{"videoId":"https://video.isilive.ca/victoria/New%20Encoder_COTW_2026-07-16-12-02.mp4","source":"isilive_vtt","segments":[{"t":3,"text":"We are in a complete compliment this morning, Councillor Thompson"},{"t":6,"text":"is joining us online. This morning at Committee of the"},{"t":10,"text":"Whole, we have our consideration an extensive update on our"},{"t":14,"text":"community safety and well - being plan. And that is"},{"t":16,"text":"the only item that we'll be considering at Committee today."},{"t":20,"text":"But of course before we begin, we always like to"},{"t":22,"text":"take a moment to ground ourselves and to situate the"},{"t":26,"text":"work that we're going to do and consider and anticipate"},{"t":29,"text":"and an understanding and an expression of our gratitude to"},{"t":32,"text":"the two nations on whose territories our city sits in"},{"t":35,"text":"its entirety. Those of course are the LaConkan people of"},{"t":38,"text":"the Songhees Nation in the Kosapsum Nation. They continue to"},{"t":42,"text":"be generous and their willingness to work with us and"},{"t":46,"text":"to learn and teach with us as we mutually try"},{"t":49,"text":"to make the best decisions that we can and the"},{"t":51,"text":"interests of all of the people who live here in"},{"t":53,"text":"the City of Victoria. And we always want to take"},{"t":56,"text":"an opportunity to thank them for their understanding and patients"},{"t":62,"text":"and the incredible stewardship that they have undertaken for so"},{"t":65,"text":"many generations to ensure that the lands that we live"},{"t":67,"text":"on and work on. And the waters that surround them"},{"t":70,"text":"continue to be places that we can all enjoy. And"},{"t":74,"text":"that enrich our lives. However, we choose to interact with"},{"t":77,"text":"them. I will just note an expression of shared condolence"},{"t":82,"text":"to this song Heath Nation for another death in their"},{"t":84,"text":"family. The details of that which will be forthcoming at"},{"t":89,"text":"their discretion. As we work together on so many things,"},{"t":94,"text":"we hope that we consider all that has gotten before"},{"t":96,"text":"us in the past that we look straight ahead at"},{"t":100,"text":"the challenges before us each day, and that we do"},{"t":102,"text":"so in making decisions and plans and policies. And we"},{"t":106,"text":"implement them in a way which we hope will benefit"},{"t":108,"text":"those who come after us, as well as those who"},{"t":110,"text":"are here now. Without, of course, we always like to"},{"t":114,"text":"take a moment to express our gratitude in the language"},{"t":116,"text":"of the art. There are people, and that is of"},{"t":118,"text":"course the La QUENGEN language. And the simplest form, of"},{"t":121,"text":"course, with which most of us are familiar now is"},{"t":123,"text":"a simple phrase. Just look what is like WongGen is"},{"t":126,"text":"simply hydricasiane quillia, which is to say thank you, but"},{"t":128,"text":"also to add the respect for those people who are"},{"t":130,"text":"here in the room. But everyone who is in our"},{"t":133,"text":"community chooses at some point each day to do something"},{"t":136,"text":"that they know will make someone's life a little bit"},{"t":138,"text":"better. I trick us the evniqualie. I have no additional"},{"t":144,"text":"remarks to add today, and I'm not aware of any"},{"t":146,"text":"late items that need to be added to the agenda."},{"t":149,"text":"So I would look for a motion to approve the"},{"t":151,"text":"agenda. These councillor Coleman's seconded by Councillor Dell. Any discussion"},{"t":154,"text":"of the agenda. Not seeing any, all those in favor,"},{"t":158,"text":"anyone opposed. I will check occasionally with Councillor Thompson to"},{"t":162,"text":"ensure he can participate as he likes. That is unanimous."},{"t":165,"text":"And so that will take us on to the consent"},{"t":167,"text":"agenda, which there are no items to propose today. And"},{"t":170,"text":"so we will lead right into our main item and"},{"t":172,"text":"only item of today's agenda, and that is an update."},{"t":176,"text":"An update that we do every other month, but in"},{"t":177,"text":"this case, in addition to that as well, a bit"},{"t":180,"text":"of a reflection on the first year on our community"},{"t":182,"text":"safety and well - being plan. We've turned it over"},{"t":185,"text":"to our three lead stuff, who will introduce themselves at"},{"t":188,"text":"each other, and we'll begin as they are comfortable to"},{"t":191,"text":"do so. Mr. Rentucci. Good morning, Mayor and Council. I'm"},{"t":197,"text":"Peter Ranchci, the director of the Community Safety Wellbeing in"},{"t":201,"text":"partnerships department, and with me today are two key members"},{"t":204,"text":"of our leadership team consisting of CERAWEB, the Assistant Director"},{"t":209,"text":"of Corporate Planning and Strategic Partnerships, and Carrie Jones, our"},{"t":213,"text":"assistant director of Community Safety and Bylaught Services. We're pleased"},{"t":217,"text":"to be here today to be reporting out on the"},{"t":220,"text":"first year anniversary to the Cities announcement of the Community"},{"t":223,"text":"Safety and Wellbeing Plan. As council, we'll recall. Following the"},{"t":227,"text":"announcement, the Community Safety Wellbeing Partnership Department was formed through"},{"t":231,"text":"the realignment of the divisions in the late summer of"},{"t":235,"text":"2025. Our newly formed department hit the ground running. In"},{"t":240,"text":"the early fall to begin laying the groundwork to support"},{"t":242,"text":"implementation of the plan. Since the early fall, it's been"},{"t":246,"text":"a time of heavy lifting. Forming up, forming up the"},{"t":251,"text":"new department, excuse me, an acting on council's directions, including"},{"t":254,"text":"the Priority Actions. During this time, we were also building"},{"t":259,"text":"a culture, community safety and well - being within the"},{"t":261,"text":"overall organisation, while also renewing, existing and establishing new and"},{"t":267,"text":"collaborative working relationships with other levels of government and their"},{"t":271,"text":"public agencies, the non - profit sector, service providers, community"},{"t":275,"text":"organisations, and others whose work in knowledge is important to"},{"t":279,"text":"achieving our goals. This was also a time for us"},{"t":282,"text":"identifying investigating, developing, and applying new approaches and different tools"},{"t":288,"text":"to help support building a sound foundation from which we"},{"t":293,"text":"can continue to pursue our important work and continuously improving"},{"t":297,"text":"community safety and well - being now and into the"},{"t":299,"text":"future. I'll now turn the presentation over to assistant director"},{"t":304,"text":"web to highlight our major accomplishments. The challenges we're addressing,"},{"t":309,"text":"and some of the learning we acquired during that time."},{"t":311,"text":"And lastly, where we're going for the remainder of 2026."},{"t":315,"text":"Is what? Thank you, Mr. Rentucci. How were you, Ms."},{"t":317,"text":"Webb? Good morning, Mary and Council. The agenda for this"},{"t":323,"text":"presentation will start with a recap of the challenge and"},{"t":326,"text":"the City's response in establishing and approving the community safety"},{"t":330,"text":"well - being planned. We will share information around the"},{"t":333,"text":"first year of the plan implementation and identify several actions"},{"t":336,"text":"underway. Finally, we'll wrap up with topics related to progress"},{"t":340,"text":"management, tensions and observations, and what's next as we look"},{"t":344,"text":"ahead for the remainder part of 2026 and into 2027."},{"t":351,"text":"For almost a decade, communities across British Columbia have been"},{"t":354,"text":"dealing with a housing shortage, a toxic drug crisis. Declining"},{"t":358,"text":"civility, growing mental health concerns, and arising cost of living."},{"t":362,"text":"These issues are deeply rooted and the result of complex"},{"t":366,"text":"social changes and massive underfunding of services over the year."},{"t":369,"text":"Here in Victoria, these challenges negatively impact our quality of"},{"t":373,"text":"life for residents and businesses and impacts our reputation as"},{"t":377,"text":"one of the best small cities in the world. Addressing"},{"t":380,"text":"the challenges and the associated distress and frustration that comes"},{"t":384,"text":"with safety and well - being issues requires the city"},{"t":387,"text":"to reimagine the way we deliver service, and changing the"},{"t":390,"text":"way we do business. It focuses on collaborating with community"},{"t":394,"text":"partners and agencies, and getting commitments and action from regional"},{"t":398,"text":"partners and other orders of government to be able to"},{"t":401,"text":"address the needs of businesses, residents, visitors, and every member"},{"t":406,"text":"of our community. We can think of community safety and"},{"t":411,"text":"well - being as a large dinner table, where the"},{"t":413,"text":"whole community gathers to share a meal. The goal is"},{"t":416,"text":"simple. Everyone has a place, enough food, and the support"},{"t":419,"text":"they need to participate. In this analogy, the city brings"},{"t":422,"text":"together the coordination housing policies, public spaces, and community planning."},{"t":427,"text":"Health authorities bring mental health care, substance use treatment, primary"},{"t":431,"text":"care and outreach. Police, fire, and emergency responders focus on"},{"t":436,"text":"crisis response and emergency report. Nonprofit organisations helped us focus"},{"t":442,"text":"on outreach, food security, counseling, social connection, and housing solutions."},{"t":448,"text":"Provincial and federal governments are at the table to bring"},{"t":451,"text":"funding policy, income supports, and housing programs. Business and community"},{"t":456,"text":"leaders provide employment opportunities, investments, and community stewardship, and are"},{"t":462,"text":"residents, both housed and unhoused, bring lived experience, placemaking, community"},{"t":467,"text":"engagement, and a commitment to be here. In this analogy,"},{"t":472,"text":"a healthy safety community is like a well - functioning"},{"t":476,"text":"dinner table. Everyone has a seat. People receive the support"},{"t":480,"text":"that they need before they reach a crisis. The kitchen"},{"t":484,"text":"has the resources it needs. And guests who are struggling"},{"t":488,"text":"receive extra help rather than being asked to manage alone."},{"t":491,"text":"Everybody who shares a responsibility for the meal, rather than"},{"t":494,"text":"expecting one person or organisation to solve the problem. And"},{"t":498,"text":"that's exactly what community safety and well - being is."},{"t":501,"text":"A collective approach to changing the narrative, to demonstrating measurable"},{"t":505,"text":"change in how we perceive our community and experience our"},{"t":509,"text":"community every day. In 2023, council identified the importance of"},{"t":514,"text":"community safety and well - being through its strategic plan"},{"t":518,"text":"and an initiated process to develop a community safety well"},{"t":521,"text":"- being planned was developed. This work was guided by"},{"t":525,"text":"a community leaders panel, and had involved extensive consultation and"},{"t":529,"text":"data collection. The plan resulted in 99 recommendations to not"},{"t":534,"text":"only the City, but to the regional government, provincial governments"},{"t":537,"text":"and federal governments. The implementation was initiated, Mr. Ranchu Chief"},{"t":543,"text":"mentioned in July of 2025. Council directed the implementation of"},{"t":548,"text":"11 priority actions and staff reviewed the 50 initial actions"},{"t":552,"text":"across the eight different sectors within the plan. Very much"},{"t":556,"text":"like that dinner table, City teams, community organisations, businesses and"},{"t":561,"text":"public agencies were called upon to help us take action,"},{"t":565,"text":"to work towards progress on safety and well - being."},{"t":568,"text":"The plan was intended to be a catalyst for action."},{"t":572,"text":"Ocatalyst for investment, partnership, and advocacy. The recommendations were to"},{"t":577,"text":"guide city - staff efforts, but of course the city"},{"t":579,"text":"would also continue to seize and create new opportunities to"},{"t":582,"text":"address priorities. Evolution of the plan is expected, and it"},{"t":587,"text":"will continue to do so to meet changing community needs."},{"t":590,"text":"And staffer in a process of implementing, learning, and adapting,"},{"t":594,"text":"not only through this first year, but in the months"},{"t":597,"text":"and years to come. Staff are working with partners to"},{"t":601,"text":"deliver diverse solutions touching on all eight sectors of the"},{"t":604,"text":"plan, and I'll share some of those outcomes and examples"},{"t":608,"text":"today. Our focus is on that continued emphasis on prevention,"},{"t":613,"text":"intervention, and response. And as always, we continue to find"},{"t":617,"text":"new ways to engage those with lived and living experience"},{"t":620,"text":"to help shape our efforts, recognising that everybody brings different"},{"t":624,"text":"perspectives and In July of 2025, as Mr. Rantucci mentioned,"},{"t":632,"text":"we established a new community safety and well - being"},{"t":634,"text":"partnerships department. And prioritized 11 actions using existing city funds"},{"t":639,"text":"and leveraging contributions from other orders of government to increase"},{"t":643,"text":"community supports. Deliver housing, and sheltering solutions. Enhance cleaning and"},{"t":649,"text":"deliver streetscape improvements and support enforcement and response activities. And"},{"t":655,"text":"to initiate plan implementation. I'm going to take you through"},{"t":660,"text":"some of the accomplishments in the first year, first starting"},{"t":664,"text":"with the area of community supports. Over the past year,"},{"t":668,"text":"we launched our indigenous outreach and transportation program with peer"},{"t":672,"text":"- to - peer indigenous outreach society. And to date,"},{"t":674,"text":"have supported 17 individuals to reconnect with their family and"},{"t":678,"text":"culture and home communities. We partnered with the downtown Victoria"},{"t":682,"text":"Business Association to pilot the neighbour network, a comprehensive resource"},{"t":686,"text":"for businesses to know who to call based on the"},{"t":688,"text":"issue that they're facing. We partnered with the Victoria Youth"},{"t":692,"text":"Empowerment Society to expand their supported independent living program and"},{"t":696,"text":"launched an associated youth transportation program. Now reaching at 25"},{"t":701,"text":"at - resk youth since that program launched. We initiated"},{"t":705,"text":"an administrative support for the downtown service providers network and"},{"t":709,"text":"have sponsored the 2026 Project Reconnect event, which serves 400"},{"t":714,"text":"at - risk individuals that will be taking place this"},{"t":717,"text":"summer, or September. We delivered the spark program for enhanced"},{"t":723,"text":"youth safety and well - being with 16 different community"},{"t":726,"text":"organisations, reaching more than 17, 000 children, youth and young"},{"t":730,"text":"adults. Through counseling, mentoring, employment readiness, access programs, and crime"},{"t":736,"text":"prevention initiatives. We launched the building bridges, employment readiness program"},{"t":742,"text":"for 20 women residing in transitional housing who've been impacted"},{"t":745,"text":"by trauma and violence in partnership with the bridges for"},{"t":748,"text":"women's society. And most recently, we've partnered with the disability"},{"t":752,"text":"alliance BC to expand the right fit program to Victoria."},{"t":756,"text":"An initiative that folk works with Victoria Housing Providers to"},{"t":759,"text":"assess accessible housing inventory and deliver pure - led support"},{"t":763,"text":"for the housing search, application, and move - in process"},{"t":766,"text":"for people who use a wheelchair. When it comes to"},{"t":770,"text":"housing and sheltering solutions, the city has stepped up into"},{"t":773,"text":"new places. We help to open the Johnson Manor Recovery"},{"t":777,"text":"Housing with 20 self - contained homes in partnership with"},{"t":780,"text":"Victoria Kool - Aid and BC Housing. We collaborated with"},{"t":785,"text":"BC Housing to expand capacity at the Rock Bay Landing"},{"t":788,"text":"Shelter with 3D additional shelter beds to create, to support"},{"t":791,"text":"people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We"},{"t":795,"text":"opened the Bridge Street Pathways site with 34 beds designated"},{"t":799,"text":"to help people transition from street and shelter into supportive"},{"t":802,"text":"housing in partnership with BC housing. We collaborated with the"},{"t":807,"text":"Salvation Army to launch the STEP program and add 13"},{"t":810,"text":"new sober living shelter beds to their site. We continued"},{"t":814,"text":"with our housing relocation services using the support of Pacifica"},{"t":818,"text":"housing to help announce 75 people living on the street"},{"t":822,"text":"or in parks to access housing and shelter. And most"},{"t":826,"text":"recently, we launched our community housing renewal grant program, a"},{"t":830,"text":"1 million dollar capital grant program for nonprofit housing providers"},{"t":833,"text":"to renew existing building stock and improve quality of life"},{"t":837,"text":"by helping to bring more units back online faster. Of"},{"t":841,"text":"course, these are complemented by enhanced streetscape improvements and cleaning"},{"t":845,"text":"efforts. The city has expanded our urban clean team to"},{"t":848,"text":"support higher levels of service. Tackling early morning and late"},{"t":852,"text":"evening garbage removal street cleaning and graffiti abatement. We completed"},{"t":857,"text":"our annual maintenance and infrastructure repair program on Pandora Avenue"},{"t":861,"text":"in June and are planning for of the LA Street"},{"t":863,"text":"program later this summer. We restored the median at the"},{"t":868,"text":"intersection of Pandora and Vancouver. The first of a series"},{"t":871,"text":"of capital projects targeting streetscape investments over the next two"},{"t":874,"text":"years, designed to improve safety, accessibility and asset renewal on"},{"t":879,"text":"Pandora Avenue. And in partnership with the Victoria Conservatory of"},{"t":883,"text":"Music, we're designing an outdoor new outdoor music plaza that"},{"t":886,"text":"will open this fall on Pandora. As a part of"},{"t":892,"text":"the enforcement and response efforts, the city is working collaboratively,"},{"t":895,"text":"not only with our own new community safety and by"},{"t":899,"text":"- loss services group, but with Victoria police. Through council's"},{"t":903,"text":"direction, we hired 12 new bylaw officers and expanded our"},{"t":906,"text":"feed on the street program. This provides a visible presence"},{"t":909,"text":"and to help support enforcement of bylaws related to sheltering"},{"t":912,"text":"activities, but also proactively engaging with business owners and the"},{"t":916,"text":"public to prevent and resolve local issues. We're facilitating the"},{"t":921,"text":"Victoria situation table. This is focused on proactively reducing risk"},{"t":925,"text":"and supporting people and their families by bringing together frontline"},{"t":929,"text":"workers from public safety, health, and social services to rapidly"},{"t":933,"text":"connect them with the services that they need before a"},{"t":936,"text":"crisis occurs. We're delivered security assessments for both businesses and"},{"t":941,"text":"property owners and executed community safety talks with a bride"},{"t":945,"text":"range of community organisations. The city has opened two new"},{"t":949,"text":"community safety field hubs to support response and enforcement coordination."