Jenny Kwan, MLA, Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

Enbridge Pipeline: A High-Risk, Low-Return Project

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

The B.C. New Democrat Official Opposition caucus has formally registered its opposition to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Project with the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel.

“Under the Enbridge proposal, British Columbia would assume almost all the project’s risk, yet would see only a fraction of the benefits,” said New Democrat leader Adrian Dix. “By any measure, such a high-risk, low-return approach simply isn’t in B.C.’s interests.”

The letter outlines six key concerns regarding the Northern Gateway Project:

Lifting the current tanker moratorium will put B.C.’s coastline at serious risk of devastating environmental and economic damage from oil spills;

The pipeline will traverse remote, highly valued areas of B.C., crossing almost 800 streams, putting these valuable environments and species, such as salmon, at risk;

First Nation communities would be most severely affected by an oil leak or spill. First Nations must be consulted effectively and be respected on a government-to-government level , as has been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada;

Greenhouse gas emissions generated by NGP-related oil sands development will contribute to the costs of climate change;
The NGP provides few long-term, sustainable economic benefits for B.C., and forgoes value-added economic activity involving upgrading and refining in Canada;

Canadian consumers will see increased Canadian oil prices.

Remembering Jim Green

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Memorial for Jim Green
April 14, 2012
Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver BC

Address by Jenny Kwan:

Jim Green’s life depicted a journey of man who found love and humanity even in the darkest corners of human experience.
For all the pain and suffering that he witnessed in his life, a descendent of Oklahoma sharecroppers, he found a way to channel the power of those experiences into action for positive change.

When I think of Jim’s footprint in Vancouver, I am reminded of the famous statement by the playwright (and co-founder of the London School of Economics) George Bernard Shaw: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists to adapt the world to him. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

That was Jim Green!!

Jim was a larger than life character in the story of Vancouver in the past forty years. He took on many roles in his life including politician, longshoreman, author, anthropologist, university instructor, partner, father, opera lover, advocate and affordable housing developer just to name a few. And, I might add, he had a great sense of humour. I think he could have been a stand-up comic and likely missed a lucrative career as a comedian.

At the funeral held before his death, something that only Jim could have pulled off (hosting your own memorial before you pass away), the first words he said, knowing full well that this would be his last public appearance, were: “I can’t tell you how glad I am to be here today.” There was a stony silence that came over the room when Jim delivered this line, spontaneously and smoothly with just enough pause for everyone to catch up with his wry sense of humour, poking fun at the irony of both celebration and sorrow intersecting at the same event. When I listened to the informal address he gave to those present, sitting on a chair in the Cultch because he was too weak to stand, I had the feeling, like many others I’m sure, that this was one of those rare moments in life when you sense you are in the presence of someone grand, that wisdom is being imparted and some important history is unfolding before you.

Jim had grand ideas about the potential for communities, even the most marginalized. He had this crazy idea that those with money and those without could live side by side, with mutual respect, and share the same ideals for an inclusive community. Woodward’s is a testimony to that vision with condominium owners, market renters and social housing residents living side by side. The ideas that Jim had for blending communities were initially considered controversial but now, four decades after his arrival in Canada, they are part of the culture of urban planning in our city.

Jim had a significant role in the proud tradition of being a powerful voice emerging from the Downtown Eastside. He was a dreamer, who dreamed about impossible ideas about how everyone mattered in the community, how every single person, even the most humble homeless person living in a doorway, was a citizen and a person who had fundamental rights to dignity, a home, a sense of belonging and a voice. In other words, he thought with his heart as much as with his mind and, in so doing, he saw potential in every person. Except of course if you were what Jim referred to as a “pig f*****”.

Everyone in this room knows that the fighting spirit of Jim was truly legendary. Some of you might have even experienced some of that fighting spirit sitting on the opposite side of Jim Green. Well for you, I am sure, even in death, Jim Green may still be kind of intimidating! With his dark suit, fedora and brooding expression, he could strike fear in the hearts of his adversaries. It’s true that Jim was tough. But underneath that tough persona, he was a man with so much heart.

Jim believed that the City of Vancouver can be the caring capital of Canada and he worked tirelessly to realize that dream. The magic of Jim Green can be felt most profoundly as you walk down Hastings Street. Project after project had the imprint of Jim Green. The impact of Jim Green’s vision is captured in so many ways. We see it in the many award-winning social housing projects in our community and world-renowned program such as the BladeRunners, a program for street-involved youth that exemplified the spirit of Jim Green. What also brought life to the spirit of Jim Green are the many community leaders that he inspired, still working tirelessly.

