Single adults and couples who are on the brink of losing their housing often fall through the cracks because they’re not a high enough priority for support until they’re actually homeless. Even . . .
VICTORIA Victoria City Council passed a motion Thursday to create a working group that would see Victoria City Hall and the local hospitality industry working together toward the goal of mandating sexualized violence training in the workplace. The requirement could be a condition for approval of a liquor or business licence. “It’s about changing the culture,” said Coun. Sarah Potts. “It’s about having this at the outset of the work: ‘This is part of what we do and this isn’t something that is not talked about.’” The motion comes after multiple survivors of sexual assault in the hospitality industry have shared their stories publicly. Multiple restaurants have come under fire and removed staff members, and one of those restaurants closed its doors permanently. Additionally, two realtors lost their jobs due to the allegations against them, which have not been proven in court.
“There continue to be confrontation and discussion with a smaller group. So, you know, it’s almost two steps forward, one step back,” Manak said. The funding would continue the deployment of two officers for four hours every day to support bylaw officers in some city parks. Two officers have supported city bylaw staff since September 2020, and council approved continued funding until the end of April, when it was anticipated police support would no longer be needed as 24/7 sheltering came to an end, Manak said in a letter to council requesting an indefinite continuation of the funding. “Unfortunately, the situation in many of the parks has remained extremely volatile and unsafe for bylaw officers and our Patrol Division and Community Services Division resources continue to be shortstaffed resulting in on-duty resources not being a viable option,” Manak wrote.