Real solutions needed for ongoing homeless crisis

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How do we get back to feeling safe in our communities?
 
It’s clear that we have a growing problem with encampments in downtown Victoria and in many parks throughout the region. Crime statistics also show that there has been an increase in property crimes and incidents requiring the police. There are reasons that many people in Victoria report they’re feeling less safe living and working in their community.
 
The issue is becoming more prominent for many Chamber members, and we are working with decision makers to push for real solutions.
 
“There are a number of pillars that need to be in place for all of us to feel safe in our day-to-day lives,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Housing is the obvious one, and a lot of work has gone into finding long-term homes for people living in camps or on the streets. However, one area that we’re lacking is adequate care for people with mental health issues and addictions. Many people want help, but the nature of their illness makes them defensive of their circumstances and keeps them stuck in a cycle of despair. Unfortunately, this leaves many people vulnerable to predators who sell drugs or deal in stolen goods.”
 
Williams spoke with VicPD police chief Del Manak this week about how his department is stepping up enforcement, as well as how health professionals can help people whose homelessness is rooted in mental illness. A key component of this will be increasing the capacity of facilities that can provide adequate rehabilitation for addiction.
 
It’s also important to recognize that Greater Victoria is not alone in dealing with an opioid crisis concurrently with affordable housing concerns and a pandemic. We need to learn from success stories and avoid the policy pitfalls that have plagued other regions.

Focus on your nutritional health this summer

This summer, make sure to take care of your physical, mental, social and nutritional health. For the month of August, The Chamber has been suggesting ways to take healthier steps during these unique times.

Being conscious of what you eat is an essential part of keeping your body and mind healthy. Learning ways to prepare healthy meals can create good habits for the rest of the year.

The Government of Canada has created a guide for healthy eating during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guide provides recipe suggestions, meal planning resources and information on ways to eat better while saving money. Interested in receiving personalized advice? Nutritionists can be included in your Chamber Group Insurance Plan.

When picking up groceries, keep the Canadian Food Guide in mind while preparing meals — have plenty of veggies and fruits, eat protein such as meat and nuts, choose whole-grain pasta and rice, and make water your drink of choice.

If you’re missing a key vitamin or nutrient from your diet, consider purchasing immune boosting supplements from a Chamber member.

And if you don’t feel like cooking, enjoy dinner at a Chamber Member Patio. Go while the sun is shining and choose healthy options on the menu. Or order takeout from a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal at home.

Airport arrivals increasing but still well below 2019

After experiencing a dramatic drop in passenger arrivals this spring, the Victoria International Airport is starting to see an increase in the number of domestic passengers.

With no international arrivals since April, the total number of passengers going through the Victoria airport in July was still down 79% from 2019. However, the 34,055 domestic arrivals represents an increase from 13,437 in June.

August is expected to exceed 40,000, airport spokesperson Rod Hunchak told the Times Colonist. That would bring the total number of passengers to about 404,000 for 2020 so far. That compares to a 12-month total of 1.9 million in 2019.

Omicron proposing major development in Colwood

A major new development in the City of Colwood will broaden the municipal tax base, create jobs on the West Shore and potentially ease transportation issues in Greater Victoria.

“One of our solutions to (traffic congestion) is that we need to begin to create more jobs here in the West Shore,” Colwood Mayor Rob Martin told the Times Colonist.

The proposed Allandale District — being developed by Omicron Canada with a Vancouver partneris going through the approval process with Colwood council.

The development would cover 20 acres on four parcels, including a former gravel pit and rock bluffs along Allandale Road and on both sides of Veteran Memorial Parkway.

University Heights plan going to public hearing

The plan to redevelop University Heights mall in the District of Saanich is going to public hearing. Saanich council decided to move the project forward, with a few outstanding questions for staff to address.

The proposal by Wesbild will add 598 rental units and 10,096 square metres of commercial space. The plan would revitalize the area and create much needed housing for the region.

Masks required on ferries and transit, starting today

Starting today, masks are mandatory on BC Transit as well as BC Ferries.
 
BC Transit made the decision to align with other transit operators, including TransLink in the Lower Mainland. The policy is considered “educational” and reflects advice from the provincial health officer to wear masks when physical distancing can’t be maintained. There won’t be a method for enforcing the rule, and exemptions are in place for children under five and people unable to wear a mask for health reasons. Customers will be expected to provide their own masks.
 
However, BC Ferries now requires masks be worn aboard all vessels and inside terminals. Customers who refuse could face a travel ban.
 
Exemptions are in place for people eating food, as long as they maintain physical distancing, or people who remain inside a vehicle.

Feds update relief programs to help recovery

Last week, the federal government announced new paid sick-leave and care-giver programs as well as a two-year freeze to the Employment Insurance premium rate paid by employers. The EI rate will remain at $1.58 per $100 in insurable earnings for employees and $2.21 per $100 in insurable earning for employers.
 
The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, effective Sept. 27, provides $500 per week for up to two weeks for workers who are sick or need to self-isolate because of COVID-19. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks per household to help people who can’t work because they need to care for a dependent due to COVID-19.
 
Government also provided more details on its plan to move workers off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The new Canada Recovery Benefit provides $400 per week for up to 26 weeks for people who are self-employed or not eligible for EI. Under this program, people will be able earn some income and still collect the benefit. The CERB was extended until the end of September, and will then be phased out by a modified EI system announced earlier.

Back to school plans take shape for working parents

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Working parents of school-aged children will soon have a better idea of what’s being planned for classrooms.

SD61 and other school districts are working on plans to bring back students for Sept. 10, with BC’s Ministry of Education agreeing to a gradual re-orientation. After districts have their plans approved by the province, parents will have a better idea of the child-care needs they’ll require this fall.

The Chamber continues to call on all levels of government to invest in quality child care. As our economy restarts, we need parents to have confidence that they can access quality child-care — especially in these uncertain times — so they can continue to pursue careers and contribute to the labour pool.


Mental health treatment vital to safe communities

​The time is now for governments to invest in mental health and addiction services that can better address growing concerns around homelessness and street crime in Greater Victoria. Unstable mental health is the root cause of many addictions as individuals chose to self-medicate.

Our region, especially downtown Victoria, needs a chance to recover after the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. We can’t afford to have residents, businesses and employees feeling unsafe in their community.
 
The Chamber understands the complexity of the issue — it doesn’t help to label all homeless as either criminals or lost lambs, as Jack Knox notes in the Times Colonist.

Fortunately, there are success stories in other jurisdictions that we can look to for guidance. We also know that Therapeutic Recovery Communities have had success, though helping people stick to treatment can be difficult.
 
“We can all agree that it’s not acceptable to have people sleeping on our streets and in our parks. We can also agree it’s not acceptable for people to feel unsafe due to property crime and violent behaviour in their neighbourhoods,” says Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who spoke about the issue on CFAX this morning.

“Unstable mental health is the root cause of many addictions as individuals chose to self-medicate,” Williams says. “Prolonged drug use can impair the ability for rational and respectful behavior. A thorough plan to help create balanced mental health in our most vulnerable citizens is long overdue. The time to act is now.”

People deserve a home, and our most vulnerable people need services that keep them from ending up homeless. Housing is vital, but it’s not enough without mental health and addiction treatment.

Victoria youth can apply now for free bus passes

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​Youth between six and 18 living within the City of Victoria can apply now for free bus passes to use in September. The program aims to encourage young citizens to use public transit with the hope they will continue to seek sustainable transportation as adult commuters.

The application process has changed since it initially launched after the city did not get the participation levels it expected. The municipality was left with thousands of unused bus passes after it purchased them in bulk before waiting to see actual demand.