New Westminster Council of Women

REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA ZOOM AGM October 23 & 24, 2020 I was privileged to attend our National Council's first ever virtual meeting and listen to an enlightening address from keynote speaker Qajag Robinson, former Commissioner with the National Enquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Ms. Robinson outlined the findings of the Commission which brought attention to systemic issues of colonialism and patriarchy.... Key findings of the Commission were: Colonialism is the root cause of human rights abuses: Denial of cultural rights, health and wellness rights, economic security and justice. The Commission recommended that: Marginalized peoples be allowed to step into positions of power Assurance of compliance with existing legislation Establishment of accountability and recourse mechanisms for victims Appointment of a national indigenous human rights Ombudsperson Collection of accurate, culturally sensitive data. Ms. Robinson concluded with a quote from RBG's incpiration, Sarah Grinke: "All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks."

FYI: Information about the local New Westminster Council of Women. The National Council of Women of Canada is made up of Local Councils of Women across Canada such as the New Westminster Council of Women. Local Councils of are involved in local projects. They are also involved in provincial and national issues the provincial and national organizations. Most hold monthly meetings and offer a wide variety of interesting and educational programs. Local Committees are encouraged to work with national Conveners and to involve themselves in the national Committees’ work.

RICH DOOR/POOR DOOR At the end of August, Atira Women’s Resource Society and Westcoast Facilitators Group and Dialogue Centre released the final version of their Poor Door research. In order to increase the supply of affordable housing in Metro Vancouver, municipalities have offered incentives to developers to integrate social housing units into new market rate condominium buildings. In some cases developers have constructed one building with two separate entrances, amenit...ies, and social spaces, one for social housing tenants (so-called poor doors and the other for owners and market rate tenants (so-called rich doors) An example of this type of development in the City of Vancouver is Woodwards W32 at 108 West Cordova Street and 120 West Cordova Street. While there have been objections to this approach, it is felt by some that a requirement for shared access could be a disincentive for developers to provide social housing. To investigate public opinion, Atira initiated a research project which involved 80 participants from all four lower mainland municipalities. It consisted of an anonymous online survey and a virtual focus group. The research also contacted six major property development companies but non responded. Opinions about the Poor Door concept were overwhelmingly negative. Many felt it was discriminatory and potentially stigmatizing, and that all renters are entitled to be treated with dignity. Atira plans to follow up on their findings with lower mainland Mayors and Councils and monitor new building proposals.

What are "Poor Doors"? These are separate building entrances created by a housing developer so that renters and owners have their own entrances, elevators, laundry facilities, etc. There have been four developments like this in Vancouver, including the Woodwards Building. It is seen as a way to provide mo affordable housing. Other municipalities, including New Westminster, are also looking at this model. It has been tried with questionable success in New York and London. I ju...st attended a Zoom meeting about this topic with participants with backgrounds in real estate, education, building management, city planning and various non-profit organizations. A report from our session will go to session participants, the Law Society and Atira Housing who are co-sponsors of the project, and regional municipalities. I will post an update when I receive a copy. Please respond to this post with your questions, comments and feedback.

Affordable housing is a pressing issue in the lower mainland. As part of their strategy to address this issue, the City of New Westminster's Small Sites Housing Initiative aims at building affordable on small, city owned sites. You can read information on two proposed projects here: https://www.newwestcity.ca//affordable-housing/small-sites These developments will increase housing density in single family neighbourhoods and the Connaught Heights development in particular is... meeting with neighbourhood resistance - see this recent article in the New West Record: https://www.newwestrecord.ca//new-west-affordable-housing- We welcome your comments on the small sites initiative and on housing concerns in general.

