Centre for Civic Governance

Portland's Pearl District Provides Affordable Housing to Local Residents

Gentrification of a neighbourhood usually results in displacement of low-income residents, but the revitalization of Portland's Pearl District avoided that outcome by building a substantial amount of affordable housing. The result is a vibrant, mixed income community. Read more here.

 

BC Targets Industry in Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

BC will be joining 10 other provinces and states in developing a cap and trade system that will reward companies who reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions while imposing financial penalties on companies who continue to exceed emission limits.

While cap and trade is viewed as an important strategy in ghg emssions reduction, critics argue the continued expansion of BC's oil and gas sector will contribute to an overall increase in GHG emissions.

Read "BC moves to hit industrial air polluters where it hurts," in Vancouver Sun

Read "BC's dishonesty on climate change" in Vancouver Sun

 

CCPA's Open Letter to Tony Clement Re: Changes to Census Collection

Statistics Canada's Senseless Census Decision

June 30, 2010

Open letter to the Honourable Tony Clement, Ministry of Industry and Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada and Munir Sheikh, Chief Statistician, Statistics Canada

Dear Sirs,

I am concerned by the Canwest report about the decision to restrict the upcoming Census, and the path the highly-regarded Statistics Canada and the Government of Canada seems to be headed down with regard to the type of information it is interested in collecting.

This latest decision scraps the Census long-form questionnaire in favour of a one-time survey which makes responses voluntary rather than mandatory. This move will weaken the quality and availability of data that tells us what is happening to employment, immigration, housing, incomes and education - the very issues that beg for the best policy decisions possible as we inch our way through recovery.

Vancouver Considering Building Modular Housing to Address Affordable Housing Shortage

Vancouver City Council is looking into building modular housing as a short term solution to housing the homeless. Although construction is under way on several affordable housing projects across the city, completion of these units is still years away. Modular housing has the capacity to become permanent housing if need be. Read more in the Vancouver Sun.

Toronto Makes Room for Bike Parking

Toronto recently converted two car parking spots to bicycle parking. The two spots are able to hold 16 bikes.  Read Globe and Mail article here.

Metro Vancouver Debates Waste Incineration

Metro Vancouver's proposed solid waste management plan is drawing fire over its waste incineration component. The region plans to increase recycling from 50% to 70% and burn the remaining 30%. While burning grabage could potentially provide energy and heat to nearby neighbourhoods, critics warn that incineration creates toxic air pollution, releasing "emissions of mercury, lead and cadmium into the atmosphere."

Several municiplaities are opposing the plan, while others are requesting more detailed information before proceeding. 

New Report shows that Farmers' Markets Contribute $3.09 Billion to Canadian Economy.

A report comissioned in 2008 by FMC (Farmers' Market Canada ) has found that farmers' markets have an economic impact of $3.09 billion dollars anually on the Canadian economy. The study also shows that 62% of Canadians feel that buying directly from framers is extremely important. To read study click here.

Canada-EU Trade Talks: Jumping From One Sinking Ship To Another

Read Jim Stanford's Op-Ed on the CETA Trade Agreement in the Globe and Mail.

Former Vancouver Mayor Recieves City's Highest Honour

On July 6th, former Vancouver Mayor, Art Phillips receievd the Freedom of the City Award. Under Mayor Phillips, the City of Vancouver adopted socially and environmentally progressive policies that laid out the foundation for what is today one of the most livable cities in the world.

Federal Government Cutting Back Mandatory Census Collection

The Federal Government is cutting back on the collection of statistical information from Canadians. The Conservatives reason that much of the information collected is an intrusion on personal privacy. However, community groups, and those who conduct reseach and develop policy say that this move will seriously harm the quality of their work. Census information is widely used to establish the need for schools, hospitals, transit and more in community and regional planning.

 

Read Globe and Mail article here.