Hey everyone, it’s been announced that BC is on track to move to STEP 3 of BC’s Restart Plan. Here is a link to the news release and some more information about what we can all expect at this time (starting July 1). You can find more information about BC’s Restart Plan in full here.
CLBC COVID-19 Update
Hey everyone, you can click here to read the June 30th COVID-19 update for individuals and families. This update includes more information about what we can expect as BC moves into Step 3 of the provincial Restart plan, an update on the Accessible British Columbia Act, and an opportunity to have your say in the Government of Canada Disability Inclusion Action Plan.
OKANAGAN: Community Cooling Centres Activated
Hey everyone, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations centre has been activated to support the opening of several cooling centres, in response to the heat warning issued by Environment Canada, and has circulated an information bulletin with additional information — we are passing on the information in that bulletin here for you.
Elevated temperatures over several days put seniors, children, people with underlying health conditions and those who do not have access to air conditioning at greater risk of heat-related illness.
Starting June 27, the following locations will be available as cooling centres for the community:
City of Kelowna
- Parkinson Activity Centre, 1700 Parkinson Way, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Rutland Activity Centre, 765 Dodd Rd., 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
City of West Kelowna
- Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, 2630 Alhambra Dr., 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
District of Peachland
- Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations bulletin outlines COVID-19 safety at cooling centres:
- Centres will follow Provincial Health Orders for COVID-19 to keep populations safe
- Centres will have supplies of water, masks and hand sanitizer on-hand
- Physical distancing measures will be in place
- Wearing masks in the cooling centres is required per the guidelines for cooling centres from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The cooling centres will remain open until the heat wave subsides. Additional cooling centres may open in the coming week. Keep an eye on local news and cordemergency.ca. CORD Emergency officials recommend checking on neighbours and family to ensure that they are staying cool, keeping hydrated and determining whether they need any assistance.
LAST CHANCE: Have Your Say In…the CCSS Check In!
Hey everyone, just a reminder to jump in with your check-in if you haven’t had the chance yet .
You can click here to be taken to the question page.
Thanks!
STAY COOL: Heat Warning issued
Hey everyone, a heat warning has been issued by Environment Canada for much of the Province, including the Okanagan and the West Kootenays. Record temperatures are in the forecast from Saturday until Tuesday. Watch for heat-related illness, and be aware of the increased risk of wildfires due to drought conditions.
We’ve got information posted on sun safety on our Health and Safety page and we’ve posted SPOTLIGHTS on sun safety on our blog. There are also tips and resources on weather hazards and safety on the Government of Canada website, including how you can prepare for summer weather.
The Government of Canada website also has a page for natural hazards with information about Wildfires here.
Stay safe and healthy, and stay cool!
JUNE 2021: Pride month!
Hey everyone! Many communities in Canada and around the world are celebrating diversity throughout June 2021 as PRIDE month.
We thought we would take this opportunity to highlight some PRIDE activities, resources, and organizations for you here:
- As you may have noticed, we made some changes to the CCSS website with our Justice & Diversity statement
- The United Nations Free & Equal campaign has promoted equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTI since its launch in 2013
- CBC created a slideshow about using they/them pronouns, included in this article
- CBC also made a list of 16 books to read by Canadian LGBTQ authors, along with a list of 17 books for kids and teens
- These are links to local Pride organizations in Kelowna, the Kootenays (on Facebook), Cranbrook (on Facebook), and Fernie
- The Fernie Pride Society is conducting a diversity and inclusion survey for people identifying as part of the LGBTQ2+ community, for businesses, and for allies
- Here is a list of Pride celebrations taking place around BC
- CBC featured the “Trans Canada Project” started by Kelly Schwab and Cary Scott to highlight gender diverse voices (check out their videos below)
Let us know in the comments what’s going on in your community for Pride month!
JUNE 28: CLBC COVID-19 Update
Hey everyone, CLBC has invited staff, support workers, and home sharing providers join in their teleconference on Monday, June 28, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (PDT) with Nicholas Simons, Minister, Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, to provide a COVID-19 update and to recognize the diligent and brave work of frontline support workers.
Call in: 1-877-353-9184 (participant code: 40896#)
Special Instructions: Please start dialing in at 10:20 a.m.
You are invited to pre-submit COVID questions to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca by 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, using the words “JUNE 28 CALL” in the subject line.
For the latest information from CLBC, please visit their COVID-19 web page for service providers here. You can also check out their full bulletin here.
REMINDER: Have Your Say…by June 25th!
Two weeks ago we asked you to take a few minutes to help us by answering a question about your experiences over the past year. Please consider taking this opportunity to check in! This link will be open until June 25th.
You can click here before June 25th to be taken to the question page. Thanks!
JUNE 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day!
Hey everyone, today is National Indigenous Peoples Day – and it’s the 25th anniversary of celebrating Indigenous Peoples on June 21st each year. *Last week we posted some ideas to help find opportunities to participate in National Indigenous History Month, check it out for ideas to celebrate today– and look in the comments section of that post for local events!
*Since last week, we found a few more ideas to add to the list:
- list of First Nations celebrations taking place over the summer
- free virtual workshops – next up is “Honouring Wellness” on June 22
Let us know what else is going on in your community in the comments!
Great News! Disability Digest #20
Hey everyone, to end the week we thought we would leave you with Disability Digest #20 (which features Sarah Biffen, Ali Stroker, Brian Wilson, Selma Blair, Helen Keller…and a whole lot of inspiration!) and invite you to check out more issues of Disability Digest here.
Here’s what Al Etmanksi has to say about this week’s Digest: