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Do you agree with the B.C. Finance Committee that the minimum wage should be raised?

Yes 952
No 130
Total votes: 1082

VICTORIA – As B.C. Liberal leadership candidates join the chorus calling for an increase in Canada's lowest minimum wage, the government has begun laying the groundwork for the first increase in nine years.

Labour Minister Iain Black said Thursday he has asked staff to consult with business and labour representatives over the next three months. Black's announcement came hours after Shuswap MLA George Abbott resigned as education minister and announced his leadership bid, featuring a promise to review the minimum wage.

Vancouver-Langara MLA Moira Stilwell, the first leadership candidate to declare, has called for it to be increased immediately from the current $8 an hour to $8.50, with 50-cent increases every six months until it reaches $10.

Stilwell advocated the same schedule of increases for the $6-an-hour "training wage" that applies to new workers in their first 500 hours of employment. Both rates were set by the B.C. Liberal government in 2001, and calls for an increase have become an annual Labour Day campaign by the B.C. Federation of Labour and the NDP opposition.

Both groups have advocated an immediate increase to $10 an hour. Black cautioned that a sudden increase could be "dangerous" for small businesses struggling to recover from a deep recession.

Finance Minister Colin Hansen said this week that only 2.3 per cent of B.C. workers are paid minimum wage, and the majority of those are young people who live with their parents.

New Brunswick is the latest province to raise its minimum wage, going from $8.50 to $9 an hour on Sept. 1 with further increases to take it to $10 an hour by next summer.

In March, Ontario raised its minimum wage by 75 cents to $10.25, the highest in Canada.

It's $8.70 in Prince Edward Island, $8.93 in Yukon, $8.80 in Alberta, $9.25 in Saskatchewan, $9 in Manitoba and Northwest Territories, $9.20 in Nova Scotia, $9.50 in Quebec and $10 in Nunavut and Newfoundland.

Provincial hospitals have been increasingly converting beds into a form of social housing over the past decade, data from B.C.'s Ministry of Health shows.

The data, obtained by the Opposition New Democrats, reveals a rising trend where patients who no longer require acute care remain in those beds.

Homelessness, inadequate housing and other problems related to housing and economic circumstances are given as reasons for keeping patients at the hospital.

Comparing the number of patients staying in such beds in 2001-02 with 2008-09 reveals an increase of 192 per cent.

The data reflects how homelessness, insufficient housing and income disparity are contributing to rising hospitalization rates and health-care costs, NDP health critic Adrian Dix says.

He argues the B.C. government's failure to implement a coherent housing strategy and larger poverty reduction plan is to blame.

"These figures show how increasing income disparity, homelessness and substandard housing have added more pressure on acute-care hospitals," Dix said in a written release.

"They also lend more proof that a real concerted approach to reducing poverty and poor housing will be required to bend the cost curve on health-care costs while improving the health of the overall population."

The B.C. Liberals have not been reached for comment.

When it comes to finding ways to improve community dental care, soft drink companies aren't generally heralded as the saviour.

But when Shirley Goebel heard about the Pepsi Refresh Project, she rallied the troops at Kelowna Gospel Mission's dental clinic to take a stab at earning a much needed $100,000 grant that could improve the smiles and health of countless locals.

"We need to expand our clinic because we are so overwhelmed with need," said Goebel, the Mission's director of dental services.

"We'd like to take our clinic from two (dental) chairs to four chairs so we can better serve our community."

Goebel, who has been with the clinic that addresses dental needs for low income Kelowna residents since it opened six years ago, was introduced to the Pepsi grant competition this summer and geared up to have an application hit the web this fall. Pepsi put the Gospel Mission online as a contestant today and from this point forward, it's up to voters to help increase the reach of the Mission's dental program by voting once a day, every day, until Dec. 31 when the winner will be unveiled.

There are countless reasons why the community should help the free clinic come out first in the intervening weeks.

"We encourage everyone to vote everyday so we can show the rest of Canada how we take care of our own in our community," she said, explaining the clinic, which is staffed with volunteers from UBC dental students out of Vancouver General Hospital and local dentists, is meeting an urgent and growing need.

"Right now we are booked several months out ... I am still calling referrals from last fall for our restorative clinic, where we provide basic dental care."

It's something that's key to overall health, but even the cosmetic aspect of dental care can act as a barrier to those who want to be in the workforce, but aren't there yet.

"They smile, and people say 'I don't want that in my business'," she said. "We really value, as a society, how people look. We have had many clients who we helped get their smiles and they get their self-esteem back and now they're employable and happy."

While the need to expand the clinic's reach is high, Goebel doesn't know if they'll be able to do it without the funds from the Pepsi grant competition.

"It's getting harder and harder to find grant dollars," she said. "We don't have any government sponsorship here so we went to Pepsi."

Pepsi is giving away millions each month to fund refreshing ideas that change the world. The ideas with the most votes will receive grants.

To vote go to http://www.refresheverything.ca/expandourfreedentalclinic

More information about the Pepsi Refresh Grant can be found at http://www.refresheverything.ca/how-it-works

When it comes to finding ways to improve community dental care, soft drink companies aren’t generally heralded as the saviour.

But when Shirley Goebel heard about the Pepsi Refresh Project, she rallied the troops at Kelowna Gospel Mission’s dental clinic to take a stab at earning a much-needed $100,000 grant that could improve the smiles and health of countless locals.

“We need to expand our clinic because we are so overwhelmed with need,” said Goebel, the Mission’s director of dental services.

“We’d like to take our clinic from two (dental) chairs to four chairs so we can better serve our community.”

Goebel, who has been with the clinic that addresses dental needs for low income Kelowna residents since it opened six years ago, was introduced to the Pepsi grant competition this summer and geared up to have an application hit the web this fall.

Pepsi put the Gospel Mission online as a contestant today and from this point forward, it’s up to voters to help increase the reach of the Mission’s dental program by voting once a day, every day, until Dec. 31 when the winner will be unveiled.

There are countless reasons why the community should help the free clinic come out first in the intervening weeks.

“We encourage everyone to vote everyday so we can show the rest of Canada how we take care of our own in our community,” she said, explaining the clinic, which is staffed with volunteers from UBC dental students out of Vancouver General Hospital and local dentists, is meeting an urgent and growing need.