As you all know, Jim loved Opera. He believed that art and creativity was not restricted to the wealthy. He believed that the beauty of art nourished everyone’s soul. I’ll never forget watching a live opera performance at the corner of Main and Hastings in the Four Corners Bank. It seemed so poignant, so deeply democratic, so equalizing, that people from every walk of life sitting in one room, simultaneously feeling moved. And as we watched the Bach Choir perform in blood alley, at the front of it all was Jim Green, deeply absorbed in the splendour of seeing such beautiful expressions of creativity; tears welled up in his eyes.

Jim loved Vancouver with all his heart. At his living memorial at the Cultch, Jim remarked about how his heart was stirred when Vancouverites saved injured passengers after a tragic plane crash in the city. In this way, he promoted Vancouver not only as a city, in the strictest sense of the word, but also as a set of implicit and explicit values about caring. My own interest in the possibility for social change came alive, in no small part, because of my early experience working with Jim in the humblest of settings in the community. He had an inspiring vision, a kind of imagine-scape, for a better community, a better city and a better world. He was a blend between poetic longshoremen, with a vocabulary that spanned the continuum from an university professor to a heavy-duty trucker. In that fashion, I’ll never forget some key words of advice Jim often gave me: “Hey Kiddo, try not to f*** up”.

The poet Robert Browning said that a man’s reach should exceed his grasp. I think that Jim’s imagine-scape was a testimony to this principle of seeing beyond the horizon. This same statement about reach exceeding grasp by Browning goes on to say: “or what is heaven for?” If there is a heaven, in whatever form it may take, whether of some lived heaven that Jim believed possible on earth or some ethereal one in another world, then surely that’s where my friend and mentor must be.

Thank you.

Organizing Beyond Barriers Summer Internship

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

UNITE HERE! Local 40 is getting out the word about their summer internship program, "Organizing Beyond Barriers”, in Vancouver for the very first time!

They are connecting with grassroots organizations to find folks who’d love to expand their organizing skills, learn about labour struggles in their community, and actively participate in union campaigns.

Get serious about grassroots organising - join UNITE HERE! Local 40 for an 8 week internship.

Local 40 organises thousands of hotel and food service workers across Metro Vancouver, and is part of a larger movement of workers across the continent who are confronting corporate greed and routine mistreatment of workers, fighting to raise the standards of service sector jobs, and winning dignity and respect on the job through solidarity and action.

Applicants must have full availability from June 25th to August 17th, which is the length of the program. Each intern will be allotted a $450/week stipend. Applicants will be chosen based on what unique skills, knowledge and experience they can bring to the program. Those who face systemic barriers are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: April 18th. Applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter for interviews.

For more information on the Organising Beyond Barriers Program, contact obbvancouver(at)gmail.com, check out the Online Application or visit the OBB website.

Getting Ready for this summer's Car Free Vancouver Festival

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Car-Free Vancouver festival organizers have put out the call to any and all looking to be involved in Car-Free Vancouver 2012!

The Car-Free Festival is a day of reimagining the city and putting those ideas into action. The goal of the Car-Free Festivals are to celebrate our neighbourhoods, promote local businesses and artists, share between friends and neighbours, and imagine a city without cars.

Are you a small business owner who wants to participate as a vendor? A group or artist who wants to share with the community? Want to volunteer and make this year’s festival a success?

Both the Main Street and Commercial Drive festivals want to work with you!

Check online for more information about getting involved with the Commercial Drive or the Main Street locations, or email: info@carfreevancouver.org

Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House offers Basic Computer Skills Training for Newcomer Women

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Basic Computer Skills Training

Inviting all newcomer women to this FREE 8 weeks program

When: Thursday, April 5 to May 24, 2012; 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Where: Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House

Childminding will be provided.

For registration, contact:
Joyce Lee, Settlement Counsellor 604-879-8208 ext 117 or jklee@mpnh.org

This project is made possible through funding from the Province of British Columbia.

Jim Green

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Two decades ago, I was a timid young university graduate and I met a fellow named Jim Green for the first time.

