• Protect the Heart of Vancouver's Chinatown!
    Chinatown is under siege. A proposed market rate development on 105 Keefer Street threatens the cultural and economic fabric of Chinatown. “Our Chinatown is being bought up by developers. What’s going to be left in Chinatown for people like me when the dust settles?” protested Ivy Su, a resident in the neighbourhood. Ms. Su’s concerns are real. Vancouver Chinatown was not-so-honoured to be designated a Top 10 Endangered Places List according to the National Trust for Canada. Intense market development pressure has pushed small businesses out and housing costs up. Chinatown is really under siege. And now, to add insult to injury, Beedie Group proposes desecrating the cultural heart of Vancouver Chinatown with a dominating luxury high rise development at 105 Keefer Street. How is the 105 Keefer site at the heart of Vancouver Chinatown? It is surrounded by the culturally significant Chinese-Canadian war veterans and railway workers monument, the Chinese Cultural Centre and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. The site is close to the National Historic Site where important heritage buildings such as the Chinese Benevolent Association and the Chinese Freemasons are located. A luxury market development at this site would violate/disrespect Chinatown's distinct character as well as the livelihoods of the people living here. Gentrification is already severely overrunning the entire Downtown Eastside and the plan by the Beedie Group to build a complex at 105 Keefer will only worsen this problem, which we and groups dedicated to saving Chinatown have been battling against for the past few years. On the contrary, Chinatown residents and organizations are proposing the site be used for low-income seniors housing and an intergenerational community space. Ms. Su offers a brighter future: “We hope that the government will purchase the land to provide housing for us so that we are not without homes”. Ms. Su continues, “We’ve seen Chinatown change so much over the past years, but the changes are overwhelmingly for the higher income people moving in. We need more developments that meet our needs for affordable housing and for spaces to socialize with each other.” We can’t afford to lose more of our precious Chinatown! (Photo Credits: Christina Lee)
    2,852 of 3,000 Signatures
    Created by 唐人街關注組 Chinatown Concern Group Picture
  • Allow voting at age 16
    WHEREAS the Election Act of British Columbia presently prohibits individuals under 18 from participating in the electoral process; WHEREAS early engagement in civic affairs is believed to lead to the establishment of a pattern of engagement that endures throughout life; WHEREAS the 2011 report of the Chief Electoral Officer of BC recognized that "The lowest voter registration rates are for young voters 18-24 years of age"; WHEREAS by the age of 15, BC residents are legally permitted to be employed on a full-time basis in accordance with the Employment Standards Act; WHEREAS by the age of 16, BC residents may apply for a license to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway; BE IT RESOLVED that the residents of British Columbia call upon the governing party to adopt as a policy that the age of eligibility to be an elector in future provincial elections be lowered from (18) to sixteen (16) years.
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    Created by Nic Waller Picture
  • Kellie Leitch, stop using intolerance and racism for political gain
    What are Canadian values and who defines them? Are we a country where everyone has to think and act the same, or are we a country where we accept tolerance and difference? Are we a country that takes it's strength from division or from diversity? Kellie Leitch is now using intolerance and racism to make political gain in her bid to become the next leader of the Conservative Party. She's asking her supporters whether immigrants should be screened for anti-Canadia values -- I would like her to answer, which "Canadian values" are these? Canada was built by immigrants coming from diverse places ranging from England, to Ethiopia to Indonesia. It's home to all kinds of cultures, values and religions. And let's not forget that it's also built on a legacy of colonialism that stripped First Nations of their land, communities and culture. There is no such thing as 'Canadian values' that are universal to all. People like me, a self-identified socialist from Latin America will have inherently different values from an oil executive in Calgary. Does that make me any more or less Canadian than the oil executive? If she's ever in power, which values will Kellie Leitch uphold? Will immigrants have to give up fights for indigenous rights? Will people like me have to give up my opposition to Canada's fossil fuel industry? Will Palestinians have to give up their struggle for a free Palestine? Will we be forced to support Canada's colonial legacy? Will immigrants be forced to dress a certain way? The moment we start accepting or rejecting immigrants based on their values, is the moment we've lost the Canadian dream. Canada will stop being a place where people can come find safety and acceptance, and instead be a place where their culture and values will be constantly at odds with others. This kind of campaigning on racism and intolerance does nothing but divide our country, create fear and, ultimately, make us all less safe. Join me in calling on Kellie Leitch to step down from the CPC leadership race and commit to stop using racism and intolerance for political gain.
