Out of control housing costs for both ownership and rental aren’t just a Greater Vancouver phenomenon. Many B.C. and Canadian communities are experiencing a worsening, wickedly complex housing crisis that has been decades in the making. Shelter insecurity has seeped into the middle and even upper-middle class, and across all age and cultural demographics.
The wealth and social gap between renters and owners is also widening. High rents, reno-victions and low vacancies make many tenants insecure. Government policies often favour homeowners, offering less support for renters who can account for half of urban residents, or more.
On Feb. 22, we joined the The Tyee for an engaging series of conversations with renters and experts in the field, as we identified bold solutions for building the desirable, affordable and secure rental and co-op housing that BC and the rest of Canada need. This event was part of The Tyee and Tyee Solutions Society's Housing Fix project.
We held our second gala dinner in partnership with The Tyee on March 6, 2017 at the Creedside Community Centre in Vancouver. The evening program, which included an Ethiopian buffet dinner and raffle, celebrated the work and stories of changemakers in BC.
Click here to view photos.
Columbia Institute partnered with The Tyee to organize a gala celebration dedicated to hearing stories from BC's leading reporters and story tellers on what's shaping our lives. Held on March 6, 2017, at the Creekside Community Centre, the evening event included an Ethiopian buffet dinner, a silent auction, and mingling with friends, who care about the communities we live in. View photos here.
Thanks to WCEL (West Coast Environmental Law) & and FPSE (Federation of Post Secondary Educators) for joining us as lead sponsors.
The past year has brought significant changes: a shift in our federal government and with that a fresh focus on infrastructure and communities, and the signing of the historic climate change agreement in Paris. It's an important time for us to gather to reboot and connect!
Columbia Institute Reception
Our 2016 civic governance forum was held in Harrison Hot Springs from April 1-2.
Under the banner, “Building Community… at Home and in the Horn,” we held our first fundraiser in partner with Parnters in the Horn of Africa on November 30, 2015 at the Ukranian Orthodox Church in Vancouver.the evening program includes a networking reception, an Ethiopian buffet dinner, a live speed painting presentation with the painting being auctioned off after dinner, and a silent auction.
The evening program included a networking reception, an Ethiopian buffet dinner, a live speed painting presentation with the painting being auctioned off after dinner, and a silent auction.
Ken Georgettti (President Emeritus of the Canadian Labour Congress – Congrès du travail du Canada) emceed the event.
All proceeds raised at the event will support the sustainable community development, education, and leadership building projects in Canada and Ethiopia.
Click here for photos.
June 5, 2015, 7:30 – 10pm; Art Gallery of Alberta, Ledcor Theatre, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, AB
Once opposed to the Housing First model to help his city’s homeless population, Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Clugston is now a convert. This story was told as part of the Poverty-Free BC Speaker Series in April 2015.
Our 2015 civic governance forum was held at the Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites in Vancouver, BC from March 20 to March 21.