Over the years, I have learned that the man once dubbed as the Mayor of the Downtown Eastside was a strong trade unionist, an anthropologist, a relentless advocate, a champion of social, environmental and economic justice.

He dared to dream the impossible and worked relentlessly to bring life to those dreams.

The brilliance of Jim Green is exhibited not only in the physical structures of the many award-winning social housing projects in our community or world renowned programs such as the Bladerunners. It is experienced every day by the thousands of people whose lives he touched.

He developed housing for the homeless. He gave voice to the voiceless. He engaged the disenfranchised. He brought educational opportunities to the poorest neighbourhood in the country. He drank and played pool with old timers. He opened countless doors for young people. He inspired and challenged us to step up and dare to make a difference. He offered advice, provided guidance and encouragement.

He did all that and so much more in the typical Jim Green fashion: rough and tough but always with heart and love.
In so doing, he nurtured and directly influenced countless people’s lives, mine included.

This past weekend at the Cultch in East Vancouver, Jim Green was honoured with Vancouver’s Freedom of the City Award. He was also given the Honour Roll of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Jim once said: “Vancouver can be the caring capital of Canada” and he showed it by bringing the beauty of Opera to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The sun has set for this brilliant star in our midst.

When you visit Vancouver, please take a look around the city and beyond, and when you see a touch of Jim Green’s heart and soul, say a small thank you to this visionary and renew your commitment to realize his dream of making Vancouver the caring capital of Canada.

Opposition Caucus Helps Keep Rio Theatre in Community

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

VANCOUVER – After joining the community in calling on the Liberal government to act and amend existing liquor regulations so one of Vancouver’s oldest cultural venues could stay in business, MLA Jenny Kwan is pleased with today’s provincial announcement to improve regulations.

“Common sense has won the day as the new minister responsible for liquor and gaming, Rich Coleman, is taking action to change provincial regulations that will allow multi-media venues such as the Rio Theatre to hold live events and screen movies,” said Kwan, the MLA for Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant.

After the Rio Theatre was forced to stop screening films in late January as a result of receiving a liquor license to host live adult events, Kwan proposed the Liberals bring in an order-in-council (OIC). The OIC proposed was an amendment to the provincial regulation to allow Liquor Primary License Holders, under the Motion Picture Act, to host live events with bar service for 19+ audiences and to screen movies without bar service.
Rio Theatre owner Corinne Lea said today’s announcement is a step in the right direction but changes still need work and adjustment.

“In the entertainment industry, it is Hollywood distributors that dictate film release dates and bands who determine their tour dates, making it difficult for a single venue such as the Rio to influence these schedules,” said Lea. “Therefore, we cannot permanently specify which day of the week is designated for movie screening or live events. Maximum flexibility is required and I hope that we can work with the government to make the necessary adjustments in the coming days.”

Arts and culture critic Spencer Chandra Herbert said this is good first step for the Rio Theatre and other small businesses like it.

“The creative economy is vital for our future, and we need to work together to ensure it succeeds.”

www.bcndpcaucus.ca

Worksafe BC's Teleclaim Service Line now open until 6 PM

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Have you been hurt on the job? Did you report to Worksafe and to your employer?

Worksafe BC has recently announced a change to Teleclaim, its claim services phone line - 1-877-967-5377.

As of January 16, 2012, hours at the Teleclaim Contact Centre have been extended, and phone lines are open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm.

If you have been hurt on the job and need to report a time-loss injury, you can call the line instead of filling out the forms.

The line offers help in more than 170 languages, so it can be a good resource if you or someone you know has trouble understanding the forms.

Remember - as a worker, if you get hurt on the job, it’s your right to file a claim! Even if your claim doesn’t result in payment for lost wages, you might be eligible for other benefits such as medical coverage. Reporting an injury as soon as possible after it happens can help make sure that your claim gets every consideration.

If you need more information about filing a Worksafe BC claim, or if you need to find out who to contact to follow up on an open claim, please feel free to stop by my constituency office during open hours.

Options for Responsible Recycling

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

My constituency office has recently received the up-to-date, 2012 BC Recycling Handbook.

This handbook is put out yearly by the Stewardship Agencies of BC. It’s an easy reference to find out how best to recycle a range of items.

I find it especially useful for items that are more difficult to dispose of, such as flourescent lightbulbs, small applicances, batteries, and household paints and solvents. The Handbook lists recycling locations, what items each location accepts, as well as any fees that might apply at drop-off.

