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.

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.

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.

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.

​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.