},{"t":953,"text":"And we've established dedicated liaisons for both a Victoria police"},{"t":957,"text":"and city teams. Finally, we've increased funding to Victoria Police"},{"t":961,"text":"to hire nine additional police officers to support enforcement and"},{"t":965,"text":"deliver an additional foot and bike patrol in the community"},{"t":968,"text":"through the C - step program. Of course, these are"},{"t":974,"text":"all accomplishments that relate to the 11 actions that counsel"},{"t":977,"text":"directed us to implement. But the community leaders panel had"},{"t":981,"text":"also identified a first 50 recommendations that were an opportunity"},{"t":985,"text":"for the city to step up and help move. Whether"},{"t":988,"text":"it be within the areas of housing, health care, service"},{"t":991,"text":"delivery, our downtown core, residents, commerce, policing injustice, and the"},{"t":997,"text":"way that we do business. I'm pleased to advise that"},{"t":1000,"text":"38 of these actions are underway or operationalized with another"},{"t":1004,"text":"12 actions and recommendations being explored. I will now take"},{"t":1008,"text":"you through some of the examples of highlights of how"},{"t":1010,"text":"that these actions are underway and contribute to plan implementation."},{"t":1017,"text":"First, the city is continuing to improve and simplify city"},{"t":1020,"text":"housing policies to make building of all types of housing"},{"t":1023,"text":"easier. This is included with our permit fee holiday. Our"},{"t":1026,"text":"development process modernization and our continued collaboration with BC housing"},{"t":1030,"text":"to advance affordable housing projects. We're contributing to the rent"},{"t":1035,"text":"bank program to support low - income households with interest"},{"t":1037,"text":"- free loans, uh, and grants through this community social"},{"t":1040,"text":"planning council. The City is undertaking targeted education and outreach"},{"t":1045,"text":"with renters and providing anti - hoarding supports through our"},{"t":1048,"text":"fire department efforts and collaboration with Ireland to health. We're"},{"t":1051,"text":"serving as a convener to bring service providers together when"},{"t":1055,"text":"something's needed in a short - term basis or as"},{"t":1058,"text":"a part of an ongoing relationship, like those with ILN"},{"t":1061,"text":"health. We're supporting the delivery of substance use and addiction"},{"t":1066,"text":"workshops and promoting citywide events on City vibe, our online"},{"t":1070,"text":"calendar running year - round to help draw people to"},{"t":1073,"text":"the city and share the exciting opportunities to help build"},{"t":1077,"text":"community placemaking and well - being through activities, events, and"},{"t":1080,"text":"festivals. Our staff has continued to a conduct equity, diversity,"},{"t":1086,"text":"and inclusivity reviews of our different city programs and grants."},{"t":1090,"text":"And we're delivering downtown public realm enhancements and amenities, including"},{"t":1093,"text":"a new mural that's going to be installed underneath the"},{"t":1096,"text":"Johnson Street Bridge. The replacement of Douglas Street information kiosks"},{"t":1100,"text":"and an update to our commercial ALLIRT panels. We've integrated"},{"t":1104,"text":"community safety and well - being impact statements into Committee"},{"t":1106,"text":"of the Whole Reports. And several initiatives are underway to"},{"t":1110,"text":"encourage people to spend more time downtown, particularly in the"},{"t":1113,"text":"evening. Through our downtown program, our patio bylaw program, and"},{"t":1118,"text":"more. When it comes to late night, we're investing in"},{"t":1122,"text":"support teams to prioritize safety and well - being of"},{"t":1124,"text":"individuals who are out enjoying late night events or at"},{"t":1128,"text":"downtown nightclubs and businesses. Through partnerships with destination greater Victor"},{"t":1132,"text":"Victoria and good night out, Victoria. We're supporting community -"},{"t":1135,"text":"led events and placemaking. They could through our expanded migrate"},{"t":1139,"text":"neighbourhood grant program and were investing in active transportation and"},{"t":1142,"text":"public transit. As directed to improve safety when it comes"},{"t":1145,"text":"to mobility on the road. And finally, we're continuing to"},{"t":1151,"text":"revamp City Business Licenseing Process to address redundancies and prove"},{"t":1155,"text":"the experience of people seeking or applying for business licensing"},{"t":1159,"text":"permits. As we continue on, the city is updating internal"},{"t":1164,"text":"databases about sites and services that are focused on health,"},{"t":1167,"text":"safety, and social services so that our team can best"},{"t":1170,"text":"connect and support those in need. We're supporting the restorative"},{"t":1173,"text":"justice programs in Victoria and expanding urban forest canopy across"},{"t":1177,"text":"all of our neighbourhoods. The city is contributing to multisectoral"},{"t":1182,"text":"planning and response tables for decision - makers, including regional"},{"t":1186,"text":"efforts like the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy to ensure that"},{"t":1189,"text":"as a region, we're responding to homelessness, focusing in on"},{"t":1193,"text":"actions that can be taken at a scale that help"},{"t":1196,"text":"amplify the city's efforts. We're working with partners to develop"},{"t":1202,"text":"and support public - facing asset maps, and we're delivering"},{"t":1204,"text":"emergency - preparedness workshops to the community. Now these items"},{"t":1208,"text":"might seem like a long list of a whole bunch"},{"t":1210,"text":"of different things. The common thread, though, of course, is"},{"t":1213,"text":"to address those eight sectors that were identified in the"},{"t":1217,"text":"community safety well - being planned that align with the"},{"t":1219,"text":"recommendations that we heard. Recommendations that we heard from business,"},{"t":1224,"text":"First Nations leaders, service providers, law enforcement agencies, and our"},{"t":1228,"text":"health partners. Now with these efforts and along with continued"},{"t":1232,"text":"investments in community supports, housing and sheltering solutions, cleaning and"},{"t":1237,"text":"streetscape restoration, and enforcement and response, staff have turned our"},{"t":1241,"text":"mind to considering progress measurement and reporting. We recognise."},{"t":1254,"text":"Thank you. Uh, we recognise that monitoring long - term"},{"t":1257,"text":"community conditions and system - wide changes over time is"},{"t":1260,"text":"critical. At the same time, the city is careful to"},{"t":1263,"text":"consider the role of us as a municipality versus other"},{"t":1266,"text":"partners in measuring programs. Our budget availability, data collection frequency,"},{"t":1272,"text":"and ensuring that the blend of objective and subjective measures."},{"t":1276,"text":"As we've investigated and learned and done some research across"},{"t":1279,"text":"Canada in cities large and small, they're emerging best practices"},{"t":1283,"text":"in areas of progress management around safety and well -"},{"t":1286,"text":"being. These are some of the most common topics or"},{"t":1289,"text":"areas that, um, communities are providing measurement on. Safety and"},{"t":1294,"text":"harm reduction, housing stability and homelessness. Supports for vulnerable populations."},{"t":1300,"text":"Population level health and well - being. Access to public"},{"t":1304,"text":"space, mobility options, and the built environment. Economic stability and"},{"t":1310,"text":"affordability. And belonging inclusion and welcoming community. Ideally, the City"},{"t":1316,"text":"owened its partners work on a roster of meaningful outputs"},{"t":1320,"text":"along with population level outcomes focused indicators. So when it"},{"t":1324,"text":"comes to the city role in progress management, we will"},{"t":1326,"text":"be continuing to track select indicators and outpost - based"},{"t":1329,"text":"measures using examples like our reported quality of life and"},{"t":1333,"text":"sense of safety coming from our household survey or the"},{"t":1336,"text":"Victoria Police Annual Community Survey. But drawing on other examples"},{"t":1340,"text":"and resources. We can track annual calls for service and"},{"t":1344,"text":"rely on third - party data in reports, evaluations and"},{"t":1347,"text":"surveys through organisations like statistics Canada, ICBC, the province of"},{"t":1352,"text":"BC, and the Regional Government. There are many ways in"},{"t":1355,"text":"which we can report out on different elements of both"},{"t":1358,"text":"safety and well - being, and will continue to wrap"},{"t":1360,"text":"these up as we look to work with our partners."},{"t":1363,"text":"And when we think about our partners and their role"},{"t":1366,"text":"in progress management, we know that there is ongoing work"},{"t":1369,"text":"for them to measure and track other broader indicators, like"},{"t":1372,"text":"emergency and medical system use. Criminal justice system involvement. Housing"},{"t":1378,"text":"retention and stability. Clinical and health outcomes. Shelter availability in"},{"t":1383,"text":"real time. Substance use tracking and more. Measuring progress is"},{"t":1387,"text":"complex, just like the very challenge of safety and well"},{"t":1391,"text":"- being for the city. There are several tension points"},{"t":1395,"text":"and observations that we can make over this first year,"},{"t":1398,"text":"um, from our experience implementing the plan. First and foremost,"},{"t":1402,"text":"each person in our community does have varying perspectives on"},{"t":1405,"text":"safety and well - being. The role of community safety"},{"t":1410,"text":"and bylaw services staff is continuing to evolve to meet"},{"t":1413,"text":"community needs and support first responders and our health partners."},{"t":1418,"text":"The growing severity of substance use in health needs can"},{"t":1421,"text":"impact individuals'behaviors and their ability to access or stay in"},{"t":1425,"text":"shelter or housing. We're seeing fewer encampment sites across the"},{"t":1429,"text":"municipality, but we know that this is still a major"},{"t":1432,"text":"challenge for our members of our community. The role, pace"},{"t":1437,"text":"and response of our regional partners and other orders of"},{"t":1440,"text":"government is slower than desired. And additional resources that council"},{"t":1444,"text":"is allocated, whether it be in our public works team,"},{"t":1447,"text":"our community safety team, or within the programs that we"},{"t":1450,"text":"have have allowed for a higher level of engagement with"},{"t":1453,"text":"residents, businesses and tourists across the municipality. We know there's"},{"t":1459,"text":"a strong willingness from partners to pilot creative solutions and"},{"t":1463,"text":"address barriers. As we look to head, the City will"},{"t":1466,"text":"be launching several continued initiatives as a part of our"},{"t":1469,"text":"2026 work plan, including new projects such as the business,"},{"t":1473,"text":"facade improvement grants with the downtown Victoria business association. The"},{"t":1478,"text":"community cleanup pilot program. The positive transfer program that council"},{"t":1482,"text":"directed earlier this year as a part of the financial"},{"t":1484,"text":"planning process and a welcoming nights program. And more to"},{"t":1488,"text":"come with our continued evolution and delivery as we look"},{"t":1491,"text":"ahead to the 2027 financial planning period. The community safety"},{"t":1496,"text":"and well - being planned was designed to turn issues"},{"t":1497,"text":"into action. And the first year has been about building"},{"t":1500,"text":"that foundation, delivering on commitment. Staff recognised that there are"},{"t":1505,"text":"no instant solutions, and there is more work ahead, but"},{"t":1508,"text":"we've built important momentum and accomplished many things not only"},{"t":1512,"text":"to deliver on the eleven actions that council had identified,"},{"t":1515,"text":"but to help support the recommendations included in the plan"},{"t":1518,"text":"across diverse areas. We're working with partners at all level"},{"t":1523,"text":"to create the conditions for increased and lasting improvements. The"},{"t":1527,"text":"City will continue to pivot, shift, adapt, listen, reflect, and"},{"t":1532,"text":"act. As we move towards achieving the desired outcomes of"},{"t":1535,"text":"the community safety well - being planned. And as always,"},{"t":1539,"text":"we reflect upon all of the people who contribute to"},{"t":1541,"text":"safety and well - being within our organisation, whether they"},{"t":1544,"text":"be their parks and public works employees, our bylaw officers."},{"t":1548,"text":"Our teams working in housing, engagement, or community partnerships. We"},{"t":1554,"text":"are all contributing as we bring on this new challenge"},{"t":1556,"text":"and integrate it into our services each and every day."},{"t":1560,"text":"That concludes the presentation that we have in staff are"},{"t":1562,"text":"welcome to available to answer any questions you might have."},{"t":1565,"text":"Thank you. Thank you very much. Very comprehensive, and I"},{"t":1568,"text":"will, um, applaud you to start for your tact in"},{"t":1572,"text":"referencing the action speed of our partners. So perfectly, other"},{"t":1575,"text":"orbiters have covered. There are no recommendations associated with this."},{"t":1579,"text":"This is of course an ongoing program that has been"},{"t":1581,"text":"mentioned is now integrating into every department. So today we"},{"t":1584,"text":"are here to be updated and also to ask any"},{"t":1587,"text":"questions of staff who are here. So we will proceed"},{"t":1590,"text":"with questions. Comments are fine as well. Again, not a"},{"t":1595,"text":"recommendation in which we have to vote, but questions and"},{"t":1597,"text":"comments for clarification perfectly welcome. Councillor Thompson. Uh, thanks Mayor."},{"t":1606,"text":"Um, Councillor. I just adjust your volume before you start"},{"t":1609,"text":"talking. Hold on a sec. Is there a way for"},{"t":1611,"text":"us to boost his volume? Try it again, Councillor Thompson."},{"t":1619,"text":"How's that now? Much better. Thank you very much. Go"},{"t":1621,"text":"ahead. Okay. Okay, great. Thanks very much. Uh, thanks very"},{"t":1624,"text":"much to staff for this report. And of course for"},{"t":1626,"text":"all the work that you're doing. Appreciate, uh, in this"},{"t":1631,"text":"presentation, um, the various crises that were outlined on slide"},{"t":1636,"text":"number three, uh, which appear in cities across North America."},{"t":1641,"text":"And also appreciate, um, uh, the outcome - based reporting,"},{"t":1646,"text":"uh, that you outlined and slides 20 to 22. A"},{"t":1651,"text":"number of members of the public have been asking for"},{"t":1653,"text":"this. Um, I did want to ask some specific questions"},{"t":1656,"text":"about that knowing that you couldn't have possibly gone into"},{"t":1660,"text":"all those outcomes during the presentation. Um, if I can"},{"t":1664,"text":"just, can we just get a sense of numbers of"},{"t":1667,"text":"people on the street and trends? So I'm, I'm interested"},{"t":1671,"text":"in Pandora and elsewhere. Um, uh, the housed folks that"},{"t":1676,"text":"are on the street on Pandora and the unhoused folks"},{"t":1679,"text":"that are on the street, because we know that, that"},{"t":1681,"text":"some of those folks are actually housed. And I understand,"},{"t":1685,"text":"um, uh, people were not finding that people, well, I'll"},{"t":1691,"text":"ask the question, did we find that, uh, anyone has"},{"t":1694,"text":"come in from Vancouver because of being displaced by FIFA?"},{"t":1699,"text":"Or are people falling into homelessness and street life locally."},{"t":1704,"text":"Thanks, Councillor. Which of our able staff would like to"},{"t":1707,"text":"take a croc of that? Ms. Jones, over to you."},{"t":1710,"text":"Thank you for the question. Councillor and through you mayor"},{"t":1713,"text":"to address the first question on numbers at any given"},{"t":1719,"text":"time in the city, uh, there are about anywhere between"},{"t":1722,"text":"180 to 210 people that we believe to be unsheltered."},{"t":1728,"text":"In the Pandora corridor specifically. There's about 100 people, uh,"},{"t":1733,"text":"within the corridor and surrounding areas. In addition to that,"},{"t":1741,"text":"uh, for those coming to seek services, uh, that number"},{"t":1745,"text":"can increase during the day to about another 52, 100"},{"t":1751,"text":"people. Uh, as far as the question related to Vancouver"},{"t":1756,"text":"and FIFA, um, we have certainly heard that rumour. We"},{"t":1762,"text":"have not been able to source that to be fact."},{"t":1766,"text":"There may be a few people that are here from"},{"t":1768,"text":"the, from the lower mainland, um, but certainly not in"},{"t":1772,"text":"any numbers that we would attribute to FIFA. Most of"},{"t":1776,"text":"the folks that are sheltering downtown, our local folks, um,"},{"t":1782,"text":"little bit of movement. It is a transient group that"},{"t":1787,"text":"may move from different place to different place. Um, but"},{"t":1791,"text":"for the most part, we are seeing our local community"},{"t":1795,"text":"here that are experiencing homelessness. Very much. Go ahead, Councillor."},{"t":1799,"text":"Thank you. Thank you. Uh, wanted to ask questions about"},{"t":1803,"text":"the, uh, evolution of the drug supply, the illicit drug"},{"t":1806,"text":"supply, uh, a year ago. I've mentioned this before, but"},{"t":1810,"text":"about a year ago I spoke with, uh, frontline service"},{"t":1812,"text":"providers who had said that the severity of the drugs"},{"t":1816,"text":"and the severity, the impact of the drugs on people's"},{"t":1819,"text":"health and wellbeing had increased dramatically over the last five"},{"t":1824,"text":"years. That was about a year ago before metatomedine was"},{"t":1828,"text":"being discussed. I'm wondering if you can describe how the"},{"t":1832,"text":"drug supply has changed since that time. Thank you. Who's"},{"t":1837,"text":"going to take that one? Ms. Jones. Thank you. And"},{"t":1841,"text":"through you mayor, um, yes, the, the drug supply is"},{"t":1844,"text":"always changing. Um, and is a real barrier for us"},{"t":1851,"text":"and island health as we continue to try and navigate"},{"t":1855,"text":"these, these changes together as a community. Um, metatomidine, uh,"},{"t":1860,"text":"over the last, I would say eight months, um, since"},{"t":1863,"text":"it's come into our local drug supply has created significant"},{"t":1868,"text":"challenges. And these challenges really relate to, um, metatomitine is"},{"t":1875,"text":"an animal tranquilizer, uh, and as such, this is why"},{"t":1880,"text":"we're seeing people that are in, um, really low levels"},{"t":1886,"text":"of consciousness for extended periods of time. Um, metatomed is"},{"t":1892,"text":"a bit unique in that, uh, withdrawal, uh, from intoxication"},{"t":1897,"text":"to withdrawal is both, uh, very serious and is a,"},{"t":1902,"text":"a shorter lived than in our previous drug supplies that"},{"t":1907,"text":"really focused on fentanyl in the opiates. Metatomadine and some"},{"t":1914,"text":"of the other, um, drugs that are in the supply"},{"t":1917,"text":"that include, uh, benzodiazepines, et cetera. There is no antidote"},{"t":1924,"text":"to it. So, um, they are all mixed together now"},{"t":1928,"text":"is generally what the qualitative analysis is finding. And as"},{"t":1933,"text":"a result, naloxone is only responsive to the opiate, uh,"},{"t":1940,"text":"and so the change and the shift here is that"},{"t":1943,"text":"we used to try and use when it was predominantly"},{"t":1946,"text":"an opiate supply, uh, we would use and the health"},{"t":1950,"text":"providers would use naloxone to bring people back to consciousness."