Please pass this along to people you know: 411 Seniors Centre in Vancouver has re-opened its free income tax service for low income seniors. You do not have to live in Vancouver to use this service. It is offered to all low income seniors. The Centre is located at 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver and the service is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Thursday. For more information e-mail [email protected]

I hope you have all been staying safe during the lockdown. As BC moves into the COVID-19 recovery stage, the provincial government is inviting input and feedback on the following questions: What do we need to do together to strengthen and improve our health care system? What is the top priority for you personally when it comes to improving your quality of life? What would most help improve your work life or work prospects?... Are we on the right track? Do you see your concerns and needs reflected in this approach? Please consider sharing your ideas by completing BC’s online survey here: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/recoveryideas/ The survey is open until July 21, 2020 at 4 pm. Also, if you are interested in health policy, please consider signing up for the BC Health Coalition mailing list here: https://www.bchealthcoalition.ca/

I am a community builder with United Way and my coworker is arranging Porch Side Visits for New Westminster residents. Let me know if you're interested in havin...g a level 3 Nurse visit you, outside your home; on the porch, in the backyard or any outdoor area to answer questions and provide medical advice. These nurses can help anyone who may be dealing with medical issues, emotional issues or anyone who just wants a friendly visit during COVID. The available dates are between June 29th - July 9th. This is a free service. Let me know if you'd like a visit, or if you know anyone who would like a visit and I'll send you my coworkers contact information. Otherwise, if someone is looking for other specific (or general) support, they can fill out these: for all community members: https://www.uwlm.ca/mobilizing-local-love/ for seniors: https://www.bc211.ca/ or email me: [email protected] for any additional questions or with individuals or families that could use additional support.

Hello out there! I am looking for feedback. Because of COVID-19 we have not been meeting, and have been pretty much inactive this year. Would anybody be interested in a Zoom meeting to talk about future directions for the New Westminster Council? Please either reply to this post or send a message to this page with your comments. Thanks.

I am passing along this post that I saw on another New West Facebook page: My name is Vrindy and I have a very cool new position with United Way of the Lower Mainland. In response to COVID, we are reaching out to individuals who are struggling to ensure that nobody falls through the cracks. My role is to connect people in New West who need support with existing resources-- volunteers, community service agencies, food banks, and more. I've attached a digital postcard with my... name and contact information. Please feel free to share this with your networks! Anyone who needs support is welcome to contact me directly through my number (236-991-9946 or email [email protected]) (Please use these instead of Facebook, because messages and comments can get lost). We've also set up a webpage called "Mobilize Local Love," where people can share their needs or register as a volunteer: https://www.uwlm.ca/mobilizing-local-love/ If you have any questions about this information or any ideas about other people/organizations I could connect with to share this further, please don't hesitate to reach out. Take care and stay safe! Love, Vrindy

There is also a new support service called City of New Westminster Friendly Support calls. The blurb reads: These are uncertain times and it's easy to feel disconnected. Thankfully, you can register your phone number with Century House for phone calls with Friendly Callers! These volunteers ring you up to share information, hear how you're doing, and have a pleasant chat! Older adults and persons with disabilities are encouraged to sign up today. Registration is available Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00 pm. To register for this program please call Century House at 604-519-1062

Century House would like people in New Westminster to know about a new food service being offered by an outside group to seniors in need. If anyone in you group need this, could you let them know about it and the contact information. This is the info about the new meals program: The Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar is generously providing a free dinner service pick up today (April 14) and on Thursday, Apr.16 at Century House from 4:305:30 p.m. The service is open to those who need ...it most seniors, persons with disabilities and vulnerable populations. If you know of anyone who could benefit from this, please pass it on. This is not a Century House or Century House Association activity, but we applaud it. There are plans to continue it Tuesdays and Thursdays if it goes well.

There is now a New Westminster Facebook page for people who are affected by COVID-19 https://www.facebook.com/groups/777172272806141/

COVID-19 UPDATE: Because of the current situation and especially because so many of our members are elderly, we have decided to cancel our March meeting. There will be no meeting on March 25. If you have any questions or issues to address at our April meeting, please send us a message through the website. Stay well. Wash and/or sanitize your hands a lot, get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and avoid crowds!