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Oct. 18 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

October 16, 2024

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Table of contents

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

Toxic Drugs

Founders of Vancouver Club That Sold Tested Illicit Drugs File Charter Challenge | Castanet

The founders of Vancouver’s Drug User Liberation Front, Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx, have filed a constitutional challenge in the BC Supreme Court against Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. They argue that their Charter rights were violated when their “compassion club,” which sold tested heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine to protect users from the deadly street drug supply, was raided by police, resulting in drug trafficking charges. Their legal claim asserts that shutting down the club denies members access to a safer drug supply, endangering their lives and infringing on their rights to liberty, life, and security. They argue that the current approach is discriminatory and that regulating the illicit drug market is necessary to save lives.

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Reconciliation Book Club

Bone Black

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 October 23, 2024. The book we will be discussing is “Bone Black” by Carol Rose GoldenEagle. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the discussion. Sign up for the book club here: https://fcssbc.ca/bookclub/

Housing

Reviewing the BC NDP’s Big Housing Hurry | The Tyee

The BC NDP has made significant strides in addressing British Columbia’s housing crisis by implementing a multi-faceted approach, including legislation to increase housing supply, prevent speculation, and protect rental stock. Led by Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, their policies have influenced federal programs, notably with initiatives like BC Builds and the Rental Protection Fund. Despite progress, critics argue that challenges remain, particularly regarding affordability and income support. The upcoming election on October 19 presents a potential shift, with the BC Conservatives promising to dismantle many NDP interventions and prioritize private-sector solutions.

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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

Comparing the Parties’ Health Promises | The Tyee

The BC NDP and Conservatives differ in their health care promises, with the NDP focusing on expanding public services and workforce recruitment, while the Conservatives emphasize public-private partnerships. The NDP plans to invest $6 billion in health care, adding 45,000 health workers over five years, improving patient care through nurse-to-patient ratios, and expanding mental health and addiction services. The Conservatives propose funding hospitals based on activity, partnering with non-government clinics, rehiring unvaccinated health workers, and enhancing mental health care infrastructure. Both parties address workforce shortages, but neither directly tackles ER closures or rural health care access.

Save the date!

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.

Homelessness

Gofundmes Raise $9m in 5 Years in B.C. For Homelessness, Cost-of-living | Vernon Morning Star

Over the past five years, GoFundMe campaigns in British Columbia raised over $9 million to support people facing homelessness and cost-of-living challenges. Of this, $4 million was directed towards homelessness through 4,259 campaigns, with a significant increase in the last two years. The 2023 homeless count identified 11,352 individuals experiencing homelessness, largely due to economic pressures and substance-use challenges. The top cities for both homelessness and cost-of-living campaigns were Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria. In the same period, 2,386 cost-of-living campaigns raised $5.6 million, highlighting BC’s high living costs despite a relatively high median income.

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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.

BC Election

How Do British Columbia’s Three Main Parties Compare on These Election Issues? | CBC

Read the promises of British Columbia’s three main political parties on the pressing issues in the 2024 provincial election. The CBC will update these as parties add to their platforms ahead of the election.

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!

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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