Category Archives: Community

Community

Burnaby council votes unanimously to include caste as a protected category

By Shilpashree Jagannathan, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mayor and council in Burnaby, B.C. have voted to add caste as a protected category in the city’s code of conduct. The motion, tabled by Councillor Sav Dhaliwal on Monday, was passed unanimously to include caste as a protected category in city policies.

This follows two recent steps taken by Canadian jurisdictions to ban caste-based discrimination specifically.

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Arts, Community, Health

West Van director raises autism awareness with ‘When Time Got Louder’

By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It can be a double edged sword, inclusivity in film. The two steps forward taken by the industry when representing otherwise marginalized or excluded communities are often followed by a step back when that community isn’t represented as accurately as it could be.

It is the driving force behind much of Connie Cocchia’s work. The LGBTQ+ writer and producer, originally from West Vancouver, has made creating accurate representation in film her raison d’être. Now, for her directorial debut, she’ll be releasing a film that has a character with autism at its centre – but not in a way that you’ll likely have seen before.

Unlike films like Rain Man and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which depict those with autism spectrum disorder as savants or hyper-logical detective types, Cocchia’s character bears a relationship to neurodiverse people who live regular lives.

Continue reading West Van director raises autism awareness with ‘When Time Got Louder’ →
Community, Politics

Area C matters at the March 29 SRD Board Meeting

A number of Area C Initiatives were passed at the Wednesday March 29, 2023, Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board Meeting. 

The only audio clip I am using in this broadcast comes from a segment dealing with Grants in Aid. Chair Mark Baker is speaking throughout most of it. He brings a levity to the board that I do not remember witnessing in four years of observing SRD meetings. You can hear an example in the podcast. There is usually some laughter, even if only for a few moments, in most meetings. As none of the directors had anything they wished to say, this segment is almost like a drum roll: “Discussion: All in favour? Opposed? Seeing none the motion is carried.” 

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Community

Empowering the Cortes Island community through Microgrants

The 2023 MicroGrants 4 Neighbours program is focusing on projects that promote youth empowerment, but also encourages any other projects to apply. 

Successful applicants will receive grants of between $50 to $500 and do not have to return any unused funds. 

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Arts, Community

Much love for Ukraine

By Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A standing ovation was the culmination to a “life-changing” visit to the South Okanagan for a group of young Calgary dancers.

But the real beneficiaries of the shows at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver and the Cleland Theatre are some of the millions of Ukrainians now struggling for survival.

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