Centre for Civic Governance

The Centre for Civic Governance works to support community leadership meeting today’s social and environmental challenges: climate change, Canada’s increasing equity gap, and shifting social trends. At the Centre for Civic Governance, our goal is to strengthen Canadian communities through sharing best practices, providing tools for locally elected leaders, and progressive policy analysis. We strive to provide knowledge and information to make real and positive social change.

A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC

Despite having a strong economy for the last decade, British Columbia has the highest poverty rates in the country. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has laid out a Poverty Reduction Plan that would reduce poverty in the province by one third after four years and eliminate street homelessness within 5 years. The plan calls for action in 7 key areas, among them: increasing the minimum wage by 50%, providing universal child care, increasing the minimum wage with inflation and creating 2,000 suites of social housing per year. Read the report here.

Growing Canada’s Economy While Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A preliminary report released by the Pembina Institute and David Suzuki Foundation has shown that by following the science-based model of reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25% below 1990 levels, Canada can still expect economic growth of 20% over the next decade.The report is based on research by M.K. Jaccard and Associates using an economic model that has been widely used by the governments of Canada, Alberta and other provinces. To read the preliminary report, click here.

Ontario Embracing Wind Power

Ontario’s latest wind farm has just opened creating 70 new jobs and removing 300,000 tonnes of Greenhouse gases from the air every year. Ontario plans to replace coal-fired energy with wind by 2014. Read more in The Green Pages.

BC’s First P3 School, a Burden to Taxpayers

What was once billed as a win/win deal for the provincial governmnet, the  school board and the devloper who built Augusten school in Abbotsford is turning out to be a financial burden for taxpayers. Augusten, BC’s first and only P3 school is costing taxpayers an additional $2 million due to a leaky envelope. Read more here.

Majority of Canadians Believe Governmnet Should Act to Reduce Poverty Levels in Canada

According to a recent poll conducted by Environics Research for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives ( CCPA), an overwhelming majority of Canadians believe action should be taken by all levels of governmnet to reduce poverty levels.

Among the key Findings

• Above all, Canadians believe now is the time for action: 77% say that in a recession, it’s more important than ever to make helping poor Canadians a priority.
• 92% say that if other countries like the U.K. and Sweden can reduce poverty, so can Canada.
• 86% believe that if government took concrete action, poverty in Canada could be greatly reduced.
• 90% of Canadians say it’s time for strong leadership to reduce the number of poor people in Canada.

View poll findings here.

11 Ways to Create Affordable Housing in Vancouver

Author and developer Howard Rotberg’s new book Exploring Vancouverism: The Political Culture of Canada’s Lotus Land
(Mantua Books) offers 11 key steps in creating affordable housing. Many of these strategies have been employed to great success in other provinces, most notable Ontario. Some of the key steps include: levying a business tax on unoccupied condo units that are being held as "speculative investments," charging a conversion fee of $20,000 on affordable rental units that are being converted to expensive housing – these funds would then be directed into a "community housing trust," and "expediated processing," pushing affordable housing development applications to the front of the permit line. More recommendations listed in this article. 

 

 

Canada’s Income Gap Widens

According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) poverty and inequality levels rose 12% between 1995-2005, the years during which the study was conducted. The report suggest that Canada’s spending policies are responsible, citing cuts to unemployment insurance and family benefits. Read report summary here.

Canada’s Gap Between Rich and Poor Widens

According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) poverty and inequality levels rose 12% between 1995-2005, the years during which the study was conducted. The report suggest that Canada’s spending policies are responsible, citing cuts to unemployment insurance and family benefits. Read report summary here.

Victoria BC Responds to Housing Crisis

With one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country, Victoria BC is considering a ban on the demolition of rental units with more than 3 units, unless they are deemed unsafe for human habitation. The proposed "housing emergency by-law" would require developers build subsidised or affordable suites when redeveloping a site. The legislation follows a housing boom that has resulted in higher end condos being built while affordable units have been lost. Read more here.

BC Government Announces Green Games for Schools

Shirly Bond, BC’s minister of education has just announced a new environmental school initiative. Individual students or groups of students are being offered prize money if they can design and implement school-based brojects that benefit the environment. The Government has so far commited $160,000 to the Green Games.The prizes are available to grades k-12 and are based on the following criteria:

  • Environmental responsibility
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Communication aspects of digital submission.

The registration period is September through November and winning
entries will be announced in spring 2009. Schools may submit projects
started in the 2008/09 school year or projects that began in the
previous two years.