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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Rob Shaw: Mayors decry crime, homelessness, street disorder on day one of UBCM (CHEK News)


Municipal politicians used the first day of the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria to push the BC government to do more to curb ongoing street disorder in their downtown cores, saying the addictions, crime and mental health issues have grown far beyond their ability to control.

A collection of urban mayors representing cities with 60 per cent of the province’s population said the government has left thousands of housing units that could address homelessness unfunded.

Victoria mayor Marianne Alto said cities are overwhelmed trying to handle the social services, shelters, housing services, transportation and other upstream costs needed to slow the demand on policing and public works budgets that respond to the disorder ...

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