Writer Yasuko Thanh
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FVictoria’s monthlyOCO magazineC of people, ideasU and cultureSApril 2012 Writer Yasuko Thanh on NORMAL people in EXTREME situations Page 38 ▲ PM 40051145 Victoria’s ACTIVE LIFESTYLE Welcome to Experts Nirvana local food 10% OFF nirvana regular price noun [nir-vah-nuh]: for swimwear 1. An ideal condition of rest, harmony, with this ad stability, or joy. until April 30 2. One-of-a-kind 4400 sq-ft facility with good 2012 terrific staff, who have 35 years of for combined experience with dogs & cats. every delivering organic food to yourbody door since 1997 Celebrate the Local Harvest with Us Here come the Spring greens! Why buy a Box? Makes crop planning easier for farmers and pricing better for you! You are supporting… • Local Island growers and the local economy WE’VE MOVED TO • Organic growers working with Mother Nature 942 FORT STREET Day Care • Grooming • Boarding • Training • YOURSELF by enjoying fresh healthy foods! 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Ashley Stanford, CGA Kim Sterling, FCGA Leslie Campbell readers’ views 6 Experienced • Knowledgeable • Approachable 8 THE BRIDGE MONEY HOLE GETS DEEPER talk of the town 8 Massive design changes to the new Johnson Street Bridge were withheld from City councillors prior to a critical vote. palette 20 Accounting and Income Tax David Broadland for Individuals and Small Businesses arts in april 24 10 A CRISIS OF YOUTHFUL POVERTY Why are there hundreds of young people living on the streets of the CRD? coastlines 38 1560 Fort Street Stadacona Centre Simon Nattrass island interview 40 250-480-0558 ROBOCALLS AND THE PETROSTATE www.sg-cga.ca 12 the survivors 42 Links between election fraud and oil interests are so thick, it appears bitumen itself is lubricating the connections. urbanities 44 Briony Penn finding balance 46 18 FORCED DRUGGING OF SENIORS STILL INCREASING Ombudsperson, BCCLA and Greens criticize BC’s draconian laws. Rob Wipond 20 ART THAT’S ASTONISHING Samuel Jan says it’s all about moving people with beauty. Christine Clark 38 WORLDS BEAUTIFUL AND DANGEROUS Yasuko Thanh writes stories about normal people in extreme situations. Amy Reiswig ON THE FRONT COVER 40 ALL TOGETHER NOW Photograph of Yasuko Thanh by Tony Shellie Gudgeon’s first concern is how we shift Bounsall. See story on page 38. from “us and them” to “we”—and why we have to. Aaren Madden • Aromatic flavourful teas • High quality essential oils 42 MAYOR PETER The right of public access to the waterfront has been • Top quality herbs and tinctures for a hallmark of Peter Pollen’s long service to the community. your health & well being Leslie Campbell • Books, incense and other gift items 44 WORLD CLASS? NOT GOOD ENOUGH. EXPERIENCED STAFF Even with storm clouds on the horizon, • R.N. • aromatherapists • herbalists • consultations available Victoria continues to avoid direct action. Gene Miller 46 THE RE-COLONIZATION OF CANADA serving Victoria for over 36 years Government and business interests are selling our country and its resources to the Chinese. 1106 Blanshard St. • 383-1913 Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic best prices • mail order available April 2012 • www.focusonline.ca 3 editor’s letter Richard’s journey to the edges LESLIE CAMPBELL The dream of a therapeutic community at Woodwynn Farm still burns bright. doubt I’ve ever met anyone more persistent and It takes hours in the morning to stop shivering. committed than Richard LeBlanc, founder of He can’t warm up through the night by starting Ithe Creating Homefulness Society and Woodwynn the engine—he simply can’t afford the gas. But Farm, the therapeutic community for homeless it’s not just the cold. He says, “I hear every foot- people. When I think of all the roadblocks the step and car passing.” And then there are the Woodwynn project has faced, it’s hard to believe security guards or police pounding on his door that he just keeps on chugging and that he’s so when he picks the wrong spot. good-natured and philosophical about it. And by Day Three, Richard was noticing people Right now, two big things are happening in his didn’t treat him the same: “I already have had life. First, Woodwynn’s application to the Agricultural friends walk by me and not recognize me. Just a Land Commission to house more homeless people few days’ beard growth, different body language on the property is under active consideration. and grubby clothes apparently will do it,” he And second, Richard has been living on the streets reported on his facebook diary. for over a month. Meanwhile, out at the farm, Ed has lost his Let’s start with that. Richard had been musing greyish complexion and some of his frailty, and about trying life on the streets when “Ed” showed is working through a lengthy list of chores. Besides up on the farm, escorted by the police. Ed had fixing door hinges and fences, he’s been a big help never been charged with anything, but complaints PHOTO: LESLIE CAMPBELL with the ducks and pigs. had been made about his living in a van in the Richard LeBlanc Richard has committed to the trade with Ed Brentwood Bay area over the past two years. He’s for as long as it takes to raise the equivalent of neither an addict, nor mentally ill, merely the victim of a work acci- 2012 people donating 99¢ a day for a year to Woodwynn. Even in dent that severely injured his feet so that he could no longer do his these tight times, people are finding creative ways to donate, whether work as a tradesperson. His money quickly ran out and he was evicted. it’s $5 a month on their credit card or getting together with friends to He took to his van—with a big old Lab and all his tools (he slept on his make some sort of commitment. The Raymond James Foundation huge tool chest). just donated $6000. Meeting Ed, who’s in his late 50s, helped Richard make his deci- So Richard knows he can return home at some point. He shakes his sion. By trading places with Ed, Richard could get a firsthand experience head thinking of those homeless citizens who have no end in sight. of homelessness that he could use to boost community awareness and On Day 30 in his diary, he wrote: “Really really feeling for people for funds for Woodwynn’s operations, while Ed could enjoy the comforts whom homelessness is for a truly indefinite period of time. I sense from of a home and regain some strength and dignity. the folks I talk to that they just get tired of wondering how many Ed has mentored Richard, advising him on how to keep warm and more days/weeks/months...egad ... years, it will be. [They] Just live in where to park—there’s an art to being unobtrusive, which is essen- the moment: “Try not to give up.” “Where do I sleep tonight?” “Try tial given the bylaws around camping and parking. But he also made to pick myself up for one more day.” “Where do I eat?” “Try not to feel.” Richard promise to live by his rule: “Don’t ask for help,” though Richard “How much money do I have left?” ‘Try not to notice the looks of disap- could take help if offered. Ed accepts $320 monthly from Social proval on people’s faces all day long.” “How do I stay warm? Dry?” Assistance. So that’s the budget Richard allows himself. Richard, unlike the “real” homeless, has been getting a lot of encour- Richard is learning a lot, quickly. Mostly how to be incredibly frugal agement for his dreams. He keeps busy talking with school kids, and how hard it is to keep warm. When we meet for lunch at Green church groups and service clubs. And trying to keep warm. That’s Cuisine, he looks a bit frayed around the edges, certainly his hair is become an obsession. longer, and he’s bundled up warmly. Though I can’t really tell, he says he’s lost a half-dozen pounds. ON MARCH 19, Richard got cleaned up and headed to Vancouver to It’s been a huge adjustment on many fronts. Probably the most diffi- make a presentation to the Agricultural Land Commission on Woodwynn’s cult has been around losing the privacy and comforts of an accessible request to be able to house worker/residents on the farm’s 193 acres home bathroom. Especially late at night.