UN International Day Of Older Persons - October 1, 2019 - National Pensioners Federation
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COSCO News
Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of B.C.
Number 112 www.coscobc.org October 2019
UN International Day Of Older Persons
- October 1, 2019
T
he United Nations' Older human rights champi-
theme of IDOP 2019 ons today were born around
“The Journey to Age the time of the adoption of
Equality”. the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights in 1948.
As COSCO requested, the
More than 40 years after
Government of British Co- our dignity and quality of
the adoption of the Univer-
lumbia proclaimed October life: growing older must not
sal Declaration of Human
1, 2019 as “International diminish a person’s inher-
Rights, issues of human
Day of Older Persons” in the ent dignity and fundamental
rights for older persons
Province of British Colum- rights.
were taken up in 1991 in the
bia. [A copy of the procla-
formulation of the United Our Executive member, Ag-
mation is on the our website
Nations Principles for Older nes Jackman wrote to almost
www.coscobc.org]
Persons. These principles all BC municipalities. We
United Nations celebrated provide guidance in the areas urged them to proclaim and
the importance of the 71st of independence, participa- celebrate seniors on October
anniversary of the Univer- tion, care, self-fulfillment 1st by flying the UN Interna-
sal Declaration of Human and dignity. In 2002, gov- tional Day of Older Persons'
Rights, by reaffirmed the ernments for the first time flag in their respective com-
commitment to promoting agreed to link questions of munities. A number of them
the full and equal enjoyment aging to other frameworks did so.
of all human rights and fun- for social and economic de-
damental freedoms by older velopment and human rights. If there was an event in your
persons. In 2019, the theme community and you have
The interdependence be- pictures, please upload them
of the International Day of
tween older persons’ social on the “Seniors’ Voice” web-
Older Persons focuses on
integration and the full site seniorsvoice.org
pathways of coping with ex-
enjoyment of their human
isting and preventing future
rights are very much con- by Gudrun Langolf
old age inequality.
nected and directly affects
1 – COSCO News, October 2019
Council Of Senior Citizens’
Organizations Of BC (COSCO)
Visit us at www.coscobc.org &
https://www.facebook.com/COSCOBC/
President:
Gudrun Langolf (VMRRA) 604 266-7199
cell phone: 604 315-9096
pres@coscobc.org
First Vice-President:
Sheila Pither (VRTA) 604 684-9720
vpone@coscobc.org
Second Vice-President:
John Wynne (Plumbers & Pipefitters)
778-294-4261 wynnejohn@shaw.ca
General Vice-Presidents:
Wayne Dermody (BCGREA)
Jerry Gosling (BCOAPO)
Pat Thiessen (BCRTA)
Diane Wood (BC FORUM)
Treasurer:
IN THIS EDITION
Betty Bolton (BCOAPO) 604 465-5498 UN International Day of Older Persons ..................... 1
betty_bolton@telus.net World Human Rights Day [UN] ....................................... 3
Secretary: From the President's Desk ........................................... 4,5
Vacant The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act .... 6
secretary@coscobc.org BC Summit for Older Adults on Safe Medication Use........ 7
Membership Secretary: COSCO In The Community ............................ 8-9, 15-16
Linda Forsythe (411 Seniors Centre Society) The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in BC.... 10
604 444-4300 Lobbying for Reasonable Parking at BC Hospitals ..........11
membership@coscobc.org Climate Change / Surviving Information Overload .......12
Members-at-Large & Chairs of Continuing Ride-Hailing: Not a Solution ....................................13,14
Committees: Be Prepared for Darker Winter Days............................ 15
Patrick Brady (BCRTA)
Larry Dea (BCITRA)
Leslie Gaudette About COSCO
Navin Goburdhun (BCGREA) COSCO is an umbrella organization that brings
Mohinder Grewal (VCCSNS) together 85 different seniors groups, representing
Agnes Jackman (BC FORUM) approximately 100,000 women and men to work on common
Kathleen Jamieson issues.
Rod McIvor (CN Pensioners' Assn) COSCO is affiliated with the 1,000,000 member
Annette O'Connor (LRTA) National Pensioners Federation (NPF) which promotes these
Jean Sickman (BCGREA) issues at the national level.
