I'm a big believer in investing in people and moving upstream of these issues with early interventions. We need to recognize that every person is valued and deserves to live their best life. I can't offer easy answers or solutions, other than to say I think we are seeing the result of disinvestments in teachers, nurses, doctors, social workers, and other government employees that took place with federal cuts in the 90's and a rightward shift in BC's government that started in the year 2001.

At the civic level we can set the tone for valuing everyone and making progress together. We can work cooperatively with the provincial government and service providers. Rather than amp up attacks or criticisms of BC Housing (its gotten to the point that their employees are fearful of being physically assaulted) we can speed up projects and encourage more investments in our community. We can gently explain to people the solutions that are coming and the progress that is being made.

The anger out there is palpable. People are right to be upset about the declining social situation in our City, as politicians we just need to make sure that are pursuing good solutions, and channel those emotions to positive, cooperative actions, rather than duck responsibility, point fingers, or cynically stir the pot to win votes.