“Right now we are booked several months out…I am still calling referrals from last fall for our restorative clinic, where we provide basic dental care.”

It’s something that’s key to overall health, but even the cosmetic aspect of dental care can act as a barrier to those who want to be in the workforce, but aren’t there yet.

“They smile, and people say ‘I don’t want that in my business,’” she said.

“We really value, as a society, how people look. We have had many clients who we helped get their smiles and they get their self-esteem back and now they’re employable and happy.”

While the need to expand the clinic’s reach is high, Goebel doesn’t know if they’ll be able to do it without the funds from the Pepsi grant competition.

“It’s getting harder and harder to find grant dollars,” she said.

“We don’t have any government sponsorship here so we went to Pepsi.”

Pepsi is giving away millions each month to fund refreshing ideas that change the world. The ideas with the most votes will receive grants.

To vote go to http://www.refresheverything.ca/expandourfreedentalclinic.

More information about the Pepsi Refresh Grant can be found at http://www.refresheverything.ca/how-it-works.

The Community Dental Access Centre volunteer committee has been working tirelessly for years to provide a dental clinic with services based on income. Now, with many of the goals and objectives met, there has been a space chosen for a clinic and renovations are underway with the clinic expected to open in the new year.

“This has been an evolving process and we have kept our goals and objectives in mind and met them,” said Lesly McMillan, clinic co-manager with Chris Turner.

The four-chair clinic will have professional dental care staff and a resident dentist starting next summer. Volunteers will assist with things like paperwork. The downtown clinic space is currently being renovated and assistance from a contractor and donations in kind of building supplies would be greatly appreciated.

Resident Jessie Crawford-Brown believes all donations help.

“I have decided that I will start saving at least $10 a month to build up a fund to give to the centre. And I will dump the change from my purse regularly and donate that. Even small amounts add up,” she said.

“There are a lot of seniors without dental care and other people of all ages from all walks of life who are eager for this clinic to open. I hate to think of children being in pain.”

Tanis Farina, settlement counsellor for Vernon and District Immigrant Services said she sees clients who have poor dental health and it prevents them from getting work and adjusting to their new life.

Preventative dental care for children and adults will be an important part of the Community Dental Access Centre. For more information, call McMillan at 250-546-8681 or Turner at 250-558-5877 or see www.communitydentalaccess.ca.

Pipedreams of an upwardly mobile downtown Kelowna cost the city $150,000.

Five years ago, when city council was planning to have the Gospel Mission clear out of Leon Avenue to make way for high-end developments, it passed the organization funds to embark on a campaign that would help them in that aim.

It was intended to be a loan repaid when the shelter and soup kitchen was sold, but Monday it morphed into a gift.

As the city’s real estate and building services director Doug Gilchristexplained, the city changed its direction but the mission’s staff held up their end of the bargain. The best way to move forward was to write off the debt, he said especially considering that the money is nowhere to be seen now that the building isn’t going to be sold.

“A great deal of site analysis, financial modelling, facility modelling went into …potentially relocating the Gospel Mission,” said Gilchrist, adding consultants were hired and a capital campaign got underway.
“A great deal of money was spent at that time to try and determine what model might work, perhaps well beyond the $150,000 we are talking about here today.”

The decision to write off the loan was reached unanimously by council who, before making the decisioin, listened to the mission’s Randy Benson explain that the organization’s services continue to be in high demand.

Now that they’re not moving, and services continue to ramp up, making the building more esthetically pleasing seems to be the way forward.

It’s something council said it would have preferred to see the money dedicated to.

“It’s an expensive lesson we’ve learned,” said Coun. Graeme James.

“But the Gospel Mission has lived up to its end of the bargain.”

Nothing was mentioned in the Highlights of the Meeting or the Board Agenda about Item 1.2 Domestic Violence Support Worker

1.2 Other

a) Domestic Violence Support Worker

It was noted that the funding proposal to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding a domestic violence support worker pilot project submitted in May 2010 has been denied for two reasons: lack of funding and the Ministry does not want to introduce a third model but prefers the community based program. It was agreed that lobbying for funding for the
pilot project needs to continue.

SHEPHERD/HODGE
THAT the denial of the application for funding for a pilot police-based Domestic Violence Support Worker be shared with our MLAs;

AND THAT the Chair and Directors attempt to meet with Ministry officials at the upcoming UBCM Convention to lobby for support of the pilot project;

AND FURTHER THAT staff attend the public provincial budget meetings scheduled for September 21 and if possible present a case for funding of a police based domestic violence program.

CARRIED

Item 3.1 CATCH Briefing.pdf

Agenda No. 3.3
Mtg Date: Sept 9/10

Community Action Toward Children's Health
"working together for the healthy development of children in the early years"

1 September, 2009

Community Action Toward Children's Health is a capacity focused, community coalition, working to make the Central Okanagan the best place to raise children.

We have a ten year history of working together to raise awareness of Early Childhood Development (ECD) through our community development, research, evaluation, and advocacy for healthy social and environmental policy.

Our present goals and work plans take direction from the priorities defined in the ECD plan for the Central Okanagan, released in June of 2007. This plan was the result of three years of consultation with community partners, providers and parents. We are proud of our Aboriginal community engagement in the CATCH coalition where urban Aboriginal, Metis and Westbank First Nations ECD leaders are working together. They have developed their own priorities,resulting in an enriched and culturally sensitive collection of priorities for children from Peachland to Lake Country.

CATCH celebrates National Child Day on November 20th, which includes a State of the Child Report for the Central Okanagan.

We communicate with partners and the general public through our website, network newsletters, quarterly reports, Network Meetings, presentations to diverse groups, and opportunities for broader community involvement.

Aside from our community partners, CATCH's work is supported by a few dedicated contractors under the administration of the CATCH Manager and directed by the CATCH Integration Team, a sixteen member group of diverse community partners.

Shan Lavell, RN BSN MA, CCC
Coalition Manager

#212-1511 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna BC V1Y 5Y7
Phone: (250) 868-2413 Fax: (250) 868-2416 Email: info "at" catchcoalition.ca
www.catchcoalition.ca

3. Delegation

3.1 Kent Stralbiski, Chair - Community Action Towards Children's Health (CATCH) re: Briefing on CATCH
Kent Stralbiski, CATCH Chair, addressed the Committee and provided an update on the continuing programs that CATCH continues to support following closure of
their local office and reduction in provincial funding. The Coalition continues to work behind the scenes and continues to provide coordinators to facilitate and support activities in both the aboriginal and mainstream communities. A review of
its programs was provided including the State of the Child Report, Children Friendly Communities, aboriginal family gathering, Parenting with Pizzazz conference, network meetings and resource swap, and online communities.