Much of COSCO’s work is promoting good health.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, opinions, view- Our COSCO Health & Wellness Institute trained volunteers
points, accuracy of facts submitted by the member is provide free workshops on 43 topics. More than 40,000
the sole responsibility of the writer, and not necessarily seniors have now attended these workshops! We update
the opinion of the Editor, Executive, or Membership of the information in the 90-minute workshops as information
COSCO. changes.
2 – COSCO News, October 2019 Send your letters to the editor or other contributions to:
cosconews.editor@coscobc.org and pres@coscobc.org
World Human Rights Day
[United Nations]
On December 10th, 2019 we
celebrate the 71st anniversa-
ry of World Human Rights
Day [United Nations]
In 1948 the United Nations
passed the Universal Decla-
ration of Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration
includes civil and politi-
cal rights, like the right to
portant today. Basically, hu- Finally, by guaranteeing life,
life, liberty, free speech and
man rights guarantees people liberty, equality, and security,
privacy. It also includes
the means necessary to sat- human rights protect people
economic, social and cultural
isfy their basic needs, such against abuse by those who
rights, like the right to social
as food, housing, and educa- are more powerful.
security, health and educa-
tion, so they can take full ad-
tion.
vantage of all opportunities.
Human rights are still im-
HOW TO BOOK A FREE WORKSHOP
FOR YOUR GROUP
So far, more than 50,000 seniors throughout BC have participated in the COSCO Seniors’ Health
and Wellness Institutes free health promotion workshops. We now offer workshops on 43 differ-
ent issues and topics of particular interest to seniors.
Each 60 to 90 minute workshop is available free of charge to any seniors’ group of 10 or more.
A trained senior volunteer presents practical and usable information. These workshops are not
intended to provide any specific legal, medical or financial advice, just a better understanding
and practical suggestions.
To book a workshop for your group, please email:
ws_coord@coscoworkshops.org
We are always interested in recruiting and training volunteer
facilitators. If interested, please contact president@coscoworkshops.org
3 – COSCO News, October 2019
From The President's Desk
The summer was really busy what we know needs to be different approach/system.
for all of us. Is it true that done. We seniors are liter- But comprehensive, univer-
time passes faster as we get ally running out of time. For sal pharmacare should not be
older? example, dependent on which province
we live in.
We just survived another PHARMACARE has been
election, complete with half promised for over 40 years! Next to the scarcity of time
truths, whoppers mixed in is an alarming scarcity of
Time for empty promises
with honest sharing of fact, $$$ for seniors. Increasing
is over, the parties have to
opinions as well as the all number of seniors experience
deliver!
important election promises. poverty, rely on food-banks
NOW and are at risk of losing se-
So you thought our job was
cure housing. That is simply
done by placing the “X” on That means the federal par- unacceptable, an intolerable
the ballot? Of course you ties/government have to situation that has to be fixed
know better. Now we have negotiate with the promises now, BEFORE we die!
to begin double checking to harmonize the effort be-
the parties' promises against cause each province has a
Age Is Not Just A Number
In our culture, it seems that dice about not being young. a combination of three con-
ageism is at the root of the It even legitimizes abuse in nected elements:
paternalism and neglect of its various forms. It affects
• prejudicial attitudes to-
seniors. Just as with sexism old and young. It should
wards older people, old
and racism, not many people unite all of us since it is the
age, and the aging pro-
consciously discriminate on one human condition that is
cess;
the basis of gender or race universal, regardless of gen-
• discriminatory practices
but it is all around us. We der or race, sexual orienta-
against older people; and
have to deliberately think tion or other distinction. We
• institutional practices and
about the topics. We also can learn from the feminist
policies that perpetuate
don't think of ourselves as and civil rights movements
stereotypes about elderly
hapless victims...but of the sixties, as well as the
people.
“Grey Panthers”!
The “-isms” and prejudices
divide us and keep us all Ageism has been defined in [Adapted from Robert Neil
from getting the living con- many ways, here is just one: Butler, 1969]
ditions we need and want.
