Vancouver COVID-19 Update

*This is a spotlight episode from Seeking Office*Many Vancouverites are joining a North American movement to defund the police.But in what ways will defunding the police make life safer for Black, Indigenous and other marginalized folks in Vancouver? And can in be done? In this episode of Seeking Office, we get perspective from Lama Mugabo of the Hogan's Alley Society, Meenakshi Mannoe of PIVOT Legal Society, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry and University of Winnipeg professor Kevin Walby.If you want to donate to Black Lives Matter Vancouver, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/blmvanIf you want to donate to The Hogan's Alley Society, go to https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/donations/696/

*This is a spotlight episode from Seeking Office*Many Vancouverites are joining a North American movement to defund the police.But in what ways will defunding the police make life safer for Black, Indigenous and other marginalized folks in Vancouver? And can in be done? In this episode of Seeking Office, we get perspective from Lama Mugabo of the Hogan's Alley Society, Meenakshi Mannoe of PIVOT Legal Society, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry and University of Winnipeg professor Kevin Walby.If you want to donate to Black Lives Matter Vancouver, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/blmvanIf you want to donate to The Hogan's Alley Society, go to https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/donations/696/

COVID-19 has changed the way most people live; but for many people who are immunocompromised, social distancing and self-isolating is nothing new. In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness day, Alex de Boer speaks with Vancouver-based journalist and UBC student, Bailey Martens. Bailey shares some of her experiences navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as a young, chronically ill person.

It’s been just over a month since the BC NDP unrolled a handful of new supports for renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19. 45,000 applications have been submitted for the province's temporary rental supplement, but only a third of applicants have received money. The Vancouver Tenants Union says this $300-$500 supplement isn't enough and LandlordBC is now calling for it to be doubled. In this episodes of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Alex de Boer speaks with VTU Steering Committee member Mazdak Gharibnavaz about LandlordBC's recent call to increase the province's rental supplement and how renters are faring as May 1st approaches.

What role have experts played in B.C.'s response to COVID-19? Are the directives given by provincial health officer Bonnie Henry purely scientific?In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Alex de Boer speaks with Crackdown podcast senior producer Sam Fenn about the sleepy acquiescence of technocracy and why it's time for B.C. to wake up.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Canada’s social safety net has expanded significantly. Now Canadians who have lost work or who are unable to work have more financial support than ever before. And so do businesses and corporations who are eligible to receive loans and public funding. In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Iglika Ivanova, a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives makes a case for the social and economic benefits a lasting welfare state would bring.

"Democracy dies in the darkness."Veteran city hall reporter, Mike Howell is the only member of the Vancouver Courier editorial team who wasn't laid off by parent company, Glacier Media Group. In today's episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Mike talks with Alex de Boer about the immediate and lasting impact this public health crisis will have on local government and local journalism.

This Tuesday, the Parks Board closed down roads in Stanley Park, home to the largest urban Pacific Great Blue Heron colony in North America. As Vancouverites adapt to this ongoing public health crisis, Dr. Rudy Reimer/Yumks thinks there's something we can learn from these incredible birds.In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Rudy, a member of the Squamish Nation and a professor of Indigenous Studies and Archeology at Simon Fraser University, shares the Squamish creation story of heron and what it can teach people about behaving with good heart and mind.

During this public health crisis, Councillor Jean Swanson continues to advocate for people living in poverty. On Today's Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Alex de Boer speaks with Jean about the added challenges and risks many low-income and homeless Vancouverites face during COVID-19.

Yesterday, several reporters were laid off from The Vancouver Courier. The week before, Vancouver’s alt-weekly, The Georgia Straight, also laid off reporters. Now both papers, which provide crucial local news and city hall coverage, are bare bones operations. Not only that, The Vancouver Courier has suspended the free print edition of its paper. In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Alex de Boer speaks with veteran municipal reporter and UBC School of Journalism professor, Frances Bula. They discuss this loss of local reporting matters, who will be most affected and what help may be on the way.

Something big has happened in Canada. As the effects of COVID-19 close borders and threaten to cut off international drug supplies, people who use drugs may be at greater risk of both overdosing and contracting COVID-19. In response, the federal government has issued exemptions for prescribing controlled substances—something politicians have been quick to call "safe supply." In this episode of the Vancouver COVID-19 Update, Sam Fenn, Senior Producer of Crackdown Podcast, joins Alex de Boer to explain the nitty gritty of the province's new emergency prescribing guidelines for people who use drugs.

Last week the provincial government announced emergency renter and landlord supports, including a temporary rental supplement, a near moratorium on evictions and a rent freeze. While this is good news, the reality is, renters won't have access to the (up to) $500 supplement by the time rent is due. In today's Vancouver COVID-Update, Alex de Boer speaks with Vancouver Tenants Union Steering Committee Member David Hendry. David explains the VTU’s new COVID-19 Renter's Toolkit and preps renters for April 1st.*You can find the full Renter's Toolkit online: https://www.vancouvertenantsunion.ca/toolkit

Today Mayor Kennedy Stewart announced that a safe drug supply is coming to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. While few details were given, Alex de Boer gets comment from Trey Helton, Manager of Vancouver's Overdose Prevention Society and Jonathan Orr, Program Manager for Raincity Housing's Peer Services. Trey and Jonathan comment on changing conditions in the City's overdose prevention sites and share their questions about Vancouver's new safe supply.

Today B.C.'s provincial government announced temporary measures to protect renters and landlords. In addition to implementing a rent freeze and a province-wide moratorium on evictions, the government promised up to $500/month for renters who have lost work due to COVID-19. Mazdak, a steering committee member of the Vancouver Tenants Union, gives comment on the supplement package and explains why it may not be accessible for many vulnerable renters.

CiTR's Alex de Boer speaks with Moira Wyton about her recent reporting for the Tyee. Moira discusses how women in the Lower Mainland face increased unemployment, child care responsibilities and domestic violence during this pandemic.

The City Manager says Vancouver is now working with BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health to house the homeless. Council also unanimously passes a motion to fine residents and businesses who fail to socially distance.Alex de Boer gets a response to these developments from North West Indigenous Council President Scott Clark and Oppenheimer Park organizer Chrissy Brett.