[Sjsall] UPCOMING EVENTS

Details: Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00; Written by editor

Dear Friends of SJS,

October 20:

UPCOMING EVENT:

All-Candidates Forum on Post-secondary Issues

With the Provincial Election set for Saturday, October 24, the UVic Faculty Association has partnered with the other on-campus unions and the undergraduate and graduate student societies to host an All-Candidates Forum on Post-secondary Issues.

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom, https://bit.ly/3753MSR

Who: Annemieke Holthuis - Victoria Swan Lake (Greens of BC)

Nicole Duncan - Oak Bay-Gordon Head (Greens of BC)

Karen Bill - Victoria Beacon Hill (BC Liberals)

Kelly Darwin - Langford-Juan de Fuca (BC Liberals)

Grace Lore - Victoria Beacon Hill (BCNDP)

Murray Rankin - Oak Bay-Gordon Head (BCNDP)

Dr. Evert Lindquist – Moderator (UVic, School of Public Administration)

Hosts: CUPE Locals 917, 951, 4163

Professional... Employees Association (PEA, UVic Chapter)

UVic Faculty Association (UVICFA)

UVic Graduate Students’ Society (GSS)

UVic Students’ Society (UVSS)

Details: The theme of the forum is post-secondary issues, including related campus/community issues such as public transit and sustainability.

The first half of the forum will consist of pre-selected questions posed by the moderator, and the second half will be a town hall style debate where attendees will be able to ask the candidates questions. UVic’s very own Dr. Evert Lindquist (School of Public Admin) has graciously agreed to moderate the forum.

Register: If you would like to attend the forum, please register here: https://bit.ly/3753MSR

More info: Please contact Nathan Todd at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details or if you would like to send a question to the moderator.

For information on how and where to vote please visit Elections BC.

Oct. 23:

DECRIM BC 2020 - MARCH & RALLY

Where: Centennial Square

When: 3pm, Friday October 23rd.

What to Bring? Signage, Noise Makers

Please join us on October 23rd, the day before the provincial election as we gather, march and shout for an end to deadly drug policies. Let’s end the criminalization of our communities and call for a brighter better day.

The war on the people who use drugs is one of the most destructive, costly, and futile conflicts ever to be waged, and it's conducted each and every day in our communities, with terrible consequences. The war on drugs frequently targets the young, indigenous peoples, people of colour and those in poverty. It ignores the underlying causes of trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and disenfranchisement. The consequence is a revolving door of policing and incarceration where individuals' needs are not addressed.

We are all too aware of the current phase of the war on drugs known as the 'overdose crisis’ and its deadly consequences on so many in our community. Due to the unregulated nature of illicit drugs, the toxicity of those drugs gets stronger and stronger. The deadly fentanyl that pervades our communities is an inevitable consequence of our current drug laws and policies. This situation can, and must, change.

As terrible as this is, there is a ray of hopeful light and it shines in the form of the growing call from provincial governments, advocates, drug users and grieving mothers. The call to decriminalize drug possession must happen now. Let’s get down to the critical business of supporting people who use drugs, not punishing them.

What can British Columbia do?

• Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial Health Officer, in a 2018 report on the state of the 'overdose crisis' asked the provincial NDP government to work towards decriminalizing drugs by changing the police act and asking then Minister for Public Safety, Mike Farnworth to direct B.C. policing agencies to de-prioritize arrests for drug possession. To date, our Premier has not followed up on this recommendation and has instead deflected the issue to the federal government.

Join us in letting the next Provincial government in BC know that we expect an end to this violence, and their full and committed involvement in creating supportive, caring and just communities for all.

We can make a better day for our communities, our families and those who struggle with substance use. Let’s come together to demand a change for ourselves and those we love.

In Solidarity,

Moms Stop the Harm, and

The South Island Community Overdose Response Network

Oct. 30:

DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA: POPULISM & THE RISE OF THE FAR RIGHT (see attached poster)

Margareth Power Gerardo Caetano Ángela Cáceres

This event is free and open to the public

October 30, 2020 | Online

Registration Required: https://bit.ly/33VuYBI