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Investing in early childhood programs carries a big payback, B.C. report says

Submitted by Nicole Seguin on Tue, 09/14/2010 - 1:04pm

By BRIAN MORTON, Vancouver Sun

VANCOUVER -- Pay now, or pay much more later. That's the word from the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Justice Institute of B.C., which released a joint report Monday saying that investing in early childhood development — particularly before age five - will save governments and society millions of dollars in the long run.

"The economic payback is spectacular," report author David Park, research associate for the Justice Institute and economist emeritus for the board, told a news conference about the report. "There are great benefits in intervening."

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VPD officer fired after being charged with marijuana trafficking

Submitted by Nicole Seguin on Wed, 04/21/2010 - 3:53pm

By Staff Reporter, The Province

Vancouver Police Const. Peter Hodson, 31, has been arrested and charged with selling marijuana — while both on and off duty, Chief Cont. Jim Chu said Wednesday.

Chu called the development “shocking and disturbing” and said Hodson was fired Wednesday.

Also charged is Oscar Lapitan.

Hodson faces further charges of breach of trust, selling drugs and illegal use of a police database.

Chu said he was also charged with break-and-enter with the intent to commit extortion, in connection with the street-level drug trafficking allegations.

Police allege that the offences took place between Dec. 4, 2009 and April 20.

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Feared police crackdown absent during Games

Submitted by Nicole Seguin on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 2:01pm

Homeless encampments, free speech, marijuana use unaffected by police

CBC News

Anti-poverty activists and civil rights watchdogs in Vancouver say their worst fears about police crackdowns during the 2010 Winter Olympics have yet to materialize, more than halfway through the Games.

Sean Spear, a director with RainCity Housing, said their emergency shelters and housing projects are full and their clients are appreciating a place far from the crowds.

"We also have people staying in our projects who are going to the Games and enjoying that as well, or finding other things that they enjoy about the Games — just watching some of the stuff on TV," he said.

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