r
AUGUST 1, 2019 FREE-Do
not pay for this paper.
~
NEWSLETTER 401 Main Street Vancouver Canada V6A 2T7
(6M) 665-2289 " ,
rressures&P~opl~ in Oppen
Dear Carnegie Community
Centre Association;
This is to provide an update on the evolving situation ming run out of the Oppenheimer
at Oppenheimer
We made the decision to close the Field House in Oppenheimer staff shortage. After monitoring
the changing conditions
last few months, we have determined and recreational
programming
Park from Friday July 12 to Monday July 15 due to a
and the impacts on services and Field House staff over the
that the staff team is no longer able to safely and effectively
Centre to deliver programming
Eastside. This relocation
This decision has been contemplated
fulfill their social
and services from the Centre and other locations
will be in effect until further
for some time, in conjunction
regularly assessed our ability to deliver social and recreation difficult
program-
mandate out of the Field House. As a result, Field House staff have been temporarily
relocated to Carnegie Community in the Downtown
Park as it relates to the community
Park Field House.
notice.
with staff working
decision to relocate programs and services and we remain highly committed
will be sending out more information
at the Field House, as we
services within the current context of the park. It is a to serving the community.
We
about programs and services that have been relocated to Carnegie Communi-
ty Centre and other locations as soon ~s possible. All other regular City services to support services in the park, including litter pick up, washrooms, outreach services, etc. will continue. ,,'
continue to monitor evolves.
the situation
We remain committed
at the park on a daily basis and adjust and review our approach as the situation
to serving the Downtown
Eastside community
through
recreation,
cational programs and services and know that our staff team will come together based programming
during this temporary
please contact Ellen Kim, Community
Sincerely, Karla Kloepper
I
Director
..•
Centre
I
City of Vancouver
Personal Boundaries Set your Boundaries and re-set them - if you must; but if they keep being 'disrespected' you might as well say Goodbye to any more Trust! •
social, cultural, and edu-
to build creative, community
relocation.
If you have questions or would like more information,
Carnegie Community
facilities support,
VFRS and VPD will also continue their regular work in the park. The City will
inga g.
Jenny Kwan MP Vancouver East NDP Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Critic 2572 E Hastings St Vancouver,
BC V5K IZ3
T: 604-775-5800 F: 604-775-5811 Jenny.Kwan@parl.gc.ca
Programmer,
or I.
3
<-.011L1]ru Room 930, Confederation Ottawa, ON K1A OA6 Tel(fel: 613·992-6030 Fax(felec.: 613-995·7412
Building Hovsl': CHA)ot;'-kE
+ Of'
COl/U.(or-zs
DES
<O,,"Utf.\.lN£S
CANADA.
cfJennp
~(JI1SljllferlC:p 2572 East Hastings Street Vancouver,"BC V5K 123 TeJ(f.H: 604.775-5800 FaX/TEHec: 604-775-5811
~WaJ1
Member of Parliament for Vancouver East Deputee de Vancouver East July 25, 2019 Honourable Jean-Yves Dudos Minister of Families, Children and Social Development House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1AOA6 Open letter: People De'serve Urgent Action On The Affordable Housing Crisis in Vancouver Minister Duclos, I wish to draw your attention most urgently to the effects of the lack of affordable housing in Vancouver East, which most recently has brought a number of people together to seek shelter and relative safety residing in an encampment in Oppenheimer Park. Affordable, quality housing is one of the most important issues facing Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and the issue is even more acute in Vancouver East. An average one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver rents for $2,100 a month -.Vacancy rates are under 1%. Home ownership is but a dream, with the average detached home in greater Vancouver over $1.5 million. Time and time and time again, I have spoken in the House in an attempt to bring the voices and utmost concerns of my constituents to the attention of the government, in hopes of spurring action on the lack of affordable housing. I raised attention to how the affordable crisis has consequences for people's lives. It affects people's health. It has impacts on the opioid crisis. Lackof affordable housing affects family stability. It forces people to make impossible choices between life necessities, like food and rent. It affects settlement and community integration for newcomers. And the lack of affordable housing has left thous ds of people with no home at all. In desperation, but also in a search for mutual support and community, that has led people to join the encampment in Oppenheimer Park. On January 31, 2019 the NDP put forward a Motion calling on the government to create 500,000 units of quality, affordable housing within ten years, and to commit in Budget 2019 to completing 250,000 of those units within five years. I was deeply disappointed that this Motion was voted against by both Liberal and Conservative MPs.. In early June of this year the City of Vancouver released its report on the 2019 Homeless Count. The 2019 City of Vancouver Homeless Count, which took place on March 12 & 13, 2019, is a 24 hour "Pointin-time" snapshot of people who are homeless. It is considered an undercount but provides a basic demographic profile and tracks trends over time.
