DTES Dialogue

On the morning of Wednesday, April 5, 2023, a significant police presence assembled in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) to shut down the remnants of the Hastings Street encampment that had at its zenith contained nearly 200 tents and similar structures. Approximately 600 folks inhabiting those shelters had been removed since August, however there still remained an estimated 85 people with some of the structures housing multiple people. Although the City of Vancouver’s plan had been leaked earlier with the results being that members of the Hastings street community and allies held a Monday, April 3rd press conference to raise concerns about the approaching action, the dispersal of those who remained (with some of their belongings) and still living in the makeshift neighbourhood on the street was a great shock to many.

On April 6, Bishop John Stephens with the Reverend Fr. Matthew Johnson of the Street Outreach Initiative headquartered at St. James’ Anglican Church composed a letter to Vancouver’s Mayor Ken Sim to be sent over Bishop John’s signature. The second paragraph of Bishop John’s letter reads:

"I watched with great dismay the destruction of tents and property belonging to those living on the streets in the Downtown Eastside.  I understand this issue is complex and not easily resolved.   Yet, at a time when the issue of housing and homelessness is at a peak of concern it seemed intentionally unsympathetic to remove unstable housing from people who have no realistic options in terms of other housing possibilities."

The letter did make it to Mayor Sim and over the next 5-6 months a group of Vancouver faith leaders, most with long and deep ties to ministry in the DTES connected to set up a meeting with the Vancouver mayor. The date for the meeting was September 14, 2023.

The group that gathered for the meeting were: Amanda Burrows, Executive Director, First United; Tariq Tyab co-founder of  Foundation for a Path Forward and principal of the Columbia Institute; Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Senior Rabbi of Temple Shalom on Oak Street; Bishop Kathy Martin of the BC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Archbishop Michael Miller, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver; Bishop John Stephens, Anglican Diocese of New Westminster; the Reverend Fr. Matthew Johnson; Randy Murray, Communications Officer of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster, staff support. 

Tariq Tyab, a Muslim leader has a remarkable record of promoting equality and interfaith collaboration. Tariq and Mayor Sim have worked together and are engaged in ongoing dialogue. Tariq has also become an active participant in the ministry of our diocese specifically around housing and property development projects. He works with Director of Mission and Ministry, the Reverend Tellison Glover and with Vicar of the Parish of Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Venerable Richard Leggett on the now in-progress Holy Trinity New Westminster development project. Although Rabbi Dan Moskovitz and congregation do not have a building in the DTES, that community is engaged and want to become more involved in compassionate service to, and equality for the residents of DTES. The other leaders present have a more direct connection to the area through their church buildings and established outreach initiatives.

As it was his letter that got the dialogue started, Bishop John informally facilitated the agenda for the faith leaders. Everyone introduced themselves and gave a brief explanation of their organization’s connection to the DTES. Following the introductions, Mayor Sim addressed the remarks in Bishop John’s letter. He clarified that the April 5th action was not a law enforcement decision, but a Vancouver Engineering decision as repeated discussions around the potential threat of fires, explosions and catastrophic events that would take many lives and destroy property had resulted in consensus amongst the relevant city personnel that this action was necessary. The safety of the community was and is the priority. Mayor Sim also stated that there were three in-person attempts to communicate to the remaining members of the encampment that there was housing available for each of them, however, very few raised their hands to take the offer. 

After the mayor spoke, each person had an opportunity to present their point of view and offer ideas for consideration that might move towards a better situation. As this was the first meeting much of what was discussed is in early stages, but what is important is that a dialogue has begun and out of that good can come.

It is hoped that the meeting in the Mayor’s Office, September 14, 2023, will be the first of a series of dialogues and together faith leaders and the City of Vancouver can work together to make the DTES a safer more habitable place for all. 

IMAGES

•  Mayor Sim addresses the faith leaders  
• Father Matthew Johnson speaks about his ministry in the DTES 
• A posed group shot of the group gathered for that first dialogue, September 14, 2023 left to right around the table: Rabbi Dan Moscovitz, Bishop John Stephens, Amanda Burrows, Fr. Matthew Johnson, Bishop Kathy Martin, Archbishop Michael Miller, Tariq Tyab and Mayor Ken Sim

Photos Randy Murray