Thanks to Richmond Sentinel)

Mayor Malcom Brody writes about how city council’s current approach to housing and how the public can make their voices heard:

A “one size fits all” approach by the BC Government will erode the character of our neighbourhoods. Richmond City Council remains committed to working with partners, including all levels of government, to find solutions that will promote housing affordability while maintaining the characteristics of a desirable community. We urge you to contact your local MLA to share your concerns now before it is too late.

See the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/ydr3yb6m

->Time to scale up: next steps for non-market housing in BC (Thanks to Policy Note)

BC has come to a strange moment in the housing crisis. After enacting a huge flurry of policy measures, the provincial government is head-and-shoulders above any other province in its action on housing policy. But the action still doesn’t match the scale of the crisis, which remains severe.

Please read the rest of the analysis: https://tinyurl.com/7wjw5v29

->Four Years After Burnaby ‘Demovictions,’ Protected Tenants Return (Thanks to The Tyee)

A group of tenants who were displaced from their Metrotown apartment building four years ago are returning to live in the new development that took its place — and they will be paying their old rents. It’s a milestone in the saga of “demovictions” in the city of Burnaby.

Continue the story: https://tinyurl.com/4764ufn9

Food Security News

->B.C. receives damning Food Banks Canada poverty report card (Thanks to City News)

A new report by Food Banks Canada that looks at poverty across the country shows almost half of British Columbian residents feel “worse off” financially compared to last year. It’s just one of the key markers in a damning report card released by the national food bank organization on Wednesday. The province received an overall mark of D+.

The annual report card also found that almost half of B.C. residents are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. However, the most troubling figure to come from the report, shows a decrease in B.C. residents being able to access health-care.

The report shows almost one in three British Columbians are having more trouble accessing care than the year prior, giving it a “failing grade” of an F. In 2023, that particular marker passed with a C grade.

Click here to read the full article and watch Executive Director of the Richmond Food Bank Society, Hajira Hussain speak about the challenges many local people are facing.

->Why are grocery bills so high? A new study looks at the science behind food price reporting (Thanks to The Conversation)

Rising food costs are squeezing Canadians around the country. Nearly everyone is feeling the pinch, and it’s not just an inconvenience — high food prices are a major threat to food security for many Canadians. Understanding why food prices are so high and why they are changing is critical to the well-being of our society.

See the conclusions of the study: https://tinyurl.com/3tsh9a5z

Transportation News

->BC Road Safety Strategy Updated (Thanks to BC Government)

The updated BC Road Safety Strategy includes a section after the Introduction called “Moving Toward Vision Zero”. Here, the BC government affirms and defines their commitment to the ethics-based goals of Vision Zero:

No loss of life on our roads is acceptable. The goal of Vision Zero, a globally recognized approach to road safety, is to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries. This vision guides B.C.’s approach to road safety and has been adopted by Canada, other Canadian provinces and several B.C. cities.

The full BC Road Safety Strategy: https://tinyurl.com/5xd4srcw

The RPRC Richmond Advocacy and Support Committee (RASC) has been actively presenting and offering surveys to Richmond locals about the state of traffic safety and road sharing in our city. We hope to persuade the City of Richmond to sign on to Vision Zero, like the province of BC and many of our neighbouring cities in the lower mainland—including Vancouver, Burnaby, and Delta.

Income Security News

->Richmond hotel slapped with cease and desist for threatening striking workers (Thanks to Richmond News)

Workers at Radission Blu Vancouver Airport, formerly known as Pacific Gateway Hotel, have been on strike for three years. A Richmond hotel has received a cease and desist order after it was found to have breached the Labour Relations Code again during a strike.

In a decision issued May 13, the B.C. Labour Relations Board found Sukhminder Rai, one of the owners of Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel and Marina on Cessna Drive, threatened or intimidated picketing employees and tried to bargain directly with them while excluding the union.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4b894cyj

Health News

->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.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.

Learn more about the app here. For additional resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->How Do People with Addictions Conceive of Their Recovery? (Thanks to The Tyee)

Professor emeritus Wendy Dossett has spent a lot of time listening to people talk about addiction and recovery, particularly in the context of the concept of a “higher power,” a cornerstone of 12-step recovery. Dossett’s ethnographic research probes what works best for people who are grappling with dependency upon drugs or alcohol. How do people conceive of their own recovery?

Please see the full the interview: https://tinyurl.com/mrxr4s88

->Decriminalization failures show half measures are not enough to address drug use problems and the opioid crisis (Thanks to The Conversation)

Ottawa’s recent rejection of the City of Toronto’s request to decriminalize possession of controlled drugs is the latest shoe to drop in the resurgence of conservative anti-drug sentiment sweeping the country, and backtracking on reforms achieved in other jurisdictions.

The announcement, citing concern for public safety, follows much the same script as that of the British Columbia government, which — after decriminalizing in 2023 — recently retreated to ban use in public places due to complaints of rampant drug use and continuing high rates of overdose.

For further analysis, click here: https://tinyurl.com/mrvyj67d

->Richmond family petitions for national campaign against toxic drugs (Thanks to Richmond News)

A local family is calling upon the federal government to implement a national advertising campaign that targets the population most affected by toxic drugs. In an e-petition filed on April 25 by Trevor Tablotney, the Canadian government is asked to implement a “sustainable and continuous national campaign” targeting men ages 30 to 59.

The campaign should advertise the Lifeguard app and present other suggestions on safer drug use, “such as telling someone they may know, testing substances and making sure a naloxone kit is present,” reads the petition.

More about the petition: https://tinyurl.com/ytpr8svp

Community Safety News

->Historical documents show DDT, arsenic buried at Richmond works yard (Thanks to Richmond News)

The city has budgeted $70M for the first phase of rebuilding the Lynas Lane works yard.

A retired federal biologist, Otto Langer, calls the 1979 decommissioning of a Richmond pesticide plant, Later Chemicals, on Sea Island one of the “most reckless decommissionings of such a plant anywhere.”

A Vancouver Province article from 1979 quotes government officials calling the former pesticide plant site “the most highly-contaminated piece of land in B.C.”

Click here to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/mr9j6ez6

->When You’re Forced to Flee, Here’s What to Know (Thanks to The Tyee)

As BC’s wildfire season starts early, residents in vulnerable areas should be thinking about their evacuation plans.

Earlier this week, many B.C. residents heard the reassuring pitter-patter of rain on their rooftops. The sound brought hope to more than 4,000 Fort Nelson-area residents who are currently scattered about the central Interior after they were ordered to evacuate two weeks ago as several wildfires threatened the community.

With the favourable firefighting weather this week came steps to restore essential services and businesses in preparation for welcoming residents home, according to the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. No date has yet been set for lifting the evacuation order.

Full article available here: https://tinyurl.com/5n7htm3n

Government News

->Canada: All 10 provinces to end immigration detention in jails (Thanks to Amnesty International)

All 10 of Canada’s provinces have now committed to ending their immigration detention agreements and arrangements with the Canada Border Services Agency, a major victory for migrant and refugee rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Canada said today. Newfoundland and Labrador, the last remaining province, has now confirmed that it will no longer allow the federal government to detain migrants and asylum seekers in local jails.

Please click here to read more: https://tinyurl.com/2s3u7nvr

->New weekly service helps Richmond Chinese seniors navigate community resources (Thanks to Richmond News)

Gaia Community Care and Wellness Society, which previously held fall prevention workshops in Richmond, recently launched its weekly service navigation services at Richmond South Centre MLA Henry Yao’s office.

Every Tuesday, seniors who speak Cantonese and Mandarin can get help to translate documents, contact government departments and apply or inquire about welfare and community resources such as dental services and HandyDart.

The service began in Richmond on April 23 and stems from Gaia’s existing service navigation program.

Full story available here: https://tinyurl.com/3248te98

->2024 Richmond Neighbourhood Block Party Program (Thanks to Richmond.ca)

the 2024 Richmond Neighbourhood Block Party Program. This Program provides an opportunity for neighbours to apply for up to $500.00 in funding to host a block party that connects residents in their neighbourhood or strata. This year’s program will foster neighbourhood connections, create a sense of community, and enhance safety and awareness in neighbourhoods.

The application and the Block Party Planning Guide are now available for block parties taking place May 1 to Oct 31, 2024 here: https://www.richmond.ca/culture/citygrant.htm

Monday May 13, 2024

We warmly wish a belated Happy Mothers’ Day to those who celebrate the occasion, and we hope that some of you were able to witness the beautiful and rare auroras on Friday night. As the City of Richmond’s celebrations for Asian Heritage Month continue, please check out their list of events here.

Stories for this edition include: The housing obstacles that a local Indigenous mother faces, an article about the need for free transit for Youth, and an interview about traveling while disabled.

This is our 10th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->BC Hydro encourages low-income customers to apply for free air conditioners (Thanks Jimmy Ho and City News)

BC Hydro is reminding vulnerable low-income individuals to take advantage and apply for a free air conditioning unit. In a release on Thursday, BC Hydro says the use of air conditioning in B.C. homes has increased by 20 per cent over the past year — a trend that is expected to continue.

“To bridge the AC affordability gap, last summer the Government of B.C. announced a three-year program with $10 million in funding for BC Hydro to install 8,000 free portable air conditioning units in the homes of British Columbians that need them the most,” it said.

To learn more about AC for low-income people and safety during heatwaves, click here: https://tinyurl.com/63kw2w64

->Richmond Centre for Disability is Stepping up to New Location (Thanks to Ella Huang)

We are excited to announce that the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) will be relocating to a new, improved space effective June 1, 2024. This will be our home for the next 3-4 years, before we move back to our permanent location at the corner of No.3 Road and Lansdowne.

Our new address, effective June 1, 2024, will be:
968-5300 No. 3 Road, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond, BC V6X 2X9

Our new location is conveniently situated about 20 feet across from our old location, ensuring continuity and ease of access for all our members and visitors.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding our relocation, please do not hesitate to contact RCD at rcd@rcdrichmond.org.

->Richmond Singers Benefit Concert for St. Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs (Thanks to Vivian Chung)

Enjoy the Richmond Singers Sing into Summer!

A Benefit Concert for St Alban’s Outreach & Advocacy Programs

When: June 16th, 3-5pm
Where: St. Alban’s Church, 7260 St. Albans Road

Admission and further info: https://tinyurl.com/bzzb83hw

st albans church benefit concert

->Walk of Ages 2024: Supporting homeless seniors one step at a time (Thanks to Seniors Services Society of BC)

If you would like to sign up for the RPRC team to walk for seniors on June 9th, please email info@richmondprc.org.

Seniors Services Society of BC invites you to participate in its inaugural Walk of Ages!

You may also register for the walk on this page: https://tinyurl.com/2bhnbxpw

senior services society walk of ages 2024

Housing News

->’My family is just another number’: Richmond Indigenous mom stuck in housing limbo (Thanks to Richmond News)

Shadae Johnson has been on BC Housing’s waiting list for almost five years with no end in sight.

“I’m scared… They make me feel like my family is just another number, and we’re like one millionth in line to potentially to maybe (get help),” said Shadae Johnson, a mom with four young children. “We just don’t feel like there’s any importance in sheltering my family.”

Johnson is currently living in a hotel suite in Richmond with her children, who range in age from seven weeks to 12 years old, thanks to Jordan’s Principle funding for First Nations children. But Johnson and her children are still facing the constant threat of displacement.

Please read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/mwjcs69e

->Supportive-Housing Tenants Lose Hard-Won Rental Law Protections (Thanks to The Tyee)
‘People who are already severely disadvantaged, you’ve just wiped away their rights without a second thought.’

Some supportive-housing tenants who won hard-fought court challenges for the right to have visitors without time limits have now lost that right thanks to B.C. government action.

More about time limits and changes: https://tinyurl.com/29pjzvrv

->Overrepresented and Understudied: A Spotlight on Black Youth Homelessness Prevention (Thanks to Homeless Hub)

It is increasingly apparent that despite being overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness, research on Black youth homelessness is limited. This blog recaps the second session of ‘Prevention Matters!’, in which Nathan Okonta (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness), Dagma Koyi (R.E.S.T. Centres), and Clovis Grant (360°kids), shine a spotlight on the experiences of Black youth, their needs, and what homelessness prevention could look like for this often overlooked population.

To read and watch the video: https://tinyurl.com/msywr45u

Transportation News

->Second Call: Join us at the Bicycle Film Festival Vancouver and raise funds for better biking (Thanks to HUB Cycling)

HUB Cycling is bringing the Bicycle Film Festival to Vancouver for the first time on May 18, 2024 at the Rio Theatre as a fundraising event.

BFF Vancouver presents two short film programs: Adventure shorts and Urban Bike shorts. These short films appeal to a wide audience from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents – all sharing equal billing.

Admission and further details here: https://tinyurl.com/27b3uet8

->Youth Are Calling for Free Public Transit Across BC (Thanks to The Tyee)

Transit for Teens is pushing for provincial leaders to extend the Get on Board program to age 18. The RPRC advocated for free transit for children 12 and under. We continue to advocate for free youth transportation and sliding scale for low-income individuals.

Public transportation is woven into the fabric of daily lives for teens. For many, it’s the bridge between home, school and extracurricular activities. What if public transit for youth was a public good? The Transit for Teens campaign aims to make that a reality across British Columbia.

