Category: In the News

Richmond News

The issue of overdose prevention services in Richmond was raised on Friday afternoon after an advocate took to Twitter to warn of a toxic drug seized in Richmond.

Karen Ward, a drug policy consultant for city of Vancouver, tweeted a screenshot of a notification with the caption, “There are no death prevention services in Richmond BC.”

The message in the screenshot read, “Round pink tablet with imprint ‘6’ seized in Richmond found to contain fluclotizolam, a benzo analog more toxic than etizolam. May cause sedation. Don’t use alone.”

The benzo analogue in question is “extremely potent” and “not legally available in Canada,” Ward told The Richmond News. It is unclear whether this was the first time the tablet was discovered in Richmond, as “relatively few findings are actually made public this way.” …

The News asked Mayor Malcolm Brodie for comment about overdose prevention sites while at an unrelated event. He said he wasn’t prepared to discuss the issue at that time but added overdose prevention services is a health question that should be directed to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). …

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Richmond News

It’s official — the No. 3 and Dyke Roads dog park is now called “No. 3 Road Bark Park.”

Instead of drum rolls, enthusiastic howls filled the air as dozens of Richmondites, two-legged and four-legged, gathered on Saturday morning to celebrate the popular dog park’s reopening and renaming.

The new name is a nod to Bark Park Richmond, a Facebook group created by park regular Judy Hutson to share information and photos about the park. Members of the group have been referring to the park as Bark Park for over a decade. …

In his opening remarks, Mayor Malcolm Brodie said Richmond’s extensive network of off-leash areas provides “stimulating opportunities” for around 7,700 licensed dogs in the city to “have a good time to play and to exercise.”

And the city is hoping to make the already-popular Bark Park even better.

“What I want to emphasize to you is this is not a completed project — not yet,” said Brodie. “We’re looking for the input from all of you as to what else you’re looking for.” …

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Business in Vancouver

Affordable housing is top of mind for many British Columbians in Metro Vancouver. As more political candidates make proposals for how to deal with housing issues, new temporary supportive housing opened its doors in Richmond yesterday (Sept. 20).

Aster Place will provide housing for 30 vulnerable people who are currently residing at Richmond’s temporary Emergency Response Centre (ERC), which has provided them with safe housing during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now closing. …

Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of Richmond, said Aster Place is another component to Richmond’s homelessness strategy.

“The City of Richmond, BC Housing, the Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing, and Community Builders have worked together on this project to connect with tenants in need, understand the supportive services required and provide a safe and stable housing environment. The City of Richmond remains committed to being a leader that works with our community organizations and partners to provide options for those who have no home,” he said. …

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Richmond News

An event is being held on Saturday in Richmond to officially unveil the new name for a local dog park.

In July, city council decided to rename Richmond’s No. 3 Road off-leash dog park near the south arm of the Fraser River.

Community members and their furry friends are invited to join the event at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance of the park.

“Richmond has an extensive network of off-leash dog parks where residents can go to exercise their dogs and build community with fellow dog owners,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

“The new name of the park is fitting as it was put forward by Richmond’s community members.” …

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Daily Hive

Tenants are now moving into the newly completed temporary supportive housing building located just south of SkyTrain Bridgeport Station in North Richmond.

BC Housing has completed “Aster Place” at 2520 Smith Street, which is a three-storey modular building with 40 units.

The opening of the new building will result in the closure of Richmond’s pandemic-time temporary Emergency Response Centre, which currently provides shelter for about 30 individuals experiencing homelessness. They will be relocated to the new temporary building. …

“Aster Place is another important component of the city’s homelessness strategy and an example of how partnerships can result in housing for those residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” said Richmond mayor Malcolm Brodie in a statement.

“The City of Richmond remains committed to being a leader that works with our community organizations and partners to provide options for those who have no home.” …

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Richmond News

A year and a half after being approved by city council, residents were moving into a second temporary modular home (TMH) in Richmond.

Tuesday, the complex, now named Aster Place, officially opened in the morning with dignitaries in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Aster Place is another important component of the city’s homelessness strategy and an example of how partnerships can result in housing for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie at the official opening.

People who have been staying at the temporary Emergency Response Centre, which opened early in the pandemic, at Minoru Place will relocate to the new complex. …

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Indo-Canadian Voice

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Richmond are moving into new safe and secure homes with the opening of a 40-unit temporary supportive housing building.

Located at 2520 Smith Street, Aster Place is a three-storey modular building with 40 self-contained units, each with a private washroom and kitchenette. The building has a commercial kitchen, laundry facilities and storage space. …

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said on Tuesday: “Aster Place is another important component of the city’s homelessness strategy and an example of how partnerships can result in housing for those residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The City of Richmond, BC Housing, the Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing, and Community Builders have worked together on this project to connect with tenants in need, understand the supportive services required and provide a safe and stable housing environment. The City of Richmond remains committed to being a leader that works with our community organizations and partners to provide options for those who have no home.”

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BC Gov News

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Richmond are moving into new safe and secure homes with the opening of a 40-unit temporary supportive housing building.

Located at 2520 Smith St., Aster Place is a three-storey modular building with 40 self-contained units, each with a private washroom and kitchenette. The building has a commercial kitchen, laundry facilities and storage space. …

Quotes:

Malcolm Brodie, mayor, City of Richmond

“Aster Place is another important component of the city’s homelessness strategy and an example of how partnerships can result in housing for those residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The City of Richmond, BC Housing, the Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing, and Community Builders have worked together on this project to connect with tenants in need, understand the supportive services required and provide a safe and stable housing environment. The City of Richmond remains committed to being a leader that works with our community organizations and partners to provide options for those who have no home.” …

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Richmond News

A new pilot project to connect Chinese seniors to community resources has officially launched in Richmond.

The Integrated Community Services for Seniors Pilot Project is a partnership between S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and Vancouver Coastal Health. The goal is to create a hub at Austin Harris Residence on Moncton Street near No. 2 Road to ensure Chinese seniors can “age well despite of language and cultural barriers,” and ensure older adults can “access the right service at the right time.” …

An official opening ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon, with remarks from Mayor Malcolm Brodie, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. board Dr. Maria Chung, UBC professor Dr. Kendall Ho and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. CEO Queenie Choo.

“Richmond has an active seniors population and this program will help to improve their quality of life further,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

“It will provide important access to services that respect cultural backgrounds, so our seniors will be able to continue to live independently and enjoy connections that keep them well.” …

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Global News

Residents of Richmond will be voting for their next mayor and council in the 2022 B.C. municipal election on Oct. 15.

Incumbent Mayor Malcolm Brodie is running again in this election. He cruised to easy re-election in 2018, winning more than 64 per cent of the vote. …

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