Thrilled to share a glimpse into the heartwarming and impactful world of Non-Profit North! 🌟

This incredible conference has united thought leaders and changemakers from across Northern British Columbia, fostering a space for collaboration, learning, and growth. Each picture tells a story of dedication, community, and the shared vision of a better tomorrow.

Let’s celebrate the power of non-profit work and the difference it makes in our communities. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected North! 🚀🌲

SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unfold the recent happenings and advancements in social services

May 7, 2024

Subscribe HERE

APPLICATIONS EXTENDED

The Youth Education Bursary assists young people who are, or have been, in care and want to pursue a career in the field of Human Social Services. Since 2009, we’ve awarded $296,925 in bursaries to 217 recipients to help students with the financial costs of tuition, books, and supplies for post-secondary study. Donations from FCSSBC members and the public are welcome! Bursary applications are open until May 31, 2024.

The FCSSBC Youth Education Bursary

Table of contents

• Reconciliation
• FCSSBC: June 2024 current and emerging issues conference & AGM
• Seniors
• Update session
• Families
• Webinar
• Housing
• Happening this week
• Homelessness
• Children
• Women
• Health
• Good news

---

Reconciliation

Indigenous groups in B.C. renew calls for justice for MMIWG on annual Red Dress Day | Global News

Indigenous groups and leaders are demanding justice and accountability for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ community. Indigenous women account for a disproportionate amount of femicide and missing women in Canada compared to non-Indigenous women. Red Dress Day is a national day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Several events and walks are being held to honour Red Dress Day, including a Red Dress Day walk, a film screening of ”Adaawk” in Penticton, and a Red Dress Fashion Festival in Kamloops. The festival aims to empower Indigenous women and bring awareness to the issue of violence against them.

Related:

• Indigenous Business Awards seeking nominations for 16th annual awards show | Castanet
• Parliamentary secretary’s statement on Red Dress Day | BC Gov News
• UBCIC Calls for Respect of Rights, Dignity and Robust Supports for Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+ Victims, Survivors and Families | UBCIC
• Inside the Generational Fight for Indigenous Fishing Rights in Yuquot Bay | The Tyee
• Funding for community projects supports Indigenous women | BC Gov News
• A B.C. First Nation’s 3-year effort to change a city’s name | Vernon Morning Star
• ‘I just about became a missing, murdered woman’: Kelowna Red Dress march | The Free Press
• Surrey Schools remembers missing and murdered Indigenous people on May 5 for Red Dress Day | Surrey Schools
• B.C. mayor censured over book questioning Indigenous residential schools | CTV News
• First Nations in BC to benefit from improved access to internet | First Nations Health Authority
• New Indigenous Justice Centre in Nanaimo offers culturally responsive services | NanaimoNewsNOW

---

Conference

June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM

Our June conference is designed to tackle the pressing issues that matter most to our members. Based on feedback from our members, we’ve tailored the agenda to cover current trends and emerging topics. The Federation AGM* on the final morning ensures we discuss these crucial issues and address organizational matters vital to our collective mission.

Thursday, June 13, 2024: Conference & Networking Reception

Friday, June 14, 2024: Federation AGM*

Click here for more info and to register: https://fcssbc.ca/conferences/june-conference-agm/

*AGM is for members only.

---

Seniors

Searching for solutions to home care cost problems in B.C. | Castanet

The neglect of community care, especially for older people, is a significant medical issue that must be addressed. The current system of public home support and even publicly subsidized home support is often out of reach for seniors, leading to more frequent hospitalization or long-term care. Caring for people at home can save money and improve the quality of care. However, the additional funding for home and community care is being absorbed by increased bureaucracy and administrative overhead rather than providing additional patient care. To improve the delivery of home care, home care providers must embrace technology that allows providers to be allocated efficiently and effectively and keeps those providers accountable to their patients. The compensation for home care providers must also be increased to ensure they are adequately compensated for their care.

