Destigmatizing Homelessness Community Workshops - ongoing
Tuesdays for Trees
Click here to learn about our Tuesdays for Trees events and host one yourself!
BC’s old growth forests are integral to fighting climate change because of their outsized contribution to retaining carbon. Old growth forests provide habitat for vulnerable and endemic species, enhance air and water quality and offer spiritual connection to the Earth. In addition, they are critically important to First Nations’ cultures.
We must support efforts to preserve B.C.’s ancient trees and ensure the panel recommendations are funded and implemented.
Contact: gvat-tuesdaysfortrees@googlegroups.com
Photo credit: TJ Watt and the Ancient Forest Alliance
Transportation
The CRD’s initial response to the new South Island Transportation Strategy (SITS) will likely be determined at the December 9 CRD Committee of the Whole meeting.
Read our letter to the CRD Board of Directors asking for better transit.
Read our letter to the CRD Board of Directors asking for better transit.
- Former Minister Claire Trevena’s introductory letter says the SITS aims for “fewer gas-powered and single-occupant vehicles on the road; more people walking and biking; an increased emphasis on public transportation. . . a bold and lasting change in mobility.”
- The introduction to SITS states that the “Province recognizes a growing need to fundamentally shift how people move around.”
- We support these aspirations for positive change, and believe that the CRD’s response will go a long way towards determining if they will become reality or remain as only words on a page.
Alternative Mental Health Crisis Response Teams
Progress:
City of Victoria - Unanimously passed a supportive motion.
City of Victoria - Unanimously passed a supportive motion.
Protect Hotel Workers' Jobs
50,000 hotel workers laid off due to Covid-19 are worrying how they will put food on the table, pay rent, and support their families next month.
Celebrating a win! On September 1, 2020, laid-off hotel workers ended the “Fast for Our Jobs” hunger strike in Maple Ridge after winning a first step to recall their rights.
Celebrating a win! On September 1, 2020, laid-off hotel workers ended the “Fast for Our Jobs” hunger strike in Maple Ridge after winning a first step to recall their rights.
A New Future for Old Growth Forests
The last of BC’s old growth forests are critical to combating climate change because they can store more carbon than any other ecosystem on the planet. They protect communities from fires, floods and droughts. Yet, every day more than 500 soccer fields of these big old trees are clear cut in BC. Huge GHG emissions are released in the process. We must take action now; future generations are depending upon us. [Read more]
Housing For All
Call on our municipal and provincial governments to create affordable housing across Victoria to end homelessness.
Read Our Op-Ed: GVAT Supports Victoria's Call to House the Homeless
Progress:
City of Victoria - Unanimously passed a resolution based on our campaign!
Saanich - Campaign underway; take action!
Esquimalt - Campaign underway; take action!
Oak Bay - Campaign underway; take action!
Read Our Op-Ed: GVAT Supports Victoria's Call to House the Homeless
Progress:
City of Victoria - Unanimously passed a resolution based on our campaign!
Saanich - Campaign underway; take action!
Esquimalt - Campaign underway; take action!
Oak Bay - Campaign underway; take action!
Creating a 'Just and Green Recovery' from COVID-19
We submitted recommendations to the provincial and federal governments for policies to ensure a 'just and green' recovery from COVID-19.
COVID-19 Policy Asks
We called on government to implement the following policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- A moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak, for individuals who cannot afford their rental payments. The provincial government has already implemented this for people in subsidized housing, but that still leaves out a lot of people who will need help. [POLICY ACHIEVED; April 2020]
- Cancellation of basic utilities payments during the outbreak for lower and middle income individuals only.
- Quick establishment of safe emergency shelters for the unhoused (one room per person), followed by transition of all the homeless into supportive or social housing. This is now a public health issue, in addition to being a moral issue.
- Subsidized childcare for healthcare workers and support staff in the healthcare system during the pandemic.
