Some initial thoughts
RE: 100 Victoria proposed Bylaw
As published on April 18, 2025
Nickels & Dimes: Seeking Change (and trying to make cents of it all !?!?!)
RElated:
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I’m really stuck on the “Why a bylaw?” aspect of the proposed approach.
Over the past few years, through it's housing approach, the Region has developed a network of stakeholders and experts from across various facets of housing locally. Yet rather than meaningfully engaging this expertise—or implementing the specific relative actions identified as “on the menu” through these conversations—we're defaulting to a bylaw that falls distinctly short of the collective intent we've worked so hard to define. |
We cannot continue to claim we are pursuing a human rights-based approach if, at critical moments like these, we refuse to take responsibility for meaningful change and fail to act in accordance with the very principles we proclaim ourselves wishing to uphold.
Through the PECH approach, the Region has brought together people, ideas, and resources in a truly unique way. These initiatives represent the community’s effort to together shape a better path forward. Whether or not these succeed long term in fulfilling our goals, with this proposed bylaw, the Region is right now failing these collective efforts by refusing to give them the space, support and inclusion needed to even test their success.
Let’s not further squander the delicate and still developing trust and collaboration that has brought us this far.
A bylaw may be a tool available to us, but it should never be used as a substitute for the inclusion and accountability such as that needed here. There is still time to choose differently. Let’s reflect and engage more deeply before setting anything in stone in this way.
Until this bylaw becomes a bylaw, it remains a choice. We still have the opportunity to shift our approach to better reflect the current work, available tools, and most importantly, heart of this community. In this spirit, could we not instead bring this conversation back to the Region-selected experts within the PECH functions before solidifying an approach that risks causing further communal harm?
Through the PECH approach, the Region has brought together people, ideas, and resources in a truly unique way. These initiatives represent the community’s effort to together shape a better path forward. Whether or not these succeed long term in fulfilling our goals, with this proposed bylaw, the Region is right now failing these collective efforts by refusing to give them the space, support and inclusion needed to even test their success.
Let’s not further squander the delicate and still developing trust and collaboration that has brought us this far.
A bylaw may be a tool available to us, but it should never be used as a substitute for the inclusion and accountability such as that needed here. There is still time to choose differently. Let’s reflect and engage more deeply before setting anything in stone in this way.
Until this bylaw becomes a bylaw, it remains a choice. We still have the opportunity to shift our approach to better reflect the current work, available tools, and most importantly, heart of this community. In this spirit, could we not instead bring this conversation back to the Region-selected experts within the PECH functions before solidifying an approach that risks causing further communal harm?
General topic history related to regional encampment policy, as passed by council December 15, 2021. (and a few other ramblings)
The Plan to End Chronic Homelessness (PECH) & Regional Code of Use Bylaw 13-050
The Valente Decision - Court ruling on 100 Victoria, A Human Rights based approach, Point In Time Count Data, and
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