Tag Archives: Victoria Council

Susan Z. Martin Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024

NSUN member Susan Z. Martin spoke to council about the slow pace of housing construction for those most in need in the CRD and what NSUN sees as a viable and quickly available alternative – sanctioned encampments. See Susan’s address beginning at about 38:35 minutes into this video. The text of her address is here.Continue reading “Susan Z. Martin Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024”

Helen Smith Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024

NSUN member Helen Smith spoke to council on April 11, 2024 about the human rights violations perpetrated by Bylaw Officers on the unhoused and the moral obligations of the municipal government and the public to do better. See Helen’s address beginning at about 32:00 minutes into this video. The text of her address is here.Continue reading “Helen Smith Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024”

NSUN Member presents to Mayor and Council (Feb. 8, 2024)

On February 8, 2024 NSUN member Heather Murphy presented to City of Victoria Mayor and Council urging the City to implement the Municipal Guidance document, from the National Working Group on Homeless Encampments, that lays out simply and directly the recommended way for municipalities to engage with homeless encampments. You can see Heather’s presentation beginningContinue reading “NSUN Member presents to Mayor and Council (Feb. 8, 2024)”

Unhoused Neighbour Makes Heartfelt Presentation to Mayor and Council

One of NSUN’s activities is pushing back against policies and regulations that are harmful to unhoused people. The change to bylaws regarding personal property introduced by the City of Victoria in early-December 2023 is one such action. This bylaw allows officers to impound the belongings of unhoused neighbours for several days, and the changes includeContinue reading “Unhoused Neighbour Makes Heartfelt Presentation to Mayor and Council”

Ask City Council to act on Federal Housing Advocate’s Report and Recommendations for B.C.

NSUN and other local organizations were thrilled to meet with federal housing advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, she visited Victoria in 2022. Her fact-finding tour focused on the right to adequate housing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, encampments, and the financialization of housing. The resulting report draws on the knowledge and insights of those withContinue reading “Ask City Council to act on Federal Housing Advocate’s Report and Recommendations for B.C.”

Friend of NSUN talks to Mayor and Council About Inhumane Treatment of the Unhoused by Bylaw

Friend of NSUN, Jeff McEown (husband of breakfast crew member Helen), gave a stirring and powerful address to Mayor and Council on March 9, 2023, about the inhumane treatment of the unhoused by the City’s bylaw officers. See the video beginning at 14:46: https://pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=1c772d0c-358b-4cb9-b79e-d6447889c60f.

Call to city council to end bylaw enforcement during Emergency Weather Response

One of our members spoke to the Victoria City Council on February 9, 2023, about the confiscation of unhoused folks’ tents and belongings by bylaw officers when the Emergency Weather Response (EWR) is active and the need for trauma-informed outreach. Many people living on our streets and in our parks are hesitant to use EWRContinue reading “Call to city council to end bylaw enforcement during Emergency Weather Response”

Washrooms needed for people living on Pandora Ave

One of our members spoke to the Victoria City Council on January 12, 2023, about the need for 24-hour washroom access and other supports to improve sanitation and safety for people living on Pandora Ave. She called on Council to take three important actions. Watch the presentation starting at 14:40: https://pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=fdff5deb-9294-4da7-b00a-e2ecafc5a794.