Jenny.Kwan@parl.gc.ca JennyKwan.NDP.ca
<:;r::>ttrJJ17rJ: Room 930, Confederation Ottawa, ON KIA OA6 Telf[€l: 613·992-6030 Fax;Telec.: 613-995·7412
edl1stitlltJltCp 2572 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC VSK 1Z3 Tel(f€J: 604-775-5800 Fa>y'T€lec: 604-775-5811
Building HQt:ts-F.- OF ~MNOI!i.s C,tiAMll • .s 1>£ CP"':~Lf~L'" CAI'iAOA
cJennp c;;Rwan Member of Parliament for Vancouver East Deputee de Vancouver East
The total number of people (2,223) counted by the volunteer team was the highest that it has been since the Count was first organized in 2005. Sixty-two percent of the unsheltered individuals counted at that time, in March, were in the Downtown East Side. 39% were Indigenous, and of those who identified as Indigenous, women,
the majority
are women.
5% are non-binary,
report a mental
23% identify
is unequivocal
On June 18 the Parliamentary
in pointing
In Vancouver
reasons for homelessness,
To say it was troubling
East, especially in the Downtown
populations.
understatement.
Not only is the
reduce the housing needs of Canadians, it
Eastside community,
housing crisis right now. They have been fur the entirety of the funding
is a profound
will actually
for those in core housing need actually
need. These are also among the most vulnerable majority
48%
when looking at the structural
to the reason: "No housing for very low income [people]".
that the Liberals' housing program funding
as well; 34% of youth are
45% are Indigenous;
Budget Officer (PBO) released a report on the Liberal government's
spending on Housing Affordability. found that targeted
under 25 were counted
as LBGTQ2+ (non-heterosexual);
health issue. When reporting
issues, the report
PBO uncertain
Manyyouth
went down by some twenty many of the residents
In our community
of this government.
percent.
are in core
we are dealing with a
As you know, the vast
from the housing plan will not flow until well past the next election.
I along with
my colleagues have called for the government to flow the funds now·time and again. The people who are residing in Oppenheimer Park are facing a struggle for their ve'ry lives, and their right to live in dignity, and for their right for homes. They cannot wait. There is no question is now.
that the need is here and it
I should also note that Indigenous women and girls who have experienced traumatic violence are also in desperate need of safe secure affordable housing. The impact of colonialism is so deep and so rooted in systemic racism and failures that the National
Inquiry on Missing and Murdered
Indigenous
Women
and
"We call upon all govllirnments to immediately commence the construction of new housing and the provision of repairs for existing housing to meet the housing needs of Indigenous women, girls, and 25LGBTQQIA people. This construction and provision of repairs must ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 25LGBTQQIApeople have access to housing that is safe, appropriate to geographic and cultural needs, and available wherever they reside, whether in urban, rural, remote, or Indigenous communities",' Girls has declared that is genocide.
Section 4.6 of the National
Inquiry's
The day the Inquiry report was released, I called on the government the Calls to Justice. That commitment has yet to materialize. Minister, I cannot emphasize strongly City of Vancouver want to act. Mayor
I>
to commit
to implementing
all of
enough that urgent action is required. Local governments and the Kennedy Stewart has already put that on the record and has
Jenny. Kwan@parl.gc.ca JennyKwan.NDP.ca ."
