On April 20, 2020, organizers from across the Capital region will come together to think about what they would like life on the South Island to be like after the pandemic ends. Going back to the way things were isn't on the agenda. This crisis has the potential to permanently reshape our economy, and our relationships with the Earth and with each other.
“Consider a few of the policy developments that have already come out of the COVID crisis”, says organizer Keith Cherry. “Free public transit, city-led food production, municipally-supported tent cities, rent relief, and more support for retail and service workers, for example. These initiatives are crucial in this time of crisis, but they also point the way towards a more fair and sustainable future. If we work together, we can use our pandemic responses to build a better community for all of us”.
That's why the Common Vision Common Action team has partnered with the University of Victoria’s Cedar Trees Institute to host a virtual town hall for the Victoria region. On Monday, April 20 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, join academics and activists from across Greater Victoria to develop a regional wision for how we, as a community committed to ecological and social justice. The draft discussion paper is available at http://commonaction.ca, where you can also register to participate in Monday's virtual town hall.
“This is a challenging time for all of us, but it is also a time of possibility”, notes organiser Jenn Neilson. “Things that seemed impossible only a few months ago are realities today. Ideas that seemed far fetched are receiving serious consideration. By developing a shared vision for our community from the bottom up, we can build a basis of unity for progressive organizations to push for real change, together”.
Neilson notes that the success of large-scale, coordinated social actions that COVID-19 has required has made tackling other challenges like climate change and income inequality suddenly seem much more realistic. “One thing this crisis shows us is that our communities are capable of taking dramatic action for the common good. We want to take that spirit and carry it forward beyond the crisis and far into the future”.