},{"t":1955,"text":"Um, that is no longer the case. The medical teams"},{"t":1959,"text":"and we do work with island health on a regular"},{"t":1961,"text":"basis to stay informed are really just bringing people back"},{"t":1965,"text":"to just, uh, being responsive to get their blood pressure"},{"t":1970,"text":"and their pulses back up, uh, to a level that"},{"t":1974,"text":"is safe until the drugs wear off, which is an"},{"t":1977,"text":"extended period of time. Thank you, councillor. And what types"},{"t":1982,"text":"of impacts are we seeing on people's apart from in"},{"t":1986,"text":"the moment which you just described, what kind of impacts"},{"t":1989,"text":"are we seeing on people's physical and mental wellbeing. Longer"},{"t":1993,"text":"term. Does Jones. Thanks for you Mayor. I mean, the,"},{"t":1999,"text":"uh, the impacts are significant. As Ms. Web alluded to"},{"t":2004,"text":"in her presentation, um, this is certainly a factor for"},{"t":2008,"text":"why we are seeing people either not able to get"},{"t":2011,"text":"to or remain in shelter and housing their health needs."},{"t":2017,"text":"I'm not a physician, but just from our training and"},{"t":2021,"text":"work with Ilenthealth, it is very tricky to try and"},{"t":2026,"text":"get people stabilized even enough just to access some of"},{"t":2030,"text":"the services that they need. That would be food, health"},{"t":2033,"text":"care, uh, pharmaceuticals, the list goes on. Councillor."},{"t":2043,"text":"Thanks very much for that. Um. Sorry, that's a little"},{"t":2048,"text":"heavy. Uh, okay. I just want to move on to"},{"t":2051,"text":"another topic. On waste and sanitation. I get asked a"},{"t":2055,"text":"lot of questions about this being the downtown liaison. I'm"},{"t":2063,"text":"wondering the city has installed a number of, um, waste"},{"t":2070,"text":"receptacles on the 900 block. But I think they've gone"},{"t":2073,"text":"further than that too. Uh, in response to, uh, requests"},{"t":2077,"text":"from service providers, uh, and outreach workers, uh, what changes"},{"t":2084,"text":"have been made, uh, in Pandora and elsewhere. His web,"},{"t":2088,"text":"is that something you can answer? Uh, through the mayor,"},{"t":2091,"text":"maybe start. And if director Doyle has anything further to"},{"t":2093,"text":"add, um, please do so. Um, yes, as, as, as"},{"t":2097,"text":"you mentioned, councillor, there is a notable impact in terms"},{"t":2102,"text":"of streetscape waste. And the city has over this last"},{"t":2106,"text":"year installed 14 additional waist receptacles throughout the Pandora corridor"},{"t":2110,"text":"and in the general area. These bins are serviced twice"},{"t":2114,"text":"daily and are routinely full. Um, collectively, they provide about,"},{"t":2118,"text":"um, six cubic yards of waste capacity per collection cycle."},{"t":2122,"text":"So it is a significant amount. Um, the 14 bins"},{"t":2126,"text":"that we have placed, it continued to remain in good"},{"t":2128,"text":"conditions and they have experienced little to no vandalism. They've"},{"t":2132,"text":"helped us increase our disposal capacity in the area. But"},{"t":2135,"text":"we do recognise is that there are some significant gaps"},{"t":2138,"text":"and needs with regards to, uh, litter services, um, it's"},{"t":2142,"text":"almost like there's a major community event held every single"},{"t":2145,"text":"day and it requires that continued effort on community litter"},{"t":2149,"text":"pickup as well as response. So the city is, um,"},{"t":2153,"text":"looking to, uh, deliver a new pilot program, uh, involving"},{"t":2157,"text":"community members, building off of the work that we did"},{"t":2160,"text":"previously through our place to be able to help support"},{"t":2163,"text":"our regular collection and disposal cycles. Um, in places that"},{"t":2167,"text":"need that targeted attention. What we do recognise is that"},{"t":2171,"text":"sometimes those, um, physical, uh, impacts of, of giving food"},{"t":2176,"text":"out, uh, the short term visitors that come in and"},{"t":2179,"text":"through the corridor do require that additional attention. So our"},{"t":2183,"text":"public works team is, is stepping up to look at"},{"t":2185,"text":"not only those regular services and cycles that we're doing"},{"t":2188,"text":"through our, our urban clean team, uh, but also, um,"},{"t":2192,"text":"looking to advance a new pilot where we can bring"},{"t":2194,"text":"together more efforts to address litter and streetscape debris, um,"},{"t":2198,"text":"in the Pandora corridor specifically. Thank you, Director Doyle. Do"},{"t":2202,"text":"you have anything you'd like to add. Uh, thank you,"},{"t":2205,"text":"Mayor Ulto. Very little other than just to say we"},{"t":2207,"text":"were also engaging exploring how we can better engage with"},{"t":2210,"text":"the service providers on prevention of some of the waste"},{"t":2214,"text":"that we're seeing on the street. There are unique factors"},{"t":2217,"text":"of health and sanitation that make reuse of reusable dishware,"},{"t":2221,"text":"sometimes more challenging and not always having the space on"},{"t":2224,"text":"site to serve the people so that the, the, the"},{"t":2226,"text":"customers there are not subject to the, uh, the single"},{"t":2229,"text":"yeast item spy laws. It's generally carry out. We do"},{"t":2231,"text":"see some of those materials out on the street. So"},{"t":2233,"text":"we're putting our thinking hats back on and how we"},{"t":2235,"text":"can, we did engage with, with these service providers during"},{"t":2238,"text":"the single use item bylaw development and thinking how else"},{"t":2241,"text":"we might be able to help prevent some of the"},{"t":2242,"text":"litter from getting out on the street. Thank you very"},{"t":2245,"text":"much for that. Councillor Thompson. Um, I guess a couple"},{"t":2249,"text":"of questions. First off, do we have the timing for"},{"t":2252,"text":"that pilot for the sort of trash pickup. But then"},{"t":2256,"text":"there's also, I hear lots of, um, uh, input about"},{"t":2260,"text":"larger items. And I'm wondering if those can be managed"},{"t":2264,"text":"with some sort of partnerships with, um, uh, property owners"},{"t":2270,"text":"on the street who have larger commercial bins that might"},{"t":2273,"text":"be available for, for that kind of disposal. Is a"},{"t":2278,"text":"web. Again through the mayor would be, um, please just"},{"t":2280,"text":"start and direct your doyle wants to add anything further."},{"t":2283,"text":"Um, we are anticipated to roll out that pilot later"},{"t":2285,"text":"this fall. So we will, it will be a 2026"},{"t":2288,"text":"initiative. Uh, I do know that the larger items, um,"},{"t":2292,"text":"and debris, whether it be people well - beating and"},{"t":2294,"text":"intention people who, you know, maybe put out a couch"},{"t":2296,"text":"on the side of the road, um, we work closely"},{"t":2298,"text":"with the capital regional district to help prevent kind of"},{"t":2301,"text":"the, uh, abandoned waste or abandoned reuse. Well, we always"},{"t":2305,"text":"encourage people to reuse and recycle the reality as the"},{"t":2309,"text":"public right of way is not a place to be"},{"t":2310,"text":"able to dispose of personal goods. Um, when it comes"},{"t":2314,"text":"to those larger commercial bins, that is an area that"},{"t":2316,"text":"we would like to spend more time on to ensure"},{"t":2319,"text":"that business owners and property owners, stratas, and even, um,"},{"t":2324,"text":"other private landlords are having secure, uh, bins as well"},{"t":2328,"text":"as them being unlocked areas so that, uh, they're not"},{"t":2331,"text":"continued to be opened and garbage bags that are in"},{"t":2334,"text":"there securely and then taken out and, and opened up."},{"t":2338,"text":"So I would say that those larger commercial bins are"},{"t":2340,"text":"an area for continued efforts by the city, uh, but"},{"t":2343,"text":"we are looking at rolling out that community led, um,"},{"t":2346,"text":"led pilot, uh, this fall. Just a second. Anything to"},{"t":2353,"text":"add, no, thank you, Meroraldon. Very good. Sorry. Go ahead,"},{"t":2357,"text":"Councillor Thompson. Sorry about that. Yeah. Thanks. Um, are those"},{"t":2361,"text":"bins possibly an opportunity to like if, for instance, our"},{"t":2366,"text":"place had a bin and some of the large, like"},{"t":2369,"text":"we could enter into an arrangement with our place to"},{"t":2372,"text":"accept some of the larger items that end up on"},{"t":2375,"text":"the street. Is that, is that possible. Is web? I"},{"t":2378,"text":"think that will be a part of our investigations and"},{"t":2380,"text":"appreciate the suggestion to look at how we might be"},{"t":2383,"text":"able to utilise some of the sites within targeted or"},{"t":2386,"text":"designated areas. So thank you for the suggestion. We could"},{"t":2389,"text":"look into it. Councillor Thompson. Okay. Just, uh, want to"},{"t":2394,"text":"switch over to, um, housing and sheltering. Thanks for the"},{"t":2399,"text":"numbers of, um, recent additions that we've supported, uh, in"},{"t":2405,"text":"various places and ways, uh, for sheltering and supportive housing."},{"t":2411,"text":"I'm wondering, uh, we now have, I think, uh, about"},{"t":2416,"text":"a thousand supportive housing units in Victoria and about 400"},{"t":2422,"text":"shelter beds very roughly. I think we've got 80 to"},{"t":2427,"text":"90 percent of all of those within this region. I'm"},{"t":2431,"text":"wondering. As we create more of those spaces, are we"},{"t":2436,"text":"getting ahead of the game or is the flow of"},{"t":2439,"text":"people into homelessness beating us, uh, in terms of numbers."},{"t":2447,"text":"Just they're conferring councillor just to determine who's best able"},{"t":2450,"text":"to answer that question."},{"t":2462,"text":"Through the mayor. Thank you. Um, you know, I think"},{"t":2464,"text":"that there are a couple of components to your answer."},{"t":2467,"text":"Um, to my answer for you, Councillor Thompson. First, there"},{"t":2470,"text":"is continued need for all types of housing in our"},{"t":2473,"text":"community. Director Johnson can continue to add anything, but we"},{"t":2477,"text":"do know that we have a housing need that expands"},{"t":2480,"text":"affordable housing, family housing, deep subsidy housing, shelter and support"},{"t":2485,"text":"of housing. Um, so at this point, I would say"},{"t":2488,"text":"that it is safe from staff's perspective to identify the"},{"t":2492,"text":"significant, more housing supply needed in our region. And not"},{"t":2496,"text":"only here in Victoria, but in other municipalities, when we"},{"t":2500,"text":"look at support of housing and shelter sites, um, there"},{"t":2503,"text":"is a more demand than we have spaces for simply"},{"t":2506,"text":"put. Yeah. Thanks for that. Any, any idea whether at"},{"t":2516,"text":"the, you know, the certain rate that, that supportive housing"},{"t":2519,"text":"and shelters have been constructed over the last five to"},{"t":2522,"text":"10 years. And a certain rate at which, uh, I"},{"t":2527,"text":"guess people are falling into homelessness from various sources. Any,"},{"t":2531,"text":"any feelings on whether we're going to get down to"},{"t":2535,"text":"functional zero or if we're just trying to tread water"},{"t":2538,"text":"at the current levels or if it's going to get"},{"t":2540,"text":"worse. Mr. and Tucci. Through the mayor. Homelessness is a"},{"t":2548,"text":"regional problem. Um, and it's going to need a regional"},{"t":2551,"text":"solution. Victoria will not be able to meet the demand"},{"t":2555,"text":"on its own. Um, I know that's not answering you"},{"t":2559,"text":"in terms of the different rates. But, um, you know,"},{"t":2564,"text":"there are efforts under way to try and, um, have"},{"t":2567,"text":"a more regional response. And I think until that happens,"},{"t":2571,"text":"um, you know, we will always be in a position"},{"t":2573,"text":"where the demand is more than the supply. We are"},{"t":2578,"text":"working in Victorian ways to try and, um, maximize the"},{"t":2584,"text":"supply that we have or the process. And that's, uh,"},{"t":2587,"text":"including ways to create more positive flow that we referenced,"},{"t":2593,"text":"uh, which was one of the motions from council. I"},{"t":2597,"text":"think that's imperative here in Victoria that we have a"},{"t":2600,"text":"way that people are moving through the system as opposed"},{"t":2602,"text":"to being, uh, stuck in any part of it. Councillor."},{"t":2610,"text":"Thanks, Mary. You've been very kind in letting me speak"},{"t":2613,"text":"a fair bit here. I'll, I'll turn over the floor"},{"t":2615,"text":"and may have more questions later. Thanks. Ruger, thank you."},{"t":2618,"text":"Councillor Lotner. Good morning. Thanks. And through you Mayor. Just"},{"t":2623,"text":"to start with, can we get a copy of this"},{"t":2626,"text":"slide deck? Okay. Um, I have quite a few questions"},{"t":2630,"text":"here. So I'll try to move quickly, but the, the"},{"t":2632,"text":"nine additional officers for the CESTEP program, how does that"},{"t":2637,"text":"differ from the crime reduction unit or the foot patrol"},{"t":2641,"text":"team or is it, is it somehow coupled with that?"},{"t":2647,"text":"And that's provincial funding that we matched, correct? For the"},{"t":2652,"text":"CESTEP program. Uh, through the mayor, I'll start and then"},{"t":2656,"text":"invite any colleagues to provide any further comments. Uh, yes,"},{"t":2660,"text":"I combined those two pieces of information, but you are"},{"t":2664,"text":"correct. The C - step program was a provincial funding"},{"t":2666,"text":"initiative, which the City provided in a matching funds for,"},{"t":2670,"text":"which supported short - term targeted foot and bicycle patrol"},{"t":2674,"text":"within the downtown core, as well as areas and shopping"},{"t":2677,"text":"districts, malls, that kind of thing. So that program continues"},{"t":2681,"text":"and is wrapping up in 2026. The province, uh, added"},{"t":2684,"text":"some additional funding and the City also contributed. The nine"},{"t":2689,"text":"additional officers for Victoria Police is not related to CESTEP."},{"t":2694,"text":"That supports the broader, um, efforts on enforcement, both through"},{"t":2697,"text":"crime prevention as well as enforcement in response. So maybe"},{"t":2701,"text":"I'll turn it over to any other colleagues, but they"},{"t":2703,"text":"are separate. It's separate from the foot patrol team and"},{"t":2708,"text":"the crime reduction unit. C - step, yes, is separate"},{"t":2712,"text":"from the crime reduction unit, but they are out in"},{"t":2716,"text":"foot patrol, if that makes sense. They, they use a"},{"t":2719,"text":"variety of tactics on that short term initiative. Are they"},{"t":2723,"text":"working? Yeah. It might just help councillor, because there is"},{"t":2725,"text":"a lot to unpack here. Uh, the nine additional police"},{"t":2729,"text":"officers that council endorsed as part of this program. They"},{"t":2734,"text":"are part of a broader policing cohort that is based"},{"t":2738,"text":"on foot patrols. The crime reduction unit, which involves eight"},{"t":2743,"text":"additional and different officers, uh, this council also approved in"},{"t":2748,"text":"its budget. That unit is just now being set up."},{"t":2752,"text":"And I understand that it will be operational in the"},{"t":2755,"text":"fall. Uh, and that is exactly how it is described"},{"t":2758,"text":"that chrome reduction unit. It will look at prevention and"},{"t":2761,"text":"intervention less on the street foot patrol more in looking"},{"t":2766,"text":"at the larger issues around trying to prevent crime and"},{"t":2770,"text":"intervene and crime on a larger scale. And then the"},{"t":2774,"text":"CESTEP program, as Ms. Webb described, was different again, uh,"},{"t":2778,"text":"in that it was a very specific program dealing with"},{"t":2781,"text":"different types of interventions and foot operations, which has been"},{"t":2785,"text":"extended. And will I understand wrap up at the end"},{"t":2787,"text":"of 2026? So components all working together, but quite separate."},{"t":2793,"text":"Okay. So there's. Three teams sort of essentially. So this"},{"t":2799,"text":"is nine officers outside of the foot patrol outside of"},{"t":2802,"text":"the crime reduction unit. But the crime reduction unit is"},{"t":2806,"text":"not operationally at, is that correct? No, it'll be stood"},{"t":2808,"text":"up in the fall stood up in the fall. Okay."},{"t":2810,"text":"Perfect. Thank you for that. Um, I'm curious about the"},{"t":2813,"text":"work with restorative justice Victoria. Can you just let me"},{"t":2818,"text":"know what that actually looks like. Is what through the"},{"t":2823,"text":"mayor. Yes, thank you for the question. In fact, we"},{"t":2826,"text":"have our, our, um, our halfway midpoint meeting with them"},{"t":2829,"text":"later on this month in July. Um, so through council's"},{"t":2834,"text":"funding that they provide is direct award grants several organisations"},{"t":2837,"text":"receive funding. And that includes restorative justice Victoria. So restorative"},{"t":2842,"text":"justice and perhaps I'll share the microphone with my, my"},{"t":2845,"text":"colleague here, Ms. Jones works comprehensively across the Capitol region,"},{"t":2850,"text":"but within Victoria to look at ways in which they"},{"t":2853,"text":"can help support, um, individuals in need who are moving"},{"t":2857,"text":"at different stages through the justice program, just a system."},{"t":2860,"text":"And the city is one of many municipalities who really"},{"t":2863,"text":"step up to help bridge a gap. And so perhaps"},{"t":2865,"text":"maybe I'll turn it over to Miss Jones around, um,"},{"t":2868,"text":"the type of work restorative justice does. Um, and some"},{"t":2871,"text":"of the outcomes will be reported back next year as"},{"t":2873,"text":"we complete, um, the service delivery in 2026. Um, it"},{"t":2878,"text":"is an annual funding amount that this council has provided"},{"t":2881,"text":"for the last several years. Thanks for you mayor. Yes,"},{"t":2888,"text":"really, uh, the restorative justice program is a great program"},{"t":2893,"text":"geared for those where they would potentially have been in"},{"t":2898,"text":"the criminal justice system. But when they go into the"},{"t":2902,"text":"criminal justice system, often the drivers of the behaviour were"},{"t":2907,"text":"never really addressed. Um, and so the benefit of the"},{"t":2911,"text":"restorative justice program is for those, it's, it's almost like"},{"t":2914,"text":"an early intervention for some people where they take a"},{"t":2918,"text":"look at, you know, what, what's the driver of the"},{"t":2921,"text":"behaviour, whether it's, um, they're even doing it, my understanding"},{"t":2926,"text":"in some domestic violence cases now. So why is the"},{"t":2931,"text":"offender, um, abusive. And when you start taking a comprehensive"},{"t":2935,"text":"look at that, um, early interventions such as, um, treatment,"},{"t":2941,"text":"um, understanding the impacts of, uh, their offences or their,"},{"t":2947,"text":"their crimes or their, whatever the case may be. Um,"},{"t":2950,"text":"is in the real benefits of it are recidivism rates"},{"t":2956,"text":"are lower, um, when they go through a sort of"},{"t":2959,"text":"justice. Thank you for that. That's welcome. Um, go ahead."},{"t":2966,"text":"I thought they were going to say something. Thank you"},{"t":2967,"text":"so much for that. That's, that's very important work. Um,"},{"t":2970,"text":"so you talked about the actions that are in progress."},{"t":2976,"text":"And I, I don't expect you to answer this right"},{"t":2977,"text":"now, but I am curious as to what those are."},{"t":2981,"text":"But you said there was, I think 50 of them."