See the full article: https://tinyurl.com/ycxkk83m

->Richmond RCMP sees increase in seatbelt, unsafe driving violations (Thanks to Richmond News)

More than 700 traffic tickets were issued during April.

The number of distracted driving tickets given out by police dropped following a March blitz, but April saw an increase in other traffic violations, according to Richmond RCMP’s latest statistics.

Read about the types of tickets and find out about the most troubled intersections in Richmond: https://tinyurl.com/yck3n28u

->Better disabled accessibility needed for B.C. taxi, ride-hailing industry, committee says (Thanks to Global News)

A B.C. legislature committee looking into taxi and ride-hailing services has issued recommendations, including measures to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and services in small and rural communities.

The cross-party committee that was appointed a year ago to review the Passenger Transport Act makes 34 recommendations to the legislature in its report released Thursday.

Committee members say they are concerned people with disabilities face systemic barriers and discrimination when they try to access transport services and changing that is a priority.

Read or watch the video: https://tinyurl.com/2wb3j8kd

->The Big Boring Breakthrough for Vancouver’s New Rapid Transit Line (Thanks to The Tyee)

Two tunneling machines have arrived at their last stop for the Broadway Subway.

Journalist Christopher Cheung introduces and explains the role of the tunneling machines as progress continues on the future Broadway line.

More about the boring machines: https://tinyurl.com/5hxu2x3d

Income Security

->Photos: Richmond hotel workers mark third year of strike (Thanks to Richmond News)

Workers went on strike in 2021 after 143 employees were terminated by the hotel.

“Radisson, on strike!” chanted dozens of striking hotel workers outside the Radisson Blu Vancouver Airport Hotel on Friday afternoon.

The workers, joined by allies from across the region, were rallying to commemorate the third anniversary of the strike. Workers at the Radisson, formerly known as the Pacific Gateway Hotel, walked off the job on May 3, 2021 in solidarity after the employer terminated 143 long-term staff. Since then, workers have continued to fight for their return as well as job security, family-supporting wages and benefits.

Review of the strike so far, plus pictures: https://tinyurl.com/4pfv2sfy

Health News

->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.

For more resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->Four Richmond lives lost to toxic drugs in March (Thanks to Richmond News)

B.C. recorded a total of 192 toxic drug deaths in March, 15 more than February.

Four people died from suspected drug poisonings in Richmond in March, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service. The statistics saw an increase from the one death recorded in February, while the province as a whole recorded 192 deaths during March. This means about 6.2 deaths happened per day in B.C. during March and marks an eight-per-cent increase in deaths compared to February and 11 per cent increase compared to March 2023.

Full article available here: https://tinyurl.com/yycauh87

->The federal government did not listen to disabled people in Canada (Thanks to Canada Health Watch)

New federal disability benefit keeps disabled people in legislated poverty.

The federal government has been promising a federal disability benefit since 2020 – touted as a game changer for the many persons with disabilities living in poverty in this country. It has not lived up to its promise.

See the rest of the critique: https://tinyurl.com/yc3yrvuw

->YVR support for hidden disabilities reduces ‘explanation stress’ (Thanks to Richmond News)

A Richmond advocate is optimistic about programs improving accessibility but thinks more consistency is needed.

Richmond resident Dave Thomson, who suffers from a rare form of fibromyalgia, avoids travelling “like the plague” whenever it’s possible. Travelling can be challenging at times for Thomson, the community outreach coordinator at the Richmond Centre for Disability, who lives with chronic pain and fatigue caused by post-traumatic hyper-irritability syndrome. The most stressful thing is the constant explaining, or the “explanation stress” as Thomson calls it.

Read more about Dave’s challenges while traveling and the YVR program for those with hidden disabilities: https://tinyurl.com/ydwy2ddd

Community Safety News

->Personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs in British Columbia (Thank to Health Canada)

Since the exemption came into effect in January 2023, a number of BC municipalities, law enforcement officials, health sector workers, and community members have raised concerns about increasing public drug use and that law enforcement does not have tools to address public drug use.
On April 26, 2024, BC submitted an amendment request to address these concerns. As of May 7, 2024, we are granting BC’s request to prohibit possession of controlled substances in public spaces.

See the history of the original exemption, the amendment, and the recent prohibition: https://tinyurl.com/m4z57s78

->Making Sense of Eby’s Step Back on Decriminalization (Thanks to The Tyee)

Some want BC’s premier to apologize for the program. Others defend it fully. How the overdose crisis led us here.

The province that pioneered needle exchange programs, opened North America’s first supervised injection site and later sanctioned a score of overdose prevention sites has taken a dramatic step back with the reversal on decriminalization, which 18 months ago enjoyed all-party support in the legislature.

Analysis of why the BC NDP changed their stance: https://tinyurl.com/52pt9zjm

Childcare News

->Entrepreneurs Are Bringing Modular Child-Care Centres to BC (Thanks to the Tyee)

Two women-led companies have combined forces to construct permanent spaces, built efficiently.

Shortly after the province announced funding to increase child-care spaces to accommodate demand in 2018, Rory Richards approached her then boss at a modular construction company and suggested they get into building child-care centres.

“‘The government’s really taking it seriously, there’s investment in it, let’s do modular child care,’” Richards recalls telling her boss. “They said, ‘Listen: I know you’re in the “baby zone,” but we don’t build daycares here.’”

Read how Rory Richards, who is of Coast Salish (Shíshálh) descent, decided to start NUQO Modular. Full story: https://tinyurl.com/mrxwcm73

Monday April 29, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

In less than two days, May Day and Asian Heritage Month begins! Richmond Public Library is hosting the Suzhou Alley Women’s Mural Exhibit, digital story screenings, and panel discussion. To see more about the City of Richmond’s celebrations for Asian Heritage Month, please see their list of events here.

For any of you who enjoy street food and outdoor shopping experiences, the Richmond Night market opened last Friday, April 26th, and remains open until October 20th.

Stories for this edition include: A new study on food insecurity in Canada, why the BC Panned the Federal Disability Tax Credit, and an update to the City of Richmond’s Homeless Strategy.

This is our 9th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Caring Place gets $245K grant to help replace roof (Thanks to Richmond News)

The Caring Place Society, which houses 12 non-profits in Richmond, is receiving a $245,000 gaming grant from the provincial government to replace its roof. This is about half the estimated cost of replacing the roof on the building located on Granville Avenue near No. 3 Road.

Earlier this year, the News reported how the Caring Place Society needed $500,000 to replace the roof and another $1.5 million to fix cracks in the balconies. The building also needs envelope work.

To read the rest of the story: https://tinyurl.com/mr2v55mv

To support the Caring Forever Fund: https://tinyurl.com/yeyjbb2n

->Richmond non-profit donates baby formula, essentials to those in need (Thanks to Richmond News)

Rose’s Angels was created in memory of co-founder’s philanthropic grandmothers.

For the 11th year running, a non-profit in Richmond has donated essential items, including baby formula, personal care items, non-perishable food, books as well as arts and craft supplies to people in need.

In March, volunteers distribute the donations and grocery store gift cards to 15 agencies such as Richmond Family Place, Mama’s for Mama’s, Turning Point Recovery, Jewish Food Bank, Richmond Food Bank, Tikvah Housing and Pathways Clubhouse.

Rose’s Angels is under the umbrella of the Kehila Society of Richmond. And for further context, it was started by two RPRC activists, Lyne Fader and Courtney Cohen.

To learn more, please see the full story: https://tinyurl.com/4nhkxd75

Housing News

->How to Rebuild Canada’s Crumbling Housing Foundation (Thank to The Tyee)

Victoria journalist Gregor Craigie’s new book dives into the depths of the housing crisis, and offers ways to fix it.

No matter what Canadian city you live in, you’ll know the dismal feeling of watching rents and home prices climb higher and higher. On the banks of B.C.’s Cowichan River, not even mobile homes are safe. Carolyn, a retired trucker and logger, lived in an RV park for five years, paying $495 a month until the property was sold, and the landlord wanted residents to pay twice as much.

Such are the ingredients of the Canadian housing story told by journalist Gregor Craigie in his new book, Our Crumbling Foundation. It’s a coast-to-coast primer on the crisis, touring the country city by city.

For the full review: https://tinyurl.com/4vebtedn

Food Security

->More funding approved for Richmond food outreach program (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond city council will provide Church on Five $54,000 in additional funds to help with after-hours food outreach to the city’s street-entrenched homeless population. This was unanimously approved by city council on Monday afternoon – with an expected final approval at Monday evening’s council meeting.

This will allow Church on Five to hire a second outreach worker in addition to their current lead outreach worker. The Church on Five food and outreach program is part of the Richmond Food Aid Delivery (FAD) Coalition which informs the RPRC for advocacy on homelessness issues.

To see the full article, please click here: https://tinyurl.com/4dpu5ub8

->New StatCan data shows household food insecurity at a record high in 2023 (Thanks to PROOF)

In 2023, 8.7 million people in the ten provinces, including 2.1 million children, lived in a food-insecure household.

The new data release from Statistics Canada’s 2022 Canadian Income Survey (CIS) provides the latest update on food insecurity in 2023. While the CIS 2021 provides information on income and poverty using 2022 tax files, hence its name, questions about food insecurity were asked in the following year, from January to June 2023.

Read the analysis of the study: https://tinyurl.com/2y2ddz4z

Transportation News

->Join us at the Bicycle Film Festival Vancouver and raise funds for better biking (Thanks to HUB Cycling)

HUB Cycling is bringing the Bicycle Film Festival to Vancouver for the first time on May 18, 2024 at the Rio Theatre as a fundraising event.

Admission and further details here: https://tinyurl.com/27b3uet8

->Two kids, no car: how this Vancouver family saves $8000 annually going car-free (Thanks to Translink The Buzzer Blog)

Here’s a short story about a family that chooses to live without a car for environmental stewardship. Together with her husband and two children, aged three and five, they fully embrace a multimodal lifestyle. Instead of owning a car, they take transit, bike, and use carsharing to keep their carbon footprint minimal.

The rest of this short profile: https://tinyurl.com/3rdyc8fs

Income Security

->BC Pans New Federal Disability Benefit (Thanks to The Tyee)

The benefit for people with disabilities included in last week’s federal budget is too small and will leave too many people out, B.C. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson said Monday.

“We were, along with everybody in the disability community, hoping for more,” Malcolmson said. “We’ll continue to echo the very strong voice of the disability community around getting people the support they need.”

Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2bvt9p78

Health News

->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.

For more resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->NEW | Program – Supporting People Together: The Basics of Overdose Response -second call (Thanks to Deb Turner and Scott Marsden)

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with VCH and Pathways Clubhouse, is offering hands-on emergency response training on how to administer naloxone. Facilitated by a community health nurse, this free program is available on Tuesday, May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brighouse Branch and online.

Are you interested in learning how to safely administer Naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose? Join us to learn the basics of opioid overdose response including:

How to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose
How opioids and Naloxone affect the body
How to respond to an overdose using Naloxone

All training supplies will be provided for this in-person session, and all in-person participants will be given naloxone kits to take home.

Please click here to register: https://tinyurl.com/mrxwsmx2

->Supports increased for people with complex care needs (Thanks to Deb Turner)

People facing complex mental-health, addiction and housing challenges will benefit from better access to housing with the wraparound supports they need.

Two hundred and forty new complex-care housing units are coming to communities across B.C., including Vancouver and Sechelt, offering supports for people with overlapping mental-health challenges, developmental disabilities, addiction issues, trauma, and/or acquired brain injuries.

Learn more

Community Safety News

->British Columbia to recriminalize use of drugs in public spaces (Thanks to BC CBC News)

After weeks of troubling stories about problematic street drug use in hospitals, parks and at bus stops, the Province of British Columbia announced plans to re-criminalize the use of drugs in public places Friday — radically altering a pilot program aimed at addressing the toxic drug crisis. The government says people who don’t pose threat to public safety will not be charged for mere possession.

More from the BC government about the changes coming into effect: https://tinyurl.com/3pntm9wz

->Retailer London Drugs closes stores in Western Canada due to ‘cybersecurity incident’

Confused shoppers milled around the front of a London Drugs store in downtown Vancouver on Monday, some wondering aloud why they couldn’t access the store to get prescriptions or buy hair dye. A metal gate was blocking them from the store at the corner of West Georgia and Granville streets, a security guard occasionally directing perplexed customers to a sign announcing the “temporary store closure.”

In a statement Monday, the retail and pharmacy chain said it learned it was the victim of a cyber incident on Sunday, when it first closed its stores “out of an abundance of caution.”

To read more about London Drugs customer data safety and their pharmacy hours, see the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2w7m3fuw

Government News

->City of Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029: 2023 Update or the City’s Homelessness Strategy (Thanks to Chris Duggan)

On September 9, 2019, City Council adopted the City of Richmond Homelessness Strategy 2019–2029 (Homelessness Strategy). This strategy is an action-oriented framework that guides City and stakeholder involvement in homelessness initiatives until 2029.

The 2023 Update provides a summary of the City of Richmond and its community partners’ response to addressing homelessness within that year. Homelessness continues to be a critical issue in the community and the City and its community partners collaborated on a number of initiatives to address these ongoing concerns. Notably, the City continued the implementation of a range of programs and services funded through the UBCM Strengthening Communities’ Services Program grant including: Warming Centres; Drop-In Centre and Shower Program; Food Outreach; awareness and education programs; and City staff training. Work on many of these important initiatives has continued in 2024.

