THEVOICE | 2 THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 | Bump in the road Current traffic policy in New West excludes renters’ point of view = By KELSEA FRANZKE ew Westminster residents N are going to get the right to ask the city for speed humps on their streets — but only if they are homeowners, unless some councillors are successful in getting that changed at the next city council meeting. A new policy proposed by New Westminster's engineering depart- ment would allow a hump to go in if a speed issue is identified by a resi- dent of the street, brought to the attention of the city, and then must be supported by at least 50 per cent of the residents of that street. However, only homeowners and property managers can have a say in this proposed policy, which is being brought in to help deal with one of New Westminster's biggest problems — traffic. With New Westminster at the dead centre of Metro Vancouver, almost half of the region crosses through the city daily. However, the speed-hump poli- cy’s reliance on homeowners only prompted some councillors to ask for changes. Coun. Patrick Johnstone was concerned that the proposed speed- hump policy was excluding neigh- bourhoods largely populated with renters, so he seconded a motion put forward by Coun. Mary Trentadue to send the policy back for review. “T think [this proposed policy] was designed to deal with a single- family neighbourhood, not some of our neighbourhoods that have more diverse populations,” Johnstone said. “I don't know how this would apply to more of our more rental-oriented neighbourhoods.” Victoria Mau, a teacher and New Westminster resident who has rented in the city for two years, said that renters should have the same rights as any resident. “Renters are still paying rent and taxes to live in a particular city, so they should have a way to voice their opinion about changes that are happening where they’re living,” Mau said. Speed humps, not to be mistaken for speed bumps that are taller and typically found in parking lots, are intended to reduce driver speeds by approximately 15 kilometres per hour. Speed humps, first tested in 1979, have proven to be an effec- tive traffic-calming strategy, and often reduce the speed of vehicles by 40 per cent, although critics have said they only cause a temporary slowdown. But the restriction that only homeowners can ask for and approve them is cause for concern, according to one renters’ advocate. “I mean, speed humps, no biggie. It’s a small thing. But it really does illustrate something that’s quite systemic and embedded in a lot of local government processes which are largely oriented towards prop- erty owners rather than residents,” said Karen Sawatzky, the former chair of Vancouver’s renters advi- sory committee. She also said that the type of home a person has should not deter- mine whether or not they can voice concerns in their municipality. Another issue that was brought up at the council meeting by Tren- tadue was the notion of having to get support from at least 50 per cent of people living on the street. “If we are a city that values walk- ing and safety over vehicles and driv- ing, if we the city determine there is an issue on the street, why would we make someone work harder to provide safety on the street?” Tren- tadue said. Lisa Leblanc, manager of trans- portation and engineering services in New Westminster, said that they want to have at least 50-per-cent support from residents to avoid complaints. “Part of it is preemptively dealing with the complaints that sometimes come when we do things like this, so it allows us to say that the majority of people on this street support this measure,” Leblanc said. The New Westminster traffic advisory committee is reviewing the proposed policy and will present a revised version at the next meeting. Raised crosswalk, a type of speed hump, in New Westminster. Googie maps SCREEN SHOT ‘Women" continues from page one “It’s okay to be the lone voice in opposition and to uphold important values,” said Gosnell-Myers. She added “the price of our value is far too low, and Jody has shown us that we're actually worth fighting for.” Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, said that the “glass ceiling” is shattering. Change should include insti- tutions willing to make space for Indigenous women, said Rita Merrick, Indigenous education and services administrative assistant at Langara College. “Tt’s an extra motivation for me to show up and not be shy to root my everyday work relationships in an Anishinaabe-Dakota way,” Merrick said. Deanna Nyce, president and CEO of the Wilp Wilxooskwhl Nisga’a Institute in Northwestern B.C., said Indigenous female students may look at Wilson-Raybould and discover there are many opportuni- ties for them in Canadian society. “It’s a good thing to have these kinds of role models,” Nyce said. EDITOR KATHRYN TINDALE Atlarge While many Vancouver residents don't feel connected to their city or have strong support groups, community spaces can help alleviate feelings of loneliness . p:x4BAy PHOTO BY CONNIE_SF Health data helps Community planning can benefit from studies = By KIRSTEN CLARKE lmost half of Vancouver’s residents don’t feel very connected to their city, don’t have a strong group of friends they can rely on, and report more mood and anxiety disorders than Metro Vancouver on average. That’s what researchers found when they went out to assess the health of the Lower Mainland and province’s population, asking resi- dents how they would describe their sense of belonging, and how many people they have in their network to rely on. Health officials say those results are key to understanding the rela- tionship between social connection and health. “Those in our community that are socially isolated have a 50-per-cent increased risk of all-cause mortal- ity,” said regional epidemiologist Ellen Demlow. That’s a more nega- tive effect than obesity or smoking 20 cigarettes per day. People who are highly socially connected have a 50-per-cent increased chance of longevity, said Demlow, who presented the survey at Friday’s Metro Vancouver regional planning committee meeting, with the aim of helping directors under- stand the importance of social connection and social cohesion in local community planning. The survey found that Bowen Island, the North Shore and Delta ranked the highest in terms of social connection, while people’s sense of community belonging in the major- ity of Vancouver, Burnaby and Rich- mond fell below average. Only 54 per cent of Vancou- ver residents feel a connection to their community, landing below the regional average of 56 per cent. People with high social connec- tions, said Demlow, have stronger immunity, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and greater self-esteem. ‘The survey also found that projects that directly affect the landscape of a community can be extremely benefi- cial to someone’s sense of belong- ing, Demlow said. If there were parks and walk- ing trails in reputation as the neighbourhood house that works to give residents the ability to improve their neighbour- hood culturally, socially and physi- cally, said Gray-Grant. Groups have planted gardens together, hosted block parties, and come together to make button blankets. Inter-gener- ational groups, with members aged eight to 80, have learned and prac- tised knitting together. “It’s through those small discus- sions and proj- ects that people their commu- “Those in our begin to make nity, people . a friend and reported a community that are get a sense of higher level of social connec- tion. But if people saw others using those public spaces, that connection grew stronger. The author- ity’s survey received 33,000 responses when it was sent out in 2013 and 2014. About 15,000 of those were within the boundaries of Vancouver Coastal Health. One local organization has seen the difference that community belonging makes. “What I have seen, again and again, is someone who’s feeling lonely, comes here, makes connec- tions, makes friends, and they seem pretty happy. It does seem to make a huge difference in their lives,” said Jennifer Gray-Grant, executive director at Collingwood Neighbour- hood House. Collingwood has established a COMMUNITY CONNECTION MORE FROM THE LOWER MAINLAND 68% The North Shore, including Bowen Island and Lion's Bay, reports a high sense of community belonging. 49% Burnaby reports a low sense of community belonging. socially isolated have a 50-per-cent increased risk of all-cause- mortality.” — ELLEN DEMLOW, REGIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST belonging in their neigh- bourhood,” said Gray-Grant. The impor- tance of community belonging, with data to back it up, is becoming an increasingly important factor in city planning, said Neal Lamontagne, a Vancouver city planner. It’s only in the past five or 10 years, said Lamontagne, that mental health has played a part in the community- planning process. Lamontagne wants to make communities that encourage inter- action. Even casual social links, like waving to your neighbour, or recog- nizing someone at your local grocery store, are important. “If you're struggling and you're feeling disconnected, that’s a huge deal just to feel part of a neighbour- hood and a community regardless of how long you've been there," he said. SOURCE: MYHEALTHMYCOMMUNITY.ORG Coquitlam falls below the regional average for community belonging.