Given the proximity of our citizens to water play areas (5 lakes and the ocean), it is vital that every opportunity be taken to teach swimming to all in order to prevent drowning. Given the population of Nanaimo at 90,000+ it is unreasonable to close one of the two indoor public pools. Research into recommendations on pools per population done by the Nanaimo Aquatic Development Society indicated that we should have one pool per 25,000 persons to meet public need. We are not even close to this recommendation. Given the need for warm water physical therapy for people with disabilities, this pool must remain open to allow fitness levels to be maintained. A three-month hiatus could cause serious deficits in health for many and cost our health care system. Many do not understand the importance of warm water for infants, children, elderly and fragile or injured individuals. According to research published in the Biology of Exercise, the effect of water temperature on the human body and the swimming effort, temperatures of 33 – 34 degrees Celsius are appropriate for these groups. Beban Pool is usually between 27.8°C – 29°C while NAC is 26.1°C – 27.2°C, considerably cooler. At water temperatures below 30C, hypothermia sets in. Nanaimo City has a contract with its citizens to serve the public. Pools are not here to make money but to provide a service to citizens who support it through taxes. Beban Pool has been a great service to a full life span of users from infants to seniors. It provides lessons, therapy, and fitness training. It is central for most citizens. The staff and users have a bond of appreciation. Many groups rent this pool for training including private swim clubs, synchronized swimming club (Nanaimo Diamonds), Special Olympics, physiotherapy groups, scuba clubs, and kayak clubs to name a few. The Lifeguards at Beban Pool serve as first responders for the complete Beban complex including the ice rink and community center, a vital service to all users. Beban Pool has allowed for the creation of community bonds resulting in many social connections for citizens of all ages. To ignore the benefit of this pool to all users is faulty thinking. As citizens of Nanaimo we support our council in creating the best possible environment for promoting health and fitness for all. Sign the petition HERE and let’s make sure Nanaimo City Council knows how much we need this pool open and how much we appreciate the pool and all the staff who work there. In addition, please take the time to write Nanaimo City Council at mayor&[email protected] Thank you.

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.

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.

Currently, votes cast in our federal elections do not match the seats parties gain in Parliament. Consequently, we cannot ensure fair representation. We can and should reform our electoral system to make our democracy better for all Canadians.

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.

By compiling education and environment, financial and business, there are too many ignorant, undisciplined to understand the scope of ALL aspects of the bill. Could a politician trained in banking truly understand the importance of educational content for children. By appending major documents under one construct, not only does this repeal Constitutional documents, it clutters and buries smaller arguments under a complicated process that may thwart forward progress to assure the "greater" argument gets traction.

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.

This creates high paying jobs for hundreds of thousands of Canadians and helps build the middle class back to the strength is deserves.

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"

These graduated students are the emerging middle class. An strong middle class is a prerequisite for the economic development of any country. If they begin their working lives with a burden of a debt, it is not good for them and Canada.

A Guaranteed Annual Living Income will help ensure that every citizen has a fair access to finances to live a healthy life. By providing basic income to everyone you are empowering citizens to contribute to society in their own unique way. This may be through art and volunteering and entrepreneurship. With little bureaucracy overseeing the distribution of financial resources citizens will live their lives with more ease, less stress, and more dignity. Citizens will be empowered and motivated to contribute to their local and regional communities according to their gifts and interests as they will not be weighed down by financial burden. Artists and musicians and those who have precarious employment would have a financial safety net. Graduated students who are carrying huge debt loads will be more able to pay off their debts. I know of some cases where students have graduated and did not obtain high paying employment. They nevertheless were saddled with crushing debt along with trying to just make a living. Basic Income would help these graduate students. Young families and parents of school age children would greatly benefit. Mothers could stay home or work part-time while not sacrificing the needed second income. Demand for daycare would go down. Ever increasing school fees could be afforded. Young seniors who fall through the financial cracks due to health issues and unemployment would be better able to weather the financial storms. Entrepreneurs who due to health issues are not able to continue with their business. They often do not have needed financial safety nets if they are forced to shut down their business or sell it at a loss.

As human beings and global citizens we need to take a stance and help provide solutions to the worst humanitarian crisis of our times.