Homelessness is a critical and complex issue that is affecting an increasing number of Richmond residents. The Homelessness Strategy continues to be an important framework for preventing and addressing homelessness in Richmond. In the coming year, the City and key organizations, including senior levels of government, will continue to work together to break down barriers and address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Richmond.

Copies of the 2023 highlights report can be downloaded from the City of Richmond’s website at: https://tinyurl.com/yrr3kmn2

For the Homelessness Strategy 2019-2029 in particular: https://tinyurl.com/j9rh7vbd

Monday April 15, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

This week we would like to highlight that this week (April 14th -20th) is National Volunteer week. To quote Volunteer Canada, “The sharing of time, skills, empathy, and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength, and well-being of our communities.”

We would also like note that Passover begins on April 22nd, and that the 2024 Richmond Holi Festival, hosted by Indians in Richmond (IRBC), is taking place on April 27th from 1-4 pm at South Arm Park. Stories for this edition include: Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives celebration of Volunteer Week, a follow up on what the BC government plans to do about Seniors being denied shelter aid, and an analysis of the BC Budget spending.

This is our 8th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives Celebrates Volunteer Week (Thanks to RCRG)

Here at RCRG, we’re celebrating National Volunteer Week with a public art project. As a first step, we worked with local illustrator Cartoon Katie to create a map of Richmond, featuring several notable landmarks.

We’ve since printed a large-scale version of the map – 7 feet wide by 5 feet tall! – and have begun decorating the border with volunteer photos, submitted by various community organizations. The photos are a visual representation of the volunteer moments that connect and strengthen our community. While we could never highlight every act of community service, we’ve done our best to capture the vibrant diversity of Richmond’s volunteer spirit, which encompasses all ages and cultures and backgrounds.

To read more about RCRG’s celebration of National Volunteer Week, please visit:
https://www.rcrg.org/RCRGBlog/posts/celebrating-national-volunteer-week

->Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (Thanks to RCRG)

Apply for a 2024 Neighbourhood Small Grant – Final Call

From now until April 18, Richmond residents can apply for up to $500 to carry out a community project.

You’re probably wondering, What types of projects qualify for support? At the most basic level, we’re looking to fund ideas that connect neighbours. Your project should be fun, creative, and inclusive, with the aim of sharing skills, bridging cultural divides, or fostering a sense of social belonging. Within those parameters, you can let your imagination run free!

Beyond the standard Neighbourhood Small Grant, several specialized funding streams are available, focusing, respectively, on Indigenous projects, youth-led projects, and projects that promote environmental and social well-being.

To learn more and apply, start here: https://tinyurl.com/ms7ucd45

Housing News

->BC Raises Rent Supports for Low-Income Seniors (Thanks to The Tyee)

The B.C. government is making a one-time $430 payment to low-income renters and increasing the monthly amounts available for senior renters.

“We know there’s many families that are struggling, but seniors in particular are more vulnerable in our communities,” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said Tuesday.

The one-time payments will be made automatically this month to families in the Rental Assistance Program and to seniors in the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. SAFER recipients will also get an average increase of $110 a month.

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/y5k66dwz

The RPRC has advocated to raise the rent ceiling and to raise the income threshold for seniors who want to access SAFER. We approve that the income threshold has been raised to $37,240 from the previous $33,000 and that rent ceilings can now be reviewed and amended annually, though there is still progress to be made.

->Liberals say their plan to ‘solve the housing crisis’ will build 3.9M homes by 2031 (Thanks to The Province)

The federal Liberals have unveiled their plan to solve the housing crisis, building on recent announcements with new tax incentives.

Read the rest of the article: https://tinyurl.com/4upmzvuh

->Opinion: Richmond’s mayor worries B.C.’s scheme to force municipalities to approve six-plexes will “destroy” quaint Steveston. The housing minister differs. (Thanks to The Vancouver Sun)

The most desirable neighbourhood in Metro Vancouver is threatened by the provincial government’s mass up-zoning, says the mayor of Richmond.

Steveston, an historic township of about 6,000 people at the mouth of the Fraser River, came out on top when British Columbians were asked to name the “best neighbourhood” in Metro Vancouver out of 192 communities.

To read more about the future of Steveston: https://tinyurl.com/yc3fvsz7

->Homeless population growing in Richmond as warming centres set to close (Thanks to Richmond News)

Two warming centres in Richmond, at Brighouse Park and South Arm Pool, are set to close next week.

When the Richmond News dropped by Brighouse Park last Monday evening, a couple dozen people were milling around outside the centre. Among those staying in the park, unhoused, was a young woman who is seven months pregnant.

Full story here: https://tinyurl.com/yc2zuaub

For more about the challenges that mothers face in the midst of the housing crisis, please see the following article, which discusses the effects of overcrowded living spaces and the benefits of subsidized housing:

->Single mothers in particular would benefit from more subsidized housing in Canada (Thanks to The Conversation)

Like many countries, Canada is currently facing a housing affordability crisis. Housing prices have increased at double the rate of income growth over the past two decades. Between 2021 and 2024, rental prices also increased by 10 per cent each year.

Please click here for the article: https://tinyurl.com/5x6rdvkc

->Donnie Rosa Becomes the New CEO of Atira (Thanks to The Tyee)

‘My style is to be present,’ they say, pledging to tour the organization’s buildings.

Donnie Rosa is stepping into the top job at the province’s biggest supportive-housing provider, taking the reins from an interim CEO who took charge of Atira after a major government spending scandal.

Read the complete interview: https://tinyurl.com/3me8b92j

Transportation News

->Transit alert: Canada Line service in Richmond ending early for seven weeks

Canada Line transit service between Richmond’s Bridgeport Station and Richmond-Brighouse will end early on weekdays for seven weeks, TransLink says.

The evening closures between April 8 and May 24 are needed to allow construction crews to do finishing work on the new Capstan Station. Regular service resumes May 25. During the work, service into Richmond will end at 9:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday, about four hours early.

The rest of report on the Canada Line is available here: https://tinyurl.com/yu9mezhk

To see the full list of Translink service changes for the new season, please click here.

Income Security

New study finds majority support fully funded Canada Disability Benefit (Thanks to Disability without Poverty)

New study finds nine in ten Canadians support a fully-funded Canada Disability Benefit.

In a survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI), in partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank and Disability Without Poverty, Canadians were asked about their views on the Canada Disability Benefit. Although results found overwhelming support for the benefit, Canadians are critical of the pace of implementation and do not trust that government will follow through.

Read more about the survey: https://tinyurl.com/4dhn979f

->Liberal MPs call on Freeland to fund disability benefit in upcoming budget (Thanks to Canada’s National Observer)

In a letter shared on social media, MP Pam Damoff says the benefit, which is designed to help keep people with disabilities out of poverty, is a “legacy social policy” for the government.

To read more about the hope for a federal disability benefit as well as current divisions within the Liberal party, see the full article: https://tinyurl.com/2pyzmywk

->Immigrant workers save aging economies but face financial struggles in their own senior years (Thanks to The Conversation)

Immigrants support the economy of aging societies in many ways. They pay into social pension programs, which finance the lives of retirees. Many of them work in the care industry and directly serve older people, which reduces nursing home needs on a community level.

However, a recent study has revealed that things look completely different when it’s immigrants’ own turn to retire.

Please read about the study’s findings here: https://tinyurl.com/yaz76578

->B.C. labour board to consider union votes at 2 Amazon warehouses (Thanks to CBC)

Amazon says it already offers what unions are demanding in terms of pay, benefits, work conditions.

The B.C. Labour Relations Board will consider certifying unions at two Amazon warehouses in a hearing Tuesday. Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, began a card-signing drive last summer citing labour laws favourable to unions in the province. If certified, Unifor says, this would be the first successful unionization effort for Amazon workplaces in Canada.

More about the effort to unionize: https://tinyurl.com/38v55xht

->Inside SFU’s Secret Surveillance of Striking Workers (Thanks to The Tyee)

Internal documents reveal how and why the school hired private investigators to clandestinely record striking teaching assistants.

Read the full story of SFU’s surveillance: https://tinyurl.com/mu5dpkn7

Health News

->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.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.

For more resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com

->Supporting People Together: The Basics of Overdose Response (Thanks to Scott Marsden)

Are you interested in learning how to safely administer Naloxone to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose? Join us to learn the basics of opioid overdose response including:

How to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose
How opioids and Naloxone affect the body
How to respond to an overdose using Naloxone

All training supplies will be provided for this in-person session, and all in-person participants will be given naloxone kits to take home.

To register for this free event online or in-person,
please click here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxwsmx2

->Toxic drugs claim another life in Richmond (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond Fire-Rescue attended to nine opioid overdoses or poisonings in February.

Another person died in Richmond in February due to a suspected drug poisoning or overdose, according to statistics released by the BC Coroners Service on Friday.

Read the rest of the article here: https://tinyurl.com/2hek9jxk

Government News

->A return to cuts would be disastrous for BC and its economy (Thanks to Policy Note)

Today, rather than facing up to the challenge of restoring and sustaining critical public investments, the corporate lobby appears more interested in drumming up fear about “reckless spending” and “ballooning debt.” This is echoed by opposition leaders claiming the budget is “bankrupting the people of the future” and “the worst example of reckless spending that I have ever seen.”

This view of the BC budget is both misleading and myopic.

See the full analysis: https://tinyurl.com/jnwhyrnw

->More protections for renters, parents, landlords, families (Thanks to BC Gov News)

The Province is taking action to support renters and landlords who play by the rules by amending legislation to better protect people from bad-faith evictions, eliminate rent increases when a child is added to a household and resolve rental disputes

More about the actions the BC Government is taking: https://tinyurl.com/rctpeyh5

->Richmond Public Library is proud to host the Human Library on April 28 from 1:00-4:00pm – Second call (Thanks to Scott Marsden)

What is the Human Library?

The Human Library is a non-profit organization that began with its first event in Denmark in 2000. It has established itself as a global learning platform with an initiative to create safe spaces for dialogue between human Books and their readers. The conversations between Books and readers can not only help challenge prejudices and stereotypes but also contribute more broadly to greater cohesion across social, ethnic, and religious divisions.

How does it work?

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 one-on-one (or, a group of no more than three readers) conversation where Books will introduce themselves and readers will then have the opportunity to ask questions.

Be a Book!

Become part of the Human Library! Our “bookshelf” of volunteers with diverse personal experiences are here to challenge stereotypes, dispel misconceptions, and answer questions. We are looking for local volunteers who are comfortable sharing their stories in-person with small groups of people and who are motivated to diversify views about the group in the community they represent on the bookshelf.

Click here to learn about the April 28th event: https://tinyurl.com/mr4du9hj

Applications to participate as Human Book: https://tinyurl.com/4tb4mx3r

Monday April 1, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

A belated happy April Fool’s Day to all our readers! We hope those of you who were able to have a long weekend are feeling rested and renewed. Though the cherry blossom trees are already looking picture-perfect, we’d like to mention that Richmond’s Cherry Blossom Festival will return April 7th, 2024, and that Eid begins at sundown on April 9th.

Stories for this edition include: a look at how Seniors are being denied shelter aid, new registration appointments at the Richmond Food Bank, and two articles about new federal funding for childcare.

This is our 7th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (Thanks to RCRG)

Apply for a 2024 Neighbourhood Small Grant

From now until April 18, Richmond residents can apply for up to $500 to carry out a community project.

To learn more and apply, start here: https://tinyurl.com/ms7ucd45

->Richmond Food Bank Society Impact Report (Thanks to Vivian Chung)

2023 Year in Review: We are pleased to share the impact of your collective efforts that allowed us to serve our neighbours through yet another busy year. With another year of increasing food prices and the ongoing Ukrainian Refugee Crisis, we saw a 34% increase in the total number of visits made to the food bank.

We continue to meet the increased need through the amazing support of our community of donors, volunteers, and staff who stepped up and rallied around our cause and supported us in meaningful ways to ensure continuity of service for our neighbours in need.

Read the full report: https://tinyurl.com/56kjffyt

Housing News

->More Seniors Are Being Denied BC Rental Supports (Thanks to The Tyee)

Government has failed to update program as rents rise, says advocate.
Fewer B.C. seniors are qualifying for grants to help pay the rent as the government has failed to adjust the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program to rising incomes and housing costs, says Seniors’ Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said Tuesday that BC Housing recently completed a review of the SAFER program and changes are coming soon. Mackenzie’s latest report says changes are overdue.

“I cannot emphasize enough the challenges with this program and while it is well intended, it is not meeting the needs of senior renters,” Mackenzie said while presenting the “Monitoring Seniors’ Services” 2023 report.

For the rest of the article, click here: https://tinyurl.com/msybtsax

The RPRC has advocated to raise the rent ceiling and to raise the income threshold for seniors who want to access SAFER. There have been no changes to the program while rents have increased drastically and the rent gap also widens. At the same time fewer seniors qualify because the rent threshold is about $29,000 per year.

->City of Richmond Planning Committee Meeting Makes Progress on Low-end Market Rental (LEMR) Program

The City of Richmond staff will engage discussions with BC Housing and potentially other independent organizations to bring desperately needed management to the LEMR program.’