Related:

• Nanaimo family seeks transfer, concerned by quality of care at long-term facility | CTV News
• Pet project: animal companionship important for B.C.’s older adults | Trail Times
• New Island long-term care homes to ensure residents feel connected, active | Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News
• Greater Victoria meal program for seniors at risk without donor support | CTV News
• Older adults’ brains rewarded by music, even songs they don’t like | CityNews
• Seniors-focused recreation facility is badly needed in Port Moody, but could come with $23 million price tag, according to new study | The Spec
• Scam prevention on the menu for Grand Forks Senior Society Lunch and Learn | Grand Forks Gazette

---

Update session

Update session: Representative for Children and Youth | FCSSBC

The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth invites you to an update session in follow-up to the engagement session that has informed a systemic review of the child welfare system in British Columbia.

Session date:

Monday, May 13, 2024

9 am to 10:30 am PDT via Zoom

Email the RCY at rsvp@rcybc.ca to register!

(A Zoom link and agenda will be sent to registered participants in advance of the session.)

---

Families

Parents of gifted children decry pause in learning program | Victoria Times Colonist

Avery Hopkins, a 12-year-old girl assessed as profoundly gifted, planned to apply to a specialized program for exceptional students known as UTP. However, UTP announced that it had paused the 2024-2025 school year admissions process while pending an external review. This decision has left families scrambling, and a group of parents has retained counsel to fight for their kids’ access to specialized education. A petition signed by 1,600 UTP program parents, students, and alumnae is asking the Vancouver School Board to restart the admissions process. The pause in enrolment removes the only publicly funded option for kids who need an accelerated learning environment, which will affect less-resourced parents. The review report is expected at the end of June, and no decision about the future of the program has been made.

Related:

• Place Matters: What Surrounds Us Shapes Us | Family Resource Programs of BC

---

Webinar

How to create a culture of recognition and acknowledge contributions | FCSSBC and CMHA

This is an invitation to a one-hour workshop on “How to Create a Culture of Recognition and Acknowledge Contributions.” The workshop will explore the importance of recognition and rewards in creating a psychologically safe workplace. Attendees will learn about different recognition strategies, both formal and informal, and how to make them more impactful with a personal touch. The workshop will also discuss the role of managers in implementing recognition practices. The workshop is a collaborative environment where attendees can share their experiences and learn from others. It is scheduled for May 14th or May 30th from 12 pm to 1 pm and is brought to you by The Federation of Community Social Services of BC and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

---

Housing

Parent-child housing co-ownership most likely in B.C.: StatsCan | CTV News

A new report from Statistics Canada has revealed that British Columbians born in the 1990s are more likely to co-own a home with their parents than anywhere else in the country. The report found that 20.3% of residential properties owned by British Columbians born in the 1990s are co-owned with their parents. Co-ownership is a growing trend amid sky-high real estate costs. Rising housing costs, as well as growing social isolation during the pandemic, have made interest in co-housing grow. Immigrant parents are more likely to co-own properties with their adult children.

Related:

• Law change aims to give mobile home park residents more stability | CBC
• Columbia Basin Trust supports energy retrofits in 23 buildings in 11 communities | The Nelson Daily
• Housing prices falling, supply increasing across Okanagan | Global News
• Vancouver protesters decry lack of affordable housing for low-income people | CBC
• We Can Shelter Society builds two more homes for homeless in Courtenay | CHEK News
• Short-term rental rules could impact organ transplant recipients: B.C. advocates | CTV News
• Do you think B.C.’s new housing rules and regulations will help make housing more affordable? | New West Record
• Affordable homes now more energy efficient | e-know
• BC pilot launched to help homeowners build secondary suites | CityNews

---

Happening this week

Board of Directors Names New Chief Executive Officer: CSSEA | FCSSBC

Sandra Case has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of CSSEA following an extensive search led by a sub-committee of the Board of Directors. Sandra brings three decades of experience in leadership, HR/LR expertise, employer bargaining and strategic planning to this role. The Board was impressed by her legal acumen, existing knowledge of the sector, and successful track record of working with multiple stakeholders in various complex environments. Sandra will assume her new role on June 10. She will work closely with the Board, government, staff, and other partners to strengthen sectoral relations and support members in providing care for the most vulnerable in British Columbia.