},{"t":2984,"text":"I mean, that's too much to get into right now,"},{"t":2986,"text":"but I am just curious what those are, but I'm"},{"t":2988,"text":"also curious about what priorities from the other levels of"},{"t":2993,"text":"government are in action right now. And maybe we'll start"},{"t":2999,"text":"there. Are there any priorities from other levels of government"},{"t":3003,"text":"in action right now? Ms. Webb. Or Mr. I'm teaching."},{"t":3009,"text":"Or miss Jones. Through the mayor, I'll start. Um, I"},{"t":3016,"text":"think that, uh, one of the components from the recommendations"},{"t":3019,"text":"in the plan was being able to first and foremost"},{"t":3022,"text":"bring forward those recommendations to those senior orders of government."},{"t":3025,"text":"So we have shared the plan and recommendations with the"},{"t":3028,"text":"capital regional district with multiple, um, uh, ministries within the"},{"t":3033,"text":"provincial government. That includes, um, the safety, um, uh, ministry"},{"t":3038,"text":"housing and health as well as through federal, um, government"},{"t":3041,"text":"through crime through public safety Canada. Um, I think that"},{"t":3045,"text":"there are several areas in which we've had successful advocacy,"},{"t":3049,"text":"uh, where the city has moved forward or helped to"},{"t":3052,"text":"participate in major initiatives. So for example, through the community"},{"t":3056,"text":"safety wellbeing plan, there is a recognition, um, and feedback"},{"t":3059,"text":"from the community around, um, men's health, men's mental health"},{"t":3064,"text":"young men who are feeling isolated, who are feeling not"},{"t":3067,"text":"connected with community. Um, through the work that we've been"},{"t":3070,"text":"doing to participate and advocate, uh, increased interventions on POACTIVE,"},{"t":3077,"text":"um, health supports and mental health supports, substance use, um,"},{"t":3081,"text":"and recovery services. We've contributed and participated in the federal"},{"t":3085,"text":"men's health strategy, for example. So we're continuing to look"},{"t":3089,"text":"at different ways at the staff level that we can"},{"t":3091,"text":"kind of bring the lessons learned and recommendations from the"},{"t":3095,"text":"broader community safety wellbeing plan into the portfolios at a"},{"t":3100,"text":"provincial or federal or an example regional scale. Whatever there"},{"t":3105,"text":"may be as an opportunity for us to provide those"},{"t":3107,"text":"ways and connections to the protective factors. We want to"},{"t":3111,"text":"increase and see more of or reducing those risk factors"},{"t":3115,"text":"that we're seeing at that local level. I don't know,"},{"t":3118,"text":"Mr. Antucci, one second. Through the mirror. A lot of"},{"t":3124,"text":"our work is, uh, both in terms of ministry of"},{"t":3129,"text":"health trying to move them more into the investment. And"},{"t":3134,"text":"BC housing more into investments around that early intervention of"},{"t":3138,"text":"detox and recovery housing. I think that's going to always"},{"t":3142,"text":"be an important ingredient in the ability to move people"},{"t":3146,"text":"through a system. And, uh, it's lacking right now. And"},{"t":3150,"text":"I think many of the council know that. So that"},{"t":3153,"text":"continues to be a place that we push on also"},{"t":3157,"text":"at a senior staffing level, uh, we're working with other"},{"t":3162,"text":"municipalities with the, uh, solicitor general's office looking at different"},{"t":3168,"text":"initiatives to try to deal with repeat offenders. Um, different"},{"t":3174,"text":"ways to increase the security in cities. So when you"},{"t":3179,"text":"ask that question, you know, what comes to mind is"},{"t":3182,"text":"the lot of things. And I think that's what this"},{"t":3186,"text":"plan is about. It's about touching on, uh, kind of"},{"t":3189,"text":"all of the wicked problems out there. And so we're"},{"t":3193,"text":"following suit. We're looking at it both from a health"},{"t":3196,"text":"perspective, a kernel perspective, um, and that's what it's going"},{"t":3200,"text":"to take to really move the needle. Okay. Again, this"},{"t":3205,"text":"might not be the place to do this, but I"},{"t":3207,"text":"would be very curious as to what the priorities from"},{"t":3211,"text":"other levels of government are so that we can advocate"},{"t":3216,"text":"as well. Are you prepared to answer what that might"},{"t":3218,"text":"be? Or is that something that a question I should"},{"t":3222,"text":"root through the city manager and you could, you know,"},{"t":3224,"text":"take some time to think about that and get back"},{"t":3226,"text":"to me. Through the mayor, um, I think that would"},{"t":3230,"text":"be best because we have an opportunity to draw pond"},{"t":3233,"text":"the recommendations that came from the community leaders panel. But"},{"t":3236,"text":"I think we would also want to take a look"},{"t":3237,"text":"at what is the current landscape and be able to"},{"t":3239,"text":"provide you with some specific suggestions on, on priority areas"},{"t":3243,"text":"for advocacy, uh, and continued partnership, um, I think that"},{"t":3248,"text":"we have some immediate ideas. And I know that the"},{"t":3250,"text":"plan refers to some very specific initiatives, um, but it"},{"t":3254,"text":"really depends on ministry portfolio and both at the provincial"},{"t":3258,"text":"and federal level, but please do report back. Okay. So"},{"t":3261,"text":"I'll, I'll do. I would just add that, uh, we're"},{"t":3264,"text":"in a constant conversation with multiple ministries on opportunities to"},{"t":3268,"text":"advance much of this plan and a variety of different"},{"t":3271,"text":"issues that are associated with or complement this plan. And"},{"t":3275,"text":"so, um, that is something, as you know, we do"},{"t":3278,"text":"report on early routinely. And so I'll certainly make an"},{"t":3282,"text":"effort to bring some additional information back as well. Okay."},{"t":3285,"text":"Thank you for that, Mayor. Um, this was touched on"},{"t":3289,"text":"a little bit, but I'm curious about numbers of the"},{"t":3293,"text":"people sheltering in parks in downtown. I know we have"},{"t":3297,"text":"the global numbers, but my question is, do we have"},{"t":3302,"text":"any data or KPIs that can show us the changes"},{"t":3308,"text":"in the parks are downtown say this term or, you"},{"t":3312,"text":"know, even in the last year, this term would be"},{"t":3314,"text":"better. But I'm curious how we can, if there is"},{"t":3320,"text":"a way to indicate the needs of people on this"},{"t":3324,"text":"list to how to serve them maybe a little bit"},{"t":3329,"text":"more expeditiously, if possible, like, for example, there's a difference"},{"t":3334,"text":"between someone who's experiencing homelessness just over financial reasons versus"},{"t":3338,"text":"someone who is in active and acute substances disorder. We'd"},{"t":3342,"text":"like to try that. Stranducci, you're going to start. Through"},{"t":3347,"text":"the mail. I'll answer part of that. Um, you know,"},{"t":3350,"text":"through our work, um, increased response capacity, um, and, and"},{"t":3356,"text":"outreach, um, our housing relocator. We are seeing reductions in"},{"t":3363,"text":"the shelters in parks, for example year to year,"},{"t":3374,"text":"enough to 65 percent down. So there's, and I think"},{"t":3382,"text":"we're, we're kind of experiencing that now where, you know,"},{"t":3386,"text":"we've always seen a bit of a summer uptick. And"},{"t":3390,"text":"with that comes, uh, complaints from people that have not"},{"t":3393,"text":"had structures in their park for, for a long time."},{"t":3398,"text":"So it, what might have been the norm before certainly"},{"t":3401,"text":"isn't now. Um, so I think there is in terms"},{"t":3404,"text":"of, um, our statement that we are reducing the structures"},{"t":3411,"text":"in parks. Let's go ahead, Ms. Jones. Thanks to you,"},{"t":3417,"text":"Mayor, and appreciate the question councillor on the needs of"},{"t":3421,"text":"the people as that is a very large focus, uh,"},{"t":3426,"text":"of this work and through the relocation coordinator. It's, it's"},{"t":3431,"text":"always helpful to have, um, that quantitative information about numbers"},{"t":3435,"text":"that does not tell us anything about the needs. Um,"},{"t":3440,"text":"to get the more in - depth, qualitative, uh, data"},{"t":3444,"text":"and information takes longer. Um, and requires relationship building, often"},{"t":3451,"text":"with those, uh, of highest acuity and those that are"},{"t":3455,"text":"really, really unwell. Uh, that is the focus of the"},{"t":3459,"text":"relocation coordinator work right now is to do exactly what"},{"t":3463,"text":"you just said. So they are going out and, uh,"},{"t":3467,"text":"spending time with people building relationships, which again, as I"},{"t":3471,"text":"said, it does take time. But this work is very"},{"t":3474,"text":"important for us to understand the needs of the people"},{"t":3477,"text":"that are out there. Um, the relocation coordinator has house"},{"t":3481,"text":"75 people to date, uh, and their success rates of"},{"t":3485,"text":"being able to keep them, uh, in housing, uh, is"},{"t":3489,"text":"incredibly successful. Uh, and they do that because they know,"},{"t":3493,"text":"they understand and they know the needs and they know"},{"t":3495,"text":"where to place people to make them successful. Finally, I'll"},{"t":3501,"text":"just maybe add a third component to the response around"},{"t":3504,"text":"the important work that we're doing in partnership with other"},{"t":3507,"text":"organisations around proactive prevention. And that might be through partnerships"},{"t":3512,"text":"like through the rent bank or our work with the"},{"t":3515,"text":"Victoria situation table. Um, you know, the best way to,"},{"t":3518,"text":"uh, address homelessness is to prevent homelessness right from the"},{"t":3521,"text":"very get go. And I think that's the continue to"},{"t":3523,"text":"emphasis that the city is trying to make, um, and"},{"t":3527,"text":"again, stepping up into new areas that we haven't in"},{"t":3529,"text":"historically had a roll in. What are we doing to"},{"t":3532,"text":"prevent people from getting into homelessness? How are we targeting"},{"t":3535,"text":"that, um, those behaviours early on working with schools, working"},{"t":3539,"text":"with island health, working with nonprofit housing providers to look"},{"t":3544,"text":"at ways in which we can support people. So when"},{"t":3547,"text":"they're on that edge of precarity, they're not falling into"},{"t":3550,"text":"homelessness. So I think that that's a part of that,"},{"t":3553,"text":"um, triage of work that we're continuing to do. And,"},{"t":3555,"text":"um, and we'll, we'll spend, um, spend time. We'll spend"},{"t":3559,"text":"effort and spend resources because we know it is more"},{"t":3562,"text":"cost effective to prevent people from being homeless in the"},{"t":3564,"text":"first place. Bingo. That's music to my ears. Thank you"},{"t":3567,"text":"for the information on prevention. Also do you have a"},{"t":3570,"text":"percentage of how many, some of those 75 people who"},{"t":3575,"text":"have been housed, how many have maintained their housing? Is"},{"t":3578,"text":"it possible to get the actual data on that. Ms."},{"t":3581,"text":"Jones. Yes. Uh, through you, Mayor, I'm happy to do"},{"t":3586,"text":"that and follow up. Okay. Thank you so much. Metatomadine,"},{"t":3593,"text":"what is being done to mitigate the challenges with this."},{"t":3598,"text":"And I know this is a tough question, but what"},{"t":3600,"text":"do you think could be done? Again, this is to"},{"t":3604,"text":"inform advocacy. For us at this table. I would note,"},{"t":3609,"text":"of course, that this is. Staff have said repeatedly that"},{"t":3613,"text":"they are not letting convention get in the way of"},{"t":3615,"text":"taking action. But there are certain areas of this work,"},{"t":3620,"text":"of course, which are far beyond the capacity authority. And"},{"t":3623,"text":"frankly, responsibility of civic staff and leaders. That being said,"},{"t":3628,"text":"you're asking for opinion, if anyone would like to venture"},{"t":3630,"text":"an opinion, they're welcome to do so, but we're not"},{"t":3632,"text":"going to tie you to that. Sure. And we can"},{"t":3634,"text":"skip this question if it's too, if it's too difficult."},{"t":3637,"text":"It's just. Through you, Mayor. I mean, it is a"},{"t":3642,"text":"challenging question. But what I can say councillor is, um,"},{"t":3646,"text":"in our conversations with Ireland Health, um, in their addictions"},{"t":3651,"text":"team, um, I know that this is really challenging for"},{"t":3655,"text":"them. Um, they are, there are lessons learned from places,"},{"t":3659,"text":"cities in the U. S. Pennsylvania being one of them,"},{"t":3664,"text":"um, and the couple of more where they are engaged"},{"t":3667,"text":"with those regions to try and get a handle on"},{"t":3672,"text":"their own response. Um, I, according to them, um, you"},{"t":3677,"text":"know, this is, they are learning as they go just"},{"t":3680,"text":"as we are. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for that. Um,"},{"t":3685,"text":"just a couple more. The positive transfer slash flow program."},{"t":3690,"text":"It's coming in the fall. I'm just wondering what the"},{"t":3694,"text":"state of that is currently and also how the rent"},{"t":3699,"text":"supplements are going to be really critical to this. So"},{"t":3702,"text":"is there advocacy needed on trying to ask other governments"},{"t":3707,"text":"to help support with the rent supplement component. To make"},{"t":3712,"text":"this effective. Ms. What Through the mayor, I'll start with"},{"t":3717,"text":"your second question first. Is there a need for advocacy"},{"t":3720,"text":"on rent supplements? Absolutely. Uh, we have seen, uh, changes"},{"t":3725,"text":"to the rent supplement program and restrictions on adding new"},{"t":3727,"text":"candidates. And that is an area of absolute focus when"},{"t":3731,"text":"it comes to provincial government, uh, or even federal government"},{"t":3734,"text":"around rent supplements, uh, and that would be included on"},{"t":3738,"text":"our priorities of lists that we share back with you."},{"t":3741,"text":"Um, uh, when it comes to the, uh, positive transfer"},{"t":3745,"text":"program, uh, that will be out to procurement probably next"},{"t":3747,"text":"week. And we will be inviting proposals from community organisations."},{"t":3752,"text":"Um, to work with and, uh, evaluate not only designing"},{"t":3755,"text":"a positive transfer program delivering it and then evaluating it."},{"t":3759,"text":"So we'll be pleased to report out on the, um,"},{"t":3761,"text":"on the outcomes of that procurement process. Great. Thanks very"},{"t":3764,"text":"much. And my very last question is just about the"},{"t":3766,"text":"urban canopy across all neighbourhoods. Is there a way to"},{"t":3770,"text":"let us know the state of that? Like how it's"},{"t":3773,"text":"like measurables on that and to update us with that."},{"t":3777,"text":"And I just, I ask, um, the state of the"},{"t":3780,"text":"wildfires has just got me quite concerned. Perhaps I'll start"},{"t":3784,"text":"through the mayor. And if director Newman wants to add"},{"t":3786,"text":"anything further, um, first and foremost, I think that the"},{"t":3790,"text":"cities continued efforts on tree planting, um, in boulevards, uh,"},{"t":3795,"text":"in parks and in natural areas does continue in each"},{"t":3797,"text":"year as a part of our financial plan. Funding is"},{"t":3800,"text":"put towards new trees and tree succession planning. We are"},{"t":3804,"text":"currently, um, uh, working on and have submitted a grant"},{"t":3808,"text":"application, um, due to the federation of Canadian municipalities to"},{"t":3812,"text":"support some of our tree canopy modelling, uh, work and"},{"t":3816,"text":"continue to provide, um, updates through our official community plan"},{"t":3819,"text":"in terms of what is our canopy cover and how"},{"t":3822,"text":"are we working towards that 40 percent canopy target that"},{"t":3826,"text":"was included in the official community plan. So stay tuned"},{"t":3830,"text":"on that. Thank you. Dr. Newman. Anything you'd like to"},{"t":3832,"text":"add. Yes. Thank you. And through you mayor. The city"},{"t":3836,"text":"does provide detailed information on our measurement of tree canopy"},{"t":3840,"text":"growth. The last measurement was done in 2023, which uses"},{"t":3846,"text":"LIDAR technology through flyovers of the city. Uh, it is"},{"t":3849,"text":"showing strong growth in our tree canopy year over year,"},{"t":3853,"text":"despite, um, development and infill of our urbanization across the"},{"t":3858,"text":"city. So if there is residents that are interested in"},{"t":3861,"text":"that information, it is publicly available. Thank you for that."},{"t":3864,"text":"Great. Thanks. That's it for me. Thank you, Mayor. Councillor"},{"t":3866,"text":"Gardner. Oh, thank you. I didn't expect to be honest"},{"t":3870,"text":"so soon. Um, thank you very much for the presentation."},{"t":3873,"text":"You got a real challenge ahead of you. Um, first"},{"t":3877,"text":"one asked a couple of questions related to the answers"},{"t":3879,"text":"you've already given and other students made by councillors. So"},{"t":3883,"text":"I'm not too sure what the real data is. So"},{"t":3885,"text":"am I correct? The number on the streets is 180"},{"t":3888,"text":"to 210 people. In other words, about 200 correct. Ms."},{"t":3892,"text":"Jones. Yes, that's correct. Yeah. And about a thousand people"},{"t":3898,"text":"in support of housing. So Retucci, you mentioned that you"},{"t":3904,"text":"were alluding to about a thousand units of supportive housing."},{"t":3908,"text":"Actually, another council did, Mayor. Mr. Rodentoochi did say that."},{"t":3913,"text":"Through the mayor while we're happy to share the support"},{"t":3916,"text":"of housing units. I do want to caution it's not"},{"t":3919,"text":"a thousand people. There may be more, um, you know,"},{"t":3921,"text":"couples, for example, that kind of thing. So, uh, allow"},{"t":3924,"text":"us to get the information on the support of housing"},{"t":3926,"text":"units and shelter. And of course, as we've discussed in"},{"t":3930,"text":"the past, supportive housing may be in multiple different types"},{"t":3933,"text":"of supportive housing. But yes, we, I don't want to"},{"t":3936,"text":"make an equation to individuals. Yes. No, no, I get"},{"t":3939,"text":"that. Sorry. Yes. In past meetings, a thousand was identified"},{"t":3943,"text":"as a thousand beds or places. So I didn't mean"},{"t":3946,"text":"people, I apologise. And it's now, and someone else said"},{"t":3950,"text":"that the hundred shelter beds within the city. Is that"},{"t":3953,"text":"right? Through the merits, uh, I should know the number."},{"t":3959,"text":"It's approximately 440. We can, we can double check. 440."},{"t":3963,"text":"440. Okay. So my question is this. That as up"},{"t":3966,"text":"to about 1600. Or 1. 6 percent of our population"},{"t":3970,"text":"does any other city that you know of have such"},{"t":3972,"text":"a high proportion of, uh, people either living rough or"},{"t":3976,"text":"in addiction or in the kind of, uh, need, uh,"},{"t":3982,"text":"being housed in the city Victoria. In other words, about"},{"t":3984,"text":"1. 6 percent of the population thereabouts. Do we know"},{"t":3987,"text":"that number. Is what. Uh, through the mayor, I would"},{"t":3992,"text":"be happy to do some follow - up research on"},{"t":3993,"text":"around approximate percentages. I couldn't take that off the top"},{"t":3996,"text":"of my head. I will say that we are, uh,"},{"t":4000,"text":"not alone in this challenge. Uh, cities large and small"},{"t":4003,"text":"across British Columbia here on Vancouver Island and across Canada"},{"t":4007,"text":"are dealing with increased popular homelessness and unhoused populations. Um,"},{"t":4012,"text":"we can do a kind of a general comparison from"},{"t":4014,"text":"some of the mid - sized cities, if you'd like"},{"t":4016,"text":"and report back in terms of a percentage of population."