News
Seniors subject to financial abuse
Vancity Credit Union has released a report that says more than one-third of seniors in Metro Vancouver don’t tell anyone when they’ve suffered financial abuse. The credit union report also reveals that the most common forms of financial abuse in B.C. reported were related to people exploiting seniors for shelter or money; pressuring them to lend, give gifts or change their will; involved misuse of power of attorney; and real estate. Vancity is calling for more research, awareness and support to combat the financial abuse of seniors. As part of its efforts, Vancity is hosting a series of seminars throughout Metro Vancouver and in Victoria to help seniors understand how to help prevent and address financial abuse.
VanCity: Report: financially abused B.C. seniors not getting help
Non-profit housing in Haida Gwaii being hit
Rents will soar from $350 to $900 next month for some people living in subsidized housing in Queen Charlotte City. The affected renters are people with lower incomes who are living with disabilities. Due mainly to a phase-out of federal funding, all non-profit housing societies on Haida Gwaii are having to consider raising rents, selling property, or finding other sources of revenue. Mayor Greg Martin said the village recently asked Selina Robinson, B.C.’s new housing minister, to consider temporary funding that will help the Makola Housing Society and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association avoid selling off any more property in Queen Charlotte City. In a recent memo to B.C.’s housing ministry, councillors suggested that the province should review its subsidized housing policy, consider subsidies for the homegrown housing societies on Haida Gwaii, and establish a province-wide co-op housing program similar to the one the federal government ran in the 1970s.
Haida Gwaii Observer: Queen Charlotte council warns of housing shortage
Surf group winning the war on plastic bags—with the help of co-ops
They’re making some progress in the war on plastic bags on the west coast of Vancouver Island—and co-ops are part of the front line in the battle. The Tofino Co-op will no longer provide plastic bags, following in the footsteps of the Ucluelet location that already made the change earlier this year. This marks another victory for a local surf group on Vancouver Island in its battle against plastic bags. The people behind Surfrider Pacific Rim—a coalition passionate about cleaning up the ocean and beaches—have convinced businesses in both Tofino and Ucluelet to discontinue using plastic bags and instead only use re-useable cloth bags or paper. “The Tofino Co-op alone would give out over 76,000 bags per year, and that’s a lot of plastic that’s being saved from landfill, litter, the beach and ocean,” said Surfrider Pacific Rim chair Michelle Hall. Following in the footsteps of the Ucluelet Co-op, which eliminated plastic bags earlier this year, the Tofino Co-op will offer paper bags for 10 cents each, reusable cloth bags for $1, and free cardboard boxes to cart groceries home in.
BC Local News: Surf group winning the war on plastic bags
Revelstoke Credit Union offers financial literacy presentations
A new program from the Revelstoke Credit Union will provide financial literacy education in an accessible manner throughout the southeastern B.C. community.
Several local financial service professionals recently completed 24 hours of training to deliver a series of financial literacy workshops. They are all staff from the local credit union, which will now be able to provide this free and impartial service to groups in Revelstoke.
The Canadian Credit Union Association developed the financial literacy program to deliver financial workshops in community settings, with the goal to help people from all walks of life better understand their finances.
During the month of November, Canadian Literacy Month, Revelstoke Credit Union staff will be conducting several financial literacy workshops. Community groups can request presentations by contacting the credit union.
Revelstoke Mountaineer: Each One, Teach One financial literacy program comes to Revelstoke
Events
There’s a Co-op Café coming up later in the month, on Wednesday November 29. It will be held at the Lost and Found Café, at 33 West Hastings Street in Vancouver, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
If you have a news or event item, please email us at media@eachforall.coop
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