Related:

• About Emergency Preparedness Week | Get Prepared
• National Elizabeth Fry Week | EFry
• Mental Health Week | CMHA
• May 7th | National Child & Youth Mental Health Day

---

Homelessness

Mustard Seed to restrict access to dayroom for the homeless starting this summer | Castanet

Starting July 31st, the Mustard Seed shelter in Kamloops will restrict access to its drop-in dayroom to only its clients. The decision was made due to safety and sobriety concerns, as the public access to the dayroom has resulted in increased overdoses and other incidents at the shelter. The Mustard Seed’s goal of lifting people out of poverty and homelessness has also been compromised by public access. The organization will continue to offer services such as counselling and advocacy to the public, but health and wellness services will only be accessible through the designated entrance. The Mustard Seed has been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984.

Related:

• B.C. mother says lack of child care could leave her homeless | Global News
• North Vancouver teens steps up once again to help the homeless | Global News
• New book ‘Ghost Citizens,’ sheds light on stateless people | The Free Press
• Another homeless drop in centre to close in Kamloops | iNFOnews
• Focus on homelessness, not drug decriminalization, former health officer says | CBC.ca

---

Children

Inside the bold B.C. campaign to crush child sextortion | CBC News

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has reported a significant increase in cases of sextortion, with more than 6,000 reports of sexual extortion being made in the last 18 months and reports increasing by 150% in the previous six months. Teenage boys are the most significant victim group. The exploiters mostly target boys aged between 15 and 17 and pressure them to share intimate images online. Children are often targeted by predators who message them online about seemingly harmless things before luring them into a private chat or onto another platform. The CCCP is working on educating young people and contacting them to prevent online exploitation. They offer workshops to BC students that show them how to recognize red flags indicating potential predators. The group urges young people to monitor warning signs such as love-bombing, fake compatibility, and strangers offering compliments. The facilitators emphasize the importance of not trusting strangers online, especially when interactions show red flags. The article highlights the importance of educating teenagers about the risks associated with sharing explicit images and communicating with strangers online. It also emphasizes the need for parents to have an open conversation with their children and monitor their online activities.

Related:

• What does it cost to treat fibular hemimelia in BC’s pediatric population? | Population Data BC
• Representative congratulates Mary Teegee on receiving the Janusz Korczak Medal for Children’s Rights Advocacy | Office of the Representative for Children and Youth

---

Women

Abortion website created by B.C. woman to give Canadians a choice | St. Albert News

Kate Wahl, a PhD student at the University of British Columbia, has created ‘It’s My Choice,’ a new interactive website that helps Canadians navigate abortion options and make a decision that best fits their values and circumstances. The website provides evidence-based and Canadian-specific information about abortion options, including the abortion pill and procedure. It also offers personalized recommendations and supports conversations with healthcare providers. The entire website is anonymous, and there are features to protect people’s privacy. The tool is culturally inclusive and available in French, Mandarin, and Punjabi.

Related:

• Community projects supporting Indigenous women in BC can apply for funding stream | My Prince George Now

---

Health

Firefighter mental health a priority, wildfire service says | CBC News

The British Columbia Wildfire Service and other agencies are now providing mental health support to firefighters year-round after noticing a rise in anxiety levels before and after fire season. The wildfire service launched an online training program in the spring of 2023 to help firefighters manage stress and anxiety. The province has also contracted a confidential employee hotline to offer immediate and ongoing counselling. The move follows a task force recommendation for mental health and resilience resources after last year’s record-breaking wildfire season. While anxiety levels have been high among firefighters, the wildfire service has been proactive in ensuring that mental health care and attention are given to those in high-stress careers.

