you should see this site

So are you going to attend an event

November 16 at 9:54am

what event?

November 16 at 9:55am

Leslie Carnell

I wish they weren't here either! No I will not be attending an event.... What are your thoughts T?

November 16 at 10:02am

please tell us more what do you know about whats happening with the migration are they being hired by the olympics

November 16 at 10:02am

a lot of the migration gotten hired by them as far as i know.. and a lot of homeless is being pushed aside... so the "torrists" can come in...

November 16 at 10:04am

Sorry as i'm reporting on this i'll be neutral
i've heard they are cleanning up/clearing the city of the homeless

November 16 at 10:14am · Delete

Princess Karen

Finally the city of VANCOUVER see's the faces of the homeless for all the wrong REASONS .....

November 16 at 6:42pm

exactly.. i hurd they want some of the homeless.. a building down town they are gonna avict so the ppl that are actually in a home r gonna be homeless. i find there gonna do more damage then good.. just so torrists can come and stay... and if they love OUR city of vancouver.. who's to say there not gonna stay perminately.. which is gonna be harder for jobs.. transportation.. houseing... and other things..

November 16 at 6:45pm

but is this progress

November 16 at 6:57pm

i'm not sure.. as far as i know everyone in the building got the aviction .. and they only had i think it was 3 months to relocate... i'm not really sure what happened i haven't hurd anything since...

November 16 at 7:00pm

Lachlan Allward

Why not look at the fact that many of those homeless are being relocated Yes...but are you aware as to where?? Are you aware that some of these people are being relocated to support homes in different cities. Harder for jobs because of immigrants?? Let us not forget that we are all IMMIGRANTS!!!! Equal opportunity for all.... Don't fell sad for ... Read Morethose who choose to be uneducated and unemployed.If you want to talk about ECONOMY, lets look at the fact that, many new complexes and subdivisions are being built right now in preparation for the "EVENT". Where do you think the labour and materials are coming from?? Also, the fact that once this is all over Vancouver housing market is going to be flooded with empty housing, Which means???? lower market rate.....

November 16 at 7:32pm

ok i gotta agree and disagree.. not all of use are immigrated..or tryin to come off of a boat that was illegal in the first place.. and to be uneducated and unemployed.. some ppl never had an appertunity.. due to lack of funds and inorder to be emplyed u need an education.. it's a big cercle about that whole ordeal..some ppl just made wrong choices... Read More at a younger age.. and relize it when it was too late.. YA ok there are lots being build for the economy... thats the thing it should be for the economy.. not the people that are gonna be visiting.. or be pushed outta something there comfortable in.. just because government wants to hide them and they say it's gonna be a lower rate after the 2010 but is it really.. thats like the gas prices going up.. and property tax and of course transportation.. u know the fee's drivers pay just to cross a bridge... the higher rates on public transportation... so on a so forth..

November 16 at 7:41pm

Lachlan Allward

The cost of transportation, gas, and property taxes have sky rocketed all over, it's a little thing called INFLATION!! This has hardly anything to do with the Olympics. I will agree that price might have gone up more so in the last little bit, partly because of the Hoopla around the Olympics, BUT you are living in one of the richest cities in ... Read MoreCanada... what do you expect??? As for immigration... Unless you are of First Nations.. Then yes you are a immigrant.... And I don't fell that ANYBODY should be looked down upon because they have more ambition, then someone else, your reasoning for being uneducated it is completely ludicrous. Bad choices when I was younger, financial hardships, and for lack of better word SHITTY decisions, I have had my share. BUT, there is never a time when it is "to late", to pick up the pieces and start off fresh. Most of the people in the higher positions are hundred of thousands of dollars in debt in student loans. The family did not hand them a education, they went out and got it for themselves.

