Tag Archives: Downtown Eastside

A step by step guide to making political change: Former MP Libby Davies

“The Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In a time when many have felt hopeless, Libby Davies is anything but.

The former MP of Vancouver East of 18 years told The PULSE that she believes every group, no matter how marginalized, can “absolutely” make change.

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From tent city to affordable housing – 58 W Hastings Street in Vancouver

By Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s been used for a tent city twice, a community garden, a street market and informal overdose prevention site, and for an emergency  medical unit during the early days of Vancouver’s overdose crisis. Now construction of  badly-needed social housing for the Downtown Eastside, promised in 2016,  is set to start at 58 W. Hastings St. 

Continue reading From tent city to affordable housing – 58 W Hastings Street in Vancouver

BC recovery benefit application virtually inaccessible to people who need it

“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

The newly launched BC Recovery Benefit opened for applications last week — a key NDP promise in last fall’s controversial election — but already it’s turning into an insurmountable barrier for some low-income people and seniors faced with an unexpected barrage of paperwork and documentation.

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Downtown Eastside: 40 years of organizing, activism & resilience

“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

The Downtown Eastside has for decades been a site not only of poverty and struggle, but also “resilience” and successful community organizing, says Libby Davies. And the former Member of Parliament hopes the community can remember to celebrate and honour the successes and victories over the years as the struggle continues.

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Vancouver asks for an exemption from Canadian drug laws

By Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver’s council made history this week by asking the federal government for an exemption from Canadian drug laws to decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use.

Council voted on the motion  the same day the BC Coroners Service reported 1,386 people have died so  far this year of an overdose, with deaths increasing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Continue reading Vancouver asks for an exemption from Canadian drug laws