See the minutes from March 19th, 2024: https://tinyurl.com/m2wwbb35

Food Security News

->New registration appointments at Richmond Food Bank Society (Thanks to Vivian Chung)

The Richmond Food Bank Society has updated their website. Registration, donations, and other improvements have been made.

Please check out the changes and learn more: https://tinyurl.com/2yrj7t4v

->Low cost/ no cost food in Richmond, thanks to Richmond Food Network

The city of Richmond has updated their map and list of no and low cost community meals and food programs.

Click here to see the updated page: https://tinyurl.com/3855e98z

Transportation News

->TransLink to raise fares on July 1; proposes extra property tax

TransLink will increase fares by 2.3 per cent this year and another four per cent next year (proposed); meanwhile, it seeks approval from the Mayors’ Council to implement a one-time property tax surcharge in 2025, as it faces financial pressures.

Transit fares in the Lower Mainland will rise between five and 15 cents per ride on Canada Day, after TransLink’s board of directors approved a 2.3 per cent fare hike Wednesday at its first quarterly meeting in 2024.

A one-zone adult pass will rise from $3.15 to $3.20 whereas a three-zone adult pass will jump from $6.20 to $6.35. One- and three-zone monthly adult passes will rise $2.40 and $4.35, respectively, to $107.30 and $193.80.

For the full article: https://tinyurl.com/3y8bhhvz

->Richmond gets $450K boost for Steveston multi-use pathway (Thanks to Richmond News)

A new 630-metre path will serve cyclists and pedestrians in the Steveston area. The City of Richmond recently received $450,520 in provincial funding to build a new multi-use pathway adjacent to No. 2 Road, connecting Steveston Highway and Williams Road. It will serve pedestrians and cyclists in the area and aims to offer residents more options for active transportation.

More information about the new pathway here: https://tinyurl.com/5mhr5ykz

Health News

->What to know about the measles vaccine — from who should get one, to how long immunity lasts (Thanks to CBC News Second Opinion)

In Canada, measles was once a disease of the past. But it’s increasingly becoming a health threat of the present, after backsliding vaccination rates allowed the virus to creep back into circulation.

Canada officially eliminated measles nearly three decades ago, but for years, medical experts warned it was poised to make a comeback — and disruptions to routine childhood immunization efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic may have sped that up. Now, after tens of thousands of cases in Europe, and close to 100 recent infections across Canada and the U.S., health officials are on high alert.

Who should get the measles vaccine? If you or your child has never had a combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine — and never had a prior measles infection — the official guidance is simple: Get vaccinated.
But after that, they get a little more complicated.

Full article: https://tinyurl.com/rj3mss3h

->The Canadian Immunization Guide recommendations (cited by the article)

To read the immunization guide, please click here: https://tinyurl.com/y9ed9fhp

->Five Ways to Fix Emergency Care in BC (Thanks to The Tyee)

Strengthening primary care, mental health supports and transport could improve health in and out of hospitals, report UBC med students.

Medical students at the University of British Columbia have come up with five recommendations to improve emergency departments across the province. The recommendations form part of a report put together by the Medical Undergraduate Society’s political advocacy committee in the faculty of medicine, which gets a chance once a year to sit down with MLAs and dive into the most pressing topic of the day.

This year 46 political advisory committee members presented Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix with “Enough Waiting: A Call to Resuscitate B.C. Emergency Departments,” which explores the stresses impacting emergency departments across the province and suggests ways to alleviate pressures. As the report notes, there’s understaffing, abuse of staff and a lack of available beds.

Read the rest of the article: https://tinyurl.com/cykxe9cu

Community Safety

->Experts advise B.C. residents to prepare early for wildfire season

UBC researcher says preventative measures helped saves homes during 2023 wildfires (Thanks to CBC News)

As wildfire season approaches, experts are advising B.C. homeowners and communities to prepare for a potentially challenging wildfire season. Lori Daniels, Koerner Chair of the Centre for Wildlife Coexistence at the University of British Columbia (UBC), says an ongoing multi-year drought, which contributed to last year’s severe wildfire season, “has primed us for another intense summer.”

“Almost a hundred fires from last season are still burning in northeast B.C., with new wildfires breaking out,” said Daniels in a UBC News interview. “Now is the time to start thinking about how to be ‘FireSmart.'”

FireSmart B.C., which aims to educate people on how to mitigate wildfire damage, offers a series of guidelines to decrease losses from wildfires and improve fire resiliency in communities.

More about BC wildfire preparations: https://tinyurl.com/2x5r5wwe

Childcare News

->Nearly $70M in federal funding for more child-care spaces in B.C. (Thanks to CBC News)

The federal government says it will give British Columbia $69.9 million for new child-care spaces and what it describes as inclusive child-care services, and B.C. says 930 new spaces will be added to the provincial $10-a-day child-care program this spring.

“Access to high-quality child care can help [children] do better in school and is a building block to success in life,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a press conference in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after Premier David Eby called on Ottawa to help build B.C.’s affordable child-care program. Earlier this month, Eby said the average cost of child care in B.C. has dropped from around $50 per day to an average of $18 per day. The B.C. NDP has been promising $10-a-day child care since it took power in 2017.

Full article: https://tinyurl.com/2mp37zm2

->Child care advocates applaud federal budget action to expand child care availability (Thanks to Child Care Now)

The announcement today of a new $1 billion federal child care expansion loan program, and $60 million in grants, to support the construction of new low-fee public and not-for-profit licensed child care spaces is very welcome news, said Child Care Now, Canada’s national child care advocacy association.

“The new fund is a very effective, direct and efficient mechanism for the federal government to accelerate the supply of affordable child care for young children,” says Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now.

“It will go a long way to solving the problems not-for-profit providers have when they try to secure financing to expand existing facilities or build new ones.” she explained.

Monday March 18, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

After a warm weekend across our province, Spring break for Richmond schools starts in earnest, and runs from last Friday, March 15th to Sunday, April 1st.

Our stories today include news about progress on a long-awaited affordable rental building in Richmond, a potential strike action from food service workers at YVR, and a new location and capacity for VCH’s Withdrawl Management Program.

This is our 6th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->Artists Call (Thanks to Corry Tymich)

Corry Tymich, Executive Director of Richmond Mental Health Consumer and Friends Society (RCFC) wanted to share this opportunity with all outsider artists for an upcoming show and sale. Open to BC artists with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use issues. Application Deadline: March 31, 2024

Please see the complete call description: https://tinyurl.com/ymsc59r9

->Begin a Career in Volunteer Management (Thanks to Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives)

At the board level, down through administration, operations, and service delivery, every non-profit organization relies on volunteers. And while volunteers are skilled, talented, enthusiastic, and all-around awesome, they still require guidance and support to maximize their impact. That’s where Volunteer Managers come in.

Sometimes, volunteer management is part of somebody’s job – a skillset they utilize while working, for example, as a Program Coordinator. On other occasions, volunteer management is the job, where a person’s responsibilities are focused entirely on recruiting, screening, training, and supervising volunteers. The point is this: in the non-profit world, volunteer management is, at the very least, an extremely useful skill. At best, it can be the basis for a rewarding, long-term career.

To get started, we recommend – with no bias whatsoever – our Volunteer Management Training Series. The course, which we’re always working to update and improve, covers all aspects of the volunteer management cycle, from recruitment and screening, to training and supervision, to evaluation and retention. You’ll come away with the tools and knowledge to build a volunteer program for any purpose, be it a one-time community event or a new, ongoing community service. You’ll also receive a certificate, which you can add to your resume, which will show that you now possess one of the non-profit sector’s most in-demand skills.

The next edition of our Volunteer Management Training Series will be held online over three Mondays, from June 3 to June 17. Yes, it’s still months away, but spaces are filling up fast. Hence, we recommend – again, with no bias at all – that you register as soon as possible.

Learn more about the series: https://tinyurl.com/2t7fcc6y

Housing News

->Pathways Clubhouse housing could finally break ground (Thanks to Richmond News)

Shovels could be in the ground very soon to build an 80-unit affordable rental building at No. 2 Road and Westminster Highway.
The province is holding an announcement on Monday morning about “more affordable housing opening for families in the community” at 5491 No. 2 Rd., close to Dover Park.

This is the site that Pathways Clubhouse announced about five years ago for its housing project for singles, seniors and families who are living independently but have mental health challenges. The building is being built by BC Housing.

Full article here: https://tinyurl.com/ycx7wtb2

->The Case for Taxing BC’s Giant Land Value Gains (Thanks to The Tyee)

Provincial policies are enriching landowners. A tax could fund needed improvements.

The total value of properties in the city is $528 billion. Residential properties account for 73 per cent — 41 per cent of the total are single-family including duplexes, 22 per cent residential strata and 10 per cent other residential, which includes purpose-built rental.

That’s 4.25 times the $124-billion total in 2006, driven by increases in land value that outstripped increases in building value.
In just the last 10 years, the total property value has more than doubled. That’s a $270-billion increase — and $230 billion of it comes from increases in land value. All the high-value construction in Vancouver over the last decade, designer houses and shiny condo towers, is worth only a small fraction (less than one-fifth) of the increase in land value.

Read the entire analysis: https://tinyurl.com/4p9mytk7

->Vancouver calls on neighbours to do ‘significantly’ more for regional homeless response (Thanks to CBC)

Vancouver says it provides about three-quarters of the shelter beds and supportive housing meant to address homelessness in the region and is publicly asking neighbouring cities to pull their weight. The demand came this week as B.C.’s most populous city presented a plan to clean up a three-year tent encampment, where 50 people stay legally, after a 2022 court ruling protected the site from decampment.

The site at CRAB Park, along the downtown waterfront, has been a sticking point for Vancouver in addressing homelessness, as officials have not been able to come up with alternative housing for everyone still living at the camp, which began in 2021.

Full article available here: https://tinyurl.com/ytekccwm

->Map: Here are the cheapest neighbourhoods for rent in Metro Vancouver this March (Thanks to Vancouver Is Awesome)

A guide to the cheapest rent in the most expensive market in Canada.

People hunting for cheap rent in Metro Vancouver may finally have some options. While the region continues to have the most expensive rent in the country, some areas are seeing lower average prices for new listings. People looking for low-cost options in Richmond should browse listings in Steveston, where units averaged $2,194. In Burnaby, the South Slope neighbourhood was the cheapest option, with units averaging $2,386.

Please read the rest of the article here: https://tinyurl.com/uesftxmw

Food Security

->Richmond Asian grocery e-commerce company closes physical store (Thanks to Richmond News)

Luniu Mall says it’s going fully online and will expand to new areas.

If you’ve driven past the intersection of Cambie and No. 4 roads, you could hardly miss a corner store with an eye-catching bright green sign “Luniu Market.” But the sign has recently been taken off and the store has changed hands, according to Luniu Mall, the company that was behind the store headquartered in south Richmond. Luniu Mall, an online Asian food distribution platform, was founded by Richmond resident Leo Liu in 2018, specializing in Asian products and trendy Chinese snacks.

The company opened its bricks-and-mortar location, Luniu Market, on Cambie Road about a year ago, selling lottery tickets, cigarettes and groceries.

“We have sold the store and are now fully focused on e-commerce,” said a spokesperson for the company. “We are also expanding to wholesaling to restaurants and greenhouse farming.”

Read more about the closure and evolution of Luniu Mall: https://tinyurl.com/ywk4d7r7

Transportation News

->New sidewalks, better crosswalks coming in Delta (Thanks to The Delta Optimist)

The City of Delta will have an update neighbourhood traffic calming plan presented to council this year.

The city notes that the improvements to those existing crosswalks vary from site to site and may include new rectangular rapid flashing beacons, push buttons and posts, signage and pavement markings, street lighting, sidewalk let-downs and curb extensions. The improvements are scheduled for design and construction this year.

A request for proposals for contractors was also recently issued for several roadway improvement projects.

This is what starts to happen when a city adopts Vision Zero, as Delta did!

See the rest of the article: https://tinyurl.com/5b3s77n8

->Richmond RCMP Shares DriveSafe Richmond February Monthly Report (Thanks to Richmond RCMP)

On the site formerly known as Twitter (X), Richmond RCMP reveals how many tickets were given for speeding, impaired, and distracted driving.

Full report with emojis here: https://twitter.com/RichmondRCMP/status/1769015891285483956

->Electrifying Port Moody’s fleet of vehicles ‘important’ for city’s carbon-reduction plan: report (Thanks to Tricity News)

Port Moody faces an incremental cost of $2.79 million to electrify at least 40 per cent of the passenger vehicles in its fleet and 25 per cent of its commercial vehicles by 2030.

According to a report prepared for the city by Innotech Fleet Strategies, that would put Port Moody on the path to attaining its climate action goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent over the next six years and total carbon neutrality by 2050. The cost estimate includes more than $900,000 for the installation of charging infrastructure at locations like city hall, the works yard, recreation complex, Inlet fire hall and the police station.

But, the report added, federal and provincial incentive programs currently available could offset up to 75 per cent of the electrification cost, although there’s no guarantee how long such programs will remain available.

Read more about Port Moody’s carbon-reduction plan here: https://tinyurl.com/2k4bb443

Income Security News

->BC Is Closing a Loophole that Forced Workers to Cross Some Picket Lines (Thanks to The Tyee)

B.C. is changing the Labour Relations Code to fix a loophole that forced some workers to cross picket lines.