Related:

• B.C. expands ‘Hospital at Home’ program to Vancouver | CTV News
• Mental health crisis response teams showing success in Penticton | iNFOnews
• BC needs a human rights-based approach in its mental health system | Health Justice
• Talking About Mental Health and Substance Use in Delta | Delta School District
• New supports for allied health, clinical support workers will boost workforce | BC Gov News
• Doctors of BC: Supporting medical student well-being and development | Doctors of BC
• B.C. medical clinic forced to drop hundreds of patients | CBC News
• HSP Members – Health funding announcement by provincial government | BC General Employees’ Union
• What Now for BC’s Decriminalization Test? | The Tyee

---

Good news

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them our way to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

• Once facing uncertain future in Canada, this kickboxer just won a championship for N.L. | CBC News
• Wounded orangutan seen using plant as medicine | BBC
• Non-native bees swarm Lower Mainland, UBC survey finds | CBC
• This Tecumseh, Ont., man’s record collection is drawing attention from some big names in music | CBC News
• Honeybees invaded a reporter’s home, and upended everything she thought she knew about them | CBC Radio

---

Note

The articles included in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news that’s relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

---

Subscribe HERE

SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unfold the recent happenings and advancements in social services

May 3, 2024

Subscribe HERE

APPLICATIONS EXTENDED

The Youth Education Bursary assists young people who are, or have been, in care and want to pursue a career in the field of Human Social Services. Since 2009, we’ve awarded $296,925 in bursaries to 217 recipients to help students with the financial costs of tuition, books, and supplies for post-secondary study. Donations from FCSSBC members and the public are welcome! Bursary applications are open until May 31, 2024.

The FCSSBC Youth Education Bursary

Table of contents

• Housing
• Federation’s Current and emerging issues conference & AGM
• Communities
• Update session
• Children
• Webinar
• Families
• Workshops
• Mental health
• Job opportunity
• Non-Profit North
• Health
• Helpline
• Seniors
• Toxic Drugs
• Reconciliation
• Good news

---

Housing

BC Housing – Strike Vote Results Are In! | BCGEU

The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has released the strike vote results. The results indicate that 100% of Maintenance staff voted yes, while 96.6% of Admin staff voted yes. The union is now scheduled to have bargaining meetings with the employer to discuss the collective agreements. If the vote is insufficient to push for a fair deal, the union will escalate and negotiate an Essential Services Agreement. A job action committee will also be formed to inform essential service negotiations. The union asks members to stay tuned for updates on any developments in bargaining.

Related:

• B.C. Housing accused of using affordable-home lawsuits for ‘political purposes’ | CBC News
• How do B.C. housing starts compare to the rest of Canada? | Business in Vancouver
• B.C. homebuilding going to drop off before rebounding next year: CMHC | Vernon Morning Star
• Short-term rentals rules in effect; fines to be levied | Times Colonist
• A second new housing project for Elkford | 102.9 Rewind Radio
• Temporary shelter spaces extended to support people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops | BC Housing News
• Vancouver housing: Affordable homes in False Creek North | CityNews
• Tenants facing displacement from B.C. apartment say ‘renoviction’ protections not working – BC | Global News
• Downtown Kamloops shelter lease extended until 2025, BC Housing says | Castanet
• Saanich not on pace to meet province’s housing targets: report | Times Colonist
• B.C. announces 8 new Build B.C. housing sites across the province | Trail Times

---

Conference

June 2024: Current & Emerging Issues Conference and AGM

Our June conference is designed to tackle the pressing issues that matter most to our members. Based on feedback from our members, we’ve tailored the agenda to cover current trends and emerging topics. The Federation AGM* on the final morning ensures we discuss these crucial issues and address organizational matters vital to our collective mission.

Thursday, June 13, 2024: Conference & Networking Reception

Friday, June 14, 2024: Federation AGM*

Click here for more info and to register: https://fcssbc.ca/conferences/june-conference-agm/

*AGM is for members only.

