11) COPE URGES PROVINCIAL FUNDING FOR SEISMIC UPGRADES

PV Vancouver Bureau

     The Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), Canada's oldest labour-left civic reform party, remains active in Vancouver a year after suffering major losses in the November 2011 municipal election. COPE's annual summer BBQ fundraiser drew a big crowd at the Vancouver Rowing Club on Sept. 19, and the party is working on policy renewal in the coming months. There is also speculation that a byelection for a City Council position may take place next year, which could offer former COPE councillor Ellen Woodsworth a chance to return to City Hall.

     COPE continues to be a player at the Vancouver School Board, where trustee Alan Wong is the party's only current elected official. With his strong understanding of facilities issues, Wong has been a powerful voice for seismic upgrading of schools since he was first elected in 1999.

     In the latest development on this front, the Board is putting forward a plan to complete seismic upgrades of all 40 remaining High‑Risk Vancouver schools within the next seven years. COPE supports the plan, and is encouraging all Vancouver MLAs - NDP and Liberal - to cooperate to achieve the necessary provincial funding.

     "Not only is it an issue of safety and security of our students and staff, but it is also an issue of fiscal responsibility," says Trustee Wong. "The Province and the District must understand the maintenance budget and lifecycle costing of school projects. Left to deteriorate, our schools will cost more to maintain and repair in the future. As it stands the quality of our facilities are deteriorating due to chronic underfunding of the Annual Facilities Grant" from the province.

     Last year, the cost to address immediate maintenance requirements of Vancouver schools was an estimated $468 million. By 2017 these maintenance expenses are expected to climb to $632 million.

(The above article is from the October 1-15, 2012, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)