The change, part of a bill introduced Monday, would ensure that “when employees under federal jurisdiction or that of another province are on strike, locked out, and establish a picket line in B.C., provincially regulated workers can choose to respect the picket lines without it being considered illegal strike action.”

Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/ypacrcbt

->YVR food workers threaten to strike over living wages (Thanks to Richmond News)

Airport food service disruptions could happen during spring break and Easter weekend travel rush.

Food service workers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond could start picketing after voting in favour of strike action on Thursday.
More than 200 workers, represented by Unite Here Local 40, could walk off their jobs to fight to earn a living wage in Metro Vancouver.
Unionized workers voted 85 per cent in favour of the strike action after months of bargaining with their employer SSP Canada Food Services.
These workers serve in the food outlets inside YVR airport’s domestic and international terminals.

The job action could disrupt daily airport operations during spring break and Easter weekend, during which time YVR is expecting more than 1.1 million travellers.
The average food service wage at YVR is $18.27, while the living wage in Vancouver is around $25.68, according to union data.

To learn more about the possible strike: https://tinyurl.com/5n7eeb88

Health News

->Safe Consumption Resources

Unregulated drug deaths increase in the winter months compared to the rest of the year. People who use drugs are urged to take advantage of available supports to keep themselves safe.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry Naloxone.

->Youth benefit from significant increase in mental-health, addictions care (Thanks to BC Government)

More young people will have better access to vital health-care services closer to home, such as primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions supports, with 10 new Foundry centres opening throughout the province.

Foundry centres are coming to Burnaby, Chilliwack, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quesnel, Sooke-Westshore, South Surrey, Vancouver, Vanderhoof and the West Kootenays. These communities will join the 25 others with Foundry centres that are open or in development, bringing the province’s total to 35 centres.

Approximately 75% of serious mental-health issues emerge before age 25. The pandemic, global uncertainty and climate emergencies continue to disproportionately affect young people, resulting in increased rates of depression and anxiety. Young people ages 16 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness in Vancouver and struggling with mental-health and addictions challenges will get better access to care and supports, with 28 new youth community care beds opening at Covenant House Vancouver.

Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/2scu4958

->New mental-health, addictions care expands for young people in Vancouver (Thanks to BC Government)

Young people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver and struggling with mental-health and addictions challenges will get better access to care and supports to help them find a pathway to recovery and a better life.

As part of one of the largest expansions in youth mental-health and addictions supports, 28 new youth community care beds will be a part of a new program at Covenant House Vancouver to help young, unhoused people from 16 to 24.

More about the expansion: https://tinyurl.com/2wsr6afn

->Canada heading toward major measles outbreak without vaccine boost, new modelling suggests (Thanks to CBC)

Measles vaccination uptake among children is as low as 30% in some places.

As measles cases keep appearing in more parts of the country, new projections suggest there’s a high chance Canada may experience a “sizeable outbreak” — with anywhere from dozens to thousands of people infected if the disease strikes communities with low vaccination rates. As of Friday, at least 31 cases of measles have been reported so far this year across Canada, according to a CBC News tally of provincial and regional figures released by public health teams.

New projections from a team at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in British Columbia show the grim possibilities. The modelling suggests that vaccine coverage of less than 85 per cent can lead to dozens of cases within small communities — or even hundreds if immunization rates are lower. The SFU team shared the modelling exclusively with CBC News and also provided it to federal public health officials. CBC News also shared the findings with outside experts to review.

To read the full article, click here: https://tinyurl.com/2nbc2ebs

->VCH to relocate withdrawal management program (Thanks to Vancouver Coastal Health)

As of March 5, VCH relocated 18 beds from the Harbour Light program at 119 East Cordova Street to the newly opened VCH Withdrawal Management program at 700 West 57th Avenue. The new program’s capacity will be increased to 21 beds and operated by VCH. This brings access to the program closer to Richmond.

To read the rest of the announcement, click here: https://tinyurl.com/bdcv9rj8

Community News

->Neighbourhood Small Grants Richmond Spring Cycle Open (Thanks to NSG and Vancouver Foundation)

Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) provides grants of up to $500 for projects that connect people socially or involve sharing skills or talents with each other.
Projects must stay within guidelines for physical distancing.

To learn more and apply, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yf7rts57

Monday March 4, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

On this sunny first Monday of March, we’d like to note that a few significant dates are coming up in less than week: Friday, March 8th is International Women’s Day and March 10th is both the beginning of Ramadan and Daylight-Saving Time.

Our stories today include a follow-up to last edition’s review of the safe consumption site stories, the launch of national pharmacare legislation, articles and videos about the 2024 BC budget, and cycling infrastructure upgrades to Richmond City Centre.

This is our 5th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Members News

->RPRC has compiled the Free Income Tax Clinics in Richmond (Thanks to Ben Yong)

Tax season is upon us again, and the deadline for filing 2023 Canada Revenue Agency personal income tax returns is April 30. The following Richmond organizations offer a mix of drop-off /pick-up and in-person income tax preparation assistance primarily for low-income individuals ($35,000 annual income or lower, $35,000 to 37,500 with one child) and families ($45,000 dual annual income or lower).

See the RPRC website for more information: https://tinyurl.com/4s3d4suy

Housing News
->Federal Aid Needed for Refugee Housing in Richmond, Says Councillor (Thanks to Richmond News)

The motion hopes to ease overcrowding at the Richmond emergency shelter in Ironwood. A Richmond city councillor thinks federal support for refugee and asylum seekers will help solve overcrowding in a local shelter.

Coun. Carol Day is putting forward a motion at Monday’s committee meeting asking the federal government to either provide temporary housing for refugee and asylum seekers or pay the city to use its facilities.

According to background information submitted by Day, around 32.5 per cent of beds at Richmond House Emergency Shelter in Ironwood are occupied by refugees and asylum seekers and there is an average of 20 homeless people on a waiting list “every night.”

Please see the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/yd2sr2mz

->The Carceral Production of Transgender Poverty: How Racialized Gender Policing Deprives Transgender Women of Housing and Safety (Thanks to Homeless Hub)

This article analyzes the confluence between policing of transgender women’s identities and survival strategies in public space and in agencies meant to serve poor people (including shelters, drug treatment facilities and transitional living programs).

Laws regulating access to public space combine with rules regulating gender in service organizations to both criminalize and create transgender poverty. More broadly, the carceral production of transgender poverty demonstrates that criminalization is not only a consequence but also a cause of both poverty and inequality.

Click to read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/2tuhtm9w

->Vancouver Homeless Population Could Soar by 50 per cent by 2030: Report (Thanks to BC CTV News)

The number of people living rough on Vancouver streets could spike to 4,700 people by 2030 according to a new study by advocates with the Carnegie Housing Project.

The group revealed their findings Tuesday morning at Oppenheimer Park where they were joined by Kevin Conrod, a Downtown Eastside Resident who has not had stable housing in 10 years. He currently sleeps at shelters and says he’s been on a waiting list for social housing for a number of years. “I’ve been on it for about four years and I’ve heard some people have been on it for 10 years. I have to wait that long, so another six years,” Conrod said.

An estimated 2,400 to 3,000 people in Vancouver are unhoused. Advocates are calling on all levels of government to take steps to prevent that number from growing drastically.

See the rest of the report: https://tinyurl.com/mr2craen

Health News

->Safe Consumption Resources

Unregulated drug deaths increase in the winter months compared to the rest of the year. People who use drugs are urged to take advantage of available supports to keep themselves safe. Please do not use drugs alone.

Remember to access local safe consumption or overdose prevention sites, get your drugs checked, use the Lifeguard app and carry naloxone.

For more resources and information, visit: https://towardtheheart.com/

->Three More Richmond Residents Die Due to Toxic Drugs (Thanks to Richmond News)

VCH has said it won’t set up a safe drug consumption site in Richmond. Another three people died in Richmond in January from suspected drug poisonings. The BC Coroners Service released its January drug poisoning death statistics on Thursday revealing that 198 people died across the province in that month.

Of the total deaths in the province, 76 per cent were men and 80 per cent occurred indoors – 47 per cent in private residences and 33 per cent in other indoor settings such as SROs, shelters and hotels.
In 2023, 26 people died in Richmond from suspected drug poisonings.

See the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/ycy3wenr

->Richmond Mayor Declares Discussion Closed Over Supervised Consumption Site (Thanks to CBC)

Malcolm Brodie read a two-minute statement to council describing why plans for a supervised consumption site in his city would not proceed, while noting the confusion over what the site would actually do and who would be responsible for it.

To watch the video: https://tinyurl.com/43xcbt2k

->Richmond Woman Decries Upcoming Closure of Teen Mental Health Facility (Thanks to Richmond News)

A petition to keep the Carlile Centre in North Vancouver has garnered almost 700 signatures. A Richmond mother has started a petition to stop the closure of a teen mental health facility in North Vancouver. The Carlile Centre will “transition” on March 15 from serving teens aged 13 to 18 to serving young adults aged 18 to 25, according to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

Ruth Kelly, who lives in Richmond, is trying to garner 1,000 names on her petition, after which she wants to take it the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside to advocate to keep the centre open for teens.

On VCH’s website, it states the “current model of care” at the centre will transition to community and hospital-based programs.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4mrtctp8

->BC Government Backs National Pharmacare Launch (Thanks to The Tyee)

“I have to admit, I’m a bit perplexed by the reaction to some provinces about this announcement,” Premier David Eby said. “It feels like good news to me.”

Thursday morning the federal Liberal government introduced Bill C-64, “An Act Respecting Pharmacare.” The result of a deal with the federal NDP for support, the bill commits the government to provide single-payer coverage for certain diabetes medications and birth control as a first step.
Since health care is the responsibility of provinces and territories, implementing the new program will depend on their agreement. The plan is to eventually expand it to more drugs.

To see the story: https://tinyurl.com/mu6c2w27

->We’ve Got Pharmacare Legislation! (Thanks to The Council of Canadians)

Today we’re celebrating a major win for people power! The federal government introduced pharmacare legislation that lays the foundation for a universal, single-payer system that will begin by covering contraception and diabetes medications.

For too long, wealthy corporations have stood in the way of progress on a public pharmacare plan. This program is an affront to the power of Big Pharma and the insurance industry and their decades-long effort to stymie pharmacare in Canada. The program that this legislation lays out is a good start that will need to expand in order to fully meet the needs of people in Canada and realize the full cost-saving potential of bulk-buying medications.

This analysis lays out what this legislation includes, what could be improved, what comes next, and how it will impact people, patients, and our movements.

Please read the announcement here: https://tinyurl.com/5375f3m8

Income Security News

->Vancouver Councillor’s Living Wage Motion Shot Down (Thanks to BC CTV News)

A Vancouver councillor’s bid to recertify the city as a living wage employer has been shot down in a move she describes as an “embarrassment” and “profoundly out of touch.”

Coun. Christine Boyle brought the motion forward Wednesday asking the city to start the process of bringing back a guaranteed living wage for all of its workers. “The cost of living is going up and working people can’t pay their bills on vibes and good intentions,” Boyle said.

Her motion did pass – but only after being completely rewritten via an amendment. The ensuing vote saw Boyle and the other two non-ABC members of council oppose the motion while the majority with the mayor’s party voted in favour.

For more about the motion and vote, please see the article here: https://tinyurl.com/2nkkcu86

Community Safety News

->How to Resist the War on LGBTQ2S+ Kids (Thanks to The Tyee)

An SFU panel on misinformation and parents’ rights suggested ways to make society safer by seeking common ground. Please see the panel’s recommendations here: https://tinyurl.com/ybnanvc7

Transportation News

->Connecting BC: A 10-year vision for public transit throughout BC (Thanks to Policy Note)

British Columbians deserve to be able to get to where they need to go quickly, conveniently and affordably, no matter where in the province they live. And meeting our climate goals demands modern, sustainable zero-carbon transit—with great service that can offer a compelling alternative to personal cars. But after years of neglect and privatization, today’s transit system is plagued with overcrowding, delays and big gaps in service.

Our current provincial government has made important new transit investments. Now it’s time for the next step: a new province-wide vision, uniting local and regional transit into an integrated whole.

See the rest of the article here: https://tinyurl.com/bdd348rk

->$4 Million Bike Path Proposed for Richmond City Centre (Thanks to Richmond News)

The 1.7-kilometre shared pathway on Gilbert Road will be for pedestrians and cyclists. A new $4.15-million shared pathway connecting existing cycling infrastructure on Gilbert Road could be completed by 2025. The City of Richmond is looking into building a 1.7-kilometre cycling path on Gilbert Road between Granville Avenue and Elmbridge Way.

The pathway will be physically separated from the road for pedestrians and cyclists. It is expected to serve as a cycling connection between the Granville Avenue bike route and Dinsmore Bridge by linking up separated bike lanes on Granville Avenue and the existing bike lane on Gilbert Road north of Elmbridge Way.

Local cyclist Geordie McGillivray told the Richmond News the new connection will fill “a huge gap in Richmond’s cycling infrastructure.”

To read more about the upcoming changes: https://tinyurl.com/3xetexhm

->How Does the City of Richmond Operate Traffic Lights, Cameras? (Thanks to Richmond News)

More than 335 devices manage the traffic signals across the City of Richmond. Eight television screens and a team of four is what keeps the traffic lights and cameras running every day across Richmond.

