Where is the $5m for Vancouver's poorest women?
Monday, October 17, 2011 by David Eby
The Provincial government has made its decision. It would "rather spend resources on the front line helping women who are still there [in the DTES], instead of more lawyers [at the Missing Women Inquiry," said Premier Christy Clark at the First Nations Summit on June 9.
How much more would it rather spend? According to Attorney General Penner, in a number widely disputed everywhere else, the Government estimated the cost of lawyers for community groups was $4.6 to $6.5 million.
Let's split the difference and call it $5 million.
If the Province truly would rather spend the resources on the front line, where is the $5m program for the women of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside?
You'd be right if you had trouble spotting it, it doesn't exist.
The one van, the MAP van, that provides support to survival sex workers in the DTES was off the road for three months in 2009 when the government refused to renew funding. After an extended campaign, a three year funding deal was reached that expires next summer.
Municipal political parties are campaigning on a promise to campaign for funding for, yes campaign for funding, because it doesn't yet exist, a 24/7 drop in centre for women in the DTES.
While the Inquiry about missing women continues without them, surely the Province is going to make good on spending the dough they would have spent on the women participating and reallocate it to services that these women desperately need to keep them safe.
How much more would it rather spend? According to Attorney General Penner, in a number widely disputed everywhere else, the Government estimated the cost of lawyers for community groups was $4.6 to $6.5 million.
Let's split the difference and call it $5 million.
If the Province truly would rather spend the resources on the front line, where is the $5m program for the women of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside?
You'd be right if you had trouble spotting it, it doesn't exist.
The one van, the MAP van, that provides support to survival sex workers in the DTES was off the road for three months in 2009 when the government refused to renew funding. After an extended campaign, a three year funding deal was reached that expires next summer.
Municipal political parties are campaigning on a promise to campaign for funding for, yes campaign for funding, because it doesn't yet exist, a 24/7 drop in centre for women in the DTES.
While the Inquiry about missing women continues without them, surely the Province is going to make good on spending the dough they would have spent on the women participating and reallocate it to services that these women desperately need to keep them safe.
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