Positive Voices, a new non-partisan advocacy group, says it wants to help inform, and provide a voice to, the moderate and progressive majority in the community who are concerned about the future. The group, founded by a number of active volunteers and community-minded residents, say they want to galvanize support for policies which address climate change, housing and transportation challenges, and improve community well-being.
Positive Voices will increase awareness and support for projects which address those challenges including the 2195 Gordon Avenue, which includes 156 below-market rental units, and the new Inglewood seniors’ ‘Campus of Care’
In its first public meeting, last week, on the Inglewood project, Positive Voices provided West Van residents with opportunity to ask some tough questions, while providing context about the demographic changes leading to a critical shortage of seniors’ care facilities. Jatinder Sidhu, a former BBC journalist, and spokesperson for Positive Voices said: “Politics is sometimes about making difficult choices. That’s why discussions around housing and transport in West Van – or indeed anywhere – can be controversial. We believe that by providing context, evidence, and a dose of positivity, we can help everyone feel more engaged.” “We want people to celebrate what they love about this place, and feel empowered that they can address the big challenges facing us now, and into the future,” he said. “As someone once said: ‘to stay the same, we have to change.’
“The idea of ‘living where you work’, for example, would turn this former ‘bedroom suburb’ into a place where we find space for our teachers, nurses and emergency services workers in our community. And it would go a long way in reducing traffic and greenhouse-gas emissions,” Sidhu added.
Positive Voices says it has several hundred supporters, and has generated a lot of interest since its website was launched earlier this month. The group plans to hold a number of public meetings over the next few months on key issues, including housing, transit and climate change.
The group also held a Zoom Q&A on Inglewood Care Centre on Tuesday May 10th with Terri Griffing, Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Housing. Video here: https://www.positivevoiceswv.org/news/inglewood Society Positive Voices West Vancouver Society is registered as a non-profit society under BC’s Societies Act.
Directors of the group:
Dr John Millar – A retired public health physician and former BC Provincial Health Officer; honorary member of the Public Health Association of BC and Canadian Public Health Association; and Board member of Force of Nature.
Dana Mulhern Anthony – A former nurse practitioner in psychiatric mental health nursing; past founder and Executive Director of a mental health advocacy agency; and active volunteer with various climate change groups.
Jatinder Sidhu – Communications consultant and former journalist with BBC News. An active volunteer on a number of local boards and committees.