Calls For Justice states:
®UWf?u Room 930, Confederation Ottawa, ON KIA OA6 Tevr€l: 613-992-6030 faX.rretec.: 613-995-7412
Building
+
HOlJS£-OF CU~~E
CoMMONS
.DES
COMMtJN'U
CANADA
cflennp G!<::wan
5
6>t7ftSltbfCI'ICP 2572 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5K 1.23 Tel(f€i: 604-775-5800 Fax/Telec: 604-775-5811
Member of Parliamertt for Vancouver East Deputee de Vancouver East welcomed the federal government to come to the table. The British Columbia provincial government there, working hard to build housing and to begin to make up for the many years in which successive federal governments have failed to act in proportion to the need for affordable housing that is safe, stable, and secure.
is
The community is showing their support and understanding for the people who are residing at Oppenheimer Park. The Powell Street Festival, Union Gospel Mission, and the Lotus Light Charity Society have all in recent weeks modified or adapted community event plans originally scheduled to take place in the park at the site where people are residing in order to ensure that their activities would not further displace people. These are long-time community events with deep roots in the neighbourhood Housing is not a privilege; having a home is a basic human right that all people are entitled to. Yet, every day I see the impacts of the inaction on affordable housing in our community. It doesn't need ·,1:0be this way, and it shouldn't be this way. While it has taken far too long to act, we can still make a idifference and put ourselves on a course to address the national housing crisis. To start, I ask that you offer a similar dealto the City of Vancouver that your government has provided to Toronto. It is said that a nation is measured by how well we treat our most vulnerable. very basics: affordable, safe, secure, stable housing.
Let us start now with the
Sincerely,
Jenny Kwan MP for Vancouver East NDP Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship NDP Critic for Multiculturalism CC:
Honourable Francols-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Honourable Selina Robinson, Mini.ster ofMunicipaJ Affairs and Housing Hon. Melanie Mark, MLA, Vancouver-Mount Pleasant Hon. Shane Simpson, MLA, Vancouver-Hastings Mayor Kennedy Stewart
Jenny. Kl:N'an@pail.gc.ca JennyKwan.NDP.ca
OPPOSITIONS Consciousness explosion sixties psychedelia supernova unitary planet view born awareness expansion earth rising moon shot global village electric technology synapses extended to encompass whole sphere biosphere ecology green footprint We are one with all life progeny of one ancestor environment is us Progress commitment hope for a better world civil rights /,.p<P::;;'non-violence pacifism // become mass phenomena , feminism takes aim ~ , at glass ceilings government has no place . in nation's bedroom gay right Bill of rights Make love not war Universal health care Ban the bomb Amchitka Save the whales Eco tourism replaces trophy murder A freedom's in the air on the roa equality equity on the rise . precursors to intersectionality all rocking rolling to blues and bebop <
But big but emerging quietly behind the scene and not so quietly bunch 0' discord harmonies from big butts missing the groove counter reaction to supernova conscious expansion denial ofthirty year's golden age of economics good times wane Bankers
robber barrons rentiers financiers one percenters see writing on the wall too much democracy contra dicks obscene quarterly profiteering so invisible hand playing with itself plays trickle down on the rest of us while coming to fantasies of everlasting coal oil steel and free commons in which carbon economies can dump all their shit Let the taxpayers clean it all up Socialism for wealth too big to fail Neo-lib deregulation equals screwing us all
sans condom without social safety nets One percenters don't need 'em As they jerk around the other 99% In supernova stars gravity returns explosions back to centre . where helium at light speed crashes with light returning fuses helium into carbon Creates the life molecule Ongoing expansion of planetary consciousness applied to eco/bio/green sphere won't restore our soiled nest until extinction gravitas reverses expansionist centrifugal economic juggernaut insanity New green deal needs economic wisdom Needs heal the disease that makes market fundamentalism's greedy material consumption our primary life goal
7
Where's the gravity needed to bring consciousness home to light a path to rational sustainability that reins in international financial recklessness which deprives democracies of power to regulate their own currency their own environment Where's the gravitas needed • to establish interest rates best suited to each economy not subject to banker rentier robber barons' greed and their despotic claim to our production Where's the gravity where's the gravity where's the gravity Bring consciousness back to centre Force finance back to democratic control Create life at the intersection of hope To Donate:
Gilles Cyrenne
Address to mail tax·deductible receipt
&_---
Make cheque payable to: Carnegie Community Centre Association (memo 'Newsletter') 401 Main Street, Vancouver BC V6A 2T7
604·665·2289
---''--:-
•.•••_ •.•'''''''''~'''.,·'',·,
•••. <h·~,." ...
