As the chill of winter approaches on Vancouver Island, the conversation around supporting our most vulnerable residents—particularly those experiencing poverty and homelessness—has taken center stage. Victoria’s Mayor Marianne Alto has issued a passionate plea to municipalities across the region, urging each community to take responsibility for its own citizens by establishing winter shelters and warming stations. This call, rooted in the recognition that homelessness is a sh

The human cost is undeniable. Without adequate shelter, exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. As one advocate noted in a recent discussion, “People could die” without timely interventions.  Stories from the community echo this fear: residents of temporary motels and shelters worry about being thrust back onto the streets when programs end, as seen in past closures that left people scrambling. On social media, voices from Vancouv

In the shadow of Vancouver Island’s picturesque beaches, where the salty air mingles with the scent of cedar forests, a quiet crisis unfolds each night. For dozens of women in the Parksville and Oceanside area—from Whiskey Creek to Qualicum Beach—their homes are not cozy apartments overlooking the Strait of Georgia, but the cramped confines of minivans, sedans, and SUVs. These women, often invisible to the tourists snapping photos of Rathtrevor Beach’s sands, navigate a daily