Ageism is the discrimination Ageism makes us afraid of
Ageism is a baked-in preju-
against seniors, and pat- the future. We blame our-
4 – COSCO News, October 2019 terned on and racism. It is selves for a lot of circum-
stances that we did not create cannot open most newspa- It is good to have legal pro-
and which we cannot control. per or magazine that do not tections but they are totally
Growing old has become emphasize the importance of useless if enforcement is
shameful. Witness how being wrinkle-free, living and non-existent and the preju-
many people are not comfort- looking right (read young). dice is systemic:
able about telling you their Looking old is bad! It is clear:
In Canada, Section 15 (1)
age... And as a direct result, stereotypes oppress us!
of the Canadian Charter of
age-friendly products which
Awful too is this: We are now Rights and Freedoms states
can improve our physical en-
encouraged to become super that "every individual is
vironment and make it more
geezers. Who hasn't heard equal before and under the
accessible are kept out of the
about the 100 year old mara- law and has the right to equal
market because of 'stigma'.
thon runner or the 90 year old protection and equal benefit
Ramps, grab bars, wider door
making the birthday jumps of the law without discrim-
ways etc. ought to be part of
out of planes? Shouldn't we ination and, in particular,
“universal design” - no stig-
be able to grow old at our without discrimination based
ma, just normal!
own pace in spite of being the on ... age" (as well as other
Internalized stereotypes inter- “silver market” - the source protected classes).
fere with people's lives. What of profit for business.
In Canada, Article 718.2,
about all of the seniors jokes?
AGEISM IS THE ATTI- clause (a)(i), of the Criminal
It all conspires to belittle, in- TUDE THAT DISCRIMINA- Code defines as aggravating
fantilize, demean, reinforcing TION, NEGLECT & ABUSE circumstances, among other
the stereotypes of incapacity OF OLDER PERSONS IS situations, "evidence that the
and incompetence. We are AN ACCEPTABLE NORM offence was motivated by ...
barraged with messages that
TAKE A STAND AGAINST age".
our lives are not worthwhile
nor worth paying for. You AGEISM TODAY
by Gudrun Langolf
SENIOR CITIZENS REPAIR SERVICE
IN METRO VANCOUVER
We provide low-cost MINOR house repairs, renovations and maintenance for seniors 55
years and older as well as for people with disabilities.
Services include plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, gas fitting. Painting, yard work and
general 'handyman' services. All services are guaranteed for 30 days and offered by retired
or semi-retired, experienced tradespeople.
Sponsored by the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 170.
Office hours are 9 AM to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday.
Phone: 604 529-1100
5 – COSCO News, October 2019
YES! Good news especially for our First Nations' Elders & their families.
The Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples Act [October 25, 2019]
British Columbia is the first upholds the human rights of • recognition for addition-
province to bring the interna- Indigenous peoples, while al forms of Indigenous
tionally recognized standards creating more transparen- governments in agree-
of the United Nations Decla- cy and predictability in the ment-making, such as
ration on the Rights of Indig- work we have to do together. multiple Nations working
enous Peoples (UN Declara- It is about ending discrimina- together as a collective, or
tion) into provincial law. It tion and conflict in our prov- hereditary governments –
was a long time coming! ince, and will help to ensure as determined and recog-
more economic justice and nized by the citizens of
First Nations across B.C.,
fairness. the Nation.
Canada and the world
watched the introduction of Over time as laws are mod- To support self-determina-
this historic legislation. The ified or built, they will be tion and self-government, the
maturity and wisdom of our aligned with the UN Decla- act will enable the Province
current leadership in this ration. Additional elements to recognize other forms of
province, both Indigenous of the bill include: Indigenous governments in
and non-Indigenous, are addition to federal Indian
• a requirement to develop
signs for hope during these Act bands, treaty Nations
an action plan to meet the
uncertain times. and incorporated bodies and
objectives of the UN Dec-
societies. This also provides
The B.C. Government con- laration, in collaboration
more clarity for businesses
tinues work with our First with Indigenous peoples;
and communities about who
Nations to build an even
• annual public reporting to to engage when working
stronger, more inclusive and
monitor progress; with Indigenous partners.
more just B.C., a better fu-
ture for everyone. • discretion for new deci- For a fact-sheet on the B.C.
sion-making agreements Declaration on the Rights of
Congratulations to Scott Fra-
between the Province and Indigenous Peoples Act, visit
ser, Minister of Indigenous
Indigenous governments
Relations and Reconciliation https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/
where decisions directly
and the BC government and FS_Declaration-Legisla-
affect Indigenous peoples
the First Nations partners for tion_24Oct19_FINAL.pdf
and mechanisms exist
this giant step towards rec-
in applicable legislation The legislation https://decla-
onciliation. The legislation
– with clear processes, ration.gov.bc.ca
will help create a path that
administrative fairness
6 – COSCO News, October 2019 and transparency; and
2019 BC Summit for Older Adults
on Safe Medication Use:
Seniors Empowering Communities!
