Expert panel convened to solve city’s complex issues

A panel of experts has been tasked with developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for the City of Victoria. The goal is to address multiple complex issues such as “declining civility and social cohesion, increasing social disorder, inadequate housing supply and homelessness, poverty, inequality, addictions, mental and physical health challenges, criminal activity and other factors.”
 
The panel will work over the next 15 months to advise Victoria council on immediate interventions as well as long-term solutions.
 
“I’m in frequent contact with the business community throughout the downtown and beyond and I’m consistently hearing that the impact of the pandemic is far from over,” Fort Properties Ltd. CEO/co-owner Suzanne Bradbury said in the city’s news release. “I believe that this is the right initiative at the right time and I’m honoured to bring a small business perspective.”
 
Along with Bradbury, the panel includes:

• Brianna Bear, Speaker and Artist, Songhees Nation
• Del Manak, Chief, Victoria Police Department
• Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
• Julian Daly, CEO, Our Place Society
• Marianne Alto, Mayor, City of Victoria
• Mike Benusic, Medical Health Officer, Island Health
• Robert Jawl, Managing Director, Jawl Properties Ltd.
• Sandra Severs, President, Victoria Downtown Residents Association and Chair, Victoria Community Association Network.
• Daniel Atkinson, Chief, Victoria Fire Department