    763 of 800 Signatures
    Created by Rodrigo Samayoa
  • Define one metre as the minimum clearance to overtake a bicycle in British Columbia
    WHEREAS a motor vehicle overtaking a cyclist with less than one metre of clearance presents substantial threat to the cyclist; WHEREAS the City of Vancouver has adopted a goal for zero traffic fatalities as part of its Transportation 2040 plan, the city of North Vancouver has endorsed Vision Zero, and the British Columbia road safety strategy acknowledges Vision Zero; WHEREAS similar laws have already been passed in 17 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces; WHEREAS cyclists (in particular young or less experienced cyclists) may lose control when passed too closely. Larger vehicles at higher speeds may generate a wind gust which causes cyclists to lose control. WHEREAS Statistics from ICBC consistently indicate 1,500 cyclists are injured each year in crashes; THEREFORE, we petition the British Columbia department and Minister for Transportation pass legislation amending the Motor Vehicle Act which would require motorists to give 1 metre of clearance when overtaking a cyclist below 50 km/h, and 1.5 metres when travelling faster than 50 km/h.
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    Created by Nic Waller Picture
  • Canadians need a forensic audit of Canada Post
    Let us see the real truth in the cost of mail delivery in and to Canada. What are the bonuses paid to upper management, while the female Rural route drivers are paid upwards to 28% less than urban workers. They are doing the same job.
    354 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Stephen Cahill
  • Bring Psychological Services Under The Mandate Of British Columbia's Medical Services Plans
    The current population of Canada is estimated at 33,000,000. We know that we all will likely suffer at least a single traumatic event in our life-time. We also know that approximately 8% of us in response to a traumatic event will go on to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. Based on these estimates, it's conservatively safe to estimate that over 2 million citizens in Canada will currently be living with symptoms of PTSD, diagnosed as such or otherwise, where these persons in the population have experienced at least a single traumatic event. The Canadian Mental Health Association states the following in regards to PTSD in Canada: While many people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, only 8% people will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime. There are some groups that are at higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder than others: ⦁ People in certain occupations—are at higher risk. A study out of the University of British Columbia found that emergency personnel such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and firefighters experience post-traumatic stress at twice the rate of the average population. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 10% of war zone veterans—including war service veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. ⦁ Women—are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The reasons for this are unclear. (We recognize, however, that women are often victims of higher incidence of domestic violence, physical and sexual assault, both as adults and as children, which may contribute to these higher-levels of PTSD in women in Canada).1 ⦁ Refugees—are at higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the stressful events that forced them to flee their homeland and the difficulties involved in moving to a new country. ⦁ Aboriginal people—who attended residential schools* have reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse that took place. A small percentage of residential school survivors have reported this phenomenon now called 'residential school syndrome.' * Residential schools were Church-run, government-funded schools for native children, set up during the early 1900s. The schools were supposed to prepare aboriginal children for life in white society. Some children who attended the schools were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The last residential school didn’t close until 1996. 1. Added by this author. Trauma survivors have an expression we've adopted, that we now call on our Governments to adopt as well: "If we can heal trauma, we can heal the world." We ask our Governments to help us ALL to heal.
    64 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Darren Gregory
  • Bring Presumption Of Illness For PTSD In Public Safety Workers In British Columbia
    An Amendment to the Workers Compensation Act In British Columbia is in order to provide support and care for British Columbia's Public Safety Workers. Such Amendment creates a presumptive clause for Public Safety Workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In recognition of the crucial role paramedics, firefighters, police officers, emergency dispatchers, corrections officers, and others play in ensuring the health and safety of British Columbians, this amendment guarantees that they will receive timely support and treatment when they are suffering from exposure to traumatic events.