You can go online to check out , or please contact my constituency office to receive paper copies.

What do YOU think about increased bus fares?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Regional Transportation Commissioner Invites Public Comment on Proposed Fare Increase

Translink, the body responsible for public transit in Vancouver, has proposed transit fare increases for 2013, and they want to hear your comments on the proposal.

TransLink has applied to the Commission for approval to raise transit fares on January 1, 2013. TransLink proposes to raise all fares. For example, for cash fares:

-a 1-zone ticket would rise by 25 cents, from $2.50 to $2.75
-a 2-zone ticket would rise by 50 cents, from $3.75 to $4.25 and
-a 3-zone ticket would also rise by 50 cents, from $5.00 to $5.50.

If the increases are approved for 2013, five years will have passed since the last increase in cash fares, which was in January 2008.

Other types of transit tickets have seen more recent increases. For example, books of 10 FareSaver tickets saw their last increase in April 2010, so that two years and eight months will have passed, if the increases are approved for 2013:-

-1-zone FareSaver books would increase from $21.00 to $23.50
-2-zone FareSaver books would increase from $31.50 to $35.50 and
-3-zone FareSaver books would increase from $42.00 to $47.00.

It is because some of these increases exceed an average of 2% per year that TransLink must by law obtain the Commission’s approval. By law, in deciding whether to approve the fare increases, the Commission must weigh four considerations:

-maintain financial stability of TransLink;
-allow TransLink to provide planned services;
-encourage TransLink to minimize expenses; and
-keep fares as low as possible.

Any fare increase would require approval from the independent Regional Transportation Commissioner. His recommendation is due on March 27, 2012.

In the meantime, the commission has requested feedback from the public on the proposed increase, particularly with regard to TransLink efficiency. The deadline for comment submission is February 15, 2012. Comments can be received by email, Facebook or by post.

To find out more details about the proposal, or to find out how to submit your comments, please visit Translink’s website.

Save the Rio Theatre - Open Letter to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

January 24, 2012

Hon. Shirley Bond
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Room 347, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

Dear Minister Bond,

I am writing to you in support of the Rio theatre, a successful small business in my community of Vancouver Mount Pleasant.

The Rio is one of Vancouver’s last independent multi-purpose venuetheatres and has quickly become a cornerstone of Vancouver’s creative economy. The Rio has pioneered a multi-purpose model that blends live entertainment, first and second run movie screenings, and community events. Unfortunately, the Rio’s successful application for a liquor primary license has resulted in programming restrictions, applied by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch under your ministry. The Rio is now being forced to choose between offering licensed, live entertainment and screening films.

For several years, the Rio has operated in much the same way as they propose continuing: a mix of alcohol-free screenings of first- and second-run films and licensed live events. A formal liquor-primary license will not change this operation but merely allow the Rio to avoid a separate license application for each live event. The owner of the Rio has committed clearly in writing to keeping general film screenings alcohol-free in order to comply with existing legislation. This mix has proven to be popular, successful and without any public safety concerns. There is no reason to believe that problems would arise now under a permanent license. In fact, that the license has been granted following the Rio’s operation in this multi-purpose fashion clearly indicates that there have not been difficulties.

In seeking city approval for a liquor license, the Rio has undergone an extensive community consultation and the support has been clear: our neighbourhood and Vancouver’s broader creative community are standing behind the Rio theatre.

There is no question that the creative arts are a key economic driver across our province and our community of Vancouver Mount Pleasant is no different. This is a classic case of bureaucratic red tape undermining a local small business. The Rio has been very patient and cooperative through the long application process and it is critical to act quickly in order for this business to survive. On behalf of my community, I urge you to find a solution that will allow the Rio to continue to operate successfully.

Sincerely,

Jenny Kwan, MLA
Vancouver-Mount Pleasant

Christmas Tree Chipping for Charity

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Kingsgate Mall - Lower East Parking Lot
10am-4pm

The Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area (MPBIA) is pleased to offer Christmas tree chipping by donation to a great cause. Enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies.

All proceeds will go to Mount Pleasant Elementary School to raise much-needed funds for hands-on technology in the classroom.

2012 Property Tax Assessments

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Property owners throughout the City of Vancouver can expect to receive their 2012 assessment notices in the next few days.