The team, which works out of the city’s Traffic Management Centre near city hall, is led by supervisor of traffic signal systems Bill Johal who has been working with the transportation department for more than 20 years.

Richmond has about 335 devices such as crosswalk buttons and road sensors that affect traffic lights across the city as well as more than 500 cameras to help the team monitor for issues.

Continue reading about the City of Richmond’s traffic lights and cameras here: https://tinyurl.com/y78fmkhy

Government News

->BC 2024 Budget (Thanks to BC Government)

Learn about the BC 2024 Budget from the BC government on their website here: https://tinyurl.com/4fk927ae

->B.C. Budget Promises Relief for Middle-Income Residents (Thanks to CBC)

Province increases climate tax credit, family benefit, introduces electricity savings. British Columbia’s NDP government says it will keep spending to support core services and help residents weather rapidly rising costs of living, according to Thursday’s budget. But will money from the projected record deficit end up back in your pocket?

From tax credits for families, to electricity and rent rebates, to coverage for fertility treatment, here’s how the latest B.C. budget could put more money in your wallet.

Please read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/3ftpr2ud

->BC Budget: Big Challenges—Small Steps (Thanks to Policy Note)

The provincial budget stands up to austerity pressures but falls short on meeting urgent challenges facing the people of BC.

With economic storm clouds on the horizon, BC Budget 2024 does not have one big game-changing new program that stands out, but includes a range of notable investments in a variety of areas including housing, health care and affordability. Budgets often become stories about deficits or surpluses, though, so let’s start with the big picture in fiscal and economic terms.

One thing is clear: this budget rightfully prioritizes public investment over austerity at a time when business lobby groups have been ramping up calls for spending and tax cuts. The budget projects BC’s real GDP growth will drop to 0.8% this year, a slowdown that shapes the fiscal plan significantly.

For the rest of the analysis, click here: https://tinyurl.com/6ntv4edb

Watch the video: https://tinyurl.com/4us8et5n

->Getting to Net-Zero in Canada: Summary (Thanks to Policy Note)

Canada is dragging its heels when it comes to meeting its net-zero goals, and government policies and incentives aren’t matching the severity of the issue.

A new report by David Hughes outlines Canada’s daunting—but not insurmountable—challenges to meet its net-zero commitments, and puts forward policy paths to rectify course while there is still a chance.

See full the summary: https://tinyurl.com/59bwv8bh

Monday February 19, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

Today is BC Family Day, and we hope that some of you are enjoying the free and fun events hosted by the Richmond’s Children’s Arts Festival. We would also like to highlight and encourage your participation in the Black History Month events hosted by Richmond Public Library, many of which are taking place this week. Our stories in this edition include a full review of the heated debate around a proposed supervised consumption site in Richmond, a petition for universal pharmacare, and the health risks of climate change.

This is our 4th Roundup for 2024. 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.

Housing News

->Too Much Too Fast, Say BC Mayors to Eby (Thanks to The Tyee)

Tensions over the province’s new housing laws strained the Union of British Columbia Municipalities summit. At a housing summit that concluded on Valentine’s Day, local governments were working out a new stage of their relationship with senior governments.

Housing announcements have been coming fast and furious since the fall — everything from funding and zoning reforms to new programs targeting different housing needs — pressuring local governments and their staff to pivot from their pre-existing plans.

Housing might have been the central topic of the two-day summit, hosted by the Union of BC Municipalities, but discussion spun off on everything from immigration, transportation and tax to the cost of basic infrastructure like pipes to serve growth. For the complete article, click here: http://tinyurl.com/372sdm9s.

->Unhoused People Struggle with ‘Street Feet’ in Rainy Vancouver (Thanks to The Tyee)

This article is of particular interest to Richmond Homeless Connect (RHC), as this committee has just initiated a pilot project to provide foot care to our unhoused folks in Richmond.

‘Street Feet.’ It can pose a serious danger. How to help those who are vulnerable keep toes warm, dry and clean. In the winter and spring, unhoused people in Vancouver struggle with something known anecdotally as “street feet.” It happens when the rain soaks your socks and shoes and you’re unable to clean and dry your feet regularly, sometimes leaving them damp for months on end.

This leads to a condition that was first identified as “trench foot” and suffered by soldiers during the First World War. In extreme cases, the condition can lead to gangrene and amputation, said Bernice Budz, CEO of the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC. Please see the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/3u36dzfa.

Food Security News

->Federal NDP bill to lower grocery prices passes second reading (Thanks to My Campbell River Now)

A bill introduced by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to lower grocery prices has made it past second reading and will go to a committee for further review and changes.

Bill C-352 passed with a 178 – 149 vote in favour. It was introduced in September and aims to target corporate greed with various penalties to discourage price fixing, help smaller grocery stores by protecting them from anti-competitive tactics, give the competition bureau more powers to crack down on abuses like price-gouging consumers and stop mergers that decrease competition. More here: http://tinyurl.com/yeysp3vd.

Transportation News

->Richmond Brighouse bus loop to close partially for one month (Thanks to Richmond News)

Some bus stops will be temporarily relocated due to repairs. Richmond commuters will have to plan ahead as a city centre bus loop closes for repairs. TransLink announced Friday the Richmond-Brighouse bus loop will be partially closed between Feb. 12 and March 13 due to essential repairs to the infrastructure.

Some bus stops will be temporarily relocated, including the 402, 404, 408 and 414, which will be moved from Bay 1 to stops on No. 3 and Cook roads. HandyDART buses will stop on the north side of the Canada Line station on Saba and No. 3 roads. Please read the article to see a map of the changes and to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/5a48rmhu.

->Connecting BC – A 10-year vision for public transit throughout BC (Thanks to CCPA)

After years of neglect and privatization, today’s transit system in BC is plagued with overcrowding, delays and big gaps in service. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

In collaboration with the BC Federation of Labour, the CCPA published Connecting BC: a 10-year vision for public transit throughout BC. This report is a 10-year transit investment plan that outlines a path to make transit affordable, accessible, inclusive, carbon-zero and a great experience for users across the province. Read the plan and the full report by following the link: http://tinyurl.com/334kanx4.

->HUB Cycling Looking for Volunteers (Thanks to HUB Cycling)

Volunteer at a Winter Celebration Station. We’re hosting a Winter Bike repair station with Lime outside Science World in Vancouver on March 1st to engage with the public about winter riding and hand out cycling resources. We are looking for volunteers to help for a few hours between 12- 7 PM. Email us to learn more and sign up for a shift.

Please check out the HUB Cycling website for more local cycling news and volunteering opportunities: https://bikehub.ca.

Training and Employment News

->Why Vancouver Should Be a Living Wage Employer (Thanks to The Tyee)

We’ve done it before. But the ABC majority is undermining fair wages for workers. In August 2016, we celebrated with workers, families, unions and colleagues when the City of Vancouver voted to become a living wage employer. After years of organizing, this vote enshrined the right for all those working for the city, including contracted and subcontracted workers, to be compensated for their labour at or above the living wage.

In that moment, the city became the largest living wage employer in Canada, a win for a more livable Vancouver. In a city where it can be hard to find connection and support, people are working together to find livable solutions.

However, in January 2023, Vancouver city council voted in a closed-door meeting to end the City of Vancouver’s certification as a living wage employer, a tremendous loss for every working family across B.C. Read the rest of the story: http://tinyurl.com/546d6b3t.

Health and Community Safety News

We begin this portion of the newsletter with a link to a site dedicated to safe consumption resources in BC:

->Toward the Heart

https://towardtheheart.com

Now we turn to the events of the much-debated supervised consumption site Richmond. The articles are posted in chronological order, starting with the most recent.

->Letters: Hate speech in Richmond also applies to marginalized groups (Thanks to Richmond News)

A great letter to the editor that calls out hateful speech heard at public meetings at Richmond City Hall this week, by RPRC member Donna Colpitts. Thanks Donna!

I believe that what took place at City Hall on Monday and Tuesday was really an attack against Canadian values. The sheer rudeness and lack of respect for due process was, in itself, not how we were brought up to behave. And then the hateful comments and shouts “let them die, then there’s no problem, they should all be in mental institutions or prison, they are useless zombies.”

There are laws in Canada against hate speech and although there was much evidence of it, they were not prosecuted or even truly called out for it.

It was clear to anyone following this whole process that misinformation was being spread in that particular community.

This stirred up fear and anger and I can empathize with those who truly believed what was being spread — but this does not justify the way they behaved. Please read the rest of the letter here: http://tinyurl.com/3tu7jpt2.

Woman says her racist rant at Richmond city hall ‘incredibly wrong’ (Thanks to Richmond News)

The woman appearing in a video circulating on social media – where she made racists remarks at Richmond City Hall earlier this week – has expressed her regret for what she said.

The woman was at city hall on Monday evening as hundreds of people came out to oppose a motion to explore setting up a supervised consumption site in Richmond. (The Richmond News has chosen to withhold her name.) In the foyer, as people held signs and chanted “No drugs, no drugs,” emotions were running high.

This was when the woman was captured on video claiming China was responsible for tainted drugs and telling those she was arguing with to return to Hong Kong. A short, but fairly nuanced, look at unacceptable racism that came out during the debate: http://tinyurl.com/3ntkdm3d.

->VCH rules out standalone supervised consumption site in Richmond (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond local health area has the lowest rate of drug toxicity deaths in B.C.: Health authority
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) applauded Richmond council for calling for more overdose prevention services in the city, but said it will not move forward with a standalone supervised consumption in the city.

On February 13th , Richmond city council voted 7-2 to explore a supervised drug consumption site after two nights of heated discussion, with around 100 residents voicing their support and opposition to the motion proposed by Couns. Kash Heed and Laura Gillanders.

However, VCH said in a statement on Wednesday that it “will not be moving forward with a stand-alone supervised consumption site.” The health authority will, instead, work with the city to look at other ways to strengthen overdose prevention services in the city. Full story: http://tinyurl.com/2a59jde3.

->Richmond Will Look into Expanding Its Harm Reduction Services (Thanks to The Tyee)

After heated public hearings, the city passed a motion to assess opening its first supervised consumption site. Richmond city council held two rowdy nights of public hearings this week after tabling a motion on whether or not the city should look into bolstering its harm reduction services.

Late last night, council voted eight-two in favour of asking city staff to analyze the potential benefits and challenges of opening a supervised consumption site near Richmond Hospital, and collaborating with Vancouver Coastal Health to fund and provide harm reduction services on site.

On Wednesday VCH released a statement that said “based on the latest public health data, a stand-alone supervised consumption site is not the most appropriate service for those at risk of overdose in Richmond.” Stand-alone sites work best in communities with a high concentration of at-risk people.

There are more than 1,000 people with opioid use disorder and 600 people with stimulant use disorder in Richmond and 172 residents have died from toxic drug overdose since a public health emergency was declared in 2016, the statement added. Complete article here: http://tinyurl.com/29jcer6k.

->Letters: Compassion needed for Richmondites struggling with addiction (Thanks to Richmond News)

Kudos to Kash Heed for putting forward a motion to explore the idea of safe drug consumption site near hospital grounds and to the eight city councillors who voted in favour of same.

There will no doubt be some people who would like to see harm reduction initiatives in B.C. reduced and will say that harm reduction is not working because overdose deaths increased in 2023.

Closing safe-consumption sites in other provinces has led to more deaths, explains letter writer. Read the full story with data here: http://tinyurl.com/2e46nw4h.

->Richmond council votes 8-1 to explore safe drug consumption site (Thanks to Richmond News)

‘People cannot recover (from drug use) if they’re dead’: Former outreach worker. Eight out of nine Richmond city councillors voted to explore the idea of a site at the hospital grounds where drug users can test their drugs and consume them safely.

After several people spoke on the issue at the General Purposes committee meeting on Feb 5th, – the majority in favour – only Coun. Chak Au voted against the motion initiated by Couns. Kash Heed and Laura Gillanders.

Au claimed the motion wasn’t about asking staff to study whether a safe-consumption site would work in Richmond, rather it was direction to staff to implement a safe-consumption site.

“This is not an open consultation or an open study,” Au said. “It’s really a direction to staff to do it with the cover of a practicality analysis. And that’s why people felt the decision has already been made and people felt they’re not being listened to.” Au further argued that having safe-injection sites hasn’t reduced deaths in the Lower Mainland. See the rest of the story here: http://tinyurl.com/4sk547jw.

Health News

->It’s Official. Climate Change Has Brought Deadly Health Risks to BC (Thanks to The Tyee)

Vancouver Coastal Health set out the dangers and offered solutions in a new report warning that we’re not ready for extreme weather caused by climate change.

What “urgent” risks you face depend on where you live, with poorer and racialized neighbourhoods and communities at particular high risk, according to Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver Coastal Health’s chief medical health officer. VCH serves a region that includes Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast, as well as coastal areas farther north, such as Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

In a report released Tuesday, VCH analyzed how hazards such as wildfire smoke, droughts, heat, storms and flooding will affect our health and identified ways to mitigate future harms.
“The existential threat to our population is climate change,” Daly said. Full article can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/uxxf88jt.