    4,215 of 5,000 Signatures
    Created by Darren Gregory
  • #MOREINCOMMON - A Celebration of the life of Jo Cox
    Jo believed that there is more that unites us than divides us, and she was killed for those beliefs. She believed in a love that is fierce, brave and humble. Her death has devastated a family, and attacked the ideals that we as a nation most cherish. But we will not be divided. We will rise up together to carry Jo's message forward. We will meet hate with love. On the day Jo would have been 42, we are asking everyone, everywhere to love like Jo loved. Jo's legacy is a direct challenge to everyone here, to take part, speak up and be a voice for the voiceless, to treat everyone with tolerance and genuine respect, even those with whom disagree. We cannot let the intolerance and violence of a single individual rob us of her life's potential. It is up to us all to carry forward her message and to make her mission our own.
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    Created by Ryan Baillargeon Picture
  • Save CRAB Park
    A huge multinational company is threatening CRAB Park Dubai Ports World, operators of the Centerm container terminal beside much-loved CRAB Park, plans to extend its terminal westward with 7 acres of infill in the ocean right in front of the Park. CRAB Park is the only green space for the vast majority of Downtown Eastside residents, almost all of whom live in SROs or small apartments. It is home to the monument in memory of Downtown Eastside missing and murdered women. Downtown Eastsiders and their allies have struggled successfully for 33 years for CRAB Park, to create it, to ensure disabled access, to stop a casino funded by big Vegas money, and most recently to prevent a massive soccer stadium/entertainment venue from planting itself beside the park Now Centerm’s expansion threatens to transform CRAB’s natural setting into a heavy industry zone with its attendant air, water and noise pollution. It will bring in more hazardous cargo to a heavily populated neighbourhood that already endured a huge chemical fire from Centerm’s terminal in March 2015. The Port of Vancouver is not accountable to any level of government. It alone has the power to stop this expansion. Let’s show the Port how important CRAB Park is to us. Sign the petition to convince them to rethink their development plan.
    4,691 of 5,000 Signatures
    Created by Four Sisters Housing Coop
  • Amend the BC Human Rights Code (BCHRC) to include gender identity and gender expression
    The BCHRC does not offer explicit protection to transgender and gender-diverse persons. The Liberal Government argues transgender persons already enjoy all the protection they need as a result of case law; the Human Rights Tribunal has ruled that gender identity and expression are covered under the category of “sex.” This interpretation of the word "sex" continues to be challenged by many. Having specific language—gender identity and gender expression—included in the BCHRC will provide clarity to all parties; it will afford increased protection, safety equality to transgender and gender-variant persons in at least three significant and compelling ways: 1) It will help educate the public 2) It will inform the way organizations and companies implement their HR policies by providing an explicit statement of protection 3) It will clarify the code and hopefully mitigate and help resolve contentious situations—including discrimination—before they escalate to expensive, lengthy, and onerous legal actions for all parties. Additionally, amending BCHRC in this way will bring it into alignment with the Human Rights Codes of 8 other Provinces and Territories, including Alberta and Ontario. The Federal Government has also introduced a similar amendment to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is expected to pass this year. BC, which once led provinces with progressive laws, including amending the BCHRC to include sexual orientation and legalizing same sex marriage, has fallen behind the times.
    22 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Lisa Salazar
  • Get Manufacturing and high paying jobs back to Canada, end all outsourcing
    This creates high paying jobs for hundreds of thousands of Canadians and helps build the middle class back to the strength is deserves.
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    Created by Rob Statham
  • Say no to the proposed land agreement between Six Nations and Empire Homes
    This is important because all 530 acres of land belonging to Six Nations will be used for the Empire Homes housing development and a park. As it stands now we would lose 330 acres of this land and receive 200 acres elsewhere. Six Nations people want land for their children and grandchildren so they can build homes in the future. This proposed deal is not a fair deal for us. We can no longer afford to accept" it's better than nothing"
    494 of 500 Signatures
    Created by Elvera Garlow