Reaching out to help

MLA Report

By Carole James

The festive season has arrived, and many of us will be celebrating with family and friends. But in our community and in B.C., there are individuals, families and children who will be struggling this holiday season – and all year long.

Not everybody can afford a special meal or gifts for their children. Some are just barely making ends meet. One in five children in the province are living in poverty, and here in Victoria, one-in-three single parent families are living in poverty.

The holiday season is a reminder to think about what we can do to help those in need, not just during the holidays, but all year round. By reaching out to help those in need, we are living up to the true meaning of the holiday season and the real meaning of community.

We are fortunate in our city to have the Victoria Foundation carry out an in-depth survey with our residents each year and publish a synopsis of the strengths and challenges of our community. That report, called Vital Signs, is now marking its 10^th year, providing a valuable tool so we can focus our efforts where the need is greatest, and build on our strengths.

Victoria's Vital Signs 2015 reported that our citizens worry about the high cost of living, especially the cost of housing. Housing is a top concern for many citizens, and I hear it all the time through my community office. Rental vacancy rates are going down, but costs are going up, and waitlists for subsidized units are getting longer and longer. The average vacancy rate for Greater Victoria was 1.2% in 2015, down from 2.7% in 2014.

More must be done to improve affordability and reduce homelessness. By supporting and encouraging a range of affordable housing options, including supported, co-op, and rental housing, government can do more to alleviate the crunch. By increasing the minimum wage, government can help those who need a little extra to make ends meet.

Mental illness and addictions are a concern cited by many respondents, and we need improved mental health services, detox and recovery supports, more family physicians, and a serious effort to reduce health care wait times. In 2014, 17% of the South Island population reported that they did not have a regular medical doctor. That's nearly one in five.

Our community boasts great strengths that we must also protect and build on. The Victoria region benefits from a culture of health and wellness, and we're an active and engaged population with plenty of opportunities for physical activity and outdoor recreation.

We're a safe city where people look out for each other. Our exceptional educators are dedicated and provide access to diverse educational opportunities and high quality institutions. We’re a place with a vibrant arts and culture community with a wide variety of organizations and venues that nurture the arts.

I encourage each of us to do our part in supporting the many agencies, not-for-profits, faith groups, and organizations who do such amazing work to support those living in our community. Please think about volunteering or contributing, if you can. Each of us can also make a difference in our own way, which is what the holidays should truly be about. Let's keep that holiday spirit going throughout the year!

If you'd like to read more about the Victoria Foundation's 2015 Vital Signs report, visit their website at http://victoriafoundation.bc.ca/vital-signs/victoria

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to you and your family and best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!