It was noted that Kent will be moving from the Central Okanagan and he was thanked for his professionalism and value which he has brought to the organization.

SHEPHERD/HODGE
THAT the presentation by Kent Stralbiski, Chair - Community Action Towards Children's Health (CATCH) be received.

CARRIED

Homelessness is increasingly not just an affliction for young people.

The average age of clients using shelter beds at Howard House in South Vernon has climbed from 38 to 53 within the last five years.

“To get an average like that, we’re talking about many men over the age of 60,” said Barbara Levesque, executive director, who is helping organize activities for Homeless Action Week, which runs until Saturday.

“That tells us those are men who largely worked in low-skilled jobs or the forest sector and have run out of options.”

Working in mills provided opportunities for those with less education. Logging camps often fostered a transient lifestyle. Settling down and having a family became difficult.

“When the downturn came, they were done. If they were injured and in their 50s, you can’t work anymore,” said Levesque.

“Many of them have been contributing members of society and because of a breakdown in families, they don’t have families to turn to.”

Howard House’s 48 shelter beds haven’t been empty in about 10 months.

“Not everyone who uses our services is a drug addict or an alcoholic. One-third of the people we serve are just poor,” said Levesque, adding that many of them do have jobs but can’t afford rent.

In downtown Vernon, the Gateway Shelter has 25 beds for both men and women.

It’s not uncommon for about five men a night to be turned away because the beds are full.

“We see people on a pension. They have a choice — food or rent,” said Kelly Fehr, Gateway manager.

“There are people on disability and the cheque only covers food or rent, not both.”

It’s believed that about 90 per cent of the clients may have a form of mental illness. There are others with brain injuries and fetal alcohol syndrome.

“To say just get a job is not reasonable. It’s not about just getting sober,” said Fehr.

About 95 per cent of the clients have personal development plans, which not only provides them with extended use of a bed, but allows them to access a case worker who helps with life skills like cooking and budgeting. Health needs are a priority.

“We try to normalize what is perceived to be normal behaviour,” said Fehr.

“Things as simple as using a fork and knife are foreign after being in a homeless camp for two years.”

Besides Howard House and Gateway, numerous other agencies assist those in need. They include the Women’s Centre, the Salvation Army, the Upper Room Mission, the First Nations Friendship Centre and North Okanagan Youth and Family Services.

As part of Homeless Action Week, there will be a guest speaker, a Thanksgiving dinner at the Upper Room Mission Oct. 10 and service providers will be speaking to churches and organizations.

“Our message is we have had big successes in Vernon. We see big changes in people’s lives out of small programs,” said Levesque.

“We are encouraging people to donate to the Salvation Army food bank and the Upper Room Mission. It’s not just the homeless who benefit. There are people on a single income or seniors on a fixed income, and they’re struggling. They’re one step away from homelessness.”

But beyond a bag of food or a few dollars, what the homeless really need, according to Fehr, is understanding and a smile when they walk by.

“People need to have a little more compassion — to open their hearts. Teach your children about what poverty really stems from,” he said.

“People are homeless for a reason. It’s not a choice.”

Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd says she supports a hike in the minimum wage in some form.

She just isn't sure if it is feasible for the minimum wage to rise $2 in one jump.

Currently, the $8 minimum wage in B.C. is the lowest in the country.

The BC Federation of Labour is again calling on the province to raise it to $10 while at the same time eliminating the $6 an hour starting wage.

The BC Fed made its latest request in a letter signed by 21 mayors across the province.

Ironically, the signatures of the nine Okanagan mayors are conspicuous by their absence.

Shepherd says she was unaware of the communication until asked about it by reporters.

"I never did see the request. We do check every correspondence we get," says Shepherd.

Despite not having a chance to sign the letter, Shepherd says she does support an increase in the minimum wage.

"I do have a concern about the minimum wage, particularly the starting wage. I think it should all be looked at," says Shepherd.

"I know in tough economic times you always worry about the small businesses and the impact in changing the wage. But, I'm supportive of revisiting that."

Shepherd says an incremental increase may be the best way to go.

"It could really have an impact, especially with the small businesses. If they brought it in over time I think that would be a better way."

She says all too often a wage is set and then left for years.

"Then you have to do a big catch up to accommodate where people should be at."

At the recently concluded Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler, Shepherd says she learned about something called a 'Living Wage.'

She says New Westminster was the first municipality to bring in the Living Wage.

Shepherd says the Living Wage is a calculation of what people need to live in a particular community.

She says in the case of New Westminster, the Living Wage would be the wage expectation for all civic employees.

"They also identified that any contracts would also have to have people that were paid that. They had control over that."

Shepherd says it's something that was very well received by the citizens of New Westminster and something she says Kelowna could look at.

Meantime, West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater, says his municipality also was not approached by the BC Fed.

Regardless, Findlater says the municipality does not comment on provincial matters.

"Our council does not have a position, the mayor does not have a position, however, citizen Doug Findlater did sign a petition at the IPE supporting an increase in the minimum wage," says Findlater.

B.C. Housing Minister Rich Colemen’s suggestions on how to reduce the cost of new housing won’t necessarily make much difference in Kelowna.

Currently at the UBCM meeting in Whistler, where Coleman offered solutions to reduce the cost of housing by as much as $100,000 a unit through streamlining delays and cutting red tape, Mayor Sharon Shepherd said her staff have long ago implemented like-minded measures.

“It’s always good to review whether there are layers of bureaucracy that don’t need to be there, but I think we’ve always been a one-stop shop,” she said.

Kelowna city staff, Shepherd explained, has one place to review applications, as opposed to other cities that have a silo-system, that funnels applications through numerous branches of the municipal government.

“We’ve been quite progressive,” said Shepherd, adding she was more heartened to hear Coleman say his government would also be working toward lowering the cost of housing.

The Liberals intend to bring in major changes next year, including streamlining the B.C. Building Code.

