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Vancouver-Point Grey Community Office Fall 2016 Newsletter
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What we did on our summer vacation

Our family had a really fun summer, even though Cailey was studying through most of it. When UBC daycare closed for a couple weeks, Ezra and I went to New York City to visit my brother and his wife and Ezra’s grandma. Cailey stayed home to complete her clinical rotation at Lion’s Gate Hospital in the Obstetrics department helping bring new British Columbians into the world.

If you were looking for us in our down time, you might have found the Eby family at the Trimble Park wading pool, the UNA splash pad, Kits beach keeping cool with our pals and neighbours. We had a great summer.

Of course, it wasn’t all play, there was lots of work for me and my community office staff this summer too.
  • A special legislative session was held where the government did a complete flip on the issue of international money in our housing market with a new, poorly designed but important symbolic tax change that has the potential to fund affordable housing in the province (if it isn’t deemed illegal in the class action that has been filed);
  • The provincial government is threatening to kick Metro Vancouver out of their existing works yard at the University Endowment Lands, causing Metro to look at relocating this work yard to a community park in Little Australia;
  • Countless community events were held, from picnics to festivals, including fun regional festivals like TaiwanFEST, and the international Pride Parade celebration on Davie Street;
  • I attended several forums on housing and education-related issues, including large community forums in New Westminster and on the Sunshine Coast, hosted by my colleagues Judy Darcy and Nicholas Simons;
  • With our hard working volunteer Susanna, I set up our mobile office at locations in Kitsilano to chat with constituents, our volunteer team set up a booth at the UBC and Kitsilano Farmer’s Market, and I spoke and co-hosted a special summer show at the Kitsilano Showboat; and,
  • I turned 40.
Ok, that last one wasn’t actually work, but it still seemed worth reporting as a significant event. I hope to see you soon at an upcoming community event, or our rental housing forum coming up next month at St James Community Square!
David Eby, MLA Vancouver-Point Grey
BC NDP Spokesperson for Housing, Translink, Liquor Policy and Gaming Policy

david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca

PS. Join David Eby's housing forum on Wednesday October 12th! RSVP to guarantee your spot.

Issues Update: In lieu of a Fall legislative session...


If you haven't had a chance to drop by my community office, now's your chance.

As strange as it is to imagine, the legislature won’t be sitting again until February of 2017 because the government appears to be cancelling the fall legislative session. Since I’m not in Victoria, I’ll be working hard for you right here in Vancouver-Point Grey. If there's an issue you'd like me to know about, concern or compliment you have about our neighbourhood, or event you’re planning, let us know!

There are a number of issues we could be going back to the legislature to discuss this fall if the government weren't keen to avoid accountability in Victoria, and looking at this list it’s easy to understand why the session was cancelled.

1. Public education. Chronic underfunding by the provincial government of our schools is directly impacting families across the province, including in Vancouver. The closure of several schools in East Vancouver will result in students having to travel much further to get to school, and impacts the sustainability of neighbourhoods across the city.

2. Housing affordability. The Province has been asleep at the wheel on housing affordability, rental availability, real estate fraud and an absolutely out of control real estate market. Please keep bringing your stories to me so I can keep the pressure on the government through the media. Our upcoming housing forum will focus on the abuse of Air B&B by some commercial operators – taking rental housing out of circulation – and a lack of rental housing in Metro Vancouver generally.

3. Climate change. On a Friday afternoon in the middle of summer when people were sure to be on vacation, the Premier released her decision to ignore every recommendation of the “climate leadership team” that she herself assembled to advise her on how BC could grapple with reducing carbon pollution. She then replaced the climate leadership plan with her own plan that climate scientists have called ineffective at best, and harmful at worst.

If you’re concerned about these issues or others, please don’t hesitate to come to my office to bring them to my attention!
Read David's list of "10 Months of Red Flags" in #VanRE
You're Invited: Renter's Rights Housing Forum

Are you a renter?