v:.''''...";,,,·-''''''''-~~-~ .'-'''..~''''~''''''''''''''''''''
• is something we should all have .> is not about guilt • is important to acknowledge
.., "" 0 3 ~ ~ -t (1)
III
n
:::r
.., (1)
\11
"" e, (1)
.., (1)
III
!:to 0
~
~. \11
;:;'
:etit
i
• is experienced by everyone to varying degrees • is difficult to see
-cnJ CTQ
(1)
\11
nJ r+ C'"
~
n
nJ ..•••.. m
.0
c: ;:;: <
» ::l 0-
::l
a. c: !!!. o ::l nJ \11
'0 )(
Achieving equity and inclusion involves: • engaging in uncomfortable but necessary discussions • making space for those·who have less privilege • being open to learning more*.
A
Hum
1
Humanities 101 Community Programme offers four free university-level courses for low-income people who live in and around the Downtown Eastside and Downtown South. The courses are for people who have encountered financial and other barriers to university education and who wish to expand their intellectual horizons in an accessible, challenging and respectful environment. Applicants must have a love of learning, basic literacy skills and be willing to attend classes, complete assignments and participate in group discussions. Applications for these non-credit courses are accepted not on the basis of past academic history, but on the applicants' desire and ability to be part of the Hum Programme. Classes take place at UBC Point Grey campus on Tuesday (Writing 1011201) and Thursday(Hum 1011201) evenings, beginning early September. Hum101 and Hum201: Eight-month courses with classes on Thursday evenings (6:30 - 9:00 p.m.). Courses cover a different subject in the arts or social sciences every week, including First Nation Studies, settlercolonialism, history & politics, art, music, architecture, philosophy, literature, sociology, gender studies, economics, popular culture, creative and critical thinking and more. Writing101 and Writing201: Three-month hands on writing courses on Tuesday evenings (6:30 - 9:00 p.m.). Courses cover a new genre and style of writing every week, including creative fiction and non-fiction, life writing, poetry, song lyrics, manifesto writing and more. Participants receive school supplies, UBC student cards, bus tickets to get to and from class, meals, and childcare if needed. Please attend an upcoming information/application session for more details on how to participate in the programme. Carnegie Centre, Main and Hastings St. (top floor classroom) Saturday August 1ih at 11 a.m, for Hum 10 1 & 201 Monday August 19that 3 p.m, for Writing101 & 201 Wednesday Au ust 21st at 1 p.m, for Hum 101 & 201 + Writing 101 & 201 Gathering Place Community Centre, 609 Helmcken St. (meeting room) Saturday August 17that 3 p.m, for Hum101 & 201 Tuesday August 20th at 3 p.m, for Writingl0l & 201 Crabtree Corner, 533 East Hastings St. (third floor room) Monday August 19that 11 a.m, for Hum 101 & 201 + Writing 101 & 201 Downtown Eastside Women's Centre (women only), 302 Columbia St. (wellness room) Tuesday August 20th at 10.30 a.m, for Huml0l & 201 + Writing 101 & 201 Vancouver Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. Wednesday August 21that 5 p.m, for Huml01 & 201 + Writing 101 & 201
â&#x20AC;˘
Humanities 101 Community Programme
THE 4TH ANNUAL SAND)( CAMERON MEMORllAL \\fRmNG
CONTEST
Sandy was a writer and poet and an historian emeritus who traced the years of struggle for social and economic justice in the life of the Downtown Eastside. He contributed his thoughts and feelings on subjects as diverse as class and whale watching but tied everything to our ongoing ideation on social justice. This contest is to honour him and all who use the written word to express themselves. Writers and poets who identify with the struggles of the Downtown Eastside, who see and feel passion in living with spiritual, mental and physical yearnings. It may be with wealth (too much or not enough), housing (too luxurious or not good enough), homelessness (seeing people or trying to ignore reality), both sides of addiction in the drug trade, the sex trade, "free" trade, community, women (murdered, missing what it is to be safe and creative), children and growing, festivals, ceremonies, memorials, special people and their contributions (past, present) all you do to make your life meaningful both now and towards the future. Whew!