What Shepherd said she would have liked to have heard, however, is news about how to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.

“I attended the full day workshop and I kept thinking there was really an elephant in the room,” she said. “The biggest challenge in our city is rental accommodations and we have been trying to get legislation implemented, federally, to encourage developers to build rental properties.

Kelowna has a 3.7 per cent rental vacancy rate, according to the latest figures by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Largely due to the over-supply of new, unoccupied condos, the rate surpassed the 2.9 per cent from the year before, and city-stagnating zero per cent of years past.

Once those hundreds of condos are soaked up, and the economy returns to usual, the problem with a limited housing supply is expected to return.

kmichaels "at" kelownacapnews.com

Can you call a car service to fetch some cat food on those days when your kid is sick, a report is due and your cell phone is on the fritz?

If it sounds too good to be true, perhaps you need a tour through some of the child-friendly employment options available in the Okanagan Valley.

Friday afternoon at the CATCH Coalition’s annual meet-and-greet networking session everyone from the mayor of Kelowna to the board of education chairman got to hear just how proactive some employers have become to attract and retain employees who are also parents.

“We realize we have a high place in the community and we feel responsibility for that,” said KPMG employee Derek Saunders, who described his firm’s family-focused policies as “giving back to the community.”

While not every employer can afford KPMG’s concierge service or the $20,000 stipend to help pay for adoption costs, every business can keep children and families in mind according to small business owner Angela O’Brien, who co-owns Esteem Lingerie in West Kelowna.

After finding herself pregnant shortly after taking on the business, O’Brien said she had to return to work with an infant and has consequently converted her entire workplace to suit children’s needs. Although she admits it took some time to figure out how to do so.

“Unfortunately, in the lingerie boutique industry the norm is, children 18 and under need not enter the shop,” she said.

O’Brien and her mother noticed that standard has created a young adult clientele who are not respectful, and ultimately uncomfortable, when they enter their store.

So they added a children’s play area, installed some child-friendly rules and regulations and set about trying to ensure kids are welcome and know how to behave in a store environment so they do not behave in the same manner when they are teenagers.

The Community Action Toward Children’s Health has been in operation for eight years, finding unique ways to ensure the Okanagan is child and family friendly.

Over the afternoon session they told participants they will release their third annual State of the Child report this fall and have just launched a new web site with more resources for parents.

They are looking to find a permanent guest blogger for the site and have connected it to a variety of blogs and resources in the area.

For more on the non-profit organization and the information they provide, go to www.catchcoalition.ca.

The annual State of the Child report will be released on Nov. 19.

jsmith "at" kelownacapnews.com

A new housing option developed by the province, the City of Kelowna, Interior Health and community partners will see the former La Mission Motor Inn converted temporarily into 39 affordable apartments for youth, families, elders and people at risk.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community of Kelowna to benefit from an agreement that would see an otherwise vacant building provide 39 apartments for those who need it most,” said Kelowna-Country MLA Norm Letnick.

Located at 579 Truswell Rd. in the lower Mission, the property was purchased by the city in April 2010 as part of future plans to extend the Mission Creek Greenway Park in approximately two to five years.

A subsequent agreement was reached between the city and the province in June 2010 to lease the property for two years (with an option for annual extensions) in order to provide mixed-use affordable transition housing with minimal supports.

“We saw the opportunity to provide temporary housing and approached the province with our idea,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “We have been thrilled at the response it’s received, and how all the partners have worked together to make this initiative become a reality.”

Interior Health will lease nine units for patients requiring medical procedures and for families of patients needing temporary, affordable accommodation.

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has been selected to operate and manage the building, which is being renamed White Buffalo Lodge. The society will operate the building based on the revenues received from tenants.

No Item # posted in the RDCO Board agenda in regards to CATCH

Director Items was added to the agenda.

5. DIRECTOR ITEMS (requiring action)

a) Community Action Toward Children's Health (CATCH)
Director Shepherd noted that one of CATCH's goals is to support Central Okanagan become more child friendly. An on-line survey has been developed for child friendly communities at

http://spreadsheets.go09Ie.com/viewform?formkey=dGNQTFdaNS1ua2VDTONKc3pEciNUSHc6MQ

-------------------------------------

Audio - Revised Note Regarding This Meeting.pdf

Entire RDCO Board Meeting - Audio_Brd_July 8, 2010.mp3 -  (229 MB)

Audio clip of RDCO Board meeting only about CATCH .wma (356 KB)

Audio clip of RDCO Board meeting only about CATCH .mp3 (687 KB)

It’s a lot easier to find a place to rent but it’s going to cost you more.

The latest statistics indicate that the vacancy rate in Vernon is 5.6 per cent, up from 2.4 per cent in April 2009. But the rent for a two-bedroom apartment has climbed from an average of $763 to $787 a month.

“While the vacancy rate has increased, we’re not seeing any relief on affordability,” said Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council.

The average income in Vernon is $23,000 a year, and Sharkey says that should allow an individual to handle a rent of $575 a month, far less than the market demands.

“This really puts a stress on families and especially single-parent families,” she said.

“If you are putting a majority of your income into housing, that leaves little extra for proper nutrition or medication not covered.”

Sharkey insists the lack of affordable housing should be a concern for all residents.

“We need to attract workers to the community so this is an economic issue. It’s an issue for businesses,” she said.

The Social Planning Council, the City of Vernon and Partners In Action have been bringing together various agencies in an attempt to address attainable housing.

“We need to stay focused and encourage the partnerships and the developers with multi-family projects,” said Sharkey.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports that vacancy rates have soared because of competition from investor-owned condos being rented out and secondary suites in homes.

“We have also seen a movement of renters into the home ownership market,” said Paul Fabri, a market analyst with the federal agency.

Fabri says the pace in which rent is increasing has moderated slightly in the North Okanagan, and he sees that trend continuing.

“Vernon will fall in line with the rest of the province,” he said.

“As the vacancy rate increases, we will see pressure on rent moderate.”

A modest protest took place Wednesday on 27th Street near Justice Park to voice opposition to evictions happening across B.C.

Organizer Sandra Pederson says about 200 people across the province have been issued eviction notices within the last six months warning them to be gone in no more than a year.

“There has to be some integrity for the people because they are going to be on the streets,” said Pedersen, carrying a sign as she appealed to motorists for support.

