Here's a round-up of some of the media from various Vital Signs communities across Canada and their take on local issues and opportunities. I'll start on the West Coast and make my way home, to Halifax. Don't forget you can find all the local Vital Signs reports, local media releases, and the national Canada's Vital Signs report on our Vital Signs website. Victoria
The Times Colonist article covered the range of issues covered in Victoria's Vital Signs from the high rate of life satisfaction, giving and volunteering to the surprising numbers on motor vehicle emissions. "It's an honest report," says Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson. "There's our beautiful side and the other side of the coin.
Vancouver
The Vancouver Sun started its week-long series looking at Vital Signs issue areas by declaring North Shore residents the happiest in metro Vancouver. The reason? The region's "physical beauty," followed by the weather, climate and year-round recreation. But Vital Signs director Lidia Kemeny also credits the city's sense of belonging.
Strong social connections are not as tangible as beautiful mountains or a temperate climate or having a good job or nice house," Kemeny said. "But ultimately they are essential to our experience of our community and our personal lives ... and to making us feel enthusiastic about our region. In other words, connections are essential to community vitality."
Red Deer
The Red Deer Advocate discussed how the community's Vital Signs reflected 'the new economic reality' after the global economic downturn, including an emphasis on combating poverty and meeting the health care needs of residents. “All of this year’s indicators provided a clear picture of how the economic downturn is affecting our quality of life,” said Janice Wing, CEO of Red Deer and District Community Foundation.
Medicine Hat
Early coverage of Medicine Hat's Vital Signs trumpeted that 'The Hat's a happy place' with the vast majority of residents feeling connected to their neighbours and their community. We'll feature more coverage as it comes in.
Calgary
The Calgary Herald's headlines spoke volumes about the plight of newcomers arriving in the booming city. 'About two-thirds of the 10,000-plus immigrants who arrive in Calgary every year end up underemployed.' The community received a B- grade in the report for its services to newcomers and the poor.
"It's really, really tough," says Nadeem Tufail, who drives a taxi and works other odd jobs despite having a law degree and a master's in literature from his native Pakistan. "It's been 11 years since I came to Calgary and I'm still waiting for my big break. You need to feed your family, so you drive a cab."
London
Although Londoners are more educated and generous than average Ontarians, neighbours are not connecting with one another, says the London Free Press and the city is still home to thousands of children living in poverty. The article points to a number of challenges facing the community, which is better known for its wealth and beauty than its social ills.
Despite being among Canada’s largest immigrant destinations, many newcomers don’t feel welcome to work, play or learn in London. While almost two-thirds of Londoners own their homes, the city’s homeless shelters are consistently full. And while seven of ten Londoners say they believe this community is theirs to shape, they still stay away in droves at election time.
Waterloo
The Waterloo Record noted that of their Vital Signs launch a social venture partnership for Waterloo Region was announced. Another article in the same paper took note of the indicator grading: “Of the more than 1,000 graders, 81 per cent identified hate crimes at the top of their list as an area in dire need of corrective action, followed by a need for more residents to have a family doctor. On a positive note, 75 per cent of the graders said they thought the region’s residents have a high satisfaction in their lives, with nearly the same number of graders believing the population is doing well in terms of median family income.”
Hamilton
The Hamilton Spectator continued its Code Red series on poverty in the city, with a Vital Signs insert in the paper and coverage highlighting differences among neighbourhoods and the nearby communities of Hamilton and Burlington. Local radio also covered the report saying that Hamilton was home to 'virtually two cities, worlds apart.'
"The Hamilton Community Foundation Vital Signs Report shows the percentage of 20 to 24-year-olds who have not completed high school ranges from zero in some neighbourhoods to over 65 percent in others. Poverty rates range by neighbourhood, from less than 3 percent in some neighbourhoods to more than 40 percent in others. Child poverty rates range from zero to 55 percent depending on where you live," says the CKNW report.
Toronto
Toronto's Vital Signs is all over the Toronto Star, especially as the city is in the midst of a municipal election, like many other Vital Signs communities. As Christopher Hume says, the city is one of the world's most liveable, but 'its success cannot be taken for granted.'
Ottawa
An article in the Ottawa Citizen noted that overall there are many things to be concerned about. "Issues around poverty, homelessness and health care are top-of-mind among our citizens," McInnes said. But there's "growing frustration with the lack of improvement in these areas." The story did note that Arts and culture spending has improved, as has its grade. On a per-capita basis, the city spent $6.47 last year on arts and festivals, up from just $3.64 in 2005.
Kingston
CFLY radio in the Kingston area focused on the difficulties for young people and immigrants who are just getting started in the community. Youth unemployment in Kingston is more than double that of overall employment and has increased by 27% since 2007. Recent immigrants receive about 70% of the family income of those who are Canadian born and the annual number of immigrants arriving in Kingston has not increased in the last decade.
The Whig-Standard also covered the challenges that immigrants face, regardless of their education level.
Montreal
The Gazette highlighted two of the concerns raised in Montreal’s Vital Signs: a lack of family doctors and high drop out rates. The article has a lot of detail about what community foundations are and how to get involved. It notes that they are relatively new in Quebec. In an interview, Boulos said the FGM is becoming better known in the Montreal region. "And philanthropy overall is on the rise in Quebec," she said.
Saint John
The Telegraph Journal highlighted a drop in both the overall and child poverty rates. It noted the role that many groups have played in combating poverty in Saint John. Jane Barry, the foundation's executive director, said that the drop in the overall and child poverty rates has to be "very encouraging for the hundreds of volunteers who have made addressing poverty a challenge."
Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia
The Chronicle Herald in Halifax published an article highlighting some of the positive and negative findings of the local report. Importantly, it highlighted to role of the Lunenberg County Community Fund and noted that the report is meant to act as a stepping stone to collaborative action.
Anne-Marie McElrone is the Director of Communications and Marketing for Community Foundations of Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment