We’ve heard a lot in the news lately about the Green New Deal being brought forward in the States by people like the popular Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Now there’s also a Green New Deal for Canada. But what exactly does this mean? To start, we’re all pretty clear about what needs to be done…
Category: social justice
Secure housing with a heart
With the need for non-market housing becoming more and more urgent, I’m very excited about the new development at the corner of Kerr St and 55th Avenue in Vancouver. The new firehall No. 5 for Champlain Heights will be built there. Four floors of the new building will be housing for mothers and children, with…
Good news for Vancouver renters
There’s been a lot in the news lately about issues that impact renters, and I’m happy to say most of it is good news. First up is the announcement of a new resource at city hall — the creation of a Renters Office. This office, with its newly dedicated staff person and phone line, will…
Here’s to a progressive and ferocious 2019!
Happy New Year, everyone! May your New Year’s resolutions be successful. In keeping with the season, here are a few of my wishes for 2019. Progress on the basic income front Last summer, the provincial government appointed a three-person panel of experts to look at the viability of guaranteed basic income in BC. CBC Radio…
2018: A year of ups and downs for social justice
This is my last blog of 2018, so now is a good time to reflect on some of the highlights centering on social justice that were significant to me this year. To start, I was so heartened to witness the comeback of COPE, a party very important to me and one I’ve been heavily involved…
Unanimous vote on Vancouver tenants’ rights is a game changer
On Tuesday, December 4, COPE Councillor Jean Swanson tenants’ protection motion finally came before city council for a vote. In the week leading up to the vote, more than 300 tenants spoke eloquently to council about the need for protection when landlords decide to renovict them. See my last blog (Secure tenants make for a…
Affordable rents: There’s a way, just no will
Over the last number of years, Vision Vancouver has been offering developers significant incentives in the form of waiving development cost levies or DCLs in return for a commitment from the developer to provide purpose-built rental housing. (See my June 29 blog on DCLs.) Unfortunately, this has not helped at all in addressing Vancouver’s housing…