“It seems like big corporations that are buying these lands,” said Pedersen, who was served with a notice herself to vacate her home in a local mobile home park.

Pedersen says all her neighbours are in the same position.

“Most own manufactured homes and you can’t sell them,” said Pedersen.

“A lot of the trailers are more than 20 years old. You can’t move them.”

Pedersen cited examples in Victoria, Penticton and northern where similar things are happening.

If people wind up being forced from their homes, she’d like to see them given something for the intrusion.

“I’m just saying look at the integrity of the people and compensate them for their investment to enable them to move on in life,” she said.

“Most have used their life savings to buy what they have.”

For the first time, there are more seniors than school-aged children in B.C.

With the proportion of seniors in our population increasing, there are many new challenges to overcome to meet their needs and help seniors maintain a high standard of living.

One such challenge is housing. Seniors can have special needs that must be met by their home environment. Many seniors look to downsize their homes and move to a place that will address the mobility, dexterity and accessibility concerns they face.

Here in Kelowna, Chaparral Industries make custom modular homes. I recently met with an owner and toured its production facility. I’m convinced it can play a role in creating affordable options for seniors who want to live independently.

Chaparral operates a streamlined process to build houses and sell directly to the consumer. This keeps costs low. It operates with a standardized process but that does not mean its houses are cookie-cutter products. Chaparral works with its clients to meet their unique needs.

While touring Chaparral, I saw a sample house designed to meet the needs of some seniors. It was wheelchair-accessible, the door handles were easy to operate for those with reduced dexterity and the shower was easily accessible. Homes like this can be built or outfitted to work for whoever will live there.

Seniors currently benefit from a variety of government programs that help make housing options affordable. The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program offers monthly payments to help seniors with financial difficulties pay for their housing. Modular houses can be more affordable than regular housing, while still offering a high standard of living.

In many parts of B.C. affordable housing and seniors’ housing are at a premium and costs can be high. Modular houses create liveable and high quality homes without promoting sprawl. There is an opportunity to establish more seniors’ housing to meet the continuously growing needs of our aging population.

If you are interested in more information about the SAFER program, go to www.bchousing.org/programs/SAFER

Ben Stewart is the Liberal MLA for Westside-Kelowna

[161] It was suggested at the hearing that there may also be some difficulty in determining who is a “homeless person” for the purposes of the order. The trial judge did not define the term, so there is no decision for this Court to review. Further, we did not receive full submissions on the question on the appeal. One possible description offered was that a homeless person is “a person who has neither a fixed address nor a predictable safe residence to return to on a daily basis”. Without endorsing that particular formulation as definitive, we find it to be a good working description of what is meant by a “homeless person” for the purposes of the order.

http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/CA/09/05/2009BCCA0563.htm

4. Transportation

4.1 Harry Grossmith, United Way re: Transit Assistance Program Update

Harry Grossmith addressed the Committee reviewing the Transit Assistance Program whereby the Regional District provides transit tickets free of charge and United Way distributes them to participating agencies on a monthly basis.

• Usage in 2009 was at an average of 600 tickets per month.
• The program has increased in popularity and many agencies are requesting an increase in tickets.
• The tickets are used by those who otherwise would be unable to travel to medical or social appointments, job interviews, counseling appointments, etc.
• An increase in tickets is being requested. From September-Maya request of 800 tickets per month. From June-August a request for 600 tickets. This will address seasonal requirements of the agencies.

It was noted that during deliberations of the regional grant in aid program, the question was raised whether a monthly pass might be better used. Erica Robinson, United Way, addressed the issue noting that no-one has asked for a monthly pass from the United Way. Staff noted that monthly passes are not transferrable.

Staff addressed the issue of number of tickets noting that 600 per month have been given in the past. The request from the United Way was for 800 but the financial impact on the budgets is too great; it is suggested an average of 700 per month be allocated.

It was agreed that the United Way, and not staff, should continue to be responsible for distributing transit passes and that staff meet with the United Way to discuss the possibility of a monthly pass program and what the financial impact would be.

It was noted that the United Way believes the current system works well and as the monthly pass is not transferrable the question of how a program might work was raised. Staff noted that the Board Chair has the authority to issue monthly passes on as a 'special need basis' and this program does work well when it is required.

SHEPHERD/BAKER
THAT the Governance and Services Committee recommends that the Regional Board approve the United Way's request for an increase in the transit assistance program to 700 tickets per month for 2010;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to work with the United Way to determine the possible need for a monthly pass program, as well as putting the United Way in contact with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Central Okanagan to review their requirements for a monthly transit pass program.

CARRIED

4.2 Transit Pass Grace Period Policy

Staff report dated March 3, 2010 outlined the need for a transit pass grace period.

Currently BC Transit does not supply a yearly pass product. Transit users can only purchase a current month and coming month pass at any time. As transit passes are sold through independent retailers, and expanding or maintaining the network of retailers has been a challenge, riders often find access to retail sales less than convenient. Given this a transit grace period is being recommended.

Staff noted they continue to look into new technologies when fare card technology is introduced later this year and the possibility of freestanding pay kiosks. Staff is getting a demo machine to try in order to determine its effectiveness. It was noted that in the past, on the very first day of the month transit users were not allowed to use the bus. This new policy would allow an opportunity for some flexibility for transit users.

Lloyd Hooper, Union Transit president, addressed the committee noting that most drivers do allow a 24 hour grace period. The concern is that there must be consistency in the program and that this policy must clearly be communicated with transit operators so there is an understanding what the 'policy' is.

Mike Doherty addressed the Committee noting that the operator does support the increased grace period policy and will communicate it to their drivers. This will help lessen the impact of confrontation that occasionally occurs between drivers
and transit users.

In follow-up to previous discussions regarding the difficulty in identifying monthly passes due to color and small print, BC Transit has yet to change the pass and drivers still find it difficult to clearly identify what month the pass is.

ACTION: Staff were asked to once again address with BC Transit the continuing issue of identifying monthly passes.

SHEPHERD/EDGSON
THAT the Governance and Services Committee recommends that the Regional Board endorse a policy allowing transit drivers to extend a three (3) day grace period for the use of expired monthly bus passes at the beginning of each month.

AND FURTHER THAT the operator First Group ULC (formerly Far West) be directed to clearly communicate the policy to all its drivers.

