The SFU Urban Studies Program joins Douglas College and the City of New Westminster in co-sponsoring two public forums on urban challenges. Taking a hard look at the political, historical and social roots of the homelessness crisis in Canada and the Metro Vancouver region. Explore how our perception of housing has shifted from home to commodity and learn how the City of New Westminster has emerged as a leader in fighting homelessness. Welcome: Sarah Dench, Vice President, Student Affairs (Douglas College)
Moderator: Dr. Peter Hall, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (SFU). Dr. Hall is a professor and Director of Urban studies at SFU. His research examines the connections between port cities, seaports, and logistics as well as community, economic, and employment development. He was a director of reclaiming the New Westminster Waterfront Research Partnership, which included museum representatives, education, labour, and community partners. As a resident of New Westminster, he also serves on the city’s Advisory Planning Commission. (2:50) Panelists: Dr. Joseph Moore, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). Dr. Moore teaches sociology at Douglas College. He is particularly interested in notions of home, and he is the co-editor of a new book, Sociology of Home: Belonging, Community, and Place in the Canadian Context. Joseph has degrees from the University of Toronto, Concordia University, with a PhD from McMaster. He makes his home in East Vancouver and speaks about sociological approaches to housing and poses the question: what does home actually mean? (8:44) Jonathan Coté, Mayor, City of New Westminster. First elected in 2005 to Council, Jonathan X. Coté served three terms on New Westminster City Council before being elected as Mayor in 2014. He lives in New Westminster with his wife and his daughters. He’s a board member with Metro Vancouver and serves on many of their committees, including the Regional Homelessness Task Force. He’s a member of Metro’s Housing Committee and is a member of the TransLink Board. Outside of his mayoral duties, he’s worked in the insurance industry and has completed an Urban Studies degree at SFU. (26:33) Q&A with panelists (50:46)
