CBC hosts town hall on despair, addiction, poverty in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

Overdose deaths, homelessness, and mental illness affect all communities in British Columbia, but in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, those problems are concentrated.

From a rise in crime, to an addictions crisis, failed public policy, and development that has squeezed the population into a smaller and smaller geographic area, longtime residents say the neighbourhood one of the country's poorest is getting worse and worse.

CBChosteda publictown hallon Saturday, Sept.7, at the Woodwards Courtyard in Vancouver from noon to 1:30 p.m. PT.

Hosts Stephen Quinn, Mike Killeen and Anita Bathe were joined byfour panellists:

• Karen Ward is a long-time drug user and advocate for drug users. She consults with the City of Vancouver on drug policy and lives at Woodward's social housing.
• Robin Raweater is an Indigenous activist and has lived in the Downtown Eastside her whole life, currently in a shelter. She co-chairs the board of directors for the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre and runs a support group for families dealing with child welfare. She is Blackfoot from Siksika Nation inAlberta.
• Fred Mah is the president of the Chinatown Society Heritage Building Association. He has volunteered in Chinatown for fivedecades.
• Brandon Grossutti is the owner of Pidgin Restaurant. Six years ago, when he opened, the restaurant was the target of anti-gentrification protests.

CBC town hall: Despair, addiction and poverty in B.C.

5 years ago

Duration 1:25:03

Join CBC for a look at how overdose deaths, homelessness and mental illness have affected Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and communities across B.C., as well as possible solutions.