On Friday the Province launched the portal for the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers. This is a one-time worker benefit that provides additional support for those who aren’t working due to COVID-19. It’s a $1000 tax free benefit to those who are eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Visit here to find out if you’re eligible and to apply. What better day to launch this than on International Workers Day. A special thanks to all those who are working so hard right now, and especially to front line workers.
And on another note of Provincial news, we know that in this time of being at home more, there are people for whom home is difficult, and for some home is dangerous. This week, the province secured nearly 300 additional shelter spaces across British Columbia including some in Victoria for people leaving violent or unstable situations, with more spaces to come. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, please contact VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808 or by email at VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. Services are available 24/7 in various languages.
Here in Victoria too, a reminder that the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) continues operations. They’re there to help and respond through the Sexual Assault Response Team. VSAC provides non-judgmental support and options. They respect your confidentiality and choice at each step. They are also offering a series of fireside chat videos about their work and how they are addressing the challenges of COVID-19. Visit them here to learn more about their services and supports.
News from the City
Pedestrian crossings
In response to COVID-19, the City has now automated pedestrian movements at 25 intersections near high-activity areas like grocery stores, pharmacies and also on greenways connecting parks and recreation centres. This means that much like in the downtown core, people walking and rolling no longer need to push the pedestrian signal button at these intersections in order to get a walk signal when the traffic light changes.
Staff have installed signs these intersections to advise people that the walk signal will come on automatically. Not only does this change help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but is also a benefit for accessibility for those with mobility challenges.
Garden Waste Drop Off
It’s the second week since reopening garden waste drop off and we intend to keep the service operating on Saturdays going forward. You can expect longer than normal and slower moving lines as we add in additional steps for physical distancing for the you and for our staff. The garden waste drop-off is available to residents of Victoria from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday.
City staff will be present at the garden waste drop-off to direct traffic, but residents will need to unload their own garden waste. We’re glad to be able to bring back this much loved and high-in-demand service and to do so in a way that keeps you and our staff safe.
Kathryn Calder Performs Live
The City of Victoria’s Artist in Residence, Kathryn Calder, performed her second live stream concert last night. Missed it? Not to worry, you can find it here. The 40-minute solo set on the piano included some of Kathryn’s favourite songs written by others, including Kate Bush, Queen and Joni Mitchell and more.
Kathryn is a Victoria-based musician, songwriter/ recording artist and recording studio owner who was selected as the City’s Artist in Residence last year. For the past 15 years, she has been recording and touring as a vocalist/ keyboardist with indie rock group The New Pornographers. She has also released three solo records, five albums with Immaculate Machine, and one album with her latest project, Frontperson.
The Artist in Residence program aims to ‘keep art in mind’, providing the opportunity for a professional artist to work collaboratively with City staff and the community to identify and develop creative artwork projects to enhance city projects and public space. We are really lucky to have Kathryn with the City, and sharing her talent with us at this time.
News from the community
I wanted to let you know about some supports in our community for new Canadians. Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS), with the support of the Rapid Relief Fund, is offering an Emergency Food Delivery Program for Immigrants and Refugees. If you are a Refugee or Immigrant who is in need of this support – or know someone who is – please contact VIRCS by phone: (250)361-9433 or by email at info@vircs.bc.ca. Thank you to VIRCS for ensuring no one is left behind.
I also wanted to let you know about the Inter-Cultural Association’s (ICA) homework help service! Youth and Family Services Team is supporting students in high school and college. If you’d like help, give the ICA your subject, and they will match you to a volunteer. Contact: Nabeela, nramji@icavictoria.org and she’ll get you connected.
And finally – its Neighbour Day in this of Victoria this weekend. Although we’re all doing our part and staying apart, this doesn’t mean we can’t do something for and with our neighbours. We’re hearing wonderful stories of neighbours chipping in and running errands for each other. Or having front yard happy hours over the fence. And we read in the Victoria News that on Chamberlain Street, they’re singing together!
A Victoria Foundation survey found that Victorians only knew four neighbours well enough to ask a favour of them. Mabne a simple act for Sunday’s Neighbour – if your street doesn’t have anything planned – is just to say a friendly hello and introduce yourself to your neighbours you don’t yet know if you see them out and about.
Email us mayor@victoria.ca and send photos or videos of what you get up to on Sunday and we’ll share them on the City’s Facebook page or the City’s neigbhourhoods page.