},{"t":4019,"text":"Thank you. Cause my, my question comes from statements by,"},{"t":4022,"text":"uh, Chief Wilson that she made to us sometimes, some"},{"t":4025,"text":"time ago when she first presented to us. And, um,"},{"t":4029,"text":"well, Councillor Lowell, not supposed to use a name, but"},{"t":4031,"text":"anyway, also mentioned something about kind of seen PAST data"},{"t":4034,"text":"and, and that the trend. And I'm very impressed by"},{"t":4038,"text":"the data collection you are now doing, but of course"},{"t":4040,"text":"for the City Victoria, you will have more data going"},{"t":4043,"text":"backwards. And I would certainly like to see about a"},{"t":4046,"text":"seven year graph or chart of the numbers street number"},{"t":4051,"text":"of supporting housing units, et cetera. And if we could"},{"t":4054,"text":"have that going forward, I'd sure appreciate about a seven"},{"t":4056,"text":"year graphic. Would that be possible. I suspect that as,"},{"t":4063,"text":"uh, staff continued to update us in a bi -"},{"t":4065,"text":"monthly basis that they'll continue to provide us with additional"},{"t":4068,"text":"data. And that all of that data that you're describing,"},{"t":4071,"text":"I think is helpful for future councils to determine how"},{"t":4074,"text":"much more investment there are going to be making in"},{"t":4076,"text":"this. Thank you, Mayor, but that isn't my question. My"},{"t":4079,"text":"question is really going back seven years rather than, you"},{"t":4082,"text":"know, your current data collection is going to be huge."},{"t":4084,"text":"I get that. Ms. Webb Through the mayor, yes. We"},{"t":4089,"text":"can absolutely with regards to approximately five to seven years"},{"t":4093,"text":"shelters, beds, supportive housing beds. Um, I will say that,"},{"t":4097,"text":"uh, data collection, of course, this renewed effort of focused"},{"t":4100,"text":"on understanding this particular transient population, uh, unhoused population precariously,"},{"t":4106,"text":"how his population. We would rely on the point in"},{"t":4108,"text":"time counts that were done through, through the CRD each"},{"t":4111,"text":"year. And then moving from 25 on onwards, 2025 onwards."},{"t":4116,"text":"Absolutely. That's, that's a part of our program. So perhaps"},{"t":4119,"text":"maybe what we can do is look to bring back"},{"t":4121,"text":"a chart or an overview table to be able to"},{"t":4124,"text":"share that information on, uh, on a few of those"},{"t":4126,"text":"factors over the last probably five to seven years? Yes."},{"t":4130,"text":"Okay. Exactly. Thank you very much for that. I think"},{"t":4132,"text":"it'd be very useful for our population to see that."},{"t":4134,"text":"Now my next question got force subparts. And it's, it"},{"t":4139,"text":"has to do with what we're hearing. We don't know"},{"t":4141,"text":"if it's true because we don't have the numbers. And"},{"t":4143,"text":"that is the shifting of people from Pandora going elsewhere."},{"t":4146,"text":"So I've met with residents and business owners from Yates"},{"t":4149,"text":"and Johnson. How many people shelter on Yates and Johnson"},{"t":4151,"text":"and how many settle there during the daytime? Do we"},{"t":4155,"text":"have those numbers as well or miss Jones. Or Ms."},{"t":4161,"text":"Ray teacher? Through the mayor, we wouldn't have that breakdown"},{"t":4166,"text":"at this time. Okay. Thank you. I just know because"},{"t":4168,"text":"the complaints we get, uh, and same with the upper"},{"t":4172,"text":"hardboard area and into the gorge area, do we have"},{"t":4174,"text":"any numbers on that or do you have a breakdown"},{"t":4176,"text":"or can one be created later. Even though it moves."},{"t":4184,"text":"Around two cheek. I would say we wouldn't have those"},{"t":4187,"text":"numbers available for this meet. Okay. That's, thank you. Uh,"},{"t":4191,"text":"residents whose apartments are on Millie's lane have written about"},{"t":4194,"text":"encampments, especially at night and open drug use. And do"},{"t":4198,"text":"we know how many people habitate just that laneway. And"},{"t":4201,"text":"I would assume it's as illegal to actually overnight there."},{"t":4205,"text":"Is that correct? And is there a strategy to maybe"},{"t":4207,"text":"open up Millie's lane again. As Jones, I know that"},{"t":4212,"text":"I forwarded various messages to you for response and inquiry."},{"t":4217,"text":"You have a comment that you can share at this"},{"t":4219,"text":"time. Through you, Mayor."},{"t":4230,"text":"Again, having specifics right now is a challenge. Um, I"},{"t":4234,"text":"can tell you that, uh, we do liaise with CPD"},{"t":4239,"text":"on a regular basis about all of our areas of"},{"t":4243,"text":"concentration and concern. Millie's Lane is one that gets a"},{"t":4248,"text":"significant amount of police and bylaw attention. Um, the teams"},{"t":4256,"text":"are there on a regular basis in conversation, uh, with"},{"t":4260,"text":"my counterpart at VPD yesterday. I know that their foot"},{"t":4264,"text":"patrol team is there four or five times in any"},{"t":4266,"text":"given shift. And I would say our bylaw officers are"},{"t":4269,"text":"there at least, uh, that many. The challenge that we"},{"t":4274,"text":"face with areas of concentration like this are just, you"},{"t":4279,"text":"know, when, when we leave, people return. And so, uh,"},{"t":4285,"text":"Terry Healy, our manager, uh, of community education, uh, did"},{"t":4289,"text":"some work at Mille's Lane with the DVBA last year."},{"t":4294,"text":"Um, we are convening, uh, another project team to determine"},{"t":4298,"text":"how as a community, we are going to address some"},{"t":4301,"text":"of the issues there. Thank you very much. Um, my"},{"t":4305,"text":"last question in this line is in Vic West, especially"},{"t":4309,"text":"the song he's area along Citka and Sigalle, which I'll"},{"t":4312,"text":"never learn how to pronounce, right. And near the dog"},{"t":4315,"text":"park area and other. But over a week ago, a"},{"t":4318,"text":"city vehicle delivered several people there with sheltering gear, etc."},{"t":4322,"text":"And they stayed for a few days. But how did"},{"t":4324,"text":"this happen? Meaning who chose the park to take them"},{"t":4328,"text":"to and how was this accomplished. Ms. Webb. Through, you,"},{"t":4336,"text":"Mayor, yes. Uh, I am familiar with this particular situation."},{"t":4340,"text":"Um, so this story of this situation is that, uh,"},{"t":4345,"text":"our bylaw officers, um, have a good relationship with those"},{"t":4349,"text":"sheltering, uh, in the corridor. This particular individual, uh, requested"},{"t":4357,"text":"the assistance of our bylaw, one of our bylaw officers"},{"t":4361,"text":"specifically, uh, that she has a good relationship with. She"},{"t":4365,"text":"advised the bylaw officer that she chose the site. It"},{"t":4369,"text":"is a part where the lawful sheltering, um, it is"},{"t":4373,"text":"a lawful park. She chose the park, uh, our officers"},{"t":4377,"text":"did not transport her. Uh, she was transported her dog,"},{"t":4382,"text":"her, uh, and a couple of her friends were transported"},{"t":4386,"text":"by a cab. She requested the assistance of our officers"},{"t":4390,"text":"to transport her belongings. Our officers, uh, complied, uh, knowing"},{"t":4397,"text":"that if they didn't, um, the belongings would not have"},{"t":4401,"text":"fit in the cab that those belongings would have been"},{"t":4404,"text":"destroyed, uh, were stolen or they would have had to"},{"t":4407,"text":"be impounded. Okay. Thank you. Cause photographs were sent, of"},{"t":4412,"text":"course, to councillors. And there are several people there. Okay."},{"t":4415,"text":"Um, so that's how that occurred. Uh, thank you. And"},{"t":4419,"text":"we're by next. Um, please that bylaw, is a training"},{"t":4424,"text":"completed for the new bottle officers. As well. Through you,"},{"t":4430,"text":"Mayor, yes. Um, we have completed our hiring and training"},{"t":4433,"text":"of the 12 officers. Great. Now some time ago months"},{"t":4436,"text":"ago, um, and I got this request all the time"},{"t":4439,"text":"from a few very elderly people in high race buildings,"},{"t":4444,"text":"retirees. Montsergle, we were told that when bylaw had staffed"},{"t":4447,"text":"up hours of outreach and other bilativity would include evening"},{"t":4450,"text":"hours, et cetera, has that begun. And if so, how"},{"t":4453,"text":"many hours and which days or all days of the"},{"t":4456,"text":"week, et cetera. Ms. Jones. Thanks to you, Mayor. Uh,"},{"t":4461,"text":"yes, our feet on the street team has been doing"},{"t":4465,"text":"evenings and they've been doing that since March. Sorry, April."},{"t":4471,"text":"Right now we have staffing levels that will accommodate evening"},{"t":4475,"text":"shifts until 10 o'clock every other night. Just till 10."},{"t":4480,"text":"Correct. Till 10 of PM. Okay. And that's every day"},{"t":4484,"text":"of the week. No, it's, they work on a two"},{"t":4488,"text":"day, two afternoon rotation. So it works out to be"},{"t":4491,"text":"about half the nights. And then we do have some"},{"t":4495,"text":"support as well, uh, from VPD to attend in the"},{"t":4500,"text":"evenings. Okay. That's great. So thank you. Um, my questions"},{"t":4506,"text":"are all over the place. Um, Cidifies July 10 on"},{"t":4510,"text":"the 10th. I don't know if you're familiar with Cidify"},{"t":4512,"text":"series. Interview was with Reni Rosagnol. I keep thinking downhill"},{"t":4517,"text":"skein. Sounds seems to be that big skis. Anyway, of"},{"t":4521,"text":"them is security. And I spoke to Renee and received"},{"t":4524,"text":"permission to use his comments and asked a couple of"},{"t":4526,"text":"questions that he had suggested. Now his number one change"},{"t":4530,"text":"would be for the city to have a direct phone"},{"t":4532,"text":"line number to bylaw. As a consideration of that and"},{"t":4535,"text":"is that possible. Because I actually agree with that one."},{"t":4539,"text":"I know I've mentioned it before. Is Jones. Through you"},{"t":4545,"text":"Mayor. There is a bylaw line. There's also an online"},{"t":4549,"text":"reporting tool. And we are, um, currently working on our"},{"t":4554,"text":"administrative staffing levels to accommodate, uh, more, uh, an ability"},{"t":4560,"text":"to have a more actually in on time response. So"},{"t":4565,"text":"what's the reporting tool do. You marry the reporting tool"},{"t":4570,"text":"goes to our administrative staff and then those reports are"},{"t":4575,"text":"triaged and sent to dispatch to our bylaw officers. So"},{"t":4579,"text":"that wouldn't be in the evening. Is that in the"},{"t":4580,"text":"day or night or both. Three, it is, uh, during"},{"t":4586,"text":"the day seven days a week. From 6 a. m."},{"t":4589,"text":"until 4. 45. The evening shifts where our bylaw officers"},{"t":4594,"text":"are working, uh, there is also an administrative staff member"},{"t":4598,"text":"to support that work as well. Okay. Thank you. Uh,"},{"t":4602,"text":"last week was the opening of the Prince George involuntary"},{"t":4605,"text":"care facility. Reading from the Vic News report focusing on"},{"t":4609,"text":"statements made by Dr. Vigo. The BC's Chief Scientific Advisor"},{"t":4612,"text":"for Psychiatry toxic drugs and concurrent disorders. This is his"},{"t":4618,"text":"quote or the quote from Vic News. The tide is"},{"t":4621,"text":"finally turning on the toxic drug, health emergency, partly because"},{"t":4624,"text":"the province has significantly changed tack on how the crisis."},{"t":4629,"text":"Is being approached discontinuing failed policies and refocusing on treatment."},{"t":4636,"text":"Now, um, I was at a breakout session of the"},{"t":4641,"text":"January session, the breakout session you had in January on"},{"t":4644,"text":"the Community Safety Wellbeing forum. That one day session. And"},{"t":4650,"text":"there in the breakout session I was at some of"},{"t":4652,"text":"the providers really bemoaned the fact that the province is"},{"t":4655,"text":"walking back. On the decriminalization. Saying that decriminalization should continue"},{"t":4661,"text":"because a few more years we'd be successful. So these"},{"t":4663,"text":"are the same people who are dealing with and trying"},{"t":4666,"text":"to resolve things and change the type of housing somewhat"},{"t":4670,"text":"or not housing. But the treatment of people. And so"},{"t":4673,"text":"how do we reconcile how are they providers dealing with"},{"t":4676,"text":"the fact that either their staff or some of the"},{"t":4678,"text":"providers actually want decriminalization as opposed to what we are"},{"t":4683,"text":"trying to do, which is get people, at least I"},{"t":4686,"text":"hope we are trying to get people treatment. I'm going"},{"t":4690,"text":"to suggest that it would be a bit of a"},{"t":4692,"text":"stretch for our staff to provide an opinion on behalf"},{"t":4695,"text":"of anyone else, uh, but of course you're welcome to"},{"t":4698,"text":"share your own thoughts if you wish, but you are"},{"t":4700,"text":"not required to. Yes, through the mayor, I think it's"},{"t":4705,"text":"inappropriate for staff to comment about how other people may"},{"t":4707,"text":"feel. Great technique. No, I just realised you were liaising"},{"t":4711,"text":"with them and convening them all together. So I just"},{"t":4713,"text":"didn't know if that had come up. Okay. So given"},{"t":4715,"text":"the statement that Rene had made, or not Renee, Dr."},{"t":4718,"text":"Vigel. Hesitad turned in Victoria. I think that's also a"},{"t":4725,"text":"very large question. It would be hard for any one"},{"t":4727,"text":"of you to answer. But of course your observations are"},{"t":4731,"text":"welcome. Should you wish to share them? But again, you're"},{"t":4733,"text":"not required. Streng two cheesy. Did you want to make"},{"t":4737,"text":"sure I thought? Through the mirror. I think the tide"},{"t":4739,"text":"is turning. I think, uh, the willingness to partner, for"},{"t":4744,"text":"example, at the City on Johnson Manor, uh, is an"},{"t":4747,"text":"example of that. I think with the severity of the"},{"t":4752,"text":"drugs that are here, mentedomy in particular. There's going to"},{"t":4757,"text":"have to be new ways to look at how do"},{"t":4760,"text":"you approach this, not just from the harm reduction side."},{"t":4765,"text":"I know as a staff member, you know, we continue"},{"t":4769,"text":"to try to pursue options on expanding things like detox,"},{"t":4774,"text":"recovery, because it is, it is critical to, uh, a"},{"t":4779,"text":"robust plan. Thank you. Thank you. I have a few"},{"t":4783,"text":"couple more questions later. Sure. You can do it now"},{"t":4786,"text":"if you like. You've got three and a half minutes."},{"t":4787,"text":"No, I'll want to figure out what I'm going to"},{"t":4789,"text":"have questions once I get rid of the questions, I'm"},{"t":4791,"text":"sure. Thank you. I'm going to suggest actually that we"},{"t":4793,"text":"take a break now. We've been sitting for quite a"},{"t":4795,"text":"while. We do have at least one other, uh, new"},{"t":4798,"text":"questioner survey. And I suspect probably some follow - ups"},{"t":4801,"text":"as well. So it is 1022. Why don't we try"},{"t":4803,"text":"and come back here by 1035."},{"t":4820,"text":"Thank you. And through the mayor, thank you very much"},{"t":4822,"text":"for the presentation. I always find the very informative, and"},{"t":4824,"text":"I know the public does it well, so I want"},{"t":4826,"text":"to take time, say thank you for that. I have"},{"t":4828,"text":"only three questions, so I'll move through them quickly. The"},{"t":4832,"text":"first one is about island health. IN Health didn't come"},{"t":4834,"text":"up to very much in this presentation. So I just"},{"t":4838,"text":"want to give you all an opportunity to maybe explain"},{"t":4841,"text":"a little bit more broadly about what the role is"},{"t":4844,"text":"of island health in this plan. What could they be"},{"t":4846,"text":"doing more? What could they be doing better? Given their"},{"t":4848,"text":"role in detox, harm reduction treatment, so much of the"},{"t":4852,"text":"solutions funnel back into island health. Are they very actively"},{"t":4856,"text":"at the table? What's the update on what their role"},{"t":4859,"text":"is in this plan? We'd like to take that. Through"},{"t":4864,"text":"the mayor. Thanks for the question, and it is an"},{"t":4867,"text":"important partner, Island Health is as we move forward in"},{"t":4870,"text":"the wide range of health interventions and solutions. I do"},{"t":4874,"text":"want to remind, counsel, that island health is a variety"},{"t":4877,"text":"of different programs and focus areas, and often while we're"},{"t":4880,"text":"being talking about addictions medicine or mental health and substance"},{"t":4884,"text":"use, you know, part of broader community safety and well"},{"t":4888,"text":"- being is things like vaccination programs and public health"},{"t":4892,"text":"campaigns. So, you know, why on, while we work with"},{"t":4896,"text":"island health on very specific or targeted activities, we also"},{"t":4900,"text":"very much acknowledge the value and benefit that comes from"},{"t":4903,"text":"the wide range of island health services. Island health, I"},{"t":4908,"text":"think, you know, plays many roles, and one of the"},{"t":4910,"text":"areas that we have continued to focus on is looking"},{"t":4913,"text":"at what can we do, first and foremost as we"},{"t":4916,"text":"work collaboratively with island health to look at all of"},{"t":4920,"text":"their facilities and sites across the municipality and understand what"},{"t":4925,"text":"services they offer to the populations and ensure that our"},{"t":4927,"text":"bylaw officers and our city staff are aware of the"},{"t":4931,"text":"services, how to access the services, refer people to those"},{"t":4934,"text":"services. So that's both for our city staff and any"},{"t":4937,"text":"contractors that we're working with. We're also, I think, carefully"},{"t":4941,"text":"looking at what are the ways in which we can"},{"t":4943,"text":"support island health as they manage their site at the"},{"t":4947,"text":"900 block for the harbour. And considering the ways in"},{"t":4951,"text":"which we can help to advocate to senior levels of"},{"t":4953,"text":"government about the investments in health care and proactive, um,"},{"t":4958,"text":"investments that are needed to support the members of our"},{"t":4961,"text":"community. Maybe I'll open up to any of my other"},{"t":4963,"text":"colleagues to add in, but I will say that we"},{"t":4966,"text":"meet monthly with mylent health and, you know, have a"},{"t":4970,"text":"very healthy relationship with them. Thanks. I think that's probably"},{"t":4974,"text":"a sufficient answer for now. I'll move on to my"},{"t":4975,"text":"second question, which is about barriers. So I had a"},{"t":4980,"text":"conversation, a really positive conversation with the resident the other"},{"t":4983,"text":"day, and we were talking about community safety and well"},{"t":4986,"text":"- being. We're talking about the plan. I'm struck by"},{"t":4989,"text":"the fact that, and this is just my own subjective"},{"t":4992,"text":"observation, but it does seem like people over the last"},{"t":4994,"text":"year or two have gotten a better sense in general,"},{"t":4997,"text":"the public has gotten us a better sense of the"},{"t":5001,"text":"jurisdictional rules that we all play. I felt like four"},{"t":5003,"text":"years ago there was more confusion about that. I actually"},{"t":5005,"text":"feel like the less confusion. I think more people understand"},{"t":5008,"text":"that the province plays a very big role in housing"},{"t":5011,"text":"and healthcare and treatment vis - a - vis, what"},{"t":5014,"text":"a municipalities role is. In any case, we had a"},{"t":5017,"text":"conversation about park sheltering and positive observations would made about"},{"t":5022,"text":"the fact that there's been a significant reduction there. And"},{"t":5025,"text":"so we had a conversation about that success. We talked"},{"t":5027,"text":"about downtown and ongoing challenges there. And the person posed"},{"t":5031,"text":"to me the fallen question. What are the key barriers"},{"t":5036,"text":"to getting people into housing and treatment? And it was"},{"t":5040,"text":"one of those moments where I froze for a second"},{"t":5042,"text":"and I thought, how many hours, how many hours do"},{"t":5045,"text":"we have to have this conversation? Right? It's one of"},{"t":5046,"text":"those big sprawling. Conversations about social issues and social problems"},{"t":5053,"text":"that is really hard to distill down, I find, to"},{"t":5056,"text":"like some easily consumable bullet points because the average person"},{"t":5060,"text":"doesn't have half an hour to have like a broad"},{"t":5062,"text":"ranging conversation. So when that's put to you about what"},{"t":5065,"text":"the key barriers are out there to getting, especially unsheltered"},{"t":5069,"text":"and homeless into housing treatment, wherever they need to be,"},{"t":5073,"text":"what should our answer be? Especially when we're trying to"},{"t":5075,"text":"have really consumable easily understandable. Conversations with people with resonance."