July 2008

Welcome

Welcome to the new electronic version of the Indicator newsletter. Your comments and feedback are welcome; please email info@communitycouncil.ca or info@qolchallenge.ca. A limited number of paper copies are available. Call or email to receive the newsletter by mail.

What does it cost to live in BC’s Capital Region?

If we want a sustainable community, families need a range of opportunities so they can thrive. The Living Wage dialogue focuses on a typical family of two parents and two children. Based on annual estimates for census families and individuals (Statistics Canada, 2005), in BC’s Capital Region, 27.2% of two-parent, two-children families earn an income that is less than the Living Wage.

Find out more: click here (pdf)

Launching Phase Two of the Quality of Life CHALLENGE

130 people from all sectors met at the Victoria Conference Centre on May 13, 2008 to explore how to sustain your business while tackling poverty in the region. John Juricic of the Greater Victoria Economic Development Agency welcomed guests and introduced panel moderator Hon. Ted Hughes, Co-Chair, Greater Victoria Commission to End Homelessness. A panel discussion bringing together perspectives from the Office of BC’s Representative for Children and Youth, lead sponsor Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, Calgary Winter Club and their involvement in their local "Vibrant Calgary" initiative, and an employee from Value Village addressed the theme of tackling poverty. Maureen Young, Chair, Leadership Roundtable of the Quality of Life CHALLENGE launched the strategies of Phase Two of the CHALLENGE.
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CHALLENGE Volunteer: Helle Kallas

What happens when people are inspired to work towards a common vision? Each person bringing their own expertise and inspiring others to do the same? These people make a difference. They transform lives. They give hope. They open hearts. Together they make an impact.
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New Research

The Community Council conducts community-based research about local quality of life issues in order to contribute to long-term community change.

Recent reports from the Community Council include:

Labour Market Dialogues Phase Two Plain Language
Summary Report (pdf)

Youth Housing Needs Report - coming August 2008

Family and Community Well-Being Social Infrastructure Assessment Survey Results (pdf)

Recent reports from the Quality of Life CHALLENGE:

Addiction, Recovery and the Workplace:
An employer information guide (pdf)

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Volunteer Profile: Sia Zabaras

Soft-spoken, effective, important contributions to strengthen community - that's the way some volunteers work. Aspasia (Sia) Zabaras is one of these volunteers. In her day job she is a Planning and Information Consultant with VIHA, and in her volunteer life, Sia brings her knowledge, experience and connections to the Community Council. She has been an active Board member, has contributed significantly to the research work of the Community Council, has supported the Board in their succession planning work and continues to be actively involved on committees. As well as her work with the Community Council, Sia contributes to local cultural events like the annual Greek Festival.

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"Out of the box" Hiring and Retention Practices

"Greater Victoria has the lowest unemployment rate among major metropolitan areas in Canada", reported the Times Colonist in its June 6 edition. The large number of entry-level jobs available is considered by most analysts a sign of a growing economy.

But economic growth isn't always good news for employers, who need stable and committed staff. Recruiting new staff is time-consuming and expensive. The Labour Market Dialogues project is looking at employers in the Capital Region interested in "out of the box" hiring and retention practices.
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Food Matters! – Matching Supply and Demand for Local Foods

Understanding and action related to food security issues have increased dramatically in the past couple of years – from being the concern of a marginalized, small group to making front page news and becoming a movement, both here in BC’s Capital Region, and across the country. Yet if 10% of people changed their buying habits and bought 25% of their foods locally, there would not be a food security problem in this region. We would have a food supply problem. Rising land prices, lack of on-farm labour, increasing regulation in food production and processing and now farm tax assessments stand in the way of meeting the supply and demand of local foods.
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The Intersection of Non Profit Agencies and Funders

In May 2008, Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of the McConnell Family Foundation, continued a discussion begun in November about the state of the non-profit sector. Addressing members at the Association of Family Serving Agencies' Annual General Meeting, Mr. Brodhead reiterated that the sector, as it is currently structured, is not sustainable.
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New and Changing Faces at the Community Council

The Board of the Community Council is very pleased to announce that Peggy Mahoney has accepted the position of Executive Director, effective July 28. Peggy’s many years of leadership experience in the social sector, her high level of commitment and strong vision complement those of the Board and staff and position the Community Council on strong footing to move forward.

Jane Worton, usually known as Research Director for the Community Council, is currently starring as Mama! Jane gave birth to baby Oliver on Saturday 17 May in Duncan.
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