->BC Health Coalition

Petition to contact local MPs and target ministers to ask them to support a universal pharmacare program. NATIONAL PHONE ZAP: Click to call your MP to not back down on pharmacare for all

Please take a minute now to call your Member of Parliament, PM Justin Trudeau, and key ministers, with your urgent message of support for public, universal pharmacare. Please read the petition here: http://tinyurl.com/yr5m2ycm.

Local Government News

->Province names new seniors advocate (Thanks to BC Government News)

The Province has appointed Dan Levitt as the new seniors advocate for British Columbia as government continues to support oversight and advocacy toward seniors care and the programs and services seniors need.

“Dan Levitt has championed the rights of seniors for 30 years and with his extensive experience he is an excellent choice for B.C.’s seniors advocate,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Isobel Mackenzie became the first seniors advocate in Canada and we thank her for being a powerful, impactful voice. With Mr. Levitt, government will continue to work collaboratively to help seniors throughout the province to live their healthiest, happiest lives.”

After an executive search led by the BC Public Service Agency, Levitt accepted the position and will succeed Isobel Mackenzie to become B.C.’s second seniors advocate when she retires on April 5, 2024. Dan Levitt’s family is active through the Jewish Seniors Alliance, and along with the RPRC and RCD, they co-host our All Candidates meetings in Richmond. Full article: http://tinyurl.com/yc2mu7ah.

->Richmond Public Library: Shaping the future of Richmond Public Library starts with you! (Thanks to Let’s Talk Richmond)

Richmond Public Library is engaging the community as part of its 2024-2028 strategic planning process. Your Library, Our Future is an opportunity to share your perspectives on the library’s priorities in the coming years. Anyone interested in or impacted by the library is encouraged to participate. This includes frequent library users, occasional visitors, and people who have not yet used the library.

Visit LetsTalkRichmond.ca to complete the survey by Sun, Feb 25 or register for 1 of 4 upcoming workshops:

Families workshop | Thu, Feb 15
Newcomers workshop | Thu, Feb 15
Youth workshop | Wed, Feb 21
Seniors workshop | Wed, Feb 21

Thank you in advance for participating.
Strategic Planning Project Team Richmond Public Library

Please click here to learn more and participate: http://tinyurl.com/5afa7rrr.

Monday February 05, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

As signs of an early Spring begin to appear in Richmond, our stories today include responses to the housing crisis, a follow-up to last week’s transit strike, and the impacts of loss of the Steveston Super Grocer store on seniors.

This is our 3rd Roundup for 2024. 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.

RPRC Members News

->New activities and arrangements with the RCD, starting February 2024! (Thanks to Ella Huang)

RCD will close to public, for staff lunch, every Tuesday from 12 to 12:30 p.m. The team lunch gathering is in fact a Lunch & Learn activity for RCD Staff to build capacity and resilience.

The last video for emPowered Wellness Public Education Series has been uploaded to the RCD YouTube Channel; the topic is Winter Safety, developed and presented by Dave Thomson.

Meditative Drawing is an extension of RCD’s popular Relaxation class, where a new art form – ZENTANGLE Art is introduced as a distraction method for relaxation. As one uses the Zentangle method to create beautiful images, it is likely to bring increased focus, creativity, self-confidence, and an increased sense of well-being. We start by trying out 4 sessions, on Fridays from Feb. 16 to Mar. 8, free for all participants. The sessions are for in-person participation and also on Zoom. Depending on its popularity, we may continue the activity. Come and find out more!

This is the first year RCD is joining the BMO Vancouver Marathon – RUN4HOPE, as a Silver Charity, with a goal to bring our team to the forefront and to heighten the awareness of community participations of persons with disabilities, also to raise fund for our unexpected interim relocation.

You have many ways to support us, including join the RCD Team as a Charity Runner to fundraise from your network; or make a donation to our team or to a specific team member.
We need your support to make this meaningful event more relevant to people with disabilities and to the RCD. Thank you for your support!

Affordable Housing News

->New B.C. rules will make it harder to evict tenants from supportive housing, providers fear (Thanks to Richmond News via Globe and Mail)

New policy could make it more difficult to find and keep staff, say operators of supportive housing units.

New changes to British Columbia’s tenancy policies will make it more difficult for operators of supportive housing units to remove tenants who are putting other residents and staff at risk, say non-profit housing providers who maintain the change will make them more reluctant to take on difficult people with mental-health and addiction issues.

Read the article.

->Prevention Matters! A New Expert Panel Series Hosted by the COH (thanks to Homeless Hub)

The homelessness sector already knows that the only way to truly solve the problem of homelessness is to shift towards preventing it before it happens. In fact, in our recent Youth Homelessness Prevention Needs Assessment survey, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness found that 90% of people working in the sector are very supportive of prevention. However, many people still need more clarity about what prevention entails and how to do it.

What are the systems changes and structural shifts which reduce the likelihood that someone will experience homelessness? What are the intervention strategies that can support people who are at high risk of homelessness or who have recently become homeless? How can we ensure that people who have experienced homelessness—and who are now housed—do not experience homelessness again?

Learn more.

->Child poverty is on the rise in Canada, putting over 1 million kids at risk of life-long negative effects (Thanks to The Conversation)

At first glance, Canada ranks among the top third of countries for its work in addressing child poverty. But that isn’t the whole story.

Based on current rates of and overall progress in reducing child poverty, the latest UNICEF report card ranks Canada 11th out of 39 of the world’s wealthiest countries. Initially, it seems Canada is doing well; between 2012 and 2021, child poverty fell by 23 per cent.

In reality, since 2021, the number of children living in monetary poverty has sharply risen from 15.2 per cent in 2020 to 17.8 per cent in 2021, and more than one million Canadian children live in poverty today.

->Housing support offered for Richmond young adults with mental health needs (Thanks to Richmond News)

Housing assistance can help relieve stress for those struggling with mental illness or substance use, says VCH therapist. A housing support program is hoping to offer personalized help to young adults in Richmond who are struggling with mental health and substance use issues.

“Many (young adults) suffer from not only mental health issues and addictions, but when they’re homeless or precariously housed, they really are in need of some tailored services to assist them, to give them a brighter future into their adult life,” said Andrew Neale, VCH’s occupational therapist for mental health housing services.

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced Friday a $1.57 million investment over three years to expand Richmond’s complex-care housing program for young adults.

->B.C. government invests $11 million in provincial rent bank (Thanks to BC CTV News)

The British Columbia government announced Wednesday it will provide $11 million in additional funding to the provincial rent bank to help people who are struggling to make rental payments. The money could support as many as 20,000 renters who are facing financial challenges, according to Melissa Giles, the managing director at BC Rent Bank. “It’s there to help people at a time of need and make sure they do stay housed,” said Giles. “It’s the end of the month, people are facing a crisis, they’re stressed.”

->Letters: Unhoused Richmondites need a place to store belongings (Thanks to Richmond News)

Richmond News reader acknowledges efforts to help homeless, but thinks there is still work to be done.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to bring your attention to a pressing issue that requires immediate action: the need for storage space for the homeless population in Richmond.

As a concerned resident of this community and someone who works directly with the homeless, I witness firsthand the true struggle they face on a daily basis. As a proud citizen of Richmond for the last 35 years and a support worker in various fields, I have had the privilege of growing up with and working closely with Richmond’s most vulnerable, which includes the homeless population.

Through my interactions, I have come to understand the immense challenges they encounter, including the lack of secure storage facilities for their personal belongings. This absence of storage options exacerbates their already difficult circumstances, impeding their ability to seek employment, access social services or find stable housing.

->1,000+ units proposed for first part of Lansdowne redevelopment (Thanks to Vancouver City News)

When fully built out, there will be about 8,000 homes on the shopping mall’s 50 acres. More than 1,000 units of housing are being proposed in the first phase of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Shopping Centre.

A plan to build 749 market units, 141 affordable rentals and 151 market rental units in the northeast section of the 50-acre shopping centre lot – on Alderbridge Way and Kwantlen Street – is coming to next week’s planning meeting.

Stay informed about more proposed changes to Lansdowne.

Transportation

->Last-Minute Deal Ends Threat of Weekend Transit Strike (Thanks to The Tyee)

A three-day walkout scheduled for Saturday is on hold. A last-ditch negotiation has averted a strike that could have shut down Metro Vancouver’s public transportation system.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4500 and Coast Mountain Bus Co. have reached a tentative deal ending a bitter weeks-long dispute that included a two-day strike that paralyzed the region’s bus system. Another three-day strike had been set to start Saturday.

The union, which represents about 180 striking workers at Coast Mountain, said Thursday that it had accepted recommendations put forward by Vince Ready, a special mediator appointed by the provincial government.

->Learn How to Cycle Year-Round with HUB’s Free Winter Cycling Webinar (Thanks to HUB Cycling)

Unlike many other Canadian cities, Metro Vancouver has a climate that makes year-round cycling possible most days. With some preparation and knowledge, commuting by bike can still be a safe, comfortable, and affordable transportation option, even in colder, darker weather.

To help folks prepare for winter riding, HUB Cycling is hosting a free Winter Cycling Webinar on International Winter Bike Day (Friday, February 9) from 12 -1 PM to inspire and educate people on the joys and practicalities of cycling year-round. Participants will learn about:

Outfitting their bikes and themselves for winter riding,
Advanced cycling safety, cold-weather care for their bikes, and
Route planning considerations.

An experienced HUB Cycling bike education instructor will teach the webinar. Participants can register for free.

Food Security

->After Super Grocer burned down, some Steveston seniors say they’re struggling with their groceries (Thanks to CBC)

Mobility issues, fixed incomes among challenges facing seniors after prized store went up in flames.

Gerald Lindsay wheels down the sidewalk outside his Steveston home, making the trek towards a Save-on-Foods. Along the way, he has to maneuver his wheelchair over a fire hose strewn across the sidewalk.

Just days ago, his favourite supermarket — Super Grocer — was destroyed in a fire. It’s since been demolished. “It sort of changed my life,” he said. “That was the only place I could get to because it was just across the street.”

Health

->Eight Ways to Support Disability Justice and Counter Ableism (Thanks to The Tyee)

And what not to do, from two experts.

When we met each other in Grade 11 in Alberta, we were far from the typical high school success story. Heidi has cerebral palsy and was seen as too disabled for regular schools, and Michelle was a chronic truant and an activist. Soon, we became friends and made a pact to get our doctorates, which we did. Over the past three decades, we have researched, taught classes and given talks on disability and ableism.

Throughout the course of our careers and lived experiences, we have seen the daily ableism people living with disabilities contend with. As professors of education and disability ethics, we have put together the following list of dos and don’ts.

Community Safety

->‘It’s about saving lives’: Supervised drug consumption site proposed for Richmond (Thanks to Vancouver City News)

A Richmond city councilor is tabling a motion next week to look into establishing a supervised drug consumption site to help address the ongoing unregulated toxic drug crisis. in 2023, 26 Richmond residents died from poisoned supply.

The motion, heading to council today at 4 pm, says supervised consumption sites provide a safe and controlled environment for people to use drugs, reducing overdose and risk of death. It explains health officials are stationed at the sites to provide medical assistance, and they are also trained with naloxone to help reverse opioid overdoses.

The province is almost eight years into a public health emergency, with the BC Coroners Service saying at least 13,794 people have died since the drug crisis was declared in April 2016.

See this proposal to address the toxic drug crisis here.

Monday January 22, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

After a week of snow and cold weather, Richmond and the lower mainland continues to face challenges as we enter a 48 hour transit strike beginning today. Please see the CBC article linked in the transportation section of this letter for further details.

This is our 2nd Roundup for 2024. 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.

Affordable Housing News

->Two Richmond warming Centres open for unhoused during Arctic cold snap (Thanks to Richmond News)

On January 11th, the Richmond News wrote about the Arctic outflow warning in effect for Metro Vancouver.

Flurries and sub-zero temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week and Richmond’s warming centres will remain open to those who don’t have shelter.
Environment Canada has issued an Arctic outflow warning for Metro Vancouver and nearby regions, warning of wind chill of up to -20C from tonight until Saturday afternoon.

->RPRC submission to City Council re: Homelessness in Richmond” city staff report (Thanks to RPRC Directors)

After discussion and consensus at the last RPRC members network meeting, the RPRC made a submission and recommendations to Richmond City Council in response to a Dec 19, 2023 city staff report “Homelessness in Richmond” (Note: CNCL73-78).

The RPRC recommends that ‘first time homeless’ (eg seniors, single parents) be housed in the planned rapid housing initiative (modular housing), and that the city needs four after-hours street outreach workers to connect our unhoused people to services and resources.

->Court Calls for Clarity on Tenants’ Rights in Transitional Housing (Thanks to The Tyee)

The B.C. Court of Appeal has called on the province’s Residential Tenancy Branch to address “inconsistencies” in its approach to defining the rights of people in transitional housing. The case is important, say advocates, because tenants who live in transitional housing are currently not protected by legislation that upholds their rights as tenants.

That means they have nowhere to turn if they’re evicted or believe policies like guest restrictions are being applied unfairly. In many cases, tenants in transitional housing don’t know whether their housing falls under B.C.’s Residential Tenancy Act. Some residents have been successful in arguing the act should apply to them, winning the right to basic renter rights like having a key to the front door of their building. Learn more.

