Safe Communities Archives - Page 2 of 5

Vital Signs Report gives housing failing grade, again

September 26, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Climate Change Solutions, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Greater Victoria has earned a “B” from this year’s Vital Signs Report, released yesterday by the Victoria Foundation. It’s the same score as last year.

“For nearly 20 years, Vital Signs has been helping the community identify and respond to the greatest challenges facing our region,” Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson said in a media release. “This year, the survey found cost of living, housing, and healthcare to be among the most important issues in Greater Victoria.”

The report looks at 12 areas and grades them based on data from a survey completed by more than 6,500 people as well as from sources curated by a local researcher

In the 2024 report, housing rated a D-, down from the D the area received last year. Health and wellness also fell from a B- to a C+ — as did the grade given to our standard of living.

Environmental sustainability earned a B, which is the same as last year.

On the positive side, sports and recreation increased from a B last year to a B+ this year. Belonging and engagement, arts and culture, and economy all stayed the same from last year.

The Vital Signs Report is available online at victoriavitalsigns.ca, as well as in print at various locations throughout the region.

New units added to affordable housing supply

September 18, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Adding to Greater Victoria’s housing supply is critical. We need affordable homes for individuals and families who want to live and work in our region, and we need housing for vulnerable people at risk of falling through the cracks.

Last week, the Capital Regional District‘s housing agency helped announce the opening of 97 new rental units at Michigan Square in James Bay. The Capital Region Housing Corporation project includes 23 homes at shelter rates, 22 at the affordable housing threshold of 30% of income and 51 at or below market rates.

“We’ve been hearing from employers for many years that finding and keeping workers is a challenge and one of the root causes of that is our cost of living,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’re lucky to live in a region that people aspire to move into but the high demand that creates on housing stock impacts the value of the available supply.”

Another 58 rental homes are also in the works, with 40 units at 2558 Quadra St. and 18 at 1276 Gladstone Ave.

The projects are able to move forward thanks in part to government leveraging underused land and offering loans for builders at better than bank rates.

Province to begin helping those who can’t help themselves

September 18, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber News, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Safe communities are fundamental to all of us. We need to feel safe if we’re going to reach our potential at work and at home. However, the ongoing opioid crisis continues to impact every neighbourhood and has become especially visible in pockets of larger cities. We’re seeing more people struggling with addiction and mental health who are unable to secure immediate access to treatment options.

This week’s news that the provincial government is stepping up to provide care for people unable to care for themselves is overdue.

“Yes, people need to have agency over their lives but people also need to be kept safe from predators and people should not have to live in dangerous environments,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We believe there are times when the healthcare system needs to intervene in a person’s life so that person has a chance to recover before it’s too late.”

The province’s shift to enabling involuntary care will start on the Lower Mainland and use correctional facilities to provide care under the Mental Health Act. The aim is to help people with addiction challenges, brain injuries and mental-health issues stabilize and rebuild their lives. Facilities on the Island and across BC are being planned.

“The toxic-drug crisis of today is not what it was 10 or even five years ago,” BC’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions said in a media release. “We are now facing a rising number of people who are living with the lasting effects of multiple overdoses and complex mental-health challenges, tied to social factors like poverty and trauma.”

The province also called on the federal government to step up border enforcement around screening shipping containers arriving in Canada to curb the smuggling of chemical precursors used to make illicit fentanyl.

Back to school sees changes to improve health and safety

September 4, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A sure sign that summer is soon coming to a close is the sight of school kids headed back to class.

One of the big changes for students in K-12 is the new cellphone policy that aims to cut down on screen time during school hours. The policy removes the distraction of digital devices in order to help improve learning outcomes and support better mental health.

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) began welcoming students back yesterday, as did other regional school districts as well as the University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University.

BC’s post-secondary schools will also have a new presence on campus as the province rolls out new strategies to prevent toxic-drug poisonings.

“The toxic-drug crisis continues to have a devastating impact on families and communities in BC, and the impact on students has been heartbreaking,” BC’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions said in a media release.

Staying safe at work, at home and at school is fundamental to enabling all of us to reach our potential. As a new school year begins, the sense of hope and optimism is palpable, serving as inspiration to keep working together to build good business and great community for all.

Old Man Lake wildfire near Sooke finally contained

July 31, 2024/in Business And Economic Strength, Climate Change Solutions, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The wildfire near the District of Sooke that has been spreading smoky skies across the South Island is now officially categorized as contained.

Thanks to recent wet weather and the determined efforts of firefighters, the blaze is not expected to grow beyond its 230-hectare size. The fire was reported on July 22.

However, as crews continue to work on the blaze, Capital Regional District Parks and trails in the area, including the Sooke Potholes, remain closed.

“This is welcome news for people in Sooke,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The fire discouraged people from going to that area, and you can imagine that has added to the difficulties facing businesses there. I encourage everyone to make an effort to get out and support those who experienced a drop in business due to the fires when it’s safe to do so.”

More than words needed to reduce toxic drug use

July 24, 2024/in Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Stopping people from getting addicted to dangerous drugs needs to be the focus of government policies, stated the Save Our Streets (SOS) coalition in a July 19 media release.

The statement was a response to news that the BC government has rejected a report suggesting easier access to legally provided drugs will reduce the number of people dying from street drugs.