Join your MLA David Eby and special guests for an in-depth discussion on the challenges facing our rental economy in Vancouver-Point Grey.


Wed October 12th
Doors at 6:30 Event starts 7pm 
St James Community Square

RSVP here


All welcome, seating limited.

Need child-minding?
Please email our office.
VPG Portrait: Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

We had a quick chat with Oliver Lane, Exec Director of SPEC on the role of this great organization in the community.

Q. What’s your favourite vegetable?
A.
It changes. Right now I have the following top three: Arugula, Sweet potato and Leek (my partner makes such a delicious leek quiche!). 

Q. What’s the best thing about working with SPEC?
A.
The people. It is a pleasure to work with staff and volunteers that bring such a diversity of knowledge, interests and culture and that share values and a passion for sustainability. SPEC is like a container for great people and great ideas to flourish. And we do our best to support that.  

Q. SPEC has been housed in many places in Vancouver. Can you tell us about your new location in Kitsilano?
A.
In November 2014 we moved into our new office in the Kits Neighbourhood House building on 7th and Vine, in the heart of Kitsilano. It is such a wonderful location and Kits House is such a great partner. The Westside Community Food Market is an example of the type of partnership we have. We've also jointly hosted on-site workshops through the Urban Farmer Field School, and our new SPEC Elders Circle is being kindly supported by Kits House.

Q. What’s it like collaborating with UBC students?
A. SPEC gets involved with UBC students in a variety of ways. I want to say that we also connect with SFU students but I guess because of our location on the westside and our connections we end up having a more frequent link to UBC. Collaborating with UBC students allows us to strengthen the Academia-Community link. It also brings new ideas and fresh energy to SPEC. And although students are always quite busy, we really welcome the time and passion they share. And as a UBC graduate myself, I love the opportunity to get students connected with grassroots projects happening outside campus.

Q. How have the markets been going and what should we watch for next?
A. The market this year has been great! It was a wetter summer than last year but we are having roughly the same number of sales and visitors. The market is a great pace to support urban agriculture, local farmers, and very importantly, provide a community space for people to meet and access local and healthy food. We also have a coupon program that makes the market food more accessible to lower income community members. This seasons' last summer market is on September 15. But the good news is that we will host a smaller scale Fall Market, followed by Kits House's Autumn Fair on October 22, that will include a food market, and lastly the NEW Kits House - SPEC Winter Market on December 3, also featuring some of our summer market vendors.

If you have questions about SPEC or want to learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit their website http://www.spec.bc.ca/
David in the legislature: Save the Park Postcards

David presents postcards from concerned UEL residents about the proposed re-location of the UEL works yard to a greenspace called Little Australia Park.

David on Housing: Part 2 of David's Response to the Premier's flip-flop on housing

This summer the legislature was back for a week-long emergency session on housing. As Housing Spokesperson for the Opposition, David had a few pertinent questions about the Premier's new legislation.



Check out David's youtube page here for more videos in the legislature:
https://www.youtube.com/user/daveeby

Artists in the office

After a successful summer of artistic works on our community office's walls (and a real labyrinth on our floor!), there's fantastic new artwork on display. 

"Glimpses from the Edge"
by C. Vander Paula

www.cvanderpaula.com

Please stop by to take a look and visit our book-sharing library or use the free public computer with internet access.