November 16 at 9:39pm

thats not what the governement put it.. they said that they wanted to rais the prices for transportation in anyway shape or form so they can build more and better Bc for this event.. i agree ppl shouldn't be looked down.. but theres only so much a person can go into debt b4 they say no more.. i know cuz i had my share.. just to better my self. u ... Read Moresay it's ludacris.. but a lot of people out there know about the education.. and all i was sayin about immagrant.. is they can come fresh off the boat "illegally might i add" walk into the government cuz i have seen it.. and they get handed a start up check of almost 3000 a month.. we maybe the richest but .. i see alot more poor...

November 16 at 9:50pm

Diane C. MacDonell

NFG

November 16 at 10:41pm

on the subject of the olympics, I think that if we think back to expo. BC was in debt for many years because of that fiasco and many of the buildings that were built for the occasion stood empty for many years and some eventually were just torn down. I can imagine that this could be somewhat the same, although the olympics are a much bigger event ... Read MoreBC has also gone into much more debt to fund the olympics, which in a time like this what some people call a recession is probably not a very good idea. Due to the recession I have seen more poverty than I could imagine seeing, and logic would say that with the history our goverment has they will inflate everything to try and pay that debt off, in a different economic times that may not have been so bad, but when you see parents on the streets with thier children and living in vehicles, not being able to feed them etc, you think it cant get worse, but it will if the olympics dont bring in the revenue that is forcasted. Our goverment has proven incapable of making good choices in the past so often that it makes it hard to believe that this will go on as they say it will. On the other topic of educated uneducated immigrants. I too feel very strongly that canada needs a tougher policy on immigrants, I am not racist by any means but it makes me very sad to see and i have seen it as well an immigrant going into a welfare office to pick up thier average $3,000 check, while so many canadians are working thier asses off to support thier families to get taxed right left and center, to support this. I also find it very dissapointing that immigrants do get in the vacinity of $3,000 a month from our goverment when a canadian would only get in the vacinity of $800.00 or somewhere around there and a pensioner who has worked a good 65 years and paid canadian taxes all thier lives will get somewhere in the vacinity of $400.00 per month. I do think that is a problem and no one is willing to address it. If we as canadians chose to immigrate to thier countries we would not be able to collect "welfare". I would also like to say to earlier post about being educated and having ambition is not always going to get you ahead. I am educated, i have plenty of ambition and although i am in a position now that i dont have as many finacial stresses, there was a time when my children were young that i worked 2 jobs because i worked 2 jobs i got put into a higher tax bracket, because i was in a higher tax bracket i could not get approved for daycare subsidy, there fore i would get my paycheck which togwether usually came out to about 900 every 2 weeks, and i would have to chose between paying rent or paying daycare, buying groceries or paying bills. It has absolutly nothing to do with education or ambition many times, sometimes people make choices like the choice to have children at 20 and at 20 you dont often consider the future etc and then when reality hits there really isnt anything you can do about it. If i didnt pay daycare i couldnt go to work if i didnt pay rent there was nowhere for me and my kids to go. Its not always as easy as just go get an education. You dont come out of school with a $100,000

November 16 at 11:05pm

job!!!!! wow that was long!!

November 16 at 11:06pm

i agree :D well put :D and ya that was long!!

November 17 at 6:57am

Lachlan Allward

Okay I guess I am wrong.... The down fall of the BC economy, and high unemployment rates, has EVERYTHING to do with the Olympics and immigrants.... sure.

November 17 at 9:23am

nicely done

November 17 at 3:43pm

it is the after math of the olympics that scares me the most not because of the olympics...that point seems to be evading you

November 17 at 10:05pm

1st off, i have 2say that i am impressed with the debate u invite Terrance. it encourages me 2know that everyone who has commented here is educated in some way, from Universities 2the Streets. we are all human, that is our common ground & those who care2comment R interested in what is happening around them! constant education is needed 2keep up ... Read Morewith such issues...such as homelessness. this is such an enormous topic. it helps 2hear from people who have never been close 2the streets, just as it is helpful 4the ones who have been there. sharing our experiences can make a difference in a teachable heart.
My cry here is4 the way that the original Olympics Topic branched out in such a sarcastic manner & quite quickly. i think it is obvious how much more we can accomplish standing united than 2become politicians ourselves. but, on a positive note, the passion typed out here says, people care. we don't all care equally about the exact same thing because we need care in all areas of life but i see no apathy here. i find it is best to specialize in only a few areas in which 2study on a continual basis but it is vital that we try2stay up 2date on a lot more; knowing in our hearts how much of it is opinion & how much is based on time spent studying said topic.