Property owners who feel that their property assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2011 or see incorrect information on their notice should contact the Vancouver Sea to Sky assessment at 604-739-8588 or toll free at 1-800-661-1780. During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information visit
www.bcassessment.ca

2012 BC Housing Education Awards

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800

The 2012 BC Housing Education Awards Program (EAP) is open to tenants living in accommodation subsidized by BC Housing, including Non-Profit and Co-op residents as well as Rental Assistance Program (RAP) recipients.

The program is intended to provide opportunities for tenants to pursue their educational goals. Awards and Bursaries of $750-$1,000 are available to youth or adults between the ages of 17 and 64 to put toward their tuition and school expenses. Award information as well as a list of FAQs can be found by visiting BC Housing’s website .

The website explains the program objectives, eligibility criteria and application process. Students are encouraged to apply for all awards and bursaries where eligibility criteria are met. The annual deadline for receipt of applications is April 30, 2012.

Tenants can also obtain brochures or application forms by:
- downloading the application form from BC Housing’s web site at www.bchousing.org/tenants/services/educationawards
- contacting a BC Housing regional office
- contacting a BC Housing Property Portfolio/Building Manager
- emailing educationawards@bchousing.org

TransLink services over Christmas and New Year’s

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

My constiuency office received the following information from Translink about holiday bus service, which may be useful to those who are planning their commute during the coming days:

"Enhanced service for post-Christmas shoppers and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve are two of the special transit services being offered over the Christmas/New Year’s season this year.

Friday, Dec. 23 – regular schedule on all modes except West Coast Express. Afternoon trains will leave Waterfront Station at 1, 3, 4:20, 5:30 and 6:20 p.m. and the 12:55 TrainBus is cancelled.

Saturday, Dec. 24 – all modes will run their normal Saturday schedules, although SkyTrain will provide enhanced service on the Expo/Millennium Lines for the last-minute shopping rush.

Christmas Day – since that is a Sunday, all modes will run the Sunday/Holiday schedule, although some bus routes will adjust their schedules to reflect historic Christmas Day travel patterns. You can check the TransLink Trip Planner or find a list of individual routes at http://www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/schedules_and_maps/holiday_svc/christmas%20day%20schedule%20adjustments.ashx

Boxing Day (Monday, Dec. 26) – since this is a statutory holiday, you only need a one-zone ticket for travel through all three zones.

Buses – will run on the Sunday/Holiday schedule but with enhanced service on routes serving major shopping areas.
SkyTrain – will run the Saturday morning start-and-finish times – first train leaving King George Station at 6:08 a.m., last train leaving Waterfront at 1:16 a.m. – but will run additional trains at midday to accommodate shoppers.
SeaBus – will run on the Sunday/Holiday schedule, but will extend service so that the last ferry leaves Lonsdale Quay at 1 a.m. and Waterfront at 1:22 a.m. Buses will run additional trips to meet the last SeaBus and SkyTrain trips.
West Coast Express will not run Monday, Dec. 26 or Tuesday, Dec. 27. Normal service will resume Wednesday, Dec. 28

Tuesday, Dec. 27-Friday, Dec. 30 – normal service on all modes except West Coast Express (as noted above).

Saturday, Dec. 31 – TRANSIT SERVICE IS FREE from 5 p.m. until the close of service

Buses – will run on the Saturday schedule, but extend late-night service on certain routres. Details of those service extensions can be found at http://www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/schedules_and_maps/holiday_svc/new%20years%20eve%20additional%20bus%20service.ashx
SkyTrain and SeaBus – will run on the Saturday schedule, but will extend service one hour, so the last SkyTrain leaves Waterfront at 2:05 a.m. (Canada Line to YVR-Airport), 2:15 a.m. (to Richmond-Brighouse) and 2:16 a.m. (Expo/Millennium Lines) and the last SeaBus leaves Lonsdale Quay at 2:06 a.m. and Waterfront at 2:20 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 1 – ALL SERVICE WILL RUN ON THE SUNDAY/HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Monday, Jan. 2 – ALL SERVICE WILL RUN ON THE USUAL WEEKDAY SCHEDULE except West Coast Express, which will not run that day at all.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 – all service will return to the normal weekday schedule.

This information is subject to change, so people should check the TransLink Trip Planner at www.translink.ca for up-to-date schedules.”