---

Communities

B.C. launches portal to help find hotel rooms for emergency evacuees | CBC News

The British Columbia Hotel Association is launching a new central booking portal in June that will provide provincial emergency support staff with live information on room availability for emergency evacuees. The portal will help eliminate the need to call hotels to find out about room availability and can track where evacuees have been placed. The new booking portal will be used in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Prince George, with the ability to add more places to the system as capacity warrants. The portal will play an important role in helping Emergency Support Services responders secure suitable accommodations for evacuees who need it as soon as they need it.

Related:

• Burnaby to lobby BC for transit-oriented development exemption | Times Colonist
• Fearful Squamish rejects ‘floatel’ housing for LNG plant workers | Trail Times
• BC Summit Sheds Light on Safeguarding Communities This Wildfire Season | The Tyee
• Vancouver Island residents question new supportive housing location | Global News
• Living with Trans Mountain | CBC
• Council issues more remedial orders to clean up downtown | Spare News | Penticton Herald
• Get Moving with Your Community this June | Vernon Morning Star
• Community Futures in northern B.C. celebrate rural entrepreneurship in new campaign | Prince George Daily News
• Former elementary school to be demolished and rebuilt as daycare | My Prince George Now

---

Update session

Update session: Representative for Children and Youth | FCSSBC

The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth invites you to an update session in follow-up to the engagement session that has informed a systemic review of the child welfare system in British Columbia.

Session date:

Monday, May 13, 2024

9 am to 10:30 am PDT via Zoom

Email the RCY at rsvp@rcybc.ca to register!

(A Zoom link and agenda will be sent to registered participants in advance of the session.)

---

Children

Minister’s statement on Child Care Month | BC Gov News

British Columbia’s Minister of State for Child Care, Mitzi Dean, has issued a statement in recognition of May as Child Care Month. In the statement, she recognized the critical role child care plays in the lives of children, families, and communities, as well as the importance of child care professionals. She also highlighted the government’s efforts to make affordable, quality, and inclusive child care a core service that families can rely on, including funding for child care spaces and affordability programs. The statement also discussed the importance of child care on school grounds and the government’s commitment to supporting early learning professionals.

Related:

• B.C. program uses video game Minecraft to help children process grief | Global News
• RCMP say child abuse investigation in Alberta found victims in B.C. | Global News
• Child poverty spikes dramatically in B.C. single-mom families: StatsCan | The Free Press
• Vancouver School Board sends phone-restriction motion to committee | CBC News
• Child porn suspect caught trying to flee Canada, B.C. police say | CTV News
• Vancouver families benefit from new child care centre | BC Gov News

---

Webinar

How to create a culture of recognition and acknowledge contributions | FCSSBC and CMHA

This is an invitation to a one-hour workshop on “How to Create a Culture of Recognition and Acknowledge Contributions.” The workshop will explore the importance of recognition and rewards in creating a psychologically safe workplace. Attendees will learn about different recognition strategies, both formal and informal, and how to make them more impactful with a personal touch. The workshop will also discuss the role of managers in implementing recognition practices. The workshop is a collaborative environment where attendees can share their experiences and learn from others. It is scheduled for May 14th or May 30th from 12 pm to 1 pm and is brought to you by The Federation of Community Social Services of BC and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

---

Families

B.C. daycare operator says provincial red tape could close facility | Global News

Stefanie Swinnard, who runs The Stage Musical Theatre Academy and planned to open child-care programs, faces financial uncertainty due to government red tape. The licensing process was delayed due to construction issues, and the facility’s financial viability is at risk while waiting for the government to decide if families on its waiting list are eligible for child-care subsidies. The lack of available child care is a challenge for parents in New Westminster, where only a small percentage of children have access to child care, especially school-age kids—the B.C. Minister of Child Care is looking at what fees are being proposed and other ways the ministry could work with them.

Related:

• Reimagining travel for neurodiverse families | CityNews
• Family calls for better care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital | The Free Press
• New neonatal intensive care unit opens at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital | Castanet
• Vancouver school budget fails to address key needs: trustee | CTV News
• Special event for moms of children on Autism spectrum | Global News

---

Workshops

Parenting workshops | Parent Support Services Society of BC

Five free online parenting workshops for parents and kinship caregivers in British Columbia. The workshops cover various topics, including creating and deepening attachment with children, understanding temperament and goodness of fit, creative journaling for self-care, dealing with parenting power struggles, and tuning into temperament.