CARRIED

4.3 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Workplan and Budget

Staff report dated March 3, 2010 outlined the Transportation Demand Management Workplan and budget for 2010. The report outlined the background of TDM as well as the initiatives which have taken placed since 1998 including bicycle network master plan, construction of transit stations, carpooling promotion, promotion to change people's attitudes and behaviors with regards to transportation (Environmental Mind Grind, Environmental Expo, Commuter Challenge, Clean Air Day), implementation of the Bus Rapid Transportation initiative, administers the process for bus stops, benches, and shelters throughout the region, parking management initiatives, etc.

It was noted the program is contracted to the City of Kelowna at an annual cost of $245,490.

Discussion:
TDM is a regional program: Peachland and Lake Country do not participate in the TDM program.

The program is contracted by the City of Kelowna: Three salaried positions plus overhead associated with the service. Two staff persons are 30% funded directly by the City of Kelowna. 22-23% funding level from West Kelowna. Approximately 33% of participants are from West Kelowna.

Do we have a date for the beginning of the Rapid Bus Transit? The expansion to full BRT is not known. Staff is waiting for BC Transit's interpretation of the provincial budget to determine what funding is available for 2010 and what the impact on service will be. However, staff believe it is clear the Province does recognize the BRT expansion. Staff assume we will get the expansion for September. BC Transit will report at the next Governance and Services Committee meeting.

Staff are working on the issue regarding the height of the new concrete bus stops and bus, It was noted that the double bus may no longer be used for the BRT but may use the Nova buses. BC Transit is looking at this issue. They have assured staff that the height is not an issue for the bus.

SHEPHERD/EDGSON
THAT the Governance and Services Committee receive the Transportation Demand Management 2010 Workplan and budget which details the programs and direction for the regional Transportation Demand function.

CARRIED

It was noted that at a recent valley Mayors meeting there was great interest for a valley transportation system service extension between Penticton and West Kelowna, The service between Vernon and UBC-O remains very popular.

4.4 BC Transit's Strategic Plan

BC Transit letter of February 16, 2010 provided an update of BC Transit's Corporate Strategic Plan and the series of regional workshops which took place around the province in 2009. A review of the Central Okanagan's workshop was provided. Based on feedback BC Transit is further revising the draft corporate strategic plan for an expected release in the Spring of 2010.

BAKER/SHEPHERD
THAT the update on BC Transit's Corporate Strategic Plan be received and referred to the April Governance and Services Committee meeting,

CARRIED
It was noted that BC Transit recently held open houses in the community and concern was expressed that they were not well advertised, not communicated to elected officials and/or staff, and in one instance, at Orchard Park, there was noone in attendance, and it was not particularly clear what the open houses were for.

SHEPHERD/FINDLATER
THAT a letter be forwarded to BC Transit regarding the recently advertised open houses expressing concern regarding the lack of communication with local staff and elected officials on open house times, the reason for the consultation, communicating the cancellation and/or rebooking of times.

CARRIED

In October 1984, B.C. workers earned an average of $451.80 weekly or $23,493.60 per year.

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of Canadians living on less than $25,000 a year; those that have lost jobs in our decreasing economy, pensioners, minimum wage earners, people receiving human resources and disability benefits. These folks can't even afford the basic essentials of life, let alone buy a home — they can barely afford to pay rent.

In the 80s, houses cost $25,000 to $100,000. In the past five years the cost of shelter has gone up 9.1 per cent.

Added to the unaffordable shelter are constantly increasing hydro, gas and civic utilities. Then there are taxes.

No wonder the fastest growing businesses today are banks. Food banks.

Our government can spend billions on the Olympics and big corporations, send the same to provide military resources to Afghanistan and donate millions to earthquake and tsunami victims in other countries. Yet in our own country we have children going to bed hungry and families with no roof over their heads, unemployed and living in poverty.

I am 75 years old and finding myself going deeper into debt. Pensions do not keep pace with the cost of living.

I am now forced to leave my home because of the increased strata fees, taxes and utilities. I will not receive what I paid for my house in this market and will have to go deeper in debt to buy some lesser accommodation.

Am I angry? You bet! I worked at the hospital for more than 25 years and yet can't afford to own or rent.

It is not only myself but also many others that are in the same boat. People with good paying jobs may be able to afford the constantly increasing costs but what happens when their jobs disappear as businesses close down, like the glass plant or mill closures? How many more people will be in my situation — some with young families?

My solution to these problems would be for the federal and provincial ministries responsible for taxation to issue Canadians with a yearly income of less than $30,000 a card stating they receive automatic discounts on rents, food, clothing, utilities — all the necessities of life, otherwise, we will see even more families, pensioners and the handicapped living on the streets.

Oh, yes we can wave the flag and own the podium while the government cuts services. Are we still proud Canadians?

Shame on Canada and shame on B.C.

Marilyn Zupp

Many of our local community service providers are experiencing organizational challenges and for some, the change is significant as a result of direct or peer impacted funding deficits or lower donations and private contributions. Since it was announced last month that the Kelowna Drop-In Centre would be closing, a Basic Needs Listing has been created (attached) to remind Central Okanagan residents of the resources offered for some of our vulnerable residents during this time of transition.

“As our local service providers, the clientele they assist and, our communities at large continue to be impacted by announcements of program and/or resource closures during these economically challenging times”, Christene Walsh, Drug Policy Coordinator with the Regional District of Central Okanagan says, “Our communities unfortunately experienced a similar era of cut-backs in 2001. What’s different today is that previous hardship has taught us to network – communicate and work together to our best ability so to ensure anyone identified as being in need will continue to be heard and receive available assistance. Fortunately, our local communities have some very skilled, astute organizations, such as Kelowna’s Gospel Mission which is a key resource in the Basic Needs Listing. These organizations are continuing to work hard to maintain a solid level of service during these difficult times.”

Our local communities have demonstrated a commitment to continue working together to manage yet another period of transition. Walsh says, “I’ve recently heard of at least 5 organizations that have or will need to eliminate valued positions by March 31st. And, the level of professionalism and assistance offered by the employees impacted during this period of unimaginable stress is commendable and deserves to be acknowledged.”

