man in grey hoodie lying on gray concrete floor during daytime | photo by jon tyson

Nov. 01 Biweekly Update: Social Services Key Insights

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

November 01, 2024

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Table of contents

  • Homelessness
  • Reconciliation Book Club
  • Toxic Drugs
  • Opportunities
  • Health
  • 2025 Social Policy Forum
  • Mental Health
  • Career Opportunities
  • Housing
  • Good News

Homelessness

Ultimate Takeout Challenge Raising Money for Kelowna’s Homeless | Castanet

The Kelowna Gospel Mission will host its first Ultimate Takeout Challenge Grand Finale & Gala on November 2, aiming to raise $50,000 to support the city’s homeless community. Following a six-week competition with 16 local chefs, the final event will feature a culinary face-off between Chef Erik Fassbind of Salt & Brick and Chef Brett Thompson of Relvas Catering, who will create dishes using mystery ingredients. Gala attendees at the Metro Community Hub can vote for their favourite dish, with the winner earning the title of Ultimate Takeout Champion. In addition to the food competition, the evening promises live jazz, wine, and entertainment, celebrating community support for Kelowna’s unhoused residents.

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Reconciliation Book Club

Fatty Legs (10th Anniversary Edition)

The Federation’s Reconciliation Book Club, designed to be inclusive and accessible for all staff in member organizations, is a key resource for increasing knowledge of reconciliation issues. Book Club members meet regularly to discuss a new book, and Federation staff ensure that the discussions are enriched with supplementary materials, including discussion questions, additional readings, and author and publisher information.

We invite you to join us for the next meeting of the Reconciliation Book Club on December 18, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Fatty Legs (10th Anniversary Edition)” by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and Liz Amini-Holmes. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Toxic Drugs

Involuntary Treatment Is Not Care. BC Is Spearheading Its Violent Rise | Spring

The proposed expansion of involuntary treatment in British Columbia, led by Premier David Eby as “secure care,” has faced strong opposition from advocacy groups and community members. They argue it criminalizes and displaces vulnerable populations, particularly those with mental health issues, brain injuries, or drug dependencies. Critics contend this approach revives oppressive practices linked to Canada’s colonial history, using incarceration as a response to systemic social problems. Organizations like the BC Civil Liberties Association and Moms Stop the Harm advocate for humane, community-based care instead. They emphasize that this policy will disproportionately impact unhoused and racialized people, worsening health disparities. Opponents call for evidence-based, voluntary alternatives such as dignified housing, secure income, and culturally relevant treatment, asserting that forced treatment perpetuates cycles of criminalization and exclusion while ignoring underlying social inequities.

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Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members stay up to date with what is happening across the community social services sector. Check our calendar for training opportunities, webinars, and events.

Health

Feds Announce Funding for Health Tech Innovations for BC First Nations | Vernon Morning Star

The federal government, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, has announced new funding for the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to support health tech innovations by small- and medium-sized businesses in British Columbia. This funding will allow FNHA to access the Coordinated Accessible National Health Network, enabling health tech entrepreneurs to bring innovations to hospitals and health providers across over 200 Indigenous communities in B.C. Network chair Dr. Dante Morra highlighted the significance of this expansion, which will provide Indigenous communities with advanced medical technology. Small Business Minister Rechie Valdez noted that this initiative will foster business growth while offering patients access to cutting-edge health-care solutions.

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Registrations Will Open Soon!

Social Policy Forum 2025

Our 2025 Social Policy Forum will occur on February 12, 13 and 14. We are excited to host this event again at The Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria. The Social Policy Forum is an opportunity for members, sector partners, and government colleagues to connect and explore the pressing social policy issues our organizations – and, more importantly, our communities – face today. Participants will learn more, discuss the impacts and consequences of social policy, and explore approaches that will move us forward in finding solutions and better ways to support our most vulnerable citizens. Please watch for more information, including hotel booking details.

Mental Health

BC Will Keep Its Commitment to Scrap Consumer Carbon Tax, Provide Involuntary Care: Eby | Global News

Premier David Eby reaffirmed B.C.’s commitment to offer involuntary care for individuals with complex needs involving mental health, addiction, and brain injuries, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to assisting those in severe crisis. At his first press conference since the BC NDP’s narrow majority win, Eby stressed that people need not choose between environmental action and affordability, confirming the government’s plan to scrap the consumer carbon tax if federal policies shift. He also underscored the importance of establishing secure treatment facilities for individuals who pose risks to themselves or others, aiming to provide a structured environment for care and support.

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Career Opportunities

The Federation actively works to help our members recruit and retain skilled staff. Click here to check the current opportunities.

Housing

Tory MPs Backed Communities Seeking Liberal Housing Fund Poilievre Vows to Cut | Energetic City

Five Conservative MPs have appealed to Liberal Housing Minister Sean Fraser to fund housing projects in their communities through the housing accelerator fund, despite Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s recent vow to abolish the program. Fraser disclosed in the House of Commons that MPs Dan Albas, Michael Cooper, Adam Chambers, Lianne Rood, and Rob Moore, representing various provinces, sent letters between September 2023 and February 2024 advocating for funding to support local affordable housing projects. Poilievre has called the fund a “disastrous” program that increases bureaucracy and has pledged to redirect its funds to remove federal sales tax on new homes under $1 million. The Liberal government launched the $4-billion housing accelerator fund in 2022, later adding $400 million, with the goal of accelerating home construction through agreements with municipalities. While Fraser’s office has not yet approved the requested funding, the program still holds $400 million in reserves.

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Good News

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

Note

The articles 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 relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

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