Homelessness in Vancouver to triple by 2010

Vancouver’s homeless population is growing at such a fearsome rate that it could triple to 3,000 people by the time visitors arrive for the 2010 Olympic Games, says a report released by an advocacy group Thursday.

A homeless man soaks up the sun in Kitsilano

“Without immediate action, the estimated 2.3 million visitors who come to our city to see the Olympics will find a Vancouver in the midst of an urban epidemic of poverty,” said Pivot Legal Society spokesman David Eby as he released the report.

The burgeoning homeless population would be “clear evidence of a broken commitment to address the impact of the 2010 Olympics,” Eby said.

When Vancouver bid for the 2010 games, federal, provincial and municipal governments pledged to protect the city’s rental housing and ensure no one would be left homeless because of the Games.

The city estimates that about 1,200 people currently sleep outside without shelter on a nightly basis.

A room in the Burns Block of Vancouver’s downtown east side was home to Veronica Crow Eagle for eight years. It wasn’t a home she was proud of. People urinated on the floor of her shared bathroom and garbage, including used hypodermic needles, piled up in the public spaces.

But the 61-year-old, who suffers from arthritis and a painful intestinal inflammation called Crohn’s disease, was hard pressed to find replacement lodging when the building failed a fire safety inspection. She and the other tenants were forced onto the street.

Crow Eagle, who has found a new place to live, considers herself lucky.

“Most of the rents run $400 to $465,” she said.

Not everyone can afford those rates. The standard shelter allowance for welfare recipients is $325 dollars a month. The rate hasn’t increased in 12 years.

“There’s hardly anyone who’ll give you a rent for $325,” said Crow Eagle.

Homelessness has been a prevalent issue in the local media. Here is more coverage on the issue:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061204/vancouver_homelessness_061204/20061204/

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/housing/homelessness.htm

Lynn Manning: An icon of disability pride

On Feb 15, 2009 American actor/story teller Lynn Manning wowed the crowds with a riveting performance in his one-man show entitled Weights.

Lynn Manning in Vancouver

Manning’s life changed forever when a bullet, shot in a crowded Los Angeles bar, robbed him of his sight. Now his performance comes to life in an autobiographical performance where he takes a lighter take on his life after his disability and reassures his audiences that “its all good.”

The show opens with BC singer/songwriter Christa Couture, whose intimate singing style makes you feel you’ve discovered a wonderful secret.

I had the opportunity of meeting with Manning and his associate Gary (the musician) who is also visually impaired at the thoughtful dinner organized at a local downtown restaurant by Dr. Leslie Roman, Professor of Educational Studies, University of British Columbia.

Manning flew in from Los Angeles for his performance at the Chan Centre of Performing Arts, UBC.

Canadians rejoice on Obama’s inauguration

Mayor James Atebe of Mission

Across Canada several events were organized by fan clubs to watch Obama’s inauguration ceremony, while some revelry was held over the weekend.

I talked to many Canadians on January 20, day of the much anticipated Presidential inauguration as they watched the proceedings in pubs, churches, class rooms, and homes throughout the country.

My narrative of the Obama legacy would have been incomplete without interviewing two prominent black-Canadians: Mayor of Mission, James Atebe and Clement Apaak.

“It is very significant that the son of a black man has risen to hold the highest office in the world and to me this is an important cause to celebrate,” said Dr. Clement Apaak, founder of the Obama Fan Club of Canada (OFCC) in Vancouver.

The OFCC organized a President Obama inauguration party to celebrate the power of hope on Jan. 23 at a local bar.

Apaak said, “He is the public indication of black people of the world. He is the spoken symbolism that has been established for the first time among the group of people that have been maligned and treated inhumanly.”

Canadians for Obama and Democrats Abroad, organized to screen the inauguration ceremony in Vancouver’s Rio theatre free of charge.

“You did not want to miss this, a day of history being made: new beginnings, new hope, a new US President,” said Braedan Caley, organizer of the event

Florence Whittaker, another Obama fan joined the inauguration party at Ceili’s Irish pub in downtown Vancouver.

“I am inspired by him as he steps beyond racial and social class lines to bring a public face to world leadership, speaking to issues not confined to America only,” Whittaker said.

James Atebe, the Mayor of Mission is a Kenyan-Canadian and serving his second term in office.

Dr. Clement Apaak

“He engages not only individuals but also institutions, organizations and nations. Most leaders have not being able to get everyone together on a common platform but he appeals to a common cause and unites people,” Atebe said.

Atebe further elaborates his stance on President Obama.

“Certainly up until now we have not known a world leader, let alone an American leader who doesn’t just seek to help Americans but positive aspects of humanity any where in the world.”

Obama’s has inspired creative fan reactions around the world, not only in Canada.

In London, United Kingdom Islington’s Hen and Chickens Theatre has announced plans to produce a musical, Obama On My Mind, inspired by the brand new President of the United States, TVGuide.com reports. The musical is set to premiere on March 05 and will run until March 21.

“Black- Canadian community is not inspired just because he is a colored man.” said Dorothy Rashard a local Vancouver business woman.

“I hope American citizens are able to inspire Canadians to come out and vote in such large numbers as they did for Obama,“ Rashard said.

Here is more coverage on Obama’s cult status:

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12991523

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/10/inaugration.tickets/

Clement Apaak Photo Courtesy The Georgia Strait

Investigative journalism

” You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts”

Cochise, Apache (1812-1874)

Robert Cribb, the award winning investigative journalist from The Toronto Star guest lectured at School of Journalism ( SOJ). It was a great opportunity to meet with him in person and learn about the skills needed to become a successful investigative journalist.

The two key best practices I took away from this intense two day course were “Patience is virtue” in becoming an investigative reporter and that “persistence pays.” The pattern of event, context, explanation and solution follows through if journalists aim towards balanced, fair and accurate reporting.

Cribb also emphasized journalists should pursue advocacy journalism where they take up a position and try to fix the problem. But the process can sometimes be lengthy and takes more than six months to get all the evidence to back up a story.

Freedom of Information documents are essential tools in an investigative journalists tool box . Factual documentary evidence should be concrete before any story gets into print.

Cribb will be in Vancouver till the end of this week.

The Webster goes to….

The ceremony

Journalists from all over Canada gathered at the Westin Bayshore on November 06, 2008 for the Jack Webster Awards to celebrate excellence in reporting and journalism.

Touted to be “the Oscars for journalists” in BC the Websters attracted a crowd of approximately one thousand people from all walks of life.

Simi Sara and David Gerry from CTV entertained the guests with light banter as the awards were handed out.

Peter Mansbridge from CBC was flown in from Toronto to motivate journalists to become actively involved in political reporting and the democratic process of voting.

I sat at the table with colleagues from UBC, a melange of sociable personnel from Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia. Conversation drifted between presentations from sponsors to speeches of the award recipients.

The Websters is a great endeavour of the Jack Webster Foundation to recognize the efforts of Journalists in BC.

Our crew at the Websters