As a guest on Price Talks I talk about my experience over the last 10 years working at the intersections of public health, poverty, economic development and planning on the Price Talks podcast with editor Colin Stein (Formerly of the Vancouver Economic Commission and Downtown Kingston BIA).
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Reflections on the start of SFU CED’s 2017-2018 Cohort
The SFU CED program has undergone a number of evolutions in the roughly 20 years that it has existed. It is currently undergoing another one of those evolutions as its relationship to Simon Fraser University and the Faculty of Environment in which it is situated deepens and expands. Constant throughout these evolutions have been the values at the core of the program and the hopes they bring.
Continue readingHow B.C.’s small businesses could be champions for $15 minimum wage
I’ve worked with small business owners and social enterprises on issues of policy and economic development for nearly a decade now in Vancouver and occasionally other communities in B.C. I’m here to make a case for increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, but to also recognize that there are some serious affordability issues facing small business owners in this province, particularly in its larger cities, and most especially Vancouver.
Continue readingCity hopes Downtown Eastside plan will transform neighbourhood, stabilize low-income community
“Wes Regan of the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association also has concerns with the plan, and says business owners were forgotten. “We have felt this has largely been a housing and social planning focused plan. Businesses in many respects were unfortunately an afterthought. Now we are working with the city to play catch-up.”
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