---

Mental health

‘Biological sex’ sports bill voted down in B.C. legislature | CityNews

A private member’s bill introduced by Conservative Leader John Rustad in B.C. to classify publicly funded sports teams and events according to the “biological sex” of participants, banning transgender athletes, was voted down at first reading. The majority New Democrats, joined by two Green Party members and two Independents, voted down the proposed bill. Meanwhile, the Opposition BC United said it was sticking to its policy under Leader Kevin Falcon and never opposing the introduction of any bill on first reading. Rustad told the legislature the proposed bill would ensure publicly funded sports events “must be classified by sex, and it limits participation to participants of the biological sex that corresponds to the sex classification.”

Related:

• BC Wildfire Service ensuring recruits have access to critical mental health supports | CFJC Today Kamloops
• Province announces new mental health and addictions program for South Peace youth | EnergeticCity
• Vancouver Island teams pairing cops with mental health nurses off to encouraging start | Global News
• Cancer survivor emphasizes importance of mental health care during diagnosis | Global News

---

Job opportunity

Prince George Native Friendship Centre – Assistant Executive Director

The Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC) is looking for an Assistant Executive Director (AED) to support the long-term strategic goals, objectives, plans, and policies of the organization. The successful candidate will be a proven leader with a passion for holistic and culturally based services that support urban Indigenous communities.

---

Event

Register for our Non-Profit North event in May!

We’re excited to be co-hosting the Non-Profit North event with Vantage Point on May 9 at the Courtyard Marriott in Prince George — and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. Register on our website to join us in discussing the unique challenges of community social services in the North.

---

Health

Dr. Farah Shroff appointed to the governing board of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority | UBC

Dr. Farah Shroff, a public health professional and associate of the School of Population and Public Health and Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, has been appointed to the governing board of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. The board of directors is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization. Dr. Shroff’s expertise is in international health policy, and she has worked with various governments in Canada and worldwide. She founded and led Maternal and Infant Health Canada, a global public health collaborative, and her contributions to global public health were recognized by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, which awarded her the prestigious mid-career Takemi Fellowship in International Health. Dr. Shroff is also on the board of the Harvard Health Lab and an Expert at the Harvard Innovation Lab, and she teaches yoga, dance, meditation, and other mind-body activities that promote holistic well-being.

Related:

• Cockroaches confirmed at B.C. hospital, officials say they ‘do not bite’ | CTV News
• Island Health warns of norovirus, flu outbreaks at several facilities | CHEK news
• ‘This used to be a job that could sustain you … it’s not anymore’: Kris Vickberg, porter, Vancouver | Healthy Debate
• B.C. to provide $155.7 million to recruit and retain specialized health workers | Times Colonist

---

Helpline

BCMSA & BCACC Launch New Mental Health Helpline for BC Municipal Workers | FCSSBC

BCACC is pleased to announce the launch of a mental health helpline for BC Municipal Workers through the new “Connections to Care” program. The British Columbia Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) has partnered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) to introduce a phone service that connects municipal workers seeking counselling services with mental health professionals.

---

Seniors

Canada Dental Plan: Few B.C. providers have signed on | CTV News

The newly launched Canadian Dental Care Plan provides dental coverage for nearly two million low-income seniors. While some dental clinics have signed up for the program, others have not due to concerns about the cost and the program’s effectiveness. The program is currently being operated by Sun Life and is means-tested. Only seniors aged 70 and older can make appointments. Dentists who have signed up for the program are excited about the prospect of helping people who don’t have access to care on a regular basis.

