Pandemic Support

OPEN LETTER to Ministers of Innovation, Science and Industry, Social Development & Poverty Reduction, Advance Education, Skills and Training and Vancouver Mayor on the need for expansion of free Wifi access in DTES

One of the challenges that community members have brought to my attention during this pandemic is barriers to accessing internet from home during self-isolation. A constituent who is a senior contacted my office when after 19 days of social distancing, she has run out of internet data on her phone plan. She noted that many places where community members could previously access internet, such as libraries, community centers, and coffeeshops, have all closed due to the pandemic. While there are outdoor locations where free WiFi can be accessed, as an elderly person with a compromised immune system, she does not feel safe in going out, and rightly so.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers on GIS recipients not able to file their tax by the end of April

As you know, seniors across Canada rely on the GIS to supplement their income. As GIS is assessed on income, seniors who receive their benefit must file income taxes on time to avoid having their benefit cut-off. The GIS cut-off generally takes place in July for seniors who have not filed their income taxes.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline for filling taxes has been extended to June 1, 2020 for all Canadians. When the question of how this extension will pertain to seniors who receive GIS, I was informed that the ministry has committed to ensuring that no one’s GIS will be interrupted and that mechanisms to make that happen are being worked on.

OPEN LETTER to Immigration, Foreign Affairs and Public Safety Minister on new immigration measures needed during the pandemic

First, I urge that an automatic 6-month extension/renewal of temporary work permits and study visas be given to those here on a temporary status. This would reduce the amount of strain not only on IRCC, but additionally provide these temporary residents with a sense a relief during this difficult time. This automatic extension/renewal would only need to be in place until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. After this period the regular extension/renewal application process could resume once again.
This temporary measure would encompass those with a visitor visa, study permit or a work permit. According to your government website, as of April 2nd, the estimated processing time for renewing these permits is as follows:
        • Study permit: 120 days
        • Visitor Extension: 103 days
        • Work permit: 89 days

OPEN LETTER to Federal and BC Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer on information urgently needed on Covid-19 cases in the DTES

There is growing fear among frontline workers and community members in the Downtown Eastside as they are receiving mixed messages about the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the community. According to recent media reports, Vancouver's Medical Health Officer, Dr. Patricia Daly is not providing a specific number on how many COVID-19 cases are confirmed in the Downtown Eastside. Instead, she suggests that we can assume COVID – 19 is “everywhere” in the Downtown Eastside. If this reporting is correct, given this latest development, this means that everyone in the community, including frontline workers, are at a heightened level of risk of exposure to the virus.
Frontline workers and community members in my riding are anxious and afraid. A frontline worker wrote to me informing me about the enormous strain on her mental health that working in dangerous conditions have caused. She also informed me that she has begun making plans with her family in the event that she dies from Covid-19. She is angry that health authorities will not clarify whether there have been confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Downtown Eastside community.

OPEN LETTER to BC Minister of Health on personal protective equipment for DTES front-line workers

As organizations are not not able to get the PPE that they need, some folks in the Downtown Eastside have been sewing homemade fabric masks for community members and staff. While I applaud the spirit of community support, I am also worry that these homemade fabric masks may not meet medical standards and simple serve to provide a false sense of safety.
According to media reports, Dr. Patricia Daly is not providing a specific number on how many Covid 19 cases are confirmed in the Downtown Eastside and that we can assume COVID – 19 is “everywhere” in the Downtown Eastside. If this reporting is correct, everyone in the community including frontline workers are at a heightened level of risk of exposure to the virus. The stress and anxiety for the vulnerable community members and frontline workers is at an all-time high, and organizations are desperate to obtain protective equipment for their workers. Could you please advise if this is at all possible for these organizations? If yes, could you please also advise how and who the organizations should be in touch with to obtain the much needed resource?

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister - Stop the garnishing of tax credits and refunds during the pandemic

One of the emergency measures to support low and modest income earners during the pandemic is an increase in the Goods and Service Tax Credit (GSTC) this year, doubling the maximum GSTC amount, providing an average boost of $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. While this measure will bring much needed relief to those who qualify, we are concerned that this tax credit will not reach those whose student loans are in default and in collections. We have similar concerns for the Emergency Care Benefit, which will also be administered through the CRA.

Emergency funds like the increased GTSC and the Emergency Care Benefit are intended to help those who are financially hit the hardest and are most vulnerable during the pandemic, in addition to providing a boost to the economy. If the benefits are garnished and returned to the government, it would defeat the intended purpose. For these reasons, we are requesting that the garnishing of tax credits and tax refunds to repay student loan debts be suspended so individuals can fully benefit from the emergency financial measures that have been put in place during these trying times.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Minister on request for CRA to temporarily suspend garnishing tax credits and tax refunds from individuals

Unfortunate, it is not uncommon for Canadians to struggle to repay their student loans. Once you’ve missed payment for more than 9 months, the loan is transferred to the CRA for collections. Interests continue to accumulate, even if CRA no longer “actively” take collection action after several years. Once an individual is in this situation, any tax credits and tax refunds an individual may qualify for is automatically garnished and applied to the debt.
One of the emergency measures to support low and modest income earners during the pandemic is an increase in the Goods and Service Tax Credit (GSTC) this year, doubling the maximum GSTC amount, providing an average boost of $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. While this measure will bring much needed relief to those who qualify, we are concerned that this tax credit will not reach those whose student loans are in default and in collections. We have similar concerns for the Emergency Care Benefit, which will also be administered through the CRA.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on nationalwide rent freeze and guaranteed income to protect Canadians needed before rent day

As we approach the end of the month in 6 days, rent and mortgage payments will be due for renters and homeowners across Canada. While a number of economic measures have been announced, they will not be enough to protect Canadians from losing their housing during these difficult times. The increase in GSTC and CCB payments won’t be received until May, and application for the Emergency Care Benefit doesn’t open until April. There are many others who don’t equality for these measures but have suffered debilitating income loss during the pandemic, including but not limited to small business owners, and gig, freelance, contract workers, artists and people in the film industry during the crisis. For people on fixed incomes, such as seniors and people on disability pensions and benefits, the decrease in accessibility to community programming mean that living costs are increasing.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister - Resources and support needed for Van East NGO

I am writing with regards to an urgent need for direction and resources for non-profit organizations in my riding, some of whom have reached out to my office directly expressing dire needs. As you may know, Vancouver East is home to one of the highest number of non-profit organizations per capita of any ridings in Canada. Many of these non-profits provide essential services that have enormous health impacts for the community. Some of these services include, but are not limited to, housing provision, food security, home support services, overdose prevention, mental health support, urban Indigenous programs and services, seniors’ and youth services, support for victims of domestic violence and abuse, and others.
Because of the importance of these services to the community members who count on them, many of these organizations are continuing to deliver these essential services despite the pandemic and the risks and challenges involved. In fact, many are trying to step up services, such as offering grocery deliveries for seniors isolated at home, to meet the emerging needs of the community. In order to do so, many of these organizations need urgent support and resources from the government, and it is vital that we step up to meet their efforts.

OPEN LETTER to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

To protect renters, it is essential a nation wide moratorium on all evictions is in place during the pandemic. As well, a temporary rent freeze period also needs to be imposed to protect renters from price- gauging during these precarious times. Already, I have constituents who have just received a rent increase notice and are extremely distressed by prospect of having to find alternate housing at this time.
Aside from putting in place a national moratorium on evictions and rent increases, some housing advocates are also calling for residential tenancy branch hearing be delayed at this time. In addition, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation should also immediately provide a pool of capital to existing or new rent banks across the country so that those who can’t make the rent because of falling incomes or illness don’t lose their housing.