On Friday, May 17th, 2019 Almost half of Canadian se- a much broader section of
COSCO and the Canadian niors are prescribed medica- BC seniors and the organiza-
Deprescribing Network part- tions deemed inappropriate tions that work with them.
nered for the summit. 100 or risky for this population,
Speakers included the BC
seniors from all over BC. and more than one in four
Seniors Advocate Isobel
met in Richmond. The sum- seniors take more than 10
Mackenzie, the Therapeutic
mit addressed the potential different medications (CIHI
Initiative’s Alan Cassels and
health problems for seniors 2018).
UBC Professors Steve Mor-
that created by consumption
While there are existing gan, Rita McCracken and
of too many medications.
workshops on medication Tom Perry as well as Geria-
There is also the potential
safety given by the “COSCO trician Cara Tannhauser.
risk of inappropriate medi-
Seniors' Health and Wellness
cations being prescribed to
Institute” (among others) this by Kathleen Jamieson
seniors.
summit spread awareness to
COSCO Associate Membership
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702 – 4353 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 5Z4 Telephone: (604) 444-4300
For information about Affiliate (organizational) Membership, please contact the Membership Secretary.
You can now contribute on our website www.coscobc.org
7 – COSCO News, October 2019
COSCO In The Community
L-R Barb Mikulec, Jean Sickman, and
Hon. Adrian Dix and Gudrun Langolf
Barry Jones, Staffing one of many infor-
exchanging views
mation tables events
Active Transportation Conference
Held in New Westminster (below)
L-R: John Wynne, Larry Dea and
Anthony Kupferschmidt [West End Se-
Gudrun Langolf, Basking in the Sun
niors Network] Demonstrating the 'rick-
Celebrating 25th Anniversary shaw'. They now own one!
of the Therapeutics Initiative
Kathleen Jamieson, Minister Dix et al Premier Horgan and Larry Dea
8 – COSCO News, October 2019
COSCO In The Community
Marpole Day At The Community Centre (below)
L-R Jean Sickman, Gudrun Langolf L-R Barry Jones and MLA Michael Lee,
Barb Mikulec engaging with the public Trying to stay cool
The Hon. Adrian Dix, Minister of Health
Announcing the plan for a long term care,
residential facility to house 160 seniors
L-R Jean Sickman, Gudrun Langolf,
Larry Dea, Minister Adrian Dix
and Sheila Crompton,
Summer is grand! 9 – COSCO News, October 2019
The Best of Care: Getting it Right
for Seniors in British Columbia
J
ay Chalke was appointed cluded monitoring The Best of registration of and investi-
Ombudsperson in May, Care (Part 2). At the same time, gates complaints about as-
2015 by unanimous motion many of the issues we identi- sisted living facilities in Brit-
of the Legislative Assembly. His fied remain as pressing as they ish Columbia, has improved
six-year term as Ombudsperson were in 2012. This final system- its internal procedures for
started July 1, 2015. ic investigation update report investigations including
highlights our analysis of imple- time limits for responding to
He spoke at the June COSCO
mented recommendations and complaints.
Delegates' meeting mostly about
the primary areas where import-
the follow-up findings of a • The Ministry of Health and
ant work remains to be done.
report done by the Ombudsper- health authorities have de-
We are encouraged by the fact
son's Office by his predecessor, veloped some standardized
that some improvements have
Kim Carter in Feb. 2012. It performance management
been made to seniors’ care in the
looks like our work advocating requirements to measure
province since our initial report
on behalf of seniors hasn't less- the quality of home support
was issued. However, most of
ened... services.
the work completed to date has
“The actions taken to date, focused on small, incremental • Information has been en-
while welcome, have mostly changes. As this report highlights, hanced for seniors who are
focused on smaller incremen- there is clearly significant work facing financial hardship in
tal improvements,” said Chalke. ahead to ensure that fundamental regard to how they can have
“Frankly, in seven years I, and I changes are made to address the home and community care
think the public, would expect systemic and structural gaps that service fees reduced.
more in terms of improving criti- still exist.”...
