Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
August Update

Project breaks barriers, creates access to affordable menstrual products for vulnerable populations 

People will soon have easier, more affordable access to menstrual products with the launch of the United Way Period Promise research project.

Through a $95,000 B.C. government grant, the project will distribute menstrual products to 12 non-profit agencies that serve vulnerable populations throughout the province. The agencies will make them easily accessible to clients from July 2019 to July 2020.

For more info, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019SDPR0054-001421

More choice, a stronger voice to help seniors make long-term care decisions

The Ministry of Health is changing how people access long-term care to make the process more client-centred, consistent and fair and to ensure seniors have greater choice in where they live.

Effective July 15, 2019, seniors and their families will be able to review their options and choose up to three preferred care homes. People no longer have to accept the first available bed and can make more informed choices about where to live. Wait lists will be standardized and managed consistently. While they are waiting for placement in their facility of choice, people will have the option to wait at home with additional supports, or go to an interim facility.

For more info, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019HLTH0098-001385

Speed traps and cameras to improve public safety

Our government agrees that public safety is paramount: we have a record number of crashes happening - more than 900 a day in our province - and about 60 per cent of the crashes on our roads are at intersections. This is why our provincial government is expanding its 20-year-old Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) program to begin ticketing the fastest speeding vehicles at certain ISC sites. The locations of the 35 intersections being upgraded for speed enforcement can be found here. The latest speed detection systems follow the provincial phasing-in of red-light cameras back in August 2018.

For more info, please visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bcs-intersection-safety-camera-program

B.C. time change survey receives a record number of replies

The provincial daylight-saving time-change survey is now closed. We have received a record number of replies - thank you! 

In addition to the online survey, residents are also encouraged to provide written submissions to CitizenEngagement@Gov.BC.ca on this topic. You can sign up for updates on whether B.C. continues the practice of changing our clocks bi-annually here:
https://engage.gov.bc.ca/DaylightSavingTime

A new partnership between the City of Vancouver and our Provincial government delivers new, and much-needed childcare spaces for Vancouver families

Approximately 2,300 new child care spaces are coming to schools, community centres and other public facilities across Vancouver, helping young children transition smoothly into the school system. Since July 2018, the Province has funded approximately 9,000 new licensed child care spaces throughout B.C.

“When families have access to quality child care, they thrive and so do our communities and our economy,” said Premier John Horgan. “Working with the City of Vancouver, we are creating more affordable child care spaces for more families. These new spaces will help families across the city, lifting them up and helping them to get ahead.”
For more info, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019PREM0080-001388

Investing in people delivers Canada's strongest economy 

The B.C. government is reporting higher income and stronger economic growth in 2018-19 that is helping make life more affordable, improving the services people count on and supporting a strong economy in British Columbia.

Budget 2018 had put B.C. on a different path. It made a record $1-billion investment in a made-in-B.C. child care plan that is making quality, affordable child care available to tens of thousands of families. To tackle the housing crisis, we invested $7 billion in affordable housing — the biggest housing investment in B.C.'s history — and introduced a 30-point plan to build affordable homes and help moderate the real estate market. Budget 2019 continues that good work to build a Better B.C.

The release of Public Accounts 2018-19 shows that government’s plan is yielding positive fiscal results. Improved economic growth, wage growth and 2017 income tax returns led to a $2.9-billion increase in revenue, allowing government to re-invest in people and the services they need, like health care and education. The year ended with an operating surplus of $1.5 billion, placing B.C. in a stable position amidst signs of global economic uncertainty.

For more info, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019FIN0071-001480

Community Programs and Events in VMP

 

Outdoor Movies!!!
Second Beach -- Movies are shown every Tuesday night in July and August (weather permitting) at Second Beach in Stanley Park. All movies start after Sunset. Please come early for best lawn seating selection. More information here.
Upcoming movies: Finding Nemo – Aug. 6, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Aug. 13
The Square -- downtown at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly Vancouver Art Gallery’s North Plaza), every Wednesday from July 3 to August 21
Richmond Lansdowne Mall -- 6pm Wednesdays, from Aug 7-28
Upcoming movies: Aquaman - Aug 7, Shazam - Aug 14



Fireworks at Second Beach!
Saturday, July 27, Wednesday, July 31 and Saturday, August 3, 2019
Fireworks start at 10:25pm. (25-minute duration of fireworks each night and live music starting at 2 pm)
3 nights of fireworks at Second Beach Park Stage. Free festival site featuring music and food trucks.
Admission: Free. Reserved seating on sale through the festival’s website.


Monstercat Compound
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 2-9 pm
380 Railway St, Vancouver
Admission: Free with RSVP; Compound Premium Passes are available for purchase HERE
A whole day of music, music education, video games, art, merch, carnival games!
 

Free Computer Class for Seniors - Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Recurring every Thursday, 10am-12pm
800 E Broadway, Vancouver
Call staff member Jessie Huang in advance:
604.879.8208 ext 105 | jhuang@mpnh.org


Mount Pleasant Farmer's Market and Main Street Station Farmer's Market
Mount Pleasant: 10am - 2pm, every Sunday until Oct 27 (upcoming, August 4)
Main Street: 2pm-6pm every Wednesday, 2pm-6pm Oct 2, 2019 (upcoming Aug 7)
Over 30 farms at each location! Food and coffee trucks! Come out and try some local fare!


Hot+Noisy Chinatown Mahjong Social | Summer 2019
First & third Saturday of the month! August 3, August 17 and September 7!
Chinatown Memorial Plaza, Keefer & Columbia
Fourth annual "hot+noisy" Chinatown Mahjong Social season, outdoor summer evenings in the Memorial Plaza. Featuring mahjong, ping pong, Chinese chess and checkers, music and karaoke. Find out more here!


Recovery Day BC with Trooper
Saturday, September 7, 12-5pm
6th Avenue and 6th Street, New Westminster
Canada’s Largest Addiction and Mental Health Recovery Street Festival. Recovery Day is part music festival, part information fair, part community engagement event to reduce stigma of addiction and recovery. Featuring three music stages, kids zone, overdose memorial centre, booths and speakers. It's free! More info here.


City of Vancouver Recreation Summer Camps and Activities 
The City of Vancouver offers a variety of summer day camps and activities for all age groups! Whether you are looking for opportunities for leadership, making new friends, learning how to paint or unleash your hidden talents in digital film making or African drum making, there are hundreds of pathways waiting for you!  Registration dates vary, so enroll early! Click here: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/vancouver/Activity_Search