“Our end-goal should not be to provide greater access to a safer supply of hard drugs but rather to decrease the number of British Columbians using those drugs in the first place,” says Jess Ketchum, co-founder, SOS. “Our primary goal should first be to reduce the number of people using hard drugs and that means robust prevention programming. Secondly, we need to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for those people unfortunate enough to be living with these health issues, so they can return to their families and communities with purpose in their lives. Sadly, that is a goal this provincial government is better at talking about than delivering.”

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is one of the founding members of the SOS Coalition. We continue to advocate for safe communities, including through increased investment in accessible treatment for people facing mental health and addiction challenges.

New supportive housing units a good investment

July 3, 2024/in Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A new five-storey building has opened at 953 Balmoral St. with 56 units of supportive housing operated by the Cool Aid Society.

“We are very excited to have partnered with BC Housing to offer 56 brand new units of supportive housing at one of Cool Aid’s original sites,” Cool Aid CEO Elin Bjarnason said in a media release. “The building at 953 Balmoral is beautiful – both inside and out – and we know that people will be thrilled to call it home.”

Having homes for people is the cornerstone for safe communities, which enable businesses to create a vibrant, healthy economy that works for everyone. Chamber members have identified housing as an advocacy priority, and we continue to work to support the construction of more homes in our region. We also recognize that people experiencing homelessness often face mental health and addiction challenges and need housing with appropriate care.

“It should be common sense that everyone benefits when we invest in helping people to be part of our community and not become street entrenched,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Our community partners at Victoria Cool Aid Society and BC Housing are doing some heavy lifting that will make life better for all of us.”

Access to help key to making community safe for all

June 19, 2024/in Chamber Awareness, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Feeling safe at home and at work is a fundamental requirement for good business and great community. The Chamber supports initiatives such as two recent announcements about investments in housing and support programs to help people reintegrate into society.

Access Hub for Street Community
The City of Victoria has agreed to provide up to $1.8 million for the operations of a new access hub facility at 2155 Dowler Pl. that reduces the risk and impacts of homelessness. Funds come from the Financial Stability Reserve, which can be used in situations related to public safety.

The 5,264 square-foot property will include community space for people to have immediate access to supports aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness. The property will be fenced and security will be on site to address any impacts on neighbouring properties

Transitional Housing for Fresh Start
On Tuesday, the province announced plans for 28 transitional homes with supports for people leaving the correctional system. Located at 736 Princess Ave., the six-storey building will be owned and operated by the John Howard Society of Victoria, which is dedicated to helping people with programs and services focused on employment, housing, mentorship and restorative justice.

The building will be the John Howard Society’s new headquarters. The upper floors of the building will have 28 studio apartments, each with a private washroom and kitchenette.

Two tales emerging about downtown: DVBA report

June 12, 2024/in Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

There are two stories being told about downtown Victoria, says a new analysis released this morning by the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

With 5% more business licences issued, and tourism and industry thriving, the DVBA’s 2024 Annual Report says the numbers show the region’s downtown is enjoying economic growth. However, there is also a growing sense of unease — a survey found almost 20% of businesses believe downtown is failing.

“That is the highest percentage since we began surveying members,” the DVBA report states. “It is alarming.”

More than two thirds of all people who patronize downtown come from within Greater Victoria, which means that the entire region has a role to play in the narrative of this important neighbourhood.

“The Chamber strongly supports downtown and the work of the DVBA and the City of Victoria to make the area vibrant and safe,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We are a regional chamber but we will continue to call on all levels of government to invest in the infrastructure and services needed in downtown Victoria.”

VicPD warns of payroll frauds making the rounds

May 22, 2024/in Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Victoria Police Department is warning area businesses to be wary of “direct deposit diversion” or “payroll” frauds after a reported loss of more than $50,000 in wages.

“These frauds typically involve a ‘phishing’ type fraud where an employer or HR department receives an email that appears to be from an employee who is asking to have their direct deposit information updated,” VicPD said. “The employer updates the direct deposit info provided by the ’employee’ therefore re-directing the employee’s pay cheques to a third-party account. The employee notices once they have not been paid.”

Similar email frauds involve posing as the employer or payroll department asking employees to update their contact and banking info via a fake link that appears to be their company’s website. If the employee provides their login and personal info, cybercriminals can re-direct employees’ pay cheques to another account. These types of frauds are targeted and sophisticated, and cybercriminals may spend time researching the target company or employee.

Here are a few red flags:

The email greeting is generic (keeping in mind that cybercriminals can access employee names and other personal info)
They are requesting info that the employer should already have
Pressure to act quickly or confidentially.

What to do if it happens to you:

Click on the sender’s email address, is it a valid, business address. Does the email address match the sender’s name?
If there is a monetary loss, report to police via the E-Comm Report Desk at (250) 995-7654.
Notify your employer and financial institution right away and change passwords.
Report online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Talk about it.

“These types of frauds are increasingly more sophisticated and are always evolving,” the VicPD said. “Education is the most valuable tool against fraud. Talk to your employees, co-workers, friends, and family about your experience. Education is prevention.”

For more information, email engagement@vicpd.ca or visit Payroll Diversion Frauds – VicPD.ca.