Walsh adds, “One of the key roles of the Regional District Drug Policy Coordinator is to promote ongoing communication and collaboration among service providers. Again, this action is a strong example of our community’s commitment to work together and address any concern that may arise in order to ensure a safe and strong community for everyone.”

Service providers and members of the public interested in learning about programs and services available within the Central Okanagan can visit an online Community Info Search at www.kcr.ca or may phone Kelowna Community Resources at 250-763-8008.

(March 26, 2010)

Source Regional District of Central Okanagan "What's New"

More emphasis will now be placed on helping the homeless in the Central Okanagan.

Regional district chairman Robert Hobson said drug policy coordinator Christene Walsh’s role is being expanded this year to address homelessness issues.

“It was part of the Four Pillars project anyway, but it wasn’t where the focus has been,” said Hobson.

“Christene Walsh has really been focusing on the drug service issues, detox and other things. She’s now going to spend some of her time looking on the homeless issues as well.”

Hobson said Walsh would become a full-time employee in August, as opposed to a part-time contractor, to reflect her increased role.

Hobson said it made sense for Walsh to tackle homelessness along with drug prevention.

“A lot of good things have been achieved in the drug area, so there is (need) we feel for part of her work to go into the homelessness area.

“There’s a very close connection between homelessness issues and drug and dependency issues in any event.”

Hobson said the board’s decision to hire Walsh full-time would fulfill the first of 28 recommendations in a regional drug strategy, called the Central Okanagan Framework for Action, which was completed by the Central Okanagan Four Pillars Coalition in May 2005.

The coalition is comprised of about three-dozen community-based service agencies, which are attempting to find solutions related to substance use and abuse in the Central Okanagan.

In addition to hiring a drug policy coordinator, the strategy also recommended urban renewal initiatives, improved needle drop box services, a youth shelter and drop in centre, support of methadone treatment programs, increased capacity in youth, adult and aboriginal addictive services, an RCMP special projects team, expansion of low-income housing projects, funding for supportive recovery housing, public health outreach and public education.

Walsh has been working with the four pillars initiative for three years.

jluciw "at" kelownacapenws.com

A squeaky wheel got a vital program for the disabled back on course.

Vernonites that use the Taxi Saver program have been told it will immediately resume although it had been postponed because of a lack of money.

“I’m very happy,” said Karen Wheeler, who has a seizure disorder and depends on Taxi Saver to get around.

Vernon clients were informed at the end of January that no coupons would be distributed until April 1 because the program had reached its budget for the current fiscal year.

To protest the move, Wheeler began making calls to B.C. Transit, which oversees the program, and an article appeared in The Morning Star Feb. 5. She received notice Wednesday that Taxi Saver was being reinstated before April 1.

“I wonder whose feathers I rubbed the right way for them to make a decision like this?” said Wheeler.

Under the program, clients with mobility issues can purchase up to $80 worth of coupons a month to use a taxi at a cost of $40.

The subsidy comes from B.C. Transit and the City of Vernon.

About 275 letters of the program’s cancellation were sent out to Vernon area residents, and they are now being contacted about the reversed decision.

“We really do apologize to our customers who were inconvenienced,” said Joanna Morton, with B.C. Transit.

Morton says the decision to begin selling Taxi Saver coupons again was made after the agency looked at its financial status.

“It was proactive planning and we saw savings in other parts of the budget and namely with fuel savings,” she said.

With the program back on track for the remainder of the 2009/10 fiscal year, Wheeler wants assurances that such situations won’t occur in the future.

“They should be able to budget properly,” she said.

According to Morton, demands for the service are under review by B.C. Transit.

“Looking into the 2010/11 fiscal year, we’re definitely going to look at the budget and whether there is enough money allocated to the program,” she said.
 

A lack of money means disabled residents can’t access a program that assists with mobility.

Clients of the Taxi Saver program were informed at the end of January that no coupons will be distributed until April 1 because the B.C. Transit initiative has reached its budget for the current fiscal year.

“They have mismanaged their money and why should I suffer because of it?” said Karen Wheeler, 50, of Vernon.

Under the program, clients can purchase up to $80 worth of coupons a month to use a taxi at a cost of $40. The subsidy comes from B.C. Transit and the City of Vernon.

Wheeler, who has a seizure disorder and can’t drive, and her mother, who has arthritis in her feet, have been using the program since 2004.

They live in the Blue Jay subdivision along Old Kamloops Road and there isn’t transit there. Taxis allow them to get to appointments or to shop.

“It’s the only way we can get around,” said Wheeler, adding that paying for the full cost of a cab is challenging.

“It’s about $15 to get to Safeway and that’s just one way.”

It’s been suggested that Wheeler and others can use handyDART in the interim, but she insists rides must be booked a week in advance.

“They’re not available in the evenings or on Sundays,” she said.

Wheeler believes about 200 to 300 people, including many seniors, in Vernon use Taxi Saver.

“We pay into this. It’s not free,” she said, adding that her and her mother spend about $1,000 a year on coupons.

Wheeler hopes to pressure B.C. Transit to change its decision.

“I don’t know what I’ll do (until April 1). I hope they’ll see the light. This is totally unacceptable,” she said.

Officials with B.C. Transit say Taxi Saver is only supposed to be a supplementary support and clients should be using handyDart as their primary source of transportation in Vernon.

“The only reason someone should have to use Taxi Saver is if handyDART is not available to take them to an appointment,” said Joanna Morton, with the corporation’s communications department.

Morton says handyDART buses are available Monday to Friday 12 hours a day.

“The hours are very flexible,” she said.

Morton could not say what the current budget for Taxi Saver is across B.C.

“We are currently reviewing the 2010/11 budget and consideration may be given to increasing the budget,” she said.

In responding to criticism about his reasons for denying a tax exemption for the Westside food bank property last week, West Kelowna Coun. Bryden Winsby is making it clear his stance is not an attack on the organization.

Winsby continues to stand behind his reasons for denying the $3,200 tax break, but offered a further explanation for comments he made on the matter at a council meeting last week Those commnets landed him in hot water with food bank supporters on the weekend.

In maintaining his opposition to the exemption at the Oct. 27 meeting, Winsby said he never indicated, or inferred, that he didn’t think the food bank was a valuable service in the community.

But he then said something that seemed to contradictory.

“I’m not convinced that we need, or should have, food banks. But that’s another issue,” said Winsby.

