For those who want to stay right up to date with what’s happening in the City on COVID-19, please join me daily on the City of Victoria’s Facebook page at 2:30pm. And please share this link and information with your friends and neighbours. We’re getting lots of emails with lots of questions and we’ll do our best to answer them and keep you and the media up to date with these live daily updates. I’ll also post the videos here from now on. This video is my address from Thursday. We’ll be back Friday at 2:30pm.
News from the City
In response to many people in our community involved in food growing and urban agriculture, today Council passed a motion brought forward by Councillors Isitt and Loveday to temporarily reallocate some of our resources in the Parks Department to enable staff to contribute to food programs in our region.
By simply scaling up our already existing Growing in the City program, City parks staff will grow between 50,000 and 75,000 food plant starts and work with partners such as the Urban Food Table to distribute them in the community. This is one small thing the City can do to help people in our community with food security during the COVID-19 crisis, without adding any additional costs to our current operations.
We have also directed staff to examine all of the City’s fiscal, legislative and legal powers to support small businesses and jobs, the non-profit sector, arts and culture and the tourism sector. Next Thursday we’ll be re-opening our 2020 budget and looking at what projects and new hires can be deferred to 2021. The City’s revenues are down substantially, primarily at this point because of a significant downward trend in parking revenue.
We are looking at every option to sustain the local economy during the pandemic and recover stronger and more resilient than before.
News from the Province
We know that this crisis has hit students hard, many who have been left in uncertain circumstances mid-term. Today the Province announced a $3.5 million emergency fund for post-secondary students. This supplements existing student emergency financial assistance. This funding will support domestic B.C. students who are experiencing an unexpected financial emergency that may affect their ability to finish their studies and handle expenses. Students in need of this help should speak to their institution’s financial aid office.
Today Minister Simpson, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction announced of a $300 a month COVID-19 supplement for those on disability and income assistance, and BC seniors supplement. This benefit will start on April cheques. There will also be a temporary exemption on claw-backs for those receiving the $2000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Additionally, those who qualify for bus passes will have the amount of the bus pass added to their cheques for the duration of free transit.
News from the community
I want to talk for a minute about grocery shopping, and say a massive thank you to another group of front line workers – grocery store employees. Country Grocer recently made a post on Facebook which I think sums it all up well. They write: “Try to lessen your shop to once a week. If possible, send only one member of your household to shop. Wash your hands prior to shopping and after. And please, be kind.”
We’ve heard some stories of impatience at the grocery store check out. Even simple things like grocery shopping are stressful for many people right now. Those of us shopping get to get in and then get out. The cashiers who ring our groceries through are there for hours, risking their own health so we can get food. Please show them courtesy and kindness. This just makes it nicer for everyone.
Grocery stores are doing an amazing job of keeping shelves as stocked as they can, keeping stores clean, and providing social distancing guidelines. Please respect the distancing measures stores have put in place. And please don’t stockpile goods.
Feedback from Councillor Thornton-Joe
Many members of council watch the daily feeds and have been sending input and ideas to share. We know that many of you who are able to are working from home, or at home caring for children. You may have seen a post going around social media that was written by a psychologist, ‘Wellness Tips for Quarantine’. Councillor Thornton-Joe wanted me to share this with all of you. It is really valuable, detailed thoughtful advice. Please read it and share with those who you think need it too.
