After ten years of Liberal cuts, abysmal welfare, inadequate disability rates and inaccessible healthcare, the Olympic costs will have direct local impact on already burdened communities. The Olympic Torch Relay cost Victoria over $600,000, and the costs of the Olympics in total will be over $6 billion.
“The true cost of the Olympics will continue to be immeasurable as we see an increase in poverty, criminalization, and ill health of those who are most marginalized”, said Rob Crosby of the Committee to End Homelessness. “The most vulnerable people are footing the bill for the Olympic party, and we’ve had enough!”
The demonstration and actions will begin when VCAP and No2010 Victoria serve VANOC with a people’s eviction notice. After the eviction, the groups will leave for a march with speakers and surprise actions. The event will finish with a street feast at Centennial Square.
“We demand that VANOC vacate Victoria immediately and compensate thousands of people in our city and throughout BC for the damages they’ve already caused,” stated Tamara Herman from VCAP/No2010Victoria. “The BC government has continued to ignore skyrocketing homelessness and poverty in this province in the face of reckless spending on the Games. Today we’re calling on this to end!”
The Victoria Coalition Against Poverty (VCAP) and No2010 Victoria will be serving the Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC) an eviction notice at the VANOC/Spirit Committee offices in Bastion Square on February 6th, 2010.