},{"t":5082,"text":"What are the key barriers that we face. So we're"},{"t":5085,"text":"asking for the eight bullets that we can't figure out."},{"t":5089,"text":"Through the mirror, I'll start on that. Some of the"},{"t":5093,"text":"barriers that I believe are strongly preventing a lot of"},{"t":5099,"text":"people getting off the street. Is that ability to take"},{"t":5102,"text":"them from the harm reduction, uh, position that many of"},{"t":5106,"text":"them are in into those next steps, those next immediate"},{"t":5110,"text":"steps. Um, that would be, you know, expanding your detox"},{"t":5114,"text":"capacities, expanding, uh, the ability to do what we call"},{"t":5119,"text":"warm handoffs between these stages, expanding your ability for second"},{"t":5124,"text":"stage housing. Um, that's where I see one of the"},{"t":5129,"text":"barriers is there's not a good pathway for them to"},{"t":5132,"text":"go through a continuity to get them to the point"},{"t":5136,"text":"that they're stabilized and you can start talking about more"},{"t":5140,"text":"permanent housing. So I think if, if there was to"},{"t":5145,"text":"be investment, uh, by the province, it needs to be"},{"t":5148,"text":"in that area of helping people. For example, people are"},{"t":5153,"text":"accessing the harbour for harm reduction supplies. How do you"},{"t":5158,"text":"influence them to leave that day and get into something."},{"t":5162,"text":"And then be able to take them through those stages"},{"t":5166,"text":"without the risk of them having to fall back on"},{"t":5169,"text":"to the street community. Um, that's one major barrier. I"},{"t":5174,"text":"think that needs to get resolved. We're seeing small investments"},{"t":5178,"text":"where the lights are starting to come on. Like I"},{"t":5180,"text":"said, Johnson Manor is one of those. But, uh, that's"},{"t":5184,"text":"one barrier. There's some technical barriers. I'll call them things"},{"t":5187,"text":"like, uh, it's, it's difficult for couples. Um, that are"},{"t":5192,"text":"unsheltered to get housing. It's difficult for people that have"},{"t":5197,"text":"PETS. Um, and, and there's some work we're looking at"},{"t":5202,"text":"around that. Those are what I'll call technical barriers. But"},{"t":5205,"text":"the bigger barriers to me is that ability to take"},{"t":5208,"text":"someone from that harm reduction position, uh, where the cycle"},{"t":5212,"text":"of addiction and homelessness and take that those next sort"},{"t":5217,"text":"of two to three steps. Okay. I think that's, that's"},{"t":5220,"text":"a great answer. And through the Mayor, do you feel"},{"t":5221,"text":"like that answer, that message has been clearly conveyed to"},{"t":5226,"text":"island health and BC housing. Is there anything more that"},{"t":5228,"text":"we can be doing to get that message across. Is"},{"t":5233,"text":"Frantucci. Yeah. Through the mirror. What we're good at at"},{"t":5243,"text":"a staffing level, I believe is showing what's possible. Um,"},{"t":5247,"text":"and that is, as I said, things like Johnson Manor"},{"t":5253,"text":"and other ways of, of doing things. What we need"},{"t":5257,"text":"at senior City level is always going to be that"},{"t":5261,"text":"ongoing, um, uh, lobbying to government, making them aware and"},{"t":5268,"text":"trying to get them to focus their investments. So yes."},{"t":5273,"text":"Okay. To be continued. My last question, and I just"},{"t":5276,"text":"wanted to put it out there as a high level"},{"t":5278,"text":"question. But I think we're one year into this plan,"},{"t":5281,"text":"right? This is approximately one year into this plan. So"},{"t":5283,"text":"I want to give staff an opportunity to weigh in"},{"t":5287,"text":"on what is one aspect of the plan that has"},{"t":5291,"text":"really exceeded your expectations. Where you had maybe low or"},{"t":5296,"text":"no expectations and it's delivered some real value to the"},{"t":5298,"text":"community in terms of safety. And what's one area of"},{"t":5301,"text":"the plan where maybe things are in process, but you"},{"t":5304,"text":"would have liked to have seen more progress by now."},{"t":5309,"text":"Mr. Grantci, where were you? You all want to weigh"},{"t":5311,"text":"in on this? Uh, through the mirror, and I will"},{"t":5314,"text":"say this, but it's not to infer. It's the most"},{"t":5317,"text":"important. But one of the things that I've been really"},{"t":5321,"text":"pleasantly surprised at is seeing what the FOTS teams can"},{"t":5325,"text":"do in terms of being out there and proactively working"},{"t":5330,"text":"because it is beyond a traditional bylaw, uh, work. And,"},{"t":5336,"text":"uh, I, I did not expect some of the results"},{"t":5339,"text":"that they're seeing only because, um, we didn't necessarily realise"},{"t":5344,"text":"how much need there is out there for these types"},{"t":5347,"text":"of things when somebody walks up on, uh, someone who"},{"t":5350,"text":"is homeless or a store owner has someone they can"},{"t":5353,"text":"talk to. Um, so for me, that's, that's been something"},{"t":5359,"text":"I've been really pleased about. Uh, again, I don't think"},{"t":5363,"text":"we would have a Johnson manner without this plan. Um,"},{"t":5367,"text":"and, and I, I know I've said it three times."},{"t":5370,"text":"I think that was a breakthrough moment. And it's, you"},{"t":5375,"text":"know, once the foot's in the door, you keep pushing."},{"t":5378,"text":"For more of that kind of investment. Um, and the"},{"t":5383,"text":"second question was, sorry. What's, what's something that you wish"},{"t":5387,"text":"had had witnessed more progress over the last year. It's"},{"t":5390,"text":"maybe still in process. But just being transparent and honest"},{"t":5393,"text":"with the public about how this plan is going. Through"},{"t":5402,"text":"you, Mayor. I think for me, um, to answer your"},{"t":5407,"text":"first question, I think I completely agree with director Antucci"},{"t":5411,"text":"on the success of the FOSTS program. We absolutely love"},{"t":5413,"text":"it. Um, but I think it wasn't a surprise. I"},{"t":5420,"text":"mean, I believed in the power of collaboration, um, but"},{"t":5424,"text":"it's exceeded our expectations. The knowledge, the passion, um, that"},{"t":5434,"text":"our partners are coming together with people from very, very"},{"t":5438,"text":"different beliefs and backgrounds because they're aligned and wanting to"},{"t":5442,"text":"see a better outcome. And the power in that is"},{"t":5445,"text":"actually, I find incredible. Um, but on that, um, change"},{"t":5450,"text":"is slow. Um, you know, this, we want, you know,"},{"t":5458,"text":"action faster. Everybody does. But to do this right and"},{"t":5461,"text":"to do it properly, it takes time to build these"},{"t":5463,"text":"foundations. Um, so I guess we just wish it could"},{"t":5466,"text":"be just a little bit quicker. Thank you. And thanks"},{"t":5470,"text":"for the work you're doing. Thanks as answers. Thank you"},{"t":5472,"text":"very much. Councillor Coleman. Thank you, your worship. I have"},{"t":5477,"text":"questions in three areas. The first I will put through"},{"t":5483,"text":"you, your worship to Ms. Jones and it's restorative justice"},{"t":5486,"text":"Victoria. You referenced them earlier. Historically, I think, um, there"},{"t":5494,"text":"was a division or there were two solitudes between policing"},{"t":5497,"text":"and restorative justice. That changed a number of years ago"},{"t":5500,"text":"as we saw. The police department actually fund some of"},{"t":5503,"text":"that and allocate police officers to the learning process and"},{"t":5508,"text":"take training. With the FOTS team, the nine new police"},{"t":5512,"text":"officers coming in, the eight coming in at different times."},{"t":5515,"text":"How many have gone through or will be going through"},{"t":5517,"text":"restorative justice training. Ms. Jones. Through you mayor. Given I"},{"t":5525,"text":"have not been at Vic PD now for a few"},{"t":5527,"text":"years. I've, I feel that would be best answered by"},{"t":5530,"text":"Chief Wilson, um, when she comes next week. That's, that's"},{"t":5533,"text":"absolutely fair. Thank you. Um, and I will then, I"},{"t":5537,"text":"assume it's the same answer. The funding of RJV still"},{"t":5541,"text":"gets, uh, split between the province and the police department,"},{"t":5545,"text":"I believe. I think that's a question. That's also a"},{"t":5549,"text":"question for the chief. That's fair. You did reference, um,"},{"t":5553,"text":"the lowering of the recidivistic rate. Which is absolutely brilliant,"},{"t":5559,"text":"particularly for first time offenders. Can you give a quantification"},{"t":5562,"text":"to that. Ms. Jones. No through you, Mayor. When I"},{"t":5569,"text":"was working at the Police Department, um, and very engaged"},{"t":5573,"text":"in that particularly around trying to work, um, in domestic"},{"t":5576,"text":"violence in this area, um, whether it's restorative justice or"},{"t":5581,"text":"other avenues that are similar, um, intensive case management where"},{"t":5586,"text":"the principles really are the same where we're looking at"},{"t":5588,"text":"trying to address the drivers of behaviour, um, that the"},{"t":5591,"text":"criminal justice system doesn't alone. Um, I wouldn't be able"},{"t":5595,"text":"to give you a number, but the rates are significant,"},{"t":5598,"text":"um, because we look to, uh, rather than punishment, we"},{"t":5603,"text":"look to how to would, you know, holding people accountable,"},{"t":5607,"text":"but how do we stop it from, from happening again"},{"t":5609,"text":"in the future by addressing the offender. So it's, it"},{"t":5613,"text":"is very, very impactful. Thank you. My understanding is that"},{"t":5617,"text":"with first time offenders going through the restorative justice program,"},{"t":5623,"text":"the lowering of the recidivistic rate is over 80 percent,"},{"t":5626,"text":"which has a long line impact to society that's very"},{"t":5629,"text":"good. So. The funding of that program in partnership with"},{"t":5633,"text":"what you do is a critically important. The second area,"},{"t":5637,"text":"um, it was referenced earlier that up to 1. 6"},{"t":5640,"text":"percent of the general population here is either facing homelessness"},{"t":5644,"text":"or in shelters or in support of housing. Historically, we"},{"t":5649,"text":"also talked about a different tranche of people who were"},{"t":5652,"text":"those at risk of homelessness. Um, and it was historically"},{"t":5655,"text":"seen as three to seven percent or three to six"},{"t":5658,"text":"percent of the general population. As we see the economics"},{"t":5662,"text":"change locally, are we seeing any of that play out."},{"t":5668,"text":"Ms. What. Through the mayor, it's a good question. And"},{"t":5672,"text":"I'm similarly, uh, that kind of number of kind of"},{"t":5675,"text":"three to six percent of a population that are at"},{"t":5677,"text":"risk where there may be two to three months of"},{"t":5680,"text":"a loss of a paycheck or other kind of major"},{"t":5683,"text":"life change that could put them over the edge. Um,"},{"t":5687,"text":"I do think that we here in Victoria have a"},{"t":5690,"text":"couple of extra factors that play, uh, that come into"},{"t":5693,"text":"play. We, we have an older population, often with, uh,"},{"t":5696,"text":"on fixed incomes. We have a high percentage of renters."},{"t":5699,"text":"Um, we have a variety of people who, uh, with"},{"t":5703,"text":"a high cost of living generally. This is an area"},{"t":5706,"text":"that, you know, when we think about what more can"},{"t":5709,"text":"we do on the prevention side of things is how"},{"t":5711,"text":"is the city supporting those protective factors, whether it's, you"},{"t":5715,"text":"know, access to healthy, affordable nutritious food, you know, through"},{"t":5718,"text":"our get - growing program or giving people ways to"},{"t":5721,"text":"get around and reduce their personal automobile and transportation costs"},{"t":5725,"text":"by having public transit programs or active transportation infrastructure. Those"},{"t":5730,"text":"are the kinds of levers that the city has in"},{"t":5733,"text":"addition to obviously other programs like our tenant support program"},{"t":5736,"text":"and bylaw, et cetera. So I think that's the role"},{"t":5738,"text":"of the city is what are the ways in which"},{"t":5741,"text":"we're helping to prevent homelessness and help improve those protective"},{"t":5745,"text":"factors when we know that there is a high cost"},{"t":5747,"text":"of living. And we want to be able to, um,"},{"t":5750,"text":"uh, provide that prevention. Or in the cases of programs"},{"t":5754,"text":"like the rent bank, the intervention, when needed. So different"},{"t":5756,"text":"roles for the city to play. Um, I don't think"},{"t":5759,"text":"we have a percentage forecast at the Capitol region level"},{"t":5762,"text":"of how many people may be at risk of homelessness"},{"t":5764,"text":"within X number of months. Perfect. Thank you. And thank"},{"t":5767,"text":"you for highlighting the importance of the rent bank. The"},{"t":5770,"text":"third area through your worship. This three year plan, the"},{"t":5777,"text":"community safety and well - being plan is seen by"},{"t":5779,"text":"some, as I think as the solution set. And my"},{"t":5784,"text":"understanding is this is the first major initiative. There's a"},{"t":5788,"text":"lot of other stuff that we'll have to be done"},{"t":5790,"text":"over time. So the question for any of you or"},{"t":5795,"text":"all three of you is what issue on the horizon"},{"t":5799,"text":"keeps you up at night. I will, as I've heard"},{"t":5804,"text":"this question before, um, remind staff that your thoughts are"},{"t":5809,"text":"always welcome and valued. But the nature of a question"},{"t":5813,"text":"like that should not make it a required response. Go"},{"t":5818,"text":"ahead, Mr. and teach you. Through the merit, like to"},{"t":5821,"text":"use this opportunity to answer also back to a question,"},{"t":5826,"text":"Councillor Caradona brought up. What keeps me at night is"},{"t":5833,"text":"knowing that there are thousands of youth out there that"},{"t":5837,"text":"do not have, uh, the stability, the guidance, the opportunities"},{"t":5843,"text":"that come with, um, helping to secure successful and enjoyable"},{"t":5851,"text":"life. Um, and this goes back to Councillor Caradon's question."},{"t":5856,"text":"What was one of the things of this plan that"},{"t":5859,"text":"surprised me in a positive way. What surprised me in"},{"t":5864,"text":"a positive way. And this is a lot of the"},{"t":5865,"text":"work of, um, assistant director Webb and Jones. Is knowing"},{"t":5870,"text":"that there are a lot of organisations out there that"},{"t":5873,"text":"have programs and capacities and ways in which to try"},{"t":5879,"text":"and reach out to this youth. But they're all fragmented."},{"t":5883,"text":"And they're all living on six months or one year"},{"t":5889,"text":"funding grants. And so I look at that and I"},{"t":5892,"text":"go, look, there's these opportunities out there. They're there. It's"},{"t":5896,"text":"just how do you bring this together so they can"},{"t":5899,"text":"leverage each other so that, you know, I believe the"},{"t":5904,"text":"figure was about one third, the point in time count"},{"t":5907,"text":"homelessness, they were in government care at one time. So"},{"t":5911,"text":"that meant we had at some point in time an"},{"t":5914,"text":"opportunity to have brought in these resources and to have"},{"t":5918,"text":"followed them to help them be more successful and not"},{"t":5921,"text":"end up on the street. I know that's a very"},{"t":5923,"text":"long answer, but, uh, I think that's the core about,"},{"t":5927,"text":"um, and what I'd like about this plan. And what"},{"t":5930,"text":"I'm hoping we can work more on in the future"},{"t":5933,"text":"is that upstream. Thank you. I think a very pressing"},{"t":5937,"text":"answer. Appreciate it. Thank you. Councillor Kim. Thanks through the"},{"t":5947,"text":"chair. Um. It was mentioned in response to one of"},{"t":5953,"text":"the questions of what we could be doing, um, to"},{"t":5956,"text":"support your work, which is, um. Around island health. And"},{"t":5962,"text":"to push for more funding to go to island health,"},{"t":5968,"text":"my question is, why are we doing that? Aren't they"},{"t":5971,"text":"directly a part of provincial government? So am I misunderstanding"},{"t":5976,"text":"or is there a gap? I don't know about. Again,"},{"t":5980,"text":"I'm going to note that you may or may not"},{"t":5982,"text":"wish to comment on that. You've been very, uh, judicious"},{"t":5985,"text":"in your comments so far. That doesn't mean that you"},{"t":5992,"text":"answer as you feel you are. Comfortable doing. I think"},{"t":5997,"text":"through the mayor, um, I may offer that there is"},{"t":6000,"text":"so much value that can come from the programs and"},{"t":6004,"text":"investments, uh, in, all forms of health. And that is"},{"t":6008,"text":"the proactive work, the prevention work, the direct response on"},{"t":6012,"text":"the ground, the acute care, uh, we know that, you"},{"t":6016,"text":"know, many people in our community need different health resources."},{"t":6020,"text":"They may be people who are living on the street."},{"t":6022,"text":"They may be families with young children. They may be"},{"t":6024,"text":"elders in our community. And so island health is absolutely"},{"t":6028,"text":"a function of the provincial government and continued investments in"},{"t":6031,"text":"that broad range of services that island health can provide"},{"t":6036,"text":"here on the ground to members of our community, no"},{"t":6039,"text":"matter who they are, are critical. Do you happen to"},{"t":6042,"text":"know, um, how islent health performs comparatively with other health"},{"t":6046,"text":"authorities. Uh, through the mayor, I do not. And I"},{"t":6051,"text":"think that would be a question that we would want"},{"t":6053,"text":"to ask the chief medical health officer or some of"},{"t":6055,"text":"our Ireland Health colleagues. Okay. Thanks. Um. Given that you,"},{"t":6059,"text":"uh, are in a sense, like frontline of plan implementation,"},{"t":6063,"text":"I wonder if you could speak to, um, what you're"},{"t":6066,"text":"hearing out in community about positive conceptions as well as"},{"t":6070,"text":"misconceptions of the plan and what do you want to,"},{"t":6073,"text":"uh, fix on the record. This"},{"t":6083,"text":"web? Um, through the mayor, I'll start and welcome any"},{"t":6085,"text":"of my colleagues to answer. Positive conceptions, a recognition very"},{"t":6090,"text":"much that, um, this is a wickedly complex challenge. And"},{"t":6095,"text":"no matter where you go in British Columbia or Canada,"},{"t":6098,"text":"um, other communities are facing the same, very real challenges."