To come still is enactment of
cally important services
Key implemented recommen- several pieces of legislation that
for our aging population, some
dations included: relate to the Community Care
of whom are extremely frail and
and Assisted Living Act, Resi-
vulnerable.” • The Seniors Advocate iden-
dential Tenancy Act, Communi-
tifies, collects and publicly
“...Seven years after the release ty Care and Assisted Living Act
reports on key home and
of The Best of Care (Part 2), we and the Hospital Act are still on
community care data high-
have decided to end our regular the list.
lighting trends in seniors’
formal monitoring of the rec-
services. The Advocate “This update marks the end of
ommendations in this report.
reports on systemic issues our regular monitoring pro-
Because of the scope of The
impacting seniors and assists cess, which we extended well
Best of Care (Part 2), we extend-
seniors and their families by beyond our typical five-year
ed our regular monitoring by a
providing information and limit given the breadth of the
further two years. After seven
referrals. original report,” said Chalke.
years we have reluctantly con-
“Having shone the light on this
• The Assisted Living Registry
10 – COSCO News, October 2019 vital area, I am confident that
(ALR), which oversees the
advocates, community organiza-tions, seniors and their families, Text is excerpted from the web- the provincial legislature, the
and the public will continue to site: https://bcombudsperson.ca/ Office of the Ombudsperson im-
push for ongoing improvements sites/default/files/OMB-Bestof- partially investigates individual
to seniors’ care. My office will Care-Update-2018v17.pdf complaints about unfair admin-
continue to receive and investi- istrative actions in more than
If you think a provincial gov-
gate individual complaints from 2,800 local and provincial public
ernment ministry, local gov-
seniors and their family mem- authorities . In addition to re-
ernment, or other provincial
bers and I expect we will return solving individual problems, the
public authority has treated you
to these matters as we issue investigation of a complaint can
unfairly– the Ombudsperson's
summaries or reports of future lead to systemic improvements
office may be able to help. An
investigations.” that benefit many people.
independent statutory office of
Lobbying For Reasonable Parking
At BC Hospitals Arrangements
Hospital parking fees are a Board Chair to make the fol- • There should be no parking
burden for most seniors and lowing points: fees for emergency patients
for low income families and drop offs.
R
• That hospital parking fees
ecently, SOAR, Chapter were inconsistent and • There should be a grace
3-14 Vice President, caused great hardship for period for people overex-
Kay Noonan and I met most seniors and low in- tending their time, if they are
with Surrey Guildford MLA come families. not able to get back to their
Garry Begg concerning the high vehicles.
• Meters allow for lots to
cost of hospital parking. Reso-
double dip by not letting • The parking agent should
lution #17, adopted at the last
people add to time. They do not be able to keep 100 per
Canadian SOAR conference,
not give change back. Some cent of the fines collected. It
called for
require credit cards only. is an incentive for them to
“SOAR chapters engage with ticket people.
• Cities are taking away free
other interested groups to call
or two hour parking spaces This is reprinted from the BC
on governments at all levels
away from land near hospi- Forum The Advocate, Sum-
to implement a more humane
tals. mer 2019 issue Fred Girling is
parking charge system that pro-
a member of the BC FORUM
vides fairness and equity to all • Currently people are not
Board of Directors and B.C.
users with a view to abolishing able to use parking fees as
Coordinator, of the Steelwork-
parking fees....” a tax deduction unless they
ers Organization of Active
have to use facilities away
Gary had previously expressed Retirees (SOAR) and a COSCO
from where they live.
concern about the issue. We had delegate.
a long and productive meeting. • Some hospitals have re-
duced passes for long term by Fred Girling
Next steps Our next step is
patients and family mem- 11 – COSCO News, October 2019
a meeting with the Hospital
bers, but it is still a burdenClimate Change
How many people dis- What are you and your
miss what Greta Thunberg neighbours doing? What is
says about climate change your community doing?
simply on the basis of her
If you don't know, please
age? Could it be ageism at
check it out. If you don't
work...? Perhaps a defence
know where to begin, start
mechanism or simple re-
with searching in your li-
sponse that allows many not
brary... Librarians are very
to think about what can be
helpful and knowledgeable!
done?
