VICTORIA'S MAYOR RESPONDS

Re: Disgusted In Victoria, Brian Hutchinson, Sept. 1.

When I agreed to speak with Mr. Hutchinson regarding the state of
Victoria's downtown I did so with the intent of providing a frank and
forthright assessment of the challenges we are facing in our urban
core. In exchange, I expected a balanced reporting of the problems,
and solutions we are working to advance. Sadly, and perhaps not
surprisingly, sensationalism triumphed once again over thoughtful and
comprehensive journalism. In particular, I challenge Mr. Hutchinson's
negative and one-sided characterization of our community without any
reference to our consistent ranking as one of the top international
travel destinations. I continue to receive feedback from many visitors
who feel Victoria is a safe and beautiful city to visit.

We have never denied that our city, like so many other urban centres
across the country, is confronted with the street-level impacts of
escalating addiction and homelessness. And in many cases, undiagnosed
and/or untreated mental illness is creating a more complex set of
social and health challenges whose consequences are becoming more
visible and more acute every day. These street-level impacts are not
acceptable to me or to our citizens.

What does distinguish Victoria is our genuine commitment to finding a
new and better way to assist these individuals: We are eagerly
awaiting the recommendations from an expert panel of medical
practitioners and researchers, chaired by our provincial health
officer, Dr. Perry Kendall. The panel's recommendations will lead, I
hope, to a new integrated model of service delivery that will
represent a substantial shift in the way we respond to social and
health challenges.

People must have access to stable housing, detox, treatment, health
and social services if we want to end the downward spiral. Cities must
be assisted in this endeavour by other levels of government who
ultimately determine funding levels and service priorities. It is
shameful that our streets have become the de facto institutions for
the homeless, addicted and/or mentally ill.

Alan Lowe, mayor, city of Victoria.