},{"t":6102,"text":"And that, that this plan has helped to provide an"},{"t":6106,"text":"impetus for doing things differently and making strategic investments to"},{"t":6110,"text":"try new things and address the problem here at the"},{"t":6114,"text":"local scale. So I would say that, you know, some"},{"t":6116,"text":"of the kind of, the conceptions around the city willing"},{"t":6120,"text":"to try different things. The city stepping up into spots"},{"t":6124,"text":"where we haven't historically in the past. The city looking"},{"t":6127,"text":"for solutions and removing barriers. Those are some of the"},{"t":6130,"text":"positive components that I can see and that we've heard"},{"t":6133,"text":"from the community. Uh, perhaps as a misconception is that"},{"t":6137,"text":"it's all about enforcement. That, you know, that the very"},{"t":6140,"text":"much these ideas of investing in housing and sheltering solutions,"},{"t":6144,"text":"community supports, public space, management, enhancement and revitalization are equally"},{"t":6150,"text":"as important to having enforcement and response measures. They all"},{"t":6154,"text":"go hand in hand as we move forward in trying"},{"t":6157,"text":"to look at ways in which we can interview in"},{"t":6160,"text":"our community. And finally, maybe the other misconception is just"},{"t":6163,"text":"the recognition that, um, that community safety wellbeing is for"},{"t":6167,"text":"all parts of our population. It's not just for those"},{"t":6170,"text":"who maybe have substance use problems or our challenges with"},{"t":6174,"text":"securing housing. It's actually the fact that, um, that community"},{"t":6179,"text":"safety wellbeing, uh, the interventions that we're making have a"},{"t":6183,"text":"ripple effect. And that can help so many parts of"},{"t":6186,"text":"our, our, our, our population. Um, there are no instant"},{"t":6190,"text":"solutions. Um, but we recognise that the strategic way that"},{"t":6193,"text":"we're moving forward is part of a new way of"},{"t":6197,"text":"local governments to act. Um, and, and perhaps, uh, better"},{"t":6201,"text":"outcomes for our, not only generations that are here today,"},{"t":6204,"text":"but future generations tomorrow. Okay. Thank you. Um, your year"},{"t":6210,"text":"in. What would you have done differently and what would"},{"t":6212,"text":"you repeat. Through the mayor, one"},{"t":6222,"text":"of the things that maybe I would offer is, um,"},{"t":6225,"text":"this plan was adopted, uh, a new department was created"},{"t":6229,"text":"and we mobilised a immediately, um, and, uh, and basically"},{"t":6233,"text":"since September, we have been coming every two months sharing"},{"t":6236,"text":"different progress along the way, identifying areas that we're working"},{"t":6240,"text":"on, some of the bigger challenges that we're dealing with"},{"t":6243,"text":"and recognising, um, where the gaps to fill. Um, so,"},{"t":6247,"text":"uh, in terms of what would, what would we do"},{"t":6249,"text":"differently? Perhaps communicating the enormity and length of what needs"},{"t":6253,"text":"to happen. Um, that these are, uh, going to be,"},{"t":6256,"text":"uh, not just a one time approach that this is"},{"t":6259,"text":"about creating a culture shift, as Peter Rentucci said, um,"},{"t":6263,"text":"and it's also about that kind of sustained investment in"},{"t":6265,"text":"partnerships and relationships, um, whether it be our work in"},{"t":6269,"text":"collaboration with Victoria Police or BC emergency health services, uh,"},{"t":6273,"text":"to the work that we're doing on the ground with"},{"t":6275,"text":"nonprofit organisations and housing providers. Um, I think we're ready,"},{"t":6279,"text":"willing, and able to step up. But the challenge is,"},{"t":6282,"text":"is, uh, the scale and what this is going to"},{"t":6284,"text":"continue to look like over, over the years ahead. Do"},{"t":6289,"text":"you have a sense of the positive regional impacts you've"},{"t":6292,"text":"had. Through the mayor, I would like to, um, think"},{"t":6300,"text":"that we have had several opportunities to share some of"},{"t":6303,"text":"the successes and examples of the work that we're doing."},{"t":6306,"text":"And it is being taken note by other communities, uh,"},{"t":6309,"text":"here in the Capitol region. Um, just when I think"},{"t":6312,"text":"about the work that we're doing, um, with our community"},{"t":6315,"text":"housing renewal grant program, we were leveraging federal investments here"},{"t":6320,"text":"at the local level to focus in on existing buildings"},{"t":6324,"text":"and how do we help to improve safety, climate resiliency,"},{"t":6329,"text":"occupancy within that. A very creative solution that none of"},{"t":6333,"text":"the other municipalities who received housing accelerator funds came up"},{"t":6337,"text":"with. We recognise there was a gap and we decided"},{"t":6340,"text":"to act. And it was an exciting example to be"},{"t":6343,"text":"able to look at how the work that we're doing"},{"t":6345,"text":"and how it can really have that, um, ripple effect"},{"t":6348,"text":"within other municipalities. I will say that many of the"},{"t":6352,"text":"organisations we've also worked with CORV other municipalities, um, sometimes"},{"t":6357,"text":"the leadership from the City of Victorias helped to stimulate,"},{"t":6360,"text":"um, new conversations at local levels or at the regional"},{"t":6363,"text":"scale around the impacts and coordination, um, and the value"},{"t":6367,"text":"and benefit that can happen with small scale investments to"},{"t":6370,"text":"help build up capacity and help, um, try new things"},{"t":6375,"text":"or help extend or expand really successful programs. I am"},{"t":6379,"text":"hereing, however, of agencies that are experiencing geographic scope creep"},{"t":6383,"text":"as a result of this. Not just the plan, but"},{"t":6386,"text":"also just like the city investing as well as promoting"},{"t":6389,"text":"their services. And then folks outside of the city are"},{"t":6392,"text":"asking for these services. So, um, yeah, I suppose the"},{"t":6397,"text":"question there. I'm sorry, but, uh, when you had mentioned"},{"t":6399,"text":"that other municipalities are taking note, what does that mean?"},{"t":6403,"text":"Are they just like, huh, or are they actually asking"},{"t":6406,"text":"for how you're doing it. Is what? Um, through the"},{"t":6410,"text":"mayor, I think that across the municipality, and I was"},{"t":6413,"text":"part of all of our city departments, we all have"},{"t":6415,"text":"our colleagues, um, that are subject matter expertise. Our colleagues"},{"t":6419,"text":"in housing connect with other colleagues in housing across other"},{"t":6422,"text":"municipalities. Our colleagues and engineering and public works. They have"},{"t":6426,"text":"their own, um, networks with an engineering and public works."},{"t":6429,"text":"So I think one of the elements that we see"},{"t":6431,"text":"is that using those community of practices, using those networks"},{"t":6436,"text":"is often, uh, the most direct way in which we're"},{"t":6438,"text":"sharing information. Um, you know, we're one year in, this"},{"t":6442,"text":"is very new. We're one of very few municipalities across"},{"t":6445,"text":"Canada that even is tackling or taking this kind of"},{"t":6449,"text":"coordinated approach. My hope is that over the next couple"},{"t":6452,"text":"of years, we start to see this kind of thing"},{"t":6455,"text":"become more, um, more, more commonplace in municipalities large and"},{"t":6460,"text":"small of recognising the value of targeting energy and efforts"},{"t":6464,"text":"around wellbeing and safety, uh, to create those positive outcomes."},{"t":6468,"text":"So we're still early in, but I think that, uh,"},{"t":6471,"text":"I'd like to say that when I get on the"},{"t":6473,"text":"phone with white horse or Toronto, um, it's pretty exciting"},{"t":6476,"text":"to see how Victoria is stepping up, um, and, and"},{"t":6479,"text":"doing some of the things that these very large cities"},{"t":6483,"text":"or very complex, uh, cities with very complex needs and"},{"t":6486,"text":"how we're all, uh, working very much together. And in"},{"t":6490,"text":"this kind of early adopter, um, and then hopefully we"},{"t":6493,"text":"get a lot of fast followers. Why do you think"},{"t":6496,"text":"this kind of success? And my next question was about"},{"t":6499,"text":"to be like, are peers from other municipalities across North"},{"t":6502,"text":"America reaching out? And it sounds like they are. Why"},{"t":6505,"text":"do you think the success isn't being more prevalently highlighted"},{"t":6509,"text":"in the public discourse. I would maybe start and then"},{"t":6515,"text":"I can offer, um, Mr. Ranchucci. We're making some really"},{"t":6519,"text":"great strides, but there are still people who are unhoused"},{"t":6523,"text":"on our streets who are facing, um, a situations where"},{"t":6527,"text":"they don't feel safe, where they're coming across individuals with,"},{"t":6532,"text":"um, addictions, um, substance use needs. And you can't ignore"},{"t":6536,"text":"that. That is very real. And so, uh, we don't"},{"t":6539,"text":"want to be up here at the table to say"},{"t":6541,"text":"we're always wearing rose coloured lenses. We've, we've seen some"},{"t":6544,"text":"really great strides, but the everyday is still there for"},{"t":6548,"text":"people. And so our goal here is how do we"},{"t":6551,"text":"change that everyday experience? And that is something that I"},{"t":6554,"text":"think, um, it's hard to talk about those broader successes"},{"t":6557,"text":"when the everyday is still there. Right. Um, my last"},{"t":6562,"text":"question, um, and it's one that you know I would"},{"t":6565,"text":"love to ask is, uh, what is a story or"},{"t":6569,"text":"a case that has hit you in particular. And rather"},{"t":6573,"text":"than keeps you up at night helps you go to"},{"t":6575,"text":"sleep at night. Just goes, uh, through the mayor"},{"t":6585,"text":"one, and it's, it sticks with me because it was"},{"t":6588,"text":"recent is, uh, an elderly fellow, uh, very recently was"},{"t":6593,"text":"displaced by fire. This fellow was being supported by emergency"},{"t":6600,"text":"management. Um, but they weren't having much luck, uh, and"},{"t":6604,"text":"he was coming to the end of support plan and"},{"t":6609,"text":"was facing homelessness. And with the work of our emergency"},{"t":6616,"text":"management team, um, our feet on the street team led"},{"t":6620,"text":"by Lisa Forcier and Pacifica housing were finally able to"},{"t":6626,"text":"get this fellow into housing. And not only did they"},{"t":6630,"text":"get them into housing, I know Pacifica was out there"},{"t":6633,"text":"furniture shopping for him. I believe BC housing their heart"},{"t":6638,"text":"team was also supporting his move. So they moved this"},{"t":6642,"text":"fellow into a home effortlessly. Um, where he was facing"},{"t":6650,"text":"homelessness in his 70s."},{"t":6723,"text":"Follow how to operate a shelter and deliver programming to"},{"t":6727,"text":"be able to support everybody. But what we can do"},{"t":6730,"text":"is work with these organisations who've got legitimacy, who have"},{"t":6734,"text":"great strong foundations, and who are making impactful change. So"},{"t":6738,"text":"for us, it was that catalyst. And so the thought"},{"t":6741,"text":"for me going to bed was knowing that individuals like"},{"t":6744,"text":"that. I wasn't hearing that from salvation army staff. I"},{"t":6747,"text":"was hearing it directly from individuals who were telling their"},{"t":6749,"text":"stories. Mr. Antucci. Through the mayor, for me, it was"},{"t":6755,"text":"that very powerful night. A few weeks ago. I don't"},{"t":6759,"text":"think there were too many dry eyes. Everything from the"},{"t":6765,"text":"Spark program. I think you all, all of us got"},{"t":6770,"text":"a sample of what was happening. And those stories are"},{"t":6774,"text":"often coming back to us. And so there's many of"},{"t":6777,"text":"them. And it was amazing to see the work and"},{"t":6781,"text":"how many people were impacted by it, because that is"},{"t":6784,"text":"the upstream work that has to happen. I was particularly"},{"t":6791,"text":"touched by these stories that people getting into the John"},{"t":6796,"text":"Street manner. And some of you know the first person"},{"t":6800,"text":"that got in there and the work they went to."},{"t":6805,"text":"They went to get a suit. Because that was their"},{"t":6809,"text":"perception of how they needed to get into something like"},{"t":6811,"text":"this. So there's countless. I'm going to be honest. And"},{"t":6818,"text":"also knowing what a lot of the bylaw officers are"},{"t":6821,"text":"doing out there every day and the help that they're"},{"t":6823,"text":"giving to individuals on the street. Is there"},{"t":6833,"text":"anyone who hasn't yet spoken, who would like to do"},{"t":6835,"text":"so before I go back to a second crew? Councillor"},{"t":6838,"text":"Dell. Thank you so much to the mayor. A lot"},{"t":6843,"text":"of the questions were answered already. I just had a"},{"t":6845,"text":"couple specific questions referred to downtown about the feed on"},{"t":6848,"text":"the street bylaw program and the downtown Police team, which"},{"t":6851,"text":"sounds like it's not quite set up yet. Can you"},{"t":6853,"text":"talk a little bit about the actual schedule of the"},{"t":6856,"text":"feed on the street team and what they're doing? I'm"},{"t":6859,"text":"downtown. I kind of see them once in a while,"},{"t":6861,"text":"but, um, I know the questions from the business community"},{"t":6864,"text":"looking for those early morning shifts, looking for helping, get"},{"t":6867,"text":"people out of doorways. Those types of things. Can you"},{"t":6869,"text":"talk about when they start in the morning? What route"},{"t":6872,"text":"they're following? Is it a set and standardized route? And"},{"t":6876,"text":"then what is a kind of a normal call that"},{"t":6878,"text":"there might be taking? I mean, obviously we see these"},{"t":6880,"text":"examples of folks who are kind of huddled up, the"},{"t":6883,"text":"sheltering downtown. What do they do when they encounter that"},{"t":6885,"text":"situation. Thanks to the mayor. Our feet on the street"},{"t":6891,"text":"team do a two day two afternoon shift presently that"},{"t":6896,"text":"afternoon shift goes from 115 until 10 o'clock. Their day"},{"t":6901,"text":"shifts are 6 a. m. to 4. 45. They do"},{"t":6906,"text":"not take us set route. Uh, they generally will deploy"},{"t":6910,"text":"based on triaging the calls for service. So that could"},{"t":6914,"text":"be through online reporting. It could be just, um, because"},{"t":6919,"text":"they're out there all the time. They know where the"},{"t":6921,"text":"areas of concentration are. They will often pop into the"},{"t":6925,"text":"businesses along within the POTS area. Um, they generally will"},{"t":6933,"text":"stay because our patrol team does, uh, are areas of"},{"t":6937,"text":"concentration with the police. So that is not primarily their"},{"t":6941,"text":"mandate. Um, but they will come and support, uh, areas"},{"t":6947,"text":"around. We get a lot of calls to 700 block"},{"t":6951,"text":"of Johnson or 800 block of Johnson. Millie's lane is"},{"t":6954,"text":"a really good example of that. So if there's an"},{"t":6957,"text":"area of focus that is of concern to the community,"},{"t":6961,"text":"they may spend, uh, a considerable amount of time in"},{"t":6966,"text":"that area, the day over the day, um, visible presence."},{"t":6971,"text":"You know, again, reiterating, uh, what the bylaws are. They"},{"t":6976,"text":"will liaise with CPD and their foot patrol team, uh,"},{"t":6981,"text":"they go from, they also, uh, will spend a fair"},{"t":6985,"text":"bit of time in areas like pioneer swear. Um, so"},{"t":6988,"text":"the approach that they take differs based on the issues"},{"t":6993,"text":"that's presented with them, um, they, the feed on the"},{"t":6997,"text":"street program is led by Lisa Fourcier. And she is"},{"t":7001,"text":"our outreach managers. So they do also do a fair"},{"t":7004,"text":"bit of outreach and support Lisa in that work. So"},{"t":7008,"text":"when we have, um, youth has come up here, um,"},{"t":7012,"text":"I think this is an area of evolution for the"},{"t":7016,"text":"POSTS team where we're going to see them being a"},{"t":7018,"text":"little bit more proactive working with our new team that's"},{"t":7023,"text":"out there, uh, that you support team through the Ministry"},{"t":7026,"text":"of Children and families is a brand new program and"},{"t":7030,"text":"trying to do some intervention work with some of a"},{"t":7032,"text":"particularly our high risk youth. So the program is new."},{"t":7039,"text":"It's evolving. And the whole, um, principal behind it is"},{"t":7043,"text":"to create a framework that we can involve and change"},{"t":7046,"text":"with, with the community needs. And that will primarily be"},{"t":7050,"text":"through the POSTS team. Mr. Dill. Okay. Thank you to"},{"t":7053,"text":"the mayor. Um, another thing I kind of continually hear"},{"t":7056,"text":"from the business community is, uh, the desire for a"},{"t":7060,"text":"one - stop phone line. So the need to contact"},{"t":7063,"text":"bylaw right away rather than submitting report to not having"},{"t":7066,"text":"the follow - up. And I've heard this for a"},{"t":7067,"text":"couple of years. Just for, just for full transparency, can"},{"t":7071,"text":"you talk about that? Is that something that has been"},{"t":7073,"text":"explored? Is it two administratively difficult to do? But I"},{"t":7076,"text":"know in the situation when there is some type of"},{"t":7078,"text":"disturbance for whatever the situation may be, uh, I get"},{"t":7082,"text":"the sense they're still a lack of who do we"},{"t":7084,"text":"call. And I know you've done a ton of work"},{"t":7085,"text":"on that. So maybe just highlight that, but talk about"},{"t":7087,"text":"the one stop phone line, if that's possible at all."},{"t":7093,"text":"Is that Ms. Jones or Ms. Webb? Or both? Through"},{"t":7096,"text":"the mayor, we do have a phone line. It is"},{"t":7100,"text":"not, we presently do not have the capacity to dispatch"},{"t":7108,"text":"or direct officers to a situation in real time. Um,"},{"t":7112,"text":"although that is what we are presently doing is increasing"},{"t":7116,"text":"our administrative staff to be able to accommodate that. So"},{"t":7120,"text":"that is the goal. Um, what that requires though is,"},{"t":7125,"text":"um, staffing, uh, so we're still staffing up the team"},{"t":7128,"text":"to be able to do that because that is a,"},{"t":7131,"text":"that would be a false mandate. They do respond currently"},{"t":7136,"text":"where they can to online reporting. So online reporting is"},{"t":7140,"text":"immediate. It is triaged immediately. Um, and so when those"},{"t":7144,"text":"calls come in, they will, uh, respond in real time"},{"t":7149,"text":"when they are able to do so. So the goal"},{"t":7152,"text":"is to have, uh, a phone answered in real time."},{"t":7158,"text":"And so we are working on that and hope to"},{"t":7160,"text":"have an update for you in the next couple of"},{"t":7162,"text":"months. Okay. Thank you. Um, last question. I'll change the"},{"t":7166,"text":"topic entirely because we've covered a lot of this. Through"},{"t":7169,"text":"the mirror. You did talk about arts and activation a"},{"t":7171,"text":"little bit. So this term, we've done a lot of"},{"t":7174,"text":"heavy lifting on arts and culture downtown. We created the,"},{"t":7177,"text":"the new stage at Ship Point. We increased festival funding."