Jenny Kwan, MLA, Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

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.”

Holiday Hours Notice/節日期間辦公時間通知

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

The Vancouver-Mount Pleasant constituency office will close at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 21 for holiday observance and will re-open at 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 3.

Voice messages, mail and email will be monitored during closure. For assistance with an urgent matter please call
604-775-0790 and leave a message, send an email to jenny.kwan.mla@leg.bc.ca, or leave a note under the door.

Thank you and wishing you a very happy new year in 2012.

關慧貞省議員辦公室將于2011年12月21日下午4時関門，于2012年1月3日9時重新開門。

節日期間我們依然查看信箱、電子郵件和電話留言。如若你急需幫助，請打604-775-0790 並留言，或電郵至jenny.kwan.mla@leg.bc.ca, 或在辦公室門下留下字條，我們會按時查看。

祝您新年快樂！

Fall 2011 Constituency Report

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

My Fall 2011 constituency report is now available online. In this report I recap some of the issues I have been working on over the past few months including the crisis at Community Living BC (CLBC), the need for a better approach to international trade, the lack of representation for groups at the Missing Women Inquiry, as well as several other developments in the Legislature this session.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Inner-City School Funding and Child Poverty

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Carrie Gelson, a teacher at Seymour school, wrote an incredibly poignant letter about the everyday experience of the least influential in our city, children living in poverty. She appealed to the people of Vancouver and asked: "Are you willing to advocate for a child that is not your own?” And the people in our good city and beyond responded.

Carrie notes that people gave kindness along with their donations. Her appeal to the public has reignited the conversation about education in the inner city, and on November 14 Carrie organized a forum in Vancouver about inner-city children living in poverty and their school experience.

Many children in the inner city do not have their basic needs met. Children come to school hungry. They do not have socks, and they have holes in their shoes. Winter jackets are worn thin or they do not have one at all. Sadness sometimes overwhelms them, and the cloakroom is used as a counsellor’s office. For some students, home is a shelter or a relative’s couch.

This is just a sampling of what some inner-city kids face, and more and more, teachers are not just teachers. They’re social workers and they’re advocates. Staffing has been stripped. Funding has not kept up. Donor dollars are being used to buy things like speech and language therapy.

Schools are left to compete against each other for donations to meet some of their basic needs.This summer Thunderbird Elementary School competed against another inner-city school for donations to buy playground equipment. They lost, and the kids continue to play in the mud pit where the old playground equipment was torn down 2 1/2 years ago. In the words of Janey Lee, a teacher at Thunderbird, it’s the needy versus the needy. Cutbacks create an inequitable system. More than ever, schools need sustainable funding from government to meet their needs. Without it, equality of outcome is just a dream.

So my colleagues at the Legislature, are you willing to advocate for a child that is not your own? I hope the answer is yes, and if it is yes, what are we going to do about it?

(View a complete video of the forum here)

A Call to the United Nations

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and the February 14th Memorial March Committee are amongst the groups granted full standing as participants in the commission of inquiry into missing and murdered women. The inquiry’s proceedings will not just examine the past but recommend measures to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again.

Many of the groups granted full standing had close connections groups granted full standing as participants in the commission of inquiry into missing and murdered women. The inquiry’s proceedings will not just examine the past but recommend measures to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again.

Many of the groups granted full standing had close connections with the women at the time they went missing and were amongst the first to raise the alarm that women who were going missing suspected that there was a serial killer in our midst. They have cultivated trusting relationships with the women who are still at-risk today, which is integral to facilitating the testimony that is so vital for the inquiry.

Now they are amongst the groups that say they feel shut out from the process. They say that the very structure of the proceedings fails to include the voices of aboriginal people and women who have been and continue to be targeted by violent and systemic discrimination.

The groups say that they fear that the current process deepens systemic discrimination against aboriginal community and women, who are already marginalized by poverty, violence, homelessness and racial discrimination and are hindered from informing the very policies that would prevent the mistakes from the past from recurring. They want to have equal treatment to other entities granted standing which enjoy full legal representation of their choice.

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and the February 14 memorial march committee have prepared a joint submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women regarding an inquiry into the missing and murdered women in Canada. B.C. has once again turned to the UN for justice. The world is now watching to see what measures we take in Canada. I’m in full support of this, sought by the organizations, and I hope that the members of this House are too.

Condolences for Jack Layton

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Those wishing to express condolences upon the death of federal Opposition leader, Jack Layton, may do so in the following ways:
Send a message to Jack’s family online:
www.ndp.ca/jacklayton

Send a greeting through regular mail to Jack’s Parliamentary office:
Parliament Hill:
634-C Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6
***All mail sent to the House of Commons is free – no stamp needed***

Layton, 61, died Monday after a second bout of cancer. A state funeral will be held Saturday in Toronto at 2 p.m. Ontario time at Roy Thomson Hall.

125 Stories of Grandview Woodland’s Residents

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

In celebration of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary the Under One Umbrella Society is calling out for story submissions from Grandview Woodland’s residents past and present. 125 stories will be published and become a permanent installation in the community. Book launch and public readings in the Fall 2011.

Deadline for submissions: September 5, 2011.

Visit underoneumbrella.net for more details.

Zero Waste Challenge - Free the Trash

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Check out Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Challenge to learn about local initiatives and ideas including an example from our community, the Strathcona Zero Waste Challenge.

View the video and submit your ideas at: Free the Trash