The summer students from Christianne's Lyceum take a field trip to David's community office to learn about the role of their local MLA in the community. Thanks for visiting!
David gives welcoming remarks to the huge crowd assembled for Greek Day 2016!
Dave with Kitsilano residents and local musician Zach Gray of The Zolas fame at July's Khatsahlano Street Fest.
David hosts a press conference with mathematician Jens Von Bergman around a local phenomenon of neighbourhoods where people are reporting very low incomes while living in high value homes
David meets with the Taiwan Ambassador to Canada at Taiwan Fest 2016.
At MLA Nicholas Simon's Housing Town Hall in Gibsons, David presents as the Housing Spokesperson for the Official Opposition
Dave's mobile office visits the Westside Community Market just before the Labour Day long weekend at Kits House. Lots of great vendors and fantastic volunteers out helping, despite the rain.
Alex McGowan, Chair of Alliance of BC Students and Patrick Meehan, White Paper Researcher and Capilano Student Union Organizer meet with David to discuss the crisis in student housing around BC.
David speaks on a Housing Town Hall panel hosted by Opposition Spokesperson for Health and MLA for New Westminster, Judy Darcy.
Farheena and Daniel from the UBC Residence Hall Association meet with David at UBC Farm's Farmade festival to talk student housing.
David meets with the University Neighbourhoods Association Newcomer's group at the Wesbrook Community Centre.
Upcoming Community Events

Saturday Sept 24 - Meet with David and Anna at our mobile office at the Point Grey Village Fall Festival from 12-4pm on West 10th at Sasamat.

Friday Sept 23 - Canada 150 Neighbourhood Small Grant Deadline! Apply online today.

Mon Sept 26 - UBC AMS hosts a Student Housing town hall with David Eby on campus from noon-1pm (location tbd).

Thurs Sept 29 -
Kits House Night of Fun from 6-9pm. Join David to celebrate our great Neighbourhood House.

Wed Sept 28 - UNA Elections! University Neighbourhood Association elects new members to the board of directors. Exercise your vote! 

Saturday Oct 1 - The Big Draw, a free and family friendly drawing event takes place at Kits Community Centre from 12-3pm.


Tuesday Oct 4 - Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Jodie Wickens hosts a Housing Town Hall with MLA David Eby at 6:30pm at the Eagle Bible Fellowship, Coquitlam

Wednesday Oct 5 -
Start date for anyone interested in becoming a West Point Grey Community Centre Board Director. They are currently seeking a Treasurer and two General Directors. Nomination forms found here.

Tuesday Oct 11 - Housing town hall with Rob Fleming's office in Victoria-Swan Lake featuring David Eby as guest speaker.

Wednesday Oct 12 - David Eby hosts a Renter's Rights! Emergency town hall at St James Community Square, 3214 W 10th Ave at 6:30pm. RSVP here.

Saturday Oct 22 -
Kits House Autumn Fair from 10-3pm. Visit David's mobile office at this community event with musicians, games, food trucks and more. Everyone welcome.

Saturday Oct 29 - Halloween Carnival at the West Point Grey Community Centre from 12-2pm.

Thursday Nov 10 - Brock House hosts a
Remembrance Day Tribute from 1:30-3pm.

Wednesday Nov 30 - Don't miss the Lighting of Aberthau Mansion at the West Point Grey Community Centre at 6pm.

Saturday Dec 3rd - The first annual local, sustainable Kitsilano Winter market with artists and crafts and live music from 10-4pm.



2nd & 3rd Wednesday of each month - Seniors Peer Support Circle at the Senior's Resource Centre, 2425 Vine St. Drop in from 2-4pm.

4th Sunday evening of the month - Come visit the Creative Neighbours Salon hosted by Mary Bennett and Kira Van Deusen. Sign up to learn more about this local potluck, artist presentation, networking event.



Learn about volunteer opportunities in Vancouver-Point Grey here.

Find out about events going on at UBC here.


Know of an upcoming community event? Send us an email and we'll try our best to add it to the Vancouver-Point Grey newsletter: david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca
David hosts press conference September 14 2016. Photo credit: Jennifer Gauthier at Metro News Vancouver.
Your MLA in the News

It's been a very busy time for your MLA since our last newsletter went out...

