Both the N.D.P. and B.C. Liberal parties have failed to address key issues in early childhood education and childcare, and their potential link to childhood poverty. B.C. ranks last in Canada in a measure of children’s economic health, and is inherently tied to inadequate and expensive childcare. Read the full article at The Tyee.
Sharon Roling
Global Action Plan: Community Lifestyles Campaign
The Community Lifestyles Campagin targets the household and community level, and aims at establishing “EcoTeams” to work through the “EcoTeam Workbook”. EcoTeams are give the opportunity to become informed on topics such as waste reduction, energy efficiency and empowerment, and gain the tools necessary to act as sustainable community leaders. Read more about the campaign at Tools of Change.
CCPA’s “Our Schools / Ourselves” Spring Issue
This issue of Our Schools/Our Selves examines childcare and early childhood development as the multifaceted and diverse topic that it is. It includes contributions from top Canadian researchers, writers and activits and provides insight on how communities can best care for children and families. Find more information at CCPA.
Public Safety Campaign, Danish-style
The campaign has been produced for The Municipal District of Aalborg in
Denmark in association with the North Jutland Police and The Danish
Cyclists Federation.
“More shortfalls than ever” in the public education system
Why are school districts cutting staff and laying off teachers? A new research report, finds growing evidence that the funding formula does not cover the costs of public education, can be read here.
Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues
The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues is the latest outreach component of the Sustainable Region Initiative. It is intended to stimulate discussion and debate among decision makers, and foster new and diverse thought on regional issues such as housing, industry, labor and immigration, drugs and crime, regional economy, energy, and agriculture. Find more information on the Metro Vancouver website.
Plans to make Vancouver greenest city in world
Mayor Gregor Robertson has put forward a plan to make Vancouver “the greenest city in the World “. Plans include shaping Vancouver into a hub for green jobs and sustainable industry, and shifting towards a green economy. Plans also include the establishment of pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly corridors in the city core. Read the full report here.
The BC Climate Action Toolkit
Climate Solutions. Better Communities.
A climate action resource for local government by local government
in collaboration with UBCM, Smart Planning for Communities, and the Province of BC. You can find reports and guidles, information about funding and training programs, plans, policies and projects, and success stories. You can find the full website here.
WATERBUCKET Water Centric Planning
Water Centric Planning Community of Interest
A communication vehicle for planning with a view to water in British Columbia
This Water-Centric Planning Community-of-Interest is the web-delivery vehicle for informing stakeholders in British Columbia about the latest advancements in the state-of-the-art when planning with a view to water—whether for a single site or for the entire province.
THE PROGRAM ON WATER GOVERNANCE
The Program on Water Governance (PoWG) conducts basic research on water management, engages the wider community in outreach and education on water issues, and facilitates dialogue on water governance between universities, communities, government, NGOs and the private sector.
The PoWG is co-hosted by the Department of Geography and the Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC.
Canada’s Quiet Bargain – The Benefits from Public Spending
A study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) concludes that Canadians enjoy a high quality of life because of public services funded by tax money. In most cases Canadians are better off with the public services the taxes fund than they are with tax cuts. Read the full article at CCPA.
Use the CCPA’s calculator to find out how much your family benefits from public services such as health care and education.
BC’s Badly Broken Welfare System
A recent report from Ombudsman Kim Carter found that B.C.’s welfare system is overly complex and is not designed to to meet the needs of those applying for assistance, and may attribute to homelessness issues. Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government has been blamed for the welfare mess. Read the full article in The Tyee.