Tag Archives: Patrick Penner

Communications

Local reporters aim to launch first worker-owned co-op news outlet in Western Canada, covering Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Four recently laid-off Metro Vancouver journalists have announced a fundraising campaign to establish Western Canada’s first newspaper co-op.

On June 4, ex-Tri-City News reporters Mario Bartel and Janis Cleugh, ex-New Westminster Record reporter Theresa McManus, and ex-Burnaby Now reporter Cornelia Naylor were joined by leaders from Unifor and the Union Cooperative Initiative (UCI) to announce the “Save Our Local News Campaign” at the Unifor BC Western Regional Office in New Westminster.

Continue reading Local reporters aim to launch first worker-owned co-op news outlet in Western Canada, covering Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster →
Poverty

Port Moody calls on province to trial universal basic income in its poverty plan

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Moody is advocating for the province to test universal basic income (UBI) as a way of tackling poverty. 

On Tuesday, council endorsed a wide-ranging list of requests to be sent to B.C. Premier David Eby as well as the minister of housing, the minister of social development and poverty reduction, the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

Continue reading Port Moody calls on province to trial universal basic income in its poverty plan →
Energy

Port Moody joins calls for TMX to develop ‘credible plan’ in case of oil spill in Burrard Inlet

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Port Moody is joining calls for Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) to develop a detailed plan in case of an oil spill at the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby.

TMX is consulting with stakeholders regarding the decommissioning of the old 60-year-old pier, which has been replaced with a three-berth expansion, which will allow a seven-fold minimum increase in tanker traffic in the Burrard Inlet.

Continue reading Port Moody joins calls for TMX to develop ‘credible plan’ in case of oil spill in Burrard Inlet →
Housing

Port Moody calls on province to set up and enforce rental maintenance standards across B.C.

Editor’s note: If the province sets up minimum standards for rentals, as Port Moody is calling for (below), it will have an impact on our area. According to the 2021 census, 75 of Cortes Island’s 555 occupied dwellings were in need of major repairs. This was also true of 105 of the 1330 homes in Area C. A significant percentage of these buildings would have been rentals. The Collecting Stories of Where You Are Survey, carried out in both areas the following year, includes responses from people renting units that did not have indoor plumbing, water or ‘sufficient and affordable heating.’

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Although Port Moody is developing its own bylaw to direct maintenance standards for rental units, city council is asking the provincial government to set up and and enforce B.C.-wide standards. 

Couns. Amy Lubik and Samantha Agrtarap introduced a resolution for debate at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) and the Union of B.C. Municipalities conferences later this year. It was passed unanimously at Port Moody council on Feb. 13.

The resolution argues that minimum standards need to be set to ensure the health and safety of the province’s rental units, and the province is the only institution with the capacity to regulate the issue.

Continue reading Port Moody calls on province to set up and enforce rental maintenance standards across B.C. →
Housing, Poverty

Port Moody calls on province to mandate supportive housing requirements for TOD areas

Editor’s note: Port Moody was one of the communities that participated in 2023 Homeless Count Greater Vancouver.  It is one of the Tri-cities, whose homeless population people has almost doubled in the three years since the previous Point in Time Count (2020). A total of 4,821 people were listed in Greater Vancouver. When asked, the #1 cause respondents cited was ‘not enough income’ to afford housing. This was the same answer that Point in Time Counts found in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Parksville/Qualicum, Powell River, Port Alberni and Sechelt/Gibsons.  ‘Low wages,’ ‘the inability to pay rent or mortgages’ and the lack of available housing during the tourist season were among the reasons given by the 46 Cortes Island residents known to have ‘couch surfed,’ found some other temporary shelter or lived outside at some point during 2022.

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Moody is calling on the province to provide dedicated supportive housing for homeless populations in cities expected to densify around their transit hubs.

The motion, introduced by Coun. Amy Lubik on Jan. 9, advocates for an amendment to recent provincial legislation mandating densification around all SkyTrain stations.

Port Moody will be sending the policy to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association and Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conventions in 2024, and copies have been forwarded to the provincial ministers of housing, municipal affairs, mental health and poverty reduction.

Continue reading Port Moody calls on province to mandate supportive housing requirements for TOD areas →