news // no. 4

 

Province funds
new wheels for
New West elders

» New West seniors to get new

buses for transportation

Tania Arora
Staff Reporter

 

he province of BC is a popular
retirement spot for many senior
residents. However, being a senior has
its limitations—including, notably,
transportation. To combat this, the City
of New Westminster has announced
funding for new buses, vans, and other
transportation supports for its seniors.
According to a press release from
Island Health, 19 percent of the BC
population is over the age of 65, a number
which is expected to grow to 25 percent in
the next 15 years. Accessibility is crucial for
these seniors and their physical and mental
well-being, as Adrian Dix, Minister of
Health, explained in a press release.
“Lack of access to transportation
can increase social isolation, undermine

Bottled up

an individual's ability to complete daily
activities ranging from grocery shopping,
health appointments and engaging in
community programs that improve mental
and physical well-being. That’s why we are
taking steps to resolve this barrier,” said
Dix.

The Senior Services Society, an
organization based in New West, has
received $40,000 in funding from the
province to purchase a new bus at a cost of
$115,000. This is just part of the province's
approximately $1.23 million provided to 13
communities for different projects through
regional health authorities. The money
shall be channeled towards improving the
transportation services for BC seniors.

Nipa Bhalla, the Senior Services
Society’s resources development officer,
said to the New Westminster Record,
“Seniors Services Society is extremely
grateful to the Ministry of Health for its

» Douglas College puts a lid on single-

use plastic water bottles

Jessica Berget
Editor-in-Chief

 

SZ bringing your own water bottles to
school! Douglas College has rolled out a
ban on plastic single-use water bottles from
vending machines and cafeterias on all
campuses (New Westminster, Coquitlam,
and Anvil Office Tower) effective
September 1.

The decision stems from the
school’s commitment to reduce their

 

 

Photo by Billy Bui

carbon footprint and to become a more
environmentally friendly and water
conservative establishment. The college
reported that over 32,000 bottles were sold
on its campuses last year. Douglas is the
16th post-secondary institution in Canada
to ban plastic water bottles following
behind other schools such as McGill, Trent,
the University of Ottawa, University of
Toronto, University of Winnipeg, and the
University of Victoria, with more sure to
follow.

According to a Douglas College press
release, the decision for the ban stems from
a survey of the college community where
g2 per cent of responders said they strongly
supported banning plastic water bottles
sales in the school.

Douglas College is committed to
reducing their own carbon footprint and
plastic bottle waste while also providing
all students with clean, safe, and free
water on all of their campuses. Students
are encouraged to drink tap water instead,
and the college made sure it was prepared.
Before instituting the new ban, five new
water bottle filling stations were added
across campuses in 2018, with another
seven added or upgraded in 2019. Students
who forget their water bottles at home
will be happy to know that Douglas will
also be selling reusable water bottles in
the bookstores as well as in select vending
machines on all three campuses.

Canada has been slowly phasing out
the use of single-use plastics. In a recent
press release Justin Trudeau announced
that Canada will ban single-use plastics
such cutlery, straws, bags, and other
scientifically-proven harmful plastics as
early as 2021.

 

generous contribution to our new bus, so
we may continue to provide vulnerable
and isolated seniors with opportunities to
socialize with their peers, contributing to
healthy and positive aging.”

The Society is working towards
making sure that they get the best price
and set up aconvenient structure. The new
bus will help seniors access everything
from social outings to grocery stores. The
vehicle will be equipped with a wheelchair
lift and have a seating capacity of 16 people.
To ensure safety and a great experience, the
bus will also have a host, usually a senior

theotherpress.ca

Photo via New Westminster Record

volunteer. The bus and other new vehicles
and programs across the province will help
senior residents continue to lead active,
engaged lives.

In the report by Island Health,
Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and
Multiculturalism Anne Kang said, “Seniors
are the hearts of our communities and
they deserve to get the support they need
to live the healthiest lives possible. By
increasing transportation options within
the community, seniors will better be able
to live independent lives and stay physically
and socially active.”

Do you like writing, editing,
design, and getting paid?

The Other Press
is hiring!

News Editor: Reports on timely and relevant events, topics, and
responsible for writing/editing News-based articles. Works
closely with Staff Reporter to cover Douglas College, New
Westminster, and Coquitlam news and events.

Staff Reporter: Provides two articles a week focusing on timely
and relevant topics around the Douglas College community and

lower mainland.

Opinions Editor: Comes up with relevant and timely opinion-
based pieces, ensuring that arguments are fact-based and
properly sourced. Writes and edits five articles a week.

Humour/Entertainment Editor: Oversees the Humour and
Entertainment section. Edits articles from contributors or writes
Humour, creative works and comics to fill section.

Layout Manager: Oversees layout team. Responsible for working
with Production Assistant to ensure that all articles in paper
are laid out on InDesign in a creative and professional manner.

Production Assistant: Works alongside the Layout Manager on
InDesign. Designs spread of certain sections including feature.

Training provided for all positions. Send your
resume, cover letter, and writing samples to
editor.otherpress@gmail.com