Globe and Mail, Sept 15: Incomeless students spent $57 million on vancouver homes in past two years

Metro News, Sept 15: No income? No problem! Irregular BC mortgage lending under scrutiny

CKNW, Sept 14: NDP Housing critic blames government for easy lending to foreign buyers

CBC, Sept 14: Student who flipped Point Grey property for 1.16 million profit prompts new call for stricter oversight for real estate

CKNW, Sept 11: The province should do more to battle tax evasion and fraud, NDP MLA David Eby

Vancouver Sun, Sept 11: Eby calls for tougher enforcement around BC real estate sales

Globe and Mail, Sept 9: Seizures of undeclared cash spike at Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver Sun, Sept 8: BC Student Alliance calls for more on-campus housing

CBC, Sept 8: Student housing crisis prompts call for BC government to change rules

iNews 880AM, Sept 7: Eby dismisses Premier's housing 'bubble' talk as election year approaches

CTV Vancouver, Sept 1: New casinos could bring increase in crime, health warn officials


Coast Reporter, Sept 1: The Housing crisis here is major

The Local Weekly, Aug 31: Housing town hall draws capacity crowd

Globe and Mail, Aug 28: BC to see new real estate head this fall

Coast reporter, Aug 25: MLA's housing forum set for Monday

Vancouver Sun, Aug 22: Complaints about evictions soar in BC's hot rental market

Globe and Mail, Aug 18: Affordable housing key issue for BC voters in provincial election: poll

Georgia Straight, Aug 10: Delay in foreign buyer's data leads NDP to accuse Liberals of playing politics with real estate

CBC, Aug 10: BC Conflict Commissioner clears Christy Clark of second complaint

CBC, Aug 3: David Eby comments on fixed term lease loophole

CBC, Aug 3: BC condo developer Bob Rennie accused of advance knowledge of foreign real estate buyer tax


Times Colonist, Aug 3: David Eby calls for probe into agent's knowledge of new tax

Globe and Mail, Aug 2: BC Ministers kept in dark about BC's foreigh buyer tax, politicians say

News1130, July 28: BC Liberal social media attack ok NDP housing critic a sign of desperation: political scientist

Vancouver Sun, July 28: Ficom staff shortage handicaps oversight of BC credit unions: auditor general


Vancouver Sun, July 28: Top Vancouver realtor rapped for trying to avoid new 15% property transfer tax

Vancouver Sun, July 25: Foreign buyers to face tax hike on Metro Vancouver real estate

BNN, July 15: Examine links between income tax and real estate title: David Eby

The Province, July 15: Examine links between income tax and real estate title: David Eby

CKNW, July 15: Housing critic repeats call to investigate declared low income people, buying expensive homes

Globe and Mail, July 15: Canada Revenue Agency launches Vancouver housing probe

The Province, July 12: San Fran's SRO model could work in Vancouver, advocates say

Vancouver Sun, July 12: Quebec Immigrant scheme has little benefit for BC, says Eby

Metro News, July 11: BC Finance Minister supports Vancouver's empty home tax

Globe and Mail, July 7:
B.C. releases first set of data on foreign home ownership in Vancouver

CBC, July 8: Early data shows foreign nationals buying 5% of Metro Vancouver homes sold


Global News, June 30: Eby raises concerns over panda bonds issued by BC government

Georgia Straight, June 26: MLA David Eby attends annual Greek Day celebration

Vancouver Sun, June 23:
What can we expect from next week's real estate report

Vancouver Sun, June 23: Empty home crusade faces many hurdles

Reddit Ask Me Anything, June 22: David hosts virtual town hall on popular website Reddit.




For more news updates visit our website: http://davidebymla.ca/news
Fall Office Hours

Our office is open by appointment from 9:30-4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Walk in hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


As we are occasionally out in the community and we have limited staff levels, please contact us in advance to make an appointment via phone: 604-660-1297, email: david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca, or visit us at 2909 West Broadway (at Bayswater).

如果您有任何的問題或者需要任何資料關於卑詩省政府或各類的社會服務, 歡迎您前來查詢.

The Vancouver-Point Grey community office is online at http://davidebymla.ca

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