November 18 at 4:13am

Well, the question IS broad. What R our thots on the Olympics? And, i'm guessing that the 2nd part is about our thots on having them in Canada, specifically Vancouver?
I moved from Winnipeg, MB to Central AB a few years ago; from working '4'the Federal Govt 2living 'off'the Federal Govt, 4reasons that R personal & not up 4 public debate here.
My ... Read Moreopinion is that the Expo is a good model 2start with because it is somewhat similar but many years have passed & people have had the freedom 2move around the country with ease, i have found (from talking 2the general public & from my own experience). From there, I believe that it's most productive 2look at the bigger picture & try2 stay away from speculation because there is SO much we just won't know until it happens...BUT! what R we willing 2do once it DOES? Those who study Sociology can appreciate this viewpoint I think. Tourists bring in revenue, that is a guarantee. We can stand on that! If I travel2 Calgary, I dump money into that city 4cabs, restaurants etc...for amenities needed 2sustain me until i am home again. One can also bet that conveniences for tourists will NOT come cheap. Many places in the world live solely off of tourism.
As for the Olympics, it is a very exciting energy source pumped full of team spirit. And teams can accomplish what one man cannot, alone. Who's 2say that won't rub off & make the city a better place in that respect? Not everything is about money. There will always be some with more & there will always be some with less. What are YOU willing 2do about that? Canadians are proud. It is no wonder 2me that people flock here. We have a chance 2show the world just HOW eclectic we R by having hard working athletes compete in such a vibrant city! It brings SO much opportunity to producers, for one...i'm sure u can think of many more.
I say, keep them coming & get them caring! The more awareness we can spread, the better! People in far off places will start to talk about this place in Canada where the Olympics were & personal stories will reach far & wide. When they hear the name on the news, they'll recognize it & THAT my friends, is humanity at work for one another & hopefully less for our own gains:))

November 18 at 4:45am

Good topic so many views

November 18 at 5:16am · Delete

i agree wit that that torrisum will benifit our province but what i'm scared of most of is the factor they love it here and they want to stay!! theres not too much that can be done we may stand side by side.. but is a person that takesover anothers job gonna help the other person.. no i doubt it.. cuz they are tryin to take care of thier bills.. ... Read Morewhat can be done about the homeless.. how can things be done if there not welcome in the city.. and more homeless r gonna be on it.. they say they wanna clean the streets but there goin about it all wrong i think.. but thats just my opinion..

November 18 at 6:22am

why do you fear so?
because not every one wants to help their fellow man? do you know why that is? fear.
India and China have an overpopulation problem.
what would you accurately coin ours as?
homeless there are and homeless there will be. not everyone can keep a home. and often when you offer, they club you over the head for it.... Read More
do what u can. encourage those who can do what u can't.

November 18 at 7:09am

ok this is a joke.. well to an extent.. but if india and china which i already knew were over populated.. why leak into our country and try and change things...

November 18 at 7:51am

i think it was more funny and worded better in my head btw..

November 18 at 7:52am

well i think it's funnier that we consider ourselves a multi-cultural country with 2 official languages but don't allow other cultures to practice their beliefs. how is that multi-cultural? yes, they come from a different culture but the pressure to become like us is heavy. sure there are remnants of other cultures around us (thank you to the ... Read MoreChinese for their addictive foods, to name one) but you don't see men marrying more than one woman. they have to abide by our laws. one could say that Canadian culture is diverse tho, which is one reason i love it so much. i don't have to travel far to meet someone from Africa for eg. i don't necessarily ever have to go there to understand their culture either. i can just ask my neighbour!
we are spoiled rotten here, that's our problem. i'm on the opposite side of the coin than you Shancy, i don't know how other cultures can stand to live with OURS?
it is interesting that this comes up, not just cuz of population but also because the Olympics will be representing so many different countries. WOW! that's gonna be amazing! i better save up now. THAT! i wanna see! i can't afford to see the games live but i want to be in Vancouver with all that buzz! i love people and i am thankful that i don't meet many like me.