MEDOC® Travel insurance and more
Check out all the available options and comparison shop!
http://cosco.johnson.ca/ toll free: 888.412.8822
Surviving Information Overload
We have gazillion of ‘facts’ stop questioning. Be con- Don’t let your brain be spoon
at our fingertips, they’re not stantly curious. "Curiosity fed false beliefs. Stay alert.
always true and often, they has its own reason for exis- Stay critical.
can be downright mean and tence," said Einstein.
Use the very tools that dis-
malicious.
"Curiosity is an act of vul- pense a gazillion of ‘facts’
When you combine false in- nerability and courage," says to us every day for your own
formation with our tendency Brene Brown. "Choosing benefit. For example use
for confirmation bias – that curiosity and connection Snopes, which bills itself
is when we look for proof to rather than walking away or as "the definitive Internet
support our beliefs and disre- shutting down, while painful, reference source for urban
gard contradictory informa- is choosing courage." legends, folklore, myths, ru-
tion – we’re in trouble. So mours, and misinformation."
Amp up your curiosity and
what’s a human to do?
its bedfellow critical think-
The important thing is not to ing. by Gudrun Langolf
12 – COSCO News, October 2019Ride-Hailing – Not A Solution Without
Bad Unintended Consequences!
Last year, the BC govern- To Whom It May Concern: imum wage regulations,
ment introduced legislation accepting these applications
I’m an economist and re-
expected to bring ride-hail- would fail to uphold decent
searcher at the Canadian
ing to the province, but economic conditions for
Centre for Policy Alterna-
many questions remain about drivers of passenger trans-
tives. I’ve previously been
what that will look like in portation vehicles. This reali-
asked to speak to legislative
practice. One of the bodies ty can be seen clearly in oth-
committees in BC regarding
responsible for working out er jurisdictions: it is among
the ride-hailing industry and
the policy details is BC’s the reasons that New York
have published an analysis
Passenger Transportation has introduced fleet size
on this issue. In my view,
Board (PTB), an indepen- limits and a minimum wage
the introduction of ride-hail-
dent tribunal that has been in this sector, and it is why
ing multinationals like Uber
handling passenger transport California has passed legis-
and Lyft would not promote
license applications from lation requiring the recogni-
sound economic conditions
ride-hailing companies in- tion of ride-hailing drivers
in the sector, nor would it
cluding major players such as employees. Wages in the
reasonably balance the satis-
as Uber and Lyft. industry are dismal, which
faction of necessarily com-
is consistent with what we
This is the Canadian Cen- peting public needs. Conse-
would expect a priori from
tre for Policy Alternatives quently, I urge you to reject
allowing unlimited vehicles
submission about two appli- these applications.
into this market.
cations.
I’d like to give you an over-
There are legitimate and
Link to the CCPA web- view of my reasoning and
ongoing debates about the
site item: https://www. evidence in reaching this
optimal suite of policies
policynote.ca/bc-should- conclusion, focusing on three
and regulations to address
think-twice/?utm_source=e- main points.
the economic conditions
newsletter&utm_medium=e-
The experience from other of drivers in the passenger
mail&utm_campaign=gener-
jurisdictions is clear: driv- transportation industry. How-
al&utm_content=secondary
ers will not enjoy sound ever, in the absence of fleet
Re: Application 6988- conditions in terms of their size limits, employee status
19TNS, UBER Canada Inc. levels of pay or benefits. or minimum wage regula-
and 6990-19TNS, Lyft Can- tions for drivers, and lack of
First, in the absence of any meaningful minimum fare
ada Inc.