->Brace Yourself for Housing Reforms (Thanks to The Tyee)

Zoning, densification, permitting — this is the traditional work of municipalities. But if you ask today’s provincial and federal governments, they’ll say local development is happening too slowly. So they’ve decided to step in. In the past few months, the senior governments have flexed their powers with new policy and programs to push cities to grow. “It is a significant shift,” BC NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon told The Tyee. “The housing system as we have it now is not working.”

Kahlon mentioned the long delays to approve needed homes in many communities, referencing the District of North Vancouver, where residents recently debated a six-storey supportive housing project to be managed by the Lu’ma Native Housing Society. The public hearing for that project became the longest in the community’s history.

->Unaffordable housing and discrimination stand in the way of BC children’s right to housing (Thanks to First Call BC)

A Failure to Protect, The Denial of Children’s Right to Housing in British Columbia reveals that despite commitments to protect children’s right to housing in international, national and provincial treaties, legislation and policies, many families are unable to access adequate housing due to unaffordability, overcrowding, waiting lists and discrimination, among other issues. Shockingly, in the sample of parent survey respondents and listening circle participants, an astounding 37% and 40% respectively, reported being denied rental housing BECAUSE they had children.

“The increased cost of housing in recent years has put an increased burden on families, particularly those in poverty. It has given rogue landlords more of an opportunity to discriminate against families with children, to disregard the existing tenancy laws and violate their human rights,” said Adrienne Montani, Executive Director of First Call.

It also means that there are more and more families on the waiting lists for housing through BC Housing and other subsidized housing operators.

Read the full report.

->Systemic Barriers for First Nations People: Security of Tenure in Canada

This report attempts to offer a concise rendering of the history of the Crown’s relationship with First Nations in order to provide context for the problems and barriers which continue to the present.

First Nations people’s experiences with housing vary based on a number of factors, from geographic and jurisdictional location within Canada to the severity of impact of colonialism on an individual’s home community. However, the existence of many common systemic barriers continues to limit the options First Nations people have to access safe, affordable housing, whether on or off First Nation reserves.

->Atlantic, federal housing ministers agree factory-produced homes offer way forward (Thanks to CBC via The Canadian Press)

Officials believe move could accelerate housing construction

The federal and Atlantic provinces’ housing ministers say they’re looking at ways to boost more factory-built housing for the East Coast, as the region’s population keeps rising at a rapid pace.

The ministers said Monday after a meeting in Halifax that one chapter in the federal housing design catalogue will be specifically aimed at the Atlantic region, with pre-approved designs taking into account regulations, climate and available materials in the region.

Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser has been promoting the housing catalogue and more factory-built homes as a modernized version of efforts from the post-Second World War era, when the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. developed simple blueprints to accelerate housing construction.

The housing ministers told journalists after their meeting they’re also eager to see an increase in production of modular housing — homes built in segments in factories and transported to a building site for completion.

->Metro Vancouver seeks to charge big buildings for excess carbon pollution (Thanks to Richmond News)

Proposed regulations would charge large buildings a $500 administrative fee and $350 for every tonne of carbon pollution they emit beyond a set threshold.

Metro Vancouver staff is calling on the regional body to endorse a plan that would track and penalize existing large buildings that produce greenhouse gas emissions through the burning of natural gas.

The regulatory proposal, set to be heard at Metro’s Climate Action Committee Thursday, seeks to charge buildings $350 for every tonne of carbon pollution a building produces above its emissions limit. The plan would apply to buildings that have 25,000 square feet (2,322 square metres) or more of floor space. Putting a price on excess carbon emissions in the building sector is intended to incentivize owners “to take advantage of supports” and reduce building emissions before the limits and fees take effect, staff said.

->Court Calls for Clarity on Tenants’ Rights in Transitional Housing (Thanks to the Tyee)

Inconsistent arbitrators’ decisions leave people in limbo, advocates argue.

The B.C. Court of Appeal has called on the province’s Residential Tenancy Branch to address “inconsistencies” in its approach to defining the rights of people in transitional housing.

The case is important, say advocates, because tenants who live in transitional housing are currently not protected by legislation that upholds their rights as tenants. That means they have nowhere to turn if they’re evicted or believe policies like guest restrictions are being applied unfairly.

Transportation News

->Buses halted in Metro Vancouver as transit workers go on strike (Thanks to CBC)

Buses and SeaBus service will be stalled until Wednesday as part of job action by CUPE Local 4500 workers.

Buses will not run Monday in Metro Vancouver after more than 180 workers represented by CUPE Local 4500 walked off the job.

The job action, which began at 3 a.m. PT, comes three weeks after the workers began refusing overtime. The union represents transit supervisors, communications supervisors and a range of other roles.

Talks between the union and the Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), the workers’ employer, conducted with the assistance of veteran labour mediator Vince Ready, failed to produce a new collective agreement over the weekend.

CMBC is a subsidiary of TransLink, the regional transit authority for Metro Vancouver.

Healthcare News

->Feds must help 4.4 million people left out of new dental program (Thanks to Canadian Health Coaltion)

The report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives titled, “Missing Teeth: Who’s left out of Canada’s dental care plan,” raises alarming questions about barriers imposed by the federal government’s new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).

The Canadian Health Coalition has been raising concerns that the CDCP’s income cut-off will leave out unfairly many of the 12.9 million Canadians without dental coverage because the program does not mirror Canadian Medicare which provides universal coverage for everyone.

The report’s author, economist David Macdonald, calculated this gap for the first time. When fully implemented in 2025, he found the CDCP will benefit 9.8 million people but will leave another 4.4 million out of the system due to the income restriction.

See the article.

->British Columbians living with disabilities are begging to be heard (Thanks to the Straight)

December 2023 marked the first December in three years that I have not spent languishing in pain in a hospital bed, recounts Kat Wong-Perrotta, administrative consultant for Disability Without Poverty’s BC branch, in a piece for The Georgia Strait. Since 2020, I have suffered from an inconceivably painful back injury that included torn ligaments, arthritis, and three herniated discs in my spine. It has kept me from going to work full-time, rendering me an ostensible prisoner in my own home.

And over the last three years, I have sought help from my doctor, from specialists, from hospital emergency staff—and received little to no care. I waited to speak to a neurosurgeon for over a year, only to be told that I was not, in fact, a good candidate for surgery (as I stood standing in his office, leaning desperately on a walker for support, since I could not walk without a mobility aid). He said I should try losing weight instead.

Keep reading.

Income Security News

->Inequality Inc.: Oxfam’s Call to Address the Widening Wealth Gap (Thanks to Oxfam Canada)

Four of the five wealthiest Canadians have seen their wealth increase by two-thirds since 2020. Additionally, the richest 0.02% of Canadians now possess more wealth than the bottom 80%. No matter how you do the math, the answer is always the same: the rich keep getting richer, and the rest of us, poorer. But make no mistake: inequality is no accident.

Runaway corporate and monopoly power is an inequality-generating machine: through squeezing workers, dodging tax, privatizing the state, and spurring climate breakdown, corporations are funnelling endless wealth to their ultra-rich owners. But they’re also funneling power, undermining our democracies and our rights.

Check out the story.

Community Safety News

->Inflation has increased the cost of fixing the Caring Place, a building that houses 12 non-profits (Thanks to Richmond News)

The roof of the Caring Place needs work – and its cost has almost doubled from original pre-pandemic estimates to about $500,000. And this is not the only repair bill the non-profit building – that houses 12 agencies serving Richmond residents – is facing.

Another $1.5 million is needed to fix the cracks in the balconies. And building envelope work also needs to be done. Facing all these mounting costs, the Caring Place board has launched a fundraising campaign, the Caring Forever Fund, through the Vancouver Foundation.

Click here for more info.

Monday January 8, 2024

Greetings to members and friends of the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition (RPRC):

I would like to introduce myself as a new contributor for the round-up newsletter. My name is Laina (she/her- hello@richmondprc.org). I have recently been involved in the RPRC’s LEMR campaign, as well as the Vision Zero RASC group, and I am excited to assist the RPRC in continuing with this newsletter.

This is our 1st Roundup for 2024. This email is filled with information from our RPRC organization members and allies, local news, and all levels of government. If you have some news, just send it to info@richmondprc.org and we will endeavour to spread the word among our members and associates.

RPRC Members News:

->RCD Rings in the New Year! (Thanks to Ella Huang)

Welcome to the RCD 2024 new term! Come join our activities and events, and pay attention to some of the new programs. If you’re interested in joining any of our activities, please register or renew your participant’s status, the annual registration fee is $10 and $5 respectively; subsidy is available to members with financial hardship.

You can complete the membership form for 2024 or do it in-person at the RCD. For more information see https://www.rcdrichmond.org/index.php

Affordable Housing News

->City is hiring two homeless outreach workers (Thanks to Richmond News)

The City of Richmond will hire two outreach workers in 2024 to work with its homeless population. The Homeless Count, done in March, showed an increase from 85 people in 2020 to 162 in 2023, a doubling over three years of people who are homeless in Richmond. In the meantime, tents have appeared in Brighouse Park, something city staff told city council in November was a “political statement” made by some homeless people to address the need for permanent housing or shelters. Read the article.

->Column: Trifecta of crises create opportunities for action (Thanks to Richmond News)

Instead of an end to the opioid crisis, or even an abatement, this month there was dire news – deaths from toxic drugs are increasing, now up to seven a day in Metro Vancouver.

And another tragic report came out last week, related to the housing crisis and homelessness. There’s been a sharp rise in deaths among people who are homeless, including 342 deaths in 2022, the province said in a news release. That’s significantly higher than an average of 183 deaths of homeless people for the seven previous years and the number will undoubtedly be higher again in 2023, if the number of people living in tents is any indication.

Homelessness is no small problem in our province. About 12,000 British Columbians were homeless on average each month in 2021, an increase over the previous year, the B.C. government recently reported.

Here’s a reflection on the opioid, housing, and climate change crises.

->Letters: I got lectured on the housing crisis when complaining about suites (Thanks to Richmond News)

Thank to Richmond News reader Mike Bishop, who wrote in to say that bylaws being ignored may make rentals unsafe for future tenants. He asks:

When will the city start enforcing building permits and bylaws in regards to secondary suites? Last summer there were two houses in my cul-de-sac that had secondary suites built with no plumbing or electrical permits issued. I personally saw major plumbing, electrical and structural work being performed.

When I called the city to inquire, I was lectured about the housing crisis. Not only does this put neighbouring structures at risk, it also puts unsuspecting renters in a precarious position. I call on city staff and council to create a housing strategy that doesn’t pit neighbour against neighbour! Keep reading.

->BC Government introduces a raft of legislation for more housing (Thanks to Richmond News)

The housing crisis has been chipping away at British Columbians for decades. But it appears 2023 might be the year officials from all levels of government have coalesced to ramp up initiatives aimed at tackling these persistent challenges.

Housing policy this past year has taken on a more systemic approach in addition to focusing more heavily on challenges such as low supply, slow approval processes and an insufficient provincial framework to build density, according to industry experts.

However, experts say issues remain when it comes to a lack of collaboration between local governments and the province, and more protection for renters and rental stock. This year is also notably different due to this policy being created under the leadership of B.C.’s first dedicated minister of housing since the 1970s. “We haven’t seen this level of systems-wide thinking in previous years because housing has always been attached to another ministry,” said Marika Albert, policy director at the BC Non-Profit Housing Association.

->Delta council approves more density (Thanks to Delta Optimist)

At its last meeting of 2023 Delta Council gave final consideration and approval of a zoning amendment to allow a property on Milsom Wynd to be subdivided into two lots, each to have a new house. By next summer, new Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments will likely result in even more housing units allowed on such lots, without having to go through a rezoning process. The provincial government last year gave Delta a housing target of 3,607 units over the next five years.

Income Security News

->CEO’s make 246 times more than the average Canadian in a year (Thanks to CCPA)

As income disparity widens across Canada, the Globe and Mail reports that Canada’s 100 highest-paid chief executive officers broke records with their compensation in 2022, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. “The data this year is breaking new all-time highs,” said senior economist David Macdonald.

The organization’s annual report found that the CEOs, most of them men, were paid an average of $14.9-million, up from an average of $14.3-million in 2021. That’s $7,162 an hour, 246 times more than what the average Canadian worker makes. Before the second day of the new year is over, the average CEO has already made the average worker’s yearly salary, the report said.

In response, Lead Now has created a petition to create a corporate profiteering tax.

->Demand surged for Richmond charities this holiday season (Thanks to Richmond News)

RPRC member Richmond Care Richmond Gives (RCRG) experienced a much higher uptake of their Christmas fund than in previous year. The rising cost of living in Richmond and lower donations has strained charities’ resources. “I don’t think it’ll come as a surprise to anyone with the economy the way that it is that people are struggling this year. From our standpoint as a charity in Richmond, it’s affected us on both fronts,” said Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG.

Transportation News:

->Translink unveils its new, faster bus service for the busy Delta-Surrey corridor (Thanks to Delta Optimist)

The much-talked-about R6 Scott Road RapidBus began serving commuters on the service that is to speed up bus trips on Scott Road by up to 10 minutes in each direction, while providing up to 20 % more customer capacity on the busiest bus corridor in both cities. Learn more.

Meanwhile the Richmond City Council turned down the proposal of a rapid bus (BRT) to Burnaby in November–though City of Richmond staff have asked the elected officials to reconsider (Thanks to Daily Hive).

Monday September 23, 2024

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Tuesday August 20, 2024

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