Prizes will be awarded for each category. 1 t, 2nd & S
3rd
will be $100, $75 and $50 respectively.
Additional non-cash prizes for entries deserving recognition.
Guidelines for Writing Contest. 1.
Writing must be the original work of the person submitting the contest entry & not fiction.
2.
If plagiarism is recognised the work will be disqualified and returned.
3.
Entry forms for contact information are available both at the Community Centre's front desk (Main floor) and from the Newsletter office (2nd floor). Contact information for the writer must be provided with each contest entry.
4.
Essays: This means writing in sentences, with grammar and structure attempted.
5.
Poetry: All forms accepted. Must use the same font (typeface) throughout
6.
Subject is open to the individual author. It can be about most anything relevant to readers. In the words of Sam Roddan "[It] must have a bite. It must create some kind of disturbance, a turmoil in the heart, a turbulence of memory and feeling."
7.
The length of the essay can be 250-700 words, basically what can be printed on 1 page of the Newsletter. Poetry of whatever length, but no more than can be printed on 1 page.
S.
Deadline for submissions is noon on September 15,2019. Results will be announced at a special event during the Heart of the City Festival (early November).
9.
Each writer may submit only one essay and/or one poetry entry. Do not include any photographs or illustrations with your entry.
2 afternoons Carnegie Theatre Workshop
â&#x20AC;˘...Summertime
lOO
Sat Aug 17
s 24, 1pm
In the Carnegle Theatre
- More details to come -
No experience necessary Free, everyone welcome! For more info: 604-255-9401 thirteenojhearts@i1otmail.conl
FARM What's going on with retail cannabis? Since legalization last October, there's a lot of confusion about cannabis stores. Which stores are "legal" and what does that mean? Why do so many keep closing down? . . Back in 2015, the City of Vancouver started licensing dispensaries way ahead of nationwide legalization. However, once cannabis was legalized across the country, the government implemented new rules ~nd reg~lations. This put shops that were already open m a weird place, and dispensaries now fall into the following categories: 1 Grey Market Die-Hards These dispensaries had no intention of following the many new rules, so they continued operation for as long as they could, but most have closed or been shut down. 2. Zoning & Court Battles These dispensaries were either located in an area that didn't fit with the City's complex zoning rules, or they're fighting in the court system to continue offering their services as they were before legalization. Most of these stores have been pressured to close while behind the scenes they continue to fight for their future. 3. Transition Status This is how FARM identifies. These shops have correct zoning within the city and are moving through the new licensing process with the province of BC- reluctantly (more on that later). Their products are still coming from 'grey market' sources and are still at risk of provincial enforcement. Most of these stores remain open with their fingers crossed, fighting the good fight to keep cannabis accessible. 4. New Stores on the Block These are licensed government regulated shops. In Vancouver, these include Evergreen, City Cannabis Co Muse and a brand we will not name from the DonnellY Gro~p due to its insensitive name choice. They sell limited cannabis products that have been approved by Health Canada and their prices are higher - which is unfortunately an element of being fully legal. Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news and information , as well as stories from our staff and membership base!
From "the Library We've got a great pride display up in the branch now, thanks to our librarian, Daniel. If you're looking for some good LGBTQ2+ related reading or viewing, pop in and check it out. Here are some of featured titles: Love Beyond Body, Space & Time (edited by Hope Nicholson) is an anthology ofIndigenous LGBT SciFi. Awesome and interesting, these stories use the lens of Sci-Fi to authentically explore and convey queer and indigenous experience. Featured authors include Richard Van Camp and Cherie Dimaline The story of Alan Turing is one of the truly tragic tales of a life ruined by societal and institutional homophobia. Turing was an English math genius, whose work helped decipher the German Enigma code in WorId War II, thus saving countless lives. He was also gay at a time when that was illegal in the UK. After the war, he was convicted of 'indecency' and forced to be chemically castrated. He committed suicide in 1954. The Case of Alan Turing is an excellent graphic novel biography of him. Do I Sound Gay? is a humourous, but also insightful documentary look at one man's anxieties on "sounding gay" and the stereotypes that go along with this notion. Consulting everyone from linguists to celebrities like George Takei, David Thorpe's quest becomes a more universal look at the notion of voice and how it relates to identity and self-esteem. I could really put pretty much any Ivan Coyote story collection here, they are all wonderfully human, empathetic and inspiring. The one we have at h~nd ~nthe branch, though, is Missed Her, from 2010. PIck It up! You can read most of the stories in under 5 minutes, and they will all open your heart and mind. This Friday, August 2nd, the Library is hosting a Pride-themed film screening in the Theatre, at 6PM. Join us for Love, Scott - the story of a young gay musician's journey after he is attacked and paralyzed from the waist down. Happy Reading, and Happy Pride! Randy
FACTSvsBS I've found, yes, the truth hurts but it also heals for we cannot fix a problem, nor address a wound until we know it's there. While , spreading lies' is the opposite of the truth causing chaotic negativity, , airing out the truth' - the facts in a non-argumentative way clears a pathway for the positive. Snakes were never known for courage while hiding in the grass Here's what Einstein and Martin Luther King had to say - along life's highway re those who look on - and do nothing: ingag.