limits on fleet sizes or min- regulations, the experience
13 – COSCO News, October 2019from other jurisdictions is While there are real prob- Externalities imposed by the
clear: drivers will not enjoy lems with the status quo in industry (from the resulting
sound economic conditions the passenger transportation increases in VMT) include
in terms of their levels of pay business in BC, allowing ag- the costs of increased traf-
or benefits. While only some gressive multinationals like fic congestion, increases in
of these regulatory issues Uber and Lyft into the Brit- deadly air pollution, higher
are within the purview of the ish Columbia market would greenhouse gas emissions,
PTB, you have the power to diminish rather than promote added noise pollution, ad-
approve or reject applications sound economic conditions ditional traffic deaths and
relating to economic condi- in this sector. injuries, and diminished
tions. Approving these appli- public transit ridership. Even
While there are real prob-
cations would harm the eco- if the PTB determines that
lems with the status quo
nomic conditions of drivers. there is some public need for
in the passenger trans-
additional passenger trans-
A second concern relating to portation business in BC,
portation services, any ben-
sound economic conditions allowing aggressive mul-
efit of meeting these partic-
is ride-hailing multination- tinationals into the market
ular needs must be weighed
als’ track record of engaging would diminish rather than
against the corresponding
in what appears to be pred- promote sound economic
harms to public needs and
atory pricing. This includes conditions in this sector.
interests in the transportation
the practice of operating at a
Third, sound economic con- sector and beyond.
loss to offer deep discounts
ditions in any sector should
in different markets. Reason- Thank you for your consider-
not include the imposition of
able observers conclude that ation, Alex Hemingway
costly externalities on oth-
the purpose of this practice
ers. Unfortunately, there is a Further analysis and evidence
is to establish a position of
clear body of evidence that relating to each of these points
market dominance vis-à-vis
the introduction of ride-hail- can be found in the November
potential competitors (and 2018 piece, What’s missing from
ing multinationals like Uber
the network effects inherent the Uber debate? Market power,
and Lyft does exactly this.
to this industry then tend to congestion, pollution, and even
Specifically, this industry
further entrench dominant deaths. That piece also charts
adds substantially to the
players). a path forward for ride-hailing
total vehicle miles travelled that doesn’t privilege expansion-
This strategy also appears to (VMT) in a given jurisdic- ist multinational corporations
be buttressed by multimil- tion. Evidence suggests that and also doesn’t leave passen-
lion dollar industry lobbying ride-hailing has added 2.8 ger transportation solely in the
campaigns to promote a fa- vehicle miles to roads “for hands of unaccountable taxi
vourable regulatory environ- each mile of personal driv- firms. BC is uniquely positioned
ment, such as the threat of a ing removed” in the United to break new ground on this
file with a driver or communi-
$90 million industry-funded States. In short, ride-hailing
ty-owned model of ride-hailing;
campaign to overturn Cal- worsens the already-large we just need to be bold enough
ifornia’s new legislation. economic and social costs of to pursue a different way for-
14 – COSCO News, October 2019 automobile transportation. ward.Be Prepared for Darker Winter Days
Being an older man or clothing just adding a white
woman doesn't mean that scarf, hat, and gloves to your
you have to dress like a ensemble helps to make you
conservative, old person more visible. You might
(unless you're into that kind check out second hand stores
of style). You don't have to for reflective clothing and
stop wearing bright colours ICBC usually has reflective
and fun patterns just because pendants. Bike shops are a
you're over a certain age. good source for blinking and
reflective stuff...
If bright colours make you
happy, wear what makes you It all helps to make you safer
happy. And BONUS you on the street. For those of
will be visible especially for you who drive, or are regular
drivers during these darker passengers, remember when
winter days! you get out of your vehicle,
you are a pedestrian. Photo by Amy E. Price/
If you don't have bright Getty Images for SXSW
COSCO In The Community
Kathleen Jamieson and MP Don Davies 'Stay on the Road' workshop facilitator
and COSCO Treasurer, Betty Bolton
COMING OCTOBER 2020 – MAJOR 2-DAY CONFERENCE
“Living in the 21 st Century: A Seniors’ Strategy”
check the COSCO website www.coscobc.org for details as they develop
15 – COSCO News, October 2019COSCO In The Community
The Medication Summit (below) 40th Anniversary Celebration / South
Granville Seniors Centre (below)
Diane Wood and Gudrun Langolf
L-R Clemencia Gomez [ED], Gudrun
Langolf
Delegates' Meeting - June 2019 (below)
Leslie Gaudette
John Wynne & John Chalke, BC's
Ombudsperson - Facebook photo credit:
MP Don Davies receiving his 'thank Fred Girling
you token' for his talk to COSCO
Delegates about pharmacare
16 – COSCO News, October 2019You can also read