Related:

• Nearly 60% of retirees are supporting adult children financially, survey finds | Global News
• First phase of Canada’s national dental care plan begins | CBC.ca
• FSJ Seniors Hall receives $5k donation from Fort St. John firefighters | Energetic City
• Chase housing society president says minimum consumption water rate hurts seniors on fixed incomes – Salmon Arm News | Castanet
• B.C. retirees more likely to work than other Canadians | Business in Vancouver
• Affordable, accessible homes coming for seniors in Elkford | BC Gov News
• Tenants facing displacement from B.C. apartment say ‘renoviction’ protections not working | Global News

---

Toxic drugs

B.C.’s First Nations groups call for emergency response to drug crisis | CityNews

The First Nations Leadership Council and the BC First Nations Justice Council are calling for an emergency “cross-governmental and multilateral strategy” to ensure the safety of people who use drugs. The toxic drug crisis needs to be treated and addressed as a public health issue, not a criminal justice issue. The emphasis on law enforcement and policing in the new measure to ban drug use in public spaces is concerning, and a significant and sustained effort must be made to ensure individuals struggling with addictions are not further marginalized and harmed. The province needs to engage with First Nations communities to develop a holistic solution, and culturally safe strategies can be implemented to support individuals living with addictions that honour their identities. The drug and overdose crisis escalated because of a lack of culturally appropriate support services and a lack of recovery services, housing, and tools that don’t address a range of intersecting traumas for Indigenous peoples.

Related:

• Mixed reviews as B.C. significantly rolls back drug decriminalization | Radio-Canada
• Toxic Drug Crisis Disproportionately Impacting Indigenous Peoples Calls for Emergency Joint Response | UBCIC
• Penticton Chamber of Commerce pleased with provincial pivot on public drug use -| Castanet
• Cops support drug use ban in public spaces | Asian Pacific Post
• Pierre Poilievre kicked out of House of Commons for calling Trudeau ‘wacko’ | Kelowna Now
• Ottawa waiting for info from B.C. on drug recriminalization | CBC News
• Addiction a ‘health-care crisis’ as B.C. eyes public drug use ban: minister | Global News
• BC United motion calling to end decriminalization shut down | CityNews
• B.C. ban on public drug use welcomed by Central Okanagan mayors | Global News

---

Reconciliation

B.C. First Nations leaders call for inquiry of police killings of Indigenous people | CityNews

The First Nation’s Leadership Council is calling for a public inquiry into police killings of Indigenous people and the lack of prosecutions for officers involved. This comes after the BC Prosecution Service declined to approve charges against officers involved in the killing of Wet’suwet’en man Jared Lowndes and other cases. The BC police watchdog highlights the lack of prosecutions against police and is preparing a report for the province that will recommend changes to the way cases of police violence are prosecuted. The province says the attorney general is open to meeting with the First Nations Leadership Council at any time and is committed to addressing systemic racism across the justice system.

Related:

• FNLC Calls Out Opposition Parties’ Baseless and Harmful Critiques of Bill Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title | UBCIC
• First Nations activist reflects on fight against Trans Mountain pipeline expansion | CTV News
• New numbers show Indigenous people get paid less in the workforce | CHEK News
• Indigenous group demands apology from SD61 on removal of school liaison officer program | CHEK News
• Why the RCMP Won’t Face Consequences for Dale Culver’s Death | The Tyee
• Indigenous people in Sooke get access to 170 below-market homes | BC Gov News
• B.C. land purchase protects sacred Indigenous site | Global News
• Oversight body to track reconciliation efforts bill passed, parliament | CityNews
• Indigenous knowledge and values add sustainability to Okanagan forest industry | iNFOnews
• Indigenous communities turn to prescribed burns to protect land from wildfires | CBC News

---

Good news

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them our way to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

• Northeast Sask. farm welcomes rare quadruplet calves | CBC News
• Kokum, grandson proud to graduate Grade 12 together in James Smith Cree Nation | CBC News
• Dancing onstage with Diljit Dosanjh a dream come true for 6-year-old fan at historic Vancouver show | CBC News

---

Subscribe HERE

---

Note

The articles included in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news that’s relevant to our sector; inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.