Charity Charity is not subject to condition. It is the willingness to help another with no strings attached with no expectation of something in return. Charity is not boastful of past deeds done, for all around to bow down in praise. Charity is humble, at times anonymous, relieving the recipient of all feelings of owing, of indebtedness. Charity can help mend a broken heart and bring faith and hope to an empty soul, that one might learn to trust again through acts of human kindness. Thank you. Jacqueline Angharad Giles
ROACH Cockroaches crawl Dead rodents in the wall Dilapidated building on the DTES is where I reside. Locked out last winter in the cold Frostbite on my toes an order of possession in March The slumlord peacefully surrendered. the roommy bicycle was gone ... Drew
G-o lis You Wc"'''''"
COME AS
you
(:sO •.••...••.•. • • .. •
H~y, C AtJY()IJ er 1.( OU1 Of MY WAY?
El/lEft GEt' 1'1-1£ IfEEL-ING "'H£Rf~s
Lyoo
I\t1 ,ss £})
.••.. ?
SO/1E.1'HIN(,
We acknowledge that Carnegie Community Centre, and this News/etter, are occurring on Coast Salish Territory.
THIS NEWSLETIER IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CARNEGlE COMMUNITY CENTRE ASSOCIATION Articles represent the views of individual contributors and not of the Association. WANTED Artwork for the Carnegie Newsletter -Small illustrations to accompany articles and poetry. -Cover art - Max size: 17cm(6 %")wide x 15cm(6")high. -Subject matter pertaining to issues relevant to the Downtown Eastside, but all work considered. -Black & White printing only. -Size restrictions apply (i.e. if your piece is too large, it will be reduced and/or cropped to fit). ' -All artists will receive credit for their work. -Originals will be returned to the artist after being copied for publication. -Remuneration: Carnegie Volunteer Tickets Please make submissions to Paul Taylor, Editor. The editor can edit for clarity, format & brevity, but not at the expense of the writer's message.
401 Main Street, Vancouver V6A 2T7 604·665·2289 Website carnegienewsletter.org Catalogue carnnews@vcn.bc.ca email
LSLAP (Law Students Legal Advice Program) DROP-IN Call 604-665-2220
Next issue:
for time
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Noon,MONDAY,AUGUST12 WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION •
AIDS
•
POVERTY
•
HOMELESSNESS
•
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
•
TOT AUT A~IAN CAPIT AUSM
•
IGNORANCE and SUSTAINED FEAR
carnnews@shaw.ca
DONATIONS 2019 In memory of Bud Osborn $5 Drew Craig H.-$500 Barry l-$250 Laurie R.-$100 In memory of those who passed in 2018 -$10 Elaine V.-$100 Glenn B.-$250 Barbara L -$50 Laila B.-$100 Michele C-$100 Michael C-$100.Douglas Z.-$10 Penny G.-$10 Farmer Family Foundation Anonymous -$1000 Jacqueline G.-$1000 Vancouver Moving Theatre -$750 The Farm -$50
I / I /
----':i' -
""\ ~
--l \. _
,I.,
Vancouver's
'~'~~\ :-......,.-~~ ~
\
non-commercial, listener-supported
-
community station.