He told the Capital News this week that he was raising a philosophical matter, and the comment was not aimed at the local non-profit organization.

“As one of the most industrialized nations in world, why do we have food banks?” Winsby asked.

There are many reasons people come to rely on food banks and Winsby questions if senior levels of government are doing enough to address the root causes of hunger in this country, which include unemployment and gaps in social programs.

“Should we, as a municipality, provide social services, and in what form? Where do we draw the line?

“That’s the conundrum that I have and before we go down that slippery slope, let’s take a careful look at tax exemptions.”

Council needs to take a closer look at its entire tax exemption policy and who’s on the list, which is made up predominantly of churches, said the councillor.

The issue should be a priority for the municipality next year and Winsby said he will raise the matter during council’s strategic planning sessions this fall.

For now though, he is standing firm in his belief that council must be careful not to go down a road that opens a can of worms, which could eventually lead to exemptions for all non-profit organizations in West Kelowna.

“There may be hundreds helped by the food bank and there may be dozens helped by another organization that happens to have real estate holdings. Where do we draw the line between who gets a deferral or an exemption and who doesn’t?”

Of the two other members of council who voted against the food bank tax exemption, Mayor Doug Findlater said he perhaps should have voted differently.

However, it was too late to reconsider the matter because the tax exemption list was due into the province by Oct. 31 and changes would put all other tax breaks in jeopardy, the mayor noted.

Like Winsby, Coun. Carol Zanon stood by her original opposition to the exemption.

However, she told the Capital News afterwards that her decision was based on an earlier council decision to support the food bank in another way.

Council is selling T-shirts commemorating the Glenrosa and Rose Valley forest fire response and giving net proceeds to the food bank.

Both Findlater and Winsby have also indicated that the food bank may apply for a grant-in-aid from council next year.

Both said they would consider giving the grant during budget deliberations in the spring.

jluciw "at" kelownacapnews.com

3.3 Community Action Towards Children's Health (CATCH) - Shan Lavel, Coalition Manager re: Update on program

Shan Lavell, Coalition Manager, updated the Committee on the programs CATCH oversees.

Highlights included:

BC has the highest child poverty in Canada for the past five years; 25% of children in BC enter school 'vulnerable'; 21% of BC children live in households below the poverty line (does not include aboriginal children on reserves); early childhood development is a wise investment.

Priorities for community action were reviewed including: more access to childcare options, develop central places in the community to meet the needs of young children and their caregivers, more recreational opportunities, civic planning to enhance the liveability and inclusiveness of our community, more support for vulnerable families.

CATCH has expressed interest in locating their offices with the Regional District office space. The Administrator will work with CATCH to determine their needs and the resource space available in the building.

The Regional District financially supports CATCH with an annual contribution of $5,000.

#GS75/09 SHEPHERD/EDGSON
THAT the presentation from the Community Action Towards Children's Health (CATCH) be received.

CARRIED

Surprise and disbelief sum up how president of the Westside Community Foodbank Society Helen Holton feels after West Kelowna council rejected tax exempt status for the food bank’s operations in downtown Westbank.

“I just can’t even believe it to be quite honest with you,” Holton said.

“It’s a big chunk of money to have to put out.”

The money Holton refers to is the $1,600 in annual taxes that West Kelowna refused to waive for the non-profit organization.

Another $1,600 exemption would come from other levies on West Kelowna tax bills, for things like schools, the hospital and regional district services.

Holton added that for every $1 the food bank saved, it could use discounts and special deals offered the organization to buy up to $3 worth of food. “I am quite upset about the whole thing because the Kelowna Community Food Bank is tax exempt because they are a charitable organization.

“So, I cannot even believe (West Kelowna) would not include us in property tax exemptions in the same way.”

However, the City of Kelowna’s long list of tax exemptions was one of the things that prompted West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater to vote against a similar break for his community’s food bank.

“When Kelowna’s exemption list is published it’s a full page centre spread. It’s absolutely huge,” commented Findlater.

Other non-profit groups could also start requesting exemptions, noted Findlater.

“If we start down this road of exempting all of these worthwhile, needy non-profit societies, we’re going to have a very long list of these, once we set this precedent.”

According to the mayor, other municipalities in the valley, like Penticton, are looking to claw back their exemptions, meaning West Kelowna should not look to increase its list.

Findlater was joined by Couns. Carol Zanon and Bryden Winsby in opposing the exemption.

The move surprised Coun. David Knowles, who was in favour of the exemption, along with Couns. Duane Ophus and Gord Milsom.

A motion to include the food bank in the 2010 list of tax exemptions was defeated by a tie vote, with Coun. Rosalind Neis not in attendance at this week’s meeting.

“I am really upset, really disappointed. I can’t believe it,” Knowles said after council adjourned Tuesday afternoon.

During the meeting, Knowles made a case for the food bank’s tax break request.

“These are probably the most needy people that we have in our community and they’ve had a tough few years and I think it would be very valuable to our community to give them this tax exemption,” commented Knowles.

The food bank is helping about 225 families each month, so far this year, or roughly 600 individuals, according to society treasurer David Lanthier. That’s a 50 to 60 per cent over last year’s monthly client totals, he noted.

The increased demand comes as the food bank gets set to open a new location at the corner of Hebert and Churchill roads on Oct. 21.

The purchase of a duplex, which the organization incorporated into one building, was made necessary by unaffordable rents at commercial locations and the organization’s eviction from its old premises on Pamela Road last year. The old site is being torn down to make way for a new RCMP detachment.

jluciw "at" kelownacapnews.com

17) Poverty/Homeless Action Team

Mike Loewen and Ian Graham were in attendance and addressed the Committee on the grant application:

• Represents two organizations today, including the Committee To End Homelessness.

• The evolution of the Team was reviewed. The committee has acted as a conduit for Federal funding for various organizations in the region.

• Request is part of the $100,000 plan to end homelessness. All funds have been committed on the expenditure side of the plan but the organization is $25,000 short of funds to pay for the plan.

• Very little overhead costs associated with the project.

o Poverty/Homeless Action Team Request $8,000.

Peachland $233; City of Kelowna - $5,511; West Kelowna $1,000; Central Okanagan East - $100; Central Okanagan West - $212; Lake Country $500; Allocation $7,556