},{"t":7180,"text":"We have new busker rules. Our downtown, um, can you"},{"t":7184,"text":"just talk a little bit about what else, what other"},{"t":7186,"text":"need you're seeing for activation downtown? I mean, I think"},{"t":7189,"text":"we're hearing a lot of needs on bylaw and police"},{"t":7191,"text":"and services. Is there anything from your team that you"},{"t":7194,"text":"would actually like to see that we could take back"},{"t":7196,"text":"and consider in terms of events, festivals, things that we"},{"t":7200,"text":"can do to get downtown, um, I know. Yeah. That"},{"t":7203,"text":"would just be interesting to hear your thoughts on that."},{"t":7206,"text":"Ms. Webb through the mayor. Thank you for the opportunity."},{"t":7209,"text":"Um, you know, this is another example where our team"},{"t":7211,"text":"works closely with other parts of the organisation to understand"},{"t":7214,"text":"what can we do? How can we work together and"},{"t":7216,"text":"how do we amplify those services? Um, so one area"},{"t":7220,"text":"that we're currently focused on that they'll be rolling out"},{"t":7223,"text":"this fall is how do we help support some of"},{"t":7225,"text":"that early to mid evening activation and public events through"},{"t":7230,"text":"the off season through the shoulder season. November, December, January."},{"t":7235,"text":"So, um, you know, the city had an incredibly successful"},{"t":7238,"text":"Victoria Dusk festival in February this year and planning for"},{"t":7242,"text":"another festival again in February of 2027. But what we"},{"t":7246,"text":"find are those incremental opportunities to be able to support,"},{"t":7251,"text":"um, parts across the municipality. So in the North Park"},{"t":7255,"text":"neighbourhood, down in Cook Street village, over in Vic West,"},{"t":7258,"text":"what are those ways in which we can help stimulate"},{"t":7261,"text":"and invite and engage businesses and community organisations to take"},{"t":7265,"text":"action? So, and those are the kinds of, um, small"},{"t":7269,"text":"scale community events that can help to build community in"},{"t":7272,"text":"a very different, um, way. And the large scale festivals"},{"t":7276,"text":"and perhaps summer season. I would offer that, um, areas"},{"t":7280,"text":"that we know, um, after council's decisions around, uh, for"},{"t":7284,"text":"example, centennial square. We have this really great asset right"},{"t":7287,"text":"next to us. And, um, council deferred some capital, uh,"},{"t":7291,"text":"investments there. But the continuation of programming and support, uh,"},{"t":7296,"text":"last night, uh, for example, the event tied music series."},{"t":7299,"text":"While I'm not a heavy metal person, I was encouraged"},{"t":7302,"text":"to see how many, you know, a couple hundred people,"},{"t":7304,"text":"uh, hanging out in the square really enjoying community together."},{"t":7308,"text":"Um, you know, seeing the Latin festival, seeing the salsa"},{"t":7311,"text":"dancing, seeing country music instantaneous square is a great thing."},{"t":7315,"text":"So to me, that's an area that will continue to"},{"t":7318,"text":"work with in terms of our arts and culture, uh,"},{"t":7320,"text":"colleagues and looking ahead to 2027. Mr. and Tucci through"},{"t":7326,"text":"the mayor, those types of activities are twofold benefit. One"},{"t":7331,"text":"is it is helping draw people into the downtown, which"},{"t":7335,"text":"is good for our vibrancy, good for our businesses. But"},{"t":7339,"text":"also, you know, program space is space that is less"},{"t":7343,"text":"likely to, you know, see things like encampment. And so"},{"t":7349,"text":"I've always seen these as a twofold benefit and would"},{"t":7353,"text":"like to see that continued. Thanks on that note. I'll"},{"t":7358,"text":"just note that we're having a pop - up rave"},{"t":7360,"text":"at ShipPoint tomorrow night, which, uh, the last one was"},{"t":7362,"text":"hugely successful and brought, I think hundreds of people downtown."},{"t":7365,"text":"So, um, more stuff like that, I think shows that"},{"t":7367,"text":"a lot of people do love downtown. They just want"},{"t":7369,"text":"to have a good excuse to come downtown. I think"},{"t":7371,"text":"we've done a great job on that. But the more"},{"t":7373,"text":"to do. So I'll leave it there. Thank you very"},{"t":7375,"text":"much. Uh, anyone who's not yet spoken, need to say"},{"t":7379,"text":"anything else. Looks good. So I have a couple of"},{"t":7382,"text":"people who have asked to ask subsequent question. Councillorton, you"},{"t":7386,"text":"had one additional question, I believe. Thanks to you, Mayor."},{"t":7389,"text":"Um, I'm just curious. Because there's been a lot of,"},{"t":7393,"text":"um, residents writing in about camping in their parks. It"},{"t":7399,"text":"typically bylaw is called. I always write back and say,"},{"t":7403,"text":"um, that I'm connecting that individual with the housing relocator,"},{"t":7409,"text":"but I'm wondering if maybe this is happening or if"},{"t":7412,"text":"it could happen. If when bylaw is called to the"},{"t":7417,"text":"different parks or downtown that it can just be like"},{"t":7421,"text":"standard operations that the relocation coordinator is also flagged to"},{"t":7427,"text":"work with that individual. Or does that already, I guess"},{"t":7431,"text":"it wouldn't happen through the POTS team because that's separate."},{"t":7434,"text":"But. Is that a possibility or does it happen. Ms."},{"t":7441,"text":"Jones. Through the merit does happen. Um, they will, uh,"},{"t":7446,"text":"traditionally go through Lisa to do that triaging. Lisa is"},{"t":7452,"text":"very, very good about, um, keeping the team updated on"},{"t":7456,"text":"and vice versa, uh, when our bylaw officers are coming"},{"t":7459,"text":"across areas that the relocation coordinator, um, may not know"},{"t":7463,"text":"of or the new people in town, um, that work"},{"t":7466,"text":"is already underway. Okay. Great. And then of course those"},{"t":7470,"text":"people then are added to the list or the demo."},{"t":7475,"text":"Right. Correct. Okay. Perfect. Mayor, are we able to make"},{"t":7478,"text":"comments or are we just questioning? I will try to"},{"t":7482,"text":"be brief here. I just want to say that the,"},{"t":7486,"text":"the few high, this is an incredible work. And I"},{"t":7488,"text":"just want to thank you all. This couldn't be done"},{"t":7491,"text":"without the three of you. And I'm so appreciative of"},{"t":7494,"text":"that. And the things that, that sort of stood out"},{"t":7497,"text":"for me that all of you spoke about one is"},{"t":7500,"text":"our, our housing relocator and the, the number of people"},{"t":7504,"text":"that remain housed. And I know you're going to come"},{"t":7506,"text":"back with that number, but I know it's high. And"},{"t":7508,"text":"that is such a critically important thing because we know"},{"t":7511,"text":"that the vast majority of people, um, of cases of"},{"t":7516,"text":"higher acuity that are sheltering downtown all have been housed"},{"t":7519,"text":"before. So being able to go through a process where"},{"t":7523,"text":"people maintain their housing is just, um, that is worth"},{"t":7529,"text":"so much. It's just incredible work. So I want to"},{"t":7533,"text":"thank you for that. Also the individual stories are so"},{"t":7537,"text":"powerful. So thank you for sharing those, those individual stories."},{"t":7541,"text":"I think it's important for all of us to hear,"},{"t":7544,"text":"but also for the public to hear about people that"},{"t":7546,"text":"are directly benefiting from, from this work. Prevention is the"},{"t":7553,"text":"solution to homelessness. I absolutely agree with that. That is"},{"t":7558,"text":"where we need to be focusing like a lot of"},{"t":7560,"text":"our attention. So I'm really, it was really, um, thrilled"},{"t":7564,"text":"to hear that come up in this conversation. And Johnson"},{"t":7569,"text":"Manor, that is something that would not have happened without"},{"t":7577,"text":"Peter Rentucci. And sorry. And I just, I'm so grateful"},{"t":7584,"text":"for him for seeing the opportunity there and creating that,"},{"t":7591,"text":"um. Opportunity for people. And also, um, for some of"},{"t":7598,"text":"the furniture in there came from, from. I don't want"},{"t":7603,"text":"to say too many personal things here, but it, but"},{"t":7605,"text":"Peter was highly involved in, um, furnishing that building. And"},{"t":7610,"text":"I've been there a couple of times to meet the"},{"t":7612,"text":"guys just, you know, I guess it's part of my"},{"t":7615,"text":"council duties, but just as just as a volunteer, as"},{"t":7619,"text":"a resident myself and wanting to meet these guys and"},{"t":7622,"text":"they are, um, they wouldn't, none of they all say"},{"t":7628,"text":"they would never have been able to maintain their sobriety"},{"t":7631,"text":"without that building. If they were put back into supportive"},{"t":7634,"text":"housing, they would relapse. And they would certainly relapse if"},{"t":7637,"text":"they went back to the street. And I found out"},{"t":7640,"text":"that that there was 80 applications right off the bat."},{"t":7645,"text":"They're not taking referrals anymore. Um, so they're the wait"},{"t":7650,"text":"lists are so long for this kind of housing. You"},{"t":7652,"text":"have absolutely identified a complete block in the system. Um,"},{"t":7660,"text":"and it is a breakthrough moment. And there is a"},{"t":7664,"text":"tremendous need to block that to unblock that block in"},{"t":7670,"text":"the system. So it's something that I will definitely be"},{"t":7673,"text":"advocating very hard for more of this sober recovery base"},{"t":7678,"text":"housing. It's absolutely essential. And I know the province, you"},{"t":7682,"text":"know, the messaging was a bit different between the premier"},{"t":7685,"text":"and the minister of health this last week about, um,"},{"t":7689,"text":"involuntary care. But even if people go through that process"},{"t":7694,"text":"and our successful, they still need somewhere to go afterwards."},{"t":7698,"text":"And without this kind of housing, they aren't going to"},{"t":7701,"text":"be able to maintain their sobriety. So if there is"},{"t":7705,"text":"one thing for me that has come out of this"},{"t":7707,"text":"plan, that is the most important. It is that. It"},{"t":7710,"text":"is Johnson Manor. And I just want everyone to know"},{"t":7713,"text":"that without Peter Rentucci, that wouldn't have been possible. And"},{"t":7718,"text":"then finally, to you, Meralto, for, um, for putting an"},{"t":7724,"text":"instigating this plan in the first place. Thank you. Um,"},{"t":7730,"text":"this wouldn't happen without that. And, and we're moving in"},{"t":7737,"text":"a really good direction here. It's slow work. It's a"},{"t":7740,"text":"wicked problem. It takes an immense amount of time. But"},{"t":7744,"text":"I believe we are moving in the right direction. And"},{"t":7747,"text":"if we stay on track, we've got a plan. We've"},{"t":7750,"text":"got our strategy. And we just need to keep moving"},{"t":7753,"text":"day by day, step by step. And we'll get there."},{"t":7756,"text":"So thank you all. Thank you very much. Councillor Gardner"},{"t":7759,"text":"for a second time. Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. and Tucci."},{"t":7763,"text":"Yes. Thank you. Through the mayor. One thing I'd like"},{"t":7766,"text":"to do is recognise CIS and director WEB was a"},{"t":7772,"text":"large part of that program happening there. And, and the"},{"t":7777,"text":"strength of the team and the heavy lifting they did"},{"t":7779,"text":"to get Johnson Manor in place. Um, and it was"},{"t":7782,"text":"my mother - in - law's furniture. She was moved"},{"t":7785,"text":"into a home. Councillor Gardner. Thank you. And thank you,"},{"t":7794,"text":"Mayor. And staff tremendous work. And thank you for that."},{"t":7798,"text":"And going forward too. And I also appreciate the reference"},{"t":7801,"text":"to the salvation army luncheon, which I also attended and"},{"t":7804,"text":"have since met with some of the volunteers. I will"},{"t":7807,"text":"take us right now back to the many experiences related"},{"t":7811,"text":"to us by residents and businesses by returning to the"},{"t":7814,"text":"words in the citifieds interview with Renee Rossignol of themus"},{"t":7820,"text":"security. And please realise that employees of themus work on"},{"t":7824,"text":"the streets and on private properties in the city every"},{"t":7827,"text":"day. Exerps from the interview. Removing the stigma of drug"},{"t":7832,"text":"use in BC has normalized open drug use in an"},{"t":7835,"text":"alarming degree. If you've seen an overdose in progress, it"},{"t":7839,"text":"is frightening how quickly it happens and can snuff out"},{"t":7842,"text":"at life. Finding a human being, and he's got some"},{"t":7846,"text":"other descriptive words, I won't say unresponsive with rigor mortis"},{"t":7850,"text":"is one of the most senseless waste of a human"},{"t":7852,"text":"being I have ever witnessed. I apply the police and"},{"t":7858,"text":"bylaw efforts. However, they are dealing with results of society,"},{"t":7863,"text":"destructive, provincial and municipal policies along with the judicial system"},{"t":7866,"text":"that has proven lacking for BC residents. The implementation of"},{"t":7871,"text":"multiple policies at every level of government has certainly caused"},{"t":7874,"text":"the decrease in safety. Reluctions of all levels of government"},{"t":7879,"text":"meant that decriminalization of drugs had the opposite effect of"},{"t":7882,"text":"what had been predicted. His concluding comment that I will"},{"t":7887,"text":"read to you is the escalation of incidents will trespassers"},{"t":7891,"text":"attempt to assault security personnel is a weekly occurrence for"},{"t":7896,"text":"our staff downtown. I think we can never forget that."},{"t":7900,"text":"It's the experiences. That these are people that are frontline."},{"t":7905,"text":"They're there. And, uh, they're working and the general public"},{"t":7909,"text":"doesn't seem so much because they're on private property. Police"},{"t":7913,"text":"cannot go on private property until they're called. And so"},{"t":7918,"text":"that's why a service like this is very important to"},{"t":7920,"text":"the city. And I think that we have to remember"},{"t":7923,"text":"these people who are frontline. And that includes bylaw of"},{"t":7927,"text":"course and police. And we have to remember that. I"},{"t":7930,"text":"remember the experiences that so many residences. Uh, have right"},{"t":7935,"text":"now. They are really paying a huge price for this."},{"t":7940,"text":"And some of them not being able to even safely"},{"t":7942,"text":"leave their homes. So thank you staff for everything you"},{"t":7946,"text":"are doing. Thank you very much. Leave their comments. If"},{"t":7955,"text":"I might just conclude with a couple thoughts I didn't"},{"t":7960,"text":"see your hand, go ahead. Sorry, I just put it"},{"t":7963,"text":"up a few seconds ago. Um, yeah, I just wanted"},{"t":7965,"text":"to add my thanks to staff, uh, for dealing with,"},{"t":7969,"text":"with, uh, wicked problems, these overlapping we could problems of"},{"t":7973,"text":"homelessness, um, uh, toxic drug, uh, crisis and addictions, um,"},{"t":7981,"text":"uh, untreated mental health and street disorder overlapping separate, but"},{"t":7986,"text":"very much overlapping, uh, crises that are taking place in"},{"t":7990,"text":"cities across North America, which, which I think, uh, makes"},{"t":7994,"text":"it clear that these problems have nothing to do with"},{"t":7998,"text":"local, uh, or even provincial policies. Um, we see the"},{"t":8003,"text":"same trends happening in cities, uh, all over North America"},{"t":8007,"text":"that, for example, in drug deaths, uh, decrease until 2019"},{"t":8014,"text":"and increase during the worst of the COVID pandemic. Peaking"},{"t":8018,"text":"in 2023, 2024 and declining ever since. And you see"},{"t":8022,"text":"that as I said in cities across North America. So"},{"t":8025,"text":"I don't think we can realistically, uh, put the blame"},{"t":8028,"text":"on local policies, whether they were adopted or, or revoked,"},{"t":8033,"text":"uh, it's a, it's a wicked problem that's happening in"},{"t":8035,"text":"a lot of places. Uh, and I think it's important"},{"t":8039,"text":"that the public realised that and that policy makers realise"},{"t":8042,"text":"that as well. Otherwise we are going to be barking"},{"t":8044,"text":"up the wrong trees and not looking for, for, uh,"},{"t":8047,"text":"solutions in the right places. So I appreciate staff having"},{"t":8052,"text":"mentioned that earlier, uh, it is something that, um, is"},{"t":8056,"text":"also, uh, clear if you search the media, um, and"},{"t":8061,"text":"I would like to thank staff again for their hard"},{"t":8064,"text":"work and helping to alleviate these problems. Thanks. Thank you,"},{"t":8071,"text":"Councillor. Well, that was a morning, wasn't it? Uh, just"},{"t":8081,"text":"a few things. Just reflections and some of the things"},{"t":8083,"text":"that I heard today. Uh, I have the privilege of"},{"t":8087,"text":"working perhaps a little more closely with the three of"},{"t":8090,"text":"you and others here. And I will say on a"},{"t":8094,"text":"completely personal note, what you have accomplished in this period"},{"t":8097,"text":"of time is beyond extraordinary. It may look on the"},{"t":8102,"text":"way that you presented it as, I think as one"},{"t":8105,"text":"of you said earlier, like a list of things. And"},{"t":8107,"text":"it is. But it's a list of things, each one"},{"t":8111,"text":"of which has changed someone's life. And that can never,"},{"t":8116,"text":"ever. Be undervalued. A person said to me once many"},{"t":8122,"text":"years ago that something that I had been part of"},{"t":8126,"text":"had changed their lives. And then said, the need to"},{"t":8131,"text":"do in the rest of your life because you have"},{"t":8133,"text":"changed one person's life. That is what I would say"},{"t":8137,"text":"to you. Accept you do it over and over and"},{"t":8143,"text":"over again. You've used some fascinating words today. Beyond traditional."},{"t":8154,"text":"The power of collaboration. Prevention, intervention, response."},{"t":8164,"text":"Advocacy. Partnership investment and action. I would like to think"},{"t":8172,"text":"that the work that you've done and what you have"},{"t":8174,"text":"shared today demonstrates that the City of Victoria has fundamentally"},{"t":8181,"text":"reconstructed the way it does its work. Not at the"},{"t":8185,"text":"expense of the services on which people rely conventionally. But"},{"t":8190,"text":"in a way which will add to those services immeasurably."},{"t":8194,"text":"And it may be today that it looked like a"},{"t":8196,"text":"list. But a year from now. Two years from now."},{"t":8201,"text":"Five years from now. I believe, I know. That this"},{"t":8209,"text":"city will be fundamentally different because of your work. I"},{"t":8214,"text":"also believe that every future council. Will be required. To"},{"t":8220,"text":"continue this work. Because that is now what our community"},{"t":8224,"text":"expects. Will it change? Of course, will it evolve? Absolutely."},{"t":8229,"text":"Will it adapt and pivot, as you said yes. And"},{"t":8232,"text":"that is the way cities must now provide the experience"},{"t":8238,"text":"of being residents, all residents. So thank you. And we"},{"t":8245,"text":"look forward to what's next. Thank you all. That oddly"},{"t":8254,"text":"concludes the one item today. Item F1. The community safety"},{"t":8256,"text":"and well - being implementation program update. Uh, we have"},{"t":8259,"text":"no requirements at committee today for a closed meeting. And"},{"t":8263,"text":"so I would look for a motion twitter. Thank you,"},{"t":8266,"text":"Councillor Coleman, seconded by Councillor Gardner. All those in favor."},{"t":8269,"text":"Anyone opposed. And as unanimous, thank you, Councillor Thompson. Uh,"},{"t":8273,"text":"let us take a very brief break only as long"},{"t":8275,"text":"as staff need to flip us into our daytime council"},{"t":8278,"text":"meeting. It will begin that and see how far we"},{"t":8279,"text":"get before our lunch break."}],"words":21295,"fetchedAt":"2026-10-03T04:49:30.872Z"}