November 18 at 8:21am

I'm game for havein multiple cultres in our land all I'm sayin is enough is enough isn't there limitations. threw my past time I was one to explore other cultres. just like when I was a kid I never knew what an eastindian was till what I think 93' that wasn't my conflict Im just concerned just like few of what the olimpics is gonna bring. It a question that's unknown just like when the world ends or if aliens do exsist ya know

November 18 at 10:51am

I think living in BC all my life minus a few years of rebelling in alberta!!! I have seen the goverment screw this province up emensly, in my opinion. I am not concerned about the color of ones skin, thier cultures etc. What I think that shancy is saying and excuse me if i am putting words in your mouth but I am going to try and use a different ... Read Moreapproach to the situation. I am not sure how accurate this is but I have heard that the goverment in a attempt to "clean up" the streets of vancouver has been shipping people off out of the city to other towns, so in prospective they arent cleaning up the streets they are hiding the problem. Now I grew up in a small town that is very much gas and oil orientated more so than anywhere in BC, I was born, raised and currently reside here. In all my years I have seen maybe a handful of homeless people here due to the industry we dont have alot of poverty stricken people, in the past year that amount has tripled by far to the point that they are trying to open a homeless shelter, this to me is not fixing anything its a cover up people will flock to vancouver and see how beautiful it is but what about the rest of our province. As for immigrants, I do believe that we are very lucky to have such a free country but I do not at all agree that it is any way plausible that a immigrant can land here and get a "welfare" or "start up" check for upwards of $3,000 when our pensioners who have worked and paid taxes for at least 65 years are living off of about $400-$600 a month when they cannot work. I also believe that considering our unemployment rate is at a all time high, and our country is falling apart fast someone needs to say hey we cant just let everyone in there has got to be a limit, I mean thier countries dont do it, we have to have so much money saved up upwards of $15,000 and a work visa and a green card and this and that and that will only give you 6 months citizenship, So in all reality is it fair to let canadians struggle and suffer to accomodate them when they wouldnt have the same respect for us if we were to go over to thier country. Another thing that really bugs me is the disrespect that i feel our country gets from the people that immigrate here. I would never go to your house and start moving furniture around just like i would never go to another country and tell them since i am here you must change all your street signs to english etc, i find that very disrespectful as I have heard that Surreys street signs are all written in punjabi now, This is still canada and at some point the CANADIANS culture has to be respected

November 18 at 12:56pm

Ty that's what I mean ... But not all surrey sighns have been changed just three or four of them and if u go into thier church u'll be looked down on but at least someone can word it more proper lol

November 18 at 1:08pm

I don't know what your source is for how they are currently dealing with the homeless but I believe they will be homeless no matter how the government helps them. One can't be fussy either. I don't expect a fancy apartment, living off of disability cheques. But I won't be commenting on homelessness anymore as I said in the beginning, it is an enormous topic and I don't think we'll solve the problem here, bickering about it. I'm finding it hard enough to stay positive in this stream. I need to be grateful for what I have.

It is now more difficult to enter Canada than it is to enter the United States. Someone might want to research that if they are so interested.

I might be able to catch some team spirit in my neighbouring province, that I could not afford, if they were going any place else. Another thing worth researching is the aftermath of the Olympics in other countries.... Read More

I'll join back in if the Olympics are actually talked about. If not, it has been nice to have the brain juices flowing again. Thank you.

November 18 at 8:59pm

Nice lets try something on the personal side ....What makes a person attractive to you

November 19 at 9:55pm

lol .. i still cant figure that one out lmao

November 20 at 7:21am