Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

via New Westminster & District Labour Council

We are inviting the community to discuss local and regional issues on March 26th as part of our 2008 Municipal Election Program. We encourage you to broadcast this forum widely to citizens in the communities served by the New Westminster & District Labour Council. Our communities include all communities from Burnaby and Delta east to Langley and Maple Ridge. There is no pre-registration or cost attached to attending this forum. We want to attract the broadest cross-section of people and encourage you to invite neighbours, family, friends, work colleagues etc. etc.

We hope for a stimulating and thought provoking discussion that helps shape the debate for this Fall’s Municipal and School Board elections.

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When the city adopted its ethical purchasing policy in February last year, staff estimated that it could add $150,000 to the city’s budget and cost the parks board $185,000. A report Tuesday updating council on the progress of the policy says the costs have been negligible. In one notable instance-the cost of city uniforms-ethical purchasing resulted in a $14,000 saving, thanks to a consolidation of suppliers and a standardization of products. This is not the case in all areas. The introduction of fair trade coffee at the Carnegie Centre and the Gathering Place has tagged $11,000 on to their budgets.

The ethical purchasing policy governs the products city staff buy. Because of industry trends, availability and the nature of civic government, it applies mostly to uniforms and foodstuffs. When most of us hear the term “fair trade,” we think coffee. But the term, which designates that the farmer, producer or supplier has received fair compensation, employs environmental practices, and supports improved social services and investment in local economic infrastructure, also applies to the chocolate, sugar and bananas the city uses.

Read more about the COV’s ethical purchasing policy at the Vancouver Courier’s website.

For immediate release, via Vancouver & District Labour Council: After receiving hundreds of citizen emails, letters and telephone calls in support and hearing from a broad-based delegation of citizens speaking in favour of the World Peace Forum 2006, Vancouver City Council voted last night to continue financial support for the event scheduled for June 23 – 28, 2006. The key portion of the multifaceted motion, moved by Councilor Peter Ladner, read “given the international nature and topical significance of the World Peace Forum 2006 that City Council provide a one-time special grant of $50,000 to the World Peace Forum Society in support of this event”. It was supported unanimously by the full Council and Mayor. The resolution also makes available “a further $50,000 to the World Peace Forum Society subject to raising $584,000 in cash donations”.

World Peace Forum Executive Director Jef Keighley expressed the organizers’ satisfaction with the outcome saying “we are grateful for the support from the City of Vancouver and appreciate the fact that Council members were clearly moved by the strong support we received from citizens across the city, around the Lower Mainland and around the world. We have always wanted the City of Vancouver’s support and we hope that Mayor Sullivan and City Councilors will play an important role by helping to welcome our guests and by participating in key sessions on the role of cities in pursuing peace.”

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WHAT? A part-time auxiliary Youth Outreach Team (YOT) position

WHEN? Starts March 2006

HOW MUCH? 15 to 20 hours a week @ $18.81/hour plus a percentage in lieu of benefits. *Hours will fluctuate based on project needs*

What is the Youth Outreach Team, and what do they do?

The Youth Outreach Team members work with City staff and community partners to build and strengthen youth involvement in City initiatives.

The position may include some of the following tasks:

• Supporting youth involvement in planning processes (i.e. Oakridge redevelopment, West Point Grey, Canada Line/RAV)
• Planning and facilitating workshops for youth and adults in partnership with City staff and community groups
• Developing promotional materials, written reports and project documentation

What is the Civic Youth Strategy (CYS)?

CYS is a commitment by the City of Vancouver to work with youth and the wider community to ensure that youth have a PLACE in the City; have VOICE in the City; are viewed as RESOURCES by the City and have a strong SUPPORT BASE in the City.

Visit vancouveryouth.ca for more information.