Congratulations to the new leader of the official opposition, Adrian Dix, elected April 17 at the BC NDP’s leadership assembly.

Adrian personally over the last six years, I know first-hand his capacity to grasp issues, analyze them, and communicate them to the people of B.C. I know Adrian is committed to greater equality in our province, and will tirelessly raise the issues that matter to British Columbians.

I support the priorities that Adrian has outlined for BC, including focusing on a fair, sustainable economy, job creation, investments in health, education, housing, and childcare, action on climate change, and major investments in public transitand green infrastructure.
I look forward to working with Adrian to build a better B.C. for everyone.

Casino rejection an indictment of
provincial gaming policy

The Vancouver City Council’s unanimous rejection of the proposed Edgewater Casino expansion at BC Place is an indictment of the mismanagement of gaming in this province.

The government has come under fire for their gaming policy in recent
years, including their decision to raise online gambling limits on government gaming sites from $120 to $9,999 per week, their cuts to programs for people struggling with gambling addictions, and their failure to crack down on money launderingin casinos.

Taxpayers also have every reason to be concerned that the government is not telling the truth about the real costs of the B.C. Place roof, which the government had previously stated would be funded through the casino expansion. British Columbians need assurance that we are not going to be left on the hook for the $600 million roof on B.C. Place, already significantly over its original budget of $365 million.

Despite the premier’s assurances that future development on the site will pay for the roof, we have yet to see a credible plan to finance this project. My colleagues and I are calling for a balanced approach to gaming in B.C., one that respects the wishes of local communities, and ensures revenues from gaming go toward funding community-based programs.

Video highlights inequality

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition has released a short animated video drawing attention to the problem of child poverty in Canada, particularly in B.C., which has the highest child poverty rate of any province.

The video points out that social inequality, with its many negative consequences, is growing in our province, and questions the absence of any provincial poverty reduction strategy.

My colleagues and I have been calling on the government since 2009 to commit to poverty reduction plan for B.C., with legislated targets and timelines.

Read my motion to create a poverty reduction plan for B.C. at www.shanesimpson.ca/news/motion-create-bc-poverty-reduction-plan

Sunrise Snapshots photo contest

The Hastings North Business Improvement Association (HNBIA) is holding an amateur photography competition celebrating Vancouver’s 125th birthday and the community
of Hastings Sunrise. Photos can be submitted in three categories: People, Places, or Activites. Entry limit of 1 entry, per category, per person.

Prizes will be awarded at the 10th Annual Sunrise Summer Festival, Saturday July 9, between 3:30 and 4 pm. Winning photos will be displayed at the event, along with historic photos of Hastings Sunrise.

Send your photo with your name, age, phone number to [email protected] , or submit your entry in person at 2620 E. Hastings, Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. If you do not have a digital copy of your photo, the HNBIA will scan it for you.

Deadline to enter is June 1, 2011. For more details, please contact Hastings North BIA directly at 604-215-2401. Good luck, and happy snapping!

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